Project Flugg

In the midst of working on something very special, which will be available soon. Clue – look at their feet!

Guess who got a new scanner?

Me, wheeee!!!! I am really chuffed with my latest acquisition – my first ever scanner, and what a beauty it is too!! Admittedly, I am somewhat behind the times on this technological front, but in my defence, I have never needed to scan anything up until now – indeed have never used a scanner up until now. And I’m normally much more on the ball with such electronic innovations, having championed both the mobile phone and the Minidisc in the mid-90s (“MP3s? They’ll never catch on; are you seriously expected to cart your PC around to listen to music?” – a somewhat Betamax moment from me, I think you’ll agree).

Anyway, the purpose of my scanner is to copy graphs, tables, diagrams and a whole host of scintillating information. But I actually think it’s much more fun to preserve old film pics for posterity. Behold!

Fashion forward in 1981 – See that turtle in the background (with the doll on him)? He’s still in my bedroom today! Don’t live anywhere without Turtle.

Dad, Andrew and I, c. 1984 – I hated that sofa – it would be another 22 years before my mum got rid of it!

Mum and I, c 1985 – This is my favourite photo of my mum and I. Look what a chunkster I was

Such fun!

The other thing I have been enjoying greatly is the ‘Manga Me’ game, which has taken the Flickr world by storm. I love it, and am particularly impressed with how much mine actually looks like me! Whenever I draw cartoons, this is exactly how I depict myself!

John’s, on the other hand, looks somewhat less grumpy than he is in real life

You really must have a go, and be sure to share the results!

Dusting oneself down…

…and starting again.

After the disappointments of this week, I did feel like doing little more than moping, sleeping and maxing out on the carbohydrate front (including bottled beer). However, what one earth would this achieve, other than being an exercise in self-pity? Somehow, we have managed to dust ourselves down and face the future, and *try* to make the most of the situation we’re in. We’ve got an open viewing on our house this weekend, which should raise some interest, although we could have done without our Chancellor’s typical dithering over the issue of Stamp Duty.

I’ve probably not really explicated this in previous posts, but this house move *isn’t* something that’s been ill-conceived and rushed into, in the same way that John returning to Uni to study medicine is not a recent development. It has seriously taken 5 years of financial, time, relationship and emotional pressures to reach the point we’re at now. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, we’ve faced ridiculous obstacles at every turn; it took, for example, the spectre of the Grim Reaper to galvanise John’s parents into helping out. But now, whilst the situation may not be ideal, he is in a position where he can go back; indeed, having handed his notice in, there is no going back, as they say!

Trying times can bring out the amateur philosopher in all of us. I keep on telling myself that ‘all things happen for a reason’, along with other trite sentiments. Obviously I am not the world’s greatest philosopher! One email received, however, sums everything up perfectly, whilst instilling a sense of hope that cuts through the dark clouds that hang over us all too often. At the end of last week, John forwarded me this email, received from a colleague:

“I often think that quotes from literary figures and famous philosophers are well cheesy whenstuck over someone’s desk at work, but I was talking with L this morning about me going back to study medicine, and she thought that our trials and tribulations rang true in this quote from Goethe:

‘Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back- Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.’

Slightly cheesy, but I think there’s lots of truth in it. X”

Let’s hope so.

Feeling glum :(

24 hours ago, we’d sold our house. Today it’s back up for sale again. The buyer simply changed his mind. I feel like crying. I can’t muster any optimism at the moment, but am putting a brave (ish) face on things as John is also very stressed about the situation. What has happened to this country?