Random Thoughts and Rants

Food

Sun, 30 Oct 2005 16:10:13 GMT

As those of you who know me well know, food is a subject close to my heart - I love cooking it and I love eating it.

Therefore it is with great pleasure that I announce the appearance of a new, most excellent eating establishment, which also does takeaway (they do deliver) in Canterbury.

Called Burrito Bob's, and situated on Northgate not too far from Sainsbury's and the Penny Theatre (shudder), it is, unsurprisingly, a Mexican place. Unlike the other 'Mexican' establishments scattered around our fair city however, it is:

a) Very good value for money

b) Serving fresh food (always a bonus IMHO)

c) Their food tastes excellent (the best mexican I've had in this country), even heated up in the microwave over 24hrs later

d) As of some time this week, they will be delivering within a 3 mile radius, which means you won't even have to go and get it.

I urge you all to eat there, and spend money you don't have. I've just finished the last of the quesadillas I bought yesterday, and I already wish I had more.

Oh, and before you ask, no, they're not paying me for this - I just think they rock!!

Love to all

Moo

xxxxxx

The end is nigh....

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 17:36:39 GMT

... well actually, it's not quite nigh, more it's in sight now!!!

I have *finally* set a date for submitting my thesis!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY!!

I'm so happy!

For the first time in ages I feel like my life has some direction again. It's wonderful.

At the same time, it's a bit disconcerting to realise that I only have 5 months left in Canterbury, having lived here for over 6 years. I think it's going to be really weird moving away, even though that will bring a whole new adventure.

I guess what I'm saying is that I will miss all my friends still in Canterbury like hell, but I think that moving will be a good thing for me.

Anyway, I just felt like sharing.

Love

Moo
xxxx

The weather is shit...

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 14:13:49 GMT

... but despite that, and the fact that I have done precisely no work today, I am feeling incredibly cheerful. I think it's something to do with the power kick you get when you make complaints about rude arseholes and you get taken seriously (the arsehole concerned may even get the sack!)!! It's a wonderful feeling, you should all try it some time :D

Anyway, just thought I'd spread a little joy.

Moo

xxx

PS No mocking the music!!

Hello Kids :o)

Sun, 10 Jul 2005 17:30:28 GMT

It's been a while. Sorry about that - been working, and working, and ill, and ill some more, on holiday, and then ill again. I hope that you are all well, it would be nice to hear from y'all sometime

Moo

xx

YAY!!

Wed, 04 May 2005 13:16:03 GMT

My shiny toys arrived last week, and are sitting in boxes waiting for the man to come and set it all up (hopefully he's going to come tomorrow) and then I can play :o) I'm very excited, even though it means I have to start working again!!!

Exams have started, and the weather has gone crap again. It's amazing how stupid people can be, so for those of you taking exams, here are a few pointers:

- You may not bring in bags, coats, mobiles, etc, these must be left in the bag room in either darwin or GLS 10.

-Bring a spare pen. Make that two spares. Try and bring pens of different widths, it changes the way you hold the pen, and you're less likely to get cramp.

- You can't bring food/water/beverages of any kind into the exam hall, unless expressly permitted to do so by the Exams Office.

- Bring your ID card.

- Make sure you know your exam no, and the module code, this will save you a lot of time.

HTH

On a lighter note, it's my birthday soon - plans to follow when decided :o)

xxx

It's been a while, I've been a busy girl...

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 11:03:38 GMT

... and things are not about to change in that department. Went home at the weekend, which was nice, got to see my mum, and my little brother, who is once again behaving like a complete slag. Some things never change. Going to a conference in Cambridge on Thursday, giving a paper, which should be fun, and at least the department will give me the money back this time :o)

Also, *finally* decided to go private as NHS really pissing me off - wanted to give me a scan on the 27th June, FFS!! 11 months with no diagnosis is not good, so I'm seeing new dr at the Chaucer Hospital on 23rd, which is a Saturday, but never mind.

Apologies in advance if I'm not a) around much after Wednesday (conference->term starts->exams) b) if I take a long time to reply to texts/emails/phone calls. Doesn't mean I don't love you, just that I'm busy.

xxx

WOW!!!

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 14:48:24 GMT

Last night I went to see Queen & Paul Rogers at the Brixton Academy on the opening night of their 2005 European Tour. It ROCKED!! It was the best gig I've ever been to. The atmosphere was amazing, the fans were cool, and we sang at least one verse of every song they did. Brian May sang 'Love of my Life', one of Queen's less well known songs, but still an amazing one, and he also did a 15 minute guitar solo which was incredible. They did the classics, We Will Rock You, Radio Ga Ga, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Fat Bottomed Girls, Bicycle Race and an acappella version of Hammer To Fall. They omitted (unfortunately) Another One Bites the Dust, Seven Seas of Rhye, and Killer Queen. It was, however a flawless performance from all concerned, with Paul Rogers singing his biggest hit 'Alright Now' which went down a storm, and the finale of We Are The Champions, at which point I'm rather surprised we didn't lift the roof. Queen, are, beyond all doubt, the best rock band ever!!!

xxx

Why do they call it a vacation?

