Confessions of a party animal

You know when you're a party animal when the real die-hard party girls want to exchange mobile phone numbers with you just in case there's an opportunity for when you're next out (any excuse for a party eh?).

I think I've pretty much been out to the Village every Wednesday and Saturday since the snow melted (roughly speaking, since just about the end of January). Although I must confess to only one occasion I had no excuse except that I just needed to be out; the others had varied in range from needing to book the Angels meals to supporting best friends (Ok - rather tenuous excuses for some!). Only on two occasions I have to confess to being alone for the evening - well.... I mean not planning to meet up with any of my friends and literally just enjoying my own company. On one such occasion I bumped into Jane who seemed a little surprised to see me out alone - or rather dancing about at Naps on my own.

Naps eh? - where would we be without it?.... and on that particular night that Jane was out was a quiet night in Naps; I even had to encourage the only four other girls to have a dance by being the first to break the ice and get on the dance floor. It was one of those nights where there were more admirers than girls; in the past and probably still on occasions, I might feel uncomfortable with them, but this was the particular night I just had to be out and was determined in having a dance. I was dressed reasonably casual - black skinny jeans and my recently acquired 'Rock Star' t-shirt; a regular rock-chick look!

Unlike last Saturday when I just had to do 'tart' - animal and snake print leggings, black top with silver sparkly bits and fur coat. I tempered this look by only wearing my shoe-boots rather than 6 inch heels (I'll save that look for when we go to 'do' Leeds!). And rather unsurprisingly (so some might say) it attracted some unwelcome attention from at least one guy in Naps; I wasn't sure if he was Polish or just p****d, probably was very likely both. As he was giving his unwelcome 'attentions' to a number of girls, big-glass-collector-dude had to persuade him to leave.

Towards the end of last week Mrs Kate found her mojo again, she probably lost it in the first place as a result of watching too much day-time telly whilst being in the depths of Winter (day-time telly will rot your brain!). As a result of this she tempted me with yet another excuse to be out - one of our late decisions that we sometimes have, made shortly after supper on a Saturday evening and we're in the Village by 11pm (well... it takes time for a girl to get ready doesn't it!).

We used think this was a bit strange, going out at a time when most sensible folk were coming back home. Not peculiar-strange, but being a bit from the 'being naughty' aspect. But it slowly creeps up on you to accept this as being normal.... well.... normal except from an aspect that by the time you arrive in the Village, most of the other party animals are already well into the party spirit or being taken home in one of those taxis with blue flashing lights. Mrs Kate put the latter circumstance to it being a full moon last night and this was supported by big-glass-collector-dude having to literally pickup and carry some of the more argumentative sort to eject them from Naps.

So yes... we got out again, last night... and bumped into one of the die-hard party girls we know and love (well... you just have to love them don't you?!) and as she was asking for our mobile number might mean I indeed need to reset the threshold of what's normal (again!)

Then again.... anyone want to dance?

From one Avatar to another

What a brilliant film! - well actually, Mrs Kate and I went to the T-Centre for a spot of lunch and a little shopping.

It was whilst we were taking a break from window shopping this Springs collections when Mrs Kate mused that we should perhaps go and see the current box office sensation.

.... and in doing that, achieve another 'first'.

We managed to catch the late afternoon showing which had no more than a dozen others in the cinema. Late afternoon is 'tween' time at the T-Centre, people have either gone home, or haven't yet arrived for the evening. So there we were with shopping bags around us, watching this ab-fab movie with the best seats in the house .... and whats this yarn all about?... I'm not going to spoil it for you! - go and see it for yourself!

New Avatar

I thought it was time I ought to update my Yahoo avatar since I no longer resemble the 'plus-size' figure I had in place upto now. Come to think of it, that little postage stamp picture of me on my blog profile could do with a bit of updating too... I can't believe I was that overweight; and I daren't look at any pics I have of myself from 2 or 3 years ago. At the time of posting my profile picture I considered myself as being 'thin' in comparison to those.

