On Friday 30th December 2011 for my end of 2011 treat I went to London with my good friend Helen to see Mamma Mia. I love ABBA, have most of their music on vinyl and some on I have on CD. I grew up with their music and absolutely feel in love with the movie Mamma Mia.
So as you can imagine I was quite excited about seeing it. I have seen a few musicals in my time and love going to the theatre whenever I can. My big thing is Musicals.
I have to say that I wasn't very impressed with Mamma Mia. The staging was adequate for what the musical demanded with some parts of the stage rising which was very effective but the sound of the singers on stage wasn't so brilliant. It sounded tinny. There were parts were you could hear the band, who were below the stage, but not the words of the song the actors were singing. The actors spent far to much time looking upstage which made it difficult to hear what was being said even though it was very obvious they were wearing mikes.
I was bitterly disappointed with the first Act because of the sound issues but the show did redeem itself in the second Act. The sound was more clearer although not perfect and I started to feel engaged with the characters.
Sally Ann Triplett (played Donna) did a beautiful The Winner Takes It All that made the hairs stand at the back of the neck. Joanna Monro and Kim Ismav who played Donna's best friends Rosie and Tanya were so funny singing Chiquitita. Joanna's performance of Take a Chance on Me was hysterical as was Kim's performance of Does Your Mother Know. The Chorus did a really good job of scene moving and keeping in character while doing it. They were very energetic with their dances which did make you smile.
By the end it did give you that warm glow that good films and musicals give you and I have to admit that I was up and dancing and singing with most of the audience at the very end.
So although overall I felt this was a good musical I was glad I had seen but it was one that I won't be seeing again.
Next year I'm off to see We Will Rock You and Les Miserables and whatever else I can get to see.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
What the hell have I let myself in for
Some of you may know, or possibly not I'm a Beaver Scout Leader. Have been now for just over a year and I love every minute that I spend with my little Beaver's.
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about: Beaver Scouts are the youngest group of young people that can get involved in the Scouting Movement. Beaver Scouts start at the age of 6 years old and are involved with Beavers until they reach the grand old age of 8 years old and then they become Cubs.
Back in the day I was a Brownie and then I became a Guide. I left Guides when I nearly drowned on Camp one year and never looked at the Scouting Movement again.
Then I had kids and remembered that my brother was a Cub. I remember going along one time with him, they made bivouac's in a nearby forest and it was such fun, shame he never stuck to it and that I couldn't join. I was certain that my David would love it and should become involved. After discovering that he was too young for Cubs I put him in Beavers. David has separation issues with me and so I stayed with him. I became involved and now I'm a leader. David is now a cub and about to go into Scouts next year which he is apprehensive about but I think he will be alright. My youngest, Thomas, is our colony mascot. He is only 5 so not old enough for Beavers but next September he will be.
Anyway that is the kind of background of my involvement with the Scouting Movement. I like doing stuff with other Scout Leaders and Scouts, I'm not just working with my colony I like to get involved with most things. I have got to know quite a few people throughout the Scouting Movement in a short space of time and from all across the world. The Internet is a wonderful thing for this.
But now, it would appear that I have managed to be talked into a Winter Challenge. I have done some stupid things in my lifetime so far including doing an abseil down the side of a hospital building, a bungee jump, climbed a few mountains and hiked across the pennines. I did all this when I was a lot younger and a lot fitter. Now it would appear that I am going through some kind of midlife crisis as I've agreed to walk 18 miles across the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire in February and that I have agreed to do this no matter what the weather is going to be like.
This year, my oldest son, David, did a sponsored walk for his school. It was only 8 miles long but I had to run the first 4 as I was late meeting them up and they marched on ahead. At the end of the 8 miles I could bearly walk let alone get home, eat and then pick the kids back up from school. It took me nearly a week to recover and my feet were in such a bad way I wasn't walking........... I was staggering. Now I'm doing 18 miles over rough terrain. I think it's time I booked myself in for psychiatric assessment.
