Comeback test post

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Notte Virtuale

I went to the Notte Bianca event in Valletta, together with thousands of others. However I had to give the even more popular Notte Bianca a miss as I was at home very, very sick. Despite having taken the flu vaxine, earlier...

Hang on... need to take a few minutes to day dream. Michael Buble is singing in my ears as I type these words.... da da da da da da and I'm feeling gooooooooooooodddd. (Ok that was sooo out of tune, count yourselves as seriously lucky that I'm not putting that on mp3 for you to bust your eardrums on!) da da da-dum dum dum da da da....

Not only do I hear voices in my head (occasionall, though!) but now these are also in competition with Micahel Buble. Wanna bet who'll win? (Hint: the smart money ain't on sanity lol)

Alrighty now, let's revert to back sanity. (who the hell says alrighty anymore! poss one of my many personalities is an older man from the 1940s... lol) Nah! It's just Michael Buble putting me in a goood mood! I love swing, and his voice really takes to it!

I was going on about the flu vaxxine - which I only took because my dear cousin's a fantastic (and beautiful!) pharmacist, who gives you injections minus the nasty sting! Anyways, that's a whole other post (memo to self!)...

What I was getting at, prior to all the flying off at tangents, bit(s).. was about to tell y'all that am just getting over a nasty chest cold, which the vaxxine doesn't ward off. (Question: what is entire point of taking vaxxine when self still ends up sick?)

Yes...

In fact spending all that time indoors, not feeling up to doing much... well there's only *that* much TV you can watch in a day (or is there?) But i found myself online chatting with friends... and others, catching up with people who I haven't seen in ages. So much so that in fact, yesterday instead of going out, I had my own little notte virtuale, with a number of friends around the four corners of the earth! It was v cool.

Tonight am going out for a coffee, a real coffee, with Lars. Then will go for a drink. But am thinking of organising a cool cast on Skype, or something. If I manage to get my head round to doing that, I'll let you know so we can all have a Notte Blog.

Good weekend guys and gals!

Contact

The past couple of weeks have seen me spend lots of time on my computer... and not only work! I've been online for most of my free-waking time.

Am feeling as though am stuck in the tentacles of the web. But at the same time am not exactly an unwilling prisoner. Perhaps some great pschologist will one day come up with a theory for the web along the lines of the Stockholm Syndrome. Meanwhile, I am just going along with the insanity.

This week I have chatted and voice-chatted with friends who are living abroad, I have been tracked down by an ex-boyfriend (or something like that) and made some new virtual 'friends.'

And then I decided to look up some people who I haven't seen in ages. And guess what? I have managed to get in touch with practically all of them! Which means that all the Rebus novels that I've been reading are paying off and am carefully honing in my detective skills! Or it could also mean that am paranoid and the web is just really easy to use!

What I can say with some degree of certainty, is that it's very wiered having a virtual conversation with someone who you used to know very well in reality, but haven't met in ages. Some graves should be undisturbed... whereas other avenues are intiatlly explored on the web... it's all very confusing!

Will go check who's online now... then will check my mail!

Catch you later

New Year and Big Bangs

After a very hectic year (2006) dashing all over Europe on work, various personal tribulations, all that and a bag of chips, I took some well-deserved time off over the festive season.

Plus P was in town.

As was Ed.

Which made for a very full social calendar - which was great. Apart from the fact that between social calendar hysteria, candle making and aromatherapy experiments, i didn't find the time to blog. And no apologies there.

Can you blame me?

And there were Christmas parties, gettogethers, luxurious coffees, endless lie-ins (which I was in desparate need of), and then there was New Year's Eve... Sigh! The year started with a bang... and then music started playing in my ears!

Also managed to do some leisure travelling... to Gozo on the second day of the New Year. (Double sigh, but in a good way!)

However, just to put things into perspective, this was a new year that nearly didn't happen for me!

Seriously....

