Living in a windmill in old Amsterdam

I moan about my job - don't we all - and quite often the moaning is justified. In fact, it is what keeps me (vaguely) sane. But sometimes...just sometimes...there is something that makes it almost bearable. Some folks envy the international travel, but you know....a boring meeting is a boring meeting whatever the timezone. Airports are crap....hotels are the same the world over.

However, this week, on a mundane trip to Leiden, one of the nice things happened. We entertained our guests by chartering a boat on the canals of Amsterdam. An hour and a half of cruising the beautifully lit waterways, while we were plied with strong drink and canapes. Then dropped at a very very nice restaurant, for dinner in a private room.

(I didn't take the picture below - foolishly forgot my camera - but you get the idea).

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..

And it did....a bit...


(view from my bedroom window...sunday morning)

Life's what you make it

And here are some images of my life (well, my life as a mum) over the past few weeks.


We did baking during half-term, and as everyone knows, licking the bowl afterwards is the best bit.





Laura has joined Rainbows, and this is what she made at her first meeting.





We had a halloween party.



It was fun!

The phantom of the opera

I got all spontaneous last week (which is most unlike me - I am a control freak - out and proud!), and I went up t'opera. I had to go down south for a conference, more of which later, and hoped to meet up with a colleague of mine who is living in London temporarily. She is from the US, and is really making the most of her time in London. So she was going to the ROH to see Elektra, and suggested I joined her. I did. I got a very cheap seat, practically in the rafters, and off we went. And I have to say it was great.

Now, Opera isn't really my thing - I have only been to one live opera before, and I left at the interval. It was Gloriana, and I'm sorry - it was rubbish! I have only ever left a live performance early once before in my life - that was a musical version of Scrooge at the Opera House in Manchester. Both of these events were free tickets - I wonder if I would have stayed longer if I'd actually paid for the seats?

And....I had no idea you got subtitles at the Opera! What a brilliant idea. Could have done with those at Gloriana, and that was in bloody English....In posts passim I have mentioned that I am hearing impaired, and although I did actually have my hearing aid with me for a change...AND the Opera House loop system was working (not a given in public places, unfortunately)...I really loved having the subs.

Oh, and what a corking story....so much blood...so much emotion...so much wild dancing....so much falling down, overwhelmed. That was the performers, btw, not me. I was, however, actually, literally, on the edge of my seat.

I don't think I am now an opera convert. This was a particularly exciting show, and a particularly short show. One hour, 45 minutes, and no interval. However, the husband did (somewhat hopefully) leave a pile of Richard Strauss CDs in my study. I have put them back in his room....let's not go barmy!

But, having enjoyed this one...you never know...I might go to another one someday. Maybe some of my blogging friends might like to suggest some titles a still slightly opera-phobic might enjoy?

The evening was rounded off by dinner and beer at Belgo, which was nice....but being a Belgian beer aficionado, I was vaguely disappointed...dunno why...maybe I built it up to much much.

Champion the wonder horse

Or rather, Lizzie the champion librarian and internet geek....Scarlet...here is the version of White Horses you would not be embarrassed to have in your collection at any age...

You know, I really love t'internet

There's a long long trail a-winding.....

Philip Whiteley (at the back of the picture, with the moustache) born in Leeds in 1889, son of William and Mary Anne. Private 3/9126, 12th Bn., West Yorkshire Regiment. Died in France, 23rd March 1917, aged 28. Awarded the Victory Medal and the 1914 Star. His father, William Whiteley, who died in November 1943, is buried with Philip's medals.

We have loved him in life, let us not forget him in death.

Six random things

I've been tagged by Kevin to list six random things about me. Ho hum...

1) I have a moderate hearing loss. Hearing loss is graded as mild, moderate and severe. Trust me, it doesn't seem moderate when the DVD doesn't have subtitles, or the person you are trying to communicate with is mumbling, has a beard, or is simply looking the other way when they are talking to you. I have a hearing aid. I ought to have two, but I lost one..whoops! They are so uncomfortable I take them out when I don't need them. Then I forget where I have put them, and I lose them.

