Today is a sad day...

...not only have I de-decked my household of Christmas brightness...but the tenth timelord announced his engagement!!!

*drops to knees, throws arms into air, head back, tears streaming down face*

NNNNOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A-hem

I'm sorry, where was I?

Oh yeah, Christmas decorations and trees have all come down today.  I always get sad when I have to take them down.  I really REALLY love Christmas.  I love the sparkle, the smell, the trees, the lights, the presents, the company.  Seriously, the only things I don't like about Christmas are Cliff Richard and Mariah Carey singing (I love nearly all other Christmas songs tho!)  

In fact, I love Christmas songs so much that my husband and I had Fairytale of New York (Pogues/McColl version obviously) as our first dance at our wedding.  Whenever we hear the song it reminds each other of the other (as an "our song" should) and if we are together and we hear it, we always dance to it...except this year...this year that never happened...maybe it's not too late tho...

Our sixth wedding anniversary is speedily approaching at the end of this month.  Hopefully it will be a more successful one than last year!

Every year we kept saying we would go away for the night for our anniversary, but never quite got around to doing so...except for last year.  We got a bargain deal on a suite at a very nice London hotel (near enough half the normal rate, but still over a good couple of hundred!).  We packed an overnight case, went to work, and then met at the hotel late afternoon.  The room was just gorgeous.  The meester and I went to the hotel bar for a couple of afternoon cocktails, before heading back up to the room to scrub up for a night out in London.

Now I should point out that our little girl was being looked after by her big sister, so we'd already had a couple of calls from home.  Whilst getting ready I got the call didn't want to get...my (near) 17 year old cat, Monet, was bleeding out.  She'd been losing weight for a while, but always had a healthy appetite, so it was pretty much just age that was making her skinny...sadly her appetite had gone in the week leading up to our anniversary, so I knew the end was near.  

Needless to say the call had upset me, and I wanted to get home.  We repacked, paid up and left to get home.  Monet was settled and very quiet and I realised there was only one thing we could do for her.  The girls said their goodbyes and we took Monet to the emergency vets.  He checked her over, in case there was something that could be done, but sadly there wasn't.  He was amazed to meet such an old girl.  Heartbroken I said my goodbyes and watched as the life left my little old girl.  I was left to be with her for as long as I wanted, before we left her there to be cremated.  You have got to feel sorry for my husband, he shelled out an excessive amount of money and I didn't even put out!

The house seemed so empty without her.  We've always had cats in the house.  I just don't remember a time when I didn't.  A week after we'd said our goodbyes, Monet returned home and was placed next to my old cat (in little wooden urns, not stuffed btw!)...this was the Saturday...on the Sunday we went to a rescue home and brought home two black and white cats (6mths and 1 yr) who were renamed Rose and Doctor.  At first I wondered if it was too soon, but then I realised that Monet would want us to give a home to other cats who needed one.

Nearly a year on and I miss the old girl, sitting here crying whilst I type this out, but Doc and Rose have filled the house with furry love and good lord are the pair of them funny.

So I shall leave you with a photograph of my old girl, Monet...miss ya...oh and Father Christmas was very sweet this year, he brought my Baby Girl a soft cat toy and it is called MonMon (nickname of Monet).

What day is it?

So far today, I have thought today was Sunday, Tuesday, possibly Wednesday and a might be Monday.  Haven't been in work since the Wednesday before Christmas...I don't return until the 10th January (which I KNOW is a Monday), so I've done what most people do this time of the year and completely forget what actual day of the week it is.

Brief visit into London to see my big Bro this afternoon.  Got a call from him yesterday.  He and his g/f have been Stateside for three weeks over Christmas and their little sporty number had a flat battery on their return so we were needed to jump start from the Jaaag.  This means I learnt TWO things today.  Firstly, the battery is in the boot of my brother's (g/f's) car...secondly, the battery is ALSO in the boot of my Jaaag!  Feck me, I'd have been searching for hours!!!  I really should show more interest in the car, I guess.

I currently find myself in front of Gigglebiz starring the talent that is Justin Fletcher (the little lady's choice of televisual viewing, I might add).  Those without children will have little or no idea as to who Justin Fletcher is...the parents of children under the age of 10 will know he is a god amongst kids tv people.  He's a very clever and inventive chappie with a lot of talent, and a key thing of me...he can make my daughter sit still and laugh her little bottom off!  He is also immensely less irritating than 95% of other childrens tv personalities within this viewing age bracket.  A couple of years ago there was a petition, signed by about 4000 people, to then PM, to make Justin an OBE for his work...he got himself an MBE instead.  Put it this way, if I were stupidly rich, I would pay this man an obscene amount of money to entertain my child on a weekly basis.

