tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35711782011-04-21T20:20:56.353ZMy life as an Australian living in the north of England in words... If any of what you read here tickles you or pisses you off or amazingly, entertains you, then leave a comment!claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-69173082842313410002007-08-08T01:41:00.001Z2007-08-08T01:42:18.335Z

In case you still wander over to this blog, and notice it is woefully out of date, that is cause we have a new one ... here.Drop in if you want to know what we've been up to!

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1116416287564397662005-05-18T13:00:00.000Z2006-11-04T04:53:04.886Z

I was so sad to hear yesterday that Kylie has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Its not like she is the only person to have ever heard her doctor utter those terrible words but it is still a shock for many reasons.Firstly, Kylie is only slightly younger than me, she has not had children and for all appearances seems fit and healthy. Secondly, since living her in the UK I have developed a

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1114512329530811952005-04-26T11:45:00.000Z2006-04-17T16:17:32.550Z

Not really the last post. Just something taken out of this story I read in The Age yesterday which, for those who did not know, was ANZAC Day.Fifteen Australian World War I soldiers killed in battle in Belgium finally came home this year - in an unexpected form - under the watch of the newest generation of defence forces. Victorian air force cadet Robert Schneider and navy cadet Loretta Coste,

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1113564936558457582005-04-15T11:33:00.000Z2005-04-15T11:46:06.380Z

This is only really relevant if you live in the UK - where I might add, voting is not compulsory. Which I have to say annoys me beyond belief as everyone I meet feels quite qualified to bitch and moan about the state of the country yet as you quiz them as to their voting habits it more often than not trainspires that they do not!Anyone, Ian sent me a quick quiz to ascertain which way one should

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1113389030295087042005-04-13T08:41:00.000Z2005-04-13T11:46:17.290Z

The title sounds a little hostile I know but its not meant to be. I guess it is just a slow lumbering revelation I have had since I got back from Melbourne at the end of Janary.I am feeling quite like an outsider all over again but this time I am harborouring a slightly delicious feeling of rebellion to all things English. I have buried myself in a few Antipodean things like books, films and

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1111491039103431372005-03-22T11:29:00.000Z2005-03-22T11:30:39.106Z

I left my black, leather gloves on the bus last week.I loved those gloves. They were one of the leaving presents my English colleagues who I worked with in Melbourne gave me right before I left.I have managed to not lose them for five consecutive English winters. Quite an achievement for me really as I am most definitely one for losing things.So there you go. They are gone. I did call the

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1109592523359652432005-02-28T11:39:00.000Z2005-02-28T16:27:20.543Z

Its been snowing across the UK for the last week or so and I have to confess I've loved it. I love the crispness of the landscape after it snows and the seeming stillness that pervades the air in the wake of a proper covering.Last Friday I took my rather huge golf umbrella with me (suitably corporatised by my company's logo for I work in marketing now so this is one of the perks...). However,

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1108565691619743602005-02-16T14:05:00.000Z2005-02-16T15:06:08.396Z

I had some of the best meals I've had in a long time while we were in Melbourne over January. It is very hard to come back to Manchester and find myself struggling with all the things that are simply not available here. I find myself getting more and more critical and resentful.We spent a small fortune on smoothies and fresh juice at many of the hundred Boost bars in Australia. On a hot day when

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1108469869447355642005-02-15T11:10:00.000Z2005-02-15T12:17:49.450Z

I confess I saw a copy of Desiderata post on Faith's website today and it just seemed to sum up things at the moment.I look at life from different points to ascertain how it is all going. Firstly, my internal state. Am I anxious? Peaceful? Content? Are my thoughts running towards something good or are they dark and brooding?How are my relationships? Are they fraught? Is there angst?

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1108465793856973972005-02-15T11:03:00.000Z2005-02-15T11:09:53.856Z

DesiderataGo placidly amid the noise and haste,and remember what peace there may be in silence.As far as possible without surrenderbe on good terms with all persons.Speak your truth quietly and clearly;and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons,they are vexations to the spirit.If you compare yourself with others,you may become

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1108133540196632462005-02-11T14:49:00.000Z2005-02-11T14:52:20.196Z

I am in love.Not just cause its Friday.No, its my bloke I love. He is the best that ever happened to me.That's all.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1107959343058347422005-02-09T14:27:00.000Z2005-02-11T14:49:20.930Z

One thing I've noticed is that I don't seem to have very many illuminated moments these days. You know, the moment when you look up from the mundanity of your everyday life and see the setting sun dance on the water like a million faeries going home after a day of magic.Or when you realise you are actually a better person that you've been telling yourself you are. Or that the awful thing you have

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1107952049771024202005-02-09T13:09:00.000Z2005-02-09T14:43:06.420Z

