Owch! My me hurts...

I managed to work something like 80 hours last week. That's, like, two weeks' work squeezed into one. Possibly more. So much for easing off on the hours when I went permanent.

On the other hand every single minute is paid, much of it at time and a half, so I am being well compensated. And I could have said no to the overtime. But this way I get pennies to spend in Barcelona. And a reputation for being reliable in a tight spot.

(I was actually drawing pictures for a green paper for much of the time. THAT green paper. Which is why I had to work all weekend, to have it ready for Monday. Our company does the taking of the words and stuff and turning it into a proper presentable document, although that's mostly the technical writers and typesetters. I was illustrating the "easy read" version - it's kind of a Peter and Jane level translation for people that - for a multitude of reasons - have problems comprehending written English. The little easy read people generally live in a very happy, shiny, equality-tastic world and so are always smiling. They are suprisingly fun to draw, but after a while your mouth does start to form into a permanent rictus as you can't help grinning in sympathy. If you are interested, look here and scroll down to the easyread versions.)

I have also been very busy setting Orangutans on fire and cutting off legs below the knee. I do love my job. Even if there has been quite a lot of it lately.

Anyway, I am off to Barcelona in mid Spetember - I can't wait on so many levels. Partly cos I loved it last time I went, but was alone then, so can't wait to see it in company so I can explore in a more brave and reckless fashion. Partly cos the company is two of my dearest friends from Uni, who I hadn't seen for years until they came to visit at Christmas time, and after being terrified that I wouldn't recognise them, or they wouldn't recognise me, or that they'd be all grown up and civilised and look down upon me from a great height... and within ten minutes of meeting up it was as if we had never been apart. And partly because by then I will really REALLY need a holiday. Especially if I keep doing all this overtime to pay for it...

I am also off to Ireland in a few weeks, to visit my baby brother in Cork. (Technically he is probably not a baby as he turns 30 this year, but as that is impossible - he is my little brother after all - then I am ignoring it. Even more impossible is that my cousin is not only turning 30, she is also getting married - which simply can't be true as that would mean she's not 14 which would mean I'm not 16, and then where would we be?) Anyway, I am looking forward to this a lot, partly as I can't wait to see Cork (again, but I was only there one night before many years ago so don't remember it properly) and partly - there are a lot of partlys tonight, aren't there? - because it is my last chance to see him before he vanishes off to the US forever and ever.

Anyway, I am way to busy to fill in all the memelists going round so here are some random words:
Yes.
No.
Maybe.
Hermaphrodite.
Monkey.
Balloon.
Purple.
Only if you polish it.
Cracked.
Strangely quiet.
Tiramisu.
Acapulco.
Jiggery pokery.
Bulbous.
Bouffant.
89.3.
Tuesday.
Maraccas.
A partial eclipse of the moon.
Feel free to fit them in as answers wherever you feel is most appropriate as they will probably make more sense than I do right now.

I am hoping to be out and doing all kinds of social things this weekend, but much depends on whether I fall into a burbling heap in the corner before then.