Long time no see..

Missed me?

I have again been absolutely useless at updating this blog.. it's been a while! In my defence, I have been up to quite a lot.. including:

• Going to Venice Film Festival
• Properly learnt to ride a bike (in Venice.. oh yes!)
• Turning 26
• Going on various online dates (again, I know.. nothing good to report, other than I have caused no 'spark' with anyone yet)
• Going to the Dark Knight Rises premiere
• Going to see Ed Sheeran live (don't judge, he was really good)
• Seeing some pretty cool exhibits at museums in London
• Seeing Shakespeare at the Globe again (see Number 26)

Following my last book post, I've also read the following books:

• 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy - Badly written porn, basically.
• The Hunger Games Trilogy - Actually brilliant, would highly recommend.
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower - As above, such a good book.
• One Day - Ruined by people telling me how it was going to end, but otherwise brilliant.

I have also started reading 'Money' by Martin Amos, and have ticked a couple more things off my list..

8) Work at a live entertainment show / 22) Take part in a charity event

On Friday I managed to kill two birds with one stone, so to say.. 

I took part in a charity event, at the same time as working at a live entertainment show, by spending the day working with the team at Stand Up To Cancer for Channel 4... and what a day/evening it was!

My day involved helping with the studio rehearsals and standing in on Alan Carr's Chatty Man and then helping look after the contributors / celebrities whilst the show ran live on Channel 4. It was a great event, and for an extremely important cause, so I'm really glad I had the chance to be part of it.

So far the total raised is over £6million, but if you haven't donated you really should at: http://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/donate

Coming up on my list I'm hoping to do the following:

• 4) Attend a convention (Comic Con)
• 24) Help in a soup/charity kitchen

I also know how dull this entry is, so I promise that my next one will be a bit more exciting.. !! 

 

Book Update (Again!)

So far I've read the following 25 books from the WH Smith '50 Books to read before you die...'

1) The Lord of the Rings - J.R.R Tolkien

2) 1984 - George Orwell

3) Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

4) Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

5) Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

6) Hamlet - William Shakespeare

7) The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath

8) The Diary of Anne Frank - Anne Frank

9) The Bible

10) The Canterbury Tales - Geoffrey Chaucer

11) Ulysses - James Joyce

12) Harry Potter Series - J. K Rowling

13) Moby Dick - Herman Melville

14) The Wind in The Willows - Kenneth Grahame

15) Alices Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Caroll

16) On the Road - Jack Kerouac

17) The Colour Purple - Alice Walker

18) Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

19) Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift

20) A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

21) Robinson Crusoe - Daniel Defoe

22) Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

23) Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

24) The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

25) The Lord of the Flies - William Goulding

But as I've reached the halfway point, I've decided that I'm no longer doing this list because I want to.. it feels like more of a chore. Plus I do not intend to die at 30 (or anytime before mind you!) ..

So here's the new update.. I will still read 50 books before I'm 30 (4 years to go..) but the final 25 will be books of my choice.. I may count trilogies as one if they're easy readers.

So watch this space for my next titles...

Lucy does Latitude 2012 (Number 14)

 

It's only taken me 25 years (Ok, I wouldn't have attended a festival as a baby, but you get my drift!) but it was most definitely worth the wait..

Three days of mud, music and fabulous company (in the form of the lovely Roly) .. did I mention the mud?

Highlights of the weekend included:

* Late night Musical Bingo in the woods... 90s music blaring out, glowsticks a plenty.. amazing!

* Seeing Bon Iver / Ben Howard and melting into a ball of musical joy.

* Seeing the multicoloured sheep.. some say cruel, I say adorable.

* Laughing in the comedy tent / in the arena / in our tent / in the mud (pretty much everywhere)

* Meeting Percy Pig and Colin the Caterpillar (ha, yes I am 25!)

* Having our hair done at the Evo Salon ... so good.

* Early morning tent eavesdropping:

Guy A: Mate, I've just done something stupid.
Guy B: What mate?
Guy A: Just had unprotected sex with some girl, do you think I've got HIV?
Guy B: Nah mate, probably just Chlamydia or something.
Guy A: Shit, half way through she told me she'd had a threesome with two Australian blokes.
Guy B: You should probably get checked out, mate.