With being a little off colour (and the amount of snow!) over the last few weeks, I haven't been able to get the bike out as much. As a result, the weight loss plan has gone a bit off the boil. I haven't reached the 12 stone mark, but I'm at least thankful that it remains a little around 4lbs above this target; but I did have scary moment earlier in the week when a whole extra inch appeared on my waistline!!!! .... biking to work and back through this week has sorted that out!

I've not been out since New Year and I'm starting to get really fed-up; my finger, symptomatic of something much bigger is just starting to improve. It no longer feels numb and today, it started hurting ... just for the novelty of it all! (the Doc said it was a trapped nerve... yeah right!, in my wrist, my elbow, my arm, and my shoulder too.... but what does he know?!).

Trying to put a brave face on things, but with my employers actually progressing to remove 30% of the staff from the directorate by April is not exactly moral-boosting even if you are 'all right Jill' ... all-right that is for at least the time being..... but I suppose it could be worse, I could be 'normal'.

PATT and Sunlight

Managed to find on Amazon the dance mix that Mrs Kate has recently taken a liking to; the full 10+ minute version as provided in Naps! I've 'pressed' it onto a CD and presented it to her along with the strictest of instructions to only play in extreme emergencies. With Groundhog day persisting and more snow forecast for tonight, she's gonna need it!.

I've taken bit of shine to this dance track which is available in as you might imagine, a variety of different mixes; this version with the video is actually the 'album version' from DJ Sammys 'Heaven' album - if you follow the link on Youtube to buy it from iTunes, you'll end up with the slightly longer and much more dance-worthy 'Euphoric' version from the 'Breakdown 2009' compilation.... hmmm..... I bought all 3 versions from Amazon; each has it's merits but all remind me of Summer and warmer times to come.

Narnia

Narnia has come to our little part of the world; this picture I actually took just before Christmas, the difference between then and now is that fresh snow fell yesterday taking it to around 7 - 8 inches deep. For some of you out there you might think this is relatively little compared to where you might be, but we measure weather as a comparison like this: if it's bad here, it is really really bad else where around us. This is because our little part of the world has a micro-climate, being in the Mersey basin we rarely get snow to this extent, it usually falls as rain.

It also means not many folk have gone to work for the last couple of days and yesterday, they shut the Trafford Centre at 4pm - not that we could get there anyway....

On the other hand, I can watch it all from the warmth and comfort of my boudoir, but mostly because I have a really stinking cold which bizarrely has made my right index finger go numb and tingly (or was that due to the ice in my drink during New Years celebrations?!). I hate being ill, it makes me really grumpy... especially if it stops me going out to play!

Merry catch-up!

Negative bit off my chest first: Recently, I've kind of been putting off any posting to the internet owing to one or two who have really p****d me off over the Angels xmas meal - not from anyone who came and joined what turned out to be a really lovely occasion with special friends, but those that seek to satisfy their own agenda by criticising the organisation of it; it was held on a Wednesday rather than a Saturday for a number of reasons - mostly to satisfy a number of 'Others' and to be a break from the common, same old, re-occurring theme. People were given adequate notice of the arrangements, if they wanted to come - or not as was the case, that's their choice. Please note that no further comment will be made on this subject! - end of whinge!.

Now to the best bit: This Christmas, I think Santa was much more comfortable with me in that for the first time, he brought me some girlie things - my favourite being some nice PJ's and a camera/camcorder that will fit in my handbag.

Betwixt Christmas and New Year (and before the snow arrived - again!) Mrs Kate and I did a bit of browsing the sales around the local 'mall'. Of all the frequented establishments, it seems that Peacocks are offering the best of deals with 50% off most items. And since Peacocks is not seen as being as trendy as some of the other establishments, they have quite a number of really nice items left on the shelves; in particular a nice pair of red ankle boots which should keep the Imelda syndrome down for a bit .... tho' come to think of it, I could do with a decent pair of flat ankle boots! (you just can't find a decent pair can you!). And another pair of PJ's - pink satin. Watchout for the silver mini-skirt which I'll be modelling at one of our more frequented mad-dancing-establishments in the not too distant future.

