Joyous! After worrying about the weather and road conditions we were, fortunately, able to make it down to see my Mum and Brother for Christmas Day. Arriving on Christmas Eve we filled sacks with their presents, ate, relaxed and had a glass of whisky.
Goose was on the menu for Christmas day and I must say that Mum (aged 83) did us proud. It was delicious - roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in bacon with honey and mustard, parsnips, carrot and swede mash and of course the sprouts. We have Fois Gras and Smoked Salmon for starters and then some Christmas pud for afters - truly delicious.
During the day we opened presents and were really spoilt (we are blessed). Then we listened to old 78rpm records (those big black things that are really heavy and crackle if you don't clean them - we had some Glen Millar (In the Mood) and Joe Loss (Begin the Begine). Superb stuff. Mum and I danced together and that is a memory I will treasure for a long long time.
Aged and ill relatives are all still alive (thankfully), as is Mum's cat, although we fear he will not be around for long in the new year. The growth in his stomach has got bigger.....
Christmas is so short due to work commitments etc that I often think the spirit of it is left behind all too quickly. Do those who queue for the sales from the small hours really have any regard for Christmas and it's true meaning? I wonder......
Anyway - may the Joy of Christmas and the love that it brings stay with you and yours for the coming year. May there be peace for those who are suffering or ill, rest and comfort for all those in need, and may no one feel unloved.
Aggie :-) x x x
Monday, 27 December 2010
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
No Blog for a while...
The update on Lady P is that she is doing well but that we are not out of the woods with her yet! Her drugs finish in the next couple of days and so we will need to watch her very carefully. I think the cold weather has helped. We'll have to get some advise as to when we can let her go out. Also, fingers crossed that she won't need surgery.
Uni finishes today, with one deadline and a viewing. I've completed my strange Creative Music Technologies Steve Reichy thing and that will be handed in today. I've made sausage rolls for the film viewing of Vertigo later.......YUMM! I have one essay done and another on non-diegetic and diegetic music to do and my string quartet to write still! I also need to get some temp work to help build up the finances again.....but generally things are much calmer (probably because I'm exhausted!). Fingers crossed that the work that I've done is good - I'd really like to do well and get high marks for these....I guess we'll find out next year!
So, with only 23 days left of 2010 there is much to do in terms of writing, wrapping and relaxing. I have two cats who should be smothered with love and affection and a husband who also requires the same. I have a lovely house (although it may be groaning a bit in places and it too could do with some tlc) and some absolutely amazing friends and some equally fantastic relatives - how lucky can you get!
One of the great things about this year (and these have been far apart!) has been a trip to The Royal Academy of Music in London with my pal Nikki to hear one of her pieces performed as part of the Christmas concert. SO SO SO SO SO impressive - It was a real treat to be there and great to hear her stuff.
Cooking will be Nigel Slater's mincemeat crumble cake (if you don't like pies this is a really great thing) it's loaded with calories but totally divine.
Am looking forward to a trip to London to Waterstones in Piccadilly with my pal Brigid before Christmas, fingers crossed the weather will remain good.
To anyone who may glance at this sight may I wish you joy and peace from henceforth x x x
Uni finishes today, with one deadline and a viewing. I've completed my strange Creative Music Technologies Steve Reichy thing and that will be handed in today. I've made sausage rolls for the film viewing of Vertigo later.......YUMM! I have one essay done and another on non-diegetic and diegetic music to do and my string quartet to write still! I also need to get some temp work to help build up the finances again.....but generally things are much calmer (probably because I'm exhausted!). Fingers crossed that the work that I've done is good - I'd really like to do well and get high marks for these....I guess we'll find out next year!
So, with only 23 days left of 2010 there is much to do in terms of writing, wrapping and relaxing. I have two cats who should be smothered with love and affection and a husband who also requires the same. I have a lovely house (although it may be groaning a bit in places and it too could do with some tlc) and some absolutely amazing friends and some equally fantastic relatives - how lucky can you get!
One of the great things about this year (and these have been far apart!) has been a trip to The Royal Academy of Music in London with my pal Nikki to hear one of her pieces performed as part of the Christmas concert. SO SO SO SO SO impressive - It was a real treat to be there and great to hear her stuff.
Cooking will be Nigel Slater's mincemeat crumble cake (if you don't like pies this is a really great thing) it's loaded with calories but totally divine.
Am looking forward to a trip to London to Waterstones in Piccadilly with my pal Brigid before Christmas, fingers crossed the weather will remain good.
To anyone who may glance at this sight may I wish you joy and peace from henceforth x x x
Monday, 22 November 2010
One very expensive (but totally gorgeous) cat and the problems of ...
November hasn't been a great month.......it's decided to take the course of wrapping the whole dreadful year into one megga awful month and it seems it's enjoying it! Sick cats and nose bleeds (in their various forms - and trust me there are forms of nose-bleed!) have created the status quo that is November.....
Little "Lady Penelope PLC" (I'm sure she got a previous mention) is now running a bill of around (Pounds sterling) 3,800 which I have had to pay and can only hope that the insurance will re-imburse (less the excess)......a Government grant for Uni just simply doesn't stretch.......Financially (if I was in the luxurious state of not having to worry about money) she is worth every penny and some, but the reality is harsh when you realise that if the problem recurs you won't have the funds to get her better... Why does everything always come down to money??????
Music has not kept me sane this month - true it has provided (in it's ever amiable way) solace for all too brief a time, but reality has intruded too far and too close to home to be put to one side and simply brushed under the carpet.....
Music too has been a source of stress - the battle of harmony knowledge v string quartet has not been a) fair b) true to a cause, c) an even fight, d) psychologically sound....... solace evaporates like ether when you need it most and leaves you with the delusions of a reality you don't want to be in (that sounds like I'm tripping, but trust me I'm far from it!).
Hopefully normality will be restored this weekend with a large baking session of delicious pecan pie, sponge based deserts and some fruity crumble.....and probably some breakfast muffins and some chewy cookies........
Life is strange and challenging, if it was not we would be nothing and there would be no notes on the page and no music to hear.............
Tread carefully and love those who are close to you, no matter what the cost :-) x x x
Little "Lady Penelope PLC" (I'm sure she got a previous mention) is now running a bill of around (Pounds sterling) 3,800 which I have had to pay and can only hope that the insurance will re-imburse (less the excess)......a Government grant for Uni just simply doesn't stretch.......Financially (if I was in the luxurious state of not having to worry about money) she is worth every penny and some, but the reality is harsh when you realise that if the problem recurs you won't have the funds to get her better... Why does everything always come down to money??????
