Time flies when your having fun. That's what they say, and I have decided that I do not like it, not one bit. Don't worry, this isn't going to be a moany Blog which people would probably expect from that sentence. I hope.
Since leaving college, I have spent most of my time at home and already the last month seems longer than the rest of the year so far put together. January to May flitted past in a heartbeat with all my bestest buds having fun and doing what we laughingly call 'hard work'. And yes, it was hard and stressful, but somehow a lot of fun at the same time. Now, living life away from these people time drags by even with the best in 21st century entertainment to keep me occupied.
The upshot of the is that when I look back on this year in my dotage I will see an awefully long time playing playstation, watching films and TV and sleeping but an almost minuscule amount of time (albeit filled to the brim with activity) with the people I love. This juxtaposition worries me and makes me wish that fun times felt longer than nothingy times.
Prime example: Emma and Hannah's leaving-for-Europe do on Tuesday. We arrived around 20 to 6-ish and probably didn't actually sleep (those of us in the front room anyway) until about 3 or 3.30 a.m. Tuesday night was GREAT fun and I hope nothing but the best (and a quickest-feeling due to fun-ness) trip to the gals, and yet so far since I woke up 3 or so hours ago, today seems FAR longer than the whole of Tuesday.
I really sincerely wish for the rest of summer to be energetic, involved and fun as I want the memories to be such, even if they are quick ones.
Xxxx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Friday, 1 July 2011
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
I am a MAN!
So. I have been 18 now for a little over a week. it feels like less, if only because my birthday and the day after blurred into 1 due to no sleep, and the Monday and Tuesday did the same. Wednesday was a nothing day, Thursday was 'revision', but then the weekend came.
Friday was AMAZING! Went to London to sunny Oxford Street where I enjoyed much shopping with a new hat, amongst other assorted items, to show for it. T'was a lovely afternoon sat in Starbucks with a frappucino (Strawberries and cream, dontcha know?) in a t-shirt and blazer, trilby and reading a play. I have NEVER felt so very theatrical in my LIFE. I felt like I should be waiting for my agent to call or someone to go: 'OH MY GOD! I saw you in the Olivier last night!' Then I would respond, mildly snobbishly: 'Why yes, you probably did. I was the one ON stage *a-trololololol*!'
I then went on to t'theatre. I saw Pant's on Fire's Metamorposes in Greenwich. but more on that in a moment. I had a rather enjoyable afternoon mooching around Greenwich, looking back at almost a year ago (it does NOT feel that long) when us bunch from the NYT were mooching around the same area. When in search of the elusive theatre, I found myself standing outside a record shop, that sells various other vintage bits and bobs/clothes, feeling the nostalgia sweep over me thinking about how we spent a VERY long time in there while a certain someone indulged himself. Looking back, I might need to get the address for one Miss Emma, as it is so VERY her. It is THAT good ;)
Back at the theatre, which I found, walked away from, lost again, and found again. Where I bought a Vodka Orange, just cos I can, and DIDN'T get I.Ded. What is the point of just turning 18, if you can't bandy about your passport or driving licence, or whatever it happens to be, like it's going out of fashion? This isn't even the first time. I've been 18 a week, I've only been asked for ID 3 times out of A LOT of opportunities. And one of them was tonight. Fags, booze, there's been a lot this week, but only 3 requests. Anyhoo, back to the point. The show was impeccable. I missed it last autumn in The Hub, and am glad I saw it when I did. Funny, intelligent, well performed. And a tad inspirational to be totally honest. I know how much quality is possible in young performers, and have seen it rise extremely high, so I know what I could do with my own company later, and what I'd want my students to be able to achieve when they are doing it.
Saturday. What can I say? Funny. As. HELL! My famalam, Gemma and I popped down to Brighton for part of my 18th celebrations and went to Kommedia. We were sat right by the stage, myself nearest it. It's a comedy club, I think we all know what happens next. Act number 1, Hal Cruttenden: 'You have a fucking weird laugh!' then follows a whole evening of banter from the comics for me and my fathers. I couldn't resist telling them that little nugget.
