When the clocks went back in October 2012 it left me feeling tired and grumpy. A wet walk to work didn’t improve my mood but going through the parks and a friend with far worse weather problems to worry about soon had me counting my blessings. There is always someone worse off. Continue reading lighter mornings, darker nights and a ‘famous’ actress – first published 29 October 2012
Oddballs, people who don’t quite fit in or seem, at first glance, a little strange are everywhere, I might even be considered as one of them. Without them the world would be a far less interesting place in my opinion. After all, the oddballs and weirdos are often the artists, poets, writers, inventors and the people who have ideas that change the world. Ok, so being odd isn’t always good and some weirdos are probably best avoided but a post from the end of October 2012 celebrated some of them. Continue reading Job hunting, walking and weirdos – first published 26 October 2012
11 January 2015
It’s no secret that I hated working at Mad House right from the outset. In fact I only applied for the job because of a rather spooky coincidence that had me thinking the fates were trying to tell me something. My temporary job was coming to an end and my lovely boss, Mac, told me I should apply for a job at Mad House, “you’d be brilliant at it,” he said.
“A call centre! What gives you the idea I’d be brilliant in a call centre?”
“Well, you’re good at talking.”
“Yes, I learned at a very early age.”
“On the phone I mean, you have a lovely phone manner.”
“I worked in a call centre before. It was awful. I hated it.” Continue reading Coffee tastes better with friends
Some days it seems as if all that can go wrong does go wrong. You make all the right plans, do all the right things but, somehow, everything conspires against you. Those are the sort of frustrating days that can leave you feeling frazzled, cross and as if the whole world is against you. If you’re very lucky though, you will have friends who know just how to make you feel better. This post is about some of mine. Continue reading disappointments and good friends – first published 16 October 2012
The invention of the iPod and, before that, the Walkman were, in my humble opinion, the best technological advances in modern times. Ok, so neither have ended world poverty, cured diseases or won wars but they have made music accessible at any time and anywhere. For someone who walks long distances this is wonderful. Quite often I don’t use my iPod at all but, on a miserable day or a long walk where I’m struggling, having the music I want with me in my pocket can make all the difference and, in times of stress, the right song can soothe and calm. Back in September 2012 my poor overstuffed mind needed a bit of both. Continue reading The motivation of music and some parks – first published 28 September 2012
You may have worked out by now that I have a shockingly terrible memory. It’s something I wish I could change but I can’t so I’ve learned to live with it or work round it. Back in 2012 I saw a TV programme that got me thinking that having a poor memory might not be as bad as I’d thought. Thinking about this somehow got me thinking about happiness and what I could personally do to make the world a happier place. Continue reading memory, happiness and being creative – first published 27 September 2012
2 November 2014
This weekend was supposed to be the Walking Is Exercise Too! November walk. There were big plans for lots of miles. When I woke to the sound of rain dashing against the window and howling wind I revised them. There is only so much water a girl can take after all. After a lot of head scratching and some googling I decided to visit two local places that complete the circle of last weekend’s walk. Continue reading Echoes, ripples and connecting circles
26 October 2014
For my Sunday walk I decided to revisit an old friend, the medieval Southampton walls. They’re a backdrop to the city centre and one most of the people of Southampton walk past every day without really noticing them. I’ve been guilty of the same myself in my time. When I was working in the city centre I often spent my lunch hour wandering around them but it’s been a while. I’ve missed them. Continue reading Walking the Southampton walls