In a kerfuffle

Its official – Autumn has been declared in the Blanch-arama leasehold and the heating was turned on briefly yesterday. I can’t help feeling just a little cheated this year, not least as I felt we were on a promise given by the Camp for climate change. Its not so much that I want scolding hot days of lazing around and t-shirt suntans – just that I can leave the flat confident that I am dressed for the day – not, as its been lately of dull, hot, wet, hot, dull, cold, hot. This year too was the year that I had resided myself to not tan in that I never do anyway, so lets slip slap slop it on and try and keep my freckles at bay. Never mind, I am now concentrating all efforts on just one more day of blissful summer sun to be scheduled for around mid September – the 15^th ideally, I am sure I am not alone. I am sure 2008 will be full of Summer evenings of BBQs…. Go on jebus! Please!

Well, I had half expected to be effected by the aforementioned camp for climate change (prevention presumably) seeing as they are practically camped in the garden – this morning we received a generic email saying employees of my Authority are being targeted for attack – not sure why, as Heathrow is not actually in our borough by a hairs whisker. I was quite looking forward to being unduly harassed by a banker dressed as a clown, but it was not to be. It’s been quite interesting watching the events unfold with our vested interest in the airport. Recently my Authority executed a campaign called Love Hounslow and it was directed at the airport expansion and that if you loved Hounslow you would write to the appropriate MP and say stop! I can’t help thinking though that without Heathrow there would be no Hounslow – the public investment does not even come close to the private, it provides jobs whereas Hounslow is instigating a redundancy policy to cut costs and provide a better service (not sure how those two go together). It means there will always be excellent transport links both public and private. Now I know the campaign is about the expansion – but you can’t very well turn around to BAA and say thanks, but yeah, enough is enough now. Like we would be pretty hard pressed saying to India and China “yeah yeah, I know, we had our day and smog and pollution etc, but during your development, can you keep it clean”.

Camp for Climate change has been as much about the environment as it has been about freedom of speech. Apparently, with only a few recorded incidents of the Met Police acting heavy handed it’s been pretty ok. This is no doubt because Hounslow offers a mouth piece to literally anything for example Phil Andrew’s, allowing him to be a councillor despite having been a member of the National Front (http://www.communitygroup.org.uk/id3.html see the footnotes regarding his racial ideals). This leaves me a bit torn. I truly believe in freedom of speech, but like every liberal, believe this should be solely reserved for us and definitely in some sort of censorship for anything associated with the far right. To exemplify this further, I was laughing away about the ridiculous story of the chap being threatened with a criminal action if he continues to wear a t-shirt saying something about being in a bad mood and running out of space for the bodies. How stupid and a complete waste of time, until I went onto read about a pub who under new-management had declared that no mince or faggots on the menu after taking the pub over from a gay couple. Yes, that is offensive, certainly in my mind. Getting things wrong is something I am doing well lately, I refer to my previously blog, and having acquired Kate Nash’s album….. what a load of pants! That said, I can whole heartedly recommend Regina Spektor’s album ‘Begin to hope’ and would love to see her in concert – any takers???

Ok, I shall sign off, as far from getting any answers, I have confused myself further with this blog!

Its me, I'm Katty, I'm drinking with Ho ho ho homer!

This is a picture Lenny took of me, Barney, Homer and Karl at Moe's (chap in the background) from the other wednesday when I skived off work for a swift half of Duff.

Crap day :(

Whoa, so today has been The Worst working Day of My Life ™. I am leaving Hounslow and today I discussed it with the big guy. I have a really good relationship with my Chief so it was quite sad really in all. And just as I was thinking, am I making the right decision you get a sign. In short, I complained about a colleague in March who stood up and shouted in my face one day – inappropriate behaviour I thought. No – the behaviour of someone who feels a bit left out and to resolve this, as a team, we need better communication skills and maybe a team building day. Hmmm, that should sort it. Its quite a blow because I felt really intimidated by the incident and essentially I had to admit this weakness in my grievance. The grievance wasn’t vindictive. I felt that a colleague that exhibits intelligence and competence has the most random and spontaneous temper and it didn’t make sense – I had to suggest an outcome of my grievance – I said that I wanted my colleague to be given help in recognising how she is perceived and to help her correct her behaviour – she will be getting a letter saying its not nice to shout. So it was very nice to get home and open a letter from the bank – Helen and I have the most ridiculous current account that instead of paying interest on what you accumulate does a payback scheme on what you spend. Well, it’s a joint account that pays all our bills, mortgage and everything else – so a hole heap of spending and a nice payback. It’s really giving out the wrong message! Anyway, to cheer me up, I thought I would review Now 67 because if I understand correctly, despite most of you barely hitting the half way point of your 20’s you all feel old. Well, as Granny Helen and me, Nanny Katty have been ‘old’ for some time, I will help you lot with my review so when you are with da kids (anyone under 24) and you fancy a bubble, you can diss the latest tunes.

