Monday ramblings
japra | Dec 01, 2008 | Comments 16
Shopping
Well, I did my part to bolster the UK economy today. I went to a neighboring town for a bit of holiday shopping. FOUR HOURS of holiday shopping. And you know what? There were TONS of people out today. On a Monday!
I’ve been to this shopping center twice over the last two weekends, and each time the parking lots have been full. Apparently, people still are spending money despite the bad economy.
One noteworthy thing is the VAT (sales tax) dropped form 17.5% to 15% today, though some stores have been offering the lower rate since last week at least. Also, many shops are offering sales, mostly “3 for 2″ or 20% off. I hear pre-Christmas sales are unusual here. Several people told me that there really are only two sale times in the UK–after Christmas and once in the summer.
Roxi
Roxi has rehearsals until 7pm today and tomorrow, dress rehearsal on Wednesday 1 PM-5 PM (I’m helping with hair and makeup again), and then performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Also, Roxi volunteered to sing carols at the little church next door to her school’s campus next Monday for the Christmas service. That should be nice too. Oh, and she’s formed a group of singers to try out for the school’s talent show at the end of January. The six of them are going to sing a modified Seasons of Love from the musical Rent.
Three bad things
- Mr. DJ left his wallet in a taxi on Thursday night. He had a fun weekend cancelling credit cards. Sadly, he also lost a bunch of cash. We’re usually so careful when we travel–we wear money belts, split up the cash, etc. It’s kind of ironic that Mr. DJ managed to lose his wallet all on his own.
- I accidentally killed my poor Blackberry. As I was closing the car door, the phone got squeezed between the driver’s seat and the door (it was in my raincoat pocket). When I felt the door hesitate as I was closing it, I knew it wouldn’t be good. Sure enough, the Blackberry’s screen was cracked. Darn. I am taking it as a sign, though. I have been wanting to change to a “pay as you go” plan. I hardly use my phone–it’s really just a security blanket and for emergencies.
- Our music computer’s mother board is dead. I think we’ve only had that thing about a month. How annoying.
One good thing
Mama DJ might be coming later this week to see Roxi’s show. Hurray, we are so excited! We haven’t seen her since May.
What I cooked this weekend
Too much. Luckily we got to break up our leftover eating by going to a pub to celebrate Mr. DJ’s birthday on Saturday. Oh, you want to know what we gave him? We got him this because a guy who can take photos like the one below really deserves his own digital SLR.
Photo taken in Krakow by Mr. DJ with my camera. I barely tweaked it and cropped it not at all. He’s got a good eye, doesn’t he?
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Well, it sounds like some of your “bad” things will also, eventually, lead to a boost for the economy. Maybe the wallet will turn up. It’s funny about the shopping thing: We went to Oxford last weekend (ok, it was a Saturday) and everyone was loaded down with bags. It’s sad news about Woolworth’s (“Woolie’s”), though.
Happy Belated B’day to Mr. DJ. He DOES have a good eye.
Oh, that stinks about you and Mr. DJ! I hate when those kinds of things happen. I have a hard time getting over them.
Weird about the usually non-sales of England. It’s pretty much the normal way of business here, as you know.
The sales are pretty outrageous right now, in the midwest at least! I am jealous of the camera, and as many things that go annoyingly wrong will hopefully lead to as many going right!
I hope Roxi “breaks a leg” this weekend!! :)
Bee–You know, the funny thing about that wallet is that right before Mr. DJ left, I said we ought to carry “In case of emergency” cards in our wallets. Next time I’m keeping my mouth shut. And yes, too bad about Woolworth’s. I read an article that said that their closing is going to be bad for high street businesses because other stores will need to compete on price.
Alyson–Well, I try to think of it as “it could be worse” and move on from there. Ever the optimist, haha! I am not entirely sure that is true about the sales. There always seems to be something on sale. But maybe they mean that’s when the really big store-wide sales take place.
Lucylucia–Interesting… So are the sales luring in the shoppers?
Photo of Cracow splendid.
I want to go to Wroclaw in the winter too……
Sorry about technological disasters and loss of wallet — very tiresome.
I got phished when we lived in Morcco. You can guess what a fine time was had by all then…….
Hope you boost the encony suitable.
Macy’s here is a ZOO.
I say I never shop but………..
Oh no! Those three bad things are really bad but hopefully the suspicion about threes hold up and that is the end of the bad luck.
Won’t it be nice if Mama DJ comes to visit? *crosses fingers*
Shopping! Oh dear, must get started.
Never two bad things without three…so you are done and dusted.
Elizabeth–I am impressed by all the shopping everyone is doing! The one problem I have is I’ve done a little bit of shopping through the year and can’t quite remember where everything is. Oops.
Emm and Moannie–I am hoping the rule of three will hold. I like ‘done and dusted’. If only my shopping were as well.
Love the photo, romantic looking.
Is your music computer still under warranty? Also, some credit cards carry insurance. Busy daughter you have. Losing things like that is painful.
‘Done and dusted’ is one of my favourite terms too. :0)
I can’t believe that I didn’t comment on the camera!!!! What a lucky dude Mr. DJ is to receive such a gift. And it sure looks like he’ll put it to good use!
Christine–I sure hope it is under some kind of warranty.
Emm–:-)
Alyson–I am looking forward to seeing his photos. And I’m really envious of his new camera! It’s so fine.
I hope Roxi has a great show! You are cool to help. I love that photo. Does he have his own darkroom?
We just had our last dinner from the Thanksgiving feast last night. whew!
Isn’t it weird how bad luck sometimes happens in clumps like that? Great pic, Mr. D. J.
That man has really got the eye…I guess that’s why he settled on you! And it’s not surprising that Miss Roxi is loaded with talent, too. What’s really nice is that all of you seem to have artistic temperament, but not the unpleasantness of being temperamental! Most charming…Mimsy
Chris–We’re all digital these days. That being said, I process all the photos around here on Photoshop. I love the handwork involved in traditional darkroom processing (one semester of B+W in university) but alas, no space for that. Plus I’d rather have a painting/jewellery studio ;-)
Laurie–I would rather them happen in clumps and be happy the rest of the time!
Mimsy–You’re too sweet. When I see you later this month, I want to hear about your art. How I could have missed the artist side of you after seeing your house, I do not know!