23/10/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Feeling a bit down today.  There’s a lot of “bad stuff” goes on in the world and occassionally it gets to me.  Was struggling to write a review for a play I saw on Monday (I didn’t know before I got there it was for folk with learning difficulties and when you compared it to some of the other stuff I see it wasn’t that fab but you could see they were really trying).  Anyway it is online now after some tweaks by myself, Bryan and the guy that publishes them! 

This morning I got shown something that made me feel a lot better about myself though!  A review of my work’s website which I did a lot of the planning work for, and the map of cupboards was all my idea.  Just in case they don’t leave it online I will save it here too:

Review of some websites of local solicitors’ groups

by Iain Nisbet

Society of Advocates in Aberdeen

www.socofadvocates.com

The Society of Advocates in Aberdeen have just launched their website, and very nice it is too. This is easily the most attractive and professional of the three websites reviewed this time round.

There is much useful information to be had on the site, but it is all so well organised and laid out that it is quick and easy to access. As you might expect for a website which has only recently been created, all the information is right up to date – but already shows signs of being kept up to date.

The CPD and events calendars seem to be full and varied, and for those of you who missed the hill walk to Glen Clova in September the photos will be posted online soon!

A definite bonus for this website is the ability to search the Society’s extensive library. The search facility returns not just the details of the book you were looking for, but also the bookcase in which it is kept (this information is usefully supplemented by the downloadable plan of the library, with bookcases clearly numbered).

The Society has apparently been on the go since the 15th century, but with this website – as the Press & Journal so eloquently reported on the site’s launch – it has well and truly “lurched into the 21st”.

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20/10/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Monday night - was at theatre to see An Ideal Husband and to meet the cast afterwards. Was gutted as Michael Praed didn’t stay very long and I’d been waiting for him to finish his beer before pouncing.  Chance missed!  Did however have a lovely chat with Tony Britton and also with Robert Duncan, who I love in Drop the Dead Donkey. 

Tuesday -phone call from Topman to say I’d won tickets for the Glasvegas concert on Saturday night.  Had quite fancied it but was supposed to be waitressing that night, and it sold out quick.  The waitressing got cancelled 2 hours before the phone call so it was obviously fate that I should go!!  Weird how the world works sometimes.

Wednesday - had lunch date with my friend Alison from Edinburgh, and lo and behold she brought with her the gorgeous grandson and his Mum.  So nice to see all three generations together!

Thursday - had a nice meal out with Raiya and Eilidh.

Friday - went to Gill’s for the evening and chatted endlessly, as we love to do!  Was really nice just to chill out and natter.

Saturday - Bryan’s brother Lee came to stay the night and have a few beers with Bryan whilst I was out the way.  Was good to see him before I headed out to the gig.  Gig was really rather good!  Had never heard of Friendly Fires before but am now quite a lover of such as they were ace!  Glasvegas were also fab although didn’t play as long as I’d have liked, but I guess a new band only have so much material.  And then Zane Lowe hit the decks!  Crickey, that man is a god, was awesome but we didn’t stay too long as it was getting late, and we aren’t young uns anymore.  Was fab night though, thanks MTV, Gonzo and Topman!  Photos and a video are on my bebo page, link to the right.

Posted in Theatre reviews, Music, Trips out, General waffle | 1 Comment »

11/10/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Last night I went to see the Scottish Ballet Autumn Season 2008 production.  It included 3 different pieces: one to Radiohead music, one to sounds of trains and bees, and one to 1930s music such as Pennies from Heaven.  I don’t think you could get more different pieces but put together they made quite a breathtaking evening.

Ride the beast was to Radiohead music and was a beautiful and perfectly choreographed piece.  I was just in awe of the way they could control their bodies and work together, never missing a beat or banging into each other at all.  You also have to question how anyone could hear Radiohead and think  - ballet!!   Whenever I’ve seen them in concert its more - beer!  Or - gosh what a lot of sweaty men.  Hmmm, there is a similarity after all!!  It was very modern ballet, my favourite bit being to the song Creep where a guy comes in as the creap and wants to be one of the beautiful people.  I do like lyrics I can understand.

