The three Witches of Christmas

Little Faith pressed her face on the window and stared at the beautiful globe with the three witches that turned and turned. She was holding her mother's hand, both wearing torn gloves that let their fingers out, to be touched by the cold wind. They hadn't eaten for days, and, as it was Christmas Eve, Mrs Hope was going to ask to help Mr Strickland at his gift shop, in exchange for a little money for hers and Faith's Christmas dinner.
"What do you see my darling Faith?" Mrs Hope asked, seeing her daughter's eyes nearly in tears.
"I see that beautiful globe with the three witches. How I wish I could buy it for Christmas"
"I know honey, but at the moment we need food and warmth. So I am going to ask Mr Strickland for a job for today, so we can eat and get a warm room in the shelter. So, I want you to promise me you'll be a good girl and you won't speak to the man, until he speaks to you and also not to touch anything in the shop."
It was known to the whole village that Mr Strickland was a very strange and sometimes mean man. He had never decorated his shop for Christmas and no one had ever seen him smile.

"All right mommy", answered Faith. But she didn't take her eyes off the globe as they were entering the shop.
Mr Strickland, without even raising his head shouted "No beggars, go away!"
Mrs Hope was ready to turn around and go, but she made a step forward, took a deep breath and said "No, we're not beggars. I am looking for a job for today, or any other day until New Year's, so that I and my little girl can have a plate of food"
"Niah, I know what you're like. If I take you in here, the minute I'll turn my back you'll steal my money"
Mrs Hope was ready to say something when she noticed that Faith had gone near the window and had stretched her arm and taken the globe.
"Faith, NO!" shouted Mrs Hope and Mr Strickland plunged at the window and grabbed Faith by the hair. "NO ONE TOUCHES ANYTHING IN HERE, ESPECIALLY YOU, YOU FILTHY BEGGAR!!" and pushed her out of the door.
Faith let a cry and fell on the floor. As she fell, the globe flew out of her hands, and it crashed on the pavement. Faith looked around her and saw she was on her own, her mom or Mr Strickland were nowhere in sight and the shp was shut.
Suddenly, the wind blew madly and everything became misty, as three strands of smoke rose from the globe and transformed themselves into fully fleshed witches, identical to the ones that were in the globe.
"Ah! Free at last!" said one witch.
"Unbelievable, after 260 years!" said another
"Hey, look, the Strickland shop is still here!" said the third.

Faith, with her mouth open stared at the witches. When she finally realised what was happening she asked:
"Are you real witches?"
"Oh, my dear child," said the oldest of the three witches", of course we are. We were cursed by that man's ancestor, Midas Strickland, to live inside the globe, because we punished him for being greedy. I see his progeny is not far better. We've been watching him all these years. Ever since he inherited that shop from his father. He's been a miserable and stingy man, especially after his wife died and left him on his own. I loathe him, but pity him the same time. I'm Fenella, by the way"
"And I'm Prunella" said the middle one.
"And I'm Carmella" said the youngest one and bowed.
"And you, " said Fenella " who freed us, can have a wish. Any wish. What would you like? Wealth? A house? More food than you can ever eat? Eternal beauty? Ask for anything"

Faith thought for a while. "You know what I want?"
"I know", said Carmella. "A doll, as beautiful as...well, me"
"Oh, shoosh Carmella" said Prunella. "Let the child decide. And I think I know what she wants. She wants a warm coat"
"You are both wrong", said Fenella looking at her two sisters dissapprovingly. "I think she wants her mother to get a job. That will be at least useful for longer!"

"Actually..." hesitated Faith, "you are all wrong. What I really want is..."
"Yeah?" the three witches said together with anticipation
"I want ... I want Mr Strickland to be happy...!"

"No, no, no, you don't understand" said Prunella. "The wish is for YOU and YOU only. Whatever made you think you could wish for someone else?"
"Yes, but don't you see?" insisted Faith. "If Mr Strickland was a happier man, he wouldn't be mean to my mother and me, he would have given her the job and we would not be cold and starving tonight. Or ever"
"I think she has a point", Carmella said. "You know for a little girl, you have a very big heart. What is your name by the way?"
"Faith" said the little girl and gave them a big smile.
"Well, Faith" Fenella said and rose her hands to the sky, as did the other two witches.
"Here it is, your wish:
By the enchanting Moon that illuminates the sky
And the stars that are lamps in the night
Make this man named Strickland happy
For ever more, as of tonight!"
And, wooosh, three stars appeared from the sky leaving three bright stardusted tails that lit the night with the brightest lights.

Faith blinked her eyes and when she opened them she was once again all alone. The witches were not around and the shop door was once again open.
"Faith, Faith" she heard a voice. It wasn't her mother's voice. It was a man's. It was...Mr Strickland's!
"Come inside, you'll freeze to death little girl" said Mr Strickland. Faith rose to her feet and went closer to the shop hesitating at the start, but then she saw her mother smiling to her so she ran inside.
"Well, Mrs, erm, Mrs..."
"Hope" said the woman, holding her daughter.
"Well Mrs Hope, I tell you what. It's already after four and I see that everyone's at home, no one will be coming here now. So why don't I shut this place and we all go home and have dinner. My sister sends me a huge meal every year and I can never go through it, so tonight we will share it. What do you say? Heck, it's Christmas Eve, after all!"

Faith and her mother looked at each other. Mrs Hope could not believe her ears. She smiled at the man and said "With pleasure, sir" and they all left to have a warm night and a rich meal.

Mrs Hope started working at Mr Strickland's shop, who gave her and Faith a small room above the shop to live. A few months later he married her and became the happiest man in the world, always smiling and giving a lot of money to the poor.

Mrs Hope could never understand what exactly happened and Mr Strickland changed overnight.
She never learned about her daughter's wish and the three witches of Christmas.
Faith never told her the story. She would never believe her.
It didn't really mattered though.
She kept her secret to herself. And every Christmas Eve she would look at the sky and she would see three stars flickering and smiling back at her.
_______________________________________________

Ok, that's a little story for Christmas I wrote some years ago, for my AOL webpage (which existed before this blog)
I dedicate it to all of you, wonderful people and wish you

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
and may you always have
FAITH and HOPE

So tired

I haven't blogged since the 3rd of the month.

I went to the ball on Saturday and it was nothing special. I got bored. Same band, same songs, but the food was delicious!
I hated my hair... I went for the "new" and wound up looking like a middle-aged office worker (which I am, LOL). What I mean is, it was like everyday hair, not ball hair, you get it?
Will post photos when I have some spare time.
I am working like a f*$£ing dog!!!

