Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaachooooooooooooooooooo!!!

Headache and stomach turned into cold. This'll teach me. I jinxed myself the other day by saying this was the first year since I was 18 that I'd not had bronchitis or lost my voice. LOL I think it's pretty much gone now. It's reached the runny nose stage so I'll probably be fine tomorrow....in time for work again. BOOOOOOO

Saw Renee and Colleen for the first time since the Showcase on Friday. The FAst Spring Dance. Take flowers and wear summery clothes. Even the weather was nice...although the air conditioning decided to die. It was OK. Well, really it was going very nicely until Renee stole my hustle! Even Chris admitted it. Tried to cheer me up by telling me how many other dances I'd had with him....actually I have to say it was more than normal...think it was pretty much everything except Hustle (oh and Bolero cos he never plays that at parties). That's not the point. I had three other hustles..which were crap. That's terrible of me. Michael, trainee instructor, danced a lot with me. And he's cute, young (which is a major plus at the moment!) and can sort of dance. Trouble is he does four count and I don't. It's too slowwwww......! But he was very lovely so I suppose I shouldn't complain. And then Jim danced with me when his wife stole my dance. So I didn't do too badly. But it still irritated the hell out of me. Hmmmmmm.....ssss...!!!

Other than that....pretty quiet week wot with the headache and all. Chris wants to dance in the Scholarship Division at next competition. Eeeek....says he's never danced in that with any student before. Probably cos you're not that stupid. He laughed. Guess it's quite flattering but not sure. Decided I don't mind performing, like Showcases and stuff, cos I like to be the center of attention. Actually on that point, I watched the Showcase video earlier. Cool. Looked good!!! But competing? I really don't think I'm competitive enough. Or rich enough.....should start saving....although I have a mortgage payment to sort out first......

Freezing cold now. Feel the need for some hot soup. Mmmmmmmm....and then an early night I think.......TTFN

Should be at yoga. God knows I need it. But this damn headache refuses to leave me!!! It starts about ear level round towards the back of my head and then wanders round behind my eyes which are alternating between burning and freezing...pretty much like my body temperature really!. And it's not helped by sitting in an office with a load of sick men.....by sick, this time, I mean unwell (although the other meaning is pretty accurate!). Didn't go to dance lesson yesterday. Came home and crashed in front of the war followed by slinking off to bed at an early hour. Slept for about 8 hours which is fantastic for me. Didn't help though....woke up...head hurts.....took pills....but they seem to do nowt!

Oh, and I have to remember to use "brit" words again....it's been a long time since I've heard, or used "smashing" and "dodgy" but I feel the urge once more. Especially given how dodgy I'm feeling at the moment!!!!!!

http://www.punchbaby.com/media/gitfakt/clips/funny/BushBlair.mpg

Sick to my stomach

Literally. My ulcer's playing up with a vengeance. Since I got up this morning I've felt sick. Can feel the crap bubbling round inside. Was actually sick this morning. Cleaning my teeth. But that's not really anything new. Usually that's it for the day. Not today. Nice. I know it's all stress-related. Pretty shit week really. OK. Not strictly true. It's been shit since about Wednesday. Though I did have a visitor Friday night. Happy girl! Although I need to keep fingers for him over the next few days...licensing exams. Anyway a moment, or two, of distraction from reality......

The war on TV 24 hours a day hasn't helped. Had a good cry when the bombs started falling. Been worried about Big Ears (as we affectionately call the bro-in-law). He got sent out to Kuwait a few weeks ago....after weeks of delaying. Last I heard, and my parents hadn't any later news when I spoke with them earlier, is that he'd been stuck in a sandstorm and his troop had got split up so he's now with one of the US divisions. I learned today that they're in a chemical weapons clear-up division.....when the weapons go off he'll go in there and clear it up. I think that's good...it probably means he's not on the very front line but there again, chemical weapons....errrr....that's not really too pleasant. And though it sounds horrible every time they mention casualties and they're US I do breathe a little sigh of relief. But then things are only just getting started. Just gotta keep my fingers crossed a while...hopefully not too long cos I'm running out of fingers!

Also been getting annoyed with Rob who is so gung-ho about the war. Tell me this, cos I can't work it out. Yes, Saddam has to go. Yes, he's carried out countless atrocities on this own people and on neighbouring countries. But why does Bush feel the only way to get Saddam is to get in there and blow the country to bits? What the hell's wrong with a bit of undercover assassination work? I mean...picture this, he makes noise all over the press about the fact he's gonna attack. Doesn't that just give the enemy the heads-up that perhaps he ought to prepare to fight back???? What happened to the good old "pay the Mossad to go in there and do the job"? At least that way you have the element of surprise on your side and, I imagine although I'm not quite sure of the going rate nowadays for dictator shootings, a much smaller bill! He going to ask for another $80bn or something ridiculous tomorrow. Yeah, right. Have you seen the economy recently!!!! Anyway, overall very annoyed about the war. All this "suprise" today when some of the "regime" fight back. No, really? What did you expect! This is war.

