Last Post

Of the day!

Quick update:

Sister graduated - yay! Had job interview today and has a second interview tomorrow - more yay!

I saw Michael McIntyre live on Friday night (you tube him - you won't be disappointed. I am being lazy so will put up the link over the weekend!). He was amazing. So funny and such good clean humour! Love it!

And last but not least - New York in 2 weeks! Woooooo!! *does Chandler-esque dance*

Sorry for the bombardment of posts!

It's Party Time!

I have been so busy with stuff. Not even good stuff. Just random stuff. It all kicked off with RL. She wants me to tell A about how I felt because it's affecting her relationship with A. WTF?! Why does how I felt affect your relationship?! That's fucking stupid! So she tried to get me to tell him but I didn't want to. What does she think it'll achieve? Stupid stupid girl with her holier than thou fucking halo (which isn't so fucking holy!)

But that's rubbish. I went to a Venetian Masked Ball on Saturday night - at the Hilton hotel (very classy!). My work had their annual award ceremony/Christmas party so I went. It was all very fancy. I was thoroughly impressed with the decor (photos attached at the bottom!). I wore a saree that was a similar colour to my mask (courtesy of my trip to Las Vegas) and managed to get a few compliments. I would post a picture of me with the mask - but I think it still shows too much!

Upon entrance, we were treated to a champagne reception followed by the award ceremony which was touching considering the year that my employer has had. Then a very wonderful three course meal. And then we had entertainment in the form of an Opera Quartet (who were amazing!).

It was all very cool and my words won't do it justice so here goes!

The cool masks on the wall!

The cool fireworks that came out of the candelabra - picture a whole room lit up with these!

A selection of our table masks - guess which is mine?

No Time!

I am not cut out for my new job! Seriously. I have no time to keep an update on what's happening in the blogging world and what some of my regular bloggers have been up to. I have spent the last 2 hours trying to catch up and still I'm not done!

Anyways - I updated my blog roll! So many blogs, so little time!

If you're not on there - please don't be offended. It's a work in process!

Lamest Post Ever

I was (hoping) thinking I’d got missed out in the “I’ve never” tagging (all together now: Awwww). However, Gutter (bless her heart) apparently wants me to join in. Thinking about it – I don’t really have a list of normal “I’ve never”s. Here goes though:

I’ve never:

• Told a guy I've had feelings for him (outside of a relationship that is).
• Been so stumped as to what to write in a blog post as I am now!
• Told RL that I think she's the most annoying person I know (right now that is).
• Taken any drugs (unless you’re including alcohol in which case this statement doesn’t really apply!).

OK – this is far too lame!

• I've never written such a lame ass post (IMHO)!

Being Above Average

That's right, I'm above average. I'm modest enough to accept it. I mean, it's hard enough right, being above average let alone not having the ability to take it gracefully!

Well, I am above average according to this. Clearly they didn't question me because if they had, I would have been maybe one of few anomalies. Because I am a cry baby. Seriously. I cry at everything. Well, maybe not everything but most things. For example (and not short of putting myself out there to a barrage of ridicule from you guys); I cry at One Tree Hill, most Tamil films, some English films, every Disney film, when Appa or Amma shout at me, when my siblings shout at me, when my siblings fight with each other and it has nothing to do with me(!), when I bang my knee on the table leg – OK, not quite but you get what I mean?

But yesterday I was just couldn’t help myself. And I had good reason too. It started off with my normal journey to work where I picked up a free paper and the front page was regarding this story. I couldn't help myself. I actually welled up on the train - in front of other people! How can people find it within themselves to do this kind of thing?! And how in the world does a country that is supposedly developed allow this kind of thing to happen?! I was so upset that I had a few concerned looks but managed to compose myself without making too much of an idiot out of myself.

If that wasn't enough, I watched this last night. WTF?! Seriously, it was some disturbing viewing for the sheer fact that these poor children had been (and continue being so) ostracised and mistreated. I was literally sitting there with those silent tears (you know those ones I'm such a big fan of!).

What is wrong with the world?!

You Gotta Love Monday Mornings.....

A slightly different variation on Gutter’s episode of Monday mornings.

So I walked into my local shop by the tube station today. I would try and type this in Thanglish but it wouldn’t do it justice!

