Fred Parry's Blog

Yoker String Ensemble

2011-10-06T14:54:00.002Z

Today has been a good news day! My string group has been given the go-ahead to start again and I can now get on with doing it!
I had notification of our financial award back at the beginning of September but as always it was not straightforward. There were problems with were the money should be downloaded to and how it should be spent. In my original bid I allocated a large proportion for transport. I then had a kind offer from Knightswood Sec school of use of their mini-bus which meant less money spent on transport and more on repairing and aquiring new instruments. Simple you would think but NO! As ever in this world now, everything has to be passed and passed again before a decision can be made. I have learned though that if you by-pass the unnecessary and go right to the heart of the organisation you can get results. So it was. I have to thank the councillors of Glasgow's North-West Area committee for their common sense and trust. This has resulted in me being able to change the use of the award accordingly and start to get everything into place.
It has been preying on my mind for about a month now and the sense of relief at getting it sorted is huge. My thanks again the the wise and practical councillors! Not often you hear that being said!

Looking for a Care Home

2011-08-13T10:12:00.002Z

Which is it? A Care Home or a Nursing Home? That is the question that nobody, bar myself and Caroline, can agree on. The consultant says a Care Home, the Sister says Nursing, the Administrator says " I don't know, it's all to do with funding but but maybe ERC (Enhanced Residential Care)". How are you suppose to know or choose!?
Filling in the financial forms alone are a nightmare. When it asks what your Mother-in-Laws income is a week where are you supposed to start? Who works their income out per week anymore?

We are now in the position of being bolshie! I, for people who know me, do not like that attitude but when you get mis-information at every turn you have take hold of the situation rather than let it drift totally out of control. I told the social worker we were not filling out the 15 page financial form as Joy will be self-funding they don't need to know. "That's fine" was the answer! We've now chosen a home and have told the hospital, the Social worker and the Care Home we want Nursing Care and to put the free personal and nursing care allowance in place. Great! No problem. We can move Joy next Tuesday and if funding's not in place by then it can be back dated.
That elation lasted for 2 hours until the Social Worker phoned back to say, "the funding needs to be in place before she can be moved and you will have to wait until we can get a discharge date from the Hospital". When?! "IDon't know, could take about 2 weeks." Why was I told different?" I hadn't checked with my "supervisor" and so they have overruled everything I said earlier!" WTF! Why such bureaucracy? This a woman willing to pay £700 a week from her own savings to move into a care home while she languishes in a grotty hospital. There is a room available and the home are willing and want her to move BUT NO! We have to wait for it to be debated by a bunch of faceless people in order for a stamp to be put in place to say OK!
It typifies Society today where workers are not allowed to make decisions for fear of either a mistake or the fact that "supervisors" might not be able to justify their position.
My plea is: please let people on the ground make decisions and if there is a mistake then it can be corrected. If there is not then everybody is a winner and a whole load of people can get on with their lives!

Sarteano- Journey home

2011-07-31T23:36:00.001Z

Was up at 5.00am this morning. Caroline got up too but we left Kate sleeping for the time being. It was surprisingly cold at that time of the morning but the sun started to come up at about 5.15am. We managed to away by 6.00am and getting to Pisa by 9.00am felt comfortable. Indeed it proved to be and we got to the car-hire by 8.50am. After the usual queuing at every step we eventually got on board our flight Glasgow. Sitting on the flight now we have been told to expect a temperature of 17 degrees and rain!!! Welcome home!!!

Sarteano Day 17 final day

2011-07-31T23:35:00.001Z

Today we are a little bit in Limbo. We are not wanting to leave; know we have to and are still trying enjoy the day while also getting packed. I'm sure many people have felt the same as their holidays end. Not wanting to do too much, not spending too much money (as you don't want to take any more Euros out just to convert them back to pounds the day after). Ends of holidays are Horrible! I wish there was service you could call. Where they would turn up, do all the packing and magically transport you home without having to go to an airport and guiltily make your way through customs. It is however, what it is. Tomorrow afternoon we will be back in Glasgow (probably raining) and we will moan at how unfair our holiday was so short. In a couple of days we will back in the old routine. Ahh! C'est la vie!

Sarteano Day 15

2011-07-14T06:40:00.002Z

After our efforts yesterday we decided to stay on Camp today. Kate had kids club, Caroline had sunbathing and I have a book I want to finish before going home. That was our day! We whiled it away being lazy.
In the evening we decided to go out for a meal and to try somewhere new. We decided on a restaurant, Daniela, in San Casciano die Bangni which is only 14K from here. Always the worry when we eat out with Kate is that she will not try anything new and that is sometimes impossible in foreign restaurant. Last night she had deep-fried Lamb Chops with chips, which she loved (I enjoyed bits as well!), Caroline had a House salad followed by pork with ratatouille and I had Tuscan vegetable soup (a meal on its own!) followed by a wild boar stew with plums and cherries. The meal was fantastic and while it was not cheap it was worth it if only see Kate eat some different food. Tomorrow is our 2nd last day and I think a trip to a new town is on the cards.

Sarteano Day 14

2011-07-13T06:46:00.002Z

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Today was our most tiring, exciting and hottest day all in one. We took the train from Chiusi to Firenze. The journey out was quite uneventful and the train was thankfully air-conditioned. When we got to Firenze the heat was already searing and that was just before 11.00am! We made our way to the Duomo through the massive crowds but found it no problem. The crowd to go up to the top of the Duomo was huge so we decided to go up Campanile instead which is just as tall and gives a magnificent view over the City. After climbing approximately 500 steps we reached the top soaked in sweat! It was worth it but it was midday now and the temperature had soared to over 100 degrees!
When we got back down we drank water by the gallons and then on to visit; Uffizi,
Ponte Vecchio,The Statues in Piazza della Signoria,Ammannati's Neptune Fountain and Loggia della Signora.
We took the Roma train back as it was quicker but it has to said was filthy and very hot with no air-conditioning. We survived but were very hot and sweaty by the time we reached Chiusi at 5.00pm. It was a great day and well worth putting up with some dis- comfort to see such a magnificent City.
A special mention goes to my wonderful 7 year old daughter, Kate, who did not complain once in all the stifling heat. She is a wonderful little girl who appreciated what she saw today.

Sarteano Day 13

2011-07-13T06:45:00.001Z

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The day started slowly again (I think we have slowed down with heat!) as Kate went off to Kids Club, I went to Supermarket and Caroline read her book outside the caravan. Today was very hot and 42 degrees was recorded by lunchtime. In that sort of heat you really can't do anything quickly and so it was 3.00pm by the time we left for another visit to Citta della Pieve, this time in the sunshine!
Citta della Pieve is interesting in so much as it is in Umbria and looks different from it's neighbouring Tuscan towns. The buildings are all brick as opposed to the Tuscan stone building. I think it gives the place a more austere look but nevertheless interesting. We did discover the narrowest street in Europe Vicolo Baciadonne. After we had seen what we wanted we went back to Sarteano via Lidl! Kate has been having withdrawal symptoms from her apple juice and the only place that sells it is Lidl.
In the evening after dinner we went down to dancing were Kate jogged away for 45 mins! Such energy! Early night as tomorrow we are taking an early train to Firenze. Excited!!

Sarteano Day 12

2011-07-11T12:54:00.001Z

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Today is hot! 32 degrees by 9.00am. We have decided to have a quiet morning by the pool where Kare can play with her new pals. Monica, Anna and Sarah are her main friends but they mix with other slightly older ones, especially in the pool.

This afternoon we have made another visit to Montipulciano. One because we love the town and two because Caroline wants to buy a beautiful leather hand bag for which the Italians are so famous. I have a look for one too but don't find anything to replace the one I bought last year in Pienza. Apart from this most important task the rest of the afternoon and early evening are spent in cafes and restaurants. A very easy way to while away a day! We leave Montipulciano just after sunset, which stunning.

Back at the site we go down to the bar where some holiday friends are having their last night. Kate has a great time with the children and we all talk till nearly midnight before we go our separate ways. Holiday friends you might never see again but they will always be part of your holiday memories.

Sarteano Day 10

2011-07-09T06:26:00.001Z

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The day started off with Kate going off to the first day of the Kid's Club, something she enjoyed last year. It meant Caroline and I could go off to the weekly Market that comes to Sarteano every Friday.

Caroline managed to find a nice pair of sandals and we also bought a roast chicken (delicious!), some fruit and veg plus the smelliest cheese in the world called Peceroni. It really does stink but tastes surprisingly mild.

We decided the rest of the day should be a pool day and we had a lovely picnic down by the tables laid out under the vines beside one of the pools.

The rest of the day has been quiet and finished off with Kate going to the kids dancing which has also just started tonight.

Sarteano Day 9

2011-07-08T07:07:00.001Z

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Started the day off with a walk up to the forest surrounding the campsite. It was another lovely morning and very warm so the walk was not too long.
After breakfast we decided to visit the town of Pienza. This is a lovely town that visited last year and where Caroline and I bought a lovely leather bag each. On the way there we also decided to visit Monticchiello which another town we visited last year. This is like a new town but is actually a completely renovated old town and it is really beautiful. It sits up high overlooking some typical landscapes such as the fields of Sunflowers.
After visiting both these towns we then went on to another place which really a hamlet but is a very important place historically. It's called Bagno Vignoni. It's a medieval spa town where the town square is a large Roman bath and where the waters still flow ( and smell!). You cannot bath in the town pool at the moment ( for some reason ) but at the bottom of one of the hill you can enjoy the waters which sit at a temperature of 46 degrees. Almost like having an open air bath!
It was a tiring day but worth it. We've had a quiet night and looking forward to another good day tomorrow.

Sarteano Day8

2011-07-07T06:24:00.001Z

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I got up early this morning to see lovely blue skies and decided to go for a drive and take some early morning photographs. I also had the intention of going to find a Lidl store I'd seen earlier in the week. This is because of Kate's appalling diet and her desperation for Apple Juice! This is not a very common juice in this part of Italy, bar the green pulp juice which does look like you are drinking a glass of snot! My good intentions however were all to no avail as I set off in the wrong direction! I found myself driving to Montepulciano when in fact I should have been heading to Chuisi. Never mind said I, 15k down the road, I'll turn back and go straight to Lidl. Not having my navigator (Caroline) I managed to take a wrong turning into the old village of Chianciano Terme where I found all the narrow streets and a one way system! I followed the narrow streets and Market, without hitting anything, and found myself out the other side not knowing where the hell I was. I just drove more in hope than in knowledge. One hour later I found a big junction I knew, next to the supermarket I normally use. This was not a time to be brave any longer, so I bought breakfast supplies, including Green Apple juice and headed for home. I arrived just in time to see Caroline and Kate getting out of bedding declaring they were starving and was there anything in for breakfast ?!
The rest of the day has been pretty lazy. We lay by the pool for most of the day before I made dinner. After dinner visited the town of Casciano dei Bagni. A lovely little village set high in the mountains and well known for it's old Roman Baths which have special water full of algae and stinking of sulphur! What ever turns you on! Still it was a lovely visit and a great way to round off a lovely day.

Sarteano Day 7

2011-07-06T08:43:00.001Z

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Today started off dull and threatening but by the time I returned back with the morning bread it had already brightened up and so the pool beckoned. I left Kate and Caroline to it and joined them an hour later. We decided then to take a trip to Orvieto. This town is over the border in Umbria and hosts one of the oldest Cathedrals in Italy, Basilica Cattedrale Orvieto.The town itself is a mixture of old quiet streets and alleys along with it's many restaurants. One of the restaurants we choose, which was not in the main Square, turned out to be quite expensive for food that was ok but not great. We should have known better. They have some unusual shops and one of them was a wood carvers workshop, Michaelangelo, with the actual shop across the narrow street. This was very much a modern day Pinnichio.

Just as we decided to leave the rain started to come down really hard. We were lucky not to get soaked! As the weather has not been great today we decided to stay in and play cards. Memories of my childhood came flooding back. I went to be bed very happy.

Sarteano Day 6

2011-07-05T10:23:00.001Z

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The day has started beautifully with hot sunshine and having breakfast on our decking. Caroline and Kate are off to the pool afterwards to meet up with some new friends that Kate has made. One of the really good things about these camps is the number of children who holiday in them and so the children learn to make friends very quickly. I'm off to the supermarket! Unfortunately we have to and barring eating restaurants all the time we have to keep supplies up, MY job!
This afternoon it has clouded over a good bit and so we are off to Montepulciano. This is one of my favourite towns with stunning architecture, good cafes and lovely shops.
San Bagio is it's most celebrated church and is stunning in it situation and architecture. We then visit our favourite cafe in the main square. Also in the main square is Cattedrale Santa Maria Assente. This is a very unusual looking Cathedral on the outside where the facade looks like it needs finished!
Another interesting fact about Montepulcaino is the fact it is the birthplace of Roberto Bellarmino. This in fact was the name of the Secondary school I went to in deepest Pollock, Glasgow! He in fact had been a Jesuit priest who had come to Scotland to help convert the heathen Scots! Amazing really.

