Good Night Sweet Pea...

Rest in Peace, Pandora my darling.

24 Jul 1989

to

31 Mar 2008

We love you.

Mama cq and Daddy MB

Training

Those readers who visit regularly may remember me going on a training course in January to teach First Aid. I was successful and congratulated on my practical training methods by my trainer.
Then the site invested in a nice new Resusci-Anne torso and defibrillator training unit, and it was over to me.
After a couple of hours of wittering away to myself and playing with the equipment in a room creating lesson scenarios, I came away with a short lesson plan that covered Basic Life Support and defib training.

Last week I delivered my first training sessions on, unfortunately for the odd easter-time, Maundy Thursday. My lovely, but cynical, boss had a wager with me that only a handful of the class would appear given the impending holiday.
But (pokes tongue out at boss) bar a couple, all the prospective students turned up to see me demonstrate and teach CPR and use of the defibrillator in a collapse situation. It was a simple teaching session, no complicated First Aid - that's for another time!
There are currently 7,500 people on our site (on a good day!) in stress-filled jobs and this is predicted to rise to 10,000 over the next four years - so we need lots of people trained in basic life support skills.
Most of my students were not First Aid trained, and didn't have a clue about chest compressions or heart massage - other than myth and TV! So, it was challenging to say the least.

I have got my feedback on the course and it was, without exception, positive and glowing.

Me dun good....

And so it's onto the next session next week.....

cq

A little excitement....

...in an otherwise dull day.

Today was miserable at work. We have a new computer system and today it didn't work at all - hardly at all. We sat there all day, waiting for the computer system to wake up. I filled my time packing boxes for our impending move to another office block.

It was so boring and frustrating, not being able to get on with some proper work.

Then Liz from security came rushing down the corridor.

'There's been an incident in the next building! Someone's collapsed! The ambulance is on the way and have asked for a defib to be made available!'

As I sprinted from my desk she called after me 'In the kitchens!'.

I sprinted across site, my manager in pursuit, running resuscitation scenarios through my mind. I entered the building at the same time as the paramedics, grabbed the defib from the wall and joined them in the kitchen.

After some initial care from the paramedics the girl recovered enough to be removed to the ambulance for further checks. There was, in fact, nothing medically wrong with her.

I put the defib back and went back to waiting for my computer to boot up..........

Dull days, indeed......

cq

Stuff, stuff and more stuff......

After only a year in 14C re-enactment, my luggage is growing......



Fluffy boots and extra blanket is because it is supposed to be going to be -3 and colder this weekend!!

cq

shhh.........

She'll never know........

Lovely and soft this new fleecey thing.......

pandora

Psst! Wanna See........?

What living history re-enactment companies get up to on weekends........?

Martin is a treasonous thief who has been caught, tried and condemned........to be hung from the gate of Pembroke Castle.

The narration is delivered by Nick, aka Lord de Beauchamp, watched over by Young Lord Thomas Hungerford (leaning on his sword). This is the crowning part of the Crime and Punishment session, which includes deliberations on adultery, thieving and treason. The Company are debating having me up for the crime of forgery or light coins this season, but they would have to hang draw and quarter me (the usual punishment for an errant Moneyer!) and I think even that might be beyond our modest SFX!

Don't strain your eyes - the Crazie One is not in this film!
I like this film, videoed by MB, so much I'm leaving it up for a couple of days for everyone to see.
Feel free to link it, comment on it or steal it (david!) with the appropriate acknowledgement.

Update: Saturday
With the new season right around the corner, one's thoughts are totally concentrated on preparation for the first event - Easter weekend at Caerphilly Castle. Add to that the responsibilities of this new junior Council Officer and Membership Officer - and my mind is preoccupied.

We went to the Re-Enactor Market today - very much more successful shopping trip than the last market.
I bought a new stool (finally, my own stool!), a sheepskin to throw over it (which needs 'distressing'!), a water ewer (big enough to use to take water to the soldiery too) and an adorable little handmade wicker basket.

cq

Saturday Night....

It's Saturday night - this week I have been so busy at work during the day, sewing and updating Company paperwork in the evenings....in addition I have had a sick MB at home most of the week.
So blogging and Life have taken a back seat. I even sat hemming my headcovering at work!

But, my chores are up to date. The kitchen is clean, the house is tidy, the laundry is drying on the airer, the smalls are folded and there is a newly made day dress, underdress and headcovering all ready for Battle Practice tomorrow. I admit I did cheat with my day dress, but I will be resewing by hand and unpicking the machine sewing after Battle Practice.

This week was a tremendous toll, but there was a moment of light in the dark......now I know you Yanks love British commercials......turn the volume up....

