We would like to announce a recall...

...of any and all whining that the Reynolds Corporation may have released to the general public in relation to their current work.

Last day today before my week anna day off. In last job? Stress ninja would not have covered the prevailing mood, but here and now...well, I've got a couple of things I want to tick off, but really, nothing that can't wait until I get back. Swings and roundabouts, my friends. Swings and round-abouts.

...

...

Love these little guys. The man's a genius.

...

Dating/Waiting

The breathless want.
The intestinal need.
Casual expectation leads to
emotional greed.

Striving for balance;
keen, but not too.
And that's just internal.
Inside.
Just you.

Second guessing's hurtful.
Theorising the same.
Another person's thoughts
and actions
aren't tame.

Patience
can be perilous.
Rush in - the same.
Too keen / not keen.
Both can lead to -

Disappointment.

...

...

Yes, the poetry is pure self-indulgence. What the Hell else is a blog for, I ask you?

And aren't the flowers pretty?

...

I am being such the culture vulture. Going to a photography workshop at the Festival Theatre with Liz on Saturn's day, out to see The Play What I Wrote at the King's on Sat night with Jenni, then Monks at the Lyceum on Tuesday with Liz and Justin. Gods bless bargains much cheapness.

Oh - and then the Usher Hall for a Youth Orchestra concert on Wed.

...

Heads up on next week. I am still without home internet so I may not be blogging. I'm sure I'll get online once or twice, so you can expect one or two random ramblings, but don't be surprised if I'm not so very about. :)

...

Stick in,

C

Demob Happy

Only one day of work left and then I am on hooooliday! Hurrah!

That said, it's been a very pleasant day at work. Finished the first draft of a publication on how to research and plan your career (I know - look who's talking!) and had a couple of really satisfying enquiries. It's absolutely dead just now which, on the one hand, is deathly dull for my likes-running-round-with-his-head-on-fire self, but on the other lets me really take time to get into those individual enquiries I do get.

One (extremely well organised) first year who is dithering about changing courses and wants to make sure her choice will result in open career paths at the end. (Wish I'd thought of that.) And one postgrad student who isn't sure whether he's going for a PhD or into the workplace.

...
Books, books, books!

Well, if it chucks it down with rain all next week (please no!) then I am, at least, prepared. I went crazy with a Waterstone's three for two and got myself some fat books. One about a Roman courtesan who flees to Venice after the sacking of Rome, one about Helen of Troy and one by the author of 'The Ring' (yon scary-lady who climbs out the telly) about a virtual model of evolution which causes a cancer epidemic in real life. Or something.

...

...

Whoops - forgot I hadn't finished / published this. So it's late and short. :(

...

Stick in,

C

Time waits for no man

And time is running on. Got a meeting with the High Heid Yin at 2pm, to be taught all about CVs. Should be good, but I've already had lunch hour so I've got all of three minutes to witter on at you.

...

It is payday! Woop! Yay! General merriment!

But, I'm joining the gym and would quite like to get some broadband going on at the pad, so I must be sensible about cash. I am going to go buy some books, though. And bugger being good and charity shopping. I want some specifics. Patrick introduced me to Patricia Duncker with Hallucinating Foucault. It was proper good, read it in a twoday so I'm going to get a couple more of hers.

And maybe some Foucault. But I figure charity shop / second hand dealer for Foucault. Don't see any point in buying classics / canonical work brand new.

...

...

Got a brilliant Artsworkers bulletin yesterday, so much the-atre planned. Going to see 'The Play What I Wrote' on Saturn's Day at the King's and 'Monks' at the Lyceum on Tuesday. Both at bargains much cheapness price of £5.

...

...

Had I mentioned that I'm on holiday next week? An at home holiday but wooooohooooo - a whole weekandaday off work. Get. Right. In.

Plan to devote some of that time to learning my lines for play. Rehearsal tonight for the first time in weeks and weeks, so looking forward to that.

...

Stick in,

C

Is good

The PS3 rocks, by the way.



Went round to see Steve-O and Mikey last night as Steve-O just purchased one of Sony's zippity new toys. He's a clever boy and can actually save money in advance of things being released. You wouldn't think it to know him. Plus he got a telly like you wouldn't believe for Christmas, so we were fully immersed in some quality shooting-everything-that-moves for a few hours.



