Fun with Freddie M - A Queen/Lucky Voice Photo Essay

Right, I've not done a photo essay in awhile so I thought I'd better pull my finger out and get on the case for you - and where better to start than the Queen party I went to at Lucky Voice this week.

A celebration of all things Freddie and Bohemian, with the most AMAZING performance from the uber-talented cast of We Will Rock You, we certainly were the champions.......

The evening started off with a Queen themed pub quiz, which I was spectacularly awful at, despite being a Fat Bottomed Girl. With questions such as "What Is Freddie Mercury's favourite Queen song" and "Which Frank Sinatra song did Queen cover?"  me and my colleague (the Conifer, remember her??) soon realised that, quite frankly, we were Under Pressure. And judging from this picture, everyone else seemed to think it would take A Kind of Magic to win....

However, with rounds such as `shoot the cardboard cut out of Justin Bieber`, it appeared that there were some Killer Queens out there....

However, the round that seemed to drive everyone Radio Ga Ga was the air guitar round....with substitutions,  contortions, health + safety violations, there was some real competition for this.....

Sadly, i was too busy with my new friend to record who actually won the quiz!!!

Then, I had to say to the conifer Don't Stop Me Now - lets have a quick karaoke sesh  (without Bieber - I think you'll agree that he's probably not Somebody to Love in these pictures) Sadly - or luckily for you people, there's no video evidence of our attempts at Meatloaf, Jessie J, Bonnie Tyler and Kings of Leon. I think this post was enough of me doing karaoke for you all :)

However right at the very end of the night, the AMAZING cast of We Will Rock You came along - straight from the show - to give us a little taste of the real thing - and boy were we rocked :)

It was a fab night - and I am very keen to go and see We Will Rock You now - I'll be sure to blog about it when I do. I'm also signing off the blog for couple of days as you might have noticed, if you follow me on Twitter, that I'm sick :( If I can squeeze in a post on sunday though, I will do.

Have a fabby weekend.

Thank you and goodnight

Stupidgirl has left the building

PS Random fact for you, my family's original russian surname is actually linked to a town in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic. Perhaps I'm related to Freddie???

Becky's Book Review #4 - Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

Book: Mistress of Rome
Author: Kate Quinn
Genre: Historical Fiction
Star Rating: 5/5

General Description:

If you are looking for a great read for your holidays this year, you've found it! I absolutely could not put this book down when I read it late last year and felt it deserved a glowing review on here.

Our heroine - Thea, a slave girl from Judaea, breaks all the rules in her quest for survival in Domitian's treacherous Rome!  Surving violence and squalor, only the gladiator Arius offers her a shred of tenderness in a brutal world. Sold on to cruel slave masters,Thea disappears - and in her place, the singer Athena arrives. Catching the eye of Domitian himself she begins to live a life of luxury by the emperor's side, but as threats begin to close in is Domitian aware that the very woman he trusts the most has the ability to betray him at all costs.

Pieces of Me - Top 10 things that define my style

Following on from WoTW this week, I wanted to do a top 10 linked to it. It's a little self indulgent but I just thought it would be fun - and kind of easy to do - as the (eeeep) lurgy seems to have reappeared this morning (coughing, sneezing, shivering - wtf!!). In case you're new to the blog, firstly HELLO! and WELCOME! and have some cake but secondly, here are a couple of links to the kind of drivel I write when I'm sick..... I hope this doesn't put you off reading this blog :)

Also, for regular readers and newbies, I know I've not been around much in the last week but look out for tomorrow's post which will be a little catch up (like this one) of what I've been up to. And, to ensure that I actually put some stuff on the blog this week, I have challenged myself to writing FIVE (yes FIVE) blog posts, in advance today (sunday) so that they will be ready for you during the week. I have been very remiss in not posting stuff or replying to comments - for which I hugely apologise and offer you all yet more virtual cake.

So anyway, here is the list - which is comprised of the top 10 things in my wardrobe, or that I own, that I feel are the essence of me/my look:

Top 10 Things That Define My Style


1) Angel Wing Earrings - I bought these about 5 years ago from Claires Accessories for a party. They're about an inch long and made of plastic in a off white with a mother of pearl sheen. And er, they're shaped like angel wings - one for each ear. I love them, I've never seen anyone else with them and I always (even now they're a bit battered) get compliments on them.

