Night Out

Well yesterday was all about getting ready for a night out.

I had an idea of what I was going to wear and had to change it as it just did not suit me since the op.  It looks like a new wardrobe is in the offing.  Still I had a relaxing bath and the usual ablutions.  I even went to the time and trouble to put make up on.

My chauffeur picked me up bang on time and we then made our way into Manchester.  Orators (Toastmasters) meet at the Rainbar, (if you want to come they meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month) in the boardroom on the top floor.  The one thing I was worried about was the stairs to the top, which taken slowly were no problem at all.

Fellow members were surprised and happy to see me, one even saying that I looked better now than I did before the operation and treatment so far.  What were they getting at?  (Answers on a postcard please...).

I took part in the Table Topics, extemporaneous speaking of up to 2 minutes.  The theme of the evening was Community and I had to talk about what virtual community I would invent on the internet.  As I have started this blog and got into the swing of using FB and other networking sites I wanted to leave it as it was and use what was already there with the community set up with fellow bloggers etc. We have the ability to comment on blogs and share ideas through the words we type and the feedback we get from other likeminded people.  I have "virtually" met so many people through my blog and FB that I come to see that the world is such a small place.  Well words to that affect.

We had two good speeches an Icebreaker (first speech) and a final speech.  All very well executed and enjoyable showing how people can develop using the workbook within Toastmasters.  All the speakers, including the other five topic takers, were evaluated by other members.  Another learning experience for all, one to see if you agree with the evaluator and two to see if you spotted some of the same things.

At the end of the evening there is usually a vote for best Topic Taker, best Speaker (if more than two speakers so was not done last night), and best Evaluator.  To my shock and horror I won best Topic and my chauffeur won best Evaluator.  After years of not being very good at Topics I have now won best Topic two meetings on the trot.

The meeting finished early and managed to get home before 22:00.  I have had a slow morning but not feeling too bad today.

So far today I have watched the last episode of a series on Sacred Music by BBC Four.  All about one of my favourite composers J S Bach.  I recorded it a few weeks past and only just got round to watching it, along with the three previous episodes about the development of Sacred Music.  What a way to wake up in the morning!

Relaxing after Easter

I am sorry for not posting anything over the past couple of days but I have been a bit stupid.  As I posted on my Facebook status the other day I ate an extra portion of stupid on Monday morning.  I woke up early and decided to settle down on the sofa and catch up on the recordings from the night before.  The only problem was that I fell asleep, for some this is not an issue, but I fell asleep on my bad arm.  When I eventually woke up my arm was not well.  Finally today it does not hurt.  Before you all start telling me off, the pain enough to know that I have to watch what I do.  I have spent the past couple of days doing nothing and recuperating.

Easter Weekend

I have been thinking a lot about the Easter story this weekend, as well I should I hear shout at the computer monitor, but I think this year it has meant more than anything.  Not that I am religious but I do pray in my own way.  It is surprising that when I say this I am considered as some sort of freak or not even religious only on the grounds that I do not formalise my prayer with going to church and be told how to pray and when to pray.  My only other thought on the matter is that some unknown man we call Jesus died for something he believed in, I believe in chocolate, that Sunday should be a family day if not a religious day and that we should love our fellowman/woman/person (sorry Mrs Harriet HarPERSON - watch Matthew Wright for reference) no matter what.
Soapbox dismounted with full double back flip scoring 6 from the Russians (must have been impressive).  I am now sitting on this Sunday afternoon in the conservatory with iTunes on shuffle and the cat (he has adopted us) sitting next to me.
What a weekend.  Not only did the trip to buy the all important post operative underwear went better than expected but had the opportunity to play with my nephew on the wii and watch the grand prix (what were you doing Webber next time drive like you are an A380 so that Vettle can not pass you on the first turn and Button remember you can overtake a Ferrari when there is downshift problem just have the nerve you had in Brazil last year), sorry Murray Walker just took over there or something.
Finally I settled down to the listen to the chocolate voice of Mr Richard Armitage in the final part of Clarissa, as Valmont before him he stuck the rapier in deeper than it need to!!!  As much as it was a wonderful adaptation I have to that Sean Bean just edged it as Robert Lovelace, but I think that is because I could see the wonderful costumes.  They do say that radio has the best pictures but sometimes it can be a little difficult.
As with all things during this time I have set myself some small highlights and objectives my first one will be this week.  I will be attending my first Toastmasters meeting since the operation, I have a fellow member picking me up and will bring me home when it is all over.  I am really looking forward to seeing a room full of people and even getting the opportunity to see if I can still give a 2-3 minute speech.  To some this sounds like torture but believe me when you have taught the butterflies to fly in formation it gets easier (not easy but easier).
Please do follow the links on the left to some of my favourite blogs, websites (for more information) and have a go at the vote it is after all only for fun.

