Odd Thomas Odd Blog

Getting out of seriously in-grained habits is something quite tough to achieve, so when the 7 Weeks app (free version) appeared in a list of 'Similar' apps during a system re-installation, I thought I would give it a shot; the justification for which was if I can start some good habits, I could work up sensibly to taking part in Be Gung Ho later this year. Things didn't start well...

So, the furore of the Cadbury Creme Egg recipe change has taken something of a personal turn, with my 14-year-old niece feeling incensed enough to do that stalwart British thing ... write a letter! Enjoy!

How many of us remember the youngest years of our lives?  I have some vague memories of being a baby sitting on parquet flooring in my parent's home, banging the floor with my hands and then being picked up.  Is it a real memory that hasn't been invaded by more recent memories, or is it just a fiction cooked up by my, likely unstable, wetware?  Who knows.

Since starting uni, everything from my sanity to my social life has taken something of a battering, so with a new semester just starting I figured I would take up my friend, Mr F, on the offer of a night out. The original intention was to head into London, but with the weather on the brink of turning the capital into one giant paddling pool, we decided to head to a pub in Harrow for a bite to eat.  Okay, technically still London but sufficiently far from the Thames as to downgrade the wetness status to verruca pool.

How often do you get frustrated with someone only to then feel that perhaps, maybe, you are over-reacting? Since starting back at Uni for my final year, there is one tutor with which I have been having this dilemma, from the point where he posted a group discussion entry asking all students to break the ice by introducing themselves in the forum ... and to include links to their Facebook and LinkedIn profiles, as well as uploading a copy of their CV.   To a publicly accessible forum.

So, here I am, back at Uni for my final year. It feels oddly comforting to be back, like seeing an old friend who wraps their arms around you and gives you a massive hug...then says, sorry, gotta go, things are a bit chaotic right now! I've been here properly for a week now and can confirm that things are at least as chaotic as before, with building works going on, unstable timetables and equipment needed for practical sessions not working properly.  This is one of those places where you come to expect things not being up to scratch, so rather than just get angry, you roll your eyes and try to find another way. That said, there is one thing that immediately fixed my Victor Meldrew head firmly into place.

"Why do we do it?" This was Linda's question to me on our opening night last week, performing Alan Ayckbourn's Life and Beth with The Centralian Players , and is one that I invariably ask myself in the days approaching any live performance of our productions. Every script becomes akin to a comfort blanket for each member of the cast, with us until moments before we walk onto the stage and returning once again to our nerve-ridden, sweaty palms almost as soon as we are off, soothing away the jitters just by being within easy reach.  That, and the various sweets and cakes that people bring in, encouraging a quick comfort-munch before the next appearance.