Take care.

You know you are living in 2006

I got this on an email recently and it's a lot of fun to read (and freaky too!)

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2006 when:

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice that there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list
AND NOW YOUR LAUGHING at yourself...

I can relate to most of the above, how about you?
I don't have any news... work work and more work (double dose).
The surveyor for the remortgage is coming on Tuesday, which means on my free hours I'm rearranging things, tidying up and cleaning. I sleep at 2am and wake up at 6:30 am. No time to blog seriously or relax. Hectic life, but at least it's a good hectic life.
Sending virtual kisses to all

All's well...

Helloooo.

New job is fabulous! I haven't started officially yet, I signed my contract to start on the 18th of December, but for now I am helping them, while training and practising and still doing my old job too at the same time!

I had a lovely walk in Covent Garden today, bought a few books and my dress for the ball! Yes, the Christmas Ball is once again upon us and I can't wait... At the fabulous Grosvenor again. What does the dress look like? Be patient I will take pictures at the ball and you'll see. It's silk!

Well, no more news for now. Just checking in. I will visit as many blogs as possible on Sunday, got lots to do so bear with me and my unsociability (new word?)

Lots of kissy kisses xxxxxx

* * * * * * * * * * SUNRISE* * * * * * * * * *

Oh, my Goooood! I got the joooooob!!!!!!

I haven't been so happy since July (Who concert...)

It was a very weird thing today. I woke up with a very bad mood. When I looked at my balance in my account it became worse.
I went out for lunch and it was raining. Bad, bad, bad mood...
Then at around 3:30 my Financial Advisor called me (at work! that has never happened before?!?) to ask me when can he come so I can sign the final papers for the re-mortgage, because it's...looking good! F***ing-A, I thought, this is the best news I've heard all day.
I was wrong.

Less than five minutes later the lady that interviewed me on Saturday came to tell me that they are going to offer me the position! My heart jumped and I wanted to kiss her, but I was cool and I just thanked her with a big smile.

So, two good things in a matter of minutes, when for over two months I was only having bad news....
It must have been all your prayers and good thoughts. Thank you ALL so much! ♥♥♥♥

Life is strange.
Life is w o n d e r f u l.

iMixed emotions

Well, helloooo.
Yesterday I had one of the most difficult interviews of the last five years! It was where I work, basically doing the same things I'm doing now, but jumping into a new department, with a little bit more money. I had two people interviewing me, one of them used to be my manager, and they literally asked me about every single word on my CV! God, it was exhausting but I think I gave the right answers and I was pretty cool, so fingers and toes crossed.

Mood-wise it's a mixed bag. On Friday, when they told me I had landed an interview, I was feeling really happy. Yesterday I was feeling scared and insecure again. I receive emails from people who have been in Who shows and Attic Jams, and although I'm so happy for them, I feel like sh*t because I SO want to be there too!!! Talk about mood swings. But when I come in here and write about it, it feels pretty damn good!

In the meantime, when I come home at night I watch my Charmed series (currently on series 7) and love the music they chose. Especially the songs they play after the opening titles, with the best aerial shots of gorgeous San Francisco... It drives me crazy! I had never heard some of the songs before, like the brilliant But I Do Love You by Leann Rimes, and I learned it from Series 5!
That is why I made this iMix with songs from the series and other ones that I think would fit. I dropped a couple of Who songs in it... hehe.
If you have iTunes click the picture above or this link: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=204827216
and it will open your iTunes so you can see my iMix and download the songs you like. And don't forget to rate my iMix! Oh, what a time waster, LOLOLOL.

Today is one of the few Sundays I'm not working, hurrah! I'm going to cook a delish lunch and watch a movie (the mind-numbing Failure To Launch, but hey, I want to escape) and then, guess what???? I'll come to your blogs!

For the mo,

Muchas kissas xxxxx

Gadgetmania

Oh how I love gadgets. With their shiny surfaces, their LCD screens, their special features and their magic that their little microchips inside create. Other women can spend hours in fashion shops, me on the other hand, put me in a Dixon's or PC World and I can just forget myself.

It all started way back in the mid-seventies. Ever since I remember myself, I remember me next to my mom's cassette radio recorder, which looked something like this on the right. I would spend hours taping from the radio. Rewind and tape again. And then a friend of mine lent me her microphone, which I found the most desirable thing on earth. Other girls were playing with dolls, I was making tapes with interviews from my family and friends.

By 1979 we had bought our big stereo. We used to have my mom's turntable, which now is an antic and it's still in my house in Athens. So with the new stereo and a colour TV, a couple of cables at the right...holes and I could record Greek comedies from TV. I would listen to them in my room and I would fall asleep while listening to them. That's how I've come to know most of them by heart, sleep therapy.
I had by now my own tape recorder (like the one on the right) to listen to my tapes and make new ones. Some of these tapes I made with my sister still exist and whenever I listen to them I fall on the floor laughing.

Then the god named SONY invented the Walkman. I nearly fainted when my aunt who lives in New York brought me one from USA. It was the best present EVER! I wouldn't be seen without it. It looked like the one on the left at the picture on top of the blog, it was huge and very heavy but it was the most heavenly thing for me...

Come 1983 and on my behest our household acquired our first VCR, which for me is still the best and most ingenious invention. Not only I could record my greek movies, but also anything else I fancied. I used to have the whole Fame series, until in a "I hate the 80's" crisis I erased them. Tapes and tapes of movies greek and foreign, which are all still intact, some of them here and most of them in Athens.
Of course gadgets like Discman, mini tape recorders and stuff were still coming in, and I had my first computer as a present from my family for finishing school mostly with 'A's! I learned 'BASIC' by myself and a love relationship with computers and software began. I discovered that I have a talent for computers, a rare perception of the world of software, that is why I studied IT for two years and my first job was Software Instructor for businesses. Of course my main studies were Journalism, which I think I chose so I can still keep using gadgets. LOLOLOL.

But, I digress...
After I started working and had my own income it just snowballed. Come the era of the mobile phone and I (and everybody else) looked like out of Alice in Wonderland with those huge Motorolas.
As the mobiles went smaller, so did my pocket. I can't remember how many I've bought by now.


