I Want To Be Watching: June

The month of June has sprung upon me far to fast (especially since it contains the day in which I turn 21)! So far June has seen me holidaying in Spain on the annual trip to visit my father, and enjoying both the weather, site-seeing and food that a visit to Spain entails. As such, however, I haven’t really been around to be subjected to advertisements for June film debuts, and have had to do a little more digging to discover the delights that are to grace our cinema screens this month.

Never fear, that is why the internet (and IMDB) is here!

(Aside: wouldn’t that be a fabulous advertising catchphrase for IMDB)?

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

First up, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee. This film featuring a cast dominated by beautiful women – Robin Wright-Penn, Blake Lively, Maria Bello, Monica Belluci, Winona Ryder, and Julianne Moore, with Keanu Reeves and Alan Arkin filling the male roles and rounding up the all star cast. Whilst Pippa Lee first came to my attention because of the stellar cast,  it captured my imagination – and stayed on my to-watch list - because of the films central plot. Pippa Lee (Robin Wright-Penn) appears to lead a blessed life with the fairytale successful family. That is until her older husband enforces a move from busy New York to a suburban area suitable for his retirement, where he embarks upon an affair with a woman younger than Pippa herself. What follows is the unravelling of Pippa’s fairytale – her cocoon of love and protection she has built for herself, to reveal not only her wild past, but also perhaps, the real Pippa underneath.

Drawing With Chalk

Independent film Drawing With Chalk debuts in England at the Heart of England International Film Festival this month, and I am really interested in seeing it, although a wider release may be unlikely. Drawing With Chalk appears to be the project of life-long friends Todd Giglio and Christopher Springer – who both wrote, produced, directed, acted in, and financed the film – which has been in the making for the past couple of years. Tagged as ‘A mid-life coming of age story’, the film follows two friends who together pursued the heady life in a rock band, then came back down to earth, and their hometown when their dreams turned to ashes. Their passion, despite being thwarted, remained, and now in their forties both men decide to have another go at the industry they love. But what effects will their dream-chasing have upon their families and themselves? To which do they owe allegiance, and are you ever to old to make that first big break?

My Sister’s Keeper

My Sister’s Keeper is a film adapted from Jodi Picoult’s novel of the same name, and I think one can assume, will be an equally emotional to watch as it is to read. Raising questions about family values, a child’s right to choose, and the age old debate about science playing God, My Sisters Keeper revolves around one family, and the extent which we will go to in order to protect the ones we love the most. Protagonist Anna has always been defined by her big sister Kate, not because she’s bossier or older, but because Kate is the sole reason for Anna’s existence. Kate has leukemia, and Anna was concieved specifically in order to help fight her sister’s illness. But at 13, Anna has endured a life filled with hospital visits despite being perfectly healthy, and decides to seek medical emancipation from her parents. She asks for the right to have control over her own body, and to stop the treatment that is saving her sister’s life. Starring Abigail Breslin as Anna, Sofia Vassilieva as Kate, Evan Ellingson as their brother Jesse, with Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric as their parents, and Alec Baldwin as the lawyer who fights Anna’s case, I’m sure this is going to be a pretty emotional watch.

Last Chance Harvey

If The Private Lives of Pippa Lee was filled with an all-star cast, Last Chance Harvey more than holds it own – with leads filled by Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, and a excellent  supporting cast that includes James Brolin, Dame Eileen Atkins, Richard Schiff, Liane Balaban and Kathy Baker. If Hoffman, Thompson & co weren’t enough to win you over (how could they not be), perhaps the film’s plot about two lonely people who accidentally find and then lose each other will be. I can’t imagine this will be anything other than superbly acted, poignant, funny, and a great watch.

Looking For Eric

Looking For Eric, a film by renowned director Ken Loach that stars retired football star/actor Eric Cantona, is a film I am desperate to see. The protagonist is not Cantona, but another Eric – I’m thinking a title with a double meaning – a postman for whom life could be better. Lonely, with a dysfunctional family history, and a chaotic family home, Eric is on a downward spiral from which he cannot visualise an escape. Well, that is until a certain famous philosophising footballer appears to him! Whilst I can see this film will be filled with some more poignant moments, I’m also sure there will be some fantastic highlights and comedy.

