2008!

Happy (early) new year!

Fingers crossed for a good one :)

Bring it on!

Impending Hangover + 2008 Horoscope

Oh gosh. I think I am rather hammered. And tomorrow I will know this for the truth.

We've been to Aunty N's Christmas party - an annual shindig for Clayhall's socially aware Tamil crowd. An invite is coveted, but we are always invited because my brothers and I run the entz for the adults. Except tonight they left it to me. So I drank a shed load of whisky and caused some chaos. Oh dear. Things were still entertaining, but I realise now that I am too much of a "live for the moment" type. People love it, but the consequences are tricky.

So, my horoscope for the week. Bodes not entirely well....

As can happen to anyone, you discover a situation in which you’ve acted unwisely. Ideally, you catch it before others notice, so you can make emergency repairs. However, with the hot-headed Mars retrograde and having returned to the part of your chart that involves pivotal decisions, you’re unlikely to be able to keep anything under wraps. Your best strategy isn’t just to be open, but to ask others for guidance. Since situations remain tricky for all of January, getting others involved means you’ll be sharing vital information — and the burden for getting things right.

What on earth have I got to keep under wraps or be open about?! And for ALL of January. Rubbish.

And for the year...

Most Virgos have lived with their relentless inner critic for so long that life without it is almost unimaginable. During this year of reckoning, however, you’ll realise where it comes from and, more important, discover how to eliminate it and its incessant judgments. This process is triggered by the uncompromisingly truthful Pluto, which, combined with the benevolent Jupiter, introduces you to people or situations so positive, there’s simply no room for negativity. Initially, such happiness may seem unlikely, especially around the unsettling Virgo eclipsed Full Moon in late February. But this actually highlights what must go. Begin this clearout — personal and emotional — of your habits and even your goals, and opportunities will soon replace what has gone. Suspicions about such amazing good fortune are natural, but you swiftly realise not only that things are as good as they seem, this happiness has come to stay.

Well, the end of that is good, but clearout my habits and goals? Remove my inner judgement? No room for negativity? What the heck? This can't be a horoscope for REAL virgos! Find yours here.

Hangover.

Happy Holidays!

That title sounds ridiculously American. Obviously I mean Merry Christmas.

I love the festive period. Been rushing around like a mad thing, generally loving the good times. Nothing too imaginative to report, just that I'm really enjoying the break, and thinking of school makes me cringe, so I'm ignoring it. Have decided that despite having to go back to school on the 2nd, the kids aren't in until the 7th, so really I'm on holiday until the 7th, and so will behave accordingly. Heehee.

Simply Red Stars is playing on the radio. I know exactly what he means. Am completely falling for X, in a scary/exciting way. I don't want to be soppy and silly, but really, I'm so consumed by this, I'm all at sea. I should practice my swimming.

Dazed after Heaven

Early this morning I was trying to remember what I was doing this time last year. A pretty fruitless activity, clearly I have no idea, but I'm sure this time last year I would have never have predicted what I'd be doing this time this year. That all sounds very mysterious, and really it is. I feel like a snowflake, or a leaf, or a twig, or a piece of dust...basically anything small that is being carried away and completely overpowered by the outside forces, but not in a bad way, more like doing exactly what was intended all along.

We went to Heaven last night, which was dramatastic and good fun. It's a huge venue in Charing Cross, with loads of different rooms and different music. Lots of stereotypical gays, and then the fabulous looking boys too. They even had drag queens, podium dancers, and a weird Christmas dance performance which was rather freaky. Went with a rather eclectic (slash motley) crew, but it worked. I loved seeing Mosser again after an extended absence - he's such a good dancer. His friend Rob too was lots of fun, we clicked straight away...I can see why there are so many "fag hags" around, gay boys are fun! Gid and CK, and Mouche and her friend Tom also came along, a nice complement to us original three. I think we got back around 5 or something like that, and I feel like I slept for about 30 mins, so I am a bit stunned now, but it was totally worth it, it's a good stunned. I probably won't say any more about that on here, but I figure I have rambled lots to various readers so you've got the basics.

Haha, that said, this still isn't going to make any sense to anyone, I just realised. I am trying to process it myself. I was trying to explain it to N and B when we caught up yesterday afternoon, and they kinda understood, and so did Jade during our hilarious piano lesson (why do I insist on making up my own music??), but I guess if I don't understand then other people won't.

I'm listening to Feist, from the iPod adverts, and Canadian too, bonus! And loving the fact that I don't have to work tomorrow :)

Hmm, I think I will stop now and get back into my happy daze. I hope at least some of you get to feel like this too.

