Jupiter – TuneTuesday

Driving past the blue plaque on what was once Gustav Holst’s residence a few days ago was my queue to start la-la-ing ‘Jupiter’ to the rest of the car…

But it did make me think, which bit to sing?

You could sing any of the 3 substantial themes but still have your obliging audience guess the right song – provided they haven’t already demanded you ‘put a sock in it’ as you break into ‘I vow to thee my country’ at the top of your voice.

 

In case you are unfamiliar with this bringer of jollity… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0b4STz1lo

 

A favourite of many, plenty to pick up on listening-again and definitely a piece which makes you hark back to ‘the olden days’ for stupendous feats of classical composition and vibrant arrangements without a film in front of it.

‘Give The Bouquets To The Living’ – ThoughtsThursday

Our family has a saying that goes:

‘give the bouquets to the living’

in regard to encouragements, kind words and praise, which quite simply there are not enough of in the world.

 

Second Cousin Once Removed… Fam/Food/Friend/FreedomFriday

Having recently been introduced to this walking conundrum I thought I would share the thought process for this regular conversation in a household that is keen on family history. I hope it helps should you be as lost as I usually am…

 

1^st cousins – your usual people who you know as cousins – your aunt and uncle’s sprogs who are likely to be around your age.

 

2^nd cousins – these only turn up if your cousins have kids.

 

The whole ‘removed’ deal – this is where there is a ‘generation gap’ and you have to for ‘once removed’, for example, go up through your parents generation (first cousins) and then add the ‘removed’ as you go back down to the relation in question.

 

If you’re a visualee try this (Wikipedia: source of all truth and knowledge) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cousin

Life To The Full? – Scripture/StorySaturday

One of my recent favourite bits of scripture (ok bear with me making the ‘s’ alliterate with Saturday, but I do just mean the Bible) is the theme verse for Bristol Uni’s CU Events Week back in March ’14.

 

John 10:10 ‘… I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’

 

It’s pretty neat, claiming to have come to give fullness of ‘life’ considering our dictionary still struggles to give a ‘true’ definition to the word, but we all at least think we have it…

Slovakia Stories – WorkWednesday

Hardly able to call it work I had so much fun, but I was a teacher of English at Slovakia’s ‘Discovery Camp’ this July.

It was work to remember to speak at anything less than 90 miles an hour, however, and I did realise I speak two languages – English and Nonsense.

I taught too much of the latter it would seem, but a moderately happy medium was found in idioms like ‘hit the sack’ and song lyrics such as ‘let it go’.

 

It was an absolutely incredible time with a week full of treasured memories. A few of many highlights would include discussing the world view and poetry in The Script’s ‘We Cry’ in an official English lesson to experiencing the beauty of the Tatra Mountains (do Google if like me you had never heard of them) through to learning Slovak dancing and realising that when reading the Bible together, the word ‘holy’ in Slovak sounds like ‘sweaty’…

 

Bearing witness to some of the Karaoke acts that nearly split sides, having my first experience of roasting sausages over an open fire and making some truly wonderful friends, makes this in my opinion the best teaching job in the world.

The 39 Steps – MoviesMonday

The 39 Steps; originally a book, now a play and wedged firmly in my heart as a sure favourite in the 1935 film-form.

As an old black and whiter, it is hardly spritely being one of the great Alfred’s, but it has good humour and re-watchability and is much quoted in our house.

The balance of sharp interesting dialogue and adventurous plot that runs as fast as the fugitive it follows through and outside a moving train, by foot across Scottish moors and whatnot, is winsome for a modern audience in need of an exciting but not emotionally exhausting classic to curl up with.

 

“Beautiful, mysterious woman pursued by gunmen. Sounds like a spy story.”

‘That’s exactly what it is…’

 

If you were to watch it any time soon enjoy Robert Donat’s performance as the dashing Richard Hannay on the run, and keep a keen eye out for Hitchcock himself at the theatre exit.