Other films I’m keeping an eye on this month include: A Boy Called Dad, The Disappeared, Spread, Winged Creatures, Sunshine Cleaning, Doghouse and Fish Tank.

Phew. That’s rather a long list of films! I promise you that I am not a cinema junkie -  Just someone who rather likes the darkness of the cinema auditorium, and the initial thrill of an unwatched film. Hmm, that makes me sound rather sinister. Perhaps I’d better say instead that British weather can sometimes prohibit outdoor activities, and rather than remain inside a trip to the local cinema can be just what the doctor ordered (and not too heavy on the purse strings either).

So, what films are you hoping to catch this month? Any that you can recommend to me (the cinema junkie who’s still in denial)?

Love, as always,

Katy xoxo

Weekly Round Up Pt 2!

Hola!

As promised in yesterdays post here is the second part of this weeks ´Weekly Round Up´. Below are all the arts related items from around the web that have caught my eye – or in some cases my fancy – this week.

• Peter Pan At Kensington Gardens is now firmly on my summer viewing list. Not only do I adore the story of the boy who never grow up and it´s previous incarnations on film and stage – think Hook and pantomime – but I am really looking forward to seeing what this 360 degree screen looks like. Particularly how it impacts upon the performance space, and the performers themselves. Definitely very excited!
• BBC Newsnight talks to Guillermo del Toro, the director of the new Hobbit films – which I gather from the interview are currently, and finally, underway – about The Hobbit, his newly released horror book, and Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde. If you´re a fan of the films, then you might want to hear about how The Hobbit may be slightly darker than anticipated!
• It´s currently the Poetry season at the BBC, and there´s a wide range of fascinating works and discussions over on their website. My favourites so far include the celebrities favourite poets and poems, the chance to vote for the nations favourite poet, a selection of poets offering advice on their art, and actor Damien Lewis reading High Wood. Phew, that´s rather a lot of favourites! Definitely worth a peek even for someone like me who doesn´t necessarily find poetry the easiest thing in the world to get to grips with.
• The Guardian asks, Are the Arts Doomed? Bringing in debate from theatre directors Nicholas Hytner and Michael Grandage, both they and the posts author, Stuart Jeffries, question whether the arts are on a slippery slope towards the trash heap, or whether the creative industry shall be able to keep its head, and integrity, above water.
• Also on a slightly less positive note, but nonetheless an important issue, The British Theatre Guide Blog discusses the possible effects of the recession on the arts community. Perhaps not happy reading, but interesting nonetheless. And they do say forewarned is forearmed!
• The Stage writes about the launch of An A-Z of British Comedy by Independent Production company Pozzitive. The website mentioned, and it´s extensive, and brilliant comedy information, can be found here.
• I´ve just discovered (and added to my bookmarks) a wonderful section of the BBC called BBC World Service Arts, again filled with lots of wonderful interviews and information. My current favourite, however, has to be the World Book Club author interviews, the latest of which can be found here.
• And finally, below is a video that caught both my attention and imagination. Entitled The Longest Way 1.0, it details one mans journey – and the length of his beard- as he spends a year travelling, entirely on foot, from China to Germany. Do I think he´s mad? Yes, completely, but that´s why the idea, and the video is so wonderful. Details of the video and the journey itself can be found on the wesbite The Longest Way.

 

And on that inspirational note, I hope you´ve had a wonderful week, and till next time!

Love, Katy xoxo

Weekly Round-Up!

This Friday sees me on holiday in sunny Spain! The week has been lovely and restful, filled with sunshine, books, and delicious food. There are only two downsides that I can think of – firstly that I have no camera with which to bring home evidence of my trip, and secondly that I forgot to bring my notepad – which means I´ve been forced to relax! Well, perhaps the latter isn´t such a downside at all!

As it´s the first weekly round up in a while, and was destined to be rather a long because of that, I´ve split this weekly round up into two halves so you don´t get entirely bored of the links and info! More tomorrow!

