Updates
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Thursday
23 December 2004
Preparations for Christmas Day and my first turkey dinner are under way in earnest
- so in case I don't get any further opportunity to do this pre-Crimbo, may
I wish my loyal reader(s)
a wonderful festive season! Ooh, I feel like the Queen, doing her speech!
Monday
20 December 2004
After watching the delightful and poignant Muppet Christmas Carol (the
sight of little Robin hobbling about on Tiny Tim's crutch breaks my heart to
this day!!) on TV at the weekend - and since it's the season to be silly anyway
- I thought I'd regale
you with my Top 10 list of Muppets:
1. Floyd Pepper
2. Zoot
3. Animal (see - even from an early age, I liked guys in bands!!)
4. Kermit
5. Fozzie
6. Miss Piggy
7. Gonzo
8. Rizzo
9. Robin
10. Swedish Chef
Sunday
19 December 2004
Have spent pleasant couple of days making reasonable progress on my novel -
in between token efforts to shed my 'Bah humbug' tendencies: wrapping presents,
buying the Band Aid 20 single, and pinning up Crimbo decorations.
I've also had my hair done, and am v. delighted with my straightened, three-shade
(I'm just two colours away from a McFly song) new stylee!
It's not easy to knuckle down and write at this time of year, what with so much
buzzing on around me; it's a rather frustrating, stop-start process. So any
progress I can make is pleasing.
I've reached the stage where I just want the 'festive' season, and this tired
old year, out of the way so I can make a new start in 2005 - with both my writing
and life generally.
As those closest to me know, I am not the greatest fan of Christmas - and this,
my first Dadless one, is going to be especially tough. I hope the task of cooking
my first ever turkey dinner (for Nath and Mum) will distract me from maudlin
thoughts.
I loathe the commercialism of it all (though can't pretend that I am religious,
or that the 'true meaning of Christmas' has much bearing on my life either);
the 'I want, I want, you haven't spent enough money on me' culture; the extortionate
cost; the materialism; the rush; the mad crowds; the fact that the whole bloody
thing starts in August...aarghh!!!
Saturday
18 December 2004
Here's another Top 10 - sitcoms this time:
1. Fawlty Towers
2. Rising Damp
3. Only Fools and Horses
4. The Office
5. Steptoe & Son
6. Phoenix Nights
7. Father Ted
8. Open All Hours
9. Porridge
10. The Young Ones
Friday
17 December 2004
Am saddened by the news that one of my first
ever pop idols, Erasure's lead singer Andy Bell, has HIV. I was bonkers about
Erasure when I was 14/15 (and have certain friends who still are...) and their
luscious music meant a lot to me during my lonely, Biactol-faced adolescence.
I never wanted to be like the other girls in my class and worship Take That
or The Wonder Stuff (how ancient that makes me sound!!), so I adored Andy &
Vince instead. OK, so I got the piss torn out of me by classmates for it, but
then in my experience teenage girls aren't always keen on the old 'freedom of
expression' thing. You become a mindless sheep, or you don't fit in. Simple.
Anyway, they remain one of my favourite bands. I have seen them 5 times in concert
(and have tickets for their Wolverhampton gig in March) - those boys sure know
how to put on a camp and spectacular show. As you'll tell from other reviews
and comments posted on my site, I have a love of the flamboyant and showbiz.
Andy is said to be fighting fit - and life expectancy for people with HIV and
AIDS has improved drastically since the 'Don't Die Of Ignorance' days of the
80s - so I hope they continue to do many more tours and make shimmering pop
music for years to come.
Oh, it's been a funny old year.
Thursday
16 December 2004
I wish someone would devise a 'Writer Idol' type show - giving authors the chance
to compete for a six-figure book deal. I'm sure it's tougher for we scribblers
to get the breaks than, say, would-be popsters.
Maybe I should suggest it to ITV? They
could line up the literary world's Simon Cowell-a-likes to alternately arse-lick
the contestants and wither them with acid barbs.
"Leigh, that paragraph was worth of Jane Austen!"
"Leigh, that turdy drivel wasn't fit to grace a cereal packet!"
Although, if sticky Steve's victory in The X Factor is anything to go
by (I thought Sharon Osbourne was right to rant on Saturday night), the winner
would probably be up to the 'primary school essay' standard.
