Roman empire, British news, old Doctor, SAD

I have been watching the DVD's of the History channel's series on the Roman Empire - Rome.    I have sat through four DVD's of the empires fights with the Barbarians and Christians.   I have cheered on Marcus Aurelius and numerous Emperor's and Generals of the Roman Army.   It is well acted with History Professor's  explaining the action.   I can't say I am impressed at how back stabbing they were but I guess you have to put it into context.   It was almost Five Centuries.   Can't say I am a fan of the Romans.

I read about seven papers a day online mostly headlines.  I have been in a battle against a couple of newspapers who are using the  East Europeans particularly Romanians as scapegoats for lose of British jobs.  What is wrong with these people?   Britain is a small island nation with a population of about 56 million people with about 50 million of those who are born in Britain.  I also understand with the economy the way it is the critical nature of jobs and hiring people.  However I don't understand  why they openly accuse Romanians taking jobs and causing race hatred.   It is upsetting to see this kind of abuse in Britain didn't they fight a war to stop this kind of behaviour.  Sad.

My partner went to see his old Doctor today.  He has got to be 80 years old.  He asked my partner could he retire.  My partner was looking exceptionally worse for wear.  He has let his beard grow which I don't find youth enhancing.   My partner asked the Doctor if he was going to retire.  His comment was that he had a lot less patients as some had passed on hopefully to natural causes.   My partner asked him, wasn't this a source of concern for him.  Upon which the Doctor laughed heartily.   Somewhere in there is some wisdom.

My partner is better like his Doctor to keep working, one we need to pay the bills and two the mental and physical fitness in his job will keep him going as well.  Like his Doctor he needs the stimulation.

SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder had got me.  I want to sleep during the day and have no energy.   I had planned to go out today but after exercising, lifting weights and having lunch I couldn't keep my eyes open.   I have to go out tomorrow evening and also get  few groceries.   I can't wait until we have the  time change back in March and get more daylight.    I think the older you get the harder it is to not get enough daylight.

Back to the end of the Romans.  I am at Emperor Leo from the east who is going to help the west.  We who  are about to die salute you!  I swear my Grandmothers family fell off the Roman army.   They are olive skinned.  Just got left behind in Yorkshire!  My Dad had the look of a Latino.   Someone should tell the Brits that.  There population has Roman roots.  I think I did.

Winter but no wonderland, London flats, a week of social

I am trying to think of something positive about winter.   I guess those of us who live through it, have a lot of time to reflect and do artistic pursuits that we would otherwise not feel so inclined to do in the summer months.   My partner is hoping to publish his writing, a novel and is spending time checking up agents in hope of finding one who will find his work of interest.  I am researching a topic of the ancient world the historical past of the British, particularly the north to entwine in a novel.   I am sure if we had other things to think about we would not be as focused and trying so hard to work at these endeavours.   I think the themes I have for this book have been in my life for a long time.  They are of an emotional nature and a spiritual also.  

At times you feel akin to Dr. Zhivago stuck in the ice of Varykino,  in the Russian Urals.
I think the people of our generation have a mystic love of Russia and India thanks to Pasternak, the Russian poet, and to the Beatles their Yogi they followed and his town near the Ganges in Northern India.   The Baby Boomers,  ancient left overs from the sixties,  a strange and mystic lot.   I still have this desire to put Indian rugs in red on my floors and velvet curtains on the wall.   We can never watch that film or listen to the Magical Mystery Tour or the Stones, Circus album or Ravi Shankar and not think of those times.   I guess that  is the romance of youth that still flows through us like a ribbon of once lived life.  I guess that is the ones who had enough romance in there lives to appreciate it.

London a wonderful and busy city of now 12 million, is one of the most  financially crippling to live
in for most people unless you have a professional job.  My offspring and his partner got to look at a flat in the building,  near where in they live and, was perfect for their lifestyle, the one they have now is a bit on the small side.  The unfortunate part is the rent which would add another 5,000 pounds onto their costs which they are just managing.   It is so unfair for them to know it is available let alone look at the lovely flat.   Life is cruel when you are young and trying to achieve your dreams.

