Soft Spikes...

I finally gave in and ordered myself a set of Soft Spike curlers and they arrived earlier this week. I was a little unsure on how to use them, so I asked the Neurotic Hair Diva for some help. Both Brunsli and Brenda provided me with detailed advice on how to use them - Thank You! A little scared of getting things wrong I decided to wait until the weekend to try them out; so, here we are...

I washed my hair, towel dried and then put the curlers in. I did start off by counting out 10 locks for each one, but quickly grew tired of this and guesstimated the rest. I used about 40 of the curlers, which are the small ones; I was surprised at how easy they were to put in. It took me about 35 minutes to put them in and I looked like Medusa by the end of it!

Results to follow tomorrow...

Can you see my locks!

Thanks to all of you who left encouraging words regarding my Sisterlocks non-spotting incident! Feeling a little paranoid, I have been taking lots of pictures to check that my hair does look SL'd.
I think I am over it now; although I am convinced that I would recognise them if they were right in front of my face!

Bye Bye Blair and Shut Up Paris

I missed all of the coverage surrounding Tony Blair’s departure from No.10 and the handing over of the Prime Ministerial baton to Gordon Brown today. I had wanted to see his final Prime Minister’s Question Time, which I’m sure was very entertaining.
I remember being ecstatic when Labour won the General Election and Blair became PM. Although I don’t agree with some of his decisions (particularly those I think have been led by another man, who is as thick as two planks and not fit to make choices for his own country), I believe Tony and Labour have made the country a better place for a larger majority of the population than was ever the case under Conservative rule.
Is Gordon the right man for the job now? I think so; and my goodness, he has waited a long time for this!

Oh and Paris has been released from jail, whoopee-do! No longer will she act like a dumb blonde; she has realised that this was silly and immature. Her time will be spent helping others who are less fortunate than herself; little kids, breast cancer suffers and those with multiple sclerosis. She has seen the error of her ways and will never drink-drive again, she promises. Lets see how long she can keep this act up…

Not spotted!

I was rehearsing with some students at work today, when I saw an old friend at the door. Her daughter starts at my school in September and they were in for an introductory meeting. I ran out into the corridor and immediately spotted her hair:


Me: Ooh, your hair
Her: They're Sisterlocks
Me: I know
Her: (nothing)
Her: (nothing)
Me: (waiting)
Her: (nothing)
Me: (still waiting)
Her: (still nothing)
Me: I've got them to!

As we continued chatting and catching up with each other, I found myself really put out by the fact that she didn't recognise my hair. Lately I have been thinking that my hair is looking more and more locked; am I wrong?













(Maybe she was distracted by the fact I have a huge spot on my forehead!)

The new tagged

After reading her formaggio post, I jumped at the chance to have Brunsli interview me; I have taken a little while to come up with the answers but here goes...

If you had to trade in your English accent for an American accent, would you rather have a New York, Texas, or California accent? What about between a Scottish and Irish accent?

Now of course we Londoners don't really have accents, but if I could trade the way I spoke I'd like to road test a New York accent and order my coffee like Danny Messer from CSI:NY.
I am actually really good at accents and the Irish is one of my best (and not just because I'm a little bit Irish); it's also one of my favourites to listen to, so I'd opt for that over Scottish.

What do you think of the new Whole Foods? (It made the LA Times!)

I'm going to have to come back to this one as I haven't made it to Whole Foods yet. Whilst it isn't on the other side of the river, it's not quite local and my weekends have been taken up with work. I was also a little worried by the fact that little birds told me I might not have any money left after going there, so I'm going to wait for payday!

Which is better, blue or green, and why?

Definitely Blue!
Besides the fact that blue reminds me off the sky and the sea, I had an odd History teacher at secondary school. She had red hair and was under the impression that green was her colour. The trouble was she over did it, in a really scary way - clothes, nails, eyeshadow, everything. She was enough to put me off the colour.

If you didn't live in England, which European country would you rather live in? Which US state?

Italy! I love it there; the people, the food, the style, the scenery, the vino, I know I've said food but, the Ice Cream!!! I would try to tame all of the drivers though; I have had several close shaves with cars and mopeds whilst trying to cross the road there.
I will be back in Italy very soon; I have organised a school trip to the Lake Garda region. I can't wait...
If I moved to the States, I'd want to be somewhere with lots of sunshine; a change from the schizophrenic weather we have here. Maybe Southern California, as it never rains there (at least that's what Tony Toni Tone said and I so believed them!).

If you were a dog, would you rather be a Maltese (like Marcello, Chicco and Cooper), a Yorkie (like Mr. Nicolay Phonte), or a white German Shepard (like Mystic and Zwele) and why?

I think I'd be going for walks with Mystic and Zwele; Maltese and Yorkies are adorable but German Shepards have a bit more Grrrr.
If I could add my own to this list of choices, I'd be a Silver-Grey Doberman like Tyson, one of the dogs I had whilst growing up.

I am more than happy to keep this going by setting five questions for three of you; let me know if you want to play...

Devastated

Henry leaving Arsenal

I heard rumblings of his imminent departure during the week, although it was denied by his agent. Last night it seemed more of a possibility and then it was confirmed today. I guess it was on the cards; last season wasn't a good one for him and hey, at 29 he's pushing on a bit (in footballing terms of course!). I don't think we'd have got £16million for him next year and let's not forget that football is very much a business.
But he will be missed and not only by Arsenal fans; he is an amazing player and not at all unpleasant on the eyes!

A little team building...

The department spent the day away from school to plan for next year and new curriculum developments. Our meeting took place at a golf course and we were able to make use of the facilities during our lunch break. We started off by heading to the Baseball and Softball cages, where the balls are fired out at up to 85mph.







I had a little trouble getting my helmet to fit!





