Oh the irony of it all. Some time during the night, probably after the local police stuck a booklet on our windscreen about car security, our car was broken into and the stereo and CD changer taken.
Having forced the lock, completely breaking it and damaging the door skin, they then smashed the glass on the passenger side. The only reason the stereo was in the car was because it was a crap model and the buttons had broken and we couldn't remove it nor even open the flap to change the CD. It was a crap stereo.
The car was parked within yards of the security camera. We park under the lime trees of the park and put up with the sticky drippings because of the security camera. We used to park round the corner but similar happened just before Easter of this year so we didn't park there anymore.
Ths time we had the police crime detection people out. A young scrap of a lass who looked younger than my daughter! She did a good job, though the stickiness of the lime trees meant no finger prints were forthcoming, there was a tool imprint she took with a rubber substance.
We will not be getting a replacement stereo. I like to have music and news when I'm driving so we will find a different way for that. This is all such crap. Crap. Crap. Crap.
Original Comments:
Tuesday, 3 October 2006
Sunday, 1 October 2006
Toshiba apples
The trouble with reading a good book is that I end up talking to myself, with that ever eternal, inner monologue, in the style of whichever writer I have just read. "A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian" was not the corset ripping comedy I was lead to believe from various reviewers over the last months but it was still an excellent yarn with a sense of wry humour and at times a complete farce that worked well. Ultimately though, it was poignant and clever.After their mother dies, two grown up sisters are horrified when their elderly father remarries a much younger and voluptuous Ukrainian woman, Valentina, seeking to legitimately stay in the UK with her son. The tractor history bit is something that is interwoven throughout and is an extremely novel way of constructing the story.
An undercurrent of the book is the way the two sisters are so different. One is the war child (WWII) aware of the horrors and the other born just after, in peace time UK, and a time of hope and re-birth. There are only a matter of 8 years between them but there is a whole universe of difference with each living their own life until Valentina comes on the scene and they then have a common enemy and resolve their differences.
As for those internal monologues.... this afternoon a call out the blue from son's genetic father (Mr Y Chromosone) who happens to be not that far away dropping off his youngest daughter to university. "Great" says I, "come on over" [after all we never hear from you from almost one year to the next thinks I]. Mr Y is about an hour or so away. Ten minutes later he phones again and says his daughter is coming too and is that alright and am I sure. Without hesitation, of course I say "yes". [I think family is important and they should have more contact now that his children are all adults. A little notice wouldn't have gone amiss though but I say nothing.]
Mr Y coming is one thing and does not require me to do much, but bringing a 20 year old daughter who has never knowingly met me and suddenly I have a desperate need to make sure that the house is reasonably ship-shape and tidy, which it isn't. I am almost the Valentina character from the book. For many years I was the interloper, or perhaps the dark shadow over the lives of Mr Y's children and here his Youngest was braving the visit. Youngest and son are siblings through the father. I am delighted that connections are being made. Son has met Youngest once before and the socialising is like water off a duck's back to him - he has inherited this characteristic from me.
But Youngest is a young woman. The thought she would meet me must have crossed her mind. Is she expecting a Valentina character, all hussy and frou-frou? I know I'm not that but I can't have her thinking what a sluttish house I keep. [It isn't a sluttish house either, it is actually OK but just in need of a little spruce round the edges.]
Whatever Mr Doris must have made of me like a whirling dervlish round the house barking out commands and flapping and cleaning and polishing. He must be wondering why I am making such an effort. And all the while the internal dialogue about this or that continues. At least the house did well out of it and has a fast spring clean.
Mr Y and Youngest have arrived. Youngest was ever so lovely and I reckon we clicked as soon as I loudly acknowledged (within minutes!) that her father was pushing her through University to do courses he thought were good for her rather than making the choices herself.
