There's something about Mary...

Dated in the future so that it stays at the top of my journal, I am going to do a general 'about me', because it has been pointed out that there are some people on my friends-list who don't know as much as they might like to about me.  The info page gives you an outline, but here is something more 'meaty'.

Personal Life:  I am lucky enough to be...

For my birthday, I always like to throw a birthday-bash, over the end of August bank holiday weekend.  People generally turn up early afternoon on the Saturday, and set up tents to camp in the garden overnight. I provide a buffet etc on the Saturday evening, and there is usually a pub lunch on the Sunday.  In recent years there has also been some live music (varying from pop to jazz) provided by a group of friends on the Saturday night, and then random musical entertainment provided by anyone who fancies blowing, hitting or plucking something.  It's great fun, and probably the most chilled-out weekend in my year.  Anyone who knows me is welcome - I see it as my chance to do something nice for all the people in my life, to show how much I appreciate you all.  And I certainly don't expect presents, though I don't get offended if anyone wants to buy me one.  So, if you are a recently added friend reading this, do please add the last weekend in August to your diary, and I'll see you then!

NOTE - for 2010 my birthday bash will be the weekend AFTER the August bank holiday, i.e. from Saturday 4th September.  But it will return to the usual bank holiday date for 2011.

And finally my amazon wish-list is here, in case you are determined to buy me a birthday/christmas/whatever present for some reason:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/2945MYI9LCCBK

And there I shall stop....  Anything else you want to know? Just ask.

Mary x
 

Current Mood: happy

So, here's my  final version, dated 31st December 09, so it stays at the top of my journal all year as a reminder, which I can then edit as I go, to monitor my progress.

In 2009 I resolve to:

 - Ask for help more - it has been observed that I tend to push myself too hard, on occasion, well, quite a lot actually.

 - Tidy the gap between the dresser and the bookshelf in the hall - a job that has been on my 'to-do list' for 4 years.

 - Be better at taking quality time off, just for myself - I shall schedule 'Mary-time', and stick to it, rather than deciding other things are more important.

 -DONE-  Watch the movie "Dark Knight" - because Kevin said I should, and you all know how obedient I am.

 -DONE - though it nearly killed me! -  Give up chocolate not just for lent, but for an extra week beforehand too - just to make it even more of a challenge this year, and of more benefit to my 'soul'.

 - De-clutter one thing a week - not necessarily a big thing, maybe just one drawer, or one pile of paperwork, or whatever.  But if I do one thing every week, then that will be 52 things I have de-cluttered by this time next year.

 - I want to get good at singing, so I resolve to find some way to sing regularly again, because I am, frankly, pants at it these days, and I used to be ok.

 - Post on LJ at least once a week - I tend to be a bit irregular in my postings, and I am told people actually like reading what I write.

 - Keep a record of the books I read, and try to devote time to reading every day - because I enjoy it so much, and reading time is the first thing to suffer when I get busy.

I think that covers it, and thanks for the comments made when I first posted this entry - I am leaving the comments attached.

Just had a lovely evening with my two favourite drummers.

Thanks Adrian and Stuart. You're both wonderful :)

Stuart and I are in London. Want to see us?

Tonight, from 6.30pm to 10pm, we will be in the Hand and Flower pub. We'd love to see anyone who is in the area.

The pub does cheap yummy food too.

Nearest tube station is Kensington Olympia. And the pub is on the corner of Hammersmith road and Addison Bridge Place. It's within spitting distance of the station.

Any questions, or to let us know to look out for you, please text me on 07751 696 055.

Hope to see lots of lovely southerners later!

Thanks, Mum, for showing me a way to be that inspires me and teaches me. RIP Pat Perkins 2002.

Today, I shall do some maths, listen to some Wagner, and raise a glass to her at the pub tonight. Do the same, if you like ;)

LEGO Model Builder wanted: Have you got the Brick Factor?

Showing at my house tonight.

Please arrive between 7.30pm and 8pm. We will start watching at 8pm prompt.

We may well watch the pilot episode of Caprica afterwards too.

See you there!

While I am at it, for completeness I should mention this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caprica_(TV_series)

I am awaiting arrival of my DVD of the pilot of this series, from Amazon. 

