Sunday

The last day of my ‘holiday at home’. Five days of calm and solitude. Bliss.

I had planned a camping trip to Orkney but bad weather encouraged me to postpone that journey for a few weeks. I was all packed. The pusscats were boxed-up, ready to go into storage. Everything was ready, except me. I’d been feeling a little run down lately and, lovely as Orkney would have been, I felt it would probably be more relaxing not to travel for 8 hours each way in order to huddle in a wind (and probably rain) blown tent for two days. I could be wrong but I think not.

Instead, I spent the time in the little house I love so much, reading and watching movies. I visited my family (Frog and Mutley) and lay in my garden, enjoying the sunshine. Not much by most people’s standards, I know, but heaven to me.

Back to work tomorrow but I still have the rest of Sunday to enjoy before that.

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Although, I do feel a bit down this morning. I had a nightmare about an ex-lover last night and awoke feeling disconcerted and a little introspective. I’ve been reading old notebooks and having thoughts of ‘what if?’ I am in sore danger of wallowing. (This maudlin music isn’t helping… Ah! Duo Swango – much better)

The grey skies don’t help at all. The sun has just peeked out again. Will it stay this time? No.

How to shake these doldrums? I’ve already watched ‘Toy Story 2’ this morning! If that can’t fix me it may be hopeless. I noticed in my early twenties that I could use movies to adjust my mood. The way that others may use drugs. All I have to do is find the right scene in the perfect movie. I just can’t think of the film for this mornings malaise though.

I think a trip to the cinema may be in order. Popcorn, ice cream and a Kung Fu flick. That should cure anything.

Bush whacking

I spent yesterday battling the rugged untamed wilderness. In other words, my back garden. It’s a tiny space but I allow it to grow wild and unfettered in the main. When I return from work and open the gate, it’s like walking into a secret woodland glade. Cool and green and shady. Bells tinkle from the trees, prayer flags flutter on the arbour and pusscats emerge, stretching and yawning, from under bushes. It’s scruffy but that’s the way I like it.

I have a few rules:
• If a plant seeds itself and grows, it is allowed the chance to prove itself before being destroyed. If it can show itself to be interesting of useful, it stays.
• If I chop a plant down and it regrows – it stays. I respect its will to survive.
• No new item, planted by me, shall be inedible.

Yesterday I built a little stone and gravel path. Hard work but oh, so satisfying. I enjoyed myself so much I chose to stay out there rather than watch an episode of Doctor Who! Hard to believe, I know (anyway, I can always watch the repeat).

Today though, a combination of aching shoulders and bad weather have encouraged me to leave the little bit of planting I had planned for today. I’ve been shirking inside, playing with my ‘puter instead.

*****

Speaking of aching reminds me of a thought I had the other day. I’ve always been fond of ‘old people things’. You know: BBC Radio 4, classical music, sensible footwear, that sort of thing. These fogey-like passions have always made me seem a little odd or quirky. I like being quirky. What about now? I’m getting older. Closer to 40 than I’d like. Am I still odd or just a grumpy old woman into grumpy old woman things?

Things I like:
Cats
Jazz
Terry Wogan
Classical music
Broadway musicals (but nothing written after 1979)
A nice cup of tea (try it with a sprig of rosemary in the pot. Yum)
To wake up to the voice of John Humphrys
A nice ramble on a Sunday afternoon
Biscuits

Tummy kissing

This morning, from the window of my bus, I saw a strange and wonderful thing. A man and a woman, both rather - how shall I put it? – rotund, stood side by side on the pavement. At first glance they were unconnected. Their arms hung loose and lifeless at their sides. Their faces didn’t even point towards each other.

Then I looked again. Those big, round tummies swelled outwards and…just…touched. These two, apparently disinterested people were connected by a tummy kiss.

*****

I don’t want to dwell on this game but… I was playing ‘Six Degrees’ on the bus the other day and realised a wonderful thing. My previously stated best connection from me to the lovely Hugh Jackman was 5. I was sorely and, indeed, piteously mistaken. I am, in fact, connected to the lovely Hugh Jackman by a paltry TWO DEGREES! Shall I tell you how?

Many years ago I met international stage and cinema star Alan Cumming in a pub in Broughton Street, Edinburgh. At this time, of course, he was not internationally famous. He was just quite well known in the locality as half of the scintillating comedy double act ‘Victor & Barry’. I forget which one he played but they were very, very funny. Anyhoo, there he was one afternoon, hanging out in a Broughton Street pub. I approached him, no doubt blathered some embarrassing nonsense at him and got his autograph.

And so, gentle reader, from this inauspicious meeting flowered the glorious fact of my being only TWO DEGREES away from the lovely Hugh Jackman (they were in the movie X-Men 2 together – in case you live under a rock).

