They say its Santa's busiest time of year but no one ever thinks about poor Mrs Claus running around the kitchen tripping over elves and wrestling the giant turkey while her husband is out scoffing cookies and brandy!
In my house Christmas wouldn't exist without my Mum. She is the chef, the host, the cleaner, the caretaker, the nanny, the personal shopper and the referee. She is by far the magic behind every twinkling fairy light which she evenly spaced along the mantle piece.
Her Christmas begins in November, when she stocks up on the limited edition cheeses, pate's and crates of beer! She calls each of us to find out what we would like over the holiday period and spares no expense meeting our every preference. She then orders the turkey/ham and plans the dinner(s), three in total but that doesn't include all the breakfasts, lunches and mini dinners she prepares in between! After food its the presents, and once again, no expense is spared. The woman will spend every last penny she has on her children and grandchild all the while telling you she didn't spend much to avoid guilt on our part.
The Christmas tree would put Rockefeller Center to shame! She spends hours delicately placing each fairy light to shine through her Waterford crystal decorations and then carefully wraps the branches with tinsel. It is admired by all, but she doesn't do it for the pride or compliments. I know with each decoration placed she thinks "I hope they like this".
She makes her way upstairs to prepare the rooms. The awaiting beds are dressed in their Sunday best! Brand new sheets (sometimes duvets!) are expertly folded in military style and lockers are emptied for our personal belongings. She has even supplied toiletries we may need and new underwear (just in case!).
She is the last to go to bed and the first to rise. If we go out to the pub she'll be up waiting for us when we come back, no matter what time. The fire will be cleaned out at 7am every morning and a new one set just so the house is warm for us when we rise. The tea will be made and the frying pan heating. Once we have breakfast eaten she will clear it up, make the beds after us and then take us where ever we want to go. In the evenings she makes sure no one has an empty glass or tummy and refuses to sit down unless everyone else is happy.
So its not the perfect Christmas / Stephens Day / New Years Day Dinner that makes the holiday so special, its the dedication behind it all. The hope in her eyes that her children are happy and the genuine concern for our well-being.
She loves to see us arrive and cries when we leave, she is my absolute hero. She's my Mum and without her Christmas just wouldn't be worth celebrating.
.... no offence Dad!
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Where is my White Knight??
Forget legwarmers
Forget ti-dye
Forget pin-up dresses
What we really need is the return of the Gentleman!!
This morning, I was shoved and pushed so many times I admitted defeat and leaned against a wall letting the stampede pass me by. My 28 years don't even allow me to use the phrase "I remember a time when things were different" but I still know things MUST have been at one point. The tiniest gesture of a man simply sliding over to the vacant seat rather then watching me climb over two sets of knees or letting me on/off the train before him seems an alien concept after four years of London life. I know there are those who still practice manners and I feel they deserve a mention but this blog is purely about the other 98% of male commuters.
If you know me then you will know i'm not someone in favour of sexism or oppression, and will voice my opinion at the slightest remark on such matters but I don't see how in order to be granted equality we seemed to have sacrificed respect.
"Woman are delicate creatures and we must act sensitive to their nerves" - Anon 1912
The sight of a naval officer in uniform ignites something deep in every woman, and no its NOT the uniform its what the uniform represents. Respect, Loyalty... and well yes, down right hotness but I know he will be a very different man to the one who stepped over my spilled groceries yesterday. When I was 18 I worked in a cafe in Shannon Airport, this particular day I had dealt with two flights full of delayed and angry passengers, snotty Airport staff who seemed to enjoy complaining yet returning every day and a manager who "bumped" off my ass everytime he passed me. Needless to say I wasn't the cheeriest teenager, so I had to almost pinch myself when I saw what was approaching. US Marines had landed for re-fueling and came up to the cafe for some refreshments. I was suddenly inundated with assistance from the female staff who were previously nowhere to be found during the dinner rush! "Hello Ma'm, Thank you M'am, Have a nice day" can you imagine what those words sounded like compared to "Jaysus whacha call dat!?" or "F**k off will ya, five euro, i'm bringin my own in from tomorrow" and my favourite "Fill up da plate will ya!!? I hope dat bitch isn't on the till".
