Rambled Egg

Another quiet weekend, but pretty nice. On friday Phil and I went round to Lindas (Damians mum) she can talk forever! We were there for an hour or so and then we went to Phils house, I intended to finished off my bottle of red, whilst watching, Austin Powers 2, nice. We chatted with his parents for a while and finally made it upstairs, by this time it was about 10. Just as we were about to settle down Phil realised he'd lost his wallet, he looked all over, the car, his room, no wallet. So we went back down to Lindas and sure enough he left it on the couch. So back went and this time I poured myself a glass whilst sighing. I opened the dvd case and... no dvd! aargh! I through it across the room, Phil gave me one of those "are you completely insane" looks and I settled for Friday night tv, then Phoenix Nights. Good substitute.

On saturday I got up very late and then slobbed for a bit. When I was eventually ready Phil and I went shopping, he bought a new coat and I got a bargain Jasper Conran hoodie :) Went for the usual drink that evening. There were more drunks than usual in there, one guy in particular at only 9pm. It was quite amusing listening to him order a taxi, he didnt even know what pub he was in. When he finished he dropped his phone on the table, the noise made me cringe. He must have broken it and so he had a tant and started punching it, through it on the floor (clever boy) it came apart all over the place and found every part except his keypad, he seemed to think it was under our table and kept swaying over to look complete with bloodstained knuckles, eww. he knocked a couple of chairs over, some girl through a glass of red over a guy in a white shirt and stormed out. Hah, it was quite entertaining thinking back LOL.

Sunday was good. I was playing drums :) and I was so in the mood for it. It was harvest and gift day, so quite a long service. Afterwards Joan had a chat with me about leading the sunday class, she encouraged me quite a lot. Then that afternoon Phil and I had to count all the donated cash for gift day. We raised over £2200. Not bad, ch ching! Then I played again for the evening service and after that was Vision, our bible study thingy for the teens, that went quite well.

Phil and I went for a drive after that, had quite a long chat about stuff. He parked up outside my house and we continued chatting. Something was going on, a police car went up my street at top speed, and I noticed a police van at the top had pulled up. Some officers were out looking around. A few minutes later a girl came up the road and ran up my street, then a lad ran down the street. A few minutes later two guys ran around the corner and one stopped right infront of the car for a breather, must have been running for a while. They both saw Phil and I and just stood on the corner, looking down the road. It was quite unnerving so Phil just drove off for a while longer, and dropped me off when they'd left. pfft.

I was awake until 3am last night, don't know why. So I'm tired this morning. Need to get my brain up and running at some point for the pub quiz tonight, haven't done one for ages. Looking forward :D

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Its been a quiet week, I think its something I'll have to get used to. And it seems to have gone really slowly. I'm missing Damian, he's really struggling. He's not even been out once since saturday, they have no tv. So hes been stuck in every night. In the pub yesterday evening there was a beer mat on our table with his writing on it! So I sent him a text message to tell him this, but I think it was the wrong move. I asked him how he was etc and his reply was well.. sad. I tried to ring him but he wouldn't answer. Later he texted me again saying he didnt answer because he was crying. Well, Damians not the sort of guy who cries over nothing, so to say I'm a little worried about him is an understatement. I just want to go and see him, give him a massive hug, but thats the worst thing I could do. He misses us all terribly, and none of the housemates are getting to know one another. All I can do is pray.

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Weekend was quiet as expected. I stayed in on friday due to the rain, and on saturday I went into Manchester with a few buds. I bought a lil leavin pressie for Becky, a flamingo pen, complete with pink feathers! And also Austin Powers 2 & 3 on dvd, and a Flaming Lips cd. They were on offer at the store. We had a nosy at the new music shop, they have more of a range of instruments, a LOT of pianos, and a fair selection of guitars. The drumkits weren't up to much though. I noticed they had our flooring down too :) That evening we went to our regular saturday haunt. Becky had to meet us there as she was still packing LOL. It was a good night, finishing with goodbyes all round :(

I did little on sunday, Phil and I watched 'Austin Powers - Goldmember' in the afternoon. And then we went to church. This was the first sunday in weeks that Mike had played the drums instead of me, I just sang. It was obvious he was out of practise, ending the service with the fastest rendition of 'Who is there like You' I've ever heard/sang. I decided I'll give sunday classes a go, and told Mike. Afterwards we went to the pub, the Rose. We hadn't been there in a while, I only had three drinks and two out of the three glasses were dirty, yuck. I hate that. It was so different without Becky and Damian, I guess we'll have to get used to it though.

I'd quite like to be Austin Powers I think, oh behaaaavee... (LOL)

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Its friday, but its dreary. This morning I had to turn my light on when I got up instead of opening the curtains, and its been raining all day, ugh, summer is over :( Next thing I know, people will start talking about Christmas!

