4 months after the event and even though I've not even so much as sat behind the wheel, let alone accelerated myself along on anything other than my legs - I've finally gotten round to surrendering my Driver's License because of my f*&%$@! medical condition.
Though the Mr. thinks I quite enjoy being driven about - I do miss knowing that I can drive if I want to (and I totally could if I really had to but would be in the shizzle if I got caught...) and gleefully overtaking the crap out of slowbies on the motorway - the fact that my trusty pink card won't be in my purse for another 12 months makes me feel very vulnerable.
To anyone else I'll just look like some kid without ID who can't drive -.-
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Teabags and Sausages.
So, as the snow...I would say 'rages on' but it's more a 'persistent flurry' but that sounds no way near as menacing.
Once again though, I'm so grateful that we have a Tesco Express downstairs from our home. But seeing as planes, trains and automobiles are struggling to function in the snow it seems that the Tesco's delivery man has been unable to do his job.
I wandered downstairs and realised that I might have been a little late to the panic-buying party - things like loaves of bread, potatoes, long-life semi-skimmed milk and pizza were either low or out of stock. But I managed to get what I felt we needed, though truth be told I've kept a fully loaded and constantly replenished Nigella-esque larder - a hoarding characteristic I've inherited from my Mother.
My freezer just had two packs of sausages and some chicken thighs added to it's stock of battered fish, apple pies, dumplings and Chinese buns. I fear we may actually put on weight during this time of hibernation.
Once again though, I'm so grateful that we have a Tesco Express downstairs from our home. But seeing as planes, trains and automobiles are struggling to function in the snow it seems that the Tesco's delivery man has been unable to do his job.
I wandered downstairs and realised that I might have been a little late to the panic-buying party - things like loaves of bread, potatoes, long-life semi-skimmed milk and pizza were either low or out of stock. But I managed to get what I felt we needed, though truth be told I've kept a fully loaded and constantly replenished Nigella-esque larder - a hoarding characteristic I've inherited from my Mother.
My freezer just had two packs of sausages and some chicken thighs added to it's stock of battered fish, apple pies, dumplings and Chinese buns. I fear we may actually put on weight during this time of hibernation.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
One of the Few Who Is Loving the Snow
It's Decorate-Our-Home-and-Be-Festive-Cheerleader Eve and we woke up to a Winter Wonderland this morning. Gone is the grey tarmac, random furniture left by skanky tenants and dog poo under a cleansing, bright and crisp layer of snow.
I acquired my ultimate seasonal album last night in the form of Vince Guaraldi Trio's "A Charlie Brown Christmas"...Also I never realised until "Blue Ridge Mountains" came on this morning how perfectly wintery the whole of Fleet Foxes's self-titled album is.
I now have a Christmas playlist comprised of 85 tunes totalling at 4 hours 36 minutes and 16 seconds of music to be all Christmassy to. Without "Last Christmas" but including "Christmas Don't Be Late" as sung by umm...Alvin & The Chipmunks.
Tomorrow I shall be prancing about with all things sparkly and some things of vintage chic decking my halls and having fun with my baubles.
I acquired my ultimate seasonal album last night in the form of Vince Guaraldi Trio's "A Charlie Brown Christmas"...Also I never realised until "Blue Ridge Mountains" came on this morning how perfectly wintery the whole of Fleet Foxes's self-titled album is.
I now have a Christmas playlist comprised of 85 tunes totalling at 4 hours 36 minutes and 16 seconds of music to be all Christmassy to. Without "Last Christmas" but including "Christmas Don't Be Late" as sung by umm...Alvin & The Chipmunks.
Tomorrow I shall be prancing about with all things sparkly and some things of vintage chic decking my halls and having fun with my baubles.
Friday, 19 November 2010
Long Ode to My Piano
I gave up the piano over 10 years ago.
My piano was once my father's piano, when he and his brothers learned, once upon a time, to play the instrument back in the late Fifties in Hong Kong. The piano then sat there for another 30-odd years with various ornaments and bric-a-brac atop it, being generally ignored and unplayed.
When I was 8 years old, my father had the idea of getting me to take on piano lessons and, once I'd agreed, he sent for the piano to be shipped over from my Grandmother's 14th floor apartment in Hong Kong on a 2 month journey to make it to our family home in Chislehurst.
My teacher was a frizzy silver haired Polish woman who was matronly and in my eyes, kindly strict. She had a warm smile with eyes that crinkled happily but was all business when it came to lessons.
I enjoyed learning the piano. I liked that I seemed to pick it up quite quickly and that I might one day be able to play the pieces I'd loved since earlier childhood - namely Für Elise (as that was what played on a wind-up tinkly sounding gadget my mother used to have lying about in one of her junk drawers) and Golliwogg's Cakewalk (because that was the music that played in a very old computer game I used to play that involved a mouse in a maze to get some cheese.)
My teacher said I had a gift for the piano. I didn't understand how other people could find it so hard to press down on the right notes in the right rhythm if they had the sheets in front of them - it's just like reading, isn't it?
Looking back, I'm not sure if the gift was a natural talent that was in me the whole time, or if it was down to the mandatory half-hour practice that my Father made me do on a daily basis.
Then the theory lessons started. I ended up going from weekly half hour lessons to sitting in that stale cigarette and air freshener scented house 90 minutes a week. I was doing a grade a year. And I still didn't understand the big fuss about playing - it was just something I could do.
I longed to quit playing simply because I didn't see why I should be under such pressure to do these exams, run through all the scales or study theory - and I still don't. My teacher made me cry during one theory session as I could not understand what it was that she was trying to teach me and our frustration with each other came out.
My father made me cry countless times from forcing me to practice. I remember one horrible evening where I was all but dragged into the piano room (yes I had a whole room dedicated to the torturous art) and sobbed as I played whilst my father sat on a stool behind me, arms crossed and glaring angrily at the back of my head. He would should at me to start again from the beginning if so much as one key was off.
If the consistency between playing well at my teacher's house or at home was questioned, I would put it down to the fact that my piano only needed a very soft touch to produce FORTE music but that my teacher's piano was so very much more solidly constructed than mine that I found it very challenging to play legato. No one believed me - but no one else was playing between two pianos were they.
I remember the pride I felt when taking part in the annual piano concerts that my teacher put on, taking place in Blackheath music hall - I just KNEW that I played in an accomplished manner for my age when compared to my peers's performances. I loathed the exams but I somehow managed to excel in all of the 4 exams that I took.
I quit some time in between my father leaving us (ironically to focus on his own passion for music) and my GCSE's. I didn't have the decency to speak to my own teacher to tell her I no longer wanted to learn. I can still imagine the hurt and disappointment she must have felt to have my mother call her to tell her I wouldn't be attending any further lessons due to "exam pressure" and wanting to focus on my studies. I'm sure my teacher would have been further disappointed if she'd ever found out how any of my academic results were.
I'm now 26 and I've just made my old classical music album into MP3's and playing them on my iPod now. I've just decided that my all-time favourite composer is Claude Debussy, but that my favourite piece is Gymnopedie No.1 by Erik Satie. I never much cared for Pachebel's Canon, overplayed as it is, and Für Elise has been so done - especially as that became the most requested piece for me to play for people. I learned to play the famous pieces by Mozart and Beethoven. I even learned some pieces by some Russian composers I think.
A few years ago I started to teach myself to play pieces that my teacher and I left unfinished, and some new pieces to which I'd always wanted to play but had stopped my musical education before any such chances appeared. It was strange that after a few run-throughs of the last-learned pieces that my fingers seems to vaguely remember where they needed to be. And I found that if I concentrate too hard on the sheets in front of me, trying to read everything, that I lost the ability to play naturally - but if I just let myself play and glazed over the notes on the score before me, that the music produced itself without my needing to force it.
The piano has been sitting in an alcove in my mother's house for almost 7 years now. It hasn't been played for almost 6 years. It sits there with various ornaments and bric-a-brac atop it (comfortingly for me, but most probably disturbingly worrying to anyone else, with the ashes of my first dog who used to lie at my feet as I played) , being generally ignored and unplayed. Every few years, I feel the call of the piano, who is probably longing to be lovingly played. I was going to add "once again" but in all honesty, it never was lovingly played until after I finished my piano lessons.
