Lois fried some steak.
Dr Thompson said stay away from rich stuff.
Probably causing me cramps.
This steak was beautifully cooked and I didn't need much - yum!
Wagner takes a long time.
Rumpole (who we are watching at present) said "Wagner's music is better than it sounds"!! Cheeky man...
Goetterdaemmerung indeed...
Reading my very old Moomin books at present, by Scandinavian (Finnish?) author Tove Jansson.
Quirky, humorous, naive and delightful - do read one if you haven't already!
Great for kids (an older age "Babar").
G.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
When Dreams Die
Some people talk about dream death as though it's a natural thing.
I don't believe that.
For a dream to die, you need to kill it.
Quickly or slowly.
Intentionally, though maybe subconsciously sometimes.
Poison, stabbing, machine-gunning.
Usually you kill your own dreams before you even share them with someone.
Sometimes, though, you allow others to join in the ritual slaughter.
The good news is that dreams can live as long as you, and in many cases beyond you...when the dream is caught by another dreamer, and becomes a shared dream.
So take heart...EVERY dream you've ever had is still alive, unless you've killed it...even those from childhood!
I don't believe that.
For a dream to die, you need to kill it.
Quickly or slowly.
Intentionally, though maybe subconsciously sometimes.
Poison, stabbing, machine-gunning.
Usually you kill your own dreams before you even share them with someone.
Sometimes, though, you allow others to join in the ritual slaughter.
The good news is that dreams can live as long as you, and in many cases beyond you...when the dream is caught by another dreamer, and becomes a shared dream.
So take heart...EVERY dream you've ever had is still alive, unless you've killed it...even those from childhood!
Joy, Pain and Scrambled Egg
Early morning down to Labtests - things have improved so much there after the teething troubles - my phlebologist is usually Pania, and today's sting didn't hurt one single bit.
On to school - early morning in staffroom sipping a hot chocolate and checking the checklist.
We have a student teacher, Naomi D, starting with us - a bass clarinettist who studied post-grad in Rotterdam.
Today's game "The Pro's Progress" - aimed at getting students to focus at all times on the task at hand and longterm - yields interesting results (and reveals many year 12s to be a bunch of Ams - amateurs).
3.10 dash off to Sophie's school for a half hour of speed dating - I mean, parent teacher interviews at 5 minutes each (all in the hall).
So many positive comments about the young lady's settling-in and progress - big feelings of pride and gratitude.
Home to dishes, pool-skimming, washing sorting and...yep, here come the cramps again.
Sorry, Alexander, have to miss the meal you "fixed" for us - hopefully next Monday?
Take my moaning and groaning self to my bedroom and after rolling around for a while, call cancer ward 64 and ask for advice.
Nurse recommends buscopan, which I KNOW is sitting on the windowsill, courtesy of one of Lois's old ailments.
Pills duly imbibed, children into bedrooms, wife returns, eccentric request for scrambled eggs on toast fulfilled, episode of Law and Order gulped down, time for blog and bed.
What will tomorrow bring?
On to school - early morning in staffroom sipping a hot chocolate and checking the checklist.
We have a student teacher, Naomi D, starting with us - a bass clarinettist who studied post-grad in Rotterdam.
Today's game "The Pro's Progress" - aimed at getting students to focus at all times on the task at hand and longterm - yields interesting results (and reveals many year 12s to be a bunch of Ams - amateurs).
3.10 dash off to Sophie's school for a half hour of speed dating - I mean, parent teacher interviews at 5 minutes each (all in the hall).
So many positive comments about the young lady's settling-in and progress - big feelings of pride and gratitude.
Home to dishes, pool-skimming, washing sorting and...yep, here come the cramps again.
Sorry, Alexander, have to miss the meal you "fixed" for us - hopefully next Monday?
Take my moaning and groaning self to my bedroom and after rolling around for a while, call cancer ward 64 and ask for advice.
Nurse recommends buscopan, which I KNOW is sitting on the windowsill, courtesy of one of Lois's old ailments.