It was quite a well-balanced evening all told, as I took advantage of the clocks having moved forward at the weekend by walking up to Peffermill Road, round Holyrood Park and through Duddingston, instead of getting the No. 30 bus. So very pleasant to have a bit of evening in the sunlight! I took the camera with me and made a couple of snaps, but mostly just checked the place out. It's a route I'll be walking a fair bit during the summer, so it was nice to scout out a bit. "Nice view there," - "Oh, look - you can get a lovely shot of those buildings through that tree."



Spotted a collection of trees that a whole murder (best collective noun ever) of crows were roosting in, too.



...



Muse

Beauty,
which inspires thought.
Aesthetics, yes, but
a mirror...
a pool..
a wall.
These are necessary qualities.



...

...

Stick in,

C

Early Doors

I'm on reception today, hence skiving off and early blogging. Extra tricky to get on with any decent piece of work with the interruptions. I don't say 'constant' interruptions as it's verrrrrry quiet. Too feckin' quiet, really. I had a much different impression of this place at the interview day and from the interview. "How do you deal with extreme busy-ness?" and such-like.

There is no extreme busy-ness. None. Nor has there been. I think their idea of busy and my idea of busy are somewhat at odds. I know some would think I'm crazy to complain about being able to coast along, but I find myself very de-motivated by such quietude. One wonders if what I'm doing is really all that worthwhile.

I did bitch about all the pressure in my last post, but at least I was always certain I was achieving something with my day.

...

On the flip side (I like balance - I'm a Libra) the fact that my current job isn't as demanding as the old one, whilst still having a reasonable(ish) level of stimulation, does leave me with a bit more 'oomph' when I get home at night and at weekends.

Sidebar: Apple Sours are EVIL! We know this because I dodged out of that particular round on Friday night and on Saturday I felt absolutely fine, having consumed my usual amount of pre-bar wine and at-bar Jack Daniels. See - control your variables for a strong conclusion.

So, with the additional 'oomph' and the missing 'urgh', things got done at the weekend.

Took photos (can't show you - see previous whines re: internet connection), went to the National Gallery. Nasmyth exhibit is worth a look. Lots of very impressive pencil drawings and a bit of history attached. Got some modelling done, too.

Oh - and played Civ 4. What? That is an achievement. I took over the feckin' world, for gods' sakes.

...

Small Jen has her very own blog.

...

God, that's good. Pardon the pun.

...

Have a look at dumpr.net - it has shiny photo toys. Like making circles:

...

Stick in,

C

White rabbit

I am late! Which means I'm skiving. Didn't get a chance to witter at lunchtime, so I am sneakily doing so now.

...

Demonstrating my awesome talents with photoshop this afternoon. Which basically means dialling up the brightness on the staff portraits I took. Everyone looked a little bit washed out, so I monkeyed with the saturation a bit. Looked great onscreen, but I just did a test print and it looks like everyone has been tango'd. *laughter*


Fix, fix, fix.

...

...

Bollocks. Portraiture rather more complicated than one would expect. Maybe it's the printer. Everyone very red. Looks fine onscreen, but. I say again - bollocks!

...

...

Damn, it's getting real late in the day. That's your lot.

...

Stick in,

C

P.S. Isn't she BEAUTIFUL?

Connected

It strikes me that, in a very real sense, we can have no control over our lives. 'Best laid plans' and all that.

What with all the different things I've been / am doing at the moment I'm really into the multi-disciplinary approach. I don't know if you can call the term a buzz-word, but it definitely has a buzz about it at the moment, in a great many different sectors.

Academia is, to an extent, embracing the concept; most especially in postgraduate and research studies / posts - and very much in anything that's applied. It's being acknowledged that, in order to get anything real done, you have to approach it from many different angles.

In medicine, too. The NHS now works on a Biopsychosocial model - prevention and education as much as cure. i.e. Attending to the whole person rather than looking at them as a specific 'case' or 'complaint'. Health Centres are actually becoming 'centres' these days, too, with various different practitioners rather than just a GP and a nurse with maybe a psychiatric nurse who's in once a week, on Thursdays.

In recruitment, employers are moving away from the stress-interview technique of recruitment and introducing assessment centres and pre-interview tests to create a picture of the person as a whole, rather than judging on a half-hour chat.

So, we have a lot of acceptance of the fact that no one thing can entirely define itself or be controlled, predicted or predicated in one way. Link that in with life in general and, seriously - can one reasonably expect anything to go to plan?

