Today I remembered I was given an Aero Easter egg by my aunt, at Easter, which included a gift certificate redeemable at selected beauty salons.
When I found it and had another look, I saw that I had to book by tomorrow to redeem my treatment. So I got on the web and had a look at which salons were participating and there are not that many, but I got on the blower and called up The Beauty Basement.
I opted for them after browsing the others' websites and locations because they're in Holborn, which is much easier than Twickenham, Cricklewood or Wimbledon. It seems slightly strange to me that there is only one participating salon in the whole of central London, but my hand was forced, I called them up.
Fortunately the girl on the phone knew exactly what I was talking about with the gift certificate - as I feared there might be an embarrassing moment of me asking for a free facial and them not knowing anything about it - but no problems and she explained how it worked and very patiently waited while I looked for my card (for the booking).
Now, I'm pretty scared because I've never been to a salon for any beauty treatments in my life. I'm 23 years old, and a lady, but I've never had a facial or massage or even a manicure. What's the protocol? Do I not wear make-up, do I tip, what do I do?? Help!
I'm booked in for Thurs. If anyone has any guidelines for me, that'd be dandy.
Saturday 31 May 2008
Friday 30 May 2008
Full Time Temp, Part Time Fun
I've been pretty busy this month - I spent the first few days in Turkey and came home to find a buoyant haired man as the mayor of my city. So it kicked off fairly eventfully.
Then I had a few gigs, including a preview of my Edinburgh show, that we did in Cambridge.
May also involves a whole heap of Bank Holidays, which is nice, but also means I have less work.
You see, I work part time, on a Monday and Tuesday. If there's a bank holiday though, I don't work either - and I don't get paid. So I needed to beef up my income this month and did a bit of extra temping.
The temp job I've had this week has actually been a total delight, and it's the only time I've come out of a temp gig and wished that I permanently worked there. The people there made it so much fun that I actually enjoyed going to work and was not itching to leave at the end of the day. I guess when people find a job they enjoy doing, then it makes the whole prospect of work not as terrible as I generally perceive it to be. The other thing that makes all the difference is the people you work with. If you would deliberately spend time outside of work with the people you work with, then work must seem just like hanging out but with some chores to do while you hang out.
Is this a regular feeling for people who have proper jobs? Or does everyone hate working, like I do?
Then I had a few gigs, including a preview of my Edinburgh show, that we did in Cambridge.
May also involves a whole heap of Bank Holidays, which is nice, but also means I have less work.
You see, I work part time, on a Monday and Tuesday. If there's a bank holiday though, I don't work either - and I don't get paid. So I needed to beef up my income this month and did a bit of extra temping.
The temp job I've had this week has actually been a total delight, and it's the only time I've come out of a temp gig and wished that I permanently worked there. The people there made it so much fun that I actually enjoyed going to work and was not itching to leave at the end of the day. I guess when people find a job they enjoy doing, then it makes the whole prospect of work not as terrible as I generally perceive it to be. The other thing that makes all the difference is the people you work with. If you would deliberately spend time outside of work with the people you work with, then work must seem just like hanging out but with some chores to do while you hang out.
Is this a regular feeling for people who have proper jobs? Or does everyone hate working, like I do?
We're gonna party like it's May
The Qype May soiree was last night.
It was the first one I have attended, having been so exceptionally busy that I was unable to attend previous do's.
A free bar is a thing of joy, isn't it? To go to a bar and order a drink and then just walk off with it, without having to pay is a pleasure usually only reserved for weddings and awards ceremonies. I love it. My plan is win (or even just get nominated for) loads of awards, so I can enjoy many free bars at many awards ceremonies.
I didn't actually get to speak to many people, as I concentrated on making a qype logo out of a piece of blutak I had. Perhaps that gives you a slight indication as to my incredible schmoozing skills.
Maybe my first award can be 'person most unable to talk to new people'.
