365 Things

#237 :: Cycling into work on my new bike

2007-05-05T18:55:00.001+01:00

Picture 028, originally uploaded by lissgoril.

I guess I'll be keeping this one inside the house at all time... I feel a little like an old lady cycling on such an upright bike, but it's soooo comfortable! On flat roads it really is just like floating along above the surface.

#236 :: Getting a new bike

2007-05-04T18:04:00.000+01:00

I've only ever owned one new bike; the first one I got from my parents when I was four. It's a nice feeling.

happy

#233 :: Finally getting broadband

2007-05-03T18:04:00.000+01:00

Yay! Back in touch with the real world! I never need have a life again!

happy

#226 :: Being invited to my elementary school's 16th anniversary reunion

2007-04-23T18:01:00.000+01:00

happy

#223 :: Winning a plushie on the pier

2007-04-21T17:59:00.000+01:00

I beat my boyfriend in the dolphin race... Who said gambling can't bring joy!

happy

#222 :: Spending my birthday in Brighton

2007-04-20T18:56:00.000+01:00

Picture 010, originally uploaded by lissgoril.

#221 :: Finding the restaurant we ate at last time in Brighton

2007-04-19T19:05:00.000+01:00

Picture 001, originally uploaded by lissgoril.

We were meandering around the lanes and just stumbled upon it (which is probably what happened last time!). Boyfriend v. pleased.

#219 :: The way British people actually queue at the bus stop

2007-04-17T18:44:00.000+01:00

happy

#218 :: Finally cleaning the kitchen and bathroom floors

2007-04-16T18:33:00.000+01:00

happy

#217 :: Being at work with my boyfriend again

2007-04-15T18:30:00.000+01:00

happy

#216 :: Being relocated to the nicest office in the building

2007-04-14T18:30:00.000+01:00

happy

#215 :: Finishing my first lace shawl

2007-04-13T21:48:00.000+01:00

It took a while, but I’ve done my first lace shawl. I’ve promised my mum to knit her one for her birthday in July, which could be hard… It got easier once I got used to the pattern, though, so doing a second one the same shouldn’t take as long. Will move onto lace weight yarn, too.

See more progress on: knit a lace shawl

#214 :: Spending a whole day doing nothing

2007-04-12T18:28:00.000+01:00

happy

#213 :: A tantrum free day

2007-04-11T18:27:00.000+01:00

happy

#212 :: My flight corresponding with the airport shuttle, for once

2007-04-10T18:26:00.000+01:00

happy

#211 :: Seeing my grandmother

2007-04-09T18:26:00.000+01:00

happy

#210 :: My parents coming back early from the mountains

2007-04-08T18:24:00.000+01:00

happy

#209 :: Coming back to civilization

2007-04-07T21:57:00.000+01:00

happy

#208 :: Skiing trip of the year

2007-04-06T21:56:00.000+01:00

happy

#207 :: Going for a walk with my parents

2007-04-05T21:55:00.000+01:00

happy

#206 :: Driving in Western Norway

2007-04-04T22:09:00.000+01:00

The landscape is just incredible.

happy

#205 :: Hanging out with my parents

2007-04-03T22:01:00.000+01:00

happy

#204 :: Taking the train to Stavanger with my boyfriend

2007-04-02T21:54:00.000+01:00

OK, so we had to get up at a really ungodly hour (noone should ever have to get up before 0500, esp. not while on holiday), but Rasmus gave us a ride to the station and from thereon out it was lovely. It was a slightly different experience from last time I went as it is a different time of year, and spring was making progress all along the journey. Trains rock.

happy

#203 :: Meeting Rasmus' mother

2007-04-01T21:54:00.000+01:00

happy

#202 :: "And now we're going even deeper into the forest!"

2007-03-31T21:51:00.000+01:00

We went for a really long walk today, which ended up being even longer than planned as we got slightly lost in the middle. It was a proper hike, with hot dogs grilled on sticks over an open fire, and spotting of moose poop and feet wet for at least the last three hours. Glorious.

happy

#201 :: Seeing my best friend pregnant

2007-03-30T21:49:00.000+01:00

OK, so she can't sniff bacon or eat garlic at the moment, but really, it's inspirational. And I'm convinced she'll be the greatest parent ever. Which gives me hope that maybe I won't be a completely hopeless parent myself at some point in the future.

happy

#200 :: Flying home

2007-03-29T21:43:00.000+01:00

I think I've rarely had a holiday that I felt I deserved more. I've worked at least 6 days per week since Christmas and I'm completely shattered. And homesick. Putting my arse on the plane really is the only thing I want to do.

happy

#199 :: A tantrum free day with my charge

2007-03-28T21:41:00.000+01:00

Runners-up:

Starting the holiday with a takeaway... Oh yea.

happy

#198 :: Finishing my last night shift

2007-03-27T16:34:00.000+01:00

Well, at least for now. My manager has already asked if I'd be willing to do some more when I go part time, but for the time being I've declined.