I'm very much an internal as far as locus of control goes, so I'm not being fatalistic here - I don't think there's nothing that we can do. Quite the contrary, I think we should all embrace change and growth (bit wanky, but true) however, there are so many factors - environmental and human, that affect us.

To sum it up - "Works? Meet Spanner. Spanner? Meet Works."

...

But there again...

...

Less than a week until I join the gym. I'm quite looking forward to it. I haven't been in for a wee tour yet, but Alexis tells me it's a good one and, as I've said, the Extreme Convenience is the biggest pull for me. So long as they have cross-trainers and some weight machines, I'll be happy.

...

This weekend's thing to do: make blackboards.

I feel the need for some kind of mind-mapping space (going back to the multi-disciplinary and things feeding into each other) where I can stick up pictures and posters, inspiring words and draw arrows and such in between.

Step 1: Go to the B&Q and buy canvases
Step 2: Buy blackboard paint too
Step 3: Bring the two together as one
Step 4: Hang on wall
Step 5: Swear
Step 6: Go back out and buy chalk

...

Stick in,

C

Incomiiiing

The week has landed. Not bad going, actually, considering it's only Wednesday and everything I wanted to pin down has been. I even have some free time at the weekend, but the RSA and the National Gallery both have free exhibits on at the moment, so I'll probably fill some of that with those. (Free being the key point as I am so very nearly broke! Pay day next Wednesday.)
...

The trouble with Wikipedia.

...

Finished the photographs at work today. Colleague Steve was kind enough to push the button a few times on my ugly mug. There was a lot of reflection on my glasses from the windows behind camera - hence the lack of specs.

And I slept in this morning. Hence the lack of a proper shave. :)

God, look at the luggage under those eyes! *scrabbles for retinox-g (or some such pish)*

...

I used to have a SuperSoaker. And look how useful they are!

...

I just found Wikipedia Commons. It is cool.

...

I have resolved to go to next year's UK Web Comics Thing. Mostly because John Allison will most likely be there. LOVE that guy. Plus, I love that they call it a 'thing'.

This year's just happened and had a brilliant bill of exhibitors (the Bunny was there). I would have loved to have gone but didn't get my sh*t together in time. Next year - for definite.

...

Stick in,

C

Ummmmm

Yes. Feeling a bit 'ummm' today.

Waiting for a few things to land, so another few things are circling my head waiting for decisions on when they're getting done. Work and play. Next rehearsal has been scheduled, though. I'm not in until 28th March, but El Director is working with Andy this week on his monologues, so progress is being made.

...

Bloody weather. I've segued back into the winter coat because it's bloody perishing. On top of that, I've had grand plans to go and take some snaps of McEwan Hall at lunchtime and now, half an hour before photo time, the sky is clouding over. Been bright sunshine and blue skies all the way until now!

I'm so bored of taking photos against a grey sky.

Yes, I know - I live in Edinburgh, get over it.

...

Started doing the staff portraits today, which is going reasonably well. Point and click, really, but I need to work on my 'relax the subject' banter. I did manage a couple of sneaky moments. Set up the time delay and told them, "just relax - it's checking the light levels" so that they weren't stuck in that fixed grimace the whole time. The list has been added to, as well, so I've got about seven victims - I mean subjects - to sort out tomorrow.

...

How to make a (working) camera out of paper.

...

It's all about the PR.

...

Stick in,

C

Things Done

I don't think I'm normal.

Yes, all right, pause for mass hilarity or ohsowitty comments on the order of, "Yes? And?"

It being a Monday, there is the usual office 'how was the weekend?' round of questioning at break time and it struck me that, once again, I was one of the few who could actually say, "this, that and the next thing," rather than, "Oh, nothing much..."

This pleases me. Hamish is doing a lot of 'what I'm grateful for at the moment.' That's one of mine - that I get off my arse and do things these days, instead of talking about them. Part of that, of course, is finally having a salary that could be called 'decent' so that I can make plans and be confident I'll have the entrance fee. All props to Dada and yon artsworkers ebulletin for providing cheap (sometimes even free!) access to culture. I was a bit concerned when Dada started charging, but you can still sign up as pay-per-event. Some of those are still gratis and hey - a £10 ticket to the ballet is still uber-cheap.