• Sir Ian McKellen re-iterates a common complaint, and asks playwrights to take an active role in reducing the lack of interesting female characters for older actresses. How? He asks that they write more plays with older female leads, and argues that we´ve already been shown that an audience both exists and demands such productions.
• Hollyoaks Desperately Seeking, is a new project offering any female between the ages of 18-30 their chance to play a new student character on the programme. All you´ll have to do right now is sign up on their website, and wait for more updates!
• As I´m currently on holiday, the below advert for a seaside holiday location took my fancy. Although I must say I was rather suprised when I found out the area being advertised! Slightly disconcerting non?

• Now this news is something I´m very excited about and I´m guessing others will be too. David Tennant, who had to miss most of his run in Hamlet earlier this year due to back problems, is to perform his take on the Young Danish prince for a televised version of his production to be shown on the BBC. It will be three hours long mind!
• Has Theatre Failed America? Is the question covered in this Guardian article, and one that many are now apparently asking themselves. The article brings in the two opposing arguments, the idea of an existing conflict between the artists and the theatre system that houses them, and the financial dependence that constrains both sides. A really interesting debate, and one that I am sure is not only confined to America.
• The Steppenwolf Theatre Company Blog is, in my opinion, definitely worth a read. Not only does the theatre company itself look to be a fascinating collection of artists, works and ideas, but the blog itself is a collection of writings, focus points, performance notes and  truly absorbing discussions. Definitely worth a look!
• In Dear Obama, a collection of authors are invited by The Strand to write open letters to the (relatively) new American president. Listen to their hopes, fears, expectations, considerations and poetry, somehow made all the more captivating and heartfelt because they´re spoken, rather than written, letters.

And on that note my friends, I guess it is till tomorrow, be sure not to forget me!

Love, Katy xoxo

What´s Wrong With Musicals?

I have a question that has been bugging me for a number of years – perhaps ever since I formally started taking drama/theatre studies as an academic subject (so further than I like to cast my mind back)!

 So, I ask, What´s Really Wrong With  Musicals? 

I don´t ask because I´m suddenly going to list off a million reasons why the musical is the theatrical spawn of Satan and should be shoved onto the artistic shag heap. I ask because throughout the all too many years, I have experienced a type of artistic snobbery – indeed mostly from within the arts environment itself – to the type of all singing, all dancing extravaganza that someone like Andrew Lloyd Webber is going to produce. Time and time again I have heard the word musical utter with a type of contempt or condescension, and I confess, it has me completely confuzzled.

I am not a musical frequenter. This is not, however, because I despise their existence. Instead it´s mainly for the same reason I´m not a visitor of other West End Theatre (the venue nearest me that holds the most musical attractions) – it´s simply too expensive, and I´d prefer to visit fringe theatre. At fringe theatre, I can see plays that are not usually performed on the West End circuit, and I get to sit in a far more intimate space to see the actors performing up close. From a personal perspective, fringe theatre appears (at least to me) to be more about the play, whereas a trip to the West end appears to be more about the entire experience – the journey, the meal, the expansive audience, and of course the show itself.

Yet, even believing this to perhaps be true, it does not mean that I dislike West End theatres, or the musical theatre productions they usually present. Or even worse, it doesn´t mean that I disapprove of the existence of musical theatre itself. In fact, I can think of several reasons that I´m glad for the musical genre:

• Musical theatres showcase a group of talented artists – how many of us can sing and dance that well, for such a sustained period of time? Musical theatre is not a show for actors who happen to have a passable voice, the performers are usually extensively trained dancers, singers and actors, who have spent years being trained in order to effectively perform the roles we see them in.
• Furthermore, the popularity of the musical means that it sustains a large part of the arts world. Musicals draw in the audiences, and as such, many performers who would otherwise be unemployed are now in work. Mass unemployment of creative types is not something I advocate, even if they were participating in a theatrical form that I didn’t particularly enjoy.
• One of the criticisms that I hear frequently leveled against musical theatre is in relation to their unreality. And yes, I agree, a majority of musical theatre productions rely upon, and represent an unrealistic portrayal of society. They are, if you want, the theatrical equivalent to the cinematic romantic comedy. It just so happens that Mary Poppins won’t fly into our homes at the end of the stage play, just as we don´t really expect Dirty Dancing scenes to replicate themselves when our parents take us to summer camp. So yes, musical theatre is escapism in its most apparent, and – considering the West End prices – expensive form. But in the current, supposedly bleak times, what exactly is wrong with a bit of harmless escapism? When did enjoyment of the theatre become such a reprehensible act?