Maybe I'm being too simplistic about this but we've heard all over the press that the 3rd ID (hope that's the right one) has rations/supplies to last them 5 days. They entered, when was it. Not sure, lost track of time. Pretty much smooth sailing as they head North (to a location undisclosed....errr...this is Iraq, where could they be going....hmmm, let me think on that for a moment!). Now, if I was the opposition sure I'd let them get well into the country. They've had little sleep and they'll be getting low on rations. Let them think they're doing well. No need to attack just yet. Then, as they're getting all excited about it...cut off their supply chain. Doesn't that make sense? They're tired. Get them hungry and them start hitting them. Oh yeah and maybe don't wander round in uniforms cos that makes you a target for their fire. I mean....helloooo......is it that difficult to work out? They need more women running things, that's all I can say!!!!!

Well, actually it's not! What about the stupid coverage on Fox News. Talk about two-faced. Been flicking between Fox and BBC America. What a difference a station makes. And it's not just the Brit in me! I quite like unbiased coverage instead of this jingoistic crap that's been pushed at us non-stop. And who is that stupid blonde woman they had on this morning? Can she ask any more idiotic questions???????? One complaint about the BBC....why the hell did you have to interrupt Eastenders???? You started 20 minutes late and cut off the last 30 minutes. Just to show us the same stuff you'd shown earlier. I quite liked the escapism and you ruined it for me. Now I have to wait a whole week to find out if Robbie really will make it to India or not!

And there have been the more mundane things slightly closer to home. Like $800 for a new hot water heater for the place in London. Shit! Really didn't need that right now. Or the leak in the kitchen this morning. Why is the floor all wet? Hmmm......oh, I see why. Cos the damn u-bend thing appears to be loose.....! So I shoved it back on. Mopped up the floor. Put a towel down and tried to dry the cupboard. Seems to be ok now but I should get them to come and look at it tomorrow.

Got a headache as well. That's been coming on for the last couple of hours. Just wanna curl up in bed and wake up in the next life. Gotta be better than this.

http://www.coxar.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Cancelled due to war. I'll write when I'm a little less upset about things.

What's Wrong With Me?

It's Friday. I only worked four days this week. The sun is shining. The forecast is for more sun and, more importantly, some warmth at long last. We just hired another sales person. My boss paid me a compliment and won't be in for a couple of days next week. I have two days of freedom ahead of me with lots of dancing and the St Patrick's Day parade to "look forward" to. And yet I feel so f***ing miserable. Why? Could it be cos this time last week I in a totally unreal situation, swanning round a ballroom like a prima donna? Maybe. Reality sucks. There's no doubt about it.

Thanks for this!!!!

France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."
--Mark Twain

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me."
-- General George S. Patton

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion."
--Norman Schwarzkopf

"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
--Marge Simpson

"As far as I'm concerned, war always means failure"
--Jacques Chirac, President of France

"As far as France is concerned, you're right."
--Rush Limbaugh,

"The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee."
--Regis Philbin

"The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know."
--P.J O'Rourke (1989)

"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who was still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it."
--John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona

"You know why the French don't want to bomb Saddam Hussein? Because he hates America, he loves mistresses and wears a beret. He is French, people."
--Conan O'Brien

"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!"
--Jay Leno

"The last time the French asked for 'more proof' it came marching into Paris under a German flag."
--David Letterman

How many Frenchmen does it take to change a light bulb? One, he holds the bulb and all of Europe revolves around him.

Next time there's a war in Europe, the loser has to keep France.
-- Anon

Men!

Me getting a reputation? Hmmmm!!!! Sharon phoned yesterday to see how the competition went. First thing she asked was whether 116 (incredibly gorgeous instructor) was there. No he wasnt. Booohooo. Then Geoff comes into work today wanting to know if I'd snogged anyone? Apparently, he learnt this word on Howard Stern this morning and wanted to test me out. Errrr...yeah....may have done. What concern is it of yours, huh??? Stopped by the Studio to collect my video from the Jan Showcase and Chris shows me their photos from the weekend. And you recognise this person don't you? He was referring to Tony Dovolani....my current object of lust. I made the mistake of mentioning that I thought he was quite attractive. Now Chris takes every opportunity to tell me that he, Tony, is actually quite a handsome man and that I could do worse......geeeee thankssssssss!!!!! He then informed me that 116 had dyed his hair dark. What do I think of that? I think it sucks. I'm a fiend with blonds. So, guess that cuts one out of my dreams. LOL But remember, off men for Lent.....errrr....sort of....slipped a little but I don't think Rob counts.....cos .....well....I'm giving up frivolous sex and it certainly wasn't frivolous. Yes. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!!