* Making pretty bunting in the woods

* The sun finally rearing it's lovely head after two days of downpour..

Basically, I had a fabulous time and fully intend to attend again another year.. when it's hopefully slightly brighter and less damp!

23) Get back on a bike - check!

They say that learning to ride a bike is as easy as learning to ride a bike.. or at least you’d hope so.

Thirteen years ago tragedy struck when a four-eyed freckly faced teenager hurtled down a concrete hill on a mountain bike, only to be told half way down said hill that the brakes no longer worked. The result? A pair of shredded birthday trainers and a broken wrist. The cyclist? Me.

Thousands of Londoners cycle to work on a daily basis in order to beat the sardine commute on the tubes and buses. I am not one of them. I would rather rest in the armpit of a sweaty commuter than be squashed by a bus. However, having been told by my new boss that I will have to cycle to work on one of our trips later this year, I decided that it was time to bite the bullet and get back on a bike!

Thankfully, the lovely people at Cycle Confident have been my knights in shining armour (or bike helmets!) with a subsidised scheme in the Westminster* area, for people who have never ridden/fallen off/forgotten how to ride a bike. The aim of the scheme is to make sure that cyclists are safe on the roads of London and to try and reduce the number of injuries on the roads.

There are three levels of classes:
Level 1A: Complete Beginner – Balance, confidence, simple off road cycling (2 hours)
Level 1B: Signalling, breaks, gears and advance off road training (2 hours)
Level 2: On Road Training  (Half Day Course)

I started with Level One and I’m proud to say that I only fell off once! The instructor, Nick, was extremely supportive and good at building confidence in both myself and the other beginners. One girl in my class had never been on a bike and by the end of the two hours she was whizzing past me. Needless to say, I was impressed! Not having a bike is no excuse, as they are happy to provide you with a bike and helmet during the class.

So if the thought of getting on a bike sends shivers down your spine, take the plunge and sign up for a class. If I can do it, you can!

Oh, hello there..

Hello It has been a crazy few months, but I'm back again..

Thankfully, I am now no longer unemployed, having started a new job in April at a Film PR company... so far, so good. You may be pleased (or not bothered) to know that I've also been continuing with my list

14) Go to a music festival
Tickets almost booked.. hoping to go to Latitude in a few weeks time.. we shall see.

17) Book Update
I've finished Hamlet, and currently halfway through The Canterbury Tales.. reviews to follow.


21) Go to the Olympics

Tickets booked! I will be going to the Olympics on the 11th August.. I did, however go to the London Prepares Series just in case..

Date: Saturday 5th May 2012
Venue: Riverbank Arena, Olympic Park
Fixture: Men’s Hockey, Germany VS India
Days til the Olympics: 82 days

I had the exciting experience of visiting the Olympic Park for the first time. What a day! I won’t lie and tell you I’m a huge sports fanatic, but as the Olympics will be taking place an hour from my house in a few months time it would be rude not to pay the park a visit.

Anyone who knows me will vouch for the fact that I have serious navigational issues.Thankfully the people of 2012 were warned in advance and had lined the roads from the tube station with a bountiful supply of volunteers wearing pink foam fingers pointing in the right direction.

A warning for anyone who doesn’t like exercise… the park is HUGE. I think it’s a good ploy to get us all fit on our way to see the various events. After our epic walk to the Riverbank Arena, I purchased a rather large hotdog and made myself comfortable in my slightly damp seat (alas, there was no roof!).

What a game! I found myself rooting for the Germans (mainly due to the fact that I had found a picture of the star player in my programme and he was rather beautiful) but it was well played by both teams. Great atmosphere, great views of the pitch (even sat up in the Gods) and GREAT bottoms (forgive me, I can’t resist a man in Hockey shorts!).

Alas I did not score.. but the Germans did and won 2-1, bravo! If you haven’t got tickets, then it looks like they’ll be opening the park to show events on big screens and whatnot. I would highly recommend the experience not only for the eye candy, but because it’s not every day the Olympics turns up on your doorstep, is it?

