Bonjour eveyone!
Sorry for not blogging yesterday, I was absolutely drained and had to have some serious sleep. I think It was a combination of a great day with Nick Bernie but also the Gang Show in the evening. Many thanks to Bob for looking after me and getting my ice cream at half time but also Ewuan and the Gang for putting on the best Wednesday evening show I've ever seen or been in! The last song brought a lump to our throats Ewan - very, very meaningful and it's helping tremendously.
It was brilliant to spend short bit of time with Tony, Andy, Tristan, Nick and Si again.
So, yesterday I really did sleep for England. It's funny that those in the know at the hospital (Super Alison...again!) tell you that you're going to be tired, you don't really take much attention, until you really are tired. Then you take notice but it's too late! I'm really tired now. I've never sat down to clean my teeth and I just sit everywhere I go. Getting up is a nuisance now and I groan a bit which makes me sound like an old man. Speaking of old men, I haven't seen anyone younger than me at the radiotherapy dept. They're all much older. I must be special (or in the wrong waiting room!)
Lindz wrote the loveliest thing. I have to blog this because it's special. You all care so much that it really does touch me. Thank you so much.
Part two
The man gets off his bike and sits down in the tunnel, he rests his head against the concrete wall. He is so tired, he doesn’t know if he can go on. He knows that the mountain is stretching above him and it feels like a heavy weight pressing down on him – he closes his eyes…Think shrink, think shrink, think shrinkIs that his own heart beat or is it a voice? A small voice but a voice all the same. He hears a tapping keyboard, and a worried voice at the back of his mind ‘where is Ali, why hasn’t he updated the blog’ think shrink think shrink. Around the world friends are logging on, trying to make a connection, fumbling with the unfamiliar technology as they rush to leave their words of support. Tap tap tap go the keys, think shrink think shrink. The voices are all different, not all are speaking English, but the message is the same.The man gathers enough energy to open his eyes, he looks down the tunnel and sees a tiny pin prick of light, was it there before? He is not sure, but the more he focuses on it, the brighter it becomes. He stands up, swaying slightly at first and holds onto the metal frame of his bike. He feels stronger and steadier, he concentrates on the beat and begins to pedal, think shrink think shrink. He is off, heading towards the end of the tunnel and the fresh mountain air, counting down as he goes….
10 January 2008 13:31
Linz
Love
Ali
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14 comments:
Your right Ali, the Gang Show was amazing, it brought back so many memory’s for me. The fist time that I ever met you (and your brother) was on that stage! It was the Sunday dress rehearsal and to think that it was at least 19 years ago. We all did the 40th Gang show, now it’s the 59th! We need to make sure that that is now an annual event for us all. Really good to see you as well, only 8 to go and they will go really quickly. THINK SHRINK!
Andy Lowi
Hi Ali
I’m glad to hear that you made it to the Gang Show. I can still remember the fun that we all had all those years ago. Having been away from ‘down south’ for nearly 18 years I’m catching up on all sorts of news about you (and some of the others) – not heard/read so much about you in a long time!
So keep at it and remember that your Scottish connections are also thinking about you and of course raising a wee whisky and shouting (so that you can hear - nothing to do with drinking too much whisky!) ‘THINK SHRINK’. Love and hugs to you and your family
Kirsty McGregor x
Hi Ali
So so glad you were well enough to make the Gang Show - I meanwhile was home in bed with tonsilitis! Know what you mean about that last song - somehow Ewan manages to do that every year and I stand at the back in my Chairman's sweatshirt wishing I had brought a tissue along and resorting to loud sniffs instead. It's a great song to give you some inspiration to get better - if anyone has something inside so strong it's you. Keep smiling - just look at the photos Linz posted to remind yourself how that's what you are famous for!!!
lots of love Sally
Hey Ali,
if you want to see how the ISIA group are doing just hit the following link for an update.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KfbuYSe5l0
Thinking of you big man! Speak soon.
Dave Morris
Hi Ali
Wow - the Gang Show - that has brought back memories - including the notorious post-production parties!!!
