A Dusting of Snow.

The last time I saw snow was during the bitter winter on 2012-2013. That winter we had 4 significant downfalls here that seriously disrupted my work life given that I live on a steep hill that it utterly treacherous when the snow and ice come. We had nothing last year.

All change last night with a light dusting of snow. It settled but was gone by morning. Other parts of the country have had much heavier falls. I say keep it light.

So another week is over. After a challenging start it was okay. I was paid today-always good. But there was reason for celebration yesterday when I realised that I had managed to get to the end of the month in credit for the first time since I left Kent. I now have no debts at all. A huge relief. I'm hoping now I can save a little from time to time.

I will get the train to Miriam's tomorrow via Cambridge. We will attend the Ely Beer Festival on Saturday then on Sunday night I settle down with Nigel for the clash of the titans that will be this year's Super Bowl. I cannot call a clash of 2 heavy weight teams although my desire and suspicion is for a Seattle win.

No return to reality until Tuesday. That in itself has to be good. This is my last January post, see you all in February.

I Heard a Voice

Gentle Music, a Beer and a Waiting Game

Wednesday night. Half way through the week. After the challenges of Friday and Monday the last couple of days have been relatively smooth. Well at least at work. The domestic challenges of still waiting for the plumber and desperately missing my cleaner go on.

So I have settled for some gentle music on the radio, Berlioz is on, a beer and a little catch up with my on line friends.

There really isn't much to report. My mood is defiantly neutral. Cooking has been limited owing to expected calls from plumbers but good old English fry up in duck fat is a nice compromise. He promises he will come tomorrow.

I had an e mail from Dory today. It has been an age since we met and she is missing me. Me too. Maybe we can coincide our lives to meet next week. Working can put a serious dent in social plans. But we all have to do it. Sorry if this post is boring but it does happen sometimes in my life. See you soon.

I Heard a Voice.

Ploughing a Lonely Furrow.

The nature of my job sometimes is that I am out there at the coalface, usually alone, making decisions that can be critical to the the interests of the students I help and those of the wider institution. When the shit hit the fan I have to deal with it, make safe decisions and deal with the consequences afterwards. I rarely ask for help as with the exception of my friend Geraldine there is not often anyone there beside me.

On Friday as events spiralled out of control and fast thinking was needed I wanted back up. But there was none. All of my managers were off sick or on leave. God I needed some back up then. Of course it happens that people are off but it left me with an anxious fretful weekend when it was hard to switch off. This was exacerbated at 3.15 am today when I needed to do a serious plumbing rescue job to stop a flood. The plumber is coming tomorrow but for now I lead a precarious evening. That too makes me nervous.

So what to do? Well Idomeneo is on the radio, I have yesterday's paper to catch up on and I'm trying to slow my jittery mind. Not sure it is working but I am not plunged into the pre Christmas darkness. I think I can prevent that. It's only Monday but I will be glad when this week is over.

I Heard a Voice.

A Great Pianist and a Great Cuisine.

Looking back as I sometimes do on my blog posts it has become clear that posting about music is almost as prominent as posting on my themes of madness and food. It truth I rarely write, cook or read without music on. My penchant for opera is a comparatively late occurrence in my life, choral music has been there forever along with music for strings. Piano music is rare.

Tonight in my nice warm flat I am combining a great pianist and a great cuisine. The late Ronald Smith, father of my great friend Beka plays a sublime list of Liszt on my CD player and the light delicate yet punchy food of Vietnam plays away on my kitchen. Today's effort which will infuse for a couple of days combines chicken with a rich and fiery paste of chilli, lemongrass, shallots, garlic, chilli oil, curry powder and fish sauce. It smells divine. I will add carrots and potatoes a little later along with some coconut cream. The main curry is cooked in home made chicken stock which will thicken and cool to a gelatinous sauce. At the end of the week I will eat it.

As it cooks perhaps some reading, so nice to get away from the TV.

I Heard a Voice.

Remembering 3 Years On.

The last few years of my mum's life were marred by deteriorating mental health. By the time she died she had dementia, was depressed and overwhelmed by anxiety. Yet in those last few months there were rare glimpses of her in happier times. The occasion of the Kent launch of A Pillar of Impotence in November 2011 brought smiles to her face. I only saw her once more after that.

Exactly 3 years ago today mum turned 80. Her anxiety remained-not helped by some foolish GP telling her should possibly have a small glass of wine on her birthday unless she gave up taking a tiny dose of citalopram for a week either side. Sadly she didn't listen to my advice that she would be fine. But we had a lovely dinner out at Froggies at Timberbats and she smiled. Just over 2 months later she died.

As I reflect 3 years on it is so hard to believe how fast time has flown. Much of the time we didn't get on. But she still pops in my head at the most strange times. I want to talk to her. Of course I can't. But I remember her today, so happy birthday to mum who should have been 83 today.

I Heard a Voice.

Fiery Curry, Lots of Chillies.

Greetings to all you out there in blog land. You find me writing on a cold but clear day in which I have done a little domesticity-my cleaner is busy with her other job-a little shopping and now a little cooking. Tonight it is a Thai pork curry with ginger, pickled garlic and a lot of dried red chillies. I'm expecting fire.

I'm glad it is the weekend. I'm still finding work quite exhausting as I did not have any early mornings for a couple of months. It takes a bit of getting used to. I feared I might have had a late and potentially risky end to yesterday but it all went smoothly. Academic psychiatrists really should know better than to diagnose without even meeting people. The information I was given was bullshit. Why do people mistake anger for mental illness? Why indeed am I dealing with so many angry people? I suppose it is because I stay calm and usually diffuse situations.

Tomorrow brings roast duck and Rioja, some opera and then the NFC and AFC conference championship games as another NFL season draws towards its climax. I plan to watch the Super Bowl with my brother in law Nigel. See you soon.

I Heard a Voice.

Home Comforts.

Halleluia!! For the first time in 6 years the boiler system in my flat is working properly without losing pressure, I have hot water and I have heat. It has been a long time coming but it is finally a comfortable home.

To continue a theme of comfort the simplicity of roast chicken, roast potatoes and 3 different vegetables took up my early evening and now I'm listening to Haydn with a glass of Pinot Grigio and reflecting on a day that delivered more than it promised. Very good to catch up with my friend Jacqueline, she is amazing book reviews, for a sushi lunch and putting the world to rights.

I feel more stable after yesterday's shock discovery. I cannot do anything to undo what won't now be but I have to move on as best I can. I think my mood has hit +2 on the scale for the first time in ages. And that is very good news.

I Heard a Voice.