Naoko's news, views and shoes thread

[stickygirl]

Lard and flour aren't the same without vitamin chocolate

 

[beachbum1958]

Originally Posted by stickygirl

Being aerobically fit is one thing but it doesn't necessarily lead to weight loss. ... Imagine cream cakes as lard and flour and they're much less tempting.

Mmmm, lard and flour; add-in anonymous gristle and transparent custard and you'd be describing every single one of my fondly remembered school dinners. A prefect once lost his rag and complained to the Housemaster that the prisoners in the gulags were fed better than we were. He got three demerits, and a double-mention at prep for knowing what a gulag was...

 

[NotWise]

Being aerobically fit is one thing but it doesn't necessarily lead to weight loss.

Verily. I think I hit my peak weight at a time when I was running 15 miles/week and working out in Taekwondo at least three times a week. Much of the weight was the muscles in my legs and butt that got so much work from the kicking and jumping.

 

[redzinger]

I made gluten-free lemon drizzle cake tonight for tomorrow's racers/helpers. I thought it was a bit dry (left in too long), so I have drowned it in more drizzle (lemon icing).
Also some g-f cheese straws. Will be interested to see how they go down.

 

[MichaelinChina]

I said:

Better add 'roadie' to your CV Naoko.

and you said:

Food food food food

and a

Did I miss something?

edit: then I looked back at the original post of mine and realised I did ask a question.

(roadie was in reference to your gig as carrier of Piglet's violin)

 

[Handley_Page]

This mention of food reminds me I have not yet had my Breakfast.

 

[NaokoSmith]

you said:

Food food food food

and a

Did I miss something?

I was just ineptly trying to summarise your quote, and make clear that I love to hear about food in here!

I really must see about casting a spell on Twickers against the Welsh side (23-18, I hope). [/COLOR][/SIZE]

Sssssh, Toria will hear and scrag you
Piglet's Drama Queens club have put on their performance for the same afternoon as the England v Wales match I think I might be able to run out of the theatre, hop on a train back to Cardiff and get into the cocktail bar in time for the second half.

Lard and flour aren't the same without vitamin chocolate

A prefect once lost his rag and complained to the Housemaster that the prisoners in the gulags were fed better than we were. He got three demerits, and a double-mention at prep for knowing what a gulag was...

Verily. I think I hit my peak weight at a time when I was running 15 miles/week and working out in Taekwondo at least three times a week. Much of the weight was the muscles in my legs and butt that got so much work from the kicking and jumping.

Hmm, I'm not sure my knee will stand up to Taekwondo, so my butt muscles will have to rely on the swimming for now.

I made gluten-free lemon drizzle cake tonight for tomorrow's racers/helpers. I thought it was a bit dry (left in too long), so I have drowned it in more drizzle (lemon icing).
Also some g-f cheese straws. Will be interested to see how they go down.

Mmmm! sounds delicious. I bet there wasn't any of that left!

This mention of food reminds me I have not yet had my Breakfast.

I actually had breakfast brought to me! It being Mothering Sunday, Piglet got up specially early and made me some toast with butter and jam She brought it to me in bed, where I was sleeping off the teaching jaunt. We were just having a nice cuddle when I heard a suspicious slurping sound and looked up to see Lakhi licking the buttery corner of one slice! Well, I suppose she is a mother too, LOL.

 

[MichaelinChina]

Sssssh, Toria will hear and scrag you

Now that's a word I haven't heard in years.
As a verb, (as above) I believe it means to grab someone's balls in one hand.

As a noun: "She's a scrag!" - a slutty and ugly woman.

Anyway,,,,, Just sayin...

carry on!

 

[NaokoSmith]

Sssssh, Toria will hear and scrag you

Now that's a word I haven't heard in years.
As a verb, (as above) I believe it means to grab someone's balls in one hand.

Well, if that's the case, I wouldn't mind scragging you.
<snerk>

 

[stickygirl]

Well, if that's the case, I wouldn't mind scragging you.
<snerk>

Wouldn't Michael's appendages need two hands?
<double snerk>

 

[Handley_Page]

Wouldn't Michael's appendages need two hands?
<double snerk>

each?

