Kinky La Rue

After much knashing of teeth and bashing of heads on any nearby flat surface, my new site and pictures are up and running. And as you can see I’ve changed the theme on my blog too. It took bloody ages to find but it was the closest colour theme to the site.

The site is bigger than my old one, so I had to add new text. And because there are some fantastic facesitting pics that Twiggy took in Manchester, I had my webmistress create a seperate gallery.

But do take time and have a look at my new site. I hope you like it.

I’ve been busy with my webmistress putting together my new website. I’m using the new pictures that Twiggy took of me during our time together in Manchester and I must say he’s done himself proud. I’m not sure if it’s sunk in with him yet that he’ll be forever immortalised on my website. Well, for the next year at least anyway. But I’m really pleased, I love the site and I love the pictures. It should be ready to go live in the next couple of days, providing my poor webmistress hasn’t run out of steam yet, bless her.

Which means I also have to change the theme to my blog. My webmistress sent me a link to the WordPress blog site with another 90, yes 90 pages of new themes that I hadn’t seen before. I won’t tell you how long it took for me to get through it, and I still haven’t decided which one I want to use.

So I’m going to have a quick look again this morning before I go off to Victoria for my 11am booking with my Newcastle favourite. I’ve got it down to a handful, thank goodness. I was beginning to see squares in everything.

Has anybody noticed the date yet?

Well, as my 12pm didn’t confirm I’m going to venture out and pop on over to  Borough Market. I haven’t been since last summer and I’ve just had a look at their website and see that there are some new traders that are definitely worth a visit, including an Italian guy by the name of Sebastiano Accaputo and his missus who’ll be trading in nearby Jubilee Market, part of what makes up Borough Market.  It sounds like there are some delectables I may definitely be interested in. I’ve been trying to summon up the energy to also pop into the Tate Gallery, but it’s been such a busy week, I think I’ll just have to give it a miss. It’s been a good week work-wise and what with Manchester I think I’ll have a lazy evening tonight.

In other news, I went to look at a car yesterday. It’s a lovely little runner, a ’99 Volvo S40 for £380. Not bad eh?! Apparently the list price on AutoTrader was incorrect, less than the intended price, but the seller, nice as he is, is honouring it. I had a runaround in it and it’s a bit of a difference to my behemoth that is my 20yr old banger. It still has to have its MOT though, but failing that I should have it in my grasp this weekend. Wish me luck.

Wish me luck again because I’ve also sent off my application and payment for the Openings course at the Open University. I know I left it a bit late as the closing date is Monday (16th) so I gave them a call yesterday to see how many spaces were left. The kind lady I spoke to told me there was about 50. I didn’t want to chance it so I popped back out to the Post Office yesterday and sent off my application along with my Tesco’s school voucher. I even paid extra for next day delivery to be signed for, as said kind lady advised that the voucher is considered cash and it would be best to register it. The course starts September 1st. Oooooooh!

It’s 9.13am in the morning in Manchester and I’m just waiting for my Northern squeeze, Twiggy, to confirm for our meeting at 10.30.

Earlier I popped out to get some bits and pieces and to also treat myself to some decent decaf coffee at Cafe Nero. I was gone maybe half an hour and when I got back housecleaning had already been through my room, the bed was made up and the little bins emptied. Gulp!

I hurriedly looked round to see if there was any incriminating evidence left out. I had left my suitcase open (I normally close it when I go out) but on the top was my old nightie that I’d carelessly discarded when I got changed. Some other bits poked out but nothing that you would associate with illicit goings on. My condoms and lubricants were tucked away in the bedside drawer, the condoms themselves were in a little Boots carrier bag so not easily visible. Thank God I’m anally retentive and I like keeping my surroundings tidy. Even my computer was on but at least it wasn’t on any incriminating websites. Besides, it was on standby. It looked like a bit of a rush job anyway, as my bed socks (yes, I know, sexy) were where I left them on the floor. So there was no vacuuming, just a cursory tidy up.

That was a bit too close for comfort me. That’ll teach me. In future, even when popping out first thing in the morning for half an hour, make sure everything’s either locked up or put away. Even at 8am on a Saturday morning, make sure my wits are about me.

I’m finally settled in in Manchester.

I’ve had to switch rooms as there was no internet in the original room. And whilst I try not to draw too much attention to myself, there was no point in paying for the internet as part of the package, and then not getting it. I’ve been trying since I got here yesterday, (inbetween bookings) to sort it out, to no avail. Even the internet helpline no. displayed on the telly wasn’t working. So there was no other option but to move. At least up here I get a fantastic view of the city and the Pennines.

So now I’m settled in (again), I’m off to get ready and go to a few of my favourite shops and see what’s been going on since my visit last year.

More or less anyway.

I was thinking it would’ve been nice to have a booking today, but I’m glad I didn’t in the end. What with the Other Job Monday and Tuesday, there really wasn’t much time for anything else today other than to prepare for Manchester tomorrow. Other family members are off to Scotland tomorrow so I had more than my case to pack, plus I went for my usual pedicure this morning so my tootsies look gorgeous for the clients. My train’s at 11am so I need to be out of the house by 9am at the latest, so there really isn’t time for anything else tomorrow other than to pick up my bags and go.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the train runs on time and gets in when it’s supposed to, around 1pm. I still have nightmares from last year  when it was over an hour late getting into Piccadilly Stn and I just about had time to get ready to see my client. Good thing he was an understanding chap. My first booking is tomorrow at 3pm so even with delays I should be okay. And with the upgrade I treated myself to, I can check in as soon as I get there, which helps tremendously.

Fingers crossed for an uneventful journey.

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.

….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

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

I’ve just taken another booking for the Thursday afternoon for Manchester and Saturday is already fully booked, unless there are any cancellations. I have nothing booked for Friday yet, so if anybody’s thinking about it gents, now’s the time.

I’m staying in the city centre, not far from Piccadilly Gardens with an NCP garage nearby for parking, Piccadilly Station a mere five minute walk away, or 10, if you walk like me.

Pull your finger out gents. Come see me.x