elle_icit

I don't post very often about gigs I've been to but I have to post about this one because it was pretty fab. I am now a fan. Went to Regents Park Open Air Theatre last night....which is a magical place in itself...what with all the twinkly lights and gently swaying trees in the balminess of a summers evening. First up was a funny quirky Australian singer name of Kate Millor Heideke who must have trained as an opera singer with that range......cause her voice was wonderful. She is one of the few singers that has impressed me with thier voice and made me laugh at the same time.


Then..... Alabama 3. I guess best known for thier Soprano's opening theme song. They are usually a techno/country and western type of band. Known for thier strange mix of music and thier crazy performances. On Sunday they paired it back from nine piece band to one guitar and harmonica and did mainly Mississippi blues.....fabulously.

Half the audience was wreaked...... and by the end were on thier feet dancing, to the consternation of security, who seemed a bit bemused that staid conservative Regents park had turned a tiny tiny bit crazy. It was FUN. So If you get a chance to see them be prepared for your toes to tap and to be later dancing in the isles...cause everyone else will be.

Ive been on my fair share of Hen nights...and apart from enjoyment, I've never really understood them. I don't 'get' hen or stag nights. Ok...it's a celebration of a rite of passage...I 'get' that. But what else is it? *puzzled* I suggested to someone recently that she could arrange her own then she would get what she wanted and invite who she wanted. Apparently that is NOT the done thing. *LOL* Each nationality seems to have it's own customs around this tradition....none of which I 'get' *LOL* It seems to be a tradition in Britain for women to either do this
http://www.maximise.co.uk/hen-weekends/cardiff/butlers-in-the-buff-and-wine-tasting.htm
This
http://www.maximise.co.uk/hen-weekends/bristol/pampering-weekend.htm
or this
http://www.maximise.co.uk/hen-weekends/edinburgh/edinburgh-dungeon,-italian-meal-with-male-strip-show-and-nightclub.htm
Or go for a weekend abroad somewhere and do all three...and sometime have sex with all and sundry.
Traditional stag nights seem to go http://www.stagsandhens.com/stag-party-ideas.php for the action man stuff (why don't hen parties do this?) and throw in lots of booze too... So all these things can be done at anytime......why are they done with SUCH intensity and abandon when the occassion is a stag/hen night?
In the UK, Ireland and Canada referred to as a stag party, stag night, stag do, or a bucks party in Australia and bachelor party in America is a party held for the single man just before he enters marriage bliss with his future wife. It is a celebration in the groom’s honour, although it may not seem like it at the time, and is sometimes known as his last night of freedom to answer the call of the wild and get up to activities which his future wife may not approve of.
It is an opportunity to gather together a group of people who have had some influence or connection with the grooms rite of passage to manhood. This can be childhood friends, schools friends, student years, family, work colleagues and sport team associates. It can often be the last opportunity to get this grouping of people together before the Groom and his peers take on more responsible adult marital roles. This is not just you average night for drinking in the pub or bar. It has a tradition and mystique associated with it involving pranks, tricks and lots of drinking usually at the groom’s expense. It often has a risqué element such as strippers or being stripped and tied to lampposts in the dead of night. They have an image of being rowdy and boisterous
The consensus seems to be that it was originally called the bachelor dinner, or stag party. Like many other wedding traditions, the custom seems to extend back into ancient history. Evidence suggests it first came about in the fifth century, in Sparta, where military comrades would feast and toast one another on the eve of a friend’s wedding. There he would say goodbye to the carefree days of bachelorhood and swear continued allegiance to his comrades.

There's another stag connection with odd male rituals - even possibly ones that involve willingly drinking alcohol to excess and regurgitative quantities, soliciting the favours of ladies who are prepared happily to remove all their clothing for the appropriate fee, and then being left naked chained to a lamp-post somewhere. The Horned God referred to in both Celtic and early English mythology was a symbol of all things male - the Celts called him Cernunnos. Legend from these times is often confused, but it seems clear that in pre-Christian times, Brits definitely worshipped a large hairy god who sported antlers, ran around with the Einheriar, or wild hunt, and who probably belched at inappropriate times, never bothered putting the toilet seat back down, and who stayed out far too late without ever phoning home to warn anyone. These are things you will have to get used to.

I'm getting the uncomfortable feeling that many couples look on thier stag/hen night as the end of 'freedom' and good times. Sad.

Am I one of the few who doesn't 'get' it? What do you think is the reason for these over the top parties. And why not just have an over the top party? *LOL*
Is this a stag night or a hen night gone wrong? *LOL* A lesson to be learned here?