I think this was my problem with the second piece, I wasn’t sure what was going on or what it was supposed to portray and I felt stupid for being that way.  It was called For MG: The Movie and was writen in the 70s, I knew that before it started but it was to a soundtrack of trains and bees and all the dancers were in outfits that made them look naked.  There was a lot of running about and moving slow - 1 man just stood there till the end.  Was certainly intreguing and made you think - and sit in awe of the self control over the dancers bodies again.

Finally we came to Pennies from Heaven, set in a bar in the 1930s with all the ladies in pretty dresses and all the men in suits.  This was more traditional dancing with the ladies finally wearing ballet shoes and going on points.  All the songs were ones you recognised and all the movements were just gorgeous.  With the occassional funny touch added for good flavour.  It was just magical and you hoped it wouldn’t end.

Asked at the end which piece I liked best I struggled to answer.  I knew it wasn’t the strange naked middle piece, I don’t like feeling stupid and out of the secret of what is going on.  I would have loved to answer Radiohead without hesitation as it was awesome, but at the end of the day I love pretty dresses and couples dancing easily so it would probably have to go to Pennies from Heaven.  Might need to see the Radiohead one again just to make sure though.. 

Roll on January when Scottish Ballet will be back with Sleeping Beauty!

Posted in Theatre reviews, Trips out | 3 Comments »

05/10/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

So this weekend Aunty Jenny and Uncle Harry were in Aberdeen - hurrah!  Had a lovely time nattering to Jenny, my god mother, and had a giggle threatening Harry with cuddles - he’s not a touchy feely type!  Bryan took their visit as a perfect excuse to subscribe to Setanta so the lads could watch yesterday’s Man U game together.  In the meantime I showed Jenny how much fun the Wii is, think that’s another sale I’ve got them!  Today we went to the local carvery for Sunday lunch, am still lovely and stuffed now!  Unfortunately I didn’t take any photos so can’t share them.

Since I last blogged I went to the theatre to see Footloose which was absolutely amazing.  Lydia was my +1, poor thing - I told her we were going to see Flashdance, luckily she didn’t mind…or was that, she didn’t notice?!

I also got a new washing machine, which is wonderful. 

Have now caught up with the 2 weeks washing that built up since our last machine gave up working.  New machine has loads of settings and even has a timer so if you’re going to bed you can set the delay timer so it washes your clothes in time for you getting up, and its so quiet we can’t hear it upstairs, very exciting!!

Posted in Theatre reviews, General waffle | 1 Comment »

29/09/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

So this weekend I was out with Bryan and his workmates on Friday night.  I was designated driver so was sat watching 7 IT boys get drunk, was rather entertaining.

Then on Saturday morning my lovely chum arrived from Edinburgh and we chatted about much more girlie things, until she left late Sunday!  We also managed to fit in some walks on beaches, dunes, cliffs and streets of shops; various refreshment stops, including dinner with our “new pal” Jenny from London, now of Aberdeen; a dark and yet good play; and some ship watching by the lighthouse.  Various photos are on my Flickr, and indeed hers!

Then on Sunday night I was at the tail end of a reunion BBQ for the group of solicitors I went to France with.  I did get there in time for the glorious banoffi pie, and a group viewing of one of these Dancing with the stars shows.

Today our new washing machine arrived.  My dear friend Gill was the “doorman” and let the delivery chaps in and finally after 2 weeks I am washing pants again *cue huge sigh from all around us*!

Even more exciting is a whole week with no evening plans (other than laundry obviously!), will enjoy relaxing a bit.  Especially as running around sand dunes in the rain seems to have given me a horrid cold…

Posted in Theatre reviews, Trips out, General waffle | 1 Comment »

24/09/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Oh dear, I just went to buy some booze for a work function and the lady at the till asked me for ID!!  She didn’t look totally convinced when I said I was 32.  I gave her my driving license to prove it and she did look a bit sheepish, was rather funny!