Runners-up:

Receiving a personal paper letter; can't remember last time that happened!
Sowning this year's mangetout peas in the gardnen; hopefully they'll survive the Easter break
Getting our laptop back in one piece, AND it's working. Oh joy.

happy

#197 :: Sitting outside the house in the afternoon

2007-03-26T16:33:00.000+01:00

And it wasn't freezing! I could actually see another guy down the road sitting outside his house as well with a paper. It was lovely, although all I was doing was drinking a cup of tea, having an activia and planning my TV evening from the Radio Times. Maybe spring has finally arrived! Despite the temperature dropping below zero at night, it certainly feels like it to me!

happy

#196 :: Other Norwegians

2007-03-25T16:33:00.000+01:00

We were invited to lunch today at an acquaintance of my boyfriend, and this other Norwegian guy was there. It was a lovely afternoon in general, but there is just something reassuring about reconfirming my impression that everyone from Norway will know someone else you know. In this case, the guy's brother owns a range of pubs and restaurants in my home town. Although I don't know him personally, I know who he is. The world is still a safe place!
happy

#195 :: Editors jumping ship

2007-03-24T16:32:00.000Z

Before work today I went to what will probably become the last revue at work. Every year, or even twice a year, the old hard core of staff at work stage a revue, generally taking the piss out of management and providing everyone with an opportunity to get drunk and say thing they shouldn't have to other people in the office.

This year's is likely to have been the last Huzzah as so many of them are leaving at the end of March, taking their massive redundancy payments onto new and bettert things.

It was a lovely evening, with two live bands (staff ones of course), the usual running joke sketches and satirical poems. I doubt I'll ever get the same level of in-house entertainment anywhere else in the future. It was a bit sentimental with mock awards being handed to some of the leavers (one of the editors in my department got a toy iron as his clothes always look like.. well, unironed), but the sadness and I'm sure bitterness inherent in the current situation did not become overwhelming.

A nice way to go.

happy

#194 :: Buying a pair of jeans that fit

2007-03-23T16:32:00.000Z

happy

#193 :: Pie

2007-03-22T16:32:00.000Z

The pie shop in Reading is probably the only restaurant in the whole town with any personality. As usual, the vast selection of pies was a bit overwhelming, but yuuummm...

happy

#192 :: A tantrum-free afternoon!

2007-03-21T16:30:00.000Z

happy

#191 :: The devil wears Prada

2007-03-20T16:30:00.000Z

Empty-headed, predictable entertainment is always a hit with me!

happy

#190 :: Coming inside the house after a jog in the sleet

2007-03-19T16:29:00.000Z

Attempted to go for a jog with bf but made it only to Caversham bridge before the weather turned so nasty we decided to leg it home again. The relief of getting into the house and into the hot shower was really out of this world.
happy

#189 :: How my boyfriend always drives me to work if the weather is bad

2007-03-18T08:50:00.000Z

I woke him today about 5 min before I had to leave for work, and to his credit he not only drove but did not grumble about it, and is unlikely to use it as leverage against me at a later stage. Heart.

happy

#188 :: The Illusionist

2007-03-17T08:56:00.000Z

The Illusionist, originally uploaded by idealterna.

It's so nice to go to a film, expecting it to be relatively crap, and finding out instead that it's relatively good.

Obviously the acting saves this film from being downright lame (could have been sickeningly Chocolat-like, really), but also, the story is just... good.

It tries to be all things to all people; a little romantic, a little scary, a little murder mystery, a little historical drama. And manages. Which is rare! Recommended!

#187 :: I think I did quite well in the interview today!

2007-03-16T18:19:00.001Z

happy

#186 :: The first football session of the spring

2007-03-15T18:21:00.000Z

happy

#185 :: When the music on the radio is in time...

2007-03-14T18:20:00.000Z

...with the flocks of birds flying across the wetlands on the way to work

happy

#184 :: Not having to work late on a Tuesday..

2007-03-13T18:22:00.000Z

...so looking forward to getting up at 0700 tomorrow morning after more than 5.5 hrs sleep.

happy

#183 :: Great news from a friend

2007-03-12T19:41:00.000Z

happy

#181 :: Getting all my errands done as planned

2007-03-10T19:51:00.000Z

And, as a wise soul once remarked, a girl can never have too many shoes!

happy

#180 :: Having a quiet night in with my boyfriend

2007-03-09T19:45:00.000Z

We hadn't actually seen each other all week; I've had late shifts every day except Wednesday, when he plays footie. It's really nice to go to bed together for a long cuddle, knowing that you'll be able to have another one first thing in the morning.
happy

#179 :: Finding an £70 suit jacket in Mango

2007-03-08T19:45:00.000Z

...which exactly matched the trousers I already own. Bargain!
happy

#178 :: Being praised by my ABA supervisor

2007-03-07T19:40:00.000Z

happy

#177 # First alfresco breakfast of the year

2007-03-06T17:49:00.001Z

a coeliac's breakfast alfresco, originally uploaded by stephmcg.

