The Cat Came Back

I have no idea why this popped into my head today but there I was minding my own business when my brain screamed 'I wonder if The Cat Came Back is on youtube?'
So, upon arriving home I checked, and yes it is!

I love this piece of animation and haven't seen it in ages.
However, I know for the foreseeable future I'm going to be singing 'The cat came back the very next day, thought he was a gonner but the cat back, he just wouldn't go away'.
Just brilliant.

The Doctor's In

I got a call last week from my doctor's surgery, asking me to come in to discuss the results of my nerve conductivity tests.
It's always a little unnerving having to go and discuss test results!
I arrived and saw the new GP, whom I have only seen once before, on his first day, which was quite amusing as he clearly had no clue how anything worked.
Anyway, I am converted and I think he's adorable. I shall be attempting to ensure if I'm ill, it's on a day that he's working.
The test results I had gone in to discuss were nowhere to be found, whilst the lady covering reception searched for them he and I had a bit of a chat. I got the distinct impression that he really, genuinely cares.
He wants to do some blood tests and I asked if I should just go straight to the hospital. I explained I have notoriously recalcitrant veins.
When I had my stint in hospital, it got to the point that one of the phlebotomists recognised my name when she saw it on boards on the wards. It wasn't a small hospital.
The last time I actually went to the phlebotomy 'ward' it took nearly half an hour and several different phlebotomists to get blood.
Anyway, after explaining the reluctance of my body to give any blood up, my lovely new doctor insisted that I book an appointment with him, so he can attempt to extract some from me.
Finally my test results were located. I have carpal tunnel syndrome.
Ooh Hurrah.
We chatted a little more, he rested his hand on my hand and said; "If at any time, you just want to talk, you come in and see me and I will listen and take care of you." Really. See how adorable he is?
I stepped out of his office, thanking him for his time and went to book the next appointment.
As I explained he wanted to do my blood test the receptionist expressed surprise "but doctors never offer to do those!"
I'm special me. I have deep veins that meander like a river at its end.
Getting a canula in me is a special joy. I remember how thrilled they were at the hospital when I accidentally ripped them out. I'm an accident on the move, what can I tell you.

Song Of The Week XXXIX

I'm a little late, this is my wont!
I didn't have a particular song in mind this week, there wasn't something I'd been playing incessantly and for some reason this group just dropped into my mind and I spent a while wandering around youtube watching them.
I wish their song On Children had been available, for that has to be one of my favourites. Instead I choose this one:

Sweet Honey In The Rock - Peace:

They have such beautiful voices that just work together so very well. They must have had over three decades together and their sound is still so strong it takes my breath away.

Below Zero

Winter has officially arrived, it's cold out there, the leaves are largely fallen from the trees, so I don't know really why I even bothered to look at the weather forecast.

However, I now have the fear.

Come Monday morning I am going to have to wear all of my clothes if I am to survive the predicted sub-zero temperatures... seriously check it out:

-284.
That's pretty chilly right?
I mean that's like the scene where the library freezes in The Day After Tomorrow.
All I have to say is: Brrrrr.
No wait I have to say it again.
Brrrrrrrrrrr.

A O Hell

Last night, as I disconnected from the internet, a little window flashed up. AOL were about to install some upgrades. I greeted this with a groan. Every single time this happens does it totally screw with my internet connection.

So, this morning, with a sense of trepidation I turned on my computer.

I clicked on the wee AOL icon. Nothing.

I clicked again. Nothing.

Again and again and again. Nothing.

I rebooted.

On this reboot AOL informed me it needed to install more files. I doubted the veracity of this but I clicked OK as I had no other option.

Nothing.

Imagine this repeated a dozen, two and three dozen times.

My temper. It flared.

I couldn't locate a helpline number.

No, because those can be found on AOL. Assuming the stupid program even bloody well opens.

I finally relented and called Directory Enquiries, or one of those services, dependent on who pays the most for advertising and which number sticks in your brain. It was so much easier when it was just 192. Which reminds me of a totally unrelated tale that I need to relate.

Anyway, I rang AOL. I got through to India. Which seems to be the norm of late and I know more and more people are frustrated by it.

I explained my predicament, that this wasn't the first, second or third time this had happened. That I wanted it restoring to exactly as it had been, that I did not want to delete and reinstall, that there was information I couldn't afford to lose. I explained I was really very cross and that I was doing my best to remain calm and civil.

She said she'd help me try to restore it but if she couldn't it would need reinstalling. Frayed temper did not respond well to this little statement.

She spent a while on the phone to me.

And you know what.

She went and bloody fixed it.

I did not need to scream and stamp my feet.

I did however need to thank her for putting up with my very cross voice.

Carphone Warehouse have taken over/bought AOL. And what a downhill slide that has been.

They absolutely suck.

AOL Pictures, which they spent time advertising? Closed down.

AIM? Profiles deleted.

AOL Journal? Gone.

Ability to view all websites? Not a chance.

I am beginning to wonder why I'm paying for a glorified way to check my email.

But... the big question remains, are the other ISPs any better?

Will It Never End?

Guess what?
It happened again.
Oh Yes.

My phone started ringing.
Me: Hello?
Caller: You forgot your bear.
Me: I'm sorry?
Caller: Felicity?
Me: Um No, you have the wrong number.

Of course they have the wrong number. I am the eternal wrong number.
I'm now imagining Felicity as a bear wrangler though. And that somewhere a lady has a grizzly running riot in her lounge that she cannot control.

Song Of The Week XXXVIII

I can't explain what it is that I love about this.
I just know that I heard it and ran downstairs to check out my CD collection to see if I had somehow missed hearing this, but it wasn't on any of his Cd's I already owned.
It's not even a couple of minutes long, try it and see what you think.
Maybe I need to know I'm not alone in loving it!

Tom Waits - The Ocean Doesn't Want Me: