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Foolish · Vanity
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The idea for Manchester Gothic Lifestyles was formed in the most unlikely of places that being Las Iguanas in the Trafford Centre. The founder members, Psyche and Laconizein, were sittingt enjoying jugs of Pimms and Sangria (they happened to be half price so a lot was being consumed). They were both bemoaning the fact that although there were Goth groups in Manchester, the focus always tended to be on drinking in rock pubs and clubbing at Jillys Rockworld They believed that there is much more to be celebrated about the gothic lifestyle in Manchester than this. As the drink carried on flowing, it was decided to found a group that catered for Manchester people of the gothic persuasion who wanted to do more than go clubbing and stick to the floor in grungy pubs. The name Manchester Gothic Lifestyles was decided around the 2nd jug of sangria… As Psyche and Laconizein each did not want to take on the group organiser role themselves, as they believed the group should be by the people for the people rather than having a “head”, it was decided to form a tongue in cheek shadowy organisation to run the group on their behalf. The rather pretentiously named “Stygian Cabal” was born and this organisation is directly answerable to all assistant organisers (it is made up of them) and all the group's members. Manchester Gothic Lifestyles popped into existence at around midnight that night with Laconizein typing away in a drunken haze. One hangover and a Saturday later flyers were designed and artwork was designed by the group’s resident artist. Two more assistant organisers were also brought on board that day those being Tara and Sweetcyanide. The rest is history The Stygian Cabal hopes you enjoy the site as much as we did creating it (anybody got some of that Resolve stuff for the morning after the night before ???) To join Manchester Gothic Lifestyles click here
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 accomplished |
Current Music: |
Specimen- Dead Man's Autochop | |
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This Bank Holiday Weekend has been a contrast to the last one, when I was very busy socially. It was my turn to look after the kids this weekend. Nigel was working on Saturday. The kids and I had a quiet day. Nigel and I are both off work for the next few days. Yesterday was by far the best day of the weekend. We went to Castleton and I persuaded the kids to walk up Mam Tor. We'd managed to work out a 5 mile route, which meant Max walked a mile for each year of his life. Both he and Zoe did brilliantly. Zoe was complaining about her legs hurting on the ascent, but carried on, whilst Max was running on ahead. I was really proud of them both when we got to the top, as they've now climbed their first proper Peak District peak. Max climbed the trig point and looked really chuffed with himself. We'll definitely be taking them out hiking again. We had a chippy tea in Castleton before setting off home. Despite not getting home until after the kids' bed times last night, they were still up early this morning. We've had another quiet day today, but we're going to Gulliver's World tomorrow.
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 tired | |
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Yesterday was that time in my life which dictated I run through the streets of Manchester in a lime green tutu. It was in a good cause. 3 workmates and I were running to on behalf of a friend and colleague who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. We are raising money for a chemotherapy chair for Trafford General Hospital. Chemotherapy must be crap at the best of times, let alone without a chair that can be adjusted for comfort, so we're hoping we can make a real difference for the patients. Amanda has done the 10K before, so set off with the green wave. Kay, Maggie and I were in the pink wave. As we were near the front of our group, we kind of got pushed along a bit. Up until race day, I hadn't decided if I was actually going to run or just walk briskly around the course. I ended up doing half and half, i.e. running a few hundred metres, then slowing down for a few hundred metres. I was a little worried about my left calf, which had been bothering me most of last week and the knock on effect it was having on my hip, so was wary of overdoing things, given my total lack of experience with road races. My training at the gym has been sporadic at best and I hadn't had chance to go for 3 weeks before the race due to other committments. Even so, I finished the course in 1 hour 16 minutes, below the target time of 1 hour 30 minutes I'd set myself. I want to do it again next year! In fact I want to get out running again as soon as my legs recover. I'm rather sore today. The highlights of the race were the start- the adrenaline kicked in very quickly-, seeing my parents twice along the way, running like a maniac down Chester Road with Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" blaring out of the roadside speakers (*blush*), Nigel shouting "I love you!" as I ran past and of course, the finish line. It was an amazing day and one I'll have happy memories of for a very long time. So far we- Marie Green's Green Goddesses- have raised £1600, so will be able to buy one chemotherapy chair. The owner of the Blue Raj in Urmston has offered us use of his restaurant for an evening and has said he will provide the food free of charge, let us sell tickets for the evening and keep the money we make for our cause. We'll be having a celebration night there some time in June, hopefully, along with another raffle. We made £500 last week by raffling a booze hamper and running a tombola in the staff restaurant. I've been absolutely amazed by the response we've had, all the lovely people who've sponsored us, wished us well and cheered us on along the way.
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 happy | |
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My days of being a single mum are at last over. I salute single parents everywhere. Contrary to the popular stereotype, we're not all ill educated, amoral scroungers, having kids on purpose to get a council flat. Being a single parent is bloody hard work. I've learned a lot over the past few years, not least who I can trust and who my true friends are. People who have made an effort to come and visit me at home, knowing full well I couldn't leave the house after 7 p.m. most evenings, let alone not having my own transport. People who've had the courtesy to invite me out, even if I've had to decline the invitation, rather than just assuming Cinderella can't go to the ball. People who actively ask me when I'm available because they really do want me in on the fun. Thanks to all of you. You know who you are. :-) I've learned to cope better with being stuck in the house in the evening. The first year or so was the worst. It drove me up the wall, especially in the winter months when I couldn't even go out in the garden, let alone go to the shop for a pint of milk if I'd run out. I have always struggled with being on my own. I've never had a home all to myself- there have always been other adults around- so I had to learn to cope with feeling lonely when the kids had gone to bed. It was particularly difficult if I was feeling down, which I'll admit happened a lot during the first 19 months or so, due to constantly worrying about the kids, the finances and sleep deprivation. I'm really impressed with how I've budgeted, especially when I was having to pay legal fees. The kids have always been adequately fed and clothed and I even managed to take them on holiday every year and treat them to the occasional family outing. We've had lots of walks, picnics and other cheap days out. So what of the future? Believe it or not, I've become quite used to being in the house in the evening and it no longer feels so bad. It's good to know I do have the freedom to pop out to the shops when Nigel's in, although I suspect he'll have to boot me out of the house to do so, as I'm still not used to having the opportunity. The kids are thrilled that Nigel's living with us and have a really good relationship with him. They seem to feel more secure with him here. He's gaining in confidence as a stepfather. We have similar views on parenting, so our approach is consistent and we make a good team.
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 thoughtful | |
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I'm getting used to my engagement ring now. It really is gorgeous. Nigel and I commissioned it from Orb, because I'm such a picky beggar. I'm really impressed with the jeweller and will more than likely be commissioning the wedding rings from him. I reckon Nigel will want something celtic or mediaeval, whilst I'll be going with art deco. We're looking at 24th September 2010 for the ceremony.It's going to be immediate family only. We've provisionally booked Mere Hall and are waiting for further info from a couple of local restaurants for the recpetion. Once we've booked the venue, we shan't have much to do other than save up, then plan in earnest next year. One thing that's on my mind is what to wear. I hate traditional wedding dresses. I have a few ideas going round in my head:
Floaty, wide leg silk chiffon trousers with matching overbust corset.
1930's dress.
Flapper dress. I've had a look at Ages of Elegance for the flapper dress,which is my favourite idea, but their prices for custom pieces are stupendously expensive- £1K starting price. I have a definite design in mind, if I can just find somebody competent to make it at a reasonable price. I do know one person I could ask, who I know would do a fabulous job, but she's in the States. I'm not sure if having a wedding dress made by someone that far away is a good idea, as it would be difficult to check progress. I guess I will just have to work something out.
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thoughtful | |
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Ara was fun, but I felt a bit bad the next day for not socialising as much as I could have done. I was still feeling rough from last week's viral infection, therefore wound up sitting down for a large part of the night and getting stuck in a corner. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to be bothered, but managed to drag myself out in the end. Getting ready was such an effort and I didn't feel very confident. Post viral depression, I think. Hopefully next month will be much better. In fact, I've a sneaky feeling I'll be feeling on top of the world. Nigel and I had a fairly quiet day yesterday. We had lunch in the pub near Adam's, then went to B&Q to choose paint and wallpaper. We're planning to decorate the bedroom when the kids go away at Easter. There was an entertaining programme about Goth on Radio 2. When I was a baby goth and was trying to grow my hair, I had it in a layered bob, which I crimped and backcombed a la Siouxsie Sioux. With make up, I did get people telling me I bore a superficial resemblence. As you know, I've got the flapper thing going on at the minute. Anyway, Sioux comes on last night and starts going on about how her look was based on silent movie stars, in particular Louise Brooks. D'oh! We've been to Clitheroe today to visit Nigel's dad and stepmum. We had the tour of their new house, which is utterly fantastic and would fit at least 2 of my house inside. We went for a walk along the river to Waddington for a pub lunch. Nigel is feeling ill again. His throat hasn't recovered from the viral infection.He's gone to bed early and said he might have to ring in sick tomorrow. Max still has a sore throat and is a little off his food. Zoe has something weird going on with her ear, which seems to have become infected on the outside. I've put loads of antisptic on her, so hopefully it'll clear up soon. I have to go to work tomorrow to present some data at the Pathology Annual Management Review. After that, I'm off until 10th March. Nigel has a few days off, too.
