tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25978887070759844762024-02-19T11:16:14.834+00:00A Little Short to be a Storm TrooperProfessional Lady Nerd. Music Lover. Gin Drinker. Former Edinburgh Fringer. Delusions of being a writer. Hopeful actor and singer trying to find her way in New York City. Training at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-41611287523161817162013-09-19T17:55:00.000+01:002013-09-19T18:10:51.631+01:00Remember why you came here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h4fvlqBeRZESt0hmE8Bm_Ho2wxEeHn6uorvP4SVHRu-W1kuOywOTwJzINSYyw-Pj_HxdsDVmO1itfhlhNM5gKK8NTdu9ZeQJR2SdNUe5PyFBu16rZkfhijWnBgbZT3vhO7MnndA0zYo/s1600/New-York-City-An-Inspirational-City-1-590x314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0h4fvlqBeRZESt0hmE8Bm_Ho2wxEeHn6uorvP4SVHRu-W1kuOywOTwJzINSYyw-Pj_HxdsDVmO1itfhlhNM5gKK8NTdu9ZeQJR2SdNUe5PyFBu16rZkfhijWnBgbZT3vhO7MnndA0zYo/s320/New-York-City-An-Inspirational-City-1-590x314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>I remember walking across Sixty-second Street one twilight that first
spring, or the second spring, they were all alike for a while. I was
late to meet someone but I stopped at Lexington Avenue and bought a
peach and stood on the corner eating it and knew that I had come out out
of the West and reached the mirage. I could taste the peach and feel
the soft air blowing from a subway grating on my legs and I could smell
lilac and garbage and expensive perfume and I knew that it would cost
something sooner or later — because I did not belong there, did not come
from there — but when you are twenty-two or twenty-three, you figure
that later you will have a high emotional balance, and be able to pay
whatever it costs. I still believed in possibilities then, still had the
sense, so peculiar to New York, that something extraordinary would
happen any minute, any day, any month. </i><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Joan Didion</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I am over quoting here, tossing around the words of other people until I find my own, like trying to find your favourite dress in the hamper, but I think it was Tom Wolfe that said "one belongs to New York instantly". I've only been here about a month - in fact, I touched down at JFK exactly one month ago this Saturday - and I think I understand what he means.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who find themselves drawn to it, this city creates an irrational dichotomy of feeling. You always feel a minimum of two things at once, always. When you feel like you know exactly where you are, you also feel utterly lost. Often literally. Quick tip, when travelling on the NYC subway, if you aren't 100% sure where you are do NOT surface. Only emerge onto the streets with absolute certainty you'll do so on the exact coordinates you need, otherwise the city will swallow you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moments of peace you feel are created in a bubble of unimaginable chaos. When you are feeling brave, New York will find a way to remind you to be cautious. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you find yourself creatively stalled, the city will jump start you suddenly with alarming veracity and you'll know exactly what to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're never alone but a the same time desperately isolated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's those in need of possibility, change and inspiration that gravitate here. And if you fight for it, New York will provide. But you've got to have stamina to fight for it or you'll get washed downstream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New York whispers to you if you have the capacity to really listen. There's an electricity in the air that you can tap into. You feel it when you arrive; an invisible conductor installs itself in your spine that allows the city's energy to flow through you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This constant conflict of feeling and charge isn't for everyone and there isn't a grey area with New York. You either love it or hate it; some people are not equipped for being yelled at to sink or swim, and that's what happens here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I went to see Frances Ha the other night at the IFC in the Village. A brilliant wee film that felt to me, what would happen if Woody Allen and Lena Dunham were to have a movie baby. Written and starring the pretty much brilliant Greta Gerwig and directed by Noah Baumbach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not going to go on about it because you should just go see it, it's great. I'm bringing it up because it was one of the moments of opposites for me. The city feels like it has welcomed me but I was lonely, desperately so, and the city was looking down on me from a great height. Not just because there are a lot of tall buildings. So I took myself to the movies. The movie reminded me why I came here - not just because Frances gets chewed up, spat back out again and rebuilds herself, but because sometimes there are just moments. Little pockets of beauty to be found when you are at your saddest. Remember why you came here. Remember to look for the moments that make life what it should be. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I came here to realise a dream. To find and a create a better and braver version of myself. To learn. To train. To be what I want to be. Hopefully I'll achieve that. In the meantime, I'll leave you with my favourite moment from Frances Ha, I really hope I get the chance to use this monologue in acting class at some point soon. Frances is drunk, at a party comprised mainly of strangers and on the subject of relationships she says....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><br /><br />"It’s that thing when you’re with someone and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it, but it’s a party! And you’re both talking to other people and you’re laughing and shining and you look across the room and catch each other’s eyes. But…but not because you’re possessive or it’s precisely sexual but because that is your person in this life. And it’s funny and sad but only because this life will end. And it’s this secret world that exists right there in public unnoticed that no one knows about. It’s sort of like how they say that other dimensions exist all around us, but we don’t have the ability to perceive them. That’s…that’s what I want out of a relationship or just life, I guess."</i></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me too, Frances. Me too. </span></div>
<br />Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-25623928146081336682012-11-12T12:58:00.001+00:002012-11-12T16:20:13.397+00:00Whedon the Franchise Fixer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Last week the internet collectively lost its shit, as is its
wont, upon the news that Disney has bought Lucasfilm and is subsequently responsible
for the fate of the Star Wars franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>News of this nature was on a par with the 2012 Election Campaign in
terms of significance and was treated with the appropriate level of deference
by trending like a motherfucker on Twitter and creating a string of memes
faster than a whole bunch of animals photo bombing each other at the same
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
The response fell broadly into two camps; you either had a
bad feeling about this or you cried yub nub at the top of your lungs and
celebrated, Endor style (which is a bit like Gangnam Style but you need have
just blown up a Death Star).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
It’s fair to say that the latter opinion is motivated by the
delight at having the franchise wrenched from George Lucas’ greasy, money
grabbing fingers which he has used to repeatedly defile and violate that
which we hold so dear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question on everyone’s
lips was “Well, it can’t be any worse, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And you would be right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney
is, in fact, not a bad captain to have at the helm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, they’ve made mistakes but who hasn’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still sore about the aggressive Henson
takeover which resulted in us getting wrong sounding Muppets but they have more
than made it up for it with 2011s The Muppets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was, true to form, Muppet joy from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
As with most endeavours, the success of The Muppets was a
result of the creative team assembled; a group of people who understood, and
most importantly, loved the source material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And that’s what is key to whether or not Disney take Star Wars to a new
and better place; it comes down to who they select to be in charge and that persons
passion for the original movies that make loving Star Wars so deeply
satisfying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Which leads me to the second frothing internet response that
came off the back of this news, a substantial faction of geek population
collectively shouted “Give it to Joss Whedon” and called for Whedon to be
handed the keys to the ranch with little to no debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean shee-it, there's a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LetJossWhedonWriteDirectStarWarsEpisode7?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a> calling for the appointment to be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I can see why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
safe call and that’s what Joss does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
makes us feel safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it comes to
Star Wars, we’ve been wandering the dark and cavernous halls of Lucas Towers
trying to punch the ghost of Hayden Christensen and we keep turning corners and
running into a melty, shouting Anakin Skywalker with no legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By this point we’re tired, hungry and just
plain scared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joss represents Emergency
Aid, parachuting in to perform an immediate evac from this relentless
nightmare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
There is little he turns his hand to that doesn’t turn out
great; fantasy, horror, science fiction and even the musical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we know he has a more than capable hand
when it comes to navigating space, as proved with Firefly and then
Serenity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disney recognised his ability
to not only skilfully move between genres but also the fact that he can be
trusted with a script and most importantly, character development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they handed him the biggest comic book movie
blockbuster of the decade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Another vote of confidence for Disney; they acquired
Marvel, gave the green light to The Avengers and promptly didn’t give the job
to Bryan Singer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Points! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Having said all that – and aside from the fact that it’s a
moot point anyway because Joss is committed to the world of The Avengers for
the foreseeable – I think everyone needs to cool their jets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I love Joss Whedon (and I really, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really </i>love Joss Whedon) that doesn’t
mean that we should just crown him King of Popular Culture (he kind of already
is, come on).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
There are many Directors out there that could be considered
for the job because their track record dictates they can handle themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about JJ Abrams as a fairly obvious
choice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lovingly breathed fresh life
into the Star Trek universe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jon Favreau
should get his propers after a none too shabby revitalisation of Iron Man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no one can say Christopher Nolan did a
bad job with Batman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And call me crazy
but I wouldn’t mind putting it in the hands of younger director such as Josh
Trank and seeing what happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought
what he did with Chronicle was damn snazzy. And WHY has no one called Edgar Wright to see if he is free in 2015? </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I am not acting as cheerleader for any one of these dudes in
particular (except for maybe Edgar Wright), nor would I be pissed if Joss found the time in his busy schedule
of being awesome to take on Star Wars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would gladly take his hand as he led me to my happy place in a galaxy far, far
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
All I am saying is that less
popular opinion is probably right, let’s not rule out all the great new Star
Wars directors in potentia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
fortunate enough to be in a position where there are a few knocking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The days of X Men 3, The Fantastic Four and
Daredevil are now far behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Ah fuck it, tell you what, I’ll do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just going to go text Joss and see if he will
edit my script.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-19149246717138878232012-11-08T13:45:00.000+00:002012-11-08T13:45:01.108+00:00A Guide to Train Etiquette<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
WARNING - this will be a ranty, sweary blog. All those with sensitive ears (eyes?) should hasten back from whence you came. <br />
<br />Every day I travel to work by train, twice, from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back again. I am a commuter which if empirical evidence is anything to go by (and I think it is) makes me an asshole. There is every chance that this is true in many other ways however I don’t think it can be when it comes to my daily commute. The reason for this is that I find the conduct of my fellow passengers wholly unacceptable. <br />The daily dredge of hauling my sorry ass onto a morning train for a 50 minute journey to be repeated again in the evening is bad enough without the rest of humanity making it even worse. I appreciate that this is entirely a first world problem but you know what...I live the first world and this is a fucking problem! If you are on the train with me then you had better adhere to the following or so help me... I am a woman driven to the brink...or the blog as it were. <br />
