QUIET WEEKEND THEN ?
Did it, actually did it, actually had a quiet one. Until last night that is鈥
鈥othing on Friday night apart from the big humous and the crossword and a good mate whose hubby was away and needed a chat. She and he are the two unfortunate individuals who have taken it upon themselves to teach me how to do the crossword over the last three or four years, they have the patients of a small child with a new kite on a windless day.
Hubby is a spy, a proper spy, that鈥檚 how they met, her dad was a spy. They are never allowed to talk about this but I just know and they know I know and it鈥檚 all sort of alright, it all goes unsaid, I believe the word is tacit.
She is a runner, a marathon runner, her whole life is based around running. What she eats, when she sleeps, everything.
Here鈥檚 what she did yesterday.
She set her alarm for 6.30am because she had a twenty mile run to do yesterday and she has to eat the right fuel. After eating whatever it was she had to have, she then has to go back to bed to finish off her sleep. She then runs the twenty miles and straight after gets into an ice bath, proper ice bath, for fifteen minutes. What is that all about? It sounds like hell only worse. But of course she loves it and that, we know, is all that matters.
When she鈥檇 become suitably numb, she rang me and my pal up and asked us what were up to, we picked her up and off the three of us went to my mums. Mum had made a chicken stew, so we had to go. Not out of duty but because only a fool would turn down one of my mum鈥檚 stews.
I cannot tell you how tasty it was. It was, I think, the single most tasty thing I have ever put in my mouth and it was made with just the carcass! It鈥檚 all down to the war. My mum was taught to make meat stews when there was no meat available. I mean no meat at all. She can also do a mean pastry from start to completely done, in twelve minutes and with marj not butter ! Actually, thinking about it, she doesn鈥檛 cook, she performs miracles.
The other thing my mum鈥檚 house is renowned for is the temperature of her living room, it is nothing less than tropical. And after a big stew, you do become quite faint. We were all asleep within moments of our last mouthful.
An hour later, she was offering us ham sandwiches and mini pork pies and biscuits and things, needless to say we accepted.
So then it was back to London and a couple of pints last night to round off the weekend and be nice and sprightly for a Monday morning. We went to a cracking pub, no more than a few hundred yards from my house. Full of characters and great live music, it鈥檚 so dudey, even I fell quite cool when I鈥檓 there.
All in all it sounded like a good plan, till this morning that is.
How did I end up several miles away waking up on the sofa of an ex girlfriend of mine?
鈥淢orning,鈥 she said, 鈥渓ike a cup of tea?鈥
She looked amazing. Sports shorts and a very loose blue vest.
鈥淓r, yes please,鈥 I said through bleary eyes and decaying breath.
She went through to the kitchen and continued,
鈥淒on鈥檛 worry nothing happened, and by the way I鈥檝e stopped smoking pot, I鈥檝e got my s@%t together, I鈥檝e got a new boyfriend and he鈥檚 really nice so don鈥檛 go getting your hopes up. I know what you are like in the morning. Now do I need to go and put a bra on, or can you cope?鈥
I arrived home a few minutes ago.
Never a dull moment.
x.
UPDATE 14.22
Just finished reading the rest of the posts from Friday, I think they are the best so far, along with the therapy day.
Getting ready for tonight's show. I have my dressing gown on, it has a hood on it and makes me feel like a a champion boxer preparing for his next opponent. There is no build up to the week for me and the team. We are full on from Monday onwards, it's the only way we know how and we get paid as much for Monday as we do for Friday.
Oh my goodness a guest has just dropped out. The psychology of texting, didn't turn out to be as good as we thought it was going to be...
Comments
MMMMM chicken stew, won't beat my Aunty Vals though, and as a bonus she usually does dumplings with it!
Aunty Dot does the best hotpot (with a big suet crust)
And mum does the best beef stew with proper chips from the pan, none of them oven things mind!
Did your mum do dumplings for you with it?
Christophe and bloggettes
Morning. Sounds like a wild night Chris. Have you managed to fill in the bits from the pub to the ex's flat yet?
My weekend was very very quiet which is good. had a long walk on the canal and took some photos of trees. There is a beech tree near me which is just perfect - winter and summer its symmetry is a thing to behold.
Is it cold in London - it's bloody cold in Yorkshire.
Ciao
x
Well what can we say to that Christoph.
Only funny how things turn out when you least expect them.............. Having been looking for a job for 2 months got offered an amazing job on the spot on Friday .... switched my mobile on had a text from an ex who I am still mad about.............. the funny thing was didn't know the text was from him as only a week earlier in a rage I deleted his number............now we're talking again......
So I guess I'm feeling at odds too
Hi Chris!
Glad to hear you had a random weekend too!
On your show today can you please let us know what happened on that date you arranged for Tim Vine last Monday? Loads of people have been asking on the blog and the message boards and you've just left us hanging! ;-) We need to know whether to buy hats for the first Chris Evans show wedding...!