Cute – ish guy who works in the shop (CGWWITS): Are you from SL? (In English)

Me: Yes. (In English)

CGWWITS: Tamil ah? (In Tamil now)

Me: Yes I’m Tamil. (In English)

CGWWITS: Are you working or studying? (Brownie points for thinking I still look young enough to be studying! – In Tamil)

Me: Yes I am.

CGWWITS: Oh. Whereabouts? (Still in Tamil)

Me: Mentions a vague area of London.

CGWWITS: Oh, ok. So what’s your name? (In Tamil still)

Me: Thank you, bye… *pays for goods and literally legs it out of the shop* (Definitely in English!)

Cuba 2007 - Apologies for the length!

This time last year I was 4 weeks away from a very meticulously planned trip to Cuba. Obviously I didn't blog then but I'm feeling reflective so here it is in hindsight.

Around May 2007, a few of us decided that we wanted to go on holiday. So many destinations were thrown around the cauldron and I honestly don't know how or why Cuba was chosen but it was. And guess who got lumbered with trying to organise everything - yep, good ol' dependable Scrumps. I don't know what you guys are like but I am one of these travellers that read reviews of hotels, things to do, buy the guide book, see which time of year is the best to go amongst many other things. I try to plan so that I get the most out of my holiday because I never know if I will visit that place ever again. We settled on visiting three different places in Cuba and by some miraculous tour company managed to find a great deal which included all our hotels, flights and internal transfers. I was pleased to say the least.

So who came? Myself, A, RL, SS (RL's then bf) and G ( a girl who I didn't know all that well but RL did. I'd say we are an eclectic mix who probably only had a few things in common but off we went.

Our first point of call was Santiago de Cuba on the Eastern coast of Cuba. What struck me the most was how much it reminded me of SL. The simple life. People sitting in doorways and just hanging out. The simplicity of it all. The hotel wasn't great. But apparently by Cuba's standards, it was top notch. But we're not the type to complain - we make do with what we have. The only great thing about it was it's rooftop terrace. The night of A's birthday, A, G and I went up there with our bottle of rum and cans of coke and stargazed whilst listening to ColdPlay. Shooting stars do exist!

One of the many old cars that graced the "roads" of Cuba!

Santiago is surrounded by hills - hence most things are an uphill walk and needless to say we struggled!

Random guy sitting in his doorway - looks much better in B&W!

We were in SdC for 4 days (a day too long if you ask me) and we managed to fit in a baseball game, a tour around the place, visit the Bacardi home, stargaze and get stopped by the local police who had confused us with the locals! The only thing that was disappointing was the lack of basic food like potatoes and vegetables. The main dish here was rice with beans and pork. It really wasn't that appetising so if you visit here - take some packet food with you! Luckily, on the last day we found a 4 star hotel that served pizza and garlic bread and had cheese.... absolutely lush!

Following SdC, we were transferred to Varadero. An all inclusive resort set on the white sandy beach. Arriving at 2:00 in the morning didn't do anything for our tired moods as we tried to find our hotel rooms for 45 minutes! As morning approached, how grateful were we to find that we could have burgers for breakfast?! And that it was all topped off with a nice swim in the pool and then a walk to the beach... Varadero was awesome! We arranged a few excursions. The first afternoon was a sky dive. I honestly don't know why I agreed to this but I am so glad that I did. To jump out of a plane at 10000ft with a random guy (RG) strapped to your back whilst looking over a clear blue ocean and knowing that you're going to land on find white sand - there is absolutely nothing like it! And inevitable I was the first one out. There was no prepping - just a quick convo between me and the RG about how he would throw me out of the plane when he had finished counting to 3. Honestly - an amazing adrenaline rush. I remember once the parachute had opened, the calmness of being in the air. That floating down as I had a conversation with my RG about where he was from despite the language barrier.

We also managed to arranged a discovery jeep tour which allowed us to do 4x4 driving and the driving of a speedboat. Listening to Return of the Mack (you gotta love Mark Morrison!) and watching the scenery go past. I would post the video but it's too embarrassing for words! We rode horses, held baby alligators and snakes, rode a bull and were scared by dogs. Us with nature at it's very best!

Our last excursion was a catamaran cruise to a small island off of the mainland. This allowed us to go snorkeling in the ocean as well as a swim with dolphins. Again, I can't tell you how awesome this was.

