Sassie's Little Rant

A Meeting leading to a meeting

I used to have to get two trains to work when I first started in my current job, it involved a wait at a station until my connection came through.  I used to sit and chat to a lovely lady but she retired she no longer needed to join in the rat race.  But before she left, she gave me a wonderful gift, she gave me an introduction to a young man who she would sit on her train with and chat.  So from that day forth a friendship began to bloom.

We would meet at the interchanging station and chat about the world.  Have some very deep and meaningful conversations for that time of the morning.  But life for him was about to change he was no longer going my way….what would I do? Who will I chat too?  And then, I too had changes in life which meant the way I traveled would be different as well.  So we parted, swapping numbers and promising to keep in touch.

Unlike so many fleeting acquaintances, this one has continued on through the medium of C21st technology, FB and mobile phones.  We’ve met since, been out to dinner and had a laugh.  Most recently he decided to arrange a social, a gathering of different minds and so a plan ensued.  Dates changed and places where to meet.  Finally, decisions made and destination announced.

Whilst at work I was telling a colleague, she looked at me and said that sounded fun, could she come?  Of course I replied, but needed to check it wasn’t too exclusive.

Now all agreed and the date came round, off to the East End for a bit of adventure.  The night was ffffrrreeeezzing, my nose a block of ice before leaving the station.  We couldn’t find ourselves on the map, so popped into a pub for a quick hot toddy.  I then realised we were running late, so down went the toddy and off we toodled again to find the eatery.

We turned a corner, and several more, then wandered down a rather dark alley. In the distance I could see a light, a really bright light……..no it was nothing more exciting than a lamppost outside the restaurant we were going into.  What an arrival into a warm and welcoming place, hands were offered for shaking, and I shook quite a few.  The drinks began to flow, the food ordered, arrived and deavoured during which conversations grew.  Couldn’t believe it but we’d sat opposite another OT, albeit one who changed his professional path.  Another was an illustrator, who’d drawn for comics, so many interesting people but not enough time to speak with them all.

Finally the meal was finished and the bill paid.  A discussion ensued as to where to go, but then being all over forty and others needing to work it was decided to return to our beds.  My colleague however, felt light-headed and up for some fun, luckily for her a party was found and so her night continued on with much more fun.

Blimey - tis been so long

I had absolutely no idea its been so long.  Barcelona was my last post and so much has happened since then.

University is over and the hunt for a job began.  It soon became apparent this would be a harder task than first thought.  I finally managed to find a temporary job, but this would not last long and then everything really did go pete tong!

Three days before Xmas 2010 my husband’s employers decide to let him know that he would be jobless by the spring.  The news was hard because this meant our home would be taken from us too.

A double edged sword really.  We had wanted to leave but didn’t know how, being lazy and complacent.  Here the choice was taken from our control.

2011 turned into a year of emotional turmoil, realisation of fears and many, many tears. As we traveled through this roller-coaster year we grew strong as a couple and finally made it through.  As the year drew to a close, dreams were realised, employment more fulfilling was found and a more stable life looked to be insight. 

Here I now sit, in MY living room (OK, so the bank owns 80% of it), in a job I love with my husband blooming in a new found role growing in confidence and willing to try new things.  I hadn’t realised how stagnant he’d become, now laughter comes easy and we are both ready to deal with the pebbles and boulders that life’s river brings to us.  For alone we are strong but together we’re even stronger.

The Pope’s visit.

Well is this my place to rant, so I suppose I should give vent to my disgust that this man is allowed to come here on a state visit, paid by my taxes.  This man actively supports genocide of the African race by endorsing misinformation that condoms are porous and allow the HIV/AIDS virus thru, therefore provide no protection against this horrific disease.  A man who is overtly homophobic claiming that those who insist on continuing this behaviour (like they have a choice!) are inherently evil and a person who denys women the right to choose what happens over their own body.  What I find so sickening is that if this guy was a Muslim with these beliefs he would probably not be allowed in this country let alone be on a state visit with our Monarchy.

Not only is the actual man heinous in his opinions, he is head of the most contradictory and blasphemous religion.  If the young Jewish carpenter lived today, he would be shunned by this church and he would be ashamed of its riches.  It purports to be a supporter of the poor then why does it ensure that those remain poor whilst its bishops sit on piles of gold - quite literally.

It is a sad sad day when we as a liberal, tolerant nation allow this fascist into our country!  We are a country of free speech of course, but as long as it does not incite hatred, sadly he incites hatred!

WOW

Finely I getting all my pages hooked, slowly slowly catchy monkey, I may even start understanding RSS feeds and URLs you never know!

My long weekend to Barcelona, Spain, and the adventures that were had. 10/06/10 to 14/06/10

Well, the start of the holiday really didn’t go too well.

The first hazard to overcome was the ridiculous security at Heathrow.  I had foolishly bought a bottle of water to ease my thirst whilst waiting for the flight, completely forgetting the ban on any liquids in hand luggage.  So, an unopened bottle of water was given over to the security guard.  She looked at me and suggested that I may want to gulp it down before going through.  I suggested that this would be a stupid idea and that it was my fault in the first place for not remembering such a daft rule.  Martha then pointed out that the mat we were standing on was rather spongy.  Immediately I jumped to the conclusion that they were doing a full body x-ray.  In a panic I asked the guard, who informed me that this was not the case, but over at international flights was where they were starting to use them.  She then proceeded to tell me to remove my bracelet.  As it was silver and I had so much other stuff on, I said that I would not, if I made it beep then they could search me.  Across the barrier I heard another voice informing me that the bracelet should be removed immediately and my belt too.  I then became rather stroppy and childlike, arguing with her whilst doing as I was told.  I walked through the bleeping machine and failed to set if off.  However, the woman who had butted into the conversation now insisted that if god forbid if anything happened to me I would be first complain, at this point, sadly, I swore at her.  Realising what I had done, I repeated the sentence without resorting to foul language.  She then insisted that she was not talking to me but a fellow employee who was now quite upset.  I suggested that if she was prone to be upset that easily then she should refrain from working with the public.  Upon which I turned and left the security area.

I was sooooo angry with the whole set up.  It is just crazy, if someone wanted to blow up an aircraft, they would. The other point being that the aeroplanes used in the 9/11 were hijacked not bombed!  Does my bloody head in!

Anyway, once I managed to get a coffee down me, I began to feel much better and we headed over to the relevant gate and awaited the Lufthansa flight we were booked on to.  Whilst waiting at the gate, I notice three police officers hanging around.  I started to get slightly paranoid about the incident that may have warranted the officers becoming involved.  I was so relieved when we boarded the plane without being arrested.

We flew from Heathrow to Munich, arriving with only 10 minutes to spare, so no German beer on this trip.  Running to the other end of the terminal, we jumped on a Spanair flight to Barcelona!