Prague and getting away with it!!!

Well, I am back from Prague - and it was great! Conference for 80 people - the majority of them from Eastern Europe. I had to organise catering, simultaneous translation (Russion/English), an evening reception as well as flights and accomodation for 50 of the delegates. As well as all the paperwork and stuff that goes with a conference. And it all worked and everyone was happy! And I am very happy!!! As well as very relieved that it all went ok. My colleagues have informed that the next conference may be in Zambia. Ok. Moving swiftly on...

Here is the Villa Grobovka in Prague where we held the conference:



Slightly lower down the photos is part of the interior - marble staircase and very ornate decor. Photos are in random order. Sorry, very tired!

This the nice (purple) scarf I bought for my self:

Here are some wooden Christmas decorations from a great shop I found among all the trashy ashtray and stein shops:

I even managed to find a small yarn shop near the hotel. It was run by a rather fierce and scary lady who didn't speak English so after some pointing and holding up of fingers I came away with this small haul: (the beads came from the same shop as the decorations)

Here I am outside the shop:

There are lots of decoative buildings in Prague - like this:

Here are the lovely Elina (from Latvia) and Christine (from Bristol) in a cafe - we had hot mulled wine from here the night before - yum:

Here is an amazing building which I loved, it was huge - the building in front is about 4-5 storeys high! At night it was all lit up ad looked fab:

Here is the picture of the inside of the Villa Grobovka (see above) this was the view from the desk I was sitting at. I managed to knit almost a whole sock during the conference sitting at this desk which resulted in a few comments (forgot to take picture of the sock...) the building was amazing, hand painted and everything:

Prague was great and I would love to go again. This was the first time I had flown anywhere (or left the country at all) for 10 years and unfortunately I had a filthy cold when we left on Monday and I thought I was going to end up with 2 perforated eardrums on the plane - SO PAINFUL - O.MI.GD. Then I was deaf in my right ear until part-way through Tuesday. Thankfully the flight back today was much better. All in all a very successful trip, very tired now so going to sleep. Bye!

Zambia. Hmmm......

Shopping - gah!

Why is it so hard to buy a bra? WHY? Came home feeling like an elephant - very depressing. I hate it that every time I go shopping for any item of clothing I just end up really pissed off. Tried on in the region of 20 bras - 6 at a time cos you can only take that many in at a time so you have to keep getting dressed and going out again. Found one that just about fitted. One. And I don't even like it!

I did buy some purple tights which cheered me up a bit. Then wandered around Cabot Circus shopping centre for a bit. No wool for sale in there...

Nearly there with the Prague conference - actually feeling pretty cool and calm about it, don't want to speak too soon but think it's going to be ok. looking forward to going to Prague but will be glad when I see things come together.

Been doing a lot of thinking, I thought that turning 40 meant I should get on and start acheiving stuff and taking things on but in fact it has become about stepping back and taking stock. I have ended up giving things up and deciding not to do things and that it is ok not to do things and finally am feeling more like I can live with myself as I am - without a high flying job or a PhD or any of those things. I have also shifted in my thinking about parenthood as well - that this is still my main job and that I still have a lot of work to do! I realised a lot of the problems between us and the teens arose from us feeling so backed into a corner that we came really defensive and completely closed off from giving anything positive - and you know that thing about how you attract stuff towards you that reflects the way you are... yeah well! Anyway - things feel much better already. I am sure it won't get easy overnight but I feel positive about being a parent for the first time in... well... 18 months at least! So what if I never have what some might consider a great job or get any more qualifications? I'd rather be knitting anyway :)

On a lighter front - this is the dog getting into Pete's guitar playing:

heh heh heh. Crazy dog. Bet he doesn't sit around worrying about shit all day :)

Freaky Friday

I know, it's Saturday. Yesterday - walked to work in boots and got two humungous blisters one on the underside of each heel so rendering it impossible to walk properly. Soooo painful!!! Cried when I got home (wore same boots for same walk the previous week - no blisters: how??) . At lunch time I ate mouldy salad by accident. Was eating whilst working at computer, didn't look at the salad before I ate it - horrible. Stupidly I decided to leave the remains of Thursday's salad in the office for Friday, completely forgetting that the office is very warm...

I am presently arranging a conference in Prague on 25th November (getting closer - eek!) for about 75 people, nearly 50 of whom I have to arrange the flights etc from various parts of Eastern Europe. It was all going fairly swimmingly but then found a couple of cock ups and people started wanting to change their flights - aaaaarrrrrrghhhh!!!!! Left work in order to prevent self from throwing computer out of window. Went to FOPP instead and bought a few DVDs - The Night Porter, Bagpuss, The Missionary, Hound of the Baskervilles (Basil Rathbone). Also another which is a bit sad (not as in weepie...) and so I won't admit here to what it was :). Watched the sad one when got home, with wine and feet off floor - ouch! Felt better.

Teens came in, no luck on job front as yet, teen 1 now looking for Modern Apprenticeship. Teen 2, not actually living here at present (long story) and lost temper with me this morning, called me a f***ing tw*t, among other things, smashed a chair then left. Oh joy. I told you I hate teenagers! Despite this he is actually getting better and going in a more positive direction so just have to ride it out I suppose.

