I had a good feeling about this Eurovision. This year seems to be the year of Britons. After a decade of political turmoil and financial crisis that has done nothing but slate the United Kingdom, we've finally made some kind of leeway. Yes, we can pull down the covers, and put a foot out of our beds, because for once things seem to be going our way.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The Start of Summer
 |
| Chilling by the riverbanks in the sunshiiiinneee |
Drinks by the river.
Pub meal.
Drinks in the house whilst chilling with housemates and friends.
An episode of EastEnders.
And this morning - a movie in bed.
Couldn't be a better way to start they summer :) And here's to this blog filled with many little adventures and wanderings :).
MamcanItellyousomethingIhaveaboyfriend
Thursday 24th May 2012 at c.4pm I did something extraordinary.
I started this blog in the hopes that it would follow me from graduation to settling down in life and my biggest hurdle was going to be my parents. And finally I've cleared the jump!
All of this week has been a scorcher, beautiful clear blue skies and hot weather to boot and so I spent my rare two days off basking in the sunshine and getting far too many burns from the sun's rays. But I was also battling a burning problem of my own. I'd told my parents I wouldn't be coming home on Friday but stopping through Durham, and I thought this time, this time I will tell them exactly where I'm stopping. But the conversation was sidetracked and I was given permission to stay out (yeah, I know...permission...*rolls eyes*) without too much details of what I was doing that night. So I started thinking - I have to tell them, I have to be fair, and I want to tell them so I can start leading the free life I want without having to cover my back in case they plain out reject me. This was coupled with the persuasion of travelling down to the South for some weeks (which I really wanted to do but couldn't without running it by my parents who would have been rather suspicious...) as well as a number of adults I'd confided in who thought it was imperative I told them. I mean how bad could it be?
So on Wednesday, every time I'd managed to corner my mother, make her in a good mood, and had a view to tell her, I started hyperventilating. I couldn't get the words out, my breathing picked up, and I felt like I was going to pass out. So with the aid of sunglasses I managed to cover up my anxiety and it went unnoticed. However, by Thursday my internal dialogue was shouting at me to do something. And so what if they kicked me out? So what if they forbid me to see him. I could live with a mate who has a spare room. So with this I set out to tell them.
The church clock struck 4pm. The sun beat down. My dad was nowhere to be seen. We were sitting in the middle of our back garden, there was nothing that possibly could go wrong. So I spoke...but what came out was me asking about the book she was reading. And thus 10mins ensued of me not really listening to what she was babbling about but privately chiding myself. So as she grew quiet again I watched her under the cover of my dark shades, and willed myself to just say it. And so my mouth went into overdrive, forming the words but yet no sound. How was I going to do this?!
Within a few minutes I'd come to an agreement - when I have bad news to tell I distance myself from it and make myself feel like I'm in some outta body experience. I'm not the one that cares about the situation, I'm merely a passer by that observes the situation completely by chance. So I tuned out and engaged my voice. And so it came out.
I finally told my parents that I have a boyfriend.
I started this blog in the hopes that it would follow me from graduation to settling down in life and my biggest hurdle was going to be my parents. And finally I've cleared the jump!
All of this week has been a scorcher, beautiful clear blue skies and hot weather to boot and so I spent my rare two days off basking in the sunshine and getting far too many burns from the sun's rays. But I was also battling a burning problem of my own. I'd told my parents I wouldn't be coming home on Friday but stopping through Durham, and I thought this time, this time I will tell them exactly where I'm stopping. But the conversation was sidetracked and I was given permission to stay out (yeah, I know...permission...*rolls eyes*) without too much details of what I was doing that night. So I started thinking - I have to tell them, I have to be fair, and I want to tell them so I can start leading the free life I want without having to cover my back in case they plain out reject me. This was coupled with the persuasion of travelling down to the South for some weeks (which I really wanted to do but couldn't without running it by my parents who would have been rather suspicious...) as well as a number of adults I'd confided in who thought it was imperative I told them. I mean how bad could it be?
So on Wednesday, every time I'd managed to corner my mother, make her in a good mood, and had a view to tell her, I started hyperventilating. I couldn't get the words out, my breathing picked up, and I felt like I was going to pass out. So with the aid of sunglasses I managed to cover up my anxiety and it went unnoticed. However, by Thursday my internal dialogue was shouting at me to do something. And so what if they kicked me out? So what if they forbid me to see him. I could live with a mate who has a spare room. So with this I set out to tell them.
The church clock struck 4pm. The sun beat down. My dad was nowhere to be seen. We were sitting in the middle of our back garden, there was nothing that possibly could go wrong. So I spoke...but what came out was me asking about the book she was reading. And thus 10mins ensued of me not really listening to what she was babbling about but privately chiding myself. So as she grew quiet again I watched her under the cover of my dark shades, and willed myself to just say it. And so my mouth went into overdrive, forming the words but yet no sound. How was I going to do this?!