Perhaps when I do the screening of "The Plan" I should make it a double bill and screen the Caprica pilot too?

So, are we all ready for, and eagerly anticipating, the forthcoming film "Battlestar Galactica: The Plan"?

To watch the trailer, visit:
http://www.battlestargalacticadvd.com/

For those of you who have missed the rest of the re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica (BSG), that came to our screens from about 2004ish, go watch it, all of it, now!  :-)

For those who have seen the rest, a warning about the new film from Edward James Olmos: "When Battlestar fans see 'The Plan', they’re all going to have to go back and watch the entire series again."
You have been warned!

Where the series focussed on the humans battling against their enemy, the Cylons, the new film looks at the events of the series from a different angle, the Cylon perspective.

As fans will recall, the Cylons began as robot servants created by man. But, they rebelled.  Some of them evolved to look and feel human. And some were even programmed to think that they were human. There were many copies. And they had a plan...

In the beginning, the Cylons had a simple plan: destroy the human race that enslaved them. 
But their plan didn't anticipate one thing: human survivors.

So, when their devastating attack leaves survivors, the Cylons have to improvise - "The Plan" shows us how.
During the chaotic aftermath of the destruction, the film follows two powerful Cylon agents struggling with plots and priorities on the human ships that got away, and among the resistance fighters who were left behind.

"Battlestar Galactica: The Plan" tells the story, from the Cylon side, of these two Cylon leaders, working separately, and their determination to finish the task of destroying the human race.

I think it's going to be fab!

What's all the fuss about? 

Well for me, excepting Doctor Who of course, BSG has been the first proper sci-fi drama since Babylon 5.  With their gritty realism, BSG’s intense, issue-driven plots and thought-provoking storylines have made BSG a 'must watch' for me.  And I am not alone in being impressed - BSG has received unprecedented critical acclaim I learned recently: in addition to winning a prestigious Peabody Award, the series was honoured as one of the 10 Outstanding Television Programs of the Year by the American Film Institute (AFI) for two years running. Then in 2008 the series received six Emmy nominations, including a nod in the category for 'Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series'. And let's not forget that BSG is also responsible for introducing the expletive “frak” into popular culture, though I confess I wince every time I hear someone saying it!

So, go rent/buy/borrow the DVDs of all the BSG you have missed, and prepare for "The Plan" which is released on DVD in America on Tuesday 27th October, and will be shown on TV in 2010.

I may have just possibly already ordered myself the DVD... (keen, much?).
So, I will arrange a viewing at my house as soon as it arrives, for anyone else that would like to see it  *bounce*.

Are you up for that Pol, Tria, etc....? 
(I started to list known BSG fans on my friends-list then, but I stopped because it might be a long list!)

As you may or may not know, I am a keen supporter of XH558, the restored Avro Vulcan that has become the star attraction at air shows around the UK during this summer, appearing in front of many millions of people. You may have heard me talking about it!

With the continuing poor economic climate, the Charity that operates the aircraft has just launched an Appeal for public funding which can be seen here: www.vulcantothesky.org

The project has two aims:
Honouring the Past – including those who stood guard during the Cold War years of which the Vulcan is such an enduring symbol
and
Inspiring The Future - enthusing the children of today in Aeronautics, Science, Design and Technology.

 You only have to visit the Guest Book to see how much this icon of British design & engineering affects people: www.site.vulcantothesky.org/guestbook.asp

I, along with around 50,000 other people, donated last year to keep the project going, and I have donated again. With your help, we can take our message out to many, many more.

We need to raise £400,000 before Christmas and the same again before Easter.
Please do whatever you can to help. A one-off donation of any amount or a small monthly standing order will be hugely appreciated.

 If money is tight, then just talking about our project, re-posting this in your own journal / facebook / wherever, or sending this by email to others in your address book will be of great help!

With many thanks, for whatever you can do to help,

A fantastic band.

With an amazing drummer.

Go see one of their gigs ASAP.

'nuff said! :)

I am feeling quite up and down this week.

