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Blanche
Mmm? Which gene pool? I think it will be the pool (as in billiards) pool. I have happy memories of skipping classes and smoking ciggies in Eddies. I found the green baize, and the cigarette smoke roiling across the ceiling, very soothing.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 27, 2006 at 7:02 AM
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Which? Billiards or swimming?
posted by
Blanche.
on April 26, 2006 at 5:58 PM
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Blanche
It's in the genes, Blanche.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 26, 2006 at 5:57 PM
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So, JohnMcNab,
You're playing in both kinds of pools?
posted by
Blanche.
on April 26, 2006 at 5:49 PM
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Good to hear Mac!
posted by
ginnieb
on April 26, 2006 at 6:10 AM
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Azur
Thank you Azur. As long as you enjoyed reading the long letter. Consider yourself the inspiration for my taking the plunge. After reading about your life and your courageous decisions, my life seemed too insipid. I am told that within a few weeks I will be jumping off the high diving board. I want a video of this, showing the murderous person who pushes me, so that I can get revenge. After the fear of swimming all I have to do is conquer my fear of public speaking. Mmmm....I suppose I could do what my older daughter has alwyas insisted I would be geat at - become a councillor.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 25, 2006 at 5:19 AM
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Whacky
So I'm told, Whacky. That's what I love about life in a new country, or just simply doing different things; I learn something every day. I thought I'd learned something else at the pool hall when the instructor put two balls down and said.
"Let's call this the South ball," as he placed the one near the top of the table on the baize. "And let's call this the North ball," he said as he placed the other ball near the opposite end.
I butted in. "Ah! The top end of the pool table is referred to as the South and the bottom end as the North?"
There was a stunned silence and then the whole class told me, "No! That's North and that's South?"
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 25, 2006 at 5:12 AM
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Blanche01
It has nothing to do with the canoeing, Blanche. [When I was a child, I was so ill that the authorities wouldn't let me go on the school's weekly coach trip to the local swimming pool (baths they were called then). I think since then I've convinced myself it was because I was scared.] We've had a small boat and go out in the St. Lawrence now and then but I always wear a lifebelt. I wore one in the canoe as well. Last year I went into a friend of Ell's swimming pool, in her back garden (back garden swimming pools are a new concept for me). I stood there rigid with fear holding on like grim death (just call it cliche time, Blanche). Eventually over a few weeks I did go under the water and I did let go and I even managed a doggy paddle.
I decided I liked it, which is why, when the course came up, I signed up. The instructress is having her problems with me, but I'll get there. Last Saturday I held on to a noodle and swam up to the deep end. The terrifying bit was when I had to discard the noodle and climb out nowhere near a ladder. I was sure I'd never be able to lever myself up over the lip of the pool. Reality? I was up there like a bullet from a gun. Do you know that swimming pool water is warm? Of course you do.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 25, 2006 at 5:05 AM
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ginnie
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, GINNIE. I'm still not 100%, and I'm still looking for 90% of my sense of humour, but I'm getting there. The ice hockey match was.......oops, my apologies...The Hockey Game....was unbelievable. I'd been to one two years ago but this was a PlayOff game and it was stunning in its intensity. At first I just sat there and watched, mesmerized, but soon I was up there screaming with the rest.
The canoe trip was short but promising more. Quite frankly, if I thought I could manoeuvre one on my own, I would have one tomorrow. It is like being part of nature, although I'm not that fussy about kneeling on the floor instead of sitting on a seat. It looks like today's trip is off because of the weather. I notice my fingers haven't recovered their 100% spelling ability, either. Thank goodness this isn't a typewriter. I hope to be able to keep on posting, ginnie.
posted by
johnmacnab
on April 25, 2006 at 4:50 AM
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Good for you for taking the plunge
It's an achievement. Thanks for this slice of life. It felt like reading a good long letter
posted by
Azur
on April 24, 2006 at 8:59 PM
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A Boston? Humm I learn something new each time I read you!
posted by
Whacky
on April 24, 2006 at 8:10 PM
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JohnMcNab,
Why ARe you learning to swim now? Does it have to do with the canoeing? I'm assuming that it might because as much as I'd hate to tip over in a kayak or canoe with my unwillingness to swim, I'd at least be able. Tipping over in a canoe and not being able to swim, well, that's not a pretty picture.
It seems to be a sign of the times that large public arenas now have corporate sponsors, rather than just one rich family, inflation, I suppose. The new Seattle Mariner's stadium is named Safeco Field for the insurance company and what used to be the King Dome for other sports and concerts was demolished and replaced by Safeco Field. Sigh.
posted by
Blanche.
on April 24, 2006 at 1:43 PM
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Nope! I didn't Mac!
GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK!!
How are you feeling? How's your daughter? Sounds like things are going better for the Mac's???? How awesome to be canoeing!! And how Canadian!! As for the hockey game...well that Canuck-ness goes without saying! I love a good hockey game...the kind that little boys play when it's still cute! Ah memories! Great to see you Mac..and looking forward to reading lots more from you!!
posted by
ginnieb
on April 24, 2006 at 12:34 PM
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