filling the blank

A few snippets to fill the void of dates where nothing has been written. While I’m here, I’m thinking of posting some snippets of previous essays too. If you want to read some, post a comment saying yes please and I’ll even hurry to get it done

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I’m almost two thirds of the way through my MA. By the end of next week, it will be two thirds.

I’m truly impressed with myself, how far I’ve come as a translator and how confident this course has made me feel. I can translate. Very well. Well, as long as some provisos are met, and the text isn’t a legal contract or a bloody patent.

Future career plans aside, my current shoe trading career has started along the downward, inevitable spiral that occurs when a large group of women work within the same environment. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the bitching has begun.

I figured it existed before, but that it was being done behind my back, or when I wasn’t at work. But I was kind of happy to revel in the nirvana of a 90% female environment without passive aggressiveness. Meh, sad as it is, it doesn’t involve or concern me, so I am more than happy to sit at the side and watch it all unravel. People’s jobs are on the line here folks, though they don’t know it. For those of you that don’t know, I am currently the ONLY male worker at the shop. Yes, I get all the heavy lifting and ladder climbing jobs. I like my stereotype. A customer called me “healthy” today as I clambered up and down the stairs with shoe boxes. She was about sixty though, so don’t get any ideas.

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I’m developing a taste for Belgian beer again. I thought that in Norwich it would be a one time thing, but man alive, Duvel is tasty. Stump up the cash and try it if you haven’t. It is wonderful.

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A daughter of my mother’s friend finished secondary school today. Seeing her facebook updates made me reminisce, first of all about how we didn’t have facebook back then, we didn’t even have colour screen phones. It is amazing, and somewhat daunting to imagine what life must be like as a teenager these days. There were far more excuses to be antisocial (in the not contacting your friends rather than the ASBO sense) when I was younger that’s for sure. Back to the reminiscing, I recalled how happy my final day was, the jubilation, the “freedom” (!) and of course the hi-jinks. The previous year group to us drew a gigantic penis with weed killer outside the staff room. We managed between us to lock the staff cars inside the gates, barricade some corridors and some other stuff of mischievous nature. Of course when I say we, I mean a minority did all this crazy stuff, while I watched with awe, in my teenage unconfidence.

Those were the days.

I see the teacher list now, and so much has changed. Obviously. Teachers have left, but some have stayed too. I remember Mr. McHenry’s history lessons like they were yesterday, and of course, as I’ve mentioned to every German speaker since, I remember the RWA German lessons that have since led to almost 14 years of studying, speaking and loving German. I find it amusing that because I tag BGS on this blog a fair bit, I seem to receive a lot of google traffic under the search “Boston Grammar School” and so on. I should hyperlink them and ask for a fiver ha.

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My wife and I went film crazy the other week. Friday eve, we go to the supermarket with the intention of purchasing a single, solitary digital versatile disc with some film content on it. We left with 12. TWELVE.

The lady at the till gave us the best look I have ever seen. It was kind of a cross between “Oh my God, I’m so impressed!” and “Oh my God! You sad people!” Definitely a grimace though. In fact best use for the word “grimace” I have ever had. I’ll even throw in an adjective, as it was a wincing grimace. POW. Don’t get grammar like that these days. Kids just aren’t into it.

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In one final piece of news, Liesl left Europe. And for that America cheers, and Europe cries. Cries “AND STAY OUT!”

Just kidding. Her inability to handle liquor will be sorely missed