Am a little sad today as it's my last day with my Christmas decorations up.  I know 12th night isn't for two days, however as I have a lot of sorting out to do in the house, they will need to come down a day early...is it wrong of me to play Christmas songs to take them down (as I do when I put them up)?

Cold still here, still trying to get rid of it.  It was not aided by small child sleeping with us last night as she "felt sick" - well, try sitting still, darling, go on, it's called "resting to allow your body time to mend"...

Day 2

Today has been a PJ day for 75% of the household...sadly the older step-daughter had to work.

The cold that was leaving me seems to have taken a brief step backwards and made me very tired and drained.  This had made today a West Wing day, interrupted at lunchtime to watch the Tenth Doctor's final outing (oh yes, cried again!).

The meester took me to see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader yesterday.  I do love Narnia so very much.  The books are fabulous, despite the obviously thinly veiled preaching towards Christianity in the latter books.  The film was wonderful, the casting was brilliant...who knew that the annoying little shite from School of Comedy would end up such an excellent choice as Eustace?

Last night also had a Morecambe and Wise night on the Beeb.  They showed the Christmas Special from 1976 (the one with Elton John and Angela Rippon) followed by the bio-pic by Victoria Wood called Eric and Ernie.

I'd been waiting to see this since I'd seen it was in production, not only as I love M&W but because I do think Wood is a great entertainer.  The programme did not disappoint in any way except that it was only 1.5 hours...I could've happily watched double that, the writing, acting and production was just that marvellous.  Well done to all involved and thank you.

A documentary on the making and about M&W followed...all in all a truly fantastic night of television...something that cannot be said all that often.  You might have programmes on you like or enjoy, and believe me, I like my television, but often I find I'm watching out of habit rather than because it's something I think is going to be special...last night, it truly was special.

Only the trailer immediately afterwards left me wanting time to fast forward...Hattie.  The story of Hattie Jacques, queen of Carry On, a woman I've loved since I was a child.  It's starring Ruth Jones from Gavin and Stacy fame...only the trailer threw in something I hadn't realised beforehand...and that's Aidan Turner starring as her lover. OH. MY. GOD.  I lust that man...I'd wanted to watch Hattie before I knew he was also starring, now I want it on immediately.

That brings me onto the excitement for today...the new series of Being Human trailer is on the Beeb tonight, but being released early on FB for fans of the show...can't wait for 9pm!

Oh dear, really has been a PJ day...this entire blog is about tv...hey ho, will leave you with the tip that if you get the chance, check out Eric and Ernie on BBC iPlayer.

Fear not, tomorrow I venture out of the house so might have something more exciting to blog about :)

2011...the beginning of plans...

Well a very happy new year to you! I trust this blog post finds you at the start of 2011, full of hope for the coming year. 

I have a few things I have to do this year. 

Number one of the list is I am stopping drinking alcohol for 2011.  There are a few ground rules that I am going to live by:

1. Special occasions, such as wedding anniversary and MY birthday, can be exempt from the no drinking rule;
2. I can't make up special occasions so it's a drinking day (Rar it's Tuesday and that's a special day because it's got a Tue in it!);
3. It's not the end of the world if I don't make the whole year...but I'd really like to give it a good go.

There's no particular reason for the giving up.  I don't have a drink problem.  I don't have problems with my kidneys or liver.  I just felt like doing a year without alcohol.

It can't hurt, as I have to lose (at least) one and a half stone in six months, that the slight lowering of calories from taking out what alcohol should contribute a small way to helping me with that goal (a specialist doctor set that goal, my appointment is in June - I want to be able to go to that appointment and stick two fingers up to the sarcastic twat).

The other thing I am going to attempt to do is a blog a day...might be a long blog, might be a short one, but I want to get used to doing it and MAKE myself do it.  Maybe it's going to end up a public diary for want of a better description (I can hear the unsubscribing now!).

In all that I shall try not to be too boring, I may even occasionally manage to be witty.

