Helen's Empty Thoughts

Valentines Day

2007-02-14T18:27:00.000Z

Well today is Valentine's day and Col got me Radio 1 Live Lounge CD which is brill and he made the roses you can see above, they are fantastic! Well I am currently making my lemon honey chicken so hopefully a scrummy tea is on its way also.

Car update, still no hire car, there's a suprise! However, they have till tomorrow and then it looks like solicitors will be getting involved. Why things have to get so complicated I don't know!

What a busy week

2007-02-13T15:56:00.000Z

Well last Tuesday (6th February) I seemed to have a bit of a bash with a lorry on the A34! Well more accurately a lorry decided to not see me and redesign the driver side of my car!

Since then I have been busy trying to get my car insurance sorted out, if it is this difficult when it isn't my fault, I dread to think how more difficult it could be. However, I got signed off for a week yesterday so I did the honourable thing and registered the accident at Newbury Police Station, again another task I wouldn't recommend to do in a hurry.

Where Am I?

2007-01-31T23:32:00.000Z

I do believe it is has been a while since I posted anything. It is not because not much has happened, more that I don't seem to have made much effort, how pathetic an excuse is that!

Maybe it is because I have been watching some classy brain stimulating programmes which includes: Shameless, Skins and of course Desperate Housewives. I appreciate it is probably mindles rubbish, but it is so addictive and gripping I can't help it!

Anyway, just heated up a bit in Desperate Housewives so off I go!!

Phew!

2007-01-06T19:47:00.000Z

I thought i had lost my blog then!

It has been a while hasn't it. Well Christmas and New Year have now been and gone, so I am afraid the blogging on that has passed (well it would ruin conversation if I disclosed everything!)

I bought a macbook today!!! wohooo!

It's been a while!

2006-12-14T22:38:00.000Z

Well it has been a while, I hope I don't turn into one of those "fad bloggers".

Maybe it is because I don't really have much to say, which is ironic when it is probably been the last week I have actually done quite a bit of stuff!

On Saturday we went to a village in Somerset under the alias of Wincaston, with a hungover Col to a "Hogswash Bash". Here we got a screenplay of Hogsfather signed by Terry Pratchett and got to watch the second half of the christmas Sky one showing.

"Hogfather" as per Wikipedia:

"Hogfather is the 20th Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett.

The Hogfather is additionally a character in the book, representing something akin to Father Christmas. He grants children's wishes on Hogswatch Night (32nd of December) and brings them presents. He also figures in other Discworld novels.

The Hogfather wears a red, fur-lined cloak, and rides a sleigh pulled by four wild boars (or, in modern portrayals, cute pink piggies) named Gouger, Rooter, Tusker and Snouter. In earlier times he gave households pork products, and naughty children a bag of bloody bones. Earlier than that, he was a winter god of the death-and-renewal kind. The modern version is a jolly toymaker, with vestiges of the earlier myths (such as his Castle of Bones) still clinging to him"

But if I go back 12 hours and I will take you to the Crown Christmas Bash, where as you can see, Col managed to nervously drink his merry way through a pint or two.

It started off a bit awkward to start, but once the alcohol got flowing it got a bit easier, luckily Col was very brave and ever the supportive boyfriend, even when he stole the plant!

Better still we won the raffle, and it wasn't just the Tuna sandwich we got. I was a complete chicken and sent Col to go and choose the prize, all I can say is he got the best one there. However, I am unable to provide further information as it could be somebody's present yet!

A Windy Adventure

2006-12-03T17:32:00.000Z

I know it has been a week since I have posted anything. Just not much has happened during the week, apart from a lot of scrummy meals that Col has made.

Yesterday we went to Reading Farmers market and got loads of meat for not too much money, which is all good. Then we managed to tackle the shops to get Col a nice shirt and 2 pairs of torusers for christmas.

Today we went to Donnington Castle (seen here), which is castle ruin just outside Newbury, unfortunately only the gate house now exists, but you can still see the outline of where the main building used to be.

We also went to Hobby craft to buy some stuff, I can now attempt to make some earrings!

Weekend in Liverpool

2006-11-26T18:19:00.000Z

We spent the weekend back in Lunt as it was Col's nan's 80th birthday. After arriving there late on the Friday night (after a crazy drive in the rain and wind) it was a chillout day on Saturday.

