Danni's journals

Hello Darlings,

Last weekend the beau and I went on a bit of a road trip, or as much of a road trip as one can really take in England. I had been searching E-bay for all sorts of wonders, and came across an entire decent name drum kit for an absolute steal. The kit is brand new, I doubt it has ever been touched more than once, and it has a perfect silver finish.
The nice couple who were selling the drums wanted it to be a collection only deal, with the bargain price of the kit I couldn't argue. I honestly don't think the couple really knew what they had when they decided to sell these drums. I'm under the impression that a younger family member had perhaps fallen to some tragic circumstances, and they were letting go of what wasn't needed or what wouldn't be used. I didn't want to press the matter.

So we get told that we should head down south to Exeter, and the house is only five minutes outside of the City. This was our destination. However, before I tell you all more about that, allow me to backtrack..

A few days before gaining the knowledge of the boner inspiring drum kit, we sat down and had a talk about Squidge (Our Staffordshire Bull Terrier), and how he would take to having a baby around in a few months time. He likes a lot of company and attention, and we both felt that he may feel a bit pushed out once our little baby arrives, so we thought about the possibility of re-homing another dog. They would be good company for each other.
Whilst looking through the Dogs Trust website, I came across a gorgeous eighteen month old terrier named Sophie. We filled out an adoption form for Sophie, and decided to confirm a date to visit her by phone. The reason we didn't list a date straight away was due to the fact that Sophie is in the Dogs Trust center in Newbury, which is a bit far from where we are based at the moment.

So a few days later when we knew we had to go and collect the drum kit, we figured we could stop into Newbury on the way. Sophie is such a tiny little girl, I could carry her with ease, and Squidge gets along with her famously. The Dogs Trust were happy too, so it looks as thought we may well be re-homing her this weekend!
The only thing is that Sophie is completely deaf, and she has been since birth. She requires another canine companion, and special training, as such the Dogs Trust have found it difficult to find her an understanding home. I cannot wait to collect the little lady.



After visiting Sophie we set off for Exeter, by this time it was around 15:00 and we were optimistic to think that we could be in Exeter for 16:15. The motorways were pretty easy going, I couldn't tell you too much about this part of the journey, I rested my head against the cold window and drifted off into my own mind, while the stereo played such delights as Jeff Buckley.

Whilst we were driving towards Exeter my beau's phone rang, and I was jolted out of my dream like daze. I answered the phone and it was the lady we were traveling to collect the kit from, she was just calling to see how we were getting on, and also to let us know that they're actually in a little village a bit more than five minutes drive outside of Exeter..
This information would have been so much more useful before we set off, but neither of us mind random changes to plans. I asked her if she would be so kind as to send us some directions through text message, she said it would be no problem and sure enough, a few minutes later some directions arrived.

It turns out that they didn't live close to Exeter at all, in fact they live in the middle of nowhere. I don't mean this in an over exaggerated way, or that they live a little into the countryside, they really do live as far away from civilization as one can get.
We followed the directions, by 16:30 it was pitch black and we were traveling down extremely narrow country roads, the English weather was not being kind with hail and heavy rain crashing down, and there wasn't a single light to be seen anywhere except for the car headlights.

Recently we got a new car, but that's a whole other story, so our poor little motor is battling its way through all of the twists and turns when we end up in something of a valley.. insanely steep hills were not very fun to drive up, and the motor almost completely gave out on us.
We kept driving and eventually realized that we were probably just getting more and more lost, however periodically we kept passing hand written signs for 'CIDER ->' I began to get a little creeped out.

Finally the headlights shone onto a small road sign which read 'Dunsford'. A village! Huzzah! We were both pretty hungry at this time, in need of a cash point, and I really wanted to pee, so we drove in hopeful to find a nice warm pub. Driving through the village was eerie, there was no one in sight, not even a single solitary dog walker, no lights on in any of the houses, the church was locked, the Hotel was closed, and the pub.. there was one light on behind the bar, it looked empty but I had faith. We parked up, and I ran up the steps only to find that the pub was also closed.

At 17:00 on a Saturday the pub was closed. There wasn't a person anywhere. This place was a ghost town.

