oxbridge
Apr. 2nd, 2009
10:47 am - Bond AS332L2 Helicopter crashed yesterday
Bond AS332L2 Helicopter on contract to BP crashed yesterday afternoon on its way home from the Miller Platform
I can’t not write about this.
My blood rang cold when I read that a helicopter had crashed, I knew that none of my immediate family were involved but working in this incestuous industry you know that there’s every chance you will know someone who is involved or touched by this.
We have close friends who work for the Drilling contractor which lost 10 of it’s staff. My heart goes out to all the families caught up in this tragedy. Such a tragic waste of life.
The sun is shining here and the flags are flying at half mast. Last night I held my loved ones just a little bit closer and harder than normal
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sadMar. 30th, 2009
12:56 pm - Hot to trot
Can't imagine what I'll wear them with... May have to buy something...
11:45 am - More humiliation....
So after the Chocolate mousse debacle and thinking the family are all elsewhere and accounted for (HID reading Sunday papers, eldest daughter at work, and youngest daughter still entertaining her first time sleepover friend), I decide that this is the perfect opportunity to slip away and try on some of the clothes that I bought the previous day.
I now favour the Blitzkrieg form of shopping, I go to a department store and hoover up a selection of clothes, pay for them, take them home for a try on session, then usually end up returning at least 75% of them. On Saturday I bought a selection of Summer skirts, I have to look reasonably smart for work, so skirts and tops/blouses are a good way of ringing the changes. I also bought 2 pairs of shoes, one sensible, with cute kitten heels and a pair of wildly unsuitable high strappy black shoes (will post pics if required?). The weather had been positively arctic this weekend and later on I know that I will have to stand and hold daughters horse while he’s groomed and tacked up so I’ve already donned heavy duty fleece and multiple layers of clothing (have you noticed there’s never a hot flush available when you want one?)
Anyway I’m too lazy to remove top half of clothing, so I figure that I can see if the skirts fit and look alright with kitten heels. So there I am prancing about in a floral floaty skirt with heels and thermal fleece in front of my freestanding mirror in the bedroom, when the door opens and my daughter ushers in her sleepover guest to give her ‘thanks for having me’ speech. She takes in the vision in front of her and once again I lose eye contact as she sums up the vision I present. To make things worse, daughter makes no comment whatsoever, which probably gives the impression that I always look like this. Great just great, am well on my way to be classed as an incontinent eccentric…
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cheerfulMar. 29th, 2009
10:58 am - It's catching...
This morning at the request of eldest daughter I was making Chocolate mousse for dessert tonight. I've got to the stage where I've melted the chocolate in a bowl over simmering water in a pan (as per Delia's instructions), I've come to the conclusion that the bowl is probably a little too small, and it's difficult to really beat the choc mix 'cos it slipping around a lot in the pan so I decide to take the bowl out of the pan and place it on the work surface. In removing the bowl the Pukka pan (yes celebrity chef cookware) then tips over 'cos it's now unbalanced and the hot water then gushes down my front and leg! No time to clear up because I have to beat the egg yolks into the chocolate (is it really meant to firm up as much as it does?) Hampered by the bowl being too small but do my best, recipe states to leave it to cool for 15 minutes, fine will now tidy up.
The doorbells goes and I sprint to the door, (I should say at this point that I'm having a partial bad hair day, youngest daughter borrowed my hairdryer last night and forgot to return it, she has a friend staying for a sleepover, so I don't want to disturb them), I've tried to convince myself that the slightly tousled look is 'very now' and people probably would pay good money to have hair like mine (natural curl)..
So standing on the doorstep is eldest daughters boyfriend (I think he's a boy who's a friend rather than a significant other, but it's hard to tell 'cos it all changes so quickly), returning some (obscure) CD. He's not making a lot of eye contact - the hair is not that bad surely? Take CD say thanks and go back in to tidy up, then I realise he was staring at the damp patch - yes it looks like I've had an accident (but not with a pan).
So Jac you're not alone! Hope you had a good weekend and didn't sustain any more injuries? Will let you know how the Choc mousse goes....
May. 30th, 2008
04:39 am - I got tagged!
I was tagged by ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
charliecochrane
Tell seven random and/or interesting things about myself. Get five blog buddies to play too (I don't have enough, hence the duplication, sorry Charlie!) and link to their blogs. Don’t forget to post the rules.
I tag mylodon, just_jac7 and shezzawatto
My random facts are:
1. I once won a car in a magazine competition
2. I played Mary in a Nativity play (aged 7 years)
3. I adore Champagne (especially pink champagne)
4. My middle name is Louise, but the first time I had to write it down I realised I didn’t know how to spell it! Lousy, Louse – all sorts of variations before I got it right.
5. At times I have been the only woman working on an oil platform staffed by 300 men (best chat up line – what can you see from your cabin?)
6. I was once offered a job in a research institute to investigate growing the ultimate potato for crisp production ( I didn’t accept).
