Dear X,

Apologies for the gap between letters. It's been manically busy at work. It still is, but I thought I'd blog/write/whatever instead of update my PowerPoint slides. Naughty? Not quite. Hibernating has been the extent of my naughtiness of late. :)

What I have been naughty about is catching up with all of the great music that friends have been recommending to me. Bands include:

Raining Pleasure
Bon Iver
Water School
Gravenhurst
Tokyo Police Club
new Little Wings
RL Burnside
Holy Fuck
Black Mountain
Castanets
Atlas Sound
new Hot Chip
Euros Childs
Monade
Jean Jacques Perrey and Luke Vibert
VHS or Beta
Most Serene Republic
new Sia
new Destroyer
new Thurston Moore
Apparat
Breathe Owl Breathe
Datarock
Lightspeed Champion
Miracle Fortress


and more.

If you have other bands I need to add to my list then let me know. :)

On the non-musical front I've been trying to build up my running after knackering my legs with the half-marathon. My muscles were all tight and knotted up, but vigorous deep tissue massage (not an enjoyable experience, but highly effective) and yoga has helped. Yes, I've taken up yoga. I'm surprised at my ability to do some of the poses, but then befuddled when I can't do the others. I'm inclined to think that the human body was never intended to contort itself into those positions, but I must accept that I'm a rather tight little ball that needs a bit of stretching.

On the social front I've been a bit naughty and cancelled some planned outings due to work commitments. On the plus-side I've got some nice things to look forward to this week:
- a day off with a friend to go clothes shopping on Tuesday
- a night out with colleagues on Wednesday
- a gig with my rock buddy on Friday
- an Easter party with some new friends (they're Greek and Easter falls a bit later for them)

I'm a bit weary of (almost) each of them. I can't spend too much money on Tuesday ... I love going to gigs with my rock buddy so that will be good and, who knows, he might get singled out by the band like the last time ... I'm looking forward to the Easter bash but I'm shy and weary of arriving at the party and not knowing many of the people there. I know I shouldn't work myself up into knots about these nice things in advance - it's just my nature.

I'd better sign off here, but I wish you well. Take care.

Stephanie

Tune for today: For Emma by Bon Iver

Dearest X,

I hope that this finds you well. I'm still beaming from a day of awesome snowfall in Brighton. I woke up at 9am thinking 'All of these snow rumours are clearly baloney'. Then raindrops appeared on the skylights in my room. Then the skylights turned grey. WTF? I opened a window to see a blanket of snow on my roof and on the grass outside. Yahoo! I spent as much time outside as possible and even wore a hat for the first time in ages. I was so taken with the hat I borrowed from my housemate that I've decided to make one for myself.

My interest in knitting has increased quite a bit lately and I've got a billion ideas in mind based on pattern books (this and that), websites (here and here) and personalities (her and her). It's an expensive habit to get into so I'm thinking of asking friends to provide the yarn when they ask for large pieces (will knit for yarn!) or use them for gifts.

I've also discovered a strange joy in making jam (ok, I made one jar, but the jar I used was gorgeous and the jam is so darn good!) so maybe it will figure in my cache of Christmas/birthday presents to give. I mean, who can turn down a jar of homemade jam made lovingly by a friend?

On the subject of food, I need some advice. I've been invited to a Greek Easter party and need to bring some food. Do I:
a) bring along a 'Stephanie special'; or
b) knock together a British Easter classic; or
c) experiment with traditional Greek food

I'm tempted to try something traditionally Greek, but my Greek hosts are likely experts in that field and will either:
a) appreciate the effort; or
b) be disappointed in my bastardised version of their national dishes

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I must sign off here, but it's good to be back in touch and I promise to be back again soon.

Stephanie

Tune for today: Swing the heartache by Young Galaxy

Dearest X,

I hope this letter finds you well. I've been shut away for a long time, but I'm starting to peep out little by little. Since we were last in touch I've been a busy woman (travelled, competed in a half-marathon, became a PhD graduate, went to a lot of gigs, took up yoga and continued to slog it out at work). I'm still busy now, but am slowly returning from my self-imposed exile.

I hope I'll see you soon and that you aren't too sore with me for being so absent.

Stephanie


Tune for today: I Don't Always Know by Ladyhawk