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This is where you stick random tidbits of information about yourself.
Age 23, living in sin in Twickenham with Cheesy
Likes
Movies
Books
Writing
Theatre
Hugs
Kittens
Chess
Scrabble (mostly beating Cheesy's butt)
Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Dislikes
Vegetables
Arguments
Cleaning
Trashy TV
Pretensions
Public Transport
Pets
Rabbits-Bambi, Fern, Sooty, Pippa-all deceased
Dog-Sammy-deceased :(
Fish-CatFlap-recently (and finally!) deceased
Cat-Tiggy-still scratching
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Technically Rachel
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Friday, December 01, 2006
Mack (my car) suffered its first puncture yesterday. Luckily I am a super genius and spotted it early. Which is damn lucky, cause coming out of the office after working 10 hours to find a flat tyre is enough to reduce anyone to a gibbering wreck. Thankfully after returning from lunch shopping I managed to hear a suspicious hissing noise coming from the back of the car. Which is unusual since my hearing is pretty shit (anyone who's had to repeat a sentence 4 times to me will agree - though I may well comment that they should learn to enunciate properly). I did of course spend about half an hour memawing (technical northern term which I have probably spelt wrong but since it isn't even a real word I'm sure that's irrelevant) about what to do. RAC only come out once your tyre is actually flat and then all they do is whack on the spare. Since it was still inflated I decided to drive it to a garage myself as there was one quite close. And here's the much deserved plug for Tyres & Exhaust in Sunbury - served me within 20 minutes (despatching about 5 other customers beforehand), my wheel was patched up and put back on within 15 minutes, and as I nervously waited to be fleeced when it came to payment, it only cost £13! Bargain. At least to me who watches too many watchdog programs with people telling horror stories about bills-gone-wrong-at-garages.
In other news, Fat Ass and Mr Fat Ass (as they are now married) may well end up on To Buy Or Not To Buy - I shall keep all you daytime TV watchers up to date so you may join in with the hilarity. And also see how much they look like Brooke Shields and Billy Zane.
7:19 am
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Just in case you were thinking of buying flowers don't use Serenata Flowers. Full explaination over at Curtis' site. I would explain but I'm tired and can't be frickin bothered. Yes - I am that lazy. All you need to know is it's about fighting the spammers.
8:18 pm
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Well I am (barely) back into the life of UK living. I've started a new job which is using the most hair-pullingly stupid software I've ever come across. Seriously, why do companies use such pissy software when they know there's better stuff available? Especially since they recently made LOTR and certainly can't complain about a lack of money. Grrr. Some new and old faces on this job, and it all seems to be going well in that respect at any rate. I have managed to spend the whole week under the cloud of a tension headache though. Fun. No doubt the travelling and distinct lack of rest before wading into the new job is to blame. As a result I was in bed most evenings by 9.30pm and as a result have still not finished unpacking. Which means know I probably never will! God I hope I'm joking.
So, not much interesting to report of this week. The Cheesy and I are ploughing foolishly forward with this nonsense idea of trying to buy somewhere and convince mortgage lending folk that we're a good idea to give £180,000 to. Which, frankly, we are. We even have credit cards and everything now. Fingers crossed it won't go tits up like last time.
Am meeting the lovely Tall Boy, Yappety Dog and Huggy Boobs for lunch today - and handing out some birthday present to the former and the latter. Will be nice to mingle with the gang again as it has been a good 3 months since I saw/spoke to them properly. Here's hoping the hideous thunder cloud creeping over London has got bored and moved on by then. Man I'm finding it difficult to construct an intelligent sentence today.
9:02 am
Friday, November 17, 2006
So of course just as I’m getting attached to a place I have to leave.
Yes – I am flying out of here in mere hours, getting into London later tonight. God willing (as the Moroccan’s say. In Arabic obviously). Or at least man-made-technology willing. Uck. Hate flying.
More to come on japes and jeeps in Morocco.
4:22 pm
Friday, November 03, 2006
Pains which turn out to be Blessings which turn out to be Pains
Our UPM frantically came into the office today asking for a favour. He needed to move me from my hotel. Now. Some nightmare took place (of which details I'm not sure of as yet) and poor production were having a hotel nightmare. Packing up my room within a space of an hour is not my idea of fun. Good side of it was I was moving to The Sofitel, a much nicer (and expensive) hotel. Deep down given the choice I would still rather avoid the pain in the arse of packing all my crap, but at least I was moving somewhere rather nice.
Turns out very nice. In that I'm in a sodding Suite. In this place. Which as you can imagine is pretty amazing. I have my own living room! And 3 wardrobes. I give it three days before they boot me out, frankly. Since the room is probably 6 times as expensive as the other one. Timing wise it is lovely as the Cheesm arrives today - lucky thing, he has good timing.
Of course, every silver lining has it's thunder storm. Mine was a complete inability to sleep in the new bed. Combination probably of the newness of it, the fact it was harder than my previous bed, and only what I can describe as sprung pillows. Yep, a pillow with a spring in it - or something weird at any rate. Making the pillows massive, unyeilding and completely uncomfortable. I was wide awake until 3am when I finally relented and called Housekeeping to get a frickin normal pillow. I feel like such an idiot doing stuff like that, but I wasn't sleeping. They happily provided just what I wanted, but I was all worked up by this point and paranoid there was a mosquito biting at me so it took me a while to doze off. Turns out I wasn't paranoid. I now have two bites on each arm and one on my frickin eyelid. Which I MUST NOT ITCH!!
So, am extremely tired and itchy. Thankfully I have the wonderful distraction of the imminent Cheesy arrival. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
9:19 am
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
It's my favourite holiday of the year once more, and alas I am stuck in a country which doesn't remotely celebrate it. Dagnammit. Must try and make myself a witches hat to sit in my hotel room with and then occasionally lean out on my balcony and howl at the moon. Must have massive Halloween party one year.
Anyway, try the below like for a bit of Halloween fun - don't forget to press Done!:
HAPPY HALLOWEEEEEEEEN!
4:36 pm
Monday, October 30, 2006
Ooh, and the other news: I have a new job lined up. Fly back from Morocco on the 18th November and start my new job on the 20th. Sunday I have off - I have to have a holiday obviously* Working with a few people I've worked with before and it's in Shepperton so am looking forward to it. Also means me and the Cheesm can renew our property search again.
*please note sarcasm
10:32 am
Whoop! Been shortlisted for the Sydney Short & Sweet festival for Keeping Annabelle. Mind you I was also shortlisted for the Melbourne one and that came to nothing, so will try not to get too excited. The lovely Rocketleaf has also been shortlisted. Should we both get performed obviously we'll have to organise an exodus to Australia.
Went to the fabulous Le Comptoir for supper on Saturday night - we had the pleasure of skimpily clad Belly Dancers gyrating at our table as well at one point. It's a shame the table was filled with women and gay men - they certainly didn't have the audience they aim for there. Great to watch though. Sure, no where near as much as what I could have been watching on Saturday - WICKED. Back in July I was up at 8am on Sunday morning, frantically hanging on the phone to buy tickets for myself, Bron and the Chorley gang. Had the inspired choice of going the Saturday before Halloween - any excuse to dress up in silly clothes. But alas, this job dragged me away and luckily there was someone to buy my ticket so at least I didn't lose out on the cost. Just the experience. So to make up for it I went and got steaming drunk with some of Production in a rather camp underground bar - this time with scampily clad men twirling flaming batons. Rather near some over-gelled heads too - rather worrying. Managed to get into the VIP area as our Stunt boys had managed it - how at first I didn't know, but after meeting Male-Model-StuntMan after StuntMan I began to cotton on. (Don't worry, Cheesm - I was on my best behaviour).
Woke up Sunday morning remembering why it is I don't really like getting drunk. Mine was not a happy head and it stayed pretty much in bed all day. Luckily I was blessed with good movies on the TV - The Score, The Three Amigos (one of my alltime favourites), O Brother Where Art Tho (another favourite) and Enemy At The Gates, which I'd never seen before but enjoyed very much. Plus it gave me some enforced rest - with Sunday as your only completely free day you feel pressured to 'do stuff', when really you should just sodding sleep. So I'm feeling rather perky and good today.
In other Morocco news, the weather had been moderately good - but not for our film crew up the Atlas Mountains. Flooding roads, mud slides and tents being blown away and a hotel with only enough rooms for half of them and no way off the mountain. Fun fun. Once more I am appreciating my dusty little desk.
10:19 am
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Bleurgh. Tired girl today. I have nothing noteworthy to report. There was a large spell where a bunch of interesting stuff happened, but at the moment it has been ruthlessly beaten out of my skull by invoices, and a million per diem and payroll people – on paper not physically. Physically our many little happy crew are currently up in the mountains filming refugee scenes. Today it has snowed – they’re not happy bunnies. For once I am grateful for my career which keeps me chained to my dusty little desk. It may be dull, but it is dry and warm.
Tonight I shall retire to my hotel room and watch the final installment of the BBC’s Pride & Prejudice – the one without Keira Knightley pouting her way around fields. I’d forgotten how great this series is, and bar a few tiny exceptions it has dated really well and the quality is just as good today. Am looking forward to the finale and shall happily drool over the steamy Colin Firth, determinedly blocking out any memories of our glorious “Accounts Boffin” meeting. Ultimately, it’s the character of Darcy I think that does it for the girls – lord knows the character was just as sexy when it was played by Matthew Macfadyn. I’m very lucky to have my own waiting for my return to Twickenham. (Yes, Cheesm – that is me saying you’re a stoic surly git amid social occasions and who thinks he is never wrong)
7:37 pm
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
I've just had my first experience of a Moroccan Dust Storm - courtesy of my office window. Now there's a grainy film over everything on desk and I feel like someone just massaged my eyeballs with sand paper. Whoop. I'm sure it all looked very funny though.
