The letter arrived from NCAD. We regret to inform you, blah, blah, blah. She was gutted. Art is everything for her and she knows she's good. To have the college tell her the art wasn't up to scratch was a slap in the face. Mammy2 gave her lots of hugs and we told her that it was their loss. I came into the living room this morning to find the letter on the table with F*** U written all over it in black marker. Obviously she was still sore about it. I went back to bed and she followed. She crawled in next to me and Mammy2. She was really pissed off understandably. She's worried that if she doesn't get Dun Laoghaire she won't get anything. We explained that if she doesn't get in this year, she can work the year or do whatever and apply next year. In the meantime she can do a portfolio course or 2 which might help her. She seemed happy enough with that. She started chatting and joking then, the mood improving slightly.
She's very funny, we have this thing where we try to scare each other by doing stupid things. She was trying to think of something to scare me about and she was like "What are adults afraid of? Oh, yeah Tax" She moved on from tax to geeky terms, who knew she could be such a nerd! Infinite loop was another phrase she threw at me. By the time we got up, Mammy2 had added to the letter. Underneath, the lovely expression the kid wrote, she added
"And the horse you rode in on and no luck for it etc" The kid was delighted. She was also chuffed when I told her that we should keep the letter and when she has her first exhibition, we can use that as her first piece. She thinks its an excellent idea.
We tried discussing a present for her 18th, but she won't move from a tatto. I asked her was she going to get our 2 names tatooed on her back. She rolled her eyes. Ah, she was back to her usual surly self. We told her the sister K in Holland was getting Slayer tickets for her bday. Cue lots of squeals and shouts and thank yous and best present EVER. We're all heading shopping next week assuming I get paid for my latest projects. I hope so, as she claims she has no clothes at all. Personally I wouldn't think any of the small items of material she has quantify as clothes but then again what would I know. I'm 'old' apparently. She's heading to a gig in temple bar tonight.
She needed a wallet for her fake ID. I asked her where she got her fake ID from. She gave me a dubious look and told me some guy does them up and did it look authentic. It looked pretty real. I suppose she is 18 in a few months. Jeebus, 18. I'm not sure I can handle her turning 18. I am really starting to feel old. She mentioned her friend Domo or Dogoo was offering sperm to me again. I told her I don't take sperm from 15 year olds. She said he's 17.
Mammy2 has gone to the sisters to watch the rugby. Leinster are in the Heineken Cup Quarter Final so she's off to cheer them off. With the kid leaving, I have the whole apartment to my self for the evening. I have a small bit of work to do, but then its the couch and a dvd. I'm really looking forward to some Shelly time! After the madness of the week, it will be good to do nothing and recharge the batteries.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Walking Wounded
I am still alive. The 'chat' went okay. She had an arguement ready in her head , that covered all the areas i love to talk about with her. Her depression, her getting hassled in school, the teachers not understanding her, suicidel tendencies. Etc. We talked and then talked some more. Basically she has agreed to the following
- No mid week hanging out.
- No taking off to the wilds of Cavan of a school day.
- Study more.
- No maths grinds unless she thinks she needs them.
She's also agreed to go back to her counseller. I think to be honest that might be the problem. C, her counseller is excellent and listens to her. So we got the phone number for Solas and she's going to ring this evening. We also have to arrange a meeting with the school as the first years are getting to her. I suppose if I had someone shout Lezzer at me outside of every class I'd start to get a bit paranoid. Unfortunately, she's her own worst enemy and we know
she's no angel. Also, every rule in the book she's broken so that any time she approaches any of the teachers, all they can see is red hair, doc martens and piercings. Which isn't really fair as her being bullied is an entirely seperate issue to her attire. I wish sometimes I had Mam's strength. If Mam was around, she'd be straight up that school and have the principal by the short and curlies, if you pardon my french.
We are going to meet with them after Easter. In the meantime, the kid returns to whatever her natural hair colour was, starts seeing her counseller again and loses the Doc Martens. We're supposed to have been going shopping for the last few weeks but the finances have been a bit out of sorts, so she's had to wait. Hopefully easter weekend, we can hit the shops and the bank account can prepare for some serious damage. Shopping with her is always entertaining. I've never seen something with so little material cost so much.
She decided she was wrecked after the chat and headed to bed. I have never seen anyone sleep so much. Wait, Mammy2 so scratch that :) We headed down to the local to catch the Ireland game, it was okay. I'm still not convinced we have a halfway decent team but sure it passed a few hours. Chatted with Mammy2. She was really cute, trying to explain to me why I'm wrecked and worn out. Apparently, I'm not the best patient in the world. So she tried explaining in a languge I understood. Meerkats. And how even though they are constantly on alert and running
around the place, they do sleep at some stage. She's so cute. But I am doing good at no work in the evenings, granted its only been 2 evenings but baby steps.
Tonight is a business meeting, sign off on another project and hopefully get paid and then I have a work do. One of the girls in her is having her leaving do in O'Dwyers. I'm not really feeling up for socialising with the work crowd, but a few of the people I get on well with will be there so it might be good fun. Tomorrow night I am hoping to finally get to see the Sawdoctors! I can't wait. I've been wanting to see them live for ages. Fingers crossed they're not sold out. Stop laughing!
- No mid week hanging out.
- No taking off to the wilds of Cavan of a school day.
- Study more.
- No maths grinds unless she thinks she needs them.
She's also agreed to go back to her counseller. I think to be honest that might be the problem. C, her counseller is excellent and listens to her. So we got the phone number for Solas and she's going to ring this evening. We also have to arrange a meeting with the school as the first years are getting to her. I suppose if I had someone shout Lezzer at me outside of every class I'd start to get a bit paranoid. Unfortunately, she's her own worst enemy and we know
she's no angel. Also, every rule in the book she's broken so that any time she approaches any of the teachers, all they can see is red hair, doc martens and piercings. Which isn't really fair as her being bullied is an entirely seperate issue to her attire. I wish sometimes I had Mam's strength. If Mam was around, she'd be straight up that school and have the principal by the short and curlies, if you pardon my french.
We are going to meet with them after Easter. In the meantime, the kid returns to whatever her natural hair colour was, starts seeing her counseller again and loses the Doc Martens. We're supposed to have been going shopping for the last few weeks but the finances have been a bit out of sorts, so she's had to wait. Hopefully easter weekend, we can hit the shops and the bank account can prepare for some serious damage. Shopping with her is always entertaining. I've never seen something with so little material cost so much.
She decided she was wrecked after the chat and headed to bed. I have never seen anyone sleep so much. Wait, Mammy2 so scratch that :) We headed down to the local to catch the Ireland game, it was okay. I'm still not convinced we have a halfway decent team but sure it passed a few hours. Chatted with Mammy2. She was really cute, trying to explain to me why I'm wrecked and worn out. Apparently, I'm not the best patient in the world. So she tried explaining in a languge I understood. Meerkats. And how even though they are constantly on alert and running
around the place, they do sleep at some stage. She's so cute. But I am doing good at no work in the evenings, granted its only been 2 evenings but baby steps.
Tonight is a business meeting, sign off on another project and hopefully get paid and then I have a work do. One of the girls in her is having her leaving do in O'Dwyers. I'm not really feeling up for socialising with the work crowd, but a few of the people I get on well with will be there so it might be good fun. Tomorrow night I am hoping to finally get to see the Sawdoctors! I can't wait. I've been wanting to see them live for ages. Fingers crossed they're not sold out. Stop laughing!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
The joys of families
There are some days when I wonder how I stay sane. Then there are days when I know most people already think I'm a bit mad so its fine. I don't need to justify the hair tearing, stressed out person that is me.
In the last hour I have had some lovely phone calls with the wife and the kid. The wife is stressing herself out completly over trying to get Broadband set up in her work place. Is this her job? No. Does she get paid for this? No. Yet, she is making herself sick with stress over it. To the point where I get the flipping head taken off me when I ask some simple questions. I said it might be in her interest to get a coffee and calm the feck down. I decide to put on some war paint and ring the child. As the phone rings, I get through to her hold music. Which is Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. The conversation went something like this.
"Do we need anything at home, like bread?"
Surly silence, I can actually see the pout.
"No"
"We don't need bread?"
"Okay, we need bread and milk"
"Fine, what are you up to?"
"On the compuer"
More surly silences and I'm sure followed by murderous glares at the phone.
"Doing?"
"Downloading pictures, what I do on my DAYS OFF" Her voice raised slightly towards to end and I felt
sure I could here some ominous music playing in the background. Was it my imagination or did it just
get darker outside? I thought I felt a pain in my chest but I was sure I had asked her to get rid of that
voodoo doll last year during a fit of spring cleaning. You never can tell with these wiccans.
"I see, and what about study"
"I'll do that this evening when I'm finished hanging."
"I see, and when do you plan on 'hanging'?"
"Today, as its my DAY OFF"
Only for I would have self combusted on the spot I was going to ask
"Do you have a day off or something?" I managed to prevent myself
"Right, so be back in time for your grind"
"I (insert bad word here ) told you I'm not doing any more (insert bad word here ) grinds"
"Be home before your grind or I'll ground you. Understand?"
Another surly silences.
"Fine."
"5.30"
"WHAT? The grind isn't until 7"
"We want to talk to you"
"About WHAT exactly, you only ever want to 'talk' to me when I'm in trouble"
"About your study or lack there of"
"Fine. Bye"
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my mother for who was like a parent to me for my whole life, to my wife for putting up with my madness and for all you good people out there. Its been a long and fruitful life but when its time for you to go you must accept it graciously.
I do have one plan that might stop my certain death at this stage though. I could ask Mammy2 about the broadband as we enter the apartment, perform the rolling dive and crouch I was thought in the FCA to avoid any potatoes that might be thrown our way and await the fallout. My money is on Mammy2, the kid grew up in Athlone , Mammy2 in Killbarrack. Enough said.
In the last hour I have had some lovely phone calls with the wife and the kid. The wife is stressing herself out completly over trying to get Broadband set up in her work place. Is this her job? No. Does she get paid for this? No. Yet, she is making herself sick with stress over it. To the point where I get the flipping head taken off me when I ask some simple questions. I said it might be in her interest to get a coffee and calm the feck down. I decide to put on some war paint and ring the child. As the phone rings, I get through to her hold music. Which is Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield. The conversation went something like this.
"Do we need anything at home, like bread?"
Surly silence, I can actually see the pout.
"No"
"We don't need bread?"
"Okay, we need bread and milk"
"Fine, what are you up to?"
"On the compuer"
More surly silences and I'm sure followed by murderous glares at the phone.
"Doing?"
"Downloading pictures, what I do on my DAYS OFF" Her voice raised slightly towards to end and I felt
sure I could here some ominous music playing in the background. Was it my imagination or did it just
get darker outside? I thought I felt a pain in my chest but I was sure I had asked her to get rid of that
voodoo doll last year during a fit of spring cleaning. You never can tell with these wiccans.
"I see, and what about study"
"I'll do that this evening when I'm finished hanging."
"I see, and when do you plan on 'hanging'?"
"Today, as its my DAY OFF"
Only for I would have self combusted on the spot I was going to ask
"Do you have a day off or something?" I managed to prevent myself
"Right, so be back in time for your grind"
"I (insert bad word here ) told you I'm not doing any more (insert bad word here ) grinds"
"Be home before your grind or I'll ground you. Understand?"