The day has finished with us down at the camp bar where some of the other Scots families have gathered with their children. Chat is the order of the day/night and mutual friends are discovered. A perfect end to another lovely day.

Sarteano Day 5

2011-07-04T05:57:00.001Z

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Normal service has been resumed. It's 31 degrees and sunny today and the site is buzzing with people round the pool and the village. What a relief, especially to Caroline and Kate. We had a great time playing in the big pool which is one of three, the other two are open to the public and stay open all day. The one we use closes at 1.30 which allows time for a siesta! Life is hard!!
In the evening we visited the nearby town of Cetona. This very traditional Italian town has it's focal point in a large rectangular square were the locals meet and talk of an evening. It really is wonderful to hear the human voice as the main source noise and animation. If only we could adopt this back home rather than the usual television and loud music. We have sat in this square eating ice-cream, drinking coffee and talking. Feeling quite at home really

Sarteano Day 3

2011-07-01T18:07:00.001Z

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At this present time 4.00pm there is a huge thunderstorm! These storms don't usually last long but this one has been going for a couple of hours and it is loud and heavy with rain.
This morning it was very hot and clear blue skies so we didn't expect quite a downpour. We visited the local Market in Sarteano which occurs every Friday. It was very busy and we were able to buy very fresh food for tonight's dinner. I bet they're glad they were only there in the morning. The good thing about storms like this is it lets you just sit around reading and relaxing. Even Kate is happy dossing about naked in the caravan! Relaxing is what a holiday is all about and that's what we are being forced to do, whether we want to or not. I'm sure by this evening it will be back to a warm and sunny place and we'll be ready to get out and about tomorrow in the hot sunshine!

Sarteano Tuscany 2011 Day 1

2011-07-01T07:09:00.001Z

Set off from Glasgow this morning at 4.15am! I hardly slept for fear of sleeping in so now we have arrived in Sarteano I am truly exhausted. The heat is searing, 90degrees plus, and I think we could be in for a thunderstorm. At least that will clear the air!
The mobile home is very nice and a surprising amount of room. I'm off to supermarket for supplies. After dinner it will be a short walk and then an early night. I'm hoping to feel bright and raring to go tomorrow. Here's hoping.

Isle of Skye

2011-05-30T22:45:00.001Z

The weather is very wet intermingled with strong sun breaks that don't last long. The Hotel Duisdale is lovely and the food fantastic. Welcome to the Isle of Skye!
We are here celebrating my 25th Wedding Anniversary with Caroline. This is the first time we have alone together, for longer than a few hours, for about 20 yrs.! It feels very strange not having a child about but I think we deserve to give ourselves sometime to talk and discuss our own needs. The banning of talking about children has been agreed!

25 years of marriage

2011-05-26T08:25:00.001Z

I've been married to Caroline for 25 years today! I can hardly believe it. This beautiful, talented woman has stuck by me for all these years! Why? To be with the same person for 25 years of marriage and 28 years all in is either pure laziness or true love. Knowing Caroline and how hard she works and how much of a "doer" she is it can only be the latter.
She is beautiful, she is intelligent, she is fun and most of all a wonderful human being. She would deny any of those things but I know it to be true. I just hope that in another 25 years we are celebrating our Golden! Now that will be quite an event!

The storm

2011-05-23T20:42:00.001Z

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What a day! This is May in Scotland. 90 mph winds and thrashing rain, oh the joys! I came home from teaching on a piece of wood (cello) to here an almighty crash as a giant 60ft Elm tree fell onto park cars an across the breadth of the whole of our road, about 10 yards from my front door! What a sight! The tree has been standing for about 100 years and to be felled by a huge gust of wind seems so cruel. I suppose it's better that nature does the job rather than it being felled by Man because it is an inconvenience or that it blocks somebody's light. Still it's a very sad day and we will no longer hear the Dawn chorus that inhabited that particular tree. Nature is cruel.

Going back to work and students on holiday

2011-04-17T09:47:00.001Z

It's a strange situation at home just now. After 2 weeks holiday it's time to go back to work on Monday. At the same time my two sons have finished their terms at Sheffield and Glasgow Unis respectively and so are home for quite a while now. Caroline also starts her holidays this week while Kate and I return to school! The return it has to be said is only for 4 days before the Easter break so I mustn't complain!
The result is the house is crowded. We never envisaged this situation when we bought this place and mostly because we never envisaged having another child 15 years after our second one! I know I should be grateful that our children can still feel they can return here and still call it home BUT...... What about some peace and quiet!? Maybe in another 10 or 11 years???

On flight

2011-04-11T12:29:00.001Z

Flights are a strange form of travel and one that I don't particularly like. We have this idea that we just turn up at the airport, drop off a bag and get on the plane and off! The reality is much different and especially if you travelling in a group that includes a 7 yr old, an 81 and an 86! The frustrations and timings of getting through are much different. Do you wait to the end to let the elderly on last ( which annoys the 7 yr old!) or do you fight through the crowds and rush to the front which will inevitably leave the elderly either knocked of their feet or crushes to death in the mad scramble for a seat! I think the former is the lesser of the two evils. After all there will always be a seat for everybody with a ticket and while you might not all end up in the same row that can sometimes be an advantage!!

Taking the car or motorhome is a better option for me but given that none of my family would like it I guess I'm stuck with what I've got........ Or maybe there is another way?? Mmmmm!

Going home

2011-04-10T20:52:00.001Z

Unfortunately it's time to go back to Glasgow or at least in about 8 hours. We have had a fantastic time and rounded it off tonight with a meal at a local Portugese restaurant. It was great of my young brother to share his good fortune (through hard work) with Kate, Caroline and myself as well as my Mum and Dad. We really can't thank him enough. His kindness and generosity are very much appreciated and I hope he has enjoyed being with his Family in this beautiful place. I hope it will not be the last time we are here but if it is we will never forget what a wonderful time we've had.

The dolphin hunt

2011-04-09T13:52:00.002Z

We have just been on a boat looking for dolphins and well did we see some! There were hundreds of bottle-nose dolphins swimming in the Atlantic off Lagos. We really didn't know what to expect but we were not disappointed. Literally 100's were swimming round the boat. I haven't seen all the photos yet but I must have at least a few. It's not easy to capture these majestic creatures on film but I had the camera set to rapid shoot so hopefully I have got some. The speed they move is very daunting and just as you think you might have one photo they have diced again. I think a lot of luck is needed. An unforgettable experience for us all but especially Kate who was beside herself with excitement!

Later today we are going to a traditional Portugese dance, so that will be an all together different experience.
Photos to follow!

Day 5 Lagos

2011-04-08T07:39:00.001Z

Another beautiful morning here in Lagos and I'm up earlier than usual to try and get the most out of the day. Yesterday was lovely and I hope we can continue in the same vein.

We are hoping to go on the dolphin boat- ride which Kate has been going on about. It will depend on the weather, ironically enough, and whether the sea is too rough! They wouldn't sail yesterday because of safety and while the sea looked wonderful yesterday it obviously has to be pretty calm before the boats will be taken out. Here's hoping!

Another day in Lagos

2011-04-07T13:54:00.003Z

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After the exertions of yesterday; a day on the beach was called for. There are many beautiful beaches in this area and luckily one of the best and certainly most accessible is 5 mins walk from where we are staying. The waves are high and many surfers use it. For me Kate and Caroline it's ideal for just jumping over the waves! I have already soaked myself, having not come prepared with trunks , I now find myself lying in my knickers while my shorts dry out! Never mind and nobody cares, we are having a ball!

Last week of term

2011-03-28T10:14:00.001Z

Tomorrow starts the last week of school term and a period of real disruption. While I'm looking forward to the holidays the fact that the schools are only open for 7 days in the whole of April will look excessive to people looking in. It has to be pointed out that there are no more holidays than usual but is just the way they have fallen this year. Easter being so late this year doesn't help and who do we blame for that?

I'm off to Portugal for a week in the holidays and I intend to enjoy it. While I may be worried about the continuity in my teaching, I'm afraid that when it comes to holidays I have an uncanny knack of leaving guilt and worry where they belong: well tucked away!

Friend in need

2011-03-17T20:11:00.001Z

I'm sitting waiting for my daughter while she is in her Ballet class. This is usually a time of peace and quiet where I can gather thoughts and listen to favourite music. Today however, I am on edge.

My thoughts are very much focused on an old friend who has finally come round to the idea that he may have a problem with alcohol. I have told him this quite a number of times and pleaded with him to seek help. Like most people with this terrible illness he is in denial and cannot bring himself yet to admit to it. He has denied that anybody else believes the same as myself and that is enough for the drinking to continue. The truth is most people believe what I do but are too embarrassed to bring it up in conversation. The last person to admit a problem like this is the sufferer themselves. It is very hard to admit, what many people still believe is a weakness, that a problem exists. Going to the Doctor is at least saying that there may be a problem and start on a road to recovery.

On my return home I had a phone call from my friend. He has been to the doctor and has asked for help that surely is the First Step. He is still a friend and as such I hope I can help as well

Concerts and Castles

2011-03-12T00:35:00.002Z

As the weeks are flying by it was good to have one that was a bit different from others.
This week started off as usual with me travelling to the East-End of Glasgow to do my cello teaching. Tuesday was much closer to hand starting off in the local Primary school and finishing in a local Secondary. All this was interspersed with my private teaching at home.
On Wednesday it was different. I went to my Daughter's Primary across the road to see their make on a Medieval Baquet! In came the Princess and the Knights to do some jousting as well us enjoying a banquet! The primary 3 class were terrific and given a great show. There were School Inspectors in as well so they must have been impressed.
On Thursday my day started as usual with my cello teaching in another nearby Secondary school. Later that day at 7.00pm I took part in a concert at another local Secondary and what a breath of fresh air. It incorporated all the members of the Arts Faculty i.e. Music, Drama, Art and Dance. All did the school proud and proved again that an ordinary Secondary School in Glasgow can put on a high class show/concert that is both short and very entertaining. Long may it carry on.

Old Friends

2011-03-07T21:08:00.001Z

Last night I sat to dinner with the family and not unusually I had to tell Kate to stop playing a game on my iPhone. As reluctantly complied she pressed a button in haste and next minute she was talking to somebody on the other end of the phone. "do you want to speak to my Dad?" was the question in her soft English accent. I asked her to pass it me as I was getting annoyed by point. On the top of the phone I notice the name: Arthur Gwynn Morgan Davies. What the f... I exclaimed! Arthur? I haven't spoken to Arthur in about 10 years! Arthur have you just phones me?" No!" Came the answer in a state of bemusement, " you have just phoned me! ". " how did that happen Kate?" you've broken my phone, it will not disconnect! After a minute I managed to take stock of the situation and have quick word with Arthur at which he said he would phone back in an hour. Kate then piped up, "you've been meaning to phone guy for ages!"
Indeed an hour later Arthur phone and we spoke for over an hour. It was great to catch up with somebody who, when in Glasgow, was my best friend and colleague. He has not changed a bit and despite all the time we have not seen or spoken to one another we can still call each other good friends.

Victoria park Scotstoun Glasgow

2011-03-03T15:38:00.005Z

Another year.

2011-03-03T15:38:00.003Z

Just looking at the photo from last Christmas I thought it unusual that there had been so much snow last year. Little did I know that this year would be twice as White, cold and beautiful.

It's been a mixed year with lots of visits to hospital with Mother-in-law. That has been the hardest part of the year, especially for Caroline, but still she goes on and refuses to give up! Stubborn or fortunate?

Highlights of the year have been our holidays in Portugal (Easter) and Tuscany in the summer. I don't think we would have finished the year as strongly if we hadn't managed to get away.

Another highlight for myself was 9 days in Bremen, Germany, with the International Youth Symphony Orchestra (IYSO). It was a great course with an orchestra of 170 young people the sound was immense! Hopefully I'll get back next year for another exciting episode!

Both the boys are at Uni now, with Adam at Glasgow and Fraser at Sheffield. They seem to be getting on well but time will tell if they stick at it!

Kate is now in P3, which is hard to believe, and is just a joy. A time consuming joy but nevertheless a joy.

This year, 2011, will see Caroline and my 25th wedding anniversary! We have not planned anything yet but I've no doubt we will celebrate in our own inimitable fashion, whatever that is!

I'm going to try and keep this blog more updated but no promises to myself. Happy 2011!