PS
Also read the Bill Bryson autobiography thing - The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid - about growing up on Iowa in the 50s. I actually laughed out loud at some points - wonderful.
x
What a great life you lead......... Hope ya heads not too sore...... Enjoy your day.
Goodness gracious Chris, and thank goodness you had already lined your tummy with some good home-cooked before your evening out! Imagine what may have happened if you hadn't...
I'd just finished adding my comment to Friday's blog and this one appeared, so as previously scribed, I spent most of yesterday convinced it was Saturday! I can't think of many things worse than an ice bath, but each to their own eh!
My mum makes stews. My particular favourite is known by the family as 'bone dinner' which is a totally gorgeous lamb stew made with neck of lamb and various other secret ingredients...and you'd need to be a spy on the wall to find out what they are. It really is only mums who can make proper mummy food!
Good to be back, have missed the blogs and the chat, although I seem to have had quite a lot of 'random' over the last few daze...
love
hazel
x
well my monday is hard! I went day time drinking yesterday for my sisters birthday and my head is heavey, my reactions are ten minutes after my thoughts and the thought of my bed seems like heaven!
I have to get my act together, i have an exam next monday that i am no where near ready for, the thought of it is consuming my days and making my head bleed!
Chicken stew and a warm fire sounds like a dream!
em25x
I am back from Korea fellow Bloggers - just in time by the looks of things. Very wierd when stuff kicks off where you've just been.
anyway Christophe sounds like a great weekend. Always good to start the week with a random occurence better than the same old routine.
I have post holiday depression now. must decide where next..
Love Jen
Happy Monday bloggers,
Well Chris you do seem to lead a hectic life. I went out with Mrs BigUn and a couple of friends on Friday night to watch the Rollin Clones and an Elvis tribute all in aid of Macmillan cancer nurses and the Somerset and Dorset air ambulance. It was a great night out. I donated what I could and if they get the profits from the bar they will be very rich :-) I arrived home at 1:30 am very worse for ware. Mrs BigUn was driving so as you can imagine was delighted with my condition.
Saturday was a struggle (God bless Anadin Extra). My wife went out on Saturday night with a friend of ours who鈥檚 mother died exactly one year ago that day and she needed company. I stayed at home to look after the dogs as only they understood my headache and did not judge me. Our guest was to sleep in my daughter鈥檚 room as she was at a friends on a sleep over. They came home worse for ware and I did not gloat at all on Sunday morning as I was feeling very righteous and full of health. Our House guest joined us downstairs looking what could be best described as ruff. She said she had, had an accident in my daughter room but it was ok as she used the bin. The problem was the bin is one of those plastic types with no real substance and her accident was all over the floor. :-( At least it took her mind off her mother. I was feeling Ok so I thought it would be a good idea to put the dogs in the car and drive to the coast for a nice walk (after all Mrs BigUn had shown me no mercy on Saturday).
That did the job we arrived home refreshed and ready to relax whilst the smell of chicken roasting filled the home. Nice quiet Sunday night with the family鈥︹..just perfect!
Now for another week of work and drive time so no reason not to be enthused at the week ahead.
Happy Monday
Keith
x
Afternoon Christophe and fellow bloggers.
Gaaaah - stews. Funny, give me a casserole and I'll eat it. Tell me the thick, meaty mess on my plat is a stew and I'll eat maggots before putting it in my mouth. Does that make me a snob?
My mum used to cook it when I was at school. If I came home and saw the massive pan on the cooker, I knew what was in store - turnip (I hate turnip, it's one of those vegetables that infests everythign it touches with it's icky taste), and soft, gooey dumplings.
Give me oven-baked dumplers everytime!!
I went to my mum's on Sunday too. Got 2 cups of tea and a pear. Chuh.
Crikey - I can't remember the last time I ran for anything, never mind fun. I'd rather stroll - it's a bit more civilised and doesn't require an ice bath.
Is it me, or is autumn really slow in putting on her best bib and tuckeroo?
love to all, and the Squiggly Pig (our daughter) is now crusing - officially. Tempus fugit.
Morning Chris,
Sorry to tell you this, particularly if your head's a tad fragile, but you may have just blown your "tacit" understanding....as anyone who knows the runner that you are acquainted with will now also know that her husband's a spy!! [It never works out this way for Sean Connery].
I'm not sure the gentlman in question will be too chuffed to find out....you'll just have to tell him that his secret's safe with the hundred or so bloggers on here! [and watch out for any "business associates" of his paying you a visit].
Yours (in collusion)
Ian
Hello All! ... Why is it that I never get to look at this till luinchtime??
That's what I call a chilled out weekend - just doing your own thing.
