It's been a while and there just isn't the space to explain everything that has gone on in the last month. However, here's an update. When I last left you my Dad had just been made redundant. A couple of days later he got an offer to work for 6 months in Australia. My Mum was very keen to go, but my Dad didn't seem to be so interested. After numerous e mails and phone calls they eventually decided that they wouldn't go, which went against the advice of every single person they spoke to about it. Only my parents can turn their back on a fantastic opportunity. I've told them that I support their decision, but if in 10 years time I ever hear them say that they wish they'd gone I will have to kill them. I was very disappointed as I have 14 days holiday to use before the end of the year and so had my trip down under all planned.

As I wasn't going to get to Australia I have booked myself onto a Mediterranean cruise in 2 weeks time. I'm going by myself which will be part of the new improved me for a new decade. The cruise is going to a couple of Greek islands, Turkey, Egypt, Cyprus, Libya and Malta. It was supposed to be going to Beirut but thankfully that destination has been changed. I quite like the idea of waking up in all of these new places. I'm worried that I will be the youngest person on the boat but I'm probably being paranoid. The good news is that there is e mail and internet access so I can keep in touch with everyone.

I've had my first birthday celebration a couple of weeks ago as I went out with work. However, as it was a joint celebration with another 30th birthday and a wedding I got a bit eclipsed by the other celebrations (mainly because the other two were far more drunk than me!) I don't have any plans for my actual birthday yet, apart from not going to work. However, I lots of other plans as I am going to see friend Boopsie Venus and baby the following day and then going out for a meal in the evening with friends Bonnie Sin and Kinky Malibu. On Saturday night I am going to see We Will Rock You with my family and then on Sunday we are doing the extended family gathering to celebrate my 10,957th day.

I am not in the mood for work today. I've just come back from a couple of days in Liverpool where I had a meeting and went to see some of our stores with a District Manager. The meeting went OK - it was at one of our suppliers. My favourite part was when we went on the factory tour. The supplier manufactures Lambrini and Red Square vodka as well as vodka related products. I got drunk on the fumes when we went to the vodka bottling line and I've never seen so much alcohol in my life.

Yesterday I went to see some shops and it was an eye opening experience! The first store was ramraided last Saturday night. At the second store I watched CCTV footage of a robbery from the night before. The third store I had to strip off as it was the hottest shop ever (sandwiched between a chippy and a bakers). At all of the stores I went to I heard about some unpleasant incident involving the less than desirable locals. The amazing thing was that these were the better shops. Apparently it was too dangerous to take me to some of the stores in the district. However, these stores make a lot of money which is why we keep them open in the rough areas and put up with all of the damage and stock losses. I spent most of the day in shock and disbelief much to the District Manager's amusement.

The bad news is that I've come home infatuated with the District Manager. For those of you who remember Inappropriate Crush from last summer, District Manager shares many of the same traits (older, colleague, children etc) However, unlike Inappropriate Crush, District Manager is not currently married which is a step in the right direction. The direction being 200 miles north west as he lives in Southport... I guess I'll be over it in a few days as long as I don't start finding reasons to e mail and phone. The most disturbing things is that I've realising I seem to have a thing now for older men as the last few guys I've liked have been at least 10 years older than me.

I've still not got round to doing anything about moving. I really should get my flat on the market soon. I quite like the idea of trying to sell it whilst I'm on holiday, mainly because people can come and view it and it will be tidy which is unlikely to happen if I am living there!