The view from my window

The view from my window
The view from my window

Tuesday 15 December 2020

Misheard lyrics!

I was in a bit of a funk last week. Well a lot of a funk actually. Didn't even go grocery shopping (if you can believe it), so yeah it was bad!!! I know it's normal and I realized the state of the house was getting me down big time. André has been very good while he's here but he seems to have these ruddy great boots that just drag muck through the house every time he breaths out, and as for cutting a baguette, well he seems to religiously miss the board or the bin and all the crumbs get strategically scattered all over the floor every time. I shouldn't knock him because he really has been no problem at all - and I knew it was just a normal funk. What I did eventually have to acknowledge, of course, is that I still want to get rid of so much crap in this house and I really don't think it was fair that I got all my ex's crap dumped on me with five days' notice to "get rid of as you will"! Yeah, thanks for that!

Still, I just received a Christmas card/letter from my former boss and I think he wrote very well about the current situation (he always had a way with words). They are both British and when he retired they moved back to the UK - to a beautiful place in Edinburgh. I'm pretty sure he didn't want to move back though - I think it was more his wife's idea, but they seem to be making the best of it - enjoying it actually, after so many years living away. It helps that they have more than decent pensions and can come out here pretty much as and when they want (I mean, who else can afford to get "trapped" by the pandemic for five weeks in Zermatt in spring without too much hassle (it's beautiful but very expensive)?

Zermatt

He made the very valid point of just how beautiful Edinburgh was without the crowds, the traffic and the noise, and how nature started assuming it's (rightful?) place again, with birds expecting you to step around them! They found plenty to occupy themselves and seem to be doing okay during this bloody pandemic. Then of course there's Brexit coming up (will there, won't there be a deal)? They were both very much against Brexit and he wrote about how they were trying to deal with the aftermath of a decision they were against and in which they, like me, had no vote. So now, while they are disappointed, they're dealing with it - have to don't they/we! They're even talking of food shortages in the UK, but I suspect there's an awful lot of brinkmanship going on on both sides! I just hope Boris is up to it - it remains to be seen!

In other news, the French lifted the strict lockdown today. No more permission slips needed to leave home, we can cross into other départements and so on so it feels, yet again, like we've regained a little freedom. However, we are still going to be subject to a curfew between 20h and 6h, the only exception being 24 December (since that's when the French really celebrate Christmas). That kinda leaves me in the doodah because everyone is coming to my place on Christmas Day and it looks like it'll be an awfully short-lived celebration then, with everyone having to be off the roads by 20h! They're not even giving anyone a break for New Year's so I think my kids will be going to a friend's house and staying overnight. Cinemas, restaurants and gyms will hopefully get to escape from purgatory on 7 January, as well the ski lifts/slopes. It's hard on them getting to miss out on the Christmas/New Year trade but people are being very strongly encouraged to go snow-shoeing/cross country skiing in the resorts. They just don't want the crowds around the ski lifts!

Then tonight I received a note from the administration of this région (Auvergne-Rhone Alpes) to say that as from tomorrow there will be free covid testing for anyone that wants it and giving the address of the locale in my town! Very efficient I thought. I'm just hoping I never have to use it!

I did get my tree up last week, despite being an "ungracious shrew" at the time, so at least that's done. I also got some cleaning done and put away a shedload of things on the bathroom vanity. It looks better already. I think my problem is I want everything done now, so I charge in like a bull in a china shop, wear myself out and then just give up! I think André could see I was in a funk so I told him, "just look at all these bloody CDs I got landed with from your dad and now it's my problem to get rid of them"! There must be over 200 left being very un-feng shui around my house and they are driving me nuts because I just don't listen to them. Plus an awful lot of them are country music and I honestly don't know any French people who are interested in hearing someone sing about the farm, the truck, the train or mamma! Luckily André stepped in and said to give them to him because while country isn't really his taste either he said he would have fun going through them when he gets his own place (he should sign on Thursday). I'm so glad because I don't think anyone wants CDs nowadays and I felt bad about throwing them away!

I don't quite know how we got on the subject but I was telling him about one time my ex was singing along to a John Denver song - "and so he talked to the fish in the creek" - and I burst out laughing because I'd always wondered what the fish were doing in the trees in John Denverland!!! Then I told him about my ex-BIL who used to sing "home, home on the range, where the deer and the cantaloupe roam". So then he told me couldn't sleep last night (I know, I heard him roaring laughing and I knew he was listening to Peter Kay). Peter Kay is a very funny comedian from the north of England and an astute social observer (i.e. he can take the piss - albeit kindly - out of anyone)! So, André had me watch this sketch about misheard lyrics and it's hysterical. He might not be that easy to understand to anyone outside the UK but just look at the crowd's reactions. He's a gem!

22 comments:

  1. You're tree looks splendid. With any luck, Scotland will get it's Independence (finally) and rejoin the EU, that should make your friends happy. And yes, the lyrics were funny! Burgers are the best!

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    1. I never thought Scottish independence was likely but now I'm not so sure. I hope it works for them! As for the lyrics, I liked Duffy "begging him for birdseed"!