We need the breaks, my Nathan and me. He would love to be the next Brian May,
while I yearn for literary stardom. I'm sure we'd be living a Beckham-esque
lifestyle if we could make money from our respective hobbies. As Kevin The Teenager
might whine: 'It's not faaaaiiir!!!'
Wednesday
15 December 2004
I am, at long long last, attempting to get back into novel-writing mode
after months and months of, for one reason or another, not even bringing myself
to look at my story.
I haven't been too prolific this year, what with everything that's occurred.
Just before and after Dad's death, even to contemplate sitting at a computer
and writing jolly little stories was beyond me, and since then there has just
been too much going on and I haven't had the time to sit down and get stuck
into it. Now I've got all these ideas swarming around my head, which I haven't
had the time or inclination to put into action.
I want all that to change in the new year (or before, if poss).
I am determined to make Dad proud and make something of my life, preferably
through the medium of my scribblings. My dream occupation would be bestselling
novelist.
One of my earliest memories is of being about seven, and Dad telling me that
one day I was going to write a wonderful book that would stun the world (I started
early with my ambition, y'see!) and I've never forgotten that or given up yearning
to fulfil his prediction. In the meantime, I am continuing to love developing
this website and using this precious public forum to express my musings and
ramblings.
Life hasn't been easy since 17th October, and I won't pretend otherwise. I have
the inevitable good days and bad days. On the good days, I manage not to cry;
on the bad ones, I feel like screaming.
Tuesday
14 December 2004
The anorak is back! This time I've had a bash at listing my Top 10 Songs. I've
tried to come up with a 'chart' that reflects my eclectic tastes - though it
could well have shuffled about a bit by next week.
1. I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness
2. Since You've Been Gone - Rainbow
3. The Closest Thing To Crazy - Katie Melua
4. My Way - Frank Sinatra
5. Angels - Robbie Williams
6. More Than Words - Extreme
7. No-One But You - Queen
8. Vienna - Ultravox
9. Over the Rainbow - Eva Cassidy
10. Leave Right Now - Will Young
Saturday
10 December 2004
Two new critiques now grace the Reviews section - Will Young and The Darkness,
two vastly different but both
wonderful concerts, which I had the joy of attending at the NEC this week.
In fact, it's been a fantastically hectic week: Will on Monday - with my good
pals Ros, Sarah and Angie; then a day of pampering at lovely Walton Hall, near
Stratford, on Tuesday (believe it or not, this was my work do); The Darkness
on Wednesday - with Nathan; and finally Thursday night was my writing group's
Crimbo meal (while Nath went to see Mike "Oh Pat, what yer doin' to me,
Pat?" Reid at Dudley Town Hall).
Fab as Will was (that boy has come a long way since Pop Idol), The Darkness
concert had the edge. It has to be one of the best gigs I have ever been to,
like, ever (I sounded a bit like Vicky Pollard there)! But it reminded me that,
to my shame, I haven't actually been to that many proper 'rock' gigs. Pop music
is great, but perhaps it's better for dancing to at discos? When it comes to
a live show, you really can't beat a good rock band!
Yeah, rock is definitely the best! I still require therapy to cope with the
shock of the great Tabby getting voted off The X Factor last week. I
hope G4 win now, as I can't believe stubbly Steve has made it to the final (sorry,
love, your 'I'm so shy and modest' act just doesn't cut it with me! Too many
ex-boyfriends of mine employed similar tactics in order to bag the laydeez!!).
So tonight, I shall shun ITV and watch Strictly Come Dancing in protest
(I luv Julian)!
Seeing The Darkness has inspired me to compile my list of Top 10 All Time Gigs:
1. The Brian May Band - NIA, Birmingham - 28 October 1998
2. The Darkness - NEC Arena, Birmingham - 8 December 2004
3. Erasure - Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 21 May 2003
4. Katie Melua - NIA - 18 October 2004
5. Will Young - NEC Arena - 6 December 2004
6. Roger Taylor - Wolves Civic - 30 March 1999
7. Midge Ure - Robin R 'n' B Club, Brierley Hill (an absolutely bostin' Black
Country music venue - now criminally bulldozed to make way for extensions to
the Merry Hill shopping centre) - 3 September 1997
8. OMD - NEC Arena - 7 December 1993 (v. special, cuz it was my first ever concert)
9. Culture Club - NEC Arena - 10 December 1998
10. Madness - NEC Arena - 19 December 1999
See what I mean - not enough rock! This must be rectified....