 

[NaokoSmith]

Wouldn't Michael's appendages need two hands?
<double snerk>

each?

<snerkity snerk>


OK, that thought cheered me up a bit.

I am feeling a tad grumpy today, in spite of having laid ... two paving slabs in the garden yesterday. Partly I think I am just tired. It's been a long two or three weeks, working hard and with the Fella away so no break from Piglet duties. It's not so hard these days, she does a lot herself. But there is a continuous disciplinary regime you have to keep up, reminding the little beast to do its homework and sort out games kit in time for you to wash it and not watch too many videos and get off its butt and out into the garden to plant the flowers you willingly bought for it which are wilting in their pots.

I am looking at my workload and asking questions about it. I never manage to stay on top of all the activities we are supposed to do. There is a lot of semi-voluntary stuff. For example, I have to do my marking obviously. I had to put it off til today because I was gearing up to do my teaching on the other module on Saturday. However, before getting stuck into the marking I would like to go on our tutors' forum for the module, to see if there are any tips up about it. But then I will probably want to go and chat in some of the threads, where people are making useful and interesting comments and I would like to contribute to the debate about our work. There is also a virtual conference. Actually it was on last week. I just managed to get on and view one presentation and read a few of the discussion threads. They put it on at the busiest time of the year in an absolutely typical move, so it was really hard to find time for it.

Well, there. At least I'm not like some tutors. While I was teaching on Saturday, a student popped in who is from the group who started the module in October. She had been at another venue but her tutor had not bothered to turn up at all! For the second time!!! I mean, I went along to teach even though I was pretty damn sure none of my students would be attending - my colleague was poorly so she had phoned in and I had willingly said her students could come to my tutorial so thank Goodness I did get two to chat with.

Piglet asked if I would get paid double for that and I laughed and said: "No, but I was teaching anyway, it's fine for them to join in." Then Piglet asked if the guy who never showed up would get paid, and I was obliged to admit that he would. She looked pretty disgusted to hear that!

God, I am going on here. Sorry! You know when you are angry but the irritation is like a spur - it's a good thing because it pricks you on to do something about the situation.

So, I get very involved at the moment in my work because the university is clearly in crisis. That makes us panic and try to contribute to show them how to do things better - although we know they won't listen. That means I don't have so much time for my writing, editing or reviewing.

Someone sent me his book and as he is a writer I respect and am interested in, I will try my best to look at it for him. I did ask him, what he thinks about my blog - is there any point in continuing it. Now, he knows me quite well and has reason to be interested in educational blogs of my kind. But he wrote back some generic blurb to say how nice it is to blog and write about your family and your books and stuff. He had clearly completely forgotten that I write a blog which is aimed at reviewing stories for an audience wanting to find out a bit more about sex, and secondarily aimed at reviewing writing so writers are encouraged to think more deeply about it.

I haven't written a review for weeks but nobody is up there clamouring for me to do so. I'm not being egotistic about this. I love blogging but I don't want an adulatory audience to hear about ME ME ME! I genuinely set up my blog thinking it would be of use to people. I'm at the point now where I need to decide, whether to do it seriously and get some funding for it, or should I give it up and focus on my love life ... I mean my academic writing .

If I focus on the blog more seriously, it will have an impact in my life. I won't be this academic who after four or five dates admits to doing a little pussydonymous smut writing. I will be someone who works in the sex (and relationships) industry. I know there will be people who judge me for that, although on the whole everyone I have told about it has been really supportive and understood that I am doing it seriously to help people, not for a vicarious thrill.

Well - enough! you are all probably dozing off with your heads in your breakfast by now.

Cups of coffee for you all!


https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fi.telegraph.co.uk%2Fmultimedia%2Farchive%2F02617%2Fcoffee_2617807a.jpg&f=1

 

[Handley_Page]

Thank you, Duchess.
The coffee was real nice.

"There is also a virtual conference. Actually it was on last week. I just managed to get on and view one presentation and read a few of the discussion threads. They put it on at the busiest time of the year in an absolutely typical move, so it was really hard to find time for it. "

Is this sort of daftness limited to your region or nationally ?

 

[NaokoSmith]

Is this sort of daftness limited to your region or nationally ?

Thank you for the lovely roses.


