Silly fanfic idea where Gordon and Lady Penelope trick the Tracy brothers into becoming their trial kids and they donāt catch on for at least a week or two.
It has to be Johnā¦ Johnās close to both Penelope and his brotherā¦
As for everyone else? I reckon Alan and Virgil are the last to figure it out. Alan because the treatment isnāt too different, and Virgil because he doesnāt care to ask why heās being overlooked after.
Love this idea š Virgil knows for a while but he's quite happy with the situation. He only lets on when Gordon tries to go "Dad-ish" about piloting Two and Virgil can't take it
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He actually turned out better than I expected. I had a hard time choosing colours but I think it looks nice and that I did the best with the colours I had available. I kinda freestyled the palm tree details on his shirt but I'm really happy with it!
I've been on social media for 20 years+. It has served me pretty well. I've reconnected with people and become aware of things that were happening either in my area or further afield. Both my main "in physical form" hobbies use it heavily in a members group so we know what's happening. So I don't really want to leave.
However, wtaf is with all the videos of people talking to cameras? That's all it seems to want to show me. Even worse people talking to cameras in cars whilst driving the cars. Please either drive the car or film this "content". The algorithm isn't that clever because it hasn't worked out I reject every single one where somebody is filming themselves driving.
Of course these have been there for a while and I just scrolled past. A bit like adverts used to be on tv, they were just there. Except they don't go. There's just more of them. The tv programme i.e. stuff I actually follow doesn't come back. Just more camera talking interspersed with people yelling at me to lift weights (I already do. It should know that too.) Then it actually wouldn't show me a post from three days ago written by our band conductor, presumably because he just wrote it rather than filming it as a reel in his car.
I have a feeling this is as useful as opposing the tide, though if anybody does know a way to stop some of the cr*p please let me know. I suspect my options are to leave, with the inconvenience that brings, or put up with an increasing amount of people tapping things, getting too close to the camera and having one dimensional opinions shouted at me.
Thank goodness for Tumblr is all I can say for me being able to write this.
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Gordon looks like a little kid who gets up on Christmas morning the moment the sun rises and races downstairs to open his presents - pyjamas and bed-hair and all.
But everyone else looks like theyāve been up for hours, taken time to dress up, probably already eaten a big Christmas lunch and are now gathering together to exchange gifts
Gordon is Christmas morning with little kids in the house. Everyone else is Christmas for grown-ups, gathering together at grandmaās house or something.
Today I learned that Nick Park is writing a Tell-All memoir from the perspective of Gromit and it's perhaps the fastest I've ever preordered anything.
Making Gromit speak is a terrible idea that ruins the character. Having Gromit write a book where we get to hear everything that goes on in his head is the most in-character thing I've ever heard.
And if that wasn't enough the excerpt clinched it:
"Yes. Iām a dog. And youāre reading a book written by a dog.
Which of us is the odder? I guess weāll just have to get used to it.
Now, this is supposed to be Wallaceās story. And maybe, at some point, heāll finish building the machine he was going to write this book with. Currently heās stood on top of the dining table and wondering why he fitted a typewriter with wheels and a flame-thrower (we made an agreement for new inventions ā thereās even a list on the fridge, and 'No Flame-Throwers' is at Number 3).
Until then, this is my story. The tale of what goes on behind my eyes. And I really do know where all the bones are buried. So. I guess itās time I spoke."
Also his author bio:
"GromitĀ is a talented knitter, baker, and gardener. He has twice received awards for his marrows in competition. Although he is widely read, this is his first book. He would like you to know that he is a good dog."
@sailing-on-a-puddle well John does look like he's just paused there and is ready to jump up and leave. Do you think Jeff only let him down for the photo.
Ah maybe! He's also the only one of his sons who got a chair because the constant standing in 'space gravity' (whatever it is on Tos Five) has done funny things to his legs
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Not wanting to have sex is NOT a problem. It doesnāt matter if you are asexual or allo, there is nothing wrong with not wanting sex. Itās just an activity. Thatād be like saying that if you donāt like soccer, you need to go to soccer therapy to figure out why you dislike it and figure out how to like it because itās for your own good. See how ridiculous that sounds? IT IS OK TO NOT WANT TO HAVE SEX AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED!!!!!!
Itās so weird how as soon as itās sex people are talking about, it becomes so black and white and people canāt seem to understand that there could be nuance or that shock horror people might have different needs or opinions and get all defensive because if you donāt think or want the same youāre somehow judging their own choices.
