31 January 2007
Well hello to you readers, the concert finally took place after a lot of hard work it. For the last few weeks we have tried to advertise the show convince friends to buy tickets and make sure the performers have not lost interest.
On the day of the show Brian and I went up to Bevs to pick up her sound equipment, when we got there, she told us that she was having problems with a throat infection and she was in terrible pain. Despite this she still managed to get ready and come with us to the venue.
When we got there we then found out that the other singer Jean also had a throat infection but was willing to carry on. Eventually we decided how the show was going to run, Bev managed to set up her sound equipment and integrate it with the other singer's equipment.
I suddenly noticed that the public were already coming into the theatre at least we must of provided some unexpected comedy entertainment for them, we tried using the venue's sound equipment but it was incompatible with Bev's so eventually we decided it was best to switch it off, and rather than clever lighting effects, we decided to have a nice standard of lighting on the stage.
Kate had a great idea on Saturday of providing bottles of water for the acts, which she had brought on the day, but we had no glasses drink out of.
One of the best things all the way through was the time and patience that were shown by the management at the venue, in particular James and Chris, on the day Chris was a star, and put up with our strange demands, the latest was could they let us have some plastic cups to put the water in, bearing in mind this would reduce the profit on the bar, despite this Chris again came up trumps.
One of the good ideas James had previously was to put some tables out for the choir at the back of the room which would make it so that the room would look more full. This worked very well.
The other person who was outstanding was Jackie from the choir who at the last-minute took on the role of compere, providing a cheerful entertaining extra act between the others, bearing in mind that there were no rehearsals prior to the show, if you read this Jackie thank you again for helping to make this show a success.
I realised that the best place for me was behind the stage controlling the curtain so I could avert any disasters, so my view of the show was non-existent apart from looking at a pink curtain and listening to the acts.
Unfortunately this did not work because when I tried to decide how much to wind the curtain back I forgot initially to clear it so the keyboard player could see Jean, strangly the audiance actually noticed when the curtain suddenly started moving again just as Jean started singing.
The other thing I did that I hope nobody noticed was to get a drink from my water bottle which was okay until the plastic started to crackle, to me very loudly whilst one of the acts was singing, for me it seemed to reverberate all across the stage.
I really was impressed by the singer Jean who despite her throat infection managed to give a magnificent performance which I and all the others I spoke to agreed we really enjoyed.
Affetside Choir gave their usual professional performance which we all enjoyed, the Sax group conducted by Ruth gave a similar quality but very different style of musical performance.
Bev gave the audience yet another great performance, again despite her throat infection and pain she was suffering, and managed to get the audience to join in and even to dance along with the songs she sang.
Just to show however hard some of us work to make something a success, at least one person complained that the raffle had been fixed. This resulted in me doing a very rare task for me which was going onstage to explain what had happened in front of the audience, as usual the plug was pulled on the sound system just as I got into full flow. There are those who would say what good thing that was, no wonder I prefer to be backstage.
Well the good news, we managed to make a profit, all the people I have spoken to enjoyed the performance, and people even mentioned having another show.
31 Jan 2007
22 Jan 2007
Another Crazy week ahead
Well readers have just read melanies blog and was very impressed, when I remember how will add her blog to my links
Today saw Gp who tells me I have to go on a bland diet until I solve certain problems out, also I have bruised my bottom so need to be careful how long I sit & what type of seat I use, what is going to go wrong next.
Had an assessment because of the problems I have typing on my computer, the result is I now need a new computer at work plus extra software & training, if it works should make life easier if not, it could create problems, maybe restrict my blogging, ( who said thank you)
I have now informed most people of my change to my party sadly some do not want to dress up, so I am hoping others will try even harder.
It is the fundraising concert this week, I hope we get a good turnout but I feel it will be a good show. I f any of you readers are willing to buy a ticket, it really would be appreciated although I do accept that Zorro Hamster & my readers in New Zealand will have a long way to come for an afternoons entertainment.
You mat remember that Scarlett Angel posted a comment last year, well i went to see if she had put anything else on but she has disappearred sadly, it seems a shame hers was a good read, maybe I will have to put something else on to do with Ken Dodd.
Well I am getting tired now in particular after reading about Melanies adventures so will go and relax and watch Celebrity Big Brother for an hour or so to wound down before going to bed
15 Jan 2007
The Tospsy Turvy Path of the Plans for My 60th
Well everthing was going so well then my son rang to say problem because grand daughter has exams on day of party she is sitting exams until 4.30 that day.
Rang venue, sighs of relief they can change the date, now only have to contact everyone to inform them of date, by e mail phone & letter. In case any of you are reading this the new date is 22 January at the same time and venue.
One or two people are now saying that they are bit uncomfortable about fancy dress, so I do not want them unhappy, so I am trying to think of fancy dress that is modern that they will not seem out of place with, if any of my readers have ideas please let me know.
Someone has already pinched my idea for my costume, so will have to have another think, plus 2 sets of people have now asked about where they can change, why did I not think about that, further work to solve that one.
Sadly 3 sets of people have said they cannot come which will be a shame, so will now have to decide who else to invite or drop the numbers
Rang venue, sighs of relief they can change the date, now only have to contact everyone to inform them of date, by e mail phone & letter. In case any of you are reading this the new date is 22 January at the same time and venue.
One or two people are now saying that they are bit uncomfortable about fancy dress, so I do not want them unhappy, so I am trying to think of fancy dress that is modern that they will not seem out of place with, if any of my readers have ideas please let me know.
Someone has already pinched my idea for my costume, so will have to have another think, plus 2 sets of people have now asked about where they can change, why did I not think about that, further work to solve that one.
