Saturday Night at the Movies

Saturday Night at the Movies is my opportunity to chat about my favourite films. Fun, serious, noisy, violent, good or terrible - my tastes are most eclectic.

This week's choice is definitely a 'Saturday night movie'. A couple cartons of popcorn, a few beers and this is the movie you would shove onto the DVD player.......

Right up there with my All-Time Favourite Movies, Cry-Baby was Johnny Depp's (JD to his bloggerfans) first starring role. He was chosen by unorthodox film-maker John Waters to star alongside his regular actors Mink Stole, Troy Donohue, Ricki Lake and Traci Lords. Also in this fantastic rock and roll film is Iggy Pop, Susan Tyrell, Willem Dafoe and Polly Bergen.

Wade 'Cry Baby' Walker is the leader of a gang of Drapes in 50's small town America, with his sister Pepper (Ricki), and their friends Hatchet Face, Milton and Wanda. Baldwin is the defacto leader of the Squares (mainly his singing group The Whiffles), but his girlfriend Allison is bored of being a Square and dreams of being with Cry Baby. Allison gets the chance when Cry Baby sweeps her off her feet to a Drape night out, but heartbreak ensues when the police swoop and arrest the Drapes. Allison is let off because her grandmother (Polly Bergen) is 'a good and beautiful woman' [chuckle] but Cry Baby goes to juvenile detention.

Allison has to choose between sneaky Baldwin (an extremely cute Stephen Mailer) and the juvenile jailbird Cry Baby.

Sit back, put this on the DVD player. Enjoy the unusual take on Romeo and Juliet, the performances and the fabulous soundtrack....

Ah, an excellent opportunity for another photo of JD....


'Just one single salty tear is all they'll suck out of this Cry Baby'

In answer to Carli, this is not hardcore Waters. And yes, Patty Hearst was in this movie, playing Wanda (Traci Lords) Woodward's mother.

cq

Blog Fodder #12

Firstly, good luck to Moogie's daughter, Meelie, today for the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart Program. She is jumping in honor of her Papa and has raised more than $100 over her target!

Good Luck , Meelie!!

Blog Fodder ~ fighting blogger's block one post at a time!

Blog Fodder #12 is courtesy of my friend, Laquet over at Chez Le Laquet.

What do you see when you look out of your living room / kitchen / bedroom window? You can do this with photos if you would like.

I'm sitting in my armchair using my laptop. [peers out of living room window] I see bushes/shrubs which are designed to afford us some privacy (we live in a very small cul-de-sac). I can see my neighbour's car through the shrubs.....and lots of grey cloudy sky with a tiny bit of blue.

My kitchen window? That affords me a wonderful view of our lovely neighbours' new conservatory. They have it all kitted out with plants, heaters, candles and stuff and it looks amazing. Neil said recently that they have pretty much used it every day since it was completed!

cq

Saturday Market

On Saturday I accompanied Aginoth, Mrs Aginoth and two friends to the National Living History Fayre in Warwick.

These are wonderful places, with stalls selling re-enactment and living history stuff from every possible era. Roman soldiers rub shoulders with Tudor women, dandies converse with medieval knights. I love these markets, and there is always something to see.

This season, there were duelling knights with a prize available. Wherever I walked in the huge hall, I was accompanied by the sound of clashing swords and the banging of shields. With the yells of the audience and the screaming of the umpire, all that was missing was the smell of horse manure………
Good, eh??

Anyway, we were there on a mission. The Aginoths needed cloth to make new clothes for the children and Mrs A, and Aginoth needed a new longbow (or so he said! [wink]). Our friends had various needs, and also purchased a longbow from the Dutch bowyers who have recently begun trading at the show.

My own purchasing needs were modest (they have to be, I have no money!). I found Bernie the Bolt (the cloth salesman) had my dress cloth for sale, so I bought a metre so I can drop my hem a couple of inches. No more flashing my ankles and feet and being teased by the boys!

I also needed a tapestry frame (not found anywhere at the show, so we’ll look at the next one!) and brass needles (bought two!) – I know, I know; last of the big spenders……….

While debating my backstory (widow from the Hundred Year War found on the roadside, just with the clothes on her back ‘and scratching’ – the last from my intended employer!!) I asked Aginoth if I would have a weapon to protect myself. He agreed and suggested a bollock dagger.
‘A WHAT?’ I hear you ask.
I was toying with running this as a contest, but anyone can google or wiki ‘bollock dagger’…….

So go on, google it! :-)

cq

A Song for Sunday

This week's song is a trip down memory lane for me.