Ode to a broken cello

2011-03-03T15:38:00.001Z

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This is exactly what you don't want when you return to school. The cello has been dropped and the neck completely sheared off! When asked how it happened the stock answer came out, "I don't know!" It's as if the cello Has deliberately committed suicide rather than be abused by it's owner! I don't know if I can blame it. These instruments do take a fair amount of abuse and if it was human it may well have retaliated in some violent way! Maybe this was this particular cello's only hope of escape! I do feel responsible for giving to an owner who obviously didn't care what happened to it. It probably lay in a corner for months with only an occasional outing to pawed at by grubby hands with sticky fingers and worse. How could I let that happen? I should have known. Maybe we will all learn by this untimely incident. Maybe I should start a home for suffering cellos. I don't know but I do know that this particular owner will not be given another chance to claim another victim. He will be sent back to endure his Maths and English classes! Never to darken my door again!

Mr P

2011-03-03T15:27:00.001Z

At the end of January 2011, Scotstoun Primary School's Janitor Mr Parker retired. People might think "well big deal!". Indeed it was a big deal. Mr Parker or Mr P as he was known was a quite extraordinary Janitor and man. Much was written in the papers of hi exploits in the Vietnam war and his obvious bravery in winning the Purple Heart. In the time I have known him he never mentioned it to me and it only came out after much delving by the press. I'm sure he is proud of it but it was not his overiding conversation story. Much more interesting for him, from what I could gather, were the children in his care everyday of his 16 years at Scotstoun. His dedication to the school. Children and wider community of Scotstoun has been immense. This has all been rightly mentioned in dispatches but one thing has upset me and stuck in my gullet which has not really been made public.

As a janitor with Glasgow City Council and at Scotstoun Primary he has lived in a tied house that goes with job at Scotstoun. He has now had to vacate that house and basically find somewhere else for himself and family to live! Why? To be fair to the City Council they have stopped the tied house policy for new employees so it should not happen again. What will happen to Mr P's ex house? It will probably be sold off and the money go into the general coffers. What price loyalty and devotion to your job? I for one would have been more than happy to have seen Mr P enjoy his well-earned retirement in the comfort of his house in Scotstoun and forego the extra coffers. That for me, unlike city bankers, would have been a well deserved bonus.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-24T22:31:00.005Z

It's Christmas Eve night with about 1 and a half hours till Christmas Day and I am now very tired. It has been a long day getting everything ready for tomorrow. Thankfully everything seems under control and Kate has now gone to bed to hopefully waken up not too early tomorrow!

We are having a white Christmas this year and the temperature is about minus 9 or 10 degrees and that is the coldest Christmas I can remember for about 20 years. I have to say I love this weather and it brings back memories of Christmas when I was a child. Kate is certainly enjoying it as well.

Everybody is at home and I have a good feeling for tomorrow. My Mum and Dad plus Caroline's Mum; Caroline,Adam, Fraser, Kate and myself for dinner tomorrow and despite the fact that the volume level will rise considerably we should have good day.

I hope anybody reading this has, or has had an equally good Christmas. If not then I am sorry. Maybe you can try things differently next year. So,
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009, TO EVERYONE

The eternal battle with funding

2009-02-15T23:53:00.005Z

I have now had my second application for funding to the Scottish Arts Council's Inspire Fund. I am told it is not inspiring enough. My plan of coaching and conducting a group of young children of Primary school age every week does not meet the required "Inspiration" target. In their minds that might well be the case but nobody has been out to visit the group and see/hear how inspiring it is for these young children, many from very deprived backgrounds, coming together every week and producing fantastic, nee inspiring music and see what pleasure it brings for these children to achieve these standards. This is not bog-standard recorder group or primary "percussion" group. These children are playing string instruments i.e. Violins, cellos and Violas. How much more inspiring does it get. The powers that be just don't see or even know what supreme effort it is even for these children to be at school. The most staggering statistic is their attendance is far greater on Friday (when we rehearse} than any other day of the week. Why do they make that special effort?

I have tried to put in words to the Arts Council everything that happens. I have even had to label some of these children "deprived", "Socially disadvantaged", "from dysfunctional families", ALL to try and wrestle some funding enabling me to keep this group going and hopefully improve. I cannot degrade the children anymore or try finding the correct political speak for them to impart with their monies.

I have seen the list of groups who are getting funding and while I wish them all the best in their ventures I cannot see why they are any more deserving apart from being able to fill a form out better than myself. I wonder how many projects have actually been visited? Is it all take from the forms that are sent in or is their word of mouth to the right people? I sound totally paranoid when I say that and again I do not be-grudge other groups funding, I just wish to God it was us!

I do not know how long I have the energy to sustain Yoker Strings at the level it has reached. I have found it very hard this year in that it imposes on my whole week and is forever there. I wish I could afford to concentrate my energies full-time to the project but I have to live in the real world. That means mortgage, bills and living for myself and family.

If you are a philanthropist and read this please get in touch and give the means to carry this project forward. In days of doom and gloom this is a beacon of light that shine every Friday afternoon and deserves to continue shining.

Don't always believe what you are told!

2008-12-10T23:47:00.003Z

Fraser has been off in Dublin these last two days and if we had listened to what the matriculation secretary had told us he would never have crossed the North Sea and gone to the open day at Trinity College Dublin.

Having looked at the website to see what qualifications were needed to take a degree in English and Music we were pretty lost and then disappointed to read that a base requirement for entry to any course was a second language. Fraser was very dispondent and could not understand why this requirement was so necessary. It turns out after being at the open day that his Standard Grade French will suffice and in actual fact he nearly has enough points to apply already.

If only it was that simple! Since he wants to take a double honours degree in both English and Music and there are not many Universities that offer it, the competion for place is extremely high. Trinity in fact offer only 10 places. The first hurdle is a music exam in Aural, Harmony and General music knowledge/rudiments. If that goes well you are then offered an interview. If the interview is successful you are then offered a place. Phew!!! These are a lot of hurdles to jump before you can get started. I suppose the good thing is that if you do get in you will have to be very good and will have deserved it. I am hopeful for Fraser because he is a good musician but the waiting and suspense might be just to much to handle.

Maybe life would be a lot easier if we had listened to what we were told!

Instrumental Teaching continued.......

2008-11-11T23:32:00.004Z

Following on from my rant yesterday I found this article in the
The Daily Telegraph
today. It goes on to give me the impression of what a mad and dangerous world we live in today.

Why have we come to this? Is it over protective Parents or too many people wanting to be Social Workers. It may well be both of these but the combination of both of them and the media, lead society today to have a total lack of trust in one another. I will continue to teach in the way I teach and this latest episode may well blow over as a similiar on did about 10 years ago. The Instrumental Teachers were told to teach at least two children at a time and with the door open!! It is amazing how a bit of beginner violin or oboe wafting down the corridors can encourage others to overlook these little directives!

Unlike yesterday I enjoyed teaching today. The children were lovely and hard-working. It also makes a difference when you have various standards to deal with and the satisfaction of knowing you have made a difference in that one lesson.

Instrumental lessons in Schools

2008-11-10T23:02:00.002Z

Instrumental teaching in Schools and especially in some ways the cello, is a waste of time! It is not how I always feel but when I have a day like I have had today that sentiment comes rushing to the forefront.

I started off in a Primary School this morning where the two prospective cellist (ha!) turned up with neither having done any practise and more depressing, they didn't care! The only excuse offered was “I forgot” and said in manner that was so indignant as to be almost totally dismissive of my question. When I told them just to pack up and that I would see them next week with some work done, their reaction was at first puzzled and secondly pleased that they didn't have to sit through my nagging and pryinThe next school was another Primary where the two girls hardly speak a word and do about as much work as well. When I told them I had to hurry and that they had to be back in class a half hour later they almost broke down! “Our teacher will moan at us!” “Why”, I asked. “ Because we will be back to early and she doesn't like it!” I then go on to enquire, “You mean your teacher complains if you come back early because you have not missed enough work and if you come back late she complains because you have missed too much work. Right?” “Right!” came the reply. My first thought was I should take this further and talk to the Headteacher. The after a couple of minutes I thought, why? He will only placate me and tell me he will speak to the teacher concerned but he will not because he will forget as it slips down the pecking order of things to do. If, however, I was to inform him that the instrumental lessons were being withdrawn because of lack of interest there would be a flurry of indignation and bending over backwards to accommodate my every need. That would however last for about 2 weeks and then back to the status quo.
I am sick, sick, sick of the attitude but still come back for more. All the schools are not like that and neither are the children but there is an ever increasing number of them who like the thought of cello in the school but the reality is something else.

The other news today regarding instrumental teaching in schools is the “Non-Touchy” type of teaching a musical instrument. This raises its ugly head every so often but now the Musicians Union have come out with a directive to the effect that you must never touch a child unless you previously ask permission. Ask permission to touch? Yeah!! “Please little girl, do mind if I touch your hand and then maybe hold your arm in order to make you hold and move the bow properly?” How is that for inserting a little thought into the girls head!? It is ridiculous. I will never give up the right to use my hands as well as my voice as a way of teaching children, or for the matter adults, how to play the cello properly. I wish in some of my schools I got that far!

Changes in the family

2008-11-02T23:49:00.004Z

So much has changed since the last time I posted here. Adam has now left for St Andrews University to study Chemistry, Fraser is now in 6th Year and agonising over what he wants to and where and Kate has now entered Primary 1 in Scotstoun Primary School. As if that is not enough Caroline's Mum has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, my Dad has skin cancer and Kate has been told she has to wear specs, probably for the rest of her life. All of this has happened in a matter of 3 months but it feels that it has been happening forever!!

We had been waiting so long for Adam to go to University. Actually longing rather than long! Of course when it happened we were caught short and surprised that the time had come so quickly. Caroline was was very concerned about how he was going to handle the situation but is that not what Mothers do? She cannot stop beng a Mother! I took Adam through on the first day and to be honestit was a very nervous Adam. Would he like it was his first concern. Who would be his housemates that he would have to share a good part of the next four years with. The biggest concern to all of us was would he cope with studying again! He had done a 6th year and a gap year in which he had hardly had an academic thought. He was worried, especially about Maths, and we were worried that he would just "chuck it!" As in most thing that you worry about, they are never as bad as the thought. He has settled in well. He has a good bunch of house-mates and the campus he is staying on, "Albany", is the place to be if toy want to play hard and study hard. In other words the old adage- " Worry is like a rocking chair-it just goes back and forward but gets you nowhere!"-is true!

Fraser has now gone into 6th year at school and is now getting closer to having to choose a University. He did really well in hs Highers, getting 4 A's and a B. Funnily enough that is the same as Adam did. Fraser's problem is not that he will not have choices for courses at Uni but they are what he will do! He wants (he thinks) to do a double honours in English and Music and there are very few Uni's that do it. He would like to move from Glasgow and so that is one less choice left to him. The other choices are Trinity College Dublin and Queens University Belfast. I know he would love to go to Dublin but they are difficult to get into and we don't know how funding would go. Either way it is going to be an expensive time but we will try our best to do what we can for him. He deserves it!

At the other end of the spectrum our little darling Kate has now gone into our local Primary 1, Scotstoun Primary School. She is loving it and come home happy most days. Unfortunately after having had her eyes tested in Nursery School we were told that she would need glasses. We assumed that it would only be "part-time" glasses and only when she was reading. It has not turned out that way and in fact they are pretty strong. She was diagnosed as being long-sighted and there is not much chance that the eyes will be able to do without them. She has been very good with them and has adapted really well. After being told that she had no sense of depth and that she did not see in 3D it is not surprising she wants to wear them. It is sad because it has changed her looks no matter what anybody else says. She is so young to be wearing them but I suppose if she was having such difficulty seeing properly then it's a small price to pay. As always it's the Parents who make the bigger fuss!

The most serious piece of news was Caroline's Mum, Joy. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer a couple of months ago. This is a return of the same disease from 20 years ago! I for one was convinced that it would have spread throughout her body but fortunately for her it has not spread. She has however had to have a Mastectomy. She has as always been very stoical about it and in fact 2 weeks after the successful operation she took herself into Glasgow to be at a concert in the Royal Concert Hall! That is so typical of her. She still has a way to go and has just started her medication which will not include Chemotherapy or Radiation treatment because she had that 20 years ago. The medicine has quite a few side-effects but they have yet to be realised. So we are waiting with baited breath!

My Dad has been suffering with a mild for of Skin-Cancer for a while but it has recently got worse and unfortunately it has spread to his scalp and ears. He gets rather large growths on his head and ears. This of course has made him grumpy, even more grumpy! He is in good health otherwise and is still working at the age of 78! Not bad for a man who had a kidney transplant 20 years ago. I'm sure he can get over this latest blip.

These are just the most important things that have happened over the last 3months but there has been much else. Life just now is moving so quickly. I am working hard and the time is just disappearing. I am lucky to be alive and with a loving family but sometimes I feel it is all a bit much and I want to disappear back to Tuscany! I think that will have to wait till next summer. If the time continues to pass as quickly as it is then that will be soon enough!!