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  2. I love that clip of misheard lyrics - so accurate! Our own misheard lyric was by our grand daughter when she was a toddler and used to sing along to the radio in the car. Her mum is a big music fan so they listened to a lot of music and she knew the words to lots of the hits at the time. One was by Coldplay called: Paradise and my grand daughter always sang carrot ice. Of course now we can't hear Paradise without saying carrot ice!
    I know what you mean about getting rid of CD's. I feel much the same way about dvds. Even charity shops don't want them now and I hate to throw them out. I tried to sell some on Music Magpie recently but they only wanted one or two of them.
    Your tree looks lovely. Christmas is going to be different for most people this year isn't it. I'm not too bothered about it. We'll have mum for lunch and that's it. We'll go and socially distance giving our grandchildren their presents but that will be the extent of our celebrations this year.
    I hope your feeling better now. Things build up and get on top of us at times, especially at this time of year. There is so much pressure to be 'perfect' its easy to slip down the rabbit hole. Take care. xx

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    1. Oh that's so sweet of your granddaughter - I know I would stick with "carrot ice" for ever. I feel so much better now thanks. It usually doesn't take me too long to get out of a funk anyway, but watching something like Peter Kay always does it - I guess André knows the tricks then. And you're having your mum for Christmas lunch - funny that, we're having turkey!

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    2. hahahaha! You made me laugh there, especially given the post I just did regarding my mum!! lol. x

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  3. That was a great laugh! Is there some sort of charity or estate sales type of company that would come and just take all the ex's stuff at once? That's what I will have to do with dh's hoard if he kicks the bucket before I do.

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    1. I got rid of the majority of his stuff when I emptied his house over two months of weekends (he had to pay two more months rent to get out of his lease). I threw what I could, gave his clothes to charity and the kids took what they wanted. There isn't an awful lot left now but those CDs were bugging the hell out of me so problem solved. I'm glad you were able to understand Peter Kay. Sometimes regional British accents can be so strong they're not always easy (I should know, I've got one of the worst)!

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  4. Your tree is beautiful!
    One of my favorite misheard lyrics is Bad moon rising___There's a bathroom on the right

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    1. Ha ha, that is brilliant! I guess we've all done it though haven't we!

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  5. Mom for lunch...lol. The misunderstood clip was funny. I love that tree. How tall is it. Do you have a sheet under it? I prefer using a white sheet because it looks like drifted snow. I have had the chance for skirts, but I don't want one, just a sheet.

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    1. I'm not sure how tall the tree is - probably about 8'. I've had it since 1985 so I can't remember but it's served me well and I never wanted a real one. Under it are just two pieces of white fluffy fabric. I never thought about putting a sheet under it but I guess I've never needed one, although they are fuller of course!

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  6. I've seen Peter Kay on a few sitcoms, one where he's the dad in the 70s and in a houzing area where everyone just tries to get by, lots of shenanigans. Edinburgh is on my next UK visit list if that is ever possible, but I like the idea of no crowds. We'll hear today if our state expands flexibility.

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    1. My boss has repeatedly invited me out there to visit them but I've never been yet. Must be mad. Maybe that'll be next on the visit list when this bloody pandemic knocks off. I hope you get some more flexibility today. We're still not totally free of course but it's a definite improvement - as long as the crap doesn't come roaring back in January!

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  7. Peter Kay is one of those comedians where you barely even need to understand what he's saying- that face!
    How I understand that simmering funk which is probably the product of anger. I've had it for weeks now.
    I don't quite understand your lock-down/non lock-down rules. What's to prevent everyone from giving each other the virus during Christmas Eve? It's all so confusing and I wonder if our "leaders" are even listening to scientists at all or just sitting at big tables going, "Well, how does this sound?"
    Be safe. Just be safe, dear Treader.

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    1. Yes some people are just born with the comedian's face, you're right, and he's definitely got that! You're also probably right about the simmering anger - although I don't get angry very often either. Maybe I need to. As for Christmas and NY, they are asking us to keep gatherings to a maximum of 10, if I'm correct. I feel that they've now GOT to let people have some freedom or there will be a bloody revolution. We'll see in January I guess. I'll do my best to stay safe if you do the same - and I know you will!

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  8. I understand exactly what you mean about the clutter, some stuff just breeds doesn’t it? I’m nowhere near ruthless enough so I have a feng shui vision of how I’d like to live and the incompatibility of reality which can be a horror story at times especially ( like Andre with his crumbs and mud) when Mr E roams loose!

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    1. I know. Trouble is, when I want it "out of here" I want it gone NOW!!! And that isn't always possible. The sad thing is, I don't think there is anything "special" that I have ever gotten rid of that I have ever thought about again. The other problem is, if it isn't broken it "has to go to a good home". I can't just throw it. First world problems eh!

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  9. Did not laugh that hard for quiet a while. Thank you! Peter Kay is so funny.

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    1. As Ms Moon says, you only have to look at that face and you know you're going to end up laughing don't you!

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  10. Oh my, the comedian is a real hoot! I didn't understand everything he said but I did hear what he was hearing in the lyrics.

    I popped to say that I received your Christmas card and it is lovely! Thank you for joining in Anne's exchange. I love the idea and it is a lovely way to find other bloggers.

    Take care, stay well and good luck with the leftovers.

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    1. I'm glad you received the card - and you're right, it's a lovely initiative by Anne isn't it. I wasn't sure if everyone would understand Peter Kay (I don't think my ex would have) but the bits that you do understand are hilarious aren't they!

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