Posted 9:14 AM by Lodger
Stress. I am a ball of stress. Tomorrow we break for Easter. I have my coursework folders to get in order tonight, as well as my Speaking and Listening assesments for year elevens. We moderate coursework tomorrow afternoon and Thursday morning, everyone is stressed, not just me. People are behind, people have been sick. I've been off sick twice this term. It's crazy. BUT...

It has helped me make some decisions. I need to be more organised, more on top of things. And I have to keep up the active life. The yoga. The hockey. Might join a badminton club on Monday nights.

It seems the more I figure stuff out and get stuff done in my life, the more comes up. Is that the way it is for everyone?

Going to see The Passion of Christ tomorrow. Scott's got some tickets... we are both looking forward to hearing Latin and Aramaic (right spelling?) spoken on screen. Who would have thought two 'dead' languages would be given fresh life in a Mel Gibson film.

Have found my position in field hockey. I've been playing left back and really enjoy defending. I was named man of the match by my team-mates last week, which was very flattering and quite exciting. I think they were being a bit generous, throwing the new guy a bone, but still, I did alright back there. I would have never guessed it, but I think I've found my sport. I can see myself playing into old age.

Had another 'do' a couple Saturdays ago. A wine and cheese thing this time. Very simple. Everyone brings one wine and one cheese to the party. I supply copious amounts of crackers, a couple of veggie plates, some dip, my own wine selections, and presto!!! A recipe for a great time. It was fantastic. Anyone who knows of my passion for cheese would understand how perfect a scenario this would be for me. There were a few minor tiffs about music selection, but nobody was permanently scarred.

Finally saw Nushin and Steve's new place Saturday. Nushin is my ex-flatmate who moved out recently. It's a very nice little place in Riddlesdown, about a ten minute train journey from East Croydon st. It was really great to see them. We've decided we need to get together soon for some live jazz. Steve knows of a pub in Thornton Heath that at one time was the place to go for jazz around here. Apparently it's now only a shadow of its former self... The Napier is the name, I think.

I should go... eat something, take a bath, then off to work (at home, that is). Yesterday I was at the school until 8:30. Felt good to get a lot done, but instead of tiring me out to the point that I crashed when I got home, it actually got me kind of restless. I couldn't sleep. Hope that doesn't happen tonight. Don't matter really... only one more full day to go this term. As pop rock musical genius Damon Albarn of the sensational pop rock combo Blur sings in the lovely song, 'Tender':

'C'mon c'mon c'mon... get through it.'

He then goes on to say, 'Love's the greatest thing / That we have / I'm waiting for that feeling / Waiting for that feeling to come.' That part doesn't really fit. Never mind.

John Lennon also wrote those same lyrics, 'C'mon C'mon / C'mon C'mon' in the tune 'Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except For Me and My Monkey!'

Bloody geniuses, the both of them! (I throw around the word genius quite liberally. Deal with it.)

Um. On that note...

Posted 7:15 AM by Lodger
Only have 7.5 minutes to blog. Just a quickie then.

Am doing the yoga twice a week now. Very healthy, relaxing... works the stomach muscles well. I only know a few positions as of yet. I've mostly been practising breathing, controlling my breaths, increasing my lung capacity. It's cool.

Playing field hockey on Saturdays now as well. I play left or right wing so far. It's a great game, although I took a ball in the knee two weeks ago and it still hurts. It also hailed during our first game. That was cold. And my glasses fogged up. I persevered.

Went to see Australian rockers Powderfinger on Friday at the Hammersmith Apollo. It was a good show, lots of fun. Emma and her friend Trish got the tickets and it was Emma's first ever rock concert! She had a good time and I suspect she'll be to many more.

Found a great pub near Clapham Common yesterday... The Prince of Wales. Fantastic staff and music (Talking Heads, David Bowie, The Clash... whole albums!!!), great atmosphere. It's a small place with lots of old junk everywhere, hanging from the ceilings, behind the bar... very eclectic and cool.

Bell just went. Gotta go!