So, other than the alcohol and lose weight things, what have my initial plans got in store for 2011?  Well my Winter Ball is already booked for November so have stuff for that to finalise; am planning to organise another treasure hunt; would like to get up to the Edinburgh Festival again; to see a few London shows; a mini getaway would be nice, nowhere flash, just away; I'd quite like to get my bike back on the road this year and I'd like to save some money for once in my life!

Otherwise I'm hoping for a generally happy and hopefully healthy year (not boding well that it starts with us all having the plague or lurgy or some other equally evil illness!) for myself and my loved ones.

Here goes...

25th Anniversary show for The Comedy Store Players

Last night was the 25^th Anniversary show for The Comedy Store Players, held at The Comedy Store, London.  For many this will have passed pretty much unnoticed, for others it has been one of the events we’ve been waiting for all year.  It did not disappoint, but then in the eleven years I have been going, I can only think of one show where even the slightest hint of disappointment crept in, and that was nothing to do with the Players.

For those who aren’t aware, The Comedy Store Players are a group of talented people who play together twice a week to an audience of 400 in a slightly dingy basement club, or to give them actual names, they are Jim Sweeney, Lee Simpson, Andy Smart, Neil Mullarkey, Richard Vranch, Paul Merton and Josie Lawrence.

I still remember the first time I went to the Store to see the Players.  It was a Wednesday in March of 1999.  I’d moved to London in the January, and couldn’t believe it when I was told that the people who used to be on Whose Line Is It Anyway? performed live and for a mere £10.  I was an avid WLIIA fan from my teens.  If I wasn’t in watching it on a Friday night, then I religiously recorded it and watched it either after getting in, or on the Saturday morning.  In fact, I still have a tape of it, lovingly cherished, despite the fact that all the old episodes can now be found on 4oD.  I can’t possibly throw that tape away.

My then boyfriend and I were sat four rows back, in front of the sound booth – one of only two times I have not sat on the front row – and to say I was thrilled was an understatement.  It was this first visit that introduced me to “Store Time” – those who go will know what I mean by that.  The Comedy Store is the only place I know that can fit THREE songs into 5 minutes…three FULL songs I should point out.

The Players came out.  Jim and Richard were the most instantly familiar, the rest were Lee, Andy, and Neil, however the sixth escapes me…I think it was a guest, possibly Steve Steen.  I felt like I was going to jump out of my seat with excitement.  Lee did the introductions, with people all around me shouting out suggestions when prompted – OMG that REALLY happened – and then the very strange occurred…Richard spoke!  I don’t think I’d ever heard him speak before, never on WLIIA as I recall.  And you know what…he was damned funny! 

Two hours passed far too quickly.  I ached from laughing so hard. 

It was a few months before I went again.  It was the following year I began going weekly.  Within six months of that I was going twice a week, usually on my own.  I was officially hooked.

You see, that’s the thing about seeing the Players, you could (and still can) go on your own to see the show.  I used to take a book with me, read for the hour and half before the show started.  Once you are laughing, no-one knows you are on your own and to be honest, you no longer are. 

Obviously going that often you would see familiar faces amongst the audience.  Other people who loved them so much that they too would bring a book and be on their own.  It might sound kind of sad, but really, it never felt like it.  The Store became my home from home.  I always knew that if I’d had a bad day that a show was never more than three days away and I would be laughing and going home feeling good.

It was around this time that I first spoke to the Players.  I had followed (some would say stalked but I prefer the term followed) them down to the Tom Cribb – it wasn’t difficult as Steve Frost was guesting and had a very very yellow coat on.  I decided “what the hell” and went on in.  It was very much a “fan girl squeeeee” first contact as I approached Lee and asked him to sign my ticket.  When asked what should he write, I joked “that he loved me and couldn’t live without me”…to my surprise that’s what he wrote, I garbled something completely stupid to him (something that hasn’t changed years on), thanked him, and hid with a huge smile on my face.  I still have that ticket.  It then became the norm to head down to the pub afterwards and over some weeks got chatting to Players and guests alike.  For much of the time my head couldn’t comprehend that I was having drinks with the gents that I had spent hours and hours watching on my little TV in my bedroom as a teen…look, I might as well come clean now…I’m a Gag Hag…and I’m proud of it.  Nine times out of ten I would rather have the pleasure of seeing a comedian than a musician.  The Players are my Beatles.