Mr Doris nipped round to the corner shop to find some cake and biscuits to serve with tea and after a short while into this flying visit I excused myself and Mr Doris and we left them to it. Silly having us all round politely talking: wonderful Mr Doris; the ex-love-of-my-life Mr Y; and me the hussy [which I'm not] with son [my son that Mr Y never contributed to and originally accused me of getting pregnant with on purpose who is now the apple of his eye] and his Youngest. All polite tea and cake. But we left them to it.
I was delighted that my Daughter showed her face and went and said hello. Mr Doris had asked her to do so and she could have avoided it but she didn't. I am grateful.
It wasn't a long visit but extremely pleasant and went well. Youngest hugged us all, including me, "goodbye". We even swapped mobile numbers as she offered to come and braid son's hair next time it was needed. She offered that she was only one stop away on the train. Gosh.
The Toshiba apples are a curious recipe from the book. The eccentric elderly father found a way to prepare the multitude of apples that fell from the tree in the garden. It involved cooking them in the Toshiba microwave until a warm sticky mass. It doesn't appeal to me but I tried to think of an equally quick way to prepare a meal for our guests but as they have to rush I, and they, are spared.
It is an interesting Sunday afternoon.
Original Comments:
- Atyllah said...
- Definitely an interesting afternoon. Manic cleaning aside (I know the tendency all too well), I think you did a stunning job in potentially difficult circumstances. Well done, you! And, having wondered about it for ages, I am now going to doddle off and get myself a copy of a "A Short History..."
- Cheryl said...
- I got it out of the library this Easter when it was new out - like you I made the choice based on reviews - but took it back after one chapter. It was so bloody miserable and boring and all about interfering and putting each other down, and wow just written from the perspective of a whiny professional victim and grumbler, I thought. All dirty laundry and no air.
You did better than me to plough through all that self involved and depressing stodge - three cheers for you.
Oh, oops, did I mention I didn't like the book? I guess you gathered that ;-)
- Britmum said...
- Wow what a whirlwind day you had. I am glad that it turned out well for you.
Does your son have long hair? I am just curious.
The book sounds brilliant too.
Take care xx
- Doris said...
- In reverse order!
Britmum Hiya :-) Yes, son does have long hair. This is a pic of it before Christmas so it is much longer now and he keeps it in canerows which are easier to manage. And when he has it out he has a huge 70's afro. Quite a dude!
Cheryl I'm glad I am not the only one who gives up on books that just do not appeal! I think the book was definitely worth perservering with especially as the relationships and the different stand points (or as you put it the "whiny professional victim and grumbler") mellow and at the end even explains why. That took us into the history of the consequences of World War II and was well explained but not until the end. Also, seeing as I can be a bit thick at times, even I picked up on the double standards in bringing up kids.
PS. I think Blogger have sorted their technology and none-beta bloggers can post comments OK now. Or maybe I am wrong!
Atyllah I'd be very interested to hear views from others who have read the book so let me know some time - or maybe you might blog it.
- Pookie65 said...
- Wow, Doris, you did have a interesting Sunday. I'm glad it went smoothly for you. That Mr. Doris sounds just perfect. Out of curiousity was he already this good when you met him or did you have to train him? ;-)
Huggers!
- Doris said...
- LOL Pookie! Mr Doris required no training from me on these sorts of things. However, in other areas of life he may have needed a little training from me and he most definitely has trained me to become [this will be hard to believe, I grant you ;-) ] a nicer person and to be more chilled out.
- Astryngia said...
- How the circle of life comes around - just a stop away. Life making another transition...
Must get around to reading that book!!
Saturday, 30 September 2006
Trouble posting comments?
This is a sticky post and will stay on top this month.
If you have trouble commenting because this is a Blogger in Beta then click on *Other* and put in a link to your blog. Though some people can't do this either. I just don't know so good luck!
Original Comments:
If you have trouble commenting because this is a Blogger in Beta then click on *Other* and put in a link to your blog. Though some people can't do this either. I just don't know so good luck!
Original Comments:
- Anonymous said...
-
I lurve the new sophisticated blog - it's so yooo! :-)
Astryngia - Doris said...
-
Oooooo -thank you :-D
- Steve said...