<br />Not in order of priority (they should all be observed with equal care and attention)<br />
<br />1. WAIT UNTIL PEOPLE GET OFF THE TRAIN BEFORE YOU BOARD. If you are pushing through people as they try to disembark, wielding your Upper Crust baguette like a weapon designed to fend off those seat stealing trolls you obviously think managed to teleport on ahead of you, then you are an awful human being. <br />2. Don’t press the button to open the door...it’s not lit up YET which means that won’t work. The door mechanics are not vulnerable to your pointless persistence. Stop pressing it. It’s pretty simple, light goes on you press button. Stop it...I said stop pressing it, there’s no point...STOP PRESSING THE FUCKING BUTTON!!!<br />3. The platform has just been announced, it’s at least 8 minutes before the train is due to leave, why are you running? Is this a race? Will there be a prize? The only thing you are going to achieve is my complete and utter disdain. <br />4. It is universally acknowledged and understood that on a quiet train where you have your pick of any seat you like that you do not, under any circumstances, sit next to me. I am a humble traveller; I did not choose the 4 seat table for I did not require it. I did not select the seats reserved for the elderly or disabled because that would be unethical. My weary bones deposited themselves in a quiet, out of the way, non-controversial seat that yes, does come in twos but the fact that I am a single is not an invitation for you, and your girth, to join me. You inexplicably decided to impinge on what little personal space is afforded me on this journey. You have made the list. <br />5. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day...apparently. And as a fellow commuter I more than understand the virtues and necessity of eating on the run. However, there are still rules. The most important one being that 8am is NOT an acceptable time to eat a Burger King. And if you must do it then have the decency to be ashamed of it and refrain from sitting in front of me. The one and only exception to this rule is if you are experiencing the morning from the other side, that is to say you haven’t been to bed yet, then by all means, you are free to eat your nasty takeaway burger. You may also enjoy tacos, cold pizza or noodles. BUT NOT ON A TRAIN AND NOT IN FRONT OF ME. You will not realise this but as I sip my Starbucks and try to keep my eyes averted from your chewing I am willing you to choke on it. It’s why the vein in my temple is twitching. <br />6. Yes I need you to move your bag because the train is busy and your bag does not need a seat. And you’re rolling your eyes. FUCK YOU! <br />7. You! You little ned fuck! If you don’t put headphones into that phone right fucking now I am going to have your Techno-N Dubz-David Guetta-Grime-Dirty-Banging-Shuffle loving body blasted into atoms. I am serious, I will kill you and I promise no one will miss you. When listening to music headphones must be worn at all times. The alternative should be punishable by being flung off the train while it is still moving. Seriously, after this I am writing to Scotrail. <br />8. The barrier check gate thingy which is the one last obstacle between me and a train free existence for another few hours will not accept your ticket because you are trying to insert it into one that is not an exit. See that big red cross, that means “no, you can’t go this way you dribbling ignoramus. The shiny green tick however is much more tolerant of you, go towards it”. Ah but you are going to try shoving the square peg into the round hole AGAIN. Like the train loving troglodyte you are. You know what, you don’t get to leave, you have to live here because people that fucking stupid DESERVE TO LIVE IN TRAIN STATIONS!!!!<br /><br />I feel better now. <br />Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-54517378717494205892012-02-05T12:47:00.000+00:002012-02-05T12:48:20.662+00:00Domestic Goddess Vs. 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">There’s a hint of contention around the suggestion that you cannot marry your position as a “career woman” with being a “domestic goddess”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am using the bunny rabbit ears because I don’t believe either of these things actually exist, certainly not as applied titles and I am not going to spend this blog debating gender politics because that would be silly and boring.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Quite simply I have three facets to my personality that are part of me but don’t define me in isolation; I have a career and it’s high-pressure, I love to cook and entertain and I am a woman.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My day job has long, erratic hours and involves a commute to Edinburgh every day and my creative projects keep my spare time equally packed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am often tired, a bit stressed and with a hefty workload that can bleed into my home life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a rare occasion I find myself over the door any earlier than 8pm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>because the first thing I tend to do when I get home is go into the kitchen and start cooking I get accused of being mad (mainly by my Mum).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How can I be bothered?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I should be relaxing, de-stressing...well...I am!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Cooking does relax me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I am feeling particularly irritable or have had stressful day at the office then I like to go into the kitchen, pour a glass of wine and make something delicious - being a weeknight it’s often fast and simple - but homemade and as from scratch as I can manage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Regular weeknight favourites of mine tend to be Butter Chicken Curry - tomato based, mild and rich.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bourbon Street Chicken - sticky, sweet and very spicy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Roast Chicken Pie - classic and comforting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Spicy Baked Meatballs with Spaghetti (and lots of cheese!)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pork Fillet in a creamy, mushroom and white wine sauce, which is one of my favourites, pork fillet is just the business and frighteningly underused in day to day cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">None of this stuff is hard; you can twist the recipe a little each time to make things richer, spicier, stranger or healthier, depending on the dish and, of course, your mood.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m not going to lie or make myself out to be some sanctimonious super-chef; there are some nights where only a bottle of wine and a Chinese takeaway will do and sometimes time is actually against me and I don’t get home until late o’clock (that can really get me down, good thing there is often leftovers to comfort me).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I just like to cook and there is a sense of satisfaction that relaxes me far quicker than plonking myself straight down on the couch.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not sure why I am thinking about this, I think it might be because my work has me busy every weekend this month - as is normal and par for the course given the nature of my work - and the culinary part of me lives for the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those days are reserved for things like making pancakes for breakfast, slow cooked stews, homemade bread and soup and baking and, ideally, sharing all these things with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I get a little ache when there is larger gaps of time between being able to do that.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ah well...I am working on Dr Sketchy this afternoon, should be done by 6pm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I would cook if I did have some work to get done before Monday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Such is the life of a Super Human Career Domestic Goddess.......what a dick! :p <span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"></span></span> </p>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-25752274536639489912011-12-22T15:48:00.002+00:002011-12-22T16:01:00.664+00:00Joss Whedon - Redefining FeminismI wrote this for Syfy Online months ago and it was accepted by my editor but with some minor changes which I then completely forgot to make and as such it never made to the publishing stage. Going through some outstanding paperwork reminded me that it never saw the light of day due to my own chaotic mind and schedule. 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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Joss Whedon – Redefining Feminism</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><i><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">It’s a good thing we’re hot chicks with super powers – </span></i><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Faith to Buffy, Season 7</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">I have just finished reading Y the Last Man, a graphic novel that tells the story of the males of every mammalian species simultaneously becoming extinct. Well, all but one, the hapless Yorick Brown; for details on his journey to find the explanation for his survival in a world that has decided to favour the XX chromosome, you’ll have to go seek out copies of the graphics yourself. Relevant sidebar; the character of Yorick is enjoyably Whedonesque in his characterisation and has quiptastic, geek infused dialogue. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">I thoroughly enjoyed Y the Last Man but the notion of a world populated solely by women scared the crap out of me! What could possibly be more dangerous? What one woman impassioned by an idea can accomplish can be formidable; when it’s a group of them organised around said idea, that has the potential to be truly apocalyptic. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Women are more likely to adapt, evolve and absorb more swiftly and more logically than men if left to do so (and I am moving on from the extinction of all men as an example here, just in case you are left thinking the birds and the bee’s flutterbuzzed their way past my house. And feel free to integrate flutterbuzzed into your lingo as a new way to refer to gettin’ it on!) I’m an advocate of the fact that women are just generally stronger and smarter than men but I have never, ever come anywhere close to using the word feminism to summarise any gender-philosophy attitudes I may have. In fact, I <i>love </i>men and often prefer their company to women; for some time I thought of feminism as a slightly dirty word (interpret that in any exciting way you choose). </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Due to poorly formed stereotypes, I am not scared to confess that for a long time the word feminist, for me, conjured up images of a lot of angry, occasionally but not always hygiene challenged childhood traumas that spent more time screaming (or writing fisty poetry) about the shortfalls of man than they did doing anything about it. In short, I think rhat often people who call themselves "feminists" miss the point entirely and I don’t count myself as one of them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">But then Joss Whedon came into my life and I thought that he was a feminist that I could actually connect with, he redefined what that word meant to me. Joss <i>loves </i>women, and quite rightly so. And although he has been known, in certain episodes of his shows, to enjoy them in a girl on girl kind of way, he does so in a manner that is entirely acceptable and also a bit, if you’ll excuse the awful pun, a bit tongue in cheek. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Joss boiled down a fundamental truth about women and then channelled this into all his amazing female characters. That truth is that women are inherently the masters of everything, have a strength that men can’t even comprehend to the point that it terrifies them and because of all of that they can allow themselves to become isolated. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Women do a lot of amazing things alone, sometimes in silence and sometimes in loud brash hysteria which rails against this isolation in an attempt to gain recognition or perhaps some kind of understanding. But at the end of the race their strength exists in isolation. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The concept of the slayer is that she is the chosen one; the one girl in all the world with the strength and power to fight evil and save the world. It is true to say that Buffy Summers becomes the most powerful of all the Slayers in their history because she rejects the isolation forced upon her and shares her burden, allows herself a support network. She doesn’t just reject the isolation she all but eradicates it by rewriting doctrine and changing the potential in every girl who could be Slayer into a reality, “every girl who could stand up will stand up”.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Having said that, she is still the lynchpin that holds her support network in place, the celestial body around which the Scooby-verse orbits and this is a responsibility that she carries alone. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Feminism as a defining theme in Joss’ work comes into play with force once again with Dollhouse. It would take more than I am allowed in my word count to properly peel away the number of layers at work in this show so instead I will focus on the central characters</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Echo and Adele Dewitt are two women at war over power. In a world dominated by very rich, morally questionable men Adele maintains her position of power by adopting a facade of masculinity, standard practise for the modern day business women. Being hard, cold and an uber-bitch is often the only way to survive (and dare I say it, to be taken seriously). Very few can play the virgin and the whore simultaneously and get away with it. