This is a quickie as I am really tired tonight. After another long day, tonight we went out for dinner with my OH, her brother and his new friend. Last nights Chinese meal was delicious- it makes such a difference when you have fresh Chinese food made from fresh ingredients- you can taste every flavour!!!

Tonight we went to our local and indulged in traditional delicacies- lamb and chips! However, when it came to delicacies, my OH;s brother's guest had some great stories. Being oriental she regaled us with tales of some of the delicacies that she was offered in her time. MKFunky, if you are reading this it may be best to turn away now! She told us of a table she once sat at with a hole in the centre (about the size of a mango) Under neath the hole was a basket. She wondered at the beginning of dinner what the hole was for. And then the started appeared. Alive and from the hole! It was a monkey! A servant came with a knife and slice the skull open revealing the brain! The dinner guests were then given chopsticks and they took pieces of live brain from the monkey... as it was looking at you!!!! It's a different world!!! She also mention that she was once offered live turtle, with the shell removed! And in that country it was the height of bad manners to refuse food offered to you!

So here's tonights big question.... Would you eat live monkey brain so as not to offend your host. I would lie to think I would!

I haven't got long. I am sweaty and yukky because I have been on a school trip to London and the trains are disgusting- full of sweaty and yukky poeple passing on their sweaty and yukkiness. Whe I got in I really wanted a bath but guess what, the boiler next door has packed up (and left with the milkman- only joking) and it's the boiler we share (long story) so there is no hot water! I just had to wash my self in cold water.

Everything is a rush tonight because my OH's brother and his friend is coming round. They are cooking- well she is cooking Chinese food as she is oriental in flavour. But I have just had time to whip off my cothes a job application form. You never know.

I may blog more about my day later if I have time or haven't fallen asleep, because after the past two tiring days I am feeling sleepy (Snow White doesn't get a look in anymore)

Another parents evening. Another tiring and late night And I hadn't eaten until I got home tonight at 9pm. IT's kind of my own fault. I don't eat breakfast so I didn't eat then. Had no time to stop for break or lunch as always. The school is supposed to provide food for tea, but today they hadn't got my order, so I didn't have tea either. And then parents evening finished and I came home.

No wonder I was hungry.

Part 2
(Disclaimer: Just a warning, this is the second time of writing this. If you find this not as entertaining as you want it to be then just rest assured that the original post was side-splittingly hilarious. If you find this already side splittingly hilarious, then the first one was dull in comparison)

ON entering th restaurant we were greeted by a whole hosts of...er...hosts. Znethru, The Marvo family, Meno, MKFunky and TobsTV. Tobs immediately jumped up saying "I know you, I've read your blog"
After some general introductory chat, where some important questions were answered, like "What made you blog" and "How was your Journey" and "What did happen to MKFunky's nails" and "What does have two legs and bleeds?" we got down to doing the important stuff, namely ordering the booze food. It was difficult to decide what to have as a started until Tobs asked "Anyone fancy sharing some raw meat?" I was up for that although I believe that Mk might have felt differently, judging by the subtle shade of green she turned and the subtle shouts of "Eeuurgh! Raw Meat!" (Which kind of gave it away)
The raw meat was nice, as was my main course... a seafood risotto. The mussels and clams were nice although I was surprised to find a couple of baby squid type things, fully formed, complete with tentacles and suckers and a face. I swear it was like eating the cast of The Little Mermaid. I am sure I felt one of the little buggers wrestle my tongue like some kind of Mini Kraken. Once again, I don't think that MK was entirely thrilled by the contents of my dinner plate, whereas the contents of her dinner plate was enought to feed an army! That Pasty thing was HUUUGE!
For afters I really wanted a Loony tunes ice cream, but Faffa wouldn't let me And even though MK tried to get me to order one using the power of her second toe, I managed to resist, even thought the size of my own second toe should have made me so much more submissive!
After dinner I had to leave early, unfortunately I had a train to catch!
But to all of you, thanks for a lovely evening
For Meno, nice to meet you. I hope you manage to survive the rest of the week
For the Marvoe family, I'm sory I didn't get to speak too much to you. I hope you don;t think I was being rude.
For Znethru, nice to meet you. So it really was half a cat!
For Faffa. I knew we'd get on. Hope you did't end up giggling inanely too much
For Tobs. Nice to meet you mate. And If I ever see a pupil doing what you were doing under the table, I will NOT be checking for a mobile phone!
And For MK. Just two words... RAW MEAT!

Thanks everyone!

