Surprise at the 02

Having not seen my Mother shockingly since Christmas Day she was in London for a show this evening at London's 02 Arena. We had arranged to meet at 1800 just inside the main entrance. As I stepped off the tube I spotted my Mum's friend Kate so we went in together only to find that Mother was stuck in a queue of traffic just North of the Blackwall tunnel. With the lines at the eateries looking like they could be in excess of 45 minutes we made our way hurriedly down to the buffet restaurant and surprisingly there was no line.

We were sat in no time and soon had ordered some wine and had nibbles. Mum, Pauline, Paddy & Linda arrived not that long after and we all tucked in.

The big surprise came at just before 1930 when mum's other friend Jean and her daughter Maxine arrived. Maxines Husband apparantly is a TV Producer and as such had tickets for this evenings show. Maxine asked, "Why dont you come with us?". You know what its like. You dont like to say yes. But they were insistant. We still had to pay for our food so they headed on in to the arena and handed me my ticket.

Saying goodbye to Mum, Auntie Pauline and the ladies I headed to an usher to ask where I should go? "Arena level entance 103", replied the chap. I was directed up an escalator and then walked all the way down to ground level again. Another usher directed me to the far side of the ice. The Arena was packed. The compere had already started. Another usher then took my ticket and dushered me to my seat. Front row, 1 foot away from the ice.

The lights dimmed, the compere annoucned, please put your hands together for Jane Torvil and Christopher Dean. Who started the entire show with their classic the Bolero. I still cant believe its the 25th anniversary since they performed it at the Olympics and won with a perfect score of sixes.

The show was amazing, Torvil and Dean and celebs from the tv show. I was so surprised at how well some of them skated.

Not only that our VIP laminate passes gave us access to the VIP lounge and bumped into host Andi Peters and Judge Richard Arnold. It was one of those nights where you intend to do one thing and end up pleasantly surprised and as I sat just inches from the ice I realised sometimes I really am a "Lucky Bitch".

Scarey times

It doesnt seem real to believe that just Friday I was reading for the first time of a new flu virus, Swine Flu, breaking out in Mexico City. Immediately my mind raced to both the film Outbreak and 28 Days Later. It didnt help that satalite television played disaster movies most of the weekend.

By this morning as I woke up, the virus had found its way around the globe and suddenly this evening it was in the UK. With the medics predicting a Pandemic and the potential loss of upto 750,000 people in the UK alone.

All of my colleagues at work were talking about potentially buying a mask and you know I think I will too. I find it nasty enough having to take a packed train in the morning. Let alone the fact a deadly bug could be in the air. Please take note poeple, open the windows, a bit of fresh air is far better than a closed air environment like a stuffy nasty train.

The press releases today say you should wash after contact with any person and in particular after riding public transport. My team thought I was obsessive compulsive before with me ever sanitizing my hands. But if it works? Meanwhile I am stocking up on Candles and canned food. Just incase things do get worse. Still for the first time ever the press is not talking about the credit crunch and recession. Keep well my dear friends.

Sunshine Saturday

Woke up late (Blissful) and cleaned the flat a little. Before I knew it Dusan was leaving for work. Not long later he called me to say how nice it was out and how I should go out and enjoy the sunshine.

Not sure what to do with my day, I sent a message to my neighbour Matt asking if he fancied going for a rollerblade. Litteraally the second I hit send my phone rang with a message alert. It was Matt. Coincidently texting me the same thing at the very same monent. Agreeing to skate I dug out my blades and was gratefull at finding my safety pads too. I hadnt realised how much time my skates and the pads too to put on and tie up properly. Maybe I just forgot. You know I dont think I skated once last year.

I met Matt outside the flat and we skated in the sunshine down the canalside and back through the park. It was perfect weather for skating. Neither of us that confident, we stuck to the back streets and skated for a couple of hours then went to Red for a drink.

I invited Matt to dinner and cooked homemade Beef Burritos which are deliscious then we both got ready and headed to XXL for a fun filled night. Was a lovely day to be honest. Funfilled and in good company.

Just relaxing now with a glass of wine and looking forward to another sunshine filled day tomorrow. So gratefull its finally spring like!

Happy Birthday to me

Waking up this morning to celebrate my birthday and wish more than ever that I had taken the day off to go enjoy lunch with someone and have a hazzy afternoon. Instead I have to go in early and teach a virtual class as my boss is not in this AM.

