CT Scan results

Today Lois and I discussed the results of the CT scan with Dr Thompson.

The fantasic/marvellous news is that all tumours have shrunk.

Those in my liver have shrunk "remarkably" (Dr Thompson's word).

Those in the abdomen have shrunk less markedly, but are still shrinking.

And the "cancer markers" (the protein released by the actual cancer into the bloodstream) have been dropping with each blood test, unusually, as a slight "whoosh" was expected at the start.

One thing that was amazing for the doctor is the chemo started 7 weeks after the bowel op, so actually some growth was expected, and it didn't appear to have happened.

The other amazing thing has been the noticeable lack of side effects from the chemo.

Wow!

Hallelujah!

We are celebrating tonight, except both kids are decidedly under the weather, so it is rather more subdued than I would like...

Thanks to the people who have given me "health supplements", those who have prayed/encouraged/etc., health professionals...

And to God be thanks...

So...where to now?

Keep up the prayers please till the little b.....s have totally disappeared from my system.

Chemo continues.

One-day-at-a-time continues.

After this course of chemo (remember I'm only a third of the way through it) we watch and wait...and hope and pray...and hopefully have saved some money for a nice holiday!

Other great news is that Sophie got a distinction for her Grade 4 piano exam!

Hooray!

Live each day well!

Gerald.

"Untouchable Girls" (movie review)

I saw this with my friends Richard and Ruth, 2 chemoes ago, at the newly refurbished Capitol in Dominion Rd.

I have not been a fan of the Topp Twins, but I am now!

Lois and Kerry recommended this, and I thought R'n'R would find it at least interesting - they did.

The Topp Twins have a remarkable gift for bringing their audience into a state of excited, blissful unity - so it was a pleasure to see the live performances of recent years as well as archival material from the 8os (and 70s?).

Their childhood in Huntly brought memories back for me (Ruth whispered: "What's a calf club day? And why do they have it?) - I lived in Huntly as a 6 and 7 year old (and tried to run away from it twice!!).

The 80s political stuff - arguably some of the ugliest years in recent NZ History, but the ToppTwins in the thick of it and veritably floating over the garbage of it all (Mururoa, Springboks, Bastion Point, Rainbow Warrior) to bring us joyous and uplifting songs/performances.

The cancer stuff - me sitting there cradling my chemo pump and watching Jools go thru her chemo, and surviving!

The role-playing - the two blokes, and the Camp Leader and Camp Mother...

The interviews with the Topp parents, AND the Topp partners...

The horses...

The discussion of sexuality, and seeing how an audience is united by the twins regardless of all that stuff...

All in all, a joyous, uplifting and socially relevant movie.

Long live the Topps!

G.

'Twas the Night Before CT...

What to expect?

What to hope for?

As Lois often reminds me, there's no point in worrying about things...if it happens, worrying won't stop it happening, and if it doesn't happen that will also be a waste of time.

To, um, put myself "out on a limb" here, I am praying for nothing short of a miracle...yeah, while I still can...and I would GREATLY appreciate if you could join with me in prayer for the same...

I would love this miracle to begin to manifest itself in the results of the CT scan (in case you need reminding, my scan is at 10am tomorrow at Green Lane)...

Now, clearly, if I am begging/pleading for a specific miracle, am I going to be disappointed/cheated/etc. IF it doesn't happen?

Yes! And then no...

Yes, because on a human level, I want life and I want it abundantly and I want to see my kids grow up and get married etc. etc.

No, because of God's love and the simple fact that we all have to shuffle off our mortal coil some time and NOBODY gets to choose their day of death (yes, I know this opens up debate on suicide/euthanasia/abortion/etc.)...

Yesterday I received a T-shirt from Richard Dormandy, reading "I am the way the truth and the life - no one comes to the Father but through me".

It looks good.

Today we had a debrief of our expedition last Saturday - a very good time of discussing thoughts, feelings, learnings, etc.

