Hey y'all

Ok, firstly a random - there is a guy that shares the carpark where I live and he covers his car in a giant black garbage bag. At first it was for a couple of days over a weekend and I thought he was putting some new wax treatment or something on there. But he put in on there last night, and he just finished putting it on again now. Very weird! It might just be to avoid the seagull crap which is a massive problem around here.

I applied for what I think is an amazing job. Its a very long shot as its a complete career change with re-training and a lot of outdoorsy work. If I get it I will be trained up as an environmental conservationalist which sounds ace. If I dont get it I will cry, but then I might look at getting into that line of work anyway because it sounds very cool.

In attempt to get this job, I decided to pick up the RHS Level 2 in Horticulture that I signed up for 11 months ago. I am still really interested in the subject, I just forgot about it when I moved house. So I went to start this evening and I can't find any of the registration documents, or the papers I need to submit projects. I have just searched my entire room and it seems I will have to call them tomorrow and probably have to pay to have copies sent. Dammit.

Last night I watched movies. I don't do this on my own very often, and when I do I watch them on the laptop, usually whilst doing other stuff and not really paying attention. Last night on Film4 was First Wives Club, which I didn't love, but I watched most of it whilst sitting on the sofa. Then straight after that was Mr & Mrs Smith, which I really liked. Good stuff! My lovefilm came today and I got 'My Kid Could Paint That' which is more of a documentary. I might watch this tonight since I can't do what I wanted, but I am also tempted to knit a bit, or spin, or do some coursework anyway, or watch crap on TV, or just have a bath and an early night.

A little less down.

I am returning on a slightly cheerier note. Considering the only people contact I have had this weekend has been with another housemate and my landlord, I am feeling fairly chipper.

I have spent this weekend being crafty since I don't usually get many weekends to myself, and I never feel like doing anything on school nights. So here are some things to be chipper about.

I have started another knitting project. There has been a problem with the yarn for Dan's bday sweater so I have started a Star Illusion Blanket because its so damn cool. I have chosen a few different colours, this is just one of the stripes. Its going pretty quick and its not too difficult to follow.

Here it looks like monotonous boring knitting
Here it is looking really cool :)

I also made a new duct tape wallet today. I got blue duct tape a few months ago. I made a silver wallet for Dan as a Christmas present last year and he is still using it. Its lasting ok but there were a couple of changes I wanted to make and so here is the one I made today. (I'm hoping you can see this as I have the photo set to private on flickr so Dan doesn't see)

Please note my numerous credit cards and lack of real cash... I'm working on it!

Dan is getting a new car in July. He has to decide what he wants so it can be ordered by the 15th. Its a company car but we still want something cool, and since I will be driving it too, I want something easy to park! The options we have chosen are:

Honda Civic in this lovely blue, this is my first choice. I know these are ten to the dozen now but I still think they are the most interesting thing to happen to car design in quite a few years.

Or..

This Volkswagon Scirocco in Viper Green. The amp will fit in the boot and the guitars on the back seat, but passengers might be a problem...

I hope he gets the Civic, it should arrive just in time to drive to my cousin's wedding in July and then we were planning on a couple of days by the sea whilst we were up that way. I love having stuff to look forward to. The new yarn should be here in 2 weeks and I can finally start this birthday sweater. I love knitting for appreciative people too!

Things to be depressed about

Work!

What the hell is going on with this 'current climate'. There seriously are about 25 jobs in Birmingham, Britains 2nd City! None of which I am qualified to do. I am thoroughly depressed about it. I have never had this much trouble finding a job before, and I have moved around a LOT. Now I am desperate to move in with Dan before Christmas, but as soon as possible really. He does a good deal on cheap rent! I am even willing to take upto a £2k paycut but there is just nothing out there :( And I feel way too old to try for a new career, it will take too long to train up in something else, and I don't even know what career I would choose anyway.

In the meantime I have to re-apply for my own job. I have to have the application in by Friday and the interview is on Monday. I'm not too worried about this, I know that if I dont get my own job I will get another that is very similar, I am thankful for this but its in the wrong city and its really getting me down :(

I am so glad I took today off work at the last minute. I am still recovering from last weekends gig when we didnt get to bed until 3ish in the morning and stupid me doesnt seem to be able to sleep past 9 anymore! Grr! It went really well though :)

I am going to miss UK Ravelry day tomorrow because its a friends birthday today and we are going to her party tomorrow afternoon. In the morning we need to get her a gift and Dan is going to try and book a test drive in one of those new Honda Civic's as he is up for a new car next month and we both want one of those :) (Chances are we will be getting an Audi instead :( )

The yarn for Dan's birthday sweater arrived last Monday although it went to where Dan works as there is always someone to sign for it there, so I will make a start tonight when I get to his place. This gives me 9 weeks to make it! All that stockinette is going to bore the life out of me!

I made a start on a little sweater the other night and finished it the next day, its fantastic, see....

Pretty!

I forgot about this list of things to do in May. But I don't feel too bad because I applied for one really great sounding job, I picked and purchased the yarn for Dan's sweater. I got Wendy Mode and it is on order so should be here in a week or so, I am seeing Dan play tomorrow, it has stopped raining, and I did the tan stuff for about 3 days. Woot!

I also finished the Queen of Spades shawl and it is blocked and fabulous!



The shawl was the April lace club from Violet Green. I might get the next one too :)

Month's goals

I feel a million times better after talking to Dan about moving in with him. I just need to find a job now. So, by the end of May I would like to:

• have applied for at least 5 jobs in Birmingham
• have lost the 5lb I put on on holiday
• finished my Queen of Spades shawl
• have chosen and purchased the yarn for Dan's birthday sweater*
• have seen my lovely Dan play in his band for the first time on May 29th at the Black Horse
• see it stop raining!
• apply gradual tan every night after my shower (for a week anyway)

*I didn't want to buy any yarn or craft items this month due to being incredibly poor and still needing to pay Dan for our holiday, but I need to get his sweater started asap as his birthday is early August and I don't want to rush.

I went somewhere pretty!

And had the best time ever!

I had such a great weekend with Dan in Malham (North Yorkshire). We walked for most of Saturday and Sunday, drank lots, ate lots, and just loved every minute of it. Here are some photos...