I will be the first to admit that these aren´t perhaps the most persuasive arguments against the critics of musical theatre, but that´s mostly because I don´t really understand the problem!

It is true that the success of the musical as an audience attracter has meant that the theatre market has been saturated with multiple musicals offering the same type of escapism and enjoyment, and even, perhaps, similar storylines. And even I can, and do, find this slightly irritating. Surely then, however, this artistic snobbery should either be aimed at the audiences – perhaps not the best thing when these are the people bringing in the wages –  or at the theatre managements, who perhaps have little say in the matter when they consider the financial implications of going against audience´s desires.

So,  no. I simply cannot understand what is so horrific about the humble musical. In fact, I find it far more annoying when celebrities guest in theatre productions when they cannot sing, dance, or act, and are simply present as a crowd pleaser. Finding it annoying, however, doesn´t mean I´m not susceptible - at the moment, for all my sins, I´m fighting a rather strange urge to go and see Jerry Springer in Chicago!

Love, Katy xoxo

p.s. apologies for the lack of appropriate post related images recently, lack of access to my own computer has meant I´ve been unable to d/l and link to images in the normal way, please forgive me!

Apologies…

Apologies for my disappearance from the web without a whisper, I know how frustrating it is when somebody stops blogging without an explanation. This week has been a difficult one in terms of both manual work (moving house) and emotional way (a funeral), amongst a million other things.
I hope to rectify the situation as soon as possible, as I have loads I want to discuss, so it’s just a matter of putting the words to paper, and then finding an internet access to upload it all!

I hope everyone’s had an absolutely fabulous week, and that if you’re in England you’re enjoying the (rather suprising) good weather! I am off to Spain tomorrow to see my father, and shall hopefully be able to steal some of his internet connection (what are daughters for?), in order to update.

So check back for ramblings on social censorship and the arts, the art of protest, the best things in life are free pt 2, and lots of other weird and wonderful things.

Love, Katy xoxo

The Arts and Those Who Don’t Like Us…

If your eyes are currently scanning this page, then the chances are that you are interested in the arts in some way, shape or form. Either you’re a working artist (actor, author, designer – the list is astoundingly, and brilliantly, endless), an arts student, or the master of a curiously creative nature. Of course, it’s entirely possible that you are all three – you lucky so and so! Actually, I suppose you could also be my mother, in which case – out of familial obligation – I ought to say that you, darling mother, are in possession of all three of the above options and more!

Right, now I’ve ensured that I’m still included in the family will, onwards with the blog post!

For those who are unaware (I promise to put up an about me page soon), I am currently a second year drama student. Roughly calculating, I’ve been involved in affairs of a dramatic nature for around 13 years (now that’s a calculation designed to make me feel old). It just so happens that during these 13 years – and I feel that I’m not alone in this – I appear to have come up against some bizarre type of arts-centred phobia. Phrased slightly differently, I have encountered rather a lot of people who seem view the arts/creative world as having some form of stigma attached to it.

For example: I can walk into a room full of complete strangers and engage a rather pleasant looking individual in conversation. All is going swimmingly well until this faceless person turns to me and says:

Faceless Wonder: So what is it exactly that you do?

Me: I’m currently studying drama at University.

Faceless Wonder: Oh. Oh, well that must be fun for you. It’s nice and easy no?

