Dave S and Joel

Dave S and Joel
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

I just had to post this picture that Lana took on Saturday night. Two of my favourite guys, who have obviously developed a fondness for each other!

Dave S says it was the least he could do after slagging off Australian cricket and rugby!

Me and Wolf Blass

Melinda and Wolf Blass
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

I'm back from London, safe and sober, though you might not believe that from this photo!

Dave & Me

Dave & Melinda
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

Don't ask.

Lana, Elaine, Dave S, Debbie, Dave A, Kate, Me, Joel & Karen

Lana, Elaine, Dave S, Debbie, Dave A, Kate, Melinda, Joel & Karen
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

Carluccio's Restaurant, Canary Wharf, London

Joel

Joel
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

He was trying to steal my wine! Typical Aussie!

Lana, Karen, Dave S, Joel, Me, Kate, Dave A, Elaine and Debbie

Lana, Karen, Dave S, Joel, Melinda, Kate, Dave A, Elaine and Debbie
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

At Carluccio's restaurant, Canary Wharf

Dave & Me

Dave & Melinda
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

Awwww, isn't that sweet? But don't get any ideas, he was only leaning over my shoulder to read the menu!

Off to Wreak Havoc

It's off to London today! I've been looking forward to this for months now, heading down there to meet up with friends from the MWSC. It's just a shame not everyone can be there (and that means you, Diana and Bine!).

I'm almost packed. Not that there's a whole lot to pack for one night. It's all going very nicely into my backpack, although it's quite heavy due to a bottle of Wolf Blass in the bottom of it ...

Now I'm in the midst of a shoe debate with myself. Do I wear my boots down there and pack my ballet slipper-type shoes? Do I just wear the ballets? Do I forget about them totally and wear the boots? Does anyone really care?

Report and pics when I'm back tomorrow!

If I Didn't Have Bad Luck ...

I spent all day yesterday suffering with gall stones, and I thought that, surely, today would be a better day!

Well I was wrong.

No pain today, or, at least, what there is is tolerable. I was thankful because I needed to go to uni to meet up with my mooting partner to go over our "case" before we have to present it. I was so busy replying to a text from him that I didn't notice that the parking signs had been changed on that road since the last time I parked there.

So I got a ticket. Just my bloody luck. I've never had a ticket before. At least I can still say I've never had a speeding ticket (knock on wood).

I had planned on colouring my hair tonight, but with my luck, it would probably turn green!

Good For a Laugh!

Kate emailed this link to me yesterday, and I highly recommend it for a real laugh. I was having a major gall stone attack and still had tears in my eyes from laughing so hard! So go on, click HERE and chuckle to your heart's content!

Congratulations!

Yippee! Shell has passed her driving test! I told her I wouldn't say anything if she failed, but she passed, and I never promised not to mention it if she passed!

S**t

Nothing surprises me anymore. The British Big Brother viewing public would rather have an age-ist peroxide blonde, who does nothing but whinge about losing her lippy or running out of foundation and who hasn't got a clue what a gynocologist, communism or capitalism are, in the House than a politician or a sporting legend.

At least George spoke proper English. Someone please send Chantelle to elocution lessons. She's a poster child for what's wrong in education today. Girls are more concerned with their looks than their minds.

And at least Dennis was a genuine celebrity. She may have moaned "Who the hell is Dennis Rodman?", but I'm willing to wager money that she's never played for a championship basketball team or won an Olympic gold medal.

I've also noticed that she's the only one who hasn't nominated a charity for the proceeds from voting to go to.

You got that, Essex "gel"?

Life is Back to Normal

The strange goings-on of yesterday have ended. Today was back to "normal", whatever normal means in my life. I couldn't get the boys moving to get ready for school this morning, though they did get there on time. I had to go to the dentist myself to have two old fillings replaced with bright shiny new ones. I never realised that fillings got old and wore out. I think I had those since I was 12 years old, so I suppose that means they were antiques.

Tae Kwon Do was a hard work out since there are a couple of us preparing for the tournament next month. Thank heavens I'm not the only one! I think the black stripe who is competing is on the English national team. He was helping me with some technique today and was really nice, so I hope he does very well! Maybe he'll be on the Olympic team, and if I end up going to watch in 2012, it would be so cool to actually see someone there I know!

Simon's barely shifted again today except to take me to the tram and pick me up again.

I'm so ready to go to sleep, but I can't do it until I find out who the two evictees are tonight on Big Brother! Sad, I know.

Ricky's Birthday Pics

Typical Atypical Day

Have you ever had one of those days where everything that happened seemed relatively normal but not so normal at the same time? I'm not on drugs. I promise! I haven't even taken any codeine!

First thing this morning we had a visitor, Andrew. That was normal. He's a lovely guy who drops by out of the blue whenever he's in the area, and I always enjoy his visits. Why is it not so normal? He's Simon's ex-wife's cousin.

Jack has brought a friend home from school today. That's normal. The boys have friends call for them frequently, especially during the summer months. Why is it not so normal? The boys are being so well-behaved I hardly know they're upstairs.

Simon has spent most of the day on his computer. That's definitely normal. He's practically glued to that chair. Why is it not so normal? He's only spent part of the day on the computer. He went outside, in the cold, and washed his Jeep today.

