Life has been really busy of late - I am trying to get companies to sponsor the Run for Heroes fun run in Swindon next June, so far without much success and yesterday I was appalled to receive an email from Jordans who make those yummy cereals wishing me luck with my swimathon! Again it was a thanks but no thanks email but a swimathon for god's sake don't they read emails properly???
I have also been trying to get the band some gigs and have been on twitter as I have made friends with a few people with a view to getting gigs. Fingers crossed I may have picked up a support act slot for this coming Monday with The Damned.
Trying to get back to my studies as well - I have assignments to write and yet have no time these days. I guess I shouldn't complain as my business seems to be taking off..I have been invited to quote to organise 3 seminars about divorce. Have been networking like crazy - I am now the marketing assistant for Birmingham Longbridge 4N group (a voluntary post) and I have been tweeting, facebooking, yakking on the phone, yakking on skype and I have been advertising too. Managed to get a free advert in CES which is a huge directory that goes out to big businesses who may want help organising their product launches etc, got a paid advert in Hospitality & Events North too. I no longer see the point in advertising in wedding magazines because I have had zero take up and I refuse to waste yet more money.
Visited a fab venue the other day, it is only available for use at weekends and bank holidays - its the Council House in Birmingham, their banqueting suite is to die for and for £1200 plus VAT people can hire it for the day..you also get the museum too for that price.
Friday 27 November 2009
Wednesday 11 November 2009
Where does the time go?
Time is whizzing by so fast and yet it seems as though this week has passed by slowly..it feels like Thursday or am I wishing that it was Thursday?
I spent the latter part of last week, the weekend and this week trawling through all the emails and replying to them, always apologising for the late reply.
I have been out every day this week.
Monday, I was at a course on speaking confidently with a bit of mind mapping thrown in..this was an all day affair. It was in Stourport on Severn and I was given some directions and downloaded some directions from Streetmap which is usually quite good, only I got lost and ended up almost back where I started. Then something took over me and I thought..I will just turn left here and eventually I will get across to the Kidderminster Road but then discovered that the lane I wanted to take to Dodford and Chaddesley Corbett was closed so I headed for Blakedown, stopped and looked at the map to try and work out where I was..then headed for Kidderminster and followed signs for Stourport on Severn and then I needed to call the chap running the course..eventually I found his home. The course was extremely good and now I feel much more confident.
Tuesday, I was breakfast meeting again..I may have a gig for the band I am now looking after (only a small one but a gig none the less and a gig that pays more than £50). Today, I was breakfasting again and gave a video testimonial for Barry's website. I have also been emailing Britvic in the hope that they will donate 1500 bottles of water or sports drink for the Help for Heroes Day incorporating Run for Heroes which takes place in Swindon on 6 June 2010.
This evening I had a call from a chap asking me if I wanted to be a Wikaniko agent selling eco friendly products..I shall have a look but I won't promise anything and just now I have had an email from a lady called Paula who had seen my advert in Perfect Wedding Magazine and is asking for a job..a job that I don't have but I may ask her to help with this Help for Heroes Day.
Tomorrow night I am off to meet the band where we will discuss fees, Friday I am off to Cirencester for a look around the Four Pillars Hotel (where I stayed last week), I may just ask them about sponsorship whilst I am at it...why not kill two birds with one stone?
I just hope that at the end of all these meetings that I get something from them..the Heroes Day will cost me time but could reap rewards as it will look fantastic in my portfolio and it will be the biggest event that I have ever organised.
I spent the latter part of last week, the weekend and this week trawling through all the emails and replying to them, always apologising for the late reply.
I have been out every day this week.
Monday, I was at a course on speaking confidently with a bit of mind mapping thrown in..this was an all day affair. It was in Stourport on Severn and I was given some directions and downloaded some directions from Streetmap which is usually quite good, only I got lost and ended up almost back where I started. Then something took over me and I thought..I will just turn left here and eventually I will get across to the Kidderminster Road but then discovered that the lane I wanted to take to Dodford and Chaddesley Corbett was closed so I headed for Blakedown, stopped and looked at the map to try and work out where I was..then headed for Kidderminster and followed signs for Stourport on Severn and then I needed to call the chap running the course..eventually I found his home. The course was extremely good and now I feel much more confident.
