Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I was venting....let it go..shwww

They're making some new Red Dwarf!!!! Just read the news on the website and am really quite excited. They'll be shown on 'Dave' (which now means I have to work out how to get that channel!) They'll be 2 entirely new episodes with the original cast and then a behind the scenes episode and a 'special' episode (very hush. hush, don't you know).

Rehearsals for 'O what a Lovely War' are going well. I have a team of 45 .... count them.....45 Performance Support type people - a huge chunk of whom are first years! - so am feeling a little trepidatious but at the same time quite excited about the work they're going to do! We're testing out the outside lights that will shine through the stained glass window at the back next week - can't wait to see how it's going to look.

Still getting used to living in Gatehouse, seems weird to not have to drive home, and at the same time quite smug *beam*

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Grrrr

I am severly p****d off. I just had to instruct the solicitor to say that I will accept the 50/50 liability for the crash because,

"there were no Independent witnesses and it was on a single track road"

and also she doesn't feel it likely that my insurers will pay for this to go to court and I can't afford it.

I feel that if it did go to court someone would actually take a good look at the damage to the cars, got to the road and work out distances and the speed needed for him to mount the bank go through the air and land ON my bonnet and then they would clearly see that he was speeding. He already admits in his statement that he didn't even know there was a speed limit down that road and he had recently been involved in another crash.

I, on the other hand, have 8 years no claims, a clean license and drove up and down that road every day, meeting people coming the other way - even at that bit of road - with absolutely no problems whatsoever. It makes me sooo angry that just because it is a single track road and there are no witnesses that noone will support it being investigated further - if he'd have been going any faster (and ended up about 40cm further up my bonnet) his bumper would have been in my face......not sure they would have so bloody quick to dismiss it as 50/50 then!

I realise that the above may sound unreasonable but I did have a car flying through the air heading for my windscreen, and now the driver of that car is still on the road probably in another new car his parents bought (the Mum was lovely but really, have some sense)for him and, probably, just as likely to do the same thing again.

Plus I feel like I've been made to lie about the fact that I'm partly responsible for an accident - when I'M NOT!!!!!!!!

I guess I'm just going to have to let it go, as there's no way I'll accept it as the right thing.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Bex and Moffy's trip to France

Well, we made it - and with no trouble on Moffy's part whatsoever!! (my driving skills after 6 hours were sorely tested at one point, when coming off a roundabout and not being able to work out which side of the road I was supposed to be on - despite the arrow I have helpfully LX taped on my dashboard.)

Ferry crossing was fine - felt odd to be on a ship again - I read the safety instructions and found my muster point, just like old times :)

It started raining just as I picked Vicky up from the station and then got steadily heavier as we found the campsite and put the tent up. So we shoved as much stuff as we could fit on the plastic inside the tent and escaped to E'Leclerc - to buy more plastic :) So am now sat in a cafe/coffe house/bar/restaurant which Vicky tells me is the hang out of Couriers in the area, and trying to dry off.

Have had fun watching the French react to my car - I always love seeing how people respond to her when I'm not in her, it's cool that Morris Minors make people smile - for whatever reason!

Am v. tired and it has stopped rqining so hopefully heading back to the tent for some hot chocolate, a film and some oh so welcome sleep....zzzz

P.S There'd better be some sun tomorrow or someone's going to have some serious explaining to do!!!!!

Monday, July 21, 2008

House sitting, House moving, House hopping

Ha ha, a week into the holidays and I finally get chance to update!

First the MOST IMPORTANT news - I have Moffy back!!! Yey!!!!!!! She is shiny (especially the 4 new wings! and working fine. Am taking it nice and easy this week though because....

I'm hopefully visiting Vicky in France next week - have booked the Ferry and thought I had booked the campsite - although apparently they don't check their booking system, because I rang today and they had no knowledge of my booking - and no spaces!! So am franctically trying to find somewhere else to stay - how hard can that be at the beginning of the school holidays on Brittany......?!?!

Having a gorgeous time house sitting for the Deputy head - so far no roses have died and no cats have snuck in so all is well. Have moved into gatehouse with the assistance of a couple of lovely members of staff. I say moved -my stuff is there in boxes - particularly helpful when I needed to find my first aid it the other day (delayed allergic reaction to either bleach or gloves I was wearing to clean) and took me half an hour to locate the Clarityn - obviously not a violent reaction but the skin on my face and hands would not agree! It's a reminder of how bad my eczema used to get, nice :)

And what of the quiet village I left behind? Well on the day of moving the freezer - in fact whilst I was putting it in the van this happened just round the corner - I only heard the shouting, but scary!

Am having a slighty stressful time at the mo with a couple of things which probably aren't going to resolve themselves very easily, which sucks because I could really do with some chill time and a break. Hopefully something can be sorted but who knows.

I am sad also this week because [drum roll please..] Rosie and Frazer (Natalie Saleeba & Ben Lawson) left Neighbours. Yes, I appreciate in the grand scheme of my TV life that this is no 'Kate dying in Heartbeat' moment but still; I will always hold a special place in my memories for some strong acting, a fine piece of chemistry-casting and at least one couple on TV today who "waited 'til the wedding" :)

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

9 days to go

Wow, 9 days and I will have completed my first crazy, eye opening, fun, challenging, nutty, inspiring first year at RHSB!

