Tagged....
For those coming here wondering what the hell I'm talking about because I have left you a comment exclaiming you're tagged I shall explain ..... if you would like to partake in this game of tag all you need to do is write five things about yourself then choose five further bloggers to tag who will then be required to do the same. Confused? Still confused?

Anyway here are 5 things you always wanted to know about me (not!);

1.) Both my boyfriend and I have a serious aversion to, as we call them, the 'knobbly bits' of tomato stalk in tins of plum tomatoes ,especially, and now this makes my feel quite queasy to even write, when they have tomato skin still attatched.
2.) I love this tree (with all my heart.) - See picture.

3.)I like to see what people have bought at the checkout in the supermarket and if my food looks healthier I feel a tiny bit superior, quite often it is not though.
4.)I sometimes pretend my bike is a broomstick.
5.) My biggest ambition (in fact my only ambition) is to own a boat. A barge preferably, but a rowing boat will do. (I'm not very ambitious, wouldn't even mind a dingy.)


Will be back to nominate a further five shortly......

.......Okay, I Tag,
Anne Marie
Bonfire Jones
Pkeets
Rusty Pearl
Justin Kreutzman

How rude, sorry, didn't have the time to explain my last two posts over the weekend. 'East of the Sun west of the moon is a link to a fairytale I read last week on the Sur La Lune Website, (there is a constant link to the website in my 'links'.) I just fell in love with this story, it's a similar tale to that of 'Cupid and Psyche' and 'Beauty and the Beast'.
The two pictures are illustrations of the story by Kay Nielsen. I've been reading up on Kay Nielsen today and he was a Danish illustrator of many fairytales in the 'golden age' of gift book design in the first quarter of the twentieth century. He illustrated versions of 'Han Christian Anderson's fairytales' as well as the 'Hansel and Gretal' and 'Twelve dancing princesses'. He then went into stage production, staging productions of 'A midsummer nights dream' and 'The tempest'. Moving to California he went to work for Walt Disney productions, designing 'the night on bald mountain' sequences in 'Fantasia' and creating designs that would be used fifty years later in the 'Little mermaid.' He sadly died in poverty in 1957, his last years were provided for by some very loyal friends who understanding his work would experience a resurgence in popularity held onto his artwork until the time was right.
I think his work is just beautiful and captures the essence of the world of fairytales so well.
I had a lovely weekend, had an evening out with friends, danced to 'This is the dawning of the age of aquarius' in an extremely silly manner, watched 'The servant', went to a record fair, bought lots of great new music including a fab new folk band called 'The 18th day of May', got blisters on my hands from more toiling on the plot and kept waking myself up last night digging in my sleep!

East of the Sun West of the Moon

I recieved the following email from a friend today. I've taken it at face value as I see no reason not too, (I can be a little suspicious of forward emails) I thought I'd post it, as it couldn't do any harm and it may, I hope, do some good. If you'd like to sign the petition you will need to copy and paste the following onto an email add your name and pass it onto to friends.


