Toofli

she emailed me back.

No longer going to Crossfire (no Jane), but am still planning to go to the Birmingham one if anyone fancies it.

Have been networking on MySpace and hooked up with a female funk DJ collective called Mama Feel Good! Should be playing at the Yardbird with them on May 11th and will definitely be playing there on June 8th.

I'm no closer to making myself some new clothes.

The screw from the hinge of my phone flew out and now my screen doesn't work. I'm waiting for a cheap replacement from eBay (warranty ran out in February, contract runs out in August). Rather frustratingly, that means I can only read and send text messages through my pc USB connection.

Got one of those round robin emails from a bloke I went with a couple of times last year and doesn't realise I'm still in his contact list. As I'm averagely nosey, I had a look through the other email addresses at the top and saw an unusual and familiar surname. "I wonder if he's related to that girl I went to school with" I thought. I carried on looking at the email addresses and lo and behold, there she was. And her name is sufficiently exotic for me to be pretty sure it's not just someone with the same name. I've sent her an email just to make sure. I wonder if she'll reply.

Richard took a picture of me in my new (Harry's old) parka. I tried to insert the picture here but it's enormous.

Feeling extremely restless, I've got about a month stretched out in front of me with nothing planned. Some sort of adventure is called for.

Everyone's walking round without much clothing on except me, I'm quite cold. Harry finally gave me his old parka but that would make even me too hot.

Still hoping a really fun and highly paid alternative career will drop in my lap.

Would like to make myself an outfit in time for Crossfire in May but haven't quite worked up the momentum yet. I cut out the pieces about a month ago and put some darts in. Might help with my itchy fingers.

The workmen said they will put the new windows in my bedroom tomorrow. They're still finishing the roof at the moment. there's loads left to do.

Sweat has moved to Moseley. Not that I've been for years. Jane used to go too, might arrange a visit.

Almost forgot. Have filled the Malcolm hole with "Rich Bride, Poor Bride". Very cheesy bridal programme following the preparations for a wedding and then revealing the budget. The amount some people spend on their wedding is obscene! I think the worst was something like 63000 Canadian dollars! I think there's something very wrong with spending that much on a big dress and a big party. It upsets me. But I still watch it.

I've already written this once, then there was a mini power cut and I lost it all. Bum. As I am still awake past eight o'clock for a change, I thought I would blog. I'm alive! And I'm awake!

Went to Manchester with Jane and danced all night. Got a very good deal on a ridiculously expensive hotel room just round the corner from the venue which was a teeny tiny room above a pub. It was like a sauna and then they shut the windows to keep the noise in. Got a lecture on Elvis from a rockabilly (his idol was Jackie Wilson apparently, even copied his quiff) and a free CD which unfortunately jumps every time I try to play it on my kitchen CD player. Might go to a do in London in May.

Have been too knackered/skint to plan anything for my birthday this weekend so I thought I would do the Moseley Dance Centre on Saturday 31st. Come along and dance or sit round the edge. We could even go to the Jug of Ale first. Haven't been in there for ages. 

My house is now covered in scaffolding as workmen are supposed to be starting work soon. It was good timing as if they had done it while I was still renting the house I wouldn't have been able to afford it. 

DJing at Millenium Point again on March 29th. Have no idea what the night is, but they will pay me a decent amount of money which is nice. Will have to update my MySpace page if I want to give out business cards. I hadn't been on there for nearly a year until recently. And the song I have on it has been deleted.

Anna got a book on Manga drawing and did this.

Been too busy and knackered to blog recently. School's good but lots of work. Should ease off a bit after half term.

Having mod withdrawal and there's still no sign of anything on in Birmingham in the near future. Might have to wander farther afield.

Got the new Kaiser Chiefs song stuck in my head but I don't actually like it. It's replaced Golden Skans (?) by Klaxons which I don't really like either but is extremely catchy.

Nothing else has really happened.

Hello again. Enjoyed Christmas. Cleared a load of crap out of the house and I actually have a real dining room now! Was looking quite tidy until I went back to school and got knackered. Like the new school but it's difficult to settle in as the whole setup is changing after half term. Sounds like it will be good though.

Got a funk CD from Rob for Christmas (not that he always gets CDs for everybody), a really great mug                         from a little boy at school, (and shedloads of chocolate from some other children). Apparently that's a picture of me. Richard got me Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles and The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear. Read some of the first and none of the second. I got him a cigarette holder and German magnetic poetry (I've got the Spanish version).

Vespa's gone away with her school to the Frank Chapman Centre till Friday. I expect I'll be telling her to get out of bed tomorrow morning when she's not there. It's her birthday soon and she wants something typically hideous.