What do your cats talk about while you are away?
First one:

Second one:


And seen tonight - making me laugh out loud....

[psst - in case you didn't get this last one, it's little normally scaredy dog who becomes supremely confident and 'The Man' in his owner's VW Polo.]

Enjoy

cq

Whirlwind

If I'm not working, or cooking, or clearing up, or sewing...........I'm thankfully asleep.........

Back when I have more than five minutes to catch my breath....

cq

#1 Son

You all know I am unable to have children. It hurts all the more because I lost my first child during pregnancy through no fault of my own. Knowing then what I know now - losing my only chance - I would probably not be here now.

Today is Mother's Day and it is one day of the year I hate and dread.

But every year a little miracle happens. His name is SleepyPete and you can meet him here.

Every year without fail SleepyPete sends me flowers. At the same time he orders them for his real mum, he orders a beautiful bouquet for his pseudo-mum (Mum #2) - me!

Look at this very pretty bouquet - roses, tulips, freesias and beautiful greenery.

Pete - you are my Special Boy. Every year you make this Day bearable and I love you for it.

All my lovely visitors, please go and visit him at the link above and leave a message for this wonderful caring man.

cq

Market Day

Well, it was off to the Living History market today.

Aginoth braved the company of four women, including his wife, Mrs A, and his bestest mate - me!

The market is held twice a year in a big draughty hall. It used to be one huge market, then there was a split and the market broke into two, held in different venues on the same day. Then this year the split got worse and the two markets are now held two weeks apart. This last move is not customer friendly, as if we want to visit both we have to go to Birmingham twice.

Anyway, we went to the Living History Fair today, the Original Re-Enactors' Market is in a fortnight.

We met up with a large group of the Company, all hunting for this and that reproduction or copy equipment. Mrs A was after a new sword, Aginoth was after some new arrows and a new tool box, I was after some coin blanks for the Company and we all wanted material for clothes.

So Bernie the Bolt, the haberdashery friend to the re-enactor, sold us linens and wools in whites, creams, blues, greens, yellows, purples.....we girls are going to be a colouful bunch this season!

In addition to my metres of white and blue linens, I bought 500 blanks for the coin die (which you can read more about here), a set of 14C coins for myself, some thonging (leather strips, every re-enactor must have spare thonging!), a new pouch, a new wooden plate (I love my bowl, but I yearn for a plate!).

I was very restrained in my purchases (for me!) and I still need a pillar candle and a decent jug. I need the jug to hold water during the day and the candle to light our new girly tent in the evenings...three women 'of a certain age' sharing a tent - should be interesting!
We were rather disappointed at the lack of stalls this year, and the Aginoths are heading back up north weekend after next to go to the Re-Enactors Market to get the supplies we couldn't get today. They have promised to look me out a jug and a pillar candle.

So, now begins an orgy of sewing for all of us, to try and get new outfits ready for our first event at Easter - so, needles at the ready?

cq

School 1960 vs School 2007

[sent to me by bionicdwarf]

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1960 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2007 - Police are called, Armed Response Unit arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. Mobiles with video of fight confiscated as evidence. They are charged with assault, ASBOs are taken out and both are suspended even though Johnny started it. Diversionary conferences and parent meetings conducted. Video shown on 6 internet sites.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students
1960 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given 6 of the best. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Drops out of school.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car.
1960 - His Dad gives him the slipper. Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. Psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mum has an affair with the psychologist. Psychologist gets a promotion.

Scenario: Mark, a college student, brings cigarettes to school.
1960 - Mark shares a smoke with the school principal out on the smoking area.
2007 - Police are called and Mark is expelled from school for drug possession. His car is searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Mohammed fails high school English.
1960 - Mohammed retakes his exam, passes and goes to college.
2007 - Mohammed's cause is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation is racist. Civil Liberties Association files class action lawsuit against state school system and his English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Mohammed is given his qualification anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers, puts them in a model plane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.
1960 - Ants die.
2007 - MI5 and police are called and Johnny is charged with perpetrating acts of terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.

Scenario: Johnny falls during break and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him.
1960 - Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy. Becomes gay.

cq

Morning is Breaking....

Most of my readers know I am a re-enactor. I'm reasonably new to the re-enactment life, but there are some very good reasons why I want to keep doing it........Waking up in a reproduction 14C canvas tent, with the light coming through the fabric. Looking up and seeing weaponry and clothing on the 'cartwheel' above our heads.Watching the sun rise through the ruins of a castle many hundreds of years old that is our home for a couple of days.The start of a simpler day in the life......

