satguru 
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Is there actually a bank holiday diversion sending people from London to Bedford (one line, now reaching back to Brighton as well) via Reading? I am hoping Jonathan was actually in Berkshire already or we are falling behind the public transport systems of Greenland and Burkina Faso (actually I think that one probably happened a couple of years ago already)?
The best I did (and scheduled, being the only known route) was Stratford on Avon to London, around 100 miles. This first took me on the branch line (as it's at the end of one) to Oxford, and as that in turn is not on the proper main line my train (and probably many more) could go no further than Reading (although it may have been carrying on the same line to Southampton) so changed again for Paddington.
Apparently there's an associative process in brains (I heard this on the radio last week) and mine is way too sensitive. At least I've finally learnt why though and can be very useful if used consciously and not run by it...
Reply #4321. Dec 28 11, 8:26 PM
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| veronikkamarrz
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Sounds very anxiety ridden, to me...I hope all goes well, and you and J can have a chuckle...:)
Reply #4322. Dec 28 11, 10:11 PM
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| lesley153
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| Definitely looking to Burkina Faso for inspiration. I think he was actually in Wokingham, and needed to get the bus to Reading to get on a real train. He's been here for a day and a half and we've talked a lot and done a few things. London trip today and he's going back for a rehearsal at 2pm tomorrow. Nothing if not short and sweet. |
Reply #4323. Dec 29 11, 5:20 AM
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satguru
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Not so bad considering. I think a London-Bedford via Reading would have made a newspaper or two. Funny you mentioned Wokingham, I made a pilgrimage this year (I do every time I'm in the area) to the house I spent a weekend in in 1970 there and went from Waterloo with one of the most attractive girls I knew (who was about a foot taller and two years older than me and definitely not interested) who had been staying with us and repaid the compliment by me going back with her. We stopped at Bracknell first where her father worked, and saw a photocopier for the first time ever in his office where we spent some time photocopying our hands. I was then introduced to porridge oats in cold milk and golden syrup for breakfast the next day (I must do that again now) and tried to learn archery in their friend's garden (it was a stately home more or less) but couldn't even reach the target let alone hit it.
She ended up dropping out of school and getting pregnant soon after at about 18, how the mighty fall...
Reply #4324. Dec 29 11, 5:30 PM
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| lesley153
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Three must be some reason why poor little rich children, with everything in their laps and nothing to aim for, end up falling apart.
We met my cousin and second cousin at the St Pancras champagne bar (not my idea) and then WALKED to Carnaby Street for lunch. We finished eating at about four, and walked to Drury Lane for coffee. After that, we walked to Piccadilly Circus and then to Oxford Circus where we all got on the tube but in different directions. Jonathan and I went one stop to Warren Street to pick up some turkey pastrami and viennas in Sainsbury, then walked back to St Pancras.
I've been in touch (again) with my cousin for a while, and Jonathan and his newly-discovered third cousin, who live two or three miles apart in S London, plan to keep in touch and get together. A very good day. :) |
Reply #4325. Dec 29 11, 5:53 PM
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satguru
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I could do with a new cousin or two locally as well. I did just get one hook up to the family tree but like a quarter of them was in Australia, why I didn't know her. I do know her brother and parents as they've been over here but she didn't. I think my mother's family is so well documented we'd have a job finding any more, besides the recent discovery John Benjamin from Antiques Roadshow is my 4th cousin (borderline but did know my other one on the branch) and got in touch with him, but hasn't offered to meet us yet. My father is the only one in his family for 200 miles except one cousin so pretty well reached the end of that road. I have no first cousins anyway and the second cousins all around me barely bothered with me since they were born (I'm the oldest), go figure.
Reply #4326. Dec 29 11, 9:08 PM
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MarchHare007
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I've seen well off kids go up And down. They're just like any other kids - subject to their own whims and fancies. Admitedly there were the kids constantly 'bailed out' till Daddy became tired of it and let them stew....
Nothing to strive for must be a had rock to climb.
David - I'd be happy to offer you some extra cousins, except I don't want them either!
Family I guess is important in it's own way - that blood-link- and history is supposed to make one feel all accepted and 'nice' but in a crisis?
