17.2.05


my new painting! Just finished it last night :)  Posted by Hello

14.2.05

I baked really good cookies today for office peeps...

something sweet for valentines day!

I then warned all the girls on my floor that they would 'get a kicking' if they received flowers... Becky was the first. Her boyfriend is travelling through Chile and arranged for them to be sent all the way from over there... she was absolutely thrilled... and openly acknowledged that she was so happy, she wouldn't even mind the kicking. When did my jokes get so aggressive sounding :) ?

I started another painting last night... and in true Sarah fashion I painted for hours and hours and didn't even notice the time passing... I played the 18 track I was listening to three times before it registered that I better go to bed... I guess that's what it's like when you work at a job that you love... time just flies and you're happy the whole time... perhaps I should become a painter!?!?!?

I'm out tonight with Cecile... her friend stood her up for Valentine's dinner so I agreed to go to with her to the place she had booked a table... turns out it's my favourite Japanese restaurant! Should be nice. I even dressed up pretty-like. Not often that I willingly wear heels to work.

KJ sent me a txt wishing me luv and nice seestorly wishes. What a doll!

I hope cupid brings her a nice man! She so deserves it!

11.2.05

well

apart from falling off the blog wagon...

I've been busy working far too late into the night... which made me really ask myself what the hell I was doing at this job... at the end of the day it's just a job right? Which then made me start looking for a new job... which I've just found... and with an extra 6k and brill benifit package in my pocket... i'm a happy camper! It will be sad to leave here but I need to save my sanity... what's left of it anyway.

Spent a lovely weekend in Palma. Left last friday morning and returned this monday. Le boi is such a doll... he bought me the lovliest pearl necklace that is 25 years old. It's soooo purdy! On a related note, I've got a week and a half between finishing here and starting my new job what a joy it will be!!!!

24.1.05

I’m not too sure what it is…

But today alone I’ve received two invites to two separate parties this Saturday. Strange but fun!

One day into my search for freedom from this sweat shop and there is light already… the market is good… very good. I can almost smell the freedom… perhaps I should start practising how to spell resignation….

I wonder what the odds are of my holiday request being granted for next week… slim to none I’m thinking… but I’m hoping to go back to Mallorca.

It’s most likely the coldest day of the year here… brr Not the best day to have the heading in the office non functioning… also not the best day to be working late… not the best day to be exhausted… or having to finish the creative for the mutationspotting article I’m writing… also not good when you’ve got to do it all again tomorrow…

Anyone want to adopt me and afford me a life of leisure?

eeevil moi in Mallorca the horns flashed!!! Posted by Hello

awwww luvvie luuvvie Posted by Hello

late - fancy dress xmas party frolics this weekend! Posted by Hello

21.1.05

Palma....

was so beautiful. The blossoms on the almond trees were out and the sea so very blue green. We were there for the San Antoni festival in Manacor. Was a brilliant weekened all around.

It's so great to have a flat again... paying rent, not so exciting but having my own space is just great! I can't wait till summer and I can have breakfast on the terrace!

Can I just say how good the Kasabian ablum is?

Off to a costume party this pm. It's Sally's work's xmas party and it's a gangster and moll theme... will be good fun.

The hunt has started for a new job. I think i'm aiming for something freelance or short term. I need a break from this mental cycle...

Bon weekend!

14.1.05

I'm hoping...

That this marks the end of lots of evil annoyances that have plagued me this week... I slopped into work this morning with luggage and all... and then realised that I left my phone at home.

It gets better when I realised I've got to work over the weekend and on my day off when I'm supposed to be relaxing... and therefore now have to slog all the way back home to get my phone with luggage and the bloody laptop.

fucking kill me.

12.1.05

I am...

mostly very happy today... exhausted but happy!

The move went well but there is still a lot to do as the owner of the flat didn't have it cleaned properly and the estate agent called in her cleaning crew who ended up arriving at the same time as us... needless to say... most of our stuff is not in the flat yet, but moreso in the hall and the storage room (future painting studio)... that bit will happen when I get in from work tonight... if I ever get out of here... Working right after a move is VERY challenging... My face feels like it's on fire... or like I've been sitting in front of a fire for the past few hours... not a good thing, I'm just hoping it's exhaustion rather than the early onset of the flu... the flu is not something I'm keen on having as that would hamper my plans for Saturday in the most spectacular way!

I forgot what it feels like having a proper home and your own room... Guess maybe i'll feel a little less displaced as I have been in the past few months.

yipee!

11.1.05

And for my next trick...

I managed to gaff yet another booking… no no not on the flight to Barcelona in June… That was sorted and I’m still quite sore about it… as the ticket was non adjustable… so I ended up being saved by sqeezy jet and getting a return for 50£ extra from them… not that I really fancy returning to England… but hey, we play the game…. But lets focus now, and get back to my latest trick…

I booked my flight to Majorca this weekend to visit the boi… he’s shooting a documentary over there… I get my friend to double check that I’ve filled in everything correctly… it’s all good, and I press submit… but wait. Oh look the confirmation letter states that I’m being issued a paper ticket (do they still exist!?!?!) and that it’s being sent to my billing address which is my old flat (where I’ve not lived for the past 3 months!!!!). Twenty minutes on the phone to the booking people and they tell me that they ‘hope’ they can catch the tickets before they’re dispatched and get them sent to my office instead… I smell trouble… these things come in threes don’t they? More drama will surely ensue.