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Whedon’s women are strong but flawed, vulnerable and impervious at the same time. In some ways they play into the cliché of women being the ultimate mystery but Whedon provides that concept with a positive spin – women are a mystery because of their complexity and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Firefly’s Zoe loves her husband Wash very much, she plays the traditional role of the wife but it is at odds with her career and loyalty to another man, her captain Mal Reynolds. The struggle emerges from her attempt to reconcile the two. Wash’s way of coping is, although perfectly justified, with jealousy and arguments but when it actually matters Zoe doesn’t hesitate, she stands by her husband, demonstrated in one episode when she rescues Wash over Mal. But like any woman, once she has ensured the safety of what is most precious to her, she starts taking fracking names and straightens everything else out. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Women are the masters of sacrifice and simultaneously will stop at nothing to get what they need, another thing that Whedon celebrates through his female characters. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><br /></span></p>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-88714639804188498632011-12-20T11:51:00.008+00:002011-12-20T12:06:35.641+00:00Dear Me - A Letter To My Sixteen Year Old Self<span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Inspired by the brave and awesome </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://barrychurchwoods.wordpress.com/">Barry Church-Woods </a><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >- creamy smooth Fringe icon and self-declared cunt - who recently had his "Dear Me" letter </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.dearme.org/readersletter/?p=267">published</a><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >, I have decided to give it a go myself. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Incredibly cathartic and in some ways a little tricky to write. I considered an edited version but then what would be the point in that? If you're going to say it, say what you mean. Besides, I would TOTES know if I was bullshitting myself. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" >Anyway...here it is...</span><br /><br />Dear Me,<br /><br />What the shiz is up?! Don’t worry; you don’t actually talk like that...well, not without the required amount of irony anyway.<br /><br />So you’re 16, eh? I know, it really blows but my biggest piece of advice to you, direct from the land of being 26 (and turning 27 in a matter of days) is to enjoy what few benefits there are of being that tender and innocent age. You are in such a rush to grow up, cut it out. Growing up will happen all of sudden and you’ll wonder what the hell happened to the intervening years.<br /><br />Don’t make yourself ill with worry over petty, insignificant school yard stuff. Worrying too much is a trait you will carry with you into adulthood and you will always struggle with it, you might as well realise early on that sweating the small stuff is exhausting and pointless.<br /><br />I know you feel awkward and desperate to be liked, to the point where you will do and say some pretty stupid stuff; if you can’t be comfortable in your skin now and avoid doing the stupid stuff at least try not to freak out about it a few years later. The reality is everyone is an idiot when they are young. One of those aforementioned benefits is that the foolish stuff you do as a kid really doesn’t matter and no one cares.<br /><br />In less than a year you will head to university and you will be overwhelmed by the connections you will make there. You will finally start to feel like you belong. But for the love of Pete, focus on your studies a little harder because you are capable of more.<br /><br />Having said that, whatever you do, don’t completely neglect your acting and please go ahead with auditioning again for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama when you turn 18, as planned. It will be your biggest regret if you don’t, regardless of the outcome. And in case you hadn’t noticed, your University has a drama club, JOIN IT!<br /><br />And this I cannot stress enough, do not drop out of that production of My Fair Lady you were involved in because you are distracted by a boy. That distraction does not end well.<br /><br />That distraction is probably best avoided entirely, if at all possible. The hurt and humiliation that ensue is really not worth the few and fleeting moments of happiness. Options are always good so here’s one, the day of your first Theatre Studies tutorial don’t go to the pub afterwards. Just head home. You will circumvent a chance encounter with someone who will fundamentally change you.<br /><br />Your ambition is your greatest asset; you will end up somewhere great no matter what. The arts will always surround you and despite some minor setbacks you will end up working somewhere fantastic that will open so many doors. If you don’t go to your audition after all, at 27, your path is still extremely bright and promising. Try and be content.<br /><br />Apply that in general. Things will get really, really hard because of grown-up stuff (again, why it’s good to hold onto to being young). You realise that your parents are so much more and less than Mum and Dad, they are people. Your Dad will seriously let you down and this will really shake you up. You might as well know now, he doesn’t know everything and he’s not strong.<br /><br />You will go through a period where you are angry all the time and this will affect your relationships. This is because people can never meet the expectations you have for them. People are flawed, they will let you down. That’s life. But it’s not the end of the world.<br /><br />You will end up with some amazing people in your life who care about you a lot. It’s important that you remember that.<br /><br />And signing off, here a few basic dos and don’ts...<br /><br />Do get into Buffy the Vampire Slayer much earlier; it will be your favourite thing ever!<br /><br />Don’t help out a rock band with a major project.<br /><br />Do spend more time with your brother.<br /><br />Don’t be afraid to admit to yourself that you are unhappy.<br /><br />Do accept the offer to go to that strip club with Lemmy from Motorhead<br /><br />Don’t blow the savings your Gran left you on renting a stupid flat<br /><br />Do learn to be better with money in general<br /><br />Don’t surround yourself with toxic people<br /><br />Do try and like yourself a little bit more. 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mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]-->Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-83369779696368267972011-12-17T22:16:00.003+00:002011-12-17T22:30:06.203+00:00Diary of a Wannabe Cook - Part 2So the festive season is upon us and, with it, has brought its usual gifts of chaos, stress and financial trauma.<br /><br />Growing up, Christmas was an overblown, ridiculously material affair. With the reflective perspective of age, I suspect the need my parents had to lavish us with an embarrassing amount of...well..stuff, was my Father's way of alleviating some kind of guilt.<br /><br />The result has been that in future years when it became the responsibility of my Brother and I to return the gifts we had been buried in, we emerged gasping for air, bearing the bruises of too many Transformer figures and ahead of the race Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys that we were reminded could only be bought in the States at that point (my Father travelled a lot for business during my formative years), and feeling an immense amount of pressure to equal the amount of money spent on us.<br /><br />Add a few more years of cynicism and this year I outright reject this ideal. I have convinced the remaining few family participants to engage in Secret Santa and I completely refuse to be drawn into a spending frenzy (to be honest, I couldn't even if I wanted to!)<br /><br />Now, before you write me off as a total Ebeneezer, I am not turning Christmas away at the door entirely. Rather, I feel more determined than ever to imbue myself with a bit of festive cheer (which I intend to do with more than just copious amounts of gin).<br /><br />Taking the advice of my favourite Domestic Goddess, Nigella Lawson, I am getting busy in the kitchen and spreading a little merriment and good will to all men that way.<br /><br />I started with my take on the <a href="http://www.liddabitsweets.com/">Liddibit</a> Slurtle - a chocolate turtle that is both drunk and very slutty.<br /><br />My version involves a salted pretzel base, homemade beer caramel using Guinness Stout and lashings of dark chocolate.<br /><br />Reducing dark brown muscavado sugar with butter, cream and a bottle of stout I made a sticky, wonderfully dark caramel that was sweet with a streak bitterness brought by the stout.<br /><br />Using sheets of baking parchment, I made little nests of pretzels using one whole pretzel as the foundation before breaking up others to fill the gaps.<br /><br />When your caramel is ready but still gooey enough to pour, ladle it onto your pretzel beds.<br /><br />Allow it to cool and get quite firm. Melt your dark chocolate and then cover your drunk turtles to make them slutty. And because I am total skank, I finished them off with a sprinkling of white chocolate chips.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxCBj-o34t8O_OXmuO7VC4u73r-dyd_0hM5uS5y2ch4FHfzYAXoOCAJ8J4YU1jOkZ-_wCCqT3aeLeiap4gy5lKwjBc9jUiV2N4sCiXW5QSRp4fx3Cv7_7Gy6cdSoSefjock415WiOkEU/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxCBj-o34t8O_OXmuO7VC4u73r-dyd_0hM5uS5y2ch4FHfzYAXoOCAJ8J4YU1jOkZ-_wCCqT3aeLeiap4gy5lKwjBc9jUiV2N4sCiXW5QSRp4fx3Cv7_7Gy6cdSoSefjock415WiOkEU/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687224246232581442" border="0" /></a><br />Transfer them onto a tray and leave them in the fridge to set. Be warned, these are sticky little beauties and take some tugging to free them from the parchment. Oh my!<br /><br />I also conquered <a href="http://http//www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chilli-jam-2692">Nigella's Chilli Jam</a>, which was actually so easy it's criminal. I managed to score some gorgeously robust kilner jars for a quid a go from Poundland. One handsome jarful went to friends as a Christmas gift and I kept the other one. I can't get enough of it, it's being lavishly spread on everything and I am pretty sure it will make this winter bearable. Plus, it totally glams up my fridge to see a scarlet, glowing jar resting in there every time I open the door. Sexy!<br /><br />One of my favourite things in the world is a roast chicken and I tried something a bit fruity with it recently. I buttered up a good bird with thyme and salted butter and, after buying it a few drinks, was allowed to shove quarters of lemon, clementine, onion and garlic up its bum. I lined my roasting tray with the remaining fruit quarters but also some very chunky quarters of carrot and parsnip. After seasoning in the normal way, and to temper the citrus, my little twist on all of this was maple syrup. I know that sounds mad but it gave the whole thing a bit of caramelised flavour and really tarted up the carrots and parsnips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDnV1kDx71LBk7AGVoZzVlFvBPuoO15UOrsWmey3-XasjvywBvsOWMr2hkH_SqV4UscDtV4VFRXsz5186X1vRsCE6-vWoqqBw8ygr3mWkvwnSqJj0KU2SEjO6HOacsAoEGRbzY1uDDPY/s1600/chicken.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDnV1kDx71LBk7AGVoZzVlFvBPuoO15UOrsWmey3-XasjvywBvsOWMr2hkH_SqV4UscDtV4VFRXsz5186X1vRsCE6-vWoqqBw8ygr3mWkvwnSqJj0KU2SEjO6HOacsAoEGRbzY1uDDPY/s320/chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687225261699785666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />To accompany this (alongside the standard roast potatoes because I couldn't go without) I attempted another little Nigella number - Double Potato and Halloumi Bake.<br /><br />This is so stupidly simple and gives the traditional roast dinner a bit of a Mediterranean kick. All you do is chop up the following into healthy chunks; sweet potato (bigger chunks for this bitch because she is a total whore and cooks quicker than everything else), regular white potato, red pepper, red onion and a couple of cloves of garlic. Bathe the whole lot in around 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil and a bit of pepper and bung in a hot oven for about 45 minutes.<br /><br />Meanwhile (at the legion of doom!) very thinly slice some bits of halloumi. For the final 10 minutes of the bake, layer on the cheese and then turn up the oven to full blast and grill it until golden.<br /><br />This makes a great alternative to bog standard vegetables and it is amazing for lunch the next day, cold, on salad with a generous dollop of chilli jam. Cash back!<br /><br />Coming up next (and for Christmas) Oreo Truffles, Chicken Stew with homemade savoury biscuits, Salmon Devilled Eggs and Bacon Brownies (and some Brownies without Bacon since my ball and chain isn't convinced...yet). In. Face. Now!<br /><br />Five by five and seasons greetings... xLouise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-49416777508405071612011-12-04T11:41:00.003+00:002011-12-04T12:40:47.420+00:00Diary of a Wannabe Cook - Part 1At 26 (dangerously near 27) years young I hosted and cooked my very first full-on Christmas Dinner, just this Friday past.<br /><br />Despite the assistance I received from my comrades, I still have renewed respect and admiration for my Mum and my Aunt who for many years have been alternating on taking responsibility for this task for quite often twice as many people! Ladies, I doff my chefs hat to you, seriously.<br /><br />The first medal of recognition has to go to my cousin Liz who was on Ham and Stuffing duty - you cannot beat a roast ham under any circumstances and Christmas or not it really should be a staple. Not least for all the amazing sandwiches you can get out of it during the following weeks.<br /><br />During the Festive season, with family, I think it's fair to say that remaining relatively neutral with how you jazz up your ham is a safe bet. Friday's ham was a tasty, simply roast little beauty with the salty meat doing all the work but as I am becoming something of a show off in the kitchen there are two different types of glaze I am desperate to introduce to a ham and serve up to willing participants.<br /><br />The first is a Nigella special - a ginger-ale glazed ham. I think my favourite thing about this recipe is how much Ginger Ale is required, the ridiculous volume of 7 litres of dry ginger ale just makes me giggle a little bit. There's something about using that much fizzy drink in something that feels daring and fun.<br /><br />Basically you launch your ham joint in a pot with your niagara of Ginger Ale and bring to the boil before lowering the heat and allowing to simmer away for 4 1/2 hours (yes, this is an all day affair!)<br /><br />The next step is the glaze which is ideally done with ginger preserves but marmalade with ginger through it will work just as well. Into your ginger preserves should go 2 tablespoons of hot english mustard, 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar and 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cloves. Wheech all of that together in a bowl and when your ham is done with its ginger ale bath, whack it into a foil lined baking tray. Leave a little layer of flat on the top and then slather on your glaze. Throw it in a hot oven for 20 minutes and you're done.