| Surreal |
[Jul. 3rd, 2008|10:23 am] |
I'm in Hawaii.
My uncle, who was supposed to be married today, is lecturing me on Blake's 7.
Most weird. |
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| Race for Life |
[Jun. 13th, 2008|01:35 pm] |
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has crept up on me and is this Sunday.
I have only trained once this week due to weather, sociability and work busyness.
Am still confident that I can do it, but not sure how fast.
You can sponsor me at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/helenex
Full report will follow next week, maybe even with pictures. |
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| Not supposed to be shopping |
[Jun. 12th, 2008|03:16 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | work | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  bouncy | ] |
...but I was ambushed by the sale rail in New Look at lunchtime.
I bought a pair of utility jeans with lots of funky pockets and a red and white checked shirt with poppers down the front. I'm going to call this look "Sexy Telephone Engineer"! |
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| Race for Life update |
[Jun. 1st, 2008|03:54 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | sofa | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  bored | ] |
I'm so bored this afternoon I went running in the rain. Then got bored of that so I'm back on the interwebs.
I have acquired over the last month a suspicious amount of "specialist" running gear (i.e. clothes I wouldn't wear anywhere else) including proper trainers with white bits and shiny bits and funny lumpy bits. Also, cut off jogging trousers with writing on the bottom. Not very me but they were a Primark special and I didn't notice the bum inscription until the second wear. And my special running t-shirt courtesy of ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) anthrokeight.
So now I have to hit you all up for money - you can sponsor me to run the 5k in just two weeks time using this magnificent sponsorship page on the interweb, which means that I don't have to harass you any further in person. Or if you'd prefer that, drop me a line and I'll be round yours later! |
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| Pub? |
[May. 13th, 2008|08:11 pm] |
I've not been out to play much recently. Work stuff, plus study has kept me in Dundee for far too long.
I don't even have an excuse to come through to Glasgow this weekend. But I'm coming. If anyone can think of a good reason for us to meet in the pub on Friday (beyond "because it's there"), please elaborate via the comments box.
Otherwise, pub? I'm guessing it'll be the Bon, and I probably won't be there much before 7, but don't let that stop you!
Also, if anyone is willing to carry me home and lay me out on their sofa Friday night, I'd appreciate it (its been a while since I've had more than a couple). I promise I'll be up and away bright and early on Saturday!
And for non-Glaswegians - quote of the day is from the Guardian food blog describing the worst kitchen gadgets:
Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker. Mortar and pestle spliced with sex toy. Yet performs the function of neither.
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| Ahead of schedule |
[May. 3rd, 2008|05:38 pm] |
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How peculiar. In the nightmare world of economics, I seem to be half an hour ahead of schedule.
I do have 70 pages of micro left to cover today, but I think its well worth my while to take half an hour out and be sociable with the internet. Then another half an hour's work before Who!
In non-exam news, last month I was bribed with a t-shirt into promising to run the Race for Life.
Dundee's race is on the 15th June (six weeks away). So having not run for anything other than the bus in about 15 years, I've been trying to get out there a couple of times a week, and am slowly moving from walking (with occasional bursts of jogging) to jogging (and occasionally slowing to a walk).
Its still not fun, but this afternoon I covered 2.8 miles, mostly jogging, in half an hour. Next weekend I'm going to try for the full 5k.
Trawling for sponsorship will follow as soon as I get my act together and find the web link. |
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| Woe is me |
[Apr. 30th, 2008|11:00 pm] |
For there seem to be all manner of plans and activities scheduled in the world this weekend, and I will be staying in Dundee.
I'm sure you'll all get on fine without me, but I just wanted to let you know I'm missing you, world.
Also, no thunderstorms here in the East. How boring is that?
Exams start in one week and I am a reasonable distance away from being ready. Revising, I get the niggly feeling that I am on the cusp of a moment where all the economics fits together, but all that's happening at the moment is that I am waking up at 6am with nightmares about goods that are perfectly elastic (BOING!)
So, no more procrastination - I will learn all about the cost function, demand and equilibrium in monopolies before I go to sleep. Do not pass go, do not collect £200, wasn't it?
PS. One of my sisters friends describes herself as "athiest" on Facebook. Is that like the unbelievers' Pope? |
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| Book meme |
[Apr. 27th, 2008|01:28 pm] |
from cuddles_batcave.
Or not... as I can't get the LJ cut to work. Instead some observations:
1. I've read a few books.
2. As a fast reader I stick to the principle 'I've started so I'll finish' (true for very long ones, not so much with the post-modern randomness).
3. LJ's paste function is pants. I keep going back to the top of the list and a book is bold where it wasn't before.
4. I may do just about anything to avoid studying this weekend.
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| Overheard |
[Apr. 27th, 2008|10:08 am] |
On the train Wednesday about 3pm. A man in his twenties jumped on just as the train was leaving and sat down opposite me. He made several phone calls in the hour between Glasgow and Perth and it wasn't a matter of listening in as much as not being able to block it out. The following account of his day is pieced together from all the calls.