Pills duly imbibed, children into bedrooms, wife returns, eccentric request for scrambled eggs on toast fulfilled, episode of Law and Order gulped down, time for blog and bed.
What will tomorrow bring?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Panadol, Motilium and pain...
The pain hasn't been that bad today.
What happens is a kind of cramping up in the gut.
When I get that pain or the anticipation of it, that's when I begin my dosage of panadol and motilium.
Panadol for the pain, motilium for the nausea...
Hard to spot the difference between nausea and pain...
I have had good sleeps, with the shoulder pain retreating more into the background.
Today I went to Sophie's chapel service and really enjoyed it.
The choir sang well, we read a poem by Joy Cowley (NZ writer) likening Jesus's visit to Jerusalem to a trip down to Wellington.
The chaplain spoke about Bishop Romero of El Salvador.
The only thing was...the congregational songs were set for girls' voices, so I found myself either singing up high in falsetto or growling down in the bass...hmmm..
The organist was Sophie's music teacher, Mr Allan, and he played us out with "All You Need Is Love"...
What happens is a kind of cramping up in the gut.
When I get that pain or the anticipation of it, that's when I begin my dosage of panadol and motilium.
Panadol for the pain, motilium for the nausea...
Hard to spot the difference between nausea and pain...
I have had good sleeps, with the shoulder pain retreating more into the background.
Today I went to Sophie's chapel service and really enjoyed it.
The choir sang well, we read a poem by Joy Cowley (NZ writer) likening Jesus's visit to Jerusalem to a trip down to Wellington.
The chaplain spoke about Bishop Romero of El Salvador.
The only thing was...the congregational songs were set for girls' voices, so I found myself either singing up high in falsetto or growling down in the bass...hmmm..
The organist was Sophie's music teacher, Mr Allan, and he played us out with "All You Need Is Love"...
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sisters....
I am blessed with 4 sisters.
Carla, Marjan, Joke and Plonie.
All older than me, Plonie by a mere 8 years.
Most had left home as I wended my way thru adolescence.
So being spoilt wasn't really in the picture as much as being solo.
Carla has 2 daughters who are only about 5 years younger than me, and in many ways I feel as close to them as if they WERE sisters.
Today Marjan flew up from Wngtn and out to London.
Plonie and I went to visit her in transit and had a meal at the Toby Jug (in the airport neighbourhood).
Carla rang this morning, and I plan to visit Joke in the first week of the hols.
Why am I sharing this?
I was struck today by how important it is yo be mindful of family connections - not because they are fun, useful, helpful, etc. but because they ARE.
Rootedness.
Bon voyage, Marjan!
Carla, Marjan, Joke and Plonie.
All older than me, Plonie by a mere 8 years.
Most had left home as I wended my way thru adolescence.
So being spoilt wasn't really in the picture as much as being solo.
Carla has 2 daughters who are only about 5 years younger than me, and in many ways I feel as close to them as if they WERE sisters.
Today Marjan flew up from Wngtn and out to London.
Plonie and I went to visit her in transit and had a meal at the Toby Jug (in the airport neighbourhood).
Carla rang this morning, and I plan to visit Joke in the first week of the hols.
Why am I sharing this?
I was struck today by how important it is yo be mindful of family connections - not because they are fun, useful, helpful, etc. but because they ARE.
Rootedness.
Bon voyage, Marjan!
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Cure
There may be A CURE for cancer.
There may be no cure.
Beware of American businessmen claiming they know EXACTLY what to do and how much it will cost (an arm and a leg)!
One may be healed.
One may waste away.
Death WILL come.
Eternal life WILL follow.
Peace.
Of course drowning men clutch at straws!
We are expected to clutch at life as we know it while we still have it.
Then Peace.
And the end, and the new Beginning, WILL surely come, as sunrise follows sunset.
There may be no cure.
Beware of American businessmen claiming they know EXACTLY what to do and how much it will cost (an arm and a leg)!
One may be healed.
One may waste away.
Death WILL come.
Eternal life WILL follow.
