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Bucket List
Tori wrote: "Jim wrote: "Tori wrote: "Ian wrote: "I think Jim can easily achieve no 2 on his New Year Bucket List. Just get some high heels mate. If women can bear the pain and the bunions, surely not a problem..."Sounds far too good to pass up, Tori. Besides, considering travel and miscellaneous costs associated with accepting you invitation, this fantastic meal should only cost about $4,000.00. What is that converted into pounds?
Hahahaha! Quite a few quid Jim it has to be said. But we are talking about British lamb here and Tori gravy, the reputation of which flows before me. Where are you going to find that in the US? Mm?A few thousand pounds? Value for money. I'll even lend you my stilettos if you're good!!
Tori wrote: "Hahahaha! Quite a few quid Jim it has to be said. But we are talking about British lamb here and Tori gravy, the reputation of which flows before me. Where are you going to find that in the US? Mm?..."Tori,
I have only one concern remaining. My father went to England in 1942, and they did not permit him to return to the States until 1945. Not only that, they made him leave England after only a couple of months and sent him on a tour of France, Belgium, and Germany. How do I know that this dinner invitation isn't just some trick like you pulled on poor dear old Dad.
Ah! You don't Jim, that's the fun of it. Maybe a clue would be to look at the genre I write in and ask yourself, Does this woman know a lot about spying? You'll find that it isn't my preferred genre, but then is that a cover only? Am I a woman even? That and many more questions should quite rightly be meandering through your mind while you weigh up the cost of a $4,000 bill and a possible hand-over to Brussels for an indefinite period, plus photos of you in stilettos to be distributed throughout your family/friend circle - and all because of the promise of a lamb dinner and an apple/raspberry crumble. Tough choice.
Hello, can I join the discussion... Bucket list:1) Go see the Northern Lights, in St Petersburg... probably with my mum as OH won't set foot in Russia.
2) Get a phone that will last me more than 1 year... I hate the things!
3) Take OH and the girls to South Africa and America
4) Take the girls (and OH if he wishes!) on a mission trip to see how 'the other half' live... and come home actually realising how stupidly rich we are!
... That's about it for now!
Livia wrote: "Hello, can I join the discussion... Bucket list:1) Go see the Northern Lights, in St Petersburg... probably with my mum as OH won't set foot in Russia.
2) Get a phone that will last me more than 1..."
Hi Livia. Can you join the discussion? Heck yes, please do. Northern Lights sound fab. They're a bit unpredictable though aren't they? It'd be annoying to make a special visit only to be disappointed. Sounds great though. I'll come if your mum isn't up for it! Yes, I agree we're stupidly rich even though we think we're skint - which is a bit stupid. We have everything we need and more besides. Love your list. Keep them coming! ;-)
:)) Thanks... Yes, a couple of friends have been to see them and missed them... But I like Russia so would love to go anyway... maybe go for a week or two, there's bound to be one night we can see sthg?
Indeed. Have you read the Philip Pullman trilogy starting with Northern Lights? My son begged me to read the books years ago and I did. Can't say I was overwhelmed to be honest. I thought parts of it were really weird, and they never bothered making the remaining films after the first one was a flop! Can't decide if that's a shame or not.
Tori wrote: "Indeed. Have you read the Philip Pullman trilogy starting with Northern Lights? My son begged me to read the books years ago and I did. Can't say I was overwhelmed to be honest. I thought parts of ..."Much to prefer these too potter, though they do seem to lose the plot a bit somewhere along the lines.
From what I see of Iceland, there's enough to do that not seeing the lights wouldn't be end of world, but they're on my list too...and Russia.
Nope, haven't read those.. I was put off reading by my last year at Uni and couldn't get over it for many years. I have only just started again seriously now, and have been enjoying Robin Hobb, and different things the book club decide to read.Russia is beautiful, Louise. I have been to Moscow, briefly, and to Kazan (on a river with a name I can't remember :p) and Nijny-Novgorod... very pretty sights.
Mod
Tori, it worries me that you are suggesting to Jim that you may not be a woman. Does Bernard know? If not can I tell him when the lamb dinner is being served? Probably best if the kids aren't there. Beginning to sound like a bit like an episode of Downton Abbey. Maybe I am Julian Fellowes - or maybe you are lol - but no-one has told me or indeed you.
And Livia.....uni put me off reading for a few decades. It's nice when you get that mojo back.....and Kazan, home to the footy team Rubin, sits on the river Volga.
