Demented and Sad

Ok, I'm in a rubbish mood and need to vent. I know I haven't written in ages, but I honestly haven't had much to say!

I am at a loss with the state of the Country at the moment. In particular with the Job Centre. Back in December I finished my temp work at the palace and my last day was 17th Dec. I thought that because I had left my permanent job at Norwich Union to take on a temp job at the palace, I wouldn't be eligible for unemployment benefit and in honesty it didn't occur to me to check (I know this was stupid). In January I decided to give it a shot, just to check and they said I was, and did I want to back date it? As it would not affect my claim either way, I said yes. I then get a letter from them telling me that I am not getting the money for the time before I called, because I did not show due cause for not calling. Fine, I decided. I would leave it at that. Then Scone Palace asked if I could go back last tue - fri to work as a one off. I called the Job Centre who told me to sign off and sign back on again afterwards. Now since I told them when I would be finished the one off work, I figured this would be fine. No. I called on Tue to sign back on again (as it totally slipped my mind on Monday) and got an appointment for today. Today I'm told that my claim will start from Tue because that's when I phoned up. Despite the fact that the person on the phone on Tue didn't tell me this, he said I could start it from Sat, no problem. Today I'm told, I should have phoned on Sat...Why would they be open on Saturday? Most places are closed on Saturdays and I figured they would be as well. Plus, I could have phoned on Monday (this is true, I will admit) According to their documentation, I was told today, the only thing that would would be deemed 'due cause' for not phoning, is if someone close to me dies. Or the Weather. Yes, because the weather would stop me picking up the effing phone to call them wouldn't it!!! Yes, I know that the telephone lines could have been knocked out by the snow. But still!!! I'm being honest here and I get it thrown back in my face! the woman I spoke to last week did not tell me I had to call the second I left scone Palace to sign back on...and I told them how long I would eb signing off for!!!! doesn't that stand for anything?! Clearly not. So basically I'm getting half a weeks benefit instead of a whole one.

Plus, when I phone to sign back on, they do everything in their power to push more Benefits on me that I don't want! What good is that to the country. No wonder so many people live on benefits and sit on their asses, living off our tax money, when they are perfectly capable of working - because they get paid more on benefits than working. Pisses me right off.

And yes, I am sorry for going off on one. I know it's not your fault. I just makes me angry.

So the new list begins....

1. The Diary of Anne Frank.
I started this at the end of 2008 and then put it down again for a while. Once the TV adaptation came on the BBC I wanted to finish it before the show finished, not to find out what happens, but to get the vision of the book first (yes that probably sounds silly). I found the TV adaptation a little annoying so I didn't want to see the end before I read it. All I can say is that it's amazing that they all stayed relatively sane living in hiding for all that time.

2. The Alexander Cipher - Will Adams
A fast paced archeology, action - adventure book. Quite similar to the lay-out of a Clive Cussler book, although I found the characters a tad more annoying.

3. Bass Ackwards and Belly Up. By Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Fain
I lost hours of my life reading this book...I got in the bath at 9.30, and then knew nothing until a knock on the door at midnight so ask if i was ok!!!
I admit it's not going to win a Pulitzer but I thought it was a lot of fun, and liked the intertwined story-lines and the characters. Needless to say I'll be looking out for the sequel.

So I didn't quite make 50!

28. Me and Mr Darcy - Alexandra Potter
29. Size 14 is not fat either - Meg Cabot
30. Big Boned - Meg Cabot (I know this was no 1 on the list as well - I fancied reading it again!)
31. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - JK Rowling
32 The Tales of Beedle the Bard - JK Rowling
33. Class - Jane Beaton
34. Salem Falls - Jodi Picoult
35. Sword of God - Chris Kuzneski

Currently reading:
The Diary of Anne Frank
The Observations - Jane Harris.

On the upside from October/November:

Went to York for a Hen weekend and caught up with some old friends..and met new ones.

I no longer work at Norwich Union...although this may also have been a bad thing as I'm now poorer than before!!!

I'm off to London at the start of December and it's all booked! yey

On the Downside from October/November:

I'm off sick from work again today, and thought that a good use of my time whilst I was bored out of my mind (Day-time TV got worse!) would be to apply for my visa for Canada....only to find that non-student work visas can't be applied for till December...and then it takes a further 6-8 weeks to process (I knew it took this long, it's just infuriating!!!!)...this also results in being longer at home.

My Brother just moved to New Zealand with his girlfriend.....chances of seeing them again in the next 2 years...slim to none.

My computer is being a butt hole and is running INCREDIBLY slowly, because my dad in his 'infinite' wisdom thought he should check it and put heaps of virus checker type programmes on it.......I've a good mind to wipe the whole damn thing and start again!

OK enough with the downer attitude! It's not long till Christmas and Snow!!!!! :)

so here's the next update...

