Nigel Havers in Rebecca

We went to see this tonight at the theatre in Hull. Its been a long while since either of us had been to the theatre for a serious play. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the whole experience.
Just going is a theatre production in its own right, getting the children sorted with a babysitter (at least I can be sure this one won't run off with the husband - she's his cousin's daughter) not to mention getting dressed up and make up applied.
I love the feeling of anticipation as the lights dim and the curtain rises....
All in all it was a good production, although I did feel that some of the acting by the young girl was a bit wooden at times as was Nigel's. I think this was more in an attempt to portray a feeling of depth of character and a hint at darker undercurrents that are in the book but hard to translate to stage.
I'd been looking forward to seeing the play as I didn't think I'd seen the film or read the book before and I like to see plays like that. Unfortunately we hadn't got half way through the first half when not only did I realise I'd seen and read it before, I could remember the plot twists and turns.
Still, it didn't detract from a thoroughly enjoyable performance and a lovely night out as a couple. Thinking about it I think it may actually be the first time that we've been out like this without the girls. Lets hope that it is the first of many.
I'm off to bed now as I'm shattered, but a happy, satisfied shattered.
Night all :)

Writers block & clarinet torture.

oh dear, I've sat here for a good ten minutes now trying to think of something to write and nothing....but nothing is springing to mind. I tried to think about what happened yesterday but my mind was quick to draw a veil over the events of yesterday, mainly due to the children's foul behaviour.

Katherine has started learning the clarinet at school and is immensly enthusiastic about it. I'm not so sure if she's playing cause I play the same instrument or because its something she really wants to do.

She came running out of school yesterday, across the playground to where I was standing, proudly clutching a school instrument. My heart was in my mouth as I had visions of her tripping at the last minute, the case crashing to the ground and the clarinet tumbling out onto the hard playground and the end of her playing days over before they began. Fortunately (or unfortunately for my ears) it didn't happen and the instrument made it home without any mishap.

At the moment we are learning the note E.... not much you can do with one note, but they are trying. Still the first lesson also included how to put the clarinet together, clean it and take it appart again so it wasn't a complete waste!

I'm sensing the need to take out shares in a reed company given the amount of reeds I can see us going through. Hopefully the squeeks and odd noises will even out over the next few weeks and we will have more of a musical nature than the current torture value of fingernails accross the blackboard.

More tomorrow......

Whirlwind Time again

Well... so much has been happening that I've hardly had time to think never mind sitting down and writing.
I got married at the end of May, a truely wonderful day that I will remember for the rest of my life. Then before I had time to get used to being married, we moved home. We've gone from an absolute hovel to a lovely three bedroomed semi in a nice area and near to great schools. The children have their own rooms and we have enough space that we can invite people to stay or visit for tea and not be ashamed of where we live.
I've started a part time degree course in Creative Writing which I think is going to be a lot tougher than I thought it might. I went to the first session on Monday evening and I really had to use my brain, which is something that has be dormant for a while. But I enjoyed it and can't wait for the course to unfold. I feel like I'm at the begining of an amazing journey of discovery... mind you I do wonder if I can actually write as well as I'd like to think I can.
Part of the course is a log of my progress which I have to do daily, so you can be sure that you will be hearing much more from me on here.
As for today, I'm sitting with my knee up as its really sore and watching extreme makeover home edition... before the real work starts again and I go and get the girls from school.
Watch this space....