Feeling like a complete idiot - TWICE!!

Well the title of this post says it all really.

I seem to have definitely lost more than a few marbles between yesterday and today.
To start with, after my child had finally stripped down and hopped in the bath, I began to gather up the detritus that amounted to a variety of scattered clothes. Sorting out what needed washing and what could be recycled, I turned and walked into the kitchen, dropping the dirty clothes into the dustbin.
Quickly I reclaimed the clothes, chuckling to myself before putting them into the washing basket.
And then it was my turn to get into the bath. It was only when I began to take my denim skirt off, that I realised I'd been wearing it back to front ALL day. That meant that I'd walked around the neighbourhood, gone to the cinema, had lunch with friends, taken Child to the swimming pool and done my homework, all with my skirt on the wrong way.
How foolish do I feel right now???

Strictly Come Skyping!!!

Oh my gosh!
I have just had the most hilarious conversation on Skype with Dear Friend (DF).
After almost an hour of talking about other stuff, we end up talking about dancing (my passion).
She does West Coast Swing (WCS), a fairly sensual, smooth dance, and I do Ceroc, much faster with other different dance influences.
We started discussing how manly and sexy (or NOT) our respective men were on the dance floor.
But it took a personalised, visual demonstration by her of her man to have me in hysterical laughter.
To say that my sides hurt and cheeks ache from chuckling so much, is an understatement.
She was lamenting that she didn't find her man sexy when he strutted his stuff and she followed that with the most hilarious, comedic version of him moving the way that she wanted him too.
She said that she wanted to scream at him to be "more manly!!!"
And with that she did a pelvic thrust and grabbed her crotch.
(Very MJ-esque).
My man on the other hand can dance, both manly and sexy.
I feel very lucky.

A Royal Visit of sorts....

One of my favourite galleries in London is the Royal Academy.

I love that you can be walking down one of the busiest streets in the heart of the West End one minute and then passing through an impressive archway into a relatively quiet and sedate courtyard the next.
Only on this particular morning, there was nothing sedate about this courtyard.
Standing majestically in the centre, was a 30 foot tree made of extra large, highly reflective silver baubles, very reminiscent of Chicago's Millennium Bean, (I'm partial to Tiffany's Elsa Peritti's Bean series of jewellry) and so love this sculpture.
Anish Kapoor, the artist, is known for creating incredible striking sculptures that promote visual interaction and discussion from it's audience. His works range from the small to the absolutely massive, as seen in the Turbine Hall at the Tate Modern in 2002/2003.
Over the years, I have become a huge (excuse the pun) fan of the vastness of his art and the deapth of saturation of the colour used. He has ingenuity within his ideas, along with a touch of humour.
My friend and I turned the corner and we were both entranced by the sight that met our eyes. This stimulating sight convinced us that we were now the world's greatest iPhone photographers...........NOT! But what fun we had.
Without giving too much away, there were moments when we jumped out of our skin and moments where we giggled like schoolgirls. In between, we sat quite simply in awe.
I highly recommend seeing this exhibition for so many reasons on so many levels.

Seize the day

Last week, first thing in the morning, I was sitting in the LRC (Learning Resource Centre) or using the old-fashioned name, the library, when I suddenly heard a thump and a thud.
I turned around to see a young man shuddering on the floor.
He was making strange, whimpering sounds.
He was in the throws of a seizure.
Lying on his side, he was convulsing.
His body twisted with tension.
There was a look of anguish in his eyes.
Both of us felt helpless.
I because there was nothing that I could do to help.
He because he knew that he simply had to let this fit pass.
Small bits of foam began to appear from his mouth.
The library staff took control and asked everyone to leave.
To give this poor lad some privacy.
The medics arrived as I was leaving.
Helping him up as he slowly relaxed and they were able to take him to a quieter, less exposed area, making him more comfortable.
It must be so difficult having such a condition, not knowing when or where it's going to effect you.

five people you meet in heaven....

Just for a change, I thought I'd try my hand at writing a book review of something that I read not so long ago.
Let me know what you think.....

Book Review
“five people you meet in heaven” by Mitch Albom

I was originally drawn to this book after having read Mitch Albom’s first novel, Tuesdays with Morrie. This was biographical, about his relationship with his old university professor who suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease but felt like fiction when reading it. So I was curious to see how his second book fared next to his first and would it be as compelling. I was not disappointed. I was, however, surprised at the style of writing, which was very easy to digest. Then there is the content; the title gives away the location of the setting. It is a simple story about the death and life of Eddie the maintenance man. After dying in a freak accident on his 83rd birthday, Eddie finds himself in heaven where he encounters five people whose lives, to greater or lesser degree, he influences at various times throughout his own.

It was his personal journey, just for Eddie, but it gave me an insight into a potentially different Heaven from the more traditional or religious one that most of us have grown up with. Five individuals were given to every new person that arrived in Heaven. When Eddie met these people, he learned one lesson from each and, in turn, discovered the meaning and purpose in his life.

The first paragraph of the first chapter really spoke to me. It set up the structure of how the story would read. The author told us that this story would start with Eddie’s demise; an ending was to be seen as a new beginning, a poignant thought that could resonate with many people. It showed us a non-traditional view of Heaven. It explores the possibility that everyone’s Heaven is unique to them. Eddie’s Heaven was the old amusement park, Ruby Pier, a place that featured heavily through his entire life.

