greatbigshowoff

Can't remember if I said here, but we've got two spare tickets to see Eddie Izzard on Thursday night at the CIA, in Cardiff

We're going on Friday (or both nights if we don't sell the tickets). £30 per ticket.

There was some confusion, 'cause I'd bought tickets as a surprise for Ian and then he bought more!

Any takers?

Visited Wildlife Photographer of the Year at the National History Museum. Don't like photographs being displayed on TV screens as they look too shiny, but there are spectacular pictures there.

Looked at the V and D (briefly). Fashion was not historical enough. Sculpture was not as good as that in Florence/Rome/Venice/Paris (although I admit I may be spoiled).

Old Brompton Cemetery was atmospheric and full of squirrels digging up each others nuts and re burying them. Photos on flickr soon.

Anish Kapoor exhibition was mostly thumbs up, although the room full of extruded cement turds was a thumbs down. I especially liked the giant metallic balls in the courtyard outside and the paint firing cannon.

Tea with westernind was lovely and it was great to catch up. Thank you for coming to see me.

Off to conference tomorrow.

Oh, did you know they serve porridge on trains now! Very slowly admittedly, but they do.

Have also booked tickets to see Pink in Swansea next year.

and it's completely knocked me out this weekend. On the plus side, I have seen both Up and Zombieland; both of which are excellent. Up made me cry.

I also recently seem to have rediscovered my love of reading, which I am delighted about. I have read several good SF books by John Scalzi, starting with "Old Man's War" recommended by badminky. The second book is a bit weak, but the third improves again.

I have also read Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, as advised ages ago by thewhitespider which was fantastic. The first in the series is a beautifully written book and I think everyone should read it. The second and third books are a bit questy, but the forth one improves again. I'm ordering the fifth on Amazon.

In historical fiction, I seem to be reading about Henry the Eighth in Dissolution, a whoduit by Sansom and Lady Elizabeth, a fairly factual account by the historian Alison Weir.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the True Blood series by Charlaine Harris. I read the first three books a couple of years ago and after watching the HBO series I've ordered the rest. They're a rather good vampire background and a lot less angsty than most emo vampire books.

Oh, thinking about vampires, I also read Twilight, 'cause I thought I should see how bad it was. Actually it's not too bad a teen romance, my main problem with it is the revelation that vampires cannot go out in sunlight because they sparkle like diamonds!

I'm also somewhat distressed that Borders has a whole section called "Paranormal Romance!" It's as big as their SF section too.

I've also take some photographs I'm quite pleased with too. See flickr for details.

I've eaten something. It's a pulse type of thing. I found it in an un-labled jar in the pasta cupboard. It looks a bit like either a risotto rice or possibly pearl barley but I boiled it for about 25 minutes and still seemed very chewy. Anyone know what it is?

I've booked a work course in London at the start of November.

Assuming I can bung a day on before or after or both, is there anything anyone would recommend seeing? Shows, exhibitions, art galleries etc?

Friends of course are a must see;)

mostly for Mau, but others may appreciate it too. A cat who gets on the bus on his own.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8174850.stm

organic food is no better for you than conventionally farmed food.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6732520.ece

Told you so.

Have watched the first two episodes and I'm really enjoying it.

I loved the books, but I wasn't convinced that a TV series could do it justice. I should have had faith in HBO. The dialogue is pretty good; can't film-makers take a note?

Does anyone know any UK vets, veterinary nurses or pharmacists? I've entered a photography competition, which is judged by a vote, and I need all the help I can get.

If anyone can help, can you ask them to go to
http://www.vetmedin.co.uk/index.php?login_msg

My picture is Normal at the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Thanks

So, our roofer was going to start at the beginning May. He said so at the end of April.

I finally got hold of him on the phone today. He'll be starting at the middle of June at the latest.

I guess we'll be waiting until until the Autumn before it stops leaking.

I walked the 8 miles at midnight last night and it was fun! I had been planning to do it with the aid of an ipod, but instead I walked it with a friend from work whose partner had dropped out. The weather was pleasant and dry and I only have one small almost blister.