Peace.
Of course drowning men clutch at straws!
We are expected to clutch at life as we know it while we still have it.
Then Peace.
And the end, and the new Beginning, WILL surely come, as sunrise follows sunset.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
plus and minus
plus:
still able to drag physical self into work
no diarrhoea (yet!)
no neuropathy!
no loss of taste sense.
able to sleep sometimes.
minus:
more "cramps"/nausea
tireder
able to go one step at a time
lots of good reading
mental faculties/sense of humour still basically intact
G.
ps - whoops - just realised my minuses aren't particularly minusy!
hmm...
still able to drag physical self into work
no diarrhoea (yet!)
no neuropathy!
no loss of taste sense.
able to sleep sometimes.
minus:
more "cramps"/nausea
tireder
able to go one step at a time
lots of good reading
mental faculties/sense of humour still basically intact
G.
ps - whoops - just realised my minuses aren't particularly minusy!
hmm...
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday: 5 out of 10
Had a good night's sleep.
Woke well and managed to eat some breakfast.
Lessons at school good buzz.
Nausea/tiredness set in with PUM (paid union meeting).
At home resting now.
Van Morrison live album providing buzz/comfort/inspiration.
Felt so supported by colleagues these last few days.
Caring/concerned/active/understanding.
School still a brilliant place to be!
Is there another school like this one?
It feels sooo special!
G.
Woke well and managed to eat some breakfast.
Lessons at school good buzz.
Nausea/tiredness set in with PUM (paid union meeting).
At home resting now.
Van Morrison live album providing buzz/comfort/inspiration.
Felt so supported by colleagues these last few days.
Caring/concerned/active/understanding.
School still a brilliant place to be!
Is there another school like this one?
It feels sooo special!
G.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
"The Road" (book review)
...by Cormac McCarthy, 2007.
A bleak, powerful, compulsive, tragic and beautiful novel.
Its power lies in its simplicity - of structure, language, expression.
It reminds me of one of those delicate, understated Japanese line paintings.
It relates strongly to the Ballard "Drought" and Atwood "Year of the Flood" novels.
Unlike Ballard or Atwood, however, McCarthy's art lies in the space created between the words, not in the detail that fills in the nooks and crannies.
It is a novel about apocalypse, death, fear, trust, history (in the broad sense of remembering), survival and yes, some magic moments too.
The road - a timeless metaphor for relentless journeying, destiny, pathways to and from nowhere...
I wonder how well the recently released movie will capture the atmosphere of the book?
A lot will depend on the soundtrack, and also the acting of the 2 leads - father and son.
After one page I wasn't sure I had the courage to continue with the book - by the end of it, even though the sense of loss increases and causes greater pain, the beauty of the relationhip, and the inevitability of the journey, had successfully dragged me through 300 pages in 3 days.
Don't read this book if you're in the mood to be entertained!
10/10.
A bleak, powerful, compulsive, tragic and beautiful novel.
Its power lies in its simplicity - of structure, language, expression.
It reminds me of one of those delicate, understated Japanese line paintings.
It relates strongly to the Ballard "Drought" and Atwood "Year of the Flood" novels.
Unlike Ballard or Atwood, however, McCarthy's art lies in the space created between the words, not in the detail that fills in the nooks and crannies.
It is a novel about apocalypse, death, fear, trust, history (in the broad sense of remembering), survival and yes, some magic moments too.
The road - a timeless metaphor for relentless journeying, destiny, pathways to and from nowhere...
I wonder how well the recently released movie will capture the atmosphere of the book?
A lot will depend on the soundtrack, and also the acting of the 2 leads - father and son.
After one page I wasn't sure I had the courage to continue with the book - by the end of it, even though the sense of loss increases and causes greater pain, the beauty of the relationhip, and the inevitability of the journey, had successfully dragged me through 300 pages in 3 days.
Don't read this book if you're in the mood to be entertained!
10/10.
What's Going On 4 - warning: uncomfortable...
The chemo seems to be kicking me about more.
