Music WAGging

Myself and The Other Laura went to see our boys play on Thursday.
The venue was a small pub this time, so it was all nice and intimate.

I love this pic of the two of them;
You can see the hint of laughter in her face.

And this is Himself,
playing bass for a change.
Awwww...

Movienight in pics as the last service from my old companion

Turns out my old camera works occasionally, whenever it feels like it. What a diva.
You have to take out the battery, the card and blow into them.
Then Lady Casio works for about 10 minutes/5 pics.
Anyone else with experiences of windpowered cameras?

Himself remembered he had forgotten the DVD at the gate of Big Man's house.
Thankfully the drinking hadn't started yet, and the boys drove to get it.
As you can see, some drinking might've been done afterwards...

After the movie, and a few beverages, The Other Laura
(Yes, that's my name, by the way. Laura. Nice to meet you, finally! :))
dug out a scrabble board. The boys were fit to sleep at this stage.
As you can probably judge by the words, we should've probably
left the game to another day... It was fun though!


Oh, I bought a new camera today... Can't wait to play with my new toy! :)

Happiness is...swings and cherrytrees

Yesterday turned out to be lovely. I talked to my Dad and got to let out some steam, which was needed.

Himself got home, we had dinner and then got a phone call from JC who asked us to go look for their bassplayer, whose phone had died. So off we went and searched half of the pubs in town. It was the boys themselves who finally located the missing man. It was a good excuse to walk around town and enjoy the sunshine, nevertheless.

We had 99s (I won a small battle against the evil old woman in the shop and got her to put sprinkles on mine. Heehee...) and went to the swings in the park.
Caught the last rays with a pint, sitting outside the hotel.

When it cooled down, we went for a long walk and talked absolute shite for the full hour. I love our little walks, when no-one sees us and we can be as silly as we want to be. Oh, and yesterday was also the second time Himself gave me flowers! He gave me a little cherryblossom when we passed this amazing tree in full bloom. I love wild flowers, not big into shopbought ones, so that really melted my heart. He is a sweetheart, isn't he? :)

So yeah, all's well, and will quite possibly be even better after we eat. We were looking at cameras earlier today, and will probably go and buy one. So hopefully I'll be able to take pics again soon!!! Yippee!!! :)

Tonight we're going to have a movie date with The Big Man and his better half. They're going to Australia soon, and The BM hasn't seen Wolf Creek yet. And surely you can't go to Oz without seeing that and being absolutely terrified? It'll be fun. :)

Laala's urban sports (part one) and other stories.

Even the pub next door settled down before me last night, and I wasn't even drinking...

Himself was sitting in on bass with the lads, doing some benefit gig he had forgotten about. He got a call right after I went to work, asking if he was ok for the night. Talk about organized; he had forgotten to put it in his calendar.

So he dropped in and made sure I had my keys and off he went. They left so early we thought it would be an early gig, but I got a text saying they'd be on at 12. Yippee...
I got home after half ten, dropped my bag on the floor and tried to switch on the lights. To find the bulb was still gone. So I sat in the semi-darkness for a few hours with my laptop. Until I finally got so bored, that I decided to risk my wellbeing by walking through the dodgiest neighbourhood in town at 2 in the morning just to get a bottle of Seven-Up from a 24-hour-garage. Every girl needs a hobby, and that's as close to extreme sports I'll ever get.

Got home, sat in the semi-darkness again for a while. Thankfully I had a book to keep me company. (Isabel Wolff's Rescuing Rose)
At half three I got a bit worried and called the better half. He said they'd be leaving soon.
And they got home a bit before five this morning.
I got the full story, with crazy organizers, drunken bikers and the gardai (the cops) arriving to tell the pub to close (way after the closing time, of course). Sounds like their evening was a tad more eventful than mine. All I saw during my walk was a few drunks heading home and young love outside the nightclubs. Oh well...
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Himself had a driving lesson again this morning. Mandolin man stayed over, and brought his band's newest album with him. We had a listen to it while Himself was learning the rules of the road. It's always nice to hear new music, and I can't wait for the album to actually come out. I think everyone could do with a bit of Proper order... :)
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It's tea time in our household again. Good night!

Happy as a Hedgehog

I just wanted to introduce you to my old friend, The Nameless Hedgehog. He has been living amongst my mother's flowers for a good few years now, but never felt the need to get into first name-terms with me. He doesn't cause fuss, which is why some people don't even notice him. There was something in his happy little face that made me snap the picture a few years ago, and now I'm happy I did.

