imelda.me blog

Ideas

2011-10-25T16:03:00.000-07:00

A Big Ol' Chunk Of 2011

2011-05-08T14:49:00.001-07:00

Has it really been two months? Well, I haven't been slacking. A lot has been going on in the meantime:

I was working on a data analyst project job for a well-known company which was challenging but rewarding too. I've not completed a project and looking for another job. I need to keep working to pay the bills but I'm I'm thinking long and hard about the next steps(s) to take. Should I go in another direction. Should I finally look for a job that combines all the things I like doing rather than a job I'm qualified/experience enough to do. Lots to think about on this one.

I rehearsed and performed a contemporary dancer role in a play with one of my theatre companies. This required long hours but it was worth it do get some contemporary dance experience under my belt. An interesting change to the roles I normally do.

My bootcamp course have started up again and I'm now two weeks into the programme and it is TOUGH! However as as friend has asked me to run the Dublin marathon with her in October, I really need this bootcamp as a kick-start to my training. Somethign has to get me running!

Thanks to Company Magazine I won the chance to see the Water For Elephants premiere last week which was really exciting and a wonderful night out. And I got some free popcorn too. Way-hey!

Plus lots going on with my friends and personal relationships including someone special entering my life and being absolutely lovely and a gay pirate wedding! And what a spectacular day that was!

So going forward I'll continue with the job hunt and bootcamp but I have lots to think about and consider and projects in the pipeline. Taking steps forward into (co-)choreographing, writing and recording music and getting a proper site and blog set up and looking swishy!

Half-Birthday To Do List - Update

2011-03-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

BREAKING NEWS: The splits are getting easier to do. I have done them thrice in as many days. Ooooh!

Okay, that's a little bit of a lie, it was actually four days but that didn't sound as good/impressive. Anyway, should I post photographic evidence of achieving my Half-Birthday goals? Might be a bit difficult protraying my fluency in Portuguese through photography. Maybe a photo of me deep in conversation with a Brazilian who's not looking confused will work. Or if I had the guts I'd take the CELPE-Bras exam and then could scan my certificate when I passed.

Creative project stuffs happening, it's all quite quirky and fun. I was dancing/moving in a live video music shoot at the Roundhouse yesterday. The video was streamed live but it should be posted on You Tube soon. Not that you can probably actually see me because there was all this trippy graphics stuff put on top of the footage, but it will still be exciting to see. Maybe I will be able to pick out my arm! People will be queing up to get me to sign their sandwich. Yay!

Happy Half-Birthday To Me

2011-02-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

I realised yesterday as I was completing forms that it was my "half" birthday and it had somehow creeped up on me without realising. I seem to have a knack for remembering key dates and anniversaries of meeting friends and lovers for the first time but I don't keep track of somethign like a half-birthday that much. I'm aware that February is the midpoint of that current year but no more than that.

I'd been in a foul mood all morning - having a dream about your ex which brings all those old feelings and hurt to the surface doesn't set you up well for the day, yet the realisation of the date actually excited me as it gave me a reason to excuse feeling shit. It wasn't because of him, it was just because I'd reached a signifcant date in my 20-somethingth year. That was all!

In typical fashion I dealt with this by doing what I do best. Making lists and setting myself goals. This is the perfect time to reflect just a little on what what I haven't achieved so far and a lot of what I am going to do for the next 6 months. It's what I do. I list many, many goals and truthfully, not a lot of them get ticked off however I don't usually beat myself up too much about it. "Fine, I didn't do all this stuff in 2008, I'll complete it all in 2009.... in 2010" I think I sometimes worry what the hell I would do with my life if I did complete everything I set up do do but knowing me I'd probably draw up another set of tasks and plans. There's always some language out there I haven't mastered, another dance form I haven't studied etc. However I want to do so much that I could probably live three lifetimes and I still wouldn't get it completed.

