Livestock in the fridge

Cleaned out the fridge today - nothing remarkable in that, except for the surprising discovery that a spider had made its home in there! How weird is that? I liberated it to the Great Outdoors.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, it wasn't a big fat hairy spider but the legs were about half an inch long and so spindly to be almost transparent.

The Weekend: Good News/Bad News

Saturday morning I went over the allotment to harvest a couple of lovely healthy, hearty cabbages for Cell Group lunch tomorrow then got on with making desserts: apple crumble, gluten-free tiramisu and a large lemon cheesecake.

Bev rang and invited me to a concert with her tonight in Reading in aid of Hope Asia, a small charity supporting an orphanage in Cambodia. Bev’s friends’ daughter Alice is a student singer/songwriter, and her music teacher helped organise the concert featuring those of her students who wished to participate. There were varying levels of talent – a couple of them (including Alice) were very good. Besides a few songs written by the performers, the repertoire varied from ancient hymns (‘I vow to thee my country’; ‘Amazing Grace’) to songs from musicals, to classics such as Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Sounds of Silence’.

Last night’s concert had set me thinking about another singer/songwriter I knew (from St Mary’s, the church I attended before moving to The Beacon), and with her already in my thoughts, it was a delightful surprise to see her at church Sunday morning. She hasn’t had the breakthrough she’s been looking for with her music, but gave me a 4 track CD of her work. She’s got a lovely voice (think Katie Mellua meets Dido meets Joss Stone). Only hope the success she deserves comes her way soon. You can check out her music here. (This link will take you off this page – you can select a track to listen to).

We had 50+ sitting down to eat for Cell group lunch – it’s a very popular event.

When I got home and checked my emails, it was to discover that my application for the admin post has been unsuccessful.

Sod's Law*

I was due to meet up with friends for lunch at noon in town today and planned to make Vic a fruit cake before I went. The recipe requires that you simmer the fruit, sugar, fluid, butter and spice on the stove for a few minutes then allow it to cool before adding the flour and egg. I left the kitchen and got busy elsewhere whilst it was cooling, and forgot about it until about ten past eleven, at which point I completed the process, turned it into a cake tin and put it in the oven. Unfortunately this didn’t really leave enough time for it to bake fully before I was due to leave to walk into town. I took it out of the oven early, eased it out of the cake tin and put it in the microwave to finish it off. Sadly the result belonged on cakewrecks, if I’m honest! (If you follow this link it will take you to another blog – a highly amusing one. You can use the back button on your browser to return to this page).

Of course, as things turned out, I could very well have waited patiently for the cake to finish baking in the oven and still been on time … I walked into town and met with D_ at the appointed hour – and we sat there for a good 20 minutes waiting for B_, J_ and R_ to join us. P_ never did make it.

Our party moved off to the selected pub where we studied the menu and the Specials board. D_ can’t eat onions, so there was some to-ing and fro-ing before the order was placed to everybody’s satisfaction, D_ opting for the battered cod, but substituting mash for chips. When the waitress brought his plate, the chef had missed the substitution and dished up cod and chips. D_ sent it back, but the waitress soon returned to explain that there was no mash left, and it would take half an hour before more could be ready. B_ had selected the Chicken & bacon pie and mash from the Specials board, and hadn’t started eating at this point. She volunteered to swap her mash for D_’s chips. The waitress went away with both plates and returned with the substitutions made … except D_ had no peas on his plate. Had there been some on there before the substitution was made? I couldn’t tell you, but B_ was adamant there had been. The waitress dutifully carried the plate back to the kitchen for a portion of peas. At last it seemed everyone was satisfied and began to eat … but D_ cut into his fish only to discover it wasn’t fully cooked! We called the waitress over yet again, and eventually she returned with a fresh piece of cod (plus the peas and mash). I’m hosting and cooking for our next lunch date when our mutual friend A_ will be visiting from his home north of the border – and hope that luncheon date** is not so fraught with error as today’s experience!