Last week a 3 year old girl (in South Africa) was beaten and raped. She is still alive. The man responsible has been released on bail yesterday. He is walking the streets ... friends, if you are too busy to read this then just sign your name and forward this. The Government is planning to close the child protection unit and this is a petition against it. This is a very important petition. It is an essential part of the justice system for children.
You may have already heard that there's a myth in South Africa that having sex with a virgin will cure AIDS. The younger the virgin, the more potent the cure. This has led to an epidemic of rapes by infected males, with the correspondent infection of innocent kids. Many have died in these cruel rapes. Recently in Cape Town, a 9-month-old baby was raped by 6 men. Please thinkabout that for a moment. The child abuse situation is now reaching catastrophic proportions and if we don't do something, then who will?
Kindly add your name to the bottom of the list and please pass this on to as many people as y ou know. If you are signature no.: 120 - please forward the mail-list to :childprotectpca@saps.org.za
Please don't be complacent, do something about the kids of South Africa. You can make a difference. That child is fighting for life. This is just one of the million cases of child abuse, so please pledge your support and help keep CPU (CHILD PROTECTION UNIT) open. Please give your support to the petition and ensure that it goes to as many people as possible. Please don't just leave it, make a difference.
In order to write your name copy this message and paste it in a new mail compose. Or click on forward and add your name to the list and send it on to others.
Again. a reminder that if you are number 120 please send this to childprotectpca@saps.org.za
1.Jackson Kennedy (Australia)
2. Eugenie Knight Draper (Australia)
3. George Spiteri Australia)
4. Susie Dureau (Australia)
5. Tim McCarthy(Australia)
6. Megan Gleeson (Australia)
7. Susie Gleeson Byrne (China)
8.Fiona Darrigan(China)
9. Elizabeth Hyland (Dubai UAE)
10. Margaret Winstanley (Australia)
11. Kate Williams (Hong Kong)
12. Shari Boyanton ( England)
13. ayelet shariv (israel)
14. Inbar Goren (Israel)
15. Dafna Gal (Israel)
16. Ruth Moushinsky(Israel)
17. Aviv Moneta (Israel)
18.becky lein wand (israel)
19.Frances Derhy (Israel)
20.Merav Hernando (Israel)
20.shira shery(Israel)
21. talia schneider (Israel)
22. Sharon Aviv (Israel)
23. Liora Engler (Australia)
24. Abigail Fry (England
25. Robyn Elmslie (Australia)
26.Stephanie Fuller (Hong Kong)
27. Tanya Burrows(Australia)
28. Martha E Morrison (Australia)
29. Gordon Pears (NSW Australia)
30. Patricia Pears (NSWAustralia)
31.Bette Bishop (NSW Australia)
32. Vaeda van Lieshout (Victoria, Australia)
33. Zac Oldfield (Vic, Australia)
34. Julie Woodberry (Vic, Australia)
35. Patrick Rigby (Vic,Australia)
36. Joshua Rigby (Vic, Australia)
37.lesa woodberry(vic.aus)
38. Tania Pantalleresco (Vic, Australia)
39. Abbi Fendyk (Australia)
40. Angela Lancerotto (Australia)
41. Nicole Grech (Australia)
42. Rochelle Many (Australia)
43. Melissa de Leo (Australia)
44. Shereen Santiago (Australia)
45. Lisa Vella (Australia)
46. Simon Smithson
47. Renay D'Amico (Australia)
48. John Green (London,UK )
49. Sandra Powell (London UK)
50. Charlene Jones (Perth, Australia)
51. Helen Stathakis (Perth, Australia)
52. Andrew Bruno (NSW, Australia)
53. Kathy Tsiokas (VIC, Austra! lia)
54. Dee Galgano (VIC, Australia)
55. Vanessa Terzievski (VIC, Australia)
56. Sue Gaylard (Vic, Australia)
57. Pam Gaylard (Vic Australia)
58. Casey Watt (Vic Australia)
59. Sarah O'Flaherty (Vic Australia)
60. Marian Tobin
61. Sheryl Pettinau
62. Bree Shepherd
63. Tanya Hickmott (Australia)
64. Cher Moulden (Australia)
65. Rebecca Bate (Australia)
66. Rick Shiell (Australia),
67. Brad Ebert (AUSTRALIA).
68. Ana Karacic (Australia)
69. Rachel Hessling (Australia)
70. Chantelle Ballantyne (Australia)
71.Krystal Ford (Australia)
72.Sandra Ford(Australia)
73. Darrell Liddle (Australia)
74. Taren Liddle (Australia)
75. Ryan! Mallard(Australia)
76. Toni Liddle
77. Colin Liddle
78. Ethan Liddle
79. MJ Heron (Australia)
80. Thea Dunkley (Australia)
81. Paula Boyce (Australia)
82. Steve Henley (Australia)
83. Bev Pearson (Australia
84. Karen Burge (Australia)
85. Jon Levick (Australia)
86. Janet Page (Australia)
87. Bill Page (Australia)
88. Christina Hellewell (Austria)
89. Isabelle Thomas (Germany)
90. Pamela Thomas (England)
91. Kathelijne Rogers-Dijkstra (USA)
92. Ruth Williams (Wales, UK)
93. Louise Dawson (England, UK)

Bonfire on the plot.
By Shoeshine.

