Wednesday 15th December
Yesterday's 'coffee and crossword' event was much better that I was expecting. This was the first time it had been run so was a small group, only the leader plus 10 participants who were a mixture of beginner and experienced puzzlers. The leader, A, specialises in running these sort of groups and part of her remit is to explain how to recognise the different types of cryptic clues. She shared an interactive cryptic puzzle on the screen and we worked through solving it together. As it was such a small group we were encourage to unmute and call out answers, and for me this was an element that needs to be sorted. The puzzle was displayed on screen and there were three very experienced puzzlers who called out the answer while the rest of us were still listening to the leader read out the clue and explain how to solve it, and one woman gave the answers to other clues that we weren't even looking at, so it sort of took the edge off the enjoyment for me. They either need to separate into different rooms to work in ability groups or run sessions by ability. Anyway, despite that I did enjoy the session enough to sign up for the two sessions running in the lead up to Christmas. We finished the session with a game of Countdown which was also good fun. We were emailed later to give our feedback on how the session went, so hopefully there will be tweaks to the format next time.
It's the Christmas quiz at the nutrition club this morning and that's followed by the final piano lesson for this year. Despite all my practice I haven't managed to improve how I play the carols, quite the opposite in fact, and I think Silent Night now sounds awful but let's see how it goes ... hopefully this will be one of the sessions where I somehow get my act together and play better than I have in practice!
I have the last quarter of the book club choice to finish off today, ready for Friday. This will be my first time at this particular book club so don't know if this month's book is representative of their usual choices but it's not really my preferred genre. I'd class it as chick-lit, which is okay to read occasionally but I definitely prefer reading mysteries and crime novels.
Hopefully, the people running the crossword puzzle sessions will pay attention to people's feedback and things will improve. It's a good sign that you signed up for the next couple of sessions. :) I hope the piano lesson will go smoothly and you will give a stellar performance of Silent Night! :) Enjoy reading the rest of your book!
ReplyDeleteWith the crossword puzzle sessions I expect it will depend on how many people raise the same points. If I was the only one, it may not change at all so I'll see how it goes. Despite the niggles, the hour long session just flew by.
DeleteI don't know what's happened to my piano playing this week ... it's gone to pieces! I'd say I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the lesson but that won't help me at all!! 😂😂
Thanks Bless. I should easily finish reading the book this afternoon and then I can make a start on one that's more to my liking.
It all sounds really lovely. Having a crossword thing is a great idea but I agree with you that it needs to be organised differently. I'm terrible with cryptic clues so some guidance sounds excellent.
ReplyDeleteI haven't really had the time for Goldster this week which is a shame.
xx
It was interesting to hear her categorise the different types of clues and explain how to recognise them. I've ordered the book she recommended and will add it to my 12 Days pressies. I think it would work better by having a class for advanced and a separate one for beginners.
DeleteDo you think you'll keep going with Goldster?
I hope the feedback is taken note of and it sounds like it could be good fun if groups are sorted out. Fingers crossed you play Silent Night well for your tutor today.
ReplyDeleteSo do I, so I'll see how it goes for the next two sessions and then decide whether to continue with it. I has made me want to start doing the daily crossword at home again so I will start buying a newspaper again next year.
DeleteNo, sadly I messed up but we both had a laugh about it 😂
It has been a week of puzzle solving for you :) I am sure your piano lesson will go fine, it's why we do lessons isn't it(?) Constructive feedback to the leader of the puzzle group will help her tweak the group rules; everyone shouting out answers or trying to show off their brilliance ahead, only diminishes the purpose, IMO.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished my piano lesson and we mainly talked and planned for next year, thankfully. I did play both pieces through but made lots of mistakes in both of them 😂
DeleteIt'll be great if the leader tweaks the sessions based on feedback - I'll know next Tuesday in the next session.