On their own, unremarkable. Together they have given today a strange feeling. Not an unpleasant one, just a weird one.

You Just Have to Laugh

Big Brother has piped in music for the incarcerated celebs: "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.

Chantelle, in her infinite wisdom, squealed and yelled, "Cool! It's Vanilla Ice!"

So young. So dumb.

What's Happening on Melinda's Planet?

Not a whole lot. You can tell because, for the past couple of days, I've been blogging rubbish. I go through spurts where I have tons of things I think are witty or clever. They might not be witty or clever to anyone else, but it keeps me amused and out of trouble. The past couple of days there has been a void of intelligence in my head. Negative intelligence. An intelligence vacuum.

I did have a phone call from my mummy last night, which is always a big event for me, and I had an email from my Aunt Glenda today. That was a big deal because it's the first one I've had from her since Hurricane Rita destroyed her house.

Evidently my sister is off to Iraq soon. She's non-military and should only be there six months. I know a few people who have gone over as non-military personnel. Sounds like there's good money in it. I'd do it if it weren't for the kids. Oh, and if I had any useful skills. I don't think they're looking for historians or criminologists.

Malorie has decided not to continue her course at sixth form next year. She's been doing a vocational course, though I've never been entirely sure what the qualification at the end of it was supposed to be. She wants to do a hairdressing and beauty therapy course at the local college instead. I think that's a good move for her, and I've been encouraging her and helping her get applications sorted. She told her dad today that she wants to do it and that it is a three year course, and he was not impressed one bit that she's not going to drop everything and move to Texas as soon as she turns 18. Braden has also applied to do a course at college. Since he wants to "pimp" cars, he's applied for a course in body repair, painting, etc. I had high hopes for him going to university, but more than that, I want him to do what makes him happy. He can still go to uni afterwards. For what he wants to do as a career, the body repair knowledge and qualifications certainly won't hurt.

We had a ball celebrating Ricky's birthday yesterday. I told him I'll take him shopping this week to let him pick some things out because I just couldn't find anything that I thought he'd like. He's nine now, and half the stuff I saw seemed to babyish while the other half seemed to old for him. He liked the idea of shopping for himself.

And since my birthday is coming up soon, Simon has taken every opportunity over the past few days to tell me that I'm an old git. It's not even my 40th birthday yet, but he's counting down the days until I turn 40. That's what I get for marrying a younger man. Again. I should have remembered from the last time. Even when they look older than me.

I had to say that. I know my ex reads this!

Celebrity Big Brother Hash

I created a meal tonight after being inspired by Celebrity Big Brother, in particular, by Michael Barrymore's cooking.

6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper (capsicum), diced
extra virgin olive oil
1 package Quorn pieces
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook the potatoes, onion and pepper in the olive oil until cooked through. Then add the Quorn pieces and cook until they are cooked through and the potatoes are light brown. Remove from heat and top with the cheese. Serve when the cheese has melted.

Why was this inspired by Celebrity Big Brother? I saw Michael cooking some potatoes and onions in olive oil and it looked delicious. Adding the Quorn was inspired by the row over the vegetarians getting to order more while the non-vegetarians ordered a chicken. The green pepper was inspired by Dennis saying he was in there to add "colour" (as in interest) to the show. The cheese was inspired by Traci's eternal cheesy grin and attitude.

I need to get a life. Or at least a decent cookbook. Still, the family loved it. I think the dog did, too, because I cooked too much.

Evict Her!

Chantelle is up for eviction. Please evict her! She's almost out of foundation, and I'm worried that, if she doesn't come out of that house soon so that her mum can buy her more, she'll need to be sectioned!

Stupid Quotes (Again)

I just have to do it one more time ...


David Beckham

"My parents have been there for me ever since I was about seven."

Pamela Anderson

"Natural beauty takes at least two hours in front of the mirror."

Shayne Ward

"Sometimes, if I'm driving, I get the urge to open the door really wide when another car comes past."

Peter Andre

"Breasts really aren't that important to me."

Teri Hatcher

"I will never pay for dinner again. I don't have to marry a gazillionaire, but I don't want to pay for dinner."

Paris Hilton

"I believed in Santa until I was 17, when some mean person told me it wasn't true."

Jordan

"We'd love to have a little girl. I'd have to call her Pink or Princess, because she'd be my princess."

Source: SkyNews Showbiz

I Need to Rethink This ...

Lately I have had several conversations with people (including with Simon) about how I just don't fancy younger men like I used to. I think the youngest man I do find very attractive is Mark Webber, who was born in 1976, so he'll be 30 this year. The majority of my women friends agree with me that the baby-faced pop star types just don't do it for us like they used to. For me, it's probably down to having a teen-aged son, so I tend to identify celebrities like Jenson Button (who my daughter drools over) and the guys at uni with Braden.

However, I might have to make an exception ...

In today's Tae Kwon Do class, we were working on some self-defense exercises, and my instructor paired me up with a girl who has only just started training. He assigned one of the black belts to help us out. Now, I've never seen this guy in our classes before, and I didn't really pay attention to him until he started grabbing my hand and holding it to his chest to demonstrate moves! I thought, geez ... that's some pec he's got there! I can't work out how old he is though. He could be 25, 30 or even 35. At least that's what I keep telling myself, that he could possibly be in the older range.

