I'm having a slight panic about a few things. I managed to renew my domain name, but the washers on the car won't work (possibly frozen over, but i thought that they might have defrosted by the time i got into work), i am hoping it's just frost and not something wrong with the electrics. Where is my form for car insurance? Andi must get a numberplate for the car because i am taking my bike to chipping camden. Will Halfords be open tomorrow.

Just rang. They are open tomorrow, so i can get my number plate, and no doubt i can get someone there to look if the washers still haven't defrosted. Or at least it's next to the ford place, so if Halfords are open, they will be too.

It's snowing here. Apparently it was snowing on Christmas Day, although not near my house, it was snowing in Town on Boxing day, and it has snowed for the last few days. It's cold enough to last and for black ice to form.

I'm out at a Spice party tonight. Gotta find a car park to put my car into (the hotel doesn't have it's own). I know where the car park that they recommend using is...but as anyone who has been into Birmingham recently will tell you, getting around is now a lot more difficult with one way systems and bus only systems. I could get a taxi in, but that would bump the price up...

Yesterday i went to see the Fellowship of the Ring. It seems quite different to the book, and the relationship between Frodo and Sam had changed completely. I have expected them to snog at the end! The fight scenes were very hard to follow because of the way they were shot, and i honestly felt that it dragged. Two hours in and i was ready to go home. And what was with the hobbits accents? They all seemed to have different ones despite coming from the same place. It is obvious to anyone who knows Tolkein that hobbits should have lovely North Warwickshire accents. Since that is my own accent (i say to the uninformed that i have a brummie accent, but to anyone who knows a brummie accent mine is quite patently North Warwickshire) i know what they shoud sound like fairly well. Elijah Wood sounded like...an american, Sam sounded as if he was a little West Country (i may concede this as being a more fitting sterotypical accent for his character) and Pippin and Merry were more English (one sounded Scottish). But not one of them sounded as if they had set foot in the Midlands.

What was the point in changing that? It's nothing that is obvious from the books, but would have been a nod towards those who know the. I guess we couldn't possibly have a hero who is both short and speaks with a "stupid" accent.

I quote "Pippin wouldn't speak with a Scottish accent, but Boyd was coy on what accent the hobbits would use--something Tolkien fans were keen to find out. They were being trained to pronounce the archaic words correctly. "A lot of work has gone into that. You'll have to wait and see," he said. "

Er no. Definate Scottish accent.

I guess one reason the accent was change was because Frodo is supposed to be educated, and far too often people associate my accent with being stupid. I have strong suspicions that Tolkein had the same accent as myself and we all know how stupid he was...

i've waffled on that subject for too much.

Oh! Why is every woman who has seen this film going on about Viggo and Sean? Urgh. Now i prefer Orlando as Legolas. I think it's the ears!

I splurged on Saturday and spent about 40 pounds on new books. None of which i have read before. Now whilst some of them are going to be guaranteed good reads (Sandman IX and American Gods which has a money back guarantee anyway!), others i am not so sure about. I bought a copy of Ex Libris by Ann Fadiman (a collection of essay about readers and reading), a lovely little book which i have devoured abou half of. "Lud-in-the-mist" by Hope Mirelees, as recommended by Neil Gaiman. And the latin book that was on my wishlist. I'm not sure how much use i will get out of it, but i would like to really get to grips with the grammar. I never really managed it at school (possibly because i was never taught English grammer), although i can still conjugate a little (amo, amas, amat..). Vocab can be picked up at any time, and i find that i can actually remember a great deal, although to properly translate i would still need a dictionary to ensure that i had picked the most appropriate English Equivalent.

If i do eventually go on to study with OU, i thought that it might be prudent to really have a firm grasp.
posted by small kat at 3:46 PM

I have booked to go for beginners skiing at the tamworth snowdome with Spice. It is a little on the expensive side, but it's also something that i've been thinking about for a while. I reckon it could be a good laugh, the only trouble is that i don't own any waterproof trousers. I was just going to wear my trackie bottoms, but they will get wet and soggy.

My friend Andy Wallis has, in the meantime, told me that they will be fine. so i am really pleased with that.
posted by small kat at 5:05 PM

Good job i went to see them beforehand.
posted by small kat at 8:47 AM

I am 92.5% British, just like
HRH Prince Charles
Though you'll never be king you certainly know where your castle is.