At the moment I am smack bang in the middle of the Junior School's production of 'Blast Off!'. With a fabulous rocket built by the amazing Tom the caretaker and lots of LED's and smoke machine ducting it looks amazing and the girls are doing a great job. It's all good fun and it's been interesting working down there and getting to know people better.

Next week is 'Activities Week' at school. The girls are off timetable for 3 days and can chose to do a variety of things. We are doing a production of 'Redeeming Lizzie Reeve' (written by the headmaster!) which involves students, ex-students and even 5 members of staff (including me!) I have 5 girls doing costume design, 2 ASM's (who are shadowing me DSMing) and 1 doing LX design. It's been the first time I've really got to design stuff - JGB wanted the whole production in Black & White - to look like an old photo. Certainly going to be interesting, it's a melodrama and everyone is having a high old time over-acting!

Am officially moving to the gatehouse over the summer. However the flat will not be as such because they will be building.......THE THEATRE!!!!! Yey! We got planning permission. I've been involved with a couple of meetings so far and the plans look really good. It will be brilliant for the girls and also a highly versatile space which is just what we need there! So I will have a couple of rooms to make myself at home in and hopefully something will can be sorted out later in the year.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

"It's only supposed to be a cast of FOUR!!!"

I have just returned from what can only be described as a triumphant theatrical event.

The National Tour of "The 39 Steps" has been on all week at the Theatre Royal, Bath - unbeknownst to me. Joy was coming down and suggested we meet up and maybe go to the theatre.

This morning I actually had time to look at what was on and I saw said show. Now, I have to admit that my intial reaction was, well, less than 'woohoo' but I had a look at the more info and discovered that it had won numerous Tony's.....yup....and had rave reviews....uh huh........and...and... David Michaels is in it..... and...and..

....wait a minute, did I say David Michaels?...The same David Michaels who played yet another Heartbeat Dr that got killed off? He of the amazing eyes, slick haircut and devilish charm who managed to win back Maggie, the love of his life, to the background music of 'Nights in Whte Satin', a roaring fire and 2 glasses of red wine (yes, I admit, I did watch that episodes a couple...well maybe 20... times)

this is a must I thought.

Now, going to the theatre to see a show just because one of my favourite actors is in it is not something I do (well, if you'll excuse the time I managed to get half a day off school and persuade the Theatre Studies teacher to take me - a Y11- and his group of Y13 students to see the pre-show talk for As You Like It at the RSC because Niamh Cusack was in it) mainly because, with my luck, said actor will probably be ill and the understudy will be in - Nothing against understudies at all, having follow-spotted through the 'Nigel Harman will not be in this evenings performance' of Guys and Dolls 2007.

However I like the film and it it did appeal - plus I haven't seen him in anything for a while so I booked the tickets.

Well, it was AMAZING! There were only 4 in the cast - apart from an arm with a gun at one point and, if you were keeping track of the many and crazy scene changes, during the changes in location. They all worked incredibly hard and looked like they had a great time doing it. The audience certainly enjoyed and appreciated it.

Everything was so slick and every wide open door of humour opportunity was thoroughly barrelled through. A shadow puppet section, the corridor of many doors, a chase on top of a train, a minature railway, the Acorn Antiques phone, the 'magically appearing' lampost, as many Hitchcock film titles as they could get away with, the - quite frankly - freaky dancers at the German party, a plethera of usefully moveable windows, and too many accents to count, kept the pace going brilliantly! If this show comes ANYWHERE near you - go and see it!!!! It's on in the West End and on Broadway at the mo (apparently) so go...now......I mean it......

On another point it has given me lots of ideas.....haha... a chance to get my own back on Ben and Kate after the 'coming-back-from-London-with-very-scary-ideas-in-a-Brecht-type-of-way' debacle. However maybe not so good for those volunteering for the 'Peru panto'.

mwah-ha-ha-ha

*disappears into cloud of minature train smoke*

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Sunshine and a latte

That was my enjoyable experience right before my medical yesterday morning. I cycled to Bristol (no matter what they say the cycle path definitely goes DOWNhill towards Bristol)as the weather was so lovely and arrived 45mins before my appointment. SO I treated myself to a hazelnut latte, a pain au chocolat and a sit down in the sun with my copy of 'Middlemarch'. It was fabulous. Also it was the first time I really missed being on the ships.