Music has not kept me sane this month - true it has provided (in it's ever amiable way) solace for all too brief a time, but reality has intruded too far and too close to home to be put to one side and simply brushed under the carpet.....
Music too has been a source of stress - the battle of harmony knowledge v string quartet has not been a) fair b) true to a cause, c) an even fight, d) psychologically sound....... solace evaporates like ether when you need it most and leaves you with the delusions of a reality you don't want to be in (that sounds like I'm tripping, but trust me I'm far from it!).
Hopefully normality will be restored this weekend with a large baking session of delicious pecan pie, sponge based deserts and some fruity crumble.....and probably some breakfast muffins and some chewy cookies........
Life is strange and challenging, if it was not we would be nothing and there would be no notes on the page and no music to hear.............
Tread carefully and love those who are close to you, no matter what the cost :-) x x x
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Intensive care for cats .....
This year has been an ordeal - nothing short of it, blood in various locations and frequencies and now pus! It seems bodily fluids are intent on destroying that last bit of sanity that I cling to.....
Our little cat - Lady Penelope PLC (purrs loudly and constantly or pretty little cat) was taken severely ill on Friday last - hardly breathing I rushed her to the vets only to learn that she was hanging on by a thread - my world was collapsing. However, they drained 250ml of pus from her lungs and she is now in intensive care. They are fantastic there. She is progressing well and I will go visit her today. It seems that the infection was caused by something she breathed in or by something that got stuck in her fur and then travelled through her skin and into her lungs - the latter is megga ew and I really don't want to think about it. Parker (our other cat and her half brother) is very lonely, but getting lots of tlc. We hope she will be home by mid next week, but apparently it is quite common for a relapse to occur.
She is my gorgeous little baby girl and only 5, this on top of my Mum (83yrs old) coming out of hospital after suffering a severe nose bleed which kept her in for 2 days, her cat being ill and not given long to live and a pals husband dying of cancer after an 8 year battle during which he showed immense courage and determination to live a normal life and give his family fun times to remember. There are hero's everywhere and he was one of them.
I am not alone in this annus horribilus and Her in the Palace would say, it seems that the world has gone a bit upside down this year. Fingers crossed that it will turn itself right again soon.
Music is still sustaining me and today is Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road, Meeting across the river etc - combined with a bit of Steve Reich and a Mozart string quartet.
Food will be healthy fish baked in chilli oil with fresh veg and salad. Followed by a deliciously ripe mango! Solace indeed.
x
Our little cat - Lady Penelope PLC (purrs loudly and constantly or pretty little cat) was taken severely ill on Friday last - hardly breathing I rushed her to the vets only to learn that she was hanging on by a thread - my world was collapsing. However, they drained 250ml of pus from her lungs and she is now in intensive care. They are fantastic there. She is progressing well and I will go visit her today. It seems that the infection was caused by something she breathed in or by something that got stuck in her fur and then travelled through her skin and into her lungs - the latter is megga ew and I really don't want to think about it. Parker (our other cat and her half brother) is very lonely, but getting lots of tlc. We hope she will be home by mid next week, but apparently it is quite common for a relapse to occur.
She is my gorgeous little baby girl and only 5, this on top of my Mum (83yrs old) coming out of hospital after suffering a severe nose bleed which kept her in for 2 days, her cat being ill and not given long to live and a pals husband dying of cancer after an 8 year battle during which he showed immense courage and determination to live a normal life and give his family fun times to remember. There are hero's everywhere and he was one of them.
I am not alone in this annus horribilus and Her in the Palace would say, it seems that the world has gone a bit upside down this year. Fingers crossed that it will turn itself right again soon.
Music is still sustaining me and today is Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road, Meeting across the river etc - combined with a bit of Steve Reich and a Mozart string quartet.
Food will be healthy fish baked in chilli oil with fresh veg and salad. Followed by a deliciously ripe mango! Solace indeed.
x
Thursday, 4 November 2010
String Quartets, Gin & Tonic and baked beans on toast!
My head is full to busting!
There, it feels better already. String Quartetes, Creative Music Technologies and weird stuff that some wouldn't call music, film and opera, classical stuff and the cold that won't go away but is just at that really horrid Alien style slime stage.....probably too much info!
I am confused - why exactly am I doing this? A reasonably sensible woman rapidly approaching her 50's building up approx 19k of debt (which of course I will have to try to pay off before I retire!) putting mortgage and various other regular payments in jeopardy, living off 3 pounds spend a week (coffee at Uni alone is 1.60) and having the time of my life! Sure, most of the time I haven't got a clue as to what it all means, that I panic about not knowing the theory side of the music, that I haven't got a clue how to compose, that I'm really not sure how applicable my "life experience" is to this bizzare world, but heh! The truth is of course I should have done this years ago, but we can say that about a lot of things and I'm doing it now - so bring it on as the journey is superb!
The G&T is on the desk and I have the next section of the string quartet to tackle - chromatic bit that will get me from A to E major......
Food at the moment is fairly basic as I don't want to spread the cold virus too far so tonight will either be sardines on toast or baked beans on said same toast - at the moment the latter is the preferred option......yummm :-) x
There, it feels better already. String Quartetes, Creative Music Technologies and weird stuff that some wouldn't call music, film and opera, classical stuff and the cold that won't go away but is just at that really horrid Alien style slime stage.....probably too much info!
I am confused - why exactly am I doing this? A reasonably sensible woman rapidly approaching her 50's building up approx 19k of debt (which of course I will have to try to pay off before I retire!) putting mortgage and various other regular payments in jeopardy, living off 3 pounds spend a week (coffee at Uni alone is 1.60) and having the time of my life! Sure, most of the time I haven't got a clue as to what it all means, that I panic about not knowing the theory side of the music, that I haven't got a clue how to compose, that I'm really not sure how applicable my "life experience" is to this bizzare world, but heh! The truth is of course I should have done this years ago, but we can say that about a lot of things and I'm doing it now - so bring it on as the journey is superb!
The G&T is on the desk and I have the next section of the string quartet to tackle - chromatic bit that will get me from A to E major......
Food at the moment is fairly basic as I don't want to spread the cold virus too far so tonight will either be sardines on toast or baked beans on said same toast - at the moment the latter is the preferred option......yummm :-) x
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Oh Maladay!
No blog for a while, largely due to illness...
Mum went to hospital following a severe nosebleed and is now thankfully home recovering, although at 83 she has been badly shaken and was very frightened by the whole experience - something I had not previously experienced. She has always been strong and courageous when ever illness has struck - no matter how severe or mild. I guess as you grow you begin to see your parents as people who have the same fears and hopes and dreams, making them more like you than a 'parent'. Thankfully she should mend over the coming weeks as her drugs settle down.