My Saturday was weird - took my wife to work and then waited in for the groceries to be delivered (only once every couple of months). When it arrived our puppy escaped so I had to chase after her. I found her trying to make friends with another dog belonging to an old lady. Now my puppy is only a cavalier KC Spaniel so not very big but quite enthusiastic, and this old lady was going potty she said she hoped that my dog got run over. This got her entirely the wrong side of me so I told her I hoped she fell off her broomstick. I'm sort of sorry about that now but there's not a lot I can do about it now.
Anyhow, when I got home one of the other dogs had got into the shopping and nicked 40 cocktail sausages - well 36, there was still 4 left.
Then in the evening we went out for a meal to meet my son's mother and father-in-law to be, and very nice people they are too. The meal, however, was spoilt by taking a long time to cook and then not being hot when it arrive - of couse it went back but it spoils the experience.
Sunday was spent mending stuff around the house, washing the carpet in the hall (all the puppy's fault) and shredding up a bin-bag full of junk mail.
Though why anybody would want my identity I can't imagine.
Have a good week and why not play afunny record sometimes - Bernard Cribbins, Spike Jones, The Goons etc.
Just a thought.
Chris
Hello All,
A quiet weekend - how I long for those when I'm busy and hate them when I have them!
Full of cold at the moment, spent most of yesterday sleeping; fortunately, I can work from home, so I haven't had to go into the office and spread my germs...
Only 4 sleeps until THE weekend....
My son has asked me to make stew - funny he never used to eat it, but had chicken stew at a friends and now he wants me to make it as well! I love stew, with thick stodgy dumplings, hmm - wonder how many points there are in those!!!
It's a manic Monday for me, hope yours is better,
XX.
Hi Chris
Another fine morning and the start to my Here I am again compulsively having a sneaky blog at work. The trouble you could get me into.....xx
I'm glad that you Mum's food is the most wholesome stuff on the planet. Whatever the ingredients you know that there's a whole heap of love in there too and where else will you get that? I try to get a weekly fix of mum's dinner if I can and her cakes are to die for. She had a wee operation last week and as she went off to theatre on Thursday she was checking that I would get my dad's casserole in the oven that she had prepared for him the day before! A proper old fashioned woman. xx
So last night is a mystery.......My guess is you made a booty call last night after the single malts mixed with the Guinness. I have an ex who does that kind of stuff. He's from Dublin and being woken by his drunken voice at the end of the phone in the early hours of Saturday morning is irresistable although he doesn't know that and I always go through the motions of how dare you wake me etc. He's all the more grateful when I eventually say, "Oh all right then you can come over but you're sleeping on the sofa". He never sleeps on the sofa. xx
Well I hope that you have an easy Monday and the memories of last night's events begin to piece together. Like the Telegraph crossword this can sometimes take me all day.
Debsxxxx
PS My mum listens to you as she cooks tea for her and dad which is always on the table at 5.30pm. I'll be there for dinner too this evening. She often says what a shame it is that you don't play the old stuff to get more old people listening. Can we prove her wrong? She loves Johnny Cash and Boy Named Sue would be her first choice......and tell her bread pudding is the best.
Rachel/Gaby,
Thanks for the lovely messages! I am fine - really shouldn't have finished that bottle of wine!!!!
Feel quite buoyed by your support - am having a much happier (although still manic!) Monday.
XXXX
blimey chris.
please figure out what happened between leaving the pub and waking up this morning. we are all dying to know. that can be tomorrows entry.
i love ckicken stew. or turkey stew after christmas. that all i eat the 2 weeks after christmas stew and dumplings yumyum.
Hi Chris,
We have a great pub in our town Crawley' who have Live Bands on a Friday and Saturday Evening. I like Pubs which are old and original and not so many screaming youngester teeny poping away to chessy disco sounds.
Anyway glad you had a good weekend.
Take It Easy
Mark
Hi Bloggers....I need to know the truth!!!
am I being an over protective dog owner, or as I think, reasonable.
The situation...proud owner of Cadbury, a 6 mon choc labrador, who is very well behaved, especially considering her youthfullness. Does'nt bark, potty trained and only chews stuff that I give her. I'm self employed and share the local council owned building with a new tennant (moved in 2 months ago). Now that's the background... the problem... I bring Cadbury to work with me every Tuesday and the new tennant has made a complaint to the local council (why not direct to me, I don't know, as previously I had been a very nice neighbour), and the council have told me to STOP. Legally, the council have no rights as there is nothing in the agreement, but as Tuesday looms, I am growing anxious....
what would you do?
xxx
Hi Chris
I think I would have prefered your weekend to mine.
On Saturday I had to collect my hubby from Heathrow 18:38, T3. Being a little tight arsed I was damned if I was going to pay for parking so I managed to while away the time it took for him to collect his luggage driving around T3. It was a full eight laps before my children relised that we going around in circles. After a couple more laps I had to give in to their protests and managed to squeeze my car into the departures dropping off area. I had to wait their for nearly 15 minutes, I haven't felt so naughty in a long time!
