I'm so bored! It's been a hectic day. I took Monday-Wednesday off to recover from the rush that was the Bluetongue outbreak last week & to take care of my puppy, Tehya, post-op (neuter). It was great - daytime tv, long walks over the common, staying in bed an extra hour... wasn't looking forward to today because I knew it was going to be busy.

Busy is the understatement of the century

I walked into the office at 9:15 this morning - I couldn't see my desk for the number of letters, files and telephone messages scattered everywhere - & I've got a pretty enormous desk!! I could feel my blood pressure rising before I even took my coat off. Then there were the 134 emails, most of which had "urgent" or "important" somewhere in the title... wow!

By 10:30 I was only halfway through checking my emails; I hadn't even attempted to combat the files and paper post. Isn't it always the way when you've been working solid hard, the minute you stop to do something for you (like, in this instance, open a personal email - an important email about the wildlife rescuer gig, no less), your boss is right there looking over your shoulder... groovy... anyway, he asked me to compile a report with statistics re which local authorities were tail docking working dogs - which had the highest percentage, which month was the busiest, what breed is being docked the most... oh & best of all, I had an hour to do it in before he went to a meeting to discuss said figures... slightly raised blood pressure now resulted in pounding temples.

Somehow, I managed it - go me! Even before I could revert back to my emails I was having pressure from aforementioned boss about analysing and reporting on the electric shock collar consultation (can I point out here that I am NOT a trained statitician, I'm not keen on numbers & putting information in every order imaginable doesn't thrill me!!) When there were around 130 responses, some more than 30 A4 pages long, I'm not rushing to start this!! Hell, I've not even semi-completed the Equine Code analysis and that consultation was less than half the size and it ended a month ago!! No, I'm not lazy, I don't procrastinate *much*, I've just got too many responsibilities!!

Lunchtime came, I decided to down tools and grab a sandwich... much deserved!! I pick out my favourite, go to the till only to find they've hiked the prices up this week - inflation - & guess who didn't have enough money!! Yep, I had to borrow off my colleague - how embarrassing!! For the sake of 9p!

The afternoon was spent going through my emails - some were painful, others were pointless. I found out that I have to spend 2 (yes, a dreaded overnight stay) days at an away day event thingy next month in Swansea & I had to email the organiser with my 'waterproof trousers' size - Medium; my dietary needs - none; and "an interesting fact about yourself that nobody knows about" - where do I start? I don't do sharing information with colleagues. I gave 3 or 4 examples (my partnership in SBTS Autographs, my love of rock music, my musical background & something quite exaggerated to make me sound cool). What on earth are they planning on making us do over a whole 2 days!?? I know one day will be field training with the Quack Pack (look them up, they're wicked!) but will the rest be, like, bonding and forward planning!!?? Neither are my favourite topics...

Later this afternoon I was hounded by a union rep candidate trying to get my vote - I hope he got the gist of my "do you realise how desperate you're being" look.

Anyway, I left work at 4:30 - I couldn't handle anymore. I had the "you need to know where you're going to be in 10 years time and start planning now" speech off my boss - 10 years!?!? 10 years ago I was in my first year of high school - I was naive, slimmer, I wasn't a misanthropist and I thought I was the cleverest little cookie on the planet (in reality, my primary school peers were as thick as proverbial poo); that seems a lifetime ago, I don't wanna even begin to think where I'm going to be a lifetime in the other direction!! I may be married, I may be a yummy mummy, I may be homeless, I may be famous... I just don't know & I don't like to plan!! I think the point of his speech was "we're paying for your wildlife rescuer training, we expect some kinda commitment back" but if he thinks I'm still gonna be on £20k in 10 years time, he's got another think coming - in 10 years, I'll be earning a lot more than him *that's the plan anyway*

Since I've got home I've had slight cramp in both my legs - joy of being back in work, sitting down all day etc - not enough exercise - I hate this feeling, like you need to stretch out your muscles but whatever way you try just doesn't work... gonna jog around the block with Logan (older dog) later - it's too cold and late to take Tez (puppy) out.

Oh & a valid point was raised about my gig... PLI (Public Liability Insurance)... hmm, hadn't thought of that one. Is that likely to be covered by the venue? Do I have to pay it? May be worth asking!!

Oh & that's another thing - the sodding lift door closed on my wrist earlier! Bloody hurt an' all but no mark means I can't sue grrr... that money would've done loads for the service...

Right I'm babbling, I'm going for that jog

Adios folks!