Results:

Novice Bronze
American Tango 2nd
Dancesport Tango 1st
American Foxtrot 2nd
Dancesport Foxtrot 1st
Dancesport Cha Cha 1st
Closed Bolero 1st
Dancesport East Coast 1st

Newcomers
American Waltz 2nd
Dancesport Waltz 1st
Closed Rhumba 3rd (no way, we was robbed!!!!)
Dancesport Rhumba 1st
Closed Cha Cha 2nd
Closed Bolero 2nd
Closed East Coast 2nd
Closed Hustle 1st

Intermediate
American Waltz 2nd
Closed Cha Cha RU
Closed Rhuma RU
Closed East Coast 3rd

Open
Bronze West Coast 1st
Bronze 2 West Coast 1st
Bronze Hustle 1st

American Smooth Championship 3rd
American Rhythm Championship 3rd

Better than last year! 116 wasn't there for me to ogle but I found a couple of others! Met up with Rob quite a bit. Had a talk about "stuff". Funny how he managed to work out exactly what was going on with me in about 5 minutes of seeing me for the first time in 6 months. Other people see me every day and have no idea. He's such a sweetie I never want to come home. But I did and I cried, as usual. Stupid girl. Anyway he's coming to Buff soooooon. Wants to go snowboarding...you're on your own with that one! And to Canada...cos he's never been and he wants to smoke some Cubans....LOL!

So...something like this:

Thurs: we all flew down to NJ which was having a pile of snow dumped on it. Had the journey from hell from the airport. Rip Van Winkle at the wheel as we tootled along in probably 1st gear.....whiteout conditions and do you think they have ploughs down there? No!!! Cars off to the side of the road all the way down the thruway....nice...especially the ones that managed to spin themselves round first! Bit scary really. Actually the plane ride down was the worst I've ever had. Too much turbulence for them to serve food and a few of those terrifying drops when you think "shit, this is it"! Woman in front of me was in tears and I have to say I was wondering if I was going to meet my bagel again....but landed safely. In the evening, after all the excitement of the journey, met up with Rob, went for Chinese and then I got to see his house....very nice, dear....just try and pick some of your underwear up!!!!!

Fri: Danced. Wasn't in the mood after the night before. Not like that...just some of the stuff we'd been talking about. Trouble with him is he makes me think about my life...rather than just letting it happen to me, he suggests that I might want to be proactive. So, of course, I didn't sleep at all that night and then couldn't concentrate during the day. Didn't do too badly really considering my mind was somewhere totally different. In the evening, we met up with some friends of him and drank wine and smoked cigars. Laughed a lot. Needed that. Think he was pleased I had a good time.

Sat: Danced. A lot. Armundo (is that how u spell it?) came up to tell me how lovely I looked so Yelena got all excited. Personally I think he's just a huge flirt...errr, is that your wife over there???? But must have looked OK cos one of the other instructors came up to introduce himself to me as well...and he is CUTE!!!!! Mmmmmmmmm :-) Pro show - not bad considering she's 5 months pregnant. Their last show for this year.

Sun...oh that's today. Got home earlier....journey much more respectable. Met someone, who's name I can't remember, on the plane. He used to come to the Sat morning West Coast class...not seen him for ages. Said hello. Other than that, been looking at my piccies and talking to Rob again. Should have done my laundry. Guess that'll have to be done tomorrow...one more day off work....bliss......

Amazing how quickly it all goes. Now to start the practicing for the next one.....

Off to Jersey

Tomorrow morning we're flying out. I have yet to pack although I do have today off work...which I so need. I am exhausted. Didn't sleep Monday night and spent yesterday running round trying to finish all those irritating little things that needed to be finished. Been to Walgreens and spent a fortune...on what? Some makeup...how can they charge $8 for lipstick?????? Now I have packing and bathing to do. And sleep. And I need to fill the car up. Go to the bank. Book a taxi. Change my work voicemail message (damn, should have done that yesterday). Finish the washing up. Water the plants. Throw away the trash......uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhhhh. Need to go back to bed........

Dreaming.....

Too much excitement in my head when I went to bed last night. The dreams are back!!!! I was at the Competition and there were loads of racks of dresses and outfits. And people. At some point in the proceedings someone announced there were going to be door prizes and my number got called. I've won an outfit. They told me the colour (can't remember now) and it was a sparkly top and a long dark skirt. We'll get one in your size for you. Here you are. But you also have to do something for us. Sure, what? We need you to present to Group A at 8am on Saturday morning. We want a presentation on rugby. Rugby? Why? Who can tell. I've not been reading anything about rugby recently so where did that come from? Anyway I agreed to present. I wanted to make it interesting so I was researching all these quotes about Rugby (union, of course...league....complete mystery to me). You know the type...it's a game played by men with misshaped balls. Yes, that's a real quote! So more of those. A nice powerpoint slide showing the famous Rugby ball in closeup. And then, to make it more interesting I had a fabulous idea. I should add in some stirring music. Of course, the only thing I could think of was the music from the current Guiness ad...."what's going through his head right now?"....which is NOT rugby. Hmmmm. Got it. What was the music from the last Rugby world cup? That's what I want.

If anyone can explain what the hell this means, I'd love to know cos it's confused me totally!