Happy 25 Years and bah humbug

Last week was my parents 25th Silver Anniversary. The morning was a bit of a commotion as my dad bought my mum flowers but not the right ones and thought they were lilies that smelt but actually weren't he was just fussing. After the 3rd attempt manage to get them right. My mums friend known to us as 'Aunty Ann' came rang with card and pressie that was a characture of my parents it was possibly one the best oscar moments I seen my parents give. Even though she manage to send a picture to whom did the characture it didn't look like them that was why my dad was giving the best oscar performance pretending it was a lovely gift I knew what they thought and just let him carry on. Lovely thought still as Anniversary or any occasion is hard to buy for. I knew buying some piece of glass with '25' on would be a waste so in the end just got some flowers and for a card with '25' on wasn't easy Not many to 'mum and dad on your anniversary' cards just had to stick with a normal one in the end.

My brother booked a restaurant in Lytham knowing my mum would like it but it wasn't quite convenient with everyone else like nana, kim and baby. Mum had already settled for River Wyre as it was close and could have a drink afterwards. Mum had invited a few people hoping 11 would turn up but only turned out to be 8.2 of whom was my parents good friends but seemed they didn't really want to be there. It was quite disappointing for mum. Before we left for the restaurant dad went out to get some beer and drinks and earlier that dad mum went shopping and bought snacks for people who could come back to ours and have a drink and cheer to 25 years and me cleaning the house up. It ended up with with just the 3 of us and an early night and a gorgeous cake that my nan baked still on the island. They have gone Edinburgh for weekend and I hope they have a nice weekend there.

It seems Christmas has come early this year earlier than last year and maybe the year before that. It was around when it was Halloween and people are going crazy getting their presents.

Working in a home bargains store trolley full of Christmas stuff. Now the shop has decided to open late on two days for people to do their Christmas shopping but who does it in Cleveleys? The only people coming in at that time 7 and 8 are those buying a few bits they must only take about £20 like someone said there paying us more than there taking. Can be stressful working there. While on the till manager decides to sort my till out while a customer was waiting to pay and he was on the phone right next to me. It was like take your time and take all my change even though I might need it. He's always like do this do that doesn't let me finish the first thing he asked me to do before going onto something else. I'm not wonder woman.

I dunno this year I don't seem to be bothered with it all. If I could I would spend it in a hot climate abroad and do nothing just relax, maybe one day.

Its all the preparations like having to think what to get people. I usually think of things that I know they'll use no point in getting things that will be sat in a draw and never used waste of money. I just don't know where to begin I don't even know what I want.

I think I miss Christmas like i did when little. It seems to go so quick. Christmas is definitely for kids. What I guess I miss every year. Like the excitement leading up to Christmas and wanting so many things hoping Santa bring them you and leaving mine pies and sherry out. There was one thing I kept asking for that I never got I think that was the moment when I knew that writing a list on Christmas Eve night I wasn't going to get the thing I wanted the most and how could Santa bring it me at short notice. Plenty of hints to tell you Santa isn't real and actually your parents buy the presents.

My brother would always be the one to wake up early on Christmas morning about 6am jumping on me in my room wanting to rush downstairs to see the presents under the tree. Then going into our parents room and wanting them to wake up so we could go downstairs, it was always dad who used to take his time getting up. Eyes light up at the big presents at the back and with 3 of us we used to have our sets of presents in order under the tree.

Now a days we don't get up till late morning and its a grown up Christmas now. The preparations leading up to Christmas are fun but when its Christmas days seems to be over so quick.

It'll be babies first Christmas but he's too young to know what's what maybe next year it'll be proper exciting for him when he can enjoy Christmas like it should be. Like how we've outgrown it.

When Christmas comes around you suddenly realise how quick the year has gone. Every year always wishing it would snow that would really be Christmassy. Its cold enough at the mo but with living by the sea doesn't really happen.

Christmas is about togetherness I suppose so eat, drink and be merry.

No rest for the wicked

So this week hasn't been any different from any other week apart from not sleeping very well and not slept properly since Monday.

Work has been so so. Having 3 days off in a row last week it takes you a while to get into the swing of things back at work.

I don't think there isn't one thing that annoys me at that place from customers, to other members of staff to they way the store is run. I good write a list of problems with that store as long as my arm.

I'm still thinking about looking for other work with more hours as only working 4 days a week with 4 hours a day isn't enough as I have so many things bills to pay its hard keeping on track especially when I have a shopping addiction.

There already posting jobs wanting Christmas staff already so I may keep them in mind. Other jobs I have seen are about the same or less than the hours I'm already doing so not worth it.

Wednesday I finally got the push to visit my GP over having symptoms that could result in Polycystic ovaries. I've heard of it before but never thought I may have it.

