Comments for alisonlouisehay

Comment on Absent Friends by Michele Witchipoo

Michele Witchipoo — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:27:14 +0000

Really loved the photo of Mary Quant and Zandra Rhodes. I was wondering what Mary Quant looks like these days.

My condolences, regarding the loss of the two men you spoke about in this post.

Comment on Pink Sea Snails and White Elephants by Lovisa

Lovisa — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:29:09 +0000

I beleive the wall paper on the wall in your photo adorned by the horned taxidermy, is William Morris. I have the pillows in the same pattern, but light blue. A fine example of British Art nouveau. Although like you, Art deco makes me weak at the knees.

Comment on Time Bandits by Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:04:18 +0000

Malicious and unkind words carry more weight from those we love or respect because we have more invested in them. It doesn’t alter the truth, though; and that is that you are a brilliant writer, a real writer writing fearlessly with wit, insight and wisdom, A real writer is defined by the impact their words have on their readers; and I for one look forward to each new stroke of your pen. The one who uttered those words has an agenda that may never be revealed, but what has been is a lack of judgement and knowledge. Sticks and Stones may break your bones, but Words will ALWAYS hurt you because they are your currency and your artistic medium. Any good writer has to learn to deflect word attacks from others. Check them for the grains of truth that may be in them, then just carry on. Take what you like and leave the rest is true of everything in your life.
Margaret

Comment on Name And Shame by alisonlouisehay

alisonlouisehay — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:38:19 +0000

Thank you darling. Agreed Michele, I know all too well, as I have trained staff in NY, LV, SF and LA and witnessed practices all over the US. Sadly, the UK takes the cake for proliferation of ignorance and hostility. The slightest departure from apathy and rudeness is such a rare occurrence that it engenders shock. I was aghast for the first year upon coming back to reside as to how across the board it is, not just retail but construction industries, government agencies, utility companies, media providers – well, anything you care to name. The two (!) exceptions have been Fortnum and Mason and The Geek Squad; Oases in a mire of mud.

Comment on Name And Shame by Michele Witchipoo

Michele Witchipoo — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:22:32 +0000

I assure you, it’s pretty much the same thing over here on these shores. Except in NYC, I’ve seen stores open, when there was barely any foot traffic. Thankfully though, there’s still busy areas around the metro area, and the local businesses accommodate according to the area’s specific needs.

In defense of bad retail service…well somewhat…as a former retail employee, the only thing I can vouch for bad service is the way management treats its staff. Unfortunately, in turn, the employees take it out on its customers. Oh yeah, and a rude customer now and then. Having said that, if one hates working in retail, then try to find a job in another field – or at least go back to school if possible. Which is what I did.

Comment on Ah yes, I remember it well by alisonlouisehay

alisonlouisehay — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:40:44 +0000

Thanks for a great share, Penelope. Due to shifting countries I’ve been without my daughter for years at a time, and also have endured the quarantine for cats that is ridiculously imposed here, with a forced fee of several thousand for the privilege.
It’s hard for anyone to understand those stressful situations unless they’ve experienced them, no? They say that moving house is the 3rd most traumatic event after death of a loved one and divorce. That I’ve done it 18 times probably accounts for my frayed and jumbled interior and I suspect a great deal of yours too. Doing without purr therapy and offspring is a burden to carry and I sympathize with you.
All that and missing the wonderful JulieAnne too! Life can be tough. NOT getting stressed about memory lapses helps – I just laugh at mine these days and treasure the ‘new’ anecdotes I get to enjoy about my past. It was a surprising help recently that I had written pieces in the past I can now draw on to jog my memory of events – perhaps keeping a journal could do the same for you?
My newly repatriated daughter and I marvel daily at the expense of living in London too, but at least you can be glad that you will end up with a degree and a whole lot of life experiences to make you a woman worth reckoning with. What doesn’t kill us makes us (marginally) stronger.

Comment on Ah yes, I remember it well by Penelope Worley

Penelope Worley — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:57:11 +0000

Hi Alison,
well I seem to be experiencing this myself this year. I am from California but I first came to live in the UK in 1990 for half a year then couple years later for about 2 months. Fast fwd 22 years and I am back here for a year to study for my Masters degree in London. I am in a very different UK then what I remember (except that part where you have to pay 30p to use the toilet -still find that ridiculous, like going to the bathroom is a privilege or an option??)On top of that huge list you mentioned (that was identical pretty much to mine) running thru my brain like a CNN constant news update feed I am living without my daughter for 6 months (before this we had never been apart more than 2 weeks) thanks to the lovely UK Border Agency changing the rules for student visas (aka they think bringing your child or spouse isn’t necessary apparently) and my furry feline son, Henry, for a year. I usually tell people the short term memory went out with the placenta when my daughter was born lol I find it strange how people assume that because I speak English and so do people in UK it isn’t really a foreign country. Funny thing too that I often rely on my daughter and other friends for memories, I cannot count how many times they relate stories where I was there and I have absolutely no recollection of it, its like a new story or their talking about someone else. Yet I can recite my address and phone number from when I was a kid or random trivia and yeah song lyrics especially.My daughter gets so upset with me when I can’t remember something, my friends usually laugh or are surprised (why still I don’t know after 20 years). I have learned to live with it & try to combat it by using my smart phone for appt reminders and notes (sadly I am so addicted to the phone its like crack) So it’s nice to know I am not the only seemingly absent minded, fish-out-water here in the UK P.S. Thanks to JulieAnne Rhodes for leading me to your blog. She is an awesome friend and I might not have made this leap to better my education if it weren’t for her reassurance that I was doing the right thing. I only have 3 more months to go before my daughter gets here!

Comment on Ah yes, I remember it well by Douglas Barton

Douglas Barton — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:14:50 +0000

I grow to love you more with every passing day Mrs. Hay!

Comment on The Wait by Jewels

Jewels — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:16:22 +0000

As usual you succeed ever so eloquently in describing the the myriad of emotions that most who have lived this tortured existence struggle to find. I’m afraid that is why ignorance is generally louder than experience. Sometimes the agony is too great to describe, so we suffer in silence.

I feel your pain and your passion, but keep in mind some of us addicts do actually manage to find and maintain sobriety. There is always hope until the very last breath when sorrow takes over indelibly. Why some of us get it, and others don’t will always be a mystery to me, but it is the people they leave behind that I hurt for the most. I pray you will never be one of them dear friend. I love you.

Comment on The Wait by Stephan

Stephan — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:40:26 +0000

Well written.