23) Get back on a Bike
Lessons booked! In two hours from now, I will be getting back on a bike for the first time.. so watch this space. Hopefully I won't be typing one handed when I get back.. eek!

So there you have it.. I'm back in the game (so to say) .. and will update again soon x

I want to ride my bicycle..

Aloha,

As I'm still very much unemployed, I've had the chance to finish my book and watch a few more films on my list..

Wuthering Heights****

Sometimes you can't beat a classic. Having seen the various televised versions of Wuthering Heights, I was rather looking forward to reading the actual novel and I was far from disappointed.

The novel is full of romance, feuds, innocence, emotion and, dare I say, incest. There's a birth, a death or two and some cracking northern accents!

I really enjoy how Emily Bronte captures the raw emotion in her characters, and makes them real to the reader, unlike some modern day chick-flick stories which all seem to smile and make everything OK again.. not in this story.

A true classic, which I will no doubt read again one day. 4/5.

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)**

"An estranged family of former child prodigies reunites when one of their member announces he has a terminal illness" - Imdb

I was a little disappointed with this film. It has a really great cast, but it was a bit to 'indie' for me to really get into.

I should probably have enjoyed the fact that it's about a largely dysfunctional family, but I felt that it was a bit too forced upon the audience. We're even privy to some more potential incest!

Don't have much more to say, it's a measly 2/5 from me.

All About Eve (1950)****

"An ingenue insinuates herself in to the company of an established by aging stage actress and her circle of theatre friends" - Imdb

I loved this film. It's a brilliant example of how something simple can be something great. Following the story of Eve, who wants to someday take to the stage, we step into the glamorous world of theatre.

With beautiful costume, hair and make up for the lead actresses, I was transported into a time before film overtook the world of theatre. It is a simple story of a girl trying to fulfill her dream, no matter what it takes. 4/5.

In other news..

I've been told to change one of the items on my list.. and as more than one person has told me to do so, I feel that I must oblige. The number is question is 23) Write something. Several people have told me that as I'm already writing this blog along with bits and bobs elsewhere that it's not really a big challenge to do before I'm 30. So instead, my new challenge is to get back on a bike!

To bring you up to speed with my lack of bike skills, this is how the story goes..

At 12, I finally learnt to ride a bike. Not just any bike, mind you. It was a beautiful little purple bike with stabilisers. Yes, I was a twelve year old with stabilisers! I was far from popular with the local kids in the area, so was over the moon when the most popular girl on my street said I could have a go on her bike, which ended in disaster.

Her bike was a much bigger version of mine, minus the stabilisers, and it wasn't until I was half way down the hill (a concrete one, at that) that she decided to inform me that the brakes did not work... This ended with shredded trainers and a broken wrist.

Did I also mention that this took place on my thirteenth birthday? Which happened to fall the week before term started.. meaning I spent most of it scrawling with my left hand. Talk about unlucky for some!

However, at 25 I now think I need to grow some non-literal balls and get back on a bike.. so watch this space!

Woooah we're halfway there...

Morning,

I've finally closed my Twitter page so I can concentrate on writing an update.. that site is far too addictive for someone like me.

So since last time we met I have:

- Completed my 3 weeks at Frank PR
- Attended a Benefit make up launch party with naked waiters
- Attended a Member's Club launch in Wimbledon with a lack of naked waiters
- Seen 'All New People' at the theatre
- Been baby bump shopping with Bethminda
- Created a fancy online CV and sent it to PR companies
- Been offered two interviews because of said CV (Click here to be dazzled)
- Officially deleted my online dating accounts
- Been to the Zoo and fallen in love with a baby Meerkat

Plus a lot of other random bits and bobs which I shan't mention at the moment. All in all a rather busy month, and a fun one at that. I've decided to really push trying something new, hence all of the CV madness. I think it's time to try it now, before I get too old/bitter/twisted or all of the above.

