Mad Moldovian Ramblings

Be glad when July's over!
Well didn't have the happiest start to July - took my beloved cat Ras to the vet and he told me what I had been expecting but dreading, basically that he was dying, that his heart was failing, so were his kidneys and that after doing a scan they had found tumours on his liver. So I had to have him put to sleep which was heart-breaking. Even worse I don't think he even knew who I was though I hope he got some comfort that I was there for him.
So I was in the waiting room, crying, and Alison (the veterinary nurse) brings though this little bundle of black and white fluff. So guess who ended up taking him home? He'd been micro-chipped but when he was found and his owner contacted they didn't want him back, which I though was odd if they'd gone to the trouble and expense of having him chipped. But Alison thinks he was bought as a kitten and as he got older the appeal wore off. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they had kicked him out. Can't understand why cos he has the most loving nature. On his chip he's Scooby but we've renamed him "Felix".
So he was settling in quite nicely then last Saturday another bad shock. He got hit by a bloody people carrier head on. We rushed him to the vets, I was sure he wasn't going to make it as he went into shock and that kills a lot of animals. But not our Felix. He is one tough little bugger. He pulled through the night. Then pulled through the operation to have his jaw wired as that was broken. Then another op to tighten the wire after the swelling on his face went down. And he's doing well - so well in fact I'm bringing him home tonight. God knows how much the vet's bill is going to be as he's been in for nearly a week. But who cares? He's pulled through and he even purred at me when I went to see him yesterday.
So now just waiting to go pick him up and see how he does at home over the weekend.
Poor love deserves a break - what with being abandoned by his previous owner plus I think he's suffered abuse in the past as well as he cowers when he's being told off (and he gets told off cos he will get up on the kitchen units and pinch food) But saying that he's the most affectionate little cat despite everything life's thrown at him.

Current Mood: relieved
Current Music: 80s Classics

Where Do I Start?
Well it's been a while - possibly because it's been one thing after another!

Last month in particular was one shock after another.

To start with, the brother I have not seen or heard of for 10 years got back in touch (not with me) but with muv and the boys. He's been to visit them a few times. It was weird seeing him after all this time. I'm still trying to get my head round it.

Then we had a nasty shock. Me and muv was at B&Q and muv got a phone call. It was my Auntie Anne to say that my cousin Julie's only child David, had been killed in a car crash. He was only 18. He was driving home and hit a tree. The two lads in the car with him walked away though one had a broken arm, but he was killed outright. It's my cousin and her husband I feel for, they absolutely doted on him.

Then more recently, I went to Jobcentre, went to Jingles for a cuppa, my friend Chris said there was a job going there, bullied me into filling an application form out, next thing I had an interview and got the job!
Don't know if waitressing is really my thing but I'll give it a go. At least Chris is a laugh. I've been getting him dresses off Ebay cos he does a drag act at the weekends and more recently I got him a bright ginger wig!

Had the cat at the vets as well as he's been a bit off-colour but the vet couldn't find anything wrong with him. Just his age I think. So I've been dosing him with cod-liver oil as his old joints have been playing him up.

Entered the Sharps scriptwriting competiton at the BBC website but didn't get on the short-list (another disappointment to add to the list)

In work tomorrow all week till Saturday, let's see if I'm a screaming head-case by then!

Still haven't got my course-work finished for uni and that has to be in by Friday. That'll teach me to waste time writing scripts for crappy BBC competitions instead of writing the 15 minute script for my course!

Current Mood: aggravated
Current Music: Nelly Furtado

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well I thought I had better do my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week

1. Passed my Module One scriptwriting course with flying colours - not only that I got a glowing critique from my tutor about the 10 minute script I wrote called Bingo Belles as follows:
"I dare say this script has turned out far better than you may have expected - structure and pace wise it's well balanced likewise are the dialogue and visuals."

He goes on to say "All in all, a commendable 10 min script with potential for greater things!" and actually thinks I could write a series based on it. Which gives me high hopes for the pilot episode for a series that I have been working so I'm hoping I can get him to read it and give me a few pointers before submitting it.

2. Had an interview for a cleaning job that pays £7.50 an hour though haven't heard anything yet. Also applied for a job at Boots Opticians but haven't heard anything yet form that either.

