Broken Toe is very boring - but the sun is fab!

OK, so yet again I seem to be back to the sporadic updating - partly due to the fact that in school they have now blocked blogger so I cannot update as easily. However I spent some time in coffee shop and now, thanks to the wonder of free wireless, I can now update via email - so we'll see how this goes!
 
Plans for Australia are going very well. I have one train journey to pay for and one hostel to find and I'm pretty much done. I even managed to get hold of the underwater housing for my camera at a good price (yey, eBay!). Can't believe I'll be there in just over a month - wOOt!!! :)
 
This weekend is my last relaxing time before we are headlong into the last productions at the end of term - Y10 GCSE, Y9 performances evening (8 shows - 1 night!) Y7-9 production (Cold Comfort Farm, complete with pantomime cows) and the Junior production. Looking forward to all of it, especially as at the minute all seems to be on schedule. In fact so on schedule that yesterday afternoon I had nothing to do so I filed all of my invoices.....there is something very wrong....
 
ALthough a dampener on all of this is the fact that I have managed to break my toe (right foot, 4th toe) by bashing/catching it on on the railings getting out of the swimming pool. This has made walking around rather tricky, which in turn means my ankle is now killing me because of how I'm having to walk. I did this 3 weeks ago, I went to the walk-in place the next morning and (very rightly) she explained that even if it was broken all they'd do at A&E was strap it so she strapped it and sent my on my way. However, this Monday it was really no better so I went to A&E on the school nurses advice) to ask for an X-Ray as it's not just my toe that hurts it's the underside of my foot in that area as well (which is still swelling up and bruising). On the plus side I was seen quite quickly - on the downside she didn't really listen to what I was saying, prodded it (although she didn't look at the underneath bit) said "we don't x-Ray toes - and you should be wearing a shoe, not flip flops. It'll be another 4 weeks" got someone to strap it up again (I was now crying - quietly - and feeling nauseous due to the pain) and sent me on my way.
 
Fair enough to not X-Ray toes but I fairly sure I've damaged the bone in my foot someway - especially as it's nearly a week after that incident now and it STILL doesn't seem to have got any better. Also, and I said this at the time, if I could put a shoe on - don't you think I would?
 
I did actually try to put on a shoe this Wednesday morning - after 10mins I felt so sick I had to come home and put my flip flops back on....this is really starting to get annoying, and slightly worrying....:(
 
This has also meant that, despite my extra training on the dancing (!?), I wasn't able to audition to be a bride in BLOG's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" which, well, basically, sucked. Still I went in and sang so I can be a townsfolk which should still be a laugh and mean I have a semblance of a social life next term :)
 
 

One Day More.....

Last performance tomorrow. Another chartiy gig, but this time at Westonbirt school. I went over on Thursday morning to have a chat to the technician (of the IT variety) and see what was what.

Their stage is in the orangery, which is, just as you'd imagine, huge with very large windows. The whole building is stunning set in a massive amount of land (there was a herd of horses grazing when I drove in....is it a herd?) and a wonderfully designed interior - apparently designed so it would be lit with as much natural light as possibe - and given the fact it was a clear blue sky adn blazing sunshine when I visited - it works!

So me and the intrepid prefects will be there tomorrow aternoon with hopes of sorting the lighting rig out, so at least all the lanerns are pointing at the stage, and getting the sound set up. Then we will attempt to clear out behind the 'back wall' so it can be used as a changing area....the girls don't know about this yet, a treat for them. Which reminds me, I should pick up a large amount of chocolate from somewhere.....

Not sleeping brilliantly at the mo. Discovered very quickly that there's not chance I will ever be able to lie-in or sleep late due to the loudness of the door that's right outside my bedroom into boarding. Early nights for me then......like that's gonna work.....

Update: Milk in a bag (Jugit)- IN-genious. Although towards the end did start tasting a little plasticy. Worked well, no problems getting the dregs out and the lack of packaging is a definite plus.

New Word:  Dithyrambic 

1 a a wild choral hymn in acient Greece, esp. to Dionysus (memories of A-Level Theatre Studies flooding back) b a  Bacchanalian song.

2 any passionate  or inflated poem, speech, etc. (This seems the appropriate meaning)

Source - Madame Bovary (it's actually turned up twice so was glad I looked it up!)