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 13:44:09 GMT

I mean, there's so much to do, it's not really any different to term time! Must write paper...

On the plus side, my very clever boyfriend has managed to get us tickets to see Queen at Brixton Academy on Monday!! YAY!! Am sooooooooooooooo excited, I'm going to fulfil one of my lifelong ambitions!!!

xxx

Thank God for that!!

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 13:23:27 GMT

Term is pretty much finished, and all my teaching is over! YAY!! I'm so happy, but also quite tired. I'm also quite hot, my office is very stuffy!

I will be around for pretty much the entire vacation, but for those of you who are going elsewhere - I hope you have a fabulous time :o)

I made doughnuts!!!

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 17:40:00 GMT

They're small, round, with a hole in the middle and covered in icing. Plus, they taste amazing :o)

If you are very nice, I may take orders...

Feeling much better today. Why do people feel it necessary to shitstir? I have absolutely no understanding of this kind of thing.

xxx

Things were going so well...

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 16:09:45 GMT

... It's always the way, isn't it? Just when things are going well, something comes along and kicks you in the teeth. I've been so happy lately, despite being broke, that I suppose I should have expected this. Betrayal by one of your friends, especially one of the few you REALLY trust, is the most devastating thing. I can't even focus. I was crying so much I couldn't even see the screen.]

Why do people do things like that? I would never hurt one of my friends, ever, and I don't understand how someone could.

It's at times like this I lose all my faith in humankind.

:o(

The end of term is nigh...

Tue, 15 Mar 2005 12:23:37 GMT

... and I for one am very glad about that. 10 week terms are the way to go. Have just seen the exam paper for the course I teach on, hehehehe. I'm not sure my students will like it, but never mind :o) This is advance warning for those of you I know who are taking exams: I will be invigilating in the exams, so don't have a heart attack if you see me in the exam hall. That does not mean I will be nice to you, however, so no cheating :o) (bribes MAY be considered, lol).

There was an attempted gerbil escape at about 8am today, which was interesting, but crisis was safely averted. Good thing I'm a light sleeper, or she could have gone *anywhere*!! They are going back to Bill tonight, I think I will miss them - the babies are soooo cute.

Should also be getting shiny new computer stuff soon, waiting to hear from LEA as to when I get it. Will be nice to have new toys to play with, and I can actually do some work :o)

I'm thinking about making doughnuts (I got a doughnut maker for xmas), as a method of work avoidance. Could be messy...

xxx

It's been a while...

Thu, 10 Mar 2005 14:53:48 GMT

... so I thought I'd let those of you who care know that I'm still alive :o)

Life has been rather busy of late. Much work has been done, and many things achieved. I am therefore in an extremely good mood.

3 is the number of pizzas I have eaten this week
2 is the number of migraines I have had this week
5 is the number of movies I have watched this week

I am bored, so want people to say things. You can say anything, I don't really mind what, but please try and be original - it makes life more interesting :o)

xxx

I'm feeling much better now :o)

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 12:28:47 GMT

Despite the snow, which completely soaked me on my way in this morning, I'm having a really good day. The lecture I had to give went really well, and *some* people actually turned up to the class after. All I need to do now is get my money from the finance people to the bank in town before 3.30 and my day will have been perfect.

Hope everyone is ok

xxx

Another week, another fuckwit who has annoyed me...

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 15:41:08 GMT

... Bureaucracy will be the one thing that eventually kills me, I'm sure of it. For the second month in a row I have not be paid by the powers that be, due to yet another administrative error by some eejit. To compound matters, my bank are being complete arseholes about it, and so I am completely and utterly skint, and incredibly pissed off. I'm sure that my BP rose by a good 20 points yesterday. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

I hope you're all having a better day than me...

xxx

It's the end of the week as we know it...

Fri, 25 Feb 2005 12:08:31 GMT

... and thank fuck for that!! It's been one of those weeks, and I'm absolutely shattered. A lie-in tomorrow will be wonderful.

We had to defrost the car this mornning - it was covered in 2" of ice all over - had to get in through the boot because the doors were sealed shut by the ice!! Got *very* cold hands, so now my poorly arm/hand is really sore.

One of my housemates broke an irreplacable wine glass (they don't make them any more), can anyone suggest a suitable punishment?

I have a craving for hash browns. Will have to have them for dinner tonight. I wonder what that craving means...

xxx

More snow!!

