Last night Keith and I watched the first two episodes of the excellent BBC series Life on Mars (courtesy of DVD) which might not be particularly noteworthy as an event except that it was that very rare thing, a programme that we both enjoy watching. While we get on exceptionally well in all areas of daily life, so much so that there is ne'er a cross word between us, our TV interests are poles apart. While I am enjoying my daily fix of Emmerdale and Corrie, Keith suffers in excruciating silence, until it's his turn to wave to me across the abyss that divides our viewing tastes, whilst indulging in the pleasures (?) of more manly offerings such as Scrapheap Challenge, Salvage Squad, American Chopper et al.
(And then there was a recent Sunday afternoon when I was suffering from a migraine headache, made worse by the screeching of Grand Prix motor racing, but the less said about that the better.)
I do appreciate that he is entitled to watch his programmes and, if I find it really unbearable, I usually clamp earphones to my head and listen to music, but it is a bit of a non-starter in the staff room when everyone else is chatting about last night's Location, Location, Location or House Doctor and I suddenly chip in with an observation about the American Chopper team's latest bike design. The silence is deafening.
Blond and Swedish?
"I hear you are Swedish," said one of the teachers at my present school the other day.
"Who told you that?" I asked in surprise.
"One of the children," she said. "So I suppose you speak swedish, then? Of course, you have got blond hair."
I briefly toyed with the idea of going along with it, inventing an imaginary Scandinavian extended family and then decided it was too much trouble.
"No, I don't know where he got that from," I said.
"Oh," she said, looking at me searchingly as if she didn't really believe me, "But you have got that blond hair......."
(Courtesy of Garnier, yes.)
"Who told you that?" I asked in surprise.
"One of the children," she said. "So I suppose you speak swedish, then? Of course, you have got blond hair."
I briefly toyed with the idea of going along with it, inventing an imaginary Scandinavian extended family and then decided it was too much trouble.
"No, I don't know where he got that from," I said.
"Oh," she said, looking at me searchingly as if she didn't really believe me, "But you have got that blond hair......."
(Courtesy of Garnier, yes.)
The waiting game
Eight jobs applied for, two of which had their closing date last Friday. No letters in the post inviting me for interview..............
Wonder how difficult it is to forge a birth certificate and what the sentence would be when my fraud was discovered?
Wonder how difficult it is to forge a birth certificate and what the sentence would be when my fraud was discovered?
2 jags, 2 homes.....
As a taxpayer who is working full time (when work is available) to achieve a very modest standard of living whilst training for what will be my second career at my own expense, I object most strongly to having to contribute towards maintaining John Prescott in the very un-modest lifestyle in which he is apparently going to continue whilst receiving a very generous salary at our expense for doing nothing!
Minibeasts- extra large size
Today, we had a visit from some rather large minibeasts - a giant African land snail, a very large millipede and a Chile Rose Tarantula. This last, fortunately, remained in its tank and was photographed by me from a safe distance!
Pardon?
Overheard - a short conversation in 'my' Reception class this morning:
One of the children was scratching her leg.
Classroom support Assistant: What's the matter A*****? Have your hurt your leg?
A*****: No, I've just got sensible skin.
One of the children was scratching her leg.
Classroom support Assistant: What's the matter A*****? Have your hurt your leg?
A*****: No, I've just got sensible skin.
Men beware!
Just received this from TK and had to share it. Male readers please take note!
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when theywere younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.My name is Bob. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Maria. When I took "early retirement" last year, it became necessary for Maria to get a full-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginningto show her age. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home cooked grub when I hit that door. She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed. Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (ifyou know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points. When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice,big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too.I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Maria. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.....
Signed,Bob
EDITOR'S NOTE: Bob died suddenly on May 27th. The police report says that he was found with a Calloway extra long 50-inch Big Bertha Driver II golfclub rammed up his ass, with only 2 inches of grip showing. His wife Maria was arrested and charged with murder: however, the all-woman jury found her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that he 'accidentally' sat down on it very suddenly.
It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when theywere younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them. Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman.My name is Bob. Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Maria. When I took "early retirement" last year, it became necessary for Maria to get a full-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginningto show her age. I usually get home from the golf course about the same time she gets home from work. Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner. I don't yell at her. Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table. I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club so eating out is not reasonable. I'm ready for some home cooked grub when I hit that door. She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating. But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves. I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed. Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think. For example she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour. But, boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement. I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way she won't have to rush so much. I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (ifyou know what I mean). I like to think tact is one of my strong points. When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods. She had to take a break when she was only half finished mowing the yard. I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man. I tell her to fix herself a nice,big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while. And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me too.I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Maria. I'm not saying that showing this much consideration is easy. Many men will find it difficult. Some will find it impossible! Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older. However, guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other.....
Signed,Bob
EDITOR'S NOTE: Bob died suddenly on May 27th. The police report says that he was found with a Calloway extra long 50-inch Big Bertha Driver II golfclub rammed up his ass, with only 2 inches of grip showing. His wife Maria was arrested and charged with murder: however, the all-woman jury found her Not Guilty, accepting her defense that he 'accidentally' sat down on it very suddenly.
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