Meanwhile the breaking news is that the bank is to axe more jobs. It doesnt help you to feel secure and willing to make major expenditure if one can not be sure of ones future. Still I have heard that our side of the bank is profitable so you never know, it could just be at the Investment Bank that they will make the cuts. Fingers crossed.

Bank Holiday Weekend Bonanza

Having not been home to Essex since Christmas Day I promised Nan I would go back on Good Friday and take her to lunch. Of course the roads were far from empty and so much for the biggest exodus ever as millions head away. It took me 90 minutes to go the 30 miles back or so instead of the usual 60 minutes.

Had arranged with Nan all along but also invited Sue and then realising that it was a bank Holiday invited Adam & Verity also. I was, after all, going to go home and visit them after seeing Nan. Of course they bought baby Thomas too and Verity bought her Nan, Kay along also.

We went to a pub on the River Lee, the Crown, which was heaving. A sign stated that food orders would take up to 45 minutes. So we found a table, ordered some drinks and then the food. It was a nightmare. It seemed everyone arrived at the same time and eventually, some 90 minutes later we ate. Still at least I got to catch up with everyone and if Easter is not a time for families, I dont know what is.

Thursday Evening there was a change of plan. Marcus Chops was going to come and stay Friday evening but moved his day forward one on realising that it was a holiday weekend. Its always good to see lovely Mr Chops.

Meanwhile Dusan was working like a dog this weekend. Late Thurday, Double Friday, Early Saturday, Double Sunday. With Saturday night off and Sunday also we decided to go to XXL on Saturday night for what they advertised as their Easter Playbear Mansion. It was packed full as always and we ran in to Matt and then Antonio & Neil.

Sunday I rose around noon and had a text on my phone from Seven & Rob. Have not seen them for a good couple of years and they invited me to join them in Greenwich for a drink and catch up while they were in the area looking at property for sale. They were doing a wander around just making note of the sort of places that were up for purchase. We worked out it had been a good couple of years since we saw each other last.

They took me to what they refered to as their faveourite bar in Greenwich, the Union. They said it was famous for its microbrewery and that it made local organic drinks in Charlton. I enjoyed an Organic Cider and then a Chocolate flavoured Ale. Yes Chocolate flavoured. It really did taste of Chocolate. But then again it was Easter so why not? Was so good to see them both again and will be great when they are based local again.

Finally yesterday was left for me to chill, iron, clean and catch up on all the little chores. I just couldnt bring myself to go all the way into the West End on my final day off.

Now thats it, Easter has been and gone and tis the Penultimate Day till my Birthday. Where has the year gone! Happy Easter!

Ooops

I had to do a follow up to yesterdays blog about how Dusan is always in bed late andthen fresh as a Daisy the next day.

Just minutes after I updated my blog I went in to the bedroom to say goodbye and he was out cold. I managed to get a goodbye muttered to me and asked, "Have you set your alarm" to which I got "yeah hmpppfffffff" Zzzzzzzzzz. Fast asleep once more. It was about 6:50AM. I figured if he didnt have to be at work till 9:00 he could sleep till 7:30 and still be at work on time.

I did try calling him just after 8:00 to check he was up but as it went straight to voice mail figured he must be on the tube. So I was rather surprised when he called me at 11:30 as I expected him to be at work but instead had litterally just woken up. By the time he got to work around noon they were all saying "Has Princess had enough sleep now". He never over sleeps so it must be catch up time when he oversleeps like that.

Meanwhile, I had forgotten how different town could be when the kids are off. Of course its Easter break so they are everywhere. Nipping over to M&S at lunchtime there were millions of them in Oxford Street. Needless to say I bought enough food to survive me the week so I dont have to venture out much this week.

Last night I had my mens Aerobics class at the gym. It doesnt start until 7:15PM so is quite late. Having worked a real sweat and burned a lot of calories I decided that by 9:15 on the way home was far too late to cook, so treated us to Chinese Take Away.

Finally only 2 more days and then the long weekend. Hoping the weather lasts and I may just get out my Rollerblades for the first skate of the year.

Happy Easter.

How does he do it?

I really dont know how Dusan manages to get up and be so full of life every day. Nearly twice a week he will do a late shift at work, finishing at around 100AM. By the time he gets a night bus home and unwinds its around 400 or 500AM. He then gets scheduled an early, and has to be back, looking fresh and fabulous from 900AM.