I thought this was very sad, funny and very crazy. *LOL* Plus, it's a fine piece of PR for the Mujahideen. (cause I can't stand crulty to animals.)

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's only known pig has been locked in a room, away from visitors to Kabul zoo where it normally grazes beside deer and goats, because people are worried it could infect them with the virus popularly known as swine flu.

The pig is a curiosity in Muslim Afghanistan, where pork and pig products are illegal because they are considered irreligious, and has been in quarantine since Sunday after visitors expressed alarm it could spread the new flu strain.

"For now the pig is under quarantine, we built it a room because of swine influenza," Aziz Gul Saqib, director of Kabul Zoo, told Reuters. "We've done this because people are worried about getting the flu."

Worldwide, more than 1,000 people have been infected with the virus, according to the World Health Organization, which also says 26 people have so far died from the strain. All but one of the deaths were in Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak.

There are no pig farms in Afghanistan and no direct civilian flights between Kabul and Mexico.

"We understand that, but most people don't have enough knowledge. When they see the pig in the cage they get worried and think that they could get ill," Saqib said.

The pig was a gift to the zoo from China, which itself quarantined some 70 Mexicans, 26 Canadians and four Americans in the past week, but later released them.

Some visitors were not concerned about the fate of the pig and said locking it away was probably for the best.

"Influenza is quite contagious and if it passes between people and animals then there's no need for the pig to be here," zoo visitor Farzana said.

Shabby and rundown, Kabul Zoo is a far cry from zoos in the developed world, but has nevertheless come a long way since it suffered on the front line of Afghanistan's 1992-4 civil war.

Mujahideen fighters then ate the deer and rabbits and shot dead the zoo's sole elephant. Shells shattered the aquarium.

One fighter climbed into the lion enclosure but was immediately killed by Marjan, the zoo's most famous inhabitant. The man's brother returned the next day and lobbed a hand grenade at the lion leaving him toothless and blind.

The zoo now holds two lions who replaced Marjan who died of old age in 2002 as well as endangered local leopards. In all, it houses 42 species of birds and mammals and 36 types of fish and attracts up to 10,000 visitors on weekends.

(Reporting by Golnar Motevalli; Editing by Jon Hemming)

Okey Dokey......here we go.
Did that work? And I don't have pics of Brighton or my aunty Susies wedding?. *fingers crossed*



</lj-embed>

So one night in Granada Me Pirateship,S. and I we went to a flamenco show in the gitano quarter of Granada. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gitano Althogh a touch touristy...it WAS the real thing...though only four of the eight dancers were actually good dancers. The closest I can get to it to give you an idea of the sound, energy and feel to it is this:



As you can see Flamenco is a very passionate dance with a sexual energy to it that was fairly lost on the audience we were with. Cortes says it here pretty good I think. :-)))
I had a chance to see Joaquin Cortes in London about six years ago and I remember saying I wasn't 'interested' *LOL* How stupid was I? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joaqu%C3%ADn_Cort%C3%A9s

Another pic...cause I have failed dismally on my attempt at a slide show. Oh well.

Hmmm.....I'm full of intentions on posting about my fab holiday in Andalusia with Me_pirateship and her husband S. But I seem to need a little lie down *LOL* Been to a cocktail garden party at a friends who lives just round the corner from me and whilst there I think I iether didn't eat enough before going..... or the Mohito's were rather stronger than I intended. Spanish artist Carlos (boyfriend of dancer what's her name) taught me how to make the perfect mohito and gay landscape garden designer (did he have a name?) helped me to drink them. But I'm ok...... because I don't suffer from hangovers...though I'm preparing for one as I don't believe myself.

But....back to Spain....yes, we had a wonderful week in a lovely villa, albeit a freezing swimming pool. Drove round Andalusia...thank you S. for doing most of the driving....and really enjoyed the gorgeous countryside and great company of pirate and S. Thank you both for a fab holiday. *HUGS* No way can I figure out how to link flickr and live journal at present so be happy with this tiny taster.

Ronda up in the mountains....and it WAS cold...but stunningly beautiful.

Yep.... I'm a sci-fi geek, for I have tickets for a 'Blade Runner' day at the British Film Institute on Saturday. I LOOOOVED this film noir detective sci-fi, which was the forerunner of many many sci-fi films. I was a mere slip of a girl when I saw it 25....yes 25 years ago. And I cried into my popcorn at this particular scene. I think it must be one of the most poignant scenes in cinema history. I fell in love with Harrison Ford of course.....and I've followed Ridley Scott's work ever since. Both he and Rutger Hauer will be there for the question /answer bit and I'm really looking forward to the film and the day as I have very fond memories of this time in my life. I was a very different person then.... and this time is long gone.....but it's nice to remember.