It was the first one I have attended, having been so exceptionally busy that I was unable to attend previous do's.
A free bar is a thing of joy, isn't it? To go to a bar and order a drink and then just walk off with it, without having to pay is a pleasure usually only reserved for weddings and awards ceremonies. I love it. My plan is win (or even just get nominated for) loads of awards, so I can enjoy many free bars at many awards ceremonies.
I didn't actually get to speak to many people, as I concentrated on making a qype logo out of a piece of blutak I had. Perhaps that gives you a slight indication as to my incredible schmoozing skills.
Maybe my first award can be 'person most unable to talk to new people'.
Tuesday 27 May 2008
Up Town Girl
So this week I'm working in town, just off Oxford Street and I really feel like I'm part of the rat race.
This is somewhat preferable to when I was working in Wembley and all there was for lunch was Subway, and I hate Subway. Whereas here, as I fall out of the door, I am bombarded with choices for lunch and also by shopping opportunities.
I'm not sure there would be much point in me working in town permanently, because I would go and spend money as quickly as I earn it. Not that I'm some awful stereotype of shopaholic woman - I'm really not - but when you're constantly surrounded by things that are pretty, and tasty, and you know you've earned a few pounds that morning, it is difficult to resist.
For my lunch today I had 2 new dresses. And a soup from Eat, which I love.
I do like working in town. It makes me feel modern and trendy and affluent, even though I am probably only 1 of those things at best.
This is somewhat preferable to when I was working in Wembley and all there was for lunch was Subway, and I hate Subway. Whereas here, as I fall out of the door, I am bombarded with choices for lunch and also by shopping opportunities.
I'm not sure there would be much point in me working in town permanently, because I would go and spend money as quickly as I earn it. Not that I'm some awful stereotype of shopaholic woman - I'm really not - but when you're constantly surrounded by things that are pretty, and tasty, and you know you've earned a few pounds that morning, it is difficult to resist.
For my lunch today I had 2 new dresses. And a soup from Eat, which I love.
I do like working in town. It makes me feel modern and trendy and affluent, even though I am probably only 1 of those things at best.
Sunday 18 May 2008
Lord's and ladies
The Summer has truly begun when the English cricket season begins in earnest with an international test match at Lord's.
My passion for cricket is only matched by my boyfriend's hatred of both cricket and my passion for cricket. This really puts a lot of undue strain on our relationship. The thing is, I simply adore it and I can't be wavered on that.
I'll tell you for why. (have I already told you? well, you can hear it again)
I was on a tour in 2005, doing a show all around this fair country of ours. We would arrive at a different town every day, and be deposited and left to our own devices while the technical team would fit up the venue.
So I would wander off and find some pub to sit in and the Ashes would be on in every single pub.
The 2005 Ashes was a glorious baptism of cricket. It was exciting, dramatic, well-poised, emotional, and above all, kept me entertained across the entire country during that summer.
You see, I couldn't turn my back on something that saved me so graciously. And now I follow it avidly, and I love listening to TMS, I adore going to grounds and I am delighted to watch it in a pub.
However, I would like to watch it at home, at my convenience. So if anyone would like to sponsor my cricket fanaticism, please do get in touch and I'll let you watch it with me.
Friday 16 May 2008
May May May
After the snows of April we had the minor heat wave of May.
Wasn't it lovely?
Yes, it was BushGirl, it was glorious.
I do love a heat wave, minor or not. It brings everyone outside and makes you realise how many people actually live in London, as you can actually see most of them.
Now, people tend to flock to the public spaces and I'm going to give you a few tips about my neck of the woods.
Ravenscourt Park is the nicest park in the area. It is large, relatively clean and popular with joggers, dog walkers and families. It is very easy to get to as Ravenscourt Park station on the district line is right next door.