Within a few minutes I'd come to an agreement - when I have bad news to tell I distance myself from it and make myself feel like I'm in some outta body experience. I'm not the one that cares about the situation, I'm merely a passer by that observes the situation completely by chance. So I tuned out and engaged my voice. And so it came out.
MamcanItellyousomethingIhaveaboyfriend.
One long garbled sentence.
But my mam rose from her dreamy stupor and said 'Good for you, is it someone I know?'. And I was struck. I expected total silence before a 'Think you need to see your father' as has happened before in this type of scenario. So I whispered 'No.
Mother: Where does he live?
Me: Durham
Mother: A student?
Me: Yes
Mother: Well with any luck he'll be graduating soon.
Me: Next year, four year course. Maths.
Mother: Maths?! You'll have nothing in common. Surely he'll be going back home, he doesn't live here.
Me: Essex. But he might do a PhD
Mother: You can't marry another (not sure what she meant by another :S) Essex man. *Brief silence* Does he have an abacus in his attic?
Me: No.
Mother: *Silence*
And that was it. 15 minutes of silence and my mother gets back up. She babbles that she'll have to put the tea on, despite my brother not returning for another 45mins, and asks me what I want in a repetitive nature 'Do you want them potato things? I'll put the potato things on'. And this is when I thought she'd lost it. She followed this with 'will have to do them seeds later on and will need to clean the house up. Yes, ought to clean the house. Where's your dad? I'm going to go find him'. And leaving me bewildered, she gets up and goes in. And I'm left sat there thinking 'OMG' as my soul slides back into my body and the realisation of what I'd done hit like running into a brick wall.
When I finally got my wits together, I re-entered the house to find them talking on the couches - highly unusual for this time of day so I creep upstairs. Twenty minutes later I'm called down to get my fruit. When my mam stops me on the stairs and goes 'You not going to tell your dad the news?' I died a little. Right there with my right foot hovering mid-step holding the bowl of fruit. And I shake my head. And she goes, 'Dad get in the same room as her'. So buoyed on by my boyfriend's comments moments beforehand I have the phrase 'I've done nothing wrong, let them hit me with the backlash' in my mind and I open my mouth, face my dad, move closer to him and say in a really defiant voice bordering on anger 'I HAVE A BOYFRIEND' and he goes, with rehearsed practice 'Well done son'. And my mam says 'He's from Essex' and he goes 'that's where all our family come from'. So I add 'and does maths' knowing this to be a thing he'd admire considering my lacking in that department. And my dad goes 'And a geek! Well done son' and he walks away.
Nothing else is said on the matter. And what's more they let me stay around the said boyfriend with not another word about the matter.
And I'm left thinking - there must be more to it. There always is with them. They seem to be letting me be independent and lack of suffocating unlike usual but still there is some kind of odd resistance in their behaviour. I may be paranoid but I wonder if they'll eventually say something negative eventually and are biding their time. I mean are they really going to let the daughter they've kept trapped have free will over having a relationship with a guy that might not even live in Durham in a couple of years...?
But all in all I finally told the truth. As people say - 'I'm finally out of the closet' and maybe now I can start living a real life...?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The Unconventional News - 24/05/2012
England's not the only one with stupid rules I see as China pushes for an unusual standard for their toilets...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18170693
Find out where you compare on working hours. Guess I ought to put more hours in!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18144320
Give him another 20 years and he'll be on Chinese Top Gear!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18184326
This would possibly scare the s**t out of me!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18173694
Egos as big as their hair: Jedward at Eurovision. Think the presenter is actually speechless.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18188157
Find out where you compare on working hours. Guess I ought to put more hours in!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18144320
Give him another 20 years and he'll be on Chinese Top Gear!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18184326
This would possibly scare the s**t out of me!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18173694
Egos as big as their hair: Jedward at Eurovision. Think the presenter is actually speechless.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18188157
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Minecraft Project #1: Home Town
I've decided to dedicate my life at present, not to learning a new language or discover my forte but to spend it in front of a computer screen.
It's true. I have sunk from geek to impossible geek who would rather spend time in a world of blocks than have a social life it appears.
And the product of this? I've had the epiphany to build my town block for block. And all from scratch and in the middle of the ocean. Starting with an area of town that has recently been abolished for residential housing. But this is the start of my project:-
It's true. I have sunk from geek to impossible geek who would rather spend time in a world of blocks than have a social life it appears.
And the product of this? I've had the epiphany to build my town block for block. And all from scratch and in the middle of the ocean. Starting with an area of town that has recently been abolished for residential housing. But this is the start of my project:-
"It's a lengthy semi tonight"
...were the words of Scott Mills at last nights first Eurovision semis. But boy it didn't feel long. It was hilarious! It proved that despite the whole voting process being turned sour by political divisions and alliances, it's still a bloody good laugh.
