Ok, that slightly self effacing ,bumbling character that spends most of his spare time squelching around in shit stained wellies and a gravy stained jacket is something I am quite happy to portray to my local ( and dare I say international) general public but sometimes it's nice to remind people that I do have a brain, and a certain amount of transferable skills from my "city days " fighting my way up the corporate and managerial ladders .
Now don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want all of that bollocks and micro managerial shit back in my day to day existence, nor would I wish to return to that "fire fighting mentality" senior NHS managers have to resort to when you have a score of needy staff members that come to your office with their mouths open like small fluffy baby birds in need of dinner, but sometimes I do get just that little bit exasperated by the notion of some that "there is less to me that meets the eye"
It's my own fault, me thinks.
wandering around with chicken poop on my person
but, like I said, just sometimes it is nice to be reminded that.....
I'm not just a shitty face!
Ha .. that shitty face is just a cover to your marshmallow interior, is it not John ? xx
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same way as you do, especially after catching sight of myself in the reflection of a shop window recently. I was in 'farm gear' and looked like a country yokel, which I suppose I am in a way. Ah, but you and I know who we are inside! And, anyway, I know you have a good brain and a good heart because of the way you write!
ReplyDeleteHell John, you work in an ITU ward - that pretty much makes you a hero in anyone's books - I'm guessing the families of your patients find your demeanour very reassuring. You don't need to roar, I imagine quietly clearing your throat does it!
ReplyDeleteHope you and Chris and the menagerie had a great Christmas xx
My mother used to always ask us children to "clean up" if we were going into town for any reason. One day I asked why. She said that her father always asked it of her as a child and it became a habit. He came from Norway to the US with a third grade education but longed for respect so always presented himself well. He had a good job and went up the ladder as far as one could with that amount of education. My mother, an only child, went on to get her Master's degree and write books as well as being an educator. She always looked amazing and I know just enjoyed being casual but raised me on "What will people think??"
ReplyDeleteGood St. John
ReplyDeleteA heart of grace behind the face,
He lives a quiet life,
Not for him
The muck and strife
That comes with city life.
With love for all, both man and beast,
He lives to serve
The very least.
And at days end
Albert, his friend,
Drops a dead mouse at his feet
In honour
Of good St. John.
Sorry John....I couldn't help myself.
Like Donna we were brought up to maintain "appearances". Somehow, with me, it didn't stick lol.
Ha! You couldn't do what you do and not have a sharp brain indeed.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of the year, John! ♥
Truth is, on your blog we see much more of your heart than your face.
ReplyDeleteAlison! So true!
DeleteAlison!!! Wonderfully put and I am in 100% agreement.
ReplyDeleteTo John~If you think any of your regular followers don't already know about your sharp mind and clever wit, then you are mistaken. I've never thought you were anything less than a very bright fella that has a huge heart! The perfect combination.
I agree with Alison. And you don't need a sharp suit to be sharp. We love you just the way you are. xxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteWhen I see a plain brown package I often wonder about its contents. A red polka dot thong? The complete works of Shakespeare? Latest Season of The Walking Dead?
ReplyDeleteI worked 22 years in an office environment (had to leave due to bullying, as did several others) now I am a working as a 'stress free' part time cleaner (until I retire in a couple of years), but I still have a brain which I find people tend to forget in this job.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I do look forward to every day is reading your blog in order to get some intellectually stimulating banter, which seems to be now lacking in my life. I hold you in the highest esteem John, and you keep me sane.
Back when I wore suits, John, they were the sharpest suits in the building. And, four inch heels. Now I'm seventy, still carrying on in the public world and my private world, looking as I please. It's nice that the work I do is worth while. Here's where I was going and couldn't find few enough words to say it: You got there sooner!
ReplyDeleteJust a note to reassure you that the lion can still roar and that the ugly duckling was in fact a swan oh and Benny Hawkins from "Crossroads" was in fact just a part played by an actor called Paul Henry if you see what I mean.
