Ichabod's Day

I went to the ballet last night for the first time (having managed 40 odd years without ever going before). I was with some good friends, in a box in a theatre with a good reputation. We went for tea before the performance and a foreward thinking member of the group even brought along cinder toffee and jelly babies to keep us going. The ballet was Swan Lake - I knew the music well having worn out my parents LP of the same as a young girl - often offering my version of the choreography as I attempted my aspirational career as a prima -ballerina. All was in place for a thoroughly good time........ but I HATED it!!! I am so disappointed with myself - I expected to be transposed to a magical land full of high emotion and ethereal whatnots. Instead all I could think was that there was too much dancing!! This by no means is a slight on the costumes and sets - absolutely stunning, the skill and expertise of each of the dancers - their mixture of strength and grace a marvel, or indeed the comp...

It's a strange thing that happens when you try to expand and develop your horizons. From the seed of a good idea you strive to learn more about it (whatever "it" is) and begin to apply your learning to given situations/new developments etc. You gain a level of confidence with this new thing - and then you jump into a larger pool (I guess your horizon expands!) and you realise how little you actually know about it - and it starts all over again. I know this is not particularly earth shattering news to anyone - but it perhaps mirrors my current state of mind. What I'd like to know is: A)Where do you find the energy from to carry horizon scanning on and b) how do you get over the feeling that one day you'll get caught out and someone will find out what little substance lies behind the facade?? Just a thought for today!

Hello, having been part of a group blog for about a year now - I have decided to create an arm of my own and see how it feels to be less constrained by responsibility to a corporate brand. I understand what our group blog is about - sharing professional ideas and reflections and networking across like - minded institutions, but I begin with a question here. Who are personal blogs for? Are they for the writer or the reader? Should I be creating a personal diary that can be seen by anyone (bit scary!) or should I be trying to showcase something of myself? In discussions with others the main thing that seems to arise is to be genuine. What would anyone reading this want to know - that I am also able and prepared to share? I would welcome any direction and advice that other bloggers could offer.

Our clever, beautiful, loving girl died on St Valentine’s Day 2008 at 3am at the age of 15 years. She was the cleverest, brightest dog stuffed full of personality. She could sing and dance- summer holiday in summer, singing in the rain in winter and jingle bells at Christmas. I’d sing, she’d dance lying down with her front paws moving across the floor and at ends of phrases I’d point at her and she’d bark (sing!). She loved Xmas and couldn’t wait to open presents, she’d often find her present under the tree and start to open it before you knew she was doing it. She loved to open presents and if she’d finished hers if you weren’t quick enough she’d start on yours too! I used to tell her she smelled like a teddy bear – like sunshine on a warm carpet, with soft and silky fur. She occasionally would have a bath and whilst she wasn’t keen she tolerated it – you just had to catch her before she shook herself all over the house. She liked the hairdryer though and would lie down and be pamper...