The Sober World

When I was training to be a Person Centred Counsellor in London many years ago I learnt what the word empathy meant in practice - aiming to keep one foot in the world of the client while remaining a safe listener. 

A little meandering walkabout with the Greek word Εξτασια - Ecstasy 'being out of oneself'.

One day a friend of Baccus is wandering through the Robola vineyards of Agios Gerasimos on the island of Kefalonia. A hip flask of Robola wine is attached to the friend's leather belt.

The Apollonian, who is watching from the verandah of his villa, assumes the Baccanalian is worse for wear.

"Intoxicated?"

"Yes." Admits the Baccanalian. "But not toxic."

The Apollonian has to think about this answer so the Baccanalian helps him out. "But I have one foot in the sober world."

"Are you in ecstasy?"

"Not yet." Replies the Baccanalian. "If I was in ecstasy I would not be talking with you."

Jacqueline paizis - My Interview with Awesome Gang newsletter

Jacqueline paizis: Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written. I was born in Hythe, Kent UK into a working class family. My enduring love of the sea is born from

A Sea Change

A little taster of A Sea Change to tempt you                               

 "Alex sensed my unease and put his arm round my shoulder, pulling me tight towards him. "It's okay Lorna. It always goes like this on Greek demonstrations, just this one is very big. If often turns into a confrontation between anarchists and MAT. The speeches will be held up if a bomb really has gone off but I'm not bothered about the speeches. The only one worth listening to will be Alexis Tsipras of SYRIZA. Anyone further Left doesn't get a look in."

I had seen Tsipras on television and understood a fair amount of what he said. He seemed to me to be a pretty charismatic figure and the coalition was doing well in the opinion polls. The late afternoon temperature was dropping but I could feel my own rising as my cheek rested on Alex's coat. Once I let my fear and anxiety go I became aware of the streaks of pink and violet sky that sprawled like a canopy about Panepistemiou and its mass of human energy. I knew I would never forget the experience. This was no outpouring of disaffected, spoilt, middle class youth. Yes,

they were here as well. But the bulk of the demonstrators were an eclectic mix of young, middle and elderly. Pensioners were highly visible and vocal. Firefighters, wielding flares, marched in their uniforms. Militant teachers and their students, even nursery workers were represented. I saw two Greek Orthodox priests marching side by side in their robes, their heads protected by skufia. I guess the kalimvaki, the tall priest's hats, would have been too tempting as targets for missile throwers. I took all this in and I thought of the three thousand five hundred years of history that all these amazing faces reflected." (p251)

The Cleaner of Kastoria

Just a little to tempt you to read my first novel The Cleaner of Kastoria if you haven't already done so.

"Where the trees ended the ground fell at a sharp angle like a slice of icing on a cake. The top layer of crystals twinkled under the moon that was now overhead. Dina looked ahead but she couldn't see any path. They would have to single file along the top of the ridge. She waved them on behind her. They didn't need to raise their boots so high as the snow was only ankle deep here. Dina gripped her rifle too tightly. She was frightened. It was too quiet. She looked to her right and could make out the snow covered shapes of boulders and as her eye moved across the width of the ridge it twitched in response to something. It had been a very quick flicker. Orange colour. Then black again." (p126)