Sitting in the day oncology room last Friday with the IV in his arm he thought “at least I didn't get dealt the teenage cancer card”. Not like the girl in the big aeroplane-like seat next to him. With her Mum sitting anxiously by her side with a Tupperware container of snacks for the day. “I’ve really got nothing to complain about”, he tells himself. “I'm not 60 for a few years yet.” My friend John was fine until 2am Saturday. It’s a known side effect. The pain. Not everyone gets … [Read more...]

This week Jane was saying that even though she’s underpaid at her newish workplace, she likes it because it’s “teamly”. Everyone, including The Big Cheese (AKA Kerry) has taken a salary freeze for the last couple of years. No exceptions. Nobody likes it and they're hopeful things will turn around soon. But if nothing else, that’s teamly. In her last job Jane worked horrendous hours. She was working at work and then working at home … into the wee hours of the night too. She'd … [Read more...]

We stood in awe of his performance. He beamed as we applauded. But he truly shone when he played his cello. Steven Isserlis is one of the world’s leading cellists. As Dick said when we had a drink after the performance: “I've never seen anyone love playing their music as much as Steven”. At first I thought about how amazing it would be to have someone as engaged as Steven on your team. Someone with unbelievable talent and skill. Someone who infects everyone around him with his … [Read more...]

Last weekend I felt the wash of shame. It was while having lunch with my Mum and about 12 of her tennis pals after their game. A glass of unordered champagne arrives. I look up bewildered and Lou who’s on the other side of me says: “It’s from me. I’ve brought us all champagne to celebrate my new knee”. We toast the titanium and rubber. We chat about the knee for a while. It’s amazing to think that Lou’s walking again, in less pain and it’s not even two weeks since the … [Read more...]