25 Sept 2008

Liisa 1 ... Skinheads 0


Skinhead: Someone with a shaved head; Member of the skinhead subculture arising in late 1960s England or its diaspora; Someone, often associating with a violent gang, who adheres to white-supremacist or anti-immigrant principles.

I feel I should be wearing a cape or at least a tight-fighting sparkly crime-fighting outfit as I type this. Yesterday I took on a group of skinheads and won. Well, sort of.

On my way home from work, sitting in Gorgeous George, listening to the freakishly talented Jimmy Wayne on my iPod (through my car radio not through earphones) when I noticed (in the stop & start traffic queues), a group of skinheads in a car harassing a young Muslim woman in a neighbouring car which happened to be in front of me. They had their windows down, leering & jeering, doing hand gestures and swerving towards her pretending to hit her.

Because the traffic was so stop & start, she couldn't escape them. They just ended up stopping right next to each other.

Super Liisa needed to intervene!

Since I didn't have a 'phone booth handy to change into my crime-fighting outfit, I floored Gorgeous George instead and swerved in front of the skinheads meaning they couldn't get level with the young girl.

Ha ha ha! Mission accomplished.

(To be fair, I was incandescent at this stage. It really beggars belief that ignorance on that scale still exists).

But the traffic gods were mocking me and the stop and start (traffic) was such that they could still harass her.

That's when they crashed into me.

And I thought I was mad before!

I managed to put on my hazard lights, turn off Jimmy, unplug my seatbelt and get out the car swinging in one motion ;)

Driver Skinhead (that's when I realised there were SIX in the car) came out and said he was changing the radio station and didn't see my car. Red in the face and about to explode with frustration, I blurted out (finger pointing) "YOU WERE NOT! I SAW YOU!"

He looked at me slightly shocked and said something like "erm.. you're right, I was talking with my mate".

Redder still and using my finger I prodded him once on his chest saying "YOU WERE NOOOOOOOT!!! YOU WERE HARASSING THAT GIRL!"

and that's when the other skinheads decided to get out of the car and the ... er, gravity of the situation slooooowly sank in (as my finger retracted in slooooow motion and poop threatened to fill my pants! )

I quickly inspected Gorgeous George (no visible damage - PHEW), glared at him one more time and walked back to my car.

I then LOCKED my door, turned on Jimmy (a girl has priorities), shook my head (for effect), turned around and wrote down their licence plate (with such exaggerated gestures I could have won Charades) and then drove off.

I then rang my Mum and told her briefly what happened (just in case they decided to get even further down the road).

One idiot in the front seat kept trying to harass the same girl who was no longer parallel) but the head skinhead / driver kept his eye on my car and as soon as he could pull off, he did. I think I may actually have shook him up a bit.

In hindsight, it was slightly foolish. I don't know if anyone would have come to MY rescue if they decided to err, "handle" the situation themselves but I was so mad at their cowardice for "attacking" that poor girl, I couldn't help myself.

On a different note ... I know what I am getting for Christmas. Mum bought it yesterday. A HIGH-DEFINITION LCD TV!!!! Squeeeeeeeeeal! Of course I get absolutely nothing else and the TV (the exact model and brand I wanted) was on a massive sale (more than half price) so Mum snapped it up. I told her it was waaaaaay too extravagant but she went ahead and did it.

Anyhoo thought you'd like to hear my story about my Skinhead encounter!

24 Sept 2008

Good Karma and some Jimmy....

Two things I am absolutely LOVING at the moment is the new Good Works range by This Works (http://www.thisworks.com/) particularly the Good Karma Shower Gel with rose, cedarwood & jasmine.





In a word: heavenly!


It is quite heavily scented but I use it on an evening and no matter how I am feeling (happy, sad, stressed, sick, anxious), I will end up feeling calm and relaxed. It's so lovely ~ I absolutely love it.

Buuuuut if having a heavenly scent, lovely lather and leaving you feel relaxed wasn't enough, (no?), what about this -> using these products HELPS kids, gives money to charity AND the products are ALL natural!


(This Works has launched a partnership with Kids Company to raise money for disadvantaged and damaged children. PLUS the products will also be used at the Kids Company centre in London AND percentage of the sale of products also go to the charity!!)


The second thing I adore is Jimmy Wayne's latest album, "Do You Believe Me Now".





As usual (with Jimmy) it is absolutely fantastic! He is SUCH an inspiration (and if that wasn't enough), freakishly talented. His first album ("Jimmy Wayne") saw me write a review on Amazon.co.uk for the first time as I was so impressed. This album doesn't disappoint. I can't put anything else on ... I just want to listen to it all the time. He deserves much success, happiness and joy. Go Jimmy!

8 Sept 2008

Just a few American things I Love

In no particular order and by no means comprehensive,
here are a few American things I just LOVE!*
* besides the obvious like the people and the scenery
Clash of the Choirs
It has just started on the Biography Channel here and I love it.
My three favourite teams are Team Lachey, Team Rowland and Team Shelton!




Burt Bees
In fact ANYTHING by Burt Bees. I love this stuff!

I am addicted to the PARIS (French Vanilla) flavour of
Senseo coffee pods
.
Senseo is available in England but this flavour isn't.


Sharpies!
Full stop. I adore Sharpies.
And I love the NEW Sharpie Pen (that doesn't bleed through paper)


Target
Possibly my favourite store in America.


Milk Duds
A new addition to my list having tried them for the first time in July.

Bath & Body Works
YUM! I love their anti-bacterial foam hand soap the best!

Borders
Sigh. I love this store.
Walking into this store (with money to burn) is my idea of heaven!

4 Sept 2008

I Believe ....

Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.

I Believe...
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave
loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long
after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude
or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do
what has to be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing
and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down,
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry
I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with
what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them
and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances
may have influenced who we are,
but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret.
It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you -
you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life
are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in, I just did.