2) My Cowboy Boots - Also from around 3-4 years ago, these were from Faith and cost about £50. They go with  EVERYTHING I OWN. I've worn them to parties, the pub, work, client meetings (informal ones), drinks, dinner, the library, shopping....everywhere. I love them. They have about a 2.5  cuban heel and full detailing and they're awesome. They are however falling apart now....so I am sharing my allegiance with a pair of flat, knee high, black riding boots with 2 silver buckles that also go with everything.

3) Chanel No.5 - I've worn this perfume for 15 years now. It's sometimes seen as a bit of an old lady perfume - especially when you're 16, but I love it. The smell is totally addictive - and smells completely different on everyone. It always makes me feel utterly glamorous - and I love wearing something that I know Marilyn Monroe wore also. I bought my first bottle in Henry Bendel in New York when I was 15 or so.

Going In And Out - Word of the Week

(Style n: a mode of living, as with respect to expense or display. Etym. from L. stilus "stake, instrument for writing, manner of writing, mode of expression," Meaning "mode or fashion of life" is from 1770; that of "mode of dress" is from 1814.")

So, in case you'd not guessed, I'll be turning 30 in July. And this whole, leaving my 20's, officially being a grown up with a job and a mortgage and a husband and broody feelings and a blog and (thinks what else makes me grown up....er, nope, nothing)anyway yes, it made me think about how much I've changed in the last 5, 10, 15, 20 years. And that made me look at a bunch of photos - and I realised how I've kind of, grown into myself  and started to develop my own style a lot.

Style is something that over the years - decades, centuries - is something that appears to be dictated to us. Every single magazine or paper or website or blog sometimes, even, seems to contain the ideas that although, on the one hand, style is something that is intrinsic to a person but yet, on the other, if you buy just the right dress/shirt/shoes/lipstick/perfume you'll be stylish. Or so the marketing gurus would have us believe.

And yes, I do believe there are style icons out there - people who take clothes and wear them in ways, that although they aren't always outlandish and exciting, just carry off something ordinary with a great deal of panache. What they wear, how they look, how they carry themselves becomes their defining style. I can list off the top of my head, several such women - Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel, Jackie Kennedy, Ava Gardner, Clara Bow, Cleopatra and so on. Currently, we have Madonna, Lady Gaga, Vivienne Westwood, Erin O'Connor, Liv Tyler, Zooey Deschanel and so on.

30 Day Book Challenge Part : Days 14-30

After friday's post on the 30 Day Book Challenge, I thought I'd be very lazy tonight and do the the follow up post. I know you were all expecting my top 10 favourite words but that'll probably come tomorrow or next sunday - apologies for the delay. I've no idea why I'm so tired today - I had an unheard of 12 hours sleep and everything.

I had a chilled weekend - for the fashionistas out there, yesterday I picked up a couple of bargains at RagTradePopUp, and tried on a £1000 dress from Helmut Lang (priced at considerably less in the sale) but decided not to buy it. I went to the sale with @AliaMcK who also picked up some beautiful bits - so I'll definitely be blogging about it (with pictures) later this month. We then had a nice dinner at a friend house. Today has involved sleeping, eating, chores and surfing t'interweb and deciding on the plans for my 30th bday later this year

So, here it is, part two of my list - hope you enjoy it - and plan to do your own!

Day 14: Book whose main character you want to marry - Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones. Cringingly embarrassing but he had me at "I like you very much. Just the way you are". It might help that Colin Firth is divine in the film....

Day 15: First “chapter book” you can remember reading as a child Any of the Famous Five books by Enid Blyton I think.
Day 16: Longest book you’ve read er, probably Voyager by Diana Gabaldon at an incredible 1059 pages.
Day 17: Shortest book you’ve read As an adult? I guess Bonjour Tristesse is pretty short. It's a fabulous book too
Day 18: Book you’re most embarrassed to say you like Probably Bridget Jones' Diary. No one else seems to like it anymore but I love Bridge and her support knickers.
Day 19: Book that turned you on - The Bride Stripped Bare, Anonymous and anything by Anais Nin.