For those of you in the UK and not paying attention - that's a recommendation. Go sign up - it's worth it.

...

The sheer f*cking genius of it! On the Ishida!

Boy got game!
...

Did you click those last links? Did you?

I don't put them in for the good of my health, you know. At least click the first one. Go on - you know you want to!

...

Modelling goes on apace. I'm doing upscale and downscale - i.e. making the same model a few different times in a few different sizes. And making layers in different ways to figure out what the best way to make pattern is.

• You can cut shapes and layer them on, but they can end up looking lumpy.
• Or you can take little bits of plasticine and smear, but only if you're happy with rough shapes. Which I am for some things - belly fur being a different colour than back fur, f'r instance.
• Next mode to try is sectional. Making the model in two different colours, then cutting them up and putting them together. I think this one best for heads. Think of badgers - you get my idea.

And I've decided that one of the best things about modelling is squishing the f*ckers once I'm done. Some of them get saved - the ones which look sorrowful enough. I would very soon end up with a flat entirely populated by plasticine models if I kept them all, though.

SQUISH! Mwuhahahahahahaha!

...

The Pixar exhibit was shiny. Trundled along on Sunday afternoon with Steve, after getting caffeined up at Black Medicine.

The exhibit is well organised and presented with clear sections set up rather than a path so you could skip about or walk round in a big circle. A couple of things were made specifically for the exhibit, too, so definitely worth a look. On until 28th May.

I was most interested by the models (strangely) - I even very naughtily snapped some pics with my phone (even though we were expressly told not to - bad Chris!). There was a very cool picture of Edna Mode's house, too, made up of different papers all slotted one over the other. Made me start thinking of backgrounds and the like.

...

Speaking of pics I am still bereft of internet, so none today either. Which is a shame as we played Twister at LizFlat on Friday and I have some quite compromising snaps. :-)

I'm not joining the internet this month - it'll have to wait until next - as I am joining the gym this month. Decided on the one behind the flat as it is most convenient and you can pay monthly. Pleasance (Uni) gym is cheaper, but you have to conjure the £114 all at once. A significant chunk out of the disposable.

Please God I am right and the convenience of it all means I'll actually go. There is historical precedent for that, though!

...

OK, I must be boring you by now, (on Reception = skiving) so rest of weekend was good. Picked up a manual for Photoshop 5.0 (the one I've got - thank you, Sue) for £2, along with lots of pretty postcards. That was at Stills sale, which I went to with Liz on Saturday. Picked up their schedule of classes, too. I've played enough with camera to want some proper instruction. Plus, if you take their course, then you get to use their lab for free for aaaaaages.

...

Stick in,

C

It is the Friday!

The Friday - with its amazing powers of weekend bringing! Hurrah!

...

Lunch with old colleagues from Management School was pleasant. Tasty goodness of Philly Cheese Steak ciabatta. Aaaand, more to the point, there is still funding available for the part-time MBA. Process has changed, but Jean is going to find out what the story is for me. Can't say as I'm hideously keen on the Finance and Accounting core modules, but the operations management, consulting, e-commerce and so on? Yes.

...

On the topic of the upcoming play, Small Jen (you know what I'm saying) has assured me that:


"...all your nerves will probably dissipate as the small Jen will, no doubt, kick the motherb*tch into shape. Fear not. Cometh the hour, cometh the woman."


And there are many moons between now and the performance. Sure all will be well. And if it does seem like sucking, then no-one is allowed to come. :)

...

Can I note for any one forgetful that it is Mother's Day here in the UK on Sunday. Last posting chance for brownie points would be today. NOW, bitches!


...

The Bunny wondered what on earth had happened...

...

I can't find my modelling tools! Grrrrr. How is a person supposed to gouge eye-holes?

OK, I don't really gouge, I impress, but gouge sounds so much better.

...

Stick in,

C

Karmic Balance Sheet

Wouldn't they be a nice idea?

I mentioned to Steve that my faith in humanity had a bit of a push the other day. I forgot to update my address with LoveFilm and a DVD went to my old flat. I was rather expecting it to be treated as a toy surprise, but the lovely new tenants posted it back for me. Now, wasn't that nice of them? I wished them pleasant karma and Steve asked if that would be a small, medium or large portion? This got me thinking and I thought how good it would be if you actually got to see a chart - or even a spreadsheet - of your karma. Something like what's used to track flexi-time. That way, instead of saving hours for a day off, you could save up positive thoughts and deeds in order to perpetrate EVIL!!! Or stupidity. That's usually when I get a karmic slap upside the head, rather than being nasty in any way.