As you can see, I harbour distinctly anoraky date-recalling and list-making
tendencies. I'd like to make my Leigh's Lists a feature of the site. Soon, I'll
be bringing you my Top 10 All Time Songs - brace yourselves!!
Wednesday
1 December 2004
I have added a new story
to the ol' website - not, this time, the work of moi alone but a joint
effort between the members of Bold Writers, the bestest creative writing group
in the, er, West (Midlands, that is). It's called The House, and I'll
say no more about it here, else I'll just be repeating the intro on my The
House page...just go and read it, OK!
The House also features in a brilliant anthology which we Bold Writers
have just produced in time for Crimbo. I wish I could add the suffix 'available
in all good book shops,' but we sadly aren't published yet, even if the printers
have done an exceptionally good job and it looks for all the world like a real,
proper, grown-up book.
I've been reading it, and though I'm admittedly biased have to say the quality
of the writing is incredibly professional. Far worse stuff than ours gets published
- and nets its authors millions - so when will our break come...??
Wednesday
24 November 2004
I have become a late convert to Phoenix Nights,
Peter Kay's subtle and brilliantly observed sitcom. I'm a great fan of Peter
Kay's stand-up act, and this had been one of those programmes I'd always intended
to watch but somehow never quite got round to, or was never in when it was on,
or whatever! Anyway, a friend lent me the DVD and it's hilarious. I love the
cheesy nightclub acts and cringey audition pieces over the credits.
Wednesday
10 November 2004
I thought it was about time I actually added some updates - if only to thank
all the wonderful people who have shown me support and kindness during these
last few weeks of bereavement.
I have received so many messages, it is comforting to know I am in so many thoughts.
We had Dad's funeral nearly a fortnight ago, which believe it or not turned
out to be an amazing, uplifting day. People talk about funerals as being 'celebrations
of life' and I had no idea how true that phrase was until this occasion. It
really was a celebration - with a great deal of humour and love amidst the sadness.
Having spent a whole week dreading the day and longing for it to be over, I
ended up not wanting it to end. The church was packed to the proverbial rafters,
and I had never felt surrounded by so much affection in my life.
I felt physically ill whilst lining up, with the family, to troop into church,
but as soon as we were standing there and started singing, I suddenly felt at
peace within myself. I am not a religious bod, never have been and never will
be, so the hymns and prayers rather went over my head, but otherwise the service
was beautiful, with some wonderful eulogies and tributes spoken.
As you can imagine, I have not of late been in the most creative frame of mind
and what little writing I have managed is distinctly below par. It is incredibly
frustrating to have ideas and inspirations swimming around my head, yet be unable
to translate them into scintillating fiction. It would be temptingly easy to
give myself the rest of the year off and aim to start afresh with my writing
after Christmas - but, knowing me, I'd probably put it off and put it off after
that and never accomplish anything at all.
Nathan says I should give it a rest, as I have good reason not to be doing much
at present, but I hate making excuses for myself. I want to do it - I've just
got a severe case of writer's block. Shame they don't have writer's Dynorod
to unblock it as easily as one unblocks a toilet. Anyone got any ideas on how
I can get the old groove back?
Thursday
21 October 2004
This is the hardest 'Update' I have yet had to write,
but thought that perhaps to share my sad news with you might have a cathartic
effect. Tragically, my dad passed away in the early hours of Sunday 17th October.
He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer just over a year ago, and underwent extremely
gruelling bouts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy - but sadly he ultimately lost
his battle with the bastard disease.
Dad's illness is a subject I have never aired in this column, wishing to keep
it private within the family, but feel his death is something I cannot ignore
on here. It happened just after Nathan and I had returned from Cyprus (a wonderful
holiday - seems like years ago now, though), so I was very glad I was here to
say my goodbyes to Dad, and glad that his passing was peaceful, at home with
my mum, just as he would have wanted, not in some sterile, impersonal hospital.
I have shed many a bitter tear this year, at the unfairness of it all, yet strangely
now Dad has gone I no longer feel so bitter. He is at peace now and so, in a
strange way, am I. There is no more uncertainty now; no more being scared to,
for example, plan holidays for fear that something will happen to Dad in my
absence. That may sound an odd way of looking at it, but we all know death,
as well as bringing much heartache and pain, can bring release. I am determined
not to get depressed, and for my life to go on - it's what Dad would have wanted.