To reveal why is far too personal - after all, my mother reads this blog!!!

Day 20: Book you’ve read the most number of times I know this is going to sound very odd but I've read American Psycho *at least* 10 times. I just get a deeper understanding each time. I feel that the book says something very fundamental about our society but I can't quite put my fingers on what...
Day 21: Favorite picture book from childhood Where The Wild Things Are (ps check out my blog post on my fave kids books here)

30 Day Book Challenge Part 1: Days 1-13

Gah, who went and broke blogger then? It's been down on and off since wednesday thus depriving me of the opportunity to obsessively check my stats every 10 minutes. Actually, this may be a good thing in fact - am sure it's not healthy to balance your self-esteem on blog stats. I did actually blog on Wednesday night - WoTW was Diversity, in case you missed it.

So I was supposed to do a book review last night - Daughters of Rome by Kate Quinn. But I couldn't, due to aforementioned blogger issues (blogger as in the blog hosting company not ME, the blogger). And I'm randomly too tired to do it tonight. It's been a long week at work - what with having to work a whole FIVE DAYS. I'd gotten used to the 4 day weeks and long weekends - what with all the recent bank holidays. Still, we've got another one coming at the end of this month - woopee! I may, or may not, be going to France then as well.

Anyway as I'm tired, I'm doing a bit of a easy post tonight - actually it's a list - with part 2 to come either on sunday or next week. It's the 30 Day Book Challenge, which works 'zactly like the 30 Day Music Challenge.

Here is part 1:

Day 1: Favorite book: Um, can I have two?? The Blind Assassin and The Secret History. Always.

Day 2: Least favorite book: The Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy. Forced to do this for A-Level. Fucking boring and with an incredibly distasteful non ironic wife selling scene early on Just.so.repressed. arghhhh

Day 3: Book that makes you laugh out loud: Starter for 10. Very.fucking.funny.

Day 4: Book that makes you cry: Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg. If you've ever thought about how amazing female friendship is and the ties that bind - in the worst possible circumstances, this book covers it so poignantly. My copy is tearstained from 10 years ago.

Day 5: Book you wish you could live in: Open House - Elizabeth Berg. For the line "...you were running around with your helmets on backward...living lives that are totally oblivious. Thank god you met each other so you could wake up!" - this happens right at the end of the book. I shan't say more for fear of spoiling a wonderful novel.

Day 6: Favorite young adult book: I know I should say something cool + trendy, like The Hunger Games or Matched, but when I was young, YA didn't really exist. If it did it was called teenage literature, when publishing houses weren't trying so hard to be all things to all people. So I'd probably pick The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Day 7: Book that you can quote/recite: Hmmmm, tough one this......rather pathetically random chunks of The Odyssey + the Aeneid from having to memorise far too much for my Latin + Ancient Greek A-levels!

The rainbow generation - word of the week

(Diversity n: 1. The state of being diverse; variety. Etym: mid-14c., "quality of being diverse," mostly in a neutral sense, from O.Fr. diversité (12c.) "difference, diversity, unique feature, oddness:" also "wickedness, perversity," from L.diversitatem (nom. diversitas) "contrariety, contradiction, disagreement)

I really struggled to think of WoTW this week. I've been a bit up and down recently - holidays, work, shoulder debacle and also forgot to take my anti-depressants too (norty me) - so a lot of the words I was thinking about, I've already touched on eg: individuality, motivation, integrity. These are all words I come back to, as they help me focus when I feel a bit wobbly. So I think it's time to do something a little less self absorbed - hence today's word.

Firstly, let me clarify what I mean by diversity - generally I mean accepting and being as open as possible in all ways to people from all walks of life. The Equality Act in the UK has 9 strands of diversity including gender, sexuality, race, religion and disability. I want to make sure that my attitudes, my life and my outlook are as inclusive and open to diversity as possible. In some ways this blog is great for that - I have *no* idea about majority of the readers of this blog - if you actively follow me/the blog I can see some of those strands but for most of you I don't know. Which is great!