Another surly silences.
"Fine."
"5.30"
"WHAT? The grind isn't until 7"
"We want to talk to you"
"About WHAT exactly, you only ever want to 'talk' to me when I'm in trouble"
"About your study or lack there of"
"Fine. Bye"
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my mother for who was like a parent to me for my whole life, to my wife for putting up with my madness and for all you good people out there. Its been a long and fruitful life but when its time for you to go you must accept it graciously.
I do have one plan that might stop my certain death at this stage though. I could ask Mammy2 about the broadband as we enter the apartment, perform the rolling dive and crouch I was thought in the FCA to avoid any potatoes that might be thrown our way and await the fallout. My money is on Mammy2, the kid grew up in Athlone , Mammy2 in Killbarrack. Enough said.
From best parents to worst parents in the space of an hour.
The kid has the quickest turnaround I have ever seen in opinions. Then again she is a teenager and they are quite fickle. Basically, she has today off. She had briefly mentioned to Mammy2 that she was wanted to go to Cavan for the day to spend the day with the new man. We have a rule about hanging out during the week as she has school and study,which currently sounds like a foreign word to her. Monday to Friday, she doesn't 'hang' with mates. She comes home and she studies or does her homework or whatever. Lately, we've been quite relaxed with her but I am aware the exams are around the corner and she needs to start doing some work. She's an intelligent girl and I would hate to see her throw away her chances at college because she couldn't be bothered applying herself.
Mammy2 had said that maybe she could go, maybe to the kid means yes. When it got to me, I had to say no. She is starting Maths grinds this evening and as she failed it in the Mocks, she's going to have to start doing some work on it. Maths on Wedensday and French on Thursday will hopefully get her the pass in those 2 subjects where she was struggling. I was all prepared for the conversation when I got home except there was no sign of her. Mammy2 was in bed. I took it as an oppurtinity to enjoy the rare silence in the place. Eventually, I got hungry and decided to cook dinner. This involved waking Mammy2. Still no sign of the teenager.
Apparently, she had gone to meet the mate K and as far as Mammy2 knew, she was coming back straight away. After dinner and falling asleep on the couch, I decided to go to bed. And left Mammy2 to the tornado that the kid was. I did say she could call me, but apprently she was feeling brave. The kid arrives in 10 minutes before curfew. Cheeky fecker. Mammy2 tells her what the story is. She has a fit. But you SAID and I CAN'T back out now I've TOLD him..Or words to that affect. We are the WORST parents ever. Or something. I don't think Mammy2 cared at that stage. She ran for the safe space that is our bedroom and removed all body armour. As I left for work this morning, the teenager was sleeping like an angel. I'll buy a blue hat on the way home and prepare for war. I know she'll thank us in the long run. She will thank us right?
Mammy2 had said that maybe she could go, maybe to the kid means yes. When it got to me, I had to say no. She is starting Maths grinds this evening and as she failed it in the Mocks, she's going to have to start doing some work on it. Maths on Wedensday and French on Thursday will hopefully get her the pass in those 2 subjects where she was struggling. I was all prepared for the conversation when I got home except there was no sign of her. Mammy2 was in bed. I took it as an oppurtinity to enjoy the rare silence in the place. Eventually, I got hungry and decided to cook dinner. This involved waking Mammy2. Still no sign of the teenager.
Apparently, she had gone to meet the mate K and as far as Mammy2 knew, she was coming back straight away. After dinner and falling asleep on the couch, I decided to go to bed. And left Mammy2 to the tornado that the kid was. I did say she could call me, but apprently she was feeling brave. The kid arrives in 10 minutes before curfew. Cheeky fecker. Mammy2 tells her what the story is. She has a fit. But you SAID and I CAN'T back out now I've TOLD him..Or words to that affect. We are the WORST parents ever. Or something. I don't think Mammy2 cared at that stage. She ran for the safe space that is our bedroom and removed all body armour. As I left for work this morning, the teenager was sleeping like an angel. I'll buy a blue hat on the way home and prepare for war. I know she'll thank us in the long run. She will thank us right?
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
8 years and still something to talk about :)
Yesterday was our anniversary. According to the sister K in Holland, and I quote, "Ye lesbians have anniversaries for every thing! The first time ye held hands, the first time ye read poetry to each other" For those of you lucky enough to know me, know what a HUGE poetry fan I am. Moving on. I had the day off and Mammy2 was working in the morning and had the afternoon off. The day started off as a disaster with the computer dying, as well as the monitor. The monitor had been couching and sneezing but its gone kaput now. The best part of 250 yo yos for a new one. I had checked the bank balance and as it turns out it was not healthy. I am owed from money from various projects but the PC needs to be working. I was beyond stressed by the time I met Mammy2. A cup of coffee and a chat, followed by a hug and I went home to bed. Avoiding any social contact when I'm like this, I decided I needed
to take a break from the extra work as its obviously getting to me. I have a few projects which have some loose ends, I just need to tidy them up and then work on the revamp of my website which is a huge job.
I also cancelled a meet that we were going to have at the weekend. In my current mood and stressed out state, I may actually following the bowling ball down the aisle. I think I'll organise it for 2 weeks after Easter or something. People don't seem to be too perturbed by it. Mammy2 got home around 1 and decided she needed a sleep as well. At around 2.30, we hear the kid come home. We bought exchange confused looks. I arrived into her room, which caused her to jump feet. She said she had lots of 'free classes' and so she forged a note from us saying she could go home. I swear, she has some neck that one. We decided to head out for the day seeing as the sun was shining. A trip to Killiney beach where we walked for a while...There's nothing easier then spending time with Mammy2, she's just so laid back and easy going. We stayed out there for about an hour and then headed to Dun Laoghaire. We wanted to try the Purple Ocean Restaurent,but it was closed.
We sat in the 40ft bar and had a pint and a chat. Remembering our ups and downs over the last few years. We got back into town and headed to Fire for a meal. It its a beautiful reastaurent, fabulous location and the food is divine. We were very happy campers leaving it.
I can remember our first date so clearly. I met her at the Gaiety and brought her back to the apartment. I was coming directly from work. I had lost a lot of the courage I had gathered when talking to her on the phone. Its easier to flirt when you're not face to face with the person. We headed to Luigi's for a bite to eat and I was so nervous.
But we chatted and got along really well. She has a good sense of humour, lets face it you'd need one if you are going spend the rest of your life with me! We were supposed to go and see Ransom with Mel Gibson. She took us a short cut down Moore Street and the smell of fish was overwhelming. Stop giggling down the back. I was a country
bumpkin back then and wasn't familar with the city at all so she lead the way. We chatted some more and decided to skip the film and just hang out for the evening. I was getting nervous abou the end of the night though. After all, she was out for the last 6 years, obviously well expierenced in all things lesbian. I was out for 6 weeks or thereabouts, a baby dyke who asked stupid questions.
I kid you not, one night, at a lesbian club, I asked what was with all the rainbow flags. I was very nearly barred from the place. All sorts of thoughts were running through my head. Would she wants a kiss? Would she want more? I hadn't rented out enough lesbian films to know what they did. Apart from the poetry and green tea thingy. What if I didn't kiss her? Would that mean I failed if this was a lesbian test? I really liked her. God, this lesbian business was so difficult. I walked her to the taxi rank and said to her something along the lines of asking her for another date and that I was a novice at this whole thing and would a hug be okay. The rest is history. She couldn't resist my country charm obviously:)
to take a break from the extra work as its obviously getting to me. I have a few projects which have some loose ends, I just need to tidy them up and then work on the revamp of my website which is a huge job.
I also cancelled a meet that we were going to have at the weekend. In my current mood and stressed out state, I may actually following the bowling ball down the aisle. I think I'll organise it for 2 weeks after Easter or something. People don't seem to be too perturbed by it. Mammy2 got home around 1 and decided she needed a sleep as well. At around 2.30, we hear the kid come home. We bought exchange confused looks. I arrived into her room, which caused her to jump feet. She said she had lots of 'free classes' and so she forged a note from us saying she could go home. I swear, she has some neck that one. We decided to head out for the day seeing as the sun was shining. A trip to Killiney beach where we walked for a while...There's nothing easier then spending time with Mammy2, she's just so laid back and easy going. We stayed out there for about an hour and then headed to Dun Laoghaire. We wanted to try the Purple Ocean Restaurent,but it was closed.
We sat in the 40ft bar and had a pint and a chat. Remembering our ups and downs over the last few years. We got back into town and headed to Fire for a meal. It its a beautiful reastaurent, fabulous location and the food is divine. We were very happy campers leaving it.
I can remember our first date so clearly. I met her at the Gaiety and brought her back to the apartment. I was coming directly from work. I had lost a lot of the courage I had gathered when talking to her on the phone. Its easier to flirt when you're not face to face with the person. We headed to Luigi's for a bite to eat and I was so nervous.
But we chatted and got along really well. She has a good sense of humour, lets face it you'd need one if you are going spend the rest of your life with me! We were supposed to go and see Ransom with Mel Gibson. She took us a short cut down Moore Street and the smell of fish was overwhelming. Stop giggling down the back. I was a country
bumpkin back then and wasn't familar with the city at all so she lead the way. We chatted some more and decided to skip the film and just hang out for the evening. I was getting nervous abou the end of the night though. After all, she was out for the last 6 years, obviously well expierenced in all things lesbian. I was out for 6 weeks or thereabouts, a baby dyke who asked stupid questions.
I kid you not, one night, at a lesbian club, I asked what was with all the rainbow flags. I was very nearly barred from the place. All sorts of thoughts were running through my head. Would she wants a kiss? Would she want more? I hadn't rented out enough lesbian films to know what they did. Apart from the poetry and green tea thingy. What if I didn't kiss her? Would that mean I failed if this was a lesbian test? I really liked her. God, this lesbian business was so difficult. I walked her to the taxi rank and said to her something along the lines of asking her for another date and that I was a novice at this whole thing and would a hug be okay. The rest is history. She couldn't resist my country charm obviously:)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
A new man on the scene
I suppose it was only a matter of time. The kid has been single since, * counts *, oh 2 weeks perhaps? As far as we're aware she's been single,personally I don't think she's been single since she was 12 but that's a different story. My Friday off got off to a great start when Mammy2 casually mentioned that she said it was okay if the mate M could stay over. Actually, the Friday morning did get off to a great start with Mammy2 'working from home' so lots of quality time. But when she mentioned M, whom I had only heard of in the context of the blue haired friend and Cavan, I was of course on high alert. We have a rule, it might seem like a strange one to you, but then again I am strange. Basically, she can't bring random punters home. Especailly not random punters who are potential if not already boyf. Did she think we were born yesterday? For feck sake.
A lovely txt messaging conversation between herself and Mammy2 ensued with Mammy2 telling her that whilst she had said yes, she did say she had to check with me and I had said no. Considering I was still fuming over how crafty the fecker was about approaching Mammy2 and not me, she was lucky No was the only thing I was saying. Eventually the conversation ended with "But you said.." Very mature. I said to leave it, we would have a family meeting and discuss it. I had the beginnings of a headache.
