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 As I've said in the comment section on the last post, thank you to everyone who left inspiring comments about the recent work weirdness. Your kind words have really helped me put things in perspective. I've processed all my thoughts and am in a good place about it now. Well, at least I think I am. It's not consuming me anymore, which is a good start. I'm interested to see how it all turns out but for the moment, I'm just keeping my head down and doing my job. While I love what I do, my family, friends and homelife are so much more important than what a few people think of me. Anyway.. moving on.
Tonight we're going to another open air concert. This time - the London Symphony Orchestra. Andrew, MC and I have seen them four times now and really dig them. Mary Catherine has really gotten into the show Little Einsteins, so is keen to use her newly acquired musical phrases like staccato (her absolute favourite and mine), allegro, adagio and fortissimo! Seriously - the child knows what all of these mean. Little Einsteins gets two big fat thumbs up in my book. I like how it combines art and classical music. Mary Catherine was humming a tune this morning in the car and looked at me and said, 'Mummy, it's Vivaldi'. Now all I need for her is to go to a museum with me, where other people can hear, and say, 'Mummy, the Rothko's are really depressing me today' or 'Mummy, I really find the way Monet painted controlled nature quite boring..' Wouldn't that be a hoot?
A mother can dream..
Best of times.. worst of times..
The anniversary parts of my day yesterday were lovely. We had chocolate cake at home to celebrate. Mary Catherine was most impressed that an anniversary could command her favouritest cake on the planet, the Colin the Catapillar cake from Marks and Spencer. Funny that!
In other news, my life at work fell apart yesterday. It was the weirdest thing and I'm not really keen to share the intimate details here. I will say that I got some feedback from a part of the team I lead and it was hurtful but I'm trying to take it, process it and learn from it. I'm glossing over that part of my day because it consisted of a lot of tears on my part (mostly because I was so gobsmacked, but partially because if you'll recall from the other day, I'm hormonally challenged at the moment).
The weirdest bit was when I approached a coworker to discuss the problem calmy with an open mind and she absolutely laid into me for something that I had no idea what she was talking about. When I asked her to please be more specific, she told me that I knew what she was talking about and not to play games with her. Uh - okay. I'm still clueless as I type.
So not a good day, nope, not at all. I've come in this morning and gotten all my dreaded tasks done just trying to keep busy, so I suppose it's been beneficial in some way!
If you're not up to speed on the Andrew 2.5 year saga of redundancy, again - buy me a beer and I'll tell you one day. He found out yesterday that he will have a new position for at least the next year in a different department. He's had glowing recommendations from people and I'm so very proud of him. He's really come a long way in the six years I've known him. Andrew's always been the smartest person I know and it's so lovely to see other people recognising the same things in him that I've always seen. Well done, Andrew!
1,825 days and counting..
Five years ago today.... oh wait, I've already told you that bit. Happy Anniversary to Andrew and I - it's been five years of teamwork, tag team parenting, sillyness, joy, tears and laughter all rolled up into one. What an amazing journey we're on together, may it continue to infinity. (I'm having to pinch myself not to add 'and beyond' - I am SO the mother of a three and a half year-old.)
Last night, Andrew and I giggled and propped our eyes open so we could watch the clock turn over to 00:00 to ring in our anniversary. I thought I was going to pass out at six minutes til midnight, but I applied myself and managed to dig deep to stay awake. (you think I'm kidding!) We exchange mushy sentiments and Andrew, of course - you knew this was coming and so did I, gave me a present.
Well, he gave me two. Firstly - a video game that was met with an 'oh thank you' and a 'is that it?!' look from me. Secondly a beautiful diamond anniversary band. See - he does listen!
When Andrew and I got married, we were extremely financially limited. Okay, I'll say it - we were poor. Not in spirit, mind you. But we were living from hand to mouth. I was unemployed due to work permit issues and Andrew had just started his job with the BBC, which covered rent and the very basics. I would go shopping on Thursdays because that was discounted food day at the grocery store. We lived on about £15 a week. At the time, it was really hard. I mean, really hard. Now, I'm so thankful that we went through our 'year of poverty,' as we call it. I don't think I could've made it through that with anyone else by my side.
