NYE

Looking back at this year as i'm sure many people will do.
It's a timely point to sit back and take note of any lessons learnt in the past twelve months, as well as making some choices about how I might be able to shape the direction of my life in 2007.
The most enjoyable experience which immediately springs to mind is last week spent with J in Gran Canaria. But obviously there have been many more. Having this blog actually helps me to remember some of them. So even though i'm hardly the most commited blogger on the planet, it's serving as an effective memory jogger.
To be away from all the pre-Christmas hustle and bustle sitting on a warm and breezy beach was just marvellous. As was the mother and son quality time enjoyed.

Overall I am hoping to approach 2007 with a positive outlook, sense of fun and an appreciaton of the ridiculous.

Wishing anyone and everyone a warm, fun and happy start to the new year.

Saddam.

Can't help having mixed feelings about the execution of Saddam Hussein.
Seeing the news footage of the noose being placed around his neck. It struck me that this was a man so proud and belligerent in his beliefs that thought of facing his own execution was somewhat unbelievable.
Who knows what thoughts must've been going round his head.

There's no doubt that the regime under which the Iraqi people lived during his rule was fierce, brutal and terrifying.
If anyone deserves to lose their life, then surely it's Saddam.
But there's still a part of me that feels sad that a once so powerful and seemingly indestructable force has been snuffed out in such a way.

Back in a week.
Be well.
Enjoy the festivities.

Bonx is the nickname given to my brother.
As a toddler J would bump into him and say "bonks'...
Bonks became Bonx.
And it's stuck.

Here it is, at long last.
My long awaited Christmas message to the nation.
And if you believe that...or really have been awaiting this post, then frankly you ought to get out more.
As we're heading off for a week in the sunshine tomorrow, it seems a good time to update.

So last night's X Factor.
Am I the only one who cried?
I don't just mean a lonely tear.
But deep sobs.
It was very emotional.
I think the right contestant won.

Desiderata ( by Max Ehrmann )

As a teenager I spent many hours staring at a copy of this which was blue-tacked to my wall.


Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

My Beautiful Blog.

I'm so happy with this Blogger-Beta thing.
It's enabled this blog evolve into a work of pure beauty.
Beautiful bright turquoise.
Not easy on the eye to everyone, i'm sure.
But I like it.
Even if it doesn't contain a lot of sense according to some. (Lizzie and Suze)
At least it's pretty.

Speaking to a friend who attended the funeral of their sister a few days ago opened up an interesting discussion for the benefit of creating and holding on to happy memories.
It seems that when someone dies, if all we're left with are unhappy memories, it might be that there is really nothing left. Or certainly it can feel like that.
But in the situation of a person dying, and leaving us/their friends and family with happy memories, those left behind are left with something almost tangible of that person.
This probably kicks in more longer term.

Is there anything after death?
Who knows.
I like to think there most likely is.
In fact, I find it unlikely that there isn't.
I imagine it might be a little like sitting inside a very well functioning steam room.
Which is beside a swimming pool.
Where there are children playing.
Sitting in the steam room, the noises of playing, laughter and the general buzz of human life can be heard.
But muffled.
By the steam.
By being encased within a small steamy room.
With dim lighting.
And the general swirly steam.
Gives the whole experience a somewhat ethereal edge.
Well it does for me, anyway.

Web Blog.

Did you know that the word blog is derived from the word weblog?

This highly informative piece of info. comes courtesy of Lizzie(Ardus).

Yesterday marked the first assessment of the year.
Uni. wise, things have stepped up a gear.
Much as you'd expect really.
Last year group seminar presentations consisted mainly of the odd moment of creativity amongst lots of nervy reading off sheets.
Not quite sure what I find so nerve wracking about it.
Have been required to deliver plenty of presentations over the years.
It's never been my favourite thing to do.

It was my birthday yesterday.
Yay!

Another day...

...another ticket.
Well that's how it seems.

A few days ago I might have been just a little late returning to my car which was parked in a council run car park.
So that accounts for Parking Ticket Number One.

This morning the post brought a Penalty Charge Notice issued by the borough of Waltham Forest.
It contains a most unflattering picture of me standing beside my parked car, which has two wheels on the kerb.
Shan't be doing that again.

You Know It's True.

This blog has been somewhat neglected of late.
Mainly this is because when I first set it up, it was with the intention of recording some of my thoughts upon finding myself as a mature student, studying a subject I knew very little about.

It'd be fair to say, I now know a little bit more about the subject in question, and am happily snuggled into the groove of university life.

Every so often I find myself feeling sentimental about my time working within the Prison Service as a Drug Counsellor.
It's mostly the people I miss.
Being part of a team of similar minded/aged/humoured/experienced people.
I don't seem to find anything like the verbal banter I used to enjoy, with my fellow students.
With some of the lecturers maybe.
But then there's always a professional boundary there.
And an age difference with other students, which can mean I might find something highly amusing while others can't even see the joke.
Or of course it could simply be a humour thing.
Not much that can be done about that really

Newspaper Puppets.

Yesterday our lecturer had us creating a puppet show out of bits of newspaper.
Some might find this odd.
Others may mock.
But I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sam

Was looking through some pictures and found this lovely one. Sam lost her life to cystic fibrosis a few years ago and our friendship has been my major reason for supporting the cf community, especially in any fundraising efforts.

Wish I could send her a hug upto Heaven!

NYC Captured On Camera-Phone.

Perry.

Perry.
J's Nanny lost passed away a few days ago.
Understandably, J's gutted.
He enjoyed a very close relationship with her.
She was a devoted Nanny and J got a lot from being a round her.
But he's dealing with his feelings in a way that I can only admire.

It's times like this when I have a chance to stand back and really notice J's emerging personality.

Frenzied Updatingness.

Yes.
I know.
It's been a while.
But i'm back.
Ready to blog.

Since last blogging I have:

• been to a Madonna concert.
• spent a week on a small greek island.
• performed random tasks at random locations in the name of work.

That's the thing about blogging, if you leave it a while a lot of stuff gets missed.Obviously there's been more, but for now I will wish you all (all three of you), well.

Flower, Tart And Knife Licking.

Came in this evening to find this flower had been posted through the letterbox.
My brilliant powers of deduction suspected J as the culprit.
Turns out that he came round earlier with it.
Apologies to my neighbour whose garden it may have come from.
But what a lovely, lovely thing to do.


Shared a tasty cheesy vegetable tart and some rather zingy garden salad with lovely H and P this evening.
The verbal banter was a plenty.
And H entertained us with her knife licking skills.
A very good time was had by all.

Distracted.

Hmmm.
Not much to say tonight.
Had a lovely evening with some friends I used to work with and their partners.
Included a lot of star gazing.
My thoughts were never far from Emily, who's in hospital fighting for each breath after suffering a collapsed lung, along with other complications.
This woman surely deserves a break.
Will be keeping everything crossed she'll begin to regain some strength and get her long awaited transplant.
Please send any pink and sparkly thoughts her way.
They'd be much appreciated.

