I'm sitting on a strange sofa, in a former fellow student's house (she is at her boyfriend's place, and we had run out of Brownie gossip so it's not a problem. nice to have the place to myself). Tomorrow morning, I shall run the Bath Half Marathon. In the meantime, despite the heating, I am trying to stay warm, to keep my spirits up, to drink enough liquid, and to not dissolve into a wobbly heap owing to the fact that Em should have been 34 today and I am full of hormone (nice timing, body. Well done there).

I think I shall go override the heating. I have just checked the radiator, and it is not hot at all.

And the heating was set to go on for an hour at 6 pm. Then off until 10pm, when it comes on for another hour. Then on again from 6am to 8 am. Adjustments have been made. I have also slightly broken into a bottle of Ribena, being in need of something hot, yet not caffeinated. I am not sure how blue my fingers are, as a bulb went earlier on. So, the kindness of C nothwithstanding, I could be warmer and see more. When things have warmed a bit, I shall prop up the iPad and watch Charlie Chaplin. At the moment, I'm listening to something on Radio 3. It is Bel Canto in style, and I'm quite happy with it. It might be Verdi's Aida, and it's live at the New York Metropolitan Opera. I may not watch Mr Chaplin. I have Withnail & I on DVD with me. Anyhow. It is 4 degrees outside, and heat is needed. I am full of rice and peas and chicken, and I need to warm up before pudding of ice cream.

I feel better for that bijou whine. Thank you for letting me get it off my chest.

I popped into Loop this morning. I want to knit shawls, to knit hugs for Big Jane and her daughter S. Big Jane is the daughter of friends of my parents, and i look upon them as family. I was little Jane (being all of three when she got married) and she was Big Jane. She's a bit taller than me still, but very thin. Last spring, her middle daughter C died of Cystic Fibrosis. This January, her eldest daughter E died of the same thing. S doesn't have it, thankfully. But, I thought they could do with hugs and in more cheerful shades than any of the lace weight or 4 ply in my stash. I have some lovely yarn now, and will photograph when I have better light. A knitted hug is not the same as a real one, but it is portable. I knitted Em a hug when her cancer came back, and I'm wearing it now. For courage for tomorrow. Because it's her birthday. Because it's such fine stuff that it reminds me I can do anything. It has taken me nearly two years to wear it. Silly really.

Warmer now. Not ice cream warm, but warmer. Feeling less woebegone. Going to do something useful rather than continuing to witter on. I shall finish casting on and then I shall knit the first shawl. Then, a bath, and bed at 10pm.

Night all.

Xxxx

In my case, about a week will just fly by and never be seen again.  Been a spot of knitting, though... (please excuse my pigeon toe at the bottom of the picture)

And a rather nice sunset.

And all sorts of other lovely things.  More running, cooking kedgeree (although by Saturday, I was sick of the sight of it, having cooked it on Thursday), proper fresh eggs from a colleague's hens, knitting (the dress is one thing, I also produced a baby sweater on Saturday, which I have failed to photograph).  There was a Queen's Guide to present with her brooch and certificate, and the plans for Em's memorial were ceremoniously unveiled.  Mum's promised us some snowdrops for this, as there will be bulb planting.  There's also been a deal of running.  That 10 mile run?  It turned into 11 miles, then I collapsed, then I discovered I had to be at rugby a mere 15 minutes later (and I was not showered, or fed, or watered, or anything useful) and then I was in a Very Bad Mood.

Half term helped (writing that has prompted me to find out what we're doing at Brownies this week: we are making hats and having a night at the races).

I can now, it seems, complete a 2.61 mile run in 22 minutes.  I was slightly distressed at the end of the run, thinking the route I'd chosen was 2 miles and 'how can I be getting slower?' and then actually mapped the thing.  And there it was.  2.61 miles, 8 mins 22seconds per mile.  Since I started this thing able to run a mile in 9 mins 30 seconds, I am entirely chuffed.  To bits.  The race is this weekend. I am not thinking about it tonight, I am going to retreat to the sofa.  I've spent the evening having started off some of the Pack Holiday planning, and then gotten stuck: we are taking the Brownies away in June.  I meant to have a planning meeting this weekend, but it did not quite happen, so we are having it via email... so I have sent the most enormous email and am waiting for responses.  If I don't get answers soon, I shall have an Aliens themed Pack Holiday and we shall make Alien deely-boppers.  And have Alien food.  Slime.  Yum.

Mostly, I want to knit the baby hat I've started.  It has bunny ears, and it is ridiculously cute.  It doesn't look remotely hat-like at present, but that is fine.  I'm only a dozen rows in.

