All Around The World, you've gotta spread the word Tell 'em what you heard You're gonna make a better day All Around The World, you've gotta spread the word Tell 'em what you heard You know it's gonna be okay (All Around The World - Oasis)

Is it going to be OK? I have been saying this for the past six years and life takes its toll. Christmas is looming (again) and as much as I have done so much; I feel as if I have achieved so little.  I will let Noel do his thing.  As always, enjoy.

Monday:  An incredibly busy day today. Early start as delivery training all day then straight up to Russell Square for University. However, I was awake from

Again maybe?

4.30 am with my head racing. Also, the boiler chose the most coldest day of the year to decide not to work and the flat and water were freezing. The training was OK and then I had to rush to catch a bus up to Russell Square as I had to collect a book from the library, then a coffee then off to my seminar.  This will be the last one before New Zealand and tonight my lecturer told us all what she expected for our essay proposal.  The lecture was interesting and I am on the right track for my essay so at least that is OK. Finally, got home at 10.30pm absolutely exhausted.

Tuesday:  In the office for most to the day, sitting in meetings wishing I was somewhere else. Not sure where, but not there.  Went home and did nothing and was in bed by 8.00pm. I decided I would get comfy and watch Holby City in the warmth of my lovely bed.  I did not see it, I fell asleep.  I am not surprised. I have had a headache since Sunday night and can't seem to shift it.

Wednesday:  Working from home today, so no commute, no need for make up or hair wash.  Really busy (of course I am) and managed, by the end of the day

to get it all done.  I want to be on top of it before I travel as goodness knows what I am coming back too.  Not the best of weeks, I think Sunday's news is still having an impact.

Thursday:  This year has not been the best of years, for numerous reasons and this week is shaping up to be a right treat!  Received a text message that gave me no surprises whatsoever, yet left me feeling deflated. Followed a few hours later by another text message which just made me feel, well let's leave it there. I wish I could get on that bloody plane now on a one way ticket!

Friday:  Right on queue today we have the launch the John Lewis Christmas Advert. Thank you for that!  Each year I love it/dread it and this year is no exception. The song is a cover by Elbow, one of my favourite bands and it is emotionally challenging.  I sobbed then sobbed a bit more. I was hoping to be on a plane away from all this madness before it started this year. So much for that idea.  Flat cleaned, bedding washed ironed and put away, final bits put together. Sigh.  

Saturday:  Busy day, usual start and was very happy with the result. Then off to have nails done.  Takes so long and I can just about manage to sit there waiting for them to dry.  Caught the bus up to Waterloo.  I wanted to to go Tottenham Court Road but the bus was terminated at Waterloo as the bridge was closed.  Don't know why.  I think it was something to do with the Lord Mayor's firework display.  Met up with Andy and we went to see Young Frankenstein.  It was the stage production of the Mel Brooke's film and we were not disappointed.  It was so funny and I laughed out loud literally.  My favourite bit in was the same as the film 'Putting on the Ritz' really funny and I would definitely recommend it.

Terrible nights sleep but I guess it does not matter as my sleep pattern is about to go out of the window.  If you want to read about my New Zealand adventure you will find it at:

https://karensayskiaora.blogspot.co.uk

'Normal' blogging service will restart in December.  So if you are going to follow me I shall see you in the Southern Hemisphere.

As always, with my love x

Get around round round I get around From town to town Get around round round I get around I'm a real cool head Get around round round I get around I'm makin' real good bread Get around round round I get around I get around Round (I Get Around - The Beach Boys)

The sound of summer.  I wish.  You know when you hear the Beach Boys that you should be wearing your shades and soaking up the sun.  Unfortunately, I am not (but it wont be long). As always enjoy.

Saturday:  Here we are again another Saturday and off I trotted to fat club on my own. Happy with the result and I am doing well.  Back home and the best meal of the week, just for one this week.  I was trying to sum up the energy to go out. A wet, grey, duvet day in London and I was heading west. I am useless these days, I really am.   I had to correct, again, a woman in Marks & Spencer's who obviously thought I should be jolly well married off by now and bestowed

the title of Mrs on me (yes I know again, think how I feel). Needless to say, I put her right in no uncertain terms. Heteronormativity. Assumptions. Sigh. So because of all this, I forgot what I went up there for i.e. a gift voucher and also some Australian Dollars! Grrrrrrrr.  Selfridge's window is starting to take shape and it even felt a bit like Christmas.