3. Been good and been writing and editing aforementioned script - actually I think I won't be able to write anything then when I start it more or less writes itself! Already got a plot outline and rough draft worked out for episode two and a complete series overview plus an idea for the second series - I'm thinking well ahead here and it hasn't even been commissioned by anyone! LOL!

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Had my hospital appointment last week - they mentioned having the bowel removal op again but it seems a bit extreme to me as a way of preventing cancer to remove all my large intestine!

2. Next week I have to have my colonscopy on Tuesday, which mean I have to take a vile emetic on Monday, which means I might not be able to attend the first day that Module Two of the scriptwriting course starts.

3. On Wednesday I have to go to the dentist so that means Mon, Tues and Wed are going to be fun-packed days - NOT!

Still on a high though about my pass though : )

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Madonna

Story Time
Just submitted a short story to a national competition.
If anyone wants to read it just go to http://www.authorvauthor.com/view_story.php
Though I think you have to register first before reading.
All votes appreciated ; )

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: Belinda Carlisle

Tis Freezing Here!
Well been having a whale of a time these past few weeks - what with my auntie coming to stay and gadding off for the day to York. LIked Brown's - lots of little designer outlets. Then the following week staying with the lovely Jessanne (thanks hun) though of course the journey back didn't go very smoothly!
First for some reason I ended up in a complete muddle on the underground. Got off a stop early at Piccadilly Circus when I needed to be off at Oxford Circus. No problem, just hopped on another tube and got off at Oxford Circus. Got on the tube there, asked "Does this go to Victoria?" and when I got told no, jumped off just and it was moving off, ran through the tunnel got on another tube, just as that was moving off, remembered that actually I wanted to be at King's Cross, jumped off that one and finally got the right tube to King's Cross!
But did it end there? Nooooooo! Get to the station and I look in vain for the board telling me when the next train to York will be. That's because there wasn't any trains to York due to wires being down on the line. So I had to get a train to Doncaster, which got held up just outside Doncaster due to animals being on the line! Then got the train to York, sat at a table with two women and a bloke and got chatting, turned out one of the women was an ex-Lord Mayor and High Sheriff of York and the bloke was her husband so had an interesting chat as she was in office when York hosted Royal Ascot and got to meet all the royals. After all that got home only an hour late so that wasn't so bad.
On Tuesday I met up with my friend Sue from the script writing course and we went to a wine bar called Barrcuda. We both proof read each other's scripts, swapped stories. Being a journalist she had some fascinating stories about people she had met, including Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver (both were lovely) and Harrison Ford (who was hard going apparently) plus Tom Cruise who bought her a drink!
Anyway after two Malibu and Cokes then sharing two bottles of wine, we both staggered home about midnight. I promptly threw up in the sink (which didn't go down too well) then passed out on the bed.
Funny thing was when I got up on Wednesday morning I was right as rain with no hangover whatsoever!
Anyway got my script done plus the 250 word critique - though mine is more like a synopsis than a critique LOL!
Just sat here watching the hail and listening to the howling wind.
Muv has now bought herself a Nintendo DS to play on so we both sit playing LOL!

MALIBU!!!!
Well I'm at Jessanne's, getting ~~pissed~~ tipsy on Malibu and Coke.

See what good friend I am? I braved the gales to come and see my friend.

Actually the weather wasn't too bad and I didn't have any delays on any of my trains - they wouldn't dare!

And I'm writing two 10 page scripts at the moment instead of one for my end of course valuation, one's a comedy and one's a thriller though George (my tutor) probably will go mad about the comedy as it's got too much dialogue - hee hee.

Anyway I'm meeting up with my friend Sue (who I met on the course) to see how far we've both got. Actually we both thought we might become a writing partnership - she can do the well-rounded characters and I can do the comedy!

Anyway - back to the Malibu!

Current Music: Not at the moment

EARTHQUAKE!
Well at 1am this morning the whole house shook - turns out we had a minor earthquake.
Now you expect that kind of thing in Asia and the US but in SCARBOROUGH???
Too weird for words!

