I'm nearly 36 years old and would like to think that i have led a fullish life although not as full as i had planned when i was 16 years old. Visions of me travelling the world are a distant memory since i got married and had children at the age of 25.
However, I have done some exciting things in my short life. I have abseiled down the side of a building, climbed Snowdonia and part of Ben Nevis, seen most of the England, been to Paris and Belgium, clubbed my teenage years away, drunk until i couldn't see straight, nurtured two amazing sons, given my time to young beaver scouts, organised trips for Young Hearts (the Oxford based Children's Heart Charity I'm Vice Chair for), been on the News, been on stage and I've been in the newspaper.
I have met some amazing people who inspire, delight and amuse me. I'm blessed with some wonderful friends and a husband that, for his sins, tries hard. So by rights I should be happy and content. Those who know me that I am never content with the way things are. I have an addiction to improve myself and set myself goals that are sometimes attainable and sometimes absolutely ludicious. So I have a list of things that I need to accomplish before I'm 40 years old.
Here is the list and I'll let you know if I complete them.
1. Scout Winter Challenge - This is actually happening. Going to be doing this on the 25th February which is an 18 mile hike across the Ridgeway. Have to say the prospect of this scare me more than jumping of the side of a building which is ridiculous and I have no idea why but that is just the way things go I suppose.
2. 3 Peaks Challenge - This has been on my list for as long as I have known the challenge existed. So my plan is to do it when i'm 37. That means I have 1 year to get myself to a level of fitness where the challenge will be acheivable if still slightly maddening.
3. Tour Scotland - I love going to Scotland. I love the culture, the guiness and the whiskey of course. I have seen most parts but not all. Would love to go up to the Highlands and rough it up there for a few days. I've seen all I can of Edinburgh but will still go back for the Festival.
4. Tour Wales - I have been to Snowdonia and to Cardiff but that is probably about it in Wales so it's about time that i got to know our neighbouring county.
5. Perform on stage in Ireland. - This is going to come true very soon as the Drama Group that I'm attached to is looking at doing the Irish Drama Festivals next year. I've never been to Ireland but have always wanted to go. I have some friends over there that I haven't seen since University and it would be good to catch up.
6. Learn Japanese - Don't really know why but would love to learn a language that isn't a european language and it will help with the next one on my list.
7. Visit Vietnam and Japan - A place I have always wanted to visit and keep putting it off. Would also like to visit North and South Korea but with the policial climate the way it is I don't think it would be safe for me to take the kids.
I think that will be enough to do before I get to 40. So I have 4 years to complete the above.
With any luck I will have completed them
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
The End has arrived.
After 8 performances, Alice in Wonderland, has come to it's close.
On Saturday 21st January 2012 over 30 members of the Abingdon Drama Club finally drew a line under their experiences of Pantomine and headed to Mrs Bagshaw's for the usual after show drunken party. Well some were drunk, I could have quite easily taken the car and drove safety home at 3am in the morning from Eileen's house.
My last day in wonderland started with a matinee which was full with children wanting my carrots and ended at me leaving Mrs Bagshaw's house a little after 3am in a taxi. Some of us went out for a meal between performances which was lovely. I had to stick to my routine (OCD at it's best) and get back to the Theatre an hour before we went on, to prep myself with my little eccentricities that make me, me.
The evening performance was hysterical with cast members really giving it their all. Now all the carrots have been eaten and the bubbles have popped, the tree has been chopped and the mad hatter's table been locked away. Speeches were given and wine flowed. The music started and I danced my socks off. To the point where I woke up this morning with a strangled voice and not much energy let in my aching body.
I don't think I have ever sung so loud to Bon Jovi, Queen and Chesney Hawkes in my life. I tried Rockband which was fantastic. I got 86% on my first attempt. I was well impressed. Guess what i want for my birthday. That and Just Dance 3 which i never got to have a go at.
I think that we truly played a blinder on the last night and although I am releaved that i'm going to be taking a break from it for a little while, I am going to miss them all. Not that I won't see the buggers again you understand. The idea of not being in another play is just not in my vocab. I love the theatre.
For me it is time to concerntrate on helping backstage for the next play and stepping out of the limelight a bit. Not that that will be an easy task. So to all my Theatre lovies. Thank you.
