Glass half full? Yes please

The first day back to work in a new year can go either way. The glass half full brigade are full of excitement for what is to come, and some cannot wait to escape the cloying web of family for a welcome chance to get out of the house and away from domesticity, whilst others dread the end of the festivities and, not helped by the interminable wet English winter, and loaded down with New Years Resolutions, to which they know on their hearts they will pay scant attention, struggle to be optimistic.

Curiously, I find myself stuck between these two schools of the thought. I suppose that one could describe it as having two glasses, one half full and one half empty. The half full receptacle comes to mind when I think forward to the number of new clients I am going to save from their banks this year by introducing them to the Currencies Direct method of saving money on their foreign exchange transactions. It could also apply to my battle with the uncooperative bathroom scales. I am determined to win that one.

Then there are my music business interests, the major one of which, my ownership of a rap catalogue Music Of Life, from which I divested myself last year but curiously, because of an ongoing interests, I find myself enthused in a way I have not been for years. Glass half full.

The glass half empty on the other hand, comes to mind whenever I look out of the window in the morning and it is raining. I must have a lot of half full glasses this winter. I think what I should do is collect them all together and have a massive party.

Looks like someone emptied am awful lot of glasses

Talking of parties, I am on the train to London today with that Nice Lady Decorator to celebrate the life of a dear talented friend and glass blower, Karen Lawrence and, as a result will be meeting up with a lot of old friends. When I pass away, I don’t want black worn, I want a huge party, comedians, music, drinking and eating. I will be watching. Oh, no, I have just realised that the Reverend Jeff will be convincing himself that I am considering redemption through religion. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no redemption unless it is from an insurance policy or a pension, and I don’t believe in the latter either.

So it will be a melancholy day, at least until we get into the pub after the service with some old pals, such as John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett amongst others, where we shall do what a bunch of old gits love to do at our age: reminisce about the good old days. It is all rubbish of course. A romanticised memory of only the good times, when apart from youthful enthusiasm and dreams, we all had nothing and had to work for a living, try to survive and make a way in the world. Anyway, it will be good to see some old faces again.

Just over a week to go and I shall be on my way to some sunshine, unless that pesky jet stream decides to reposition itself over the Canary Islands, in which case I shall empty out all the glasses I can find to try to find solace. Then later in the month, I am faced with the prospect of a major birthday milestone. Becoming 60 this month and entering my 7th decade as a result, is just that; a result. I have been lucky enough to have had an extremely good life but there is no bucking time.

Chris France
@Valbonne_News