Hopefully Ian will blog back with his website address - a great account of the whole adventure, and some great photos.

The week looms large ahead of us...

One day/step/smile/tear at a time...

Love,

G.

Michael Jackson departs...

"50 is far too young to die", they were saying at school today.

And of course I agree, though this is a highly coloured opinion!

And so is 14, and I thank God for the miracles of survival, rescue and healing in Alexander this week.

Michael Jackson - let's face it, the last few years were pretty terrible, whichever way you look at it.

When I heard the news, I was shocked and saddened, whilst recognising that there were some "shady" aspects to his private life.

Still, the music and dance will continue, while Michael now rests in hopefully a much more peaceful and whole situation than he experienced on this planet.

Bad, Black and White, Man in the Mirror, Thriller, Beat it, Human Nature, Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, Billie Jean...Ben, ABC, I Want You Back, I'll Be There...

Let's not remember the silliness and fantasy and hurt and bizarre stuff...let's remember the voice, the fragility, the sheer funkiness and style, the groove.

He's no Beethoven, Marley, Buckley or Lennon...but he will be missed, and his music and dance endure.

I am doing fine by the way and looking forward to a quiet weekend away from the West Coast (for once!) - and doing reports, writing a test and playing at church.

Love,

G.

It don't beat the way it used to ...

Which is good. See below.

2 hospital visits yesterday for A:-

- the second for a fracture check.

Which was fine.
Reinforcement of the left cast with glow in the dark fibreglass and neatening of the shoulder end to reduce abrasion.

Removal of the right cast.
Check of the S-shaped right wound, which is healing nicely.
Replastering of the right arm - a bit neater, this time, too.
Next week both will be X-rayed to look for bone healing.
We've got a smart double-sling which isn't getting worn, and a single sling as well - which isn't getting worn either.

No surprises there, then.

- and the first visit for a cardiac check.
The heart was well upset by the severe fall, to the extent that it wasn't working too well when Alexander first arrived at the hospital in the 'copter.

2 days later it was still murmuring significantly (every few beats).
They let us go home on the assumption the abnormality was due to a bash to the heart and / or dealing with the trauma.

They were right - it was totally cleared up on the retest, which was great news.

Away from hospital for Alexander till next Thursday.

Gerald's scan (first since chemo started) on Monday.

Richard's vW/hospitals cartoon is pretty funny as well as apt.

L

I take a simple view of living. It is: keep your eyes open and get on with it. (Laurence Olivier)

Forever Tuesday Morning

7.20 ferry Sophie to school.
7.30 blood test.
8.30 counselling session with cancer counsellor, Rebecca L.
9.45 back to school.
11.10 brief coffee chat with Rose and Mal in the Art Dept.
12.30 lunchtime - 3 music teachers and a swathe of kids invading the block to practise for the showcase etc.
1.10 Bathe in the River analysis continues - the yr 11 boys are introduced to Aunty Fanny (antiphony) - call and response (which most can relate to due to Haka/Waiata competition and Samoan song styles).
2.10 10PM (practical class) flow in and the lesson turns around very quickly - virtually all have their theory books (though there are 2 girls who appear to be in the class more as ornaments rather than as useful citizens!).
3.10 Super Twelve (9 of them anyway) drift in - I do my best not to stress out at the lackadaisical attitude displayed by some. We are still not "gelling" as a group, and 2 of the 3 absences are not really acceptable...
4.45 traipse home listening to Fratellis' first album (VERY catchy - similar vein to Arctic Monkeys).
5.30 drop into the warm safe nest that is home - all of us by the fire - Samson has usurped my quilt!!
Black Adder, pizzas from the pastor, failed attempt to do tutee reports (due to internet connection problems - again!), blogout!
And just now, Kevin from A's D-Team (youth group thingie) arrives with cards they have made for A.
Great!

La, la, how the life goes on...

Alex is back home - hooray!

