I was really trying to take today off from work, but alack I have to go in for a couple of hours to finish some tasks that have to be done before the Canada trip. Had a meeting at the school I’ll be working in one day a week next year this past Tues. I’m quite apprehensive about starting there. Behaviour is a huge issue at the school – there’s honestly little to no discipline among the students. The staff seem exhausted and although it’s not a lost cause, there doesn’t seem to be a clear approach to tackling the problem – and it is a problem. Add to this the fact that I don’t yell at my students & I’m keenly aware that I’ll be needing a great deal of support.

Canada trip with the Telford 12 is fast approaching & almost all the prep work has been finished. I’m still stressing a bit – wondering if all the details have been worked through. They’re a fantastic group of youth so I’m not worried about them – I just want to ensure it all goes nice & smoothly. The Parents Evening is this upcoming Sunday & I want the parents to walk away with all of their questions answered.

My partner is still away & I’m missing him desperately. We’ll have a couple of hours together between when he arrives back in the UK and before I leave for Canada – I’m looking forward to that. His folks will be joining him here in B’ham a little after I leave. When I return the plan is to jet off somewhere for a couple of days all together before I have to return to work & he has to return to University.

Here’s a picture of the walk to work this morning.

Was meandering around the information superhighway and found this article on LGBT representation in the media. A study by Stonewall into how LGBT are portrayed in television. I thought it was worth re-posting. If not for everyone than just for me.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jul/22/gay-people-stonewall-study-tv?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Great weekend, which explains the lapse in time since my last post. It was my birthday on Thursday & the last day of the Toy Theatre Festival. The cast & I headed out for Thai food & some karaoke – which was awesome. A friend of mine was in London this weekend so I went down to meet him. We took a walk around the V&A Gallery where we had a killer lunch & then went to see Hair on the west end; which was amazing. The two of us then came back to B’ham & on Saturday went over to Bath. Took a walk around there & had a fantastic dinner at this Italian Restaurant. Then back to B’ham where we went out on the town with the Coventry crew. Sunday was pretty much a write off – except for the eggs benidect, that was enough for a day. I’m determined to find better eggs benedict though; it was good, but vie had better. Brought my buddy back to the train station and he went back to London to start the course he was here to do.

Then Monday came. It wasn’t horrible but the session I did in the morning could’ve gone better. Then I miraculously passed out on the couch at about 7.00. Today was a strange day. A colleague of mine lost his job due to cut-backs. Bizarre man. And then… here I am.

Here’s a photo of the statue across the street from the V&A Gallery. Somebody must have liked the guy at some point – I mean look at the thing – but I haven’t the faintest idea who it is. It is impressive though.

The Toy Theatre Festival is in full swing now. 2 days down then a little vacation. Becoming quite a bit anxious about this exchange project – not about anything in particular, just worrying in general. I am my mother.

The boy leaves tonight for vacation & I leave for Canada a day after he gets back. So, we won’t really see each other for a little over a month now. It’s never until right before he goes that it sinks in & I realise that I am in fact going to miss him. It’s good though – I’m a fan of spending time apart; absence makes the heart grow fonder & all that.

Full throttle kind of day. First day of the Toy Theatre festival – the funders were there, which added a pleasant layer of pressure; hope my fancy shirt made an impression. Through some act of god we ran ahead of schedule despite the schools being almost half an hour late; and I’m not certain this was a good thing – running ahead of schedule that is. Performances went well, both from the students & the professionals, so I’m pleased with that. Almost had a mother rip me a new one because I didn’t have water available for the kids after the performance. In fairness I had no idea it would be so hot in that theatre today. Regardless, water breaks are now on the agenda for the rest of the performances this week. Rest of the festival should be much easier in general – I hope. Not as many plays or classes per day.

Went to the opening of Seen and Not Heard in the evening at the B’ham Museum & Art Gallery. A ‘community’ art piece around perceptions on Islam from Muslim people. Highlight of the event for me was one of the speakers though – his name escapes me at the moment, which is unfortunate. Regardless, he spoke about art as a radical force & the importance of art and artists in the shaping of a world that’s becoming increasingly skewed.

All in all an interesting evening & I hope the exhibit all the best. For now it’s off to plan my weekend with a visiting friend from Canada.