Damn I wrote a whole long post and I've gone and lost the lot. Why does that happen

Last night I did something that last year I wouldn't have dreamed I would do. I went to a blog meet. But at the beginning of this year I made a new years resolution- to experience more new things (this was as a response to a really crap 2006, but you all know about that). This meet had been approaching quite quickly over the past few weeks, and excitement had been building. What is everyone going to be like? Will they like me? Am I going to end up in the corner and sit quietly which can happen when I am nervous? Is everyone going to be how I expect? Is it really some kind of weird internet cult that has been grooming me for sex? (If so, they are soo going to be disappointed) and most importantly... what would I wear? After trying on several outfits-my black suit, my blue suit, my superman suit, my birthday suit... I went for a boring suit and tie jobby.
Yesterday arrived and I caught the 2:55 train to Charing Cross. It got in at 4:30 which would leave me 30 mins to ride the Northern line to Edgware, where the delightful Faffa would be waiting for me. At least that's what I thought. Damn that Northern line is long! and it took ages to get there. 5:20 I got into the station. Thankfully Faffa was still there waiting for me. Even though I didn't really know who I was looking for, it was easy to spot Faffa- she was the only other person in the station who looked like they hadn't got a clue who they were looking for.
We walked together to the restaurant, where I was to meet everyone for the first time. What will they be like? Will we get on? Will anyone recognise me? Will anyone admit to actually reading my blog? and most importantly of all..... What will I wear?

I have fifteen minutes bafore I have to head out to my 'visit' school. I have just come back from the doctors where a nurse (who I am sure was a matron from the fifties) gouged my arm with a needle and I felt a small prick. I have to have blood tests regularly, but I still don't get used to needles. I always have to look away. And I said this to the nurse.
"I can never look"
"It's a good job I was looking though" she replied in an attempt at humour. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself making a 'little prick' joke.
However when it comes to looking, the whole 'looking' theme seemed to go awry when it came to putting the plaster on. You know those little circular plasters with the pad in the middle... well the pad is supposed to go over the hole! It's not hard to miss, its the bit with blood coming out of it! But no. She just slapped the plaster on and the pad totally missed the bloody bit and she ended up sticking the outside sticky bit over the wound! Not looking forward to ripping that off!

Anyway, must go. I have some information to invent collect

I am going to get ready for my doctor's appointment in a minute. I am sitting here watching last night's Strictly Come Dancing. These people are good! They always look like they have so much fun- especially in the group dance. It always makes me want to get my dancing shoes back on. But someone had to go..... Bye Bye Barnes
AS for last night, I haven't blogged about it yet and I will do a fuller post later, but you can read some accounts from FaffaJane and MKFunky and some pics from Znethru. Thanks for an enjoyable evening guys

My OH's brother arrived at about 7pm. And considering they left at 11am they haven't done too bad. Okay its 8 hours and my OH can do it in five, but he's practically halved his last journey time

His New lady friend is oriental with a Northern accent! She seems nice but I'm not sure how long it will last. She's already done the 'It's me or the fags' ultimatum. After they popped in, they headed back to their 'dog friendly' cottage that they have rented. So My OH and I had a welcome evening alone together. We still had Chinese Takeaway and we sat and watched POTC:At Worlds End.

Today is Sunday and it is the day of the blog meet. My train leaves at 2:55. Faffa? You still meeting me at Edgeware? I should be there by 5pm

My OH's brother and new friend should be arriving soon. But I think he is having trouble with directions again. The last time he visited it took him 15hours to get home to Plymouth(because he went via Birmingham )

This week is gonna be ..... er.... unique

Damned parents evenings..... make me so tired and late, not enough time to relax in the evening. Boooooooo!

I have just come in from my night of dancing fun. Tonight we learnt the Tango and the Samba. We started with the samba in after 30 mins I was sweating and out of breath. Damn those stairs up into the hall are steep! But seriously the dance- as easy as it looks- is quite strenuous. Back the tango was worse. I got the hold spot on. So if ever I entered a tango competition and they were marking it on how you stand before dancing then I may be in with a chance. But unfortunately the dancing started. Not so much as The last Tango in Paris, more like the Last Dingo in Powys! Still it was only the first week practising it
Then on the way home I decided to do something a bit naughty. I nipped into the chippy and bought a portion of chips. When I got the home I thought I would do the decent thing and offered to share them with my OH. She refused so I put them on a plate just for me..... except they never were 'just for me' not really. You know what you women do, pick food off our plates, like in that episode of Friends. I was doing all of Joeys moves trying to move the plate around and distracting her with my witty repartee. But No! I nearly shouted "CJ doesn't share food!" {Hehe not really}

