Jason Thompson's Blog

Abigail's Party

We have three cats. I know you may not like cats, but we do, and have three. I've always had a cat in the house, since I was about 8.

Our cats are called Sparky, Ginger and Abigail, and Abigail is by far the oldest, at about 17. She doesn't look like an old lady cat though, except that one of her eyes has gone a bit dark and cloudy, I'm assuming with something age related.

Abigail was present at the births of all three of my children, along with me, Antonia and a midwife. So she has been with the children their entire lives. But she has always been a cat who has hated children. When the kids were growing up she was afraid of them to the point where she couldn't be in the same room as a child. She would either hide, terrified behind the sofa, or dash desperately for the door and hide under out bed. She virtually lived under our bed on fact for fear of accidentally encountering a child.

But she has always lived adults. She has always made a fuss of me and others to the point of irritation. She would climb around my shoulders and sink her sharp happy claws into me, and dribble appreciatively purring like a Lambretta.

Then this year something very unexpected happened. Around Katrin's thirteenth birthday, Abigail suddenly found herself tolerant of children. It happened suddenly. Within a few days Abigail had gone from bring a scaredycay to a perfect pet, which has made the children incredibly happy. All their lives they have wanted only to pet and stroke and love Abigail, and all that time Abigail has mistakenly believed that they were her only enemies. But now she has decided to change, and trust, and reach out - she and the children are inseperable, and there is a great deal of love on both sides. Her greatest fear has become her greatest pleasure, and that's wonderful. But the sad thing is that she and they missed out on many years of happiness because she wouldn't give them her trust. So let that be a lesson to us all. From a stupid old cat with one dodgy eye.

Sunrise, sunset

I was making waffles this morning for the kids (yes Ira, like the donkey in Shrek) and I looked through my cd collection for a change rather than the iPod for something to listen to. I felt like being old skool. I was drawn to the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack, which I hadn't listened to in years. I had been the percussionist for the show when I was still teaching, when the production had come to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle. It was a good gig for a percussionist, as the show band were all on Musicians Union rates, and as I was playing drum kit, timps and tuned percussion, which counts as three different instruments, I got triple pay. Loved the show, but as I was in the orchestra pit under the stage for the week long run, I never actually saw any of the show once.

I love some of the music from that show, and it has a special place in my life, so today as I was listening to Sunrise Sunset, I was struck that it's the first time I have really listened to that song since I became a dad. For those who don't know, it's about the passage of time, getting older, seeing the kids who were tiny yesterday become grown ups and getting married - and it is all of the stuff that gets me emotional anyway. But listening to it today, I was really affected by the song, and it made me think about my life and kids and the journey I'm on and stuff I'm going through. Life really isn't a rehearsal and I'm being made aware more and more at the moment to seize opportunities and just live now.

There's a load of stuff happening to us all the time, some great and some not so great. But I'm reminded of the importance of being positive and spreading a bit of kindness and joy and all that. Yes I know I make big mistakes and don't get if right consistently - and some of the things I've done have been hurtful and destructive. But the intention is to get better, become a more positive person, and make life and the world a better place, even if only in a tiny way and on an individual level at times.

It's worth a try anyway.

I bet you all thought I don't exist any more.

Hello. It's December now. My last blog was in August. What's that all about?

Well, much has happened in the last few months, and it has taken some time to adjust and deal with it. And I'm not there yet. By a long stretch. But I've started a journey and it's a bit strange and new, and yes slightly scary at times. But I think the destination will be worth it.

Not to go into too much detail here, and now, but my life has changed significantly in recent months. Shortly after my last blog, which was from our family holiday, Toni and I decided to separate. This isn't the arena to discuss it, in some ways, but I wanted to explain a little why I disappeared from BlogLand, and it has been only recently that I've wanted to come back. I don't know how often I'll be posting, but today, for the first time in many many weeks, I feel like it. So hello again.

As a family we're actually doing okay, and the future will be a happier place, I feel sure. Lots to sort out before we get there, and I have been overwhelmed with the support of friends and family. There's a lot of love in the room, and that's great, because we need it!

