Negative Soundbyters - a “rich-and-velvety” morning to you all…(dare I say it - some inspiration from a Cafe Nero advert!) Today marks my first day in a new job. I am excited, but at the same time a bit anxious. I remember those Sunday evenings preparing for a new year at school and while it was great to see all your friends again, you still weren't sure what to expect - new teacher, new classroom, new syllabus - MORE homework!
I dutifully laid my work “uniform” out last night - everything neatly pressed in order to make a positive first impression with my new colleagues. That was until this morning when an errant chunk of creamy scrambled egg landed neatly on my trouser leg as I was finishing my breakfast. I decided not to change; my hope is that it’s not my thigh that people will be paying attention to today!
Talking of thighs and all things limb related; I managed to complete the 50km Thames Challenge Walk on Saturday without having to resort to the first aid tent although my gait did resemble John Wayne’s by the time I reached the finish line - just over ten hours later! When we started out, I thought it would be straight forward but 50kms is a lot further than I imagined; my crushed-and-swollen little toes were of the same mind! That said I think I came out relatively unscathed judging by the state of some participant’s feet. I watched some as they tentatively unlaced their walking shoes fearful of what they would unveil once the socks were gingerly removed. And in most cases those fears were well founded - blisters of all shapes-and-sizes - followed by a series of pained expressions especially when the realisation hit that we were only half way! I was especially impressed by one guy who lanced his blisters as I was tucking into my tuna pasta salad at the halfway mark that Mrs H had kindly prepared for me. It was the perfect visual accompaniment to that tangy delight and set me up nicely for the remaining 25kms - not!
There were a few iron-willed (or unlucky) souls (!!) who had signed up for the 100km version; I was full of admiration (as were my little toes) as we watched them trudge off into the gloom to complete the second half of their challenge. Frankly I could think of nothing worse at that point than trudging alongside the Thames in the dark on an uneven path forcing forward a pair of sore feet that just wanted to reverse back from whence they had come - preferably straight into a warm foot bath filled with rose-infused oils!
All said-and-done it was a great day out. That I can walk into my new job unaided is an added bonus and could suggest that 100kms might be on the cards next year. On the other foot, maybe not!
Big Love
Hoddy X
PS: There is still time to donate to the two worthy causes that I walked for - so if you have some pennies left over from the weekend drop them into:
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/revcap
and please mention my name in the comments section.
Grandparents
Question: What would newbie parents do without them?
Answer: Panic more and sleep less.
For Mrs H and I, having her Mom, her Mom’s partner and my folks bring their collective experience to bear at times over the last 13 odd months has been an absolute godsend.
I remember in the very early days when Rafe was pink and squidgley - almost elastic-like - and we brought him home - a real live human - and looked at each other and wondered what to do with him. I went with “not dropping him”; Mrs H went for “let’s feed him”. It’s clear that his survival was at the forefront of our minds and with that key underlying principle agreed, we set about ensuring just that.
But babies have a habit of taking even the best laid plans and shitting on them - sometimes quite literally. And one night Rafey did just that. He decided to exercise his lungs and ensure that any sleep that we might have grabbed between his feeds was cancelled until further notice. That sent Mrs H and I into a tailspin - and we were only a few days in! When the mother says to the father in a panicked tone: “I don’t know what to do….” that’s when the father starts bricking himself because he sure has hell doesn't have the faintest idea either - and frantically rummaging around for Gina Ford isn't going to help either.
Mrs H was just about to utter those fateful words when her Mom rode to the rescue, scooped up our little pink package, seated herself comfortably in the nursery chair, put him to her shoulder and rocked him gently , soothing him all-the-while. Mrs H and I knew we were in the presence of baby whispering greatness; only a professional would have been able to remedy a situation where all four wheels were about to come off simultaneously!
My parents have now also entered the fray much to Rafey’s delight. It is fair to say that he has commandeered my mother as his new full-time walking aid. He picked up early on that my Dad is not as mobile as he once was and therefore concentrated his charms on Mrs H senior. It’a amazing where flashing blue eyes, a wide toothy grin, crazy blonde hair, and some baby chub will get you - well about ten to twenty laps of the garden inspecting various garden implements, noting which roses have bloomed from the previous day, counting out the same stones retrieved from a lap earlier and being told in no uncertain terms that bird droppings are not edible! And that’s before heading indoors to perform a full inventory of all the kitchen cabinets, to tinker with the wheels on the pram and to satisfy himself that the front door key fits neatly into the lock - at least fifty times.
I know that Rafey’s grandparents would go to the ends of the world for their little grandson; at times he might try his luck and push them towards the edge but their love and devotion will always outweigh any tricks he has up his sleeve - and I believe that he loves them all the more for it!
OUT :)
Pic of the Week
Job done :)