I was so glad of having Friday off, the week had been mental with workload and workshops and lots of work. The sister had ordered me not to do any work on the Friday else she might throw a welly at me. Its a titch thing, don't ask. Mammy2 got called into work because her work people are assholes and like to make her feel like shit. I pottered around for a while, did nothing and then played on the PC. There was a bit of work but I talked the sister K out of throwing the welly at me. Before the kid arrived home, she txted me asking me not to forget to get Friday munchies. She didn't know I was off work. And also obviously didn't know I had spoken to Mammy2 has her next txt was
"Oh yeah, yis have to meet M tomorrow for coffee or I'll bate ya" or something to that affect. No mention of this mornings war of words. I replied that we would need to 'talk about the whole M thing'. She came back with he just wants to meet ye, nothing else. So we had avoided the staying over issue. For now. It is of course going to crop up again. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I had arrange with the mate J to go to Kiss that night, its been a while since I was at a lesbian only night. There was meant to be a gang of us heading out, but the various others were recovering from a rugby weekend in Rome so it was up to me and J to keep the flag flying. We met in GUBU beforehand and reminisced about the place. Its closing and being replaced by Cafe Bar Deli. Its really sad as its a really nice gay bar. So now we have The Dragon, The George and the Front Lounge which technically isn't a gay bar though they do court the gay crowd. Onto to Kiss and my lord are there a lot of lovely ladies out there. Myself and J got ourselves a seat mid-way between the 2 bars and sat like 2 old biddies nattering about everyone and everything. We bumped into the sister in law and her gang of friends. One of them used to be a really good mate of mine but issues arose and we drifted. Its sad, she's a really nice girl.
At the end of the night, it was the usual argument of trying to get J to get a taxi and her insisting on me getting one or walking with me some of the way home. Considering we were both quite tiddly this conversation continued down Dame Street much to the amusment of passers by.
Saturday morning I am awoken at 7.30 to lace up a corset. I felt like I was in Jane Austen novel. The kid was heading to meet M. At 8 o'clock. It must be love. I managed to lace it up but I don't know how she's breathing. I checked her face for signs of blueness but none. She had that skirt that would be heart crossways in most parents, those tights that look freezing and those boots that I'm not a fan of. She asked how she looked. I answered fabulous. Hey, we're parents, we're allowed the odd white lie ;)
Mammy2 was meeting her family for their alternative mother's day. Dno't get me started on that one. We prepared ourselves for coffee with the kid and the new moth as she so affectionately calls him. As we were walking towards the coffee shop, I could just about make them out. Mainly because of her and her mad red hair. First impressions, he looked very scruffy. That might be a look he has going on for her. I'm not sure. He looked like he could do with a good wash as well. But I decided to play nice. The kid gave the eyes the odd time to indicate no embaressing questions. As if I would. There was polite chit chat, the kid going on about how long we're together and how great we are. We sat there and listened to it . Its rare she goes on about us in a positive sense, we wanted it to last. I asked how come he was living in Cavan. Before I got to the 'do you own any land' question, I could feel the kid's eyes setting fire to my hair to I decided to leave that for the moment.
I left them to have a wander around the city. Mammy2 headed off to hang with her family. I bought the paper, had a sit and a read until the screaming babies in the IFI made me leave. I don't mind the odd whinge but a constant wah goes through your head. I pottered around some more, Dublin is glorious in the sunshine. I stood for a while in the sun, whilst having a txt conversation with the mate J. She was beating herself up over a wee misunderstanding we had the previous night. As I finished txting her, I bumped into her. Dublin is so small at times. She has heading to some CD workshop thingy and I was heading to get some hangover stodge. I told her when she was finished to join me, as I was going to catch the Ireland game. She's as big a fan of soccer as she is of rugby, actually no I reckon soccer sits well below the ruggers. I pottered some more, found somewhere quiet that was showing the match and had some lunch.
There was a time, when you wouldn't get into any pub when an Ireland qualifying game was on. I'm not sure what's happened with the team but we've been really bad lately. I suppose I should know more about it, but soccer has been surpassed by rugby lately and the GAA. Its hard to follow all those sports, I've never leave the telly if this was the case. We won at any rate and the game was followed by a Leinster match, which pleased Mammy2 no end. She dropped in after her family bonding session.
Because there was more soccer, they were only showing some of the rugby so we headed home and caught the rest of the game. I was wrecked and by the time 8 o'clock came I was ready for bed. Hardcode, of a Saturday night.
A lovely txt messaging conversation between herself and Mammy2 ensued with Mammy2 telling her that whilst she had said yes, she did say she had to check with me and I had said no. Considering I was still fuming over how crafty the fecker was about approaching Mammy2 and not me, she was lucky No was the only thing I was saying. Eventually the conversation ended with "But you said.." Very mature. I said to leave it, we would have a family meeting and discuss it. I had the beginnings of a headache.
I was so glad of having Friday off, the week had been mental with workload and workshops and lots of work. The sister had ordered me not to do any work on the Friday else she might throw a welly at me. Its a titch thing, don't ask. Mammy2 got called into work because her work people are assholes and like to make her feel like shit. I pottered around for a while, did nothing and then played on the PC. There was a bit of work but I talked the sister K out of throwing the welly at me. Before the kid arrived home, she txted me asking me not to forget to get Friday munchies. She didn't know I was off work. And also obviously didn't know I had spoken to Mammy2 has her next txt was
"Oh yeah, yis have to meet M tomorrow for coffee or I'll bate ya" or something to that affect. No mention of this mornings war of words. I replied that we would need to 'talk about the whole M thing'. She came back with he just wants to meet ye, nothing else. So we had avoided the staying over issue. For now. It is of course going to crop up again. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
I had arrange with the mate J to go to Kiss that night, its been a while since I was at a lesbian only night. There was meant to be a gang of us heading out, but the various others were recovering from a rugby weekend in Rome so it was up to me and J to keep the flag flying. We met in GUBU beforehand and reminisced about the place. Its closing and being replaced by Cafe Bar Deli. Its really sad as its a really nice gay bar. So now we have The Dragon, The George and the Front Lounge which technically isn't a gay bar though they do court the gay crowd. Onto to Kiss and my lord are there a lot of lovely ladies out there. Myself and J got ourselves a seat mid-way between the 2 bars and sat like 2 old biddies nattering about everyone and everything. We bumped into the sister in law and her gang of friends. One of them used to be a really good mate of mine but issues arose and we drifted. Its sad, she's a really nice girl.
At the end of the night, it was the usual argument of trying to get J to get a taxi and her insisting on me getting one or walking with me some of the way home. Considering we were both quite tiddly this conversation continued down Dame Street much to the amusment of passers by.
Saturday morning I am awoken at 7.30 to lace up a corset. I felt like I was in Jane Austen novel. The kid was heading to meet M. At 8 o'clock. It must be love. I managed to lace it up but I don't know how she's breathing. I checked her face for signs of blueness but none. She had that skirt that would be heart crossways in most parents, those tights that look freezing and those boots that I'm not a fan of. She asked how she looked. I answered fabulous. Hey, we're parents, we're allowed the odd white lie ;)
Mammy2 was meeting her family for their alternative mother's day. Dno't get me started on that one. We prepared ourselves for coffee with the kid and the new moth as she so affectionately calls him. As we were walking towards the coffee shop, I could just about make them out. Mainly because of her and her mad red hair. First impressions, he looked very scruffy. That might be a look he has going on for her. I'm not sure. He looked like he could do with a good wash as well. But I decided to play nice. The kid gave the eyes the odd time to indicate no embaressing questions. As if I would. There was polite chit chat, the kid going on about how long we're together and how great we are. We sat there and listened to it . Its rare she goes on about us in a positive sense, we wanted it to last. I asked how come he was living in Cavan. Before I got to the 'do you own any land' question, I could feel the kid's eyes setting fire to my hair to I decided to leave that for the moment.
I left them to have a wander around the city. Mammy2 headed off to hang with her family. I bought the paper, had a sit and a read until the screaming babies in the IFI made me leave. I don't mind the odd whinge but a constant wah goes through your head. I pottered around some more, Dublin is glorious in the sunshine. I stood for a while in the sun, whilst having a txt conversation with the mate J. She was beating herself up over a wee misunderstanding we had the previous night. As I finished txting her, I bumped into her. Dublin is so small at times. She has heading to some CD workshop thingy and I was heading to get some hangover stodge. I told her when she was finished to join me, as I was going to catch the Ireland game. She's as big a fan of soccer as she is of rugby, actually no I reckon soccer sits well below the ruggers. I pottered some more, found somewhere quiet that was showing the match and had some lunch.
There was a time, when you wouldn't get into any pub when an Ireland qualifying game was on. I'm not sure what's happened with the team but we've been really bad lately. I suppose I should know more about it, but soccer has been surpassed by rugby lately and the GAA. Its hard to follow all those sports, I've never leave the telly if this was the case. We won at any rate and the game was followed by a Leinster match, which pleased Mammy2 no end. She dropped in after her family bonding session.
Because there was more soccer, they were only showing some of the rugby so we headed home and caught the rest of the game. I was wrecked and by the time 8 o'clock came I was ready for bed. Hardcode, of a Saturday night.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Hi ho, hi ho, tis off to work we go
I'm starting to tire of my workload. Yes, close your mouth. Its getting a bit much over the last few days and I think I might have taken too much on. To top it off I think I might need to call another family meeting. Mammy2 and the kid are at loggerheads again. Basically, the kid completly forgot about forms she needed to fill in for her portfoilio and as a result Mammy2 had to fill them in on her behalf as she was staying over at the mates K. The portfolio has to be dropped into Dun Laoghaire between 9 and 9.30 and picked up between 4 and 4.30. The kid just takes it for granted that Mammy2 will do everything. So before there is an explosion and Mammy2 gets sent to prison for assault, I think I should sit them both down and see if we can come to some sort of agreement whereby the kid starts taking some responsilibity for her actions.
I got home yesterday, late from work and the kid was in bed and Mammy2 was at therapy. I had planned to go training but by the time I got home, I was in no mood. I had a headache and a ton of stuff to get through. I worked until 8.30 and then Mammy2 ran me a bath , which was fab. If a tad hot. Hence I pass out from the heat. Thankfully not in the bath. In the bedroom. I was feeling like shit. Perhaps I didn't pass out, but fell into a deep sleep. Who knows. I had planned to spend the evening with the family. Instead I'm curled up in bed. I'm a fabulous partner and parent don't you know ;)
Today I'm doing a bit better, but I'm still feeling quite weak. Perhaps I need more greens in my diet. Basically the kid spent the evening in bed, then got up and headed with the mate K to her house. I mean, I do not remember sleeping that much when I was a teenager? Seriously, she's in bed more then she's in school. Which isn't really that difficult. Her half finished art project is sitting on the floor of the living room, I sense its going to become an issue.
The 'best mate' C rang this morning. Apparently he's been lying low, with stuff going on. Family and all that. Bit of small talk with him. I don't know what to say to him. How do you explain to a bloke that you miss spending time with him and that you're a bit strange with the whole friendship thing as you'd like to see him more then once every 6 months. I'm convinced its because I'm a girl. Also I'm convinced his gf is involved. At this stage, I'm given up. I am not going to spend my time being a nagging gf and asking him to see him. I don't do friendship lite for want of a better work. I miss him a lot. Sometimes straight blokes are more work then women.
