Day Fifty-five

Travelled to Dunoon earlier today, in a mini-bus with about 14 other fellow choristers from Oban Gaelic Choir.

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

Didn't really have time.
What feelings about differences did I notice?

I hate it when people get drunk. Disgusting!

What went well today?
Gratified to have had the company of two other choir members earlier this evening when attending a Clarsach and Song Concert.
The three of us ventured into the howling wind and driving rain, enjoyed a sterling fish & chips or chicken & chips, and managed to almost dry out in the warm concert venue. It was still howling a gale on our way back, but we were given a lift by kind friends of one of my choir pals.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Go out there, be a bit more adventurous.

What strengths have I focused on today?

Trying to take everything with a pinch of salt and a lot of humour.
Standing up for myself and telling the whole choir about the concert; not going with the flow and enjoying what I really do enjoy: lovely, quality, quiet music.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Listening to all the musicians and singers, some of them so very young and so very talented.

Catching up – Days Ten plus Twelve, Thirteen

Lots on – work piling up ...

Friday (Day Ten plus Twelve):
Re-visited dentist to have new filling adjusted so weight is evenly distributed. Very pleased with result – it was awful to have a wide gap between molars in which "half a chicken and half a broccoli" would get caught...

What emotional pangs did I notice yesterday?

None that I recall. I was on a roll...

What went well yesterday?
No procrastination re getting a spontaneous appointment with the dentist to tweak the new filling put in the day before.
Good walks into town and back – in all kinds of weather. The Bay never ceases to delight me.
Excellent Gaelic one-to-one session with my private tutor. 
 
How can I make it happen more regularly?

Keep practicing, keep walking.
 
What strengths did I focus on yesterday?

None in particular. Not very focused, really, at least not consciously so.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Getting stuck into Gaelic work; walking; exchanging views and opinions about language, politics, the weather –

Saturday (Day Ten plus Thirteen): 
Good day away with Oban Gaelic Choir, with decent results in a singing competition. More importantly, the choir really felt good, energetic, focused, happy – a great feeling.

On way home, my passenger and I stopped off at a couple of places I had long been meaning to visit – friends who live outside Oban. One of them a wonderful horsewoman, the other a couple who have a fantastic garden and miniature railway. Very satisfying.

Emotional pangs?
None. I feel great. Singing's good for us!

What went well?
See above. Plus I have just shipped off another small translation so I can focus on new jobs and intensive distance-learning Gaelic course when I get back from Glasgow tomorrow.

Strengths?
Ability to rekindle friendships? Being a safe driver, especially when I have passengers.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself? 
When singing and chatting with friends. And when doing urgent work.

Day Ten plus Seven

Seven days on two tablets/day. GP appointment tomorrow to see how things are going.

My stomach rebels against too much caffeine, otherwise I seem to be fine, if rather "wired" and stressed out rather more than I expected.

Getting as much exercise as I can by walking into town and home again.

What emotional pangs did I notice today?

Had a strange dream this morning and felt sad thinking about it. Felt a bit flat after a good day out.


What went well today?
Getting up in the morning and getting myself ready for extra choir practice in the afternoon; the choir practice itself was hard but ultimately rewarding; had a surprise phone call from my Godfather (not a relative, my father's boyhood friend), who told me he still had a porcelain plate I painted for him back in 1966! Inscribed with a dedication and a sailboat, of all things. I remember doing that, and thinking that yes, I could manage a sailboat with its straight lines... I was really touched and moved that he has kept this over all these years, the dear man.

How can I make it happen more regularly?

Stick with it; be kinder than necessary even to those who treat you unkindly – they may be stuck in Sisyphos' boots...

What strengths have I focused on today?

Be attentive to others, give others a chance to speak but don't pipe down just because a few people shoot daggers each time you open your mouth. That's their problem.

At what point did I feel most authentically myself?
Walking into town, face turned into the smirr and the wind. Singing.