H A I R - A L O P E C I A
H - Happy
A - Alluring
I - Identity
R - Radiance
A - Alone
L - Loathsome
O - Ostracized
P - Pensive
E - Evil
C - Cheerless
I - Isolation
A - Angry
Auctions, eBay and the like
There is something very exciting about an auction. It's full of mystery and it's filled with tension.
Recently we decided to sell some stuff on eBay and were surprisingly successful. It was good fun watching the bids come in and getting thrills when it went above our expectations. Such a sport.
It reminded me, of the very few auctions, that I had been to as a child.
At our local village hall, now and again, an auction was held. Probably trying to raise money to replace the roof or the windows, for the somewhat old building.
At the auction, I remember looking at all the wonderful objects and wondering if I dared bid for something. I was really young and had little concept of the value of money. But I remember the sensation.
On my perusal of the hall, I had spotted a typewriter in a box (a blue "brother" one for those of you who grew up in the early eighties) that I desired. I was with my grandma, which was probably a good thing, as having children of my own, I know how generous grandparents can be when it comes to their grand kids.
I had obviously expressed my interest in this wonderful object, as when the auction for this article came around, my grandma got stuck in. I remember the countdown to the "going once", "going twice" then the hammer slamming down and the "gone" being announced. We had won it. The sheer pleasure and excitement of the bidding process was unbearable.
So could I get addicted to buying and selling on eBay? Quite possibly. But it is clear, that it does not come close to the raw enjoyment found in a village halls full of the neighbourhoods hand-me-downs.
Anyone out there like auctions? Anyone enjoy the pleasure of eBay?
Do tell.....
Recently we decided to sell some stuff on eBay and were surprisingly successful. It was good fun watching the bids come in and getting thrills when it went above our expectations. Such a sport.
It reminded me, of the very few auctions, that I had been to as a child.
At our local village hall, now and again, an auction was held. Probably trying to raise money to replace the roof or the windows, for the somewhat old building.
At the auction, I remember looking at all the wonderful objects and wondering if I dared bid for something. I was really young and had little concept of the value of money. But I remember the sensation.
On my perusal of the hall, I had spotted a typewriter in a box (a blue "brother" one for those of you who grew up in the early eighties) that I desired. I was with my grandma, which was probably a good thing, as having children of my own, I know how generous grandparents can be when it comes to their grand kids.
I had obviously expressed my interest in this wonderful object, as when the auction for this article came around, my grandma got stuck in. I remember the countdown to the "going once", "going twice" then the hammer slamming down and the "gone" being announced. We had won it. The sheer pleasure and excitement of the bidding process was unbearable.
So could I get addicted to buying and selling on eBay? Quite possibly. But it is clear, that it does not come close to the raw enjoyment found in a village halls full of the neighbourhoods hand-me-downs.
Anyone out there like auctions? Anyone enjoy the pleasure of eBay?
Do tell.....
Values - how did you get yours?
Over the weekend, I have been pondering the values, that I have learned from my parents.
You see, I was in the audience last week, when a senior leader at work, talked about how he came to be, where he was. It was brilliant, captivating and emotional. I have never been more affected by a presentation in my life. It really was quite something.
He talked about his parents as his heroes and explained their values. Simple and beautiful.
It made me reflect on my journey and how I had become "me".
It also made me ask my sister for her insights. As our parents clearly had passed on their values to us.
Tonight at dinner, my two friends and I discussed this. It's a great conversation.
We all had different insights. All lovely, but very different.
So what values did your parents pass on to you?
Here is my first stab at mine.
Dad.
Right and wrong. He taught me the difference and showed me that doing the right thing was best.
Balance. He taught me to indulge, yet work hard.
Respect. Listen to other people and suspend judgement.
Commitment. If you say you are going to do it. Do it.
Mum.
Adventure. Go far and do crazy things. Think big. Be bold.
Empowerment. It's up to you. Make your own choices.
Optimism. Life is good. Things could always be worse. Positive thinking at all times.
Care. Always look after people and nurture friendships.
So that's my folks. I wonder what they think of them? Are they proud when they see that? Is this what they set out to teach? Are they content when they see their life works come to this? How did they inherit these vales? Were they also passed on?
I also wonder what my kids will write about us one day.
