I'm moving...
Adios Tripod!

Welcome squarespace

As I have no html ability, you'll just have to change the links and stuff yourself, as I have no idea how to set up a redirect thing.

Hopefully see you soon over at Read,Eat,Sleep...

A Quiz
So I've been terribly lax at getting back to Dancing Blonde on the quiz thang, but eventually, here it is.

The Official Interview Game Rules
1. If you want to participate, leave a comment saying "interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be
different.
3. You will update your journal/blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others
in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them
five questions.

1) If you were going to only be allowed one book for the rest of your
life, what would it be, and why?

Oh this is too hard. I think I might have to go for Alice in Wonderland though - the faux-leather hardback illustrated one I had when I was young. Not sure why that one popped into my head, but it did. I must have read it a million times so perhaps I should pick something else, but there's something bout the story that has an eternal appeal.

2) What is the single most important invention of the 20th century to
you, and why?

The internet. Without a doubt. As an information junkie it just fuels all my obsessions without me trekking to the library and have the librarian give me quizzical looks when I check out random books on religion, food, wicca, you name it. And I did use to do that. I'm sure our local librarian thought I was trying to start a cult of some type. But now I can surf for hours and NO-ONE else knows what I am looking at. Sweet. And scary too. Because, they CAN find out, but I try to blank that bit out. Of course, there's all kinds of crap out there n the internet, but the world of books isn't perfect - have youseen some of the dross available at discount bargain bookshops? So yes, I love the internet.

3) Do you remember your first crush? Can you tell us about what you
were attracted to about them?

I was madly in love with a guy who lived round the corner from me when I was about 14. He wasn't my first crush, but the most memorable. It was when I was going through my 'Brat Pack' years and I was so in love with the characters played by Andrew McCarthy and this guy looked not much like him, but enough, that in my mind I imagined him to be just like him. He wasn't of course, and when I did finally manage to talk to him he was interminably dull and I was devastated. But prior to this, I must have walked past his house about a zillion times. I really don't want to be 14 again.

4) What would you like people to say about you after you are gone? How
do you try and make that legacy real?

I'd like to think people would say that I made a difference, but who doesn't want that? And I do generally try to make a difference. Not in huge ways like bringing about world peace, overthrowing despotic governments and the like, but I reckon that if you see a problem in something you are involved in, and you can see a solution, you should try and do it. I can't stand it when people whinge and moan for the sake of it, without trying to find a solution. There's a danger of ending up doing everything yurself as often nothing gets done unless you do it yourself, but at least by leading by example, people might realise that things they thought impossible, aren't? So I guess I'd really like people to say 'She made me realise I could do X,Y or Z myself'.

5) What was your favourite nursery rhyme?

My favourite nursery rhyme? I really can't remember. I can vaguely remember changing the words of Xmas carols to silly lyrics with my little brother, and I guess we did the same with rhymes. But I do remember having an LP which we used to play. I can't remeber what was on it, but I can remember the cover, which was white wth a huge green Humpty Dumpty on it. So I'll go for Humpty Dumpty in memory of that.

So, if you want me to interview you, leave me a comment, and I'll try to come up with some witty queries for you...

Interesting Lecture
Topic: MBA
Women in Management

For all you business women out there, the link above is to a lecture I attended a few weeks ago. It's really interesting and has some great references, facts and figures.

Oh, the DOMS...
Guess who forgot how evil the DOMS can be when you haven't lifted anything heavier than a biro for 6 weeks? Yes, ME! I can hardly lift my arms up to wash my hair in the shower after my UBWO on Monday. Silly, silly me. Why did I stop going to the gym? And tonight, it's the turn of LBWO - guess who won't be able to walk on Friday? Looking forward to it - not alot. Does anyone think creatine might help? I might have to go check out Christian Finn and see what's what with supplements.

