Blimey. I've just had a week that's been in turn exciting, moving, very stressful and joyful. Not your usual 9-5. In fact I only made it to work on Friday.
After 13 years of engagement, 18 months of preparation and six trips to get dress fittings, my sister Liz and her fiance, Richard finally got married last Saturday. Am very happy for them:) They both looked gorgeous. Despite missing luggage, problems with cravats and buttons on the dresses, wasps at the reception and a handbag that wouldn't stay closed, a good day was had. It was wierd to see so many family members and friends from all over the country and world in the same room at the same time. We had Peter and Sue from Whitely Bay, Sara and Helen from Basildon, Dad who lives in the middle of Wales, Iona and Andrei from Bucharest and my friend TJ from New York!! It was great to see them all.
TJ and I returned to London on Sunday and we went to the London Movie Museum on the South Bank. (See previous blog entry.) Needless to say, we had a light sabre dual on the Star Wars set and there is a great picture of me using the force to levitate him:) Its now on disk, so I'll try to work out how to post it up on here. We met up with a friend of TJ's and visited an amazing graffitied tunnel near Waterloo. The walls are covered with art. At some point, idiots have scrawled over some of it, but there is still some imaginative work to be seen. Banksey has been there at one point.
Tuesday and Wednesday happened and I had a stomach bug. Blurgh. Not nice. Crikey, Immodium doesn't half knock me out. Dunno what caused it. TJ returned to New York on Wednesday afternoon. Was sorry to see him go despite his habit of falling asleep at odd moments.
Laid off coffee and dairy for a couple days and returned to work on Friday only to be reminded that I had last minute stuff to do for an event on Monday. Eeek! What a week. Some of it doesn't feel real.
Sunday, 19 September 2010
Friday, 3 September 2010
Zombie love and banana bread recipe
I had a horror-tastic August Bank Holiday weekend by going to a couple of screenings at Film Four's Fright Fest in Leicester Square.
First, I took part in Andy Nyman's Quiz from Hell. There were questions that I was proud to know the answer to eg who was Michael Myer's first victim? I also kicked myself for not remembering that "Don't Stop me now" by Queen was in the Shaun on the Dead soundtrack. (Doh!) I think that I answered roughly half of the questions correctly. Twas fun.
The quiz was immediately followed by a wide selection of short horror films. There was great variety to behold from killer vacuum cleaners, a dad administering bloody revenge on the kids who stole his son's lunch box and, my personal favourite, zombie romance. Ahhh!
So, 9,20pm on Monday and I was sat surrounded by fellow fans eagerly awaiting the arrival of Eli Roth and his fellow cast and crew to introduce "The Last Exorcism." I was slightly apprehensive because Eli's films have a reputation of including very graphic violence. However, this time, he produced and chose to work with Daniel Stamm, a director who focusses more on the characters and the decisions that they make. He also creates some very creepy moments that had me watching with my hand over my mouth to prevent screaming. (That is my default horror film watching position. If my hand is over my mouth, I am very scared!)
The film is about Cotton Marcus, (played by a charismatic Patrick Fabian.) He is a Louisiana preacher who fakes exorcisms for money. He has become disillusioned with this, so he agrees to let a documentary crew to film his last "exorcism" and all the tricks behind it. Job done, he takes the money and returns to his motel only to find the possessed girl, still possessed and waiting for him in his room.
Great acting all round especially from Ashley Bell who makes you want to hug her one minute, then run away from her in terror the next. The "counting to ten" scene is chilling.
The ending is unpredictable and has sparked some controversy. I'm not going to spoil anything. Go and see the film and make your own mind up.
Finally, there was a Q+A session with Eli Roth and his colleagues followed by a signing session. I now have all their signatures. (Happy Bunyip:) I hope that Eli and Daniel collaborate on more horror projects. And before I forget, the banana bread scene is hilarious. Thanks guys:)
First, I took part in Andy Nyman's Quiz from Hell. There were questions that I was proud to know the answer to eg who was Michael Myer's first victim? I also kicked myself for not remembering that "Don't Stop me now" by Queen was in the Shaun on the Dead soundtrack. (Doh!) I think that I answered roughly half of the questions correctly. Twas fun.