...

Pleasant evening last night. Patrick introduced me to Jeffrey. Funny film and useful for the old accent for upcoming play. Also - Patrick Stewart as you have never seen him before.

Upcoming play is a small concern at the moment. Other fella Andy who's playing opposite me (although given the relative size of our parts (yes, very funny) one would really say I'm playing opposite him) is missing another rehearsal. Given the TinySmall amount of rehearsal time we have, I'm a bit worried. Don't want my first board treading, what I have told people about and who tell me they're coming to see, to be a criminally underrehearsed botch-job.

I mean, obviously, it won't be a problem for me. I'm gifted. I worry about him, though. *laughter*

...

I'm tempted by the new Lyceum production, Monks.

Three Glaswegians arrive on an Italian mountain, seeking out a Monk with healing powers so that one of them can be freed from a terrible past. The Monk has a self-imposed ball and chain and is rebuilding a chapel. But why?

Which sounds funny and insightful at the same time. I've got an offer from DADA for this Friday's production - tenner a ticket - but wonder if hanging on a bit and seeing if I get a better offer from Artsworkers bulletin is a good idea. They generally have fiver deals for most of Lyceum's productions. Plus, I want to go to Stills, who are having a big sale, on Saturday. And the Pixar exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland on Sunday. So waiting for later in the run for Monks is probably a good idea.

...

Having lunch with the ladies I used to work with at the Management School today. Which is cool in and of itself, but I'm also going to pick their brains on whether or not there is still funding avaialble for Uni of Edin staff to do the part-time MBA. For free. Which I'm considering.

...

Photos should be up and running again next week. I'm going to drop by Black Medicine prior to the Pixar exhibit on Sunday and upload a shitload to Flickr and Photobucket. Happily Blogger will insert photos from a URL address.

...

Stick in,

C

Blog Block

Oh, dear. Nothing's striking me as interesting.

I'm sure there was something earlier, but I can't think of it now.

Something to do with assumptions.

Well, there you go. I assumed I'd remember. Point made, I feel.
...

Slightly annoyed I didn't think of this comic when I was saying how great Hot Fuzz was. Funny at any time, obviously, but I do so like them topical.

...

The journal is back in use. For a while, this malarkey replaced it, but I've realised I'm missing things off and out because they're not complete thoughts. Or because they're more private - not necessarily something I want to share with the world. And, yes, I know - one wonders what I consider complete and private considering the nonsense I babble and the stuff I am willing to put up for all to see. I've told you before, though - nothing I wouldn't want my boss or my mother to see.

It's a good place to plan, as well. I couldn't possibly do my job-job without to do lists so why I think I can create in my spare time without any kind of forward planning, I don't know.

I'm liking the journal. It's a chance to babble purely to myself. No-one EVER gets to see. Plus, since my brother and sister-in-law bought me such a pretty one, it's a very tactile and physical experience. Unwrapping the laces, smoothing out the butter-like paper. And I bought myself a really good pen. Which no doubt I'll lose in a week, but it's making a difference too. For the moment.

...

Once again, put the word 'hooker' in something and it's automatically funny.

If you actually call someone a hooker it's automatically hilarious.

...

Still no photos. Need to buy memory stick to bring photos into work and upload from there. Or, you know, start paying for my internet. As has been suggested. :P

...

Stick in,

C

Linksys - noooooooooo!

It's definitely gone. The home internet. Linksys is password protected and the new 'zoom' malarkey I've found is pathetic. It's like the Clark Kent after Superman gave up his powers so he could marry Lois Lane of internet connections.

Poop.

...

Linksys - Noooooooooo!

Godsbedamned whoever they are that were silly enough to leave their wireless network unsecured have only gone and secured it! Thankfully, A N Other network (name of Zoom! - which I thought was cool. Better than the other ten BTHomeHub1234 anyway) has opened up but it is slooooooow. Either that or my laptop is having one of its cranky days. Either way, uploading photos is taking freaking forever.

...

I was at a training day on the audio visual sector in Scotland on Friday (hence the lack of blog). It was excellent, both for my work-work (you know, my regular job-job type job) and for my home-work (where I try to convince myself I'll one day make an artistic and / or commercial dent).