And my horoscope...awesome!

After a period that’s been consistently demanding but has often brought tremendous rewards, this week’s wonderful and — probably — unexpected developments could seem bewildering. While Saturn, the planet behind this austere cycle, remains in your sign, those challenging situations won’t be abating. And there’s a new player on the scene — Jupiter, which is accenting love and life’s pleasures, and will continue to do so for more than a year. This means, first, that things aren’t nearly as urgent as they seem. And, second, you’d best learn to juggle duties and pleasures, since this is only the start of a very busy period in your life.

End of Term!

It's the official end of term, oh yes! Woo, another term completed, yay!

Most of yesterday spent celebrating, but also sorting out classrooms and unpacking the crates in the new building. Very excited about having my own proper room but wasn't impressed with having to lug about 30 huge boxes out of my room, which weren't meant to have been in there in the first place. Was ok though, plugged in my MP3 player to the build-in room sound system, and was bouncing away to all sorts of stuff :)

My face is numb, I have been out far far too much this week, and at yesterday's staff Christmas lash round two my behaviour was not quite perfect. Oh dear, good thing none of us have to face each other at work today. Perhaps that's why city workers throw their parties on Thursdays so that you have to deal with the consequences the next day?

Anyway, generally lots of hilarity and good fun with school people. Somehow decided that I would stay in school next year after all, and then went and told lots of people, so a bit stuck there since not sure that's what I want to do. Also played a trumpet in the pub, that was funny, and gave out lots of relationship advice to the funny English teacher. Got caught up in a weird triangle later in the evening, which involved my phone being messed around with and then lots of ridiculous revelations from lots of people. This is what happens when there's too much drink around, your tongue just gets loose and before you know it, you've done some things you probably shouldn't have. Oh well, nothing doing about that now.

What else? I am super hyper, people are noticing e.g. Jade in my funny piano lesson just now, but on the other hand I have moments of brilliant focus and drive, it's a kinda nice balance. Just hope we don't get too reckless.

PS Spurs losing to Arsenal after a missed penalty = not cool.

A wee bit whirlwindy

I am mildly concerned that I might be getting a wee bit whirlwindy aka manic again. I say mildly because I am a bit drunk, but also because I am actually at home not being a nutter, so it can't be that bad. But the signs are there, in that in school I have lost the plot e.g. insisting my department perform a play of The Demon Headmaster when we should be packing crates (ok, not as nuts as all that, we have a copy of the play in a classroom, for some reason....plus I was bored). In the end I made them play poker with me, was the most surreal school day, weird. Generally I feel rather too lively, like in the gym I wanted to run for miles, and even after that I still wasn't tired, and now I just feel like getting into trouble. What is that about?

In other news, two people in our Year 8 dinner asked me if I had a partner at the moment. Again, what is that about? About 2 months ago, when they last asked me, they asked if I had a boyfriend, and now why the switch in lingo? Am I being stalked or can they read my mind or what? Bizarre.

And finally all I have drunk today is tea and alcohol after I put myself on a caffeine ban. Somehow water got caught up in there too. Must make an effort to be better tomorrow.

Running Late

Why is it that when I am already running late I decide that there's no point trying to be even a bit on time, and so faff about on here instead?

ICT training aaaaall day. This was not so bad, but not so good either. We learnt a lot, and then felt bad that we would never really have the time to implement all that we've learnt, and so we must be mediocre teachers. Sigh.

My whole evening has become wonky due to a stupid stupid traffic jam that was soooo long and tedious that I even got fed up singing along to the radio and instead started being cross. Plus I had calf spasms on my clutch calf, which is never a good thing. Although I think probably calf spasms on either leg are bad, what with legs being useful in driving and all.

On the plus side, two people told me in separate incidents that I have become super smiley and cheery. Usually I am smiley and cheery, but I think perhaps the festive spirit has fully bitten me, yay! Also, I got paid today, woo hoo! And also from MyBnk, woo hoo! Now to spend all this money in creative, and not so creative, ways.

Packing and Weekend Stuff

I have spent all day packing up my classroom and various other bits of the maths department. I now hate packing crates. Also, due to being sleep-deprived and not really interested in packing, I just threw things into crates, meaning when it comes to January and I have to unpack, it's going to be awful. Oh well, let's not think about that.

