Brit GTG Glasgow 2011/ 2012

[monster]

Wait what so you're not going? Or you're just sad to miss the interment?

[Sundae]

I'm sad to miss it.

Mum would be furious if I said I wasn't going to Glasgow! She says I was at his funeral and cremation and this means nothing. Of course it means something, but I do understand.

Grandad was always proud that I "travelled" in the UK. He went all the way to Australia, but never saw much of England, let alone the rest. He said I took after Nanny - his family suspected her of having gyspy blood.

No-one else in the family is going, but I would have if I hadn't had longstanding plans.

I didn't go to Nanny's, but I live here now and Grandad was a big part of my life.
Part of my daily routine until February and at least my weekly life after.

I'll raise a glass to him in Scotland.
He enjoyed the fact that I liked cocktails - and was very impressed that I took Mum to Harvey Nichols for them. He was a barman and cocktail specialist in London during and after the War. He started at the Grosvenor in Piccadilly and pretty much moved up from there.

He also liked the fact I was as interested in opera and musicals as Mum.
We talked about shows I'd seen and Mum would always make a special point of mentioning tickets I'd bought for her and Dad as presents through the years.
He was so happy that I got Mum & Dad tickets to Turandot as it isn't staged very often, and it was Nanny's favourite opera.
When we went to see Carmen at the Coliseum (where he worked as a stagehand) he told Mum, "You've got a good one there."

His absence is very noticeable coming up to Christmas.
I keep factoring him into my plans. What to buy him - oh, must remember to get Grandad a card. Am I taking his dinner round before or after we eat? Maybe we should do him a snack brunch - oh wait, he's at Hillside - will we all go together?

Oh wait.
No.

[infinite monkey]

What lovely memories of your grandfather.

I think he would want you to go to glasgow too, and have a wonderful time with friends.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Sundae

snip--

His absence is very noticeable coming up to Christmas.
I keep factoring him into my plans. What to buy him - oh, must remember to get Grandad a card. Am I taking his dinner round before or after we eat? Maybe we should do him a snack brunch - oh wait, he's at Hillside - will we all go together?

Oh wait.
No.

This is normal. Painful, like an unscratchable itch. It seems to pass, to fade, but what really happens is you become aware of your new relationship with him. One where he isn't exactly gone, but where he spends all his time somewhere else, in your thoughts and in your heart. I imagine he'll enjoy your trip to Scotland together, no?

[Lamplighter]

In 2000, my Dad passed at 94 yrs.
But I still have daily conversations with him, particularly when something happens that he and I shared years ago.
.

[DanaC]

Oh, me too Lamp.

@ V: that's a brilliant description of what it's like. I have been thinking about it on and off since I first read it. That's kind of what it's like with Dad. Made especially so by the fact that Dad and I mainly interacted at a distance. So, in a sense he still occupies that space, off in a different town, in an imagined place.

[limey]

Originally Posted by BigV

...what really happens is you become aware of your new relationship with him. One where he isn't exactly gone, but where he spends all his time somewhere else, in your thoughts and in your heart. I imagine he'll enjoy your trip to Scotland together, no?

Originally Posted by DanaC

Oh, me too Lamp.

@ V: that's a brilliant description of what it's like. I have been thinking about it on and off since I first read it. That's kind of what it's like with Dad. Made especially so by the fact that Dad and I mainly interacted at a distance. So, in a sense he still occupies that space, off in a different town, in an imagined place.

So true, so true. This is how it is for me too. I'll raise a glass to your Grandad, too, Sundae!

[DanaC]

Holy shit it it's the 14th...


Right: got the little London trip out the way and about half of the end of module paperwork and feedback etc. (Should really do a self-reflection on my PDR - personal development record - at some point...hateful fucking things). Still have 22 essays to mark but I can see light at the end of the tunnel, which, hopefully indicates daylight ahead, and not the approach of an oncoming train:P

So...i now have headspace to be excited about Glasgae *grins* Well, actually I was excited before I went to Lon Don (pronunciation key: a la Tubs off've TLoG). I even bought a new top! £8 Sainsbury's, can't go wrong.

But I now have more headspace and time and way less not-yet-done-work-guilt :p So, umm...


Yeah. When's the show again? Is it next Monday? When we meeting etc? Oh...Limey, I have a vague recollection of you mentioning posting tickets...you didn't, did you?

[classicman]

he he he - Dana, that post made me smile.

[Sundae]

It is indeed on Monday. Five more sleeps!
And we are having an early dinner - 17.00 in Sapporo Teppanyaki, for my birthday.

[DanaC]

Yey!

So, an early train for me then

Sapporo Teppanyaki

Is that an independant or a chain?

Anything like Si Sushi or Wagamama?

[Sundae]

Technically a chain as there are three of them.
Everything is cooked right in front of you, with lots of knife tricks and throwing things around.

I refer you back to this post for the menu.

[DanaC]

Ahahahahahah.

I've been wracking my brain about your upcoming 'birthday'....surely it's not in december I'm thinking. I have totally misremembered, I'm thinking. Went to check the Cellar calendar....no upcoming Sundae birfdays.

Now I understand. I had forgotten about the Queen's Birthday you've adopted for the purposes of potentially enhancing our restaurant experience :P

[DanaC]

Incidentally, check out thatlink I sent you


It says further screenings will be arranged, but the next step after Hammersmith, is Tunbridge Wells then Stateside I think. I'm presuming from the 'further screenings' promise that they'll be bringing it back to the Uk, most probably London again :P

[limey]

Haven't posted tickets to anyone. Every time I've thought about it it's been blowing a hoolie out there. Weather looking meek and mild for Mon-Weds. Dana - are you thinking of doing the whistle-stop tour of Arran with Sundae?