I still have had no time to make plans for Monday. Its our 8 year anniversary. 8 years, I think its getting serious at this stage. I wanted to organise something but unfortunately when it comes to romance I am a disaster. Seriously, I should go to www.romanticideas101.com because I can never think of something romantic to do. Mammy2 has the day off as well, so I think we might head out to Howth for the day and have a meal out there. I know Mammy2 doesn't expect anything but I'd like to make the effort! I should do some research and perhaps just put some thought into the day. I'm sure I'll think of something that will charm her.
I got home yesterday, late from work and the kid was in bed and Mammy2 was at therapy. I had planned to go training but by the time I got home, I was in no mood. I had a headache and a ton of stuff to get through. I worked until 8.30 and then Mammy2 ran me a bath , which was fab. If a tad hot. Hence I pass out from the heat. Thankfully not in the bath. In the bedroom. I was feeling like shit. Perhaps I didn't pass out, but fell into a deep sleep. Who knows. I had planned to spend the evening with the family. Instead I'm curled up in bed. I'm a fabulous partner and parent don't you know ;)
Today I'm doing a bit better, but I'm still feeling quite weak. Perhaps I need more greens in my diet. Basically the kid spent the evening in bed, then got up and headed with the mate K to her house. I mean, I do not remember sleeping that much when I was a teenager? Seriously, she's in bed more then she's in school. Which isn't really that difficult. Her half finished art project is sitting on the floor of the living room, I sense its going to become an issue.
The 'best mate' C rang this morning. Apparently he's been lying low, with stuff going on. Family and all that. Bit of small talk with him. I don't know what to say to him. How do you explain to a bloke that you miss spending time with him and that you're a bit strange with the whole friendship thing as you'd like to see him more then once every 6 months. I'm convinced its because I'm a girl. Also I'm convinced his gf is involved. At this stage, I'm given up. I am not going to spend my time being a nagging gf and asking him to see him. I don't do friendship lite for want of a better work. I miss him a lot. Sometimes straight blokes are more work then women.
I still have had no time to make plans for Monday. Its our 8 year anniversary. 8 years, I think its getting serious at this stage. I wanted to organise something but unfortunately when it comes to romance I am a disaster. Seriously, I should go to www.romanticideas101.com because I can never think of something romantic to do. Mammy2 has the day off as well, so I think we might head out to Howth for the day and have a meal out there. I know Mammy2 doesn't expect anything but I'd like to make the effort! I should do some research and perhaps just put some thought into the day. I'm sure I'll think of something that will charm her.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
A white paddies weekend
Yes, it snowed this weekend. In March. Paddy Power are predicting a white Easter. But there's no issue with Global warming, honestly. Bit of a mad weekend, although I still managed to squeeze some work in. What can I say its a talent I have :) Paddies can be surramised with the following points and I guess you can join the dots yourself and make up the bigger picture.
- Rugby - Ireland V Italy, yay
- Rugby - Scotland V France, yay, no, yay, feck, yaaaaaay. Shite.
- Mates join us in local.
- Mates have american friends who've never been to Oireland before
- Americans misunderstand the word tractor to mean attractive
- They were delighted that they were going on a real pub crawl with real irish people. I'm not sure
what sort of false pub crawls they had been on before but fair play.
- When wandering to various pubs with americans, make sure they remove the green things on their head.
- Make sure they understand about the famine.
- When in doubt about conversation, challenge them to down a pint of Guinness.
- Don't ask them to do the above in your local.
- When one of them has a bet about how many guys she can kiss in one pub, make sure you don't bring them to a
gay bar.
That was paddies day for me. It was really good fun and they were a great bunch of young ones.
Sunday I spent moping and in bed. I did some work and the kid txted us to wish us a happy mammies day. Bless her cottens, sometimes you'd never think she was the terror that she is. Only sometimes mind. Its getting quite difficult to keep up with who she might be interested in. She talks about so many people and I'm pretty sure half of them are from movies. I mean who has a name like Bam. Oh the latest is she wants to wrestle. Yes, I didn't mis type it, wrestle. She's been going to these wrestling shows with the best mate K and her boyf is a wrestler so she thinks its might be fun. I can just see her in the ring. She's a titch for goodness sake, one of them would be scraping her off their boot. But there's no talking to her.
The mate J was over yesterday and we had a L word marathon, was great fun. She hadn't seen any of season 3 and was so behind the times that we felt her sapphic card might be taken off her. So, 12 episodes later of Season 3 and some of Season 4, we were all lesbianed out. The kid was online whilst we were watching it, providing background commentary whenever Jenny came on the screen. It was quite entertaining. She was on Bebo, which I feel is a strange site. I mean, you look at pictures of your friends, who you already know, you message them and txt them at the same time. I don't get it?
I asked her should I get a myspace profile. She said, yes that would be cool, but I was never under any circumstances to leave her a message like "Can you pick up bread on the way home?" Or " Why are you on the computer when you should be doing your homework" because that would be soooo uncool. I'm not sure what sort of an eejit she takes me for. I'd love to do it for the crack though. Chances are I'd never be forgiven.
She's at home today. She's been off for the last few days and I suppose Sunday didn't help. Once again I was there with the kettle to make tea. She'd be lost without me and my tea making skills. Mammy2 provided hugs and cuddles. I stood and looked awkard. Its what I do best.
No word from NCAD. They usually make their provisional offers in March. I really hope she gets an offer. She has to drop her portfolio into Dun Laoghaire on Thursday morning. That leaves 2 colleges then. I think I'm more stressed then she is about this.
- Rugby - Ireland V Italy, yay
- Rugby - Scotland V France, yay, no, yay, feck, yaaaaaay. Shite.
- Mates join us in local.
- Mates have american friends who've never been to Oireland before
- Americans misunderstand the word tractor to mean attractive
- They were delighted that they were going on a real pub crawl with real irish people. I'm not sure
what sort of false pub crawls they had been on before but fair play.
- When wandering to various pubs with americans, make sure they remove the green things on their head.
- Make sure they understand about the famine.
- When in doubt about conversation, challenge them to down a pint of Guinness.
- Don't ask them to do the above in your local.
- When one of them has a bet about how many guys she can kiss in one pub, make sure you don't bring them to a
gay bar.
That was paddies day for me. It was really good fun and they were a great bunch of young ones.
Sunday I spent moping and in bed. I did some work and the kid txted us to wish us a happy mammies day. Bless her cottens, sometimes you'd never think she was the terror that she is. Only sometimes mind. Its getting quite difficult to keep up with who she might be interested in. She talks about so many people and I'm pretty sure half of them are from movies. I mean who has a name like Bam. Oh the latest is she wants to wrestle. Yes, I didn't mis type it, wrestle. She's been going to these wrestling shows with the best mate K and her boyf is a wrestler so she thinks its might be fun. I can just see her in the ring. She's a titch for goodness sake, one of them would be scraping her off their boot. But there's no talking to her.
The mate J was over yesterday and we had a L word marathon, was great fun. She hadn't seen any of season 3 and was so behind the times that we felt her sapphic card might be taken off her. So, 12 episodes later of Season 3 and some of Season 4, we were all lesbianed out. The kid was online whilst we were watching it, providing background commentary whenever Jenny came on the screen. It was quite entertaining. She was on Bebo, which I feel is a strange site. I mean, you look at pictures of your friends, who you already know, you message them and txt them at the same time. I don't get it?
I asked her should I get a myspace profile. She said, yes that would be cool, but I was never under any circumstances to leave her a message like "Can you pick up bread on the way home?" Or " Why are you on the computer when you should be doing your homework" because that would be soooo uncool. I'm not sure what sort of an eejit she takes me for. I'd love to do it for the crack though. Chances are I'd never be forgiven.
She's at home today. She's been off for the last few days and I suppose Sunday didn't help. Once again I was there with the kettle to make tea. She'd be lost without me and my tea making skills. Mammy2 provided hugs and cuddles. I stood and looked awkard. Its what I do best.
No word from NCAD. They usually make their provisional offers in March. I really hope she gets an offer. She has to drop her portfolio into Dun Laoghaire on Thursday morning. That leaves 2 colleges then. I think I'm more stressed then she is about this.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Happy Mother's day Mama Titch
I miss Mama Titch. I want to be able to go up to the hospital and see her there. I want to be able to go to the family home, and when we hop out of the car, she's coming around the corner of the house with that delighted smile she has on her. Today she'd be pampered, more then usual. I have so many memories of her, the hospital ones being replaced thankfully by more cheerful ones. Although the memory of her being wheeled in for surgery and crying is one that won't go away. Mam never cried, or not in front of us. Ever. She was always so strong. To see someone so strong in this tiny bed, waving frailly as she was wheeled away from us is too much to bear at times. I can still smell her open wound, see her scratching herself when she got the shingles. Her eye half closed because she's been tearing it so much, watering because she's so sore from the stupid shingles.
There would be other days, she'd be laughing and joking. Titch sense of humour goes a long way. The Paddies day we dropped up to her looking like extras from a circus. I had dyed my hair green, the kid and the sister K wore paddies day feather boas. In their hair and Mammy2 had a green jersey and pretended like she wasn't with us. Thankfully the nurses knew us all quite well and just laughed. Mam was horrified "Ye didn't come into the hospital looking like that did ye?" She got over the shock and asked us what our plans were for the day. Another Paddies day, we made the mistake of trying to keep up with her and her hot ports. She never really got out much at home being a single parent, so when she came up to us, she went a bit mad. I tried to keep up with her as she knocked them back. A few rounds later I think I was lying on the ground trying to order, whilst she was saying they put too much hot water in the ports? Obviously she was obsorbing the alcohol straight into her bloodstream.
Days when I'd arrive up in my westmeath jersey and we'd listen to the matches on the radio. When we'd lose, which would happen quite often, she would give out hell. I can't believe the same year she passed away, we won the Leinster title for the first time ever. Its so weird. I feel like a shit today. I couldn't face the grave. I just couldn't go down there. Its Mothers day and she's supposed to have flowers? I didn't even do that much for her. Acceptence through denial is how I like to think of things. I stayed in bed until I got a headache and had to get up. I worked and am taking a break now for a while. Work is a great distraction, thank feck for it. I guess I will have to face the grave soon enough but just not yet. I have some of her perfume on and if I close my eyes I can feel her around. Her constant joking and slagging, no matter what life threw at her. She had such a positive outlook on life.
I hope that she's up there, wherever there is at the moment, smoking a joint with Bob Marley or chatting away with her dad or Mam. I hope the lawns are always cut where she is and she doesn't have to worry. I hope she has a gazebo which we had planned to buy for her when she got out of hospital. I hope her garden is always looked after and she doesn't have to worry about her arthritis. She can have that bloody smoothie she longed for in the hospital. I can't look at a smoothie bar now. She used to tease herself, when the nurse brought her for a walk. She'd watch people drinking them.
The same way she'd torture herself when the dinners were being brought past her room. She's ask them what was on the menu. She never could eat though. Not when there was no lower intestine to do anything with it.
Life is shit at times. I miss her...
