Personal Update - Kim Tasso

Those aspects of my life beyond work which may have value or interest to others

It seems some of you still have not managed to find the hidden "site within a site" with all the information about my life beyond work. Email me if you are still frustrated and I'll provide the access directions! In the meantime:

Sports

I haven’t been to as many rugby matches at Twickenham stadium as I would like to, but having previously only attended internationals (like England against Argentina and Samoa) I have been impressed with the local matches that they have started to host there (e.g. Harlequins vs London Irish). I have been to further shooting sessions – and didn’t do too badly even though I didn’t score as well as I did at my very first session. I used to go to the Virgin Active Gym at Twickenham and regularly went along to Zumba, Pilates and yoga classes – although I have recently cancelled my membership as I was thinner and fitter doing my own work out routines with occasional trips to the less lovely Whitton gym! I managed to do some deep sea fishing when I was in St Lucia in 2010. Earlier in 2011, I was invited to do some (business) coaching for Watford Ladies Football Club and I recently completed my first Race for Life – raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Twickenham Rugby Stadium

Catching big fish in the Caribbean

Shooting at Bisley

Race for Life

Travels

Most of you will know that I stopped most my international work travel when the kids were young – so the last places I visited on business were Warsaw and the Isle of Man! On the social side, I haven’t been recently to my favourite place in Dorset (Sandbanks) although I have been made a few trips to see family in Christchurch, Dorset and friends in Brighton and Cornwall. In August 2008 I returned to the Caribbean – but this time to Antigua and had a fantastic time thanks to my friend there and then in August 2010 I went to St Lucia. In May 2009 I did a tour of Italy – revisiting my favourite city Rome and also Florence and seeing Siena and Assisi for the first time and in May 2011 I finally did a tour of the Amalfi coast – visiting Sorrento, Ravello, Amalfi, Capri and, of course, Positano. It was great fun in Sorrento – what with Piazzo Tasso, Teatro Tasso, Bar Tasso – I felt quite at home. And I am now a regular visitor to Cardiff.

Popeye Bay in Malta

Assisi in Italy

Beach in Dorset
(Hengistbury Head)

Christchurch Priory, Dorset

Tuscany

Church courtyard in Sorrento

Positano - at long last

Ravello

Marigot Bay, St Lucia

Sunset in St Lucia

Cardiff Castle

Music and the arts

Most years I return to the London Military Festival at Kneller Hall (although this year it was on Twickenham riverside) which features Jules Holland, the Thames Festival and the Notting Hill Carnival. There were numerous theatre visits – too many to mention all of them although there are reviews of most of them in the MayB and KimT blogs – I particularly enjoyed Priscilla, Legally Blonde, Madame Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall (the third time I have seen this production). The Help for Heroes concert at Twickenham was pretty amazing as well.

Kneller Hall,
Home of Military Music

Notting Hill Carnival

I was delighted to see AC/DC at the O2 Arena a while back and The Steve Miller Band at The Royal Albert Hall and I’ve just been to see “Rock of Ages”. Visiting the famous Eel Pie Club in Twickenham I went to a gig by Rock-ola which featured Micky Moody of Whitesnake, a long term favourite of mine. I also went to a Whitesnake concert at Hammersmith Apollo in June 2011. I’ve also become a bit of a regular at the Bear Cat Comedy club in Twickenham. I haven’t done much on the arts front although I really enjoyed the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy in August 2011.

The Eel Pie Club at The Cabbage Patch pub in Twickenham

Eel Pie Club, Twickenham

Whitesnake

AC/DC fan

Governor

I was elected as a parent governor at Grey Court School in Ham in 2009 which means that as well as attending many evening meetings I have been along to all manner of interesting events – including a version of Woodstock, a fashion show and a classical piano concert. As well as being on the strategy and finance committee, I also have responsibility for health & safety. The local council provides brilliant training. We’ve spent a lot of 2010 in consultation about whether to convert to academy status – as well as watching the new building development progress.

Grey Court School, Ham in Richmond

Out and about

There have been numerous days out with friends and family - even a few for clients - and some I have written about in blogs. Amongst these trips I have been to Beale Park, Marwell Zoo, Beckonscot Model Village, Virginia Water, The Crazy Bear Club and Thorpe Park.

Crazy Bear Club, Beaconsfield

Animals at Marwell Zoo

Waterfall at Virginia Water, Surrey

I must also admit that I thoroughly enjoyed a series of evening lectures (Protons for Breakfast) at the National Physical Laboratory. And in summer 2011, two big events: I celebrated a rather special birthday (yes, 25 again!) and Henry the long haired Chihuahua arrived. Tragically, he escaped and was killed on the road. We are still recovering but remember him with very fond memories.