1:56 pm
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
I swear I've just been given Hash Tea. Mental.
10:21 am
Monday, October 23, 2006
Don't worry - I haven't been eaten alive by rabid Moroccan kittens. I've just been incredibly busy working - unfortunately my internet access is limited to work time, and there just hasn't been time to even think about anything but work in the hours. Afraid this post will be pretty brief as a result.
Am still enjoying the delights of Moroccan food - have now also eaten in two Moroccan homes - my lord do these people know how to put out a meal. And then some. Ramadam thankfully is over tomorrow - which means we get a return for an awake and lively crew. I've also been getting comfier shopping in Marrakech - which I suppose is actually a bad thing since it sees me spending more. Have bought some nice rings though that I really like - so all good. Already planning my Christmas shopping list for before I leave. Any requests get them in quick!
In the meantime, writing is coming along nicely and I am counting the days till a certain Cheesy one comes out to join me for a weekend.
If you're in Manchester tonight go and see Bron and her Grinventors - bound to be awesome.
2:24 pm
Friday, October 13, 2006
Ack. Just clocked it's Friday 13th. Do you think that it's better or worse in Morocco?
9:05 am
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Back in Morocco again - seven flights taken and only one more to go. After that I've had it with planes for a bit. Whilst it is fascinating to fly above a lightening storm it's also piss-your-pants scary. You can convince yourself all you want that lightening doesn't strike up, and how pretty it is too watch - but it's hard to forget you're flying around in a giant metal tin that's just begging for a bit of electrical groping.
The wedding was utterly fabulous (note: to be said faaaaabulous) - my sister was a grand princess (only managing to trip on her faaabulous ballgown the one time - unfortunately I missed her go arse over tit; shame - I could've giggled over that for years) and she looked half her age and utterly stunning. She wore this dress (which I can now reveal since Billy Zane has already seen her in it):
I can assure you this dress looks ten times better also on a lovely curvy figure with heaving bosooms (note: pronounce "bazoooooms") than it does on that stick figure model.
All the bridesmaid of course looked just lovely in wine dresses which probably laid too much emphasis on my boobs, since various family members kept commenting on them. I forget they haven't ever seen me stumbling out of pubs/parties with my cleavage hanging out. Mere seconds after the end of the wedding service my granddad toddled over and asked me if I'd put on weight. Bless him, he meant it in a nice way - but I was tempted to smack him one with my bouquet. Poor Chees'm was also asked a number of times by my grandparents whether I'd put on weight - putting him in the awkward position of disagreeing with my grandparents, or agreeing and it somehow getting back to me (which let's face it - it so would).
Momo spent the morning channelling a drill sargeant and once or twice looked like she was about to start spewing swear words Exorcist style, but once the bride was at the church on time she was human again - with a hat the size of Belgium she looked utterly fabulous (yes, faaaaaabulous) and quite frankly looked like the Queen. Lady of the manor certainly. Popo stayed out of the way for the morning (wise decision) and no doubt was nervous for his upcoming Father of the Bride speech - which of course was faabulous. We're talking legendary stuff here. I had a very nervous Best Man sat next to me during the meal - worried about the pressure of being funny. He commented that Father of the Bride was normally the emotional serious speech. I commented that he'd obviously never met my father. Not that the speech wasn't emotional - Popo said some very lovely and very hilarious things and had the place in stitches, and even finished with a magic trick. (If you know him, you know why). By the end the Best Man had his head in his hands and was muttering "It couldn't be worse". Popo had raised expectations. As it happens the Best Man's speech was very (if unintentionally) funny - I heard someone describe it as being on a knife edge the whole way through. Though I rather liked the bit where he read some quotes about Billy Zane from his mates: "[Billy] has a habit of falling asleep on bogs...... and he's shit at football"
Anyway - a lovely evening followed, and apart from a few drunken knobs causing some problems it was a great day - even if Cheesm did spend half of it asleep. First time in years I've actually seen the boy poorly (temperature and everything) - maybe the whole event just scared the crap out of him. And yes - we did get THAT question a number of times over the day. Actually, I had less questions and more solid statements of "You'll Be Next!" - less of a query and more of a threat, I'd say. As always with these events there were a whole number of people I wanted to catch up with but only managed maybe ten minutes with them before having to rush off to do something else. Ah well - there's always Christmas!
9:36 am
Thursday, September 28, 2006
So – I have actually been doing stuff. There’s been an influx of people now which has meant some socializing, and actual leaving of the hotel. Yay, me. I am now getting to know Marrakech quite well – and that will be the key to me spending time alone there. Knowing where’s safe, where I can go and sit and watch the city go by without being harassed. When I comment to people that I find it difficult to go around by myself, I get that insincere sympathetic look. They want to feel sorry for me, but don’t really get what the problem is. These people are usually men. However, wandering around the alleyways of the Medina the other evening with Cheeky Irish, strolling past benches of straggly looking men watching us closely, Cheeky Irish suddenly commented that yes – it would be a nightmare for a girl here alone. That said, when he leaves next week I know I’ll be able to wander the Medina by myself – because by then I’ll know the places to go, and more importantly not to go. So all is well in the Rachel-Discovers-Marrakech territory.
Bartering is actually quite good fun too – there’s a playful teasing to it, it’s almost like people winding each other up. It’s all theatre, and that I can definitely relate to. While I have been here I’ve bought 3 tunics, some trousers, a head scarf and a ornamental thingy – all bartered down, but probably not as low as it could go. But as long as I’m happy with the price what does that matter?
Every day and night the Djeema El Fna (the main square in the Medina) is full of snake charmers. Genuine cobras (no doubt defanged) writhing about looking sinister, and piles of pythons sleeping in the sun. As yet I’ve not been very close – I want to get a good look as it’s rather fascinating but you know the minute you’re within grasp of the owners of the snakes their gonna try and put one of those bloody pythons round your neck and try and get 50 dirhams out of you for the privilage of being frickin terrified. There are also monkies – which look particularly unhappy and mangy.
I wish I spoke the language so I could partake in the Storytellers. Here, with a little lamp old men sit surrounded by people, telling stories. That’s all it is – no belly dancing, music playing, flash tricks or animals – just a guy telling a story, and people sitting around captivated. I love that it’s a pass time here and wish I could experience it properly.
Went eating at the weekend to a place called Café De La Post. An old Post Office coverting into a restaurant – it feels more like an old Savannah ranch house and has such a lovely nostalgic feel to it. It’s the kind of place I think I’d prefer sitting and whiling a day away rather than having a meal – I hope I will give that a try before I go.
Eating has been more functional than inspiring lately as me and Cheeky Irish randomly try places out – neither of us know where the heck to go and end up at little cafes that tend to have ratty cats snoozing out on the canopies. That said, the food is always excellent, filling and we have lovely views of the Djeema El Fna and the Koutubia Temple. The mood in the evenings are great at the moment too – it’s very quite from around 6.30 to 8.30 as people hear the siren announcing the end of fasting and go home to eat with their families (I love this siren – it’s like an air raid siren, but I believe made up of chanting). At 9ish, the streets are full again with people only just gearing up for the night of eating, drinking and doing whatever else they’ve been deprived of during the day. It’s a nice atmosphere.
3:31 pm
Snicker. Sorry - I'm so evil.
So, it's Ramadam here this week (and for further weeks onwards). Most the poor sods on our crew have to work all day without eating and drinking so there is a rather grumpier air that arrives about mid-afternoon time. Good news is everyone scarpers out of here pretty early to get home for the family meal, so at least we all get our evenings. Feel like an ass eating my lunch every day - I thought about joining in for the purposes of solidarity (and waistline) but lasted, oh, ten minutes. Me without food does not work. Far too stuck in my Western ways. They're good about it though.
Right - must get some work done. More later I hope.
8:57 am
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
For the truly masochistic among you - trust me, you won't like the answers ;)
Crush Calculator
4:48 pm
More updates soon - promise!
In the meantime - Momo, please check the Popo's email (gmail) account - there's an email with some stuff I need you to take a look at.
9:38 am
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Is it wrong that I want to try the Marrakech McDonalds?
12:06 pm
Don't worry - all is well today. There were hormonal issues as well yesterday (which I shan't go into detail about on here... did I just spell shan't correctly? For some reason that looks wrong). I can assure commenters that he does not fancy me (being particularly gay) but that he's not a nasty guy either - just someone I think who lacks tact. Plus I think Americans don't always 'get' quirky english people. (Sweeping generalisation of the week). He's being very nice today anyway.
Saturday was a bit rubbish - the weather was a bit crappy to start with and I had nothing to do except mooch around my room feeling sorry for myself. Although this usually leads to productive writing (and it did) so I shouldn't moan about it too much. Sunday I met up with a bunch of lovely costume people and we spent a nice day strolling around the Medina and buying stuff. They're experienced with Marrakech and one in particular is a bartering machine.
Cheeky Irish arrived yesterday and so far it's been great having a familiar face around - someone to sit in the bar and natter with in the evening. We had a little wander into the Medina last night and managed to see some cool stuff.
More details later - work to do!
Thing I Saw Today I Wouldn't Normally See
A camel scratching its neck on a palm tree.
Amusing Sight of The Day
A dog carrying around its morning's scavaging in a plastic bag - the streets are its supermarket.
10:08 am
Monday, September 25, 2006
It’s been a while since someone made me feel small for being myself. At least in the workplace. There are always people I deal with who occasionally give me ‘that look’ or a cutting comment if I say something a bit daft. Which to be fair is something I do quite often – I have a tendancy to think before I speak and as consequence can come out with something either a bit stupid or a bit bonkers.