Now the hard part of recovery begins...

I am very grateful to have school as a kind of constant in my life at present...no matter what, school is always there (especially now we are in the "management phase" of swine flu)...

We rejoiced at school today that a year 13 band, "Brown Touch", have made it thru to the regional finals of Rockquest.

You will have a chance to hear them at the Midwinter Music Showcase this Wed in the Dance and Drama dept.

Thanks to Kirsty for escorting our 2 bands to the heats on Friday!

Lois's "cold" continues to cause her great discomfort - she appears to be losing her voice.

And Sophie has sniffles...

Sometimes I feel like saying "can we go back to Page 1 and start this story over?"

But the life goes on...so take your barrow to the market place, eh?

Love,

G.

Bringing it all back home

We arrived back this evening, all cardiac checking (apart from another on Thursday along with fracture check and ?) complete.

Alexander went immediately to bed.
Straight to sleep.
For the night, I think.

Hungry but not feeling like eating.
Wanting to be brave, feeling grumpy (and that's just me, Lois ... kidding ... I think).
Starting to realise just how curtailing having two immobile arms is gonna be.
(as well as undignified ...)

Good to be here, good to be near, what's next?

I reckon Gerald has a right to be aggrieved, other people's dramas superseding and subsuming attention for a while ...
But Gerald actually deserves a medal, volunteering to help transform Alexander's room from a 14yearold's "don't touch my stuff" cozy cobwebby chaos into something still recognisable but bearable as an invalid's escape.
Due to Ian Mander's offer to sit with Alexander, I took a trip out from Ward 24B and sorted it - as grateful to escape the closing in walls as for the chance to do the job.

Sophie's piano exam is on Wednesday.
And her cultural evening Wednesday and Thursday at school, performing both nights.
Em-ceeing the second night.

Sophie has been a trouper.
Also coming soon - a photo of her trash-to-fashion creation: it's wondrous, perfectly formed, and more glamourous than anything I've attempted to wear (let alone make from odds and ends and old stuff just by imagining and sewing).
Delicious, in fact.

Fire's glowing, no hospital for 2 days, reader's digest brahms (Bruch) soaring and soothing, Gerald doing a familiar moan about his school's remote internet connectivity, very gesellig.

L

Or not ...

Maybe home tomorrow ... or today ... or some other day

Just call if you are thinking of visiting.

Cheers

L

Thoughts escaping, music's playing, love lies waiting

Stop press: We're expecting to be out of hospital later today.
Antibiotics & pain meds at home.
Infection check, fracture reset etc. Thursday morning.

Slow down, you move too fast.

L

Touching the void

You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there (YB, my often quoted friend).

On the other hand ...

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy (Dale Carnegie).

A bit too much action and too little knowledge and experience yesterday - but Alexander is alive, not permanently damaged, and pretty funny.

2 quotes from yesterday:
Orthopaedic Surgeon to Alexander: "I'll decide when I open it up and have a look at it whether to put a system of pins and plates in there."
Alexander: "But you'll ask me first, right?"
Orthopaedic S: Looks confused (can the boy be joking?)

Alexander to Lois: "I thought I was going to die when I was lying out there freezing and bleeding and the helicopter just flew round and round."
Lois: "How did that feel?"
Alexander: "Fatal."

We have

• 1 much reduced haematoma, from a small but very deep laceration (no brain injury or fracture)
• 1 shoulder to knuckles cast (left), broken lower and upper wrist - 6 weeks in plaster
• 1 upper arm to lower arm cast (right), compound fracture and laceration
• Abrasions and bruises
• A stoic and grateful attitude
• 2 unbroken legs

Over the next 2 days we'll antiobioticize in hospital, then have a good look for infection and go from there. Risk of infection with deep head and arm wounds full of dirt and gravel is high. Plan A is no infection, out of here in a few days for the recovery period. Plan B is whatever it takes to deal with stuff that happens.