Yeah - that's why I do it........

cq

Katty R&R

Once I had had my couple of days off on Monday and Tuesday the rest of this week has been one rush of constant activity. With two people off in our office, the workload has doubled and I spent the first day catching up on the work I missed on Monday and Tuesday. I enjoyed the opportunity to disengage - but I've been paying for it the rest of the week. Add in late evenings out all week - from re-enactment Living History meeting to the cinema with my Crazie Boys - I am now really tired!

My friend Bobkat has been working way too hard, and has barely found time to relax or switch off. We made a date to get together on Valentine's Day, as both our significant others were away.

Last night I turned up at her house with a 'Girlies Night In' bag, containing a delivery pizza menu, chocolate and a selection of DVDs.
She was very selfless and offered to watch 'Across the Universe', my new DVD that I am crazy about.
So, we gorged on pizza, snacked on chocolate and watched a film. Bobkat actually stopped dancing on the water (a reference from another of my favourite films) and sat still for two hours....albeit on the edge of her seat!
R&R is always good....

Every little helps......and I got to watch my all-time favourite film again!
I've been singing this to myself all day while wading through paperwork...

Sadie had just told JoJo, her guitarist and lover, that she is planning to go solo..

cq

Visiting Boo

Well, it's all booked! On the 24th April cyberkitten and I are travelling across the pond to see silentmum and Boo.

Before they emigrated, silentmum was my best friend and constant companion and Boo is my god-daughter. I haven't seen my gal-pal or my Boo for five years, so I think this is going to be a bit of a culture shock.

Boo was the original Child-Crazie. She was adored by the group and always had a hand to hold or a lap to sit on. cyberkitten has a photo in his house of him dancing with Boo - the only time I have ever seen ck dance in the eight years I have known him is with the little 3yr old heartbreaker.

Finances has prevented me visiting Canada so far, but now I am in a position to go visit. MB was invited but declined, and cyberkitten jumped at the chance of seeing his young dance-partner again.

What we have to remember is this sweet little girl.....

is now this self-possessed Navy Cadet........
..because we have missed 5yrs...mind you, it doesn't feel like 5yrs!

btw - Boo's nickname came from Monsters Inc. When the little girl appeared we all recognised that cheeky face, the brown hair and the infectious laugh - so our little girl became Boo.

cq

Safe House

Both me and MB are Health and Safety bods - I'm in occupational Health and Safety (H&S in the workplace) and MB is in munitions safety (things that go bang!).

Sometimes our living room really defines our occupations..........

His hi-vis jacket and other bits and bobs ready for a week's inspection tour. My resusci-Annie and Automated External Defibrillator trainer ready for me to put together some lesson plans for training staff at work.......ain't we just dedicated H&S bods :-)

And on a totally different subject.....

Monday is the day Across the Universe is released Across the Kingdom. (You lucky US-ers got it on the 5th!) Me and cyberkitten have waited for this day as eagerly as we waited for the release date for the CD (which I am still wearing out!)

I mean - hello? - is this possibly the most beautiful version of 'Because' ever sung?

Or there's the touching rendition of 'I want to hold your hand', the stunning 'My guitar gently weeps', the haunting version of 'Prudence' or the amazing 'I am the Walrus' (Bono) or 'For the Benefit of Mr Kite' (Eddie Izzard). Then there's the convincing acting by young singers/actors not even born in the days when these songs were first hits.

[taps purse] I'm ready!!

cq

Irony

Wouldja look at this lovely phone - all shiny and purple.....

Isn't it just ever so pretty........?

Yeah - but it's not mine..........it's MB's new phone - he's got a purple phone.........!! [looks outraged]

[mutter] I tried everything to get a purple phone when I was on contract and no one gave me one....[mutter]

cq

Widgets and Whales

Wow, nothing happens, then everything happens at once!

First of all, have you seen the new widget on my sidebar? It's a little fundraiser widget linked to my Race for Life fundraising page.

I have registered to take part in the 2008 Race for Life on 14th June at Lydiard Park (same as last year - here). I just pray it doesn't chuck it down with rain on the day (you can read more here)! This year I will be proudly wearing the name Minerva again, with the word WINNER next to it.

As the 'Race' is in June, there is plenty of time for all my friends and family to pledge or donate money to Cancer Research. This year I have set my target at £500, so I am hoping lots of people will sponsor me.

More on this later.

And cyberkitten and I have decided on the dates to visit Vancouver to see silentmum and Boo. Happily, the dates fall into the new whale-watching season - so we're gonna see some Orcas! I have never seen killer whales in real life - ever......this is HUGE!!

I'm just speechless with excitement.........

cq

It's all in the numbers...

I had an idle wondering recently, as visitors come and go........

I have been blogging for a while now and I had the thought - how many of my many, many posts have not warranted a comment.....?