His smile pretty much sums up how I feel now: content and happy.
We went to the doctor's yesterday, and turns out everything is fine. The relief in Himself's face was the best gift I've gotten since... forever. He said it felt like he had been away and just arrived back home. And it definitely felt that way for me as well. It's so nice to have my silly, sweet man back.

This whole thing had some good points as well. Himself realised for the first time in his life, that he doesn't always have to be "the strong one". And that talking about things can do you good. We spent time together without any distractions, just talking and being close to each other. Which made me fall even more into love with him.

He had time to read the poems I wrote. And he said he never really knew how I felt about him before. Now he does. We both learnt new things about each other, and a lot about ourselves as well. I know now, that I can't really talk about my feelings well, but I can express them in writing. And I'm thankful I have a man who doesn't think I'm strange because of that. (That's the good thing about singer-songwriters/other musicians/artistic types, they're weird enough to think you're normal when most people would go "Ooooo-key..." :D)

Also met Junior and his Better Half yesterday. It was the first time I've seen her in a few months, and let's just say there's no need to try and keep the pregnancy news secret any longer! She's looking absolutely gorgeous, and they are both very excited and happy.

So it's easy to understand my friend The Hedgehog's feelings. How could you not smile, when you're surrounded by such beauty?

Got that Friday feeling...

I'm starting to get into the usual Friday mode now.

Yesterday was a girly night (with Angel Girl, who else...) and some wine was consumed (needless to say). Himself picked me up from AG's house after the night's gig and made me some tea before bed. And the next thing I heard was your man delivering our new washing machine at ten o'clock this morning. I showed sympathy by opening my left eye for a second and rolled over when I saw Himself had everything under control. Got up after noon and went to get breakfast stuff and an apple turnover for Himself for all his hard work.

Had a relaxing "morning" watching Police Academy 3. Junior called in on his way home from recording some radio show.
Himself and I played some Oasis and Mundy. (That's the way Himself teaches me guitar, he figured out a way to keep me focused)
Went for a walk with AG and we all had pizzas afterwards. Oh well, the walk worked as therapy more than in the usual purpose, but who cares?

The picture is from few months ago, but suits my current mood so well I had to put it up.
I should be getting ready as we speak... We're going for a few quiet ones with mates.
Bring on the pints!

Magical Monday

It's been so nice to have the day off today, after five days of work.

I slept in, spent some time in my jammies and had a brunch of noodles. (I know, aren't I posh... :D)
Found a mat for the bathroom while shopping, which was something I was supposed to do months ago. (The builders managed to loose the previous one while they were putting in the shower.)

I also talked to my friend on messenger. She's going to go and mind a baby as a part of her studies later on this week and was telling me about her plans for a new hometown after graduation. After that I talked to my Dad on Skype. We had our weekly chat about life and were both that little bit happier afterwards.

I finally had time to cook a proper meal, so I made some lamb couscous and let it simmer for ages. Himself was happy to have a meal waiting when he came home tired and grumpy. This Monday had been far from magical for him, with the stress from the college and a punctured tyre on the way home, so it was nice to be able to cheer him up a bit.

I've been reading Meg Cabot's "Size 12 is not fat" today.

So today has been filled with all the things I love most; My friends and family, reading and music. And of course good food, and people with whom to enjoy it.

Surprises

On Saturday we took the bus to Navan. If you ask Himself, he will tell you it's not something you'd usually do on a Saturday afternoon. We had gotten an invite to a surprise 21st birthday, and decided to make a day of it. The journey to Navan is actually quite beautiful, all fields, little lambs and lovely houses.

Got there, I checked out the local Penneys and went on a major shopping spree (grand total €2,50; for 2 belts and a pair of gloves). We had pizzas and met up with the birthday boy afterwards.

He offered us a drink in his house, and cursed all the people who weren't coming to celebrate his big day. (Obviously we couldn't tell him the truth)

Went to town for pints and then came the time to go to the actual venue. And this is where the trouble started; He wouldn't go. It took some serious acting skills (Oscar -worthy material) to get there, people going to the "cash-machine" and to the "chipper's", but finally everyone was in the right place. Except for the main character of the evening, who had gotten as far as the door of the place, found an old schoolmate and decided to have a smoke. (Meanwhile everyone waits upstairs, frozen on the spot, waiting to shout "SURPRISE!")





All's well that ends well...
He arrived, got his presents (lots of drumsticks, go figure), blew the candles and gave a speech. His sisters had nicely put some pictures of him as a child on the walls, so there was entertainment as well. :)

( If someone threw me a surprise party, it would be: "SURP...! ...Where did she go?!", so fair play to Paul for behaving himself!)

