attackoftheraebot

50 things

2012-01-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

These remind me of the meme things I used to do on livejournal all the time. I'm not sure I miss those days so much.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

About 9.30. It's my last day off work after having around 10 days off for christmas. Not looking forward to being up at 5.45 tomorrow!

2. How do you like your steak?

Blue or rare. I'm going to try and not eat meat anymore though.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (the new one). It was good. I liked the Swedish one too.

4. What is your favourite TV show?

The Big Bang Theory. Bazinga!

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

I'm not sure.

6. What did you have for breakfast?

Chocolate biscuits. Healthy!

7. What is your favorite cuisine?

Mexican. Huevos Rancheros, yummy!

8. What foods do you dislike?

Sprouts! I don't like mushrooms but I did manage to eat a garlic mushroom a few days ago and it didn't make me vom so I'm making progress.

9. Favorite Place to Eat?

I like pub food. Copa in Cardiff is nice, they have halloumi in batter.

10. Favorite dressing?

Sweet chilli or balsamic

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

A Renault Clio called Leonard. After Leonard Nimoy because he is green (like vulcan blood) and Leonard from TBBT

12. What are your favorite clothes?

Cosy cardigans

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

San Francisco. Should be going there later this year.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

1/2 full!

15. Where would you want to retire?

The countryside somewhere.

16. Favorite time of day?

Lunchtime!

17. Where were you born?

Newport, South Wales

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

I don't really do sports. I will happily watch Darts though.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?

Everyone. People on my list have already done this

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?

See above.

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?

People who like wasting time on the internet

22. Bird watcher?

Not really.

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?

I don't really function properly until about 11am

24. Do you have any pets?

Four cats. Chap, Arnold, Xenu and Schrodinger

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?

I smell like figs. New perfume. I like figs.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

A vet. I just like animals.

27. What is your best childhood memory?

I'm not sure. I'm sure I have one I just can't think of it. I always enjoyed christmas when I was little though.

29. Are you married?

Nope. I should be later this year.

30. Always wear your seat belt?

Yes

31. Been in a car accident?

When I was 4. Only a small one though.

32. Any pet peeves?

A few. Idiot drivers and people who spit being just two.

33. Favorite Pizza Toppings?

Pineapple!

34. Favorite Flower?

Freesias

35. Favorite ice cream?

Pretty much any. I love ice cream

36. Favorite fast food restaurant?

I do like the chinese place down the road from us. They do nice tofu in black bean sauce.

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

I passed first time. No-one was more surprised than me. Took me two years to actually take my test, mind.

38. From whom did you get your last email?

Amazon I think.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Waterstones. Glorious books!

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

I am not a spontaneous type of person. I wish I was sometimes

41. Like your job?

Pretty much. It's interesting.

42. Broccoli?

Yes please!

43. What was your favorite vacation?

Crete. So pretty and warm. Prague was nice too.

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?

Dave on NYE. We went to Pica Pica for tapas.

45. What are you listening to right now?

Nuffink

46. What is your favorite color?

Navy or teal.

47. How many tattoos do you have?

Five. I would like to get more at some point.

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?

All the bored people!

49. Coffee Drinker?

Yes, but I prefer tea.

50. Are you in love?

Yes.

2012-01-01T13:07:00.000-08:00

I'm not considering this to be an auspicious start to the new year. Huh.

I'd like to get a new tattoo this year. I still want my Kodama and a cat. I shall also strive to be more organised and trying to be healthier. I did so well last year and the last few months of the year it all went downhill. I need to look after myself better than I have been.

I need to read more too. I read really quickly and I got a lot of reading done on my commute back and forth to work but now that I drive I've lost that bit of reading time. I have a pile of books to read, for the first time ever. So less time on the laptop and more time reading.

I'd also like to be on a quiz show, like Pointless. I love Pointless.

2012-01-01T04:38:00.000-08:00

Happy new year my little dumplings. I hope you all have a wonderful 2012.

Tis almost the season

2011-11-30T01:36:00.000-08:00

Therefore I can post this

and this

I can't help it. I love it so.

2011-11-05T15:26:00.000-07:00

Leonard you are breaking my heart. Seriously.

*Leonard is my car. He is making funny noises and costing me more money than he should. Sigh*

30 Day BC: Day 14 – An author of a book you just don’t ge

2011-11-04T13:15:00.001-07:00

I tried to read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? - Philip K. Dick. I tried to get into it, I really did. I just didn't get it. Sorry.

2011-11-04T13:09:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow I start my preparation for making my second ever Christmas cake. I have soak the fruit in brandy. Mmm brandy.

I bought The Blair Witch Project last weekend. It has the fake documentary as part of the special features. It freaked me out so much when I was younger, when everyone was trying to convince you it was real.

30 Day BC: Day 13 – A book that disturbed you

2011-10-10T12:24:00.000-07:00

I'm quite a big fan of crime novels, stuff like Kathy Reichs, Martina Cole etc. I really like Karin Slaughter as well and her 'Grant County' series. The first in the series, 'Blindsighted' is pretty bleak and pretty graphic, but at the same time it keeps you hooked. Martina Cole is very similar in that respect. Not for the squeamish really.