For some sports activities, Hammersmith Park (behind TV centre in White City) has tennis courts and a basketball court, and a big bit of astro turf which is frequently in use. If you like to play tennis or netball amongst drunks and homeless, then head to Shepherd's Bush Green - affectionately known as Shepherd's Bush Brown by the locals - and bang a few balls through the very holey nets. Additionally, if you enjoy the scent of Special Brew on the air, this is a lovely place to enjoy the sun.
If you like to bask in sunshine in a public place that doesn't have needles and cans strewn about, I recommend heading down to Brook Green - which is actually green. The tennis courts here are in much better nick, but you do have to pay for them if the man comes round when you're there. And the grassy bit tends to attract young ladies who lounge about in not very much clothing. Some people like that. Others prefer White Diamond out of a plastic bag. You can't say that West London doesn't provide choice.
Other choices - Holland Park is lovely, large and pretty. Hyde Park is a bit further away and is enormous and probably can fulfill your park needs on any level.
Wasn't it lovely?
Yes, it was BushGirl, it was glorious.
I do love a heat wave, minor or not. It brings everyone outside and makes you realise how many people actually live in London, as you can actually see most of them.
Now, people tend to flock to the public spaces and I'm going to give you a few tips about my neck of the woods.
Ravenscourt Park is the nicest park in the area. It is large, relatively clean and popular with joggers, dog walkers and families. It is very easy to get to as Ravenscourt Park station on the district line is right next door.
For some sports activities, Hammersmith Park (behind TV centre in White City) has tennis courts and a basketball court, and a big bit of astro turf which is frequently in use. If you like to play tennis or netball amongst drunks and homeless, then head to Shepherd's Bush Green - affectionately known as Shepherd's Bush Brown by the locals - and bang a few balls through the very holey nets. Additionally, if you enjoy the scent of Special Brew on the air, this is a lovely place to enjoy the sun.
If you like to bask in sunshine in a public place that doesn't have needles and cans strewn about, I recommend heading down to Brook Green - which is actually green. The tennis courts here are in much better nick, but you do have to pay for them if the man comes round when you're there. And the grassy bit tends to attract young ladies who lounge about in not very much clothing. Some people like that. Others prefer White Diamond out of a plastic bag. You can't say that West London doesn't provide choice.
Other choices - Holland Park is lovely, large and pretty. Hyde Park is a bit further away and is enormous and probably can fulfill your park needs on any level.
Thursday 15 May 2008
Bath-ing
My flatmate's mother is visiting, which is quite stressful. They argue with each other a lot, which offends my British sensibilities. On Tuesday night they were having an argument about what to do on Wednesday. They wanted to go to Bath, but train tickets were extraordinarily expensive, and the mother suggested that she rent a car. My flatmate freaked out because they are from America and as such drive automatic cars on the wrong side of the road. So she exclaimed that there was no way she was going to get into a 'stick shift' car that her mother was driving on British soil.
Gallantly, I stepped in and I accidentally agreed to drive to Bath.
God bless the boys at Enterprise in Hammersmith as they dealt with a rather insane French-American woman with good grace and humour, giving us an upgrade and 10% discount.
So, we all squeezed into our rental car - me, the mother, the flatmate and my boyfriend who had haplessly agreed to come along - and we set off for Bath.
About 2 hours later we arrived in Bath, parked up at the big car park (£1 an hour) and got out to explore the cleanest town in Britain.
If you've never been to Bath, then it's certainly worth a visit. It's more worth a visit if you have an interest in any of the following:
The Romans
Jane Austen
Georgian architecture
Thermal water
Spas
The history of public bathing
It's a beautiful town which breathes with its own history. Any TV or film adaptation of an Austen novel is always filmed here. Highlights are:
The Roman Baths (£10 entry) and the Pump Room.
Royal Crescent (£5 for museum)
The Circus
Thermae Bath Spa (sessions from £13)
Bath Abbey (suggested donation £2)
Gallantly, I stepped in and I accidentally agreed to drive to Bath.
God bless the boys at Enterprise in Hammersmith as they dealt with a rather insane French-American woman with good grace and humour, giving us an upgrade and 10% discount.
