Sporting pride

I love the Olympics. I love sport. Sadly, it’s often the only time we can feel really proud in this country. I absolutely burst with pride when we do well. And I can’t tell you how I felt that our first two gold medals were won in spectacular style AND won by women. You may think it doesn’t matter whether it was men or women that won – and on some level you may be right, but when you consider how women struggle to gain recognition, support, media coverage and finance in even elite sports, it really does matter that two women have set the bar for team GB.

But it’s not just about the wealthier countries and the bigger sports teams, two Iraqi rowers have just been interviewed on the BBC. Team Iraq have only 4 athletes, and if I get to see them compete I think I would cheer just as hard for them as I would my own much loved country. To have them win would be an amazing achievement and a fantastic message about a country that isn’t just about war and hardship and occupation…

Yesterday we picked up my partner’s brother and took him to Brick Lane for his birthday. He had wanted to buy some vintage clothes and so we had all put in some money for him to go on a bit of a shopping spree. He managed to get loads! A jumper, a top, a shirt, shoes, trousers and shorts and he still has money left over. We had a fantastic day, lots of fun, but I was absolutely gutted to get back to the car to find a ticket. We were on a single yellow which we all thought was fine to park on on a Sunday. Apparently not. The semi-literate fuckwit mongrel who wrote the ticket, couldn’t even work out that my car was blue. And under colour had put ‘unknown’. I guess if there was an Olympics for parking attendants, he or she wouldn't make the cut...

Last night over tea and biscuits we did the seating plan for the wedding. Surprisingly difficult but very satisfying when done. After which, we watched Crimson Tide (fantastic film) and went to bed too late.

Looking ahead...

Blimey, I think it’s all caught up with me. I woke up with a horrible, horrible headache. It was making me feel sick and the light was hurting my eyes. I took some tablets, feel back to sleep, woke up, took some more tablets, fell back to sleep and this time woke up after 2.30pm and finally felt well enough to get out of bed although I’m still a little fragile. I guess the stress and emotion of the last few weeks finally decide to wallop me one…

I’m thinking of re-training! I’m particularly interested in Environmental Studies and think I’ve found a course through the Open University. It’s an introductory course – perfect for me as I never excelled in science and maths at school (I’m quite badly dyslexic), and so I need to be sure I can handle the course before committing to a longer, more involved and much more expensive course. Although I’m daunted, I’m also excited. I do like a challenge and I want to make sure I make the most of any time off I have. I also don’t take kindly to not doing something well: just because I’m dyslexic, doesn’t mean I can’t conquer my unfamiliarity – and no small amount of terror! – of science and maths!

Tomorrow is my brother-in-law’s birthday and we’re taking him for brunch and to do a bit of shopping. I’m looking forward to it and my resting today should be full of beans tomorrow!

I was unexpectedly sad to leave the office yesterday. The girls gave me an envelope containing 3 goodbye cards and a £50 voucher for John Lewis; this as well as a gorgeous bunch of roses and lilies and being taken out to lunch twice. It made me realise that the amazing people I spoke about in a previous entry, also thought I wasn't half bad either. And that made it sad to leave.

Right, back to the sofa… I LOVE the Olympics!