It looked a bit like a giant hen night as most of the participants had decided that flashing pink bunny ears went well with pyjamas!

The funniest part of the night was when they released hundreds of white doves to mark the start. White doves which had obviously been boxed up for a couple of hours and felt the need to empty their bowels just as the crowd standing underneath them went awwwh. This very quickly changed to screams as everyone scattered!.

If anyone's forgotten to sponsor me, you can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/rachelthomas101

On Friday 1st May, I am doing an 8 mile sponsored walk around Cardiff to raise money for Ty Hafan, the Children's Hospice.

Now that doesn't sound very taxing, so we'd better add in the other bits - it's a midnight walk and I've got to do it in my pyjamas. More interesting?

I think the greatest challenge for me may be staying awake, but given my capacity to sleepwalk, that might not be too much of a challenge I guess. I wonder if I can sleepwalk the whole distance?

Anyway, if you would like to sponsor me, you can do so at
http://www.justgiving.com/rachelthomas101

Thanks very much to anyone who does so.

With the help of Weight Watchers, I've got to a pound below my goal weigh. I lost 2.5lb this week. 10 months and 23lb after starting, I'm thinner and happier. And have new clothes. (I know happiness isn't weight dependent, but it helps)

And now have easter eggs to eat. Nummy

Ian and I went to the recording of Mark Steel's in Town last night, which was recorded in, and all about Merthyr (which he confused me by pronouncing as "Murder" for most of the evening).

It was rather interesting, especially about the civil unrest which started in Merthyr, including the great crowd shout of "Cheese with our bread." It was made more interesting by the bizarre heckler who almost started the beer-battered-chip riots.

It will be broadcast at 6.30 on Wednesday 15th April on radio 4, or can be found afterwards at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jd6rf

Ladies;

Ty Hafan, the children's hospice in Cardiff is organising a sleepwalk to raise funds.

The 8 mile long walk takes place around Cardiff, starting at 11pm on Friday 1st May. Dress code is pyjamas. Entry is ladies only I'm afraid guys, although you can volunteer to marshal, line the route to support or just drink in a surrounding pub I guess. Or sponsor those taking part of course.

I'm entering. Anyone interested in joining me? It'll be more fun if a bunch of us do it. (hmm, this could apply to many things!)

Details and entry forms can be found at
http://www.tyhafan.org/get-involved/our-events/may-09/midnight-sleep-walk

Love Rachel

We've received a letter addressed to someone who doesn't live at our house. Now the odd thing is that it's no one we've ever heard of.

What worries me is that the envelope says on it "Discounted insurance rates for postal workers"

Could a royal mail employee be collecting mail before it actually gets delivered to our house? How do we check?

Any thoughts?

Some of you may have seen it already, but Ian and I have written (or possibly created, given that there are no actual words in the book) a book. Check out "My Worst Words."

The concept is pretty easy. Give the book to your children; get them to say what they see. Entertainment for everyone and impressive for the grandparents!

You can see it at http://shop.crookedhouse.org/
(and buy copies of the book, T shirts and mugs there too)

It also has it's own Facebook group. http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Worst-Words/53672362402?ref=mf

Reviews and suggestions welcome.

Enjoy.

Due to illnesses beyond our control; 1 appendix no long in Ian and one cat with fractured hip, we won't be going to London this weekend.

Consequently we have 3 tickets for Avenue Q going spare. They are best price tickets from Last minute dot com, so should be good, although I can't say exactly where you'd be sitting. They are for 8.30 show on Saturday 28th Feb.

Avenue Q is the amazing 30 something muppet musical. It's closing early march, so this may be your last chance to see it.

Anyone interested?

Ian is improving. He's eating now, and keeping it down so far, and feeling less painful.

He won't be out until Monday though.

So if he can stand the lack of sleep induced by hospitals, he'll be ok.

Score Appendix 1:Ian 3

So far he has lost an appendix and gained
A stylish scar
A morphine drip
A pair a fishnet pants.

He's feeling much better. He has a mobile
And a laptop, so send him a text or an email

Still npo though