I had a lovely slice of German rye bread with a boilt egg and sweet chili sauce. Trust me, it works!

I had to sit outside our front door as it's south facing, brought out a camping chair and my breakfast read of the moment ("Schizophrenia, a scientific delusion?" -yes, very appetising, I know) and put my plate and glass of orange juice on the little wall separating our yard from the neighbour's.

It was so nice outside today that one of the guys on my street, with whom I've never before exchanged a single word, felt compelled to say "good morning" when he spotted me.

I'm working hard on learning to be still.

#176 :: How to be happy

2007-03-05T17:37:00.000Z

Well, this bulletin posted by Amanda pretty much covers it. Made me smile.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh, nevermind, you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now, how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future, or worry; but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real toubles in life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind the blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

To Pastures New by *GaryP*.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other peoples hearts, and don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you suceed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of Calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40. maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary... Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either - your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can... don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it... it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance... even if you have nowhere else to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines they will only make you feel UGLY.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they might be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they're your best link to your past, and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, except for the precious few you should hold on to.

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York city once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths. Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you'll have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia; dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.

-anonymous

Although, really, it's an amended version of a column by Mary Theresa Schmich, who writes for the Chicago Tribune, and isn't half as old as you'd think reading the above. Which I guess goes to say that the best everyday wisdom really comes from Ivy League graduates. Or something.

happy

#175 :: The antidepressants are kicking in!

2007-03-04T17:52:00.000Z

happy

#174 :: Hot Fuzz

2007-03-03T17:39:00.000Z

Hot_Fuzz.413493.full, originally uploaded by russellwark.

OK, so I wasn't stomping across the chavs of Reading in a desperate bid to see this, but I admit it, it was funny. Really funny.

I was saying to my boyfriend upfront that a good spoof film needs to both be funny or scary or exciting in its own right, as well as poking fun at whatever it's purporting to satirise.

And this film manages! Other than an extremely drawn out ending (my friend said that of course you have to milk it for what it's worth, which I guess is true), it is both a cop buddy movie satire, and a commentary on the narrowmindedness of certain small, English villages.

Look out so you don't fall on your own garden shears in excitement at reading this (yes, a joke from the film), and go see it.

#173 :: Beating (I imagine) hundreds of people to get a job interview

2007-03-02T17:31:00.000Z

Even if I don't get the job (I'm already dead nervous), I will use this as a reminder to myself whenever I feel that networking / spending hours over an application is unnecessary.

Plus, excuse to invest in nice new suit!

happy

#172 :: Curry of the week

2007-03-01T17:25:00.000Z

I felt really unwell when I came home from work and collapsed into bed and slept for an hour (I realised later that the unwellness was most likely caused by banging my head on the sink in the handicap toilet at work; don't ask, no really), and then dragged myself into Caversham to go to the Bina for dinner with my boyfriend and a couple of other people.

The curry really revived me; I went quite boringly with a lamb dhansak, but hey, if it ain't broken, don't fix it... Plus I've gone through most of their menu, and that really is one of the highlights.

The Bina is an odd restaurant; my boyfriend was coaxed into buying an £20 discount card for it, which gives you a buy-one-get-one-free deal on mains, which is partly the reason we always end up there.

The food is actually quite nice; the only thing I don't like is their saag paneer which doesn't have chunks of cheese in it, just a grated mess that tastes of melted cheddar with cream. Don't go there.

Problem is, their staff really just isn't that friendly. We always seem to be in their way. And if you need anything out of the ordinary, they feign incomprehension.

However, by now, the idiosyncracies of the staff are sort of a standing joke for my boyfriend and I; it's always exciting to see what they'll do next. Today, for instance, their head almost exploded when a friend of ours arrived as we were having dessert and attempted to order a starter as a snack at the same time. He got it in the end, though, and it was nice, too!
happy

#171 :: Indulging in a hard-back FFXII guide

2007-02-28T17:24:00.000Z

A new fantasy begins., originally uploaded by dcassaa.

OK, so I know I shouldn't... But I earned £20 online and I had to spend it on something! I've sworn not to put it to use until I've played the game once on my own, but we'll see if I manage to resist when it lands on my doorstep...

I just love hardback books; I hardly ever buy them cause they're such a pain when you move, but this one, I'm sure it'll be worth it!