I had already mentioned that I have a daughter who turns 17 in just over a week, so I'm sure he just thought of me as a "safe" person to demonstrate on. And Simon doesn't have anything to worry about. My philosophy is: it doesn't matter where you get your appetite as long as you go home to eat!

My Friend the Actress!

I wish I'd put this on my blog yesterday. A friend of mine from my school days, Amy Farrington, was on an episode of "Twins" last night. It was on the WB station (whatever that is), and they are evidently replaying it on Sunday. I'm not sure if they'll ever show it in the UK, but a friend of mine recorded it and is going to send me a copy to watch.

I found a link to last night's episode.

Anyway, I thought I'd give Amy a bit of a plug! You go girl!

Happy Birthday Ricky!

My little Ricky Monster is nine years old today! What a big boy!

I love you very much, Ricky! XXX

Well Crap

The public voted Rula out! How horrible!



And we're left with this! Yuck!

Big Brother Auditions

I found out that "Big Brother" is having auditions for their next series. I'm thinking of going along, just for a laugh. I can't see me being locked into the House for three months because I'd miss my kids waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much, though if they paid me enough to do it, I'm sure I could come to some arrangement with my ex! It could set the kids up with a university fund, that's for sure!

Do they actually pay you to go in there? Probably not. In that case, I'll just go along to say I did it. I said that once before when I thought it would be a laugh to audition for "The Weakest Link".

I also just realised that I'd also miss a huge chunk of the Formula One season!

Alternative Therapies?

Lately I've been looking into alternative therapies and natural healing. Now, this isn't to replace my local GP or anything like that, but some of these philosophies have been around centuries. My thinking is that they can't have lasted this long without some kind of benefit being found, even if it's only a mental benefit. After all, many modern medicines come from plants, herbs, etc.

I've always enjoyed aromatherapy. Maybe that's why I like smelly candles, because some of the scents can be very soothing or evoke certain memories.

The past couple of months, Simon has been suffering from boils in his armpits (I know, EWWWWWWWWWW!), and he's been on two lots of strong anti-biotics with no lasting effect. As soon as the course of tablets is over, the boils come back. Now even he is hoping that a bit of aromatherapy can at least ease the pain if nothing else. I've found that, in the midst of a gall stone attack, lavender oil is calming. It doesn't take away the pain, but it's a soothing influence.

Maybe I should tell Simon that we should realign his chakras! He might send for the men in white coats to come take me away! That would be a great holiday!

I Have to Pick on the Celebs ...

I resisted yesterday, but I can't now. I hafta do it! Have a look at this story first:

Poor Dennis came in for a spot of early-morning ribbing this morning, before he'd even had chance to grab his brekkie, as perky Chantelle decided to exercise her wind-up muscle.

As the gargantuan basketballer pensively went about his morning business, Chantelle sat up in bed, subjecting him to relentless questioning.

"Why? Why? Why?" she asked in response to his involuntary mumbles. "Why Dennis? Why?"

"Do you wanna do this all day?" he asked.

"Why?" came the response.

After a couple of minutes of non-stop whys (but no hows or whats) Dennis became visibly rattled.

"Go take a shower," he demanded.

"Why?" said Chantelle.

"Enough of this sh*t," he replied.

"Why?" came the surprise reaction.

Whilst Dennis escaped into the bathroom for a wash, Chantelle's dulcet tones could still be heard - singing "Why, Why, Why, Delilah?" - from inside the bedroom. Finally the Essex girl gave up and went into the shower.

"Do you need any help?" asked helpful Hotrod.

"I reckon I'll be alright this time," answered Chantelle.

"Why," countered Dennis, looking pleased with himself.

"I can feel it in my bones," replied Chantelle.

"Why?" asked Dennis.

"Why?" repeated Chantelle.

"OK, I'm gonna shut up," said Dennis.

Altogether now. "Why?" asked Chantelle.

Now who'da thought that the mighty Dennis could be cracked so easily by our Essex Princess?

Damn, that girl's good.


From Channel4.com

"Damn, that girl's good"?????? That's the kid of game Ricky and Jack play, and they're both 8 years old (until Ricky turns 9 tomorrow). Chantelle is how old? 23? And they think she's clever for that? This is the girl who, when asked by Maggot "What is the capital of France?", replied, "Belgium? No, Brussels!"

Damn, that girl's either really dumb or deserving of a BAFTA!

A Message for Michelle

Yes, Shell. The programme you were wondering about on Living TV is "Close to Home". I saw the advert last night when I was watching "Boston Legal". I didn't catch when it starts though. At least we know for sure what it's called now.

I thought I would surprise you by leaving the message here instead of sending a boring ol' text message!

A Ladybird Story

This morning I went to the dentist for my six month check-up. I was about three months overdue, making it more of a nine month check-up, but that's beside the point.

In the waiting room, I picked up a magazine. It had the dubious honour of having Britney Spears on the cover, but it was the magazine on top, and I preferred to flick through the pages rather than stare off into space.

There was a little boy, probably only two or three years old, playing next to me, and he walked straight up and said, "I've got a ladybird, but he has a leg missing. My mum pulled it off". His mum blushed bright red and said, "I did no such thing", but the boy insisted that she had.

I told him I didn't believe his mum had pulled the ladybird's leg off. Instead, I told him, "Perhaps a bird thought he would eat the ladybird and grabbed him by the leg, but the ladybird got away from him. He's a brave ladybird."