I've been looking into indoor snow ramps for the church youth group. Jeff had found one in Birmingham, which does look quite good. But it'll be a two hour drive, which is 4 hours less on the snow. I could have swore there was one in Sheffield, so I asked Adrian but I must have imagined it. Its the largest dry ski slope in Europe there. He gave me a link of all the 'snowdomes' in the uk and it turns out theres one opening in Castleton next month. I've been on their website and it looks pretty impressive. Not only will it have a snow slope, but also an ice wall for climbing, normal climbing wall, a bowling alley, skate ramp, shopping complex, pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs, cinema. Wow, I think I'll be paying this baby a visit!

This weekend will be pretty quiet I imagine. Said goodbye to Damian last night, he leaves tomorrow, Phils taking him down. Becky, though will be joining us on saturday night, shes off on sunday morning. I miss them both already :(

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The Bella Vista was cool. They've refubished since we went last and its lovely. The bar area is has a light, airy feel with funky yellow and coloured lights from Habitat. The pizzeria still has the original wooden beams in the ceiling, which look great with the funky bar! The food was excellent again, and the wine was good. Our waiter was your typical Italian flirt. I always wonder whether they really are Italian or are just pretending. I can just imagine in the job interview... "Okay, now do your best Italiana accent!"

Jabba and Jane came along and talked about their wedding, or their honeymoon all-night. They didn't even bother to wish Damian and Becky all the best as they left. I think Becky was a little anoid. But then the rest of us went to the Beach pub for a couple or four. That was fun. I took MANY photos, but none of me LOL. :D

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Why do I go there, and why do I bother? The zeboard peeing me off at the moment. It seems all people can do is slag off Christians/Christianity. I'll end up saying something I'll regret soon.

The floor was greatly appreciated, she said she cried when she saw it *aww!* Theyre paying for the meal Phil and I are having tonight. :) Damian and Becky are leaving this weekend so we've been invited to join them for their farewell meal. We're going to the Bella Vista where I went for my birthday, its lovely in there. Pasta and wine, yummy. My camera is charged and ready (btw: will take a pic of my floor when its clean LOL)

I'm gonna miss those two, they're the loudest pair in the group, it'll be odd without them around. Beckys off to uni and Damians going to a Christian place called Nexus. He's doing a course in worship leading and playing the geetar.

I've a lot on my mind at the moment. I've co-led the 14 - 16's group at church for the past twelve months (sunday school LOL). And last week Sandra told me she was leaving. I told Mike I couldn't do the group on my own, but I cant stop thinking about it. Maybe Gods trying to tell me something....

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Finally finished the floor last night, was working until 1 (!) so I'm shattered today. Still needs cleaning, we'll have to do that another time though. I kept feeling faint last night and had to stop. We took the doors off to make it easier to fit round the edgings, and they caught on the floor (grrr) so off they came again. Had to plane the bottom and then filed them to neaten them up. I nearly filed my knuckle off, ouch.

I'd love to see Phils parents faces when they walk in.... :)

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Every muscle in my body is aching. I can't walk without slapping my feet on the floor - I'll have to try and avoid that today! ;)

Friday night was cool. We arrived there at 10 to discover that girls could drink until 10.30 for free! SO all four girls RAN upstairs to the bar and immediately began taking advantage of this amazing offer! I had 5 vodka and cokes in the space of half an hour, (oops) and I was pretty much set up for the night. I danced, and danced, and danced. And met a bloke with two piercings on the back of his neck.

On saturday I was awoken by the sound of next-doors lawn mower. This made me remember all the work Phil and I had to do that day, so I dragged myself out of bed. It took quite a while to rip up the old floor, and take up the 'ye olde' adhesive. I think it was older than me. We marked out the centre point and guideline and then took a break for dinner. We moved the fridge-freezer, cooker and washing machine and laid the first lot of tiles where they'd be and a line across the room. Then went to Grahams house for beer and curry... yum.

Sunday morning I could hardly move, but I had to sing and play drums (mind over matter LOL). And then straight after lunch, Phil and I got back to it. We moved the fridge, cooker, and washer back (trying not to mark the floor!) and carried on. I did some last night whilst Phil was at church and now its nearly finished. Just got one wall to do (all cut tiles). Hopefully we'll be able to finish it tonight. His parents get back tomorrow!

I WILL take some pics :)

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I
can't
walk
...ow

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Tonight, we're off to Jabez Clegg. Never been there before but I've been told its a good night. They have a cool website, so that says something! :D Its another student place so it should be pretty cheap, and theres no dress code (yey) theres nothing better than going dancing in trainers, as I shall be doing.

Then tomorrow I've offered to lay Phils parents new kitchen floor. I got them some tiles on the cheap from work. £300's worth for £70. Not bad eh? I hope the fridge/freezer, oven, and washing machine aren't too heavy. (LOL) They're all pretty new so they shouldn't be that bad. I miss being strong, supple, and fit etc. (Mental note: must think of something I can do for exercise!)

Theres a scruffy fork lift truck driver at my works that always shouts something at me on his way past, like "I waited for you last night, where were you?" etc etc. Annoying. I just laugh and wave, cant hear what hes saying half the time. So this morning he was going past and asked me, "Where were you last night?" So I just said "at the pub" to try and shut him up, but it didn't. "Where?" he asked me, so I said "in Oldham...." wrong answer. He preceded to tell me he was from Oldham originally and was asking me all sorts of questions, and telling me where he used to live. I fear everytime I see him from now on there'll be a full blown conversation! Bugger.

