Dancing simply gets better. Last night the Comfort Hotel was not available and the ballroom at the Strathdon had a minute floor and low ceiling. Despite some carpet dancing and the close and sweaty atmosphere I stayed till 2am. It was Alison's birthday and we had a lively spinning bachata together early on. Last dance was with Lynn and her completely contrasting manic staccato style of movement.
With Public Liability insurance I can now work the Nottingham Markets with UWDC. I started on Wednesday at Hyson Green and secured 3 appointments for Monday, with 2 more possibles later on. Am at Bilborough this Wednesday so may try Bulwell on Friday. Tomorrow is MAD Day in Northampton. I am a little more clued up this time round. At least Ron got me into the business, for all that his advice and influence thereafter was useless and negative.
Monday's tango is now in Sneinton and is as compelling as salsa. George Monbiot's 'Heat' was a great read; thanks for the recommendation Peter. Must address myself later this week to the Daniel Chapter. Maybe the strike days of Tues. and Wed. will provide an opportunity. I will forward the text to 'regcover' right now.
Saturday 26 April 2008
Saturday 19 April 2008
A weekend of unhurried chores, with a liberal dose of music and dance is in progress. With domestic decks clear by tomorrow morning I should be ready to assault the accounts and UWDC prospects' estimates.
We sampled at Southwell last night the genius of William Byrd, and at the Comfort Hotel I enjoyed again the magical experience of whirling round the dance floor with Anna. Her flying fluidity is exceptional, even in a room full of accomplished and exciting dance partners.
Tariq's old school friend has kindly sent me a selection of tango music, downloaded from Argentine Radio on to CD. I will listen tomorrow when refreshed and alert. It is gratifying, reading Geza Vermes' books on Jesus, that in my modest reading and study I have reached, independently, some of the same conclusions as this lifelong, Jesus obsessed scholar.
Friday morn at Bilborough was interesting, an opportunity to introduce the students to my family's direct connection with the bad guys on their syllabus. Little Louis was rather tired during his lesson but gamely persevered. An ex Bilborough student called round at teatime and persuaded me to donate regularly to a deaf children's charity. If nothing else she was a great example of successful salesmanship. She worked regular door knocking hours and had learned to make the best of every eventuality. What's more she provided an interlude of interesting conversation. Her middle name of Quetzal, the Mexican bird of paradise, I certainly do remember.
Time now to finish both the ironing and Geza Vermes on the Changing Faces of Jesus.
We sampled at Southwell last night the genius of William Byrd, and at the Comfort Hotel I enjoyed again the magical experience of whirling round the dance floor with Anna. Her flying fluidity is exceptional, even in a room full of accomplished and exciting dance partners.
Tariq's old school friend has kindly sent me a selection of tango music, downloaded from Argentine Radio on to CD. I will listen tomorrow when refreshed and alert. It is gratifying, reading Geza Vermes' books on Jesus, that in my modest reading and study I have reached, independently, some of the same conclusions as this lifelong, Jesus obsessed scholar.
Friday morn at Bilborough was interesting, an opportunity to introduce the students to my family's direct connection with the bad guys on their syllabus. Little Louis was rather tired during his lesson but gamely persevered. An ex Bilborough student called round at teatime and persuaded me to donate regularly to a deaf children's charity. If nothing else she was a great example of successful salesmanship. She worked regular door knocking hours and had learned to make the best of every eventuality. What's more she provided an interlude of interesting conversation. Her middle name of Quetzal, the Mexican bird of paradise, I certainly do remember.
Time now to finish both the ironing and Geza Vermes on the Changing Faces of Jesus.
Thursday 17 April 2008
Plod..plod..plod on all three fronts, but downhearted I am not. Dancing and singing continue to provide me with superb company and help me retain my sanity and faith in humanity. Carlo, the Christian Arab from the Uni. has a very different style of teaching from Njaal and Cidinha. He likes big, purposeful strides and imparts sequences of half a dozen steps as opposed to moves requiring but two or three. Further he is very particular about the maintenance of the line of dance.