We went to a farm shop and got some nice lamb (having for tea tonight) and then to a couple of pubs, the Scarisbrick Arms and the Scotch Piper (seen opposite).

I'm 24 Today!

2006-11-20T14:07:00.000Z

My birthday presents so far:

The Magic Numbers Album, courtesy of Will and Chrissy
The Killers Album, courtesy of Will and Chrissy
Shameless Series 3, courtesy of Will and Chrissy
Johnathon Creek, courtesy of Col

As you can see I have done quite well, in addition to chocolates, next vouchers, dorothy perkins vouchers, two pairs of earings and quite a lot of nice text messages.

Not forgetting the weekend before, Colin and Vikki (Saturday night) round for a meal and tapas with 007 (Sunday night).

Even though I have spent most of my day doing revision and waiting for a gas man, all in all I am quite happy and nothing is going to ruin it!

My last day at 23

2006-11-19T21:48:00.000Z

So it was my last day at 23.

I think I spent it quite wisely, before we went into Reading I noticed some idiot has scratched my car and to make it worse I know who it is grrrrrrr!

At least for my last hours of being of equal age to Col (well till May!) I got a nice tapas meal and a chillout afternoon to show for it.

We also went to go and see the new James Bond film, with what I thought was "a very nice James Bond!" aka Daniel Craig. I was a bit indecisive at first but definately warmed as the film progressed, trailer: www.sonypicutres.com/movies/casinoroyale

Little Man

2006-11-17T20:55:00.000Z

I am a bit stuck for things to write at the moment, considering all I am doing is revision and erm....revision!

Today was my first day of study leave, so what did I do?

First of all I got up with Col and drove him to work and back, and it was a bit wet! At least I was still back before 9 so cracked on with revision till about 5. Inbetween which British Gas have done whatever it is they keep doing to the boiler (they are now coming again on Monday).

I then went to pick Col up from work, 90 mins later! M4 was so busy, don't think I did more than 30 mph for most of it. I was then supposed to get Cookie some more food and snackaroonies as he is quite possibly due a cleaning (at least the smell indicates so!) but it was closed, doh! Anyway we went to the Stag and Hounds for a quick drink, so it's all good!

Since I have got home Col has pointed out the website www.whenhamstersattack.com which is quite kewl, luckily Cookie is a lot cutier as you can see.

The best bits are the tips on how to prevent a hamster attack, my top 3:

"If you are attacked by a hamster, curl up into a ball and lie motionless on the ground. Most hamsters don’t live past the age of three, so be patient. Chances are you will outlive them"

"If a hamster is chasing you, climb up a tree and hang onto one of the branches. But be forewarned: if the hamster waves at you, DO NOT WAVE BACK (it’s an old hamster trick which might make you fall out of the tree)"

"Stay away from tiny exercise wheels!"

Latest Living Room Purchase

2006-11-12T15:52:00.000Z

Earlier today after dropping Paul off so he could go on his merry way back to the "Promised Land" we went for a bit of a general wander round Reading.

After a while we went into "But is it Art?" and purchased a full canvas version of the above image, which I think will work quite well above the fireplace as it is already a deep red.

Anyway, the view is of Ullswater at sunset, which I think has captured the "beauty of Ullswater" very well.

Ullswater: The second largest lake in the Lake District boasts many watersports and accomodation alongside the spectacular views, only a short journey from the M6 (J40).
www.ullswater.co.uk

Paper 7 CIMA QBR Day

2006-11-11T16:55:00.000Z

Well what fun I have had today! Since 9am this morning untill about 4pm I have been answering a variety of questions relating to Financial Accounting.

I did do ok overall, but I also now know there are quite a few things I need to still be practicising.

At least it wasn't a complete disaster, in theory I may have passed, so I can obviously do it after a sort of fashion!

Anyway, going to my only grievance.....a smelly, expensive car park ... grrrr!

That is Garrard Street NCP just behind the station, 50p for every 15 mins and it really stincks of piss!!! What is going on then? Maybe it is the so called impressive "windows" I am paying for?

1st Table Tennis League Match

2006-11-09T23:26:00.000Z

Well I seem to have survived my first thrashing in the Reading and District table tennis league and it only took 3 1/2 hours!

In all fairness it was against the table leaders who are also fielding players clearly better than the league anyway, not that I am looking for excuses of course!

I think anything other than learning about whatever management theory is behind whatever decision has got to be good!