<br /><br />My friend George and I are working on a version of this that involves coca-cola. I know that sounds revolting but actually reducing coca-cola with meat is quite an old fashioned American thing that used to happen a lot in the fifties. The reduced result is quite a sticky, sweet almost barbeque flavoured glaze. I will keep you posted in forthcoming diary entries on how our version turns out.<br /><br />My second, and probably favourite ham glaze is maple and cider. Cook your ham however you please but for this glaze you need 4 tablespoons of maple syrup, 4 tablespoons of wholegrain mustard, 160ml of cider, a pinch of ground cloves and salt and pepper.<br />Another wheech round a bowl and then slap it on the ham. The key to this is to make sure you baste the ham regularly as it cooks.<br /><br />I was pretty pleased about how everything turned out on Friday but I think the stars of the show were my melt roast potatoes, maple and orange baked carrots and homemade sage & onion bread rolls.<br /><br />This was the first time I have ever made my own bread and I am now wondering why I ever bothered buying it! It was so easy and tasted amazing. Admittedly, I am still a total amateur so I don't have a loaf tin so it's just rolls I can manage at the moment. But when I get my hands on one, watch out Warbutons!<br /><br />The Melt Roast potatoes must be enjoyed by everyone. Seriously, once you have made them like this you will never go back.<br /><br />Maris Pipers work really well for this but any spud that scores pretty high on the waxy/floury scale will do. You can peel them if you like but so long as they are washed I don't tend to bother, I like the skin. Cut the little blighters in half, length ways, which actually results in something a bit like a wedge but that's ok.<br /><br />Melt three large tablespoons of butter into a shallow roasting tray and then add a slug of olive oil. Once your butter is melted lay your potatoes into the tray, do this so there is only one layer of tatties. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.<br /><br />Your oven needs to be crazy hot - preheat at 220 - and then you play a strategic game of roast, flip, add and roast again.<br /><br />1. Once they are in, roast for 15 minutes, then remove and flip them round.<br />2. Roast for a further 10 minutes, remove and flip again. This time, before you put them back in, add two cups of chicken stock.<br />3. Roast for 15 minutes, remove and then add a little bit more melted butter (about another tablespoons worth...no diet allowed when these are around).<br />4. Roast for a further five minutes and then they should be ready to serve.<br /><br />The thing about these guys is their flavour. Crisp on the outside, fluffy and melting on the inside, they have soaked up the stock and butter and taste fantastic. <br /><br />So those were the highlights of my first Christmas dinner hosted outside of the nest and I think it was a success.<br /><br />Thanks to Frodo for keeping me under control when it comes to my suspect ability to judge timings and for taking charge of the Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese bake (super simple recipe for this, Tweet me @LucilleBurn if you fancy it).<br /><br />As money is tight, an across the board issue I think, Festive gifts this year will be homemade and tasty. This week is dedicated to creating treats in the kitchen. <br /><br />Including but not limited to chilli jam and spiced brandy peaches that will go really well with that left over ham we've been talking about. <br /><br />One task I have set myself that I am really excited about is beer caramel, required for one particular homemade sweet. A tricky and dangerous experiment, not least because for each time I mess it up I will have wasted a six pack of beer. Not going to happen!<br /><br />Will keep you posted.<br /><br />LxLouise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-33379445374905065102011-11-18T12:30:00.008+00:002011-11-18T12:49:45.795+00:00Occupy the Blogosphere<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 12"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLOUISE%7E1.OLI%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLOUISE%7E1.OLI%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CLOUISE%7E1.OLI%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> 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margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I think I need to stop reading The Metro on the train in the morning; it is just bumming me out.<span style=""> </span>Although I am aware that the climate of “we are all fucking doomed” in which we find ourselves at present is not the fault of The Metro I just don’t think I can cope with another story about debt, unemployment, cuts and futile protests.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Having said that, the article that irked me the most was the one about people camping overnight to queue outside H&M in Glasgow in order to be the first in line to spend, in one case, over £1K on items from the new Versace for H&M line.<span style=""> </span>Now I have been known in the past to indulge the odd fashion related fantasy and far be it from me to dictate to you what you can do with (what I hope) is your disposable income but come on!<span style=""> </span>Camping out overnight?<span style=""> </span>Spending upwards of a grand?<span style=""> </span>Really?!<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The part that annoyed me the most was that I couldn’t get past the notion that this was probably just a brand obsessed frenzy that involved very little assessment of the garments these people were spending their money on.<span style=""> </span>We’re talking about a crowd that has formed over night, which according to the article required management through a wristband system.<span style=""> </span>This doesn’t sound to me like a group of people who when the doors finally opened calmly browsed what was on offer, gave consideration to personal taste or regard for whether or not it was going to suit them.<span style=""> </span>Rather, I picture a kill or be killed environment in which the purpose of the mission is “it’s Versace, it’s cheap, fucking buy it”!<span style=""> </span>I assume the sales assistants will be having Vietnam style flashbacks until next winter, at least.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Call me cynical but when an article like this is adjacent to others describing aggressive removal tactics towards people protesting corporate greed, cynicism would appear to be the order of the day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">On a slightly less ranty note the Versace article was very well written...it was written by Jen Lavery.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://jenmonthen.wordpress.com/">Click</a> to read her blog.<span style=""> </span>You’ll see this lass alongside Charlie Brooker in the Guardian one day, mark my words. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the list of other things being occupied is my mind, or at the very least I am trying to keep it occupied.<span style=""> </span>What am I working on?<span style=""> </span>Things at <a href="http://www.edfringe.com/">Fringe HQ</a> are pretty quiet at the moment; I am experiencing what is a seasonal lull in my particular department.<span style=""> </span>What this does do is free up some time for heavy research into industry trends, politics, policy and opportunities all of which will prove useful moving forward.<span style=""> </span>This research will also aid me in my planning of new artist resources.<span style=""> </span>I have some ideas up my sleeve with regard to international exchange and supporting emerging producers, both of which I can’t really discuss in great detail at this early stage.<span style=""> </span>Fingers crossed all will go well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="http://www.scottishtheatres.com/madeinscotland/">Made in Scotland</a> 2012 deadline is fast approaching.<span style=""> </span>This is actually my favourite bit of the whole process, discovering what new artistic plans are bubbling away across Scotland’s creative landscape.<span style=""> </span>It’s very exciting and I enjoy being privy to the debate and discussion that follows.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In other Fringe news, I will be heading out to Australia for the <a href="http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au/">Adelaide Fringe</a> in March 2012, which is super cool.<span style=""> </span>My colleague Barry and I will be leading on a Fringe Roadshow and a networking event as well as meeting with artists, companies, venues and promoters about their plans for the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe.<span style=""> </span>The Adelaide Fringe is the sister to Edinburgh and the second largest Fringe in the world; a vast amount of work transfers from Adelaide to Edinburgh so I am really looking forward to exploring what is on offer and getting the jump on seeing the shows I will inevitably miss during August!<span style=""> </span>But most importantly, I am looking forward to seeing my pal Jen Mackie whose face I sorely miss.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Following Adelaide, given that I am on the other side of the world and should take advantage of the opportunity, I am planning on dossing about South East Asia.<span style=""> </span>Kicking off in Singapore I am then hopping over to Japan for a few days to explore the arts scene out there and potentially spread the good Edinburgh Fringe word.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other travel plans for 2012 that don’t necessarily involve the Fringe will concern NYC but more on that at a later date.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Never one to be satisfied with one project to occupy my brain I am keeping myself creatively satisfied with a new idea entitled <a href="http://thememoryboxproject.tumblr.com/">Project Memory Box</a>.<span style=""> </span>All the information about this wee project is available via its own online platform so I shan’t waste word count on repeating it here (as this is already looking to be a longer blog than I can expect your attention for).<span style=""> </span>Needless to say, I am in the very early stages of development for this so haven’t accurately mapped out it’s trajectory but what I do know is that however the research develops the end result will be a performance.<span style=""> </span>When?<span style=""> </span>I don’t know.<span style=""> </span>Where?<span style=""> </span>I don’t know.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was inspired by the need to get some closure on some and to find a way with dealing with other things in my personal life.<span style=""> </span>At some point in the near future I am going to start a conversation with the Neuroscience department of Glasgow University to flesh out the sciency bit of understanding memory.<span style=""> </span>The way the brain works, I think, is at the core of this process.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am looking for friends, strangers, confidantes and acquaintances to get involved so please have a look at Project Memory Box online and find out how you can contribute.<span style=""> </span>The thoughts, memories and stories of real people is what will drive things forward.<span style=""> </span>You can tweet me about it too (crazy, modern bint that I am) <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/LucilleBurn">@lucilleburn</a> but please remember to include the hash tag #projectmemorybox</p> <p class="MsoNormal">At some point I will be on the lookout for any clever creative types to collaborate with me on creating the performance element of the whole thing so feel free to Tweet me about that too. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think that will do from me for now.<span style=""> </span>Before I sign off, here a few things I recommend to make the coming winter months a little bit nicer...</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.tramway.org/performance/269/pass_the_spoon/">Pass the Spoon</a>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110774640847?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649">Me Selling Some Pretty Things</a>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=559&S">1770 House Meatloaf</a>.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/frankswildband?ref=ts">Franks Wild Band</a>.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://sky1.sky.com/fringe/10-reasons-to-watch-fringe">Fringe</a> (not the Festival). <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=187341828014174">Dr Sketchy Glasgow Goes Tiki</a>.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Five by Five Y’all x</p>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-77433886537130096892011-11-05T19:58:00.002+00:002011-11-05T20:03:49.754+00:001770 House Meatloaf and Saturday Night Blogging<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Am feeling pretty horrendous…I thought I had managed to avoid getting the cold while everyone around me was dropping like flies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sadly, when my ball and chain succumbed at the start of the week it was only a matter of time before I were to spiral after him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Naturally, given my trend with luck, it made its presence known in full with the arrival of Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Despite feeling like my head was swallowed whole by a deep-sea cotton wool monster I have decided to make the most it by indulging my recently developed obsession with cooking.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There was a time when I had myself convinced that I couldn’t cook for shit, save for the family recipe for chicken soup which I think is part of my DNA so doesn’t really count.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With an entirely relative degree of accuracy I think I can trace back the point when things changed to when I started visiting my mother, as standard, every Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She has an abundance of cookery books, in particular those penned by that deviant food diva and personal heroine, Nigella Lawson.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In time I found myself rifling through them, out of idle interest more than anything else because I don’t recall there being a self-motivated decision around the subject of cooking for oneself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In either case, it began with a Belgian beer-braised beef stew and went from there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I can’t get enough and am now gathering my own little collection of recipe books…on semi-permanent loan from my Mother if I am being honest…have you seen the price of celebrity chef cook books?!