“Beneath the makeup and behind the smile I am just a girl who wishes for the world.” Marilyn Monroe

Haven't written anything for ages - I'm not even sure how I even begin to sum up the last couple of months. The already afoot changes in and around my life are far reaching and epic but on a pretty personal scale. I don't really feel the need to broadcast my innermost thoughts and feelings to the 'world' on a regular basis but don't feel as though I'm quite ready to let this blog go. My opinions are still strong and varied and it may might not take much to get the juices flowing again. Although, saying that I don't want to turn into one of those middle-aged, self-centered, sad motherfuckers whose mundane and dull life is played out through blogs, tweets and facebook updates and not by actually connecting in real life to real people... Err, epic fail since 2002 and counting.

'Citing Innit

A promo video including a few of the acts I represent at Fool's Paradise:

A bit delayed but...

Boudicca and Joe’s Honeymoon Adventures

Cruise to Norway, 9th – 16th May 2009

At Sea, 10th May

We awoke early to bright glassy cold looking sea and we waited for our breakfast in bed with much excitement. Later in the day, champagne with strawberries dipped in chocolate were delivered to our cabin which we ate with much relish while dressing for the first formal evening – our captain’s dinner!

Stavanger, 11th May

Sun streaming through the curtains. A glimpse of land... NORWAY!!!

Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock

A boat trip along Lysefjord, a fjord that cuts almost 25 miles deep into the country. We were surrounded by steep mountainside, waterfalls and the occasional small farm. The fjord is 1,384 feet deep and the rocks at the side reached almost as high which made for some dramatic views. The boat travelled directly under the ‘Pulpit Rock’ on the northern side of the fjord, which is a well known protruding rock formation 1,968 feet above sea level. We then stopped for coffee and freshly-made waffles with cream and jam.

Stavanger on Foot

We explored around Stavanger’s Valberg Tower which overlooks the central part of the city and harbour. It was used as a watchtower in case fire broke out in the wood buildings. In Old Stavanger we made our way through the well preserved 18th and 19th Century wooden houses.

Flaam, 12th May

We ascended to the top of the boat at 6.30am to see the ship sail into the Flaam. The snow capped mountains were really wonderful and certainly worth getting up early for.

Norway in a Nutshell

We went on the Flam railway line between Flam and Myrdal. Its 12 miles long but the journey took 50 minutes. We climbed from 16 feet to 2,845 feet, going through 20 tunnels and we stopped at the Kjosfoss waterfall which was huge! We changed trains at Myrdal onto Voss for an amazing buffet lunch with loads of lovely, smoked fish. The coach journey back went down a very steep 21 hairpin bends. We also stopped at the 305 foot Kjosfossen Waterfall where we drank the water to ensure eternal youth (worth a try!).

Olden, 13th May

A late rise reveals the town of Olden by green slopes capped by snow clad mountains. A grey start becomes a beautiful sun drenched clear day.

Briksdal Glacier

We coached through the Olden Valley admiring the mountains, glacier tongues and waterfalls. We arrived at the Briksdal Inn and then we had a steep walk up through craggy rocks and crashing waterfalls to the glacier. The ancient ice formation moves approx. 1.5 metres a day and as it moved we heard its creaks and groans echoing thunderously around the valley. A really inspiring day.

Bergen, 14th May

Bergen on Foot

A walk through busy Bergen where we are shown the gardens, hanseatic merchant quarters and the fish market. We also went 1050 feet up the Mount Floien funicular to experience fantastic views. In the evening after sailing away from Norway with some sadness, it was to the ship’s casino we headed; not to gamble but for the James Bond quiz. The winner is... Joe! Yay, a bottle of wine!

At Sea, 15th May

A very yummy dinner in the onboard Marco Pierre White restaurant – a wonderful last evening treat.

Southampton, 16th May

Arrive home, tired but very happy!

Boudicca's photos here

Joe's photos here

The Dead Christ by Gregorio Fernández (1576-1636)

"To read a newspaper is to refrain from reading something worthwhile. The first discipline of education must therefore be to refuse resolutely to feed the mind with canned chatter."
Aleister Crowley

I quite enjoy magazines and television precisely because they stop me from thinking... must try harder.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Today I'm tired because I stayed up dancing to 6 Music last night - the tracklisting is here.

