….having sex and talking about books.

That was today’s appointment. Fantastic. Inbetween rounds client and I discussed my recommendations in my previous entry of the Stieg Larsson trilogy, saying he may actually buy them. I was chuffed to hear somebody listening to my ramblings and acknowledge them.  We were also lamenting the demise of the bookshop as we know it. Quite a few of them closed during the recession, Borders and Books Etc. to name a couple, although they are of the same company. At least Waterstone’s still seem to be going strong. But with being able to buy books cheaper on-line, I’m not really suprised.

Anyway, hope you do buy them M,  and as I’ve mentioned before, use Play.com or The Book Depository, not Amazon who charges for delivery. Their prices are similar, if not cheaper.

Thank you for a lovely afternoon and happy reading.x

(With permission)

“Hi

Could I book an appointment for an hour at your place in Victoria for Friday 30 July at 5:30pm.

J”

That was it. No preamble. Obviously we did have subsequent conversations on the client’s requirements but what a refreshing way to introduce yourself.

That was yesterday’s  appointment. And he extended his session to 90mins too. What a lovely chap. He also let me do something to him which he’s never had done before…and enjoyed it. And I’m going to be really annoying and not say what it was I did to him that he really enjoyed.

I do love an adventerous man.

Yes, it’s 20 years old and after 10 years of driving it my old banger’s falling to bits. For about a year or so, it “squeaks” when I first turn the engine. I’m your typical girl and have no idea what’s under the hood, and a friend reckons it’s the fan belt that’s going.

And now for the past couple of months the car’s becoming difficult to start. Even I know that’s the starter motor going, because the car runs fine once it gets going. And it’s getting progressively worse so I know it’ll only be a matter of time before it just doesn’t start at all.

Also one of the back windows doesn’t work anymore and the driver’s side window opens on a whim. The heating only goes to full blast and no longer works on any other setting but high. And the radio no longer works so I play nothing but CDs.

But hey, that’s been my old bird for the past 10 years. No major problems until the clutch cable snapped last Christmas (remember that). The brake pads needed replacing during an MOT and the windshield wipers decided to give up on a day it started to rain and I had to hang my head out the window (that didn’t work properly) to get to the garage so I could get new ones.

But it’s a Nissan and it’s been a strong old bird. I dug out my log book and I read the date that I purchased it was 28th July 2000. So it’s basically 10 years to the day since I first bought it.

I’ll have to make sure and work my arse off in Manchester and see if I can’t get an old runaround to last a year or so until I can save up for a decent car – I’ve always fancied a Honda CR-V. My car was supposed to go for its MOT after I got back from Manchester but I don’t need a genius to tell me that it won’t see me through another winter unless I chuck money at it and I know when to stop throwing good money after bad. At least the guys at the garage can stop pointing and laughing when they see me coming.

*Sniff*. I’m feeling a bit teary-eyed at the moment. I’m going to have a quiet moment looking out the window at the car then I’m going to get ready for my 5.30pm. *Sniff*

RIP Old Bird.

Hi gents,

I did have two bookings pencilled in for today, one has confirmed, the other one hasn’t. So if anybody has any free time later on today, before my 5.30, please do give me a call.

Or if not today, I have a booking (subject to confirmation) tomorrow afternoon at 2pm for an hour. If you’re free either before or after, again, give me a call.

….here on-line.

Tell you what gents, another site I’ve been finding very useful is Moneysavingexpert.com. I actually found an offer that the hotel I’m staying in in Manchester was doing their own summer special, which I didn’t realise. This weekend I’ve upgraded from my standard room to one of their executive rooms for an extra £50. Not only is the room more spacious, you get free internet and free on-demand movies, plus a bottle of water and a daily paper. How cool is that? I’ve signed up to their website to receive any money-saving tips that I might be interested in.

And after much research I’ve also booked my hotel for Glasgow in October. The final date is the 3rd-6th. It seems the hotels were more expensive later on in the week than the beginning. And I had a word with my boss at my Other Job and I can switch my days if I want to, which was my main concern as I’d be missing my regular days.

So my final days for Glasgow are Sunday 3rd to Wednesday morning 6th October. I’m glad I got that out of the way. Now to just book the flight. Against my better judgement I’m still going to book BA. It’s either them or Easyjet from Gatwick, and I really don’t like Easyjet. I’d think I’d rather sit for five hours on the train than to go by Easyjet. Does that tell you how much I don’t like Easyjet?

Poor computer’s been working overtime since we’ve got back the internet. But I’m off to Victoria later for a booking at 6.30 so the poor thing can have a breather.

Glasgow here I come.