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well they were my jumping off point, now I collect recipes from the ether and transfer them to my own notebook.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Recent favourites include a Swiss Cheese and Smoked Ham Bake, inspired by what one might eat after coming in from a day’s skiing in the Alps.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Indian Butter Chicken Curry, ideally enjoyed with friends because it’s freaking amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I also perfected the classic Grilled Cheese Sandwich; not a recipe in the traditional sense I grant you but still a snack worthy of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ideally made with two different kinds of cheese - I recommend Emmental or Raclette and just a little bit of really strong cheddar.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, make sure you use really good bread; chunky slices of a bloomer or something equally rustic. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The perfect post-pub midnight snack, I guarantee it will keep your hangover at bay.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nursing the first stage of my crappy cold, I stayed in bed for most of the afternoon watching the Food Network and harvested recipes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The result of which is a menu plan for a Festive Dinner Party I intend to throw (four glorious words, Ginger Ale Baked Ham).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And also tonight’s activity; to combat the “I’m ill on a Saturday night” blues I whipped up my classic Ice-Cream Cake (a ridiculous hit with my friends) to be enjoyed later but have also indulged in a new recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a posh take on a very standard dish, Meatloaf.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have never made Meatloaf before but the version I am undertaking is a pork and steak mince version with a garlic and butter sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Entitled 1770 House meatloaf, after the East Hamptons (NY) restaurant where it was created, it’s actually meant to be a three meat kind of loaf.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The third being ground veal, however I find myself too lacking in funds to be frivolously buying ground veal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That and the Maryhill Tesco to which I am adjacent doesn’t have it. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway…it’s in the oven now…smelling and looking (as much as meatloaf can) amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will let you know how I get on.</p>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-71724855838246429492011-11-02T13:24:00.002+00:002011-11-02T13:25:28.191+00:00Brain Wordle<a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/4337069/A_little_short_to_be_a_storm_trooper..." title="Wordle: A little short to be a storm trooper..."><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/4337069/A_little_short_to_be_a_storm_trooper..." alt="Wordle: A little short to be a storm trooper..." style="padding: 4px; border: 1px solid rgb(221, 221, 221);" /></a>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-80885724280490095182011-10-19T13:20:00.001+01:002011-10-19T13:23:46.306+01:00Autumn StrollA seven month gap between blog posts is acceptable, right? I have just read through four half finished blogs which were all attempted at moments where I thought that my brain was working enough to write and that I wouldn’t fall asleep or become distracted. Ridiculous!<br /><br />What this says to me is that my year is bookended by quiet, reflective moments and everything in between is an absolute riot...which is a tad depressing. Posting now is also indicative of the influence the change of season has on me. A lazier writer would bore you at this point with clichés about enjoying the crispness of the air, the change of colour and smell around you, shorter days and all that Autumn jazz. And I do enjoy all those things but mostly Autumn feels like breathing space to me, which is the main reason I like it. <br /><br />In between sentences I am creating a playlist called Autumn Stroll, which you can enjoy <a href="http://grooveshark.com/#/playlist/Autumn+Stroll/61936819">here</a>, if you are so inclined. Creating playlists is a recent habit, I quite like it. <br /><br />So what am I thinking about at the moment? Recently I read a blog by <a href="http://pony-pie.com/">Pony Pie</a> entitled <a href="http://pony-pie.com/2011/10/04/art-money-and-reasons-we-do-it-our-damn-selves/">Art, Money and Reasons We Do It Our Damn Selves</a> and the way it resonated with me was almost like a physical sensation. Akin to being shaken vigorously and told no, really, you are not the only one who has thought and worried about this. I was particularly affected by the paragraph on the “DIY practitioner”, because of the stark and profound truth of it. When you are an unfunded artist or theatre-maker just trying to make work and forge a path for yourself, fighting against becoming downhearted, upstaged, exhausted and ready to quit is half the battle. <br /><br />When I started <a href="http://www.rhymeswithpurple.net">Rhymes with Purple</a> it was in response to knowing something that I didn’t need to be told. That ultimately not being a genius, a graduate of a certain institution or lucky enough to find oneself in with the worthy crowd were serious barriers, potentially insurmountable ones. If I wanted to create and stage my ideas then I had to do it myself. And nothing has been harder, more soul destroying and painful than the result of that decision. <br /><br />Being deemed “worthy” has been a five year long argument and even after all that time we still haven’t reached maturity for the very reason that holding down other jobs to pay the bills and laying the foundations of a theatre company, even a tiny little one, requires a vast amount of work and energy. Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of what we have achieved, but we aren’t setting any creative fires yet because after the needs of the day are met fatigue begins to leech on the desire to experiment and create. I used to worry that this was making excuses, that in fact I wasn’t very prolific even though sometimes it felt like I was having a hundred ideas a second. Ideas that called on me to grab and anchor them but the weight of getting by prevented me from being quick enough before they flashed by. <br /><br />When I read Pony Pie’s blog I felt relieved, reassured and a little less like an outsider. I’ve been at this since I was 19 and at 26 it has made me feel old and I am not going to pretend the thought of quitting hasn’t entered my head. But then, I’ve come pretty far; the job that pays my bills is in the arts and provides me the flexibility to be creative and thoughtful even though it’s extremely hard work. Despite always having a day job of some kind I have carried on producing, creating and making because for me failure is not an option. I can’t let being a DIY practitioner exhaust me because I have come too far to quit now. I believe what I am doing is worthy, the artists that I collaborate with and the audiences that come to the shows all appear to agree so stopping because it’s hard just seems like doing myself and my peers a disservice. <br /><br />Reading Pony Pie’s blog on this debate, which does encompass and cast a critical and informed eye on all the wider issues facing DIY and subsidised artists, came at exactly the right time for me. Because although I know there is a wider discussion to be addressed, that it’s hard for everyone and that a solution is not rapidly forthcoming it inspired me. Like Pony Pie, I’ve always known that I am doing it all myself because no one will give me any money but now rather than seeing that as the catalyst for “artistic death”, I feel more than ever it’s a call to arms, the motivation to continue and fight because I value my artistic output, even if those handing out the “worthy badges” do not. And with that value I can survive. Pony Pie passed onto me her sense of knowing where I stand in relationship to “worthy” community oriented practice and practitioners, which is firmly on my own two feet right alongside them.Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-18115516580556823522011-02-15T14:46:00.010+00:002011-02-16T12:26:31.362+00:00Totem<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ_fn-3pAKUo4pBxS35GpfSvTKiJSUS9tRD6lpS8hdEwrMtnznhHjgOy2zEFEYZ27HaYWNAgHOZ0aFoxtyAz-RdYOnHN7bz0coq4R6q_w7LmQtlqtE74po5g5UGKhS9FGu73Nn-8R-eY/s1600/5248390543_d82dfe5163.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQ_fn-3pAKUo4pBxS35GpfSvTKiJSUS9tRD6lpS8hdEwrMtnznhHjgOy2zEFEYZ27HaYWNAgHOZ0aFoxtyAz-RdYOnHN7bz0coq4R6q_w7LmQtlqtE74po5g5UGKhS9FGu73Nn-8R-eY/s320/5248390543_d82dfe5163.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574262734004262962" /></a><br />"Totemism (derived from the root -oode- in the Ojibwe language, which referred to something kinship-related".<br /><br />For Valentines day I dedicated five totems to a selection of people who mean a great deal to me. I also learned to knit (badly), ate cake, listened to some lovely music and enjoyed the performance poetry and soundscaping of Drew Taylor and Fiona Johnston, respectively. This was the medium through which some of the Totems found their live incarnation.<br /><br />All of which I enjoyed in the company of three of my favourite people; my Mum, my Fiancé and my best friend. Probably the best way to spend Valentines Day really, my thoughts about which I will return to a little later on (in Blog time).<br /><br />You are probably wondering what a totem is aren't you? In this instance, Totems are a declaration of love and were the focus of participatory performance project <a href="http://www.proudexposure.com/page9.htm">Totem of My Love</a>, staged last night at <a href="http://www.thearches.co.uk/">The Arches</a> in Glasgow.<br /><br />I've just realised I should interject here regarding my comment about knitting badly; this was through no fault of my teacher, who happened to be my Mother. Mum, it's not your fault I was born with the hands and craft capability of a one armed spider monkey with severe depth perception issues...and who is also in a coma. You did all you could.<br /><br />The whole experience of Totem of my Love was an incredibly uplifting one; allowing you to bring into focus, in your own mind, the people/pets/places in your life that matter most to you and as a result freeing up some space in what is normally a cluttered thought process, frenetic with the day-to-day business of getting on with things, to truly appreciate them.<br /><br />Appropriate that it should happen on Valentines Day, which as a concept I despise. My experience on Monday only served to underline the insipid nastiness of this particular day even further. Acknowledgement, admiration and appreciation of the people in your life should really be a daily occurrence that happens as naturally as breathing.<br /><br />I don't intend to be overly sentimental; what also happens as naturally as breathing are the fights, the mistakes, the thoughtlessness and neglect. And the more you care about someone the more likely you are to end up employing any one item from that list in your interaction with them.<br /><br />You could go with the <a href="http://inception.wikia.com/wiki/Totem">Inception interpretation</a>; a totem keeps you grounded, it's the one thing that allows you to maintain a grasp on a fragile reality.<br /><br />However you want to to interpret it, Totems are good things. I'm really lucky, I have lots...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkUjZDyn7OYvWYBQNQVW7Ms5SNbtqXZLT6WAbJOVJ-IqRnmVpWuM10l7c7BvIrxEwKqt4jRaOCvKMieg8YZTte6U5KCKhZRGw-SlD-XJDO5iqRuS-x9uAfzUt6G5u8ZwEX_gCRMFsjag/s1600/totem+9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkUjZDyn7OYvWYBQNQVW7Ms5SNbtqXZLT6WAbJOVJ-IqRnmVpWuM10l7c7BvIrxEwKqt4jRaOCvKMieg8YZTte6U5KCKhZRGw-SlD-XJDO5iqRuS-x9uAfzUt6G5u8ZwEX_gCRMFsjag/s320/totem+9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574258300153288610" border="0"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRdhrKriVE_8Ty6R454e11FXwFpkWW5-4bhUhprscTzQAV3Dc1fcbrABfvliffJFinQcaio7N_jm9URNgr0Mym6Ek71aCbHenM3Syav56qxBMeY_bJNBZbIulXeVl-qxBCfQW1e7zqyg/s1600/totem+8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRdhrKriVE_8Ty6R454e11FXwFpkWW5-4bhUhprscTzQAV3Dc1fcbrABfvliffJFinQcaio7N_jm9URNgr0Mym6Ek71aCbHenM3Syav56qxBMeY_bJNBZbIulXeVl-qxBCfQW1e7zqyg/s320/totem+8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574258443852436418" border="0"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB-XNs7TUPcFOnuWpkHsz1gVdjzTlsSjBR-4ZHLstYdJpE_pbee-8ZkOJ4EOFtKLnjfw4s5h8HOvqi1v4579qU1tl4YfspT1qoiBeMHgwfyNrsRopumzBsqwvSlyqPx83cJzFbzJy1aM/s1600/totem+11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB-XNs7TUPcFOnuWpkHsz1gVdjzTlsSjBR-4ZHLstYdJpE_pbee-8ZkOJ4EOFtKLnjfw4s5h8HOvqi1v4579qU1tl4YfspT1qoiBeMHgwfyNrsRopumzBsqwvSlyqPx83cJzFbzJy1aM/s320/totem+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574260280316701090" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLonHoUo5ITlLkKgp3W6l3Wq8XqweAc9nEbsg6bEgZ7N72Mr_hxn4lZ1Yb6lM1qHRfT-0TcuOArpCjuFoJg_2ZBNzu0UlWIn-RcZrCwbnXPwGVz6xPAZ1iefIms75yZU-W_FIpiCkNtU4/s1600/totem+12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLonHoUo5ITlLkKgp3W6l3Wq8XqweAc9nEbsg6bEgZ7N72Mr_hxn4lZ1Yb6lM1qHRfT-0TcuOArpCjuFoJg_2ZBNzu0UlWIn-RcZrCwbnXPwGVz6xPAZ1iefIms75yZU-W_FIpiCkNtU4/s320/totem+12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574258644463252946" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8RJK4dfcHsyyODJf1qVkbudonI2f6FKKKb2-8fM9gEDrvsIfgmXKDIwx74LAx-JJRl55G1-sFEOzUpnAINKZ3iq6fFHbmY1lwEoUIL02ZbF4ndqmaHASrsSTuUOkCqulEtAWiCiqkf0/s1600/totem+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8RJK4dfcHsyyODJf1qVkbudonI2f6FKKKb2-8fM9gEDrvsIfgmXKDIwx74LAx-JJRl55G1-sFEOzUpnAINKZ3iq6fFHbmY1lwEoUIL02ZbF4ndqmaHASrsSTuUOkCqulEtAWiCiqkf0/s320/totem+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574258767807730402" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ow5uzLyy12__2qCYgmpVTIjmycV0GunrgiVWwhQTaBPLe8ZA9lbLNbhqFxJxg1jqOQ3QLQZ623I9Sb6JUFQEQIaZyvbWDGJRzbe7jqN8x2Wfy-nI1CfqPmvaj3f5vQXpEEh3cYxldiA/s1600/totem+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ow5uzLyy12__2qCYgmpVTIjmycV0GunrgiVWwhQTaBPLe8ZA9lbLNbhqFxJxg1jqOQ3QLQZ623I9Sb6JUFQEQIaZyvbWDGJRzbe7jqN8x2Wfy-nI1CfqPmvaj3f5vQXpEEh3cYxldiA/s320/totem+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574258854183414626" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlEXP023C9qHOYp-17mCauo8PEUu9H-rmoJi4cHGs2-MeruqQINccx_ExI8-DzNyrWAhNkssT96akBz0AMHCbcHriinUs3QHNONQRPqTwhS0BUcFVye2oJyZA4ohRWMixx_QvMcj4Epo/s1600/totem+