Maybe I'm over-reacting psychologically.
It's hard to know.
Finding little things harder to manage.
Not enjoying the thought of busyness.
Currently enjoying a more relaxed afternoon.
Plans put on hold on a day-to-day basis.
Scoffed more motilium (anti-nausea pills) than last time.
Not prepared to put up with queasiness.
This darned sore shoulder!
G.
Maybe I'm over-reacting psychologically.
It's hard to know.
Finding little things harder to manage.
Not enjoying the thought of busyness.
Currently enjoying a more relaxed afternoon.
Plans put on hold on a day-to-day basis.
Scoffed more motilium (anti-nausea pills) than last time.
Not prepared to put up with queasiness.
This darned sore shoulder!
G.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
"Have A Little Faith" (book review)
...by Mitch Albom, 2009.
Albom is the same author who wrote "Tuesdays With Morrie", a memoir of the last days of an old college professor dying from Motor Neurone Disease.
This book was a very timely birthday gift from my mother-in-law, Lorna.
Timely because it deals with the big issues - death, God, saying goodbye, community, faith, love.
It does so by telling 2 stories - one is about Albom's Rabbi who asks him to write his eulogy, and the other is about Henry Covington, a man who converted to the Christian faith after a wild, dangerous and dark journey through youth.
In telling the stories of the Reb and the convert, Albom tells his story of increasing awareness and faith.
The strengths of the book are its structure (short passages flicking from one life to the next, eventually tying up at the book's conclusion) and its lightness of style.
It doesn't dwell in sentimentality, or preach from the pulpit.
It tells us of two lives, their weaknesses/strengths/quirks and the triumph of their faith as they struggle with the big issues.
Many was the time I wanted to print one of the Reb's messages, but I have no desire to breach copyright - I'm happy to lend you the book if you're interested.
A goodhumoured, generous, positive tome with plenty to encourage and inspire.
9/10.
Albom is the same author who wrote "Tuesdays With Morrie", a memoir of the last days of an old college professor dying from Motor Neurone Disease.
This book was a very timely birthday gift from my mother-in-law, Lorna.
Timely because it deals with the big issues - death, God, saying goodbye, community, faith, love.
It does so by telling 2 stories - one is about Albom's Rabbi who asks him to write his eulogy, and the other is about Henry Covington, a man who converted to the Christian faith after a wild, dangerous and dark journey through youth.
In telling the stories of the Reb and the convert, Albom tells his story of increasing awareness and faith.
The strengths of the book are its structure (short passages flicking from one life to the next, eventually tying up at the book's conclusion) and its lightness of style.
It doesn't dwell in sentimentality, or preach from the pulpit.
It tells us of two lives, their weaknesses/strengths/quirks and the triumph of their faith as they struggle with the big issues.
Many was the time I wanted to print one of the Reb's messages, but I have no desire to breach copyright - I'm happy to lend you the book if you're interested.
A goodhumoured, generous, positive tome with plenty to encourage and inspire.
9/10.
"Alice in Wonderland" (movie review)
This is not going to be everybody's cup of tea!
I strongly suggest you prepare for the movie by reading both books (Wonderland and Looking Glass), and then erasing with whatever hallucinogenics are at hand your memory of plot or sequencing.
Because the movie is a delight!
But you need to know the characters, and at least some of the poetry, to get a handle on where Tim Burton's coming from.
This is Alice seen very much through Burton's looking glass, and what a psychedlicoscope that glass must be.
The characters are wonderful - a top cast of actual actors and voices...
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham -Carter are staple Burton material (does anyone remember the ravishing Bonham-Carter in "Room With a View"? Burton and Bonham-Carter must have a STRONG relationship, based on the roles he's given her!), and there are some wonderful cameos from Alan Rickman, Christopher Lee, Frances De Latour, and MANY others.
Visually the movie is a gorgeous glide through fantasy land.
Message-wise, this is one very much for the right-brainers - go with the flow and dare to dream your dream, and DON'T marry someone just for convenience's sake!