I think I would be pleased, if the list was just like this one.
Let's see.
You see, I was in the audience last week, when a senior leader at work, talked about how he came to be, where he was. It was brilliant, captivating and emotional. I have never been more affected by a presentation in my life. It really was quite something.
He talked about his parents as his heroes and explained their values. Simple and beautiful.
It made me reflect on my journey and how I had become "me".
It also made me ask my sister for her insights. As our parents clearly had passed on their values to us.
Tonight at dinner, my two friends and I discussed this. It's a great conversation.
We all had different insights. All lovely, but very different.
So what values did your parents pass on to you?
Here is my first stab at mine.
Dad.
Right and wrong. He taught me the difference and showed me that doing the right thing was best.
Balance. He taught me to indulge, yet work hard.
Respect. Listen to other people and suspend judgement.
Commitment. If you say you are going to do it. Do it.
Mum.
Adventure. Go far and do crazy things. Think big. Be bold.
Empowerment. It's up to you. Make your own choices.
Optimism. Life is good. Things could always be worse. Positive thinking at all times.
Care. Always look after people and nurture friendships.
So that's my folks. I wonder what they think of them? Are they proud when they see that? Is this what they set out to teach? Are they content when they see their life works come to this? How did they inherit these vales? Were they also passed on?
I also wonder what my kids will write about us one day.
I think I would be pleased, if the list was just like this one.
Let's see.
Alopecia Survey
I recently filled in a survey.
I actually quite like doing it, well if the questions are short and to the point.
This one was, and I enjoyed doing it.
It was a survey about alopecia and how it affects the human psyche.
As I was completing the survey, I was confonted with issues I was fortunately not battling with, but it was a real eye opener. It made me realise that there are many areas of this disease that I don't understand. I clearly understand "my" disease and "my" reaction, it is obvious that there are many other facets of this condition, of which my awareness is limited.
Here is a portion of the survey that I want to share with you, to give you also some insights.
I actually quite like doing it, well if the questions are short and to the point.
This one was, and I enjoyed doing it.
It was a survey about alopecia and how it affects the human psyche.
As I was completing the survey, I was confonted with issues I was fortunately not battling with, but it was a real eye opener. It made me realise that there are many areas of this disease that I don't understand. I clearly understand "my" disease and "my" reaction, it is obvious that there are many other facets of this condition, of which my awareness is limited.
Here is a portion of the survey that I want to share with you, to give you also some insights.
The aim of this questionnaire is to measure how much your hair problem has affected your life over the last week.
What type of alopecia do you have?
-------------------- So that was it, I am sure I would answer the questions differently each year I have alopecia, as things do change as time passes Yet, this survey was a reminder, that a few years ago, I was not doing as well as I am today! Time is a great healer may be a cliche, but it does prove time and time again to be true. |
The "terrible storm"
It was important that we discussed the Philippine typhoon disaster as a family. It has been so widely covered in the media and the subject could not be ignored. It is impossible to be unaffected by such tragedy.
The media stories were sad and real. Loss of life on such a large scale. Devastation on mass.
We decided to bring up the subject at dinner that evening and raise the kids awareness on the subject. The oldest had heard about this "terrible storm" on the radio. The youngest was hearing it for the first time.
They were both deeply affected by the story and their brainstorming on how to help the families was heartwarming and creative.
They had many questions and the conversation was rich. For once, we were having only one discusison.
The children decided, as a family we should take two actions.
The first: To contact people we knew who had Philippine connections (they remarkably knew some people that we hadn't realised / or forgotten who had Philippine relations). We agreed that we would email them and ask them how they were and how their relatives were doing. Importantly, we would ask if we could do anything to help.
The second: Each of our family members would donate a sum of money they felt they could afford. We agreed that it would be everyone's choice and whatever they felt they could offer would be wonderful. Each child offered generously from their piggybanks.
The conversation that evening was rich. Maybe richer than it had ever been. The children were concerned and deeply affected. They were eager to learn more about the disaster and how they could help.
They came up with the solutions and I felt proud so proud to be their parents.
It's hard to discuss difficult subjects as a family, and it's challenging to know when is the right time and at what level of detail is appropriate, but what I learned tonight is that the only wrong solution, is to shy away from the subject. The kids seemed to provide the direction and the depth on what they needed to know. We just had to provide the start.
