This was sent to me the other day and I really enjoyed it - the 12 days with a twist!
Poppy Appeal
I've done it again. For the n-th year in a row (I've lost track), I've donated to the Poppy Appeal, worn my poppy on my coat with pride... and forgotten to remove it after Remembrance Day!! I was at home yesterday and didn't notice it - but it soon became apparent today on my way home from work. I was quite relieved to see at least one other person who had made the same faux pas though.The Poppy Appeal is an annual appeal from The Royal British Legion to be able to support those who have made a personal sacrifice by serving in the British Armed Forces. It's a long-standing tradition here, and all the poppies really brighten up the drab November days. This year I was given my poppy by an ex-serviceman, in full uniform, who gratefully accepted my donation, kissed my hand and gave me the poppy. He did comment though that he didn't kiss the hands of the gentlemen who gave donations! It was a lovely start to the morning and a much better end to the typical London rush-hour than usual.
The hills are alive!
I finally saw a West End production again this week - of course, it was 'The Sound of Music'. Although I've seen some productions in my local theatres this year, it's been some time since I've been to a West End show - and this reminded me why I should go more frequently! Sound of Music was one of the very first musicals I saw as a child, and I still love it so many years later. Although I know most of the lyrics to the songs, I did manage to restrain myself from singing along - I had warned my friends beforehand just in case I didn't... We used to sing many of the songs at home as I was growing up - as my middle name is Maria my brothers specifically enjoyed singing 'What shall we do about Maria'...!
We had a bit of spare time before the show and spent it wandering down Oxford Street, enjoying the Christmas lights - yes, they're already on. All in all a very enjoyable evening and a welcome break from reality.
We had a bit of spare time before the show and spent it wandering down Oxford Street, enjoying the Christmas lights - yes, they're already on. All in all a very enjoyable evening and a welcome break from reality.
What is it...
about Autumn leaves that appeals so much? I was walking to an appointment in Chelsea this morning - a beautiful clear morning with blue skies and sunshine - and the leaves were blowing about on the pavement. It was soooo tempting to walk through the leaves and kick them about - but I more or less behaved, as I didn't think the guy in front of me with the leafblower would have appreciated it much!
It reminded me of a trip to Brussels at this time of year a few years ago, where I was walking through a park and didn't need to worry about the leaves being out of place! It also made me wonder - is there a name for a snow angel made in a big pile of leaves? Fall angel? As long as it's not a fallen angel that's ok...
It reminded me of a trip to Brussels at this time of year a few years ago, where I was walking through a park and didn't need to worry about the leaves being out of place! It also made me wonder - is there a name for a snow angel made in a big pile of leaves? Fall angel? As long as it's not a fallen angel that's ok...
Braai, the beloved Country
Today is Heritage Day in South Africa. A day that has more recently been rebranded as National Braai Day - billed as an opportunity to get together, burn the past and build up a succulent future... in other words, an excuse for a party. The vision is to make it as well known an event as St Patrick's Day or 4th July... I think a little more work may be needed!
Here in the UK, it's again become rather autumnal after a lovely weekend. My participation in this year's event will thus be restricted to a celebratory beer - although the lack of a braai may also have something to do with it!
Here in the UK, it's again become rather autumnal after a lovely weekend. My participation in this year's event will thus be restricted to a celebratory beer - although the lack of a braai may also have something to do with it!
Rest in Peace?
I recently had the opportunity to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. It's a modern cathedral, with an interesting use of 
light inside. There were a number of baptisms happening whilst I was there (it was a Sunday, after all!) which was quite an experience to almost be part of! I was about to leave the building after having spent some time there when one of the staff asked whether I'd been downstairs - the answer was no as I didn't know there was a downstairs. So off I duly went...
