online again!

Well, I finally resorted to plugging in my aged laptop at home and giving up on a new machine. I don't like laptops that much but I suppose it will have to do!!!

I am otherwise in a splendid mood this evening because my new glasses arrived. I now have three pairs to match to different outfits - I think this is necessary because wearing the same thing everyday is remarkably tedious - can you even imagine wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row? I don't think so. Anyway, they are extremely fabulous and I am happy.

To occupy myself during the offline days, I started thinking about travelling. Here's what I came up with :

Flying with me


It has become apparent over the past few years that flying with me is simply not a good idea. I fully advise against it. Of course, I know you are all thinking that the likelihood of you ever traveling me is remote. We don’t even know each other, right? Well, you just never know – if you see a short redhead with an English accent, you just never know . . .

In any case, before I go into the whys and wherefores of why one should always avoid traveling with me, I think first I will share my observations of my fellow traveler. Perhaps when I have finished you will see why it could be that I am simply “getting mine” for being such an intolerant companion. We shall see.

Traveler 1: I’m trying to impress you with my unimpressive travel credentials man

This is the guy that decides he is so important that everyone needs to hear what he as to say. This feeling of importance usually overcomes him at those quiet moments on the aeroplane when everyone is waiting to disembark – or “deplane” as we apparently now say (incidentally - who on earth came up with that dreadful expression?). He often is dressed in slightly mismatched sportswear and in need of a shave. If not, he is tanned and slick, but in a slimy and nasty way. He looks around, clears his throat and then we all hear "well, honey, I think we have to get on over to terminal B . . . yes, B . . . because that's where the flight to SAN FRANCISCO leaves from . . . you know, its a nice airport they have out there, not as nice as the one in L.A. of course, but still nice blah blah blah blah. All the while he is sharing his "fascinating" stories, he looks around for people he thinks are impressed and shoots them the, "yeah, that's right - I know travel" look that he has spent a good amount of time rehearsing.

Traveller 2: "I'm going to clear my throat loudly every 5 minutes" man

I don't think that he needs much introduction of description. All I know is that there is always at least one of them within two rows of me, no matter what. Come on people! Is it really necessary to clear your throat at all?? This rule, incidentally, applies to all people in all situations.

And luckily for you, this is as far as I got! I think I might think about this some more though. Now I imagine you all think I am horrible. I'm not really - honest!

Frustration . . . AGAIN

This is getting beyond silly. I got another new computer and guess what!!! This one doesn't work either!!!! So I am reduced to sneaking a short post at work. I am very cross indeed by this whole saga. I am seriously considering making the computer people in the shop do a full demonstration of the machine before I take it home.
At least it is nearly the long weekend!! whoo hoo. I am going to pop down to San Antonio to see my sister in law graduate from basic training. It should be fun. Might stop off in Austin on the way home. And then on Monday, wine and DVDs - ALL day. can't wait.

Hopefully soon there will be a new computer and therefore a longer, and hopefully better post! for now . . . work.

Frustration

So -
I bought a new computer because the old one was tired with spyware and woudn't wake up any more. I got it home, set it up and was all excited about the prospect of my new machine. And so I switch it on and guess what?! IT doesn't work!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like, not at all. It briefly came to life and then the screen did this eerie fading to white thing. I was so distressed. Luckily my brother was able to take it back to the shop for me while I was at work. But now I am without computer at home. The distress level is almost too much to stand!!

On the plus side, I do have an amusing blog post in progress that is all related to my travels this weekend. I know, I know, the one of you that reads this can hardly hold in the excitement. hopefully I will get internet for a long enough period soon so I can post it on here.

And on that note, my time is about to be up. Hubby is fine, by the way. Just counting down the months until he comes home now. I can hardly wait :-)

Good days . . .

Sweet hubby is being such a love at the moment! We are suitably (on LAW's advice) avoiding deep topics and talking mainly about things I like to whine about. It has been really lovely. We're also planning our trip to Australia next year. I am so excited about it. The last time I went I was with my high school on music tour, so the places we went and the things we did were somewhat limited. This time it should be much more fun!! I'm just a bit of an impatient person so I want the trip to start tomorrow. Its something to look forward to though :-)

Its also a good day because I resisted the muffin at lunch and had the veggie soup instead. A pat on the back for me. This might sound all virtuous and all but its not - I fully intend to eat junior mints and drink coke at the movies tonight :-) So I had to be good for half the day. And, this weekend will be a loss on the exercise front because I am going to visit one set of in-laws for the weekend. This usually means eating way more than one really should. Add to that I'm flying up there so I will be obliged to get a latte at the airport and sweeties for the flight. So, in conclusion of that directionless rant, its good that I got the soup.