Described everything to the Doctor about the things I started getting over the pass few years when my weight suddenly ballooned as I don't eat enough to be over weight. So it didn't make sense. Im hoping the problem I've been having with my ankle is a result of this too and get it treated as for a few months regularly I have to force to click my ankle as it feels stiff until I click it does it then feel slightly less stiff as I told the Doctor this she said it sounds like my ligament moving over to my bone and could see a orthopedic surgeon but good result in more problems. So she is sending me to have a few tests done to see if I may have this syndrome or whatever it may be causing the symptoms I may have including the sudden weight gain in so little time.

Come Monday Ill need to fast have some blood tests done and then will be sent to have an ultrasound to see if they are any cysts on my ovaries. Only time will tell.

Part of me is thinking that I won't have it and its just my bad luck I've had these horrible symptoms over the past years and that there is nothing I can do about it. That I will have to keep clicking my ankle for the next 70 years and that my weight will be the same or the excessive bodily hair. I hope there is a solution and I'd be a lot happier.

Well I'm certainly glad Im off tomorrow and hopefully get a good nights sleep. and await next week.

1st visit to Chorley

As I had been working last week none stop I was glad to see I had the weekend off as its very rare that I do I've only had 1 weekend off before.

So I decided instead of staying in and doing bugger all I shall do something I contacted Laura and asked her what she was up to as we've previously tried to meet but no luck. 

We usually meet in Preston as its near by for any of us to travel to. Only takes 20 mins from Poulton and said meet at the Station in Preston although they were running late as they always seems to do must be Gavin still in the shower. 

When I got to Preston I just went browsing in Debenhams to look for something for my dad which is his birthday on Tuesday as I'd seen a nice shirt online but didn't have his size. I was stuck between choices. I just picked up a nice blue jumper and got that and got Rosie some Chanel and went into a few card shops to get dad and Rosie who's birthday it also is a card. 

Preston was quite busy obviously cause it were weekend. I wondered round Debenhams for a bit till Laura got to town. Said meet her in the mall. Gave me the name of the shop and started to walk to meet her. As I wasn't familiar with the shop I thought it be near the entrance round the other side of Preston but when I got in there she said it was near WH Smith which I already walked past and went the other way lost my bearings in the mall. Asked a few people but weren't much help and even the Customer Service desk told me it was somewhere else. So I just walked round till I saw the sign for WH Smith and went upstairs and eventually found it. 

We went in a few shops and wondered where to have lunch pub or cafe. Me and Gavin were eager to pub it but Laura wasn't so keen so just went to M&S cafe for afternoon tea which it was tea, sandwich and cupcake. 

We didn't visit a lot of shops after that only Topshop where most things were tiny sizes. I saw a dress in there that had a nice big bow on the front and only small sizes. There wasn't a lot in there some shoes were nice but thats it. Nothing worth spending money on only that dress if it was in a size that fit. So typical of Topshop it attracts mostly young people and they think that they are thin so they mostly do clothing from 6-10 and the sizes like 14-16 only the odd size out in store usually only about 1 and you can bet money that that size won't be there again. Several of the sizes like 10. 

Anyway after that I said I go back with Laura & Gavin to theres. Went to Tesco first as they needed to do a bit of food shopping. 

They both have a nice good sized flat. I thought Chorley would be a quite a small and village like. Their flat is part of a quite big housing development with more flat/houses being built. 

It was good of them to give me tea and everything and chill out. I came back with Gavin as he got a text from some mates of ours who were going to be in town from Manchester and said we'll meet them. I didn't think they'll be out for long as Laura is quite heavily pregnant and would get tired and would want to go home. It was still a good few hours. Stayed in Blue Room for a bit and then was going to go to Scrooges but late for last orders so only place left open is Frenchmans Cove. Its okay just older people seem to go in there on there office parties playing cheesy pop songs I dred to see what its like at Christmas probably even worse. 

Like I thought Laura did get tired and left for home. Leaving only me, Daryl and Gavin still standing. Went to Tache still the same as always on a Saturday night. Not many places to go in town that aren't dance music. Jenx has gone really rubbish since the new owners took it over. There's no community in it. Not like when the old owner knew people 'regulars' the new guy just interest in money and the whole place has changed. Not interested in going into town anymore. The odd night out is okay but not every week I guess it would get a bit boring. 

Geisha

This week I got back into learning about Japanese culture and one including Geisha. I don't know where it started but after watching Memoirs of a Geisha I wanted to learn all about the real Geisha. I think maybe from watching Ghibli and how they portrait Japanese traditions in their films that I wanted to learn about other things then a while after watching Ghibli did I see Memoirs of a Geisha. I thought the film was okay there were some particular scenes in the movie that I thought were just lovely. I loved the kimonos she wore they just so detailed and beautiful.