Her beloved cat, Oliver, however will not fare so well as he has cat lukemia and has lost his appetite. Now on a course of drugs to stimulate his appetite and one lot to hopefully revive his bone marrow we are praying that he will hang on without suffering for a while longer. I have anger to deal with as I know that this disease is preventable by annual vaccination - so don't understand why he hasn't had these.... but that is my bad and there is little I can do about it now.
I too have the dreadful cold which has wiped me out for a good few days and has left a me with a smokers cough (even though I don't and never have smoked!).
Consequently I have been working on my Steve Reich style composition about the Chilean Miners - it's called Fenix 2 and although a work in progress has it's premiere in class on Thursday. Strange times.
Because of the illness cooking has gone out of the window with me consuming large quantities of comfort providing pizza.... it is now time for healthy fish and veg.
Music to listen to at the moment is the Beethoven String Quartets Op.18 - amazing and startling stuff - it's Beethoven as you don't know him and is superb......
Enjoy. x
Mum went to hospital following a severe nosebleed and is now thankfully home recovering, although at 83 she has been badly shaken and was very frightened by the whole experience - something I had not previously experienced. She has always been strong and courageous when ever illness has struck - no matter how severe or mild. I guess as you grow you begin to see your parents as people who have the same fears and hopes and dreams, making them more like you than a 'parent'. Thankfully she should mend over the coming weeks as her drugs settle down.
Her beloved cat, Oliver, however will not fare so well as he has cat lukemia and has lost his appetite. Now on a course of drugs to stimulate his appetite and one lot to hopefully revive his bone marrow we are praying that he will hang on without suffering for a while longer. I have anger to deal with as I know that this disease is preventable by annual vaccination - so don't understand why he hasn't had these.... but that is my bad and there is little I can do about it now.
I too have the dreadful cold which has wiped me out for a good few days and has left a me with a smokers cough (even though I don't and never have smoked!).
Consequently I have been working on my Steve Reich style composition about the Chilean Miners - it's called Fenix 2 and although a work in progress has it's premiere in class on Thursday. Strange times.
Because of the illness cooking has gone out of the window with me consuming large quantities of comfort providing pizza.... it is now time for healthy fish and veg.
Music to listen to at the moment is the Beethoven String Quartets Op.18 - amazing and startling stuff - it's Beethoven as you don't know him and is superb......
Enjoy. x
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
A Play, A Gift and Guilt
This weekend was our 18th wedding anniversary - we've been together for 20 years. "Wow" or you may say, "congratulations", "commiserations", etc etc etc have all gone through my mind.
As part of the "celebrations" we went to the theatre to see "When we are Married" A J.B. Priestly play which starred Roy Hudd, Maurine Lipman, Michelle Dotrice, Rosemary Ashe, Tom Shaw amongst others. The set was superb, the acting and stage craft brilliant. Just what you would expect from a play before it transfers to the West End.
Now, here's the rub... the play revolves around 3 couples who are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary - however it arises that they may not be legally married. The implications are that, knowing there is a "get out of jail free" card clearly on the table......would they take it or stick with what they've got? During the course of the play various home truths come out and it appears that all 3 couples will cut and run....there is a final twist in the plot (which I won't reveal in case you want to see the play). The comedy is superb although at times a little dated, but anyone in a long term relationship will find a great deal of side splitting humour and some home truths in it.
Now we come to the gift..... back in September my hubby's best mate and his new girlfriend had been talking about troll beads and how lovely they are (this of course is a matter of taste, but it did seem to me that they were suggesting that hubby purchase some for me for the said anniversary). So, when the opportunity arose I showed him troll beads and stated that I didn't like them - fine on everyone else, but a case of definitely not for me (various reasons can ensue but one being that I know that if I was given a bracelet and troll bead it would stay like that for a very long time - a lonely bead on a huge bracelet that would just become irritating every time you write something or use your hand). A week before I reminded hubby - "don't get troll beads" - too late, the deed was done. Now of course there are troll beads and then there are troll beads - too much to go into at this time. So here we are - he knows I don't like troll beads yet he still gives said bracelet and lonely bead to me saying this is all he could afford (I've heard this so many times before and isn't true - he just doesn't want to spend anything as I'm clearly not worth much!). Now, I know that I should be grateful for the gift but the consequences are that i) it could sit in my jewellery box until I die, ii) it could be re-sold to re-coup the money that hubby so desperately needs, iii) if kept it will remind me for all eternity that I have a husband who clearly doesn't listen to me and hasn't done for 18 years - now girls, why would I want to wear something that visually reminds me of that every day when it is already a painful part of my daily life?
The issue is now that i) I know I am a fully fledged green bitch, ii) Hubby expects me to wear something which I don't like and didn't want, iii) I don't want to wear it.
So this is where the guilt comes in.....I am completely buried in it - at least 6 feet under. But why should I feel guilty - shouldn't he for putting me in this position?
Oh yes, the mature one's of you would say "talk it over" - I would if I had a grown up partner but he doesn't do talking about anything - period, so I have left it, along with the milk chocolates that he gave me (I only eat dark as milk makes me feel sick!), on his bed side table. I am the bitch from hell, it is confirmed. Could someone please just get me a door plaque with that on it?
However, the question still remains - is it really worth spending your life with someone who ignores you 95% of the time and has no interest in what you say or who you are, what you like and dislike, what has happened in your day, what makes you sad or happy?
Music for today will be equally moody - Boris Godonuv! Say no more. :-(
As part of the "celebrations" we went to the theatre to see "When we are Married" A J.B. Priestly play which starred Roy Hudd, Maurine Lipman, Michelle Dotrice, Rosemary Ashe, Tom Shaw amongst others. The set was superb, the acting and stage craft brilliant. Just what you would expect from a play before it transfers to the West End.
Now, here's the rub... the play revolves around 3 couples who are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary - however it arises that they may not be legally married. The implications are that, knowing there is a "get out of jail free" card clearly on the table......would they take it or stick with what they've got? During the course of the play various home truths come out and it appears that all 3 couples will cut and run....there is a final twist in the plot (which I won't reveal in case you want to see the play). The comedy is superb although at times a little dated, but anyone in a long term relationship will find a great deal of side splitting humour and some home truths in it.