Me and me my sub-boss (we both have the same boss but this guy is senior to me) haven’t been getting on hugely well. That’s the wrong phrase really – we get on, we don’t argue or anything, but the last week I’ve noticed an… undercurrent. He’s been icing me out a bit with social stuff and I’ve felt a couple of times I’m intruding on him, or he’s trying to avoid me. I can understand this – we work together all day he most likely wants some time to himself. But I think it’s more that I annoy him. Which is a shame, cause I really enjoy his company and like the guy a lot.
The other day he commented that I hum and whistle a lot. I do. I hardly realize when I’m doing it, but I like a tune (even if I’m not particularly tuneful). And that I giggle a lot. Which I do. It’s a nervous tic mostly. At first I thought he was just commenting on it, but as I explained that it’s a habit that I don’t even notice anymore, I got ‘that look’. Now, I know I can be over sensitive and paranoid at times at people’s opinions of me, so I put it aside.
This morning at breakfast he commented that I make a ‘brrrr’ noise with my lips – which is true and mostly an extension from humming. I explained that I think a lot of it comes from my childhood – being a kid who would constantly say the wrong thing and be ridiculed for it I learned to hold my tongue. Which is VERY difficult for me to do. I think giggling/making noises is my way of filling a silence when I would otherwise be tempted to blurt out something random like “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could eat rocks”. He said I should have more confidence in what I say – which is true, but experience tells me that my brain doesn’t work that way. I say it’s likely that this behaviour has been ingrained in me from being a kid – a lot of people are like that.
“Well,” he says pointedly, “People can learn to change.” He gets up and swans off to gets himself some more fruit leaving me sat there feeling small and imperfect. And angry. I don’t want to change. And why should I? I am quite happy that I hum and whistle and sing – that I am generally happy enough to do so, and because giggling always cheers me up. I am not going to apologise for that or be made to feel that I should. It’s who I am. And if that person is annoying, well that’s just the way it is. So there.
Had a good weekend in Marrakech though – which I shall blog about later. Just needed to get that out of my system.
10:56 am
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
*Pant pant*
Oh my God - This Life is back!
2:34 pm
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
And they've gone again.
Sigh.
2:11 pm
Woohoo! Somehow I can see my comments now. Don't know how or why, but there they are. Yay! Ok, so I have two maximum a post but hey, it's all good.
10:07 am
Monday, September 18, 2006
Had a fairly lazy weekend. Saturday wasn’t too bad – I went shopping in the modern area of Marrakech. Realised that I am going to have to just behave like a Londoner. Walking around confidently and ignoring any greetings from men or groups of men. If you ignore them, they leave you alone. But even politely muttering “Ca va bien” in response has them literally turning around in their tracks and immediately hounding you, trying to get your email address or get you to agree to meet with you or go somewhere with them. So for once the London attitude has come in handy – it’s just a shame it has to be used. I have to remember though that if I were a man alone they would not be approaching me for a friendly chat at all. It’s all about the funny little English girl daring to wonder around on her own. The one time I sat still in one of many of Marrakech’s beautiful gardens within 5 minutes I had a young man come and sit next to me. This is more difficult – you’re not going anywhere and I hate being rude. In hindsight I should have just pretended not to speak any French, but part of me still keeps liking to believe that they are just being friendly and just want to make conversation with newcomers. However the opening question is always the same – are you alone? Are you here with a group (to which of course I immediately say yes). I lie and always say that I am married when they ask (around question number 6 I think). This invariably brings a sudden silence and an almost annoyed look – they usually look away, as if trying to think whether it is still worth conversing. Usually it is – after all, we Western women are not above partying with men who are not our husbands. In this particular case it leads to a series of questions about why my husband was not with me. Eventually I manage to leave as politely as possible – even having to insist I was happy to make my way to my hotel by myself and no he can’t have my email (there’s a bit of an obsession with that here).
Thing is, I never feel particularly threatened – none of them are stupid enough to get aggressive or move beyond polite conversation – there are tons of secret police in the city, and any signs of harassed tourists are strongly responded to. It’s just exhausting, and irritating because you know behind the polite conversation what their opinion of you is. At first I felt I was just being paranoid, but conversations with locals have made me realise that it isn’t about friendliness or interest in newcomers. And if it’s not about partying with the easy Western girl, it’s how to get money out of her. Like I said, if I was a man, they would not approach me.
So, as before I still feel dependant on other people to see the city – within a group the hassle I get is zero. I have learned that I can get by alone if I am in a busy area and I don’t basically stop anywhere where someone can corner me into being polite - which is a better place than I was in the other weekend.
I did manage to buy some clothes though and even haggled reasonably successfully in that the price was reduced – no doubt I was still paying over the odds, but I was proud I didn’t just submit to the first figure quoted. And the people in the shops are lovely. I should get across that my attitude about the boys on the street does not extend to the people of Marrakech as a whole. The people I work with here are wonderful and it’s brilliant being exposed to their lives and their culture. Their commitment to their faith is extraordinary – and while I don’t agree with it, it’s easy to see why Islam is as unbreakable as it is when its followers are so involved. Unlike Christianity it requires complete commitment and obedience to its laws – there is no middle ground.
Every city has its people who make it problematic and its people who make it wonderful – Marrakech is no different. The more I see of Morocco the more I appreciate and love – I just hope I regain enough confidence to see as much of it as possible. Am looking forward to more people coming out here. Cheeky Irish is going to be here from next week which will be really nice. Obviously at some point Cheesm will come out, and Fat Ass is already making plans for a long weekend. If anyone else fancies coming out for a stint, let me know – there’s plenty of room!
2:43 pm
Thursday, September 14, 2006
So. Last Thursday I flew back to London with a chest infection and a temperature. Packed through the illness and slept until the Cheesm got home from which point I was rather awake (ahem). Felt much better by the morning but still a bit woozy and most definitely full of snot and flem (nice.) Flew out that day to Palma for Fat Ass' Hen Party celebrations. Can't go into much detail here as her Billy Zane reads the blog now and again and also now the Hens know about it (though they did have that look of "lame" when Fat Ass was telling them about it). All you need to know is there was lots of sunbathing and drinking - I now have a lovely base tan to work on whilst out in Morocco and also a refound appreciation of how lovely it is to swim in the ocean. A small hangover and a boat ride later I was flying back to London getting in close to midnight. At which point the airport decided not to even release our luggage for a good hour. Swines. Got home at the wee hours of the morning to a surprisingly alert Cheesm (hmm, wonder why?). We have a house guest as well at the moment (Goulden Moments himself) - poor guy.
With about 4 hours sleep under my belt I then flew the next day back to Morocco. Phew.
Glad to say the temperature has dropped significantly while I was away. Whereas last week we were hitting highs of 40 we're now only at highs of 30. Thank sweaty God for that. Been back in the office since, so nothing of interest to really report for now.
Also noticed while I was back in England that none of you ungrateful bastards have been leaving any comments. This is the thanks I get for regular blogging.
*Shakes fist*
Ah well - I can't read them anyway!
12:18 pm
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
For lunch today we had a roast chicken stuffed with chicken livers and egg. When they have chicken here, they have all the chicken!
PS It was very nice.
2:40 pm
I finally saw a lizard today. Woohoo! So far this country seems to be made up entirely of kittens and birds that make miaow noises. And two spiders. (Dammit!) Oh and flies. Lots of frickin flies that like my face. Yuck.
Kittens are quite frustrating. They re tiny and adorable and cute, but wild and riddled with fleas and ringworm. So no picking up the cuddly wuddly thing. Rather against my nature.
Had an interesting but frustrating weekend. Made the initial mistake of walking to the Menara Gardens around midday. Half way there and Noel Coward’s “Mad Dogs & Englishman” was ringing in the back of my head. Too hot and all the trees are short arses in this country i.e. no shade. The other mistake I made as well was going by myself. It seems an Englishwoman alone in the streets is an immediate invitation to conversation. Only from men of course. On mopeds. Fun. Thankfully with most of them claiming only to speak English is a good deterrent. Walking back I ended up accompanied by two “students” (who knows?!) who were pleasant to chat with but they asked lots of questions and lost interest when I claimed to have a fiancée. Still wanted my frickin email though.
I suppose it’s something to get used to and to learn to deal with. To indicate that just cause I’m western doesn’t automatically mean I’m a slut looking for a good time. The last thing I want is to be rude and offend any locals who are just trying to be friendly and practice their English – but neither do I want to encourage any of them who might have less than wholesome motives. It’s a sinister friendliness that comes from strangers on the street – to reject it seems rude and well… Western. Something you want to fight. Most of them, particularly in the Medina, are trying to con you into shops or to find a way of getting money out of you. You have to learn to be firm and polite at the same time.
The realization that alone I would face constant interrogation was a depressing one. I had to wait for other co-workers to go to The Medina before I was willing to. I find when I’m with other men, I get no attention whatsoever. The beeline is made straight for the bloke and not as often. Alone I would get twice as many approaches. My first weekend I wasn’t willing to deal with that. As someone who loves roaming and wandering about by myself, this is torture. I know the longer I’m here the more I will get used to it – I will be able to walk confidently around the Medina and not let it bother me. Covering up I found didn’t make a huge amount of difference – it’s all about who you’re with.
But this is what being in a new culture is all about – adapting to its ways. You cannot fight a new culture, you can only find the best way to fit yourself within it.
9:50 am
Friday, September 01, 2006
Am feeling a bit better. Mostly tired, but better.
