Incidentally this is not a political post, just reflections on an old workmate, prompted by the Christmas card I received from him today. I haven’t seen him in the flesh for 40 years or more but he never fails to send a card every year. I went out with his sister several times when I was single, a nice girl but too political minded for my liking.
He was a former workmate of mine, a setter of diamonds who I’ll call Frank, and just like me he was born in a tenement building. He joined the Irish communist party back in the 1970’s, strange as he never spoke about politics when sitting at the bench working, unlike his younger sister who talked about nothing else :-). He was a good worker and a quiet chap by all accounts, until I went along to a meeting out of curiosity, he was standing on the stage delivering a speech about council housing when I rambled in, I was very surprised how loud and clear his voice was, a natural orator and he held his audience in awe, a far cry from the meek and mild young man who spent eight hours a day setting stones in jewellery.
I had a pint with him after the meeting and he tried to convince me to join the party, I told him I would be delighted to join his band of merry men and women, but had to decline his kind offer as I never had the slightest interest in any politics, left right or centre.
He eventually left the communist party, as one newspaper put it at the time “He was scooped from the party” and went on to be a politician in a very conservative party here, ya just can’t trust the political types can ya, they always sway with the gravy train, same fella is retired now on a fat pension and lives in a leafy mansion far away from his roots and the great unwashed.
“I am a hefty lefty, I live at twenty five
Lenin is my hero, I wish he was alive” (Lines from an old Dublin skipping rope song)
Ah, Jem, I have been involved in politics in the past, I was told that I was a good speaker for the cause. I am used to being on stage, so I just put on a different hat. I have different hats for different things, my teaching hat, now has moths.
I use different hats here on the forum too, depends where I am posting.
I know the sort that you describe Jem, and yes we can all be swayed.
An unlaboured comment from Gummy there, but I’m afraid I have to agree with him about politics and politicians, those three words wrap it all up in a nutshell for me.
Yes I knew you wuz on the stage Sweetie, a lady of many talents to be sure.
I love this comment from P.G. Wodehouse about a lady author he wasn’t too fond of…
“It was one of the dullest speeches I ever heard. The Agee woman told us for three quarters of an hour how she came to write her beastly book, when a simple apology was all that was required"
“You know, I don’t know why I get to feeling sentimental about this time every year but every time I see a Christmas card I somehow can’t help reminiscing” Yes Jim I’m the same.
I’ve waited 8 years to post this video, and now thanks to the tuition of Gumbud and Sweetie I’m in a position to do so. The wife bought this record as a ’45’ many many years ago, it got lost along the way (thank God) and now she has found it again on youtube, so afore I sign off for the day, sit back, relax, and be prepared to gringe, It’s almost as mushy as that Bobby Goldsboro thing “Honey”
Enjoy, as they say.
this year I’m gonna google and boogle all the way
I’ll even try to U-tube like pugsie likes to say
Then I’ll do a kindle and fly with an amazon in store?
Erhm erhm erhm – can’t fink of anymore?
Ah,so it’s rhyming stuff you people want.
Ok,just a mo as I dip into my font;
for in here resides a side I tend not to show,
as invariably people are derogatory,y’know.
However,t’is ‘that’ time,the one we all fear,
though we claim to love Christmas we know it’s too dear.
Your wallet [or purse] is now feeling too light
and any plastic you own just had a huge fright.
We buy puddings and cakes we all know we won’t eat,
but it’s ‘BOGOF’ at Lidl’s - and that can’t be beat;
so the fridge and the freezer are both overflowing,
we’ll be munching mince pies until June,way we’re going.
But hark!-what is this,that comes unbidden from the sky?
Why,t’is the spirit of Christmas-and now we know why
we buy cards and small gifts for those we rarely see;
because we have love to share - and loving is free.
So we’ll cope with the weather,the bills and the stress,
because nobody wants a year to be ‘Christmasless’.
…so, as I sit in serene solitude,just happy to be here,
I wish you all Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!!! [insert smiley face ]
God rest ye merry scribblers
Let nothing you dismay
Remember to get drunk and shout
For soon it’s Christmas Day
We often find a muddle here
When we were gone astray
Good hidings bring comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Good hidings of comfort and joy
God rest ye merry scribblers
Let nothing you dismay
Remember to get drunk and shout
For soon it’s Christmas Day
To save us all from Gummy’s power
When we were gone astray
Good hidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Good hidings of comfort and joy
In Oz land or in Blighty
We often get forlorn
Then suddenly, it changes
The upset is all gone
Jem will come and sort it out
But never shall he scorn
Good hidings bring comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Good hidings bring comfort and joy
Fear not then, said our Spitty
Let nothing you affright
Then posted something rare but good
The confusion was alright
To change the view and stop us all
Until Pugsy shed some light
Good hidings bring comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
Good hidings bring comfort and joy