#170 :: My redundancy pay is sorted

2007-02-26T14:59:00.000Z

...and it was more than I had hoped for as well!

happy

#169 :: Ebay

2007-02-25T15:19:00.000Z

Although I only "almost" bought a bike today, it really is an extremely fun thing to be doing
happy

#168 :: Final Fantasy XII in da house!

2007-02-24T15:18:00.000Z

Final Fantasy XII, originally uploaded by vincenzo360.

So OK, spending a romantic weekend with the boyfriend is all well and good, but let's face it, nothing is nicer than coming back to your own house and unwrapping a new video game... And really good it looks to be too! Goodbye real world for the next 200 hrs or so...

#167 :: A romantic hotel "weekend"

2007-02-23T15:12:00.000Z

Hotel towels are the best, originally uploaded by lissgoril.

Sometimes, when everything seems crap and nothing is going your way, getting out is the best option. And pretending to be tourists is lovely; you roam around all day while knowing how to avoid the tourist traps.

#166 :: First narcissus of the year!

2007-02-22T12:20:00.000Z

Årets første påskelilje!, originally uploaded by lissgoril.

It was sitting outside my house all of a sudden; must have been brought out by the recent mild spell. Spring is finally just around the corner!

#165 :: I got the job!

2007-02-21T12:29:00.000Z

Oh, and I took the autistic girl I work with to her first ballet class. She rocked!
First day of Ballet Class, originally uploaded by fleamarketstudio.

#164 :: Roses

2007-02-20T12:17:00.000Z

Roses, originally uploaded by lissgoril.

They're my favourite flower; not very original, I know. But I love the way they smell, the shape of the petals, and the way they grow back each year despite having been cut down completely.

I just cut down the roses in the back yard to prepare them for spring. And while I'm waiting for them, my boyfriend brought me these ones. Aren't they pretty! I love that colour; it's almost like flushed skin.

#163 :: My first NHS interview

2007-02-19T12:25:00.000Z

OK, so I was ill when I went to the interview, but it was a relief to find that the NHS appears to have an interview policy very similar to that of the BBC (ask a few generic questions, a few scenario questions and take copious notes while doing so). No oddball "cake or bisquit" style questions, thankfully. And all things considered it didn't go so badly!

Also, being at the hospital I realised that even if I have to start at the bottom of the ladder, I really am quite excited at the prospect of working with mental health.

happy

#162 :: The family section in the Saturday Guardian

2007-02-18T17:16:00.001Z

Guardian: Family Forum, originally uploaded by Phil Gyford.

For some reason, I hardly ever actually get around to reading this until the Sunday or later in the week, but it's always good. It's honest and straightforward, but at the same time gives the encouraging impression that you can always mend your ways with your family, that little things like building sand castles and making cinnamon toast can heal rifts and make you happier.

#161 :: Being brought hot drinks in bed when you're sick

2007-02-17T03:48:00.000Z

happy

#160 :: The Great Moscow State Circus

2007-02-16T03:43:00.000Z

Flying Swan, originally uploaded by Mimi64.

I finally got to see it!
My boyfriend took me as a belated Valentine's present, and although there weren't any animals anymore, it was a great show. There were quite a few cock-ups, which I don't think were planned, but strangely that just added to the excitement.

All the regulars, from the magician sawing a woman in half, to the trapeze artists, were present, and as impressive as ever. It is obvious that the Russians take pride in their circus in a way that we probably don't.

I used to love the circus as a child, and I guess I still do. It's something about the bendy people, maybe, or just being allowed to believe in the unbelievable for a few hours. And the cotton candy.

#159 :: Things I love about my boyfriend

2007-02-15T03:12:00.000Z

It makes me feel fuzzy inside looking at my visitors' stats and seeing that so many people have searched for "365 things I love about my boyfriend" (oddly nobody doing the equivalent for girlfriend, but that could be cause I don't use the gf word much in my blog).

There is no such list on this blog, but I'll throw in one in case someone comes looking again next Valentine's day... So let me know; what do you think?

