Friday, January 1, 2010

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!



14 comments:

Zhoen said...

Skip 6, and that sounds like a great set of tools to build a good year. Being brave and tossing out perfection - as a false god, will take you far.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year!

My husband goes for a walk with the dog, armed with a pepper spray after being attacked twice. The Police say its the effective deterrant.

tristan said...

keep tickling those ivories !

Frankofile said...

I'll try to follow you on 2 and 3 - the work is essential but so is enjoying life as you go along. And there is so much here to enjoy!

Ms Mac said...

Happy 2010, Rosie!

Good luck with your resolutions- you might even have inspired me to make a couple!

Meggie said...

I never make resolutions, learnt long ago it just made me feel bad, & set me up for failure.
Good luck with all of yours, & I wish you Great Good Fortune for 2010.

Mrs. Chili said...

#4 resonated with me. I blog for the community, too; sharing my experiences with others - and have them share theirs with me - makes me a better, more whole person. Thanks for being part of that community.

Love,

~Chili

amy said...

Brave resolutions - I had to sidestep the issue this year. I'm glad you'll keep blogging when the mood strikes, I always look forward to hearing what you're up to.(PS if your soldes plan includes Paris, let me know!)

Lucy said...

Sounds good. My sole resolutions so far are never to open a Facebook account, and a rather spur of the moment one to leave a comment on George Szirtes' blog where hitherto I had only ever dared lurk, and not to worry too much about whether it was clever enough...

Don't try too hard not to be filled with demonic energy about the projects though; it keeps me on my toes and I feel like those shanty town dwellers who chuck a wire up to freeload off the mains.

Yes it pays to be careful about how one blogs about real people and work, but I don't think there's any point in being too paranoid, every situation is not the same.

And keep on walking Porridge!

20th Century Woman said...

Those are all really good resolutions, especially the ones about walking and blogging. We try to walk with out poodles every day, but days like today, when it is pouring with rain are difficult.

And I got into big trouble with my blog once, thinking that nobody I knew was reading it. But keep them specific and interesting, if anonymous. The language difference helps, I'm sure.

hexe said...

I am impressed by your list of resolutions; I not sure I have ever made such a complete list but may have to borrow a couple of yours. Hope the New Year is full of many new adventures.

tristan said...

don't forget to straighten your tiara in the mirror before answering any unexpected knockings at your door

Rosie said...

how lovely to hear from you all...happy, happy new year

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