But back to now. And the next six months. I have about 50 things I want to achieve in this time and I know it's unrealistic and, as I know all too well, life gets in the way and holds you back. However, here a few things I hope are in store for me February to August:

1. Get decent perm job which pays good money (and therefore in turn I can sort out finances, save, budget etc.)
2. Be more creative - I don't want to go anymore details on this one for the time being but it has to be done.
3. GO TO BRAZIL!!! - I need to get back out there as soon as possible. I NEED people who live there.
4. Do the splits with ease. I can do them now but sometimes I require a LOT of warming up and getting in and out of them ain't a pretty site.
5. Improve my Portuguese skills (and prehaps make a start on learning Spanish properly instead of guessing it all the time) - I guess this ties in my the plans to go to Brazil. I've put too much time and energy into studing Portuguese so far to let it go and I'm bored with this plateu I've reached and want to get past it and reach fluency. Maybe come August I'll be good enough to take the CELPE-Bras exam.

So I think that's plenty to be getting on with for the time being and I still have my dance classes, show rehearsals (my first contemporary dance performance - woo!) as well as plans to get fit and healthy to tide me over too. I awaited with hopefuly excitment for a progress report on this come August.

Homeward Bound

2011-01-27T16:19:00.001-08:00

I'll be leaving the house in 4 hours to catch a bus to the airport to fly me home. Due to various problems at Christmas time I couldn't make it home then so a short trip home has been on the cards for January. Unfortunately I still feel a bit ripped off my plane ticket prices but there's nothing I can do about that.

On the positive side I get to spend some quality time with the parents (which should ease my guilt a little) and my neice who will most likly be baffling me with how she's turned into a little adult since the last time I saw her. Plus I'm taking a day off work which is always welcome, even if I am using up one of my precious 2.3 days of holiday accrued. I love being a contractor sometimes. :-

In the meantime, drying my hair and finishing my packing sounds like a good idea.

Holy Moly!

2011-01-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

I don't think there are enough words to describe how much I love this photo of Shakira. I love it so much that I'm doing a blog entry enirely about it. I don't have much else to say except, WOW!

I want to be THIS!

Why January Rocks!

2011-01-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

I'm making inspiration from the Happiness Project London blog and writing all the ways this January can be fun and exciting and in no way an anti-climax to the festive season preceding it. Some of these are concrete plans, some are possibilities:

1. I will be attending the lovely and creative Hilde's Tribal Fusion bellydance classes to contine my adventures into this form of dance.

2. Danceworks are offering new classes this month and I'm most excited about the Flamenco and Spanish Dance Fusion class. Ooh, and Commercial Contemporary Dance class too.

3. Jessie J gig at Koko, looking forward to seeing her live.

4. I booked a 10 class voucher for classes with Capoeira Ceara. I haven't attended capoeira classes for a long time now but they are such a good workout and it should help inspire not only my 2011 Fitness Plan (coming soon!) but also my 2011 Travel Plans to get back to Brazil this year.

5. I keep meaning to go back and eat out properly at the Candid Arts Cafe. Maybe this is the month!

Plus, maybe this is the month I find a Shiny New Job which is perfect for me, I need to shoehorm in a trip home to make up for being stranded here over Christmas and there's also Burns Night which I should celebrate too. Christmas is not the only party!

11

2011-01-01T06:56:00.000-08:00

I appear to be get obsessed with the number 11. It has been well noted on the social networking sites that today's date is 1.1.11 and then in 10 days it will be 11.1.11 and then in November 1.11.11 and 11.11.11.

Add to that that my birthday this year is 11.8.11. Yes, there is a number 8 there but in this format it looks symetrical (or, my new word in Portuguese I learnt today: simétrico). I've always be drawn to the number 11 because of my birthdate so maybe I should get all mystical and numerology-like and embrace it completly this year.

Shamone!

New Year's Day 2011

2011-01-01T06:20:00.000-08:00

Creative blog title, eh?

Killing some time before I meet up for dinner with a friend to have a very inspirational conversation about the year ahead. I've been doing a lot of thining recently, philosophical and pratical and working out what needs to change in my life, how I need to change, plans and goals for 2011 etc. It's a long list so I think I need to break it down into more managable chunks.

The only good news I have to share today is the I won £8.70 on the Euromillions lottery. Start as I mean to go on. Tink pawsitive thawts!