I am about to have a busy week.   I have a dinner on Feb. 1st.  Some friends of a shop, I worked in, get together at our favourite Indian restaurant and have a meal.   It is loud, fun and we all enjoy it.   I asked another friend who is also going to come along.

Then on Thursday, a friend of my offspring is going to have a small concert to showcase her first CD.   A shy person who has had an unusual upbringing with two talented parents.  She has managed to use  her musical talent to write clever songs.   It should be an interesting evening.   My partner and I have watched  this young talent come along.

The evening should be a minor triumph and hopefully, the first of a long and satisfying career.

Fundraising, winter in the grey, birthday celebration.

I am trying to learn to be a fundraiser for charities, mostly health charities.   I can't say I find this an easy thing to do.  I don't have trouble talking to people.   Actually it does make me nervous.  I think it is meeting new people.  I am not anti social but I don't think it gets easier as you get older.   I don't like the other part as I am a captain of a group and you call the group and they don't pick up there kits.   I think tomorrow I am going to deliver the remaining ones unless people aren't home.  If know one is there I will leave a note for them to pick them up.  I had hoped to get through it with as much efficiency as I could.   I think some of the canvassers agree to do this and then find themselves very busy to follow through.  Oh well, we just carry on regardless.

I am watching a show which I have seen before on the London Blitz.  It is so unnerving to watch the footage and it does make you live through it.   I think an uncle of mine was on the fire brigades in London during the war.   My uncle had been a career soldier and had been discharged with diabetes.  He got to fight the fires though.  

It has been so grey that last few days.  It is quite depressing.  By afternoon it feels like it is the evening.  
I think we are so used to cold but sunny days that this doesn't seem like winter.   The west is supposed to be getting the severe cold and we are having a milder winter.  There hasn't been much snow.

I keep having deja vu of my old dog Kurt and having to take him out at night for his last walk.  I do miss him but not the walks.

I am making some plans for my birthday celebration later this year.  I am hoping to visit my offspring and his partner.   If it doesn't happen, then I will plan something simpler.   I don't like parties for older people their is something false about them other than dinner with family and very close friends.

My birthday for me is a great escape.  Last year it was up to cottage country and to my favourite Bay with a side trip to a spa.  That was enjoyable.   I was near the shoot that my partner was on and got to meet Burt Reynolds and LeAnn Rimes.   I don't go on set very often so it was nice to be near them when the filming was going on.   It is work and not a party atmosphere.   It made for a memorable  birthday even one I was enjoying on my own.   I think I don't like being reminded that I am getting old
know one can blame you for that.   I think some how it is the world today makes so much emphasis on youth and the youth culture.   I can remember when I was a young person that older people had a lot of respect and at times some they didn't deserve.   However it doesn't seem there is a lot for them today except in their own families if they are lucky.  This is a sad reflection on the world.

Help! Christmas leftover, 2012 do we acknowledge the Titanic. Maybe yes!

I can never say the word help without think of the Beatle song and the movie of that name.   The song was clever and expressed a lot of emotion of that feeling of desperation.   I have been fortunate to have got some of that much needed commodity lately.   One in the shape of  family.  Sometimes it is the last person you can think of that does help.  These are hard times for people who have a small business.  Banks if you are in trouble are more likely to help you by helping themselves although these days they are not earning much for their troubles.   If you go beyond this situation there always seems to be a catch 22 to everything you do.  I was blessed with a clear head for business and have learned over the years to use it to make the best decisions I can.   I also thank my Father who has been dead for thirty years for spending the time talking to me about the depression (1930's) the war (WWII).  His childhood being the oldest of eight children and of being sent to work at fourteen, on a farm to supplement the family wages so they could survive.  I can still hear his words in my head when I have to  make decisions.  Some although, not many of that generation are still around and am I thankful that I have his genes.