On a downer, I think it's time for Burton to drop Elfman (soundtrack composer from way back) - the soundtrack seems simply to fill in, and doesn't add to the movie a great deal.
So, who would enjoy this movie?
Not particularly young kids (show them the straightforwardly mawkish 2D original instead).
Kids with imagination and literary leanings...no matter what age.
In short, people ready to sit back and enjoy the ride!
9/10 (but approach with caution).
I strongly suggest you prepare for the movie by reading both books (Wonderland and Looking Glass), and then erasing with whatever hallucinogenics are at hand your memory of plot or sequencing.
Because the movie is a delight!
But you need to know the characters, and at least some of the poetry, to get a handle on where Tim Burton's coming from.
This is Alice seen very much through Burton's looking glass, and what a psychedlicoscope that glass must be.
The characters are wonderful - a top cast of actual actors and voices...
Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham -Carter are staple Burton material (does anyone remember the ravishing Bonham-Carter in "Room With a View"? Burton and Bonham-Carter must have a STRONG relationship, based on the roles he's given her!), and there are some wonderful cameos from Alan Rickman, Christopher Lee, Frances De Latour, and MANY others.
Visually the movie is a gorgeous glide through fantasy land.
Message-wise, this is one very much for the right-brainers - go with the flow and dare to dream your dream, and DON'T marry someone just for convenience's sake!
On a downer, I think it's time for Burton to drop Elfman (soundtrack composer from way back) - the soundtrack seems simply to fill in, and doesn't add to the movie a great deal.
So, who would enjoy this movie?
Not particularly young kids (show them the straightforwardly mawkish 2D original instead).
Kids with imagination and literary leanings...no matter what age.
In short, people ready to sit back and enjoy the ride!
9/10 (but approach with caution).
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Ca Plus Ca Change....
I think there probably need to be some little squirillic signs in that title.
So, back into chemo today.
After a sleepless night and some diarrhoea.
Not a great start to 6 months of toxic drugs thrashing around in your system.
The Maori parking warden (who has apparently been on the Holmes show as a real good bloke - and he is!), recognised us from last time.
So did the receptionist, who asked if I was back in for treatment and expressed disappointment when I said yes.
As did the nurses.
Well, there we are then.
Onwards and hopefully upwards.
Decided to rest as much as possible when I can.
Some of you are possibly still waiting for responses to your blog mails - they will come (I haven't lost them!).
Alice was interesting - review coming some day.
Mooched in Real Groovy and found a Van Morrison CD I love but don't have at present (my copy always seems to be given away - this time I had to wait for ages to get a replacement - most shops only specially import St Dominic's Preview now).
Still snuffly.
No signs of the neuropathy yet, EXCEPT my first sample of a new piece of food or drink sends a tingle through my tongue.
Till tomorrow,
G.
So, back into chemo today.
After a sleepless night and some diarrhoea.
Not a great start to 6 months of toxic drugs thrashing around in your system.
The Maori parking warden (who has apparently been on the Holmes show as a real good bloke - and he is!), recognised us from last time.
So did the receptionist, who asked if I was back in for treatment and expressed disappointment when I said yes.
As did the nurses.
Well, there we are then.
Onwards and hopefully upwards.
Decided to rest as much as possible when I can.
Some of you are possibly still waiting for responses to your blog mails - they will come (I haven't lost them!).
Alice was interesting - review coming some day.
Mooched in Real Groovy and found a Van Morrison CD I love but don't have at present (my copy always seems to be given away - this time I had to wait for ages to get a replacement - most shops only specially import St Dominic's Preview now).
Still snuffly.
No signs of the neuropathy yet, EXCEPT my first sample of a new piece of food or drink sends a tingle through my tongue.
Till tomorrow,
G.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
The Night Before Chemo
Tired.
Tiring day or just fed up with "this"?
Looking forward to...
Feeling better.
Doing something.
Socking it to the cancer!
Going to the movies in the afternoon.
Wondering about...
Peripheral neuropathy.
Nausea.
