Hello all.
The first RR we received gave us a shock. It did feel impersonal etc etc but did serve a purpose in that we were kept informed of some special friends activities. Yes they have lots of friends but we didn't feel that we were low down on the list as a consequence of that method of contact.
Now several friends do it but all manage to send little personal wishes, funny emails and suchlike now and then.
They are all very busy people with jobs, family commitments and social engagements that they have to attend, want to or not.
The only thing I suppose we dislike is that we can't do the same thing. Our lives are now far too mundane.
Hi J/c'
I think it's fine when little personal bits are added on to each individual copy of the Round robin. It is efficient to print out many copies of the same letter , we just like the feeling that the writer has been thinking of the recipient , exclusively , during the act of writing itself!
We received a r/r a long time ago , when family very young , and we were living in a small village, no car , no evening buses, no baby sitter.
The writers , lived near London, and early on in the epistle , they told us they had only managed about 30 West end shows that year , (usually 52 - one a week !)
Do you see what I mean about sensitivity !
Carry on responding , folks , I think this could be very interesting !
I think it's fine when little personal bits are added on to each individual copy of the Round robin. It is efficient to print out many copies of the same letter , we just like the feeling that the writer has been thinking of the recipient , exclusively , during the act of writing itself!
We received a r/r a long time ago , when family very young , and we were living in a small village, no car , no evening buses, no baby sitter.
The writers , lived near London, and early on in the epistle , they told us they had only managed about 30 West end shows that year , (usually 52 - one a week !)
Do you see what I mean about sensitivity !
Carry on responding , folks , I think this could be very interesting !
Hello all, I hope I dont sound too boring but what are Round Robins, Ive never heard of them before? I must have led a pretty sheltered or boring life me thinks!!
Glenchass
Glenchass
Hi Glenchass,
Originally a Round Robin was a petition or protest, quite often , names were written in a circle to conceal the ring leader.
In sport, a tournament in which every competitor plays each of the others in turn.
This has been adapted to mean a circular letter , copies of which sent to many other people. Usually sent at Christmas time , as a kind of update of news regarding different family members.Very good idea in principle , but can come over as opportunity for seeming to be boasting , as usually only positive news relayed , and some seem a bit impersonal.
There is a very funny book containing many Round robin letters , compiled by journalist Simon Jenkins , if you fancy a humorous read for Christmas !
Carry on commenting !
Originally a Round Robin was a petition or protest, quite often , names were written in a circle to conceal the ring leader.
In sport, a tournament in which every competitor plays each of the others in turn.
This has been adapted to mean a circular letter , copies of which sent to many other people. Usually sent at Christmas time , as a kind of update of news regarding different family members.Very good idea in principle , but can come over as opportunity for seeming to be boasting , as usually only positive news relayed , and some seem a bit impersonal.
There is a very funny book containing many Round robin letters , compiled by journalist Simon Jenkins , if you fancy a humorous read for Christmas !
Carry on commenting !
A Round Robin used to be a single correspondence signed by several people. It is now the term for a letter which the writer copies & sends to multiple recipients. Hence the impersonal nature mentioned, unless a little hand-writen note is added.
My present day to day life is certainly far too mundane to warrant a RR
My present day to day life is certainly far too mundane to warrant a RR
Sorry , need to add a correction re - humorous book , and Round Robins.
the book I'm thinking of is:
The Christmas Letters
The ultimate collection of Round Robin Letters
by Simon Hoggart (writes for Guardian)
May make a good present for someone with good sense of humour.
the book I'm thinking of is:
The Christmas Letters
The ultimate collection of Round Robin Letters
by Simon Hoggart (writes for Guardian)
May make a good present for someone with good sense of humour.
Hi,I'm pleased glenchass asked the question"what is a Round Robin circular".I believe we both live up North,so maybe its a Southern thing.I,d heard of Round Robins in connection with competitions and racing bets,but not in this format.So can't really comment.The only thing i can say is, that a good old one to one by whatever means of communication is more meaningful/personal.
All the best
Titan
All the best
Titan
I hesitated to post this in Reading as I am unsure whether it is a recommenation, a critisism, a question or a cry for help.