The Rodster has left the building
On Saturday 21st January 2012 over 30 members of the Abingdon Drama Club finally drew a line under their experiences of Pantomine and headed to Mrs Bagshaw's for the usual after show drunken party. Well some were drunk, I could have quite easily taken the car and drove safety home at 3am in the morning from Eileen's house.
My last day in wonderland started with a matinee which was full with children wanting my carrots and ended at me leaving Mrs Bagshaw's house a little after 3am in a taxi. Some of us went out for a meal between performances which was lovely. I had to stick to my routine (OCD at it's best) and get back to the Theatre an hour before we went on, to prep myself with my little eccentricities that make me, me.
The evening performance was hysterical with cast members really giving it their all. Now all the carrots have been eaten and the bubbles have popped, the tree has been chopped and the mad hatter's table been locked away. Speeches were given and wine flowed. The music started and I danced my socks off. To the point where I woke up this morning with a strangled voice and not much energy let in my aching body.
I don't think I have ever sung so loud to Bon Jovi, Queen and Chesney Hawkes in my life. I tried Rockband which was fantastic. I got 86% on my first attempt. I was well impressed. Guess what i want for my birthday. That and Just Dance 3 which i never got to have a go at.
I think that we truly played a blinder on the last night and although I am releaved that i'm going to be taking a break from it for a little while, I am going to miss them all. Not that I won't see the buggers again you understand. The idea of not being in another play is just not in my vocab. I love the theatre.
For me it is time to concerntrate on helping backstage for the next play and stepping out of the limelight a bit. Not that that will be an easy task. So to all my Theatre lovies. Thank you.
The Rodster has left the building
And yes, I have the mask with me now. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Alice in Wonderland
Let me take you on a journey, a journey of discovery and vision. A journey of laughter, tears, singing and dancing.
Our journey begins, nearly 4 months ago on a cold and rainy October night when a group of hopeful thespians walked into Abingdon Drama Club in the hope of being cast for the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland. The audition began with games, readings and singing. The Director and casting committee sitting watching your every move. In groups and individual performances the young (and old) hopefuls paraded around all hoping for a part in the Panto.
Off to the pub, a usual haunt, they go while their fate is decided by those in the know. A few hours later the Director and committee emerge happy with the decisions that they made. The eager young (and old) hopefuls wait to hear what part's they have been given. A tense and exciting time as we all ooo and arrrr about the roles that were given. One young(ish) hopeful ready to hear that this time she was not successful only to be told that she had been given the part of the Cricket. Surprised and very pleased that she would get to perform on stage again, the young(ish) and now no longer a hopeful but a cast member waited for the first reading of the production.
Rehearsals start and the ever conscious Director hand everyone a pack with their song lyrics, words and CD. The young(ish) cast member had never been treated to such luxary. It was usual to get a script but one that was put together so thoughtfully showed a real effort had gone into the whole production. She could imagine hours of work and dedication to put things in place.
Rehearsals move on and the young(ish) cast member is told some bad news. The Rastapilla who was going to be played by someone else can't do it. They are going to re-cast it. Heck, she thinks. Trying to stay positive although bricking it inside, a new cast member appears on the scene.
Rehearsals continue and move at a slow pace. Not being required for all of them which leaves time for the "learning of lines". Another problem occurs. Jack. One of the star's of the show, we don't have one. The Director asks for people to have a think if they know anyone. He is found and a new member comes to the fold.
Now the Rehearsing is going well and Dance moves are put into the mix. Every rehearsals sees laughter and the bonding of it's cast. People who have never met before in their life, people who have been estranged for one reason or another and people who only see each other at the last production.
The weeks roll by the bonds become stronger and then disaster strikes again. One beloved cast member falls and breaks his leg. Sympathy and empathy ripples over the cast members but there is a hero in the wings who with only a month to learn lines steps into the breach. Huzzah.
Rehearsals intensify, dance moves become complicated and then symplified and then changed completely and the stress begins to show. The young(ish) cast member practices day and night to get the dance moves right so she doesn't look like a fool. Not reading anything accept song words and scripts, trying to stay on top of her game as this isn't coming easy. With the negativity setting in thick and fast all she wants to do it get on the stage and prove to herself that she can do it.