It's been a long year

2008-07-05T20:48:00.003Z

Thank goodness the summer holidays are here! Not because I have had a bad year but it has been a hard one work wise.

Last October I suggested starting a weekly string orchestra that combined pupils from 4 local primary schools. They would come together every Friday afternoon during term time to form The Yoker String Ensemble. It was also a back up to their individual lessons at other times during the week and so would ensure that they would be seen at least twice a week. It is a great idea and when it works it is very rewarding both to the children and myself. I don't think, however, I fully realised the amount of work it would take on a weekly basis. As in most of these situations the music was the least of my problems.

How difficult is it to organise a bus to bring some children to a venue on a regular basis. Why does it take a phone-call by me, at least once a week, just to check if the bus has been booked! Then I am asked if I will be responsible for paying the driver a "little something" for doing a voluntary service! These things can be excused and handled in a one-off situation but not on a weekly basis.

Then when things seem to be running smoothly I discover that our funding has been cut. I am not surprised but the blow is very hurtful. Thankfully I found a couple of influential people who were willing to back me in an application for funds. It was passed and we are now back on a even keel. But for how long? All the time this is going on I am reading in the newspapers about "El Sistema" and the amount of money it will take to set up and maintain such a project. Where will that money come from? No answer is the loud reply. Politically I am both naive and without the right connections but I will fight my corner to the best of my ability.

In the midst of all this is the music being created by a group of just over 40 children. Playing their violins,violas and cellos they are making immense progress and have entered the Glasgow Music Festival. It is the first time for any of these children and when we get a very creditable 2nd Place, I can honestly say that all the hassle and running around is worth it. Many of these children would never get this opportunity unless somebody did something like this. Iam not looking to produce an army of professional musicians. I am looking to give these children all the opportunities they deserve and they respond with hard work and love for their Friday afternoons.

It has been a long hard year and I am glad I am going off to Tuscany with my family for 2 weeks but I will be back in August to take up where I left off and hoping against hope that I can concentrate on the music more than anything. We will see!!

Cello Day

2007-11-24T22:13:00.002Z

Glasgow Education Department had it's first Cello Day for pupils in Glasgow Schools who play cello. It took place in the new City Halls and consisted of 60 cello players from all over the city and ages ranged from 9yrs to 17yrs.

It was very encouraging to see and hear so many young cellists. It was also good to see the majority of them were learning within the school system. We played two arrangements of mine; Libera Me and The Neapolitan Song. We also had 10 solo performers playing repertoire from Bach Minuets to the Gigue from the 2nd Bach Solo Suite.

I think Glasgow is in a pretty healthy state as far as cello playing goes. Not everybody there on Thursday will pursue a career in Music or become a cellist. In fact only a handful will even consider it but they all had a similar experience on Thursday. Music is for everybody and everybody can have that positive experience when they indulge in great music-making.

Fraser's Short Story

2007-09-01T21:43:00.000Z

I am very proud of this story which was written by my youngest son Fraser. While working for the Herald Newspaper on work experience here in Glasgow, he was asked to submit a short story with the possibility of publication in the Saturday ABC magazine of the Herald. He duly did in a day and so impressed were they that they indeed did publish his story. This along with some book reviews he did, and which were published also, added up to a great week at this national newspaper.

The Letter

By Fraser Parry, 15, Hyndland Secondary School

James sat staring, wide-eyed, at the letter on the table. Shards of glass lay scattered around it, and through the recently formed hole in the window, James could clearly hear the noises from the street outside. It was 9.22 on a Saturday morning. Moments ago thing had been perfectly normal; he had awoken at around 9.15, and had been sitting in his dining room while the Saturday morning train of thought chugged around his brain.
“What should I have for breakfast? Should I shower before or after I eat? Am I going out at all today? What time?”

It had been around this moment that someone had thrown a wooden block, carved into the shape of the letter H, through James’s window. Now some extra carriages had tagged themselves onto his thought train. “Who threw this? What does it mean? Why did they throw it at me? Will I have to pay to repair the damage? Gingerly brushing off some window fragments, James picked the recently airborne character and examined it. It was hardly a piece of master craftsmanship, the edges were coarse, the lengths were uneven and the crossbar was disproportionately thin. Afraid of getting a splinter, he placed it back on the table.

Suddenly noticing a strong draught, James looked up. Outside the street was busy with cars, but there was only one pedestrian. A young boy with short blond hair was standing there, holding the top a large burlap sack and looking straight at James. James jumped up, quickly grabbed a pair of jeans from the radiator, threw them on over the underwear he had slept in and ran out onto the street. Seeing this, the young boy turned and fled, leaving the sack behind him. James walked over, carefully lifted the lip of the sack and peered inside. It was filled with an alphabet of poorly made letters, James looked up “Hey! Hold it!”

But by now it was too late. The boy was already disappearing around the corner and running out of James's life for ever.

Published 28th July 2007

With thanks to the Herald Newspaper especially Barclay McBain an Rosemary Goring

"El Sistema"

2007-08-24T21:06:00.001Z

There has been much in the newspapers recently about “El Sistema”, the most recent in the Herald August 18th, and the decision to import it into the Raploch area of Stirling. By all accounts it looks to be wonderful program for introducing children to Classical Music and hopefully in turn help to give young people a purpose in their lives. With all that involves I wish them luck.

It is not however unique nor is it the first time such a scheme has taken place in Scotland. The most successful of these schemes started around the same time as “Il Sistema” i.e. 30 years ago. It involved the people of Pollock and was based in the now closed Bellarmine Secondary School. Under the guidance of Winnie Dean, the most inspired music teacher of her time, it grew into one of the most successful music schemes in Britain. Many of the people who took part are now professional musicians themselves, playing in orchestras all over the world. Many have gone on to various other careers but all still recall their musical and social experiences on a Saturday when they came together to make music at “The Arts Centre”. Unfortunately for this scheme it became an easy target for financial cutbacks. It was easy to target because it had become an embarrassment to the Education department and some City fathers. Some thought it was outrageous to let these working class children have ideas above their station. Others were just were just directly opposed to it because they had no real control. It had to close in 1988. The result was an enormous void in that community. This is the biggest danger with such schemes. They can become a political football, mostly through petty jealousy and lack of vision, and the result is anger and disillusionment among the benefactors of the scheme.
“El Sistema” has succeeded because it has been backed both financially and politically, no matter the persuasion, over a long number of years. I feel there is no reason why a similar scheme could not work here if there is willingness from the parties involved to give it the long term financial backing it needs. The benefits are enormous for the children involved and for society as a whole

Summer has ended before it begun

2007-08-18T11:44:00.001Z

This has been the worst summer, weather wise that I can remember and I am sure I will not be the last to say it!

Unfortunately I have now started back teaching and Sardinia seems a long way away. Usually when I go back I am ready to and sometimes even raring to go. This year, however, I could have seen it far enough. That attitude was strengthened after the second day. Day one passed off peacefully and I finished early. No arguments!! Day two was an unadulterated waste of time.

I have banged on about this before but I feel if you have a day in which it's planned to have about 60 musicians in the one room, it would be a good idea to mention something about music. NO?????????? I sat through 4 hours of sales talk on Sibelius software and the wonder of Smartboards! Now Sibelius could be tentatively linked to music in that it is one of the main computer software programs used by musicians and in fact I use it a lot for my arrangements and other cello material. That does not warrant a 1 and a half hour talk on some of the other software which is useless to a teaching musician and which has nothing to do with the instruments we teach. When you are then told what this other software will cost you, it does not take a genius to work out what the purpose of these said talks were all about! The talk in the afternoon then took us to Sibelius 5 which is the latest version on sale from them. Schools will not sniff this software for about another 10 years; by which time it will be obsolete! Schools are struggling to get Sibelius 2 on their computers!!

That was the only really tentative link to music all day. The first part dealt with business. The business doesn't change year in year out, it just gets worded differently and maybe by a different messenger. The form filling get more complicated and long-winded in order to really piss people off and so they end up not filling them in! Why bother??

The other part in the middle and before Lunch was dealing with the use of Smartboards. Does one have to clever to use a Smartboard? No! You need a laptop,not provided, a few clothes pegs and at least one good finger. Oh! and it is preferable to use them topless in order that you don't have trailing line from a disobedient shirt or cardigan! That could make for an interesting class!!

All in all I really just hate being treated as either an imbecile or as a candidate for a good sales pitch which is marginally less painful than sitting through a pitch by a Time-Share salesman. At least at the end of that you might end up with a little sun! That's more than we have had this summer.

Sardinia 2007 Vignola di Mare

2007-07-21T13:15:00.000Z

Summer Holiday Sardinia 2007

I have just returned from a holiday in Sardinia. What a marvellous holiday and what a beautiful island. This is the first time Caroline or myself had been to Sardinia but because it is part of Italy we knew it would be good. It was even better. We had experienced mainland Italy, especially Tuscany, but this was really special. It was the first time we had gone on holiday without the boys but of course we had Kate to accompany us. That was more than enough!

The island was a bit of a paradox as far as wealth was concerned. It ranged from the ridiculously rich (Costa Smerelda) to pretty poor (Sassari). I know we only experienced the North of the island but even in that small area you can get a good taste of what it is like. The people are fantastic. They are as friendly as they come and their laid back style of life suited us to a tee. You would have to be pretty laid back to be able to cope with the heat.It does get ferociously hot but luckily we were by the sea in Vignola-Mare and Santa Teresa and with the famous Sardinian wind we managed to cope.

We stayed in a Keycamp, which was another first, and one that had always gone against the grain, but it was very peaceful in location and facilities were excellent. Again the people on the camp were all very helpful and caring. Kate was certainly welcome and loved their playground and dancing classes at night.

Other bonuses were the numerous accessible beaches and the beautiful sunsets that appeared every night. This combined with the lovely food in a relaxed atmosphere all went to make this a memorable holiday.

One last added bonus is we returned to our house in Glasgow, where the two teenage boys stayed, to find it all in one piece! And not one complaint from the neighbours.

Adam sixth years Prom-Kate steals the show!

2007-06-22T20:32:00.000Z

Adam had his school Prom last week after forgetting all about it. We had to find him a Kilt at the last minute as his was in the cleaners! Thanks to Lynn across the road, the day was saved! We of course wanted a photograph to mark the occasion. Just as I am about to take the photo Kate decides she wants to be the centre of attraction! She never fails to hog the limelight.

Meanwhile Fraser has been very busy. Not only has he been acting with the Scottish Youth Theatre in Micro Shakespeare, he has been rocking away with his band, Domino7, in the West-End Festival

It was really well received by the small but
enthusiastic audience. They even got a mention in
the Daily Mail!

Adding to this Fraser was also off with the West of Scotland Schools Symphony orchestra. It was a very demanding week but he coped really well and resulted in an excellent concert in Paisley Town Hall.

To finish off Fraser's recent activities he has spent the last week
at the Herald Newspaper. He should have at least two articles published and the possibility of a short story as well.
Not bad for a 15 year old!!

Been quite a while

2007-04-06T21:21:00.000Z

I haven't posted here for quite a while but today is my 51st Birthday and I have been looking through and trying to catch up with a few things I have either forgotten about or just have not had time for.
I notice it's been 6 months since I was last here and so much has happened I hardly know where to start. I suppose to follow on from my last post I would have to report that Adam didn't get into Medical School, which is a shame, but we don't know how they choose people and I know it's not a lack of intelligence on his part so I would have to put it down to either bad luck or fate in that it is not meant to be. He has been offered a place at Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities to do Chemistry and Pharmacology and St Andrews seems to have won. He's looking forward to it but first he is going to have a gap year in India! How diverse is that!! As well as all this happening he has just celebrated his 18th Birthday!

Fraser is doing very well this year and has achieved much of what he has wanted to do. Following on from his distinction in his Grade6 cello he is now a member of the West of Scotland Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra of very good standard, and No2 cello in the Glasgow Symphony orchestra. As well as his music, his acting is coming on well and he has been accepted to the SYT course this summer. All that and being invited to take part in a Shakespeare festival in May is keeping him a very busy young man.

Kate is continuing to keep us all on our toes and never fails to amaze us with her wit and intelligence. Quite amazing really at the age of 3!! She sang in her first concert with Colourstrings a couple of weeks ago and really impressed with her sense of rhythm and pitch, well I was impressed, I'm her Dad!!

Caroline has reached the grand old age of 50 and while she was not looking forward to it she has enjoyed a wonderful week of celebration with her friends and family. She has so many wonderfully attentive friends who have demonstrated to Caroline what she means to them. I know what she means to this family and I hope she has seen that at least this week. We love her to bits and for somebody who is so giving it was nice to give something back.