I think I've probably bored you all to death but I'm going to leave our last point of call for my next post!

Anonymity

A lot of the blogs I read are blogged under an alias. I get why they do it. Probably for some of the same reasons as I do. You get to write what you want without having to worry about the repercussions so much - you have a masked identity to hide behind. Which is why I haven't told any of my friends I have a blog. And the few that do know I have one don't know where it is (despite the incessant badgering!). So below is an email between A and I. This is how we waste away our hours at work! I just wanted to share at the effort of trying to find out where the blog is! It's slightly long but start at the bottom and work your way up!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:28
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

A – Do you know how many blogs are on each hosting site?! Even if I told you which one, you’d still have read through a fair few hundred thousand.
So give it up.
I’m going home soon. Krispy Kreme donuts were good!

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:25
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Which one??? Dnt make me read all of them!!!!!

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:24
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Yep.

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:17
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

So you are with one of these?

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:15
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

You can set up blogs on a blog hosting site. The only two I know of are Wordpress (www.wordpress.com) and Blogger (www.blogger.com). Both are easy to use but I am sure that there are other hosting sites out there.

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:13
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

When can I read it?
Where can I set up blogs?

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:11
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Dude – I hardly misrepresent you. If anything – you probably get a lot more credit on there then I will ever give you personally!
Like you’ll know if I even use it!

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 15:10
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Yeah u can use it…but only if I can read it…
U understand I dnt want to be misrepresented dnt you???

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:59
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Will you let me read it?
Lol – too cool for school you are!
Go do some work. But do I have your permission to use snippets of this email on the blog? Obviously, I’ll maintain the anonymity thing.

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:56
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

No I just want to blog man….its seems like the in thing to do these days…
Yeah im gonna get a writer name…t-dogg or JB maybe???

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:52
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

To make friends?
What will you blog about? Anonymously?
I love you! You’re too cute!

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:51
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Ok I want a blog too now!!!!!!!

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:49
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

I guess so.
I guess a few (like 2) are friends now. And by friends – I mean, we email regularly and that’s it.

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:45
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

So you made a friend through blogging??

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:43
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

I don’t really have blogging mates. I have a “readership”! :-P
And why would they hate you? What do you think I blog about you?!
And one does text me. But that’s it.
Lol – get a blog! I think soon enough I’ll be ready to let you read it!

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:40
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Really?? Do all your blogging mates hate me then???
And they text you??? seriously??? How serious is this??
I want a blog too!!!!!

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:37
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

If only you knew!
You’ve featured on it a few times. So much so, that someone who reads it text me saying “have fun at the cinema with *insert your alias here*.

From: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:36
To: Scrumpy
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Hmmmm well I am glad you are proud innit…
Blog that too

From: Scrumpy
Sent: 07 November 2008 14:33
To: A [mailto:A@work.co.uk]
Subject: RE: Tomorrow night...

Awww! Fatty! Bless you! At least you can sleep all weekend.
No, you smash it bares. And I am proud of you.

Flattery...

There's something about being beeped at by a 55 year old bus driver that just doesn't do anything for your ego!

Priorities

What was supposed to be a coffee after work with B to sort out her issues turned into a night of wine fuelled heart to heart. She explained her side of the story. One example of where I did do the wrong thing blown out of proportion, and fanning her insecurities and paranoia. But I listened, apologised and said that I would try to sort it out. I guess we'll have to see how things go...

But like I said - it was completely wine fuelled and thus, completely honest. I wasn't out too late but am actually surprised that I managed to find my way home. I think there was a lot of swaying and a lot of physically keeping my eyes open. Getting off the tube, I tried to find my ticket and fiddled with it for about 5 minutes trying to get it in the barrier. I vaguely remember the look of disdain on my siblings' faces as I got into the car...

At home, I have some recollection of Amma towering over me as I tried to fall asleep in the landing. She didn't look amused! I don't think I will ever live this down!

RL and me also had a bit of a "put it all out there" last night. She is not impressed with me. Maybe I have been a bit of a lame friend recently. But her issue is with me and A. I know she introduced us and maybe I should do more to include her but it does slip my mind sometimes and I am going to consciously do something about that.

I don't think what some of my "friends" realise is that my family will always come before them. If that means having to give up my social life and not returning calls as frequent as I should - then so be it.