Starving penniless and straight-jacketed

Just when we'd all got thoroughly bored of the snow (and in my case I didn't even get a day off work - Travel West Midlands ensured that the buses kept going regardless of the weather which was quite amazing) it magically disappeared and even though other parts of the country have suffered with it since we've been free of the stuff. Hurrah! You know you're getting old when you're relived to see the back of the snow.
This year we are celebrating some pretty awesome anniversaries; mine and Al's 30th birthdays, his mum's 60th, my mum's unmentionable and the birth and first birthdays of some pretty special new additions later this year. So far we are just enjoying getting a spring in our step and getting used to writing down 2010. 2010: do we say two thousand and ten or twenty ten? I'm going with the latter.
Meanwhile I have been getting friendly with the gym staff, having seen them four times last week. And the security guard at work keeps challenging me to go more and more every time I step through the door so something tells me even if I wanted to get away with it I couldn't stop going now! Quite impressed actually. When I started swimming it was a struggle to do 10 lengths but it's been getting easier and I've had to set myself new challenges. On Friday I did 20 without stopping then a further 10 lengths, or I'll do 10 using a float and just kicking my legs (using the thought of my cellulite as motivation..!) I was 12 stone three pounds after Christmas I am now 4 pounds under 12 stone. Not eating helps. Well not much.
Also I am, as the title would suggest, penniless. The overdraft is the only thing I'm living off. That January pay packet is not going to last long - another reason not to bother eating! But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Alex has set me a challenge that if I succeed he'll take me on holiday all expenses paid and give me spending money. If I fail I'll have to pay for myself which isn't an option right now. The good thing is it is entirely within my power to succeed, the bad thing is it is something I have failed at every year of my life to date but then Alex hasn't tried the carrot and stick approach yet. Don't ask me what it is because I won't say, just wish me luck.
Theatre has finally got going again after a few missed weeks due to the snow. Our director Iain has chosen an Alan Aykebourne play that he says "offered parts to established and new actors; was a challenge and worthy of putting on at the Old Rep; and was "modern".
A simple requirement!   but I have come up with a play that hits all the buttons and is very funny.  The play is Comic Potential by Alan Ayckbourn.  Written in 1998, it is based on the idea that in the near future, actoids will have replaced actors in the run of the mill soaps that are the staple diet of TV schedules.  The story follows one of those actoids - JCF 31333 (who is given the name Jacie Triplethree by the humans) who seems to have a semblance of human characteristics - a sense of humour and a capacity to love.  It is a Pygmalion  style story, as she is taught human actions and feelings by Adam, the nephew of the studio owner..  She is also supported by Chance, the embittered ex Hollywood Director who has sunk to  directing the androids.  Opposing them is Clara, the tough Regional Director."

The play has typical Ayckbourn moments of superb farce followed by poignant scenes,  There are many characters, with quite a lot of doubling up -  There will be 14 actors involved and I found out on thursday rather excitingly that my friend Leon who just joined and me have both been given parts! My character is Prim. That's all I'm saying for now... except to say yey!

So starving, penniless and straight-jacketed I may be but definitely optimistic. Just as long as there's no more snow.