So as well as stuffing myself over the Christmas period (which brings me so much pleasure) I have to start training for the Winter Challenge. I'm not saying that I'm unfit but if there is an choice of stairs or lift, I'll be the one pushing the button. On a brighter side, it will be fun?
For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about: Beaver Scouts are the youngest group of young people that can get involved in the Scouting Movement. Beaver Scouts start at the age of 6 years old and are involved with Beavers until they reach the grand old age of 8 years old and then they become Cubs.
Back in the day I was a Brownie and then I became a Guide. I left Guides when I nearly drowned on Camp one year and never looked at the Scouting Movement again.
Then I had kids and remembered that my brother was a Cub. I remember going along one time with him, they made bivouac's in a nearby forest and it was such fun, shame he never stuck to it and that I couldn't join. I was certain that my David would love it and should become involved. After discovering that he was too young for Cubs I put him in Beavers. David has separation issues with me and so I stayed with him. I became involved and now I'm a leader. David is now a cub and about to go into Scouts next year which he is apprehensive about but I think he will be alright. My youngest, Thomas, is our colony mascot. He is only 5 so not old enough for Beavers but next September he will be.
Anyway that is the kind of background of my involvement with the Scouting Movement. I like doing stuff with other Scout Leaders and Scouts, I'm not just working with my colony I like to get involved with most things. I have got to know quite a few people throughout the Scouting Movement in a short space of time and from all across the world. The Internet is a wonderful thing for this.
But now, it would appear that I have managed to be talked into a Winter Challenge. I have done some stupid things in my lifetime so far including doing an abseil down the side of a hospital building, a bungee jump, climbed a few mountains and hiked across the pennines. I did all this when I was a lot younger and a lot fitter. Now it would appear that I am going through some kind of midlife crisis as I've agreed to walk 18 miles across the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire in February and that I have agreed to do this no matter what the weather is going to be like.
This year, my oldest son, David, did a sponsored walk for his school. It was only 8 miles long but I had to run the first 4 as I was late meeting them up and they marched on ahead. At the end of the 8 miles I could bearly walk let alone get home, eat and then pick the kids back up from school. It took me nearly a week to recover and my feet were in such a bad way I wasn't walking........... I was staggering. Now I'm doing 18 miles over rough terrain. I think it's time I booked myself in for psychiatric assessment.
So as well as stuffing myself over the Christmas period (which brings me so much pleasure) I have to start training for the Winter Challenge. I'm not saying that I'm unfit but if there is an choice of stairs or lift, I'll be the one pushing the button. On a brighter side, it will be fun?
Friday, 16 December 2011
Music
I have a very varied taste in all things musical. From the types of instruments that I like to listen to too the varied music that I chose to listen too.
Most people have an variable taste in music which goes with the type of person they are and also the experiences that they have had during their life time.
As I have grown older my musical tastes have grown with me. Music that I disliked when I was younger I know enjoy listening too and this is not just because I'm following a trend but rather than I listen to music differently now than I ever really did. I studied music in college which I suppose is where my true passion for music started. However, I have always been involved with music in some shape or form. I always have my MP3 player with me and I'm forever using my laptop as my own disco. Music is important to me, it reflects my mood and my state of mind.
Each song means something personal to me. It is my memories, I associate my past with the songs that go with them. When my nan died when I was 14 years old, the song that was playing on the radio was Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. This song always stirs up emotions for me not only because lyrically it is a beautiful song but because of the tragedy that lies behind it for me personally.
When I got married the song that me and my husband choose was She by Charles Aznavour. I discovered the song when I saw Notting Hill with my husband. It was sung by Elvis Costello and although I love Elvis Costello and he has a really nice voice I discovered the original by Charles and feel in love with the song on a whole different level mainly because it is not sung in English which added to the depth of the song.
I can remember watching for the first time the A-HA (Take on me) song. I hadn't heard it before I saw the video and in my opinion it was one of the best things I had seen ever, bear in mind that at the time I was only 9 years old. I still listen to the song now and it brings back all those feels of sheer excitement watching that video. I can't say the same for actually watching it now but the memory lives on.
