Back on the bike after such strange weather snow and frost and so cold. Two people I know both had accidents recently both broke their hips falling off their bikes in icy weather.This morning it was milder beautiful colours in the sky pinks and yellows and grey as the clouds caught the sunshine. It was good to be alive.
It's been a trying time, it seems like any further development of my Kenyan work in terms of recruiting any new students is blocked for now. I am still endlessly figuring it and looking for ways through but it looks blocked, and I am tired. So unpromoted and thwarted with regards to Kenya I am having to remind myself of the work that I do enjoy doing with my students and colleagues.
I was thinking today, on the bike, as I often do about my LEJOG (Lands End End to John O'Groats for new visitors) bike trip two years ago. What a mad thing to do! I was reasonably well prepared but heck. I have a whole series of inner photographs of the extraordinary landscapes I saw. I want so much to go back and soak up the beauty more deeply but that means biking it I guess and doing it slowly. It was like an extended retreat. I want to do it or something similar again soonish but it will have to wait. I guess it is time for another dayout on the bike today would have been perfect if the weather stayed the same but I suspect we have rain and possibly snow again on the way.
Bill-on-bike
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Cycling in the snow and being white
It was fun cycling in the snow today. I couldn't bear driving or catching the bus. The snow was falling lightly and the main roads were clear. It was exhillarating and my spirits rose. I have just finished my second course of antibiotics and had my first night's sleep without painkillers. My jaw and teeth feels bruised like I have been in a fight so I am hoping my tooth trouble is over for now.
I have just heard it is still sunny and warm in Kenya! I think they get pleasure out of hearing about our snow and chaos! I love the way a bit of snow humanises us and changes everything. I was once stuck in the snow miles from home in a massive jam of cars for about 5 hours. It was strange but not that bad, I asked a passerby to ring Sheila for me and I sat in a stranger's car for a couple of hours having one of those inconseqential late night conversations. Suddenly we were no longer English!
We have just done a brilliant session with Colin Lago on cross cultural issues and it has led me to think how complicated we white English are. (OK I can claim some of my Welsh heritage and relate how my Dad used to say my moodiness was down to my bad Welsh blood!) But there is so much unspoken about being English. Like we all do class but pretend we don't but I notice white English people's class and region of origin straight away its almost instinctual but never talked about. I have always felt on the edge of class which is probably why I notice it so much. I don't identity as middle class (even though I am objectively - educated, Guardian reading etc)but I was brought up to know I wasn't working class although a lot of my upbringing was around working class people. So I know this stuff as an outsider. I didn't go to Oxbridge because I didn't want to deal with class there, plus I couldn't wait to escape from home.
Enough for now,
Bill on bike
I have just heard it is still sunny and warm in Kenya! I think they get pleasure out of hearing about our snow and chaos! I love the way a bit of snow humanises us and changes everything. I was once stuck in the snow miles from home in a massive jam of cars for about 5 hours. It was strange but not that bad, I asked a passerby to ring Sheila for me and I sat in a stranger's car for a couple of hours having one of those inconseqential late night conversations. Suddenly we were no longer English!
We have just done a brilliant session with Colin Lago on cross cultural issues and it has led me to think how complicated we white English are. (OK I can claim some of my Welsh heritage and relate how my Dad used to say my moodiness was down to my bad Welsh blood!) But there is so much unspoken about being English. Like we all do class but pretend we don't but I notice white English people's class and region of origin straight away its almost instinctual but never talked about. I have always felt on the edge of class which is probably why I notice it so much. I don't identity as middle class (even though I am objectively - educated, Guardian reading etc)but I was brought up to know I wasn't working class although a lot of my upbringing was around working class people. So I know this stuff as an outsider. I didn't go to Oxbridge because I didn't want to deal with class there, plus I couldn't wait to escape from home.
Enough for now,
Bill on bike
Monday, 2 February 2009
Strange Days
These are strange days. I am on my second course of antibiotics for gum infections and had a back tooth removed last Monday and have been taking pain killers regularly for about a fortnight now. In the midst of this my application for promotion fell at the first hurdle i.e. my senior colleagues in my school did not back me. This smarts and I am hurt and anger and of course the dumb inner critic voice is having a field day. Meanwhile yesterday I managed to sit on my glasses and bend the frame!
However, Grace and I were at the Family Choir yesterday and it lifted my spirits. And Sheila took my glasses in to the opticians this morning whilst I was once more travelling through the snow to the dentist. The Optician just warmed up the frame and straighted it out. The dentist reckons I am on the mend at last!
And have you seen Venus so close to the the crescent moon? It takes my breathe away. I have been looking up Johannes Kepler on wikipedia recently because he developed 3 laws of planetary motion in the 17th century which Newton drew on. When Kepler figured out that planets travelled around the sun in an eliptical orbit he thought that the elegance of the mathematics involved was a sign that God exists. Why not, says I?
