Soft and Squishy

I went to a local food establishment today that was founded in England. They have fantastic posters of food and wonderful phrases under each of these pictures. I thoroughly enjoy going there because the food is fresh and because it reminds me of how different British English is from American English.

One of the posters has a picture of a cauliflower floret coiffed with some herbs and two eyes made out of olives and the sign says ‘Soft and Squidgy’. The picture is supposed to look like a lamb or a sheep on the fields. It makes me smile to see how the same concept and idea is stated almost the same way but spelled differently. We often say ‘squishy’ here in the States but our British counterparts say ‘squidgy’. I love it!

This made me think of some other fun ones that I recall from past stories or just from my hearing the differences in talking to people. The Brits often call their raincoats ‘mac(k)s’ as in a Macintosh. But Americans often think of their computers when we talk about ‘macs’. Or even a simple tool as an eraser is named a ‘rubber’ in UK. I’m sure whenever they say that to Americans; we chuckle because we think of it as meaning something else. (You know what we think; I’m not going to tell you)

Yes language is fluid and it can be fun but is language soft and squishy/squidgy? That I don’t know. You’ll have to let me know.

Weighing In

A rude awakening happened at the doctor’s office today. I stood on the scale to see that all the weight I thought I’d lost in the last couple of months had returned. How could this be?

I know that each scale is different. Different calibrations and such will result in fluctuations of a pound or two but ten!! How did that happen? I can’t be that bloated! Could my clothes really weight that much? Ugh!

It’s precisely this kind of self-doubt which makes me hesitant to step on the scale in the first place. I say let’s ban them all! Who is with me??

Going Bananas

Cirque de Soleil always entertains me. With the exception of one show, I have enjoyed them – of course some more than others. On Friday night, ‘Banana Shpeel’ was the most recent Cirque that I saw.

It has been credited as looking at vaudeville and taking a step in that direction. It was fun to see what vaudeville might have been like after this brief glimpse. As usual I was awestruck by a number of the traditional cirque acts – the contortionists and jugglers. Cringing a bit at the way people’s bodies can bend and turn - reminders that my body can barely get out of bed in the morning.

However my favorite part of this performance was the clowns. There are always clowns at the circus and at Cirque. Somehow they touched me as sillier than usual perhaps because they played a bigger part in this show than others in the past. A couple of the lines made me actually cry from the laughter. Always a good sign!

In addition I thought the dance numbers were pretty cool especially one in the dark. Tap dance infused many of the dance performances and I couldn’t have been happier. Tap is probably my favorite form of dance so I felt like I was being catered to.

We sat in the first row and I was scared of being called on but luckily I made it out alive. I recommend this show if you want a laugh and to spend some time doing something different.

Dismissal Observations

Whenever I see someone preparing to leave work for the day, I try not to bother them. The rush to get the heck out of work is a very powerful force. I know to stay away from them.

It’s pretty obvious to realize when someone is getting ready to leave work. Here are some of the signs:
1) They usually shut down or log off their computer.
2) They may pack their purse or shoulder bag.
3) If it’s appropriate weather, they may put on their coat or jacket.
4) Have a very fixed gaze towards the door
5) They might say ‘Well, I’m going home now. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
All very good signs of what is to come.

Lately, I’ve noticed that these signs don’t seem to be working for people I work with. I’m not one of those people who leave work at 5 o’clock on the dot. But darn it, when I do, I want to get the heck out of there. And I don’t want anything getting in my way.

But the past few times I’ve tried to leave at 5, people have come to my desk at 4:55 and begun to talk to me. I’ve explicitly stated “I’m leaving soon so can we talk about this tomorrow?” They don’t seem to care. Even as I’ve shut down my computer, packed my bag and push through them, they have continued their barrage of questions and comments. I’ve been really wondering why no one wants me to go home!

Hopefully others don’t feel as though they have to tackle people to get out of work everyday.

Whatever Happened to…

Lemony Snicket?

I know that it’s silly to miss an author who isn’t entirely real. But I do. A couple of years ago I waited and waited until a new Series of Unfortunate Events book would come out. Once they did, I would devour it! Each of the books in the series was a fun and fast read that got me more and more involved in the lives of Baudelaire children and their escapades and adventures in keeping away from Count Olaf.

Darn it, I just want to anticipate and wait for a series of books like that again. I even miss the Harry Potter series! I suppose what I miss is the excitement of waiting for a new book to come out but…that’s not it. I enjoy the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series but I often wait until I’ve finished the book I am currently reading in order to start those. When the Lemony Snicket or Harry Potter books came out, I’d put down everything!! Everything!! To read them!

I want to feel that way about books again - that insane need to have the book in my clutches as soon as possible. Any suggestions on a series of books that would make me feel that way again?