bookmark_borderAhoy!

This week I will mostly be working like a person who has several project deadlines fast approaching.

Next week I will mostly be working like a person who has several project deadlines looming that week.

Expect some very disjointed ramblings then as typically, whilst I actually enjoy working to deadline (helps keep me focussed), I do have a tendency to ignore the world at large.

Mind you I did note that that old bloke in Rome died the other day, what a fuss about a silly old man. I’ve also noted that that English bloke, who’s Mum lives in that big house at the end of that red street in London, is getting married this week. Trying to figure out why either events are of interest to me has begun to give me a bit of a headache (although some have a much much lower opinion of those people), so I’ve stopped trying. Much easier that way*.

Both events are likely to have me reaching for the remote. That is, of course, presuming that I’ve got enough time in my day to watch TV.

In other news, Louise reckons I’ve opened the wound in my back further than it had been with the stitches. Feckin OOOYA BANDIT!! And in more important news, my Gran is doing fine and seems to be coming round to the idea of sheltered housing/nursing home accomodation.

And in case you missed it my Mum posted this comment a few days ago:

Gran thanks all those who sent their good wishes. I printed them out for her to read and they cheered her up no end while she was in hospital.

So thanks again. What a lovely bunch you are.

* Yes yes, I know that the Pope held a powerful position even if I don’t believe in the catholic church, but the anti-gay and anti-condom viewpoints just make me sick. His views on women weren’t exactly liberating either but then it is the year 1305, right?

bookmark_borderWhat's your secret?

Whilst working at home some activity in the backgarden caught my eye. I glance out of the window and spot seven magpies cavorting about.

“One for sorrow, two for joy; three for a girl, and four for a boy. Five for silver, six for gold, and seven for a secret that’s never been told.”

In Celtic lore, the magpie was a bird associated with faery revels; with the spread of Christianity, however, this changed to a connection with witches and devils. In Scandinavia, magpies were said to be sorcerers flying to unholy gatherings, and yet the nesting magpie was once considered a sign of luck in those countries. In old Norse myth, Skadi (the daughter of a giant) was priestess of the magpie clan; the black and white markings of the bird represented sexual union, as well as male and female energies kept in perfect balance. In China the magpie was the Bird of Joy, and two magpies symbolized marital bliss; in Rome, magpies were sacred to Bacchus and a symbol of sensual pleasure. In England, the sighting of magpies is still considered an omen in this common folk rhyme: “One for sorrow, two for joy; three for a girl, and four for a boy. Five for silver, six for gold, and seven for a secret that’s never been told.”

So, what’s MY secret?

OK, I’ll come clean.

I AM BELLE DE JOUR!!!

bookmark_borderKnackered

Only problem with working over the weekend, well ONE of the problems with working over the weekend, is just how tired it makes you. No respite at all.

Of course I’ve got a bloody cheek to say I’m knackered, it’s not like I’ve run 26 miles 385 yards* today (I’ve barely walked further than to and from the car between destinations).

Mind you, I’m not so sure the people who did complete the London Marathon have much to complain about. I mean Ben Hammersley completed “Marathon Des Sables” which is “230 kilometres in 6 stages over 7 days including a full “marathon” stage and a “non-stop” stage (when runners have to cover 80 kilometres in under 40 hours)”. Ohhh and they have to carry their own food and gear for the whole race at the same time, and are only provided with 9 litres of water to cope with day-time temperatures of up to 125F. Nutters the lot of them.

Hmmm. Turns out that Ben Fogle chap was doing it as well, no news if he finished though.

Me? My aim is to be able to run the length of myself by the end of the summer. Well, small acorns and all that..

* Did you know that the length of a marathon is based upon the distance from Windsor Castle to the Olympic Stadium in London and was set at this distance in the 1908 Olympics – the Olympics were supposed to have been held in Rome, but Mount Vesuvius erupted two years prior causing widespread destruction and forcing a shift of venue.