29th April 2012

Happy Birthday to me!

Today I turned 29!

Here's some egocentric Cagga picture spam! *advanced warning - this is a complete picture spam entry!*

Me at approximately 7 months old. CHUNK! :D

This was taken on my 18th birthday. I was in a show, Grease, as Patty Simcox. Interesting (or not) the girl who played Sandy is now starring in the West End production of Ghost: The Musical. Siobhan Dillon. She was always amazingly talented!

My 21st Birthday, with the wonderful Lee, who is the guitarist in a band called Sound of Guns. They are pretty damn awesome, and I think you should all go take a listen and buy an album or two.

Drinking flaming sambuca on my 24th birthday. It was awesome!

25th Birthday. I blame Chris Bennett for EVERYTHING in this picture!

Me and Lucy on my 26th birthday.

While the world was gripped with Royal Wedding fever, glued to their tv, supping pimms and eating cucumber sandwiches; Paul and I were hiking in the Peak District. It was fab!

 ...I didn't take a picture of me today. Ah well. No big loss there!



 Back to the day!


We got a fairly early train back from Manchester, which was packed, then went straight back to bed...naturally with the presents I had to open, which are as follows:

Paul got me a new work bag, big enough for A4 folders inside...meaning I take take my wedding file everywhere I go! #Bridezilla

My new (and yes, it's been worn!) Sunnydale High T Shirt!

Bottle of Tru Blood, which is currently in the fridge, awaiting consumption. I think it might go well with vodka!

A Firefly/Serenity t shirt from Qwertee. I love it and was gutted I missed it! So glad Drew didn't!

I know you all must be wondering what the gifts were that work got me. Other than the flowers, that is. Prepare to be amazed...

A bottle of rose. Crisp and fruity? More like a kids drink! Obviously it's not. Sweet as anything!

A one-cup teapot. With kitties on it! Cute!

A BOX OF MALTESERS AND A BOX OF TEA BAGS. Hmph.

...and the 'best' bit:

A wedding planner. Which, by the looks of things, was written for a 12 year old. Seriously.

Here's a page for example. I haven't been so patronised and offended by typed text since I read Twilight.

 Moving on.

After Paul had a nap, we got ready and braved the rain to head out to Lark Lane, where we met Chris (@thiscrs on twitter) and Jacqui (@JacquiChan88) for a few!

This isn't all of it. Not by any means...

See Chris's blog post of the day here, including a picture of me taking this picture!

Of course, meeting Chris can only mean one thing: the return of the birthday bag! :-)

The Birthday Bag started about 4 years ago, when Chris met me at the pub for birthday drinks (sense a theme here?!) and in it was my birthday present, and dressing up items. Said items didn't all get used...so instead of throwing it away etc, I added more and brought it along to his birthday bash in the December. Said bag returned to me the following April...and a tradition was born! I'm sure you will see this bag again!

There were also gifts! :D

If there was ever anything you need to know about Jacqui - she likes a gin! I got extra special gin!

It came complete with a special seal, which reads: 'To be opened in an emergency (or when it's gin-o'clock!)'

Chris got me this most excellent present...and it's only half of it! I can't wait to see the second half!

After one or two beers, great and funny conversation, and a promise to go to at least one theme park this year, Paul and I made our way into town for dinner at Jamie's Italian.

The service was fab. The prosecco was fab. The starter and pudding...fab. The main courses...blah. Serious blah.

Italian nachos (top) and Crispy stuffed rice balls. Delicious. As you can tell by most of it being eaten!

My main: FLASH-GRILLED FEATHER STEAK     British beef pounded with sage & prosciutto, served with spicy tomato salsa *picture stolen from Paul's colleague Ian, who had the same thing the following day...I didn't take a picture of mine. Thanks, Ian!*

 My main was ok. Nothing to write home about. Paul had Braised British shin of beef, cooked overnight with sweet, sticky onions & balsamic vinegar, served with oozy Parmesan polenta. Yeah. Oozy is a good word. Big pile o'tasteless schmush is another accurate description!

Pudding!
AMALFI LEMON CURD SLICE Smooth lemon curd with toasted pistachios & crushed berries

We probably won't return. Even though Paul's pudding of Sicilian Cheesecake was free! And very nice!

After that, we came home and fell asleep! Because I'm all old and stuff now! :-)