Diarrhoea.
Hair loss.
How long I have left........
One day at a time...
Tomorrow isn't even here yet!
Tiring day or just fed up with "this"?
Looking forward to...
Feeling better.
Doing something.
Socking it to the cancer!
Going to the movies in the afternoon.
Wondering about...
Peripheral neuropathy.
Nausea.
Diarrhoea.
Hair loss.
How long I have left........
One day at a time...
Tomorrow isn't even here yet!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Solidarity!
This evening I attended a Presidential Dinner!
That is, the president of PPTA, Kate Gainsford, came up to Auckland and members of the Auckland Region attended the dinner with her - somehow I managed to get myself booked into the dinner as well!
The dinner was superb - we had it in the back room of La Bocca, an Italian restaurant at 251 Parnell Rd - we chose from a set menu (logistically sensible) and I had a pork belly on a bed of pear and raisin-sauce covered mash.
Delicious!
I've been thinking about my Union leanings over the years, and why it's important to me.
I guess it's important because the rights, pay and conditions of workers are extremely important to me.
And I can't stand bullying, prejudice, unfairness or exploitation.
Having been on the receiving end of bullying a couple of times in my career and even before that has helped me to develop a resolution that I will not knowingly stand by and see others bullied.
The socialist aspect of unionism also appeals, and I find it harmonises fully with my Christian faith (while realising that many socialists actually diss any faiths because of that intangible, spiritual aspect which can be problematic - for me it works if I call myself a Christian socialist, with a capital C and a small s).
The meal was lovely because it was an opportunity to meet with/reunite with other like-minded teachers - I found myself quoting Keith Richards (Rolling Stones guitarist): "It's good to be here - it's good to be anywhere!"
That is, the president of PPTA, Kate Gainsford, came up to Auckland and members of the Auckland Region attended the dinner with her - somehow I managed to get myself booked into the dinner as well!
The dinner was superb - we had it in the back room of La Bocca, an Italian restaurant at 251 Parnell Rd - we chose from a set menu (logistically sensible) and I had a pork belly on a bed of pear and raisin-sauce covered mash.
Delicious!
I've been thinking about my Union leanings over the years, and why it's important to me.
I guess it's important because the rights, pay and conditions of workers are extremely important to me.
And I can't stand bullying, prejudice, unfairness or exploitation.
Having been on the receiving end of bullying a couple of times in my career and even before that has helped me to develop a resolution that I will not knowingly stand by and see others bullied.
The socialist aspect of unionism also appeals, and I find it harmonises fully with my Christian faith (while realising that many socialists actually diss any faiths because of that intangible, spiritual aspect which can be problematic - for me it works if I call myself a Christian socialist, with a capital C and a small s).
The meal was lovely because it was an opportunity to meet with/reunite with other like-minded teachers - I found myself quoting Keith Richards (Rolling Stones guitarist): "It's good to be here - it's good to be anywhere!"
Monday, March 15, 2010
Home Group
A home group/cell group/bible study group is a subdivision of the larger church.
Meeting as a small group allows for enhanced relationship-building, in-depth study (well, more in-depth than in church - more opportunity to ask questions), and prayer support.
I have been a member of this home group since 2005, and although there have been comings and goings over the years, we have remained incredibly stable.
As you can imagine, when it comes time to pray, I have always had something to bring up for the group - some prayers for other friends, some blatantly for myself and the various crises I have been through since 2005.
The neatest thing is that these folk have ALWAYS been there for me.
It's exciting to look back through our Prayer Journal and see the ways in which our Father has answered our prayers.
Miracles have indeed happened, and I know they still can.
Will my prayer for healing from cancer be answered in a way which pleases me?
Who knows?
Does that stop me from asking, from expecting?
No way!
So, thanks to the guys and gals in my home group - Mike, Jenny, Stu, Maree, John, Andrew, Heather, Aniel, Netta, Tony, Bert, Steve, Rachel, Eric, Janna - for their faithfulness, loyalty, gentleness, commitment, lack of judging, friendship, hugs, tears, sharing.
