One year of blogging...

I have now been Blogging for a year!
Many things have happened over the last twelve months but most significant of all was the getting to “know” so many bloggers.

I discovered Vit’s blog on the BBC website just after the London Bombs in July 05. I was very interested in her digital art and even got myself a version of Painter 9. I have drawn a few things whenever the mood has taken me but not as much as I would have liked.

As I started visiting and commenting on Vit’s blog, other bloggers came to visit my blog and the first one was DCver from Portugal.

09 September, 2005 DCver
12 September, 2005 Gigi (Guyana)
13 September, 2005 Vit (Portugal)
13 September, 2005 Carribean Colours (Caye Caulker, Belize)
18 September, 2005 Viking (US)
10 October, 2005 Ale (US)
12 October, 2005 Caroline (UK)
13 October, 2005 Shyha (Poland)
17 October, 2005 Julie Oakley (UK)
27 October, 2005 Chill Daddy (US)
01 November, 2005 Christine (Canada)
03 November, 2005 Hobbes (Carribbean)
04 November, 2005 Andrea (Canada)
04 November, 2005 Annie (UK)
06 November, 2005 Val (US)
14 November, 2005 L Dahl (US)
15 November, 2005 Iluvnyc (US)
19 November, 2005 Hayden (US)
22 November, 2005 Janet (US)
23 November, 2005 Kingston Girl (Jamaica)
23 November, 2005 Juliana (US)
08 December, 2005 Carla (US)
18 December, 2005 Cave Renovator (Spain)
20 December, 2005 Brian the Mennonite (Canada)
02 January, 2006 Wendy (France)
15 January, 2006 Euro Trac (UK)
14 March, 2006 Cherrypie (UK)
28 March, 2006 Mary (US)
18 April, 2006 Calamity Tat (France)
20 April, 2006 Homo Escapeons (Canada)
21 April, 2006 Le Chat (UK)
25 April, 2006 Rambling Woman (UK)
25 April, 2006 Lettuce (UK)
06 June, 2006 Dons (UK)
04 July, 2006 Daphnée (Belgium)
06 July, 2006 Dizzy (Jersey)

I "talk" to you all as if I know you as real friends. I have emailed many and many have emailed me.
A few of you have elected to remain anonymous (no photo) that is your prerogative.
I have made up a mental picture of you. For example, DCver, I imagine him tall, dark and handsome (I'm not gay, don't worry) as any Portuguese chemist would be. The rest of you have your photo on show and it is nice when reading comments, to associate your face with your thoughts.

As I said to Trac one day "one little comment on your blog can make all the difference!!"
And it is very true that most of us are just seeking an ear to listen to our Life and remind us that we aren't alone.

This year has taught me lots of things and most of all the determination to seek real happiness even at the detriment of a well-settled life. Though it was hard to make the change and still is hard, I have learnt to take one day at a time. Enjoy the good things that one single day offers me and tackle the problems the next day may bring.

At this moment in time I am happy for my blog to take over my life to some extent. The day I give up blogging will be the day when I'll have decided that I no longer need to.
But I have a feeling that by then I will find it very hard to "lose" all the "blogfriends" I have made on the way.

How long have you been blogging and why do you do it?

Papa's 85 today!

My darling Papa is 85 today! What a guy!
Papa had a hard time during the Algerian war against the French. (1954-1962)
Our farm was used as a meeting place for the Freedom fighters. The French authorities got to know about it, but although none of the fighters was caught, Papa ended up in concentration camps at the edge of the Sahara for about three years and then exiled from our "départment" for another three.
My mother, bless her soul looked after us five kids with my eldest brother's help.
When Algeria got its independence, Papa came back home. I was too young to understand what he had gone through. Seven ribs broken during interrogation, a back that is still black and blue after all these years and untold psychological trauma
He went back to his job as ambulance driver at the local hospital and worked there until his retirement.
The gentlest person I have ever had the pleasure to know, Papa has always got time for people especially children. He always keeps a supply of sweeties in his pocket to hand out to our young neighbours.
I honestly cannot recall hearing him complain about anything.
Well, actually maybe once. At the end of lunch one day he said to my mother: "You should use less oil in the cooking."

Nowadays he spends his days meditating at the local mosque* or going for gentle strolls around our small town where everyone knows and respects him.

Have a great day, mate.

*A funny anecdote


...

The Fringe...

It gets bigger every year! I love it!!!
Edinburgh grows by an extra one million people in August! The streets become a giant stage for all sorts of acts!
Strollers are assaulted every inch of the way by leaflet-bearing-would-be-artists inviting them to their daily shows around the city.














Scottish drummers outside the National Gallery.














Hull University Big Band giving a sample from their Glenn Miller's repertoire.
















The Royal Mile transformed into a giant stage...

Serenaded by a talented quartet singing "Bye, bye, Blackbird..." while sipping your morning coffee...

Six wonderful days but I only managed to see three shows! The rest of my time was taken up with food and wine tasting on a grand scale or just walking along Princes Street and the Royal Mile taking in the atmosphere and dreaming of becoming a stand-up artist!!

Check out The Fringe facts for yourselves!

TGIF 4...

You are driving in a car at a constant speed.

On your left side is a valley and on your right side is a fire engine travelling at the same speed as you.

In front of you is a galloping pig which is the same size as your car and you cannot overtake it.

Behind you is a helicopter flying at ground level.
Both the giant pig and the helicopter are also travelling at the same speed as you.


Question:
What must you do to safely get out of this highly dangerous situation?















Answer:
Get off the children's Merry Go Round, you're drunk!

This may be the last post for a little while as I am heading for Edinburgh and the Fringe...

Countries I have visited...

Today I am playing virtual tourist and revisiting all the countries I have been to in the past.
The first time I went abroad, I was 22! And that was to come to the UK to study Naval Architecture. But since then I have visited many countries around Europe and Africa. Europe on various holidays and Africa, during my year out as a ship's oiler...

The country that always conjures up great memories is Madagascar! Mainly because Papa called it Madame Gascar! For the life of me I never thought that I would ever get to visit such a remote place! Beautitul beaches and people!

Next on my list are South America and Asia.

Tell me what country has stuck in your mind and why...


Create your own visited country map






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