I once proved to myself that without the aid of a teacher, just my own perseverance, my longing to play again and the bizarre memory my fingers seemed to have, I could still play the piano - with a little practice of course.
My piano was once my father's piano, when he and his brothers learned, once upon a time, to play the instrument back in the late Fifties in Hong Kong. The piano then sat there for another 30-odd years with various ornaments and bric-a-brac atop it, being generally ignored and unplayed.
When I was 8 years old, my father had the idea of getting me to take on piano lessons and, once I'd agreed, he sent for the piano to be shipped over from my Grandmother's 14th floor apartment in Hong Kong on a 2 month journey to make it to our family home in Chislehurst.
My teacher was a frizzy silver haired Polish woman who was matronly and in my eyes, kindly strict. She had a warm smile with eyes that crinkled happily but was all business when it came to lessons.
I enjoyed learning the piano. I liked that I seemed to pick it up quite quickly and that I might one day be able to play the pieces I'd loved since earlier childhood - namely Für Elise (as that was what played on a wind-up tinkly sounding gadget my mother used to have lying about in one of her junk drawers) and Golliwogg's Cakewalk (because that was the music that played in a very old computer game I used to play that involved a mouse in a maze to get some cheese.)
My teacher said I had a gift for the piano. I didn't understand how other people could find it so hard to press down on the right notes in the right rhythm if they had the sheets in front of them - it's just like reading, isn't it?
Looking back, I'm not sure if the gift was a natural talent that was in me the whole time, or if it was down to the mandatory half-hour practice that my Father made me do on a daily basis.
Then the theory lessons started. I ended up going from weekly half hour lessons to sitting in that stale cigarette and air freshener scented house 90 minutes a week. I was doing a grade a year. And I still didn't understand the big fuss about playing - it was just something I could do.
I longed to quit playing simply because I didn't see why I should be under such pressure to do these exams, run through all the scales or study theory - and I still don't. My teacher made me cry during one theory session as I could not understand what it was that she was trying to teach me and our frustration with each other came out.
My father made me cry countless times from forcing me to practice. I remember one horrible evening where I was all but dragged into the piano room (yes I had a whole room dedicated to the torturous art) and sobbed as I played whilst my father sat on a stool behind me, arms crossed and glaring angrily at the back of my head. He would should at me to start again from the beginning if so much as one key was off.
If the consistency between playing well at my teacher's house or at home was questioned, I would put it down to the fact that my piano only needed a very soft touch to produce FORTE music but that my teacher's piano was so very much more solidly constructed than mine that I found it very challenging to play legato. No one believed me - but no one else was playing between two pianos were they.
I remember the pride I felt when taking part in the annual piano concerts that my teacher put on, taking place in Blackheath music hall - I just KNEW that I played in an accomplished manner for my age when compared to my peers's performances. I loathed the exams but I somehow managed to excel in all of the 4 exams that I took.
I quit some time in between my father leaving us (ironically to focus on his own passion for music) and my GCSE's. I didn't have the decency to speak to my own teacher to tell her I no longer wanted to learn. I can still imagine the hurt and disappointment she must have felt to have my mother call her to tell her I wouldn't be attending any further lessons due to "exam pressure" and wanting to focus on my studies. I'm sure my teacher would have been further disappointed if she'd ever found out how any of my academic results were.
I'm now 26 and I've just made my old classical music album into MP3's and playing them on my iPod now. I've just decided that my all-time favourite composer is Claude Debussy, but that my favourite piece is Gymnopedie No.1 by Erik Satie. I never much cared for Pachebel's Canon, overplayed as it is, and Für Elise has been so done - especially as that became the most requested piece for me to play for people. I learned to play the famous pieces by Mozart and Beethoven. I even learned some pieces by some Russian composers I think.
A few years ago I started to teach myself to play pieces that my teacher and I left unfinished, and some new pieces to which I'd always wanted to play but had stopped my musical education before any such chances appeared. It was strange that after a few run-throughs of the last-learned pieces that my fingers seems to vaguely remember where they needed to be. And I found that if I concentrate too hard on the sheets in front of me, trying to read everything, that I lost the ability to play naturally - but if I just let myself play and glazed over the notes on the score before me, that the music produced itself without my needing to force it.
The piano has been sitting in an alcove in my mother's house for almost 7 years now. It hasn't been played for almost 6 years. It sits there with various ornaments and bric-a-brac atop it (comfortingly for me, but most probably disturbingly worrying to anyone else, with the ashes of my first dog who used to lie at my feet as I played) , being generally ignored and unplayed. Every few years, I feel the call of the piano, who is probably longing to be lovingly played. I was going to add "once again" but in all honesty, it never was lovingly played until after I finished my piano lessons.
I once proved to myself that without the aid of a teacher, just my own perseverance, my longing to play again and the bizarre memory my fingers seemed to have, I could still play the piano - with a little practice of course.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Heavy on the Highlight
There's this scene I remember from one of the many great Nickelodeon shows from the Nineties, The Adventures of Pete and Pete, where Big Pete is panicking about a test that he forgot to revise for. One of his mates offers him their text book to revise from, telling Pete that all the important bits are highlighted (highlit? *shrug*). Big Pete opens the book to find the whole freakin' thing is highlighted.
That's kind of how my Mandarin grammar notes are on the verge of becoming.
That's kind of how my Mandarin grammar notes are on the verge of becoming.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Oh, The Poetry!!
I asked for an eloquent translation of my Chinese name (in simplified text) 黄家仪 。
I got the literal translation instead; Yellow House Instrument.
*sigh*
I got the literal translation instead; Yellow House Instrument.
*sigh*
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
I Swear I AM Literate...
So, as "Herm-eye-won" became "Her-my-oh-knee" (Hermione) and "See-Muss" became "Shey-Muss" (Seamus), so "are-chip-pell-LAY-go" becomes "arch-ip-pell-a-go" (archipelago).
Poncey pronunciation.
Poncey pronunciation.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Slicey, Cutty, Snappy.
I feel like I just committed the poultry version of Saw-style torture on tonight's dinner, after having laboriously spatchcocked my very first chicken. I had to go at it with our mega Japanese knife AND a cleaver, and with a lot of swearing and miscellaneous jellyfied red bits flying about and seemingly excessive fatty skin bits...I FINALLY did it.
I'm shocked at how freaked out I was to hear the chicken's spine snapping as I performed my own technique of de-backboning a chicken which for some reason, rather than a nice clean slice either side, involved cutting and pulling simultaneously.
I think this sort of thing should be a man's work. I'll sort the flavours and presentation.
I'm shocked at how freaked out I was to hear the chicken's spine snapping as I performed my own technique of de-backboning a chicken which for some reason, rather than a nice clean slice either side, involved cutting and pulling simultaneously.
I think this sort of thing should be a man's work. I'll sort the flavours and presentation.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Tempus Fugit
"If the events of the last few years have taught me anything, it's that I'm going to feel like an idiot if I die tomorrow and I skimped on the bath oil today." - American writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron
As Sali Hughes wrote in the December issue of Red Magazine - "Life is simply too short, and too uncertain, to deny ourselves its little pleasures." She says that in saving things for a special occasion "we're indirectly telling ourselves that today isn't important enough, that this is just a rehearsal for a better life that may or may not come."
And so with that - I bought tickets x4 for my favourite rockin' out band of all time Foo Fighters (beat the whinging Twitterers on the website queue as I managed to score my tickets 6 mins after the sale opened and now, 41 minutes in and they're still complaining mwahahaha...) even though I have no income and am not entirely sure about standing for 6+ hours in the middle of a pitch with not a toilet in sight...it'll be well worth it!
Oh bloody hell I think someone's going to get himself a Z4 after reading this...
As Sali Hughes wrote in the December issue of Red Magazine - "Life is simply too short, and too uncertain, to deny ourselves its little pleasures." She says that in saving things for a special occasion "we're indirectly telling ourselves that today isn't important enough, that this is just a rehearsal for a better life that may or may not come."
