Another Year

I turned 22.
I met 6 of my closest friends in a pub the night before. And by closest I mainly mean in terms of distance because I had only just arranged this get together 2 hours prior.
But J was there. And JR. And they really are my closest, in the relationship way.
I was handed a bottle of Chase Vodka by L, my ex-housemate, and told 'I know you'll put it to good use.'
I was handed a classic gold Casio watch by JR, and told 'I know you don't wear watches, and I know you probably hate gold, but I'm making you wear this, it will look all indie and vintage and I know you want that.'
I was handed 'Prep' by Curtis Sittenfeld, and a copy of 'Where the Wild Things Are' by my friend Cass because she's my book buddy.
The other 3 gave me gifts of more alcohol, a CD, and a nautical brooch.

So we drank and I was given compliments like 'you look great tonight' and 'you're much less spiteful lately' but only because it was my birthday.
We confirmed plans for a night in Leeds later in the month with the rest of our housemates who are dotted around the country. And an hour was spent telling stories about me.
The last orders bell rang at 11pm and we gathered outside for a cigarette, and I hugged and kissed each person and then made my way through the snow back home. I'd managed to do something kind of celebratory for my birthday. So close to Christmas and New Years, it always ends up being added onto just a normal night out a week or so after: 'let's go out tonight and make it your birthday night out. We'll just go to The Ruby Lounge and everyone will be there and I'll shout 'It's Andy's birthday!' and then we'll celebrate it all night' is usually how it goes.

Before entering the pub I had met L on the way. I was walking slow in the winter weather and wearing a great outfit (pictured below).L told me I turned the corner and took a drag, flicked my cigarette across the street, and raised my head as I ran my hands through my quiff. She told me it looked premeditated and I need to get over myself. So I told her it was, (it wasn't), and that she should plan her entrances because she really doesn't make the most of them.

I wore this; with an added brown buttoned khaki mac and tie pin I can't seem to find.

All Saints khaki shirt and cut-off brown/grey/navy striped wool tie, also All Saints.

Topman Dark khaki skinny chinos and Fred Perry black leather belt with laurel wreath buckle.

Brown leather brogues from my work.

Birthday present from my grandmother.

Songs of 2011

Current playlist:

James Blake - Limit to Your Love
This is the dubstep you put on when you're coming down at 9am. Or when you're lying in bed at 5am after kicking out your trick.

Crystal Castles - Not In Love ft. Robert Smith
The band of 2010 I guess. Thank god they got Smith on this cover, gives me a break from their slightly disappointing second album.

Neon Trees - Animal
It's my new 'only sing the chorus' song.

Adele - Rolling In The Deep
I can't wait for her '21' album. '19' was a winner and her next is heading in the right direction.

The Vaccines - Post Break-up Sex
They're like those old rock 'n' rollers , but singing about 21st century stuff like fucking your ex because you're wasted and hoping it meant more than just an orgasm. Oh, they're just like those old rock 'n' rollers.

Nero - Me And You
I'll take this, pumped up, near comatose.

David Guetta - Who's That Chick ft. Rihanna
It's good for grinding and throwing your drink at people.

Chase & Status - Blind Faith ft. Liam Bailey
I just like this.

Vampire Weekend - Run
Duh. I'd like more of them please.

I'd also like more Hurts in 2011. And another The xx album. and MORE DUBSTEP REMIXES.

Sunday evening.
I walk into the pub and see L and A sat at a table looking at menus. We hug and I sit, choosing a steak and ale pie and allow them to begin. They tell me the stories of their month long trip around Europe. 22 cities.
They tell me about the bouncers they met in Venice who gave them free drinks all night and offered to drive them around the city which they refused.
They tell me about the bar they went to under a church in Vienna that was only lit by candlelight.
They tell me about the hostel owners in Prague who greeted them with a hug every time they saw them.
And they tell me and tell me.
And I'm seething with jealousy.
Then they give me my present, 3 large pouches of tobacco, and I tell them it sounds wonderful.

We eat our meals and I hear more, and I tell them how nothing has happened while they've been away. We go outside for a cigarette and L snaps a polaroid of us that comes out with our faces whitewashed. She draws a sad face on the bottom and leaves it under the ash tray.

Texts between me and VW 04/12/10

You out?

In Leeds? I live in Manchester now...

No, Manchester, i've been moved with work, living in Alderly Edge.

Oh, well no, I'm not, how long you been in Manchester?

A week, fancy meeting up?

Maybe some time, just got a new job but not been paid yet.

Well if you fancy it drinks on me.

Thanks, but I pay my own way.

Lol ok ok.

So VW is back. Kind of thought that was ended; but now we're in the same city and I'm obviously still single and obviously still desperate for some kind of affection. And by affection I mean sexual encounter. It's been 5 months. Too long, way too long.

And the paying my own way comment. I don't. But I like to pretend I would.

08/12/10

So I guess it's been awhile. And for that I have no real reason other than 'I lost interest'.
But I feel like writing about recent happenings.

I walked into an interview for a supervisor role in a certain fashion retailer. I wore brown leather brogues, slim fit grey chinos, a grey, white buttoned, shirt (fully buttoned), and a navy sweater. I smiled and I charmed as I got asked tedious questions about simple things and lied about my passion for life.
I got a call the next day and was offered assistant manager. I accepted.
I trained in another store for 6 days, got invited to their christmas night out (the supervisor and manager who were also training didn't), and fought back the urge to swallow my phone when I received these texts from a boy who worked at my training store.

I don't want you to leave the ------- store :(

It has been fun, but i'll call in whenever I' near.

You better had, I'll hold you to that. This week has been hard, having so many people in the store and liking one of them does not help. Yeah, it's you :) Had to say it, sorry haha.

Thanks M, was great working with you.

My tactic is to tell unwanted suitors that I have a boyfriend, but this boy knew I didn't, after saying to me on the 3rd day: 'I don't want to make you awkward or anything but no one can tell if you're gay or straight...'

So then the Christmas night out was obviously made 5 times more stressful. I dragged J with me so at least I could run away with him, which I did.

And now I'm in my brand new store with staff I can tell what to do while I look in the mirror, or text message, or file through peaper work that has nothing to do with anything. Yeah, I'm one of them bosses.

One member of staff is signed to Base models; a totally fuckable Persian with the body of a greek god and dimples I could live in. Who's also a stripper a few nights a week, although I'm not supposed to know that.

My postings temporarily moved to tumblr while I was away, and although I've not posted on there in a few days I'll probably update it much more regularly than here because it's so much easier and I don't have to put any thoughts together.