madamedeficit

Right, I know, I'm a terrible LJer these days. I don't even know what's happening with you guys because I've not found time to read my friends page in weeks, so you'll need to give me some time to try and catch up, but if there's anything you particularly want me to read, send me a link or a message and I'll be sure to read it.

In case you haven't guessed, things have been incredibly busy and stressful, but I think the worst is over and things are getting better. I'll try to cut this short:

- Family stuff was incredibly stressful but now seems to have calmed down a bit. My sister and Mum have now started speaking to each other after a couple of weeks of living in the same house but never speaking. I'm taking this as a good sign. My Mum seems to be socialising with friends lots, which is good, because the more time she spends with friends, the less time she spends with her abusive partner/ex partner (I'm not really sure what the status of their relationship is).

- Uni is going very well. Managed to get my presentation done, although was a bit stuttery and nervous. This is the most stressful part of coursework for me, so everything will be better from this point onwards. I have a piece of work due on Friday 28th, which is the day I go to Whitby, then I have no more work due till December.

- Work is a lot more tolerable than it was. I think that because I'm generally less stressed, I'm not worrying so much about whether it's going okay or my colleagues are bitching about me or whatever. Anytime something stresses me out at work, I just tell myself 'Just keep swimming' and somehow I miraculously feel better. Thank you to Pixar for their help in this situation. :P I'm still awaiting my contract review, where I'm going to find out if I'm getting kept on past December. I'm pretty sure I'm safe but you know me - I always worry unnecessarily. The good news is that after Monday, I'm not due in work for almost two weeks, due to a combination of holidays and the way the rota's been done. This makes me a happy face.

- Bob and I are good, I think... I hope? We had a rough couple of weeks due to stress, but I think/hope things are better now. We're both really looking forward to our wee break in Whitby, which I think will do us both a lot of good.

Overall, I'm coping much better. I've been referred for CBT therapy at uni, and although I'm on a waiting list, I'm relieved that there are strategies being put in place to help and support me. I've got my Poison Ivy costume ready for Whitby but we still need to get Bob's planned (he's gonna be Two Face).

Once we get back from Whitby, it's only five days till I see my girl Tori at the Concert Hall. This will be the third time I've seen her live. Slightly nervous I'll bump into Exface because he was at her last gig with his girlfriend, so I might need to look extra amazing just in case. I don't know what I'm so worried about - I actually think my life looks pretty awesome from the outside. Besides, if I saw him, it wouldn't have the same effect it used to have on me. I can barely remember what it's like to have a conversation with him. To be honest, I'm not even sure what we used to talk about, because it's so long since I've actually spoken to him, and I have no clue why I liked him.

I think that's mostly everything. I'm sure I'll think of more things to say, but I have to go get ready for work... le sigh.

x L x

Wheeeeee! Yesterday was my last day of work until the 29th. The last hour or two dragged in sooooo slowly, especially since Ashley (with all the inane questions) was in charge for the afternoon/evening. I'm hating her a bit less than I did originally - we had a conversation about finding work/the future yesterday that convinced me she's not entirely vapid, so that's a step forward.

I also managed to get along fairly well with the Buchannan Galleries store assistant manager, Jody, who I normally feel I clash with. She's into electro music so I'm hoping to use that to bond with her. It was her last day before her holiday as well, so she was in a good mood, and I think the key to getting along with her is finding her on a good day.

I'm generally feeling a bit more comfortable in the Galleries store as time goes on. It's still not my favourite store and I'd always choose to be in one of the others if I had the choice, but I'm getting by without wanting to walk out! Fortunately, the week I get back from my holiday, I'm mostly in the Byres Road store, and I like being there because it feels like home, as it's just down the road from my University, where I've been attending/lived near for the last eight years. I also REALLY get on with the store manager, because she reminds me of myself. She, like me, dropped out of uni after second year, then went back to it later, and therefore graduated at the age of 25, and she dreams of taking a Masters but can't afford it. Additionally, she's an artist and I tend to get on better with creatively minded individuals.

Anyway, that's enough crap about work! jademcivor lent me her books from the MLitt course last year, so I can get a headstart on my reading, which I'll need because I work so much.

This afternoon, I'm going into town to meet Bob (he's got a half day off) and we're getting some lunch then getting the bus through to Edinburgh. We'll be staying in Bob's parents house (cat-sitting for them) while enjoying the Fringe. We have tickets booked to three shows over the weekend, and we're planning on going to the Banshee Labyrinth on Saturday night. I also have a shoot planned with Tanya (RockstarVanity) for the Saturday afternoon for Zivity. Bob's parents will be coming back on either Saturday night or Sunday, which I'm a little nervous about because I don't think I'm a very parent-friendly girlfriend, but I'm sure it will be fine. We're coming home on the Sunday and then we have the whole week to ourselves!

Anyway, I must cut this entry short because I need to go shower and check I've got everything ready to go. See you all in a few days!

x L x