So I think you can tell, diversity is a subject close to my heart - I work to encourage diversity at work  and so I'm passionate about it. I feel that in some ways, I tick a lot of the boxes in diversity:

- female (gender)

- jewish (religion)

- deaf (disability)

But I am also:

- white

- middle class

- privately educated

So internally, I often feel a lot of conflict around diversity. I may be passionate about it, but how often can I show that (outside of work)? I grew up in a predominantly white, middle-class, affluent area. And yet I now live 5-6 miles away from there in an area of London that is predominately made up of ethnic minorities who do not all have the upbringing that I had. I have chosen to live somewhere different, because oddly, I feel that I fit in! If everyone is different, there is no need to conform - individuality is to be celebrated here - as anyone who has been to Brixton will testify.

It's Oh So Quiet, Shhh, Shhh....said Bjork.....Or not as the case may be.

Wow, it's a noisy world out there isn't it. Yeah? No? Maybe it's living in London I don't know but it sure is noisy here. However I feel that at this point I should say that it's not just noisy because it's a big city.  No, I have extra reason for feeling moderately aggrieved about how blimmin' loud everything is at the minute.

Way back in January some of you might remember that I posted this, about being deaf and trundling off to the hospital to get tested for digital hearing aids. Whether I liked it or not I was being dragged, kicking and screaming into the digital age. Yes, so my old hearing aids were so ancient they don't make them anymore. The lovely audiologists at my local hospital (once they'd recovered from the shock of seeing someone under the age of 60) practically laughed me out of the consulting room at the sight of my aids. Well y'know if something ain't broke, don't fix it.

Anyway having said all that, I knew I needed to pull my finger out and get digital hearing aids. I've been on analogue for so long though - my whole life since I started wearing hearing aids when I was tiny. I asked the hearing-aid-lady what the difference was between analogue and digital was, exactly, and what difference i'd notice - if any. I mean, didn't I hear most things anyway?

Huh, apparently not because basically my analogue old-style aids, figure out what noises at what pitches + levels I *will* be able to hear - and then cut off all other sounds;spanking new digital hearing aids work differently... Although there is still a limit to the range of sound I can hear, the new hearing aids don't cut off the sounds at the end of those limits but extend it a bit at either end. It's a bit like hearing in black and white - and then suddenly hearing in colour. All those little tiny sounds that I wouldn't normally hear add together to flesh out this big picture of sound. It's incredible....

But bloody noisy - as I was saying. So I got my new hearing aids on Monday 4th April and when the hearing-aid-man (HAM) put them in and switched them on I jumped a mile - at the sound of my own blimmin' voice. Yeah - it sounds different, even though it's in my own head. The ticking of the clock was so loud and when the HAM clapped it was like a rocket going off. After fiddling around with the volume and the settings....

Two have Fun in Dorset - A Top List *and* a Photo Essay

So this post has been a little bit delayed due to the sad news I had on Friday, and then yesterday just being crazy-ass busy (mainly playing with a puppy + going to a house party I hasten to add). Anyway as you know, after the Easter weekend husbando and I went down to Dorset for a week of rock climbing, hiking (him) and sleeping and eating (me). We managed to combine both without having a huge amount of rows which I consider a huge achievement given that I believe that the definition of compromise means "when neither of you are happy".  


Here beginneth the list....


1) LOCATION
For those of you who don't know where Dorset is, it's in South West England. Go past London, Surrey and Hampshire. If you get to Devon you've gone too far. You could just look it up on Google maps. We went to a little island called Portland. It's not technically an island as it's connected to the mainland (Weymouth) by a famous spit of land called Chesil beach which is part of the Jurassic coast *and* a world heritage site. You can see some nerdy interesting info about it here. Anyway Portland is basically a gigantic bit of limestone that rises out of the sea and hence is quite good for rock climbing. Here are some photos of the view....

2) ACCOMODATION
There are, surprisingly, for such a titchy place, lots of places to stay on Portland. However at the recommendation of husbando's friend we stayed a very incredibly wonderfully lovely B+B called Queen Anne House. I cannot recommend it highly enough. 
The house is GORGEOUS. The garden is GORGEOUS. The rooms are GORGEOUS. The food is DELISH (full cooked english every morning with perfect poached eggs). The baths are huge and lovely (I'm tall, this is important). Oh and it's very romantic too. And they have cats which are not allowed in the rooms but you can play with in the garden, they are very talkative and purr-y and cuddly. 
Finally Margaret, who owns the place is absolutely the hostess with the mostess. Nothing was too much trouble plus she was uber-cool and stylish. We will be going back for sure. I watched the Royal Wedding with Margaret too :) And here is a picture of the place...