And I really need to do some form of detox. Would love to be able to afford a few bikram yoga classses for starters and a late night chat on Twitter has got me thinking about the Master Cleanse. January will be dance classes, yoga classes and fitness bootcamp. I know it's such a cliche to make the "Lose weight, Get Fit and In Shape" New Year's resolution but I do all this stuff anyway, I just need to step it up when all the studios get back to their regular timetables and (literally) get my arse into gear.

Xmas Challenge

2010-12-22T16:25:00.001-08:00

It's now 99% likely that I will be spending Christmas in London. I have tried various combinations of buses, trains and ferries and there's either a lack of seats on the services or the prices for tickets has been pushed unrealisticly sky-high.

So if I am to spend the weekend plus the two bank holidays that follow in London then I'm semi-setting myself the challenge to use the time to write an EP of songs so in the future I can market it with the blurb "written while i was stranded in London alone over the Christmas holidays, far away from home and family, nursing a broken heart and an empty bank account blah blah blah.." Or I'll spend the whole time sleeping and watching TV, which sounds very likely.

Watch this space!

Bringing You Up To Date

2010-12-22T05:03:00.000-08:00

Looks like I'll be staying in London over Christmas as there doesn't seem to be a way home yet. Flights are extortionate and I just don't have that money for a one-way flight, nevermind a return journey, a lot of flights are being cancelled anyway, coaches are booked up, trains unreliable, I could get part of the way and then stranded... so at the moment I'm staying put but keeping an eye out for possibilities..

I plan to use the time anyway to think long and hard about 2011, resolutions, plans, work goals etc. So many thoughts in my head at the moment, it can be a bit overwhelming but I'll work it all out.

Stay tuned for my 2011 Plans & Resolutions List. It will most likely be EPIC!

Red.

2010-10-16T16:18:00.001-07:00

Well, I made it back from Edinburgh and immediately got struck down with various illnesses, probably as a result of not looking after myself. I seem to have recovered just in time for my corneal transplant on Wednesday. Great. So I get a couple of days of feeling okay before I get the eye sliced into and follow that up with God knows how long of feeling dreadful. Perfection!

Due to this upcoming procedure I've not signed up, audition etc. for any shows so life is getting a bit boring. Not much else to report. Although I am back at the bellydance classes (Tribal Fusion, actually), getting to a few yoga and pilates classes and just dyed my hair a lovely bright red-pink colour today. I'm going to be a sexy corneal transplant patient I've decided. Bring it on!

Oh look, it's me:

AND I've made a blog to document my procedure and recovery. The link is in my profile. Ch-check it out.

PS: I am LOVING "The Flood" by Take That. MARRY ME TAKE THAT!!!

Edinburgh Update

2010-08-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

Have grabbed a coupleo f minutes in and internet cafe and am having at fab time at the Fringe. Absolutely knackered but it's my own fault. I should eat better, rest more and drink less. I am on holiday though so it's allowed. Boths shows are going well. Great audiences and reviews. Love reading the comments on twitter. Go Team Bubonic! And if you're not here you can watch some clips from the show on their websites: http://www.bubonicproductions.com

Love it!

Must eat now.

The Last Day Of This Year

2010-08-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

My birthday is tomorrow so I guess that means it's time to get reflective and think about my goals for the next year ahead. I don't have to but it's something I obviously like to do. Although I seems to always be setting myself goals and targets that I never reach. Life always gets in the way. A change of circumstances or some drama will pop up that throws everything off course. I should be used to it by now. I should have learned by not to stop setting myself lists of targets to reach and just go with the flow. But I like lists so will so it anyway.

Post-Hair

2010-07-20T01:47:00.001-07:00

What a trying few weeks it's been. Coping with the come-down from 'Hair' being over, losing a job contract, gaining a new job contract, being ill and not eating much, finding a new place to live and moving in and some other rubbishy personal stuff (blah!) which didn't help matters.

Thankfully things are settling down and I'm getting settled into new home and job and what's evening more exciting is that I'm going up to Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival to support these guys: http://www.bubonicproductions.com and their hilarious comedy musicals. I spent Sunday getting myself nice and messy for them by doing some painting for their set/props and have been totally swept away by the EdFringe bug. It'll be good to out on another adventure and if anyone stumbles across this blog (maybe by googling edfringe, edinburgh fringe festival, plague the musical, piramania, august 2010) and is heading up there then please say Hi and I'll maybe see you there.