The little boy was fascinated and kept nodding at me with wide eyes, so I added, "That ladybird is a hero".

Unfortunately, a few seconds later the ladybird took flight and tried to hide under the couch I was sitting on, sending the toddler into tears. With the benefit of long fingernails, I scooped him out from under the furniture and gave him back to the distraught boy. He was relieved.

I wonder where that ladybird is now.

Overheard on a Playground

It's amazing the things people say when they're waiting for their kids to come out of school. A few mums were standing around discussing one of the mum's upcoming wedding.

Bride Mum: "We bought wedding rings this weekend. He wanted to get matching rings, but I think that is so gay! Besides, matching rings are so old-fashioned looking. I made him get a silver one."

Other Mum: "You made him?"

Bride Mum: "Yes, I made him because the silver one was the one I liked."

Other Mum: "Is your mum having a new outfit for the wedding?"

Bride Mum: "God, I hope not. She can just wear something out of her wardrobe". *insert rolling eyes* "She's a nightmare to shop with."

I feel sorry for her husband-to-be.

The Doctor Calls

It's very rare that anyone rings me at home. Most people who want to get in touch with me ring my mobile, so when the landline rang and it was for me, I assumed it was for either Malorie or Simon. When Simon shouted me (I was upstairs pulling Jack's hair out -- I'll explain why shortly) and said it was Dr Cook, I was surprised.

I had a blood test on Tuesday, and standard procedure is that you wait a week and ring the surgery for the results. It wasn't comforting that it has been two days and the doctor was ringing me! It was even less comforting that I used to work for that surgery, and the standard line that we receptionists/secretaries were told to give concerned patients was, "If there were anything to worry about, the doctor would have called you personally".

The doctor called me personally. He had only ordered the blood tests as sort of a precaution while we're waiting for my ultrasound appointment at the hospital to come through. He wasn't expecting to have my liver function test to come back abnormal. It probably sounds more worrying than it is. It's not very abnormal, just not in the normal range for an LFT. He did say that that happens sometimes due to gall stones and can be an indicator confirming that particular diagnosis. Standard procedure would be for me to have an ultrasound, which I'm already due to have anyway. And I have to have the test repeated in a month. Hopefully I can get an appointment with the same nurse because she was really good. Never felt any pain when she drew the blood, and she didn't leave a bruise.

So, fingers crossed that it's just from the gall stones. I'm not going to worry until I know it's caused by something else. Well, I won't worry too much anyway!

Oh yeah, and why was I pulling Jack's hair out? Ricky got a microscope for Christmas, and we were doing an experiment comparing all of our hair. Jack's the only blond (Malorie has coloured her hair), so I was trying to convince him to let me pull just one out! See, there's a logical explanation for everything!

Procrastination Day

Today should have been a day where I caught up on dissertation research, started working on my case for the upcoming moot and perhaps did some cleaning in the living room. Now it's afer 2.00 and I'm wondering what I've accomplished today.

Sod all.

In an hour I have to pick up the monsters from school, so there's no point trying to do much work now. I could start cleaning the living room, but instead I'm sitting here blogging. What a life I lead ...

I have a partial excuse. I didn't sleep well because of the abdominal pain. I seem to be able to fight it off during the day with the codeine, but at night, once that wears off, I wake up because it's bloody uncomfortable having indigestion-like pains rip through your stomach. Perhaps I should do what I did to Ricky yesterday when he had a stomach bug.

Poor baby, he woke up throwing his guts up (a sign that he's not faking so he can stay home from school), and after a few hours of on and off nausea and vomiting, he was complaining of stomach cramps. As you do. He was fretting over them, so I got out my lavender massage oil and put some on his shoulders. He relaxed instantly. I'm not sure whether it was a lavender or the fact that I appeared to be doing something to help him, like a placebo effect. I rubbed a bit on his tummy because my aromatherapy guide said that doing that is good for stomach ailments and period pains. Well, it was Ricky, so it obviously wasn't the latter.

I guess I better lay in a supply of lavender oil. I hear the health food store in town has it in their half-price sale. I hope they have plenty left!

A-Z of Celebrity Baby Names

Sky News Showbiz has a list of what they call "oddball baby names". Yes, most of them on this list show that they weren't thinking of the baby when choosing the name, but not all of them are "oddball". For example, they list JK Rowling's baby Mackenzie as a weird name. I think it's a lovely name, and I have a nephew named McKenzie, so I will defend that one. Ella is also a lovely name. But here's their list:

Ace - Natalie Appleton & Liam Howlett.
Amandine - John Malkovich.
Apple - Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin.
Arpad Flynn - Elle MacPherson.
Assisi - Jade Jagger.
Atticus William MacNaughton - Tony Adams.
Aurelius - Elle MacPherson.
Ava - Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Philippe.
Banjo Patrick - Rachel Griffiths.
Beatrice Milly - Paul & Heather McCartney.
Betty Kitten - Jane Goldman & Jonathan Ross.
Bibi Belle - Anna Ryder Richardson.
Blossom - Kacey Ainsworth.
Bobby Jack & Freddy - Jade Goody & Jeff Brazier.
Brooklyn - Posh & David Beckham.
Caspar - Claudia Schiffer & Matthew Vaughn.
Chester - Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks.
Clementine - Claudia Schiffer & Matthew Vaughn.
Cosima - Nigella Lawson.
Coco Riley - Courteney Cox & David Arquette.
Corey MacKenzie - Suzanne Shaw & Darren Day.
Cruz - David & Victoria Beckham.
Daisy Boo - Jamie Oliver.
Dakota - Melanie Griffith & Don Johnson.
Dandelion - Keith Richard.
Dashiell Michael - Helen Fielding.
Dixie Dot - Anna Ryder Richardson.
Dweezil - Frank Zappa
Elijah Bob Patricus Guggi Q - Bono.
Ella - Sophie Raworth/ John Travolta & Kelly Preston/ Eric Clapton.
Fifi Trixabelle - Paula Yates & Bob Geldof.
Finlay - Sadie Frost.
Florence - Rupert Penry-Jones & Dervla Kirwan.
Geronimo - Alex James.
Gracie - Anna Friel and David Thewlis.
Harvey - Jordan/ Jane Goldman & Jonathan Ross.
Heavenly Hirrani Tiger Lily - Paula Yates & Michael Hutchence.
Henry Guenther Ademola Dashtu Samuel - Heidi Klum and Seal (whose last name is Samuel).
Homer - Richard Gere.
Honey - Jane Goldman & Jonathan Ross/ Gail Porter.
Iris - Sadie Frost & Jude Law.
Jaden Gil and Jaz Elle - Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
Jett - John Travolta & Kelly Preston.
Junior - Jordan & Peter Andre.
Kal-El - Nicolas Cage and Alice Kim.
Kiki - Charlie Brooks.
Laird Vonne - Sharon Stone.
Lennon - Liam Gallagher.
Levi Roan Green - Uma Thurman & Ethan Hawke.
Lola - Sara Cox.
Lila Grace - Kate Moss & Jefferson Hack.
Lily - Kerry Katona & Brian McFadden.
Lourdes - Madonna.
Mackenzie - JK Rowling.
Maddox - Angelina Jolie.
Marina Pearl - Matt LeBlanc & Melissa McKnight.
Martha Sky Hope - Ulrika Jonsson & Lance Gerrard-Wright.
Milo - Liv Tyler & Royston Langdon.
Mingus Lucien - Helena Christensen.
Misty Kyd - Sharleen Spiteri
Molly - Mariella Frostrup/ Kerry Katona & Brian McFadden.
Moon Unit - Frank Zappa.
Nell Marmalade - Helen Baxendale.
Ocean, True & Sonnet - Forest Whitaker.
Paris - Michael Jackson.
Peaches - Paula Yates & Bob Geldof.
Phinnaeus & Hazel - Julia Roberts & Danny Moder.
Phoebe - Vernon Kay & Tess Daly.
Pilot Inspektor - Jason Lee.
Pixie - Paula Yates & Bob Geldof.
Preston Michael - Britney Spears and Kevin Federline.
Prince and Prince Michael II - Michael Jackson.
Racer, Rebel, Rocket - Robert Rodriguez.
Rafferty & Rudy - Sadie Frost & Jude Law.
Ripley - Thandie Newton.
Rocco - Madonna & Guy Ritchie.
Rolan - Marc Bolan.
Roman - Cate Blanchett.
Romeo - Posh & David Beckham.
Ryder Russell - Kate Hudson & Chris Robinson.
Rufus Tiger - Roger Taylor
Sailor - Christie Brinkley.
Satchel - Spike Lee/ Woody Allen.
Scout LaRue, Rumer & Tallulah - Demi Moore & Bruce Willis.
Tallulah - Jessie Wallace/ Angela Griffin.
Tianie-Finn - Duncan James (Blue) and ex Claire.
Truman - Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks.
Wilf - Hermione Norris.
Willow - Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith.
Valentino Luca and Roman - Melanie Sykes.
Ziggy - Bob Marley.
Zola - Eddie Murphy.
Zowie (Duncan Zowie) - David Bowie.


Last Updated: 08:59 UK, Monday February 21, 2005

Webber's World

Webber's World
Originally uploaded by mkknowles.

Here's the proof of obtaining one of my lifetime goals! My copy arrived today, and I'm really impressed with how good it looks!

The next time I have a chance, I'm going to ask Mark to sign it for me!

Oh My!

Well, Celebrity Big Brother is getting good! George and Preston have broken the rules by discussing who they nominated, so, as punishment, they have to nominate the next three up for eviction ... with the others watching! They don't know the others are watching. Come on, guys! You two are amongst the cleverest in the house. Even Chantelle had a sneaking suspicion that the others were watching when she was outted as the non-celeb!

Woooooo, there's going to be some major tension in the house ... It's like watching a train crash. You just can't take your eyes off!

So the next three are:

Traci (thank goodness!):


Maggot (awww, I like the guy!)


Rula (a classy lady):

Celeb Big Brother Kicks Another One Out

Faria's gone ...



I know, yesterday I said I didn't want her to go, but by this evening, I had changed my mind. It was the race thing she pulled yesterday. I know there is a lot of prejudice in this country, but feeling I got was that we have all been tarnished with the same brush. George was visibly upset by the insinuation, and I had to agree with him.

Now, if Traci had been up for eviction, I would have had my fingers crossed for her to go!