30 Day BC: Day 12 – A book you think should be made into a film

2011-10-09T02:02:00.000-07:00

I did think that American Gods by Neil Gaiman should be made into a film when I first read it, but they're making it into a tv series which is obviously way better. I have two favourite books that I think they should make into a film.

The Historian- Elizabeth Kostova

The Tiger's Wife - Tea Obrecht

The Tiger's Wife is set in the Balkans and explores with a young doctor, Natalia, trying to uncover the circumstances around her Grandfather's death. There are also two myths within the story itself, which feature her grandfather; his experiences with the Tiger's Wife and The Deathless Man.

It's very strange but an incredibly beautiful story. I'd love to see it made into a film.

Cats haz beer

2011-09-11T03:02:00.001-07:00

30 Day BC: Day 11 – Your favourite book that has been made into a film

2011-09-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

So I've fallen behind with this, sorry. I've just passed my driving test and have being going through the ordeal of buying a car (it's pretty!) and all the non fun things that come with it (tax and insurance). Hopefully I can pick it up Monday.

Anyway.

One of my favourite books is currently being made into a film. It's probably horribly cliched but 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chomsky is one of my favourite books. It's beautiful. And it's being made into a film with Emma Watson as Sam. Awesome.

30 Day BC: Day 10 – A book you’ve always meant to have read and never got round to

2011-09-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

1984 - George Orwell

I had it for ages and then I sold it during a massive purge. I should really read it though.

30 Day BC: Day 9 – A book you read when you feel down

2011-09-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

Any of the Janet Evanovich 'Stephanie Plum' series. They are just really funny and easy to read. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter (but not in the naff Kiera Knightly/Domino Harvey way) from Trenton, New Jersey, with mad family and friends, a former hooker as a co-worker and has a habit of destroying her cars. There are 17 books in the series at the moment, as well as some novellas. They are just delightfully bonkers and incredibly funny. It's the sort of thing you read when you're really down and need a bit of cheering up.

30 Day BC:Day 8 – The book you can quote best e

2011-09-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

I can quote chunks of Catch - 22, mainly because I based my dissertation on it and re - read chunks of it so many times for that.

"'Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event who wants one?'
'I do,' Dunbar told him.
'Why?' Clevinger asked.
'What else is there?'"

30 Day BC: Day 7 – A book that reminds you of somewhere

2011-08-31T23:47:00.000-07:00

The Island - Victoria Hislop

I went to Spinalonga in Crete a few years ago. It's an island just a few miles from Elounda and it is a former leper colony. We went on a boat trip to the island and the tour guide took us around the small village, showing us the houses, church and the small graveyard. The island itself is beautiful, but it was still strange to go there and be told of people who were sent there, believing that they would never leave (which unfortunately was the case for many). It ceased functioning as a leper colony in 1957 and is now a tourist attraction and a site for archeological digs and such.

The Island is about a family from Crete affected by leprosy and the impact it has on them, with the mother and daughter both having the disease. It's a work of fiction, but it covers such things as the German occupation of Crete during the Second World War. The description of the island reminds me of being there.

30 Day BC: Day 6 – A book you either couldn’t finish or struggled to.

2011-08-31T13:10:00.000-07:00

The End of Alice - A M Holmes

I really struggled with this. I'm going to give it another go soon as it is very well written and I do like A M Holmes as a writer but this is quite difficult to read. It's about a paedophile and his correspondence with a girl who is attempting to seduce a young boy. It's pretty dark and it makes me feel a bit icky reading it, but I will give it another go.

30 Day BC: Day 5 – A book that you’ve read the most times

2011-08-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

The Harry Potter series. They all look a bit dog - eared.

Also

The Historian - Elizabeth Kostova

Sort of a different take on the myth of Dracula and Vlad Tepes, which involves three generations looking for his resting place. Definitely has a bit of a 'gothic horror' feel to it. Very very enjoyable.

Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

Brilliant book. Very witty and clever. Although I don't think I would have read it as many times had I not chosen it as the subject of my dissertation.

30 Day BC: Day 4 – A book you lent out once, never got back and miss

2011-08-29T02:40:00.000-07:00

I don't think this has actually ever happened. Although I may have accidentally done this to a few people myself. Oops.

2011-08-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

Contemplating going vegetarian. I'm in two minds. I really want to but the last time I cut meat out of my diet my iron levels went through the floor. Obviously I'd have to try and do it right. I'm not entirely sure family would be that supportive. Although, why at almost 27 I'm worrying about that, I don't know.

30 Day BC: Day 3 – Your favourite book to recommend to friends

2011-08-28T04:04:00.000-07:00

I like to recommend Jessica Mitford - Hons and Rebels. Jessica Mitford was the second youngest daughter of the Mitford family, who were pretty interesting. Obviously Nancy Mitford, one of her older sisters is probably the most famous for writing 'Love in a Cold Climate' (amongst others). Six sisters in total, two of them heavily involved in facism. Jessica, in contrast, joined the Communist Party, ran away to Spain during the Civil War and married Esmond Romilly, nephew of Winston Churchill. This is her autobiography, taking her from childhood, until the death of Esmond. I probably don't do it justice here, but it's a very interesting read.

30 Day BC: Day 2 – Your least favourite book of all time

2011-08-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

It would probably have to be Death In Venice - Thomas Mann. Maybe I would have liked it if I wasn't forced to read it as part of my English degree. I doubt it though. It was pretty boring.