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlEXP023C9qHOYp-17mCauo8PEUu9H-rmoJi4cHGs2-MeruqQINccx_ExI8-DzNyrWAhNkssT96akBz0AMHCbcHriinUs3QHNONQRPqTwhS0BUcFVye2oJyZA4ohRWMixx_QvMcj4Epo/s320/totem+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574258972527483698" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY_fpIwwGc_xsm0i1409DslC-AjBQUVSUTRd_7utqG34CRs9fPpZtDmNQaEP-WXXVhKUZP8IUWmWLJoGpAdNrPCgbmTrjD0UiwSGxcw3ErijTPoJ6gKag5JYxA48DzTlosgRF6cFCl94/s1600/totem+4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY_fpIwwGc_xsm0i1409DslC-AjBQUVSUTRd_7utqG34CRs9fPpZtDmNQaEP-WXXVhKUZP8IUWmWLJoGpAdNrPCgbmTrjD0UiwSGxcw3ErijTPoJ6gKag5JYxA48DzTlosgRF6cFCl94/s320/totem+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574259068986039634" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczKnwn95I5TnhSky15AE6dDglWWAoswHsshMEc4o1PnZWj2BQLFwSkVIbhPmpPjPuKsc6cBaMmjC9XEQ3G-YxJMmWSGCIycWle2sAcUpVORG2MtTAKeUL7vFb-wJaLwKGlzKojhX1Baw/s1600/totem+5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczKnwn95I5TnhSky15AE6dDglWWAoswHsshMEc4o1PnZWj2BQLFwSkVIbhPmpPjPuKsc6cBaMmjC9XEQ3G-YxJMmWSGCIycWle2sAcUpVORG2MtTAKeUL7vFb-wJaLwKGlzKojhX1Baw/s320/totem+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574259174574315026" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd2PiTlqGpukvIOCWOVvFJbLZGffV8xC1a7cVo66WjQLcymmE3_Dd4DOr1jbwH4mJro0K7gBFdlK2zH0sU0smJCuTSNnnWbb257Mui4Um6akB7Va6YGTHoQYQQQHfzX1Gwto_A25KByY/s1600/totem+6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd2PiTlqGpukvIOCWOVvFJbLZGffV8xC1a7cVo66WjQLcymmE3_Dd4DOr1jbwH4mJro0K7gBFdlK2zH0sU0smJCuTSNnnWbb257Mui4Um6akB7Va6YGTHoQYQQQHfzX1Gwto_A25KByY/s320/totem+6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574259279675084562" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfCCZEGXbPt0pOqGxHQxO6UJmwieOdm87YgqMWdRnnQ-A2_HwFpBpC1Hn_HlP8CtOjtT3iD9UhNQRCOqkDoVfaPJi_fWEA1dRjQaxxbaNRMkV9b1o9t_kNd5OSayTGBypysM8PegqZIY/s1600/totem+7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfCCZEGXbPt0pOqGxHQxO6UJmwieOdm87YgqMWdRnnQ-A2_HwFpBpC1Hn_HlP8CtOjtT3iD9UhNQRCOqkDoVfaPJi_fWEA1dRjQaxxbaNRMkV9b1o9t_kNd5OSayTGBypysM8PegqZIY/s320/totem+7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574259469569010962" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTVdlsKnwJ_GI3mBNnaWXIaJ8VVuzCeJdwQZpJGLjeJMvPV_NtXbXqHd9qgNRNFHNH7tpBURRKlLlSpNkGDVnAUlA9y9CO4tPW0567Xt4etOYE3BQb_c50e-S7ZmxEhyKb3ZVXYbpjmU/s1600/totem+11.jpg"><br /></a>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-43578817107621479862011-01-05T02:49:00.005+00:002011-01-18T13:22:15.413+00:00Strange Days and New YearsHogmanay celebrations are a tricky thing to get right. If you try to implement a strategy of immense detail you will inevitably fail. Doomed to see in the New Year in a crowd of people you are not particularly bothered about, which won’t matter too much anyway because you will spend most of your evening in a queue for an overpriced bar before concluding the proceedings being driven to a homicidal, insane rage searching for that completely elusive taxi home.<br /> <br />Leaving your plans to chance can often be a preferable option however can sometimes result in watching the BBC celebrations on the TV whilst eating shortbread with your Gran. Mind you, given that my wee Granny has been gone two years now I wouldn’t say no to that option if it were to suddenly present itself. That’s a bit maudlin...I probably wouldn’t like that, Zombie Gran Invasion is not the optimal activity.<br /> <br />Therefore when it was (semi) drunkenly decided on the spur of the moment, via text, with a good mate whilst I was in the pub and she was at home, to book a trip to London to see Sonic Youth and Shellac play the <a href="http://www.atpfestival.com/events/strangedays2010.php">ATP Strange Days</a> gig at the Hammersmith Apollo, the stress of trying to arrange something fun whilst keeping everyone else happy was suddenly alleviated. <br /><br />I’ve always been of the opinion that the specific activity chosen for your Hogmanay doesn’t really matter so long as you are spending it with the people that are important to you. For me, this year, the numbers were very much narrowed to two very special folks therefore it made sense. <br /><br />Of course, there are a couple of other people whom had they been able to join us would have made the whole trip absolutely perfect however if you do decide to hop over the border for a party then it is to be expected that not everyone you love will be able to join you. Them’s the breaks.<br /><br />That being said, this year’s Hogmanay was the best I have had in long and weary; there was very little pressure being placed on anyone and it was just, well, awesome.<br />With regards to the gig itself, the bands were tremendous; Shellac were particularly fantastic, I was reminded of just how amazingly tight they actually are. And Sonic Youth brought in the bells with a blistering opening to their consistently excellent set.<br /> <br />The DJs that accompanied the continued New Year debauchery until 3am were equally ace and my friend and I danced like complete tits. A <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28794&id=100000658220767&page=2#!/video/video.php?v=1648417023660">video</a> of this has been provided for your enjoyment and blackmail purposes. <br /> <br />Another thoroughly lovely element to this trip was the fact that we were very kindly put up by two friends who live in London. It was really refreshing to spend this particular time of year in the company of some really cool people that due to geography I just don’t get to see. Myself and my party had a really awesome, beer fuelled, banterific two days in their company. <br /><br />They also introduced us to a phenomenon surrounding a movie called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_2">Troll 2</a> which, frankly, I am completely baffled as to how I led my life unaware of. What will follow in 2011 will be a number of Troll 2 social events in which I systematically pass on the knowledge of Troll 2 to everyone I come into contact with.<br /><br />What else did we manage to squeeze into a very short two days? As we were in London it felt rude to not try and go to the theatre. Our first choice, given that post-Hogmanay drunken shenanigans had instilled the need for something silly, was Legally Blond. However, this plan was thwarted due to exorbitant West End ticket prices. <br /><br />Instead, we settled on a deal for <a href="http://www.endoftherainbowlondon.com/">End of the Rainbow at Trafalgar Studios</a>; a biographical piece of drama based on the final few months of the life of Judy Garland. Now, I have been an avid fan of Judy Garland my entire life so this was a fine option for me however my two friends were, it’s perhaps fair to say, less enthused.<br /><br />Fortunately, my companions being appreciative of high-quality drama were not disappointed with End of the Rainbow, as that is exactly what it is. The whole evenings entertainment ended with a standing ovation and me in floods of tears...(I swear I must have been a gay man in a previous life!) Not exactly the silly shenanigans we had hoped for but fulfilling none the less. <br /><br />So Hogmanay celebrations 2011 were a resounding success, I'm thinking a foray into the wilds of the North of Scotland might be on the cards next year.<br /><br />The one and only disappointment, if I had to locate one, was that in my absence from shiny Glasvegas I missed one of my best mates performing for the first time under the banner of a new musical creation of his. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28794&id=100000658220767&page=2#!/pages/Franks-Wild-Band-Tom-Waits-tribute/113211402082114">Franks Wild Band</a> is Scotlands only Tom Waits tribute and very good he is too! Franks Wild Band has a residency in uber-trendy and Waits inspired gin bar, <a href="http://www.thelongwayhome.co.uk/">The Long Way Home</a>. The disappointment of missing him the first time was fortunately short lived as he is making a triumphant return on the 6th February for a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=28794&id=100000658220767&page=2#!/event.php?eid=125807554153464">"Blue Valentine"</a> gig.<br /><br />So roll on 2011 and all your new adventures.Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-88519376907531759892010-11-25T12:29:00.002+00:002010-11-25T12:38:58.345+00:00Adventures in MontrealI spent the entirety of last week exploring the sights, sounds and cultural landscape of Montreal, Canada. In true intrepid adventurer style I made a number of influential discoveries. The first and most important of which is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine">Poutine</a>, a popular Canadian dish; one part french fries, one part incredibly rich beef gravy, one part cheese curds and one (optional) part chicken. I had to acquiesce and credit Canada with perfecting the ultimate hangover cure, knocking a can of Irn-Bru and Piece n’ Square Sausage off the top of the league table. Poutine is equally enjoyable as the reverse of remedy, as an accompaniment to copious amounts of beer. In fact, it can bolster you into drinking twice as much, comfortably and with panache!<br /> <br />The second discovery and of, now that I consider it properly, of equal importance is the fact that it is not uncommon in Montreal to find bars with beer taps plumbed into the tables; allowing you the freedom to pull your own pints as frequently as you wish regardless of the business levels at the bar. Dangerous yes, but where’s the fun without a little risk? If you ask me, this particular concept is long overdue in Scotland. Tennents, there’s something for you to market.<br /> <br />Another discovery made was that I quite enjoy ice-hockey, however this may be down to the utterly infectious passion that the natives have for this brutally fun sport.<br /> <br />However, I was not there solely as an ambassador for sport, beer and deliciously unhealthy snacks. The real purpose of my trip was as a delegate at CINARS – the International Exchange for the Performing Arts. Probably the largest of these types of conferences I have attended in my career to date it consisted of showcase performances, workshops, seminars and exhibition booths for companies and artists participating in <a href="http://www.cinars.org">CINARS</a>. The purpose of CINARS, and of these types of events in general, is to strengthen the circulation of the performing arts, endorse artistic creation and promote business exchange and collaboration.<br /> <br />My specific responsibility during this trip was to speak on the panel of one the discussion events being held in the programme of activity, the focus of which was the “OFF Phenomenon”. To clarify, this phrase doesn’t actually exist within the UKs cultural vocabulary but it can be interpreted to mean the same as “fringe”. So in the same way that the <a href="http://www.edfringe.com/">Edinburgh Festival Fringe</a> exists “on the fringes” of the <a href="http://www.eif.co.uk/">Edinburgh International Festival</a> other large cultural events across the globe have seen the inception of smaller, alternative programming side events bearing the “off” label.<br /> <br />It’s often easy to become acclimatised to the peculiarities to your own situation, because you’re in it, and what was brought home for me during the course of this discussion event was just how unique the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is as a model. The ripples of amused astonishment that reacted through the crowd of attendees as I relayed some staggering statistics about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that to me have become commonplace in some ways; 40,254 performances of 2,453 shows in 259 venues is utterly mind boggling. So in a way, through enlightening others to the fact I was reminded of just how wonderful a situation that is to have gotten used to and experienced the awe of it anew.<br /> <br />Other discoveries I made were artistic; there was a lot of performances to see over the course of my short six days. I confess that some of the theatre work I struggled with due to my terrible grasp of French. <br /><br />I was exposed to some...interesting dance work...interesting being for lack of a less polite adjective. <br /><br />Let’s put it this way, on more than one occasion I was transported to Spaced – Series 1 – Episode 3 “Art”. In my head I heard “Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit, rabbit....ooh, like a little flower...rabbit, rabbit, rabbit”. It’s true what they say; really great art is NOT as easy as it looks.<br /> <br />What I did love however, and will keenly spread the word to anyone willing to be bored by me was:<br />L’Orchestre d’hommes-orchestre - http://www.lodho.com/ - Also check out their <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/LOrchestre-dhommes-orchestres/89597564872">Facebook</a><br /><br />I’m not sure how to describe them other than what I saw was an epic tribute to the works of Tom Waits, crazily performed in the most non-traditional fashion. <br /><br />Just....well, just look them up. <br /><br />They were, I think, my main highlight. Not least because of my pre-existing enjoyment of their muse but I remained utterly enraptured by their manic performance style throughout. Unique, insane and captivating; it’s these sort of crazy bastards that make travelling thousands of miles, across on ocean, to discuss the politics of art worthwhile. Because discussions, politics and business aside, they are making it happen, in their own way, and that is ultimately what really fucking matters!Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-13425654486963820412010-11-06T17:40:00.002+00:002010-11-06T17:43:34.345+00:00IETM Glasgow 2010: Reflections, Part 1One thing that I have enjoyed is the opportunity to reconnect with my own city. Even before I started spending five days of my week in Edinburgh I hadn’t really engaged with Glasgow properly in a long time. Pounding the streets during IETM has allowed me to do that and in some ways perceive it a new. <br /><br />By visiting all of my home towns significant cultural locations I’m feeling imbued with a feeling of pride, confidence in what my country has to say in the Europe wide cultural dialogue and, perhaps most importantly, a feeling of security in my own participation in that conversation. <br /><br />Round table discussions about the mobilisation of arts advocacy across the European Union has helped me to identify more with the cultural landscape in which I work and play, create and enable. <br /><br />Over the course of three short days I have created links not only for myself, as a creative individual, but for the Edinburgh Fringe Society, the organisation I represent, with Barcelona, Poland, Germany, France and the Netherlands. <br /><br />I also won £5.40 on the euro millions which I have decided to take as significant. Perhaps it is representative of the fact that primarily I am Scottish but I am also European. <br /><br />All this cross-cultural interconnectivity has been illuminating not only in the context of what I already know but also on where my knowledge could do with sharpening. <br /><br />A point that has been addressed more than once this weekend is that it is so easy to work in your own little bubble and forget that there are entire continents out there with whom we can communicate and work alongside in order to make things easier and better, creatively and politically. <br /><br />It is important to remember that we, the current generation of creative practitioners and professionals, leave the legacy for the next and therefore we should endeavour together to make sure that it is a good and sustainable legacy. <br /><br />We should be aware of what our colleagues and peers are doing and what we can to do to support each other. <br /><br />One of the key issues highlighted during the sessions of IETM is, of course, the universal problem of budget cuts for the arts and the societal value of arts activities, or lack there of. <br /><br />What stood out in my mind, and it is a symptom of where we are going wrong and a consistent bad habit within the cultural sector. It is, to paraphrase John Holden, that arts policy debate takes place between experts when it should be a conversation between audiences. <br /><br />Linking into that is the fact that the fate of cultural funding is always in the hands of politicians who will campaign for what is important to society at large.