From the moment the first entry appeared on screen you knew you were in for a good night. Montenegro's singer was a man who had a wild air to him as he began rapping. Was it clear what he was rapping about? No. But the banners with broken sentences on them seemed to point towards the topic on everyone's lips in the Euro zone - money. But these banners in different languages were than used to wrap up a man, that came on stage, into a mummified-esque appearance and was carted off in the arms of two suited men akin to the Men in Black. Bizarre barely crossed it.
This swiftly followed by Latvia who seemed to be fronted by the Loose Women cast. A set of middle aged women hopefuls singing their hearts out for their nation.
And they weren't the only women at it as a set of seemingly retired older women from Russia took to the stage to represent their nation dressed in a Russian doll cum milk maid costume.
Finally, Greece delivered a pleasant performance that was unfortunately plagued with comments and jokes about their country's problems.
Altogether it was a wonderful night full of pregnant pauses from the Azerbaijan presenters and a tad inept presenting from the usual Radio 1 Presenters Sara Cox and Scott Mills. But this is what makes it Eurovision, and I cannot personally wait for the final on Saturday!
Here's a taster of the songs from last nights Eurovision semi final.
All videos are embedded from Youtube.
From the moment the first entry appeared on screen you knew you were in for a good night. Montenegro's singer was a man who had a wild air to him as he began rapping. Was it clear what he was rapping about? No. But the banners with broken sentences on them seemed to point towards the topic on everyone's lips in the Euro zone - money. But these banners in different languages were than used to wrap up a man, that came on stage, into a mummified-esque appearance and was carted off in the arms of two suited men akin to the Men in Black. Bizarre barely crossed it.
This swiftly followed by Latvia who seemed to be fronted by the Loose Women cast. A set of middle aged women hopefuls singing their hearts out for their nation.
And they weren't the only women at it as a set of seemingly retired older women from Russia took to the stage to represent their nation dressed in a Russian doll cum milk maid costume.
Finally, Greece delivered a pleasant performance that was unfortunately plagued with comments and jokes about their country's problems.
Altogether it was a wonderful night full of pregnant pauses from the Azerbaijan presenters and a tad inept presenting from the usual Radio 1 Presenters Sara Cox and Scott Mills. But this is what makes it Eurovision, and I cannot personally wait for the final on Saturday!
Here's a taster of the songs from last nights Eurovision semi final.
All videos are embedded from Youtube.
Monday, May 21, 2012
The Unconventional News - 21/05/2012
Some people know how to live up to the British stereotype:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18141421
Facebook is not as popular as it seems:-
Sometimes people have far too much time on their hands creating an encyclopedia of locked room murders, however, it is rather interesting...
Proof that Eurovision is nothing but a political game of chess. Should we supporting a country that doesn't allow freedom of speech in such a trivial thing as a song contest?:-
It's a sad day for British pop music as we lose another treasure:-
Sunday, May 20, 2012
This Be the Verse
They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you
A very cynical view you may think, penned by a man plagued with pessimism about the world. But just sit and contemplate it for a moment.
Reading back over my blog the last few days I can't help but sigh and think I'm a moody, grumpy and bitter person for such a young life. I'm so young and have so many things to explore, to experience, to live, to feel and all I can do is moan.
I look at other people laughing and smiling in the street and wish I was that person that I was not so many moons ago. The girl who cracked up with laughter and every little thing, that would smile in the street at some secret musings. But now I'm some cold shell that seems all shriveled up and black inside. That I look at the world and think things bad foremost, that doesn't trust no longer, or think of the brighter side of life. I have in essence aged 50 years in the two that I have evolved into this monster.
And I wonder how this came to pass. And all I have in my head is those words 'They f**k you up, your mum and dad' and I just can't get rid of them. I'm the young girl who was repressed from friendship, from enjoying sleep overs, parties, and going out. I'm the teenager that wasn't brought up to be who I wanted to be, instead I sat and read and educated myself following the path that my parents had carved out in their mind. I went to the University they wanted, I stayed in the same region they wanted, I didn't go out and do reckless stuff like they wanted, I didn't have the friends that they didn't want me to have. And now as a adult, I'm trying to get on to the career that they wanted, I'm staying where they want me, I'm doing as they say and I'm not having the life that they didn't want me to have.
And I hate it.
I end up leading a double life, of lies and betrayal. I'm not what they created me to be, but am what they tried to repress from me. The only difference being that I don't tell them.
And now I'm sat hating them, hating them for turning me into something devious, for keeping me trapped in a dead end town in a dead end place with dead end people. But I'm their perfect daughter. Well, when they remember I'm their daughter. I'm their porcelain doll, their china doll with rosy cheeks that has the same look preserved on it's face. I'm their Peter Pan. I do not grow old, I'm forever young and forever wrapped in bubble wrap.
And that line keeps going through my head 'They f**k you up your mum and dad'. And I think of their mam and dad in return, and those before and I think this is it, this is my past, present and future. And it's the generations that have passed and those that will be. Time is moving and equally standing still.
I end up leading a double life, of lies and betrayal. I'm not what they created me to be, but am what they tried to repress from me. The only difference being that I don't tell them.