My parents, thankfully, paid for our small wedding, my dress and even Andrew's suit. We'd bought these sterling silver rings when we'd first met (if you don't know the entire history of our relationship, buy me a beer some day and I'll fill you in on the entire journey). We used to wear them on our right hands. When we got married, there was no money for rings, so we just used the ones we had and switched them to our left hands. I love this ring more than anything and will never stop wearing it, I assure you.
But sometimes.. well - a girl needs sparkle. Apparently Mr Dunne went into town yesterday and found a jewler and bought the ring. Of course, with short notice like that, it's not the right size - but that will be rectified shortly. It's a gorgeous, small, channel set band. I love it very much.
I know you're dying to know if I got him anything. I didn't. I walked around the mall yesterday completely uninspired. I couldn't find anything that appropriately summed up how much I love him. Molton Brown shower gel just doesn't say 'I adore you' and a book doesn't really convey how I still get flutters when he looks at me as only he can. Maybe one day I'll find something that sums all of it up - but for now, he'll have to accept the most appropriate gift I can give right now, which is my admiration, devotion and love from every fibre of my being.
I did ask Mary Catherine what she thought I should get Andrew for our anniversary. Her answer? 'Cake' She is so our child.
 So I was a little bored and decided to have an online palm reading at Tickle.com. Here's what my hand and fingers have to say about me. I've spared you all the goo about the various lines on my hand (although it did say that I was likely to have been married before and have a female child - kooky, non?).
Your index finger, also called the Jupiter Finger, traditionally corresponds with leadership abilities. Your Jupiter Finger is strong which means you probably enjoy being in charge. You'll likely prefer to have a team of people working under your direction and enjoy guiding people to meet their potential. Your index finger leans in toward your middle finger, indicating your need to know that others feel good about you. While gaining approval from your peers is a positive thing, you need to sustain a solid sense of self-worth. Becoming dependent on positive feedback won't help you in the long run.
Your middle finger, also called the Saturn Finger, traditionally corresponds with confidence. Your Saturn Finger is weak, which reveals less self-confidence than you would like. You probably second guess your abilities and doubt yourself one too many times. Unfortunately, this can lead to missed opportunities in life, all due to fear of failure.
Your ring finger, also called the Apollo Finger, traditionally corresponds with creativity. You have a strong Apollo Finger, which may mean you were born with your own creative nature. You probably love contributing to the world in ways that challenge you to think of unusual and original methods of doing things. Your ring finger leans in toward your middle finger, indicating your concern for the consequences of your actions. This tendency may be hampering your creativity because you are always thinking in terms of boundaries and limitations.
Your pinky finger, also called the Mercury Finger, traditionally corresponds with insight and understanding. You don't have a strong Mercury Finger. This explains why sometimes you may have difficulties understanding other people. You probably turn to a friend or family member on a regular basis for their insight. Their advice gives you perspective on your interactions with others. Your pinky finger leans in toward your ring finger, indicating your ability to blend in with most groups and social situations.
Your thumb can be read to ascertain your level of flexibility when it comes to dealing with people or unpredictable situations. Your thumb reveals that you are a fairly flexible person who commonly tries to keep the peace.
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Flickr and I haven't been getting along lately. I think that I've ironed out the wrinkles now - it was really getting me down not to be able to share photos from there on this site.
I'm fully recovered and back at work today. The heat continues in London, so I'm perefectly happy to be in my overly air conditioned office. I feel sorry for Andrew, his office does not have AC and I can't imagine how he's able to get on and do any work. I'd be too busy moaning about how hot it is. Ah, the English. They're not known for complaining. It's quite funny, actually, well - once you get used to it. I find these days that I'm not as much of a complainer as I used to be. I'd say I'm 50% less likely to point out to a waiter that they included the pickle and tomato on my burger...