-
Blog looks great Doris, I love the Betty Boop pic. May I suggest another quote for the left hand side of your blog:
I am not bad I'm just drawn that way:- Jessica Rabbit - Milt Bogs said...
-
I have been away too long.
Thanks for the comment. - marina said...
-
Pretty layout :) Took me ages to try to find out how to remove the text in the new blogger. In the end, I made it white so its invisible!
- Doris said...
-
Steve Thanks Steve and thanks for your suggestion - I will bear it in mind ;-)
Milt Life is like that! Nice to see you too :-)
Marina And your blog is pretty too - I love it that you use all those photos throughout. What is the problem with the white text.... looks like you have fixed it on your blog?
Many years ago, as a small kid, I used to live in Singapore. :-D - Karen said...
-
Liking the new look :-)
- Anji said...
-
I do like the new look!
- Gerald Ford said...
-
Love the blog, Doris! :)
- Gerald Ford said...
-
P.S. It seems to work better if I "preview" first, then publish.
- ella m. said...
-
hopefully this works....how does one do the blogger beta thing w/o starting their blog from scratch? Is that possible?
(Yours looks quite nice, so now i'm curious) - Badaunt said...
-
You DIDN'T write so much while I was away, after all. It was the new layout, I guess - Bloglines told me you'd been writing like a maniac, and I thought it was going to take me forever to catch up.
Whew!
Love the new look. - Badaunt said...
-
BTW, Gerald's trick worked for me, too. Preview first, then publish. No problem!
(No problem as long as I remember, that is...) - Britmum said...
-
Doris I love your new blog. Very nice indeed.
Take care xx - Anonymous said...
-
for a while it had
"Trouble posting comments?"
then
"I don't care!"
as the titles. made me giggle.
charlie*
Tuesday, 26 September 2006
Long distance trains
I've always loved the smell of diesel. Ever since the days of the boat train at Victoria station it has held a place in my soul. As you walk down the platform, alongside the diesel engine turning over with a noisy hum, the smell of diesel brings anticipation. New adventures, new experiences and maybe new people to meet along the way. Or maybe a return to the arms of loved ones, or even just home to a bed you know and things being in their familiar place.After a more than wonderful weekend away with precious friends I have returned home again. The fast train zooming across countryside stopping only a few times. Absence has certainly made the heart grow fonder as I throw myself into the arms of Mr Doris meeting me at the station. Both the children are home and both give me the loveliest of smiles hello. Like I am someone special.
I sure love those big diesel trains standing at the platforms revving up ready to go. Taking me to beyond and then back home again. Thank you.
Original Comments:
- Britmum said...
- That was such a nice post. I always liked going on the trains for a special day out.
Take care xx
- Stegbeetle said...
- "both give me the loveliest of smiles hello. Like I am someone special."
But you are someone special - you're Mum. How much more special do you want?
- jane said...
- What a nice homecoming for you. I'm glad you had a good time with friends & had an enjoyable train ride.
- Gerald Ford said...
- Doris, if you ever can, please take the Bullet Train in Japan. It's an amazing ride you'll never forget. You're zooming along at incredible speeds, but the ride is incredibly smooth, quiet, and the food's good too!
I took it with my wife in Winter, and we passed Mt. Fuji in a deep snow-fall.
Unforgetable.
- Atyllah said...
- Isn't it amazing how evocative the sense of smell can be.
Loved these lines: "New adventures, new experiences and maybe new people to meet along the way. Or maybe a return to the arms of loved ones, or even just home to a bed you know and things being in their familiar place." Hmm-mmm, that's what travel is all about.
- Anji said...
- I like going on trains but I don't like oily smells. What a lovely welcome home you had.
- Chandira said...
- :-) Glad you had a good time away. Getting home again is so nice though, I always love that part. I'm more of a homebody than I realised in the last few years.
No kids, but the cat always lets me know how happy (or hungry!) she is when I get home!
P.S. I still have your email about the Mercury thing, I'll get to it! Glad your travels went smoothly this time.
- neutron said...