Miserable Wednesday

What a great start to the day: gall stones and Ricky throwing up. I was going to go to Tae Kwon Do this afternoon, but his dad won't be picking him up until around three o'clock. Besides, just because my gall stone attack eased off during my lesson last week doesn't mean it would happen again. I still really hate to miss it!

If I can convince Ricky not to throw up while he's alone here with Simon, I might make it though ...

I did have my copy of Webber's World come in today's post! There's a picture of me in a group of other people with the article I wrote ... but it identified me as Kate! Since it's one of those "pink marshmallow" pictures, I don't mind as much, but at least it didn't specify which person was supposed to be Kate. Those of us who don't know us can assume she's the cute blond in the front!

Later ...

I went to Tae Kwon Do, only to find out that my class was cancelled! They're sitting exams in the gym below the fitness studio where we have classes, and the people who run the sport centre forgot to tell my instructor. He said I was welcome to go to his public class tonight, which is held not far from the campus, but I'd just sent Shell a message to say I'd be up to have a coffee with her tonight.

I should have trusted my instinct and stayed home instead of wasting time and diesel driving into Sheffield and back.

Down a Dangerous Path

I told myself that I would go off my diet for Christmas Day. I'd planned it that way, and I said I wouldn't be disappointed if I put on a bit of weight that week.

Is Christmas Day over yet? If it has, please someone tell me because I'm eating like it still is!

Somehow, probably due to four hours a week of Tae Kwon Do, I've only put on a couple of pounds, and I've noticed that my stomach is getting flatter. That's down to crunches in TKD lessons and the gym ball I now have as a permanent fixture in my living room. Every time I think about it, I go do sit ups on it.

I need a regular pattern and structure. I need a routine. When lectures start again, I'll be back in the gym three days a week and continue my martial arts twice a week. Let's hope I don't outgrow my size 12s between now and then!

One Goal Accomplished!

In my list of 25 things I want to do in my lifetime, one item is "Have something I've written published". Little did I know that would come about so quickly ...

Today I found out that an article I wrote is in this quarter's Webber's World, the fanzine for Mark Webber. I know it's not the same as having a novel published, but it is a publication that's read internationally and has even been mentioned in F1 Racing magazine recently.

One goal down, 24 to go!

Dissertation Research

I finally figured out how to have my dissertation questionnaire posted onto the university intranet conference today. The administrator put it on the student noticeboard at 3.12 this afternoon.

I fully expected to receive a total of maybe 20 (if I was lucky) responses, but in the past two hours, I've received 12! Hey, that's not bad! There are a lot of students who are still away since lectures and seminars don't start until the 30th of this month, and my questionnaire will be online for a month, so I might just double my expectations! The more I get, the more valid my results.

Looking good!

David Coulthard On Form

I've always been a David Coulthard fan (he's second only to Mark Webber in my eyes), but you've got to love the cool, laid-back, even raunchy DC now that he's at Red Bull Racing, as opposed to the corporate robot DC when he was with McLaren!

He was at Autosport this weekend, and here's a treat in mp3 form!

Beware, not for the faint of heart!

Yes, I'm Still Watching It ...

Lest anyone think I've forgotten Celebrity Big Brother ... There are three more "inmates" up for eviction!


Pete -- please vote him out! I really enjoy watching him, and I will miss him when he's gone, but he sooooo wants to be out of there! Set him free!


Faria -- I like her! Leave her in! She's so like me, apart from the fact I've never slept with Sven Goren Erickson!


Dennis -- No, don't vote him out either. He's a cool guy, and not bad on the eyes, if you can get past the horns sticking out of his nose.


And don't tell me Preston doesn't have a thing for Chantelle! I've seen that look he's been giving her. Okay, maybe it's been a long time since anyone has looked at me like that, but I still know it when I see it! The kissy-kissy, hand holding, tickle-fest gives it away.

Getting to Know You

Yes, I received another one. I emailed it on to a few friends but I've gotten where I like posting them here as well.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 10 a.m.

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Pride and Prejudice

4. What is your favorite TV show? CSI, although I'm addicted to Celebrity Big Brother at the moment

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? some sort of cereal bar, porridge oats or toast

6. Favorite cuisine? Mexican

7. What is your middle name? Kaye

8. What food do you dislike? Peas

9. What is your favorite CD at the moment? HIM - Dark Light

10. What kind of car do you drive? Mitsubishi Shogun

11. Favorite sandwich? Chicken and cheddar cheese, all melted on a bagel

12. What characteristic do you despise? Hypocrisy

13. Favorite item of clothing? Anything comfy, usually jogging bottoms and t-shirts

14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you
go? Australia

15. What color is your bathroom? Lavender, white and silver

16. Favorite brand of clothing? Whatever I can afford that looks good but I usually shop places like Peacocks and Primark

17. Where would you retire to? London, I love that city!

18. What was your most recent memorable birthday? I don't have birthdays anymore, I'll just suddenly turn 40 and have a big party, then stop having them again

19. Favorite sport to watch? Formula One

20. Furthest place you are sending this? Australia (I emailed it to Pete and Merridy. He's on the Gold Coast, she's in Sydney, so I think Merridy wins as the furthest!)

21. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? No one, it's on my blog

22. Person you expect to send it back first? I thought Pete would have been the first to reply with some kind of daft answers, but he's disappeared again

23. Favorite saying? Shit happens

24. When is your birthday? Too soon ...

25. Are you a morning person or a night person? This time of year I'm a night person because it's gets dark before 4.00 and I don't want to get up in the mornings. During spring and summer, I'm a morning person, even though it doesn't go dark until 11.00 pm.

26. What is your shoe size? 5 in the UK, 7.5 in the US

27. Pets: Mitch, the labrador/Staffordshire bull terrier mix, and Monty, the bearded dragon

28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Competing in my first Tae Kwon Do competition next month. Don't know if that's exciting to anyone but me, but there you go.

29. What did you want to be when you were little? A princess, a teacher, a nurse

30. How are you today? I had an exam first thing this morning and it gave me a headache. :-(

31. What is your favorite candy? Anything chocolate

32. What is your favorite flower? Carnations

33. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? The day I graduate this year, the British Grand Prix in June, Kate's hen night and wedding in April, and my weekend away in London with the MWSC two weekends from now. Sorry, I couldn't narrow it down. It's going to be a pretty good year.

Exam Stress

Well, my administrative law exam is over. All my coursework is handed in. And how have I rewarded myself? I've napped most of the day and pigged out on toast with hazelnut and chocolate spread. Spread is what my hips will do, but it was a treat and boy did I enjoy it!

I'm Improving!

Wow, I had such a buzz after Tae Kwon Do today! My instructor said that my chon-ji pattern has improved so much in the past week that I stand a chance of actually winning in the tournament next month!

I'm not as confident as he is because I'm not sure whether he really meant it (he is sometimes a judge at these tournaments) or if he's trying to boost my confidence, but I still felt good at hearing him say it! There's still an issue of nerves on the day of the tournament, regardless of how good I am, and there's also the issue of me tripping and falling flat on my face. Occasionally, when I'm in the middle of practicing the pattern, my foot sticks to the floor when it should be sliding gracefully, or I kick the back of my other leg and stumble. I'm trying not to think of those things, but at least I have the mentality that I will laugh at myself, pick myself up and try again another day if that does happen in the middle of competing!

Pointless Celebs Say the Dumbest Things

This first one is just for Kate:

Sara Cox

"I love a man who can kill and cook a pig."

Jodie Marsh

"Is an egg a vegetable?"

Coleen McLoughlin

"There was lots of speculation that I was pregnant when I was pictured in a bikini and had a bit of a tummy. It was all the result of too many big dinners!"

Britney Spears

"I can be in the dumps of dumpsters and go put on a pair of new shoes and then it's OK."> (Makes me wonder where she gets those shoes if she's crawling around in dumpsters ...)

Orlaith McAllister

"Last year no one knew me, now I get free entry to clubs and invites to celebrity parties." (I still don't have a clue who she is!)

From SkyNews Showbiz

YYYEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!

She's out! Jodie's out! Yippee! I hope she watches the tapes of the show and sees just how she moaned constantly!

"Is an egg a vegetable? What is an egg, what category does it come under? Is it a mineral?"

On the performance task: "The reason I am famous is because I'm a little but mental and I've got a lot of determination"

"All my boyfriends have been poor as shit. But with big willies! That's where I'm going wrong I think."

"I wanna have some fun. Like I want to get naked in the pool and play silly games, something where we have to strip or snog someone. I don't think people will join in ... I just want to have some fun. I don't want debates."

To Dennis: "We could have sex I just wouldn't want to go out with you."

On Faria: "She is famous cos she slept with a famous man behind his girlfriends back ... I don't like that. I respect people who are famous for doing something or who have got there off their own back or who have worked hard to get there."

Dennis: "So what do you do?"

From Channel4.com

If this post demonstrates anything, it's that I shouldn't watch Big Brother and blog after I've opened the bottle of Baileys ...

Another BB Moan

I know. If I have to whinge about it, don't watch it. But perhaps I watch it so I can whinge. Besides, it's my blog. I'm happy to post my whinging here. Saves Simon giving me funny looks for saying these things outloud.

Jodie wants people to not think of her as a slag. But this is just a taste of her typical conversation in the BB house:

It's a stressful day for Jodie, what with all this eviction lark, but thankfully she has found a way to unwind - by winding up Preston.

"How big is your willy?" she demanded of the pop star, without warning, as the pair chatted in the pool with Chantelle.

"Tiny," responded Preston, attempting to use humour to divert the conversation in another direction. He was having no such luck.

"How big, how big, how big?" Jodie barked persistently. "Six inches?"

"One inch, I don't know," replied Preston, unwilling to play.

"All men know the size, don't they?" insisted Jodie, looking to Chantelle for confirmation.

"You can't even see it, it goes inwards," reiterated the Ordinary Boys star.

"Has it got girth?" Jodie enquired.

"It's wider than it is long," confirmed Preston, grinning but uncomfortable.

Jodie giggled and then sighed, indicating that the inquisition was over.

Maybe she'll think twice before troubling Preston next time.


From Channel4.com

Now, if you don't want to be thought of as a slag, why talk like one all the time? I thought she'd go in there last week and be one of the gang. Instead she complains all the time (more than I do!), and when she's not complaining, she's talking rubbish.