30 Day BC: Day 1 – Your favourite book of all time

2011-08-26T10:17:00.001-07:00

I don't have one favourite really. I've read too much to be able to name one. Here are two though.

1. American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Completely bonkers but utterly incredible. Perfect mix of fantasy and horror really. I'm quite interested to see how they adapt this for TV (and where Gaiman goes with the sequel). I'm quite interested in mythology so for me, this is really interesting.

2. Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides

Brilliant. I guess Eugenides is most famous for The Virgin Suicides, but for me this is so much better. It's about quite an epic, depicting three generations of a family, following their emigration from Greece. The main focus of the story and the narrator is Cal, a hermaphrodite. The story deals with this, but it isn't the main focus, for much of the story, which makes it all the more interesting.

Obviously a special mention goes out for Harry Potter series, but I have a feeling they will feature quite frequently over the next 30 days!

30 Day Book Challenge

2011-08-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know I failed miserably with the 30 Day Photo Challenge. Maybe I'll do a little better with this. Pinched from Falling Forward

Day 1 – Your favourite book of all time
Day 2 – Your least favourite book of all time
Day 3 – Your favourite book to recommend to friends
Day 4 – A book you lent out once, never got back and miss
Day 5 – A book that you’ve read the most times
Day 6 – A book you either couldn’t finish or struggled to.
Day 7 – A book that reminds you of somewhere
Day 8 – The book you can quote best
Day 9 – A book you read when you feel down
Day 10 – A book you’ve always meant to have read and never got round to
Day 11 – Your favourite book that has been made into a film
Day 12 – A book you think should be made into a film
Day 13 – A book that disturbed you
Day 14 – An author of a book you just don’t get
Day 15 – A book where you wish you were one of the characters
Day 16 – A book that is a guilty pleasure
Day 17 – The most over hyped book you have ever read
Day 18 – A book you have that belongs to someone else
Day 19 – The most romantic book you have ever read
Day 20 – The saddest or most emotive book you have read
Day 21 – The book that made you look at life in a different way
Day 22 – A book you wish was real life
Day 23 – Your favourite book by a non-British author
Day 24 – Your favourite book as a child
Day 25 – Your favourite book of last year
Day 26 – A book you honestly read in one sitting
Day 27 – Your favourite non-fiction book
Day 28 – Your favourite autobiographical book
Day 29 – Your favourite series of books
Day 30 – The book by your bed right now

I'll start tomorrow.

2011-06-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

I think we may have decided on our honeymoon, assuming we can save enough for it. American west coast, here we come!

2011-06-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Watching the highlights MTV Movie Awards reminded me of something

Ryan Gosling is lovely. Now stupid silly Twilight wins everything. Bleh. A thousand times bleh.

Musicals

2011-06-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

are awesome. I saw Carousel for the first time in ages on Sunday. It was always my favourite when I was little. I've got a soft spot for Rodgers and Hammerstein :)

2011-03-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

I do love this.

Two books I really want

New York, Portrait of a City

Shooting the Curl:The Best Surfers. the Best Waves by 15 of the Best Surf Photographers

Spring is battering through. I saw a kingfisher yesterday, for the first time. It was the highlight of my day.

2011-03-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

I wish it was summer. I want road trips (assuming I pass my driving test by then), bbq's, bike rides and trips to the park and seaside. I want to sit in the garden and get brown feet like last year. I want to feel warm and wake up in the sunshine.

Hopeless

2011-02-25T11:05:00.000-08:00

I'm a rubbish at updating this really aren't I? I don't have any real excuse as I haven't done anything other than work related stuff. Oh and the gym. I've been going a class called 'Buns of Steel' every Tuesday evening, it's only 30 minutes, but it makes me ache in ways I didn't think possible. Still, doing exercise and eating a lot better seems to be doing the trick regarding IBS and my weight which is awesome.

Sort of planning more stuff about the wedding, definitely know what I don't want anyway. I went to a wedding party with Dave last weekend and it was lovely but it was just too big and definitely not us. I just want to keep it as simple and as low key as possible. My ideal wedding would be going to Las Vegas and getting married by an Elvis impersonator in some tacky chapel, but that isn't really feasible. So far, things are getting a long nicely, we still haven't set the exact date yet but that will be decided on in the next few weeks when we sort the registry office.

I'm so glad February is over. I hate January and February, I find them so depressing. I just want it to be Spring so I can get out more and do things. Got stuff lined up in the next few months to look forward to, which is quite exciting.

Oh well

2011-01-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

So much for posting more regularly. This week as been a bit stressful. I'll try and get back to it in the next few days or so. In the meantime, I've started back at the gym and need to lie down so my legs don't feel like they are going to drop off.

New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-02T12:43:00.000-08:00

I feel like maybe I should make some resolutions this year. There are so many things I want to do and sometimes I need a good kick up the backside to do them. Some of them aren't major but just things I want to do and spend more time on.

1. Pass my driving test. Bit of a biggie, I've been learning for a little over a year now, I passed my theory last September and as I only get one lesson a week, I hope that the end is in sight now. I think it is, as a lot of it with me is to do with confidence and I need to remember that.

