Pushing my limits

While storm Gertrude was raging across the UK, I was camel riding through the desert with Miss Bell in awe of her amazing adventures and achievements. Now I'm convinced that I am somehow related to her (auburn hair, yes, green eyes, no, slender, no, from Redcar in North Yorkshire, yes but Shepley in West Yorkshire). There are many quotes I would like to share with you but I reckon this one about being in the desert sums it all up.

'No-one can travel here and come back the same. It sets its seal upon you for good or ill.'

From Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert by Georgina Howell.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that Simple Minds were not playing at the Qatar Masters but Soul II Soul (UK) and Arrested Development (US). Brilliant! I had been looking forward to singing Don't You (Forget About Me), (1985) incredibly loudly but I realise you can't possibly forget me because here I am rambling merrily along and presumably you are still reading me.

We arrived just as the last group of golfers were putting. Wow! I was soooooooo bored and it only took five minutes. All these posh people were hanging around dressed in weird clothing being super silent and intense. Where was Adam Sandler swearing his head off as Happy Gilmore, (1996)? Romeo was totally frustrated as he would have loved to walk the course and watch the whole tedious thing. We put ourselves out of misery and propped a bar up for a while which was fun. Then we wandered around the Public Village, which had a kind of upper-class festival feel to it, sharing fish and chips. Somehow I ended up avec un pain au chocolat aux amandes in my coat pocket all night.

I was really excited to experience some live music again and managed to get right up to the front barrier with ease. Soul II Soul were brilliant and I sang and danced my heart out, warming up at last, as it was a chilly 11 degrees or so. There was an older woman on my left and I made polite conversation with her after the vibrant ten piece band had left the stage.

'Did you like Soul II Soul? I thought they were great!'
'They're not U2 are they?' She replied drily.

I wanted to punch her in the face and say of course not! For a start, they are British, R&B artists from London you daft bat. But I refrained. Excellent self-control Susie.
Turning to my right I had much more hip-hop fun with a joyful Canadian lady who was bonkers but in a brilliant way. Arrested Development were really amazing. They created such a positive vibe among the audience encouraging us to clap, wave, sing and generally join in. We celebrated with their exuberant energy. It seemed Romeo was destined to be the husband behind me having fun that night, as two female friends had earlier declined my invitation being otherwise engaged.

No pressure friends of mine: to see me, be with me or even read me. I still love you.
My Canadian chum got a selfie with Speech, the long dreadlocked lead singer. I got a handshake and a 'How ya doin, y'alright?' in a genuinely kind way.

'Beautiful people around the world
Stand up for what you believe in 
Open your mouth
Say it loud and proud
Let your voice be heard'

Lyrics from Let Your Voice Be Heard, off their album Strong by Arrested Development, (2010).

Another itchy eye infection or bite has been bothering me. As has the horrible drainage smell permeating the whole house. Some drastic action was required to make me feel better. So I had a new haircut which obviously makes me look ten years younger.

My current fitness regime is aptly called Insanity and is the hardest physical exercise programme I have ever attempted. I can hardly make it through the five-minute warm up alive.
'Check your heart rate, check your heart rate!' Shaun T shouts at me from the screen. He tends to repeat himself between gasps of exertion. OK, Mr T. when it stops then I'll give up and have a long rest. Respect to all my friends who have ever done or are doing this mental workout.

A momentous decision has been made and four, one-way flights are booked for our homeward bound trip in July. I am floating on air.

Half way through the latest book club choice for this month I have to stop reading. It's disturbing me too much because it's a true crime novel and I can't handle it. I can and will talk about it in our discussion but now I'm going to read anam cara, Spiritual Wisdom From The Celtic World by John O' Donohue, a gift from a special soul friend of mine, to redress the balance.

I have finally finished editing my novel (again) and spent time researching some agents to send it to. Yikes! Now I am working hard on my synopsis and covering letter. After completing these, I will then double, triple check the book before sending the first three chapters to the chosen agent as required. I'm still scared but very determined to do this.

'Ooh, I just know that something good is going to happen
 And I don't know when
But just saying it could even make it happen'

Lyrics from Cloudbusting by Kate Bush, (1985).

Something stopped me from publishing this yesterday and it became clear why when Romeo returned home at 7 pm. He handed me the single stem yellow rose the day after Valentine's day.
'Did you get it half price?' I ask him, smiling sunbeams of elation.


Not reading: The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
Listening and singing to: Cloudbusting and Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) by Kate Bush from her Hounds of Love album, (1985). Here I Stand and Face The Rain by a-ha, from their brilliant debut album Hunting High and Low, (1985).
Not dancing: I can hardly walk after Insanity!
Watched: Joy (2015), Burnt (2015), Despicable Me 2, (2013) and The Fugitive (1993).
It was half term.

Vanity Publishing!

Q. Did you notice that I have decided to use single quotation marks instead of double ones?