Anyway, I am back now. Time to catch up on the footy score..... Oh bollocks

It has been one of those days where things seem to be falling in to place. We had decided that my OH would try to get someone to come and fix the tumble dryer. The first one she contacted was available and in the area "I can be there in ten minutes" and he was. And he fixed the problem with ease (TO be fair, we don't know for sure it is fixed until we have tried it). "My normal call out charge is £40" he said "But seeing that it was a quick and easy job, I'll only charge you £25" Yippee.
IN other 'falling into place' news, the spanner in my car keeps flashing (And no I don't mean myself). It means that it needs a service. But because I need to drive to work this often causes difficulties. Except next week on Thursday I am on a course in London and I can catch the train! So if we can get it booked in for Thursday it will be perfect- especially as my OH will be off and her brother will be down, so they can take my car for a service and then still drive off for a day together!
In Other 'falling into place' news, next Monday is our 'do-it-yourself' inset, where we have to invite ourselves into schools and look at relevant things. Well, my mate has Okayed it for me to go to his school (My old school) which is just ten minutes away, and I can pop in mid-morning. This would leave me time to go to the doctors in the morning assuming I could get an appointment. And guess what- I managed to get a 9:40 appointment for Monday morning.
In other falling into place news..... I love Tetris!

Damn Tumble dryer has gone wrong. Last week the tray at the bottom broke and it kept leaking water (Keep leaking Keep keep leaking water- Another hit Leona?) When we reached into the bottom we found bit had broken off. So we ordered another tray thing and hoped it would work. But it still leaks water. And the new tray has the same odd-bobbins as the old one has..... so where did the bit that broke off come from?
My OH is a bit distraught by it all. I think it needs the touch of a master wizard.......

Repairo!

Or a new Tumble Dryer

The thing about windscreens... the main thing about the position of windscreens in a car is... that they are directly in front of you.
The thing about driving, one of the main problems with driving is that you have to concentrate entirely on the road ahead of you. So it's not always easy to turn your head away if need arises
The thing about having a cold is the symptoms, these can range from headaches to coughing to a sore throat and finally sneezing.
And the thing about sneezing, one of the horrible things about sneezing is the rather gooey, phlegmy sprayage that comes out in a frontly direction.
Did I mention the thing abut windscreens? ..............

I can't believe what happened at work today. I got in at about 8am, which is about normal. I leave goddam early for the drive which is about 50 minutes, although I know if I left any later I would get caught up in some horrific traffic! So I get in early and have a cup of tea and read the paper- which is delivered free to the staff room. Except this morning it wasn't delivered! No Paper! I had to read last Friday's one instead!
And then I went to do some photocopying. And guess what- there was no photocopying paper. No Paper! I had to use some old scrap paper and photocopy on the back of it- which I didn't mind too much, I felt like I was actually doing something for the environment.
But it gets worse, because during the day I was dying for the loo! And when I sat down in the cubicle guess what I found... I kid you not! No Paper! No toilet paper at all. Not in any of the cubicles. I have been dying for the loo all day. I am just glad that I didn't have to use some of last weeks instead!

At last Kate has gone from strictly come dancing. WHich means there is more chance for one of the real dancers to win. Although I have to admit she has been etnertaining... like watching a perfomring elephant Not that the people here at CJ blog condones the use of captive animals performing cheap tricks for entertainment... talking of which, I havent really done an 'I'm a celebrity post' I can't say that any of them are particularly great. Maybe 'grate' would be more fitting! What is with that Lynne woman and that American thing that claims to be a model. And how on earth did Biggins get in? They are certainly more irritating this year. And is it me or does Marc Bannerman have the most peculiar eyebrows? Is he trying to be David Gest?

Anyway, I must go now. I have a Baby Seal Cub here that I am trying to teach to spin plates Have a nice evening

Firstly... my laptop. I have bought a few games and I can't get any of them to play. I think this is a problem stemming from the Broken Sword from ages ago. I think DirectX has a thing against me. I may have to steal my OH's laptop instead

The second thing that I think is really pants is.... The security of Nottingham Castle. Sheriff, you really do have to sort your guards out- all three of them. There are more holes in your security than there is in my pants (and that brings me to the third thing that is pants, and thats my pants) After watching Robin Hood tonight, how is is that, even when the Sheriff put the castle on Lockdown- they still managed to get in. six of them in the most ridiculous costumes that made them look like a gang of Inspector Gadget fans! And those guards are so easily fooled.

Scene: The castle gates. After Guy's guards get killed by Robins men and after Guy returns and tells the guards on the door that the guards have been killed by Robins men, a strange band of suspicious looking men dressed as the dead guards (who you would have expected that the gate guards would recognise as they are working in the same place) approach the gate.
Guards: Halt. Guy told us you were dead
Strange band of men disguised as a group of killed soldiers bt really look like Robin Hoods gang: Well, obviously we're not!
Guards: Oky then. Come in!