Tonight was possibly the best night of them all. Performing Arts Finale meal. The teachers got their gifts, ALMOST everyone turned up, and we had a SMASHING night. Banter, laughs and delicious food. Thankfully, for me at least, all of the emotional stuff is out of the way. I have written to those I love most, and yes, I have cried. It is officially over now, I'm just glad tonight was tear-less (from what I saw, at least) fun.
Adieu, Au Revoir etc. etc. but never goodbye, to all my PA family (and to my readers),
with love
xxxxxxxx
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Here we go!
So, its been a while. And an odd while at that.
Tomorrow is my first exam: Philosophy Unit 1. A I worried? Yes, actually. been trying to revise, but only have the materials to revise HALF of the exam. and that half is only an option. The question I have to answer is the one that all my revision stuff has run off for. Joyous, isn't it? But hey-ho, moving on.
Tomorrow is also performance 1 of Measure for Measure. Can. Not. Wait! Seriously, I want to get up in front of that audience with the other incredibly talented people I've been working with for the last few months and go: Look at this, we did this! Yes, there are worries. Yes, I am nervous. But no, I will not be brought down by them. If something goes wrong, which it almost certainly will what with it being promenade and relying on the audience actually moving (god forbid :P), we will power through professionally and make it looked planned. we're good like that.
When we are done with the old M4M comes the moment: leaving. Performing Arts finished. A week ago I didn't really know how I would react about that. Now however, with it looming over us, I'm feeling scared, sad and just a little nostalgic. ALREADY!!! It's just silly. I'm looking back over my times and going 'oh, those were the days.'WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Really, it is too much for this time. I know for sure that I will miss everyone hugely, some people even more, but that's inevitable. Any of you who are reading this: you guys have been my life for the last 2 years, when I'm off at Uni *fingers crossed* it's gonna take some SERIOUS adjustment. I love you all :).
Now: my biggest worry right now is English. I got my coursework grade back and it was a C. A mid band C. I need to get a high B or an A in the exam to get into Uni and that TERRIFIES me. exams stress me, and last years English exam yielded me a D. This is scary scary stuff. My entire future is now hanging on one exam. And, it's an exam that bears no real relation to my career. I hope I get it though, Kent will be SO good for me.
To close, I repeat: I love all my Performing Arts people and send a special shout out to them and our wonderful teachers to say that I am a completely different person to 2 years ago thanks to you. This journey has seen me grow personally, professionally and emotionally so thank you so much, and sorry if it has been a bumpy road with me at times.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tomorrow is my first exam: Philosophy Unit 1. A I worried? Yes, actually. been trying to revise, but only have the materials to revise HALF of the exam. and that half is only an option. The question I have to answer is the one that all my revision stuff has run off for. Joyous, isn't it? But hey-ho, moving on.
Tomorrow is also performance 1 of Measure for Measure. Can. Not. Wait! Seriously, I want to get up in front of that audience with the other incredibly talented people I've been working with for the last few months and go: Look at this, we did this! Yes, there are worries. Yes, I am nervous. But no, I will not be brought down by them. If something goes wrong, which it almost certainly will what with it being promenade and relying on the audience actually moving (god forbid :P), we will power through professionally and make it looked planned. we're good like that.
When we are done with the old M4M comes the moment: leaving. Performing Arts finished. A week ago I didn't really know how I would react about that. Now however, with it looming over us, I'm feeling scared, sad and just a little nostalgic. ALREADY!!! It's just silly. I'm looking back over my times and going 'oh, those were the days.'WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? Really, it is too much for this time. I know for sure that I will miss everyone hugely, some people even more, but that's inevitable. Any of you who are reading this: you guys have been my life for the last 2 years, when I'm off at Uni *fingers crossed* it's gonna take some SERIOUS adjustment. I love you all :).
Now: my biggest worry right now is English. I got my coursework grade back and it was a C. A mid band C. I need to get a high B or an A in the exam to get into Uni and that TERRIFIES me. exams stress me, and last years English exam yielded me a D. This is scary scary stuff. My entire future is now hanging on one exam. And, it's an exam that bears no real relation to my career. I hope I get it though, Kent will be SO good for me.