Got offered the Small Heath job and the Smethwick one so I took the Smethwick one. Sounds really good, start January 3rd. An encouraging sign was when the head said "but you try not to take work home don't you?"

Being naughty today. Had already booked the day off for the trial day in Moseley so I didn't tell anyone I got a job and had the day off anyway. Intend to do some Christmas shopping later.

Anyone fancy a night out at Moseley Dance Centre? I haven't been for years. It's pleasantly cheap and cheesy.

Late bus and enormous queue at the cinema meant I missed Pan's Labyrinth. Hope to go and see it in the week.

Got two trial days at schools in Brum next week through an agency. One's in Small Heath, one's in Moseley (where my brother's wife taught the last time I was in contact with them).

Got to go and buy a present for school's secret Santa. It'll be something very dull and uninspired as I don't know the woman I'm buying for very well. I got a scarf I don't like and earrings I don't like last year. I hope they get me vouchers for my leaving present as they've got no taste at school.

The tabs have stopped working properly already.

Goodness, I didn't realise how long it's been since I last posted. I've been working and tired and dressmaking. Haven't finished anything yet though. Bought a load of vintage patterns of eBay and loads of fabric. Cut out the bits for a dress so far, might make it this weekend.

Looking forward to buying some flat boots that might actually last more than five minutes tomorrow. (20% off for New Look card holders until Saturday). Going to see Pan's Labyrinth tomorrow, seems like everybody else has already had the same idea. Taking the kids to see Night At The Museum for nothing next Thursday (firstmovies review panel thing).

Just downloaded the new internet explorer. Like the tabs.

No mod things on the horizon, but at least that means I'll be spending less money. Got an interview at a school in Smethwick next week. Would make life easier if I got it. Two other potential jobs through agencies for a couple of terms. I'd rather become independently wealthy but there you go.

Took the nursery kids to see Father Christmas at Severn Valley Railway yesterday and today. Bloody knackering. They had better party hats last year.

Went to see the Pantomime Horse Grand National on Sunday. Very silly and enjoyable but too cold to stay to the end. Got covered in foam at the foam fence.

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Vespa came home from school singing Christmas songs and made me laugh until I cried when I misheard "Santa's got a bag of gifts for you and me" as "Santa's got a bag of crisps for you and me".

Been skiving off school since yesterday, going to the doctors today as all the stress is making me feel like shit.

At least the weekend is in sight, and I get to pick the kids up early when I'm not at school. Watched the end of Lord of the Rings that I taped, and my headache is nearly gone. Thoroughly enjoying that Blood Arm album. Not a bad day really.

I wish Asda sold non-crinkled Kettle Chips.

It was my mum's birthday yesterday. If we had shared a functional relationship I suppose I would have gone to visit her grave, but we didn't.

Ordered a light-box off eBay to see if it will help with my winter misery. Hope it does. 22 more working days. Got another school to visit on Friday. Still no sign of any enthusiasm. Roll on retirement.

Still counting down the days. I think it's 23 now (not including weekends). We're having a two-day inspection at school a week on Tuesday and everyone's running round like rather miserable headless chickens. Judging by the headteacher's current obsession, all the inspectors will be interested in is the displays.

Had to help out at the Christmas Fair at school today. I was face-painting. I've still got white paint under my nails. We had to be there for 11:30 to set up. It started at 1:00, so after we spent half an hour setting up we sat around for an hour like we do every year. What a wonderful use of our time.

Still been visiting schools and applying for jobs with negligible enthusiasm. The mod thing was good last weekend. Went with Jane who has all the mod gossip and pointed out the men she's been out with. As she said, there isn't much to choose from 'cos all they're interested in is checking out the vents in each other's suit jackets and comparing tailors.

Spent money I shouldn't have on CDs today. Captain Beefheart's greatest hits (Richard played me some and I thought it worth a purchase), The Blood Arm (the only one I've played so far and very good) and Jim Noir (was good when I saw him at the V festival). As I spent over £10 I was also able to buy Casino Royale (with David Niven and Peter Sellers) for only £3.97. I love that film. It was on telly this afternoon too.

Found out there's a vintage clothing fair on in Moseley next Saturday if anyone fancies it (mainly thinking of etoile_violet ).

Ha, ha, ha. Got a leaflet through the post for Clothes Show Live. When I glanced at it I thought it was an advert for Matalan. I don't think that was quite what they were aiming for.

Arranged to go and visit a school in Tipton on Thursday. Two terms of maternity cover in nursery. That'd do.

Was reminded of how thoroughly evil my management can be. They have previously treated a teacher so badly that she left, but I forgot that they once went into her classroom and ripped down her displays because "they weren't good enough". How charming.

Going to see We Are Scientists on Friday with dengel3000. Also seeing Mitchell and Webb on Sunday. Went to see Young Knives on Thursday with Richard. They were good. Not sure about the banter though.

