So I was sitting on the train the other day and there was this girl sitting across from me. She was in her early 20s – I think – and sat for about a quarter of the journey – probably about ten minutes – cracking her fingers.

I hate that.

I hate it for two reasons: the sound sets my teeth on edge and I hate that folk who do it are probably damaging their fingers. Why would anyone do that to themselves? Why do they think it’s okay to do it in public. It’s a horrible habit.

Anyway, I won’t be sitting across from her again. I kept throwing her dirty looks in the hope she would stop, but she seemed oblivious.

My other pet hates on the train are people listening to music via earphones and having it up too loud so that all the rest of the carriage can hear is the bass and a tinny sound. The other one is folk talking loudly on their mobiles like the young guy yesterday who was a bit of a Yah. I think the entire train heard all about his exploits in his oh-so-full-of-himself voice.

There, that’s it. Over. That’s my moan for today. Well at least the cracking fingers (shudder) has given me my photo theme for this post…fingers.

So how’s your week been? Hope it’s been good. I’ve been really busy as usual working, cooking, swimming and looking after the family. We did go and see Star Wars last week and I thought it was a great film for action, but the story was too like previous films, the baddie wasn’t evil enough and what’s with the Han Solo thing??? I won’t spoil it for you, but let’s just say the film ends sadly, so sadly that my daughter sobbed all the way home. The thing that happened involved one of her fave characters. She’s a huge fan. She was inconsolable. If you’ve seen the film you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Still enjoying the swimming and losing weight. I lost 5 pounds last week and it was a lot easier than I thought. Giving up coca cola and wine helped (still off them!) and cutting out snacking also helped. I’ve also reduced portion sizes and, quite honestly, I don’t know how I managed to eat so much before. I was brought up to clear my plate, so I’m still struggling with stopping when I’m full. However, the chub is coming off and that’s the main thing. Hope I can keep it up! Anyway, one of the things that has helped me is The Body Coach Joe Wicks’ Lean in 15 book…really nice recipes in it and Joe is just so enthusiastic, his belief in good food and exercise is infectious.

Currently reading: The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott. I work in PR so it’s always good to keep up with how things are moving in Marketing and PR. This is great book if you want to find out more about social media and viral marketing. Okay having been published in 2010, it’s way out-0f-date but there’s still a lot of good advice in it. Am thoroughly enjoying it. Next book in the pile is Danny Baker’s Going to Sea in a Sieve which my work mate Alan leant me. Looking forward to it. It’s the first part of his biography about his life working as a journalist on the NME. It’s supposed to be a really good read.

Am about to start back writing. I’ve been procrastinating again, plus I haven’t had a lot of time (to be fair to myself). All this swimming and working doesn’t leave a lot of time (or energy) to get back to it. However, this weekend is looking pretty clear (yippee!) so I will just have to get on with it!!

Right am off. Got food shopping to do before I collect the kids from school.

Til next time!

Dawn xxxx