Circus Showdown

Went to the Hackney Empire for the Circus Showdown - a selection of Circus Cabaret/contemporary circus acts competing to be the winner of the evening. I don't think I've had so much fun in ages; wonderful acts including Wrong Size's Airlight and Desiree Kongerod’s ‘Twist’ contortion.

Bye Bye Marcel Marceau

LIFE

Back from a wonderful weekend in Exeter. We've made the right decision. Undoubtedly.

Returned to London on Sunday evening - too hectic, sweaty and stressful.

Monday morning blues reached a new height...with stupid bitchy emails, boss pretty much telling me that I couldn't do parts of my job right (nothing to do with lack of information from him of course!), changed meeting times and general pissed off-ness.

Theatre Visits

Friday night
Reverence - A site-sympathetic tale of Abelard and Heloise
An indoor promenade performance, at the site of the new Southwark Playhouse under London Bridge Station.

We donned cowls as students entering an order as God's representatives on Earth. We were taken around the dark, damp spaces spying on Abelard and Heloise and the people around them. Glorious production. Scary. Emotional. Wonderfully dark imagery.

www.goatandmonkey.co.uk

Monday night
The Bacchae by Euripides, a new version of The Bacchae by David Greig

Ok, it starts with Alan Cummings* arse on show...can it get any better? Oh yes, it can! It goes from outrageously camp musical to dark Greek tragedy and gets away with it. The god of dance and wine, Dionysus as indulgent transvestite unleashing uncontrollable female sexuality and cruelty was just wonderful.

www.lyric.co.uk

* I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Alan Cumming since he wrote and played Sebastian Flight in The High Life (Pif, paf pof!).

Tarot Reading

Q: Is it worth taking the risk and moving to exeter with boyf?

Go to www.facade.com/tarot get your own.

	The Cross and Triangle spread is a powerful means of understanding complex situations, developed by the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. This spread is rich in occult and mystical symbolism, and one of our favorites here at Facade. The William Blake Tarot explores the mystical vision and artistry of the renowned English painter and poet. Through rich interpretations focused on creative undertakings, it has long been the deck of choice for artists, writers, musicians, and thinkers.
	The first card, the significator, is placed in the center of the cross. This card represents the prime energy manifest in your life. Woman of Poetry: "To go forth to the Great Harvest & Vintage of the Nations". Radiating confidence, pride, and self-assurance. Being unafraid to promote yourself or reach for what you really want. Being generous and open-hearted, but also dramatic and assertive. Wanting to inspire others. Creative self-fulfillment. Gathering a rich harvest from the situation. Expressing intuitive knowledge and leadership. Mastery of expression. In the creative process: With complete confidence in your expressive abilities, you serve as a guiding light to inspire growth and confidence in others.
	The second card, placed above the significator, represents Air. It describes your spirit, process of thought, and the influence of reason. Three of Music (Exuberance): "Exuberance is Beauty". Sense of emotional expansion. Something that makes you sing for joy. Intense desire for creative expression. A cause for lively celebration. Plunging into creative new territory. Getting people excited about your idea. Supportive alliances or relationships. Entertaining gatherings, performances, meetings, get-togethers. In the creative process: Exciting and joyous progress is taking place; blow your horn!
	The third card, placed to the right of the significator, represents Fire. It describes your motivations, creative energies, and the influence of passion. Angel of Painting: "The Graphic Muse". Visionary reverie. Coalescing plans and agendas in your imagination. Contemplation prior to action. Making use of appropriate tools. Getting an overview of the situation, particularly regarding its physical or material aspects. "Getting the feel" of things. In the creative process: Look for or contemplate a solid idea, a practical point of view that can instigate a whole new direction in your work or project.
	The fourth card, placed below the significator, represents Water. It describes your emotions, meditations, and the influence of love. Union: The successful coming-together of something vitally important to you. Getting your act together at last. The joining of male and female forces, or unification or inner and outer life. Not holding anything back. Being at the center. Completion. Spiritual self-sacrifice.
	The fifth card, placed to the left of the significator represents Earth. It describes your physical presence, position in life, and the influence of the material world. Child of Music, when reversed: The struggle to kindle your emotions. Being ruled by your own feelings. Emotional risks and instability. Disguising your vulnerability. Being shy and moody. Keeping your feelings to yourself. Self absorption clouding your empathy with others, and with animals. In the creative process: Go inside yourself to experience emotional innocence and primal voice. Don't be afraid to improvise in your own way.
	At this point the cross is complete and the triangle is formed. The sixth card, placed on the bottom left of the triangle represents one of two opposing forces. Seven of Science (Lamentation): Psychic energy restrained. Feeling burdened with heavy thoughts. Pushing yourself too hard. Wallowing over and refusing to accept the situation. Straining against something. In the creative process: When you are feeling stuck or blocked, push your imagination to find a way around the problem; rely on your energy and hard work.
	The seventh card, placed on the bottom right of the triangle represents the force that opposes the bottom left card. These forces may be external, but they are frequently one's own inner archetypes in conflict. Transformation, when reversed: Unwillingness to change old for new. Stagnation. Burning your bridges behind you. Facing the future unprepared. Failure to accept the inevitable.
	The eighth card, the reconciler, is placed below the cross in the third vertex of the triangle. This is the force that will resolve the conflict between the bottom left and bottom right cards. By meditating on this force and bringing more of it into your life, you can bring the matter at hand to a swifter conclusion than would naturally occur. Assessment, when reversed: Inattention to being fair and just. Lack of consideration of commitments, agreements, or negotiations. Refusal to weigh the pros and cons of a situation. Being blind to the needs of self versus others. Inability to transcend a situation or avoid a conflict of interest.
	The ninth and final card, placed in the center bottom of the triangle, represents the final outcome unless you change course. Reason: Using your head to get through a situation. A time to define or obey the rules. Yielding to or being the boss, or authority figure. Patriarchal or traditional approach is favored. Fathering issues.

Undecided

There's a young man in my front garden...topless...and gardening. I can't decide whether I should just enjoy my "diet coke moment" or continue to feel a little bit sick...