Weekend went by too quickly. Had a great lunch with Team Maths, despite the absence of Fonz due to her falling on her face on Friday night, tut tut. We went to the Eat Thai in St Christopher's Place, fancy and intimate, I liked it. Great food - I had the King Prawn Pad Thai (my standard) and it was delicious and a huge portion. Nice wines too, am impressed, it's on the list. Minor dramas after lunch, including forgetting the shopping in the restaurant and debates over what to do next, but all sorted.


Later in the afternoon some changes of plans and then lots of units and lots of drama. I can't figure out if I want a drama-free 2008 or not. Anyway, girls, you'll be pleased to know I did the right thing, as all of you were nagging me to do (heehee, nagging, it's true!) and I feel a lot better. And after a ridiculous concoction of drinks, I still went to bed with a smile on my face. Thank you.

Oh man I wanna go to bed, but I think we are going out now. Not a good plan before a whole day of Interactive Whiteboard training, oh no. Roll on proper holidays.

Yay it's the holidays!

Bah humbug. It's pretty much expected that as soon as the Christmas holidays start, teachers get sick. Booo. I am getting a cold, and am desperately trying to fight it by staying in tonight rather than going on the massive birthday based bender that was originally planned. Not my birthday, a friend's, but a bender nonetheless. But now I can think of nothing more exciting that going to bed early in the hope that I wake up nice and healthy. Fingers crossed, I have a busy day tomorrow.

Yay it's the holidays! Woohoo, 3 weeks of no kids and no teaching! True, the staff still have one more week of a combination of ICT training and packing for the new building, but whatever, will be fine, particularly since I have lots of revelry planned next week, so there will enough to keep me entertained (and hopefully not too hungover!)

The staff pantomime for the kids was awesome, Cinderella, so so funny! I loved how keen loads of the male teachers were to get dressed up as women, and there were loads of kiddie jokes, and jokes for the grown-ups, and inside staff jokes too, excellent! Alas, didn't get to play trumpet after all due to time constraints and problems getting enough cover, but no matter. Thoroughly enjoyed wearing my Santa hat and snowman earrings all day, plus all the Christmas cards and chocolates and games etc. I like the festive spirit! Lovely staff Christmas lunch then a pretty epic drinking session, teachers are such alchies! Woke up not too bad today, but then remembered some of the controversies from the night, and kinda cringed. Heehee, it's all in good fun I'm sure. Will try and stay out of trouble next week.

Yay yay yay, one more time! Now off to wrap the presents and marvel at my excellent Christmas decorating skills. The tinsel all over our stairs and banisters is my special favourite.

Car drama!

It was so frosty and icy this morning that my brakes froze up! Scary stuff, basically they just locked and then the car skidded a bit, but luckily I'd been slowing down anyway at a pretty quiet residential road, and it stopped at the junction, so no harm done. Completely forgot what I was meant to do if the car skidded, although remembered something about pumping brakes or something so tried that, then turned the car off and on again (hahaha, just like if there's a problem with my laptop!) and then it was ok. Phew.

What else? No actual teaching today, just DVDs and charades and games and stuff. Year 8 alternative awards assembly was lots of fun. Form were mostly good today, except this morning when I gave out their reports and three of the girls just ripped theirs up and threw them in the bin. They apologised about this later, but still. I can't even imagine ever ripping up a report at school, or even having one so awful that it warranted disposal. Shame.

Apart from that am very much in the festive spirit, looking forward to all the drinks and parties and carols and fun times. One day of school to go, and it's only a half day, yay! Just need to get through 3 hours with my tutor group first...

A whole day of school

I have just eaten too much of too many things. Mixing food, like drink, makes me hyper and then nauseous. Bleurgh.

All my family have been at a wedding all day, without me. Sigh. Thus I managed to teach a whole day of school instead, yay! Well, not teach as such, since lesson 5 was spent accompanying Year 8 on a visit to the new building. It's amazing, it's so big and exciting and like a proper school and everything! I can't wait to get in there, except the thought of packing everything up and actually moving is daunting and frankly I don't want to do it. The rest of the maths department seem to have already started packing up, but I am clearly in denial and just ignoring it in the hope it goes away. Yes girls, very similar to the dilemma we were discussing last night, I am a coward in every way. Ya!

Speaking of last night, I realise it is an error to drink before Wednesday because then the week just feels soooo long because when you wake up in the morning and think it's Friday, really it is still barely midweek, rubbbbbbish. That said, it was very nice to catch-up and discuss risotto based plans. My favourite quotes come from P: "I bought this jumper in 5 colours"; "why don't you just live a normal life? no wonder you keep having breakdowns"; "I guessed chest but really it was rectum". Nice.