Have had a lovely lunch - which was a surprise considering what I ate. Friday is couscous day. No problem there - big fan of couscous. Except these two giant bowls of couscous turn up, one of which is full of vegetables, the other is chicken covered in caremalised onions and sultanas. Hmmm, thought I. This could be difficult. A couple of bites later and I was wolfing the chicken dish down. Admittedly I didn't realise the onions were onions till the end, but even with the whole sultana element I was surprised how yummy it worked. Especially with a side order of leben - otherwise known as soured milk. Go figure. Apart from the current tummy upset, my taste buds seem suited to Moroccan food. (Although I didn't eat from the vegetable bowl - I've not developed THAT much!). Have also found Bounty bars and have taken nice pills and drinky things for my stomach. It's not very bad - what you would expect really. Very tame considering my Crohn's Disease.
Am also pleased with myself as it seems I can now say "Thankyou" in understandable Arabic. Go me.
Still don't know what the situation with my bath and the bridesmaid dress is (ooh, a catchy title for a little novella there perhaps?) but have decided not to worry.
I can't read my comments at the moment - not sure if it's a Morocco thing or the Studio network blocking it. Will hopefully end up in an Internet park at the weekend and will find out. In the meantime, I'm not ignoring your no doubt wonderful comments - I simply cannot read them! Do keep leaving them though. (She says, realising there probably isn't a single comment so far!)
6:27 pm
Oh and the day gets worse.
First off, the joys of eating foreign food have taken their inevitable toll on my digestive system. Wonderful.
Second off, the bridesmaids dresses are NOT going to be delivered in time for my first trip back. If things definitely go that way I will not get my dress fitted until the day before the wedding. Giddy joy. Not to mention numerous unnecessary flight changes/train bookings made and a probably need to cancel said train ticket and rearrange my flight. AGAIN. Grrr.
I keep making mistakes today too - feel like I left my brain in the bathtub. Which is frankly possible since it gave up all hope of a functional day the second it watched the plug thingy pull off in my hands.
Waaaaaa. Want my Cheesy.
10:51 am
I'm not having the best day.
My bathtub has this turny thing that opens and closes the plug. (What's wrong with just using a chain?!). I turned mine to open the plug this morning and it came off. Properly off. Snapped off, not just loose from its fittings. And the plug is still closed. Problematic.
This means one of two things.
The hotel is going to have to get a proper plumber/bath fixer in today to put in a whole new turny thing; or
I'm going to have to move hotel rooms because the bath will need replacing.
Joy.
9:06 am
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Rather bored. Work load is still fairly light at this stage and I'm kinda twiddling my thumbs. Which would be fine if we were working central - I could off for a little walk and look around. But we're out of it here - going off for a little walk might result in me falling down a hole and being eaten by donkies.
There are these little shower type taps in the toilets here. Since this is the land of the Bidet (much like its previous occupiers France) I presume these fulfil the same purpose. However, the have the problem of leaving water all over the toilet cubicle floor. And when you consider what that water has been washing, my LK Bennet sandals suddenly aint so keen on taking a dip. All part of the experience no doubt.
My first set of fly-home tickets have arrived. Which is good as I was worrying as to where they'd ended up. Much like my swimsuit and Avon Bath Oil which should have been delivered last week and only turned up the day after I left. Thankfully I'm taking a trip home otherwise I would have been seriously annoyed.
I can tell hotel living is going to get a tad depressing. I hate coming home and finding everything cleaned up and tidied away - I like my sheets to be a bit crumpled, and my socks to still be on the floor. It's that feeling of home. (Especially when your home is a pig sty). I hate not having full privacy. It's a good job I'm a writer who loves reading - I can't imagine what non-creative people do in their hotel rooms alone every night. (no suggestions on a postcard thanks).
3:11 pm
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
So here I am. In Morocco. Rather weird. I’m already working away and going through the usually difficult task of getting to know the job and the people surrounding it. All ready I have learned a few dozen names and forgotten them. And what with the language difficulties getting to know them and pronounce their names correctly is going to be a bit tougher than usual. Although most people speak French so I get more of a gist of things than I thought I would. Even some Italians, although that rather shakier.
Flew over on a half empty flight and landed amid lightening storms and a VERY bumpy landing. It’s enough to make you start praying again. Flying is not my favourite activity.
My hotel is a nice as it looks – I have a nice big room with lots of palm trees to look at out of the window. Not enough coat hangers though – always the way. And I managed to break my electronic safe first night there. Yay me.
Food is much better than I was worried about. I’m a faddy eater at the best of times, and I was concerned I might have trouble finding things to eat. Had a lovely Ravioli last night, breakfast supplies a mix of cereals, pastries, fresh fruit, yoghurt and hot stuff like eggs, bacons and pancakes. Lunch today I had a fish pie which is probably the most delicious thing I have EVER eaten. It’s basically shaped like a deep fried Frisbee with assorted seafood and thin noodles inside it. Delicious.
It’s roasting hot outside, but the sky has been rather cloudy today. Thankfully we have working air conditioning, so I’m not sweating away in the office at least.
The roads I’ve noticed are mental so far too – crazy scooters clearly held together by a hairpin and a lot of donkeys!
Feeling utterly homesick – departing was a bit of a ‘mare what with the raging hormones. You’d think I was leaving for a year the way I was wailing on. Not feeling exactly complete without the Cheesm here – but we’ve done this before, and from what I recall it leads to some rather yummy reunions.
5:20 pm
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Am sat here now, waiting for my taxi to take me to the airport. The whole thing still feels slightly unreal, but it's really happening now. Just needs to sink in I guess. Doesn't help that my lady-issue is in primary action today either - how to really make flying more emotional and terrifying than it already is.
Hopefully will be able to blog while I'm there and keep you updated. Till I see your pretty faces again take care and be aware (as my Popo would say).
11:22 am
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
So! Why do I have a cocktail of Tetanus, Typhoid, Dyptheria and Hepatitis A/B coursing through my bloodstream? No, I am not a key plot point in the next series of 24. I am vaccinated! (With a very sore arm to prove it – pesky needles)
Why? I’m off to Morocco. For a rather lonnnnng time. Well 2 months, maybe 3. Which in the grand scheme of things isn’t so long, but for me it seems like ages. i.e. me the girl who’s never been outside of Europe and when she has it hasn’t been for more than a week! So yes – this is a big thing for me.
Haven’t said anything for a while cause it’s been a bit back and forth as to whether I was actually going, what with a change of staff at one point, and then all the airport hoohah at another. As you can guess, I’m going there to work – so it’s not all jolly holidays for me. But I’m sure there’ll be plenty to do in the wee spare hours. Oh and just to be smug, I’m staying here.
Happy face.
Am hoping it’ll be particularly inspirational writing wise – my writing drive has frankly been like a dead fish this year. Change of scenery might smack it out of its lull.
Of course this is going to be wonderfully complicated for my sister’s wedding. I’m flying back twice – it’s all a bit manic. But hopefully it’ll be worth it.
Main problem is of course leaving behind the Cheesy one. Not looking forward to that at all.
Sad face.
With remarkable timing however, Goulden Moments himself is in need of a place to sleep for a month or so and is moving in to keep him company. Am hoping Cheesy doesn’t get too used to bachelor life while I’m gone.
The big bad news is that now I’m going to miss going to watch Wicked with Bron and the gang. Grrrr. Was mega looking forward to it. Anyone want a ticket?
3:20 pm
Monday, July 24, 2006
I have also, it seems, completely forgotten to mention that I am now an International Playwright. Ok, that may be overstepping the definition, but me and Bron both submitted 1 page pieces to Mercury Theatre's Short Shorts festival in Madison, USA last month - mine was an even shorter version of Keeping Annabelle (eventually this piece is just going to be a one liner). Apparently went down just lovely. Submitted another item entitled "Something Blue" which will be performed tomorrow. (So anyone in the area - go see it!)
At the moment there apparently exists a video recording, but might not be able to get a copy. If I can, you can be sure some of it will be put somewhere for you lovelies to watch.
3:18 pm
Sunday, July 23, 2006
I HATE it when people go on about how great the hot weather is. It's loathsome. Being nice and warm is one thing. Sweating like a soggy sponge that's just had a wringing is another. When you're on holiday, weather like this is wonderful. When you've got to sit in a bake box tube and spend the day slowly sticking to your chair in an office with dodgy aircon, it's another. I don't like hot temperatures. Which is why I live in England. Clearly I'm going to have to move to Scotland if this carries on.
Some potentially interesting and highly disruptive job news is on the horizon, but nothing's definite so I'm keeping schtum for the time being.
LowFatFilms want to make my film script version of "Waking" (after some serious editing of course), so that's all rather exciting. Will keep you updated on the progress of that.
The Pink Lady is no longer with us at work now her contract has finished. The pink top wearing record was not broken at the point of her departure. There's now a notable lack of pink in the office. And also a noticable lack of that chewing noise certain people make when they eat with their mouth open - that noise literally makes me want to rip my own arm off.
I'm off - going to go do my rain dance and pray for the thunder to get a move on.
5:48 pm
Monday, July 10, 2006
Urgh. I ache from all the cleaning! The lounge was viciously attacked by a hoover, duster and bin bag at the weekend. It's never been so amazingly clean - the carpet is blue again! Problem is now it doesn't match with the rest of the flat (which is a PIGSTY!) and it took so goddamn long do the lounge I can't face the rest of it.
So sore I didn't go swimming, to yoga or to ballet.
Ballet? Yoga! I hear you cry.
Yoga is to be expected I suppose - I've been whinging about a desire to do it for ages. My inflexibility is so damn embarrassing that I've been putting it off. But I went and it was good, so I'll most likely go again.
The Ballet thing - don't worry, you shall not be seeing me prance around a stage in a tutu anytime soon. It's more an exercise thing - after all, my two left feet and generally embarrassing nutter-dancing-style is hardly compatible to any aspirations to dance properly. But it will improve my co-ordination, posture, and it's more of a work out than you would think. So I'll keep going - I'll have to get over the dancer-bitches glances, which isn't a problem. Growing up at the theatre there were plenty of dancer-bitches. Admittedly, I was never trying to dance in front of them before, but still.
