My own magic moment....

To those of you who know me, I want to share with you a magical moment that happened to me last night... of course, those who don't know me are welcome to carry on reading, and I really hope that you can appreciate how sincerely humbled I felt by this experience....

I may have previously mentioned my erratic sleeping patterns, ever since I returned from my residency in India [note: remind me to tell you about that period of my life at some point]. Many a night I have laid in bed awake, waiting for sleep to take hold of me, or daylight to break. It is at these times that I have been blessed with true clarity of thought, for which I am eternally grateful.

However, recently I have realised that something important has been missing from my life. During this troubling time, where has been this clarity of thought, to help me prepare for whatever life may bring to my door? I have felt like it has abandoned me, like it has spitefully thrown me to the wind. And I have struggled, believe me, it has been a struggle, to establish what this void has been...

Then...

Last night, I went to bed early, so I could do something I have not done in ages, to gorge myself on Saturday night TV, as a distraction from my turmoil.... It was while I was lying there, I suddenly heard the voices of angels singing, carrying me to the realisation that when I'd seen a red door, I had, indeed, wanted to paint it black, black as coal. And in that moment, which I can only describe as my own special epiphany, the realization of what had been absent from my life dawned upon me.... I had discovered Any Dream Will Do.

The anguish of those poor Joseph wannabes, as they sang their little hearts out to Captain Jack and his merry men, with a little leprechaun ready to help them follow a rainbow to a pot of gold, jovially comforting them through their turbulent journey of self-discovery. I'm sure any of you who have seen this, will agree what a truly beautiful, humbling experience it is to observe these young men woefully following their dreams.

As the credits rolled at the end of part one, I felt my heart racing as I patiently waited to find out who would have to hand their coat back. Mrs Robbo, I thank you for being there with me, for phoning me when I most needed someone to talk to, and supporting me through one of the longest hours of my life. You are a true friend.

The tears rolled as poor Daniel was cast aside by Sir Andrew. How cruel that they made him sing one last time, as he sadly took off his amazing technicolour dreamcoat....

And as I sit here, making my very own dreamcoat, as homage to the delightful campness of this experience, I would like to say, "Reality TV, welcome back into my life...."

bits & bobs

Didn't go to work today... I booked the day off! Not for any special reason, just fancied having a day off!

I did a load of things today that I've been putting off for aaaaaages! Like: clearing out some of the junk in my garage; getting estimates for a new carpet; sorting out a sand-pit for Lola and Reggie (they're soooo spoilt); potting up some seedlings.... blah blah blah!

I also popped into AUT for one of my buddies, who wanted some supercheap speakers. Very nice, very patient man behind the counter had to try and explain what all the "features" on each speaker meant in non-technical terms.... I can't remember how we got onto this subject, but it turns out he's a big Voyager fan, just like me (sad trekkies). Anyway, I ended up buying a pair of speakers because "if you were watching Voyager using these speakers, the Jefferson tubes and the doors would sound really amazing!" That's what I like, basic explanations - forget all this techie stuff!

Found out that Jericho is not being renewed for another season - which is totally outrageous! Granted it was a bit of a slow developer, but the season finale was great... I blubbered! Why do American channels do that??? Have a really good series, then drop it with so many things unanswered... I'm still waiting to find out if Angel and Spike got out of that alleyway!

ooops - one digit out....!

It was a 307, not 306!

Managed to watch Heroes before I left, which was good news, as the meeting wasn't really relevant, and I would have been getting VERY agitated during it if I hadn't seen it!

Picked some chicory from my garden for my babies' breakfast - came back inside to find Stalker Cat sitting on my sofa, with a very smug expression! Was not impressed by that... needless to say, he was back in the garden very shortly afterwards!

And I take back everything I said about the Astra yesterday... I have a new least favourite hire car!!!!

Biz trip

I've got an afternoon meeting in Leicester tomorrow, so I get another lie in - hurrah! Bad news is that it isn't due to finish until 5pm, so I'll be leaving there during rush hour and probably won't be home til after 9pm - Booo! This also means I'll be too knackered to watch the latest episode of Heroes.... Bah!!!!!

Our hire car is a Peugeot 306 which I've never driven before... I am eternally grateful that it wasn't an Astra, which has been my LEAST favourite previous hire car!

And I'm not impressed with the way the hire company have parked the car outside my house! One wheel on the pavement (just), and half the car hanging over my driveway, meaning it's a damn good job I wasn't going out tonight! Thoughtless gits!!!! The car was also blocking access to the driveways opposite mine... looks like I'm going to be popular with the neighbours tonight!

I am now going to have a proper sulk at having to wait 2 days to watch Heroes!

I know my place...!

Despite my "stop banging on the window," and my "stop miaowing really loudly," and my "don't you have your own home to go to", Stalker Cat refuses to take any notice of me!

Strangely, my trusty Dyson seems to speak the same language as S.C.! I just need to switch it on, and S.C. flees!

Although I should technically be top of the pecking order in my house, it is with mixed emotions that I have realised I am below a cat that doesn't even belong to me, and a Dyson!

UH-OH!

Stalker Cat is back....!

hope you're sitting down....

... I actually passed my St Johns Ambulance First Aid course!!!! Wooooooo Woooooooo!

Day 4 started with loads of practical exercises, CPR, bandages, slings etc! Then assessment in the afternoon!

There were 2 assessors with rooms with an "injury" casualty, and 2 assessors running rooms for unconcious breathing/ unconcious not breathing casualties. I was the last one in, so had plenty of time to work myself into a nice nervous/ stressed condition!

I was great at the CPR/ placing in the recovery position, not so great at the slings though! Still, it was "fit for purpose", so was acceptable! Nearly forgot to get someone to phone for an ambulance [don't panic, it was only a fracture!], but remembered in time!

Obviously I need to practise some of the "bleeds" and "fractures" procedures, so if anyone wants to volunteer to let me practise bandaging them up like a mummy......