After collecting hubs I whisked him off home with a little bit of built up excitement (I know what your thinking but it wasn't for that reason!) The previous weekend I had stripped and completely redecorated the living room. I had deliberatly left the lights on so it would be the first thing he would see when he walked in the door. He opened the door walked in, dumped his bags in the room, made a fuss of the kids, went to the kitchen to check that his beloved Sat Nav system was charged (it had only been charging for 2 weeks), back into the room tipped everything out of his suitcase, gave gifts had dinner, telly,bed.....Sunday 18:54 more than 24 hrs later, hubby asks 'has this room changed?'
Why do we bother!
Soggykipper
Ps...can you congradulate Tim Vine for 'Not Going Out'...I haven't laughed out loud at a 'so called' comedy program since the 1980's... I really enjoyed it!
Hi Chris!
Glad you had a good weekend! I Luuuurrrvvvee stew - doesnt everyone? Its sleepy-comfort-food mmmm.
I'd like to second (or third, or whatever number of times this has come up now..) the call to know what happened to Tim Vine's date! I was watching Not Going Out (not very funny but he was the best of a bad bunch...) and the whole will-they-wont-they thing got me to thinking about whether Tim did or not?
YOU'VE GOT TO LET US KNOW!
My mate is going to see him on tour in Bolton tonight - you should ring and give him a comedy pre-show heckle on the subject!
Cheers me dears
Steph x
What a great job a Spy must be, however you don't see those positions advertised very often.
Another weekend of trying to sell the house. Sat nite tele with the X factor.
A walk on the sea front Sunday. I still don't know why people of a certain age wear the same uniforms.
ie. Pale colured arnoraks, trews and sensible K Skip shoes.
God, when I reach that age will I wake up one morning to find the arnorak fairy has been and replaced my warbrobe.
a good day to one and all.
Good afternoon christop enoz bloggers
so a weekend of what sounds like paula radcliffe meets billler piper could be wrong but sounds good never the less.
hasta luego
hi guys and gals
Christophe has us wondering.... and not for the first time : ).... I loved the account of the exchanges with his ex this morning. lol!!
soggykipper #20 - totally agree re. 'Not Going Out' - loved it.......
...and yeah, what DID happen to Tim Vine's date?....
We are with you this week Keith - especially friday, of course.
Gaby
xx
I spent my weekend travelling between Gatwick and Heathrow airport and home. Why is it that relations never consult with one another to a) not come all together and b) if they are coming together, at least all arrive into the same airport?!
Once I had desposited them all back at their respective airports on Sunday, I spent the rest of the day feeling tremendously homesick.
I would have loved to have had a good Irish stew cooked by my Mummy, but she died two years ago, so I'll have to make it myself, it won't taste the same though....I make it better, but there's nothing like your Mum's home cooking!
At least Monday is nearly over. I've struggled with the crossword during my lunch break and decided the best place for it is in the recycling bin...better job tomorrow - hopefully.
And a good after noon to all. As all have said you just can not beat good old mum's cooking why is that?
I've tried many times to get that same taste but it just dont happen. Wonder if my 2 kids (20/24)
feel the same way about thier mums cooking.
The spy job...... do they appear on Spooks too, great programme.
Ice cold baths, now that is something I am not into. Give me a steaming hot bath any day.
Spent my weekend at work and a good one too, had a good old laugh with the lads making chocolate for all those choco holics out there.
Keep it going,
Tim....................
Oh my goodness Chris. I had to read and re read the "guest has just dropped out" sentence.
I quickly read your update - picked up the bit with you in the dressing gown. I thought - we really don't need to know that much detail.
But then it clicked - you mean guest on the show - I think!
Oh well, I have been busy today - and looked on here for a break.
My best bit of my weekend was watching Jane Eyre - how sad is that.
afternoon all.
#13, Chrispy. I would have done exactly the same thing, but maybe not so eloquently. What a mean spirited lady she is. And a dog owner too, you would think she had some understanding of the situation. Ooh, she has made me cross!
Chris, a good weekend for me, although fairly quiet. I think I would be gobsmacked if I woke on the couch of any of my exes. I'm not very good at staying friends, but none of them are enemies either. I guess we would say hello in the street, but that would be it. Friday was spent planning my veg plot and building a cold frame as well as general garden maintainence. Friday night, took cats for a walk. Normally only have 4 come along with me, but this time kitten Jazz, 7 weeks old tagged along too. Saturday was mystery shopping day, so I guess I'm a bit of a spy too, only on a totally different level - I do enjoy it when my brief gets sent through though - its all very hush hush! Saturday night was Strictly Come Dancing with mum, dad, brother and his family along with a very tasty chinese and sunday comprised of getting up at 6 to do a huge spring clean before starting work at 11. Finish at 5 and home to shower and get dressed up to go out for dinner with my other/lower half and his boss - Chinese again, but I'm not complaining.