We have a new person working with us. I shall call her the Pink Lady. She's obsessed with pink. She wears a pink top EVERY day. Actually I lie - I was gobsmacked today when she walked in with a yellow top - although it still had a pink vest under it. I swear to you - a whole month, every day a pink top. The tragedy of it is, she really doesn't suit pink. There's a shade of skin and hair colour that's just a stage before ginger. Somewhere inbetween brown hair and red. Not even really strawberry, but nearly there. Skin again, between english pale and freckly redhead. In other words, NOT a complexion for pink. A complexion that can look great with a whole range of other colours, but definitely not pink. Especially baby pink. The fuscia pink actually looks really good on her, but baby pink is a no-no. And her favourite colour of choice. The day she turns up wearing no pink, I'm gonna buy her a nice cake or a drink of some kind - see if I can set in some positive associations. If she comes in wearing black I might give her a tenner.
6:48 pm
Friday, June 16, 2006
So, yes I'm rubbish. I shall do a proper update soon, but in the meantime here's my review from "On The Third Day", which one that national competition to put a new play straight on the West End. So, obviously I was interested to see what it cropped up. The pitch for this play on the program was a girl bringing back a date from the pub who claims to be Jesus, and the themes apparently were to focus on this and schizophrenia.
My overall opinion: "Meh"
The play is not awful or a train wreck, but neither is it brilliant or inspiring.
We start with those lovely things called childhood flashbacks - which frankly I loathed. Not to do disservice to the children performing - they were brilliant - but the flashbacks were arty farty and at one point practically lifted dialogue from "Whistle Down The Wind" (the film, not that ass crappy musical).
The set was a surpise to me - basically giant screens with images set most the scenes. Whilst probably hugely expensive, it's not my taste for sets - I like beautifully detailed built sets, but that's just my taste.
The whole play had a "fringe" feel to it - like I should have been watching it in some off West End theatre - to be honest I think it would carry off better there. Ultimately it felt like typical "new writing" - the stuff the West End winces from.
To give the writer credit (and God knows she probably deserves it as this process can't have been easy), there are some beautifully crafted scenes. Her naturalistic, conversational dialogue is great and builds each scene well, using humour and warmth to attach us to the characters. Unfortunately every scene is ruined by a sudden descent into melodrama. Cause oh Lord there's a lot of drama in this. And when the melodrama kicks in, everything that's good about the play kinda goes to shit. I can't help but wonder if the writer hadn't taken things so seriously whether we would have a better play.
The "Jesus" character is perfect - he's a joy to watch and listen to. Only problem is - the play isn't about him. It's not about him or schizophrenia - it's about incest. Lots and lots of incest. "Jesus" is kind of irrelevant in some ways - he's the thing that brings the characters back together, but that's kind of it. Not that this makes him a bad character - but since he's the pitch the audience will probably be drawn in on, it's a bit disappointing.
In addition to Jesus and incest, we also get that old lark self harm and suicide. Joy. The self harm scenes were irritatingly predictable - one minute the character is in a screaming rage tearing things up and holding a pair of scissors. Guess what she's doing minutes later when she's in the whimpering aftermath of hysterics? The scene attempts to be brutal with its audience as blood sachets pop all over the place, and it's certainly painful to watch. But rather than being emotionally affected I just felt irritated.
Despite the randomly intense emotions, a lot of humour has been injected in this play, and most of the time it's handled just right - diffusing tension nicely. Although some of the Jesus references are way too heavy handed and you're rolling your eyes while laughing, but many were subtle enough to coax genuine laughter. The Elvis character in the final scene really misses the mark though. Initially he's very effective and funny but he is used inappropriately at times. What should have been an intense reunion scene was completely overshadowed by this device rather than intensified by it. It just didn't fit and seemed an attempt to stretch too much towards the surreal.
I know a lot of this sounds really negative, but I really think there were some brilliant parts in this play. Perhaps that's what makes it so frustrating - that it was nearly something brilliant.
I should say as well that the actors and the production value were flawless - some of the character work was brilliant - particularly from Claire and "Jesus" - which has to suggest that at least the cast saw something in the play.
The background to the characters has also clearly been well thought out, though a little sledge hammered into place at time. The prose about the solar system and caving is lovely, but frequently goes on a bit and feels irrelevant. And the relationship dynamics work really well in the build up to the melodrama. I wish the writer had taken this somewhere not so obviously dark and tragic - something subtler with a stronger sense of humour would have made something far more worth seeing I think.
I think in Episode 1 of the TV program, Sonia asked the Kate if we find out whether the guy is Jesus by the end of the play. Kate said no and Sonia was happy with this. This isn't the case anymore. Events before the final scene make it blatantly obvious who he is. I won't say who, as I wouldn't want to spoil it for those who will watch and enjoy it (yes, I do think there will be people who will). I wish she'd decided to keep that mystery.
The audience seemed to enjoy it anyway - it certainly got a lengthy round of applause. There were certainly some raised eyebrows and confused questions on the way out from people around me, but I couldn't say for sure whether the play was loved or loathed.
Me - I'm somewhere in the middle with "Meh".
12:35 pm
Monday, May 22, 2006
AAAAAAAACK! A spider just crawled from my hair on to MY FACE!!!
*Shivers in a corner*
Don't worry - it's dead now.
In brighter news, an american friend sent me some peanut butter M&Ms - which are awesome.
Weekend dress shopping was long, exhausting and unsuccessful - possible retries to occur in August. Didn't end up going out on Saturday night due to extreme exhaustion and scooted off fairly early on Sunday morning since the train was to take four frickin hours to take me back to London. Have I mentioned how much I LOATHE Virgin trains at the moment - a seriously incompetant service for an outrageously high price. A standard ticket picked up at the train station is now 60 quid! Robbery.
12:24 pm
Friday, May 19, 2006
I'm sulking. It's a couple of things:
An old boss had been in touch recently about a new project - it sounded perfect timing wise and despite having a stint in the black-hole of the film industry (The Isle of Man) was fairly good location wise, and it would be working with people I've enjoyed working with before. Cue me all excited. Till I was told the rate. It would mean going down to a salary I was earning a year ago - basically it would be taking a huge step back, like the last year hadn't happened. House buying wise it would screw me, and I think career wise it would be a bad move too - so that was disappointing.
Other thing:
Went to the Da Vinci screening last night - the film is actually really good and I think has been getting a bit of an unfair battering from the press. True, it's a tad long but very entertaining. However, it does have a fatal flaw - a distinct lack of my frickin credit! Me, Cheeky Irish, Rabbit and all our clerks in the department have been snubbed from the end-credits, whilst the freeloader witches who just got paid a bit more got on! At least the fabulous Petita got on. Still - what shit! Bastards. Next time I work for Sony I'm getting it in my sodding contract!
*Mutter mutter*
8:48 am
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
I always felt some slight detachment for the World Trade Centre bombings on September 11th. Cheesy and I were on holiday in Italy when it happened - in a tiny mountain type village well outside of Sienna, where there was pretty much one television in the whole place. The landlady where we were staying told us what had happened and we went and watched a tiny TV where Dan did his best to translate the Italian as we watched what had transpired hours earlier. The only time we got the full story was the next day, picking up a newspaper in Sienna. As a result I don't think it ever seemed quite as real to me as it did to others - people who watched it happening real time, watching the horror unfold at the same time people were dying in it. It's bound to hit you differently.
Perhaps this detachment is what made me almost immediately think: "I wonder who's optioned rights for this?" Because, let's face it - disaster movies do well. But disaster movies are based mostly at an American audience - an audience for who this event is too personally tied I think. Movies should have waited I think, for ten, twenty, maybe even thirty years - to a time when you'd have to hire in period costumes to make it. So the audience watching didn't probably know at least someone who'd died that day.
However, it seems now is that time - with two movies ready for our consumption.
From the start I've always been more intrigued by United 93. Go and watch that trailer and see if it doesn't put your hairs on end. Ultimately, if you're going to make a movie about an event that still makes people shiver to this day then I think this is the right angle to take. United 93 really is about people who stood up and fought back. And without a Hollywood ending. These people died and we know they're going to die as much as they did the minute the hijackers took the plane. But there's something uplifting about their story. Tragic, but uplifting. And from the trailer it looks like there's a real sense of realism and respect for the people they're portraying - no glorification, no dramatics or cheesy hero lines or speeches, just a real view of what took place, what these people went through.
Which was why watching the trailer for Oliver Stone's World Trade Centre made me wanna puke. Watch it. Listen to that sentimental music, the American flag flying, the crappy ass shadow, the shaking building out of something like frickin Godzilla, the handsome magnetic police officers who step forward to be brave, "Can you still see the light?", and that hideous tagline: The World Saw Evil That Day... Two Men Saw Something Else.
Glorified pap.
Maybe you could argue it'll be just as uplifting. Two police officers, risking their lives and surviving that horrible day. The perfect Hollywood ending - heroes who survive. But what drags down that nice feeling, is that it wasn't really for much. All those firemen and policemen bravely laid their lives down in the hope of getting people out, and most of them didn't even make it half way up the building. That is seriously frickin depressing to me. But I'm mostly irritated by how blatantly obvious it is that this is going to be a movie of massive disaster sequences, with people dying in shocking and brutal manners, and lots of pomp and circumstance about it along the way. Realism thrown out the window in favour of action sequences and cheesy "powerful" dialogue. I'd rather watch the documentary of the firemen and their experiences than this - at least that is real.