I'd take friends every time. :)
Reply #4327. Dec 29 11, 10:49 PM
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| lesley153
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I think family gives you roots, if you're lucky. That doesn't mean they'll be useful, or considerate, or honest, or sane. I've got cousins, on both sides of the family, I never want to see again. You're welcome to both of them!
Years ago, I bought sprog a tiny electronic metronome, which I think he's taken now, and a Wittner "Super-Mini" classic wind-up one, which he's left. I remember paying a surprisingly high price for it, but couldn't remember how much, and I was curious, so I had a look round.
There's an independent music shop in Huddersfield selling it for £41.50.
There's another music shop, that doesn't want us to know where it is, selling it through Amazon at £55.
And look - there's an independent music shop in Ohio that says the list price is just short of $60 but they're selling it for $35.49.
Rip-off Britain? can there be any doubt? |
Reply #4328. Dec 30 11, 7:23 AM
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| lesley153
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Recovered from all the walking round London. New Year's Eve party tonight.
Happy new year everyone. Let 2012 be better than 2011. |
Reply #4329. Dec 31 11, 11:00 AM
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| veronikkamarrz
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Have fun, Lesley. I'm staying home...Where the only crazy person is, ME!:)
Reply #4330. Dec 31 11, 11:07 AM
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| lesley153
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| Thanks, VM. That's what I normally do, so going out will make a nice change. I'm fairly confident that everyone else there will be crazy too. HNY! |
Reply #4331. Dec 31 11, 11:26 AM
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Jazmee27
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Enjoy yourself, Lesley :) Wish I were going out, too, but can't be helped.
Reply #4332. Dec 31 11, 1:25 PM
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bloodandsand
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Have a good night, Lesley. I'm staying in this year, just about to put my pyjamas on now :)
Reply #4333. Dec 31 11, 1:46 PM
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| lesley153
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| Thanks, you two. It was OK - lots of food and drink and not too many people. One of the guests managed to annoy almost everyone there (there's always one, isn't there?), but he left fairly early so that was OK. I was wide awake when I left at four but I think I'm starting to be a bit sleepy now - 4.40. Wonder if it's too early to try to sleep? |
Reply #4334. Dec 31 11, 10:37 PM
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MarchHare007
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Power nap, Lesley? :D Happy New Year.
Beautiful day here. Looks like summer arrived with the fireworks!
Reply #4335. Dec 31 11, 10:51 PM
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| lesley153
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| Power nap - perfect solution! zzzzzzzzzz |
Reply #4336. Dec 31 11, 11:01 PM
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Jazmee27
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Mom didn't sleep until 4.15, and Grandma only got home at 2:30.
Reply #4337. Jan 01 12, 12:06 PM
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| lesley153
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Good for them! Fun being a stop-out, isn't it?
The hosts were father and son. Their daughter/sister is abroad and their wife/mother died in August. Son is a professional musician, and he sang and played for us, very nicely indeed.
Then one of the guests sat at the piano and launched into a series of songs she'd written herself. The first one was something about a reunion between mother and son, with words like "Is it really you?" repeated rather too many times, and "Can I touch you?" "Can I call your name?" The second song was about what a good summer it had been. Someone told me that there were three songs but I'd long switched off by then.
I was sitting close to her. Her singing and her piano were very loud and OK but not as good as the host's, my head was starting to protest at the noise, and my brain was protesting at the mawkish, gut-wrenching words and tedious tunes... I looked up and saw people quietly standing up and walking into the kitchen while she continued thumping and groaning.
I joined them. Almost immediately, a hairy-faced man in a tweed suit, who had introduced himself to guests by telling a bad jokes in bad taste, invited me to talk a bit louder because we could still hear her. My immediate thought was that he doesn't like her singing either, but it became apparent that he was being sarcastic, just not very well. Later I found out that he was her husband.
If you accept an invitation to a party being thrown by a professional musician, and you announce your intention to entertain the guests, do you have the right to expect them to maintain silence for your performance?
If you are playing where the woman of the house was ill for a while, and died recently, do you have a duty to exercise a modicum of tact in your choice of songs? |
Reply #4338. Jan 01 12, 5:47 PM
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Jazmee27
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I'd say so, but what do I know? (For those who can't tell, I'm being sarcastic)
Reply #4339. Jan 01 12, 7:48 PM
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Jazmee27
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Perhaps the best songs are those with no lyrics?
Reply #4340. Jan 01 12, 7:49 PM
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