Every Cloud has a Silver Lining!

Microsoft recently launched a quest through their 'At Work' Newsletter to find the worst Business Presentation Disasters. I submitted a few of my own. Guess what?! Mine were chosen for *two* of the Top Ten! So, at Number 8 and Number 10 of this list:

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/atwork/work/presentationdisasters.mspx

I have my toe-curlingly embarassing moments at work. Having said that, there's a little prize, so I may get two prizes (and a good story to tell at later presentations!) for my moments of shame! I've actually asked them if I can have a digital projector, but I'll probably get a $5 dollar voucher of "Windows Vista" when it comes out ...

It's a pity it was a 'business' context competition, as I could have used the Wiccan event I once went to where some guy in a false-American accent entered the circle at an 'open style' calling of the Gods moment and yelled 'YO DUDES, YOU ARE INVOKED!' I could only think it was good they weren't, otherwise his Ass would have been hit by lightning ...

And finally for the Summer's updates, here's Axel and me up the mountain of initiation. The guy who doesn't do part-time modelling would be me, then, on the left, trying to do something witty whilst Axel has 'Perfect Models' on his tee-shirt. LOL. It was actually a perfect walk, with me on auto-lecture mode whilst Brina managed to interject at a few points with the names of the surrounding mountains! 

Axel also took this one at the Lake. I was stood right there, with my own camera, and I didn't get this shot ... what's that about then? Huh?! LOL. 

Axel took this great shot of Castlerigg - we were there very early in the morning for a good meditation. 

I know they're supposed to only be 'fluffies' but you can tell they're both as hungover as hell, can't you?! They asked not to be disturbed until mid-afternoon, and to be honest, most of us went back to bed for a couple of hours at some point during the day! 

The Morning After the Night before. One of the Angels left their wings behind. 

Ricky and his 'Clown' face. Apparently all clowns have to design their own unique design. There's an educational fact for you today! 

A really nice picture of Ricky's girlfriend, who was wandering around with a sweet pair of wings for the most of the party, and had matching hair to Ricky's current 'Flame' look! 

Axel. From Europe. First visit to England so we told him the whole country was like the Lake District and it was *always* this sunny. 

I decided it was time to come out of the closet. And Darhling, just *look* what I found *in* the closet! LOL. Actually, most people commented this was closer to the real me than my suit&tie version. Hmmmmm. 

A fey Fairy and a green Nyiad. It appears that Nyiads, in our experiment, get drunk a lot faster than Fairies, in case you needed to know. 

Ricky blowing Fire! As his girlfriend yelled, "Be careful," I was yelling, "Ignore her, it's dead exciting!" (until I realised his clown facepaint might be flammable ... eeeek!) 

Some Enchanted Evening

As soon as we moved into this cottage I knew that it would be the ideal settng for a summer party! I think it's the Pagoda that did it, and the sheer amount of greenery surrounding the place. So we embarked on collecting party stuff, fancy dress and inviting friends, to coincide with the visit of a friend from Belgium. And of course the weather was stunning all week, so when everyone arrived, it meant we could sit outside until 4am in T-shirts and shorts (or Jesters Costumes!) in a very European manner!

Unfortunately not all our friends could make it - quite a few were at Festivals, or in Scotland, Wales or in one case travelling around Europe. So we're having a Samhain Party in October with a Witchy Feel ...

Summiting the Old Man! 

On the way up to Coniston Old Man. The mountain had a very friendly feel. This sign of mining added even more character; particularly the old Telegraph Pole and the Taoist-like wooden strut for the winches! 

My Dad (c) and Joan (r) with Brina (l) when we met them in Derbyshire. They travel around in a camper called 'Nelly II' and I swear he has Romany blood. Perhaps I've inherited it as I've moved about 19+ times in my life! 

I made some shelves! I did dammit! And no-one was hurt and I didn't even shout at anyone. 

Our Shrine for Beltane. 

The Cottage in May; without the Honeysuckle out on the Pagoda. 

Beltane at the Cottage

This is a May Catchup Post!

Well, we're sorta moved in now, and getting on with shelves, the garden, and generally settling in. These photos include some shelves - I'm so useless at D.I.Y. (I call it G.S.E. or 'Get Someone Else') that as I cut this wood myself, and drilled it and hammered it and screwed those nails with the curly bits on them ('screws' I think they're called) as well, I think it deserves a picture!