2. Blog more. I like it here. I like writing about things, I might not be great at it but I do like it. I also like posting pictures of cats. Everyone likes cats.

3. Take more photographs and get better at it. I like photography a lot, I would like my pictures to be be better, even if it's just of random crap I see. I have a Diana mini camera now and I'd like to take some good film photographs.

4. Live healthier. I'm not just talking about losing weight, although I do need to at the moment. I've been told I have IBS recently which accounts for a few of the health problems I've been having lately. So I really need to sort my diet out.

5. Get out and have fun more. Not going out on the lash or anything like that (because that sucks) but going out and doing fun things with Dave. Hopefully that will be made easier when I pass my driving test as it will mean we can go further afield without it turning into some epic mission, but just enjoying life. I know that sounds cheesy but that is the best way I can think of describing it. We both work pretty hard and I don't want to spend my free time tired and stressed out.

6. I guess I should put planning my wedding on here! Kind of aiming for May 2012 so hopefully the planning of that won't be too bad!

Days 2 and 3

2011-01-01T07:07:00.000-08:00

2. Your favourite shirt

I like stripes, it's not too tight and it's good for layering. I'm not that adventurous with clothes. I like classic things.

3. Knick knack

I collect Moomij things, cat carvings that we seem to find on holiday. Other things too, like Owls, other animals and birds.

Oh, and Happy New Year. 2010 wasn't too bad, but it wasn't great so maybe 2011 could be a little better please?

30 day photo challenge

2010-12-30T09:57:00.000-08:00

1.Self-portrait

I hate taking photos of myself so this is my default 'open your eyes really wide and do a funny smile' thing. And it's blurry because the flash makes me squint one eye.

In the spirit of bandwagon jumping...

2010-12-30T04:42:00.000-08:00

I shall be participating in a 30 day photo challenge, as run by the lovely Coralene

1. Self-portrait

2. Favorite shirt
3. Knick-knack
4. Last thing you purchased
5. Favorite pair of shoes
6. Something you ate today
7. Favorite room in house
8. Ugliest article of clothing that you can't get rid of
9. Inside your refrigerator
10. You, in front of your house
11. Something you waste money on
12. Favorite movie snack
13. Dream date
14. Favorite restaurant
15. Something that challenged you today
16. A random act of kindness
17. Guilty pleasure food
18. Something with huge sentimental value
19. The oldest thing you own
20. Something you're good at
21. Cutest pair of socks
22. Your bedroom
23. Favorite mug
24. Something you're reading
25. Your handwriting
26. Your pet(s)
27. Something you decorated
28. Your favorite holiday
29. Something someone made for you
30. You with your loved one(s)

I might start tomorrow though. I'll see how presentable I can make myself.

2010-12-28T03:14:00.000-08:00

So Christmas was a bit of a weird one. Dave's dad died very suddenly on the 21st and the last week has been a bit of a blur really. It was completely unexpected, he hadn't been ill or anything like that so it was a complete shock. Christmas was a bit rough, but it was as nice as it could be under the circumstances and Dave is doing a little better so there is that to be grateful for. The funeral isn't until January 10th so hopefully that will give everyone a little time to come to terms with it.

There is a little happiness to come from this however. Me and Dave got engaged, so hopefully that provides a little bit of joy to his family at this sad time.

2010-12-20T11:22:00.000-08:00

I don't think the UK is somewhere that copes well with snow. That said it's been like 'The Day After Tomorrow' today! Blizzards, freezing winds, staggering through massive flakes of snow. Mental. Still, it makes for some very pretty scenery, something I can appreciate now that I'm not stood at a bus stop losing all feeling in my feet and face.

Still have some Christmas shopping to get done! Quickly running out of time, I have yet another cold again too :(

2010-12-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

The tree is up, I have bought most of my presents and I have a decent haul of beer. Let the festive times begin!

Complete with cat. Everyone needs a cat.

I will also be getting all frocked up and wearing heels for our work christmas party. I usually wear jeans. This will not end well.

2010-12-02T07:56:00.000-08:00

I found this over on the wonderful Fur Coat No Knickers blog. I can't decide if they are the most awful or brilliant things I have ever seen. I'm going to go with brilliant. I want a pair!

They have loads (including Henry VIII) over here. Brilliant.

New hat!

2010-11-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

It is simply the warmest most toasty thing I own. I love it. I don't care if I look utterly ridiculous.

It's snowing here in Cardiff, so I'm getting in the festive spirit slightly early and watching The Muppet Christmas Carol. I love it so. I swear, I'm getting more stupidly excited about Christmas the older I get.

2010-11-20T04:12:00.000-08:00

I apologise for the lack of activity lately (although I'm pretty sure no-one is that bothered really) Haven't had much to say. I think I've been acting a bit weird too. Sometimes I go like that. My head goes places it shouldn't. I guess that sounds kind of pretentious, but it's pretty much the only way to describe it. I feel a bit directionless and 'meh.' I've been kind of ill too, nothing serious just bad colds, but one after the other and it's making me feel a little down. Work has been pretty busy too which is great, as I like to be doing stuff, but it's making me a little tired.