To close, I repeat: I love all my Performing Arts people and send a special shout out to them and our wonderful teachers to say that I am a completely different person to 2 years ago thanks to you. This journey has seen me grow personally, professionally and emotionally so thank you so much, and sorry if it has been a bumpy road with me at times.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, 11 April 2011
Bleurgh
Well, the last couple of weeks have been fairly uneventful. I didn't get in to Rose Bruford but half way through the following day and it felt like months ago, so its not all bad. We in Measure for Measure have got an awful lot done, and the 2 days next week should be amazingly helpful to get even more done so we can start to focus on detail and polishing.
Last night, however, someone I thought was worthy of my trust went on a rant about everything that everyone hates about me and that all of them spend any time with me trying to ditch me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the honesty, but sometimes honesty should be fed out in bite-size morsels of truth, not as a full 'french service' meal plonked in front of me all at once. The truth is good to get out but hurts. It reduced my mental state back to that of the year 9 'emo' me. A state I do not like being in or being reminded of. Its amazing how quickly from the turn of one person you entirety of thought can regress. Some people, who are always honest to the face, I would have taken this from and barely reacted. But other people who hide their opinions from people's faces and tend to go behind you're back really hit you hard when they go to you're face. Its out of character and therefore you assume it is WORSE than what they are saying.
Really, I have no hard feelings toward this person and appreciate they're honesty but still, it hit hard.
In other news: I spent most of yesterday watching Bones, old episodes of Hustle and Glee. I am one episode ahead again. Last week's was mostly awful. Rachel more irritating than normal and too much Bieber. My Chemical Romance was incredible though. Tonight's is rather good, nice and emotional for Kurt, which I like.
Well, that's me for now, farewell, chums. Xx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Last night, however, someone I thought was worthy of my trust went on a rant about everything that everyone hates about me and that all of them spend any time with me trying to ditch me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the honesty, but sometimes honesty should be fed out in bite-size morsels of truth, not as a full 'french service' meal plonked in front of me all at once. The truth is good to get out but hurts. It reduced my mental state back to that of the year 9 'emo' me. A state I do not like being in or being reminded of. Its amazing how quickly from the turn of one person you entirety of thought can regress. Some people, who are always honest to the face, I would have taken this from and barely reacted. But other people who hide their opinions from people's faces and tend to go behind you're back really hit you hard when they go to you're face. Its out of character and therefore you assume it is WORSE than what they are saying.
Really, I have no hard feelings toward this person and appreciate they're honesty but still, it hit hard.
In other news: I spent most of yesterday watching Bones, old episodes of Hustle and Glee. I am one episode ahead again. Last week's was mostly awful. Rachel more irritating than normal and too much Bieber. My Chemical Romance was incredible though. Tonight's is rather good, nice and emotional for Kurt, which I like.
Well, that's me for now, farewell, chums. Xx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
No laptop and no *blank* make Henry get sad face.
So...I've been without my laptop now for ooh, 5 minutes or so. I also have retreated to my room the way I do every evening to get away from awful television (usually CBS Reality *gag*) and repetitive conversation.
Normally at these times I would retreat into iplayer or 4od or itunes or some such, but I do not have access to these. I decided to get windows 7 from software4students. It was only £40, why not? That's when the trouble started. You have to download, transfer to disk then install. I backed up my data first, followed all the instructions, and more instructions besides, but the install broke half-way through (apparently some missing info). This means too much of Vista is gone to use but not enough of 7 is there to use. That's my relaxation and measure for measure research and English coursework (due next Friday) and the practical test I'm meant to be booking as I've miraculously found my theory certificate royally buggered.
Add to this that I cannot partake in the 2 most relaxing experiences in my life. The first one - yes it is the tawdry thing that popped into your mind (not salad related), because of a 40 days and nights thing with a couple of people from college. The second - my own little habit that some people can't know about yet, because 2 of those people are downstairs.
