Thursday 16 December 2010

It's Not All Bad News...

It seems, at times recently, as if The Ranter has been overwhelmed with bad news. Increased workload and incessant pressure at work following the departure of my colleague Claire (it's not the same without you, dear!); my dear old mother not enjoying the best of health; my own health not the Mae West either; daughter Michaela also being swamped at work and finding this time of the year difficult emotionally; my good friend Marion going through similar emotions; tonnes of snow and sub-zero temperatures making getting to and from work difficult and lengthy. And - Christmas is nine days away. Have I mentioned my dislike of this time of the year?

However, it's not all bad news.

A week tomorrow I'll finish work for the Christmas break and not return to the pressure cooker that is the office until 5 January. Michaela no longer has to appear in court next Tuesday (as a witness in an assault case, not for driving at 150mph on the Edinburgh by-pass in case you wondered); grandson Jack did a star turn at his school's nativity play; Hearts are playing great football, have won six games in a row and are now just three points behind second placed Celtic; and a football website has declared the Hearts Match Day programme the best in Scotland with someone called Mike Smith the best features writer (that did my ego a power of good when I read this on Twitter last night!)

Above all though, I am proud to know so many good, kind-hearted and generous people in my life. Through this blog I have got to know some wonderful people such as Peggy, Lilly, A Daft Scots Lass, Groanin' Jock, Kenfitlike and the always wonderful Adullamite. They have all enhanced my life. May their God bless them all.

Edinburgh, always a fantastic, vibrant city, is awash with colour and excitement at Christmas. Princes Street really is spectacular - in my humble opinion there's no better place in the world to be at this time of the year.

Okay, that's way too much optimism. The weather forecast for Edinburgh for the weekend is heavy snow and freezing temperatures. I have to complete the January payroll at the office before I finish for Christmas. My back is killing me. And the bottle of brandy in the kitchen is damn near empty.

Ho ho ho....

8 comments:

Joanna Jenkins said...

I do believe there's a bit of the Christmas spirit in you this year Mike. Maybe Master Jack's outstanding performance in the Christmas play had something to do with that???

Glad you have a nice long vacation to look forward too. I hope the weather gives you a break and your team keeps on their winning streak.

And Lilly-- She is the best. I believe she's how we met.

Merry Christmas, jj

miruspeg said...

It is never all bad news is it Mike, it depends how we look at life....glass half full or glass half empty!

Sorry to hear your back is giving you grief, hope it will be fixed during your break and with a little help of the brandy!!

Merry Christmas to you and your delightful family my very talented writer friend. It has been wonderful getting to know and love you over the past couple of years.

Keep on keeping on Mike and may your beloved Hearts continue their winning streak.

Big hugs
Peggy xxxxxxxx

Adullamite said...

"...Mike Smith the best features writer...."


Brilliant and well deserved I say!
Congratulations!

Stuck At Hame said...

Might buy a programme at tomorrow's game now!!

Mike Smith said...

Thank you everyone - you've just proved what wonderful folk you are! And Vicky - at £3 it's a quality read!

David Henderson said...

Keep up the good work Mike. I enjoy reading all of your blogs.

Groanin' Jock said...

I've read your book on Hearts' first season post-Romanov, so if that's anything to go by, the guy on Twitter isn't wrong!

Mike Smith said...

Thanks David and Jock - you're very kind!

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