Take the Brit Quiz at
www.darrenlondon.tripod.com/britquiz1.htm
Quiz written by Daz
posted by small kat at 9:27 AM

As you might have guessed, i felt pretty bad over Christmas. I know that i have said time and time again that when people say that the blokes who ignore me are the ones missing out, i thin that's not true. In truth, i am the one missing out.

But i do all the "right" things, going out with a group, meeting new people...but still no-one.

Not that i'm obsessed or anything! But after years of being single i think it's time i had my turn at a bit of love in my life.

Some good news! I found out that i can probably get a lot more mortgage than i thought i could (about 65k), together with the money i have been saving i could afford somethign around 70k, and have some left over for solictors fees, stamp duty etc.

My friend George lives in Stechford, which isn't one of the nicer areas compared to leafy Sutton, but i could get something decent, and still be close by friends and mum.

Friends of lulu, despite the name which sounds as if it should be some part of a gay comic book movement (a la friends of dorothy), i am interested in the concept.

I think tomorrow night i might try and go and see LOTR. It's quite a long movie though, so i'm not sure about sitting down that long after sitting down all day at work!
posted by small kat at 4:43 PM

Happy birthday Daddy.
posted by small kat at 4:43 PM

Bugger. I wrote a bit, but it got lost when i tried to post it. Basically, i accidentally added my sig, complete with url, to an email to spice friends. I had a panicky moment, then realised that there are only a couple of bits that need editing. So i did.
posted by small kat at 9:57 PM

They turned up! Thank you Michael!

Happy christmas readers. This diary has become more sparse lately, i have been working hard at work which does make it more difficult to write.

What i would write about is how unhappy i am about The Bloke. They were together at Carols on the Green, and all i could do was wish that it was me instead of her. Most of my spice friends now have partners, and so they don't spend so much time with me anymore (same old cycle), and i am still here alone. Christmas is one of those times of years when it really hits home. I am forced to stay in the house because there is no-one i can go and see because they are all spending it with their partners, or their partners relatives. Something i have never experienced.

I am very unhappy
posted by small kat at 5:52 PM

Two Christmas do's, one after the other and i'm wiped out. Especially since i've not taken the day off. The spice one was good, i spoke a lot to John which was nice (i am definately going to read Girl with a Pearl Earring now) and caught up with several people i haven't seen for a while. I also met John's girlfriend. She seems nice, and they appear to be very happy together. That makes it all the more difficult for me to tolerate. But i, in a cliched way, only want the best for him. And she is...then so be it.It was just a silly dream.

There is someone else i like, and he even knows that i exist.
posted by small kat at 12:16 PM

Still no sign of The Prisoner DVD's. I really hope that they haven't got lost along the way, because it would be such a shame for the person who bought them for me. I found out who ordered the book, because it came yesterday! Thank you Laurence!

A Mnemonic for remembering the order of the Kings and Queens of England

Willy, Willy, Harry, Ste,

Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three,

One, Two, Three Neds, Richard Two,

Henry Four, Five, Six, Then who?Edward Four, Five, Dick the Bad,

Henry Seven, Eight, Ned the Lad,

Mary, Bessy, James the Vain,

Charles and Charles and James again.

William and Mary, Anna Gloria,

Four Georges, William and Victoria.

Well, i thought it was rather fun. I stand absolutely no chance of remembering it though!
posted by small kat at 4:39 PM

I had a talk with my manager today. He thinks that i'm doing a good job, and have a bright future. I guess that means that i am staying. I don't know whether or not i get to sign a permanent contract (possibly not, since i already have the perks like pension and ESSP), but i think i'm here to stay (for the moment).

Huzzah! I am pleased with this, since i have been working bloody hard. It's nice to see when people appreciate it.

This thread has been making me laugh. I am irreverent, i know, so it's wonderful to see that other people think the same way that i do. I had a "groovy" church school upbringing, but went to a traditional Anglican church. followed up by many years with a GB company attached to a Bpatist church. I know far too many cheesy songs, and too many traditional songs which just do not have the same connotation today.

I think i'm going to buy Howl on tape. A nice post xmas treat.
posted by small kat at 5:35 PM

(yesterday)

Two of us in work today. Two of the lads are away on holiday, and one (the one who was supposed to be doing morning checks) is off-sick. So quiet, and stressful today.

