There are three things guaranteed to part me from my money quicker than a new tax initiative from the government: music, books and shoes!
Let's deal with the shoes first. I love them! At the last count, I had 100 pairs in different styles, colours, heights of heel etc. If that wasn't bad enough, they are all stored in special see through boxes on their own little shelves in colour groups. Yeah, I take sad to a whole new level. Why are women so obsessed with shoes? That's a discussion that could have a whole week of blogs devoted to it but in essence, shoes fit you no matter how many chocolate bars you consume. You may be having a 'fat' day, but those gorgeous 5 inch heels are still going to fit like a glove. And that is essentially, why so many women love them.
However, if I was stranded on a desert island and only allowed two luxuries the books and CD's would win! So let's move onto them...
Books are an integral part of my day and life. Currently, I have three books in various stages of being read. When I go out anywhere, there is always a good book and my writing journal tucked inside my bag. Many long and tedious hours in airports, ferry terminals and waiting rooms have been spent with a book. In fact I become so absorbed that I have to be careful not to miss my flight, boat or appointment.
I have a storage system for them too - they are grouped by genre, author and if possible in height order. I'm seriously wondering if I have a touch of OCD! There are books I read only once and then car boot, there are books I read a couple of times before exchanging with like minded friends and there are books that I will re-read and re-read until they need replacing.
The Twilight Saga falls firmly in the last category. If someone had told me two years ago that I would be enthralled by a tale of teenage romance involving Vampires and Werewolves I would have laughed - loudly and with scorn! Oh how the mighty fall. If for some bizarre reason, you have missed out on the world of Forks I urge you to delve in. They are written beautifully and are the most sensual and emotive books I've ever read. Stephanie Meyer has created a world we all want to live in and one that is described so well, that when you put the book down and return to this world, it seems somehow wrong. So that's my choice of books for the Desert Island sorted. If only I could arrange to be marooned on Ilse Esme my life would be complete!
And so to the music. I've written about music on numerous occasions on here so there's no need to tell you how important it is to me. My CD collection, you know, the one that is ordered alphabetically, grows on a weekly basis. Just yesterday found me in Quicksilver Music in Southport adding to the collection. Quicksilver Music is a little gem. It is a tiny shop around the back of the market that many people probably don't know is there. But let me urge you to seek it out. The man who owns it knows his stuff! He is devoted to finding great music and bringing it to the masses (well the discerning few who know where to find him). For a mere £14 I came away with David Bowie's Space Oddity (an album I have been meaning to acquire for so long it's embarrassing), Feist's The Reminder and Gomez's Abandoned Shopping Trolley Hotline.
Gomez are home grown talent. They went to the same Sixth Form College as me. I have been into their music from the beginning and have seen them live on several occasions. And yet it has taken me until yesterday to notice that one of the singers/guitarists Ben Ottewelle reminds me of John Martyn (vocally rather than lyrically). And that's the beauty of music, you discover something new every day!
As for my choice of Disc for Ilse Esme. That's a tough call, but if I'm allowed two and because I'm writing I say I am, it would have to be Air by Moon Safari and The White Album by the Beatles. I think!
So if you find a message in a bottle asking for help just send me some more books and another couple of CD's and I'll be good to go for another few months! And while you're at it, if there's space, some flip flops would be much appreciated too....
Showing posts with label Twilight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Twilight. Show all posts
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Friday, 26 February 2010
The Singleton Diaries
Tonight is my first quiet Friday for about seven weeks and I fully intend to enjoy every minute of it! Count down to PJ's, TV dinner and hot chocolate has begun.
Having reached the scarifying age of 35, I am still husband and child free. Which obviously makes me something of a social leper in the eyes of some people. I however see it as the ultimate freedom! Not for me the hideous school run followed by chicken nuggets and then a mad dash to Brownies, Cubs, football, ballet or the million and one other hobbies that most children have these days. Not for me the dreaded maths homework or school challenges that prevent families from actually spending any quality weekend time together. Not for me the drunken "I really love you" as the front door crashes open at 3am. Not for me the "But we can't go away this weekend it's the footy". And for that I heave a sigh of relief!
It's fair to say I lead the ultimate singleton life. I have a good, stable job, my own place, a varied group of friends, and I'm always up to something interesting most weekends. Primarily gig going (but more of that in a future blog).
"I don't know how you have the energy" enquire mystified colleagues and friends.
The answer is glaringly obvious I'd have thought...no kids, no husband/boyfriend = lots of time for me. If I want to get home from work and get straight into my PJ's (which will occur in about oh ten minutes) then I can. If I decide that cooking is off the menu and cheese on toast is that's also fine. If I decide to watch re-runs of Friends and my Twilight DVD til I know it word perfect (also happening in about 10minutes), that is completely and utterly acceptable. It's a win win situation if you ask me!
Now before you start thinking I'm one of these deranged feminists who claims to hate the male population while secretly being absolutely desparate to catch Mr Right, let me put the record straight.
