Something that makes me smile every time...

Facebook vs. Blogging

I feel for Blogger, I really do. It sees a lot less action from me than it used to and I wonder if I'm just a sampling of what is happening out there in "blogspot" space. At the moment neither costs anything (which would be a significant factor) but now that I am on Facebook (all the time, it seems), I thought I might think about the advantages and disadvantages between the two:

Facebook over Blogging:

• First of all, any blog entry here (I am writing this one on blogger.com) is automatically uploaded to Facebook under my "Notes" (it's optional but I chose "yes") with all the photos! And since most of the people who read my blog (that I'm aware of) are on Facebook (except the Kaufmans it seems), I'm just as likely to reach as many people if I were to write an update (essentially a blog entry like this) on Facebook.

• Facebook lets me become a "fan" of lots of groups. Right now I am a member of such awe-inspiring groups as: Addicted to Survivor, I Get All My "Important" News from PerezHilton.com, My Bookie Wookie and Starky for Senate 2010 while I am also a fan of Burn Notice and of course The Dave Matthews Band.

• Facebook has security options, for instance I can limit who can read my info on Facebook to those I have approved of as "Friends", of which I have 86 at the moment and YES, I know all of them, even if I haven't seen 1/4 of them since high school graduation (God that was such a crappy night, but that's another story), I can even allow my "friend's 'friends'" to view it too, in case I may know them and then they can become MY "friends" too. Simple I know!

• Facebook means I feel connected to (at this moment 86) people in a larger sense of community. I love "status updates", being able to "tag" and be "tagged" in photos and for those of you who know me, I love feeling a part of a group and that's what Facebook does (blogging is a lonely existence) and I can kind of get a gist of what people are doing and how they are.

• Facebook also means I can comment and receive comments in ongoing threads so there's 2-way communication back and forth.

• In Facebook, people request friendship, that doesn't happen in blog world (or the real world, come to think of it).

• Facebook advertisements remind me there are rich, handsome men available out there if I only click on the website link on the right (which I haven't but somehow it feels Facebook cares about me as a single woman interested in men and not targeted marketing like it looks like on the surface).

• Facebook lets you do all of this while carrying on instant message conversations on the same page, with multiple people even (though one downside is the annoying error messages that seem to come in rashes).

Note: for those of you who have heard things about Facebook and ask, "But what about your information being out there? What about your privacy? What about Big Brother?" well then clearly you've not actually seen the name of my blog which I so smartly chose several years ago (yeah, kind of wish I hadn't named it EXACTLY after myself but oh well!) so I guess I'm not overly worried about my name and info being "out there" - but people, please don't abuse it and if you hear of anyone who has or is going to, I'll reward you well if you let me know!

Blogging over Facebook:

• Comparing Blogger to Facebook, I guess the main advantage of blogging would be...it's ALL ABOUT ME...and that is a pretty significant benefit! So for now, I'll keep 'em both going but have to go right now to see who's online on Facebook and if anyone else has posted the list currently sweeping the Facebook world "25 Random Things"...hope so!

Latest Trends

Lately I'm into:

• Burn Notice - love Bruce Campbell in it!
• Vegetarian Sausage Rolls from the local baker/pie shop - I often stop by and get one, just 90p, when taking Abby out for her walk.
• Project Runway Season 5 (just started here on normal TV)
• Facebook (who isn't?)
• The Daily Puppy (check out Apollo!)
• Dark gray eye shadow (just on the main lid, not up the eyebrow, thank you very much!)
• Letting Abby off leash at the local park - I've found where I feel safe letting her off (see pics in previous post and below).
• Sugar-free Red Bull.

I'm not into:

• My dryer (ties everything into knots, I swear!)
• My backyard (it's like one big kitty litter box because of the little gravel)
• Wolf Blitzer (The Situation Room should be renamed The Bloody Annoying Room)
• Skype (I pay monthly to have these local phone numbers, as in a Los Angeles one) but I just don't seem to use it - I'm just not a phone person whether it's long distance or local.
• Sleeping - and by "not into it" I mean, I still get insomnia pretty often and it SUCKS.
• Blogging as much as I used to - probably because I'm so into Facebook!