The quiz was immediately followed by a wide selection of short horror films. There was great variety to behold from killer vacuum cleaners, a dad administering bloody revenge on the kids who stole his son's lunch box and, my personal favourite, zombie romance. Ahhh!
So, 9,20pm on Monday and I was sat surrounded by fellow fans eagerly awaiting the arrival of Eli Roth and his fellow cast and crew to introduce "The Last Exorcism." I was slightly apprehensive because Eli's films have a reputation of including very graphic violence. However, this time, he produced and chose to work with Daniel Stamm, a director who focusses more on the characters and the decisions that they make. He also creates some very creepy moments that had me watching with my hand over my mouth to prevent screaming. (That is my default horror film watching position. If my hand is over my mouth, I am very scared!)
The film is about Cotton Marcus, (played by a charismatic Patrick Fabian.) He is a Louisiana preacher who fakes exorcisms for money. He has become disillusioned with this, so he agrees to let a documentary crew to film his last "exorcism" and all the tricks behind it. Job done, he takes the money and returns to his motel only to find the possessed girl, still possessed and waiting for him in his room.
Great acting all round especially from Ashley Bell who makes you want to hug her one minute, then run away from her in terror the next. The "counting to ten" scene is chilling.
The ending is unpredictable and has sparked some controversy. I'm not going to spoil anything. Go and see the film and make your own mind up.
Finally, there was a Q+A session with Eli Roth and his colleagues followed by a signing session. I now have all their signatures. (Happy Bunyip:) I hope that Eli and Daniel collaborate on more horror projects. And before I forget, the banana bread scene is hilarious. Thanks guys:)
Monday, 23 August 2010
May the Force be with you
I had an amazing afternoon yesterday. I went to the London Film Museum at County Hall on the South Bank. The reason I went was to see the Ray Harryhausen exhibition. As you may or may not know, he was a special effects master, a pioneer of stop motion animation. I'll come back to his exhibition in a moment.
Basically, as a huge film fan, I spent the afternoon in seventh heaven. Amongst other things, I saw....
1, Armour from Excalibur
2, A monkey head from 28 Days Later
3, Christian Bale's Batman suit
4, Two Daleks from the 1960's films
5, Shields from Zulu
6, A full size Alien, (shudder! I kept expecting it to move!)
7, Little Nellie from You only Live Twice
8, Mars money from Total Recall
9, Nick Frost's T Shirt from Shaun of the Dead
10, The sculpture of Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
WOW!!! There was also a set of the corridor on Princess Leia's ship from the opening moments of Star Wars where you could get a photo of yourself and friends posing with light sabres. I did the classic "inserting disc in R2D2 " pose. (He was there with C3PO.) I also took up a fencing stance with a light sabre. Oh yes. I used the Force:) For 5 seconds, I was a Jedi warrior. Needless to say, that's the picture I kept.
There was also a fascinating Charlie Chaplin exhibition with a map of the places he lived as a child. Most of them were within 2 miles of the South Bank.
Finally, the highlight of my visit. The Harryhausen exhibition was awesome. He was making films in the 1960's, painstakinly moving tiny plasticine models of skeletons to create a thrilling fight sequence in Jason and the Argonauts. I saw the bronze giant, Talos, in his resting position and a life size model of the Medusa from Clash of the Titans. (Eeek. Technically, I should be stone. She was looking right at me!) Then there was Kali, and the Minaton, and the Roc, and the Cyclops..... amazing.
I am so going back to this museum. I'm going to take my american friend, TJ, when he visits London in a few weeks time and we're going to fight a light sabre duel.....
Basically, as a huge film fan, I spent the afternoon in seventh heaven. Amongst other things, I saw....
