So, it is party time again, folks!

[wiseheart]

Each year this time, we launch my virtual birthday party, which starts on October 1 and ends on October 9 at midnight, sharp. The goals of the party are to post as many comments and collapse as many threads as possible, on as many new pages as we can. It is always great fun, as you can see if you check out the similar entries of the last few years.

This year, I'll also throw the real party at mid-time - and post the recipes of all the food that will be there for you, so that you can all participate if you want to. Virtual food has no calories.

Fandom-related discussions are as welcome as the ones about coffee or chocolate (just to name a few favourites from previous years), and, of course, pictures and recipes of birthday cakes. ;)

So, drop by, tell your story, post your pics or silly poems, ask questions you always wanted to ask and have a good time!

Soledad, in excited expectation




Oh, and by the way, to provide birthday gifts hobbit-style, I've got a revived story and a Kansas 2 update for you.

Enjoy!

Comments

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

Believe it or not, there's a limit to how many espressos I can drink -- at least without getting so wired I can't sleep for days!

We're a bit in the middle of nowhere here -- no pigeon holes to check. But conversely the nearest shop is a mile away so I can't pop round the corner and buy doughnuts/biscuits/potato salad/marzipan, as I did when I worked in London or Cambridge.

[solanpolarn.livejournal.com]

The shops being not-to-close does indeed have some advantages! When I used to live in London, there was a corner-shop downstairs in my building, and another three mini-supermarkets within less than five minutes walk. If I wanted a snack, I could get easily get it even if I didn't have any at home. Here there is a little local shop not that far away, but I don't go past it in my regular travels to and from work, so I mostly don't really think about it being there. The nearest shop I do use, is the Tesco about a mile down the road along my cycle path to work. While it is still possible to nip out to just get a snack, my laziness usually wins over my desire for snacks...

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

The nearest supermarkets to here are about 7 miles in one direction (where we usually shop) and 6 in the other. It does make dieting easier! Especially these past few days when my car has been in the garage.

[solanpolarn.livejournal.com]

I haven't got a car, though I am intending to buy one since it can be very useful for getting things for the house and garden, not to mention getting out into the countryside. However, my plan is to exchange my Swedish driving license for a Northern Irish one (as the UK government tells me I should do after living in the country for more than three years) before getting a car; that way I won't have the hassle of trying to get a car insured with a non-standard driving license, or having to change things over when I do have to 'renew' my license in a couple of years' time. The progress I have made on this plan so far is: 1) Getting the form I need to fill in, which was not as straight-forward as you might think; it certainly wasn't available on-line and I had to email several times before someone actually answered and then sent one by post. (Achieved a few months ago) 2) Getting photographs of myself to send with the form. (Achieved this week).

At the moment I mostly cycle, to work and to do grocery shopping. For going into town, I use the train; my house is less than five minutes walk from the nearest railway station, so it is really handy.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

Getting any official documents in the UK can be very hasslesome. I recently renewed my passport and was appalled to find that while it was possible to fill the form in online, one still has to print it all out and post it. Surely all they need is the photographs and a signature? Well done on getting the photographs done - -that's a real slow step.

Cycling is really good for one's health -- unfortunately I stopped when I injured my back and have never managed to get back into it, despite buying an expensive reclining bicycle, which I've never got to grips with.