Itās like cheese. š§
Unhinged rant about cheese preferences below the cut because this seemed a better use of my time than actually eating breakfast.
- You are allowed to like cheese.
- You are allowed to not like cheese.
Neither of these positions are personality-defining nor should be something you should feel compelled to openly make some kind of statement about unless you are in a situation where someone is offering you cheese*. Or, like, youāre being asked to join the Royal Society of Fondue Tasters or something.
(*and even then a simple āno thank youā will often suffice. If that isnāt sufficient for a person they do not deserve your dietary history anyway)
However if you would like to wear a T-shirt or hat or little badge declaring your allegiance or your membership of a certain cheese fanclub and to enable you to find fans who have similar cheese tastes thatās entirely up to you.
- You are allowed to not want cheese ever.
Telling someone āah you will one dayā is patronising and rude even if you mean well. There is no age or set of life experience criteria you have to meet before you are allowed to make that call.
- You are allowed to not want cheese right now.
There are plenty of other things to eat. Lifeās menu is a broad one!
- You are allowed to want cheese very much then change your mind for any reason.
Itās entirely morally ok to like cheese, to quite fancy some particular cheese actually and to buy the cheese and bring it home and then at the point the cheese platter is on the table and the cute little curvy knife in your hand to say āactually no I donāt want this cheese / any cheese / cheese in this particular location right nowā.
- Most people in Western culture seem to like cheese of one kind or another.
Good for them. But if everyone was the same that would be really dull.
- A lot of people eat cheese pretty often.
If they are enjoying the cheese good for them. Best not to keep going on about it unless you are sure your audience actually wants to hear though
- Some people would like to eat cheese more often than they do.
While they may feel sad about that, it doesnāt mean they get to demand anyone gives them cheese.
- Some people are really kind of obsessed with cheese.
Maybe they should keep a little eye on whether their cheese consumption is part of a balanced diet of all the foods life can offer and maybe ensure that they arenāt stealing cheese or hurting folks or alienating them because all they can talk about is cheeseā¦ but thatās for them to figure out.
- Some people are allergic to cheese.
Given the prevalence of cheese at social occasions that might mean they feel it is safer for them to actually make this point clear when they meet friends, they may decline to go to the all inclusive buffet or ask if you can maybe hang out at the chocolate fountain instead.
Thatās their call. But if they donāt happen to declare this that doesnāt give anyone the right to assume the opposite.
It also means that as decent humans maybe we donāt shove cheese in their face all the time or talk about how awful and unfulfilling their life must be without cheese.
- Some people are meh about cheese.
Valid position.
- Some people are really in the mood for cheese some days / weeks / years and not others.
Even as a cheese-lover, oneās ability to enjoy cheese is affected by an almost infinite set of variables
- People can enjoy one type of cheese and another type can be revolting to them.
We donāt assume that because they like a mild smoked applewood that they must also be into chowing down on 1000day aged Parmesan.
- Appetite for and taste in cheese is nuanced and personal.
Itās actually none of your business what kind of cheese people are into unless, and I stress this point again, you are planning to invite them over for cheese and crackers.
- Nobody should be coerced into to eating cheese of any kind
We donāt try to trick people who say they donāt want cheese into eating cheese in order to say HAHAH OF COURSE YOU WANT CHEESE
- āIf you really loved me youād eat this cheeseā is a toxic statement
Love is not defined by cheese. Run away.
- Some people may personally abstain from cheese for moral or for health reasons.
You may not agree with them, but that is their call. Attacking them for their decision because your own ego is threatened by the fact not everyone thinks the same as you is not ok.
Itās like cheese.
The one place this metaphor breaks is here:
There could theoretically be a situation where you are starving to death and the only sustenance available to you is some cheese and in that limited situation it could be advisable to eat the cheese even if you really hate it.
That NEVER applies to sex.
Thank you for attending my TED talk about that is not about cheese.
This is the second of my ficlets on Grandma Tracy's memories. Little bit of explanation in Part 1.
I'd been flying in medical helicopters since I was a trainee doctor, but I always wanted to try to fly myself rather than be flown. I was in my late thirties before I got to have a go.
I was given a taster day as a birthday present by my son and husband. I was hooked instantly. It was an even better feeling than my motorbike. The freedom!
I went to the airfield whenever I could. I took all the courses and became a qualified pilot. Just a single engine plane of course. It was very hard to get a licence for super fast jets unless you're flying commercially or in the military.
A certain young man showed a real interest in my flying. I was so honoured to teach him. Jeff was at the age where some kids don't think anything their parents do is cool so mine joining me in my hobby was amazing.