So the journey continues, and the paths aren't the ones we had on the map at the start, but life's a journey not a destination. I'll be back soon. Thanks for your patience!

Monkey business

Sorry that last post got published twice.
I like this part of the world - the Shires. It's green and lush and pleasant without feeling too remote and unfriendly. The old man and his daughter who own the hall were staying in are very pleasant and I had a chat with them yesterday as they were painting one of the windows. It must be quite a task keeping this place in order - it's huge.

On Monday we ventured to Trentham Monkey Forest where there is a large group of Barbary Macaques roaming in z huge forest enclosure. It was lovely to see them in their family groups acting very naturally, playing and eating and sleeping. It was easy to imagine that the purpose of the park was actually to allow the monkeys to see and study all the different sizes and shapes of humans as they file past with their cameras. We were two species equally interested in each other.
After a light lunch of sausage and chips at the slightly underwhelming Banana Cafe, we briefly bonded with my sister and my family who had also come along, then went to Stoke on Trent. We were all singing the Stoke on Trent song from Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow, as sung by next door's cat. You had to be there...
In Stoke, we visited Forbidden Planet where I was very tempted to buy aclife size cardboard cutout of Marilyn Monroe, but decided against it. We had a quick spin around Thr Potteries shops and I found a great DVD and cd shop that had a very good and well priced World Cinema section. I bought a Fellini box set including Fred and Ginger, Orchestra Rehearsal and The Ship Sailed On.
Returning to the house, we had a quick game of pool with the kids, and found some baby frogs in the games room. Weird.
Yesterday was another lovely sunny day and it was supposedly our designated lazy day. However we still managed to avoid rest by going into Market Drayton again. We were wanting to have a ride on z canal boat, but there had been a breach in the canal last week and it would take a month to fix so there was no canal activity round here. They suggested Llanogglyn instead where there is a great aquaduct. Maybe later.
One of the 'finds' of the holiday is Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe. It has shelf after shelf of jars and bars and packets and boxes of traditional and hard to find sweets. It was there that I found several bars of Old Jamaica chocolate. I haven't seen that in many years. It's my dads favourite chocolate - dark chocolate with rum and raisins that was discontinued maybe 20 years ago. I bought up several bars. I wonder if dad will remember? I certainly did - what memories that chocolate brought flooding back as I had some with a cuppa back at the house. Mmmmm.
I took mum out for a drive in the beetle. I am really pleased with the new beetle - it looks fantastic. It's also great to drive a beetle that will go over 70. I am just chuffed to bits with it. Very very happy to have a car so like my last one but with all of the bits that didn't work properly fixed and no rust. Brilliant.
Late afternoon yesterday we played games with the kids on the side lawn in the sun, then I sat and read some more Goodfellas with a glass of cava. A great moment of tranquility and rest. Lots of wasps round here though!
Last night we all went out for a Chinese meal and if was lovely. Oliver loves spare ribs. I had crispy duck. Delicious. Thanks mum - that was her treat!
In the evening I finished watching the Frank Zappa Mothers of Invention DVD Graham Chambers got me for my birthday - which was excellent - and I watched A Dirty Shame by John Waters. A strange film that I very much enjoyed, starring Tracey Ullman, Chris Izaac and Johnny Knoxville. Silly naughty funny and strange. That's entertainment.
And to round it all off Bea is up for eviction in Big Brother - result!
So far this morning - Wednesday - I have watched some DVD extras on bed and got dressed all by myself. And it's only 10 o'clock! Wahoo!

In Shropshire for the week

Well we've managed to get away from Northumberland for a little while and the pin we stuck in the map dictated Zmatket Drayton, where we're staying in the Bulkeley Wing of Buntingsdale Hall.

We're here with my mum and sister and two of her girls, and so far it's been great. The hall is massive, and there are grounds with a lake, a basement with a huge games room, and massive sitting room and kitchen. It's very peaceful - and we can get away from everything and everyone here if we need to.