Ian, I can't quite say a few decades myself, although it feels like it!! In the last year of uni I was up against a year of Romanians, studying Romanian literature which they had mostly all read at school, myself being the only foreigner, I had read nothing... 60 books a term killed me!! But I passed! And then gave up on reading anything longer than 1 sentence!Thanks.. the Volga it would be then :)
Ian wrote: "Tori wrote: "Ah! You don't Jim, that's the fun of it. Maybe a clue would be to look at the genre I write in and ask yourself, Does this woman know a lot about spying? You'll find that it isn't my p..."Laughing very hard. Best that Bernard doesn't know, Ian. He wouldn't be best chuffed. I think he's a bloke who likes to know what he's getting. Not a man for surprises, and that would be a big one (surprise). He might just choke on that there lamb dinner, and then I would have no use for my crumble. No, best kept between friends.
Reading between the lines, I think you're after a lamb dinner invite. I'll set another place at the table so Jim isn't getting special treatment, but only if we agree not to upset Bernard with the news. Best to tell him after a Man U victory, and that might take some time!
Mod
Ian wrote: "Devastated that I never got a meat and two veg gag into that last post.....losing my Kenneth Williams touch.......oooooooooooooooooo matron etc."Rofl!! Definitely losing your touch. Get in gear, Ian. Keep up.
So I've successfully made my first proper birthday cake. Tick. It only took until my son was 26, but hey -what is the bucket list for? Very proud of myself. My son was suitably impressed. See happy thread for details. Now then.......those of you who've read enough of my posts will know one thing about me - I hate exercising. I don't say this for a joke. I genuinely hate it. But here's my problem: I'm 44 and could really do with not hating exercise quite so much. I've made a bit of an effort the last few weeks. I'm coming to accept that exercise is kind of important and it's a privilege to have the health and mobility to do it.
So......get this........today I went to the gym with Bernard. Bernard is my OH, so christened by Ian (for full explanation if you're interested, see my pics and his comments under my OH and I. I still laugh about it now and almost called my OH Bernard today - no kidding! Only just stopped short).
Anyway - I hurt my ankle last Monday, hobbled round on Tuesday and was more-or-less better by Wednesday. Bernard came home from the gym on Thursday (he's a fanatic) and announced that there was an offer on - 12 days for a fiver. This is David Lloyd. Posh job. Not me. So 90% of me resisted and squirmed and looked for excuses and 10% of me thought - oh get on with it, you miserable old trout. So I went with him today. Oh boy do I hate those places. Saturday afternoon. Busy, busy! Enough testosterone flying around to fuel a power station. Egos the size of Ireland - and that's just the men. Not my scene. I could sit in there for a whole day happily taking notes for potential book characters.
So I did 20 minutes on a treadmill which I was quite chuffed with. I broke into a run twice until I thought, 'oh dear me, no!' and then I brought it down to something more gentle. Then I did a few bum and leg and bingo wing exercises with Bernard trying to be my personal trainer and me telling him to clear off so I could cheat and stop as soon as it hurt without someone trying to encourage me to just do 500 more!! I lasted about an hour in there before I dragged Bernard to the bar for a drink. Not a 'drink' - I don't drink, but I had a Drenched!
I think I have reason to be proud of myself this week. When I was hopping around the bedroom last Monday night, I never imagined I'd be running on a treadmill beside Bernard come Saturday. He thinks I'm going to be in there every day next week while he's at work. All I can say to that is lol!! I might go once more!
I'm really hoping I don't feel the pain tomorrow.
Tori,I truly sympathize and personally identify with your attitude toward and loathing of exercise, as well as the consequences resulting from not exercising.
When my oldest grandson, now 18, was just 7 years-old, he was looking at an old scrapbook that my father had put together during my time serving in the military.
He pointed to a picture of me with no shirt and remarked that I looked like a body builder. Then he asked what the heck happened to me? Without hesitating, I explained that the Marine Corps issued me that torso when I enlisted; however, you have to turn it back in when discharged from the service.
Jim wrote: "Tori,I truly sympathize and personally identify with your attitude toward and loathing of exercise, as well as the consequences resulting from not exercising.
When my oldest grandson, now 18, wa..."
Ha ha ha ha ha!!!
How do you sign up? I'll take the bod then leave in the middle of the night so I don't have to give it back! I want something for no effort Jim. Is that wrong?!
