Strike

 I send this email to a bunch of loved ones, I don't think that's blowing anyone's mind. So it's seems potentially strange that Daren Francis isn't included. As life long friendships go, he's one of the longest. I answered an advert in the great Yarmouth mercury newspaper (he worked there so got it for free) at the age of 17. Mum came with me to the 'audition' in his box room bedroom. She remarked on a stain on his trousers and I felt acutely embarrassed. But a song loving duo was born. For years to come we wrote and sung together. So on Saturday night I met up with him and his newest romantic squeeze. We laughed our way through memories and moments. I am so very happy that we've managed to keep our connection going for so long. Perhaps one day we will perform together again too. I'd like that


The sun was out in all lots glory on Sunday and I sat enjoying the changing colours of the garden, hints of yellow, orange, pinks and purples nestled amongst the range of green. The cats exploring and hunting flies.' My family all off living their lives and me making sure I had lessons ready for next week. 

The working week was an odd one, some really positive lessons and feeling like students were really learning. And then one day that was the first strike day. It has become unpleasant for many staff creating a divide between staff rather than uniting. I'm not convinced this is even a legal strike now as they keep adding in demands. But they came back in the next day and everyone did their best to get on. 

And the Head we thought was going to visit to perhaps be the new one, didn't come. And to my frustration the current Head is talking about staying. He's a nice man but I have lots of doubts about his leadership style and it's hard to see the changes needed if he stays. 

Despite all this, I am still very happy to be in this job compared to the one I got when we got back. And it's almost a year. It's almost that long. I used a phrase in my last application about the difference between thrive and survive. I think I'm somewhere between those two. 

Last night I had the joy of an impromptu night with BigA and Johnny and some live music in my 'home town' of Tottenham. It was really lovely to be out and enjoying the atmosphere of a place I hadn't been to before that's very local. 

We've had work done in the house, getting rid of all the wallpaper in the hall way - and I'm not supposed to say but I'm sure no one will tell, but one of the people doing it is also the mayor of Haringey. 

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