Thankfully, my lovely brother is out of surgery and back recovering. In case you are not aware, he has damaged his knee doing various sports over the years. He was experiencing increasing difficulty with it and so went to see the doc. This is now his third operation and they have gone the whole hog. Basically, there is no cartilage left and his knee-cap is disintegrating from the inside. They have taken his leg apart today, replaced cartilage with stuff they grew after the last op, scraped all the rubbish out and put his leg back together. He will have an 8 inch scar across his leg and is currently in a leg brace to stop it moving for the next few weeks. The pain is - according to someone else who has had the operation to a lesser scale - the worst pain he has ever experienced and he thought he would die from it - so Dan has morphine on tap.

So get well soon Dan I need some jobs doing in the flat ;)

In other news...,Hiccups...I told you all they hurt you!

Posted by kary at 09:16 PM | Permalink

Well that is one thing ticked off the list. The LEA review went well today for the school. Although the inspectors did not keep to promise or timetable which meant that some of us had them in our room all day! Not even OfSTED are permitted to spend more than 75% of a day in your room! Still, on a personal note it went very well and the school overall did well too.

I wont tell you how many more boxes there are left on the list it would only sadden you as it does me.

My head hurts, my eyes hurt and I am having to remind myself to breathe.

Come on Tim. You are making it hard as usual.

Posted by kary at 08:32 PM | Permalink

Have just checked the day/night fixtures for KCCC this season. Both on a school day. One day later in July and it would have been fine! When the wind is against you it really is against you isnt it.

:'(

Posted by kary at 06:03 PM | Permalink

A very long time ago when I was small my brother said something to me that changed my outlook. I can only have been 8 or 9 and was teased relentlessly about having red hair and freckles. You can imagine the names I was called - ones that make other people laugh now. People often don't understand how something as innocent as a childhood name can still sting but never mind. So to bring a smile to your non ginger faces – freckle face from outer space, pebbledash features, carrot top (which I never understood as what's on top of a carrot is in fact green) and some others that are not repeatable on a site that is sometimes accessed by small people (and I don't mean my little mum) are all examples. There was one name however that really upset me and there is no real reason for it upsetting me more than any other. They used to call me Duracell. Now in the grand scheme of things, that one is mild in comparison, so why did it upset me more than any other? Or, is it like the freckle on the back of my hand, just a target for all my red hair hatred?

Anyway, Dan and I were walking home through the alleyway that led from the shops to the road along from ours and I was crying as I had again been called Duracell that day. I hated it so much that I would cry myself to sleep at times. Dan turned to me and said the first nice brotherly thing he ever said 'Don't worry Sis' you will last longer than that lot' I never cried again about that. I lifted my speckled head up high the next day and I told them I would last longer. They continued to say it. I didn't care any more though.

I was armed with big brotherly wisdom.

He gave me some more of that this morning. At least I think that is what he was trying to do. It is just a pity it isn't as simple now as when we were kids. I can't just turn to the next day fire off my one liner and not care any more.

The less sensitive ginger contingent of my readership (we know who you are) will probably remember the names, smile and wonder along with the rest of you why I let it get to me so much at the time. It just did. Things just do.

I don't understand it either.

Posted by kary at 08:11 PM | Permalink

At least the Arsenal dressing room will be harmonious next season...GO DENMARK!!

Posted by kary at 12:00 AM | Permalink

Now you are expecting me to talk about last nights game are you not? You are expecting me to comment on the fantastic game the Arsenal defence had are you not? I should imagine you are expecting me to comment on the referee and his shockingly - SHOCKINGLY bad performance, not just in disallowing a perfectly fine goal by Sol Campbell (Arsenal), but his all round performance. I would think you would not be surprised to find me discussing the lunacy that was letting Beckham take the first penalty and the odd decision to bring on Vassell rather than Heskey (who, as much as I do not rate the player, does a better job of linking up with Owen)

But I am not going to.

Ho hum. Seen the weather today? Nice and sunny. Tim Henman on later...

*sigh

Posted by kary at 08:56 AM | Permalink

Haben Sie eine sichere Reise nach Hause

:D

...as the commentator put it 'It is like seeing your worst enemy falling from a ladder and trying to suppress a smile'

Why suppress it?

The Germans are out!

SMILE! :D

Posted by kary at 09:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So the football is getting more entertaining with Italy going out tonight as well. Never mind eh ;) Denmark progress to the quarter finals thus ensuring the safety of my 8 quid.

