Welcome to Day 1

So, this is what a blog is all about. Hmmm...they were wrong - it tastes nothing like chicken. I thought I'd follow up on a friend's idea to start one of these, had a 'what the hell' moment and decided to give it a go. To be clear, I don't necessarily think my life and times are particularly exciting or of note, but I thought it might be interesting to share my random thoughts and rather dubious opinions on life, the funny directions it takes and, of course, cake.

Some mornings, I wake up and one of the first things that enters my mind is a tune. It could be anything, which is a pity really, as you'd want to have something upbeat and leaves you guilty of singing (I generously label it thus) along in the shower/car/lift (delete as necessary) and gets you throwing back the covers, into your slippers before you have an 'Oh sh**, it's only Tuesday' moment. Yesterday morning it was Train's 'Hey, Soul Sister', which, for all intents and purposes was just the ticket for me, and a lucky break. Unfortunately, I don't have a 'fast-forward' or 'delete' option, so some days I get quite unlucky and the first thing that enters my brain is an annoying TV jingle that I thought I'd blasted out with conscious repression and, for good measure, marinated the rebel cerebellum cells with a half-way decent bottle of wine (decent ones are out of budget so out of the question. Mental note to amend shopping list: cut the carbs and spring for better white/red).


Today, upon waking, the cerebral station was blank, but the light was fantastic. The sun was pouring in (oh, alright, it was on the rude side of 8am), and crisp and cold outside. The day was starting out fine (even with the absence of 'Jump (For My Love)'), and after checking my inbox, I made the happy discovery that it was that same friend's birthday - joy! It was going to be a good day, because for one or both of us, there was gonna be cake.


I'm one of those people that, even after knowing someone for many years, I still feel that it's a bit forward to ask someone when their birthday is. Firstly, because at my age (let's just call it 'slightly over spring chicken'), another birthday doesn't necessarily call for the invites to be sent to all and sundry, but for more or less a quiet celebration with the current members of the household and other family/friends that can't be hushed up for love or chocolate. I feel that if I ask someone when their birthday is, they might feel an obligation to ask me the same in return, and there would be an embarrassing moment just afterwards when the conversation goes a bit quiet, and you think, 'Huh, soooo...put that in the diary. Quick, change the subject, or you'll end up talking rubbish about your star signs'.


So the happy discovery in an e-mail that today was in fact my friend's birthday lead to a most excellent day shopping for treats and sweets. In the spirit of October and it's upcoming fetes, I sneaked over and spirited the goodies to her doorstep and slipped away into the night (read: afternoon). Now, I have a chocolate and beetroot cake from the bake sale that is in need of sampling, so good night, and may your morning brain station be tuned to 'What I Like About You' (The Romantics), '...you keep me warm at niiiiiiiiiight...'.