The move is on for tomorrow! Three months of homelessness (very cushy homelessness may I add) will soon be over and we’ll be safely installed into the new abode in the wilds of west London…

*closes eyes and jumps into the unknown*

10.1.05

Your know it’s going to be a great week when…

When you’re chuffed that you and your mate booked flights to bcn for Sonar in June… at bargain prices…

You soon realize that it’s going to be a crap week when…

You’re filling out your holiday request form and realize that the tickets were booked on the wrong dates… and you will most likely incur 50£ penalty per passenger… if they even let us amend the booking… and that it’s most likely that we’ll have to re-book completely and it will probably mean that we’ll have to pay the full price again! That, sucks. I hate when life is fickle.

I’m going to crawl into a hole now and not come out for a long long time.

On another note… pole dancing hurts a lot and it bruises a lot… I’ve got total respect for the ladies that do it for a living… clearly it’s not my calling… booking incorrect flights seems to be much more of a forte for me.

The move looks to be on for Wednesday… we’ll see if I manage to organize that one properly.

7.1.05

It’s been too long...

And lots of jollies where had at home for xmas. Was so lovely to see seestor and my tiny mummy and all the relations… whom are very not tiny anymore!

Highlights being

- Seeing mum and sister - of course
- Seeing Lisa and Dave and their wee ones
- Seeing la Noeleen and her hubby to be…
- Meeting my online friend of 7 years in person for the first time
- Meeting up with Karm and his lady
- Drinking silly cocktails at the Drake Hotel
- Staying at the Drake hotel and being awoken at 4am by a girl knocking at the door who asked us if we had any ‘stuff’… what ‘stuff’ she was looking for we’re not quite certain… but we were pretty sure we didn’t have any. Tee Hee Hee
- Receiving the most gorgeous pair of leopard print stillies from sister (made from pony fur)

The house move hasn’t happened yet but will hopefully next week when certain travellers return and sort out the remaining financials…. Stress comes with everything it seems… or is that just me? *giggle*

Tomorrow I will continue packing up the flat and then venture down to old street to join up with andrea and her friend who is celebrating her b’day… the fun part is, that we’re all doing a pole dancing class as part of the celebration! Should be a really good laugh. And no, no pictures will be posted… I fear the embarrassment would be far too great.

Ooh at xmas I managed to finish another painting… I luckily picked up a bunch of art supplies in Canada when I was there… they are a fraction of the cost there than they are here and will the sales it was brilliant!

Happy new year!

painting i did at xmas... Posted by Hello

4.1.05


Me and seestor at xmas Posted by Hello

22.12.04

Well that’s if for me for this year…

Off to the great white north and the land of Canadia as my friends call it here…

The manic schedule however, appears to be following me… no rest until at least the end of January…

I am impressed as last night I managed to pack everything within 15 mins and still manage to collect all of miss B’s things for Thailand. Damn I’m good under pressure…

Off to el aeropuerto in a few mins…

Happy Ho HO!

16.12.04

Can I just say....

That xmas bonuses are very nice... so yea the tax man takes his share but you won't see me saying no to free cash!

Finally got a flat and am moving in early January... which is brilliant as moving before xmas was a bit of a daunting prospect. Now I can do the diry work right after I get back. Moving to the wilds of west London is a bit daunting but having a lovely terrace and being dead close to the tube and kensinton gardens will be great! It's going to be so strange as I have been such a north/east london dweller since I moved here...

Saw Alex and Dearbhla and Dani and Carolyn last night... Alex is doing well and is soon of to Oz and has a lot of adventures planned for the coming year... The Irish girls were in good form and as always, it was lovely to catch up with them all!

Six more sleeps till I fly home. No xmas shopping done... except for Mr. McCann... lucky devil! When will I find the time???

15.12.04


i love this one :) Posted by Hello

fredu Posted by Hello

moi et le boi a Cadaques Posted by Hello

Cadaques... brr it was cold! Posted by Hello

Me and my friend Sinead at our xmas party Posted by Hello

9.12.04

Having a holiday was most fantastic

I think sometimes you work so hard you forget what it’s like to just do nothing for an entire week. I ended up in Cadaques with le boi… We had such a chilled out week… Brilliant thing really, just before the xmas rush. I’ve still not started shopping yet and am wistfully thinking back to a few years ago when I finished all my shopping before the beginning of December….

The large ball of fire has returned over the skies of London town… It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it… even in Spain it was grey and rainy and cold… I’m looking forward to going home… even if it is helli cold at least there is always lots of sunshine!

I’m continuing the flat hunting search this Saturday and am lined up to see a few more flats… I’m hoping I can find something… then at least we can move next weekend and put an end to this palarva.

I’ve got pictures a plenty… from the hols… just need to download them…

Big office 10 year anniversary party tomorrow night… what to wear what to wear?

24.11.04

My seestor

Strangely thinks I’m wise… the case was not so last night-when I attempted to do my hair… I’ve been using this product for the last 6 months… and am quite happy with it… until last night my brain ceased to function… and in one foul swoop I managed to mix the bleach into the colour developer… the whole kit down the drain presto! So frustrating… one of those times that I wished I was still back in Canada so I could pop down to Shoppers Drugmart and simply procure another kit right away… not so much the case when you’re living were I do… ho hum… I’m smiling about it today.

Saw a really nice flat in Notting Hill last night… Trying to sort out some final details and arrange a second viewing for Saturday… although it’s kind of the last thing I’m going to want to be doing Saturday… Ahh well… it’s a cool place and it has a nice balcony schweet…

Off to meet the Dearbhla!

23.11.04

Could it be…

That my sister is harbouring some transatlantic romance of which she has not clearly articulated? Would it be an LON-TOR or a TOR-HONG liason? Who knows… she seems to be keeping it all very close to her chest… It’s rather unlikely that more information will become available anytime soon… but one can but try.

The week is choca-booked already… viewing flats again tonight and tomorrow a long time coming catch up with Dearbhla and then Matty’s leaving drinks Thursday… the le boi arrives Friday. Then a week of blissful non-work!