I have received many messages of love and support from wonderful friends, for
which I am extremely grateful and comforted. It is one of those sad paradoxes
that an awful happening like this can draw families and friends together.
With all this going on, I did actually manage to make the excellent Katie Melua
concert at the NIA on Monday the 18th. I am very glad I did go, as the show
(not to mention the 'orrible drive into Birmingham city centre...) gave me something
to focus and concentrate on.
I am undecided yet as to whether I will attempt a proper review of Katie's concert
on my website. What with everything going on at present, I am not exactly in
a creative frame of mind, but I'll see. Suffice to say, though, it was a great
night. I said previously that I had reservations about the arena's suitability
as a venue for Katie's acoustic style, but am glad to say that I was proved
wrong. She had no trouble filling the place - either with her voice or with
people, for it was packed out. There was a noticeably huge mix of ages too -
a great many pensioners, but also lots of young people.
She came across as a down to earth girl as well as a wonderful performer. Her
set included every song from her amazing Call Off The Search album, several
tracks from her new album (which she is in the process of recording), a cover
of The Cure's Love Cats, on which she dueted with the equally lovely
Jamie Cullum at this year's Brits, and The Anniversary Song, a track
from Katie's heroine Eva Cassidy's Time After Time CD.
Katie's self-penned tribute to Eva, Faraway Voice, which features on
her first album, is a song I would like played at my funeral - along with Eva's
own, now well-known, version of Sting's Fields of Gold, and possibly
Angels by Robbie Williams too! Sounds morbid, but we have of course arranged
Dad's funeral and had to think about the type of music to play in his honour
- which has really got me thinking about what songs I might like. For Dad, we
have gone for Frank Sinatra's My Way, a song which makes me blub at the
best of times, so I know there won't be a dry eye in the church.
Saturday
2 October 2004
Big hellos and love to Frank and Chris, my 'in-laws' (not officially yet) in
Thailand!! I know they'll be reading this and they've left a couple of guestbook
messages on here - as has Nicole, one of their friends from their days in Singapore!
It's great that I'm reaching wider audiences! Nathan and I miss his mum and
dad loads while they're
in the Far East. We did go out to Singapore a couple of times, in 1999 and 2000
- bostin' place!!
And talking of holidays...our sojourn to Cyprus is but days away now, so excitement
has started to set in! It's a country to which neither of us have ever been
before, but has been highly recommended by several friends, so our expectations
are high. Remind us to book next year's hols earlier, though - October is waaaay
too long to wait for a break!! When I look at the murky autumn skies and fallen
leaves here, I can't quite comprehend that I'm going on holiday; that in a few
days, I shall be frying by a poolside.
I heard some great news yesterday - that my most beloved of all musicals, Jesus
Christ Superstar, is coming to Wolverhampton, the Grand Theatre to be precise,
from 9-21 May 2005!!! Having checked the theatre website, tickets for next year's
shows do not appear to be on sale yet - in fact, they aren't even advertising
anything beyond their Crimbo panto. But as soon as they do, I shall be on to
that box office faster than you can say 'Resurrection.' The cast is unconfirmed
as yet, but I think I'd go and see it whoever the stars were (well, unless someone
had decided to give Mick Hucknall a part, that is).
Saturday
18 September 2004
Last night, my good pal Ros and I went to see that iconic 80s band ABC at the
Robin in Bilston, in the good old Black Country.
They did an ace show - though it was a little on the short side, if I have to
nitpick. I think when a band becomes very successful on the back of one, maybe
two, great songs, it's easy to forget that they haven't actually done all that
many others!! This was, I have to say, evident last night by the fact ABC performed
Poison Arrow twice! That said, though, it was a bostin' performance,
the sell-out crowd loved every minute, and singer Martin Fry hasn't aged a day
since 1982 (nor has his haircut). I liked his purple suit too!
I must mention too the support band, Freq Central, who were excellent. They
reminded me somewhat of a cross between Transvision Vamp and No Doubt, in being
a pop/rock combo with an 80s-ish sound, fronted by a feisty girl singer. The
vocalist (Jackie Baker, I think her name was) had terrific energy and a lovely
rapport with the audience, the lads who played the instruments were fantastic
too, and the band's self-penned songs had some fascinating lyrics.