My other/lower half gave me a tenner the other day and said he wants me to spend it on him and it has to be a surprise, so tonight I am taking him to a golf driving range. He has never played, and the tenner gets us about 240 balls to whack our frustrations out on. Then I guess we will eat out. Chinese anyone???
Debster #15 - ooh, thats a dangerous game. I hope you are strong of head and heart and will not get hurt again. I can understand why you allow him back into your life and your bed, but make sure you know what you want in the future.
and finally...
Firestarter #15 - i would speak directly to your neighbour, politely ask them why they don't want Cadbury (great name btw) there. How does it affect them and their daily routine? Explain why you take him in, hopefully playing to their sympathetic side. Listen to their argument and make a judgment if possible. If the council have no popwer to stop you taking him in, and your neighbours arguments are unfounded then I would continue to take him into work with you. Somethings can only be solved with good communication, and it seems your neighbour has lost this art. Good luck.
MW, a!
Eyup lads and lasses.
Well whoever it is, this runner, it isn't Paula Radcliffe. Her husband (is he called Gary??) is her trainer; I seem to remember them having a big row trackside one time. I think he is a former athlete himself.
Not that stops him being a spy, I suppose. In fact, it could be great cover: obvious excuses to go on lots of foreign trips. Hmmm.
Spent my weekend rattling around the house as my wife and daughter are up in Sheffield whereas I'm still down on the South coast until my notice expires on my job and i can move as well. I quite enjoy my own company, and so some extent it is luxury having the whole bed to myself, watching what I like on TV, cooking to my taste only and so on.
But it ain't the same as being together. Shame it's taken me 36 years to realise that. Tempus is fugiting indeed.
Chris
'Guests' dropping IN can be inconvenient at times!! - but dropping OUT is just blatantly inconsiderate!!!!
How about replacing him/her with Bloggers' Corner - perhaps a little anecdote or witticism.....I suspect that you prefer not to mention us bloggers too much for fear of alienating non-bloggers. However, on this occasion we need to act on impulse and instinct for we are a guest down : )
Gaby
xx
Hi Chris,
first time blogging so be gentle !
I live in Canada and this weekend was the Thanskgiving holiday which means a long weekend so no work today ..yippee.
Had to tell you about the turkey I cooked yesterday....a 10lb bird (there are only three of us but you have to have left-overs for curry !!) which I cooked from start to finish in just over one and a half hours......you roast the turkey at a very high heat (425F) until the meat thermometer reads 165F and then remove and leave the turkey to rest (covered in foil) for 30 mins. It was delicious and sooooooo moist.
I was quite wary of this method and wasn't really convinced that I wouldn't be up in the night paying the consequences for eating undercooked turkey but I feel great.... well apart from a slight headache but thats due to the wine intake !!! If anyone wants more details ( turkey related) I am more than happy to pass them on.
Lots of changes in my life this year...separated from hubby of 25 years..(his decision) and so after being a "professional wife" for those years I went back to "school" and trained as a dental assistant. Your show kept me company through the hours spent doing homework and the blogs have been much needed inspiration on the "not so good" days.
Pass on my regards to "Big Pete"...I miss his pearls of wisdom.. for a really happy birthday for the 26th...we share the day.
Keep up the good work,
Love Karen x
Happy Monday fellow shloggers! Glad to hear everyone's weekend was full of good food, drink, and friends.
I am proud to say I did indeed run a 5K on Saturday morning. While I was cursing myself all the way up to the starting line, as soon as the cannon went off signaling the start I got caught up in the excitment of the whole thing. I finished 2,132nd out of 42,357 participants...give or take 100 places. Yes, it was packed! I am looking forward to the 10K at the end of November.
Blog on friends, blog on.
Amanda
Hi Chris and everyone,
I can't help thinking that you may have just blown the spy's cover now, I hope he still wants to be your friend!
I had a great weekend, had a really good laugh with my neighbours on Friday night, helped out at drama club Saturday morning, swimming and Strictly Come Dancing Saturday evening (Come on Mark Ramprakash!), long family walk Sunday morning, then roast chicken and blackberry and apple crumble for tea, and then watched the Green Mile last night which made me cry my eyes out.
Off to look round a high school with my son tonight, which seems very grown up and boring compared with you waking up on your ex-girlfriend's sofa!
Still loving the show Chris, sorry to hear about the guest dropping out, I'd be happy to come on and talk about life as a dinner lady.
Em xx
Speaking of the Happy Mondays, I have it in my head that Shaun Ryder has at some point covered "Barcelona" - the Freddie Mercury and Monserat Caballe thing. Does anyone know if that's right, or am I going completely round the twist?
Mariella - you take your cats for a walk?!? Eh?
Mind you, I'm sure I remember hearing tales when I lived in Brighton of someone walking their ferret on a lead down by the seafront.
#33 -JoP
please pardon the informality!