The five people that Eddie meets are The Blue Man, or Joseph Corvelzchik, a "freak" in Ruby Pier's old freak show. He began life in the carnival after taking too much silver nitrate for medicinal reasons, which turned him blue. The Captain, his commanding officer during World War 2, actually saved his life by shooting him in the leg. Ruby the old woman and the namesake of Ruby Pier, was once a beautiful waitress who fell in love with a wealthy businessman. Marguerite was his wife and although the marriage wasn’t perfect, she was the love of his life. Finally there is Tala, the young Filipino girl. Eddie never actually meets Tala, but was in the vicinity when she was killed. What I found interesting was how completely different all of these people were. There were random chance crossings of five paths, some of which intersected for mere moments. I felt that the author developed all the characters just the right amount so that I, as the reader, was able to empathise with their situations. Each of these five characters now played the part of Eddie’s guide, leading him through the different stages of Heaven.

I felt a sense of relief at the end of the book that Eddie was able to resolve his personal regrets or mysteries and to then be able to pass through all the levels of Heaven. I am now left wondering who will be my five people and what will be my own particular Heaven.

The Blue Man taught Eddie that "there are no random acts; we are all connected."

Local residents

Every year my college is descended upon by a gaggle of Canadian geese. And it is not a small gaggle either. The college has a couple of small ponds and lots of grassy areas that seem to attract these loud birds.

I have even seen them outside the gates, crossing the busy road, using the zebra crossing.
It is hilarious.
But life at this college wouldn't be the same without them.
So.....bien venue!
Quack! Quack!

Last night

Last night, after dancing for 3 hours, I drove a friend home as she'd just split up with her boyfriend. She needed cheering up, so I went in with her for a chat. We stood in her kitchen eating Ben & Jerry's Phish Food with a dollop of Nutella on it. Giggling at what we were doing.
I think that did the trick. Nothing like a sugar high to put a smile on your face!!!!

Independence Day!

Life is not fair.
This is something that my father used to say on a regular basis to us children.
A few days ago, my ex rang to talk with Child and as the conversation progressed, he started talking about the future. He mentioned Disney. I took the phone and asked him what he was talking about.
"Oh I want to come over and visit as I haven't been for a couple of years (more like 3 but whose counting). I want to see Child's school and I thought I'd take Child on a cruise and let Mickey take care of the other 2."
"Is this part of your official 'time' with Child or as well as?" (Fair question I thought).
"Don't start this again, I get 'X' amount of time. We went through all this last year. This will be as well as." All this was said in a slightly raised, exasperated and sarcastic voice.
My heckles were raised and I felt a bit panicky. He talks as if he has me over a barrel.
I stopped the conversation and gave the phone back to Child.
I was not going to get into this discussion with Child sitting right there.
But it left me with a strange taste in my mouth.
I rang my dear friend and left a message reiterating all this.
She rang back and asked why I wasn't excited by the prospect of having time off, after all, I am full time mum, I get the occasional night to myself but most of the time it is 24/7. She questioned whether I wasn't slightly envious of the fact that he could spend money and take her away, do something fun with her.
Having received this message, I sat there for a while and reflected.
You know what?
I think she was right.
I do wish that I could afford to take Child on holidays to new places, instead any spare cash I have goes on tickets to take her to see her dad (legally obligated!).
I think one of the things that bothered me about all this, is that didn't ring to ask about any plans that might already be in place. His are always demands and not requests. I would like him to be more courteous, unfortunately I think its too late for this leopard to change it's spots.
But I am also pissed off with him for not being more forth coming about paying for every day things for Child, like swimming lessons.
So yes, spending lots of cash on a frivolous holiday does slightly upset me.
And I hate that it always comes down to money, he has it and I don't.
But I have Child, who enriches my life more than he will ever know.
I long for the day that I can take whatever money he gives me for my Child, stick it into a savings account and not actually NEED it.
Independence, that's my goal.

One liner!!

Struggling with her puzzle, my child suddenly says in a rather grown-up and exasperated voice, "mummy, this is making me go round the houses!"

Brainless or something like it!

That's me.
I'm brainless.
Over the last few days I've had 2 definite affirmations that my brain is severely lacking in power.
Can't think why I'm so ditsy at the moment, couldn't possibly have anything to do with juggling Child, my school, 2 part-time jobs, chores, homework, evening classes and a very small social life, could it????
My babysitters are going to a fireworks display next Friday, this clashes with one of my dance classes.
Panic!!!
Oh no....who can help me out?
Quickly text various friends with children for a sleepover, text my brother, text a friend without a child (who is amazing and helps me).
I'm begging for a babysitter (very happy to admit it).
Finally I ring my mum.
Panic over.....mum is already having Child as they're going off to a morning chamber music concert.
Phew! What a relief.
Now, I just need to send a mass text letting everyone know that "it's going to be alright on the night". (Sorry couldn't resist).
And then today mum picked up Child and took her off to an interactive children's concert after lunch with the promise to get her to her swimming lesson on time.
I get down to the pool with 5 minutes to spare, don't like being late for my mother.
They arrive on time, we rush in to change and get to pool side, to see it filled with a variety of people, but not Child's class. No sign of the teacher.
Crap! I had misread her schedule and got the half term week muddled.
Mum had already gone home, so it was back on the bus for us.
What a dizzy idiot I am!
My brain capacity has shrunk to the size of a pea.
However am I going to manage my homework tonight???