I'm continuing to teach and play. I have found this year to be particularly hard. It's been a combination of being spread too thin amongst the schools and keeping up with the rest of the family! I think I will have to cut back next year in order to try and get the best from the children as well as give them more. It is the only way to teach. If you spread yourself to thinly then you cannot possibly give yourself totally to everybody. There are some who I think are more deserving of my time and who have demonstrated to me that they would welcome more input. There are others who I could see far enough and no matter how much you do there will never be any recognition of what you are trying to do never mind trying to help you achieve it.

Next year will be an important year for me and it will probably be a year of prioritizing. Some people will not like it but at my stage I really don't give monkeys!!

Bloody hell the family is growing up!

2006-10-31T22:27:00.000Z

It's been a while since I posted here and I was wondering why?
It really is a matter of time or lack of it. I can't believe the family is moving on so quickly. Adam is now in 6th year and will leave school next June to begin a gap year (God knows where!) before hopefully going on to study medicine at Edinburgh University. That will be the first out of the house. Will I be sorry to see him go? Yes, in one way, it means I am getting older! No, because he needs to move on and develop his own life. We all have to. He can't do that living at home with a younger brother and very much younger sister.I just hope that he is successful in what he wants to do.

Fraser is now 15 and in 4th year at school. It doesn't feel that long ago that he was leaving Primary school!He is sitting his Standard Grades this year and if he carries on the way he has for the last 3 years then I've no doubt he will do very,very well. He has so many talents and able to do so many different things. He will sit his Grade 6 Cello and his Grade 6 Piano this year as well. That is not bad for a person who is not always the most willing of practioners!!
If time flies as quickly as it has been then it won't be long before he shoots the craw as well! I don' t know what he will do for a living but whatever it is I am sure it will be a success.

Then there is Kate! What can I say? She is the surprise. The one that nobody expected. She is also the most incredible little girl. She is now 3 years old and has really turned our lives upside down. Have we ever regretted it? Not for a moment! Kate has completed our family and more than any of us could have imagined. The most amazing thing is she is not just a combination of Caroline and myself but a mixture of us all. It is fascinating to see and watch this little person develop all the different influences from myself, Caroline, Adam and Fraser. The good thing is that she seems to have picked all the good traits (except for nail-biting!) of us all and what a lovely person that is!

Here they all are together (including Gar)! When I look at them I realise just what a lucky person I am to have my clever, good-looking and talented family!!

MATTHEW LYLE

2006-09-03T22:27:00.000Z

MATTHEW LYLE

Is another story of despair and tragedy that brings home very vividly the dangers of Drugs and Alcohol. That a young and talented life can be snuffed out so easily by the illness of addiction is a sad reflection of a society that can, in most cases, accuse such people of nothing more than spineless and lacking in willpower. A person who has no worth to society because of their addiction and who is seen as only a burden.

I think Mathew's diaries show the anguish and pain that exists inside the head of an addict. Not only their own pain but that of those closest to them. In those moments of clarity that exists in their lives they think, not so much of themselves, but of those other people they are equally destroying. Therein lies the whole paradox. They cannot afford to think of others, if they are to recover, but only of themselves, because in that selfishness everybody will begin to recover.

Exam results

2006-08-08T23:12:00.000Z

Well Adam has done well but is it good enough, I don't know. 4 A's and a B in English is not quite what he envisaged for himself. English has been his strongest subject since he started school and he even got the English prize at school this year. I just hope he accepts the result and makes up hs mind to do something he will like.

The whole thing is so stressful but should it be or even more why is it? Theses exams are put to them like a last chance saloon. "If you don't get this then you will not be able to do that". If we all took that attitude in life then it would grind to a halt. many people who failed at school have gone on to be very successful entrepenuers, engineers, doctors, you name they have done it. So the question is do we really need exams at all?

We probably do but only as a way of gathering all the information we have collected throughout the year; a sort of annual tidying up. We could then see who keeps the cleanest house and who is able to retain the information they are given in any given year. It doesn't have to be a do or die.

Medicine (Adam's preference, career wise) seems to make it very difficult to get into. We have a shortage of doctors yet it is made so difficult to get into that people nowadays are put off before they even start. I, as a musician, understand the word vocation but does it have to be that way as a doctor. Do you have to have the calling? I don't think so. You certainly need to be clever bot you also need to be practical, imaginative and have people skills that are second to none. I don't see that in every doctor and I do see it in other people who have either been scared off medicine or who have been told, because of exam results, that they will never make good doctors. Why?

I believe that a lot of doctors and other professions miss out on ideal candidates because they write them off at too early an age. It's a case of an individual trying to fit the system rather than the system fitting the individual. It's a bit like the medication we all take. Because it works for one person then it must work for everybody else. IT DOES NOT!!

Whether it will ever change I don't know but for just now Adam will have to do something and if it's not medicine then it will be their loss

The Annual Concert

2006-06-24T15:10:00.000Z

I am very tired today and this is the reason why! I started this string group from scratch 3 years ago. They have all been taken from 4 primary schools that I teach at through the week. It is only 4 of the 11 schools I visit throughout the week but these 4 now holds a special place in my teaching.

Most of these children had never seen a violin up close and even more had never heard of a cello. Now we are able to put a 50 strong junior string orchestra together that is able to sustain an hours worth of music. It really is quite an acheivement and none more so than in the children themselves. They have worked very hard to acheive what they have and it has now become a desired activity for many of the children in the schools.
I was very fortunate to be asked by an inspiring Primary Headteacher, who had the insight to realise what music could bring to children, to set up a programme of string teaching in the 4 schools. She managed to get money from the Social Inclusion Partnership (SIPS) which enabled me to buy string instruments for the schools. This was quite unique in todays climate of wasting money on instant fixes such as computers and computer games. She wanted something that would last for years if not generations and so it began. It has taken a lot of hard work, none more so than when I was attempting to teach violin as well as cello, but when I heard them all together on Friday I knew it was all worth it. Thankfully I can now call on a specialist violin teacher to help me and it has made a difference. I would still like more help but I know that these things take a long time and I am in for the long haul.
I wouls love to replicate this set-up in my other Primary Schools but I know that you do not, for one, come across many Headteachers like the one I have had the good fortune to meet and that without the desire of others it will be very difficult. I would never give up on it happening because I get so much from it but I can always look at these photos and know that I have begun to acheive something very significant in my life.

If you would like to see some more photographs, click here

West-End Festival

2006-06-15T21:59:00.000Z

Some photos of the first of the summer festivals here in Glasgow. This the West-End Festival
It's now in it's 10th year and has grown year on year to become a pretty large festival now. The parade started in the Botanic Gardens with the usual array of Dragons.

Unfortunately one had to fight it's way through the copius number of trees in this beautiful park

Others just joined the parade!!

But Kate knew where to find the fun!!

And survivied
to tell the tale!!

It was a really good day and showed Glasgow at it's best with the Byres Rd. being closed to traffic and being taken up with bands, street musicians and other entertaing acts. I wish Glasgow could maintain the festive atmosphere the whole year round but on the other hand we would probably all become complacent and some would even get sick of it. There is no pleasing everybody!!

Exam Time

2006-05-31T21:18:00.000Z

It is that time of the year once more! I remember the dread I use to feel when May/June came about. The weather was always hot and I would be stuck in some sweaty, nervous driven hall waiting, with my stomach churning, on a paper that could decide my future.

Thank God I don't have to do that now. That was 33 years ago. Now is the turn of my eldest son, Adam. English, Maths, Modern Studies, Biology and Chemistry. 5 exams to decide his future. Or does it? I was lucky in that I was already accepted for Music College and knew what I wanted to do. I still felt under pressure to do well in my exams but it wasn't vital that I did (which is just as well!).

Adam wants to do medicine and needs very good grades to get into Medical School because just about everyone wants to do medicine. The added pressure is that he needs them now in his 5th Year. 6th Year is just for topping up. Is this pressure fair? Is it fair on any of us in the family who have to watch Adam move around like man waiting for the gallows? He has tried to put a brave face on it but not sleeping is a dead giveaway everytime. I KNOW he's been shitting himself.

Maybe it's good to come under that pressure at a young age, if for nothing else, to see if he can handle it. I still don't believe, however, that no matter what he gets at the result time, it will be the end of the beginning. He could still do medicine if the grades aren't what he wants, it might just take a bit longer. But I have no doubt that whatever he gets he will do something worthwhile that will eventually give him satisfaction and a good life. How do I know this? He's my SON!!

Choosing a University or a University choosing you

2006-04-10T22:54:00.000Z

Points of View - The Herald

I recently had this letter published in the Herald newspaper and again it covers the mess that education is in. Now it's about Universities and their choice of students. Parents are getting their knickers in a twist over the fact that their child is not getting into the uni of their choice despite their offspring getting 5 A's in their higher results.

What do these Higher results tell us about that student? Is it that they are super intelligent and should be offered a place of their choice because that's what they deserve or does it tell us that they have been hothoused through their exams and are able to retain enough knowledge to pass an exam?I believe that in many cases it's the latter. I believe we have to trust the universities to take a look at the proposed student as a whole and not just the exam results. In that case many pupils from state schools will impress more than a privately educated child who's parents have paid for tutors as well as their education at school. After speaking to an Oxford Don about this he did confirm this was often the case because of the work ethic of somebody from a state school who has proven they can achieve impressive results in spite of many drawbacks.

This is not the same as my letter which was trying to point out that in the beginning there is no difference between a state or privately educated child. the prejudices that exist are taken from parents on both sides who have either something to prove(state) or because it's being paid for there is a right to whatever University they choose(private).

The truth is neither and the sooner parents can see a level playing field the better. There is no right for anybody to advance to University but those that do have be considered there on merit not privilage.

Some of this may sound simplistic but why is that so wrong? Over complication of issues are often the reason we get ourselves into a mess, keeping it simple is prize philosophy

The crisis in schools music

2006-04-03T12:35:00.000Z

Telegraph Arts Discord that drowns out the real crisis in schools music

This was an article I found written by Jullian Lloyd Webber. I actually discussed this with him when we met last month and interestingly people in the audience at the workshop asked about this subject.

It is one very close to my heart and I do despair at the standards that are being required for examinations in Scotland despite Julain's very complimentary remarks on the health of music in Scotland. We are lowering the standard all the time and the latest example of that is you only need play to an ASS. Board level grade4 to pass your higher music. Most children who start in Primary school and are well taught will reach that standard by the end of their time there. What is the point in them doing music as a subject. Most schools will not now teach them any theory of substance and the rules of harmony have just been forgotten. If you are an at all talented musician and are wanting to do this for a living then there ios no point in taking music as a subject. This lowering of standards is self-perpetuating thing as well. There is a need for music teachers in schools but because of the standard of the music students now we have teachers who are less musically able than half of their pupils!! The teacher refer to excerpts of melodies by the "Greats" in such terms as "The tune from the Hovis advert" instead of Dvoraks "New World Symphony". This is, much to my horror because that teacher was told the same thing when they were at school!

This does not happen in other subjects such as Maths and English. That is no easier now than it was when I was at school. Why is it? My belief is that because Maths and English are core subjects that all children must do then it is properly taught and to a high standard. Music tries to attract the lowest common denominator and the result is rubbish!! My view as well as Julian Lloyd Webber and other good musicians is we are failing our children by not exposing them early enough to the great music of this world when the child, as in my eldest son, can then go on and develop their own tastes but by having a little understanding of the subject they can make a much better, informed choice.

Julian Lloyd Webber Workshop

2006-03-23T22:00:00.000Z

This was a great day! A workshop for 30 cellos and 10 Double basses, directed by Julian Lloyd Webber and myself. It was wonderful to hear this new group perform for the first time. It has taken a lot of work on my part to get this off the ground but it was all worth itgiven the success of the day. There was a great range of ages which made it all the more satisfying because I know that it will keep going after the older ones have left.

The hair and cello
go well together!

Fraser does not appreciate
having his photo taken while
trying to have a nap!

Two photos of pure consentration

Aging not so gracefully

2006-02-18T20:17:00.000Z

We all age, it's the only thing in this life that is certain! Why, though, do some age with ease and confidence and others become bitter and twisted or just so pig-headed that they forget all self-respect. I'm not talking about people with altzheimers or with the common problems that can accompany old-age. I'm talking of sheer belligerence and lack of thought for anyone else bar themselves.

I have an Aunt Betty who at 82, is the same age as my mother but who is so bitter and twisted that nobody wants to know about her, not even her own children. The only one of her 5 children who talk to her is her son, who is not exactly a beacon of humanity; the others don't even send her a Christmas card. It sounds so sad, yet she has had plenty of opportunities to try and make amends for being a thoughtless mother but is just not able to get off that high horse. Is that what pride and intolerance can lead to? Total isolation.

