Christmas was lovely. Lots of great gifts given and received, sparkly tree lights, shiney paper and bows, champagne, really wonderful company and far too much food. Boxing day was also great, managed to squeeze twenty relatives into the house without too much trouble, fed and watered them, so despite the twisted knee - which has me hobbling about like an old thing - a tennis elbow, severely hampering my glass mouth coordination and what feels like a dislocated jaw - God knows how I managed that or the elbow - I'm having a ball. Off North to do more partying and socialising and generally doing the festive stuff. Snow is predicted but a bit worried about how my old frame will cope with it - one fall and I reckon I'll break something. Alcohol does seem to work though and there are always lots of lovely young nubile admirers to pick me up. Might get some time to contemplate my new year's resolutions, all of which I've decided will have to be life changing this year. Well, if you don't go for it you won't get it. Time to shake off the old and ring in the new. Happy New Year to you all. Bliadhna mhath ur.
posted by Red Writer
Tuesday, December 23
Merry Christmas Everyone!
posted by Red Writer
Sunday, December 21
I'm a couple of days behind with this one but the Guardian british blog award winners were announced on Thursday. Congratulations to all the winners. Sadly, I get no accolated this year - that must be a mistake judges?!!! - but I can still be found here, and I hope they keep this link going as a few visitors do find their way to my site from it. And there is always next year. Time to revamp the site I think........mmmm time, oh yes that thing that keeps slipping away from me at the moment......maybe that extra day they're going to throw in at the end of February will help. Now there's a question - If you were given an extra day and you didn't have to work, what would you do with it? Keep your answers clean please!
posted by Red Writer
Saturday, December 20
It's snowing. The kids are excited. It's all very pretty. Will probably melt very quickly. Garage is leaking even more and there is an annoying drip from the guttering onto the conservatory roof which has quickened from 2/4 time to at least 4/4 or maybe even faster. I could do a jig to it so I think that means it's 6/8 or something! Anyway, enought to keep me awake for another night. But here is a useful tip - don't order your carry out meal to be delivered half an hour before the whole town comes to a stand-still because of the snow. You run the risk of not getting your meal unless you go and pick it up at least two hours after you order it.
posted by Red Writer
I did behave. I didn't drink too much. Well, I did but it was over a long time. SO was worse than me. Had a lovely time though. Was home at a respectable hour. Slept for about 3-4 hours then the demon drink had it's insomniac effect on me and I was awake for the rest of the night listening to the rain. Fortunately there were some mildly entertaining programmes on the TV, so I went downstairs and with a nice hot cup of tea, settled down to watch. One programme worth a mention is talking movies as I now have a list of films I would like to see in the new year: Girl with a perl earring, because I loved the book and Colin Firth looks as if he will play Vermeer very well. Cold Mountain, because I have had the book sitting in a pile beside my bed for about two years now and will have to read it before the film. And because it sounds wonderful. As Nicol Kidman said - and I won't quote because I can't remember it verbatum but it was along the lines of - to be in a state of constant longing is a wonderful place to be - I have never thought of longing like that before but as soon as you do it takes all the pain out of it and becomes something which is not totally bad or sad or unhappy, just something to be grateful for. Isn't it strange how one little quote heard in the middle of the night can change so much about the way you think. Mona Lisa Smile because I like Julia Roberts and any film which says it is "story of women struggling to define themselves in a world that has already defined them." sounds fine by me. I also have an idea it will remind me a bit of Dead Poets Society, which I loved. There were more films but although I was awake and I was watching, sleep deprivation meant that I wasn't totally concentrating.
Today, it's still raining. The garage is still leaking. But in an hour or so I'm off to watch the Rugby Cup Final at Murrayfield. Not my first choice of things to do on the last Saturday before Christmas but this is a compasionate, supporting sort of thing on a day which should have seen another big party but which sadly will never be. The things I do for love!
posted by Red Writer
Friday, December 19
I feel I should post something Christmassy but I can't think of anything really nice apart from, have a lovely Christmas everyone. It's the office lunch today, so I have made a sacrifice and decided to work on my day off - with of course the added bonus that I can take some time in lieu after new year. I might let you know how the day was later. I am going out with a resolution not to drink too much... I will not drink too much. I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much, I will not drink too much.......Are you convinced yet?
posted by Red Writer
Wednesday, December 17
I woudn't say I was overtired at the moment but yesterday was not a good day. Apart from the trauma of the cyclist, I left work to pick up SYD and realised when I was halfway home that I'd forgotten to actually pick her up!!!!
posted by Red Writer
Tuesday, December 16
I really don't know how it happened. I feel so awful. I can't imagine what the consequences could have been. I still feel sick thinking about it.
