Today was definitely one of the best days of my life. I got the train, bright and early, to London to see a press screening of 'There Will Be Blood' (Paul Thomas Anderson's new film). Not only was the screening free, but it was in the swanky Soho Hotel complete with a sexy screening room with red leather chairs and free food and drink afterwards. To top it all off, I got to meet Daniel Day Lewis! We all sat in the screening room for a press conference whilst he answered questions and talked about the film. He's so much cooler and friendlier than I expected. One journalist asked him if he had any 'special' methods for getting into the role and he dismissed the question saying that he was wildly misrepresented in the media as having crazy methods.
I never want to delete the interview from my iPod. After the press conference, I went outside and was stood so close to him which was so bizarre having just seen him on a huge screen. The icing on the cake, though, was walking through Soho Square and bumping into Timothy Spall! I felt so London. And I quite liked it! I'm thinking I wouldn't mind living there at all. I would just get pissed off at the expensiveness. But fuck it, there's SO much going on.
I went to a gay bar last night. It was everything I hoped it'd be and more! We were the only girls there and, for once, we were surrounded by guys who were completely oblivious to us! When we first got there, they were playing 'Murder on the Dance Floor', Soph, and I knew it'd be a good night. We danced until the early hours of the morning - the club shut at 5am! Amazing for an English club!
Anyway, that's all really. 'Daisies', the play Ali wrote that I was in, went well. Miss it now. In the meantime, I'm studying Aleksandr Vampilov, a lesser-known Russian playwright, with a groovy director from Uzbekistan.
No internet in the flat, though. Fuck you Virgin Media!
Well, I'm finally home. Holy monkey nipples it has been a loooong term. I'm making the most of real food but I'm also watching what I eat and using my new exercise fad - the lateral thigh trainer. hahaha, it's quite weird but good for toning. I haven't abandoned my beloved trampoline, though. Anyway, this time next week, I'll be flying to Malta. And then it's not long before I'm off to Singapore! Woot! Oh my cakes, woot doesn't even express my excitement! Oh my lovely friends and my lovely island, we have been parted too long! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Woot! Just booked my flights for Singapore. I'll be there from the 1st to the 19th of July. I can't wait. I'm going home again! My beloved island and my wonderful friends.
I'm on the last of my three essays and it's not going too badly. Revision starts on Monday for my God at the Movies exam on Thursday. And then on Friday, I'm off to Portsmouth for Beanz's birthday with Carly, Piggy, Jumbo and hopefully Jenae. Hope the weather is better by then.
In two weeks and a bit time I'll be going back to Leicester briefly and then coming back to Manchester for my final exam on the 6th of June. Then it's Summer time, baby!
Oh, and Corpsing, that student film I was in, is being screened next week. I can't wait for everyone to see it. I'm proud to have been part of it, even if only a small part. I'm gonna get hold of a DVD copy so I can show you all when I come to Singapore. Hurrah!
I'm in a frighteningly good mood.
Been listening to a lot of the new Maximo Park stuff, the new Rufus Wainwright stuff and some old Sufjan Stevens and Bell X1 stuff.
Spent the morning watching porn. Had lunch. Booked my flights to Singapore. Had a bag of Maltesers. Wrote a third of my essay. Going to see some independent play tonight in a church. Sounds...interesting.
On a much more serious note, I want to say rest in peace to a beloved canine friend of mine. And I want to send my love to her owner who must be very sad to have lost her.
Don't wanna do work. Don't wanna do work. Don't wanna do work.
Let's update about my weekend with Caz and my elbow.
Firstly, my elbow hurts because I fell off my chair last night and smashed it into the chair leg. It REALLY hurts.
Right, onto my visit to Leeds.
On Friday, Caz picked me up from the coach station and we ate glorious food at Pizza Express. Then we went home and chilled with Caz listening to lots of Avril Lavigne. Caz had dance rehearsals so I sat on the side like the talentless berk I am and watched. For dinner we had fajitas, garlic bread and maltesers. Mmm. We fell asleep watching American Idol.
Saturday we woke up and consumed three packets of variety pack cereal each. Then we went to the fun fair but it didn't open til 6. So we had lunch instead and then went to see Alpha Dog whilst stuffing our faces with a lot of Pic n Mix. After the film, we lay down in Hyde Park and bathed in the sun until it was time to go home, layer up a bit more and head out to the fun fair.