Did I ever imagine that at the age of 35 I'd still be single with no kids? Of course not. Girls are conditioned from an early age by society and films (just look at Cinderella et al) to expect that Prince Charming is out there for everyone and that true fulfillment comes with a husband and children. Although I don't buy completely into this I think it's fair to say that girls are definitley conditioned to believe that having a man in your life is a good thing, something to strive for. And in that respect, I'm no different from most females. In fact if we're all going to be completely honest, I'm no different from most people. Human beings are not programmed to be by themselves. Of course there are the exceptions to the rules but in the main, nobody likes to think of themselves as getting old and grey alone.
I have several good friends and acquaintances who are very keen for me to settle down with some guy and have babies. However, I'm not always convinced that they want me to find Mr Right but just Mr He'll Do! Well I'm sorry but that's not good enough for me. Why should I have to compromise on something so important just coz I'm not 25 anymore?
A lovely couple asked me just the other night "Do you NEED a man?"
NO!! Sure I'd like to have a guy to spoil me, laugh with, go on holiday with, go gigging with, explore new places with and have dinner with. Plus, I've got a problem with my extractor fan that could probably be sorted by a bloke whacking it with a hammer or some such thing. And let me tell you, when you are ill and have no one to make you a cuppa or even check you are ok, it's pretty damn miserable.
But to be totally honest as much as I would like to have a funny, smart, caring guy in my life it would have to be on my terms!
I'm used to being by myself; used to having total control of the remote; used to possession of all of the duvet; used to coming and going as I please without having to check the joint diary; used to changing plans on a whim; used to buying as many shoes as I like without having to hide them in the back of the cupboard from preying eyes. I think it's fair to say, I've got pretty used to life by myself.
And now it has just dawned on me: something even more scary than being single and 35...I have become the ultimate Bachelor! Bring on the mid-life crisis!
Having reached the scarifying age of 35, I am still husband and child free. Which obviously makes me something of a social leper in the eyes of some people. I however see it as the ultimate freedom! Not for me the hideous school run followed by chicken nuggets and then a mad dash to Brownies, Cubs, football, ballet or the million and one other hobbies that most children have these days. Not for me the dreaded maths homework or school challenges that prevent families from actually spending any quality weekend time together. Not for me the drunken "I really love you" as the front door crashes open at 3am. Not for me the "But we can't go away this weekend it's the footy". And for that I heave a sigh of relief!
It's fair to say I lead the ultimate singleton life. I have a good, stable job, my own place, a varied group of friends, and I'm always up to something interesting most weekends. Primarily gig going (but more of that in a future blog).
"I don't know how you have the energy" enquire mystified colleagues and friends.
The answer is glaringly obvious I'd have thought...no kids, no husband/boyfriend = lots of time for me. If I want to get home from work and get straight into my PJ's (which will occur in about oh ten minutes) then I can. If I decide that cooking is off the menu and cheese on toast is that's also fine. If I decide to watch re-runs of Friends and my Twilight DVD til I know it word perfect (also happening in about 10minutes), that is completely and utterly acceptable. It's a win win situation if you ask me!
Now before you start thinking I'm one of these deranged feminists who claims to hate the male population while secretly being absolutely desparate to catch Mr Right, let me put the record straight.
Did I ever imagine that at the age of 35 I'd still be single with no kids? Of course not. Girls are conditioned from an early age by society and films (just look at Cinderella et al) to expect that Prince Charming is out there for everyone and that true fulfillment comes with a husband and children. Although I don't buy completely into this I think it's fair to say that girls are definitley conditioned to believe that having a man in your life is a good thing, something to strive for. And in that respect, I'm no different from most females. In fact if we're all going to be completely honest, I'm no different from most people. Human beings are not programmed to be by themselves. Of course there are the exceptions to the rules but in the main, nobody likes to think of themselves as getting old and grey alone.
I have several good friends and acquaintances who are very keen for me to settle down with some guy and have babies. However, I'm not always convinced that they want me to find Mr Right but just Mr He'll Do! Well I'm sorry but that's not good enough for me. Why should I have to compromise on something so important just coz I'm not 25 anymore?
A lovely couple asked me just the other night "Do you NEED a man?"
NO!! Sure I'd like to have a guy to spoil me, laugh with, go on holiday with, go gigging with, explore new places with and have dinner with. Plus, I've got a problem with my extractor fan that could probably be sorted by a bloke whacking it with a hammer or some such thing. And let me tell you, when you are ill and have no one to make you a cuppa or even check you are ok, it's pretty damn miserable.
But to be totally honest as much as I would like to have a funny, smart, caring guy in my life it would have to be on my terms!
I'm used to being by myself; used to having total control of the remote; used to possession of all of the duvet; used to coming and going as I please without having to check the joint diary; used to changing plans on a whim; used to buying as many shoes as I like without having to hide them in the back of the cupboard from preying eyes. I think it's fair to say, I've got pretty used to life by myself.
And now it has just dawned on me: something even more scary than being single and 35...I have become the ultimate Bachelor! Bring on the mid-life crisis!
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