Smile

I've been playing my music loud today to try to distract myself from the tedium of housework. I am sadly finding myself listening to my iPod more these days rather than my vinyl- I feel a little traitorous but it's so much easier when you don't have to keep turning the record over. There's still something nice though about vinyl- different colours, shapes, picture discs- and I love singles on vinyl , something I have never bought on CD. Anyway, I will get to the point of this short ramble. Are there songs that just make you smile? I know we all have songs that we associate with certain events in our lives (and being prone to being a little sentimental at times, I could reel off plenty), but how many of them actually elicit an emotional response? 'Where's Me Jumper' by The Sultans of Ping makes me smile everytime I hear it and today I found myself dancing around like an 18-year old whilst doing my dusting. Yes, it does remind me of my many Monday nights as a 17/18 year old spent at the student night of our local nightclub, but so do many other songs and, although being associated with good memories, they do not literally make me smile. R.E.M.'s 'Losing My Religion' is another song that makes me smile- again it is associated with a specific memory but why, like 'Where's Me Jumper', it should elicit that emotional response I have no idea. Answers on a postcard please.

Valentine's Day my arse

If I see another shop full of Valentine's cards and gifts I think I shall scream. It's everywhere, just acting as a constant reminder of my fast approaching spinsterhood. So, I bought myself some flowers, the only ones I will be receiving this Valentine's.

I feel so much better

Amazing what a little retail therapy can do. I like spending money. I don't like looking at my bank statement afterwards so much. Why do book shops have to have 3 for 2 offers?- they are just asking for trouble. I really don't need to buy any more books, I have more than enough unread ones to keep me going for at least a couple of years- there's just something strangely satisfying in seeing my bookcases fill up.
Bought a few other bits and pieces too so a fairly successful day. Was a little embarrassed though when a security tag failed to be properly deactivated on an item purchased from Boots and proceeded to set off the alarms in every shop I went into afterwards. The best of it was that none of the shop assistants batted an eyelid. So much for security.

Can you strangle yourself with your own scarf?...

...well, I managed it at work at the weekend, shortly before failing to open a door before walking through it. I am not safe to be let out. Needless to say, I have been the butt of all jokes amongst my work colleagues.