My musical tastes run from classical music in particular Beethoven and Handel right the way through to heavy metal like AC/DC, Limp Biscuit and Led Zeppelin. The one band that has never really done it for me is Pink Floyd, I know my husband will go mad at this but I just don't see it. He loves them, thinks they are better than sliced bread, but I just can't see it. I have a friend who used to hang with Floyd and was one of their occasional Saxophonists and although I can listen to him play for hours upon hours when I hear the tracks he did with Floyd I just don't get it.
My one true calling in life is musicals though, it is something that I have been brought up with. From an early age I have been immersed in musical theatre. My parents called me Maria because of my dad's favourite musical West Side Story. My great great nan was on the stage and believed that was where I should be, although I had no intentions of ever going on the stage at the age of 5 years old. I taught myself to sing with the help from some very inspirational music teachers along the way. Mr Machin will always be very special to me as he gave me the confidence to sing in the first place. A small and shy (although you wouldn't believe that now) girl of 10 years old singing in a primary school choir was picked out by Mr Machin to play Oliver in a countywide concert. "Where is Love" was the first thing I ever sang and my love of singing in front of an audience began.
I stopped singing for a long time after I left Woodlands School and concentrated on other things but it was at college that I met Mr David Woods. He brought out in me the passion for singing and homed my skills to the point where I could sing the title song from Phantom of the Opera. A top F#. The highest that I have ever been able to sing. I had the pleasure of singing with Damian Starr who, to this day, in my opinion can sing phantom just as well as Michael Crawford. I can just get that note now. Although I have spent a lot of my life smoking (which thankfully I don't do anymore) which ruined my voice, it has taken me a long time to get my voice back and occasionally it still leaves me.
Don't get me wrong I like up to date music as well. I'm a huge fan of Lady Gaga and Adele as well as Eminem and Snopp Dog. I've just got into Hugh Laurie and the blues.
I suppose what I am trying to say in my very long winded approach is.......... give all types of music a chance, don't get stuck in a groove explore other artists, other types and genres it helps expand your mind and with any luck your spirit.
Most people have an variable taste in music which goes with the type of person they are and also the experiences that they have had during their life time.
As I have grown older my musical tastes have grown with me. Music that I disliked when I was younger I know enjoy listening too and this is not just because I'm following a trend but rather than I listen to music differently now than I ever really did. I studied music in college which I suppose is where my true passion for music started. However, I have always been involved with music in some shape or form. I always have my MP3 player with me and I'm forever using my laptop as my own disco. Music is important to me, it reflects my mood and my state of mind.
Each song means something personal to me. It is my memories, I associate my past with the songs that go with them. When my nan died when I was 14 years old, the song that was playing on the radio was Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. This song always stirs up emotions for me not only because lyrically it is a beautiful song but because of the tragedy that lies behind it for me personally.
When I got married the song that me and my husband choose was She by Charles Aznavour. I discovered the song when I saw Notting Hill with my husband. It was sung by Elvis Costello and although I love Elvis Costello and he has a really nice voice I discovered the original by Charles and feel in love with the song on a whole different level mainly because it is not sung in English which added to the depth of the song.
I can remember watching for the first time the A-HA (Take on me) song. I hadn't heard it before I saw the video and in my opinion it was one of the best things I had seen ever, bear in mind that at the time I was only 9 years old. I still listen to the song now and it brings back all those feels of sheer excitement watching that video. I can't say the same for actually watching it now but the memory lives on.
My musical tastes run from classical music in particular Beethoven and Handel right the way through to heavy metal like AC/DC, Limp Biscuit and Led Zeppelin. The one band that has never really done it for me is Pink Floyd, I know my husband will go mad at this but I just don't see it. He loves them, thinks they are better than sliced bread, but I just can't see it. I have a friend who used to hang with Floyd and was one of their occasional Saxophonists and although I can listen to him play for hours upon hours when I hear the tracks he did with Floyd I just don't get it.
My one true calling in life is musicals though, it is something that I have been brought up with. From an early age I have been immersed in musical theatre. My parents called me Maria because of my dad's favourite musical West Side Story. My great great nan was on the stage and believed that was where I should be, although I had no intentions of ever going on the stage at the age of 5 years old. I taught myself to sing with the help from some very inspirational music teachers along the way. Mr Machin will always be very special to me as he gave me the confidence to sing in the first place. A small and shy (although you wouldn't believe that now) girl of 10 years old singing in a primary school choir was picked out by Mr Machin to play Oliver in a countywide concert. "Where is Love" was the first thing I ever sang and my love of singing in front of an audience began.
I stopped singing for a long time after I left Woodlands School and concentrated on other things but it was at college that I met Mr David Woods. He brought out in me the passion for singing and homed my skills to the point where I could sing the title song from Phantom of the Opera. A top F#. The highest that I have ever been able to sing. I had the pleasure of singing with Damian Starr who, to this day, in my opinion can sing phantom just as well as Michael Crawford. I can just get that note now. Although I have spent a lot of my life smoking (which thankfully I don't do anymore) which ruined my voice, it has taken me a long time to get my voice back and occasionally it still leaves me.
Don't get me wrong I like up to date music as well. I'm a huge fan of Lady Gaga and Adele as well as Eminem and Snopp Dog. I've just got into Hugh Laurie and the blues.
I suppose what I am trying to say in my very long winded approach is.......... give all types of music a chance, don't get stuck in a groove explore other artists, other types and genres it helps expand your mind and with any luck your spirit.
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Illness
Before I go on this particular rant you need to understand that normally I am a very patient person and have a lot of time for people.
That is of course unless they become ill and in particular that they are ill and a man. I'm not talking serious illness and some of my friends and acquaintances in life have or have been seriously ill and I have sympathy for them all. However, when it comes to a cough and a cold then I'm sorry guys but for gawd sake "Man Up". You mop about like the world has come to an end and it drives us women up the wall and there really is no need for it.
I have a few single male friends, and so this rant isn't really about this type of man but the ones that are living with their girlfriends/wife and in particular, I suppose, my husband. Now he is not normally ill but when he is the whole blinking world has to know about it. Today, he has a slight temperature and is complaining that he is cold and ill and doing this pathetic cough which I used to put on as a child to get sympathy from my mum when I was trying to fake time off school. It doesn't wash for me. I just can't be all motherly when if it was me that had a slight temperature and was feeling cold would still be expected to do everything when you have children and a household to run. So I just get on with it. Don't be under the delusion that I do this with a smile on my face CAUSE I DON'T. I complain about it, moan and groan but at the end of the day I still get on with it.
In case you all think I'm a heartless cow I do look after my husband very well and put his needs and the needs of our children first as most mothers and wife's do in life.
Rant over.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Christmas is Coming
I love Christmas. The twinkling lights, the anticipation of what is under the Christmas tree, the present buying and wrapping, the making of Christmas cards and decorations. I love the sheer enjoyment of the whole run up to Christmas and the big day itself. Watching my kids get excited about the fact that Father Christmas is going to be visiting the house to give them presents is amazing. I have always loved Christmas and that is because of my parents.
Christmas is family and friends time. More importantly is family time but some friends are family. I have an open door in our house over the Christmas period when people can come and go as they please to stay for as long as they like (as long as they bring the wine). It's important to me that my children grow up appreciating that Christmas is not just about the presents but the preparation of Christmas and the valuable time that we get to spend together with people that we love.
This year I'm going back to the traditional and making all the decorations that we have in the house. Me and the kids made Christmas crackers with the help from EBay for the snaps and hats but the boys did some Christmas stamping on coloured paper. They look amazing, me and the boys are really proud that we did them together on a cold miserable day after school.
Christmas means a lot to me and to my family. Like I said at the beginning, I love it.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
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