Laala is loving today

I have started to write positive things about each day into my calendar. It didn't start consciously, but I noticed what I was doing and made it a part of my daily routine. It's nice to look at the pages at the end of the week or at times when I need cheering up.



I've only been awake for three hours, but today already has lots of little positive notes.


+ The day started with us watching Mundy's gig on DVD and Himself played some guitar afterwards
+ Himself is cooking his famous spaghetti bolognese (Which gives me a break from cooking)
+ Our friend is joining us for dinner
+ Junior got home safe from London and we saw him in the mall earlier
+ I finished reading a book that made me happy
+ I bought Angel Therapy by Doreen Virtue
+ I'm going to see Angel Girl after work, which means I'm going to have a good time and don't have to spend the evening alone while Himself is gigging
+ I was wearing the MBTs while foodshopping and they didn't hurt
+ It's payday

Have a great Saturday! :)

Simple, free fun

We have been very good lately. Instead of nightclubs we stay at home and have brilliant nights in. It's cheaper, you don't have to wait for your drinks and it's usually more fun as well. (And the music is better!)

There has been lots of movie nights, bit of chat and sing-songs. But the biggest hit has been a cardgame I learnt from my dad when I was small. Everyone who comes to the flat is made to play one game. And after that they're always asking for more.

The game is called "Sevens" and it's quite simple really.
-You need at least three players.
-You deal the whole deck to the players. (without the jokers)
-Whoever has the seven of clubs starts.
-The next player can put down either any other seven or a six of clubs.
- The seven of any suit has to be down first, then the six of the suit, then the eight; Five of suit goes on top of the six, 9 on top of the 8. But after 6 and 8 are down, you can go either higher or lower.
- Aces are the lowest card, Kings the highest; When you put these down, you get another go (if you wish to continue)
- If you can't put down a card, you have to ask the previous player to give you a card.
-The winner is the one who gets rid of their cards first

The best part of the game is the talk. There's speculation on the subject "Which one of you has the six of hearts/seven of spades?" etc., sly comments ("I've nothing, gimme a card please"), badly hidden smugness and an awful lot of slagging.
Sometimes the simplest things are the most fun!

A different morning

It started normally enough. I had my breakfast and a cup of tea.
The only difference was, that instead of my usual morning rituals (relaxing for a while, watching a movie) I met Angel Girl around the corner.

We went to the tattoo place yesterday and she got her ears done. She also booked an appointment to get her tattoo sharpened up. The appointment was supposed to be next Friday, but she got a phone call while shopping and was told there was a cancellation. So I decided to go with her and see how it's done.

The artist is a lovely fella from South Africa. AG asked if I can watch, and he was like; "Come on in then!" I said I'd watch from the door and your man says, that either I come in or stay out. So in I went.

The thing that worried me the most was that I'd be put off from watching. That definitely didn't happen! It was very chilled out, and I was just amazed when I watched him work. The fact that AG already has a good few tattoos and wasn't nervous/shouting/screaming made it look very painless. She did make a few faces, but was giggling a while later, so it didn't look too bad.

I've been looking through the tattoo designs while waiting. And now I really want to get my first picture done... (I've been planning it for the last 7 years, maybe it's time!)

Lovely, shiny things

Today we decided to do a bit of retail therapy. I was planning to buy myself a nice dress or maybe a pair of boots, but as it goes the shoes were all either size 3 or size 8 and the dresses looked wrong somehow. The universal law of shopping; When you go into a shop with a certain thing in your mind, your size is gone, the shop is closed or the line to the checkouts goes twice around the building. So obviously my approach to todays trip was all wrong. I even took some money with me, which to the gods of shopping is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

I found nice earrings, though. I know they might be a bit too big, but I just could not resist! I love earrings in any shape or size, and finding a new pair is always a treat. (I justify buying them with the fact that I've currently got seven piercings in my ears, and therefore really,really need everything I can find!)

I had more success in the grocery store, where I found those little animal shaped foam stickers and a bag of gems. I have no plan for them yet, but I'm sure they won't go to waste. They are already giving me great joy, not only because of all the possibilities, but also because of the funny-looking eyes of the animal stickers. I am very easily entertained, I know!

I also learned a new knitting pattern from Angel Girl (our hostess from Saturday night), who came in for a cup of tea and stayed for five hours. We love random visits, so that really was the highlight of our day. (Himself even made her one of his Famous Omelettes to make her stay longer!)