I have been listening to "De Profundis" - Oscar Wilde immensely long letter to Lord Alfred from prison. I found his descriptions of his despair & degredation very moving, his "gentle" remonstrations to be rather nasty & his veiw of Christ as an artist to be rather prideful. It seems so very much at odds with the role-playing critic of Victorian society that I cannot help but doubt it's sincerity. Any commments, views or words of wisdom would be most welcome
I have been listening to "De Profundis" - Oscar Wilde immensely long letter to Lord Alfred from prison. I found his descriptions of his despair & degredation very moving, his "gentle" remonstrations to be rather nasty & his veiw of Christ as an artist to be rather prideful. It seems so very much at odds with the role-playing critic of Victorian society that I cannot help but doubt it's sincerity. Any commments, views or words of wisdom would be most welcome
It does rather, what, what, what ...
* Takes a few puffs of pipe while contemplating *
Yes, you are right, what, what, what
* Puts pipe down (it has never been lit. I don't smoke) *
* Prepares for nap after all that deep thinking *
* Takes a few puffs of pipe while contemplating *
Yes, you are right, what, what, what
* Puts pipe down (it has never been lit. I don't smoke) *
* Prepares for nap after all that deep thinking *
Dear Eck, having squinted though the imaginary fug from which you have emerged I am,I think, delighted to know that I am right. Once I figure out what I am right about I may even enjoy Xmas
Well, its basically that he is in jail and writing to Lord Alfred and ... probably has something to do with it.
He has been done up like a kipper and this in turn has led to him being less of a smart ass.
Well now you know.
Where is my pipe? I need my pipe!
He has been done up like a kipper and this in turn has led to him being less of a smart ass.
Well now you know.
Where is my pipe? I need my pipe!
My grandmother's collection of clay pipes ( hidden in the midden in case the English banned them) any good to you? Any ideas as to who wrote Shakespeares plays?
Hello readers,
Have been glancing through the radio and t.v. selections for the next few weeks , hoping to find some book related item that I could tell you about.
I found a little gem. Look out on Thursday 30th Dec. B.B.C.1 at 9.00 pm
for TOAST.
This is the work of Lee Hall , writer of Billy Elliot. He has turned his hand to dramatising , cook and food writer Nigel Slater's wonderfully evocative childhood memoir , Toast - the story of a boy's hunger
The book is funny , sad and thought provoking. It brings back memories , by naming the chapters after food , such as Angel Delight , Butterscotch and Rice pudding. Children of the 50;s, 60's and 70's will remember well how they loved/hated these sorts of food.
I read Nigel's book , some time ago , and suggest you give it a go , in addition to viewing the production.
Would be interesting to share our views on how the book stands up to dramatisation. Also ,the internal debate of which is best , book or film ?
Happy viewing and reading.
Have been glancing through the radio and t.v. selections for the next few weeks , hoping to find some book related item that I could tell you about.
I found a little gem. Look out on Thursday 30th Dec. B.B.C.1 at 9.00 pm
for TOAST.
This is the work of Lee Hall , writer of Billy Elliot. He has turned his hand to dramatising , cook and food writer Nigel Slater's wonderfully evocative childhood memoir , Toast - the story of a boy's hunger
The book is funny , sad and thought provoking. It brings back memories , by naming the chapters after food , such as Angel Delight , Butterscotch and Rice pudding. Children of the 50;s, 60's and 70's will remember well how they loved/hated these sorts of food.
I read Nigel's book , some time ago , and suggest you give it a go , in addition to viewing the production.
Would be interesting to share our views on how the book stands up to dramatisation. Also ,the internal debate of which is best , book or film ?
Happy viewing and reading.
Hi Lorna,
Will do,its amazing how many memories are linked to smell and taste.Being born in the sixties,i suppose i'd better tune in.
Date noted
Titan
Will do,its amazing how many memories are linked to smell and taste.Being born in the sixties,i suppose i'd better tune in.