And bingo, there we have it. I utter the word drama, and the faceless individual passes immediate judgement upon the degree I take and furthermore, the type of person I am. Of course, they don’t have to utter that particular phrase – I have encountered all manner of dismissive, cursory lines from, ‘Isn’t that nice for you’, ‘Oh that must be a nice break from the real world’ to ‘Oh. How sweet. And what exactly are you going to do with that then? It’s not exactly going to be of much use now is it?’ And the degree/interest/job mentioned doesn’t have to be specifically in relation to drama either, I have seen the above commentary be provoked by music/English/history/dance…pretty much anything related to the arts subjects/areas of interest.

So I guess my question to you today is, why is this? Why is a qualification in a creative subject seen by some as an easy option, and something that requires less commitment than other areas of study might? Why do some people view a job in the creative industries as something more fun, but less taxing, and less requiring of intelligence? If my experiences of either tell me anything it’s that neither statement could be further from the truth. My drama degree has provided me with knowledge in relation to gender studies, politics, history, philosophy, psychology, linguistics, sociology and technology (I’m sure there are more)…oh and drama of course. And people working within the creative/arts sector – often they’re the most intelligent, spontaneous, creative, hardworking people you could hope to meet. So where does this attitude come from?

I’m not saying that all arts degrees are brain-busting, and that everybody who works in the arts sector is a hardworking, suffering artist. That’s just not true. What I am asking, however, is where does this arts-phobia or stigma come from? Why is it here? And what can we do to make it go away?

Maybe one day I’ll discover the reasons, and write an updated post, but for now answers on a postcard please.

Love, Katy xoxo

The Best Things In Life Are Free: The Podiobook Edition

So if you read yesterdays post, you’ll know that today is the very first post of a new blog series, ‘The Best Things In Life Are Free’ – all engineered, (as if you hadn’t already guessed), around the phrase and subsequent concept that ‘The Best Things In Life Are Free’. Over the coming weeks, I intend to bring you the most interesting and inspirational selection of ‘free things’ that can I can gather from the four corners of the globe/the indefinable perimeters of the internet.

There has, however, been a – quite frankly, unexpected – problem. Today’s post was meant to be all about the wonders of the free podcasts, bringing together multiple genres – my very favourite podcasted novels/podcasts made by personalities/podcasts that dish out wonderful advice etc. I have, however, encountered a quite frankly insurmountable problem. There are just too many fabulous free podcasts to list in one post. Yep, you read that correctly. Too many people are giving away quality listening time for absolutely nothing. As such, I’m going to have to stagger the load, and make at least two individual posts. Keep your eyes peeled for the second part!

So today, here’s a post to the fabulous, free podcasted novel – what I would, perhaps commercially incorrectly – normally call a free audiobook, but has apparently actually been termed a podiobook! And now, without further ado, here are my top five podiobooks, provided by wonderful people so that you and I can listen to them absolutely free! 

Click Above For Image Source: The Classic Tales Website

 The Classic Tales

 

The Classic Tales Podcast, it has to be said, does exactly what the title suggests. Each week, actor B.J. Harrison narrates a classic tale for our listening pleasure. What the title doesn’t reveal, however, is how truly fabulous both the narration, and the chosen works are. Harrison is a truly skilled voice master – each week he brings to life such a diverse range of stories and fills them with life, whether the chosen work is a children’s story, an ultra creepy horror or a comedy. Yes, each story is a classic, but the selection ranges not only in genre but also in fame – everyone has encountered of Alice In Wonderland, but have you ever come across The Man Who Corrupted Hadleyburg? You may have read or seen Jeeves and Wooster, but have you ever come across The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster? The Classic Tales podcast is a great collaboration between fabulously entertaining classic stories, and an actor who brings an indisputable quality and passion to the works he narrates.

 

Click Above For Image Source: The Agatha Christie Mysteries

Agatha Christie Radio Mysteries Podcast

 

I have been known to enjoy many a mystery story filled with a whiff of crime and a dash of danger. Agatha Christie has been hailed as the mistress of crime and mystery, and her most famous protagonist, Hercule Poirot, frequently finds himself in just a spot of dangerous bother. Sounds like a marriage made in heaven doesn’t it? It truly is, and as Ms Christie was such a productive author- she wrote 51 short stories and 33 novels featuring her moustached detective – that there certainly plenty of crimes to try and solve!  Sherlock Holmes (see below) will always remain my favourite detective, but Poirot and these podcasts will always on my listening list!