Afterwards, I had my very first attempt on the driving range. OMG, what fun! I think I have found a new hobby (It does hurt though, my arms are killing me). We were on the upper tier of the range and after several failed attempts I started to do quite well.

6 Months!

Woo-Hooooooooo!

Lewis Hamilton

What a star this young man is turning out to be.
Seven Formula One races and seven times on the podium; amazing! He hadn't even been born the last time a brit one the American Grand Prix; seeing the pride on his Dad's face (and Pharell's!) as he crossed the line was awesome. Mr. Hamilton worked three jobs to enable Lewis to pursue his ambition; it was a wonderful Father's day present that he received in return.

Happy Father's Day!

Darn that pollen!

I'm really suffering with hayfever at the moment; it's making me want rain to fall just to ease the pollen count. About 6 years ago, I stopped taking hayfever medication; someone told me the tablets could cause a heart murmur. Now, I didn't research this claim, nor did I talk to my doctor; I just decided that I would stop taking them. The first two summers were awful, it was like I'd been struck with flu; then, everything seemed to get better. But this year, I need help! I gave in and bought some tablets at the chemist last week and they haven't made much difference. My eyes are sooo puffy, I look as if I have been attacked; I have to blow my nose so often, all the skin around it is peeling.
I have heard that honey from local bees is a good thing to take; I'm going to have to visit a farmers market to try and get some.
Any other suggestions gratefully received...

24 Hours With... *Updated*

Bobby Brown. What can I say? He really isn't looking as good as I remembered from way back when. I had intended to watch the programme, but made sure I tuned in after seeing the adverts. The spectacle of him getting a bit nutty during his time with James Campbell was a little disturbing. Having seen it, I felt Campbell handled himself well under the circumstances; I was sure Bobby was going to 'bounce him off every wall' as he repeatedly promised to do. I read that Brown ended up sleeping with a kitchen knife nearby; apparently worried that James would take advantage of him in his slumber. Mmm, I doubt it Bobby, not while you're looking so rough!

*Here is a short clip that shows the start of Bobby losing it. There are a more sections of the programme on YouTube - if you have the patience you can probably piece them together and watch the whole show!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2RGeShhKcs

*does include bad language*

Tagged...

again!

Kim left a little message telling me that she had tagged me - Thanks Kim!

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.


Mmm, seven new things, let's see...

1) Over the past year, I have been fortunate enough to try my hand at some activities that I honestly never thought I would. They include Surfing in Newquay, Quad Biking in Tunisia, Camel Riding in the Sahara and of course my recent Skiing adventures in France.



2) I don't watch Horror films - they scare the life out of me. If I had to watch one, it would be first thing in the morning and I'd be surrounded by lots and lots and lots of people!

3) I don't have any pets; not because I don't like them, but because I don't feel I have the time to dedicate to one. I would really love to have a dog; they are nicer than cats(IMO); although my Mum's cat is growing on me.


4) I love a good Sunday Roast.

5) Up until I was about 15 years old (and probably from birth!), I was involved in Notting Hill Carnival. My Paternal Grandmother makes costumes and every year without fail she would have my costume ready for me to parade. Being involved in the costume judging competition and then pounding the streets on Sunday and Monday was an amazing experience and great fun, but eventually I decided I wanted to see things from the other side.

6) I try to do my bit for the environment; I recycle as much as I can weekly, plastics, cans, newspapers and magazines etc.

7) I love to read and my Sons have inherited this passion from me. We can all read a book we're really into in a day or two; we also re-read books we have enjoyed.


Now, who can I pass this baton to?

A Funky Kinda Glow
Aya
Sony
Still Waters
----------------------
Brenda
Brunsli
Goodnapps (I know you three have been tagged before - but you have so much to share!)

My pineapple chunk

Since having my hair cut I have been able to wear my hairties, by design rather than fault!The wooden one is my favourite of the three shown here.

I'm a little way off having a grown up pineapple, but I love the way my hair looks in the hairties. I love the texture and definition; now my hair is starting to resemble all of the pictures I used to look at in awe whilst waiting for my Sisterlock installation.

Whole Foods...

is now right here in the UK; and where else would they open their first shop but London. I'm looking forward to making my first visit there; I have read mention of Whole Foods on many of the blogs I read and can't wait to get my hands on the products that have been recommended. Top of my list is jojoba oil which I have been trying to find locally for the past few weeks; I have had a look at the website and the bakery section looks very tempting!

Got to go logo

Of course I love the fact they have chosen to use pink as the main colour; it's the actual design that I find a little slapdash. To me, this says nothing about London and it's vibrancy, it's diversity or it's heritage. The uproar surrounding the unveiling of this £400,000 image is evident across the media. There is the petition to have it changed and the numbers signing it are increasing rapidly. No end of people are now out to prove that they can do a far better job than Wolff Olins. I think some of their efforts are very good and considering they have been done in next to no time and for free, they strike me as a worthy alternatives. Olympic Organising Committee Chairman Lord Coe has said that "It will be imperative that it is flexible. I think it is way beyond any simple logo". It will need to be, I think it is going to evolving sooner rather than later.

Getting used to it

Gosh, it's a different kettle of styling fish with this new haircut. I plaited my hair on Saturday night and when I took them out yesterday morning I really didn't like it. So, it seems the method of styling I was just getting used to no longer suits me; to get rid of the curls I had to wash my hair.
I think with my hair at this length I'm going to avoid curls and waves; although many of you can't see it, I have lost quite a lot of length. I don't 'miss' the ends; as you know they had been troubling me for some time and of course I always knew that they would go at some point.
I do feel that it looks thicker and more 'locked' and as British Summer Time finally finds itself , it's a great length for the heat.

4th Tightening, 1st Cut!

What do you think?