They finally move into the Theatre with a few days to sort out the technical side of things and some dress rehearsals. Issues with make-up and logistics start to come to a head and are dealt with.
The young(ish) cast member starts to feel at ease with her ability and with the people around her. Defenses start to come down and she starts to enjoy it. Happy with those on stage and off and knowing that she is backed up if it should all go horribly wrong, the young(ish) cast member feels blessed to be with such fine people.
The young(ish) cast member makes everyone a little card as a memento for them being involved in the production. Realising that the end is near and that first night is fast approaching the nerves start to churn.
Final dress rehearsal and The Director has something to say. Some of the numbers are too long. The Director has chopped them down. This means the dance's change as well. They are shown. They watch. They do. A few grumbles here and there but they all trust in their Director. It's her vision. Her script. Her production. They are merely the pawns.
First night. Nerves run high. It would seem that the audience aren't very responsive while the cast members sit in the back green room and listen. A few laughs here and then. The Cricket contains her nerves as best she can. Not knowing if there is anyone out in the theatre that she might know. She gets in position to take to the stage. She enters. They laugh. The audience are actually laughing. There's a mishap with the bubbles, she couldn't get them to blow out on cue but the audience still laugh. Then the narrator forgets to come in, even though she has the script in front of her. Rastapilla to the rescue.
What a night. The high is electric.
Too be continued.
Our journey begins, nearly 4 months ago on a cold and rainy October night when a group of hopeful thespians walked into Abingdon Drama Club in the hope of being cast for the upcoming production of Alice in Wonderland. The audition began with games, readings and singing. The Director and casting committee sitting watching your every move. In groups and individual performances the young (and old) hopefuls paraded around all hoping for a part in the Panto.
Off to the pub, a usual haunt, they go while their fate is decided by those in the know. A few hours later the Director and committee emerge happy with the decisions that they made. The eager young (and old) hopefuls wait to hear what part's they have been given. A tense and exciting time as we all ooo and arrrr about the roles that were given. One young(ish) hopeful ready to hear that this time she was not successful only to be told that she had been given the part of the Cricket. Surprised and very pleased that she would get to perform on stage again, the young(ish) and now no longer a hopeful but a cast member waited for the first reading of the production.
Rehearsals start and the ever conscious Director hand everyone a pack with their song lyrics, words and CD. The young(ish) cast member had never been treated to such luxary. It was usual to get a script but one that was put together so thoughtfully showed a real effort had gone into the whole production. She could imagine hours of work and dedication to put things in place.
Rehearsals move on and the young(ish) cast member is told some bad news. The Rastapilla who was going to be played by someone else can't do it. They are going to re-cast it. Heck, she thinks. Trying to stay positive although bricking it inside, a new cast member appears on the scene.
Rehearsals continue and move at a slow pace. Not being required for all of them which leaves time for the "learning of lines". Another problem occurs. Jack. One of the star's of the show, we don't have one. The Director asks for people to have a think if they know anyone. He is found and a new member comes to the fold.
Now the Rehearsing is going well and Dance moves are put into the mix. Every rehearsals sees laughter and the bonding of it's cast. People who have never met before in their life, people who have been estranged for one reason or another and people who only see each other at the last production.
The weeks roll by the bonds become stronger and then disaster strikes again. One beloved cast member falls and breaks his leg. Sympathy and empathy ripples over the cast members but there is a hero in the wings who with only a month to learn lines steps into the breach. Huzzah.
Rehearsals intensify, dance moves become complicated and then symplified and then changed completely and the stress begins to show. The young(ish) cast member practices day and night to get the dance moves right so she doesn't look like a fool. Not reading anything accept song words and scripts, trying to stay on top of her game as this isn't coming easy. With the negativity setting in thick and fast all she wants to do it get on the stage and prove to herself that she can do it.
They finally move into the Theatre with a few days to sort out the technical side of things and some dress rehearsals. Issues with make-up and logistics start to come to a head and are dealt with.
The young(ish) cast member starts to feel at ease with her ability and with the people around her. Defenses start to come down and she starts to enjoy it. Happy with those on stage and off and knowing that she is backed up if it should all go horribly wrong, the young(ish) cast member feels blessed to be with such fine people.