40 Things I love about my boyfriend

When I'm ill, he brings me hot drinks in bed and cuddles me no matter how snotty and disgusting I am
He ensures we never run out of clothes detergent, toothpaste or toilet roll
He never leaves dirty socks or wet towels in untoward places
The way he dances to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson
He allows me to sleep with the heating off although he hates cold bedrooms
When I'm hungry, he always offers to make me a snack or go out to get something
He sticks it out through horror films in the cinema although he can't stand them
If I need a lift somewhere, he always offers to take me
He doesn't despise me even though I don't find Woody Allen funny
The food he cooks is almost inevitably nicer than my equivalent efforts
I'm allowed to drive his car whenever I need to
He does the dishes about 75 per cent of the time and doesn't mind
He claims to love me more than Liverpool
My parents like him
He doesn't hog the blanket
If obscure politicians turn up on TV, he always knows who they are
The way he can get up and get ready before me in the morning without waking me
He allows me to put my freezing cold hands on his tummy to warm them
I'm convinced he is cleverer than me
When I need to wipe my glasses, he's always wearing a cotton t-shirt
He tidies the living room almost every day
If I have a headache or similar, he's a reliant source of painkillers
He knows a lot of sports trivia and is very handy for pub quizzes
The way he gets really excited while watching University Challenge
He always asks me first if he's planning to do something in the evening
He studied Latin and can therefore tell me the root of a lot of odd words
When we watch football, he doesn't get offended that I'm more interested in the Family Section of the Guardian
He understands why I want to sleep with Jeremy Paxman
When I cry, he always feels sorry for me, even when I'm just whingeing
He loves weird words and names as much as I do
If he has a bad cough, he offers to sleep in the spare bedroom not to keep me awake
When he runs late, he's almost inevitably extremely apologetic
He always smells nice and is always clean
He's really good at buying cards; he takes ages but always finds the nicest ones
He shaves "for my sake" when we're on holiday although he prefers being bearded
He'll tell me exactly what he thinks when we're out shopping together
When I spend ridiculous amounts of money on fashion, he doesn't hold it against me
He has a lovely voice
The way he calls to make sure I get in / home from my evening shifts safely
He can say sorry and mean it

happy :: love

#158 :: Trampolines

2007-02-14T19:07:00.000Z

The Trampoline, originally uploaded by earmarkcreative.

My friend when I was little used to have two; we used to bounce on them indoors (clearly I was quite little as I don't remember any banged heads..?).

So what a joy to rediscover the pleasure of bouncing along with the autistic girl I look after once a week. She looooves bouncing, and being on the trampoline has the added bonus of giving my arms a rest! We invented a new game of her running around the edge holding onto the tail end of my scarf. What a great toy!

Runners up:
...oh, and Valentine's day...

#157 :: Doing a friend a favour

2007-02-13T19:10:00.000Z

happy

#156 :: Obsessively checking my internet stats all night

2007-02-12T19:11:00.000Z

happy

#155 :: A footrub

2007-02-11T03:35:00.000Z

happy

#153 :: A solo jog with my iPod

2007-02-10T07:22:00.000Z

Nano Box, originally uploaded by drysachs.

Boyfriend too busy watching the 6-nations rugby to kiss your ear? Never a problem with the iPod... Took him for a jog today (the iPod) and had the best conscience ever afterwards.

My iPod appears (like often is the case with Apple products) to have a life of its own. I imported my kid brother's whole library onto it, and although I thought I weeded out all the evil dance music / trance from it, it keeps spitting random horrible electronic tracks at me. As if they were hiding. But I kind of like it, it reminds me of my brother!

#152 :: Music and Lyrics

2007-02-09T02:15:00.000Z

I admit it. I like films with Hugh Grant in them..

I wanted to go to the Moscow State Circus today; it's perched at a parking lot not far from where I live which my boyfriend has warned me indicates something about its er, state these days), but it turned out they don't start performing here in the Nations and Regions until 15. Eh? Guess they're just having a midsemester break or something...

So to make up for it, BF took me to see Music and Lyrics instead. I've come to the conclusion that rom-coms are usually either "rom" or "com"*, and this one was most definitely the latter.

I can't really see Barrymore and Grant hitting it off; there's just a lack of chemistry. But the film; it was more than passeable. Well cast (apart from a somewhat wooden "teenage superstar") and well developed characters for a middle-brow film like this. You feel the pain of neurotic Sophie (Barrymore) and it's nicely contrasted with the repressed Englishman has-been of Grant. I foresee a sold out performance on Valentine's Day...

I asked my boyfriend afterwards if I should be ashamed about my soft spot for romantic comedies, and pointed out that I don't really know why I like them so much. "They make you feel better," he said. "They even make me feel better." Which is true. No shame in wanting to feel good, I guess!

* My boyfriend claims that Manhattan (Woody Allen) is both of these; he's always reduced to tears at the end of it and also finds it hilarious. I think it's pretty much neither. Shoot me...

#151 :: Planning Valentine's day

2007-02-08T06:30:00.000Z

More cupcakes, originally uploaded by freakgirl.

OK so we all know that Valentine's day is commercial and evil, but let me tell you a secret... I kind of like it... My boyfriend and I were planning it today, and he proposed the following:

Ordering a takeaway
Getting a DVD of a film we've wanted to watch for ages
Cuddling on the sofa
Possible sexual activity

All he asked was that I wear a skirt. I mean, what more could a girl ask for? I'm being serious! Who'd want to be out at a restaurant with every single other couple in the world? There'll be candles and everything and I might bake some cutesy cupcakes. Singles Awareness Day was never this much fun.