I used to be quite into signs. Not your run of the mill STOP signs or GIVE WAY signs. No, that was my brother's fetish for a while in his misspent youth. He actually collected quite a stash including one of those flashing yellow lights you sometimes see at road work sites. In the end his conscience won and he returned them all to the council. I must ask him how he actually did that without

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1101834079381990682004-11-30T16:26:00.000Z2004-12-06T10:17:36.210Z

Well its December 6th. Its 16.26 and the sky outside my office window is darkening. Fast. Now believe it or not that is not a complaint. Or a moan. Or even a bloody whinge! I really like this time of year. Or should I say I have grown to like this time of year. Crisp cold days, clear blue skies, frozen puddles and the mist that hangs over the park near our house every morning. Gorgeous. I

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1098439919551615672004-10-22T09:24:00.000Z2004-10-22T19:28:06.593Z

Or so it seems. Me, I have figured out long ago that to hang out for the weekend as soon as Monday rolls around means you lose 5 days in the process with all the waiting that ensues. Getting to old to lose 5 days a week thanks. So rather than regale you with what I am going to do in the next 2 days, I will fill in what I've done in the past 5.I will start by painting a back drop of what has been

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1098436639651076592004-10-22T09:15:00.000Z2004-10-22T09:19:39.470Z

Sometimes you just have to share these things ... President Bush was visiting a primary school and he sat in one of the classes. They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings. The teacher asked the President if he would like to lead the discussion on the word "tragedy". So the illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a "tragedy". One little boy stood up

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1098182188762312222004-10-19T10:03:00.000Z2004-10-19T10:38:00.373Z

I've made a few changes to the links over there to your right. Faith is my friend in Seattle who I used to go to church with in Melbourne many moons ago. She is married to another friend of mine called Joel who is a bit of a brainiac. I think its about time Ian and I got ourselves over to Seattle to see them do you not think? Her blog is ace. I have also added my brother's Football newsfeed

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1098179680066588162004-10-19T09:50:00.000Z2004-10-19T10:47:59.606Z

I wrote the following for a friend's fanzine. It should be published soon. It speaks for itself so I'll just post it. Enjoy! My Grandmother complained for years about my Grandfather's obsession with the beautiful game. Until one day, in utter desperation, he sat her down, explained the rules and she was smitten. So much so that the year after his death, as a kind of memorial to him, I stayed at

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1098094030726061602004-10-18T10:01:00.000Z2004-10-19T10:52:51.580Z

Well, here we go again. I do so hate having to do this. The grovel and the squirm that comes over me as I log into Blogger.com with teeth gritting determination to update the bloody thing. I always feel like I've somehow let somebody down by not blogging daily or even weekly. I'm not even sure anyone even reads this thing but me. Still, I guess the squirm is down to the fact that I'm one of

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1091014917855307642004-07-28T11:06:00.000Z2004-10-19T10:50:13.713Z

Funny, I was not sure what I was going to title this entry but as blogger loaded I started to think about how long it has been since I last posted. Playing alongside that thought were the Cure-ish melodies that have been languishing around my brain for the last few weeks and as I read an interview with Robert Smith in last month's Uncut mag and In Between Days just seemed the most appropriate

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084801590755283572004-05-17T13:32:00.000Z2004-05-17T18:26:05.316Z

So I get home early cause I left work at 4.40pm managing to beat rush hour traffic. I had a little layabout time which is always nice before a night out. I like being able to put some time between rushing home and rushing to get ready. Like a sorbet between course really. Gosh I can be a ponce. Anyway, I got ready in record time which shocked Ian considerably. My new dress looked lovely! I

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084800507397980172004-05-17T13:20:00.000Z2004-05-17T13:31:27.286Z

... but I won't be heading there in June as previously planned. Stuff has come up which has meant I must relegate plans to spend 2 weeks in Melbourne to the back burner for now. Actually, it is better this way. Yes, I will be missing my Mum's 60th birthday party but it makes better sense to leave the trip for later in the year for my brother's baby 4 months old by then, Ian can get more time

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084647611432907452004-05-15T18:42:00.000Z2004-05-15T19:00:11.433Z

I've been out of action for 24 hours for a rather embarassing reason. I've sprained both my ankles. Badly. How? On Friday morning I was standing on the sofa reaching for a book from the top shelf in the lounge. So far so good. I grabbed the book I wanted, turned and stepped off the sofa with my right foot however as soon as I put weight onto it, it folded over leaving my left foot to

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084441781223514182004-05-13T09:48:00.000Z2004-05-13T09:49:41.223Z

Check this out. My brother has posted a photo of Ian taken at Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday (eh?) which was the day QPR went up!

