I was at my sister's in Nottingham last weekend, and on Saturday night there was The Omen on tv. I have never seen it, and I think it counts as a horror film, so there was an opportunity to tick one more thing off The List.
This was the 2006 version of The Omen, starring David Thewlis and Peter Postlethwaite.
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0466909
I did not know the story, so the film was truly creepy and full of suspense for me. Mia Farrow as the evil Nanny was great, especially in the awful scene at the hospital, and the boy playing Damien had a sweet innocence combined with evil looks. I thought I would be scared to watch the film, but it helped that many actors in it were so familiar, especially those from Harry Potter.
I am glad I have seen this film, but I am no fan of the genre, and I know I could never watch the really scary newer films such as The Descent or 28 Days Later. I liked Shaun of the Dead, but it is funny rather than scary.
http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/2482/100-best-horror-films-the-full-list
Looking through this list of the 100 best horror movies, I note that I have seen a few of them - Jaws; Alien, Psycho; The Fly; The Birds; Poltergeist; The Sixth Sense.
So now I feel a bit of a fraud!
Oh I will let this one stand - after all I only watched The Omen because it was on The List, therefore taking me out of my comfort zone.
Not that I feel my life is in a comfort zone at the moment - it really is one thing after another, troubles follow troubles. At least this List is giving me some focus, even though it brings its own stresses.
Starting to make plans for the next items - some that require a lots of planning and time. I have made a start on the Dennis the Menace stripy jumper, and I have got a library book about making quilts.
Sunday 9 December 2012
Wednesday 28 November 2012
Nailed it
The next challenge was to have a manicure. Erin volunteered to go with me so I booked a session at my gym, Bannatyne's in Luton.
We went into The Sensory area, the reception was empty and in semi-darkness, but in a soothing and calming way. No staff were in sight, so I opened the door to the inner sanctum, and saw a corridor with candles lighting the way to the doors off of it, but still no staff. Went back to reception area to wait, after all, we were earlier than our 12.30 appointment.
When the 2 beauticians arrived, they asked us to choose our nail colour, and I chose a shade of lilac, Erin went for Inkjet, a lovely midnight blue shade. Then into the treatment room, where we sat with our hands on a towel-covered bench. The room was relaxing and calm, mood-music playing softly in the background. The girls were chatty and friendly, putting us at our ease as they applied some sort of cream to our cuticles and rubbed it in gently. We had to place one hand onto a strange hand-bath, shaped like a clam seashell, or perhaps a lemon-squeezer, filled with warm water to soften the cuticles, while she worked on the other hand, working the cuticles back gently. Then a base coat was applied, followed by 2 layers of the chosen colour.
Finally, a top coat of something clear was applied to add shine.
It was a lovely experience, being pampered and attended to in such a professional and friendly manner. Afterwards we sat in the foyer of the gym, hardly daring to move for an hour in case we wrecked the lovely job on our nails. Eventually we managed to prise our purses out of our handbags to get some coffee, and no damage was done. It was a nice experience, my nails look good, and it was great to spend quality time with my friend Erin.
4 done, 46 to go...
We went into The Sensory area, the reception was empty and in semi-darkness, but in a soothing and calming way. No staff were in sight, so I opened the door to the inner sanctum, and saw a corridor with candles lighting the way to the doors off of it, but still no staff. Went back to reception area to wait, after all, we were earlier than our 12.30 appointment.
When the 2 beauticians arrived, they asked us to choose our nail colour, and I chose a shade of lilac, Erin went for Inkjet, a lovely midnight blue shade. Then into the treatment room, where we sat with our hands on a towel-covered bench. The room was relaxing and calm, mood-music playing softly in the background. The girls were chatty and friendly, putting us at our ease as they applied some sort of cream to our cuticles and rubbed it in gently. We had to place one hand onto a strange hand-bath, shaped like a clam seashell, or perhaps a lemon-squeezer, filled with warm water to soften the cuticles, while she worked on the other hand, working the cuticles back gently. Then a base coat was applied, followed by 2 layers of the chosen colour.
Finally, a top coat of something clear was applied to add shine.
4 done, 46 to go...
Thursday 22 November 2012
Taekwondo, or Taekwondon't?
