Highlights Lowlights

My week  - in highlights:

Discovering H & M nail varnish (thanks Jen!)

99p for a teeny, weeny bottle but very pretty in 2 easy to apply coats.

No 5. is my new favourite!

Curly hair. 

Not a perm, just a night in with Vonnie Wonnie Woo, inspiration from E4's 'The Great British Hairdresser' and lots of patience/hairspray.

Curly Wurly Lou. 

New 'work' mascara.

Film star lashes in just 2 swooshes! It's by  Bourjois, called 'Volume Clubbing'  in ultra black. 

With a £2 off promo in Boots.  Result!

Tea & Chat

general bitchiness and me having a moan (which always makes me feel better) with Madame G.

Dylan Moran

tickets to see my favourite comedian of all time, in Glasgow on his latest stand up tour 

(it's not til June, but I'm already looking forward to it!)

Ebi Chilli Noodles

and veggie tempura with Miss E Von whilst discussing how successful we could/would be if we were to become sit-com/comedy sketch writers.

  Nom Nom Nom!

The Lowlights:

A 'spaz throw' that resulted in hot tea bag from a freshly made cuppa landing on the back of my hand  

-  not in the bin. Epic fail.

The realisation that husband and I are due to move out of our house very, very soon.

We had lots of empty boxes, parcel tape and good intentions.  This is all we had until we decided to make a start and pack away our ridiculously over sized collection of books.  Now all we have is a living room full of boxes and some empty bookcases. 

Having to go through all of our stuff and decide what we can rid of before the move.

I should really treat this as therapy and use it as an excuse to actually throw away things I no longer need/want but the trouble is, of late, I've found myself being a little sentimental. I fear the worst and think that my "I'll keep this... just in case..?" bundle will grow considerably! 

Having passport photographs taken at one of those horrible, claustrophobic photo booth things - yuck!

The whole process was pretty hellish and the result? Ooft! I look like I've got something wrong with me.  Well, I probably have lots of things wrong with me but never before has it seemed so apparent.  

If you need passport piccies taken for whatever reason (I needed a travel pass) I have some tips:

1) Do NOT wear too much eye liner

2) If you're pale like me, DO wear a bit of blusher and definitely some lippy

3) Do NOT wear a scarf

4) Do NOT wear a black top 

5) DO try to smile (but don't show your teeth)

6) DO get all 3 photos taken and pick 'the best' one.

Have a great weekend. 

I'm gonna pack up some more stuff into boxes - or at least think about it!

I Love Mad Men

There's no doubt been slow off the starting blocks with this one, but over the last couple of weeks I've became obsessed with Mad Men. Not men who are generally mad, although I do love my husband who flutters on the edge of crazy - but the American drama series that kicked off in 2007.  

I was probably too busy singing along to Flight of the Conchords.  

I'm not entirely sure why I didn't jump on this when it first came about but then again, I haven't got my fingertips on the television's pulse, so it's no real surprise.  None of my friends who I'd usually take recommendations from, were or have been talking about it, so despite the odd advertisement or bit of merchandise, it really did pass me by.  For almost 4 years.  The plus side to this is that season 4 has just been released on DVD and with it being a American show, I've got 52 episodes to catch up on (34 to date - as I've devoured all of season 1 and half of season 2) and this makes me happy.  I'm a terribly impatient creature and having to wait an entire week to find out 'what happens next' is an absolute nightmare for me.

Episode 1 of the first series really got me hooked.  A gentle introduction to the movers and the shakers, the setting clearly outlined and beautifully constructed; New York's Madison Avenue in the early 1960's.  It showed the magic could happen when you let a team of creative, pretty things (mostly men), loose in an extremely prestigious advertising agency.  The first episode is based around the Lucky Strike cigarette branding and advertising, just after the Government released a report that smoking is in fact, bad for you health.  Seeing as I'm a logo whore (who's obsessed with advertising campaigns) and smoking is my favourite past time on earth, it immediately ticked two of my boxes.

Throw in a dashing, arrogant, clever, Superman look-a-like who also happens to be a creative genius into the mix - and okay, we've just ticked box number 3. Add a fiesty red headed, immaculately dressed bitch of a female into the swanky office dynamic and there goes box number 4... I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this?

The main man of Madison Avenue, Don Draper (Jon Hamm)

and 

'my' leading lady, Joan Holloway played by Christina Hendricks.

I'm not gonna lie to you and say that episodes 2 and 3 were just as amazing, but they were pretty good (and gave the viewer insight to the other characters (of which there are many)  and get a handle on the story lines and entangled plots developing). I stuck with it and series 1 came to a interesting climax with me begging for more.  

I'm not one for judging T.V shows by the amount of awards they have won or recognition they've been given by the media but now that I've read up a bit about the series, Mad Men has not done too badly - 13 Emmys (to date) and 4 Golden Globes? Aye, that's not bad, at all!

Mad Men has also received critical acclaim for it's "historical authenticity and visual style" and even from the start, you can totally see why.  If you like watching something  'pretty' on T.V, you're gonna love Mad Men.  The cast look absolutely immaculate, everyone is so glamorous - everybody even smokes cigarettes with style, which for me, only adds to glamour! and drink so casually but don't get drunk! The costume department has really pulled off something special and just down to the way it's been filmed - wow! I mean really, WOW!

