I’m in some money
To totally spoil the video choice for some, yes, this is the version where Ginger Rogers has fun with the lyrics, and includes a certain Miss Clara Elaine Johnson dressed in some money in the second half of the video, but anyway…
The first shocking moment to come out of the day was actually the time I came downstairs and had breakfast this morning. I know, 8 in the morning, on a Saturday for some (fine, many) would be early, but for me of recent times, total luxury, lol. No, sleeping right through night isnt happening yet without bathroom visit, but only 1, and able to get up at such a wicked hour, well…
The first nice moment of the day actually didnt relate to money directly. As mentioned before, some very nice people donated money to the old cancer patient, either by entering a golf competition, or in a couple of generous cases, money on top of that. So, given the sweet fix all this treatment stuff has given me, I went on Thornton’s website on Thursday (non expensive tastes, lol), and ordered 3 boxes for the price of 2, their special offer. Yes, I’m a Yorkshire girl, I still dont spend money wildly, lol. Delivery was marked as 3-5 days from order, so I was assuming early part of next week. Yes, email said out for delivery today, and yes, sat by me now, though untouched so far, arent I good, even if I dont know why?
The amusing side of this was the box. It was huge! Thankfully I didnt have to deal with it, Eric did. In truth, 10% of the box was chocolates, the other 90% was packaging! Seriously, I thought Amazon was bad for packing, but seriously…
I have been doing my banking online for quite a while now, long before my brain went AWOL but I only tend to check on balance when I’m told money has gone in, or I need to transfer money out of it. Other than that, nothing is happening, so I leave it to ‘sleep’, lol. So therefore it was only when I got a letter today from the PIP (Personal Independence Payment) people saying that they had completed the process of approving my benefits, and had paid me my back payment yesterday, from date of claim, ooh! I also got a message from another benefit department, telling me that it had now been confirmed that I have been accepted as entitled to benefits for unemployment, with no need to search for work, due to my circumstances. I know, both were formalities, but it has to be done properly, so…weight off my mind, for sure. Main (only?) thing to come now is the disabled bus pass, but given there is zero need for that before 9th December, and more realistically, the beginning of New Year, no great concern at moment. Have got my first bus trip planned, the once every 2 hours bus from outside home, into town, to the cafe in the Bus Station, and buy coffee and cake for me, and Eric.
I do plan to do a similar trip with Linda before then, if possible, to christen the blue badge, but all this is at least 4 weeks off, so… and I will see her on 11th (day before works meal) December, though that will be a separate trip.
No, I’m not going to be rich, but all this will enable me to survive, for sure. So fair to say, its been a good day, and in some money.
OK, video time. Ginger Rogers, Clara Johnson, and skimpy outfits, all in under 3 minutes, what more could you ask for? So…
The issues of chocolate, across the oceans
So fine, as we’re building up to Easter, lets focus on something that will be popular with many this weekend, chocolate! As to why hollow, chocolate eggs are so popular at this time of year, no idea. I guess its a spring, and creation thing, but anyway? I know, they usually include bars, or single chocolates within the packaging, but the thing that gets all the attention is the egg.
Yes, I know, nowadays we have those ‘creme egg’ things, but as you can gather from my comment there, I’m not a fan! Too sickly for me, I guess, a subject that I’m leading to on this, sweetness. Others love them, I know, and each to our own, I guess?
By the time I became an adult, I realised that all chocolate was not the same. The difference in quality between say, British chocolate, and Swiss, or Belgian chocolate, quite something! No, I’m not a connoisseur, and will eat most qualities of the stuff, quite happily, regardless. Fine, if you’re offering, I prefer decent quality, dark chocolate, but at the moment, I cant afford to be fussy. So yes, cheap and cheerful will do me fine at present. But if you’re offering Lindt, or the like, I wont say no!
The one thing I didnt discover until 2003, was how different to UK chocolate, that the US type was. I found out one day, in Seattle, when I saw a Twix on sale, in one of those supermarket type stores, and thought to myself, that would be nice. Even more so, when I discovered a dark chocolate version of a Mars bar too. Great I thought, until I bit into one, so sweet, and slightly gritty!
It was after that I found out that thought they said they were the UK brand names, they werent the same thing, these were made in the US, so…I was robbed! No, not literally, but they werent what I was expecting. I went on to discover that they are made differently, for a reason. Summer in parts of the US is far hotter than it ever gets in the UK, and if they used our making method, most of it would melt. Fine, in some parts, even in October (and I now know), our type of chocolate would melt in no time flat over there.
