The sun is setting now like molasses in the sky.
Things I didn't mention yesterday due to irritation:
-On Monday I saw pumpkins in the supermarket. I have to get hold of some of those for carving!
-On Tuesday I saw the Christmas lights being installed in Albert Square. Looking forward to the switch on event as the fireworks are always fantastic.
-Autumn is definitely here - since my holiday I've noticed that it's too dark in the morning to get dressed without turning on a light. Thankfully my bedside lamp has different settings so I can try not to wake up James. It's also very dark in the evenings, very suddenly. I am not so keen on this. The colours in the trees are good though.
-A few days ago I was standing in the foyer at work taking down notices that shouldn't be on our events board, when Becca/chanandlerbong walked around the corner. I knew that she was in Manchester studying for an MA, but I didn't know where, but there she was! It was great to see her - I think it's been at least five years - so we had a little chat. Maybe we'll meet up again, who knows.
-I recently listened to the soundtrack to Cruel Intentions for what might be the first time since I bought or downloaded the album many years ago. It instantly plunged me back to being fifteen and listening to Bittersweet Symphony over and over again. Strangely, I had forgotten that Colorblind by Counting Crows was on there, and it was very emotional to listen to it again. I remembered a lot of things from that time that I thought I had forgotten about. Maybe I'll watch the film again sometime soon.
***
Last night's personal training session was very good. My trainer was a woman called Manuela, and she was lovely. Very friendly, and not so tiny and athletic that she was intimidating - more like sporty. We went over what I usually do at the gym and then looked at things that I never do. We used the rowing machine, and the cross trainer, both of which I thought were not very taxing but with her watching over me and telling me what speed to reach, they were both pretty hard work! Then we tried lots of different weight machines, most of which I never touch. We discussed how I should try and work a variety of different muscles, which of course makes sense but I've never been very good at that. So we used machines that focus on the backs of your legs, and ones for the front, ones for the triceps and ones for the biceps, and a really tough one that worked the chest muscles that I could barely move. I should write down all the things we did so that I replicate them next time I'm at the gym. She also showed me how to work the lower back muscles which is something I NEVER do, but apparently should as they complement the stomach muscles, so I will definitely be doing that again.
However, after an hour of that I was exhausted, and felt very light and drained as I walked home. I had planned on washing dishes and clearing up before dinner but I was so hungry that I finished off a packet of fruit and oat biscuits while doing so, and then didn't want my nice healthy dinner of leftover shepherd's pie and vegetables.
I also felt far too tired to clean in preparation for the visit from the in-laws, but eventually I dragged myself off the couch and dusted and vacuumed the living room. I made a little playlist to listen to, which comprised of 'Achy-Breaky Heart' by Billy Ray Cyrus, 'Black Velvet' by Alannah Myles, 'Little Lion Man' by Mumford and Sons and 'The Captain and the Hourglass' by Laura Marling. It kept me going quite well actually.
The flat is probably cleaner than it's been since we moved in, but I think I'll vacuum the bedroom again tonight when I get back, and put away that pile of clean clothes that has developed recently. I'm hoping the in-laws won't reach our flat until late this evening so I have time to do these things, but not so late that they stay up for hours because I am exhausted!
I have a good day planned in work though. At lunchtime I'm going to a conference office networking thing, and not only will I get to meet people I've emailed often but never met, but I get a free lunch and a nice walk to the city campus and back. That's a good way to spend two hours, I think.
-On Monday I saw pumpkins in the supermarket. I have to get hold of some of those for carving!
-On Tuesday I saw the Christmas lights being installed in Albert Square. Looking forward to the switch on event as the fireworks are always fantastic.
-Autumn is definitely here - since my holiday I've noticed that it's too dark in the morning to get dressed without turning on a light. Thankfully my bedside lamp has different settings so I can try not to wake up James. It's also very dark in the evenings, very suddenly. I am not so keen on this. The colours in the trees are good though.
-A few days ago I was standing in the foyer at work taking down notices that shouldn't be on our events board, when Becca/chanandlerbong walked around the corner. I knew that she was in Manchester studying for an MA, but I didn't know where, but there she was! It was great to see her - I think it's been at least five years - so we had a little chat. Maybe we'll meet up again, who knows.
-I recently listened to the soundtrack to Cruel Intentions for what might be the first time since I bought or downloaded the album many years ago. It instantly plunged me back to being fifteen and listening to Bittersweet Symphony over and over again. Strangely, I had forgotten that Colorblind by Counting Crows was on there, and it was very emotional to listen to it again. I remembered a lot of things from that time that I thought I had forgotten about. Maybe I'll watch the film again sometime soon.
***
Last night's personal training session was very good. My trainer was a woman called Manuela, and she was lovely. Very friendly, and not so tiny and athletic that she was intimidating - more like sporty. We went over what I usually do at the gym and then looked at things that I never do. We used the rowing machine, and the cross trainer, both of which I thought were not very taxing but with her watching over me and telling me what speed to reach, they were both pretty hard work! Then we tried lots of different weight machines, most of which I never touch. We discussed how I should try and work a variety of different muscles, which of course makes sense but I've never been very good at that. So we used machines that focus on the backs of your legs, and ones for the front, ones for the triceps and ones for the biceps, and a really tough one that worked the chest muscles that I could barely move. I should write down all the things we did so that I replicate them next time I'm at the gym. She also showed me how to work the lower back muscles which is something I NEVER do, but apparently should as they complement the stomach muscles, so I will definitely be doing that again.
However, after an hour of that I was exhausted, and felt very light and drained as I walked home. I had planned on washing dishes and clearing up before dinner but I was so hungry that I finished off a packet of fruit and oat biscuits while doing so, and then didn't want my nice healthy dinner of leftover shepherd's pie and vegetables.
I also felt far too tired to clean in preparation for the visit from the in-laws, but eventually I dragged myself off the couch and dusted and vacuumed the living room. I made a little playlist to listen to, which comprised of 'Achy-Breaky Heart' by Billy Ray Cyrus, 'Black Velvet' by Alannah Myles, 'Little Lion Man' by Mumford and Sons and 'The Captain and the Hourglass' by Laura Marling. It kept me going quite well actually.
The flat is probably cleaner than it's been since we moved in, but I think I'll vacuum the bedroom again tonight when I get back, and put away that pile of clean clothes that has developed recently. I'm hoping the in-laws won't reach our flat until late this evening so I have time to do these things, but not so late that they stay up for hours because I am exhausted!
I have a good day planned in work though. At lunchtime I'm going to a conference office networking thing, and not only will I get to meet people I've emailed often but never met, but I get a free lunch and a nice walk to the city campus and back. That's a good way to spend two hours, I think.