IT’S not often you have to stop decorating your tree to watch an old lady die on TV, but that’s exactly what happened on Sunday.
Yes, Nana Moon has departed for the Albert Square in the sky, leaving teary eyes both on and off screen.
I’d finally summoned enough Christmas spirit to get my £5 bargain out of the shed and position it in the window when I noticed the Moons were doing the same — and that Nana was still alive. Having missed this episode during the week, I’d been told it was one not to miss, so the tinsel and trimmings were put on hold.
I thought I was late last year getting into the festive mood, but with a week to go I figured it was time to make the effort. I believe my humble abode is now up to an optimum standard. I’ve even made a festive feature using a fruit bowl, red tinsel, baubles and pine cones that Janet Ellis would be proud of.
The cards I have received are up on ribbons, my trinkets have been unwrapped and displayed throughout the place, and my very strange looking green reindeer with gold tinsel antlers is standing guard at the front door.
Although my cards have only just been written and posted, I did manage to get a head start on my present buying. The internet is such a brilliant thing — the only time I have been shopping on terra firma is to buy things for myself!
Give or take a few minor mishaps, I’m very pleased with the outcome of my purchases. I usually try to be considerate when buying for my loved ones, but sometimes time and money constraints get in the way. This year I think I’ve done quite well — no cop-out socks or chocolates from me.
I’ve already started the social side of the season. I always find it the best when nights out aren’t planned and just ‘happen’. If you put too much expectation into a night it usually bombs. The down side to these impromptu nights is being completely unprepared and ending up teetering along Union Street in driving snow and stilettos. I think it was at this point, walking under the sparkling lights and slipping about like Torvill and Dean, that I felt for the first time that Christmas was well on its way.
Where does the time go when it’s not around here? I can hardly believe it’s a year ago since I sat down to write my annual festive address to Singled Out readers.
It’s also almost a year since I laid out my New Year’s resolution — to find a suitable male to spend general lovely times with, who lives within a 50 mile radius, is single and is of a suitable age/maturity and intelligence.
I have to say I’ve failed miserably. As my friend says: “I’ve planted plenty of seeds — but sown no wild oats.”
The most recent chance of a romantic liaison was obliterated by a busy pre-Christmas season. ’Tis the season for carol singing, presents and turkeys but not for starting relationships.
One thing has changed over the course of 2005 — my feelings for my Favourite Ex — highlighted in the absence of his name in many recent weeks.
I shouldn’t say feelings really, because deep down there will always be some to an extent, but it’s my intentions which are different.
I can’t say when the turning point came exactly, but I have definitely moved on. Realisation to this fact came when I recently spent lovely times with a suitable male, who lives within a 50 mile radius, is single and is of a suitable age/maturity and intelligence.
Not once did I think about or compare him to my Favourite Ex, which I’m thinking can only be a good thing. So the seeds have been sown. Hopefully by the spring, these will bloom into something beautiful. Then again, I’m not very good with things like that — my poinsettia is already showing signs of giving up despite following its care plan word of word.
I think I should apply my advice for impromptu nights out to my love life — that is not trying so hard and just letting things happen.
I’ve got a good feeling that 2006 is going to be my year. I have been saying this for the last few years, but this time I actually believe it’s possible. I have a new enthusiasm and passion to let it happen.
I’ve endeavoured to put to rest any negativity and conflict in my life before the year is out so that there is a fresh start for everyone in the New Year.
If there is one thing I’ve learned in recent years, it’s the importance of friendship and trust, and the value of being given a second chance.
To be surrounded by my friends and family this Christmas is the best gift I could ever have.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas and all the very best of everything for a prosperous and healthy new year.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
The lying, the stick and the wardrobe
WHEN was the last time you thought: “They’re talking about me.”
I don’t mean when you come out of the toilet with your skirt tucked into your pants, or when fingers are being pointed when words are whispered.
I mean when something is said on a TV programme or in a song and you instantly recognise yourself or can relate to the words.
This was the case last week when I consulted Trinny and Susannah for my Tuesday night tutorial of What Not to Wear.
I’d watched the previous week’s story of a Highland estate worker’s transformation into a sassy city butterfly, and was determined not to miss the next episode, when the magical duo would transform two people of my age and social position.
It’s amazing how many people hide behind their clothes; trying to use the colours and impact to make up for what they feel they lack.
One of the subjects featured in this week’s show was a medical student whose wardrobe of ‘auld manny shirts’ and ethnic prints were unsuitable for her chosen career.
As Trinny and Susannah battled with her to show off her redeeming features, the story behind her low self worth and body image came to light.
It’s a very important subject that I think all teenage old girls should become aware of. The ‘Beautiful People’ or ‘popular ones’ at school are only that from their own making. There is nothing special about them that you don’t have about you.
This girl had become so introverted, because of what she thought other people thought about her, that she had recoiled into this androgenous, squared-off shape, so as to not gain any attention, good or bad.
She’d got to the stage when she couldn’t accept a compliment, even from her own boyfriend, after years of jokey comments and digs from friends and colleagues.
I find the situation really frustrating now. When you are a young girl, you really believe the things that people are saying and you build up this image of yourself.
In my personal experience these people are usually adolescent boys.
