Progress, What Progress?

Hi, my Internet Friends,
Today I have bowed to the God of iPhone and bought myself one. Losing all my contacts in the process...
Ten years of building up my network - gone, vanished, obliviate, poof!

Why oh why oh why didn't I write all those numbers in my little black book? I am such a fool. And I date from the era when people had only a landline and a phone number consisting of 5 digits... You should think I should know better, eh?

So.

Lesson learnt. From now on I will write down all phone numbers in the old-fashioned way.

iClouds notwithstanding. Little black book is best.

Viggo's Haiku on Gina

decrepit old dog

farting in your soft basket

wish you would cuddle

(this is not my photo; I found it floating around in cyberspace)

Did You Hug Someone Today?

Good evening, my friends, from the wet and windy Wetlands.
The prediction was storm with wind speeds of up to force 9, and some rain. What we got was wind, but not storm, and just to make things even we got non-stop rain.
The perfect day for staying inside and getting all introspective.

Unfortunately I had to work, which is not the ideal environment for introspection; 780 teenagers milling around somehow did not create the tranquil mood I was hoping for...

So I did my best to find my own quiet place by closing the office door after my last lesson of the day, and attempted to hide myself in an imaginary bubble.

No such luck. People kept walking in on me, and I found myself getting slightly annoyed (which is ridiculous, as I have to share that office with 7 colleagues and they all have the perfect right to be there as well).

Until one of my younger colleagues swept in, soaking wet from having walked from our other location, and gave me a spontaneous hug.

Believe me, at my age there is nothing sweeter than a well-meant hug when you absolutely do not expect it.

Younger people touch and hug each other all the time, I see it everywhere. My pupils drape themselves over and around their pals, friends in the tube do, young lovers cannot keep from touching.

But when you get older, the hugs get fewer and fewer, I find. Perhaps it's me. But I don't think so.

Thus:

Viggo's Haiku on a Chicken Wing

My woman eats rice

fragrant Chinese chicken wings

am not invited

Release Date Sarah McQuaid Album Feb. 2nd!

Renée Koopman, Sarah McQuaid heeft je tweet beantwoord!
Renée Koopman@ReneeRays       @sarahmcquaid Hi, any news on the release date of your new album that I can share with my blog readers? - 25 jan. Sarah McQuaid@sarahmcquaid   @ReneeRays thank you Renee! Release date 2nd Feb - not long now!       25 jan. 2015 11:05       Reageren op @sarahmcquaid Retweeten  Toevoegen aan favorieten

People - You Gotta Love 'em!

Good morning, my internet friends. I hope this Sunday will find you in good health and good spirits.

My mind is still reeling from all the work-related and social events I have participated in during the last week. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions yet again...

Slowly up...anticipation, fear, frustration...

The tiny stop at the first hill...fear, oh hell, definitely fear...

The huge rush down...no time for feelings - hanging on for dear life...

The corkscrew...fuck, I'm losing it...

The long ride down and slowing down...elation, pride, joy.

And, as always, people have managed to surprise me. I tend the view the world around me with a mix of wonderment, bewilderment, pragmatism and not a little cynicism. But yet again, I must admit, my view had to be adjusted as it was too harsh and jaded.

In ordinary words: someone who I thought to be all-business turned out to be quite insightful and almost mild. Phew!

Note to Self:

So. What are you going to do today? Visit family? Hang out with friends? Read a good book?

I am going to finish a tiny knitted baby beanie, as one of my colleagues has greeted his first son in this life. I saw the photo, and what a lovely cute face! They are of the Muslim faith, and his search for a true Muslim name which would yet be easily pronounced by our fellow-Dutchmen touched my heart. So welcome, little boy, I hope your life will be full of joy.