Friday, February 17, 2006
In Memory
Edna Metcalf. November 1920 to February 2006. Much loved Mum, Nana and mother-in-law. Lived a long, eventful life, which ended peacefully with family around.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Lugano
What, asks brother, about Lugano?
Ah me.
I think I've blocked out a lot of my time in Lugano. Why? Most of my memories of my time out there makes my blood run cold when I review them. So young, so much responsibility, so little care.
We were invincible. Dorm duty - spent gathered in someone's room playing Murder and downing a not inconsiderable amount of beer. Driving minibuses full of other peoples kids up to the Alpine pastures for overnight camping - no one made sure we were good drivers.
What were we thinking. So many accidents waiting to happen, but did we care? Not one jot. When you are young nothing will happen to you.
Its only as you grow older that the 'what if's' creep in, cramp your style and limit your options. Are we better for being cautious? Or should we still be out there, going for it?
Ah me.
I think I've blocked out a lot of my time in Lugano. Why? Most of my memories of my time out there makes my blood run cold when I review them. So young, so much responsibility, so little care.
We were invincible. Dorm duty - spent gathered in someone's room playing Murder and downing a not inconsiderable amount of beer. Driving minibuses full of other peoples kids up to the Alpine pastures for overnight camping - no one made sure we were good drivers.
What were we thinking. So many accidents waiting to happen, but did we care? Not one jot. When you are young nothing will happen to you.
Its only as you grow older that the 'what if's' creep in, cramp your style and limit your options. Are we better for being cautious? Or should we still be out there, going for it?
Friday, February 03, 2006
Four Things
Got this from Jane's post (thanks Jane) - a great idea for the clueless amongst us who stare vacantly at the screen thinking 'what can I write about' ...
JOBS I'VE HAD
Checkout girl (sorry, operative), Caters, Chelmsford. By the bridge, now a MaccyD's. Dateline 1975-78 it paid the princely sum of £4 for a Saturday. Riches.
Au pair, near Chartres, France. In charge of two fairly unruly jeunes hommes and one particularly viscious Bassett Hound who went around killing chickens. Character building!
Accounts Dept, Foyles Bookshop. Tottenham Court Road, London. What a place. Still run at that stage by Christina Foyle. Archaic. As a temporary worker I was paid more than the poor lady who had worked full time in the office for 5 years. She was not amused.
Headmaster's secretary, Thorpe, Surrey. An American school full of bright, keen privileged kids getting an educational experience a million miles away from any that I had.
MOVIES I WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN
Persuasion: Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. Heaving bossoms and muddy skirts. And Ciaran Hinds.
Mean Girls: because Ellie makes me.
Face Off: can't beat a good bit of escapism.
Gladiator: No, not for Russell. I just love the look of the whole thing.
PLACES I'VE LIVED
Chelmsford - formative years. Hey, I'm an Essex girl!
Gallardon - first time away from the family.
Egham - what can I say?
Hull - came here in 1981 for university, and never really got away. Well, 13 miles away to Beverley.
NON-BLOGGER SITES I VISIT REGULARLY
Oh dear, two of these are work-related ones - how boring of me.
Working lunch - I love people who write my lessons for me (see Lunch Lessons)
Bized - ditto
Aunty Beeb - Its like an iceberg - so much going on under the surface. Like a piece of music heard in the background of a show? Visit the site and find out that it is from an obscure 1950's singer of latin american origins with a singing range of 4 octaves.
Amazon - Buy same.
I think that's enough for now. Must save something for the next time.
JOBS I'VE HAD
Checkout girl (sorry, operative), Caters, Chelmsford. By the bridge, now a MaccyD's. Dateline 1975-78 it paid the princely sum of £4 for a Saturday. Riches.
Au pair, near Chartres, France. In charge of two fairly unruly jeunes hommes and one particularly viscious Bassett Hound who went around killing chickens. Character building!
Accounts Dept, Foyles Bookshop. Tottenham Court Road, London. What a place. Still run at that stage by Christina Foyle. Archaic. As a temporary worker I was paid more than the poor lady who had worked full time in the office for 5 years. She was not amused.
Headmaster's secretary, Thorpe, Surrey. An American school full of bright, keen privileged kids getting an educational experience a million miles away from any that I had.
MOVIES I WATCH OVER AND OVER AGAIN
Persuasion: Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds. Heaving bossoms and muddy skirts. And Ciaran Hinds.
Mean Girls: because Ellie makes me.
Face Off: can't beat a good bit of escapism.
Gladiator: No, not for Russell. I just love the look of the whole thing.
PLACES I'VE LIVED
Chelmsford - formative years. Hey, I'm an Essex girl!
Gallardon - first time away from the family.
Egham - what can I say?
Hull - came here in 1981 for university, and never really got away. Well, 13 miles away to Beverley.
NON-BLOGGER SITES I VISIT REGULARLY
Oh dear, two of these are work-related ones - how boring of me.
Working lunch - I love people who write my lessons for me (see Lunch Lessons)
Bized - ditto
Aunty Beeb - Its like an iceberg - so much going on under the surface. Like a piece of music heard in the background of a show? Visit the site and find out that it is from an obscure 1950's singer of latin american origins with a singing range of 4 octaves.
Amazon - Buy same.
I think that's enough for now. Must save something for the next time.
