Your rollercoaster story punchline will have me giggling for the rest of the day, Terry!
I've recently booked my place on your 60-minute writer course which starts in January, having taken it for the first time this year. I can't wait for the 2026 iteration - I got so much out of it, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Glad it invoked a chortle, Rebecca! Thanks for booking on my course again. WAIT!! You ENJOYED it the first time??? That means I wasn't strict enough. <Snigger>
At the end of December, I'm stepping down from a leadership role I've held for six years. I forewarned folks and also tried to identify a replacement. I've asked five people without success. I'm leaving anyway. So few people are willing to step in. It's frustrating.
The Les Dawson skit was hilarious. I have no idea how he makes those faces and KEEPS a straight face at the same time.
"So few people are willing to step in. It's frustrating." Yes, and a lot more people are happy to moan from the sidelines. I wish you well in your non-leadership role. I imagine it will be a bit of a relief, assuming your replacement is not an idiot.
Re: Les Dawson, part of what makes me laugh in that particular joke was the fact that he keeps losing it! Glad you found it funny. Aren't we puerile? LOL
I strongly relate to your reluctance to spend any more of your time on committees or advisory boards. I too have "been there, done that, got the T-shirt."
Especially moving were your words about your father. I have read your writings about him before and the way his early death affected you. It's nice to know that he left you and your family some comforting reminders from the other side of that humpback bridge.
Thanks very much, Jim. “It's nice to know that he left you and your family some comforting reminders from the other side of that humpback bridge.” Yes, thank you for that: very nicely put.
Well, all of that, especially the understatement of this detective, but also I find this show comforting in his common sense and reasoning and Michael Kitchen, himself. It's intelligent. My favorite line that Foyle says, and I use in certain circumstances where I'm dealing with a company rep on the phone, is, "Let me speak with someone of higher authority and who is less obstructive." It works 99% of the time. That may not be the exact wording, but it is close. I also like the gauze filtering over the camera. And, especially I like Anthony Horowitz's writing; I've watched some of his other series, not read his books, though. But Foyle is his magnum opus, I think.
Yes, I love that statement. I hadn't thought of using it myself, but that sounds like an excellent idea. It's a great statement: assertive, and not too rude! And extremely honest. I don't recall the gauze over the camera. I think the script is brilliant. We watched one yesterday, and again I can't recall the exact words, but it was something like this, and involved Milner's rather hapless assistant, Detective Constable Perkins:
Foyle to Milner: Well, you're on your own now, Milner.
"Precisely." That's funny. The gauze over the camera lens is what gives the picture that softness (warm fuzziness, if you want). I saw an interview about the show years ago where they explained that. This whole conversation is getting me fired up to watch Foyle once again. 😊
I, too, am a real fan of Foyle's War. I have watched every episode and many of them more than ones. Michael Kitchen is one of those marvelous actors that can play kind, romantic and sweet and also absolute evil! As for Les Dawson - the stupidest joke ever! What a face! I laughed so hard I choked on my coffee. I learn so much about YOU, Terry, by virtue of what you think is funny.
I agree, although as Cary said, he doesn't seem to have been in much else since then. Regarding my sebse of humour: 😂 I like clever jokes, but sometimes absolutely ridiculous ones like that Les Dawson one really crack me up!
Thank you, David. Will you be signing up for it? I know you can write, but I think you would enjoy it 😃.
As for Barnet Cocks, I had not heard of him before, but that observation of his is spot on! It reminds me of the British sitcom called Yes, Minister, and then Yes, Prime Minister. Have you heard of them? They involve the Civil Servant Sir Bernard Humphreys doing everything in his power to thwart government policy and maintain the status quo. Apparently, they were Mrs Thatcher's favourite programmes. Available on YouTube if you wish to investigate!
Thank you once again, Sir Terry! An excellent post! We are also fans of Foyle’s War (at least, until the post war spy stuff). Why don’t we see more Michael Kitchen?
I was also fond of playing chess with my dad, but I did not like beating him, and he died when I was eighteen.
Hard Rain Falling is on my TBR, and I would love to take your course if a windfall comes my way before January…
Sadly, it would appear that I have misled you, Cary. I just checked, and found out this: international students usually pay the full advertised fee and do not qualify for UK government funding, fee concessions, or bursaries. So the fee would be £139 or the USD equivalent. Still good value for money though!
Thank you, your Honour. I think the concessionary rate works out to just over $90, which makes each session a snip at $8. Would be great to see you there, Cary :-)
Terry, both your post about your father and you intro to it are so beautifully written and very moving. I lost my dad to cancer too. I'm sorry for your long-ago loss that of course you still feel.