And now I'm sat hating them, hating them for turning me into something devious, for keeping me trapped in a dead end town in a dead end place with dead end people. But I'm their perfect daughter. Well, when they remember I'm their daughter. I'm their porcelain doll, their china doll with rosy cheeks that has the same look preserved on it's face. I'm their Peter Pan. I do not grow old, I'm forever young and forever wrapped in bubble wrap.
And that line keeps going through my head 'They f**k you up your mum and dad'. And I think of their mam and dad in return, and those before and I think this is it, this is my past, present and future. And it's the generations that have passed and those that will be. Time is moving and equally standing still.
I really do hate it.
Someone has to get me out of this soon somehow...
Edit: Interesting article on this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18367053
Someone has to get me out of this soon somehow...
Edit: Interesting article on this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18367053
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Oh Summer do hurry up!
Whilst I'm not taking exams for the first time in something like 6 years(!) and I can enjoy the start of Summer it's just not the same when all your friends are busy studying like crazy.
Instead I'm sat silently reading and tip-toeing quieter than a church mouse around the room. It also doesn't help that I'm invigilating the exams which means I get to sit and soak up the nervous and tense atmosphere. This isn't a good thing as I can be such a mood chameleon that I tend to pick up on the slightest vibe and amplify it until it's resonating in my own aura (no idea where that sentence came from).
However, being on the other side of the exam is a completely different perspective. Viewing the students is like watching them through a TV Box. You know they must be tense and jittery, and having intense inner dialogues with themselves about what the right answer is, which question to choose and what to write down on the paper. But externally they don't show it. There is just a sea of students with their heads down writing. It's almost like a production line in a factory. It's only after they're released that it's as if the human inside them erupts once more as they laugh, chatter, groan or whimper about what they'd actually spent the last however long doing.
It's due to the understanding of what they're going through though that I opt not to pick up a book or to doodle, but to just sit there and think but it's only by doing this that I realise I don't think much at all. In fact when I do set about thinking, my attention span is so limited I relapse into nothingness. It's no wonder I can't remember doing my exams as I bet that's exactly what I did then - extract answers from my subconscious and translate them onto paper without even thinking!
It's kinda scary when you think about it.
It seems to have been like that for many years, I always get asked what am I thinking because I look in deep thought, but I'm actually shocked when someone points that out because nearly always I just have a vacuum in my head. Even as I write this, there is nothing going on... Which is probably why it lacks coherence.
So anyway back to the point in hand, the below music video is one that I always listen to and feel the buds awakening and the leaves stretching out, the tarmac rebelling in the heat and the lazy days stretch into weeks of doing very little as Summer comes.
Here's to everyone being free soon!
Instead I'm sat silently reading and tip-toeing quieter than a church mouse around the room. It also doesn't help that I'm invigilating the exams which means I get to sit and soak up the nervous and tense atmosphere. This isn't a good thing as I can be such a mood chameleon that I tend to pick up on the slightest vibe and amplify it until it's resonating in my own aura (no idea where that sentence came from).
However, being on the other side of the exam is a completely different perspective. Viewing the students is like watching them through a TV Box. You know they must be tense and jittery, and having intense inner dialogues with themselves about what the right answer is, which question to choose and what to write down on the paper. But externally they don't show it. There is just a sea of students with their heads down writing. It's almost like a production line in a factory. It's only after they're released that it's as if the human inside them erupts once more as they laugh, chatter, groan or whimper about what they'd actually spent the last however long doing.
It's due to the understanding of what they're going through though that I opt not to pick up a book or to doodle, but to just sit there and think but it's only by doing this that I realise I don't think much at all. In fact when I do set about thinking, my attention span is so limited I relapse into nothingness. It's no wonder I can't remember doing my exams as I bet that's exactly what I did then - extract answers from my subconscious and translate them onto paper without even thinking!
It's kinda scary when you think about it.
It seems to have been like that for many years, I always get asked what am I thinking because I look in deep thought, but I'm actually shocked when someone points that out because nearly always I just have a vacuum in my head. Even as I write this, there is nothing going on... Which is probably why it lacks coherence.
So anyway back to the point in hand, the below music video is one that I always listen to and feel the buds awakening and the leaves stretching out, the tarmac rebelling in the heat and the lazy days stretch into weeks of doing very little as Summer comes.
Here's to everyone being free soon!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Today, I
Just got wrong for shaving my legs in the shower...
Reason 101 for wanting to move out - my parents obviously don't know how to bring up a daughter ¬_¬
Let me win the lottery please!!!
Reason 101 for wanting to move out - my parents obviously don't know how to bring up a daughter ¬_¬
Let me win the lottery please!!!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The Most Talented Person In Britain...
Is a dog...
Yes, Ashley and Pudsey ended up winning Britain's Got Talent. And it's fair game to them. The dog was nothing short of perfection. Not a paw wrong. And even in the final performance where they do the act again, he managed to keep on going though he noticed the equipment wasn't set up correctly.
But what a final it was tonight. I have never seen a final that was so hard to call. Each act was stunning (with the exception of one or two). But the stars of the night had to be Loveable Rogues (Eurovision next year please with their song!!), Molly Rainford (11 year old church singer) and of course Jonathan and Charlotte. The unlikely twosome with voices of realllly powerful angels.
Watching it with my parents they found it hard to believe that a boy aged 17 could produce such a noise to make them get the chills. And the two are phenomenal. There is no discrediting their talent.
I think there are winners all around though as I'm sure they will all eventually get signed. And it's show like that that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, because we do have talent to actually be proud of.
Yes, Ashley and Pudsey ended up winning Britain's Got Talent. And it's fair game to them. The dog was nothing short of perfection. Not a paw wrong. And even in the final performance where they do the act again, he managed to keep on going though he noticed the equipment wasn't set up correctly.
But what a final it was tonight. I have never seen a final that was so hard to call. Each act was stunning (with the exception of one or two). But the stars of the night had to be Loveable Rogues (Eurovision next year please with their song!!), Molly Rainford (11 year old church singer) and of course Jonathan and Charlotte. The unlikely twosome with voices of realllly powerful angels.
Watching it with my parents they found it hard to believe that a boy aged 17 could produce such a noise to make them get the chills. And the two are phenomenal. There is no discrediting their talent.
I think there are winners all around though as I'm sure they will all eventually get signed. And it's show like that that leaves you with a warm fuzzy feeling inside, because we do have talent to actually be proud of.
Due to permission restrictions for posting them on other websites, please see the original performances on YouTube.
Derren Brown: Svengali
Having pestered my mam many moons ago to see Derren Brown, it had seemed a long time coming before we were actually in the car, driving through the horrendous pour down to see him. I still, as with many other occasions, couldn't believe the day had come. But come it did, and having necked a couple of energy drinks I was pretty sure I would be on top of any cons or tricks that the infamous mind-tricker was going to throw at his audience.
However, to prevent ruining the experience for others I will not delve into what happened during the performance. It is better at any rate that you experience it for yourself. But I will say one thing. Derren is plagued with criticisms that he uses stooges in his tricks, I can vouch, as can anyone else who is in the audience that the likelihood of this is neigh on impossible. In fact, I believe that to use stooges would be a diminishing act to himself; he would find it a blemish of his own intelligence to stoop that low. It is perhaps only when you attend his live shows does this actually become apparent.
The performance was fantastic though. He is ever the perfect showman with an astonishing grasp of psychological intuition. You would fail to be amazed at his show no matter how much experience you've had of his stuff before hand.
I can also say he's a fantastic man. Incredibly nice.
We were just leaving the theatre to walk down an alleyway to be picked up when we came across a crowd of people. I immediately thought they were waiting for a taxi and looked on the road for the familiar white painted lines that indicates so. But there were none, just parked cars. And suddenly it dawned - this is where he would be leaving! Having followed him for 12 years and watched everything he's produced I naturally would have jumped at a chance to meet him. And so me and my mother joined the crowd and waited in the pouring rain. It wasn't so much pouring as the type that sort of sneaks up and soaks you without you realising. The only annoyance was the constant dripping from the buildings on to my coat. I hid my programme under my jacket and my mother covered my camera in hers as we stood waiting.
His PR alerted us that he'd have to make it quick on the account that it was wet and that we shouldn't want to stay out much longer. However, after some more waiting she poked her head out of the fire doors again to tell us that he would like us to come in in small groups to be sheltered from the rain. I couldn't believe this. Such a nice man. And so my mind kept whirling. I had to think of something intelligent to say. Something that would resonate with him that I understood his work and that I was an admirer. I also wanted to come up with some form of witty statement or something that would be good for any future performances. And so I sifted through the cobwebbed dark areas of my mind where some psychological content was still stored from that rather expensice degree I got in the subject. Yet I couldn't think of anything. And so when I got there. And I was stood in front of him I didn't know what to possibly say.
All I could think of was a) he looked older than I thought he would, b) he's such a normal guy you wouldn't know him if you walked passed him on the street and c) my name! The group in front of me joked that he looked like their drama teacher and could they get a photo. And then it was my turn. And all I could say was my name.
I even said it over him asking what it was! How ignorant am I! Then I said it again to make sure he heard and didn't get it mixed up with the person before who had a similar name to me, then I said it again in a whispered voice thinking 'OMG STOP SAYING YOUR NAME!!!!!'
He ended up having a photo with me, then I left without another word, and wanted to get out ASAP instead of goggling at him like crazy.
I can honestly say I'd never been truly embarrassed as I was that day. He obviously will never remember this moment, but I hope that he will understand my sheer admiration for him, lead me to be a...total goofball :(
However, at least I met him I suppose...though a part of me thinks that maybe my dignity would have preferred it if in future I take the long route away from the Stage Door....
