It's not even October yet, but the furry pink hot water bottle is going to make its first appearance this evening. To be fair, I did have to haul it out a couple of times this "summer". It's cold! On the BBC news this morning, all the weatherman could summon up was 'today's weather is...err...disappointing." You don't say???!! The English weather celebrated my birthday to bringing seven tornadoes to Southeast England. Wah-hey!
Oh well, tomorrow is the ASDA ball...let's hope she shall go.
This is just a quick post to report that during my walk yesterday, I had said to Tom that my friends back home were very interested to hear about our waistcoat outing, but he was very disappointed I left out critical details, such as the name and location of the shop, which added to the 'quintessentiallyEnglishness' of the story. Unfortunately I have been unable to find a picture of the shop(pe) (I'm sure this kind of place doesn't need to advertise online...it looks like it stepped out of the 19th century!) but it is called "Ascot & Henley"--quite appropriate, don't you think? Also of interesting note is the issues faced leading up to our walk. When I left the house yesterday (after my day-after-birthday 'lie-in' we're entitled to at work, called a "duvet day"), it was bright and sunny. Not warm but sunny at least. So i put on a breezy white skirt (they don't have Labor Day here so I think its ok until autumn comes--feel free to critique...), but by 3pm it was pouring down with rain. We were supposed to leave at 6:00, but at 5:30 it was still raining. I walked over to Tom's desk and pointed downwards and casually explained I simply could not walk home wearing a white skirt in the pouring rain. He rubbed his chin, and replied, "Quite right, Eleanor...but I saw two hedgehogs mating in the park at lunch, which means the rain will end before we leave."
I don't know where he pulled that theory from, but you know...he was right!
Please don't answer that question! But I woke up this morning feeling pretty lame, indeed. Despite sending out a 'save the date' email for my birthday party many weeks ago, I had a grand total of one person attend last night. Thankfully I had a joint 'do' with a girl from work whose birthday is today, so there were actually other people there, but boy did I feel like Billy-No-Mates! Granted a lot of people seem to be away this weekend, but it sure didn't make me feel all that great. I had bought a new frock (my first from Kate Moss's collection, no less) and silver shoes just for the occasion too. Oh well.
I do realize the lack of blog postings recently, but my mood over the summer was very reflective of the British Summer weather. It literally rained for 3 months straight. And not nice Summery rain either. It was dark, cold and pretty nasty...ALL Summer! I think it was the wettest summer in 30 years or something like that. Half the country was flooded and everyone was in a bad mood. Not even the 'stiff upper lip' could withstand 3 months of that. I also had my bicycle stolen right from my back garden while I was asleep, which was a pleasure. Another fun treat came that same weekend when my toilet broke. As it was bank holiday weekend, no one was around, including my landlord, so I spent 3 days trekking to the nearest public toilet (10 mins walk away) everytime I had to use the loo. Fun! If it weren't for my Arsenal season ticket, I would probably be on the first flight home. Seriously.
So not a great past few months, but I am very pleased to report Arsenal are having an amazing start to their season. The best I can remember. My baby Cesc Fabregas is simply on fire. I didn't think it was possible to love him more, but everytime I watch him play, I do. And to think he is barely 20 years old!
We've had a big restructure of the marketing department at work. My job is virtually unchanged, bar from a little more responsibility (for no additional pay, of course) but a few people were made redundant and others have had to move around and are not so happy. The atmosphere hasn't been the best. I think we've had something along the lines of 50% turnover in the last year...not the most encouraging. Me thinks a good party may be in order.
It has not all been depressing. I did get to attend the Bourne Ultimatum premiere and party which was quite cool. All the stars were there, free champagne, and entrance to a very chic club. We've got the ASDA black-tie 'Tickled Pink Ball' this Thursday night up in Leeds. If you'll recall this will be my second attempt to go to this ball. Last year, a tree fell on the tracks or something silly and we didn't make it. Let's hope she shall go to the ball this year!
I've also started walking home one night a week with my friend Tom from work. It all started a few weeks back duing the transport strike. The tubes were shut down (on strike! along with the Royal Mail) for 4 days, leaving the city in chaos. The queues for busses were hundreds deep, and the streets were absolutely rammed. It was taking me 1.5 hrs+ to get to and from work (only 4 1/2 miles!) which was pretty annoying. One of my colleagues Tom lives nearby so we decided to walk home, which only took 1 hr 15 mins...quicker than the bus! It's actually a pleasant journey - down to Piccadilly Circus, bordering Hyde Park, through Knightsbridge and Chelsea--not to mention good exercise--so we've been trying to do it one night every week. So far so good. Tom is one of the sweetest guys I know at Universal, but he makes me laugh because he is very posh, and uses phrases like 'old boy' and 'quite right' a lot. During our walk last week, we were in a mad dash for the first part of our journey because Tom needed to pick something up in a very old-school English shop. When I asked what it was, he replied 'A waistcoat' - 'yes, of course it is, Tom!', I replied.
I'm off to Cannes in a couple of weeks for MIPCOM. I've got loads of meetings booked in, including a dinner with that quite-famous and oh-so-cute English actor which should prove interesting if nothing else. When I went frock-shopping at Top Shop I also bought a dress for that dinner. Unfortunately, the silver shoes probably won't be appropriate for that my professional dinner, so another shopping trip may be in order! Oh darn... ;-)
And thank you all for your input on my travels. I am thrilled to report I have booked a flight to Cape Town in mid-November. I cannot wait!!!!