Well here she is, my beautiful allotment. She may not look much at the moment and to be honest by the time we'd finished digging last night she looked even worse, all mud and no green, but with a bit of imagination, hard work and good weather we'll get her looking lovely, lush and verdant in no time.
The weather was perfect at the weekend, really sunny with blue skys and great sunsets. It was admittedly freezing but after half an hours digging the layers were coming off and the coldness was appreciated. We got about two thirds dug, roots removed and rubbish cleared. It was great spending the weekend outdoors, felt completely shattered but totally invigorated, and we all got a bit of colour back in our cheeks! I'd forgotten how satisfying tierdness can be when the day has been spent doing some good honest hard graft. I just love it! I'd also forgotten my love of mud, the smell of it brought back memories of childhood, mudpies, pet worms, dirty fingernails and potting seedlings (dibbing or was it dobbing) in our old shed. It's become more than apparent that this is all meant to be, I feel I've found the missing link, a purpose. So happy am I to be covered in mud!

Wow all is well with the world this morning. I was woken a few hours ago with a storm beating against my window, I managed get a few more hours sleep then when I opened my curtains this morning it was light, first time this year! The waning half moon was reflecting in the river, and there was a large rabbit on the other side of the bank scratching for food. The blackbirds have started to sing again, the sky is blue and the sun is shining. May be getting a little over excited here, but is that the faint footsteps of spring I can hear?
I managed to exorcise my bordom yesterday with a good talk with my friends about our allotment plans, praying for good weather tommorow, I can't wait to get digging. Started trying to decide what to grow, I'll have to narrow it down somewhat because at the moment I want to grow everything. Got to force myself into work this morning, I always have difficulty on days like today. Better go!

I got way to used to the jet setting lifestyle, now my feet are firmly back on terra firma the boredom is making even staying conscious quite difficult. Nothing interesting to say what so ever so here are a few photos from my trip. The top one is was taken at the top of the astronomical clock tower, it's a super view up there, the full moon had just risen, you can just see it behind the turrets of the Tyn church. I though black and white would suit this picture so photoshopped it , it also helped to sort my face out a bit. The bottom one was taken on the steps of the plane on my way out to Prague, I think you'll agree the nervous excitment is quite visible, my god, what an expression! No point even trying to photoshop this one, after all that is the face I have to walk around with, ah well you can't have everything!

Prague escapades part 2. Believe it or not Prague is a great place to visit in the winter, it may be -5 degrees but the stark bleakness that winter brings seems to add to it's mystic. And the magnificent architecture contrasts even more brilliantly against the bright grey sky. It has a macarbe humour.
The week before my trip I happened across an article in the wikipedia that interested me. It was about vanitas, vanitas is a term that describes a type of painting where the artist uses symbolism to convey the message of 'Carpe diem' or 'Memento mori' in other words that we should make the most of life and live in the moment, that we should remember our mortality. The symbols that represented this were skulls, mirrors, clocks, rotten fruit and musical instruments, they were often put together in a still lifeby Dutch painters. When we visited the Astronomical clock in the Old town square I was pleased that reading this information helped me understand the symbolism in some of the decoration on the clock. The clock face is surrounded by four figures, one a man holding a mirror, one a man holding a musical instrument and one a skeleton that strikes the hour on a bell. I'm not too sure what the other man is holding,I couldn't quite make it out. I just enjoyed the fact that these symbols regarding death actually have a life affirming message. The whole city had that effect on me, with its sinister towering statues and dark ominous cathedrals, it stirs the drama within you and puts you under its' spell, it's the darkness that makes it so vital. We were also lucky to have the full moon which further brought the place alive.
About half an hour after I got back last night there was a film on called 'Kafka' which was partly filmed in Prague, we watched it with the sound down cause my boyfriend has the new Sonic Youth album and he wanted us to hear it , but my friend and I were able to say 'oooh we've just been there'. This has happened a few times to me, last time I went away the actual pub we were sat in the day before was on countryfile, with John Craven sat at the next table to the one we were sat at. And last time we were in Oxford we got back to our hotel and there was a film featuring the Bridge of Sighs which we were just stood under taking photos! Very Strange. I read a story about synchronicity the other day, where a women had just read in her book that synchronicity often occurs when one is traveling because you are in motion, she later got on a bus and had just began reading when she noticed the women sat opposite her was reading exactly the same book.
If anyone intends a visit to Prague, here's my little travel guide, I'd like to recommend;
The Hotel Mucha; It has lovely food in the restaurant and a handy location, breakfast was a little odd but we English do like our traditional fry up when we're on holiday!
Using the public transport; they have it so sorted, it's cheap and reliable which is more than I can say for it in England but I won't start ranting about that did too much of that while I was away!
Municipal House; It's a really impressive building well worth a look if you're a fan of Art Noveau and they put on classical concerts and exhibitions.
The Agharta Jazz Centrum; Which is a very cool underground Jazz club, (the years I wanted to go to a real cavernous jazz club complete with tables with candles!) it has a great atmosphere and the people are very friendly.
Learning the pleasantries in Czech; Speaking English does seem to recieve a frosty reception, this however can be quickly turned into a smile if you make ridiculous attempts at the language.
Must get to bed got some sleep to catch up with. Goodnight all!