Sitting on what may be the muggiest most disgusting bus that has ever existed – yet I still prefer it to driving into work. There’s something so quintessentially human about the city bus. I’m not sure if it’s a good thing but it’s a thing. Some days it buzzes with anticipation and others it’s silent with dread. Dead, expressionless faces mix seamlessly with those back of the bus revellers determined to start the proletariat revolution with one more can of beer, one more shout and perhaps another obnoxiously loud conversation.

Transmissions show went well this afternoon despite the ungodly temperature in the studio. Students & teachers seemed to enjoy themselves. Would have liked a bigger turnout but thats out of my control at this point – one can only send so many emails, many letters & make so many phone calls.

Good notes were given after the performance, which will be integrated into the show on Friday. Looking forward to spending the day in the rehearsal hall – there’s no other place I’d rather be. Except maybe a beach. Maybe.

About three quarters of the way through an intense two week work binge. This past weekend were the Canada project intensive rehearsals out in the bustling burrow of Dawley. Lots of good work accomplished, the opening of the piece is done now. The photo below is of our rehearsal room while the actors were out on lunch. This week is all Transmissions Festival, which is a festival of staged readings where some of the best scripts produced during the 2009/10 academic year in my page to stage programme are given a go by professional actors. Then next week is the Toy Theatre festival, which will have all my little ones visit the theatre to perform the plays they’ve written this year. After that I get a long weekend with a friend whose visiting from Canada – looking forward to seeing some sights and plays with him! Busy busy.

Let’s see…

Finished a project this morning – went well, really pleased with the outcomes. It was with year 3 students & it seemed as though they just got it. Have two festivals I’m coordinating coming up next week & then the week after – hoping that I haven’t forgotten anything too important. Looking forward to rehearsals this weekend for the Canada group, we’re going to sure up the piece; hoping that it’ll all come through.

Made some time to head to Stratford to see Morte D’Arthur at RSC. Epic story – an almost impossible task, but they seemed to pull it off. To be honest the text seemed a bit unfocused, but I suppose that’s obvious when your trying to tell the story of a quasi-fictional king, however many nights, witches, wives, kings, brothers, aunts & whatnot.

All in all, hectic at the moment but it’s the sprint to the end. So, here we go. Oh an here’s a photo of my desk & the area that it spills onto – that about sums it up.

Went into the office for a little bit this morning after a lovely breakfast. I should really start eating breakfast, but the morning arrives so early. Went for a walk with Patty this afternoon & took a bunch of photos – I’d really like to learn more about photography & take more photos in general; I suppose it appeals to my visual nature. It was fun but he & I differ in taste: he prefers macro nature pics while I prefer more urban landscapes – something that tells me a bit about who we are. Got a bit of sun on the way as well. Heading out tonight for the first time in at least two months. looking forward to a bit of debauch. Then tomorrow I finish the first draft of the play & begin shaping it a bit more. I’m really hoping that it plays itself out on the page the way it’s currently running in my head, but time will tell with that one. It’s cool now that it’s a bit later. Far more comfortable. have to remember to pick up that accordion while I’m back in Canada – I will learn how to play.

The big costume sale preview was today for all of the staff at The REP. We’re downsizing our costume store here during the closure period so anything that could go must go. Definitely some neat stuff – like the horse or donkey head or whatever that is in the photo. picked up an almost brand new pair of converse for something like £5. Also bought a jacket & waistcoat that I thought was fairly nifty but when I got home Patty said they looked stupid. Oh well.

Doing a ‘transition year’ project at the moment that mixes primary school kids with kids from the secondary school they’ll be going to next year. I’m really pleased with how well it’s going so far – they seem to be getting it & enjoying it. pitched about 2/3rds of the first draft of the commission I’m writing in the evening – I had already given them a draft that was crap so I was glad when this one didn’t read like some angsty teenagers poem. Prior to that I was meeting with a west midlands based theatre artist and we waxed philosophic about making theatre in the midlands & writing in general. I’ve come to the realisation that when I write when I’m tired it generally reads like a 16 year old wrote it, so I must ensure I get some sleep so I don’t embarrass myself again with the second draft of this commission. I’m quite pleased with how it’s turning out so far. This draft was far more focused. I’m going to finish it this weekend & start on the second draft. It seems as though I’m on a roll, but that may be because I fell asleep on the couch. Deadlines coming up soon. It’s definitely the sprint to the finish now.