However, to prevent ruining the experience for others I will not delve into what happened during the performance. It is better at any rate that you experience it for yourself. But I will say one thing. Derren is plagued with criticisms that he uses stooges in his tricks, I can vouch, as can anyone else who is in the audience that the likelihood of this is neigh on impossible. In fact, I believe that to use stooges would be a diminishing act to himself; he would find it a blemish of his own intelligence to stoop that low. It is perhaps only when you attend his live shows does this actually become apparent.
The performance was fantastic though. He is ever the perfect showman with an astonishing grasp of psychological intuition. You would fail to be amazed at his show no matter how much experience you've had of his stuff before hand.
I can also say he's a fantastic man. Incredibly nice.
We were just leaving the theatre to walk down an alleyway to be picked up when we came across a crowd of people. I immediately thought they were waiting for a taxi and looked on the road for the familiar white painted lines that indicates so. But there were none, just parked cars. And suddenly it dawned - this is where he would be leaving! Having followed him for 12 years and watched everything he's produced I naturally would have jumped at a chance to meet him. And so me and my mother joined the crowd and waited in the pouring rain. It wasn't so much pouring as the type that sort of sneaks up and soaks you without you realising. The only annoyance was the constant dripping from the buildings on to my coat. I hid my programme under my jacket and my mother covered my camera in hers as we stood waiting.
His PR alerted us that he'd have to make it quick on the account that it was wet and that we shouldn't want to stay out much longer. However, after some more waiting she poked her head out of the fire doors again to tell us that he would like us to come in in small groups to be sheltered from the rain. I couldn't believe this. Such a nice man. And so my mind kept whirling. I had to think of something intelligent to say. Something that would resonate with him that I understood his work and that I was an admirer. I also wanted to come up with some form of witty statement or something that would be good for any future performances. And so I sifted through the cobwebbed dark areas of my mind where some psychological content was still stored from that rather expensice degree I got in the subject. Yet I couldn't think of anything. And so when I got there. And I was stood in front of him I didn't know what to possibly say.
All I could think of was a) he looked older than I thought he would, b) he's such a normal guy you wouldn't know him if you walked passed him on the street and c) my name! The group in front of me joked that he looked like their drama teacher and could they get a photo. And then it was my turn. And all I could say was my name.
I even said it over him asking what it was! How ignorant am I! Then I said it again to make sure he heard and didn't get it mixed up with the person before who had a similar name to me, then I said it again in a whispered voice thinking 'OMG STOP SAYING YOUR NAME!!!!!'
He ended up having a photo with me, then I left without another word, and wanted to get out ASAP instead of goggling at him like crazy.
I can honestly say I'd never been truly embarrassed as I was that day. He obviously will never remember this moment, but I hope that he will understand my sheer admiration for him, lead me to be a...total goofball :(
However, at least I met him I suppose...though a part of me thinks that maybe my dignity would have preferred it if in future I take the long route away from the Stage Door....
Monday, May 7, 2012
Working on a Bank Holiday...
Working all day in a building that is close to a hundred years old does not do great things for my imagination.
Having locked up a few minutes late thanks to some people desperate to read every last thing of the displays, I went around doing the usual - flipping the lights and knocking off the computers. It was while I was cashing up that something caught my eye on the security system. In one of the rooms there was a shimmering light, constantly moving. Earlier I'd already caught something in the corner of the little shop as I saw rolls of map slide across the floor. Wondering if someone was hiding there I'd gone to explore to find nothing. So when I saw this light I kept and eye on it for a few minutes thinking it was my imagination. But no it kept shimmering.
So I cashed up, put it safely in the safe before returning downstairs and entering the room next to it. When I'm in there I hear the unmistakable sound of furniture scraping against wood. As if someone has pushed a wooden chair across the floor. I froze. Took a couple of minutes to get a grip on myself then walked around into the darkened room. It was still, quiet and everything in place but the light was on. I'd definitely turned it off when I'd turned off the projector. At any rate it wasn't moving like it had been on the camera.
I swear that that place is haunted! Especially considering listening to the video all day seems to have burnt an auditory pattern on my brain and it's literally all I can hear on loop...
In other news, the City was celebrating the Battle of Neville's Cross. I was made aware of this when a horse dressed in a elaborate blanket trotted passed with a knight in full chain mail armor on it's back. The weird thing was that his leader on foot came in in all of his dress asking for someone that I've never heard of and all I could do was look at him in a bemused sense. However, during my lunch hour I went and took pictures whilst listening to the amusing characters talk about bow and arrows and watch them start a mini attack on one another.
Having locked up a few minutes late thanks to some people desperate to read every last thing of the displays, I went around doing the usual - flipping the lights and knocking off the computers. It was while I was cashing up that something caught my eye on the security system. In one of the rooms there was a shimmering light, constantly moving. Earlier I'd already caught something in the corner of the little shop as I saw rolls of map slide across the floor. Wondering if someone was hiding there I'd gone to explore to find nothing. So when I saw this light I kept and eye on it for a few minutes thinking it was my imagination. But no it kept shimmering.