Unfortunately I was a bit rusty, but after a change in bat and a magic brew and chocolate digestive my mind was set and off I went and gave a bit more of a fight against the number one!

CIMA Revision - Update

2006-11-08T22:57:00.000Z

Only two weeks to go and it will be the night before the "E" day! I don't really know why it is a problem, not like I haven't done anything, but has it sunk in, that is the question.

I have done the whole reading through things and even spending every evening doing endless questions, fingers crossed it is all worth while.

Well I am doing a QBR session on Saturday, so I guess that will show one way or the other, fingers crossed it's not too bad!

The Real Torchwood

2006-11-05T23:45:00.000Z

To the left you see the real Torchwood House, situated in Scotland and owned by the MacLeish family, first being open to the public in 1981.

Those of you who have seen Doctor Who Series 2 Episode 2 : Tooth and Claw. Will remember that the Doctor and Rose are visiting Queen Victoria on her one and only visit to Torchwood House. But low and behold there is a werewolf held captive in the dungeons with intention of killing the Royal.

One particular part of the episode had the characters sheltering within the library whose walls were laced with mistletoe oil. For those who are unaware, mistletoe is a sort of warewolf repellant.

Anyhow if you visit: www.visittorchwood.co.uk and have a look in the history section, there will be some very interesting similarities to the plot of Doctor Who.

On the website apart from general information and history of the site is an observatory, most of the options are limited, however, you are able to look at the moon! Maybe this is a potential wedding venue?

Blithe Spirit

2006-11-04T20:10:00.000Z

Last night we went to South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell to the midnight

showing of "Blithe Spirit" by Noel Coward

[Charles Condomine receives a visit from his first wife Elvira. Unfortunately for him he is now married to Ruth and Elvira is a ghost. Through the use of a bizzare Medium can Charles sort out his little problem. Blithe Spirit is an hilarious comedy which will keep you on the edge of your seat!!! A real Halloween treat] "South Hill Park Website"

It was rather enjoyable, well it must have been if I managed to stay awake throughout, maybe it was the free hot drinks at the interval that made it all worth while. Just a shame it was a very very cold drive home afterwards!

Halloween 2006

2006-10-31T22:57:00.000Z

I haven't really made these pumpkins, but if only I was capable!

Well I have spent Halloween 2006 eating marshmallow ghost cookies and watching Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride". I think the worm in the eye is definately the best character.

And to celebrate even more we have a working central heating system, not to jinx it but for at least tonight it is actually working.

I know it isn't quite November but the christmas shopping list has been made... everyone has their budget and possibly suggestions of presents and where they might come from, Boots 3 for 2 is looking quite likely at the moment!

What did I do on Saturday?

2006-10-28T16:28:00.000+01:00

Trip to Thatcham Post Office(s)

Who ever would have thought it would be so difficult to pick up a package from a post office depot? In Thatcham it appears that it is.

First we went to Broadway Post Office, then Station Road Post Office and then...Station Road DEPOT Office and only then could I pick up my package and at no point was my id checked.

Newbury

I thought it would be good to sample the local towns and Newbury was next on the list, so of we ventured this morning. Parking was interesting, fortunately I had some inside knowledge! After a venture to Ask (very noisy, doh!) it was a quick walk round till we went back home, for acky Col to get some kip.

Crown Pizza - Top Notch Service

2006-10-22T16:51:00.000+01:00

Subject - Crown Pizza: 352 Oxford Road, Reading
Issue - Posting of menus in places of private residence
Warning - Gates may not be closed after use
Action - Consult Morton Design (they will very kindly remedy the situation)
Alternative - Have some fresh herbs from the garden instead!

Basically, this afternoon a flyer got posted through our letterbox and would you believe it on the way out the bloke forgot to shut the gate. Now this you could understand as a one off mistake, but to all the houses down the road, well..... that requires action!

No fear though as the mighty designer Col stepped in and phoned Crown Pizza, just to let them know that they need to monitor their marketing strategies! Crown Pizza 0 - Colin 1!

The snail, you ask? Well anyone who eats a pumpkin pasty may like to know that when the herbs from our garden were getting chopped, a certain "crunch" noise was heard at a similar time - I say no more, bon apetit!

First Day

2006-10-22T16:34:00.000+01:00

It is a wet, dark Sunday afternoon and I have just setup this blog, who knows what danger it may cause!

Colin doesn't seem to be able to find the answer either?