There would be other days, she'd be laughing and joking. Titch sense of humour goes a long way. The Paddies day we dropped up to her looking like extras from a circus. I had dyed my hair green, the kid and the sister K wore paddies day feather boas. In their hair and Mammy2 had a green jersey and pretended like she wasn't with us. Thankfully the nurses knew us all quite well and just laughed. Mam was horrified "Ye didn't come into the hospital looking like that did ye?" She got over the shock and asked us what our plans were for the day. Another Paddies day, we made the mistake of trying to keep up with her and her hot ports. She never really got out much at home being a single parent, so when she came up to us, she went a bit mad. I tried to keep up with her as she knocked them back. A few rounds later I think I was lying on the ground trying to order, whilst she was saying they put too much hot water in the ports? Obviously she was obsorbing the alcohol straight into her bloodstream.
Days when I'd arrive up in my westmeath jersey and we'd listen to the matches on the radio. When we'd lose, which would happen quite often, she would give out hell. I can't believe the same year she passed away, we won the Leinster title for the first time ever. Its so weird. I feel like a shit today. I couldn't face the grave. I just couldn't go down there. Its Mothers day and she's supposed to have flowers? I didn't even do that much for her. Acceptence through denial is how I like to think of things. I stayed in bed until I got a headache and had to get up. I worked and am taking a break now for a while. Work is a great distraction, thank feck for it. I guess I will have to face the grave soon enough but just not yet. I have some of her perfume on and if I close my eyes I can feel her around. Her constant joking and slagging, no matter what life threw at her. She had such a positive outlook on life.
I hope that she's up there, wherever there is at the moment, smoking a joint with Bob Marley or chatting away with her dad or Mam. I hope the lawns are always cut where she is and she doesn't have to worry. I hope she has a gazebo which we had planned to buy for her when she got out of hospital. I hope her garden is always looked after and she doesn't have to worry about her arthritis. She can have that bloody smoothie she longed for in the hospital. I can't look at a smoothie bar now. She used to tease herself, when the nurse brought her for a walk. She'd watch people drinking them.
The same way she'd torture herself when the dinners were being brought past her room. She's ask them what was on the menu. She never could eat though. Not when there was no lower intestine to do anything with it.
Life is shit at times. I miss her...
Friday, March 16, 2007
Slacking off on a Friday
Its been a mental week and I am beyond wrecked. On the plus side, no side of any exorcisms. She still appears to be relatively 'normal'. I had work do last night so when I got home, the mate K was in the bathroom dying her hair and the bathroom a lovely shade of red. She might as well move in with us, she's with us so often. Not that I mind, she's a lovely girl and herself and the kid get on really well. They're going to some wrestling event tonight so that means we have the place to ourselves again. Although in my current fragile condition, I reckon I will be mostly resting. Poor Mammy2 sprained her ankle again yesterday. She's aways going over on it, she has weak ankles. Stop sniggering down the back , its true. So when I met her, she was hobbling along, complete with crutch. Its no wonder one of our friends call her HAL, or HopAlong. She was in a lot of pain last night, she was supposed to keep it elevated and couldn't manage it. Nurse Shelly to the rescue. I felt guilty then for being peeved at her.
Because whilst nursing the sprain, she went and did the grocery shopping. I was peeved because the previous day
I had put forward a pitch for a really big site which I wanted to get, and I got it. I was so chuffed. Its the first time I have had to pitch or do up a tender and I had competition. For me it was a big thing. But I guess to the family it was just another website. I explained this to her and I guess perhaps its because I'm a Leo, I felt I was being taken for granted. I don't expect applause every time I enter the apartment, * flicks mane *, I'm not that arrogant. I guess I just wanted more of big deal made of it. Its stupid I know, as I've said I can be quite the dramatic Leo when I want to be.
Paddies weekend is upon us and tomorrow should be fun. Although the one thing I hate about the big day is the level of drunkness exhibited by us. I mean, we usually head up town and its around 11.30 and people are hammered. At that hour? Its madness. Its a fun day and its great to be Irish but do we have to get off our heads on alcohol. Perhaps its my age showing. I'm hoping to catch some of the parade. Okay I lie. I'm heading up town to see if I can catch
a collective gathering of female guards, its around this time every year that they flock to the streets. In their lovely uniforms. Bless. The rugby is also on and the AIB Club Championships. There's too much on, seriously. The poor mothers are going to be forgotten about. Mammy2's mother has to wait a few weeks to celebrate Mother's day because the sister wants to have the kids bday dinner on that day. Which I think is absolutely ridiculous espeically when you consider the kid's bday was actually yesterday. She won't celebrate it tomorrow because its Paddies day and the rugby so let's take over Mother's day. I'll stop ranting now.
Its just bshit as far as I'm concerned. I am hoping, depending on how tired I am and if I am able to face it , to go visit Mam. Finally! Its taken me forever to be able to gather up the courage to go and see the grave, I guess I'm getting to an acceptence stage. Which I don't like at all.
The kid is heading to Cavan with her blue haired friend. She nearly got into a fight during the week with an ex friend. Who's a bit of a terrier. Thankfully she refrained from issuing any slaps. Herself and the mate K are all excited about going to Italy. We decided seeing as she's 18 this year and she finishes school, we would have a family holiday abroad. However, due to my inability to fly any other airline except Aer Lingus, it is going to cost a bit more for flights
and accommodation. Trying to explain my fear of flying is a waste of time, as people either don't understand or just point blank refuse to accept it. Its very strange. I guess its the whole I'm terrifed but I'll fly Aer Lingus. I have to at least try and fly else Mammy2 will never see any of the world. It doesn't get any easier but it has to be done. So we're all off to Rome in August, I hope.
Because whilst nursing the sprain, she went and did the grocery shopping. I was peeved because the previous day
I had put forward a pitch for a really big site which I wanted to get, and I got it. I was so chuffed. Its the first time I have had to pitch or do up a tender and I had competition. For me it was a big thing. But I guess to the family it was just another website. I explained this to her and I guess perhaps its because I'm a Leo, I felt I was being taken for granted. I don't expect applause every time I enter the apartment, * flicks mane *, I'm not that arrogant. I guess I just wanted more of big deal made of it. Its stupid I know, as I've said I can be quite the dramatic Leo when I want to be.
Paddies weekend is upon us and tomorrow should be fun. Although the one thing I hate about the big day is the level of drunkness exhibited by us. I mean, we usually head up town and its around 11.30 and people are hammered. At that hour? Its madness. Its a fun day and its great to be Irish but do we have to get off our heads on alcohol. Perhaps its my age showing. I'm hoping to catch some of the parade. Okay I lie. I'm heading up town to see if I can catch
a collective gathering of female guards, its around this time every year that they flock to the streets. In their lovely uniforms. Bless. The rugby is also on and the AIB Club Championships. There's too much on, seriously. The poor mothers are going to be forgotten about. Mammy2's mother has to wait a few weeks to celebrate Mother's day because the sister wants to have the kids bday dinner on that day. Which I think is absolutely ridiculous espeically when you consider the kid's bday was actually yesterday. She won't celebrate it tomorrow because its Paddies day and the rugby so let's take over Mother's day. I'll stop ranting now.
Its just bshit as far as I'm concerned. I am hoping, depending on how tired I am and if I am able to face it , to go visit Mam. Finally! Its taken me forever to be able to gather up the courage to go and see the grave, I guess I'm getting to an acceptence stage. Which I don't like at all.
The kid is heading to Cavan with her blue haired friend. She nearly got into a fight during the week with an ex friend. Who's a bit of a terrier. Thankfully she refrained from issuing any slaps. Herself and the mate K are all excited about going to Italy. We decided seeing as she's 18 this year and she finishes school, we would have a family holiday abroad. However, due to my inability to fly any other airline except Aer Lingus, it is going to cost a bit more for flights
and accommodation. Trying to explain my fear of flying is a waste of time, as people either don't understand or just point blank refuse to accept it. Its very strange. I guess its the whole I'm terrifed but I'll fly Aer Lingus. I have to at least try and fly else Mammy2 will never see any of the world. It doesn't get any easier but it has to be done. So we're all off to Rome in August, I hope.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Highs and lows of being a teenager
Only with the kid can you be pissing yourself laughing one minute and near tears the next. On my way home from work the kid rings, to ask me to get munchies as there was nothing left in the house to eat. Obviously, this was a tradegy. So I slagged her a bit, which she didn't respond to and muttered something about it being a shit day. I decided to leave it and got munchies as a safety net. You never know when I might need them. When I got home, she was tucked up in bed. Mammy2 was with the family for the day as it was the aunt's funeral in the morning. I grabbed a bite to eat and decided I was going to try training. It was such a lovely evening, it would be shocking to sit in on the computer. She was fast asleep.
Training went really well, its been over a year since I trained and although it was only an hour. it was a tough class. I was wrecked by the end of it. When I got home, I had a chat with the kid who was up from bed and on the PC 'studying'. I had though she was going to go on a rant about how the school is oppressing her and all that. But not so.
She's a bit upset about mother's day stuff being everywhere. Its stupid, I guess I just forget that she would still have strong emotions about Mam. When she's in good form and acting like a regular teenager, I forgot all that's happened to her. As if that wasn't enough, she had Biology and they were talking about cancer cells. The teacher, ignorant and completly tactless, said to the kid
"Your mum died from bowel cancer didn't she?" How on earth do you respond to that?
The kid said she didn't. The teacher persisted, "It was cancer though wasn't it? That caused her to die?" Talk about hammering the kid over the head.
The kid finally had enough and responded:
"No, she didn't have cancer, there was some complications as a result of an operation and she had an open wound which poisoned her blood stream and that's why she died".
This was greeted with silence and thankfully the teacher shut up. The muppet. I swear, what sort of thundering eejit is she? Firstly to bring up something to personal and secondly in front of the whole class?
Mammy2 gave her lots of hugs and I offered to make tea. Sound familar? I am a champion tea maker. I asked how her day was apart from that and this is where I think I need to start taking drugs for this to make sense. For some reason she's been going into trances lately and now she knows the reason. She's being inhabited by the spirit of an older woman who was a Satanist. Not a sadist just so we're clear on that one. Apparently she's been going into
the trances and reliving whatever the woman went through. Or something. So she reckons she needs an exorcism. Needless to say I was not impressed. I mean, I've seen The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, so I know what goes on at this things. I told her I'd get a cruifix and some holy water and try my hand at it. She gave me The Look. My hair caught fire. I stopped suggesting. She mentioned she wasn't catholic and so the 'exorcism' would
be performed by her fellow wiccans. Once I had put out the fire on my hair, I asked who these 'fellow wiccans' were. They are well used to chasing away demons. I think she was referring to Charmed and that these people weren't real but I didn't want another Look. Supposedly a demon tried to get in near the kid last night. At this stage, Mammy2 was buried beneath the paper and trying to stop from laughing. Poor thing.
I expressed my discontent at the thought of a bunch of wiccans performing a cleansing ritual which may or may not result in her being 'exorcised'. She said that she wasn't stupid and they weren't going to do it at the apartment, she was going to a park. I was none too thrilled with that idea. What if something went wrong? God only knows what this lot are up to. I decided to let it rest until she actually annouces she's off to get exorised.