That's a piece of national daftness. They have no idea at all how we work. In the past people have suggested I come along to a seminar they are running on teaching practice or 'drop by' their office. I have had to write and point out that, like the vast majority of us tutors, I work several hours train journey away from their office. I asked if they would pay my train fare and for an overnight stay at a hotel, and for Piglet childcare costs, while I came to 'drop by' their office but they were curiously reluctant to do so.

I am pretty sure they say we tutors are lazy and unengaged because we don't turn up to these teaching seminars, which are not advertised nor put on at times or in venues which are in any way designed to suit our needs.

 

[Handley_Page]

Thank you for the lovely roses.


That's a piece of national daftness. They have no idea at all how we work. In the past people have suggested I come along to a seminar they are running on teaching practice or 'drop by' their office. I have had to write and point out that, like the vast majority of us tutors, I work several hours train journey away from their office. I asked if they would pay my train fare and for an overnight stay at a hotel, and for Piglet childcare costs, while I came to 'drop by' their office but they were curiously reluctant to do so.

I am pretty sure they say we tutors are lazy and unengaged because we don't turn up to these teaching seminars, which are not advertised nor put on at times or in venues which are in any way designed to suit our needs.

An over-dose of "Administratium" ?

I used to work in the trackless wastes of the North. My "manager" was really quite narked when I submitted my expenses a short while later; it included petrol and food, etc., for the journey.
The offices are in the London area. . .

 

[MichaelinChina]

You wicked wicked people!!
I am shocked!

 

[oggbashan]

You wicked wicked people!!
I am shocked!

You should be proud of the compliments. The wicked people assume that you are very well endowed.

 

[oggbashan]

...

I am looking at my workload and asking questions about it.


... He had clearly completely forgotten that I write a blog which is aimed at reviewing stories for an audience wanting to find out a bit more about sex, and secondarily aimed at reviewing writing so writers are encouraged to think more deeply about it.

... I'm at the point now where I need to decide, whether to do it seriously and get some funding for it, or should I give it up and focus on my love life ... I mean my academic writing .

If I focus on the blog more seriously, it will have an impact in my life. ...

I've said it before, I'll say it again - the blog is unlikely to become a significant contribution to your income. You would earn far more as a part-time supermarket worker, or a Big M burger tosser, and that income would be more consistent.

You might even make more as an author of e-books, but that is not a route to riches except for a very fortunate few. Ask English Lady who has recently reappeared on the General Board. She is a serious author who works hard at promoting her work. Whether she could live on her books? I doubt it, and she is one of the better known authors of her genre.

Yes, your blog would have a serious impact on your life, but would it become a serious contribution to your income? I would expect two to three years of unpaid work before it became profitable, if it ever does.

 

[MichaelinChina]

You should be proud of the compliments. The wicked people assume that you are very well endowed.

I noted the addition of the broad smile ogg...
I sported one too!

My comment about 'wicked, wicked people' was with my tongue firmly placed in my cheek. I would be ashamed to agree with their assumption. That would be blowing my own trumpet too loudly.

 

[TxRad]

I noted the addition of the broad smile ogg...
I sported one too!

My comment about 'wicked, wicked people' was with my tongue firmly placed in my cheek. I would be ashamed to agree with their assumption. That would be blowing my own trumpet too loudly.

I'd be careful blowing your own trumpet loudly or not.

 

[stickygirl]

I noted the addition of the broad smile ogg...
I sported one too!

My comment about 'wicked, wicked people' was with my tongue firmly placed in my cheek. I would be ashamed to agree with their assumption. That would be blowing my own trumpet too loudly.

Waat? You have big trumpet too? I guess they'd go together...
I just googled big balls
don't - just don't

 

[NaokoSmith]

My comment about 'wicked, wicked people' was with my tongue firmly placed in my cheek.

Your own cheek? That's not like you.


Aww, Ogg, I appreciate your advice. I just wonder if it's worth making an effort ... maybe not. I have put about four or five years labouring for love into the blog, it seems a pity not to just see if I could make it work better for itself, as well as me.