So, over the years, the only chocolate I’ve tended to buy over there (very occasionally) are brands like Lindt, made to a different recipe to standard US stuff. And yes, usually dark chocolate, so that is bitter, even if it is made a little sweeter for US tastes. All this is why, unsurprisingly, when I’ve been going to the US in the past, taking a gift of our chocolate could prove very popular.
Besides which, now I know what to expect, I can sometimes take US chocolate, though generally of the dark kind. The one I found at the supermarket in Hollywood, near my apartment, was cheapish, but not too bad to eat. Mind, it had to spend its time in the fridge, when not being eaten, even in October! I know, Southern California, but…ours would have melted quickly, when taken out of the fridge all the same!
Right, the video. I went on a hunt for a live version of this, as I’m pretty sure I’ve used the original before. Given the fact that this guy didnt sing the original record version, I’m impressed. Yes, he was the front man on TV, but someone else originally sang the song. But quite clearly, this isnt mimed!
If you want to make me smarter?
Seemingly, you should buy me some chocolate! And believe me when I say, that I wont say no, if you offer it! Oh, and not only that, its the perfect time to treat me, seeing its my birthday on Wednesday. Yes, I’m 29, or at least a multiple thereof, and be careful what you say, on that point lol! No, I’m not joking about chocolate, read this!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12187042/Chocolate-makes-you-smarter-study-suggests.html
Mind, if you are getting me some, I would prefer something decent, but this poor church mouse wouldnt say no to any treats at present, I guess? I know, fine, I’m not going to have a dozen messages (or even one, probably) asking where to send the chocolate in the morning, but at least for now, I can dream! Bottles of alcohol might be nice, but not sure how wise that would be, given how I feel at present, but anyway…
Mind, if anyone is offering the opportunity for the opposite result to be done to me, turned into a mindless, obedient machine, it might be more fun than the current battle for a job, and besides, post treatment, I wouldnt concern myself too much with that option anyway lol! I know, I know, but… If someone just wants to give me the treat of pretending to do it to me, as a birthday treat, I’d love it, btw.
In all honesty, of all the 58 upcoming birthdays I’ve had in my life (I know, the first few I wasnt terribly aware of, but), I’ve got to say this is probably the one I’ve looked forward to, with the least enthusiasm. Yes, the working situation is probably a great part of it, after all this time, its really got to me. But yes, apart from that, its that growing realisation that my time here, is probably now on the down side of the hill, not that I suspect at the moment, I really mind that fact. Not helping on that front is so many music heroes of my youth departing this world at present. I know most are a decade or so ahead of me, but even so, it does make you think!
I suppose my one regret, that seemingly gets less likely to happen over the years, is the fact that I’ve never worked anywhere other than the UK, in my life. Maybe it annoys me more because it almost happened on a few occasions, but for whatever reason, never did. Lets face it, how many firms outside the UK are going to take a chance on a 58 year old? Yes, exactly! I know, turning down that US job offer in 2003, is going to haunt me to my grave, I suspect? It might still happen, but being practical, probably not, now.
So, beyond chocolate, what would I like for my birthday, you might be asking, but I doubt it! A job would be the obvious answer, anywhere reasonable, and nowadays, that covers a larger range of locations than a year ago! Fine, LA would be heavenly, but this is real life, not a Golden Age Hollywood movie I’m living! Mind, if anyone wants me to recreate the Marion Davies story, with me in the Marion role, I wouldnt say no!
For those (ha ha) that want to spend slightly more budget on me, I could do with a small second hand chest of drawers, for my room. Maybe 2, depending on size, maybe a small wardrobe (fabric type would be fine), so that I can get my clothes sorted out, without worrying about spending money!
I might not say no to a full length, silver metallic bodysuit, with or without mind controlling electrodes, but…yes, I’m kidding, I think, or maybe not? 😉
Lastly, should there be a very rich person out there, with more money than sense, I’d love another 4 weeks in the sun, in an apartment, in Hollywood! I know, I know, but if I dont mention that, and there is some crazy millionaire out there…ha ha!
But yes, fine, if you want to get me a bar of Bournville chocolate, or similar at present, thats good by me! Might even make me smarter, you never know?
The video, well yes, the song is old, was released when I was about 6! This version though, is a live one from 2009, still sounding pretty good. Yes, song could be quite apt? 😉
stevielounicks 
Recent Comments