Gimme Three Steps

I am writing this at school... at work... in my absence of mentees to occupy my mentoring session I have effectively become a free agent for just under an hour so I am sat in the library. After doing some novel writing I decided that I might as well make a start on my blog post of the day, considering how long it has taken me to write these posts recently.

The only problem is that I have to write this in anticipation of today’s title as I don’t have my ipod with me. I suppose it will be a test of fate to see if what I write actually fits the title. If not then... maybe there is no such thing? Obviously this experiment is highly accurate and all results should instantly be taken as fact...

I said that I am meant to be mentoring... I am not entirely sure of what this means. The online dictionary gives me these definitions.

1. A wise and trusted counsellor or teacher.

2. An influential senior sponsor or supporter.

Looking at these definitions I begin to wonder if I will ever be fit to be anyone’s mentor. Having only a meagre 22 years under my belt I feel I am far from wise and perhaps it is I who needs a mentor rather than the other way round.

When I was at school we didn’t have mentors only tutors and it was them who we were meant to go to with any problems. For me these were moments of embarrassment and the awkward and brief conversation that followed was far from helpful. Maybe it is because I never had any real problems throughout my school career or that I always had such wonderfully supportive parents that an added tutor seemed unnecessary... or perhaps it is more likely that I was thinking “GO AWAY AND LEAVE ME ALONE. MY LIFE IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, YOU CRAPBAG.”

This blogpost was written in two sittings- here is my second sitting whilst at home and with the title in front of me. To make the title work I have decided to write three stages to this blog. Stage on- 'mentoring' is complete.

Stage 2- 'Football'

Everyone seems to have world cup fever- there was a glorious moment when I finished work today when everyone was rushing away, checking watches... the air was a alive with the fuzz of radio waves- all so people could know how England would play in their match.

I have never been a great football fan (although I do understand the offside rule) I do, however, loyally support England every time the World Cup swings around. This is football's allotted time and at no other time with I watch it.

Up until today I had been largely disappointed by how England had been playing. I was heard to say in the match against Algeria "They are just kicking a ball around" - as if in amazement at the simplicity of the game. That was, however, what they were doing. There was no finesse, no energy, and no verve no... Anything really. I was actually bored and suddenly knew why it was that I didn't watch football the rest of the time.

Today however was different- It felt as though they were putting some effort in- as though they actually were playing the game instead of just kicking a ball around. Play like that, boys, and you stand a chance, play like that boys and, even if you lose at least people can say you played a good game and we can be proud.

Stage 3- 'Whip Crack Away'

Just a brief comment. This weekend I watch a amateur production of Calamity Jane and I was pleasantly surprised. For once I was not shaking with laughter or hiding behind my program with a grimace. My only moments of giggling were because I knew one of the players and because there was a number of dancers who seemed to be a little too mature for such antics. Otherwise it was an impressive production at a lovely theatre... wish we had a theatre like that to work with. There is hope for amateur groups yet.