Monday 8 May 2017

Summer Strum Monday Post GNUF Missive #7 - 8th May 2017 - A bit on the side

A Bit on the Side* 

(*a nice short missive because I am happily knackered after an absolutely fab weekend in Huddersfield!)


I don't know if it is the same for every uke band/player but I have found it is common amongst the uke players I know for one's other non-uke playing half to develop a quite severe disliking for our bit on the side - our uke obsessed other life. It takes us out once a week (sometimes more); it sometimes takes us to places at the weekend; it gives us pleasure and makes us smile; it gets us drunk; it introduces us to new people that we otherwise would never have met; it enriches our lives.


It doesn't mean that we don't love our family and enjoy spending time with them; that they don't give us pleasure or make us smile too. We DO! And they certainly DO!


The two things needn't be mutually exclusive? Opposite ends of the pole. Hobbies add to our lives and should make us better people to live with! Everyone in a family should have at least one hobby! They relieve stress; they make us more interesting and keep life fresh; they are great for self esteem as you accomplish new things; they can lead to new life opportunities; they introduce you to new friends; they are FUN! If you have the same hobby then all the better but if you don't then that's more than okay. We are, after all, individual people and different things float our boats and fill our souls.


For the non-uke playing partner and family of a uke player you get the chance to become ensconced in some rather splendid events like GNUF and meet lots of amazing, friendly, happy, accommodating, polite, warm, eclectic people and you realise that the world isn't all bad. Whether you can play a ukulele or not suddenly doesn't seem to matter; the sound of ukuleles is sweetened by all these gorgeous folk that you find yourself surrounded by. You may find yourself accepting why your partner makes such a fuss about their 'bit on the side', even if you still don't want to become fully entangled! Threesomes aren't for everybody after all :-) 


From a personal viewpoint - my husband and boys have already signed up for next year!! I think they actually almost loved it! My eldest got himself a uke from the lovely, gentle man on the Forsyth Bros stall. Those who know me will agree that these are complete breakthroughs in the Owen household and I only have the good good people of GNUF to thank for that. It made coming to Huddersfield more than worthwhile!! So .....


THANKYOU MARY AGNES, TO MIM, TO HEIDI BANG TIDY, TO EVERYONE THAT MAKES GNUF HAPPEN, FOR A TRUELY WONDERFUL WEEKEND PACKED WITH GREAT MEMORIES AND BREAKTHROUGHS. WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!


Ukes, peace and love


Emma and Pat xx

1 comment:

  1. You done good Emma Pat and the boys we sure do make friends I for one enjoyed GNUF and your company
    Booked my weekend pitch for Hoylake bring it on
    Peace and harmony

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