And guys wonder why girls swoon at a solider?? Just like the effect a nurse has on men, she's there to look after you, kiss your boo boos and make you feel aaaall better, well a man in uniform gives us the illusion of protection and respect.
I'm not asking for guys to "doth their hats" to us women, i'm just asking for a simple thing like offering the pregnant woman a seat rather than waiting for a girl to do it or opening a door, oh my god, at this stage I actually think I would marry the first man who opened a door for me! Not desperate at all is it?? Or coming to a woman's aid, when did that end!?
Once while standing at a bus stop with my mother in Angel she was approached by a drunk who was wanted to sell her his imaginary greyhound, stepping in front of mum seemed to offend him and his invisible greyhound so much he began shouting abuse in my face. Although the bus stop was packed it was left up to me alone to defend her. There was the skinny jeans boyfriend hanging onto his girlfriend as if she was being attacked, well that's what the romantic in me would like to believe, in reality he was probably using her as a shield. There was the six foot brick shithouse who simply turned up his ipod and the business man who suddenly became so fascinated by the bus maps. After a few more slurred insults the drunk stumbled his way across the road, I turned to thank everyone aloud for their assistance, or lack of, and hurried mum on the bus before some junkie appeared with a reasonably priced unicorn.
We all feel the fear and stress of everyday life in a city, and it's easy to just zone out but is it so wrong for me to long for when women were delicate creatures and men were sensitive to our nerves!!?
Forget ti-dye
Forget pin-up dresses
What we really need is the return of the Gentleman!!
This morning, I was shoved and pushed so many times I admitted defeat and leaned against a wall letting the stampede pass me by. My 28 years don't even allow me to use the phrase "I remember a time when things were different" but I still know things MUST have been at one point. The tiniest gesture of a man simply sliding over to the vacant seat rather then watching me climb over two sets of knees or letting me on/off the train before him seems an alien concept after four years of London life. I know there are those who still practice manners and I feel they deserve a mention but this blog is purely about the other 98% of male commuters.
If you know me then you will know i'm not someone in favour of sexism or oppression, and will voice my opinion at the slightest remark on such matters but I don't see how in order to be granted equality we seemed to have sacrificed respect.
"Woman are delicate creatures and we must act sensitive to their nerves" - Anon 1912
The sight of a naval officer in uniform ignites something deep in every woman, and no its NOT the uniform its what the uniform represents. Respect, Loyalty... and well yes, down right hotness but I know he will be a very different man to the one who stepped over my spilled groceries yesterday. When I was 18 I worked in a cafe in Shannon Airport, this particular day I had dealt with two flights full of delayed and angry passengers, snotty Airport staff who seemed to enjoy complaining yet returning every day and a manager who "bumped" off my ass everytime he passed me. Needless to say I wasn't the cheeriest teenager, so I had to almost pinch myself when I saw what was approaching. US Marines had landed for re-fueling and came up to the cafe for some refreshments. I was suddenly inundated with assistance from the female staff who were previously nowhere to be found during the dinner rush! "Hello Ma'm, Thank you M'am, Have a nice day" can you imagine what those words sounded like compared to "Jaysus whacha call dat!?" or "F**k off will ya, five euro, i'm bringin my own in from tomorrow" and my favourite "Fill up da plate will ya!!? I hope dat bitch isn't on the till".
And guys wonder why girls swoon at a solider?? Just like the effect a nurse has on men, she's there to look after you, kiss your boo boos and make you feel aaaall better, well a man in uniform gives us the illusion of protection and respect.
I'm not asking for guys to "doth their hats" to us women, i'm just asking for a simple thing like offering the pregnant woman a seat rather than waiting for a girl to do it or opening a door, oh my god, at this stage I actually think I would marry the first man who opened a door for me! Not desperate at all is it?? Or coming to a woman's aid, when did that end!?
Once while standing at a bus stop with my mother in Angel she was approached by a drunk who was wanted to sell her his imaginary greyhound, stepping in front of mum seemed to offend him and his invisible greyhound so much he began shouting abuse in my face. Although the bus stop was packed it was left up to me alone to defend her. There was the skinny jeans boyfriend hanging onto his girlfriend as if she was being attacked, well that's what the romantic in me would like to believe, in reality he was probably using her as a shield. There was the six foot brick shithouse who simply turned up his ipod and the business man who suddenly became so fascinated by the bus maps. After a few more slurred insults the drunk stumbled his way across the road, I turned to thank everyone aloud for their assistance, or lack of, and hurried mum on the bus before some junkie appeared with a reasonably priced unicorn.