Dave sent me the cutest pictures of his and Lisa’s littl’uns… he’s working over in Taiwan for two weeks, thus was online just wrapping up his day when I logged in this morning… will throw the picture up in a mo…

ash and ryan... Lisa and Dave's little angels Posted by Hello

22.11.04


le boi et moi Posted by Hello

19.11.04

Many years back...

I contracted this strange camp side to my speech and writing… which no doubt comes from exposure to the queen of camp… mr. mccann… but it’s stayed with me ever since… It almost always seeps out at work… I address new clients as ‘sweetie’ or ‘sweets’ or something along that line… This does lead on occasion to a bit of embarrassment… today was one of those days… a new contact that I’ve been dealing with who works at my biggest account just sent me confirmation that he raised a PO for a project that I’m managing… I responded to this email by saying ‘Thanks for the quick response sweets!’ to my horror two seconds later a message popped into my inbox from the same guy that said ‘it’s my pleasure sweetheart’ I wanted to die of embarrassment… The camp thing is a blag and it’s so embarrassing when you realise you’ve used it on someone you really don’t know!!! My face was bright red for at least ten minutes after I read it…

I’ve got fabulous eyebrows thanks to the queen of eyebrow shaping! Lord knows they were in need!!!!

Saw a ridiculously bland but massive flat in slone square last night… I swear there is quite a massive divide between the mentality of people who live in the east side of London compared to the west… the estate agent was a laugh… telling me about how he really doesn’t’ have to work but his daddy didn’t like him sitting home doing nothing…. So that’s why his daddy lined him up the estate agent job… On the side he owns a production company and a clothing line *yawn* tee hee… In the taxi back to the east the cab driver insisted on clarifying the destination as he was almost shocked that one would want to travel from Slone Square to Liverpool street. How funny!

Off for a laugh tonight with Joel and Alex and their ladies tonight… why is it that I’m always the gooseberry? Ah well! GE club is fun and I’ve not been since the madness of the beach party in the summer…

Bon weekened!

18.11.04

oh yes...

how good does this look? Tasha sent me this link to a trailer of the second series of the L word. Looks v dramatic!!!

17.11.04

For some reason...

My seestor seems to have re-named herself Kate… perhaps a re-birth of sorts… says the woman who insists in spelling her name with two rr’s online.

Her visit was most excellent and fun… although we joked that she is the grim reaper when it comes to my relationships… seems that everytime she comes to visit, I end up ending the relationship I’m in at the time… too funny… didn’t happen this time but who knows what the new few days will bring.

We shopped and sipped cocktails and had a really fun time. The hardest part is when she leaves… rings home how much I miss her and the rest of my family… then re-confirms the confusion that I feel sometimes as I’ve been away for so long my ‘home’ seems like a foreign place… and my current ‘home’ feels more like an inbetween stop… don’t know where I really should be… perhaps I really do have a nomadic soul and need to move on a regular basis.

One of our adventures we had this weekend happened Sunday at the vibe bar, it involved the very juvenile game of taking pictures of our cleavage (including boys at the table) and then sending the best one which was obviously jojo (she does have an F cup after all) via Bluetooth to unsuspecting patrons of the bar… … oh how we laughed… no one managed to engage and send a picture back… maybe that’s a good thing?

I’ve had my holiday approved and now am going to be off for the week of the 29th. Dear lord how I need a break… then when I get back only 2 weeks of work left and then I’m off home and not back at work until the 4th of Jan. Now I’ve just got to figure out what I can do during that time… perhaps best to do nothing and just lay low… who knows…

12.11.04

Shopping!

Cecile and I went to H&M at lunch today to check out the new Karl Lagerfeld collection… it was kind of manic. People were snapping it up like it was on fire! I bought two tops and some sunglasses J probably better off to sell them on ebay… or keep… who knows…

While at the shop I received a phone call… a lovely serenade in Spanish from someone who is mostly---- seemingly always in Spain. He was in such a good mood, it’s kind of infectious… what a sweetheart.

Saw a lovely flat last night in Farringdon… not the best location for all parties concerned but it was massive! So who knows… we may be a step closer to finding something…

Kaffin arrives in just a few short hours… she’s so excited and so am I… she’s done her shopping for us gals at Mac! Can’t beat the exchange rate!

Bring on the eternal weekend!

11.11.04

It’s kind of strange...

The most recent massive attack cd is playing right now in the studio… it always makes me think of my room… I had it in the cd player in my room (back when I had one) and I would listen to it all the time… I’m so relaxed when I hear it… but it’s admittedly strange to hear it while at work…

The weekend will bring great adventures… Sally arrives tomorrow morning… It’s Matt’s b’day today and he’s celebrating tomorrow night… then Saturday ze seestor arrives and so does Darryl! It’s a weekend of cannucks!

I’ve got about 2 pages worth or resources to book this week… I’m dreading the meeting… anyone want to go in my place?

I took this picture this morning… it was the strangest thing… I can’t believe how much I’ve aged… check out the wrinkles… It’s amazing… you always feel kind of ageless… like perma 18 or something like that… but I think time has finally bit me on the bum… bring on the expensive wrinkle creams…

time has snuck up and gosh dang i'm starting to age! Posted by Hello

10.11.04


My new trainers... and my first ebay purchase... by god i'm now addicted. Posted by Hello

1.11.04


Ben-boarder boy at South Bank... helped me get the details for my article... Bless! Posted by Hello

Andrea and Stu dancing in the dark Posted by Hello

*insert screams of terror from my sister and all others here* yes i bought cowboy boots Posted by Hello

My Co-worker, Alex and I at work on Friday Posted by Hello
I’m doing...

a damn fine job of putting on a strong face even though it's pretty obvious that I am a fool... and crying in the bath does not count as there is too much water involved and tears are easily masked...