We're now looking forward to an opportunity to get to that local Palace dedicated to to all things in girlie shopping - the Trafford Centre, unfortunately the weather conditions have put pay that for the time being... see my next post!

As for getting out and about - see Mrs Kates posts .... I can't possibly improve on that 'cept to say thanks go to her for letting me out on New Years to be our 'Ambassador'!

A belated all-the-best, wealth, health and happiness to all my friends and readers alike!
xxx

A trip to the 2nd City

Karen and I had a trip to Birmingham, it had to be planned with a little military precision since I was faced with the following :-

* I had to be 'Bob' with a business meeting in the morning (a rare occasion that a meeting was for half-day only);

* I had to take a change of clothes, makeup and all the accessories a girl needs without attracting attention from Bobs work colleagues (all in my briefcase - 'though admittedly briefcase looked a little overweight to say the least);

* I had to find somewhere to do the wonderwoman change-in-a-phonebooth bit, whilst it was mad busy with Christmas shoppers (and I mean really busy!).

The grand plan was to escape Bobs meeting at lunchtime and meet Karen at a suitable lunch venue that is known to have reasonable size toilets. I met Karen ... or at least tried to wave to her to indicate that I'd made it; she was busy trying to text me to say that the venue in question was full. She wondered who the strange character was that was trying to attract her attention across the busy store... she hadn't seen me as Bob before - only a privileged few have had that honour!

10 minute makeover
We quickly agreed to meet again after I had got changed; and rather cheekily I went to use the toilet - well... we would have had lunch there if they could have accommodated us. In 10 minutes flat I got madeup and changed, including a quick shave with a disposable razor I only bought a few minutes previously (note to self: don't bother with disposable razors again - ever!). I packed all Bobs stuff into the briefcase and placed that in a large carrier bag to hide it - should the many work colleagues that are in and around the city recognise it (it's a bit unique to me). The case has a shoulder strap which was a god-send since it weighed quite a bit with Bobs stuff in it (another note to self: take a wheelie case next time - or better still, get changed at home, travel light and make a day of it!).

Then it was out into the shops - but not before we had something to eat. Since the planned establishment was quite full, we went to a small cafe that is tucked away at the back of the Palisades centre - they do a very good all day breakfast (Bob has only ever visited it a couple of times - honest!).

Magical
We did the Bullring, New Street, the Palisades; stopped for coffee a couple of times - for me it did feel a little surreal since it's a place I've always associated with work and shopping only 'between trains'. I watched out for the many work colleagues who were likely to be about but saw none - probably because it was so busy with Christmas shoppers - it was easy to blend in.
But for me the most memorable and magical time was doing the German Christmas Market as it was going dark, with the street Christmas lights and decorations, and the people, the sights and sounds. No one gave us any hassle and the shops were very welcoming ... even when I dropped a couple of glass pendants and they broke on the floor, the shop owner was so nice about it and refused my offer to pay for the damage; she even helped me find some replacements.

And then back to Manchester
We missed a couple of trains - I swear they left early; but eventually we got one that got us back to Manchester for about 8pm. We grabbed something eat in Taurus and then it was home for me on the train... another first for me.

I got to the Oxford Road station just in time to to get 9:45pm train; which turned out to be a two-coach cattle truck which felt like the 'last bus' with the amount of people that were on it. It was the one that stops at every station and was near-packed with just a couple of workaholics having to stand; I decided it might be safest to sit near the front, near the driver and guard - and also as there appeared to be a number youths in the rear coach. As it turned out, no one gave me any hassle - even the lady who was part of 3-couple group who kept glancing at me... sure, when they got off she pointed me out to her friends, but more with doubt and curiosity (although I was glad of the large glass of dutch courage I had in Taurus).

But back home safe and sound (courtesy of Mrs Kate who collected me from the station) , and an end to what turned out to be brilliant day (even including Bobs business meeting in that!).