2010 Diary
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Following On ...

The Follow-On

Diversions from a cricket theme

This section will be very occasionally updated!

A collection of 'asides' that have occurred to me following this sport.

Cricket ramblings can be found here

[February 2009] While preparing for the World Cup it crossed my mind that I might very well be referred to while in Australia as a 'POM'. It took little research to discover the 'word' is an acronym for "Prisoner of Millbank" and the shortened POM was inscribed on the clothing of the prisoners held there. This prison was used to keep individuals destined for transportation to the antipodes. Thus those who travelled involuntarily down under are really the 'POMs'. Those whose ancestors remained in the UK would not have ever worn that title. Strange how this has become reversed.

When regaled with that expression during the World Cup I did not to inform the user. The expression is too entrenched. I smiled at the real POM and politely left my host in ignorance.

[April 2009] With a Guardian correspondent suggesting we don't call them 'batsmen' or they might be upset, I emailed saying I can't recall anyone ever objecting to the term. I certainly don't and would hang on to it for dear life. Why? To start altering words to be 'PC' is, in my view, simply to put yourself down. Is a woman with a bat in her hand inferior to a man? No... then don't make it appear as if she is by using a diminutive term!

I was struck a few years ago by an incident that occurred at a cricket presentation. The head of a particularly prestigious organisation was being introduced to the youngsters to whom she was about to present  prizes. The introducer, who I won't embarrass by naming, called her the 'Chair' of the cricket organisation in question. The lady interrupted and stated she was the Chairman. I approached her afterwards and said it was refreshing to hear a woman not trying to corrupt the English language. She said firmly "A chair is for sitting on and no one sits on me!" I felt immediately that I was sure she was right. Smilingly a little later she said she felt altering words made it look as if you were apologising for being a woman. Retaining them indicated you were the equal of a man doing a similar task. I have to wholeheartedly agree with her. So next time you come face to face with  a TV camera or reporter, please stop apologising for your gender!

[October 2010]Those of you who have met me at one cricket ground or another can hardly have failed to notice the aluminum pole I am usually leaning on, atop which is a camera. I have had a number of hobbies over the years and the camera has had a place in recording all of them. I make no pretence to have an eye for a photograph, and as such think of myself simply as a recorder of events, a job the camera does remarkably well. I do envy those who can 'see a picture' that I would simply walk passed.

You may have seen in newspapers articles the many skills possessed by Claire Taylor. I can add a couple you may not have been aware of. Unlike me, she is a real photographer, one who can carry a camera and produce a picture anyone would be pleased to hang on the wall at home, or which has the potential to sell far and wide, something I've yet to achieve except on a disposable item like a magazine or calendar!

She can also read faster than any individual I have ever met, and by a margin you'd find hard to believe. Should you ever lend her a few paperbacks and have them returned to you the following day, don't feel she's necessarily got a different reading taste. She may well have read them all!

[December 2010] And following on ... (and yes it can have the same implications of dread the expression does in cricket ) ... carrying a camera so frequently does give people the idea you know how to use it. You thus get requests to photograph events that pose rather different problems from those of a cricket match. Having tackled a few weddings now I am feeling slightly more confident if thrown out of my comfort zone. Recently for instance I was asked to do the publicity shots for a pantomime. What goes though your head? What lighting will they have? Will it be very low level? Will it be highly coloured (and will the camera do its best to correct that)?

Well, you'll be pleased to know that despite the efforts of the character on the left, Cinders did make it to the ball, and, ... yes ... the prince did recover. Before I compile the CD for the cast I must do something about that 'red-eye'.