The Heaven Series

It just so happens that Ms Mur Lafferty has rather a lot to answer for. For it is possible to trace my podcasted novel mania back to one of the very first podiobooks I discovered – Ms Lafferty’s Heaven series. The series comprises of four novels so far – Heaven, Hell, Earth and Wasteland. The website for the series describes them thus:

‘Heaven is a contemporary fantasy audio series (also called Bangsian fantasy) about two friends who wander the afterlife together after their untimely deaths. Kate and Daniel find the Christian Heaven a bit too perfect for their liking and receive metaphysical passports to travel to the afterlives of different mythologies, different religions – even different species. As their travels continue, they discover there may a grander plan to their travels than they previously suspected’  Source: here.

Ms Lafferty’s work is filled with wit, humour and an occasional dash of sadness. Her evocative writing allows the listener to visualise the different worlds they travel through with her characters, and her imagination in creating these stories astounds me.  These podcasts open not only opened up a whole new way for me to discover a novel, but also got me thinking about some pretty interesting concepts of Heaven and Hell. For the record, I really hope that Dog heaven (or cat hell) really exists. And if you want to know what I’m talking about, I’m guessing you’re going to have to tune in!

Click Above For Image Source: Sherlock Holmes Adventures

 The Sherlock Holmes Adventures

As anyone who knows me will testify, I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. From the books, to the very earliest films with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, to the serialisation featuring Jeremy Brett and David Burke/Edward Hardwicke – I will eagerly absorb, and love them all. In fact, scrap that, for it may indeed be the understatement of the century. When I snuggle down to either read or watch a Sherlock Holmes story, well, it’s suffice to say that I act like a child who has just realised today’s Christmas Day! This podcast directory of Holmes stories is given voice by multiple actors, from multiple eras, but it has to be said my favourite episodes are the original radio broadcasts featuring Rathbone and Bruce in the roles, (the earliest episode is from 1939)!

 

Click Above Image For Source: How To Disappear Completely

The Terrible Business of Salmon and Dusk: How To Disappear Completely

I’m not sure that I possess a diverse enough vocabulary to truly express how amazing I think this podcasted novel – by Myke Bartlett – is. If Mur Lafferty’s Heaven series introduced me to the wonders of the podiobook, then it was Mister Bartlett’s The Terrible Business of Salmon And Dusk: How To Disappear Completely that kept me there. For fear I will muddle the story with my own inadequate summary, instead here is the websites account of the novel:

‘How to Disappear Completely concerns Theo Braithwaite, a young Australian woman who has moved to London in the hope that a great destiny will find her there. Instead she is found by time-travelling thief Kilbey Salmon who, along with his rockabilly-obsessed partner Nero Dusk, is attempting to eke out a living stealing things that have already been stolen and finding people who don’t want to be found.

When Theo meets them, they are tracking down a rather special stolen book –
A map providing the owner with access to the entirety of human history. Not surprisingly, there are plenty wanting to get their hands on it.Things get even trickier when you add to this a girlfriend looking for her dead boyfriend’s soul, black market butchers trading in human body parts, carnivorous shadows and a South London estate haunted by the ghosts of the living.

Kilbey and Nero’s capers will drag Theo through the forgotten parts and people of London. Along the way she’ll meet the Eternal Footmen, blow up Hammersmith Bridge, reach the end of history and, quite possibly, disappear completely.’ (Source: here)

How To Disappear Completely enthralls me each time I listen – and I have listened to this novel multiple times believe me. The story, and Mr Bartlett’s writing draws you along a fast paced, breath-taking, and quite honestly imaginatively astounding journey, and manages to sustain your interest and attention right the way through to it’sconclusion – which, considering this podcasted novel consists of 30 chapters is quite saying something. Mister Bartlett interweaves his fictional account with the backdrop of seedy London so skillfully that if you’re ever in town, you will be looking for Theo, Nero and Kilbey. If you’re anything like me, you won’t want it to end, and might sulk slightly like a petualant teenager when it does!