Paper Lace were a Nottingham based band who enjoyed three weeks at #1 in 1974 with this song. Definitely a crowd pleaser, there wasn't a single teenage girl in the UK who didn't know all the lyrics to this song. Although it was released in the US, it only reached #96 so this might be new to my American Blogbuddies, even though it's 30 odd years old.

In my previous post I mentioned my favourite thing as a child was Church Camp. Well, our Church Camp had a talent night on the last night, an opportunity for young singers, comedians, monologuers and various odd talents to parade their abilities in front of their peers. Some were stunning, some were wonderful, some were downright cringeworthy.

When I was 11 I got up in front of all the guys at Camp and sang this song. Apart from school musicals, this was the first time I had ever sung in public. No music, no support, just me standing there alone on the makeshift stage in the marquee singing my favourite song.

I have always adored this song. I've always known the words and can still sing along to it 32 years later.

Enjoy!!

cq

Saturday Night at The Movies

This week's movie is one you can't buy or rent. You won't see it in the picturehouse and probably would miss it when it is rarely shown on TV.

Panthergirl - I checked; it isn't on Netflix either.........don't be misled by the Falk film, it's not that one!

I have a copy on video, as I casually videoed it one night because it has one of my fave actors in it. Now that video is one of my prized possessions, 'cos I can't get this film anywhere else.

What is this rare film? Roommates, starring Eric Stoltz, Randy Quaid and Elizabeth Pena. In my modest opinion, as far as AIDS films go, this beats Philadelphia hands down (sorry, Tom!).

Stoltz and Quaid play two men who have contracted AIDS. One, a gay man, was infected during casual sex, the other, a heterosexual man, was infected by a blood transfusion. Pena, who runs the AIDS hostel, puts the two men in the same apartment, thinking they will have a benefit on each other.

This is a disturbing insight into life with AIDS. It is frank and unapologetic. There is no drastic loss of weight by the main players, they rely on their incredible acting skills to convey the physical debilitation of a terminal illness, not to mention the heartache and fear.

In the middle of all this heartbreak, the two men bond and develop a deep and honest friendship, which lasts up to and beyond death. Out of necessity, the men learn to depend on each other and to reveal their deepest darkest fears.

And the final kicker? This is not only a true story, but a privately financed film by the parents and family of one of the men.

cq

Blog Fodder #11

This week’s Blog Fodder Topic is brought to us by Suzanne, over at Contemblogging and it's one of my favourite conundrums!

Which is worse? Poor manners or poor grammar? Why?

Always - poor manners.

Poor grammar can be a result of many factors, some of which the individuals have no control over.

But it takes no effort to hold the door, say please and thank you and to be polite.

People may try to excuse bad manners, citing environment or nurture, but to me that is no reason.

There is no excuse for poor manners.

cq

Q&A

Passed to me from Bobkat :-)

Name: cq

1. What time did you get up this morning? 0630
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Pearls are supposed to make your skin glow – or somesuch.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? I don't remember, but I finally saw The Libertine on TV earlier this week.
4. What is your favourite TV show? atm? NCIS.
5. What did you eat for breakfast? I don’t eat breakfast
6. What is your middle name? The only people who know that are my Crazies, Bobkat and Mamahog - it's a Secret.
7. What is your favourite cuisine? Thai
8. What foods do you dislike? Meat - bleurgh….!!
9. Your favourite potato chip? Roast Onion and Balsamic Vinegar – YUM!
10. What is your favourite CD at the moment? Still loving Ta Dah! By Scissor Sisters
11. What kind of car do you drive? Battered old Ford Escort but I love it!
12. Favourite sandwich? Cheese and beetroot ......
13. What characteristics do you despise? Arrogance, selfishness and rudeness
14. What are your favourite clothes? I adore my Planet Earth t’shirts.
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Work my way through the States (guided by my blogroll) and up into Canada!
16. What colour is your bathroom? Cream and dark pink
17. Favourite brand of clothing? As long as it fits…..
18. Where were you born? Small village in Devon
19. Favourite time of day? 6pm – ‘Friends’ time!!
20. Where would you want to retire to? Cornwall.
21. Favourite sport to watch? How boring is watching sport?
22. Who do you least expect to do this quiz? Anyone who doesn’t read my blog!
23. Who do you expect to do this quiz first? Maybe a blogbuddy or two might pick it up!
24. Coke or Pepsi? Neither please, I hate coke.
25. Are you a morning person or night owl? Neither?
26. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? News? Er – no……..
27. What did you want to be when you were little? Anyone/anything but me.
28. What is your best childhood memory? Church Camp
29. What are the different jobs you have had? Nanny, Housekeeper, Lifeguard, Clerk, Petrol Station attendant, M&S tillgirl, Office Manager, Personal Assistant, Health and Safety Officer.
30. Nicknames? CQ, craziequeen, Honeybunch, and sundry pet names by my bestest pals
31. Piercings? Two in each ear.
32. Eye Colour? Brown (boring, huh?)
33. Ever been to Africa? Yep, we holidayed in Tunisia every year for 12 years.
34. Ever been toilet papering? No, not a common pastime in the UK
35. Favourite day of the week? Sunday, most of the weekend chores are done and I can relax.
36. Favourite restaurant? Blue Ocean Thai in Weston Super Mare.
37. Favourite ice cream? Clotted Cream……..
38. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? Naomi.
39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? I no longer have a credit card...
40. Bedtime? Anytime between 9pm and 11pm.
41. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? I'm interested in all my blogbuddies.
42. Last person you went to dinner with? Cyberkitten – we were teambuilding in a posh hotel.
43. What are you listening to right now? The TV....
44. What are your favourite colours? Purple!!!
45. How many tattoos do you have? That would be telling……..

