Tuesday 27 March 2012

The End of Everything by Megan Abbott

Despite my dog chewing through the first few pages of The End of Everything when it arrived in the post, I was able to read the book in only a few days. It's one of those books that I really enjoyed but would be reluctant to give it a blanket recommendation to everyone I know. The reason? It was quite disturbing.
I'm giving little away here by telling you that the story centres on two young girls, best friends and next-door neighbours, getting on with their childhood until one of them goes missing. The majority of the book follows Lizzie in her quest to locate her friend.
Some of it I found unpalatable, but nevertheless, I finished the book last week and am still finding my mind wandering back to it. That I'm still pondering it, means I'll probably never forget it. In all honesty, some of it, I'd prefer to forget. The book isn't graphic or lewd just unsettling in parts.
Overall, I loved it and found it a great read. I'll be reading other books by Megan Abbott but getting to the mail ahead of the dog.

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Blood and tears

Many years ago, I regularly gave blood. I got into the habit of doing it every few months, despite almost fainting every time. For some reason, I stopped going. I suppose I struggled to find the time. My recovery time was often hours. I am quite the coward. Did I mention bruising like a peach?
A couple of weeks ago, overhearing a colleague's conversation, I heard her book an appointment over the phone to attend a mobile blood unit. I thought to myself, why not? I reached for the phone and did the same, without giving myself time to think.
Know what? It really wasn't that bad. Even the part where the nurse tests your blood before you donate by pricking your finger. I recalled that as a feeling of total agony. I hardly felt a thing.
Laying on the bed a few minutes later, I tried to calm myself before another nurse came to do the deed. It didn't hurt, I didn't faint, I didn't even cry.
I got crisps and so I'm told, next time, I get a key ring.
Only 4% of the country donate blood. Free crisps and a key ring. What are you waiting for?

Monday 19 March 2012

Why friends are worth their weight in gold

Recently, I spent a very amusing, not to mention enjoyable evening with two very good friends. There's a reason you have mates, especially those that you've gone to school with, shared embarrassing moments with and relied on more heavily than they'll ever know. Quite frankly girls, you've assisted me in hanging on to my sanity.
Despite spending a night out with my friends, Cath and Tracey (she won't take kindly to me missing out the 'e'), enjoying a meal and going on to watch an excellent band, my overriding memory of the evening will always be Tracey saying to me, "Don't let me get too drunk. If you see me in the zone, don't let me do high leg kicks."
I've known Tracey and Catherine for 30 years. A lot of cheap cider and wine has been consumed over the years. I'd say after three decades, we know each other as well as we will ever know each other. Therefore, why did Tracey for one minute think I was the more responsible one? A more likely scenario than me stopping her in her tracks, was one where I told her I would hold her drink if she fancied trying out some high leg kicks.
Thirty years clearly taught the three of us nothing. We got drunk on not-so-cheap cider and staggered to Charing Cross. The only thing stopping the high kicks was the physical inability to get our feet more than 18 inches off the ground.

Tuesday 13 March 2012

LG when duck was still on the menu

 
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Lab with his own agenda

Seems that I have the world's first lab with an eating disorder. As a tiny puppy, LG would often disappear to be found some time later with his head in the 12K bag of food I had inadvertently left open. I had to wrap my arms around him and separate him from the kibble. Training included making him wait near to his bowl when we put it down for him before allowing him to eat.
Forward that on six months and it's a completely different story. We've probably given in one too many times. We change his food every few days from duck flavour to lamb, then beef then turkey. He's bored of all of those so now I have taken to opening a small tin of fish for him to pour over his breakfast.
At 730am this morning, kippers did not do it for me. They were just the thing for my dog though.