River Festivities, Weddings And Nikki.

Is it just me who cannot quite believe Nikki is the most recent housemate to have been evicted from Big Brother?
Her episodes were the only reason I watched it.
Still, I can go back to having a life now.



___________________________



Yesterday J and I were guest at our very first Lesbian Wedding.
I can honestly say it was the most fantastic occasion i've ever been to.
J could be seen strutting his stuff on the dance floor most of the evening.
It was slightly disappointing to realise it felt embarassing when I tried to join him.

I'm going to watch the ballet in London this evening.
In what can only be described as a rather pompous tone brother C exclaims.
It is with pure delight that I later hear that it wasn't actually a ballet, but a dance show.

Oh how the mighty fall.

Milestones.

Two, what i'd consider to be major milestones have been reached by J over the last few days.
The first of which was attending the funeral of a lovely man, VM, who co-owned with his wife the first school and nursery J attended.
It was a very sad day for all concerned.

The second was going to his first concert: Kate Rusby.
Absolutely marvellous.
Especially so as we were seated right at the front.
Which seems to make all the difference when you're 11.
And it's not too bad when you're 31 either.

****

Feeling especially optimistic, my brother offers a review of the film The Lake House, starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves which we saw last night.

It's a crap story with no plot, crap actors, featuring a crap song. Crap film!

Probably best you make up your own mind. But I enjoyed it.

D'n'H

Am at a bit of a loss to know where to start with this one:

A friend who shall remain nicknameless recalls a young lesbian couple she's met with on a few occasions.
And relays a conversation in which one describes a rather detailed account of their sex life.
Part of which involves one dry humping the other.
Apparantly the dry humper has a much greater sex drive than her partner.
This information tickled me greatly, especially when a little later in the evening the very same couple were within our vicinity.
I was a little disappointed however, as my nicknameless friend refused to introduce us.

K T

Firstly, last night I was lucky enough to go to a Kt Tunstall concert in Manchester.
A great show.
Being only a few rows from the front held a great vantage point, but it was also very warm.
Towards the end of the show N felt a bit peculiar and so we listened to one or two songs from the relative cool comfort of the stairwell, accompanied by medics armed with their defib.

Today my feet and legs feel as though they belong to an 103 year old.
But it was so worth it.

A Nice Dog.

I didn't want it to be you says the man in the bank as he approached the next free window.
The woman serving me and I exchange glances.
I listen to see if the man at the next window is joking and is really the brother/lover/husband/friend of the woman he's just insulted.
She remains tightlipped and refers to him as Sir...

Road Kill.

Now, most days I do quite a bit of driving.
It's usual to find the remains of flying insects which have collided with the windscreen.
Today however, things went up to the next level.
At school, picking J up.
Excuse me, I think you've hit a robin says another pupil.
To my gut churning horror, there is a robin hanging out of the grill at the front of the car.
Not unlike the fake back legs of dogs and cats that people sometimes fasten to their boot, as a joke.
But this is the real thing.

It made me feel quite ill.

Flattery Will Get You Far...

What a lovely comment.

Life is Usually Really Quite Fascinating: The 'Mature' Student?

Life is Usually Really Quite Fascinating: The 'Mature' Student?


This really made me laugh.

Salsa!

My first salsa class in years.
Mastered ( or maybe mistressed is more appropriate ) a few of the basic steps.
Had a thoroughly nice time watching the so much more proficient dancers strutting their funky stuff.
Will definitely be going again.
Reckon it would be a great place to meet potential boyfriends.
But as i'm not looking, will just have to go for the dancing.
Although in keeping with the theme, may drag out a floaty skirt, but will never dance in ridiculously high heels.

Sunset And Sad News.

J took this lovely picture of the sun setting yesterday evening.

Had a text from a young lad from uni. saying that his brother had been killed in a road accident last night.
This is obviously extremely sad news for all involved, and struck me as being especially unfair as he previously shared that him Mum had passed away when he was a young boy.

Recently we've been out enjoying the sunshine.
Had a really lovely day at Woburn Safari park with A and R .
As well as seeing at emerging dragonfly at a local wildlife festival.
I was actually quite fastcinated with meeting the people who dedicate a good portion of their spare time to collecting information about insects.
Although it was interesting, I don't see this becoming a new hobby for me.

Days Out

Some pics taken during recent days. Yay for the sunshine.

Tango At The Manor

The Tango Ice Blast is a slush puppy for the more discerning.

Especially the cherry flavour.
Sampled today whilst at Drayon Manor Park.

Seriously, you must try it.

Went to uni. today to see if any essays or feedback sheets had been returned.
Bumped into lecturer M.
He asked if there'd been any marks on the last piece of feedback i'd received.
There hadn't.
All to do with this pay dispute and lecturers being asked by the union to withold all marks.
He very kindly advised that off the record everyone in our group had been awarded a First.
Yay!
To say the least.

Silly Sods.

Some silly plonker's been visiting this blog and masquerading as the soon-to-be-published Wandering Scribe.
With a knee-jerk like reaction to the news she has signed a book deal after the popularity of her blog.
It seems some are intent on bringing about her downfall.
Gut feeling leads me to feel her particular story is genuine.
Obviously not everyone will be of this opinion.
Whatever her situation, the way forward is to wish her well, and for those so aggrieved by her perceived good fortune to turn their critical attentions a little closer to home.

A Tip.

Today in my purse whilst scrabbling around for some change to leave as a tip,
I came across one of J's teeth.
Pulled out some time ago.
It's not yet been placed under his pillow for The Tooth Fairy.

Along with the tooth was a button.
I can't for the life of me remember to where it was attached.
Or indeed how it ended up in my purse.

Before you ask, I didn't leave either as the tip.

Remote Magic.

There's a problem in our house.
Every single remote control has a loose back.
As a result the batteries spread themselves around the place.
And have to be taped into the various remotes.
Be more efficient to throw them out and do what we did in the time before such gadgets.
Adjust the channel manually.

J assures me it's not him! removing the backs.
Must be the mysterious Remote Control Back Fairy.
Or maybe it's magic.

Either way, it's annoying.

Worry Of An Overprotective Kind.

Being a parent is so nerve wracking.
J is now 11 and wanting to have more independence.
Just recently he has started to regularly play outside with other local kids around his age.
They don't go far: either the green or the field at the end of the road.
With a little time i've felt able to relax enough to let him do so without checking up every 15 minutes.
This evening he ventured further afield and helped some of his friends with their paper round.
Again he was no more than a few streets away.
It's these small but very necessary steps towards independence which are the source of my parental angst.
You wouldn't be blamed for thinking what an over protective Mother...
What can I say...?
It's true.

A Troubled Transvestite.

.....I've tried to top myself four times, either the beer or the tablets didn't work...

