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May 26th, 2007
07:49 pm - Operate Trust Feast of new theatre Forum
I spent most of today at the operate trust forum. We started talking about what's changed and what hasn't in the past year.
It was a really interesting day. My homework was to do a draft googlegroup as a network for information and links. So here is the link bar.
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May 7th, 2007
10:35 pm - What shade of red are you?
You Are Cranberry Red
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Peaceful and philosophical, you are almost always at harmony with the world.
You're not very social, but you always enjoy a deep, complex conversation with a friend.
It's possible that you've been disappointed a lot in your life, but you've gotten over those disappointments quickly.
For you, each day is new and glorious. You wake up refreshed and happy, even when things aren't going your way.
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March 6th, 2007
11:21 pm - We're calling it "The Trolley"
I went to usher training at the Court Theatre today, as I've volunteered to usher for the Jesters.
Given the room, I am perhaps 25 or 30 years younger than the average age of ushers. I think you have to be 45 or 50 at least to qualify.
It was unintentionally hilarious, as a matter of social observation. Roger Hall could write a play about it. A particular highlight was the new innovation "which we're calling "The Trolley"". It was...wait for it...A trolley. With programmes and drinks. The management braced themselves for questions, at which time the Jesters ushers were reprieved (jesters customers getting slightly pissed on their own accord before the show, and not having the dosh to buy programmes)
Query 1: Why do all theatres use the pseudonym "Mr Sands" for fire or a bomb scare? Presumably they think that those who've had fire training will know not to panic?
It's not without risk either - I was at a railway station in England and someone paged "Mr Sands", so I immediately thought evacuation was imminent. I queried a nearby station officer who said, no, there actually was someone called Mr Sands on the staff!
Query 2: What does it say about the Court Theatre that the average age of ushers is mid sixties? And most of them seem to come from Fendalton and Merivale. It's a fraightfully naice hobby to have, and rumour has it not without social cachet, but kind of reflects what seems to be a real issue for the Court's management - how to reach beyond the white middle-aged middle-class for whom theatre going is a status symbol? To get more of the people who happily part with $30+ for a night out watching the Crusaders to come and see a play which offers a similar quality experience?
At the Operate Trust co-ordinated public meeting several incomers to Christchurch reported the same experience: You'd expect the only professional theatre in the city to be the hub of artistic energy - the go to place for information about auditions, workshops, and general vibrancy in Christchurch. Court fulfils that role only insofar as it is a booking office (and even then there's limited display). There's next to no information about theatre in the rest of
Christchurch, and if you're an out of town actor looking for information about workshops and professional development - good luck! There's a workshop run by the jesters and community improv group, but if you're and adult and want intro or advanced acting, you need to be under 25. But you can get a theatre tour.... And it isn't the case that there's no-one in Christchurch who would be interested! Not everyone graduates and heads to Wellington, Auckland, Sydney or London.
I do think there have been good developments with the Jesters in the past year or so, and I think it's great that improv is being taken in new directions with Court 2, newly renamed The Forge. The more the Jesters play together, the better they get. But I wonder how much of a connection there is between the audience which comes in for Jesters (student hipsters) and the main theatre audience?
Query 3: can the Court do anything to liven up it's day-time atmosphere? A lot of English theatres have cafes which bring people in through out the day (the National, Globe, Festival Hall on the South Bank, the Churchill which is a local theatre in Bromely, or the Hawth in Crawley all rely on them to keep the theatre connected to the community). It's a pity the Court has people in it only during show-hours, and the foyer sits quiet most of the day. Even more so, given it's in the middle of the Arts Centre.
Anyway...I really like the theatres themselves at the Court, and I'll be back for more (as will my parents who, being newly retired, sit smack bang in the Court's traditional market). It has my best wishes and my patronage, despite itself, but I wish it was a little more dynamic and stepped up to fulfil its potential as a key hub in the Christchurch theatre network.
Current Mood:  curious
Current Music: Fire
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February 19th, 2007
08:16 pm - Juggling is cool
I'm off to the NZ Circus Festival! Yay!