So I cashed up, put it safely in the safe before returning downstairs and entering the room next to it. When I'm in there I hear the unmistakable sound of furniture scraping against wood. As if someone has pushed a wooden chair across the floor. I froze. Took a couple of minutes to get a grip on myself then walked around into the darkened room. It was still, quiet and everything in place but the light was on. I'd definitely turned it off when I'd turned off the projector. At any rate it wasn't moving like it had been on the camera.
I swear that that place is haunted! Especially considering listening to the video all day seems to have burnt an auditory pattern on my brain and it's literally all I can hear on loop...
In other news, the City was celebrating the Battle of Neville's Cross. I was made aware of this when a horse dressed in a elaborate blanket trotted passed with a knight in full chain mail armor on it's back. The weird thing was that his leader on foot came in in all of his dress asking for someone that I've never heard of and all I could do was look at him in a bemused sense. However, during my lunch hour I went and took pictures whilst listening to the amusing characters talk about bow and arrows and watch them start a mini attack on one another.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
The Unconventional News - 06.05.2012
Just had to share this item here:-
Despite the seriousness of it if there hadn't been a sheet of reinforced glass in the way, I found it oddly funny!
Working on Sunday...
...is perhaps the longest day in existence.
From the very start there was problem after problem lending itself to being a stressful and busy day. However, on the other hand, there were long periods of propping up my kindle against my computer screen to pretend I was actually doing something useful, it was that quiet...
But at least today I spent my lunch basking in the afternoon sunshine - the first rays I've seen since the end of March (see above). This followed a quick trip down to a well known supermarket brand only to witness a student being turned down because their driving licence had expired a week ago...Call me lenient, but seriously? You're going to turn down business because of a date on a bit of card that clearly shows face and date of birth? You absolute idiots!
But then I get so angry at things like that. Life has become too PC for my liking.
The rest of the afternoon was quiet enough for me to get around to reassembling the two arches that had been knocked over by someone thinking it was easy enough to rebuild - they were wrong. And it was with much trepidation that I had to piece them all together. It took me 20minutes. Twenty whole minutes to slot about 12 pieces together in their two separate forms. Grrr.
Let me explain about why these arches are so important. The one on the right is the archway we're perhaps more traditionally used to. It's seen all around the world in bridges and tunnels and massive buildings. It has its significant keystone in the middle, the piece that without it it would fall apart. Yet notice the left model without it's key piece and with a pointed centre. This one on the left was used suddenly in Durham Cathedral. It was found that you could put more weight on the left one and it would withstand the pressure without crumbling. Whereas you put weight on the right one and it crumbles.
It is this crumbling that I hear almost once every hour as someone knocks it down.
So this is a note to any budding engineers reading this - use the left one - it's far less irritating.
Finally on some good news front.
The little lost boy that was swept away in river near me was found today. Aged 8 and swept away down the river whilst it was flooded. After a week and two days of endless searching by the never giving up hope volunteers from the community who were touched by the story, the little boy's body was found today. The most potent thing from this was definitely the community spirit. No matter what people say, it's still there. We're united as one in times of moving events. But let the boy rest in peace now.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Today, I
I found this article in the Northern Echo today (3.5.2012). I just had to share it...
Presumably this will mean all those born in 2000 onwards are allowed...
Would like to see that in another 10 years...
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
If you like what you're reading...
Then please take a look at my other 'more about me' blog.
It's a documentary of the times I've laughed, cried, got frustrated and laughed at some more and is a bit more light hearted than this grumpy old blog.
It's a documentary of the times I've laughed, cried, got frustrated and laughed at some more and is a bit more light hearted than this grumpy old blog.
The Unconventional News - 2/5/2012
Some crackers from the BBC News website.
Man confuses Metro with Underground Parking:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17829438
Pavements are clearly not as safe as we would expect:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17827983
Weather seems to be going mad everywhere:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17914095
It's not too late to make sure you're comfortable within yourself:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17909146
Sports and Art isn't always a competitor - woolen lions revealed for Olympics:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17915318
Really would rather not come face to face with this:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9717000/9717633.stm
The olden days were never so perfect. Treatment of the mentally ill was horrific:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7537000/7537497.stm
Would love to be as well-traveled as the Queen:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17826107
The oldest blood cells ever discovered:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17909396
Don't envy these tourists in Barcelona:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17914094
Man confuses Metro with Underground Parking:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17829438
Pavements are clearly not as safe as we would expect:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17827983
Weather seems to be going mad everywhere:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17914095
It's not too late to make sure you're comfortable within yourself:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17909146
Sports and Art isn't always a competitor - woolen lions revealed for Olympics:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17915318
Really would rather not come face to face with this:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9717000/9717633.stm
The olden days were never so perfect. Treatment of the mentally ill was horrific:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7537000/7537497.stm
Would love to be as well-traveled as the Queen:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17826107
The oldest blood cells ever discovered:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17909396
Don't envy these tourists in Barcelona:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17914094
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
True Story: The Millennium Dome Heist
In 2000 the Millennium Dome was built. It was to be a centre for tourism, a mass attraction full of cultural significance. Unfortunately, despite it's best intentions, it was changed into the O2 arena and has since enjoyed immense success as a centre stage to legendary stars.