*****

The St Magnus festival begins today in Orkney. With my usual, uncanny timing, I shall arrive on the island in time for the very end of the proceedings. Typical. I’m not too fussed, really. I don’t enjoy crowds so am hopeful most visitors will depart when the festival ends. I may get there in time to hear a fiddle concert, though. Fingers crossed.

Withdrawal symptoms

I am bereft! My damned telewest box is busted so I have no access to the joys of BBC Four. Oh woe is me. Lackaday. Lackaday, etc. A whole bunch of new progs start this week too. Poop.

However, on a lighter note, I found this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/downloads It’s fabo. You can subscribe and your pc will download 3 new short films every month! Cool, eh?

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I’ve changed my blog settings so that non-members can now leave comments if they want . Please be nice.

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I’ve just purchased tickets to see the lovely Bilbo Bailey at the Edinburgh Festival in August. Huzzah! I saw him in ‘The Odd Couple’ last year but I’ve yet to see him perform his own stuff live.

I look towards the onset of the Festival with mixed feelings. The city overflows with performers and visitors. We are spoilt for choice. Shall I take in a classical concert at the International Festival or watch a juggler busking in the street? Will I go and see my favourite comedian (off the telly) in the Festival Fringe or watch a brand new, no-budget indie flick in the Film Festival? What to do?

What we do is hide in our office and gripe about ‘damned tourists’.

Thousands of people descend on the city in the month of August. The vast majority seem to believe the place is closed for the rest of the year. Edinburgh is not a giant theme park, people! Folk actually live and work here you know! I work right in the centre of the city’s ‘old town’. During this tumultuous three weeks my colleagues and I sit huddled indoors. Afraid to venture outside. Outside there be jugglers.

Aaaaaw! Look at the babies!

I am officially an old fogey. They say you know you’re getting old when policemen start to look younger but what about pop stars? When popstrels begin look like they’re on a day trip from primary school, and they are not involved with a novelty Christmas song, then the end is indeed nigh.

I bet that you look good on the dancefloor (Arctic Monkeys)

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My current favourites among the popular beat combos are these guys, the Arctic Monkeys. Look at them! Their combined age can’t be more than fourteen and a half!!!! Aren’t they sweet?

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Speaking of babies I haven’t seen my young nephew, Bean, in a while. He’s developing at such a rate that he’ll probably be driving a car next time I see him (he’s 15 months old).

It’s probably because he’s my flesh and blood but I think he’s just amazing. A genius. I first saw him when he was brand new, only about nine hours old. Already he was squirming around, trying to get up. For months you could see the frustration on his face because he hated having to stay where he was put. He wanted to be able to get around under his own power. He started crawling (months ago), seemed to get bored with that almost immediately and has been walking since he was about eight months old! Now come on. That’s damned advanced, isn’t it? He doesn’t talk much yet but I’m hugely impressed by his communication skills. He manages fine without words. His requirements are limited and he seems to be able to get across exactly what he needs without recourse to language.


Now, I have a theory about young Bean’s prodigious physical prowess. Sister (Frog) and Brother-in-law (Bobo) went to Cuba for their honeymoon. I recon they must have flown over the Bermuda triangle. Next thing you know… baby on the way.

Don’t you see? He’s a super-advanced alien baby! Shhhh! Don’t tell the Feds. And you never heard it from me…

Six Degrees of Separation

Among other things, I like to play the game 'Six Degrees of Separation'. You know the one? Apparently, we're only separated from EVERY OTHER PERSON ON EARTH by six relationships. Amazing.

Variations of this game are the well known 'Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon' and 'Six Handshakes away from the Queen' (gawd bless 'er majesty). It's a jolly way to pass the time and is a fine ice breaker among strangers. As I discovered in the departure lounge of Beijing airport last month.

I was joining a tour group in Hong Kong and around half of us were heading out there on the same flights from London. We sort of drifted together as we waited for our flight down to Hong Kong. We chatted about this and that until, suddenly we got round to the subject of famous people spotting.

Although 'Six Degrees' is meant to work for every individual on the planet, it's easier (and perhaps more fun) if you use famous people. So for example: Madeline stood behind Frances DeLa Tour at the beauty counter in John Lewis once. So now, via Madeline, I am only 3 degrees away from the great Leonard Rossiter (me-madeline-frances-leonard) and (wow!!! I just realised) I'm only 5 away from the glorious and godlike (and apparently, very nice) Hugh Jackman!!! Me - Madeline - Frances DeLa Tour - Richard Beckinsale (rising damp) - Kate Beckinsale (his daughter) - Hugh Jackman (in Van Helsing together) Huzzah!!! Sweet Madeline. I like you even more now than I did five minutes ago.

The best 'connection' I've managed to make myself is shaking hands with the Dali Lama (blessings be upon him. Freedom for Tibet). Now this, in itself, was a unique, unforgettable and all together unspeakably cool occurrence. But in the context of this game, he's my first step amongst the great and good of the world. He must have met everyone. Or if not everyone, he's just a step or two away.