The kids were pretty good today, mainly because I refused to have "fun" lessons until the last lesson of term and kept being really strict, great. Tomorrow and Friday will be tougher since they will all be very excitable, but maybe I'll just join in with the fun? Have got lots of nice cards wishing me well and a happy Christmas, they are mostly good kids you know, just a bit nuts now and then.

Woohoo two days to go!

Feeling Good

I am about to go and practice my piano. For some reason I decided it was more important to blog first. This is despite our hilarious lesson on Sunday night where I quite openly talked to my hands. Jade was shocked. I have since clocked that it is never ok to talk to your hands or explain how sometimes they are independent of my control.

I am feeling very chilled and mellow. I like it. Perhaps this is my normal stage? I can't remember really. David Gray is playing in the background. Not literally, though that would be awesome. It's just the CD, but I love him.

Last night I got more than seven hours sleep for the first time in ages. Long overdue and absolutely splendid. I woke 4 minutes before my alarm, just like I used to be able to do, and only spent 10 mins contemplating when I could next get into my perfect bed (whilst brushing my teeth) but after that I was zooming and ready to go. I had a good day despite not being able to fully "project" (my voice). This is probably because I have removed all the parts of my job that are really tedious i.e planning, assessment and reporting, leaving me with just class-room teaching, excellent. Obviously this isn't a long term solution, but I like it for now.

Seriously, half-days are perfect for me, coming home for lunch and having a nap then hitting the gym and giving me my evenings free is just awesome. Earlier I contemplated becoming a part-time receptionist for some doctor or something. Clearly a bit pointless with the uni degree and all, but maybe the simple life is what I should be aiming for?

Something else I contemplated today was whether I could drink a pint of tea. I am still undecided on this.

Went to boxercise for the first time in ages today, didn't really fancy running or weights. Was great, my body is properly aching, in that nice way. I get such a kick from exercise, it's bizarre. Today was extra good because the bionic Chinese lady was there. She's like 40 and tiny and the only person I know who will regularly out-work the instructor. The 50 year old blond gym bunny woman was also there. I like it when they are there because then I have some competition. Pushed myself hard, and during the warm down the chap was playing some Motown track with the refrain "it hurts everywhere", which was so true. Strangely he played a lot of samba during the session, not sure why.

We're going to the Cuckfield tomorrow, yay, Fruli! Can't wait to see you girlies!

Sober Rambles

It's Sunday. Back in the day I think I used to lesson plan on Sundays. I have given this up. One week of school to go, and the kids will be demanding "fun lessons" left, right and centre. Plus Friday probably won't be a proper day of lessons, and then when you take away four afternoon lessons and one PSHE games lesson, well, I'm left with nine lessons to plan. Hardly seems worth spending Sunday doing.

I do, however, have to complete my Learning Log. Again. Boo.

So I am tired. I went to bed very late, about 7 hours ago, after J from TF's birthday shenanigans. Crucially, I am not that hungover. Either that or I am so used to my Friday night hangover that it just seems normal. Anyway, we went to the Covent Garden Comedy Club and saw some excellent stand-up. It was held at Heaven, which is pretty fun club anyway, and a really intimate stand-up venue. I was properly laughing my head off for most of it. I haven't been to much stand-up since my gap year, when I was quite into it, but it's definitely something else that is going back on the list. I think I liked it so much because I find everything funny - whether it's offensive, complaining, self-deprecating, fantastical, autobiographical, whatever, it's all funny to me. Obviously, those of you that know me know I think I'm hilarious, but these people are on another level. That said, if I had all day every day to read the paper and contemplate my life, well, I'm sure I could think of a few gags.

The tickets included entry into Motion, which is just on the riverbank near Embankment. Good fun there too. Enough said. When I combine the chatter of last night with a college friend's Christmas party on Friday night, it's pretty obvious why I've practically lost my voice. It's at that sore/husky stage, where it could go either way. School will patently push it into non-existence. Anyway, the party on Friday was my first Christmas party of the season and it was really good, mainly because it was full of people I knew from college and from Oxford and from my gap year, so it was great to catch-up. The mulled wine went down a treat, even when it became purely hot red wine, and it was just nice to see how far everyone had come and catch-up with those people I've just not seen for ages.

To keep up the busy-ness of the weekend I had lunch and went to the Natural History Museum yesterday with someone I shall just call X because I know what you are all like with gossip. The only downer was seeing my mangy fox daemon on display - a truly verminous specimen. Apart from that, I am having fun there. It's kinda weird how I feel, but I like it.

