Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Issue 495 - I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face Flannel

Hi All,
I've had a busy week as usual - the curling rink was open for the holiday period and we had a nice crowd of family type bookings in. We also had a lot of people who had been earlier in the season and had enjoyed it so much that they came again. That's reassuring to me that at least I'm doing a reasole job, and not scaring them away!

As we lurch into 2009, it's that time when everyone looks back to the year closing, and forward to the year about to start.
I've long written about my not being a fan of New Year resolutions, because they tend to be made by people almost as a joke, with the results reflecting that lack of conviction.

However,for many people it's the *only* time they stop to take stock, so it shouldnt be knocked that much.

The credit crunch hit home in 2008 - 'credit crunch' is a cover-all type phrase used to excuse any business ills at the moment, but the UK is already in recession, with 2009 probably being worse.

The Israeli/Palestine conflict has flared up again, so it will be another New Year with international violence as the headline.

Looks like a poor 2009?
Maybe.

Or maybe not.
On Christmas Day one of my fave films was on, My Fair Lady.
A great film for many reasons, one of them being the story itself, that Elisa Dolittle had the courage and gumption to follow an idea, take action on it, do the wok required, and get the result.

If you take that kind of attitude into 2009, you could make it a year to remember.

Is it childish of me to use a Hollywood film from 40 years ago to say 'think what you can achieve'?
Some people might say so, but in my view - let them!

It's the kind of thing that works for me, and leaves me asking not what can I not do, but what *can* I do!

Have a Happy New Year, and for 2009 I wish you as always,
Health & Happiness.

'Til Next Time in 2009,
Gordon
p.s. 'I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face' is a song from My Fair Lady, and it was the comedian Spike Milligan that cracked the joke that he wrote a song that never made it called 'I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face Flannel' (just in case you wondered!)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Issue 494 - The Sequin Method

Hi,
I hope Tuesday finds you well.

Strictly Come Dancing finished its latest run on TV over here.
A phenomenally successful format, sold around the world, it works for many reasons - It is unabashed entertainment, with sequins and flashy grins.
The show in the UK is live, so the tension is palpable.

The reason I like it, and I know I've said it before, is that it is a great demonstation of truths about goal achievement - set yourself a target, commit to it, and then work as hard as you need to, and you can achieve stunning things.

The change in one amateur dancer this series really was amazing to watch. She took several knocks from the judges, survived many dance offs, and got to the final.
Once there she encountered another fact of life, because although she got perfect maximum scores from the judges for both her dances, she was the first to leave the final.

Was that unfair?
No.

Was it hard on her?
Undoubtedly, but that's the way it goes!
The other couples were equally as good, and it shows that despite the hard work and commitment, you can't always guarantee success.

It's a great show, and I'm already looking forward to next year's series!
Great life lessons too, and as we appraoch the end of another year, it prompts the question - what did you commit to in 2008?
How hard did you work towards it?
What were the results?

The answers of course then lead you on to what will happen in 2009 - you don't necessarily need to get the sequins out, but by jiminy you could do worse than think of Strictly Come Dancing for inspiration!

Ok, that's it for this week, and I'll sign off by wishing you a Happy Christmas to you and yours, and hopefully I'll get to whack out an issue next week!

'Til Next Time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
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Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Issue 493 - Tradition!

Hi ,
I hope today finds you well.

I noticed a lot of traditional things happening.
During the time when I didn’t get a newsletter done, 11th November was the traditional day to remember those that died in war. The Queen lays a wreath on behalf of the nation, and there’s a 2 minute silence at 11am.
I obviously remember this right back to childhood.

Then the other day there was the State Opening of Parliament. This is a tradition which marks the fact that although the government is the Monarch’s Government, it is a state before crown system.
This means that even today, the Queen’s messenger is sent to summon the MPs, and gets the door slammed in his face – he has to knock and ask the MPs to come and hear The Queen, who is in full State dress and crown.

That dates back to the English Civil War times, 350 years odd. (Obviously the tradition, not The Queen herself, although she’s been there all my life)

Another tradition I remember from childhood is going to Woolworth’s to buy some pick&mix sweets. That’s a tradition which came to an abrupt halt as the chain went bankrupt.
I did email the administrators asking if they’d give me knock down price on some small candy bananas, but no reply yet… a bit rude that if you ask me.

Some traditions stay, others fall by the wayside, it’s the way of things.
Some traditions are good, some are bad.

Some traditions you could just call habit, and you stick to them just out of, er, habit.
This kind of approach can really hold you back.
I’m not saying never have traditions or habits, in fact they are great, but make sure you only hang on to the ones that do you good, and ditch the ones that keep you fixed where you are and no further.

Ok, that’s it for today, as we lurch towards Christmas, I’m off to prepare for my own tradition by searching out my copy of ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’

'Til Next Time,
Health & Happiness,
Gordon
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