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 okay | |
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That was not quite the week off work I'd hoped for. I've been stuck in the house more than I wanted to be, caring for Zoe and Nigel, who have both been unwell and cleaning in preparation for Nigel moving some off his stuff over here. He's officially moving in June when his lease runs out, but since Adam was moving house, he took him up on the offer of using the van. The kids and I did manage to get to the cinema on Monday. I nodded off during the film (Beverley Hills Chihuahua), which was no great loss. Tuesday's outing to the Museum of Science and Industry was a disappointment, as Max was too young to be allowed into the planetarium. One of the main reasons we were going was to see the night sky show. The visit was curtailed when Zoe complained of feeling unwell. She was violently sick on the bus home. Yikes! Marcus was round on Tuesday evening to see the kids, so Nigel and I went out for a bit. Wednesday was spent confined to the house to let Zoe recover. I did escape to go food shopping, leaving Nigel in charge. The kids hadn't tied him up or anything whilst I was out, so I think it went well. Thursday was a better day. We took the kids to Bolton Museum, where there's an aquarium and some interesting Egyptian artefacts. Unfortunately, Nigel was feeling godawful by then. I didn't sleep well on Thursday night, as he was snoring loudly. Yesterday was spent cleaning in preparation for the move. The kids were very well behaved which helped. We had Adam, Becky and Alex round for dinner and a break from moving stuff. Today Max is unwell. I had hoped to go out, but he wasn't keen on he idea of going shopping for his dad's birthday present. I can't say I blame him. The Tacky Centre on a Saturday afternoon is enough to make anyone feel ill. I eventually managed to get him to go to my mum's for a bit, as I was desperate for a change of scene. He went to bed when we got home and didn't want any dinner. I hope he won't be up too early tomorrow. Nigel is working tomorrow and I don't think I'll survive another day stuck in here if I'm sleep deprived. I just hope he's well enough to go to school on Monday, as I'd like a few hours to myself. I've been feeling very isolated today. I'm also beginning to feel unwell, which is a pain, as there is no cold and flu medicine of any kind left in the house. I had give Becky Calpol 6+ yesterday when she asked for paracetomol. Things are at least looking up. I will hopefully have a day to myself on Monday. I'm also taking Tuesday and Friday off work, as I'm owed several hours. I'm going out for tapas at Grill Ados on Tuesday evening with Adam and Becky. Next weekend it's Ara and a visit to Nigel's dad's new house in Clitheroe.
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Zoe (grumbling): Why does it have to be dark? I'm sick of the dark. Me(irritably- it's been a long afternoon): I can't help it if it gets dark at night. What do you expect me to do about it? Zoe: Marry God.
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amused | |
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Life is pretty good at the moment. Nigel and I are off to Whitby next week, as he managed to get a shift swap for Saturday. His leave request for our weekend away in December has also been granted and it's paid leave now that he's a permanent member of staff. He has been spending a bit more time round here and has started moving clothes and other useful items over. He's moving in properly when his lease comes to an end in June. We had rather hoped he would move in last June, but lack of a secure job prevented him from doing so. Work seems to be going well. I've finished a large number of projects and am actually ahead of myself on others. I actually had to nab a couple of audits off a colleague today, as I ran out of work to do. The only negative thing that's happened is Kim being involved in a hit and run. She's in MRI at the moment with a broken leg and shoulder. I really wish I could get there before Saturday, but work and childcare committments prevent it. I rang the florist opposite the hospital and had a bouquet sent over from me, Nigel and the kids, so at least she will know we're thinking of her. Nigel has a day off tomorrow, so has said he will call in and see her. I hope the courts throw the book at the driver who injured Kim. By all accounts he/she was speeding and knocked Kim down on the crossing. I'm furious that they could just drive off and leave her there.