Mad young wan that she is.
A trip to the dentist this morning resulted in her being told she needed 8 fillings. 90 euros each. 760 euros in total. I will never again give about having to pay money for her Debs or her leaving cert. Seriously, its an obsence amount of money. But it is for her health so I guess it has to be done. Then she turns to be and says
"Shelly, I think I'm losing weight, you need to start cooking dinners for me"
Emphasis on the you. I actually laughed at her. She wasn't impressed and wheeled out The Look again. Serisously, she had to be kidding. Even if she wasn't, there was no way in hell I was going to start cooking every day for her. She's 17 years of age. I cook dinner at the weekends if she's around which she never is. Honestly, she must think I came down in the last shower. Just got a phone call from her now and she wants me to bring home an apple tart. She nearly got involved in a cat fight at school and she couldn't stay and talk because she wasn't wasting her credit on me. Charming.
Training went really well, its been over a year since I trained and although it was only an hour. it was a tough class. I was wrecked by the end of it. When I got home, I had a chat with the kid who was up from bed and on the PC 'studying'. I had though she was going to go on a rant about how the school is oppressing her and all that. But not so.
She's a bit upset about mother's day stuff being everywhere. Its stupid, I guess I just forget that she would still have strong emotions about Mam. When she's in good form and acting like a regular teenager, I forgot all that's happened to her. As if that wasn't enough, she had Biology and they were talking about cancer cells. The teacher, ignorant and completly tactless, said to the kid
"Your mum died from bowel cancer didn't she?" How on earth do you respond to that?
The kid said she didn't. The teacher persisted, "It was cancer though wasn't it? That caused her to die?" Talk about hammering the kid over the head.
The kid finally had enough and responded:
"No, she didn't have cancer, there was some complications as a result of an operation and she had an open wound which poisoned her blood stream and that's why she died".
This was greeted with silence and thankfully the teacher shut up. The muppet. I swear, what sort of thundering eejit is she? Firstly to bring up something to personal and secondly in front of the whole class?
Mammy2 gave her lots of hugs and I offered to make tea. Sound familar? I am a champion tea maker. I asked how her day was apart from that and this is where I think I need to start taking drugs for this to make sense. For some reason she's been going into trances lately and now she knows the reason. She's being inhabited by the spirit of an older woman who was a Satanist. Not a sadist just so we're clear on that one. Apparently she's been going into
the trances and reliving whatever the woman went through. Or something. So she reckons she needs an exorcism. Needless to say I was not impressed. I mean, I've seen The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, so I know what goes on at this things. I told her I'd get a cruifix and some holy water and try my hand at it. She gave me The Look. My hair caught fire. I stopped suggesting. She mentioned she wasn't catholic and so the 'exorcism' would
be performed by her fellow wiccans. Once I had put out the fire on my hair, I asked who these 'fellow wiccans' were. They are well used to chasing away demons. I think she was referring to Charmed and that these people weren't real but I didn't want another Look. Supposedly a demon tried to get in near the kid last night. At this stage, Mammy2 was buried beneath the paper and trying to stop from laughing. Poor thing.
I expressed my discontent at the thought of a bunch of wiccans performing a cleansing ritual which may or may not result in her being 'exorcised'. She said that she wasn't stupid and they weren't going to do it at the apartment, she was going to a park. I was none too thrilled with that idea. What if something went wrong? God only knows what this lot are up to. I decided to let it rest until she actually annouces she's off to get exorised.
Mad young wan that she is.
A trip to the dentist this morning resulted in her being told she needed 8 fillings. 90 euros each. 760 euros in total. I will never again give about having to pay money for her Debs or her leaving cert. Seriously, its an obsence amount of money. But it is for her health so I guess it has to be done. Then she turns to be and says
"Shelly, I think I'm losing weight, you need to start cooking dinners for me"
Emphasis on the you. I actually laughed at her. She wasn't impressed and wheeled out The Look again. Serisously, she had to be kidding. Even if she wasn't, there was no way in hell I was going to start cooking every day for her. She's 17 years of age. I cook dinner at the weekends if she's around which she never is. Honestly, she must think I came down in the last shower. Just got a phone call from her now and she wants me to bring home an apple tart. She nearly got involved in a cat fight at school and she couldn't stay and talk because she wasn't wasting her credit on me. Charming.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Outed by a rainbow belt.Outed by a rainbow belt.
The work crowd here normally don't socialise outside of work. We work in a business park and most people drive, so its rarity we head for drinks of a Friday. Someone suggested it this Friday and I had already had stuff planned for the Friday night. Not that I remembered. I had told the mate J that we would go to some girl rock gig type thingy and perhaps Q&A. Never mind the fact that I had also arranged to meet someone in town that evening to collect a message from them. A meeting over runs and next thing you know, I have to get Mammy2 to go and collect it. I am so disorganised, I think I need to start writing things down. Or get a PA whichever.
I headed over with the workmates for a drink, after chatting with the mate J and getting a ETA for the nights activities. As there is one oither 'family' member on the team, chat inevidetably turns to sexual oreniation. Not in a ," so you're gay 2 fashion. More in a talking in general. I have been out at work since my first job so I have learned that there are other things to talk about when out and about, but if someone brings it up, then I can talk about it. Apparently, one of the guys I was talking to is really good mates with the other 'family' member and said that he had been very nervous about coming out and when he told his work mates, it was such a relief. I can only imagine. I decided not to do down that route and just gauge people's feelings before outing myself. Sometimes there's no
need to come out. In this instance my rainbow belt outed me. According to P, the workmate I was chatting to for the evening. Classic stuff. I don't even need to say anything any more, just arriving in wearing only the Pride flag and this should put all questions out of peoples minds.
The gig was good fun, J was into the music, I thought they were fierce loud and we met up with a few other mates, who were into it as well. I don't know, my musical preference has oft been ridiculed with good reason, but these lot were very loud. However, J had bought me a meerkat shirt and I was beyond chuffed with it. Its perfect, 2 meerkats on the front of it and it fits just right. I LOVE meerkats. They're up there with squirrels and I'm sure if they ever make a mini series about squirrels I'll be watching it.
Mammy2's aunty passed away and we went to the removal on the Saturday evening. Its the first time I've been to a removal since Mam, but strangely enough it didn't cross my mind. I was just worried about Mammy2. She had been quite close to the aunty before she was put in the home as a result of Alzheimer's. After the removal it was back to the family home for tea and sandwiches. Its funny. I feel totally accepted by Mammy'2 family even though our relationship is an issue at times, because Mammy2's mammy worries about what people think. I do feel acc epted and I know that they think of me as family. But and it sounds stupid, but they have this shelf with pictures of all the kids on their wedding day and various family pictures everywhere and there's not one picture of us. Mammy2 has give her various pictures over the years. Like I said, its stupid I know. We're accepted and that should be enough, who cares about a picture on a mantelpiece.
Most of Sunday was the usual, I was up working, they were all in bed until I called them for Sunday dinner. I swear, sometimes I think I am the only one who cares about Sunday dinner. Its not even the case of the dinner, its that we are all up to so much during the week I think its important to sit down and catch up and have dinner. Sort of forced family routine I know, but I guess I'm a traditionalist. Coming from a background where sitting down together for dinner very rarely happened, I think its important. The fact that the telly isn't allowed to be left on makes me very popular. But dinner went down well and the mate K who had stayed over on the Saturday night was impressed with the potatoes. So it was worth it.
The kid was supposed to have a date last night but he cancelled. She was relieved, obviously she's well into him!. She's been going on about trances and how she slips into them and out of them on regular basis these days. How am I supposed to respond to that? Throw holy water at her? Tell her to stop listening to Enigma? Not worry until a day when I walk into the room and she's levitating? Between empathy and trances, I don't know how the mate K keeps a straight face at all. She's going to Cavan with the blue haired mate for Paddies Weekend. I asked her about Mother's day but she said she's not bothered as she hates the day anyways. Mammy2's nephew is having his bday celebrations on that day so I think I might take a trip down to visit Mama Titch and spend some time with her. Its been nearly a year since I've been to the grave and I guess I can only put it off for so long.
I headed over with the workmates for a drink, after chatting with the mate J and getting a ETA for the nights activities. As there is one oither 'family' member on the team, chat inevidetably turns to sexual oreniation. Not in a ," so you're gay 2 fashion. More in a talking in general. I have been out at work since my first job so I have learned that there are other things to talk about when out and about, but if someone brings it up, then I can talk about it. Apparently, one of the guys I was talking to is really good mates with the other 'family' member and said that he had been very nervous about coming out and when he told his work mates, it was such a relief. I can only imagine. I decided not to do down that route and just gauge people's feelings before outing myself. Sometimes there's no
need to come out. In this instance my rainbow belt outed me. According to P, the workmate I was chatting to for the evening. Classic stuff. I don't even need to say anything any more, just arriving in wearing only the Pride flag and this should put all questions out of peoples minds.
The gig was good fun, J was into the music, I thought they were fierce loud and we met up with a few other mates, who were into it as well. I don't know, my musical preference has oft been ridiculed with good reason, but these lot were very loud. However, J had bought me a meerkat shirt and I was beyond chuffed with it. Its perfect, 2 meerkats on the front of it and it fits just right. I LOVE meerkats. They're up there with squirrels and I'm sure if they ever make a mini series about squirrels I'll be watching it.
Mammy2's aunty passed away and we went to the removal on the Saturday evening. Its the first time I've been to a removal since Mam, but strangely enough it didn't cross my mind. I was just worried about Mammy2. She had been quite close to the aunty before she was put in the home as a result of Alzheimer's. After the removal it was back to the family home for tea and sandwiches. Its funny. I feel totally accepted by Mammy'2 family even though our relationship is an issue at times, because Mammy2's mammy worries about what people think. I do feel acc epted and I know that they think of me as family. But and it sounds stupid, but they have this shelf with pictures of all the kids on their wedding day and various family pictures everywhere and there's not one picture of us. Mammy2 has give her various pictures over the years. Like I said, its stupid I know. We're accepted and that should be enough, who cares about a picture on a mantelpiece.
Most of Sunday was the usual, I was up working, they were all in bed until I called them for Sunday dinner. I swear, sometimes I think I am the only one who cares about Sunday dinner. Its not even the case of the dinner, its that we are all up to so much during the week I think its important to sit down and catch up and have dinner. Sort of forced family routine I know, but I guess I'm a traditionalist. Coming from a background where sitting down together for dinner very rarely happened, I think its important. The fact that the telly isn't allowed to be left on makes me very popular. But dinner went down well and the mate K who had stayed over on the Saturday night was impressed with the potatoes. So it was worth it.