Beads, Flowers, Freedom, Happiness (part 2)

2010-06-24T03:22:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to ignore the fact that we are approaching the final couple of days of the run of our show. It is an amazing ride to be on and one that has given me a lot to think about. I shouldn't anticipate the end already but instead focuso n the rest of the time I have left with this cast and show. So to keep the excitment up, here's a link to an article about our show that was posted on Broadway World. Fun!

http://westend.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_FEATURE_A_Not_So_Amateur_Hair_20100621

Beads, Flowers, Freedom, Happiness

2010-06-17T02:40:00.000-07:00

We have opened! After 13 weeks of rehearsals and a LOT of lyrics, harmonies and blocking to learn we opened last night and put on a great show. Follow the news and vlogs here:

http://www.beadsflowersfreedomhappiness.com
http://www.beadsflowersfreedomhappiness.com
http://www.beadsflowersfreedomhappiness.com

xx

Video Goodness

2010-03-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Our tribe has a vlog channel. I look a mess but I like the vlogging.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDropCityTribe

Getting My Hippy On

2010-03-22T17:02:00.000-07:00

I found this blog while attempting to embrace my inner hippy chic in preparation for Hair. I'm linking it here because I don't want to forget it or forget thr URL: http://hippyhippychic.blogspot.com/

What a cool blog name. :-)

Progress At Last

2010-03-14T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well a lot has happened since my last few posts and I'm not sure what to start off with. I interviewed for a 5 month job on Monday, got offered the job on Monday afternoon and started working on Wednesday. I'm back in full time employment and now I can sort myself out and make plans and it's all a big relief! Can't wait for payday... although I still have to be sensible and save my money for a deposit on a new plce to live (the contract on our current flat is up at the end of April so me & my flatmate are going our seperate ways and looking for flat/houseshares so we can save some money).

On the same day I got offered the job I also got offered at part in the ensemble of the sedos production of Hair which made a good day even better. I thought I had sucked at the audition. The first song I sang so badly but the second song was not so bad. Still, I thought I had totally messed up and didn't expect it at all. We had a workshop today which was more or less the first rehearsal where we worked on some movement and one of the songs. I am going to enjoy doing this show so much. And I find it interesting/a challenge that we'll be up against the West End version which will be showing at the same time.

Last but not least, in fact probably the biggest that that will happen to me: I got a date to have my cornea transplant surgery! And it's happening a lot sooner than I expected. It's currently scheduled for May 19th however I need to take into consideration my job and rehearsals. I can to commit to both properly and not sure if taking 1-2 weeks out for recovery from the operation is a good plan. Not to mention that it will probably take another month before my eye gets over the "trauma" of what it has gone through so I might have to take the possibility of manky bloodshot-nessa and light sensitivity into consideration. Blah blah blah. And if I'm being honest I am also shit scared about having to have this operation and was shocked that I was offered a date 2 months away. So there's lots to take into consideration and I need to think about it all but they're happy to operate and that's what I wanted to hear.

Overall, quite a progressive week. There's still lots in my life to sort out (debts, finding a place to live etc.) but I'm getting there bit by bit. I'm trying to stay positive and hopefully more good things will come.

It's My Time

2010-02-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

You've got to be in it, to win it I believe. So I've signed up at Benetton's website and made myself a little profile in the hope of becoming to face of their 2010 campaign. You can find me here:

http://casting.benetton.com/users/185658-imelda/

Apparently they're looking for "We're looking for something different, something unconventional, something surprising, something real. It's not just how you look but how you are." Well I think I'm pretty different and unconventional at times so bring it on! I need votes though. Lots of them! Eeeeek!

