Too Long Again

Sorry people (assuming there is anyone out there who still checks in). Even if there isn't I will carry on with the blog because it serves as a useful online diary for me and its nice from time to time to go wandering back through my past to see what I was up to. There is quite an archive here now - over 5 years.

So, its been a busy week full of late nights. Tuesday it was to the Palace Theatre with Jim to see Jekyll & Hyde with Marti Pellow in the lead role. Its a nice little musical with some nice tunes in it - nothing too challenging or avant garde. It deserves to be better known than it is. Unfortunately, Mart Pellow - like Gareth Gates in Les Miserables - does not have a stage voice. The rest of the cast were strong though and so, on the whole, I enjoyed it.

Thursday night was my union's meeting in Liverpool (listened to a guy talk for over an hour on the Hutton Report and our new pensions arrangements - he was very good and made it all interesting and not boring at all). And then it was the Union dinner which was great - saw Pauline (who I trained with and haven't seen since - so that's about 15 years. She still looks the same and I don't. Got very drunk and ended up catching a train from Lime Street at 1130 with a whole load of drunk scousers. Not an experience I care to repeat.

Friday night was am dram night in Prestwich (with Jim natch): Into The Woods, which was done surprisingly well. And I love the musical anyway so had a brilliant time. But a late night again. And then last night was King Lear with DD and friends. It starred Derek Jacobi and so I expected it to be the highlight of the week but it let me down badly. I hadn't seen Lear before so wasn't sure what to expect but I'm fairly sure they'd messed about with it a bit. It just all seemed really rushed. People walked off stage one minute and before you registered the fact they were gone they were back on as a corpse. Lear went mad in a matter of minutes (I'm fairly sure these things happen gradually), people had their eyes gouged out (this was actually done well) but the whole thing didn't give you a chance to catch your breath. Anyway, not a fan. And the people we were with had seen a production a couple of years ago with Ian McKellan and they said he was much better.

Work was the usual mix of joy and frustration. But on the plus side I have next Friday off and Karen arrives on Thursday. Hurrah. Not seen her for ages and ages so loads of catching up to do. I'm fairly sure she hasn't been leading a quiet life all this time... ! I'll post again when she's gone. That's all. J x

Tough Week

Lots of meetings. Lots of difficult conversations. Telephone conferences-a-go-go. How does anyone find the time?

Ms DD has returned from climes exotic so it was off to a local bar for a couple of VMs on Thursday. And then she called round here last night so she could catch up on all the recordings I had made for her whilst she was away (trust me, my chores don't end simply because she's in climes exotic). Incidentally, make sure you keep an eye out for time's arrow. That pesky arrow can sneak up on you when you're least expecting it...

Have been watching the Japanese earthquake footage open mouthed. Its unreal and difficult to take in. When you first see it, it takes a minute or 2 before you realise what is going on. Its like nothing I've seen before and strangely compelling. The death toll is going to be thousands and thousands I expect. My heart goes out to them.

And that's all really. Quiet day today, no idea what I have planned for work next week so watch this space... J x

Finally, my nuts are getting some attention...

Yes, dear readers, my greenfinches are back. No idea where they've been all winter - normally they're all over the nuts I put out throughout the cold season but this year, nada. Perhaps they flew South this year because it was so cold? I've only seen 2 so far but I'm sure they'll get right on with breeding and be back in numbers in no time. Still had plenty of sparrows but they seem to ignore the hanging nuts and just go for what is spilt on the ground. Anyway, I'm happy the finches have returned. I'll update you on numbers as the season progresses (apparently its officially spring now (from 01/03/11). That's all. J x

London Was Good

But it was very cold and wet. Spent far too much time (and money) in One Aldwych too.

The Norman Rockwell exhibition was fantastic. Really enjoyed it and Dulwich Picture Gallery is a treat (even if it is a bit of a walk from the station). Was less impressed by the Watercolour exhibition at the Tate but it was still OK.

Les Miserables was very good as ever. We all got a bit teary during Fantine's big number as we thought of Sally. Marius was a little disappointing (played by Gareth Gates no less who really doesn't have a voice for the stage). Really disappointed by Black Swan. Nice idea and could have been a really good and informative film looking at the pressures on dancers at the top of the profession. But no, it was turned into a bit of a schlock horror with some lesbian soft porn thrown in. I did like Portman's outfit (assuming it wasn't Dior) and make-up as the black swan though.

Hotel wasn't too bad (Strand Palace) and it is dead convenient. Only bought an umbrella. But its a nice umbrella. Green. First class travel was good as ever.

Back in work now and loads to do as usual but that's what they pay me for. Harvey Nics for a martini or 5 last night with the lovely Lesley but nothing else planned for the weekend. Washing and cleaning it is then...

Physiotherapist on Monday and dentist on Tuesday. DD arrives back Monday too. And so it goes on... That's all. J x