Any of you got any tips?
The media stories were sad and real. Loss of life on such a large scale. Devastation on mass.
We decided to bring up the subject at dinner that evening and raise the kids awareness on the subject. The oldest had heard about this "terrible storm" on the radio. The youngest was hearing it for the first time.
They were both deeply affected by the story and their brainstorming on how to help the families was heartwarming and creative.
They had many questions and the conversation was rich. For once, we were having only one discusison.
The children decided, as a family we should take two actions.
The first: To contact people we knew who had Philippine connections (they remarkably knew some people that we hadn't realised / or forgotten who had Philippine relations). We agreed that we would email them and ask them how they were and how their relatives were doing. Importantly, we would ask if we could do anything to help.
The second: Each of our family members would donate a sum of money they felt they could afford. We agreed that it would be everyone's choice and whatever they felt they could offer would be wonderful. Each child offered generously from their piggybanks.
The conversation that evening was rich. Maybe richer than it had ever been. The children were concerned and deeply affected. They were eager to learn more about the disaster and how they could help.
They came up with the solutions and I felt proud so proud to be their parents.
It's hard to discuss difficult subjects as a family, and it's challenging to know when is the right time and at what level of detail is appropriate, but what I learned tonight is that the only wrong solution, is to shy away from the subject. The kids seemed to provide the direction and the depth on what they needed to know. We just had to provide the start.
Any of you got any tips?
Kaiten running - a dream outing
Restaurants with kids can be quite testing. In fact, usually it's not a great experience.
The wait, the choices, the restlessness, the noise levels, there are lots of variants and inevitably lots of points of stress. In short, the restaurant experience is rarely as enjoyable as you hope it will be.
That said, we never give up trying. You see, we love eating out. Trying new places. We are always hopeful. We often leave frustrated.
Tonight was different. I would go as far to say, we had a break through.
Clearly the venue had everything to do with it, but our outing was a roaring success, according to all four of us!
We took the tram into Germany, something that we really enjoy doing. We are so lucky to live in this corner of the world. And we headed to an Asian restaurant we had tried once before at lunch time.
However at night, the menu had a twist.
It was food on a running band, a Kaiten band.
It was so exciting.
We sat down and already the mutliple plates had begun to circulate.
Little plates of sushi came round, both nigiri and rolls.
Shortly after came grilled prawns, rice, noodles, prawn crackers, pork satay. And then came chips! They clearly knew their clientele. We were so suprised and thrilled with chips (such gourmets we are) we took a photo!! (and a few plates full!)
Then there was cucumber with plum sauce, duck, chicken and brocolli, spare ribs, prawns in chilli, algae salad, beef and onion. Did I mention the chips??
Dessert was equally yummy, with deep friend bananas, oranges, pineapple, melon, ice cream, vanilla pudding and grapes. I think by then the chips had stopped!
It was so much fun, the kids enjoyed picking their favourite things, chosing things for us. The thrill when something new was spotted, was just so much entertainment.
So tonight we cracked the code. We will be back, dear Kaiten Band!!
Such a treat.
So what is your code? Do you have a winning formula?
The wait, the choices, the restlessness, the noise levels, there are lots of variants and inevitably lots of points of stress. In short, the restaurant experience is rarely as enjoyable as you hope it will be.
That said, we never give up trying. You see, we love eating out. Trying new places. We are always hopeful. We often leave frustrated.
Tonight was different. I would go as far to say, we had a break through.
Clearly the venue had everything to do with it, but our outing was a roaring success, according to all four of us!
We took the tram into Germany, something that we really enjoy doing. We are so lucky to live in this corner of the world. And we headed to an Asian restaurant we had tried once before at lunch time.
However at night, the menu had a twist.
It was food on a running band, a Kaiten band.
It was so exciting.
We sat down and already the mutliple plates had begun to circulate.
Little plates of sushi came round, both nigiri and rolls.
Shortly after came grilled prawns, rice, noodles, prawn crackers, pork satay. And then came chips! They clearly knew their clientele. We were so suprised and thrilled with chips (such gourmets we are) we took a photo!! (and a few plates full!)