I'm 25, so have plenty of time to chop and change again. If women can't stick to one man, and vice versa, why do they have to stick to one career path?

Anyway, enough about my ever-changing life path. Here's a bit of a list update for you..

Since we last met, I've done quite well with my film list, with another five films in the bag, kerching. I've also made this fancy Pinterest page for all of the ones I've watched so far.. Click here to see it.

So here are the five films (in no particular order) ..

Walkabout (1970)**

"Two young children are stranded in the Australian outback and are forced to cope on their own. They meet an Aborigine on "walkabout": a ritualistic separation from his tribe" - Imdb

A very simple description of this film, but then there's not much more to say about it in my opinion. Oh wait, there is 'boobs'. Anyone with a crush on Jenny Agutter will be pleased to know that you get to see her completely starkers whilst galavanting in some water. Every straight man's dream, right?

I can't be too mean, because it is a rather lovely film, but I'm just not a huge fan of well to do children at the best of times. I went to private school as a teenager, and can imagine that if I sent some of my then-classmates out into the wilderness then they would not survive. Let alone make friends with an Aborigine. Kudos to Agutter though.

Bit dull, but heartwarming, with nice scenic shots. 2/5.

The Player (1992)***

"A studio executive is being blackmailed by a writer whose script he rejected but which one?" - Imdb

This film actually made me laugh at how cheesy it was. From the world's worst blackmail postcards, to an amazing drowning of a writer by the lead. It contains lots of in-house Hollywood jokes from the era, so a lot of them were lost on me, but the film is a hit back at tinseltown and the way it was (and probably still is) run.

Having worked in film, it was interesting to see how they showed the studios and the incestuous nature of the industry, particularly when the lead (Tim Robbins) begins a love affair with the widow of the write he's just killed.. Ok, so it's not that criminal in the industry, but it's not often that a woman/man will stick to one person throughout their film career..

A funny (for its time) and bizarre look at Hollywood. 3/5.

The Ipcress File (1965)****

"In London, a counter espionage agent deals with his own bureaucracy while investigating the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists" - Imdb

Michael Caine is one of my favourite actors, and I do like a bit of a spy film. Caine plays a British secret service agent who is assigned to find out who is brainwashing the country's top scientist. Cue lots of low lit office shots and dark alleyways. The film is like a working class version of Bond. It isn't full of lavish locations of Bond girls, but Michael does get his share of the ladies.

Favourite cheesy line:

Girl: Do you always wear your glasses?

Caine: Yes, except when I'm in bed

Sir Michael, you sly dog.. You can have a 4/5 for being splendid.

Aguirre, The Wrath of God (1972)*

"In the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado" - Imdb

I was bored, very bored, for the duration of this film. I know it's a classic and I should see it before I die, but I feel like that's a few hours of my life that I'll never get back.

My attention span can sometimes be that of a gnat, and this film was a prime example. I found myself desperate to read my book or check my Facebook. Then again, that could just be an indication of how times have changed for my generation. Back in 1972 there were less distractions in the comfort of your home.

It's just a bizarre film with funny looking people and subtitles. I'm sorry if I've just destroyed a little bit of some film-lover's soul by saying I don't like it, but it's only get 1/5 from me!

Sexy Beast (2000)***

"Brutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them" - Imdb

Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane. Need I say more?

The fact that the C word is used liberally makes me happy.. and I don't mean Christmas. There's something rather fabulous about gangsters shouting obscenities throughout a film. Although I'm not sure I'll ever get the image of a frazzled Ray Winstone out of my head for a while.. not as erotic as you may think.

I wouldn't say it's a laugh-out-loud type affair, or I didn't think so, but it is a rather splendid old gangster mashup. The cast are great, the acting is good and it's full of violence and old fashioned crime.

Maybe I just have a thing for bad boys, but this film gets my vote for being really rather good. 3/5.

So there you go.. another five down on my list.. and I've hit the half way mark. I wonder whether I'll hit jackpot with one of the remaining 25 ... guess you'll just have to watch this space..

All by myself...