And so with that - I bought tickets x4 for my favourite rockin' out band of all time Foo Fighters (beat the whinging Twitterers on the website queue as I managed to score my tickets 6 mins after the sale opened and now, 41 minutes in and they're still complaining mwahahaha...) even though I have no income and am not entirely sure about standing for 6+ hours in the middle of a pitch with not a toilet in sight...it'll be well worth it!
Oh bloody hell I think someone's going to get himself a Z4 after reading this...
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Neuro's Inconclusive Conclusion
Back from seeing the Neurologist who I apparently saw during my hospital incarceration but have no recollection of him about what's been going on with my brain (which incidentally I saw in all it's sectionalised glory from the MRI scan).
There was something weird on the MRI but the Radiology peeps said it wasn't anything to worry about. There was abnormal activity shown on the EEG but nothing worrying enough to require further testing. They don't know the trigger, they don't know why I still feel like I've stood up to fast despite not having moved at all and they don't know when they'll need to check up on me again.
All he did was double my med dosage.
I came out of the consultation thankful that I wasn't put on the super-effective medication that the good doctor mentioned that causes pain and facial deformity.
I also came out baffled as the one thing I DO remember some Doctor telling me when I was in the hospital before was that he said while I'm on Lamotrigine I CANNOT HAVE BABIES...But when we asked today about what I'm meant to do when it is time to pop some gorgeous daughters out, he said that Lamotrigine is the safest Epilepsy medication to be on whilst bearing a child - Oh but of course there's always that risk of congenital defects. WTF?!?!?
At least I have this one to tide me over ^.^
There was something weird on the MRI but the Radiology peeps said it wasn't anything to worry about. There was abnormal activity shown on the EEG but nothing worrying enough to require further testing. They don't know the trigger, they don't know why I still feel like I've stood up to fast despite not having moved at all and they don't know when they'll need to check up on me again.
All he did was double my med dosage.
I came out of the consultation thankful that I wasn't put on the super-effective medication that the good doctor mentioned that causes pain and facial deformity.
I also came out baffled as the one thing I DO remember some Doctor telling me when I was in the hospital before was that he said while I'm on Lamotrigine I CANNOT HAVE BABIES...But when we asked today about what I'm meant to do when it is time to pop some gorgeous daughters out, he said that Lamotrigine is the safest Epilepsy medication to be on whilst bearing a child - Oh but of course there's always that risk of congenital defects. WTF?!?!?
At least I have this one to tide me over ^.^
Friday, 29 October 2010
Life's Simple Pleasures
Inspired by the contents of our post-box today:
- Receiving a handwritten card / letter in the post (so much more heartfelt when someone's taken the time to put pen to paper especially for you)
- Toasting whatever I'm trying to toast just right (your mileage may vary on this one but for me it has to be lightly crunchy on the outside, still soft on the inside - not a blackened sooty crumb in sight.)
- Finding the book you've been waiting for, and forgot about, in the library.
- A warm pug on a cold day.
- A warm hug on a cold day.
- Snorting at Vapo-Rub you when you're ill and congested and generally feeling a bit pathetic.
- Finding the perfect homemade waffle recipe - nothing doughy and dense on my weekend breakfast plate thank you very much!
- Being amidst the cockney cacophony that is the Cheung family.
- Discovering that my newly developed skill with crochet means I could feasibly have an army of Totoro running amok in the apartment before this year is out - this brings on a bigger grin than you could possibly imagine.
- Finding significant coinage in my winter coats.
In other news, despite still being not particularly gainfully employed or having a proper diagnosis for whatever it is that's up with my brainwaves, I've now got my 4th holiday for the year booked and am very much looking forward to hitting Brussels's Christmas Market with my beloved Mum and Aunts.
The Male might be a little bit miffed at not being able to get in on the waffles / chocolate / beer / frites bonanza that the trip will undoubtedly be, but hey he's got to save for his Z4 / thin-as-an-iPhone-hugearse-TV / girlfriend's Mulberry knitting Bag.
- Receiving a handwritten card / letter in the post (so much more heartfelt when someone's taken the time to put pen to paper especially for you)
- Toasting whatever I'm trying to toast just right (your mileage may vary on this one but for me it has to be lightly crunchy on the outside, still soft on the inside - not a blackened sooty crumb in sight.)
- Finding the book you've been waiting for, and forgot about, in the library.
- A warm pug on a cold day.
- A warm hug on a cold day.
- Snorting at Vapo-Rub you when you're ill and congested and generally feeling a bit pathetic.
- Finding the perfect homemade waffle recipe - nothing doughy and dense on my weekend breakfast plate thank you very much!
- Being amidst the cockney cacophony that is the Cheung family.
- Discovering that my newly developed skill with crochet means I could feasibly have an army of Totoro running amok in the apartment before this year is out - this brings on a bigger grin than you could possibly imagine.
- Finding significant coinage in my winter coats.
In other news, despite still being not particularly gainfully employed or having a proper diagnosis for whatever it is that's up with my brainwaves, I've now got my 4th holiday for the year booked and am very much looking forward to hitting Brussels's Christmas Market with my beloved Mum and Aunts.
The Male might be a little bit miffed at not being able to get in on the waffles / chocolate / beer / frites bonanza that the trip will undoubtedly be, but hey he's got to save for his Z4 / thin-as-an-iPhone-hugearse-TV / girlfriend's Mulberry knitting Bag.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Christmas Shopping (yes already) for Toddlers
With apparently everyone's bout of popping out babies (something about wanting to hibernate in January seems to have encouraged a load of babies to arrive in September *ahem*) I've decided on two things:
1) I'd like a daughter. I know it's a faux pas to announce this sort of stuff but sod it, I do. Plus, you know - I gotta be able to buy Sylvannian Families again for a daughter. Or have a slightly peculiar son.
2) I have the urge to buy Duplo for toddlers, i.e. my Godson, but Male's insistence that it's for retards makes me hesitant even though I spent many hours happily playing with my Duplo set as a little kid. I did move on to Lego eventually, once I could be trusted with all the little bits.
There must be a guide to buying presents for other people's children - my inclination would be to advise people not to buy anything instrumental (parents would probably not appreciate being drummed / whistled / triangled at at 4am) or anything 'arty' (parents would also probably not appreciate having to scrub off ink / paint stains from the walls / sofa / curtains / ceiling.)
I'm still leaning towards Duplo for him, whilst wishing he had a little sister on whom I could lavish Sylvannian Family donkers upon. little...
1) I'd like a daughter. I know it's a faux pas to announce this sort of stuff but sod it, I do. Plus, you know - I gotta be able to buy Sylvannian Families again for a daughter. Or have a slightly peculiar son.
2) I have the urge to buy Duplo for toddlers, i.e. my Godson, but Male's insistence that it's for retards makes me hesitant even though I spent many hours happily playing with my Duplo set as a little kid. I did move on to Lego eventually, once I could be trusted with all the little bits.
There must be a guide to buying presents for other people's children - my inclination would be to advise people not to buy anything instrumental (parents would probably not appreciate being drummed / whistled / triangled at at 4am) or anything 'arty' (parents would also probably not appreciate having to scrub off ink / paint stains from the walls / sofa / curtains / ceiling.)
I'm still leaning towards Duplo for him, whilst wishing he had a little sister on whom I could lavish Sylvannian Family donkers upon. little...
Monday, 27 September 2010
Decisions, Decisions
Booking for a trip to Malaysia for next June and have just been told I need to decide for Male and myself if we should use our free internal flight (I'm assuming that's a perk for his Dad being an agent rather than the offer that's going at the moment...?!) to go to Redang or Langkawi.
Having Googled "Langkawi or Redang?" and the forum responses I found from someone else's similar question came back with:
- Langkawi is beer heaven ! redang is not.
- Or Redang is bikini haven & Langkawi not ..
Well now I'm really not sure which one to go to and don't know if Male would rather work on a beer belly or see...ladies...in bikinis...hmm...
Having Googled "Langkawi or Redang?" and the forum responses I found from someone else's similar question came back with:
- Langkawi is beer heaven ! redang is not.
- Or Redang is bikini haven & Langkawi not ..
Well now I'm really not sure which one to go to and don't know if Male would rather work on a beer belly or see...ladies...in bikinis...hmm...
Saturday, 18 September 2010
Our New Addition.