Tuesday, I was breakfast meeting again..I may have a gig for the band I am now looking after (only a small one but a gig none the less and a gig that pays more than £50). Today, I was breakfasting again and gave a video testimonial for Barry's website. I have also been emailing Britvic in the hope that they will donate 1500 bottles of water or sports drink for the Help for Heroes Day incorporating Run for Heroes which takes place in Swindon on 6 June 2010.
This evening I had a call from a chap asking me if I wanted to be a Wikaniko agent selling eco friendly products..I shall have a look but I won't promise anything and just now I have had an email from a lady called Paula who had seen my advert in Perfect Wedding Magazine and is asking for a job..a job that I don't have but I may ask her to help with this Help for Heroes Day.
Tomorrow night I am off to meet the band where we will discuss fees, Friday I am off to Cirencester for a look around the Four Pillars Hotel (where I stayed last week), I may just ask them about sponsorship whilst I am at it...why not kill two birds with one stone?
I just hope that at the end of all these meetings that I get something from them..the Heroes Day will cost me time but could reap rewards as it will look fantastic in my portfolio and it will be the biggest event that I have ever organised.
Friday 6 November 2009
Busy Busy Busy
I am having a manic time and today was particularly bad as at long last my business email has been sorted out and when I eventually gained access to it, I had over 400 emails and most of them were missed opportunities! I won't bore you with the details as to what went wrong with my email as it is all so tedious.
I recently joined 4Networking and have been having quite a few breakfast meetings lately, my local group recently offered me the post of Marketing Assistant, this is a voluntary post but will raise the profile of my business. On Wednesday I went to South Cerney just outside Cirencester to stay in a rather posh hotel at Cotswold Water Park..it was a jolly nice place but the food was expensive and I must remember that when I book on a room only basis next time to take some sandwiches and maybe some cupasoup so as to avoid the ridiculous cost of a sandwich. Due to the power of 4N I didnt have to stay on my own for too long as a lovely chap called Bruce Boulton who runs his own photography business popped in for a coffee - it was like meeting an old friend.
I went to the breakfast meeting at Coots Cafe which was 500yds from the hotel as planned - I had to take a hamper to their group leader, I enjoyed breakfast and had 3 1:1 meetings as is the normal - I met a fantastic caterer and two great wedding photographers, I also offered my services free of charge to an endurance runner who is holding a huge charity event in Swindon next year in aid of Help for Heroes.
Next week I have more meetings and venues to visit and I shall also be meeting up with the other band members of Third Bullet - I am really enthused about them so hope to be able to get them gigs and a record deal. I am busy with meetings for the next few weeks.
I can see myself moving away from weddings as the corporate side of things seems to be picking up in a big way and I am beginning to think that organising events is the way to go.
I am also in a quandary as to what to do with the 14 page list of brides that I received from Your West Midlands Wedding as these are people who visited their stand at the NEC - I only received this list today as it was one of the 400 emails that I had missed. There seems little point in contacting anybody as the list is now several weeks' old...oh for some enlightenment.
I recently joined 4Networking and have been having quite a few breakfast meetings lately, my local group recently offered me the post of Marketing Assistant, this is a voluntary post but will raise the profile of my business. On Wednesday I went to South Cerney just outside Cirencester to stay in a rather posh hotel at Cotswold Water Park..it was a jolly nice place but the food was expensive and I must remember that when I book on a room only basis next time to take some sandwiches and maybe some cupasoup so as to avoid the ridiculous cost of a sandwich. Due to the power of 4N I didnt have to stay on my own for too long as a lovely chap called Bruce Boulton who runs his own photography business popped in for a coffee - it was like meeting an old friend.
I went to the breakfast meeting at Coots Cafe which was 500yds from the hotel as planned - I had to take a hamper to their group leader, I enjoyed breakfast and had 3 1:1 meetings as is the normal - I met a fantastic caterer and two great wedding photographers, I also offered my services free of charge to an endurance runner who is holding a huge charity event in Swindon next year in aid of Help for Heroes.
Next week I have more meetings and venues to visit and I shall also be meeting up with the other band members of Third Bullet - I am really enthused about them so hope to be able to get them gigs and a record deal. I am busy with meetings for the next few weeks.
I can see myself moving away from weddings as the corporate side of things seems to be picking up in a big way and I am beginning to think that organising events is the way to go.