I miss the sunshine a lot generally (so does my skin which protests by being ridiculously dry and by getting more eczema than I've had for about 3 years....nice) but just at that moment I didn't have the responsibility of being in school - all exams are done, the next show isn't until the end of term so there was nothing to rush back for - I had nothing else to do but wait for the appointment and then get the train back. It was a wonderful moment of calm and reflection in what has been an exciting and yet hectic year. For a moment I got to imagine I was back in the Med (Villefranche....maybe not!) and just chilin' with one of the team before having a lazy walk back, a shower and then onto work.....bliss :)

The last 2 weeks I've been living at school (literally!) from Sunday to Thursday. I spent one weekend in Cov doing prep for Lee Abbey - first time I've not really felt like I'm on the outside with the group, so that was cool - and the other I was in school painting....or something! But over the bank holiday I got to chill. I had grand plans for going out on the Sunday and Monday to visit some places or summat..... all I actually managed to do was download all the 'Neighbours' I've missed for the last...oooo, I dunno...2 months (plus some from last year!) and watch them.
I mooched, I slobbed, I slept 'til 1:30pm on Sunday and then didn't sleep on Sunday night at all but did get a little weirded out by a squirrel appearing in my window box at 6:20am, I drank Red Wine, had many depressive Bridget Jones type thoughts, got cheered up by Rosie and Frazer getting together, went down again wishing that I had a Frazer, cheered up after an amount of chocolate that shall remain undisclosed and baked a cake and cleaned, cried my eyes out with the whole Carmella's baby and Rosie not coping thing, played Sims 2, read some 'Darling Buds of May' and then finally and blissfully drifted off to sleep on Monday night. What a bloody fabulous weekend :)

The medical yesterday was easy...this afternoon I had my first ever experience of tooth drilling and filling (well, white adhesive stuff). Apart from the fact that I still can't feel the left side of my face from my nose to my chin it was pretty good. I've never understood the whole fear of dentists thing...but then I was blessed with a lovely family dentist when I was growing up and teeth that generally behaved themselves.I probably need a couple more doing but not 'til next year....which is just as well as I it'll take me that long to afford it!

Oh, and Vicky has a job abroad. She loves the nursing thing but didn't want to stay in Cov so has to wait until next year to start the course somewhere else. Therefore she's up for an adventure and away she goes on Monday to be a courier person on a campsite (I think!). My Mum said that she's now used to people ringing and saying "I got the Job, I'll be out the country in a few days...byeee!" I hope she has a fabulous and eye opening experience, it certainly shows you what you're made of.

And on that note the anesthetic is wearing off and I feel that painkillers would be good plan...

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

My wheel's are going

Well tomorrow is the day that my lovely hire car goes back to it's home :(

It's been fun having a brand new car for a bit - although Moffy is about half repaired now so hopefully will not be long before I get it back now, which I am highly excited about!!

So on with the healthy cycling regime - although school have been nice enough to say that I can get the minibus up the hill from the train station so the hardest bit of the journey is gone - that is if I maange to leave here a 7:15am to get there on time.....

What else..Hlaf term was fab. Had agreat week in Cov. Had a BBQ in the rain which about 50 people came to for Jo's birthday, watched lots of Gilmore Girls, started to sound proof the musci room by using carpet on he walls and then putting up the battens for when the acoustic foam arrives. Also visited lots of peeps and had my first meeting for Lee Abbey (something I should really start planning soon). Also caughta cold that lasted for 2 weeks - which I managed to pass on to Ben during a trip to the pub - well done me!

Ben is back work which is good. Seems more chilled around the place now - although I have the Y12 TS perforances next week which are a bit of an epic (although the 2 students doing set design and costume design should do really well!) and then the week after is the Y11's - much easier. Also having to sort out all the training dates for Peru and get the girls together for meetings about raising funds etc - all good fun :)

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Easter Holidays...when I actually have a break

So, I still have the hire car - nearly 5 weeks now. Washed it and made it look shiny today. Am enjoying a lazy day in the flat with sunshine pouring throught the window and doing the laundry. I also have a cold which seems to have aggrevated my nexk so I feel like I have whiplash returning! Hopefully this'll be the worst of it and I'll feel better for my trip back to Cov tomorrow - where it has been snowing all week :)

Have spent most of the first week of the holiday at Jo and Vicky's filling in insurance forms and watching Gilmore Girls. Now onto Series 3.

On the job front they haven't been able to sort out getting me anymore pay but they are hoping to give me accomodation next year. They want to convert one of the bedsit's in the gatehouse into a flat. So I will have minimal rent and bills, be close to school, don't have to do boarding (unless I want to) and have use of the swimming pool :) Should be good, just got to manage my way through this year!

Monday, March 10, 2008

2 1/2 weeks later

So I've had the ironic hire car for over 2 weeks now - actually beginning to quite like it, at least, it's nice to have a car with heating and seats that support your back! Maybe they'll forget they gave it to me!

So, apparently, whiplash isn't over when the pain in your neck and shoulders stop.... who knew? I think I'm finally over it now - I've managed to lift stuff in the last 2 days without my back making ominous twinges so i guess that's good.

I've not heard much from the insurers in the last few days - I guess this means the other guy hasn't admitted liability yet. Not entirely sure what happens now, bit of a waiting game. I think the shock has finally worn off now. On Friday I actually managed to drive all the way to work without flinching every time o met a car coming the other way.

Things at work are going well, very busy week this week what with the Y13 assessments the Junior school plays, making the shadow theatre & puppets for the concert next week and building costumes and set with Helen and Jo but I feel pretty much on top of it so 'tis good.

P.S Gilmore Girls ROCKS!!! :)