So I came home yesterday to find that the Male's latest win (on top of the awesome Waffle Maker from last time) from his office's raffle was a Mini-Fridge.
All I ever got from my old office was Epilepsy.
All I ever got from my old office was Epilepsy.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
When to Shut Up.
So - the other week I was privately lamenting to myself that I had flowers from work, my Godson and my aunts but Male hadn't gotten me any during my recovery.
I'm so glad I didn't say anything at the time - cos he only went and booked a frickin' awesome relaxing holiday for us for a couple of week's time - wheeeee!!!!!!
Though we will, of course miss our Miss Coco for the three days n nights we'll be getting spa'd and enjoying our jacuzzi plunge pool mwahahaha....
I'm so glad I didn't say anything at the time - cos he only went and booked a frickin' awesome relaxing holiday for us for a couple of week's time - wheeeee!!!!!!
Though we will, of course miss our Miss Coco for the three days n nights we'll be getting spa'd and enjoying our jacuzzi plunge pool mwahahaha....
Sunday, 29 August 2010
My Brain Is Frazzled
When the guys were cooing over the BMW Z4 last night - I actually asked in all seriousness; "Is it a two-seater or one-seater?"
I think they're now a bit worried about my intellect having been affected.
I think they're now a bit worried about my intellect having been affected.
Thursday, 26 August 2010
It's Not What It Looks Like
I've just emptied a little tupperware of Chinese Almond Drink powder into the kitchen bin at work and now I'm imagining the look on someone's face when they go to pop something in the bin and see a little pile of white powder at the bottom.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Go Sis!!!
The day has now been made into a cause for celebration because my dear God-Sister has given birth to her baby boy - about two weeks early!
And how do I find this out? By her brother's message to her on Facebook haha...Gotta love technology huh?
A life time's happiness and the start of a lovely family to you Michelle!!
And how do I find this out? By her brother's message to her on Facebook haha...Gotta love technology huh?
A life time's happiness and the start of a lovely family to you Michelle!!
Huh.
So - without going in to specifics - on paper the latter half of the year has turned out to be really sh*tty.
But actually I'm fairly certain things will work out OK...I'm still smiling simply because I have an amazing family and my Male who can laugh me out of any blues and our fabulous home and the funniest pug.
So I'm technically classed as disabled - which actually might work in my favour given today's phone call - but I'm still me, just a slightly less loud version and not dashing about quite so much.
My photographers have even been sending me lovely messages which has actually made me quite emotional! Especially since, unless plots to lure them away from Photoshit work, I may not be working with them for a while...who will take such an invested interest in their livelihoods?!
Here's Coco and I on the balcony after that misguided and unprofessional phone call from this morning - let's call it a memento of today's change of direction.
Next up for me? Brain scan tomorrow, hopefully no more lumbar punctures (I feel an echo of the splintering sharp stab in my lower left back just to think about it...), yoga yoga yoga to get some muscle tone back after too much bedrest, a lot of internet research and hopefully the opportunity to exact some well-deserved revenge on Photoshit.
But actually I'm fairly certain things will work out OK...I'm still smiling simply because I have an amazing family and my Male who can laugh me out of any blues and our fabulous home and the funniest pug.
So I'm technically classed as disabled - which actually might work in my favour given today's phone call - but I'm still me, just a slightly less loud version and not dashing about quite so much.
My photographers have even been sending me lovely messages which has actually made me quite emotional! Especially since, unless plots to lure them away from Photoshit work, I may not be working with them for a while...who will take such an invested interest in their livelihoods?!
Here's Coco and I on the balcony after that misguided and unprofessional phone call from this morning - let's call it a memento of today's change of direction.
Next up for me? Brain scan tomorrow, hopefully no more lumbar punctures (I feel an echo of the splintering sharp stab in my lower left back just to think about it...), yoga yoga yoga to get some muscle tone back after too much bedrest, a lot of internet research and hopefully the opportunity to exact some well-deserved revenge on Photoshit.
Friday, 20 August 2010
Musical Education
Besides asking the music maestro elders (i.e. James and my Pa) for recommendations on their particular genres and the classics - I'd have to quietly / proudly / mortifyingly admit that some of my most seminal musical education seems to have stemmed from two movies in particular.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery introduced me to the likes of Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones and errm...the Divinyls (I TOUCH MYSELF!!)
And then of course there was Wayne's World 1 & 2 which brought me Jimi Hendrix and Joan Jett.
Bet y'all didn't know that!
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery introduced me to the likes of Burt Bacharach, Quincy Jones and errm...the Divinyls (I TOUCH MYSELF!!)
And then of course there was Wayne's World 1 & 2 which brought me Jimi Hendrix and Joan Jett.
Bet y'all didn't know that!
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
Egg Card - you are shite.
I can't remember exactly how many times I've been screwed over by this credit card company (damn you memory loss!) but I know it's at least 3 times now...how is it that they see fit to cancel my credit card FIVE DAYS AGO and they don't think to, you know, call or email.
And I'm fairly sure their customer service centre is one of those that aren't in the UK.
How can they POST you to notify you that your card has been cancelled?! How backwards and slow and unreliable is that?!
I want my freakin' American Apparel buys!!!! *stomp*
And I'm fairly sure their customer service centre is one of those that aren't in the UK.
How can they POST you to notify you that your card has been cancelled?! How backwards and slow and unreliable is that?!
I want my freakin' American Apparel buys!!!! *stomp*
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Things I'll Miss (Until Declared Non-Epileptic and Medication-Free)
- Wine / Beer / Sake / Champagne / Cocktails
- Driving
- Swimming
- Running (at least until I feel like I won't pass out from exhaustion from walking faster than a normal pace)
- Not feeling even mildly paranoid when some repetitive flashes go off in my eyeline (though it's not been proven that flashes would trigger a seizure yet)
The fact that Coco is still snoozing happily on my lap and isn't growling or going nuts at something I can't see is the only thing that's keeping me calm.
Friday, 13 August 2010
Err...blame the memory (or lack thereof)
This could possibly be one of the meanest things I'll ever admit on here but I realised this morning that I no longer seem to have any idea with regards to who's with who any more. *cough*
Facebook is a confusing thing!
Here's a nice pic of Miss Coco in her sailor outfit today so you can be safely assured that I still remember how to take a sweet picture!
Facebook is a confusing thing!
Here's a nice pic of Miss Coco in her sailor outfit today so you can be safely assured that I still remember how to take a sweet picture!
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Doolally
So it's been really hard to try and gauge the time-frame for my memory lapses - the thing I've come to realise though is that though I've completely forgotten tiny details and facts about what's happened in my life - I've not forgotten in the slightest how things / people / locations / sounds / sights have made me feel.
I can't remember what I had for dinner when I came out of hospital on Monday night, but I remember feeling safe and happy and relieved.
My sense of smells seems somewhat altered - Coco smells different. My perfumes have a different note to them. Freshly cut grass smells amazing and I was baffled to suddenly smell smoky bacon crisps on the M25 when no one was eating 'em.
Dreams seem hyper-real and seared onto my memory as though they actually happened. But no way near as disturbing as my auras (partial seizures) which hit as flashes of deja-vu / tight-chested heart thumping / breathless panics. I thank the meds for relieving me of the crappy auras (which for the record I think is a stupid name) but I'm questioning the tight-chested feeling that underlines my waking hours and the on/off loss of sensation in my right hand. I tire way too easily now - trying to pick up Coco becomes a near-impossibility due to the tight-chest carrying heavy weight situation. Trying to carry 3 light shopping bags yesterday left me feeling breathless and again with the tight-chest and added giddyness.
I suspect I've forgotten how to cook some things and I'm fairly sure I've forgotten what happened in the book I was enjoying and almost finished and then left in the office. *sigh*
I'm feeling big love for my family now more than ever - in all my 26 years of life, I've been blessed to never have any serious health threats, so three seizures in 5 days and a long weekend hospital stay later, I have all my family checking in on me and my Dad over from Hong Kong especially to be with me. How bemused was I to have my Mum and Dad over to ours for dinner in a friendly manner?!
I could totally gush about the awesome strength and comfort that Kien-sen has given me but well, he knows haha...