The combination of all these things has genuinely left me with the single tear streaming down my face. I realise this is a FM-TANWWMMC-L (Fuck My - There's actually nothing wrong with my middle class - life) moment but it has left me stressed and upset.
I'm sorry if I've wasted your time.
xxx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Normally at these times I would retreat into iplayer or 4od or itunes or some such, but I do not have access to these. I decided to get windows 7 from software4students. It was only £40, why not? That's when the trouble started. You have to download, transfer to disk then install. I backed up my data first, followed all the instructions, and more instructions besides, but the install broke half-way through (apparently some missing info). This means too much of Vista is gone to use but not enough of 7 is there to use. That's my relaxation and measure for measure research and English coursework (due next Friday) and the practical test I'm meant to be booking as I've miraculously found my theory certificate royally buggered.
Add to this that I cannot partake in the 2 most relaxing experiences in my life. The first one - yes it is the tawdry thing that popped into your mind (not salad related), because of a 40 days and nights thing with a couple of people from college. The second - my own little habit that some people can't know about yet, because 2 of those people are downstairs.
The combination of all these things has genuinely left me with the single tear streaming down my face. I realise this is a FM-TANWWMMC-L (Fuck My - There's actually nothing wrong with my middle class - life) moment but it has left me stressed and upset.
I'm sorry if I've wasted your time.
xxx
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Another big gap
Again, I have managed to go a ridiculously long time without blogging. This is shameful, I know. I will attempt to put one up every week from now on, but can't promise anything.
My life has been rather good of late. Ïndeed, I have received a conditional offer from my second choice institution (KENT) and a recall at my first choice (Rose Bruford) in a little over a week. For Kent's offer I need a 'B' in English so am currently spending every moment not already taken by Measure for Measure (excited) rehearsals or research to make sure my coursework is up to scratch. For Rose Bruford's recall I need to have the sheet music for my song. After an extreme trek around the internet to find it, I stumbled upon a website that gives 1 print for a couple of quid. Then my printer decided to go all 'fuck printing' on me and chewed up page 2 (of 5). That meant, as it had already 'printed', we had to buy it again. I was very irritated.
In other news, we now have 4 weeks until we perform or Shakespeare:Retold shows, plus 2 weeks of holiday, then another week of actually doing it. That's 5 or 7 weeks until college ends and we're split up. Sorry, but its true. Don't tell me not to say, we need to get used to it now to avoid certain people crying. However - bare in mind that that means its only a little longer than that until about 5 days straight of P.A. Parties!!
A week after my birthday, my family will be taking me to Jonglers comedy club. Cannot wait! It is such a good venue and I'm really excited about it. It will be all 7 of us in the close family, plus Gemma so should be a pretty damn funny night!
My parents also want to know what 'special' thing I want for my birthday. They mean like an engraved tankard or something. I just want money if I'm honest, pay for bits and bobs and help me in saving for feeding myself at uni.
Its gonna be a good week - I promise.
My life has been rather good of late. Ïndeed, I have received a conditional offer from my second choice institution (KENT) and a recall at my first choice (Rose Bruford) in a little over a week. For Kent's offer I need a 'B' in English so am currently spending every moment not already taken by Measure for Measure (excited) rehearsals or research to make sure my coursework is up to scratch. For Rose Bruford's recall I need to have the sheet music for my song. After an extreme trek around the internet to find it, I stumbled upon a website that gives 1 print for a couple of quid. Then my printer decided to go all 'fuck printing' on me and chewed up page 2 (of 5). That meant, as it had already 'printed', we had to buy it again. I was very irritated.
In other news, we now have 4 weeks until we perform or Shakespeare:Retold shows, plus 2 weeks of holiday, then another week of actually doing it. That's 5 or 7 weeks until college ends and we're split up. Sorry, but its true. Don't tell me not to say, we need to get used to it now to avoid certain people crying. However - bare in mind that that means its only a little longer than that until about 5 days straight of P.A. Parties!!
A week after my birthday, my family will be taking me to Jonglers comedy club. Cannot wait! It is such a good venue and I'm really excited about it. It will be all 7 of us in the close family, plus Gemma so should be a pretty damn funny night!
