All Hail The Penguin Queen!!!

What a fab weekend! Am still so tired and achy, but so happy too.

I had sooooo much fun.

Dan and I had Friday off, which was spent frantically tidying the house in preparation for the fact we were to be having loads of people sleep on our living room floor. Then we went to Tesco and bought all the BBQ meat we could fit in our fridge.

When we got back we finished tidying (hiding stuff in places to make it look tidy) and the waited around for people to turn up.

gsw arrived first, after spending 20mins or so ringing the doorbell of 14 Cobmead, as opposed to 14 Strawmead where we actually live. Followed by woodbrook, silks_ic, snoj, fourmyle and Andy Kendall (sans LJ I believe?), not necessarily in that order.

We stayed up chatting in the garden until about 3.30am before turning in in anticipation of the next day’s activities.

Quite typically I couldn’t sleep. Was far too hyped up about the fact it was my birthday and that we were going to London Zoo to see Penguins! Yes I am aware that the Zoo has other animals, but none that are as important as penguins!

Eventually though a group of us headed off into London, some choosing to go and shop in Camden while the rest of us went to the zoo. Well not long after getting in I was stood in front of the Penguins, unable to move due to happiness of seeing Penguins. They were sooooo cute!

Then the embarrassment started, the Keeper asked the audience where Helen, who was celebrating her 25th birthday was. Of course I had to wave to everyone, and then tried to find out which of my friends I had to kill…. snoj was the culprit, but the need to kill her quickly was replaced by euphoria when I discovered she had arranged for me to go in the enclosure with the Penguins.

It was amazing! Everyone assumed I had touched a penguin before but I hadn’t. I was just so overcome with happiness it was silly. One stood on my foot for ages, whilst another pecked my knee (wish I could keep the bruise!), they are just so soft, like cuddly toys, and so lovely.

I couldn’t stop smiling for ages, my face actually started to hurt. Still smiling about it actually.

Eventually though we had to head back to Hatfield so I could be at the hall for 7.30 to pick up the key. Getting back home we found kheeram, overload74, Neill (sans LJ) and others waiting for us. A water pistol fight broke out, both inside and outside of the house.

Went over to the hall, and everyone else arrived shortly after. There was loads of us, I am told at least 50, most outside due to it being way too hot. I got drunk… very very drunk, but had a fab time dancing to music and socialising. Got sung to by everyone, and given cake. Got many cool pressies too, and was still on my Penguin high.

Oh and for those who couldn’t remember, we did the Conga to Firestarter.

Was so drunk by end that seeing had become an issue, as had shoes. Tried to stay awake when I got home but just couldn’t, so after taking out my contact lenses I passed out on my bed.

Apparently I drunk two pints of water before going to bed, and had another pint whilst in bed, although I did pour some of that over my head due to it being too hot, then another 2 when I got up which may explain why I didn’t have too bad a hangover.

Loads of us pilled over to McDonalds for breakfast, then came back home to wait until we were hungry enough to start the BBQ. Sunday was very hot, and so a number of us hid in the house where it was cooler, and others tried to find the remaining shade in the garden.

Much frothing and the eating of BBQ meat followed until eventually people started to drift back to their various homes.

I went to bed at 9.40pm that night, as was so tired.

It was such a great weekend though. Thanks to everyone who came, I had a fantastic time, and it was great to see everyone.

It’s a birthday I’m not going to forget.

.... was pretty good actually. Friday night was my work's do so we headed down to London to Savoy Place, which is the IEE's building down there.wasn't too bad, on coaches from Stevenage.

It wasn't a bad do, but the fact we didn't sit down to eat was a bit awkward. Somehow we managed to eat the posh meal stood up, stupid idea having a hot buffet and nowhere to sit. After eating we went upstairs to where they were doing the disco and went out on the balcony, which has the most stunning view of the Thames, the London Eye and the National Theatre etc. In fact when the party got a little dull, Dan and I did go for a walk.

We crossed the river and went for a walk along South Bank and went up to the to the London Eye, which was sadly closed already.

Oh and has anyone else seen the weird trees on South Bank? They've got lights and mist machines in them, the lights flash at random point and then they spray the are with mist which didn't soak you, but was very cold none the less. Stupid Trees. We went back over to the party, then got the coach home.

Saturday was cool, for a start it was Dan's birthday. I got him the best birthday card, it had a little fat Penguin on it eating birthday cake, very cute. We did very little in the morning and then headed up to Manchester, for Dan's work do, about 4ish.

It was being held in the Moat House Hotel up near Manchester airport, was cool that we got a free night's stay there, and what made me laugh was that our room number was 101. The party was good, better than my work's actually, but it lacked slightly as Phil didn't turn up and I was looking forward to seeing him.

On Sunday we had to check out at 10.30, so couldn't have a lie in, but did have a full brekkie before leaving.

Then Sunday night we went to see Return of the King with Dave K - fab film, but I have been feeling a little down about my Mum for the last couple of days and it was kinda the icing on the cake, and I was really choked up at the end of it, actually it was more full on sobbing for a minute or two, so kinda ended the weekend on a downer - but was ok after several hugs from Dan.

And now I am at crappy work. Still last day today, then lovely holiday. :-)

Oh and someone was in high spirits this morning at Hatfield station as someone was doing Gollum impressions over the tannoy.

The weekend of my birthday is the same weekend as the next Omega event.

My plan was to have friday off work, get drunk on the thursday night (my actual birthday), then do something on Friday...

Plan now is, take friday off, get drunk thursday, go to Omega on friday, have fun at event. The following friday, do something else for birthday.

If anyone has suggestions for what I could do please let me know. Would like to have a party and have loads of people turn up, but can't do that here....