Start the week #33
More fly-on-the-wall stuff from Freedman Towers, plus some weepy bits plus some great articles plus videos from a bike ride.
Greetings!
This issue of start the week has videos and links, and a second episode of Inside Freedman Towers.
But enough of this persiflage. On with the newsletter!
Terry
A bike ride around a lake in a park
Proof that I’m insane. Not the ride around the park, and not even getting there (even though it is over 5 miles away) but the journey back, which was utterly hair-raising. (Especially the part where I was doing over 21 mph.) I ended up cycling on the pavement in the end, which I try to avoid doing, and that was scary too: dead narrow, so I was worried about being launched into the traffic, overgrown bushes, and a horrible pockmarked road surface. You can enjoy the thrill of it vicariously in the second video.
Inside Freedman Towers #2
Lord Terry and his lady wife are at home. Elaine is reading while Terry is weightlifting.
Terry: Someone called
has asked me why the stout-hearted Elaine accepted my proposal of marriage. I’m not sure why she refers to you as “stout-hearted”, but leaving that aside, why did you? Was it because I made you laugh? Or was it because I am handsome and debonair?Elaine: None of those things. I did it as a sacrifice for the sake of the Sisterhood, to take you off the market.
Terry: 🙃
Here’s a video I made a few years ago to test a pocket camcorder I’d been sent to review. I am interviewing Elaine.
Another conversation:
Terry: A lady in my Creative Writing class1 said something that took me by surprise. She said to me: “You’re a very polite and courteous gentleman.”
Elaine: You know why she said that, don’t you?
Terry? Because I successfully pulled the wool over her eyes?
Elaine: No, because it’s so unusual.
I suppose it is in a way. I think that is rather sad.
Sax sensation
Hey, cats, Johnny Sax here. Just a quick update on progress. As you may know, a few weeks I decided to try and learn the saxophone, or at least to find out whether there’s any hope for me in that department. I’m pleased to report that I can now put the thing together without (a) dropping the reed or (b) breaking my back lifting the wretched thing. Baby steps. While you’re waiting for me to make my debut on the world stage, check out the sax solo in this. I love the song, the lyrics are great, this version has it all: ace singers, a decent sax solo and Joe Cocker’s trademark scream.
A flower
We thought this was unusual. A flower suddenly appeared on one of our cacti. Or perhaps we suddenly noticed it.
Thank a teacher
I think the campaigns we experience every so often to thank a teacher can be a bit cheesy, but not thanking a teacher can come back to haunt you. And having the opportunity to thank a teacher can be wonderful.
In this video, Ian Wright, the footballer, meets his old primary school teacher. Wright was a tearaway, because he was deeply unhappy, but his teacher took him under his wing, and gave him responsibilities.
In the radio clip that follows the video, Wright refers to the meeting shown in the video.
Get the tissues ready. I’m a pretty tough bloke, and I don’t go around emoting all over the place, but these two clips always bring a lump to my throat.
I was reminded of this when I read an article by Abigail:
To my Seventh Grade Algebra Teacher, Mr. Cardine
That article reminded me of my own “Mr Cardine”:
I’m really glad I did get to thank one of my other teachers though:
Meeting IRL
writes the excellent, thought-provoking newsletter Critical Consent. He and his girlfriend Anne met up with us in London recently. I was delighted to discover that they don’t appear to be psychopaths2. Here’s a photo, taken by a random lady who Elaine approached in the street3.Articles I’ve published recently
Book review (a puzzle) I’ll post a few clues soon, as a pinned comment on that post — but do try and work out for yourself what’s going on.
On the underground - an experiment involving a mash-up of public transport announcements and a story.
Some time ago I published a spreadsheet that people can use to plan their articles. I’ve updated the instructions. If that’s of interest, pop along to Article Planner.
Articles coming up
Another Behind the scenes post. I’m considering starting a business insights series.
A reply to Rebecca’s recent letter.
An article about isolation for the Soaring Twenties Social Club.
Other people’s articles
There goes the neighbourhood, by Amran Gawani. I enjoyed this very much. It’s about dreadfully-managed meetings. It reminded me of an article I wrote on a similar theme: Three memorable meetings.
The thing about taking a break, by
. Holly has been away for a while so it was nice to see her reappear.- is another person who writes thought-provoking articles. He recently discussed the Barbie movie, which I haven’t seen so I can’t comment about really. I liked this book review very much. I think I might buy the book myself at some point: Book review: Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time
Another writer whose writing I enjoy reading is
. She writes science fiction stories about climate, ie cli fi. Claudia has just started another serialised story (I think) called The Seed Grower.
Well that’s a wrap as they say in film making. I hope you’ve enjoyed this. Thanks for reading.
Terry
I’m of the opinion that there is always more to learn, so a few months ago I enrolled on a course called Ways into creative writing.
I’m still emotionally traumatised from having read The Comfort of Strangers. Click that link to read my review.
The last time I approached a random lady in the street I was arrested. Just joshin’!
Once the camera pointed to the ground, I said, "Whoa!". I thought you'd wrecked. I felt like I was right there with you. It looked like a harrowing trip. I'm surprised you didn't hit those trees that popped up suddenly between the greenery. Yikes!
Your conversations with Elaine are hilarious.
Can't comment on musical instruments. I never played anything.
Great videos on the Thank a teacher section.
"I was delighted to discover that they don't appear to be psychopaths."
There's a ringing endorsement if I've ever seen one. Now I finally understand why you led us through all those abandoned alleyways, it was all a test…
In all seriousness though, thank you both so much for a lovely afternoon. Wish we'd had more time to browse more books! Found a couple of interesting ones at Waterstones, though, that I might order once I get back.