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084441059391198082004-05-13T09:24:00.000Z2004-05-13T09:52:44.863Z

Every birthday my Dad says to me 'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen!' Which is cute really given I'm more than twice sixteen however I think this has more to do with his disbelief that he is pushing 60 than with his nostalgic affection about his little girl... Still, Dad doesn't like talking to me on the phone from Australia cause it makes him sad. Somewhere in there is an irony but I suspect he's

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084305163098348772004-05-11T19:51:00.000Z2004-05-12T14:23:47.160Z

Its my birthday tomorrow. I don't particularly relish the slowly diminishing stock of my years but I do like people, parties & presents. In that order. I don't know what Ian has planned for tomorrow. Last week he all but convinced me he had not organised anything so after I cried he admitted that he had planned something and it would not be just he and I. I stopped crying. Poor bloke. As

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084221611654200472004-05-10T20:36:00.000Z2004-05-10T20:54:51.510Z

I think I've done it! I've changed the template without so much as an 'Oh my God what have I done?!' It took a while for I could not decide which template I wanted. I liked minimia but it was a little to white and clean. Possibly because it was minimilist. In the end I went for this one cause it has an orange star in the corner. And so combining 2 of my favorite things... the colour orange

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084185974829747322004-05-10T10:44:00.000Z2004-05-10T10:46:34.973Z

You know that ad at the top of my blog? Can it read my mind? Or does it read my blog? Today it is asking me if I want to search for Shakespeare related stuff. Which is spooky cause last week I did. Am I being watched? Is this the end of my blogging from work as I know it? Have I been discovered?? Shhhhhh

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084183520052547372004-05-10T10:02:00.000Z2004-05-10T10:05:20.053Z

Oh no! Blogger have sleeked up and made everything look sexier! New templates, new colours, new everything!! How ever will I decide what to doooooo!! I'm leaning towards a minimal looking site but I'm not going to rush into anything just yet. Hmmmmm Listening to: A bit of everything Reading: Moll Flanders, Daniel Defoe

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084032851352431262004-05-08T16:14:00.000Z2004-05-11T13:24:20.470Z

YES! YES! YES! QPR won against Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 which gives them automatic promotion from the Second to the First division!! I am sooooo excited for Ian and every QPR fan who have been faithfully following the team through this Second Division Pergatory. God, I'm glad it is over. Howard, Georgie and Oscar were so late we decided to stay in, eat pizza and just catch up. I worked with H

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1084018982817545282004-05-08T12:23:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:38:05.503Z

Phew! Not being very HTML savvy I was worried that my blog was going to have to stay salmon pink for ever. However, after 15 minutes of flicking between a colour chart, my blog preview and my template I've managed to figure out what code represents each element of the front page and sort it out. Like I said earlier, phew! It is a bloody miserating day in Manchester today. And there will be

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083971207113402802004-05-07T23:06:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:38:22.120Z

I've messed around with the colours on my Blog (stating the obvious is a hobby) and I don't like it! What was I THINKING?? But it is too late and I'm too tired to figure out what colour goes with what at this time of night. Bugger. I'll have to change it tomorrow. God it looks henious. Good night.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083943125976903922004-05-07T15:18:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:38:46.936Z

I'm having a Shakespearian renaissance in my head. My bed head that is. A pile of plays I've either not read for ages or not read at all sits there being all delicious and enticing. See, that's how I get around Shakespeare. The anticipation as I turn the next page and read more alluring wordage that William's brilliant mind strings together so masterfully. Gosh, I almost waxed lyrical! I

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083795789091727642004-05-05T22:23:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:39:31.396Z

Today is the day our baby was due to be born had we not miscarried. We lit a candle, opened a bottle of red wine and cried a little for the life Jordi will not ever have. I guess life has to go on...

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083761404739095922004-05-05T12:50:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:39:45.706Z

One of the more stupid on-line quizzes... This is me ... And Ian is ...

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083755318973090992004-05-05T11:08:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:40:00.036Z

I received the most wonderful package in the post this morning. My gorgeous friends Shauna & Davey, sent me an envelope full of drawings, paintings (that lime green one is getting a frame I tell you!) by their gorgeous children Dakoda, Beauie, Kushla and Zanek . And the photos! I can't belive it has been 4 years since I last saw them. It is not right. Beauie, their second child and my

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083752720035749462004-05-05T10:25:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:40:17.293Z

The May Bank holiday weekend has come and gone and I seem to have emerged from it even more tired than I was on Friday night. Blast and botheration. I'm starting to seriously worry that my recall facility is broken. My concern about my inability to remember what I ate for tea the night before is being rapidly superseded by my alarm that I call a colleague, say Hi and promptly forget what the

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083148292588180582004-04-28T10:31:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:40:35.266Z

Not exactly a chant you'll hear at an English football game but at least they have pies here!! Cheese & onion pies (if you thing FournTwenty pies are stuffed with dubious meat type fillings, you've not seem meat pies at football games in England - apologies in advance to those who like them *shudder*) and Magpies! Alongside my beloved Collingwood I support Newcastle United. If only in a

