I got me some sun

If Thanksgiving marks the start of Christmas, then Memorial Day marks the start of summer. And keeping up with its end of the bargain, the sun shone all weekend long. I took the opportunity to go to the pool which opened this weekend. I didn’t do much swimming, but I listened to music and read my book. And a good time was had by all (which was actually just me, see Friday’s blog).


My second home this weekend.

Other points to note about the weekend:
- I did not kill the fish. Yes! I gave her back last night alive and kicking...swimming...whatever, she was alive and that's all that matters.
- I started running again. This was more by accident rather than design. I was out for a walk on Friday night and much like Forrest Gump I just started running. Unlike him though, I did stop. There wasn’t enough time (or testosterone) to grow a beard either.
- I watched a series called ‘Laguna Beach’ on MTV which is like a real life O.C. My goodness they have money!
- The Seventh Day Adventists are in town which makes the place even more like Castlewellan (except for the beliefs about what you can do on Saturday – I mean in an all-age-church-group-gathered-around-a-lake kind of way).
- All the time at the pool is finally evening out last year’s farmer’s tan on my arms. I got unbelievably burnt at White Rocks playing volleyball with YF which three weeks in Brazil did not improve, it being freezing and all. It's also bringing out my freckles which might be cute if I was six years old.
- I watched 'Warm Springs' about FDR and his polio. When I was in university writing my dissertation, the face I imagined for FDR's right hand man, Louis Howe was David Paymer who was in 'The American President'. Guess who was playing Louis Howe in 'Warm Springs'? Only David Paymer! Maybe I should become a Casting Director? I quite liked the film but wanted more about FDR and how he ran for President after the polio.


The local high school had their Prom on Friday night and for reasons best known they all come to the lake before. I've seen limos before and I've seen Hummers before, but a Hummer Limo? Now that's class.


I went to church on Sunday morning and was greeted by man in a cowboy hat. I took a photo just incase y'all didn't believe me. And because I think you'll think it's funny too.

Hands up who knew Cleopatra was actually from Macedonia. Nope, me neither!

It’s the weekend! Yay! And what’s better it’s a long weekend. Monday is Memorial Day and so we’re off Monday. I’m looking forward to the day off but I kind of think I could spend it better. Maggie has gone to Iowa to visit her brother, and Jose is away so a trip to Greenville is also out.

But I won’t be alone this weekend. Oh no! Maggie’s trip to Iowa (or I-owe-a as she calls it. I don’t know why people saying place names wrong makes me laugh so much, but it really does. Like my dad saying Chicargo and Mitchigan. Or Art and Betty saying War-wick-shyer. Or people saying Ar-kansas. I’m sure I’ve had my fair share of wrong pronunciation of place names but it’s still funny) has meant that I am fish sitting.

Maggie got the fish as a present from a friend who stayed with her a few weeks ago. Thankfully it’s only from Wal Mart so if it should die whilst in my care I don’t have to go far to get a replacement, like having to go to some tropical pet shop to look for some obscure breed of fish. A gold fish from Wal Mart shouldn’t be too hard. Hopefully.


Cleopatra the fish and my guest for the weekend. I hoovered last night before her arrival. She didn’t even notice.

I watched ‘So You Think You Can Dance?’ which may or may not be like that dance thing with Graham Norton at home. Here it’s only presented by Cat Deeley!! It was like seeing a long lost relative last night when I saw her on my TV screen. Also on it, making a return to judging is Nigel Lythgoe from Popstars. I’m less excited about seeing him to be fair. Also if it’s not already over, watch American Idol. Now that’s a finale show and a half! My goodness, there was no stop left anywhere near the show! Notice how long Ryan Seacrest holds back announcing the winner. Kate Thornton and Ant and Dec have a lot to teach him. It was barely even five seconds. They probably needed to save time for all the adverts.

Bits and pieces

- I was walking around the lake the other day and the smell of roses from the bit, handily enough, known as the rose walk was beautiful. How often do we not take time to smell the roses?

- I downloaded a few songs the other day including The Feeling – Fill My Little World and Sunblock – First Time (pure cheesy dance!). These have made it to May’s playlist on myPod which also includes some Dolly Parton classics. I have no shame.

- I got a red cross parcel from Jude R. Super! Thanks! Return mail on its way just as soon as I organise it. I should now like to put out an appeal for text messages. I still have the same number (ends in 901 55) and it should only cost you whatever it normally costs you (unless you are on sucky 3 in which case it might cost you more but money well spent I think you'll agree). Ah go on, surprise me with a text!*

- My excitement about the World Cup continues to grow. I have printed off a wall planner for matches and looked up times and channels for here. And just today I selected my Fantasy Football team. It includes Lehmann, Henry, Crespo and Terry. I’m expecting big points from these star players!

*If you are going to text me please have more ingenuity than saying 'Hi Tina. How are you?'

Reasons for the pain

No special reason for there being no blog yesterday. I’m sure you’re over it though.

It’s odd because I actually have two exciting tales to tell of the weekend.

Tale 1
On Saturday Megann and I went fake sky diving! Very cool! I found out about this place down the road that has a vertical wind tunnel and me being Tina Adventure I signed Megann and I up for it.


Megann flying high.

It was so much fun! We were both a bit scared before going, I can’t imagine the nerves before doing a real sky dive. The guy who was teaching us what to do was hilarious, he was exactly like the turtle from ‘Finding Nemo’, a real surfer dude type.

Maggie had asked us about how you breathe when you do it. Don't worry, it's not a problem. Drooling though? Drooling was a big problem for us. I think in the excitement we both forgot to swallow. Nice.

Tale 2
One of my early goals since arriving here has been accomplished! We went to Dollywood! Actually we went to Dollywood’s Splash Country, the waterpark bit of it. It was great! We laughed the entire day. Should you ever find yourself in the Eastern Tennessee/Western North Carolina area, a visit to Dollywood is essential.


Me adopting a Dolly pose. Talk as you like, I like her.

Fun in the wave pool.

There are about twenty different water slides in the park. I did them all! I made myself do a hero run from this one.


That’s me hurtling down. This is the newest slide to the park. It took me a good few minutes to pluck up the courage to go down. Seriously, this slide is steep.

When I was at the top I asked the life guard guy was there any chance of falling out of the slide (probably a stupid question, but you try going to the top and not having that thought running through your mind). He told me that no one had fallen out of it yet, but they’d only be open two days. Not the reassurance I sought to be honest. Anyway after a bit of minor swearing off I went. It only lasted a few seconds, actually I think it took me longer to unpick the wedgie.

So that's the reasons for the pain on Monday and Tuesday. And if I'm honest, today too.

Pain

[This post is best read to a backdrop of violins.]

There is not very much of me that doesn't hurt right now, I feel about 103. Let me give you a list:

Nearly sun burnt (skin red, but not on fire)
-legs
-shoulders
-back
-front (but not that low down, thank you very much! I'm not that sort of girl!)

Muscles from a weekend of high activity (details of high activity to follow tomorrow)
-legs
-shoulders
-arms
-back
-stomach
-butt

In addition to these aches and pains my ears somehow got infected again. Pus and actual blood were pouring out earlier today. They didn't even bleed when I first got them pierced. I have a theory as to how they got infected again but I'll save that for tomorrow too.

Also still hurting is the left side of my left foot. I have no idea what I did to it but every so often it hurts like...something painful and makes me scream just a little bit. Megann suggested a trapped nerve and I'll agree with her but I really have no idea what a trapped nerve might feel like.

But the thing that hurts most of all right now is that Megann left today.

One, two, three, awwww.