the queen's speech

Well, actually, it is more of a list of resolutions.

I think the queen probably said it all as far as the speech goes, and I have no need to add anything. I am not ridiculously wealthy and so have no excuses to make...

Christmas was strange this year because we spent it apart from our dear friends and I missed them terribly. This meant that there was less restraint on family behaviour which was a bad thing- but still quite amusing to see what anguish and heartache could be generated between teenagers over the ownership of a box of chocolates. These small frictions were dwarfed by the pleasure of uniting the family and watching Mysweet's cooking disappear.

As usual, I ate and drank far too much, and will be paying for it this month when I will be beating myself with a stick as I try to cut down on wine and fatty food...

So here is the list:

1 I will go for a good long walk with Porridge every day. Ever since the incident when we were attacked by a dobermanny sort of dog whilst walking in our neighbourhood, our walks have become shorter as I try to avoid places where we have previously met nasty animals. I have been pretending to myself that this isnt the case, and it is just that I dont have enough time.

But it isnt true.

I have a walking stick with a pointy end, and if needs be I will wield it. I must be a bit braver before this turns into a neurosis, and the cupboard is already full of those.

When I am walking I slip into meditation mode and always return full of energy and creative ideas. It would be silly to let one incident spoil this.

2 I will try not to get obsessive about my projects. It is insecurity that makes me work so many long hours preparing things to the very best of my ability. I think it stems from the spinning plate syndrome. I am trying to do lots of different things at once and spend a lot of time rushing from plate to plate to give them all a little shove before they fall of their sticks. And I want everything to be perfect.

3 I will try and establish a routine and keep to it. My whole working life has mainly consisted of working for unpredictable periods and times. This tends to lead to a work ethic of working all the time, paid or not, with no such thing as holidays. When you never know whether you will get enough work, a holiday is just a worrying time when you are not paid. Relax girl... no-one can work all the time.

4 I will blog when I feel like it, and stop worrying about whether my posts are good enough or not. I had some doubts after hearing about yet another blogger being fired after mentioning work, and they were anonymous! I wondered whether I should be talking about my autist students, hiding behind the language difference. I share many wonderful, and awful moments with them which I want to share with you. I will go on doing so. The more we can understand everyone's differences, the better the world will be. Their identities will remain protected.

5 I will get out and meet more people socially. There is a whole world out there, even if it is a small one in Brittany...

6 I will lose enough weight that I will be able to go to the sales and buy something that isnt from the outsize shop...two weeks is cutting it fine, but who knows!

7 I will be honest with myself.

Oh dear, I seem to have come over all serious, which isn't like me at all.

A frivolous resolution is required or at least a resolution to do something I like...

8 I will play the piano every day, and not just when I am waiting for the computer to boot up or have to learn an accompaniment to a song for my students.

There, that's enough to be going on with...

I promise to be frivolous next time.

Happy 2010 everyone!