Is there anything you were made to do as a young boy or girl that you are now glad you did that you perhaps didn't want to do at the time?
For me it's playing the piano. I wasn't actually made to go to piano lessons but neither do I remember ever being asked whether I wanted to go.
I have talked in the past about how dreadful my two music teachers were. They didn't so much teach as sit and mumble to themselves.
I didn't learn a lot and received no real guidance. I just played through classical pieces whilst the teacher sat there and then I went home and tried to avoid practising.
But boy am I glad now that I learnt the basics and how much joy do I now get from playing. It's probably up there with reading and listening to music as the most relaxing things I do. When I play the piano the time just evaporates. Two hours can pass in the blink of an eye.
So over to you. What were you made to do that you really didn't want to do but are now genuinely glad you did?
*. *. *
Had the news on as I drove back from the Hethersett Parish Council meeting on Monday evening. Had to laugh at the announcement that tennis player Nowak Djokovic has been fined for smashing his racket into little pieces against the net post as he was on his way to losing the men's singles final at Wimbledon.
Mr Djokovic has been fined £6000. His winnings for being runner up were £1.2 million. Apparently the fine will be deducted from his winnings leaving him with a paltry £1,194,000.
Actually Djokovic' actions appalled me as he destroyed an expensive racket without a single thought for children who would love to have a racket but certainly cannot afford one. I suggest Mr Djokovic' punishment should have been to provide local schools with tennis rackets. That way he might think about his actions rather than laugh at the ridiculously small fine (small to him of course) imposed.
*. *. *
A number of years ago I attended the local parish council and was refused permission to use a small computer during the meeting. I believe in those days I typed in the information and then transferred it to the newspaper office via a telephone line (or something like that). Anyway they decided that my using a keyboard during the meetings would be disruptive.
On Monday there were 10 councillors present and seven of them were using laptops. When it comes to technology what used to be extraordinary is now very much the norm and nothing is thought of it.
Of course I also had a laptop with me which goes without saying.
*. *. *
Yesterday was our Forget Me Not cafe which is organised under the auspices of the Hethersett Dementia Support Group. It came the day after news of a new drug which trials have shown can be effective in slowing down dementia. It's not a cure but it is a big step forward. We hope that our twice monthly cafes provide support and fun and, with 39 people there yesterday I feel we are certainly moving in the right direction.
Dementia is something I have written about before and a subject I will certainly return to in the future.
*. *. *
Hethersett Kings Head officially reopens today after a pre opening soiree last night. We popped along to take a few photographs and to see what was afoot.
And what was afoot was very heartening. The place was packed with people both inside and outside in the garden. I have a distinct feeling that this time it's going to be a real success after years in the doldrums.
Hello to Christine and Jacqui who both read my blogs. I feel very humble when somebody tells me how much they enjoy my ramblings. I feel almost empowered by positive comments.
So many people have mentioned how they sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and read my witterings, twitterings and ramblings. I can't possibly put into words how grateful I am that even one person enjoys what I write and when I meet them it becomes a talking point. All I can say is simply wonderful and a huge THANK YOU and note I wrote that in capitals.
It was lovely also to chat with Christina and David Earl. They have lived in the village for 11 years and said they immediately felt at home in "a very friendly village.' And so say all of us.