When I took Abby out today to the neighboring park and let her off leash, she found (of course) the pack of dogs surrounding the man feeding them treats. I used to get so annoyed at dog parks by this, but it doesn't happen often here and it's kind of cute. She got right up to the front of the pack and sat like the good girl she is and waited patiently with her eyes, searching...always searching...to get some treats.

All that waiting paid off as she was rewarded a couple of times and chomped away. Then she did her happy skip as she came running after me (once she'd confirmed treats were truly gone).

Mahmuda visits Manchester!

Mahmuda and I have been friends since 1993 or so when we were in Bournemouth. We met through Allie, who had gotten to know Mahmuda at a local college. We got on right away! Even then Allie towered over us with her height and the heels she'd always wear - not a lot has changed that way! In those days we seemed to be into dancing, boys and...did I mention boys? I mean we were 22, into "self-help" and very serious about everything...except when we were laughing our heads off, which we did much of the time. Her in her bedsit, me staying at Tonia's, we'd meet and go clubbing, only to leave at 11:30 when it got too busy to settle in on the sofa with a cup of tea and more chat. The three of us enjoyed meeting for salad at what to become later Pizza Hut but at the time had a really nice salad bar (we often had coupons) and at the Legend Cafe which was newly opened at the time. Lamenting about our latest drama with boys (I suppose they were men but boys seems more fitting looking back!) and always finding the humour in things while having coffees, we forged bonds that I knew would last a lifetime - and I was right! Eventually Allie moved (her adventure was to be in Egypt), Mahmuda returned to Zurich and I eventually went home to America. But always staying in touch both literally and somehow in the heart (as I believe it is with soul sisters), we stayed close. Mahmuda actually visited LA a couple times and as predicted, we clicked like no time had passed. This weekend was the first time that Mahmuda, Allie and I were reunited as a group and it was like old days, though we spoke much more about plastic surgery and aging (and being okay with it) than we did men! Yay for growth! :D

Mahmuda arrived Thursday. I met her at the airport as a hired driver would with a sign. Being a fan of all things Hollywood, I knew she'd get the joke (as the sign read "Kim Kardashian"). We headed to Stockport (2 trains and 1 taxi) and after settling her in and having tea and crumpets, we headed to Stockport. We just did a bit of wandering around, had to go to Boots you know! And then we met with Lucie for a coffee and chat. Mahmuda is a very glamorous and dramatic looking woman but you spend 30 seconds with her, you find the warmest, funniest and most sensitive soul. I went to the loo and came back and she and Lucie had progressed into deep, deep discussions with complete ease. Thursday night we relaxed in front of the television enjoying E! channel (who knew I could enjoy it so much more with someone else, but I think it's because it's Mahmuda) as we perfected our impression of Kendra from "Girls of the Playboy Mansion" whose fake laugh is like a cheese grater - argh! I cooked some dinner and we had an early night.

Posing with the sign I made for her at the airport.

Friday we were in no rush, our only plan was to head into Manchester. Because her visit was short and because we didn't have a car, we just kept our plans to hanging out and seeing a bit of the city (as she'd never been up north). I frequently broke into the show theme to Coronation Street. Very distinct and always made us laugh. Anyway, we were barely tourists, we were mainly ladies who shopped and did coffee. We stopped at a cafe where she began to teach me the art of doing the "Roman" pose, named after a total poser she knows who had taught her the very, VERY serious work of getting the right pose for photos (he was a model apparently). As I told my sister on Facebook, "To do the Roman, you must calm yourself and look away intently from the camera and settle your mind and face. Then when the person taking the photographs says so, simply turn your head without changing your expression. According to someone named Roman (who we may just slightly be making fun of - don't worry, he deserves it), this is the best way to capture a photo (if you're a wannabe model). If one can happen to rest one's chin on one's hand at the completion of the Roman, then it's even better. Mahmuda has perfected it, I am only a novice." Either way, there were a couple people at the table next to us who just kept looking over with disdain and tsk tsk'ing so actually moved over a couple tables. Sheesh! We managed to find and take pics of the cathedral and the Ferris Wheel but not a lot else!

