"Do not underestimate good, thinking 'it will not approach me.' A water pot becomes full by the constant falling of drops of water. Similarity, wise ones little by little, fills themselves with good."
The Buddha
I have been very remiss in my blogs. I even stopped looking at the daily quotes as I rushed out the door to work, the last 2 days before the holidays. Very bad, and I'm sure my equilibrium slipped. Certainly, Spook came home from Wales, and I came home soon after, with no packing having been done for the visit to The Guru. There was a stramash and clash of bedding, bags and bad tempers, before Spook continued with the drive to the East. A long journey from Wales. We crossed The Lecht as the snow closed in and we were the only tracks. It was exciting (because we didn't actually slide into oblivion despite the feeling that we would) and we finally arrived at the Gamekeeper and Guru's warm, dog and child filled cottage just short of 11pm.
We had a wonderful weekend of furries and damp weather, great food and company and the 10 people, 8 dogs and 10 puppies fitted into the house in harmony.
Thanks to The Shands for a lovely weekend - bet you're glad we're gone!!
Since getting home, it has been back to work for Spook, but holidays for the rest of us. Not that work has been to onerous for Spook. We attended the world premier of The Outdoor Capital's promotional DVD at the Fort William Film Festival, where it was well recieved, and Meg forgave her father for running around Lochaber's hillsides in a Jimmy Saville suite and wig, as Danny McAskill had done it too. That surely has to pass for 'cool'. (even if it looked a bit dodgy.)
Today, Meg and I cycled to her work as I am helping her while I am free to do so, and while trying to clean windows in the first bright sunshine we've had in ages, Finn phoned to ask if he could 'go over the other side.' I knew he was standing at the top of Nevis Range, looking into a snow filled gully, with avalanche risks that simply don't apply to 'this side.' I figured life was for living, crossed my fingers, and said yes. (Damn that film at the film festival of loonies boarding down vertical walls of snow in Chamonix.) I told him he had to txt me when he got to the bottom. I didn't even care about the smeary windows, which now looked worse than before I touched them. After an eternity, Finn's txt 'ok so cool' came in. Phew! So Megs work done, the sun shining brightly, and Spook on his next filming adventure for MacAvalanche in Glencoe, it is a good day.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Difficulties = Opportunities. Ok.
"In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity."
Albert Einstein
Well that is very encouraging. AFter a week of somewhat discontent, where I got caught up in work (which I was nearly enjoying), I forgot to focus on positive thinking, due to jumping on the bike in the rain, peddling off in a hurry, and getting back in time to catch up with everybody at home, but not catch my breath. So whilst some things were a challenge, I do recognize that I am still learning every week, and will get to grips with the new schedule eventually.
Despite all this, the children have been in top form. Both getting stuck in to homework and study unbidded and managing to engage in communication with the parents without looking like it was causing them physical pain. Dinner has been on the table for me when I have been home, and has continued to be on the table at the hands of Spook when I have not. The fire has been lit and some attempts at deep breathing has eased some of the poor sleep pattern.
The cycling has definately been a help in the non-training regime, but I need to get a shot on the racer so as not to be all wobbly on the day. I'm probably good for one run and a cycle, but as the hips groaned after the last run (more than a week ago), I can't see them liking the 2nd run after the bike stage in the Duathlon. Still, I am fairly confident Finn will not be getting any money out of me on the 19th. I have a couple of days at work and then we are going to the East to spend some time with The Guru as the children are going to be on holiday. Spook has a couple of days in Wales before then.
Albert Einstein
Well that is very encouraging. AFter a week of somewhat discontent, where I got caught up in work (which I was nearly enjoying), I forgot to focus on positive thinking, due to jumping on the bike in the rain, peddling off in a hurry, and getting back in time to catch up with everybody at home, but not catch my breath. So whilst some things were a challenge, I do recognize that I am still learning every week, and will get to grips with the new schedule eventually.
Despite all this, the children have been in top form. Both getting stuck in to homework and study unbidded and managing to engage in communication with the parents without looking like it was causing them physical pain. Dinner has been on the table for me when I have been home, and has continued to be on the table at the hands of Spook when I have not. The fire has been lit and some attempts at deep breathing has eased some of the poor sleep pattern.
The cycling has definately been a help in the non-training regime, but I need to get a shot on the racer so as not to be all wobbly on the day. I'm probably good for one run and a cycle, but as the hips groaned after the last run (more than a week ago), I can't see them liking the 2nd run after the bike stage in the Duathlon. Still, I am fairly confident Finn will not be getting any money out of me on the 19th. I have a couple of days at work and then we are going to the East to spend some time with The Guru as the children are going to be on holiday. Spook has a couple of days in Wales before then.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Bllrrrghumpf.
"The fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he proposes to remove."
Yes, yes, yes. I know this. But I really did think I could make Spook see everything in life the same way as me (because I am right) and that is why we have argued for the last 3 days. That and the fact that it is the week before pay day, the car has broken down and the cycling in the rain has become a necessity.
Actually, the cycling has been fine and at least I can pretend it is practice for the Duathlon. I go to work as fast as I can and the same on the way home. The new part for the car will arrive soon, at least pay day WILL arrive, even if not quite soon enough, and pay day doesn't come for everyone. And once I stop thinking that Spook should see life exactly the same way as me - which would be very convenient - we will stop arguing. So I must stop the fruitless efforts and stop multiplying the grief. And the fountains, which had dried up the last 3 days, will spring up once more. My disposition shall become sunny once again.
Yes, yes, yes. I know this. But I really did think I could make Spook see everything in life the same way as me (because I am right) and that is why we have argued for the last 3 days. That and the fact that it is the week before pay day, the car has broken down and the cycling in the rain has become a necessity.
Actually, the cycling has been fine and at least I can pretend it is practice for the Duathlon. I go to work as fast as I can and the same on the way home. The new part for the car will arrive soon, at least pay day WILL arrive, even if not quite soon enough, and pay day doesn't come for everyone. And once I stop thinking that Spook should see life exactly the same way as me - which would be very convenient - we will stop arguing. So I must stop the fruitless efforts and stop multiplying the grief. And the fountains, which had dried up the last 3 days, will spring up once more. My disposition shall become sunny once again.
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