I am also in a quandary as to what to do with the 14 page list of brides that I received from Your West Midlands Wedding as these are people who visited their stand at the NEC - I only received this list today as it was one of the 400 emails that I had missed. There seems little point in contacting anybody as the list is now several weeks' old...oh for some enlightenment.
Monday 2 November 2009
Getting Old
Either I am getting old or becoming more intolerant as I get older..either that or I have a headache and can't be bothered. I have just been speaking to a posh magazine that gets distributed into quality shops such as Hugo Boss, Harvey Nicks and Selfridges in Birmingham City Centre. They were trying to sell me advertising space and to be honest the sales woman put me off somewhat it was as though she was trying to be posh but kept telling me that Harvey Nicks in the Mailbox was lush..now I know and you know that Lush is a shop that sells bath bombs and handmade soaps. Their advert was reduced from £350 plus VAT to £150 plus VAT but although it was tempting, I have already wasted enough money on adverts in magazines and I am not really looking at the wedding market any more. Sure, I will organise the odd wedding if asked but I want to concentrate on the corporate market and..this band thing when it comes off..I am meeting them tomorrow.
I have a bad headache today and have had it since I took a tablet this morning. I have been having problems with dizzy spells which are becoming more violent (I have an inner ear problem anyway) so I visited the doctor today to see if they could prescribe me some medication. In the past I have had Stemitil but I got used to taking it as and when and was last presribed some in 2008 now I have some new tablets that need to be taken three times a day and I have to go back in a month - it could be that I have to have the flippin things for life..sigh. I read the contra-indications leaflet that came in the pack and headaches are a side effect and so I have one..my head actually feels hot.
Not much done over the weekend - did some washing that I forgot to take in on Saturday night and so it was wringing wet after being rained on on Sunday - it is now drying nicely in the living room. I received some samples of spray windowcleaner to test for Tesco Home Panels on Saturday and today I received some non-biological washing powder to test..I have two small boxes of powder...that should keep me out of mischief for a while. I also tackled the mound of paper that had accumulated..it is going down slowly as things get either shredded, chucked in the rubbish or separated into the bag that I use to visit the paperbank. I need to have a darn good tidy up and move some furniture about because I bought a new rug today - its pure new wool and rather large but a bargain at £49.99 when ones that look the same are in Argos for over £100...eek. This new rug means that I can get rid of the free one that I found rolled up on top of the bins (I actually found two rugs), they have had a damn good clean but the one that needs to be taken up is a bit grubbier and so I shall roll it up and put it on the bin in the hope that someone takes it.
I have a busy week ahead - on Wednesday I am off to stay at The Four Pillars Hotel at South Cerney (Cirencester) as I am off to a breakfast meeting on Thursday at a venue next door to the hotel. I shall take the time to meet with others and do some much needed study without being distracted by the internet.
I have a bad headache today and have had it since I took a tablet this morning. I have been having problems with dizzy spells which are becoming more violent (I have an inner ear problem anyway) so I visited the doctor today to see if they could prescribe me some medication. In the past I have had Stemitil but I got used to taking it as and when and was last presribed some in 2008 now I have some new tablets that need to be taken three times a day and I have to go back in a month - it could be that I have to have the flippin things for life..sigh. I read the contra-indications leaflet that came in the pack and headaches are a side effect and so I have one..my head actually feels hot.
Not much done over the weekend - did some washing that I forgot to take in on Saturday night and so it was wringing wet after being rained on on Sunday - it is now drying nicely in the living room. I received some samples of spray windowcleaner to test for Tesco Home Panels on Saturday and today I received some non-biological washing powder to test..I have two small boxes of powder...that should keep me out of mischief for a while. I also tackled the mound of paper that had accumulated..it is going down slowly as things get either shredded, chucked in the rubbish or separated into the bag that I use to visit the paperbank. I need to have a darn good tidy up and move some furniture about because I bought a new rug today - its pure new wool and rather large but a bargain at £49.99 when ones that look the same are in Argos for over £100...eek. This new rug means that I can get rid of the free one that I found rolled up on top of the bins (I actually found two rugs), they have had a damn good clean but the one that needs to be taken up is a bit grubbier and so I shall roll it up and put it on the bin in the hope that someone takes it.
I have a busy week ahead - on Wednesday I am off to stay at The Four Pillars Hotel at South Cerney (Cirencester) as I am off to a breakfast meeting on Thursday at a venue next door to the hotel. I shall take the time to meet with others and do some much needed study without being distracted by the internet.
