OCTOGEN THERAPY

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

Welcome to my Blog. My name is Jacqui Alexander and I live in central London. I am an actress and have spent my life as a professional performer. My father was a famous impersonator and singer. He was born in South Africa and later settled in the UK. I will write a separate post specifically about him as his story is a fascinating one. With my father being an entertainer and working extensively with Pathe News during WW2 ,it meant that I spent my childhood in and around theatres and TV studios.My first professional appearance onstage was at the age of 5 !

When not on stage I like to fill my days and am very active. I attend the Virgin Active gym where I work out and enjoy Yoga and Pilates lessons.I also enjoy long walks in and around central London and can often be found in Church Street market near Marylebone Station. I also love to walk in Hyde park with Poppy. She is the miniature Dachshund who is pictured behind this text and I will also create a separate post about her and I and the adventures we have. She brings such happiness to people and we are stopped constantly so people can meet her. I also enjoy Art galleries and have a penchant for designer clothes.

I look forward to covering many of these topics in future posts and hope you will enjoy my personal take on all things 'life' !

As for the Blog title, I am not considered part of what they refer as GEN Z or GEN X etc and so as an 82 year old who has so much lived experience and who is as active and fit as many of those who are part of one or other 'GEN' groups, I decided that I shall consider myself not as an Octogenarian but as and OCTO-GEN !!!...and the THERAPY part is directed at me writing these posts ,but also, I hope, to be able to offer a little light therapy to all who are kind enough to read my Blog. It may be in simple ways like the time spent sitting down reading them or by highlighting new experiences of people as I write about my daily adventures...For those of you who have not experienced Church street Market or the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park then I would class both of those as therapy...and for those who do not or cannot have a pet then I would certainly class talking to those in the park or the street who do have one with them. People are generally happy to stop and chat for a moment and what starts with a simple comment about their doggie companion can very soon evolve into a momentary friendship or even a lifelong friendship. We all become hyper focused on ourselves and so to stop and begin a conversation with a complete stranger offers insight and a level of understanding of life which cannot be found by walking with your eyes focused on the pavement..or at phone screen. Look up and catch people smiling, offer smiles and you will defiantly experience a kind of soft therapy of the mind and soul. Also if you raise your gaze even higher you will see some amazing buildings from a new perspective. Look up at the rooflines of the buildings on Oxford street and Regent street and you will be surprised at what you will have missed by focusing down towards the ground...I look forward to sharing my daily adventures and experiences with you...Jacqui