I Match The Weather

2010-02-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

I'm not in a great mood today. I feel tired and slow. I'm feeling the effects of my broken eye more today which just make my good eye tired. My job interview was cancelled and I don't know if it will even be rescheduled and I didn't get an audition recall for a show I really wanted to perform in. And I'm still broke and frustrated because I want to so so much (classes, theatre, concerts) and I want to do it in nice clothes but I can.

it's dull, cloudy and raining outside and I'm sure I was woken from my nap earlier today by an almight clap of thunder. It only happened once though so now I doubt if it was thunder after all. Maybe a neighbour's house collapsed.

So now I've ranted all my despair I'm going to make a cup a tea and try to remind myself of all the good things I have to be happy for. Gahhhh, posi-fookin-tivity!

Sarah Kay: Toothbrush to the Bicycle Tire

2010-02-08T03:16:00.000-08:00

I love Sarah Kay and her poetry. So jealous of her skills:

Om.

2010-01-22T19:24:00.000-08:00

In a bleak world where one wants doesn't want to stare in the face of unemployment each day and would rather hide/live under one's duvet... this sentence actually goes nowhere. It pretty much somes up the general mood of the past couple of weeks.

I have however, decided to rescue myself by signing up to a 10 day Bikram Yoga offer and dragging myself to the studio (almost) every day to give myself some structure and get the muscles moving and the blood pumping and work towards making myself feel like a halfway decent individual. it's a start. A good start. It does make me want to repeat positive mantras mentally and my skin looks good, if nothing else.

Managing Stages And Stuff...

2010-01-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

Getting stuck into 2010 and I started the year ASMing in the production of Mojo which was last-minute but fun to do despite having to sit in a cold, draughty theatre in the middle of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. All good though as it helped me prepae for taking on full stage manager duties for Blackbird which will run next month. I've attended rehearsals, made lists and have now acquired a habit of collecting litter... purely for artistic purposes you understand! We need an overflowing rubbish bin for the actors to use onstage. I think providing a good-looking rubbish bin will be one of my greatest achievements!

The other areas of my life are all a bt shambolic. Still no full time job. Sending out CVs into the wilderness and hearing nothing back. I suppose January is the time to deal with all this crap, get it out of the way so I can charge forward with all my plans for the rest of the year. Positivity!

The End of 2009

2009-12-30T07:38:00.001-08:00

There's 1.5 days left of 2009 and I'm back at square one. The job I started came to an end a week later thanks to senior managers who have their heads in the clouds and no idea how the little people below them work. I'm greatly pissed off at that. I'm still ill and tired. Panto is over and I'm showless again. I know I need to take a break and rest but it would be nice to have something definite to work on again.

Speaking of panto, it was an amazing experience and I met and worked with so many lovely people that I hope to see again and again in the future. I definitely don't regret doing and am quite chuffed with myself that I managed to get up in front of all those people and sing solo. Go me. Onwards and upwards now.

Just one more evening here with the family then I fly back to London in the morning to get my NYE on and to get on with having a fruitful and fun 2010.

Panto/Weekend Stuff

2009-12-13T15:32:00.000-08:00

Just a short email as I need to go to bed soon and be up bright and early in the morning to start work. Exciting, scary etc.

Have had a very busy weekend. I got a call on Friday evening with a filming job offer for the following morning. So after a night of panto -ness and a couple of drinks at the bar, I was dragging myself out of bed on Saturday morning for a spot of filming. I should have details and a link to the finished product soon. Afterwars it was straight to the theatre for the matinee and evening panto performance. Inbetween the shows I stuffed myself with a whole pizza. That was fun. We're having a great run of shows. Some good audiences especially today's matinee crowd - a bunch of very noisy children indeed! Got tomorrow night off before we're back to do it all again on tuesday and that'll take us right up to Saturday. Don't know how I'm going to do it all AND train in the new job. Pass me the Berocca!

It's Begun!

2009-12-09T09:25:00.000-08:00

Opening night has been and gone and I don't think we did too shabby. Once the audience warmed up (and had a couple of drinks at the interval) they began to get into the spirit of things more which is always encouraging when you're making a tit of yourself onstage. The show did not pass without incident though. I almost made it to the end when during an amorous moment onstage I lost balance and landed on my bum. It didn't hurt then but it hurt this morning when I got out of bed. Looking forward to seeing what cock-ups the next twelves shows will bring.