I did feel rather like I had worked through a week or so and lost a few days yesterday though. The England fans in the pub celebrated more like we had won the final than the last group game!?

There were two proper girls in there last night who caused me much amusement. So sweet that I could have given them both a picture of a fluffy kitten as a thank you. I didn't think that girls really DO go to watch football for the men but these two admitted it. Perfect nails, lovely make-up, surrounded by cloud of a combination of perfumes (could have coordinated that one ladies) and squealing when looked at by any beer swigging, red shirted male. They began the evening drinking wine and then discussed that fact that other girls were drinking pints...they then decided upon lager and lime...one of them squeaking that she had never had a pint before and that it was ok, the other finding it a bit heavy and managing to spill it down the leg of a nearby aforementioned beer swigging, red shirted male (she pretended it wasnt her! Missed opportunity there dear!) It is difficult to explain why these two particular specimens were so sweet - had to see them I suppose. I sound patronising, I do not mean to be - each to their own and all that - but they really were proper girls and I do not think I have ever really seen them in action before. I took notes. I will make attempts to extend my repetoire. To live is to learn after all.

Thank you to Mr S for my home grown cucumber today. I thought it was apples for the teacher though? :) On the subject of vegetables...ovendoor has gone silent - I am concerned about my cabbages :(

*sigh...when does it get better?

Posted by kary at 09:48 PM | Permalink

Actually. Yes it is. Do you remember that advert? The Nat West one with the daft lad? I am sure you all will except 80's babe Benham ;)

My eyes hurt, my head hurts and I have had enough of staring at work related PC screens. The 'work/life balance' eh? Heh. Right. As if.

Yesterday, I worked from 7am until going out at 2pm when Matt managed to keep me at least slightly sane with shopping, beer and football. Thanks to those others who responded to the plea to whisk me away by the way - was nice- thank you :)

Today's dose of sanity (while I have worked) has been a more entertaining Grand Prix, (complete with smashes crashes and blow outs this week) and now more football. Cats are snuggling and making noises like the start of Pigeon Street in their dreams, (again we must all remember that - except 80's babe Benham ;)) and all is calm in the little goat house.

By the way, thank you to Anthony for pointing this out the other day...half way down...what am I doing there?

Well I am now feeling very guilty for having stopped working on school things for the time it has taken me to write this so I had better get back to it. This time I REALLY am not going to be forced into working until the small hours. What isn't done - just isn't done.

Happy Father's day Dad :)

Posted by kary at 08:32 PM | Permalink

Well done to England on two counts...firstly for ensuring that I left work earlier than usual today and secondly for managing a very flattering scoreline against Switzerland this evening. 3-0 is a good enough win - but hardly indicative of performance was it? We have to put it down to Dean's lucky red shirt. But as he himself asked me...should he wash it before the next game?...or will he be washing the luck away?

I always wash the Arsenal sock combination - so it should be ok? What do you think? Wash it or not wash it? Vote now :)

Once again we reach Thursday and a nothing weekend looms ahead. Anyone know what the weather is going to be like? I would look it up but I am chained to school work currently. Anyone fancy whisking the little speckledgoat off somewhere fun this weekend?

*yawn, back to reports I guess. I will NOT work until the small hours tonight, I wont! I wont! I wont! (stamps hoof)

Posted by kary at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I have been on a course today. Those of you that know me know that I have had students from Canterbury Christ Church University College with me before today. So why in that case, I hear you ask, was I doing the training today? It seems that a fair few of us on the course had already been mentors to students. Now I am no expert on teacher training, but if they are asking us as mentors to take on such a HUGELY significant role (I had no idea how much they put on mentors these days) in the training of new teachers, surely the college should insist that they do not place students in schools where a trained mentor is not available. I had no idea that I was supposed to be doing most of the things we were taught about today. It seems, neither did any of the other delegates either. So I, in my 7 years of teaching have seen four students through teaching practices (teacher training -not work experience etc)...that is four students who, although I have done my best...I have not done for them what I should have done...so that is four students who have not had the start, support or training they should have had. There were 24 of us there today, if you assume that it is the same for them - then collectively we have sent 96 ill prepared, unsupported NQT's out into the profession. That can not be good for the student, or for the teaching profession. The training they provided was very good today and I am considerably happier about taking it on for my school...but I think CCCUC should really get their act together and not allow this to happen.