Jim wrote: "Tori,...He pointed to a picture of me with no shirt and remarked that I looked like a body builder. Then he asked what the heck happened to me? Without hesitating, I explained that the Marine Corps issued me that torso when I enlisted; however, you have to turn it back in when discharged from the service. "
I'm sure that was what happened to me. The handing in torso and fitness I mean. I recently got talked into doing a marathon relay and I've been suffering ever since. Every injury strain or other problem I picked up in 17 years service has come back to haunt me. I'll have to burn my trainers. They want to do a triathlon relay next year! That is not and never will be on my Bucket list
Philip wrote: "They want to do a triathlon relay next year! That is not and never will be on my Bucket list......Doing a parachute jump WAS on my bucket list...... until I slipped on the stairs and broke my coccyx, and found out what true pain was!! I would rather go through labour and give birth any day compared to that pain...... so needless to say it was scratched off the list!!
T4bsF (Call me Flo) wrote: "Philip wrote: "They want to do a triathlon relay next year! That is not and never will be on my Bucket list......Doing a parachute jump WAS on my bucket list...... until I slipped on the stairs a..."
Flo,
I witnessed my late wife go through labor five times. Those experiences led me to the following conclusion.
If men and women took turns having babies, there would never be more than three children in any family. The woman would have the first one, the man would have the second, the woman would have the third baby. That would be it!
I was one of the lucky ones Jim - no morning sickness, no strange fancies, no backaches or headaches, no stitches, no forceps - just plain sailing!! So for me, the broken coccyx was infinitely the worse of the two!!
I was lucky too. No sickness and I didn't even have weight to lose afterwards. My firstborn was 9 lbs in weight and I was back in my jeans a week later. I was 18 though. From a physical point of view it's THE time to have a baby. I'm not recommending anyone does. But the birth!!!!!!!!! Plain sailing throughout the pregnancy. Could hardly tell I was pregnant. I expected the birth to be a doddle too. Wrong. Took me completely by surprise. The pain was very shocking for me. So I'd take the broken coccyx I think and I don't even know what it is. The fact is, I was at the top of my pain threshold with my first birth. I couldn't cope with more pain than that without dying. I didn't know that pain like that existed. I never want to experience it again in any other context.
I still did it another three times. Award for bravery, please!
My brother had kidney stones last year and landed up in hospital where he passed them. He assured me the pain was horrific.
I agree with Jim re men giving birth. Wouldn't work.
The coccyx is the little bone at the bottom of your spine Tori. The pain of childbirth was bad, this is true, but I practised the psychoprophylaxis method (targeted breathing exercises) during labour and it worked for me. I managed without any gas & air....... however, with the broken coccyx - the pain was so bad that it caused me to pass out 3 times!! Allied with this that the pain of childbirth only lasts hours - the coccyx pain lasted well beyond the six weeks it took for the broken bone to knit!!
My late wife's method of dealing with labor and delivery pain was to squeeze one of my hands extremely tightly with both of hers, while repeatedly chanting (screaming), "I am never having unprotected sex again!"Since she was notorious for having a short memory, I never paid much attention at the time. However, whenever I did occasionally think about what she said, it bothered me a bit that, each time, she never specifically noted that she was referring to having sex with me.
T4bsF (Call me Flo) wrote: "The coccyx is the little bone at the bottom of your spine Tori. The pain of childbirth was bad, this is true, but I practised the psychoprophylaxis method (targeted breathing exercises) during lab..."Sounds horrendous Flo. I'll avoid that one then. Not keen on pain.
Jim, I'm not sure whether to laugh at your comment or not. I did, but felt guilty.
Went to the gym at 7 a.m. this morninng. Dedicated, or what? I arrived at 7.15 and was expecting the have the place to myself. Wrong. It was busy. I don't look in the least bit cool. Straight leg tracky bottoms and an old sports T-shirt. All the women are in tight lycra, even the weighty ones. Lots of muscle men around this morning, some being coached. Really serious stuff - partners with terrifying-looking watches who won't let you finish until you've satisfied them. *Shudders*
Was gutted that I couldn't have a bit of solitude there. Don't like being in gyms at the best of times, but having to see men in vests at just gone 7 in the morning was not the best start to the day. Being fit and toned is good, but is looking like the Hulk attractive? I think not.