#150 :: My boyfriend is staying up to wait for me

2007-02-07T23:50:00.000Z

I'm coming home late today, and had expected to have to tiptoe in with no cuddle. But he's promised to stay awake so I can have a cosy before bedtime. Honestly, it's the little things that count! Bliss..

#149 :: Flat no more!

2007-02-06T19:27:00.001Z

flat out of luck, originally uploaded by 7-how-7.

I finally got my arse in gear and bought a bike pump. I broke (yes, it's possible...) the old one last week and have been meaning to get a new one, but despite all the sports stores in Reading they're actually quite hard to come by!

I finally went into the bike store across from Primark and invested in an £18 one which should hopefully last longer than the previous one. It's more powerful, and I could really feel that the tyres had more spring in them than usual as I filled my thighs with lactic acid on the way up to work.

And so it was that I got to cycle into work today! Hurrah! It was so freezing cold I thought my fingers were going to fall off inside my gloves, but it was worth it.

And I made it in with two minutes to spare, and everything. Bikes, aren't they glorious.

You should, btw visit the flickr page of the above photo; it's really rather sweet.

Runners-up:

Someone delurked yesterday! Yay! I love it when that happens.
Leftover curry cooked by my boyfriend for lunch
Discovering a "new" baguette shop in Reading; the owners told me it'd been there for 11 years, so I must just have been blind so far

#148 :: I have a returning reader I don't know

2007-02-05T15:45:00.000Z

They're from Michigan, and it looks like they're coming back every few days or so to look at what makes me happy. I like little everyday mysteries like that; the not knowing if it's a man or a woman and what makes them surf past.

Although of course, if you read this, Mr(s) Michigan, I would naturally also be happy for you to delurk!

#147 :: Other Scandinavians

2007-02-04T10:23:00.000Z

I don't meet them that often, and sometimes it's just a relief to meet someone else who thinks it's completely normal to pay 55% income tax.

#146 :: Babysitting

2007-02-03T16:02:00.000Z

Spent the whole day with children; in the morning with the autistic girl I work with, which was nice, we went to the park and decorated cookies.

In the evening we looked after my boyfriend's six-year old niece; she was incredibly well behaved and I made a nice roast chicken for us for dinner. It's like playing house, but with a real man and child. Recommended (but only with nice children)

Runners-up:

My boyfriend's brother doing the Clash on SingStar
His niece's boyfriend doing SingStar

#145 :: Being able to do lace knit better

2007-02-02T16:01:00.000Z

OK, so I'm still no pro, but I'm certainly a lot better than I was when I started my shawl. The boyfriend was happy to do a mini-marathon of 24 after a month-long enforced absence, and I took the opportunity to increase the risk of a craft-related RSI. Niiiice.

#144 :: My first day of TV again!

2007-02-01T17:52:00.000Z

It's a guilty pleasure, but a pleasure nonetheless. I booked a whole evening off for myself (boyfriend out) and watched "I'm a child anorexic" which I taped at work the other day, as well as Little Britain, 1/2 the episode of Friends where Rachel and Ross break up, Titty Bang Bang and probably some more stuff I've already forgotten. Aaaah, the feeling of your brain melting and running out of your ears... It's lovely!

#143 :: Inviting almost-strangers for dinner

2007-01-31T00:09:00.000Z

Last week at the pub, I invited two colleagues from work over for dinner; they are both visiting from the Moscow unit. I guess I just like to have someone new to feed my lasagne to? Having good friends over for dinner is in itself nice, but there is something everyday interesting about eating next to someone when you've no idea what they may say next. Not that my colleagues seem in anyway psychologically unstable, I hasten to add!

#142 :: Russian rye bread for breakfast

2007-01-30T21:18:00.000Z

#141 :: First NHS job interview!

2007-01-29T19:14:00.000Z

All fingers crossed... Even if I don't end up getting the actual job, it's always encouraging to just get feedback that your application form was up to scratch. I can do this!

#140 :: A countryside walk

2007-01-28T19:34:00.001Z

We managed to squeeze in a countryside walk this morning before I had to go to work. It was a great day for it; mild yet crisp and sunny in spots, so that you could see the shadow of the clouds chase across the fields.

IMG_0295b Crushed II
by busb.

There was much evidence of the recent weather around; at one point we even came across a local farmer clearing the bridleway with a chainsaw as we approached. Even my boyfriend, who usually frowns upon walking as a "boring activity", seemed to really enjoy it.

It's just lovely to be away from noise and cars, and going for little hikes is one of the pluses of living in Reading rather than London, where going anywhere properly green involves at least an hour's travel.

#139 :: Wasting a morning in Carshalton

2007-01-27T20:08:00.000Z

We went to visit my boyfriend's mum, and he took me on a little tour of the village in the morning. Always nice to see where someone else grew up, and hear why they feel warmly even towards hideous local buildings (the leisure centre in Carshalton is really not that pretty).