Ok, perhaps I'm just not very aware of things like this...but WOW.....it suddenly and recently came to my attention that instead of paying for hotels or apartments etc to go on various holidays.....why don't I just SWAP apartments with someone else who'd like to come on holiday to London!!! Duh.....how long did it take me to think of this? *LOL* A colleague told me today she'd just come back from Copenhagen and I asked her about hotels. 'Oh no' she said 'we swapped houses with a lovely family..and cars...and dogs' *LOL* A light bulb moment. *Flash, Flash.... and Flash*

So my summer holiday will be a swap. Don't know where, don't know when or who with, but this will open up new possibilities. I'm joining the website and arranging it as I type this. *LOL*

On a different note....Here is a guy whose music I seem to be a touch keen on.... and you can rest assured I will be in the front row of his next concert. *LOL*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Allevi



I have been meaning to (and will) write reviews of concerts and.....(particularly Robyn Hitchcock's, for Pirate) various...Mmmm.......stuff........but I just never seem to have enough of that other stuff.........time.

I'm back after a week and a half......or was it a week? I've lost touch with how much time has passed. I spent a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable time on the Island saying goodbye to it. No...before you ask...I don't feel sad at all. I fact It's exiting and I'm looking forward to spending a month here at the end of this year WoooHooo! Everything changes. Sister is moving to
http://www.australia.com/destinations/states/qld.aspx

But after visiting the Island I unexpectedly went up to Glasgow to visit a friend and stayed in an hotel recommended by someone on the end of a phone whom I'd never met. I had the strangest experience there. Sister and I had booked a double room but were offered two double rooms for the same price by a lovely Australian guy. A quirky beautiful room overlooking Glasgow cathedral and http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/glasgow/glasgownecropolis/index.html

Of course when we arrived it was very dark and we had no idea where in Glasgow we actually were, so I didn't see anything but the handsome gates to the necropolis. A cup of tea later, a shower and I gratefully sank into my comfy bed with a sigh....asleep in seconds. I awoke in what I thought was the middle of the night and confirmed it by looking at my watch. What woke me? I hardly ever wake once I'm asleep but that night someone called me. I sat up and looked around the room not sure where I was, what day of the week it was or even WHO I was....only that I was sharing my room with a LOT of other people that I was aware of, but could not see. Okay dokey then.......*shrug* nothing to be done about that I thought, and went back to sleep. (nope, before you ask....this was a NEW experience for me)

Checking out next morning after breakfast in a wonderfully elegant and quiet dinning room the australian guy gave us the history of the hotel.....saying the 'ghost chaser people' were coming back soon to see if they could detect the many ghosts that the hotel seemed to have. MmmmHmmm
http://www.ghostfinders.co.uk/cathedralhotel.html but that he didn't believe there were any. *LOL*

I said nothing.

It just.....was.

Quick post. Saw this film last night at the cinema and have to recommend it. It was funny, shocking and uplifting. Danny Boyle the director must be so pleased. Yeah ok ...I know you've all seen it.....and yes I KNOW the controversy surrounding it....but hey....it was good...despite the romantic blah.



As soon as I can I will buy the film sountrack cause most of the tracks are fab.

I wish I needed less sleep, but unfortunately I seem to require a full eight hours...or at least seven. Extremely inconvenient I think. *sigh* What could I do with less sleep and more hours in the day. A friend recently told me she only need around five hours. My flatmate is similar. *envious glare*

But for others it's a real problem. My sister in law has huge dark circles under her eyes and is constantly tired. This leads to her being irritable also leads to frequent health problems. She catches any colds bugs or flu.........everything going around. Many many people just can't sleep!

Sleeping is a skill. It is learned from childhood. Children need to be put to bed, teenagers need to find their limits and learn self discipline when it comes to sleep and bedtime. My nephew at 15 sleeps till one or two (ok he's still growing) then is up 72 hours. *LOL* He will learn what his body is capable of, and what it will tolerate. I've always been good at sleeping and was relieved to find out the average time it takes an average person to fall asleep is between 10....yes 10, and 20 minutes. *LOL*

So why exactly do we sleep and what would happen if we didn't?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/articles/whatissleep.shtml

My sister in law has resorted to sleeping tablet.....but they bring with them other problems...for example she can't drive when she first wakes and has therefor to wake a lot earler than she needs to. She still feels tired....because she is missing out her REM sleep. (see article above) Scientists and psychologists say we need this stage of sleep as it helps us to process information and make meaning of our lives by dreaming. Who knows......but if we don't dream we are in trouble.

