Grey's Anatomy

 

I spent the day in St James Hospital.

I'm fine, honest, there's nothing wrong with me TG.

Myself and five others were there to help out with the exams for the Medical Students. We were each given a role-play involving a particular ailment and the students were assessed on how well they dealt with us.. Bed side manner, I suppose.

One of the women had been assigned a bad back and she found that after discussing it about twenty times with various students she actually did get a pain in her back! 

We were told that this was a common occurrence.

One of the lads with us got a bit pale. It seems he had been discussing his imaginary STD all day!

Don't panic. I'd say it would take a lot more than autosuggestion to come down with one of those!

"And the nominations are......"

 As you probably know I recently took part in Leixlip Musical and Variety Group's  production of The Wedding Singer. I really wanted to do some dancing again....

Once a chorus girl, always a chorus girl

...but for me the problem was that LMVG was always my musical society but they are a "dance" group. There is no chance of a "Step together, clap" dance routine here!

I was so excited to be allowed back in by Claire, (the choreographer/director) and to be welcomed in by the cast,  most of whom are young enough to be my sons and daughters! I had an absolute ball doing it, despite the fact that I was totally out of my comfort zone and realising that I'm not as young/ flexible as I used to be.

Well today was the day of reckoning - the AIMS awards nominations, the "oscars" for amateur Irish Musicals. LMVG got four nominations....Yipee!

And as you can see we not only got the nomination for best choreographer for Claire's genius  but we also got nominated for Choreography for how the ensemble actually performed these routines.

Now I'm not saying we were nominated because I was in it, but rather I'm saying we were still nominated despite the fact I was in it!

Roll on AIMS Awards weekend in Killarney :) 

All you need is love

 I woke up this morning with no plan for today.

One of the advantages of retirement is that every day is a Saturday so there's no pressure to cram everything into a weekend!

After a quick look at Facebook I found myself heading to Navan for an Anti-Hate rally. I think the whole country has been shocked by the event that happened in Navan this week. A young pupil aged 14 was viciously beaten by a gang of fellow school students, resulting in serious facial injuries.

The reason?

His hair was dyed pink.

What shocked people most, I think, is that we all believed that the younger generation is more tolerant of diversity and differences.

Obviously NOT!

The community of Navan wanted to take a stand and show that they are saying "No to Hate", saying no to discrimination of any sort.

I feel particularly strong about this as I think of all the students that leave Primary School and they should be safe in Secondary school regardless of their race, colour, sexuality, whatever.

So I found myself marching through the streets of Navan chanting at the top of my voice. 

MY FIRST MARCH!

It felt good. Lately I have been beginning to despair at what is going on in the world and feeling powerless to do anything.

 But evil will only prosper if people stand back and say nothing.

Art imitating Life

 When I googled "Things to do when you retire" I was horrified to find Chair aerobics in the top 3. Maybe some day, but not today.

So I decided that I wanted to dance in a musical again. The last time I did was back in 2008. It was very difficult and tiring to work and then drive to Leixlip for rehearsals. But not with all this free time on my hands..........

The only problem is that LMVG ( Leixlip Musical and Variety Group) are very much a dance group with no chance of a gentle " Step together Tap, Step together Clap" dance routine. When I heard they were doing "The Wedding Singer" for this year I was very optimistic. I mean they have to have old people at the wedding too. So many thanks to the director/choreographer Claire Tighe for believing in me and including me in the ensemble.

Seeing as its set in the 1980s I figured that I could be a very valuable source of reference for costumes, make up and general background information.

It definitely was a case of  was it "Life imitating Art or Art imitating Life?"

This was taken in 1985 at one of my first First Holy Communions. Note the permed hair and the drop waited dress.

Onto 2023 and I'm still sporting a fetching drop-waisted dress as mother-of-the- bride! Ah the memories.

I was brought back to earth a few times in the dressing room as "the young ones" discussed the 80s.

"Did women work during the 80s?"

Yes we did!

"Did people even French Kiss during the 80s?"

Hell YES WE DID, when we got the chance!

Opening night came and I was sick with nerves, but it made me feel proud that I was pushing myself outside my comfort zone. I thoroughly enjoyed the run and thanks to all who made me feel I belonged there.

There's life in the old dog yet!!!