Lining up the next mod event:

I'm sure Pid runs the Sunflower Lounge. Might give Jane a text, she said she's avoiding the Friday thing 'cos her ex is DJing.

Went to a fantastic allnighter on Saturday. Recognised a few people from going before, but I haven't been to anything mod since May. I got to dance for ages and swapped numbers with this woman I've seen out before. I think she goes out with one of the twins (Bexley and Delboy, yes, they look rather like they sound) that are always at Birmingham dos. I really must go to more mod stuff. I even got recognised from DJing at the Boiler Room.

I did some DJing on Saturday too. They had an arts week at the UCE Millennium Point campus and I asked if I could DJ at the after-party. I didn't realise there'd only be about ten people there though. Oh well, got to give some business cards out and was given a free memory stick.

Handed my notice in today, thank goodness. Just 37 more days at that school and I never have to return. I'm half-heartedly applying for jobs but I'm just a bit fed up with it all generally. I don't suppose I'll find someone to pay me to go out dancing.

Forgot to say, after spending four days of my half-term sat in a waiting room, I was told my jury service was over and so I got to go back to school. I WAS NOT HAPPY.

On jury service now.

Monday - went in at nine, watched a video about jury service, got shown around a court room, got issued a smartcard for food (we get £5.13 a day to spend and the money at the end if we don't spend it), sat and read Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince all morning, realised I hadn't read the book before that one, went out for lunch and bought the missing book and a paper, came back, read the paper, did the crossword and kakuro, started reading Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix, got sent home at about four.

Tuesday - went in at quarter past ten, read some more Harry Potter, realised I'd left my smartcard at home (at least I'd made sandwiches), had a nap in the waiting room, read some more, got sent home at half twelve.

I've been very studious since I got home. I allowed myself to watch Neighbours, but after that I did some boring, boring planning for school. I'm really dreading going back. It would be so nice to be selected for a seven week trial.

Supposed to be taking the girls to Walsall Illuminations tomorrow. Won't get chance otherwise, they're off to their grandparents on Thursday and won't be back until Sunday.

Going to see The Young Knives on Thursday, something to look forward to. I think Friday's the only night I'm not doing something this week (John's coming round tonight). DJing on Saturday but I'm more excited about the New Untouchables do that's on.

I'm supposed to applying for some teaching jobs too, but I'm finding it hard to raise any enthusiasm. I'd rather daydream about being independently wealthy and not having to go to work at all.

Thought I should knuckle down and get back in the swing of things.

John Hegley was bloody good on Friday, he even did 'My Doggy Don't Wear Glasses'. Now I'm struggling to remember an Ogden Nash poem I used to know. I'll look it up in a minute.
Here it is.

I'm packing in my job! My boss is an evil soul-sucking bitch and I want to go while I still have mine (soul that is). Got a couple of jobs to apply for, keeping an eye out for some more.

Right, going to try to add some photos now.

Ooh, I might stay now. Doesn't Pendine beach look welcoming?

Tuesday - had nursery open day which is really parents' evening but from 9 to 7 (morning and afternoon nursery means I have double the number of parents to see). The head and deputy came in to see me when I had finished, just as I began to stuff my face with my Subway sandwich. It was lovely walking up the road to the station afterwards, the sun was low in the sky and the light was really soft and warm.

Wednesday - not one but two trips. Morning nursery to Baggeridge for a teddy bears' picnic and back again in two and a half hours, and the same for afternoon nursery. Got told off for not phoning to say we would be (ten minutes) late back.

Thursday - put CBeebies on the interactive whiteboard for the nursery children to use. They found this. The staff spent the afternoon perving over the push ups. Went to visit an exclusion unit to try to decide if I would like to work there. Went after school, so couldn't get much of an idea what it's really like.

Friday - completely forgot Anna had a sleepover, when I dropped her off, they invited Vespa too so I had the night to myself. Thought I would go to the cinema but there was nothing I wanted to see.

Saturday - took A&V to gymnastics, then to meet Carrol who took them to see Over The Hedge. Took the opportunity to have a quick date which was ok.

Got a birthday party at the park tomorrow. They've got the games all arranged, tug-of-war apparently.

Have to stay at school for the year six disco on Wednesday, then I've got another date (the internet dating is starting to take off).font>

I was invited to a ball this afternoon. The children said I just missed Prince Charming.

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I've finally been chased over to LJ by the faulty photo uploading on msn spaces. Oh well.

Had today off school as Anna had chicken pox-like spots but not in a chicken pox distribution pattern. The
doctor's not sure what it is, but he's given her some antibiotics.

Twelve more days of school! And there's a mod do coming up soon. There's loads on actually. I'll expand on that another day.