8:04 pm
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Oh it's all going so horribly wrong - I am such a lazy schmo. So much to do today and I've done... zippo. Ah well.
Working in Soho is fun so far - certainly far more interesting than looking at sheep in Shepperton. Still, it's a lot sweatier in central London, but I quite enjoy my sunny morning walks from Waterloo into Soho. Niiiice. Plus it's always nice to have proper shops at my disposal. Expensive, yes. But still good.
Went shopping in Kingston yesterday - man, that place is full of chavs. Nasty little chavs. You know, 13 year old girl types who sit on buses giggling like they're drunk and making rude comments about passengers sat near them. Loudly. I was praying for a psycho to get on the bus who might shove a flick knife under their bratty little noses, but alas... not to be seen. Never a psycho around when you actually need one, eh?
I'll go to Richmond next time.
Off to Manchester next weekend to be dragged round every shop in existence by my sister. We're looking for bridesmaids' dresses. Which means me being hauled around the shops and forced to try on a million outfits. Not my favourite thing. I don't shop very much and get bored and irritated very quickly - very much in and out of shops within minutes. My shopping in Kingston took just over an hour and I bought two tops, two cardigans, four vest tops and a pair of pumps. I'm that quick.
My sister? Not so much. I've been near-weeping a number of times growing up following my sister and my mum round clothes shops. They are both the slowest shoppers in existence. As a family it was always mum and sis, scouring shelf after shelf, pouring hours over two pairs of pants, and me and Popo, scowling and whining moodily in a corner. I'm incapable of spending more than ten minutes in a shop unless I try something on. No doubt down to some attention disorder. Either that or one of my father's male DNA for anti-shopping was particularly virulent when I was made and I've developed the hetero-male aversion to shopping for pleasure.
Still, it's got to be done. One way or another we'll be coming out of Manchester with a chosen dress for the event and that's good at least. Nothing more frustrating than standing watching your Momo and sis shop for hours only to come out with nothing. And the one major benefit of shopping with the sis is that there are frequent nice food breaks. Mind you, she's dieting for the big day so maybe even that's out the window.
Twill be reet. Fingers crossed she doesn't choose something yellow.
2:44 pm
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Good Heavens, that was all rather forward of me.
Don't worry - perfectly back to normal now. Sweet little me.
5:43 pm
Buzzzzzzzzzz!
Weekend echoing round the flat this week as Cheesy is off on a "boy's weekend" (trust me, the less you know the better). So, have been dutifully writing, watching girly movies and resolutely not washing/tidying up, creating as much mess as possible.
And today, for the first time in what might possibly be ten years, I went swimming. It's been a long dusty road - from me painstakingly searching out a swimming costume that didn't make me feel like a hippo strapped in by durex (which I thought I'd NEVER find) to finding a swimming pool that steered away from scummy pee smelling and break the bank pay-for-the-whole-thing-in-a-year membership. Finally found Pools on the Park in Richmond, which charges a reasonable (for London) price of £3.75 a go for access to two very nice swimming pools (indoor and out). The whole gym itself seems quite reasonable aswell (once more for London) with monthly membership at £54. But I'll see how I go before committing to such a hideous cost - want to make sure I'll use the place before I fork out.
And I can state for the record that exercise DOES make you feel great. I bounced back to my car, rocked away behind the steering wheel to "Built This City On Rock & Roll" and am now sat at home, horny as a spring time bunny (close ears Momo and Popo), with no other bunny (Who obviously eats cheese) to play with.
It's times like this I wish my friends had ever thought I was filthy enough to buy me sex toys for my Birthday/Xmas hamper. Or that they were filthy enough. I have such upright moral friends! (at least that's what they tell me, with a few exceptions - you know who you are! mehehe)
11:01 am
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Urgh - sweaty.
So, it's official - we had to pull out of buying our little flat. In the end the extra costs necessary just to get a mortgage started to turn our investment into a little money-sucking-piggie, so we cut our losses and ran. The next 3/4 months are going to spent running up huge credit card bills so we qualify as sensible choices for a mortgage. Go figure.
Had a nice weekend last week - Bron, Ginger Lamb and Mr Hair came down to stay and we ventured out on Sunday to visit the other two London-Rach(a)els - we're all from Chorley and we all live in London - yay! I'm the oldest - boo! It was good to see them again - as usual, living in the same London as someone does not make for easy get togethers, what with it being so bloody huge and the transport being so bloody crap and doing anything costing tonnes of money. Sorry - the sweat is making me grumpy. It is very hot today.
Am working in central London at the mo, so am feeling the heat of Soho in more ways than one. We're in a nice set of air conditioned offices though. And once I pull my reluctant white legs out of winter hibernation I'll be able to wear skirts again and be more comfortable. They're just not having it at the moment though, preferring to sweat away inside my jeans.
Managed to catch a sneak preview of Channel 4's new TV movie - "All In The Game", which is rather excellent. Although it surprised me to learn that it was written by someone who loves football - personally the whole thing reminded me exactly why I hate football and the whole fan base around it. Still, some top notch performances, and other than a rather weak ending a smart script.
And on the 18th May I get to go to a screening of the Da Vinci Code and see it a whole, ooh, 12 hours maybe before the general public. See - me, with all the contacts and stuff.
Wedding plans continue to steam ahead for Fat Ass (who is working towards a much slender behind for the big day). I'd put pictures of her planned wedding dress up here but apparently the thing's a bit of a surprise - who'd have thought it. (Apparently not me). It's very yummy anyway. I shall of course put lots of impromptu pictures of it on here after the wedding (Chees'm plans to digital camera the night away, bound to get loads of people in pretty dresses pulling faces - including me, no doubt).
Birthdays birthdays birthdays! First Bron, (Insert parent's wedding anniversay), L'il Spice's Birthday and Mum's Birthday soon to be followed by Fat Ass's birthday - all made the more difficult due to me not seeing most of them on said days and looking like I haven't bothered. All in the noggin you see - I have plans. Muahahaha.
Is it me or is this post becoming a little... random?
Lalalalalalalalala
Three Rachels Frolicking in London
7:25 pm
Saturday, April 22, 2006
So, who would've thought that a lifetime of conscientious debt-avoidance would backfire so spectacularly? Nationwide (typical bankers that they are) have turned down our mortgage application (after nearly three months of faffing around, the gits). Why? Because our credit rating is too low. This was an inital puzzlement to us both. We pay our bills on time, our only debts are our student loans and minimal overdrafts, we've never had a bad debt or an unpaid credit card in our lives. Which is apparently the problem. By making the sensible to decision to never have credit cards, and to only ever spend money that we actually have, we have been rewarded with a bad credit history - in that we don't have one. Cause apparently having no credit cards means that you must be really bad with credit. Never mind the fact that we're obviously just really good at managing our finances so we never need credit cards.
So, we're in a bit of a pickle - which probably only hiring some kind of financial advisor will get us out of. And the clock's ticking if we want to get the flat we picked.
Fuckwit credit agencies - reducing life to a fucking number. What happened to a society which discouraged people from getting in debt?
Sigh.
*Goes to find some chocolate*
1:29 pm
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Just a breezing in post - work is still mental in a calm sort of way (that's the best I can explain it). House stuff is completely mental in a mental kind of way. Let's just say that Nationwide add particular resonance to the term "Bankers"). Am desperately cobbling my script together for the Royal Exchange playwright thingy, and also trying to knock together as many TV scripts as I can. Turns out I'll be working across the hall from certain peeps from a certain mainstream TV channel over the next few weeks, who might be willing to take a peek at my scripts - if I ask super nicely and bring them lots of presents. Still - best to be prepared, that's what I say.
And... Bron in her spate of putting up her ingenious films online recently added a yummy little montage of 2004's Technically Speaking production. Thanks to putting the words "lesbian kiss" in the description it's now had over 700 views. Go and add to it! A reminder for you lovelies who saw it and a taster for those of you shameless enough to miss it.
Go here, go now!
7:57 pm
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Slobbing around the flat today, trying to remove the nagging headache and lethargy that's been following me around since yesterday afternoon. Methinks the germs might have attacked me as things have calmed down at work a bit. Always the way. No adrenalin to beat the buggers back.
Quite an exciting time yesterday though as we managed to get another look round our potential purchase - pictures of which I shall display below.
Other than that, trying to get out of my writing funk and pull my finger out and send some of my existing stuff to theatres and stuff. Like the Royal Exchange thing for one. Still being held back at the moment with a severe case of "Can't Be Bothered". I will though. Eventually. Ooh, and the washing up too. And go to the gym. Sigh - exhausted just thinking about it. Tut.
Anyway, here be pics:
 Building on the left, first floor - go ooooooooooo
 Our hallway
 Narrow shot of the Living Room but you get the idea. Bay window over to the left
 Our impossibly small (but obviously very cute) kitchen
 Not a great shot of bedroom #1 - pesky door
 Bedroom #2
 And the bathroom - bath tub to the right
12:52 pm
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Oops - you know you've been a neglectful blogger when your readers have to entertain themselves in the comments section. Thanks to Fluff and Darren for holding the fort.