Some of the speakers were really quite intimidatingly accomplished. The director of BAFTA Scotland and the Business Development Manager for the company who does all the Harry Potter effects to name just a couple. Some short talks in the morning - one of which on Labour Market Information (and I bloody will remember that acronym) was hugely interesting and provided some excellent sources of information - we did 'speed networking'. Which sounded like Hell, but wasn't.

The Impressive People, who were uniformly enthusiastic and communicative, came round our break out groups in twos to answer questions. So it wasn't what I envisaged, "Hi, I'm Chris, I'm an information officer with the University of Edinburgh. I'd like to get blahdeblah out of the day."

Somewhat unsurprisingly, the answer to every question was 'networking, networking, networking'. Bow, scrape, and then bow again. Be ever so grateful for every opportunity to make tea. With the industry being so competitive, the recruiting policies will never change, but I do wonder about all the genius creative people who never get a chance because they can't shove their faces in other people's at every opportunity. All praise to those who can - it's a skill - but, like I say, shame it's the only route in.

...

The weekend was Evie's blessing, which was lovely. Reference the aforementioned shitty 'net connection for photos, but I'll get some up soon. She remains adorable.

The hotel that Tom and Paula put me up in was very shiny. Just refurbished and newly designed with a shockingly comfortable bed and a shower that was like being pleasantly hit by hot nails. I even had a wee balcony (overlooking the allotments).

Wine was good, too. :)

...

It might be termed offensive, but it's still funny.

...

Bless him. One can never know.

...

I'm a bit thrawn on which gym to join. On the one hand, there's the Pleasance, which has a pool and is five minutes walk down the road. And is cheap. £118 a year.

On the other, there's the Crags Sportscentre, which is at the back of my flat, doesn't have a pool and is likewise cheap at £18 a month.

I know I'm far more likely to go to the gym if it's convenient. Weirdly - I went to the gym four times a week, easy job, when it was over the road. Then I moved ten minutes walk up the road and never went again. Plus, you've got the spreading of cost argument. It's £118 a year for Pleasance, but you have to pay that all at once. Also, it's full of hyper-fit twenty year old sports team member students. Quite happy to look at them in their shorts, you understand, but running along on a treadmill right next to them...

...

Stick in,

C

Back to work

Just in time for my day on the info desk. Which is DEAD yet again. I've not had a single enquiry all morning. :(

But, I have charged ahead with writing a 'Where do I start?' publication on Events Management. It'll take weeks and weeks (once I've finished the initial draft) to go up-the-chain and down-the-chain and be redrafted and rejigged and then up-the-chain and down-the-chain again, so the quicker I get the initial done the better. Then - forget about it until it reappears. Best way to work with the lengthy decision making process, I find.

Still feeling a bit fuzzy in the head, but I'm going to visit Gran tonight and then get fed at Mum and Dad's. Sure a nice meal will rid last of bug from my system. Plus, Miss Patsy the Cat had to go board at Mum and Dad's last night as I have flat inspection today and I'm not allowed pets. Bringing her back this evening so I'll get a lift in. No waiting at WindyCold train station.

...

...

As predicted, I made it along to the ballet last night and Thank F*ck I did! It was amazing!

I was excited about the fencing / dancing medley which, to be honest, could have been a little less stylized and a little more brawl, but it was still excellent. And funny! I went to see the Northern Ballet Theatre years ago (many, actually - it was for my 19th birthday) when they were very recently founded. The production was Dracula and it was jaw dropping in places, but you got the feeling that they hadn't quite got BalletTheatre yet. It was still Ballet. Theatre. As in 'now we dance' - 'now we act'. The Three Musketeers last night was far superior and they've clearly got a handle on melding the two mediums.

They have humour, drama; they communicate the story and the dancing is jaw-droppingly good. I was excited by the story as it's one of my favourites and I anticipated a lot of pas-de-deux on the back of it. I was not disappointed. There were quite a few, most notably between Queen Anne and the Duke of Buckingham and between D'Artagnan and Constance, the Queen's dressmaker.

The dance between Anne and Buckingham was astonishing - she literally looked like she was flying and he seemed to be putting forth no effort whatsoever in supporting her. They were so well synchronised it seemed like one, continuous movement.