Overall I'm a happy bunny. But my motivation is oscillating wildly from hour to hour it seems. This is usual as the nights draw in, and my CFS allows the cooler temperatures to sap more of my energy. It makes managing my energy levels, and planning my week well, much more of a challenge, which I confess does get me down at times.
However, this year I have more tools in my toolkit for winning against the challenges. I am using my new found life coaching techniques to coach myself, and it really helps. Not as good as having my own life coach, which I will have soon, but definitely a help. Add to that the amazing positivity I am surrounded by, and absorb, when I am surrounded by other life coaches at the training weekends and I feel more prepared for the darker season than ever!

All being well, I hope for 2009-10 to be my most productive winter in many years. Onwards and upwards. :)

However, I know there are others on my friendslist that find this time of year hard, perhaps physically, or mentally, or both. Know that you are in my thoughts, and my wish for you is for inner-strength and an easy journey through the 'dark-season'. Positive vibes to all.

There endeth the 'stuff' that was in my head!

Wanna come see doctorstewie playing drums tomorrow night?

He's playing at The Thirsty Scholar, under the arches just down from Oxford road train station, Oxford road, Manchester.

Officially the band are on from 8ish for their set, but it'll probably be more like 9ish when they go on.

The gig is FREE and there are 2 other bands on after Stu's band apparently.

So... see you there?

This is a test post. Feel free to ignore.

All welcome - Saturday 10th October

We are doing a re-play of the AFP-meet 10 years ago where several of us met, for the first time, at an excellent Manchester AFPmeet: Mary, Darren, Stuart, Kevin, Dave (who was then called Alex), Martyn, Homicide and a host of other AFPers were there, but for several of the above (including me) it was their first ever AFPmeet. 

All past and current AFPers, and people connected to AFPers, and, well, pople really, are welcome.

From 3pm in the pub we first met at, the Oxford, on Oxford Road near Whitworth Park, Manchester. 
Then moving on to the Shere Khan curry house at about 8pmish, just like we did 10 years ago.  Not sure we'll go back to Darren's and make Dave put on a French maid's outfit this time though.

Please point people at this post, and feel free to re-post on alt.fan.pratchett announce someone.  I would love for as many AFPers to be there as possible, faces old and new. 

Contact details on the day (if you are lost/confused/bored) are mine: 07751 696 055.
 

I'm getting a new shiny :-)

https://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/phones/android/tmobile-g1/

It does all sorts of cool stuff!

Stu's getting one too.

And we found a tariff that's cheaper than what we are on now to get it.

Although the gathering starts on Saturday, tomorrow is my actual birthday.  I have to work until mid-day, but then I am a free agent.  Everyone in my house is at work all day, and they are all busy in the evening too, with having to practice (band) or work (Tim).

So, I need some inventive suggestions of how to spend my day, from noon until bedtime tomorrow.  Answers on a postcard please.... actually no, a comment here would be better, because a postcard won't reach me in time ;-)

Thanks imaginitive people.

Meanwhile, if you haven't commented to my last post (and you think you need to) please do so.  Thanks muchly:
http://saintmaryuk.livejournal.com/144441.html

Further to my post back in January ( http://saintmaryuk.livejournal.com/134281.html ) more details for this coming weekend...

Party/camping/chilled-out friendly gathering - From Sat 29th Aug - Mon 31st Aug 2009

Every August Bank Holiday weekend I hold a gathering at my house, open to everyone I know, and the odd person I don't know provided they are brought along by someone I do.  What started as a small affair (the excuse being my birthday) has grown into a yearly socialising and camping event, with live music provided on the Saturday evening by anyone that feels like entertaning us (so bring something to hit, strum, or blow, if you wish). 

Campers will be welcome from 3pm Saturday (though you can arrive earlier by prior arrangement), with the party-proper kicking off from around 4pm on Saturday, and I will be providing a free buffet large enough to feed the 5000 from about 5pm, and unlimited toast/cereal for breakfast on the Sunday.  Other than that you are on your own foodwise, though of course you can use my microwave and toaster, and feel free to bring camping stoves etc.  On the Sunday at 12 noon some of us will invade the local pub for lunch (The Romper, Wilmslow Old Road, Altrincham, WA15 8XJ).  There may also be a visit, by some, to Manchester Aviation Viewing Park during the weekend, to watch pretty aeroplanes.