Even if we ignore politicians and world leaders for now, I am linked, via his Holiness’ creepy-faced stalker, Richard Gere, to the Hollywood A-List. eg: Me - Dali Lama - Gere - Julia Roberts - Brad Pitt - Angelina Jolie ... It goes on, branching and twisting. Julia to George Clooney and onwards. Gere to Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Brad to Jennifer and indeed, anyone who's ever been in Friends. etc, etc.

Anyhoo. It's a jolly fine game and I recommend you give it a go. It's amazing how quickly you can establish links to the shiniest of stars.

A little bit about me

Introduction
Salutations Bloggers of the world. How’s it going? Was that a good start? I’m new to this whole blogging thing. I was aware of it of course but I’ve honestly never read a blog in my life (except the one belonging to my chum Jaffne).

In the past (until yesterday in fact), I thought, “how arrogant to assume anyone would want to read what I have to say!” Then I realised, it doesn’t matter. I can write it just for myself. If anyone wants to read it, well that’s just lovely. If not, what the hey!

So here I am. Writing a blog! I thought I’d begin with a bit about myself…


Films
Ah,the Cinema! My first and greatest love. I love all genre of film from all over the world. I'm not overly keen on horror but that's 'cause I'm a scaredy pants (I do enjoy a good gothic vampire flick but don't we all).




I’ve loved movies all my life. Watching Hollywood musicals on tv is one of my earliest memories. I won’t say much more now cause I don’t doubt I’ll come back to the cinema in later blogs.

Current top five films (in no particular order):
Sherlock jnr.
Signs
Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Withnail & I
The Rage in Placid Lake

There's a link to my favourite short film over there. Take a look. I hope you enjoy it.


Books
I enjoy classic fiction and most travel literature. I’m currently reading 'Under Brinkie's Brae' by George Mackay Brown in preparation for my up-coming trip to the glorious Orkney Islands.

I’m in the process of reading Philip Pullmans 'His Dark Materials'. My friend, Dolly, recommended this series to me. They're fantastic. I had dismissed them as ‘kids books’ but although the main characters are children there's absolutely nothing childish about these books. I only have 'the Amber Spyglass' left to read.

I recently finished reading 'Red Harvest' by Dasheill Hammett. Wow! As well as
being a great writer Hammett was quite the action man himself. Before losing his
health in WWI he was an operative of the Pinkerton Detective Agency!

I voraciously read Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books during my formative years. Freedom, adventure and lashings of ginger beer! How could a child help but be inspired?


Environment
I’m a bit of a green warrior. It’s true that an individual can’t change the world. However, imagine if EVERY individual took a stand, made small changes to their lifestyles! Don’t wait for others to take the lead. Take responsibility for your own future, now. Here endeth the rant for today.

Some of my favourite places
My house, Orkney, Nice, Naxos, Pompeii, Clava Cairns (near Inverness), Crete, Jordan (especially Wadi Rum)

Music
I enjoy most types of music. I'm willing to listen to anything...once. My major loves are jazz, blues and swing but I'm also into some modern stuff (like Keiser Chiefs, Travis and Arctic Monkeys). I enjoy classical music, especially if violins feature heavily. I’ve always adored violin music. I wanted to play but never had the opportunity. About five years ago I bought a cheap ‘beginners’ instrument and started taking lessons. I stopped the lessons to go travelling but I still have the fiddle. I don’t play well (cause I never practice) but I can play. And that fact gives me unspeakable pleasure.

I have a particular fondness for East European folk music (Muzsikas rocks!).

My current favourite album is 'Careless Love' by Madeline Peyroux. Her version of 'You'll make me lonesome when you go' is just fab. I’ve just heard about a boy called Peter Grant. He looks like Reese from 'Malcolm in the Middle' but sounds like Frank Sinatra. Amazing.

The BBC
I'm not ashamed. I LOVE the BBC and pay my licence fee with joy. I'm currently enjoying the new Doctor Who (David Tenant, I love you, love you, love you) and looking forward to new series of 'Hustle' and 'Life on Mars'. I also listen to BBC Radio4 on a daily basis. I've listened to Radio4 comedy since I was a tiny girl. In my house, 'listen with mother' was more 'the Hitch-hikers Guide to the Galaxy' and 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'.


Heroes
My mum, Dervla Murphy, the Dali Lama, Uri Gagarin, David Attenbourgh, and Wonder Woman.

I’d love to meet: Dervla Murphy, Terry Pratchett, Hugh Jackman, Stephen Fry, Maxime Vengarov, The Back-Dorm Boys

And these chaps too but, sadly, they’re all deceased so it's a bit late now: Douglas Adams, George Mackay Brown, Leonardo Da Vinci, Dasheill Hammett