So what have I been up to?
Quite alot, actually. *eyes journal* I see I haven't properly posted for....ahem....awhile, and I have a glass of homemade wine in hand, so I thought an update was appropriate. Settle down, children...
Maelstrom was great. Once I got pass the Sewing NightmareTM and the Corset NightmareTM, from which I was rescued in both cases by Husband in Shining Armor, we had a fabulous time. Weather was great, including a fabulous thunderstorm on Saturday Night. There was much laughter surrounding two pregnant women constructing decorating elements in a field, and both pre-babies got lammied. }:D Both ladies were issued official "Pregnancy Cards", which were used liberally for everything from shoe tying to winning a hand at Blackjack in the Casino. jansibabe was the Best Magician's Assistant Ever: cutting the magic rope without permission, asking distracting questions, and generally being her beautiful entertaining magical self. }:D There was some Invisible Juggling, which we used to vet new Set Dressing Team volunteers, and lots and lots of flirting behind the bar. And I think we ate our own weight in ice lollies (catpooka's current craving). My new character nearly caused an international incident simply by being who she was, and participated in a game of Pirate Roulette, where her dear friend got shot (jansibabe again - somebody oughtta nail that girl's fins to the floor!). There were not one, but two evenings where I practically saw the sunrise - unheard of these days, as I am an Old LARPer. It was brilliant, and the end of an era....making way for the new with lots of surprises in store.
Back in the Real World, I have handed in my notice and my last day is on the 25th of June. I then have a fabulous wedding to attend, a holiday in Norfolk with family, and I start my new job on the 7th of July. I'd love to tell you all what it's about, but there are so many pieces I'm not sure I can! I know it has to do with creating communications strategies for drug companies, educating about specific diseases and the latest new surrounding them in the form of journals, helping to submit documentation for NHS guidelines on the official use of particular drugs, and organising symposiums/conferences. But even that seems pretty general, and doesn't really give you a flavour of what I may or may not being doing. I think it's just going to have to wait. I am both excited and nervous in equal measure - but really it's more of a "holding your breath" feeling until I get there. I feel a bit like I'm leaving a sinking ship in the current job, as they seem to be losing lots of their team for lots of reasons. A good time to go...
Still massaging 3 clients, and am now looking at working with a second ADHD client. *squeee* And apparently the article in Woman magazine has come out - I've requested a copy so I'll try and scan it in and post it when I have it. I've got to prep for my next support group, which is on Sunday. It's not been well attended so far, but I'll keep plugging away in the belief it will take off eventually. I've been telling everyone about it, and word of mouth seems to be spreading. I'm sure I should be advertising more and getting my website up where more people can see it, but that takes more energy than I currently have. Maybe once I start the new job. In the same vein, I'd really like to start my psychology course, but with finances still unstable and a new job with unknown requirements, I'm not sure I'll be able to do it this year. Slightly depressing. {:(
Guy has booked his next two practicals - in 2 weeks time and in July. He can't book the 4th until he does the 2nd, so we're doing well so far. He did amazingly well (no surprise), and was teacher's aid for when the instructor was working with a specific student. In fact, the instructor set him harder and harder tasks as he finished the scripted ones too soon. }:) He really enjoyed it, and I think it's boosted his confidence. His health is *dramatically* improved, and he's beginning to pick up work again. He's also been to the CAB to get legal advice about the whole Debt Debacle, and they should get back to us with an appointment.
I have two large demanding cats. Did I mention they were large?
My double purple clematis flowers have opened! *bounce* I did some over-zealous pruning last year, and cut off all the growing stems. Oops. So this year we only cut back the obvious dead stuff, and now I have massive purple flowers the size of two fists on my climber. *squeee* So cool! (Notice how we are not mentioning the state of the rest of the garden, however....)
I am attempting a Crosstrainer Experiment. We managed to obtain a reconditioned one, as both of us are desperate to get more exercise. As it was delivered just before 'Strom, I've only had the opportunity to try it out in the past couple of days. I have found with self-directed exercise (i.e. not a class) that if I plan to do some every day rather than the vague "3 times a week", it is more likely to get done. So I have now done 2 days of 20 minutes each. I know it's on the easy setting, but the 20 minutes have just flown by, surprisingly. Put on good music, and the movement is similar to dancing - which I love. So positive results already - and this adds to my morning routine of 10 Sun Salutations, 10 leg extensions, and 10 pushups (admittedly, girlie ones - but the plan is to move on to full pushups soon!). Plus Pilates once a week, when the class is in session and I'm not away. Not bad for a lady who found any kind of official exercise abhorrent for so many years!
On a final bright note, I managed to find an old high school friend on Facebook this week who I have been looking to reconnect with since I lost her address in about 2002. It's amazing, fantastic, and she's just sent me some pics of me when I was about 15 that I forgot were even taken. What a long, strange trip it's been....