Sad but true. P and myself (frozen P - due to panic, I should say) had a near death experience. I was driving with P as my passenger, on the Birkirkara bypass on the way to watch Sophia Coppola's Marie Antoinette when the cars travelling on the lane next to mine collided and one of them ended up overturning and skidding towards me! You can imagine the shock of seeing a car travelling towards me at high speed - with no possibility of breaking (since do not imagine that car had breaking facility also on roof, just in case!) Well, fortunately the big bang (with my car) was prevented when the car stopped nigh six inches from the mirror on the driver's side - aka from me!

By the time I pulled my car over to saftey and got back to the scene of the accident, all three passengers of the overturned car were out and unscathed!

Now that was a lucky escape... and something (else!) to celebrate!

All the best for 2007 to all!

Police Psychology?

She nodded slowly. 'And during the day. I can't seem to
erase it.'

'So don't try. Just file it away, that's all you
can do. Admit it to yourself, it happened, you were there, then file it
away. You won't forget it, but you won't harp on it
either.'

'Police psychology?'

'Common sense, hard learnt...'

Taken from Ian Rankin's bestseller 'Mortal Causes'

Let's just say i've done a stint in the funny farm... of the metaphorical sort, of course. They'd never have let me out of the real one, would they, now?

Well, I have returned enlightened and obsessed. Explanation follows hereafter.

Enlightenment: See above quote. It's about zen. About keeping the baggage and letting go at once. Living the experience and savouring it but not letting it carry you away. Basically, either Ian Rankin's a genius with insight, or else I'm seeing things... again (sic!) Reading too much into things and all.

Obsession: Not of the Calvin Klein variety. But with the reading too much business. Really, am beginning to believe that I've really been going overboard with the books. Have devoured eight of Ian Rankin's seventeen Rebus novels in just over a month. Basically, have turned into a heremit. When am not slaving at work, typing frantically over a keyboard and mooning over files and piles of paper, am reading like mad. Like mad! It's exhilarating. His plot is fantastic, his characters are real and flawed, and his humour bites! Plus, am in lurve with Rebus. (Sorry, have traded in Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility with this bittersweet Scottish detective.) Sigh!

Moblogging test

Since have become addicted to surfing the web and checking my email
via my mobile am now attempting to moblog from paradise! Only thing is
that have messed up my t 9 setting and this is taking forever!!! Let
me know if this works by dropping me an email .

Pics of the latest business trip

Too tired to do much of anything.

Too restless to go to bed at 11 pm on the eve of a public holiday.

Plus keep dreaming about being stuck in prison, while my 'negoitator' (whose side is he on???) tries to convince my would-be captors that I'm worth a heck of a lot less than 30 goats, one milking cow and a camel (the latter thrown in, just for shits and giggles, as it were...) Weird, I know!

Welcome to the world of jetlag. I am your host here!

Decided to post some pics here about my most recent trip to the Med.

Several flight delays, crossed connections and turbulence and I arrived at destination 1. Work took me to a lush gala night atop a pontoon - see pic. (No need for jokes, here... I didn't trip over in my heels and go splash into the water... well, only because a good-looking fellow business-tripper was there to catch me in time... French guys are such gentlemen!) I could soooo live this life!











Work appointments at destination 2 were busy and hectic, (but thankfully very fruitful... as opposed to fruity) so decided to haunt a very VERY Zen bar (pic above), which was totally fabulous and served my very favourite Mojitos!!! The haunt was so zen that just the thought of it... makes my eyes turn misty blue? Nah, but it does make me want to read Siddharta all over again, and Zen and the Art of motorcycle maintenace...

Finally, I managed to find the time to relax a little by the pool; which was a v good idea! And yes... those are my pedicured toes at the bottom of the pic, he he he! Just in case you were wondering...

And still not willing to go to sleep, I now realise that am just in time for SATC (Sex and the City for the unitiated few who must've been located somewhere on planet Zonk without satellite TV for the past few years!)

Then will go get ready for the next business trip... I take off in a few days again!

Where Am I Now?