Clear and cool, cloudy periods expected later.

News, weather and sport

L

Aue...te mamae...

Which is Maori for "aah...the pain (sorrow)"...

Alexander had a bad accident today.

We were walking down to Mercer Bay (south of Piha), Ian Mander, John Selman, Daniel Smith (Alexander's cousin) and myself (Gerald).

The track was pretty rugged, though manageable (though how were we going to get back?).

The reason was to explore some caves on the beach that had been highly recommended by the speleological (sp?) society.

We came to the edge of a 6 metre bluff/cliff, and Alexander was first over it...his confidence exceeding his skill, he lost his hold and plummeted down, banging his head into the cliff twice on the way down (according to Daniel, who was with him at the cliff edge).

He landed head first in a tiny creek near a waterfall...Ian scuttled down to provide first aid and comfort etc., and we found, miraculously, that John's phone was able to contact emergency services (Telecom).

Alexander was helicoptered out (the wind was a very real challenge for the helicopter) to Ak Hospital, children's emegency unit, and the rest of us eventually got ourselves together and scrambled back up the "track", ably and willingly aided by Andy, the park ranger.

As I write, Alex is awaiting surgery to remove (reduce) a large haematoma on his forehead, and fix up broken bones in his left wrist and possibly right arm...Lois is currently with him, and we will see what tomorrow brings...

We have all been shocked at the accident, grateful for the "miraculous" (telecom cellphone, Alex wearing a helmet, which could well have been the difference between life and death...), and are all numbed by the events.

Please pray for Alex's swift healing.

In love and sorrow,

G and A.

It's too late...

Chemo 4 started today.

Thanks to chemo-buddy Andrew C. who kept me company.

The attraction of chemo-day is getting out to a movie afterwards.

It feels like wagging!

Great for the soul!

Andrew had been hoping Tiffany would be my nurse today.

And lo and behold his dream came true!

So, after Chemo, Terminator Salvation (to be reviewed soon, after "untouchable girls"...

Then home.

Then out to Laingholm to record my song cycle/musical, "Roadkill" (this is now the official name!).

Chris W, my nephew-in-law, has done a superb job of making my voice and guitar listenable, so I have decided to issue a limited edition of the songs on CD.

Alexander has offered to mass produce them for me - cool!

Don't forget the initial performance of this song cycle at MRBC on Sunday 26 July at 7pm.

Goodnight!

p.s. if you would like to come to the Battle of the Bands at O.C. (Otahuhu College) tomorrow it sarts at 7pm in the Dance and Drama Suite (behind the Music Block, at the bottom/souther end of the school - if you find yourself in the Kings College Chapel or dorms, you've probably gone too far South!)

The Good, the Bad and the Amusing

Good...

The doctor was "very, very pleased" with the blood test patterns, particularly the declining cancer markers in the blood.

He was also pleased to note that I have had no nausea, extremely minimal diarrhoea, and that my hair is still "hanging around" (not his quote - my colloquialism).

Um...and no signs of flu yet!

Bad...

Pen exploded in my shirt pocket, causing icky stains.

Why do these leaky pens always pick on white shirts???

Amusing...

In a vain attempt to cleanse myself from my mishaps (can one ever cleanse oneself fully, he asked metaphysically), I ended up with blue stained palms and a blue-stained chest - and then the doctor called me...

As I sat down, he looked at me rather more quizically than usual...asked me how I was feeling...then mentioned the palms...

"Oh...that's from a leaky pen!"

Doctor's face shows tangible signs of relief...clearly chemo not THAT bad...

Then he examined my chest and noticed the bruise-like marks on my chest...pen ink again!

Hopefully he won't decide that I require a good psychiatrist rather than his own tender and expert oncologist care!

Tomorrow haircut 4, Terminator Salvation, visit from Eva T, recording session out at Laingholm...

A light schedule, then!

Till tomorrow...

G.

War of the Words - report from the frontline...