Then there was cucumber with plum sauce, duck, chicken and brocolli, spare ribs, prawns in chilli, algae salad, beef and onion. Did I mention the chips??
Dessert was equally yummy, with deep friend bananas, oranges, pineapple, melon, ice cream, vanilla pudding and grapes. I think by then the chips had stopped!
It was so much fun, the kids enjoyed picking their favourite things, chosing things for us. The thrill when something new was spotted, was just so much entertainment.
So tonight we cracked the code. We will be back, dear Kaiten Band!!
Such a treat.
So what is your code? Do you have a winning formula?
Excited
Today I am off shopping for new wigs.
It has become a highlight of my year.
I found my wig shop many years ago, all by chance.
I was really starting to get large bald spots and I knew the end was nigh, ie a wig would soon be needed.
I had braved going into one wig shop a few weeks prior. It was an awful experience. The shop was cold and medicinal. The woman was shocking. Absolutely no bedside manner. Daft cow.
She clearly told me that I would have to shave all my remaining hair off, if I wanted to wear a wig. WHAT?????????????
NO WAY???????????
What I had left I was holding on to. Shave it off never!!
So I left the shop and called my bezzie mate and balled my eyes out!! I think that was my first ever release of months of pent up emotion. We both remember the exchange well.
Anyway, a few weeks later, hubby and I were out in Freiburg, shopping.
On our way back to the train, a hairdresser shop caught my eye. It had wigs in the window.
I just walked in and said, "Hi I want to talk about wigs". The lady, kindly said that I would need an appointment. I said, sorry thats not possiblem you don't realise, I need to talk to someoe about this now. This is an emergency!
She immediately understood and took me to the back of the shop and spent a lot of time with me, discussing wigs and showing me how to wear them. She was amazing!!! She also told me that I did not have to shave my hair off, as you could bring some of it into the style!!!!
She gave me what I needed - in spades.
What a difference!
And since then, I have been going there, loyally, at least once a year. Even when we moved to Canada!!
And today, off I go again. I am so excited, who knows what styles she will have ordered, she has great taste.
She was an angel at that time, she knew what I needed, both emotionally and physically. For that, she will get my custom forever.
More soon!
It has become a highlight of my year.
I found my wig shop many years ago, all by chance.
I was really starting to get large bald spots and I knew the end was nigh, ie a wig would soon be needed.
I had braved going into one wig shop a few weeks prior. It was an awful experience. The shop was cold and medicinal. The woman was shocking. Absolutely no bedside manner. Daft cow.
She clearly told me that I would have to shave all my remaining hair off, if I wanted to wear a wig. WHAT?????????????
NO WAY???????????
What I had left I was holding on to. Shave it off never!!
So I left the shop and called my bezzie mate and balled my eyes out!! I think that was my first ever release of months of pent up emotion. We both remember the exchange well.
Anyway, a few weeks later, hubby and I were out in Freiburg, shopping.
On our way back to the train, a hairdresser shop caught my eye. It had wigs in the window.
I just walked in and said, "Hi I want to talk about wigs". The lady, kindly said that I would need an appointment. I said, sorry thats not possiblem you don't realise, I need to talk to someoe about this now. This is an emergency!
She immediately understood and took me to the back of the shop and spent a lot of time with me, discussing wigs and showing me how to wear them. She was amazing!!! She also told me that I did not have to shave my hair off, as you could bring some of it into the style!!!!
She gave me what I needed - in spades.
What a difference!
And since then, I have been going there, loyally, at least once a year. Even when we moved to Canada!!
And today, off I go again. I am so excited, who knows what styles she will have ordered, she has great taste.
She was an angel at that time, she knew what I needed, both emotionally and physically. For that, she will get my custom forever.
More soon!
Maslow
There are days when it is so busy and intense at work that even going to the loo is a small miracle.
I often find myself thinking, really, is going to the loo, such a big time investment and luxury, that I have to treat myself to such outings??????
Of course this is a pile of rubbish, as going to to the loo is really a basic need.
It reminds me of my studies, remember the Maslow theory?
You can only move up the pyramind if the needs at the bottom of the pyramid have been met.
And surely going to the loo belongs in this "physiological" fundament.
So if I ever aspire to self actualise, I clearly need to plan my days differently, eating, drinking and hygiene need to be dealt with. Planned in. Not just a nice to have!