I should probably mention that I shudder at some of the going's on in the show; the sexist way women are treated as silly (but pretty) play-things or as stereotypical housewives, left at home to cook, clean, look after the children and take care of their husband's every need - the latter, when and only if required. Although this, for me, adds to 'real-ness' of the show, seeing as it's set 50 years ago. I don't condone screwing another women behind your wife's back, but it makes for good television.

Then, other part of me wishes that people (of both sexes) still looked so good when doing, well, whatever... I kinda wish that we all did our grocery shopping in a party frock, high heels, wearing  nail varnish that complimented our accessories, accompanied by a dashing,powerful,  handsome man in a 3 piece suit, with cleanly shaven face, sporting (possibly too much) Brylcreem, shiny shoes and a trilby.

Mad Men, it's sleazy, bitchy, brilliant and chic all at the same time - Lou's vote?  A winning combination.

For those who want a peek at what I'm talking about, here's a wee linky-link. 

Catch Up Challenge

Seeing as I've not blogged in a wee while, I'm now playing catch up with my song challenge!

First up, 'a song that makes me sad' - there are probably loads, I like sad songs.  The first one that popped into my head was "Angie" by the Rolling Stones but at this rate my 30 day song challenge will be made up of 30 Rolling Stones songs - not a bad thing, but also not really a challenge, so I've opted for this instead -

I love The Cure and although this is a song that makes me sad, it's actually one of my favourite songs, ever. The Cure is one of the few bands that my husband & I both really like, so we listen to them at home quite a lot. I had a really good friend who sadly died a few years ago. He was a massive Cure fan. Hearing certain lyrics or a particular tune makes me think about him, (and depending on my mood) this can make me happy, when I remember all the good times we had, the laughs we shared but sometimes, it makes me feel sad and I am reminded that he's no longer here.


Now, 'a song that reminds me of someone'
Not that I have 'hunners' of significant people in my life (although I do have a selected few) there are quite a few songs that remind of certain people for a mixture of reasons.  My comrade in arms Madame G and my best friend when I was growing up Katie-Katester (responsible for my nickname Spinal Lou and other high jinks) are huge Manic Street Preachers fans so every time I hear a Manic's tune, I immediately think of them.  When I hear "Baddie's Boogie" by Babyshambles, I think of being in Barrowlands in December, 2009 with my husband and our mates Marc & Mog.  When we the band started playing the intro, Mog & I went a bit nuts, arms raised, pints of diesel in the air, shouting the lyrics to each other and towards the stage and generally speaking, having a fucking awesome time!
There are plenty of songs that remind me of my husband but I'm saving those for later in the challenge
Instead, I'm going for Stevie Nicks.  This song definitely reminds me of Madame G's husband, Mr G.We occasionally hear it when we're out but always hear it at parties and Mr G heads straight to the dancefloor. The song makes me smile so much, it makes me want to dance and I usually do, with Mr G.

                          

'A song that reminds me of somewhere' - I'm struggling with this one.  Of late, I've not been anywhere exciting, except for the odd hot chocolate in Beanscene.  I've been at home or at work.  

I work for Fred Perry, in their Glasgow store.  We listen to music all day (all day = 9 hours) and I'm so very glad that I work for a company that has such strong affiliations with music. We are not only encouraged to listen to 'decent' tunes, but it is insisted upon.  I get to listen to a lot of cool stuff; Indie, Mod, Rock, Reggae, Rn'B and Northern Soul.  We've got 'Fred Perry playlists' compiled by the staff (Robert, Bob & I) and the master playlists made up by our Regional Manager - who is a fountain of musical knowledge and has a soft spot for 'local' bands. He's from Manchester, so his local bands are The Smiths, Oasis, The Courteeners, James, Joy Division and The Stone Roses. 

Our music library is vast so we never hear the same song twice in the space of a few days so it doesn't get on our nerves - especially at Christmas time when most stores are blaring out 'The best of Christmas hits - volume 4' or such like.  So, a song that reminds me of work.

'A song that reminds me of a special event' is quite easy - not only does it feature in one of my favourite movies of all time, "Almost Famous", more importantly, it was also Madame & Mr G's 'first dance' song at their wedding. The both looked spectacular swooshing across the dance floor and the song? 

It was just perfect.

I actually can't stand Elton John so the thought of uploading a video with him in it made me feel a bit sick so instead, here's a wee youtube video with clip from the movie. If you haven't seen this film, you don't know what you're missing! 

Have a happy, music filled weekend. X

Happy

Day 3 of the 30 Day Song Challenge - "A Song That Makes You Happy"

Now, this threw me a wee bit when I initially thought it I had to pick a song that is happy and I quickly thought, 'fuck, I don't know many of them' but panic over, we're all good.

Most of the songs that make me happy are pretty sad songs and I wanted to pick something a bit more up beat, so Iggy Pop is the obvious choice (for me). My mate Claire & I went to see him at the Barrowlands in 1998 and ohmygod, he knocked my socks off. I love everything about him, from his funny looking face to his love of plastic trousers, his crazy dance moves with actions to particular lyrics, his best friend-ship with David Bowie & Lou Reed, everything... except those ridiculous insurance adverts.