Well done me!

Well, at least so far today I have managed to avoid coke and cake. That's something, right?



I didn't avoid the clothes stores though!! Got some trousers for work and a couple of tops. I am attempting to move outside my uniform of black, grey, brown and beige. I'm depressed that I can't wear pink anymore since I went back to being a redhead. I do have a lovely pair of pink shoes though so all is not completely lost.



Hubby has not called in a while. I am hoping it is because the phones are dead and not because either 1. something bad happened or 2. he's still irritated with me. I think I upset him when I said that although I really want children, I'm not looking forward in any small way to being pregnant. We weight obsessed people rarely do. Apparently I should think of it as an honor to carry his kids. I see it as a burden that is going to get in the way of my constant dieting and exercise. I think perhaps we need to keep our conversations on lighter subjects in the future.

Oh, and thank goodness blogger keeps posts as drafts. I keep accidentally closing the window. duh.

For anyone who appreciates those days when you are just bad

Today, I strayed so far from my healthy eating diet that I am slightly ashamed. So, I thought I'd share:

Breakfast:
Ok, so this was not bad. Branflakes. So, I'm doing ok, right?

Wait for it . . .

Lunch:
Three glasses of full fat coke
Huge chunk of chocolate cake. A corner piece with huge globs of buttercream icing followed by extra icing scraped off the baking sheet.

Dinner:
Large coke icee
King size box of Junior Mints and half a king size box of milk duds.

Supper:
Wine (lots)

I feel so ashamed.

Well, today I moved into my window office . . . nearly. I have all my stuff moved and placed in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Sadly my computer has not, as yet, followed me. I know they have their reasons for not letting us move our own stuff, but really, they need to be more efficient in getting it done. Today was a very frustrating day.

Other than the computer though, things are good. Hubby is happy (he's been nominated for an award - yay), I have been running a lot, I am feeling skinnier than I was two weeks ago, and the fall shoes are in. Oh and boy are they adorable and fabulous shoes this year!!! Yesterday I purchased a gorgeous tartan pair that I can't wait to make full use of. Naturally I slipped another pair of sandals in with the purchase because frankly it would be just plain wrong of me to leave them there (they are divine, brown patent leather with cream trim, criss-cross front with killer heels. I mean, who would have the heart to leave them there?). I also made a relatively good batch of custard. Only about 30% lumps this time. Whoopie.

And on that sweet thought . . .

Seriously?

Ok, people. its August. Its 105 degrees outside. So why oh why do we have Christmas decorations on sale in the shops???? Get a grip. Really.

At least so far we have been spared the Christmas music. But seriously . . . Christmas decorations in August? Sorry I have such a beef with this but its just not cricket.

Sweet hubby called me today to discuss the last HP book now that it has finally arrived and he has had the chance to read it (I think he has gone without sleep for the last three days). Apparently the arrival of HP caused something of a stir in his camp as a lot of the soldiers wanted to get a read themselves. I suggested he run a rental service. I honestly didn't realise it would be so popular out there - had I known I would have popped another couple of books in the post to him. Oh well, at least a few of them can share his copy.

I'm actually feeling quite proud of myself as I managed to get hubby's favourite snack today (in the shop that sells the Christmas decorations so I suppose they are not completely awful). I can't wait to get them in the mail to him. I also managed to get some of the magnetic photo frames he is so fond of. Excellent shopping all round.

Well, this is a very boring post all told. Honestly, there is not much exciting stuff to write. I have been doing the marathon training and have a small concern that one of my knees might give up. I think for now I should be ok with doing some strength exercises and keeping at slower speed. Gosh, this is not very exciting either. How dull my life is.

On the plus side, however, I have not been doing my usual worrying about hubby. He should not have to do convoys again for a while and I know now that I need to appreciate the phone calls when they come, and not get all silly and upset when they don't. As long as I do all that, all should be well. Yippee.

One more thing before I go off for a nice glass of wine . . . LAW - I think you are my only reader - I tried to post comments on your blog and it won't let me. I was most disgusted by my rubbish antique computer when it refused to budge. I just want to let you know I am a huge fan!

