So the great thing about having a blog that no one reads, is that I can at least vent to the world without having to worry. Mum had a stroke. It's so fucked up and I'm trying to get my head around it. they're in Australia. I know she's fine and it's all going to be grand. Insurance seems to be sorted. At least it's a country with good health care. At least it's a country with family. Dad and Emer are in a house rather than in some hotel. I'm trying to focus on the positives but it's soooo fucked up. I keep thinking about both my grannies. Granny Meade being in a bed unable to talk or move one side of her body for 9 years. And Granny Gavin, having physical and mental dementia where she'd think she was drinking tea or smoking, unaware that she wasn't. I know that it's fine. That Mum hasn't got any side effects and that they're keeping her in to find out what caused it. I'm presuming that means that they'll be able to figure out how to make sure it doesn't happen again. But it's shit. It's so shit and really scary. And I think that the more time I have to think about it, the worse it becomes.
I guess it's all just getting older. For me and for everyone in the Meade household. Neverland has never looked better.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Amazing Drink Machine
This is epic: http://www.morskoiboy.com/2011/09/now-i-can-taste-words.html
Also Musings and I need one. Now I know it shows you how to make this, but I think this person is a genius and I do not have the technical know how to make this. There is an even greater problem. You need 26 flavours. At first this seemed like the greatest thing in the world but then you realise you could end up with some really awful combinations.
As per the pretty letters on the side, that's really impressive but I'm in it for the drinks.
I also think this would make blog and book writing easier and more fun!
Now I have been thinking about 26 flavours that can go into any cocktail, in any combination and still work. This is what I have:
vodka
gin
rum
tequila
orange juice
cranberry juice
pineapple juice
apple juice
passionfruit juice
pomegranite juice
lemon tequila
raspberry vodka
seville orange gin
Dash of lime
White lemonade
Also Musings and I need one. Now I know it shows you how to make this, but I think this person is a genius and I do not have the technical know how to make this. There is an even greater problem. You need 26 flavours. At first this seemed like the greatest thing in the world but then you realise you could end up with some really awful combinations.
As per the pretty letters on the side, that's really impressive but I'm in it for the drinks.
I also think this would make blog and book writing easier and more fun!
Now I have been thinking about 26 flavours that can go into any cocktail, in any combination and still work. This is what I have:
vodka
gin
rum
tequila
orange juice
cranberry juice
pineapple juice
apple juice
passionfruit juice
pomegranite juice
lemon tequila
raspberry vodka
seville orange gin
Dash of lime
White lemonade
Saturday, September 3, 2011
A Very London Day
Today has been a very London day. This may sound weird but it is everything that a London day should be (so far, it's only 16.30). I started the day by getting on the tube, and zipping off to the gallery to collect some work. Work I'll do at some point over the weekend. You know, no matter how sunny it is, you still have to do work.This is in Mayfair, which is posh and pretty. And then I met up with Nikki at Oxford Circus. She's just moved over. So it' was great chatting with a friend in a nice cafe, escaping the heat. Can't handle the sunshine. I then jetted over (by tube again) to the Water Poet so that we could do a tiny tech and make sure we're ready for the show on Wednesday. Getting into Liverpool Street Station the doors were blocked and there were Cops/Guards/Pigs/Muccanna/Police EVERYWHERE. So I walked all over the shop just to get to the Water Poet. There was tear gas and rioting, something to do with the BNPs I heard (essentially skin heads that are under a political banner). So I got to the Water Poet, got more work done and then Hen and I decided we should put up posters around Brick Lane. Brick Lane is is artsy bo-ho London. Filled with vintage stores, tattoo parlours and street stalls. We got Pina Coladas that were out of this world, made from scratch and turned out to be virgin, it may have been the nicest pina colada I've ever had but it was missing a vital ingredient... Anyway Hen and I wandered around this street, every now and again putting up a poster for "Play @ the Water Poet". Now we're at a Cafe, around some hipsters, currently sitting with a lit up globe on my right, Hen on my left (as in Henry not chicken) and a lamp made out of paper cups offering the lighting. I guess later I'll put up more posters and then try and think of other London things to do. I've been to the theatre twice this week, so I mean I don't feel an obligation to see a show. Maybe watch a film at home and try Stella Artois Cidre, I've a bottle in my fridge, awaiting the moment I need it the most.