I have to admit that Christmas is still hanging around my home.   I get busy and things are still sitting out.   The mantel is covered but the tree is gone.   One of the things I have to do tomorrow is take them down.   I think I haven't done as much as I have a broken vacuum,  actually I have two of them needing repair.   Tomorrow, that will be done as with our new addition it isn't pleasant living with animal hair of any kind.
I swore the next animal I got would be a horse so he could live in a stable although that is an expensive venture.  Once the vacuum repaired, and the rest of the ornaments away I can reclaim my living space.  

I have a lot of things to think about in this year of 2012.  One it is the year the Titanic sank.   Why should we think about this you have to ask yourself.  It the Titanic hadn't happened maritime safety would never have been improved.   I think it was such a beautiful ship and the passenger's were glamorous also.  That ship still haunts us.  Even, Rod Stewart, the singer is going to go on a cruise of the Titanic's only trip to where it now lies off Newfoundland.     I can't say I think of the modern movie of the sinking but the old movie called, 'A Night to Remember '.   That was  shot in Ruislip Lido in North London.   As a young person when I first say it I was enthralled with it and watched aghast at the great liner sinking and the passengers calling and crying out in the night.  Maybe that tragedy was a foreshadow of the great war to come just two years later.   I am sure it has given all liner passengers a healthy respect for ocean travel since that time.

The other thing about this year is that both of my parents would have been 100 years old on their birthdays.  I was born late in their lives.   My Father lived to be in his seventieth year and my Mother lived to be in her,  eighty- third year.   My Father did not live long enough to know my offspring but my Mother got to meet her grandchildren of whom she was very proud.   They have her colouring her northern European looks and from what I am reading lately, Viking genes.  I think my Father also from the Northern part of England had similar roots.   It is interesting as I research the Norse and Viking that they are so little mentioned in the world as they are a very dominate gene in Britain, and more so the more north you go.   I can only put it down to the Christian influence and the Viking acceptance of the religion in favour of Odin, Thor and Freya.    The older I get I understand my parents more, their families their roots, the only pity is they met so late in life and I was born when they were older adults.  I think this is not an unusual phenomena with people who's parents were old enough to have lived through WWII.   That said my Father was a solider in the Canadian army and my Mother, had the good fortune to dance some of it away at the Palais Royale to the music of the big bands.  My Dad, got to go with the 2nd Division about one month after D-Day and face the tanks of the German army.   Knowing what I know about genetics and history, you have to be thankful for that Viking inheritance!

January the month of Janus, Lord of the Beginnings, friends with issues, Greek delicasies

I have just read an article about Janus who is the Roman god for which the month of January is named after.   He is called the Lord of the Beginnings.  It seems like the whole world is entering a time of new beginnings this year.  Although I think a lot of the issues have been going to happen for the last few years.
The new world started when George Bush, decided to attack Iraq.   He had a vendetta to go after Sadam H. but I am not so sure it was the smartest approach to what he has done to the American economy and the people of that country.  Since that was in 2001, the world has had a lot of time to reflect.  I am sure if the Russian's had rethought about going into Afghanistan they would have also.  I am not sure they were any better off after that conflict or dubious adventure.

The world economies are still in a boat on a rocky sea and as the German Premier,  Angela Merkel seems to be the woman who is holding everything together.  That said some of the new countries on this planet,  Canada, Australia and the United States,  seem to see some light at the end of the tunnel and are holding there own.   Britain and its, Prime Minister Cameron seems to be showing, other than his lack of insight for the young and the university fees, some leadership qualities.   I guess we should all burn some incense and give up a prayer to, Janus for our continued  preservation and the restoration in some countries of a healthier and stable, economy in world  governments.