I am pleased with the reintroduction of many non-drinking activities to my life. And also the way that I have swapped school for an actual life. Good times.

Ending on a dramatic note though, here's my Sunday Times horoscope for this week. Am already nervous about Tuesday...

Because you think things through carefully when you first hear about them, you’re rarely caught off-guard. But when events involve a form of transformation, as is the case with those triggered by Tuesday’s encounter between Jupiter and Pluto, there's little chance you could anticipate the sequence and impact of events. That being the case, forget about analysing everything and live one day, or even one hour, at a time. Because changes involve matters close to home, there could be dramas. But, with Jupiter showing its more benevolent face next week, you’ll soon be smiling again.

I hope so.

Busy and Yay it's the weekend!

Wow. Busy. And rather sleep-deprived. Currently getting more sleep during the old afternoon nap than actually at night. Oh dear.

School is good. Kids are being good. Well, at least they're responding to my authority for the most part. Lots of form related drama from the usual suspects, but now that I have a co-tutor supporting me things are loads better.

Been out a fair bit. Won a Scrabble game on Weds with a bingo after trailing for most of it. That's just how I like to win. Woke up with a minor whisky hangover, then remembered the various mini-dramas of the night including digging a hole for myself with a the potential future employer, and also the consequences of my various delayed-spontaneous moments (is that an oxymoron?). In fact had rather vivid nightmares that night, which only really feeds the drama rather than stops it. I would detail the nightmares here, but I think you'd probably flip out.

Solution was obviously to race myself through school and then check out The Golden Compass, which was really good, although you'd have to be really on-the-ball to understand what was going on if you hadn't read the book. Written version infinitely better, but the film was well made and lots of really good acting, particularly from the children. Occasional moments of over-the-top cheesiness, but loved all the action, and now want a daemon more than ever. And an armoured bear. Also went to a place called Satsuma, worth it just for the name, tasty food, it's now on the list.

What else? One week of school to go. Going to a Christmas party tonight, gonna do my best not to be hungover tomorrow, fingers crossed!

Good Teaching Stuff

Another good day today. I am liking this.

Most people are looking fairly exhausted by now. Eight days of teaching left, then the extra 5 days of INSET and closure to move to the new building. We're all counting them, but given that I've had 4 weeks off, I'm feeling fairly fresh.

Did a lot of running around after my form today. There was some drama about books being thrown out of the windows in my absence. E was having an off-day and getting kicked out/storming out of lessons. We made a bargain and shook hands saying we'd both do our best to get through the day. Crazy H is back from Pakistan and looking more care-worn than ever. I want to hug him and feed him and nurture him and make him alright, he's like a little stray dog to me. We chatted about minor things; it's difficult to talk with him properly, but I hope he understands that we all want him to have a fresh start.

Saw my Y12s for the first time today, was very funny, got into a huge debate about sex and religious education in school. A good number were very much supporters of the whole "if you come to this country you should accept British values" which is hilarious since they're from all over the place and not exactly your typical right-wing types, heehee. Had my Y9s after lunch, although not teaching them, just sorting them out a bit. Was dead sweet, they all cheered when I was back and said how much they had missed me etc. so was actually quite devastated to have to then turn around and leave them with a supply teacher and tell them I wouldn't be with them properly until after half-term. Oh well.

Finally, went to a TF event on "Managing Your School Career", which is ironic since I figured I was leaving, but now that I'm back I've got some perspective again and I realise how much I do love it, especially the kids and the staff at my school. There's no other place you could go to where if you were off sick literally hundreds of people would be asking how you were and checking up on you in the corridors (even the naughty kids do it, it's great!). It's such a community, despite all the problems, and I can't think of being needed or doing as much good in the same way as I feel I am at school.

Gosh, with all this drama I get concerned any time I have a strong feeling of any type. I am paranoid I am subtly getting manic without noticing. It's no good all of this thinking. I am confused.

Anyway, words of the day today:

capricious - changeable (I'm sure I've looked this up before...)
complaisant - showing a cheerful willingness to do favours for others
ossuary - a building below ground level
diaphanous - semitransparent
parsimonious - excessively unwilling to spend
perfidious - tending to betray (punic is a synonym, what a great word!)
itinerant - traveling from place to place for work

First Day Back at School

First day back at school today, after the extended hiatus. Pretty good actually, was very cool to be back. Only one truly awful moment where I contemplated running away home, but the rest was ok. I'm doing half-days for the rest of this term and have been relieved of the majority of my tutor responsibilities so that I can ease myself back. Had a return to work meeting where I had to explain what had been wrong with me. Was rather cagey, despite my HoD being there too and him already knowing a bit about it all, but anyway. Am thinking perhaps tomorrow I will come clean a bit more so that in case I lose the plot again they can be prepared.

