I know, I know. I am like buses. . . get over it - I am on a roll now. . .

I’ve just remembered the fun news of the month!

I recently took out advertising for my business to be displayed in the local cinema. We did up a super advert, paid loads to have it installed in a poster frame and sat back waiting for the PERK to arrive.

The PERK is: FREE CINEMA TICKETS EVERY MONTH FOR TWO YEARS. YAY. YAY. And thrice YAY.

Long explanation:

One of the side effects of Iain writing off his car a while back was that we started to travel together to work. Once we got a second car, we continued to travel to work because it just made sense to keep on doing it. This meant that I stopped offering late night appointments for clients and now tell them that the last sitting of the day is 4pm. I CAN do later - up to 4.30 or 5 if it is going to be a quick shoot but the last generally is 4pm. Not once have I lost anyone to this new theory. I used to bend over backwards to facilitate them and fit in with their plans and then feel tired and annoyed for days after IF they turned up but, as previously ranted about, these would generally be the very people who DIDN’T turn up and I would have taken a second car to work just to sit there for an extra hour and then turn and come home again.

I now don’t EVER agree to Saturdays. haven’t offered a Sunday in almost a year and have only done one shoot after 5.30pm in 6 months. And that was only because the girl was a previous customer and she was worth keeping sweet. THIS has lead to me going to work on a regular basis, no longer taking mornings off, and making sure that the work I have to do is done in the time I have to do it. It also means that generally, by the time I get home I am too tired to go on to do much else. . . stay with me - I am sure there was a point somewhere around here. . .

Soooo, when the FREE CINEMA TICKETS EVERY MONTH FOR TWO YEARS arrived in the form of a pass, My Assistant and I decided that really none of our clients would like the pass as freebies, no one else in my family could go to the listings as they are in the wrong town and dude, I save SO much on fuel now by travelling with Iain every day that I can now afford the odd night out at the movies and it would be RUDE not to use them up.

SO! Expect updates on at least two films a month on a *Sod it - they are free - we don’t care if we don’t like them* kind of choosing basis.

S’cool huh?

So far, in June, we have seen What Happens in Vegas (very funny and a great way to chill) and the Indiana Jones film (just what you would expect - if you liked the other ones you will like this - and I always had a soft spot for these films) and as Jessica is with me in work most days, she and I have been to see Prince Caspian (she loved it - and announced that she would like to see it again if David wants to see it at the weekend but DUDE it is looooong!).

And here, whaddya know? It is July now and that opens up a whole new load of choices to make.

Did I mention the FREE CINEMA TICKETS EVERY MONTH FOR TWO YEARS thing?

Tags: Films

Jacqui came to visit for the weekend. It was really just an excuse for her to have a look at my ART! while it was still at the exhibition but we managed to squeeze in a couple of movies too. A chunk of her weekend was lost due to a delay in her flight to us.

On Saturday we went over to the exhibition with Jessica and had the pleasure of the company of one of the guys working there. He wandered round with us and gave us his opinions on many things. Including the ART! We were just looking at one of the framed exhibits when Jessica sneezed and had a nose bleed at the same time. She doesn't have a great track record with art!

We had a great moment in Subway when one of the staff "moved on" a young guy who had saved himself four whole seats for him and "his mate" while we were having to stand to eat.

Last week Iain and I took the kids to see Pirates of The Caribbean with neither of us realising that I was the only one us with any chance of understanding any of it as the kids had never seen the second film and after a little head scratching it was discovered that Iain had never even seen the first one!

Thankfully Jacqui and I had better luck with Oceans Thirteen - I hadn't seen Twelve but it didn't seem to matter much. It was a grand film - probably wont need to see it again soon but it was a good way to sit through a very large bucket of popcorn!

On Sunday Iain packed a picnic and we headed off to walk the dog round a lake. Bailey was cool enough, being able to swim in the water but the rest of us slowly roasted ourselves to a crisp.

After tea we headed up to the airport only to be told there was another huge delay on Jacqui's return flight. A quick chat with the easyJet girl (who was bored out of her skull) got a free transfer to Monday morning rather than Sunday night so we headed back and rented Casino Royale for the three of us to watch when the kids went to bed. Jacqui and I had seen it before but it was a first viewing for Iain and I *think* he enjoyed it. Perhaps it was better on the large screen though.

Today, in work, I had a great shoot with a mother and her ten month old wee man. Some of the photos turned out well, but the best bit was knowing that I had looked after her properly after she had had a terrible shoot with my main competition in the town. i took time to show her some of the photos on the laptop before she left and she genuinely seemed delighted. Hopefully she will spread the word. That gave me a little (work) lift which has been much needed.

Tomorrow is the Feedback / Final Marks / Lunch Out with the Tutors / Last Day of the Whole Course EVER and I am feeling rather emotional about it all. It is hard to think that I wont be seeing these people on a weekly basis from now on and I have to admit to feeling a little lost and "at sea' now, knowing that the tutors wont be there to give me the support that they have been providing over the last couple of years.

It is unlikely that I will get through the lunch without a few tears.

Tags: Jacqui, HND, Films