My cats I'm sure have built in clocks. At 7.30 each night they gather on the wall and wait for me to take my daily stroll. Not a lead, harness or collar in sight, they all follow me wherever I head off to. It is fab watching them chase each other, play hide and seek, climb the trees and try to ambush me as I walk underneath. I generally let them do their own thing, but they all gather to me once I have called them back. I am lucky to be surrounded by fields and a river, so I don't worry about traffic, nearest road is half a mile away. Its a great feeling, and watching them the first time they encounter cows is so funny. Must admit though, I do get odd looks from the dog walkers.
MW, a!
Hi Chris and fellow bloggers
I too want to know what went on with Mr Vine last week. He was all up for it on the show but then what? The suspense is killing me slowly......
As for running and ice you wouldnt catch me doing that after the great north run a few weeks ago, running is freaky and unatural - everyone should just stroll...
Hey gang,
You all seem to be such a god-damn wise lot; can you get the little grey cells working on this one for me?
I'm a tennant in Single-Town at the moment since being dumped (proper broken-hearted and everything) about two months ago. I now feel like I've given it long enough so that I'm not doing the whole "eeek! I've got to feel needed by someone - ANYONE!" thing...but how can you be sure you've left it long enough?
Reading about Christoph's night of ex-visiting got me thinking about it.
My ex has made it very clear that 'we' are over, with a capital O, and even though given the opportunity I'd be back there quicker than you could say "desperate is never a good look" when do you know that you really want to be with someone as opposed to wanting to be with anyone...?!
I'm fairly sure that I'm in a better place now (at least I've stopped crying at the bread advert on the telly - the one when they've fallen for each other as kids then wander off into the sunset as grown-ups hand in hand) but I don't want to start until I'm sure. I guess I don't want to hurt anyone else...or me!
And my next question (sorry - is asking two greedy?!) is how do you do the whole dating thing in this day and age? I'm so out of practice it scares me just a teeny bit...
Answers on a blog post please...
Meg x
P.S. Thought for the day; If you think you're too small to be effective you have never been in bed with a mosquito.
I have a dressing gown with a hood too, but it makes me feel like a monk.
Always a good time freaking out the flatmates by chanting on the way up the corridor to the bathroom.
Sorry guys, feeling a bit of a blog hog today.
Megglet, a guide as to when you can move on is when you stop reading your ex partner's horoscope.
Don't hurry the issue, enjoy time on your own and rediscover yourself and the things you like to do. Dare yourself to do something different, not every day or even every week, just now and again. Don't go out looking for somebody new as that rarely works. Become comfortable with who you are as an individual rather than as part of a relationship, and when you do meet somebody else maintain that identity.
You should never need to be with somebody, but to want to be with somebody is altogether different and much more rewarding.
Discover yourself, and have fun doing it.
Good luck,
MW, a!
My weekend was a bit of a non-event. My girlfriend and I fell out for no reason other than we were both a bit frazzled from the past week and needed to blow off stream. Saturday was spent doing not much during the day but we saw a fantastic production of The Merchant of Venice in the evening.
Sunday was round to my girlfriend's brother's house for Nachos and baby chat - as his wife is due to have a baby in about 2 weeks time.
I need a hobby that doesn;t involve eating and drinking ;)
Hi Chris
Just got home after listening to your show in the car on the way back from a week in lovely Lanzarote.
Whilst there i listened to local radio, and i kept hearing songs from a British bloke called Ashley Bruce.
How come i have to travel to the continent to hear a new English singer, when i have never heard him over here ??
Weird, huh ?
Hi Mariella, or MWA. Straight outta Hampshire (or wherever)
Actually, I know what you mean. One of my late cats used to follow you on walks. Very embarrassing turning up at the pub in the next village with a cat in tow.
And for #37 Meg - I think the answers are (a) when you stop asking questions like that. You're obviously not out of the woods from the last one yet. I tended to find I had a minor relationship after a major one before moving on to the next Real one. And (b) just get out there are get looking. But not looking. There are people all over the place. I met my wife when I got drunk one night and a friend talked me into putting an ad on the Guardian's website. Whatever you do, hope it works.
Hello, long time listener to the show but first time reading your blog.
Sounds like an entertaining and relaxing weekend - till Sunday evening! Hope you managed to cope with your braless friend!!
Keep up the good work!
x
Chicken stew mmmmmmmmmmmmm
My Nanny made a mean lamb stew.........I'm dribbling now Chris!
My nanny made mean pastry and her mash potato WOW i'm sure Nan's and mums have magic powder to make it taste so good. I can never get my mash or stews to taste the same. Although my kids don't complain.
This weekend hubby and I had our friend down from Scotland, we had far to much to drink on Sat night and got the sing star out, (have you ever played it? You should its fab) although don't expect to go to bed much before 5 heehee, I ended up 3 sheets to the wind on my own singing Karma chameleon (everyone had given up because I was determind to beat my mates score)
Sunday was a nurse the hangover day. Roast beef with everything and early night.
Brill show
Love jo xx
Megglet # 37.