1, Armour from Excalibur
2, A monkey head from 28 Days Later
3, Christian Bale's Batman suit
4, Two Daleks from the 1960's films
5, Shields from Zulu
6, A full size Alien, (shudder! I kept expecting it to move!)
7, Little Nellie from You only Live Twice
8, Mars money from Total Recall
9, Nick Frost's T Shirt from Shaun of the Dead
10, The sculpture of Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
WOW!!! There was also a set of the corridor on Princess Leia's ship from the opening moments of Star Wars where you could get a photo of yourself and friends posing with light sabres. I did the classic "inserting disc in R2D2 " pose. (He was there with C3PO.) I also took up a fencing stance with a light sabre. Oh yes. I used the Force:) For 5 seconds, I was a Jedi warrior. Needless to say, that's the picture I kept.
There was also a fascinating Charlie Chaplin exhibition with a map of the places he lived as a child. Most of them were within 2 miles of the South Bank.
Finally, the highlight of my visit. The Harryhausen exhibition was awesome. He was making films in the 1960's, painstakinly moving tiny plasticine models of skeletons to create a thrilling fight sequence in Jason and the Argonauts. I saw the bronze giant, Talos, in his resting position and a life size model of the Medusa from Clash of the Titans. (Eeek. Technically, I should be stone. She was looking right at me!) Then there was Kali, and the Minaton, and the Roc, and the Cyclops..... amazing.
I am so going back to this museum. I'm going to take my american friend, TJ, when he visits London in a few weeks time and we're going to fight a light sabre duel.....
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Oh yes I can!
Well, I had an audition to play Buttons in a profit share adult version of Cinderella in Worthing this morning. I GOT THE PART!!! YAY!
Am happy about this, though I'm going to have to travel back and forth to and from Worthing for rehearsals for the next few months. Never mind. Apparently, Buttons is going to be a semi-baddie in this with anger management issues and a total fixation on Cinders. "If I can't have her, NO-ONE CAN"!!! Raar! Its going to be great to be acting again:)
Its my sister's second hen night tonight. I won't be there, but I hope a good time is had by all. I hope that Bristol city center survives.
Take care, all.
A happy Bunyip
Am happy about this, though I'm going to have to travel back and forth to and from Worthing for rehearsals for the next few months. Never mind. Apparently, Buttons is going to be a semi-baddie in this with anger management issues and a total fixation on Cinders. "If I can't have her, NO-ONE CAN"!!! Raar! Its going to be great to be acting again:)
Its my sister's second hen night tonight. I won't be there, but I hope a good time is had by all. I hope that Bristol city center survives.
Take care, all.
A happy Bunyip
Friday, 6 August 2010
The age of Aquarius
I love Hair. I saw a couple of friends in an amateur production a couple of months ago, then as already mentioned in this blog, I saw it with Mum last month. Great, energetic, groovy, full of peace and love show. So I jumped at the chance, when a friend posted on Facebook yesterday that she was going to see it again and would anyone like to join her. Gets to 5pm and I get an apologetic message. She was "feeling a bit nauseous" and couldn't make it after all. Make of that what you will.
So I was not a happy Bunyip yesterday evening. I gave in to an overwhelming urge to spend some money and hit the Piccadilly branch of HMV. Bought Bladerunner, Lady Gaga's album and the Saw box set. (Rubs hands together gleefully.)
Its interesting. When ever I get let down at the last minute, I end up watching horror films. Am a major horror fan. Very cathartic. "I may have been left standing outside the tube station waiting for X who didn't turn up or bother phoning, but hey, at least I'm not being torn to pieces by a werewolf!" I remember when something similar happened on my birthday a few years ago. I went and saw American Psycho at the Ritzy in Brixton.
For some girls its shoes, others manicures, for me, give me a fictional maniac with a chainsaw and I feel better:)
Have a good weekend, whoever is reading this.
Bunyip x
So I was not a happy Bunyip yesterday evening. I gave in to an overwhelming urge to spend some money and hit the Piccadilly branch of HMV. Bought Bladerunner, Lady Gaga's album and the Saw box set. (Rubs hands together gleefully.)
