I hate this city...and I think it hates me back...

Yesterday was not a good day. Heck, today is not a good day either. Depends on what perspective I'm looking at I guess. Michael got stabbed last night. Some kid grabbed his phone and he decided in his alcohol driven stupor that it was a good idea to chase after the hoodie. He got the kid by the shirt, the kid threatened to stab him and he thought that was that. When he got back to our flat he was telling me what happened and as he took off his top shirt there was blood everywhere. I can't explain what kind of panic set it, or what freak out actually means until you're there. I remained calm on the outside but my insides turned into jelly. It's like wanting to scream and knowing that it won't do you any good. The wound didn't look too deep but it was just weeping. By the time we realized that he'd been stabbed we were done calling the police and reported the theft. We called the cab to go hospital but by the time the cab came the paramedics were already here. There were a couple of police officers taking statements and it was all so surreal. The things that popped into my head were...

1. The flat is a mess what must they think?
2. Oh my god I have underwear lying around.
3. Why didn't I wash the dishes before going to bed?
4. They must think we're chavs.
5. If they see my husband's weed we're doomed.
6. They must think I'm a refugee from China.
7. I want to cry but I don't want to seem like a blubbering idiot.

It's true...when you're in a stressful situation you end up thinking about the zaniest things. Case in point...who the hell cares if you're underwear is on display when you're husband's trying to explain to the police how he got mugged and stabbed in the process? I just can't get that image of my underwear hanging on display for all the paramedics to see.

After all that hoo ha the paramedic guy took us for a ride to the hospital. My husband then decided it was a good time for a little chit chat. *Honey? Have you ever been on the inside of an ambulance?* *Are the ambulances in the Philippines as complete as this?* Now, I know he was just trying to calm me down but it was just not the time to engage me mindless banter. Breathe deep...relax...calm down.

We got to the hospital and waited...and waited...and waited... I finally found a Filipina nurse and talked to her about Mike. She was kind enough to call one of the doctors who were too busy to spare a few minutes. She poked and prodded the wound and told us that it didn't seem like it was anything to worry about. And then we waited again. You know that feeling where you want to freak out just to get someone's attention but you know it won't really do you any good? The thought of grabbing one of the nurses and holding them hostage until my husband was seen was just running around in my head. After 1 hour this bitch doctor comes in and promptly says to us... *You just cost the council 500 pounds to take you to the hospital in an ambulance. You should've taken a cab if you felt fit enough to do so.* Right. Bedside manner...zero. We had a cab...the paramedic said they'll take us to the hospital instead. What do I do? Be a hero and say no we can manage? She poked my husband for a bit and left to do something more important. After 15 minutes she came back and said everything was ok. I asked her how to stop the bleeding and she rolled her eyes. *It's just a small wound. Just put plaster on it. OH ALL RIGHT I'LL GIVE YOU SOME PLASTER* Great...don't sound too concerned now. After all it's just your job. Damn bitch doctor.

We took a cab home, but not before Michael puked his guts out. I was starting to feel panic again by this point. Why was he vomiting? Was it because of the alcohol or something else? He got up at the middle of the night and puked some more. Graphic details not included.

Today there were 2 detectives who came to the house. They called in advance to tell us they were in the area and would be stopping by. That's more like it, call before you actually come so I can sort out my underwear.

Wet and windy

I just got back from Taste of London at Regent's Park. I'm having a think if I'd want to go back next year. Previously it was all about the food, and it was nice food. In recent years however, it's become more of where to be seen. Am I being too snooty? In the first few years, it was mostly people who had a passion for food just wanting to see what other chefs were up to. Hmmm...yeah I guess that's being a bit snooty.

The food is still great and the old chefs are still there. Although I don't think I saw Rhodes anywhere this time around. Ramsey had a big tent in the middle for his F word series complete with an area for all the groupies to take pictures with the uber chef himself. I must admit I was giddy with delight when I saw him. My husband didn't see why. I wanted to queue up and have his book signed by him saying *To my one and only bitch...* Fitting I think.

I wanted to take my brand new camera with me but I had a tiff with Mike before we left so I didn't really feel up to doing anything else. Luckily for me I didn't. It started pissing and by the time we left we were all wet and muddy. I got to try some good things though don't get me wrong. I had Marcus Wareing's beer and ale pie which was absolutely gorgeous. An oyster topped with poached quail egg with apple caviar...yummmm. Asparagus with hollandaise foam...yawn. Rump steak and chicken heart which the server fantasticaly topped with some sort of a pole dancing routine. I had beer made with coffee beans called the London Porter and a banana flavored beer. Yum.

The whole thing was just dampened by the rain. Tick tick tock little April shower...except it's not April anymore.

My Camera has Arrived!

I got my new Canon Rebel XTI yesterday. Woohoo! I've had loads of fun on my first day with the camera. I went to the house blessing party thrown by Beth and Cathy. We had tons of food, loads of fun and karaoke. My husband spent a good few hours drinking beer by the corner and smoking tons of cigarettes, but by the time evening came I think he was so sloshed that he had couple of rounds with the singing! Vanilla Ice Ice Baby! Wahahahahahahaha!


I took Michael out for dinner on is birthday. He loved the food and the whole evening was going well sans for me getting drunk on a glass and a half of wine. It got so bad I had to keep propping my head up on the table. I had that familiar feeling of passing out so we took an early night home. I just can't hold my wine for some reason. It just doesn't agree with me. Winnie said I just need to build my tolerance level to it but I think I'm getting too old for this.


My first shot with the camera....

Thank you for farting

To the old man shopping at Sainsbury's...thanks for making my day. I was pissed off today because my day off was cut short. Lyn called in sick and she was supposed to cover for me today so... I was in a very bad mood. Dark clouds hanging over the horizon and all that. I went grocery shopping and I was still miffed until... I walked past an OAP (old age pensioner is what the term they use for senior citizens) who was getting his groceries. Out of the blue he let out this tiny fart. Tiny but unmistakable. It made me laugh. It's great how you throw away your inhibitions as you get older. Or maybe it's just a bit harder to keep it all in. Hmmm...this is not the first time that I've been farted at publicly. Is it me? I was at Windsor Castle (no not formally, I bought a ticket just like everyone else) on tour with my cousin. We were looking for directions to the cathedral (my mind is not that clear on where we were going...I have a mind of a goldfish according to a lot of my friends...but that's another blog in itself.) Ok, I digress. Windsor castle...looking for the cathedral. I was walking towards the exit and looking at the map and then this guy just let out this almighty woop of a fart like you wouldn't believe. *Hey Sharon I think it's this...did-he-just-fart-in-front-of-my-face?!?!?!* I turned around and saw Sharon laughing hysterically. What else can you do right?

I stumbled across two blogs today. The other one was an offshoot of a blog. I think it got so much nasty comments that the author decided to open another one. Either you love it or you hate it. Most people would say the latter. I think it's brilliant. The concept is to make everyone hate you so that your site gets so much hits that it can take. To anyone who will go and satisfy their curiosities, tread carefully. It hits lots of nerves.

http://www.kantuterongatenista.blogspot.com
http://www.blurty.com/~caffeinerush
http://www.cofibean.blogspot.com

Grumpy Morning

I woke up today to the sound of my phone. I'm pretty good at sounding wide awake when I answer a call...probably stemming from my days as 24 hour tech support. But today is my day off, so I assumed (wrongly) that no one from the office will be calling me. They know my day off is sacred. I haven't had a decent day off in months. Turns out the person who's supposed to handle some stuff at work can't make it in today. Guess what dear...you've got the booby prize. Dang. I sometimes feel like a hostage.