We have just been officially banned at work from keeping blogs.

It's understandable. I work in a classified profession, often dealing with very confidential information, and I have tried to keep it out of my blog as much as possible as a result. However, sensitive information has leaked out on other blogs onto the internet.

I rarely talk about my job but I take the instruction seriously. This might not be a political blog, but it is a blog and, as such, for now I can not continue it.

As of tomorrow I'm going to make reading past posts mod and above only. I shall hopefully, however, be back one day - maybe after the election!
 

I seem to have ended up with two tortoises

Well, okay, I spent weeks researching them, even signed up for a course with the tortoise trust, so it's not really as if they snuck in overnight and I decided to keep them... but Erin, one of my assistants, basically convinced me into it (she fosters animals for a pet charity and can't understand anyone who doesn't have an animal).

They don't have names yet... too young to have sexes either. I was thinking Boris for one, but still not sure on the other. Someone on a tortoise forum called theirs Boris and Doris - if it wasn't for the unoriginality of pinching their idea I might go for that. What does anyone think?
 

What's the best thing to get the full attention of an office full of women?

Gossip? Well, nearly. Gossip and engagement rings. Gordon, who I work with, has decided to propose to his American girlfriend Hailey, when he is in the States in May. He was starting looking at rings now, to work out how much he needed to save up.

She interned with us, so we all know her pretty well. Soon enough, nearly every woman in the office was crowded around his pc, trying to work out what was the perfect ring. Every single one of us had a different favourite and a definite impression of what we wanted.

So much for women's lib! The merest talk of a wedding and everyone want to discuss where, when etc.

Oh and in case anyone is exceedingly rich and considering proposing (not necessarily to me, lol) this one was my favourite:

http://www.idealdiamondrings.co.uk/system/ring.asp?id=1343
 

Brian, a friend who I trained to be an agent with, rang this evening to see if I'd be interested in another job. Back closer to home in a new grouping.

I said no of course. There's far too much on preparing for the Scottish parliament elections in May to leave work in the lurch. Plus, from a more selfish view point, the last grouping I worked for was an absolute disaster which led to me rarely being paid on time.

All the same, it's nice to be asked
 

There's something glorious about doing nothing. Just sitting on the sofa, watching dvds after a heavy week at work. Two Ralph Fiennes movies, no less, first Sunshine and then The White Countess.

Bliss. A fleeting peace and quiet of course, with work in the morning, but much needed nonetheless.
 

The full UK shadow cabinet was in Scotland yesterday. It took near to two months of planning and organisation, but now, thank God, it's done without major problem.

Of course, the rest of work goes on as normal, but life is a series of challenges, taken one at a time.
 

So, here I lie, on the couch, snuggled with a duvet.

It's my own (rented) flat, no one else is here, but I still think I'm going to be sleeping on the sofa tonight.

Why, you wonder. And well you might. But the simple reason is the flat is just so very, very cold and the lounge has an electric fire, making the sofa seem far more attractive than my cold bed.

Well, besides that life is not terribly exciting. Have had the flu for most of Christmas and New Year and am indeed sipping a Lemsip as I write this!

Went out with Ross and my work colleagues again on Friday, this time with slightly less drama. But only slightly. Richard went and asked the awkward question, "So how long have you two been back together?" knowing damn well that we were not. I covered with "Just ignore him, he can't accept a man and woman can be friends without sleeping together."

Mind you, nor really can Ross. He tried to walk me home and, although there was no problems when I declined, I don't get the impression he's going to give up trying. Complications, complications.
 

The office has gone to the dogs... literally.

We have 2 children in and a sausage dog, which belongs to my boss. Needless to say these are far more distracting than work (we finish at 12 anyway) and when someone said, "I've got to do X" they were told "Don't be stupid, it's Christmas."

A good excuse to be on Writing.com
 

I have working wireless broadband

Office night out last night, wasn't in till 1am. Needless to say, however, I couldn't sleep and was up at 6am this morning.
 

I introduced Ross to two of my workmates last night.

It started off quite normal (well, for us, anyway). Until Richard decided to start flirting with Ross.

Now Richard is straight. He just likes trying to provoke a reaction. However, Ross didn't know that and kept getting very freaked out whenever Richard put his hand on his knee.

Erin, my other workmate there, decided to make it worse. She started to "calm" Richard by telling him they could go to a gay club next, it was fine as long as she could watch. She even made a point of giving him a condom and giving him a lecture on sexual health.

By this point, Ross was desperately trying to escape, so I took pity on him and we left. I don't think he will ever agree to meeting my work friends again