Tuesday

So, today is pretty miserable! Not cloudy and not as cold as it has been – but definitely miserable. I’m totally shattered at work and supposed to be firing on all cylinders to help put together a bit for a training investment. I am so grateful to be asked (I’ve been crying out for an opportunity like this), but I just wish it hadn’t come when I’ve been so busy!

Still, had a very productive meeting and put some initial thoughts together, so that’s all anyone can hope for at this stage. Got to get home tonight and pack! Was meant to do it last night – but couldn’t find the energy after the weekend of manicness. Still, did a load of washing in preparation for packing. It will be all systems go come Thursday :) just got to do the last (arguably, most important) thing – the booze run.

I have had a lovely surprise today. Me and the other half generally share things we think are good with likeminded people. I have been lending a colleague “The Walking Dead,” as I figured he would appreciate it (being a zombie fan – but also a father of two young children so not a lot of time for researching what’s good in popular culture), and not only has he loved it – but he has bought us a present today. “The Zombie Survival Guide; Complete Protection from the Walking Dead.” I hadn’t read it yet, so bonus, but also how sweet that he bothered. I think we often take for granted the nice things that other people do for us and forget to say “Thank you” when someone has gone above and beyond. It’s inspired me to try and notice the things that other people do for me all the time, not because they have to, but because they want to.

I hope you take that as your thought for today as well. Lets spread a bit of positivity – god knows that when it’s still THIS cold and THIS miserable in February, we all need some.

Monday Magica

So.. Monday…

Well, what can you say really? Mondays are nobody’s favourite day of the week – especially after a weekend having a wonderful time attending great events and hanging out with good friends. We had a pretty chilled day Sunday, just did the remaining chores and went to brunch with Jon, Dan and Martin (Pancakes make me happy), but still woke up shattered. A pretty miserable day weather-wise – so I took todays photos on my way home from work. More of the fantastic eggs which have sprung up around the city!

Work was productive for personal stuff, but hitting more walls with actual work. You can only do so much until someone else needs to take over and carry out their “bit.” If they don’t do it – you just have to step back (no matter how frustrated you are). Still, sorted train tickets for The Knife, some supplies for Scifi Weekender, some booking for Birthday activities and some bits sorted for our holiday.

Picked up my new glasses on the way home. Got a lovely black and white plastic pair (Karen Millen) and a rather crazy Osiris pair (in a 50’s wing style and leopard print design). I fell in love with the crazy pair, but was rather worried that they would look too ridiculous. The consensus is that they look “off the wall,” but I look pretty off the wall most of the time –so I can get away with it.

Did a few bits and pieces in town before heading back and putting in all of the washing we need for Thursday and doing a bit of tidying. Caught up with the “Walking Dead” (I swear, that show just gets better and better) and watched some more “Madoka Magica.” What a strange and brilliant series! If you’re into your anime – check it out (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puella_Magi_Madoka_Magica). Definitely worth a watch!

Anyway – time to chip off. I’ve just accepted that, try as I might, I will not be posting every day! Life gets in the way!

A Saturday well spent...

Just a brief note on my weekend!

We were lucky enough to get tickets for +backtothetheatre event at the Custard factory on Saturday! This meant we had to wake up nice and early (normal Saturday practise for us) to get to Birmingham Markets to sort out our food for the week. I really do Love the Birmingham markets, but not so much when I’m hung over -_-.

Treated it as a smash and grab and armed with our shopping list, got into town, got the things we needed and dashed home in time to shove some food in our mouth and head back out. Met our lovely friends squeaky and Gitzy and mooched down to Digbeth in time to collect tickets, posters and be seated. Firstly, the venue was amazing. A lovely little movie theatre in the middle of the Custard Factory. Small, but comfortable and in good order. There were first rate movie props from Re-animator on the stage (the half woman talking corpse from ROTLD and “THE” Head from Reanimator) as well as a trioxin barrel, Tarman head and gravestones strewn about. On each seat was a plastic goody bag which contained a copy of Shock Horror magazine, some flyers and a freebie. I got the fabulous badge you can see above. I am donning THAT at Scifi Weekender!

The first event of the day was a Q&A with Graham Humphries. What a lovely guy! Talked about his experiences of creating the iconic posters and covers for Nightmare on Elm Street, Evil Dead, Dusk till Dawn and all sorts! We fired questions from the crowd and he answered honestly and truthfully about his long career and working with the greats. Next was the signing. As we were one of the first 50 to book, we got a ltd edition poster which Graham gratefully scribbled on for us. He took the time to pose for photos with everyone who asked and was just genuinely nice.

Then came the reanimator screening. Great quality audio and video and totally wonderful to watch a film with a likeminded audience. We laughed and cheered together during the film and had a whale of a time. You could take in your own food and drink, so people were cracking open beers and sharing packets of sweets – a great atmosphere.

After the break (and the beer run), came the Q&A with Don Calfa. He is not a young man, but exuded positivity and excitement. Even though he was deaf as a post, he answered questions animatedly and candidly throughout the session – offering little titbits and gems of stories from the whole of his career.

Following this came a short talk from Steve “Mitzy” May and Gary Smart (author of “The Complete History of the Return of the Living Dead” – shortly to be reissued). Fascinating stuff – especially for a total novice when it comes to cult Zombie movies. A history of the trials and tribulations behind the titles and the “difficult” franchise (varying quality from the Sublime to the Ridiculous). This made the following screening even more engaging and I think even hardened ROTLD fans learned something and took something new away from the film.