On a similar note. We had our final rehearsal on Monday which started out well but quickly descended into mishaps and chaos with broken props, wrong sound/lighting cues and fluffed lines, until we couldn't fight it any longer and played along with the silliest. One of the funniest nights in my life with a great bunch of people.

Now it's time to pack my back and make my way over to the theatre for Show #2. Allon-sy!

Halp!

2009-11-30T06:52:00.001-08:00

Request: Can someone please hypnotise me and make me forget about my fear of singing in public so I don't forget all the singing technique I've learned and forget to breathe too so I can sing in chest voice and actually do a decent job of my solo singy bits I have in the show. Ta very much.

That pretty much sums up what's going through my head when it comes to panto rehearsals. The rest of it is fine - lines, routines, set, costumes are all coming together nicely now and it's beginning to look fab!

PS: I really need to control my potty mouth.

Look At Us!

2009-11-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

Charging ahead with rehearsals. Got details from the director about plans for the next two weeks in the run-up to the show and it's fair to say that I will have no other life outside panto. Especially if I manage to get some office dayjob in the meantime too. Can't wait to perform it though!

Top 10 Number 11s

2009-11-12T17:22:00.000-08:00

Using my time productively and compling my Top Ten list of songs that peaked at number 11 this decade:

Black Eyed Peas - Let's Get It Started
Gwen Stefani - Cool
Pink - God Is A DJ
Artful Dodger feat. Michelle Escoffery - Think About Me
Sugababes - Shape
Brandy - Afrodisiac
Anastacia - Not That Kind
Spice Girls - Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)
Will Young - Who Am I
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (Re-issue)

Next On The List

2009-10-28T14:38:00.001-07:00

So the month is almost over and I've taken part in new play, The Showgirl, and did some cabaret in Network Theatre's 70th Anniversary celebrations. Now it's time to focus on the panto rehearsals so we can pull off a great show in December which will be fun fun fun! I'm very excited about doing it. Especially as I'll be running around on stage in either a fancy frock or pirate gear. Maybe it's a side-effect from my eye problem but I like all things piratey. Fun!

At time of writing I may also have a possible short term "normal" job in the pipeline and if I wasn't going to be busy enough I shall also be stage managing a play at the beginning of December called "Dogging". Just got the script through, it's rude, cheeky and fun. Sounds like I'm summing myself up there!

Both shows will take me up to Christmas and I'm already comtemplating what to do with my life come January. Fresh new evenings and weekends to fill up with fun, creative projects. Bring it on.

Busy-licious!

2009-10-07T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm been trying to plan my social life and it's not going well. I am going to be BUSY! Especially next week when not only do I have ongoing rehearsals for a play AND a cabaret performance (both of which are opening on the same evening!) but I also start panto rehearsals on Sunday too which is another thing to factor in and to make sure I have all the imporant dates down in the schedule. Come the 18th things will have calmed down slightly and I'll only have one production on the go. Maybe by then I can use my free time to integrate myself back into the working world and pay my way like everyone else.

In the meantime I have updated and set up my Stage Jobs profile and website. It's all in the early stages but it's time to put myself out there more. Need a job, gotta work!

Headshots

2009-09-28T08:30:00.000-07:00

Oooh la la... had a photographer friend take some headshots of me. Waiting for the CD of images if me in all my photoshopped & thespian glory but in the meantime, here's a preview:

And one of me trying to pose and look interesting:

Time Out

2009-08-27T18:05:00.001-07:00

I'm currently taking some time out and have gone home to do some family stuff (as well as doing some pondering about my life and all that sails in her). I've been fitted for my bridesmaid dress, tomorrow I get to meet my "all grown up" 13-month old neice again followed by helping my Dad celebrate another milestone birthday on Saturday. Then back to London on Sunday where I will be thrust back into the thick of it. Next week is looking pretty busy already. Ooh-err!

Innersound Photoshoot

2009-08-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

A recent photoshoot I did for an alternative health company. I got vouchers for some free sessions. Cool!

Other shots from the shoot:

Words I Like

2009-08-08T18:36:00.000-07:00

Regardless of what you or anyone thinks about astrology, I saw this a couple of days ago on MSN and I liked it. So I'm going to believe, this time.