He had been through to Glasgow for an interview - he was supposed to start some sort of work training placement but had failed to attend. He phoned his girlfriend to let her know that he was on his way home but the train was delayed (it wasn't) and that they had accepted his explanation that she had been sick and that he had looked after their child, then he had been offered a few days work by a family friend, but it hadn't resulted in a job. Bottle of buckie in hand, he told her that he had stopped off to see a friend after the interview, but no, he hadn't had a drink. He was going to get a mate to pick him up off the train and drop him off at hers.
He hung up on his girlfriend when she was talking away by telling her we were going into a tunnel (we weren't), and phoned another woman. He told her he was on his way back through from Glasgow and needed to come over to her house to shower. He explained what had happened at the interview and that afterward he had dropped into the pub, sat down with two girls for a pint and ended up getting it away with one of them in the toilets and he needed to sort himself out before going to see the girlfriend. She agreed to pick him up off the train.
He then played three Nickelback songs incredibly loudly through his phone whilst preening in the train window, texting and rearranging the coloured slidey things on his trainers into pleasing patterns.
Talking to a male friend he went through the story again, including that both of the girls from the pub were texting him, and he might be back at the weekend to see one or both of them if he fancied meeting up. Also, wondering if the wee man will be up to much if he also got one away with the girl who was picking him up from the station, as the girlfriend would be suspicious if he couldn't perform that night. After shagging her mother (!) he thought he should really be more careful.
I was trying to work and ignore him, but it was impossible - I was in stitches the whole journey. I felt like someone was going to jump out of the toilet with a camera and tell me it was all a big wind up.
I don't know how much of it was true, but it was far and away the best conversation(s) I have ever overheard. Thanks, you workshy amoral asshole. Hope you get your comeuppance soon. |
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| Curiouser and curiouser |
[Mar. 31st, 2008|08:38 pm] |
| [ | Current Location |
| | the study | ] |
| [ | music |
| | REM, Accelerate | ] |
Its not quite dark yet. I can almost see the point of this clock changing lark. |
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| Easter |
[Mar. 27th, 2008|03:35 pm] |
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I went to Eastercon. Other people's LJ seems to cover most of what I did, but here's a quick recap:
Conquered the UK flight security systems, arriving only 2 hours later than expected in both directions
Attended about as many (or as few) actual programme items as usual
Chilled out (literally) with old friends
Made some new friends... not entirely as a result of...
On one evening, drank slightly more alcohol than I should (I blame the Scandinavians)
At one point exactly understood the precise relational location of all things within the Radisson Non-Euclidean
Drank Tea
Laughed my socks off at Mitch Benn
Pre-attacked the post con miseries by signing up for a whole load more.
The date of Easter has meant that a gentle return to work this week has not been possible - the end of the financial year is nigh and I am justifying taking time out to post this with the thought that despite having Monday off I have already worked my contracted hours this week and its only 4pm Thursday.
Must go...someone has just brought me cake!
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| New Toy Recommendations Please |
[Mar. 14th, 2008|10:48 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  confused | ] |
For my birthday, my lovely Dad gave me some money to put towards buying a camera. I'm looking for a compact digital camera, with the following things:
As many megapixels as are necessary (I think at least 7)
Lithium or other long life battery
Optical & Digital zoom
Non-proprietory memory card format so it'll go into my laptop slot
Fast image capture
Simple intuitive controls
I have around £150 to spend but want to get a case, a couple of memory cards and all the adaptors and leads I need - maybe even a spare battery.
For the last month I have looked: online, in Jessops and Currys and suchlike, and have totally failed to come to a decision. They are all shiny and small and fancy, and no-one in the shops has been enthusiastic enough to help me make a decision. I just need to get over it and get one already, but I thought I'd put one more call out for the collective wisdom of my friends. So does anyone has any recommendations - for particular cameras, brands, batteries, memory card types or alternatively good places (in the real world or online) to go for information or to buy? |
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[Mar. 12th, 2008|09:29 am] |
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Happy Birthday f4f3! See you in the pub on Saturday! (and why do I always get funny things happening with carriage returns when I try to add usernames?) |
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| Sheep! |
[Feb. 21st, 2008|09:53 pm] |
Scattegories - from zantic
Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following... they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up! Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial.
1. What is your name: Helen
2. 4 letter word: Help
3. Vehicle: Honda
4. City: Hanoi
5. Boys Name: Henry
6. Girl's Name: Heather
7. Alcoholic drink: Hendricks
8. Occupation: Hairdresser
9. Something you wear: Hat
10. Celebrity: Harry Hill (see what I did there!)
11. Food: Herbs
12. Something found in a bathroom: Hand towel
13. Reason for Being Late: Haemorrhoids?
14. Cartoon Character: Homer Simpson
15. Something you shout: Hurry up!
16. Animal: Hedgehog
17. Body part: Hand
18. Word to describe you: Horrid ( I am the girl with the curl, dontcha know!) |
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| Birthday observations |
[Feb. 18th, 2008|08:01 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | birthday thanks | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  happy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Helen's 30th birthday album - 1987 | ] |
Made it!
