Thunderbirds are go

 Yes, that is a Thunderbirds hat. No, I don't know why.

My birthday celebrations come to an end tonight with a nice dose of Manchester boozing. Five days of too much gin, sambuca, numerous cocktails, a bazillion meals out and too-late nights. Why have a day of celebrations when you can stretch it out to four, five, six or even seven days? More is always more in such circumstances I feel.

I've been in Nottingham for the last two days and it was wonderful, as ever. Champagne at 5pm, dancing till 4am, chips and cheese on the way to the taxi rank. Marvellous.

This has probably been one of the most fun birthdays I've ever had.


So why does it feel like someone's something's missing?

Birthday by numbers

Photo by the ever wonderful krisatomic

Yesterday I.....


... spent 9 hours at Court with work. We lost our case.
... spent 2 hours sitting in traffic. I lost my mind.
... spent 3 hours being trained how to deal with suicidal callers. Everyone lost the will to live. That's irony for you, folks.
... bought 12 krispy kreme doughnuts for my work colleagues. I will not lose weight if I have one.
... opened 10 presents, with varying degrees of awesomeness. My Mum lost one of my presents. She'd forgotten where she'd hidden it.

... made 1 wish. I figured I had nothing to lose.


Happy Birthday to me :)

Lessons I have learnt...

 

I may be getting old but I will always wear ridiculous jewellery

Tomorrow I turn 28.


I cannot lie to you, this year has been one of the worst of my entire life. However, these days I prefer to focus on the good, look to the future and learn lessons from the bad things.

Lessons I have learnt during my 27th year on this planet...

• The only person who can truly make you happy is yourself. You are responsible for your own life, your own wellbeing, your own decisions and choices. If you can be happy with who you are, or even just with who you know you want to be, then good things will come your way. You have to be happy with yourself before someone else can add to that happiness. 
  

• Break ups suck. Truly, utterly, completely suck. But life goes on. Always. If things are meant to be then they will be. Whether days, weeks, months or years down the line. It's never too late to try again. Whether it's fate or something else, the things that are meant to happen will happen.
  

• Fresh fruit, vegetables, water, green tea and exercise are the key to my emotional and physical health. If I eat well and take care of my body then I feel fantastic. Happier, more in control, more capable and more enthusiastic.
  

• Cruel words are easily said but, sadly, not always easily taken back or forgotten. A moment of stupidity and a flash of anger can change things. If not forever, then for a good long while.
  

• Second chances (and third and fourth and fifth) are wonderful things and the capacity for forgiveness is one of the greatest assets a person can possess. I've never believed that a person should have only one or two chances at something. Who made that rule?
  

• I'm far more capable, and far stronger, than I ever realised. I've taken everything that the world has thrown at me this year and emerged brighter, more positive and, for the most part, happier than ever before.
  

• I actually like olives.
  

Despite all the things I've learnt and discovered about myself, I still really hope 28 is better than 27.

Here's to the next 365....

NSFB, probably

One of the nicest things about having a blog is that sometimes lovely people send you things and ask you to write a few words about them. Don't worry, this is going to turn into a blog filled with sponsored posts or anything like that but I decided to do this one because it seemed like fate. A couple of weeks ago I was about to purchase a pair of Ugg boots (yes, I know a lot of people I hate them but my feet need warmth and comfort) when I got an email asking if I'd like a pair of Emu boots. I said yes and a lovely pair of chocolate coloured boots winged their way to me. Hurrah.

I took them for a test drive around a local beauty spot and took some photos of my journey...

The boots are lovely. Really comfy, really warm and, at £80, they're about half the price of Ugg boots. The only downside? Initially they were a little too tight round the top and didn't fit my stupidly fat calves. But after a few days wear they're now absolutely perfect. So if you want a pair of boots to keep your tootsies warm this Winter, Emu come with the Helen seal of approval.

Dead famous

I'm feeling rather fragile today.

Last night was my friend D's Bad Taste/Dead Famous Hallowe'en party. Many many drinks were consumed. Many many offensive outfits were worn. Lots of dancing was done till far too late/early this morning. Ergo today I have spent the entire day in bed, only leaving my pit for painkillers, orange squash and a fried egg sandwich. Which I couldn't even eat as the dry bread caught in my throat and nearly made me sick. Nice.

I have but one thing to say today: hangovers are no fun alone.