Dinner in Pinner was fab, drunken, full of morris dancers and excreable haikus.  And knickers.  Including the ones made out of sweeties.  But not the ones that somebody was (obviously) not actually wearing.  Sunday lunch turned into an afternoon dinner affair after I almost expired with hunger at 3pm.  We had steak.  It was Very Good Indeed.

I have just run out of energy again.  Anon.

xxx

This rather put the kybosh on running 10km this morning.  I slept, lots, instead.  Maddening.  Feel rather brighter for amazing American Advil Cold and Flu stuff: and hopefully, I will be running later in the week.  For now, the difficulty breathing and the sinus pain are quite enough.  The time is right to settle on the sofa, and let it all happen round me.  Things were not helped by yesterday's somewhat windswept rugby pitch (and we lost), although eating chips, and knitting in the pub after, was nice and warm.  Watching France v Scotland was less fun - I was at 90 degrees to the screen and Scotland was losing.  Still, Dad's socks have moved to the second sock, which is nicely heartwarming.  And, additionally, I have finished a Mousie for a new baby: I just need a card and to mail it.  All things to be done tomorrow (a trip to the post office is looooooming).

I am avoiding dealing with the Brownies accounts, and thinking that I must email everyone to ask them to sponsor me in 4 weeks' time.  I will do this half marathon, regardless of whether I'm being ill, but it might be rather slow if I am ill.

• Laundry/change sheets
• Iron badges onto Brownie Girl Scout vest
• Letters about Thinking Day/Photos Flyer for Thinking Day being produced.
• Brownies Accounts
• Letter to thank sponsors for Pack Holiday
• Email to ask for sponsorship for my half marathon
• Pack Holiday lists
• Pay census
• Pack up Mousie and address envelope.
• Pay plumber
• Get ringtone on phone to be same as it was on previous phone
• Buy white sports bra, and complain to M&S that the only ones in my size are padded and push up (I only want it for morris, so, actually, this is vaguely useful, but generally, no.  Why?) Oh, turns out it was just the ones in the shop. The ones on the website, although out of stock, have better sizing.

xxx

First, they said the system needed a power flush. And that because my boiler is a combi (is it? I have no idea) it would cost £150 more than the original quote, which had assumed a different type of boiler.

I sent a fuming email to the person who provided the estimate.

Now, it transpires, the pump on one of the radiators is gone. This will cost significantly less to get fixed.  And then Jo will have heat in her room, and all shall be merry and bright, and we shall be happy.  Thank God for that.  Another email is to be sent. And I shall not be entirely penniless this month.  All to the good.  There are two chaps cluttering up my flat, but I hope I shall be able to get out before the GP shuts and therefore collect this month's prescription and thus be able to breathe.

Training for the Bath Half Marathon is going well.  I managed 5 miles at lunchtime yesterday.  Next run is on Sunday, for 7 miles.  Since this weekend is the annual shindig up to Cranfield with the rugby team, Sunday is going to be a painful run, as I doubt I'll have had enough sleep.  I don't intend to drink, so, hopefully, I can take a little something to aid with sleep, and it won't be quite so bad.  I think I'll get round in 2 and a bit hours.  Hope so.  I just need to build up the stamina...

I did some more internet dating.  On Tuesday, I went for a run with a lovely chap.  We plan to go again next week.  Last night I went out with a book illustrator, who never reads the books he illustrates: why would he want to read chick lit? It was not a success, and we called it quits after one drink, and I went home and knitted for M's new baby.  I'm making a Mousie, because I think it'll be nice to grab on to.  Lovely pattern to knit, does anyone in Pay It Forward want one?

Plumber now moving the laundry to get to a radiator: perhaps I should fold it and put it away? At least I made my bed this morning.  I did start folding stuff at about 8 am, but the plumbers arrived.  And, why, WHY, do plumbers always turn up so early in the morning?

OK. I have a day off. I have a list. Natch.

• Collect prescription (n.b. must phone to *get* prescription)
• Pay in cheques
• fold and put away laundry
• pack for Cranfield
• put straps onto dress
• new trainers
• gloves
• finish Mousie
• start booties for another baby
• await delivery of new phone, copy over contacts (I flipped out when the phone turned itself off, entirely randomly, twice in two days).
• Case for phone
• Find out official address for William & Kate ready for Brownies to write envelopes for engagement cards (awww, cute, plus they learn how to address an envelope).
• Type up notes from last weekend's meeting
• Get stamps
• finish knitting back of knitted dress
• Decide on shawls/stoles for J & S
• be in for tree man at 2pm
• feed K (chicken stir fry)
• Brownies

xxx

Calamity.