*Sod's Law, also known as Murphy's Law and Finagle's Law, states that 'if anything can go wrong, it will'

**PS Happily everything went extremely well and we all thoroughly enjoyed the lunch I hosted and catered for. It was a warm, friendly, relaxed experience with ample to eat and much merriment. Phew!

Songs from a Dome

I was introduced to Leonard Cohen’s music by a Canadian friend when I was 15, and have played it regularly down the years – usually when no one else is around as no one else in my family appreciates that distinctive voice. Vic claims Cohen’s music is depressing! Yes, really! I know, unbelievable, isn’t it?

I had never imagined I would one day get the opportunity to see a live performance. Then earlier this year I read an article explaining that he was going on tour again, after about 15 years away from the stage. A rave review of his opening concert decided matters, and today I was a very lucky girl, getting to see him at the O2 Arena (formerly called The Millennium Dome). I went with a friend and we were up there so early we had time to catch a film beforehand. We settled on Easy Virtue – the film based on a play by Noel Coward. Very amusing – I can recommend it.

After a pleasant meal, it was time for the main feature! I overheard a conversation where somebody was saying the O2 Arena holds 20,000 people – and it wasn’t far off capacity. It seems I’m not so alone after all in my continued enjoyment of the phenomenon that is Leonard Cohen. The sprightly way he skipped on-stage (to rapturous applause) belied his 70+ years. Beginning at 8 pm with a short break of maybe 20 minutes in the middle, he and the band entertained with song after song – the vocals excellent, the music of fantastic quality - right through until around 11.20 pm. I’m not too proud to admit I went to a Roger Whittaker concert a few years ago but I confess I left halfway through that as I found it hard to listen to a voice that to me sounded cracked with age like a face on which the years have drawn a deep signature. I had wondered whether tonight’s concert would be similarly disappointing. I needn’t have worried. Cohen’s voice still has a special power and energy to it, he reaches those low notes with ease and maintains breath magnificently to the end of every phrase. It was a fabulous show!

‘Dance me to the end of Love’ - the opening number - has a lovely lilting melody and rhythm to it. You can watch a video and listen to the song for free if you click here. (Following this link will take you off this blog to the video page of Leonard Cohen’s official website. Scroll down to 'Dance me to the End of Love' and click on the blue HI).
PS Went to see the 2012 tour yesterday, 9th September, at Wembley Arena - another wonderful evening of entertainment.

Autumn Leaves

Glorious sunshine today – the autumn colours look luscious against the crisp blue sky.

Put in a couple of dance practice sessions, working on the fan and hockey stick figures in the cha cha cha (which I struggled with Monday night).

Good pace, good fun, good news!

Changed tactics for my swimming session today, putting in just 10 lengths but at a fairly good pace. (I’d left it a bit late, and the session was closing so I didn’t have sufficient time to swim more).

Christina asked if I’d make up a handout of the main points from Mark’s sermon for Cell group tomorrow night. I turned it into an illustrated booklet on communication, which was quite fun and earned me some ‘brownie points’.

Good news! I rang the DVLA and my licence was granted on the 8th November and is in the post. I’m allowed to drive again! Independence! Whilst it has been good for the environment and good for me to walk or cycle, over the winter when the weather can be so grotty it makes a big difference to be able to jump in the car and drive. My first trip was to deliver a box of Thornton’s Winter Choccies and a thank you card to Dr Y_ and his secretary for their assistance in my application to have my licence renewed (see blog entry for 4th November).

Over the allotment today I pulled the last of the beetroot and picked two healthy portions of Brussels sprouts.

From Powerpoint to Cha cha cha

High winds and heavy rain today, but happily a friend was able to give me a lift to Rachel’s house for my lesson on Powerpoint. The rain had eased off by the time I came out, even though I wasn’t there long, and the bus was waiting for me at the stop.