The weekend was glorious and warm which has also helped bolster my spirits. Inordinate amounts of shopping were also a boost... wardrobe is now almost as fatter as my waist line!

Ended up dancing in a crazy tapas bar in Crouch end with Andrea and her bf... what a fun night!

Sunday was spend hanging out with the skater kids on the south bank getting details for this article that I was writing for that Belgian company that I write for sometimes...

Kaffin arrives in london soon... and you don't have to sell me any swamp land in Florida... as I know she will arrive. It will be fab to see her!

Back at work but not at all inspired to participate in the whole working fiasco... putting on a brave face requires energy and I'm just about to drop...

Pictures of events detailed can be found below... or above... depending on when they decide to properly upload...

28.10.04

Living out of a suitcase has its disadvantages...

I think I’ve reduced what I wear on a daily basis to about 3 outfits… two of them being the black v neck jumper and jeans combo… it’s quite sad really… I’m worried that my co-workers are going to start to wonder if I ever take them off!

I’m so tempted to go shopping after work today to attempt to break this vicious cycle of sameness… but I know deep down inside I’ll just be drawn to purchasing even more, black v neck jumpers.

For the past few nights I’ve been waking up at 3 in the morning… anxiety dreams a plenty… mostly relating to large storms… last night’s storm could be seen forming over this big lake… I had just moved into this hotel and was living in this massive flat… but the rest of the flat was the hotel… very strange. I know I was very upset in the dream as I was so far west of London I couldn’t cycle to work as I had to take a motorway to get there… then the storm started forming and I made a video of it on my mobile… I woke up this morning and was tempted to check if the video was there… it wasn’t…

I had the most exciting news yesterday from la lovely Noeleen. She’s getting married next year and she’s asked me to be her maid of honour! I’ve not been to a wedding in years and I’ve not been in a wedding party since my Aunt’s wedding when I was 10! The best part is that she’s getting hitched in either Jamaica or Cuba! That will be one tall order of sunshine for Sarah please! Bring it on!

26.10.04

Every once and a while...

I see something on TV that really impresses me. This new 3 Mobile ad it simply the most strange and wonderful thing I've seen in ages... click on the cherry ad when you follow the link above.




22.10.04

Frustration thy name is Friday

I’m so sad that my new mobile has not arrived as supposed… will have to wait until Monday for that… will make Monday a bit more exciting I suppose J

Last night’s leaving do fiestas left me completely exhausted… didn’t even make it to the GE club afterwards… went home to bed instead. Was brilliant to see all the chello peeps probably the last time we’ll all ever get together… everyone is fluttering off to start new adventures. Good bunch… it’s just sad that it’s over.

This weekend will be filled with more work… and the continual flat hunt… a spot of breckie with jojo and the traveller… and probably many more delights that I couldn’t even possibly anticipate. All that needs to happen is for four more hours to pass and then I’ll be free to frolic.


Bon weekened!

20.10.04

On my way into work this morning…

I passed a corner shop called ‘Nikit’ no joke… obviously the owner’s name or surname but it’s just so funny…

All the grey and rain you can ever imagine is London today… and has been really for the past few weeks. Amazing how quickly summer disappeared!

I’ve finally booked my ticket home for xmas. I’m so excited to see everyone. This year has just flown by…

Still flat hunting… grim grim grim!

I am however loving my new very DVF esq black wrap around dress… Will wear it tomorrow for Andrea and Tasha’s leaving do’s! Oh yes and for Alex’s leaving do too… he’s our main designer on one of my accounts… I’m gutted that he’s leaving!

Fredu arrives next Wednesday for a week stay in London… unconfirmed of course but we like to believe…

Anyone have any swamp land in Florida they want to sell me?

13.10.04

What a difference a day makes…

The somewhat ominous cloud wafting above me yesterday has mostly passed… Sinead dragged me out to the social to mull over things and make me realise it’s never as bad as you think it is… It’s so funny as I’m the queen of optimism for everyone else, I always try and see the bright side of things… but it takes of ton of bricks to make me swallow the same advice when projected back onto me.

Still waiting to hear about the flatshare I have my heart set on… I’m expecting some major finger crossing from all the parties who happen to stumble upon this entry.


Approximation on:

The amount of days I have left sitting at my desk in the back corner of the studio with my French co-worker (who sits next to me) chit chatting in French until we receive an email from management complaining that we’re being anti-social: 6

12.10.04

I’m not sure...

If it’s something intrinsic about being someone who likes to travel/re-locate… but I now have the fear… the fear that I don’t want to be here… but an even greater fear that I don’t’ want to be anywhere else either… It’s almost like a claustrophobic feeling… I would suffocate if I moved back to Canada… or if stay here a minute longer…Even Spain right now seems too complicated… I guess the cold rainy grey English day isn’t helping much either.

I’m thinking that this is why English people drink so much tea… it’s the only thing that can shake the damp chill out of your bones on days like this.

It’s just a delicate little piece of string on which I balance right now… *teeter totter* don’t startle me, whatever you do… that would be enough.

11.10.04

Today my favourite series returns to BBC1!!!!

It’s been a long wait but tonight Spooks returns… Almost enough, if you will to make me squeal with delight. Sad life you say? Why yes, but when homeless and couch surfing you must be grateful for small mercies…

Off to see another flat this evening… I’m still waiting to hear back from the boys in the mansion block… they’re seeing another few people today and will decide either tomorrow or Wednesday whom they’ll ‘choose’ to rent the room to…

The weekend was spent mostly hanging out with JoJo on Saturday afternoon and working Saturday night… Sunday was spent working and reading the paper and attempting to search for a flat… I’m so rock and roll *not*

8.10.04

Today while walking through M&S at lunch

I squealed with delight at the sight of this really cute soft and squishy toy my friend and colleague, Sinead was not as impressed as I was… She asked me what joy a soft toy could possibly bring to me… to which I quickly retorted… you wouldn’t know… you’re just dead inside! She laughed and laughed and then agreed.

