Gyles Brandreth, whilst on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, in the most splendidly English accent, eloquently articulated an anecdote from his first day in the House of Commons.
“John Prescott clocked me, lent forward and muttered “woolly jumper .. hahaha”. I was thrown. He kept this up, and eventually I had to point out to Mr Prescott that the joy of a woolly jumper is that you can take it off at will, whereas the blight of a woolly mind is that you’re lumbered with it for life.”
At first, I found this quote to be extremely amusing and a slight insight into the jovial and witty elements of parliament. It was a glimpse into an area that I had always assumed to be solely intimidating, sombre and austere, and it was refreshing for these unfounded presumptions to be rendered incorrect.
As my day continued, the Desert Island Disc’s podcast was but a hazy memory. I could no longer remember Gyles Brandreth’s song choices or the names of his apparently completely marvellous children. I could, however, recall with clarity his words regarding the woolly jumper. They had a profound effect on me, providing me with new emotional strength and also acceptance of who I am today. This newfound strength must also be partially attributed to the clamorous cohort who invaded my bedroom, and provided a wonderful evening of distraction last night.
Today I am wearing a woolly jumper, and it is itchy, ugly and tight. However in one week, at precisely this time, I will be undergoing my operation, and this painful woolly jumper will be removed, and hopefully it will never be worn again. I am permitting myself the arrogance to express that I may be enduring a woolly jumper, but at least I am not enduring "the blight of a woolly mind".
Followed a link here from Stephen Fry's twitter, and am so glad I did because I love this line "I am permitting myself the arrogance to express that I may be enduring a woolly jumper, but at least I am not enduring "the blight of a woolly mind."
ReplyDeleteI too heard Gyles Brandreth on radio 4 and grinned at his gusto for language and after reading your blog am compelled to echo Noel Cowards motto as highlighted by Gyles on Sunday.
ReplyDelete"Riiiise above it"
Andrew
I hope that you never have to wear that feckin wooly jumper again m'dear
ReplyDeleteStephen Fry pimped you on Twitter so I came over to have a read. You have some real writing chops; there's no wool in your head. Best wishes and refuah shelemah(full and complete recovery) on your upcoming stitch and bitch -will keep coming back for more insights to be sure. <3
ReplyDeletehere for the same reason as the above. I hope you keep on writing even when you are cured.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure everything will go well during the operation. I send you loads of good thoughts and keep my fingers (and toes) crossed to you. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your jumper is itchy. I spent a good deal of my childhood dealing with sheep, and I'll never understand the appeal of wool.
ReplyDeleteSuddenly my blog feels rather small and silly...
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you.
J
http://idoneaholiday.blogspot.com/
Got here also via Mr Fry's tweet. You are an eloquent young lady and it's a shame that you are suffering ill health. Here's hoping that your upcoming operation is successful and that you may be pain-free soon.
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
David
(tgw123 on Twitter)
Do you have a drop mail address you're willing to share? I'd love to send you a book called 'The Plague and I' by Betty MacDonald. While it does not exactly mirror your experience (if only because it describes events which took place 75 years ago), you might find it amusing and not a little familiar. Let me know, and BTW, great blog. Good luck to you in your recovery.
ReplyDeleteme too, here via twitter, so expect 100s of others now too. Fame may follow but if only we could give you good health - so precious. Hope surgery goes well for you, have courage and be sure you have a brilliant future ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a an amazing woman you are! I do hope that the increased number of readers and attention that brings, offers you comfort and pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI shall certainly look forward to reading your blog posts from now on and earnestly pray for an end to the pain and a resumption of your upright life!
Hi there being a follower and fan of Stephen Fry an all things Fry on the audiobooks that he does an because I have a chronic back problem whilst serving my country, I have learnt to live everyday with my friend(as I like to refer to it) and is poignant, as today, 11 Jan 1995 I suffered this life changing event.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm passing on only good wishes, courage and a speedy recovery for you and make 2011 your best year yet.
Best wishes
Robert Dyet
22bad4u.wordpress.com
You write really well-
ReplyDeleteThanks
I too followed the link from the wonderful Mr. Fry, and am glad that I did. You write wonderfully and despite all the pain your in you've written interesting and well thought out blog posts. I wish you all the best for the future - I hope it turns out as you wish it to be, and please keep blogging to let us know how your getting on. :)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to see that you are writing about this experience. I have/had a very similar experience with my health when I was 18. I would love to talk with you more about this. Please contact me on my Blog if you are interested in talking about the experience with me (http:///www.wheatontomato.blogspot.com). So many of the things you are describing I relate to. It will get better, I promise. It just takes time (like 2.5 years).
I just thought I should let you know I am NOT here because of Stephen Fry, I don't even know who he is. I'm here due to a link on Jezebel.com =) In any case, I enjoy your writing and wish you the best for your upcoming surgery. I'll be subscribing so I can keep up with how it goes!
ReplyDeleteDear Sophie, I wish you a full and speedy recovery - you have real writing talent and have acquired a permanent follower in me - good luck with the operation and here's hoping that your health improves immeasurably.
ReplyDeleteAll hail the magic of twitter! It is 8 in the morning, a snow-covered swedish morning and your beautifully witty writing just made my day/month/year especially since I will be spending the day with my father who just had major disc surgery. you have brought me hope and joy and I wish you the same, along with several doses of excellent health.
ReplyDeletehope everything goes splendidly for you in surgery and you spend the rest of your life jumping, laughing and writing.
/sonia arian, gothenburg
by the way, I thought it would amuse you to know that in the 19th century there was a woman called Sophie Adlersparre (sparre is the swedish word for chevron, as in a v-shaped pattern) who was a baroness and a pioneer in the swedish suffragette movement :D Her niece was a very famous artist, also named Sophie Adlersparre :D
ReplyDeleteIt's a joy reading your blog. You're an amazing writer!
ReplyDeleteI was guided here by Mr Fry and I would have to say that I am amzaed at your eloquence under such pain. Maybe I should put that down to cromasonal differences between you and me.
ReplyDeleteYour Rabbi was wrong however. You have helped me no end. The bleak playlist on my iPod is 'normal'and there was I thinking I was slowly going crazy.
Thankyou and may your visit to the farrier be successful.