Sorry, minor rant over for now. It just made me cross!

Hello to Jonny Billericay (who coincidentally is on the blogroll of Unlucky Man who I met many moons ago as he is a friend of Ryan's) He too has had similar problems with the Dulux Once paint it seems and is as miffed as I. I was most surprised to find if you google search for 'problems with dulux once' that I appeared there - some way down the list but there nonetheless :)

(I take no responsibility for the content of those blogs should you or your children choose to follow the links by the way)

All this is just a report writing avoidance tactic. Who would be a teacher at this time of year? One with an inspection coming up too :(

Posted by kary at 09:45 PM | Permalink

Seeing an advertisement for 'Classical Rock' today (can't find a link strangely enough), it reminded me of the punk CD I purchased back in the Uni days. I had searched a significant while for a copy of 'Ever Fallen in Love' - The Buzzcocks classic at a price a student could afford, when I stumbled upon a CD in the bargain bin in Our Price (shows how long ago!). The CD was jam packed with punk anthems and I excitedly invested in a copy poste haste. I returned to the flat, cleared the washing up from the stereo and called Bec in to join me in a punk-fest. It was not until Bec picked up the CD and said 'Ooh Classical Punk' that I realised I may have been slightly hasty in parting with my hard non-earned cash...My heart sank as she continued...'Thirty punk classics as performed by the London Punkharmonic Orchestra' (it really did say 'punkharmonic'). I decided to act as if I knew all along and pressed the button...

'Anarchy in the UK' is not quite as anarchic when played though the gentle hypnotic medium of the violin...

I really did '...fall in love with someone...' but it was someone I should have fallen love with as he happened to be a dress suited, intelligent musician as opposed to the Buzzocks baddie :)

The CD caused much amusement over the years...and was actually stollen in my burglary a while ago and rather than being relieved that I no longer had to cringe when someone picked it from the shelf asking 'What on Earth is THIS!?' I was oddly disappointed and almost miss it you know :)

...but then I have always had good taste in music...just remember Brother Beyond and what about Joe Dolce! Then there was Kid Creole...(was never too keen on the coconuts though)...oh and Tight Fit!...those were the days :) *sigh

Posted by kary at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

*sigh

Injury time.

*sigh

Posted by kary at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Well, well, well. How is a girl supposed to decide? There is just too much sport going on at the moment. I have once again been transfixed by the cricket this weekend. Another really exciting test match and right now we need just 26 to win...with 4 wickets in hand. Then there is the Canadian Grand Prix, later more football...I think I may boil over in sporting anticipation :) Oh and let's not forget Wimbledon and the Olympics too...and of course (O)vendoor's squash updates too...well done on that win today ;)

Yesterday was nice. Although I am unsure at to what the Osbornes thought of our singing at 2 o/c this morning :) Deano's Karaoke is quite an invention!

Typically the weather is beautiful today when I needed the sunshine yesterday and there is sport to be watched. There is not even a wisp of cloud in the sky.

15 to win ...and I actually get to see the end of a test match!

For the benefit of my limited readership who do not actually like football here is some very useful advice from the BBC. If you can't beat them Anthony - join them, I will be testing you all later!

Century for Thorpe and 9 to win :)

3 to win

I am sure that reading me count down the final runs in the series is as interesting to some of you as the game would be - Just trying to help you imagine you were watching it too :D

Scores level...Holds breath...

3-0 the series. Not done that against the Kiwi's since the 70's - well done boys!

Right...how is Jensen doing?

Posted by kary at 05:45 PM | Permalink

Well, I am glad that week is over. Only 5 more with that level of stress and more to go :)

Friday evening out as usual and we bumped into the man who lives downstairs - he was very drunk and sounded oddly like Ozzy Osborne - apparently I am 'too quiet' and should 'put some loud music on or something'. He was being serious too - not sarcasm as I first thought. He is going to have a barbecue he tells me and Matt and I are invited - and we all need to go out for a drink...hrm...I am scared now!

I remember the days when I first qualified, and Ryan will remember this...when people used to be suprised and at times horrified (remember that woman in the pub in the village who said she would never leave her kids with someone like me Ry?) to discover that I am a teacher. The Osbornes downstairs however, had been speculating and decided that was what I did. Now Matt you are probably right in saying it is because I am home during shcool holidays...but I fear it is more significant than that...I fear I am getting the teacher chest and ankles! I didn't even have my glasses on last night!

