I don't know how to title this so let's call it "Aimee"

Curry and naan and a happy Aimee.

Last weekend, well a couple of days ago, I got to stay with my annoying childhood best friend and might-as-well-be-a-sister Aimee, having not seen her since Christmas (and then only for two minutes as I dropped off her gift).

As always, we had a wonderful time. An unsuccessful search for clothes for my university interview turned into a pretty successful spice shopping time. Seriously, we found the most beautiful delicatessen  which sold all sorts of foods from around the world, as well as local things, and would practically be my home if I lived anywhere nearby! Actually, in finding the above link for the blog I have found out that they have an online shop... bye bye bank account.

Rosé in tumblers - that is class!

Naturally, a lot of the time was spent cooking and eating. I think that both of us enjoy using our meet ups as a chance to try and make/eat new things. This time was no different with the first night being a beautiful pork bolognese that Aimee has made previously and then reheated. Saturday was Havanah throwing random things together to make a mild curry that Aimee could enjoy. Sunday was an attempt at a variation of Kaiserschmarrn for brunch, which was all done by hand and by the end of the whisking we were both knackered. The roast we had later was a bit more traditional but by the end of the weekend we could both safely say we had made at least one new dish!

This should give you some idea about
the amount of tea drunk!

The rest of the time was spent chatting and messing around. Our favourite online game (mature as it may be...or not!) was pretty much constantly on because we realised that it gave us something to do while actually interacting. It also was something we could do at three a.m. when the flat upstairs decided an out of tune sing-along was in order! I also gave Aimee a quick hour long 'lesson' on tin whistle, inspired by my last visit where she said she wasn't musical! Not only did she pick up a tonne of stuff quicker than expected but she nearly refused to give me my instrument back! Meanie!!

Aimee being musical.

So basically, I had a wonderful weekend. It's been the coming back home that's been hard and I am feeling a bit down again. Dad moved back in on Sunday which is a good thing but very strange and tense. Something that I won't go into because it's a little complex has happened with regard to the university and I now think they have tiered the applicants with me being in the lower tier. This means I'm going to interview knowing thinking that I have a lower chance than others. It's not the end of the world because they may offer me a place still and if they don't it's their loss!

However, yesterday I worked out that the main thing that is bringing me down is that I am completely fed up with my health. It's been nearly seven years since my stupid illness thing started and I am still without diagnosis. Not only that but it's got progressively worse so that now I am ill more than I am well and am severely limited by things. I can't go out without worrying that something is going to happen and those worries are justified because it's only one in five times that I won't have a problem. I think the health thing is what's really affecting me because it's possible to battle the world and the bad things in life (and if I'm honest I get more than my fair share of bad luck) but when I can't trust my body to work for me... it's not a good thing. I went to the doctors today and was told that I can't even get a non emergency doctor's appointment until the 27th, and am abroad then for my interview, so I guess this is just going to have to classify as an emergency and I'm going to try and get an appointment on Friday. 

Seriously, when I get my health back on track this world ain't gonna know what hit it ;-)

And that was my weekend!

The weekend was absolutely wonderful. I saw the amazing Rapalje, for a full review click here, and then it was off to Cardiff to see the best friend Aimee.

Arriving in her flat at about five on the Saturday I wasn’t overly shocked to see that it was about as much of a mess as her bedroom at home and couldn’t help but grab the broom. In short, it took us about two seconds to fall back into our respective roles. Of course, we couldn’t fall back into our roles without me cooking dinner although it seems that Aimee has suddenly learned to cook now she’s alone (I think she’s always feigned incompetence).

Spinach pie looked quite good.

Proof Aimee ate it of her own free will, just in case she dies :P

Sadly, I struggle with simple kitchen tasks like making ‘tea’

Of course, it being a Saturday night the majority of people in the university halls hit the town. Aimee and I, not to be outdone, decided to stay up late watching Disney’s Swan Princess. It’s lucky we did because one of her room-mates came back drunk, and noisy, and scattered Aimee’s freezer tray around the flat. Sadly, we only realized this after the sausages that had been placed in the shower had defrosted.

If you understand this picture then you know Disney
too well. If not… watch the film :P

Sunday was the day we had both waited for, however, and it came round pretty quick. The morning was spent meeting up with Gareth, a friend of mine who I met several years ago through the THUKST. Eventually, I managed to convince Aimee to come on down and queue for HIM (where we met up with Kim again!)

The HIM gig was surreal as anything. I’ve already written about the band and my history with them but nothing can really prepare you for seeing one of your ‘childhood bands’ on stage. I’m still not quite sure it happened!

I must say that I did rather like the tech at the venue although it was suggested that the dry icey smokiness was the cause of my chest and throat hurting during the gig. It was a great all round experience.

The crowd weren’t as raucous as I had expected, and Gas, the band’s drummer, commented on how quiet they were. I can’t say that I mind a quieter crowd. Actually, talking about that, there was a group of people behind me who were talking about us wearing earplugs and how we shouldn’t be at the front with earplugs, daring each other to take them out so we’d have to go to the back. If this group happen to read this then please know that earplugs are good to protect your ears, the musicians wear them, good quality earplugs improve sound quality, oh and I could hear every word you were saying! I also have a spare pair on me at all times due to tinnitus! Well, that turned into a mini rant!

Aimee looking stunning after the show

I look about how I felt. Very happy but in pain
and about ready to collapse!

Tea and cake; There’s no better way to recover from a gig.

The morning after was spent feeling grim (I’ve since come down with a mild flu-type thing) and meeting up with Kieran! It was great to see him again and we had a lovely meal in a place called Ruby Tuesday. The strawberry lemonade was heaven! Next time we meet up I’ll hopefully be able to talk a bit more ;-)

A sad farewell to Aimee, and a long journey home later I collapse with flu and then eventually recover enough to write all this up.

So, that was my wonderful weekend. I won’t thank everyone here but I must thank Rapalje for the best show ever (and for being lovely), HIM for existing and playing so many songs from my childhood, Aimee for being my best friend, and her flatmates for not only putting up with me but for being both kind and great fun!

Making Aimee's present, the Harry Potter Cake

This blog post is a scheduled post, written during the last week but set to automatically post while I'm at Aimee's.

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So, right now I'm visiting The Annoying One in Cardiff, where she's just started university (my little girl's growing up!). Anyway, this visit falls on the Weekend Between Our Birthdays which means it's a party time. As last year we're going to go to a gig but, different to last year, we're also going to have a joint celebration because it was impractical to meet up twice in such quick succession.

So, during the last week I've been having fun making Aimee's birthday presents, a mix CD and a cake. I've not made a birthday cake for a couple of years, although I used to make them all the time, so it's been an interesting time. The easiest part was thinking of a theme, Aimee having just been sorted into Slytherin at her university's Harry Potter society seemed to decide for me! (*)

Day One, making the decoration

Asda might have the best selection of baking products but
their food colouring lids have serious design flaws.

Finished the main decoration. Yes, this was my
second attempt but I'm pretty pleased :-)

Day two, making the cake

Is it cheap to make a cake board out of two pizza
board things glued together and covered in foil?

The cake itself is finished and wrapped in clingfilm, ready to
ice tomorrow! (the pizza in the background had to be cooked for
the sake of the board... see previous image!)

Day three, shoving it all together (and remaking the decoration because things never do go to plan)

Buttercream (green of course) and jam in
position, ready to assemble!

The final thing, albeit the colour looks faded in this photo.

(*) Actually, I toyed with the idea of a TARDIS cake for a while but Aimee judged Harry Potter to be more important than Dr. Who so...