Mmmm.... liquid elephants

I have decided I have a learning difficulty. I'm not talking about the number blindness, it's much more serious that that. It affects my ability to perform important everyday tasks like cooking and shopping. I am gravy-blind . I've been to ths shops for gravy three times, and each time I've come away with a packet of Scandinavian flat bread. I don't know how common this granule-flat bread version of gravy blindness is, but if any educational psychologists out there would like to use me as a test case, I'd be happy to help. Readers, don't under-estimate the debilitating effect a lack of gravy identification skills can have on a life. Imagine all those really dry mince-based meals. Yuck.

I bought some rooibos tea yesterday. I have fancied some for a while, but I've resisted because I find it vaguely unsettling. I couldn't figure out why, but the first time I drank it I went 'yuck', but afterwards I quite fancied another cup. I am enjoying some right now, but I finally realised why it bothers me. It smells like the elephant house a chester zoo. Go sniff some, close your eyes and you'll think you are surrounded by dirty straw.

I saw yellow snow yesterday, I thought it was just the stuff of myths and legends. It was almost as exciting as seeing tumbleweed for the first time. I saw two types- one was a kind of jageddy line (poor dog!) and the second was a deep yellow well into unknown depths.

I feel good today, it's sunny and not too cold, and I walked in listening to Nevermind by Nirvana. It's amazing how the right music at the right time can make you feel so good. I love that about it.

Maybe I should do some work now....

Happy New Year!

So I've been skiving off for three weeks of fun. I had a really nice Christmas/ New Year/ Birthday. If I can remove myself from my jetlagged stupor long enough I can tell you about it.

Andy and I spent Christmas with my parents', which is always really nice because they get excited and argue over who has the most presents and let me eat Guillian Chocolate Starfish (but no hotdog flavoured water) for breakfast. They bought dive knives for me and Andy, and dad visibly winced every time I took mine out of its sheath. I think the potential it has for cutting me out of fishing line or fending off an angry shark might be outweighed by the likelyhood of me impaling myself on it. Nice bit of kit though, oh I do like my gadgets :).

We managed to see a few family and friends this time, and it was nice that Andy got on with Beccy and Mark, it's always good when you can tell your friends aren't thinking 'god what a pr*ck' when they meet your significant other. I even got up to see Jacqui in Scotland. Thankfully, most of the flood waters have receeded so I didn't need to swim there clutching my shiney new dive knife between my teeth. We chatted and drank wine, and she dragged me up a bloody big hill. On the plus side, I discovered I'm not as unfit as I thought, on the minus it was freezing. The wind was so strong it was hard to walk, and much to Jacqui's relief I couldn't talk because everytime I opened my mouth my teeth instantly froze. Which is suprisingly painful. We also had a mammoth Mighty Boosh watching session. I won't be able to hear the phrase 'fiery biscuits' without thinking fondly of her. Although, to be fair, it doesn't come up too often.

We spent New Year at Andy's nan's house. She is very lovely, but I must be getting old to enjoy seeing in the new year sipping sherry and watching hootenany. I am now thinking fondly of bouncing up and down with hundreds of drunk 15 year olds to auld lang syn then some random cartoon theme tune in Stairways back in t'day. I'm not that old- you can't see my wrinkles when I look miserable.

On my birthday we went for a meal. Charley got in touch just in time, which was brilliant because I didn't think I'd manage to see him. We went for a greek (risking the 'food lottery') and I drank to much, but I think a good time was had by all.

My favorite comment of the night was from Adam : This is the first time I've seen you wearing clothes that don't have gortex written on them.' It's so nice when people notice you have made an effort :-P.

I'm now back in Laramie where it is all snowy and lovely. If you like retenal burns and frost bite. It's about minus lots out there. I'm trying to defrost a fish for tea, no bloody chance. Actually it's quite nice because there is no wind chill right now. I am using it as an excuse not to go running though- hopefully we'll get to go skiing soon.

Damn, I've inadvertantly stayed in work until after night fall. Bad things happen to people who go out after dark here, even people wearing sleeping bags with arm holes and snow boots gauranteed to keep your feet alive after even the hardiest of your huskies has kicked the bucket.

I'm going out for a walk, I may be some time. 'Bout 15 minutes usually.

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Most random jetlagged/insomniac thought: could I market an adult version of pin the tail on the donkey called 'p**t in the c**t'? I disgust myself, I really do.