Hi all! Well I have survived my first plane journey and I've discovered an absolute love of flying. It is so much fun! I'm already planning the next flight, I really want to fly during the day so I can get a good airial view of the countyside. I could only see the lights of the cities on both journeys this time, which did look amazing and has change my perception somewhat but I'd love to see the lay of the land.
Thanks for all your well wishes, fellow bloggers and the encouragment of mischief, not that I need much encouragement! My friend and I had such a great time, non-stop laughing and chatting, ooh once we get going there is really no stopping us. And it really was like being twelve again, probably due to all the new experiences but also, strangly enough, when we were in bars or cafes we kept hearing songs we used to listen to when we were young and we bumped into an old school friend we haven't seen since we left. We also had a very funny time at a classical concert that really took me back to my school days. Determined to get a bit of culture we decided to go to a concert at Municipal House, a stunning art noveau building, we sat right at the back, just as we always would in class and during the concert, due to a very loud squeaking caused by the foot taping of a spectator sat near us, we were overcome by an extremely immature and uncontrolable fit of the giggles. Just one sideways glance in the direction of my friend and we were off. It also prooved infectious, as we then set off two ladies sat in front of us . The very serious nature of the rest of the classical audience and the giggling coming from the ladies in front made stoping nearly impossible. We were so pleased when it was finished and proceeded to spend the rest of the evening in hysterics!
I must go home now but I'll post more about Prague later, the photo is of one of the statues on the Charles Bridge, it's Francis of Assisi, my favourite Saint, due to his allignment with nature, I didn't know it was him when I took it, it was just another happy coincidence. As I have a crap camera I had to mess about with it in photoshop to lighten it up, I also wanted to try to capture the spirit of Prague a bit better, hence the mysterious sky!

I can't sleep!

by Peter Blake

It's funny because my friend and I have been best mates ever since we we're twelve and I keep thinking, how the hell are we allowed to go off to Prague together on our own, fancy our parents letting us! I can't get it into my head we're both actually 27 and allowed to do stuff like this now. It somehow feels naughty!

Re: The Dream child
Another great ruralist painting. There is a series of Alice in Wonderland paintings painted by various members of the brotherhood. I'd really like to be able to look at this painting more closely as there is so much detail which you can barely make out on the screen. It's quite a spooky painting, very dreamlike, in fact it reminds me of a dream I had the other night about being haunted by the ghost of a child only I could see. I'm definately relating to the theme of Alice at the moment. I feel I have my very own wonderland right here.
Counting down to my Prague visit, now that will be like being in wonderland, it looks such a magical city, I'm soooooo excited!

The Dream Child by Graham Arnold.
www.ruralistfineart.co.uk
For greeting cards of the ruralists work go to;
http:/aznet.co.uk/aznet-awf/OCmain.pl?dep=rfa

Things are getting 'curiouser and curiouser' over at the TBWHM blog. I must say the whole thing is a very unusual experience!
I have more to add to my 'wonderful things' list. First of all 'Peep Show'. Which to those of you not familiar, is a british comedy about two flat mates. Alot of the dialogue is spoken from inside the head of the characters and the camera angles are from their perspective. It takes a little bit of getting used to I found but once you're familiar with characters it 's really funny in fact it's the funniest thing that has been on the TV in quite a while in my opinion. It really is spot on!
Secondly is a film called 'Rivers and Tides, working with time' about the art of Andy Goldworthy. I love his work, he works in natural materials, like leaves and stones and makes these amazing sculptures in natural settings. The film is a documentary featuring Andy, watching him work as he trys to explain his art but as he comments at one point he can't quite put it into words, however the camera work is cinematically stunning and you really get a feel for what he is doing. It is such a spellbinding film, I've not had a film affect me so much in quite a while. I highly reccommend it.
And finally the song 'Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft' by The Carpenters, don't ask me why cause I'm not too sure, it just makes me laugh!