Now we come to the gift..... back in September my hubby's best mate and his new girlfriend had been talking about troll beads and how lovely they are (this of course is a matter of taste, but it did seem to me that they were suggesting that hubby purchase some for me for the said anniversary). So, when the opportunity arose I showed him troll beads and stated that I didn't like them - fine on everyone else, but a case of definitely not for me (various reasons can ensue but one being that I know that if I was given a bracelet and troll bead it would stay like that for a very long time - a lonely bead on a huge bracelet that would just become irritating every time you write something or use your hand). A week before I reminded hubby - "don't get troll beads" - too late, the deed was done. Now of course there are troll beads and then there are troll beads - too much to go into at this time. So here we are - he knows I don't like troll beads yet he still gives said bracelet and lonely bead to me saying this is all he could afford (I've heard this so many times before and isn't true - he just doesn't want to spend anything as I'm clearly not worth much!). Now, I know that I should be grateful for the gift but the consequences are that i) it could sit in my jewellery box until I die, ii) it could be re-sold to re-coup the money that hubby so desperately needs, iii) if kept it will remind me for all eternity that I have a husband who clearly doesn't listen to me and hasn't done for 18 years - now girls, why would I want to wear something that visually reminds me of that every day when it is already a painful part of my daily life?
The issue is now that i) I know I am a fully fledged green bitch, ii) Hubby expects me to wear something which I don't like and didn't want, iii) I don't want to wear it.
So this is where the guilt comes in.....I am completely buried in it - at least 6 feet under. But why should I feel guilty - shouldn't he for putting me in this position?
Oh yes, the mature one's of you would say "talk it over" - I would if I had a grown up partner but he doesn't do talking about anything - period, so I have left it, along with the milk chocolates that he gave me (I only eat dark as milk makes me feel sick!), on his bed side table. I am the bitch from hell, it is confirmed. Could someone please just get me a door plaque with that on it?
However, the question still remains - is it really worth spending your life with someone who ignores you 95% of the time and has no interest in what you say or who you are, what you like and dislike, what has happened in your day, what makes you sad or happy?
Music for today will be equally moody - Boris Godonuv! Say no more. :-(
A Play, A Gift and Guilt
This weekend was our 18th wedding anniversary - we've been together for 20 years. "Wow" or you may say, "congratulations", "commiserations", etc etc etc have all gone through my mind.
As part of the "celebrations" we went to the theatre to see "When we are Married" A J.B. Priestly play which starred Roy Hudd, Maurine Lipman, Michelle Dotrice, Rosemary Ashe, Tom Shaw amongst others. The set was superb, the acting and stage craft brilliant. Just what you would expect from a play before it transfers to the West End.
Now, here's the rub... the play revolves around 3 couples who are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary - however it arises that they may not be legally married. The implications are that, knowing there is a "get out of jail free" card clearly on the table......would they take it or stick with what they've got? During the course of the play various home truths come out and it appears that all 3 couples will cut and run....there is a final twist in the plot (which I won't reveal in case you want to see the play). The comedy is superb although at times a little dated, but anyone in a long term relationship will find a great deal of side splitting humour and some home truths in it.
Now we come to the gift..... back in September my hubby's best mate and his new girlfriend had been talking about troll beads and how lovely they are (this of course is a matter of taste, but it did seem to me that they were suggesting that hubby purchase some for me for the said anniversary). So, when the opportunity arose I showed him troll beads and stated that I didn't like them - fine on everyone else, but a case of definitely not for me (various reasons can ensue but one being that I know that if I was given a bracelet and troll bead it would stay like that for a very long time - a lonely bead on a huge bracelet that would just become irritating every time you write something or use your hand). A week before I reminded hubby - "don't get troll beads" - too late, the deed was done. Now of course there are troll beads and then there are troll beads - too much to go into at this time. So here we are - he knows I don't like troll beads yet he still gives said bracelet and lonely bead to me saying this is all he could afford (I've heard this so many times before and isn't true - he just doesn't want to spend anything as I'm clearly not worth much!). Now, I know that I should be grateful for the gift but the consequences are that i) it could sit in my jewellery box until I die, ii) it could be re-sold to re-coup the money that hubby so desperately needs, iii) if kept it will remind me for all eternity that I have a husband who clearly doesn't listen to me and hasn't done for 18 years - now girls, why would I want to wear something that visually reminds me of that every day when it is already a painful part of my daily life?
The issue is now that i) I know I am a fully fledged green bitch, ii) Hubby expects me to wear something which I don't like and didn't want, iii) I don't want to wear it.
So this is where the guilt comes in.....I am completely buried in it - at least 6 feet under. But why should I feel guilty - shouldn't he for putting me in this position?
Oh yes, the mature one's of you would say "talk it over" - I would if I had a grown up partner but he doesn't do talking about anything - period, so I have left it, along with the milk chocolates that he gave me (I only eat dark as milk makes me feel sick!), on his bed side table. I am the bitch from hell, it is confirmed. Could someone please just get me a door plaque with that on it?
However, the question still remains - is it really worth spending your life with someone who ignores you 95% of the time and has no interest in what you say or who you are, what you like and dislike, what has happened in your day, what makes you sad or happy?
Music for today will be equally moody - Boris Godonuv! Say no more. :-(
As part of the "celebrations" we went to the theatre to see "When we are Married" A J.B. Priestly play which starred Roy Hudd, Maurine Lipman, Michelle Dotrice, Rosemary Ashe, Tom Shaw amongst others. The set was superb, the acting and stage craft brilliant. Just what you would expect from a play before it transfers to the West End.
Now, here's the rub... the play revolves around 3 couples who are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary - however it arises that they may not be legally married. The implications are that, knowing there is a "get out of jail free" card clearly on the table......would they take it or stick with what they've got? During the course of the play various home truths come out and it appears that all 3 couples will cut and run....there is a final twist in the plot (which I won't reveal in case you want to see the play). The comedy is superb although at times a little dated, but anyone in a long term relationship will find a great deal of side splitting humour and some home truths in it.
Now we come to the gift..... back in September my hubby's best mate and his new girlfriend had been talking about troll beads and how lovely they are (this of course is a matter of taste, but it did seem to me that they were suggesting that hubby purchase some for me for the said anniversary). So, when the opportunity arose I showed him troll beads and stated that I didn't like them - fine on everyone else, but a case of definitely not for me (various reasons can ensue but one being that I know that if I was given a bracelet and troll bead it would stay like that for a very long time - a lonely bead on a huge bracelet that would just become irritating every time you write something or use your hand). A week before I reminded hubby - "don't get troll beads" - too late, the deed was done. Now of course there are troll beads and then there are troll beads - too much to go into at this time. So here we are - he knows I don't like troll beads yet he still gives said bracelet and lonely bead to me saying this is all he could afford (I've heard this so many times before and isn't true - he just doesn't want to spend anything as I'm clearly not worth much!). Now, I know that I should be grateful for the gift but the consequences are that i) it could sit in my jewellery box until I die, ii) it could be re-sold to re-coup the money that hubby so desperately needs, iii) if kept it will remind me for all eternity that I have a husband who clearly doesn't listen to me and hasn't done for 18 years - now girls, why would I want to wear something that visually reminds me of that every day when it is already a painful part of my daily life?