Friday 30 October 2009
The World Moves in Mysterious Ways
This 4N thing that I have joined has proved to be interesting indeed. I was looking at their online forum the other day when I noticed a request from a lady in Walsall asking for a publicist/manager for her friend's rock band so I responded and said that I chat to someone on another forum as she already does that job. I then kind of said that I would do the job and despite feeling a bit shakey and saying that I dont have recent experience - it seems that I may well be the person for the job. I am meeting the band next week. Actually I am looking forward to it as I have already been making new contacts within the music industry by contacting people I know who just happen to know someone else that is useful and they are willing to impart their wisdom.
I also went to the chamber of commerce today to see a business mentor - it was strange to say the least because I havent had any mentoring from the chamber of commerce since I signed off at the end of April. Thankfully this mentor used to have links with the music industry himself so was able to impart some knowledge. We also managed to set my prices too and my absolute min fee is £25 per hour but all my prices are bespoke anyway for each client. It seems that I am doing everything right although I do need to re-write my business plan (I knew that anyway and have been putting it off), business should start to pick up on the corporate side of things in the Spring. It was also suggested that I write a book because I am so eloquent - well, if I am so eloquent why am I struggling to write a simple advert for a magazine??
As for weddings maybe I will do one or two as it wouldnt be nice to put them totally to one side after getting the diploma. I can honestly say though that I am more excited by this band opportunity than anything else especially as I have decided that I will have a retainer plus extra from gigs and record deals. At least my friend on the other forum is going to get back to me with some tips - she has been busy all week.
Oh..I have good news to impart and cannot remember if I mentioned it the other day...my friend Anna Louise Warrilow had her baby son Thomas Ryan on Friday 23 October. Having seen pictures he looks cute, he has lots of hair and I thought that he looks like his dad.
Nipped out to the chippy tonight for a rare treat but it was horrid as at the corner of the road there is a bus stop outside the jobcentre - tonight there was a gang of about 40 yoofs and I had no choice but to walk through the middle of them..I was scared as they started jostling and cat calling, girls were worse than the boys..thankfully by the time I returned they had gone because if they had still have been there I wouldnt have crossed the road and would have walked further down the road to cross at another crossing just to avoid them. I hate the fact that I feel scared when out on my own - I'm a grown woman for god's sake and it is my right to walk down the road without being bothered by itinerant yoofs.
Tomorrow is going to be a boring day - I need to do some washing and some much needed housework. Doing the housework will also give the the opportunity to use the new window cleaner spray that I have received from Tesco to test..2 weeks of 1 and a report and then 2 weeks of the other and a report. I want to know why I dont get interesting things to test such as duvets?
Have a good weekend all.
I also went to the chamber of commerce today to see a business mentor - it was strange to say the least because I havent had any mentoring from the chamber of commerce since I signed off at the end of April. Thankfully this mentor used to have links with the music industry himself so was able to impart some knowledge. We also managed to set my prices too and my absolute min fee is £25 per hour but all my prices are bespoke anyway for each client. It seems that I am doing everything right although I do need to re-write my business plan (I knew that anyway and have been putting it off), business should start to pick up on the corporate side of things in the Spring. It was also suggested that I write a book because I am so eloquent - well, if I am so eloquent why am I struggling to write a simple advert for a magazine??
As for weddings maybe I will do one or two as it wouldnt be nice to put them totally to one side after getting the diploma. I can honestly say though that I am more excited by this band opportunity than anything else especially as I have decided that I will have a retainer plus extra from gigs and record deals. At least my friend on the other forum is going to get back to me with some tips - she has been busy all week.
Oh..I have good news to impart and cannot remember if I mentioned it the other day...my friend Anna Louise Warrilow had her baby son Thomas Ryan on Friday 23 October. Having seen pictures he looks cute, he has lots of hair and I thought that he looks like his dad.
Nipped out to the chippy tonight for a rare treat but it was horrid as at the corner of the road there is a bus stop outside the jobcentre - tonight there was a gang of about 40 yoofs and I had no choice but to walk through the middle of them..I was scared as they started jostling and cat calling, girls were worse than the boys..thankfully by the time I returned they had gone because if they had still have been there I wouldnt have crossed the road and would have walked further down the road to cross at another crossing just to avoid them. I hate the fact that I feel scared when out on my own - I'm a grown woman for god's sake and it is my right to walk down the road without being bothered by itinerant yoofs.