I’ve re-discovered the joys of radio 6. Its been a long while since I worked at Frameworks where we used to listen to it in the studio… it’s been helping prop me up and get through this long long Friday afternoon.

Flat hunting resumes this weekend… it’s nice to be free of the stress of the old landlord but not so nice to be homeless… This will be my fifth flat since I first moved to London only 3 years ago. It’s a bit much really…

Today’s likes:
Zingo taxis
M&S Greek Salad
Friends who let you couch surf

Today’s dislikes:
Missed phonecalls
Uncomfortable bras
Work in general

7.10.04

Updates updates!

Since I’ve last blogged… I’ve…

Still not got around to uploading my holiday pics

Moved house… to avoid the oh so joyous delights of having a dodgy landlord on the run from the cops…

Been given the new Bjork cd by my flatmate J

Fallen horrendously behind at work (due to all the flat stress)

Almost had a nervous breakdown

Met up wit the lovely Dave from Canada who is soon off to India!

Finally re-established contact with the ever elusive Mark U and Sean T!

Wrapped Fredu’s b’day pressie in the girlie wrapping paper in the world

Viewed two potential flats… due to hear on the weekend if either of them are a go...

Developed a lovely head cold

Tonight however despite the head cold and the exhaustion I’m off to Sally B’s b’day party… Doubt I’ll last long but dang I finally get to wear my new top!

Can I please order some less-stressful times please?

Thank you

28.9.04

Yesterday...

I’m sure my hormones were well off the scale… I was so irritable it was nearly unbearable… and that was just for me not any poor sod that happened to have to interact with me…. Today fuelled by a good night’s sleep and some breakfast this morning… all seems to have returned to normal. The only residual effect seems to be that my brain was convinced that today is Wednesday… Oh evil reality, it’s definitely not Wednesday.

Darrell sent me a very comic story about his run in with rogue racoons at his house in Ottawa… Oh how I laughed. Poor sausage he was so traumatised… especially the point at which they broke into his basement for a second time and he thought they had murdered his cat! Bless!

Had a great catch up with Mum this weekend… She’s so cute. I can’t wait to see her at xmas… I think she’s quite intrigued to see me too in light of recent events.

I am so loving the fact that I rolled out of my flat at quarter past nine this morning and still didn’t get here very much past half past… My poor waistline however is going to suffer from the greatly reduced amount of cardio that will result… and my motivation to go to the gym is also faltering… help!

Well I best get on climbing up the massive workload that is festering on my desk… I simply must to a holiday summary soon. I’ll schedule time in this aft to write something… oh yes I’ve got pictures too.

24.9.04

Today we…

Moved into our new offices on Great Titichfield street. It’s a retoune au source of sorts for me as it’s the same street I used to be on when I first started working for chello. It’s almost like the first day of school. Everyone is so excited! The people in Elsley house across the street put signs in their office windows saying ‘welcome to the block’ so sweet!

I’ve mostly been up in Crewe visiting Bentley (yesterday) and mainly running around like a mad woman. It doesn’t take long for things to pick back up to a metal pace.

This weekend is going to be a biggie… Out tonight with Andrea and her wine friends… and tomorrow another packed day…

Did I mention the fab pressies my seestor sent to me that were waiting for me upon my return from my hols? Two lovely t’shirts. One that says ‘I need holidays now’ and the other says ‘bella’ (her nickname for me). Very fab indeed!

20.9.04

I returned to London last night

Had the speediest luggage reclaim in history… when I got off the coach at Victoria and boarded the N73 to make my way home I noticed a body lying across the isle. I Looked at the driver whom promptly told me that the man who was standing next to him searching for answers was “quite upset about the situation” I furrowed my forehead in confusion as an unconscious person strewn across the floor on any form of public transit should surely be of some immediate concern to not just myself and the man who I looked over at who was indeed looking distressed about the unconcious man. I then looked to the driver and asked if he could call for some help for the man… The driver responded

“Okay then love, if that’s what you want me to do, then I’ll do it. But just you know that, that will mean that this bus is out of service and it will be another 20 mins before the next one comes along and the people who sort this stuff out don’t respond quickly… stupid drunks they waste everyone’s time!”

I looked at him again and responded “But sir, the man is not in a good state, what if he dies? Have you no concern?”

The driver then sighed, turned off the lights and started the process of getting help for the man. Not but a few seconds later, all the people on the upper deck came down and complained as they wanted to leave… due to the bus consensus the driver then put the lights back on, closed the door and then drove off. I stood there, absolutely incredulous of what had just happened.

Nice welcome home! Can I please return to my holidays?

On a more positive note… I had a fabulous holiday which ended with a brilliant afternoon stopover in Barcelona yesterday afternoon…

Work beckons… more to be recounted soon…

2.9.04

work is ...

making me mental. so much so i managed to pull this expression out of a hat in response to an email from a co worker...

" Oh my god, I'm stressing... I'm having kittens. And then, once they're born, I'm going to drown myself in the river with them!"

Classic Jarriot fatalistic phrase


1.9.04

So...