My Mother-in-Law is another case of pig-headedness that causes us all a great deal of strain and anguish. With her inability to accept help until it is almost too late this family is suffering unacceptable amounts of stress. I have often made excuses for her, in that she has had a lot of tragedy in her life, but many others have too and are only too thankful to accept unconditional help. Help that will ease everybody's stress levels.

The similarities between these two women are not striking, except for the fact that they are both control freaks. Is that what it is all about? Control! Even when they are losing their own self control they will try to hang on to that last vestige of power....... Control over others. Even up to the point that it will go beyond the grave. Both talk incessantly of what they will leave behind when they die. They use it as a weapon for stirring up trouble or as a means of getting people to do their bidding. Telling each individual exactly how much they are going to get when they eventually snuff it! I don't CARE!!!!! The money or properties don't mean that much to me and even less when I see the price that is being asked! I cannot say that it isn't nice to receive gifts or that I couldn't do with more money. What I can say is , not at any price.

I don't know yet how I will be when or if I reach their age but I know that just now I am grateful for all the help I can be given, whether it's with the children or work or just my insane head at times, and I hope I have enough humility to accept that whatever happens to me when I'm older will be made a lot easier and more bearable if I can keep my family close to me.

Alcohol

2005-12-28T22:13:00.000Z

Alcohol is very much the flavour of the month in Scotland just now, deaths from cirrhosis are now at an all time high with the ever increasing episodes of binge drinking. The resignation of the Liberal Democrat Leader, Charles Kennedy, over his admission of an alcohol problem has further thrown the limelight on the dangers of excessive drinking. The problem is what to do about it. I don't have a magical cure, nobody does, but as long as our society, in general, is in denial over the seriousness of this illness we have no chance of making things better.

My own family has been dogged by this illness with both my grandfathers, my father and father-in-law, myself and young brother all having suffered the agony of coming to terms with it. There has been a varied amount of success in tackling the problem. Both my grandfathers died through the results of over-indulgenge, while my father-in-law went from a high-flying civil servant to the gutter, literally. I have not had a drink now in over three years and count myself as being fortunate to be having a good recovery. My young brother is still coming to terms with his condition and like Charles Kennedy is a little in denial as to the full extent of his illness. I can't do anything to help him just now because he will not accept it but believes he can defeat it on his own. That, for me, is not a good sign but it's one I have to accept as it is the course of most alcoholics. I just hope he seeks the help if it is needed.

There is the future as well. Will my children become alcoholics? I don't know but I again can't stop them drinking if they choose to. I can advise and lead a live that is alcohol free and show, by example, that you can lead a happy and fullfilled life without the use of mind altering substances.

My biggest wish in all of this is that we can get societies to acknowledge that alcoholism is an illness, that it is not a choice to be an alcoholic and that you can recover if you have the ability to be thouroughly honest with yourself right from the start. That should help extarct the amount of hypocrisy that exists on this topic

Mothers are not indestructable

2005-12-19T16:38:00.000Z

That dreaded phone call came at 3.15 in the morning. Confused and still half asleep I answered the phone. Who was this? My father told me that mum had had a funny turn ( as he put it!), that he had phoned for an ambulance and could I come to the house and the hospital with them. I couldn't quite take it in. My FATHER telling me my MOTHER had had a funny turn! Wait a minute I thought that is suppose to be the other way round. You are the kidney patient, you are the one who has had 16 good years out of a kidney transplant, you are the one who is supposed to get unwell suddenly in the middle of the night. NOT my MOTHER! She is 81 years young, looks after our 2 year old, does her Tai Chi, eats all the right things, doesn't smoke, hardly drinks and SHE's the one who has had a heart attack.

The knock on affect of this incident is how it has been taken by the whole family. Both my brothers are now more attentive than ever, especially my older one who is trying to offload his guilt at not seeing her too often by smothering her with help that she doesn't want or need. She is not an invalid she has had a setback but will recover. It does emphasise to me though the great influence a strong mother can have. She has been the mainstay of the family through all sorts of illnesses to my dad, my older brother and myself. She has helped look after both my sons and now my daughter and asked for nothing in return only shown unconditional love. She is a mother in a million.

As a little postscript to this, because I started this a couple of days ago, I have seen my mother today, Christmas Day 2005. She looks amazing and in fact, better than she has done for a while. She is calm and has started to make a full recovery
I know that she has many more Christmases ahead of her but we should never take it for granted

2005-10-03T22:02:00.001Z

Peace at Last

2005-10-03T22:02:00.000Z

Definitely not like a Bank Holiday in Blackpool!

2005-10-03T22:00:00.000Z

Happy Cousins

2005-10-03T21:59:00.000Z

In Inca Mode!

A Weekend in St Andrews

2005-10-03T21:58:00.000Z

In Russian Mode!

All the above photos were taken on a weekend trip I had recently with my young brother and his daughter Sarah. I took Kate along for the ride and what a laugh we had. Great weekend that must be repeated!!

Using children to score points.

2005-08-31T23:02:00.000Z

It might seem a strange title to give a post but its what I have been witnessing and experiencing recently with my family.

I am getting tired of hearing the phrase; " Oh she's been doing that with me for ages!" Meaning that I am obviously more aware of what your child is capable of than you. Or " I think she prefers to do it this way because she does it this way in my house!"

What is the purpose of these sentences? Are they to cause hurt? Don't think so. Are they to try and be helpful in a non selfish way? Don't think so. Are they in anyway constructive? Definitely not. They are, in my opinion a way of trying to make others sit up and take notice of what a wonderful child rearer you are and how you must have been the only person to have thought how to get a child to perform. For performing is what it is. I always remember by best friend's mother talking of the arrogance of a TV child phsycologist who had just brought out a new book on how to bring up children!" What!" she said, "how can you have a set of hard and fast rules in bringing up children?Are they not individuals who deserve to be treated as such."
This woman had brought up 5 boys, virtually on her own, and each one of them has been successful in their own ways, from a Civil Engineer to an Artist, a Musician, Trades Union Official and a very successful businessman. I think I would listen to someone like that rather than self-important TV personality.

This was an article I read recently by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and it made a lot of sense to me althought the first sentence took me back a bit. Nevertheless there is much truth in what he is saying
http://www.chennaionline.com/health/yoga/2005/08yoga55.asp

Quite a while but two occasions sticks out!

2005-08-21T22:12:00.000Z

It's been quite sometime since I posted here last and so much has happened over the last few months I don't know where to start. Friends have died and babies have been born. Disasters have happened and miracles have occured. Too much really to try and catch up in this post and when I think of it, the extraordinary events of the last few months are not that extraordinary but are rather common events that happen most years but they still make the news and still reinforce in me that I am but one small cog in this giant wheel called life. I matter and would be missed if I wasn't there but my influence on the big picture is so infinitesimal that all I can try and manage is my own life.

There are two things that stick out for me over the last few months. One is Kate's 2nd birthday on August 14th and the family holiday in Tuscany. Two wonderful occasions that I will treasure.

Kate looking gorgeous on her second birthday

Kate making her birthday wishes!

The holiday in Tuscany was quite an adventure mostly because of the dynamics of the family. Having two teenage sons at 16 and 14 plus a little girl aged 2 makes for interesting, not to say imaginative holidays. It was a great success though and I'm proud of all of us in the way we could give and take in order that everyone got something from the holiday.

View from the house in Metra di Carpinelli

The family outside the Duomo in Barga

Am I too old for her?

2005-04-16T20:00:00.000Z

My back hurts, I'm tired, my brain is weary but I feel guilty! Kate has brought me to my knees this week. Her mother has been working very hard with the orchestra in which they have given four concerts all in different venues. Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and finally Glasgow. It seems a ridiculous schedule to impose on an orchestra which really, gets paid a pittance. Days that start from 12 and finish at 12 or sometimes 1am are not family friendly. The truth of the matter is though that I feel resentful for having to look after Kate all the time when I am supposed to be on holiday. Resentful is probably a bit extreme but I've had a good dose of the "poor me's". Kate is very demanding in a lot of ways when it comes to physical activities and I am expected to try and keep up. Not only that but making meals for everybody, including myself takes a lot of work and time. I refuse to give in to convenience foods and so I have to cook. It's really for my benefit as the boys would eat carry-outs and frozen pizzas all the time if left to it. I can't, because my diabetes won't allow it. I also prefer my own cooking. So that's a dilemma.

I love Kate to bits but I find myself just wishing she would be old enough to look after herself and let me get on with my own things. The truth is though I probably would waste time and look for other excuses to "not do". Kate deserves a father who can keep up with her and just now I can't. I can't remember what I was like with the boys ( well I can but don't want to!) I drank then and that exhausted me even more. Not drinking now does give me more energy and ability to finish tasks so all I can put it down to is age. Christ, I'm only 49 and my mother is 80! She manages whole days with Kate and she never complains. Caroline is only one year younger and manages most of the time! So if it's not drink and it's not age then it can only be my HEAD!! Now that is not a comfortable place to be sometimes. I need to get my act together and start being positive. Start enacting some of my theories rather than thinking about them. Actions definitely speak louder than words, I just have to look at Kate.

Another week passes!

2005-04-10T22:07:00.000Z

It's a full week since I last wrote anything here and I can't decide what, if anything, I should write. Has a lot happened or has the week been slightly different that I can't remember it all?

Well, I've had my 49th birthday, Celtic are in the Scottish cup final and Caroline and I have managed some time together. That is definitely different! My birhtday was OK although neither Caroline or the boys even got me card! Now if I was a sensitive soul I might have taken real umbridge at that. As it is it really doesn't matter as long as they get me two cards for the big one next year! Caroline did take me out for lunch when we visited the Oran Mor to see the lunch-time play, The Prisoner. We both enjoyed it even though the writing is a little pretentious for my liking. It was not like a play but more like a William McIllveaney novel being read out. It really was just nice to able to talk without the interruptions of the children,big and small.

The main debate of the week and the thing that is giving me the biggest headache is whether we are going on holiday this summer. We had such a brilliant one last year in Portugal that I feel we must . However I don't really want to go back to Portugal but would prefer to keep that memory of the country in tact. Cowardice maybe but experienced, definitely.

I want to go to Italy and Tuscany holds many happy memories for me but that was nearly 25 years ago! Round Florence looks and sounds wonderful. It's not cheap but I think we need a holiday in somewhere hot and sunny topped up with a bit of culture. Italy's the place. My plans have started and I might just present it as a fait a complit or whatever that is in Italian. I shall go to bed now and dream of those beautiful rolling hills, the pasta and the coffee! I'm almost there!

A very late Addendum! After writing the above I sat down and was having a quick word with Caroline. Quick because she was watching the last part of a series (period drama). Anyway the doorbell rang and I thought "who's that at this time?" I got up and answered it to find my Mother-in-law on the doorstep. She had left about an hour earlier! "What's wrong?" I asked." I've bumped the car! It's not bad, just a flat tyre." Well it was a flat and a buckled wheel caused by "hitting one of those sticky-out pavement things". One hour later the RAC arrive, change the wheel and she is off again. Why is she allowed to drive? She is a liability! A fucking loose cannon and someone will get hurt one day. While the wheel was fixed there was nobody to fix Caroline's bad mood. I tried, but when it comes to her mother, it's a waste of time. Tommorrows another day !

My Mother and the Pope

2005-04-06T22:34:00.000Z

There will be thousands of bloggers writing down their thoughts on the passing of the Pope so why should I be different. How will the Pope's death effect the world? I suppose there will be a void for a couple of weeks and then someone else will take over. For myself it doesn't mean that much but for others, like my mother, it will mean a lot.

My mother was sad to see the Pope die, she has met him three times and often talked of his serenity, but when a new one is announced she will turn her attention to him and show the same love and loyalty. Why?

In many ways I'm jealous of my mother. She has had a pretty hard life, especially in her younger years. She watched her father beat her mother resulting in my gran being commited to a Mental institution for 40 years. She had to deal with her father's alcoholism and subsequent death leaving her a virtual orphan by the age of 13. Then moving into a flat at the age of 16 with no help from her brothers, who had all abandoned the family by that time. How did she manage to stay on the straight and narrow? How could she still be such a good person with no baggage? Being married to my father, who she loves dearly, and bringing up 3 boys was not easy but she did it with love, care and attention. There were never any poor me's or thoughts of running a mile. Her family were and are her life. Except for the one constant through her WHOLE life. The Catholic Church. If there was ever a problem or life was getting too much, she would turn to the church for her strength. The most amazing thing is that it has always come through for her. This has always given her the ability to hand things over to a higher power, in her case God. What an amazing way to be able to live a life. Total acceptance of what is and what will be. Never a question of why! Some people look on that as weakness. For me it is immense strength. That strength has carried her through into her 81st year now and there are no signs of slowing down, indeed I see another 20years at least! She couldn't have live so long and be weak.