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083074798954769212004-04-27T14:06:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:40:51.560Z

I sincerely hope Bob Hawke is believed when he says "My friends, if I may borrow a phrase, it's time - it's time that this myth of superior conservative competence on defence and national security be understood for the humbug that it is." And that those how have sat on the fence vote that blathering idiot of a PM out come the next elections in Australia.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083059662186514912004-04-27T09:54:00.000Z2004-05-11T17:43:29.156Z

It's now 10.44 and I've done NOTHING but stare at the screen doing that compulsory blog-jumping thing that is a major time sucker. I'm finding the inspiration to write hard to capture right now. I'm convinced it is this bloody overcast drizzly day that I seem to have woken up to but nevertheless, I will try ... Friday night Ian and I stayed in with 2 bottles of lovely white wine. Sav Blanc ..

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083054395998531132004-04-27T08:26:00.000Z2004-04-27T08:31:18.060Z

This thing is showing up the time as GMT but not taking into account that it is now daylight savings time. So if you are reading this the time I posted this is actually 9.26am not 8.26am. Don't know how to fix it. Bugger.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083053444905826262004-04-27T08:10:00.000Z2004-04-27T08:14:52.293Z

The other event of note is my mother has email. If any of you know my mother you will know how remarkable that is. I think that this is going to do wonders for our relationship.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1083052429035295502004-04-27T07:53:00.000Z2004-04-27T07:57:55.810Z

So, the meeting with the head of IT went well. At least after I calmed down. I managed to pull back from the brink (I caught a glimpse of the red veil's hem as it ascended) and we agreed that we needed slightly more printers that our initial allocation stated. Phew. Note to self: Don't lose temper in the face of idiocy, remain and calm and speak clearly. They will eventually understand.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082642923396471132004-04-22T14:08:00.000Z2004-04-27T07:53:18.436Z

Or am I? Today I'm taking inspiration from a fellow blogger whose website takes its title from one of my favorite Billy Bragg songs, A New England. Billy sings: I'm not trying to change the world, I'm not looking for a new England, I'm looking for another girl... Honestly, Billy should sainted. Anyway, the question I ask myself today is: Am I trying to change the world? Let me elucidate.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082625379152531222004-04-22T09:16:00.000Z2004-04-22T09:20:45.060Z

Ian and I saw The Willard Grant Conspiracy last night. For those of you who don't know who the heck I'm talking about this bio gives a bit of background. What a fabby night. What a great atmosphere! A violin. A double bass. A slide, steel string guitar. A big man with an even bigger voice. We were mesmerised... Listening to: Regard the End, Willard Grant Conspiracy Reading: Moll Flanders

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082477532652164392004-04-20T16:12:00.000Z2004-04-20T16:18:30.826Z

Honestly, There is some great junk out there! If you were a Peter Gabriel song you would be : Gentle, Compassionate. Your great with subtle feelings and communicating story's that no-one will ever understand. But people love that about your nature. You take time to do the lighter things. Smelling the flowers,

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082381917104360782004-04-19T13:38:00.000Z2004-04-19T16:20:13.543Z

A quick weekend round-up. On Friday night I dropped Ian off in town at 8.00 to meet the boys for a drink and a gig and inevitably, a curry. After leaving him I swung around to Blockbuster to pick up a movie or two. Now when I first visited my local Blockbuster about two and a half years ago I went up to the counter, arms laden with an assortment of vids only to find that as a first time renter

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082378154644826632004-04-19T12:35:00.000Z2004-04-19T13:58:43.250Z

I've cleverly worked out, all by myself, how to add a pop-up 'Comments' box the link to which you can see beneath each post. Soooo, if there is anybody out there who does actually read this blog, let me know and test the system out at the same time! Happy reading. C x

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082377923076927592004-04-19T12:32:00.000Z2004-04-19T13:58:58.733Z

I just had lunch in our canteen downstairs. Now there's a sentence you won't read here very often. James emailed to ask if I wanted to wander down for a sandwich. I'd already eaten my salad so I grabbed my soup in its disgustingly unenvironmentally friendly polystyrene cup (God, I can't believe they still serve food in these CFC loaded things in the 21st century!!) and headed downstairs.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082107145907071352004-04-16T09:19:00.000Z2004-04-16T13:26:52.983Z

It's Friday! Yay! It's raining... Boo! Went on a date with my husband last night! Yes, we went out! Excuse my enthusiasm but you see, given our always holidaying somewhere abroad we don't tend to splash out much on eating out. Much. So Ian met me after work, something I love, and we went to Wagamama. For those outside the UK Waga is a kind of communal style eatery that specialises in SE

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082039134829069442004-04-15T14:25:00.000Z2004-04-15T15:04:07.936Z

I've been playing around with the colour, font and, if I had my way, texture and smell of my blog. I love apple green and chocolate brown but the danger is it starts to look like a 1970's kitchen designed for Andy Warhol's mother. Let me know what you think?