Had a terrible headache this evening and found it hard to shift.  Watched A Fish called Wanda.  I did see it when it first come out all those years ago, but had quite forgotten about it.  It was funny. Ended the evening by mixing some tunes on iTunes so at least I will have some music for my travels.

Sunday:  Cold but sunny. Heard from the Kiwi, usual nonsense .... not ready to date, yada, yada, yada. Which means I will bump into him in Wellington. All

good, I had a great evening last Saturday so all is good.  Nipped to the shops, not much this week obviously as not going to be around much.  Then Andy and I went to the pictures to see Murder on the Orient Express ..... the new one obviously.

It was OK, nothing brilliant.  We both did not care for Kenneth Branagh as Poirot. In fact the film seemed to be all about him and not the other 12 characters. It was a shame as the 1974 version, in my opinion, was great. This one wast lost, it all seemed very fragmented. But it wasted away a cold Sunday afternoon in London.

Back home and I had some devastating news. A person I know, well who I kind of collected, had been tragically killed in a car crash in Europe.  Terrible news, she was only 41. It made me feel quite sad to be honest then angry. Life can seem terribly unfair an unjust at times. We are all very fragile and none of us know when it is our time. I think of the years Megan has wasted. Neither of us will get these years back.  It is just a bloody waste.  Early night I think.

As always, with my love x

The highway's jammed with broken heroes on a last chance power drive Everybody's out on the run tonight but there's no place left to hide (Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen)

I love this song; not that I ever run anywhere.  I do not even run for the bus these days as there is always another one in a few minutes. Classic song and one of those artists who I really like, yet never have seen.  As always, enjoy.

Monday:  Early start, busy day.  In a meeting all day with my colleagues. It went very well.  On the bus and up to Russell Square.  One of my friends said to me over the weekend they don't know where I get my energy from; I haven't a clue, I have to just get on with it.  University was brilliant this evening; my passion and also the one lecture that relates to my first essay.  Sexology.  I will part that there and let you draw your own conclusions.

Home on the bus and it was quite cold and I was glad to get home as I had been out of the house for just over 12 hours.

Tuesday:  Working from home today which is fine as I have so much to do.  Made some delicious roasted pepper soup for lunch and managed to clear a great deal of work done but still no focus on New Zealand (I can hear that clock ticking.  I used to be organised in past life and now I can't even think about being organised.

Wednesday:  Working done and dusted and I was off out.  I went to the Wellcome Library in Euston. It was part of my university work that I had to go.  I have been to the Wellcome Centre before but not to use the library. What a

little treat this place is. You can join, free for five years.  I needed to look at two books relating to birth control prior to the 1950's.  My books were from the 1930's and 1940's.  It was strange, holding those books in my hand, reading about birth control choices (not many and still not many) thinking how things have progressed in such a short time.  Amazing and such a privilege. Back home and it was time to do ....... nothing.  I have to pinch myself still that I can get on a bus and get to places like the Wellcome Library and that this is still my playground.  How lucky am I? Actually started to pack today.  Well I got my passport out of the drawer!

Thursday:  Busy morning (working from home) and numerous phone calls.  There is so much I should be doing and just cannot drum up the enthusiasm or energy to do it.  I will get my arse in gear on Saturday;  I promise.

This evening I went to Goldsmiths University in New Cross.  I have never been here before and remember it as a child as it was en route to London when we used to come up here on the coach as a child.  Fond memories. 

Friday:  Friday.  Thank goodness.  Andy is away this evening and I am home alone.  I cracked on with my degree work. Bibliography compiled and a good

part of the essay proposal done; I really think I can start looking forward to my holiday.  Almost.

Finally put all my books and papers away and snuggled down for the evening. Quite a busy day tomorrow as I need to go up Oxford Street to actually collect my currency (it may help to actually have some money on me I thought). Not looking forward to it as the weather forecast is rain.  Of course it is.

As always, with my love x