CD1

Rihanna, ft, Jay-Z, Umbrella

Its all right, don’t understand why its been number 1 for so long

02 Gwen Stefani. Feat. Akon - The Sweet Escape

Heard this the other day from a loud card full of youths – liked it then, and like it now from the comfort of my arm chair whilst it turns on the gramophone.

03 Gym Class Hero - Cupid's Chokehold (Take A Look At My Girlfriend 2007)

I refused to listen to this after releasing this was the same song some pleb had playing from his tinny mobile loud speaker and felt offended for anyone who likes the original

04 Kate Nash – Foundations

Despite seeing Miss Nash perform on the Friday Night Project, I actually thought this was Mutya song with Grove Aramda. That said, it is easily my favourite and reminds me of the Streets and maybe slightly more of Just Jack when they are at their best.

05 Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend (Radio Edit)

Oh, god I would be the first to admit I can’t bear Avril – but what an irresistible fantastic song! Love it!!!

06 Take That – Shine

Nice

07 Enrique Iglesias - Do You Know ( The Ping Pong Song )

Refused to listen to this song – ridiculous song name, ridiculous person.

08 Mika - Love Today

Probably some of the better examples of how good pop can be – bit samey if you have the album though

09 Mutya Buena - Real Girl

Oh Munta! That piercing has to go! However, who wrote this song for you did you well love, not least for the bombing Motown riff that more then compensates your voice.

10 Beyonce & Shakira - Beautiful Liar

I know Gary likes this song - enough said I think!

11 Timbaland. Feat Keri Hilson & D.O.E - The Way I Are (CDS Edit)

Its all right (or ‘s’rite) – don’t get the fuss

12 Amerie - Take Control

Bit samey directly shipped from the factory of pop artist. All right in its own right, very forgettable

13 Christina Aguilera – Candyman

A few seconds of a potentially promising song – then gets really crap!

14 Kelly Clarkson - Never Again

Same old stuff from Kelly

15 Mc Fly - Baby's Coming Back

Crap.

16 Natasha Bedingfield - I Wanna Have Your Babies

I heard this once, I don’t need to hear this rubbish again!

17 Fergie. Feat Ludacris – Glamorous

Hits an 8 on the pants-o-metre. But ok for a few listening

18 Justin Timberlake - Lovestoned (I Think She Knows) (Interlude)

I love Justin and I love this song!

19 Ne-Yo - Because Of You

Feeling of indifference has overwhelmed me

20 Akon. Feat. Snoop Dogg - I Wanna Love You (Clean)

Saved by Snoop.

21 Robin Thicke - Lost Without U

This song made me feel sick!

OK, even I can see this review is getting out of hand! If anyone wants a review of CD2 song by song, then make the appropriate comment! We’re off to see the Simpsons tonight. I got the tickets today being the big ol’ fan that I am. Here’s to a great Thrusday!

Love Kat x

Warning - blog contains descriptions of suistained voilence and terror!