Tuesday evening, and I go with Sam to Challney Boys High School. Dark and raining, we are not sure where to go, but have been told the gym is round the back. Scared and nervous, we find a door and venture inside. The gym is a large hall with a wooden floor, lines painted on it, low benches around the edges, I am certain nothing much has changed since I was a girl in the school-next-door back in the 70s, the faint smell of sweat and cabbage, the high ceiling, and a cold fear comes over me as I remember PE lessons and the torture and humiliation they inflicted on us.....
The Taekwondo teacher is immediately welcoming, getting us to sit on a bench while pupils arrive. With dread, I see that everyone else is either a child or a young man, I feel like a fish out of water. Plus everyone else is wearing those martial arts dressing gown things with pyjamas, in a fetching white or black. Ah, one woman turned up, that is encouraging.
Time for the warm up. Run round the hall, go on, keep going. We get lapped several times as we trot along, thinking how relieved that I remembered to wear my sport's bra. STOP. 10 Sit-ups. Then run the other way round the hall, for what seemed like ages. STOP. 50 push-ups. Excuse me?! We just watch in errr...admiration. Eventually we get round to the main event. We learn how to kick! In pairs, we hold on to the other and kick out to the side and behind. Now a demonstration as we all sit on the floor in neat rows. The teachers demands, and gets, absolute attention and silence as he explains what is next. We are given a blue block, a sort of kick-cushion with handles one side. Teacher demonstrates with star pupil, and we learn to use 3 different kicks. We use the ball of the foot, then the side and finally the front of the foot, kicking at the pad held by our partner. Sam can't help but apologise each time she makes contact, and I find myself saying sorry too! It is really hard work, but good fun, and we have a laugh about the situation.
So, that is No. 3 completed, hurrah! Not sure if I will ever do it again, but I can say I have had a taekwondo lesson.
The Taekwondo teacher is immediately welcoming, getting us to sit on a bench while pupils arrive. With dread, I see that everyone else is either a child or a young man, I feel like a fish out of water. Plus everyone else is wearing those martial arts dressing gown things with pyjamas, in a fetching white or black. Ah, one woman turned up, that is encouraging.
Time for the warm up. Run round the hall, go on, keep going. We get lapped several times as we trot along, thinking how relieved that I remembered to wear my sport's bra. STOP. 10 Sit-ups. Then run the other way round the hall, for what seemed like ages. STOP. 50 push-ups. Excuse me?! We just watch in errr...admiration. Eventually we get round to the main event. We learn how to kick! In pairs, we hold on to the other and kick out to the side and behind. Now a demonstration as we all sit on the floor in neat rows. The teachers demands, and gets, absolute attention and silence as he explains what is next. We are given a blue block, a sort of kick-cushion with handles one side. Teacher demonstrates with star pupil, and we learn to use 3 different kicks. We use the ball of the foot, then the side and finally the front of the foot, kicking at the pad held by our partner. Sam can't help but apologise each time she makes contact, and I find myself saying sorry too! It is really hard work, but good fun, and we have a laugh about the situation.
Sunday 18 November 2012
Number 2 was messy
Today I planted crocuses in the shape of my name, which is the 2nd thing I can cross off my list of 50, it is No. 29 on the list, but the order is pretty random.
I bought 5 black square tubs from Homebase, and planted the bulbs, in letter in each tub. Today is a lovely November day, sunny and still. But yesterday early evening we did the first part of the process in the dark, under the intermittent glare of the ourdoor security light! D drilled some holes in the bases of the pots for drainage, then we scrabbled around for pebbles and stones to put in the bottom - since the pots are deep and crocuses do not need THAT much soil. Then we found we had enough compost for only 4 pots, so I would either have to be JANE, or go and buy some more - I opted to buy more compost.
This morning I painted a letter of my name on each pot, discreetly under the rim, so that I would know which pot was which. Then I planted all 5 letters, did some spares in case of mishaps, watered the pots, and hey presto, No.2 can be crossed off my List!
I bought 5 black square tubs from Homebase, and planted the bulbs, in letter in each tub. Today is a lovely November day, sunny and still. But yesterday early evening we did the first part of the process in the dark, under the intermittent glare of the ourdoor security light! D drilled some holes in the bases of the pots for drainage, then we scrabbled around for pebbles and stones to put in the bottom - since the pots are deep and crocuses do not need THAT much soil. Then we found we had enough compost for only 4 pots, so I would either have to be JANE, or go and buy some more - I opted to buy more compost.
