Getting Published.

I mentioned I've been baking, didn't I?

Well my boss caught onto this... what with all the cake I kept giving her. Then she saw something on the interent about Shelter encouraging people to hold bake sales to raise money for the work they do with the homeless types. She said we should have a bake sale and before I knew it, I was the poor sucker organising it.

Actually it went really well and we raised quite a bit of money. It has worked wonders for my profile as I've also been asked to write a piece for our departmental bulletin - "The Core Brief". Yes people, I've hit the big time. I think you'll agree I've really captured the correct 'hint of cheese' in the tone of first piece of local journalism... ok, in-house communications.

Strategy and Commissioning Get Baking for Shelter.

Strategy and Commissioning got their aprons on and mixing bowls out this April to bake cakes in aid of Shelter. The team took part in Shelter's "Cake Time" event, selling their tasty delights to all their HASS and PCT colleagues at Goswell Road.

The sale took place on Thursday 8th April with a delicious spread of baked goodies including carrot cake, chocolate brownies, cream scones and cookies to name but a few. It was great to see so many people willing to get involved. There were even a few first time bakers who say they'll be baking more now they've given it a go. Thanks to everyone who took part by creating such a great range of sweet treats and all those who enjoyed the cakes on sale and generously donated to a good cause.

The sale was a huge success and generated a terrific £242. All the money raised will go to supporting Shelter help homeless and badly housed families across Britain find and keep a decent, permanent home.

That's my carrot cake, which sold out the fastest. Not that I'm bragging. OK, I'm bragging a bit, but I can now I'm a successful fundraiser and soon to be published journalist. Sort of...

Rushed.

This is more so I can say that there were two posts in March and I've doubled monthly productivity... Go me. Oh yeah and to say that we are going to Edinburgh - we've even seen our programme proof! That is all amazing/scary/pick your own words - we're all entitled to an opinion. I'll keep you up to date on boring details like show names and times. Anyway, I'm off to meet a friend now. Maybe I'll post three times in April - maybe not... Thanks x

Not Always Better Late Than Never

Meh, usual apologies for only posting once a month. Oh well, let's crack on...

To begin, a word to the wise ...

According to their website, The Laughing Horse Free Fringe in Edinburgh takes applications for performers wanting to put on a show, up to early April, but what the novice performer (well relatively novice) with no experience of applying to the free fringe may not know is that it is wise to get in early. They say they don't operate on a first come first served basis, which you might think means that you don't have to rush, but you would do well to. I think they say that more to excuse themselves from having to accept completely inappropriate applications or those from total nut jobs, just because they are the first to arrive in their inbox. They do fill up spaces as they get applications they are willing to accept and there are never going to be enough to go around all the budding performers wanting their chance at Edinburgh fun.

I'm not bitching about Laughing Horse, I wouldn't want to be in charge of something like that and they give people great opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

Thing is, having found someone who wants to share a show this year, imagine my shock and horror when I found out from a helpful chap at a gig, that pretty much all spaces had been allocated and our application submitted at the beginning of March probably wasn't going to get us to the Watford Gap, let alone Edinburgh. Ouchy ouch ouch.

I sent my Ed buddy a text right away to see if he could find out what the situation was, or if he wanted me to follow it up. It turns out there are a few spaces left, but the choice is very limited and no guarantees we'll be lucky enough to get one. I've had everything crossed for days now, waiting to see what happens.

I am quaking in my plimsoles at the prospect of performing for nearly thirty minutes every day, but I know I need a rocket up my bum if I'm going to get anywhere with comedy and I had hoped Edinburgh would be that rocket... Now, more than anything, I'm terrified I won't get to live my Edinburgh dreams until next year, because I really want the experience and the progression this year, so please please Laughing Horse give us a chance.

I'm all geared up to work my little comedy tushy off for this, so will you cross your fingers too and I'll keep you posted as to what happens next... ?

I've been sitting around in a pair of delightful boxer short pants today, coupled with some very fetching knee length socks, but Becki could come home anytime now, so I better go put some jogging bottoms on.