*sigh another wicket falls Geraint Jones this time and we are still 89 behind.

Anyway, back to the events of the day...woke up on the sofa this morning and couldnt get back to sleep so have been up since 7 doing not much around the flat. The sun is coming and going and I have been talking briefly with a few people online. One conversation was beneficial as I had the 'gullable' sticker on my forehead renewed. It looked like it needed a clean. You can see the footnote 'mug' more clearly now. Have also discussed with Matt the Euro 2004 offside rule changes...its difficult enough for men to understand, don't mess with it when they are just getting their heads around it! I am now trying to prize myself from in front of the cricket to get done all I have to do before my guest descends upon the bay with his cacophony of karaoke later :)

Cats are mad this morning...lots of charging up and down and shouting at eachother from the opposite end of the hallway...I think it is because I gave them catnip - I will never learn not to do that will I :)

Right no excuses. Off the sofa woman.

:)

Posted by kary at 11:57 AM | Permalink

What a lovely day it has been - hot, sunny and perfect to be working...or maybe not.

Small people have chicken pox (or chicken pops as Em called them - would that not make a great breakfast cereal?) so watch out for spots as you read - and don't scratch!

A very important word of warning by the way...please take note :)

On the subject of my new found girlyness...I was caught discussing handbags and shoes today! The world stopped spinning and fell silent for a moment while those around me considered the once in a lifetime experience that the moment was...moreso than even the Transit of Venus... ;)

Oh and by the way...Dzīvē ir daudz pārsteigumu, patīkams un nepatīkams.

Posted by kary at 09:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

...for those who don't follow it...Geraint Jones went on to make his maiden test century today, shame Freddie missed out by pennies :( We then bowled superbly to finish the day still with a first innings lead and NZ on 102-5...and again I moan that I will not see the ending because of work!

Oh and this, fancy coming home from shopping and having nowhere to put your marmite away?! Nasty.

Posted by kary at 10:21 PM | Permalink

Well as the party was cancelled last night, I decided to take Ryan up on his offer of an evening out in Greenwich. So I jumped in my little car and headed off. Many memories of times previous were shared and smiles all round. Met some interesting people in the pub (very peculiar) but still no butterflies :(

So, my apologies to Brad as I was not where I said I would be and thanks to Ryan for a fine evening.

Watching the cricket again today. Freddie having a good knock and Geraint Jones just hit a six to reach his maiden half century. Well done that man. England have taken a first innings lead - did not think that would be so easy when watching us fail to do any damage to NZ on their first innings. 429-5 as I type...

Back to work tomorrow and no closer to completing any work because of the many viruses I have encountered this week. Not a happy bunny about that. Norton says all clear but Billy is still not functioning as he should :(

Cats are lazing on the table, purring, yawning, stretching and watching the world go by from the window...I know how they feel.

Posted by kary at 02:47 PM | Permalink

My plans for the weekend have taken a tumble as mother's party has been called off. Last night was ok though - didn't think I would be sitting in that chair again for a while - so that was good. But as there is no party, I find myself on the sofa watching Tresco get a century knock in the test match. The sun is beautiful and I think there may have to be some beach sunset watching later - even if I am destined to do it alone these days.

A while back there were a fair few entries about the fact that people feel the need to lie over the most unnecessary things - happened again yesterday...why not just tell the truth? I obviously can not expand on that much, but people do seem to think that others either don't talk to eachother - or are just too dumb to know how communication systems work? Two separate incidents of unnecessary non truths. I just don't understand it.

Ashley had a mad moment for those who ask about the cats...He came hurtling into the sitting room, hit the rug with considerable force, which of course sped across the room leading to a collision between Ash and the wall. This is not unusual as you may be aware. What was odd on this ocassion was the fact that all his hairs were standing on end along with his tail and he was crying and foaming at the mouth. A Benny Hill comedy moment ensued as I try to catch him - and as it was all claws and spikey hair (both him and I ;) ) I finally managed to catch him with the aid of a bath towel for protective clothing. I must admit I was greatly concerned at this time as to what he had eaten as he was very, very unhappy. So I swept him up in the towel and gave him a hug...mmm...minty fresh....had he been stealing my chewing gum again? No, it appears what he had inadvertently consumed was toothpaste. I should imagine that is not overly impressive for a cat. I think I will have to ban him from sitting on the shelf as I clean my teeth each day...perhaps, (like the times he has got into the bath), he likes to try what Mummy does?

