memory bank
i forgot my mom's birthday.

yes, i am scum.

it's no excuse, but i do have the world's worst memory for someone with no recorded incident of brain damage. on top of that, my job takes up pretty much all of my mental faculties - who knew running a major event with over 30 staff and 1500 visitors each day would be so involved? well, i got a call on my mobile from mom the next day and i was still none the wiser and about to let her go because i was at work when she mentioned that she hadn't heard from me yesterday. wham. sludge. my stomach twisted into a fearse knot. i was the world's worst son. poor mom. i feal so horrible. i'm calling her tonight to have a proper chat. the worst thing is you can never really make up for forgetting something important in someone's life. i need a serious memory transplant. is it the future yet??

if there's one good thing to be said for working at harrods, its that they made it easy for me to get a bank account. yes, that's right: i have a bank account. last thursday night at midnight i logged on to my account online and saw my pay nestled snuggly in there, awaiting its withdrawal at my convenience. i made a click here, typed a few numbers there, and like magic my rent was payed. i'm liking this. i'm really liking this.

i've been shopping. for the first time since before i came to this country. what a thrilling experience, like being reminded that you're normal. i have a duvet now, and a really nice duvet cover and pillow case set made of jersey cotton. no more dealing with that awkward square of dodgy blanket that prefers to slip its way down onto the floor when i'm asleep. and i got some shirts for work and a sweater for myself and an ironing board so i don't have to use a towel on the corner of the table anymore. does anyone else hear the theme song to the jefferson's?

i had the day off today, which was nice as it finally gave me a chance to properly recover from this cold that stole the better part of my voice, if i could be said to posses such a thing. feeling idle, i took a chance and invited some friends over for homemade cod chowder, despite the fact that i had never once even attempted to make it before. i love chowder, and am therefore aware that it has the potential to go wrong sometimes. but i took a chance, went to the shop, picked up what i needed and just started chopping and tossing. low and behold an hour later and there was chowder simmering on my stove top with savory smells filling up the flat and calling my friends to the front door. it all went down a treat and everyone was well pleased, which pleased me even more so. so there you go. i can make chowder.

i spent a couple of days in milton keynes last week. its like england meets stavanger drive meets my armpit, only worse.