Valentine

I know it's commercialised and an event created by Victorian greetings cards makers.......


But there's no getting away from it........

This Valentine's Day here is some...........

to all my amazing friends in blogdom.


And an extra-special hug and thank you to my dear friend over the sea.......


(anyone who knows her will recognise her own work of art)

cq

A Song for Sunday

I am loving 'Family Jewels', a close-up show of Gene Simmons (better known as Kiss' The Demon!), his beloved un-wife Shannon Tweed and their two teenage children Nick and Sophie.
I never liked Ozzie Osbourne's family show, so why do I like Family Jewels?

Unlike Ozzie, Gene is REALLY funny! Shannon is soooooo beautiful (former Playboy centrefold!) and very humorous, and their children are articulate, funny and very photogenic. I am also very pleased at the apparent lack of bad language!


I still adore Gene's crack 'That's what Gentiles are for. You hire them to fix your car!' with son Nick whispering desperately 'Dad! You can't say that!'
I'm a Gentile - I thought that was hilarious in context, with Gene looking helplessly at his SUV engine......funny guy......


So, in this second new Palace theme, I offer a song for Sunday to say 'Thank you, Simmons family, for a wonderful if brief insight into your life'. Bit of a noisy one to kick off this new Palace event. As a teen desperate to rebel but very nervous, I was a Zeppelin fan, a Quo fan - even a Deep Purple fan........ but as far as Kiss were concerned this is the only song I ever liked........and I'm still happy to bop along with the hoover to it!

cq

Saturday Night at the Movies

A new thing here at the Palace. An opportunity to sound off about my favourite films.

This week it's the amazing Britflick, The Full Monty. Struggling to survive in depressed Sheffield, six unemployed steelworkers make the decision to become strippers to raise some cash. These boys decide, for one night only, to go 'The Full Monty'.

With a brilliant script which illustrates the indomitable spirit of the British enforced 'dole worker', and a stunning soundtrack including Irene Cara and Tom Jones, this is one of my all-time favourite movies.
Leading the tribe is Gaz, played by the adorable and gifted Robert Carlyle. Gaz's best friend is Dave, a wonderful characterisation by the irresistable Mark Addy. Supported by great British actors Tom Wilkinson and Paul Barber, and newcomers Steve Huison and Hugo Speer, these six men make an ordinary film extraordinary. Best bit - probably be a runaway vote for the scene in the dole office, when the music comes on the radio and all the lads in the queue begin dancing.

Unashamedly a British film, although made with US money (Fox, no less!) [snigger], this is one of those few British films that a) uses actual British actors and b) makes you proud to be British, not hiding behind the sofa with embarrassment like the Bridget Jones or Love Actually genre.

cq

Blog Fodder #10

This week's Blog Fodder topic is brought to you by Heather, who can be found over on Blog, Blah, Blah. This is a real toughie.....

If you could go back in time and choose your career, what would it be?

Before I begin, since this is our TENTH Blog Fodder (where has the time gone?), let’s see if we can break a record and get more people to participate this week. It’s up to you to spread the word. Go on [smiles sweetly] have a go.....

OK, my fodder:

Choose my career?

When I was at school I always intended to be a teacher, although I toyed with the religious life at about 15. I definitely wanted to be around children and impart information. I had ideas of being a primary school teacher and having an impact on young minds.

Then I failed my A-levels, which was a major stumbling block to my plans of University and then teacher training.

As I was also having trouble in school on the whole, I asked if I could leave. My mother, being a teacher herself, said I could only leave if I got a job, thinking that would put me off. So I toddled off to the local newsagents and bought the evening paper. I ringed an advert for a homehelp and went for an interview. A young mother, dad absent working a lot of the time and four kiddies under ten. I got the job and left school immediately.