So here we are in the techi 2000's and my house looks like Dixon's warehouse... My latest toy, my beloved Video iPod is in my bag all the time. My mobile phone is as tiny as my (empty) credit card. And my next coveted gadget is a Blackberry. I'm just waiting for the price to go down, hehe.




Before you accuse me of being materialistic, here's what I think about my Gadgetmania: most of the things I buy have to do with preserving life moments: tape recorders, cameras, video recorders, walkman, ipods et.c. I can repeat something I like over and over again, it be a song, a photograph, a movie. If I want to go back to it, I know I can. I can relive the same moment, the same feeling, the same memory. I can watch my Keith in So Sad About Us and still feel thrilled, or listen to Bittersweet Symphony and still want to cry. I have it, it's there. And I can take it with me anywhere.
So, for me gadgets preserve life, and I love them so, because, most of all, I love life.

What's your favourite gadget?

You Beta You Bet!

Urgh! I was fed up with the bloody "Publishing now" thingy so I switched to Beta.
So now I can enjoy my beautiful Ballerinagurl's new blog...

So sorry if that is inconvenient for some of you, I think you might need to switch to Beta too, in order to comment here.
Try it, it's cool! Faster.

All's quiet on this front. Quiet and boring, absolutely no news from work. I looked around for other jobs and I discovered that the positions I want (management) need management experience, and the ones I can apply for pay peanuts. Yikes!

I wish someone could offer me the following job:

"Listening to The Who and Rachel all day, writing on your blog and visiting other blogs, and going to all Who/Attic gigs around the world and writing all about it. Two-month holiday, all paid. Shitloads of money to spend on CDs, DVDs and huge salary and bonus. Previous experience on all of the above essential! Immediate start."

Now THAT is a job I can apply and get hired instantly. And then I'll wake up, LOLOLOL.

Your comments on my previous blog were overwhelming, thank you soooo much. The funny thing is that for at least 10 days, Blogger was showing I had only 2 comments, one of which was from me! Yikes! So I thought "nobody loves me, boooohooo". But then one day I clicked on the number and magic unfolded when I saw I had at least 10 comments... I swear to God, I welled up by reading them.

So, this is a present for YOU my lovely friends. The lovely Mr Hugh Laurie, aka Gregory House and the best intro of a song EVER:

House, Series 1, Episode 14 "Control"

I am little by little starting to visit your blogs. Give me a little more time, I try to squeeze everything on my days off.

Love to all,
xoxoxo
M

Beyond The Beyond...

I haven't blogged for nearly a month.
I haven't been to your blogs at all, I am so ashamed.
I once in a while visit Rachel's blog, but only when I'm free and IN THE MOOD.
What is wrong with me?

Here's the truth: I feel a bit depressed.
I didn't get the job I wanted and those people who are responsible for recruiting the department have treated me horribly. I gave the interview on the 22th of Sept. three weeks ago. Last Sunday (bloody Sunday) one of the managers of the dept. told me I wasn't successful, the reason... I didn't go 'into depth'... I am still waiting, after three weeks, for feedback from the lady who interviewed me and she avoids me. Don't know why. I phoned, emailed, threatened her and still nothing. Fed up!

Along with all that I got a bad report from one of our guest shoppers. I was abrupt and unhelpful. But (are you ready for this?) the damn thing IS NOT for me. I am NEVER abrupt, I'm always smiling, helpful and go the very extra mile for my customers. I absolutely know for whom this report came, but unfortunately, and for reasons I will never know, the description that is on the report is for me... Very strange and mysterious things, very TWILLIGHT ZONE. Beyond the f****ing beyond!

On top of everything, my finances are going from bad to worse. Still waiting for the bleeeding evaluation of my flat, so I can remortgage it. I have to wait the end of the month to get paid so I can do some groceries (HMV, iTunes, Anne Summers...joke joke joke....!)OK not that bad, but nearly there. Double dose of shit with shit relish on top...

And, above all: I MISS HIM! My Sun....
It was exactly Sept-Oct two years ago when everything was rosy and I was feeling like the Queen of the World and every day that passes reminds me of a certain event of that time. It's been over six months since I last saw him and I just want to slash my wrists...

So I pass my evenings and free time either by vegging on past series of Charmed (falling dangerously in love with Julian McMahon who plays Cole/Belthazor - and, yes he plays in Nip/Tuck as well) or going into deep sleep (with nightmares and strange dreams) or reading through tomes and tomes of Poirot cases... And I stopped my diet again and I eat f***ing junk food - again!
I am not in the mood to go online, I am not in the mood of seeing or speaking to other people, so please forgive me for being so unsociable.

I'm sure things will get better. I have to sort out my work matters, by the end of the month I'll know more about my dept.'s future and I'll take appropriate action. I will push and chase my Financial Advisor to finish the procedures for the remortgaging, so I will be swimming in money quite sooon...(ok, let's not get carried away now...) I need to see a WHO show to pick me up, so 2007 here I come!

I am thinking of a lot of you, so I just want to send those quick messages:

Molly - my Ballerina Beauty, love ya like nuts babes and hope I see you real soon.
Anne Marie - you are in my heart and can't wait to meet you again
Dale - always in my thoughts, SKI SLOPES opening soon I think????
Tausha - everytime I hear Pleasure Seeker I see your face, lots of kissy kisses
Mark and Jill - call me soon, (old mobile number) maybe I need a blinner to cheer up!
Brina - Darling DO come to Spetses next year and I'll make arrangements to be there too, to celebrate Armata and your birthday!
Sue - where in the world are you? Taiwan, USA or somewhere else, LOL I've lost track....
Kid Ric - day seven is my next read, after Appointment with Death that is...
Joe Boy - my Keith alter ego! kisses to you babes
Greek Zoe - EXOUME DYO GATIA! my mom reminds me of you, hahahaha. How's Max?
My PT FAN - to how many WHO shows you've been?
Meg - no day passes without thinking of you my darling. Always strong, always fab!
Tomoko - Japan is the plan! Get ready!!! and kisses to Kaye
Ali - my blonde super-goddess! how's the book writing? And your supa Tallulah?
Gary - the amazing songwriter of Blogland: keep on keeping on!
Delbut - my unrequitted love!!! missing how you make me laugh on the chats...
Hola Elena - miss our chats too, and don't be jealous by the above message, LOLOLOL
Last but not least: Koos - Tot ziens and hope you come to the UK v.soon! Lots of kisses to Val...

And to lots of other people who visit and comment... Thank you so much and

I'LL BE BACK!

