You know how it’s embarrassing to ask for something back that you loaned to someone- but what else do you do when something doesn’t come back? Many of us have loaned something to friends or family that just never gets given back. When handing over said item it is plainly stated in the conversation that it is supposed to be a temporary arrangement- but maybe that’s half the problem- you never give a definite date or time span. The conversation usually runs something along the lines of “…sure! No problem! I don’t need it right now- you can bring it back when yours is fixed/replaced/rebuilt/comes back down/regurgitated…” Over the years I have lost a lot of clothing and many magazines (and you know I have a “thing” for magazines) because- out of the goodness of my heart- they were loaned out to someone who needed them at the time, either due to illness or bereavement or unplanned pregnancy or fancy dress party! I know my taste in clothing is a little strange to most people, and often you can find at least half of a fancy dress costume in my everyday clothes. And as for magazines- I help plan weddings, so when someone asks for ideas I go armed- except that the last time this happened I left them with the bride to be and she is now avoiding me… I just know in my gut that something has happened to my precious glossies (that cost me a fortune) and I don’t know how to ask her where they are without embarrassing her as well as me! And of course every time I swear “NEVER AGAIN” but I never keep that promise… how do I get my magazines back?
Monthly Archives: October 2005
An Origin For The Week
This week I have selected: “Apple of his eye/apple of your eye/apple of my eye” which refers to a person much adored or doted on, loved, held dearly, and central to the admirer’s affections and sensitivities. The ‘apple of his eye’ expression first appeared in the Bible, Deuteronomy, chapter 32, verse 10, in which Moses speaks of God’s caring for Jacob: “He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”. Brewer’s 1870 dictionary of Phrase and Fable describes the ‘apple of the eye’ expression (or apple of your eye, apple of his/her eye, apple of my eye) as being a metaphor based on the pupil’s significance within the eye. The theory goes that in ancient times the pupil of the eye (the black centre) was thought to be a small hard ball, for which an apple was a natural symbol. Logically the pupil or apple of a person’s eye described someone whom was held in utmost regard – rather like saying the ‘centre of attention’. Strangely Brewer references Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 3, which seems to be an error since the verse is definitely 10.
This Weeks Origin
I nearly forgot again! Remind me about this people! For this week I have selected “to the bitter end” which means to do or experience something awful up to and at the last, experiencing hostility until and at the end. This is a fascinating expression and nothing to do with our normal association of the word ‘bitter’ with sourness or unpleasantness: ‘the bitter end’ is another maritime expression, from the metaphor of a rope being paid out until to the ‘bitts’, which were the posts on the deck of a ship to which ropes were secured. When the rope had been extended to the bitter end there was no more left. Captain Stuart Nicholls MNI contacted me to clarify further: “Bitter end is in fact where the last link of the anchor chain is secured to the vessel’s chain locker, traditionally with a weak rope link. Nowadays it is attached through the bulkhead to a sturdy pin. The term ‘bitter end’ is as it seems to pay out the anchor until the bitter end. Incidentally, the expression ‘He’s swinging the lead’ comes from days before sonar was used to detect under keel depth. A man was placed forward and swung a lead weight with a length of rope. A difficult and tiring task, so seamen would often be seen from aft ‘swinging the lead’ instead of actually letting go.”
Exciting And Disappointing!
Damien auditioned for a modeling agency last year. He was kinda “spotted” if you know what I mean. Well agents don’t come cheap and I didn’t have the R300 they required for a portfolio and registration. They phoned me today again. They have lots of work and they wanted to know if they could add Damien to their books- huge ego boost that I have such a gorgeous child- but I still don’t have the bloody money! Story of my life!
Isn’t It Strange
The things that can suddenly make us heart sore* or make us long for someone we don’t even know yet? I have a different laptop now to the one I started this job with, and it has the previous “tenants” music on it. It’s not bad- a bit of Josh Groban, Ronan Keating, Linkin Park, Westlife, Classics. Not my favourites- apart from the Josh Groban, the classics and the Linkin Park- but I have yet to load my King Robbie, Michael BublĂ©, ACDC, Anastacia, Koos Kombuis and Wonderboom. Among others. In the meantime I listen to what’s on here- thank goodness for earphones! Today while I was working the Ronan Keating song “Somebody Else” started playing. I have never really paid attention to the lyrics- but something struck me today, I wasn’t sure what had caught my attention so I went back and listened to it again. Then I registered that he’s singing to a wife/ significant other about their new born son. So why on earth would it make me sad you ask? To some of you it might be obvious* it’s because I didn’t have that. Because Damien didn’t have a dad who could get excited about his impending arrival and think he was the cutest thing since the kewpie doll! Here are the lyrics (slightly modified so it’s more like a poem). What do you think?
Somebody Else – Written by Steve Mac/Wayne Hector
I hear the laughter, and I know that something special’s going on.
I hear the passion when you mention his name.
You’re talking on the phone, and you tell your friends that ever since he came-
Everything’s different an’ everything’s changed.
And baby we both know what this means, for you, for me.
Somebody else now.
Someone between us, somebody calling in the middle of the night.
And I can’t sleep now, for all of the crying.
And I know when you hold him tight; he’s the best part of our lives.
I watch from a distance and I see the way you talk to him so close, I’m not the only one you want to hold.
And surely we both know what this means, to you, to me.
He’s the best part baby, girl I’m never gonna walk away from what we’ve got together
‘Cos you need me now, on and ever, I can only pray that we will always be together.
I’m not walking out.
And it’s never felt so right.
I know when we hold him tight; he’s the best part of our lives.