Am thinking of you and keeping things crossed. Thought I'd finally actually write to tell you instead of just putting it off as I could not think of the best way to put it. Am so inspired by your strength and hope that the knowledge that so many people are rooting for you will help you when your strength may be having a tired day too. Am going now - am pregnant so am nothing but a big bag of hormones and about to start blubbing!! I'll have an imaginary stella for you!
Lots of love - keep smiling.
Jo McCallion (Cornelius)
Hey Ali,
sorry I haven't blogged for a while - I hope you were able to see JT and weren't too tired.
Best thing that happened to me today was laughing a lot with the Irish guys I am teaching this week. Whilst pointing at a snow cannon, the one guy says (in a thick Irish accent)
"Paul, is that machine there to fluff up the snow?!!"
Brilliant, we have snow fluffers all over Val d'Isere! Still thinking shrink, can't wait to see you back in Annecy.
Stay strong Paul. xx
Hey Ali,
Glad you're feeling a bit better today - you're clearly far too stubborn to take it as easy as you should. Just sit back and let the world revolve around you for a while. Lap it up because in a few months you'll be back in the thick of it and won't have time to take a breath - especially if you're planning a wedding. On that point I strongly advise you to say "whatever you'd like Darling" when asked your opinion on anything. My husband's approach was to just smile, nod and put his hand in his pocket. As a contented wife I can tell you now it was exactly the right attitude!
Have a lovely weekend and allow yourself to be fussed over.
Love to you all
Jane-Anne
P.s. How is Dino's nose?
Yay Ali...you are inspirational. thinkshrink from NZ xxx
Honour
Allez Ali!
Haven't blogged for a couple of days but just touching base to let you I still think of you all the time....we're looking after Jeanette this end...we're having a cheese fest at the Fromagerie so we'll get her fattened up for when she comes back to see you :)
Single figures now counting down...thinkshrink.......
Janey x x
Hi Ali,
I saw this link the other day and thought you might find it quite amusing.
1. Turn up the sound on your computer
2. Key in your name first and then somebody else's ( try pk ! ).
> http://www.tatuagemdaboa.com.br/
Keep strong mate,
Look forward to seeing you back on skis.
Jim Lister
Hi Ali,
I've missed your blog over the past week because now the gap course has started(!). I thought twice about sending a comment, as I guess you're missing the snow, but I wanted to let you know that everything with the meribel gap is going really well. We've just done our first aid (8 passes - yay!), and all looking forward to the next weeks level one. All the new gen guys have been fantanstic. With some luck I'll be able to snowplough by the end of next week! I'll see if I can get some pics together to send you.
Great to hear you're getting through the treatment Ali!
Henry
Meribel Gap
Went for walk with Ali, John, Tim and the boss at lunchtime in St Albans Duckswanandgoose Park.
Ali was in great shape and really enjoyed the walk and being out in sun and fresh air.
Dino
ps Hi Jane-Anne,
Nose good now thanks.
Hey Ali, I just emailed you but wanted to add to your blog, too. Hope you had a great time in Harpenden at the weekend - must have brought back some memories, eh? I remember you and that pesky brother of yours making me laugh when seriousness was called for. And while the golden boys got away with it all, the rest of us hapless gigglers were frowned upon. Twenty years on (oops - shockingly bad at staying in touch), you still make me smile.
Am sending love and shrinky thoughts from Sussex ... and my dog is, too.
Hi Ali
We were at the "Old Gits" Gang Show Reunion in Harpenden on Friday night and met Ewan (a trainee Old Git) who told us of your illness.
We have joined the Think Shrink team and send you and your family our love and very best wishes from here in Norfolk.
We're glad to see from your blog that you enjoyed a visit to the Gang Show. We can hardly believe that so many years have passed since we saw you strutting your stuff on the stage. (Or had you and the Venture Scouts gang round to eat us out of house and home!).
Stay strong and think positive - you can beat this.
Love Nette and Tony Fowler
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