Front Row

Posted on 9/10/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

In a couple of weeks we’ll be attending an all male production of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus at the Mercury Theatre here in town. Last night we attended Front Row where members of the company talked about various elements of the play and the current state of the production. Tina Packer (Artistic Director of Shakespeare & Company) is the director of this production and gave us some very interesting insight into the context of the play. Bravely the cast members present performed a scene with different directorial instructions. Wow! Now I’m all pumped up and ready to see the play.

Current temperature: here 12C/54F, there 48F/9C

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Colchester Quaker Meeting

Posted on 8/10/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

One of the pleasant surprises of coming to Colchester is the fact that there is a Quaker meeting in town. Quakers, not being of an evangelical bent, are not profligate in number. Last time we were on sabbatical, in Birmingham, I was in fact spoilt for choice with a number of meeting houses within walking distance of where we lived. Back then I attended the Selly Oak meeting.

Yesterday, I attended the Colchester meeting for the first time. The meeting house is a 20-25 minute walk from where we live, just on the other side of the town centre. The building was constructed for John Constable’s lawyer in 1803 and converted by the Religious Society of Friends to be their meeting house in 1974. (It has facilities for resident wardens and they clearly make a concerted effort to keep the building open.) There seemed to be plenty of attenders present, though I was told the turn out was on the small side so it seems this is a rather large meeting. There is also a children’s meeting with kids from age 4-5 up to adolescents, which augers well for the health of the meeting.

Compared to other meetings I’ve been present at this group were very chatty and there was much testimony on a variety of topics. The meting was very welcoming and there certain seems to be a lot of activity to get involved with.

Quakers have been active in Colchester for more than three centuries though it is not known when there was an organised Quaker presence in town. An early Quaker, James Parnell is commemorated by a plaque in the Castle. In 1655 he came to Colchester and preached the message inspired by the originator of Quakerism, George Fox, that being the experience of Christ was free to all without the need for mediation of clergy or ritual. At the time this was quite heretical. For his trouble he was imprisoned in the Castle aged just 19 where he died of starvation and neglect.

Current temperature: here 14C/57F, there 46F/8C

Posted in Sabbatical | 1 Comment

Run, Fatboy, Run

Posted on 4/10/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

Mostly harmless. So we didn’t actually ‘see’ the first 10 minutes as the image wasn’t projected though we did hear it which was a might strange. The plot was entirely predictable but I did laugh out loud multiple times and I did not fall asleep, so it clearly had something going for it. Simon Pegg as Thandie Newton’s fiancee was a big stretch but I did enjoy his character’s relationship with his son.

Current temperature: here 15C/59F, there 52C/11F

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Recycle or die …

Posted on 4/10/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

… or at least angst a bit.

Colchester seems to have a pretty active recycling program. Unfortunately we’re not a part of it. Currently they can’t do curbside pick up from buildings that are more than two floors. Don’t ask me why, I don’t understand it myself. After years upon years of recycling a significant amount of waste we are now forced to put recyclables in the dustbin. Every time I bin the something that could be recycled it makes me cringe.

There is a bright spot. Essex County Council does support a number of recycling centres where you can drop of particular materials. Luckily for us there’s one of these about a five minute walk from our flat. We can deposit cans. bottles, magazines, paper and cloth. Sadly, plastic still ends up in the bin.

Current temperature: here 15C/59F, there: 52F/11C

Posted in Sabbatical, What the heck? | 3 Comments

A second pot …

Posted on 3/10/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

… is in the making. Yesterday we began work on a coil pot. Insert hysterical giggling at the thought of my effort! Yeah, it’s not going well in terms of making a good looking pot but I’m having a great time and I got to get my hands dirty. We made slurry and I loved that. So far I’ve kept pretty clean but I don’t expect that to last. We’re an odd mixture of people in the class. We have a couple of ladies who chat constantly. I knew more about their personally lives in the first five minutes than they will know about me after the five weeks are up. Huge amounts of TMI. There is another class member who talks even less than I do so I’m not the quietest. We do have one gentleman and he seems to be holding his own under the onslaught. At least four people are awol and who knows if they’re going to show up. Which is so silly ‘cos they’ve paid for the course. I tried to sign up for the next part of the sequence but that’s full already though I am first on the waiting list. Keep your fingers crossed.

Current temperature: here 15C/59C, there 66F/19C

Posted in Art, Sabbatical | 1 Comment

Atonement

Posted on 3/10/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

Sobworthy. Definitely a multiple hankie movie this one. I spent about the last third or so trying not to completely lose it and ball my eyes out. Thought I better read the book it’s based on and signed up for the reserve list at the library. They have lots of copies all over the Essex system. The only problem is everyone else in the universe wants to read it too. When I first added my request I was 52nd in line. Last time I checked I was 48th. We will probably leave town before I get my hands on it.