I am sure dear Abraham Maslow, did not design this model for my daily dilemma, but it fits.
Anybody experience this??
Anybody else apply Maslow to their life?
Let me know..........
I often find myself thinking, really, is going to the loo, such a big time investment and luxury, that I have to treat myself to such outings??????
Of course this is a pile of rubbish, as going to to the loo is really a basic need.
It reminds me of my studies, remember the Maslow theory?
You can only move up the pyramind if the needs at the bottom of the pyramid have been met.
And surely going to the loo belongs in this "physiological" fundament.
So if I ever aspire to self actualise, I clearly need to plan my days differently, eating, drinking and hygiene need to be dealt with. Planned in. Not just a nice to have!
I am sure dear Abraham Maslow, did not design this model for my daily dilemma, but it fits.
Anybody experience this??
Anybody else apply Maslow to their life?
Let me know..........
1:12 - My dip into politics
Anyone who knows me, understands my level of engagement in politics.
It is at best, superficial.
Of course I am interested in how the world turns and I would go as far to say, that I have an opinion on most things, yet my involvement and public display of my political thoughts is somewhat non-existant.
Yet, there is a movement here in Switzerland, that I have become increasingly aware of and increasingly thoughtful about.
It is the 1:12 movement.
In laymans terms, here it is. "No one should earn in a month more than someone else in a year"
Sounds quite good on first read.
The bill, as I understand it, says the state would dictate the salaries of employees in a company of a certain size.
Today, it is the company and the employee who make this decision. I would like to think that these decisions are taken carefully by considering relevant external data and internal data and comparing it to the experience of the employee, but once this has been taken into account, it is the company and to some extent, the individual who get to agree on a salary. Yet this bill would demand that the state is involved and that salaries are capped. I think involved is even too mild, the state would dictate the level of salary.
This bill is clearly a reaction to the crazily high salaries of certain characters in Switzerland, of recent years, so I can kind of see where this law is going and what it is trying to acheive. A few leaders of large and famous companies have been quoted to receive 10, 20, 30 or even 100 times the salary of their employees, also their exit packages or "golden parachutes" were reported as shockingly lucrative. Whether they deserved it or not, is irrelevant according to this bill.
But really?
Doesn't it sound lke something from former Soviet times? Weren't the people impacted during such regimes thrilled when they were over?
Questions that spring to my mind as I ponder this one
1. Will companys get rid of the lower paid jobs and outsource them? This would ensure that the lowest salaries are already quite high.
2. How will the gap of the taxes of these huge salaries be filled?
3. Will people leave Switzerland and find employment elsewhere if they believe their salaries will be capped?
4. How will this be administered and checked. Will this mean a whole lot of administration for the payroll / HR departments?
5. What about the benefits of employees eg car, stock, bonus, medical insurance, will these be rolled into the formula of the calculation?
6. Will people in lower paid jobs benefit? Is this good for them? If so, how?
I have searched around for the arguments on why this bill is a good thing for the economy and the people of Switzeland, but I have to say that I am struggling to find reasons.
So hereby endeth my political blog. Don't worry it's a one off, but this one really got my attention as I could not grasp both sides of the debate.
However I am sure some of you out there get it and will educate me accordingly................
It is at best, superficial.
Of course I am interested in how the world turns and I would go as far to say, that I have an opinion on most things, yet my involvement and public display of my political thoughts is somewhat non-existant.
Yet, there is a movement here in Switzerland, that I have become increasingly aware of and increasingly thoughtful about.
It is the 1:12 movement.
In laymans terms, here it is. "No one should earn in a month more than someone else in a year"
Sounds quite good on first read.
The bill, as I understand it, says the state would dictate the salaries of employees in a company of a certain size.
Today, it is the company and the employee who make this decision. I would like to think that these decisions are taken carefully by considering relevant external data and internal data and comparing it to the experience of the employee, but once this has been taken into account, it is the company and to some extent, the individual who get to agree on a salary. Yet this bill would demand that the state is involved and that salaries are capped. I think involved is even too mild, the state would dictate the level of salary.