I'm looking through some websites about BBC idents. Particularly the schools programmes. I don't remember the diamonds at all, although i clearly remember the clock which had moving hands, and i definately remember the dots and "schools and colleges"!

Someone else has bought me something off my wishlist! Thank you! I haven't received either yet, no doubt because of christmas the post is even slower the usual. But thanks whoever you are.

Saturday night, the gang had a board games evening at Georges house. Cheap, but fun. Which makes it sound as if i prefer expensive things, but at the moment being able to afford to go out is not an issue (by going out i mean clubbing/eating out). I'm lucky. But once again i felt terribly single.

And fat. I'm getting to the uncomfortable stage again. But i still can't stop eating. Am miserable. And yet, i have a good life.
posted by small kat at 2:06 PM

(from Yesterday)

Steps. all round singing dancing family entertainment. but Lee really shouldn't be singing solos, he just doesn't have the voice for it. The girls do, and their rendition of i know him so well was lovely.

I was disappointed in "Rose Daughter" by Robin McKinley. Nowhere near as charming as "Beauty". The ending is strange, not what you'd expect. And when you think about it, it's...well...bestality!
posted by small kat at 9:39 AM

Been playing Creatures 3. It's harder to get to grips with than the previous versions, but fun still. I played it for an horu last night and it crashed losing all my breeding! Oh well, i shall have more fun trying to get them to breed again, and killing off Grendels by feeding them to piranhas.
posted by small kat at 1:14 PM

(actually written yesterday)

We had a gas leak at work yesterday, so i got to put on my fluroescent waistcoat and look in the toilets.

Still feelng a bit down about the job front though.

Am in need of serious cheering up.

O! Someone has bought me "The Prisoner" off my wish list! Blimey. I can understand the occasional 3 pound book, but this is a box set costing around 50 quid.
posted by small kat at 1:19 PM

I'm trying to be positive that i will keep this job, but even mum is worried. She wants me to be settled and so do i. I guess what i want out of life if my own little place and a job with a bit of stability (unlikely in IT, i know) at least for a few years. I'm sick of wandering from job to job. 3 jobs in as many years is quite frightening.

I hate seeing mum so upset (actually crying), i need someone to be a rock for me!

Steps tonight! Unfortunately Nikki can't make it now, her mum has gone into hospital for an operations. But Beckie and myself will still be attending. Nikki has already paid for her ticket, so she is fine with it. Beckie is trying to see if she can find someone who wants to go in Nikki's stead. but i am going to have a blast anyway.

I had culcha on Monday by going to see the BRB at the brand new Hippodrome doing "the nutcracker", very festive. Very short too...

I've got all sorts of people sending out good vibes. If i can get this, it would mean a bit more security (or at least a months pay if they get rid of me as a permie, which is a vast difference between the 480 pounds i got as redundancy money) and i could relax more.

Or would i? I'm sure i would find something else to niggle about! Thanks for the support that you all give me.
posted by small kat at 5:11 PM

I have a huge spot on my chin. One of those huge ones which lie just under the surface, and just grow and grow and look lke you are sprouting an extra head. It's really horrible. And yellow.

urgh. I wish i could photoshop my face.

I still feel as if everything is swaying, too. I really don't think that i shall be sailing again. Or maybe it's just an inner ear thing.

I keep having dreams about being pregnant. It's all very strange. And unlikely.

Had an meeting with HR person. Am now worried again. I should hear next week if i become permanent. She didn't know either way. Which is worrying. You know me, i worry. It wouldn't be very nice to be out of a job again, so soon, and just before christmas.
posted by small kat at 5:39 PM

i fell over on my way to return a video, and scraped my right leg quite badly. ouch.

I sang Ave Maria (along with Jewels Joy cd) turned on the telly afterwards, and there was Russell Watson singing it. He makes some very strange facial expressions when he sings...

ow
posted by small kat at 6:08 PM

I have returned from Hamburg very tired, and somewhat disorientated. I still feel as if i am swaying about on the ship over two days later.

Clearly i was not meant to be a sailor. I decided to come into work today 9Friday), but i am beginning to regret it. I had hoped for a lie in yesterday, but mum woke me up to ask if i had overslept.

Yet another good reason to live alone.
posted by small kat at 5:00 PM