The issue is now that i) I know I am a fully fledged green bitch, ii) Hubby expects me to wear something which I don't like and didn't want, iii) I don't want to wear it.
So this is where the guilt comes in.....I am completely buried in it - at least 6 feet under. But why should I feel guilty - shouldn't he for putting me in this position?
Oh yes, the mature one's of you would say "talk it over" - I would if I had a grown up partner but he doesn't do talking about anything - period, so I have left it, along with the milk chocolates that he gave me (I only eat dark as milk makes me feel sick!), on his bed side table. I am the bitch from hell, it is confirmed. Could someone please just get me a door plaque with that on it?
However, the question still remains - is it really worth spending your life with someone who ignores you 95% of the time and has no interest in what you say or who you are, what you like and dislike, what has happened in your day, what makes you sad or happy?
Music for today will be equally moody - Boris Godonuv! Say no more. :-(
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Mozart, The Lawn and a little black dress.
Problem - we have a 120 bar string quartet to compose by the end of term a la Mozart style. So I've got to start analysing one in particular - in D minor I think. It's too scary to look at at the moment as I'm deciding whether to do it in Sonata form or Theme and Variation format. I'll probably go for the sonata form as this will (I think!) be the easier option.
Today is a glorious autumnal/late summer day and so with that in mind and the need to do something that doesn't involve any thinking I mowed the lawn - that smell is so gorgeous it was worth the time it took (not that we have a huge lawn, just that it was long and wet!!!).
Yesterday I spent too much time in town and rashly purchased a 2 little black skirts (one cord the other some really heavy embroidered fabric) and then at about 4am this morning purchased on line the little black dress that I'd tried on - bang goes the birthday money that was tucked away for that thing I was going to do......
So not a thrilling time at the moment, and I shall probably regret having a near whole weekend off from Uni studies, but heh ho and a little black dress. :-) x x x
Today is a glorious autumnal/late summer day and so with that in mind and the need to do something that doesn't involve any thinking I mowed the lawn - that smell is so gorgeous it was worth the time it took (not that we have a huge lawn, just that it was long and wet!!!).
Yesterday I spent too much time in town and rashly purchased a 2 little black skirts (one cord the other some really heavy embroidered fabric) and then at about 4am this morning purchased on line the little black dress that I'd tried on - bang goes the birthday money that was tucked away for that thing I was going to do......
So not a thrilling time at the moment, and I shall probably regret having a near whole weekend off from Uni studies, but heh ho and a little black dress. :-) x x x
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Mozart, Chocolate and a whisky
Second day back at Uni and I'm beginning to get to grips with the mountain of reading and work to be done this term and a huge amount of learning and questioning to be done too.
I'm not so good on the original thought so really want to get that going this term - challenging something new that you are reading and know little about is quite hard to start with, although I do find that if I don't like the style of the author then it's easier to do! Funny that!!!
So, I'm sitting here having eaten a whole bar of Divine 70% orange and ginger chocolate, with a whisky and contemplating the torture of a Mozart string quartet. I feel ill equipped to deal with the basic structural requirements to contemplate a 120 bar composition of this type (trust me I think that finding the melody will be easy in comparison to everything else that has to be done!). My personal goal is to achieve a good mark in a composition of this type - so far I seem to have done well on pure luck and a muddle through, but I really want to crack this one as it will be a basis for next years composition challenges.
The essays that I have to do are already invading my space and my mind is whirring with all the interesting things that I've already found out and the great tutorial I had on essay planning and writing. With luck my essay on Mendelssohn will be cracking. Music stage and screen will be more challenging, but of course in a good way.
Tomorrow is a day of reading books - various (and they're all really thick!) and trying to make notes using the Tony Buzan mind mapping thing. Should be interesting and colourful (as I have a new set of coloured pens especially purchased for the occasion).
Baking hasn't had a look in, but I did manage to clean the oven at the weekend so it is all shiny and waiting for inspiration to strike.
As we have apples a plenty I may well have to do something along those lines - but oat and raisin cookies are in the back of my mind and wanting to be baked......such therapy! Maybe I'll make a load for Uni for Monday.......
I'm not so good on the original thought so really want to get that going this term - challenging something new that you are reading and know little about is quite hard to start with, although I do find that if I don't like the style of the author then it's easier to do! Funny that!!!
So, I'm sitting here having eaten a whole bar of Divine 70% orange and ginger chocolate, with a whisky and contemplating the torture of a Mozart string quartet. I feel ill equipped to deal with the basic structural requirements to contemplate a 120 bar composition of this type (trust me I think that finding the melody will be easy in comparison to everything else that has to be done!). My personal goal is to achieve a good mark in a composition of this type - so far I seem to have done well on pure luck and a muddle through, but I really want to crack this one as it will be a basis for next years composition challenges.
The essays that I have to do are already invading my space and my mind is whirring with all the interesting things that I've already found out and the great tutorial I had on essay planning and writing. With luck my essay on Mendelssohn will be cracking. Music stage and screen will be more challenging, but of course in a good way.
Tomorrow is a day of reading books - various (and they're all really thick!) and trying to make notes using the Tony Buzan mind mapping thing. Should be interesting and colourful (as I have a new set of coloured pens especially purchased for the occasion).
Baking hasn't had a look in, but I did manage to clean the oven at the weekend so it is all shiny and waiting for inspiration to strike.
As we have apples a plenty I may well have to do something along those lines - but oat and raisin cookies are in the back of my mind and wanting to be baked......such therapy! Maybe I'll make a load for Uni for Monday.......
Friday, 1 October 2010
October and coffee
Just because it's October doesn't mean I'm allowed coffee for the first time this year - but it feels like it!
With next week comes the start of a new term at Uni. I have already been down to experience (yet again!) the complete incompetence of the admin staff (various) there and have been plagued with a barrage of "it's not come back from the printers yet and we don't know when it will be back" to "it's in the internal mail so should be there tomorrow" (despite the fact that it was promised 2 days before!!!). Such is academia and it is no wonder that our University system is groaning at the seams with cuts being made in all the places except the one's where they should be made..... rant over!
The wind is whipping round the house today and the rain is just in the air, no point in an umbrella today and even the cats don't want to go out. This leads me to music for the day - Mendelssohn - Fingals Cave seems appropriate but I will also listen to Elijah. There is much to do in terms of reading and prep for next week - and I feel that this will help calm the nerves a tad.