So we got together and battled with Boggle.

Followed by a round or two or three of "Dictionary".

3 clans gathered - the Macintyre Robinsons, the Sorrensons, and the vWs (tho we were more like half a clan - Lois in Syd and A in his bedroom, typing up an interview with yours truly).

A great time - very yummy arvo tea, bread, cheeses, salami, melon, pineapple lumps and apple/berry cake from Eve's pantry!

Good laughs - anyone know what a machan is??

Thanks to the folks who came, AND those who stayed away, nursing their lurgies...

Today a luvverly day at schule again...I just love seeing the happy, excited faces of the kids, and also the challenge of trying to spark up my colleagues!

Kirsty was back today, so we had 3 music teachers, plus honorary music teacher Ben Swann...for someone who has not taught the subject before (he's science, PE, etc.) he does amazingly well.

Band battle on Thursday - kids piling into the Whare Puuoro at lunchtime to practice for their gig.

Recording sesh on Wed - oh, nearly forgot...haircut no.4!

Love,

G.

Simon and Garfunkel (concert review) - blog 100!

As I write I am listening to Bookends, S and G's 2nd to last "proper" album.

Today has been something of an S and G celebration round the vWs, in the house stereo, the car stereo, and when I finish S and G I will be on to Paul Simon's solo output.

The concert was indeed "groovy" in many ways.

I have not seen the Vector Arena so full ever, and not only that, full of well-behaved elderly people!

And then there was the audience...

But seriously, S and G may be physically/visually showing their age (and G's voice has inevitably succumbed a bit to the ravages of time, tho maintaining a ghostly fragility that was not inappropriate for the more intimate numbers), but musically the songs of Paul Simon remain as fresh, timeless and potent as when they were first penned ("how terribly strange to be 70", indeed!).

The concert, for me, fell into 3 sections -

1. The Hits (Old Friends the starter, followed by Hazy Shade of Winter, I Am a Rock, etc. etc.)...Scarborough Fair with cello (not the additional lyrics - straight folksong), Mrs Robinson preceded by entertaining clips from The Graduate (hasn't Dustin Hoffman come a long way?), and interluded by Not Fade Away, finishing with Bridge Over Troubled Water (Art giving it his all) - going into the 2nd chorus the sound cut out and the audience joined in (mostly throughout the concert we wanted to join in, but also to listen, so most of us shut up after the first few lines of each song).

2. The Solo Stuff... (which came in the middle of the hits)
Art Garfunkel with Bright Eyes (you either love or hate it - frankly I prefer the stuff from his first solo album, Angel Clare), a song about New York, and a grace...

Paul Simon with Me and Julio, Boy in the Bubble and Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes, then back to the hits - Paul rocked with the band, and the band themselves were a great ensemble...drummer, percussionist, the bassist Paul has used for his last few concert tours, a guy on accordion, trumpet, etc. a lead guitarist who could play sax and Andean flute...hmm, wouldn't mind seeing their contracts for this tour!...a beautiful pianist, a cellist...and Paul on his array of acoustic guitars...the sound beautifully mixed, allowing us to hear the subtleties of S's guitar playing, the musical equivalent of runny, golden honey.

3. The Encores - Celia (fun to look down from our lofty perch and watch the old birds shaking their stuff on what limited floor space was available), "Leaves That Are Green Turn To Brown" (2 men and a guitar - intimate, gorgeous, angelic), The Boxer (my favourite song, and I finally got the significance of the last verse!), and of course "Feelin' Groovy" (house lights up, 2 band blokes prowling around and lapsing into the Jaws music for some cheerful and crazy reason).

Highlights - Simon's solo slot, Scarborough Fair, Leaves etc., My Little Town, Sounds of Silence and of course Bridge (since mum died I always feel like crying when I hear them sing that song)...

Simon's guitar-playing.

The sound overall (lesser bands should blimmin' well pay attention, especially to the fact that the bass does NOT need to be cranked all the way up!).