Now, THAT cheered me up!

Very important news and photos

Hello to all my sweet blogger friends.

One of the many reasons I have not been able to visit your blogs is because at the moment my life is in a turmoil.
I came home from Greece quite carefree and the only care I had was to put forward the remortgage of my flat. It is a long and painful procedure, for those who haven't done it, and it takes most of my free time.

The other thing that came out of the blue is that I might be changing jobs and be in the jobmarket soon. My department is going to get smaller and we were advised to start looking for alternative jobs. Although I am not afraid, I am very confident that I will find something inside or outside my company (the big H, for those of you who know) I am also afraid that I will once again start from the beginning.

I have been in the same company for seven years and I have built a stable and successful career. Just this week I got a commendation from a customer, which made me very proud.
I am looking for a managerial position now in the company, there is a role for which I drool and it fits me like a glove but there will be harsh competition for it. Although I have experience on the role I have not been a manager and there are other managers which will go after it. Wish me luck!

If that doesn't work and if I don't find a position in the Marketing sector, I am determined to look elsewhere. I am not going back to the shopfloor!!!! I had it for four years and it killed me.
My company is a very big department store in London, the most famous one (there! I said it!) and it's going to be just crazy during Christmas and the Sale and I don't want to be anywhere near the shopfloor. A good 9-5 job in an office in Marketing is where I want to be.
So if not in the big H, then in another company....scary....

Now, for some good news. When I came back from Greece I brought presents for Rachel and Pete. With all this palaver going about me I had absolutely no time to go to the Post Office to send it to them. I felt so ashamed.
But my good friends Mark T and Jill, fabulous bloggers and people both of them, were going to Joe's Pub. So I kindly asked them if they could take them and they kindly replied they could! What a sweet couple they are! Thank you both SO much!!!!!

And here is the proof that they gave the gifts to them! It's the jiffy beige envelopes that Jill is holding in the first two pictures, ready to give them to Rachel. The first two pictures are taken by His Excellence Mr. Ronzi.


And these last ones, most fantastic, are taken by the fabulous Elizabeth Solaka. Thank you both and sorry to steal your pictures, hehe.

You can definetely see Pete holding the envelope and I think you can see a little corner of the env. in Rachel's hands...
Thank you Mark and Jill soooo much!

Back to reality - and it feels good

You see, that's the thing with me. Ever since I moved to London, I consider myself having a permanent holiday.
So, I went to Greece and had a lovely time, and now I'm glad I'm back to my flat in London. Life's wonderful. If only I could afford (financially and time-wise) a trip to the USA to see my boys and Rachel, then it would have been just perfect. Unfortunately the circumstances, at the moment, stand that this would be impossible. Boo-hoooooooo.

So here are my holiday news:

• I went to two islands. Before going to Spetses my sister suggested we go to our cousins who have a house at Chios. Chios is an island famous for its mastic, the substance that makes chewing gum. So, as you can understand, I was chewing all day. The island is very beautiful and the beaches were magnificent. We were staying at a village called Vessa, where all the houses were made of stone, unlike the people who were really kind and smiling. It was a lovely holiday... Click here to see the slideshow from Chios.

• On the 6th of August I went to Spetses, where my mom welcomed me with open arms. I have missed her house so much, and esp. the view from her veranda, where every morning we would have breakfast, greek coffee and hours of small-talk. Really relaxing.
• The two nights with the full moon were just breathtaking. I couldn't believe how close the moon was, how big it looked. When it peaked out of the beautiful houses we all screamed. That time, I wished that next year I would see this full moon with someone special ;) Not that my family is not special, but you know what I mean, hehe.Click here for the slideshow of Spetses.
  
• 
  One night as we were going home my mom we stumbled on a little kitty cat. He was very thin and dirty, all black and with two beautiful blue eyes. Immediately and with no second thoughts we picked him up and we took him home to give him milk. The next day we were told by neighbours that he was taken from his mother and that he had a brother as well. The same night we found his brother. His brother is a gorgeous ginger cat with the same beautiful blue eyes. We took him in too. Then, after not much thought, my mother decided to keep them! As you remember, her cat died in the winter, so that made her feel really happy again. She called the ginger cat Aris and I called the black one Zikos (Zee-kos). They are two little mischievious adorable creatures.

That's Zikos on the left and Aris below right. Aris was wounded when we found him, but we have heeled him now and he is very healthy!

So that's it basically. I have been away from blogland for quite sometime, but I will visit your blogs as soon as I can. I have so many things to do and so many others that should be done, but in the first instance I will pop round and say hi to you all.

xoxoxo
M

My little place of Heaven

The Greek island of Spetses is not only very important to the history of Greece, but also a gorgeous little island. Very few cars are allowed in the island, most of them are Taxis. You can walk or cycle around and enjoy a mile long promenade by the seaside.

People who come to Spetses once, they want to come again and again. There is a myth, that there is a flower in the island, called Throubi, that when you go there you smell it, and it makes you want to come again...

Celebrities have come to the island and got inspired by its beauty (the book The Magus by John Fowles is set in Spetses). Brigitte Bardot came in the '60s and fell in love with one of our Spetsiot friends! And of course our Mikey is a regular visitor with his family...
The ultimate celeb-spotting for me was in 1983, when I danced with Rudolph Nureyev in one of the island's discos!(not ballet of course, but it was like ballet with him, lol) How fab was that?

The beaches are just incredible. Crystal blue water, sand, clean and gorgeous. I can spend the whole day by the sea and then go to a nearby café and relax. My favourite moment of the day, if not the whole year!

The architecture of the island is breathtaking. The island structure is protected by law and all the houses have to look the same. If you exclude a couple of ugly hotels built in the ,70s, everything else is very traditional. I have the pleasure of staying in two houses: my mother's mainly, which has a fantastic view of the Old Harbour, and my sister's, which is built in a new complex, that has won awards for its traditional architecture, a very beautiful house indeed. We have been going there since 1970 and although we have travelled around Greece, our hearts are always in Spetses.

The nightlife of the island is very lively. Hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants. My favourite one is Balkoni, which is right at the front of the sea, plays jazz and serves the best Margheritas.

Every September the 8th, the island celebrates the burning of the Turkish Armata. During the Greek Revolution in 1821, a small boat, armed only with a torch and two very brave men, went very close to the Turkish fleet and set fire into its flagship. The rest of the ships just scattered away out of fear and the island was freed from its conquerors.
This brave incident is celebrated with music, free wine and food, dance and a re-enactment of the burning of the ship. The fake Armata is loaded with pyrotechnics and the night ends with millions of the best fireworks! It is the most joyous feeling.