Tomorrow is my fifth wedding anniversary. FIFTH. Five whole years. This time five years ago ... well, I was single and childless. Mom and Dad were over for our casual, imprompteau wedding (and no, not because I was 'in the family way' but because the sand in the visa hour glass was rapidly slipping away). We had 11 people at our wedding, including us, and it was a lovely and perfect day.
I'd ordered the cake and flowers on the internet and didn't really know if they were from reputable companies until they showed up. The ceremony and lunch afterwards were both at a lovely hotel in Bingley, West Yorkshire. It was a very good day which was a glorious start to a very good marriage.
Now - the tricky bit. Andrew and I don't usually do much for our anniversary. Last year, we agreed not to even exchange cards, but Andrew didn't trust me and he got me one and flowers. I'd gotten him.. uh. Nothing. You know, like we said we were going to do. So now he won't tell me if he's gotten me anything for our anniversary and I am facing a dilemma.. to get him something or not? And, uh.. my anniversary is tomorrow - not sure what I can magic up on short notice. Yes, mother, I did know it was coming.
It's driving me a bit crazy, to be honest, and I'm very tempted to leave it at nothing and just see what happens. Decisions.. Decisions..
 The concert Friday night was really great. We all enjoyed the Blue Man Group very much - especially Mary Catherine who enjoyed dancing and drumming right along. This week is the London Symphony Orchestra, I think we'll definitely make the effort to go- we always have a lovely time at these evening concerts. Mary Catherine has been to the summer concerts every year of her life thus far, so she is very used to the surroundings and crowd levels. She usually finds some person behind us to entertain and once she gets someone to react to her (which is pretty easy when you have a cute three year old dancing in front of you saying, 'rock on dude' and 'hugs not drugs' - she's pretty irresistable) and that's her, and the poor person, set for the night.
I'm working from home today - and while I know some people say they're working from home and then proceed to have a lovely relaxing day... well, maybe I'm doing it wrong or something? I've actually been working and it's been just as stressful as being in the office. Although it does make a change to yell at the computer while wearing my jim jams instead of 'appropriate attire', I suppose.
Why am I working at home? Because I'm a woman and my womanly parts are obviously trying to kill me, that's why.
Hello from the Blue Man Group concert.... We're here on the lawn ready to picnic and wait for the show to start. We've excellent seats, front and centre!
 As they're my new favouritest thing on the entire planet (and no, I haven't been drinking), I thought I'd share. Mom brought me a pair of Crocs when she came a-visitin' last week. At first I was leery, but man, oh man, I'm a convert! They may be weird looking, but holy squishy shoes, Batman - they're fantastic! So comfy!
I'm a true blue fan of Birkenstocks (I have summer and winter and in between season pairs) but when we went to Brighton, I started out the day in my Crocs. I'd brought my Birks along thinking that I'd get annoyed with the Crocs and wanted my comfy Birks to slip into. About 2/3 through the day, I put my Birks on.. and after two minutes, took them back off again! They were hurting my feet! Amazing.
If you have a chance - and if you're American, I hear they're everywhere there, you must buy a pair. For Londoners, there's a stall at Bluewater selling them now. They were selling them left, right and centre.
Another shoe on my 'ooh, those are neat' list are the MBT trainers. Supposedly a work out in a shoe - they're getting rave reviews. I tried a pair on and walked around Swetty Betty a few times. I could totally 'feel the burn' in my calves. Amazing. What's a little less amazing is the price tag - £125 (or $224) for the sandal version. Yikes.
 You know - I do enjoy a spot of internet window shopping (especially now that I'm on my self-imposed 'not buying anything ever again' kick). I think the device shown is a fantastic idea. I love me some gadgets, but dislike the charging cables they require. I'd rather look at a vaguely unsightly black box than a tangle of cables anyday. Santa, if you're not in the Bahamas - well, it wouldn't go amiss in the Dunne household.
"The Power Station Organizer will allow you to plug in up to three devices and provide a nice adjustable cradle for each one. Like a good power strip without the messy cords, one cable comes out to plug into the wall, keeping things neat and clean." Ooh - One for my mobile, one for my Blackberry and one for my PSP. C'est parfait! Get one here.