Tomorrow is going to be a boring day - I need to do some washing and some much needed housework. Doing the housework will also give the the opportunity to use the new window cleaner spray that I have received from Tesco to test..2 weeks of 1 and a report and then 2 weeks of the other and a report. I want to know why I dont get interesting things to test such as duvets?
Have a good weekend all.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Breakfast
Since I joined 4networking - I have been to more breakfasts than you can shake a stick at..I have one in a casino tomorrow and have to take my passport, one in Longbridge on Tuesday and one in Cirencester on Wednesday. The Cirencester one will be good as I am taking a hamper down with me so that one of the ladies can prepare a hamper to raffle off for charity. Talking about charity - I was speaking to a chap this morning about a pantomime Snow White & The 3 Little Business People (a spoof) and how it would be great to have some snow. As a result of our chat, I have been speaking to my friends at Snow Business and although they cannot donate snow they are sending me 4 samples of frost snow and irridescent flake - hopefully this might be enough, if not then I will buy a box.
I have also been chatting to Media Mad who produce the magazine Hospitality & Events North and I shall be advertising with them in time for Confex. I need to write my ad and put more of a corporate slant on it - it is currently geared for weddings. Once again, I have negotiated the fee and saved myself £50+VAT...hurrah.
Since updating my blog last, I have now started twittering on twitter but looked today and found that I had a follower who was rather obscene so I have reported them for spam and blocked them..don't these people understand that wedding planning is not about sex therapy (this is a polite way of putting it..I hate crudeness).
I am feeling more positive every day and feel that I made the right decision joining 4Networking as I can network online etc thus meeting more people..I can now see my business moving forward. The power of 4N knows no bounds as I have already recommended Linda Davey as someone was asking about a red wedding dress and how they wanted one made...let's hope the person contacts her.
Its disappointing weather today - I thought it was going to be sunny and yet it is rather gloomy and when I got up at the unearthly hour of 6.30am it was rather foggy too. I shall be up even earlier tomorrow as I need to be at the casino (strange place for a breakfast meeting I know) for 8am so I shall have to hop on the bus and then pick up another bus to Broad Street as I don't particularly fancy walking to the venue..I know I am lazy..but I won't have had any breakfast other than a mug of coffee and I will be flaking out.
Had to smile today too as a fellow planner has now started using skype only she has no microphone and I can't hear her..she needs a headset like mine. Skype is wonderful and I have started using it for all my calls..mobiles are not free though but I have found £10 credit goes along way as the calls can cost less than 4p a minute - calls to landlines are free which is fantastic.
I have started looking at my coursework again and have made a few notes but nothing is down on paper and nothing has been sent to my tutor.
I have also been chatting to Media Mad who produce the magazine Hospitality & Events North and I shall be advertising with them in time for Confex. I need to write my ad and put more of a corporate slant on it - it is currently geared for weddings. Once again, I have negotiated the fee and saved myself £50+VAT...hurrah.
Since updating my blog last, I have now started twittering on twitter but looked today and found that I had a follower who was rather obscene so I have reported them for spam and blocked them..don't these people understand that wedding planning is not about sex therapy (this is a polite way of putting it..I hate crudeness).
I am feeling more positive every day and feel that I made the right decision joining 4Networking as I can network online etc thus meeting more people..I can now see my business moving forward. The power of 4N knows no bounds as I have already recommended Linda Davey as someone was asking about a red wedding dress and how they wanted one made...let's hope the person contacts her.
Its disappointing weather today - I thought it was going to be sunny and yet it is rather gloomy and when I got up at the unearthly hour of 6.30am it was rather foggy too. I shall be up even earlier tomorrow as I need to be at the casino (strange place for a breakfast meeting I know) for 8am so I shall have to hop on the bus and then pick up another bus to Broad Street as I don't particularly fancy walking to the venue..I know I am lazy..but I won't have had any breakfast other than a mug of coffee and I will be flaking out.
Had to smile today too as a fellow planner has now started using skype only she has no microphone and I can't hear her..she needs a headset like mine. Skype is wonderful and I have started using it for all my calls..mobiles are not free though but I have found £10 credit goes along way as the calls can cost less than 4p a minute - calls to landlines are free which is fantastic.