Isn't this the kind of conversation (with someone whose almost a stranger) you want to be having over the Bank Holiday Weekend, whilst in the pub?

Now, while I really do try and be patient and even sympathetic or empathic on the odd occasion.
When someone is quite clearly (in my opinion) using shock tactics to illicit attention, I find myself just wanting to offer the opposite.
I don't really feel especially proud of this, but it seems to be my instinctive response.
So that's what I went with.

The whole scene wasn't really helped by the fact that the person in question was also doing odd things with their body in a double-jointed fashion.
Which was making my tummy turn over.

Alright Bruv!

Big Brother.
Yes.
Once again i'm gripped.
Not so much so that i'd watch it 24/7.
But I do like watching the highlights.
A few thoughts on some of the housemates:

• Shabaz: Bit of an attention seeker in the most irritating way. Had a talent for self isolation.
• Nikki: Becoming as annoying as Shabaz with her whining. Money mad.
• Pete: Nice boy. Different from the norm.

Shrinking Violets, Random Chaps And Food From A Stranger.

There is much updating to be done.
Firstly, Happy Bank Holiday Weekend.

Ok, so the edited highlights of the weekend so far go something like this:

1. Friday night. After a quick catch-up in the pub I went on to meet J,K and a few of their friends who are regular frequenters of a certain nightclub which cater for the more mature end of the market. Or something like that. Chatting with random men was fun. Particularly Kyle who wasn't bothered about looks and just wants a woman with a good personality. I did my bit and introduced him to the girls. Don't think cupid struck.
2. London Town meeting C and her cousin F. Went to watch Smaller starring Alison Moyet and Dawn French. It was massively funny, and very generous of C to treat me. Bless such lovely friends.
3. With the weather being what it was: wet. We all headed hope in our different directions and whilst on the train found myself befriended by a young woman from Singapore named Tan Ti Ti. She searched in her bag and thrust various food items into my hands, and said she'd only been in England two days. I wonder if she'll be feeling so generous after having been here a little longer?!

Not A Mugger.

Yesterday, whilst withdrawing funds from a hole-in-the-wall in a not so nice area of London.
I felt someone knock into me..
Fearing a mugger I turned around to find a woman clutching a beer can and walking frame, veering precariously from side to side.
Am relieved I didn't hit her.

Today I have:

• sat opposite a woman trimming her split ends on an underground train.
• watched The DaVinci Code.
• seriously discussed doing some online counselling for a charity.
• missed a train which was stationary further down the platform which I only noticed when it started moving.

Folky Tunes

Yay!
Have just got tickets to see The Great Kate Rusby singing.
Am going to take J along for the experience.

James Well Beloved.

Apparantly this is the best dog food in the world.

It's saturday morning and the uni. library is over-run with mature students.
Well, of the five of us in here using the computers i'd say that four of us are definitely over thirty, with the fifth being somewhere around the twenty five mark.
Yay!

Kissy Kissy.

My father isn't keen on PDA (public displays of affection).
Recently a friend who hadn't seen him in a while attempted to greet him with a friendly peck on the cheek.
He practically twisted himself in half to avoid it.

Camping It Up.

Brother C made reference to how he'd read an article where Sir Alan Sugar was likened to a camp Maltese hairdresser named Maureeece.

That so made me laugh.

Random Stranger.

In the pub a few days ago I was lucky enough to meet a water skiing, glue sniffing, morris dancing seaman
Really, it's true.
He entertained us with his knowledge of book making signs and actions.
Sadly it was around this time the very responsible bar staff declined to serve him with any more alcohol.
He left to find another well at which to drink but not before unmistakably lifting the mood of those within his vicinity.

????!!!!!??!?!!??!

Questions.
Questions.
There seems to be a lot of these lately.
Especially on this blog.

Just thought i'd mention it.

Just imagine for a moment that you mean't to type Choudhury but the keys pressed spelt out Gulshan...would you feel concerned about this?

The Ikea Experience.

Using time wisely I accompanied my Dad to Ikea today, rather than tapping away at the keyboard to finish the essay that's due in Friday.

We left, our trolley filled with natural, minimalistic, flat pack goodies.

I wonder what it is that makes so many of us really find pleasure in the whole Ikea Experience?

Past it?

The title says it all.

Over drinks a fellow student felt it only right he should make me aware that one of the skippy gay boys on the course (with it being performing arts there are several. Massive stereotype, I know......anyway.....) had, at the beginning of the course felt that myself and another mature student were past it and didn't know what we were doing here...

This has got my back up because:

• the skippy one has only ever been lovely and a few times i've even made extra effort to be friendly.
• there was actually no need to be made aware of this.....so now I am, feel obligated to be irritated.

Next time I see Skippy, i'll give him bloody past it!

Timely Update.

I'm feeling guilty for having neglected the blog.
Apologies to its regular readers. All three of you.

Ok, so since the last post I have:

• been walking amongst the Bluebells with Lizzie Ardus and her spotted companions.
• seen a black swan.
• had a go at skull spotting, also with Lizzie Ardus.
• politely declined a friendly proposition from a would-be toyboy aged 17, whilst wearing a swimming costume. Yes. Really.

Please enjoy the pictorial record of all of the above apart from the toyboy incident.

Blog Name/Address Change.

Gone is www.maturestudent-allegedly.blogspot.com

Felt that it was time for an image overhaul and consulted Deed Poll for blogs, jumped through the necessary hoops, and as sure as the sun is shining.....
This blog has a new name.

Happy Blogging

Having just completed the last practical assessment of the year, i'm just writing this update before heading off to the pub.

Today went well.
The audience laughed lots.
Even at some parts which weren't intentionally funny.
Not sure if that says more about the performer's or the audience members?
Oh well.

Blowing Bubbles Is Addictive:

FACT.

Well in my World it is.

Try it, it's impossible to just blow one.

The End Of The Beginning.

It's here.
How funny that it's almost the end of the first year of this marvellous course.
Only two more years left.
Sounds like ages but I know it's just going to fly by.
At the moment it all feels like a massive wind-down.
The sun's out.
Student's can be seen sitting on the grass with lap-tops doing their assignments.
You get the picture.

And....

...whilst on the subject of students.
Over the last few days i've heard several times how so-and-so hasn't handed their essay in...
I mean, what's all that about?
To me it seems daft.
Mainly because it's an automatic fail.
At least if something is handed in, no matter how rough around the edges or rushed.
You can be awarded some mark.
And some mark has got to be better than a fail.

Socks And Boxers.

The cynics among you will be oh so happy to know my words are now coming out in just the right order to make up perfectly formed sentences.

Instead of just cracking on with our rehearsal today, arranged for 11am.
We did what student's do best: sat around chatting and generally wasting time.
And thank the student-god we did.
I have exciting, gritty and best of all real life material for you to get your gnashers around.
Or it may just pass a bit of time while you're bored at work.
A-n-y-w-a-y.