7. My husband and I married exactly 1 year, 1 month and 1 day after we’d first met.
Apr. 28th, 2008
11:20 am
This is the Birthday cake that I ordered for my daughters 18th birthday (can you guess that she's music mad and plays drums!)
Party a big hit, friends on Saturday, family on Sunday, clear up Monday....
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cheerfulMar. 23rd, 2008
12:06 pm - Happy Birthday!
Wishing the extremely talented Mylodon a very Happy Birthday, hope it's a good one. Love and birthday hugs to you.
Feb. 14th, 2008
07:23 am - A woman's work is never done...
Saw this somewhere and it struck a chord...
The proof that Jesus was a woman
He fed a crowd at a moment’s notice when there was no food
He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn’t get it.
And even when he was dead, he had to get up because there was work to do.
Jan. 9th, 2008
02:45 pm - Style of New Year Greetings!
This for most people has been the first full week back at work after the festive season, and working with a variety of nationalities (mostly male) I was struck by the range and difference in New Year greetings.
For example, my English colleagues shake hands and wish you a Happy New Year, my fellow Scots shake hands (usually taking your hand in both of theirs) and risk a small peck on the cheek. French colleagues shake hands, kiss on both cheeks, enquire as to how you enjoyed your holiday and then kiss again (both cheeks). Dutch colleagues shake hands and kiss on the cheeks three times. The Irish are unique, shake hands, kiss both cheeks and then, given the chance indulge in full body contact (to shouts of ‘get a room’ in the background!). Have yet to encounter my Belgian and Norwegian colleagues ….
cheerfulJan. 2nd, 2008
11:10 am - Happy New Year
Happy New Year to all my LJ friends, hope 2008 is a good one!
Thought I'd share a recipe with you that was a big hit this Festive season, and the great thing is that you can make it in advance and finish it off just before serving. Hope you like it.
Crème brûlée with Bailey’s
Serves six
8 egg yolks
50g (2oz) castor sugar
450ml (16 fl oz) double or whipping cream
150ml (5 fl oz) Bailey’s
2 tablespoons Demerara sugar
•Preheat oven to 150 deg C/300 deg F/gas 2
•Mix the egg yolks and sugar together in a bowl. Pour the cream and Bailey’s into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Whisk the flavoured cream into the egg yolks and sugar.
•Ladle the mixture into six 7.5cm (3 inch) ramekins. Place them in a deep tray and pour in the boiling water so that it reaches halfway up the ramekins. Cover the tray with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until just set. To test, gently shake a ramekin, there should be a slight wobble in the centre of the set custard. Remove from the oven, take out the ramekins and leave to cool. Put in the fridge to chill.
•Preheat the grill to very hot, sprinkle the top of the custard with the sugar and place under the grill, watching until the sugar caramelises to a golden brown.
Aug. 25th, 2007
04:54 pm - Time travelling?
Spotted this in Glasgow - wondered if Jac had finally found a way of time travelling - okay it's the wrong colour but it could have been incognito!
happyJul. 16th, 2007
04:35 pm - Holiday Reading
These are a couple of books that I read recently and would recommend:-
The Night Ferry - Michael Robotham, a gripping thriller, great characters that continue from his previous books, but this can stand alone and you'll enjoy it without having read his other books. A real page turner.
Final Settlement - Linda Davies, a rattling good yarn, perhaps not as sharp as her previous books (Nest of vipers, Wilderness of mirrors) But still good holiday reading.
Enjoy!
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aggravatedJul. 7th, 2007
08:01 am
Oh joy! Today we are shopping for School Uniforms .... or more accurately clothes that will be worn to school ie my youngest daughters interpretation of the uniform. Hats off to my eldest, who despite being made a Prefect last year (it was a kind of Mafia style offer that she couldn't refuse - seriously not cool in her eyes..) has managed to include wearing a black hoodie as part of her regular uniform - this worn with the standard blazer plus house colours etc! Still not sure how she gets away with it. Fortunately I'm usually at work before they leave for school so I don't have to witness the fashion parade each day.
And to cap it all we have Pony Club Camp this week (I shall write more about this because I can't hope to do justice to the PC experience in this little scribbling) Suffice to say I'm sure it's all character building...
It's a bit early for a G&T but I definitely feel the need of some sort of stimulant or should that be sedative?
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anxiousJun. 20th, 2007
10:50 am - Bollards!
Especially for Mylodon - spot the mistake!
Jun. 10th, 2007
05:34 am
Junior back home safely from Paris! Couldn't settle all yesterday, shopped, did housework, laundry (ironing with BSG for company), did some gardening (well watered plants on patio anyway) tried to read - don't remember a word of it. All the time there seemed to be a odd kind of excitement or expectation running through the house, for me certainly, don't think the other family members were quite as enthusiastic!
Must say it was an exceptionally quiet week, only a fraction of the usual mountain of washing to do, toilet rolls seem to last so much longer, and makeup could be left safely in bedroom and would still be there when I went back to it. Also laptop access freely available, I'm beginning to see a correlation here with younger daughters residency ...