In other news, I took Mr LMG to Anthony's last night for his birthday, which is a very swish restaurant indeed. I was a bit apprehensive as we took a client out for lunch there a while ago and I wasn't too impressed, but last night was the full a la carte experience. What follows is a gratuitous description of much alcohol and delicious food, so if you're feeling peckish, look away:

started with a pre-dinner V+T in Hakuna Matata. Then round to Anthony's where the Maitre d' explained each of the dishes to us in exquisite detail while we sipped our aperitif (red wine) in the bar with some amazing kalamata olives. Then we were escorted downstairs to the restaurant. Nice decor - very understated - lots of creams and beiges with dark wood. We were then given a shot glass of grapefruit and watermelon juice - almost a smoothie but very light, like sorbet. Then a tiny little plate each of fried corn and what looked a bit like grapefruit out into individual pods. Strange, but nice. I chose the white onion risotto, which was served with a of ground coffee bean and air. The air is cheese with the fat taken out and then the milk protein whipped up into a foam. All the taste - no fat! Bizarre, but gorgeous. The portion size was , as in the starters were the same size as the mains, which always confuses me. Mr LMG had an amazing terrine of cured ham, squid and potato with a crumble on top. Very gorgeous - salty and fishy. We decided he had 'won' that round! I forgot to mention we were drinking a bottle of Chateau Neauf du Pape, which was very worth the extra dosh. Then for the main dish, I had monk fish with an avocado mousse and crab quenelles, served with a leaf salad, tomato salsa and peas. One of the best fish dishes I have ever tasted. Mr LMG had the new season lamb with chicken hearts and tiny onions. We decided on this occasion, I had 'won'. But the best was still to come. To finish we chose to share the 7 cheeses board. They were all incredible and served on a long thin platter with the flavours intensifying from left to right. They even gave us tasting notes. I am going to have to hunt out some scottish cabor (I think I got the spelling right) which was more like a butter than a cheese.

All in all, an amazing meal. I then decided it would be nice to finish with a cocktail. I had forgotten that Royal Ascot is on in York this week and the bar we chose was overrun with hooray henries who were all hammered after a days drinking at the races. So we supped up our Brandy Alexanders quick and went home and drank 2 (yes 2) Kahlua and milks. Why? Why? Why? I now have a bit of a headache and in an hours time I have to go to do a presentation at an architects office.

Oh, and I failed to go for a run yesterday. Drats. But I did study for 1.5 hours, which is something.

I'm back...
...and back on the wagon. My new 12 week challenge is over on Data Monster which will bring me up to the day before my 32nd birthday. Eeek - I'm getting old.

I'll write a bit more about the hols another day. Don't have any photos, which is an entry in itself, but we had a good time, ate well, slept well and drank a bit too.

I'm trying to clear up the study and sort out my schedule for the next few weeks. After the reading I did on holiday I'm on a bit of a mission on the 'organising my life more effectively' thing.

Still haven't caught up on the blogs, but my first run of my 12 week challenge is tomorrow morning. I intend to get up bright and early, run, shower, breakfast and catch up on the blogs before work. After work, I am taking Mr LMG to a super-swanky restaurant for his 31st birthday.

Oh, and I have the new Coldplay and Oasis albums to listen to too. Top listens on holiday were James Blunt (who I have raved about before) and the newish Natalie Imbruglia album which is easily her best so far.

Off to Fly Lady for some domestic inspiration on the organisation front now and then I shall clear this desk...

Packed!
So I thought I was really clever and had managed to pack everything into one bag, but have now remembered I still haven't bought any sunscreen and haven't packed my bag of toiletries. And me getting ever so more girly in my old age (I wore lipgloss to work today - unheard of 6 months ago!) it is one damn big bag of toiletries.

So I'm off to buy the sunscreen and check out some bags too. For the next week I shall be here, using my 3 spanish phrases:

'Dos vinos tintos por favor'
'No puedo comer pimientos tengo alergia'
and 'No lo tengo'

Salud!

Tagged!
So Mich tagged me and even though I am going on holiday in less than 24 hours and haven't packed nor bought suncream, I couldn't not join in.

Basically I am to pick five of the “If I could be a” and write my decription. Then I add one of my own to the bottom of the list, along with my name. Then I can tag 3 other people to do it.

Now, I'm not sure who to tag, but I'll give it a go and say Bisous, Dangergirl and Cathy at Works in Progress. Tagging ain't everyone's bag though, so if you're not up for it, I won't be offended. Plus I'll be sunning myself in Spain and will be far more interested in tapas, wine and coffee for the next 7 days...