Current Mood: weird
Current Music: Eighties classics

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Still loving the script writing course - George is a good teacher!
2. Django befriending me on Bebo.
3. The gorgeous pressie the lovely Jessanne got me from LA - thanks hun and (((HUGS)))

And my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Lost a button off my coat and can't find a matching one anywhere.
2. It's bloody freezing here.
3. Got a kicking headache.

Current Mood: sore
Current Music: Eighties classics

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Here's my regular 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week spot:

1. Scriptwriting course just gets better and better. I want to do Module Two when this one's finished!
2. New Brother printer (apart from the fact it cleans itself before every job!)
3. Relatively stress-free week which means my colitis is settling back down.

And my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Trying to find a printer that is compatible with an AppleTwat is a nightmare!
2. Roy Scheider dying - we watched clips from Jaws at Uni and it just showed what a fine actor he was.
3. Maintenance work on the train tracks which meant I couldn't get to my hospital appointment in Beverley on Wednesday so now my new check-up isn't while April!

Muv has sold the car - we're going to get another one but I don't know when. At least we don't have the hassle of trying to park the damn thing outside in the street, although the traffic wardens are now clamping down on non-residents and those without parking permits.

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Trance Classics

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well I'm doing this in reverse so here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. That psycho on Ebay - Paypal ruled that if they returned the bracelet to me that they would grant a refund. They sent a package alright complete with tracking number - but it was EMPTY!
2. I left them negative so they left defamatory remarks on my feedback. Plus the stress has caused my colitis to flare up again.
3. My printer has conked out.

And here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. I rang Paypal, went to the police, who couldn't do much because it was a civil matter but gave me lots of advice and the Post Office, where they weighed the package and confirmed that the postage on it meant that an empty package had been sent. So with this evidence, Paypal decided in my favour and refused to grant a refund - YAY!
2. I contacted Ebay about the defamatory remarks she had left so not only have they pulled them they have also wiped the negative she gave me and they are also investigating her for the scam she has tried to pull.
3. Thoroughly enjoying scriptwriting course - 3 more people joined our happy little band on Monday, one was a journalist who used to work for the BBC so guess who was giving him the third degree? LOL!

Absolutely love my Blackberry - muv made me laugh when she called it a "Burberry". I'll have to get a new printer though as I have homework to do for uni - we had to watch a clip of Hetty Wainthrop Investigates then break it down scene by scene and write the script for it to see if we could format a script properly. Had a nice meal out at PizzaHut last night - think Scarborough has one of the nicest PizzaHuts I've ever been in with friendly staff and nice decor.
Will have to go to Argos tomorrow and get a new printer - might get a Canon this time, so long as it's compatible with my AppleTwat.

Current Mood: calm
Current Music: Feeder

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Started my scriptwriting course on Monday - it was quite good and picked up quite a few tips. Hell of a long trek to Hull Uni though - 2 miles there (all uphill) and 2 miles back (thankfully downhill). But at least I'm exempt from fees.
2. Dug out my old T'ai Chi book and started doing the exercises again.
3. Feel a bit more lively and on form.

And now the 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Paypal awarding a refund to the psycho I had a dispute with - even though they actually threatened to send someone round to my house!
2. Been having one of those weeks where if I'm not falling over things, I'm bumping into them!
3. Now and again feeling really tired - it's annoying.

Just sat here watching it snow with my furry hot water bottle (a.k.a. Ras) sat on my knee. Just got back from town and it started coming down though I doubt it will settle. It's pretty to watch though.

E.T.A.

Just been through the whirling snow and bought myself - A BLACKBERRY!

After viewing it with suspicion and figuring out how to send texts, etc, think I might have got the hang of it. Which is a lot quicker than I did with my AppleMac. Which I now love. So we'll see.

Current Mood: awake
Current Music: David Bowie

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Took Ras to vet on Monday - first he had a full check-up then they kept him in to do blood tests as they thought he might have a thyroid condition. Vet rang on Wednesday night to say his blood test were clear, so he hasn't.
2. Had a lovely chat with Jessanne on MSN on Monday.
3. On Monday I have to go to Hull University to get registered for a scriptwriting course, though it depends on whether I can get on it free (think so)

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. For the past couple of days I've had a kicking headache.
2. Took my coat to the dry cleaners on Monday then had to take it back as there was still a mark but they put it through the dry clean again with no charge.
3. Paid to retrieve some emails offering work from a writer's site only to find they were a load of old cobblers.