...
Ok fine I've had wine so I haven't needed the cidre (it's not cider it's cidre, apparently). Well tonights the night, unless of course I have a trip home via the offy.
What else is a London thing to do? Let me know. I have days to fill here!
...
Ok fine I've had wine so I haven't needed the cidre (it's not cider it's cidre, apparently). Well tonights the night, unless of course I have a trip home via the offy.
What else is a London thing to do? Let me know. I have days to fill here!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Itchy Feet.....
Not itchy feet as in the athletes foot kinda sense but itchy feet in that i havent been to a different continent in about a year and im getting increasingly restless. What I wouldnt give to feel that stifling heat on my face, to feel the stares of the locals by being the only honky in the village, to feel that sense of adrenaline in not knowing what's going to happen to you in the next five minutes.........sigh.
This time last year I was dusting off my backpack and getting ready to head East. Trying to pack economically and fit in a bumper pack of hand sanitiser and a supply of toiletries that would keep Boots stocked for a month was not easy, but it was joyful.
It was the heading off into the unknown, the excitement of not knowing what exactly would happen, the opportunity to discover different cultures and the chance to discover things about oneself along the way. Oh Lord how I yearn for such an opportunity again. I mean Im not asking for much, a month would do. Peru maybe, or Chile. Austrailia or Africa.....some place that involves a long haul flight and atleast five in flight movie opportunities.
Every trip changes your perception of life a bit. People who have come back from travelling always bore their friends about the ah.mhaz.ing time that they've had, be it the time they were in Brazil or Argentina or Paraguay or Cuba or Thailand or Vietnam or Laos or Abu Dhabi or the Bahamas or the United States.....Im glad Im not one of those people.....but you do feel the need to share the experience with folks who make the mistake of giving you a chance to tell your tales.
My current passport expires in 2013 and I want to fill it's pages with as much stamps as possible before it expires.....realistically that's not going to happen this year but perhaps in the next two years....anything could happen.
I need a holiday. I need an adventure. I need the smell of another culture invading my nostrils. I can feel myself getting increasingly flighty and I need to dust off my left over bottles of suncream and to smell like coconuts. I need to leave behind any responsiblity and evade anybody depending on me to conform to normality. I want to paddle in water that is actually tepid. I want to play "guess the meat". I want to get intoxicated on rum and pass out on a hammock......These things just arent achievable in Ireland.
I guess I really am a traveller at heart.
This time last year I was dusting off my backpack and getting ready to head East. Trying to pack economically and fit in a bumper pack of hand sanitiser and a supply of toiletries that would keep Boots stocked for a month was not easy, but it was joyful.
It was the heading off into the unknown, the excitement of not knowing what exactly would happen, the opportunity to discover different cultures and the chance to discover things about oneself along the way. Oh Lord how I yearn for such an opportunity again. I mean Im not asking for much, a month would do. Peru maybe, or Chile. Austrailia or Africa.....some place that involves a long haul flight and atleast five in flight movie opportunities.
Every trip changes your perception of life a bit. People who have come back from travelling always bore their friends about the ah.mhaz.ing time that they've had, be it the time they were in Brazil or Argentina or Paraguay or Cuba or Thailand or Vietnam or Laos or Abu Dhabi or the Bahamas or the United States.....Im glad Im not one of those people.....but you do feel the need to share the experience with folks who make the mistake of giving you a chance to tell your tales.
My current passport expires in 2013 and I want to fill it's pages with as much stamps as possible before it expires.....realistically that's not going to happen this year but perhaps in the next two years....anything could happen.
I need a holiday. I need an adventure. I need the smell of another culture invading my nostrils. I can feel myself getting increasingly flighty and I need to dust off my left over bottles of suncream and to smell like coconuts. I need to leave behind any responsiblity and evade anybody depending on me to conform to normality. I want to paddle in water that is actually tepid. I want to play "guess the meat". I want to get intoxicated on rum and pass out on a hammock......These things just arent achievable in Ireland.
I guess I really am a traveller at heart.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Moving On......
So, this is my last night in the convent.
I am not leaving the sisterhood, I was merely an honourary sister I suppose(cept without having to do the whole religion/chastity thang). I have been living here since last October and am getting kicked out.
