I am ElegantStarfishZombie

Yesterday I was reborn on Tumblr as a pretty, reanimated echinoderm

[elegantstarfishzombie]

[elegantstarfishzombie]

[elegantstarfishzombie]

Only in Manchester

2016.04.28

When West Indian Granny of 9 Ruby ousted the teenage possy from the bus stop bench I knew I was in for a grand time but when slightly strange and slightly intoxicated 50 year old Antony sat next to her the afternoon rose to new heights! 

It started when when Antony put his hand on Ruby's knee and told her he liked company.

Her loud response of 'I only like the company of the Lord Jesus!' caught him off guard as she move his hand. 

When she asked him if he had family and he said no her steely gaze hit him. 

Then the forthright question of 'Tell me! Tell me! Spit it right out man! It was the drink! It was the drink that's kept you single wasn't it?' 

He should have got on the next bus. No matter where it was going or how drunk he was.

I love this city!

[elegantstarfishzombie]

I’m Back

2016.04.20

Not that anyone would have missed me but, like everyone I have a little bit of ego, I hope somebody did. I have been blogging but not posting due to lack of access but will start to play catch up.

[elegantstarfishzombie]

Bravery

It's rare to feel humble or genuinely lucky in this modern age. The other month I was in that position not once but twice. Within three weeks I was working in the same building twice. During lunch a woman entered the canteen. The headscarf she wore was a badge of courage. A silent signal to the people around that she had cancer. Her clothes marked her as a personnel manager. I saw her spend ten minutes with a member of staff; Her body language encouraging the woman she talked to. A clasped hand and a friendly smile reassuring the woman as they talked. She then rose and walked over to me. As she beamed a smile recognition hit me as I saw past the headscarf and lined face. Here was a woman I'd known nearly 30 years. Straight away her questions were all about me: How was I? Am I still enjoying my job? How long was I there for? As I answered I was in shock. This woman was focusing on me, not herself, not the cancer. Any pity I had was pushed aside by this strong, positive woman. Our conversation finished as quickly as it started. I was left feeling lucky I knew her. Lucky that people like her are here amongst us like a light in the darkness. Two weeks later I was in the same place. Into the office walks Gary. He's looking well I thought. That was an understatement considering what Gary had been through. A headache, a bit of blurred vision. That's how it started. It quickly became a golf ball size tumour that was expertly removed by a dedicated medical team. We talked about his recovery through the surgery, the epileptic fits and his return to work. All of that was for his family. Not him. His love for his wife and young family shone through all of this. Disarmingly he adds that the surgeons have given him four years to live. The impact of that throw away line from Gary makes me look away from him. My eyes are starting to water. I manage to hold back the tears that are forming. How matter of fact can you be when faced with something like that. I know Gary is a Manchester City fan so optimism is in his blood but to be so stoic and pragmatic, a least on the outside, makes him a pretty amazing bloke in anyone's book. The conversation turned to football and other less serious topics. But as we both said: If city can win the premiership then there's no reason why Gary won't beat the odds. So if you've had a lousy day or things are getting you down just think of these two and the obstacles they have overcome.

[elegantstarfishzombie]

The poison tree

I started this blog because the piece of poetry below is something I've lived by for years. A Poison Tree Related Poem Content Details BY WILLIAM BLAKE I was angry with my friend;  I told my wrath, my wrath did end.  I was angry with my foe:  I told it not, my wrath did grow.  And I waterd it in fears,  Night & morning with my tears:  And I sunned it with smiles,  And with soft deceitful wiles.  And it grew both day and night.  Till it bore an apple bright.  And my foe beheld it shine,  And he knew that it was mine.  And into my garden stole,  When the night had veild the pole;  In the morning glad I see;  My foe outstretched beneath the tree. I have to let my feelings out as the poem says. My housemate and his girlfriend have a lot of spite. 'Fatboy' is their secret name for me. To vent my bile I needed a channel; Tumblr has become that. No longer do I feel disenfranchised. Renamed and condemned by the pair of them I have kept my individuality and have been reborn as ElegantStarfishZombie.