This bill is clearly a reaction to the crazily high salaries of certain characters in Switzerland, of recent years, so I can kind of see where this law is going and what it is trying to acheive. A few leaders of large and famous companies have been quoted to receive 10, 20, 30 or even 100 times the salary of their employees, also their exit packages or "golden parachutes" were reported as shockingly lucrative. Whether they deserved it or not, is irrelevant according to this bill.
But really?
Doesn't it sound lke something from former Soviet times? Weren't the people impacted during such regimes thrilled when they were over?
Questions that spring to my mind as I ponder this one
1. Will companys get rid of the lower paid jobs and outsource them? This would ensure that the lowest salaries are already quite high.
2. How will the gap of the taxes of these huge salaries be filled?
3. Will people leave Switzerland and find employment elsewhere if they believe their salaries will be capped?
4. How will this be administered and checked. Will this mean a whole lot of administration for the payroll / HR departments?
5. What about the benefits of employees eg car, stock, bonus, medical insurance, will these be rolled into the formula of the calculation?
6. Will people in lower paid jobs benefit? Is this good for them? If so, how?
I have searched around for the arguments on why this bill is a good thing for the economy and the people of Switzeland, but I have to say that I am struggling to find reasons.
So hereby endeth my political blog. Don't worry it's a one off, but this one really got my attention as I could not grasp both sides of the debate.
However I am sure some of you out there get it and will educate me accordingly................
Embarrasing baldness
Ok, so sometimes, I can lose my temper.
I confess, sometimes it may not be warranted.
But this time, I got so angry.
It was not really the persons fault, but she was clearly not understanding my deep and intense need.
I needed a place to hide, for just 1 minute, but she kept telling me that the toilets were opposite the reception!! For heavens sake woman, that's not helpful!!
Of course, the poor woman was doing her best and I was rude. Sorry lady!!
So here is the story.
I was arriving later than my colleagues in Slovakia, they had neded to be there a day earlier. My colleagues are really a great bunch and although we are only in the early stages of getting to know each other, I think we are off to a good start. They are all men, which for this story is slightly relevant.
So as per usual practice, I got into a taxi to the hotel. On arrival I sauntered in, heading as usual, to the reception desk. Now I don't know about you, but I enjoy travelling in my comfy stuff. I also often wear my trainers/running shoes as they are a pain to pack. Remember this post! And of course, one of my cute little caps. So in short, I don't look great. Definitely a far cry from my usual high heeled, lipsticked, suited and booted, corporate uniform.
However rather than going straight to the room, which is usual practise, I realised my colleagues were all huddled together right next to the reception having a meeting. Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am dressed all wrong.
My first reaction was to hide!!!
For some bizarre reason, I felt that I could not let them see me like this. Especially with the hat on!!
I had to hide.
So I said the lady behind the desk, "Where can I change?". She pointed to the toilets, opposite the reception desk, ie right next to my collegues. I said, "Are there any other toilets, as I can't use these?".
Clearly she was puzzled, but again repeated "The toilets are over there".
A few attempts later, she kept saying with increasing loudness, that the toilets were over there!!
Woman do you not understand, I can not walk over there!!!!
So in a fit of rage, I whipped off my hat right in front of her, exposing my shiny egg head and roughly put on my wig. "That's why I needed a place to change", I rudely said to the lady, before storming off.
I mean what a childish way to behave! Clearly my colleagues would not really care about my appearance and also imagine if they had seen the charade, surely that would have been a million times more embarrasing than them seeing me in a hat and trainers!
Anyway thats my alopecia story for the day.
I think the lesson learned is, that I should really start to care less, about my work colleagues seeing me in a hat. The alternative in this case was seriously considerably worse.
I confess, sometimes it may not be warranted.
But this time, I got so angry.
It was not really the persons fault, but she was clearly not understanding my deep and intense need.
I needed a place to hide, for just 1 minute, but she kept telling me that the toilets were opposite the reception!! For heavens sake woman, that's not helpful!!
Of course, the poor woman was doing her best and I was rude. Sorry lady!!
So here is the story.
I was arriving later than my colleagues in Slovakia, they had neded to be there a day earlier. My colleagues are really a great bunch and although we are only in the early stages of getting to know each other, I think we are off to a good start. They are all men, which for this story is slightly relevant.
