Wrong contract?

I'm getting the hang of the smartphone - I've been into my moodle learning environment and looked at my course successfully. And I've found some maps - its almost a satnav. But overseas use is not allowed against the contract, so everything, including receiving texts, will be extra. I like the smartphone but I should have stayed on Pay as you go.
My campaign for clean hotels goes on. I always check for dust and in this week's there was lots. So they took us to another room, which was the same. The receptionist had to clean the room but the manager gave us 30% off. I would have preferred a clean room in the first place. Why are people so filthy? Is it just me?

I'm so busy!!

Term has started and I need to get on with my 'History of English'. The face-to-face day was good but it is clear that we will be studying in great depth and ignoring myths about how the language developed.
Yesterday I had a manicure and a pedicure  - bright purple with an overlay of silver sparkle on my feet and a subtle mushroom colour on my hands. This latter is 'biogel', not varnish, so it should last longer. It's really a try-out for the wedding.
But I'm still worried about my eyes - my GP insists I need to see a specialist but he's going to tell them about my anxiety. I think I will need serious sedation.
Great excitement in the family - the publication date for my sister's novel has been set and its available on Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quirk-Destiny-Catherine-Greenall/dp/1849632278/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1347954288&sr=1-4 . The cover looks amazing.

Android

Today I unpacked my first smart phone. How do I use it? Why did I buy it? What is it for? I am completely baffled. And I worked in IT for 30 years.

I hope I can copy my contacts onto it. But I fear I will have to re-key them. And get input errors.

Yesterday I bought my shoes and bag for the wedding. I found a pair of heels I can wear without worrying all the time about falling over. And they have crystal bling on the front. I feel like they are my first grown-up shoes. Maybe they are - for years I have worn flats or very low heels.

And I got my mark for the corpus linguistics assignment comparing the speeches of Miliband and Cameron. Same mark as last time, so I'm not getting worse. But I 'failed to engage with the literature'. They say this every time and I keep saying I don't know how to and they never properly answer the question and I still don't know how to do it. Its probably obvious to all the A level teachers. But not to this IT nerd. Who doesn't know how to use a smartphone.

Leonard Cohen - nearly 78 years old

Last night we went to the Leonard Cohen concert at Wembley Arena. His songs, music and performance are outstanding. And he is so funny (in spite of his dreary image). The audience gave him a magnificent reception. I had expected people to sing all the songs but he was so compelling that we just listened. Except for the chorus of 'So Long, Marianne', of course. All the reviews in the media are excellent.

But the Arena is a dump and the ladies toilets inadequate. I thought the days of spending all the interval queuing were over - they are for those of us who go to the Lowry in Salford.

I think 'Bird on a wire' is my new signature song.

Custom Hat

Choosing the hat was very exciting - select a brim size/shape, then the crown height, then the trimmings. The designers were excellent in choosing colours and materials which looked right with my outfit. But I'm glad I took a friend who supported me when we (occasionally) didn't agree with them. It's going to have bright blue feathers and sparkly bits!! And look good from all directions for the pics. I've never had anything custom made before.

Tomorrow its Leonard Cohen.

And next Saturday term starts.

Another year starts

I've just done the online registration for the next academic year, so I guess I also owe them another tranche of fees. I have also printed out the pre-reading which needs to be done in the next week or so. Its History of English this time, so a lot of information will come from David Crystal's 'The stories of English', which is a really enjoyable book.

Meantime, I go for my bespoke wedding hat consultation this week, which should be fun.

And I intend to make the Christmas cake before our next cruise. I use a recipe from a 'Basic Cookbook', slightly adapted, which I have been using for years and is always very well received. The next few weeks will be very busy.