When Two Worlds Collide

When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I am by your side
And dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone

Distant Sun ~ Crowded House

I used to (and still do) love Crowded House. I remember when they hit the UK charts in the early 90's with 'Weather with You' as a hereto unknown band from down under. Their music always manages to throw a veil of calm on my chaotic life but that is not why I have posted their video. The lyrics in the song talk of seven worlds colliding but earlier this week only two did just that when I met a blogger from down under.

When I heard that Melody from 'Biglittlesister' was coming to the UK I just had to see if we could meet up. I have been visiting Melody through her blog for some time now and I have always loved seeing her part of the world through her blog. We had arranged to meet up in Trafalgar Square one day when I was up in London and I must admit I approached Nelson's Column with a little trepidation. I mean, knowing someone through their blog is one thing but actually seeing someone face-to-face is another matter altogether. I needn't have been concerned. We saw each other at the same time and there were big waves and smiles all round. We immediately decided that a pub was the best place for a chat and without further ado we were off.

Have you ever met someone before and just got along as if you've known each other for years? Well, that is exactly what we did. We sat and chatted, laughed and exchanged stories over a couple of beers and the time flew by. All in all it was a most pleasant way to pass a lunchtime. In the end the real world beckoned and I had to go back to work. We met as two Bloggers from different sides of the planet but left as friends. I hope we get to meet up again one day :)

More Green

This is my second offering for Project Green, a photo challenge to capture and post something green. It is difficult to do such a project and neglect the most obvious and abundant source of 'green' on the planet - plants! The New Zealand Flax is a wonderful and large structural plant. I have three in my garden, one red and two green. It's sharp looking leaves contrast nicely with softer rounded shapes of the other plants and the delicate dissected leaves of the Japanese Maples.

Visit Anna's blog for more 'Project Green' participants.

Green

Anna, over at Anna Carson Photography blog has set a challenge and it is simply to find something, anything, all things green and capture them with your camera!

Well, I can't back down from a challenge and though I won't be able to play along as often as I would like I intend to have a go. So here is my first offering. It is a detail of a green Audi which I saw at the Science museum last year. The car has been designed to be eco-friendly so what other colour would they paint it?!

Pop over to Anna's blog to check out more 'green' challengees!

Some well earned fresh air

There is a part of me that thought that once my MBA studies were over I would have more time to catch up on things like blogging. How naive! All that has happened this week is that work has taken up practically all my awake time instead. It appears that nature isn't the only thing that abhors a vacuum! It's just as well then, that last weekend I managed to find time to take a walk along the coastline in Llantwit Major, near Cardiff in South Wales.


The walk started in a small car park near a pebble beach where the cliffs climbed either side. I was keen to move on so we climbed the path up the cliffs and were met by a strong wind which clearly was trying to blow us back down again. Undeterred we soldiered on at a 45 degree angle until the wind dropped suddenly and nearly dropped us on our faces. Very funny. From the top of the cliff we could clearly see the striated rock which seems to be made up of thick sedimentary layers (though I'm no geologist).


We also frequently came across many small pill boxes - old look out posts left over from the wars that sometimes also housed machine guns. From the positioning of these though, it is likely that they were placed on the cliff tops overlooking the estuary to watch for enemy planes and boats.


The walk eventually bought us to a small natural cove where we dallied for a short while before turning back. When we got back to the car park we had a welcome drink at the small cafe there that sold various refreshments and the usual beach paraphernalia before heading home for dinner. It was a pleasant way to spend the afternoon and it was nice to stretch my legs after all that confinement behind a desk studying!

Random Stuff

It's been a hell of a week. I managed to complete my final Masters Degree paper at 12:10am on Wednesday night and since then I have been trying to cram a weeks work into two days. Sleep, apparently is for wusses... Anyway, here are some random things from my week:

• My last ever paper for my MBA marks the end of 5 years study.
• When I finished it I didn't really feel anything except tired.
• It's starting to sink in now that, as long as I have passed this last hurdle, I have no more studying to do. For now.
• I have been attempting to write my own appraisal at work as my boss is still away on sick leave. It's kind of like a self-licking lollipop.
• I hate giving myself feedback. It is really hard not to underplay your achievements and then to overcompensate for this!
• I looked round my house and realised what tip it has become recently. At least I will have time to clear up now!
• I got cut up three times during a 5 minute car journey today.
  
• I also spotted a car with the following sign in the rear window; "The lights are on but there is nobody in". This did not instill confidence in their driving!!!
  
• They were having a clear out of wine at the local supermarket. Two bottles mysteriously jumped into my basket. I only went in for some milk.
• I watched '50 First Dates' last night as I needed to unwind. I had forgotten what a truly enjoyable lighthearted film it was. I needed a laugh.
• I am looking forward to a weekend that involves no studying!

Just because I get the milk, doesn't make me a cow either

You Are: 20% Dog, 80% Cat

You are are almost exactly like a cat. You're intelligent, independent, and set on getting your way. And there's no way you're going to fetch a paper for anyone!

Are You More Cat or Dog?

I'm still in the throes of finishing my final essay for my MBA. I found myself doing one or two of those silly quizzes while I had a well deserved coffee and the one above caught my eye. So just for fun I completed it as we all know how unscientific these things are! So, what are you?

The high road is impassable

Your family definitely has some major problems, and they're still effecting you today. It's time for you to step back, reassess, and decide what kind of role your family should have in your life. The people around you can be toxic, and there's no reason to let your family bring you down. Consider getting some therapy or talking the situation over with a good friend. And spend more time around people who truly care for you!

Is Your Family Dysfunctional?

I spotted this little test and took it and was not that surprised by the results. It has given me food for thought though. I have been feeling quite low for several months now as the events of the past couple of years have been piling up. Before I have had time to reconcile my feelings something else has come along and knocked me off my feet before I have properly got back up and dusted myself off. My separation and divorce was traumatic and then about the time by Decree Absolute came through my niece was knocked over and killed. If I ever needed the support of my family, it was over the last couple of years and yet I have received none. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. They act like nothing happened.

It got worse. After the death of my niece, my brother launched a personal attack on me due to my choice to go away on a long needed break rather than attend my niece's funeral, even though I was at the hospital when she died. I had asked if the family would delay the funeral for one day so I could attend, but they would not. I respected this for my sister's sake but I could not afford to cancel my only break of the year. On my return I was surprised by my brothers attack and he followed this up with abusive text messages. The rest of my family told me that they didn't want to 'get involved' and I was left to deal with this extra issue on my own.

Of course this is a summary of what has gone on. Since these events my family have closed ranks against me. Now my parents want me to apologise to my brother so that everything can return to 'normal'. If I did this I couln't face myself in the mirror and perhaps they might feel better but I know I won't. I just can't take the high road yet. It's still too raw I am not a Saint.

An essay and a favour

I am currently in the throes of completing my last (hopefully) essay for my MBA. This, together with work stuff has been making my blogging a little more sporadic of late but once this essay is in at least my time outside of work will be my own again. The MBA has been a huge undertaking on top of full time work and this last essay is the culmination of 5 years of study starting with a Post Graduate Certificate, then Diploma and then the Masters degree. I am so looking forward to finishing.

In the meantime, feel free to take a peek at my most recent posts if you haven't been by in a while, or visit any of my worthy blog friends in the side bar, but especially please go and visit CrazieQueen. CQ is a good friend of mine and she has just lost her dear cat Pandora or Pandy as she was affectionately known. I know how much Pandy meant to her and I know she is grieving at the moment. If anyone has ever lost a beloved pet then you will know a little of what she is feeling right now. Thank you.