Tears, Nigel and Constipation

I will start as all good stories do at the beginning, there will then be some random (quelle surprise!) bits in the middle and an ending at some point.

I have found that I do have an impact on people that is positive in the main. Some may disagree and say I am scary as I know I have had this feedback since the first time I had feedback. I think it is about focus and have written about this before. However positively I am gaining in skills in listening to hear both what is said and unsaid, a skill useful to the telephone, even with a 5-10 second airtime delay, as well as face to face. I sat yesterday morning and listened to someone who felt that they had messed up. In the grand scheme of life enhancing activities they know they haven't but when ambition and passion combine some times the impact defeats the intention. I had tears in that conversation, not mine, this time. I know that today will be a great day for this person as they make a cross UK journey to pick up yet another new fur ball.

Nigel

Talking of fur balls but of a different variety, last night I went for dinner with my new friends Nick and Anneka and there fine pet Nigel. He is awesome, I have never been in the presence of such an intelligent, cunning, this is my house/sofa/table/food/drink...rabbit. Yup I was actually visiting his house and he was very entertaining as he worked his way round the coffee table on his back legs trying to reach an unwrapped biscuit which once he got, he ran (hopped) off! It was a lovely evening of me playing up to my lordy self with Annie and then bike man talk with Nick. Dinner from Nick was awesome and finally introduced to the 'In Betweeners'. To be regaled of yet another tale of miswording. Just before their first month of married bliss was up Nick said that they could still get the marriage unnulled, most definitely in a joke inspired moment. The response from Annie was I don't think so as we have constipated our marriage. Um consummated indeed!

This morning has been packed and the rest of the day will be til I get home tomorrow night. I took my little punto back this morning as I finally have my car looking rather splendid. Taxi back home and an awesome conversation about Cuba. I have been to look at Emily's potential next big school which has a distinct focus on being awesome in the CVA scores. Something to do with value-added which is higher than the last school we went to see. Met their resident dancer, and the arts teacher, OMG I felt both old and very very ugly (but not for long).The deputy head that showed us round was huge and I went back to 'please sir' in an instant. Chairs were bigger though or as I talked with 'stalker' this morning is my bum getting smaller in my new svelte self? Used to have to have a cheek on each chair. No longer, hurrah. And my watch strap has gone in a notch! Wuh Ho!

Oops sorry self indulgence not a good look or read I imagine. Later today I travel east to have dinner, which will I am looking forward too and have been for a couple of weeks. Then to my Bro's and his wife before a train/drive to the Cycle Show at Earls Court tomorrow to meet, for lunch, two very inspiring, long distance, round the world all ways people.

Different to the two people I saw this morning. I categorically oppose violence towards or in the presence of others. I witnessed a road rage incident today that shook me to my core. It was as unnecessary as it was unprovoked. I am pleased that I stopped, called the police and saw the individual arrested. I will be a witness to this as I know that is right thing to do. Any volatility that is physical is dangerous and unnerving. The apologies that follow are as hollow as they are fake. If you didn't mean it, why do it. I would not want to be in the presence of anyone whom I knew to have had the tendency, unpredictability, past or present to do this. Ever.

Protective is different and I have done this. I have stepped in front to shield or gently moved to the right or left to allow passage of those I whom I am unsure of their intentions. I am however far more careful with my language now than I have ever been. Even in jest the language of the physical needs to be removed. You never know what impact it may have, or memories that it will stir.

Memories were stirred last night as I drove along 'portaloo road' and again this morning as I walked up the stairs of the school with the flat wide wooden bannister's, the smell of chemically cleaned toilets or the foot marks of 1000's of students across the hard surface floors of the corridors. The Head asked for feedback on the visit and I will, not just on what I saw but also the continual and annoying reference to 'kids' by both him and the deputy head. Ummm I think that will last reference will make someone smile ;-)