A questioner questions...
It is a bright fresh morning here in Barton, a sparrow has just fallen from the chimney pot.
Over the past week (a period of intensive Christmas distraction), what has happened on the fronts 'new town', 'new love' and 'unwritten thesis'?...
Well, can't say much for what's been happening in Barton as I've not been here much. However, my familiarity with the town has continued to grow. A pal from 15 miles west has shared info on which of the town's pubs may be sources of agreeable football distraction. Beyond that, the local rag continues to amuse and bemuse, whilst the day-to-day musings and updates from m' co-dwellers inform me further.
'New love'... hmmm... I did indeed meet Emma for tea in town on the 28th, was all very convivial, but at the same time mutually inquisitorial. I was semi-rocked to discover that she knew of me before we'd ever had direct contact with one another. It seems that in a former (and oh so very brief) 'good chum' of mine we had a mutual acquaintance. I am told that said chum had tended to wax lyrical on the subject of Shane Wexford. Most peculiar. I chose not to enquire as to the detail of such lyricism, was disturbing enough to think that a confident impression of me could have already been formed. The lyricist - Siobhan (a good though troubled egg) - remains a part of both mine and Emma's distinct social circles. Anyway, back to tea on the 28th, I did raise the subject of the nature of Emma's relationship with Ed (formerly referred to as "the father of my child"), and this is where the wriggling began. A clear term such as 'fiance', 'partner', or even 'boyfriend' (a term that is sufficient for the primary school years alone) was not attached to Ed. However, this much was gleaned: their son Alex (3.5 years old) was not planned, and was conceived only 9 months into their relationship (3 months later the pregnancy was recognised). Initially, Ed was very uncomfortable with them seeing through the pregnancy. Emma and Ed then had some relationship counselling to talk through this and them. Quite fascinating, but a bit too delicate an aside for further enquiry - on this occasion, Emma said that "A rejection of an unborn child would have felt like a rejection of us" (the implication being that Ed's commitment to a long-term relationship would have felt slack). Later, noting a general air of lovelessness, I asked "do you think you've stayed together (as this was my inference) because of Alex?". The response: "I sometimes wonder about this". Things then turned to the more gentle subjects of human behaviour during sales shopping, other mutual (work-related) acquaintances, and our unwritten theses. I think it's fair to say that we parted feeling more learned about one another, and having both appreciated the effort that we'd each made to meet up. As it was a day-time encounter our meeting didn't have the edge that an evening meeting (with 'date' undertones) might have had. Upon checking my email yesterday - first time in about a week - a message had been sent early evening of Dec 28th by Emma saying she'd enjoyed meeting and chatting, and that I asked good questions. I agreed with all of this. Not so incidentally, in fairly tight-fit denim trousers, pointy-toed boots, and a fairly light-weight shirt under short jacket, Emma had looked stunning - in person, I'd proffered a lazy "you look good", to that she said "thank you". As she is 'with' Ed I'm treating her as an interesting, attractive, highly fanciable, though out-of-bounds personage. I will gladly do further socialising with her, however, with Ed working away from home a lot I am keen to avoid becoming the 'bloke wot fills the quiet times' - out of me, the piss must not be taken. So, already - this is post 3 of 'N.T.N.L.U.T' - I think we should add a barrel of salt to the term 'New Love' of this blog's title - 'New Point Of Social and Relational Interest' isn't quite so punchy.
In terms of the thesis, I had a very interesting chat about one strand of it with the male partner of a friend reecently - his own early years biography shared a lot of cross-overs with what I've been writing about. This was good for the thesis-writing psyche - in reminding me that to some people this will be pertinent and interesting reading. A hint of the blues there? Heh, it'll all be different next year (approximately half a day away). New year will be seen in with PhDist pal Kay, her sister, and her sister's military chap-friend. Board games and amateur cocktailing has been spoken of.
If you have read all of this, then "well done, what stamina!" I feel I have a cold coming on. Good day.