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Mmm... my hands stink of Chicken Tikka Masala flavour crisps. They're lurvelyWoo listnin' to Moloko!

Had fun last night. Went to see American Pie 3 at the Printworks, I love it in there. And afterwards we went to Sinclairs Oyster Bar in the city centre for a bevvy.

It was quite full but there was one little table especially for us! :D Its so cosy in there, allbeit a student hangout (grr). The cheapest drinks in Manchester, and best. Sam Smiths - heaven. Pete came, which was cool. Hes been in Germany for the past year so its good to see him.

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Sometimes I can hardly remember what I did at the weekend, this is one of those times. Um, on Friday we ended up not going out. But we are definitely going this Friday *fingers crossed* so we went to the pub instead. I had quite a few and then we went back to Phils for coffee.

On saturday I met Damian at church and then Phil, and we went to the Music/guitar shop in Salford. That place was cool. Walls of guitars as expected and also a few drums :D There was some guy on one of the electro drum kits, which I always think are a little naff. He was a superb drummer though and was showing off. I wanted some brushes but they only had two pairs and both of them were a bit scruffy. I'll try again sometime.

That evening we all piled in Phils again to watch England on TV. Kick off was at 5.30 and we had chinese takeaway at half-time. Martin and I shared Cantonese roast duck with plum sauce, it was heavenly. The match was crap, but at least they won. We stayed there for the duration of the night and we got through a fair bit of alcohol (well we did start at 5.30!) We played cards etc, I councelled Ryan and Lauren through a drunken tiff, taught Lauren how to massage shoulders properly. And those of us who knew how, played poker, of the stripping variety, and I made Becky keep her top on by suggesting an earring etc as an alternative, she was hammered. Silliness all round and sore heads in the morning.

Sunday afternoon Phil and I went shopping, we went in Selfridges for a laugh and Phil nearly convinced me that this bloke was Lenny Kravitz. He did look like him, but he was winding me up, (grrr :/) wally. I got some new Skechers, they're blue, :) and lurvely. They smell good, for now. LOL

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My aim in life is to get to weekend.

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I recommend eating pistachio nuts and drinking Baileys to anyone. Especially whilst watching Lord of the Rings :D

I'm *chuffed today. I designed the floor for our stand at the Harrogate Flooring Exhibition. Designed it, picked colours, set the whole thing up, I did it all. And we got chosen as the shows 'Best Stand' under 50m2. Thankyou Caroline. I should get a payrise, but I know I wont.... grrr. I'll have to 'remind' them of that at my review ;)


*chuffed - very pleased

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Phil and I went to the pub last night with Damian and Becky. Damian was meeting Matt there, we sort of gatecrashed! It was alright, and we made a on the spot decision to go tho Manchester on Friday night, I'm glad about that as I missed out for my birthday. Its some place Matt knows, he says its a really good night there but then, he thinks dog-racing is great so I'm not too sure!

Busy today! : \

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Right, feeling happier today.... so... Festival: Manchester weekend.... :)

Went for a drinky on Friday night knowing we wouldnt be out Saturday or Sunday - :O The guy with the nice arms was performing again but we were sat round the corners and couldn't see, ah well.

On Saturday we went down to Heaton Park at 2pm on the bus. Buses are so scruffy, chewing gum and fag ash all over the seats, spit on the windows - ugh. They make me cringe. I always joke that they're for 'commoners' LOL.

Festival Manchester was organised by a group called 'The Message' a Christian team of youthworkers etc based in Manchester - in collaboration with Luis Palau and Co. There was fun stuff from noon until 4, including kids stuff, a fun fair, car show, and demos on Europes biggest Skate Park. At 4 the bands kicked off on an impressively huge stage with an excellent set up. That evening the headlining bands were Tobymac and Tait, both including members from American band DC Talk. They were superb, I'd never really heard any of their stuff before but I was impressed. The evening ended with the best firework display I've ever seen. On the way home we got curry... mmmmm....

On Sunday we set off at the same time, but this time used the buses specially organised for Festival Manchester. (Much nicer!) Again, the bands started at 4. At 7 the London Community Gospel Choir performed, they were as expected, fantastic. And then the evening finished with worship, led by Tim Hughes of Soul Survivor. This was for me the highlight of the weekend. Theres nothing like worshipping in such a large number of people (approx 30,000.) I stood in awe, in tears.

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blurgh!!!! Its Monday, my boss is off, I've had to drop everything and do this presentation thing today for the big cheese's sister (she thinks shes a designer - pah) I'd nearly finished by 2, when she decided to pay me another visit with more alterations which meant I had to start over again. First thing this morning I had a lovely greeting from our welsh rep on his way up to the Harrogate exhibition. We'd done a job for it and they claimed they were a piece short. So I had to sort that out whilst half asleep. He rang up at lunch to say the piece was 5 mil short. It must have been laid by monkeys. And I've got cramps. :(

But my weekend was amazing - God is great. :) I'll write more about that when my heads clear, right now I feel as though I've been run over.

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