Bags of milk, baby!

So an exciting (well, fairly - for the planet anyhoo) was made by me in Sainsbury's this week - Bags of Milk. You buy a special jug that you then put the bags in. It saves on packaging (and is also easier to freeze) which is better, not only for the environment, but also for my small abode where recyling space is at a premium! At the minute I have washed the jug, read the instructions and the bags are in the freezer awaiting their debut.

White Cargo (Windsor Selection)

I hae just finished reading the above book. It only took me 2 days! Felicity Kendal has always been one of my favourite actresses and when I lived back in Wythall I remember hearing that she'd lived, at some point, in Olton (about 3 stops on by train!). There were a few 'squee' moments when she spoke about Solihull but these were not the most happy times for her so the 'squee' was somewhat tempered. An absolutely fantastic and fascinating account of her life - especially her descriptions and recollections of growing up 'on the road' in India. I would recommend this book to anyone - even if they've never seen her perform. She is a great writer and if she ever does any more I'll be the first in the queue :) I'm now onto the Middlemarch-esque (If Middlemarch were moved to France) Madame Bovary.

Last night wasthe first night of B.L.O.G's "Songs from Four Shows", it went great! I managed not to fall over (as I so gracefully did in the tech) and the guys didn't tread on my feet so all was succesful in our USR corner ;) It's been so much fun getting back into singing, moving and working with a big ensemble onstage, and they're a very welcoming bunch of people, so all in all it's been a fantastic experience. Roll on tonight and tomorrow!!

BLOG away

Just back from my first (albeit charity) performance wih BLOG. It was definitely a slightly bizaree and yet cool experience.

Bizarre because I helped out by supplying some kit (and 2 students!) to help out with the microphone situation and so 2 worlds colded for a bit there. Still, L and J were great and very professional especially when diplomacy was called for and all went well in the end. Hopefully trying to sort something out for the next charity performance so will see how that goes. A bit of logitics re: cable to sort out but would be great experience for the girls so should be able to sort it.

It's so good to spend some time with people outside of school, interesting finding out what they all do and where they've all come from. This evening found out about a government 'procurer' and a HR person for the MOD. I just think it's it's cool what different people end up doing and yet can have the same love of theatre :) It's also good to be spending time in conversation with adults! ( not that my techies aren't fabulous coversationlists but, you know....)

Anyhoo, I feel a Large glass of red and no dinner is not exactly the best combination to be continuing so shall desist....goodnight.

the last sleep.... hopefully

For the final time I am tapping out my midnight ponderings and surfing the web in my spacious Gatehouse flat. For tomorrow some folks are coming to help me shift my bed and coffee table (yes, the coffee table is vital...) up to the new place.

I'll still have quite a bit of stuff hanging around in the living room (especially seen as I won't have a wardrobe or chest of drawers until Thursday!) but I shall be able to chill and sleep in the same place, which'll be a novelty! Although for full internet access I'm still gong to have to  haul over here as it's not been sorted at the new place yet *grrr*.

Highly excited about the trip to Cov for Jo's birthday meal - and some wandering around IKEA, especially as it's not my money I'm spending. Well, it is, but I'll get it back...you know what I mean. Still, handing our own card over isn't quite as freeing as having someone else's, alack,  never mind.

I have decided that from now on when I hear a word that I do not know the exact meaning of a word (i.e. I can probably figure it out and blag my intelligence quite nicely!?!) I am going to look it up and attempt to use in a scentence. This is mostly because I've found my big dictionary since moving and I feel bad that it sits and I do not look beneath it's covers.

New word for the week:

rectitude - moral uprightness

(source - Cranford)

and breathe...

wOOt!!

All exam performances and teaching are done for this term - huzzah!! Just the Y9's to hand their stuff in on Monday and a whole school event on Thursday and I'm done. It's a wonderful feeling that the stress of deadlines has evaporated - if only temporarily.

Rehearsals for the B.L.O.G show are going well, and are still fun so good times so far! Wore my 'show shoes' for the first time in the Thursday rehearsals. First of all I really should have thought through wearing sparkly robin patterned socks that morning, but mainly I could feel the pain on the balls of my feet where it damages the soft tissue and my feet swell up quite impressively. This a lovely thing discovered after getting back form the UK2 training for Peru and taking my boot off - 10mins later I couldn't put my foot on the floor and had to go to A&E!  No such pain or swelling after I took these shoes of though so I'm going to assume without the socks on it'll be fine.

