Well, this isn't quite the New Year I was expecting, but alas, the end is nigh.

I've decided to leave London, and move back in with the parents. At least for the time being.

Turns out, that despite me thinking everyone was crazy, Ben has been madly in love with me for months now. (Yes, I know I should have seen it coming) But I can't stay here and live with him. He says it's fine, but it's not fair on him and I care about him waaaaaay too much to hurt him anymore. The only problem is, that as I don't have a new job, there isn't really anywhere else for me to go. I've been kipping on Aimee's sofa more than is reasonable, but there are so many comings and goings at her place I never know who I'm going to see in the morning.

So, for now, I'm off to the countryside, and I'll hopefully work out exactly what it is I want to do with my life. Maybe in a couple of months, when things have calmed down, Ben and I will sort things out and I'll come back and stay for a while. I'm really going to miss London Town. It's kinda fun here!

Bye everyone!

Poppy.

Flickr image from Gotplaid?'s photostream.

This means that as of this afternoon, I'm out of here, and I'm taking a long break. Sure, I need to look for more jobs, but I've decided to take the rest of the year off. This means things around these parts will be a little quiet until next year, but I'll come back all refreshed and you'll love me for it.

I hope you all get lovely presents. Tell me about them when I get back, won't you?

Merry Christmas!

Flickr image from LizJones112's photostream.

Can’t stay online long because Kim’s on her way here to meet me for an early lunch, and I’ve been slacking far too much in the office of late. Although, now that panto season is at last upon us, everyone else in the theatre seems to have become somewhat more relaxed now that the productions we’ve been working on for months are finally in full swing and receiving rave reviews. Which means I’ve been able to wangle a week of doodling, daydreaming and generally avoiding doing any work at all. But I can’t keep it up forever, so I’d better keep this short and sweet.

I tried to be sensible. I went home at the weekend to avoid anything else untoward happening between Kim and I. I thought she might cool off after a couple of nights on the couch. But no, I’ve been back since Sunday and she’s still all over me. Maybe absence does make the heart grow fonder, because I kind of missed having her in my bed whilst I was shivering in my single bunk at Mum’s. And so the predicament continues.

Right, switchboard has just buzzed me to say Kim’s in the foyer so I’m off to Amato on Old Compton Street for a delicious hot chocolate and a praline choux. Just don’t tell Charlotte, or there’ll be big trouble for all of us. You’re implicated now, so you’d better not dob me in.

(Mouthwatering image from Amato's website)

My attempts to pursue the American girl that moved into my house couldn't have gone much worse in the last couple of weeks.

For a start, she moved out. Moved out! Yeah, I know!

That's not a new thing for me. In primary school I declared my love for Maria, the Columbian girl, and she promtly moved to Spain. In secondary school I asked Peggy Brain (distant relative of the brewer) out in class and she asked to be moved to another Maths set.

Not only has Imogen left the (ware)house, she's also taken everyone but 'Skilla' (real name Nigel) and I with her. Apparently it's unihnabitable; there's damp and cold and stuff. Doesn't effect my room so much as I have no windows, and I have a lovely revolving heater from Argos.

Anyway, I got out last Thursday to catch Naevus and Simon Breed at Barden's Boudoir on Stoke Newington High Street. The venue's sort of like a mini-100 Club and one of the best I've been to in east London. The performances were also excellent. Simon Breed's very tall in real life - sort of like an evil version of Stephen Merchant, visually, and musically suited to fans of Cohen, Cave, Coughlan &c. but with a definite personality and sound of his own. Naevus were fantastic too (2nd time I've seen 'em this year) - their meeting point between post-punk and dark folk is made all the more magical by Lloyd's playfully twisted lyrics and deadpan delivery.

All in all it was a delightful distraction from the impending problems of living in a wet warehouse with an egomaniacal twat (whom I hate) with Christmas approaching and no money for presents.

Should be an interesting few weeks. And by 'interesting', I suppose I mean me sitting in my room spinning the 7" of 'Go Grow' wishing I had a TV or a radio to maintain some rudimentary connection with the outside world.

Jingle bells, jinge bells...

I'll tell you tomorrow about what's happening with Kim and I. I need a while to digest the events of the weekend before I can update you in anything approaching a coherent fashion. In the meantime, here's some exciting events happening this week. Since I've spent almost all this month's money already on mince pies, mulled wine, tinsels and tasteless gifts, I probably won't make it to all of them. But, here's this week's wishlist of what I would do if I did have the time and funds:

Monday: Isobel Campbell, of Belle and Sebastian fame, is performing tonight at the Union Chapel with Mark Lanegan. Since I spent a lot of my youth sulking in mediocre indie discos that played more Belle and Sebastian than is strictly healthy, I have a massive soft spot for Isobel.

Tuesday: After months of fevered preparation, pantomime season is finally here. And whilst the one at the theatre I work for will of course be the best in town, it’s only fair that I check out the competition. Tuesday’s the opening night of Cinderella at the Shaw Theatre on Euston Road, with Brit Ekland and Dominic Littlewood.

Wednesday: It’s the opening night of the brand new Shoreditch home of Ghetto and Trash Palace. Having relocated from the West End to Old Street, apparently the opening night will be a mash-up of the handful of popular clubnights housed by Ghetto in its previous incarnation at Falconberg Court. So there’ll be DJs from Wig Out and Mis-Shapes, along with a suite of sparkling new toilets. (It can’t just be me who found the ones in their old venue horrendous, as this improvement in facilities is a major feature of the announcement about the venue change.)

Thursday: Kings of Leon are playing at the O2. And although it’s sold out, there are still tickets on eBay and Gumtree, depending on how much you’re prepared to pay. But no matter how much I love ‘Sex On Fire,’ they’ll always be far too hairy for me.