Today may be the first of September

And the mere thought of that convinces me that winter is just a day away… that was of course until I checked the BBC weather site … which announces 29 degrees and sunny as the forecast for this weekend…

Tomorrow after work all the Project managers are going to venture out on the annual narrow boat adventure. Our director of PM owns one and is going to set us off down the canal after work. It’s quite exciting as I’ve never been on one before J I shall make sure to take pictures

I learned a very important life lesson yesterday… cycling while wearing lip gloss is like cycling with fly paper on your lips… both catch them… both would be as effective as one and other… yuck

KJ is in Brighton this evening. I’m so sad I can’t see her. She arrives at 6 and leaves tomorrow morning at 7 so there is really no time to see her. It’s quite disappointing really as this is her one and only trip to the London area this year… and she starts back at school next week so that’s it! I’m toying with the idea of going down there on the train after work… but I’m on my bike and by the time I get home and get on the train and get there it will be 10pm at the earliest… then I would have to slug it back up to London first thing with all the crazy commuters… argh. Life is so not fair sometimes…

31.8.04


picture Karm unearthed of me taken in Ottawa ten years ago! Just how long was my hair!!!!! Posted by Hello
Today I am mostly feeling...

Extraordinarily angry towards miss woo… whom after a spout of rudeness towards my friend who was in town visiting a few weeks back… defended her actions as being fuelled by her residual anger towards me for having broken up with her… and thusly decided that she no longer wanted to see me. I’ve been nothing more than patient with her and accommodating to her every whim of wanting to be my friend and then not cycles… I’ve had enough. I can’t believe that at 28 I’m still dealing with this sort of rubbish. The more I think about it… the more I’m inclined to think that telling the truth never seems to be the best policy… I guess people are just more comfortable ending a relationship in a dramatic fashion rather than in a logical adult manor. I don’t’ get it. You’re damned if you do, you’re dammed if you don’t.

The long weekend was a well needed treat. Should be just enough to keep me going until the big launch next week and my flight out of here on the 10th!

Note to self… going to the gym at half six on a Tuesday morning is sheer insanity… and if attempted, will leave you feeling mostly drowsy in the early afternoon. However it does act as a good way of actually getting one’s arse to the gym when you’re generally too busy working late.

27.8.04


I’m in a really weird place right now..


I bit here a bit there and a bit scattered from all the changes that I’ve been through in the past couple of months… I know at the beginning of the year that I felt that this would be a year of change… little did I know that it would be the year of unending change. Stop the world I want to get off.

Do you think white magic works?… I think the power of pig tails is highly under rated… not the ones that are attached to pigs of course… the ones you wear in your hair… ha even writing about them works. I rest my case *mutters to self*

The long weekend is upon us and no plans have been made – bar shopping on Saturday morning… but with pay day landing on Tuesday next week it’s just a bit cruel if you ask me… but that’s what overdrafts are for right?

I’m sitting on a knife edge waiting for my client to decide on a launch date for all the projects that we have launching the week of the 10th. If they choose mid week then I may be granted permission to take a half day off on Friday and leave on my holiday *shock horror- I know I finally booked* I’m heading to Portugal and Maybe Spain! Sio is in Portugal again now... Poor thing… I rang her last night and she told me the most upsetting news… the beloved Oscar (her dog) died… she was in Lisbon for the weekend and she came back to find him dead… She thinks he may have eaten poison or something like that. Poor little oskie… He was such a cool guy.

Hey Oscar we'll miss you big! Posted by Hello

24.8.04

Can you decipher…

Which of the following things have not happened to me in the past few days?

  1. Met a 21 year old astrophysicist that can’t ride a bicycle
  2. Drank white wine in a poncy wine bar in Parson’s Green
  3. Got offered Coke by a 6’5 black drag queen
  4. Was invited to the Polish ambassador’s garden party
  5. Ate strawberry cheesecake while drinking corona
  6. Sat in a hot tub naked in the GE club
  7. Flooded my Kitchen
  8. Tried on tapered jeans
  9. Went to the gym at 6h30 am
  10. Listen to 2 massive attack albums back to back

And oh yea... Happy London anniversary to me... no suggestions were made thus no celebrations will be either :(

Ha!

20.8.04

Ladies and Gentlemen...

May I please introduce the chyk rock band that’s storming the nation - > “ Not yet set Jelly! ” singing the first single from their album ‘knock her up in the back of nowhere’ *crowd goes wild*

We so totally invented the best band last night at the pub… It will feature Andrea, Tasha and I … It will mostly be loud noisey-esq music… and Tasha will also be the only person who can play an instrument… because really, she’s the only one who can… We’ve not told her yet but I’m sure she’ll be keen. I think we need a drummer… but the details are yet to be confirmed.

Bloody hell what a laugh we had last night!

Bring on the weekend, Thursday night was a good warm up. Good thing It’s all cycle lanes home from soho to mine… eek!

17.8.04

Seven days and counting...

Till my 3 year anniversary of moving across the big ol' pond that we call the Altantic and setting up camp here in Jolly London town. I've clearly missed my 3 year bloguversary but I'm sure me arriving here should be more significant... no?

I shall be accepting suggestions on how I should celebrate this most joyous of days... please do contribute... I do accepts coppers if you've got any spare ones in your pockets while you're at it!

*sigh* 3 years... well at least I now can say there is an anniversary that aptly matches my mental age!
The fates simply do not allow…

Me to manage to stay up until 11pm and chose the correct channel out of all five that are on offer in my house… to allow me the pleasure of watching the entire first episode of the new series of the Sopranos last night… no no… I managed to doze off on the wrong channel and then wake up 15 mins before the show ended… then just as my luck would have it, manage to not fall asleep again for another 30 mins after!!! However I can attest that is this was my only drama last night I’m ahead of the game.