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1082017908155505512004-04-15T08:31:00.000Z2004-04-15T08:49:33.840Z

I'm sorry folks but this one is going to be another spleen venting session so if you are not in the mood, click here now for some light relief. We had a night in front of the telly last night and first in line was another Firefly episode on DVD which is my all time favorite telly program. Dare I say it is a sci-fi? I only hesitate because Ian loves it as much as I do and he is the President

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1081851520512545202004-04-13T10:18:00.000Z2004-04-13T10:22:29.436Z

I really love this blog. Its a bit rude in places but I reckon its snortingly funny...

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1081789861894282502004-04-12T17:11:00.000Z2004-04-12T17:15:30.500Z

Honestly, is it not enough that these poor creatures are pumped full of growth steroids without making them look embarrassingly stupid? What is the world coming to?

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1081788846762761522004-04-12T16:54:00.000Z2004-04-12T17:05:02.030Z

A little sunshine came my way today... In a number of forms. Firstly, I spoke to 3 beautiful and dear friends over the seas. I love them all. I miss them terribly and I can not wait to see them again. I am not a great fan of the overseas phone call to be honest but I suspect that this has something to do with feeling that a phone call across the miles is not very satisfying as I'd much

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1081437711881807042004-04-08T15:21:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:27:11.700Z

Its been a rather nondescript week really. The sky has been grey for much of the time, apart from Tuesday afternoon where it actually went black and spat out hailstones. Work has been rather mundane and nothing much has happened. Or has it? Well, there is the small matter of my impending TRIP TO AUSTRALIA IN JUNE!!! I'm still rather shellshocked but there you have it - my sister called on

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1080913290071369142004-04-02T13:41:00.000Z2004-04-02T13:46:32.090Z

I'm off to London tonight. On the 17.27 from Manchester Piccadilly arriving London Euston at 20.15. I then have a 45 tube / DLR trip to Lewisham Station where the lovely Rachel will collect me. I'm very excited - I'm going solo! Ian is staying home. Feel a bit funny travelling without him to be honest as its been ages since we've been in different cities for any length of time. Perhaps I

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1080748053579298772004-03-31T15:47:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:29:09.590Z

Picture this ... It is the Saturday morning before the ultimate surprise party I'm planning for my beloved to celebrate his 40th birthday. We are lying in bed soaking up the notion that we do not have to respond to the alarm or the phone, just the Saturday paper and a lovely breakfast of fat toast and scrambled eggs. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself for tonight we were having dinner

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1079613000800673002004-03-18T12:30:00.000Z2004-03-18T12:35:55.000Z

I used to be of the 'too many books, too little time' crew but these days I seemed to have slipped into 'too many blogs, too much time on the company internet before they sack me for nothing' gang. Doing nothing that is. I can't believe what shite, hilarity, food for thought and plain brilliance the internet has spawned lately in the form of weblogs. The trouble is there are just too many out

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1079536190611808732004-03-17T15:09:00.000Z2004-03-17T15:16:15.420Z

I'm feeling rather desperate today. Actually, I've been feeling like the world is a pretty shit place to be at the moment. I seem to find myself aware of more and more injustice in the world and no way of making a difference. I am frustrated, angry, scared, depressed and just plain deflated. The Chancellor of the Exchequer passed the budget today and of course everyone who has a keyboard or a

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1078585037745543362004-03-06T14:57:00.000Z2004-03-06T15:10:17.780Z

We saw Paul Kelly at the Academy in Manchester last week and are seeing Powderfinger, also at the Academy next Thursday. I don't know if Aussie bands who tour the UK know how much their predominantly Aussie audiences need them. I don't know if I speak for most but the few Aussies I've talked to at gigs both here and in London just love the experience of seeing Aussie bands live in the UK. For

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1078583163785278412004-03-06T14:26:00.000Z2004-03-06T14:32:35.326Z

It is Saturday again. It seems it was only Monday yesterday when I was telling my friends at work about my last weekend. Another week of my life has flown by and it seems I only look up and notice on Saturdays. Surely Saturdays are meant to be good days, days when I don't go to work and I do all those tasks you spend all week telling myself I will do on Saturday. Saturdays are when I get up

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1078139349582383652004-03-01T11:09:00.000Z2004-03-06T14:29:26.140Z

Gosh! How on earth did I leave posting here for such a long time. I'm sorry!! Well, I guess the last post was a little terrible really and I was in no mood to wax eloquent so I guess the space between is justified. In my mind anyway. December, January & February in a nutshell (I seem to do this each year - write a synopsis for the Dec, Jan & Feb, discuss) well. Here goes: December was far