The young(ish) cast member makes everyone a little card as a memento for them being involved in the production. Realising that the end is near and that first night is fast approaching the nerves start to churn.
Final dress rehearsal and The Director has something to say. Some of the numbers are too long. The Director has chopped them down. This means the dance's change as well. They are shown. They watch. They do. A few grumbles here and there but they all trust in their Director. It's her vision. Her script. Her production. They are merely the pawns.
First night. Nerves run high. It would seem that the audience aren't very responsive while the cast members sit in the back green room and listen. A few laughs here and then. The Cricket contains her nerves as best she can. Not knowing if there is anyone out in the theatre that she might know. She gets in position to take to the stage. She enters. They laugh. The audience are actually laughing. There's a mishap with the bubbles, she couldn't get them to blow out on cue but the audience still laugh. Then the narrator forgets to come in, even though she has the script in front of her. Rastapilla to the rescue.
What a night. The high is electric.
Too be continued.
Thursday, 12 January 2012
Dedicated to Tony
On the 11th January 2012 it would have been my dearest friend Tony's 50th Birthday. Words are not enough to express the pain that I feel that he is no longer in my life. So I'm not going to bother cause only I know how I feel about this man. However, I do want to tell you about the man that I am in total awe of.
Tony was a reporter for an oil magazine or he had something to do with oil. To be honest I didn't really understand what he did but it was something to with business and oil was involved too and he was bloody good at it. He was an Italian American. A real gangster type of bloke to look at but he had a heart of solid gold. He would always make time for the people he loved and I was one of the lucky ones. He used to make me laugh so much, he had my kind of wit and sense of humour together with the intellect to hold fascinating conversations about everything. I would listen to him for hours. I am not really into looks, I'm no oil painting myself, so the mind and wit of a man is a real turn on for me, and Tony had it in abundance. I suppose that was the reason why we connected. He was divorced and has two gorgeous kids. I hear from them every now and then but not much, i don't think they really approved of their dad being "friends" with a girl nearly half his age. It was never going to work as a relationship because of the distance mainly but we kept in touch because we always had a spark. He was the first one that I told when John proposed, apart from family of course, and he was supposed to make it to the wedding but had to be in the Sudan on some big thing, so never made it.
Tony got me. Not many people have the pleasure of saying that they get me, but Tony was one of them. He understood my ways and saw through the smiles when I wasn't at my best. He would listen without judgement, no preconceptions, he was just Tony and I was me.
The day before Tony died we had been chatting on MSN about life. We were planning for me and John to go over and see him as John had never met him and I thought it was about time he met the other man in my life. We talked until late. He lived in New Jersey and his company had offices in New Jersey and in New York. For some reason he went to New York, he shouldn't have been there. It should have been his day in the New Jersey office. I was at work in Reading. It was lunchtime and news came across that there had been a plane go into one of the towers. We watched it unfold at work. I phoned Tony's New Jersey number and got no answer but didn't assume the worst. Until I had a telephone call from Kate, Tony's daughter. She told me Tony was in New York. From that moment my world crumbled. Tony died in the Second Tower on the 09 September 2001. There are 2 dates in the calender year that I am at my lowest point, the 09 September and the 11 January.
I miss Tony, I will always him. No one can bring him back but I was luckily enough to know him and for that I am eternally grateful.
This is my dedication to him and to all those that died on that fateful day. Forever in our hearts.
Tony was a reporter for an oil magazine or he had something to do with oil. To be honest I didn't really understand what he did but it was something to with business and oil was involved too and he was bloody good at it. He was an Italian American. A real gangster type of bloke to look at but he had a heart of solid gold. He would always make time for the people he loved and I was one of the lucky ones. He used to make me laugh so much, he had my kind of wit and sense of humour together with the intellect to hold fascinating conversations about everything. I would listen to him for hours. I am not really into looks, I'm no oil painting myself, so the mind and wit of a man is a real turn on for me, and Tony had it in abundance. I suppose that was the reason why we connected. He was divorced and has two gorgeous kids. I hear from them every now and then but not much, i don't think they really approved of their dad being "friends" with a girl nearly half his age. It was never going to work as a relationship because of the distance mainly but we kept in touch because we always had a spark. He was the first one that I told when John proposed, apart from family of course, and he was supposed to make it to the wedding but had to be in the Sudan on some big thing, so never made it.