If I could be a scientist…
If I could be a farmer…
If I could be a musician…
If I could be a doctor…
If I could be a painter…
If I could be a gardener…
If I could be a missionary…
If I could be a chef…
If I could be an architect…
If I could be a linguist…
If I could be a psychologist…
If I could be a librarian…
If I could be an athlete…
If I could be a lawyer…
If I could be an innkeeper…
If I could be a professor…
If I could be a writer…
If I could be a llama-rider…(by Ogre)
If I could be a bonnie pirate…(By Teach)
If I could be a servicemember…(By Jeremy)I
f I could be a business owner…(By Blue 944)
If I could be an actor… (By Blue 944)
If I could be an agent…(By KelBel)
If I could be video game designer…(By KelBel)
If I could be a comic book artist…(By Stoli)
If I could be a hooker…(By Pollo Loco)I
If I could be a crack addict (by Elizabeth)
If I could be a porn star (by Elizabeth)
If I could be a mime (by Garrison)
If I could be a DJ… (by maria)
If I could be a knife-thrower (by Katherine)
If I could be Zsa-Zsa Gabor…..(By Kal)
If I could be a welder…(by Minnie)
If I could be employed…(by Minnie).
If I could be all things to all people…(by Minnie).
If I could be Homer Simpson… (Lee at Oh No, the Blog!)
If I could be a NASCAR driver…(Lee at Oh No, the Blog!)
If I could be the Dreaded Pirate Roberts No. 7,453…(Lee at Oh No, the Blog!)
If I could be a circus performer…(Sarcomical)
If I could be a superhero… (Michie at Meeshmellow World)
If I could be a guru...(LMG)

So my 5 are:

If I could be a writer I would write a book called the career woman's guide to eating, drinking, lifting and running. A guide on how to have everything, juggling career, health, decadence, relationships etc. I may have to invent a 30 hour day though...

If I could be a doctor I would have a surgery that had it's doors open at all hours, and listened to the patients even when they just wanted to have a chat. I hate going to the doctors and feeling under a time pressure to blurt out what you think is wrong. Let's have a little humanity, relaxation and chat.

If I could be an athlete I would want to be Tracy Morris who ran the fastest British female time in the London Marathon 2004, despite working full time as an optomitrist and being 35(?) at the time and went on to finish the Athens marathon at the Olympics (unlike Paula Radcliffe). Hope for us all.

If I could be a DJ I would inflict my taste of indie pop on the world 24/7. Pixies, Cure, Franz Ferdinand, et al...

If I could be a lawyer I would sort out world governance and resolve all kinds of trade and poverty issues. He he. Think big. Why not.

and for my addition:

If I could be a guru I would teach people how to have a strong internal locus of control. You are in control of your own destiny and to blame others when things go wrong is just succumbing to the role of victim.

That was fun...

Reading List
So here's that list I've been promising:

'One for my baby' - Tony Parsons (can't stand the man on telly or in the papers but he writes a damn fine novel about relationships)

'Not on the Label' - Felicity Lawrence (battling with my liberal upbringing vs. capitalist leanings - totally a rebellion thang - what's best - home grown or a free market - dodgy territory all round)

'Design for a Life - How Behaviour Develops' Bateson & Martin (random purchase - hoping to shed light on the whole nature/nurture thang)

'7 Habits...' - S Covey (a classic and one I have never managed to finish. Have listened to the abridged audio version many many times)

'Hitchhikers Guide...' - Douglas Adams (still rereading having read these when I was 15. I honestly can't remember very much. Where my hormaones really so addled I couldn't take in a comedy sci-fi plot - what a worry...)

TV implosion!
So we go on holiday on Saturday and the Sky+ box is still stupidly full. So tonight instead of being sensible and studying, I am settling down to 5 episodes of ER. The ER backlog is due to the Desperate Housewives bonanza. I had to watch all the episodes with the finale last night, as I couldn't stand to find out second hand what happened.

And talking of what happened, I have the opening episode for season 2 all sorted. Mike Delfino is Zach's real father, and he hasn't killed creepy husband after all. He bounds into the house to find Susan and Zach at an impasse, and Zach kills him. I'm guessing, anyway.

As well as the ER fest I have both Scrubs and Joan of Arcadia lining up. I have no taste in TV. This is due to my mother refusing me to watch trashy tv like Dallas when I was younger.

Mr LMG is fortunately out with the lads, so I have the tv to myself. Once this current glut runs out, I will be hanging around waiting for Sopranos and Six Feet Under, and rueing giving up on Nip/Tuck halfway through season 2. What did I do before Sky+?

A week in Spain without tv will probably be good for me. I'll post my holiday reading list later - it's eclectic to say the least...

Venus Fly traps for the man who has everything (Mr LMG) - it's his birthday soon...