My dream and plan is when I retire to live in London during the winter and in Spetses during the summer.
But at the moment, I can just enjoy my three weeks and I'll see you at the end of August! I will miss you all very much, I'm sure I'll find some time to say hi from an internet café.

Have a lovely rest of the summer!!!!

Away...

I HAVE BEEN AWAY

of blogland for a week or so. I haven't visited any blogs, except for Rachel's , which is like a religious thing for me... I apologise for that, I'm terrible!!! It's been nice chatting with some of you on BG's chatroom though :o)

There is so much going on right now. I work the fullest of the times, until 8pm and home by 10 as usual. If I have a day off, I'll be doing things at home, laundry, ironing (quel plaisir...) tidying up my very untidy finances, organising my music on my mp3 (ok, that's not too bad) and getting ready because...

I'M GOING AWAY

for three weeks to Greece. It is my summer vacation, long-awaited and well-deserved after a very hard winter. I will spend a couple of days in Athens and then off to Spetses, which is the most beautiful place on this earth. I have been going since I was a baby, every single summer and I can't get enough of it.
I spend each winter dreaming of this place and finally the time has come.
My mum's house doesn't have a telephone line (how primitive are we?) so I will probably blog either from my sister's house or from an internet café (not so primitive after all). I can't promise regular stops, maybe once a week? So the photos might have to wait...
I promise I will take loads.

I will pop in to your blogs for a summer goodbye and a kiss, and I will post again on Friday.

Good News: We Got A Hit!

The date: 17th of July, St Marina's Day - a very special day for me, today, even more special.
I'm at home, doing f--- all, this and that, banking, bored, coffee, phone calls, yawn, whatever.
Then it dawns on me: one week before the release of Wire And Glass.... Maybe it's on iTunes.
Yeah, baby! There it is!!!! No second thought, click on 'Buy Album' and in less than a minute (don't you just love broadband?) it is in my Music Library.
Connect the computer to the speakers and let the magic begin...

Sound Round: A thundering drumroll, bringing into mind my Keith, promises an exciting journey into The Who's sound. Rogers voice is fierce and unrepetant (hehe)
Pick Up The Peace: it is so Live At Leeds (2) for me, that was the first time I heard it and loved it. I can just see them in front of me and I'm singing along. It reminds me a bit of Bargain and I'm loving it.
Endless Wire: it has a sweet sound, Pete's voice is intimate (or is it because of The Attic?) it just carries you away
We Got A Hit: this is a fantastic Rock'n'Roll happy theme. Makes me jump around and shout. A song as a joke or a joke as a song?
They Made My Dream Come True: Pete singing my motto? LOL. But they certainly have and this song, although it's very short, is the seal to a unique work of music.
Mirror Door: a screaming crowd, probably from one of the Who's concerts, introduce one of my favourite Who songs. Seeing it live was amazing and this version kicks arse! Roger is fab, his voice as strong as ever and the music is powerful and very catchy. All in all: I'M LOVING EVERY NOTE!

KUDOS-KUDOS-KUDOS TO MY BOYS!!!!!

Meet the Bloggers!

Clockwise from bottom left: Anne-Marie, Mark, Jill, James, Jonathan and me.

Well, that was pure joy! The Blinner was so much fun. Meeting with all these people at last was really special for me.
The previous day I met with Anne-Marie to watch the World Cup final in a pub in Knightsbridge.
She is hilarious! A fantastic personality, with so many stories to tell that will have you either hanging from her words, or in absolute stitches! I had a feeling she was going to be like this and meeting her was incredible!

So, yesterday after work I made my way to As Greek As It Gets in Earls Court. Our table was waiting and after having a glass of water, whoop! there's Anne-Marie coming, bang on time! A little while later Mark and Jill, who is always a delight to meet, arrived then Jonathan and finally James. They are all such great people! Oh, how can one eat with such handsome men around? LOL! Well, that was about to be found out because the appetizers I've ordered for the group started flowing in. Hunger took over my embarassment and we all dived in! A huge Greek salad, fries with melted feta cheese, all kinds of dips, pitta bread, and booze!

The conversations were all about you-know-WHO and excitement about forthcoming and past shows. Everyone had a little story to tell, plus, I discovered that everyone on that table had a musical talent. Including Steve, who unfortunately couldn't make it, because he was rehearsing with his band. Steve I hope you make it to the next one!
Before even we finished the appetizers, we ordered the main dishes. The catalogue was full of delish things, we were spoiled for choice and everyone was asking my advice on what to order. I wanted only the best for my blogger friends so I made a couple of suggestions, and the souvlaki wraps started coming. The conversation continued between "mmm"'s and "ooooh"'s about the food. I think they liked it, hehe.

After having coffee ( I had two cups of the strong greek coffee!!) sadly it was time to go. We agreed we should do that again. As I said goodbye to Anne-Marie I felt a sadness, I hope I meet her again.

Thanks for coming, everyone, and lets keep in touch!
xxM

Post-Who blues and BLINNER on Monday

Can't stop singing Mike Post Theme... Can't stop listening to the boys. Can't stop remembering how lovely it was in Leeds and in Hyde Park. The HP concert is my last one at the moment. I can't go to any other dates in July, due to work.
So I feel blue. I don't know if I can make it to US in the autumn, my credit cards are about to explode!!!

But here's something that will really cheer me up: On Monday the 10th of July we are having a BLINNER at the Greek Restaurant As Greek As It Gets. The food is delicious, my pick is always the "spicy souvlaki": Greasy greek-style pitta with pork skewers, onion, parsley, tzatziki and a hint of red pepper. YUM!
Anne-Marie is coming from Canada, James Casey is coming along, Steve H, Mark and Jill, Jonathan Beck and me of course.
And Bex, Rachel's sister might be joining us too! An invitation has been sent to our beloved Rachel, Pete, Mikey and Rene and Simon, hopefully if they are still in the UK can join us. Who knows???

So, THIS IS AN OPEN INVITATION:

If you would like to join, please let me know a.s.a.p. I am booking the table on Friday and would like to know for how many.
Please try and come, the more the merrier!!!!!!