So, I got my youngsters, and as I discovered nearly 20 years later, all my words of wisdom and manners drummed into the children were still plainly obvious in the newly grown adults - so I seem to have taught them too!

Five families later and I am still reading to children, teaching them colours, simple math, new words, skills and manners!

So - did I actually, in a roundabout way, get my dream job? Only thing is, I don't get paid for it.....and I didn't so much choose it as had it thrust upon me - much like greatness!

cq

I'm Ready!

Blanket - check

Warm hat - check

Thick gloves - check

Foul weather coat - check

Thermal vest - check

Topped up fluids - check

First Aid kit - check

Hot flask - check

Not for me - but for the nutters who don't know how to drive in this..............correction - who think they *do* know how to drive in this......

Britain grinds to a halt when one snowflake falls - and we are forecast several snowflakes tonight!!

cq

Dentist

I had my six monthly dentist check up today. Doesn't sound much, but to me each one is a milestone and a major stressor.

I am terrified of the dentist, and have been since I was a teenager. At about 15 I cracked my front teeth on the side of the swimming pool, and my then dentist fitted me with terrible crowns, badly fitted and treatment that exceeded the novocaine time limit. He also left me alone once he had removed the broken teeth and I was horrified when I touched the remains with my tongue. I had nightmares for years that my teeth were falling out.

Then I had a dentist about three years later who told me the crowns were so badly fitted that I had abcesses under them both and then, instead of just replacing them, he drilled through the back up into my root. Needless to say, the treatment was agony, the crowns crumbled, he patched them up and I didn't smile again.

About ten years after the original treatment, my mother offered to take me to her new dentist. Not many grown women walk into a dentist holding their mother's hand! I was absolutely petrified. Mr Aslett was wonderful, an old-school dentist who still used gas and air which was perfect for this total psychological wreck. In the first couple of months he had completed a lot of work, many hours in fact, putting everything right while I was sleeping under the gas. I always went with one of my teddy bears; Albert. I was so grateful to Mr Aslett and my mum for introducing us. I always credit Mr Aslett for giving me my smile back.

Imagine my horror when Mr Aslett retired and, worse!, the use of gas and air for dentistry was outlawed!!

I was still so fearful I didn't go again for a few years. Then toothache drove me to a local dentist in desperation. They offered me valium (definitely not recommended for people with depression - I was suicidal for about three weeks!) and Mr Gaffori pulled the broken tooth with no warning,

I remembered I had been prescribed beta blockers for stressful events like interviews which had me hyperventilating with fright. The dentist said I could use them, he had no problems with that. So between the beta blockers for treatment, my dentist and I agreeing no treatment at checkups and nothing without warning, and Albert always being there, even for checkups, I am managing to attend for a check up every six months.

My notes are so cool, they have written on the front 'VERY nervous patient. Always brings teddy bear.'

cq

Facelifts

Everyone is getting the decorators in.

Every time I go to a blog now, it looks new and fresh.

Is this everyone taking advantage of the easy options on New Blogger? It's supposed to be so simple to customise your template.

Should I decorate? Do I need to? I have several likely templates downloaded to play with.

But.....and this is the $64m questions.....do I want to?

When's all said and done;

I like the simplicity of the Palace. I love the clean look of my undecorated blog.

So I guess it won't be getting a refurbishment any day soon.........

and to finish - possibly the MOST played record in the world, but certainly in the UK....

Big Question: Is Mika the reincarnation of the great, and still sorely missed, Freddie Mercury?

Cute, gifted, classically trained.....

cq

ps - is anyone else struggling with new blogger photo? The uploaded pictures are such complicated URLs that they are making my Explorer freeze.

Blank Page

My mind is a blank page at the moment........

I log on to blogger with ideas to blog, then I just log off.

This week hasn't been uneventful, but I have no urge to talk.

I haven't totally abandoned my blogbuddies, I still visit, but I don't feel I have anything of any value to add to the comments.

So, go visit my blogroll and read some nice chatty blogs while I wait for my muse to return.

cq

Mumble mumble

Poorly, not playing today.

Tired, going to bed early.

[waves]

night night.........

cq

Blog Fodder #9

woo hoo! I'm on time this week!!

This week’s topic was submitted by none other than Rob, over at My Bloddy Great Nutshell. Go on over and say hi to Rob.

Name a sensory input(s) which trigger a mood change be it uplifting, depressing, poignancy or remind you of a past event or period in time. Examples - the smell of an aftershave or perfume, a song, a baby crying, the sound of a vegas slot machine, the feel of clean sheets, the taste of a childhood drink.

Would it be cheating to say a song? Yeah, thought so.......

OK, sensory input........hmm........other than the usual stuff, it would be the word hearing the word 'pigeon'.

'Pigeon'.

