bookmark_borderPass the tissues

Cutting onions earlier and my eyes are streaming. I really like onions though so I put up with this quite a bit. I’m making a curry for my dinner as Louise is out so I get the run of the kitchen and can make things the way I like them.

So I’m standing there, eyes streaming and stinging, when I realise that it’s been ages since I’ve had a good greet (scots slang for cry) and I decide that I might just watch The Shawsank Redemption.

I’ve long since come to terms with the fact that it doesn’t take much to make me cry. I’m not talking episodes of huge sobbing wails, but I do fill up quite easily.

My earliest memory of this happening was when I was watching Lassie on a Saturday morning, sitting in my Grans front room. Since then I’ll readily fill up, lump in the throat and all that, at… well mostly anything.

In fact, it’s only now as I write this post that I realise that I missed out on my annual sobfest at Christmas. George and Clarence were nowhere to be seen, yet the ring of a bell did put them in mind (it seems quite a few angels were around this Christmas time after all). Yes, if there is a film guaranteed to fill me up and, yes I’ll admit, actually bring me to tears and soft hiccuping and choked back sobs then it’s A Wonderful Life.

How easily my emotions are manipulated, how readily I give them up and how deeply empathetic I must be.

And you know what, I don’t care one jot.

I’m am unashamed.

I cry, and that fact actually makes me a little happy.

bookmark_borderSlip slidin' away

Blimey, where HAS this year gone? More specifically, what the hell happened to December? And more specifically still, why am I so busy over the next couple of weeks considering I finish work tomorrow!

A brief pause then whilst I consider what I need to get done… and what I should’ve done already.

First up the obvious stuff, Xmas wise, cards have been posted, presents are all bought and wrapped, cupboards are reasonably stocked with alcohol (to take to places and drink), biscuits and ‘stuff’ to have when people come to visit, and the Sky+ is programmed with.. well not much. It’s usually all dross at this time of year and I’d happily spend most of the coming weeks with the TV OFF. Or at the very least, watching nothing but old movies. And yes, It’s a Wonderful Life still makes me cry..

Once we get the festivities of the season out of the way I’ve got an old site to finish off, a new site to start, and this place is due for a spruce up as well. I’ve still got some questions to answer but they’re written up and ready to post and will be done by the end of the year, I promise. And, of course, there will be books and gadgets and stuff to play with as well.

Ohh and I’m trying to keep the running going too, with rumours of an early evening run on Christmas Eve and quite probably a few extra ones jammed into my days off. I doubt I’ll get much chance during the first couple of weeks in January though, but we’ll see how it goes.

Did you know that George (Asda clothing department) is selling suits for £50? I’m sorely tempted as my current suit, which wasn’t a cheap one, is now kinda hanging off me. A stop gap suit to get me through the next couple of months is all I need, and as it’ll not get more than a couple of outings I’m loathed to spend too much. I’d better get my finger out though, I need it for tomorrow night… more on that tomorrow.

I’m still considering posting my “Best of 2006” lists but, frankly, I’m not sure I can be bothered. We’ll see, it might end up being a “highlights of 2006” list instead… or it might not happen at all.

Right, stuff to do, people to see, etc etc.

bookmark_borderCatching Up

(The following are not in any specific order, too much alcohol still in my system to be able to follow anything resembling order….)

Stuart has gone all Scandinavian on us (check those dates).
Vaughan posted on Christmas Day and is looking for human contact, or maybe he’s happy talking to his plants.
Mike’s Christmas card was funny, look at the joy on those faces!
Meg sums things up briefly, unlike my rambling monologue below.Pinky needs cheering up methinks (just don’t say Ho ho ho…)
Anna sets a record for the longest she’s ever NOT blogged (other than when she didn’t blog at all)
Caroline enjoyed the peace and quiet at Christmas, must try that some year.
Sarah wasn’t well at Christmas… awwww…
Nick is pondering purchasing a 17″ TFT screen , go on, someone buy him a late Xmas pressie!
Richard is still at his parents (I presume)
Lynn’s site is all festive.
Peter has announced the Top 10 Greatest Gay Britons (I know who I want to win!) and is looking for people to ‘promote’ their choice.
Jeremy is spending Christmas in the Loire Valley (v.nice!)
Jenny didn’t get to watch White Christmas (I hope she managed it later though), I blubbed my way through It’s a Wonderful Life as usual!!
Gert is partying hard and is “Almost as wild as Lorraine Kelly”…
Jennie got a keyboard too! (Yamaha like mine!)
J-mo got a new camera to take pictures of all the stuff she got that she doesn’t know where to put.. hmm that sounds familiar!
Michele followed the commandments of Homer (and Homer really does know best, and yes I am referring to the fat, bald yellow Mr Simpson not that Greek bloke)
Shelagh passed a milestone – Happy Birthday!
Julie had a wonderful Christmas Day which I’m glad after her recent troubles.
Owen keeps it simple but heartfelt I’m sure.
Jon survived the ‘not-so-frozen’ North and had a good time by all accounts.
Stacy says it with a rebus…
And Lyle discovers Russian Vodka Shot chocolates.

PHEW…

(Hmm who did I miss?)

bookmark_borderBorn Free

Strange evolution – I’m currently reaching a stress free zone. Not sure if that is a good thing, and I know that sounds daft, but I fear I may relax so far I start speaking my mind. Telling people what I think, of them, of they way they are…wouldn’t really be right, I’m still figuring out who I am, and yes I am resigned to the fact that I will never have a definitive answer, although even that isn’t strictly true, the definition of me is an ever changing/evolving set of emotions that will forever be tied to the moment. Not as romantic as it sounds, trust me.

Now where was I? Ohh yesss, stress free. Happy, working hard but not too hard, and actually getting closer to an even keel. It’s a Wonderful Life (except I’m not sure who my Clarence is…)