Yesterday we drove down and on the way picked up my new Beetle from Congleton. I bought the car on eBay a couple of weeks ago and although the description was just what I wanted I was a bit nervous buying it unseen and undriven. But it's great - and the eight years that seperate my last B reg beetle and this K reg 1972 one have seen a number of small but significant improvements. A bigger engine, 12 volt electrics and a few cosmetic changes, such as more upright headlights mean that it's quite a different feeling car. And for the first time I was able to go over 70 miles an hour!!!

Last night we walked around the lake, past the pheasant enclosure, then chilled and had some wine and watched tv after a tag team snooker tournament. This morning we explored the grounds a bit more then went into Market Drayton.

I've never been here before and this being a Sunday it was deserted apart from Argos and Wilkinsons, and the nearby Morrisons. We checked the place out though - Clive of India first brought curry to the UK to Market Drayton, so it's technically the birthplace of British Indian cuisine.

We went for a spin in the Beetle and had a pub lunch at the friendly Kings Head just at the end of the drive, then home again for a rest.

We've just returned from an expedition through sone very tall crop that's a bit like bamboo. Michelle and Charlotte proved very exciteable and I only had to mention the name of any insect to see them both scream and run around in circles. I could have done this all day, but after eight hours or so let them be.

I'm Reading Goodfellas at the moment - great film but never read the book, so giving that a go. I'm also learning a few new tunes on the ukulele, including Black Orpheus and it has some fiendish jazz chords in it. Beautiful but tricky.

Tomorrow, depending on weather, we'll probably go to either Stoke on Trent or Chester Zoo. Ta ta for now peeps.

In Shropshire for the week

Well we've managed to get away from Northumberland for a little while and the pin we stuck in the map dictated Zmatket Drayton, where we're staying in the Bulkeley Wing of Buntingsdale Hall.

We're here with my mum and sister and two of her girls, and so far it's been great. The hall is massive, and there are grounds with a lake, a basement with a huge games room, and massive sitting room and kitchen. It's very peaceful - and we can get away from everything and everyone here if we need to.

Yesterday we drove down and on the way picked up my new Beetle from Congleton. I bought the car on eBay a couple of weeks ago and although the description was just what I wanted I was a bit nervous buying it unseen and undriven. But it's great - and the eight years that seperate my last B reg beetle and this K reg 1972 one have seen a number of small but significant improvements. A bigger engine, 12 volt electrics and a few cosmetic changes, such as more upright headlights mean that it's quite a different feeling car. And for the first time I was able to go over 70 miles an hour!!!

Last night we walked around the lake, past the pheasant enclosure, then chilled and had some wine and watched tv after a tag team snooker tournament. This morning we explored the grounds a bit more then went into Market Drayton.

I've never been here before and this being a Sunday it was deserted apart from Argos and Wilkinsons, and the nearby Morrisons. We checked the place out though - Clive of India first brought curry to the UK to Market Drayton, so it's technically the birthplace of British Indian cuisine.

We went for a spin in the Beetle and had a pub lunch at the friendly Kings Head just at the end of the drive, then home again for a rest.

We've just returned from an expedition through sone very tall crop that's a bit like bamboo. Michelle and Charlotte proved very exciteable and I only had to mention the name of any insect to see them both scream and run around in circles. I could have done this all day, but after eight hours or so let them be.

I'm Reading Goodfellas at the moment - great film but never read the book, so giving that a go. I'm also learning a few new tunes on the ukulele, including Black Orpheus and it has some fiendish jazz chords in it. Beautiful but tricky.

Tomorrow, depending on weather, we'll probably go to either Stoke on Trent or Chester Zoo. Ta ta for now peeps.

I am excited about my next car

On Saturday several exciting things happen. One is we go off on holiday to Shropshire while Bruiser and Fifi look after our house. A second exciting thing is the 'not being at work' thing. And also I puck up my next car!