23. Shakespeare - Bill Bryson (An autobiography of sorts, with the funny bits left in!)
24. Heart of the Sea - Nora Roberts (Not as good as the 1st two in the trilogy, but still enjoyable)
25. Second Chance - Jane Green
26. Airhead - Meg Cabot (much like the Princess Diaries - but still lots of fun and an easy read!)
27. Life Swap - Jane Green

Currently reading:
Me & Mr Darcy - Alexandra Potter
Treasure of Khan - Clive Cussler

Ok, I don't think I have updated this for months, so I started the list again! and because of the length of the list, I'll spare you the low down on the books!

1. Big Boned - Meg Cabot
2. Moneypenny Diaries - Secret Servant - Kate Westbrook
3. Jewels of the Sun - Nora Roberts (my 1st Nora Roberts)
4. Tears of the Moon - Nora Roberts
5. Spellbound - Jane Green
6. The Beach House - Jane Green
7. Sepulchre - Kate Mosse (Much better than Labyrinth)
8. The Castle of Adventure - Enid Blyton
9. Queen of Babble in the Big City - Meg Cabot
10. Contest - Matthew Reilly
11. Six Sacred Stones - Matthew Reilly
12. Snow Blind - PJ Tracey
13. A Gathering Light - Jennifer Donnelly
14. Deja Dead - Kathy Reichs
15. Lost Temple - Tom Harper
16. Prep - Curtis Sittenfeld
17. An Utterly Impartial History of Britain - John O'Farrell (the funniest book I've read all year!)
18. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - Bill Bryson
19. First Aid for Fairies and Other fabled Beasts - Lari Don (What can I say? I was bored at work)
20. Broken Angels - Richard Montanari (very messed up!)
21. The Fulcanelli Manuscript - Scott Mariani
22. Nancy Drew...and I can't remember the rest of the title! - Caroline Keane

Currently reading;
The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins
Heart of the Sea - Nora Roberts
Second Chance - Jane Green

I'm so bored with my job...just wish I had enough ££ to leave the damned country now!...ah well...at least when I do go I wont have to get a job right away. (fingers crossed!)

Went to see 21 last night...I think that might be what's brought this on....making lots of money counting cards - although I have to admit that it went so over my head, that they wouldn't have to worry about me doing the casino out of money!! Fools Gold was much more my speed - and of course I wasn't distracted from the story line AT ALL by Matthew Macconaghy walking around in very little clothing!!

It has to be said though that staying in in order to save money has it's down sides, becoming reclusive makes you loose social skills - so here's hoping that when I do go out I'll be able to function in society! :)


Anyway...back to work I suppose!

so, long time. And not a whole lot to write as usual!

Have been at the cinema A LOT! Have seen Be Kind Rewind (Loved it! Jack Back Rules!), The Other Boleyn Girl (not really my kind of film), Cloverfield (what was all the fuss about?)....I won't go into them all, as I'm sure no body really cares what I think about all these films! Although I'm starting to think that Empire magazine is a steaming pile of crap...who writes their reviews anyway? My brother thinks it's the holy grail of film opinion, but every film they have shouted about recently has been a total let down. Cloverfield was not a new concept - how many films have come before it about aliens attacking New York? and filmed on a hand held camera? The Blair Witch Project anyone?......I'll stop now before I really start to get annoyed!

Sorry, I have the flu so I'm not in a great mood. Apologies to anyone who enjoyed Cloverfield.

Went to see Amy MacDonald a week ago - she is so good! I've been shouting about her since I first heard her album, but live she's even better!

Was in Leeds last weekend for a Hen weekend - it was honestly the quietest hen night I've ever been on! the 'hen' got tired at half 12 and we were back at the hotel for 12.45! crazy times!


Anyway, apologies for ranting.

So I went back.....I couldn't walk properly till monday but I went back..and it was so much easier! I felt like a right pansy complaining about the week before! Although Kate and Karen will vouch for me, as when I went to see them in Edinburgh, I looked like I was constipated the whole day because I couldn't walk properly!

In related news, I successfully managed to fall on my ass in front of loads of people! (the same day i went to Edinburgh) it was icy and as usual I was wearing impractical shoes..and i just went down in front of a huge queue of people waiting for a bus, and a bus full of people that I was about to get on. Of course I didn't help matters by laughing hysterically at myself, thus making me look like a mental case on day release!

