Tag Archives: Royal British Navy

Keeping it simple and METAPHORS

Hey there. How’ve you been? Well it’s September 2019 now and we’re just getting used to the idea that Summer may be at a close. Yesterday I misjudged my layers and had a very sweaty day (the perils of living by the sea and travelling into London where the climate is always several degrees warmer). I am harvesting my garden (not a metaphor) and stewing apples, slicing pears, green beans, wondering what to do with the courgettes and all my smugness. In other words, I’m inviting you to a BREXIT party at mine when the food supplies run out.

I’ve been transcribing my GREAT GREAT (he was really great) Grandfather’s Autobiography over the last few weeks (with the aid of my husband and his head torch- it’s a strong look!). G W Lloyd (my G G Grandfather) wrote the autobiography in 1936 but the tales are of his time aboard the H.M.S. Garnetin the Royal British Navy in the late 1800s. Humble Welsh beginnings to adventures in The British Empire. It’s an interesting feeling learning the story of a distant relative- I was sobbing by page 7 at the tragedies he experienced. It’s like I’ve been given my own Who Do You Think You Are programme. I think that’s actually what I want in life; to be famous enough to be on WDYTYA?! I’d love a team of researchers to help explore this epic tale of high seas, adventure and a lot of death. I want to turn it into a book, an EPIC tv series and who knows what else. Maybe a folk song. Might get Jon Boden on the case. Anyway it strikes me how he always chose KINDNESS. At every opportunity. It’s hard not to judge someone for using words/phrases that we don’t use any more. But for me the essence is always there. A bit like when I was turning a Spike Milligan book into a musical. I could see his essence- silly and kind.

Yesterday I did a corporate acting job in the City. I love spreading the good word of improvising and saying ‘yes and’. What you bring is enough. Listening to others and being HUMBLE enough to back out if their idea is better- in the hope you can create something together. It is interesting that the skills we actors take for granted are valued more in a business environment, As I looked around the City of London at a meeting room, aloft in a vaginal, slightly obnoxiously-shaped building I thought how complicated life has gotten. Why do you need a meeting room high up and exposed to show how special and rich you are. We had passes to get out of the building we were working in, but they didn’t deactivate the door to let us out. I ended up crawling on the floor, below the frosting on the glass to attract the attention (and slightly amuse) of the security guard. Back to basics- crawling on the floor. Often the simple path is the most satisfying and amusing. THIS IS A METAPHOR.

And as I continue to read my GG Grandfather’s Memoirs, I am again reminded to be grateful for the many luxuries- yes soap is a luxury- and abundance we have. 30 people didn’t die of yellow fever in front of me yesterday for example. I shall make an apple crumble in honour of G W Lloyd (GG Grandfather) and muse on the simple things in life.