Michael (sarcastically): Oh yes, no one in this family is known for ped-ant-ry.
Herself and myself in unison (immediately and unthinkingly): Pedant-ry
One to Watch
They had a tea for the former principal in the school today. Herself made a cake for it, organised the collection and made a speech. Daniel sang a song (very good his sister tells me and she is not one to praise him unnecessarily). Michael sat in the hall waiting for it to end.
“Did anyone else make a speech?” I asked. “Well, I gave the main speech for the students but we gave everyone on the student council something to say except one guy from second year who always misses the student council. He missed when we were giving out the speaking parts and he turned up on the day insisting on speaking but we said no,” she explained.
When all of the speeches had ended the little forbidden second year bounded on to the stage and said, “I have no notes but what I say comes from the heart…” As herself said bitterly to me, “He made the event and he made the rest of us look bad with our notes.” He is officially her nemesis.
And We Like Sheep
Mr. Waffle and I went to Handel’s Messiah in the local church last night. It was completely sold out – the organ restoration fund thanks you – and all very nice but it is long. A good 3 hours including the interval. It took a lot out of me but at least I had thought to bring a cushion and I imagine I was quite a bit more comfortable than the local bigwigs who graced the performance with their presence but had not had the forethought to bring their own cushions.
Today is my beloved grandmother’s birthday. She was born in 1897 and died in 1984. I always think of her in November.
That’s all I’ve got for today. More tomorrow when I am feeling stronger.
Partying
Last weekend, Mr. Waffle and I were invited to not one but two parties on Saturday night. As the venues were nearby, we managed to get to both.
Yesterday we were invited to two 50th birthday parties at opposite ends of Dublin so I went to my friend’s party and Mr. Waffle went to his friend’s party. I realised on the way in that it’s the first time in years that I have been to a non-work event on my own. However, the house was heaving with friends and acquaintances so all was well. The birthday girl’s parents – who are in great shape – were there. A group of us were reminiscing with her father about how we all went to visit them on Achill island in our early 20s. Of course, we felt we were all grown up but, I realised talking to her father, a lovely man, how he and her mother must have basically thought we were children. An impression not dispelled by me reminding my friend how she had been able to do cartwheels on the sand, a feat of which none of us is now capable, sadly.
I suppose 50th birthdays are a time for reminiscing. I recalled my friend coming out to Brussels to help me plan for my 30th birthday and guiding my faltering footsteps to a local DIY shop saying firmly, “What you need is a good toolbox.” Good advice and still useful after all these years. Frankly, I doubt that the fancy candles I have given her will be at all as welcome in the long run.
I suppose that’s it on the party front for the next 12 months now. Sigh.
Awkward
My brother: There was an event in the golf club last night for members who died during the year and I went along.
Me: That was nice, was there anyone you knew there?
Him: Yes, lots of people and they said nice things about Mum. Do you remember her friend, M from up the road?
Me: Yes, she died at almost the same time as Mum.
Him: Well her son was there as well and I was talking to him.
Me: Oh I don’t know the sons at all, they were all a good bit older than us.
Him: Did you tell me one of them died?
Me: No, I never heard that.
Him: Well, somebody told me that.
Me: I’m sure I’d have heard. I don’t think any of them died.
Him: Well, yes, I know that now.
The Belgians
Apparently, still current in day to day conversations of Belgians, there is an expression indicating that this is all very well but it’s not really getting us anywhere: Tout ça ne nous rendra pas le Congo. I find this…surprising.