Shopping

Today I have had yet another shopping trip.  This time to WomanZone the mastectomy underwear specialists.  Took a friend with me who also benefited from their expertise.  Very friendly and very relaxing, a must for anyone, not just post operative underwear.  I have added their link to left for more information.
Race for Life
I have just seen on Facebook that my friends from work are taking part in the Chester 5K on Sunday 13th June.  If you want to sponsor Team Laura then please visit http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/teamlaura and please remember it is going to a good cause for research in Breast Cancer.

Good Friday

Well this is turning into a period of surprises.  My husband has gone to the lengths of baking today.  Not quiet to recipe but we will have to see what it tastes like.  In the meantime I have been sitting watching Sound of Music, I know it is cheesy but it is Easter after all.  Still suffering from heartburn of the major kind and now living on Rennie.

Inside the Actors Studio

I love films, costume dramas, theatre anything like that and so when I found the programme Inside the Actors Studio running on Sky Arts 1 it was an opportunity to see an interview with an actor.  The episode I watched had Forest Whitaker - he was amazing.  The best bit is when James Lipton goes though the questions at the end with the star in question, they were devised by a French TV producer? Bernard Pivot, after the Proust Questionnaire.  Here are my answers.

1. What is my favourite word?
   Love
2. What is your least favourite word?
   Pain
3. What turns me on?
   Poetry and literature
4. What turns me off?
   Manual work
5. What sound or noise I love?
   Water running/waves crashing
6. What sound or noise I hate?
   Industrial noises/emergency sirens
7. What is my favourite curse word?
   F*** with any addition depending on the situation
8. What profession other than your own would I like to attempt?
   Actor/teacher
9. What profession would I not like to do?
   Lawyer
10. If Heaven exists, what would I like to hear God say when I arrive at the Pearly Gates?
    Thanks for being there I could not have done it without you.

Now getting to grips with being off work, but miss regular contact with people.  Just relaxing before my nephew comes up for the Easter weekend.  Eggs and fun for all.

First Treatment Update

Well that was a different weekend.  I have had better, but with hangovers I have had worse.  That is not to say that I have not had any ill effects from the Chemo.  I have had really bad heartburn which I did not know if I could treat whilst on the cocktail of anti sickness drugs.  One of the anti sickness drugs was a steroid and made me so jumpy I was more like a cat on a hot tin roof.  To help I stayed above stairs and left my saintly husband (those who know him don’t say I said that) to look after the running of the house.

He made sure I was supplied with food and drink and told me off when I was a bad patient and did not take my tablets.

I went to see the MacMillan nurse at the hospital on Tuesday and she gave a quick check up.  The scar is looking good and she even commented that I looked great even after going through the Chemo only on the Friday.  Went in to town on a little shopping trip and bumped into yet another ex-work colleague.  We passed the time of day caught on up on work stuff and went our separate ways, still it is always nice to know that you are remembered.

I have finally caught up on the third part of Clarissa on BBC Radio 4 with the divine Richard Armitage playing the libertine Lovelace.  I have also caught up on Flash forward, not that I am any wiser from when we left it last year, but to see Joseph Fiennes and Jack Davenport seemed to be enough.

I will admit that I am getting a little forgetful in my daily routine, but there again it is the Easter break and normal service will resume after the Bank Holiday weekend this weekend.

Some Administration has to be entered into before I sign off.  Prays go to my late father-in-law who would have been celebrating his birthday today, god bless him.  Big hugs my cousin and her husband for the new addition to the Latimer family little Eva, welcome to the world.  To my Pops and my Uncle happy birthday both, enjoy a drink with friends.  To any one I have forgotten in the Birthdays and announcements I apologise and will try to remember next time.