The kid was supposed to have a date last night but he cancelled. She was relieved, obviously she's well into him!. She's been going on about trances and how she slips into them and out of them on regular basis these days. How am I supposed to respond to that? Throw holy water at her? Tell her to stop listening to Enigma? Not worry until a day when I walk into the room and she's levitating? Between empathy and trances, I don't know how the mate K keeps a straight face at all. She's going to Cavan with the blue haired mate for Paddies Weekend. I asked her about Mother's day but she said she's not bothered as she hates the day anyways. Mammy2's nephew is having his bday celebrations on that day so I think I might take a trip down to visit Mama Titch and spend some time with her. Its been nearly a year since I've been to the grave and I guess I can only put it off for so long.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
The pressure of Exams
We finally caught up with her yesterday evening. Mammy2 was at home, when she barrelled home, went to bed for 2 hours and then when she finally got up, she announced she was going to hang with the mate K. For the third evening in a row. We have a rule about hanging out on a school night, ie it doesn't usually happen. We are trying not to come down hard on her, but we have to get her to do some work else come the Leaving Cert she won't get the grades she needs to get into art college. I was working late and so when Mammy2 announced the kid was off hanging again, I decided to try and talk to her. Ringing her, she was in a prize snot of a mood. She knows she has to study etc, but she wants to see her mates. As it turns out, they were all ripped into yesterday by the principal for their bad grades. One of the teachers actually said that they should forget about their social life. Ah, I remember those days. Except, I didn't have a social life and I loved studying so there was nothing to worry about there.
There was a bit of arguing back and forth about the time she was expected home at. She said 11, I said 10. She said 10.30, I stayed at. I laid on the guilt trip, about how we understand she needs her time, and all the rest but she also needs to do some school work. I got a Fine, when I knew it was far from fine but she has to know who's in charge. She arrived in at 10.05. Always pushing buttons. She was a bit upset, telling us her depression was getting worse and how she feels like shit. Her empathy is acting up as well. I never know what to make of her empathy to be honest. I don't know whether its real but apparently, she's been having stomach pains because someone in Kildare that she knows online has been ill. I was going to suggest it might be the lack of dinner but decided with her current mood, perhaps not. She has to drop her portfolio into Dun Laoghaire today and then DIT next week. I think.
I can't keep up with the colleges she's applied to or has to drop stuff into. I'm still trying to get her to do Maths. I mentioned it again and she mentioned she was hanging all weekend. All weekend, granted the mere thought of having the place to ourselves for the weekend is enough to make us a happy set of Mammies but she has to start working. We agreed that we would do Maths on Sunday morning, she'd have Sunday dinner and then she could head off to hang. She has a date apparently. She's not too excited about it, its one of her mates. Supposedly there's four of them interested in her. She has no interest in them. She's a strange one. For Mother's day, she wants to go out and glare at people who have a mammy. I think she's harbouring some issues. Its been a month or more since she's seen her counseller and its starting to show. She's ringing her this week and catching up with her. Its strange I guess, I never notice the effects of the counselling until its been a while and she's acting like a woman possessed.
Mammy2 is also sleeping a lot, I think the depression is acting up for both of them, although with it being spring and the evenings getting longer it should be okay. I love Spring, its much nicer then summer because you still have the frosty mornings, the odd day where the rain is coming in torrents and the mornings where the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the people who pass you are frowning whilst you skip to work. Love it! When the sun is shining, you just can't stay in bed.
Perhaps its because I am a culchiee at heart! Up at the crack of dawn, to throw some hay up in the air, cut a bit of turf, have a hang sandwich or 2. I miss the country at times.
There was a bit of arguing back and forth about the time she was expected home at. She said 11, I said 10. She said 10.30, I stayed at. I laid on the guilt trip, about how we understand she needs her time, and all the rest but she also needs to do some school work. I got a Fine, when I knew it was far from fine but she has to know who's in charge. She arrived in at 10.05. Always pushing buttons. She was a bit upset, telling us her depression was getting worse and how she feels like shit. Her empathy is acting up as well. I never know what to make of her empathy to be honest. I don't know whether its real but apparently, she's been having stomach pains because someone in Kildare that she knows online has been ill. I was going to suggest it might be the lack of dinner but decided with her current mood, perhaps not. She has to drop her portfolio into Dun Laoghaire today and then DIT next week. I think.
I can't keep up with the colleges she's applied to or has to drop stuff into. I'm still trying to get her to do Maths. I mentioned it again and she mentioned she was hanging all weekend. All weekend, granted the mere thought of having the place to ourselves for the weekend is enough to make us a happy set of Mammies but she has to start working. We agreed that we would do Maths on Sunday morning, she'd have Sunday dinner and then she could head off to hang. She has a date apparently. She's not too excited about it, its one of her mates. Supposedly there's four of them interested in her. She has no interest in them. She's a strange one. For Mother's day, she wants to go out and glare at people who have a mammy. I think she's harbouring some issues. Its been a month or more since she's seen her counseller and its starting to show. She's ringing her this week and catching up with her. Its strange I guess, I never notice the effects of the counselling until its been a while and she's acting like a woman possessed.
Mammy2 is also sleeping a lot, I think the depression is acting up for both of them, although with it being spring and the evenings getting longer it should be okay. I love Spring, its much nicer then summer because you still have the frosty mornings, the odd day where the rain is coming in torrents and the mornings where the sky is blue, the sun is shining and the people who pass you are frowning whilst you skip to work. Love it! When the sun is shining, you just can't stay in bed.
Perhaps its because I am a culchiee at heart! Up at the crack of dawn, to throw some hay up in the air, cut a bit of turf, have a hang sandwich or 2. I miss the country at times.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Mother's Day in Luigi's
I got a lovely email from Luigi's today telling me how much Mam would like it. I'm pretty sure she would. I dragged her there a couple of times and the look she gave me when whatever I ordered her came out. She was hilarious. Then she'd get tiddly on a glass of wine, try and wrestle me when I went to pay for us and generally give out. Ah fond times. I usually would win the wrestling. She'd claim it was because of her arthritis. Pffft. In Swedish. I think I might have to stick around with the kid for the day as opposed to standing by the grave looking miserable and hoping someone might notice me :) I'm a divil for the dramatic moments I am.
The sister has annouced she is home for a week in May! She's coming home for the Mass and then staying until the Sunday. So I'm going to take the Friday of that weekend off and spend the day with her. It will be cool to have her home for a few days. Got a txt from the kid yesterday announcing she was 'having a bad day' and was off to hang with one of the mates. Just like that? Despite the fact that we have a rule of no hanging on a school night. You'd never know she was sitting her Leaving Cert in less then a few months. She's so blase about the whole thing. Another 93 euros this week, the money will barely be in the account when its leaving it again for her. This time a fee for sitting the exam. I don't ever remember paying a fee to sit your exam? Education these days , costs a fortune.
Last night was more work and then sleep. Never before have I enjoyed crawling into bed at 9.30 as much. For sleep that is ;) I awoke at around 10 thinking it was nearly morning and did a sleepy dance when I realised how early it was.
She was a terror to get up this morning. As I was leaving, she casually, too casually for my liking mentioned she'd be hanging with the mate at the weekend. This is not news. It was the additional bit she murmured under her breath whilst enroute to the kitchen that got my interest. "Oh yeah and D will be hanging around as well" I responded by asking who D was "Oh you remember him from last year, you know..." I didn't and asked for clarification. She waved it off as the usual over protective parent bit. I need to be protective around her, espeically now the word is out that she's single. I think I need to get some sort of spray like you get from the vet when your dog goes into heat. Not that I'm comparing my kid to a dog. Just something similar would be nice. I had thought she might go off men for a while, perhaps the 10 minutes over the weekend was the while. Who knows.
The sister has annouced she is home for a week in May! She's coming home for the Mass and then staying until the Sunday. So I'm going to take the Friday of that weekend off and spend the day with her. It will be cool to have her home for a few days. Got a txt from the kid yesterday announcing she was 'having a bad day' and was off to hang with one of the mates. Just like that? Despite the fact that we have a rule of no hanging on a school night. You'd never know she was sitting her Leaving Cert in less then a few months. She's so blase about the whole thing. Another 93 euros this week, the money will barely be in the account when its leaving it again for her. This time a fee for sitting the exam. I don't ever remember paying a fee to sit your exam? Education these days , costs a fortune.
Last night was more work and then sleep. Never before have I enjoyed crawling into bed at 9.30 as much. For sleep that is ;) I awoke at around 10 thinking it was nearly morning and did a sleepy dance when I realised how early it was.
She was a terror to get up this morning. As I was leaving, she casually, too casually for my liking mentioned she'd be hanging with the mate at the weekend. This is not news. It was the additional bit she murmured under her breath whilst enroute to the kitchen that got my interest. "Oh yeah and D will be hanging around as well" I responded by asking who D was "Oh you remember him from last year, you know..." I didn't and asked for clarification. She waved it off as the usual over protective parent bit. I need to be protective around her, espeically now the word is out that she's single. I think I need to get some sort of spray like you get from the vet when your dog goes into heat. Not that I'm comparing my kid to a dog. Just something similar would be nice. I had thought she might go off men for a while, perhaps the 10 minutes over the weekend was the while. Who knows.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Jellybabies, x files informers and farewells
There are times when I feel its better if I think before I talk or share any information I have. This was noted at J's farewell on Saturday. He left the team a couple of weeks ago, and with the hectic social lives we all lead, it was quite hard to get us all together for a lunch and a few drinks. Finally, Saturday was agreed upon. We had a time and a location. I had arranged to meet the team earlier so we could get the card signed, get the voucher and be all set when he arrives. Of course he's early. Hungover to high hell. Time for Plan B. Play it cool, await arrival of card and then tell him to go to toilet for a while. He was delighted with his card and we did him up a collage of images
from the various meets he was involved in over the years. It turned out to be a long day as we stayed out until late enough.I was wrecked though as the week had been a bit mental so I headed home around 9.30 I think. When I got home, the kid had camped out in our bedroom window waiting for the lunar eclipse. I crawled into bed and told her to call me when something interesting was happening. She never did, she decided I needed my sleep. As I had skipped over all the work I was supposed to do on the Saturday, I was up early enough on Sunday to get started. She was also up. The mate K was helping her 'rebound' and find someone nice to 'meet'. Teenagers. I just nodded in all the right places and went online.
Mammy2 was a tad hungover, she didn't come home when I did. She arrived in later with the other mate J and they were until all hours solving the problems of the world. Mad feckers. Mammy2 surfaced after 4. I got loads of work done with the apartment so quiet. It was great, I could listen to my crap music without people commenting. I had a craving for roast potatoes and didn't feel like just cooking them for myself. So I woke Mammy2 up and told her I was cooking dinner. That got her moving. Well, onto the couch. She was in a bad way the poor thing. I made her tea
and pampered her so she felt a bit better.
Meerkat Manor, dinner and some more work before giving up for the night and watching the telly. Cold Mountain was on. What a long film. I didn't think much of it. I have the soundtrack for it which is good, but the film itself was a bit poo.The kid came out from the room where she was writing her essay and asked what on earth were we watching. All she could hear was screaming and shouting and gunhots. Lovely Sunday night entertainment. She was in grand form thank feck. I had thought after the breakup, she might be a bit out of sorts. The poor boyf wants to try again. She's having none of it. They were supposed to go to the concert on the Saturday night but niether of them were in the mood, so he sold the tickets and headed home. I do feel so sorry for all the poor exs. I mean, they don't seem to have done anything wrong. She just moves on so quickly.