I have blogged 782 times since Sept 2005.

Over 782 posts, only 6 show up with no comments at all. That is a stunning number.

You know, without all of you, this would just be me blethering on about nothing much at all. But with you putting your tuppence worth in, even when dragged here kicking and screaming by Michele [grin], with your humour and humanity you have helped make the Palace a really nice place to hang out.

Update: lots of people have asked how I got the numbers in this post. Well, if you go into your blogger dashboard and click on 'Posts' (next to Settings and Template), it will tell you how many posts you have made on that blog and lists the posts. When the listing comes up, it shows numbers of comments next to the posts. I admit, I did scan through and picked up the ones showing '0' comments.

cq

Road Rage

Yesterday I saw my first honest to God case of Road Rage. I was not directly involved, but nearly got hauled in because I was behind the Rager.


We have dual carriageway in built up areas which, unlike rural roads, can have speed limits as low as 40 or even 30 miles an hour. The road I was on has a lot of sliproads and entry ways and has a speed limit set at 40, so those driving on through stay in the outside lane. This means you get people wanting to plough on through at speed and the other, more law-abiding folks, who stay in the outside lane at the correct speed.

So, there we were. Miss Law-Abiding, tootling along in the outside lane at about 39 mph. Behind her, Mr Law-Breaker, is sitting on her bumper waving frustratedly at her. Behind him is good old cq, heading home after a long day.

When she saw a suitable opportunity, and obviously aware of the gesticulating male behind her, Miss Law-Abiding pulled into the left lane, to allow Mr Law-Breaker to go on through.

At which point I couldn't believe my eyes. Mr Law-Breaker, in his red Seat Altea (perhaps the wife's car!) suddenly veered in front of her and slammed his brakes on with about an inch to spare. I pulled ahead, not wanting to be caught in a pile-up or make the situation worse. In my rearview mirror I could see him yelling and screaming at her, waving his fists and leaning across his car. He put his car half way across the dividing line, hence creating a barrier to both lanes, and then slowed right down to about ten miles an hour holding back all the traffic.

Realising that being distracted so was causing my driving to deteriorate, I concentrated on the road and drove home, thinking over what I had just seen.

I admit, I get impatient on the road, I curse slow drivers and inconsiderate drivers. I get annoyed when I see people not paying attention, using mobile phones, fiddling with satnavs or even personal grooming (I have seen drivers shaving, women combing their hair and even men reading the paper while driving!).

Then I thought, who was the real bad driver in this whole affair? Miss Law-Abiding who, although mildly annoying, was only obeying the law. She was keeping to the speed limit, driving safely and was aware of her environment. Mr Law-Breaker was rude, abusive, inconsiderate, drove dangerously, threatened and risked innocent people's lives while he let his temper loose.

Have you seen or experienced road rage?

cq

It's Summer and the Living is Easy

I had a bit of a clear out of our kitchen pinboard and took down a newspaper cutting that my mother sent to me years ago.

With (admittedly light!) snow forecast for us in the next couple of days, and the ensuing traffic chaos 'cos no one seems to know how to drive in 1/4" of snow here.......I give you all 'thoughts of Summer'......

An electric hedge-trimmer is competing in a decibel contest with a petrol lawnmower. The cacophony is exacerbated by the buzz of a strimmer and the piercing sound of an electric drill.

The distorted electronic wail of the ice-cream vendor invites a bribe from the disinterested parent, as the volume of music playing at another pseudo-Californian barbeque is drowned out by a bitter argument.

Sweating neighbours and family members are slouched in plastic chairs on uneven patios. Others wait impatiently as friends studiously ignore the new decking, thoughtlessly positioned close to a neighbouring property. They will talk long into the night, their conversation slowly reduced by alcohol to meaningless, unintelligible garbage, interspersed with drunken laughter and mindless expletives.

The delightful chatter of children, mindful of their parents advice to respect the Sabbath, is a sad, distant memory. Now, a strange hissing sound announces the arrival of a grotesque structure. A lurid inflatable castle rises up like a cartoon nightmare. The wall of noise begins to close in around the night shift worker desperate for a few hours' sleep.

Smoke from the barbeque wafts around the neighbourhood, as the stench of overcooked burgers fills the air. The slamming of car doors heralds the discharge from another visit to the supermarket. Across the road, the departure for the 'theme' pub to celebrate another decree absolute is loudly proclaimed.

The gently, echoing clop of a horse passes by unheard. Welcome to a summer Sunday in the 21st Century.

Written by Tim Carbus of Guiseley West Yorks and published in the Daily Mail.

Now, come on - doesn't that all just make you yearn for long summer days.....?

cq

[representing local chapter of Cynics Anonymous)