Monthly Archives: May 2017

Float to stay alive

This RNLI brief video makes a point of what to do if you unexpectedly fall into cold water.  It makes me consider that some of this may also apply to sudden, shocking psychological events and swift changes in life – first float, steady, catch your breath before planning what next.

28,000 days

Enda O’Doherty (the gent fundraising for mental health help by carrying a fridge up Kilimanjaro) – lives life in challenging ways, as he is an alcoholic:   “I’m far more afraid of not living. I don’t want to spend my time just sitting eating take away pizza and looking at Netflix thinking that I’m living life.Continue reading “28,000 days”

Reasons to take a washing machine up Kilimanjaro

Enda O’Doherty is in training to take a washing machine up Kilimjaro, over 12 days, beginning on 3rd July this year, 2017. Why?  To carry his message “The reason I carry a washing machine is to remind people that 10 people this week in Ireland will die by suicide, and they were all carrying aContinue reading “Reasons to take a washing machine up Kilimanjaro”

“Invisible College” – writing advice

“The Invisible College” is a BBC series of programme, available free on i-tunes as podcasts, or listenable to on half-hour programmes.  They encourage creative writing and are now on series 2 (broadcasting Mondays, 4 pm, Radio4 FM).  Catch all previous episodes on BBC i-player, titled “Invisible College”. Brilliantly, the BBC are pulling on their recordings of allContinue reading ““Invisible College” – writing advice”

42 Douglas Adams Quotes…

Douglas Adams fans will recognize some of these quotes immediately from his books (include the series of Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). They are witty and worth reading – thank you BBC for compiling.  I especially like: 1. “A learning experience is one of those things that says, ‘You know that thing you just did? Don’tContinue reading “42 Douglas Adams Quotes…”

Poetry Everywhere…

Poetry everywhere is a series on Youtube of brief 1 or 2 min poems read by the American poets who wrote them.  A wonderful assortment. Each begins with a short introduction to the poet – basic geography and interest/style.  If you’d like to find some new-to-you poets, this is an easy place to begin looking.Continue reading “Poetry Everywhere…”

What’s your life advice?

Yes, it’s that time of year again – 20 years ago, a journalist, Mary Schmich, on the way to work saw a young woman with her face tilted towards the May sunlight and thought “I hope she’s wearing sunscreen…” and went on to write an article based on the life advice she would give, ifContinue reading “What’s your life advice?”

Songwriter – Carly Simon

Just watched a BBC documentary on the making of the album “No Secrets” – which includes the song “You’re so vain”.  Absorbing.   We get to hear from the producer, bassist, sound engineer, drummer, lead guitarist, her manager and most of all Carly herself.  What were her inspirations for her songs?  What was it likeContinue reading “Songwriter – Carly Simon”

I’m on the Riviera…..

with film star Richard E Grant.  And the painter Matisse.  And a BBC camera crew. As you’ve probably guessed, I am watching a BBC Arts documentary – “The Riviera: a history in pictures”.  (We have only seen episode 1.  For UK viewers, episode 2 is on Monday at 9 pm, BBC4). http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01ps9jr/the-riviera-a-history-in-pictures-1-painting-paradise     Joyfully, ourContinue reading “I’m on the Riviera…..”