On beneficial baths

Mostly written last night. This morning it was warm and sunny and I cycled to work in a T-shirt and skirt. Yesterday and most of last week that was no problem. Today however… When I looked out of the window at 5 this evening it was raining. The weather forecast I should ideally have looked […]

On naked v. knackered

For various reasons I am down to one pair of trousers which fits. I took said pair of trousers off and left them on the bathroom floor while I had a shower. It was already late and I was already sleepy, but sometimes needs must.  I got out of the shower, looking forward to going […]

, Rants'>

On timing

Life could be so frigging easy! And yet it isn’t. Yesterday I received notification that I passed the project part of my last exam, and am invited to defend it on the 29th. That means sorting out a presentation. It’s almost 2 weeks away. No problem. Except. I’m away for a long weekend at a […]

On not talking about Christmas

It’s the 25th of November. That makes it exactly a month until Christmas. I am ignoring that, and all other Christmas related things. Between now and then, I have: 4 exams to revise for a book to finish compiling and find pictures for and format and send off in time for printing 3 aquariums to […]

On winning the long way round

I had an idea at the beginning of November. People thought it was good but the people in charge thought we should put it on the back burner for later. For a couple of days it was prodded and stirred. Then it was put aside, to rest and wait for better weather. At some point […]

On leaving without saying goodbye

Ok, I get it. You don’t like goodbyes. I don’t think I know anyone who particularly enjoys them. You were – and are – well and truly finished here, you did your time, you ate the cake, you packed your coffee cup, you were ready to leave. There’s no real sensible reason to hang about […]

On German invitations

If you ever happen to find yourself invited to a German party, remember to turn up at least half an hour before the time on the invite. It doesn’t matter what kind of event it is. Birthday, Barbecue, Leaving do. In the last couple of weeks, I have been late to 3 different “occasions” despite […]

On musical confusion

Dear musicians, band managers and English-lyric writers, Please (PLEASE) help me. I have colleagues who listen to the radio. Even though there are several German bands, most of the music on the radio is currently sung in English. As the only “native-English-speaker” in the place, it’s my job to tell them what’s being sung. I […]