(copyright © 2010, Designed by: Daniel Longhurst Design queen anne house)

In Memoriam (sensitive)

I had planned to do a post about the trip to Dorset today but after the news I received this morning, I didn't really feel like it.

As most of you may know, I belong to a private online forum. It's an amazing community and I will never, ever stop being grateful and amazed at being part of it.

This morning one of our members posted that their 2 yr old son had passed away, on Wednesday night, in his sleep. Although he'd been having tests for a couple of health issues, it was completely unexpected.

I have absolutely no words to even begin to comprehend the devastation that this family must be feeling. Nothing I say sounds right - it just sound trite or stupid.

All I feel is that please, hug your loved ones tight tonight - and please keep this family in your thoughts/prayers/love/vibes/whatever you believe in.

It's such a sad, tragic loss - and I wanted to pay tribute to that on the blog tonight. So this post is in loving memory of William Robert Walter.

That is all

SG

Becky's Book Review #3 - Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Book: Sing You Home
Author: Jodi Picoult
Genre: women's fiction
Star Rating: 3.5/5

General Description
Zoe is happily married to her husband Max and after years of trying for a baby is about to get her wish, when tragedy strikes. In the aftermath of this, she and Max split up and Zoe discovers exactly what it means to love someone - particularly when it's not someone you expected to fall in love with. Several years later, Zoe remarries and wants to use her IVF frozen eggs to try to become pregnant again - only now Max has turned to evangelical Christianity and doesn't want her to use the eggs - for what happens next... you'll have to read the book!

I bought this book when I was home sick with the flu and I have to say that it was perfect to curl up with whilst I was feeling crap. I liked Picoult's usual trick of telling a tale from several different angles, which really fleshes out a plot - and prevents you from falling down on one side or another in judgement. I like the way she wasn't afraid to tackle moral and ethical dilemmas - and to present the different sides respectfully, regardless of the personal politics of the author or reader (ie: i'm very liberal but I didn't feel forced into keeping my liberal stance through out the book).

I also liked the musical element to the book - Zoe is a music therapist and I loved the way she used music with her patients, it really was incredibly touching. In addition, this book is really clever because
 - and I thought was a genius idea - there is a soundtrack that comes with the book. Basically at certain points in the book you can go to a website and download a song written speshly for the book. I loved this and really helped me get a feel for the mood of a character at a given time. To be honest, I'm surprised this isn't done more with books - although I guess copyright issues could be limiting.

So to wrap up, if I liked it that much, why did I only give the book 3.5/5? I did that because it's not my favourite Jodi Picoult novel - and it seemed a little formulaic - particularly the ending which I thought was rather predictable. Some of her books do seem to be written by numbers - her most recent ones for sure. This doesn't take away from their absolute page turning readability - which this one definitely has - but I think it just doesn't quite have the spark that her earlier books did. I think perhaps she's given us too many points of view and thus watered down her characters a little. 


All in all a good solid work from Jodi Picoult, with interesting, thought provoking plot lines - but not my favourite!

If you like.......
Other Jodi Picoults, Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Berg, Alice Hoffman, The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Joanna Trollope, women's fiction
....then you'll like this

Why You Might Like This Book
It's told from several points of view
It challenges your thinking on several rather sensitive issues (for some) including IVF, same sex marriage + relationships, equal rights, evangelical Christianity being the key ones
It's got a soundtrack that you can download and listen to at certain bits of the book
It's a page turner
The characters are really likeable, even with their flaws.
It's written with what I call, a light touch. Picoult very much `shows` rather than `tells` her readers what's happening.

Why You Might Not
You're sensitive around baby loss/IVF and simillar issues
You have very strict views around same sex/gay marriage and don't want to challenge these
You're looking for something very intellectually stimulating (not that this isn't a challenging read but it's not `hard`)
You don't like women's fiction
You don't like `emotional` type books (this book made me cry)


Have you read this Jodi Picoult? Or any of her others? What did you think? Please let me know your comments below!