Carshalton - All Saints Church, the ponds & the Greyhound
by Christine*.

Very impressive play park, and so much nicer once you get away from the main road.

Runners-up:

My neighbour's party of accountants and chess players (yes, really!)
Visiting the Nation of Halal (spotted during y'day's stop for the Krispy Kreme)
Magic FM. When you're driving, there really is no other radio station!!

#138 :: Having a lie-in

2007-01-26T19:30:00.000Z

...they're especially good when you've got up early all week. On Fridays they make you feel you've started the weekend just a little early.

#137 :: My first hands-on ABA session

2007-01-25T19:30:00.000Z

It was terrifying, but it gave me a great sense of achievement towards the end of the little trial "lesson" when I got into the rythm of it. How do you keep mentally one step ahead of a very clever four-year old??!

Other than just the excitement of doing something new, this really makes me feel like I'm making the right moves career wise. I'd so much rather be exhausted from working with a real person all day than from sitting in front of a computer.

Runners-up:

Robin staying overnight; hadn't seen him since before Christmas. See, I should start charing!
Sarah's leaving drinks at the pub

#136 :: A comedian in the house!

2007-01-24T19:28:00.000Z

How could that not make me happy! Greg, the boyfriend of a friend of mine from uni, came down to stay ahead of a training course in Henley. He did an excellent impersonation of Prince Charles during cranium. I quite like having people stay... Maybe I should be running a B&B.

#135 :: Starting my new job

2007-01-23T19:28:00.000Z

I've started training as an ABA tutor for a six-year old girl. It looks to be challenging, but it's all so interesting! I knew all the theory behind the Skinner box would come in handy one day...

#134 :: My boyfriend bites the dust and joins MySpace

2007-01-22T23:10:00.000Z

Say what you want about MySpace (it's a crap service we all know), but there is something oddly satisfying about making someone else join. I recommend you all visit his profile and leave him some love...

In fact, MySpace has given me quite a lot of joy lately; I've found several long-lost acquaintances from High School and have stalked even more people. Yes, that could mean YOU! De-lurk now and be my MySpace friend...

#133 :: My banana holder

2007-01-21T17:57:00.000Z

I got a banana holder almost a year ago, and it's genius. The feeling of unwrapping an unbruised banana every time... Priceless.

What is this?
by fudj.

Apparently 99% of bananas fit the holder. I have a banana almost daily and have so far only found one specimen too large to fit (even that was OK with an elastic band around the holder).

I haven't had a squashed since I got it.

But I have had a lot of funny looks from people as I walk down the street holding it.

And a lot of ridicule from people at work.

I hope they eat their own words in private when they find a three-day old squashed banana on the bottom of their bag.

#132 :: Having a Saturday off

2007-01-20T23:51:00.000Z

#131 :: A new handbag!

2007-01-19T17:05:00.000Z

OK, so I paid £165 for the pleasure, but it was worth every penny. Men will never get it, but take my word for it, a handbag can bring as much pleasure as winning a game of football...

#130 :: Making it onto 25peeps

2007-01-18T19:50:00.001Z

25peeps
by Funky Larma.

I don't know what it is about 25peeps that makes it seem more exciting than other blog listings. Maybe it's the competition... or the mystery involved.

Basically a picture of you gets put on the grid of 25, and each day the least clicked / popular ones get pushed off by new ones. It's lead to a surge in traffic for me, so highly recommended!

Visit them by clicking here and join the party... Clicking will also serve as a referral and extra point for me, so you can help keep me happier for longer :o)

#129 :: Caversham Cafe

2007-01-17T18:46:00.000Z

Solitude on Caversham bridge
originally uploaded by Flying Fin.

OK, so Reading is not the most glamorous of places, but Caversham has its moments. I went to the post office and just wanted a quiet coffee after.

The newly-opened Costa was crammed full of people, while the little greasy-spooney Caversham Cafe nextdoor was almost completely empty. I made my escape away from the crowd and had a completely decent toastie, soup and tea.

It's a little sad to know that the Caversham Cafe will most likely soon go under because people would rather pay £2.89 per coffee, but as long as it's there, I enjoy it! Plus, I bet Costa doesn't serve a full fry-up at 0730 on a Sunday morning! As much as I love Starbucks, it's a good feeling to be supporting "local enterprise".

Runners-up:

Completing a hand-written application form and posting it on time

#128 :: The South Park World of Warcraft episode

2007-01-16T18:30:00.000Z

Very Fat Cartman

originally uploaded by gamesngadgets28.

Truly hilarious. I breeched my "one month with no TV" to watch it; the naughtiness probably made it even better... not that it was needed.