I have tried to get supermarket jobs. They are only given out now via strictly controlled employment channels - mainly the DSS offices. You go for a two week trial period with them, and if they like you they will take you on. You have to be willing to work full time at first, then after a few years they might let you go part-time. Even my friend Phoenix Mum couldn't get one, and she has no qualifications to lie about and severe dyslexia and was very desperate to get work.

God, I've only managed to mark three assignments today. They were all really hard work. I was disappointed for the students, I feel there is too much being pushed at them in the module, some of them aren't coping well.

But I really came on here to gossip about the Fella. He has been offered the chance of a couple of weeks at a Top USA university. (I mean absolute Top.) So he faffed about saying he couldn't "afford" to go for a bit but I bit my tongue and didn't say anything as Thank God, it's no longer my business. Finally he decided to go and he wanted to take Piglet for a week over one of her holidays. (Yayyy!!! freedom!) Then tonight, he suddenly said, wouldn't I come too! his ostensible reason being that it's a very long flight for a kid to take on her own.

No, no, don't worry, I said: "No thank you! that would be weird."

I hope nothing has gone wrong with Ms. Knickers. I shall not ask why she can't go to the States with Piglet, I don't want to be the repository for tear-sodden tales of rejection from the Fella on top of everything else.

 

[Handley_Page]

I was just ineptly trying to summarise your quote, and make clear that I love to hear about food in here!

Piglet's Drama Queens club have put on their performance for the same afternoon as the England v Wales match I think I might be able to run out of the theatre, hop on a train back to Cardiff and get into the cocktail bar in time for the second half.

I just don't get it.
An important rugby game and the Drama Queens schedule a performance ?
Do you want me to record the game for you?

Ye gods & little fishes !

 

[Lori_the_Hoosier]

But we can all admire you up there, Jane! You look so lovely.

I think we should start a new food thread, but food is always welcome in here

Awww, thanks guys. But I'm not worried about my shape. I went to Pizza Express once and had this conversation:

Waiter *best Italiano accent*: Would Madam like a nice salad? Lots of the lovely ladies like a salad.
Moi: What?!!! Do you think I got to be this shape by eating salad?!! (*shakes cleavage at waiter*) Bring me a large pizza and a big glass of red wine, and I wil definitely be looking at the dessert menu.

I figure that the kind of men I would like to have dinner with would prefer a woman who enjoys the food and wine, and talks about interesting things, rather than a very skinny woman who eats some lettuce only after talking at length about how many calories it contains.

Gah, I have to go and teach again tomorrow. I've made another blood orange sponge for this lot of students. I'll send half with Piglet to the friends who are kindly taking her in for the afternoon while I struggle back on the train. There's no rugby so I should be back in reasonable time. Then Piglet and I can eat lard and flour while lounging about on our queen-size sofabed, watching DVDs on the 43" tv

Hi Naoko,

I had my very own salad moment today, in a painfully trendy-wendy eatery in Covent Garden. I met the husband-fella in London on a promise of a nice dinner, and the waiter, Robert (or Richard, or James, or Justin, or something) looked me up and down and asked if I'd care to try the Caesar Salad, it's very popular with our lady clientele; I took umbrage, with a whiff of miffed, as I'm only 98 pounds soaking wet, so not exactly bulging out of my straitjacket, and said 'yup, sounds good, just fry a half-pound rib-eye steak in butter and stick it on top, I'm feeling peckish, Dave', so he stalked off in a huff.

I don't really understand why waiters need me to know their names; do they want to be my friends? Because I have those already, lots of them. When I go to a restaurant, what I really need are waiters who know where the kitchen is, because I don't like hunting-down and cornering the chef and making threats when I'm in a posh restaurant, it lowers the tone of the place.

Husband-person tried to hide under the table when I asked Robert/Richard/James/Justin/fill-in-blank to bring Will a cow and a fork, as he likes his steak blue and bloody. Husband has sworn the next time he takes me to dinner in London, it's going to be at a whelk stand on the Old Kent Road. He drove home muttering something about how you can take the girl out of the bayou...

 

[SamScribble]

Hi Naoko,

Husband has sworn the next time he takes me to dinner in London, it's going to be at a whelk stand on the Old Kent Road. He drove home muttering something about how you can take the girl out of the bayou...

Is there still a whelk stand on the Old Kent Road? Yum, yum.