Date: 2008-05-01 22:47 Subject: The day the rain returned Security: Public

Time simply flew as I worked the magic on Shoe Friend's master's degree project proposal on the Chinese automobile industry last night. There I was hacking through a dense forest of words that didn't really make sense when I looked up at the clock for a moment's respite. Lo and behold, it was 1.20am. I sealed the deal and fired it back to her by email. Haven't been up that late since I followed the progress of Euro 2004 in Portugal - whilst in China. Good times, too: getting up at 2am to catch a taxi to a bar to meet like-minded idiots from around the world for some big screen action, barman on hand to serve, er, hot chocolate and toasties. 

Shoe Friend is Anj's best friend and is studying in Birmingham at present. She's the one we'd love to find a Mr Right for. I'd settle for a Mr Maybe but she's pretty fussy. I gather the 3,000 words I worked on overnight are but a precursor to a  thesis that'll make War and Peace look like Janet and John. Can't wait.

No weigh-in since I started this bizarre kinda, sorta weight-loss bid a fortnight ago. Which is probably just as well. Although credit where's it's due: I haven't touched a bag of Hula Hoops in a fortnight and I walked right passed a plate of shortbread on returning home from work last night. But it was very, very difficult. Anj told me this morning that I looked terrible and should just eat what I want. Ah, what it is to have the support of my loved one!  I didn't have the heart to explain the real reason for looking a tad crumpled: working into the wee hours on her best friend's tricky project... Ain't love grand? Have asked Mary Ann at work if she'll bring in her scales again: they are the benchmark and only they will do. She tells me the batteries have gone so, in a moment of supreme sacrifice, I offered to buy replacements. We'll see if she takes me up on that not-to-be-repeated offer. Workmate Lynne meanwhile has quietly picked up a Slimmer of the Week accolade at the class she's been attending. Fair play too: if it wasn't for her gauntlet throwing I'd still be bothering that 18-pack of Hula Hoops sitting a couple of steps from where I am right now.

Discovery of the day: Swimming, even puddling around with the kids in the leisure pool, is a great stress-buster. I'll still compare my flab with other chaps there, but that aside, it's always great fun. Anj startled me en route to the swimming pool tonight when she suddenly yelled, "Stop the car! Stop the car!" I thought she'd spotted Elvis or remembered that she'd left a pan on the gas or something. Turned out she'd spotted a girl on the street who may or may not have been Shoe Friend's colleague at university, when she was studying Portuguese in Beijing. "Are you sure?" I asked, trying to be helpful. "Mmm, maybe not. Shoe Friend's friend was really ugly..."

I didn't stop the car. 

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