There is a mausoleum underneath the Cathedral, with over 1200 crypts and 5000 cremation niches. It's 'advertised' as one of the few places in the US where lay people can be buried within a Cathedral Church (interestingly enough, my LA guidebooks only referred to this as a Church, not a Cathedral...) As it's still a very new church (the blessing and dedication only took place in 2002) there are still many open spots within the mausoleum. I found two things rather unnerving which will stay with me from my visit: the 'reserved' spots as well as the plaques with birth dates and names but nothing else!
light inside. There were a number of baptisms happening whilst I was there (it was a Sunday, after all!) which was quite an experience to almost be part of! I was about to leave the building after having spent some time there when one of the staff asked whether I'd been downstairs - the answer was no as I didn't know there was a downstairs. So off I duly went...There is a mausoleum underneath the Cathedral, with over 1200 crypts and 5000 cremation niches. It's 'advertised' as one of the few places in the US where lay people can be buried within a Cathedral Church (interestingly enough, my LA guidebooks only referred to this as a Church, not a Cathedral...) As it's still a very new church (the blessing and dedication only took place in 2002) there are still many open spots within the mausoleum. I found two things rather unnerving which will stay with me from my visit: the 'reserved' spots as well as the plaques with birth dates and names but nothing else!
Back in the USA...
It's a strange feeling returning to a country you've lived in before. Almost like coming home, although the US has never really been home in that sense. I arrived in LA yesterday for a two week trip to assist with a project here, and was amazed at how similar it felt to 5 years ago. Granted, I didn't know LA then, but still...
I made the mistake this morning of switching on the TV in my hotel room (I'll blame jet lag - I couldn't even find a decent news station!) There was a big discussion about whether the country of origin should be displayed on all food products - apparently it isn't already. Mad cow disease was one of the reasons given for why it should be displayed - food miles however weren't even mentioned. It's strange how so much food can be imported here - yet don't even think about bringing even a handful of biltong in yourself! Sometimes, Asterix's sentiment seems most apt (even though the location may be wrong): 'These Romans are crazy'...
I made the mistake this morning of switching on the TV in my hotel room (I'll blame jet lag - I couldn't even find a decent news station!) There was a big discussion about whether the country of origin should be displayed on all food products - apparently it isn't already. Mad cow disease was one of the reasons given for why it should be displayed - food miles however weren't even mentioned. It's strange how so much food can be imported here - yet don't even think about bringing even a handful of biltong in yourself! Sometimes, Asterix's sentiment seems most apt (even though the location may be wrong): 'These Romans are crazy'...
Smokefree England!
As of 1 July this year, it is illegal to smoke in workplaces or enclosed public places in England - yes that includes pubs! Bizarrely enough it's mandatory to put a sign up on pretty much all buildings to that effect - seems a bit unnecessary when it's now the rule, not the exception - perhaps there was a vested interest in a sign-making business somewhere...
The one thing that remains to be seen is whether non-smokers will be able to get seating space in any outside areas at pubs or restaurants - then again, if summer continues like this we may only find out next year...
The one thing that remains to be seen is whether non-smokers will be able to get seating space in any outside areas at pubs or restaurants - then again, if summer continues like this we may only find out next year...
An Apple a day... Part II
Perhaps that's what I'm doing wrong. Not eating enough apples.
I'm certainly spending a lot more time than I'd care to in medical environments, as my iritis flared up again this week. Although it's not by any means unexpected, it's still very disappointing and frustrating. It's the 6th diagnosed episode I've had now - 3 per eye - although my suspicion is that the left eye episodes all kind of merged into one. So it's back on the dilating eye drops for a while and blurry vision - great fun when working in IT! :)
I'm certainly spending a lot more time than I'd care to in medical environments, as my iritis flared up again this week. Although it's not by any means unexpected, it's still very disappointing and frustrating. It's the 6th diagnosed episode I've had now - 3 per eye - although my suspicion is that the left eye episodes all kind of merged into one. So it's back on the dilating eye drops for a while and blurry vision - great fun when working in IT! :)
An Apple a day...