I went to a funeral on Saturday of a marvelous woman called Margaret Bayes who was 94when she died and a great Quaker and a lovely caring figure before and after Grace was born. I cried quite a bit like I do, and couldn't managed to say anything.
My new keyboard at work has created quite a stir and there has been a lot of talent displayed by my colleagues. It is a crazy notion to have a keyboard at work but why not. I want to deconstruct what work is all about. A song at the Family Choir yesterday had lyrics "Sing with joy when you work/work with joy when you sing"
However, Grace and I were at the Family Choir yesterday and it lifted my spirits. And Sheila took my glasses in to the opticians this morning whilst I was once more travelling through the snow to the dentist. The Optician just warmed up the frame and straighted it out. The dentist reckons I am on the mend at last!
And have you seen Venus so close to the the crescent moon? It takes my breathe away. I have been looking up Johannes Kepler on wikipedia recently because he developed 3 laws of planetary motion in the 17th century which Newton drew on. When Kepler figured out that planets travelled around the sun in an eliptical orbit he thought that the elegance of the mathematics involved was a sign that God exists. Why not, says I?
I went to a funeral on Saturday of a marvelous woman called Margaret Bayes who was 94when she died and a great Quaker and a lovely caring figure before and after Grace was born. I cried quite a bit like I do, and couldn't managed to say anything.
My new keyboard at work has created quite a stir and there has been a lot of talent displayed by my colleagues. It is a crazy notion to have a keyboard at work but why not. I want to deconstruct what work is all about. A song at the Family Choir yesterday had lyrics "Sing with joy when you work/work with joy when you sing"
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
The Boss gets a keyboard and Frankie gets to sing
Frankie here - The Boss, egged on by his piano teacher Rebbecca, has brought a second hand keyboard for his office! It is all a grand and fiendish plan to get rid rid of the Professor next door who already finds the Boss' choice of music 'infernal'. Truly though the Boss wants to get more music practice in. He says I can do vocals - Yes! Can you imagine it me draped over a grand piano singing 'These Foolish Things' or 'West End girls'? Len has offered to blow his didgerdoo, even Q has offered to sing a madrigal or too, and Stacey well Stacey fancies herself (pause)(well we all know that! 'Watch it Frankie all I'll sort you out good time'. Only joking Stacey, honest) fancies herself on Pop idol ('Why not? A girl's gotta dream!). Our colleague Terry of course is a accomplished guitarist he even played at a conference in Edinburgh 2 years ago at which the Boss sang. God it was so so embarrassing. Where was I? Oh Yes Terry on guitar and Clare used to teach music so she could play almost any instrument and then there's Jackie and Shelley on back up vocals and I think Neil could deliver a mean blues number he certainly looks the part...
Monday, 12 January 2009
Kenyan Days
I am just back from a week in Kenya and rather dazed, jet lagged and sleep deprived but a ride to work on my bike in the rain has raised curiously my spirits! Now for a tale from Kenyan.
I met up with an extraordinary Aussie called Jodie who has been living in Kenya for nearly 3 years. She does some work via a link with a local Christian church with orphans. Recently she had visited a village I think it was somewhere up the Rift Valley where some of the worst post election violence occurred just over a year ago.
She found a pastor in the village who had taken in 100 orphans whose parents had been killed. The villagers had rallied round, those who were teachers had freely given their time after work to set up a rudimentary school, others had helped with the care of the children and so on. Not noticing a dormitory she asked the pastor where the children slept. 'In the church' he replied. Now think about it, don't think grand English church think dirt poor Kenyan church probably with a corrigated iron roof, think of a 100 children bedded down.
It is a different culture. Kenyan are often in extended families with strong tribal loyalties and support. There is not a strong well resourced infrastructure that we in the West are used to, but nor do they wait around for the 'authorities' or the government to do something.
I have always avoided teaching in Kenya beyond a few workshops on spirituality. I certain have been very wary of teaching people to counsel there. (I am wary of doing the same in England but that is another story, another blog entry). This last week I have been teaching trained counsellors to do research. Or rather working with trained counsellors who already have some research experience. It still begs a lot of questions some of them related to culture, including both the nature of their proposed research compared to my UK students and the value or otherwise of my rather post modern approach! However they ran with much of what I gave them with an enthusiasm, engagement and a respect for me. All of which is rather less with my UK students. Some of the changes in my teaching that I did in working in Kneya will I think change my teaching in Britain. So I am learning and my British students will benefit too.
Best to all,
Bill-on-bike
I met up with an extraordinary Aussie called Jodie who has been living in Kenya for nearly 3 years. She does some work via a link with a local Christian church with orphans. Recently she had visited a village I think it was somewhere up the Rift Valley where some of the worst post election violence occurred just over a year ago.