We all feel the fear and stress of everyday life in a city, and it's easy to just zone out but is it so wrong for me to long for when women were delicate creatures and men were sensitive to our nerves!!?
Friday, 19 October 2012
Don't ask Don't tell
Travelling home from Green Park station last night I settled into a seat and adjusted my headphones. Taking in my surroundings, the carriage had its usual eclectic group of people including the ipad flasher, the boy sponsored by Ed Hardy who's "noise cancelling headphones" clearly only worked one way and an elderly gentleman holding a deep conversation with his reflection.
Ah late night London...
But just as I was about to place the headphones in my ears I overheard a conversation between two "upper class" older men alongside me. They were discussing the recent story line of Eastenders, in which two men, Christian and Syed, got married. An episode that aired the previous night which had Natalie and I blubbering on the sofa with joy. I've chosen to para-phrase most of the conversation because I was raised better and will not repeat their language;
Man 1: "That's the last thing I want to see after a hard day's work, you just cant seem to get away from these fairies.. and she refused to switch the channel so I had to watch the whole ****** thing!"
Man 2: "I didn't see it but I know what you mean, watching those guys prancing around the street is bad enough and now its been shoved down our throats everywhere we go, suddenly the whole bloody world is gay. There was no such thing as "gay" when I was younger"
"And it was a better time, people had respect for themselves and for their families, Thank GOD my son is right in the head. I don't know how these parents can even look at them. Disgusting ****.
"What I don't get is why they have to be so blasted feminine, going around acting like women. I remember being taught it was a sin, i'm telling you its all in the bible but that's just another thing this generation doesn't care about"
"Well I told her that shit wont being watched in my house ever again"
"Rightly so"
I was never so happy to see Seven Sisters, where I got off, a little dazed and confused to say the least. I'm not naive, I know there is a lot of prejudice in the world but what stunned me the most was the venom dripping from words such as "Gay" and "women". But above all, I cannot believe that people are still using the bible as a guide on how to conduct our lives in 2012! If anything was in more need of any expiry date it would be that book, it really needs to crawl out of the reference section and take a seat back on the history shelf.
As a Catholic I do own a bible but it sits alongside my copy of the Malleus Maleficarum "The Witch's Hammer" - a guide book on how to seek out and destroy a witch written in the 1400's. Because that's how I see it, a piece of human history and a reminder of how far humanity has come. Clearly there are still those who think otherwise, I just hope the Maleficarum continues to stay up on the shelf or there will be a lot more bonfires on November 5th!
The bible passage they are referring to is from the; Book of Leviticus 18:22
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
But if they continued to read on, which I highly doubt they did, underneath the would also see;
"You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together."
It also goes on to say we shouldn't eat shellfish! Well today I have on cotton & wool and a lovely helping of prawns in my belly from dinner last night. Lets hope I'm in heaven before the devil knows i'm dead eh?
As for the "women" comment. Please correct me if you think i'm wrong in saying this but after listening to these ignorant meanderings last night, I have a suspicion that the fear behind some egotistical men is being seen as a woman. Even now when I think back to comments such as "you throw like a girl" and "you're acting like a bunch of little girls out there on the field" (references to Hollywood movies through the years), I am a little offended. Are comments like these still aimed to motivate young men to achieve??
I cant help but think that is what some men fear the most. They think that being a gay man means you wish to be a woman. Which of course is totally incorrect as gay men are attracted to other men and if they wanted to be with a woman that would make them straight. Personally I prefer women and gay men being in the same category, it would be a very strong, respectful, honest and daring category... and one hell of a party!
So to all of you who think this kind of conversation is acceptable on public transport (or at all!) I suggest you visit websites such as Stonewall or LFG and find out how many people have DIED as a direct result to your ignorance and poison.
And go for a night out in Candy Bar, Heaven or G.A.Y. As a straight girl I prefer these clubs, the staff and customers tend to treat each other with more respect and admiration than any other club i've been to in London.
As for the bible references...like ANY book, please read it before you quote it!
Ah late night London...