Was at the theatre again last night, this time with Jenny.  She moved up from London to be with her Aberdonian boyfriend.  Someone put her in touch with me as we’re both law librarians and I might have known about jobs for her.  Luckily she’s been able to carry on working for the London firm she worked for down there, just doing stuff remotely, that’s the wonder of the modern world!  Anyway we had a nice dinner and a natter and then went to see Le Grand Cirque which was totally amazing. 

Tonight its a quiet one as I have to work at a Society Quiz tomorrow night which can be a late night so must get some sleep tonight!!

Posted in Theatre reviews, General waffle | 1 Comment »

10/09/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Ok so I think I’m most excited about last night’s news.  What happened?  Well, I finally won a game of Scrabble against my hubby!!  Success!!  I did get lucky with a 7 letter word across two double word score squares and as I used all my letters I got a bonus, but hey, a win’s a win!

As for the fame, I went to see and review Sunset Song on Monday night.  Coming out I was stopped by an Evening Express reporter and asked for a few words and I ended up on page 19 last night!

As for the fortune, I’ll keep hoping and wishing for that to follow!!

Posted in Theatre reviews, General waffle | 1 Comment »

24/06/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Went to see Sleuth at the theatre tonight, it was fab and brill.  Then we went to “meet the cast” and I met Michael Praed!!  *slobber*  Simon MacCorkindale was good too and the play was fab, really enjoyed it.  Picture is, left to right, Raiya, Evelyn, Michael and me.

Posted in Theatre reviews | 1 Comment »

22/06/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

I really should blog my trip away at some point but I’ve been a busy bee since I got back!  Last night I was at the theatre in my role as reviewer and tonight I’ve been waitressing at a wedding at Haddo House which was nice.  The night before I was at a networking event learning about Wildhearts, a charity which sells stationery and uses all the profits to help people in the developing world to set up their own businesses.  Very interesting.

I should also mention that my work now has a website, much of which I wrote and most of the photos were taken by me too.  I was very excited to be able to announce it to our members the day before I flew to France, and I’ve had some good feedback already which is lovely!

Anyway tis way past my bedtime so will shut up now and go sleeps!

Posted in Theatre reviews, Trips out, General waffle | 1 Comment »

27/05/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Ok so I have time, and “material”, for a wee blog before tonight’s cheesy pop extravaganza!

Sunday - went to some tiny village to see my pal Jo, Randy and their 2 kids as they were visiting the grandparents.  Poor wee Emma had the chicken pox so we had to meet there rather than the children’s adventure play ground we had arranged, much to my disappointment!  We had a nice time though, was good to see them all as I’ve only seen Jo once since I left Edinburgh.  Amazing how quickly Emma is growing though, last time I saw her she was a babe in arms and now she’s running around and “talking”!

Last night I was at the theatre to see Joseph, which was absolutely brilliant.  I’m not sure if my huge love for the whole performance was a follow up to the fact that we did it at school when I was very small.  I certainly seemed able to sing along to many of the songs (tried to do it quietly though!).  There were some great twists and surprises in it - like Elvis - but I’ll say no more on that in case you’re going to see it!!  The costumes and sets were fantastic, so colourful and clever.

I didn’t get the big fuss over the guy playing Joseph, Craig Chalmers, but then I don’t watch these kind of programmes that he was in.  He was quite good but I loved the narrator more, Tara Bethan, she was really good.  As was Chris Dilley, one of the brothers.  He was just full of life and obviously enjoying himself so it was impossible not to enjoy watching him!

My official review is available on What’s On Stage.  I was there on their behalf “auditioning” to be a reviewer for them and - whoohoo - they liked my work!!  So hopefully will get to go to the theatre more - and for free, excellent!!  Plus 1s, line up here please as I get to take a guest!

Anyway over and out, might blog tomorrow if the gals are any good tonight!

Posted in Theatre reviews, Music, Trips out | 1 Comment »