It's strange to think that a year ago I was embarking on this new whacky opt-out, mid-life crisis lifestyle of mine....It's been quite a year with friendships coming to an end (some quite dramatically - and people wonder why I love opera!) and a few illnesses along the way, some good times and some bad times and just some times....... as a person I'm more content in what I am doing and whilst I will bemoan the fact that I only got 72 instead of the idealised 84 I will try to appreciate the work that I do do and let that teach me where I can go and how I can progress. This is fairly much my life philosophy and the music and cake sustain me in this.
Apple crumble and Birds yellow custard is the food of the day - apples freshly picked (or just fallen) off the tree, crumble (already made and sitting in a box in the freezer) and custard in a sliceable form. For the un-initiated custard, in our household, comes in various forms - the really pale, runny, skinny, nerdy type of custard to the really thick, unctuous, bright yellow, here I am and you're going to love me, happy sliceable kind......today is definitely a day for the latter. Enjoy as I'm off to make my coffee (Monsooned Malabar - yumm!).
With next week comes the start of a new term at Uni. I have already been down to experience (yet again!) the complete incompetence of the admin staff (various) there and have been plagued with a barrage of "it's not come back from the printers yet and we don't know when it will be back" to "it's in the internal mail so should be there tomorrow" (despite the fact that it was promised 2 days before!!!). Such is academia and it is no wonder that our University system is groaning at the seams with cuts being made in all the places except the one's where they should be made..... rant over!
The wind is whipping round the house today and the rain is just in the air, no point in an umbrella today and even the cats don't want to go out. This leads me to music for the day - Mendelssohn - Fingals Cave seems appropriate but I will also listen to Elijah. There is much to do in terms of reading and prep for next week - and I feel that this will help calm the nerves a tad.
It's strange to think that a year ago I was embarking on this new whacky opt-out, mid-life crisis lifestyle of mine....It's been quite a year with friendships coming to an end (some quite dramatically - and people wonder why I love opera!) and a few illnesses along the way, some good times and some bad times and just some times....... as a person I'm more content in what I am doing and whilst I will bemoan the fact that I only got 72 instead of the idealised 84 I will try to appreciate the work that I do do and let that teach me where I can go and how I can progress. This is fairly much my life philosophy and the music and cake sustain me in this.
Apple crumble and Birds yellow custard is the food of the day - apples freshly picked (or just fallen) off the tree, crumble (already made and sitting in a box in the freezer) and custard in a sliceable form. For the un-initiated custard, in our household, comes in various forms - the really pale, runny, skinny, nerdy type of custard to the really thick, unctuous, bright yellow, here I am and you're going to love me, happy sliceable kind......today is definitely a day for the latter. Enjoy as I'm off to make my coffee (Monsooned Malabar - yumm!).
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Autumnal preparations
With Autumn fast approaching (if it's not already here) and conker collections taking place in readiness for those all important duels, it is a time to take stock and bring in close all those thoughts and dreams that will sustain me through the winter and the challenges that lie ahead...
OK - panic over, it seems that there is (as ever!) a mountain to climb in terms of what I hope to achieve this term at Uni. I know it's not truly Mont Blanc in terms of what some people have to deal with in their lives, but it's a fairly large mole hill by my understanding, which would be slightly reduced if the IT part of Uni life was working efficiently.
Music today will be a really mixed bag as I start prep for the Creative Music Technologies element of the course - I was thinking Jean Michelle Jarr type of thing but it appears that there will be some Steve Reich, Pierre Schaffer (OK I've heard of both of them) and a bit of John Cage thrown in for good measure - all OKish so far - but how about Pousseur and Lansky and Luigi Nono? Let's hope that You Tube has some good things on it....I know it will certainly be different to The Bay City Rollers and Abba but this is again part of life's rich tapestry, or web that we weave....
As light relief to this strangeness there is the delightful Op.33 No.3 in C major ("The Bird") by Handel to listen to.....at least I seem to remember that it's by Handel, apologies if I've got it wrong - afterall what do I know, I'm only a mid life crisis music student who should really be out there seeking gainful employment and making a difference in the world! Sorry - tried that and didn't like it so in a huge throw all the toys out of the pram moment, will continue with this part of life's journey for the while (that is until life throws something else in the way).
Am I loving it? Yes, really and truly I love the mental stimulous this has given me, the break from a near nervous breakdown has been miraculous and has made me realise a great deal more about who I am than I knew before..... WOW!
OK - panic over, it seems that there is (as ever!) a mountain to climb in terms of what I hope to achieve this term at Uni. I know it's not truly Mont Blanc in terms of what some people have to deal with in their lives, but it's a fairly large mole hill by my understanding, which would be slightly reduced if the IT part of Uni life was working efficiently.
Music today will be a really mixed bag as I start prep for the Creative Music Technologies element of the course - I was thinking Jean Michelle Jarr type of thing but it appears that there will be some Steve Reich, Pierre Schaffer (OK I've heard of both of them) and a bit of John Cage thrown in for good measure - all OKish so far - but how about Pousseur and Lansky and Luigi Nono? Let's hope that You Tube has some good things on it....I know it will certainly be different to The Bay City Rollers and Abba but this is again part of life's rich tapestry, or web that we weave....
As light relief to this strangeness there is the delightful Op.33 No.3 in C major ("The Bird") by Handel to listen to.....at least I seem to remember that it's by Handel, apologies if I've got it wrong - afterall what do I know, I'm only a mid life crisis music student who should really be out there seeking gainful employment and making a difference in the world! Sorry - tried that and didn't like it so in a huge throw all the toys out of the pram moment, will continue with this part of life's journey for the while (that is until life throws something else in the way).
Am I loving it? Yes, really and truly I love the mental stimulous this has given me, the break from a near nervous breakdown has been miraculous and has made me realise a great deal more about who I am than I knew before..... WOW!
Monday, 27 September 2010
Opera and French Macaroons
The weekend dinner party went very well, food was good and everyone had a great time. There was only one hitch though - the French Macaroons!
The problem was that they kept coming out like British Macaroons - domed and with a cracked top, not the pretty smooth and disc shape rounds of unctiousness that they are supposed to be. However, after 5 attempts and some YouTube watching and remembering to weigh my egg whites (don't laugh this is ultra serious stuff!), we have success. Now all I have to do is get some powdered food colouring and then production (and hopefully many sales) can take place.
The music that inspired this French Macaroon frenzie was of course Opera - mainly italian it has to be said, but the drama seemed to match what was going on in the kitchen. Don Giovanni and La Boheme featured heavily with a bit of M.Butterfly thrown in for good measure.