The deal is sealed and I am now the extremely happy joint tenant of a beautiful allotment plot. I say beautiful, actually it's extremely overgrown, but potentially it's very beautiful. It 's really quite big as it's a joint venture with some of my friends and it has it's own trees, an apple, a pear and a plum, we think, but we'll have to wait till they all get leaves to be sure. I'll take some photos when I go up there next, so I can post them. I'm so excited about it, unfortunately I won't be able to go up again for a few weeks though, because I'm in Prague next weekend and it's too dark after work during the week. I've got plenty of reading to do in the mean time though. To be honest I haven't got the foggiest at the moment.
We were shown around this morning by the entire allotment association commitee, as they'd just had a meeting and they seem a really lovely lot, it seems quite a little comunity down there. They have bonfire parties and barbeques in the summer and they have a hut where you can drink tea (and whisky seemingly) and eat biscuits! I'm extremely impressed. They all seem to have a knowledge of gardening that they seem only to pleased to pass on too. Which is probably the best way to learn really, that and the practical stuff. "You can't plough a field by turning it over in you mind" and all that. It's sooooo exciting!
I can't really get my head round the fact I am going to Prague on Thursday. It's the plane thing really, I've never been in a plane before, or any other vehicle that leaves the ground for that matter. I've been abroad a few times to France and Amsterdam but always on the ferry. When I was young our family holidays were always spent at the seaside and all my adult life I always seem to be too skint! I love the English countryside (with a passion) so just getting out of the city is always a holiday to me. It is admittedly a bit pathetic though, I've hardly seen any of the world.
Prague looks like it's an amazing place. Although I know very little about it. Not sure why we even decided to go there really. We've decided we're going to get ourselves a bit of culture though, looks like the sort of place where culture isn't too expensive. A little worried about how cheap the beer is though it may be a little distracting!
I've started reading Metemorphosis, it turns out that the place I'm staying in has a Franz Kafka room, I'm hoping we'll end up in it, although I don't fancy waking up as beetle! Enjoying the book though.
Oooh my Sunday dinner is nearly ready so I must be off. Hope you've all had a pleasant weekend. Bye!

I'm having one of those 'everything is great' days. As so far as there are just so many great things in the world! For christmas I had some great CDs, a very folky theme running through them. I love folk music. I got a Bert Jansch CD, which is fab, (you can't beat a bit of Bert!) , Nico's album 'Chelsea Girl' which is very folky and the new Espers album 'Weed tree' which is an album of covers and traditional songs. My favourite song on it is 'Black is the Colour' which I've just discovered is a traditional Irish folksong. It has the most beautiful lyrics, you can't get more romantic than this;

Black is the colour of my true love's hair.
His face is like some wondrous spell,
The prettiest face and the neatest hands,
I love the ground whereon he stands.

I love my love and well he knows
I love the ground whereon he goes
If you no more on earth I see,
I can't serve you as you have me.

The winter's passed and the leaves are green
The time is passed that we have seen,
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I shall be as one.

I go to the Clyde for to mourn and weep,
But satisfied I never could sleep,
I'll write to you a few short lines
I'll suffer death ten thousand times.

So fare you well, my own true love
The time has passed, but I wish you well.
But still I hope the time will come
When you and I will be as one.

I love my love and well he knows
I love the ground whereon he goes,
The prettiest face, the neatest hands
I love the ground whereon he stands.


Flipping beautiful! I also got a video of a documentery about Fairport convention. Unfortunately it was mainly footage of 80's gigs, by which time they were a completely different band to the one they were in the late 60's early 70's when Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson were in them. There was one bit of footage of Sandy Denny, but it was really bad quality and it was from the period when she rejoined them in the 70's. I've wanted to see her in action for years and I really hope there is some better footage of her somewhere, she's a legend, it's terrible if there isn't any, very sad. There is some great clips of Richard Thompson though and a TV appearence from the 60's with Judy Dyble.
I also want to say how fucking excellant the 'Brian Jonestown Massacre' are. Awful name I know, I prefer to refer to them as BJM! They are sooooo rock and roll. There is a film about them called 'Dig' which is absolutely hilarious. More about them later but if you get the opportunity watch the film or have a listen to them, you won't be disapointed.
I watched the Ronnie Lane documentary on the BBC last night and he has become a new hero of mine. I can't even begin to explain what a lovely brilliant talented man he was. His story is just great and I love the concept of 'The Passing Show'. What an absolute star! I'm hurrying now as I've got to go and get my Korunys or what ever they are called for my trip to Prague. Would like to elaborate more on the documentary but there is no time, maybe later.
Anyway what a wonderful world we live in, so much good stuff, tommorow I'll probably be complaining again but for today anyway, it's all great.

