Having noticed the recent trend of pessimistic and heated political threads, I thought I would start one that’s (hopefully) upbeat.
What has happened to you recently that has made you feel good about yourself?
I’ll kick off…
I was getting paranoid that it was pointless having a website and blog devoted to my writing. On the advice of on of one of this forum’s posters, I set up a webalizer… I now find that my site gets far more traffic than I had expected… Plus, I have recently received some very nice and positive feedback on my blog… All in all – that’s made me feel as though I’m a couple of inches taller!
I clicked reply... but find I've nothing positive to say.
Nothing really exciting, interesting or good ever happens... but on the other hand nothing really bad or scary happens. So nothing happens much, is that good?
I haven't seen too much pessimism, and the politics have in some ways been fascinating!
The feelgood factor?
My youngest daughter Georgina (11) is crazy about dolphins and always has been. She wants to work with them as a career, and is amazingly knowledgeable about the entire species. She has craved seeing them in the wild for 2 years - and last Saturday I drove 4 hours into Wales and spent a fortune to get us on a research boat that went out into Cardigan Bay for a few hours, and we saw loads of them. Then I drove back the same night.
The look on her face when she saw the first one will probably stay with me forever.
Lots of things make me happy. It can be big things like our trip to Las Vegas/Hawaii/San Francisco for my hubby's 40th last year, or it can even be the small routine things that you fit into your daily life. One of my favourites is a cup of tea and a kitkat after a successful writing session.
Other things that make my heart and soul soar: my husband, my cats, my friends, writing, acting, castles, the ocean, wine/champagne, did I mention writing? lapsang souchong tea out of a china cup, travel, staying home, driving in my MX5 with the roof down, having tons of reading - books or mags and having the time to read them, life.
Call from an old friend. (Last night) Any contact with my daughter or son. (Both too old to roast I'm afraid, Adman) Sinking a putt to take 3 quid off my best mate at golf (OK, That one hasn't happened for a bit!) One day, just one day when there are no bills, junk mail or forms that need completing in the post. (v rare) Finding that snappy two or three lines that define a scene. Good music, Good company, Good wine or all three together.
The laughs you all bring, the optimism you help fuel, the stimulation of thought you engender, the comfort of knowing that there are a whole bunch of us, totally different, who would never have met, and yet who are sharing one common goal, one dream, one hope for the future.
And the smile that wells up inside every time I realise that we'd kick seven bells of sh*t out of each other to get to that stage if we're all shortlisted!
I think the phone call from Sonia on Monday, (apparently Gambon has seen the script and is demanding I write him a little cameo) was the highlight of the week so far…..
Putting a slightly less happy spin on your question Jay it has just occurred to me that I was in New Orleans on Business in March of this year, stopping in a Hotel on the appropriately named Canal Street adjacent to the French quarter.
With my family I went up the twin towers to enjoy the fantastic view from the platform at the top three months before they were brought down.
And I was at Hillsborough when the tragedy occurred.
Does this mean I am unlucky, or lucky?
'All we see and seem is but a dream within a dream' Poe