Aw bless you. Your post had me thinking. Fortunately for me I am in a great relationship but you made me think what if it all changed! I am sure I would be thinking long and hard about it just as you are. I think this is what I would do.
Make a list of my good friends you know the ones you can trust. Contact them and see what they are up too.
Make a list of the sort of guy you would like to be with, things that are important, mind, sense of humour, age, build.
Make a list of the definite thing you could not put up with? Sorry Chris but just as an example someone with ginger hair鈥..NO?
Take up a hobby (now you have time) maybe golf, sailing or crown green bowls, it does not matter what it is just give it a go and get out there and meet people you would not have before with a fresh outlook on life.
You sound like such a lovely person, thoughtful and now ready to get out again so for me just be yourself and if that is not good enough for any potential guy then they are not good enough for you. Be patient as Mr Right may not be just around the corner but he will be out there somewhere and just waiting for you.
Most of all smile out loud as life is far too short to be unhappy :-)))))
Keith
X
PS: I love the thought :-)
Hi Chris,
Top show ( Monday) hearing something different from John Lennon.
Keep it up and keep playing different tunes from some top music aritists.
Mark
Megglet,
Your reference to the fact that it has been a long time since you have been on the dating scene leads me to believe that this (ex)relationship you speak of was a long one. N'est pas? If that is the case, sit back, relax and don't worry about being in another relationship. Enjoy some self-reflection, learn about yourself as you are now. There really is no hurry and I suspect that the very fact you posted the questions you did indicate you are not ready to move on.
Heavens honey, being whole and healthy and single is MUCH better than being wounded in an untimely or disfunctional relationship.
Chin up! Shoulders back! Look forward!!
Amanda
See - I knew you guys would come up with some groovy thoughts for me!
Thanks to all of you and especially BigUn. I had been thinking about writing down which boxes I'd like Mr Right to have - kinda along the lines of the whole Cosmic Ordering thing. I'm a firm believer that you have to ask The Universe for what you want....The Barefoot Doctor uses the fabulous metaphor of The Universal Dinner Lady who is only too happy to dish up whatever you want - but you have to dance with her first!
Thanks again lads and lasses. Hope you all have a fab night. I'm off to put my dressing gown on...just because you've all reminded me how nice they are.
Oooh it's all rock n roll isn't it?!
Meg x
Good to hear you had a strange weekend, I was at work doing the things the rest of the world can live without, at least they think they can. Mind you I get to have Mondays off, which means I never have the Mornday morning feeling - I also get the Friday afternoon feeling on Sundays, the last time I woke on a an x's sofa we got engaged, i have stuck to beds ever since! have a good day all, late shift tomorrow so I get to lie in an I miss all the traffic
ATB
Jones
P.S. The secret to a good stew is Marmite, honest
Well, well, well, Christophe, we have all been away for a week and are now catching up - via the web - listening to you! Have missed the show. A lot. Hooray for listen again!
But the reason for emailing...last night and this morning (long weekend!) we watched - shamefully, for the first time, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and guess what? One of your first tracks on tonight's show was...from the very same film...the Soggy Bottom Boys' fabulous song. Spooky or what?
Probably not nearly as exciting as waking up at an ex's but hey, just had to let you know! Maybe some other listeners had some co-incidental fun, too?
Woof Woof xxxxx
Blimey. What a weekend. I haven't had one like that since... well before I had children. (Actually not true. I rather overdid it on my 40th birthday, but luckily the children had left the building).
I've only done one marathon, but I can attest to the wondrous healing powers of ice cold baths. It's not too bad if you keep your top on and read a book... I find Alexander McCall Smith usually quite distracting.
I did a 10k the other week but unlike Amanda was at the back of the pack. But at least I didn't come last... Running is addictive once you get into it...
I sent you a copy of my book, Chris, but, sob, you never replied...
And I've put you in my next one... or at least my heroine dances to you choose the tunes on a Friday night....
Thinking about the marathon again for next year (my husband will never forgive me), but in the meantime I am training for a triathlon, where I am really really at the back of the pack. Last but one in the sackrace sums it up... I'm not sure why I put myself through the torture!!
I can nearly swim the crawl now though...
Hope you have a quieter week Chris...
cheers
Julia
PS What are schloggers?
I had a hectic weekend.
I spent Saturday daytime in Manchester at a seminar about international adoption - lots of depressing facts and too much statistical analysis. I raced back to home (South Wales) in time for a 10 year reunion of my teaching buddies.
On Sunday I went to aqua aerobics, out to lunch, spot of shopping, cinema (The Devil Wears Prada - great film) and then spent the evening finishing my sewing.
It's going to be an even busier week - but then that's what life's about, isn't it?
P.S. Love the blog Chris - check in every day and listen every evening!! x
Most of us live in the autograph path of watching entertainment. What's the reflection for kissing the audience?
