Lollys Lounge – Laura James & her random comments on web development, music & raising small children

We’ve just recently done two Bootie and the Ho Fish Christmas party gigs over the past two weekends. And a common factor has been that we get girly “fans” befriending us, trying to find out a bit more information about what songs we do, how long we’ve been together etc Now I assumed at first that they were genuinely interested – but it later becomes apparent that they are wannabe divas who want to have a go at the mic themslves.
But let me tell you, its not as easy as it looks! Just because you know all the words to the songs on Singstar and you can prance around your bedroom singining into a hairbrush the latest songs the gumbies in X Factor have been pelting out, doesn’t mean you can naturally front a band. [Read more →]

So after taking D into the Royal United Hospital, Bath for a very routine operation in the Day Surgery unit, I’ve come out with a few tips that might help other parents prepare for it. Its a long day for a child, particularly as they are not allowed to eat for 6 hours before the operation, which is an eternity in their eyes. Plus the operating lists are done in order of age. So if your child is a youngster they should be seen first – but older children face a long wait on the ward before they are seen. The staff are wonderful, friendly & professional and the ward is clean and warm, so I have no issues with them at all. But here are my top tips for getting through the day as seamlessly as possible: [Read more →]

So I’ve got an iPhone now

I resisted for so long – that and the fact I didn’t want to go to O2, so had to wait till Orange got the iPhone.

Even then I wasn’t going to get one – I certainly didn’t want to be like some people incessantly peering into their Blackberries when they should be helping me feed the kids at tea time (ahem!)

But the nice lady on the Orange upgrade line was so chatty and friendly that before I knew it I was parting with my hard earned cash (now and for the next 2 years!) and my shiny white iPhone turned up 3 days later (would have been 2 but as per usual there was some delivery man shenanigans -how the hell re you supposed to stay in ALL day to wait for a delivery man??!) [Read more →]

Dorset Camping Aug 09

Originally uploaded by lollypopstar

We spent last weekend in the Golden Cap in Dorset at a lovely campsite in Seatown. Approached by a very narrow and busy road, I had my doubts as we first arrived and it started raining the moment we got out to put our tent up. Plus we found our lovely Vango Killington 400 tent was somewhat damp (and had trapped a few insects that had met their maker and gone a bit mouldy – groo!) after packing up hurriedly after Lakefest at the start of the summer holidays.
[Read more →]