Better than Easyjet

If you haven’t already gents, for your summer reading, may I recommend the trilogy that starts with The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Absolutely brilliant stuff. There’s not a book I haven’t been unable to put down for a while and the 2nd and 3rd in this trilogy have been unputdownable. They’re written by the late (great) Stieg Larsson and he was actually in the middle of writing a fourth novel when he passed away prematurely (I think he was only in his forties). The first novel did take some time for me to get into, but once in I was riveted. Highly recommended.

I also read Tess Gerritsen’s Keeper of the Bride (meh!) and her latest The Killing Place (much better). I’m now on David Baldacci’s True Blue and I have also bought Stephen King’s Under the Dome. I was a little reticent about buying it, I don’t feel he’s written a decent novel in years. But the guy in the bookshop assures me it’s as good as The Stand, which I feel was his finest work, so that sold me and the critique on the cover reads well. It’s a hefty book though, so that’ll take some time. And I still have Karin Slaughter’s latest novel to get too.

But if you’re stumped for something to read, read the Millenium trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Honest, you won’t be able to put them down. Btw, the 2nd and 3rd’s way better than the first.

Well, actually, the Sky man’s come and gone. Blimey, it’s a good thing I was awake and having breakfast when they came knocking on the door at 8.30 this morning, even though they said anytime between 9am and 1pm.

Although it almost didn’t happen. When I first called to report the broken box, my only choices were to either pay for a £65 callout to replace it, or take out insurance on repairs, insurance etc., paid monthly. I mentioned it to SJ and she said that I should threaten to leave. So I did. And guess what? We got a brand-spanking new Sky Plus box (you can pause, rewind and record with this one) and the old Sky box downstairs replaced the knackered one upstairs. So that’s a tip gents, threaten to leave. It’s amazing what they can do for you then. Cynical? Me? Nah!

So now full viewing services have resumed. I tell you gents, I don’t know about you but it was difficult going back to just five channels for over a week. I did do a lot more reading I must admit, plus if you have a Sky account you can set up an on-line one and watch Sky live tv. Not just on demand telly, Sky actually has a few channels that I could stream live to my computer. So I didn’t chew that much paint of the walls. I would even go so far as to say that it was actually quite nice having the telly off sometimes while I did some surfing on-line or read. Although I’m not sure what the heck I would’ve done had I no internet either. Don’t you think it was really odd getting the internet back after a week on the Monday morning, then the Sky box going kaput on Monday afternoon. Do you think somebody up there was watching, took pity on me and thought “no, I won’t do that to her. That would just be too cruel.”

I think it also helped having a couple of wonderful customers to keep me busy last week. Saturday afternoon was a particularly wonderful day spent with my client.

Yes indeedy. Normal services have resumed.

I’m also excited to tell you that for the first time ever, I’ll be coming to Glasgow later on in the year.

For personal reasons I’d been unable to tour Glagow since I became an escort, but now those reasons no longer exist. I am excited because, although I’ve been to Glasgow a few times, (twice for an overnight), I’ve never actually toured there.

I figure that before I truly settle down with doing the degree, (remember I’ll be starting the openings course in September, the first of the big courses start in January), I can squeeze in one more tour and where better than Glasgow. It also means I may get to see one of my most favourtist (yes, I’m aware it’s not a word) clients, a gent who took the trouble to trek over to Edinburgh to see me last year and whom I didn’t think I was going to see again. So an extra bonus for me. And again I’ll be able to stock up on whisky liqueur and Scottish honey (I’ve yet to taste better), not to mention some decent Scottish mature cheddar and oatcakes.

It’ll definitely be in October (before it gets too cold) and around 7-10th seems to be what suits me most.

Stay tuned for further details. Glasgow here I come!

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Just to let you know that I’ll be making a few changes.

Not only will I be having new pictures taken, I’ll also be having a brand spanking new website.

I’ve had these pics for a year now and I always like to update them when I can. And my website, well, I’ve had the same format for nearly 4yrs. It’s definitely time for a change, ‘though the site’s served me well. With it being done in Frontpage I was always able to make little changes as and when I needed.  This one’s going to have a few more bells and whistles, so I’m quite excited. And knowing me I’ll probably be changing my blog as well. You know what I’m like. As far as the blog themes go I always get restless after a few months. I’ve already been looking at other similar-coloured themes.

All should be done by mid-August. Stay tuned.

Just to clarify gents, that I won’t be working on the Sunday (8th) as I’d like to take the day off to finally get to go to the Trafford Shopping Centre. I’ve been visiting Manchester for a few years now and would you believe I still haven’t had the opportunity to go. I also want to take a peek at Old Trafford.

But you still have Thursday evening (1 more), Friday or Monday morning if you’re an early bird.

Again though, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or email me on the day. There’s always a chance of cancellations and I’ll have email access this time.

Manchester Trafford Centre