This morning I painted a letter of my name on each pot, discreetly under the rim, so that I would know which pot was which. Then I planted all 5 letters, did some spares in case of mishaps, watered the pots, and hey presto, No.2 can be crossed off my List!
Thursday 15 November 2012
One week on...
My 2nd item from the list is Plant Crocuses in the Shape of my Name - I have bought 5 square pots, a big bag of compost, and lots of bulbs.
On Saturday, we are going to drill holes in the pots for drainage, then get on and plant the bulbs, 1 letter in each of the 5 pots, so that I can cross off the 2nd item.
My son John had a go at teaching me how to solve a Rubik's Cube - he can do it is just over a minute, and has managed less than a minute a few times. So - he gave me a few tips, and I thought I had the basic concept, but when I tried again on my own later on, I had remembered NOTHING. So this one will take quite a while to learn, I think I lost concentration once John started talking about algorithms...??
On Saturday, we are going to drill holes in the pots for drainage, then get on and plant the bulbs, 1 letter in each of the 5 pots, so that I can cross off the 2nd item.
My son John had a go at teaching me how to solve a Rubik's Cube - he can do it is just over a minute, and has managed less than a minute a few times. So - he gave me a few tips, and I thought I had the basic concept, but when I tried again on my own later on, I had remembered NOTHING. So this one will take quite a while to learn, I think I lost concentration once John started talking about algorithms...??
Friday 9 November 2012
1 down, 49 to go
Yesterday was my 50th birthday, and I had a lovely time, thanks for asking!
Got the first one from my list done, hurrah! My ears are now pierced.
Ok ok, so I admit I had them done many years ago, when I was perhaps 19 or so, but they had long since healed up. I have been thinking of having them done again for some time now, so it was a good opportunity to incorporate this onto The List.
Got the first one from my list done, hurrah! My ears are now pierced.
Ok ok, so I admit I had them done many years ago, when I was perhaps 19 or so, but they had long since healed up. I have been thinking of having them done again for some time now, so it was a good opportunity to incorporate this onto The List.
The List of 50
So...now I am 50, the Task Begins.
This is the list of the 50 things I must tick off by 7th November 2013:
This is the list of the 50 things I must tick off by 7th November 2013:
12 months to do all 50, from 8/11/2012 to 7/11/2012
Must be things I have never done, or at least not done for 20 years.
- Write a blog for the whole year
- Try to get on a tv quiz show
- Meet up with old school or college friends Wendy, Vicky, Julie
- Get my ears pierced
- Learn to solve a Rubik's Cube
- Have a ‘flight’ on The London Eye
- Knit a Dennis The Menace jumper for Carl
- Have a tattoo
- Learn to make éclairs
- Visit
- See the Northern Lights
- Have a Manicure
- Have a Pedicure
- Colonic irrigation
- Write a short story
- Visit
- Watch a horror movie
- Dye my hair a new colour
- Refurbish or re-upholster a chair
- Visit Hay on Wye book festival
- Watch the classic film Citizen Kane
- Have a box at a theatre
- Read Anna Karenina
- Visit
- Write a song
- Grow a pumpkin
- Make my own body lotion with home-grown ingredients
- Tae Kwondo – take a lesson
- Plant crocuses in shape of my name
- Invent a cocktail
- Visit Florence
- Organise a charity event for Alzheimer’s
- Teach my children how to use the washing machine and iron
- Get lost – take a bus, any bus
- Compliment everyone you meet for a day
- Learn tapestry or cross-stitch
- Make jam from grown or foraged fruit
- Post a video on youtube
- Get a letter published in local paper
- Draw a portrait of my sons
- Eat only raw food for a week
- Learn a dance
- Find the origin of the family word – Diddlum
- Get a special photo taken of me and my family
- Create an artwork from ‘found’ items
- Make a quilt
- See a Shakespeare play that I have not seen before
- Walk some of
Wednesday 11 April 2012
Am making some progress on ideas for The 50 List.