Here are the details

BLINNER:
When: Monday the 10th @ 7:30pm
Venue: AS GREEK AS IT GETS

Address: 233 Earl’s Court Road, Kensington,
London SW5 9AH
0207 244 7777
Tube: Earls Court - take the Earls Court road exit, turn right five minutes walk accross the street.
MAP
To join: Comment here or email me until tomorrow (Thu 6th July) night

Hope I see many of you! It will be a blast!

Sunday, in the Park with my friends...

44 photos slideshow

My feet are hurting from the blisters, my hands feel like I’ve been lifting weights all day, my eyes are merely open, but I feel very happy. It was a great day all along, it was like going to the park with friends, but with great music too.

Chapter One: The meeting with Tomoko and the Hyde Park

My day started at 12 noon when I went to Bayswater to meet Tomoko and her friend Kay at their hotel. What a delight it was to finally meet her, she is sweeter than I imagined and very pretty too, like a little girl, wearing Who gear all over! We went to Marble Arch to get a cold drink and we chatted and laughed like old friends.

It was time to go to Hyde Park. The heat was something unbelievable, even for my Greek standards. We took a bus, which was useless after all because it left us way too far from the Hyde Park Corner entrance, but we managed to get there. The girls got their tickets from the box office and I put the golden wristband on my hand.
We separated at our respective entrances. I didn’t have to ask or do anything. I just showed my wristband and everybody was letting me in. That’s how I like it baby!
As soon as I found Tomoko and Kay again, I called Mark and Jill to see where they were and after a few minutes we met under the blazing sun. After chit-chatting and taking pictures, Tomoko and Kay left to have a look at the perks of their VIP tickets. Tomoko gave me a little something to give to Rachel and they were off. Unfortunately, I didn't see them again...boo hoo:(

My golden wristband was burning my hand! I didn’t want to leave my friends, but I was dying to see what I can do with it… So I went to one of the security guards and he said that I have access to the Special Guests area. We’re on, I thought!
The special Guests area was a huge place full of tents, right next to the backstage area. I went to the security guard of the backstage area and asked him if I could go in.

He said no.

I explained that the wristband was sent by Rachel and his reply was that if I had her number (which I don’t, of course) I could call her and she could come outside and let me in.

Chapter two: The Waiting

I was ready to faint from the heat, so I decided to have a drink under the tent, until my friend to whom I’ve given the other wristband arrived. So I went to the bar and asked for a Coke.
“Pepsi. £2 please” Swell.

I sat in one of the tables and had my drink, and I felt really pleased for the first time after the big “NO”. There was a cool breeze coming, I was under the tent, sipping my ice cold drink and then one of the bands started playing. I couldn’t see them, since I was at the back of the stage, but I sure could hear them.
I relaxed and waited for my friend to call me. At around 4:45 he called me that he was inside, but went to the main stage to see Ocean Colour Scene. I stayed at my cool place and I bumped into Ron from the Shout and his wife. He suggested maybe to go through the other gates, since the Airstream was a little bit to the left and ask if Rachel has given my name to the guards there. And when I met my friend a little while later that’s what we did, unfortunately with no results.

Our wristbands were only good for that area. We had to have proper backstage passes, you know, the ones you hang from your neck.

Chapter three: The Casbah, The Bex and The Rach!

Well, we needn’t worry for that now, for it was time for THE CASBAH CLUB!
We went to the small tent and right at the front (where else?) where we met Tom Matchett and Sarah Beth. Fab!
Simon and the boys came out, sans Bruce Watson of course, and rocked our socks off!!! I could not stop jumping and singing they were incredible! I observed how fantastic Bruce Foxton was, what a great musician. Simon of course was his own fabulous self, giving us one of the best performances I’ve seen so far. The people screamed, they loved it and so did my friend. I was paralyzed… What a great song Vibrate is. It was for me the highlight of the day so far.

As we came outside of the tent I noticed I had a message from Bex. So I called her and it was really funny because we have never met each other.
Bex: I’m wearing a white skirt.
Me: I’m wearing a white skirt too!
Bex: I see ya!
We hugged each other like long lost friends! She is such a character! We stayed in the VIP area and started talking non-stop. Then she introduced us to her father who has the same amazing blue eyes as his daughters!

While there I saw Noel Gallagher, for whom I have an ongoing crush for ages, with his dreamy little daughter. As I took his picture I screamed “I LOVE YOU! Then, I wanted the earth to open and swallow me.

Just a few minutes before The Who went on stage, Rachel came by and started greeting the people on the table. She was looking stunning! Absolutely gorgeous. I called her name and we hugged and kissed.
She asked me how I was doing with the no-smoking and I said: “I just had a fag now!”

Ok, before you start screaming at me, I needed it, after all this! Just on this occasion, as I said to Rachel… am I forgiven?

She was in quite a hurry. So I gave her Tomoko’s present and she was chuffed, and then a quick photo (Rachel looks gorgeous and I look like my grandmother!) and then she disappeared.

And that was IT! It was time for the main attraction and the main reason I was there…

Chapter four: The Who!

My friend and I decided not to get squashed, so we stayed at the back and right side of the stage, on a high slope, where we had a very good view of the stage. The screens on the stage that is. I could see the band like little ants moving around and a little bit of the background, but what I saw, I saw it mainly from the screens.

For those who didn’t watch the webcast, I have to tell you that the band was absolutely amazing. I have never seen Pete doing so many windmills before. He was playing like it was the end of the world. Roger was great too. His voice blared through the speakers and made my heart jump.
The camera was constantly on Zak, who’s getting better and better and better! Last night he was as furious as Keith. I was breathless.

I joined in with the tens of thousands of people who were cheering and clapping, jumping and screaming. What a feeling!
At the encore at the end, the very last song was Listening To You. Pete wouldn’t stop playing!!! He amazes me every time!

Chapter five: The Conclusion

The best thing, except of course the two incredible bands, was to meet all these wonderful people. I didn’t have a chance to meet Steve H, what a pity, but we spoke on the phone and I’ll see him next week, at the Blinner (see Molly? I am stealing your word and inventing a new one).

It was a lovely day overall. No complaints. The fact that I didn’t get backstage, which would have been a dream, hurt me of course. But I cannot complain. What I lived yesterday cannot be lived by a lot of people. It was truly special and I felt truly privileged. I owe Rachel a lot for that special treatment and I hope I can return the favour one day.

