RBreflections

Last time, I promised a story from when I lived in Bologna... One evening, a few months after arriving, I left work early and headed to my first Italian class. I was wondering why I had been deemed ‘intermediate level’ and if I merited it: although, I have to admit that I had been enthusiastic to have conversations from the day I arrived, and had seen the fruits of my labour from some related languages, but I still wondered if it would be enough to sustain an intermediate level conversation.   On arriving at the historic building in the centre of the city, I had to navigate medieval corridors and narrow flights of winding stairs in order to arrive at the classroom, so, in the confusion, arrived a few minutes late and quietly joined my classmates. I had expected to be having fun conversations with them, but the teacher was a very serious chap, dressed in a brown woollen jumper and a jacket with patches on the elbows. In a sombre tone, he discussed in Italian the differences between ...

After the story about the grumpy Bond actor, I was very much deliberating on what to write about next: should it be a continuation, recounting a joyful encounter I had with another Bond actor when we shared a boat ride in Venice, or should it be about something completely different, like a funny story from when I lived in Bologna?  The answer came in two stages! Firstly, on discussing my predicament, a bright chap said to me, “Go meta! Start by writing thought for the week about thought for the week! It will be interesting to hear the ponderings behind it!” Secondly, while continuing to mull over at all, I was blown away by someone’s attitude this weekend. I had ventured into central London, on a very rare shopping trip, to spend my birthday voucher. It had been suggested that I purchase a relaxing aroma which would give my apartment that serene feeling. A completely new world to me, I realised that I didn’t even have the vocabulary for my purchase: for example, I now know what a d...

Some time ago, I was catching up with a friend in a restaurant when a famous actor walked in. Later, when I was walking past him, I smiled and said hello, but he grumpily muttered something: I was glad that I didn’t catch the exact words! After dinner, on leaving the eating area, people were pottering around the nice surroundings and lounging in various seating areas. During this time, we looked around to find that he was right beside us, on two further occasions! However, he wasted both chances to apologise for being so grumpy earlier! As we chatted to the resident piano player, who was full of joyful conversation, I commented that she was so much more cheerful than the “grumpy actor in the building”: it came as a shock when she pointed out that the piano microphone not only relayed the music around the building, but also suitably nearby conversations! In an attempt to avoid any further uncomfortable interactions, my friend and I decided to leave the building via a side exit. However,...

When I have a problem with my computer and visit the IT department, it is like going to a different world: as they explain the situation in specialist language, I have no idea what they are saying and can’t even read the underlying tone, as they present the analysis in a factual manner. At the end of the explanation, I usually look back with a glimmer of hope and cautiously ask: “Does that mean it can be fixed?” One day the IT professional said that his customers were like those little battery toys, which would walk along by themselves, before hitting a wall and finding themselves stuck: he added that it was just a question of turning the toy around, so that it could continue its journey successfully. However, it is not only little toys and IT customers who need redirected: I’m sure it is not only me who heads off on the wrong path and often needs a nudge in the right direction. The good news is that God is always waiting for us, with open arms, when we realise that we have messed up. ...