My stepfather is Polish and my mother taught herself to make several Polish dishes to please her husband - and we liked them too!

One of my very favourites was 'Gołąbki'; a hearty traditional Polish dish consisting of boiled cabbage leaves stuffed with ground beef, chopped onions, and rice, baked in a spicy tomato sauce.

We called them by their other name golumpki.

OK, fair enough - so where do the pigeons come into it?

Time for a Polish lesson:

Gołąbki is a plural form of gołąbek.

Gołąb means pigeon, and gołąbek is a diminutive of it.

Hence 'Little Pigeons'.

In spite of its meaning, it isn't made from pigeon's meat!

And when I went vegetarian, my mother even made me vegetarian golumpki!!

Looking for pictures, I found not only pictures - but a recipe and instructions on this blog!!

cq

Decisions, decisions.......

Well, wasn't I the irrational bunny last night? Mind you, I was extremely annoyed that I was forced into switching....

I had already come home early from work and cancelled several appointments because I wasn't well, and all I wanted to do was post a blog, but Blogger decided it was time for me to switch! So, I was unhappy, to say the least.

I will have to think what to do with the cats' blog. Delete it, keep it going under my account, or open them their own account.

As mentioned by Mrs A and Jean Luc - Wordpress is an option, but it won't accept a hotmail email address. So to get Wordpress, I would have to create yet *another* account somewhere else.........

btw - oh, I was definitely ill last night as I woke in the middle of the night with a roaring temperature and my skin felt like it was on fire. Remnants of the gastric flu. I think. That lasted most of the night and I ended up in the spare room.

Very, very tired this morning...........

Oh - what was I going to post about last night? Just a cute thing I got in my email box. My Member of Parliament (MP) is a very nice local chap, cares about his constituency and I always vote for him....and now - the man has a blog! Yep, my MP has a Blog! Not only does he have a blog, but he has it open for comments!! I have a *very* cool MP....

Saturday afternoon and I am sitting immersed in what is possibly one of the greatest movies ever made - Steel Magnolias.

Dolly, Sally, Olympia and Shirley are absolutely wonderful as the four beautiful but strong Southern women - not to mention the *gorgeous* Tom Skerritt as Drum Eatenton.

All this wonderful Southern wisdom - excellent.

One of my favourite quotes : 'Ouiser, you know I love you more than my luggage'...

cq

stupid STUPID Blogger!!!!!!!!!

Forcing me into switching.....telling me everything was fine nothing was going to change.....I didn't even WANT to change......

And my feckin' profile is wrong!!!!!!!!!! How feckin' basic is THAT change!! And I can't even leave a COMMENT as myself!!!!

I am NOT my cats............!

Well, I am for blogging reasons.....but NOT here......

Stupid, STUPID blogger....now I'm gonna have to spend hours working out how to put this right!!

[copies and pastes into email, sends to blogger]

update: ok - changed the profile to something more 'me' for now - except the Britcats also now have me as their profile.......!!

Update 2: CRUD!!
'A single Blogger account can only have a single profile, so if you have multiple blogs that need different profiles, you may want to put them on different accounts.'
Yeah right, like 'nothing is gonna change' - it's gonna take forever to sort this out, work out what to do - tempted to just bin the lot.

cq
[yep honestly. me]

Blog Fodder #7 and #8

Again, time is running away without me, so you get two for one......


Karen over at Write from Karen, was the author of #7 Fodder which was a really good one. Be sure and visit Karen and send her some sunshine while you are there.

Which is more important, intelligence or common sense?

Having this question is kind of a coincidence, as it is very similar to one of the questions on the Myers Briggs psychometric test I completed today ready for a work event. Hmm - intelligence or common sense? In an ideal world they are both equally important, but if I had to choose (and I did today!) I would say common sense.

And this week’s topic is brought you to you by Melonie, over at The Joy of Being Melonie.

How does one handle work, home and family (or a combination thereof) without having a nervous breakdown?

Hmm - this is not a challenge for me as I am unable to have children, so no 'family' as such. Just MB (who is reasonably able to look after himself - and me, if necessary!) and two cats who are very low maintenance. I do most of my chores over the weekend, so I am ready for Monday with no outstanding laundry and so on. Years gone by, I looked after families, children, job etc etc. To be honest, I don't know how I did it. But I guess it's like most things; needs must. You try to organise, employ shortcuts, delegate, learn to exist without sleep.....

cq

Poorly Blogger

I have been poorly.

Real throwing everything up poorly.

I woke up yesterday with a bad tummy and then spent all day sipping water and periodically emptying my stomach. Add a temperature and no food, and I was ill!