I found it all to be a bit freaky, even Squidge seemed a bit unsettled, so we tried to phone the couple. No mobile phone reception.. Oh the joy.
We started up the car again and headed out of the village by a different route to the way we came in, and there in front of us was a sign for 'CIDER ->' Argh!

After many twists and turns and about another hour of frustration, we finally saw a small cluster of houses amongst a hillside, and found the couple with the drums. We were both too tired to bring up the issue of "Excuse me, but I do believe this is not Exeter!" .. so we loaded the drums into the car, and went inside for a chat and a very welcome cup of tea.
When I asked "Is there a cash point near here?" and they replied "Oh no love, the nearest one is in Exeter" I could have cried. So I asked if they would mind if we transferred the funds for the kit to them via PayPal, luckily they were happy with this.

We soon made our excuses and retreated back to the car, eager to get home. Finding our way back was not going to be much fun either as the weather was getting worse, and the car just didn't seem happy. It really did have a feel of 'You will not leave this place' .. 'Village of the damned' .. 'You're not from around these parts are you? Allow me to eat your brains!' .. I guess you had to be there, but really you would see exactly what I mean!

I cannot tell you how many times we saw 'CIDER ->' on our way home, and I assure you we were not traveling around in circles.

When we eventually managed to get to Exeter, we made a brief stop for munchies and then hit the motorway as fast as possible, getting home for just gone midnight.

To give you an idea of what Dunsford was like, you can check this link out (notice the Leisure, Where to Go, and Where to Stay pages from the main menu): http://www.dunsford.org.uk/

In other news I am now into my Second Trimester of Pregnancy, and I'm feeling great. I have an appointment with the midwife on the 11th, I'm slightly nervous .. just hopeful that everything is still ok. Please send positive thoughts!

Danni

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Hello Sweeties,

It seems like an awfully long time since my last update, it often strikes me as odd that occasionally a collection of days can feel like an eternity in themselves. I do apologize for my quiet state Darlings, I've had all sorts of madness to deal with lately.

A little known fact about me is that I have a blood disease, I'm not contagious in the slightest, but I do require regular blood transfusions. The disease is called Thalassemia, which is a form of anemia and although it is most common in people of a Mediterranean origin, it does effect all races.
Recently I went for a blood transfusion, I'm not overly enthusiastic about the whole procedure and I'm generally not a squeamish person, but I do get uncomfortable sitting with tubes of blood so closely intertwined with my body. I always feel in better health afterwards though, I get a surge of energy and general sense of well being, and then reflect on how much that changes between treatments.. and think about just how important a persons health is.

Today was pretty rad, I went for my final session on my upper leg tattoo. It's now completely finished and I love it, my beau designed it for me, delicate Japanese art work which has been drawn to look like lace. I'll post some images once it's healed, as during the healing process images just don't do the ink any justice.

Last week we went to Nottingham to see Ian Siegal play at the Hotel Deux, if you don't know who Ian Siegal is then please trust me on the point that he is worth checking out: http://www.myspace.com/iansiegal
Ian is such a talented musician, his performance was breathtaking and it was an absolute joy to speak to the man himself at great length. We spoke of all manner of things, and Ian gave me some great advice.. I shall tell you all what he said in a journal entry soon, I just want to ponder his words and come to my own conclusions on their meanings before I share them with the world.

I've started playing Grim Fandango again on the PC, have any of you ever played it? I simply adore the game, I really like the whole concept of the Land of the Dead and how souls journey through it. Souls working as Grim Reapers to pay off their life debts. I won't enter too much detail for fear of spoiling it for those of you who want to play.. but suffice to say that it's a very cute and humorous RPG game.

My plans for Spain have been pushed back a little way, the UK GodsGirls are planning a photo shoot soon and I'm mighty excited about the whole thing! I cannot wait to meet the gorgeous ladies.
I've sent off a collection of DIY sets for your viewing pleasure, some of you may be pleased to know!

My Gods Girls Tee and Pants arrived today, I'll post some images soon - they're so comfortable and splendidly cute.

Images from my latest photo shoots should be arriving shortly, I'm anxious to see them for so many reasons. I've been working a lot for advertisements.. very inspiring projects. Yet still very hush hush..

Danni