Before long the inevitable happened, and those other audience members who went so often eventually got around to talking to one another.  The first that I spoke to is a wonderfully nutty woman called Lynn who has been going to see the Players for longer than anyone I know.  Then she introduced me to “book girl” Zelah.  A bubbly Yorkshire lass (Lisa) was picked up quite by accident on a visit by her to London (oh the many many times of “are you pissed? Cos I am” being uttered by her to me…ALWAYS at a quiet point).  Jonathan, Lizzlie and others soon followed…and then The Wall was born.

The Wall was a (tbh quite basic) forum on the Players website, ran and created by the wonderful Henry (who I had the pleasure of meeting on an extended holiday in LA) and overseen by Mr Sweeney.  “Play Nicely” was the basic rule.  The Wall brought the community of Players lovers together, both virtually and in real life.  Thanks to this I have met the very lovely Noriko from Japan, the perfect gent that is Bo from the USA.  So many of our cousins across the water have become lifelong friends…Meg, Betty, Earle, Cindy, Vickie, Leann.  Vickie is the only one I’ve never had the chance to meet – but I don’t say it’ll never happen…Meg is like my sister, with Betty and Earle my adoptive American parents.  Those of us in the UK found many friends in each other.

Through the Players and The Wall, we’ve seen fun times and bad times, there have been fall outs and make ups, births and marriages, thankfully we’ve not lost one of our own although have been there for when our own have lost someone close to them.  So many nights out, both at the Store and at other places…so many stories of broken shoes, pants as hats, “Run, Jonathan, RUN!!!”.  Sometimes I think we forget that.  Through the pettiness that has sometimes arisen, we forget that we were only ever all there because we loved and appreciated the Players so much.

Of course, over time, new people arrive.  We are slowly being replaced by younger and firmer frippets (that includes you, Chris! Possibly one of the most dedicated followers of the Players I have met), as we once replaced slightly saggy older fanatics; well we have now become them.  In the last week I had the pleasure of meeting Kat and Pip – two of the new breed, and lovely they are…but damn it I’M FUNNY ME!  (note to self: if I’m going to drink an embarrass myself, drink more so I forget what I actually do/say)

The love for the Players hasn’t gone away, it’s just life got in the way.  No longer can I go twice a week…believe me, I probably would if I could, but, you know, the little lady has Rainbows on a Wednesday and it’s a little harsh if I abandon the family EVERY Sunday.  Now it’s a treat…and maybe I love it even more now that it is just that.  I no longer know the play list from 1830-2000 (oh yes, I used to and daresay that some of those who still go do so now!).  I no longer know who is on when without having to look it up.  I do miss it.  I miss seeing them all.  I miss the giggles with the group of good friends as we’re waiting for the show to start.  However every now and then I get to go back and do it all again.

So to the Players, I thank you.  I thank you so very much for the number of times I thought I wouldn’t be able to draw breath normally because I was laughing so hard…I thank you for letting me discover just how much Bacardi and diet coke burns the inside of your nose if you laugh whilst trying to take a drink…I thank you for the conversations and the hugs and accepting apologies.  I thank you for putting up with me for so very long.

The Players are so many things…there is the one who you want the night out with, the one you want to have deep conversations, the one that you were never quite sure of until one day something clicked, the one you wanted to be, the one that you never quite figure out, the one you will always be in awe of and the one you will always love.  Of course I won’t say which one is which, and to be honest some could be applied to more than one of the Players.  Should any of them actually read this…if you think it’s you that I’ve described, then it probably is, argue amongst yourselves as to who I wanted to be ;-)

Of course, I (and I’m not alone) miss Jim being with the Players.  No-one ever will be as quick witted as Mr Sweeney.  It was more than ever so slightly sad he was missing last night – I vote for a video link up, just for one last game.  Mostly I just missed not being able to harass him post show.

So this morning I wake up still smiling from last night…and thankfully without the hangover I had after the 20^th Anniversary show and party.  I leave you with one request; if you have never been then go and see The Comedy Store Players, even just the once (which it won’t be) or if you haven’t been for a while, go back and visit, remind yourself why you like them so damned much.  Here’s to the next 25 years!

(I leave you with memories from the 20th anniversary)

 

Four go to an AniFest

On Saturday I found myself at the Canterbury Animation Festival, with my husband, my six year old daughter, Claudia, and my good friend, Scott.

Canterbury AniFest was held at Canterbury Christ Church University’s new Augustine House.  The aim was to celebrate animation in the south east area and was organized by Dan Richards of Animate & Create…who just happened to be an ex-student of Scott (who works at the University)…which meant that just before I clicked “buy” on the all day passes I was informed we were getting freebies (WOOT!).