I'm just happy to still be alive and with a coherent brain and Miss Coco snoring away on my lap right now.
I can't remember what I had for dinner when I came out of hospital on Monday night, but I remember feeling safe and happy and relieved.
My sense of smells seems somewhat altered - Coco smells different. My perfumes have a different note to them. Freshly cut grass smells amazing and I was baffled to suddenly smell smoky bacon crisps on the M25 when no one was eating 'em.
Dreams seem hyper-real and seared onto my memory as though they actually happened. But no way near as disturbing as my auras (partial seizures) which hit as flashes of deja-vu / tight-chested heart thumping / breathless panics. I thank the meds for relieving me of the crappy auras (which for the record I think is a stupid name) but I'm questioning the tight-chested feeling that underlines my waking hours and the on/off loss of sensation in my right hand. I tire way too easily now - trying to pick up Coco becomes a near-impossibility due to the tight-chest carrying heavy weight situation. Trying to carry 3 light shopping bags yesterday left me feeling breathless and again with the tight-chest and added giddyness.
I suspect I've forgotten how to cook some things and I'm fairly sure I've forgotten what happened in the book I was enjoying and almost finished and then left in the office. *sigh*
I'm feeling big love for my family now more than ever - in all my 26 years of life, I've been blessed to never have any serious health threats, so three seizures in 5 days and a long weekend hospital stay later, I have all my family checking in on me and my Dad over from Hong Kong especially to be with me. How bemused was I to have my Mum and Dad over to ours for dinner in a friendly manner?!
I could totally gush about the awesome strength and comfort that Kien-sen has given me but well, he knows haha...
I'm just happy to still be alive and with a coherent brain and Miss Coco snoring away on my lap right now.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Dazed and Confused.
I've had 3 seizures in the space of 5 days - no past history of seizures. Now back from a 4 day 3 night stay in hospital for observation after having a disturbing 2 day period of increasingly intense 'auras' (pre-cursors to seizures, which in my case were apparently partial seizures).
My memory has been ravaged - this has only been made more apparent over the past day. Things that have happened in recent months are jumbled - not to mention things that I remember from dreams / tv / reality...all confused together and I'm having trouble separating what has actually happened and what I've seen happen (there is a difference).
My family and one friend in particular have been amazing through this weird time and it brings a tear to my eye to think about how worried they've all been having to see me through this. I'll try and be strong for all of you! Not trusting my brain at the moment though and it is really disconcerting to be unable to trust one's own head.
I'm on medication now for mild epilepsy - it seems to have stopped the auras from developing on from anything more than giddy head feelings and a pressing tightness in my chest. Need to see the week out to make sure I don't have a relapse so I've been signed off work for the week - bloody great timing when your big boss is already a bit 'funny' about your necessity in said office.
P.S. Lumbar Punctures are REALLY NOT FUN.
My memory has been ravaged - this has only been made more apparent over the past day. Things that have happened in recent months are jumbled - not to mention things that I remember from dreams / tv / reality...all confused together and I'm having trouble separating what has actually happened and what I've seen happen (there is a difference).
My family and one friend in particular have been amazing through this weird time and it brings a tear to my eye to think about how worried they've all been having to see me through this. I'll try and be strong for all of you! Not trusting my brain at the moment though and it is really disconcerting to be unable to trust one's own head.
I'm on medication now for mild epilepsy - it seems to have stopped the auras from developing on from anything more than giddy head feelings and a pressing tightness in my chest. Need to see the week out to make sure I don't have a relapse so I've been signed off work for the week - bloody great timing when your big boss is already a bit 'funny' about your necessity in said office.
P.S. Lumbar Punctures are REALLY NOT FUN.
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Hazards of cramming
So we've taken Coco back to training now. At just over a year old - we're pretty sure she's hit adolescence and all the sassiness that comes with it. Unfortunately though, her barking at other dogs whilst straining to get at them is - rather than being friendly and playful - actually more a display of anxiety and insecurity.
Part of our new training involves making her focus on us (i.e. trick training with LOTS of yummy treats) and rewarding her for noticing another dog, and walking away calmly when she starts her yapping. Not too sure what we're meant to do when it's a dog on TV though...!
In other news - I just realised that the reason why Coco whines sometimes (e.g. when she's chewing something) when there's no apparent reason to whine - it's usually because something's stuck in her mouth.
Part of our new training involves making her focus on us (i.e. trick training with LOTS of yummy treats) and rewarding her for noticing another dog, and walking away calmly when she starts her yapping. Not too sure what we're meant to do when it's a dog on TV though...!
In other news - I just realised that the reason why Coco whines sometimes (e.g. when she's chewing something) when there's no apparent reason to whine - it's usually because something's stuck in her mouth.
Friday, 4 June 2010
I Am A Crabby Pug Mumma.
All in the space of 24 hours these things have annoyed me - must be the heat:
- Random woman who suddenly cooed from behind me and next thing I know her hand was coming round my shoulder, and then she went of to grab Coco by the chin and rub her hands all over her face going "OOOOHWHO'SALIDDLECUTIE?!?". To which I found myself saying "EXCUSE ME - DO YOU MIND?".
- Crazy old lady who was running an (over-priced) Bar and Grill on Exmouth Market yesterday lunchtime managed to offend me on all fronts by: - asking "Don't you find pugs are really...." - What? Funny? Cheeky? Attention diverting? Tooty? Nope - she went with "...demanding? I heard they always want a lot of attention and are quite demanding." Lady I don't know where you got your info from but I don't think it was any one who loved their pug. And then it turned out that this woman has two Jack Russells, to which I'll only say "yappy little things".
- asking "How much did you pay for her?" - I get this question a lot and I hate it. She wasn't cheap and I'm not really going to advertise the fact to people I don't know. - saying she almost bought a pug from Harrods. For £1400. Then following that with "where did you get her from?". Me - "Not Harrods."
- People who cluck and click and wiggle fingers at Coco while we're walking / sitting having lunch so as to attract her attention and lure her over. Haaaaaaaaate. - A flash of a camera whilst on the bus this morning. Yup Coco and I were what I shall term as being "papped" by some old woman who then shoved the camera back in her bag like nothing had just happened.
She is just too darned cute and I am really crabby. Not the best combo and yes I could be nicer to people who only want to say hello...but people go about it the wrong way.
I've had no problems with people who have asked before taking a picture of her. Likewise I have no problem with people expressing interest in her - but I just hate hate HATE people I don't know who just go and grab at her. So rude.
Her Puggy Cuteness as taken by one of my favourite photographers who I work with!
- Random woman who suddenly cooed from behind me and next thing I know her hand was coming round my shoulder, and then she went of to grab Coco by the chin and rub her hands all over her face going "OOOOHWHO'SALIDDLECUTIE?!?". To which I found myself saying "EXCUSE ME - DO YOU MIND?".
- Crazy old lady who was running an (over-priced) Bar and Grill on Exmouth Market yesterday lunchtime managed to offend me on all fronts by: - asking "Don't you find pugs are really...." - What? Funny? Cheeky? Attention diverting? Tooty? Nope - she went with "...demanding? I heard they always want a lot of attention and are quite demanding." Lady I don't know where you got your info from but I don't think it was any one who loved their pug. And then it turned out that this woman has two Jack Russells, to which I'll only say "yappy little things".
- asking "How much did you pay for her?" - I get this question a lot and I hate it. She wasn't cheap and I'm not really going to advertise the fact to people I don't know. - saying she almost bought a pug from Harrods. For £1400. Then following that with "where did you get her from?". Me - "Not Harrods."
- People who cluck and click and wiggle fingers at Coco while we're walking / sitting having lunch so as to attract her attention and lure her over. Haaaaaaaaate. - A flash of a camera whilst on the bus this morning. Yup Coco and I were what I shall term as being "papped" by some old woman who then shoved the camera back in her bag like nothing had just happened.
She is just too darned cute and I am really crabby. Not the best combo and yes I could be nicer to people who only want to say hello...but people go about it the wrong way.
I've had no problems with people who have asked before taking a picture of her. Likewise I have no problem with people expressing interest in her - but I just hate hate HATE people I don't know who just go and grab at her. So rude.
Her Puggy Cuteness as taken by one of my favourite photographers who I work with!