However, in the same space of time that numbers were dwindling and debate was rife about what to do with the tent-like dome, a group of thugs were planning to rob the place of the Millennium Star diamond - worth a whopping £300 million.
With the use of gas bombs, fireworks to eliminate evidence, rams and clever ploys to disrupt security, the group had already failed twice at the robbery. The first time hilariously down to a member of public stealing the keys to the lorry leaving the thieves unable to move the most crucial part of their venture - a white pick-up van with a make-shift ram stuck on the back of it.
However, on 7th November when the thieves launched their plans little were they aware of how much the place they were planning on raiding knew about their operation. Having picked up on the failed attempts earlier on in the year, the police were desperate to catch who might be involved in the robberies. Using CCTV, known convicts were seen scouting the area out where the diamond was, they were followed around the building as they surveyed the best point of entry, and they established the entry and exit transportation - the use of a speedboat and a JCB. They pulled this information together alongside weeks of undercover surveillance of the thieves at work in a farm near to the Dome. So when the JCB was watched moving from it's home at 8.43am on that morning, the police had the thieves in the palm of their hands - they were gonna catch them with their hands in the cookie jar so to speak.
As it was, the operation went smoothly with no-one being hurt. The criminals broke through by ramming perplex doors down and going straight for their destination where they managed to get through the 'guaranteed 35minutes to break using a sledgehammer' glass in 35s with their own heat device and hammer. Luckily they were caught and confined to prison for many years and that the diamond they thought they were going to steal had been a replica ever since it was moved back there from a brief excursion somewhere else.
And why am I telling you all of this?
I find this story incredibly interesting. It goes to show yet again, that no matter how much cunning and intelligence criminals have and how useless the policemen actually appear to be, it's always the latter that wins through. All the thieves turn into is a good entertainment story. You also marvel at several things. 1) How you go about getting that idea into your head in the first place - why would you want to rob something that blatantly would be breaching high security? 2) How would you go about recruiting people to do that knowing full well you're all for it because in the end it's every man for himself. And 3) what did they hope to achieve by doing this? A stolen diamond will always be damaged goods especially in such a high profile heist as this.
I'd like to get into the psychology of these criminals. To find out what exactly is going on in their minds whilst coming up with the plan, putting the plan into action and what they feel afterwards. Relief? Guilt? Glee?
However, in the same space of time that numbers were dwindling and debate was rife about what to do with the tent-like dome, a group of thugs were planning to rob the place of the Millennium Star diamond - worth a whopping £300 million.
With the use of gas bombs, fireworks to eliminate evidence, rams and clever ploys to disrupt security, the group had already failed twice at the robbery. The first time hilariously down to a member of public stealing the keys to the lorry leaving the thieves unable to move the most crucial part of their venture - a white pick-up van with a make-shift ram stuck on the back of it.
However, on 7th November when the thieves launched their plans little were they aware of how much the place they were planning on raiding knew about their operation. Having picked up on the failed attempts earlier on in the year, the police were desperate to catch who might be involved in the robberies. Using CCTV, known convicts were seen scouting the area out where the diamond was, they were followed around the building as they surveyed the best point of entry, and they established the entry and exit transportation - the use of a speedboat and a JCB. They pulled this information together alongside weeks of undercover surveillance of the thieves at work in a farm near to the Dome. So when the JCB was watched moving from it's home at 8.43am on that morning, the police had the thieves in the palm of their hands - they were gonna catch them with their hands in the cookie jar so to speak.
As it was, the operation went smoothly with no-one being hurt. The criminals broke through by ramming perplex doors down and going straight for their destination where they managed to get through the 'guaranteed 35minutes to break using a sledgehammer' glass in 35s with their own heat device and hammer. Luckily they were caught and confined to prison for many years and that the diamond they thought they were going to steal had been a replica ever since it was moved back there from a brief excursion somewhere else.
And why am I telling you all of this?
I find this story incredibly interesting. It goes to show yet again, that no matter how much cunning and intelligence criminals have and how useless the policemen actually appear to be, it's always the latter that wins through. All the thieves turn into is a good entertainment story. You also marvel at several things. 1) How you go about getting that idea into your head in the first place - why would you want to rob something that blatantly would be breaching high security? 2) How would you go about recruiting people to do that knowing full well you're all for it because in the end it's every man for himself. And 3) what did they hope to achieve by doing this? A stolen diamond will always be damaged goods especially in such a high profile heist as this.
I'd like to get into the psychology of these criminals. To find out what exactly is going on in their minds whilst coming up with the plan, putting the plan into action and what they feel afterwards. Relief? Guilt? Glee?
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