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 enraged | |
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Nigel's been taken on permanently by the Co-op. He's been doing tech support for them as a contractor for the past few months. My sis is law is expecting baby number 2. I've got my nephew's christening and first birthday party to look forward to on Sunday. |
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The kids and I had a quiet day at home. None of us felt particularly inclined to venture out. Nigel managed to get over here for a few hours after work, but had to go home, as he's on a 6 a.m. start tomorrow- just about walking distance from his house but not mine, worse luck. He's staying over on Tuesday, as he's off work on Wednesday and we have the whole of next weekend to look forward to. His manager has been asking about preferred shift patterns and he explained that earlies are difficult, due to lack of public transport at that time in the morning. Apparently most of his colleagues want earlies or lates, so hopefully he will get the 9.30 - 5.30 shifts. I'm hoping tomorrow's weather will be better. My parents and I are planning to take the kids to Gulliver's World. I want to be an honorary kid for the day, go on all the rides and scoff candy floss. Here's hoping...
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hopeful | |
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I had a really good morning. I dropped the kids off at school, went shopping unecumbered by small people demanding sweets and toys, then came home and did a spot of cleaning at Mayhem Manor. It's amazing how much I can get done in an hour without distractions. I had to pick Max up at 1 p.m. He is quietly playing with his lego in the front room. During the shopping trip, it suddenly occured to me how much free time I'm gaining. Max starts on full days next Monday, which will give me 6 whole hours to myself. Of course some of that will be spent doing mundane tasks like shopping and cleaning, but I'll also have time to go to the gym, walking on the meadows, meet friends for lunch in town or go to the cinema. If anyone fancies meeting up for food and a natter, let me know. Most Mondays are good, unless it's school holidays. The kids will be at ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) mmmarcus's this weekend. I'll be having a quiet Friday evening, but am going to Bella Roma for lunch on Saturday and to the pub on Sunday afternoon. If anyone else fancies joining us for the meal, we're meeting at 1 p.m. outside the restaurant.
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cheerful | |
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I'm feeling mildly depressed, owing to the weather- and feeling under it with headache and sore throat- and the fact that Nigel has to work all weekend on awkward shifts. He did come over yesterday afternoon, stayed the night and has now gone to work. He is due in at stupid o'clock tomorrow morning and most of next week, so will have to go home after his shift today. Luckily he has a day off on Tuesday, so will be spending Monday night here. I'm taking the kids to Flixton carnival in a bit. Hopefully getting out of the house will cheer me up. We'll probably go swimming tomorrow, so that's the morning taken care of. Edit: 7/9/08- Can't go swimming, as I can't find my bikini bottoms. Gah!
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lethargic | |
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I honestly was very extemely impressed by Lauren Child's exhibition at Manchester City art Gallery. Charlie and Lola are my favourite and my best! Greendrops and Moonsquirters |
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I seem to have really got into the swing of this exercise thing and am really enjoying it. I wish I could go more often. I'm only managing a couple of times a week at the moment, due to school holiday childcare commitments. However, I'm having a child free fortnight from 3rd onwards, so will go swimming or to the gym every day. I've been doing a few strengthening exercises at home, when I have the time. I've not lost much in the way of weight- motodraconis did warn me I might actaully put weight on as a result turning fat into muscle- but have lost an inch and a half from my waist, an inch from my hips and an inch or so around my ribs. Not bad for four weeks. I feel more energised and the results are tangible in other ways. I managed to fit (unselfconsciously) into my satin wiggle dress again when I went to see Fields of the Nephilim the other week. I've a couple of corsets hanging about in my wardrobe which haven't been worn for over a year. I've not tried them on yet, but am confident I'll fit into them by Friday. It would be good to wear a corset to Ara again. I'm also trying to eat a more healthy diet, with great sucess. I've cut right down on cake and chocolates- although I still treat myself occasionally. I'm eating more fruit and taking home made soups to work instead of relying on canteen butties. There aren't many healthy choices for vegetarians at work, with most veggie options revolving round cheese or egg mayo. I've been making a big pan of soupn a couple of times a week and freezing beakers of the stuff so I can grab it easily in the mornings to take to work.
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hopeful | |
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I can't be bothered to write a long post. Nigel and I went to London last Saturday to see Fields of the Nephilim and had a wonderful time. Definitely one of the few bands I'd spend 10 hours of my weekend on a coach to see. We were lucky with traffic, so the journeys were stress free. We're into school holiday territiory now, the kids having broken up from school on Thursday. I have lots of activities planned. Zoe wants to do the reading challenge at our local library, so we're off there in a bit. This afternoon we're going to see George's Marvellous Medicine at the Palace Theatre. During the week, swimming, park- if we get a dry day- a cinema trip and visit to Manchester Art Gallery to see the Lauren Child exhibition- We're all big Charlie and Lola fans in this house.