The problem was that they kept coming out like British Macaroons - domed and with a cracked top, not the pretty smooth and disc shape rounds of unctiousness that they are supposed to be. However, after 5 attempts and some YouTube watching and remembering to weigh my egg whites (don't laugh this is ultra serious stuff!), we have success. Now all I have to do is get some powdered food colouring and then production (and hopefully many sales) can take place.
The music that inspired this French Macaroon frenzie was of course Opera - mainly italian it has to be said, but the drama seemed to match what was going on in the kitchen. Don Giovanni and La Boheme featured heavily with a bit of M.Butterfly thrown in for good measure.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Cake and Fear in Crawley
After a mixed day yesterday - of piano students, window cleaners, gardening chores and washing, I sat down to watch The Great British Bake Off and decided that I should extend my baking skills further as there is probably more money to be made there than in teaching piano! A truly sad state of affairs when music is the path for so many of life's wonderful experiences - it is there throughout, through all the good times, the bad, the Ok and the uneventful and of course the absolutely out there spectacular times and for me it is there with the baking!
So, after deciding that I could set up the CBI (Crawley Baking Institute) but that it may turn into rather a WI style affair (absolutely no offence to the WI as they are a superb organisation/institution) rather than true to its basic ingredients, the idea was given a quick boot - maybe another year.
So what of the fear - fear of failure at Uni and financial fear are the main ones - Financial fear is one big ugly demon that is lurking not on my shoulder (as he's too big for that!) but is standing well and truly behind me drooling in my shadow. So, what am I going to about this big demon? Well I'm going to see what work I can get for Christmas (as places will be limited) at say Sainsbury's, Debenhams etc etc etc and I'm going to have a bake fest......
We have some friends coming over for dinner/supper on Saturday and so instead of doing a calorie laden desert I'm going to do my version of high tea with tiny cheese scones (taking them through nicely from the main meal) filled with cream cheese and herbs, little hazelnut tartlets, little chocolate brownies (possibly with caramel), salty peanut macaroons (never made them before so should be interesting) and a small dark and white chocolate sponge.
Musically I think it will be light and frivilous - Natalie Cole, Sachmo, Glenn Miller that type of thing. Definitely NO WAGNER as he's for bread making.....as he's way too heavy for little fancies.
So, after deciding that I could set up the CBI (Crawley Baking Institute) but that it may turn into rather a WI style affair (absolutely no offence to the WI as they are a superb organisation/institution) rather than true to its basic ingredients, the idea was given a quick boot - maybe another year.
So what of the fear - fear of failure at Uni and financial fear are the main ones - Financial fear is one big ugly demon that is lurking not on my shoulder (as he's too big for that!) but is standing well and truly behind me drooling in my shadow. So, what am I going to about this big demon? Well I'm going to see what work I can get for Christmas (as places will be limited) at say Sainsbury's, Debenhams etc etc etc and I'm going to have a bake fest......
We have some friends coming over for dinner/supper on Saturday and so instead of doing a calorie laden desert I'm going to do my version of high tea with tiny cheese scones (taking them through nicely from the main meal) filled with cream cheese and herbs, little hazelnut tartlets, little chocolate brownies (possibly with caramel), salty peanut macaroons (never made them before so should be interesting) and a small dark and white chocolate sponge.
Musically I think it will be light and frivilous - Natalie Cole, Sachmo, Glenn Miller that type of thing. Definitely NO WAGNER as he's for bread making.....as he's way too heavy for little fancies.
Monday, 20 September 2010
Autumn Opera
So - 2 weeks until the start of Autumn Term. My tasks for today are many, the road ahead isn't yellow but is decidedly bumpy, full of many twists and turns and forks and junctions. I am sure there will be the occasional evil witch along the way to entice me into a secluded forest where werewolves lurk........OK enough of the drama and the scary childrens story.
Today will be an opera fest - I will be listening to The A-Z of Opera and making many notes on who is who and what is what. Then I have 100 Opera Classics to listen to and try to understand! I will also be sending my CV to The Met in NY to see if there is any work experience that I can do next summer and of course to register an interest in working for them long term. (ENO, Glyndebourne & The Royal Opera House already have my details.)
With Christmas already poking it's head over the horizon, I must also think about work during that time - retail outlets must be approached unfortunately....... yeuck!
So, with dampness in the air, leaves falling and turning into glorious copper shade, the ground too wet to work and cats curled safely up on beds and in baskets the dramatic world of opera (and large wagnerian style diva's) awaits........bring it on, it will be a perfect day!
Today will be an opera fest - I will be listening to The A-Z of Opera and making many notes on who is who and what is what. Then I have 100 Opera Classics to listen to and try to understand! I will also be sending my CV to The Met in NY to see if there is any work experience that I can do next summer and of course to register an interest in working for them long term. (ENO, Glyndebourne & The Royal Opera House already have my details.)
With Christmas already poking it's head over the horizon, I must also think about work during that time - retail outlets must be approached unfortunately....... yeuck!
So, with dampness in the air, leaves falling and turning into glorious copper shade, the ground too wet to work and cats curled safely up on beds and in baskets the dramatic world of opera (and large wagnerian style diva's) awaits........bring it on, it will be a perfect day!
Monday, 13 September 2010
Feeling daunted
Ok, so I have my book list, am still trying to figure out why our course has gone from 4 topics down to three (something which the faculty don't appear to be able to answer at the moment) when everyone else is still doing 4 topics - gulp! The amount of reading is really what overwhelms you. Although I will be putting into practice my Tony Buzan tips and the tips I got from Uni. I do have to get into the groove as they say.
My choice of music today is La Mer by Debussy - great stuff and as it's wet and grey it reallly feels appropriate.
Today's baking will consist of cookies (from what ever I have available in the cupboard) and possible quiche as my pal Helen is due to be seen. I think the afternoon will be spent with DVD's or at the flicks (thus avoiding those scary books that have just arrived courtesy of the great Amazon!).
Re the cake recipe - some of you may wish to bump this up to a 6oz recipe with 3 eggs.
Happy Tuesday :-) x
My choice of music today is La Mer by Debussy - great stuff and as it's wet and grey it reallly feels appropriate.
Today's baking will consist of cookies (from what ever I have available in the cupboard) and possible quiche as my pal Helen is due to be seen. I think the afternoon will be spent with DVD's or at the flicks (thus avoiding those scary books that have just arrived courtesy of the great Amazon!).
Re the cake recipe - some of you may wish to bump this up to a 6oz recipe with 3 eggs.
Happy Tuesday :-) x
Sunday, 12 September 2010
Cake!
Today is a Victoria Sponge type of day - not the kind with that sickly butter cream inside, just good old raspberry or strawberry jam......