I must confess to becoming more and more tempted to buy a MacBook in one of its incarnations. The thought first popped into my head about two years ago, but at the time it wasn't practical at all. Until the Intel chips were introduced, of course... There's been many a debate in the office and with friends since then about the various pros and cons...
It's starting to seem like there are Macs wherever I look now: perhaps I'm more conscious of them as the internal debate grows louder, alternatively there may just be more of them around. My internal resistance is almost completely gone now - the remaining questions may well be whether or not I wait for Leopard to be released, and what to buy!
It's starting to seem like there are Macs wherever I look now: perhaps I'm more conscious of them as the internal debate grows louder, alternatively there may just be more of them around. My internal resistance is almost completely gone now - the remaining questions may well be whether or not I wait for Leopard to be released, and what to buy!
Chelsea Flower Show
A friend of mine did the remembering and organising of tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show this year, so after work yesterday we headed off to see some flowers. I'd been to Chelsea 2 years ago, and remember not having enough time to see everything - this year was much the same! We were naturally pleased to see that both the City of Durban and the Kirstenbosch exhibits won awards - although I'm slightly puzzled to see that the awards are listed under 'The President's Award: UK Horticulture' - not entirely sure how they qualify for that!? But it was still a worthwhile visit - perhaps the inspiration to do more in my garden than just mow the lawn will still strike...
Race for Life
I took part in the Cancer Research Race for Life 5km event again this morning, for the third year running. It was a fantastic atmosphere, with sunshine and blue skies (which have been scarce this week in London!) - and of course women of all shapes and sizes, taking part in order to assist the battle against cancer. Reading comments/dedications on people's back signs and t-shirts is quite something!
This year there were 3 of us taking part - it seems to increase by one each year. The combination of almost no training and too much going out in the past week did not (surprise, surprise) result in a personal best - with a few walking breaks we finished in about 35 mins again, much the same as last year. Maybe next year...
This year there were 3 of us taking part - it seems to increase by one each year. The combination of almost no training and too much going out in the past week did not (surprise, surprise) result in a personal best - with a few walking breaks we finished in about 35 mins again, much the same as last year. Maybe next year...
Reduce, reuse, recycle...
Since living in London, I've become a lot more aware of environmental issues and the impact our lives have on it. I like to think that I wasn't completely ignorant beforehand, but perhaps it's just been brought home a lot more by living directly in the Heathrow flight path! This week has been a bad one for plane noise (runway alternation means it's sometimes relatively quiet) - the only good thing to come out of that was that it reminded me to investigate carbon offsetting. I've just done that, and used the ClimateCare website to offset all the flights I've taken since December 2006.
Other things I'm trying to incorporate into daily life: recycle as much as possible, compost kitchen waste, use public transport or my own two feet (easy when you don't have a car!), low energy light bulbs where possible, eating local produce... Hopefully this list will increase over time!
If you haven't seen An Inconvenient Truth yet - see it.
Other things I'm trying to incorporate into daily life: recycle as much as possible, compost kitchen waste, use public transport or my own two feet (easy when you don't have a car!), low energy light bulbs where possible, eating local produce... Hopefully this list will increase over time!
If you haven't seen An Inconvenient Truth yet - see it.
New beginnings
At long last I've succumbed to peer pressure and am posting to my own blog. My personal escapades in the blogosphere actually started a few months ago when I created a blog prior to advising a friend on how to create one... and promptly forgot how to log on to it! (I'm pleased to report that his blogging has been way more successful than mine to date - perhaps I should listen to my own advice sometimes!!)
So this is a new (or renewed?) beginning. A place to share thoughts, experiences and... who knows! Welcome... do feel free to share your thoughts/comments too.
So this is a new (or renewed?) beginning. A place to share thoughts, experiences and... who knows! Welcome... do feel free to share your thoughts/comments too.
You're probably wondering why I'm here
And so am I
So am I
~Frank Zappa
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