Things are mega mega crazy at work at the mo - our payroll guy suddenly became very sick, in an operation type way, and things have thus gone mental. Now it's bad enough when someone's sick to pull together and get their work covered, but it's even worse when that person turns out to be a lazy, useless, porn-reading, internet-cruising ass who hasn't done their job properly. At all. Cue numerous screaming riggers demanding where their "bloody paycheck" is and a flutter of paper as everyone tries desperately to decipher what the hell Payroll Guy has done. It's been crazy. It's a shame really, cause Payroll Guy is really lovely, and I've always gotten on really well with him in the past, but this production... he's a total Walter Mitty. For those of you who don't read books, that's a person who makes shit up. None stop. All the time. Whatever it is they're saying, there's something made up in there. Which makes it all the more suspicious over his sudden illness. Now the boy is clearly sick - no questions there. But this guy's had a stomach ulcer since last year, and spends most his time smoking and drinking more than a person with a healthy stomach. And the few days he came in the illness became this big show. One minute he's walking back into the office, tears still streaming down his face after throwing up (hello, normal people - you wipe your face, right?), and then pointedly coughs hackingly over me, "subtley" displaying his bloody hanky. Sick, yes. Sympathy gaining, no. And we found tons of porn on his computer. Obviously what he was doing when he should have been doing payroll. And it's a shame - cause other than all that, he's a nice guy. Just not a nice guy I can trust.
Yet another jaunt oop north pending, in commemoration of Momo Day. Should hopefully be meeting up with the Fluff (you free, chick?) and Bron and then Sunday is Momo Day - woohoo. Momo hugs. Popo has to stay at home and be alone. He's not allowed to come. This may sound unfair but I think he'll love it.
House buying fun continues - in that nothing is happening cause lawyers are doing their thing of sitting on contracts and having a little sleep (sorry Tall Boy!), and we're still waiting to get another appointment in the place so we can take pictures. Mortgage seems fine so far (touch wood), despite us being rumbled that Chees'm is Contract, and not permanent. They keep trying to convince us we;re going to die/get critically ill/get a cold and therefore we must insure ourselves against this. For lots of money. Whatever.
I'm off for a sleep.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
8:51 pm
Friday, March 03, 2006
So the big 2.6. hits me on Monday - no longer officially a young writer. Damn it - what happened to my dreams of being published at 16! Grr. Plan to celebrate this weekend by sleeping, since this week has been the craziest ever, work wise. Still, there's much to be said for snoozing the weekend away, getting your feet rubbed by the Chees'm. (Yes, Chees'm, that IS what I want for my birthday)
We have flat-buying related stuff still ongoing so I'll keep schtumm on that until we have more concrete info - and hopefully soon.
Shall be in Manchester (I hope!) on the 11th for boozy frolics - so any of you in the area feel free to join in - most likely to be a PoNaNa event I should think.
*Goes to find an outfit that still fits* Must stop putting on weight. Would help if I stopped eating so much.
8:49 am
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Finally got a spiffy shiny review from NODA - basically the organisation that looks after amatuer theatre and gives reviews/awards and other such lovely stuff. Last year "Technically Speaking" garnered a good review for the actors and the show in general, but the script got a little... well not bashed, but a little scolded for its bad language. Heh. Anyway, for those of you who managed to see the Short Plays directed by Bron last July here's a little review (with commentary by moi) of them - see if you agree.
Waking
This one act play was only short, but in it we had some extremely good acting from the two members of the cast (of course!); these being Rachael Hilton and Tom Cohen. It moved well and the performances did bring it to life.
I did lose some dialogue when the volume dropped, however. Although this play is a conversation piece at no time can you allow it to be just a conversation. Even though the theatre is small you still have to project. But this was a very interesting play (yay!), well done. (Ah, it was nothing)
Keeping Annabelle
This was a short but amusing playlet and well played by Michael Wignall and Katie Griffiths. (Who were indeed, fab)
Birthday Greetings
The third and longest of the evening of one-act plays by the young and talented Rachael *beep!* (Blast it, there's my name spelled wrong again - mind you, that's better than The Scotsman who thought my name was that of the director's! Also note the "talented" comment, and especially notice the "young" comment *tries to forget turn 26 in less than a month*) was well handled with Joe Simmons as the anchor part playing Albert and his old mate, Freddie, played by Alan Pearson - not type casting this time. (So much more should be said about these boys, who were just great)
A nice comedy this with two excellent performances from Sue Hilton as Blyth (Blythe!) and Bobbie Day as Vera. (Yay!). Tony Vanderweele was fine but did tend to go a little OTT with the role of Jeremy. (This is true, but I still laughed my head off at him)
Last but not least, Rebecca Andrews gave her usual sound performance. (If only I'd been able to see it! Alas, she was ill the night I watched, and the fab Hilton stepped up fabulously)
So, that's it. Shame there's not more comment about the shows as a whole and thus also the talented direction by a certain missy. Still, it's nice to have a review at all. So, yay.
In other writing related news, I'm sending my new play (which I can now tell you is called, "Starlings") to Soho Theatre tomorrow and am trying not to get all nervous about it. Eep!
8:48 pm
Friday, February 17, 2006
Oooooh. Tonight on Eastenders a new character starts called Carly Wicks, played by Kellie Shirley. Kellie was the lovely lady who played Beattie in my (very) short play "Keeping Annabelle" at the Soho Slam last year. *Smug face*. Am really pleased for her though - she's was great on stage, and a top girl to boot, so I hope she gets some good storylines and does well on the show. It does however mean the chances of me ever getting her for any fringe work pretty much sucks (what with the no doubt high price tag on her performances now). I shall have to wait till I'm super famous ;)
8:54 am
Monday, February 13, 2006
Thanks to Rocket Leaf for these quizzes (is that the right spelling?) - this first of which has made me go "Blimey!". It's an inkblot test, which I recommend you take, mostly just cause it's quite interesting to do, and certainly yields some interesting results. Here's mine:
Your unconscious mind is most driven by Love.
Your instinct to love and be loved is rooted very deeply in your subconscious and affects most of the decisions you make in life – whether you are aware of it or not. You inspire people to experience their true feelings of love and act kindly towards others. You also value your personal relationships more than most people. Your unique capacity to love may be greater than those around you, which means you may have more to give in relationships than your friends or romantic partners do. Your psyche is very rich; the more you learn about it, the more you will understand who you really are.
The IQ test must be screwy since it gave me a score of 135 and says I'm more a mathematician than a linguist - not that I think all that much of myself in the language stakes, but I've always pretty much sucked at maths. Here's the summary for that one:
You have a strong ability to process visual-spatial and mathematical information and this, combined with your logical mind, means you are a Visual Mathematician. You can manipulate multiple parts of the picture (or problem) to come up with a solution and can understand the "big picture," which is partly why people may turn to you for direction. Like Einstein, your ability to detect patterns and your skills in maths and logic, make it natural for you to come up with ideas and theories that simplify processes for everyone.
2:09 pm
Friday, February 10, 2006
*taps the computer screen to see if any bloggers fall out*
Quiet here at the moment, ain't it? There's blogs being quit left right and centre at the moment - bloody cock-teasers. I guess the trend just isn't so cool anymore, eh?
Am in a grumpy today (you don't say!) - work is mega busy, some of my colleagues spend most the day talking over coffee than actually doing any work, what it is to be female is giving me stomach cramps, and the Cheesm is off away with work for a little while. Leaving me sulking tremendously and refusing to tidy up. Oh, and the Benefits System is filled with fuckwits who somehow think my Momo's slipped disc in her back has managed to pop itself back in and be miraculously cured. Because there are hundreds of jobs available to a woman in her late fifties who's not worked due to illness for nearly 20 years and can't sit/stand/walk for any lengthy duration. Arses. I should just become Prime Minister and smack them all round the head. I'd be a good Prime Minister I think. Execute the Press for a start and make them build up again from scratch with non-bastards. Or something. Hmm, rather whimsical, I think.
For the first time in years I have an idea for a book I'd like to write - I used to write stories and books all the time when I was 13/14. (I was destined to write Point Horror books as far as I was concerned). It was only at 16 I started writing plays, and since then I've never real had the patience for a novel and its inevitable narrative. Got an idea that's simple though, and gets me a bit excited when I think about it - so I may have to dig out my novel hat and see if I still have an ability for that kind of writing. We'll see - it's difficult when you've got lots of other plays you want to write.
Right - gotta go pretend that I'm doing work. I am so bored today it's laughable. Locations department keep expecting me magic cheques from my arse and look very disappointed when I can't. "What, you mean we have to get someone to authorise it before you can pay it? Good God!". I swear I wonder sometimes whether people have ever worked on other films before, the way their eyes pop when you ask them for paperwork.
On an amusing work related note, a nice old lady from the village we're filming in thought Cheeky Irish was my assistant. Which now is all I refer to him to.
Well, it's funny if you're here.
Cheesm being away always reminds me how limited I am with my friends - I can't really call on any of them for company - certainly not easily. I nearly managed a rendezvous with Huggy Boobs, but she's just not got time. Everyone else lives so far away.
I've been feeling a little lonely regarding friends lately. It's not like I'm much better at keeping in touch, but I know I don't speak to some of them anywhere near as much as I used to. There's also a big shift in attention when previously single friends become not so single - and that's a good and natural thing. Truth is, I probably hear most from my friends when things aren't going well with them - when everyone's happy and content you just don't hear from them as much. Not that I'm bitching about that - after all, happiness is what you want for your friends. I'm not about to enter that dodgy resentful territory. It's just weird to move from a place where you support someone, to not being needed at all. But that's the balance of being a friend, isn't it? Being there when you're needed. You know? Ack, I'm whiney and reflective today. I'm gonna go find some chocolate and give myself a lecture about taking life too seriously.
12:20 pm
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Brokeback To The Future
I haven't been able to listen to this with the sound on yet, but the idea makes me chortle.
12:37 pm
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Soooooo, stuff stuff stuff. Let's see...
Work is kicking off spectacularly manically - as expected. We start filming on Thursday, and it's all gone crazy. The HODs are all great on this pic though, which helps massively. Also the head caterer I knew from another production called in to say hello since he's on this picture too - it's nice to see old faces. Starts making me feel like I'm getting somewhere, when I come across folks I've worked with before.
Still, am gonna be mega busy now for February and March. And then I have to panic and find another job. Eep!