Oh to have some of that strength! Is it her faith? I don't know but I do know she will be at Mass on Sunday praying for the whole family and for whoever the new Pope will be.

Musings over a supposed easy week

2005-04-02T21:12:00.000Z

It's been a week since I last posted and I thought would be in for a relatively easy week. In actual fact It's been a long week. I have felt tired and my diabetes control has not been great. I still don't understand my diabetes sometimes. I can eat almost the same thing two days running but have totally different blood sugar levels. I know it can depend on the amount of exercise I do and I know that if I am looking after Kate at night my blood sugar drops quite dramatically. Just when I think I have that sussed it does something different and the levels can be too high or too low. It was 1.9 last night, after putting Kate to bed and really should have been blacking out! It's a strange condition.

This supposed easy week had me running Fraser and Adam all over the place. Fraser had a string concert in the Tramway on Thursday which we managed to get to unlike Tuesday's rehearsal were we had to turn back because of traffic. The concert itself was long with some interesting parts to it. I thought the Bach double was well played by the soloists, especially the viola, but the cello section was too big for them, thus upsetting the balance. The intermediate strings were good and I thought their choices of music was excellent, especially the Sibelius Tone Poem. Other parts were not so good and I don't think the senior strings are ready yet to launch into the big musical arrangements. This really requires a lot of sound and fine playing. That is something that is especially lacking in the violins. Maybe one day!

Adam had to be taken to the orthodontist to have the second part of his brace put in. OUCH! Painful! The top one was also tightened. I hope all this is worth it in the end. I have my doubts. Bloody cynic!

This is a week I'm glad is over not least because it has reminded me that I will not have anything like an easy week for a good number of years and that life is relentless. Having said that I could be a sad middle aged git sitting in front of a TV screen shouting at it. Or down the pub, solving the world's problems over a large number of pints, getting myself worked up over the stupidest of little things and feeling ill to boot.

Nah. Life is relentless but there is a quality as well. That is something I wouldn't change for anything

Easter weekend

2005-03-27T19:43:00.000Z

What a good weekend it's been. From a social pariaha to a social animal. David and Susan came round last night for a meal as Adam and their son Euan tempted fate with a birthday party in their house. Thankfully fate looked on them kindly and no damage was done. Quite exceptional for a house full of excited 16year olds! Anyway we had a lovely meal and the best piece of roast beef I have ever tasted. Both David and Susan were in good form and it was great to see them after such a long time.

Today Liz and Harold came round with their girls and we spent a good couple of hours catching up. There is still a chance we may go on holiday with them again this summer. Hopefully to Italy. They are such an easy couple to speak to and the kids all get on.

The only work I have had to do was to set up Caroline's mum's computer. It has been in storage for nearly 2 years and so it took quite some time to get it working but I got there in the end. She still doesn't have an internet connection but I'll go over tomorrow and set that up.

It's Adam's birthday tomorrow so I hope we can have a good day. I also hope he likes the Chick Corea CD I bought him. I think he will.

It does feel strange with the clocks changing forward an hour. I still, even after all these years, take about a week to adjust. An early night may help

2005-03-25T14:40:00.000Z

Quiet beach Elie

2005-03-25T14:37:00.000Z

Down by the harbour Elie

Thoughts and Elie

2005-03-25T09:10:00.000Z

It's Good Friday. I'm on holiday for four days. Unfortunately we will not get away this Easter like last year. Last Easter we went to the East Neuk of Fife and over to Elie. A beautiful quiet, picturesque area of Scotland. I think of that area a lot and wonder what it would be like to live there permanently. It's very quiet and to a large extent cut off from the luxuries of big City life. On the other hand are they such luxuries? At my age and given the state of my social life I don't think so. I can pass a lot of time doing nothing! I suppose the main reason I couldn't consider it seriously just now is Caroline and the children. Caroline is a real city dweller and the boys school is at a crucial time for them. Kate has no worries just now so it wouldn't bother her. There's my mum and dad and Caroline's mum. All in all it's a non starter. Maybe when I retire it would be a possibility. We might have some money then! I suppose I can just enjoy it on holidays, mmm, except this year!

It's a busy weekend this Easter. Adam's birthday on Monday, David and Susan over for dinner tomorrow. Mum,Dad and Joy on Monday for dinner as well. Phew! I'll be glad to get back to work on Tuesday.

God, when I read these posts I sound like a right miserable bastard. I'm not! I'm a very lucky person to have what I have in my life. I do sound like a grumpy old git but my glass is half full not half empty. I must keep reminding myself of the good things in my life. Maybe I need to get away from my head. Inside of heads is where the damage is done. I should think of a no entry sign or a one way system out!

I'm going to take Kate out now it's a lovely afternoon.

Long mixed day

2005-03-19T22:16:00.000Z

This morning seemed quite normal with Caroline taking Adam and Fraser for their piano lessons. taking Kate with her too meant I had a couple of hours to spend on my own. Usually I can get somthings done like cello practise and making some bread or cakes. This morning I couldn't do any of these things due to pure tiredness. I messed around on the computer and started a new cello quartet arrangement but found my concentration waning very quickly.

Before I knew it Caroline was home and my morning had disappeared. Shame really but that's life in Scotstoun today. Feeling sorry for myself, I thought what can I do this afternoon. So Safeway beckoned! Oh joy! I hate it now it's Morrisons because the quality is crap. Anyway I finished a huge shop, made my way to the checkout and proceede to load my shopping into the trolley. Just behind arrived a big family of two adults and 5 kids all between the ages of about 1 and 8. They were obviously foreign and probably asylum seekers. This was not a problem for me but obviously the woman at the checkout didn't feel the same. Her attitude after serving me suddenly changed and she was overtly rude and unhelpful to them, treating them like second, no, third class citizens. Why? Was she a racist? Would she have had the same attitude to a Scottish family at a busy checkout? No way because she would have been pulled up for it. Why do ordinary people who don't seem to have much themselves react with such disdain to someone she probably had more in common with than she would have with the likes of myself? Newspapers and television have a lot to answer for. It certainly left a really bad taste in my mouth.

When I got home poor Kate had just thrown up her lunch and so it was to continue through the rest of the day. 5 times she's thrown up today and mostly tonight round dinner time and bedtime when of course Caroline had shot the 'craw to go to work. More self pity ensued! What a self-centered bastard I can be!

In between all this I took Fraser to his youth theatre group and saw his premiere piece of public acting. I was most impressed! I would be I'm his dad. He has really enjoyed it this year and I think it's done him a lot of good. It's something he doesn't have to live in Adam's shadow with.
Speaking of Adam, when we got home he had bought a new computer on E-Buyer for £106!!
It has been posted with the wrong price but none the less he will get it for that price. It's £2000 of equipment! I won't believe it until it arrives at the house and is set up and working.
How can so many different things happen in one day! "24hrs.!! What will happen tomorrow?? Mmm

test

2005-03-19T11:01:00.000Z

I am trying this too see if it works. I suppose it should be used if I’m away and want to urgently post something that will bring the world to its senses. That would then lead to everybody wanting me as their leader! This in turn would make cello lessons compulsory and the playing of scales every morning at 7.00 am an edict!! Oh the power I would have to sort this sorry world out with a quick rendition of D Major!!

St Pat's Day

2005-03-17T23:15:00.000Z

Well March 17th,St. Pat's day. My mother will be dancing in the streets singing Danny Boy, not bad for an 80 year old! Also the day of the latest budget from New Labour and Gordon Brown.
It hasn't made me rich overnight so it can't be any good!. Seriously tho', people will comlain no matter how good the budget has been. Not enough....too much..... too middle of the road. I just accept now that there will never be a really radical budget or government in my lifetime. America has too much power over peoples lives for it to let others interfere. It rules the roost just now and everyone is playing second fiddle.
Stamp duty has gone up to £120,000 and inheritance tax threshold has been risen to £300,000 which might just get us out of the threshold for Joy's house. Some people can be really ignorant down south as was demonstrated by the moron complaining that London house prices were far more expensive than anywhere else. The new Stamp duty threshold will only be effective outside London were in places such as Glasgow the house prices are much cheaper! Cheaper? I don't know where you would get decent property for less than £120,000 here in Glasgow but obviously he can't see beyond the green end of his nose!
This has been a busy week, with Caroline being in Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow I have hardly seen her. It's straight home from school and straight into looking after Kate and cooking for the boys. I'll be glad when this week is over and Caroline goes on holiday as from next week.

I must get to my bed now as I feel gibberish coming out from my fingers. I want to sleep!!!!!

Another week goes past!

2005-03-14T22:14:00.000Z

I don't know what it is but time is flying past at a rate of noughts. It must be my age! I'll be 49 in 3 weeks and it's going to come and go in a flash. Adam will be 16 in two weeks and Caroline ? in 2&1/2 weeks. They must have been good summer holidays those years.

I've finished delivering all the new instruments to the various schools and am very happy with the job Bob has done on them. They play very easily and have good sounds. I don't know if that spurred my rush of enthusiasim when I asked for dates to do a joint concert with the combined primary schools this summer. That will entail a hell of a lot of work on my part. I just hope it's worth it. I must tell myself it will.

For my own cello it's been a bit of a bummer. It has developed a buzz and I don't know if it's the new G string or whether it is the actual cello. I going to take it to Neil and see if he can see anything. It will no doubt cost me money but not too much hopefully. It's a great shame as I was really pleased with the sound after I put the new strings on. Positive vibes that it's not too bad.

2005-03-07T22:57:00.000Z

My Rusch cello

My new cello!

2005-03-07T22:43:00.000Z

I put new strings on my cello tonight. I didn't realise that it was so overdue! Thanks to Ellen and Cellos2Go I received the new ThomastikC&G strings along with Prim A&D and wolf killers all the way from the USA, cheaper and more efficiently than I could in this country. Sad but true. I've played with the new strings on and it's sounds like a new instrument. Happy bunny am I!!

Busy weekend

2005-03-06T23:37:00.000Z

It's been hectic this weekend! Caroline has been working all weekend, leaving me to look after the fort and fit in some teaching. Saturday was the piano lesson run which I enjoyed as it gives me time to talk to Adam and Fraser and find out some of what is really going on. Thankfully Kate went to my mum's so going to Beanscene was not a major trauma. Talking to Adam over a coffee is really quiter revealing. I forget how grown up he is now and just how clever and sophisticated he can be. His views on politics are much more detailed than I realised but the really encouraging thing is just how confident he is in his own skin, with no pretences and affected angst. Fraser is also a confident boy who is so much more grown up than I give him credit for. Also, his humour is really dry and quick. I don't know if they are embaressed to be with their father and if it's more so than other teenagers. I hope not but would I have gone to a coffee shop with my father at that age ? I think not! I must be doing something right.
I also managed to swap the computers round which took me longer than I thought. Why is that? Why do i never learn these things. Well, at least they are both working so I can congratulate myself.
Mother's day today and thankfully my mum loved the card I made her. The photo of herself with me and my two brothers nearly brought a tear to her eye.
Taught Nina this afternoon whichI enjoyed. She is very quick but also musicalso she is easy to teach. Caroline's mum went off to Malta today as well. I hope she takes care.
Finally got some time to myself to do this so I'm a happy bunny!

A day in the park

2005-03-02T22:44:00.000Z

Kate goes WHEEEEEEEE!!!
This was Kate enjoying a day out with myself and Caroline. A great visit to a park we hadn't visited in 10 Years!! Doesn't time fly! The last time, Fraser came down that shute and ended up with a huge egg on his forehead. I was trying to stop him at the bottom but didn't remember I had a very big, heavy camera round my neck. I felt your pain Fraser!

Monday Night.

2005-02-28T23:32:00.000Z

Been a long day! Poor Adam got grommits in his ears today. i think he is a lot of pain but hopefully it will ease off tomorrow. Why didn't we have it done when he was Seven? I suppose we just followed the doctor's orders and thought he could do without them. Now, ten years later!! Oh well.

I hope it doesn't affect his guitar playing on Thursday. I think he is starting to panlc a bit. He'll be fine.
I've managed to dig a bit deeper in the Parry family. I have added down to my Great-Grandmother on my grandmother's side. the names I'm delving through now are McGrath and Carmicheal. Hope to get on with the Steele part very soon. It is very time consuming.

I'm off to bed now.

Nearly two weeks

2005-02-25T22:24:00.000Z

I can't believe nearly two weeks have passed since I last posted. Time just seems to pass by so quickly. Where can I start. Life is busy with the boys and their various activities. Caroline was off work for a week because of the bad colds that are going about but she didn't get much rest really. kate has become a little mummy's girl and insists she does everything with her. I don't mind but I can see Caroline gets tired by her. She is still the most wonderful baby ever and this strong personality is developing all the time.