The episode is from season 10, and entitled "Make Love, Not Warcraft", and has the South Park kids battling to kill a character who's attained "an impossibly high level". Anyone with a single gaming gene in their body shold find it a riot... although my friend, who has never gone near any game after Pong, also enjoyed it.

Runners-up:

This year's first jog with Caroline

#127 :: January Pay Day

2007-01-15T18:25:00.000Z

Pay Day by scottwills.

Not that I was *that* badly off, but there is something especially nice about the January pay day. We get paid in the middle of the month, which means it comes sooner for us than for some! The waking up to £1500 + rather than a red number in my internet bank is looovely. Who says money can't make you happy.

#126 :: My boyfriend being happier

2007-01-14T04:11:00.000Z

Thames Sunset, Reading, originally uploaded by Tony "Two Legs".

We went for a jog this evening and he was in a better mood than he's been for ages. The river is still really full; I keep expecting to wake up any day and find Thames water at my doorstep; and not the company... We went home after the jog and he cooked a curry for tomorrow at the same time as we cooked today's dinner together. All in all a very nice evening.

#125 :: Casino Royale

2007-01-13T04:09:00.000Z

OK, so the film itself was OK, I coped reasonably well with Daniel Craig in his underwear.

Casino Royale uploaded by Nick Slide

No, what made me happy was getting one up on the twats we sat next to in the cinema. Rejoice.

Runners-up:

Finding an open noodle house on the way to work
Going on a date with my boyfriend
Finally getting around to cleaning the bathroom

365 Things

#237 :: Cycling into work on my new bike

#236 :: Getting a *new* bike

#233 :: Finally getting broadband

#226 :: Being invited to my elementary school's 16th anniversary reunion

#223 :: Winning a plushie on the pier

#222 :: Spending my birthday in Brighton

#221 :: Finding the restaurant we ate at last time in Brighton

#219 :: The way British people actually queue at the bus stop

#218 :: Finally cleaning the kitchen and bathroom floors

#217 :: Being at work with my boyfriend again

#216 :: Being relocated to the nicest office in the building

#215 :: Finishing my first lace shawl

#214 :: Spending a whole day doing nothing

#213 :: A tantrum free day

#212 :: My flight corresponding with the airport shuttle, for once

#211 :: Seeing my grandmother

#210 :: My parents coming back early from the mountains

#209 :: Coming back to civilization

#208 :: Skiing trip of the year

#207 :: Going for a walk with my parents

#206 :: Driving in Western Norway

#205 :: Hanging out with my parents

#204 :: Taking the train to Stavanger with my boyfriend

#203 :: Meeting Rasmus' mother

#202 :: "And now we're going even deeper into the forest!"

#201 :: Seeing my best friend pregnant

#200 :: Flying home

#199 :: A tantrum free day with my charge

#198 :: Finishing my last night shift

#197 :: Sitting outside the house in the afternoon

#196 :: Other Norwegians

#195 :: Editors jumping ship

#194 :: Buying a pair of jeans that fit

#193 :: Pie

#192 :: A tantrum-free afternoon!

#191 :: The devil wears Prada

#190 :: Coming inside the house after a jog in the sleet

#189 :: How my boyfriend always drives me to work if the weather is bad

#188 :: The Illusionist

#187 :: I think I did quite well in the interview today!

#186 :: The first football session of the spring

#185 :: When the music on the radio is in time...

#184 :: Not having to work late on a Tuesday..

#183 :: Great news from a friend

#181 :: Getting all my errands done as planned

#180 :: Having a quiet night in with my boyfriend

#179 :: Finding an £70 suit jacket in Mango

#178 :: Being praised by my ABA supervisor

#177 # First alfresco breakfast of the year

#176 :: How to be happy

#175 :: The antidepressants are kicking in!

#174 :: Hot Fuzz

#173 :: Beating (I imagine) hundreds of people to get a job interview

#172 :: Curry of the week

#171 :: Indulging in a hard-back FFXII guide

#170 :: My redundancy pay is sorted

#169 :: Ebay

#168 :: Final Fantasy XII in da house!

#167 :: A romantic hotel "weekend"

#166 :: First narcissus of the year!

#165 :: I got the job!

#164 :: Roses

#163 :: My first NHS interview

#162 :: The family section in the Saturday Guardian

#161 :: Being brought hot drinks in bed when you're sick

#160 :: The Great Moscow State Circus

#159 :: Things I love about my boyfriend

#158 :: Trampolines

#157 :: Doing a friend a favour

#156 :: Obsessively checking my internet stats all night

#155 :: A footrub

#153 :: A solo jog with my iPod

#152 :: Music and Lyrics

#151 :: Planning Valentine's day

#150 :: My boyfriend is staying up to wait for me

#149 :: Flat no more!

#148 :: I have a returning reader I don't know

#147 :: Other Scandinavians

#146 :: Babysitting

#236 :: Getting a new bike