Sounds like a good weekend, Chris - more surprises, and with friends - what could be better. There seem to be advantages in being single - you don't have to phone anyone (Enzo maybe?) to let them know where you are. And no need to feel guilty!
Someone on Friday mentioned going on an ENEOGRAM weekend. I haven't been on one, but read a good book about it and I'm a 2 (Helper)! Thinking back to the blog comments on 'psycho-analysts' I certainly feel we get on better with other people if we understand ourselves and them. Knowing my best buddy's Eneogram number made me feel much better about her as some of her reactions seemed strange to me. I started to understand. That saying 'Do as you would be done by' is an odd one because other people are unlikely to want what I want, or to enjoy what I enjoy!
Happy week to all of you out there xxxx Jill
Chris,
I was surprised you mentioned Chris Moyles' book. I listen to Chris M on the way to work and Chris E on the way home.
Sometimes, Chris M irritates the hell out of me and then other times I laugh and laugh. I thought the Gordon R interview was sort of funny, hilarious even, but also very cringing.
I also sometimes listen to Scott Mills before 5, and again sometimes I laugh, and sometimes I think I should grow up!
I like your show, but it's very safe. Which satisfies a lot of people - which is nice! So unlike TFI.
I was watching some of the Monty Python recaps on Saturday, and I was thinking who is doing the equivalent now? Who are the rebellions, who is challenging the status quo?
We all think we have to think before we say anything! For goodness sake, let's just say or do what we want, and not what we think others want. Sod them! Oh, but my 82 year old nan is still the boss, I do respect what she thinks. I'm not selfish enough.
Hi Chris and Schloggers
It is great if you can stay friends with an ex. One of mine is now my best friend!
Chicken stew made just from the carcass. Ahh, that takes me back. My Mum also used to make chicken stew like that (there were 6 kids - no chance of any meat left on it after the Sunday roast). Never tasted stew so good since. Does anyone ever pull the wishbone apart with their little fingers and whoever gets the longest bit, gets to make a wish. It's funny how tastes and smells can transport you back. Had homemade cheesecake at a pub a couple of years back and it tasted exactly like my Mums used to. Although she died when I was 19 it immediately took me back - happy memories.
Had a great weekend - saw Rocky Horror, very funny - and had lots of snuggles with my fella. Marvellous.
Have a good week everyone.
xx
I always listen to the radio whilst I prepare the evening meal but I always used to turn off the radio when I'd finished in the kitchen. Not now though, I've simply got to listen right to the end of the show. Never done this before!
Had a no weekend:
No laughing
No drinking
No loving
No talking
No living
Still must'nt grumble at least it sets me up for a week at work.
Thirty hours of television
Megglett #37 - Online dating - of course!!!
My hubby and I separated in January (not before time, let me tell you). Since then, I had a couple fo dalliances with chaps who were friends of friends, that sort of thing....
Then I went onto a couple of websites for dating and started chatting to a few chaps online, had a few dates and what do you know, have a 'virtual' relationshp with a chap that lives quite some distance away, he has visited me and I'm going to see him this weekend!
A couple of websites just didn't do it for me, but one of them (that I have recommended to a number of single girlfriends) is www.girlsdateforfree.com I love it! Dating is so much better now than when I was younger - I have the confidence to say no and yes!!
Go for it! If all it does is stroke your ego a little, so what! We all want to be wanted!
Good luck and make sure you have fun!
XX.
Hi,
"You are having a laugh".....spies or maybe you meant ..pork pies. A marathon runner who eats and then goes to bed ??? Wakey...
Wakey...a cold shower is a must.
Mange tout.
Your weekend sounded great Chris. Mine was ok until I fell through my front gate at 11.45am on Saturday(I was sober) it hurt.
A man passing saw me on the ground and asked if I was ok?
Yes I squeaked, I'm fine.
Are you sure?
Yes, of course, please don't worry.
I smiled up at him in a convincing "really I am not laying on the ground in my front garden in agony - honest!"
He nodded back, looked a bit unsure and then walked off.
I then slowly crawled into my house, my dogs Lucky and Rio watching with great concern, then oooed and aahed over to the sofa and waited for my husband Richard to come home!
I promise it is relevent to your blog Chris because Monday morning I put together a Coq au Vin (pre browning everything before it went into slow cooker and even flambeing chicken in Brandy) while hopping on one leg.
I like to think that I would have done ok in the war too, hope your mum would have been proud.
Take care and remember all, be careful what you wish for!
#Meglett blog 37!!
Try this, www.lookitsme.co.uk, its faaaaaantashteec!! Im Spanglee for anyone that's interested. Not a date site web Meg, but i seem to be doing ok for admirers on the 'hot or not' votes. Have fun, enjoy single life and remember, there's plenty more pigs in the sty!
Patient do you mean patience!
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Can you help promote our Village Festival?
WE ARE ALL AMATUERS AND VERY WORRIED THAT FOLK WON'T BE COMING ALONG TO ALL THE BRILLIANT EVENTS