I don't know what is going on, my friends as I should include myself in these issues at the moment.  Maybe besides our age and dealing with aging members of our families, or jobs/work that is and may not be.  I just seem to have a load of concerns about them that includes my offspring who always seem to have need in some area of their young lives.   I guess combined with our winter lack of light and our instant media these days it is hard to get away from life stresses.   My dream is to move, to a more northerly community and stay there for half the year and just not be available to worry about what is going on in either my friends worlds for a bit or the world in general, for that matter.   No matter how I look at it that plan is still good in my books.

I have been contemplating spending some time visiting my overseas offspring and his partner in June however a rental in my favourite area of  beach country is tempting also.  A month with no traffic and no city sounds is good also.  A summer would be better.

 I just read a funny quote about that said, 'One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.'  This was written by the author and philosopher, Iris Murdoch.   I can't say I know a lot about Iris M. as I have only seen a movie about her life which was based on a book by her husband.   However I am in agreement with this statement.   I spend part of my week with friends who enjoy going for coffee or tea out to various cafes and sometimes it is at our house.   Today my friend and I wanted to find a new but less expensive place for coffee, she is helping her, both gifted offspring, through higher education.  We headed to a Greek bakery, the delights in this place are too numerous to mention.   We were good and tried to stay away from the sugar confectionery.  I go for the custard with philo pastry and honey. My friend went straight for a flaky turnover.  The coffee also is good just slightly more intense then other  coffee outlets.   We sat in the big window of this pleasant shop.   Although it is on a main road, it is bright and friendly.   My friend is from a Chinese family, although brought up here.   We have become friends who have a reassuring balance to our relationship.  Actually, we have some very similar background issues and raised our families although not together at almost the same schools.

When we are out time flies, and issues seem to melt into intense discussion, and quite often laughter.   My friend is from a family, who worked hard for their foot hold in this country.  Has taken their lessons to heart but also walked her own path.   My family all though a century earlier has done the same thing.   We have a lot of respect for each other and seem to find never be short for words.

I can say that one of the small treats in my life are my woman friends who fill it with their life stories their wisdom, their knowledge and the comfort that I am not alone on my journey into a new age.

Kurt, Bailey and now Beau, returning clothes that don't fit Rumpo

We heard sad news today.  One of the last family dogs that my offspring were raised with had to be put down.  He was a lovely golden retriever called, Beau.  The family he lived with were ladies and very fashionable ones at that.  Beau was a very earthy and fun loving creatures in a house of haute couture and a fast moving life.  He was a very loved and comforting part of this household.  I was always greeted with a cry of save me and I need someone who understand dogs.   I have a high level of emotional quotient where dogs and cats are concerned and I am horse savvy also.   I am even fond of birds but fish are, something I like to look at but can't say scaled creatures warm my heart.

It is with sadness we have lost another wonderful creature in our world along with my friend's lovely pet, Bailey a part duck toler type of red collie.  My friend was sent into depression when she had to say goodbye to her companion.   Bailey was also my Kurt's favourite dog.  They seemed to adore one another.

I decided to go to the mall I seem to often find myself.  It is small, compared to most of the shopping venues in this city but seems to be one you can find things and find what you are looking for at times.
In November,  I had bought a pair of dress ladies pants for a Christmas party.  By the time I tried the pants on about a half hour before I left and  I had taken off the clothing tags.  I put the pants on and they didn't fit like I thought they had.

I took them back a week ago and left the receipt at home.  Today I took them back with the right receipt.  I got the manager.   All of a sudden I was persona non grata  I had made the terrible mistake of not bring the pants back within the thirty days.  I had bought them not in time.  No store certificate to get anything else.  To bad.  I told the woman I had been back the previous week.  She was just down right rude.

The best I could say was she had lost a customer and not one but two as my friend was in agreement with me.    Truly strange way to do business.