The rapport of S and G - a friendship that has had its ups and downs, but then they have been doing this for at least 50 years! To see their complicite on stage was special.

The songs - every one a cracker in its own right.

No frills - no explosions, no support act, no "rarking up" the crowd - musicianship, rapport, respect, humour, beauty, 2 and a half hours of bloody good music!

Wish I could've gone again tonight!

Over and out,

G.

Time of Testing...

Today I got a little package from Green Lane Hospital.

I was hoping it would be a CD.

It was an appointment for a CT (NOT CD) scan, and some packs of powdered stuff to make up my dye drink with on the day - this is nothing like the colonoscopy drink - it actually tastes a bit like orange drink (or at least it did last time!).

The scan is to survey the tumours in my liver and abdomen and see what they're up to.

Hopefully not much! (unless shrinking is going on!)

The scan appointment is at 10am on Monday 29th June at Green Lane.

I don't know how long it will be - any ideas, anyone?

Diary dates coming up are:

Simon and Garfunkel tomorrow at 8pm

WotW at 3pm on Sun.

Tue 4pm doctor talk pre-chemo.

Wed 9am CHEMO/HAIRCUT 4 (followed by a showing of Terminator Salvation, with Andy C, my "chemo-buddy" for the day!) (followed by a recording of a demo cd of my song cycle/musical "The Good Samaritan" - can anyone suggest a better title which doesn't lock the thing up into historical/geographical/biblical context ? - this is actually an "outreach opus" - the best I can think of is "Roadkill".....hmmm....)

Thu 7pm Battle of the Bands at my school - we have about 11 bands competing - year 9 thru to year 13 - this is the first time I've run something like this, so I am very excited!

Thu 8.30pm the return of Lois!

Fri - pump off!

Well, that's the plan...

As I write this I am listening to a CD called "love songs" by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a renowned qawaali singer (Pakistan), and his (very) extended family - it is gorgeous.

No reports tonight - they can wait till Sunday night.

"Mother Tongue" (book review)

This is another Bill Bryson.

I confess here and now that I am absolutely hooked on this author - he can do no wrong.

This particular tome traces the history and geography and science and madness of the English language - a language which is probably the most global language there is.

As Bryson reveals, those of us born into the language are very lucky - we are not too puzzled by the lack of rules, consistency or rationality that abound in English.

Have pity on those for whom English is a second or third language - particularly those whose languages bear little resemblance to English...what a nightmare it must be to navigate the pronunciation of all those "ough" words!

Bryson discusses this, along with the most bizarre collection of surnames, pub names, brand names and church names (St Andrew's By the Wardrobe, anyone??).

These chapters, and the chapters on swearing and the creation of the great dictionaries, are spell-binding, entertaining, and, as usual, highly authoritative.

And as usual, I finished the book feeling I had genuinely learnt some new things, been entertained, and had my appetite whetted for even more Bryson (next read from this author will be the Brief History of Nearly Everything, after Lord of the Rings, which merely FEELS like the brief history of nearly everything).

Very highly recommended!!!

Bits'n'bobs

This week proving to be incredibly (inedibly?) busy.
Today, for example...
Get to school 8.15am.
Period 1 a year 9 class to teach (no reliever for Theo).
Period 2 swap yr 11 classes so I can assess Kirsty's 11PM (she has been away since last Friday).
BREAK
Period 3 yr 10PM (practical) once again covering for Theo (no reliever turned up, but assessments needed to be done anyway!)
Period 4 Lee gives me the period off (time to sit down!).
LUNCH
Period 5 2 Year 9s - spoilt for choice!
Having arranged for Lee to have the period off, once again a Theo Ariaens class turns up - I give the reliever (who has just been told he's relieving!) 9S (or is it L - it all blurs into one!) and take 9Q - they need a little special assistance...and manage to produce some work.
Then band till 4.30pm after which Kerry and I are ready to drive home and "offload" a few things.
Yr 11 reports (still 3 classes of 10s to go, then tutor group).
Still - ironically it feels like I can say "I still have my health" (apart from the cancer, of course!).
Weird.

