"Miscellany" - Drunk, 1999

Sorry for my absence for awhile. I missed out on a lot of the 3-day Bank Holiday weekend in the UK (the first weekend in May) because of feeling really awful. for about 4 days. I've been a little rundown since the move, and that and other stresses caught up with me, I guess. Anyway, now I'm better...and now I'm in Canada again, by the way!

So let me get caught up on what's been going on in the world -- or what's been on my mind -- since I last wrote...

Firstly, I'm in Calgary all this week. I took a few digital photos while out for a walk this afternoon, and I'll try to get them posted in the next few evenings. I'm teaching for the next 5 days, running 3 training courses for one of Canada's big energy companies. I'm a little nervous about tomorrow's class in particular. I've never taught 30 students in one class before. Send me some good vibes, won't you? I'll need them.

While I'm on the mend, I'm still not feeling too energetic. Hopefully, this comfy room at the Westin in downtown Calgary will help me recover when I'm not training this week. I just wish that John was here with me. I'll get home next Sunday afternoon. It can't come soon enough, either. I miss him like crazy.

My Portugal Eurovision entry didn't even make the Eurovision finals last night. Sadly, neither did the curious entry from Switzerland -- performing the bizarre "Vampires Are Alive". We saw them on the semi-final show Thursday night. They were so strange I was certain they would make the finals. But nope. Perhaps it's because Switzerland isn't located in Eastern Europe...

Little Madeleine is still missing in Portugal. I still hold out hope for her and her family. I can't imagine the anguish they are experiencing.

I guess everybody knows by now that, after 10 years in office, Tony Blair has announced what day he's leaving office as the UK's Prime Minister -- the 27th of June (the day before my birthday...but I think that's merely coincidental). I still can't get over the fact that, here in Britain, there can be a new PM without a general election. That's a big difference between the UK and US.

Speaking of US politics, I wonder if it's possible that we'll actually see an "Independent" candidate for President of the US next year? Certainly, the stage is set for a surprise like that.

While here in Calgary, I can already see now much I'm going to enjoy catching up on US TV for a week. It's from stations in Spokane, Washington, though, so all of the programing is on US Pacific time -- an hour later than the Rocky Mountain time here in Calgary. I'll have to be very careful that I don't stay up too late every night this week. I must go back to the UK feeling better than I did on my arrival here last night.

Regarding the above, it was wonderful to get to watch some of "CBS Sunday Morning" this morning --- and "60 Minutes" tonight. And PBS programs, too. Those are examples of things I miss.

Lastly, thank goodness that the good American public can see the talents of Melinda Doolittle on "American Idol". She's in the top 3 finalists. And I'll be able to watch the Tuesday and Wednesday night's shows while here in Calgary! Go Melinda!

OK. That's the best job I can do of catching up tonight. I'm sure I missed a few items. And I'll try to do better at staying in touch in the coming days.

So Bronx Boy, I'm doing ok now. Thanks for checking on me.

And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of the moms out there!

Janet