Just heard this...

Driving home from a girly 'cooking demonstration', I heard this on the radio (Radio Two?!). It took a few minutes for me to realise that I already knew it from 'Shrek'. This version was beautiful, a lilting falsetto; not the original or most famous cover, but breath taking. I just felt a need to post when I got back.



Well I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and he pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well, it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Well your faith was strong, but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
And she tied you to her kitchen chair
And she broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips you drew the hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Well baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor, you know,
I used to live alone before I knew you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
It's a cold, it's a broken hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Well there was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
I remember when I moved in you
And the Holy Dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Maybe there is a God above
But all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah.

Isn't technology fabulous?

Now that I have rediscovered the fine art of blogging I have a dilemma. I should be writing reports, but I can't be bothered. It is much more purposeful to explore the lives of people around the world, or to take meaningless 'blogthings' tests. I have even introduced the kids to them. They partiularly like finding out which Simpsons' character they are. Not sure Reuben really is Barney but we were right to bet that Caitlin would be Lisa.

Anyhoo. I thought technology was supposed to make work faster. The flaw in that argument is that it has just taken me three days to work out why the sidebar of this blog has suddenly moved to the bottom. Days when I could/should have been doing something else. My search for answers has increased my confidence in all things Blog, so it's not all bad!

Oh God another addiction

How You Live Your Life

You have a good sense of self control and hate to show weakness. You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think. You prefer a variety of friends and tend to change friends quickly. You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

If you look back in this blog, you'll find I took this test a while ago. Funnily enough, the result has changed!

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Antony Gormley

Henry Moore

Moore Henry Moore

Natural beauty

In my humble opinion, the most breathtaking images/installations/sculptures at the YSP involved nature, beit the texture of a tree, the sunset or the work of Andy Goldsworthy. His curtain of chestnut leaf stalks and thorns was stunning.

Places to view his work
www.artisancam.com, where there are interviews and videos of his work in progress.

http://www.writedesignonline.com/history-culture/AndyGoldsworthy/overview.htm, superb examples of his landart.

And another blogthing...

You Are Best Described By...

From the Lake, No. 1 by Georgia O'Keeffe

What Famous Work of Art Are You?

So not quite a year later!

I was sitting watching Doctor Who, on children's orders, when the Doctor tells his assistants to stop 'blogging'! How coincidental is that?

I have just read back my past posts and find myself wondering why it was at those times that I sought to write down, and publish, those thoughts, feelings and experiences. Why not other times, other times I can remember so vividly yet have not adequately reflected upon and why did it suddenly become unimportant?

Motivation, for many things in my life, is like a tide, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes energy surges and everything is possible, and then at other times there are not enough hours to do anything, so why bother? Hmm!


As for tonight, too many thoughts, too much 'sun', not enough dinner and two Masters.

Why are these things so right?

You Are A Walnut Tree

You are strange and full of contrasts... the oddball of your group. You are unrelenting and you have unlimited ambition. Not always liked but always admired, you are more infamous than famous. You are aggressive and spontaneous, and your reactions are often unexpected. A jealous and passionate person, you are difficult in romantic relationships.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

Caffeine

I had an espresso yesterday afternoon at 2.30. Finally got to bed at 1am. Didn't feel spaced but did seem to get a lot of things done, washing tidying laundrying blogging, even managed to read a little of my book!

Go caffeine!

Billy Joel Euphoria

What a fantastic night. So many songs I had not heard for such a long time. What a showman!

Even Anton liked the show!

Mmmmmm

jo ashcroft -- [adjective]: Tasting like strawberries 'How will you be defined in the sexual dictionary?' at QuizUniverse.com

Hmm told you

You Are 52% Abnormal

You are at high risk for being a psychopath. It is very likely that you have no soul. You are at high risk for having a borderline personality. It is very likely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at low risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is unlikely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at low risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is unlikely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

How Abnormal Are You?

What a week

Where do I start? I have felt so rough this week that I didn't think I would survive!

Caitlin came home in tears,saying Mrs Moss has had a go at her, over her diary , or lack thereof. She apparantly had a go about the fact that C always loses things, never completes homework and thinks homework is beneath her because she is so good at school. I went in and burst into tears, and explained about mental health and how sometimes C can't concentrate on anything. Mrs Moss was very understanding; I guess she had to be with a tearful mother on her case.