Junior seemed singularly unimpressed with Paris - I find it so sad that at such a young age one can feel so jaded about new places and experiences. I can only hope that this was just exhaustion speaking and that there was some real pleasure and wonder in the trip. Life seemed so much more simple when I was a child, trips and holidays were to be treasured.
Oh well back to reality and the complete contents of a suitcase to wash and iron. No sooner have I got everyone at home then husband is leaving on a business trip tomorrow - not happy, I much prefer when all the brood is together. Apart from missing him, I'll also have all the taxi runs and all that goes with family life to manage by myself - could be a long week...
frustratedJun. 7th, 2007
02:08 pm
It’s official men are worst gossips than women! My boss was giving feedback to our section about our marathon meeting yesterday and took pleasure in stating that “Engineering had made a significant impact on the IT contingent” this comment was loaded with attitude and raised more than a few smirks round the table – or am I just being sensitive? Mr IT “I use every available hair product in the morning” further fuelled speculation by giving me an Oliver Hardy type waggle of his fingers as the doors closed on the lift he was occupying – this action also witnessed by the rest of my section as we were en route to a team meeting. Will be using the stairs from now on, do not want to risk an up close and personal meeting in the lifts, besides I’m sure I could be blinded by the light bouncing off those cosmetically whitened teeth!
Jun. 6th, 2007
04:01 pm
Have sat through one of the most boring meetings ever today – at one point I thought I’d lost the will to live. Largely male dominated – think rutting stags, just not as picturesque, and instead of the echo of antlers clashing, think egos.
God these men love the sound of their own voices, and you can just tell that they are settling all sorts of perceived power struggles and work issues, instead of getting on with the business in hand.
There was a large IT component in this meeting, real anorak stuff, and the whole range from boffins in socks and sandals, to the smart young things in their designer suits. I was sandwiched between two of the latter variety, the consultant on my right was a Sam West look-alike – well he had the curls and very brown eyes. Hair that dirty blonde colour with the look of just got out of bed tangled mane. The more I looked at his hair the more I wanted to touch it, would it be soft, would those curls spring back into place when ruffled? In the end I took to sitting my hands because the temptation was so great. My immediate boss sitting across from me must have registered something in my body language because he shot me a very strange look, I tried to adopt an innocent expression but I suspect he knows me to well to be fooled by it.
I then turned my attention to the chap on my left, certainly no chance of running my hands through his locks, I swear this man must have used a plethora of styling products on his hair – gelled, waxed you name it. I’m sure it must have represented a fire hazard, hope he doesn’t go near any naked flames. I was just contemplating whether his tan was real or not when he obviously registered my interest and flashed me a grin with the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen. Actually it wasn’t so much of a grin as a leer; he’d clearly drawn the wrong conclusions from my interest. I nodding noncommittally and suddenly found the hand out we’d been given totally riveting. I glanced across at my boss only to see that he’d witnessed the entire episode and was giggling uncontrollably – great.
I should be home alone for a spell tonight, youngest daughter in Paris, eldest daughter working and husband playing football, might even indulge in some elicit Bamber viewing, have bought and secreted BSG series 1 DVDS, would have to endure hours of teasing if the family knew although suspect I would have an ally in my youngest daughter who has proclaimed that Apollo is “well fit” – out of the mouths of babes ….
optimisticJun. 3rd, 2007
04:31 pm
What a strange day! Saw youngest daughter off on a school trip to Paris this morning with very mixed feelings. Anyone who thinks that Retail therapy is relaxing has not shopped with a teenage daughter ... Have been in most of the Teen stores several times over the last few days, in the end handed over the cash and let her shop. Didn't agree with all her purchases but at least I didn't have to endure the protracted buying process. Children grow up so fast, no farewell hugs (not cool in front of rest of classmates..) not even a backward glance as she boarded the bus, will have to take this as a compliment that I've raised an independent free spirit. Drove home before the bus left as I couldn't bear to wave goodbye.
Home again and back out to drop eldest daughter off at her part time job, then back home. Experiencing an early taste of empty nest syndrome - however thoughtful husband washed this away with Champagne and strawberries .... Think I might just make it through the week.
May. 8th, 2007
04:50 am
I'm sending love and good wishes to all those about to embark on that 'special hell' that is EXAM time .... We have one Higher Grade candidate in our household, we shall try to be extra understanding and supportive in the coming weeks. "This too shall pass" (no pun intended).
May. 6th, 2007
01:37 pm - Lesson in Love
This is my very first attempt at writing a fiction (this will become very obvious after you read it!). I wrote this in response to a challenge from Mylodon to write a University Challenge themed fiction (although as you will read I did woss out from the whole competition part), it’s unashamedly set in St Brides AU, (because I love all the St Brides stories so much) and if it raises even a small smile somewhere, then I’ll have done ok.
Title: Lesson in Love
Characters: Dr Hornblower and Dr Kennedy
Rating: PG
Notes: Credit to Mylodon for the marvellous St Brides AU which have hijacked
I don't own the characters on whom these two are based but they are great fun to play with.
( Lesson in Love )
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