It's marvelous that you're also so funny which is good for you and for those of us reading you!
Oh, thank you, Susan. I suppose humour is the best way of dealing with stuff, otherwise I would get even more depressed than I already do sometimes!
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss too, Susan. Cancer is such a dreadful, wasting disease, and very painful by all accounts. Mind you, I did meet someone who was very upbeat despite it all. His view was that he'd had a good life, so couldn't complain.
I would love to sign up for the class! How does it work worth the time difference? If the class is at 6pm your time that should work well for me. I just have to figure out if you’re 5 or 6 hours ahead. We just turned our clocks back 1 hour.
So did we! Are you in Boston? It's a 5 hour difference, so it's a 6pm start time here, meaning 1pm in the afternoon where you are. It would be great to see you there!
Why do you need to do the research and outline by then? I am not sure they will be required. The writing prompts are designed to lead to off the cuff writing that can be polished up later. Anyobe who tries to pass off prepared work as impromptu scribblings will have marks deducted. As it happens, no marks are awarded anyway, because we are not in school and it's meant to be fun. However, I am prepared to implement a marking scheme so that I can deduct marks as a punishment. You have been warned 😈
MOST grading systems are goofy. The best one was one I invented, which involved assigning random marks. At least, that's what I told the kids I was going to do. They didn't seem to like the idea. Can't understand why not. Maybe I will write about that some day.
Your rollercoaster story punchline will have me giggling for the rest of the day, Terry!
I've recently booked my place on your 60-minute writer course which starts in January, having taken it for the first time this year. I can't wait for the 2026 iteration - I got so much out of it, and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Glad it invoked a chortle, Rebecca! Thanks for booking on my course again. WAIT!! You ENJOYED it the first time??? That means I wasn't strict enough. <Snigger>
Oh lummy. HELP… ⚠️
😈
I knew it was time to retire from academia when every hour of every day became Sysiphian.
🙂 I can relate to that! It begins to wear you down after a while, doesn’t it.
At the end of December, I'm stepping down from a leadership role I've held for six years. I forewarned folks and also tried to identify a replacement. I've asked five people without success. I'm leaving anyway. So few people are willing to step in. It's frustrating.
The Les Dawson skit was hilarious. I have no idea how he makes those faces and KEEPS a straight face at the same time.
"So few people are willing to step in. It's frustrating." Yes, and a lot more people are happy to moan from the sidelines. I wish you well in your non-leadership role. I imagine it will be a bit of a relief, assuming your replacement is not an idiot.
Re: Les Dawson, part of what makes me laugh in that particular joke was the fact that he keeps losing it! Glad you found it funny. Aren't we puerile? LOL
Happy to wear a scarlet P on my chest! 😅
I strongly relate to your reluctance to spend any more of your time on committees or advisory boards. I too have "been there, done that, got the T-shirt."
Especially moving were your words about your father. I have read your writings about him before and the way his early death affected you. It's nice to know that he left you and your family some comforting reminders from the other side of that humpback bridge.
Thanks very much, Jim. “It's nice to know that he left you and your family some comforting reminders from the other side of that humpback bridge.” Yes, thank you for that: very nicely put.
Sorry to hear that your dad sied when you were so young, Cary. That must have been hard. As I recall, my dad always beat me!
"Foyle's War," my favorite. The best! I've watched the whole series through at least 3 times and am contemplating another viewing soon.
Why do you like it so much, Samantha? We love the acting, and the very British understatement and humour that are threaded throughout the series.
Well, all of that, especially the understatement of this detective, but also I find this show comforting in his common sense and reasoning and Michael Kitchen, himself. It's intelligent. My favorite line that Foyle says, and I use in certain circumstances where I'm dealing with a company rep on the phone, is, "Let me speak with someone of higher authority and who is less obstructive." It works 99% of the time. That may not be the exact wording, but it is close. I also like the gauze filtering over the camera. And, especially I like Anthony Horowitz's writing; I've watched some of his other series, not read his books, though. But Foyle is his magnum opus, I think.
Yes, I love that statement. I hadn't thought of using it myself, but that sounds like an excellent idea. It's a great statement: assertive, and not too rude! And extremely honest. I don't recall the gauze over the camera. I think the script is brilliant. We watched one yesterday, and again I can't recall the exact words, but it was something like this, and involved Milner's rather hapless assistant, Detective Constable Perkins:
Foyle to Milner: Well, you're on your own now, Milner.