The world travelling miss B returns to the UK this evening after her whirlwind trip to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. No doubt she’ll be bronzed and chilled out and slim as ever… meanwhile back in the bat cave… Sarah scurries about to camouflage her newly acquired kilos and pasty white flesh… I think she’ll be most impressed that I managed to keep the flat in a good state of affairs and even managed to sort out the garden a bit (not that she’ll ever go out there) she sites her Ailurophobia tee hee hee…

Yes, but today is Tuesday.

12.8.04


the Beach party I went to a couple weeks back at the GE hotel... was good fun... Posted by Hello
Yesterday

When I was getting ready for work I was sploshing about in the bath and realised I had run out of shampoo… So I reached for the baby shampoo that KJ and I bought when we were in Barcelona back in March (ever cute that it is it came with a little Symba bath plug)… that stuff does wonders for the hair let me tell you… but I think there is a much more sinister side to this bottle… I believe it was the catalyst to other things that transpired later on during my day… so strong were the abilities that it made my phone ring in the afternoon… I really thought that shampoo was supposed to wash men out of your hair… not wash them back in!

On a different note… Darrell is jetting into London from Ottawa for a 26 hour whirlwind trip. His mate works for a Canadian airline and he’s nabbed a buddy pass to come over for a quick visit. I’ve not seen him in 3 years (since I left) will be great to see him! Also on the arrivals list are Michi and Jutta who are arriving from Vienna Tomorrow. Michi is in town for her handover before she leaves chello to work for the Austrian Foreign Service… so she decided to come over a bit early and enjoy London. *pulls out big gay ‘what to do in London book’* I’m so out of practise I’m sure all the places that I once went to are no longer cool… *giggles* not been that long, just thought it sounded funny.

My mission between now and tomorrow is to keep it low-fi and make it to the gym again tonight. How much weight can one woman gain in 1.5 weeks of not going to the gym due to illness? The answer would be 2.5 kilos to be exact. Clearly I ate all the pies! *shh don’t tell anyone that I’ve got a cherry pie in my fridge and the most delicious Belgian chocolates courtesy of Mr. S*

11.8.04

Today I’m...

Mostly wearing a pretty girly sun dress and have been heard announcing that I’m mostly being a girl today. I’m not quite sure what I’m supposed to be every other day of the year as I often wear skirts and makeup and such but I guess because this is a sundress with strappy straps and has a flower on it… it’s considered more girly than usual.

I am happy to report that I managed to cycle past the scene of the carnage that I witnessed yesterday and did not get too freaked out. I really hope that the run over guy is okay… maybe I should put an ad in the paper at the back that reads…

“ Me on sliver mountain bike, you across the road being run over by a green mini van. Just wondering if you’re okay?” Think I would get an answer?

Below you will find a pic from the sports day… note that this image is from the pub afterwards. This is due to the fact that the other pictures are just too random…

post baseball at the pub with work peeps Posted by Hello

10.8.04

Crunch!

Today, not far from my house down near UCL, I was waiting at the traffic lights to turn right. It was lightly raining and very grey. An enthusiastic jogger approached across the road he was to the right of me on a diagonal. He was jogging on the spot as the traffic whizzed passed – waiting for the light to change… Then all of a sudden, I don’t know why but he just stepped out in the road about a quarter of an inch still jogging up and down as joggers do to keep the momentum. Then at that exact moment a mini van whizzed buy and shmucked him! Right there in front of me. I was almost sick instantly. It was pretty horrific. Luckily he did not get pulled under the van but I can tell you that the sound of his bones breaking was probably the worst sound I’ve ever heard. The driver screeched to a stop and leapt out. The rest of the traffic kept going by as the lights had not yet changed… So there I was with another cyclist right next to me in total shock to what we had just witnessed. People ran to his assistance as I think both his legs were broken and possibly his arm too… the pulled him onto the curb as we helplessly looked on and the traffic continued to flow through the intersection.

By the time the lights changed there were about 10 people around him ringing for an ambulance and such so I did not stop for fear of adding to the chaos. I was quite freaked out but knew if I stopped cycling that I would not have made it to work. Not a nice way to start the day. I hope he’s okay.

9.8.04


Friday afternoon...

Was our company’s summer party, we went to Holland park to play baseball. It was a glorious day, hot sunny and clear. I’ve not played baseball in years! Well I guess it wasn’t so much baseball as it was cricket with a splash of rounders and a soupcon of baseball rules thrown in for good measure. Some of my favourite rules were as follows:

- 5 outs per inning
- If the pitcher thew a ball outside of the batters range it was called a ‘no ball’
- If the batter strikes out, then they are able to make a run to first base. If they out run the ball then they get on base
- If a batter strikes out then they are no longer able to bat during that inning
- You did not need to touch the bases as you ran them
- There were only 2 innings
- Average scores per inning were something like 16 runs each side

What a fun day. My team ended up winning… will put up some photos J

Friday night

Post baseball people went to a nice little pub near to the park where we had a few drinks on the company’s tab and then I headed towards the tube while chatting with the lovely Siobhan. Jetted back to mine on the central line and got ready to meet miss Duffy. We headed to Canteloupe to meet up with Susie B from work where she was celebrating her b’day. Hot doesn’t even begin to describe the temperature in the bar… We skuttered along across the road to the medicine bar where we were joined by Sally and Phil and then a bit later on Nick from work and Alex came along too. The place was dead but we danced like wankers… it was a good laugh

Saturday morning

Made my way down to Gatwick to collect the flying Dutchman… aboard the train teaming with people heading down to Brighton Pride. Some scary ladies on board let me tell you…. Collected the goods and headed back to London. 2h later and loads of faffing we headed out to Regents park for a picnic. We spent the day lounging in the sun enjoying a feast of champagne and other yummy titbits. Ah ça faisait du bien! Headed home and washed off all the park grime and got ready for miss Andrea’s arrival. With her she brought TVR boi who was most lovely. We drank champers in the garden and finally got some use out of the outdoor candles Dan and I bought so many moons ago. We skipped along to Sante Fe as no warm evening is complete without a few yummy cocktails… We then headed to the jazz bar back in the old hood and listened to some nice tunes and chatted until it was time to go.