A close friend of mine is very worried, as both her and her husband are too tired and stressed to ever have sex. Both suffer from insomnia........tired because they are worried about their mortgage, their job security, the kids, her mother, the dog etc etc etc. Oh, but I get enough relaxation she insists. 'I watch tv, and Dave plays computer games and music' *LOL* 'Is that stimulation and NOT relaxation? I replied.



So what would YOU consider to be the diference between stimulation and relaxation? And are YOU sleeping enough?

Orchestras can be made up of many parts and some fairly unconventional instruments. I went to see The Lost and Found Orchestra last Sunday at The South Bank and thought Pirate might appreciate ANOTHER good use of traffic cones. *LOL* Yes, I'll bet Robyn HAS thought of this too! *LOL* Haven't we all? So everyone..... pots and pans at the ready.

A much more enjoyable way of sweeping up.




The finale.

So....where was I ....before a bad cold so rudely interrupted me. Ok, one of the highlights of my trip to Nuremberg was a concert in one of the cathedrals. Whaaaat???...I hear you say. But YES...I totally loved Handel, Clarke, Dupre, Hiller and of course, no Christmas concert is complete without Bach. (Trumpets and organ.) The cathedral, though beautiful was the same temperature as the inside of my fridge.... and if it weren't for the under bench (padded....thank you God!) heating and my 'comrade' hat I wouldn't have made it to the end. The acoustics were amazing, helped by the trumpeters walking the length of the cathedral as they played (and some really fab fuck off speakers) My fav was Dupre...strange, melodic and wonderful.(take note Tim Burton) Hiller was pretty special too, and at the end of the concert stood up to take a bow,.......as he was sitting opposite Pirate and I. (Of course it was him....his wild white hair and his studious look.) Dupre......

Erm...SHE wasn't there...but just to give you a flavour of the whole concert.



*LOL* ok....I have to tell you this......I think it was the next evening when Pirate, S. and I went to a cool bar/restaurant where I sampled one of the yummiest and most unusual drinks of hot rhubarb, vanilla and vodka...I looked at the menu to see dog food...yup...Mmmhmm....a menu for dogs...and as I was studying what culinary delights your pooch could savour, a border collie walked past me......probably it was his round at the bar.

I honestly thought Pirate was kidding... when on crossing a major road I turned round to discover she was still standing on the pavement............ and I was talking to myself....a little girl standing next to her looked up at her mother in puzzlement and shock..as if to say....'fucketty fuck mother, did you SEE THAT'? The mother stared at me in distress and slight embarrassment and held more tightly to her daughters hand. Apparently NOBODY crosses the road when there is a red light! *LOL* It's a 50 euro fine and looks that could kill. *LOL*

Thank You Me_Pirateship and S. for a wonderful holiday and your great company on my recent holiday visit to your home town of Nuremberg. A beautiful city of red roofs, medieval churches, cobbled streets and twinkly mulled wine. So we had rain instead of the snow I so much wanted. *shrug* BUT…....on a Christmas shopping trip I bought a lovely, delicate, intricate silver snowflake………………sorted.
Thank you also for my Christmas present which I VERY much enjoyed. Robyn Hitchcock’s…. very difficult to get a hold of… Birthday concert (YES, she persuaded him to send her a copy!) AND entrance to the spa….and ‘flirty Friday’ nudist night. *ROFL* (not much flirting going on as it was all much too jolly….or did I just miss it?) It was a an absolutely beautiful spa with many gorgeous huge internally lit crystal wall frescos everywhere….(hint for next years Christmas prezzie?) and a choice of massages that included…….. Chocolate. After half an hour of a very professional ORDINARY massage ……(I prefer to have any chocolate smeared on me to be licked off…… and I didn‘t particularly feel like asking the masseuse to do that. ) I felt as if I were the chocolate and I had ………………M
E
L
T
E
D. *sigh*
Swimming outside nude in temperatures of -3 was an experience, (breasts def get in the way, being natural flotation tanks), as was standing under freezing cold water in a garden at midnight wearing nothing but flip flops. I found the kitsch Bavarian village with the plastic cows, streams and waterfalls charming and fun. (Though they weren’t getting me under those ice cold waters.) A very relaxed and sociable atmosphere with people of all ages, shapes and sizes……the vast majority there for health reasons. Only one guy was creepy, making Pirate hug her knees and move closer to her husband in defence of this guys shameless staring……..a most certain and startling breach of etiquette. (He was a neo Nazi, from Florida of course) Eating naked in one of the many restaurants was another unique experience and after six…. yes six hours, we left feeling…… veeerrrryy relaaaaxxxed. I’d recommend the experience to anyone else reading this, as I had a great time and an insight into Bavarian culture which I guess most tourists don’t get.