Anyway I rang Hull University (it's called that even though it's in Scarborough) and they seem very keen for me to get signed up for this course (so long as I don't have to pay any fees) I wonder if Alan Ackyborne has any input? He lives near Scarborough and Stephen Joseph Theatre is under his patronage so it would be cool if he did!

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: David Bowie

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well as I've been a bit sloppy keeping up with people I'm going to try and be better this year (just don't expect miracles *weg*)

Here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Django my friend - thankyou for your lovely gift (((HUGS)))
2. Congratulations to Petrona on her marriage.
3. The tablets the doctor has put me have made me relax for the first time in my life (in fact so relaxed I'm almost comatose *g*)

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. The boss from hell making my friend Jessanne's life a misery - she needs a slap!
2. Sometimes feeling wiped-out because of the tablets.
3. The buggers from the office across the road nicking the residents parking spaces and illegally altering their times so they don't get a ticket!

Got to take Ras to the vet on Monday for a check-up (he'll love that - not!)

Current Mood: apathetic
Current Music: Anastacia

3 Things To Be Chuffed About So Far This Year
Well hope everyone had a jolly Christmas and a good New Year?

Here's an update on My 3 Things To Be Chuffed About So Far This Year:

1. Got a Nintendo DS and I can't stop playing on the damn thing!
2. My Aunt June came for a visit on Tuesday and I haven't seen her for years.
3. I'm actually not as skint as I thought I would be after Christmas!

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About So Far This Year:

1. Was a bit bleurgh over Christmas but better now.
2. Have had a nasty run-in with a total psycho on Ebay and ended up having to report them.
3. Our lights on the landing have decided they don't want to work - there's probably a loose wire.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying life : )

Current Mood: blank
Current Music: Air

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Got the tree up and decorated (very nice it looks too) and all the Christmas decorations up - we've gone for a silver and gold theme this year.
2. Just had some very nice comments on 8hop about my poem TO AN ARTIST FROM A POET that I wrote about my meeting with Alan Stuttle.
3. Starting to feel more in a Christmas mood now.

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. BT still haven't fixed our phone line - even though there is a very real danger that the pole could topple over and hit the houses opposite - idiots!
2. The sealant in the shower keeps coming adrift so that has to be redone which is a total pain.
3. I'm sat in the Internet cafe next to a guy who keeps picking his nose - how gross is that?

Apart from that had quite a pleasant week. Just tying up script for first episiode of this series that I have in my head - I've got two episodes done and have planned out the other four. Just needs some revising and tweaking then I shall send it into the BBC writer's room next year and keep my fingers crossed for someone to be interested, though as I haven't had any experience as a script writer it's a big hope!
Also want to send some poems off to a couple of magazine publications though I'm still working on one of them called Edinburgh Weekend about when we went to Edinburgh.
Sorry if I've been a bit skimpy on commenting on other people's entries but you only get an hour in the internet cafe so I tend to nip in, sort out emails, Ebay and update what needs updating then go.

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: Dido

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. The bathroom is all done and it looks bloody fantastic!
2. Got a Christmas card off my friend Ruth (haven't seen her in ages) Mind you we have been friends for 35 years!
3. I know what I'm getting for Christmas and it's brill!

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. BT still haven't repaired our phone line - that's two weeks now *sigh*
2. Annoying person on Ebay has decided she doesn't like the bracelet she bought from me - this was nearly three weeks ago and has only now got in touch with me!
3. I hate having to come to an internet cafe to read my emails and stuff - it sucks!

Not very happy - lost without internet access, plus it means I can't keep up with stuff as instantly as I would like. It's very frustrating *sigh*

Current Mood: frustrated

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. Nearly got all the tiling done in the bathroom and it's looking good.
2. Have had a bit more energy this week.
3. Got my Christmas presents all wrapped.

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About This Week:

1. The phone line near our house is down so I'm having to write this at an internet cafe.
2. We've hit a snag with the tiling - mainly getting round the toilet done.
3. Doesn't look like I've come anywhere in the PILOT script writing competition - another bubble burst.