During an exercise some time ago we had to write a few lines about our experience of being led blindfolded through various parts of the campus.
Most of the recollections were of feelings, sounds, or situations experienced within this blindfolded state.
One lad took his experience a step further and had written a story.
The highlight (for the purposes of this blog) of which was standing in his sock and boxers.
At the time this was hugely funny.
And in reflection it's just as funny.

Maybe you had to be there?

• random student recounts her adventures of a night filled with a little too much alcohol.

• lecturer discusses with a group of wide-eyed students the perils marking the essay at the bottom of the pile.

• with an assessment due we have two days to cobble together ten minutes worth of magic.

Boring myself here. Will be back with some new, fresh and interesting material soon.

Failing that it'll be the usual drivel.

Diddums and Sniffles.

Brother C has a cold.
Poor boy.
He needs cosseting and lots of warm drinks.
Please send him your warmest vibes for making a swift recovery.
It'll make all our lives easier.

Friends For Life.

A very lovely friend of mine was involved in the setting up of this site.
Unfortunately she is no longer with us.
The site goes on, and has just been updated.
Take a look.

A short man with control-freak-type tendencies has just asked H and I to keep the noise down!

What a magnificent cheek considering the current noise level within the uni. library.

He clearly doesn't appreciate my status as a more mature student.

The L Word.

Being so completely behind the times.
I'd not really appreciated what a stonkingly good show this is.
Well now i'm converted.
Yay!

Hoofie Meets The Hair Bear Bunch

Can I just ask why you're dressed like that....

We're Welsh and here for the Bear Bash...

Is that a football or rugby thing..?

No, it's a Hairy Gay Man Thing!





Of course. How silly of me.

Angel Of The North.

This weekend has involved:

• men in quilts
• noticing the blossom
• the cut of the gib
• listening to houses
• corking apples

You would be forgiven for mistaking the above for nonsense.

Of course it was just I, trying to get the words out faster than the mouth would allow.

Anyhow, had a most fun time with Hoofie, who had arranged for us to meet up with random posters on the KT Tunstall forum. Only one showed, however.

Frankly it's all good.

Manchester rocks, and Sheffield isn't bad either.

The Miracle Of Technology.

Let me welcome baby Jack into our world.
He was born today, to proud parents D and M, and big sister E.
A picture of the little fella was sent via text message to my inbox and announced his arrival.
I would post a pic here but am sure there are laws with regard to posting pictures of other people's children on the internet.
So you'll just have to take my word for it when I tell you how cute he is!

Ladies!

Do you like a challenge?

If you're game sign up for the Hydro Active Women's Challenge taking place on the 3rd September 2006.

It costs just 15 English pounds to enter, 5 of which will be donated to a charity of your choice.
You're then free to raise more through sponsorship.
But there's no pressure.
I think it'll be a great day and have signed up to the London event.

For some more info. on other's who are taking part take a look here:

http://pinkandsmileyhydroactive.blogspot.com/

Glorious Tipsyness.

Thank the Goddess for EMT's.
That's Emergency Medical Technician for anyone not in the loop.
Lovely C has just passed her final assessment thingy and now is a fully qualified one of these.
So if you get sick round our way, you're a lucky bunny.

Been out for celebratory drinks:

• WKD ~ The blue one.
• WKD ~ The red one.
• Strawberry milkshake flavoured shot.
• Baileys with ice.

Also bumped into a lad I used to be at school with. He's since fallen in with the wrong crowd, to put it mildly. But was still charming enough to comment on how beautiful I looked!!!!!! Aswell as how it'd made his f****** life!!

Probably out of his face on class A's, but it's the thought that counts.

The Wandering Scribe.

This is an interesting blog about a woman living in her car.
It's an absorbing read.

Planning For The Future.

Today my thoughts have turned to funeral plans.
More specifically some of the music i'd like to have played when the time comes.
Don't get me wrong, i've no plans to clock out early!
The chosen songs are:

• Dear Jessie ~ Madonna
• Songbird ~ Eva Cassidy
• I Know You By Heart ~ Eva Cassidy
• Mary's Prayer ~ Danny Wilson
• Seek Ye First ~ Random Hymn
• Fly ~ Celine Dion

There are several reasons why i'd particularly like these songs: some nostalgic, some more meaningful.

I also feel more comfortable with the idea of being cremated and having some sort of send-off in a firework!

The most important thing though, is to have somewhere which is marked, where people can reflect, lay flowers or whatever...should they want to! This is so important to me because after a lovely friend C died some years ago, there was no defined place to lay flowers or just go and think about her.

Of course I know I can remember her anywhere, but I am a person who finds it helpful to have a place to go and reflect. So for this reason, it's important for me.

Right, now i'm off to bed.

Sleep well folks! x

A Conversation.

May I ask you Kiera, the reason you set up your blog?

Just felt like it...and as a record of the whole mature studenting life changing event.

Good idea...is it life changing?
I found uni more liver changing!

Well mature studenting is to a point, certainly a change from full time work...I think my liver's ok..

Mine's still recovering...still at least i've got something to show for my four years...that and a string of highly unsuitable girlfriends. Shame you weren't one of them!

hmmm...

I have a problem.
Whilst plucking rogue eyebrow-hairs,
I came across one much, much lighter than the rest.
So light, it's white.
Normally a positive, upbeat kind of person.
Am struggling to find the elusive up-side of this particular find.

Stylie Update Time*

Yesterday whilst wandering through town.
The urge to have a haircut thrust itself upon my person.
As luck would have it, at that very moment my eyes spied an empty salon.
Moments later I was plonking myself down in front of a large, impossibly clean mirror.
Explaining the goal of growing a bob-non-bob, but not using those exact words, you understand. Please see link*
Hairdresser lady starts snipping.
The approach has been to thin it within an inch of it's life.
Plan B is to keep the sides and back short whilst the top catches up.
Doing this should give me a graduated bob, apparently.
Great, that's just what I wanted.

Do You Put Avocado In Your Pesto Sauce?

Now I hate to be a bore.
But....
Tonight brother C came round for dinner.
We dined on pasta with pesto sauce and brie.
You may or may not be aware that cooking is not my favourite thing to do.
Still, a very tasty plate of nourishment.
Brother C, who was a teacher for a short time.
Quite often adopts his classroom persona when addressing his older sister, yours truely.
This evening he insisted that pesto contains avocado.
Even I know this is way off the mark.
The arguement is finally settled after looking up pesto recipes online.

Cherry Lambrini...

...is the way forward.

Egg Hunting Time Is Here.

The gloriousness of the Bank Holiday is upon us.
Is it customary to offer Easter Greetings today?
Or maybe it's Sunday.

What are your plans then?

Mine are:

• eat chocolate
• spend some time with friends
• spend some time alone
• do some decorating
• write an essay
• go to the theatre.

Happy Easter people of the blog.

xx

Click This.

One word.

Bonkers.