So today was filled with lovely, shiny and wonderful things in many shapes and forms.
Himself seems to have made the tea, which probably is a sign for me to stop writing and get into my jammies.
Nighty night!

A surprisingly smooth day

Yesterday was one of those days, when everything goes right.
We started our day by turning off the alarm and sleeping in. It is something I do very rarely, because I keep thinking there are so many things that absolutely have to be done. And my poor better half won't get any extra sleep either. So that was kind of like my little after-Christmas present for us all (Himself, me and my poor tired legs).

I finally got up to make tea, and just as I put the kettle on, the buzzer went. I opened the door and let Junior in, got Himself out of bed and made the tea. And then Junior told us some great news.

After he left, we got another visitor; The Big Man walked in and sat down to wait for his coffee.Then he asked, if we knew anyone who does cleaning. Obviously I jumped up and asked when I could start. So now I have at least a few hours per week, and I know I'll be able to pay the rent. Excellent.

Then I talked to my Mother for over an hour, and I wasn't upset afterwards, which is always a nice surprise.

And then Ciaran (He's the one who moved to France) arrived, we all had dinner and went for a pint. Lovely.

To balance things, today is already showing signs of being one of those days, when things just won't go the way you'd like them to. And no amount of asking nicely or even begging is going to help. So I'll just wrap yesterday's happy memories around me and see this gray day through.
And who knows, maybe tomorrow will be another good day again!

Visits

Our friend moved to France a while ago to live with his wife, who happens to be a lovely French woman. He comes home every now and again, so thankfully we still see him quite often. He came back today for Christmas, and, in the typical Irish way, the slagging started straight away.

They had to go to a gig, so he only stayed for about ten minutes. But even in that time the boys had me laughing so much that tears were rolling down my face. Funny guys. Made me remember why we miss him so much when he's gone. We made him a nice cup of strong tea, which seems to be the only thing he really misses. (Apart from the Irish sense of humour!)

He was wondering how the truck drivers can take the journey from France to Ireland without even breaking a sweat. He, on the other hand, said the seventeen hours in the ferry were torture and that even a bottle of wine hadn't help him to sleep. Thankfully he must have fallen asleep at some stage, judging by the fact that there was still those two bottles of red left for our Christmas present...

At under 3 euro per bottle, I predict a headache on monday!

Can't wait... :D

My new family

A while ago I got in touch with some of my old friends again. Some of them I went to school with, some of them I'd see while out and about.
It was amazing to see, what can happen in a few years. Obviously most of them have studied and started working and all sorts of things you do. But the thing that surprised me most was the amount of people who have gotten engaged, married and had babies. Even girls younger than me seem to be all settled down, with rings in their fingers and in some cases, a second child on the way.

It also made me realise that I'm surprised about the way my life has turned out. I was like those girls once, I just did things in a different order. I went through a phase, where I got engaged, planned all sorts of silly things for the future and thought I was in love. When, in fact I was just playing grown-up and trying to find some kind of peace into my crazy life. Things went pear-shaped, as could be expected, and I tore my university application forms, packed my bags and moved to a different town. I started partying for all the years I'd wasted taking care of someone else. Then I moved to Ireland.

I didn't have any plans to stay here for more than a year. Then I met Himself.
And it seems it's the best "accident" that ever happened to me.
We don't have babies (mainly because we wouldn't be able to fit one into the apartment! ;)) but we have the nicest and strangest adopted family.
My "adopted" son is nearly a decade older than me. He started out as Himself's friend. Then he hit a bad patch, we helped him back to his feet and he became part of the family. He hears the kettle from miles away and comes in for a cup of tea. We make his cuppa the way he likes it, he knows my weakness for chocolate and I can stay in my pyjamas when he's around. It's all very effortless and nice.

Then I've Billy Jr, who I already mentioned in the last post. He is the newest addition to the family. Billy is a toy monkey, who came home with me from Dublin Zoo. He was named after Billy Connolly, although this young gentleman is a good bit quieter than his namesake. :) He keeps to himself, usually sitting on the cymbal of my drumkit. For some reason people are very interested in him, especially when they've had few drinks, which is why I'm planning to hide him for the duration of parties.

Then we have a collection of people, who call in for a chat and a coffee. I usually use them as guinea pigs, making them eat whatever happens to be cooking. (By the looks of them, I should probably use less spices! :D)

"Friends are the family you choose", they say. I think there might be a bit of truth in that one! :)