I haven't added a proper review of the ABC/Freq Central gig as I'm on a bit
of a roll with my novel-writing at present and would rather get on with that
while the mood's on me, if that's OK with you! I'm steaming ahead with Chapter
4, which I hope to have finished within the week...
Saturday
11 September 2004
I decided to stay in with my JCS DVD last night after all - as you will
see from the new review I've just added!
And I can say it was well worth staying in for.
Have booked up (oh, my poor bank balance!!) for yet another concert - The Darkness
in December. They've added an extra date at Brum's NEC, which is ace as I can't
go on 7th December - the date they first announced - cuz it's my work's Crimbo
do (not that I was all that heartbroken, seeing as our work do actually involves
shutting the office for a day while we get buffed and massaged in a health farm
- good, eh?!). So now Nath and I going on the 8th!
We'll have a busy week that week, cuz on Monday I'm seeing Will Young with the
girls (our boyfriends/husbands don't want to go with us to that one - funny,
that!!), Tuesday I'm at the health farm, Wednesday we've got The Darkness, and
Thursday Nathan and the lads are off to see Mike 'Frank Butcher' Reid at Dudley(!)
Town Hall!! Such a social whirl.
Tuesday
7 September 2004
Big love to all the James Fox fans - the 'Foxettes' - who have taken the trouble
to read my review and leave some lovely comments on the JF forum!! Your friendliness
and praise are very much appreciated.
I've been in two minds whether to go and see JCS again this Friday. Obviously
I'm leaving it a bit late to book in any case, but I'm torn!! I know it'd be
wonderful, and I could well regret missing out on an opportunity - but on the
other hand it doesn't always work when I try to recreate wonderful memories.
Perhaps it's best savoured as a one-off experience! Also, I have to weigh up
whether I can justify the cost, and the scary-wary, Billy No Mates-ness of travelling
by train into Brum on my tod!!
I actually looked at my novel for the first time in a fortnight yesterday.
Recent activities - weekends away, exciting theatre trips, etc - have left me
with no time to write it, but I've actually missed it. I love the sense of purpose
and focus it gives me. I'm hoping the break from it will have imbibed me with
some fresh inspiration. I had to reread my Prologue and first 3 chapters yesterday,
though, before I could even attempt to resume the story - it's amazing how easy
it is to forget your own story after even a short time away from it!
Thursday
2 September 2004
My Jesus Christ Superstar review is the latest addition to the site.
Have a click and read how, in my usual understated fashion, I say I quite enjoyed
it really.
I've had tons of lovely comments about my reviews and stories in the James Fox
forum (thanks guys!!), so by way of returning the favour I've added a link to
their site to my Links page. I'm told, BTW, that Old Biddy (love that name!)
discovered me on Google, so it's good to know these search engines do work!
James seems to have a very supportive fan base, which will doubtlessly grow
as more audiences witness his punchy performance in JCS.
Monday
30 August 2004
Happy bank holiday! Oh, how quick the summer flies. It'll be Christmas afore
yow knows it!
My reputation spreads!! I've earned myself a mention on the lovely James Fox's
website www.jamesfox.biz
- so Melinda informs me in the guestbook!!
It was a real spooker reading Melinda's message (there's a corny, Melinda Messenger-related
pun in there somewhere, but I haven't got time right now) just after I'd been
to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Birmingham Hippodrome - but before
I'd had chance to add a review to this 'ere site (well I still haven't had chance
actually, but be patient, it'll come, it'll come...). The show itself was amazing,
and James was totally fantastic as Judas. My review will appear shortly, so
just watch this space...
Thanks for the link Melinda! And thanks to 'Old Biddy' (!!!) for posting a link
to my site in the James Fox forum! How did you get to hear about me, Old Biddy
(great user name, BTW)??!
Tuesday
24 August 2004
Nath and I have just returned from a romantic mini break in the sunny West Country.
We've been staying in a bostin' hotel just outside Bristol. Our stay involved
a trip into Weston Super Mare ('Ooh, that tide goes out for miles,' I was -
truthfully - informed by
everyone in the world to whom I confided that I was going there!!), a place
packed with coaches bearing sock-with-sandal-wearing pensioners from the West
Midlands. Dinner that night consisted of fish and chips in the car - parked
on the beach! How romantic can you get? It was ace.
