Hiatus

London is bugging me, and I have a birthday coming up, so I’m taking a break. I’m nearly over the cold, caused, as you’ll know from the post below, by tube travel with inconsiderate individuals who can’t be trusted to keep their germs to themselves. This morning’s journey did not inspire any warm feelings in me towards my fellow men and women, and I am beginning to suspect that I may be a woman on the edge.
As I was on my way in, I got eyeballed by a man after I had the temerity to say “Excuse me” as I almost imperceptibly brushed passed him. He looked at me as if I had just tried to hump his leg or something. Honestly, what I wouldn’t give for a hand-held cattle prod at times like these. That drama over, (having simply stared him down – the force is stronger with my stare, and he was soon rueing the day), I was sandwiched between a man who had forgotten his deodorant, and a women who had been rather too liberal with a desperately cloying fragrance, which I can still smell now, as I sit at my desk typing this.

Things looked up once I entered the building, what with the free tea-making facilities and all, but, I know in my heart I’d be happier in my bed, lazily flicking through a magazine, drinking tea and snacking on chocolate chip and hazelnut cookies (chocolate chip alone does not suffice), as the sun filters through my window. I’ve already been to one meeting this morning, (hiked four flights of stairs to get to it, sat down and was then told it had to be postponed, and could I just ‘pop’ back downstairs, and ‘pop’ up again later? I think you’ll all agree that it is not physically possible to ‘pop’ up and down four flights of stairs, but at least it saves me on gym membership, so, onwards and upwards) and there’s another in five minutes. Why do people schedule meetings at lunchtime? It’s wrong. But then, meetings in general are wrong, but they do pass the time, I suppose.

So, I’m taking a break. Which means this will be a three-day week, which is always nice, and I’m away on Thursday, ’til the following Tuesday, leaving the pollution and grime of the city behind as I head for the wild lands of the North (well, Lancashire actually). I’ve a hectic schedule of relaxation planned, with lie-ins, long, leisurely breakfasts, a little mooching on the couch, some television watching, the odd foray to the local shop to replenish food supplies, and some long, long, bubble baths. If there’s time, I’ll shoehorn some long walks in the sunshine in, and maybe a (shoe) shopping excursion, but that is all.

Okay. Just got to keep it together today, tomorrow and Weds. Deep breaths.