So, we all squeezed into our rental car - me, the mother, the flatmate and my boyfriend who had haplessly agreed to come along - and we set off for Bath.
About 2 hours later we arrived in Bath, parked up at the big car park (£1 an hour) and got out to explore the cleanest town in Britain.
If you've never been to Bath, then it's certainly worth a visit. It's more worth a visit if you have an interest in any of the following:
The Romans
Jane Austen
Georgian architecture
Thermal water
Spas
The history of public bathing
It's a beautiful town which breathes with its own history. Any TV or film adaptation of an Austen novel is always filmed here. Highlights are:
The Roman Baths (£10 entry) and the Pump Room.
Royal Crescent (£5 for museum)
The Circus
Thermae Bath Spa (sessions from £13)
Bath Abbey (suggested donation £2)
Monday 5 May 2008
Mamamamamamamaris
I can heartily recommend a holiday to Turkey. It is a country full of delights (pun intended).
Next time I visit I would like to go to Istanbul. The history and culture there, I've heard, is phenomenal.
I can only postulate about how lovely Istanbul is, but I can give you the lowdown on Marmaris and Icmeler.
Marmaris is a small city, seemingly populated with British tourists and slightly whiffs of Benidorm. This is a bit of a shame. If you, like me, like to go to foreign places to see foreign places, rather than have gammon and egg but in the sun. I don't even eat gammon and egg in London. The good thing about Marmaris being so orientated towards British tourists is obviously that most people speak English, and generally they speak good English.
Another odd thing that some British tourists might like is that many things - food, drinks, gifts, excursions - are priced in pounds.
If you'd like a midway point between the Butlins-in-the-sun feel of bits of Marmaris and a real taste of Turkey then the English-speaking-friendly resort of Icmeler will do it for you.
Quieter, calmer, smaller and slightly more authentic, Icmeler is the sister resort to Marmaris, 15 minutes by car away. It's a beautiful little town, with a nice beach with spectacular views across the bays.
Some tips: buy your gifts from the shops by the canal or the Wednesday market. Boat trips are great value - shop around for one you most like the look of. Ephesus is quite a drive away, I wish that in retrospect we had hired a car and driven ourselves, as we felt we didn't have as much time actually in Ephesus as we would've liked (and it only cost £4 to get in, and we paid £35 each for the whole trip). Also, I think we could've visited Pamukkale too if we'd hired our own car.
Next time I visit I would like to go to Istanbul. The history and culture there, I've heard, is phenomenal.
I can only postulate about how lovely Istanbul is, but I can give you the lowdown on Marmaris and Icmeler.
Marmaris is a small city, seemingly populated with British tourists and slightly whiffs of Benidorm. This is a bit of a shame. If you, like me, like to go to foreign places to see foreign places, rather than have gammon and egg but in the sun. I don't even eat gammon and egg in London. The good thing about Marmaris being so orientated towards British tourists is obviously that most people speak English, and generally they speak good English.
Another odd thing that some British tourists might like is that many things - food, drinks, gifts, excursions - are priced in pounds.
If you'd like a midway point between the Butlins-in-the-sun feel of bits of Marmaris and a real taste of Turkey then the English-speaking-friendly resort of Icmeler will do it for you.
Quieter, calmer, smaller and slightly more authentic, Icmeler is the sister resort to Marmaris, 15 minutes by car away. It's a beautiful little town, with a nice beach with spectacular views across the bays.
Some tips: buy your gifts from the shops by the canal or the Wednesday market. Boat trips are great value - shop around for one you most like the look of. Ephesus is quite a drive away, I wish that in retrospect we had hired a car and driven ourselves, as we felt we didn't have as much time actually in Ephesus as we would've liked (and it only cost £4 to get in, and we paid £35 each for the whole trip). Also, I think we could've visited Pamukkale too if we'd hired our own car.
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