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I've been far too busy to update recently. I'm glad to say that Dad's health is improving more and more each day. I'm amazed at his progress, given he's been through a 10 hour operation during which both lungs collapsed. It's really good to have him home. It will be 6 weeks on Tuesday since the op and he will be allowed to drive again. He has managed to walk around the local area and have some outings on public transport, although he still has to be careful not to tire himself. Given what he's been through, he's making a fantastic recovery. Nigel, Zoe , Max and I had a great holiday a few weeks ago. We went to Llandudno for the week and did lots of kiddie orientated things, although there were some enjoyable trips out for us, too. These included Conway Castle, Plas Mawr and Aberconwy. We even managed to get the kids to walk up to the top of the Great Orme, by stealth and then bribery- "Look Max- cable cars!" I think I put weight on during the holiday- the Spooky Dungeon ice creams with chocolate skulls were too tempting- but I'm just coming to how I shall deal with the problem. I have a fitness plan. I have corporate membership for the local leaisure centres. I'll get my money's worth simply by going to the gym once a week, but I'm aiming to go on a Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening, then fit in a swim after work most Fridays, as it's my early finish. I'll also be able to go at the weekend when mmmarcus is looking after the kids. I'm planning on a long walk to Lymm on Sunday. I'm hoping to get out for a few walks in the Peak District over the summer, too. I'm being careful what I eat, too. The freezer is full of delicious home made soups, so I have something healthy to eat at work and don't spend loads of money on rubbish in the restaurant.
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Dad has been stable overnight. The doctors are going round to wake him up any minute now. I don't think anyone knew exactly what they were doing with him until he was on the operating table. He was in theatre for 10 hours yesterday. It was a very tense time for the whole family. He's had a double bypass, aneurysm repair and a new heart valve. I'm glad about the latter, as the doctors reckoned they were planning to leave it the other day. At least he's had everything done that he possibly can and in one go, too. Mum is going to visit him this afternoon. He'll be in hospital for a week to 10 days, depending on his recovery. Either way, he'll be over the worst by Saturday, so Nigel, kids and I can relax and enjoy our holiday.
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Dad went in for his surgery at 8 a.m. and is still in theatre. He's having a multiple heart bypass and aneurysm repair. apparently they're not fixing his heart valve, as the aneursym is more pressing. I'm hoping my mum, brother and I don't have to wait much longer for news. We've been pinning our hopes on this op for weeks.
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 worried | |
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I must be going a bit soft in my old age, but the warm, dry weather has really perked me up. I guess it's because it's not been too hideously hot and I've been lathered in factor overkill for the past couple of weeks. More on my mood in a bit. The kids were at mmmarcus's for the whole of the bank holiday weekend, which gave me an extra day to recharge my batteries. I also gave myself a much needed weekend off herding goths. Much as I enjoy organising meetups, it can be hard work sometimes, especially if I've not slept well the night before. Nigel and I went to Bakewell on Saturday and spent the day ambling around the town, eating Bakewell pudding and visiting the Bakewell Old House Museum. We've booked a weekend in a cottage not far from there for the weekend after my birthday. I'm sure even in December it'll be brilliant. I love Derbyshire at any time of the year. I was up Kinder scout in the snow a few months ago. On Sunday, we were supposed to go walking in the forest of Bowland with Nigel's dad. We had to call the walk off, as it started pouring down when we were on the train. We had a fantastic lunch here. As I said earlier, I really do feel fabulous moodwise at the moment. I seem to have more energy and now that the mornings are both lighter and warmer I'm finding it easier to get up. Because of this, I seem to be getting more things done before work. I didn't sleep at all well on Tuesday night having been woken by a neighbour playing his jukebox really loudly at midnighht, then being woken by Max later. I reckon I had the sum total of 90 minutes sleep. I felt a bit sick and weak until I set off to drop the kids at school. I arrived in work to discover that the Healthcare Commission were in doing their Hygeine Code spot check, so my colleagues and I spent the day running round making sure the exec team had all the requisite paperwork. I'm told this morning that the Commission had no serious concerns and were satisfied with the overall level of cleanliness on the wards. I didn't even start to feel tired until I sat down at 9 p.m. If that had happened during the winter months, I'd have taken at least 2 days to feel anywhere near rested again. I don't know, I just seem to have more motivation. Another advantage of this is I'm eating better too, as the extra energy means I can be bothered to prepare healthy lunches to take to work and ultra- healthy breakfasts, i've been having fruit with greek yoghurt and honey the last few days. I really must try to keep this habit up and not let things slide again during the winter months. After all, better nutrition will probably help my mood. |
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