File Loading...

Ever waited for something to load? Of course you have. 

That email that you can see is there but it just wont open no matter how many times you try.  Its a grand conspiracy against humanity, the day when you really need it to load it will never happen, an attachment, a letter, an email.  Its not something no ones ever noticed before, I'm aware of that, and its not a phenomenon only related to Internet usage, the washing machine that doesn't end, the electric doors that wont let you out, the traffic light that stays on red for an eternity, makes me wonder how much time do I spend waiting.  Waiting for the answer from somewhere else, waiting for confirmation, a sign a moment where someone else will tell me that it's going to be okay. 

How much time do I spend waiting for my laptop to turn on so that I feel connected with the world? or for the video to buffer so that I can stop thinking about what's going on around me. 

How long do I want to wait for someone else to tell me that I'm doing the right thing?

The Art of Avoiding and Deflecting Personal Questions

It’s an underestimated art form you know, it may seem pretty effortless but, much effort goes into responding to those more personal questions in a way which really, reveals nothing at all.  When attempting to avoid difficult questions it’s easy to think that it is mere habit that leads the way and instinct which resists that strange and foreign feeling to say everything that is going through your head, after all, it’s probably the wine speaking it would be better for all to ignore that.

So after a little, not much I must add, contemplation a few guidelines on this issue may be useful for any willing to dabble in this art.

The first and most elementary technique is the apathetic 'I don’t know really' feigning a composed nonplussed position, one must appear slightly, but not too, tired to take part in any sort of in depth conversation with any meaning attached to it what so ever.  If a simple ‘I don’t know’ and weary shrug of the shoulders isn’t really doing the trick just tag on, 'I’ve not really thought about it' right at the end, as if any engagement with such a difficult or personal question would not be wrestled with such a person of your laid back demeanour, (note this 'I’ve not really thought about it' tag should not be used when avoiding giving personal information as the speaker will appear rather stupid, an alternative tag could be 'I don’t remember' or a variation on that)

The second technique which I have found to be effective is that of Deflecting, a little more advanced than the former it requires a subtle approach to timing, when posed with the question, one must answer a vague response, preferably one that doesn't pose further probing, not too concrete but not too vague either and then after the smallest of pauses, enough to be casual but too much which would give time for another question, the deflector must pose the question back to the questioner, this approach works well in situations where one wants to continue the conversation, not only does it avoid answering the said question but it also leaves the other participant feeling that you are taking an interest in their life, it’s a win win situation really.

The third and my most favourite approach to avoiding and deflecting questions, is the humorous or hyperbolic one.  It requires slightly more creativity but I believe it to be the most effective and positive way to save a conversation from slipping into the meaningful or significant, when asked one of those questions one can either a) make a joke- this requires a certain spontaneity and flair from the speaker (not good in situations where you are tired) alternatively there is a second approach which works in the same way but is not so reliant on circumstantial information, for those of us a little less good on our feet use of the hyperbole works in the same way.  Simply respond to the question in the most extravagant and exaggerated way.  Both options can save a delightful conversation from slipping into deep and murky unknown waters.

Maybe I could be a politician...or maybe I could learn to swim in those waters...learning how to do that may take more than a blog post
Happy Sunday.

Review of LUDS Production- Dinner

So I had some homework to do for one of my classes, but its kind of relevant to this so I thought I'd post it.  First ever performance review woohoo!

Dinner: Review

 ‘Syme prowls delightfully around her dinner table like a cat ready to pounce upon her prey, as each guest slowly realises that this dinner is not one they will easily forget.’

Ushered in by the wonderfully sinister silent waiter Dinner opens with as much flair and boldness as the revenge that is about to be served up by the evening’s hostess.  Paige, played by Katy Syme, has fashioned, ‘like Frankenstein’s monster’ a terrifying three course meal in honour of her husband’s success and no opportunity is spared to insult, backstab and humiliate in Moira Buffini’s satirical comedy.  Syme prowls delightfully around her dinner table like a cat ready to pounce upon her prey, as each guest slowly realises that this dinner is not one they will easily forget. 

This showcase of horrors, celebrates the success of pop psychology writer Lars, played by Alex Millward, an old hat of LUDS productions, he is portrayed as obnoxious and cold hearted creature, well versed in psycho-babble and equally able to dish out insults as his wife.  Millward sustains this role well and supports Syme excellently as she unfolds her revenge.  His book provides much comedy throughout the play but the psycho-babble, does get a little tiresome in places and I wondered sometimes whether the actors were even really aware of the words coming out of their mouths.  Most of the time though, Millward pulls it together and gives a strong performance as husband of the house.  Lauren Mooney plays well as relentless do-gooder and, ironically, Lars’ mistress, she is the vegetarian artist ‘sadly undiscovered as yet’.  Special mention must be made of Greg Perry who clearly revelled in his part as working class potential thug, Alex, the unexpected guest.  His role played with humour and energy, a refreshing contrast to the upper middleclass snobbery seated at the table.   

Rebbecca Cope’s directorial debut provides an entertaining evening of insults and verbal abuse delivered by her cast with gusto.  For an amateur production, I must be honest I had low expectations, but this time LUDS really gave it all they had. Tucked away in the Guild, The McAusland Lounge isn’t really much more than a large, slightly damp old room but the house-like qualities of the space altered only by black canvas screens and tall up-lighters provide a simplicity which allows for the action of the play to spill over into the audience at Paige’s demand.  The scenery, costume and sound are simple and understated and it is Cope’s cast that provides energy enough to sustain the two hour play right through to its end without requiring an interval.  The setting was utilised well, though for a play centred around facial reactions it was frustrating to have been sitting towards the back, I could barely catch site of two characters at a time, a little bit of staging perhaps would have allowed more of us to see rather than just hear what was going on.  It turned out the late comers forced to stand, ended up with the best view.  Overall extremely entertaining and worth the £4 ticket (£6 for non students) but get there early for a good seat.  

 Dinner- Moira Buffini performed by LUDS 17th-19th Nov McAusland Lounge

(you missed it, never mind)

A beginning of something or a small distraction

So I was walking into uni today, it was pretty cold and windy and most umbrellas were inside out and discarded by their owners left on the wayside like abandonded pets.   And I got to thinking...what on earth will happen once I graduate. 

...I have been skirting this question, quite artfully I'd like to think.

See there is something that you have to know about me, which perhaps you could relate to as well. I am the offspring of parents who believe that they can change the world.  And you know what, it's rubbed off on me.  Im ashamed to say that the cynicism that I was once so proud of has worn away to reveal a rather hopeful girl, who if she was honest, secretely still believes she can change the world. 

So here I am, in the third year of an Arts course at a University with a pretty big expectations and vague notions but not a clue about what to do next. Ive got alot of books, a bucket load of questions, and behind that a truck load of fear.  But this is me right now, thats okay I guess. 

Now what?  Well Ive been saying that perhaps I'll try my hand at writing, yet I realised on my walk this morning that really, I know little about writing or whether or not I like it or not, so I might use this space to try that out, A review, a song, a poem, a story, a question... and maybe on this journey I'll figure this post grad life out.

Any comments, ideas, thoughts, experiences, bring 'em to the table, I'd like that...