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
The Hazards of Low-Cut Tops
What other conclusion may I draw when some concession sales assistant bops up to me as I'm idly browsing the creams and lotions of Selfridges beauty hall and tells me, as she repeatedly glances at my chest, about the miracles of some bestselling product designed specifically to plump up one's chest area.
I was mildly offended, both at her inability to maintain eye contact during her unwarranted sales pitch and also at her intimating that I needed it! Apparently I have a lacklustre cleavage.
I was mildly offended, both at her inability to maintain eye contact during her unwarranted sales pitch and also at her intimating that I needed it! Apparently I have a lacklustre cleavage.
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Older and Lazier
So she's 9 days away from being 11 months old and she's now 7.5kg and getting puggier (read : more like a classic pug, dozy).After a whirlwind puppydom of pugtonas and frantic play sessions every few hours, Coco is now perfectly content to sleep all morning, get excited about her lunchtime walk, get tired on her lunch time walk (20-30 mins trot) to the point of sitting down and just looking at me in a vaguely baleful manner, and then sleeping all afternoon, through our evening commute and then waking up for a little walk from station to home. Then comes DINNER!! and then a play and a chew and then snorty snores...
Also - I think she might actually be getting a bit fussy about what she eats. We buy James Wellbeloved dry food for her (mixed with some Nature's Diet wet food for dinner) and certain ones she'll turn her nose up at these days. See also: apples.Though she didn't have any qualms about eating off the face of the Duracell Bunny.
We found a lovely park just behind our new home which, given the general vicinity of the area, is a blessing. Though you won't find me there near dusk, or much further in than the children's play area with lots of families. Coco was bounding free and completely missing the point of playing ball in that she'd run in the direction of the thrown ball, only to run in a massive circle and back past me again, sans ball.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
I *heart* Mulberry
Even more now because of this :
It's, like, perfect for Miss Coco...
...I can almost hear KS's eyes rolling =P
It's, like, perfect for Miss Coco...
...I can almost hear KS's eyes rolling =P
Friday, 7 May 2010
Oops
Dear blog, you have been neglected and for that I'd have to blame:
- moving offices (now in Farringdon)
- moving into own home (now in Hither Green)
- Coco - she's so cute, I'd rather play with her than write about her
More to come soon once I've actually got the chance to sit and write anything coherent.
- moving offices (now in Farringdon)
- moving into own home (now in Hither Green)
- Coco - she's so cute, I'd rather play with her than write about her
More to come soon once I've actually got the chance to sit and write anything coherent.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Busy Weekend...
A proud day yesterday for me as I somehow managed to complete my 26 mile (i.e. marathon-length) charity bike ride in 1 hour 40mins - with only 45mins of gym training in about 2 months...! I shall be eternally grateful of the fact that the weather remained dry for the duration.
9 Months old and Coco's finally in heat! Oh the funny joys of panties for dogs haha...
THE ONLY PIC WE TOOK OF HER WEARING THE PANTIES...SUBTLE, NO? NEXT TIME THEY WON'T BE...MWAHAHAHA...
We think she might've gone into heat a little while ago actually but I said to KS that I thought boy dogs were meant to go a little crazy for our little miss if that were the case, to which he bluntly said "Maybe she's just not attractive to them".
HMPH!
Also - almost 4 months down the line and finally the end is in sight with our very own home. Not entirely sure if we've exchanged yet but we're darned glad to have had a slight hitch in the exchange, so we ended up being exempt from paying Stamp Duty (mwahahaha) - though KS inexplicably then went and found a TV stand / storage unit that comes to the amount that we saved ~.~ fleakin' men!!
9 Months old and Coco's finally in heat! Oh the funny joys of panties for dogs haha...
THE ONLY PIC WE TOOK OF HER WEARING THE PANTIES...SUBTLE, NO? NEXT TIME THEY WON'T BE...MWAHAHAHA...HMPH!
Also - almost 4 months down the line and finally the end is in sight with our very own home. Not entirely sure if we've exchanged yet but we're darned glad to have had a slight hitch in the exchange, so we ended up being exempt from paying Stamp Duty (mwahahaha) - though KS inexplicably then went and found a TV stand / storage unit that comes to the amount that we saved ~.~ fleakin' men!!
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Coco's last day in Fulham
So...I've been less than secure-feeling in the last few weeks in that our apartment is finally getting finalised (a mega-change but an exciting one), our company has been bought but a bigger one (an unexpected change), and we were given a week's notice that we'll be moving offices (an annoying mega-change given the short notice), one that might involve it being a dog-free zone (a very-much-undesired change).
As Coco is being left with her Grandma tomorrow, this will be her last day in the Fulham offices and her last day to frolic with Gypsy, Boo and Bailey - our park buddies for the last couple of months.
Insecurity within the job was further heightened when, last night, I very bizarrely had a work-related dream (which to my recollection has never happened before) whereby old colleagues suddenly dropped by and the office felt like old times and was a giggle! Coming in today was a bit of a err..shock to the system. Feeling much more apprehensive about this move than I thought I would.
AND I BLOODY WISH SOMEONE WOULD TELL ME WHAT I'M MEANT TO DO WITH MY BELOVED PUG ?!?!?!?!! (whilst working I mean - obviously I'm meant to hug her lots)
As Coco is being left with her Grandma tomorrow, this will be her last day in the Fulham offices and her last day to frolic with Gypsy, Boo and Bailey - our park buddies for the last couple of months.
Insecurity within the job was further heightened when, last night, I very bizarrely had a work-related dream (which to my recollection has never happened before) whereby old colleagues suddenly dropped by and the office felt like old times and was a giggle! Coming in today was a bit of a err..shock to the system. Feeling much more apprehensive about this move than I thought I would.
AND I BLOODY WISH SOMEONE WOULD TELL ME WHAT I'M MEANT TO DO WITH MY BELOVED PUG ?!?!?!?!! (whilst working I mean - obviously I'm meant to hug her lots)Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Gleeking continued
So we're 11 episodes into Season One of Glee in the UK...and I've only just realised why KS keeps repeating the Glee club's name "New Directions" with a knowing chuckle after every time it's mentioned.
...
...Moosh the words together when you say 'em and it helps if you don't say it with a British accent. 0.o
...
...Moosh the words together when you say 'em and it helps if you don't say it with a British accent. 0.o
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Bed No. III
So funny this morning - little miss went stomping over to our desk, as she does, had a big drink of water behind my chair and then turned round and went rigid and barked a few times at something under the desk...at her new bed hehehe...
She's so settled this morning - quite funny what a difference a new cushy bed's made!! Usually she's messing about under my desk or trying to jump on my lap but this morning she was so cute and just chewed her bones / snoozed in bed.
Purchased from House of Paws, on sale at Achica a few weeks ago (took forever to arrive but I'm actually really glad I did buy it for her as it was worth the wait!)
She's so settled this morning - quite funny what a difference a new cushy bed's made!! Usually she's messing about under my desk or trying to jump on my lap but this morning she was so cute and just chewed her bones / snoozed in bed.
Purchased from House of Paws, on sale at Achica a few weeks ago (took forever to arrive but I'm actually really glad I did buy it for her as it was worth the wait!)Wednesday, 3 March 2010
You Know You're A Dog-Lover When...
...you take your pooch for a walk and the sight of pawprints coming out of a puddle / in the snow bring a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
Not quite so lovable (but kind of funny) if it's a case of pawprints from a turd however.
Not quite so lovable (but kind of funny) if it's a case of pawprints from a turd however.
Monday, 1 March 2010
She Cares!
Just had a bit of vigorous playtime with Coco, so vigorous in fact that I ended up tripping over her crate as I ran backwards (don't ask) and ended up flying onto my back while she just stood looking at me like "WTF?"
Then - instead of leaping and jumping at my head to chew on my hair, as she is wont to do when it's playtime and my hair happens to be wafting near her level - she just circled around me a few times, tentatively sniffing at me, then she just sat by my head as I Peter Griffin'd (owwww ahhhh..owwww) my way back upright.
To me that indicates that she was worried and cared rather than that she was just waiting to see what would happen!