She found a pastor in the village who had taken in 100 orphans whose parents had been killed. The villagers had rallied round, those who were teachers had freely given their time after work to set up a rudimentary school, others had helped with the care of the children and so on. Not noticing a dormitory she asked the pastor where the children slept. 'In the church' he replied. Now think about it, don't think grand English church think dirt poor Kenyan church probably with a corrigated iron roof, think of a 100 children bedded down.
It is a different culture. Kenyan are often in extended families with strong tribal loyalties and support. There is not a strong well resourced infrastructure that we in the West are used to, but nor do they wait around for the 'authorities' or the government to do something.
I have always avoided teaching in Kenya beyond a few workshops on spirituality. I certain have been very wary of teaching people to counsel there. (I am wary of doing the same in England but that is another story, another blog entry). This last week I have been teaching trained counsellors to do research. Or rather working with trained counsellors who already have some research experience. It still begs a lot of questions some of them related to culture, including both the nature of their proposed research compared to my UK students and the value or otherwise of my rather post modern approach! However they ran with much of what I gave them with an enthusiasm, engagement and a respect for me. All of which is rather less with my UK students. Some of the changes in my teaching that I did in working in Kneya will I think change my teaching in Britain. So I am learning and my British students will benefit too.
Best to all,
Bill-on-bike
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Q and the Boss and Stacey in Nairobi
Fortunately I have got Q and Stacey with me - the full team. So if - if! Frankie goes off message or rather on Nightclubs etc as I am sure he will I can rely on them.
Q: Boss is it not rather extravagant taking me with you to Nairobi?
Maybe Q but vitally necessary.
You mean it can't wait?
No.
OK tell me about it.
Well Q I can't come to rest about this mortality business.
Ah.
Yes Ah. What happens when we dies, where will I go, why was I born...
Slow down a bit Boss. What brought this on?
Well Christmas, my birthday yesterday, remembering the dead...
Ah.
Q, all this Ahing is getting kind of annoying.
OK Boss it sounds like you want some answers.
Please
Well
Yes?
Creation is good.
Yes.
Creation is purposeful
Yes.
You are thankful and experience gratitude. Rest in that Boss.
Thaat's a bit thin Q.
I know but I also know you are not able to surrender to the Nicean creed for example
True
Then hold fast to what you do know and what you tell others
That's tough Q
And
And?
Remember the timelessness of your mystical experiences
OK Q I throw up my hands if not my dinner :)
Now Sracey please deal with immigration, passport control, hotel reecption, my Kenyan hosts whilst I-
Whilst you what Boss?
Whilst I commune with the spirits in the bar
Would that be the spirits of brandy and rum, Boss?
That would be the spirits Stacey!
'Well a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do,' said Stacey archly.
'Indeed.'
Q: Boss is it not rather extravagant taking me with you to Nairobi?
Maybe Q but vitally necessary.
You mean it can't wait?
No.
OK tell me about it.
Well Q I can't come to rest about this mortality business.
Ah.
Yes Ah. What happens when we dies, where will I go, why was I born...
Slow down a bit Boss. What brought this on?
Well Christmas, my birthday yesterday, remembering the dead...
Ah.
Q, all this Ahing is getting kind of annoying.
OK Boss it sounds like you want some answers.
Please
Well
Yes?
Creation is good.
Yes.
Creation is purposeful
Yes.
You are thankful and experience gratitude. Rest in that Boss.
Thaat's a bit thin Q.
I know but I also know you are not able to surrender to the Nicean creed for example
True
Then hold fast to what you do know and what you tell others
That's tough Q
And
And?
Remember the timelessness of your mystical experiences
OK Q I throw up my hands if not my dinner :)
Now Sracey please deal with immigration, passport control, hotel reecption, my Kenyan hosts whilst I-
Whilst you what Boss?
Whilst I commune with the spirits in the bar
Would that be the spirits of brandy and rum, Boss?
That would be the spirits Stacey!
'Well a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do,' said Stacey archly.
'Indeed.'
Frankie (and the Boss) goes to Nairobi
Yes! The Boss has taken me to Kenya. Oh Wow! Land of Safaris, Masai warriors and gridlock traffic jams!
Of course Franke like all true PAs is deeply conservative and protective of the Boss' persona. Seeing him snog an elderly woman was way too much for him! To see the Boss snog a youbng woman would have caused Frankie to (mock) vomit but at least that would have been understandable. Indeed Frankie would have got some perverse secondary pleasure from that but an old women 'Way no".
Frankie of course totally misses the Boss' profound emptahy and his life of things eternal - the soul/spirit and its own beauty.
Of course Franke like all true PAs is deeply conservative and protective of the Boss' persona. Seeing him snog an elderly woman was way too much for him! To see the Boss snog a youbng woman would have caused Frankie to (mock) vomit but at least that would have been understandable. Indeed Frankie would have got some perverse secondary pleasure from that but an old women 'Way no".
Frankie of course totally misses the Boss' profound emptahy and his life of things eternal - the soul/spirit and its own beauty.
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