I wasn’t going to review this one, because it’s sugar free and hence a ‘diet’/syn-free drink (it comes in two-litre plastic bottles, like most branded fizzy drinks), so I wasn’t going to count it as a ‘special’ or ‘celebratory’ booze alternative. However, it’s so tasty that I have found myself choosing it over sugary versions of ginger beer, with the bonus that I can spend my syns on other things. Win-win!
Sainsbury’s Fiery Ginger Beer.
It can be slightly cough/sneeze-inducing if I drink it too fast, but it’s a really nice-tasting ginger beer and has become my go-to for an evening drink.
June is usually the only month in which I am ever happy and excited about it being summer. By July, I’m starting to get fed up, and by August I’m totally over it and impatiently waiting for autumn, which is my favourite season.
It’s not that I don’t like summer weather. I love what summer weather is supposed to be – I just don’t like British summer weather. It’s as unpredictable as the rest of the year (in fact, I’m pretty sure it rains more often in the summer months) and is often downright chilly (this week it’s averaging around 10°C in Newcastle). Despite this, because it is technically summer, you’re expected to do things like plan outdoor activities (such as music festivals where you watch bands in the rain and wind, and barbeques where you eat sausages in the rain and wind, and weddings where you shiver underneath a big gazebo in your thin summer dress while the rain and wind blows in sideways and upsets all the paper plates for the buffet…you get the picture), and you’re not allowed to have the heating on, and you’re supposed to wear lightweight summer clothes. Because it’s summer. Technically.
Eleven days in, and I’m already done with it. I’m wearing boots, and long-sleeved dresses, and all the other things that aren’t supposed to come out again until September. I also have the fire on. I don’t care anymore – I’m nice and warm, and that’s all that matters.
Plus, spending the day being nice and warm indoors has meant that I’ve been really productive and have got all my scheduled work, admin, housework, and writing tasks done for the day. Same again tomorrow I hope!
OOTD: I know the ‘autumn flash’ is soooo autumn 2018, but the papers haven’t said anything about autumn 2019 yet and besides I expect I’ll be mostly rocking autumn 1985 anyway. Dress unknown brand (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2018), belt H&M (2017), boots Primark (2017).
Today’s earworm playlist:
The Drifters – Under The Boardwalk Charlie Puth – One Call Away Elton John – Crocodile Rock David Bowie – Golden Years Queen – One Vision The Crüxshadows – Winter Born (This Sacrifice) Queen – You’re My Best Friend The Midnight – Los Angeles
I had this pizza at the Zizzi in NEC Resorts World the night that we arrived there for UKGE. Much needed after a long drive to Birmingham!
Zizzi Classic Margherita.
I had extra olives and peppers on this one to make it a bit more interesting (and get a slight amount of speed food in via the peppers!). I’m glad I did because the base pizza itself was fairly bland – it was the toppings that were the tasty part. Anyway, it filled a hole, which is the important thing after a long day.
So after I nearly killed myself running the Blaydon Race with a bad cold yesterday evening (longer race review coming later this week in which I go into extended detail about all the ways it felt like I was going to die), I was convinced that I had set my recovery back by several days and that I would have to spend the entirety of this week on the sofa with my blanket, bucketloads of Lemsip pills and several bottles of cough syrup.
My cold has pretty much disappeared today. Go figure.
Excitingly, this means that it looks like I will actually get everything on my very long to-do list done this week (Geth is still away and so I’m taking advantage of having the house to myself). I got some day job work done today, as well as some writing, admin, and lots of ukulele playing. Hoping for another productive day tomorrow!
OOTD: back in my vintage gear – I must be feeling better 🙂 Dress Charlee Allison for Eljay (vintage 1980s, bought at vintage fair 2016), shoes Office (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Little Mix and Ty Dolla Sign – Think About Us Duran Duran – Tel Aviv [AIR Studio Version] Spice Girls – If U Can’t Dance The Proclaimers – Throw The ‘R’ Away
It’s been a few weeks since we caught up with recently released videos for current chart hits.
Lewis Capaldi – Hold Me While You Wait
I’m not sure if we’re going to get a more official video at some point, but this Vevo one, with Lewis singing in a library, does the trick for now. It’s a live performance, apparently, but it sounds exactly the same as the record. Keep watching and eventually they zoom out far enough for a glimpse of the piano player.
James Arthur – Falling Like The Stars
The video for this one is a fairly solemn affair about a military wife who works in a diner. There’s a happy ending though!