On the Saturday, at around 6pmish I guess, the musical entertainment will begin with a set (Cheesy-pop this year!) performed by by our homegrown band, lead by Stuart on drums, and this year inluding Tessa on keyboard.  Then of course there will be the usual, eagerly anticipated (at least by me) yearly 'drum-battle/duet' between Stuart and Adrian - which is always awesome to hear/watch - so if you want to see two drummers going at it, this is the place to be!  After they've done their bit then it'll be a bit like toast and jam - anyone can have a go at entertaining us, and, rest assured we are a very forgiving audience ;-)

Please comment here, or text me (07751 696 055) to let me know you are coming.  An idea of numbers is important so that I can be sure that I have room for all the tents, and, most crucially so that I can be sure that I buy enough food.  As last year, we'll have noisy/snoring campers in the back garden, and a quiet camping area in the front!  (The front garden is particularly good for those with kids who need to be in bed before midnight, and for Mike who can't sleep through Jon's snoring)

As to how long you can stay:  Well, I tend to start dropping heavy hints about leaving to anyone who is still here by late morning on the Tuesday ;-)

All ages are welcome, so feel free to bring your kids/parents/whatever.
We have a portable ramp, so can provide full disabled access to the house and garden, and the toilets/bathroom are on the ground floor.

If you are able, please bring drinks/snacks to share, but only if you are able.  I will lay on a buffet, and get some drinks in myself.  Several people on my friends-list are on benefits right now - no need to bring anything apart from yourself!

People are of course also welcome to bring games etc to play indoors or out.  And musical instruments, acoustic or otherwise, to amuse themselves/us with.
 
Anyone who knows me is welcome.  Even those that don't know me are welcome too, provided they know someone who is coming and is willing to vouch for them (to confirm you're not a psychopath or anything!)  And, just to emphsises I do ask that people *try* to let me know if you think you will be coming, so that I can be sure I get enough food in.

I do have a wish-list on amazon (see the top of my journal for the web-adress), but, really, there is no need for you to buy me a present unless you want to - I lay on this gathering as my way of showing how much I love and appreciate you all, not as a present-gathering exercise!  Equally, I am not offended by receiving presents.  So, do as you wish!

I think that's everything - shout if there is something I have forgotten to mention.

Hope to see you Saturday!  *bounce*
 

Further to my post back in February, a reminder to folks that asked me to book them a place, that I now need your accommodation money as I have paid for us all in full. 

As you know, I have booked accommodation in the Uni halls of residence on the Guildford campus for 7 nights, from Fri 4th - Fri 11th September for JUST £130 each, for a room in a flat that will just have us in it. 

I now need the £130 money from:  Me, Tim, Kevin, James, Adrian, Darren, Mike, Colin and Supermouse.  Thanks guys :-)

The sort code of the Nat West bank it needs to be paid into is 51-61-11.  I will email each of you the account number to go with that sort code separately.  I figure giving you the two things separately minimises the security risk!

Anyone else wanna come and join us?

If so, you will have to sort out your own self-catering accommodation, at £40 a night, from http://store.surrey.ac.uk but it would be lovely to see more of our friends there.
Still unsure?  See what the BA say about the event on their website http://britishsciencefestival.org - it's one of Europe's largest science festivals!   A week long, jam-packed programme offering the biggest celebration of science, maths, engineering and technology in Europe. Taking place from 5-10 September and hosted by the Univeristy of Surrey in Guildford.

Booking the events (applies to everyone):

At the above website you can see the full programme for the festival, book for specific events, which tend to be about £3 each, or book a weekly ticket for £100 which gets you into pretty much everything and saves you having to plan what you want to do.  I would suggest booking stuff nowish, if you know what you want to do, but you can (and many people do) just turn up on the first day, book a few things for that day, or the week, and play it very much by ear.

Over the weekend I will post a list here of what I am planning to attend, so you can stalk me / avoid me if you wish.

Looking forward to a really fun week!

Kevin (welshlad) and Flo haven't got internet access yet, so I am posting on his behalf really, just to let people know who might not already have heard, that they are having a housewarming party from 8pm this Friday.  All welcome, so feel free to link to this post.  But please RSVP to Kevin or Flo if you can, so that they have a rough idea of numbers.

Bring a bottle and snacks to share.

See you Friday :-)