Just feel thoroughly fed-up at the moment - sick of the bathroom being upside down, sick of not getting anywhere with the writing and sick of being skint!

Current Mood: depressed
Current Music: Radio in the background

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About this week:

1. Actually got my synopsis, treatment and page of script done in time for today's deadline.
2. Sold some stuff on Ebay and made a nice profit.
3. Totally loved Edinburgh!

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About this week:

1. Had my Britain's Got Talent audition and I bombed!
2. Looks like we're going to have a job and half laying the tiles in the bathroom.
3. Absolutely knackered - both physically and mentally.

Ever had one of those weeks where you've tried to cram too much in?
Got back from Edinburgh on Sunday - tired out. Loved Edinburgh though - would have liked to stay a lot longer as there was so much to see and so much history it was over-whelming!
But the coach journey home seem to take forever - tailbacks on the motorway, then having to stop for a crash (no-one was injured luckily)
Then on Monday we got the rest of the tiles up in bathroom.
Tuesday didn't do much but on Wednesday we went to get the tiles (6 boxes) and as we couldn't get parked it meant I had to carry them across the road into our house.
Thursday I was up at 7am and got the 8.47am train into Manchester, had audition, did a bit of mooching round the shops including the huge Harvey Nichols then went to get my train back, except it was half an hour late so finally got home about 8pm, cold and drenched to the skin. Wanted just to go to bed but instead had to wrap and address Ebay parcels then I worked on finishing my synopsis, treatment and writing up a page of script for the competition deadline. So it was 12.30am by the time I actually got to bed.

Woke up this morning and was actually shaking through sheer tiredness. Still had to take parcels to Post Office (had to borrow muv's trolley there were too many to carry).

Felt a bit more with it this afternoon so ended up going up town again so muv could get Oli's Christmas present and something for tea.

Feel quite pleased with myself though, that I actually managed to meet the competition deadline, even if I don't win.

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: A mix on my MP3

3 Things To Be Chuffed About This Week
Well here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About for this week:

1. Our shower is now fully operational - HOORAY! Mind you the sealant at the bottom keeps coming off!
2. I have another audition for Britain's Got Talent - it was a laugh last time so I might go again.
3. Off the Edinburgh tomorrow for the weekend - just hope it's not too bloody cold!

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About this week:

1. Still haven't written my treatment or synopsis for script - inspiration is not forthcoming.
2. Bloody people in Scarborough who just walk into you - can't decide if they have poor eyesight, have no manners or are just plain stupid.
3. Ebay - I put some items on last night and it listed one of them 6 times!!! Did email them but having not much faith in Ebay's ability to sort things out, I found 5 other items to sell and just revised each listing (might as well as I still have to pay for it!)

Got a lovely red bag off there however, plus a pair of black suede boots that I absolutely love AND a boxset of 21 Hammer Horror DVDs! Happy little bunny! : )

Current Mood: aggravated
Current Music: Trance Classics

3 Things To Be Chuffed About
Well here's my 3 Things To Be Chuffed About this week:

1. Finally looks like we're getting the shower sorted, plumber came yesterday and fitted the waste pipe, then me and muv assembled the glass partition units today - though it was hard going drilling into the tiles to fasten them to the wall!
2. Got my hair cut - I can see! Very short and spiky plus she thinned it out a lot.
3. Going great on my script - I'm really enjoying the whole creative process (hark at me)

And here's my 3 Things Not To Be Chuffed About:

1. Script might be fun to write BUT I have also got to write a 4 page treatment about what my series is about plus a two page synopsis about the pilot episode.
2. My head feels really cold now.
3. Been feeling a bit blah - should maybe go to the docs and get some iron tablets.

Feel quite accomplished getting the shower unit fitted though the next step will be getting the floor tiles laid - haven't even chosen which ones we're going to have yet. Just hope the shower doesn't leak when we use it!
Just having my hair streaked at the moment - look a right 'nana with this plastic hat on with tufts of hair sticking through!
Well shall go get the peroxide rinsed off.
Hope everyone has a good weekend. : )

Current Music: Trance Classics

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