Tony got me. Not many people have the pleasure of saying that they get me, but Tony was one of them. He understood my ways and saw through the smiles when I wasn't at my best. He would listen without judgement, no preconceptions, he was just Tony and I was me.
The day before Tony died we had been chatting on MSN about life. We were planning for me and John to go over and see him as John had never met him and I thought it was about time he met the other man in my life. We talked until late. He lived in New Jersey and his company had offices in New Jersey and in New York. For some reason he went to New York, he shouldn't have been there. It should have been his day in the New Jersey office. I was at work in Reading. It was lunchtime and news came across that there had been a plane go into one of the towers. We watched it unfold at work. I phoned Tony's New Jersey number and got no answer but didn't assume the worst. Until I had a telephone call from Kate, Tony's daughter. She told me Tony was in New York. From that moment my world crumbled. Tony died in the Second Tower on the 09 September 2001. There are 2 dates in the calender year that I am at my lowest point, the 09 September and the 11 January.
I miss Tony, I will always him. No one can bring him back but I was luckily enough to know him and for that I am eternally grateful.
This is my dedication to him and to all those that died on that fateful day. Forever in our hearts.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
New Years Resolutions
Yes it is indeed that time of the year again, when thousands of people, if not millions, take up the notion that they are going to keep their New Years Resolutions. Over the years I have learnt that this is just not possible for me or my friends, so I say...........................why bother.
Rather than forcing myself to make changes which I know I am just not going to be able to do, I resolve to make changes when I think I'm ready for it. I gave up smoking nearly 3 years ago but I didn't resolve to stop smoking in the New Year I wasn't ready to give up then. I needed the time to get myself adjusted to the fact that I wanted to give up smoking that I thought it was something that I really wanted to do. June was the time that I decided to this and it has worked for me. Of course you should never say never, and sometimes I still miss it, when out with friends in the pub or if the kids are driving me completely up the wall. However, it is now a choice for me. And believe it or not, I chose not to smoke. Hooray for me.
So this year my delectable husband has decided to join a gym and get "fit", not that I'm being a pessimistic but I give him 3 weeks tops. Just because I know my husband and he is very much like me. He feels pressured into doing something because I'm watching what I eat and am starting to look after myself. Now I'm saying the "D" word as that always backfires on anyone. However, I will say that I am looking after myself which is a long time coming. I'm the heaviest that I have been for a long time and to be brutally honest I hate it. So it's time for a change and I'm ready to do it. I have the confidence to do it and more importantly I have the energy to do and want to do it. Although I did start it before Christmas so not even this is a New Years Resolution but it is a continuance of what I started.
So for all of you who have started New Years Resolutions I say pah to them and Huzzah to a new way of thinking.
Rather than forcing myself to make changes which I know I am just not going to be able to do, I resolve to make changes when I think I'm ready for it. I gave up smoking nearly 3 years ago but I didn't resolve to stop smoking in the New Year I wasn't ready to give up then. I needed the time to get myself adjusted to the fact that I wanted to give up smoking that I thought it was something that I really wanted to do. June was the time that I decided to this and it has worked for me. Of course you should never say never, and sometimes I still miss it, when out with friends in the pub or if the kids are driving me completely up the wall. However, it is now a choice for me. And believe it or not, I chose not to smoke. Hooray for me.
So this year my delectable husband has decided to join a gym and get "fit", not that I'm being a pessimistic but I give him 3 weeks tops. Just because I know my husband and he is very much like me. He feels pressured into doing something because I'm watching what I eat and am starting to look after myself. Now I'm saying the "D" word as that always backfires on anyone. However, I will say that I am looking after myself which is a long time coming. I'm the heaviest that I have been for a long time and to be brutally honest I hate it. So it's time for a change and I'm ready to do it. I have the confidence to do it and more importantly I have the energy to do and want to do it. Although I did start it before Christmas so not even this is a New Years Resolution but it is a continuance of what I started.
So for all of you who have started New Years Resolutions I say pah to them and Huzzah to a new way of thinking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)