It's on Thursday, not on 11 March, like I originally thought, which has entailed some last minute organising.
Trivia: Last year I flew to Auckland, and then bussed south. This year flying to Wellington and driving north. Which means I get to spend time with good friends I haven't spent time with in a while.
Double yay!
Oh, and in other news.. I got nominated for a best supporting actress for the multiple roles I did a play I did last year, by the theatre group's annual awards. No idea who/where nominations came from but it was a nice surprise. :-)
Current Mood:  tired
Current Music: Smile when your heart is weary
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February 14th, 2007
10:47 pm - Travel Map
The number of countries I'd visited has stayed pretty static for a while now. I was quite surprised when checking the boxes
(a) That I've visited 11% of the world's countries - which seems like a respectable amount (double figures - yay!). I think it's around 20 countries - it's been about that many for a while (if you include the Home Nations separately!). When I last queued at Heathrow I counted airports and got to about 35.
(b) How many I've never quite got round to getting to - like Finland (where I have family!), anywhere in Africa (where I have friends) and South America and ordinary European places within easy reach of London like Austria and Switzerland. I'd like to do another map of all the places I know people who live ther or have met people from (the 6 degrees version maybe?)
:-( the html won't produce a map Here is the link: http://www.travbuddy.com/widget_map_display.php?id=68873
Go make your own, and if you can get livejournal to load it, let me know how
Current Mood:  nerdy
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February 13th, 2007
11:04 pm - Alphabet Meme
A- Available or Single? Hmmm... Both.
B- Best Friend? M and M are always there for me. D is my 3am phonecall. And other-M loves me unconditionally.
C- Cake or Pie? Cake - pastry is overrated
D- Drink of Choice? Espresso macchiato. And Evian.
E- Essential Item? Feather pillow
F- Favorite Color? Red and pale blue
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Gummi rockets that my nephew loves.
H- Hometown? Citizen of the world...Agios Pavlos or London. In NZ I love Raglan but have only spent a weekend there!
I- Indulgence? Lindor Chocolate, Pedicures.
J- January or February? February - a time of new starts.
K- Kids and names? One goddaughter so far - Ella.
L- Life is incomplete without…? Fresh air
M- Marriage Date? not yet
N- Number of Siblings? Between 3 and 6, 3 biological, 2 host sisters, 1 brother-in-law.
O- Oranges or Apples? Apples any day
P- Phobias/Fears? Rodents. I leap a mile at the sight of a mouse and am terrified of rats.
Q- Favorite Quote? "Look to this day for it is life"
R- Reasons to smile? My day went well.
S- Season? Spring! Or Indian Summer in Crete
T- Tag 3 people? There's too much graffiti already. Pick your own artwork.
U- Unknown Fact About Me? I once learned to play the flute.
V- Vegetable You Hate? Jerusalem Artichokes
W - What question is missing? I say What makes you happiest? The answer to that is - the Society of Others - friends sitting round a table, over good food, wine and conversation.
X- Xrays You’ve Had? Almost everywhere at some time or another. I fell off the jungle gyms at school and landed badly a couple of times. Came off my bike and hit my head and hip another. Maybe my left leg and left arm have been un x-rayed?
Y- Your Favorite Foods?
Z - Zodiac? Pisces/Leo - I'm a merlion.
Current Location: NZ province
Current Mood:  calm
Current Music: Grey's Anatomy soundtrack
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February 11th, 2007
05:50 pm - update
Hello sadly neglected journal.
My sister and her kids and my Mum flew out on Friday for Sri Lanka, so I have been spending as much time as possible with them, in the weeks leading up to their departure. Mum will be back in 3 weeks, the rest in 5 1/2 months - which will be almost 1/3 of my niece's lifetime (she is 12 months old now).
I wasn't looking forward to them going - thought I might cry at the airport, as I thought I would miss them badly. However, crying would not be helpful to my nephew, who is 4, before a big exciting 10 hour plane journey to Singapore.