So there you have it, my top five podcasted novels/serialisations, and also the first of (hopefully) many fabulous free things I am yet to discover! I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I have, and if you have any you’re a fan of and would like to share – let me know!

Also, if you’re interested in discovering more podcasted novels or serialisations for free, why not check out here, or here.

I hope you’re having a lovely week so far! Happy Tuesday!
Love, Katy xoxo

The Best Things In Life Are Free

It is a truth universally acknowledged* that someone – a long time ago, and possibly in a galaxy far, far away – once conceived the phrase ‘‘The Best Things In Life Are Free’. Something that is slightly less acknowledged, however, is that whomever did create this little pearl of wisdom, well, they were most probably chased out of the village from whence they came by the other village-folk, who quite understandably thought they had a madman in their midst. After all, who in their right mind would give away the best things in life without charge when they can make a huge profit instead?

 

Click Above For Image Source: Amadika

Or perhaps I’m being overly cynical. Perhaps the society in which we live has taken my innocence and clouded my judgement. I kid, I kid. For I do indeed believe that the very best things in life – love, friendship, sunshine and sparkles – are free, or at least that one can’t pay for these things with any monetary currency. And it is true that the things which bring laughter and love to your life are (really and truly), very rarely material, and, therefore, are seldom of any monetary value.

Yet it would be nice, wouldn’t it, if sometimes, just sometimes, people did give away the very best things in life for free. And that we – you and I – were able to use them once, re-visit and re-use them when desired, enjoy them, share them, love and cherish them, and just generally wallow in the fabulousness of these free gifts. Bestowed upon us by amazing individuals who are focussed upon sharing the love, creativity and inspiration all for a greater social good. 

So with this in mind, I plan to dedicate a running section of this blog to the very best free things in life. To documenting the fabulous bloggers who share their wisdom, creativity and imagination with us all, just for the sake of inspiring others; to listing the environments and locations that exist to spread happiness free of charge; to recording the institutions that exist free of charge to make the world just a little bit of a better place…(and many many more)

So tune in tomorrow for the very first article, documenting the fabulous free audio that can be discovered and enjoyed through embracing the world of the podcast. Join me as I attempt to prove that whomever that poor, exhausted, homeless villager may have been – as they sleep under the stars, village-less and presumed mad – they at least have the consolation of creating one of the most over-used but true phrases in modern circulation.  

Love, Katy xoxo

*It is a truth universally acknowledged that this line might just be stolen from one of my favourite novels ever! Bonus points if you a) know which one it is, b) if it’s one of your favourites too!

Weekly Round-Up

Click Above For Image Source: Timothy Neeson

So, another week is coming to a close. (On a side note, where does time go)?  The week has heralded the end of my second year of University! The last two weeks have been filled with blood, sweat and tears, while our entire second year cohort scrambled to finish both performances and essays. As the deadline of 4 o’clock Thursday passed, I’m sure I heard the Arts building give a collective sigh of relief, and then there was the sound of stampeding feet in the general direction of the pub. (Well, we are Arts students) 

With that in mind, I haven’t managed to collect the most wide-ranging weekly round-up as could be possible, but I’ve enjoyed reading (and watching) all of these nonetheless: 

• In this video, David Tennant, brilliant actor and current resident of the Doctor Who role, talks to the BBC about moving on from the Doctor, his scariest monsters, and exactly who his favourite kissing co-star is. 
• Continuing with the Doctor Who theme, Mister Matt Smith, who takes over from David Tennant as the Doctor later this year, is interviewed at Cannes about a new short film he stars in, Together. From a personal perspective, although I have absolutely adored David Tennant as the Doctor, I am very excited to see Mister Smith’s take on the role. See that interview take place on video here. 
  • As you may have guessed from Matt Smith’s interview, the Cannes Film Festival is currently underway, running the 13th to the 24th of May. Comprehensive coverage (for the dedicated film stalker), can be found here and here.
• This, well it’s the definition of cool. And I am insanely jealous of the artist’s imagination and talent.
• As those within Europe will know, tonight is the annual cheesy pop celebration that is otherwise known as Eurovision. Below is my favourite ever entry, from the Ukraine, that came second in 2007. And for those of you who have never experienced the wonder that is Eurovision, well, I feel this entry perhaps sums in up best. Oh, if you really have never seen Eurovision before, you’re in for a little bit of a shock. 