Its interesting. When ever I get let down at the last minute, I end up watching horror films. Am a major horror fan. Very cathartic. "I may have been left standing outside the tube station waiting for X who didn't turn up or bother phoning, but hey, at least I'm not being torn to pieces by a werewolf!" I remember when something similar happened on my birthday a few years ago. I went and saw American Psycho at the Ritzy in Brixton.
For some girls its shoes, others manicures, for me, give me a fictional maniac with a chainsaw and I feel better:)
Have a good weekend, whoever is reading this.
Bunyip x
Monday, 2 August 2010
Revisiting Clapham
Navy Street in Clapham was the first place I lived when I moved to London in December 1996. I shared a flat with two lovely girls, Caroline and Amy. I loved being near the wide green space of the common and going to see films at the Clapham Picture House. I even managed to catch the Pet Shop Boys performing at Pride when it took place on the common. Fantastic.
Saturday was my friend, Victoria's birthday celebrations at the Alexander pub. I left my home in West Hampstead one and a half hours before this momentous occasion, thinking that I'd have time to grab a bite to eat at one of Clapham's many restarants. That proved a bit optimistic for the Northern Line was out of service between Kennington and Mordon due to ... you guessed it... engineering works. After being unable to embark upon two buses outside Kennington tube station, I nearly gave up and return to north of the river. Glad I didn't. Had a great evening catching up with Victoria and looking out as dusk fell over the common. I should visit again sometime soon, as long as the Northern Line isn't out of action.
PS: Farewell Cafe Wanda. You were a really nice Polish cafe with lots of naughty cream cakes that seems to have been replaced by a BBQ restaurant. You will be missed.
Saturday was my friend, Victoria's birthday celebrations at the Alexander pub. I left my home in West Hampstead one and a half hours before this momentous occasion, thinking that I'd have time to grab a bite to eat at one of Clapham's many restarants. That proved a bit optimistic for the Northern Line was out of service between Kennington and Mordon due to ... you guessed it... engineering works. After being unable to embark upon two buses outside Kennington tube station, I nearly gave up and return to north of the river. Glad I didn't. Had a great evening catching up with Victoria and looking out as dusk fell over the common. I should visit again sometime soon, as long as the Northern Line isn't out of action.
PS: Farewell Cafe Wanda. You were a really nice Polish cafe with lots of naughty cream cakes that seems to have been replaced by a BBQ restaurant. You will be missed.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Are you lonesome tonight?
I went to the Buxton Fringe Festival on Saturday to see my friend's Alison and Andy perform their play called Are you Lonesome Tonight. Its about a couple "celebrating" their wedding anniversary. As a present to his wife, Dwight has booked tickets for all of Elvis's tour around the US. Little do they know that Elvis is about to leave the building for good!
I like Buxton. Its like a cross between Edinburgh with lots of hills and Bath with its spa connections. It has a lovely park in the middle where Alison and I spent a peaceful hour yesterday morning watching the ducks get fed and trying to recover from the night before. They've invited me to be part of their cast for next year's production. I agreed at once.
Am tired. Don't know whether its a side effect from the pills I'm taking or because I had a busy weekend.
Watched Sherlock last night and loved it. Great casting especially Benedict Cumberpatch, a plot that wasn't predicatable and plenty for Holmes fans. Nice one, Messrs Moffat and Gatiss:)
I like Buxton. Its like a cross between Edinburgh with lots of hills and Bath with its spa connections. It has a lovely park in the middle where Alison and I spent a peaceful hour yesterday morning watching the ducks get fed and trying to recover from the night before. They've invited me to be part of their cast for next year's production. I agreed at once.
Am tired. Don't know whether its a side effect from the pills I'm taking or because I had a busy weekend.
Watched Sherlock last night and loved it. Great casting especially Benedict Cumberpatch, a plot that wasn't predicatable and plenty for Holmes fans. Nice one, Messrs Moffat and Gatiss:)
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