LEO - July 24th - August 23rd

Putting your heart into your work will have wonderful results. You're enormously
creative, and can develop new methods which are less expensive and more appealing. If you're looking for work, seek opportunities related to politics, architecture, or
banking. You could find just the sort of high profile job that brings out the best in you. People respond well to your warm energy and attracting new clients and customers will make you popular with the boss.

Michael

2009-06-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

So lost right now. Everything has changed. Can't believe he's gone.

Me On Radio

2009-03-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

I'm still waiting for a copy of the BBC New interview footage but in the meantime I've got hold of the interview I did on LBC yesterday. Thisis only half of the interview, for some reason it won't upload in it entireity so I'm trying to sort that out. But here is the first 6 minutes anyway:

My Michael Jackson Media

2009-03-06T05:43:00.000-08:00

I attended Michael Jackson's press conference yesterday and taped some footage. First up is the "teaser" video being played for us while waiting for MJ to arrive on stage:

The second is his "speech" announcing his summer concerts. Lots of screaming!

It's all very exciting! I hope to have footage of my BBC News interview to upload soon.

Photos From The Set

2009-03-06T05:40:00.000-08:00

In January I ended up dancing in a club scene in a South Indian/Bollywood film. Below are some shots from the day:

4/8

2008-12-07T14:12:00.000-08:00

Halfway through The Three Musketeers run and we're all glad of the break. Looking forward to resuming performances again on Wednesday but it should be a little easier having had a couple of days off (from rehearsals, not our regular day jobs unfortunately).

Tech Rehearsal

2008-11-29T17:19:00.001-08:00

..for Three Musketeers today/tomorrow (Sunday).

It's going to be a looooong day. See you on the other side. That's if I make it.

She is AMAZING!

2008-11-29T15:12:00.001-08:00

I've raved about her enough at rehearsals so it's nothing new.

Coming Up Next...

2008-11-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

Next up.... The Three Musketeers in December.

I'm as sick as a dog at the moment but no rest for the wicked. Got the night off rehearsals but that will be a rare thing from now until showtime. I'm putting all my faith in vitamin C to get me through the next few weeks. I will be ready to drop come the final show.

Dick Lothario Goes T*ts Up!

2008-10-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

The script is in and I'll be reviving my role as a saucy dancer from 2007's Class but this time i've got a few lines to say. Exciting! I've also got to somehow look good onstage. Bikram yoga classes for me for the next 2.5 weeks it seems!

The Remote Goat and Facebook pages for this show have been updated so go check them out until your wee heart's content!

After Opposites Attract

2008-10-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

Got through the show run. It all went well. We got good audiences and the cast seemed to enjoy themselves. My eye got inflammed on Thursday but have had it checked out and there's nothing seriously wrong, no infection coming back thank goodness. I wonder it the make-up I was wearing for the show was irritating it. Maybe it's still too soon to be waving a mascara wand close ot my left eye. My photophobia didn't get in the way of my performance but it did make the curtain call a bit difficult. They brought out the strong lights for that meaning I couldn't beam at the audience like I usually do. Maybe I'll be better for the next show...

The next show being a one-off show later this month: Dick Lothario Goes Tits Up! We don't have long to learn the script and rehearse but I'll enjoy the drama!

Opposites Attract

2008-09-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (and the rest of the week) I will be making a brief appearance onstage in Opposites Attract . I can't get my head around the fact that show week is finally here. I've been totally thrown with the rehearsal period being obstructed by Edinburgh/hospital/illness etc.

Hopefully I have done enough and will be able to pull off Hot Lesbian (and kiss) convincingly. Fingers crossed!

Lacking Energy To Expand

2008-09-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Back from Edinburgh
Out of hospital
Out of a job
Recovering
Jobhunting
Tired
Annoyed.

(but trying to be positive blah blah blah...)

Edinburgh

2008-08-08T04:35:00.000-07:00

I'm off up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival tomorrow for two weeks. I shall be donning my stage manager's cap and hoping to God that I don't mess everthing up.

Not quite sure how I'm going to cope with not working for two weeks. Apart from the money, I need the routine to stay sane!

