I liked my day off on Wednesday so much, that I decided to extend it with a couple more when Jobsworth rang first thing the following morning to complain that 2 other members of the team had called in sick, and he hoped I was feeling alright?...Doing a quick mental tally of who would be in the office and who wouldn't, taking in the new information as to who had taken up a sickie and knowing exactly who was away on holiday and who else was away on a training seminar, my answer could only be "Well, actually Boy..." (yes, Jobsworth's parents made him venture out into the world answering to 'Boy', even though it says Devavrata or some such in his passport; so it's small wonder he turned out like he did) -- no way was I going to be stuck in the office for the rest of the week with just him, an Argentinian trainee and 2 Italian layabouts, no sirree! So I told him about all the aches and pains I was suffering at that moment (the result of an extremely vigorous workout the night before), until he dejectedly agreed to see me next week.

I've made good use of my sudden leisure time: I've tried to bring some order into my fanfic collection by sorting the whole huge pile by season, by episode, and by pairing; and by chucking out all those fics that have remained WIPs for like forever. If they haven't been updated in over a year, chances are they'll never be finished, and it's no use me hanging on to them.

And I went out window-shopping, in Amsterdam. Well actually, I went out with the intention to shop, for clothes and shoes as I'll need a new wardrobe to take with me to the Poconos (has anyone any idea what the weather will be like there in early June? Will I need to bring a coat, or a cardie? How about a brollie?), but in the end I didn't buy anything. Which is not to say that I didn't see anything worth buying, only that for some strange no-reason, I didn't feel particularly inclined to do so.

I went to all my favourite shoeshops (of which there aren't that many) and looked and touched, admired and noted, but after two years of living with the euro, I've finally gotten an inkling of how expensive this currency actually is. No way am I going to spend 300 euros on a pair of Dior bath slippers!

Although it's now several days later and I'm still having visions of those silver ankle-boots with colourful canvas straps and modest little heels, or the classic 4 inch green and brown patterned pump (part leather, part fabric), from the shop where I bought my red suede slingbacks 9 years ago (yay! I found that shop again! it's in the Leidsestraat; I don't know how I could have forgotten it). I'm sure I'll be going back for them before too long...

The 60s feature heavily in the racks, I must say. Lots of black and white psychedelic looking footwear, and A-line dresses. And petticoats! Petticoats are making a comeback again...which is good news as far as I'm concerned, as I've loved petticoats all my life. So much so that my Mum used to make them for me up until the time I left home. I never cared whether they were remotely trendy or not, I just love the rustle and feel of them under my skirts.

Last night, I decided on my outfit for the GotR gig I'll be going to in May. And I remembered just in time that I won't have to go shopping for new boots for it -- I've got a pair that's just perfect, which I haven't worn since December 2002. It's about time they came out of the box again.