Anyway, I'm getting good at this bucket list thing. Set a target to be nice and toned when I go to Italy for my silver wedding with Bernard next year and I'm on track, even if I have to endure men in vests and looking like THE one at the gym who is neither willing to break into a sweat nor look 'the part' at the gym.
Small steps. When I start embracing the headphone look and standing in front of a 30 ft mirror while I watch my my biceps contract in a lycra vest, could someone give me a swift kick please. There's dedicated (i.e. looking forward to a 12 day pass ending and making a token effort) and really dedicated. I think I'm just dedicated.
Tori wrote: "T4bsF (Call me Flo) wrote: "The coccyx is the little bone at the bottom of your spine Tori. The pain of childbirth was bad, this is true, but I practised the psychoprophylaxis method (targeted bre..."Yes, Jim also made me chuckle, which must be good on such a drab, rainy day. Just off to put the dinner in the oven to celebrate wedding anniversary, then hoping to entice husband out somewhere.
It seems pretty unanimous Jim, as your post made me giggle too. Good luck with the gym boys Tori..... and your Silver Wedding celebrations next year.
Tori wrote: "T4bsF (Call me Flo) wrote: "The coccyx is the little bone at the bottom of your spine Tori. The pain of childbirth was bad, this is true, but I practised the psychoprophylaxis method (targeted bre..."You are hilarious Tori! Thanks for the grins.
T4bsF (Call me Flo) wrote: "It seems pretty unanimous Jim, as your post made me giggle too. Good luck with the gym boys Tori..... and your Silver Wedding celebrations next year."Thanks. Looking forward to it - the silver wedding celebrations, not the gym boys.
Joy - always a pleasure.
Managed to get husband out on a trip to Torre Abbey. We parked and walked round to it and found it was closed, so instead went in to the centre next door and had a look at the swimming pool. Neither of us fancied eating at the Brasserie there as we had eaten so much lunch, so have come home and will be celebrating our Anniversary sitting by the fire.
Carol wrote: "Managed to get husband out on a trip to Torre Abbey. We parked and walked round to it and found it was closed, so instead went in to the centre next door and had a look at the swimming pool. Neithe..."Carol and Other Half*,
Happy Anniversary! I hope you get to celebrate many, many more.
*Note: I did not say "Better Half". Those pills the doctor gave me to cure my chauvinism and political incorrectness must be working
Carol wrote: "Managed to get husband out on a trip to Torre Abbey. We parked and walked round to it and found it was closed, so instead went in to the centre next door and had a look at the swimming pool. Neithe..."Happy Anniversary, Carol. What a shame it's been such a miserable day down here!
Mod
My bucket list will have to change after seeing La Aniston's surgical faceworks on the Graham Norton show last Friday night......just so unnecessary Jen. Now who was that lady on Jim's list??
Ian wrote: "Jim's torso and Tori in a gym????????? Damn nearly wet myself. Bernard must be so proud and it certainly will have solved the perennial what do I buy 'er indoors for Xmas problem.....ie you should ..."Ian,
The lady was Angelina Julie. However, we are no longer talking to or seeing eachother. Since Ms. Jolie never actually did talk to or see me, I guess I should rephrase that initial statement. It was what one might describe as a one-way relationship. I gave it my all, but she gave me nothing in return.
I would have thought 7am was one of the busiest times Tori .... all those people wanting to get over and done with!!I used to go jogging at 4.30 am (to give me time for leisurely cups before 2 mile walk ...all to be in work by 7am!!!) and I wasn't the only one out!!!!!!
Ian wrote: "Jim's torso and Tori in a gym????????? Damn nearly wet myself. Bernard must be so proud and it certainly will have solved the perennial what do I buy 'er indoors for Xmas problem.....ie you should ..."ROFL! Oh Bernard is beyond proud. When he was beside me on the nearest treadmill last Saturday and I managed to break into a trot for two lots of 3 minutes, he was bursting with pride. He won't be proud when I shred my 12 day pass next Friday (with glee) and put my feet up again, and then ignore all the calls that David Lloyd will make to me in an attempt to get me to sign up! I suppose I'll be back to my Youtube clips after that and my online workouts here and there. The joys!! If he buys me any lycra for Christmas I'm going to throttle him with it. Tori + lycra = forget it.