Oh no, just having a final read through and she came in and found me. (I heard the gate go, but it is a long sprint down the corridor to my room.) The image of me screaming "shiiiiiit" and my under carriage wobbling down the corridor will surely be seared into her mind for years to come.

Take it easy peeps x

Valentine’s Day Special

Hey, whassup?

Norm asked me recently if I’d given up blogging. No Norm, I’m just a lazy blogger. As a result - sometimes a week goes by and I haven’t blogged. Sometimes a month goes by and I haven’t blogged. Sometimes I lose track of how long it’s been and people feel the need to check if I’ve quit completely. This blog is not dead yet, I like to think that when I do sink this nonsensical barnacle covered porthole into my mind, I’ll make some grander gesture than just not writing for a month or so. There’ll be cannons and somebody walking the plank and other nautical themed scenes of finality.

So, I said I’d keep writing, then I let you down again, by not keep writing. Hey, I've been baking and will post some pictures of my first few rounds of cake, but all that can come later. First off - a special day like today needs a special note.

It is quarter to five in the afternoon on Valentine’s Day and I am so proud of myself. Yes, I am full of joy and pride.

Have I found my special Valentine?

Well no.

Have I received countless gifts, cards and flowers from anonymous admirers?

Well no.

No, I’ll tell you why I feel such pride – it is because I’ve managed to keep my misery and cynicism to myself all day. In fact, I’ve not even experienced any real misery to be honest. I did glare at a couple smiling and whispering at each other on the tube this morning, but that sort of behaviour is inappropriate at 8.45 am, whatever day of the week.

I’d genuinely like to wish friends in happy couples all the best for the day, even if it has been over commercialised. You enjoy yourselves. Eat chocolate until you’re slightly nauseus and snog more than usual – as long as you do both behind closed doors. Some of us are doing Weight Watchers as well as being single don’t you know.

While I’m at it, I’d like to tell all my single friends who are maybe feeling a bit low today… Don’t feel low. There is always next year. Chances are - you’ll still be single next year as well, but by then, you might have developed much more robust coping strategies.

Coping strategies like me – pissed since breakfast x

This Blog Post Has No Point.

Hello old friend... I’m a wee bit late for Happy New Years, but I do sincerely hope you are ripping the arse out of 2011. Does that expression really work? Have I misused it? It sounds a bit grim. I think that might not really be what you should be doing to a brand new year…

What did you get for Christmas? I got a Henry. I love it. I never thought I could enjoy doing my vacuuming, but now I kind of do. I mean I’d rather be watching TV or in the pub, or eating a huge pizza, but as housework goes, Henry has made mine a whole lot more cheery. My old vax was a piece of shite by comparison. Yes, I said it. Shite.

I finally got a start date for my new job. 1st February… so I’m counting down the days left in Performance. (7 of them – after today.) The piece of work I’m doing at the moment has to be finished by tomorrow, so that could be a quiet six days until I move teams. I won’t be taking on lots of new work at this late stage…

Things I saw in the park today :

Two squirrels scampering around a tree together. I think they might have been on their third date… I dare say if I’d stuck around, I’d have seen squirrel snogs.
Pigeon sex parties. Spring has sprung in pigeon land too. There was posturing and puffing out of necks. I didn’t see the bonking, but it was on the cards.
A goose giving me the evil eye. Never trust a goose.
Lunchtime walk through park to Tesco – two young people sat hand in hand on a bench.
Walking back through park from Tesco to office – same two young people not really talking to each other and the girl young person wiping tears off her face. I wonder if the boy young person had just finished with her. It didn’t look good.

There was lots of other useless twoddle I meant to share, but I’m off home now.

In 2011, I’m going to get much better at comedy and somewhat thinner. I’ll probably get married and have three children too. I’ll get a puppy and a book deal. This time next year, I’ll be way too busy for this here blog. Just you wait and see.

Oh, I’ve taken up baking. That isn’t going to help me get thinner or get a puppy, but it passes some time at the weekends.… my colleagues seem pleased. No more cake for them from the 1st February though…