Slug bashing

Our garden is plagued by slugs and snails. In the spirit of debate, I have listed my most common methods of attack however I would be interested in trying, for the sake of gardeners everywhere, any new methods:

The Sully Sling
As first witnessed in Crawley. Pick up the snail by its shell and sling it at a hard surface (vertical is best) i.e. a wall or a shed (as Sully demonstrated). I have adapted this method by scooping several snails on a trawl, and using that as tennis racket.
Effectiveness: Requires catching a snail
Other notes – not recommended on white walls, which I was aiming at unless splatter patterns are your thing. If it bounced, you’re not throwing hard enough. Does provide easy prey bird food. Doesn’t work on slugs.Salt Wash
Gather some offending species together and poor salt on them and watch them melt. Very satisfying if you are plagued by snails and slugs. Give it a ‘Hostel’ twist – get them in the first!
Effectiveness – requires catching them.
Other notes – messy, leaves salt mountains all other garden and can be expensive, if, like us, we only use sea salt, as we don’t salt food generally.

Pellets
The most effective method I would imagine for an all out genocide – it gets the critters who hide in the soil and thus exempt from above methods.
Effectiveness: Very!
Other notes – economic and environmental cost – are birds that eat the poisoned slug/snail liable for some poising themselves?? No satisfaction gained by personally avenging your young seedlings that were taking untimely early spring.

The Bottoms Up approach
Never tried this, but apparently you bury a glass of beer in the garden and the slugs fall in and drown. Why can’t it just be water then? Also, for those that get away, is there a damage it can make birds drunk by eating the intoxicated snail/slug and more prey to domestic cats? I’d imagine the more expensive choice of ethnic cleanse as well as lacking personal satisfaction too.

Love Bites
Apparently, there are parasites you can buy that will bury themselves in the slug/snail and cause it imminent death. I would imagine this would be effective for the underground types too. I would be interested to know more on this method if any one has tried.

As a final note – slugs and snails are evil and if they had feelings they would surely too have freewill and help me by solely munching on my weeds. I don’t know if they feel pain, quite frankly – I don’t care.

Anyone up for snail tennis???

Update on what I have being done - bit boring!

Hi all,

Wow, bit of a pause between blogs. I have been on a bit of a world tour reaching the depths of France, Belgium and Italy. How very international.

Instead of boring everyone with the great details of the tour, I shall attempt to summarise (a word that does not sit well in my dictionary) on events since 6^th June which was my last update.

Well, the holiday period started very well (why does that sound like a big BUT is on its way, its not, no plot twists here!). We went to the theatre on the Saturday 9^th of June – saw Murder for the Asking – which was a bit of a kitchen sink drama and a bit dull which was a shame, but I like nothing more then a grumble so it hit that note. Then on the Sunday we went to Crawely’s number luxury hotel Chez Sullys. A super night was had, as well as a lovely meal followed by a Sully experimental Pud ™. Our taxi was booked next morning for 5am and the plan was to get up for 4.30am of which Sully said she would get up too. Bless her, had she wanted to stay in bed, she had two hopes (or two Bobs as I said the other day) with lots of early morning holiday stomping!

A faux pas later at the expense of our cab driver and we were on our flight to Rome – a good time had by all – with lots of walking, sculptures, paintings and historic sights – none of which Chris had signed up for! Lots of comedy moments as you might expect from the crowd in those hot conditions including a blessing from the Pope! Completely exhausted from the trip but very memorable so that’s good!

Then, I whipped off to Ashford for more residential training – I can feel already this blog is going down the boring route! Skip to Gary’s stag, however as I had to sign a contract concerning the Official Secrets Act I can’t say a word about that even though it would be funny to say something about just how cold one man can get cling filmed to a lamp post.

After Gary’s do, I stayed in Kent as I had another residential so Helen popped down to say Hello and then we bumped into Dr Who who Gary confirms, is a resident of that way. Back to London on Thursday and then out with Amy & co. on a Turner Tour – this time a ghost walk, which gave me the willies and Allie the nick name agent of the devil – which is now Agent – very catchy. Oh, went to work that day but then was to told to Fuck Off by a consumer, so I did! And off I fucked to Harlow to go disco disco dancing in a discothèque. Disco! With a courgette!

And so to last week – back to work (about time too!), Clifford popped to Glyn’s who twinked his hand brake and indicators – both working lovely. Cliff’s MOT due next week so am going to put it in this week as you do. Had a lovely roasty at the weekend Chez Harlow and now listening to the miserable weather beating at the flat with Joan as Policewoman in the background which I can only whole heartedly recommend. And Dexter too – watch it!

Hope all are well,

Katty xxx