How'd you do 2014!

Goodbye 2013! You left as quickly and dramatically as you entered. It has been a breathtaking 12 months both globally and personally.

The events kick starts with Obama being sworn in as President of the free world for a second term. For the first time in 600 years, a living Pope steps down from his papal duties and forces the appointment of another.

Natural disasters ripped across the globe with record-setting storms wrecking havoc. Not to mention pointless deaths caused by mindless fanatics all using politics and religion for the wrong reasons. We also saw the passing of world leaders like Nelson Mandela.

But we also welcomed a future King and saw incredible acts of humanity though the mentioned tragedies.

In our personal lives, our friends got married, welcomed a newborn or two, bought new homes. We traveled the world-went to pastures new. Did something different for the first time. Danced the night away and drank too much, got into rows and quarrels. We tried to keep up with the new year's list but failed dismally and made up excuses to do it 'tomorrow'. Worked far too much and moaned about it on Twitter and Facebook. Missed a few functions, wished you had done something else. Definitely spent too much money on gadgets, clothes and shoes!

But you know what 2013? Through everything, I'd like to say 'THANK YOU' I'm still here, I have a fabulous family and an amazing bunch of friends. I've made so many new friends along the way. I've moaned and cried and laughed all the same. You were not brilliant but you were sufficient to see me through to 2014.

As a good friend said to me once, the 'world's my lobster'. Beyond bright horizon across the beautiful blue sea, the opportunities are endless.

So 2014 let's see what you got installed for us. I'm looking forward it all! Bring it on..

"This is the reason why I dislike hospital wards at night"

What do you do when you have the house to yourself on a Friday night? Party! I hear you scream..
That would have been the usual protocol in any 'home alone' opportunity- invite the mad gang over for drinks and eats, rave on till the wee hours of the morning.

But no. I decided I wanted a night-in, just me the telly and mountains of junk food.  Since it hit the global markets we know how marvellous HD TVs are as a viewer you feel like you're in the scene/environment next the person(s). Its fab for nature programs and films. Yea films, horror films are magnified in clarity and hence making it far more scarier than when first viewed on grainy analogue sets.

Foolishly, you may say, I decided to watch The Exorcist 3. Among the iconic scenes from the trilogy, this one, in my opinion, is the most spin-chilling scene. (Exorcist III  'Legion' - Nurse Station Scene, courtesy of http://youtube/zHGood p8ynu0jRvY)

I do not like being an in-patient at the best of times, but growing up hearing of haunting tales at hospitals and after watching this (when I was much younger) has instilled an eternal fear of dingy hospital corridors. I also have developed an irrational fear of the nurses being harmed by apparitions or poltergeists! Serves me right for being a reluctant fan of the horror genre.

How can I be a 'relunctant' fan? I'm one of those who likes a scary film but would only watch it with either a bunch of people or if alone (like in this occassion) peeping through an opening under my duvet!

Having said that, I would still prefer to watch a scary movie than a chic flick any day.
So what do I do to pass yet another few hours, since I have already spooked myself stupid that I wont be sleeping a wink until daybreak, I proceeded to watch amityville horror! "Another bowl of popcorn, for the mad lady!"

Hiatus.... A very long one

Right... For those who know me personally would be privied to the reasons for my rather long hiatus, hence the lack of posts since the last one.

But all that is behind me now, I'm back! Geez and it feels good, no, GREAT to be back doing what I do best...waffling, I mean writing! It has been a rough, long old road to get here, but it has made me a stronger person for sure. And thankfully I've not lost my sense of humour. I can't tell you how important it is to laugh, and especially about oneself. Pity is a fool's emotion. Self pity is far worse. I know I've been there many a times, it's like falling down a well and not being able to get out.

It is during  these times that I find the rescue rope thrown down by my nearest and dearest (who know who you are).

Well move forward to happy time; I went to a comedy gig couple days back. It was a small venue with a cosy bar, mini stage and delicious food. I had not been out for ages until that night so was rather looking forward to the stand up comedy where, five guys; three Americans, a Canadian and a Scot. All vying for the  'fight comic' title. They had to get through several rounds mostly based on the concepts of 'mock the week' and 'have I got news for you' and the deciding round involved random suggestions/comment from the audience. It was cracking good fun!

Anybody can join to compete in this weekly event, of course with the intention of going to the grand final against past winners, the crowd were a mix bunch. Mainly tourists and a few after-work business types with their companions. This old boy- who just happened to look and dress like Donald Trump got ripped to shreds, well serves him bloody right for sitting close to the stage and in view of the comics!

My friend and I weren't drinking so mock cocktails it was, mainly mixed with red bull and some sparkling juice made up for the lack of cold beer or spirits. I think this might become a weekly thing. Definitely inviting more people to go along next week. And for a fiver (entrance fee) cheap drinks, it's not bad for a night out.

Eye Candy, and Eye No No

I'm a fairly active individual, have been most of my life. I was the sporty one in school, but it has been a while since I last went to the gym mainly because I was busy anyway, with uni, work, volunteer stuff and more work, so never really found the time or the money to join one.

Last week, I met up with a really good friend of mine. Like girls do when we get together, started yapping away about this that and the other, catching up on things we've been up to, spot of lunch and we carried on talking when she mentioned about needing to go to the gym that afternoon and said she has a membership and could, therefore, sign up a couple of friends for a free 7 day trial at the gym. I thought, being the workaholic I am, it would be a great idea to keep busy and get more exercise.

Now, I haven't been to a gym since secondary school days, and even then we used the school gym in the afternoons. I turned up at this gym near the centre of Cambridge (can't mention which one, but as I've already given away the location, those familiar with the area would kind of know), a rep meets and greets me, shows me around the facilities.

After the tour, I'm all excited and looking forward to a work out and getting fit and that, so the rep shows me to the ladies changing room. I hadn't actually noticed the other ladies until after the rep left. I turned around to find some semi, some completely stark naked women- MIDDLE aged (and senior!!) women. I plonked onto the wooden bench, shocked and scared as I saw what was yet to come in life! -If I absolutely neglected my body.

I shouldn't make fun, it's not PC (blah blah blah), I know I know, but to quote the famous phrase from 'Catchphrase'- "say what you see!"

I quickly changed, it was a personal best, trust me I couldn't move fast enough to get up to the all the exercise equipments. As soon as I sprinted to the 'fitness room' I got straight on to the treadmill, and thank heavens they were situated near the men's work out gallery. Ahhh... it was like having an ice cream after a nasty injection.

Needless to say I stayed working out on the various machines, toning and "sight seeing" and more working out, flicking my hair, wiping the beads of sweat (not all from working out!). I won't traumatise you by saying what I saw afterwards when I had enough exercise for one day, I'll leave you to your imagination.