So as per usual practice, I got into a taxi to the hotel. On arrival I sauntered in, heading as usual, to the reception desk. Now I don't know about you, but I enjoy travelling in my comfy stuff. I also often wear my trainers/running shoes as they are a pain to pack. Remember this post! And of course, one of my cute little caps. So in short, I don't look great. Definitely a far cry from my usual high heeled, lipsticked, suited and booted, corporate uniform.
However rather than going straight to the room, which is usual practise, I realised my colleagues were all huddled together right next to the reception having a meeting. Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am dressed all wrong.
My first reaction was to hide!!!
For some bizarre reason, I felt that I could not let them see me like this. Especially with the hat on!!
I had to hide.
So I said the lady behind the desk, "Where can I change?". She pointed to the toilets, opposite the reception desk, ie right next to my collegues. I said, "Are there any other toilets, as I can't use these?".
Clearly she was puzzled, but again repeated "The toilets are over there".
A few attempts later, she kept saying with increasing loudness, that the toilets were over there!!
Woman do you not understand, I can not walk over there!!!!
So in a fit of rage, I whipped off my hat right in front of her, exposing my shiny egg head and roughly put on my wig. "That's why I needed a place to change", I rudely said to the lady, before storming off.
I mean what a childish way to behave! Clearly my colleagues would not really care about my appearance and also imagine if they had seen the charade, surely that would have been a million times more embarrasing than them seeing me in a hat and trainers!
Anyway thats my alopecia story for the day.
I think the lesson learned is, that I should really start to care less, about my work colleagues seeing me in a hat. The alternative in this case was seriously considerably worse.
My city - well not really
Recently on a business trip to London, I had 3 hours free!!
Whilst I realise this is not a huge amount of time, but with the right planning, a lot can be squeezed in.
I decided in this time that I loved London. It really is a fabulous city. It is absolutely full to the brim with colourful people wearing even more colourful clothes, you see hairstyles that make you chuckle and wherever you look you see life!
It really is the "Big smoke", full of hustle and bustle. Noise and smells. Lights and excitment.
However even as a Brit, it is not my home, I don't fit in.
You see, I really don't know and follow the rules.
Yes big cities have rules. Many rules and all unwritten.
Here are some of them:
Always stand on the left hand side of the escalator. Look how everyone conforms.
Always walk on the left hand of the corridor. Look how well behaved everyone is.
It is obvious that within this big city chaos, rules have to be set, otherwise no one would get anywhere.
Another rule, is not to look at other people on the tube. I didn't dare to take a picture of this!!
It is hard not to glare, as the folk on the tube are all so interesting. Yet staring is an absolute taboo. Noone does that. Everyone reads, plays with technology or stares into an empty space. Staring is really not acceptable.
I loved my three hours of London. Thanks for having me. I hope to be back soon!
Maybe next time I will fit in. I will try harder.
Whilst I realise this is not a huge amount of time, but with the right planning, a lot can be squeezed in.
I decided in this time that I loved London. It really is a fabulous city. It is absolutely full to the brim with colourful people wearing even more colourful clothes, you see hairstyles that make you chuckle and wherever you look you see life!
It really is the "Big smoke", full of hustle and bustle. Noise and smells. Lights and excitment.
However even as a Brit, it is not my home, I don't fit in.
You see, I really don't know and follow the rules.
Yes big cities have rules. Many rules and all unwritten.
Here are some of them:
Always stand on the left hand side of the escalator. Look how everyone conforms.
Always walk on the left hand of the corridor. Look how well behaved everyone is.
It is obvious that within this big city chaos, rules have to be set, otherwise no one would get anywhere.
Another rule, is not to look at other people on the tube. I didn't dare to take a picture of this!!
It is hard not to glare, as the folk on the tube are all so interesting. Yet staring is an absolute taboo. Noone does that. Everyone reads, plays with technology or stares into an empty space. Staring is really not acceptable.
I loved my three hours of London. Thanks for having me. I hope to be back soon!
Maybe next time I will fit in. I will try harder.
Adrenalin
What is it about adrenalin that stops the brain functioning. I am really not a scientist, but this effect is really unhelpful.
In that moment of need and high stress, what you need is the brain to be at its best, peak performance, top of its game.
Instead, what does it do? It seems to close down and block off. Good night the brain cells say, as the adrenalin starts pumping, Hold on brain, don’t go, I need you right now. Come back!