Those of you who have been regular readers of MaltaToday since it's inception, might recall a very entertaining column entitled 'Where are they now?' Tongue lodged firmly in cheek, I am posting what is possibly the first auto-biographical sarcastic interview... EVER. (Drum rolls please!) This post is dedicated to said column and its author. By the way, does anyone know why they stopped running the column???

Name: Nina78
No, we meant actual name: You wish! Prefer to hide under safe womb-like protection duvet of nome de plume. Also, cannot possibly handle chance of some people taking a contract out on my head.

Gender: Female, duh! (just take a look at the staggering amount of shoes, accessories, bags and clothes in subject's possession.)

Age: It's NOT appropriate to ask a lady that!
Age: Ask nicely.
Age, pretty please: 27. I know I don't look it (or act like it!) but it's true.

Last time you checked the meaning of modesty in the dictionary: Oh shut up! I.AM.NOT.TALKING.TO.YOU.

Most remarkable features: Wit, sense of humour and hearing voices of my head.

Were you paying attention to the previous question?

Favourite action hero: Batman.

Mission in life: World domination.

Appearance: Stylish and high-maintenance. Slightly hungover, but ONLY this morning!

Will never: Eat at fast-food chains.

Who's coming over for supper tonight: Supper, do I look like I have time for supper? Or the will to eat?

Where am I now?
Temporal-spatial dimension of self, currently unknown. Have been globe-trotting in manner of jet setting mogul (only NOT in first class!) for work-related purposes. Am jet-lagged and pathetically trying to catch up with humungous list of things-to-do. (Listing obsession reaching dramatic proportions now.) Too busy to bother with mess-state of self's life (which perhaps is a very good thing.) Also due to all this travelling have felt incontrollable urge to spend at airports and have also managed to squeeze in some frantic shopping under the buy-all-you-can-due-to-little-time-for-shopping-while-on-business-trip syndrome. As a result, ams now scared of checking bank balance as self's MasterCard is still hot from usage at various EPOS machines across Europe. Financial doom imminent. Possibly self is also still too drunk from last night to know / care about location! Gaah!

(Sound of head throbbing. Padumph. Padumph. Pa-da-dum. DUM.)

Where are you going?
Do I look like I know? Seriously! Do you mean where are you going, as in what are you planning to do with your life? That's a good question. One which requires serious reflection - perhaps I can jot down some ideas while I'm travelling on a plane (unless I have to catch up on work or something!)

No. What location will you be visiting next?
Oh, that!

(Sigh of total and utter boredom escapes self's lips.)

So?
Oh right. You're expecting a sensible answer.

(Sound of torch-light going on and rummaging of self searching for sense and its defunct cousin: sensible answer, in bottomless pit of new tote.)

Am attending a conference somewhere in the Med.

Sigh. (In resignation.)

New outlook on life (sic!)

Yes, well as you can see I have changed (rather drastically - but that's me!) my blog template, as well as a number of other things in life.

Read: A change will do you good! (cf: Cheryl Crow)

Hmmm... Not so sure about the 'doing me good' bit about change. But at least it's something, no?

Am trying to make sense of a number of nonsensical happennings that have been going on at this end of the keyboard, but to no avail. (sic! what else is new?) In an attempt to clarify intense confusion that has gripped self, i have come up with the list below. (Tsk!)

Some background here: I believe that when being in the eye of a hurricane-from-hell type storm it is always best to stay very still and do nothing. Do nothing, but think and rationalise your way out of the hurricane. And we all know that the best way to clarify your thoughts are via lists. (Says who? Dunno. Just go with it. Pleeeease!) This is, I believe, what people do when in the jungle / forest they chance upon a lion / bear. The notion is clearly to pretend that nothing is out of the ordinary, thereby fooling the wild beast (with big,BIG teeth nestled in a very,VERY strong jaw) into believing that there is need to attack. Meanwhile, the beast will just wander off back to its den allowing you to escape slowly, and without making any sudden movements.

Disclaimer: This theory has not as yet been scientifically proven and the author will take no responsibility for the consequences of following the 'plan' above.