Then - instead of leaping and jumping at my head to chew on my hair, as she is wont to do when it's playtime and my hair happens to be wafting near her level - she just circled around me a few times, tentatively sniffing at me, then she just sat by my head as I Peter Griffin'd (owwww ahhhh..owwww) my way back upright.
To me that indicates that she was worried and cared rather than that she was just waiting to see what would happen!
Monday, 22 February 2010
AIEEEE!!!!
Coco's almost 8 months old now and I'd like to think we've got her toilet training pretty much down. OK she hasn't technically been taught to 'hold' her toilet in that with the availability of strategically placed newspaper, she'll happily toddle over to said areas when she feels the need to go rather than wait for one of us to be ready to take her outside.
Yup - More for our convenience really so we don't have to be out in all-weathers (when anyone with a pug knows that pugs are not all-weather dogs)...The training school we went to seemed mildly horrified at the idea of encouraging one's dog to make it's mess in the house, regardless of if it was on designated papered areas or not.
After the month or so I spent having to obsessively take Coco out every time she woke up from a nap in the office, spending up to 15 cold minutes standing outside waiting for her to pee (which she sometimes did, but otherwise just tried to eat rocks), I'm grateful that I no longer seem to have to do that anymore.
She sleeps for a few hours, usually right up until lunchtime. I take her outside for a little walk and she does her business then. We go back in, play, eat lunch, play, she goes back to sleep until almost going-home time and she'll toilet again (both numbers) on the way home. So I figure - we've got it all handled. Even at the weekends she follows the same kinda pattern of toilet around 6am / 9am / 1pm / 6pm / 11pm.
Then, yesterday - she peed on our duvet.
"Whatchoo gonna do about it, huh?"
Yup - More for our convenience really so we don't have to be out in all-weathers (when anyone with a pug knows that pugs are not all-weather dogs)...The training school we went to seemed mildly horrified at the idea of encouraging one's dog to make it's mess in the house, regardless of if it was on designated papered areas or not.
After the month or so I spent having to obsessively take Coco out every time she woke up from a nap in the office, spending up to 15 cold minutes standing outside waiting for her to pee (which she sometimes did, but otherwise just tried to eat rocks), I'm grateful that I no longer seem to have to do that anymore.
She sleeps for a few hours, usually right up until lunchtime. I take her outside for a little walk and she does her business then. We go back in, play, eat lunch, play, she goes back to sleep until almost going-home time and she'll toilet again (both numbers) on the way home. So I figure - we've got it all handled. Even at the weekends she follows the same kinda pattern of toilet around 6am / 9am / 1pm / 6pm / 11pm.
Then, yesterday - she peed on our duvet.
What do you have to say for yourself Miss Coco?
"Whatchoo gonna do about it, huh?"Friday, 19 February 2010
Knackered
Just a quick one as I've not updated in a while.
5 weeks in to Coco's Demodex treatment...Tommy the Vet said she hadn't gotten worse...just not visibly better (like hair growing back) but she's healthy (her fur is softer and shinier than ever) so we're assuming she's on the mend. Almost 8 months old and 5.5kg. Just as well I'm back doing yoga to strengthen those core muscles for carrying her about.
She had a proper jaunt in the park with Stanley and Maude on Thursday - a true delight to watch. Though Maude (black female pug) was uninterested in Coco and just proceeded to wander about the park eating grass, Stanley (fawn male pug) seemed thrilled to have a nubile young lady pouncing on him. Didn't get a picture of their play time because Coco moves far too fast for my phone's camera to capture anything clearly so you'll have to make do with the only still moment Stanley and Coco spent together, looking over at what patch of grass Maude was currently munching.
Feeling inexplicably but wholly knackered this week. My body is CRAVING some sunlight...feeling rundown and getting miserable and restless. It's poo. Both KS and Coco are zonked out on the bed already!
Still waiting for our home to be ours. Stupid paperwork. Stupid waiting. Dum de dum...
5 weeks in to Coco's Demodex treatment...Tommy the Vet said she hadn't gotten worse...just not visibly better (like hair growing back) but she's healthy (her fur is softer and shinier than ever) so we're assuming she's on the mend. Almost 8 months old and 5.5kg. Just as well I'm back doing yoga to strengthen those core muscles for carrying her about.
She had a proper jaunt in the park with Stanley and Maude on Thursday - a true delight to watch. Though Maude (black female pug) was uninterested in Coco and just proceeded to wander about the park eating grass, Stanley (fawn male pug) seemed thrilled to have a nubile young lady pouncing on him. Didn't get a picture of their play time because Coco moves far too fast for my phone's camera to capture anything clearly so you'll have to make do with the only still moment Stanley and Coco spent together, looking over at what patch of grass Maude was currently munching.
Feeling inexplicably but wholly knackered this week. My body is CRAVING some sunlight...feeling rundown and getting miserable and restless. It's poo. Both KS and Coco are zonked out on the bed already!
Still waiting for our home to be ours. Stupid paperwork. Stupid waiting. Dum de dum...
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
L'Illusionniste
One of the things I love about my job is that I get to scour the interesting UK Broadsheets to keep any eye out for photographic usages. I also get to read the occasionally interesting article and - thank you very much Observer for bringing this newest animation from Sylvain Chomet, maker of one of my favourite films Belleville-Rendezvous, to my attention.
From Wikipedia:
From Wikipedia:
"Chomet is currently working on the traditionally-animated feature film L'Illusionniste, which is due to premiere at the Berlinale in February 2010 after many delays (it was first planned for release in 2007) L'Illusionniste, like Chomet's previous work, has its roots in mid twentieth century popular French culture; it will be based on an unproduced script that Jacques Tati had written in 1956 as a personal letter to his estranged eldest daughter, and will be starring an animated version of Tati himself - it is estimated to cost around £10 million and is being funded by Pathé Pictures. It was originally conceived by Tati as a journey of love and discovery that takes two characters across western Europe to Prague. Chomet says that "Tati wanted to move from purely visual comedy and try an emotionally deeper story". "It's not a romance, it’s more the relationship between a dad and a daughter," says Chomet."
Just Call Her "Destructor"
It seems that if you withold a toy from a pug, they will relish the re-discovery of what has been missing with chewy, destructive glory.
She's been gnawing at her Rawhide for months now so she forgot all about her Nylabones for a while. However - she found one last night and tentatively (and sleepily for it was discovered whilst I was watching Glee and therefore, past her usual bed-time of around 9pm) had a little chew. So I figured I'd take it in with us to the office today.
This was her Chicken-flavoured Nylabone when we got into work this morning.
This is her Chicken-flavoured Nylabone after 2 and a half hours of chew-time.
I also bought her some (eww) Cow Ears to get her teeth into. Not only do they smell peculiar, I'm also pretty sure that they induce puggy ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) as the morning after the evening where she had been given one to chew - she was naughty as frick.
She's been gnawing at her Rawhide for months now so she forgot all about her Nylabones for a while. However - she found one last night and tentatively (and sleepily for it was discovered whilst I was watching Glee and therefore, past her usual bed-time of around 9pm) had a little chew. So I figured I'd take it in with us to the office today.
This was her Chicken-flavoured Nylabone when we got into work this morning.
This is her Chicken-flavoured Nylabone after 2 and a half hours of chew-time.
I also bought her some (eww) Cow Ears to get her teeth into. Not only do they smell peculiar, I'm also pretty sure that they induce puggy ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) as the morning after the evening where she had been given one to chew - she was naughty as frick.
Wouldn't think so to look at her though would ya.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Jog On!
Having failed to wake up in time for Yoga yesterday and feeling rather guilty from the HUGE (and I mean practically fishbowl-size) TGI Friday's cocktail I had on Saturday night (it was huge AND it was made up of Vanilla ice-cream, Oreos and Baileys) I felt inspired (read: obliged) to go on my first run of the year!
It was dusk and it was about 1C but oooh I felt good as I pushed myself to dash faster in a bid to bring some feeling back to my ankles and fingers.
Also because I just spent a fair chunk of money at Sweaty Betty online, including a long-sleeved thermal running top for such runny occasions so I had to test the water to make sure I could actually still run.