Please, let her be voted out tonight, just so I can see the look on her face. Regardless of how much she protests that she wants to leave tonight because she'd rather be doing things she enjoys instead of being trapped in the house with people she doesn't like (forget the fact that that's what she's being paid for), I'm sure she will be pissed off to be the first to go!

Mums Can Be Playground Bullies Too!

You would think that by the time someone is old enough to have a child in juniors at primary school, they'd be mature enough to deal with other people. Not at my kids' school!

Yesterday some of the boys picked on Jack because his dad had him put his Gameboy in his bookbag. When Jack was putting his homework in his bookbag, one of them saw it and started shouting at him that he's not allowed Gameboys at school. Then they got the teacher and tried to get Jack into trouble. Jack was in tears when he came out.

Ricky asked who the boys were that did it, and he pointed to a few walking down the street with one of their mums, who I know pretty well and have always gotten along with. She asked what happened, and I explained without being accusatory.

Today after school, that mum was walking up to where we usually stand on the playground to wait for the kids to come out. She was with some other mums, and as soon as she saw me, she stopped suddenly and started whispering to the other two. She never came near me or said hello or anything.

Am I being paranoid? I keep telling myself that it doesn't matter what other people think of me, but it's hard always feeling like an outsider. A lot of people treat me like one, as if I'm here temporarily so why get to know me? Because of it, I value every "hello", every smile I get, every time someone stops to ask me how things are going. Even if just one person speaks to me when I go somewhere, it brightens my day.

Ahhh, the joys of PMT. I'm sure that's why I'm feeling overemotional. That and the lack of sleep I've been getting thanks to the gallstones! I'll be "normal" again in an hour or so, maybe even sooner!

Young People Today

This is a prime example of the lack of respect many younger people have for other people today:

Talking about the recent argument between Michael and Jodie and the previous blow up over her "evil influence", Chantelle confided her disappointment to Jodie.

"George started saying that I've got to respect my elders, and I should have more respect for them that's seen a lot more than me....Yeah but if there's an elder telling you to basically f-off and go away, then ... Well if you're older than me you should know better, not to tell a young gel to f-off!"

From Channel4.com

So now giving advice is telling someone to "bascially f-off". Great interpretation, isn't it? I hope my kids have more respect for their elders than the young people in the BB house!

Who Would You ... ?

Kate said her fiance sent her a text message regarding a discussion he was having with some friends, and he wanted her answers to the burning question of the night:

"Who would you marry, shag and throw off a cliff? Both sexes, please."

I'm assuming this means celebrities and formulated my own answer accordingly. If it didn't mean celebs, there's no way I'd post my answers in case any of the named men or women read my blog!

Men
Marry: Sid Owen (the guy owns a restaurant so he can obviously cook but doesn't have a Gordon Ramsey prima donna attitude), Colin Firth (just so I could look at him every chance I got), David Beckham (okay, I like the idea of being rich), Joe Elliott from Def Leppard.
Shag: Mark Webber! ('Nuff said). Then, if I still had the energy, David Coulthard, Robbie Williams, Dennis Rodman (have you seen his body?????),Steve Irwin, Hugh Grant.
Throw off a cliff: Peter Andre (especially if I ever hear him sing again), George Bush

Women
Marry: Sandra Bullock, JK Rowling, Connie Montoya
Shag: Sophia Lauren (in her younger years)
Throw off a cliff: Victoria Beckham, Jordan, Jodie Marsh, Paris Hilton

Silly Kids!

Jack just heard someone say on the television, "He drove to Washington, D.C." He looked very confused and asked, "How can you drive to Washington?" I said we can't do it from here, but the man on the telly could do it because he lives in the United States.

That led to a discussion about the 50 states, and I said the only state he couldn't drive to Washington from was Hawaii because it's a group of islands. Again, Jack looked confused, so I explained that it was out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but it was still a part of the U.S.

Jack's response was, "Oh, you mean like Tenerife and how it's a part of Scotland!"

Ummmm, that's Spain, Jack.

My Celeb Big Brother Update

I was prepared to like Jodie Marsh just because she and Jordan don't get along, but I have to say that I dislike her as much as I dislike Jordan. I might even dislike her more than I dislike Jordan. At least Jordan just said "f**k 'em" to her critics. Jodie says "f**k 'em, but feel sorry for me". She doesn't want to be seen as a slag, but listening to her talk makes me wonder if she isn't one. She told Dennis Rodman, "We could have sex, I just don't want to go out with you." She pretty much called those of us in the world who eat meat "murderers" because she thinks any killing of animals is murder. And if she wants to be considered an intellectual, she's not putting herself forward as one. She says Eskimos are "primitive" because they don't have shops and can't understand why they live the way they do. I tell ya, I'd rather be an Eskimo than be like her!

And why on earth would Dennis Rodman and Traci Bingham be more famous than anyone else in the house just because they're American? Does that mean that, if I were in the house, I'd be more famous than Michael Barrymore and Rula Lenska because I'm American?



On the other hand, Pete Burns makes me laugh. He's opinionated, bitchy and practically helpless, but I think he's wonderful.



I didn't think I'd be able to stomach George Galloway after seeing some interviews with him in the past, even though he's the leading anti-war MP and I'm also against the war in Iraq. He hasn't been discussing politics in the BB house, but so far I have to agree with most of what he's been saying, particularly about Jodie's foul mouth.



More from me later ...