Shoures soote (Chaucer)

Photo by Nikhil kumar on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

Spring is back which so far means a lot of rain, fluctuating temperatures, rain, blossoms, wind and more rain. And we live in the Hawke's Bay. On the other side of the Ruahines and the rain shadow!!

Still, that's spring right?

In the northern hemisphere of Chaucer's time:

Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote
And bathed every veyne in swich licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the flour...

(When in April (September for us) the sweet showers fall that pierce March's (August's) drought to the root and all, and bathed every vein in liquor that has power to generate therein and sire the flower...).

So it ain't like it's a new thing.

Anyway...

Had to go to the dentist today: first of two crowns. My dentist (Dr Nick, age 33) is great. 

Was talking to colleagues at school about it earlier in the day and reminiscing about the dark days of primary school and going to the murder house (link takes you to a previous post on this subject). 

Appears we all called it that!! How was that possible - in pre internet/the-world-is-a-village days???

Even different generations called it The Murder House. 

What scars! Poor dentists! 

Anyway - we were chatting while my crown was being made , and Nick alerted me to this film by Peter Jackson. Called - yes, indeedy, The Murder House!

This is getting spooky!

Love and peace - Woz

Tell us more Mr Science (Elaine)

Wie geht's

The Science Roadshow hit town yesterday and my campus was hosting it for the Hastings area.

As I watched a presentation by two lively young science guys that featured some fun chemical reactions for the students, I, of course, thought of Graham Purdy - Pharmacist.

He would have loved it. And understood it far far better than the two young guys.

I thought back to when I was about 8 or 9 and asked for a chemistry set. After getting it I played around with it a bit but it didn't take.

At M.A.G.S. I attempted chemistry during my two School Certificate years, 1973-4, and that was an utter disaster.

Chemistry was not for me!

Isn't that weird. That I would be interested enough to ask for, and get, a chemistry set but then develop zero interest in it.

Zero, zip, nada, zilch.

Funny old life innit.

Love and peace - Wozza

Okay, I'm gonna take the suit, and the shoes, and the hat (Kramer)

Wie geht's?

Meet Ray. 

He was a character from Seinfeld's The Statue episode. You remember - the psycho cleaner, boyfriend of the kooky Russian writer, Rava, who kinda steals the statue that Kramer has to get back by pretending to be a old school cop.

Got it?

Ray is also the name I gave to Jerry's would be canine companion. An Aussie cattle dog. But then Ray, true to Seinfeld namesake and Aussie battler stereotype, went all batshit psycho and attacked two other dogs at the vets (after having a spat with Jerry and being put in his place) so Ray has been returned to the dog ranger, from whence he came originally.

Poor Jerry.

The search for a companion goes on.

Love and peace - Woz 

In flies a guy who's all dressed up just like a Union Jack (The Rolling Stones)

Wie geht's?

While I was reading Wild By Nature, I realised that I had this sitting on my bookshelf in A.R.F. 

Doh! I'd forgotten that I had bought this and the sequel 2Stoned during my last visit to Chaldon Books and Records in Caterham on the hill.

So I abandoned WBN straight away. And launched into the weird and wonderful world of AOL. Good decision!

I love the fact that he allows many other characters, famous or otherwise to comment along the way. Some like Mary Quant, Pete Townshend, Mickie Most, Don Arden are household names, but it's the old teachers, associates, bosses, friends and so on that add a different perspective to the narrative.

Frustratingly I can only read it while eating breakfast and briefly at night. Ah well.

Love and peace - Wozza

I'm a spy, in the house of love (The Doors)

Wie geht's? 

We selected Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy to view last night on Netflix.

Many a time, I've attempted other John Le Carre (and Len Deighton) adaptations, including the mini-series version of TTSS. 

Each time I think (to myself) that spy dramas could be fun (!). What am I thinking???

Each time the convoluted plot and dry as ice delivery by the actors playing Smiley and other MI5 types have left me (out in the) cold (war).

But, I was swayed by Gary Oldman's Oscar nomination and a stellar cast including the always great John Hurt.

And the reviews - positive and upbeat...so what the heck.

Caution was thrown to the wind. What a fool. Will I never learn?

Jacky lasted about 20 mins and went to bed. I soldiered on in bloody-minded fashion, desperately trying to figure out who was who, and what was what.

Hopeless. Those Russian dolls are a fitting image but I couldn't keep track of the layers and the time shifts.

By the time it ended, I was thoroughly confused and rueing the decision to keep ploughing ahead in forlorn hope that I'd finally get the gist and then understand, finally, the appeal of spy dramas.

I won't be making this particular mistake again any time soon.

Maybe in a couple of years.

Love and peace - Wozza

All the world is football shaped (XTC)

Photo by Gabrielle Rocha Rios on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

It's exam invigilation time again. The only time of the year you will hear me using the word 'invigilation' btw.

It's a prime time for idle speculation. During this morning's one, I made a list of possible blogging subjects for my various blogs.

I also wrote out the details of our OneSchool Global R.E.S.P.E.C.T. acronym which was displayed on the wall - more on that next time!

At one point, my gaze fell upon a globe sitting on a shelf in the exam room where I was invigilating.

I've always had a hankering for a nice globe. Not a plastic el cheapo jobbie - but a quality one. Would look great in my music lounge.

Fathers' Day's coming up. Just a thought.

Love and peace - big daddy!

I'm so glad you came here, it won't be the same now I'm telling you (The Beatles)

My new walking shoes

Wie geht's?

Want to know the best way to stay healthy? The best advice comes from Hsing Yun:

Eat less. Walk more.

Right on maan!

I'm embracing this by cutting down on the cinnamon donuts from Little Frimley Kitchen (note well: cutting down, not giving up - I'm not insane) and walking at lunchtimes around the Hastings' Sports Park with other staff.

Feeling healthier already!

Love and peace - Wozza