Didn't exactly set me up for the day although school went very well. Iwas finally asked to cover year three, with a proviso that I can have my part time role back when Sara comes back from maternity leave...if she comes back.

Another rumour abounds that our favourite person has been suspended for 'hitting' a child. Is this the straw which breaks the camel's back.

Finally, Mrs Ferrie was in and asked me if I would take Year One next year. I nearly laughed in her face! She's a bit of a whirlwind, I'll say that for her!

Anton has asked to go out tomorrow and next weekend, inspite of a conversation about fairness. I am not happy!

confusion

Once again the depression descends. I am feeling unhappy, bloated, fat, unwanted, unable to do anything etc etc etc. See can't even finish a sentence!!

I feel I just can't cope with anything ( global statement) I have so many jobs to do that I get lost in deciding what to do first. I desperately want to go for a run but it is so hot that I think I'd collapse. But I need to do something.

I may have to start another blog to write down my eating habits as at the moment they are shit! Chocolate fixes and an inability to cook, or rather decide on what to cook. I feel I am letting me and my family down! I just want to curl up in a corner and go to sleep!
THE KEY TO YOUR HEART QUIZ ANSWER
You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like to your lover to think you are stylish and alluring.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

Just felt like getting someone else to tell me something about myself!

Alcohol!

I suppose I only have myself to blame but I feel shit. It is exactly four days since my last alcoholic drink and yep my head is as far from being happy as it is possible to be.

I can't decide if this means I should give up drink completely or just have a little every night and ward off the mood swings that way. An interesting subject for testing I think!

Managed to get lots of washing done as well as completing the whole of our form teacher reports. I think my mood swing may well have affected one or two but I'm sure Aud will edit them well.

Having a blog is a useful way of noting successes... and not so good episodes. Must be therapeutic!

Ate far too much today, and watched myself do it. I would love to lose weight but I can't be bothered. A bit like running at present but I think both would be easier with support, but from whom???

Am feeling lost!

A baptism of fire

I played my first ever proper tennis match tonight.

I was shite. I had so many nerves and couldn't string any shots together!

At least I didn't get upset so I suppose that's a major step forward.

Arghhh

Holidays are all very well but the unpacking is a nightmare. Hubby didn't do any clearing up yesterday when I was off doing the results for the Garburn race. So there is sand everywhere, tonnes of washing to do, stuff all over the place and myhead slightly offthe lines.

That may have something to do with second child not being able to find his reading book this morning...I should know by now that it will be in school. I have got so much work to do, I've not started my reports yet (!) and if the house isn't just so I can't settle to do them.

Ah well the holiday was nice whilst it lasted!

Just trying to post a picture to the side bar

Beauty

Caitlin's

photos

from

The Eden Project

Happy Holidays

What a fabulous week! We've just come back from a glorious week in Cornwall, staying in a house two minutes from the beach and three minutes from 'Planet Ice', an addictive ice cream and coffee shop.

It was an interesting group of people. I wasn't sure it was going to work but we all had a good time. There were Paul and Roselle and their lovely kids, Frankie and Ciaran, Gordon and Heather and theirs, Laura(7) and Oliver (5) and the four of us. Finally Al came over to be our token singleton.

Frankie and Ciaran were only little so spent their time with their mum mostly, but the other kids got on really well, even Caitlin and Laura who were very similar personalities.

The weather was superb, two days of blustery wind and then SUNSHINE, SUNSHINE, SUNSHINE. The kids spent so long in the sea we had to get them wetsuits. In fact Roo only burnt on his hands and feet so he looks as though he has pink gloves and socks on. Needless to say I felt very guilty about the sunburn both on him and on Caitlin. Why don't fathers have such guilt trips?

We had a lovely day at the Eden project too. It was just the most amazing place, almost spiritual in its atmosphere




It's strange to be back with uni friends now we are growed ups. Especially seeing how people are with their children. We seem to come across as quite laid back parents. We praise our kids and hug them. They may be sensitive kids but they care about each other and share so well. Caitlin was 'a natural' at everything mostly cricket and bodyboarding. But are we doing it right? We did seem to be the least stressed!

