25th Anniversary, 100th Post
Imagination & Appreciation
It seems quite fitting that my 100th post should land on my 25th anniversary of arriving in Glasgow.
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25 years ago, I boarded a plane for Glasgow thinking I would be here for a year, and well… we can see how that worked out. My wise (dearly departed) Uncle Jim McCool said to me once, ‘everything makes sense in hindsight, don’t forget to enjoy yourself in the meantime’. It’s a quote I think on often, and when I reflect on the 25 past years the many twists and turns are beyond my wildest imaginings…
When I boarded the Philadelphia-Glasgow plane I had every intention of doing a year of intensive study at the (then) Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire) towards my Masters degree. I wanted to hone my craft as a performing artist and then return to the states to ‘do’ Broadway, Hollywood and everything in between.
I quickly was seduced by the charm, creative electricity and possibility of Glasgow (far flung from the creative husk we see today). So I stayed. Embraced the free-spirited opportunities that presented themself to me dancing across the streets of European cities, observing and writing on the newly available blogging platforms, then social media, as well as the Herald. I was romanced and proposed to several times over. I got headhunted by an Irish Film Studio with Glasgow offices, Hannaywood, and proceeded to become a film producer jet setting to film festivals and red carpet premieres in couture gowns whilst navigating legal contracts for our own productions and managing crews.
I did intensive studies in Rajasthan and Orissa India of their traditional dances as a way of understanding how dances historically could be masterful and inclusive (the real kind) at the same time. In Sri Lanka I developed dance projects in an orphanage and refugee camps during the war as a way of providing relief and fun for children there. I developed large scale dance works on the streets with children. I led a dance company with adults with special needs, making films and public performances. My own dance shenanigans went viral globally several times over.
I got pregnant - miraculously and unplanned. I travelled to Buenos Aires for my first trimester of pregnancy and tried to engage with tango (impossible when one is ill with pregnancy). I travelled to north west reaches of the Argentine Andes in search of answers only to be called back to Glasgow - again. My son’s father violently and unceremoniously abandoned us and I became a single, a solo, Mum and was quickly hot housed into providing exclusively for my son. I got cancelled from the dance sector I contributed to for decades because I did not believe - nor did my life’s work support- the fracturing of people into small judgemental bits, or that one’s body could be ‘wrong’. I became an advocate for parents and education and childhood via my own work and the
. I worked as a receptionist, a house cleaner, a support for elderly neighbours. I have initiated numerous volunteer creative programs for kids. I almost did a PhD three times. (three!)I lost faith. I explored Shinto temples in Japan, Hindu dances in India, Shamanism and Inca ritual in Peru, Sweatlodges in Scotland, Buddhism in the retreat centres of Holy Island and Samye Ling, Scotland. I have read about agnosticism, humanism, Zoratrianism, and a whole host in between. Living in Pollokshields in the largest Muslim community in Scotland I have learned a lot about Islam. And I returned to Catholicism.
I have made many many friends. I have lost many many friends. Some through time and space. Some through Motherhood. Some through conflict. Some through death. I have faced evil. I have seen dark souls. I have had my life threatened. I have found the miraculous in the most surprising places. I have been brought to the edge of sanity and hope only to be lifted again - by a kindness, or a stranger.
I have been moved by profound beauty. Brought to tears by the collective actions of good people. By school concerts, Mothers gathering around a struggling friend to help, by my son’s humour. I have been blessed by an extraordinary and loving family- who- in spite of distance - live eternally in my heart.
I have made many mistakes. Said many stupid things (and loudly sometimes, hello drama school). Been sorry. Tried to do better. Been eternally grateful for the compassion, understanding, steadfastness and forgiveness of good friends.
And here I am. I may not be rich in my bank account. (I live permanently in my overdraft at the minute and have no savings) But I have undeniably placed value into the world. I am glad for that. What the next 25 years will bring - for me- or for you dear reader - we cannot predict. As my wise Uncle Jim McCool always said, ‘don’t sweat the small stuff, it all makes sense in hindsight’. May we all learn to see the beauty and possibility now.
OTHER NEWS
Whilst I was visiting my family in America over Christmas I happened to note a book on the shelf ‘Practical Child Training’. Dated from 1917 it was produced by The Parents Association.
I have found the pages on this SO INTERESTING in light of our current approach/trajectory towards education and the parent/teacher vs. child divide/s that I have decided I am going to do a series of 5 minute videos speaking through what is on the pages. (You can see the first here on twitter and here on substack)
I *believe* The New York Parents Society may be a pre-cursor to what we now see as Parents Councils and Associations in schools. What struck me most in this volume is how they lead with the importance of imagination, and the cultivating of imagination of children. The primary way in which they see this being achieved is in the telling, sharing and reading of stories. And that they note that the cultivation of imagination serves one for life. The second thing that strikes me about this volume is that this is seen as being the role of the parent. Much has been written about and observed (not least by
wonderful report ‘Teachers or Parents’ and our interview here) is how the role of the parent is being subsumed by what is expected of schools and more specifically teachers.This leads me to the question: what kind of stories are your children being fed? What is the nutrition (or not) that they are getting? I was just speaking to a group in Devon called Protect & Teach about the problem with indoctrination in the politicised books filling our library shelves. Diane McCadie, Librarian and UK Columnist was there who has reported a lot on this.
Most people do not realise that the ‘age rating’ for books is not down to content but to ‘reading age’. There are no restrictions or filters on children’s books. This is how sexualised books have been able to permeate our children’s library sections. But it’s actually more pressing than that -because these books are not only grossly inappropriate and potentially damaging to children, they are also terrible quality. In the case of ‘Practical Child Training’ does one suppose these poor quality books are going to lead our children into magical flights of fancy? Are these stories going to sustain children in their later years? I suspect not.
I shall be exploring this topic via the Practical Child Training Volume in the next few weeks. If interested please pay attention to my Substack Notes, Twitter, or Rumble Channel. (You Tube Channel in progress!). I shall create a compilation for a long form post once through whole book!
This week I will be releasing a podcast I made with the inimitable writer, novelist and commentator Ewan Morrison - do subscribe to the Pink Elephant which is available on all podcast platforms!
As always thank you for your time and support! If you are able any financial contributions are much needed and much appreciated. I will endeavour to by my best to make the best for all around me. Here’s to the fun, the imaginative and the hopeful!
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this lovely piece and love your beautiful photos. You have undeniably placed value into the world. Keep up the amazing work you’re doing.
Congratulations and thanks for all the hard work. 👏