<br />Society at large is your audience; you take the debate on policy to them then you create value in cultural activity where perhaps it hasn’t existed before. That will inevitably translate into influence on how they use their vote. You instill value for what you do in the people that can consume it then it follows that you instill it in the policy makers, because they have to respond to their audience just as much as we do.Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-71407046598961220992009-12-11T01:03:00.002+00:002009-12-11T02:21:38.147+00:00Spaced...The Lost GenerationI went to the doctors the other day, which is boring I realise but relevant to this blog, stay with me my story gets better!<br /><br />Whilst waiting to see my GP and to be told something utterly useless I rifled through the magazines in the waiting room for something printed after 2007. Finding something from 2009 was an epic success. <br /><br />Anyhoo, my luck was clearly in, this particular issue of (I think it was Vanity Fair, but don't quote me) had a very interesting interview with one of my personal idols, Simon Pegg, conducted by Janice Street Porter. <br /><br />The media standard questions were issued, albeit with a touch more informed finesse from the JSP; Spaced/SotD & Hot Fuzz/Hollywood beckoning and a sprinkling of questions related to Pegg's personal life.<br /><br />Of course one of the main topics that piqued my interest, always, is that of Spaced. Given that I believe it to be the best television show Britain has ever produced. <br /><br />And what I want to address is a comment made by Pegg on the concept behind Spaced which I think sums it up perfectly and makes it one of the most germane sitcoms for my generation (and by my generation I mean those who are in their mid/late twenties and early thirties). <br /><br />The comment was (roughly, I didn't take the mag from the GPs for reference) that Spaced essentially speaks to what can be referred to as today’s "Lost Generation". Up until fairly recently when you hit the 25 mark a special tag embedded somewhere in you went off in a sort of Logans Run type fashion. When this tag sends out its beacon it starts your biological clock and alerts society to start piling on the pressure for you to get married, punch out a few kids, get that promotion and the house in the suburbs and live normally ever after. <br /><br />For my parents, the parents of pretty much everyone I know and the generations that preceded them this was the societal norm. Not in a fascist regime kind of way, it's just what everyone did. There was an unspoken agreement about what sort of time in your life you really should have figured everything out and be a grown up.<br /><br />However, for my generation (the "Spaced" generation) we seem to have acquired an extra ten years that we, in Peggs words, "don't really know what to do with". <br /><br />This extra ten years that bridge the gap from 25 to 35 (roughly, you can allow for extra on either side of those numbers depending on your situation) are spent barely navigating our way through our lives desperately trying to figure out what the hell it is we want to do with ourselves. <br /><br />Tim & Daisy encapsulate this feeling of extended studentness perfectly and it's expertly peppered with the added anguish of well...the fact that we aren't students any more but supposed grown-ups in the eyes of the world but sure as hell not feeling like it.<br /><br />We are the Star Wars, Genre Loving, Pop-Culture Quoting "Lost Generation" and that's why Spaced speaks to us. That's what makes it so good. Well, that and it's groundbreaking cinematic style, exceptional writing and brilliant cast of course.<br /><br />It tapped into what we were all feeling, and still are to an extent, and put it on the small screen in the best way imaginable.<br /><br />Spaced pretty much said; we get it, and isn't it hilarious?<br /><br />Best. Sitcom. Ever.Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-13195295713410384442009-11-09T20:13:00.004+00:002009-11-10T00:14:39.971+00:00Moon (Very minor spoiler alert)I finally saw "Moon", quiet Sci-Fi from the more appropriately named Duncan Jones starring Sam Rockwell. Sam Rockwell who I believe is a decidedly underrated actor. <br /><br />Actually, it's more like Science Future than Science Fiction. It portrays a not too distant nor too unbelievable future whereby man is present on the moon and mining it for Helium-3, a fuel required to provide clean and a pretty much inexhaustible source of energy to the earth. <br /><br />A lonely job but someone has go to do it; a human presence is required to oversee the mining station and that presence is Sam Bell. Bell is assigned to a three year contract on the Moon Base with only an AI computer system called Gerty for company. <br /><br />We come into the canon of Sam Bell at the point of 2 weeks until his 3 years are up and establish that Satellite Communications have been damaged and he has been unable to receive any live feed messages from earth for some time but rather pre-recorded messages received periodically. Through this we also discover that Sam Bell has a wife called Tess and a 3 year old daughter back home on earth. <br /><br />Three years isolated in the silence of space have clearly taken their toll and there are already hints of slight barminess fringing Sam, just around the edges. <br /><br />When Sam begins to hallucinate you would be forgiven for thinking that you were about to embark on a mans descent into madness brought on through intense solitude but this isn't the case.<br /><br />During a routine mission to one of the harvesters Sam sees a young girl standing on the Moon's surface and understandably crashes his rover. He wakes up in the base infirmary, relatively in-tact and being cared for by Gerty.<br /><br />At this point I should probably mention a few things about Gerty. Voiced by Kevin Spacey, he's sort of like a roving microwave with a couple of pretty sophisticated arm mechanisms that are operated by him but move around separately, if you can imagine. He also has a little monitor that projects Emoticons (or smileys) to convey what he is feeling, a touch I really liked. There are echoes of Hal, naturally, from 2001 but fortunately Gerty lacks the homicidal maniac chip as his AI is in fact not that sophisticated. <br /><br />What happens next turns your expectations of the movie; during his recovery process Sam overhears Gerty having a live conversation with the Bosses back on earth, cue suspicions. Suspicion leads him to disobey orders of confinement and ventures out to investigate the crashed rover where he finds, well, himself still there and barely alive. As you would, he takes himself back to the base for treatment. <br /><br />That's right, you guessed it, there's more than one Sam Bell. In fact there's a fairly limitless amount of Sam Bell's being stored under the base. <br /><br />Sam Bell is a human product; there are hundreds, maybe thousands of clones ready to replace the current live version as it comes to the end of it's three year contract. Without giving too much away about the ending we end up with two Sam Bell's interacting and leading the movie to its conclusion, one that that has been there for three years and is getting sicker (and more gross!) by the second and the newly awakened post-crash Sam.<br /><br />There is some nice contrast seen between a Sam Bell who has spent three years in crushing isolation and subsequently gone round the bend and a a newer model who is altogether a grumpier and less sympathetic version. Their scenes together are well done but once or twice are let down by their lack of impact, by that I mean the conveyance of general annoyance at each other as opposed to any real turmoil or emotion you would anticipate from the discovery of a clone of yourself.<br /><br />The inspirations are apparent and well applied; A Space Odyssey, Solaris, Silent Running, Darkstar and even a few specks of Sunshine. <br /><br />It's an excellent Sci-Fi contribution from Duncan Jones; dark, brooding and thankfully there is no naff twist. <br /><br />Its evocations of loneliness and the importance of human connection are touching and I think it makes an interesting comment on identity and how that is valued in society. <br /><br />It definitely merits another watch.Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-63585258941131552952009-11-09T20:05:00.003+00:002009-11-10T00:15:51.582+00:00Why I have changed my Blog...again!Because in its previous incarnation I was never inspired to write anything. The reasons for this are several. The first being it was presented under the monniker of "Lucille Burn"- my cabaret singing alter-ego. I felt this was limiting because by writing on behalf of Lucille I was blurring the lines between who I am and the sort of thing that Lucille should be saying versus the perceptions of the character. I have since realised this was silly.<br /><br />Lucille doesn't need a blog, she has a MySpace - www.myspace.com/lucilleburn<br /><br />Secondly, things that spew from brain on a day to day basis tend to be short and meandering which is why we have Facebook. <br /><br />And thirdly, I just wanted my blog to represent who I am and I think this is it, I reckon there's a chance it will be more interesting this way. <br /><br />So there you go...Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-47572783273038305712009-11-09T19:53:00.003+00:002009-11-10T00:16:46.492+00:00Things that you can be pretty sure of.In todays unpredictable world I like to know there are some certainties in life, a few of those for me are...<br /><br />1. That I will never make up my mind what I want this blog to be for and I will NEVER update it as regularly as I would like<br /><br />2. I will never like the Star Wars Prequels<br /><br />3. I will never like Ricky Gervais<br /><br />4. Even the XKCD strips I don't get, I enjoy (www.xkcd.com)<br /><br />5. I will never go to bed on the same day that I woke up<br /><br />6. I will always need more snooze<br /><br />7. I will always argue that Spike is an infintely better character than Angel. (Angel only has two settings - moody and evil!)<br /><br />8. Battlestar Galactica (Reboot, not the original) is quite possibly the best TV show ever made!<br /><br />9. LOL Catz will always distract me from the work at hand<br /><br />10. Babylon 5 is a big pile of shit (not mine but thrown in for comedy value)Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-80201693825862998072009-08-07T02:09:00.002+01:002009-08-07T02:33:02.150+01:00Ed Fringe: Day 1 - List PartyGreetings people who don't read this!<br /><br />It is my intention to blog every day to keep you up to date on Fringe shenanigans as they happen. Today marks the official launch of the festival with the infamous List Magazine Festival Launch Party. Held in what is normally the Spiegelgarden but as it is on hiatus this year we enjoyed complimentary Sagres & Bulmers in the very similar surroundings of Hullabaloo, replacement venueness from Fringe leviathan's, Smirnoff Underbelly. <br /><br />Par for the course stuff; too many crew, strict door management with secret wristbands and far too little drinks tickets. <br /><br />Obligatory first free pint goes down quickly as the place starts to fill up with media....press...media...living statue....media....press....performers....performers...performers...really large creepy guy with Promoter pass dangling in a "look, look now!" fashion........and then some more press. The Fringe has officially begun. Don't get me wrong, this is how it goes and I wouldn't change it for the world.<br /><br />First pint has gone down like your mother in law at a wedding and you are ready to brace this throng of potentials and credentials with your own relevance. <br /><br />The idea is to flit and dart around the crowd, pick out the people who are least likely to tell you to fuck off and give them the chat! The chat being, "living breathing Fringe guide...showcases the best acts from across the festival...incredible unpredictable line-up...surprise guests...open until 5am...only £8!" That part I enjoy saying because to me that's a fucking proper, in the true sense of the word, Fringe price! <br /><br />With that part of the evening complete and feeling satisfied I had talked enough pish to earn my meagre free drink it was time for the centre piece of the evening, the List Magazine's Fringe highlight, well, cabaret!<br /><br />Excellence was found in The Dirty Brothers Side Show, who you can see at The Bongo Club Cabaret on the 18th. Quite possibly the best angle-grinding and self-mutilation freak show act I have EVER seen and believe you me that's saying something!<br /><br />There was also the Pyjama Boys (I think that's what they were called!) who had this amazing dry, new-American comedy going on mixed with an amazing ability for sketch theatre. They reminded me of a cross between Napolean Dynamite & Flight of the Conchords, from what I managed to gather they are on at Assembly...look them up, they made me laugh so hard I nearly peed! Sourcing them for Bongo, I will be!<br /><br />Another gem was a Japanese trio called the Tights Men (I think, it's getting late and I have had one too many free Sagres!) Frankly, all that needs said is that they are a sort of weird version of Puppetry of the Penis...except they have replaced the penis with....full body leotard tight things... I know that doesn't sound like it should work but it does...they were on first so I can't remember where to tell you to see them...look up weird/japanese/tights. You won't find what I saw tonight but you are probably guaranteed a decent night in!