Christmas is coming around very quickly. I made a christmas cake for the first time ever last weekend. It smells so good! I soaked the mixed fruit in brandy for 24 hours before making the cake and as it was cooking it smelt incredible. It weighs a tonne though. I still have to put marzipan and icing on it, but it looks pretty promising so far.

The music channels have started an assult on the christmas songs. As our living room is quite close to the street and people can see in pretty easily (even though they shouldn't be so nosy!) I've had a few people catch me singing along to Band Aid or Wizzard and openly laugh at me. How embarrassing. Oh well.

2010-10-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

I'm too excited about Christmas already. Maybe it's because last year I moved flat right after christmas so there wasn't any long drawn out celebrations and this year I want to make the most of it. I hope we have snow. I like snow.

I'm going to make a christmas cake this year. First attempt as I don't normally like it. But I do like marzipan. A lot.

Saturday afternoons

2010-10-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to an afternoon gig/show/whatever people call it nowadays. It was a lot of fun, probably more so than it would have been had it been an evening one. AC4 (ex Refused/The (International) Noise Conspiracy) plus two local supports; A Thousand Arrows and A Modern Farewell.

I was really surprised by AC4, not surprised that they would be good as I'd heard some stuff but at how funny they were. Refused were pretty political and serious. AC4 were political obviously but really really funny and just seemed like they were having a good time. Seeing Dennis Lyxzén strutting around to a cover of Motorhead 'Orgasmatron' probably ranks as one of the best and most surreal things I've ever seen. It was incredible.

Of course the best thing of all was that it was all over by three in the afternoon which meant me and Dave could have a few drinks and still be home in time for tea. I'm such an old woman.

Cats!

2010-10-23T02:32:00.000-07:00

Nothing of note to report, so here are a few cat pictures. Everyone loves cat pictures. My mum has five cats and a dog. Gizmo was born last year and she had a litter of five kittens earlier this year. Unfortunately two of them died but the other three have done really well and now have new homes.

Gizmo (she's beautiful and so affectionate)

Kittens

Hi new people!

2010-10-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what I've done to gain 4 new followers in the space of two weeks but I must be doing something right. Hello new people! Is it sad to be excited about having 12 people follow your blog? I expected Sam to be the only follower.

I've just got back from Spain and am delighted to find that the cats haven't pooed/peed/vommed/left dead things everywhere (pond weed doesn't count). The holiday was fun, it's always nice to come home though. Except it's cold now. Not so fond of the cold.

2010-10-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Well my evil cold is in the process of disappearing. I have felt horrific for the last week though. I had to spend Tuesday at home though, having rung in sick and watching bad television. I did catch up on the new series of Mad Men, so I guess not all bad. Tuesday was made a little bit more uplifting by the post I received though. I had ordered some stuff Sunday evening from the talented Gemma Correll who can be found here:-

http://gemma-correll.blogspot.com/

I ordered

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57227514/scribble-kitty-tote-bag

along with a postcard and a kitty colouring book, which I've had heaps of fun with. Never too old for colouring! I'm definitely going to order some more stuff soon I think.

Not much going on this week. Made a lemon cheesecake to take to Sunday lunch at Dave's parents which is still setting in the fridge so *fingers crossed* it will be okay. One busy week at work ahead and then I'm off to Spain for a week. Hooray!

(although we probably won't be going to this restaurant again. We think they gave a us food poisoning last time)

Germs

2010-09-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

So just in time for me starting back at work after a week off, I come down with a cold. Brilliant.

*blows nose*

2010-09-25T12:48:00.000-07:00

Pretty giraffe.

It's pretty cold today, I have the heating on for the first time in months. I am actually looking forward to it getting a bit colder because I have a real fireplace and I'm looking forward to getting a massive roaring fire going.

I don't know if anyone hasn't seen this, but I love the new ikea advert! 100 cats roaming around a store in London ( I think) It's on youtube, along with a 'making of' documentary. But I think it's just so sweet.

London

2010-09-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Had a few days in London during my week off. Dave got us tickets to see Stephen Fry in the Royal Albert Hall which was a lot of fun. I like London a lot but it sometimes get a bit too hectic for my liking. I especially hate the tube. We also went to London Zoo and the Natural History museum which were great. Anyway, here are a few pictures:-

This cup was already here when we stopped for lunch and we were seated right next to it. Since my last name is Cox we found it funny. It was a place called the The Breakfast Club in Soho, they had the best Huevos Rancheros!

Pictures!

2010-09-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Sian's wedding last week!

My wedding outfit. It looked better without the jacket, but it was a bit chilly.

Happy days!

Now for two really old (well 5 and 6 years old) pictures of me! This first one was taken when I was 20 (on my birthday actually) and it turned out I had my top on backwards on the whole night!

And here is Xenu, when he was a kitten. He had such big ears! The black cat is Arnold, who is a bit antisocial. Very cute though.

2010-09-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

The wedding was a lot of fun. It was here :-

http://www.countryhouseweddings.co.uk/leez-priory

Sian came down the aisle to 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' and I almost cried! I got a massive lump in my throat and was sat there sniffing for most of the service. She looked so pretty, her dress was lovely (I'll try and post some pictures up soon) but she had trainers on under her dress! That was probably just as well really as the ground was a little muddy of those of us wearing heels kept sinking. Hah.