We did some fair shopping (by we I mean she), and she found some rocking shoes at River Island! I know what it's like, when I go home to the states, I'm always on the lookout for that buy, not necessarily a bargain, but something that is different from what I can get back home. We went on to several other stores and I seemed to develop a thing for trying on hats or weird head gear and taking pics. At a store called Accessorize (they sell only accessories, imagine!), I asked the sales assistant to take a pic for us and she told us it wasn't allowed (um, store secrets? just a bad attitude? who knows), so I took a picture of her. HAH! That showed her! We weren't exactly "lunching ladies" as we had our lunch at the mall food court, she had KFC, I had McDonalds (veggie burger). We browsed M&S and several other places. As you may know, shopping (even as efficiently as Mahmuda does it) is tiring so we started to wear out. Mahmuda treated us to a Chinese massage, it was at a store in the mall where you sit in the chairs (in the lobby area) and get a massage. Relaxed and hungry, we went to Wagamama and had a delicious meal! Then after another visit to Boots (where there was an unfortunate breaking and spilling of Fuchsia nail varnish) we headed home on the train to be greeted by RAIN! It had been clear all day but no longer. We grabbed a taxi and home we drove. We had been quoting Zoolander much of the day, "There's more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good-looking" so I found the DVD for just 3 pounds and our plan was to watch that. In the end we were too pooped!

If only we had a wedding to go to with these hats!

Mahmuda gets some history at the cathedral.

Mahmuda and my iPhone, just a little video.

Saturday was again, not an early start and we headed back into Manchester. Our main plan was to meet Allie for lunch which we did. We started off at Pizza Hut (paying homage to our past salads all those years ago), but there were, let us say, issues. Crying babies, well that's no one's fault. But when a mother was at the salad bar and her little son wanted to help, witnessing the boy's little hand go into the bacon bits (only for his Mom to order him to drop them) and he would drop them back into the container, same with the sweetcorn, that we decided to go elsewhere. So we went to Pizza Express by Printworks which was much more me (kind of like California Pizza Kitchen - a chain but with a certain level of cleanliness and quality). We caught up like nobody's business! Lunch was very tasty and after all that new energy from the fab food, we trekked to the big goal of the day: Selfridges. Well I've never been there and can I say I thought it was crap? Yeah, that's right, I'll say it. Overpriced, quality didn't seem great, shop assistants not exactly helpful and just a total overwhelming sense of "style over substance." I was almost offended that a simple hair clip could cost 85 pounds. Of course, my nose was bent out of joint when I was stopped by one of the shop assistants for taking a picture (with my iphone, how did she know?) but I think it's because I dared to stick a hair extension in my hair for fun (it was her department you see). Anyway, Allie bought a ring and so paid 3 pounds to market the store (their little bags are bright yellow!) A few more shops and then a final stop for coffee. I wished Allie lived closer to me so we could all easily hang out all evening but being out in the shops etc., had tired us all out. After huge hugs and promises to visit Mahmuda in Zurich we headed back to Stockport, and boy did it start raining! It had been gorgeously clear all day but boy, we needed the hoods on our coats. But we also needed to hold them in place on our heads because of the gail force winds!

After lunch photos!

Allie in her glam coat (she had a bag to match - love it!)

While we had had a lovely invitation to go Paula's for some chili and fellowship with some friends, we were just really worn out and quite content to get pjs on and Zoolander in! I made a vegetarian roast dinner and we had such a laugh and were taking turns on my laptop updating Facebook with our photos and experiences of the trip!

I think this may be my big break, it's all about the hair pieces. Though the shop assistant told me off.

So when the shop assistant's back was turned, we pouted it up a bit more.

Sadly she departed early Sunday morning after a much too short visit. She had successfuly packed all her loot into the same bag she had arrived with! Damn, this girl is a total pro! She generously offered to take care of me if I were able to get to Zurich. If I were able to take a cheap flight to stay with her, she'd be my sugar momma! I really appreciated that offer, I remember from my one trip to Zurich it is expensive! Who knows, maybe I'll do just that or if I get some birthday money. Obviously right now I have different priorities and I still have the post-visit glow! Thanks Mahmuda for visiting and for being you - see you on Facebook!!!