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1068825542000366802003-11-14T15:59:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:28:21.716Z

I've avoided doing this for so long. Its not that I don't enjoy pouring the contents of my head onto the keyboard, I do. It's not that I have not had time either. I have. Lots of it. I guess life has been rather topsy turvy of late and I wanted to wait till it righted itself before I committed my ramblings to the screen. And I guess this is as right as it is going to get for a while. In

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1064572907883484372003-09-26T10:41:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:30:13.950Z

Just when the internet seems a safe place again and opening an email no longer results is the death of one's hard drive - I get a virus. Not the internet kind mind you. A bodily, skanky, microscopic organism that has found its way into my person and has left me feeling none too great. I have been off work for two weeks (a personal best I have to add) and one this, my second Friday at home it

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1061891850863804052003-08-26T09:57:00.000Z2004-03-06T15:15:19.483Z

It is Tuesday morning, the first day back after a long bank holiday weekend. (For those in Australia a 'bank' holiday is a 'public' holiday except not just the banks get a holiday. Go figure.) I am so tired it is untrue. I have an echo of a headache which promises to resound ever louder as the day goes on. My eyes are grainy and I seem to be unable to even shift the muscles in my face into a

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1061391220403231542003-08-20T14:53:00.000Z2003-08-26T10:11:11.170Z

Another nothing day really. Not very busy. Quite bored in fact. Testimony that the weather does in fact make me uninterestingly bored (boring?) Anyway. We went to a little Korean cafe around the corner last night and to our delight discovered it was absolutely brilliant! And cheap!! £14 for the 2 of us and they stuffed us full to brimming. Yummy. I think I like Korean food. Another

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1061218068696275592003-08-18T14:47:00.000Z2003-08-18T14:47:48.700Z

Another one has just spun past me so fast I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday. Imagine the rude shock that was when I realised it was Monday... Crap. I am almost 100% convinced that this overcast grey shit that hangs over this country for a large percentage of the time affects my moods directly. I hate overcast days. I just know the sun is up there beyond that muck that refuses

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1060854876333706322003-08-14T09:54:00.000Z2004-04-20T09:10:28.623Z

I seem to have emailed a lot in the last couple of days. I sent a very long email to an old friend in Seattle, a similarly long email to a friend in Brisbane and another long one to my friend in London who I worked with in 2000. There is something ordering about emailing people like that. Its like you take a little part of your life, dress it up in words and pack it into a little window for

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1060726223156653352003-08-12T22:10:00.000Z2003-08-12T22:10:23.150Z

Aahhh, that's better - my archives are showing. This seems to be the only way to get my archives to show up on my blog - sorry if you don't like the new template but at least I know that my files are still sitting on some server somewhere in cyberspace. Its late and I'm knackered but now I know my blog is working again I will pay it a little bit more attention. C x Listening to: Vulture

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1058523225435914552003-07-18T10:13:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:25:14.500Z

I'm a bit pissed off with Blogger today. For some unknown reason the archives that are supposed to list down the left hand side of this page have disappeared. I have followed their instructions, repeatedly, but with no success. I know the archives are there for when I edit the page they are listed below but when I 'publish' the page, they disappear. Damn it. So, its Friday again and I have

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1058210628292107412003-07-14T19:23:00.000Z2003-08-14T10:14:13.920Z

This will make 3 blogs in one day but it is only really 2. The one below where I decreed I was going to try and blog daily is a farcical blog as I actually wrote that last week but I think my firewall at work buggers up my ability to upload this stuff so I saved it safely and promptly forgot it. So, here I am again today trying to blog daily. I am actually in a hurry as I have just dumped the

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1058209910792227102003-07-14T19:11:00.001Z2003-08-26T10:16:00.930Z

We saw R.E.M. at Old Trafford last night. The world seems a better place today. Michael Stipe is the business. ... bring my happy back again. Listening to: UP, R.E.M. Reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, JK Rowling

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-1058209882378305182003-07-14T19:11:00.000Z2003-08-26T10:17:34.210Z

OK. OK. I don't know how people find the time or the inclination to blog daily but I am going to try. No, really I am. Tuesday today. Nothing much to report on any front really. Work is quiet. Both my partners are away. One is presently in Melbourne on a 3 week trip around Australia and the other is at Wimbledon wishing it had rained yesterday so Tim Henman & Andre Agassi would have had to

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-958222572003-06-19T09:50:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:24:44.966Z

It's now June and I feel like I have missed this year by half. What I mean is that I have let half a year slip by and I have done nothing of consequence. *sigh* I guess I needed the last month to process a lot of the things that happened in Australia and to remember again what life here feels, looks, smells and tastes like. A month was far too long to spend away from home. It had been a year

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-945012442003-05-17T15:44:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:24:18.326Z