Had lots of photos taken. Apparently they'll be up on the official website in a few days, so I'll try and get some then too. There was lots of free wine and the food was lovely (I ate a scallop!) and there was a hog roast in the evening with some dancing. Fell into bed around midnight with my feet throbbing. I very rarely wear heels (I'm almost 6ft as it is) and even though they were only about an inch and a half, I was convinced that I was going to fall over when walking around, nevermind dancing, but thankfully all was well.

There was a little bit of a scrum when the bouquet was thrown, I didn't catch it though. I did accidentally manage to hit Tish in the head trying to catch it. Oops.

A bit of a catch up

2010-09-04T10:06:00.001-07:00

Finally got the last of my wedding outfit sorted today. A close friend of mine is getting married on Wednesday which is exciting in itself, but as she's the first of my friends to get married it's quite a big thing. It's come around so quickly that I haven't had much time to think about it, but now that it's almost here I'm super excited. I'm not really a girly girl so it's been a bit of a ordeal finding things I like but now I'm sorted. Hooray!

I passed my theory test on Wednesday which pleased me no end. I'm hoping to have at least made one attempt at my practical some time in November as I would have been learning to drive for just over a year by then. I'm not too worried if I pass first time or not, I'm not expecting to, but I'd like to be able to drive now. I can't face another freezing, wet winter stood at the bus stop at 6.30 in the morning.

Birthday tomorrow. I shall be 26. Dave won't give me any hints as to what I have but not much longer to wait. I have already had some cupcakes and a nice bottle of wine bought for me :) as well as some other things that are wrapped that I've hidden away so I'm not tempted to open them early!

2010-08-15T07:33:00.000-07:00

Toy Story 3 is so great.

2010-07-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

As much as I love my cats I do not appreciate the dead things they bring in. In the space of 4 days there has been:-

One horrifically large rat

A pigeon which looks like it exploded

A magpie. I think. All I found were feathers and a foot in my bathroom.

Also pond weed. Chap likes to bring it in which is just weird.

Slight bit of craziness yesterday. Watching tv yesterday when I saw a police van pull up next to the house opposite. Then two policemen with riot shields and guns get out. Another car pulled up and knocked on the door of the house and said something to the lady who lived there. Nothing much happened after that, people were loitering around watching and then a policewoman knocked on the door. Apparently someone has been making hoax calls about the house opposite saying that there were allegations of firearms being kept there, but there was nothing to worry about. Then they all got into their cars and left. Very bizarre.

2010-01-17T04:45:00.000-08:00

All nice and settled in the new flat now, but my laptop is broken and I can't really afford a new one for the time being. I can use the PC for the time being but I'm not too cut up about it. I tire of the internet really quickly these days. Maybe I can channel the lack of internet time into something constructive. Or something. I don't know.

2009-12-19T04:24:00.001-08:00

Not posted again for a while but I don't have that much to say. Although I am super excited about Christmas, despite upsetting Dave by guessing one of my presents. I'm also moving at the end of the month which will be stressful but worth it as the flat is lovely!

2009-11-22T03:38:00.001-08:00

I'm kind of looking forward to Christmas a bit more than usual this year. Just me and Dave on Christmas day again, with the odd visit from parents and friends. I do need to start my shopping though, which will have to wait until payday. I do have a list and it shouldn't be too stressful, I just hate going into the shops, as they're so busy and everyone is really aggressive. I am getting some stuff online but it's Dave's birthday next week and only 1 of the 3 things I've ordered has turned up! The one, I'm pretty sure is lost but amazon said they can't look into it any further until the 25th and the other is from America and can take 1-3 weeks so hopefully it'll be here this week. If not, then I'll have to think of something else and he can have them at Christmas. Rise Against tonight though (which was another birthday treat), yay!
December is going to be so busy though, I think I'm doing something every weekend now right up until the week before. Work will be busy too, so I'm sure the time will go quick. Kind of nice to be looking forward to it so much since I hate NYE.

2009-11-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

I have just bought the greatest Christmas film of all time 'A Muppets Christmas Carol' on amazon for the bargainous sum of £3.98. Awesome.

2009-11-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

I have been told to blog and I shall!

*I haven't really been upto that much though. My driving lessons have started and although I'm enjoying it I was petrified when I went out on the road for the first time last week. I panicked and everything went wrong though so he had me driving around the car park this week which was a lot better and allowed me to concentrate on some things that I kept doing wrong. It is fun though.
*Started new job last week. I am enjoying it, I just don't like not knowing how to do things and feeling out of my depth. I like being good at stuff!
*HP scarf all finished and warm. Started one for my Uncle now as he wants a Newcastle United one for Xmas and reckons I won't finish it on time.
*Been quite snappy and irritable today. Just a combination of being tired and bombarded with work and other stuff. I'm sure I'll be alright soon.
*I got a signed book from Sarra Manning today. I'm not sure how many people are familar with her but I used to read her 'Diary of a Crush' column in J-17 when I was younger (like 15, 16). Anyway, I've bought all of her books over the last few years and they're the only ones my sister will read (and has consequently run off with) but on her blog a few weeks ago she requested a Spotify code. So I emailed her one and she sent me a signed book as a thank you and it arrived today! So pleased :)

2009-10-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

I saw the trailer for 'Where The Wild Things Are' a few days ago. It looks absolutely incredible. Just mind blowingly so.