And speaking of Eep! type things - the house hunt continues. Nearly got carried away and put in an offer for a flat, even though it looks like it has a damp problem from its roof. But we've slowed it down a bit and narrowed our search - hopefully going to find somewhere that needs some work doing to it. I hate going into these places that are all done up - it's like buying someone else's home (which I know, technically, is the case - but you get what I mean). I want somewhere we can make our own. Not something we can't do anything to cause it's already decorated to the max.
Technically Rachel - Fire Fighter!
Well, technically Fire Goes-To-Get-Help-And-Watches-While-It's-Put-Out Fighter. Popped out to my car this evening, and when I was climbing back up our fire escape to get into our kitchen, I smelled smoke. I nearly dismissed it, attributing it to an over vigoursly cooked supper, but I noticed there was quite a lot of smoke coming from the kitchen window in the flat below ours. And there didn't seem to be a light on in that kitchen. So, I nipped back down and look into the kitchen to see a whole hob on fire on the stove. Panic? Just a tad. Ran over to the porters house and got him on the case - lots of yelling and banging of doors, and the weird old guy who lived there initially tried to put it out and somehow made it worse. Eventually a fire extinguisher was thrown at the things and the day was saved. All with me stood watching, concerned expression on my face. Weird old guy got a good telling off. Left me concerned though. This is the guy who watches episodes of Countdown at 4am at full volume. Crap knows how bad the fire would have got if I hadn't spotted it. In a flat below ours. Swell. Not that I did much. I'm less of a fire fighter, more of a Lassie type.
And the Oscar goes to...
Oscar noms are in, and I thought I'd give me tuppence on them. A fairly predictable bunch this year.
Best Picture
Brokeback Mountain - Bound to win. The Oscars just drool over any film focussed on "minority/issue" groups. Plus it is actually supposed to be rather good.
Capote - Heard rather little about it, except that it's good.
Crash - Mixed opinions on this one. Token nomination, methinks.
Good Night, and Good Luck - Who would've thought five years ago that a film directed/written/acted by George Clooney would be an Oscar contender. Tv heart-throb done good.
Munich - Nice and political, but probably too political for most of the delicate Academy Members.
Rachel says Brokeback Mountain
Actor
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Capote" - Always a brillantly talented actor, but I don't think they're quite ready to acknowledge him.
Terrence Howard, "Hustle & Flow" - Not seen the film or much of him - but I feel he may be the token nomination in this category.
Heath Ledger, "Brokeback Mountain" - Good potential to win as there's been a lot of talk about his performance - but personally I don't think anyone can get past the fact that it's still Heath Ledger.
Joaquin Phoenix, "Walk the Line" - After winning the Golden Globe he's probably the most likely. By all accounts his performance is quite something.
David Strathairn, "Good Night, and Good Luck." - Bound to be a great performance - could be the dark horse.
Rachel says Joaquin Phoenix
Actress
Judi Dench, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" - An old favourite, and this will probably work against her. Plus Mrs Henderson was hardly a challenging role for her.
Felicity Huffman, "Transamerica" - Could take it, though I reckon only a limited bunch will have even seen the movie.
Keira Knightley, "Pride & Prejudice" - Good God what were they thinking?! What is it with the Americans and their drooly ass kissing over that scrawny talentless thing just cause she's got a British accent? Yes, it's her best performance in any movie, but that's not saying much. If she wins I'll never watch the Oscars again.
Charlize Theron, "North Country" - Probably very good, but she won too recently. Bound to work against her.
Reese Witherspoon, "Walk the Line." - An unlikely candidate a year ago, but I think she might take it.
Rachel says Reese Witherspoon (Kick Keira's ass!)
Supporting Actor
George Clooney, "Syriana" - Could swing his way - they're going to want to award him something on the night, and I think this is the most likely.
Matt Dillon, "Crash" - Nah, no one will get past the fact it's Matt Dillon.
Paul Giamatti, "Cinderella Man" - Great actor. Only major nomination for this film though, so I think it'll be unlikely.
Jake Gyllenhaal, "Brokeback Mountain" - Jake has mostly been ignored in reviews in favour of Heath Ledger. So probably no, though his ass should get an Oscar.
William Hurt, "A History of Violence." - Dark horse, I reckon. Could steal it from the sidelines.
Rachel says George Clooney
Supporting Actress
Amy Adams, "Junebug" - Who? What?
Catherine Keener, "Capote" - Maybe. Just seems a little... boring.
Frances McDormand, "North Country" - Frances is fantastic, but for some reason I don't see her winning for this.
Rachel Weisz, "The Constant Gardener" - Most likely candidate. Would be great to see her win it.
Michelle Williams, "Brokeback Mountain." - She was in Dawson's Creek. It can't happen.
Rachel says Rachel Weisz
Director
Ang Lee, "Brokeback Mountain" - Since I predicted Brokeback to win best film, this seems the likely winner. Not that I'm that much of a fan.
Bennett Miller, "Capote" - Unlikey
Paul Haggis, "Crash" - Even more unlikely. Then again, it has been a lot more popular in the States. But probably been around to long. They like they're winners fresh.
George Clooney, "Good Night, and Good Luck." - Could be an outside contender. Strong possibility they'll give Brokeback the Film award, and settle for Clooney as director.
Steven Spielberg, "Munich." - Nah. Not the year for beardy man.
Rachel says close call betweenAng Lee/George Clooney
That's all I'll go into for now. Consider it a travesty that Sin City isn't in the Special Effects nominations. Glad to see King Kong being snubbed - it was popcorn and nothing more.
8:42 pm
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Mahah! I was right! They DID name the whale. More than once too. Apparently some of the official names used were Willy, Wally, Pete and Gonzo.
I still think my choice of Timmy was the best.
11:08 am
Monday, January 23, 2006
Okay, here's my first go at this tagging malarky, courtesy of Southern Bird
Four Jobs You've Had In Your Life
1) Waitress monkey at a Big Steak Wacky Warehouse (yes, as bad as it sounds)
2) Database creator at a mobile phone sales company - utterly dull
3) Usher at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester (the utterly best theatre ever!)
4) Accountant person in the movie industry (go ooooooo!)
Four Movies You Could Watch Over And Over
1) The Little Mermaid - sad, but true.
2) The Phantom of the Opera - also sad, but true.
3) The Fifth Element - agree with SB there, truly an awesome movie. Mila is a goddess.
4) The Princess Bride - you killed my father, prepare to die!!
(There are loads more but this will just have to do, won't it)
Four Places You've Lived
1) Llanferfechan (I think that's the spelling) - Wales
2) Eccleston - Lancashire, England
3) Fallowfield, Droylsden - Manchester, England
4) Maida Vale, Camberwell, Twickenham - all in the London vicinity
Four TV Shows You Love To Watch
1) Buffy The Vampire Slayer (hurrah!)
2) House (who would've thought Hugh Laurie could be sexy?)
3) Frasier (oh how I miss thee)
4) Eastenders (shameful? yes)
Four Places You've Been On Holiday/Vacation
1) Isle of Mann - middle of nowhere
2) Les Deux Alpes - France (Skiing - woohoo)
3) Mini tour of Europe - Rome, Florence, Monaco, Barcelona
4) Tuscany - Italy
Four Blogs You Visit Daily (in no particular order, and certainly not including everyone)
1) Bron
2) Southern Bird
3) Gregorian
4) A Beautiful Revolution
Four Of Your Favorite Foods
1) Chinese
2) Spaghetti Bolognese
3) Chocolate chocolate chocolate
4) Cheese Toasties
Four Places You'd Rather Be
1) Manchester
2) Edinburgh
3) In a nice cafe, drinking hot chocolate and writing
4) In a theatre
Four Albums You Can't Live Without
1) Any of my Ben Folds Five albums
2) Any of my Tori Amos albums
3) My Wicked Cast Recording - it's me singing whilst driving music
4) Current fave - ELO, Best of - makes me bounce while I drive
Four Vehicles You've Owned
1) Toyota Yaris - that's it!
Four People To Be Tagged (do it! do it now!)
1) Chees'm
2) Bron
3) Rocket Leaf
4) Kat (the Random one)
10:20 am
Sunday, January 22, 2006
It's rare I laugh out loud an a news artice (well, except when I'm bored and pick up The Sun on the train), but this had me guffawing all over the place.
Apparently Opus Dei want the Da Vinci Code movie to be given an adult rating. Not because of the violence and swearing (which I believe is minimal anyway), but because children can't tell the difference between reality and fiction.
The key statement that made me laugh out loud was:
"children may not realise the "absurd" story is not true"
...hmmm, does this mean we can wack an adult rating on the Bible too?
*rubs hands together with glee*
7:35 pm
Friday, January 20, 2006
"at 0830 GMT on Friday, a man on a train called in to say he might have been hallucinating, but he had just seen a whale in the Thames"
I mean, you would just think you'd gone potty, wouldn't you? Too much booze the night before, working too hard... but an actual bloody whale in the Thames! Go figure. Ironically it's a pilot whale.
Well done, Mr Whale - you're a celebrity now. I give it a day before they name it something cutesy. Tommy of the Thames.
2:20 pm
Monday, January 16, 2006
Man, I've been in a filth of a mood the last week. Getting back into the swing of things after a lovely long lazy alcohol and chocolate fuelled Christmas holiday is proving an absolute nightmare.
Still, new play finished under my belt - just needs some tweaking.
And I've been getting the "must own a home" panic. What the hell are we supposed to do these days if we live in London - live in a shoebox or in the ghetto. Which brings back the whole buy up north and rent it out idea. Sigh. Why can't things be simpler? Why can't I just win the lottery and buy a piggin house.
Tut.
I need some sunshine. Now.
10:15 pm
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