The morning started very dark and very wet. Then it gradully turned into a sort of wet greyness. There were lots of shiny lights from cars and even the surface of the road was shining. I jumped out of the car at the local post office/shop but the grumpy man behind the counter - who didn't even turn round to look at me when he was talking - announced the post office bit wasn't open for another five minutes. I was in a hurry - late for a training course (and I hate being late) - so I left in disgust (sorry to all overseas friends your cards still haven't been posted yet!). There are no excuses really. I was in a bad mood, probably tired from the night before, totally blinded by all the lights and the rain and not concentrating because I was too busy nursing my wrath at grumpy man.
I ran to the other side of the car, rain and lights in my face and pulled open the door. Behind me I heard an almighty shout and instinctivelly threw myself forwards, against the car. It was the sheer sound of fear and panic that I heard in the voice. The poor cyclist I had almost taken out with the car door, did manage to swerve to miss me but I felt so so, so bad. I jumped in the car and watched him continue as if nothing had happened. But it almost did. I almost caused him to hit my door, or worse, swerve into oncoming traffic...... I am so full of remorse. I could have ruined that poor man's Christmas because I wasn't paying attention. I suppose that's how so many accidents happen and it is a stark reminder to me how invisible cyclists are on dark rainy mornings. If anyone knows someone who was almost knocked off his bike just before nine o'clock this morning then I have to confess, it was me! I am so sorry. I am horrified at my own stupidity. I hate to think that I might have been responsible for something bad happening to someone and I hate to think how much of a fright the poor man got. Anyway, sorry cyclist. I really didn't mean to be so stupid and I have been thinking about you all day. I hope you managed to get to work safely.
posted by Red Writer
Monday, December 15
Went to see "Love Actually" last Tuesday night (good website). It was just what I needed after pouring over a laptop at home all afternoon. I know many of the reviews have not been kind but if you go without any pre-conceived ideas on how good it should be with such an impressive cast then it should not disappoint.
What I liked, was the fact that different kinds of love are portrayed in the film; young, funny, naive, unrequited, happy & sad, impulsive, desires, secrets, chances. Of course in portraying so many different aspects of love it is not possible to cover anything in any great depth (well, in any depth at all really!) but I didn't think that was what the film was about anyway. It was trying to show how different love is to people in different circumstances and across generations. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. It is careful to ensure though that even where we recognise sacrifices and sadness, these are not dwelt upon. After all, this is meant to be a Christmas film, full of goodwill and possibly more than that, full of understanding.
It is sometimes good to watch a frivolous interpretation of life in this format to let you appreciate all your own experiences and feelings. I loved the sound track, even if I found it a bit spooky that the music of Joni Mitchell was such an integral part of the film – I’ve been playing a tape of her music in the car for weeks! Sadly, and not wishing to give too much away, this was one of the storylines which didn’t have as happy ending as it could have despite the fact that it was tying to indicate that love lasts a lifetime.
posted by Red Writer
Yesterday will go down as an historic day due to the capture of Saddam Hussein. However, I can't help thinking that the circus has just begun.
posted by Red Writer
Saturday, December 13
An interest in the fragility of human emotions led me to this wonderful art work of Cassandra Donna-Harris and her fragility series.
Who will win the big read? Given the timing, my money is on Tolkien, but isn't it a pity that television and film adaptations seem to have influenced the voting more than the actual books?
posted by Red Writer
Monday, December 8
I don't know where time is going at the moment. Getting things done but no time to write here. So many things to write about but couldn't forget the Turner Prize. Might get around to writing more sometime! Meanwhile tempus fugit