After four and a half seasons, I have a rugby nickname.  I have spent much of my evening wandering round, avoiding the lurid details of Silvio Berlusconi's love life, watching the Antique's Road Show, and remarking to myself that I have a nickname.

I have a nickname.  I am now Calamity.

I am a tad too shattered to write much more.  The running regime is intense: 3-6 miles 3 times a week at the moment.  Next weekend's run has to be 7 miles. The long run increases by a mile each week, up to about 11 or 12 miles the week before the half marathon.  I'm feeling rather overwhelmed by the prospect at present.  It'll be fine when it comes to it.  I'm getting the knack of eating.  I am enjoying eating a LOT at the moment.

Mum enjoyed her birthday yesterday (and I bought a new dress: fortunately, not the same dress as one of my friends subsequently tweeted about having bought later that day - but still from the same shop).  We had steak at Cafe Rouge, and champagne, and pudding.  It was glorious, although I should have gone to bed rather earlier when I got home.  Earlier, Jo and I did a LOT of planning with the Senior Section.  We're going interrailing in the summer.  It's going to be grand.  I ought to write up the findings of that meeting, rather than wittering here.  I suspect that I shall merely witter here a little longer, address an envelope or so, write a thank you letter, and then knit before having a rather good long warm bath.

Next week, I shall go to see The King's Speech, and do yet more running....  Sigh.

xxx

Tomato Pasta – serves 2 (or one if ravenous).

200g pasta

1 tin tomatoes

Two onions, sliced

2 tablespoons tomato puree

1 teaspoon brown sugar

Salt

Pepper

Mixed herbs- teaspoon

Clove of garlic

½ green pepper

Oil

Chop the onion and the pepper.  Crush the garlic.

Fry the onions and garlic in oil, until the onions go brownish.  Put the water for the pasta on to boil now (and add the pasta when it’s boiling).  Add the tomatoes to the onions, cut them up in the pan (use scissors).  Add the sugar, and stir, then add tomato puree and stir.

Let it all bubble, and add the herbs, salt and pepper.  Simmer for five minutes.  Add the green pepper, and simmer for another 2 minutes (I like my pepper crunchy)

Drain the pasta, mix it into the sauce, and serve with grated cheese.

So, you've probably heard it in several places before.  However, the delightful Pim is going to make me something lovely, and handmade... as long as I promise to make something lovely and handmade for FIVE of you.

And you promise to make something lovely and handmade for five people, posting either via your blog, or via facebook (or twitter if the desire takes you).  It can be anything: knitted, crocheted, baked, sewn, papier mache, a picture.  Whatever.

First five to comment will have something lovely.  Promise.  Probably yarny.  And a total surprise... And yes, I'll post overseas, so don't let that stop you.  I will need an address though!

xxx

• Go for run
• Knit
• Reply to emails online dating
• Text nice chap who is a policeman and organise date
• Laundry
• Brownies Accounts
• Contact Brownie parent re felting evening
• Go on date that I am only doing out of politeness (one of the rugby team, who just keeps asking and asking)
• Record a Roald Dahl Story
• Sort out accommodation for Bath Half Emailed a friend, posted on Facebook.
• Email the Merchant Sailor
• Interval training
• Put Christmas decorations into loft
• hang bedroom curtains
• sort out shrinkles for activity day
• Finish ripping CDs
• Cast on paternal socks (travelling knitting of large sweater-dress is now too big to travel with).

Oh, and the date?  I probably should have said yes to one of his earlier requests....  I had a lovely time.

xxx

Thank you for being all supportive and lovely: the hard drive is partially restored thanks to Recuva (no more is possible, as it then started to backup what I'd restored to the hard drive, and I Give Up).  In fact, the only important thing I didn't manage to get back (and I believe a chap called Murphy has something to do with this), is this term's Brownies Accounts.  I have found Accounts going back to 2004, but not the most recent batch.  The drafts of my novel went too: but then again, I had backups on a different drive.  This will now be sorted out for the stuff retrieved.  I have a 16GB pen drive, and I will investigate a digital vault for my photos.  Music is also on my iPod, so that's OK.

I pretended I didn't care about losing those, but the pleasure with which I greeted the recovery of the photos I took in Albert Kahn's gardens in Paris suggests that I might well consider them to be important.  I have some of those pictures over my bed: these.

All this, and generally being under the weather (and certainly not eating remotely properly) means that I am on the verge of hibernating.

xxx

It's only the external hard drive you wiped.  It might be possible to get the pictures back, and the docs back.  And you can recover everything that was on the iPod....

If not, there's quite a lot on the C:drive of the old laptop.  Which you were sensible enough to copy stuff from, rather than cut and paste stuff from.

(fool)

xxx