Maria's party at Edin's last Friday was a reminder, as if I needed one, of the warmth of association built up with Nottingham's dancers over the years. The conviviality in that back room, the laughter, conversation and indeed, the dancing was sheer joy. Maria is one of the warmest hearted people I know. It was her energy and thoughtfulness that gathered us all together that night. To see the smiling faces of Alison, Chinty, Federico, Tranen (?), Lynn, Sasha, Roy, Anya and Michael was uplifting. As for the dancing at the Comfort Hotel that followed, that was the usual wonderful experience. Sunday's early morning Southwell service was the first of many; I look forward to the others. There is space for tasty music of a greater variety, but with no sacrifice of quality.
Am off to Farndon tonight to see a potential UWDC client. Regular reading and talking re. the bus. is helping to build my confidence Today I am applying for insurance whereby to work the Nottingham markets. Some people are more at ease door to door, or talking with work colleagues. I am happiest as a stallholder. At last, with Andy Maile, I seem to have met a local Distributor who means business and is easy to work with. I have been very slow thus far at distinguishing the serious from those who merely dream.
I enjoyed playing host over the last week to Olly and then to Mr. L. Although I will not seek a paying guest I shall be open to requests. Olly's success with Fatladysingh is a tribute to persistence and a serious sense of mission, as well as the intrinsic musicality and excitement of their performance. If their Sheffield show was anything like what I have heard at Junktion 7, I can well understand why they came first.
I have not heard from Olly since he went to Chevenor. The map indicates there is a large area of flat estuarine marshland or pasture whereon to drive a whole range of vehicles. Whatever else transpires, Olly's organisational and technical skills will increase still further. Fortunately he will have the company of several other Dartmouth musicians and will be able to repeat his last summer's triumphal ska band performance on the bandstand at the finale of Dartmouth Carnival week.
Last week's English lessons at Bilborough were quite rewarding. I had never realised that the 'unspeakable/uneatable' reference to foxhunting came from Oscar Wilde's 'A Woman of no Importance'. I wonder what tomorrow's history will bring.
Must sign off now and apply myself to accounts and preparation of a presentation for my farmer from Farndon.
Maria's party at Edin's last Friday was a reminder, as if I needed one, of the warmth of association built up with Nottingham's dancers over the years. The conviviality in that back room, the laughter, conversation and indeed, the dancing was sheer joy. Maria is one of the warmest hearted people I know. It was her energy and thoughtfulness that gathered us all together that night. To see the smiling faces of Alison, Chinty, Federico, Tranen (?), Lynn, Sasha, Roy, Anya and Michael was uplifting. As for the dancing at the Comfort Hotel that followed, that was the usual wonderful experience. Sunday's early morning Southwell service was the first of many; I look forward to the others. There is space for tasty music of a greater variety, but with no sacrifice of quality.
Am off to Farndon tonight to see a potential UWDC client. Regular reading and talking re. the bus. is helping to build my confidence Today I am applying for insurance whereby to work the Nottingham markets. Some people are more at ease door to door, or talking with work colleagues. I am happiest as a stallholder. At last, with Andy Maile, I seem to have met a local Distributor who means business and is easy to work with. I have been very slow thus far at distinguishing the serious from those who merely dream.
I enjoyed playing host over the last week to Olly and then to Mr. L. Although I will not seek a paying guest I shall be open to requests. Olly's success with Fatladysingh is a tribute to persistence and a serious sense of mission, as well as the intrinsic musicality and excitement of their performance. If their Sheffield show was anything like what I have heard at Junktion 7, I can well understand why they came first.
I have not heard from Olly since he went to Chevenor. The map indicates there is a large area of flat estuarine marshland or pasture whereon to drive a whole range of vehicles. Whatever else transpires, Olly's organisational and technical skills will increase still further. Fortunately he will have the company of several other Dartmouth musicians and will be able to repeat his last summer's triumphal ska band performance on the bandstand at the finale of Dartmouth Carnival week.
Last week's English lessons at Bilborough were quite rewarding. I had never realised that the 'unspeakable/uneatable' reference to foxhunting came from Oscar Wilde's 'A Woman of no Importance'. I wonder what tomorrow's history will bring.
Must sign off now and apply myself to accounts and preparation of a presentation for my farmer from Farndon.