- Oh Doris, you have struck a nerve with me there! I have a deep-seated pretty embarrassing fascination with train travel that no amount of easyjet cheap flights or motorway tootling can budge. Give e the countryside flashing by outside a train windonw any day...diddly -dum...diddly-dum...diddly-diddly-diddly -dum....ahhhhhhhhh
Thursday, 21 September 2006
Allsorts
Note to self: do not take overseas phone calls at quarter to eight in the morning because I am likely to have some person earnestly trying to sell me their project to match up with my project and telling me how I can be earning more money but what they have is just advertising rubbish. And he got frustrated with me because I don't have dollar signs in my eyes!
Yesterday: walking home through the park a squirrel stood to attention just ahead of me and held that proud and majestic position until I drew up next to it, then it bounded off. It looked a magnificent creature.
This week: daughter is seventeen and very happy. I feel a sense of achievement and gratefulness that she seems reasonably balanced and hasn't felt the need to run away from home like I had when I was 16.
This weekend: I'm off to stay with a very good friend for a few days down sowf.
Just now: I'm plugged into NASA TV watching preparations for the return to earth of the shuttle with Anousheh Ansari (the first female space tourist) onboard. Anousheh has now written her first blog from space!
NB. I must be completely off my rocker..... Anousheh has only just returned to earth and I was confused as she didn't come back on the Shuttle but instead stayed on the ISS. And I've been reading her blog, well, bits of it, and thought that these were reports written whilst she was up in space but only being logged now. I shall scuttle off now. 29 Sep 2006
Original Comments:
Yesterday: walking home through the park a squirrel stood to attention just ahead of me and held that proud and majestic position until I drew up next to it, then it bounded off. It looked a magnificent creature.
This week: daughter is seventeen and very happy. I feel a sense of achievement and gratefulness that she seems reasonably balanced and hasn't felt the need to run away from home like I had when I was 16.
This weekend: I'm off to stay with a very good friend for a few days down sowf.
Just now: I'm plugged into NASA TV watching preparations for the return to earth of the shuttle with Anousheh Ansari (the first female space tourist) onboard. Anousheh has now written her first blog from space!
NB. I must be completely off my rocker..... Anousheh has only just returned to earth and I was confused as she didn't come back on the Shuttle but instead stayed on the ISS. And I've been reading her blog, well, bits of it, and thought that these were reports written whilst she was up in space but only being logged now. I shall scuttle off now. 29 Sep 2006
Original Comments:
- Atyllah said...
- Congratulations on raising a well-balanced daughter - no mean feat in this crazy world.
Re squirrels - I couldn't pass on some of mine to you, could I. They've moved into the family room where the nutstash is kept and have made themselves at home. I'm not sure whose house this is anymore - mine or theirs. It is, however, quite definitely a nuthouse!
- Stegbeetle said...
- Had I $20 million to spare, I'd try the "space tourist" thing. What a cool trip!
- cheryl said...
- Wow - thanks for the link to Anousheh - what a brilliant post she did.
Happy birthday to daughter!
- Anji said...
- Happy birthday to your daughter; mine will be 18 in six weeks and certainly seems more capable and well balaced than i was at that age. We had squirrells in our woods but after the hurricane of 1999 they seem to have gone into hiding, aren't they lovely?
have a lovely weekend
- Minx said...
- I've had no foreign phone calls, no squirrel nutkins but 'Space blogger', how cool is that?
- Gerald Ford said...
- walking home through the park a squirrel stood to attention just ahead of me and held that proud and majestic position until I drew up next to it, then it bounded off. It looked a magnificent creature.
One time, I was walking through a park with a freshly toasted, shredded chicken sandwich, and I suddenly realized I was surrounded.
I am not joking, but six squirrels had appeared out of nowhere, and had surrounded me!
The stood there, quietly sniffing the air, and I carefully walked past them, in case they tried something...
True story. My wife was there.
- Doris said...
- I can imagine that Gerald Ford and I can imagine it was quite intimidating!
