Wednesday, November 15, 2006

So Long Mr. XO


Many times we say goodbye to people: whether they be family members or mates we will get to see the next day, or many highschool and college classmates we know we'd see only after a few years down the line. Then there is the goodbye forever. The kind of goodbye we say to sworn enemies whom we'd rather die than be friends again with. Or the kind of sad goodbye to a soon-to-be-EX whom we wouldn't want to cross paths with again because the person brings back too much memories and mixed emotions. Finally there is the kind of goodbye we seal a coffin or a grave with. The one that no matter how painful, is eventually said to all of us.

Today, I'm sad as I say goodbye to a colleague of mine, Mr. Edmund Hennessey who everyone in our school calls Ted. I've decided to call him Mr. XO because of his last name which he would jokingly say, "Yes, I'm such a Very Special Old Prat!" V. S. O. P. or "Of course, I'm Mr. Extra-Ordinary!...Extra-Old, but Extra-Odrinary!"

Our last encounter was a happy one, throwing jokes and banters with fellow library regulars and staff. I never thought that THAT would be our last chance to laugh.

Mrs. XO, Marilyn, has been the model of strength, courage and bravery - she was caring for Ted and still coming in to work, teaching classes like nothing grave is happening. A truly strong and admirable woman!

Ted was diagnosed with cancer a few years back. When I first joined Al Ain Men's College, he was just leaving - going back to Australia because he wanted to be close with his family while battling the big, bad C. Last year, he came back to the Emirates to teach on a part-time basis until he went onboard full-time. He was a very good teacher, well loved by students and admired by colleagues.

Yes, permanent, sad, goodbyes are truly the worst kind of farewell. I just console myself in the knowledge that wherever he is right now, he's dishing out jokes and quick witted snipes and truly having a great time.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Catching Up

Ok, back in business. So many things to post, catch up on my stuff to put online...I just didn't have much time as I've been addicted to two PC games lately, Neverwinter and The Bard's Tale.

Yeah so what if they're not entirely new games! I enjoy the fact that you can cheat in Neverwinter and change your strength and almost everyhting else so that you don't get to die every few encounters with the baddies. I love doing all the side quests too and hate it when I get stuck with a task I cannot seem to find the right thing(item or person to speak with) to do.

The Bard's Tale is a notch lower than many RPGs but the conversations are good as well as the songs! Charlie Mops, the man who invented beer is not my, my husband's and my 4-year old daughter's favorite song! hahaha!

The lyrics go like this:

A long time ago, way back in history
When all people where just drinking cups of tea
Along came a man, whose name is Charlie Mops
And he invented a wonderful drink
and he made it out of hops

Beer, beer, beer tiddly beer, beer, beer hey!

He must have been an admiral, a sultan or a king
And to his praises we shall always sing
Look what he has done for us
He's filled us up with cheer
The lord bless Charlie Mops
the man who invented beer....



So nice, but on the downside my daughter kindergarten teacher asked me whether she heard correctly that indeed Amber's been singing a song about beer? Apparently she's been teaching the song to her friends!

Oh dear.

Well back to my games now that I've posted a bit of stuff here. Ta!