She's pretty pissed off about her mocks. She failed art. I guessed she would have as she missed the 2 main papers. Something about her still life not having enough colour. God help that art teacher, she must have some sort of death wish or something. I had a chat with the kid last night about getting her stuff in order for the actual exams. Her portfolio alone won't get her into art college. She needs to pass a few subjects as well. Its a difficult line to walk when trying to emphasis the importance of studying and exams whilst not trying to put pressure on her. I'm sure she'll do okay, we just need to work along with her.
from the various meets he was involved in over the years. It turned out to be a long day as we stayed out until late enough.I was wrecked though as the week had been a bit mental so I headed home around 9.30 I think. When I got home, the kid had camped out in our bedroom window waiting for the lunar eclipse. I crawled into bed and told her to call me when something interesting was happening. She never did, she decided I needed my sleep. As I had skipped over all the work I was supposed to do on the Saturday, I was up early enough on Sunday to get started. She was also up. The mate K was helping her 'rebound' and find someone nice to 'meet'. Teenagers. I just nodded in all the right places and went online.
Mammy2 was a tad hungover, she didn't come home when I did. She arrived in later with the other mate J and they were until all hours solving the problems of the world. Mad feckers. Mammy2 surfaced after 4. I got loads of work done with the apartment so quiet. It was great, I could listen to my crap music without people commenting. I had a craving for roast potatoes and didn't feel like just cooking them for myself. So I woke Mammy2 up and told her I was cooking dinner. That got her moving. Well, onto the couch. She was in a bad way the poor thing. I made her tea
and pampered her so she felt a bit better.
Meerkat Manor, dinner and some more work before giving up for the night and watching the telly. Cold Mountain was on. What a long film. I didn't think much of it. I have the soundtrack for it which is good, but the film itself was a bit poo.The kid came out from the room where she was writing her essay and asked what on earth were we watching. All she could hear was screaming and shouting and gunhots. Lovely Sunday night entertainment. She was in grand form thank feck. I had thought after the breakup, she might be a bit out of sorts. The poor boyf wants to try again. She's having none of it. They were supposed to go to the concert on the Saturday night but niether of them were in the mood, so he sold the tickets and headed home. I do feel so sorry for all the poor exs. I mean, they don't seem to have done anything wrong. She just moves on so quickly.
She's pretty pissed off about her mocks. She failed art. I guessed she would have as she missed the 2 main papers. Something about her still life not having enough colour. God help that art teacher, she must have some sort of death wish or something. I had a chat with the kid last night about getting her stuff in order for the actual exams. Her portfolio alone won't get her into art college. She needs to pass a few subjects as well. Its a difficult line to walk when trying to emphasis the importance of studying and exams whilst not trying to put pressure on her. I'm sure she'll do okay, we just need to work along with her.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Competing for the affections of a gay man
Its a difficult task, trying to win the affections of a gay man. Mainly because he's not interested in women. As a rule. I am convinced I am win this man over though ;) The competition is quite stiff though,two intelligent, attractive and lest I forget younger women. I shall persevere though. Last night was another social occasion, yes I am aware there's far too many of them. The lovely S from the website, you may remember I mentioned meeting him for the first time a month or so ago, invited a few of us out to his apartment. He is really lovely and ordinarily I wouldn't be visiting people's apartments and socialising with them, but I made an exception in his case. How good am I? Little did I know he lived in the sticks. He claims its not that far from town. Mad fecker. We eventually found the place after wandering around in the cold for around 30 minutes. J, the mate , apparently thinks like a bloke when it comes to asking for directions. Or not asking for directions. We found the place, we were a wee bit late. So we made up for it by being fabulous as always. S gave us the tour of his place. We were impressed. Lots of talks about lots of things, they are a strange bunch. It was quite funny because with the exception of J, I know all the people there through my website. Its great!
I got a taxi home with a not so nice taxi driver. One of those drivers where you feel the need to check the doors to make sure he hasn't locked them and you wonder why he's taking this route as opposed to the one you know. But I got home safe. The kid was still up when I got in and as per usual when I don't see her directly after school, she had loads of chats. She was out for the count when I got home from work. I think she spends more time in bed then
up. She's feeling guilty about dumping the boyf. He wants to try again and make things work but she said there's no point when she's not in love with him anymore. I think she's still going to the concert with him tomorrow evening out of guilt though moreso then anything else. She had bought him 2 tickets for some Masterdon or whatever they are called. Band names these days, are mad. She's staying over in Kellie's tonight which means we have the place to
ourself. Whilst its a lot more common then before, its still great to have an empty apartment. No work tonight, although I have a load to do.
The kid was talking about some new temp teacher that she has her eye. She's trying to find out his name. She also has a cunning plan. I worry when she comes out with these things. Her plan is to get him into the ladies toliets and tie him up. That's it. That's the 'cunning plan'. I found some loopholes in her plan, the main one being how on earth does she get him into the ladies toilets? Does she do a Sirens impersonation and start singing in a high pitched voice
in the hopes that he becomes tranfixed and so floats into the toilets? Who knows? Teenagers I think have way too much time on their hands. She was 'delighted' to hear I would be doing Maths with her every weekend from now on. By the time I am finished with her, she will be able to differenciate from first principles as quickly as she txt. I hope.
I got a taxi home with a not so nice taxi driver. One of those drivers where you feel the need to check the doors to make sure he hasn't locked them and you wonder why he's taking this route as opposed to the one you know. But I got home safe. The kid was still up when I got in and as per usual when I don't see her directly after school, she had loads of chats. She was out for the count when I got home from work. I think she spends more time in bed then
up. She's feeling guilty about dumping the boyf. He wants to try again and make things work but she said there's no point when she's not in love with him anymore. I think she's still going to the concert with him tomorrow evening out of guilt though moreso then anything else. She had bought him 2 tickets for some Masterdon or whatever they are called. Band names these days, are mad. She's staying over in Kellie's tonight which means we have the place to
ourself. Whilst its a lot more common then before, its still great to have an empty apartment. No work tonight, although I have a load to do.
The kid was talking about some new temp teacher that she has her eye. She's trying to find out his name. She also has a cunning plan. I worry when she comes out with these things. Her plan is to get him into the ladies toliets and tie him up. That's it. That's the 'cunning plan'. I found some loopholes in her plan, the main one being how on earth does she get him into the ladies toilets? Does she do a Sirens impersonation and start singing in a high pitched voice
in the hopes that he becomes tranfixed and so floats into the toilets? Who knows? Teenagers I think have way too much time on their hands. She was 'delighted' to hear I would be doing Maths with her every weekend from now on. By the time I am finished with her, she will be able to differenciate from first principles as quickly as she txt. I hope.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Another one bites the dust
The boyf has been dumped. It was on the cards really. The only thing we're upset about is the fact that she was meant to be going to a concert on the Saturday and we'd have the place to ourselves. She's fine about it, he's probably broken hearted! And my guess is she has someone else lined up. Half three this morning, I notice the lights still on in her room, I stumble out into the hallway and stand at the doorway watching her chat to K, the mate. I asked when were they thinking of going to bed? She muttered something about soon so I told her that she was not allowed up this late of a school night and if it happened again, K wasn't allowed stay over. Teenagers are mad, I'm convinced of it.
I was in a strange mood yesterday, which wasn't helped by having an argument with Mammy2. When I say argument, we don't do the break plates screaming at each other sort of arguments. More like the long silences and talking. Very undramatic I know. With her work place, broadband is being re-installed so basically they can't do any work in the office. Because they still treat her like a general dogsbody, she has to work her half day in the office answering phones. That part, whilst I am annoyed with them over their treatment of her I can just about manage. Its when she comes home and works the rest of the day updating their fecking website and by the time 4 o'clock came, she was wrecked. Straight to bed. I arrive in to find the place looking like a tip, no sign of the kid and Mammy2 fast asleep. The kid had cooked dinner the night before, and the rule always is, if you cook dinner you make sure to clean up after yourself. I don't mind her sleeping, I even don't mind the fact that the housework was overlooked, but when its all overlooked and she's exhausted because she's worked for a full day as opposed to the half days she's supposed to be working. I did the washing up, got started on the ironing and eventually called her as we were heading out to a mate's house for the night.
We chatted, or rather I told her I was not impressed with all the work she was doing for her workplace. When you consider the amount of stress they have caused both us and her, financially and emotionally I just could not understand why she would work her ass off for them and then be wrecked for most other things. I have always said our priorities should be family and friends first and everything else second. Whilst I wasn't impressed with the place being a mess, that was only an issue because of the work thing. I think she took on board what I had to say. I felt bad but I had to stand my ground, her working full days will only make her sick again. Not to mention the fact that they want to fire her?! Like seriously. Rant over. Lots of hugs and crises was averted. With no broken plates. And a tidy apartment :)
We met up with a friend,S ,we haven't seen in a while last night. She moved into her new house last year and we still hadn't seen it. She's one of those mates who you can just meet up with and pick up where you left off. Dead sound and not hard work. Her house is lovely and not that far from town. We had a chinese takeaway and a few glasses of wine and caught up with all the news and gossip. Seeing as we hadn't seen her properly in over a year.
The best mate C rang this morning. For a chat like. I had to be picked up off the ground. He even suggested meeting up. I checked for the presence of a blue moon in the sky. Unfortunatly, the sky was blue so I couldn't tell.
I was in a strange mood yesterday, which wasn't helped by having an argument with Mammy2. When I say argument, we don't do the break plates screaming at each other sort of arguments. More like the long silences and talking. Very undramatic I know. With her work place, broadband is being re-installed so basically they can't do any work in the office. Because they still treat her like a general dogsbody, she has to work her half day in the office answering phones. That part, whilst I am annoyed with them over their treatment of her I can just about manage. Its when she comes home and works the rest of the day updating their fecking website and by the time 4 o'clock came, she was wrecked. Straight to bed. I arrive in to find the place looking like a tip, no sign of the kid and Mammy2 fast asleep. The kid had cooked dinner the night before, and the rule always is, if you cook dinner you make sure to clean up after yourself. I don't mind her sleeping, I even don't mind the fact that the housework was overlooked, but when its all overlooked and she's exhausted because she's worked for a full day as opposed to the half days she's supposed to be working. I did the washing up, got started on the ironing and eventually called her as we were heading out to a mate's house for the night.
We chatted, or rather I told her I was not impressed with all the work she was doing for her workplace. When you consider the amount of stress they have caused both us and her, financially and emotionally I just could not understand why she would work her ass off for them and then be wrecked for most other things. I have always said our priorities should be family and friends first and everything else second. Whilst I wasn't impressed with the place being a mess, that was only an issue because of the work thing. I think she took on board what I had to say. I felt bad but I had to stand my ground, her working full days will only make her sick again. Not to mention the fact that they want to fire her?! Like seriously. Rant over. Lots of hugs and crises was averted. With no broken plates. And a tidy apartment :)
We met up with a friend,S ,we haven't seen in a while last night. She moved into her new house last year and we still hadn't seen it. She's one of those mates who you can just meet up with and pick up where you left off. Dead sound and not hard work. Her house is lovely and not that far from town. We had a chinese takeaway and a few glasses of wine and caught up with all the news and gossip. Seeing as we hadn't seen her properly in over a year.
The best mate C rang this morning. For a chat like. I had to be picked up off the ground. He even suggested meeting up. I checked for the presence of a blue moon in the sky. Unfortunatly, the sky was blue so I couldn't tell.
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