Well it's not that dramatic (they need the room), but effectively i shall be homeless.
So both my esteemed chum and I are both now without abodes. Though I will get to sleep in an actually bed as apposed to a couch, which mo lady seems to have come quiet attached to (see previous blogpost!).
So nine months have gone by and boy have things changed. From bad to rock bottom to pretty damn good, the only blip being my soon to be homelessness.But i imagine it will give me a sense of freedom and set my spirit free to wander.....right?!hmmmm....do they allow people to pitch a tent in the park these days?
What a difference 9 months can make. Generally of course after 9 months many people get landed with a sprog.....lousy.
For me, the past 9 months have been spent finally achieving something that I have wanted for years now, and of course becoming myself again.
Even through poverty and homelessness my compadre seems cheery at her plight and still optimistic and loving her new city which I think is pretty damn inspirational. (Also, send me on your address you fool so I can send you some rice, dried fruit or a carrot or something).
So things have changed for the both of us in the past 9 months. Both of us have gone 9 months without getting a baby at the end, huzzah! We are both in new cities that we enjoy discovering/getting lost in (Ahem, you may never diss me about getting lost again smellyhead).
Things didnt look so rosy 9 months ago......I was a shell of my former self and my amigo was getting forced out of Canada. But we found each other again and through laughter, cinema drinking, talking about Daly beind her back, drinking, licking, drunk diarying.....did I mention drinking, we dug ourselves back up again.
And now, the next 9 months are full of opportunites and new adventures. I am starting back in college again which will make my heart whole once more and mo lady has the whole of london as her muse and will get a job that recognises her talent and rewards her handsomely for her efforts!
So here's to the next stage..........may we remain baby free, careless, maybe not homeless, wine drinking, wise, happy and not too far from each other.
I am not leaving the sisterhood, I was merely an honourary sister I suppose(cept without having to do the whole religion/chastity thang). I have been living here since last October and am getting kicked out.
Well it's not that dramatic (they need the room), but effectively i shall be homeless.
So both my esteemed chum and I are both now without abodes. Though I will get to sleep in an actually bed as apposed to a couch, which mo lady seems to have come quiet attached to (see previous blogpost!).
So nine months have gone by and boy have things changed. From bad to rock bottom to pretty damn good, the only blip being my soon to be homelessness.But i imagine it will give me a sense of freedom and set my spirit free to wander.....right?!hmmmm....do they allow people to pitch a tent in the park these days?
What a difference 9 months can make. Generally of course after 9 months many people get landed with a sprog.....lousy.
For me, the past 9 months have been spent finally achieving something that I have wanted for years now, and of course becoming myself again.
Even through poverty and homelessness my compadre seems cheery at her plight and still optimistic and loving her new city which I think is pretty damn inspirational. (Also, send me on your address you fool so I can send you some rice, dried fruit or a carrot or something).
So things have changed for the both of us in the past 9 months. Both of us have gone 9 months without getting a baby at the end, huzzah! We are both in new cities that we enjoy discovering/getting lost in (Ahem, you may never diss me about getting lost again smellyhead).
Things didnt look so rosy 9 months ago......I was a shell of my former self and my amigo was getting forced out of Canada. But we found each other again and through laughter, cinema drinking, talking about Daly beind her back, drinking, licking, drunk diarying.....did I mention drinking, we dug ourselves back up again.
And now, the next 9 months are full of opportunites and new adventures. I am starting back in college again which will make my heart whole once more and mo lady has the whole of london as her muse and will get a job that recognises her talent and rewards her handsomely for her efforts!
So here's to the next stage..........may we remain baby free, careless, maybe not homeless, wine drinking, wise, happy and not too far from each other.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
This is being transposed - practice for my administrative dreams. Also because I'm waiting to go into the job centre. I'm at a cafe - its like the ones you see on tv... the dodgy ones but that's perfect because the tea was 90p - which is good for a number of reasons.
- Cheap tea is virtually impossible to find in any city, especially London.
- I am extremely broke - like can't afford tube or phone credit broke.
-This tea is disgusting.
He poured it from a large steel kettle then added hot water - so I didn't have high hopes.
