I wasn’t going to mention the Beijing Olympics.
As most of you know I’m not a political blogger.
No really. I know my site is often full of , environmental opinion, historical insight and world news...but I see myself more as the voice of a British woman overwhelmed by the amount of times the word ‘poo’ comes up in conversation when you’re a parent, rather than anything else.
I wasn’t going to mention the Olympics because the situation of many people in China is terrible and overwhelming and sad and it disturbs me that some people have lost their homes, livelihoods and freedom and had their Human Rights ignored and trampled.
But,
..as many of you know I live in an ex-mining town. My hometown has taken many beatings over the years both economically and socially, and has many battles ahead. There is high unemployment, high crime rates, poor health and low expectations, so I can’t ignore this.
19 year old Mansfield girl Rebecca Adlington swam her heart out to win Gold in the 400m freestyle. Tomorrow she begins her journey towards the 800m final, an event in which she currently holds the world record so there are high hopes for another victory. Hooray.
Sorry if you’re not into sports but I’m just so chuffed for her. It’s not often Mansfield is in the news for something so positive and wonderful and even though I’m not happy with many aspects of this year’s games I am very proud that this young girl went out and achieved her dream. Rumour has it they will be naming Sherwood Colliery Swimming Baths after Rebecca as she learned to swim there. This is especially fabulous as a certain blogger learned to swim there may years ago too so it holds a special place in her heart.
More news, my round of catch ups begins tonight but I have promised Mr B I will stop at 10pm as I am doing a carboot sale tomorrow and have to be up early. We are seriously brassic what with weddings, holidays and birthdays, so I’m hoping to make a packet or at least get rid of some junk.
Please pray for sunshine, or a great big invisible umbrella to hover over my stall tomorrow. And also for people to be mysteriously drawn to my little trestle tables full of, erm, magic, and for their pennies to leap from their pockets and into my little plastic container, and for me to not need the toilet while I’m there and for those annoying people who do this to stay away…
Annoying person: How much do you want for that vase.
Me: 20p.
Annoying person examines vase for about a minute, frowns, scratches his/her head, makes a little humming noise as if in deep thought.
Then,
Annoying person : Will you take 15p?
I HATE THAT SO MUCH.
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August 13th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
will you take £1 for that noticeboard? how much for the fourth paragraph? i’ll give you 50p.
and KUDOS on the swimming. do you think that the cessation of mining contributed in some small way to her victory? no? okay.
August 13th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
yay for your swimmer! I will root for her for sure! England, is after all, our “mother country”….
and I will see Holly’s 50p for the fourth paragraph, and raise her to 3 Euro’s…. ( I still have some, but I don’t have Pence…)
August 13th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I have only ever done one car boot sale. I will never ever in my life do another.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:35 am
I watched Rebecca win and was absolutely thrilled for her. Any Brit winning a medal just makes me fill up!
Good luck with the boot sale.
I’m in your neck of the woods on Sunday visiting Queenie, but only for the day.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Oh YOU GO REBECCA!!! I’m rooting for you! And hope the carboot sale goes well tomorrow! I’m not a haggler and usually pay what the item is priced at, if I don’t think it’s worth it, I simply don’t buy, I certainly wouldn’t insult the seller by offering some ridiculous sum…some people, lol!
Sandi
August 14th, 2008 at 8:55 am
she’s great – sent you an award today Erma Bombeck cheers!! sandy
August 14th, 2008 at 9:02 am
I saw the 400m final. It was quite impressive. There are some wicked fast swimmers this Olympiad, and rumor has it that the pool is a big help because of the design. In any case, I would love to see her break her own world record in the 800.
And that chalkboard graphic is hilarious. I had a yard sale earlier this summer and had several people like that. I simply gave them a withering look and they ponied up the asking price without further discussion. Of course, I’m somewhat of an arse myself in that I won’t haggle on anything less than 10 dollars. Call me crazy.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:48 am
I will do my utmost to wish that only good things will happen to you tomorrow and that the sun will shine and that people with lots of cash to spend will come to you and spend it without haggling. Maybe when they see your sweet upbeat face and realize you are the famous Jo Beaufoix it will help a bit. Just advertise that a bit.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Good for Rebecca! She didn’t get where she is today by quibbling over 5p at car boot sales…
August 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Holl, you can have the sign babe, I don’t need it now.
Mie, you’ll have to fight it out with Holl now. She haggled first.
AOJ, I know what you mean but I made £5 today. I could actually pay the window cleaner in cash!!!
Akela, we are at Mr B’s mum’s on Sunday as it is has dad’s anniversary, otherwise I’d be attempting to cajole you into a meeting. Hope you have a fab time with the lovely Queenie.
Sandi, there were a few today but to be honest I just wanted rid so unless it was something really nice I let em’ have it. You’re right though, if it’s worth that amount to me I will pay it.
Sandy thank you so much. I am so behind with awards, bad Jo. I’ll be over soon to say hello.
Ian, not crazy and not an arse, just firm and not to be messed with. That’s good.
Irene, I had a good day. The sun shone and I made £50. Thanks for all the happy thoughts.
Iota, definitely. Hee hee.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I do hope you didn’t have to banish anyones. Especially Holly.
August 15th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I can’t wait for the Olympics to be over. I’ve been staying up late every night to watch, then barely functioning the next day.
And, I always wish you non-annoying people in your life!
August 15th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Congratulations! I’m addicted to the Olympics. Been watching them since a child. You were describing the atmosphere in which Rebecca grew up. I think the same for a swimmer from Africa (can’t remember the country). She said for those glorious few days upon her win in 2004, the country was united. That’s a wonderful thing when anything can, even for just a few days, weeks, hopefully, forever…transcend prejudices. Good luck with your carboot sale. *laughing* You’ll just have to define it for me.
) I have a feeling it’s getting rid of things you don’t want or need any longer. Good luck!