Speaking of things parfait, Mary Catherine seems to be picking up the various bits of foriegn languages that we've been throwing at her. We went to Paul on Saturday, where they were giving away free samples (two of my favourite words, mind you)to celebrate Bastille Day and Mary Catherine actually used 'si vous plait' in context. She asked the lady handing out the good stuff for 'une briochette, si vous plait'. I was very proud. Mary Catherine didn't care, she just wanted to pick the sugary bits off the top of the bread.
We have french flashcards that we play with every now and again and she's picking up words here and there, like 'glace' for ice cream, etc. It's fun to watch. She'll start french in school this autumn and will continue taking basic french until year three when she will move up to conversational french. I'm totally stoked about that. In year six, she will start mandarin, which I think is a very good thing, given the "growing importance of China on the world stage". Interesting article about teaching Chinese in schools here.
Oh look - a place for Andrew to go....
Videogame addiction clinic opens -
A clinic that offers treatment for people addicted to playing computer games has opened in the Netherlands. The service, run by addiction consultancy Smith and Jones, offers a program lasting up to eight weeks. Full story here.
The weather has taken yet another really horrible turn. Mom (notice I'm not going to post about how I feel about her leaving - you've heard it all before and it's just as depressing as it always is, really) left just in time - it's supposed to get up to 95F today and tomorrow. I am so glad that I work in an air conditioned office - poor Andrew, his office isn't and I feel so badly for him having to work in this heat. Our house gets stuffy, but thanks to its foot thick stone/brick walls, doesn't get roasting hot. I won't be turning on the oven (oh darn) for the next week, though. No way. We have fans in every room but it's still quite miserable. Weather like this makes me an avid forecast checker, which freaks me out. Mary Catherine actually said to me yesterday morning as I was picking up my Powerbook, 'Mummy, wait for me before you check the weathers!'.
Last night, she was bouncing on her trampoline (it is the urban child's back yard, you know) while Andrew was looking at the forcast on the Xbox that seems to have made itself at home in our flat. We've decided that she's going to grow up to be a weather girl as she was very good at pointing out the upcoming weather (sunny, sunny, sunny with a little tiny bit of clouds) standing in front of weather symbols on the telly. Actually, her preference for career at the moment is 'Mummy.' My reaction to that? 'Mummy and what else, because you can be a Mummy AND something else, you know!' Can we tell who is a working Mom?
OOH, I almost forgot to mention that Saturday we went and bought/ordered Mary Catherine's school uniforms. We went into the 'Uniform room' at John Lewis at Bluewater and the kindest lady started pulling out loads of items based on the official list she had in her files. Fortunately, as Mary Catherine is just a 'nursery girl' we don't have to have the hat, duffle coat, blazer, scarf or smock just yet. I did go ahead and buy her two tunic/pinafores, which she's not required to wear until next year (but is allowed to wear this year) as I'm hoping they'll help keep the £10 a pop embroidered polo shirts a bit cleaner. We also ordered two skirts and I decided we'd worry about the trousers down the line, as Madame currently does not care to wear anything other than dresses or skirts.
At the store, they fit uniforms, so she had to try everything on (including her gym shorts and plimsoles, which she'll wear with the polo for PE). My mom had a spare hairband in her pocket, so I put her hair up in a pony tail. (We've been talking about how she'll have to have her hair back and tidy, which is not an easy feat when you've got a mass of curls, I assure you!) She ran to the closest mirror and started admiring herself in her new clothes while chanting, 'I'm in my uniform, I'm in my uniform!' She seemed very excited - wonder how many days it will take before that wears off? Let's just hope the peer pressure of everyone wearing the same thing and a newfound love of navy blue knee socks (no white until they change to summer dress, you know) will get us through!
