No Such Thing

5 Things About Reliable Builders

1. Now, I'm not one for generalisations, but I'm still waiting for someone to disprove this one. I booked today off work, so a patch of damp in my living room could be repaired at considerable expense! I got a call at 9am to let me know that their guy was ill, and wouldn't be turning up.

2. I'd also booked someone to come and fit locks to my windows. They didn't turn up either, and when I called they claimed that they had rung the bell at 9.30am and got no answer. At 9.30, I was in the kitchen eating a muffin.

3. The lock man turned up eventually, but with my whole day booked off with nothing but gardening to tempt me, I was at a bit of a loose end, and feeling rather sorry for myself. So I decided to go to the hairdressers! I have got nice new hair colour, and a cut booked for tomorrow. Woohoo!

4. On the positive side, I managed to get a quote for repairing my bay window. On the negative side it will cost over a grand. Humph.

5. As I keep asking everyone I know, if you do know a reliable builder, then please let me know!

We'll Meet Again...

5 Things About Old Friends

1. Last night I met Andrew & Isabelle (old uni friends) for a drink at Freud's bar in town. We were getting together to catch-up with Caroline, en-route from Bogota to Paris, and incapable of being so close to London without seeing us (I think there was something about seeing her mum too, but nevermind about that).

2. Caroline has lived in Columbia for, I think, around 3 years, and I've only recently started keeping in touch with her via the wonders of MSN. It's reassuring to see that she is still exactly the same.

3. Andrew was 90 minutes late. We love him anyway.

4. After a few swift Pimms (the tourist drink in the English sort-of-summer), we did what everyone seems to want after a few years out of England - went for a curry!

5. I have known these guys for ten years and love the fact that we still find new things to talk about and are still as interested in each other's lives. I love new friends, but there's something about old friends and old friendships that just makes me smile. Tonight I am seeing some relative newbies, who I've only known for seven years!

Sneezy, Dopey & Grumpy

5 Things About Hay Fever

1. Today there is a very high pollen count in London. See? I woke up with itchy eyes and a runny nose, and things haven't really improved since then!

2. People at work are really tired of saying 'bless you', and in fact have entirely stopped bothering. By this rate my soul will be gone by lunchtime.

3. One of the worst things about hayfever is that it's just so disgusting. Manky tissues everywhere and bits of bodily fluid leaking out all over the place. Sore nose, red eyes, dry skin. Yuck. Why can't I have a glamorous ailment like consumption?

4. My dad and sister also suffer with various allergies, including hay fever. No one who has never suffered can really understand how horrible it is to be allergic. Moan moan moan moan moan moan moan.

5. I really must go out and buy some soft balsam tissue thingies, as my office recently switched to using cheaper loo roll and it's making my poor nose bright red!

Why Don't You....?

5 Things About An Evening With No Telly

1. A few weeks ago, Alex lent me his TV for a video party I was having (my TV was tiny; not big enough to experience the joys of The Incredibles). He said I could hang on to it while he's still living at his parents'. Somehow it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to put my other tv in bedrooom. This means I now have three TVs in a one bedroomed flat. I can watch TV as I drift from room to room. The problem is, with the telly on, much drifing doesn't get done. I sit, and I sit. Then I feel guilty for doing nothing on my extensive life to-do list. I have begun to impose TV bans on myself for evenings at a time. Tonight is one of them.

2. I have phoned 3 friends, one of whom has been rather ill recently with severe food-poisoning, and also my cousin George, who I hadn't yet congratulated on his play a week ago. I've also chatted on MSN with Isabelle. They all seemed pleased to hear from me. Hurrah!

3. I still haven't done any gardening. Or ticked off all the other life-changing things on the list of life-changing things I plan to do at some point. But I feel calmer and less guilty.

4. I have FINALLY installed my printer! Only had it since Christmas, so not too bad really.

5. I don't plan to do this every night. I don't hate telly, or want to live without it, but I want to learn when to switch off. SO much harder with cable. Right! Am off to clean the kitchen and rearrange my room! Ha ha! Just you wait, this won't last....

A Traditional Sunday?

5 Things About the Sunday Service

Yesterday I went to hear Alex's brother Ollie, singing at a Confirmation & Communion service at Magdalen College Chapel in Oxford.

1. I have been to church quite a few times now with Alex's family, as it's a big part of their life. I don't mind going with them at all, and I always enjoy the music. It's also quite interesting for me, but as a Godless heathen, I do feel slightly awkward when they're all squeezing past me to go and take Communion.

2. Magdalen Chapel is lovely. Three rows of pews facing each other, made from carved wood with candles along each row. Above them are rows and rows of stained glass windows depicting all the saints. It was very atmospheric sitting there with all the choir boys, the incense and the candles, and you could really feel the years of tradition wrapped up in the service.

3. Any awkwardness was worth it for the music, which was beautiful. They sang the Eucharist and helped us all out with the hymns. The choir boys ranged from age 7 (tiny cute blond boy) to uni scholars, Ollie's age in their early twenties. The previous night had been the end of exams for the final year so at least a third of the choir were struggling with hangovers and trying not to throw up all over their service books.

4. It was (I think), a very formal service, with the Bishop of Peterborough & another minister, three female assistant people in black robes who had to carry candles around and wave incense. Also, after the five candidates had been confirmed, the Bishop brought a bowl of holy water down among the pews and flicked us all with water. Not a single drop touched me, which I thought was kind of fitting.

5. Magdalen College Chapel backs on to one of the Main Roads in Oxford, which meant that there is always a risk of your declaration of faith in God being interrupted by a siren or a heavy thumping bassline. We escaped with just one police car.

Wild Night

5 Things I Did Last Night

1. Drank a whiskey cocktail.

2. Nearly got hit by a flying shoe.

3. Gargled the Wedding March (I had some trouble with the high notes).

4. Ate a LOT of chips.

5. Fell asleep on the sofa until 3am.

I am, like, so rock 'n' roll.