Wednesday 17 December 2008

Wordy Wednesday

Pestilence

As the song ought to go: "Tis the Season to be Sick". Anndi and her family have been suffering lately, and Helena had the puking lergy at the weekend. It didn't last that long, thankfully, and it manifested itself before she came to visit me, so I didn't get to see her, and hopefully I won't get whatever it was either.

However, on Tuesday morning I woke up with a cold. How does that happen? I was okay when I went to sleep. Where did viruses come from in the middle of the night? I'm hoping it won't be too bad, especially since a group of us are going out for a Christmas meal, which I'd rather not miss.


Passing

Last week, on Friday, former President of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos died of small cell lung cancer, having been seriously ill in hospital for about three weeks.

He was an important figure in the Island's political history - having been involved in most of the major events of the last 50 years or so. When the Island got its independence from the evil Imperialist Brits in 1960, he was made Minister of the Interior. He was 24 years old.

When I was 24, I was given 3 members of staff to manage for a few months. I did such a great job of this that I've never been given (or wanted) that particular responsibilty again. I can't begin to imagine being in charge of the police, public order, etc, even of a relatively small country.

Being President is presumably a whole lot worse. I bet you spend most of your time crisis-managing, reacting to events, and trying to stop a total disaster, whilst pretending that it's all part of your carefully thought out and well run plan. I don't envy Obama.


Ghosts of the Past

The other evening I watched "Sunset Boulevard". This is a black comedy about Hollywood. Gloria Swanson plays a has-been silent film actress who hopes to make a comeback and work once more with Cecil B DeMille. Some of the characters (such as DeMille and Buster Keaton) play themselves. Others, like Swanson and Erich von Stroheim play people similar to themselves (Swanson was a has-been silent film actress making a comeback, and von Stroheim really had directed films starring her in the good old days).

It's a good enough film, and I can recommend it, but I expect that real film-buffs who know all of the people would appreciate it even more.

17 comments:

Dan said...

First !!!
You must of gotten the cold from a sick spider in your bed.

A guy from work died today.

I saw a movie yesterday with Marlon Brando and couldn't believe it was him. He was really thin.

Brian o vretanos said...

Dan:

I hope this one wasn't murdered.

Spiders in my bed? Thanks for that thought...

Unknown said...

Hope you feel well in time to fully enjoy the Christmas meal.

As to the illness, well, Santa's advance party finds everyone who's been bad and gives them some unpleasantness. So, Mr B, I'm thinking you haven't been good this year.

Probably. Or it could just be a virus.

Yes, Sunset Bouvlevard is a great film, and no, I don't know much about the actors either. Apart from William Holden, who was in the Wild Bunch (I think he was in Sunset B).

Jean Knee said...

dang

Anonymous said...

no, he wasn't feeling good so he left early to go to the doctor, after his doctors visit he made it back to his car and passed away.

Anonymous said...

It's a fact that cold and flu bugs wait to play practical jokes on us while we're asleep.

I hope you feel better soon!!

Bee said...

When I was 24 I had less money and less bills and was probably happier. Uh, I wasn't dating Andy yet so maybe I should shutty?

Bee said...

Oh! And Dan stole my comment! I was going to say you got it from a spider.

Brian o vretanos said...

Chris:

Thanks. Luckily I didn't feel that bad for the meal.

Catscratch:

These bugs are devious...

Bee:

You weren't quick enough.

Jean Knee said...

you didn't answer my dang

I want a refund

Brian o vretanos said...

Jean Knee:

I'm sure there's something in the small print about not being required to answer unanswerable comments, or indeed comments that are so perfect and final that an answer would spoil their impact.

I did consider "ding", or "dong"...

Jean Knee said...

you forgot to say eleventh

Tracy Rambles On And On said...

We've been dealing with some sort of uber crud here...oh wait a sec please......

Brian o vretanos said...

Tracy:

You forgot to say thirtheenth...
Lucky for some.

Tracy Rambles On And On said...

Ok, as I was saying, we're sick too.
As I've said before, the public school system is actually a giant germ factory. I mean, you can just look at some of them and know they're the infectious spores. Of course, neither of my girls fit that bill though.
I always wondered about that too, going to sleep and then waking up sick. Maybe the spider just sneezed on you. That should make you feel better.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Popoo Popadopodupolousiouso. And I agree, I wouldn't want to be the leader of anything either.

And when I was 24 I was the mother of a four year old and a three year old. So, basically it's almost the same as now except another one got in somehow.

Tracy Rambles On And On said...

BRIAN!!!
I was trying to end on an even number!!!!
Now I have to find something else interesting to say...
Oh, here you go....
I'm sure that you'll still be able to make it to your Christmas dinner, cold or no, the only difference will be is if you still have your cold you won't be able to taste any of it.

Brian o vretanos said...

Tracy:

I'm sorry to hear that you've been sick. Schools are pretty bad when it comes to passing lergy on. Offices aren't great either...