2) I have joint hypermobility. That's doubled jointed in layman's terms. It ain't that fancy. It's why I keep falling over and knackering my knees. But, on the positive side I can bend my thumbs and elbows into really obnoxious angles, and it really turns some people's stomachs! Also, I can clap with my feet - like a seal. Try it...stretch your legs straight, then try to turn your feet inwards, so you can clap the soles together. Great for dinner parties!

3) Despite working in libraries since I was 16, it was not my chosen career. Oh no. It was a future treading the boards for me. I was passionate about the theatre from an early age, exceled in drama at school, was in the school plays, studied Drama for two years on a sort of pre-Drama school foundation course, where we did dance, singing, speech, etc. I even have LAMDA medals....but I knew in my heart I wasn't good enough. I thought I'd do stage management instead - ideal for a perfectionist control freak, and I was the only one on my drama course who could change a plug. But I realised I would be destined for a life in the wings, disappointed that I hadn't been focused enough for the stage, and envying the ones who made it. Girls I was at college with ended up in Nanny, Emmerdale and Cracker.

4) I have a bodhran, but I can't play it. It is decorated. I got it for my 30th birthday. It used to be on my wall so I could just look at it, which filled me with joy.

5) I learnt the words to The Lion and Albert to impress a bloke. He was impressed, but it didn't get me anywhere.

6) I discovered Botero when I was in Colombia this year. Totally my sort of artist. Despite being married to a fella with a Fine Art degree, my taste is art is very low brow, I'm afraid.

So, I now have to tag six other folk, who need to link back to me.....and reveal six random things.....so, over to you Kate, Bev, TKW and all three members of the chasing sheep household.

Knowing me, knowing you....

Pinched from ...tea stains.

1. Where is your mobile? Upstairs, next to my bed. The work mobile is switched off - hurrah
2. Where is your significant other? Work
3. Your hair colour? Basically brown, with blonde and red bits...added, not natural.
4. Your mother? On her way to visit me, apparently.
5. Your father? Ditto
6. Your favorite thing? Reading in bed
7. Your dream last night? Chainsaws...
8. Your dream/goal? Success
9. The room you're in? Living room
10. Your hobby? Mostly sleeping
11. Your fear? Loss
12. Where do you want to be in six years? Up for discussion!
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. What you're not? Very well
15. One of your wish-list items? Thinness
16. Where you grew up? Heston.
17. The last thing you did? Got out of bed
18. What are you wearing? pyjamas
19. Your TV? Love it..
20. Your pets? Two cats
21. Your computer? Dell laptop...tiny...fits in a (large) handbag
22. Your mood? Feed up of being poorly
23. Missing someone? Katie - out of the country so no gossip!
24. Your car? Citroen Picasso
25. Something you're not wearing? Undies! I'm in my pjs
26. Favourite shop? Urban Outfitters at the mo...it'll change
27. Your summer? France
28. Love someone? My daughter
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? This morning - at some Laura did I expect.
31. Last time you cried? Couple of weeks back

Have a go yourself......

So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu...

Goodbye to my tonsils. I go into hospital at midday tomorrow, and by tea time (that's dinner time for you soft southerners) tomorrow I will be less of woman than I was when I went in.

As I have regularly mentioned in this blog, I am an absolute martyr to my tonsils, with anywhere up to four bouts a year. Enough is enough, and they are coming out.

I am only in hospital over night, and then I am off on the sick for a minimum of two weeks. How flippin' brilliant is that? A doctor's note to say that I can switch off the laptop and mobile phone for 10 working days.

I have a stack of books, DVDs, mags, sewing and suduko puzzles, and I am going to jolly well enjoy myself. Well, once the anesthetic wears off and the pain relief drugs kick in.

I may blog...

Especially for you

These are for you, Kevin - to show how much fun it is to work in a public library...



