summerbayexile

Is anyone else who used to know me?

I haven't posted on here for ages. I'm a Facebook nut now, and spend more time than is strictly good for me on that site! I sometimes lurk, but have seen my small band of friends diminish still further by the year. I am redrafting and editing a novel I wrote in 2008 and have nearly finished another hand written tome that I will redraft when the first one is finished. At other times I am teaching in various London universities. How are you? If you're on Facebook look me up. I'm in the h2g2 group on there. Otherwise post on here and I'll become more active on hootoo once again.
SBE

Yes folks!! After an eighteen month absence that has seen an entirely coincidental fall in EG quality, SBE is back on the front page!! My 24th edited entry is based on the Aussie soap that gave me my name, 'Home and Away'.
Now for that badge!!
SBE

I'll make this short and sweet. I've got a job in Saudi Arabia teaching English. It's a 2 year stint in the first place followed by an open ended contract, but given that I'm leaving my wife and kids behind for the first time in nearly 12 years I can't see it going much longer. Obviously it is lucrative otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. The plan as those of you who know me will not be surprised to hear is to make one more try to emigrate to Australia. Failing that it will be eminently possible that NZ will be the next port of call. Wish me luck. I may need it if my charm, good looks, intelligence and modesty don't work!!!!
SBE (saudi bounty earner!!)

Two weeks ago I went to Flanders with my 11 year old son who is a real WWI enthusiast. I was dumbstruck to see all the names on the Menin Gate - 56,000 just detailing those whose bodies were not found in the first three years of the war. We went to Essex Farm, Langemark (the German cemetery) & Tyne Cot (the biggest commonwealth war cemetery with another 35,000 names of the missing from the last year of the war). Like most people do I promised to change my attitude to petty squabbles etc and ,of course, succeeded in doing nothing of the sort!! I had a major strop at work last week & carried my bad mood home for the next few days.

Our lives are the only things we have that are truly ours and it is little wonder that they seem so important. We condemn ourselves for losing touch, being lazy etc but the truth is that we are just desperate to do our best like those soldiers in Flanders who spent their time sweating over the small stuff just as we do. To do so is human. Don't worry if, like me, you never have the time you want to keep up with all areas of your life. Just do your best and people will accept you for who you are and what you do.

SBE