My Y7s were convinced I'd fainted last week and that was why I'd had to go home. My Y8s were angels and just so glad to learn some maths again. Y10s were a handful - they are so love/hate with me. One sticky moment when I kicked out J after she threw a strop. Was going to turn into a slanging match, but she left. Found out later in the day that during my absence she'd been excluded for breaking another girl in my maths group's nose by punching her in the face. So bad were her injuries that she's had to have reconstructive surgery. Scary. Also got into a battle with L who was passing his mobile phone to the girl behind him and then kicked off when I tried to confiscate it. But mostly the day was ok.

Am having crazy dreams for the two hours I'm getting most nights. Really should bother to keep that mood/sleep diary. Hmmm. Still, I'm glad to be back in the game.

Finally a quote that I saw on someone's Facebook today....

The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchill

I like that.

K's first birthday party

In keeping with the weekend's trend of kids' birthday parties, last night we attended K's 1st birthday party. K is currently the sole grandchild of my mother's former GP partner. He is also the lucky son of two doctors and four grandparent doctors. Crazy stuff.

As such, this was a 1st birthday party with a difference. True there were cakes and balloons. However, the scale was really rather big. For a start, it was held in The Conservatory of the Millennium Hotel in Kensington. A beautiful top floor glass pyramid type structure with huge up-lit palm trees, it was an awesome venue.


There were 20 tables each seating 12, all delightfully decked out. Rather than just a table number, the seating was designated according to the helium cartoon character balloon on your table - so I was seated at Bob the Builder's table, heehee. There were two 8 foot clowns made of balloons and a massive balloon arch spelling out K's name at the front of the room. The DJ had a sick system, and there was a raised platform in the middle where the magician/clown and the crazy jugglers performed (everything from face painting to juggling knives over people laying on the ground!) The cake was three tiered, huge and tasty, with massive single candle for K to blow out, and then loads of candles all around for the other kids. The AV crew were everywhere, there was a free bar, Ragamama's catering (yum yum) and party bags! An all out extravagant bash; my father even remarked that perhaps they had too much money...


Apart from the fun-ness of it all, as with D's wedding I really appreciated the attention to detail. The invitation itself was a personalised card with K's smiling face on the front, so cute. And on each place setting was a chocolate bar saying "K is 1, happy birthday" on one side, and "thank you for coming to my party, hope you had a great time, love K" on the back. The place cards were hand-caligraphed and the party bags were fun boxes too (I don't really know how I got one, but anyway...) Here are some of the exciting random things in my bag...


Essentially then, a very good time, and another raising of the bar for the most lavish party to be held, let alone for a one-year-old who went to bed before dinner!

Belated Sunday Noon Rambles

This is my horoscope for this week, courtesy of the Sunday Times:

This week’s events pit your fundamental practicality against the more canny side of your nature that has a knack of observing developments and making remarkably accurate predictions. The practical side insists that you need to consolidate arrangements involving personal, domestic and relationship issues. But your intuition says that because the sweeping changes you’re observing would rearrange various elements of your life anyway, it’s not worth bothering until the dust has settled. What you can do is tidy up mundane obligations so that, when the changes you’re anticipating begin early next week, you’re ready for them.

Good, I like mundane obligations, they sound decidedly drama-free. But I do have a pressing To-Do list that is gnawing at me, despite my attempts at ignoring it. Perhaps it's more of a Maybe-Do list?

Last night I was at my uncle's daughter's birthday party, a 5th birthday party I might add, so it was hilarious. Proper old-school - party bags and hats, musical chairs and statues, party poppers etc. For the kids AND for the grown-ups. I did the night entirely sober, and it was good fun, but for some reason I woke up this morning with what feels like a hangover. This is strange. I'm sure I didn't drink.

I also managed to pop my shoulder out while turning over in bed last night, that wasn't fun at all. There's an unpleasant ache in my arm now, and if I allow myself to think about it, I can just about remember the excruciating pain of a distended shoulder. Ouch. Dang my loose ligaments.

So due to my fatigue I have bailed on lunch, but am due at a fancy pants 1st birthday party in about 2 hours. Good-oh. What is the deal with all these kiddy parties? Have I regressed somewhere along the way? I think I may need to drink through this one...