Aloha,

So in the spirit of Valentine's I thought I'd write a blog entry. I'm currently sat in my PJs, eating pickled onions from the jar and watching Chinatown/Alien (two from the list, hurrah..) and talking to a couple of my single friends who are doing similar things in their flats (although probably with rom coms not old classics). Not quite as depressing as the Bridget scenario!


Today I sported my loveheart dress to embrace the love, but it did not find me the man of my dreams, alas. It was nice to see that romance isn't dead though, as half of the female staff at Frank PR received roses/chocolates/balloons and whatnot. Oh to be someone's better half on the biggest commercial day of the year! (NB: Working at Frank PR for three weeks experience, figured it would be a good chance to add to my CV whilst I'm not on a film.. and rather enjoying it!)

Back to Valentine's.. I've been thinking about romance lately, and settling down... I am so not ready for that yet. In the next six months, two of my friends are getting married which will give me a grand total of four married friends. This is fine because I get to celebrate their happiness and get free cake, which is never a bad thing! I can't even picture myself getting engaged, let alone married.. this could be down to the fact that I'm single, or just because I think I've got too many big ideas I worry I'll miss out on if I get too close to someone... how deep.

Anyway, with this in mind, I've decided that I want to travel. Properly. Next year. This means I'll hopefully be able to cross off number 3 (learn how to swim), 11 (visit Australia), 23 (write something - would write a travel blog), 29 (go up in a hot air balloon) and maybe even 30 (get a tattoo). All in one trip.. huzzah! I'm thinking of a six month type scenario on my own, across the world... so watch this space.

Anyhoo... this is what I thought of Chinatown / Alien...

Chinatown (1974)***

The film follows a private investigator who is hired to follow a woman's husband to see if he is having an affair. During this, he stumbles onto a scheme of murder as he realises that not everything is what it first seemed. The film features many elements of the film noir genre, including a multilayered story that is part mystery/party psychological drama.

It is a classic from it's decade and of the genre and was nominated for eleven Oscars amongst other awards. I love the costume design and the classic mystery element about the film. Can definitely see the Polanski effect on it, and the strange way in which he thinks.

I'll give it a 3/5 because of it's achievements, and because I do rather enjoy trying to solve a good mystery plot...!

Alien (1979)***

I would just like to say EWWWWWW.. I didn't really want to watch this when I saw it on the list, but had to be dutiful to it and pay the price. I can see why it's on the list, it was a huge success at the time and won several awards for it special effects amongst other things. I am not a huge fan of gore/horror so I'm not the best judge for a film like Alien... but if I was, I think I'd definitely enjoy it a lot more.

As a Trekkie though, I did like the scifi side of the film... including the ship and all the set dec, very cool. Wouldn't mind getting hold of a space suit either... and loved that the little cat thinks it is the ultimate match for the nasty alien.. good effort.

I'll give it 3/5 cause I'm not a gore fan, but I did like the acting and storyline.. I'm now quite intrigued by the latest Alien update, Prometheus. Maybe I'll have to take my cushion to the cinema to see it..!

So there we have it, my Valentine round up ... I'll hopefully be back soon to tell you some more updates from the list... xx

Happy New Year!

Hello there...

I realise it's been almost a month since I wrote on here... but I have been a busy bee, so think I can get away with it!

In the past month I have..

- Become a Canadian Citizen
- Attempted online dating (and have been royally humiliated)
- Celebrated Christmas
- Attended an Uncle's wedding
- Celebrated New Year
- Attended an Uncle's funeral (different one thankfully!)

... which is quite a mix!

As much I was dreading Christmas and New Year, because of personal reasons, I was pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of it. It was great to see family that I'd lost touch with, and to be able to stay up til the early hours talking nonsense with my eldest cousins for the first time in cousin history. I have also eaten far too much food, meaning I've had to be good and start eating healthy things as of this week. Let's see how long that lasts, aye?