We got there a little late, so sadly missed the beginning of the Wallace & Gromit talk, but thankfully that too had started late, so we got to see and hear quite a lot of it.  The talk was given by Jim Parkyn, who spent the whole time holding Wallace, whilst Gromit and the Were rabbit were prominently displayed on a table.  The talk was very interesting taking us through many of the techniques, followed by a Q&A session afterwards.  I got to chat with Jim later in the day, terribly lovely and seemingly quiet chap.

Claudia then made a clay (plasticine) slug in a mini-workshop and played with it using some animation software developed by a chap who was basically there touting it (which worked – we now have it! Zu3D software for the record).

Next was a screening of The Gruffalo (the book being a favourite of both Claudia and her Daddy).  The Assistant Producer, Daryl Shute, held a Q&A after the film.  The little lady patiently waited her turn with her little arm up in the air…only for Daryl to answer her question before she could ask it.  Regardless, she carried on, and when handed the mic she asked “Are you going to do The Gruffalo’s Child?” – Yes is the answer…AND Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book which is THE absolute favourite of the pair of them!

A quick break and headed into Canterbury for some lunch, then back to the hall for Children of Small Films.  This was a discussion then Q&A session hosted by Martin Goodsmith, and featured some of the children of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin (Emily & Charlotte Firmin with Dan & Stephen Postgate).

I am not ashamed to say that as they walked down the aisle and I caught sight of Emily (as in THE Emily from Bagpuss) walking down with a sweet smile on her face, in her hands was a wicker basket, my emotions got the better of me and my eyes welled up.  I swear I saw the little girl Emily walking down…a childhood memory being brought so vividly to life right there in front of me!  May sound such a small thing for others to read, but it quite unexpectedly caught me.  The basket was covered by a cloth, for a moment I wondered what broken something had she brought for us all to see that would somehow be fixed in front of our very eyes…but then I caught sight of a flash of pink fur…could it be? Could there be Bagpuss in the basket???

As the talk went on, The Witch from The Pogles was brought from the basket, with tales of her having hung in the barn/studio.  The Witch was banned from the Beeb due to being far too scary for children.  Auntie Clanger was next to come from the basket, along with tales of Clanger whistle conversations (the entire script having been written out) and of stolen or moth eaten Clangers.  Then from out of the basket, Emily brings out Bagpuss.  THE Bagpuss.  The Bagpuss of my childhood, who I have loved for over 30 years.  The most important, beautiful and magical Bagpuss who was very much a saggy old cloth cat…they played the opening credits…I couldn’t help (nor could many others) repeat with them.

Q&A time came again, and Claudia asked if “she could ask any question that she liked?” I said yes, as long as it was relevant to the talk, and so up went her little arm once again…holding it up for ages, doing that little girl stretch where you are not quite standing but not sitting down any more.  Then the mic was brought to her once again and she asked “How soft is Bagpuss?” – fecking genius question! Why? Because Emily asked her if she wanted to find out…and so my six year old walks up to the stage and is handed Bagpuss.  I’m full of both pride and jealousy, but mostly pride…but hey, what I wouldn’t have given to have held Bagpuss as a six year old…and man, she gave that fat furry cat-puss the biggest hug ever before answering that he was “very very soft indeed”.

Competition Films – Awards and Prizes were next.  We watched 11 short animated films and were to vote for the Audience Choice – something the four of us all disagreed on.  Perhaps the most surprising choice was Claudia’s, choosing a frankly slightly disturbing animation called Gorge (however the synopsis states the film was about inspiration…maybe it took the eyes of a six year old to see that?)  We all agreed we loved both An Audience With (took two prizes including the Audience Choice) and Polished Off…I also threw The Eagleman Stag into the mix as it was wonderfully animated IMO.

Another walk into Canterbury, this time for some Wagamamas for dinner – MAJOR NOM!

Back at the venue for the final part of the day…settling down to watch some good old Warner Bros and MGM cartoons with the fantastic Phill Jupitus (wearing fetching red and white striped PJs) and Emma Kennedy (in an equally fetching Bugs Bunny outfit). 

We ended up having some Postgate grandchildren sat behind and to the side of us, chatting away with them and giggling pre show – which was slightly surreal but oddly normal.

