Moving on

Next week I move into my weekday home, a little place I like to call the scout hut not far from work.  I'll post some pictures once I have settled in a bit (or maybe some before and after) but it does mean that I will be back to a routine and therefore have no excuse at all not to blog.

So I'll be back - honest x

A Room Of My Own

I had it confirmed today that my contract has been extended for a further 6 months to the end of October.  This mean that I could go ahead and pay the holding deposit on my own little digs.  They're not much, a converted barn that looks more like a scout hut from the outside.  One large bedroom and lounge with a separate kitchen and bathroom.  A good size and only 15 minutes from work so a great location.

I have loved staying at KBWs, it's been bloomin' marvelous having a wife and coming home to supper every night but I am really looking forward to the solitude.  I'm considering not bothering with a TV and just catching up with books or listening to the radio whilst playing on line or reading.

The kitchen is lovely in the new place, small but perfect with a new fridge, cooker & hob and a small dishwasher - perfect.  The landlords seem nice, and the rent includes council tax, water rates and electricity, I just need to buy a gas cylinder.  So fingers crossed I get past the reference hurdle and then I can get on and buy my essentials to move in after Easter.  Fingers crossed please.

Today I am a commuter

Today I am taking the train from Reading to Basingstoke. I am
officially a commuter. I love the train. I live the people watching,
staring out of the window watching the world go by. I don't even mind
the worn seats and grubby floor. Sometimes it really is nice to let
the train take the strain.

Only two days in the office this week then off to Boston. So a busy
but good week ahead I think.

So that's how it's going to be from now on

Last night I went to CPs first of many leaving do's in a bar on
Portobello Road. I got there early as instructed to ensure that she
wasn't sat there on her own. About 30 minutes in she told me that P
was coming and that she was stuck on the motorway. Initially I was
pleased. P and I fell out about 18 months ago at my birthday bash. It
was horrible and I still have no idea what it is I'm supposed to have
done. Anyway I knew that it was big for her to come up from Exeter and
that CP would love it so it was all good.

I honestly thought that she would arrive we'd have a hug and
everything would be fine. Silly silly me. I got up to hug her & she
gave me a one handed back pat. I congratulated her on her PGCE course
she looked at me like I'd eaten a baby. I tried & tried & tried. I
asked how her kids were, how her sister was, I asked & asked & asked.
When she did bother to answer she would reply to the person next to
me, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Her husband was lovely, gave
me a massive hug and actually asked me how I was.

It was horrible, heart breaking and divisive. She would move away if I
was close or ignore me. I felt like like I was back at school. This
isn't an aquaintance this is someone I have known for 22 years. When
she ruined my birthday I said that was it that I was exhausted with
her drama and always being blamed for perceived slights when I
genuinely knew I had done nothing wrong.

Towards the end of the evening I tried one last time and was knocked
back again - I could kick myself for letting her do that to me again.
So I know how it is now. The one tie that we both had is moving to
Singapore so I will probably only have to see her if there is a
wedding or something and I will be polite to her; I will not ignore
her or be childish I will bite my tongue and smile and move on.

I am sad and angry and hurt and but mostly I am annoyed that I was
stupid enough to think that all those years we said we loved each
other, when she stood by me when I got married and I did the same for
her, first loves, jobs, houses, heartbreak, true loves. Yep I was
stupid enough to think that counted for something. Silly silly me.

So that's how it's going to be. The end of a friendship.

Holy Cow I have Cheekbones & Grouting

All is good, working away from home is hard but this week was fabulous - if a little tiring.

As the beautiful CP is moving to Singapore next month I am taking every opportunity I can to see her over the next month - this meant that rather than staying in lovely Wantage with KBW and family I stayed in Clapham with CP.

The journey to Basingstoke very very early Monday morning was tough but Monday night I rolled up to CP, changes into my PJs and promptly got on with helping her get the flat ready to rent out.  Removing masking tape and assistant to the Grouting was about all I could muster but I did bring a bottle of PG and a M&S pic-nic.

In bed by 10 watching the first episode of Sex in The City we turned the lights out by half past and slept for a full 8 hours (huzzah).

Tuesday I decided to support my training by walking the 2.3 miles from CP's to Clapham Junction.  It was a beautiful day so I popped my trainers on Working Girl style and headed off in the bright, crisp morning.  I managed to not get lost, pick up a three shot skinny L at Starbucks and get to the the station in time to catch the earlier train.  Arrived at the station, walked out and there was the free bus to work - perfect.

Tuesday night I went into town and met up with the lovely @InsomniacFrieze for Sushi & Cocktails.  She was looking fabulous, having just come back from holiday with her tan:

We had great service at Yo Sushi on Poland Street, but I am not converted to hot saki....I think I'll stick to wine and.........cocktails.  With this in mind we went a few doors down to the First Tuesday Members event at Milk & Honey - it was Bourbon this month so we both went for a Perfect Manhattan, followed by a Classic/Sweet Manhattan which was tastier but not as pretty:

We took some great pictures, the lighting down there worked really well with the flash, and Lo I HAVE CHEEKBONES - okay so a little gerbil pouchy but look a chin and some bones, huzzah:

Then we nipped upstairs for martini's:

Was in an addison lee just after 11 and in bed by 11.30pm.  Lovely evening only spoilt by the fact that I forgot her birthday gift - here's a picture of it (I'll have to post it at this rate):

Wednesday was another good day, I walked to the station again and whilst I missed the early train got the next one and got the bus nice and easily - I was laughed at a little at work due to my three coke can hangover but overall a good day.

By the end of the day I was exhausted - so headed back to CPs ready to assist her with the prep for her new floor on Thursday but when I got there she had already done most of it (I did manage to do the last bit so can officially say I helped).  She was feeling a bit rough so we did the only thing we could, we got half a meter of pizza delivered:

and went to bed with episode 2 of Sex in The City. 

Work is busy, really busy but great.  The people are lovely and the work is varied - just a shame it's so far away from home.  But, it looks like they are going to extend my initial contract so that's a bonus.  All in all a good week.  Shame I have to go to see the MIL this weekend but won't let that ruin my otherwise chipper mood.