Anyway.. I'm supposed to be writing my update for the month, which includes the following:

6) Get my Canadian Citizenship

I've done it!! I am now the proud Citizen of Canada (although I don't currently live there..) and I'm rather excited by this! I'm a girl who likes to have options in life... so this is a pretty big one! Yesterday I spoke with a friend of mine who moved to Vancouver a while ago, and has offered to lend me his spare room should I want to visit and see if I like the city. I am VERY tempted. But I fear if I go to soon I'll never finish this list.. and I will have failed you.. and myself. Watch this space though, I am in desperate need of a change at the moment so Canada might be just that.. eek.

Catch 22 - Joseph Heller***

Wow. What a long time it has taken me to finish this book.. oops. I think I started it at the beginning of last year, and thankfully finished it within the same year, just. The novel is set in World War II and follows Yossarian,

He is desperate to complete his quota of missions, so that he can leave the war behind, but various people up this quota every time he thinks he is close. Throughout the story he tries to find different ways of being sent home, one being to be admitted into hospital and declared insane. By the end of his story, I was certain he'd manage to get out somehow, but there is a rather ironic ending... I'll leave you to find that out for yourself.

I enjoyed parts of the book, but found the first half really hard to keep reading. The story didn't really keep me gripped enough to read it all in one go, so I read it in sections. Don't get me wrong; the book is full of irony and humour, which is entertaining, but I felt there were too many threads about different characters.

I think for anyone who is a fan of war novels or films would enjoy this book, but I'm afraid I'm not one of those people... It is well written though, so I'll give it 3/5.

1984 - George Orwell*****

I absolutely LOVED this book. Having read Animal Farm a few years ago, I was already an Orwell fan... and 1984 did not disappoint. It follows a central character, Winston, who lives in a version of England that is ruled by 'telescreens' and 'Big Brother' ... a clever insight into present day if you think that the book was actually published in 1949. It's incredible how well Orwell has captured our present day (or the future for the people of 1949).

I found the book hard to put down, and managed to read it in a day or so. It describes the emotionless world that Winston lives in and how he fights against Big Brother in his head, trying to keep hold of his human emotion. The book describes how his 'Thoughtcrime' leads him to meet people that feel the same as him.. or so he thinks.

I don't really want to tell you much about the plot, because it's one to read for yourself. The characters are easy to connect with and so you too will be hooked on 1984. A definite 5/5.

Manhunter (1986)**

I have never been, and probably never will be, a fan of the whole horror / gore genre. So I wasn't looking forward to lots of blood in Manhunter. This is the original version of Red Dragon, before Anthony Hopkins became the better known version of Hannibal Lecter.

The story follows on from the imprisonment of Hannibal Lecter. Another killer is on the hunt for female victims.. and succeeding. William, a member of the FBI, makes it his mission to find this killer before any more women are killed. He goes back to visit Hannibal to see if he can work out the mindset of the killer... but his plan backfires.

It's a good film, for its time, but it wouldn't really hold its place in present day. With remakes by the dozen, classic films get lost along the way. It doesn't help that now we're used to fancy VFX and realistic blood and guts, which makes films like Manhunter look rather student-esque. I'll give it 2/5 to be nice (ish).

Dawn of the Dead (1978)**

Having watched this original version of Dawn of the Dead, I can now see why Simon Pegg and his gang had so much fun making Sean of the Dead.

Back in the 70's this may have been a heart stopping, hide-behind-my-cushion type affair, but unfortunately I found it more humorous than scary... no need for my cushion!

It follows a group of people who are hiding in a deserted mall from thousands of zombies who want to bite them. The film is rather old, so I'll forgive it's poor quality effects and zombie 'prosthetics'. I guess I'm biased, having spent the majority of last year working on World War Z and being unable to eat my lunch in the catering hall as it was full of our modern day zombies... vile. I did chuckle whenever a zombie was shot though; everyone loves a blood squib!

Maybe I'd feel different if I wasn't sure a pathetic girl, but the film didn't really keep me entertained and I found it hard to concentrate on the 'storyline'. I'll probably get shot by one of my male friends for this.. but Dawn of the Dead gets a 2/5 from me.

So there we go... Citizenship sorted, two books read and two more films watched... ! Not bad for a few weeks' work, aye?

Until next time... x