Hyde Park Calling pre-gig meeting

It's finally here...! (well not really until tomorrow, lol)

So, pleaaaase.
Anyone who would like to meet before the gig comment here. Suggestions for time and place to meet for sandwiches and light (!) refreshments before the gig.
I am meeting with Tomoko from Japan some time tomorrow morning, so if I have more news I will update here.
I think it's safer if we don't post mobile phones here of course. Email me for exchange of numbers, instead.
I am at home today, so I will check for emails and comments regularly.

SEE YA!

In wristband heaven

Dressed half with work clothes and my pyjama bottoms I hear the bell ring at 8.15.
A-ha! I think. Could it be?
I rush to the intercom and with a hoarse-sleepy voice I say "Who is it?"
"Hi Marietta, it's Rachel and Pete, personally delivering your tickets and passes!"
Ok, that was during my dream. The real answer was
"Postman. You have a Special Delivery"
I open the door and sign with trembling hands. I look at the "from" label, sorry lable ;), and there it was in blue: Eeel Pie!

I take the jiffy envelope to the light before opening it and I see a very long thin thing inside.
????
I open it and I couldn't understand what I was looking at. A gold plastic strip, with holes in it and Hyde Park Calling printed alongside. What is it, God? Have they sent me the wrong thing? I didn't want a suitcase tag, I wanted two tickets with two big fat stickers saying "Guest" like my friend Haribomort had. And it's one. Only one. What am I going to tell my friend? He was so excited... There is no note, nothing, I am so ashamed to bug Rachel again. HEEEEELP!

But, the more I looked at it the more I started to understand. Hang on a minute. This splits. This is two in one. And then I remembered in Leeds people wearing in their hands something similar. And those were the people that went backst... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!
YES! Now I knew...
It took me a while, but it finally dawned on me. These are special wristbands (for special people) that work as passes....................................................!
My God, SHE'S DONE IT!
My sweet Rachel, this wonderful creature sent from Heaven, the most generous lady on earth, has sent me the best gift ever!!!!
I started dancing in the middle of the room, laughing at my naivity and ignorance. And happy, so so happy!

A lot of you understand how much this means to me. It's beyond the beyond!
I immediately sent a comment to Rachel to thank her and sent a text message to my friend that everything is all right, the dream is just beginning...
I had to get ready for work. I couldn't stop smiling. I hopped on the train and looked outside the window, while listening to Rachel's songs. I was in wristband heaven.

Best fucking summer of my life!

Aaah! La musica!!!

Today I had an epiphany.
I listened to our fellow blogger Gary's song Bermondsey. Not for the first time though.
The first time it was through my laptops little speakers. I liked it very much, I think Gary has a big musical talent.
Today though, after the Attic show and the Who live show, when I always connect my laptop to my 5.1 surround system, I received an email from Claire Eliza to join her group's The Marquee MySpace page. The kids are more than alright!
So, after surfing here and there in MySpace, I clicked on Gary's page.

An amazing music came through my speakers. Loud, clear, terrific! I dropped everything I was doing ( putting the pizza in the oven if you must know) and listened to the song again and again.
It is amazing and has a very beautiful melody.
If you haven't listened yet go now!

So, I decided to create my own IAC station, for fun, but also, to be able to send the link to family and friends to listen to great music. Of course, I have included our favourites, Rachel, Mikey, Casbah Club, Foy Vance, Gary of course, and little by little I will add more worthy artists.
It is called - what else? Panacea Radio.
Click on the image below to go and listen now!

How do you follow perfection?

I WILL KEEP THIS POST UP, AS LONG AS I FEEL NEEDED, AS A SUPPORT TO THE ONE AND ONLY PETE TOWNSHEND.
I HOPE HE FINDS IT AND READS IT, TO CHEER HIM UP.

PETE, THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY POSITIVE WRITINGS ABOUT YOU.

W E L O V E Y O U !

12o photos can be seen here!

Leeds, 17th of June, 2006

The time is 15:45 and I enter the gates of my University. My body is filled with goose bumps. The first reason was because I was back at Leeds Uni after 13 years. I graduated in 93 and have never come back.

The second reason...you all know now.
My boys were there.
After meeting and greeting with lots of Bloggers and Shouters, I queued up to watch the unveiling of the blue plaque. The heat was sweltering, my mouth was dry and people were coming out of the Refectory, announcing that the ceremony would start soon. At 4:00, the programme said, at 4:30 someone said, then at 5:00.

A little after 5:30 a lot of commotion:
Cameramen getting ready (in front of me, blocking my view!), photographers (ditto) lots of other people and then finally........

MY BOYS!

Roger looking more handsome than EVER and Pete looking smashing, smiling, relaxed.
The people went bananas. So did I...A few welcoming speeches and then the two Men of Honour unveiled the blue plaque. The flashing cameras and the applause were falling like thunder. I managed to get a little footage on my camera, but everybody was blocking me so it is very little.
But I was very happy and honoured to be there.

After chit-chatting with Tony, aka Haribomort, the winner of Rachel's competition for Leeds, I strolled down the road to the Fenton pub, where I met fellow blogger Adam and his lovely wife Gaynor. They are such fantastic people! Lots of other Who fans were there. We drank, laughed and talked about The Who. The excitement was building up.....

THE CONCERT!

The time was 7 o'clock. Adam, Gaynor and I decided to return to the University and go to the Refectory for the gig.
When we arrived the queue was going around the building and then for about four thousand miles or so... "Splendid" I thought. I won't be able to see anything.

Little by little we moved forward. Finally, we turned the corner and we reached the door. I stepped into the Refectory and for my delight, I saw only a small gathering of people in front of the stage. Everybody else was at the bar!!!!
I went closer and I squeezed at the side of the second row. In front of me: two very tall guys. I tapped on one's shoulder and said Hi! He said Hi too. I said I can't see. He said I'll lean over. I said You'll hurt your back. He laughed and did...NOTHING. My mood was ruined.

At 8:30-ish the lights went down and the people went berserk. I could see the tops of Pete and Roger, little bit of Zak, very little of Simon and a lot of Pino (actually the whole Pino)
I can't watch the show like that, I thought, so I took out my camera and re-tapped the guy's shoulder. I showed him my camera. He tried to signal that he will take pictures, but I signaled back "Oh, no you won't" and gestured I wanted to get to the front. The guy behind me showed me a little space just on my right and front. I moved forward.
Before I knew it, another guy stepped back and WHAM! I WAS AT THE VERY FRONT!