<br /><br />And so it was that the List Magazine Festival launch party happened once again, non-deterred were they by the lack of the Spiegelgarden and nor should they be as Hullabaloo looks to be a pretty awesome substitute. Not least because of the atmospheric, 100 year old Bosco Theatre that comprises its main venue. A mix of big top and studio theatre gives it a proper Fringe feel and the thought that it could truly be a blank canvas.<br /><br />Bongo opens tomorrow night (Venue 143, 22.15 ) and I am very excited, if tonight is anything to go by then we are set for a pretty exciting Fringe. I hope to document it better than I have this evening. I will add to this if I think of something interesting that I forgot.<br /><br />I am up in 4 hours so I bid you goodnight....<br /><br />x LLouise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-20917354380979688642009-07-29T15:36:00.005+01:002011-01-05T02:55:31.198+00:00Gen Nexters - A blog written in the summer of 2009 and never posted......I thought given the time that has passed and that we have just entered 2011 that there was something particularly poignant about posting this now. To see how much I have changed and, indeed, stayed the same within that short space of time. <br /><br /><div>When you trawl the internet for interesting words and opinions as much as I do you can often be stuck for what to write or what to say because there are so many other people saying it for you, often better, but as I was reading Fringe preview articles in The List this afternoon I came across the following phrase, stated by Ella Hickson, young female playwright responsible for "Eight" and this years Fringe offering, "Precious Little Talent"...</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><em>"My generation is having to face up to its own mediocrity pretty quickly. We were told, “Get a good education, a degree, and your life will be sorted”, but that’s just not the case anymore. We’re a generation fighting not to be forgotten and I wanted to address that."</em></div><br /><div><em></em> </div><br /><div>The last half of this statement really struck me. It made me start to think about the notion of the "twenty-something" and expectations...thinking in a sort of rambling way so if this post never actually reaches a logical conclusion they I do apologise (do you see what I meant by doing it better!)</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>It's probably fairly safe to say that not everyone is an ambition-addled over achiever who know what they want to do and are fixated on having this achieved, and perhaps even have it peak and level out, before they turn 30. In fact people like this in the "twenty-something" bracket are few and far between. Those who know me well will be the first to say that <em>I </em>fall under this banner, and they wouldn't be wrong, but even I lack faith in what is going on and where I am going sometimes. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Are we a generation fighting not to be forgotten or are we in fact drifiting along in a confused state until we hit a signpost that will point us down the right path to achievement? </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>In my opinion a lot of us spend the first half of our twenties not worrying greatly about what is around the corner, and quite rightly so, because it's too early to think about. We're young, practically children in the grand scheme of things, what's the rush? We'll figure it out when we get there. Just follow the formulaic 3-step programme, as detailed above and all will be fine; good education, degree and then good job - sorted! Win! </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Hmmm, well, I did that...checked those three (well, 2 and a half!) boxes...so why do I not feel any closer to being where I want to be? </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Well first of all there are no jobs, in the main this is down to the economic climate, something that is outwith the control of us mere mortals. Yet the flow of graduates is not decreasing, industry can't sustain the volume of qualified clever clogs looking for high-paid and rewarding work in their chosen field. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>What we are getting are call centres full of over-qualified, gradually becoming apathetic, "twenty-somethings" with their aspirations dwindling. It's very difficult when you've got student loans to repay and the cost of living in the real world to contend with to throw caution to the wind and bin the 9-5 in search of the dream job which may be just that, a dream. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Perhaps we aren't facing up to mediocrity but trying desperately to find a way to fight it as it closes in on us. Money certainly isn't everything and shouldn't be the facilitating factor in ultimate happiness, for most people anyway, but then again living below the poverty line and receiving post-interview rejection letters is pretty fucking miserable. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Second of all, the time when just leaving Uni, getting a high paid job of any description - it didn't matter what as long as it paid well and embodied a certain element of power and/or responsibility - before getting married and pumping out a few kids equalled satisfaction has long since passed. There's a certain element of pressure to have a goal beyond this, specialise in something and do everything you can to acheive it. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>As a generation we do want more, we don't want to be forgotten and we want to be able to do what we <em>want </em>to do and be rewarded for it. Where the challenge lies is figuring out how to do that. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div>Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-7611494395041611132009-07-14T20:14:00.002+01:002009-07-14T20:58:13.379+01:00Post-Festival BluesThe first Glasgow Cabaret Festival is done and dusted, closing with Dr Sketchy Glasgow and a bit of a post-sketching soiree at The Arches.<br /><br /><br /><br />It's a funny thing working on a project of that nature and scale; a years worth of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-production flies by and then a week can feel like year and <em>then </em>it's over...all done, in a blink!<br /><br /><br /><br />With 26 shows (that we know of) across 13 venues in the city of Glasgow, 5 sell-outs within our core programme and an amazing finale show at the ABC on Saturday night I spent most of the whole week waiting for the other big sparkly shoe to drop.<br /><br /><br /><br />Launching a festival for the first time, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">particularly</span> one that involves a new concept for the discerning arts audience is risky business, especially when you are completely unfunded. Normally such ventures start incredibly small, building over a number years from their infancy to something of the size that Glasgow Cabaret Festival ended up being in its inaugural year and that, quite frankly is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">overwhelming</span>, I'm reeling a little bit.<br /><br /><br /><br />And as such my body now doesn't know what to do - a week of going to shows every night, early starts and even later nights, very little normal behaviour such as eating and sleeping taking place and imbibing alcohol every night with some of the most talented people I've had the pleasure of working with to date...wow, that sounds like a Festival doesn't it? How did that happen?<br /><br /><br /><br />At <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">RwP</span> HQ I am still collating statistics; full head counts throughout the week for all the venues, tickets sold, revenue (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">hah</span>!) generated, press garnered, performers <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">participating</span> etc. I smell an epic debrief....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ew</span>!<br /><br /><br /><br />My partner and cohort Rufus is roaming the room like caged animal, having pulled off the biggest project of our careers to date with relatively few hiccups has left us feeling somewhat restless. And another amazing result of all this is...the Fringe...which would normally be filling us with throat drying fear around about this time of year feels like, dare I say it, that it might be a walk in the park (famous last words!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">GCF</span> 09 highlights for me include having the pleasure of enjoying not one, not two but THREE nights of the amazing Frisky & Mannish. It felt a little like they were saying, "Oh hey Lucille, here's the bar, come join us up here!"<br /><br /><br /><br />Late night nonsense spent with Beatrix <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">von</span> Bourbon.<br /><br /><br /><br />The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Redettes</span>, my lovely new singing trio, making their debut at the altogether too spectacular Missy & Leyla Show.<br /><br /><br /><br />Gushing aside; mostly I'm humbled, the level of support and belief that Rufus and I received from the Cabaret scene at large in the UK, not just in Scotland, was not only hugely positive it was massively touching. People got behind this concept and united to make it happen, Rufus and I have always known what a great support network we have and for that we are stupidly grateful but the past week showed us something we didn't know existed - it went beyond <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">professional</span> amicability, it was bordering on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">camaraderie</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am unsure yet how next year will pan out, all I know is that there is absolutely the desire to make it happen. And I have some ideas; creatively and commerically. With a successful example to present I know I can do this festival and everyone involved in it this year and prospective participants of 2010 real justice.<br /><br /><br /><br />Roll on the Fringe, if it's half as successful I can retire...Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-34338795489842457202009-06-29T01:14:00.002+01:002009-06-29T01:28:22.793+01:00SleepehTired again. Too tired to do the things that I should be doing but too drained to sleep. <br /><br />I had a day off today and I am already feeling guilty about it, even though it was thoroughly pleasant and I am fairly confident it's deserved however as midnight passes me by my brain is starting to do that irritating thing of keeping me awake worrying about all the things I actually chose not to deal with...<br /><br />"Ladies and gentlemen, a tap dance..."<br /><br />Richard Gere is tap dancing for all he's worth (several million) on my TV right now, I like a good musical when I can't sleep, it allows me to escape and wonder about what could have happened if I had decided to just take direction rather than issue it. <br /><br />What was I talking about? <br /><br />Feeling guilty about taking time off...being too tired too sleep...yes, so I have a frightening amount of work to get through in this next week, probably more than a weeks worth and I am awake, engaging my brain enough to write this, but not enough to tackle some of the minor tasks, some of the little tasks on top of a rather dense pile that would make my week pass more smoothly. <br /><br />For some reason though writing this will give me a feeling of some sort of acheivement, enough to stave off the guilt until tomorrow morning, even though it doesn't serve any real purpose. When the sun comes in through the skylight window above my bed and my coffee is on the boil everything will, I know, be so much more surmountable in the stark, dry Monday morning light of day and all of this worry will dissapate into the ether, into nothing and seem silly. <br /><br />But it's not silly right now...I'm worried...worried that a relaxing day off is now seemingly in vain because I am ruining it with fucking worry!!! Fucksake...<br /><br />Worried that I am overthinking all of this...<br /><br />Worried that I haven't blogged enough...now that's silly.<br /><br />Worried that I'm not doing the right thing.<br /><br />Worried about money<br /><br />Worried about my health<br /><br />Worried about my relationships<br /><br />Worried about work<br /><br />Worried about blogging about worry<br /><br />Less worried about tomorrowLouise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597888707075984476.post-52144747990788885982009-06-18T14:37:00.001+01:002009-06-18T14:58:55.445+01:00Fringe FrolicsIt's worth pointing out that cabaret abounds in this years Fringe programme which is beneficial for those who want to test the water a little bit before they cannonball into what this years programme has to offer. <br /><br />When faced with an overwhelming amount of shows each with only 200 words of copy to help you decide what to spend your Fringe pound on it can be a daunting and subsequently soul-destroying experience if you get more misses than hits.<br /><br />Which is why The Bongo Club Cabaret could be the theatrical equivalent of a Sat Nav to assist you in mapping out where to go and what to see. <br /><br />This late night showcase is back for what I understand to be its 5th year of obscene fun and frolics and the programming reigns are now in the hands of Glasgow based Theatre Company, Rhymes with Purple Productions (<a href="http://www.rhymeswithpurple.net/">www.rhymeswithpurple.net</a>). <br /><br />The idea behind the Bongo Club Cabaret is to present the best of what the Fringe programme has to offer - from circus and comedy to live music and theatre of all kinds. <br /><br />Each night the line-up is different and is mainly comprised of Fringe acts performing a snippet of their offering. Therefore if you like what you see and want more you can add them to your wish list with at least some amount of certainty that it will be ticket money well spent. <br /><br />Either that or you will go see the show and realise just now much the Bongo Club being open until 5am and the drink being cheap clouded your usually very astute artistic judgement! <br /><br />In addition to that my Fringe picks would also be Gagarin's Way at The Stand - I have yet to be disappointed by any of Phil Nicols forrays into theatre. <br />For comedy Simon Amstell (also at The Bongo Club incidentally!) or Dylan Moran.<br /><br />And for ground-breaking new theatre and the thought that anything might happen then definitely check out The Arches at St Stephens, personally I am very exicted about the prospect of <a href="http://www.thearches.co.uk/ScratchJuly09.htm">Scratch</a> at the Fringe!Louise Oliverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11932038258453925827noreply@blogger.com0