1984/85...Open Day at Hounslow Library. We had moved to the other end of the High Street, into a bunch of pre-fabs, in a car park, next to the careers centre, while the old library was torn down and replaced with a new shopping centre, library and theatre. Guess what..visits and issues went down, so we held an open day to remind people where we were. This included staff dressing up as Postman Pat and Jess the Cat, walking up and down the High Street, handing out balloons and leaflets.



Next stop, Twickenham District Library, summer of 86, just before I migrate up north to do my librarianship degree. The Borough Children's Librarian actually sought me out specially to wear the Spot costume because somebody had spilled the beans that I was game for a laugh. I didn't even work in children's..heck..at that stage I ran the Twickenham Housebound Service. (Shows how seriously they took that service...I was the second most junior library assistant,age 20, and I was responsible for the book selection, and the management of the WRVS volunteers!). The highlight of the day was that access to the staffroom was via the reference library, which was quite a laugh as I came scooting through dressed as a dog. Actually, I'm not sure any of them noticed.




Then, my swansong. Summer of 88, just before my final year at Library School, I went back to Hounslow Library....still in the same pre-fabs, but this was the summer they moved back to the new library. Children's summer programme. The girl with the green hair is actually the assistant children's librarian. I'm the one in the basball cap. I think I was a punkesque clown.




And finally, this one really is for you, Kev. Back to 85 and the Open Day...what better to celebrate libraries than to have a BOOKSALE!! (And the tall lad is my brother, who by that stage was a saturday assistant in same library)

I believe in Father Christmas

OK...Mum, Dad, friends B & M...you win. I WILL start taking Laura to Church tomorrow.

"Mum..is Father Christmas always with us?"

"No, that's God."

"But, does Father Christmas watch over us?"

"No, that's God too."

"But is Father Christmas higher than God."

"No, trust me, Father Christmas is nothing to do with God."

It's just my imagination

So, we had Laura's parent/teacher meeting last week. She has two lovely teachers this year: Mrs B and Mrs L. Mrs B was actually her teacher last year too, so I'm pleased she moved up with the class. We didn't know Mrs L last year, but she is great - very approachable (but also young...I'm struggling with this "professionals in my life who are clearly younger then me" business, and it can only get worse as I age.

Laura is not as advanced as some of her classmates in reading and writing, but they have no concerns, She will apparently get there when she is ready. But, we are informed she is absolutely top of the class as far as her imagination goes. They encourage the children in storytelling, and Laura is so good she actually takes the rest of class along with her in her fantasies.

We are quite used to her vivid imagination at home, but it's nice to see something like this being acknolwedged as useful. Right now, she is downstairs driving to York. Earlier she told us all about the her secret other life as a vampire. Apparently there is a secret door in her bedroom wall. The door and the handle are painted the same colour as her wall, so that is why we haven't seen it. After we have both gone to bed she goes through the door, turns into a bat, and gets into her coffin. "OK" says I. "What's your vampire name?" says Peter. "Alice?" says Laura. "Not very likely" says I. "Vampirer" suggests P. "Rubbish" I say. " makes her sound like she is a vampire in a porn flick. And anyway, neither Dracula nor Orlok gave away their predilections in their name. No, it needs to be gothic. How about Anastasia?" Peter rolled his eyes (probably still thinking about the porn flick). Laura smiled...."Anastasia....yes".

Fame...I wanna live forever

So, my words of wit and wisdom are to be published in another professional journal. I get to be interviewed, by phone, and comment on l*br*ry M*n*gem*nt software. I need to comment on the industry in general, while getting in numerous plugs for the product I manage. This is an intimidating situation already. Usually I give the lovely marketing people a vague idea of what I would like to say, and they go away, craft a masterpiece, then it gets published with my name on it.

But that is not the worst of it. A photograph is required to accompany the article. Of me. Now, I try to avoid having my photo taken at the best of times. The photo I supply is going to have to make me look (in my opinion and in no particular order): intelligent, approachable, authoritative, honest, kind but firm, concerned, articulate, witty, supportive, attentive, friendly....but most of all, NOT FAT.