Date noted
Titan
Emly Bronte died 19 Dec 1848
Lorna - still haven't received my humpback whale songs
Toast sounds interesting. I assume the book is autobiographical, using food (dishes, names, smells) to evoke a time in the author's life rather than the traditional chronological account? I can only assume as I had not heard of the book. An interesting idea & one that has kept me occupied for a while doing mental associations. Thank you
Lorna - still haven't received my humpback whale songs
Toast sounds interesting. I assume the book is autobiographical, using food (dishes, names, smells) to evoke a time in the author's life rather than the traditional chronological account? I can only assume as I had not heard of the book. An interesting idea & one that has kept me occupied for a while doing mental associations. Thank you
Hi Abd.
I think you may enjoy Toast ! Have started re - reading it. Here's a short extract to wet your appetites !
My mother is scraping a piece of burned toast out of the kitchen window, a crease of annoyance, across her forehead. This is not an occasional occurrence, a once in a while hiccup in a busy mother's day.
My mother burns the toast as surely as the sun rises, each morning. In fact, I doubt if she has ever made a round of toast in her life that failed to fill the kitchen with plumes of throat catching smoke.
I am nine now and have never seen butter without black bits in it.
It is impossible not to love someone who makes toast for you. People's failings, even the major ones, such as when they make you wear short trousers to school, fall into insignificance as your teeth break through the rough, toasted crust and sink into the warm doughy cushion of white bread underneath. Once the warm ,salty butter has hit your tongue, you are smitten. Putty in their hands................
And to end ;
Milk Skin
Skin. Even the word sends shivers down my spine.
This is the stuff that you peel off your chest when you have sunburn; it's the little flap left hanging when you cut yourself , that catches on everything ; it's the transparent sheath left behind by an emerging snake.
Skin is the word I link automatically with grazed shins or something mummified. So what is it doing floating on my cocoa ? You either like the thin layer of wrinkled skin that forms over hot milk or ......................
Hope you enjoyed!
I love his use of words , and I've a feeling , the words may get lost in a filmed version , unless there is a narrator . Anyway , the proof of the pudding (sorry !).............. Well , we'll just have to wait and see, won't we ?
Happy reading everyone.
I think you may enjoy Toast ! Have started re - reading it. Here's a short extract to wet your appetites !
My mother is scraping a piece of burned toast out of the kitchen window, a crease of annoyance, across her forehead. This is not an occasional occurrence, a once in a while hiccup in a busy mother's day.
My mother burns the toast as surely as the sun rises, each morning. In fact, I doubt if she has ever made a round of toast in her life that failed to fill the kitchen with plumes of throat catching smoke.
I am nine now and have never seen butter without black bits in it.
It is impossible not to love someone who makes toast for you. People's failings, even the major ones, such as when they make you wear short trousers to school, fall into insignificance as your teeth break through the rough, toasted crust and sink into the warm doughy cushion of white bread underneath. Once the warm ,salty butter has hit your tongue, you are smitten. Putty in their hands................
And to end ;
Milk Skin
Skin. Even the word sends shivers down my spine.
This is the stuff that you peel off your chest when you have sunburn; it's the little flap left hanging when you cut yourself , that catches on everything ; it's the transparent sheath left behind by an emerging snake.
Skin is the word I link automatically with grazed shins or something mummified. So what is it doing floating on my cocoa ? You either like the thin layer of wrinkled skin that forms over hot milk or ......................
Hope you enjoyed!
I love his use of words , and I've a feeling , the words may get lost in a filmed version , unless there is a narrator . Anyway , the proof of the pudding (sorry !).............. Well , we'll just have to wait and see, won't we ?
Happy reading everyone.
Annebernadette,
I've been raking in the midden for over a week now and cannot find these clay pipes of which you speak.
However I did find my own pipe. It was in the pocket of my smoking jacket, next to my silk scarf.
Anyway I can now reveal the author of Billy Shakespeare's plays was Anne Hathaway. Total plagiarism, he was dyslexic too and didn't realize it was all unreadable guff.
As for toast, butter and lime marmalade.
Oooh .... Jeremy Kyle is on ... where is that pipe ...
p.s. its a repeat, he is the father.
I've been raking in the midden for over a week now and cannot find these clay pipes of which you speak.
However I did find my own pipe. It was in the pocket of my smoking jacket, next to my silk scarf.
Anyway I can now reveal the author of Billy Shakespeare's plays was Anne Hathaway. Total plagiarism, he was dyslexic too and didn't realize it was all unreadable guff.