In the evening at the Improvers’ dance class I didn’t seem to be picking up the cha cha cha routine very quickly. However … I have now bought Anton’s Dance Class which takes you through step by step. Perhaps by next week I’ll be up to speed.

‘Inspire’ Ladies’ Day

The Ladies’ Day began at 2 pm – on arrival we were greeted with coffee and home-made cakes, and given a Pashmina each as a gift. Here I am wearing mine. I was amused by the laundry instructions: Dry Clean Only In Cold Water. Not quite sure how that works – if you’ve got any ideas, please let me know!

During Beverley’s teaching, she spoke about how, if God is calling us to do something, even if we don’t feel fully ready, He will fill in the gaps. This week I’ve sent off an application for a part-time (12 hours a week) admin role. The job description specified someone who has ‘knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, particularly Powerpoint’. (I suppose it means MS Office, particularly Outlook and Powerpoint). I had hesitated to apply as I haven’t had much occasion to use Powerpoint and don’t feel fully proficient in it. I was sitting with Christina, and in the break spoke to her about it. Rachel was sitting nearby and overheard – it turns out she teaches MS Office and she offered me a lesson to brush up my skills!

After the worship and teaching, we sat down to a scrumptious three course meal, then had fun singing along to Mamma Mia!

Frustration in the morning, delight later

On 16th September I applied for my driving licence to be renewed (a previous application in August was unsuccessful as it was less than three months since the relapse). I phoned the DVLA to enquire into progress today and was advised that as the medical questionnaire sent out to Dr Y_ on the 1st October had not been returned, a further form was sent on 29th October. I penned a letter to Dr Y_ expressing my anger and frustration at the delay and hand-delivered it. Then I bought some Thornton’s ‘Winter Choccies’ for some self-indulgent comfort eating and went to see the film ‘High School Musical 3’. I thought it would be a real ‘feelgood’ movie. Disappointingly it didn’t do a lot for me.

In the evening I attended the Wholeness through Spirituality meeting – this was the third time the group has been held, but the first time I’ve been able to attend as the other meetings clashed with dance classes. Tonight Stuart was facilitating, and the theme was Rain. I was delighted to find somebody I met earlier in the year to whom I’d sent an invitation had come along with her mother.

Cool Cat

Last week I received a phone call asking if I’d be willing to join a Focus group today at The Ridgewood. The Trust is looking to recruit to an associate directorship position and besides the interview, the short-listed candidates will give a brief presentation to the Interview Panel and face questions from three Focus groups (peers/professionals, service users/carers, staff). The Ridgewood isn’t the easiest place to get to by public transport for 9 am so they organised a taxi for me. It arrived just after 8 am, far earlier than anticipated (the journey takes maybe 20 minutes or so). I was still in the shower! Quickly I threw some clothes on and went out to speak to the driver – he was happy to wait whilst I dried my hair and got ready.

We arrived at The Ridgewood before the receptionist and it occurred to me that nobody had told me where to go or who to ask for. This Norwegian Forest cat stalked through the door with me and settled himself comfortably in the waiting room (see photo), so I followed suit. Eventually the receptionist arrived and managed to discover where I was supposed to go. In theory there should have been 5 service users or carers in the Focus group but in practice just two of us made it – last week when I hadn’t heard any more about the transport arrangements, I’d phoned and persisted until I’d got through to somebody who was able to confirm the taxi had been arranged, but it would appear that no one had followed through and advised the other service users of the details. Barbara P_ (one of the friends with whom I meet for coffee once a month) had made her own way there. We weren’t best impressed with the disorganisation.

One of my questions to each candidate was: Imagine an award ceremony where you’re being presented with an award ...

1. what accomplishment can you envisage receiving an award for;
2. who in the audience (eg. family, friends, work colleagues, members of the community or service users) do you think would be applauding most enthusiastically;
3. how long before this might take place?
   
   Afterwards we gave our feedback to the HR facilitator, had lunch and got the taxi home again. I enjoyed the buzz I got from the morning.