D'Artagnan and Constance's first was their best, I think - all leading up to their first kiss which was possibly the most romantic I've seen in quite some time. My Mum certainly thought so - she was little bit teary-eyed after it.

...

...

I made a few heads last night. They have been squished, as they were just practices but I'm finding myself paying a great deal of attention to people's faces today. Going to go check out Greyfriar's Arts at lunchtime - see if they've got some cheap modelling tools. Found some on the internet for a fiver, but if I can get for same price today...

...

Stick in,

C

Upgrade Status

From man-'flu to to lurgy, I think. Honestly, I get karma like bitch-slapped whiplash. "I never get ill, me. Couldn't tell you the last time I was ill." Less than a week later - on my back. And not in any pleasant way, either.

Still, feeling better now. Better enough to make it to the ballet tonight, which to be honest, was my only real concern. Although I still maintain vague guilt at being off sick there's nothing with any urgency going on at work just now. In fact, it's feckin' quiet. Which does nothing for me. I like running around with my head on fire and there's nothing incendiary at all about the careers service. Well. I was complaining about all the pressure in the last job.

Wonder if I'll ever be content?

Well, Hell, who wants to be content? Content is boring.

...

...


Some good news on the work front, though. I'm definitely taking some photos for the staff board. OK, not the most exciting of things, but it's photos for practical use. Enthusiasm might be a bit of a dirty word at work, but there's something to be said for it.

...

...

Definitely a new interest sparked in the modelling. I've got some wire ordered to make armatures with. You can buy fancypants ones - either ready made or in bits, but I think that's the next step.

Plus - I need to buy a blowtorch! What? It's to melt clay onto the joints of puppet. I need it. Plus, I can double that expense up with wanting a blowtorch to make creme brulee with. I mean, I'm not buying a drill. I can borrow one of those. (for twisting the wire - duh!)

...

...

Can someone please explain to me why Blogger puts a triple carriage return in for every one I have as soon as I start uploading photos? Fecking irritating, is that.

...

Stick in,

C

Man 'Flu

I've pulled a lot of sickies in my working lifetime. Never really been one to actually be ill, but there have been a lot of duvet days. Hence (and now that I have a job that I like and am happy to go to) I now feel incredibly guilty about taking a day off sick. Even though my nose is producing what one could practically call ectoplasm at a frightening rate. And my joints are aching. And I feel hot and cold by turn. Still, I could have forced myself into work today.

There again, nothing I'm doing is so incredibly urgent that I need make myself so wholly miserable. The next point of contention is whether it's OK to go for a walk when off work and not well. But I'm so booooooooored. And can't read, nor be on here for very long. Hurts my eyes and threatens headache.

...

...

It is small niece's blessing this weekend. Kind of like christening, but not really. I think. I must conjured a gift for this and I'm not sure what to get at all. I know the tradition is some kind of silver malarkey, but really - what one year old is interested in such things? And if we're thinking 'investment for future' then I'd rather get her a savings bond than some wee box with Winnie the Pooh on it.

...

Told you some of the Crags ones turned out well.

...

Stick in,

C

Lost Time

I have more than made up for it. I had been dissatisfied with my level of photograph taking but a Friday night of *not* going out and getting lashed, and then falling into bed at some godforsaken hour, resulted in a fun-packed and productive weekend.



...

Which isn't to say that Friday was not fun. Liz and I had one of those merry happenstance moments. Vicky Wine had no cold coke so we went to Tesco and spotted some cheap plasticine for sale (quite random for Tesco Metro). Recalling the very large amounts of fun we all had modelling with pipe cleaners at a previous social we bought a packet each and trotted them along to Anita's pancake do. (Scrummy pancakes).

Ring of Fire!



What? It is clearly Jodie Foster jumping through a ring of fire on a jetski.



I got so excited about the plasticine that I bought three more packets on the way home. Alexis thought I was a bit mental when I announced she should bring her camera along to my place as we'd be playing with plasticine. Given the amount of shrieked giggles she produced once we got started, though, I think it was a hit idea.

...


Big walks on Saturday. The aforementioned lack of pished on Friday night meant I was up and about early - mostly 'up' as I was on top of Salisbury Crags taking photos by about 9.30. Most of them were a bit crap. I must have taken about a hundred and I like ten. But let's hear it for digital cameras - no waste in taking lots and lots and only being happy with a few. It was mostly the zoomed in shots of various buildings that I wasn't happy with. I think it's the lack or colour variegation in certain parts of the Old Town, even with the sun being so shiny at the time.