Wed, 23 Feb 2005 11:40:40 GMT

I'm such a happy bunny!! I got to walk to campus in like, 4" of snow this morning, it was so cool, and so pretty. I don't think I'm ever going to get tired of snow. Anyone for a snowball fight? I have an hour or so to kill before I have to go teach...

In other news, I'm loathing the extreme crapness that is the NHS, they never know what's wrong with you, they're rude and unhelpful, and INCREDIBLY slow. GRRRR.

Also not highly impressed with the DSU, who cancelled my assessment meeting today 'because of the snow'!! Means more waiting around and doing fuck all before I can get back to work.

In order to balance this post out, these are the things that I am grateful for today:

- Hot chocolate
- My beanie hat (even if I have to wear pigtails to wear it...)
- Not having to get the train to Maidstone (getting a lift instead)
- My friends /me hugs all friends

What is everyone else happy about/thankful for today?

xxx

How do you...

Tue, 15 Feb 2005 14:42:46 GMT

... tell someone something that you really should tell them, but yet really don't want to? And what do you do when the thought of it is stressing you out so much that you can't sleep properly? I realise that not telling is not an option, as I've tried that, and it only makes things worse, but just thinking about doing it makes me feel sick. How do you learn to trust people again when you feel that you can't really trust anyone?

xxx

Woohoo!!!

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 11:43:29 GMT

At last, the bureaucratic machinery that runs our country is starting to yield positive benefits!!! I heard from my LEA this week, and they have agreed to pay for any equipment/software etc that I need to do my work, as they consider that the problems with my hand constitute a disability. YAY!!! I'm not sure that I should be so excited about being considered disabled, but frankly, if it gets me the money and ability to do my work, it's all good :o) That means that even if the hopsital have no answers etc on Wednesday, I'll be able to make some progress. I'm so happy :D

xxx

Happy Christmas! and Happy Pancake Day :o)

Tue, 08 Feb 2005 10:54:24 GMT

I realise that sounds a little foolish, but my housemates and I are celebrating Christmas today and having pancakes for dinner. It should be lots of fun - Presents, fake bubbly, lots of sweet, sticky, chocolatey food, it's all good.

Hope you are all well

xxx

I'm SO bored

Fri, 04 Feb 2005 13:54:33 GMT

I'm on campus waiting for the university bureaucracy to get a move on and give me my money so I can go home. Any suggestions on ways to amuse myself greatly appreciated.

xxx

How depressing!

Fri, 04 Feb 2005 08:24:21 GMT

I was leaving for work this morning, when I saw a little dead bird in the road next to the car. It had lots of feathers scattered around it. It had apparently flown into the car and broken its neck. It has made me quite sad. Poor little thing. :o(

How very strange

Thu, 03 Feb 2005 11:27:18 GMT

My supervisor, who is normally as grumpy as sin, especially when I haven't seen him for a couple of weeks, was very nice to me today. Most odd.

I saw Assault on Precinct 13 and Elektra last night. Not impressed with Elektra at all (it wasn't my choice, and I'm unhappy to say I was right), though I quite enjoyed Assault on Precinct 13. I'm told the original was better, but I've never seen it, so I don't really care about that. At least it was Orange Wednesday so tickets were cheap. The queues were HUGE though. Way too many people for my liking.

I also bought funky shoes the other day, and I wore them last night, thus discovering that the stiletto heels are metal-tipped. Cool.

xxx

It's been a while...

Wed, 02 Feb 2005 14:59:59 GMT

... and people were starting to question if I was still alive, so I thought I'd better show my face :o)

I hate payroll. They are such bastards, and *completely* fucking disorganised. I better get my money Friday, or I will be a very unhappy bunny indeed.

On a lighter note, don't you just love it when you have two friends who you just *know* are perfect for each other, and when you introduce them they spend the whole evening talking, and ask for each other's phone numbers? Am feeling quite smug about that atm. It's lots of fun matchmaking :o)

Also, a curiosity factor question: Now that the Michael Jackson trial has started, how many of you out there take one of the following views and why?

a) he's guilty as hell, and completely sick to boot
b) innocent till proven guilty
c) he may be fucked up, but that doesn't make him a child molester
d) He's clearly innocent and it's all a big conspiracy

Am interested to see what people think

xxx

Be careful what you wish for...

Fri, 28 Jan 2005 11:35:51 GMT

... it may come back and bite you in the ass. I wished for snow, as you're all well aware, and I got it. I was very happy. Until Wednesday evening that is. I was out with some friends, heading to The Shed Cantina for dinner, via Canterbury East. Due to the icy conditions I slipped and fell over. This wouldn't have been too bad had it not been for the fact that my full weight landed squarely on my bad hand/wrist/arm. Consequently I am in some fairly serious pain, and have some fairly spectacular bruises too. I don't think there's anything broken, fortunately enough, but when that's a positive thing, you know you have issues.

Pain is not nice.

xxx