At least I have an excuse for not posting for ages this time. We've been in Melbourne for a month! Needless to say I have loads of stuff running around my head I want to put up here and now that I have access to the computer for a while [Ian is in bed trying to get his poor, jetlagged body into sync] I will give this a go... Listening to: Emigre - Wendy Matthews Reading: Illywhacker - Peter

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-912733982003-03-24T11:25:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:23:50.780Z

I made Lamingtons last Sunday. No idea why. Developed a craving on Wednesday and by Sunday I had a recipe in hand, the ingredients in the cupboard and the determination to have a go. Sadly Ian was not as impressed as I was. Maybe it was because I force fed him them. Or maybe it is because he does not have the long, historial association with this delectable foodstuff that I have. Memories

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-882298732003-01-29T22:13:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:23:22.153Z

This just about brings us up to the present. A few gaps need filling before I post this mother. I got a promotion and a whopping £4,000 pay rise around October last year. Yay me! Ian keeps getting spectacular marks the closer he gets to qualifying [April .. phew]! I am doing my GCSE in Spanish. Wonder of wonders. We are heading to Melbourne in the next few months and it is supposed to snow

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-882298462003-01-29T22:12:00.000Z2003-01-29T22:15:26.000Z

Malta On January 3 we headed off to Malta for a week in the sun for our second wedding anniversary. I’ll pause while that just sinks in. It was a great week and we did a whole lot of nothing. Well, Ian read all 3 Lord of the Rings books and I read The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring and half of The Two Towers. This is getting a little alarming. We managed a tan, a ferry ride to Gozo [the

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-882294662003-01-29T22:05:00.001Z2003-03-06T11:52:21.000Z

New Year’s Eve Not wanting to spend another NYE wondering why I didn’t organise something or do something I managed to rope in eight mates who had nothing better to do. The gathering was at the Parsonage and much fun was had – and muchos champagne was drunk. Around five to twelve the sky around our house lit up like a Christmas tree on speed and all ten of us sat gawping out of the bay window

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-882294572003-01-29T22:05:00.000Z2003-01-29T22:05:42.256Z

December Now, the mad lead into the silly season left me full of franticness and stress. Why? No idea. I think they pipe it though the PA systems in every shop, bar and restaurant in the world for the days leading to Christmas Day. The one thing however that kept the stress levels to a manageable level were copious amounts of mulled wine. In two of the squares in Manchester town centre

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-879049852003-01-23T16:30:00.000Z2003-01-29T22:19:57.000Z

I have utterly, utterly failed to maintain this in any sort of consistent way. What can I say? I suck at this frankly. So, it was October 19 when I last posted and it seems like a very long time ago. How about a brief cram of what we've been up to in between times and then I'll try and do this again. Try being the operative word. November We spent 8 days in Barcelona which was blissful.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-832100082002-10-19T11:37:00.000Z2004-04-19T16:45:36.000Z

I am quite fascinated by people's internal landscapes. What I mean by this is what people see in their mind's eye when they hear a particular song, smell a certain smell or hear a country name. I am at Paul's place in Maidenhead. Paul is a good friend of ours and was also Ian's best man. We are in London this weekend to see The Whitlams but we also wanted to spend some time with Paul so we

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-827344742002-10-09T11:18:00.000Z2002-10-09T11:30:05.000Z

I have been known to have an opinion on the odd thing. I'm not a ranter [much] and I do try to take things in my stride [not really] so in an attempt to keep a balanced perspective [vent my spleen] I will note a few of my pet peeves [things that drive me completely potty] here. Starbucks: In a word, utter crap. OK, so that was 2 words but please, is there anything else in the world so banal

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-825547142002-10-05T12:11:00.000Z2002-10-07T15:47:21.000Z

Nanette called this morning and we talked for an hour and a half. It was so nice to hear her voice, all her news and happenings. I miss her so much you know. I would love to just 'pop' over hers and sit down with her over a cup of coffee and talk and talk and talk. I'd even settle for just hearing her voice without the audible sizzle and pop of the phone line that seems to thin her voice with

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-824328172002-10-02T20:46:00.000Z2002-10-05T12:06:48.000Z

I promised to tell you about my long misplaced friend Caroline didn't I? It's been a week of reconnections which began with a quick look at schoolfriends.com.au, a website dedicated to reuniting old school friends (or put you back in touch with the miserable cretins who made your school life hell forever ensuring that being within a five kilometre radius of your old high school made your eyes

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-821859242002-09-27T10:03:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:22:19.856Z

Imogen sent me this to read yesterday. It made me smile.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-821642492002-09-26T21:45:00.000Z2002-09-27T10:07:25.000Z

Ian has a Blogspot too. Go see it here

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-821431952002-09-26T13:16:00.000Z2002-09-26T13:16:18.420Z

