Sorry, that's all folks.
it's friends only entries from now on.

Back home after my long weekend in Newcastle.
Had a really good time and was lovely seeing Danny boy as well as spending the weekend helping Ann and Kev celebrate their respective birthdays. (Note to self: Buy shares in Bulmers Cider - sales are going up!)

Am completely smitten with baby 'tiddly' Tom, who I just can't get enough of. I'm going to try to get home at least once a month from now on, cos I miss the gang madly. Especially Callum who's Ugandan blogs are becoming more surreal by the day :)

Back to work tomorrow, not in a bad way but FUCK ME, do I need a proper holiday!
Roll on November...

Am currently sitting approximately 4 feet away from a floor-to-ceiling window, on the 20th floor of a beautifully designed Art-Deco style office building in Singapore.

(I'm stringently keeping my back to said picture window, on account of my near-hysterical fear of heights.)

It's an amazing city, verdant green in parts and cosmopolitan to the point of suspended disbelief.
But boy, is it humid though! Talk about "crotch pot cooking..." [See: Good Morning Vietnam]. 
(Thank the Lord of Darkness I brought my new GHD hair straighteners with me.)

Last night I got to drool over a Paganini Zonda parked in the centre of a futuristic mall, then walked around the block to "Mustafa's" buy-anything-mucho-cheapness Bargain Store, in the middle of a bustling night market.

Also, my hotel is across the street from Raffles - rendering cocktail consumption mandatory, to swing accompaniment on a grand piano by a guy who clearly modeled himself on Jamie Cullum. (v.pleasant, I just wish Liam had been there to give me a twirl around the floor).

Off to Sim Lim Square tonight - bargain paradise for electronic gadget hunters who are game enough to haggle for the best price (No, No, No! You're *supposed* to say: "ten for that, you must be mad" )
I'm hoping they might even throw in a free gourd...

Of course I'm going to miss this aspect of the job. It's been a mad opportunity to visit a lot of amazing places.
If nothing else, it's given me some great future-holiday ideas :)

Any hoo. Agreement has been reached to release me from the company, effective May 1st. They've even been nice enough to give me a rather nice gold-plated bye bye handshake. Lovely Chaps. I take back all the horrible stuff I've previously said about them.

Nearly home. I can see the Emerald City from here...

Right. Am now officially pooing myself about running the half marathon on sunday in a full body vinyl inflated costume.

The resulting "chaffage" alone is likely to require emergency triage - not withstanding the last time I ran this I ended up with giant blood filled blisters stretching across the entire width of each foot (these both had to be lanced in the bath to release the blood before it turned septic. nice.)

I can't believe I'm actually doing this for my son. The only fun part will be when I have to lance *his* blood blisters while he's in bath. (I'll insist he keeps his shorts on of course. tsk. he *is* my son y'know...)

Any hoo. Am off out at lunchtime to buy our fundraising buckets and some boxing tape to bind around our hands.

if anyone who hasn't sponsored me yet is feeling shameful pangs of guilt - feel free to drop me an email or comment with a pledge and you'll get comedy pics of me on the day as thanks :)

Climb the Highest Mountain

Thinking on a grand scale is appropriate now with planetary giants Jupiter and Saturn forming a helpful trine with each other on March 16. This is the first of a series of constructive connections between the planets of expansion and contraction, a process that won't end until late next year. Lay a foundation for long-range goals by meshing your high hopes for the future (Jupiter) with a plan to make it real (Saturn). 
Optimistic Jupiter assists you in overcoming doubt and pessimism. Invisible forces can uplift and guide you toward a more fulfilling life. If you feel resistance within yourself, uncover the source so that you can devise ways to overcome it. On March 17, loving Venus waltzes into sensual Taurus in your romantic 5th House of Love and Creativity. A door to pleasure is opening wide. A positive self-esteem can attract more people to you.

I know you can't see much of Callum's face, but there's something strangely familiar about the "go fuck yerself" attitude...

[I'm such a proud mum. I taught them everything I know - It took 5 minutes. But I *did* have to explain it all twice]