It's 5am now and I am awake. I am horribly thirsty and incredibly hungry [sips plain water]. The temperature is still kicking around (prickly skin) and my kidneys are starting to wonder why they have been made redundant.

But with my stomach still doing somersaults, I'm thinking it wouldn't be wise to fill it just yet.

5am - what a bitch........

Update:
7am - went to work, because I had two meetings first thing. Then struggled with some basic errands.

1pm - left work in quite a bit of pain. My stomach was strained and very painful. and I've even pulled muscles in my back. One of my bosses said I did look rather white.

6pm - first meal in 48 hours. Just plain mashed potato with basted sprout and onion and a bit of gravy to stop it getting too dry. Nothing too much of a challenge, no complicated proteins. Let's see how that stays down.

I really HATE being sick.....

cq

Request Time

Naomi has requested more commercial footage....remember, the British don't like to be told to buy something - so how do you indirectly convince them to purchase your product??

Entertain them!

Here is a commercial guaranteed to make me smile........enjoy!!

For Vauxhall in the UK - This advert took Glassworks 10 weeks of 3D and Flame work to complete.



cq

Wow Effect!!

Bobkat posted about an advert that caught her attention.

Oddly enough, my visually favourite advert is for the same product - kudos to their advertising company!!

Sony Bravia
This TV ad - featuring massive paint explosions - took 10 days and 250 people to film. Huge quantities of paint were needed to accomplish this, which had to be delivered in 1 tonne trucks and mixed on-site by 20 people.
The effect was stunning, but afterwards a major clean-up operation was required to clear away all that paint!
The cleaning took 5 days and 60 people. Thankfully, the use of a special water-based paint made it easy to scrape-up once the water had evaporated.
Keeping everyone safe was also an important factor. A special kind of non-toxic paint was used that is safe enough to drink (it contains the same thickeners that are sometimes used in soups). It was also completely harmless to the skin.

cq

Faces and Passes...

'Put your face in the bag with your nametag'...

OK, this was my instructor Pam telling us how to look after these:

Resuscitation dolls have these cool removable faces to avoid passing germs around the classes. So we get our faces, and they are kept in a plastic bag with our nametags for the two days we would be using them. Then they are handed in and sterilised before being used by another class. Very cool - but seriously spooky......

Oh! And I passed........so not only do I get to wear the absolutely gorgeous green 'First Aider' lanyard just purchased by myself in my role as H&S officer for the site, but I also have a very nice St John Ambulance pin badge - and a certificate when the bill is paid!! [mental note; submit invoices for payment]

oh, the assessments were a nightmare!

My 'unconscious breathing' casualty was a big chap and I was nervous about turning him, but it was ok - except I forgot to check his pockets!

My 'unconscious non-breathing' casualty was a walk in the park - 'cos it was a doll!!

My 'incident casualty' was a very nice older gentleman with a convincing 'profusely bleeding wound' in his arm and a painful knee (badly bruised; broken? sprained? unknown) and a bad case of 'shock'. He was very sweet and asked me all the right questions for my assessment - can I have a cup of tea?, my cigarettes are in my jacket pocket - can I have one?, can I drive home? He was so good that after my assessment I thanked him and shook his hand.

Also helpful was the fact that two of my First Aiders from work were there to requalify and gave me lots of support and encouragement once the assessment time came. And Dave even managed a couple of big hugs when I got the wobbles waiting for my 'incident casualty' assessment.

So anyway, now I am a qualified First Aider in accordance with The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Impressive, huh?

New stuff:

in answer to rca's comment; of course not, we can't give casualties any meds or creams/potions/liniments.

in answer to rampant bicycle's comment; my answers to my casualty were quite right - no, he can't have a cup of tea. No, he can't have a cigarette. No, he can't drive himself home. Full marks for me!! [big smile]

in answer to david *and* judy; no, my casualty didn't ask me out, a) it was a test, so he wouldn't and b) he had to be at least 20yrs older than me! But I am now a First Aider on a site with 7,000 potential casualties - so there's always a chance [big grin]

in answer to jean-luc's comment; I know nosebleeds!! Sit patient up and forward slightly. Pinch nose closed for ten minutes, if still bleeding pinch for another ten minutes, if still bleeding repeat. If still bleeding after 30 minutes, call an ambulance. [attempts not to look too smug]

in answer to utenzi's comment; shh!! Don't say the words 'strong hands' in case silentmum hears - she's always banging on about my 'broad shoulders'....she'll have a field day with 'strong hands'!!

in answer to srp; I'm with you, I don't care who does my CPR if I wake up!!

Bobkat; mmmmm uniforms [dribble]

walker; the thought crossed my mind too - but the assessor watched me dump the face in the bag for cleansing....just couldn't get away with it :-( [snigger]

cq

Where'd my memory go??