Need to build up my exercisey efforts again in any case so as to avoid buddha belly and because I signed up to a 26mile bike ride for charity at the end of March so...I should probably make sure I have some sort of fitness level in order to make sure it doesn't end up being an epic 6 hour ride. Thankfully the marathon distance is on a bicycle and, therefore, sitting down.
Contemplating getting something along these lines for Coco to join in on the day...
It was dusk and it was about 1C but oooh I felt good as I pushed myself to dash faster in a bid to bring some feeling back to my ankles and fingers.
Also because I just spent a fair chunk of money at Sweaty Betty online, including a long-sleeved thermal running top for such runny occasions so I had to test the water to make sure I could actually still run.
Need to build up my exercisey efforts again in any case so as to avoid buddha belly and because I signed up to a 26mile bike ride for charity at the end of March so...I should probably make sure I have some sort of fitness level in order to make sure it doesn't end up being an epic 6 hour ride. Thankfully the marathon distance is on a bicycle and, therefore, sitting down.
Contemplating getting something along these lines for Coco to join in on the day...
Friday, 29 January 2010
You Know You're A Dog-Lover When...
...you haven't used your shiny new iPod Nano on your daily commute because it's rude to listen to music when you're in company.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Aww.
I was just concentrating on my screen at work, thinking Coco was fast asleep in her crate, but I just felt her little warm tongue lick my shin and then she trotted back into her crate to sleep again.
It was as if she'd just come out to check I was still there, gave me a kiss and then, satisfied, went back to peaceful slumber.
So. Cute.
It was as if she'd just come out to check I was still there, gave me a kiss and then, satisfied, went back to peaceful slumber.
So. Cute.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
On "How To Look Good Naked...With A Difference"
Gok Wan : "...and helping a woman who doesn't even know what she looks like"
Mother: [scoffs]
[Camera pans to blind lady in front of mirrors]
Mother: "Oh she's blind!...No good putting her in front of a bloody mirror then."
Mother: [scoffs]
[Camera pans to blind lady in front of mirrors]
Mother: "Oh she's blind!...No good putting her in front of a bloody mirror then."
Monday, 25 January 2010
May It Never Come To This
I'm finding it incredibly depressing that there are now advertisements on the TV and radio for advice on Child Maintenance in the event of the breakdown of a relationship...
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Coco Vet VIsit no. 5
Chilling on the bed after her visit.
Age: 6 months 2 weeks
Weight: 5kg
Age: 6 months 2 weeks
Weight: 5kg
DISCLAIMER: This post ain't pretty but for in case there are concerned pug mamas and papas out there who are worried about weird bald patches developing on their little one.
Raised several worries with Tommy the Vet...she's had noticeable bald patches about midway down her back and on top of her little head. Tommy the Vet then proceeded to take out a little BLADE and SCRAPED it across the patches in questions which DREW BLOOD and I somehow didn't shriek in horror. But he needed to to put it under the microscope (KS reckoned the vet was about as excited as that Dermatologist in Scrubs about having something to do haha...) and turns out the little one has Demodex...non-fatal but kinda nasty sounding once you start reading about it.
The patch on her head:
The patch on her back:
I'd read about it before and kind of suspected she could have it (thus the vet visit) because if you Google "Pug" + "Demodex" the results ain't pretty. She's got her treatment for it now (a fortnightly treatment of some sort of liquid medication to be applied like Frontline and anti-biotics for the spots on her muzzle which aren't puppy acne like I thought, but also something to do with the freakin' mites.)
And cripes 5kg! No wonder my back's been aching!!
On another note I noticed on the board at the vets that there's a rescue 8 yr old Shitzu Male dog with a lovely temperament that needs a home with another dog to keep him company...
Friday, 15 January 2010
Avatar
It was an enjoyable experience, being in very awesomely rendered 3D and all. You can't help but marvel and the work involved (and well-acted too). Not my FAVOURITE film though and I'm not going to be rushing to buy the Blu-Ray but definitely worth seeing in the cinema.
KS and I were laughing somewhat inappropriately after he leaned over to me during the spiritual scene where the Na'vi got all chanty to Eywa and whispered "Doesn't this remind you of that scene in Ice Age 2?"
I had very trippy dreams about forests and being uber-athletic in the trees.
KS and I were laughing somewhat inappropriately after he leaned over to me during the spiritual scene where the Na'vi got all chanty to Eywa and whispered "Doesn't this remind you of that scene in Ice Age 2?"
I had very trippy dreams about forests and being uber-athletic in the trees.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Gleefully Glee-d!
I am slightly worried how awesomed out I was by the pilot episode's rendition of a tune I previously only knew as "the song that I vaguely enjoyed when it was played in The Wedding Singer" which turns out to be a lil track by Journey called "Don't Stop Believin'".
I love musicals. I love snark. I love high-school geek cliques. I think I'm really going to love Glee.
I love musicals. I love snark. I love high-school geek cliques. I think I'm really going to love Glee.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Panic Buying - What would YOU buy in a blizzaga?
We woke up today to find the landscape refreshed with a new layer of snow, filling in all the footprints and wheel tracks.
What I forgot was that under the fresh layer of snow was still essentially the crappy icy stuff that made the top layer prior to the overnight snow, so I had a mini-skid on the drive as we walked to the local Tescos to stock up on food again. KS and I probably looked a bit strange as we broke into a mini-snowfight along the way, that involved kicking up snow at each other.
Mum said to buy in the basics - like bread and butter. Somehow we came back with blueberries, hot cross buns and toilet roll. I would have to admit that when the snow started falling, my first concern was "what happens if we run out of toilet roll?" which in turn makes me think that Chuck the Prophet might not be so looney after all.
Other shoppers took to stocking up on items such as milk (observed; one person - 2 semi + 2 no-fat), bread (observed; one person - 4 loaves), one person going for 16 rolls of toilet roll (I only went for a modest four).
We came home to find Coco lolloping in the back garden. As we rounded to corner to the back, she froze, assumed her "guard" pose (i.e. stood stock still with one paw in the air and a perplexed and wrinkled-in-concertration face looking at us) till she realised it was us and then she bounded over, tail wagging, before taking off again with a mouthful of snow.
Here she was at the end of it, looking dressed for a Gap for Dogs advert.
What I forgot was that under the fresh layer of snow was still essentially the crappy icy stuff that made the top layer prior to the overnight snow, so I had a mini-skid on the drive as we walked to the local Tescos to stock up on food again. KS and I probably looked a bit strange as we broke into a mini-snowfight along the way, that involved kicking up snow at each other.
Mum said to buy in the basics - like bread and butter. Somehow we came back with blueberries, hot cross buns and toilet roll. I would have to admit that when the snow started falling, my first concern was "what happens if we run out of toilet roll?" which in turn makes me think that Chuck the Prophet might not be so looney after all.
Other shoppers took to stocking up on items such as milk (observed; one person - 2 semi + 2 no-fat), bread (observed; one person - 4 loaves), one person going for 16 rolls of toilet roll (I only went for a modest four).We came home to find Coco lolloping in the back garden. As we rounded to corner to the back, she froze, assumed her "guard" pose (i.e. stood stock still with one paw in the air and a perplexed and wrinkled-in-concertration face looking at us) till she realised it was us and then she bounded over, tail wagging, before taking off again with a mouthful of snow.
Here she was at the end of it, looking dressed for a Gap for Dogs advert.
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Coco Winter Frolics
After much trepidation and cautious ventures out in the wintry white landscapes that have descended upon the UK, Coco has learned to love the snow to the point of eating a faceful of it and then pugtona-ing her delight around the garden.I'm still waiting for her to reach full size before getting her some pug-sized winter wear, so she is still in her fleeces for newborn babies (though at 6 months old now, they have gotten very much tighter on her). Also picked up a snazzy little scarf (for dogs) from Accessorize. Turns out their 50% sale gets awesome once it hits their dog range!!
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Stream of Conciousness
Apparently this is how my mind works...
It's snowing in London - Blizzard - Blizzaga - "I want to be a Geomancer" - Oooh don't Geomancers look warm AND cute?
I think the snow has made me crazy.
It's snowing in London - Blizzard - Blizzaga - "I want to be a Geomancer" - Oooh don't Geomancers look warm AND cute?
I think the snow has made me crazy.
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