Of course it became much more than a hobby for him. He joined the GDF and he did get to fly the fast jets. The faster the better. He took me once in a jet over the mountains and I've never experienced anything like it!
Years later Jeff started setting up International Rescue. I'd been considering retirement anyway so I stopped being a full time doctor to help him. If you're going to rescue people you need a medic! Jeff was true to his word about getting to the rescues faster, building ever faster rescue planes wiith Brains.
Did I fly them? Well that would be telling wouldn't it? And did I take my eldest grandson along for the ride occasionally when Jeff and Lucy had the younger ones? I couldn't possibly comment.
Unfortunately my flying came to an abrupt end due to a sudden issue with my long distance eyesight. I never got to take my other grandsons. Brains has said I could fly with holographics like I did with Two in the sandstorm, but I simply wouldn't feel comfortable. I'm happy to support my grandchildren with their rescue dreams.
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I think that would have to be the trombone.
Possibly also the largest gift I've ever had under the tree!
It took almost 4 years of playing the one hired from the school before my parents were convinced I'd stick with it! Then, with the transition from primary to secondary school looming I finally had my very own trombone.
It's travelled with me to various places and events across the country and the world since.
That's such a lovely present and story of your trombone! My son and husband are learning tenor horn courtesy of borrowed instruments from a local band. I never cracked brass but I am trying hard to get back into playing my saxophone (also a present).
What age is the primary/secondary school transition in Australia? In England most schools change age 11 (there's a few counties on different systems but that's the most common) and I'm thinking you must have been quite early learning the trombone if you'd had one 4 years by then.
That's awesome that your husband and son are learning together, and that you have your own instrument to play too!
Transition from primary to secondary school was at age 12 for me, which is pretty average (for my state at least).
My primary school decided to start up a concert band when I was in 3rd grade, but after the start of the school year. So, while I was only 8 when I started (and still not taller than the instrument in question!), I might have been getting close to turning 9!
On the evening where we were given the opportunity to try out instruments in preparation for the band program's official beginning there was only ever one choice for me. People tried suggesting I try out something smaller - like the flute - but the trombone was my first and only preference!
I came back to this because last night my 6 year old declared he wanted to learn to play the trombone, and I immediately remembered this conversation but I couldn't remember how old you were. He is tall for his age so if he's still enthusiastic at 8 we can see about borrowing a trombone! š
The two (or three) important factors I would suggest your 6 year old needs to be ready to learn trombone are lung capacity and arm length/hand size.
Lung capacity is kinda obvious - you have to get air moving through a considerable amount of tubing! (This is also true for smaller brass instruments, but the bigger they get, the more breath you need.) Of course, with practice comes better breath control and increased lung capacity. So, an initial "blow test" is a good idea to make sure you've got at least enough ability to get consistent sound without getting too out of breath - you've gotta have enough to build on as you learn.
Arm length is important because there are 7 slide positions. 1st being slide all the way closed, 7th being the longest reach. When I first started I could barely reach 6th position with the very tips of my fingers! And the second note in the first scale we learned could only be played in 6th position! Luckily, the few notes that required 7th position were ones I didn't need until later years.
(These notes are fairly low ones - as you may guess from the longer tubes make lower notes related physics! - and as you get higher up in pitch the outer stretch positions are needed less.)
And related to that is hand size. The way you (should) hold the trombone with your left hand requires a bit of grip strength, and a bit of a hand stretch. The first trombone I was given to learn on was a very old one that didn't have the same locking screw mechanism to join the two main sections together that modern instruments do. As a result, I was trying to hold the two pieces together with my tiny left hand while playing. My teacher discovered my difficulty and I was upgraded to a newer instrument which made my playing a great deal easier!
(Sorry for the infodump! I hope your 6 year old's enthusiasm for the trombone remains until they are ready to learn this fantastic instrument!)
I love the infodump! I can't play brass so all the info is good esp that tip on older style instruments.
What you say about lung capacity is so true - I had pneumonia as a child and apparently this can affect lung capacity. My mum never bothered to tell me this until I started playing my tenor saxophone again earlier this year (also lots of air needed) and wow my lung capacity has dropped so badly since I was playing twenty years ago! Now practising, doing breathing exercises and also just exercise.
I'm loving being back to playing though and ive joined a band. Obviously I won't push my kids into anything they don't want to do that isn't compulsary but I really hope they stick with the desire to learn instruments ššµš· (I don't have a trombone emoji!)