Knitting wise - knitting two sets of socks (magic loop), one 4 ply, toe-up, lace, on Addi Turbo circs and one 6 ply, top down, plain (knitting-on-the-bus-socks) on Knitpicks circs. Now I love knit picks but the Addi turbos win the magic loop test hands down for me, much smoother. Also started big cabled cardigan in purple Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran which is lush. Got various balls of yarn from GK last weekend for hats/gloves Christmas presents, and just ordered a kit from Fyberspates for the 'Delicate Snowflake' jacket in Simply Knitting issue 48 - this is for my niece for next year. As an aside, I found a website www.allposters.co.uk which has some great knitting posters such as wartime stuff etc. Although there are some bizarre photos of close ups of just a few rows of plain knitting which are about £24 - not quite sure why anyone would...

Lastly, found another website - advertised in Simply Knitting - www.audible.co.uk where you can get an audiobook per month for £7.99; first two months free! I got an ipod for my birthday and lurve the old audio books!

Off to visit my friend on the other side of Bristol on the bus in a minute, curry and wine, yum...

Rain, rain, rain and other things that have annoyed me this week...

Question 1) Why in hell's name is it still raining??? It's meant to be August! I am normally pretty sanguine about the weather but this is getting a bit much even for me.

Question 2) Why are car insurance companies so SHIT. IBuyEco have been taking direct debits out of my account since April even thought they wrote my car off after a crash in March, removed it for disposal / destruction / whatever (sob), then paid me the settlement (less the excess etc - still waiting - another story grrr) but when I rang them they told me that the policy had never been cancelled and I wouldn't get a refund ( asked them how in hell's name I could still be driving around in a car that they themselves wrote off???). They are the WORST company I have dealt with to date, really confusing and generally crap. When I get back from Kent next week they are going to get so much grief.

On a good front we managed to get train tickets from Bristol to Kent for £64 for both of us. This is £30 less that the coach. Not sure how but not complaining....

Number two son has reappeared after more than a week's absence. I get so worried about him and yo-yo between wanting to completely brain him and being relieved when I do see him and know he's ok. I don't really think I am very good at bringing up teenagers - I really want this bit to be over - sometimes it is so awful I just despair. The drugs is the worst part.

Anyway, got to get ready to go to Kent tomorrow for my grandmother in laws funeral. She was 96. RIP.

July in the rain - again!

Earlier this afternoon Jane and I were sat in the garden baking in the sun - too hot to take the dogs out even! Then, thunder and lightning and pouring rain. Followed by more baking sun followed by more torrential rain. It is still very very hot tho... Wierd weather.

Weston Pier - so terrible! Haven't been there for years but used to take the kids there when they were little. I hope they rebuild it - it will be terrible if they just leave it to fall apart :(

Yesterday afternoon we went to see Phill, Bagpuss and friends (Phill Jupitus, Loaf and Barry Purvis) at the Watershed. It was great - Bagpuss, the Clangers (a big-screen Ironchicken!!!!!!), Noggin the Nog, Ivor the Engine, Pogles Wood and the Pingwings which were amazing - I had never seen them before - and they were knitted as well! They recorded the session for Oliver Postgate who is now in a nursing home in Kent and we all got to wave to him! What wonderful programmes they were - amazing imagination and knocks the pants off anything there is now (except Spongebob Squarepants some one said!).

Spent the rest of the weekend making things from the Guardian Rebel's Knitting Guide and emailed them to Guardian this morning - see if they publish them on the website. Also spent ages updating Ravelry and sorting photos on my laptop. Not sure where today has gone (heh heh). Better do some more practical and useful stuff tomorrow...

(thunder again now...)

No sign of number 2 son since Saturday - sure he will roll in soon wanting food and bath... bloody teenagers :/

Borders and Juliette

Borders knitting group last night which was great fun! it is great to have a Stitch n Bitch every week - within walking distance of my new job! How cool is that!

Started Juliette (see Ravelry...) using Brown Sheep Cotton fleece (double) in PURPLE of course. It is looking great. Had to rip back the row before the lace which involved a lot of k1f,b,f&b in same stitch which with yarn double is a b*tch! Anyway, this was because I didn't check how many stitches I had after knitting on after the sleeves - that'll learn me!

Joined Hat Attack and Ravelympics on Ravelry. For Ravelympics I am going to make the bias knit cardigan from Issue 6 of 'Let's Knit' Magazine - using up a whole load of green(ish) yarns from the yarn cupboard of doom... Erinrae invited me to the Innocent Smoothie hats group so will do some of those as well. Perhaps had better send off the hats already made for Save the Children or whatever it was (!).

On the home front - son number 1 may have a job! hurrah! great news. Son number 2 says he has better things to do that get a job so no cake for him! Decorating must start soon as only have until September to do all these tasks before the big birthday party and the MSc.

Anyway - bluesman will be waiting for me, loitering in the town centre with intent so better go.

Back again

Well haven't been here here in a while! har de har har har...

Lots happened since last year but mainly have just given up my full-time job as I will be starting a Masters degree in September. Working part-time from now on. Hopefully will have more time to other things - apart from decorating and getting house cleared out from under a mountain of crap.

Been going to Get Knitted quite a lot and intend to start going to more Stitch n Bitch meetings - now I will be working in the centre of town I can potentially go to one every Wednesday - whoopee!

back soon (!)