Over the past week (a period of intensive Christmas distraction), what has happened on the fronts 'new town', 'new love' and 'unwritten thesis'?...
Well, can't say much for what's been happening in Barton as I've not been here much. However, my familiarity with the town has continued to grow. A pal from 15 miles west has shared info on which of the town's pubs may be sources of agreeable football distraction. Beyond that, the local rag continues to amuse and bemuse, whilst the day-to-day musings and updates from m' co-dwellers inform me further.
'New love'... hmmm... I did indeed meet Emma for tea in town on the 28th, was all very convivial, but at the same time mutually inquisitorial. I was semi-rocked to discover that she knew of me before we'd ever had direct contact with one another. It seems that in a former (and oh so very brief) 'good chum' of mine we had a mutual acquaintance. I am told that said chum had tended to wax lyrical on the subject of Shane Wexford. Most peculiar. I chose not to enquire as to the detail of such lyricism, was disturbing enough to think that a confident impression of me could have already been formed. The lyricist - Siobhan (a good though troubled egg) - remains a part of both mine and Emma's distinct social circles. Anyway, back to tea on the 28th, I did raise the subject of the nature of Emma's relationship with Ed (formerly referred to as "the father of my child"), and this is where the wriggling began. A clear term such as 'fiance', 'partner', or even 'boyfriend' (a term that is sufficient for the primary school years alone) was not attached to Ed. However, this much was gleaned: their son Alex (3.5 years old) was not planned, and was conceived only 9 months into their relationship (3 months later the pregnancy was recognised). Initially, Ed was very uncomfortable with them seeing through the pregnancy. Emma and Ed then had some relationship counselling to talk through this and them. Quite fascinating, but a bit too delicate an aside for further enquiry - on this occasion, Emma said that "A rejection of an unborn child would have felt like a rejection of us" (the implication being that Ed's commitment to a long-term relationship would have felt slack). Later, noting a general air of lovelessness, I asked "do you think you've stayed together (as this was my inference) because of Alex?". The response: "I sometimes wonder about this". Things then turned to the more gentle subjects of human behaviour during sales shopping, other mutual (work-related) acquaintances, and our unwritten theses. I think it's fair to say that we parted feeling more learned about one another, and having both appreciated the effort that we'd each made to meet up. As it was a day-time encounter our meeting didn't have the edge that an evening meeting (with 'date' undertones) might have had. Upon checking my email yesterday - first time in about a week - a message had been sent early evening of Dec 28th by Emma saying she'd enjoyed meeting and chatting, and that I asked good questions. I agreed with all of this. Not so incidentally, in fairly tight-fit denim trousers, pointy-toed boots, and a fairly light-weight shirt under short jacket, Emma had looked stunning - in person, I'd proffered a lazy "you look good", to that she said "thank you". As she is 'with' Ed I'm treating her as an interesting, attractive, highly fanciable, though out-of-bounds personage. I will gladly do further socialising with her, however, with Ed working away from home a lot I am keen to avoid becoming the 'bloke wot fills the quiet times' - out of me, the piss must not be taken. So, already - this is post 3 of 'N.T.N.L.U.T' - I think we should add a barrel of salt to the term 'New Love' of this blog's title - 'New Point Of Social and Relational Interest' isn't quite so punchy.
In terms of the thesis, I had a very interesting chat about one strand of it with the male partner of a friend reecently - his own early years biography shared a lot of cross-overs with what I've been writing about. This was good for the thesis-writing psyche - in reminding me that to some people this will be pertinent and interesting reading. A hint of the blues there? Heh, it'll all be different next year (approximately half a day away). New year will be seen in with PhDist pal Kay, her sister, and her sister's military chap-friend. Board games and amateur cocktailing has been spoken of.
If you have read all of this, then "well done, what stamina!" I feel I have a cold coming on. Good day.
posted by Shane @ 10:41 am
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