This has made a real and strong memory for me and my family.
Love,
G.
Meeting as a small group allows for enhanced relationship-building, in-depth study (well, more in-depth than in church - more opportunity to ask questions), and prayer support.
I have been a member of this home group since 2005, and although there have been comings and goings over the years, we have remained incredibly stable.
As you can imagine, when it comes time to pray, I have always had something to bring up for the group - some prayers for other friends, some blatantly for myself and the various crises I have been through since 2005.
The neatest thing is that these folk have ALWAYS been there for me.
It's exciting to look back through our Prayer Journal and see the ways in which our Father has answered our prayers.
Miracles have indeed happened, and I know they still can.
Will my prayer for healing from cancer be answered in a way which pleases me?
Who knows?
Does that stop me from asking, from expecting?
No way!
So, thanks to the guys and gals in my home group - Mike, Jenny, Stu, Maree, John, Andrew, Heather, Aniel, Netta, Tony, Bert, Steve, Rachel, Eric, Janna - for their faithfulness, loyalty, gentleness, commitment, lack of judging, friendship, hugs, tears, sharing.
This has made a real and strong memory for me and my family.
Love,
G.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Cats
I love cats!
Warm, furry, purry bundles of energy.
Character!
And they stay small - they don't grow into big hulking adults.
They are immediate - hunger, affection, danger.
It all happens NOW.
They don't seem to bear to many grudges (as long as there's food).
They teach you about unconditional love.
Probably dogs are kind of similar, just smellier.
I like the tail-wagging thing with dogs.
But dogs can't purr, and their eyes don't glow in the dark...
Warm, furry, purry bundles of energy.
Character!
And they stay small - they don't grow into big hulking adults.
They are immediate - hunger, affection, danger.
It all happens NOW.
They don't seem to bear to many grudges (as long as there's food).
They teach you about unconditional love.
Probably dogs are kind of similar, just smellier.
I like the tail-wagging thing with dogs.
But dogs can't purr, and their eyes don't glow in the dark...
Cat Poem (thanks to Sarah L for posting this to me)
Today
the cat invited me to sit in the sun
he’d found a dried leaf on the warmed concrete
and crushed it under his dusty fur
with scooping movements of his strong back
licked his fur with paws poised in the air
listened to footsteps on the next door gravel
a cloudy thought went through his sunlight yellow eyes
laid himself out all tousled fur and cobwebbed whiskers
today he will follow the sun
Jennifer Compton
the cat invited me to sit in the sun
he’d found a dried leaf on the warmed concrete
and crushed it under his dusty fur
with scooping movements of his strong back
licked his fur with paws poised in the air
listened to footsteps on the next door gravel
a cloudy thought went through his sunlight yellow eyes
laid himself out all tousled fur and cobwebbed whiskers
today he will follow the sun
Jennifer Compton
"One Step Beyond..." (CD review)
...by Madness, 1979.
We'd had punk, we'd had new wave - now it was time for the new ska wave, brought to us by The Specials (Message To You, Rudy), The Beat (Mirror in the Bathroom), The Selecter (Missing Words), and of course the 6 and only Nutty Boys, Madness!
OSB is their debut album, and is sheer, unadulterated, goodnatured fun - from the catchy, goofy title track, through the wistful sitcom scenarios of "My Girl" and "Bed and Breakfast Man" (echoes of Kinks, premonitions of Blur), to the - well, let's face it - nutty signing-off a cappella "Chipmunks Are Go".
In keeping with the true spirit of ska, no existing tune is sacred enough to be spared from ska treatment - here the theme from Swan Lake is given its own rudeboy rendition.
The album is produced by Langer and Winstanley, who by now have an amazing track record of studio successes, but were really just beginning, 31 years ago (ancient history, eh?).
The result is a rich and fulsome sound, with plenty of punch, ensuring that the album has withstood the tests of time and digital remastering extremely well - in fact, sometimes it's a little TOO polished.