Thank you and good night


Stupidgirl has left the building

Those who *can*, teach - Word of the Week

(Teacher n:  one who teaches, Etym: from `Teach` to show, point out," also "to give instruction," from PreGermanic. *taikijanan cf. Old High German. zihan, Ger. zeihen "to accuse," Goth. ga-teihan "to announce")


So, er, this post is going to be a little bit dedicated to my husband. And to all the people who teach us - not just in school - but anywhere in life.


Last week, when I was (ahem) rock climbing in Dorset, it occurred to me how miraculous it was that I was, in fact, 18 metres above the sea, attached to a rope, balancing on the corner of a cliff edge with just my hands and feet. How on earth had husbando persuaded me to do this I wondered? 


And I wondered it again when I was 10 metres up another (seemingly) sheer cliff face. And again when we were on a 1 foot wide scrabbly, rocky, stinging nettle-y path with a drop down to the sea on one side. And also when I tripped over and pricked my finger on a bramble bush and might have burst into tears.


And then I realised how bloody amazing it was that I was doing all these amazing, cool, challenging things that I never, in a million years, thought I would ever be able to do. Especially given that I am terrified of heights. And bugs, and generally beings more than 2 mins from hot and cold running shops/coffee/water/civilisation.


So it got me thinking about how I've been able to do all this and who taught me to have the strength to do it. I know I've bl0gged about motivation before, but this post is more about the people or books or movies or songs or other things that have taught you do things you never thought you could do.


For example with the climbing and also writing, husbando has taught me, weirdly, to trust. He has taught me to trust him, that he won't leave me alone when I'm scared or give up on me when I've given up on me. He won't laugh at me when I look like an idiot or fuss about peeing outside. He didn't get cross when I had a full on tantrum half way up a rock face and called him an asshole He just stuck in there for the long run. 


It might sound sappy or naff but he's taught me what it means to love and trust someone - leading by example I guess. No matter how many times I want to give up my writing or climbing, he always tells me that I can do it, he has this unwavering belief in me. It's incredibly powerful. He's teaching me to believe in myself and my abilities - but also about loyalty and perseverance. 


It's not just husbando who's taught me these things - I don't have the space to list all the lovely people (internet weirdies some of them) who have held my hand and taught me to believe in myself - but I think it's important to take the time to remind ourselves of these lessons that are learned outside of the classroom. Some of these lessons are invaluable when it comes to new ventures - whether it be writing, blogging, climbing, creating, working etc


I guess the biggest lessons I have learnt, therefore, when it comes to challenging myself are:

• Trust: in yourself and what you are doing
• Honesty: own what you do, whether it's good or bad, it's still yours, who is anyone else to judge
• Love: if you don't love it, why are you doing it? Remember though, that the line between love and hate can be fine sometimes! But if it puts a fire in your belly, you should keep going.
• Humility: you're not perfect and you're not going to get it right all the time. So what!
• Kindness: go easy on yourself, sometimes there are no rules or guidance, sometimes there's too much guidance and you just have to figure it out for yourself.
• Belief: it'll be okay - it's not brain surgery after all!

So, who are your teachers? What have you learnt from them? And are you reminding yourself of these informal lessons when you need them - you might be surprised by how comforting these can be on dark days. Here's to all our teachers, whoever and wherever they might be. And specially to my husbando, he's a bit of a star :)

Thank you and goodnight

Stupidgirl has left the building

PS I wrote this blog listening to the Juno soundtrack. It's lovely and I highly recommend it :)


PPS I have refrained from taking the medication for my muscle spasm until I have finished this blog post, after last night's debacle! You may be amused to know that last night I forgot the word `serious` and laughed like a drain when reminded of it. I also laughed hysterically at pretty much everything everyone said. In the morning I had much embarrassment. DRUGS ARE BAD KIDS.

Random blog post #1: muscle spasms and how they are a good thing

I had planned to do a lovely blog post/photo essay about my trip to Dorset last week. Lots of photos and descriptions of yummy cream teas.

Except I had a muscle spasm in my neck on Saturday. It hurt incredibly much lots indeed. And I am still recovering today when I ventured off to my doctor for some decent painkillers.