Back to the movie. Ever since I saw James McAvoy in Children of Dune I knew we were going to see more of him and these days he’s everywhere. He was very good here, completely believable. Kira was, well Kira-like. I’m undecided on her talent as an actress but she certainly looked right for the part. One of the things I struggled with with this movie was my own expectations and the fact that they didn’t jive with what I was seeing. The advertising had led me to expect one thing and I didn’t really get what I expected. I’d like to watch it again so I can enjoy the wallow in all that emotion.

Current temperature: here 16C/61F, there 63F/17C

Posted in Film, Sabbatical | 1 Comment

Threw my first pot yesterday

Posted on 26/9/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

Well, I didn’t exactly throw a pot but I did actually fashion my very first piece of pottery at the grand old age of 44! Our teacher began by introducing us to a pinch pot. We started by rolling up a ball of clay and sticking a thumb in it to make the bowl, manipulating the clay until it was the same width all the way around. We got to have a couple of practice shots before we made a piece that will actually be fired. Even though we were making a very simple pot you quickly became aware of all those little details that need attention to make something beautiful rather than adequate. Clearly, practice, practice, practice, is the order of the day. I suspect I will end up with a piece that only a mother could love!

The one rather odd aspect of this pinch potting was I realised that I made it left handedly, which, for a generally right handed person, is definitely strange. (There are a number of things I do naturally left handed but nothing so major.)

Current temperature: here 9c/48F, there 43F/6C

Posted in Art, Sabbatical | 1 Comment

The art monkey is out!

Posted on 21/9/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

So I’ve acquired a few art supplies including watercolours and some medieval iron gall ink so I’m having fun playing with a few ideas. I have a little postcard project in mind if it all comes together appropriately. I’ve signed up for a couple of adult education classes, one of which is a short pottery taster, to see if I should give this a try when I return to the lonesome plain. Mainly, though, the classes are a means to meet a few people. The boys have a ready made pool of ‘friends’ but given the nature of my life this isn’t true for me. We’ll see how it goes, at least I should learn something interesting along the way.

Curent temperature: here 17C/63F, there 73F/23C

Posted in Art, Sabbatical | 1 Comment

3.10 from Yuma

Posted on 21/9/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

Gripping. I love modern reinterpretations of the traditional fifties western and while, in some ways, this is a rather more traditional script than most, it is quite thrilling watching two modern actors bring a rich emotional underpinning to these very male characters. Bale has the harder job with the weaker family man struggling to retain his self respect but he does hold his own with Crowe’s mesmerising very bad man. The relationship between the two gains great depth as we head to the emotionally satisfying but untenable end.

Current temperature: here:18C/64F, there: 73F/23C

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A little wander over yonder

Posted on 9/9/2007 by WeatherGrrrl

So I had a little amble up the East Hill looking for a doctor’s surgery on Friday. Took a few pictures along the way and will include some here. (You can check out my flickr account for more.) I found three different practices and just chose one at random to register with. There’s some paperwork to fill out first but nothing too taxing, mostly it’s so they can find our records.

East Hill (P1010945)

East Gate Sign (P1010952)

I loved the mixture of ages and colours of the buildings as I headed up the hill.

This plaque brought a smile to my face. So we’re commemorating the fact that a gate fell down and the debris was removed at a later date?

At the top of the hill I found the local cathedral, art gallery and the main public park with a castle and a number of museums and ruins. Much to see on future days out ambling around town.

Restaurant Window 3 (P1010962)

I took a number of photos in this window. To quote my notes on flickr:

There were so many elements that I loved with these images. The definition of the numbers was what initially drew me to this window The combination of curves and straights are incredibly pleasing. Then there’s the framing of the view through the window and into the restaurant. The tables, set and ready for the next meal hold a certain anticipation. Next there’s the reflection of the outside world. Of the passage of time as people and vehicles pass by. There’s the confusion of seeing the buildings across the street and their signage recorded backwards obscuring its meaning. Finally there’s me and my camera capturing the scene.

While in town did a little shopping, acquiring an alarm clock and a German dictionary for the young’un before heading home taking a number of photos of the pavement along the way which proved rather fascinating. I’m just including a couple of samples here. The egg was such a surprise to see on the ground still in fairly good shape.

Egg Shell (P1020002)

Woodrow closeup (P1010979)

Cigarette butts are still everywhere over here. The ban on smoking in public places only just went into effect in England (the last place in the UK to implement such legislation) so it’ll be a while before things clean up. I look forward to it after having lived in MN with such laws for so long it’s only when you return to a world of smoker’s that you really appreciate just how dirty the habit is.

Current temperature: here 15C/59F, there 63F/17C

Posted in Photography, Sabbatical | 1 Comment