Blimey - I didn't realise how much I had forgotten on my training......

I'm not in Kevin's class, although I saw him this morning. I also saw the manager, Anne, who remembered me from my last abortive visit! How embarrassing..........

My new lecturer, Pam, does know what happened, and she now has 13 in her class - nothing worse than having 13 in a class that is doing exercises that use two or three people! I've said 'sorry' so many times today!

I know about a breathing unconscious casualty. I know about a non-breathing casualty. I know my CPR protocols.

The only assessmment I am worried about is the injured breathing one. Hope my bandaging is up to snuff!!

And what am I working towards? Pay rise? Promotion? Bonus?

Nothing so mundane - just the opportunity to adorn myself in the very latest in stylish ID lanyards, which will identify me to all at work as a First Aider. My boss insisted I take one from store, as she is confident of my success! Wish I was........

Sentence you never expect to hear:

'Put your face in a bag with your nametag.'

And if you're really good, I'll tell you tomorrow what it means!!

cq

Try, try again......

Big Day tomorrow, tomorrow is the day I rejoin a First Aid course to, once again, attempt to get my certificate.
I rang the centre last week to check who would be the instructor - and, deep joy, it's Kevin....again. I am never gonna live this down.

In answer to several questions on my previous post, if my math is correct, Boo is now eight......

Here she is in August 2002 on a day out at Bristol Zoo.......

about six months before they left.....
We do talk by phone and email occasionally, but I find it very upsetting not being able to 'nip over' and see them. In fact, in the early days the three of us would usually end phonecalls in tears! Also, being a single working parent, M doesn't have a lot of spare time - or money! M is 'silentmum' whose comments you will see on here now and then.

cq

Beauty

This is my beautiful god-daughter. I have been wrapped up in their lives since Boo was a baby. Her mother worked in the same office as me. One day she needed someone to keep an eye on Boo during the day and plonked this absolutely beautiful baby on my desk. Since then we were constant companions, the three of us, until she and her mother emigrated from 'Ten Minutes Down the Road' to Canada four years ago next month.

I still miss them.


Isn't she just gorgeous?

cq

Cures.....and.....meat!

Woohoo!! Will you look at this wonderful news from Minerva.......

"It is good news. My CT scan is completely clear apart from the lymph node. The doctors are also going all out to 'cure' me. Never has such a word fallen with such import as it did at lunchtime. I LIKE the 'cure' word, I revel in the 'cure' word. In fact, I snuggled down into the 'cure' word and virtually missed the rest of the conversation."

What a star that girl is......!!

(original detail deleted as it seemed insignificant besides Minerva's amazing news......)

Fellow Fodderer Rob asked on my latest blog fodder if I was tempted to eat meat when I smell bacon cooking. Like most veggies, bacon is the real temptation to break the principle. But I am not tempted by the smell of cooking meat, because it is still animals. As I have to cook meat daily for MB, I am immune to the desire to eat it.
Luckily, I don't have to handle the meat much, just unwrap it and throw it in a pan!

cq

Blog Fodder #6

(Banner courtesy of Hootin-Anni)

This weeks topic was brought to us by non other than Kim, over at Kimbofo. All together now, Kim, you rock! What is your most memorable meal? Why?

I actually have two memorable meals, not for the food, but what happened. Kind of 'moment of clarity' meals....

1. My mother served up her delicious roast chicken one day and I looked at the glistening bird and suddenly realised that I couldn't eat it. Not didn't want it, or wanted to be different, but just couldn't bring myself to eat it. And so began 20+yrs of vegetarianism.
On the other side of the coin after being veggie for about 15 years I accidentally ate a mouthful of beef mince and was horrendously sick......

2. I was reasonably new in my office, only been there a couple of weeks, and the fleet manager was keeping a close eye on me (he told me later he fancied me rotten from the day I arrived!) and one day took me out for a quick pub lunch. I chose a cheese and tomato toastie (toasted sandwich) and something to drink, and while he stood at the bar with his back to me ordering I realised I was in love with him.......and so began the love of my life.....MB...........

Nice Fodder, Kim :-)

cq

Reality Bites

Time for a rant!

We have a media malaise these days. It's called 'Reality TV'. It started with the occasional gardening show, cookery series and DIY programme, and has exploded. But today's Reality TV is not about Reality - it's about shock and unreality.

We have business magnates deciding on staff recruitment on a TV show, we have a competition where a beauty contest is judged by cosmetic surgery peformed on the show, there is an opportunity for families to swap wives/mothers, in some shows contestants are encouraged (and in some cases paid) to try and have sex with other contestants on screen, we have islands and jungles and houses all populated by people desperate for their so-called 15 minutes of fame, we have z-list clebrities and members of the public taking part in some of the most demeaning TV ever seen.