And later on when the badly disguised bunch try to leave and the guards have had strict instructions not to let anyone out.....
Guards: Halt. No-one leaves the castle
Badly disguised band of freedom fighters trying to smuggle out two prisoners: We have to take these prisoners to Durham
Guards; Okay then!

I tell ya, Nottingham Castle has more holes than Cheese! And just as much cheese!

Man did I over indulge last night
The small sips didnt turn out to be so small after all

Still I'm Bright eyed and Bushy tailed this morning... well Bushy Eyed anyway

Just watched the Doctor Who thing from CIN last night. Excellent!

Oh, the post has just arrived. A rejection from one of the jobs I applied for

Here are my answers to this meme

1. What is one food (or meal) you used to hate but now love?
SALAD! I hated green stuff when I was a kid. But now I can eat it.

2. If you had to give up one of your favourite foods (or meals) for good, what would it be, and why?
SALAD. I am sure I can live without. I expect we will find out that one day it causes cancer

3. Which food seems like it should be healthy and isn't, and do you eat it? Why?
ER... SALAD! All that green stuff can't be good for you. And I have seen things crawling in it before

4. If you were an item of food, personified, what would you be and why?
Er.... Salad. Because I can be well dressed

5. You've seen tomatoes and pies used for this purpose... now think of a more inventive item of food one could throw at someone. What is it and why would throwing it at someone be hilarious?
Can I say SALAD? just to keep up the theme that's running through here? If not...... Pickled Wallies! Then perhaps someone would invent a new sport... Wallyball

Woohoo I have made it to the end of the week.
But th real question is can I make it to the end of the night..... sober!

I bet not

Pass me my hollow legs, they're in for a filling

Well, I think that was the best we have performed that so we should be pleased. I also think y voice held up, but right now it feels rough!

So glad its done. But I did enjoy it

I just wrote a blog post about tonights recital. But it has disappeared? Has anyone seen it? Did I leave it as a comment somewhere? PLease, It is small, black and white and answers to the name Fluffy. If found please return to .......

My voice is still going and my throat is really sore.
Today at work I had more inset this time to do with my outreach work. I have managed to get to a local school where my friend teaches for this other DIY inset day. Hopefully I can get to book an appointment for the doctors as well for that day which I cant do for a normal weekday because I work too far away.
Singing tomorrow (maybe) and if my voice foes and can do a Redwood and if it goes wrong it wont be my fault

Type in your answer to the questions in Google Images and post any one of the images off the first page. (E.G. - The answer the first question is 31 - for me - so I type in 31 and post any one of those images as my answer)

Stolen from Sminchin

1. How old will you be on your next birthday?

2. A place you'd like to travel to?

3. Your favourite place?

4. Your favourite object?

5. Your favourite food?

6. Your favourite animal?

7. Your favourite colour?

8. The town in which you were born?

9. The town in which you live?

10. The name of a past pet?

11. The name of a past love?

12. Your nickname?

13. Your first name?

14. Your middle name?

15. Your last name?

16. A bad habit of yours?

17. Your first job?

18. Your grandmother's name?

19. The main subject(s) you studied?

20. What do you think about the person you stole / got the meme off?

After reading Lee954's post about chessboxing I started to wonder what other sports/activities you could combine.

For example if you put chess together with the Javelin, you could end up with Chavelin!

Or if you played Unreal Tournament with Javelin you could be Unravelin!

Or if you started Doodling whilst canoeing you could be Canoodling!

Or Archery with Marbles you could get Marble Arch-ery! (Held in London of course)

Or ( i like this one) if you put Quad biking together with Aquatics and Formula 1 racing, you could get 'Quadratic Formula' racing!

I am hoping my cold won't develop into a full blown flu. Especially Man-flu, because we all know how bad that is! I do feel a bit better this morning, but I can feel my throat going! I'm gonna start sounding husky and sexy- (which is gonna make the choral recital this week interesting.) But I am still tired and not really up to doing loads of work. Which is OK because I don't have tons of school work to do per-se, but I have got 4 job applications to write. The thing is I can't quite bring myself to write them. I hate filling in forms and writing letters of application and the thought of doing four of hem is SOOOOOO daunting! Maybe I shall just choose 1 and send that off.

It's remembrance day, and today I will be remembering my grandfather, who I never knew- who my dad never really knew, because he died in WW1. And after watching "Oh what a lovely war" this week, It's horrible to think of the things the soldiers put up with. The statistics of death are horrible!!

Oh and I must also remember to post a card to my mum, because she has moved house.

Edit: I have now written one application