 Yesterday, Andrew and I had the day off to spend with my mom and Mary Catherine. Instead of mooching around London, we decided to head to Brighton for the day to get out of town. We all piled into the car in search of the ocean and had a really good day, people watching, having fish and chips and being by the seaside. And yes, we did sing 'Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside' ad nauseum! It was overcast, but that kept the temperature down and Mary Catherine and I even ventured into the water up to our ankles. The pebbles from the beach got into our shoes and it was the most uncomfortable salt water experience in my 34 years. Still, it was fun and thankfully, Mary Catherine didn't freak out too badly about getting seaweed in her sandals. I, on the other hand, wasn't too keen. Blergh. We had fish and chips (duh, what else would you have?) at Harry Ramsden's and went onto Brighton Pier, which was resplendent in all its tacky glory. Mary Catherine went on a few of the fun fair rides and I had one of my 'Mommy life moments' as I rode behind MC on a double seater carosel chicken (we couldn't be bothered with the average horses, mind you) as we swung around next to the water and I was holding my daughter close. For a nanosecond we were the only people in the world. It was a nice moment.
I'm back at work today until 3 and then will have the late afternoon off with Mom and MC. After today, I don't have any time off until we go to the farm in October. That's a bit of a depressing thought!
I've posted the picture so you can oogle my new hair colour, which I think looks much more vivid in person. I'm still not 100% keen on it, but hoping that it will fade and currently there are zero plans to do something like this again!
Tomorrow we're going to Bluewater to buy the remainder of Mary Catherine's school uniform wardrobe. I hope I can get her to put an entire outfit on - if the first time I see her in her complete uniform is her first day of school, my heart might break into a zillion pieces. So, I think it will be for the best if I ease myself into it. Given how weird she's been about clothing lately, I'd be surprised if she complies, but who knows. Her first day of school is looming very heavily on my horizon.
There's a charity shop in East London that now has some pretty good stuff for sale... Two carloads of choice items from my house, to be exact. Who knew we had so much crap that needed to move on? Actually, I did. It was bad. And now it's not. I promise you it's made a huge difference - I can honestly breathe easier in our flat and it's like this huge weight (well, lots of little ones, I suppose) has been lifted off my psyche. It's lovely. Mom and I worked all day yesterday, going through loads of old toys, books, clothes, etc. We still have four giant bags of toys (I'm rather ashamed to admit the excess in that department, to be honest) to take over to the Royal London Hospital Paediatric A&E this weekend. We are giving them lots of very nice toys and I can't think of a better place for them. The charity shop got a load of cuddly toys, but the hospital got the rest. I'm really making an effort to change the way I think about purchasing and consumerism. I have promised myself that I will break the ghastly cycle of buying more than what I need, just because I can. Hopefully our bank balance, not to mention my mental health and eco-warrior mindset, will benefit.
Yesterday we met up with our friends K, J, T, N and RR at the Tate Modern. We had a really good time exploring the 5th floor before meeting up with them for a picnic (indoors at a table, but it totally still qualifies as a picnic in my book).
Andrew and I enjoy modern art - but total kudos of the day go to my mom who made a very impressive effort to enjoy the gallery. Her reactions to some of the art were memorable. I found it very interesting to hear her mumbing, 'who decided this was art!'. Her response to the wooden penis hanging from the gallery ceiling was priceless. She was fine until we got to a piece that had a sculpture of a man hanging from the ceiling by his tongue. She didn't think children should see that. I reassured her that at a child's viewing angle, the tongue bit probably wasn't obvious. I don't have a problem with Mary Catherine viewing such things. Heck, I even asked her what she thought of the wooden 'hooey' - which wasn't obvious in its 'hooeyness' before you start freaking out that I was talking to my child about private parts. MC didn't have an opinion, really.
I took Mary Catherine to see the various Warhol pieces - as we approached this print of Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol. I'd brought MC's magnadoodle so she could draw if she felt like it. We got up to the print and she said, 'Stop Mummy, I need to draw what I see' and then proceeded to look at the big print on the wall and draw her version on her Magnadoodle. When I praised her, she said, 'Don't talk, I need to concentrate.' I was really proud!