However I was shocked to learn that the actors/actresses were Chinease and not Japanese as Geisha are.

Thats what I decided to do next learn who this Mineko Iwaski was. I ordered her book 'Geisha of Gion' and read it this week. Reading about her life and experiences as a geisha that are fact. I got into this book so much that I didn't put it down and read it in just a few days.
How she lived in Kyoto from the age 5 being adopted from the okiya's owner Madame Oima and took on a new family name of Iwasaki.

It was a highly interesting book and a very good read. 

It makes me want to visit Japan more now. The one thing I like to do is the Geiko makeover experience http://www.eok.jp/travel/experience/dress-up-costume/aya and to do the evening with Geiko and Maiko. Other parts of Kyoto I'd love to visit and other parts of Japan too not forgetting the Ghibli museum. 

Love to do the overall Japanese experience and hope to have it one day in the near future. 

Ghibli

I am a big fan of Japanese Anime Studio Ghibli and have a thing for the merchandise and novelties and also looking for the next thing to purchase.

I wish I could own so more much but some of the items are more expensive and difficult to come by.

I usually shop on ebay or some other sites I know off that sell Ghibli. Recently I spotted a few things on ebay that I wanted. They were a little expensive but it was one of a kind item that I hadn't seen before all though a few days later I did but wasn't in the best condition as it was folded and it was less than half price. It was a hard decission to choose but the perfect condition one was from a seller I bought from several times before and knew that I would get the item as shown and quickly so I decided to go with that one. This is the picture. I received it yesterday and am pleased with it so the 1st decision was the right one. Also I bought from the latest Ghibli release Ponyo on a cliff by the sea exhibition booklet.

The Studio Ghibli museum has exhibitions now and again of their certain movies and this is what the booklet I got is all about I'd love to check it out in person but only runs till next year. I think I may need a few more years to save up and visit Japan and save up lots of spending money to spend in their gift shop and check out the whole museum something a Ghibli fan has to do.

I also purchased 2 other related Ponyo items. If you have the seen the film you will know that when the town floods cause of heavy rain Ponyo and turns Sosukes toyboat into a bigger floating boat its aso cute so I got a little replica of the boat and also a little Ponyo wind chime.

Pearl Jam

Monday night was an awesome night. Having had tickets to see Pearl Jam for months it was the night.

Kim was supposed to be going but gave her ticket to a friend as she wanted to stay with baby which was unfortunate as it was an awesome night and Pearl Jam don't tour the UK that often.

I was off that day anyway and afternoon went to town with Kim & Baby for a few hours. He was really good fast asleep till we got into Boots and Kim wanted to try sun hats on him I don't think he was too impressed as he awoke then and wouldn't settle for a bit after that till we took him into M&S for a feed and then Debenhams for a change and in Monsoon where someone mistakenly thought I was babies mum thats the 2nd time now I don't think I look mum material. Thats where I bought 2 dresses for £100 couldn't decide on either. One I've already seen and tried on but decided on a bigger size and another I'd not seen before but try it on at home as couldn't try in the shop as it was time to get home and get sorted for the evening ready to see PJ and for baby.

Little late getting back but still me, Paul, Lorrie and John set off. We were going to meet the rest of the guys there.

Running all over the place in Manchester for something to eat. I have visited Manchester a few times but didn't know of the place 'Print works' eating establishment. It reminded me of being abroad or something as it was quite cool and different. We couldn't find anywhere to eat tried a few resturants but full or long time to get served as many of PJ fans has the same ideas as us. After trying like 3-4 we ended up in Subway. Just over £5 for a sandwich couldn't believe it in a place in Cleveleys one is only £2.20 pricey for a sandwich never the less quickly ate ate a 12" £5 sandwich and made ourselves to the gig where we met Spikeh then John A, Em and Miller.  

I was glad there was only one supporting act Gomez it would have been cool if it was Kings Of Leon supporting but Gomez okay I didn't know they were oldies hehe.

The whole evening PJ/Eddie were very energetic. If Im honest I only know so many of their songs but still they played the ones I like and 'Black' as always was just so good as it has a special meaning to Eddie and he didn't used to sing it love the lyrics 'I hope someday you'll have a beautiful life' who ever the song is about and what happened takes a lot for someone to say that to another.

Got some really good photos and video footage so the new camera turned out well even thought it took me a while to find out how to record.

The MEN is always hot and sweaty and very little air conditioning so when its over its much of a relief to get outside for cool air and away from other sweaty people.

I hope they don't leave it too long to tour again.