This week I’ve found a couple of friends I seemed to have lost somewhere along the way. The first person is my friend Lionel. Strangely enough, even though Lionel and I have never actually met in the flesh, he seems to know my mind better than most people. Lionel and I worked for different branches of the same organisation back in Australia. He in Adelaide and I in Melbourne. It was around

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-821427342002-09-26T12:58:00.000Z2002-09-26T21:40:20.000Z

It has been far too long this time. Far too long. ::shakes head in dismay:: I suppose my problem is I don’t know who this is ultimately for. What am I writing? Who is reading? Why do I do it? I initially started it to keep myself sane and to unload the pish that clatters around my head but I’m so bloody lazy I just don’t make the time to do it. * sigh * To be honest I’m a bit dismayed.

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-806532502002-08-24T13:21:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:21:54.200Z

It's funny you know this my ongoing relationship with England and all things English. I spent years living in Australia reaching out to touch anything that would bring me closer to this place, anything that would make me feel like I was somehow *there*. The dream to live here seemed to run perpetually in the background of my life and I grabbed anything to make it a reality. I listened to

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-806529642002-08-24T13:03:00.000Z2002-08-24T13:05:18.000Z

Here's some more writing I did when I first arrived in London. Ahh, the innocence of my lost Australia sensibilities to the wildness of life in London ... To an outsider, supermarkets in Britain can be a little daunting both in size and content. Now I'm no stranger to the 'Supa' Supermarket. I mean one only has to visit a Coles or Safeway in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne to understand that

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-804949112002-08-20T22:33:00.000Z2002-08-20T22:34:08.000Z

Another age has passed since I last wrote. Again, I've written loads in my head but given none of it substance. *sigh* I need to write this down before I forget. What is it about slugs in England?! Now I come from the land of big bugs, spiders and assorted multi-legged things but there is nothing like your typical English slug. They come out after dark and slime their way across your

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-796939842002-08-01T16:53:00.000Z2002-08-01T21:29:38.000Z

I’ve not updated this for ages. I’ve just checked when I last blogged and it was nearly 3 weeks ago. Very slack indeed. Sorry. I’ve written so much in my head but can not seem to find the motivation to write it down. I don’t know why I’m like that. A friend suggested I should carry around a Dictaphone to record thoughts etc. but I have enough in my bag as it is and to add another bulky item

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-788345972002-07-11T21:05:00.000Z2004-04-19T21:21:30.000Z

One more thing for today. I had a ‘moment’ last night. A God moment I think. I was standing under the shower [which is by the bathroom window and at the right height that you can see down the street when the window is open] as the thunder clapped just above the house [or so it seemed] and the most amazing torrential rain hit the earth all at once. On the bus on the way home I looed up at the

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-788341382002-07-11T20:55:00.000Z2002-07-11T21:13:02.000Z

A bit of an update is due I think. In order of occurrence: Job ... I was told last Friday afternoon by the head of Events that I was the candidate she wants in the position however [I just hate that word] the position itself if under review due to the current recruitment freeze and the additional 'politics' surrounding it all that were beyond her control. She said she was going to present her

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-788334652002-07-11T20:38:00.000Z2002-07-11T21:15:31.000Z

Have you ever found yourself grasping for the edges of a thought that dissipates with the grasping into the back of your consciousness? You realise in your half dreaming you have formed a moving picture on the peripheral of your waking and upon your return to the present it dissolves completely. It happens to me all the time. More so as I get older, to the point I thought my mental health was

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-785843102002-07-05T13:37:00.000Z2002-07-05T13:37:34.800Z

Ian suggested I post some of the thing I wrote when I first got to England. They are simply my observations, as an outsider, of some of the more idiosyncratic elements of living in England. Here's the first one ... There are a number of English idiosyncrasies that I've found amusing at best and downright annoying at worst. If I ever write a book about my Antipodean reflections on living in

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-785493972002-07-04T14:08:00.000Z2002-07-04T14:19:51.000Z

Can’t think of anything of note to post today. Another uninspiring kind of day in the north of England, a bonus is that it isn’t cold. The office air conditioning is comical and no matter what the weather is doing outside, it is always eerily warm in here. Bugger. Being bored at work but we are all heading out for a drink and a meal. I’m hoping we’ll get there as the proposal we are

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3571178.post-785242402002-07-03T21:42:00.000Z2002-07-03T21:48:26.000Z

Its Wednesday [bet you already knew that] and I've still not heard about the job, its still raining in England and I have to make this short cause I'm gonna miss Big Brother!! However, tomorrow is Thursday and I'm hoping it will be sunny, that I get to check out some of that blue stuff in the sky I sometimes see, I'm hoping I'll hear that I got the job and it would be very nice to get an email

claudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14482108844807591563noreply@blogger.com0