Went to see Starlight Express with Mum last night. Was very impressed with the skating, just a shame we couldn’t see all of it from the gallery seats (which befoe the calls of cheapskate , were the best available when we booked). According to some reviews they did have a few technical hitches in earlier performances, but last night everything went to plan.

It’s only on until Saturday, but worth the watch if you can fit it in

What a weekend! We landed around midday Friday, checked into the hotel and went off to the Empire State Building by tram…still amused at the look of horror on the receptionists face when Rupert asked how long it’d take to walk! Not impressed that when we got there, we were still expected to queue round 2 blocks to get in despite having bought tickets online. So decided to give that one a miss and went shopping instead

Then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the show. We managed to find a cool proper style American bar just round the corner from the theatre and was entertained by Craig the barman, before going in. The show, Menopause the Musical, was split your sides funny. Definitely one to see if you’re in NY and I’d def go again if it came to England and I think even Bert would, just maybe not sit on the front row next time lol

Saturday was jam packed – started with breakfast (pancakes – yum) and then a walk to Central Park. We then went to the Gugenheim (sp?) museum. Wasn’t that impressed with the Aztec display, but the building itself was amazing and the paintings collection is one to be seen.

Then it was off to the ice rink where Rupert kept the New Yorkers amused Falling on his arse wouldn’t have been so funny if I hadn’t just have told him to move his body weight forward!

Next we went to watch the NY Knicks. Managed to get the gist of the rules and it was a good game to watch. The crowd scared me though – there was no atmosphere, no standing no dancing no cheering what so ever until 2 minutes before the end of the match – surreal doesn’t come close to explaining it.

Afterwards we went on the Ferry to Stanton Island. It was beautiful, but not good for taking photos with it being so dark. I also thought Liberty looked a bit spooky glowing in the dark – perhaps shes due for a change of colour?

We were going to go out for a meal that night, but I was shattered and ended up going to bed to watch American Football whilst Rupert went out drinking. Didn’t quite get the rules to this game, so Rupert bought me a ‘dummies guide to..’

Sunday it was a rush to get packed and checked out to avoid the long queues back at the Empire State Building. We needn’t have bothered – it was chucking it down, so no queue and no visability at the top Was scared at how much the top of the building leaked as well….The sight seeing simulator was OK, but would have been better if it had been kept to just a sighseeing tour of NY.

And then the weekend was over and it was time to go home. Spookily enough the book I was reading at the airport stated the worst time of year to flly anywhere in USA is the Sunday after Thanksgiving …suddenly it became clear why we were flying to Manchester through Amsterdam

This one’s courtesy of Chery…

An elderly man in Phoenix calls his son in New York and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.”

“Pop, what are you talking about,” the son screams.

“We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” the old man says. “We’re sick and tired of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her.” And he hangs up.

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. “Like Heck they’re getting a divorce,” she shouts. “I’ll take care of this.”

She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at the old man, “You are NOT getting divorced! Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then don’t do a thing,
DO YOU HEAR ME?” And she hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. “They’re coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way.

Janet’s latest offering to keep you all amused in my absence

He said . . . I don’t know why you wear a bra; you’ve got nothing to put in it.
She said .. . . You wear pants don’t you?

He said .. . .Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
She said . . That’s a good idea – you stand by the ironing board while I sit on the sofa.

He said . .. What have you been doing with all the grocery money I gave you?
She said . .Turn sideways and look in the mirror!

On a wall in a ladies room . .. . “My husband follows me everywhere”
Written just below it . .. . ” I do not”

Q. How many honest, intelligent, caring men in the world does it take to do the dishes?
A. Both of them.

Q. How does a man show that he is planning for the future?
A. He buys two cases of beer.

Q. What is the difference between men and government bonds?
A. The bonds mature.

Q. Why are blonde jokes so short?
A. So men can remember them.

Q. How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper?
A. We don’t know; it has never happened.

Q. Why is it difficult to find men who are sensitive, caring and good-looking?
A. They already have boyfriends.

Q. What do you call a woman who knows where her husband is every night?
A. A widow.

Q. Why are married women heavier than single women?
A. Single women come home, see what’s in the fridge and go to bed. Married women come home, see what’s in
bed and go to the fridge.

Q. What is the one thing that all men at singles bars have in common?
A. They’re married.

Man says to God: “God, why did you make woman so beautiful?”
God says: “So you would love her.”
But God,” the man says, “why did you make her so dumb?”
God says: “So she would love you.”

Have a good day!!

I want to wake up in the city that never sleeps
To find I’m king of the hill, top of the heap
These little town blues
Are melting away
I’ll make a brand new start of it
In old New York
If I can make it there
I’ll make it anywhere
It’s up to you, New York, New York.

Ok maybe a bit exaggerated seeing as we’re only going for the weekend, but It’s finally here. Still gutted that Anna and Neil can’t come, but promise to bring back lots of pics so they’ll feel like they were with us anyway

With over a week to go before the final module is in, I’ve read the leaflet that goes with it and had two of my coachess write up their thoughts. Plan is to finish and post it by Tuesday…maybe being a bit optimistic seeing as am going to NY on Friday

Seeing as I now spend 7 hours a day trying to explain that an overdraft limit isn’t a free gift or legal entitlement and it does have to be paid back, I was amused to receive a letter from Egg this morning. They claim my direct debit failed. Not a problem I thought seeing as it’s Xmas bonus month so have made a nice overpayment…so I read on, they want me to pay 40 PENCE to avoid falling into arrears.

Still chuckling I get into work and check my account. Not only did the direct debit claim, but it was paid…seems Egg have a glitch in their system which sends out mildly threatening letters if they receive an extra payment near the direct debit date…bless

How much compensation do you think I deserve for the stress caused by this?

Whenever this dark begins to fall
Whenever I’m vulnerable and small
Whenever I feel like I could die
Whenever I’m holding back the tears that I cry
(Taken from Whenever I Say Your Name, from the Sacred Love album)

So after months of waiting me and Rupert finally got to see Sting tonight! At least he apologised for keeping us waiting

Just to give you all an indication of how good seats we had:

Amusement of the night was spotting all the blokes that had been dragged there by their wives/girlfriends/whatevers and were being forced to stand up, but refusing to dance lol. Sting showed his sense of humour as well… In the backdrop to ‘If I ever Lose My Faith In You’, he displayed various religious symbols, including the Premiership Lion

Got rather giddy when it came to ‘Englishman in New York’…only 3 working days to get through first! *big grin*

Despite the last series only finishing earlier this year, it’s already back. Not too keen on the new selection, but my early prediction is Brian to win. Was hugely amused that Natalie’s been chosen for the first voted trial. I doubt she’ll do it, so they better get used to very small meals for the next couple of days!

Spent today at Nan and Gramdad’s updating their calendar to explain that I won’t be in the country next Sunday, so they can’t come round for dinner. Have also told Mum just in case they still try to come round!

So last Sunday with the grandparent invasion I find out that my landline’s dead. So calling NTL was put higher on my list of priorities and I called them yesterday. After a 15 minute wait I got put through to tech who tested the line and decided to send an engineer out promising he’d be round this morning. Although, I wasn’t impressed with the wait, a promise of an engineer the next day seemed OK.

Then I checked my bill and realised that I’d been charged for a second line dating back to at least July (grrrr), so after another 15 minute wait, it was a nice apology and a promise it will be refunded to my next bill.

So this morning I was up at half seven, dressed and waiting for my engineer to turn up. He was meant to arrive between 8 and 12. At quarter past 12 I stormed out to work not in the greatest of moods….will wait until tomorrow before I call NTL again!