Who's Angelina Julie? Lol! Jim goes for all Brad Pitt's women or cast-offs. Talking about botox, did anyone see Barry Manilow on The One Show this week? Scary. Why don't people just grow old gracefully, or disgracefully whatever the case may be. It beats the stretched plastic look that all the celebs have. Horrible.
Louise - you're absolutely right. Very busy. Bernard says it's a lot worse at tea time when he goes. All the machinery in use, and it's a very big gym. I'm going again in the morning if I can be bothered, but at least I'll know what to expect. I always feel a need to treat myself when I'm walking out. 40 minutes exercise seems to need a large hot chocolate with whipped cream and a slice of brownie. Does that defeat the object? So weird when I come off the treadmill. You know when you feel like you're still moving. I literally floated out of that gym yesterday morning. The floor was moving as I walked. If I walk backwards, maybe I can pretend I'm doing the moonwalk! I won't quiz you about your 4.30 runs. There is no amount of money on the planet that could persuade me to rise at 4.30 in order to exercise. 7 a.m. and I was expecting to leave the gym to the sound of the national anthem and someone waiting to present me with a medal. Bit rude that I didn't get any credit, to be honest.
Mod
The medal is in the post.
Lol! Love it, love it. Funnily enough, was only watching this clip with Bernard one morning last week. Absolutely classic - a fantastic halternative (lol) to Mindfulness in order to keep the black dogs at bay. Spend 5 mins watching this. I'm sure you'll have seen it before, but it never fails to tickle in all the right places. Brilliant!Looking forward to getting the VC - and my initials no less!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UST26...
There was a time when I was physically fit, a hard-drinking party guy, street smart, and a player with the ladies, but I got over it...or did it get over me? I can't remember.
Tori wrote: "Ian wrote: "Jim's torso and Tori in a gym????????? Damn nearly wet myself. Bernard must be so proud and it certainly will have solved the perennial what do I buy 'er indoors for Xmas problem.....ie..."Yes, lots of old, rich people look so strange, don't they because of botox and surgery. Don't understand it myself.
Tori wrote: "Lol! Love it, love it. Funnily enough, was only watching this clip with Bernard one morning last week. Absolutely classic - a fantastic halternative (lol) to Mindfulness in order to keep the black ..."Black dogs again! Just as well I know what it refers to now.Treasure Island
So long since I read the above book, so not sure if there is Black Dog in it, or whether I'm thinking of the black spot put into people's hands!
OK, so I bottled out of going to the gym this morning. I woke up at 6.30 and just didn't want to. It was more a matter of getting ready and being with other people, and the drive. Just couldn't be bothered. So I went downstairs and put myself through a punishing (for me - bear in mind that walking a mile into town can be punishing for me if I'm not in the mood) 40 minute workout via a Youtube video. Mildly pleased with my commitment. So the expected call came this afternoon from David Lloyd.
'Ah, Tori, this is Sam from David Lloyd. You've got a temporary pass at the moment? I was just wondering how it was going.'
'Fine thanks.'
'Managing to get into the gym?'
'Yeah, I've been a couple of times.'
'And you're enjoying it?'
'Enjoy is a strong word.'
Silence, but for a nervous laugh.
'I'll be honest, Sam, I'm not into gyms. I hate them in fact, but I'm not getting any younger and I thought it'd be good to get a bit fitter, so I'm doing my bit.'
'So, can you see yourself joining?'
'Er? Let's see.........No!'
Looking forward to next Friday when the pass expires and Bernard can stop nagging me to go, as if I've got nowt better to do!!!
I have never met anyone who goes beyond the first month with a gym subscription!! I'm not saying they don't exist - but..........
Jim wrote: "There was a time when I was physically fit, a hard-drinking party guy, street smart, and a player with the ladies, but I got over it...or did it get over me? I can't remember."There was a time... actually, there wasn't.
T4bsF (Call me Flo) wrote: "I have never met anyone who goes beyond the first month with a gym subscription!! I'm not saying they don't exist - but.........."My OH has done about 10 years straight. Never slacks. Before that, he ran 4 times a week. He's just 'one of those.' I know one or two others, but they're a rare breed.
Tim....lol!!
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Books mentioned in this topic
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What Father Christmas Left (other topics)
Sweet Liar (other topics)
False Allegations (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (other topics)Charles Dickens (other topics)
Yeah but you get a lamb dinner out of it with mint sauce, and an apple and raspberry (my speciality) crumble for afters! Where are your priorities, Jim? Honestly!