If someone says to you: “They’re only being like that because they like you,” don’t believe it. If that was the case I should have been Miss World with all the ‘attention’ I used to get. Besides, the fact they were telling me I was ugly gave it away.
Years later they tell you what they said was only a joke, or was to keep in with the crowd at school ‘cos that’s what you do’. What they don’t realise is their comments snowballed and made you into the person you are today.
I’d just noted down the points Trinny and Susannah had given, when I turned the channel to be faced with another dilemma.
Now that I’d mastered how to dress for my age fashionably, I was forced to think about a future of facial hair and bodyshaper knickers.
Yes, I’m talking of course about the Grumpy Old Women on BBC 2, giving me warnings like once the middle age spread starts “don’t think it’s going to magically contract like it used to when you were in your twenties.”
Having a different dress size just about every month, these started a timebomb deep inside me, which quickened as the programme went on.
Sheila Hancock, Germaine Greer, Annette Crosby et al were all once young beautiful, and for their time fashionable women, who like me probably never thought age would never change them.
But that’s the thing, no matter how we try to stick to our own path, social perception and a personal need for acceptance are always going to play a part in how our life turns out.
I love What Not to Wear as it shows it’s really not that bad being you; all you need are a few cosmetic changes which can do a world of good to your inner well-being and confidence.
I get the impression that Susannah Constantine is a walking, talking example of this. I’m not really fussed about what Trinny says as, like half the show’s viewers, I’m not and never will, or look, be anything like her. But in Susannah I see a ‘normal’ person who struggles constantly to keep up with the natural glamour of her ‘popular’ co-presenter.
While it is easy for me to say be who you want to be, it may not necessarily be who you should be. I’ll leave all the self-confidence tricks to my learned colleagues.
Judy Garland once said: “It’s better to be a first-rate version of yourself than a second-rate version of someone else,” and I suppose that sums it up better than I could ever do.
I don’t mean when you come out of the toilet with your skirt tucked into your pants, or when fingers are being pointed when words are whispered.
I mean when something is said on a TV programme or in a song and you instantly recognise yourself or can relate to the words.
This was the case last week when I consulted Trinny and Susannah for my Tuesday night tutorial of What Not to Wear.
I’d watched the previous week’s story of a Highland estate worker’s transformation into a sassy city butterfly, and was determined not to miss the next episode, when the magical duo would transform two people of my age and social position.
It’s amazing how many people hide behind their clothes; trying to use the colours and impact to make up for what they feel they lack.
One of the subjects featured in this week’s show was a medical student whose wardrobe of ‘auld manny shirts’ and ethnic prints were unsuitable for her chosen career.
As Trinny and Susannah battled with her to show off her redeeming features, the story behind her low self worth and body image came to light.
It’s a very important subject that I think all teenage old girls should become aware of. The ‘Beautiful People’ or ‘popular ones’ at school are only that from their own making. There is nothing special about them that you don’t have about you.
This girl had become so introverted, because of what she thought other people thought about her, that she had recoiled into this androgenous, squared-off shape, so as to not gain any attention, good or bad.
She’d got to the stage when she couldn’t accept a compliment, even from her own boyfriend, after years of jokey comments and digs from friends and colleagues.
I find the situation really frustrating now. When you are a young girl, you really believe the things that people are saying and you build up this image of yourself.
In my personal experience these people are usually adolescent boys.
If someone says to you: “They’re only being like that because they like you,” don’t believe it. If that was the case I should have been Miss World with all the ‘attention’ I used to get. Besides, the fact they were telling me I was ugly gave it away.
Years later they tell you what they said was only a joke, or was to keep in with the crowd at school ‘cos that’s what you do’. What they don’t realise is their comments snowballed and made you into the person you are today.
I’d just noted down the points Trinny and Susannah had given, when I turned the channel to be faced with another dilemma.
Now that I’d mastered how to dress for my age fashionably, I was forced to think about a future of facial hair and bodyshaper knickers.
Yes, I’m talking of course about the Grumpy Old Women on BBC 2, giving me warnings like once the middle age spread starts “don’t think it’s going to magically contract like it used to when you were in your twenties.”
Having a different dress size just about every month, these started a timebomb deep inside me, which quickened as the programme went on.
Sheila Hancock, Germaine Greer, Annette Crosby et al were all once young beautiful, and for their time fashionable women, who like me probably never thought age would never change them.
But that’s the thing, no matter how we try to stick to our own path, social perception and a personal need for acceptance are always going to play a part in how our life turns out.
I love What Not to Wear as it shows it’s really not that bad being you; all you need are a few cosmetic changes which can do a world of good to your inner well-being and confidence.
I get the impression that Susannah Constantine is a walking, talking example of this. I’m not really fussed about what Trinny says as, like half the show’s viewers, I’m not and never will, or look, be anything like her. But in Susannah I see a ‘normal’ person who struggles constantly to keep up with the natural glamour of her ‘popular’ co-presenter.
While it is easy for me to say be who you want to be, it may not necessarily be who you should be. I’ll leave all the self-confidence tricks to my learned colleagues.
Judy Garland once said: “It’s better to be a first-rate version of yourself than a second-rate version of someone else,” and I suppose that sums it up better than I could ever do.