'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.'

Baseball ... Football .... it's all good!

From Facebook --> Worcester Tornadoes wrote at 3:18am
The tornadoes just beat the Sussex Skyhawks in game one of the CANAM league playoffs!
The excited game ended in a 3-2 victory thanks to an all around strong performance by your Worcester Tornadoes. Don't forget to get your playoff tickets for Fridays game at www.worcestertornadoes.com

WOO HOO ~ the Play-Offs are getting closer!!!!

GO TORNADOES

I also watched the NFL Preview Show last night (which I recorded when it was shown around 2am that day). Oh it was brilliant. They explained the teams, how the draft works, how the salary / contracts work, who changed teams, which coaches changed etc. They are going to show some games throughout the whole season!!!

PLUS last night's show talked all about the last SuperBowl and went to the PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP which I stumbled upon by accident in July!!! It was awesome. I really love American Football (and I really love the Patriots)!!

PLUS (again)

1. Two Teams come to Wembley Stadium in London and play a game. This year it's the New Orlean Saints vs San Diego Chargers. I can't get tickets (it gets sold out - yes all 82,000 seats!!) but I am going to pre-register for next year. How awesome is that?!

2. There is talk of adding a new team to the American league .... a team based in LONDON ENGLAND?!! How cool would THAT be??!!!

3 Sept 2008

Wisdom

For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision:
But today well lives
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
SANSKRIT PROVERB
When you are in complete harmony with the Universe, which is all good, then you have tapped into the greatest power there is to support you. To harmonize yourself with the Universe and allow all good to flood into your life, speak good words, plant good thoughts, and generate good feelings.
Taken from The Secret Daily Calendar for 2nd September.

Play Offs!!!

Tornadoes take on Skyhawks in the First Round

Your Worcester Tornadoes, winners of the second half will take on
the Sussex Skyhawks in the first round of the playoffs.
The schedule for the first round is as listed below.
Wednesday, September 3rd [Game 1]
Worcester @ Sussex
7:05pm

Thursday, September 4th [Game 2]
Worcester @ Sussex
7:05pm

Friday, September 5th [Game 3]
Worcester vs. Sussex
7:05pm

Sunday, September 7th [Game 4]*
Worcester vs. Sussex
5:05pm

Monday, September 8th [Game 5]*
Worcester vs. Sussex
7:05pm

* The CANAM playoffs are two best-of-five series.
Game 4 and Game 5 will be played only if necessary.
For the full playoff schedule visit the CANAM league website [http://canamleague.com/schedule/playoffs.php]
Taken from the Worcester Tornadoes Website.

2 Sept 2008

More about Shanna

Being obsessed with the Katie Chandler series at the moment (what can I say, I have a crush on "Owen") I went to her website earlier today (http://www.shannaswendson.com/index.html) to read about Book 5 (whether there will be one etc) and found this ...

Will There Be A Book Five (or more)?

I have a Book 5 planned and even partially written, and a few random ideas for what should come after that. Unfortunately, my publisher currently doesn't have plans to publish that book. It boils down to numbers, and the sales for the third book are far enough below those for the first book (which is still selling steadily, which makes it hard to catch up) that the spreadsheets that extrapolate potential book 5 sales say it's not worthwhile to publish that book. This could change if sales of books 3 and 4 pick up, if the movie gets made or if some other lightning strikes. I'm optimistic and stubborn, and I haven't given up yet. The best thing you can do to help make book 5 happen is to make sure all those people you got hooked on the series have moved on to the last two books. You can also keep spreading the word about the whole series and request the books at your local library (libraries will often pay attention to patron requests for books to purchase).

So I thought I'd help Shanna out ... selfishly because there HAS to be a book 5. So if you are after a good chick lit book with a magical twist, why not check out "Enchanted, Inc".

The synopsis from Goodreads:

Katie Chandler had always heard that New York is a weird and wonderful place, but this small-town Texas gal had no idea how weird until she moved there. Everywhere she goes, she sees something worth gawking at and Katie is afraid she’s a little too normal to make a splash in the big city. Working for an ogre of a boss doesn’t help. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Katie gets a job offer from Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., a company that tricks of the trade to the magic community. For MSI, Katie’s ordinariness is an asset. Lacking any bit of magic, she can easily spot a fake spell, catch hidden clauses in competitor’s contracts, and detect magically disguised intruders. Suddenly, average Katie is very special indeed. She quickly learns that office politics are even more complicated when your new boss is a real ogre, and you have a crush on the sexy, shy, ultra powerful head of the R&D department, who is so busy fighting an evil competitor threatening to sell black magic on the street that he seems barely to notice Katie. Now it’s up to Katie to pull off the impossible: save the world and–hopefully–live happily ever after.

I'd LOVE to hear what you think to this series if you do pick it up!
Spread the word!!!!!!

Loving Shanna Swendson




I am absolutely LOVING Shanna Swendson!
I found "Enchanted, Inc." while looking for another book on Amazon and on a whim bought it. What a gem! I loved it! I am currently reading the second in the series, "Once Upon Stilettos" and am loving it as much as the first.
I can't wait for the third in the series, "Damsel Under Stress" to arrive.

1 Sept 2008

Sunflowers

This weekend my neighbours asked if I would look after their cats while they went away. Of course it wasn't a problem (their cats are so easy to look after). When they came back, they brought my this lovely bunch of sunflowers. Aren't they lovely (both the sunflowers and my neighbours).


I actually took it easy this weekend as I'm full of cold. I caught up on my Sky+ and watched the last ever episode of Third Watch.


Sniff. It was really good too!! I loved that show and I thought they wrapped it up really well. It's sad knowing there won't be any new episodes.