As for toast, butter and lime marmalade.
Oooh .... Jeremy Kyle is on ... where is that pipe ...
p.s. its a repeat, he is the father.
Dear Eck, Thank you for helping me with my reading.
I am sorry that you could not find my granny's pipes. Perhaps you could clear out the attic, the barn & the shed? I mean search in?
I am sorry that you could not find my granny's pipes. Perhaps you could clear out the attic, the barn & the shed? I mean search in?
Hi Readers,
Here's wishing you a very Happy Boxing day .
This is the day when we're allowed to actually play with our toys !
I've received my Mark Twain autobiography, Part i. It's massive, like a big paving slab , and 736 pages ! Well , I wanted a challenge.
Anyone else , reading it this year ? If so ,we can have some discussions on this thread.
I'm always interested in what people are reading , so tell me the books you've had for Christmas , the one's you can't wait to read , the one's you've thought , as you unwrapped them and the titles come into view, I wonder why they thought I'd like that ???
Happy playing with your toys today , and , of course , Happy Reading.
Here's wishing you a very Happy Boxing day .
This is the day when we're allowed to actually play with our toys !
I've received my Mark Twain autobiography, Part i. It's massive, like a big paving slab , and 736 pages ! Well , I wanted a challenge.
Anyone else , reading it this year ? If so ,we can have some discussions on this thread.
I'm always interested in what people are reading , so tell me the books you've had for Christmas , the one's you can't wait to read , the one's you've thought , as you unwrapped them and the titles come into view, I wonder why they thought I'd like that ???
Happy playing with your toys today , and , of course , Happy Reading.
Hello Lorna and everyone,
Well, I have no clue as to what a midden is.....my ex used to smoke a pipe....always choked me right up...now I'm dealing with asthma....
I asked for the Mark Twain autobiography...but o/h has been too busy to even wrap my gift, as he's said...so I'm still waiting to find out if its what he got me....736 pages??? Well, we're due for that blizzard tonite..won't be going out tomorrow...so, if he finally gets around to giving it to me (granted he may have gotten me new potholders, or some gun -cleaning equipment..or some such thing HE wanted for Christmas...)
I'm giving him a lovely painting....that he'll get late...for his birthday....Jan.22nd.....after I finish paying for it....He'll be able to hang it when we get the house fixed....and ready to show for the sale....
Will be interested to see what you and any others think of Mark T's book too....
We're also still working on trying to get my friends car fixed....but my o/h says since its been out of commission for a yr now, it might not be possible....then don't know what we'll do. (might be able to get him to let me give them my car..tho its old, it still runs, as he's been saying he needs to get me a "newer" 2nd hand car). At least there's hope, as he's a very generous person, and he knows how much my friends mean to me. (Fran has had 4 strokes,and hubby has pancreatitis & diabetes, at 70 yrs old).
well, hope you feel ok today....all going well? getting ready for the new year?
Well, I have no clue as to what a midden is.....my ex used to smoke a pipe....always choked me right up...now I'm dealing with asthma....
I asked for the Mark Twain autobiography...but o/h has been too busy to even wrap my gift, as he's said...so I'm still waiting to find out if its what he got me....736 pages??? Well, we're due for that blizzard tonite..won't be going out tomorrow...so, if he finally gets around to giving it to me (granted he may have gotten me new potholders, or some gun -cleaning equipment..or some such thing HE wanted for Christmas...)
I'm giving him a lovely painting....that he'll get late...for his birthday....Jan.22nd.....after I finish paying for it....He'll be able to hang it when we get the house fixed....and ready to show for the sale....
Will be interested to see what you and any others think of Mark T's book too....
We're also still working on trying to get my friends car fixed....but my o/h says since its been out of commission for a yr now, it might not be possible....then don't know what we'll do. (might be able to get him to let me give them my car..tho its old, it still runs, as he's been saying he needs to get me a "newer" 2nd hand car). At least there's hope, as he's a very generous person, and he knows how much my friends mean to me. (Fran has had 4 strokes,and hubby has pancreatitis & diabetes, at 70 yrs old).
well, hope you feel ok today....all going well? getting ready for the new year?