In the end it all went fine
And, the utter peace of life here without them (they had moved in for 2 1/2 weeks so we were quite crowded), has been blissful. Having a bit more personal space...ahhhhh.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: peaceful
Current Music: Sound of silence..aahh
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January 6th, 2007
10:58 am - Carrer suiting personallity
I got a link to this quiz from a creative mailing list I subscribe to. The personality description is spot on! I like being busy, around people and brainstorming.
What career will suit your personality?
You would most enjoy a career that allows you to meet new people. You would also be happiest in a career that allows you to be free and flexible, and allows you to be extremely creative. Some careers that would be perfect for you are:
* Stockbroker
* Secretary
* Receptionist
* Director
* Recruitment Consultant
* Politician
* Marketing
* Human Resources Manager
* Religious Minister
* Teacher
* Lawyer
* Advertising
* Consultant
* Financial Adviser
* Financial Planner
* GP
* Physical Therapy
* Occupational Therapy
* Public Relations
* Estate Agent
* Travel Agent
* Restauranteur
* Hotel Manager
* Events Organiser
You are a great leader. You genuinely enjoy being around other people. Your relationships with others are very important to you. You love talking and meeting new people. You are very enthusiastic about work and about all that you do and have in your life. You love being the focus of attention. You enjoy a fast pace. You are very socially oriented. Therefore, you are much happier being with others than you are alone. You crave interaction with others.
You are very spontaneous and often act before you think. You are always quick to answer when you are asked a question, even if you aren't sure of the answer. It is easier for you to improvise as you go along. You enjoy thinking out loud, and are most creative when brainstorming with friends or colleagues. You enjoy being involved in many activities.
You are very easy to read, and often wear your heart on your sleeve. You are never afraid to tell people what you think. You are very empathetic and genuine. You can sometimes be seen as over-emotional or too involved by others. But that is only because you tend to get so involved in the things you do that they become personal. You want to be adored, loved and appreciated. You like to please others and to make sure people are happy.
You trust your gut instincts. You are easily inspired and trust that inspiration. You are very innovative. You analyse things by looking at the big picture. You are concerned about how what you do affects others. You worry about your actions and the future. You tend to use a lot of metaphors and are very descriptive and colourful in your choice of language.
You are very creative, and get bored easily if you don't get to express yourself. You like to learn new things. You don't like the same old routine. You like to leave your options open.
Current Mood:  thoughtful
Current Music: Radio Sport!
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November 28th, 2006
12:56 pm - Singapore
It's about 4 am, and I'm wide awake in Singapore.
I flew in from Heathrow yesterday (less said about Heathrow the better - an hour and three quarters to check in and clear security!) Singapre airlines were good though - on demand video and TV make all the difference to a long flight.
Now I've got 2 nights with my cousin and his wife and lovely daughters.
I woke about 2 30 am - which is 7 30 am in New Zealand - which is about right for two days from now, so I decided to stay up for a bit.
Wifi networks and a laptop make time easy to use. My midnight surfing has been on the subject of manners and etiquette.
I really like being in Singapore - so clean, modern, great infrastructure, and the lovely warmth and smell of the tropics as soon as you get off the plane.
Current Location: Singapore
Current Mood:  awake
Current Music: the hum of the airconditioner
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04:52 am - Awake in Singapore
It's about 4 am, and I'm wide awake in Singapore.
I flew in from Heathrow yesterday (less said about Heathrow the better - an hour and three quarters to check in and clear security!) Singapre airlines were good though - on demand video and TV make all the difference to a long flight.
Now I've got 2 nights with my cousin and his wife and lovely daughters.
I woke about 2 30 am - which is 7 30 am in New Zealand - which is about right for two days from now, so I decided to stay up for a bit.
Wifi networks and a laptop make time easy to use. My midnight surfing has been on the subject of manners and etiquette.
I really like being in Singapore - so clean, modern, great infrastructure, and the lovely warmth and smell of the tropics as soon as you get off the plane.
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