I have started looking at my coursework again and have made a few notes but nothing is down on paper and nothing has been sent to my tutor.
Sunday 25 October 2009
Lazy Mare
You must think that I am lazy for not posting on my blog for a while. I have been quite busy and that's my excuse.
I did a crazy thing on Monday - I knew that Steve (the gorgeous hunk that I met at the airport prior to going to Spain) would be returning from his holiday so I decided to go and meet him..I know...I know..before you start saying anything. I was hoping that we could go for lunch but he came back with his mum who was already in Corfu and we didnt have much time before they caught the bus to the longstay carpark in Coleshill - in fact us chatting made them miss one bus. I decided to give him a bottle of Crema Catalina that I had bought back from Spain because I know that he loves Baileys - Crema Catalina is far nicer than Baileys. It was great seeing him and I admit that my heart skipped a beat when he came through arrivals - he didnt see me at first until I tapped him on the shoulder. He must have done something to me because I managed to get onto the London Euston train by mistake and had to get off in Coventry - I didnt get home til gone 5pm...sigh. We have since exchanged emails, hopefully we will exchange more :-)
Tuesday, I went to a 4networking breakfast meeting in Rubery (I got lost leaving there as well because I couldnt find my way out of the complex..sigh). The meeting was great and I met some interesting people - this meeting is far better than the BNI one especially as there is no pressure to refer but you do get 3 10 minute business meetings and they meet later, there is also no commitment to attend every single week. I decided that I liked them so paid for a passport membership which allows me to visit every group in the country. I have also put my name forward to help out. A guiness world record was broken too with a little audience participating which was cool - Redditch are trying to beat us this coming Tuesday but as their meeting is at Studley Castle I have made arrangements for them to have no drink and Jacobs Cream Crackers to eat - trying delivering a speech with a dry mouth LOL. I met a chap who was a hypnotherapist but more about him later.
Wednesday - I had my eye hospital appointment, I was kept waiting for over an hour due to their jobsworth receptionist who refused to handover my notes because I hadnt taken my appointment letter as she likes to pin it to the front..it has never been a problem before. Prof was so angry that he asked me to make a formal complaint - this silly delay caused him to be late for his next meeting and he was particularly keen to see me. I came home and wrote a 2page epistle outlining the fact that despite requests for appointments for the glaucoma clinic they are not forthcoming, again the receptionist only reads what she wants to read on the appointment forms submitted by the specialist. It took 18 months to get an appointment at the field vision clinic..which is completely ridiculous. So I hope to get a response to my letter because I really am quite angry.
Thursday - the meter man came too early and I was still in my dressing gown..I cancelled a meeting that I was due to have a the chamber of commerce, I have decided not to renew my membership when it comes up for renewal especially as I have now joined 4Networking which will be more beneficial to me.
Friday - this was an unusual day to say the least. On Tuesday at the networking meeting I met a hypnotherapist who offered me a free session so I took him up on his offer. I dont particularly like standing up in front of people talking about me and my business and see it as a necessary evil hence the offer of this session. We started off having a little chat and how I felt that the lack of self confidence stemmed from my mother who is super critical - well she is, I know that I am one huge disappointment to her and have been from the day of conception! It has reached the stage that she is almost cut out of my life. Well less about her as talking about her depresses me. Onto the hypnotherapy - I have a very open mind about alternative treatments but I admit that I am not convinced that I was actually hypnotised. I was told to imagine blackboards, bits of chalk and blackboard rubbers and writing words and numbers and rubbing them out, I was then told to imagine myself as an insect under a microscope being studied and that insect not caring and then I was bought back to being awake - now I don't think that I was ever 'asleep'. I won't be having any more sessions and cannot understand what benefit they are to people. I feel exactly the same now as I did before the therapy session.
You will also be pleased to hear that I have picked up my coursework again and have been making notes for various assignments and coming up with some ideas..I pity my poor tutor as she is going to start assignments out of order again LOL.
I spent yesterday networking on the online 4N forum - even gave some details about Linda and DressesatNo.9 because someone wants a red Hollywood Dreams type dress for a New Years' Eve wedding. Someone else is looking for a dressmaker in Bristol but I don't know any.
Since getting Skype - I have found that I use it for all calls to landlines as it is free but I do admit to buying credit occasionally so that I can call mobiles but those calls cost me less than 4p a minute.