Another button popping moment came when I asked her to describe this painting by Cezanne. She told me that it was a sad painting because it was done in dark colours and that it was about an old woman who lived in house in the forest next to a rock field. She's going to be an artist, I tell you!
Here's a cool site where you can colour your own Marilyn, should you be so inclined.
Happy 4th of July!
So I went back to the salon and they were able to 'honey up' the blonde bits in my hair and it's looking much better. Apparently, it was too 'ash'. Layman's terms - it was too bright. I've gotten lots of compliments on it, so it must not be too horrible. I think it's just been so long since I've had colour in my hair that I'm just not used to it. I'll post a picture of it this weekend.
Today is the one-year anniversary of the London bombings. Yet another one of those events in the course of history that are now ingrained as a 'I remember exactly where I was that day' event. Like the explosion of the Challenger, 9/11, etc.
It's been a helluva week at work and I'm leaving today at 3pm. I'm totally stoked.
What I've learned today - if you don't have specific ideas about what you want the colourist at the salon to put in your hair, it's probably best to squash the impulse to 'do something a little different'..... I look like a calico kitten/owl. It's so not good. And the crap part - I did it on my lunch and now have to go to a meeting, so they couldn't even fix it! I'm dreading walking into the room....
Mary Catherine: "Mummy, who is Svetlana?"
Me: "She's the nice lady who cleans our house."
Mary Catherine: "No, that's Nana!"
Enough said. My mother is a saint.
So today on the way back from a meeting, I bought a portable 'cool-bag' (or soft-sided cooler as I called it until recently. My aim? To port home some ice from the machine in my office. Mom's over from the States, it's Africa hot and gosh-darnit, I just love drinks with ice. Ice in drinks is a luxury I've pretty much happily lived without for almost six years. So I get out the cool-bag... Whoa, it's bigger than it looked folded up, but that's cool - just means more ice. I fill it up with about seven large scoops of gorgeous ice. Pull out the backpack straps (didn't know it had those at point of purchase - but is a bonus). Off I go on the tube home. You know, just me and my ice. Oh wait, me, my ice and my non-waterproof cool-bag. What the hell was I thinking carrying ice on the freaking hottest day of the year?!! First sign of trouble - escalator going down to the train platform. A woman behind me says, 'you must have an open bottle of water in there, I can see it dripping.'. Nice. I think I just transported a big bag of water. Damn.
 Can you believe it? For as much energy as I've put into thinking about what type of lunchbox to get for Mary Catherine (I enjoyed it because I like internet window shopping, so I'm not complaining too hard) I've just been told that she can't bring a packed lunch! At her new school they are allowed to have a school packed lunch or a hot lunch. I think you can even let them have packed lunch Monday - Thursday but fish and chips on Friday (Fn'C on Fridays are a very, very common thing here.. Ask Andrew, he has them every Friday!) Not being able to bring a lunch from home is a concept that I'm totally unfamiliar with. I suppose it is a good thing that all the girls will be eating the same food, so there's no chance for any 'my lunch is better than your lunch' or 'my Mum makes better tuna than yours' type action. But, wow. Then again - I get a little freaked out that I'm someone's mom all the time and heck, that I have to think about things like the merits of a home vs school packed lunch is a little strange! Just another firm indication that my life is not anywhere near how it used to be.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, mind you.
Mom landed safe and sound and while I wasn't freaking out about the state of our flat on Saturday, we got back from the airport yesterday and it looked nine times worse than I realised. I think she's done really well not to freak out about its cluttered state, but I'm not handling it very brilliantly. What bravado I had in 'she'll just take us as she finds us' has morphed into 'oh shit, did we really almost leave a pizza box under the coffee table in the living room because the cat likes to sit on it?' type shame. So - we're cleaning. It's a good thing, trust me. I need to be 'encouraged' to throw crap out. We spent an hour in the kitchen last night going through cupboards and weeding through zillions of plastic Ikea children's plates (she only has one mouth, why do I need twenty four plastic plates?) and loads of plastic cups (just because they give them away in restaurants like Chili's, doesn't mean I have to take them home).