My last car was my pride and joy - a 1964 Beetle. The next car is a 1971 Beetle. Same colour. Slightly bigger engine. A sleeker, younger model - but still my beloved blue beetle.

I want to get a roofrack and a surfboard and relive a youth I never had...

Milestones

Today is my son Oliver's 11th birthday. My youngest daughter Rebecca had her 8th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Katrin my eldest daughter us 13 on Friday. Today is also my 19th wedding anniversary.

I was made aware today that I have lived in four houses in forty years, three of which are in Newbiggin by the Sea a short walk away from where I have lived here in Argyle Terrace for the last 14 years.

Sometimes - like today - I feel like a goldfish must when let go into a pond or lake. Aware of a much bigger world but still moving in the same circles. I have no idea what the next few years might bring and whether the next 5 will be the same as the last 5 or not.

I'm better at coping with change if the decisions are taken out of my hands. I am not a risk taker usually.

Life is a journey not a destination.

Stuff what I have done recently

Last weekend I gave in and photographed a wedding. Not an ordinary wedding, obviously. The couple in question had bought some of my photography previously, and wanted a paparazzi style to the shots, so I rose to the challenge and went along and did it. I really enjoyed doing it - I much prefer photographing people in real situations, rather than posing groups. The reception was really nice, and the evening do was such fun I stayed till the end and photographed it all - which included a Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones tribute show and world class Irish Dancing performances. All this together with free sparkly spelled a fun evening and some lovely photographs.

This weekend we traveled as a family to Dumfries to see Toni's Uncle Bill who lives there in a house he designed himself 20 years ago. We had lunch expertly cooked by Bill himself, and picked up a kayak he was giving away, which really excited the kids. It was certainly exciting trying to get it home on the roof of our car, as the strong crosswinds made it thrash about all over the place at times, but we arrived home safe and sound, and the kids now want to paint it and get it ready for the sea!

Yesterday has to count as one of the most dramatic I have encountered for quite a while. many ups and downs concerning friends and family - mostly phone calls supporting friends through very traumatic experiences - and in the evening, the time came to sell my little Blue Beetle on eBay.

I ave owned BUT716B for 8 years, and during that time grown very very attached. Unfortunately, the car now needs major weldng to get it back on the road after the next MOT. So with a heavy heart I lovingly prepared an eBay listing at 8.30 last night. By 9.15 I had receieved 7 offers and had accepted one from a lady in Staney, County Durham whose husband restores VWs, and they want this to go with their split window camper van. I couldn not have been happier that it was staying in the region, and going to a loving home of people who understand how to care for it, and restore it to it's former glory. Sad and happy all at once - bittersweet as I think Shakespeare said once about sherbet.

And only a couple of hours later, still on eBay I saw what I think might be the perfect replacement to my beloved little Beetle. It's a blue Beetle. Very much like my last ne, except this one is a 1972 model (rather than 1964) so a bit younger than me, and it's 12 volt, so I'll be able to see at night and start in the winter etc. Luxury. Still in talks with the current owners at present, but it's in Staffordshire, not a million miles away from where we're on holiday next month, so if all goes to plan I'll pick it up then.  Watch this space.

I've lso just finished reading a great book - The Stars Tennis Balls by Stephen Fry. It's a tale of loss and revenge, based on the Count of Monte Cristo - which I haven't read but certainly want to now. Thank you to Peter Allsopp for recommending that book. I'd tried to read it a few years ago and put it down after a few pages because it didn't grip me. But if I'd only read on a little way, the whole book would have changed into something much darker and more thrilling. A lesson learned there - give a book a decent chance.

These are a few of my favourite things.

I have an idea for a photography project. I'd like to take portraits of people with a favourite object. The sort of possession that you would be very sad to lose or which has some special meaning or one you particularly enjoy, or maybe it defines you somehow.

I've already had a few takers. What's your favourite thing, why, and can I photograph you with it please when I gave a chance.

I have thought long and hard about mine and I think it might be my Taylor guitar. I also love my iPhone and if I was to think of something irreplaceable it would probably be my Beetle. Over to you...