Thursday 22nd January 2004

Week 48, Day 300

And Vanessa's emotional life discovery continues.

I really do feel like I'm in some pathetic soap opera sometimes (not the cheery Aussie kind, more the morbid and sordid English type). But I guess that's the way life is, isn't it? If only had a more natural talent for writing and I could put it all in a book and make millions. If only.

Anyway...

Life turned rather exciting two days ago when I ran into my celebrity crush of 2002/3. At work of all places. Justin Timberlake. Oh, how disappointing you were.

JT decided to go skiing while in the UK and the closest place was Xscape at Castleford in West Yorkshire, where I happen to work. His entourage had tried to book the slope out several days earlier but the owners said it was not possible due to the fact bookings were already made. One of them was mine but I woke up ill that morning and decided to cancel. I REALLY regret that!!

I came in a little early to do some work when my Les informed me there were rumours that JT was in the building. I didn't believe it, nor did he, so we went to investigate. Sure enough, we were told by our insiders that he had been snowboarding (apparantly he's not very good at it!) and was having lunch with his friends at Frankie & Benny's - obviously there as it's a household name for him.

I watched from the outside as he snubbed fans off, not allowing anyone to take pictures or ask for autographs. One guy came out of Frankie & Benny's saying he had got an autograph but I don't believe it - he was just trying to stir both me and Katie (who works with us and was all afluster when she heard JT was around).

After lunch, JT spent his fortunes at a few of the ski clothes stores around the centre. I saw him trying clothes on and taking his time, acting as if no one was there boggling at him from the outside.

Meanwhile, I went to Starbucks for a bite when who comes up alongside me? Mr JT himself. Dumbfounded, all I could muster up was 'Is it ok to say hello?'. He nodded, not amused. I said hi, shook his hand, asked if he enjoyed his snow boarding. He replied in a very disinterested voice, 'Er, yeah' and then proceeded to order his 'latte thanks, with soy milk if you've got it'. If you've got it, ha!

I later found out that he went back to board for the afternoon (by which time press members had turned up and a few groups of young girls were following his every move) and spent over £1000 at Legends, one of the ski/board/skate clothing stores at Xscape. Sadly, Cameron was no where to be seen and JT was looking a bit rough around the edges - unshaven, sporting a beanie and the saggy eyes of someone who hasn't had much sleep.

I consoled myself (and fellow female co-workers) that evening by playing his album full blast as we finished up for the night.

Since then, I have driven down to Coventry to see the delightful Chris. As he is living at his mother's for the meantime (while he sorts out his house which he bought with his ex-g/f), I ended up being introduced to her and his step-dad, and we ate (get this!) steak & kidney casserole with a baked potato. I've experienced many English customs, but that had to be the most cliched yet. ;)

Chris and I escaped to the local bowling alley where he proceeded to whip my ass at that, air hockey, pool AND one of those car racing video games. No fair! ;)

Today, as he works, I'm spending this gloomy rainy English winter day wondering the streets of Coventry. I had had every intention of living the tourist life again for a day, but the rain and my forgetfulness over how English weather can turn nasty so quickly and leaving my waterproof jacket behind (and umbrella!) left me escaping the rain. So far I have wondered about the shops, gone to see The Last Samurai (which I rather enjoyed though I'm not keen on Tom Cruise) and now spent 2 and a half hours replying to emails. I am so productive.

In the pursuit of looking on the bright side of things, I've decided to go back to doing my Top 10 list. So here goes...

1. Friends - Just when you think it's the end and you're alone, they pop out from everywhere. This is a damn good thing and makes me feel ashamed for ever having thought that I'd have to go through a single second of my life without anyone who cared.

2. Emails - Though I admit that people are becoming more lazy as technology advances, email and the Internet has brought my much comfort over the last year. And this past month especially. Receiving news so quickly and promptly from afar is one big relief.

3. Staff - Yes, they have been complaining about things I haven't been doing right but most are beginning to notice that I'm trying hard to ressurrect my mistakes and I felt relieved when a few of them voiced this to me.

4. New Friends - Despite my subconscious efforts to push people out, I'm glad they've stuck by me and have given me another chance.

5. Goals - There is nothing like setting yourself new aims when things don't turn out the way you planned. I feel I've got a bit more direction now and things don't seem so hard.

6. Home - I have several at the moment, but I'm grateful for all of them. I am comfortable in my old yet characteristic house in Leeds. I miss the sunny aspect of Sydney (and the people I love who dwell there). But in the end, home is where the heart is :)

7. Mums - They always know best and how in the hell can you ever repay them? Happy 50th Birthday Mum!! You don't look a year over 40 ;) Thank you for always being there for me.

8. SMS - It's costing me a fortune, but just like emails, it keeps me in touch and soothes the pain when needed.

9. Water - After a month & a half of parties and events, it's detox time and water never tasted so good.

10. Radiohead - They've been with me through thick and thin, and they're there again for me now.

x
Vanessa