Perkins: Well, he has me.
Foyle: Precisely.
😂
"Precisely." That's funny. The gauze over the camera lens is what gives the picture that softness (warm fuzziness, if you want). I saw an interview about the show years ago where they explained that. This whole conversation is getting me fired up to watch Foyle once again. 😊
Oh, and crucial to the story is that after all that, Foyle can't arrest the perpetrator because he's needed for the war effort.
Yes, very frustrating. I suppose one has to consider the bigger picture.
I, too, am a real fan of Foyle's War. I have watched every episode and many of them more than ones. Michael Kitchen is one of those marvelous actors that can play kind, romantic and sweet and also absolute evil! As for Les Dawson - the stupidest joke ever! What a face! I laughed so hard I choked on my coffee. I learn so much about YOU, Terry, by virtue of what you think is funny.
I agree, although as Cary said, he doesn't seem to have been in much else since then. Regarding my sebse of humour: 😂 I like clever jokes, but sometimes absolutely ridiculous ones like that Les Dawson one really crack me up!
Terry,
Your course sounds excellent.
Re: Committees:
“A committee is a cul-de-sac down which ideas are lured and then quietly strangled.”
― Barnett Cocks
Sir Thomas George Barnett Cocks KCB OBE (1907–1989) was a British civil servant who served as a clerk in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
Thank you, David. Will you be signing up for it? I know you can write, but I think you would enjoy it 😃.
As for Barnet Cocks, I had not heard of him before, but that observation of his is spot on! It reminds me of the British sitcom called Yes, Minister, and then Yes, Prime Minister. Have you heard of them? They involve the Civil Servant Sir Bernard Humphreys doing everything in his power to thwart government policy and maintain the status quo. Apparently, they were Mrs Thatcher's favourite programmes. Available on YouTube if you wish to investigate!
Thank you once again, Sir Terry! An excellent post! We are also fans of Foyle’s War (at least, until the post war spy stuff). Why don’t we see more Michael Kitchen?
I was also fond of playing chess with my dad, but I did not like beating him, and he died when I was eighteen.
Hard Rain Falling is on my TBR, and I would love to take your course if a windfall comes my way before January…
I meant to say, We haven't seen the post-war ones yet. About to start.
Sadly, it would appear that I have misled you, Cary. I just checked, and found out this: international students usually pay the full advertised fee and do not qualify for UK government funding, fee concessions, or bursaries. So the fee would be £139 or the USD equivalent. Still good value for money though!
Thank you, your Honour. I think the concessionary rate works out to just over $90, which makes each session a snip at $8. Would be great to see you there, Cary :-)
Terry, both your post about your father and you intro to it are so beautifully written and very moving. I lost my dad to cancer too. I'm sorry for your long-ago loss that of course you still feel.
It's marvelous that you're also so funny which is good for you and for those of us reading you!
Oh, thank you, Susan. I suppose humour is the best way of dealing with stuff, otherwise I would get even more depressed than I already do sometimes!
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss too, Susan. Cancer is such a dreadful, wasting disease, and very painful by all accounts. Mind you, I did meet someone who was very upbeat despite it all. His view was that he'd had a good life, so couldn't complain.
Thanks again for your lovely comment x
I would love to sign up for the class! How does it work worth the time difference? If the class is at 6pm your time that should work well for me. I just have to figure out if you’re 5 or 6 hours ahead. We just turned our clocks back 1 hour.
So did we! Are you in Boston? It's a 5 hour difference, so it's a 6pm start time here, meaning 1pm in the afternoon where you are. It would be great to see you there!
I’ll sign up. I’m intrigued. Maybe if I can get enough research done and an outline before then…
Why do you need to do the research and outline by then? I am not sure they will be required. The writing prompts are designed to lead to off the cuff writing that can be polished up later. Anyobe who tries to pass off prepared work as impromptu scribblings will have marks deducted. As it happens, no marks are awarded anyway, because we are not in school and it's meant to be fun. However, I am prepared to implement a marking scheme so that I can deduct marks as a punishment. You have been warned 😈
The first time I was graded on a short story was 8th grade. I got an A-. We had a goofy grade system.
MOST grading systems are goofy. The best one was one I invented, which involved assigning random marks. At least, that's what I told the kids I was going to do. They didn't seem to like the idea. Can't understand why not. Maybe I will write about that some day.
Haha. I’m using Jan as a goal to get work done. No worries. I promise to write off the cuff and sleeve.
😄