Of course he climbs into bed and immediately wakes me up as not only is he hyperactive in the mornings he cant lie still either. Tossing and turning all night long. So I was awake from 500AM this morning. He will be lucky to get 2 hours sleep and yet he does this week after week. I guess he got lots of practice on the ship when he only got a few hours off here and there to sleep.

I know I used to do similar, but not at this age.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Are all our MPs corrupt?

It seems every week another MP is found out for what can only be described as a blantant rip off of public funds. Jackie Smith's husband last week claiming for 2 adult movies on the tax payer. Today it is disclosed that the chancellor, Alistair Darling, despite living for free at No 11 Downing Street has been claiming a home allowance to pay for his home in Scotland and meanwhile rents out his home in London. They really do make you sick. If any one of us were to do something similar we would end up in court for corruption charges. So seems like it is one rule for them and a different one for us.

The biggest joke of all has to be the fact that they are allowed a second home allowance? Why should the tax payer pay for the mortgage for a second home? Its not like they are an MP forever, its for a limited period until they either win or loose the next election. Surely the better way forward would be to offer the MPs a free second home by the means of a council house. Instead of paying the mortgage on a second estate on tax funds, offer them the same as the State offers them. A council flat. That way, its is for the duration of their posistion of MP and would ensure that they knew what it was like for the families of Britain. I'd even throw in a free Oyster card for them. For surely if they travelled on a daily basis on public transport, in particular on the packed trains that are filled every morning into the Capital. Perhaps then they would provide adquate funding for the transportation network. Instead of helping fund it, they privatised it. Would somebody please explain to me how having no choice is better for the public? I have no choice but to take SouthEastern Trains into Charing Cross. They are the only company that run on that line. If they decided on Monday they wanted to up their fares 15%, I would have no choice but to pay the extra. Infact since they sold off the trains, part of the tube, the electricity, Gas, and powerplants, they sold off everything that a State should provide, we the Brits are ending up paying far more for the basic's in life. Heat & Electricity for our homes, fuel for our cars. They cost far more here than in the rest of Europe. I often am amazed at how little money we have left at the end of the month. The month turns, out goes the Mortgage which is fine but its all the other things, Council Tax, TV liscence, Water, Electric, Gas etc. Before you know it the little things have doubled up the cost of the mortgage. Its been said before but its more true today than ever, we really are Rip Off Britain. Today they announced that every tax payer will be required to pay an extra £500 this year just to help fill the gap in their budget. If they stopped paying it all to bail out RBS we wouldnt be in this mess.

Oh finally, I have added a subscribe button. Be the first to know when my blogs updated - just click on subscribe. Its free. Thanks for reading.

London Riots

Ironically I actually felt just a little bit nervous as I left the Appartment yesterday morning to make my way to the office. The train was strangely empty too, with seats available on the way in.

But I arrived at the office without so much as seeing a single protestor. By mid afternoon the television screens at work were attacting some attention as it all started to kick off.

Our continuity officer emailed us all about potential problems with the trains and how we all might get home. I emailed my friends at RBS to check they were okay. She told me they had evacuated them all for their safety. Does seem a little crazy all of this happening in our fine city. Its a little too close to home for comfort. I Managed to get home without seeing anything unusual. Then with a sense of Pride watched as the leaders of the world met for a photocall on the steps on Number 10 Downing Street. The world was watching London and with the Olympics coming, surely its something we shall have to get used to. Lets pray that there are no more riots. We love our City. Dont spoil it!

Finally I found Kim

From my teenage years way back when I had very few friends, I was friends with Kim. She was a friend of my cousin Samantha and through their friendship our families all did become entwined. But as sadly is the case sometimes, you loose contact with one another. Last I knew Kim had moved to Cornwall and then out of the blue I have her find me on Facebook. With my spring cold it was just what I needed to perk me up. A friendly face from old. What I dont understand is, how she hasnt aged a bit! Hmmm... maybe that can be the next chapter.

April Fools

Its been known throughout the world as a Day when one can play pranks. But today, protesters are due to protest. So much so that work have said we should all come in in Jeans.

But waking this morning you cant help but feel a bit nervous as I start to take my journey to work. Hopefully it will be like a normal day.