I am waiting for news from my friend Anna - she was due to give birth on Wednesday to her son Thomas Ryan Warrilow but as yet there is no news.
I did a crazy thing on Monday - I knew that Steve (the gorgeous hunk that I met at the airport prior to going to Spain) would be returning from his holiday so I decided to go and meet him..I know...I know..before you start saying anything. I was hoping that we could go for lunch but he came back with his mum who was already in Corfu and we didnt have much time before they caught the bus to the longstay carpark in Coleshill - in fact us chatting made them miss one bus. I decided to give him a bottle of Crema Catalina that I had bought back from Spain because I know that he loves Baileys - Crema Catalina is far nicer than Baileys. It was great seeing him and I admit that my heart skipped a beat when he came through arrivals - he didnt see me at first until I tapped him on the shoulder. He must have done something to me because I managed to get onto the London Euston train by mistake and had to get off in Coventry - I didnt get home til gone 5pm...sigh. We have since exchanged emails, hopefully we will exchange more :-)
Tuesday, I went to a 4networking breakfast meeting in Rubery (I got lost leaving there as well because I couldnt find my way out of the complex..sigh). The meeting was great and I met some interesting people - this meeting is far better than the BNI one especially as there is no pressure to refer but you do get 3 10 minute business meetings and they meet later, there is also no commitment to attend every single week. I decided that I liked them so paid for a passport membership which allows me to visit every group in the country. I have also put my name forward to help out. A guiness world record was broken too with a little audience participating which was cool - Redditch are trying to beat us this coming Tuesday but as their meeting is at Studley Castle I have made arrangements for them to have no drink and Jacobs Cream Crackers to eat - trying delivering a speech with a dry mouth LOL. I met a chap who was a hypnotherapist but more about him later.
Wednesday - I had my eye hospital appointment, I was kept waiting for over an hour due to their jobsworth receptionist who refused to handover my notes because I hadnt taken my appointment letter as she likes to pin it to the front..it has never been a problem before. Prof was so angry that he asked me to make a formal complaint - this silly delay caused him to be late for his next meeting and he was particularly keen to see me. I came home and wrote a 2page epistle outlining the fact that despite requests for appointments for the glaucoma clinic they are not forthcoming, again the receptionist only reads what she wants to read on the appointment forms submitted by the specialist. It took 18 months to get an appointment at the field vision clinic..which is completely ridiculous. So I hope to get a response to my letter because I really am quite angry.
Thursday - the meter man came too early and I was still in my dressing gown..I cancelled a meeting that I was due to have a the chamber of commerce, I have decided not to renew my membership when it comes up for renewal especially as I have now joined 4Networking which will be more beneficial to me.
Friday - this was an unusual day to say the least. On Tuesday at the networking meeting I met a hypnotherapist who offered me a free session so I took him up on his offer. I dont particularly like standing up in front of people talking about me and my business and see it as a necessary evil hence the offer of this session. We started off having a little chat and how I felt that the lack of self confidence stemmed from my mother who is super critical - well she is, I know that I am one huge disappointment to her and have been from the day of conception! It has reached the stage that she is almost cut out of my life. Well less about her as talking about her depresses me. Onto the hypnotherapy - I have a very open mind about alternative treatments but I admit that I am not convinced that I was actually hypnotised. I was told to imagine blackboards, bits of chalk and blackboard rubbers and writing words and numbers and rubbing them out, I was then told to imagine myself as an insect under a microscope being studied and that insect not caring and then I was bought back to being awake - now I don't think that I was ever 'asleep'. I won't be having any more sessions and cannot understand what benefit they are to people. I feel exactly the same now as I did before the therapy session.
You will also be pleased to hear that I have picked up my coursework again and have been making notes for various assignments and coming up with some ideas..I pity my poor tutor as she is going to start assignments out of order again LOL.
I spent yesterday networking on the online 4N forum - even gave some details about Linda and DressesatNo.9 because someone wants a red Hollywood Dreams type dress for a New Years' Eve wedding. Someone else is looking for a dressmaker in Bristol but I don't know any.
Since getting Skype - I have found that I use it for all calls to landlines as it is free but I do admit to buying credit occasionally so that I can call mobiles but those calls cost me less than 4p a minute.
I am waiting for news from my friend Anna - she was due to give birth on Wednesday to her son Thomas Ryan Warrilow but as yet there is no news.
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