The Secret Life of Andrew

I dunno what went wrong last week but it was mental! New Prime Minister, floods, Spice Girls, work stuff, being stranded at home, terrorism - crazy! So, not surprisingly, it was quite an eventful weekend too!

Saturday, me and James headed off to York. I do like York, and it's locality make it somewhere that I'd really like to live in the future. I wonder if York Minster has a library. Hmmm. Oddly, the weather was quite OK! We didn't want to stay over in case any floods stopped us from getting home but that was never a problem, although it was a little drizzly. We did a little shopping. I kinda wish we'd had more time for it really because it's been ages since I've been out shopping. I bought a nice shirt and a T-shirt, and the Klaxons album. We had lunch in Fenwick's too because we're dead posh. 

At 2 o'clock we headed to the York Palace Theatre to see Beauty and the Beast. The verdict? No more matinees! We were in the stalls, near the back but with really good seats. But as the place filled up we became very aware of the amount of kids there. this awareness didn't stop during the performance either because the horrors were so damn noisey that we just couldn't stand it any more. At the interval James went and requested a move of seats it was so bad. Thankfully, the gallery was much quieter and there were even adults there wanting to enjoy the show, crazy as it seemed at the time. Cue moan about adults taking kids too young to appreciate it etc etc. So what of the show itself? Well, it was good, not great, but good. Sometimes it lapsed into pantomime a little and the upbeat numbers blew the ballads away. It was clear that so much effort had gone into the party pieces that the slow ones seemed a little flat and uneventful, plus the songs didn't always allow the clearly talented singers to show off their voices. Another problem was that we'd seen the Lion King which was so utterly amazing that this was always going to pale in comparison.

But, I think we're missing the thing that made the show - there was goddamn dancing cuttlery! It was amazing. 'Be Our Guest' was easily the best thing about the show and the costumes in general were amazing. Anything with a woman dressed as a giant toast rack was always going to be a winner. There was a corkscrew, sugar bowl, serviettes doing the can-can, TOAST RACK, knife, fork, spoon, plates, acrobatic cushion, salt and pepper pots, and many other things I can't remember. plus, Lumineres had actual flame-y hands which was very good. So yes, it wasn't all bad. Apart from the kids - they were ALL bad.

Finally, this weekend we put some shelves up, which should have been done earlier, but once they were up the final unpacking of books happened. So things are looking really good :D James also bought a car, which is rather good. It's a gold Citroen Saxo, five years old and it should be ready today :D We took it for a test drive and everything and it's such a smooth ride in comparison to the banger we have now! So yes, I'm pleased for him :D At some point I may even get insured on it. Crazy talk I know.

Sunday was also Sheep Day in Skipton.The high street was shut off which I always like and we had a wander around to see what was on offer. There were some stalls selling nice preserves so I bought a jar of tomato relish and a jar of tropical jam. Yum yum. There were also displays! We saw a sheep having a hair cut and a dog herding geese, oh and some ducks, including ducklings! All very good. A heavy downpour in the afternoon didn't help although before that the weather was good. We didn't hang around for too long anyway due to car buyage.

Doctor Who was finally watched. The final was excellent and I'm gutted that Martha is relocating! I like her a lot. I also like the Doctor being a weird little alien thing too. John Barrowman in chains too, me thinks that there was lots to like :D

Yesterday was staff day. Yes, a desperate attempt to boast morale was really fitting with the dissolving of the department. Some boring talks started the day off, including a guest speaking who was teaching us relaxation techniques. They just made me feel a bit dizzy :s but lunch was posh, nice and free and I sat talking to Debbie for most of that. I found out that James in the office is a gay (points for me!) during a discussion on sexuality in the office. I've been thinking about what was said a lot actually. Debbie's view was basically, we'd rather just people be honest with us, which immeadiately suggests that not saying anything is like lying to your collegues, which I totally disagree with. I don't really mind wanting to know, it's any digging that I don't like. Part of my issue comes from the fact that I myself find it difficult to express my sexuality to new people, I guess it's because before work I've never had to do it. I came out at uni when I already had established friends and so never really met new people who I had to say anything to. But the fact is, work collegues are just that, collegues, not friends and I think what you tell to whom is your business. I dunno, it's something that I've got to deal with. I'm just not the kind of person who doesn't give a shit what others think of them so just coming out with stuff concerning who I am I find a bit difficult sometimes.

Anyway, that aside the day was good. It was made better by the quiz at the end of the day which we won. And for once I felt like my old self, being able to just be me in a social environment. I didn't realise how much of that area of my life was missing really, although I don't really know what to do about it.

I appear to be obsessed with Darren Hayes at the moment. Not someone I thought I'd say that about but 'The Tension and the Spark' is a wonderful electro album. Can't wait for the new one. Mmmm, August.

Oh, I forgot! I ordered a PS2 last night! Hurrah! I've been thinking about gettting one for a while so I've finally taken the plunge. I never thought I'd miss computer games when I moved away but I'm just wanting to do something at home that isn't reading or watching stuff really. So now I'm onthe lookout for cheap games!