Self Concious

Oh Goodness! I'm beginning to to write sentences without nouns! Like Annie Proulx in her novel 'The Shipping News' and her character Quoyle. 'Proulx routinely does without nouns and conjunctions--"Quoyle, grinning. Expected to hear they were having a kid. Already picked himself for godfather"--but her terse prose seems perfectly at home on the rocky Newfoundland coast.'

I'm beginning to feel self-concious about how I write now. I've always written travel-notes for friends and family as they enjoy reading my personal experiences about countries they may never visit. Some of these have bits in them that could be reworked for use in future stories. Fiction. Autobiographical stuff. But, I've re-read my original easy flowing travel-notes and how natural they are and they simply won't do anymore.

There are glaring 'mistakes' in them. Now I feel that with the knowledge and practice during these first few weeks of A215, in altering them they may appear contrived, fitting into a prescribed format. On the other hand they could improve with me using some of my newly gained skills - as long as I use nouns!

I wonder if others feel the same? Bit wobbly?

You've Got a Friend

After nine months supply teaching in the same junior school covering for a long-term teacher signed off with stress, Morty is leaving as she returns to her class after the Easter break. Since he returned to teaching one year ago, he's only had two schools and yet worked full time.

Problem is he's become very attached to this class - and the kids love him in return - and so do the staff and parents.

Morty and the class have been preparing their final assembly together. It's Carole King's 'You've Got a Friend' Driving back from Bath this lunchtime we played the whole Tapestry album. After the first few lines of 'You've Got a Friend' I was crying.

He was driving; wearing sunglasses; couldn't see his eyes; but I think he was crying too. I don't think he'll get through it. I don't think the kids and the rest of the staff will get through it without a tear either.

You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I'll come running to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there

You've got a friend

If the sky above you

Grows dark and full of clouds

And that old north wind begins to blow

Keep your head together

And call my name out loud

Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door

Results

Received my first returned and marked TMA for my OU A215 course, returned within the week, which is the fastest turnaround I've ever experienced. Traditionally, I get low marks for my first TMA in a new course. Then my marks creep up as I learn, about halfway through the course I peak - then I get complacent - then for the ECA I'm usually fed up and tired and want it all to be over and get an OK sort of Pass.

I received an excellent mark for this first TMA and am delighted, stunned, thrilled - but the pessimist in me is saying 'The only way is down!' Well, that's a cert for the compulsory poetry TMA but I'll give it my best try. But the more I read about how to write then the more fun I'm having trying all this new knowledge out in practice. And it still doesn't feel like study - not as I've known it in the past - more like a joy.

Driving to Bath on Saturday to have lunch with Morty's daughter and her bloke. If ever you're in Bath have lunch here at Loch Fyne. That's if you like fish of course, although they do have super meat dishes too. If staying overnight then the Milsom Hotel above Loch Fyne is very modern and comfortable and also good value for central Bath and shopping. Not that I am going to buy anything of course. Who said that?

Offensive? Yes!

The most offensive sentence I've read this week went something like this:

'I blame those bra-burning women of the past who have forced young women now to need have babies, work in low paid part time jobs and study for worthless degrees'

I married for the first time in the 1960s. I went to buy a washing machine in the Co-op. I filled in all the hire purchase forms (credit) and placed a cash deposit. The male assistant told me I had to have my husband's signature on the form to allow the agreement to go through. I earned more than my husband and my job was secure - his wasn't! I had saved the cash deposit yet as a married woman I wasn't allowed by law to buy anything on credit without his signature!

Don't you call me 'bra-burning' Rant Boy!

I Dreamt

I've been watching ' Just The Two of Us.' I love Curtis Stigers and also sing very badly like Penny Smith, his duet partner. We are going to see Curtis in concert in April.

I dreamt last night that I raced up on the stage during his performance and begged to do a duet with him as I'm sure he must be missing Penny!

I shall have to sit on my hands to stop myself doing that. I haven't told Morty about my dream because he may well cancel the tickets!

Best I don't have a drink before the show!

The Deal Is Done

We did the deal. A 2003 reg Mini-Cooper with 16.000 miles on the clock. The last time I had a Mini I unknowingley drove it for two years with my handbag hanging on the choke knob and start the car by pulling the cigarette lighter knob out as the choke. It started first time every time.

Sitting inside our 'Cherished New Mini' there are so many levers, knobs, switches that I couldn't possibly hang my handbag on any of them!

It's being delivered next Tuesday and Morty will be at work. I know what's going to happen. They'll show me what all the knobs mean, he'll get home from work and we'll have our first row over the car because I won't remember how to de-mobilise the mobiliser. (Should that be the other way around?)

Now we've got to get rid of the Cabriolet. They've got some for sale on eBay but I can't imagine selling a car on there. Ours in MOTted and taxed until July. I hope it goes to a good home.