The following day,
we took a walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge - a walk, I have to admit,
I would probably not have taken had I actually viewed the bridge from
the ground, so to speak, beforehand!
Not being wonderful with heights, I couldn't exactly go as far as to say I 'enjoyed'
being on it in any case - though it was an interesting experience and certainly
a phenomenal feat of engineering by old Isambard. However, not until we subsequently
drove underneath it could I appreciate just how high, long and goddamn gravity-defying
the thing is!! Thoughts of the 'How the hell does it stay up there?' variety
plagued me, as they do on aeroplanes. I really think that if I'd viewed the
bridge from a distance beforehand, I'd have totally wimped out and not even
stood on it!
We later went into Bristol - a great city with a welcoming atmosphere ('Hi'
to any Bristolian readers I might possibly have!!). Neither of us had ever been
before, but were well impressed. The thought struck me that had I possessed
the smallest inclination to attend university when I was 18 (bit late to be
having such thoughts now, I know), Bristol was exactly the kind of city I'd
love to have studied in. I could just picture myself being all bookish under
trees, reading classics on the green in Clifton. Karl, the gorgeous hero of
my first novel Classmates (which I hope you will all read one day...),
obtains his veterinary science degree from Bristol University, so perhaps this
is Fate...
Overall, it was a great break, and just what we needed to keep us going until
our main holiday to Cyprus in October. We must, must, must book next
year's hols earlier, though. The autumn is waaay too long to wait for respite
from work!!
My absence from home and real life generally has led to a temporary neglect
of my novel - but fear not, I shall get back into it very shortly (hopefully).
Saturday
14 August 2004
Another chapter finished! What was previously Chapter 4 but is now 3 (cuz I've
squished 2 and 3 together as I felt they worked better as one chapter!) is all
done and proofread. I'm finding this new novel much harder to write than my
previous one, Classmates - quite possibly because it is far less autobiographical
than my first effort. Whereas Classmates more or less wrote itself, I
am now having to 'make up' a lot more. I guess this is how fiction writing ought
to be.
Review alert: Mum and I are off to see Jesus Christ Superstar at Brum's
fabulous Hippodrome on Saturday 28th August.
Have just found out that Judas is to be played by James Fox, of Fame Academy
and Eurovision fame. I've loved this musical since seeing Nathan's lovely brother
Nick play Pilate in a bostin' am dram production about six years ago (a night
I also got very drunk, as I recall...), so I can't wait!
I've recently had some nice encouraging comments from fellow visitors to www.abctales.com,
after I plugged the presence of my site on their forum. Well I have to try any
method of advertising I can, to let folks know I'm here! If anyone can think
of more ways I can attract surfers, please let me know!
Monday
2 August 2004
I have now completed a further chapter of my new novel. This one's the Prologue,
which obviously precedes Chapter 1 - although I expect the last you heard from
here, I was working on Chapter 4! Confused? You will be.
I'd had one or two comments on my first 3 chapters saying that, well written
as it was, not a lot appeared to be happening plot-wise. My style, though, isn't
all thrills and car chases, and more character- than plot-driven, but after
a lot of rejigging and going back to the drawing board, I thought a Prologue
might be a good device to introduce my characters (a girl band) at an exciting
peak in their lives, as a way of introducing them as a group and making the
reader wonder how they got together and how they acquired fame. Mine is a story
that lends itself quite well to this device.
I feel it's worked. I gave myself just a week to complete this Prologue (which
sees them compete and be highly acclaimed on a slightly cheesy Star For a
Night-esque talent show), which was very intense but I felt I needed this
kick up the bum. I definitely made the right decision to abandon Chapter 4 -
which I was getting rather bogged down in - for a short while to do it. I was,
I'll admit, starting to lose interest, but this has given me a new lease of
confidence in my writing; as if I've said to myself 'See, Leigh - you can write
good stuff after all!'
Sunday
1 August 2004
I have today booked to see the fabulous Katie Melua at the NIA in Brum on 18th
October. I was gutted to miss out on her Symphony Hall date earlier in the year,
so as soon as this tour was announced I logged online and booked up. I'll admit
to having my reservations about the suitability of the vast National Indoor
Arena as a venue for her acousticy style, but we shall see. Carping aside, I've
wanted to see Katie in concert ever since I first played the phenomenal Call
Off The Search CD, so am really looking forward to it.