Note: If you are reading this and considering taking the author's advice, kindly seek medical attention, or even better check yourself into the funny farm. The author and her 'advice' are never, EVER to be listened to. Failure to heed this note may (and let's face it, probably will) get you in no-end of trouble!

Back to MY list...

List has been complied with same attitude used by The Bride's in Kill Bill. (Note, I said attitude, as in: I am not determined to hack people but just to get to grips with certain 'issues'. Now, if only i could swathe a Hattori Hanzo blade like that... suspect that earth would be a much better place!) Humph!

Well, here goes...

List of things that are REALLY starting to bug me:
(not in order of aggravation or priority!)

1. Situation with BIG - impossible to explain due to flippant, fickle nature of situation itself.
2. Maybe even BIG (?) - which perhaps would be a good thing in manner of a sign that self is over it and has moved on. Hmmm. Perhaps this should be stricken from the list. But now that i typed it out and all... Naaaahhhh!
3. Other people's fuck-ups affecting self's life - hmmmm better not dwell too much on this. too aggravating.
4. Self's lack of commitment to self's self-imposed goals - also better not to dwell too much on this. too depressing.
5. Failure of self to fix things - should go to some cosmic DIY lessons.
6. Failure of Zen Master to fix things - cosmic DIY lessons to be taken from someone other than the Zen Master, perhaps. (However am aware that it is ALL MY FAULT. Despite my best efforts!)
7. Self's compulsive obsession to list things - this is getting really baaaaaaadddd now!

Any advice anyone, seriously.

Better specify here. Any GOOD advice, anyone.

Seriously!

Lights AND Doors

Note: Hung over from last nights 'excursion' with Lars and Er. We are all in our own separate ruts and since we seem to have reached the bottom of the barrel, we have sought solace in the bottom of wine bottles (white: Lars and Er) and Bacardi Cola (self.) So if this bit doesn't exactly make sense, blame it on the booze still in my system, this time!

Proverbial light at end of tunnel keeps flashing on and off, impishly blinding poor self as am immersed in a thick black ink placed which is punctured sporadically by floods of white light which blink on and off in manner of strobe at a rave. Since have never dropped e (in the words of my generation - sic! not my generation but the YOUNGER generation) cannot therefore possibly find this light freak show soothing in any manner, shape or psychedelic form.

You know how they say God never shuts one door without opening another.... The lights at the end of the tunnel continue to blink epileptically - though hopefully signalling impending opportunities coming my way, as my horo / horror-scope said - as opposed to signalling that they are regrettably on the blink! (In which Case: GAAAAHHHHH!) Well, in addition to blinking lights now also have to deal with added cacophony of doors slamming open and shut throughout said metaphorical tunnel as though were in the middle of bloody storm-draught from Alaska, Siberia or similar.

All is very confusing. Perhaps Zen Master is right (damn!) and life has no meaning (double damn!)
Also, perhaps efforts of people surrounding self have come to fruition and self has finally conceded into insanity. (Can almost hear men in white coats approaching the door!)

Gaah!

Laughing hysterically, which was pretty much what we did last night, ALL night: Ha ha, ha ha, ha ha HA!

Have therefore given up making sense of anything (again, sic!) and have done the only sane thing to do under the circumstances - severe retail therapy. (Read: shopping in three countries within the span of 24 hours.) It works wonders in manner of displacement activity (believe me, I'm an expert on the matter.)

Also have read Marian Keyes Under the Duvet (as a run up to the gift which Lars and Er gave me - Further Under the Duvet) AND Lauren Weiseberger's Everyone Worth Knowing.

Great progress, therefore. Think that am holding up pretty well under the circumstances. Obviously this will all change when I get my credit card bill and the inevitable note officially informing me that the bank has put a contract out on my head, as it were. (And who can blame them?) Will be / am in BIG trouble again!

Sound of doors slamming as self walks through proverbial tunnel. Now running madly into the flashing of lights which black out and flash back on with even greater intensity.

Gaah!

Repeat mantra du jour at will:

It all works out in the end. Nobody knows how –
but it always does.

(From the film Shakespeare in Love)