Iff

2008-07-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

This week I will be performing in a new play called Iff at Network Theatre and there are still some tickets onsale. It's a small part but we have a great cast and it's always good to be involved with them/the company.

Below is the only pic of me (I think!) in action:

Look at me go!

It's A Girl!

2008-07-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

My niece, Eabha, was born at 12:12pm today and appears to be taking after me already. Not only does her mum think she looks like me but she also tried to "come out" face face like when when I was being born. A promising start so far! ;-)

Humble Boy

2008-06-13T00:42:00.000-07:00

Currently working on this show in London as a Stage Manager. New experience, learning new things. Feeling all important speaking to people through the headset, even if it's only to chose what food we're going to eat in the interval. Fun! If only I wasn't so sick.

Good News

2008-05-23T11:30:00.001-07:00

I have a job at last! Nothing special but it pays. And I have a (tiny) part in a new play calld "Iff".

Go me!

Still Alive

2008-04-30T03:55:00.001-07:00

I haven't died. I'm still here. The day after doing the marathon I was told that my job contract was ending. My last day was Monday 21st and I'm concerned/stressed/preoccupied with finding a job. I did think about updating the blog a lot earlier but couldn't bring myself to it. I just didn't have the energy to write about how things have changed. I still don't want to write too much write now but I realised that today is the last day of April so I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed.

Once I find some employment I will free up some space in my mind to write about recent events, especially completing the marathon.

Kingston Breakfast Run 2008

2008-03-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

I had only 2.5 hours sleep the night before due to a spontaneous theatre trip and the clocks going forward the night before, but I got myself up at 5am and found my way to the race start line in Kingston yesterday morning. While waiting to set off I found the Run-Walk pacer and ended up running it with a small group of people most of them, like me, were preparing themselves to run their first marathon in 2 weeks time.

We ran for 5 minutes then would rest by walking for 1 minute and pretty much repeated this around both laps of the race route. I found it extremely helpful running with people instead of by myself, especially near the end of the second lap when it was getting harder and harder to keep running. Even with the finish line in sight I still wanted to slow to a walk but the pacer ran beside me and urged me to keep running and as I approached the last 20 metres of the course and had the crowd cheer us on, the pain throughout my body magically disappeared (until I crossed the finish lin and then my legs turned to jelly). It must be the performer in me!

Today I'm feeling a little worse for wear. The pain in my right thigh is still there and my calves hurt when I try to run, but a couple of days rest (no long runs) will sort that out. I was a little worried about the pain and feeling so tired immediately after doing 16 miles, aware that in 2 weeks I'll have another 10 miles to do on top of that. However now I can continue to build on the strength that got me through this run and on the day of the marathon itself I know that I can't even begin to feel tired before I reach mile 16. There's another 10 miles in me somewhere, I just need to find it and pull it out of me on the day.

Dublin Marathon 2008

2008-03-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

I've decided to do the Dublin Marathon later this year. It'll help me keep up the running and fitness when the London Marathon is over. Maybe next year I'll do the New York marathon. 'Tis a distant dream...

The fun nevers stops! :-D

Somebody Shut Me Up

2008-03-18T09:13:00.001-07:00

Feeling a bit too hyper and talking too much about the marathon, training, nutrition, gels etc. and boring everyone around me so I'm writing here now to calm myself down. Came back from my personal training session and told some co-workers how my trainer thought I might be able to do this marathon in 4 - 4.5 hours based on the 10 miles I ran on Sunday and they agreed and made encouraging noises so I think that set me off and I could quite happily talk nonsense for the next 2 hours. So excited! However, I need to save my energy for tonight's big, hard, scary Interval training session. I've got lots to run and I've got to do it quickly, turning myself bright red in the process. So shooosh!

Saint Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

I've got less than 2 minutes to get this one out before it become March 18th.

Greeness, shamrocks, leprechauns, Guiness, greeness.... again!

Happy Final Minute of St. Patrick's Day.

Edit: Beannachtai na Feilie Phadraig - it means something in Irish!

Ra ra ra

2008-03-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

Testing bollards.... don't mind me.