4 oz of butter (unsalted) or Stork SB or similar
4 oz of caster sugar
2 eggs (large)*
4 oz Self Raising Flour (or as I prefer 4 ounces of Plain with a teaspoon and a half of baking powder)
* for those of you who really want perfection (according to the WI and other such institutes) you should weigh the eggs to get 4 oz).
Grease 2 x 7 inch tins and dust with flour.
Turn the oven on to Gas mark 4 - I think this is about 170 degrees but do check first.
Now, this is the important part.....
Put the sugar and butter in a bowl and mix till really really really pale and fluffy - If you have a Kenwood machine or similar then just let the thing do the work for you and come back in about 15 - 20 mins - or after a good girlie chat on the phone with a glass of wine.....
Once the fat and sugar are combined, crack the eggs (if you haven't already in order to weigh them) and add slowly to the sugar mix. If it curdles (looks a bit like scrambled egg) add a small amount of flour.
When combined, sift the flour (and if appropriate raising agent) into the mix and then stir gently.
Scoop out the delicious mix evenly into the two tins and bake till springy and lovely - approximately 20 to 25 mins.
This bit is really really important - Don't do anything to it for at least 10 minutes, just leave it alone. When the 20 mins is up - check the cake by pressing a finger lightly on the surface, if the cake feels springy then it should be done - also listen to it - if it's still making a noise then leave it in for another 5-10 mins and repeat the testing.
Lots of people use scewers to test cakes but once you get used to listening to it you'll never look back.
Let the cake cool for a minute or two and then turn out onto a rack and then let them cool. Once completely cool, put one on a plate or serving dish, spread with your favourite jam, put the other cake on top and then sift some icing sugar over the top. Delish! Serve with cream if you really want it, a good cuppa and some sunshine and it really is the best!
Enjoy.
4 oz of butter (unsalted) or Stork SB or similar
4 oz of caster sugar
2 eggs (large)*
4 oz Self Raising Flour (or as I prefer 4 ounces of Plain with a teaspoon and a half of baking powder)
* for those of you who really want perfection (according to the WI and other such institutes) you should weigh the eggs to get 4 oz).
Grease 2 x 7 inch tins and dust with flour.
Turn the oven on to Gas mark 4 - I think this is about 170 degrees but do check first.
Now, this is the important part.....
Put the sugar and butter in a bowl and mix till really really really pale and fluffy - If you have a Kenwood machine or similar then just let the thing do the work for you and come back in about 15 - 20 mins - or after a good girlie chat on the phone with a glass of wine.....
Once the fat and sugar are combined, crack the eggs (if you haven't already in order to weigh them) and add slowly to the sugar mix. If it curdles (looks a bit like scrambled egg) add a small amount of flour.
When combined, sift the flour (and if appropriate raising agent) into the mix and then stir gently.
Scoop out the delicious mix evenly into the two tins and bake till springy and lovely - approximately 20 to 25 mins.
This bit is really really important - Don't do anything to it for at least 10 minutes, just leave it alone. When the 20 mins is up - check the cake by pressing a finger lightly on the surface, if the cake feels springy then it should be done - also listen to it - if it's still making a noise then leave it in for another 5-10 mins and repeat the testing.
Lots of people use scewers to test cakes but once you get used to listening to it you'll never look back.
Let the cake cool for a minute or two and then turn out onto a rack and then let them cool. Once completely cool, put one on a plate or serving dish, spread with your favourite jam, put the other cake on top and then sift some icing sugar over the top. Delish! Serve with cream if you really want it, a good cuppa and some sunshine and it really is the best!
Enjoy.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Financial Crisis
Like many of us in these current uncertain times (although when has anything ever been certain? Apart from our ultimate demise that is?????) the financial reality of university life strikes again - a new list of books to get, fees to be paid etc, mortgage to pay and little summer work....... such is the life of a student. The irony being that, despite all these issues, life has never been so good in so many ways.
If you want proof that music can really cheer you up - try listening/watching the You Tube clip of Barry White and Pavarotti singing the ultimate........You're the first, the last, my everything. What a moment! Some may say thank goodness it wasn't repeated, others will just simply be in the moment and for those Ally McBeal fans out there it's the ultimate dance routine.
If you're one of those who won't be cheered by the above, then go and make a Victoria Sponge - try listening to some Nat King Cole, or some Dudley Moore - dancing while your baking is a fave past-time of mine and I really recommend it to resolve any issues of the day.
Just off to put some scones together with a coffee and Debussy "La Mer"....... I'll worry about the financial crisis later :-)
If you want proof that music can really cheer you up - try listening/watching the You Tube clip of Barry White and Pavarotti singing the ultimate........You're the first, the last, my everything. What a moment! Some may say thank goodness it wasn't repeated, others will just simply be in the moment and for those Ally McBeal fans out there it's the ultimate dance routine.
If you're one of those who won't be cheered by the above, then go and make a Victoria Sponge - try listening to some Nat King Cole, or some Dudley Moore - dancing while your baking is a fave past-time of mine and I really recommend it to resolve any issues of the day.
Just off to put some scones together with a coffee and Debussy "La Mer"....... I'll worry about the financial crisis later :-)
Monday, 6 September 2010
What's it all about?
Throughout our lives there is always something constant...... for me it's been food and music, but predominantly the latter.
This blog is about how, after a struggle with education, life, people who put you down, I've managed to do what I wanted to do from the age of 12......It's been a bumpy 35 years since then but I am now in my second year of a Music degree at Sussex University. I owe my place at Uni to the support and friendship of the music teachers in my life, who have just been fantastic and continue to inspire me.
Who know's what it will bring and where I will go, but heh I can't believe it and I'm loving it. Challenges there are a plenty, but what thrills me is how music can make a difference, it has the power to turn a bad day into a good one, to express what is beyond words and yet also say things that are so simple.
In this blog you will find my frustrations, joys, surprise and probably downs, a recommendation of stuff I currently like and probably the odd recipe or two.......
I hope you enjoy the journey with me...... as that is what it is all about.
This blog is about how, after a struggle with education, life, people who put you down, I've managed to do what I wanted to do from the age of 12......It's been a bumpy 35 years since then but I am now in my second year of a Music degree at Sussex University. I owe my place at Uni to the support and friendship of the music teachers in my life, who have just been fantastic and continue to inspire me.
Who know's what it will bring and where I will go, but heh I can't believe it and I'm loving it. Challenges there are a plenty, but what thrills me is how music can make a difference, it has the power to turn a bad day into a good one, to express what is beyond words and yet also say things that are so simple.
In this blog you will find my frustrations, joys, surprise and probably downs, a recommendation of stuff I currently like and probably the odd recipe or two.......
I hope you enjoy the journey with me...... as that is what it is all about.
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