Reminder about War of the Words on Sun at 3pm, running till about 5pm - can each person please bring nibbles to share and a drink to share - that way we should be sweet for refreshments.

By the way, teaching the year 9s was actually good fun - they are not on my timetable this year, so it's been fun to try out some new stuff with them.

Big thanks to Lee H and Ben S for superb support this week.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Love,

G.

About Bloggy Time!

Whoops.
Apologies for no blogs in the last 4 days or so.
It has been a busy time.
Richard and Ruth have been here, and it has been wonderful to have them with us.
Too short of course, but miles better than nix.
They left today.
I am missing them.
Our friendship with them goes back a long way...about 20 years.
One of those friendships where even though you may not see them for a while, you pick it up again when you get back together.
Don't forget War of the Words this Sunday, 3pm to 5pm-ish.
But yes, stay away if you have sniffles, snivels or sneezes.
Traipsed out to a "meet the school" type evening at St Cuth's - what a lovely library building they have.
Sophie met a girl who was with her in primary...also a scholarship winner.
Today I was the ONLY department teacher at school - Kirsty away with flu, Lee away with flu/cold and Theo away still pumping anti-biotics into his system.
A lonely, busy day then!
But most of all I miss my friends and wish they could have stayed here.
When will I see them again?
Thank goodness for Boston Legal on DVD, and Lois to comfort me while she is here in the country.
Health/comfort excellent still...a bit tired.
Goodnight!
p.s. coming up on Sunday 26th July at MRBC 7pm evening - "The Good Samaritan" (song cycle by me, written at start of the year).

Another Fabulous Day!

A quick rundown of today's story so far!

Into school with Richard'n'Ruth.

A warm O.C. welcome in the staffroom.

Actually a bit cold talking to Kerry about Steve Winwood outside at 3 degrees...

Year 13s - 3 part harmony performance from Stephen Rea, Barbara M and Bronny, accompanied by Lee H on piano - sweet.

Then a rockout with Rodney F on lead, Jordan B on rhythm, Totoa L on bass and Sione F on drums.

Then guitar duo from Richard and Federico Q, Richard singing a love song for Ruth (went down a treat with our soppy year 13s!).

Then a chat to Edwards sound about a sound system for the hall.

Then fresh big cheese scones from the tuck shop.

Then fresh coffee and best-afghans-in-the-world from the Tech Crew in B block.

Then zooming around like semi-mad thing doing semi-mad things in the admin sphere.

Year 11s - a rhythm circle thing happening.

Lunch - performances from some of my year 12s - beautiful!

Leek and potato soup, french bread with butter, cheeses, cakes, good company!

Year 10 Practical music listening to Wyclef Jean and Elton John (cousins?).

Then into hozzy to get pump taken off.

No anti-nausea tablets since Wednesday.

I feel good.

News that Sophie's scholarship is a full one for 5 years.

Gobsmacked.

CD from my son - heart melted.

Looking forward to a celebration time tonight.

Although R'n'R's visit is WAY TOO SHORT, it is fantastic to have them here.

Have a lovely weekend!

G.

"How Bizarre" indeed (a performance report)

So somehow I managed to get the School (Electric) Band to all meet and set up and rehearse for a gig in the library today.

Considering I was nowhere in the neighbourhood yesterday, I think I did quite well!

The songs we performed at lunchtime were Opshop's "One Day" and OMC's "How Bizarre".

For both songs I sang lead vocals, with backing vocals supplied by Lee H, Tui L, Mina L, and Starzya E.

The other musicians were all blokes.

The library filled up pretty quickly and we rocked into it - One Day is a ballady song which is a little too high for me to be comfortable in the chorus, so I harmonised while the girls took over the main tune - we shared 1 microphone between us, as the other 2 corded mics seem to have "got lost in the system" while I was in hospital.