I just couldn't believe it... Never before in my life, I have been front row in a Who concert.
I started jumping while snapping pictures, singing, sweatting, screaming.

The boys were unbelieveable!

Setlist:

Who Are You
Can't Explain
The Seeker
Substitute
Wire & Glass
Sound Around
Pick Up The Peace
Endless Wire
We've Got A Hit
They Made My Dreams Come True
Mirror Door
Baba O'Reilly
Relay
Behind Blue Eyes
Let's See Action
Naked Eye
Cry If You Want
Pinball Wizard
Amazing Journey
See Me
Listening To You

Encores:

Eminence Front
Won't Get Fooled Again

They had such energy, I couldn't stop screaming. The people around me were going mad too.
I looooooved the new material. It sounded amazing live and I can't wait to buy the new CD!
Baba O'Riley was great. Cry If You Want, The Seeker, Naked Eye and Relay were fantastic surprises.
When they did the Tommy segment I was gone completely. Sparks was electrifying.
By Listening To You, I thought that I reached God! I was out of my body, out of this world, out of it completely.

Then Won't Get Fooled Again for the absolute climax.
And then it ended.
And we wanted more.
I wanted more.

But it ended.

So, how do you follow perfection?

We'll all find out on the 2nd of July...

LONG LIVE ROCK!!!!!

HERE WE GO!

That's where I'll be tomorrow baby, and I don't care about anything. Click on the title to see..

Next blog will be on Sunday. FULL REPORT!!!!

If I'm still alive.

LOL

What else?

I was robbed off my mobile phone today.
I was on the train, going to work and while I was texting a friend, a hand grabbed my phone. I turned around and I saw 4-5 teenagers running off the train. I went to the door and screamed at them, but the doors closed and the train took off. The kids were laughing at me and they run away. I went back to my seat with tears in my eyes.
Thankfully, a few passengers recognised their emblem on their blazers and knew the name of the school. A very helpful fellow passenger called the police and I reported the robbery and then we called the school and I gave them my details.
Then I went to the Transport Police at Victoria and gave a statement. Hopefully I will hear something soon. I also called my mobile provider so they can block the phone. Maybe those kids would phone China or Ghana, more possibly.

I am devastated. I had all my contacts in my phone's memory. I will never retrieve some of them...
I have to wait for a replacement phone now ... Stupid kids, I hope they get punished.

First my computer crashing, now this. What else is there going to happen to me? I am scared.

Brand new start

I lost all my data today.
Everything.
My music, my iTunes downloads, my photos, my, my, my.

All due to a defective portable hard drive which I purchased only 20 days ago.


Someone has suggested to write a weeping, yet quite assertive email to iTunes, to recover my purchased downloads. I will first of all take my pitiful hd back to Dixons and ask them to find me a solution. Or else.
And if nothing happens with them, then I will write to iTunes.

To tell you the truth, I don't really care.
I spent the day today restoring my computer. All over again, I have a new empty hard disk (not the portable one, the C:/ drive). I have succesfully installed most of my software.
I am actually very happy to see my computer as snappy as it was when I bought it four years ago. I click on something and it actually works. I got rid of all the crappy sub-folders and extensions and plug-ins that clattered my C drive.

I am ready for In The Attic tomorrow! (That was my major concern).
Everything works fine (fingers crossed). The only problem is that I finish work at 6.15 tomorrow, so I'll miss the beginning.

I might see you all at the chatroom, when I get home.

I ♥ technology... when it works.

Can you feel the force?

It's happening!
It's very near!
We get news every day!
Exciting news!

MY BOYS ARE GETTING READY!!!!

photo taken from Pete Townshend's website

Tracie (Rachel's PA) after the confusion with Spain and several emails has confirmed that she is sending me tickets for Hyde Park Calling. I am so happy about it! I wish and hope I can attend another UK show, but with my work commitments it looks really pale. I am dying to go to the Leeds University gig, since I studied there and it will also be a revival of Live At Leeds. But, again, it's very VERY difficult...

I am taking a very good friend of mine to the Hyde Park concert with me, someone who loves The Who as much as I do (if possible) and who has influenced me a lot about their music.
I owe him a lot and this is the least I could do!

Rumour (very distant and very vague) has it that The Who are playing MSG at Thanksgiving weekend. If that is the case I will do my best to go to USA for 10 days for that show and probably the LA show. I will do my debt, I mean my best, lol.
That means I will finally meet a lot of you. Fingers crossed I'll make it!

The joy that my boys bring me is something I cannot put into words. I listen to The Who every single day, every morning on my way to work, every time I go back home. They make me feel so happy, their music fills me with ecstatic feelings, I fly!
And when I see them live is like I own the world, I don't care about anything else.

I owe Pete, Roger, Keith and John the way I look at life.

Five days in Athens

Hello all, I'm back! This is long overdue, so many things happened, but I will try to be succinct!

Yes, both to and fro flights were quite pleasant, especially after listening to the Olympic Airlines' English (letse tsetremen=Ladies and Gentlemen), hilarious.
My important meeting went well, but I can't say anything till I have more news...(yes, the mystery continues)
My sister and nephew came to welcome us at the gorgeous Athens airport and the festivities began...

Saturday 20th of May - Eurovision party at my sister's house

My sister's dog, Norma, shows me how much she's missed me


My nephew, Nicholas, me and the dogs, Bruno and Norma


Me, Nicholas and his best friend Andreas. Last summer they were both shorter than me...


My sister, Liana and her sister, Marietta.
The T-shirts were especially made by Liana for the night

Monday 22nd of May - The big 4-0 my God!

My sister bringing the cake. I invited a few close friends to my house and we had a lovely time.


Never mind the candles, the cake was yummy!


Yes, I made a wish before I blew the candles, but I'm not telling you what!



I'm effing 4o, so, what's with the smile?

I managed to see a lot of friends, unfortunately I visited my good friend Martha in the hospital. The best bit was that I enjoyed driving around Athens and listening to my music. I went to the Olympic Village and to the new shopping mall, called...The Mall. On Tuesday I went to the centre of Athens with the cable car and it was like when I was in a different city, not the Athens I once knew and hated.
The heat was something else. A heatwave that made you ill. I wanted to go to the beach but there was no time.
My next trip will be at the end of July, until the last days of August. I will go to Spetses, like every summer and just bask in the sun. That's all I do!

Hope you're having a fun weekend. Off to do some shopping now, there's nothing in my fridge! I will visit your blogs tomorrow.

Love to all