But this is Manchester, not London!

You are thinking of visiting England and automatically think of London. Of course! We all do this. You’re going to France? Then you must be going to Paris. This time it’s different, this time you’re going to England and you’re visiting a new city that while you’ve heard the name before you actually know nothing about (except the fact that it’s not London!)

Welcome to Manchester! So, what do you need to know? Let’s start with a brief history. Well, it’s in the north of England and although there has been a city in its location since Roman times, Manchester really came into its own during the Victorian era as a main center for cotton processing; its booming textile industry meant it main buildings were large mills. In fact, such was the success of its industries, the city adopted the Worker Bee as its emblem.

During WWII, it became a center for production of munitions and armaments and as a result was a frequent target of the German bombing. Speaking of bombing, it was really after the IRA set off a bomb in downtown Manchester in 1996 that the regeneration of Manchester began (and continues today). The old textile mills are now being transformed into chic loft apartments and business centers. Trendy nightclubs and restaurants line the city’s canals and the Mancurian spirit has risen above its old industrial identity into a cosmopolitan, up and coming city of the north. And if that isn’t enough history gold, rock phenomena Oasis was born there too!

Man United attendance, History Museum and the Lowry Centre.

Okay, so now you know a brief history of the city, what can you do once you’re there? Well what can’t you do? If you’re a sports fan, you’ve got world-famous Manchester United Football team (think David Beckham). If you are into architecture and art, then you’ve got your choice of some beautiful buildings including the cathedral, the library and the town hall. If you’re a history buff (or you just get a kick out of old places), museums abound or you can check out the oldest pub in the city, Old Wellington Inn which dates back to Edward VI’s reign in 1552 (and serves a nice ale). All of this is just a stone’s throw from another pastime – shopping! From Chanel, Gucci, Armani to department stores and street markets, it’s all down in Manchester and within walking distance of each other.

Manchester Central Library

Manchester's Canals and Locks

Old Wellington Inn

So when you sit down to rest your feet in one of the many cafes or pubs to write your postcards from the historic, fun and thriving city of Manchester feel free to add any of these key pieces of info:

- Manchester is the city where Rolls met Royce

- Over 20 Nobel prize winners have come from Manchester

- The atom was first split in Manchester

This One's for Rich and Zoe...

Really, it's just like going to Laurel Canyon Dog Park...except there are fewer trendy people and so the "Do you think he's ____?" game doesn't really work. Other than that, just the same. Hahah. Well, and that there isn't a Starbucks en route. I'd love to see Zoe running in the snow, even with her long claws, I bet she's slip and wipe out - though nothing would dampen her spirits!


Alexandra Park or Laurel Canyon Dog Park, impossible to tell the difference.


Chase is on! Abby found a smaller (and pregnant apparently) dog to chase (and hope to mount, she failed).

One thing I like about Facebook is...

...old high school friends who post pics of you. This ISN'T from High School, but from our 10 year reunion in 2000. I'm telling you, I could work that short hair and specs! Thanks Ona (middle)!

New Years Eve - UPDATE

Last night we had a lovely time at Lesley's house, she cooked delicious food and we had a festive time. My camera batteries ran out before midnight so I don't have any actual shots of us toasting in the new year but we did! And Lesley had gotten some fireworks and oh my goodness...let's just say we're lucky we didn't have a tragedy on our hands! Hopefully my eyebrows will grow back eventually. :)

Update: Christine got a few photos of the fireworks, which I added!


The Three Amigos


Lesley looked gorgeous and Abby looked on hungrily on as Lesley continues cooking.


Me and my self-portraits!


No Guitar Hero this night, but we still strike quite a pose, don't we?


All is calm, eaten and getting ready to groove.


I'm contemplating my New Years Resolutions obviously.


Other side of the room. Check Abby in the right corner...she's inching towards Lucie through the side table hoping for a crumb!


Once the music was turned up, nothing would stop the dancing!




Just gone midnight, Lesley lights the box of fireworks...


Wow, that's pretty impressive...


No, your monitors aren't dirty, that's just falling debris from our fireworks...just before we all rushed to get inside!