Christmas Passed

OK, OK, so I DID receive some very nice gifts (black cashmere sweater, Clinique smellies, Collette Hazelwood neckpiece) but, TBH, I need to get back to work. Four days of looking after Father and Bro-in-Law and I have had enough already. I like being my own person, doing my own thing...selfish? Maybe...but I work hard during the year and time to myself is valued. Apart from that, I am better off at work. That way I don't offend / piss people off / say TOTALLY the wrong things...and it keeps my rather imaginative mind occupied. And, I can justify spending £300+ on a fantastic Ludlows of London jacket if I am conscious that I am working, hehehe...

Christmas Present

Despite having no kids of my own (and no chance of having any either) Christmases are a little weird. For sure, there ARE kids – scattered far and wide – and, though I know their ages, I have little or no clue as to what they would actually like; I enter a toy store and I am at a total loss...
...so, it is with some relief that I was able to crack 95% of my Christmas gift shopping today.

Nick (OH) will, as usual, hate what I have purchased, mainly because he will say I should not have spent the money. As for the rest of the family...well I had compiled a list of interesting stuff that I was then able to get at equal prices in the local city shopping centre. Now that was a BIG achievement for me, seeing as how I Don't Do Cities...

As for the rest of it??? Well, TBH I can't wait til it's over. I loathe all the false bon homie etc etc...and I wish just 1% of the money we throw away each Christmas could go to the homeless and other people who could really benefit.

A life less ordinary

Today I was reading a friend's journal, as I do every day. I can't always get my head around what he writes, although I do try. Today, however, was different. I have not known this person for long; indeed, we have met only once, but I feel I already know more about him than myself – perhaps too much for my own good. You see, no matter how hard I try to fight it – ignore it even – his art, writing and music, is tattooed on my mind, 24/7. Mostly, I don't mind; he is an amazing artist after all, but today's journal entry literally tore at my heart. It describes a place in this person's mind that is agonisingly beautiful yet painfully ugly; a place I yearn for yet dread to go. I don't think he will ever, truly find the tranquility he seeks, a restful mind, a sleep unbroken. And that's what makes me so sad.

A strangely mixed day of nothing really

Today I woke to the first really cold day of this year. OK, so it was only a degree or two below but, hey, this is Middle England after all. A rather ordinary, uneventful day at work ensued, though I was somewhat numbed at settling this month's credit card bill. Gulp. Leaving work this evening the air was chill; owls were calling and the sky was inky black. And the other great thing about working in the country is the lack of light pollution; even before 6pm the stars stand out like diamonds in stark contrast to the surrounding velvet blackness. The moon followed me home too; I got this chance of photographing it playing backdrop to historic Fotheringhay Church, one of the most stunning and significant historic buildings in England.

The Credit Crunch hits Formula One

With Magny Cours already off next season's calendar it seems that may also drop off the F1 radar. Of course, next season's German GP is scheduled for the Nurburgring, alternating as it does with Hockenheim. While not the prettiest of circuits, hockenheim has an amazing atmosphere and a breathtakingly fast start-finish straight culminating in a 90 degree first corner. Sitting at this corner, watching the cars literally sly with all four wheels off the ground left me speechless. Now the circuit is facing financial ruin; its contract ends in 2010 and, without government fiscal support, justification for another race will be difficult. Crying shame.

Diesel dog the greedy dog...for unadulterated popcorn...

Diesel dog loves popcorn. In fact he loves ANYTHING we eat, including olives and Twiglets and peanuts. But he particularly loves eating popcorn of a Sunday evening.

Grey day, grey weekend

My first post and...well, there's not much to say about today really. A very grey weekend to say the least. Grey news, grey weather, grey mood, really. Extraordinarily, I have not spend a single penny this weekend; this is a good thing actually, as I am facing a huge credit card bill right now due to the fact that i have already purchased next season's Grand Prix tickets. Besides, Christmas is ages off...isn't it?