Notes of Life

I’m off to London tomorrow. It’s only been a month since my last visit to the big city, but I’m off to another concert (the main reason for my trip).

Tomorrow night I’m going to a preview of Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 and Q&A. It’s a new TV docu-fiction programme using hi-definition NASA footage and “cinematic drama”. It’s combining my love for all things NASA and space with one of my favourite actors, James Marsters. He plays Buzz Aldrin and stars along side Andrew Lincoln as Michael Collins and Daniel Lapaine as Neil Armstrong. Can’t wait! The director and cast will be there too, though I doubt James will be there as he’s not currently in the UK.

Then, on Saturday night I’m going to Wembley Stadium to see my all-time favourite band… Take That! From what I’ve seen and heard, this is their best tour yet and on Saturday I’ll see for myself. Even the boys… sorry, men… don’t know how they’ll top this one.

Then it’s time for home on Sunday and back to work on Monday.

I’ve only been doing around about 1 post a week lately… Slack, I know! My time is also split with writing reviews for Dooyoo, which is also earning me some pocket money. I’ve made nearly £160 in just over a year, so it’s kept me in supply of CDs, DVDs and books, and comes in handy for Christmas time.

I’ve also got back into reading. In the past couple of months or so I’ve read Backup by Jim Butcher, Turn Coat (Dresden Files 11) by Jim Butcher, Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Shrewsbury and Around Shropshire by David J. Cox and Shropshire Murders (True Crime History) by Nicola Sly. I’m currently reading Five Chimneys: A Woman Survivor’s True Story of Auschwitz by Olga Lengyel, which is an emotional read to say the least, to the point that I’ve had to stop reading and put the book down a couple of times.

Anyway, see you on the other side of the weekend.

Okay, so they’re not really conjoined, but they certainly look like it from this photo! They don’t normally get quite this close, but Mika (on the left) was taking up most of the sofa and Leo wanted his usual seat (which is actually mine!) so he plonked himself down and didn’t care that he’d just lay down on top of Mika’s back legs & feet.

Would you believe that a few days ago Mika wouldn’t allow Leo in the same room as him, let alone on the same sofa? Why? Well, Mika was attacked by a cat we call Stripey (because he’s got some distinctive markings and we don’t know his real name) and he decided he didn’t want any cats near him, not even the one he lived with. By the time this Stripey cat had finished with Mika he was traumatised and tender. We couldn’t pick Mika up and his eyes were huge, the poor cat was petrified! He was limping with his front legs and his back, and anything more than a stroke on his head resulted in a painful miaow. Leo wanted to make sure Mika was okay, but Mika wasn’t having anything and growled at Leo everytime he came near.

Thankfully, after a couple of days Mika started to feel better and Leo was allowed near as long as he didn’t raise a paw (as Leo’s known for walking past Mika and giving him a quick tap!). We can now pick up Mika and he seems to be back to his old self, he was even chasing Leo and running about this morning.

Stripey hasn’t been about since the incident, but as he’s now attacked Mika and he’s attacked Charlie (next door’s cat) we’re trying to catch him. He’s not been neutered and he needs to be. Unfortunately, we’re not sure who owns him (next door are thinking about putting posters up), but whoever does own him doesn’t seem to look after him… While he looks like a clean cat and is very friendly (unless you happen to be a cat!), he always seems to want to come in in the evening or at night… He’ll sit at our window miaowing to come him. I blame the owners!

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There’s a story behind this Martini glass…

A couple of years ago I entered a competition which was something to do with Martini and George Clooney (remember the TV adverts?) and then promptly forgot about it. A few months passed by and a box was delivered with my name on. I couldn’t remember ordering anything that big so was intrigued as to what was inside.

Opening the box I discovered a letter to say I’d won a competition and the goodies inside were mine. Inside the box was a George Clooney calendar, Oceans 11 & 12 DVDs, 3 bottles of Martini, a Martini recipe book, some other bits & bobs and 2 of these Martini branded glasses! Considering I couldn’t remember entering the competition, I was very impressed with my stash of Martini/George Clooney goodies (although it would have impressed me even more had Mr Clooney delivered the box of goodies himself!).

I must admit that this glass does not contain Martini as when I took the photo I thought it was a little too early in the day to be drinking alcohol, so instead I used lemonade.

Posted for this week’s Thematic Photographic theme - Green.

Taken in the garden last weekend.

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A lot of the roads around here are country lanes. Living in a village in Mid Wales, the surrounding countryside provides plenty of walking fodder, be it by lane or by path. I’m sure you’ll agree, the views are beautiful too.

These photos were taken while walking a circular route from the village. The route takes us up a long, steep incline, which, believe me, is quite hard work! It’s not so much hard work on the way down, but a cold drink is always welcome when we arrive back home.

Posted for Written Inc’s Thematic Photographic theme - Road.