Happy days!

so...apparently i have lost the ability to post any replies with any skill right now. my hands are so cold that i have double posted and replied to the wrong people!

i blame the evil gym class i was at yesterday.....the words Body Pump are currently bringing a shiver to my spine. The devil himself teaches this class, which basically involves lunging and squatting with a weight bar...which you keep adding weights onto!!! why?!!! lets just say that my legs actually started involuntary spazzuming during the class (which i was praying that no one noticed!).....my friend bailed because she had been teaching aerobics to 8 year olds for 5 hours the day before (a pretty good excuse really!) so i was alone and confused in a class full of lycra clad gym bunnies who just kept upping their weights......insert mental picture of me weeping silently in the middle of this scene. i can barely walk today without looking slightly constipated......and i'm actually considering going back next week! what is wrong with me?

anyway, i'l stop being such a pansy and get my butt back to the gym on sunday...once the pain has left my legs slightly...i think 3 times in my first 6 days isn't so bad.

ok enough moaning. I started watching CSI: Miami again yesterday - why is Horatio Caine such a smug b*****d? it's excruciating to watch!

ok, so that's everything over - Christmas, new year and my birthday, and I now have no excuse but to be healthy and get my butt to the gym!

Have signed up for some classes with a friend who is actually quite fit - so I'm going to hide at the back, so that no one notices when I go bright red and collapse from the exertion...think it will work?....neither do I!

Am very excited as I bought Gilmore Girls season 7 last week, and I still haven't seen the second half - so I'm going to have many sleepless nights, watching them all!...although I'm currently watching Alias as well - so that's taking up some precious sleeping time as it is!!

This is all part of a plan actually - become a recluse in order to save cash and then be able to afford to go traveling! (by which point I will no longer be able to fully interact with other people, having spent so long watching American TV shows! square yes here I come!

Watched Knocked Up last night - and wish I hadn't...I never want kids, although I've been saying this for years, I definitely don't want them now!

So another year, another list;

1. Big Boned - by Meg Cabot (lets start the year with something fluffy) Not quite as much murder solving as the previous 2 in the series, but I still loved it.

2. Sword of God - Chris Kuzneski. Currently reading this one - it's good, usual adventure book, rather like Clive Cussler.

wow...25 weeks since a post - that's some delay there!

So, we come to the end of the year, and another year in my life. Time for some change this year I think. Last year was a strange one, too many jobs, so less of that this time.

Highlights of the year; (in no particular order)

- the 50 cent concert in November
- meeting a load of great people at my new job
- the American Football game at Wembley (an the drunk guy beside me who fell asleep halfway through the game!!)
- Transformers....more times than I'd care to admit!
- Meeting up with the Uni girls in Glasgow, for the first time in months.
- the random guys through out the year (no matter how weird some may have been...one in particular springing to mind here, who still makes me laugh just thinking about!!)
- Random nights out in Edinburgh with Karen, Ruth, Kate etc.
- Christmas with the family - and other peoples family - who made it the most memorable year to date!
I could go on at length here, but I wont.

Downers of the year;

- Still not having left the country
- working at the one place I swore I never would (although please also see highlights)
- The Kanye West Concert; almost starting a fight and having to run miles back to the station, when relatively drunk and getting stuck in some random hole in Fife while the police questioned people about an 'incident' at a previous station.
- being on the biggest downer at New Year and not wanting to socialize.

However, at least there are more ups than downers!!! :)

So, let's see if I can keep this updated more this year.

Happy New Year!

well, it's been a while! life is just too exciting I guess! (ha!)

have spent much of my time at the movies...Die Hard 4.0 (excellent!!) Shrek the 3rd, The Flying Scotsman, Pirates 3, Spiderman 3,Wedding Daze :(...the list goes on!

Am v. frustrated at the mo...kyizi lent me Gilmore Girls season 7 and I can't watch it! my computer keeps rejecting it! nightmare!...so I've resorted to Scrubs season 6, CSI season 6 and Supernatural season 1 (new fan of this btw! and that Jensen Ackles is v. nice)

in a slight change of direction...the cat in Shrek...is it weird that I think he's sexy? I mean, I'm not attracted to the cat (not being a fan of the beastiality myself) but I think it's just Antonio Bandera's voice...v. sexy, even if I don't find him remotely attractive.... on that note.....

Am off to see Pink at Edinburgh Castle on sunday, which should be a blast!

happy birthday to kyizi

Sorry I can't be there for your meal on Friday!

also, a VERY belated birthday wish to loriel_eris - sorry it's so late, but I hope you had a good one!

Sweet as pumpkin pie!

Exams are over, and I think the Biology went well - fingers crossed I don't have to re-sit next year!

The biggest pain in my ass at work, has quit (which means that temporarily I am working mornings and finishing at 3.15, instead of 7.15! yey!

However, this does come with a down side - one of the partners has got his daughter in to do extra hours (and getting paid a hell of a lot more than me, I might add) she does bugger all, and then goes off for breaks and comes back late - not that I'm sticking around waiting for her to drag her ass in - that's the Partners problem, not mine.

The Palace has lost more staff meaning that we all have twice as much work to do (although thankfully I only have to deal with this at weekends!)