I thought seeing as I haven't mentioned my escapades over the christmas holidays I post a few pictures of what I got up to but seeing as in most of them I am terribly drunk I chose some nice scenic ones. The top one is me in Northumberland the look of joy on my face is due to the fact I was having great fun kicking huge chunks of ice into the river below, oooh the small pleasures, I'm easily pleased! The second one is of a hawthorn hedge, I love hawthorn it is such a beautiful tree especially at this time of year when it's bare but luminous with moss. This photo is part of my painting project but I messed around in Photoshop with it a bit and quite liked the result so thought I'd post it. The bottom one I took in Derbyshire over Christmas. I stayed in a lovely converted barn with my parents, brother, sister-in law, 2 aunties, uncle and my two lovely nephews for the week. We had a right laugh, lots of organized fun arranged by my auntie. I got carried away on the kareoke on christmas eve, the booze was flowing, and I threw up as we opened our presents the next day, in the toilet obviously, not pleasant though. It was great to spend Christmas in the countryside and lovely to spend time with my nephews. My two year old nephew took a real shine to me ( and the feelings mutual, he's adorable) and his Mum made me his godmother. I really missed him once we'd left. But it's going to take more than that to make me broody, I'm content with my fairy godmother status! Oh my goodness I just noticed the time. I've got to go, I'm still in work, I shall get locked in!

I found this story whilst surfing and thought it had such a lovely message. As I’m not a believer in the ‘Christian god’ so I was going to change the words slightly, I thought about changing the word ‘lord’ to ‘goddess’ just to be arkward but decided that would be silly. I like to do that when singing hymns, not because I believe god is a women, just that I don’t like the way god is perceived as a man!(I do believe in the god/goddess but only as archetypes, as fragments of the whole.) Anyway this is only a story with a nice message, not to be taken literally, on my part anyway.



A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like. "The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table that held a large pot of stew. It smelled delicious, and made the holy man's mouth water.But the people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. Because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, “You have seen Hell.”The Lord showed the holy man to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew, which again made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, and laughing in conversation. The Lord said, “You have seen Heaven.”The holy man, confused, said, "I don't understand."The Lord answered, “Simple.. it requires but one skill..”


The message/theme of this story is one that keeps popping up at the moment, in conversation, in the books I’m reading, in things I happen apon on the web, everywhere. Life is trying to plant this one deep in my psyche obviously.
(By the way, if you haven’t worked out what the skill is yet, the people in the second room had learnt to feed each other.)

The moon is new!

Happy New Year everyone! Good to be back online and emmersed once again in blogland. I've had such a busy holiday but have had loads of fun, non-stop celebrating, I've been catching up with family and friends all over the shop. I've just got one day to relax before I'm back to work tommorow, I could do with a month! Can't complain though my partner didn't even get that, he started his new job today. Neither of us could sleep last night, he was awake with aprehension and I was awake in sympathy, I know that feeling only to well, he had to be up at 5.30am so the pressure to fall asleep just was too much. Poor dear, he'll be shattered today. I've promised him a fancy dinner when he gets home, hopefully he'll be able to stay awake long enough to eat it.
I'm feeling so positive about the coming year. I don't usually believe in New Year resolutions but this year with my boyfriend's new job starting and all, it really feels like a new start. My mind is brimming with new ideas and projects but I've decided to concentrate on my allotment and I'm also going to take up painting again. I've decided that after years of wanting to be an artist as a child, and years of thinking I could never really be an artist through lack of confidence and ambition, that I am a bloody artist and I always have been. I have and always have had immensely strong love of nature and I need to express it. I'm still not too sure if painting is the best way, technically I'm not too good, but I've decided to give it a go and I'm really excited about it. My allotment plans tie in well with this too as I'm hoping the act of growing vegetables will inspire me, that may sound odd but it makes sense to me.
I need to go to the supermarket now, even though I could sit here a blabber on all day, I'm spending the afternoon with my best pal, we've got to organize our Prague trip and I need to catch up an all the news I've missed since I've been away. If I don't go now my boyfriend won't be getting his dinner!