Whilst J was brushing his teeth this morning, my mobile phone vibrated it's way from it's resting place into the sink.
Not surprisingly, it no longer works.
So if anyone out there wants me to have their number, please text or mail it on.
Many thanks.

No Pressure.

Next year another student is hoping to arrange some dance classes.
Just. For. Fun.
No:
Assessments.
Shows.
Pressure.
Yay!
My name's at the top of the list.

The F Word.

Last night J and I went along to watch a dance production by some student's in their final year.
Was interesting to see the quality of work being produced towrds the end of the course.
The standards are high.

Having been advised the F word was used a few times, I forewarned J to expect this.
Now some might disagree with letting an 11 year old see a production knowing there would be some swearing.
My own personal opinion is that provided it's not constant, and the more adult and darker side of life isn't being portrayed too graphically, can't see any harm being done.
J enjoyed the show and laughed his way through most of it.
He's well aware that the F word isn't appropriate for him to use, and also informed me that it was actually used 4 times Mummy, not a few.
Can't say i was keeping count.

Low Flying Lecturers.

A 9am lecture.
Student attendance is rather thin on the ground.
With his nose in a book the lecturer pretends not to notice and slyly gives latecomers another 5 minutes to appear.
Lecturer is so engrossed in his book he fails to realise his flies are undone.
You're flying rather low I want to point out.
But reminding myself of the student/lecturer boundary, decide against it.
9.10am, a latecomer wanders in and suggests to another student they go for a smoke.
They both leave.
The sound of the door closing behind them startles the lowflyinglecturer from his book, and the lecture (minus two nicotine casualties) begins.

The fly is now securely zipped.

An Ensemble OF Noise.

A while ago I booked tickets for J and I to go and see Noise Ensemble: a group of musicians, particularly percussionists who leap about enthusiastically while drumming (mostly).

It was a bit late for J, who'd spent the day playing random sports at a local school.
At around 9pm his breathing became heavier and his eyes closed.
Just for a few minutes.
This ability to sleep whenever and wherever is necessary has led to him taking naps in some quite surprising places:

• out to dinner
• head down on the desk at school
• many, many car journeys

Fortunately it hasn't been an often occurance at school. Usually it's a precursor to a period of unwellness. His teacher was quite offended, stating This was a really interesting lesson!

To Die For....

Today I was sent this email.

Dear All,If I can borrow 2 minutes of your time and then ask you to forward this on to anyone who might be interested I'd be enormously grateful. Most importantly of all, I'm not after any money, just 2 minutes of time.Some of you may know that my younger brother, Oli, suffers from Cystic Fibrosis. This is a degenerative disease, which starts to go downhill particularly when sufferers reach their twenties. Oli's now 23. Last year he was given a life expectancy of 2 years by his doctor. The only thing that can extend that is a double lung transplant.I'm not going to go into detail, or harp on and spout rubbish. In 3 weeks I'm running the London Marathon. I don't want any sponsorship, or any cash. The idea is to promote National Donor Register - to which, sadly, only 22% of Brits are signed up to. Instead of sponsoring me a quid or two, all I ask is that you take 2 minutes to go to http://www.uktransplant.org.uk and sign up to the register. Then just drop me an email at timlewington@hotmail.com so I've got a way of tracking how many responses we've had. Local businesses in Milton Keynes have offered £1 for every new person who signs up to the Register, all profits going to Cystic Fibrosis. 2 minutes is all it takes, then drop me an email and forward this one to anyone else. Most of us have the luxury of not thinking about death, but for so many others, it's just around the corner whilst millions of healthy organs are wasted each year because people are not signed up. Thanks so much for your time, Tim.

Pee. Emm. Tea.

Yesterday I woke up feeling depressed.
Now I don't use that word lightly.
Yet it's the only word which springs to mind.

Just couldn't understand where it'd come from:

• the complete lack of motivation
• feeling of loneliness
• just wanting to stay in bed
• the chocolate cravings

And today I got my answer: my Period arrived.

'Nuff said, I think.

Birthday wishes to my Mum.
When I tried to get hold of her by phone earlier I was informed she was playing pool.
So long as she's enjoying herself.

Nesting.

Not me, silly.
The duck.
Spotted by J outside our local cinema.

Men With Blue Faces.

Saw these on Sunday.
Laughed our socks off.
A very visual and surprising show.

Here I am in the computer room whilst behind me two lads engage in a playful tussle on their swivel chairs.
Not the most conducive environment for essay writing and all other things academic.
Fortunately i'm just checking emails and updating the blog.

It's all coming to an end.
Just two more practical assessment, four pieces of written work and this first year will be over.
Monday is the last official student night out.
Am probably in the miniscule minority not having been out on any, but may do on this time to mark the occasion.

Am here at my brother's, making use of the IT facilities and listening to hits from the eighties.

Also a big get well soon to Tinypoppet who occasionally comments on this blog.

Going Solo.

It came around very quickly.
Yep, today was the day I performed my first solo.
Not only a solo, but also dance/movement based.

The goddamned alphabetical running order placed me second.
To top it off it was also videoed.


Mine was based loosely around feelings of loss and panic.
Lecturer A was suitably pleased with all the performances.
At one point it looked like the video camera was refusing to work, so all in all I think she was relieved.
One of the class didn't show.
Maybe they don't want to come back next year?

One of the lads asked if i'd be joining them on the last student night out of the year.
It's a Monday.
In a nightclub.
Admittedly, not my normal Monday night activity.
But may well show my face.
Show them how to have a really good time....ahem.

Today's OM...

Good Thinking The Power Of Staying Positive

Our thoughts are not simply ethereal pieces of information that enter our minds and then disappear. The words and ideas that we think can shape our lives and drive us toward success and happiness or failure and distress. How you think and feel can have a profound effect on your ability to recognize opportunity, how well you perform, and the outcome of the goals that you've set for yourself. When you maintain an optimistic outlook and make an effort to harbor only positive thoughts, you begin to create the circumstances conducive to you achieving what you desire. You feel in control and few of life's challenges seem truly overwhelming because it is in your nature to expect a positive conclusion. An optimistic mind is also an honest one. Staying positive does not mean that you ignore difficulties or disregard limitations. Instead, it means spending time focusing only on the thoughts that are conducive to your well-being and progress. Positive thinking dramatically increases your chances of success in any endeavor. When you're sure that you are worthy and that achievement is within your grasp, you start to relax and look for solutions rather than dwelling on problems. You are more likely to imagine positive situations or outcomes and disregard the thoughts related to giving up, failure, or roadblocks. What the mind expects, it finds. If you anticipate joy, good health, happiness, and accomplishment, then you will experience each one. Thinking positively may sound like a simple shift in attention - and it is - but it is a mind-set that must be developed. Whenever a negative thought enters your mind, try immediately replacing it with a constructive or optimistic one. With persistence, you can condition your mind to judge fleeting, self-defeating thoughts as inconsequential and dismiss them. It is within your power to become as happy, content, or successful as you make up your mind to be. Staying positive may not have an immediate effect on your situation, but it will likely have a profound and instantaneous effect on your mood and the quality of your experiences. In order for positive thinking to change your life, it must become your predominant mind-set. Once you are committed to embracing positive thinking, you'll start believing that everything that you want is within your grasp.

