Me and My Stuff.
Miscellaneous Thoughts from Abroad
My web designer suggested I put stuff about me which doesn't quite fit anywhere else. He suggests I think of it as a 'virtual handbag.'
Maybe I should show him this amended extract from an article that appeared in the New York Times in 1945.
"A decent man should always tactfully stare at the ceiling whenever a woman opens her bag. The typical handbag of a typical woman contains a certain number of fundamental things-plus her own individual touch. It is that individual touch that fills the bag. Some item is pretty sure to roll out the moment the bag is opened."
A few things have rolled out of the bag here but nothing too embarrassing, so you won’t have to stare at the ceiling.
Interviews
Interviewing people around the world is something I also enjoy.
Previous interviews have ranged from radio conversations with operatic singers and MPs to magazine features on diplomatic consuls and midwives. I love finding out about the careers and interests of individuals, but I don't do exposés - more of a gentle conversation in print.
Commissions are welcome for journals and magazines. Based in Switzerland I am ideally placed to cover articles and subjects in most central European countries and I can provide my own photos of interviewees.
Talking of Radio...
The first radio broadcast I ever made was with Oban Coastguard announcing the weather forecast to those out at sea in the West of Scotland. Within the first few minutes of going on air, I made a faux pas by announcing that afternoon there would be expected "fat showers." I didn’t realise that "fat" was an acronym meaning; "for a time."
Not put off by this, I then went on to do more broadcasting but on commercial radio, first with Casino FM in Uruguay where I muddled my way through in Spanish introducing European music to Western Uruguay and Eastern Argentina. While living in South America I contributed to Martin Kelner's Late night show on BBC Radio Leeds and then back in England I did the same, this time playing South American Music.
I also helped with the successful start up of Yorkshire Dales Radio, now renamed Fresh Radio, in Skipton in North Yorkshire.
Book Clubs
I started up a book reading group in Scotland amongst friends. The only brief we had was that there must both men and women in it and the occasional glass of wine. Here in Switzerland I started a reading group again and we are a group of many nationalities. We have been known to discuss a book on a weekend away in the Alps, but we really use it as an excuse to get away for a while, do a bit of hiking and then sit and soak up the views and some Swiss wine too.
Theatre /Acting
Not a plant pot or trowel in sight, in this photo a young Alan Titchmarsh dressed in breeches and apron, looks on while my mother sings in a show. To those of you outside the UK who have not heard of Mr Titchmarsh, he is a gardener who is very popular with the British public and appears frequently on TV. He once designed and created a surprise garden for Nelson Mandela. This made for a moving and interesting programme, but to me when I was young, Alan was simply a member of the chorus.
I spent quite a lot of my childhood sitting in village halls and 'green rooms' while my mother rehearsed for an amateur dramatic play or musical and I loved every minute of it. My grandfather was an artist and painted the scenery for productions. I have been in 'am dram' productions in various countries over the years and my sister performs and sings too. My daughter has just been in the musical "Annie" here in Switzerland so the love of theatre continues through the generations.
I still get a thrill at that delicious first moment either on stage or in the audience, when the house lights go off, the musical director takes a bow, the overture starts and the show begins.
Writing
I am a member of the Geneva Writers’ Group
Here are a few links to other favourite writing sites:
NB. External links will open in a new window
