Thread 17 - TalkLair: "Okay, first of all, what's with the outfit? Live in the now, okay? You look like DeBarge."

[RasaSayangEh]

(Previous thread 16).

Spring is springing, daffodils blooming all over our LairGarden, which have not all been picked by a neighbour's kid...

In the TalkLair, the hearth is glowing, books by non-approved authors line the shelves, cosy rugs are down on the floors looking a bit stained by cat hairball regurgitation. The denizens of the lair are a welcoming bunch though, always eager for general chit-chat on all manner of topics. We just won’t mention the gnawed bones of our prey over there in the corner of the cave…

The second comment says it: 'someone's little darling is going to be in for a shock later in life'.

The entitlement!

I got flowers once after a sixth form school play and was asked to stand at assembly the next day to be applauded by the school. I say this because I am a huge show off but also, I was 17/18, I was the lead and on stage for nearly the whole play, I worked my arse off, I thought the flowers 🌺 were the loveliest thing ever and cherished them. I was slightly embarrassed the next day but back to I am a show off. Flowers happen but not for brats wanging on about climate change who then want flowers shipped in from the Netherlands no doubt. And their insufferable parents.

And I'm a show off.

I was a shrinking violet as a child, in terms of "public performance". But I do very fondly remember my first term at grammar school in Dorset. I wanted to learn the piano so my mother (a notorious madwoman) unilaterally decided that I should learn the violin. The instrument was on loan from the school and although I carted it to and fro, I never practised. Come the summer performative shite at the end of the school year, the choir did pretty well, as did the school orchestra. Then it was our turn and the music mistress introduced "the junior orchestra" with a quiet but audible aside: "Sorry, they're not very good." Mommie Dearest was in the front row and audibly gasped in horror, while we in the junior orchestra laughed and duly murdered whatever it was we were supposed to be playing. This wasn't deliberate. We were just really, really useless. 😅

There were no bouquets for anyone.

Marvellous.

At my junior school everyone taking instrument lessons had a spot at the end of term concert. This often included people who'd not been playing very long, so there were a lot of spirited performances of 'scale in C major'. One year, a friend of mine who'd only just begun learning the trombone huffed valiantly for what seemed like 10 minutes before managing to extract a single un-namable note. He's now a professional jazz trombonist and sometime member of Bellowhead.

I was wrong about Mansfield Park. Because they were showing clips from the 1999 version on the documentary I thought that's what they'd show this week. It was instead the1983 version, which was very subpar 1980s. That said I still watched it all for the money shot, which was sort of the wedding but mostly the idiot Mariah having to live with aunt Norris meaning both were away from Mansfield Park and Fanny could be free of Norris.

I think that Fanny is one half of Jane and her next heroine, Emma, the other. Together they're a cheeky but kind and devout person whose letters we'd love to read but know why Cassandra burned them!

Just to let you all know that I'm definitely getting a little weaker and I'll be here less. I need to have the conversation with friends who are a little ka, la, la about things. I was massively lousy yesterday, am a fair bit better today but better isn't good.

I'm not disappearing yet and I'll make sure someone lets you all know. Hell I'm expecting to make it to the next thread! I just know it's getting closer just not quite how close.

Today would be a cliché so thankfully I'm not feeling that's likely. Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of my father dying so I'm glad it wasn't then. My mum was September 11th before that became a thing and it will be before then. Anyway! Tears, etc but given no miracles seem to be forthcoming we have to accept what is inevitable.

((((FMB))))

Lots of brackets from me too (((((FMB)))))

All there is to say is ((((FMB))))

All the brackets ((((FMB))))

Very dusty in here this morning.

((((FMB))))

Hugs from me too, Fags and thanks for your openness

I'm saddened to read that, Fags. Come back as often as you feel like it!

I deal with a lot of things through music, and a couple of lines from a Butterworth setting of Houseman, about men going to the trenches, are going through my head:

I wish one could know them, I wish there were tokens to tell/ Those fortunate fellows, that now you can never discern: For then one could talk with them friendly, and wish them farewell, and watch them depart on the way that they will not return..."

I utterly disapprove of AEH's morbid and avid enjoyment of anticipating death, and
I am more sorry than I can say, but thank you for letting us walk with you friendly and wish you farewell, FMB. Long may your showing-off star shine bright.

Gentle hug from me FMB, and just hang in there (and here) until you've had enough and think "Fuck this for a game of soldiers!"

"Today would be a cliché" puzzled me as I hadn't noticed the date.

I'm now on the list for the hospice that are doing my at home care. Guys, it's a bloody spa. I requeste that I go and now I'm just waiting for a bed.

Every room looks onto a garden, kitchenette, some have sofa beds for people to stay over, all manner of massages, art, quizzes, specialised meals for each patients needs, snacks. Oh my days, I wish I'd said yes earlier. Now I'm giddy with waiting to get in!

That sounds lovely. I hope you get a space quickly. Make sure you take full advantage of all the spa-ness.

Sad that you have need of the hospice ((((FMB)))) but glad that it sounds so bloody lovely.

Glad you have such a lovely place to go, FMB, hope the wait isn’t long.

The hospice sounds wonderful @FagsMagsandBags, I hope there will be a place soon!

DH has jetted off to California this morning. In a Dreamliner.

I'm glad that you've found such a lovely, caring place, Fags.

All my love, FMB.

Sounds like an excellent place to be, FMB, though I guess you’d prefer not to have the reason to be there.

Wow, FMB, that place sounds amazing. I hope a bed comes up for you soon.