I don't want a lot for Christmas

I was very impressed by the recent school production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Most of the student actors and actresses speak English as their second language. For them to learn such long, lyrical lines and deliver them so well was wonderful to see and hear. It was both ambitious and entertaining and I really enjoyed my trip to the theatre.

Our very own Dukhan Triathlon took place in glorious conditions after the strong winds of late had abated. Each competitor received a medal at the finish line. Many volunteers helped to make this a really successful event and the athletes enjoyed the course which included an open water sea swim. Dirtbag impressively completed the whole thing solo (Under 14's category, four days before she became 14), while Mini-Me did the bike leg in a winning Under 11's team.

Another opportunity presented itself where I was obliged to dress up yet again. It is indeed a wonderful life! This time, I was Connie Claus, Santa's jealous daughter. The occasion was a Murder Mystery game called Ho, Ho, Homicide. Father wanted me to marry Kris Krangle, but I had secretly wed Blinky, an elf I had fallen in love with. It was great fun sweating it out in a friend's sauna inducing Christmas jumper with my neon blue wig in place. My dodgy accent fluctuated between what I thought was French, Swedish, Norwegian, Turkish and Arabic. Despite being a jealous and cold character, I was not the murderess.

Lysander:    Ay me! for aught that I could ever read, 

                   Could ever hear by tale or history,

                   The course of true love never did run smooth;

I have been venturing out on the road bike to see how much faster I can go; tracking my speed and distance on the Garmin I bought for Romeo last Christmas with his money! (It's the thought that counts after all). The straps on my sports bra are thicker in all dimensions than the tyres on this bike, so it is with some trepidation I embark on my rides. On my most recent expedition I reach speeds of 35 km or so, cycling approximately 10 km out of the compound. I'm trying hard not to think the thought remembering the broken sail. Too late, it takes root somewhere.
I hope I don't get a puncture. 

Ping! Oh beep, beep, beeeeeep!!! The back tyre bursts on a tiny, sharp desert stone. Thank gravity it wasn't a bra strap! That would have really been something to worry about. I decide to enjoy the 5 km walk back in the cooler weather, singing and doing some more thinking.

Why doesn't Bradley Cooper invite me out for dinner? Why doesn't Jay Kay ask me round to dance with him? Why doesn't Simon Armitage phone me up and beseech me to collaborate with him on his next brilliant poem? Why don't any of these flatbed trucks trundling past offer me a lift? The police even pass me twice! I must look like a woman in control of her own destiny and not to be messed with, wearing Romeo's Maersk Oil desert challenge 2014 top. I'm approximately 1 km away from the compound when a small car with an OFFICIAL sign displayed on its back windscreen stops.
This charming man puts his window down and says in a dodgy American or Australian accent,
''Do you need a ride?''
I politely thank him for his offer, yet refuse this stranger's kindness. We both agree that I really should learn how to mend a puncture. Walking on, I reflect upon how difficult it would have been to refuse such an offer if it was from a friend of mine. Eventually, I get back to the house completing my duathlon. There is no medal for me at the front door finish line, just the satisfaction of survival.

My top 5 Christmas films waiting to be watched again this week are:

1. It's a Wonderful Life
2. Scrooged
3. Love Actually
4. Home Alone
5. The Snowman

'' So here it is Merry Christmas 

  Everybody's having fun, 

 Look to the future now 

It's only just begun.''

Thank you for your friendship, your encouragement and taking the time to read me. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy 2016.

With Love from,

Susie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey (1994)

Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade (1973)