But just as I was about to place the headphones in my ears I overheard a conversation between two "upper class" older men alongside me. They were discussing the recent story line of Eastenders, in which two men, Christian and Syed, got married. An episode that aired the previous night which had Natalie and I blubbering on the sofa with joy. I've chosen to para-phrase most of the conversation because I was raised better and will not repeat their language;
Man 1: "That's the last thing I want to see after a hard day's work, you just cant seem to get away from these fairies.. and she refused to switch the channel so I had to watch the whole ****** thing!"
Man 2: "I didn't see it but I know what you mean, watching those guys prancing around the street is bad enough and now its been shoved down our throats everywhere we go, suddenly the whole bloody world is gay. There was no such thing as "gay" when I was younger"
"And it was a better time, people had respect for themselves and for their families, Thank GOD my son is right in the head. I don't know how these parents can even look at them. Disgusting ****.
"What I don't get is why they have to be so blasted feminine, going around acting like women. I remember being taught it was a sin, i'm telling you its all in the bible but that's just another thing this generation doesn't care about"
"Well I told her that shit wont being watched in my house ever again"
"Rightly so"
I was never so happy to see Seven Sisters, where I got off, a little dazed and confused to say the least. I'm not naive, I know there is a lot of prejudice in the world but what stunned me the most was the venom dripping from words such as "Gay" and "women". But above all, I cannot believe that people are still using the bible as a guide on how to conduct our lives in 2012! If anything was in more need of any expiry date it would be that book, it really needs to crawl out of the reference section and take a seat back on the history shelf.
As a Catholic I do own a bible but it sits alongside my copy of the Malleus Maleficarum "The Witch's Hammer" - a guide book on how to seek out and destroy a witch written in the 1400's. Because that's how I see it, a piece of human history and a reminder of how far humanity has come. Clearly there are still those who think otherwise, I just hope the Maleficarum continues to stay up on the shelf or there will be a lot more bonfires on November 5th!
The bible passage they are referring to is from the; Book of Leviticus 18:22
"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."
But if they continued to read on, which I highly doubt they did, underneath the would also see;
"You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together."
It also goes on to say we shouldn't eat shellfish! Well today I have on cotton & wool and a lovely helping of prawns in my belly from dinner last night. Lets hope I'm in heaven before the devil knows i'm dead eh?
As for the "women" comment. Please correct me if you think i'm wrong in saying this but after listening to these ignorant meanderings last night, I have a suspicion that the fear behind some egotistical men is being seen as a woman. Even now when I think back to comments such as "you throw like a girl" and "you're acting like a bunch of little girls out there on the field" (references to Hollywood movies through the years), I am a little offended. Are comments like these still aimed to motivate young men to achieve??
I cant help but think that is what some men fear the most. They think that being a gay man means you wish to be a woman. Which of course is totally incorrect as gay men are attracted to other men and if they wanted to be with a woman that would make them straight. Personally I prefer women and gay men being in the same category, it would be a very strong, respectful, honest and daring category... and one hell of a party!
So to all of you who think this kind of conversation is acceptable on public transport (or at all!) I suggest you visit websites such as Stonewall or LFG and find out how many people have DIED as a direct result to your ignorance and poison.
And go for a night out in Candy Bar, Heaven or G.A.Y. As a straight girl I prefer these clubs, the staff and customers tend to treat each other with more respect and admiration than any other club i've been to in London.
As for the bible references...like ANY book, please read it before you quote it!
Susan Buckley
Monday, 15 October 2012
Memories
Fresh cut grass mornings
birds singing in the trees
Mum sweeping the front garden
Dew glistening on the leaves
The hum of lawnmowers
and planes coming into land
people passing by
with a generous waving hand
Front door wide open
inviting the cool breeze
Canopy's swaying
as it swims through the trees
The sound of us laughing
echoed in the park
Houses made from grass
furniture from bark
Water fights with plastic bottles
and tennis with orange chairs
rollerblading down the hills
and playing in the squares
We layed under the trees
swapping secrets and tales
Nintendo on standby
for when all else fails
Neighbours perching on the walls
swapping tales of their own
Mothers preparing evening meals
Fathers returning home
These are the memories
that I love most
planning school holidays
and trips to the coast
Sunny summer mornings
Sand and lapping waves
That was my childhood
those were the days
Susan Buckley
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