I'm thinking this one will not do....

God, give me strength

I haven't been circumspect enough about disguising who I am and where I work, which means I can't rant about my colleagues, managers and ...sad to say..customers. Suffice to say it has not been the best of days. I think I need an alternative blog...

Then, to cap it all, I pick up my precious daughter from after-school club, and she is all red faced, and has been tearful all afternoon. She doesn't like club, you see, and wants to be at home with her mummy. And today I found it quite difficult to remember why it is I work f/t....

Ho hum

Red, red wine

or rather, white, white wine. I'm drunk. it's shameful.. I apologise. It has been a bit o' of shite week.

Sitting...the final night

Oh, blimey, how did we get here without mention my third all nighter ...Mel Brooks films...with Blazing Saddles being the favourite. "Is Bismark a Herring?"

And no mention of Monty Python? Brian for choice. Holy Grail in second place, and Meaning of Life third, despite Mr Croesote "Fuck off...I'm full"

And no room for Audrey Tautou and Amelie?

No - the final movie has to be "It's a wonderful life". Too many wonderful moments to mention....but isn't his wife a librarian? Or does she only become that in the sad, no George version of her life?

And look at the image I found...collect your own Bedford Falls! It really is a wonderful life!

Sitting...Parts 10 and 11

Nearly there. Pure slush and feelgood....My Big Fat Greek Wedding.



Then, well, as mum of a small, you have to get used to watching the same movies over and over, day after day. The pentultimate movie in the festival is one I don't mind seeing frequently - Night at the Museum. A Ben Stiller movie, but, if possible, he is almost overshadowed by a supporting cast of Robin Williams, Dick van Dyke, Micky Rooney, Steve Coogan and Rick Gervais, amongst others. Just watch out for the monkey!

Sitting....parts 8 and 9

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement,Kevin, but it's all down hill from here.

You were warned. Next film will have me sat at the front, drooling over the lovely Mr Dafoe - sweaty, grubby and in a uniform! Yep, it's Platoon. Academy award winner, and the lovely Willem was a nominee. And to continue a bit of a theme, it was the first in Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy. More trivia - I've just discovered Johnny Depp was in it. Can't say he made much of an impression on me during the numerous viewings! Oh, and I had the poster on my wall all three years I was a student. And, of course, the beautiful Barber's Adagio for Strings.

Ninth day, and I'm giving you an easier ride now. Let's hear it for Pretty in Pink. Classic (or is that cliched) tale of girl from wrong side of the tracks meets boy from 'right' side. He dumps her through peer pressure, then finally finds the courage to get back with her. All this, an amazing 80's New Wave soundtrack and Harry Dean Stanton. Oh, it is a total nostalgia trip.

Sitting in the back row...part 6 & 7

Now, what film festival would be complete without a foreign movie or two? We're going for an allnighter with Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colours Trilogy. I treat this as one choice, but if pushed, I offere Blue as my favourite, and the first one I ever saw.



After that burst of colour, my next offering is decidedly not foreign. Back to England, and opp north, where, as we all know, it is grim. How about Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. And if any fancies another all night session, I'd press on with more gritty (ish) 60's stuff...A Taste of Honey, anyone? Alfie? Georgy Girl?

Whistle while you work

Or in my case, shove on the headphones and play 80's music at top volume. Bit of preparation required - all my phones (all?? Yes - homeworker has three - home phone, work mobile and personal mobile) have to be in my line of sight so I can "see" them ringing. Actually, it gets very complicated if one does ring, as I use headphones for two of the three phones, so I have to remove one set, and replace with another...which are invariably all tangled up with each other, so I end up struggling to stop something falling off the desk, while trying to answer the phone promptly and in a professional manner(!)

Anyone, the point of the post was to share with you the music I am currently listening to, on a daily basis. This will give Vronni a laugh......click here or here.

And the first person to mention Tranvision Vamp's version of "Tell that girl to shut up" gets a slap.