Sadly 3 sets of people have said they cannot come which will be a shame, so will now have to decide who else to invite or drop the numbers
An Update from Zorro
N is , I suppose , from what we would call a middle class family. She's the 15 yr old daughter of my friends R y A. Girls that age go out chaparoned and are never left alone , even in the house, with a male , except members of the family. I am slightly different in that I am foreign and the mother always tells her friends " Señor Zorro es un verdad Caballero Ingles" - A true english gentleman!!!! I wish!15yrs is the most important day for a girl here ¨¨18yrs for the boys. So Big party and the girl has a expensive made to measure white gown. It´s a contradiction here that young girls are so well protected or restricted if you like, yet women of all ages wear very revealing, plunging necklines and although some do wear quite short skirts the fashion is for very tight jeans or trousers.
From last year I have called N my sobrina and she calls me Tio alan. She is my niece and I am her uncle. So N & I CAN go off to the shopping mall for a dress, as a present from me, alone .....as long as I report to mama any male her daughter speaks to even to ask the time.. Not for the birthday party this is just a pressie. I am writing this just to describe the reaction of different people to us being out together.
The odd male American tourist looks at me with part envy and part God! He must be rich!
The young American women here working with the peace corp look at me with loathing .Despoiling a young girl. Taking advantage of poverty.
The Paraguayans on the other hand will say something along the lines of ...... your buying a present for your daughter.
No it is my niece.
Ah,you are a favourite uncle.You are very lucky.My daughters are 13 &11 years.
You then have to sympathise on how expensive it will be.
Goes without saying the dress is a strapless, ankle length that hugs the figure and all the shop assistants ask ME if I like it.
From last year I have called N my sobrina and she calls me Tio alan. She is my niece and I am her uncle. So N & I CAN go off to the shopping mall for a dress, as a present from me, alone .....as long as I report to mama any male her daughter speaks to even to ask the time.. Not for the birthday party this is just a pressie. I am writing this just to describe the reaction of different people to us being out together.
The odd male American tourist looks at me with part envy and part God! He must be rich!
The young American women here working with the peace corp look at me with loathing .Despoiling a young girl. Taking advantage of poverty.
The Paraguayans on the other hand will say something along the lines of ...... your buying a present for your daughter.
No it is my niece.
Ah,you are a favourite uncle.You are very lucky.My daughters are 13 &11 years.
You then have to sympathise on how expensive it will be.
Goes without saying the dress is a strapless, ankle length that hugs the figure and all the shop assistants ask ME if I like it.
4 Jan 2007
Happy New year to All My Readers
4 January 2006
Well a happy new year to all our readers, at long last I am back in England after my trip to Ireland with my family after the Christmas period.
It was interesting and a quite different Christmas but I must say I was made very welcome.
When we went to the shops it was almost the same as being back home apart from the fact everything was priced in euros and was more expensive than back home.
The other interesting thing was that there were many East European accents in shopping centres which shows how the culture of southern Ireland is changing.
The highlight of my trip was on New Year's Eve when the family welcomed the new year in, in their own personal style and I think I will remember for the rest my life.
I was quite surprised being a Tog that when I was discussing my favourite subject of the moment namely Bloggs that none of the family really knew much about them including the young teenagers.
This was the perfect opportunity to tell them all about my Blog and the world of Blogging. My granddaughter told me that she has a web site for young people and has friends who she communicates with, in particular at 15 -year-old young man.
Sadly I had to explain to her and her sister that she needs to be very aware not to disclose too much information about herself or family because there is no guarantee that people are who they profess to be.
A good example of this in case you had not realised is that I am not realy called Francis The Fearless neither does my personality reflect my name
They were quite surprised at this and could not believe that people told lies on the Internet, in one respect we could say this is a good thing in that there are still children who are innocent and naive, but at the same time it makes us more aware of the fact that children are vulnerable to predatory people on the Internet because they are still to trusting.
Well finally on a lighter note Zorro suggested once again that I start a new Blog around adventures that we have had in the past for the benefit of you readers out there so wait for the next exciting announcement.
Well a happy new year to all our readers, at long last I am back in England after my trip to Ireland with my family after the Christmas period.
It was interesting and a quite different Christmas but I must say I was made very welcome.
When we went to the shops it was almost the same as being back home apart from the fact everything was priced in euros and was more expensive than back home.
The other interesting thing was that there were many East European accents in shopping centres which shows how the culture of southern Ireland is changing.
The highlight of my trip was on New Year's Eve when the family welcomed the new year in, in their own personal style and I think I will remember for the rest my life.
I was quite surprised being a Tog that when I was discussing my favourite subject of the moment namely Bloggs that none of the family really knew much about them including the young teenagers.
This was the perfect opportunity to tell them all about my Blog and the world of Blogging. My granddaughter told me that she has a web site for young people and has friends who she communicates with, in particular at 15 -year-old young man.
Sadly I had to explain to her and her sister that she needs to be very aware not to disclose too much information about herself or family because there is no guarantee that people are who they profess to be.
A good example of this in case you had not realised is that I am not realy called Francis The Fearless neither does my personality reflect my name
They were quite surprised at this and could not believe that people told lies on the Internet, in one respect we could say this is a good thing in that there are still children who are innocent and naive, but at the same time it makes us more aware of the fact that children are vulnerable to predatory people on the Internet because they are still to trusting.
Well finally on a lighter note Zorro suggested once again that I start a new Blog around adventures that we have had in the past for the benefit of you readers out there so wait for the next exciting announcement.
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