Had a really interesting discussion with one of the dance lecturers about the possibilities for using dance within the field of criminal justice.
This got me thinking about the value of using different aspects of the performing arts within a therapeutic context, combining it with counselling.
Drama Therapy springs to mind: but I enviasge something slightly less formal.
Anyhow, it's just an idea for the future, but would certainly combine my previous experience/study with the whole performing arts thing.

A Small Moan.

Council Tax.
As a full time student I should be paying it at a much reduced rate ( if at all...not familiar with the exact regulations).
But am I?
NO!
Am still paying the full amount I was when working full time.
Just gearing myself up to step into round 3 with the local authority and try to sort it out.
Ding-ding!

Oh Dear.

In the one lecture a week when the whole year group meets....
Lecturer S was going through info. regarding next year's module choices.
Someone was reading a novel, quite indiscreetly.
The lecturer pointed out how rude this was.
I would imagine this made the bookworm feel quite small.
Who then excused themselves from the room in a rather petulant manner.
I mean, seriously.

Another day, another lecture.
Just a week or so ago here I was passing comment on how some students don't seem to cope with the 9 am starts, and this morning I didn't feel much like it.
Nor did the lecturer by the general dishevelledness of him.
Still, we all livened up and got some stuff done.

Yesterday was enrolment time for next year's modules.
Briefly I did mull over the idea of taking a year out and going back to work full time to save some money.
But like I said, it was only a brief thought.

I have another random observation to offer:

Sometimes when discussing parts of the course, or the games we play a lot of my younger contemporaries have far stronger opinions as to they're worth. Feeling that some are a waste of time.
Maybe it's being older, or maybe it's my newbie status in the world of performing arts, but they all seem pretty relevant: even hopping around holding my ankles.

I do remember feeling very strongly about such things as a younger woman. I wonder if it's a feeling of insecurity which fosters such strong feelings and opinions. A way of overcompensating?

Show Time!

This weekend J was in a dance show.
Now he's been part of a Boyz dance company for the last two months, and although he seems to love to dance. Performing in front of people was a major cause of anxiety.
He did it though, and the whole event was a huge success.
Very proud Mum here.

Well people.
What do I have to tell you?
Not so much as it happens.
Things plod on much the same.
Athough I am going to see KT Tunstall in June with the lovely Hoof and co.

This morning's lecture started in a let'sgobacktoourchildhood vein.
Playing What's the time Mister Wolf? reminded me of days gone by on the playground.
The overriding memory was of wearing silver shoes and doing the splits.
Such simple times.

This was sent to me today....

Staying Afloat

Riding The Wave Of life

Our lives are continually in motion, buoyed by the wave that is the universe's flow. As the wave rises and falls, we are carried forward, through life's high and low points. The universe's flow may take us to a place in life where we would rather not be. As tempting as it can be to fight the direction and size of this wave that propels us, riding the wave is intended to make life easier. When you ride the wave, your life can evolve naturally and with minimal effort. Riding the wave, however, is not a passive experience. It is an active process that requires you to be attentive, centered, and awake. You must also practice stillness so you can flow with, rather than resist the wave's motion. Because life is dynamic and always changing, it is when we try to make the wave stand still or resist its direction that we are likely to get pulled under by its weight. If you try to move against the wave, you may feel as if you are trapped by it and have no control over your destiny. When you reach a low point while riding the wave and find your feet touching bottom, remember to stay standing so that you can leap forward along with the wave the next time it rises. Trying to resist life's flow is a losing proposition and costly because you waste energy. Riding the wave allows you to move forward without expending too much of your own efforts. When you ride the wave, you are carried by it and your head can "stay above water" as you go wherever it takes you. It can be difficult to trust the universe and let go of the urge to fight life's flow, and you may find it easier to ride the wave if you can stay calm and relaxed. Riding the wave will always take you where you need to go.

I like this and have always found it comforting to go with the notion of things in life happening for a reason...and that in some ways it's all a question of fate.
This helps keep me happy and buoyant, most of the time anyway.

I really need water says lecturer A.
You need water?! It must be sooo tiring watching us all run around and hop about like loons.

I hope she appreciated my stab at humour.
We'll know a week on Friday after the next assessment, I guess.

It's taken a while but I now can state with a very firm conviction that the vast majority of the students on my course do not function well in the morning.
Take this morning as an example: a 9am lecture. The energetic lecturer asks how everyone is...knackered...ill...asleep.... are the muffled replies.
Having knocked back the Berocca* and got a full 8 hours, it's with ashamed reluctance I can admit here, that I was raring to go.
Is it not cool to be keen and eager?
Apparantly not.

So the lecture gets started and the random games begin.
Leading a partner by the hand with their eyes shut.
Most of us will probably have played a variation of this at some point.
It's all about trust.

Kiera, what do you think of what we're doing? asks another student.
I love it, I (keenly) reply.
I just find it a bit young, we did all this is GCSE Drama.
So did I, but it was so long ago that I can't remember it! (reminiscing)
It just feels immature, she concludes.

This mature student is clearly way past feeling immature.


*http://www.berocca.co.uk/

Sitting in the library, a phone rings.
Answered in that high pitched greeting young many young women adpot.
The person on the phone chats away about how skint she is and the state of her relationship.
Until the eagle-eyed librarian leaps up, strides purposefully across to the offender and suggests she takes it outside.

Well, it certainly made me chuckle.

Strike!

Today the lecturers are striking.
I cheerily hooted my horn whilst driving past The Picket Line.
I hope they're awarded their pay rise.
Either way i'm enjoying this unexpected day off.

Something Dark

This is the working title of the lastest show written amd performed by Lemn Sissay.
It charts the story of his life, so cleverly played out in this one man show.
A great perfromance which I was lucky enough to watch on Sunday.
I think that going along with a group of fellow care leavers added another dimension to this.

It's been a little while...mainly due to my computer turning itself off and not coming back on.

The weekend was fun: Saturday was spent visiting D. She Aries. In the nicest possible way, of course.

At midnight we hit a club. Only to find it disappointingly empty. Eventually crawling into our beds at 4am.

Pictured are D's cupboards: she assures me the OCD is well under control.

I've washed my feet announces H at a lecture yesterday.

Comments such as this are pretty common place in this student world.

Often i've compared Life to a Vortex of Randomness.
A great comfort to know it continues to swirl.

Not so moving but quite amusing....

...is this text received from my brother recently:

Coming soon at a theatre near you: BKS and the Apple, a nostalgic tale of bygone days when as the nose got browner, the marks got higher.
Featuring Sue Pollard as a frustrated science teacher dishing out A1 grades to prefect pupils.
Comedian Jack Dee appears in a supporting role.