2009-10-03T03:56:00.000-07:00

I hate Tesco.
They've charged me twice for my internet shop. Twice! And now they told me they've refunded in but because of security measures on my bank account it won't show up for 3-5 days. Too fucking bad that those bloody security measures didn't pick it up when they charged me twice for it. For fucks sake.

On a more positive note, I got promoted at work. Yay me! Now I just hope I can do the job. Hopefully I'll be able to start at the beginning of November, but my manager is on leave for another week, so I'll have to wait until then until a release date is agreed. Eek.

Scarf and cupcakes

2009-09-20T06:04:00.001-07:00

My Gryffindor scarf that I'm still in the process of knitting. Not bad, considering I only started it properly a week ago. I seem to have stopped adding on stitches and dropping them too. Which is good.

Black Bottomed cupcakes from the Hummingbird book. These have turned out better than my last lot, which were still nice but the sponge seemed a bit heavier, I added a bit more water this time. It's basically a chocolate sponge base with cheesecake filling. Super super yummy.

2009-09-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

Mhm Cardiff Cheese Festival is next week. Over 400 different types of cheese. Yummy.

2009-09-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

I am getting Dave this for his birthday:-

http://www.threadless.com/product/1960/Three_Keyboard_Cat_Moon?utm_medium=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=September-15-2009_091509+Prints+Sale&utm_source=091509+Prints+Sale.

I love it. He will too.

Some holiday snaps and a wee update

2009-09-13T01:15:00.000-07:00

Mijas

Park in Benalmadena

And some others

Happy soul

Ghost peoples

It was fun. Hopefully we'll be going to America next year, so I need to get my bum into gear and do some serious saving.
Not been upto all that much, it was my birthday last week so on the Friday Dave took me to Bath for the afternoon and we went to the spa and ate way too much in Wagamama. On the Saturday (my actual birthday) we just pottered a bit and went to see some bands in Bridgend. I got the Buffy boxset, the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook and a bottle of whiskey from Dave, a handbag with matching purse from my mum and sister and some money from family members. It was a nice day. I also went to the new knitting shop on Albany Rd (called Big Knitters) and bought some wool so I could make my Gryffindor scarf. It's coming along nicely so far, I'll try and post a picture of it later. Yesterday I went to the Ludlow food festival and came back with some yummy cheeses, pickled shallots, olives with feta and beef jerky flavoured with Naga chilli (the hottest chilli in the world). It almost blew my head off! I went with my nan and auntie and we had a little picnic on the way up with some of the 'black bottomed cupcakes' I made using the cookbook. They went down quite well and my auntie and nan renamed them 'wide bottom cupcakes' because that is what will happen if someone eats too many! They were very tasty though, sort of a brownie type dense sponge with a blob of cheesecake baked into it. I'm going to make another lot today and some banana and cinnamon muffins (I think) and take a few into work tomorrow. They like to try my baking :)

2009-09-05T09:30:00.001-07:00

The Hummingbird Bakery cookbook is mine all mine! Along with the Buffy boxset. Cakes for everyone!

2009-09-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

I would like to go here please :-
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/

It's definitely on the to-do list for America. They have a Great White at the moment which I would love to see (they only have them a few weeks at a time though and release them back into the wild). I love sharks in a 'they scare the crap out of me' way, so to see something like this would be amazing.

The holiday was fun, I'll post pictures up when I have the time.

2009-08-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

I bought 'Dead Until Dark' (True Blood book) today. Sam kindly lent me her copy in the week, I read it and loved it so much I bought it myself. I've missed a few episodes of the programme but I've liked what I saw and will watch it when it comes on channel 4. I like Eric, played by Alexander Skarsgard who is the son of Stellan Skarsgard whom I have a weird older man crush on, even though I'm not sure why. But yes, Eric. I do like him.

Holiday on Monday!

2009-08-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Poor Arnold got stung by a bee. He wandered in and his paw huge and he was limping. We took him to the vets and he had a bee sting stuck in between the pads of his paw. Poor cat. The vet gave him two injections and he seems a lot better now. He also had to have a thermometer up his bum. Poor cat.

It's a sad day :(

2009-08-06T21:59:00.000-07:00

John Hughes is dead. It was announced on the radio last night, I was half asleep so I thought I imagined it. So sad. Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Breakfast Club are easily two of my favourite films.

Dress, kitties & Buffy

2009-08-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

Chap loves it

Xenu loves it too

The kittens at my mums when they were about a week old

Buffy (slightly blurry, she refuses to keep still)

The dress. I think it looks better in person

2009-08-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

I bought my first dress (and only the second one I own) today. It's pretty and swooshy with roses on it. I may post a pic tomorrow or something. Not overly interesting but a rare occurance so I thought it was noteworthy. I also got some Vans as all of my shoes have holes in (well not my primark ones but they are too small and cripple me-curse my size 9's!) Holiday shopping! I got my bonus so I can actually spend some money without feeling too guilty so I also bought some books from amazon ready for holiday. I got Decca-The Letters of Jessica Mitford (I'm interested in the Mitford sisters for some reason, I have a few of their books), Shappi Khorsandi (Iranian born/British raised comedienne)-The Beginners Guide to Acting English and Jon Ronson-Men Who Stare At Goats. Buying things is fun :)

Medical post!