Aside from that, I've agreed to run the Bridge Bash in July with my brother - it's 5 miles, which admittedly is not that far - but lets say I have A LOT of training to do, so that I don't come in last - or collapse in the process.....but I'm told the feast afterwards, is totally worth the pain! (so once again, I'm doing something for the cake at the end of it!!!!!)

1. How old will you be in 12 months? 25 - jeez, it wasn't so long ago that turning 25 seemed AGES away!

2. Do you think you'll be married by then? unless it's a crazy drunken mistake, then no.

3. What do you look forward to most in the next 3 months? Going on holiday, going to see Pink in concert and going to the NFL game at Wembley (although that is a wee bit further away than 3 months!)

4. Who was the last person you called? Erin

5. Who was the last person to call you? er...Erin also, coz my phone is crap and cut out on us!

6. Do you prefer to call or text? Text!

7. Do you have any pets? yes, a cat called Henry (who is the devil incarnate at the mo!)

8. What were you doing at 12am last night? Reading Harry Potter 6. (I'm such a looser)

9. Parents separated/divorced/married? Still married

10. When is the last time you saw your mom? About a month ago - they are on holiday for 2 months - sweet!

11. What happened at 11:00a.m.? I finished watching Clerks 2 (not bad) and decided to go for a run.

12. How many states have you lived in? er....can't really answer this one - I've lived in 2 countries - does that count?

13. How many cities/towns have you lived in? 4

14. Do you prefer shoes, socks, or bare feet? bare feet - but cozy socks in the winter!

15. Are you a social person? yeah, I'd say so....but I like my own company too.

16. What was the last thing you ate? the best omelette I've ever made (seriously yummy!)

17. Favorite ice cream? cookies and cream hagen das.

18. What is your favorite dessert? chocolate cake.

19. What is your favorite TV show? well this is a tough one! can I have 3? Gilmore Girls, Prison Break and Family Guy.

20. What kind of jelly do you like on your PB & J sandwich? Raspberry - but on its own - not with Peanut Butter! gross!

21. Do you like coffee? oh yes.

22. How many glasses of water a day do you drink on average? 6-8 (get a bit obsessed with this one actually!

23. What do you drink in the morning? Coffee

24. Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed? left - or the middle if I can't sleep.

25. Do you know how to play poker? yes - but I suck at it!

26. Do you like to cuddle? yes - but I'm not great at hugging friends.

27. Any plans for this weekend? well I'm right in the middle of it at the mo.....yesterday I was working and then drinking and movie watching with some mates. cinema tonight I think. (thrill packed!)

28. Do you eat out or at home more often? mostly at home I guess.

29. Have you ever smoked? yes

30. Have you ever been in an ambulance? yes.

31. Do you prefer an ocean or a pool? Ocean

32. Do you prefer a window seat or an aisle seat? Window

33. Do you know how to drive a stick shift? yes....automatics are pretty rare over here.

34. What is your favorite thing to spend money on? books and itunes!

35. Do you wear any jewelry 24/7? oh yes! its quite an obsession actually.

36. Do you speak any other language? I could get by with some french.

7. Can you roll your tongue? yes and turn it upside down.

38. Who is the funniest person you know? Chantille - because she thinks everything I say is funny - and that's hilarious!

39. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? nope

40. What is the main ring tone on your phone? Sunshine (go away today) by Jonathon Edwards.

41. Do you still have clothes from when you were little? no.

42. What is the color of your bedroom walls? cream.

43. Do you shut off the water when you brush your teeth? no

44. Do you think Myspace is harmful? so long as parents are monitoring their kids on it, no I don't.

45. Do you like overly sensitive people? this depends on how sensitive...are we talking crying all the time and saying deep meaningful crap all the time? then no....otherwise I suppose so.

ok, I'm not convinced that last post was large enough - and as I'm technologically inept, I don't know how to enlarge it. ho hum.

yey! I past my final biology NAB! by total fluke and a bit of luck I think! only 2 finals and 1 NAB to go and it's all over! woo hooo!

unfortunately, there are only 4 days till the big Maths final and I actually have NO time to study, damn having so much to do! and I can't even pull a sicky to study!

OK, enough with the gripes......so my bruises are ripening nicely after the fall on Sunday and I can finally rotate my arm in the full 360 degrees that it was meant to do! (I do still look like I've been in a fight though. hmmm.)

I can't believe that I'm almost at the end of week 2 of my parents being away - why does the time go so quickly when you'd like it to slow the hell down. soon 8 weeks will be gone and they will be back - bugging the heck out of me again.

You know, I sent my Dad a text on Sunday to say that I had come off my bike, but I was OK - funny story etc, then I text him yesterday to say that I had passed my NAB, I got one back last night saying well done and telling me where they were going over the next few days and the things they had done (very briefly I would add!).....but I'm still waiting for my 'well I'm glad you're not seriously injured, or concussed' text back from him! feel the love!

Anyway, better go - don't want to be late for work now! : )