Bit of a mad weekend, starting modestly after work on Friday with a few drinks at the DCA with friends and colleagues.
Struggled out of bed on Saturday morning and down to Glasgow to meet my sister S and incomparable616 who were already propping up the bar. Hijinks ensued, and my plan for a smooth and lazy afternoon turned into a mad dash back and forth across the West End when I broke Munchkinstein...
Eventually I gathered up K (and tagalong boy) and made it fairly promptly to Oranmor, where a dozen of my nearest and dearest were waiting quite patiently for their tea. It was very civilised, enjoyable and not at all rushed - which explains why we were running over half an hour late to Ishkies (oops!) where another half dozen people were waiting not so patiently and carefully guarding a huge sunflower cake (mmmm) and a giant package of lovely pressies.
Things degenerated from there with lots of squealing (me) posing (me) and drinking of whisky (yes, me). Not sure what the rest of you got up to? As ever, I have hostess's guilt that I didn't manage to speak to any of you for long enough, or probably make any sense at all towards the end of the night - so thanks again to everyone for coming. I had a great time, hope you all did too!
Woke up on Sunday before the hangover set in and kicked its butt at Stravaigin with Eggs Benedict and the three drink special (orange juice, coffee and coke). The sisters (and tagalong boyfriend) spent the afternoon touring the city centre before I put them on the train and escaped back to Dundee and the comfort and safety of my bed.
I'm wearing M's beautiful jewellery, cuddling my pillow and listening to my 30th birthday tape now. So how about that shopping trip?
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| Birthday Plans |
[Feb. 12th, 2008|02:39 pm] |
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After a great deal of procrastination I have been kicked up the bottom by zantic and have made the following plan for Saturday:
I was repeatedly foiled by Valentiners (bah, humbug) on the dinner front, but managed to snag a table at the Brasserie at Oranmor. They have a pre-theatre offer of 3 courses and a glass of wine for £15. (I don't know if that's the current menu or just a example, but it looks good!). If you want to come for dinner, please let me know - if possible by Friday so that I can tot up numbers and confirm with the restaurant. I'll be there from 5.30 - I think to get through 3 courses we'll have to be seated before six.
Following that, I plan to tootle along to Ishkies for around half seven, the top bit of the bar has been booked. Come along, bring your friends and prepare to carouse!
(Oh, and on Sunday I will be packing my aged arteries with cholesterol via brunch in Stravaigin. I'll be having the kick-ass Eggs Benedict!)
Hope to see you then! |
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| Known Unknowns |
[Feb. 10th, 2008|11:27 pm] |
I spent the weekend in London around the LSE for the University of London's external study weekend.
This week I will mostly be finishing moving house, getting back on track with microeconomics and thinking about what to say next week, when I am being interviewed for jobs in the restructured organisation.
Oh and Ishkies. Saturday. I will mostly be being 30. Be there or... elsewhere. |
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| Good egg |
[Jan. 28th, 2008|06:29 pm] |
I've always hated spaghetti carbonara - not the restaurant version but the various abominations I've eaten in the name of duplicating the recipe at home. Pasta and scrambled eggs anyone?
But I've finally found a recipe that works for me - care of Bill Buford's Heat (an exploration of different forms of professional food preparation subtitled An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany). It took 10 minutes to cook, has only 5 ingredients and even (with a little less pasta and cheese than you might use) scrapes in under the 400cal limit I try to stick to for my evening meal.
NB. I think this recipe is suited to making for one or two but may be more difficult to make for any more.
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| Tonight I am mostly |
[Jan. 26th, 2008|10:55 pm] |
sitting in, surfing food blogs and watching Match Point (its not good, but its fun to spot all the British talent mugging for Woody)
darth_tigger and derooftrouserhave devised a mash-up of the 5 questions meme and the Grauniad's Is this it? feature, so the questions are titles of songs selected from their i-wotsits.
1. Whatever Happened To?
all the heroes... they watched their Rome burn.
No more heroes any more
No more heroes any more
do do do dodo dodo.... sorry, wrong game.
2. Good Morning! How Are You? Shut Up!
Yeah, I get that most days. But Monday should be excellent, I have to get my CV ready for "restricted deployment" and choose which of half a dozen jobs I might want to apply for. So no chance of any work getting done, then. Ain't restructuring fun?
3. Rod Hull Is Alive - Why?
Did you know his son Toby has taken on Emu? What an inheritance!
4. How Long's A Tear Take To Dry?
I just started thinking about this when Jonathan Rhys Meyers started crying on the telly. I'll have to monitor the situation and get back to you.
And there's Colin Salmon - oh and one of the League of Gentleman, pretending to be a policeman. Don't trust him!
5. Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?
Yeah, baby. You know what to do if you want to play. |
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distressed