Maelstrom was great. Once I got pass the Sewing NightmareTM and the Corset NightmareTM, from which I was rescued in both cases by Husband in Shining Armor, we had a fabulous time. Weather was great, including a fabulous thunderstorm on Saturday Night. There was much laughter surrounding two pregnant women constructing decorating elements in a field, and both pre-babies got lammied. }:D Both ladies were issued official "Pregnancy Cards", which were used liberally for everything from shoe tying to winning a hand at Blackjack in the Casino. jansibabe was the Best Magician's Assistant Ever: cutting the magic rope without permission, asking distracting questions, and generally being her beautiful entertaining magical self. }:D There was some Invisible Juggling, which we used to vet new Set Dressing Team volunteers, and lots and lots of flirting behind the bar. And I think we ate our own weight in ice lollies (catpooka's current craving). My new character nearly caused an international incident simply by being who she was, and participated in a game of Pirate Roulette, where her dear friend got shot (jansibabe again - somebody oughtta nail that girl's fins to the floor!). There were not one, but two evenings where I practically saw the sunrise - unheard of these days, as I am an Old LARPer. It was brilliant, and the end of an era....making way for the new with lots of surprises in store.
Back in the Real World, I have handed in my notice and my last day is on the 25th of June. I then have a fabulous wedding to attend, a holiday in Norfolk with family, and I start my new job on the 7th of July. I'd love to tell you all what it's about, but there are so many pieces I'm not sure I can! I know it has to do with creating communications strategies for drug companies, educating about specific diseases and the latest new surrounding them in the form of journals, helping to submit documentation for NHS guidelines on the official use of particular drugs, and organising symposiums/conferences. But even that seems pretty general, and doesn't really give you a flavour of what I may or may not being doing. I think it's just going to have to wait. I am both excited and nervous in equal measure - but really it's more of a "holding your breath" feeling until I get there. I feel a bit like I'm leaving a sinking ship in the current job, as they seem to be losing lots of their team for lots of reasons. A good time to go...
Still massaging 3 clients, and am now looking at working with a second ADHD client. *squeee* And apparently the article in Woman magazine has come out - I've requested a copy so I'll try and scan it in and post it when I have it. I've got to prep for my next support group, which is on Sunday. It's not been well attended so far, but I'll keep plugging away in the belief it will take off eventually. I've been telling everyone about it, and word of mouth seems to be spreading. I'm sure I should be advertising more and getting my website up where more people can see it, but that takes more energy than I currently have. Maybe once I start the new job. In the same vein, I'd really like to start my psychology course, but with finances still unstable and a new job with unknown requirements, I'm not sure I'll be able to do it this year. Slightly depressing. {:(
Guy has booked his next two practicals - in 2 weeks time and in July. He can't book the 4th until he does the 2nd, so we're doing well so far. He did amazingly well (no surprise), and was teacher's aid for when the instructor was working with a specific student. In fact, the instructor set him harder and harder tasks as he finished the scripted ones too soon. }:) He really enjoyed it, and I think it's boosted his confidence. His health is *dramatically* improved, and he's beginning to pick up work again. He's also been to the CAB to get legal advice about the whole Debt Debacle, and they should get back to us with an appointment.
I have two large demanding cats. Did I mention they were large?
My double purple clematis flowers have opened! *bounce* I did some over-zealous pruning last year, and cut off all the growing stems. Oops. So this year we only cut back the obvious dead stuff, and now I have massive purple flowers the size of two fists on my climber. *squeee* So cool! (Notice how we are not mentioning the state of the rest of the garden, however....)
I am attempting a Crosstrainer Experiment. We managed to obtain a reconditioned one, as both of us are desperate to get more exercise. As it was delivered just before 'Strom, I've only had the opportunity to try it out in the past couple of days. I have found with self-directed exercise (i.e. not a class) that if I plan to do some every day rather than the vague "3 times a week", it is more likely to get done. So I have now done 2 days of 20 minutes each. I know it's on the easy setting, but the 20 minutes have just flown by, surprisingly. Put on good music, and the movement is similar to dancing - which I love. So positive results already - and this adds to my morning routine of 10 Sun Salutations, 10 leg extensions, and 10 pushups (admittedly, girlie ones - but the plan is to move on to full pushups soon!). Plus Pilates once a week, when the class is in session and I'm not away. Not bad for a lady who found any kind of official exercise abhorrent for so many years!
On a final bright note, I managed to find an old high school friend on Facebook this week who I have been looking to reconnect with since I lost her address in about 2002. It's amazing, fantastic, and she's just sent me some pics of me when I was about 15 that I forgot were even taken. What a long, strange trip it's been....