Sounds rather like a regular commenter on this blog, don't you think?!

Broken Chords.

If you get the chance, see this show.
It's very moving.
And funny.
And the dancing's breathtakingly intimate.

By moving...I don't mean the sobbing into your programme kind. Although you might be.
More the there's a pain in my chest and I feel so sad kind.

Hurtling along the M1 really isn't the best place to shed a tear.
Trust me.

Potion No.9 And Walking Amongst The Tree-Tops.

If you have curly hair I seriously recommend a product called Potion 9.
It's a bit pricey.
But if like me you've spent a fortune on products which claim to define the curl / banish the frizz / enhance shine... only to find they don't do anything promised. Then this stuff is worth a try.
I feel born again: as i've found The Answer.

Today J and I met up with A and her 4 year old son J.
We went to a forest and embarked upon a tree-top walk.
Ending up above many of the trees.
I imagine it might be the kind of place where creativity strikes as it was so peaceful with a really breathtaking view.
But with and an 11 and 4 year old in tow it wasn't likely.

Live Life Then Give Life...

...isn't that a great slogan for an organ donor awareness campaign?

You may or may not be aware of why I feel so strongly about this subject...I won't labour the point, but if you have a few spare moments do take a look at the site.
It could make an incredible difference to someone.

It's Pisces Time.

That time of the year when the Pisceans amongst us celebrate another birthday.
A very busy time, and frankly I know too many to mention them all individually.
So wishing you all a marvellous birthday celebration.

Apologies if you were amongst the chosen few who received a text message from me late on Saturday night about my outing to a South London Hawian club.
By this point several glasses of wine and rather too many slippery nipples had been consumed.
All by way of celebrating London C's birthday.

Sunday was more genteel. Lunch hosted by M and A. With just a little more wine.
Thank goodness for public transport.

Not being much of a drinker does have some advantages.
In that on those occasions one does partake in an alcoholic beverage or two, it feels like something of an event.

It's V Day.

Well actually it isn't.
But anyway, tonight C and I went to watch the Vagina Monologues.
It was put on by the Performing Arts Society at uni.
Some of it was just so sad.
With the stories of ill treatment and torture.
But mostly it was funny.
C took a liking to one of the actresses.
Reminded me of a fox in the hen house.
Maybe she's been single too long?
Maybe we both have.
I agreed to make some discreet enquiries if the opportunity comes along.
But as i'm not actually out at uni myself this may prove difficult.
Well here's me saying i'm not out.
Did I happen to mention that whilst out gallavanting with the other C on Valentine's day we bumped into one of the lads on my course in our local gay pub?
Marvellous.
He did ask if I knew what kind of place it was....
Well. Yes I do know.

A Very Important Question.

Is 31 too old to be rolling around on the floor, walking like a monkey (on all fours), trying to get your ankle up by your ear and leaping like a kangaroo (while holding your ankles), all in the same afternoon?

Usually i'd answer don't be silly...

But today my aching body is saying that maybe it is....

Mind you, everyone was complaining how tired they were.
So that makes me feel much better.

I'd just like to mention faux teachers careof Hoofie: when someone who says they're a teacher, isn't really.

My ever charming brother has nicknamed me BKS:

Buntingford's* Keenest Student.




*Not really where I study but for the purposes of anonymity that's what we shall call it for
now.

Crime and Punishment.

Dividing the group in half, lecturer M sets one half the task of being prisoners and the other as being guards.
Initially i'm a prisoner.
The role seems to have brought out a rebellious streak and I find myself completely resistant to one of the guard's commands to dance.

Second time around and it's my turn to assume the role of guard.
It was so easy to assume this very dominant role. Scarily so in fact, and provided a real insight into the complete pointlessness of engaging into a battle of wills, just for the sake of it.

It was a great exercise, and reminded me of days gone by. Just a little.

Great day at uni:

• first lecture involved walking around the campus looking for sites which might make an interesting performance space. I especially liked a quaint and twisty fire escape, an archway and an especially old and wizened tree.

• then chatting to some others in the canteen in bewteen lectures about the drama's in their student house. There were some amusing stories with a slightly uncomfortable undercurrent of bullying. Hard to believe such pettiness is going on really.

• managed to get a ticket to see Broken Chords by the Vincent Dance Theatre which was recommended by lecturer L. It means i'll have to miss a lecture but managed to get permission from lecturer S, as will have to travel to see them. This is good but would have just made my excuses if permission hadn't been granted. So much better this way. It's also be the very first time i've been to the theatre alone. Yay!

• took a risk and shared something of my in care past. Only the smallest piece of info. really, but felt like a big step to me as I do (mostly) opt to keep such things private.

And tonight am off out with C to celebrate our singleness!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Even though I find Valentine's day to be like many people, a largely over commercialised nonsense affair. I can still appreciate the sentiment and was very happy to have got a lovely card from J, who in turn was surprised to have a card from a secret admirer*, as well as one from me.
I was also lucky enough to receive several valentine text messages from friends and also an e-card.



*I confess to being responsible for this.

It's half term and unlike being at work when it was possible to take holiday, it's not the same at uni. Which goes on regardless. So whilst J was at a football course this morning I took the opportunity to pick up some marks for a piece of physical theatre from last term. I trotted along to see L, the lecturer who was holding the marks. There's a group mark and an individual mark: group- 55%, individual: 53%.
Again am really happy with these.
Got chatting about the whole uni experience...and mentioned this blog...that should make interesting reading says L.
Ha! I doubt it.
Before the course started i'd heard stories about lecturers handing assignments back with THIS IS A LOAD OF RUBBISH as the feedback.
So I wasn't sure quite what to expect.
But so far the lecturers have been unfailingly positive.
It really does make life so much more pleasant when people are.

Will you pull my tooth out? says J whilst sitting in the cinema watching the space adventure: Zathura.

It was extracted sometime later in the car park of Frankie and Bennys.

Much like life, being a parent and all other states of being which require a smidgen of responsibility. This mature student lark is a bit of a juggling act.
On a semi-regular basis I ask myself what it is i've let myself in for: although this is becoming less frequent.
It can be hard as some of the lecturers are of a similar age to me, and I do worry that by challenging a point they might make it might somehow appear as if i'm undermining them. This is definitely not something I want to do. I'm a student and am relishing the opportunity to share the experience of lecturers and students who have infintely more knowledge and experience within the field of performing arts. But when the discussion creeps into a territory of which I am reasonably well informed ( well I like to think so anyway ), I do feel myself torn.

But. I do still absolutely love being a student.
It's so stimulating to be achieving in a completely new subject and enjoying all the new challenges as they come along.


Recently J joined a local boys dance company who meet in the uni gym.
As this is their 10 year anniversary a big show is being planned by way of celebration.
At first J was adamant he wasn't going to take part in the show, for fear of messing up and embarassing himself.
After receiving high praise from the dance leader he seems to have agreed to take part in the show.
It'd be such a boost to his confidence if he did.