We are making a definite decision to try and shirk the very American attitude that I have of 'oh, if X is only 99p, then I should get two! Nevermind that I only need one.' I must force myself not to overbuy just because I can. It's kind of a gross way to think and live. So from now on - I'm making a decision to only buy what I/we immediately need and will use. It's not a money issue - it's a 'we just don't need that much crap in our lives' issue. And that attitude stops today. Honest.
I should add that if you live in London and would like an amazing assortment of plastic Ikea children's plates, muffin tins, mugs, a mug tree, an endless supply of plastic children's cutlery, please let me know. We'll also be cleaning out a Mama's and Papa's Primo Viaggio 0+ carseat that's in good condition along with numerous baby/toddler toys that are yours for the asking. Hell, if you've been in my house and seen anything you fancy, ask me - the way I feel today, I'll give anything to you gladly!
I'm on the mainline (or 'overland') train on the way to the Wharf to have my hair done. Andrew and Mary Catherine went to her swimming lesson and will meet up with me later. It is 10am and already hot and disgusting - I've been on a bus and this is the first of two trains. The train is really full - seems odd for a Saturday morning, but it's not something I normally do, so how would I know? I was just standing here trying not to be physically sick as a result of the stench coming off the man next to me. I'm serious - the man smells like ass. I'm not upset about it, though.. I just hope he has good reason, if that makes sense. If he just smells like that because he can't be bothered to smell any better... Well - I can guess he's probably single. So - like I said, I was (I say was because now I'm waiting on train no 2) thinking about outward appearances and how you can take a first impression of someone, but if you stop to look closer (yeah, that'd be me staring at you) it's usually a much different story. Example - smug, thin, model type woman with big sunglasses who pushed past me on the steps to the train platform... When she took the only seat on the train, I had to stand next to her. Go on and be smug thin girl - but I can see you have scars on your hands and that your dye job wasn't professional and your hair is thinning on the sides. I find stuff like that really interesting - looking past exteriors and noticing tiny details. And yes, I am the type who LOVES to drive through neighbourhoods at night and look into peoples' lit windows. I'm not a stalker, I'm just facinated by other people. I'm on my final train now - it's much less crowded, which makes sense as it's going to the Wharf, which is typically not super crowded on weekends, being the financial centre it is. Not so many people to look at - just a black guy, dressed head to toe in black reading a book called 'Good Natured'.. Doesn't he know how hot it's supposed to be today? I wouldn't be anything but bad natured if I were dressed like that. Looks like we have an estate agent, jack the lad type on his mobile - nice fake diamond studs there, pal. Beckham you're not! And ah... There she is. Someone doing the proverbial 'walk of shame' after a night out. Well, that's what she's doing in my mind, anyway. Did I mention that I'm now late for my hair appt as I misjudged exactly how damn long it would take me to get from point a to b this morning? I'm getting better at it - but I'm prety lousy at thinking of timetables and realistic public transportation timing. My mom lands tomorrow morning - my house is a wreck and I think this is the first time ever, EVER, that I've not freaked out about it. It's not dirty, it's clutered and you know what - my mom loves me and will get over it. (She's mellowed, at least I hope she has!) I'm 34 years old and I'm not afraid of my mother - well, not that afraid of her, anyway. No clue what we're doing for the rest of today.. I have noticed that we're down to two rolls of loo paper - so we may well go to Costco, hopefully it's air conditioned. Tomorrow we're hoping to go to Spitalfields market with mom. Mary Catherine wants to show her the bubble stall and take her to buy yummy dried fruit - I could go for a sweet, chewey piece of dried mango right about now, so I think it's a great idea. Way back about five years ago (wow) Mom and I went to Spitalfields on like, a Tuesday.. There wasn't anything going on - now that I'm a Londoner I know that the market is at its most hoppin' on Sundays. See the things you learn when you become part of the fabric of a city? Okay - I'm going to stop now. I'm one station away from the hair place and I'm starting to wax lyrical about being part of a city I've only recently learned to embrace. Thanks for your company on my journey!
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