ReplyDeletePlain packages are quite pleasing and generally, as Cheryl alluded too, hold most pl
ReplyDeletePleasant surprises! Those flashy packages can be just that...flash and no substance. Blogging in the car and hit a bump...sorry for the stutter!
DeleteAnd why sir do you think we are all here?
ReplyDeleteI rest my case!
Yes! Thank you, Jim!
DeleteIn my banking days, when we had to wear suits and high heels (why they thought that made sense when we were on our feet all day long, but that's another rant), we worked in a local branch that had a large agricultural customer base. When our little bank was bought by a large one, the suits from Philadelphia came to visit, and took points off a lot of customer's IQs based on how they were dressed. One of the suits didn't like when i told him he'd just dismissed a few million dollars when he talked in such a condescending tone to Mr Smith. And, he had. Now, lots of farmers we knew didn't have loads of cash, but if you lined them all up, including Mr Smith, you'd be hardpressed to tell which had the most money as they all dressed like working farmers. Because that's what they were.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience it's always very dangerous to under-estimate people's intelligence and abilities. They're very likely hiding their light under a bushel and they'll jump out and bite you when the time is ripe.
ReplyDeletei used to be somebody, in large cities, in political circles...but now im in middle age and out in the middle of no where - literally and metaphorically - my sadistic side says that i enjoy having people underestimate me...and then have a little bit of fun shocking them to the point of pearl clutching... ;)
Deletelife lesson here is to watch for all old people ;) - isnt there a proverb that says " old age and treachery will always out-triumph youth and skill " ? lol
"Old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill" - Waylon Jennings, American country singer.
DeleteYou most certainly do have an international identity. And no-one who displays as much 'heart' as you do, can be dismissed as a nonentity. Or brainless.
ReplyDeleteSome of the most brainy people like zombies.... But not for long. Mmm, brains...
ReplyDeleteWell, pbbbbbt to anybody foolish enough to judge a person by attire. One of the smartest men I know dresses in overalls, looks like a country bumpkin, and talks with a deep Southern drawl. You, old bean, have the brains, heart, and humor to keep us coming back for more.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and all the best in 2013.
John, I can see through the shit.
ReplyDeleteI can feel a Julie Andrews song coming on...
ReplyDelete"Hedgehogs and piglets and wet winter hollyhocks,
String and brown paper wrapped all round my bollyocks,
dogs muck in custard and cat-flavoured cream,
These are a few of... er...
Now that DID make me smile
ReplyDeleteSomeone's tired .xx
ReplyDeleteIf I'd stayed Stockbroking in London, I'd not be that cynical, foul mouthed, paint chucker, that I am today. Exterior finery can disguise a lot of nastiness; I find 'natural' people much more pleasant; chicken shit-n-all.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I am university trained and worked for 13yrs before I decided to be a stay at home mum. In social situations when I say I am a homemaker, I am instantly dismissed and they move on to talk to someone else. Others who stay to chat soon realize that there is more to me than meets the eye. I don't appologise for the path I have taken and neither should you. :)
ReplyDeleteI happen to think you're a rocket scientist, so breathe easy my friend. A rocket scientist perpetually covered in duck and chicken shit, but a rocket scientist nonetheless!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. Having a child after 40 years of full time work using my brain then rocketed me into a world of unbelievable inanity in a new town where nobody knew me as the person I'd been before. You're right, a certain amount of their perception of me is my own fault for wanting to fit into a new community and consequently going along with the nappy-talk. Now I have better friends who have some awareness but I still feel like I am often perceived as a dumb and aging housewife with nothing to contribute! John - wear your gravy stains with pride.
ReplyDeleteJohn - those who know you never underestimate you - we all look forward so much to your blog - you bring a smile to our faces, you write with such humour and passion - we are in awe of you. You are our escape from the everyday 'shit' -we are in need of you. Karen
ReplyDeleteYou have always been my hero
ReplyDelete