Watching some absolute classic cartoons, laughing out loud with the whole audience…finally managing to do something I’ve yet to do which was introduce the little lady to them (I’m a HUGE WB fan!).  I’ve done my best to ensure she’s watched the likes of Bod, Bagpuss etc with the latest being Mr Benn.  I’m not dismissing today’s kids programmes, some are completely brilliant, but there is something about the innocence of these programmes without the overt babiness of things like The Fimbles (when she was much younger) or the precociousness of many others now she is older.  She is now a convert…dvd hunts are under way!

Claudia got to sit with Phill and Emma for a photograph, before having the Bugs head popped on.  She was then instructed that surely a Bugs Bunny outfit should go on to her Christmas list…and guess what…it had! Thanks Phill & Emma!!!

The cartoons were going to continue into the night, and much as the little lady insisted she wanted to stay, she’d been getting restless and it was way past her bedtime. TBH she’d done very well, we’d been there for 11 hours and her interest had mostly been kept.  So with sadness we had to miss the final cartoons (but not before I got Scott to check whether there was a Wile E Coyote making the list…there wasn’t…I was disappointed).

Sunday afternoon, the meester popped online and bought the Zu3D software, before nipping out to buy a new Microsoft LifeCam Cinema HD camera…the next hour and a half was filled with concentration from Claudia with a little help from Daddy.  So may I introduce to you her first ever animation short…Lewis the Magic Slug – enjoy!

And so I find myself at Fat Club

Long story short to bring you up to speed:

Basically for various reasons including pregnancy, stopping smoking and general laziness from having the mindset that I'd "done my dues to sport" I find myself overweight with high blood pressure and am undergoing tests to find out why (the HBP).  One of the things my Doctor wanted is for me to join Fat Club...so I started this week.

Now, although somewhere between a 14 and an 18 (shop dependant) I am a LOT heavier than I actually look...even when I was a size 10 I still weighed in at 10 1/2 stone...so you may get the idea.

Seven weeks ago I started swimming regularly (3-5 times a weeks) and about 3 weeks ago started back at the gym (so far about 3 times a week).  In this time I have lost half a stone.

So now you are up to speed...let me tell you about Fat Club...

As I sat in the waiting room I looked around and feared for my safety...I was (as predicted) the slimmest person at Fat Club...not necessarily the lightest, be definitely the slimmest.  I could see them looking at me wondering why I was there.  One woman, let's call her Mooseknuckle, looked like she might eat me if she could actually move with any speed.

We were led into a small room, where three men and eight woman of varying ages and sizes were to be lectured by a very slim Greek dietitian (lets call her Nana although her real name is just fabulous!).  It starts off easy enough with chatting in small groups introducing yourselves, before doing so to the whole group.  This proved far too much for one of the chaps (ironically the largest person at the group) who waddled out of the room, never to return!

Two hours did pass quite quickly, sadly with me learning nothing I didn't already know (my size now betraying the many many years of sport, healthy eating and training).  Nana seemed a little confused that I knew the right answers for things...things she was about to advise on in the same way.

My favourite part of the session had to be when we were discussing "mini goals and rewards".  Nana's suggestion was going to the cinema. 

"A-ha!" Pipes up Jeremy (as in Kyle, as in could sooooo be on that show), "You know what going to the cinema means!"

<seeing a film? I think>

"POPCORN!" give Jeremy as his answer.

I mention, admittedly slightly sarcastically, that "You don't actually have to buy popcorn when you go to the cinema" only to be greeted with a very confused look from Jeremy and about half of the group. 

Apparently NOT buying crappy junk food hadn't even entered the minds of the younger members of the set...I cried a little inside...I like to think Nana was also crying on the inside too.

So anyway, the session meant I met a lovely bunch of older ladies who reminded me of my Mum, a very scary woman wearing FAR too much makeup (made Jordan's face look subtle) and a few others that are as yet not really impression worthy.  Although I learnt nothing new, I do have homework which includes doing the dreaded food diary (I ate a polo this morning, it's been noted).  My goals I set this week have already been met, now to sustain them.

Gutted that work is preventing me from heading to the gym tonight, but think I might get up and go tomorrow before we do the usual Saturday swim.

Shall no doubt bitch some more about Fat Club over the next six weeks...still, think I have my overall reward idea sorted...just need to check if the Meester minds as it'll require me being away overnight to see a show (nothing seedy!).