It's that time of the week again and an update is long overdue.
This has been a busy week where several things of note have occured:

* got through a dance assessment without any major cock-ups
* had the second essay returned with a 68% mark.
* had a dream about a lecturer in which she was saying she lived in Stevenage.
(not sure what that's all about?! Any dream analysts out there? )

A curious thing is happening. Anyone who knows me outside of this blog will be aware that my previous career was in the guise of a counsellor. The majority of this was spent working within a prison followed by a brief stint doing counselling-type stuff in a secondary school.
On the face of it Performing Arts and Counselling are really poles apart. Except they're not. Not really.
A large part of this course is reflecting on self and being sensitive to others. Also putting yourselves in the shoes of another. This was all pretty standard when I trained.
It's just not something i'd really considered before.
Also, my counselling training involved many hours of role play: as both counsellor and client.
This really isn't so different to acting.

In a workshop today we were discussing what we'd learn't etc. One of the lads described a previous workshop he'd attended in which he described breaking down barriers. I couldn't help approaching what he'd said form a counselling perspective and being wary about keeping people safe.
I decided that while I have some boundaries which are pretty much solid, there are others which i'm open to having stretched.

Sometimes I feel that some of the discussions we're having are a bit superficial. This can be a little frustrating, and I do keep having to remind myself the the vast majority of fellow students are much younger than I and so probably don't feel the same.
Anyway, that's enough rambling.
Be well. x

It's the weekend. Hurrah!
Went out last night for a bit of a mingle...had fun watching a karaoke competition, catching up with friends and enjoying the local singing talent.
And today i've got up and seem to be gripped by the theare bug. You know the one....where one is compeled to book seats for various performances. So that's just what i've been doing.
Looking forward to Edward Scissorhands and Noise Ensemble.
Tonight i'm meeting with the old work crew to debate the merits of student life over work.
Have a good weekend one and all.

Oh!

Hands up who's read the text I set for last week?
Up shot my hand like a lonely missile heading towards the ether.
( Ok that may be a bit dramatic but I am a Performing Arts student, darrling.)
I soon tucked it back into my lap when realising I was the only one.

• Madonna
• Michael Jackson
• Celine Dion
• Squeeze
• Kriss Kross (supporting MJ)
• Rozalla (supporting MJ)
• Living in a Box ( on the Roland Rat show)
• Bon Jovi (several times)
• Mel C
• Liza Minelli

  These are all the acts i've seen live.....that I can remember anyway.

  • Stomp!
  • The Lion King
  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  • The Nutcracker Suite
  • Night Fever
  • Swan Lake ( the gay love story version)
  • Various pantomimes...oh no I haven't...
  • Random bits of theatre
  • The Royal Variety Performance

  These of course, are the shows i've seen.

  • Kilroy (yes, really)
  • The Wide Awake Club (ditto)

  TV programmes i've appeared on ( the shame).

Ping and Pong

This evening was J's first time playing with the local tabletennis club.
It was like a window onto another world.
It takes places in a school sports hall which is filled to the brim with tabletennis tables and people of various ages tapping a small white ball backwards and forwards.
It seems to be a sport which attracts men of above a certain age (certainly in this town anyway).

I think one of them may have been flirting.
Oh well, J had a good time and that's what counts.

Click here to read a much more interesting blog.

Making plans to get together with H.
She says she can't on the first day I suggest as she's interviewing a well known band from the eighties who were hunting high and low....

I think her life is much more glamorous than mine. Now her blog, that'd be worth reading.

Today I got back my first piece of written work and was amazed to have been given 70%.

Don't think I need to add any more: suffice to say i'm very happy.

A Remarkable Recovery.

The very moment I stepped through the door this morning the phone started to ring.
Seeing J's school flash up across the screen indicated the call was more important than most.
The nice lady on the phone advised that J was complaining of feeling ill and having a headache. ( Yeah right )
She then passed the phone to J who did his utmost to put on a winning performance as a child too ill to be at school.

So the options were to:

a) Jump straight back in the car and and retrace the 15 mile journey to school from which i'd just returned.

b) Suggest J be given some Calpol and call back in an hour to check on his progress.


I opted for b to be told he'd not been complaining of any more ailments.

I suspect the threat of not going to gym club or trampolining this evening may also have helped the recovery process.

With it being panto season.
J and I trotted down to our local theatre to boo at the baddies and cheer for the goodies.
We did the Timewarp (again).
And sang our way to Amarillo.

It's been a while.
Actually not that long but have been too busy to blog.
Luckily Kiera Blogfan was here to keep you all entertained in my absence.

At the moment there isn't much to report aside from planning a trip to NYC later in the year and getting back into (mature) student life: which has involved a fair bit of rolling around on the floor. Naturally.

Hope everyone's fine and dandy.

Creative Genius?!

Yes I know. There's been a distinct lack of updates...some might describe this as a blessing!. Thing is, i've been writing an essay. Unfortunately this has to take priority.
At the house of a friend *I was amused by their creative use of space.

Some might say it'd make more sense to put the computer on the desk.

*permission has been granted from said friend to post pics.

So this evening C, A and I set off for a Friday night out on the tiles.
Ok, maybe not the tiles, but out nonetheless.

After visiting two pubs totally devoid of customers or atmosphere we venture onto more of a pub-come-club.

I'm trying very hard to think of how I can explain the next part of the evening without sounding like an over-the-hill hasbeen.
Suffice to say everyone seemed oh so young.

Tomorrow I may dye my grey hairs.

There's A Spotter On The Draining Board.

There's nothing nicer than seeing all the houses when it's dark with their warm, cosy lights.

I think so anyway.

It's 4.37am. Really too late to be blogging.

Some of my sparkly decorations...but these are for life ( or until they pack up!) not just for Christmas.

Big Bruva.

My.
Oh.
My.

Was anyone lucky enough to see Celebrity Big Brother this evening?
What a motley crew who'll be sharing a living space.

In the last year i've discovered such random Reality TV shows.
They're quite entertaining.
Can't really imagine what'd possess anyone to volunteer themselves for such public scrutiny and possible ridicule.
Still.
Each to their own.
Yours truely will be tuned in whenever she remembers!

Jet Lag: Oh the joys.

These past two nights J has been having trouble sleeping.
Last night it was 3.30am before he finally dozed off.
He's called twice this evening from R's to say he still can't sleep.
I've suggested thinking of Laputa* and counting very slowly to 300.






* castle in the sky, for anyone not in the know.

The Wonderful World of Google.

Just discussing with my brother (the teacher) the difference between Accounting and Sales.

Witty replies in the form of comments welcomed.

Happy Holidays.

We're back in Blighty,
It's also J's 11th birthday. Yay!

My watch is still telling US time which is 6.38am.
Off to bed.