Yes…*coughs* well, moving on…

• Not only was one of my favourite British comedies nearly rejected, but it’s iconic creator, and Monty Python star, John Cleese, apparently isn’t a fan of modern British funnies. 
• If you’re a fan of poetry, then you have to check this out. Here in England, a new Poet Laureate has been appointed, Carol Ann Duffy, the first woman appointed to the role. In this article, other poets advise her on how to handle her new position, all through the power of the verse. Some are long, some short, some funny, some more serious. All are brilliant pieces of work, and that’s coming from someone who can struggle with poetry! 
• How To Fight Artist’s Block is an article written a little while ago now, but as my Grandfather would say ‘An olden but a gooden’, and Nubby presents pretty much timeless advice with her 7 ways to get the creative juices flowing again. 

And on that inspiring note, I’m out! I hope you’ve all had a fabulous week, (or at least one that hasn’t been weighed down by essays), and that you have a weekend filled with inspiring, giggle filled antics! (And maybe, just maybe, a Eurovision soundtrack)? 

Love, Katy xoxo

101 Things To Do Before You Diet

With 40% of British women permanently on a diet, with magazines claiming ‘This weeks diet will work’, even if last weeks didn’t, and with waistlines ever-expanding, Mimi Spencer’s no-diet book cannot have come too soon. Written in a relaxed and friendly, but advisory style – more like a knowledgeable friend discussing matters over a cup of coffee than a lecturing nutritionist – Ms Spencer’s book not only attempts to teach us the tricks of the beauty and fashion trade, but also attempts to overhaul our relationship with food. And all in 101 steps – phew!

In eleven short chapters, from Body Brilliance Starts In Your Head, through to How To Dress Thin And Cheat The World, including Make A Date With Your Metabolic Rate: Where Exercise Fits In, and concluding with Love Thyself: Big Yourself Up To Slim Yourself Down, Mimi Spencer’s book guides the reader through tips for self acceptance, how to dress for your shape, the best ways to avoid dieting but still look fabulous, and how to enjoy delicious food without the usual after-shot of guilt. Because everyone needs a helping hand sometimes right?

Whilst some of the steps are really just common sense – Drink Less Alcohol, Drink More Water and Give Up Your Car for example, for me it was such a relief to have someone ‘officially’ explain not only what to do, but the reasons why it helps give those wobbly bits their marching orders. Not only that, there are plenty of tips here that I just would never have thought of – Figure Out That Friends Can Be Fat Magnets, Keep Your Hormones Happy, and Never Buy Clothes For The Woman You’d Like To Be, Buy Them For The Woman You Are. Whilst Ms Spencer admits that not every tip will be to everybody’s taste, or workable in every individual life, as there are 101 pieces of advice, there is plenty to choose from!

This book isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, and it is aimed predominantly at women. Despite this, however, many of the tips are just as applicable to men, and introducing some of the ideas into the household would be a great way to get the family feeling fitter, healthier and happier. Perhaps what I rank as Mimi Spencer’s biggest achievement, however, is she’s managed, in less than a week, to stop me obsessing about my weight and wobbly bits, she has given me some great fashion advice, and she’s convinced me that maybe, just maybe I’m fabulous just the way I am. Yes, losing that half a stone would be a lovely thing, but is it really going to change who I am?

I’m not suggesting that this book will eradicate my body weight issues now and forever, and I do think that it’s a dreadful shame that we live in a world where such books are needed. As this world shows no sign of immediate change, however, I think that Ms Mimi Spencer’s book at least attempts to realign some pretty lopsided fashion and beauty rules. Oh, and she gave me a big dollop of healthy eating ideas, self-confidence, giggles and self-belief in the process. And I happen to think achieving that, in one book, is not bad going at all, non?

Love, 

Katy xoxo