I am not having a row with my mother-in-law

I am not, I am not, I am not. I know she means well. I know she means well. I know she means well. She is very sorry. She is very sorry. She is very sorry.

Must... stop... feeling... stressed... about... this...

Gods, I hate the idea that anyone, ever, has the right to "expect" gifts. I hate it. That's not a gift, that's a tithe. And putting together a bloody shopping list makes me feel dirty. Why don't I just ask them all for cash?

Good things do happen

• No-one has tried to tell us who we must invite.
• No-one has tried to tell us that we must get married in a church. Well, there was one of three parents who was slightly disappointed, I think, but got over it or decided it was our business.
• Only one person has expressed surprise that I'm not changing my name, and that person appears to have accepted it now.
• The food will be more interesting than at most weddings, if not actually better quality.
• I don't have to wear a frilly dress. My dress is very plain and no-one is trying to make me wear a fancy one.
• The champagne will be drinkable and there will be enough of it.
• There will be enough food and tea and coffee.
• Cash bars are ok nowadays, even if I feel churlish for not having free fizzy drinks all day. I've never been to a wedding where there were free soft drinks apart from at the meal itself, as far as I can remember.
• The gift issue isn't really an issue; there is only one person - ok, me too, so two persons - making an issue of it. The other 70-odd people seem quite happy.

hfnuala interviews me

1. What made you leave Ireland?

   I was miserable in my job, I had recently suffered a very messy breakup and a broken heart, and I had the opportunity to run away from all my problems. Surprisingly, it worked.

2. Name one thing you think is done better in Ireland than in the UK?

   Dunno. I know that those of my peers I met casually in Ireland were more literate than those of my peers I meet casually here. Also, I don't know if it counts as "done" since I'm not aware of a campaign to do it, but safer-sex educated people seem to be more common in Ireland.

3. At this very moment does having a wedding feel like it's worth the hassle?

   No. But it's kind of too late now, and it's still possible I might enjoy it on the day.

4. What's the one thing you do everytime you go back to Dublin?

   See my mother. Everything else is negotiable.

5. Are you enjoying the OU? Does it suit you better than 'formal' education?

   "Formal" education was about as useful to me as being repeatedly beaten with bendy straws. The OU is currently frustrating because I'm still too ill to work properly, but overall, yes, I enjoy it. It has always appealed to me more than attempting to get an education surrounded by 17-22 year olds, even when I was 17.