So I started looking for Christmas gifts last Saturday and would you believe it.... I did it Again *slaps self*.....went up to Oxford Street to do some shopping. *LOL* Some people just don't learn I hear you say to yourself. It was awful...I was in Selfridges for two hours and I bought.................nothing *LOL* Had a nice lunch though.......even if I had to share my table with ten other squashed people. Came home with a CD, a fab scarf and a really nice jacket.....for moi.

Last year I bought trees for everyone............not realising till recently that I unconsciously bought my sister one in the vain hopes that she would put down some roots, instead of swanning around all over the place. Didn't work. All the trees survived and thrived...even hers, which is STILL in it's huge pot.....for she never got round to planting it. *sigh*

Found a few prezzies and I didn't have to go within five miles of Oxford Street.

So.... this year Sister will have the present of her fav big guy.
http://www.durrell.org/Get-Involved/Adopt-an-Animal/

The middle nephew (22) is messing around with several 'girlfriends' (4) at the moment, one of them being his sisters best friend *LOL* I was laughing with him about it, but I also told him I felt he was treating them badly....Yes I KNOW everyone has choices...and they are adults....perfectly capable of choosing sexual partners and relationships for themselves. *LOL* But ...come on!
His present is http://www.presentaid.org/invt/pigs

My friend who detests Christmas... as she always feels she HAS to spend it with her very crazy family.....(last year her brother had a fight ...in the front garden.....with his brother in law.....whilst she was playing monopoly, eating cherries in some kind of alcohol...and fending off her drunk amorous uncle, as a lot of people seem to do at Christmas time. *LOL*) will love this Chrissy present.
http://www.presentaid.org/invt/worms

So...getting there. When I came home from 'Nightmare on Oxford Street' I watched a boxed set of this....It was easier to walk home than attempt to squeeeeeeze into a bus and I stopped at the DVD rental shop. I watched series one ....figured it out.....I think *LOL* NO DON'T TELL ME......became very bored...... and will move on to the last couple of DVD's in series four this weekend.

This rainbow seems a bit of a non event really. *LOL* Oh well....

I'd completely forgotten about this little theatre and really can't imagine why. Any visitors to London or even natives....pay attention please...... because this is another unique theatre going experience. Wilton's Music Hall is a gorgeous delipidated decadent theatre with a lovely intimate.. ie tiny.... so book ahead, restaurant. The smell of mulled wine permeated last nights performance and the bar with it's twinkly lights was full to bursting. A wonderful atmospheric evening and afterwards the bus round the corner from the theatre practically dropped me off on my doorstep...........sorted. I saw this;
http://www.rsc.org.uk/content/6903.aspx

Whilst I enjoyed the acting.... which was superb, costumes and lighting ......after the interval my bum was numb, and I was all but tudored out. Last weekend I'd chosen to stay in on Sat night and rented a boxed set of 'The Tudors' which I watched in one long Tudor marathon. *LOL* I even got myself some mulled wine and chocs for the occasion.



So if you are looking for an affordable, lovely and world class act for an evening out in London.....here it is. http://www.wiltons.org.uk/history/in-a-nutshell And....... http://www.wiltons.org.uk/photographs Enjoy.

Along with the rest of the world I'm watching and waiting. (Well...sort of.........I'm off to the gym......The Trauma and Drama of it all over the last few months...though I understand seems to be necessary...is rather boring.) America is on the brink of either change and hope.......or disaster...same old same old.....with a great loss of whatever respect it has managed to hold on to for the last few years. My two American colleagues have said things like 'What business is it of yours?' and 'why do you care?' *LOL* I hope that attitude will disappear.... along with Obama's opponent. This fight for power affects all of us and it seems that there is more interest from other countries in the world than in The States itself. Please let that NOT be true.!!!

So............I'm wishing the world well.

Came across an artist when I was away which I have been meaning to buy for such a long time.



And this......*LOL* as I have a date Friday night.