Frizzworld

Strong matriarch or patriarch to sort out family.  Reasonable rates paid.  Please respond ASAP.

My head is full of German, could someone click their fingers and let me know the damn thing… already.

If ever there was a day to make me claustrophobic this would be it.  I made my way down into a hospital basement.  Used a toilet that was lit with ultraviolet light for “clinical and safety” reasons (anyone heard of this?)  Then found where I was supposed to be, as an aside it turned out to be a private unit, there was a magic door which took me from grim public building to smart office reception (white walls with modern art, smiling staff). I was there to have an MRI (see I got to the claustrophobic bit eventually).  I’ve had MRI’s before, they were short-ish.  This one took the best part of an hour, that’s an awful long time to spend in a tunnel not much wider than my body, I defy anyone not to have a glimmer of claustrophobia as they are projected into the white space. The autogenic training came into it’s own.  Tip if you have to have an MRI ask for earplugs, makes a big difference.  So after an age in the tunnel (makes me shudder just thinking about it) they gave me an injection and some other things I’ll save you from knowing.  Then back into the tunnel.  Then when it was all over and I got up, my eyes (which are doing weird things anyway) wouldn’t focus (I was in my own tunnel of blurredness), so they checked me out and had me lying down and it turned out to be a rare side effect of the drug they had injected.  Relief.  Forty-five minutes later it had mostly worn off and I made my way late, to a meeting… only to have someone pull the emergency handle on the tube (high-pitched bleeping noise) and the train come to a halt… There was a noticeable panic on my fellow passengers faces.  My thoughts went straight back to being in the MRI and suddenly I couldn’t help but see the similarities, only I was underground.  Really, it didn’t feel like a good idea.  It turned out to be a kid in my carriage that had pulled the lever by accident. Relief.  I think I might take the bus home.

Did you have fun in the snow?  Sandy and I did.  We went for long walks – it’s all about having the right footwear.  I found an old pair of moon boots that just about lasted for the few days they were needed.  They were so old the plastic started to disintegrate the moment they came into contact with the snow.  Sunday evening – before I found them – we went out, it was just us and a German family admiring the beauty of it all.  Sandy was trotting along and her back legs slid from under her, I told her to be careful (I know, I know) and then down I went… laughing.  What I loved most was the quiet, not just no cars, but no planes and that neighbours were walking about and people were saying hello to each other.

Tax return done (again). Phew.  Now understand capital allowances.  Anyone need help with their return? Only joking.

Really!

I’ve been silent due to having no access to the Internet during the holiday, strange, but actually quite nice… Have taken so many pics that I’ve totally run out of hard disk space on my computer… have been to tea, skating with the little ones – we had four this year and it was Sarah’s first time, lots of walks, read Zoe Heller’s The Believers, no TV, no sales, the usual xmas cold, of course friends and family – and a bloody freezing house.

John’s Seventh birthday party.  A load of seven year old’s playing football.  They were impressive.

Yesterday walking out at the end of the day – me:  thermals head to toe, knee length wool socks, trousers, two long sleeve tops, wool tank top (do people still use that name?), cashmere polo neck, snowperson jacket, hat and gloves and wool boots. Person in front of me: jeans, t-shirt…

Thinking about blogging, but as you can see not blogging.

A gave me a tent and new wellies for Glasto

Saw The Last Days of Judas Iscariot – a bit disappointing – a lot of loud banging.

Head / ear / sinuses still up the spout.

Reading Jpod by Douglas Copeland – very funny

I am about to go out & buy a Dyson.

Lots of friends have parents who are unwell and it’s been on my mind a lot.

Have been making the most of a three month free voucher for Lovefilm – am very impressed with the way it works… although not so impressed with my choice of films.

Being lazy.

Working a lot.

Listening to too much Radio Four.

Seeing old friends.

Not seeing old friends.

Wearing wedges.