I actually have quite a few concerts coming up: ABC (I know, I know, don't even
think it!) on 17th September,
Will Young on 9th December, and now Katie. Reviews-a-go-go, methinks!
I've heard some bostin' CDs lately too: Songs About Jane by Maroon 5,
Will Young's Friday's Child, Joss Stone's The Soul Sessions, and
Imagine, another posthumous collection from the brilliant Eva Cassidy.
We went to see Garfield at the cinema last night - a film which has received
an appropriately catty mauling in the press of which I am ashamed to say I used
to be part. But despite it receiving an average of one star from the generous
critics, we loved it. OK, it was undemanding fare, but cute all the same, with
clever animation. I used to be mad about old Garfo in the 80s (so I'm quite
surprised it's taken this long for a movie about the lazy, lasagne-guzzling,
Monday-hating marmalade feline to surface) and I found it good fun. So nurr!
Sunday
18 July 2004
You'll see I've added another review
- of the spectacular Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas show which Nath and
I saw at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Wednesday. It was a truly wonderful night
- I would recommend it to all fans of Frank Sinatra and his notorious showbiz
set.
The review gave me a great excuse to get back into writing again too, after
the little break I have recently awarded myself. For various reasons, I've been
a tad stressed out lately, and decided that if I didn't give myself a total
rest from my novel and my stringent self-imposed deadlines to complete chapters,
I was in severe danger of cracking up. My writing is, after all, supposed to
be a pleasurable hobby and it was in danger of becoming a chore. I have, I am
ashamed to admit, spent my little doss period becoming a closet Hollyoaks
fan and discovering the delights of bidding for Rainbow videos on the
highly addictive Ebay (don't ask, OK, just don't ask)!!
The novel just wasn't working in its current format either, so I've had a little
rejig and I fully intended getting back into it this week. Shame, in a way -
I've quite enjoyed not having to think about writing for a week or so! But I
know it would also be a shame to give it up after persevering so far with it.
Thursday
8 July 2004
Our tickets came today for The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas,
a show at the Birmingham Hippodrome which features lookalikes of the fabulous
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior, backed by a live band and
dancers. I feel another review coming on....
Sunday
4 July 2004
Am half blind as a result of staring intensely at the computer screen all day.
I have finished Chapter 4 in as much as I have got everything written down that
I want to say; I just have to go back over it and fine-tune, adding bits of
dialogue and expression where it lacks at present. I always set myself a two-week
deadline to finish a chapter, and I think that realistically that is about my
limit. After working intensely on a chapter for a fortnight, I reach a point
where I have had enough and need to move on to the next one. I can't see the
wood for the trees, as it were. It is so much easier to then go back over it
after a little break and see where I have missed bits.
Writing is a frustratingly slow process at times. I can spend all day slaving
over a section, and feel I have done a good job - then it takes me about two
minutes to read what I've written! Then I'll think to myself 'It took me all
day to come up with that??!!!'
Friday
3 July 2004
Well I'm certainly seeing a few names from the past in my guestbook(!!!)
I am currently nearing the conclusion of Chapter 4 of the novel. It's going
well, I am (as I started to at the same point in my first novel too) getting
into my stride with the story, forming attachments to my characters, etc.
I want to thank Andrew and Carolyn Barrett,
who run the fabulous Rainbow website www.rainbow.web.com
(yeah, I know - don't even think it!), for printing not only the classic 'Nath
and me with a few friends' photo (see CV page) but also a link to this 'ere
site! So hopefully soon I shall be read by other batty lovers of "ooh,
they don't mek 'em like that no more" children's telly progs - can't wait!!
A trip to the cinema awaits me this evening, to see another typically adult
film - Shrek 2.
Tuesday
15 June 2004
Oops, it's been an age since I wrote this thing!
Been busy, busy, busy - you know how it is!
Animal continues to be a dream to drive - zippier than Zippy from Rainbow!