Maybe the nutty boys weren't all that nutty, and didn't always walk closely in tandem, live in the same house and walk funny - I'm sure they didn't always laugh and have a great time.
The thing is, it's difficult to find evidence to the contrary - and that joyous spirit of ska '79 stays with us today.
9/10.
We'd had punk, we'd had new wave - now it was time for the new ska wave, brought to us by The Specials (Message To You, Rudy), The Beat (Mirror in the Bathroom), The Selecter (Missing Words), and of course the 6 and only Nutty Boys, Madness!
OSB is their debut album, and is sheer, unadulterated, goodnatured fun - from the catchy, goofy title track, through the wistful sitcom scenarios of "My Girl" and "Bed and Breakfast Man" (echoes of Kinks, premonitions of Blur), to the - well, let's face it - nutty signing-off a cappella "Chipmunks Are Go".
In keeping with the true spirit of ska, no existing tune is sacred enough to be spared from ska treatment - here the theme from Swan Lake is given its own rudeboy rendition.
The album is produced by Langer and Winstanley, who by now have an amazing track record of studio successes, but were really just beginning, 31 years ago (ancient history, eh?).
The result is a rich and fulsome sound, with plenty of punch, ensuring that the album has withstood the tests of time and digital remastering extremely well - in fact, sometimes it's a little TOO polished.
Maybe the nutty boys weren't all that nutty, and didn't always walk closely in tandem, live in the same house and walk funny - I'm sure they didn't always laugh and have a great time.
The thing is, it's difficult to find evidence to the contrary - and that joyous spirit of ska '79 stays with us today.
9/10.
"A Walk in the Woods" (book review)
...by Bill Bryson, 1997.
You may recall that I wasn't overly impressed by "Neither Here Nor There", the last BB book I read, about his journey through Europe (though I have talked with people since my review who really liked that one - proof that one size does not fit all!).
In my book, this reading makes up for the last one.
Though it must have taken considerably more energy and prep and sheer blood, sweat and tears to put this one together.
There is an impending sense of doom pervading the first chapter, in which BB makes his momentous decision to walk the 2,500 miles (approx) of the Appalachian Trail, a wilderness walking trail running up the East of the USA.
The sense of doom increases when BB introduces us to his childhood friend, Stephen Katz, a walking health hazard (cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, a propensity to eat donuts, laziness and a twisted sense of humour).
Of course, it is the very sense of doom that fuels the humour in the travel account, and one cannot help but be impressed by BB and Katz's tenacity as they near the end of their mission.
The development of their relationship is for me the heart of the story, though the encounters with various wildlife and AT trailmaniacs, and BB's backgrounf info on sections of the trail add much colour.
Yet another book which gets you chuckling/laughing out loud.
A MUST for anyone who has ever been camping/hiking or even thought about doing it and decided (wisely?) against it.
A great last line, too!
10/10.
You may recall that I wasn't overly impressed by "Neither Here Nor There", the last BB book I read, about his journey through Europe (though I have talked with people since my review who really liked that one - proof that one size does not fit all!).
In my book, this reading makes up for the last one.
Though it must have taken considerably more energy and prep and sheer blood, sweat and tears to put this one together.
There is an impending sense of doom pervading the first chapter, in which BB makes his momentous decision to walk the 2,500 miles (approx) of the Appalachian Trail, a wilderness walking trail running up the East of the USA.
The sense of doom increases when BB introduces us to his childhood friend, Stephen Katz, a walking health hazard (cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity, a propensity to eat donuts, laziness and a twisted sense of humour).
Of course, it is the very sense of doom that fuels the humour in the travel account, and one cannot help but be impressed by BB and Katz's tenacity as they near the end of their mission.
The development of their relationship is for me the heart of the story, though the encounters with various wildlife and AT trailmaniacs, and BB's backgrounf info on sections of the trail add much colour.
Yet another book which gets you chuckling/laughing out loud.
A MUST for anyone who has ever been camping/hiking or even thought about doing it and decided (wisely?) against it.
A great last line, too!
10/10.
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