I was amazed by the amount of alcohol and chocolate we got through. I did the recycling at the end of the week and there were so many cans. I made a conscious decision that I would allow myself to drink some. I only got 'drunk' on one night ( our night out with Paul and Roselle). It was very funny, I talked drivel but I didn't care. Seeing four o'clock in the morning was entertaining...going for a run at 8 was too. I had to mask the palpitations somehow!!!

Al had a hard time. She'd been involved in a car accident on her way down ( hitting a 90 year old who stepped out in front of her). She made it down on Monday night but was obviously very shaken and taking it very hard. It was the first time I'd been aware of how intense she can be especially when she's drunk. Shecould havedone with a longer chat with Ant but the others, mostly Paul seemed to take over. Who's the professional here?

Overall a brilliant week. I felt very relaxed and incontrol of me. I was aware I didn't make as much of an effort with the cooking, but I can do a mean washing up!

And it only took us 5 1/2 hours to get home! Excellent!

Ouch!!!

What a day!

First I had to go to the dentists with the kids. I was OK, just needed a clean. Roo has lost one tooth but the others are taking their time to come out. They are obviously as laid back as he is. Caitlin is another issue. She has very crooked and cramped teeth and had to have a filling. She cried a lot about that as she had to have an injection which left her lips numb for three hours. She may need a brace when she is older too unless her teeth correct themselves. She's already worrying about it, but at least Anton can reassur her. He had a brace, whereas my teeth just went into place as I got older.

Then I had to go to the doctors to have my coil replaced. Oh my god it was painful! The doctor was cool and very efficient and the nurse was amazing, really supportive, and kept me distracted. I now have rather severe stomach cramps which I am not used to.

So then school, well after Asda's anyway. We were asked to tidy the communal areas.I said I already had a communal area and had put rather a lot of effort into it! I then took it upon myself to ask about next year. Well I have to know. I managed to force Neil to listen to us but he's so non commital! Hopefully both Jayne and I can finda satisfactory solution for next year.

Next issue, how often is normal for sex? How about never? I have so many inhibitions, not least of which is my weight, and so does Anton.Now I don't drink it's even worse. He queried it today, as I had put myself through so much agony for contraception. What can I say? where's the porn channel????

Hmm is this true?

This was a link from Melly's blog which I thought I'd try. Not sure I agree with the answer though. Especially today.

You Are Apple Red

You're never one to take life too seriously, and because of it, you're a ton of fun. And although you have a great sense of humor, you are never superficial. Deep and caring, you do like to get to the core of people - to understand them well. However, any probing you do is light hearted and fun, sometimes causing people to misjudge you.

What Color Red Are You?

We have a new head. Lindsey Ferrie, uberhead, major over achiever, probably the best choice and certainly somebodywho can deal with Mrs Music. Strangely as a result of the appointment, I've had a bit of a crisis of conscience. I have no confidence again. I guess I used to be the over achiever but now I've gone...' I'm a poor musician, I'm an average teacher, I have little ambition ( or is that true?) and I feel a failure at most things. My head is off the lines again; I'm fat, spotty messy and out of control. Shit!

Lessons went well today; really pleased with the flipchart I created and using strings to reproduce a practical food web.

Trouble is that isn't enough to make me feel better.

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

That's better!

You Are Scary

You even scare scary people sometimes!

How Scary Are You?

Even better!

How You Life Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think. You prefer a variety of friends and tend to change friends quickly. Some of your past dreams have disappointed you, but you don't let it get you down.

How Do You Live Your Life?

What can I say?

Your Ideal Pet is a Cat

You're both aloof, introverted, and moody. And your friends secretly wish that you were declawed!

What's Your Ideal Pet?

I think I'm addicted!

I think I'd betterstop and bookmark the site instead

What Your Face Says

At first glance, people see you as warm and well-balanced. Overall, your true self is passionate and physical. With friends, you seem dramatic, lively, and quick to react. In love, you seem like a huge flirt. In stressful situations, you seem selfish and moody.

What Do People Think Of Your Face?

Couldn't resist! Addictive personality ( especially on a Friday when Ant is doing other things!)