And people watch this stuff! They watch women being hacked up in the name of beauty, they watch minor celebrities eat worms, they watch people being humiliated and debased on public TV.

When will these producers reach saturation point? Will we end up being offered TV like 'Series 7: The Contenders' as the programme makers become more and more desperate for viewers?

cq

Blog Meme

Picked this interesting little meme up from Naomi's blog.

1-Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?
Mostly. I’ve not found a template I really like yet (although I've downloaded a few to play with!), so in the meantime I have worked out how to play with bits of html. I like the rainbow impression of the colours. If anyone wants to make me a lovely purple Queenly blog, I wouldn’t say no…

2-Does your family know about your blog?
Yes. But my parents don’t even have a computer, so they would never see it. I have recently given the URL to my young nephews and niece, so will continue the family friendly rating!

3-Can you tell your friends about your blog?
Interesting change of question. Not ‘do your friends know?’ but ‘can you tell them?’ How curious….Anyway, the answer is yes. Think about it – my two closest friends are bloggers. In fact, out of the eight adult friends, five have blogs and two have blogger accounts!

4-Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?
No, I do smurf my blogroll and lurk about in blogdom, even just going on a link-hunt. Sometimes, I need to unlurk and comment. Depends how I am feeling.

5-Did your blog positively affect your mind?
What a curious question! Would I continue with it if it had a negative effect on my psychological state? I do occasionally use it to rant at my ever-present depression and mild psychoses. I guess that would be positive.

6-What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?
Er – it means I have visitors!?!

7-Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?
Do you talk to someone on the phone you don’t know and wonder what they look like? I think we all do, to a small extent.

8-Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
To whom?

9-Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
Let’s see. I sent Christmas cards to two blogbuddies and a present to one of them. I have a blogbuddy saved in my mobile and at least three of them are regular chatters on my Messenger. So – I would have to say ‘No’. And that is not including my own circle of friends.

10-Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
‘Scare’? Hmm – only really fundamentalist ones! I’ve tripped over a couple of scary ones. But political blogs mostly confuse me. I am a blogger of very little brain (to paraphrase AA Milne) and I really don’t understand politics. My dearest pal CK has a very religio-political blog and although I visit him regularly, I am not usually comfortable in commenting.

11-Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?
Why would anyone do that? It’s my blog. My bit of the techno world. It’s written by me, and reflects my life, my opinions and my thoughts. So, if you don’t like it – why take the time to comment. If I don’t like a blog, or even just a post, I will usually leave without a comment.

12-Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog in case you died?
Nope. Never gave it a second thought – although I did give CK my user name and password a little while ago.

13-Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?
Any blogger who is surmounting physical or family difficulties and coming out on top.

14-Which blogger do you think is the most similar to you?
I would hate to presume I knew them well enough to judge. There are a lot of blogs out there that are sort of on the same lines, but similar? No. That’s part of the appeal – each blog is a reflection of an individual.

15-Name a song you want to listen to?
Start Wearing Purple by Gogol Bordello. It’s a fab gipsy punk number that you can’t resist singing along to…….

cq

Blog Fodder #4 and #5

Wow - Blog Fodder #4 slipped by in the rush of Christmas......so I checked in at the hub to see what I missed!

Topic of the week commencing 18 December was submitted by Shane, over at Reflekshins.
“What is the best practical joke you have ever participated in, or one that was done on you?”

I'm not a fan of practical jokes, either playing them or having them played on me. So, this would actually be one fodder I can't complete........

So - onto #5 for this week.........

Marie, over at PractiGal, says

“Tell us something about your in-laws (funny, memories, etc.). If you don’t have any in-laws, pick a relative like siblings, parents, etc.”

Memories? At my age? Stacks of them......... :-) I do have in-laws (sort of, as we're not married), but one of my best memories is actually of my own parents.

Years ago, I was in a local works pantomime as the principal girl. How I got the part is a whole 'nother story. The pantomime was Rumplestiltskin (well, made a change from Aladdin!) and I got to be the Princess in gold and silver gowns! But I also had two solos! Anyway, I was desperately learning words, memorising songs and trying to remember stage positions for months. I mentioned to my mother while visiting that I was in local amateur dramatics, and told her all about it. I just thought she was interested because we are an arty kind of family. I didn't think it really went in, because I have have always bored her easily.

The week of the show came and we did a show each evening and a matinee on Saturday. As I took my bows on Saturday afternoon I looked across the dim hall and saw two figures standing at the back applauding as if their life depended on it. My mother and stepdad travelled 60 miles from their home just to see me in a penny-anty pantomime.

I think it was the one time my mother was truly proud of me.

cq