Work has been pretty busy despite the Half-term break. We had an interesting in-service with Kodaly specialists which was really informative and fun. Unfortuneately there are some very narrow minded instructors who can't nor ever will see the benefits of Kodaly in developing not only musical skills but also the child as a whole. They are dinosaurs who won't be got rid of until they become extinct. I wish it was soon!! Next week I'll start to collect the instruments I bought. Bob received them today and so this whole thing has happened in about three weeks, which is amazing. Things can be done when people are willing and there are not too many cheifs to put their oar in. I looking forward to getting theses instruments out ot some new children. I hope also that we can fix up a violin teacher soon. I'd love it to be Christine but she will cost money and the Secondary don't seem willing to part with any despite SIPS investing £25,000 in this project. I don't want one ofthe blinkered dinosaurs coming in and putting children off. I'd rather struggle on myself . We'll just have to wait and see. Saturday tommorrow!! Yeah!!

The weekend

2005-02-13T23:19:00.000Z

Missed an entry yesterday because of various things. Caroline's not well and seems to have the same as Adam did last week. Kate a little under the weather and so I'm doing a lot.

Saturday did pass without too much stress but today was a bit of a bummer. I dropped my camera and have bent the lens. Whether it can be repaired or not I'm not sure. I've now realised how much I use the camera so will have to look into it soon. Could have done withoput it but never mind!
Oh, One other piece of news was from Joy( Caroline's mum). She has to go for a culdoscopy soon due to bleeding from the old rear- end. I hope it's clear.
I'm not working tomorrow, thank god, so hopefully we can all go out for the day. It will depend on how everybody feels. Tomorrows another day.

Friday

2005-02-12T00:02:00.000Z

On holiday for 4 days now. Yehhh!!! I'm still tired but the break will be good.
Not been a really busy day although kept going. Adam's Maths result sent me crazy. A 4/3 is worse than I thought it was going to be. Nobody in his class passed which is unbelievable. Adam is not stupid by any consideration so why so bad? I will make an appointment to see the headteacher next week and see what they will offer in way of support.Also want to find out why there has been no communication with us from the school if there has been a problem. Not one report in a year is not acceptable. We might have to consider a private tutor but why should we. It should be getting taught properly at school.
Anyway, I'm tired goodnight.

Thursday

2005-02-10T23:33:00.000Z

Knackering day today. I have run around like the proverbial! First of all teaching till eleven then up to hand in the final quote for the instruments being bought. Next it was up to the Diabetic Clinic to get checked out. Blood sugar was not great but cholestoral was good as was weight and blood pressure. Then off to collect Kate to take to my Mums before going back to teach for a couple of hours. Finished that then off to shops for food, up to my Mum's to collect Kate, who had fallen asleep, back home and the made dinner(phew). One hour later I took Fraser to his orchestra, back home to tidy up before my mum arrived to let me go to the 2nd year parent;s night. Finished at 9.30, got home at 9.45 to take my mum back home. Finally sat down at 11.00 to write this!!!
Fraser got a really good report and I'm very proud of him! Good Night!!

Wednesday

2005-02-09T23:36:00.000Z

Feeling really tired today. Lack of sleep is catching up and my blood sugar has been too low. To add to it Caroline has been away in Dundee all day and so it's been a long day. Adam is still not well and will miss his class trip to Edinburgh tomorrow. Faser really pissed me off tonight by being really un helpful. I know he's a teenager but I don't think that is an excuse for being rude and grumpy! I will have to speak to him and find out why he should be allowed to be lazy and unhelpful, considering everything that is done for him.
Kate's been a doll tonight and went down early which I was grateful for. I don't know how she managers to keep going so long with the amount of energy she uses up. Still off to bed for me, I'm knackered

Tuesday

2005-02-08T23:21:00.000Z

Well, apparently the news about the maths exam was just a load of bollocks!. Only 3 got a 1,1 the majority got 1,2. Why were we given the wrong information? Adam's maths teacher should not have given out wrong info before all the results were out. What a plonker. I just hope Adam does better in the real exam.
Adam is still not well and with swollen glands the spectre of glandular fever raises its ugly head. There is already on of his friends who has it. We'll just have to hope it's not serious.
Teaching was a little slow today with a curious atmosphere in the department. Don't know what is going on but it didn't feel comfortable today.
I had a good meeting tonight but was very surprised to see Ian, considering it's only three days since his wife's death. I hope he keeps close to his doctor and takes plenty of advice.
Kate has now got her bandage off her arm and the wound looks amazingly healthy. God, babies heal quickly.
Tomorrow is another day and I hope that Julia doesn't try and make any snide comments about my timetable being light. I don't need it and I certainly don't deserve it. People should learn to keep to their own jobs and leave others to get on with theirs, then we'll all be happy.

Monday

2005-02-07T23:19:00.000Z

Bit of a mixed day today. I put the estimate forward for the new instuments which was passed without the bat of an eyelid. I am now convinced they have much more money than they're letting on. Still, I'm happy to have got what I wanted. I think????

Adam was taken ill at school today but thankfully it wasn't one of his migraines. He seems to have picked up a stomach bug. Hopefully it will pass in a day or two. He has told us that he failed his SG Maths along with the rest of the year bar three!! Something is wrong in the Maths department for that to happen. It's too good a school for so many to have failed. Adam has had 1's in every other subject so why maths? I will phone the school if I can get through because I expect it to be busy with all the other parents!!
Sangita was having a dose of the "poor me's" at her lesson today. It is not a good situation with her not being well and cooped up in that small flat with a baby. I think I'd be having the "poor me's". I'll stay in touch this week. Off to bed now and hopefully Kate will sleep through the night.

Sunday

2005-02-06T23:45:00.000Z

I'm starting this quite late so I musn't be long. I've had a good day today. It's been busy but with enjoyable things. Kate was a star in the park today. I don't know where she gets her personality from but it really is BIG!! She will talk to anyone and is totally fearless. Fraser had another trip to Edinburgh with Archie, Sam and Ewan. A good time was had by all. Adam seems to have had a good day as well, but where does he get the money to lunch in Pizza Hut? Never mind he enjoyed it.
Caroline is the only one who has had a shitty day. Sunday rehearsals and concerts are really not good news especially as there is no more money for it. She has had a typical Trades House concert. All the big wigs in their DJ's and chains. Sounds quite kinky really!! It does fuck up a family Sunday, which is a pity.
I made a desicion about buying new cellos/fiddles. I'm going to ask for more. It will cost an extra couple of grand but it's not their money so who cares! I've costed it and will put it to them tomorrow, so here's hoping. Must stop now and get to bed. Monday tomorrow AGHhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Saturday

2005-02-05T21:44:00.000Z

It has been a strange day. I haven't done that much but feel that I haven't stopped! Maybe I need to organise a bit better. Always going off on detours from what I am supposed to be doing so not quite acheiving the goal.
I'm thinking I should have asked for more money with regards to buying the new instruments but can I justify it? I believe I could and it would stop them buying so many of those bloody awful keyboards. I'll give it a bit more thought and decide on Monday. Procrastination should be my middle name!
Poor Ian's wife, Bunty, died today. Sad but a relief it was over as quickly as it was. That's been about 2 months since she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Better that she died peacefully instead of dreadful pain. I must send a card.
Caroline is meeting Robert's new girlfriend tonight after the concert. No doubt I'll hear all about it later on. I'm going to have an early night, PROMISE!!

Friday

2005-02-04T22:46:00.000Z

It's been a good day for work today. Just been given a few more thousand to spend on new cellos and fiddles along with accessories. I'll be the talk of the steamie!! I hope Bob can deliver on the instruments. I enjoy my Friday schools and its good to see them continuing to keep faith with me. I must be doing something right.
Adam's math's are bothering me and I don't want to jump in with both feet and accuse the teacher of being lazy, but, it's Adams future we are talking about and so maybe feelings don't come into it. I'll think on it over the weekend.
Adam also informed tonight that he will be staying out at Natasha's(?)house and won't make his piano lesson tomorrow! Haven't told Caroline yet and I don't think she will be pleased when I do. Am I too soft or am I just scared to rock the boat when it comes to falling out with Adam. I don't know but I think he plays on my vulnerability. Anyway, the main thing is I hope he's safe and he doesn't spring these decisions on us so late. Kate has been an angel again to day, where did she come from? Coffee calls now and must say hello to C.

Thursday

2005-02-03T22:19:00.000Z

Another long day! The biggest story of today for me has been this mis-guided believe that some people can lead a normal life while using heroin. What a dangerous message to send to people. I've seen too many people suffer from this terrible drug and the turmoil it causes in their lives and their families. If there are people leading "normal lives while using it must be a case of the "yets".
Adam got a letter from the English department at school, praising his writing and calling him the new Shakespeare for the script of his play. That's both Adam any Fraser being lauded by the English Department. As for Fraser's report, well, you can't get much better than excellent for everything!! Well done him.
Caroline is confused over what will happen with Adam in 5th year. I don't worry enough maybe but would it do any good if I did? Adam is a very clever boy who needs to work harder and he will sail through SG's and Highers.
Kate has a few years to go yet and we will probably have Zimmer frames by then!! Probably it will all be virtual exams by then with classes held like video conferencing. Just you wait!!

Wednesday already

2005-02-02T20:42:00.000Z

The week is flying past and still a lot to do this week. I've put in the estimate for the new cellos and fiddles and hopefully that will be passed quite quickly. I do fully intend to start my own Primary schools string orchestra, then I'll know what is going on.
When told today that I should do some supervised practise with the pupils, I laughed. Why should I spoon-feed these children when they will do nothing for themselves. Also being told my timetable is light made me think quality rather than quantity. Getting some more cellos to teach with might be a starting point but that is too much for some people to comprehend.
Anyway Kate had a good day with my parents, especially my dad in spite of the fact he didn't feed her, and the boys endured school. Caroline's mum is feeling a little better so hopefully things will settle down and Caroline can rest a bit.
I'm getting frustrated with the boys and their lack of communication, especially when it comes to computers. They want the computers as long as they don't need to do anything to help fix them when needed. I mustn't let it get me down and take it out on Caroline which I am capable of doing despite my good intentions. I have to work harder on my state of mind. The little things are often the one's that set me off. How childish is that? Right off to apologise for being a pain!

Tuesdays

2005-02-01T11:58:00.000Z

Life is too busy! After staying up late last night to complete some cello arrangements I was wakened at 6.00am this morning by Kate. She is coping well with her scolded arm although she keeps wanting to pull the bandage off.
The Depute Head in Knightswood thought I was French Teacher when I went to see him today. These people are so ignorant of who they have working in their schools.
Fraser played well at his audition and should have a good position in the Glasgow Schools Orchesta. Aged 13 the future looks bright. Adam found his Standard Grade Maths exam difficult although he has said this before and come away with the best mark in his class, so we'll see.
Caroline continues to be constantly knackered but that's the way life is at the moment; for both of us

Monday

2005-01-31T17:11:00.000Z

Well traffic this morning was not as bad as I thought it would be considering they have closed a main access road to the Kingston Bridge. Closed for eleven months seems a bit excessive but never mind. Teaching today was ok but Bannerman is a waste of time. The two girls in Swinton are pretty clueless and I'm wondering "can I keep this up?"
Sangita was looking well today despite the bad news of her MS. Quite devastating to be given such news especially having such a young baby and herself being so young. The new cello I let her try was far superior to the one she hired and it really angers me that Biggars can charge rental on such a piece of crap. I'll have to see if Bob can do anything with it! Burn it maybe!! Got a group meeting tonight but I won't be volunteering for any duties this month as both Caroline and myself are just too busy. Maybe next month. Have to stop and feed my face, I'm starving!!

2005-01-30T10:59:00.000Z

Myself and Kate Christmas 05.

Sundays

2005-01-30T10:42:00.000Z

Well 11am Sunday today and the boys are still asleep. Caroline has taken Kate out to shops and I'm trying to get on with my morning. I don't know if I should be sitting here or help tidy the mess Fraser left with his pals last night. Bugger it this is my time! I'll be teaching Nina in a couple of hours and then cooking dinner for everybody so why should I feel guilty about sitting here putting down my thoughts. I sometimes wonder if I am selfish enough. Maybe I should take golf back up and spend the whole day chsing a little white ball. Should I start drinking and going to the pub? Nahh! That is a waste of time.

kate does take it out of us, more than we realised before she was born. Getting old, 49 next birthday. Christ, I'll be 60 by the time she starts Secondary School. Poor girl. All her friends parents will be in their 20's and 30's we'll be in our 50's!! Got to stop feeling sorry for myself. Right time I did some cello practise. That will get the bigger buggers up! Bye

2005-01-30T10:27:00.000Z

christma 2005