Take today, I was presenting to a senior audience, and I was ready. A lovely presentation with good content all prepared, rounded off with a few dry runs in front of the mirror, to ensure a high comfort level of the material. I was mentally good to go.
However as I was running late, I was keen to get my PC up and running with the slides on display before my audience arrived. But today it was slower than ever and the people began trickling in as I was tapping away and cursing the slowness of the technology (clearly it was not my fault!)
Once the laptop was fully functioning, all I had to do was bring up the presentation.
But oh no, where had I stored it?
A brief moment of panic, why had I not sent it ahead of time, why had I not put it on a memory stick, why had I not arrived earlier??? Questions, questions and more questions and no solutions. There was plenty of activity running through my head, uncontrolled and manic. At the same time I was calmy smiling and welcoming the folks into the room. Seemingly, all under control.
So I continued frantically opening folders and searching for this presentation and after hours (possibly 4 minutes) of searching I found it.
Problem solved and off I went.
So what had happened just there?
Why had my rational and normal brain not been able to locate the simplest of things?
Clearly I knew where the presentation was all the time.
Yet some how my adrenalin had blurred any clarity of thought.
How impractical and unhelpful.
So what is the moral of this corporate moment? Dont get stressed. Just think. It's the best and quickest way to the result. But try telling my brain that in these moments. Self talk just does not help.
So have you noticed this effect. Any insights on getting rid of it?
In that moment of need and high stress, what you need is the brain to be at its best, peak performance, top of its game.
Instead, what does it do? It seems to close down and block off. Good night the brain cells say, as the adrenalin starts pumping, Hold on brain, don’t go, I need you right now. Come back!
Take today, I was presenting to a senior audience, and I was ready. A lovely presentation with good content all prepared, rounded off with a few dry runs in front of the mirror, to ensure a high comfort level of the material. I was mentally good to go.
However as I was running late, I was keen to get my PC up and running with the slides on display before my audience arrived. But today it was slower than ever and the people began trickling in as I was tapping away and cursing the slowness of the technology (clearly it was not my fault!)
Once the laptop was fully functioning, all I had to do was bring up the presentation.
But oh no, where had I stored it?
A brief moment of panic, why had I not sent it ahead of time, why had I not put it on a memory stick, why had I not arrived earlier??? Questions, questions and more questions and no solutions. There was plenty of activity running through my head, uncontrolled and manic. At the same time I was calmy smiling and welcoming the folks into the room. Seemingly, all under control.
So I continued frantically opening folders and searching for this presentation and after hours (possibly 4 minutes) of searching I found it.
Problem solved and off I went.
So what had happened just there?
Why had my rational and normal brain not been able to locate the simplest of things?
Clearly I knew where the presentation was all the time.
Yet some how my adrenalin had blurred any clarity of thought.
How impractical and unhelpful.
So what is the moral of this corporate moment? Dont get stressed. Just think. It's the best and quickest way to the result. But try telling my brain that in these moments. Self talk just does not help.
So have you noticed this effect. Any insights on getting rid of it?
Fire Hazard!!
Something that had never crossed my mind was the risk of fire.
Apparently safety standards for dolls hair exist, but there are no safety standards for wigs!
What?
Should I be shocked?
Is this outrageous?
Well I wasn't shocked, nor was I outraged. I laughed out loud!
But on reflection, actually it is quite serious. My wig is a fire hazard!!!
Imagine the embarassment of my wig in flames.
Actually forget embarrassment, think of the pain!
So maybe I should begin a campaign, where I stampeed the streets of London, shouting
"Wigs have rights too!"
Then again, maybe not. Rather I should just steer clear of flames and fire.
Apparently safety standards for dolls hair exist, but there are no safety standards for wigs!
What?
Should I be shocked?
Is this outrageous?
Well I wasn't shocked, nor was I outraged. I laughed out loud!
But on reflection, actually it is quite serious. My wig is a fire hazard!!!
Imagine the embarassment of my wig in flames.
Actually forget embarrassment, think of the pain!
So maybe I should begin a campaign, where I stampeed the streets of London, shouting
"Wigs have rights too!"
Then again, maybe not. Rather I should just steer clear of flames and fire.
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