Vodafone, I'm leaving you

Or at least I am considering it.

Somehow I managed to lose my phone in stupid Liverpool. Vodafone has not deigned to send me a new sim card yet so I am bereft and only have my work phone for company. I'm sure I am missing hundreds of interesting calls and messages... Pretty sure anyway... At least one or two...

Two conferences down and one to go.

Highlight of Liverpool was seeing Hugh Grant. Twice. Beat that Manchester. No idea what was happening politically because I was distracted (inebriated) by my serious work (by drinking in the bar.) But I am turning over a new leaf for Tories. I am going to be sober and professional and share my weighty political opinions with important people. And not lose any of my items. Or bash into anything.

And then the next travel adventure on the horizon is sailing to the Isle of Wight with Joe, Adam and Lynne. Apparently on the Saturday evening we are going to drive (?) (float?) to a restaurant/bar where everyone dances on the tables. I can literally not wait. I am already planning a suitable outfit of part foulweather gear, part party dress. Look out Isle of Wighters.

Northern Lights

Political party conference season is upon us so I am setting sail for Birmingham this afternoon to see the Lib Dems. Next week I am in Liverpool for Labour and the following week I shall be heading to Manchester for the Tories.

I have never been to any of these places before so I have high hopes of northern metropolises with people talking strangely and eating foreign foods. Actually, that's a lie, I went to Birmingham once. But only to Cadbury World. I'm not sure if that counts. (Note to self: do not tell this anecdote over dinner. It is dull.)

After four months off I would say my understanding of current affairs is patchy at best. I am going to need to disguise this by either 1) steering the conversation round to things I do understand, like weird things that happen in India or how nice the Guardian Weekend fashion special was, or 2) making vague and meaningless comments such as "well it may be a difficult season for the Lib Dems. But in the current climate perhaps you could say that about any of the parties." Or maybe I could just nod sagely while other people talk. I remember a philosophy seminar where the tutor said "well, I can see what Kate's opinion is. What do the rest of you think?", because of my sage nod. Needless to say I had no idea what was going on.

Wish me luck - hopefully I won't embarrass myself too badly. Or audibly grind my teeth in the shared apartment.