Sunday morning

Was very hot. If you ask my blond neighbour… she’ll concur. *giggles*

Sunday night

Met up with Jojo woo tim sally and phil at the northgate for a light supper. Then finally retired home for some well deserved rest.

Monday morning

Came too quickly… where is the rewind button? I want to do the weekend over again.

6.8.04

since i last wrote...

I've mostly:
- met two beautiful pugs in the street... (one all black one caramel and black)
- been ill (cough cough)
- not gone to the gym once
- only cycled to work once
- done proper grocery shopping
- had two really nice bottles of champers
- met up with old work peeps for a catch up
- met up with Hon and Naoko
- had a very manic weekend (which probably caused the illness)
- written too many statements of work
- missed the tube as i was too busy txting to notice the train had arrived
- accidently went to bed without putting rattus back in his cage (he's fine Dan I promise!)
- caught a lift with a mate down upper street on the cross bar of his bike in a skirt (precarious doesn't even begin to explain it)
- Met a French bloke who wore a watch worth more than all my worldy posessions put together
- done arts and crafts with my flowerpots in the sitting room
- not eaten nearly enough... not even junk food is inticing
- gone to counsel estate in new cross
- gone to clapham
- not written to my mother


Things on the agenda for the next 48h
- afternoon in the sun (work sports day - jolly- jolly)
- post sports day trip to the pub
- meeting up with denise (who's back in town for job interviews)
- meeting up with miss woo
- meeting up with susy b in shoreditch
- travelling to collect a flying dutchman
- cocktails with andrea
- supper with jo jo, Tim, Woo and Sally and Phil in bricklane


and the rest i can happily say that I've not planned... who needs a holiday? Every day is an adventure...


29.7.04

I stopped in at the bike shop...
 
on my way in this morning… to try and fix my wonky saddle problem once and for all… the guy fixed it up good and proper but now that it’s fixed it just feels strange… was so abnormal for so long it began to feel normal… needless to say things like that often happen in my life…

Summer decided to make a return to London town today. It’s a blissful 29 degrees here… outside meeting this morning was fab! Now that the afternoon is spinning and spinning, it’s becoming a wee bit uncomfortable… mind you I don’t mind too much it’s better than blasted air con!

Just found out that Andrea and I are living in a different planet as the Big chill festival is this weekend and we’re going to miss it. I really wanted to see Andy’s gig on Friday night… but alas it’s now too late and it’s all sold out!

Someone forgot to wind the clocks today I’m so certain. Time is passing unbearably slowly… maybe it’s the heat?

miss woo - just unearthed this lovely pic of her taken back in feb. up in Leeds Posted by Hello

27.7.04

Taco of doom...

I need not say more... andrea is so bloody funny!
 
Along with the beautiful cows

The weekend was good fun... Leaving from city airport on a Friday night is quite funny… as you can imagine it was all suits and just little old me I didn’t look out of place at all I swear... The flight was super fast and I think the best part about it was being able to see the sun set! It was so lovely… seeing the sun set is one of the things that I miss the most about living in London… you just never see it.

Mr. S collected me and we dropped my stuff off at his place and headed out to meet up with some of his mates. A few vodkas and laughs later with a bit of dancing thrown in for good measure… it was time to call it a night. Saturday morning we recovered while S fed me full of watermelon and strawberry and grape smoothies, Yum! Squeezed in some shopping and procured some ever precious chocolate sprinkles to bring with me back to London… got some for miss Andrea too! Ate the best Italian sandwich I’ve ever had and then went for a nice long walk where we visited the baby cows pictured below. Champagne and lots of chatter and such later the night turned into day and one quick bowl of vla later - and I was whisked back to the airport by my gracious host and off to Birmingham to meet my seestor.

I arrived literally 10 minutes before her and her crew did. Perfect timing! Once checked into the hotel we ventured out the strip joint laden and chilly streets of the city to find somewhere to have lunch. After eating we headed straight back to Seestors hotel as she was feeling ill… We chilled out until 19h when I headed out towards the coach station to catch a bus back to London… What a production… in true Sarah ‘weird things only happen to me style’ I ended up sitting with the bus driver right up front… I mean like right next to him in the seat normally used by the tour guide (wasn’t a regular coach) it was so funny. Why is it that things like that only happen to me? It meant no sleeping like I had originally planned; I had little choice but to chat with the coach driver for the entire journey!

I find whenever I travel my mind bubbles up with millions of thoughts and observations and strangeness… It’s quite exhausting… guess it’s a side effect of having time away from the normal spin that is my life and once I’m out… my brain goes on the spin cycle in an attempt to quickly remove all traces of damp that my life usually sports… crazy! Even in my sleep things are manic and strange… I must bring my laptop the next time I travel and try and write some of it down…

Had dinner with the lovely miss Andrea at her place last night and got home just after midnight… getting out of bed this morning was slow!!!! Can I just say that girl hormones suck a lot…? Yea thanks.

I would have so loved to see this gig! Imagine? 

Meeting up with miss woo tonight to give her all the pictures she took on my camera for the nude painting she was commissioned to do… such a funny thing to have a camera filled with pictures of naked men!  Her and Jo jo moving again this weekend… back again with Faye just like old times!

Dan is off on her eastern holiday extravaganza soon… I will then be left to rat sit… Think rattus and I might just get a bit rock and roll while his mum is away! *chocolate for supper!*

26.7.04


Beautiful cows in Amsterdam! Posted by Hello