Day Two

Hello my lovelies!

 So here we, day 2 of the 30 Day Song Challenge

"Your Least Favourite Song"

I hate The Beautiful South.  I know 'hate' is a powerful word so I use it carefully,

I HATE The Beautiful South.  

I can't stand them - the way they sound, they way the look, their videos, their pop-ness, their cheeriness, their attempt at 'decent' music but most of all, Grrrr... I hate ALL of their songs.

It was difficult to choose my least favourite but I'm pretty sure this is it.

Enjoy.  Or not.

Yuck.

30 Day Song Challenge

I promise this blog post will be a bit cheerier - not because everything's cool and the gang, but because I'm too tired to think about all the rubbish stuff.

My mate invited me to do a "30 Day Song Challenge" on Facebook but I thought I'd do it on here instead although I know I'm gonna struggle to log in and every day and post something, but I'm gonna give it a whirl, so here goes...

Day One - "Your Favourite Song"

Now this varies depending on lots of well, factors. My favourite song now (like I would be able to pick just one!) probably isn't what I would have chosen 10 years ago, 5 years ago or even 12 months ago! So, I've been thinking about this on and off throughout the day and I've decided on an 'old favourite' - a tune that I listen to nearly every day. I have a tattoo on my ankle that represents it and it was one of the first songs that I heard as soon as I said "I do" to my husband.

The Rolling Stones are my favourite band of all time and yeah, this is probably my favourite song (but I'm gonna post this now before I change my mind)

"Tumbling Dice" - The Rolling Stones

A fairy goth mother or a cheque made out to cash

Just when you think things can't (they just can't!) get any worse... I now know that's when they usually do. Fate and misfortune creep right up behind you and whisper in your ear, "you think that was bad, just wait and see what I have in store for you... you're fucked!"
Having had an architect in our house previously for an initial nosey around, he returned on Saturday and made a start on drawing up the plans to convert our beautiful (already converted) town house back into one abode so our landlord can either move in or sell on (to people far richer than us). Husband managed to get a rough idea of the landlord and architect's time frame. We've got until June, or July at the latest.
I am absolutely devastated. And scared. And worried. And cross.  But most of all really fucking stressed. I am fully aware that I have no right to be cross, after all, our landlord owes us nothing except 2 months notice to pack up all our shit into boxes and find somewhere else to go. A more naturally chilled out person wouldn't be worried or particularly stressed out but with everything that's happened over the past 9 months, I am no longer a calm, cool and collected human being... Having blown ALL our savings on our wedding last June and all wedding (gift) money on our honeymoon we were happy but (understandably) skint. Cue husband's notice of redundancy and four months of purse string tightening, nights-in instead of nights out, missed payments, late payments, bank charges, falling behind on bills; new found happiness starting to fade, surface cracks beginning to appear, but -  they are smoothed again over when husband lands a top, new job. We have 5 weeks of breathing space, recent bills get paid but arrears remain, blood pressure show signs of levelling out and once again there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel until - winter kicks out hard after a glorious summer, temperatures crash to stupid degrees (even for Glasgow) and we see the worst winter for years. Husband struggles for hours every day and night to get to and from work in a borrowed, clapped-out car with no heater.  Chilblains appear to join forces with his chronic chest infection and he is diagnosed with bronchitis. 2 weeks of absences, caused by a combination of genuine illness and the 'adverse weather conditions' making travelling to remote locations impossible resulted in a 'termination of contract' situation from very unsympathetic employers - of a fucking 'care' company... don't even get me started!!
We celebrate New Year in style and hope that 2011 is gonna see an end to all the bad things of late and be the start of bright, new things to be welcomed with optimism (I said that I would try) and open arms.
We're now in the middle of March and so far, 2011... you've been a bastard.
Highlights of 2011 thus far? How about I start with a central heating system that's packed in twice? or the time I nearly flooded the kitchen after our washing machine broke? Or should I moan about how there is so much red tape wrapped around the housing and council tax offices that despite being in dire straits they won't help you? How about I raise you a disciplinary action at work? Or how about this for a deal? -The next time I get a 'reminder' (like I need a reminder -I am in full knowledge that the bill has not been paid) from various companies, should I forward the letter to "our run of bad luck, address: 2011"?
2011 so far, has brought nothing but misery, resentment, upset, depression, lack of sleep, hours of worry and a permanent, major fucking headache and seeing as I'm at it, I may as well add "homeless" to that never ending, ever growing list.

I know that there is no quick fix. I understand that sometimes 'you've got to take the rough with the smooth' (a cliche I've grown very bored of) but "come-oan tae fuck!?!" (Glaswegian expression usually used when you've can take no more of something/someone) - where is the smooth? When does the smooth come??

I don't rant and moan and shout because I want sympathy (despite what this will sound like when I read it back). I want a fairy goth mother or a large cheque made out to cash - but at this stage I'd settle for even a small sparkle of hope that maybe, just maybe - there's a chance that things are gonna change.