This evening is the leaving do for one of the Senior Housemistresses/Drama Teacher. Going to be a good evening - if a little odd as there will be lots of ex students there.

Ooops, which reminds me - I said I'd make some brownies....and I've to make Lasagne before that...back to the bedsit it is then. Nope, still not completely moved!

First meal

Have just cooked my first meal in the new flat - good fun trying to stop the steam and small smoke reaching the fire alarm, but the roast lamb, carrots and parsnip went very well :) Got about half my stuff over there now and is starting to feel more homely - well, the living room anyway!

Just about on top of everything at work at them. Lots of exam performances coming up in the next 3 weeks, a little hairy but hopefully all will work - lots of painting and sewing to do, good times:)

Meeting with the boss tomorrow so a little pensive about that, still, lots of stuff about handing things over to God have been talked about this week, so I'm just going to try my best to do that and see what occurs.

Sometimes I could kick myself

I've just read on someone else's facebook page that the deadline for Lee Abbey Leadership forms was Monday - nuts. I've agreed to head up the AV team again (despite getting back form Oz 2 days before - so what's new! So I guess I really should have got that in. Problem being I've lost my CRB form for LA and what with 'the move' I've got no chance of finding it (which means applying again!).

Also I've got a horrible feeling that BLOG rehearse over the summer and missing 4 weeks would be an issue but missing 6 would probably mean I couldn't do the show. Although, at the minute, they don't seem to have a definite date, and unless it falls before or IN the october half term I'm not going to be able to do it anyway! So frustrating.

Been to BLOG rehearsal tonight. Managed to screw up standing in a diagonal line, twice - but then we had just swapped positions and before that I was managing fine, felt bad because the choreographer's lovely and had already asked three times! Never mind, practise makes perfect and this is all coming back to me very slowly.
I think that doing Tartuffe and then gig night when I was ill and having to project may also have done something unpleasant to the old vocal chords. I don't seem to be able to hold certain notes as clearly or successfully as I could before then. For a while I though it was because I was still recovering for the cold (took ages!) but now I'm not so sure :( I was never going to be a professional but would be gutted if my voice is kaput. Still, we shall endeavour.

Today a Fridge/Freezer was delivered to the bedsit when I happened to be in. It will fit in the kitchen (although I may lose the use of a cupboard door!) but I need to take about 2cm of a small ledge - job for the weekend!

Have boxes, will travel

So after the meeting I still have to move. I do now have until the end of Easter which'll make it easier - still not psyched about having to pack and shift everything though. Still, it was a good chat and did clear the air somewhat so a good point at least!

Had quite a successful and organised day - sorting out production schedules for 5 individuals and 1 group who all have shows within 2 weeks of each other. Worked so well for them I may employ it for myself on the whole moving and sorting Australia out thing!

Regarding the going back to work.

Well, last evening of a VERY chilled half term, to be spent in the traditional Sunday evening way of hot milk and Lark Rise to Candleford (boy, I do lead an action packed life!) and contemplating tomorrow.

Have had a lot of time to think and assess this week, along with managing to put most work stuff to one side and chillaxing, so am feeling positive and calm about heading back into work tomorrow.

I have another meeting with TPTB in the afternoon, feeling nervous, but definitely less like I'm going to cry just from walking in there! I have everything pretty level in my head and I'm going to go with the assumption that there's some reason that I don't need to know about, they're the boss and I should trust their judgement. Have decided that if I have to move then I shall, with no more fuss or bother. Doesn't seem to be worth getting stressed over any more as it really is out of my hands and, on the plus side, I would have some space to myself. This week has been very quiet without others here - however it was nice when they came back, and today has just proved that they are very different to the last lot and quite enjoyable to live with.

However I did go and collect a load of boxes yesterday in preparation so we shall see what occurs.

Time at the spa was so wonderful - amazing steam room. 4 glass rooms inside the larger one - each with a different fragrance. I spent time in the frankinscence one and the lavender one- bliss :)

Right, LRTC has finished downloading and I am suitably sleepy, bring on tomorrow!