Reasons why I shouldn't drink (cont.)

Waking up at 4.45am completely unable to get back to sleep. Seriously, it's like I have jetlag. At least the alcoholic hot sweats mean I'm not feeling the cold this morning. I still haven't used my heater this winter. I feel it's coming any day now. Because I'm up and about so early with the booze, I've taken a leaf out of my friend H's book. When she's had a night out she ususally can't sleep either and ends up doing the hoovering. Her poor neighbours. I've decided to use my time to make a dent in the laundry mountain that's built up over the exam period.

Wanderly Wagon and more...

I knew if I were patient that someone would someday upload it. And that day has come. Here we have the Wanderly Wagon opening credits in all their glory. Please try and tell me that the producers of the show were not tripping on acid when then came up with this title sequence. It's so funky - way trendier than I remember.

As an expat, I just love the 'Irish-isms' in this clip. Godmother is going shopping for the 'messages' and Mr Crow goes on about 'chak-a-lits'. Enjoy.



And seeing as we're going on a trip down memory lane, I feel I can't leave out the Brits - they had a huge influence on my development, too. How about some Trumpton?



Or Bagpuss?



Or Pigeon Street? Now with some twenty years of hindsight, I'm thinking Long Distance Clara might have worn her some comfy shoes!

Reasons I shouldn't drink alcohol...

105 days of sobriety. That's 15 straight weeks, people! Fall off the wagon. One and a half TINY beers in (not even 40ccs) and I nearly walk into a lamp-post!
And friends wonder why I don't drive...

Free at last

Today, I took what I hope to be my last ever exam in Japan. I mean, assuming I didn't fail, that is. I think it all went pretty well. But you never really know with a language. It's all so ambiguous and tricky.
Walking out of my final test, I expected to feel elated. To be honest, I just felt tired. But I did see a guy cracking open a beer and it inpsired me to fall off the wagon. I cracked open that first can and I don't think alcohol ever tasted so good. I then went and bought a really good bottle of Medoc. I fully intend to go nuts now that I'm back on the sauce. Just kidding - everything in moderation.
I'm looking on the booze as physiotherapy. My neck is offically banjaxed. I guess the last four weeks spent with a pencil poised in my right hand have done my shoulder muscles in. My neck now makes a disconcerting crack when I turn in certain directions. Here's hoping that a little yoga will sort me out. If not, I could be looking at an expensive transplant.
The other big news on my side of the world is that I quit my job. I had planned to give my notice in the new year, but it all happened really naturally in the end. I will still stay on for a few months yet, but big changes are in the works.
I have to say the day I told my boss I was leaving is when I felt real elation. I'm a little scared, of course. I have no idea what I'm going to be doing next year. But on the other hand, that's wonderfully liberating. I've opened myself up to the universe and I'm ready to be pointed toward the next stage of my journey.
I'm not going to worry about any of that heavy stuff for the minute. I'm looking forward to my brother coming to visit in three short days. After that, I'm heading home for Chrimbo. I think December is going to be great.
All in all, I will not be sad to say goodbye to 2006. With a few major exceptions (my sister's visit, my new yoga school, my birthday) it was a bit rubbish. I have a feeling that 2007 is going to be my year. I'm nothing if not optimistic slash deluded!