Life Lessons

In my too many years of growing up, I have learnt plenty of things from life. I, however appreciate that you're never too old to learn and over the past couple of weeks, I have learnt a few life lessons...


Today, I learnt that carrying a chunk of very ripe old Brie and a piece of Stilton cheese in my handbag is not such a good idea. It seemed a good idea at the deli but not so much at the chemist when the stinky vapours began to emit a smell akin to days old fart. I had the audacity to think that the foul odour was from some bloke by the vitamins section until I realised it was actually from my bag!  The poor shop assistant who was helping me actually threw me pitying looks thinking I had 'a problem'. Oh the shame of it.


Yesterday, I learnt that your eye can swell to a frightening size because of a severe allergic reaction. As you can see from the pictures below, my right eye decided to frighten myself and Mat by doing this for no apparent reason. After having spent 2 hours in A&E and been fed a bunch of anti-histamine and anti-allergy pills by the doctors, we are still none the wiser as to the cause of such horror. 

It wasn't very nice. At all. 

I only started rubbing my eye as I thought I had a stray eyelash in there and then boom, golf ball sized lumps inside and out of my right eyeball! The pictures are from the start of my distress as my eye did actually get bigger but I was too upset to take more photos. You'll be pleased to know that my eye is now back to normal size if a little sore. Still searching for a possible cause but probably will never find one. Something else to add to the medical drama that is my life.


Last week I learnt that no matter how well-intentioned an act of kindness is, somebody will always mis-interpret a genuine act and turn it into something malicious whether it be from misunderstanding, misinterpretation, miscommunication or just plain old making mischief. I was upset at first but I reminded myself that I was bigger than this and that so long as the relevant people knew the real meaning behind the gesture I made, what does one person's opinion matter anyway? It took a while to get there and yes there were a few tears shed and lots of debate but life really is too short. I have been left with a sour taste over the incident and unlikely to do anything on behalf of a group of people again. Only from me next time.


On a lighter note, I also learnt that your phone can still take pictures even when on 'secondary camera' mode as you can see below.

Coo-ee!!

The previous weekend I learnt that people still actually played croquet in the park or specifically in the gardens of Ham House. They weren't very good but got a lot of attention all the same.  I also learnt that whatever plans for the weekend you had can be turned upside down by your brother suddenly turning up out of the blue after having been travelling around the world for the best part of a year. The wanderer did return and it is certainly good to have him back and to hear his many tales of adventure.

It's just not cricket

And finally, the week before that, I got to go and see some amazing films at the Banff Film Festival held at the Union Chapel in Islington, possibly one of the nicest venues I have ever been to. I got to meet interesting people and see some amazing films of adventure, daring and nature. Amongst them was the short film below titled 'Ski Bums Never Die' which I found both moving and inspirational. I'll probably never get to be as grizzled as the characters in the film but I hope to have as much fun as they are having in attempting to get there.

All photos by shewithacapitalV