Let's hope he doesn't take that to extremes as he will be wandering home with a half sized traffic cone on his head one day :)

Ho hum.

Posted by kary at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Now a few years ago, a young and largely unknown performance poet was paid £1m to record a collection of his poety. I was intrigued and therefore decided to invest when it was released. It was hilarious and I remember Ryan and I almost crying with laughter when we listened in. Classics such as 'One Nation Under a Goatee' and 'The Life and Death of Art'. In reading Ryan's blog and his declaration that he is growing a beard...it reminded me and I once again dug it out. You find me now being just as amused on this hearing as I think I was on the first. There is nothing like listening to the poet perform their own poetry. (not one for the kids though)

You may also find it interesting, although I doubt it, that one of my 'A' level English Literature teachers is an award winning poet. If I had known that at the time then I might not have argued with her so vehemently over the merits of 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' at the time. Sorry Kate and well done :)

So then, what has she been up to today I hear you ask? Well, a very nice lunch with Anthony, then some more shopping. I then put my size fours in it during another conversation - which I am still kicking myself over as I really put someone on the spot (sorry), then some housework and that is pretty much it. Ah but no work Miss H? Sadly no, and I feel suitably bad about it. I will do some tomorrow I promise. I have no choice in fact - I have to do it!

Posted by kary at 09:09 PM | Permalink

For the benefit of C who is asking - yes I did meet for coffee and yes it was nice. Although as I was at work at the time, I am not sure I gave off the best impression :(

Went shopping today. Well, went into Canterbury and bought some new clothes for Matt - although he says they are not his size and that I best keep them ;) and checked out the date of Methvens next book group meeting. They are discussing Haruki Murakami's excellent book 'Norwegian Wood' over a glass or two of wine. Perhaps, if I am at a loose end I may go along. Maybe. It does make me think of all those TV shows though...book groups full of complete weirdos and pretentious idiots. (yes ok I would fit in the weirdo category no doubt - I will say it before you do) It gives me a couple of weeks to refamiliarise myself with it if I can rescue my copy of that and the other Murakami books currently in the possession of Anthony.

Have SO much work to do and no motivation to do it. I think I will end up in my usual way of cramming it all in to one day and pulling my hair out.

Got any work avoidance tactic ideas? I am in need of some new ones now :)

Posted by kary at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I spent a lovely afternoon/evening in the company of Mr Haney yesterday, beers on the seafront, chips on the beach (well kind of on the beach - looking at the beach anyway) then more beers and a wander home early enough to still catch the late Coronation Street edition (not that I watch it - I had to so I could discuss it with mother...the things I do for her eh? ;)) Sun, sea, shingle (pebbles, not shingles on the legs of the elderly strolling along the sea front)...what more could you want? (apart from sand obviously ;))

Hrm lots of parenthesis in this entry today (most odd)

Anyway, Matt was very much a blue meanie, that text for example nasty man ;)...and then he comments that my blog reads like a man's with the only exception being that I sometimes mention the cats. So here we go trying to be girly in my blog as I seem to have cracked it in reality of late... (and before AH says anything - although this event actually took place - please be aware of the humerous intention of the author as you read)

< girl bit >I suffered a great trauma the other evening. I searched high and low for my nail whitener and couldn't find it! I had sat and filed and cleaned and polished and then, when I reached for the pencil to make them beautifully white - it had gone!!! (please note over use of exclamation marks in a girl type manner) I looked everywhere, in my make up bag (bonus points I feel), in amongst the bottles in the bathroom (smelly stuff with flowery sounding names - not wine bottles) and finally located it under the shoe that Ashley sleeps on! I am now wondering if he was using it to make his claws look pretty and that perhaps I should watch out for him borrowing Freddie's coat when I am not home ;) I was muchly relieved and continued on with making my nails pearly white, I KNOW you are relieved :) < /girl bit >

Girl points: over use of punctuation, possession of aforementioned make-up bag, bottles of smelly stuff with flowery names and a potential cross-dressing cat...do I get any stars? Does my bum look big in this blog? :)

Hrm...I think I will stick to football commentary after all :) Did you see Chelski finally sacked Ranieri..?

Posted by kary at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)