I walked here and gave myself a lot of time since I constantly get lost in London. I think not being able to take the tube will be good for me. I'll finally see what streets lead to where. Also will be good for my hips. AND before (or after more than likely) you throw your eyes to heaven. I DO need to work on this because my stoney brokeness sent me merrily on my way to Iceland and as you can imagine I have chips, onion bhajees, fish fingers and garlic bread in the freezer, I also have two packs of hobnobs (not my favourite biscuits but at two packs for £1 - I had to). So I can't afford any fresh produce...
So anyway outside job centre and I'm hoping they'll be bale to get me a secretarial course or something that way I'll have an extra qualification, it'll help with getting administrative work as well as learning stuff - A great plan don't you think?
Well hopefully they'll be able to help. I've sent off two job applications today and I'm working on one for The Old Vic. I would LOVE to work there. In saying this I would be completely on the breadline but I might get to meet Niamh Cusack and Kevin Spacey... Also I'd be a shoe-in for other jobs if I got this. The trouble is the competition is so fierce here, but at least there are jobs going - Which makes a nice difference from home.
The boys are amazing. OK I never see James but when I do we have a laugh and when I don't I get his room =) (though I love my couch - I prefer it to the room if I'm honest but it is nice just to have a little privacy or feel like I'm not in the way. They NEVER make me feel like I'm in the way - which makes me feel even more guilty.
Seanan is wonderful - he has this brilliant sense of humour - that's completely dry so he says something and I think he's serious and then he reminds me - the wonderful thing about his humour is that deadpan usually has a touch of nastiness or coldness, Seanan doesn't. I haven't read his plays but I imagine this is a great asset as a writer.
And Henry - Maaaaannnn I love Henry. No not in love (just incase the coc is reading this).
Jesus just took a swig of tea its getting worse - Also owner of cafe (presumed owner) is watching me write - he probably thinks he's getting inspected. He would get 10/10 for friendliness and service. 10/10 for hygiene (they were cleaning as I walked in, its immaculate and though dodgy looking on outside an effort has been made with the table outside) and umm well I can't rate the tea.
But Henry is wonderful and really helpful. He gives good job seeker advice, helped with the National application (the one I REALLY wanted, and heard nothing about) and generally we just have nice chats. I really like living with all three (well two it's not like I live with James).
In saying this I really need to not live here. I mean its been 3 months - I feel like a horrible useless sponger ( I am a useless sponger but I do keep the place tidy and do a bit of cleaning). So yeah here I am hoping Jobcentre plus is going to answer my dreams, give me the leg up I need. Oh and one of the 12,000,000,000,000 or so jobs I've applied for might actually reply.
-Le Sigh
- Hope this doesn't come across as depressing. I'm loving London. There are so many free shows and the boys sometimes take me or give me tickets so I've still pretty much seen a show a week since I've been here. =) That's all I need to keep me happy and chirpy!
- Cheap tea is virtually impossible to find in any city, especially London.
- I am extremely broke - like can't afford tube or phone credit broke.
-This tea is disgusting.
He poured it from a large steel kettle then added hot water - so I didn't have high hopes.
I walked here and gave myself a lot of time since I constantly get lost in London. I think not being able to take the tube will be good for me. I'll finally see what streets lead to where. Also will be good for my hips. AND before (or after more than likely) you throw your eyes to heaven. I DO need to work on this because my stoney brokeness sent me merrily on my way to Iceland and as you can imagine I have chips, onion bhajees, fish fingers and garlic bread in the freezer, I also have two packs of hobnobs (not my favourite biscuits but at two packs for £1 - I had to). So I can't afford any fresh produce...
So anyway outside job centre and I'm hoping they'll be bale to get me a secretarial course or something that way I'll have an extra qualification, it'll help with getting administrative work as well as learning stuff - A great plan don't you think?
Well hopefully they'll be able to help. I've sent off two job applications today and I'm working on one for The Old Vic. I would LOVE to work there. In saying this I would be completely on the breadline but I might get to meet Niamh Cusack and Kevin Spacey... Also I'd be a shoe-in for other jobs if I got this. The trouble is the competition is so fierce here, but at least there are jobs going - Which makes a nice difference from home.
The boys are amazing. OK I never see James but when I do we have a laugh and when I don't I get his room =) (though I love my couch - I prefer it to the room if I'm honest but it is nice just to have a little privacy or feel like I'm not in the way. They NEVER make me feel like I'm in the way - which makes me feel even more guilty.