2009-07-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

I am so glad it is almost the weekend. And payday. A payday with a bonus in fact. At least it sorts out the holiday money.
Went to the Doctor today (I was supposed to be seeing the nurse but for some reason the receptionist made me an appointment for the doctor) told him that I'm fine with my change of pill, the migraines have got less frequent, blood pressure is fine etc. I had him baffled about my hand however. I had an op on it two years ago to have a nerve decompressed but now my hand it acting up again, nothing serious just pins and needles, numbness and a bit of discomfort. Apparently it might be carpal (carpel?) tunnel but I have something that had caused the tendons in my hand to thicken and my hands claw up slightly. I can straighten them, but they just naturally curl up and when it's straight there is a bit of a strain. My dad has the same problem and so does my sister but he said he's never heard of it being in anyone under 60 let alone it being hereditary. Hah. He was all interested in going off to research it.

Not very interesting I know, but I found it amusing :)

2009-07-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

Just watched 'Milk.' We had a free film at blockbuster so we rented it, having missed it in the cinema. Absolutely superb, anyone who hasn't seen it, I can't recommend it highly enough. I did cry at the end but I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't. Dave is now watching a documentary about Fred and Rose West. Lovely.
I've just drunk wine for the first time in about 2 months and now I have a really bad stomach ache. Although that may also be due to the GBK I had earlier. It was nice though. A celebration for hitting the stone mark I think.
Oh how I can't wait until holiday.

2009-07-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

I'm learning to knit! My nan has started to teach me and I can cast on and do plain stitching. So I'm going to practice this week and then she will teach me to purl. I can knit myself a massive Gryffindor scarf then! And maybe a case for my ipod. It's quite relaxing.
I've decided that I'm going to start learning to drive as well. I'm 25 in a few weeks time and was bought lessons for my 21st so it's about time I put them to use. I have said this before but now I feel like I've been kicked into action because it'll make things so much easier workwise and regarding wherever me and Dave live in the future. I want a nice little KA to zoom around in.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

2009-07-17T13:02:00.000-07:00

I've been looking forward to this film for so so long. It's my favourite out of all of the books so my expectations were quite high. I wasn't disappointed really, there were things they could have omitted in favour of other things but if I had my own way the film would have been other two hours long!

Spoilers!

+The scene in the cave. I huddled in my seat when the Inferi grabbed Harry and then Dumbledore saved the day.
+Fawkes!
+Aragog!
+Every scene with Ron in it. He's lovely, bless him and the funniest thing in the film
+Fred and George <3
+Luna and her lion hat. Genius.
+The bit where Katie is given the cursed necklace, really quite creepy
+I liked Draco a lot in this one, seeing his attempts to fix the cabinet was something that wasn't really touched upon in the book and it was good that they went into more detail this time.

Not sure about Dumbledore dying (yes I did cry) but I liked the book version better and wanted a battle!

-Not enough Lupin
-No Bill. WHEN WE WILL SEE BILL?!
-The burrow burning bit. Why? I'm not sure what the point of it was.
-Not enough Quidditch. I love Quidditch
-Implications that Harry and Ginny have sex. Sex has no place in Harry Potter
-Now I have to wait over a year for the next film

I will see it again though!

2009-07-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

The bird killer:

He struck again. This is Xenu (so named after the evil overlord of Scientology, or something.) Look at those eyes, he's so cute. He wouldn't hurt a fly (although he does and eats them on a frequent basis.)
Harry Potter is out tomorrow. Yay!

2009-07-11T08:24:00.001-07:00

I want a Maine Coon cat so bad! They look amazing. I will have one one day. I don't know how the others would react though. One of them has managed to kill a magpie much to my disgust. I suspect Arnold as he doesn't have a collar at the moment but Chap is the only one big enough I think. Xenu is too small. Poor magpie.

Anyway, I thought I'd put a link to some webcomics I like to read:-

http://www.questionablecontent.net/
http://www.daniellecorsetto.com/gws.html
http://www.johnnywander.com/

Can someone recommend me some others? And maybe some other blogs too?

Bruno..

2009-07-11T04:05:00.000-07:00

wasn't that great. There were one or two funny bits and an absolutely hilarious bit at the end. other than that though it seemed like a bit of a waste of time. I'm not even that big a fan of Borat but I enjoyed that slightly more than this. Nevermind. Couple of good films coming out soon and Harry Potter next week! Yay!

New Blog

2009-07-10T06:08:00.000-07:00

So here I am with yet another blog (online journal?) I do have another but it's a locked one over on livejournal. Not that I post much on there these days anyway. It isn't that I don't have anything to write about, it's just that I don't think people are all that interested. Nevermind.
I guess that for those that don't know me, an introduction is probably in order. I'm Rae (or Rachael), 24 (almost 25) and live in Cardiff with my boyfriend Dave and three cats. I work at the ONS, have done so for the last two years. I like to do a lot of things that I don't do as often as I should, most notably spend time with my friends. I am working on it though. I also should really learn to drive, I'm sick of buses. I'm not sure what else to say really. If anyone is reading this and wanted to ask a question I guess that would be okay. I'm not a fan of introduction posts, they make me feel weird.