But, more importantly, I've just completed Chapter 2 of my new novel. I really
enjoyed writing it, far more than Chapter 1. This could be because I love the
character I introduce in this latest instalment (her name is Faith, she has
a catty streak - and catty characters are almost the most fun to write!), or
because I am always so much more motivated once my work has been read. I've
had some very favourable feedback on Chapter 1 from my pals in the writing group
this week - and knowing that fellow scribblers have read and enjoyed my 'piffle'
makes all the difference in the world to me. It makes me feel I must be doing
something right after all, and really spurs me on to churn out more.
The writing group (Hiya to everyone in it!!) has been going strong for over
a year now, with a recent influx of new members adding extra momentum. The company
of like-minded folks is wonderful motivation for me. I am currently overflowing
with inspiration and can't wait to continue the story. I've even got ideas I
am impatient to incorporate into future novels. All in good time, though, eh?
Chapter 3 here I come....
Thursday
20 May 2004
Am loving my new car - which I have christened 'Animal' in honour of the insane
drumming Muppet who stars in a current TV ad for this particular vehicle. Va
va voom!!!
As a great fan of Dr Teeth & The Electric Mayhem, who kids' show fans of
a certain age will remember were the resident Muppet Show band, it seemed
a good omen that Animal should advertise my car of choice!
It's a dream to drive; lovely and smooth - almost eerily so. The engine is so
quiet, after the little chugs of my old car, that I keep feeling paranoid it
has cut out when I'm stationary in traffic. I am discovering what a wonderful
thing power steering is - have to watch the old speed, though, as I feel like
I'm hardly moving.
Ooh - stop me before I become a car bore!
Monday 10 May 2004
You'll see I have now added a Links Page. Oh, this ol' website just keeps growin'
and a-growin'!!
I did something else yesterday - I bought a new car!!!! :-D
The purchase has proved a slightly terrifying experience, owing to my total
lack of car savvy and general aversion to parting with large sums of money -
but now I've got one I am thrilled.
Selling my 'old banger' is rather poignant, though. It was the first car I ever
owned, and I do have sentimental attachment. Maybe the new owners will allow
me to visit it occasionally to give it hugs??
Saturday 8 May 2004
I've got a few days off (long weekend), and aim to make some serious inroads
into my second novel (the pop group one). I'm being ultra strict with myself:
setting timetables and deadlines by which to complete my chapters. This
actually evokes vague memories of A-level revision time :-{ - not that any experience
could be quite that hideous!!
Joking apart, I find this approach works very well for me. I have the boredom
threshold of a gnat, and know that without schoolmarmly self-discipline I would
just drift along, with the result that my literary output would comprise about
one paragraph a year. That's why I loved the evening classes so much: the discipline
of weekly homework assignments was good for me, and my writing improved about
500%.
I've thus far completed Chapter 1 of the new book - though will have to revisit
it to edit and amend as it's far from perfect - and begun Chapter 2.
Whilst I'm here, I must express my thanks to the kind people at www.yampy.co.uk
- an excellent Black Country site - who have agreed to add a link to my site
on their pages. I'm constantly looking into new ways of promoting the old Bostin'
Yarns, so this is a great boost. Am also delighted to find myself on Google
and Yahoo now! I love spreading the word.
Monday 3 May 2004
Happy bank holiday, readers!
Just wanted to say how delighted I am with the feedback I'm continuing to get.
The guestbook is growing all the time, and I've had some gorgeous comments about
my new reviews. So many of you have logged on as a result of the little links
I've put on the Taboo and Katie Melua websites - for which I am mucho
obliged. Obviously this is a good method of advertising! I am looking into more
ways of letting surfers know of my presence!
Must go - this novel won't write itself...!!
Thursday 22 April 2004
Woo-hoo!! At last - an update!
You'll see I've added a Reviews section (containing, thus far, the impressive
total of 3 reviews - but it's a start). They're pretty miscellaneous critiques,
of, respectively, a CD, DVD and stage show that I've recently loved so much
I just had to share my opinions of them.
While I'm here, I'd like to say a gigantic 'Thank You' to all those kind friends
who have taken the time to read my stories and add lovely comments to my guestbook.
It really is much appreciated. In just under a month of running this thing,
I've built up a rather healthy guestbook - and it's all thanks to you! So do
keep loggin' on, and keep being kind!
I've recently added my URL to some search engines and directories, so hope to
soon be visited by a few more casual surfers as well as the friends who know
of the Bostin' Yarns' existence already, via me!
Happy Reading!
Leigh
xxx