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." Samuel Beckett

"I think anyone can do theatre. Even actors. And theatre can be done everywhere. Even in a theatre." Augusto Boal

Concentrating on the Positive

Going to Ibiza in 4 days
Getting married in 17 days
Going to Norway in 25 days

Stars for today from Rick Levine

Although it might seem like others at work are just starting a project anew, you have already begun yours. It's time for you to take your efforts to the next level by bringing additional stability into your life. This may require a new and different way of allocating your time. Instead of focusing on an inspirational or creative process, increase productivity by prioritizing your tasks and then doing them methodically, one after another.

Never before have the stars been so clear to me and what I have to do!

Parlez-Vous Popbitch 09

Update your vocab the media-wank way

* Surprise sex is now known as a Pardew.
* Accidental pregnancy is a Spicer.
* Using your child to gain your own fame - pulling a Fritzl (male), or doing a Myerson (female)
* Becoming a celebrity because your parents are famous - a Geldof.

"Whatever you can do or dream, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it".
Goethe

Dawlish 14/03/09

The lap, lap, lap of the sea
A cocoon holding me
Nature, heartbeat.
Pull of the moon.
Salty seaweed,
Oxygen taste on my tongue
and in my nose.

Clearing, cleansing
Through my veins.
A burst of happiness.
My revery shot through by
the caw, caw, caw of seagulls.

Ice cream, ice flakes upon my tongue
Clotted cream I seek out the crust
and break through savory to the sweet
milky, thick and delectable.
Black swans glide past.

Thinking about Mother's Day

Trying to keep busy and keep my mind off that word...mum. A whole hole you've left. Tears are often pricking at my lids. My anger at the universe in unrivaled. Those questions all begin with why... I was already so heartbroken by Lee dying that I almost haven't felt your death quite as deeply - I feel ashamed almost. Did I not love you as dearly as I loved him? This seems unlikely. I have strong feelings, throat constricting, breathing difficult. Grief is so difficult because it fills every part of your life. A memory at every step. A recall. Sometimes happy following soon by sorrow. I can't cope with the up and down so I don't dare to think of what I'm putting my lover, my friends and my remaining family through. I'm the matriarch of my family but I'm not a mother. My womb's emptiness seems like an insult. The universe's last laugh. Mum is in every shop window, in every magazine. 'Why don't you treat your mother to this, to that'. There are people who are mother figures but why should I put that much pressure on another person. I have so much need inside that it would drown another. Even Jan couldn't cope with my needs at times; so much they are. I have the freedom too - there are good sides to being parentless. The first time I visited my granddad in the home - I wouldn't have been able to watch my parents there decaying over years. I'm glad I don't have to. The hospices were relatively quick. 6 months after we heard the word cancer. 6 months to die but more just wasting away. We thought it was the grief from loosing Lee. I'm only sorry I didn't listen sooner; too wrapped up in my own grief.

Arts Council England

Arts Council England today announced details of a proposed organisation-wide restructure. More info here. I have to say my immediate response in dismay.

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. --Mitch Hedberg

Happy Chinese New Year!

Snake 1977

2009 is a super-lucky for snakes! Act on opportunities & seize the moment! You have great luck in love & career this year — the chances of getting married or a huge promotion are excellent. You will meet influential people who will inspire & help you make more money as well as increasing your prestige. You should still be careful, though — you may want to save some money this year to help cover unexpected expenses or losses.

Scumbag Magnet

Taken from NME: "Blur's Graham Coxon, who plays guitar on Pete Doherty's forthcoming solo album, has spoken about why he chose to hook up with the Babyshambles man and how he got frustrated with him. The guitarist said that the promise he heard in the initial demos for the album convinced him to sign up. He also spoke about Doherty's personal life, calling him a "scumbag magnet"."

Lovely Boy


Jim Moray - All You Pretty Girls from Jim Moray on Vimeo.

Wow, I'm so excited about this...Britain's Capital of Culture