Minx I'd be happy to share "my" Space Blogger with you! ;-)
Anji Congrats to you too then for that time 18 years ago when you did the deed. I can't say that my daughter is more capable than me at this age but at least she is much happier. We live next to a park and so have squirrels walking along our wall all the time. Strange to think that your local population just died off or disappeared.
Cheryl Thanks! :-)
Steggie I think it is a great way for the incredibly wealthy to spend their money - helping to fund the space programme. Now to earn the first $20 mill!
Atyllah Thank you re daughter. Wow - squirrels actually in the house? Now is this the real house or the house of the alien chicken.... I get confused at times ;-) But either way I quite believe it is a nuthouse! ROFL
- Britmum said...
- Great post Doris. I liked how you set it up too.
Take care xx
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Oh Bollocks.
Poor you.... I don't know what else to say.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006 2:31:00 PM
Oh dear, I am so sorry. The same happened to me years ago and I drove around with the windows open singing madly to keep myself awake on long journeys for about six months. It was a very long winter.
Stupid bollocksy thiefs. May their crowbars slip and permanently damage them.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006 12:20:00 AM
Oh Doris I am sorry for all the crapiness. We had that a few times when we were residing in the U.K. Trouble is the old houses don't have garages and you have no choice but to park in the street. Bloody gits that think its ok to steal and damage peoples property.
Thinking of you.
Take care xx
Wednesday, October 04, 2006 7:13:00 AM
My sympathies, having something stolen from you in that fashion is one of the most unpleasant things that can happen to a person.
As far as alternatives, how about the subscription service sattelite radio (XM or Sirius)? As I recall most of their recievers are portable and could be taken back into the house with you at night.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006 1:46:00 PM
Very sad that things like this happen. Trouble is it's almost accepted in many places as being the norm.
A big bar of chocolate sometimes helps! Mike.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006 8:41:00 PM
I assume that the security camera wasn't working or that the boggers were 'hoodied up'. The police always get excellent results from security tapes - but unfortunately that's only on The Bill.
I left a car unlocked once and the prats still smashed the window.
Thursday, October 05, 2006 9:46:00 AM
Arghhh...I have experienced this twice...the one occasion in Italy where - amongst other things - our passports and ferry tickets for Greece were stolen and the other in Germany - yes, Germany - where my guitar and all my equipment was nicked. You really don't realise what it's like until it happens.
SYMPATHY!!
Friday, October 06, 2006 10:24:00 PM
I'd love to have seen their faces when they realised it wasn't up to much; Think Karma, perhaps when they're old and deaf someone will steal their hearing aids!
We had a neighbour who used to leave her car unlocked so they wouldn't do any damage when they 'broke in'
Saturday, October 07, 2006 4:11:00 PM
Hello, Doris,
Sorry to hear of your car stereo theft. It's always a violation isn't it...I had someone enter my unlocked car years ago to swipe some coins and rifle through the glove compartment. I felt violated.
Doris, on another topic: I spend much time listening to radio while I work, and whereas you also expressed an interest in radio I thought you might enjoy this humorous weekly show. National Public Radio in the US has the best programming and this show, "What d'Ya Know," is funny and entertaining. I write this to you as I listen to its Oct.7 broadcast from Duluth, Minnesota. The humour is local yet still understood by generally everyone. It's the highlight of my week, and after you listen to a couple of episodes using this archive, you may be hooked as well. I hope you enjoy it.
Best wishes,
Kurt
http://www.notmuch.com/Show/index.pl#archives
Saturday, October 07, 2006 5:07:00 PM
Difficult to think of anything adequate to say! How tiringly tiresome. B****y 'beep' B******s
Saturday, October 07, 2006 11:27:00 PM
Makes me want to slap them!!
Sunday, October 08, 2006 7:31:00 AM
Oh horrors. The sad thing is down in this neck of the woods that sort of thing is considered completely normal. In fact, we consider ourselves lucky if it's just the stereo that gets nicked and we get away with our lives in tact.
Monday, October 09, 2006 5:48:00 PM