That said, the disappointment of the majority of the Crags shots was a further spur to get out the door and down into town to take some I'd had planned for a while. Following the theme of the day, the ones that I had planned were a bit non, but others that I took on the spur of 'oh - that'll look good' turned out very well. And I picked up a wee tabletop tripod for use with the 'studio' at home. You know - those few bits of white card.

Berwick Law as seen from the Crags

...

Went down to Mum and Dad's for Sunday lunch, which was pleasant. Pot roasted beef and then caught Logan's Run on some channel or other. Absolute classic, that one.

Sunday night was spent flicking around Stop Animation sites and then taking some photos of pretty flowers. Sue sneaked her birthday in without telling me, so they were a bit last minute present.

...

Finally draggin my ass along to the X-Ray place today to have hips (internally) photographed. I had trouble with pains in my hip and down the back of one leg. I personally think it's sciatica, but hope it's not. Doc has sent me for X-rays to see if I'm misaligned in any way. Yes, all jokes with regard to me being 'a bit bent' on a postcard to the usual address.

...

Stick in,

C

Penguins Aren't Easy

Is Friday. Woop I'll say it again - the time goes super fast these days. My busy modern lifestyle don'tcherknow!

...

These are from a wee whiley ago. And you may even have seen them before, but I'm fed up blogging with out pretty pic-choors.

Speaking of photos, I think I mentioned work want me to take some of the new staff members so that we can update the staff photos board in the foyer. Meeting for that on Monday, so at some point over the weekend, I'm going to have to snap some pictures of people. Just to give me an idea of whether I can do it or not. I've not done a lot (any) of portraiture and they're keen to have them synchronised with the size / style of the last lot.

Of course, they're saving the price of a photographer by having me do them, so...

...

Last night's rehearsal was a bit of a non-starter. Andy, my co-actor (star? Nah - too much) was ill and, it being a two-handed, there wasn't a great deal of rehearsal Jenni and I could do. Ran through my monologue a couple of times which was useful as I managed a somewhat mellower American accent - less CAW on the coffee.

Pleasantly, though, the less time at rehearsal meant small Jen came back to mine for a small libation afterwards and she helped me put the base on my sofa which is now, as I knew from trying out the display model, exactly the right height for my legs. It was comfy before but now it is.....

UBER-COMFY!

Last thing is to hang mirror - which I think I need two pals for. It's not heavy, but it's not the most manoeuvrable (dictionary.com says that's right. I think there should be an 'e' in between the 'v' and the 'r'.).

...

The weekend. What's on at the weekend?

Pancakes tonight at Anita's - yum = E! No current plans for Saturday besides taking some photographs. Sunday going to visit my mother, not having seen her for her birthday yet. Oh - which means I better go buy her gift on Saturday.

...

Stick in,

C

Lovely, lovely

Lovely time at the cinema last night, lovely sunbeam on the back of my neck (althought it's 'kin freezing outside), lovely feedback on a bit of work I put in. It's all lovely. :)

Yes, actually, I am ridiculously cheerful today.

...

OK, now let's start some shit.

You may remember that Small Jen has claimed bragging rights as the last-one standing at the flatwarming. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a new contendor.

Patrick would like to have it noted for the log that the Small Jen arrived but one hour before people started drifting off, she having been at some terribly grown-up dinner party just before. As a point of technicality, this means that Small Jen, although the last one to leave, cannot claim to have fully attended the party. As such, Patrick feels that the last-one standing honour should by rights go to him.

*stands well back*
*looks hopeful*

...

You may have noticed the dearth of photographs recently. This displeases me, but I've really not had a chance to take any. I do have some pretty flowers in the flat, so might set up the studio and do some close-ups. And by 'set up the studio' I do mean 'put a couple of bits of card on the floor'. Ooh - but now I have a pointy light, thanks to Liz and Patrick's trip to Ikea. Shiny.

...

Second rehearsal tonight. I'm really looking forward to it - very into the part I'm playing (Ed). I think I may have grown as a person, you know, because it's not the big flashy part at all. It's the quiet one, more as a foil for Arnold (the other part) to bounce against. But I'm happy with that. Very happy, in fact. I'm looking forward to the challenge of it. Quiet pathos, if you like.

...

Stick in,

C