Slacking off

My conscience is beginning to prick cos I've not been keeping up with the blogging. Slippery slope if I'm not careful – don't want to lose the habit so early on in my on-line diary writing career. Haven't even been busy enough to warrant overlooking blogger duty, just failing to schedule typing time in before socialising.

Hilary had stayed the night here Thursday, so we spent Friday morning drinking incredibly strong coffee and talking men yet again (such a draining subject). In amongst it all I shed a wee tear for Graham, but was otherwise surprisingly self-contained, and calm about the whole thing. Eventually Hilary had to make a move, ready for the 8-hour drive back to Wales. A shitty, grey, rainy day, so not the best for travelling, but equally, not much cop for anything else. The rest of my day was equally dull, most of it being spent here at home trying to finish the Market Analysis piece of homework for Susannah – so time consuming, and boring. Can see how useful that kind of research can be, but was so fed up at the end. Such a relief to be able to email it off/get rid of it, and estimated that I had just enough time to go for a quick swim before having to be down at the Acorn.

Dug out a swimming cap to minimise the potential hair dye leach-factor, and churned my way up and down for a paltry 54 laps before running out of time. Chose the private shower cubicle afterwards to wash my hair in, as hadn't wanted everyone to see the colour bleed – but all the red run-off flowed out under the door instead of going down the drain, anyway.

Eddie and Beth were working the bar, with me as the volunteer helper at interval. Met the kids down there and we all squidged together on the balcony steps cos the place was packed out, with no spare seats anywhere. Cracking good show (The Time Machine)– haven't enjoyed seeing a play like that for ages. Wasn't highbrow, or particularly innovative or anything, just fun.

The kids trotted off to Terry's afterwards, Rosie went to her mate Amy's, and I, at a loose end, hung around the bar. Still feeling terribly uncomfortable and awkward around Beth, so struck up a bit of a conversation to try and break the ice. Said that I was thinking of heading to a pub, preferably with a pool table in it, as I fancied a game. Initially offered the challenge up to Eddie, but then suggested Beth and Emma join us for a mini-staff tournament. Turned out to be a cracking good idea. Had a right laugh, and felt far more relaxed about everything. Also managed to get incredibly hammered – hence the loud silence vis-a-vis my blog.

Treated myself to a lie-in on Saturday. Wished I'd stayed asleep for longer, but was still nice to just lie there, immobile. Did eventually sort out a cup of tea and crumpets, which I ate in bed, whilst glancing through the Big hair book Wendy had lent me to help with my features homework.

Reluctantly got up, and made my way into town to try and talk 'colour' with some hairdressers. Fortuitously bumped into little Sam in a shop along the way, who reminded me about her embarrassing pink hair/grandmother's funeral episode. A brilliant angle for my article I thought. Had a brief look for a pair of chords while I was there, as have had no luck so far in trying to get hold of a pair. Also tried on some outrageous hooker shoes with ankle-breaking platforms, and killer heels – just for the hell of it.

At that point, I received an hilarious text from Heidi saying that they'd not yet left for their skiing holiday, as they'd turned up at Newquay airport a day too early! Pillock. Can't believe she managed to do that, but as I said to her, better that than being a day too late. Spoke to Gary Stuart briefly, and Tom, one of his stylists, but hadn't really formulated any proper questions, so didn't manage to get very much in the way of useful material. Annoying really – should've done some better prep. Popped into another hairdressers at the top of Causeway Head to speak to another salon owner, and ended up being insulted by this hideous man, who was a friend of hers I presume, but who was thoroughly rude and out of order. Totally obnoxious. When I tried to ask the woman about colouring hair, he butted in with a

'...well your hair's fucking horrible. You look like a fucking raspberry, or a stick of rhubarb or something. You look bloody ridiculous....'

And words along those lines. I was so shocked, it was unbelievable, laughed it off (had to) but wish I'd had the wherewithal to cut him back down to size. Such a prick – made me shudder to think what his (ex)wife used to have to put up with. Couldn't concentrate on the interview side of things at all, so again, really didn't come up with any usable material. Told Eddie and Rosie about it when I got home, I was so taken a-back by the whole thing.

As promised, took Eddie to Porthleven for a surf. Dragged Rosie along for the ride, intending to drop her off at Praa sands on the way, but the tide was too far in, and the sea was heaving with surfers – never seen it so busy. Even more crowded than in the middle of summer?! So we went for a mother/daughter walk around the harbour and beyond instead. Picked up another present for Chloe, as I seem to have misplaced the Oxfam calendar I'd previously bought her. A much nicer present anyway, suitable for the occasion of having turned thirty – a funky, yet sweet, orange bead necklace. We went and stood on the pier, and watched the bodyboarders riding right up close to the harbour wall. Massive waves – quite exhilarating just spectating even. Rosie regretting she'd not brought a camera, as some amazing photo opportunities there.

Later, somehow, I managed to say the wrong thing, and upset Rosie big time. Felt terrible, as she (wrongly) believed that I'd called her ugly – that Lucy was the stunner, and she'd have to settle for the brains and personality. But I hadn't meant it that way at all. Really awful, as she stormed off in a huff, and no amount of apologising would convince her that a) I was genuinely sorry and b) that in no way did I consider her to be ugly – quite the opposite, as I actually believe her to be incredibly beautiful. Painful couple of hours though, before she kind of semi-forgave me.

Back in Penzance, I managed to get myself in a right pickle through responding to an ad on freecycle offering up a freebie car. I knew that I didn't actually need a car, but thought it might come in useful as a 'spare', either for me, or a needy friend in the future. Hadn't expected to get a reply, but I was the one they'd selected as the new owner of their no longer wanted vehicle. Nothing special, a small and old, but relatively sweet Renault 5. Runs out of MOT next week, but still with tax until July. Felt like a complete and utter fraud, but ended up saying that I'd take it. Although free, that meant going home to get £50 payment in lieu of the car tax refund, before signing any papers and the handing over of keys, registration documents etc. But when I got home, I completely freaked – stressing over why I'd just agreed to have a car that I was now stuck as to what to do with? Ummed and ahhed, as to who I could ring for advice/help and ended up ringing Graham. Very strange conversation, with him being cut-off part way through, but as he was at Tescos at the time, and was planning on calling round to give me some of the money he owes me, he came over in person.

Upshot of that was him saying, yes, I should get the car, and 'yes' I could keep it up at his place. All totally surreal, so I did get the car, and will be driving it over to his on Weds. (to be cont...)