Random Blatherings

At work, we see a lot of what you might call “characters”. One of them is Mad Pigeon Woman. She’s not in the least mad, but it seems to suit her. She’s a little old woman, with an Irish accent, who feeds the pigeons in the square outside of work, and she’s lovely.

The first time I met her I was a little freaked out because I couldn’t understand what she was saying, but now I look forward to her coming in, because she’s so happy all the time. She always inquires as to how I’m doing (seeming genuinely interested in the answer), and has a quick tale to tell that’s usually amusing. Whenever she does the Lotto, she shakes my hand for luck.

She has this aura of contented happiness around her, and in a way I’m jealous of that. I saw her one night, after closing, feeding the pigeons, and I thought that it must be great to be able to find pleasure in such simple things. I hope that when I get to her age, I’m that content. I’m on my way there, I think. No, I know I’m on my way there, and that is good.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for MPW. Anyone who can find a little brightness in this world is someone to emulate.

I hate hot weather. It makes me sweaty and sticky, and usually ratty and short tempered.

It’s been at least 23 degrees here today. And I’ve been inside. Thankfully by a door. My sharp mood wasn’t enhanced by my passive-aggressive boss. I ask for a break, and get the response (after she ignored me), “Yes in a bit. But I don’t know how long a bit will be”. She has time to stand discussing going running with my colleagues, but whatever. Eventually she stops doing whatever it was she was doing (probably discussing how the guy she met on Myspace *last night* wants to have anal sex with her - yes, we all get to hear about it….), and comes down to tell me I can go for my break, “if I must”. After exchanging a few more “pleasantries”, I went on my break. And deliberately came down 5 minutes late.
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Twice tonight I’ve tried to sit and write a blog post. And thing is coming, Usually I just flow, and whatever comes, comes. But tonight, I’m really having to push to get anything. What is up with me? It’s like I’ve whited out.

I’ve had some real successes over the past couple of days, and the only thing different today is that I’ve been at work. Perhaps that’s it? I need to recharge my batteries. All those people, all those different connections. We introverts need our alone time. So what can I do now?

I wonder if tomorrow morning will be any better for writing? I hope it will, because I’d really like to write this article. It’s all about insomnia and how to deal with it, and various things I found useful.

A first time commenter at Things I’m Grateful For, Kathy, tagged me for a meme. Here are the results. I hope you enjoy.

Here are the rules:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

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1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

Counting down the days until I left school, dealing with depression and ostracism, and worrying about getting a job. Things were quite bleak back then. I am SFG I pulled myself up and out of that. Life now is a thousand miles away from what it was.

2) What are five things on your to-do list for today?

1. Tidy desk. I seem to do this a lot.
2. Write an article, either about sleep, or food. My favourite things.
3. I have to Buzzfuse some articles I’ve written already.
4. Drop 600 Entrecards.
5. Spend some time contemplating my navel. Seriously, I had a job list of at least 12 things yesterday.

3) What snacks do I enjoy?

Anything I can fit in my mouth. Fruit, celery, bell pepper, Whole Earth fruit/nut bars & chocolate. Though I’m eating less and less chocolate as time goes on.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?

I would buy a smallholding out in the countryside somewhere, and stick the rest of the money in the bank to earn interest. I’d then donate the interest to help make educational provision for those who have none. Education, after food/shelter/water etc, is the most important thing in life. Without education, there can be no advancement. I would set up several kinds of education - classroom based, vocation based, etc - and offer everyone the choice of which they wanted to do. I would also donate some of the money to organisations like Kiva.org, to help them. Since I don’t need/want much money, I’d have lots to give away.

5) Three Bad Habits

Kicking puppies, shouting at the neighbourhood children & farting in enclosed spaces. Not loving myself enough, not encouraging myself enough & not encouraging other’s enough.

6) 5 places I have lived…

Umm, I’ve only ever lived in one place - the UK. Unless you count the 6 months I spent living inside my head? That was fun. A bit cramped, though.

7) 5 Jobs I have had

1. Landscape gardener.
2. Till operator.
3. Skivvy for building firm.
4. Circus freak.
5. Seller of fine ebay purchases.

Six EightSeven suckers, er people I want to know more about…

1. Ree.
2. Kelley.
3. Cardiogirl.
4. GA Farm Woman.
5. Calfkeeper.
6. Adam’s Wife.
7. Sandy (Momisodes).
8. Quin. Although it looks like she’s on holiday or something. Never mind.

I hope you enjoyed this. I certainly did. If you join in, please let me know.

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I was reading The Hotfessional’s blog the other day, and she’d answered a few quizzes about flowers. Never having been one to poke fun at myself, I figured I’d have a go myself, and post the results. God help me….

Number 1:

You Are a Daisy

You see the world with an artist’s eye. Finding beauty is easy for you - even in the dullest of moments. You notice all of the colours of the world, from fresh grass to sunsets. You are a total optimist and hedonist. You love to drink life in.

What Flower Are You?

OK, that’s not too far off the mark. Though that is actually a Gerbera, not a Daisy.

Number 2:

What An Iris Says About You

You are incredibly hopeful and courageous. Even when you’ve been challenged in life, you have faith that everything will work out. Your feelings run deep, and you are a very grateful person.

What Do The Flowers You Pick Say About You?

Again, fairly accurate, apart from the courageous part (I’m such a nellie you wouldn’t believe it), and the fact that picture is of a Crocus.

Number 3:

You Are a Blue Flower

A blue flower tends to represent peace, openness, and balance. At times, you are very delicate like a cornflower. And at other times, you are wise like an iris. And more than you wish, you’re a little cold, like a blue hydrangea.

What Color Flower Are You?

This one is OK too. I can be quite cold at times, but getting and keeping Hydrangea’s blue requires a lot of work. I do require a fair bit of “alone time” to recharge my batteries, so I suppose I could come across as being cold.

Here’s another quiz I stumbled across on Blogthings:

You Are Very Happy

Your life is totally together, and you enjoy every day. And you don’t need a quiz to tell you that! You know how to find pleasure in the little things… And even when life isn’t so great, you have a good sense of perspective.

How Happy Are You, Really?

Again, pretty accurate. I do try to always look on the bright side, even if it all seems dark. There’s enough evidence to prove that life is a bowl of cherries or a steaming pile of horse dung, every single moment of the day. I’d rather have the cherries than the horse dung. But then again, you can’t grow roses without horse dung, so it does have it’s uses.

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Every day, as I leave the house, I have to look for my keys. And then my other keys. And then something else. I’ve decided I need an exit strategy. No, not that kind. I’m talking about the rhyme I say to myself as I leave the house to ensure I have everything I need for the day. When I was a kid, I often heard my mother say “keys, money, hankie, bus pass” as she left the house, and I’ve decided that I’m going to start doing the same thing.

So, from now on, I’m going to say “house keys, car keys, mobile, change for the parking meter, money, food, bottle of water, clubcard, staff discount card”. “Keys, money, hankie, bus pass” certainly is shorter. Does that say more about modern life, or about the fact I carry too much junk around in my pockets?

What are your tips for leaving the house efficiently?

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Welcome to the brand-spanking-new Random Blatherings. Unsurprisingly, this site is full of my random blatherings. Or rather, it soon will be, once it gets going.

While you’re here, why not check out my Entrecard articles - there’s a wealth of information on making the most of Entrecard, including how to drop 300 cards in 15 minutes & how to get lots of drops every day.

More articles will be made available in the coming days, so don’t forget to come back.

Solomon.