Introduced the concept with friends on Saturday at Jacky's birthday bash, then again at Sam's Celebration of All That is Good on Monday.
It made an interesting topic for discussion, the more creative types seemed quite inspired by it! It was great fun, and, unusually for me, I was enjoying the attention. Particular thanks go to Deb on Sat and Sue and Barbara on Mon for coming up with so many possibilities.
Currently I have 52 ideas on The List, but I am looking to have 100 or so before I think seriously about narrowing it down to 50 achieveable final items.
I have shown the interim list to my boys, they love the idea, and want to encourage and support me in this strange endeavour. Hurrah!
So........you wanna know what's on The List, don't you?!!
Be patient, dear reader, I will keep it private a bit longer.
What would you have on your list?
Any ideas for me?
Introduced the concept with friends on Saturday at Jacky's birthday bash, then again at Sam's Celebration of All That is Good on Monday.
It made an interesting topic for discussion, the more creative types seemed quite inspired by it! It was great fun, and, unusually for me, I was enjoying the attention. Particular thanks go to Deb on Sat and Sue and Barbara on Mon for coming up with so many possibilities.
Currently I have 52 ideas on The List, but I am looking to have 100 or so before I think seriously about narrowing it down to 50 achieveable final items.
I have shown the interim list to my boys, they love the idea, and want to encourage and support me in this strange endeavour. Hurrah!
So........you wanna know what's on The List, don't you?!!
Be patient, dear reader, I will keep it private a bit longer.
What would you have on your list?
Any ideas for me?
Monday 9 April 2012
Rookie Blogger
Wow, just set up my first ever blog.
The reason for Janet's 50 List?
In November 2012 I will be 50, and I feel it is a time to look forward and backward, reflect on my life so far, and think about what I want to do in the future.
With this in mind, I have set myself a challenge - I hope it will be fun, and will encourage me to try some new ideas and activities.
I am creating a List of 50 Things I have Not Done Before, and I intend to tick all items off the list within a year. I will start on my 50th birthday, 8/11/2012, and must complete the List by 7/11/2013.
A few relevant details about me, to start with - ok, I am overweight, a big woman, and this will prevent me from taking up the more difficult physical challenges - I am not about to run a marathon. Nevertheless, I do swim 50 lengths 3 days a week. As for my health, I am asthmatic and prone to frequent bad colds and low-level ailments, but nothing too debilitating. Additionally, I am a single mother to my 2 teenage boys, without a great deal of spare money, but I am prepared to take on some costs to achieve my goals.
I want a variety of challenges on my 50 List, some things can be simple to do, others may take longer. There will be visits to places I have never been, experiences I have never had, and I hope to pick up new skills and even friendships along the way. I know I have a tendency to be insular at times, relying on myself and retreating to my books and my obsession with Doctor Who and Torchwood, but I do love my family and friends, and I want to involve them in this new venture.
So - how am I doing? What do you think? How about some suggestions for my 50 List?
The reason for Janet's 50 List?
In November 2012 I will be 50, and I feel it is a time to look forward and backward, reflect on my life so far, and think about what I want to do in the future.
With this in mind, I have set myself a challenge - I hope it will be fun, and will encourage me to try some new ideas and activities.
I am creating a List of 50 Things I have Not Done Before, and I intend to tick all items off the list within a year. I will start on my 50th birthday, 8/11/2012, and must complete the List by 7/11/2013.
A few relevant details about me, to start with - ok, I am overweight, a big woman, and this will prevent me from taking up the more difficult physical challenges - I am not about to run a marathon. Nevertheless, I do swim 50 lengths 3 days a week. As for my health, I am asthmatic and prone to frequent bad colds and low-level ailments, but nothing too debilitating. Additionally, I am a single mother to my 2 teenage boys, without a great deal of spare money, but I am prepared to take on some costs to achieve my goals.
I want a variety of challenges on my 50 List, some things can be simple to do, others may take longer. There will be visits to places I have never been, experiences I have never had, and I hope to pick up new skills and even friendships along the way. I know I have a tendency to be insular at times, relying on myself and retreating to my books and my obsession with Doctor Who and Torchwood, but I do love my family and friends, and I want to involve them in this new venture.
So - how am I doing? What do you think? How about some suggestions for my 50 List?
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