My lovely lovely lovely lovely wonderful doc gave me something called diazepam.

And I am now blogging under the influence.

Given how many typos I've had to correct in this post so far, it seems wise to perhaps not write any more tonight.

So I will try to blog the photo essay on friday.

And tomorrow's blog post - WoTW - will be Teaching.

And I will not be under the influence of drugs. Besides I keep giggling randomly and when husbando read out the intructions for his new fancy-shmancy camping mat I thought it was the funniest thing ever. And I was proud of saying the word `logistically`.

So that's me for tonight. Over and out.

Thank you and good night

Stupidgirl has left the building

The Big Fat Royal Wedding - My Top 10 Highlights

Right, so in the name of posting everyday in May - which I totally failed at by not posting yesterday - here's a belated top 10 list for you.....on the royal wedding (I was asked by several people to post my opinions on it - for those cynics out there!!)

I did manage to watch the build up to the wedding and then headed off rock climbing once the happy couple had said their vows! Here's my favourite moments and thoughts from their big day...

1) The bride looked lovely. Really, truly stunning. I predicted that she'd go for something Grace Kelly-esque when I was chatting to my friend last week and though she'd go for long lace sleeves. So I am feeling rather smug about my taste in wedding dress trends. The shots of her in the car, with her father, with the veil over her face are beautiful and touching.

2) I suspect that Prince Harry cracked onto Pippa Middleton something chronic. Well you would wouldn't you - she also looked mighty fine in her slinky little bridesmaid's gown - although ivory wouldn't be my first choice for bridesmaids (in fact my wedding dress was simillar to Pippa's dress - v slinky - I may post a picture on my wedding anniversary in July). In fact, my bridesmaids wore black.
Anyway, yes, Pippa looked great and was fab at controlling the little flower girls - and also managing to cope with both Prince Philip and Prince Harry standing behind her on the balcony at B'ham Palace - good for her!

3) How cute did Wills + Kate look, driving out of B'ham Palace in that little car with the `Just Wed` license plate and balloons etc! Very sweet indeed, and some great pics for their wedding album, thought it was a lovely touch.

4) Onto the guests - firstly, Frocky Horror awards to Princessess Beatrice and Eugenie. Just what.were.they.thinking? Ick-a-rama! I thought their faces were being eaten by their hats. Also Tara Palmer Tompkinson - that big blue thingy on your head was unfortunately like a giant arrow to your nose. I think a big hat would have shielded you better. Chelsy Davy - too tight and too short, sorry love.

5) Top of the Frocks go to.....Sam Cam, looking lovely in Burberry (shame she flouted the hat/fascinator requirement), Carole Middleton in Catherine Walker (a possible tribute to Diana?), Posh Spice covering up *that* bump - even if she'd quite clearly had a row with Becks!! And also, surprisingly, Joss Stone - who knew she could scrub up so well - and high street too (Hobbs)

6) Kate trying not to let the emotion show when she was saying her vows - I definitely spotted a couple of chin wobbles there, good for her. Yah boo sucks to all the haters, this royal marriage certainly seems to be a love match for once. I was terrified saying my vows - and didn't have to do it in front of, what seems like, the entire world!

7) The runaway horse and the cartwheeling verger - loving these 2 random comedy moments. Glad the horse + rider are okay, that could have been total pandemonium there. The cartwheeling verger is classic - the relief when the wedding was over is clearly apparent!

8) Boris Johnson - firstly, loving his Moss Bros shout-out for his hired tails. Like he couldn't afford to buy some/didn't have some already. And then making it worse by re-gifting the happy couple a tandem bike. Also on this point, David Cameron wittering on about the photo of wales he'd bought them when really we all know that wives pick + purchase wedding presents!

9) The `mystery` around Tony Blair + Gordon Brown not being invited to the wedding but Thatcher + Major were because they're Knights of the Realm or something (lost concentration at this point)

10) Finally, and this was my favourite bit - the way the toffs all gawped when Elton John + David Furnish showed up! Love it - wonder if any of them asked for autographs :P

So there's your top 10 list for this week - love to know your thoughts on the Royal Shindig

Thank you and good night

Stupidgirl has left the building