Seanan is wonderful - he has this brilliant sense of humour - that's completely dry so he says something and I think he's serious and then he reminds me - the wonderful thing about his humour is that deadpan usually has a touch of nastiness or coldness, Seanan doesn't. I haven't read his plays but I imagine this is a great asset as a writer.
And Henry - Maaaaannnn I love Henry. No not in love (just incase the coc is reading this).
Jesus just took a swig of tea its getting worse - Also owner of cafe (presumed owner) is watching me write - he probably thinks he's getting inspected. He would get 10/10 for friendliness and service. 10/10 for hygiene (they were cleaning as I walked in, its immaculate and though dodgy looking on outside an effort has been made with the table outside) and umm well I can't rate the tea.
But Henry is wonderful and really helpful. He gives good job seeker advice, helped with the National application (the one I REALLY wanted, and heard nothing about) and generally we just have nice chats. I really like living with all three (well two it's not like I live with James).
In saying this I really need to not live here. I mean its been 3 months - I feel like a horrible useless sponger ( I am a useless sponger but I do keep the place tidy and do a bit of cleaning). So yeah here I am hoping Jobcentre plus is going to answer my dreams, give me the leg up I need. Oh and one of the 12,000,000,000,000 or so jobs I've applied for might actually reply.
-Le Sigh
- Hope this doesn't come across as depressing. I'm loving London. There are so many free shows and the boys sometimes take me or give me tickets so I've still pretty much seen a show a week since I've been here. =) That's all I need to keep me happy and chirpy!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Art of a Good Cover Up
Well, would you believe I've been applying for jobs wrong for like... a decade? I think, in all honesty, working in retail/ bar work/ customer service/ general dog's body/treated like crap you don't need to focus on CV - you just note that you've done this before, smile and then you get the job. But with real jobs, officey - paid properly - lots of competition - type - jobs this kind of crap is really important.
Well holy mother of Mike... I had no idea an application letter should be that long, I would never have thought to put in separate headings and in general I don't really like spouting about what I'm good at (unless its drinking or quoting movies, I take pride in my ability in each - note all previous blogs) so the whole thing is uncomfortable...
Anywhoodle I don't suppose this makes for interesting reading but it does clear up the reason I can NEVER get interviews except the one time I had a connection. It also helps that I think I'm ok in person, I mean there's always the chance I'll fuck it up on the day or, of course someone is simply a better candidate but I do think I have some chance if I can just get in the door. Prior to this I could never get in the door- now I need to see if this is going to work.
I hate doing cover letters and CVs, selling yourself and it takes aaaggggeeesss. But I'm still on a couch. I love the boys, really like living with them, but I would like to be able to contribute and also have my own room (more the contributing funnily enough, I feel so guilty and I hate that. I love the couch though, super comfy and I get up early cos there's all busy-ness around me and sun glaring through the blinds, without that I can't help but sleep in). So roll on the job applications and hopefully some interviews.
So hopefully a new page has been turned in the life of reflections and to celebrate I'm going to have a cider and watch a film!
Well holy mother of Mike... I had no idea an application letter should be that long, I would never have thought to put in separate headings and in general I don't really like spouting about what I'm good at (unless its drinking or quoting movies, I take pride in my ability in each - note all previous blogs) so the whole thing is uncomfortable...
Anywhoodle I don't suppose this makes for interesting reading but it does clear up the reason I can NEVER get interviews except the one time I had a connection. It also helps that I think I'm ok in person, I mean there's always the chance I'll fuck it up on the day or, of course someone is simply a better candidate but I do think I have some chance if I can just get in the door. Prior to this I could never get in the door- now I need to see if this is going to work.
I hate doing cover letters and CVs, selling yourself and it takes aaaggggeeesss. But I'm still on a couch. I love the boys, really like living with them, but I would like to be able to contribute and also have my own room (more the contributing funnily enough, I feel so guilty and I hate that. I love the couch though, super comfy and I get up early cos there's all busy-ness around me and sun glaring through the blinds, without that I can't help but sleep in). So roll on the job applications and hopefully some interviews.
So hopefully a new page has been turned in the life of reflections and to celebrate I'm going to have a cider and watch a film!
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