Gym Love

It's official I'm a convert (well for now anyhoo) tonight I once again ventured to the scary moving machine place - otherwise known as the gym. I joined a little while ago and went for my induction (very good) and a boxercise class (nearly died) 5 weeks ago but the lush weather and balmy summer evenings plus work/social/geo caching commitments (laziness) has meant I hadn't been back...well we resolved that this evening with a sess on the cross trainer, bike etc.

Now I may look like a floundering sea-lion trying to work out how to operate the advanced machinery that wouldn't look out of place in a Terminator movie attacking the heroine but my heart is in the right place and I was soon pounding away watching a bit of Emmerdale mixed in with Coast and Sky News - eclectic reading when you just catch glimpses of the subtitles while puffing away - I believe they are looking for some penguins who are either playing in the England team or have committed a double murder in Scotland (I for one will be watching the 10'o'clock news tonight just in case!!) however tonight's visit was marred by the very annoying England match build up on the telly - frankly I could not be less interested but all the men (and there were lots staring aimlessly at the goggle box this evening) were enthralled and got in the way - a lot!!

Anyway my aim is to try the scary boxercise class again tomorow which will mean the following

1. If you hear the air ambulance has been called out around 8pm tomorrow fear not it will only be me
2. That come Saturday I will be unable to walk
3. Or lift my arms above my head
4. Or turn sideways

But I will feel morally virtuous and able to scoff chinese food on Friday huzzah!! bring on the pain...

Musical musings. Part one...

So I got to thinking today while driving home listening to the dulcet tones of Wessex FM (imagine your typical south west yokels let loose with a record collection circa 1985) about the importance of music to me and how certain records really do provide the soundtrack to my life.

Now I warn you the following post may offend some people (those with musical tastes for example) but these are the songs and why that make up my Top 8 ...

Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing
Now I love ALL the Dire Straits songs, they are just one of the best bands ever in my opinion (just in case anyone was unsure I am totally the un-coolest person I know) and this song above all epitomises them to my eardrums. The riffs, the lyrics, the mix heaven in a audio file. It brings back memories of hearing my Dad typing into all hours of the night, of my Mum walking down the stairs that always creaked to tell him to turn it down as it was late and we were supposed to be sleeping. Most of all it reminds me of being happy and safe and secure and a kid.

The Verve - Love Is Noise
This song epitomises the summer of 2008 to me, a turbulent year when I decided to totally change my life (quit my job, ditch the London life and the unhealthy relationship that went with it) watching The Verve play this at Glastonbury that June barely a month after my total life change was an awesome moment where for the first time I knew for sure that no matter what happened I'd made the right decisions and I remember hobbling to dance - this was the year I foolishly wore trainers as it was sunny on the Thursday drank cider (and wine, and shots and erm..) and then managed to slip over and sprain my ankle so badly I spent 3 months in flat shoes - oh the shame.

Faithless - Don't Leave
A haunting but amazing song taken from the soundtrack of A Life Less Ordinary. I don't know why I love this song so much but it is one of those that is always on my most played list and would be a desert island disc number purely because it resonates so much with me. The haunting simplicity of the lyric don't leave i think encapsulates how sometimes you can be so totally wrapped up in yourself that it comes as a shock when the person you need the most ups and leaves.

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
I was lucky enough to see Michael Jackson twice in concert - on the Dangerous and HIStory tours in his prime these were the most awesome and exciting concerts that you could possibly home to see

Don Henley - Boys of Summer
I love everything about this track it sums up summer in 4.48 minutes with iconic lines like "I saw a deadhead sticker in a Cadillac" it makes me smile every time I hear it and to be best enjoyed it has to be full blast in the car on a sunny day with your sunglasses on :)

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
This song was played at my Dad's funeral - now this was nearly 20 years ago but as soon as I hear the first few bars of this song it takes me back to being 14 years old and missing my Dad, however this is also why I love it - the song in some way links me back with that 14 year old me; the one that was confused and hurt and unsure of what was to come and being the old timer that I am now it is almost a link to the past to say it's OK, it sucks but everything will turn out the way it is supposed to.

Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - Summertime
I am of an age where if you don't know all the words to this song shame on you! The most timeless and iconic of the early 90's everything about it just makes you laugh and smile. From the lyrics to the happy sample straight through to the rapping (so bad it hurts but it rhymes and is child friendly so not all bad if not as hip as some rappers like to be these days)

Jamelia - Superstar
This song takes me back to the September of my first birthday bash in the house I had just bought in Yeovil. I played this single (remember CD singles??? Back in the day before mp3s and iPods became the norm - lord I am so old) dancing around my lounge playing it over and over and over again - my poor neighbours I don't think they ever recovered. I had all my friends round for drinks starting at mine before hitting up the bright lights of Yeovil town, all the girls were out in the kitchen/garden knocking back the cocktails (I love a good cocktail me) the boys were sat in the lounge dribbling over the Eric Prydz video - you know the one some random dance track with scantily clad exercising ladies in lycra

Now I know 8 is a random number to have a top list of anything however I figure my musical tastes are so amazing I need to take this blog over several entries to build on the excitement you must be feeling by now!!! Surely I can't top this selection? Oh but I can..........

Getting the wrong end of the stick and running with it

Well here it goes, it would appear that I may have gotten the wrong end of the stick in a conversation with Mr P last week that resulted in my recent blog about holidays....

Now I know many of you will understand the difficulties of a boy and girl living together with the differences in the communication that we have. Especially when you add some wine into the mix...

Here is my recollection of said recent discussion:

Me: So when can we book our holiday to Las Vegas?
Mr P: I don't want to go this year

(please note there may be missing stages due to chardonnay induced amnesia)

It would appear however after speaking to Mr P afterwards that this was not the full extent of the chat - or even the actual transcript of that moment in the conversation...

So it would seem he may have been the victim of a PFD moment..or Psycho Female Disorder for the uninitiated.

PFD is that classic moment when all sense goes out the window due to some inconsequential item and a rant becomes inevitable. Not my finest moment me thinks...

So it got me thinking, what is it that makes me occasionally slightly nuts and how in future can I avoid taking it out on Mr P?

Options:

1. Avoid drinking (hmmm unlikely what else)
2. Avoid talking to Mr P (also unlikely seeing as we do live together)
3. Try new age meditation to remain calm at all times (????)
4. Excessive valium intake (hmmm that is as bad an idea as no 3)

And here I become stuck....ideas please

Super Shiny Weekend

Well it is Sunday night which normally would mean BOO but having had the most relaxing weekend I feel for a change ready to face the week ahead (handy as it's gonna be a busy one at work!!)



So reasons for happy Sunday evening-ness?

1. Finally had my haircut - it's been so frantic I've not even had a change to visit the salon but now once again have swingy, shiny, styled hair hurrah!


2. Saw 2 blockbuster movies - A-Team and Toy Story 3 - both AWESOME


3. Went for a 5mile Geo-caching hike around Kingston Lacey - beautiful countryside, sunshine and fresh air plus we found all 16 - AMAZIN!!


4. Took Mr P to Lidl to get some essentials - and he actually didn't mind (Mr P hates the supermarket and normally will avoid at all costs!! This one however he managed to get round without wincing too much)


5. Good food - Mr P cooked his world famous chilli and we had amazin burgers for tea tonight as reward for the massive hike


6. Sherlock - perfect Sunday night tellybox watching uber lush


7. Monday night means fireworks - here in our lush seaside town it is now officially summer season so the fireworks start - every Monday until the end of the summer, but as I'm a newbie resident (i.e since after last summer) I haven't yet seen them but tomorrow we are planning on going :0)

So there are the top 7 reasons why I am a happy lady...Oh that and we booked a little holiday,