My coup de grace was rushing away while the blokes performed a techno version of "the Samoan song", changing into my banana outfit, given to me by my ace nursey friend, Maria C.

The costume consisted of a yellow "banana suit" (the type used by nurses when infusing patients with chemo), a yellow scarf, a multi-coloured wig and a yellow pair of glasses with flashing lights.

Then into "How Bizarre" vW style, with yours truly pirouetting, scowling, prowling, pogoing and
presenting as genuinely bizarre.

WE HAD FUN!!

Tonight the 6 of us (2 Dormandys and 4 vWs) are heading off to Da Sette Soldi for a meal out.

I am VERY pleased to report that, following Nurse Karen's advice yesterday, I have done without anti-nausea pills since dinner time yesterday.

A great feeling (the original prescription was to have pills several times a day up to and including Saturday)!

Tomorrow R'n'R will accompany me to school, where they will meet students and staff, indulge in morning coffee and lunch (leek and potato soup, french bread and cheeses).

Yum!

G.

"The Boat That Rocked" (movie review)

I LOVED this movie.

It was like visiting an old, good friend, whose strengths are admirable and fun, and whose foibles are entertaining and forgivable.

1966 - if truth be told, I was only 4 years old at the time, and the only pirate ships I knew of were those inhabited by woodenlegged ruthless types with eyepatches and parrots perched on shoulders - come to think of it, apart from the absence of Johnny Depp, this movie could have been labelled Pirates of the Caribbean IV - Bill Nighy in top form and having a great time as the boss/captain (minus tentacles too, ladies...), and Jack Davenport once again playing the part of a conniving killjoy named Twat (! - yes, this is written by the guy who brought us the inimitable Blackadder Series, Richard Curtis).

The soundtrack is chocker with GREAT 60s music (AND, bizarrely, Who and Cat stuff from the early 70s!! Deliberate anachronism or unintentional or assuming the audience wouldn't notice?? Foible number one!).

The acting is exuberant and unrestrained with everyone buying into the joie de vivre - one of those movies where the cast would probably have signed on to do it for free (Kenneth Brannagh clearly enjoying his turn as the evil government minister Dormandy - no relation to MY Dormandys!) - Phillip Seymour Hoffman the only American in it, and many faces you will recognise from the British "stable".

Highlights for me - the wedding scene (groom wears a gorgeous jacket that I'm hoping someone will copy and make for me - I will pay!), the "chicken" game scene (scary, exciting and hilarious all in one) and the final scene.

Not one for the whole family I would say (sexual mores being what they were at this time, not they've improved much!), but great value for anyone who remembers the 60s in any way or who simply loves seeing funny stuff and hearing great music.

Rock'n'roll!

Gerald.

p.s. not related but Sunday 14th June 3pm will be "War of the Words" here at 26C Carlton St - scrabble, boggle, dictionary and anything else that springs to mind - bring a drink and something to share for nibbles - also maybe a spare game of scrabble or 2. If you plan to come do let me know so I can scheme how best to accommodate us all!

Finish between 5pm and 6pm, and we will NOT use the scrabble dictionary of ridiculous 2- and 3-letter words that nobody uses!

Thanksgiving

Hi!

Richard and Ruth are here, so many things have taken a back seat!

News since Saturday...

Arrival of Londoners (and their subsequent adjustment to jet lag and winter etc.)

Walk at White's Beach again - this time much less tiredness etc.

You will see some photos in due course!

Theo now out of his hospital!

Doctor Thompson today commented on how good my blood tests have been, and the CAE (cancer markers in the blood) are going down, which is fantastic news.

Alexander has had an exam result back (prac science) and done very well!

Lois has had some interest shown in employment in connection with an Oz firm which could possibly run alongside with her Transformation Analytics work.

G.