Rumpole the wonderful fictional lawyer from the John Mortimer series has been a mainstay of my Christmas holidays besides Downton.  I just love this character and his  speeches and wisdom.
Since Mortimer a lawyer and his Father a lawyer as well, the character and its background is well founded.  The humour and the wit is priceless.  Unfortunately, John Mortimer is no longer on this planet but he has left some wonderful books and scripts to enjoy including, Brideshead Revisited.  It was John Mortimer's script writing and Evelyn Waugh's wonderful book.    I think holidays are the best times to have Dvd's or videos of great drama.   How lucky we are to have had writer's like him.

Downton, wine gums, walk on the Pleasant side, kitty two

I have to admit that I am addicted to Downton Abbey, the BBC drama.   I have just watched part eight, of season two.   It is enthralling.   I saved this episode for New Year's Eve, it was a gift from my son.  This is my second time to watch it.  I am somewhat superstitious about that night so staying in although I would sooner spend it with my good friend and some neighbours of hers, Jackie and John.  Jackie,  I am sure this is not the French spelling, is from Dijon in France.  I could spend all night listening to her accent.  John, a Canadian is also very sweet and amusing, they are both seniors but very young in spirit.

Part eight of Downton;  the youngest daughter of the Duke has given up on being an aristocrat, the young lady who is to marry the heir has a change of heart, amongst other life changing events.  Their clothes are of one of  my favourite era's the early 1920's.  They say in London fashion, they are bringing back some of the styles thanks to the show, wonderful.   You live through the era and the characters lives.  I love drama like this.  It does take you to another world and that is what drama should be.

Wine gums, of all the silly confectionaries this one has to be my downfall.  I swear I can hold back on chocolate, having only a few pieces.  Put the wine gums in front of me and they are gone!  I am very partial to the white ones which I am deluded to think, are like champagne.  My next  favourites are the yellow and then the green.  I have to admit I will eat the other colours but they never taste as good.

Today was a holiday, in lieu of New Year's Day, falling on a Sunday.   I had things to do but wanted after the holiday to get out of the house.   That doesn't sound difficult but with our weather sometimes the extreme damp, doesn't make for a nice outing.   Today was cool and getting colder, as my partner needed to get out and a coffee, so we drove to the high street.   I wanted to go to the bulk food store on a main street near there.   There is a coffee shop across the road.  The coffee shop is in a new condo building which I have given a name to which I am not particularly proud but  I somewhat hate pretension.  The building in called, Chateau with another name attached.   It is a family joke when we see it to announce the other name.   I must admit it is vulgar but I think the builders could have given the building a name more suitable to the neighbourhood.   We have another set of box stores nearby that look like they belong in Southern California, too tacky for words.  I haven't name them but feel sick when I see them.

I did get to go and pick out the lovely delicacies in the bulk store. I buy all the nuts, brazil, cashew, walnuts, and got my sesame seeds that are full of calcium.   The dried fruit is wonderful also but had to restrain myself this trip.   I must admit I get carried away and get panicky to think I might not have enough cash to pay for it all.  I was very proud when the total came to under what I had actually planned to spend.   I had even bought my daughter some hazelnuts.  Since I am trying eat less wheat, and more protein that is healthy I go for the good stuff.  The wine gums come in the house on special occasions.

Kitty two!  My son and his partner, gave me a bit of a shock when over for dinner.   They announced they were thinking of leaving Rooster, the cat.   I like the cat but having to feed him for about fifteen years at today prices for cat food that doesn't send him to the vet, didn't thrill my heart.   I swear I am going to invest in pet food stock.   It is outrageously expensive.   I spend more on the cat food then I do on meat for my partner and I.   Although I do go in for grain fed meat, now.   Worst of all is both cat's are food lickers then don't eat it out right.   Although I must admit I think Rooster is better then Fred.  Fred being a rescue kitty I have never checked to see if he has all his teeth.

It is a pity we can't claim pets as dependents on our taxes they cost enough to feed!   There goes my planned investment fund for extreme old age.