My 2020 Story

The long game

Do you want to live to be 100?

Let’s face it, when you were 20, 35 years olds seemed old. Well they did to me – I remember as a teenager thinking that by the time the millenium cam around I’d be 37 – and far too over the hill to stay awake until midnight, let alone celebrate the turn of a new century. As it turned out I was out at a salsa party until 4am.

And looking back – well it seems like several lifetimes ago being 35, let alone 20.

So living to 100 – several bridges to cross, many moons to come and go. But my aim is to live to 100 – and beyond. And to live it well. To remain fit, healthy, of sound mind and body for the duration of my journey in this lifetime; I’ve had this long term aim as my personal mission for a long time!

Then the question why? Why would anyone want to live for a long time? – even given that in my head my hundreth birthday party is a tango party and I’m still going to the gym. That’s a slightly trickier question – in order to justify the why one must have a good deal of faith in one’s purpose and what one has to offer those around.

So maybe it’s time to bring the focus in – to focus on the here and now – to maintain health now and enjoy each and every moment. After all why prolong life unless you’ve enjoyed every bit to the max.

Real life dance classes

After many months of not being able to attend actual classes, this week Dance City re-opened its doors and classes for our 55+ performance company resumed.

10 in the class in accordance with distancing rules – felt like enough anyway. 16 was too many. Some on zoom.

Our new teacher is a little older than our starter teacher – with a slower, gentler warm up and far more focus on technique, improvisation and attention to detail. We’re working towards a performance with (as yet) an unkown format – maybe to be filmed, maybe a real life audience of a sort – who knows.

Whereas before it all felt just like an exercise class this felt much more like we were working for a perfomance – and I look forward to more!!

The rule of 6

Now I’m getting angry. Very angry. Who makes these rules up?

From Monday – not today – no rush – we are expected to be in groups of up to 6 – unless something or other. And not in pubs.

Like every other ‘measure’ brought in to combat CV19 ther is no actual scientific reason – more like a knee jerk reaction, No thought out plan – no consideration of how individual businesses have bent over backwards to make their most fragile clients ‘feel safe’ – just some half-hearted attempt at a rule. Which serves to futher confuse, disorientate and demoralise.

Why even the number 6?

I feel like we’re heading for social unrest on a major scale here. Can someone stop the bus. I want off.

Back to School

Yesterday the teenager went back to school – for a two hour induction day as they explained new protcols and procedures. Today is the first of actual lessons.

In the news there’ talk of schools closing left, right and centre – and yes, in this town too. I’m left wondering how long it’ll be before we’re back to attempting to learn at home.

The ‘rules’ are so fuzzy I’m not even clear that if the school closes waht does that mean to the rest of the family – do we all have to isolate – pah. It seems the rules change daily.

Yesterday I called the school to ask what is their Plan B should they be facing closure – I was very disappointed reagrding the lack of online teaching. I spoke with the year head. She said they were ‘looking at options’ regarding online lessons.

Come on – how hard can it be??!!

Back to school – for now.

A visit to the dentist

Less than a month into lockdown a bit of my tooth fell off – a small filling that had been replaced a couple of times. No real drama – just kept it clean.

Finally the big day – the pre-booked visit to have it looked at (and I had hoped repaired). Masked to enter and sit, temperature taken whilist waiting a room with 2 seats: none of this procedure done or recieved with good grace. I can’t stand it.

It turns out the dentist isn;t doing fillings today – nor cleans: no aerosol- making procedures. So she took an xray and decided the tooth would be OK as it is. I can live with that.

I am so glad not to have to be part of the dental world any longer. It must be devastating for practice owners and dental associates alike. What a farce.

Sea kayaking

As anyone who knows me will readily verify

1 I dislike boats

2 I dislike being cold

3 I dislike rowing

So how have I been talked into giving this kayak malarkey a go?

I feel like it’s been a bit of a craze, all this outdoorsiness in 2020 – camping, boating, campervans, kayaking, hiking – everyone and their granny has had a go. So we ordered a kayak. The wetsuit I hadn’t had out of the box since 2012 came out – and so did the sunshine.

So down to the beach we went. Newly unboxed kayak complete with all the bits and bobs – including life jackets. Oddly the sea didn;t seem quite as cold as I was expecting. The sea was flat and althoug a bit breezy, pretty good consitions for our first venture out onto the sea.

No pictures of the actual floating bit – couldn’t quite bring myself to get the phone out of its protective bag. But this will happen again. Not as bad as I was expecting.

Health vs Wealth

Why do you do what you do? – Once you reach a certain level of comfort in your lifestyle what motivates you?

Do you want more? Forever chasing happiness in the form of security – when in reality you already have enough? Are you in fact sacrificing your health to chase that wealth?

It seems to me that it’s quite easy to get stuck in the role of breadwinner when there’s already enough bread on the table – ought we to be prioritising a means of enjoying that status just a little more?

I always used to say that I was working to protect my children’s future – to be able to provide for them through their education and beyond. Once that box was ticked then surely the best gift I could give them would be to be still around for a few years and in good health (assuming they like me).

Do you prioritise you own health as much as you should? Because when all said and done, no amount of money or percieved stutus can buy great health, mental stability and overall vitality.

You are worth it.

Zoom or real life?

It’s a question I’ve been asking the students I’ve been teaching both recently via zoom – ad to those who never joined me on zoom but were students pre-lockdown.

The responses seem to be about 50:50. Some are keen to get back in the room – subject to there being space around them and controlled entry/exits. At the other end of the extreme there are those who say they won’t go back to class until there is a vaccine avaialble (and presumably they’ll be volunteering rather than hope a diffrent segment of the population will be the uptakers). In between there are those who quite enjoy the easy option of having a class to go to without having to leave their own homes just becasue it’s quite easy!

My personal preference as a student would be to attend in person – and this is what I’m hoping to do when it comes to my 55+ performaing dance group where I am part of the group rather than a teacher.

As a student the zoom classes have given me the oportunity to attend a few Dru Yoga workshops I would normally have had to travel to Leeds or Snowdon to be part of – and for that I am grateful: l hope they will continue to offer this option for easy of attending.

I hope that I will be able to offer in-studio classes with a simultaneous zoom option – and even a recording of the class. Technology aside – is that asking too much?

Green stuff

This year has been a year of garden experimenting. Like knitting – it’s a skill that’s been sidelined for the last 30 plus years as I dealt with children, businesses, divorces and moving house.

Like many though, I suddenly found I had a litle more time for domestic goddess-ing in spring, and sewed some seeds. Some green stuff and some flowers.

The snails, slugs and white butterflies have visited in abundance and left their mark – note to self, revisit ‘organic pest control’. But out of it all there’s been a steady stream of fresher-than-fresh turnips, potatoes, spring greens – even a little broccoli and cauliflower.

Carrots though – they’re a story all to themselves.

I recalled that they were not easy to encourage striaght strong growth – but tried anyway. The result – tiny, badly shapen (though admittedly tasty) carrots barely able to justify their space.

But it turns out you can eat the leaves. Carrot leaves are pretty easy to grow. A quick flick around Google and I found a carrot leaf pesto recipe. Totally delicous. Maybe I’ll just aim for the leaves next year too..

Behind the mask

I hate wearing masks. I feel it takes something major away from our sense of identity. No need to smile, no need to bother putting on lipstick. Who cares if you’re missing a few teeth or have bad breath. Cover it all up with a mask.

It’s not that long ago when face coverings were frowned upon – will we see crime figures soar as faceless figures are allowed to roam freely through our stores? Hoodies, caps, glasses – all are perfectly acceptable and could be considered to be covid-friendly. Cover your face, your mouth, your nose, your eyes, your hair – all perfectly valid. Cover your personality. Go for it.

Out shopping this morning for trainers for the teenager this morning – a task devoid of joy at the best of times to be fair: but a distinct lack of joy, tolerance or even manners. After all why bother. I came home feeling angry, sad – even depressed.

Behind the mask? – and sense of fear, compliance, joyless, drudgery. I’m staying away from shops as much as I can to protect my mental health.