My parents also want to know what 'special' thing I want for my birthday. They mean like an engraved tankard or something. I just want money if I'm honest, pay for bits and bobs and help me in saving for feeding myself at uni.
Its gonna be a good week - I promise.
Friday, 4 March 2011
It's Been Too Long
Hello there, it's been a while so I'm just going to update you on the last week and a half of my life now that i have returned from Preston.
The most important thing to happen since my last blog was....a party. Or should that be A PARTAAAYYYYYY!!!? probably not, actually, my sincerest apologies. It was however a rather excellent party at a certain Ms. Lia Ferris's house where various drinking games saw me with very sore hands and certain revelations spilling forth. Sorry guys. The evening ended for a group of us, but then another group decided that wasn't right and kept us up until 5. Quite fun though, methods included I Spy with a rather imaginative Gary chirping in occasionally with absolute CORKERS. and of course the advent of bloobs, blegs etc. from the ever unusually Liam and Emma. Well done you two.
I also found out I got a recall at my first - the rather lovely ROSE BRUFORD! Yay :) Now however, I need to find the sheet music to a particularly obscure musical...could be tricky.
On top of all of this our funding pitch, which Gemma and I put SO much work into, went rather well. Even if most of the questions were very much blagged! Now just the marks to come...
Now to the last couple of days.When i got the UCLan in Preston i thought - Wow. It was a beautiful building, with the massive downside of it being the fact that the teacher believed that an actor 'doesn't need to feel the emotion, just needs to show the audience what it should be'. Translation: demonstrate. Outcome: hammy, awful acting. They, essentially, teach an acting BA which states that truthful performance is unnecessary. And very arrogantly too. That's why i don't care that I didn't get through, the 4 people that did were all very clear, but also extremely hollow. And none of the people to whom i wold have said 'yes' to got through either. you know, the ones I believed. They claim that they are training the very best of the 'actors of tomorrow'. If thats true I pity the Olivier awards and BAFTA awards of tomorrow.
P.S. I suck at (amongst other things) finding a decent way to sign off. My best (from 'I Don't Like Mondays') was actually supplied to me by the mildly funny Mr Andy Burse. If you have any ides, please comment as I hate an open ended blog.
*insert sign off*
The most important thing to happen since my last blog was....a party. Or should that be A PARTAAAYYYYYY!!!? probably not, actually, my sincerest apologies. It was however a rather excellent party at a certain Ms. Lia Ferris's house where various drinking games saw me with very sore hands and certain revelations spilling forth. Sorry guys. The evening ended for a group of us, but then another group decided that wasn't right and kept us up until 5. Quite fun though, methods included I Spy with a rather imaginative Gary chirping in occasionally with absolute CORKERS. and of course the advent of bloobs, blegs etc. from the ever unusually Liam and Emma. Well done you two.
I also found out I got a recall at my first - the rather lovely ROSE BRUFORD! Yay :) Now however, I need to find the sheet music to a particularly obscure musical...could be tricky.
On top of all of this our funding pitch, which Gemma and I put SO much work into, went rather well. Even if most of the questions were very much blagged! Now just the marks to come...
Now to the last couple of days.When i got the UCLan in Preston i thought - Wow. It was a beautiful building, with the massive downside of it being the fact that the teacher believed that an actor 'doesn't need to feel the emotion, just needs to show the audience what it should be'. Translation: demonstrate. Outcome: hammy, awful acting. They, essentially, teach an acting BA which states that truthful performance is unnecessary. And very arrogantly too. That's why i don't care that I didn't get through, the 4 people that did were all very clear, but also extremely hollow. And none of the people to whom i wold have said 'yes' to got through either. you know, the ones I believed. They claim that they are training the very best of the 'actors of tomorrow'. If thats true I pity the Olivier awards and BAFTA awards of tomorrow.
P.S. I suck at (amongst other things) finding a decent way to sign off. My best (from 'I Don't Like Mondays') was actually supplied to me by the mildly funny Mr Andy Burse. If you have any ides, please comment as I hate an open ended blog.
*insert sign off*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)