An extension

I had meant to follow up our super holiday on the Nivernais canal with a couple of postings but I have been slowed down by the technicalities of getting a couple of films edited and up and running. One is of Debbie, the Cradiac Rehab IV tutor, demonstrating useful exercises to do at home for her website. The other two are based on the holiday. "Baguettes....I've Had a Few" is a record of our time on the boats and if you say the title correctly you can hear the associated tune. The title was suggested by the impeccable David P. The second holiday film, "Les Madamoiselles des ecluses de Nivernais", is my salute to the beautiful and very fit young women operating the lock gates on the Nivernais this summer. There were young men and older men doing the job as well but the camera just wasn't attracted to them - they weren't as photogenic. I think, Kitten, that's why I prefer Next Top Model to Supermodel.



Kitten moves out of the family home at the end of July and I am going to miss the education in films and TV series I have overlooked. I am particularly enjoying "Bones" at the moment.



Anyways, this posting is entitled "An extension" because this week we are beginning to build a new extension on our house. My family have always claimed allegiance with Wrong Way Corrigan, who was refused permission in the early days of aviation to fly from Ireland to New York. One day he took off from a fog bound Ireland and, lo and behold, begorrah, and would you believe it, landed in New York! When taken to task for this unauthorised flight, his ingenious reply was "I must have flown the wrong way!" - hence his new name, Wrong Way Corrigan.



What has Wrong Way Corrigan to do with building an extension? Well, when everyone else is complaining about credit crunches and falling house prices, we are spending good money on building works. I feel my children at least might deserve an explanation as it is their inheritance I am spending!

I am also of that persuasion that if someone tells me there is something I shouldn't do, stubbornness kicks in and, even if it kills me, I will do whatever it is I shouldn't.



When we had both retired, we debated whether or not to downsize, but decided we hadn't really had the opportunity to enjoy this lovely house as much as we wanted. We discussed what was needed to help us enjoy it more. The first thing we decided was that a new kitchen was top priority. Ours has seen good service, and is familiar and comfortable, but showing signs of age. (I re-read that last sentence to myself and felt it would work as a self-description too.) We therefore decided we would need a new kitchen. Now at present a wall divides our kitchen from the dining room and the only connection is a small serving hatch between the two. This has been quite sufficient for me to bellow through at meal times but the Best Beloved has always hated the sense of detachment when we are entertaining. She wanted that wall down and the kitchen to become an integral part of the dining room. We explored the idea with an architect and suddenly the idea grew that we could extend the new kitchen/dining room out into the garden where our old patio is. Once we hit upon this ground floor extension it occurred to us that we could then add an en-suite to the master bedroom.



We have had Kitten as a house guest for a year now and believe me an en-suite would have been useful during that time. We also have a four bedroom house so our dreams of inviting people over for a Saturday meal and then offering accommodation afterwards could be realised. We also have a far flung family and circle of friends to whom we could offer a weekend retreat.

We also decided that unless circumstances drastically change we shall get a good ten years out of our extended house so here we go! Wish us luck!

Free personality analysis

Thanks to Pedthered, I took a personality analysis test today using a colour selection technique. Pedthered and the hyperlink can be found by clicking on the link to the right to "Adventures of Archimedes". When you get there click on "What are you doing in there?" and you should arrive at Pedthered!

Pedthered also lists his report and his stress sources are remarkably similar to mine. Also like him, I find the report below sums me up rather well.

Your existing situation
Feels obstructed in his desires and prevented from obtaining the things he regards as essential.

Your stress sources
Has an unsatisfied need to ally himself with others whose standards are as high as his own, and to stand out from the herd. This desire for pre-eminence isolates him and inhibits his readiness to give himself freely. While he wants to surrender and let himself go, he regards this as a weakness which must be resisted. This self-restraint, he feels, will lift him above the rank and file and ensure recognition as a unique and distinctive personality.

Your restrained characteristics
Willing top participate and to allow himself to become involved, but tries to fend off conflict and disturbance in order to reduce tension.
Believes that he is not receiving his share - that he is neither properly understood nor adequately appreciated. Feels that he is being compelled to conform, and close relationships leave him without any sense of emotional involvement.
Egocentric and therefore quick to take offence. Sensitive and sentimental, but conceals this from all except those very close to him.

Your desired objective
Needs a change in his circumstances or in his relationships which will permit relief from stress. Seeking a solution which will open up new and better possibilities and allow hopes to be fulfilled.

Your Actual Problem
Feels insufficiently valued in his existing situation, and is seeking different conditions in which he will have greater opportunity of demonstrating his worth.

Over on my sister page, Bench Hamlet 2008, I have written a review of "Music Man" at the Chichester Festival Theatre, which the Best Beloved and I saw last night. Please read, if you can.

Wishes

Married couple in their 60's are visited by a fairy who grants them both a wish.

"I want to travel the world with my darling husband," says the wife. Two tickets for a luxury cruise magically appear in her hand.

Husband says: "Sorry, love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me!" So the fairy waves her wand and the husband becomes 92.

Moral of the story:
men are ungrateful bastards who should remember that fairies are female!

Independence Day

Independence Day 2008.

The ogre waved goodbye and said." Sweet rose, have no fear! In your life, I will never re-appear!". With that he was gone and was never seen by the rose again.