Moaning… About What?

It’s fiesta time in Alcala this weekend and I had to give myself a mental slap when I found myself moaning about how difficult it is going to be to park! Totally forgot the fun it represents and how much I enjoy it all. Kids playing out late, funfair, bars open till the early hours and the streets buzzing. Can’t wait now.

 Welcome to Abba with a Twist

 

Covered a welcome meeting at Santa Barbara on the Golf del Sur last week and it was such a pleasure to meet a great gang of staff. Got into a flap for about ten minutes when the queue seemed to reach ten miles long, but the concierge guys and girls were so patient and helpful it soon passed and I ended up thoroughly enjoying myself.
I also took the chance to pop in and see Colin Stevens who lives in the area and is now on the circuit with his solo drag show and his new ‘Abba with a Twist’ cabaret which consists of Colin and a woman partner. He tells me Dancing Queen has to be seen!
The show on the Golf is now at the stage of having to reserve tables to get in and Colin has not worn the same costume twice yet! The fact he has his own sewing room and recording studio as part of his roof garden helps I am sure. This guy is also a talented compere whom I have seen work many times in the past. Many people have been ringing me for shows and more often than not for good comperes. I am quite happy to recommend any that I know are good and pleasant to work with.
However, I am not an agent and I would never make money out of doing someone a favour so please bear in mind I can’t ring everyone back. Don’t leave messages…just keep trying!   I am on Power fm from 11am until 2pm when my phone will be on silent!

Bullying and Intimidation!

I read an article recently as part of my life coaching course about bullies and how some behaviours carry on through our adult lives. Do you ever wonder why we allow ourselves to be intimidated by someone? It’s beyond me. You find yourself trying to please someone and the more you try, the worse the bullying gets. I have been there myself and not that long ago either!  The answer is to stop trying as it really doesn’t work. Or matter.  I have no respect for anyone who feels the need to embarrass another person in public to make themselves FEEL good. Such a repulsive characteristic. I still have the horrors when I was at school and my big sister and her mate dragged me along to watch them corner a very scared young kid (I must have only been about eight at the time) and they made her stand up and sit down and  then pinched her lunch…it was awful! I was too scared to say anything and pretended to laugh and join in (after all I had to go home share a bedroom with my sis) but the memory and guilt has lasted. My poor sis still gets reminded of it when I see her and she is mortified…bless her!  If the young girl is reading The Paper, we are so very sorry!

Blue Peter Days

Remember when the ´lookie lookie´ men used to only  sell watches? Now its bags..c.d.s ..giraffes..jewellery..the Chinese are selling squeaky toys..rabbits..dogs..whirling flashy things..etc etc and now HATS! Whilst compering recently we decided to play the Blue Peter game and discover how many things we could create from those horrific hats that look like paper vases until you open them up. It was great fun and Valerie Singleton would have been proud of me. Drinks holder..bra…neck ruffle…skirt…slipper…were just a few and the guy in the picture whose name I can’t remember won with a great pair of Y fronts no less! I couldn’t print the picture as they were a bit see through. However the Chinese lady was thrilled at selling so many and we all had a giggle which as you know is my favourite occupation! The only draw back is I have a feeling the bar will be inundated with sellers of hats every night now!

The Majestic and More

I had such a fantastic time at the opening of The Majestic in Puerto De La Cruz. Everyone who went was a pleasure to be with. Some I knew already and some I didn’t but it was great to enjoy good conversation with nice people. Many I knew from the North were there..lots from the South had made the effort to turn up including Maggie Porter and Denise of Vianna shows who had driven all the way over just to wish John and Barrie good luck and had to drive back shortly afterwards. So thoughtful. Jack from Oscar’s was there with his girlfriend Leanne and had to sign autographs after being dragged on stage to stand behind a make shift toilet wall  (you have to see it!). I was thrilled (as was John) when Barrie got a standing ovation for his performances. He was extremely nervous as you would expect, but the guy is a natural comic performer as well as looking quite good in a frock! I then had the pleasure of witnessing their first show in the South and again Barrie got a standing ovation. A star is born! Many, many new numbers that will have you crying with laughter. Congratulations and thanks from everyone who was there for a lovely weekend and also to the New Robin Hood in Puerto who looked after us all so well despite the late hours on Saturday, and still managed to cook us about thirty Sunday lunches the next day. See you all soon.

Reflecting

Writing this column is sometimes therapeutic and when I  go back to the archives I smile at some of the subjects I have previously put down into print. I always get feed back and I know this week will be no exception with people thinking they know who or what place I have written about. I would never write anything that I would not say to anyone’s face nor would I ever insult or criticise anyone personally in my column or discuss it with other people.
My subjects are general and if they hit a true note with one person then so be it. Life is about being nice to people. IT IS! We all slip up but just think how short our lives are and how much nicer it is when we mix with people we like. Those who laugh. Those who smile when they see you. And those who say thanks. My aim this next week is to smile at everyone I meet all day. If my next column doesn’t appear you know they have taken me to the funny farm!

Have giggles and hugs and lots of fun!

Check out more on my blog with www.tenerifewomen every Monday afternoon.

Val Richardson