Friday: It’s Ghost School’s Nightmare Before Christmas at The Macbeth on Hoxton Street. This disco’s always good for a dance, because they play a gratuitously glorious mix of new indie and electro tunes, bubblegum pop and cult classics. But if you’re planning on attending on Friday, ensure you arrive early, because live act Vivian Girls have had two sell-out London shows on their latest tour, and Ghost School looks set to follow suit.

Saturday: The South Bank Centre and House of Homosexual Culture are joining forces to host Happy Crisp-mas: A Tribute to Quentin Crisp. There’ll be talks from those who knew and work with the man himself, plus a lookalike competition. I told you before about how I love Quentin, so I’ll be trying hard not to miss this.

Sunday: You know my stance on leaving the house on Sundays. But it’s a standpoint I’m willing to go back on for the Dandy Warhols at the Astoria. Well, it won’t be long now until the Astoria shuts its doors once and for all, so I’ll take advantage of any excuse to get down there before it does.

How was your weekend everyone? Mine was spent playing silly games with Ben and giggling.

I do have news though...

I DID IT! I handed in my notice today! Yay!

Well, as I'm only a temp this isn't really the biggest most life changing decision in the world, but I have told them I'm not coming back after Christmas. Now all I have to do is stick it out for a couple of weeks and then everything will be fine. Ben's going to help support me if I don't get s job straight away - I think he realises it's better for sanity to not see Graham every day.

I think I've stopped being sad about things now. I'm still angry, but I think that's to be expected. Instead I'm just picking things up, starting again and trying to do it with a smile on my face. It's not as easy as it sounds, but if I've got a fake smile on my face, maybe at some point that might turn into a real smile.

And, I did throw my best flirting smile at a cute guy on the bus today. That was fun. Although he looked more scared than pleased...

I'll be back later with more gossip and if you're nice, maybe I'll even tell you what I'm up to this week. Oooh, until then another salad from Pret for me! Yay! My life is so exciting.

Flickr image from Matt Sepping's photostream.

Ever since Kim’s unannounced midnight arrival last Saturday, there’s been a bit of a strange atmosphere in mine and Charlotte’s Deptford nest. Kim is still here, supposedly sleeping on the sofa but sneaking into my room on a nightly basis once Charlotte’s gone to bed. This week I’ve been having a saucy twilight romance with a teenage runaway. And I haven’t once tried to talk her into spending an entire night on the couch. But the past couple of days I’ve had a sneaking suspicion that Charlotte’s realised all is not as it seems. I thought I was in for it when she arranged to meet me from work yesterday. But instead she took me for a massive burger and a Bailey’s-based milkshake at Ed’s Diner in Soho,  to thank me for being so patient whilst Kim’s been staying with us. Not sure if she’s trying to guilt me into a confession, or if Kim’s told her everything already, but I’ve a feeling I’m going to have to play my cards very carefully over this coming weekend. Otherwise this whole mess might blow up in my face.

(Image via mike_smith's_flickr photostream)

I've just discovered that Arrows of Love are playing this Sunday at the Hoxton Bar and Grill. Which would be wonderful news, if it weren't for the fact that I'm running away from London at the weekend. (But that's another story for another day, I think)

I'm actually quite heartbroken to be missing this, because I was a little bit besotted by Hush the Many, Arrows of Love's singer Nima's previous band. And the Arrows recent headlining gig at the Scala was apparently a stomper.

So, make sure you get yourself there this weekend. Only don't tell me what a fantastic time you had, because I'll only be jealous.

This is going to have to be quick. I somehow managed to avoid doing any work whatsoever yesterday, because I was in a complete daze at the weirdness that the weekend brought. But today the epic mountain of paperwork I should have done on Monday is threatening to collapse and bury me. So, to avoid being paper-cut to death, I’ll keep this brief.

Saturday night, Charlotte had her date at the North Pole. I went with her for moral support, but made sure I left before the date arrived. It had been my plan to go clubbing near Tottenham Court Road, but after a few too many champagne cocktails, I decided it made more sense for me to traipse home whilst I was still capable of negotiating public transport. I’d only been at home long enough to peel off my wet clothes when there was a frantic hammering at the door. Wondering what kind of mentalist Charlotte had made a sharp exit from this time, I opened it. On the doorstep, shivering and dishevelled and clutching an oversized suitcase, was Kim. Charlotte’s gorgeous but promiscuous 18-year-old sister. Who, unbeknownst to Char, I foolishly seduced last time we met. She’s run away from home. And Charlotte thinks she arrived on Sunday afternoon, because that’s when she emerged from my bedroom.

So, as long as we’ve all got our stories straight, we’ll be fine. Right?

(Flickr image via yyellowbird's photostream)

Hey everyone,

How are you? Well I've been a busy little bee this week. I've decided to look for another job. It's not fun working here with Graham now, and this was only meant to be a temporary thing, so I'm looking elsewhere. Ben thinks I'm being very grown up which makes a change. I've been scouring the papers, and nothing's come up yet, but I'm sure if I keep looking I'll be fine.

Of course, I haven't really been trying *that* hard. It was the weekend after all. I've been being Christmassy instead! There's a new Cologne Christmas Market along Southbank and I have to tell you, I do get very festive. Very very festive. If you see a girl wearing fluffy red and white ear-muffs, and humming Jingle Bells on the tube, say hello. That'll be me.

The Cologne Christmas market is brilliant. You can see Santa! Decorate gingerbread! Eat Sauerkraut (er... if you like)! And the best bit? There's a carousel. There's nothing more festive and getting your hair stuck in a toffee apple while you whizz around on a pretty horse. I've haven't laughed that much in weeks.

And then of course there's the mulled wine. Everything in the world is made better by mulled wine.

I might just be getting back to my normal cheery self.

Happy Christmas everybody.