Skepta and Nafe Smallz – Greaze Mode
This video is really nicely filmically done, like a ’60s/’70s gangster or bank heist movie. I love retro stuff so this one has my approval.
Lewis Capaldi – Bruises
Another live performance video from Lewis Capaldi that sounds exactly like the record, although this one was actually released two years ago. The cellar setting is a bit ominous, but there’s some nice piano porn towards the end.
Went out and ran the Blaydon Race and did not die, even though I felt like I was going to at various points. I would really, really like it if I never came down with a cold just before a race ever again.
Now to sleep for three days solid until the next time I have to leave the house.
Today’s earworm playlist:
Timecop1983 and Seawaves – Lovers Duran Duran – The Chauffeur Mark Ronson and Lykke Li – Late Night Feelings Amy Winehouse – Back To Black Mika – Grace Kelly The Police – Roxanne The Midnight and Nikki Flores – Jason Starship – We Built This City Traditional – The Blaydon Races
No review post today because I’m still struggling to get over my cold and have spent most of the day on the sofa with my blanket again. I have been playing ukulele a lot, though, mainly because ukulele number two (a concert sized model, which is the next size up from my existing soprano ukulele) arrived in the post today and so I’ve been experimenting with both instruments to see how the different sounds compare on different songs.
One more morning/afternoon of recovery and then I’m going out tomorrow evening in an attempt to run the Blaydon Race without coughing myself to death.
Not an OOTD: I got fed up of taking ill-looking selfies on the sofa (I really am starting to look dreadful now) so instead, here is the start of a beautiful ukulele collection.
Today’s earworm playlist:
Dominic Fike – 3 Nights Lil’ Nas X – Old Town Road Dolly Parton – Jolene The Boomtown Rats – Rat Trap Elton John – I’m Still Standing Duran Duran – Rio
I’m still fairly miserable due to my cold, although at least I’m no longer feeling like I’m going to faint whenever I stand up, which is something. Also, I made it out to the supermarket this morning and didn’t have to stop to throw up like I did on the way to Slimming World yesterday. Progress!
I’ve had a quiet day otherwise with lots of music and writing. I’ve got lots of day job work lined up for next week, but over the weekend I’m just planning to rest and heal up ready for the race on Sunday. Looking forward to it, which is another sign I must be getting a bit better.
OOTD: weather and illness pulling double duty to keep me indoors. Glasses Emporio Armani (2017), hoodie Sonar (2006), t-shirt Campus Crew for Toronto Blue Jays (2018), jeans Vivid (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
Buddy Holly – Raining In My Heart Outkast – Hey Ya! The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary Duran Duran – Shadows On Your Side Zedd and Maren Morris – The Middle Lil’ Nas X – Old Town Road Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber – I Don’t Care
I just about made it to Slimming World this morning (not without incident), and have managed to lose three pounds this last week, which is not bad considering I was away at the weekend. Geth has gone off on a business trip, so I should have a fairly quiet time of it for the next wee while and hopefully lose the last bit that will get me back into target range. I’ve been trying for months now!
I did also manage to do some work for a client, but other than that I’ve just spent today napping (complete with fever dreams – fun!) on the sofa. I also finished watching the Good Omens TV adaptation, which has been absolutely brilliant and everything I wanted after reading the book. I really, really recommend it if you’ve not seen it already, and will do a more in-depth review in the next few days.
I’ve got two days left to get complete and total rest in the hope that I will be able to do the Blaydon Race on Sunday without collapsing at the side of the road. Here’s hoping.
OOTD: can’t manage more than a sofa selfie today due to feeling sick whenever I stand up! Back To The Future jacket All We Do (2019), vest top Primark (2018).
Today’s earworm playlist:
The Midnight and Nikki Flores – Jason Gunship – When You Grow Up Your Heart Dies Calvin Harris and Rag ‘N’ Bone Man – Giant Duran Duran – I Don’t Want Your Love Duran Duran – Faster Than Light Buddy Holly – Raining In My Heart
Another phone box that Mum and Dad found in the south-west of Scotland! The nice thing about rural places is that the local councils are more likely to maintain their phone boxes.
This box is no longer working – there’s a notice inside that explains that BT no longer own it (hence why the phone equipment has been removed) and it’s now the property of the local council. Wonder if they have alternative plans for it?
Again, the Google Street View cars have not visited Dumfries and Galloway for a decade and so the link above shows the box in a much more overgrown situation – they’ve since tidied the location up!