The final part of the day (after I had bagged a free DVD of “Dragon Wasps”) was the Don Calfa Signing. Again, a wonderful guy who had time for everyone and didn’t rush anyone. Some people had taken 4 or 5 items for signing, but no complaints or ego were felt and everyone just seemed to be happy and excited. There was a quiet drink with Don afterwards, but after a long exciting day – I just needed to go to bed.

On that note, I urge to check out #backtothetheatre events. We heard a whisper of the theme of the next one – and quite frankly – it’s already on the calender!

Thursday and Friday (and the ills - again!)

This is Thursday and Friday respectively. I don't know for the life of me what that thing is in the sky! It wasn't on the lens!

I was really poorly Thursday and crazy busy Friday - so didn't get a chance to post! The weather was pretty miserable last week and not helped by not feeling great, so felt stressed and down in the dumps. Had a nice Wednesday night with the gang - but felt like utter pants Thursday (which wasn't helped by people being ridiculous at work), so passed out when I got in. Also had the wonderful news that the charity event I had struggled to organise had to be cancelled as our lovely dance teacher had all the ills, so not a good one!

Friday was better, but was still shattered! Ended up having a lovely evening with our wonderful friends, but suffered for it Saturday (see next post!).

All in all, a bad week was made great by friends :) but more about that in the next post (which will hopefully go up after dinner!)

woeful Wednesday

Just a quick one today! Last night's trip to the Electric was excellent! Prosecco and Cookies bought to our sofa and the fabulous Denzel Washington acting like he was in a Victorian melodrama! All topped off with a pint in Brewdog and wonderful company in the shape of my friend Emma.

Today, my cold is back :(! I am so unlucky with being ill, whatever is going around - I will catch! Had a nice early night last night, which was definitely required. I had an exciting day of dentist, optician and a tonne of work to do - a brilliant combination. Still, the photo today is nice and cheerful!

These fabulous eggs have popped up all over Birmingham. This smiley face was spotted outside the Cathedral. If you're about town, go and have an explore!

Anyway, must dash! Got to book my place on the conservation trust's coffin factory tour. I suggest you book if you can - have a look here:
www.birminghamconservationtrust.org

Tuesday 19th Feb

Well, a good day to you all!

Today’s post isn’t as exciting as yesterdays as there are no animal pictures! I was so pleased with how some of them came out! I invested in a new phone end of last year, and it’s really made a difference to how many photos I take and how I consider things around me. My phone previously was technically a smart phone, but the processor was so slow – it was a nightmare to do anything with it. The quality of the pictures were simply AWFUL too!

Today is nice and bright, but pretty cold. My poor fingers were frozen as I was taking the picture – so I only took the one and shufted off pretty quickly. I’m writing this in the morning, but hope to get a nice picture later as I’m heading to the Electric Cinema (which is a lovely place) to see Flight.

Got a tonne of stuff to do today and the weight of the world on my shoulders. I’ve got so much to sort out. It’s not even a relief to cross one thing off the list as the list seems to be never bloody ending! Roll on next Thursday. I’m off to Sci-fi Weekender in Wales, so get a bit of time off work to chill with my friends and have a giggle. Today, I’m taking solace in the fact I can listen to the radio at work and just tune in to the task at hand.

Right – as I say, best get on with it. these 50 Method Statements aren’t going to write themselves… no really… 50. All at least 5 pages long. Great fun!

Anniversary weekend and (unfortunately) Monday

So, what a weekend… had a nice chilled out Friday. Watched Antiviral (brilliant) and got a decent night’s sleep. Was woken up by the alarm at 9:30 on Saturday morning and had a relaxing bath (with the last of my Christmas gift posh stuff). Out the door by 10:30 and on the road to mystery date.

As soon as I started to see the road signs, I knew we were going to Dudley Zoo. It might seem a bit silly to you lot, but it was one of our first dates – so meant the world to me. It was the first place Dan truly saw my rather “colourful” side, as I chatted to ALL of the animals on the way round. I have attached some photos from the day.

I LOVE Lynx’s, Red Panda’s and Snow Leopards – so it was a fabulous day. Nearly all of the animals came out and were running around and I was especially impressed with the Panda’s (as they are notoriously shy creatures).

After a knackering walk round several circuits of the zoo (which has been GREATLY improved in 5 years), I got a quick rest before it was time to head to Bodega for some tasty eats. Great food and great cocktails were had. We followed that up with a cheap pint in the Briar Rose, before heading to Eddie’s Rock club for a bit of live metal (courtesy of Valous). It was Great fun… loud and riotous with lots of frontman poser action. Bumped into some old friends I hadn’t seen in quite a while – which was a lovely surprise.

After we had, had our fill of dancing around like loons – it was back to the JQ to meet my friend Clare and her mate (who was down from London). They had never been out in in the JQ before and were blown over by a lovely meal at pasta di piazza (www.pastadipiazza.com) and a pint at the wonderful Rose Villa (www.therosevillatavern.co.uk) before settling in for the long haul at the Actress and Bishop (www.theactressandbishop.com). All my recommendations – all totally loved!

The whole day was wonderful (Sunday morning, however, was NOT!). Sunday was a bit of a nothingness as me and Dan really weren’t well. Self-inflicted – so I’m not asking for any sympathy!

Today (Monday) started off Gray. It really wasn’t very inspiring at all (especially as I didn’t sleep very well last night). Hence I have taken a photo on my way home from work instead. It’s bit quite sunny in Birmingham this afternoon, and makes you feel a bit more alive. I have survived Monday (thank goodness) and am looking forward to some liver cleansing tomato juice and an early night. Another busy week this week, but I’ll try my best to be reliable with my posts this week!

Still, I have got you a thought for the day. With the sun coming out this afternoon, it has bought to mind this quote (courtesy of Steve Martin). “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night."