Right . . . about that wine

Another note to the good people of my neighbourhood

When you drive to work in the mornings, down those horribly polluted highways, please remember your manners.

It is not polite to squeeze people out of lanes just because your truck is bigger and noisier than their fuel efficient sedan

Just because I let one person in, it does not mean that I am going to let in the next five over-sized trucks too.

Driving down the shoulder to avoid the traffic jam is rude.

Playing your music so loudly that I can hear every word is obnoxious and childish, especially when you are a grown man. This behaviour is especially rude at 6:15am. (And while I am on that subject, playing it so loudly that I can hear it in my house is equally bad manners).

Driving one inch from my bumper is not only dangerous, but unnecessarily confrontational.

If a car is parked on the side of the road, on the feeder road, or anywhere close to the freeway, there is no need to slow down and look at it. To do so certainly won't improve the day of that car's owner, and it will not improve yours either. It does, however, make me late for work. Please stop.

Slowing down to have good stare at accidents is not just bad manners, its kinda sick.

Right, I think that is all for now. In case anyone is wondering, hubby is safe and well and has instructions to tell commanding officers that his wife won't let him do anything else dangerous.

ahhh, internet again!

My internet finally came back on at home. whoo hoo



I have taken my internet-less time to re read the entire Harry Potter collection and to see the latest movie. yeah, ok, so I like Harry Potter - was a convert after the first and second movies were filmed in part in my University town while I was there.



So, the books. Book seven is just as good as the others. It certainly is no disappointment as some reviews suggest. I don't cry very easily and I cried three times in this book! I felt a bit of a ninny sitting in my living room crying about a book that is so far into the realms of fantasy. But maybe that is what is so appealing about these books. The characters are so human and so real when you read them, you can let yourself believe this stuff could actually happen. Absolutely brilliant.



The movie isn't bad either. The problem I saw with the Order of the Phoenix was the length of the book and all that happens in it. Large chunks would have to be left out to keep the movie to 2 hours. That said, I never understand why certain things are changed. Take, for example, the breaking of the prophecy at the ministry. In the book, Lucius Malfoy does not break the prophecy, but he does in the movie. Why?? Makes no sense. I suppose they were trying to show that Lucius would be in "you know who"'s bad books . . . but they could have achieved the same result by sticking with the book. That bit just really bugged me. Otherwise it was a great movie (ruined slightly by the people who decided to talk through the whole thing). I love the characters - especially Ron Weasley. To me, as it says in book 5 (even though missed out of the movie), Weasley is my king!!



Right, Potter stuff over with.



Hubby has been freaking me out this week. He went quiet on the phone and couldn't hide the fact he was apprehensive about something. He then said he wouldn't be able to call for a while. I don't think he was actively trying to make me lose sleep, but he certainly succeeded. I don't want to tell him that he has to lie, but really, he can't scare me like that. I need my sleep to be even an ounch of use at work.

He liked his package though. It always makes me smile to know that I have sent the right thing to him!! Sometimes I send something that he clearly doesn't like!! By the same token, he once sent me a document I needed and did so without even a note saying "love you wife"! Naturally I voiced my displeasure at the time. Poor husband.

I hope he's safe

An article about a show starring a friend of mine who is an outstandingly talented singer/actor/dancer. I hope this starts great things for him.. . Mr. Nathan Kiley


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6929133.stm

It turns out that the reason dear Hubby-Love has not called is that the phones are out. Apparently they are improving the soldiers ability to call home by taking the phones away completely for 4 weeks. Super duper. At least he managed to get one line to me in an email so I know he is safe. I mean, really, the phones worked just fine already. I don't see the need to mess around with them.

I am going to have a little whine about my computer now. It is huffing and puffing as I am trying to download a CD. You would think the thing was steam driven judging by the speed at which it is moving. I'm thinking an upgrade might be in order. Unfortunately I first must pay for a required CLE that sounds absolutely horrendous and desperately dull. Apparently we baby lawyers need to be told, yet again, not to break the ethics rules and that we can have a young lawyers association number plate. Lovely . . . but I think I'll pass. Anyway, they charge an outrageous sum of money for this silly course so my computer will just have to hang on in there for now.

The good news on the holiday front though is that I have booked Spain for next year. This means I will at least accomplish one of my "I'm going to improve my attitude by setting goals" goals. I have also finished re reading all the Harry Potter books - yay!!!

An on that note . . . I think I am going to leave my computer to its heart attack and start making a parcel for hubby.