Thursday 10 April 2008
The local Thomas Christian did not sign up, but I have two meetings next week as a result of Sunday's Car Boot. Olly will be playing with Fatladysingh in a competition in Sheffield on Saturday and the Chorale has its first early service on Sunday morning.
I had presumed the University tango man was German, as that was where he had learned the dance. It turns out he's a Christian Arab from Bethlehem. I'll show him my Christmas sonnet to discover whether my distant view of Bethlehem connects with the reality in any way.
A cushy day yesterday, sitting on a coach to Shrewsbury and back with geography students; hence I had the energy, in the evening, to do tango for 2 hours followed by 2 hours salsa. Tomorrow it's English all day followed by choir practice and Maria's birthday party. Will Roger, the silent one, be returned from his honeymoon? I know so little of Roger and why his wedding involved the presence of the Bishop.
Life is pretty good, for all that I am, as ever, strapped for cash. I have lovely company and plenty of hope and determination to pursue all three of this year's aims.
I had presumed the University tango man was German, as that was where he had learned the dance. It turns out he's a Christian Arab from Bethlehem. I'll show him my Christmas sonnet to discover whether my distant view of Bethlehem connects with the reality in any way.
A cushy day yesterday, sitting on a coach to Shrewsbury and back with geography students; hence I had the energy, in the evening, to do tango for 2 hours followed by 2 hours salsa. Tomorrow it's English all day followed by choir practice and Maria's birthday party. Will Roger, the silent one, be returned from his honeymoon? I know so little of Roger and why his wedding involved the presence of the Bishop.
Life is pretty good, for all that I am, as ever, strapped for cash. I have lovely company and plenty of hope and determination to pursue all three of this year's aims.
Friday 4 April 2008
This should be a good weekend. I achieved one UWDC meeting. It may lead to a signing next week. The Thomas Christians of Cochin I had only heard of via Melvyn Bragg on the telly and Salman Rushdie in 'The Moor's Last Sigh.' Amazingly a family lives just around the corner and their home language is one of which I have never heard.
A visit to the pub with Roger was pleasant. He seems most content with p/t teaching, a selection of gigs and the company of Gladys. I can only write of hopes today, viz
Roger's wedding and Saturday's milonga - Sunday's carboot and salsa - Peter's comments on several 'Paradise' chapters - this lunchtime's Bilbo. salsa.
I'll do an hour's street patrol with 'Win a Mini' leaflets before a sandwich and departure.
Here we go.
A visit to the pub with Roger was pleasant. He seems most content with p/t teaching, a selection of gigs and the company of Gladys. I can only write of hopes today, viz
Roger's wedding and Saturday's milonga - Sunday's carboot and salsa - Peter's comments on several 'Paradise' chapters - this lunchtime's Bilbo. salsa.
I'll do an hour's street patrol with 'Win a Mini' leaflets before a sandwich and departure.
Here we go.
Wednesday 2 April 2008
Good job I checked my ambitious targets for this week. They should spur me into action. I have entered one prospect for 'Win a Mini' but have yet to secure even an appointment never mind a signing. Will ring her again later. Lighter evenings make door to door work feasible. I'll bend Andy's ear on Sunday. A QE cert. arrived, which is encouraging. I presume that means I am one of the qualifying 6. Cannot afford to rest; must, on the contrary, speed up.
An interesting few paras. have been added to 'Daniel' and an Apocalyptic book from the 1990s has been delivered and read. The official, 'sensible' book by Seow is awaited though the relevant bits of 'The 5th Monarchy Men' have been noted. It will be difficult to complete a revised chapter by the weekend, what with Roger's wedding and a milonga on Saturday.
Dancing on Sunday and Monday has been so welcome; I shall go again tonight. From next Wednesday I shall be tangoing, but Yilbert's Sunday lessons will continue.
An interesting few paras. have been added to 'Daniel' and an Apocalyptic book from the 1990s has been delivered and read. The official, 'sensible' book by Seow is awaited though the relevant bits of 'The 5th Monarchy Men' have been noted. It will be difficult to complete a revised chapter by the weekend, what with Roger's wedding and a milonga on Saturday.
Dancing on Sunday and Monday has been so welcome; I shall go again tonight. From next Wednesday I shall be tangoing, but Yilbert's Sunday lessons will continue.
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