The fun fair was insane. I thought the rides would be tame but they were not. We chose the Sizzler to 'warm ourselves up' only it spun round so fast that the G-Force basically welded Caz into my side and me into the side of the car. It hurt. Next, we went on the Equinox a.k.a the Ride of Death. We basically had to straddle this wedge thing and were strapped in, legs dangling. The machine lifted us up incredibly high and then proceeded to fling us and swoop us around mercilessly. At first we squealed with delight. But before long, we were screaming with utter terror. When the ride finished, we decided to go on something a bit calmer. We chose the Extreme. We should have known by the name that it wouldn't be a soothing ride. We were swung around at crazy angles until I wanted to cry. To finish things off, we went on the Waltzers where Caz was hit on by a carny (carnie?). He kept spinning us round as he tried to get her number and my head kept getting locked in an unnatural position. After that, we called it a day - we had a hot dog, Caz won me a pig and we went home.
But not before we were harassed by a group of boys dressed as The Hulk. We were at the centre of a massive green huddle. Good idea wearing white, Lisa. And Caz. Anyhoo, we went home and watched Moulin Rouge with popcorn (the REAL stuff - none of that shitty English caramel crap) and tea.
On Sunday we had breakfast and watched some more Peep Show and then headed off to the station. After a lot of panic, we missed my coach and I had to buy another ticket. We had McDonalds before my next one.
And now, I have to work my butt off. Three essays to do in the next two weeks and then a week of frantic revision. Noooooo.
My life has been lacking spontaneity of late. I'm ashamed of myself. I feel I need to leave the country. England is not really the place for me at all. Maybe I should go to drama school in Australia or America or something.
The next month of my life is gonna be ridiculous. I have three essays due in for basically the same day as my exam. I might have to take a day or two off work to get this frigging work done.
There's been a whole crisis with our course selections for next year. I wanted to do Documentary for my project course but they told us two days before we had to submit our choices that it's been cancelled. So then I chose a Performance project. But I got a call today from our crazy Serbian lecturer Sascha saying that Performance project is now cancelled as well. So I'm doing Studio Theatre Production again (that was the thing I did this year in which I was cast as a fly/mouse). Apparently this year it's being run by a groovy Russian guy who Sascha bums because he is incredibly amazing. He's gonna explore scenes from Chekhov plays. It sounds pretty awesome, actually. Plus it means I can do the David Butler study course. David Butler is the guru of film. He is a legend. I'll have to sign up super fast for that course.
I think I'm gonna direct a multi-media production of Sylvia Plath: A Dramatic Portrait for the festival next year. I bought the full text and I've been getting loads of ideas including getting my friends Jenny and Sophia to play piano and cello live on stage. I also wanna do some wicked stuff with recorded sound and film.
Mr Veness and I have been chatting on msn lately about my dissertation. I think I'm gonna do it on the problems with intercultural performance and look specifically at a Singaporean theatre company (TheatreWorks maybe?). So I might be in Singapore for a bit of the Summer getting research which would be ace.
It feels as if the world has stopped turning and time has frozen me in an ice cube of solitude. I've barely left the house in the past week nor have I hung out with anyone other than my immediate family.
At first it was nice to have no worries. Now...I'm starting to feel like a teeny tiny bit of a loser.
Technology is weird in my life right now. I have two phones at the moment because I had to go on contract (40 pounds a month on pay as you go was not cool). I can use both of them at the moment but I'm waiting for my number to transfer over to my new phone which doesn't happen until next Tuesday. I got a free iPod shuffle with my phone and I think I'm gonna sell it on ebay. It's hard though because it's pretty and it's calling my name. But I need the money more than a pointless, aesthetically pleasing piece of hardware.
Also, my laptop finally died the other day. Soph - remember how noisy it used to be in English? Haha well that was nothing. When it finally spluttered and choked its last breath, it was making a hideous sound like the noise an electric razor makes. So, lappy is dead. Unfortunately, Dad is unable to extract my documents/files from the hard drive which means I have to re-type an essay but that's ok. I'm so glad that Dad is an excessive backer-upper of things and that my most valuble things (music and photos) are on my external hard drive. My new laptop arrived today but I'm not allowed to play with it until Dad gets back and sorts it all out.
So at the moment, I'm spending my days just watching TV and bouncing on my trampoline. I can't do any work and I have no one to play with. Except Rosie. But she keeps making me eat orange Doritos. Beuch.
At last, the Easter holidays. I definitely needed this break.
Just a quick update: The MIFTAs (Manchester In Fringe Theatre Awards) was ace. Our play, Joy of Sex, won three awards: Best Sound (Neil, Jess'/the director's boyfriend), Best Supporting Actor (Nathaniel) and Best Actress (Laura). I was so happy for everyone, especially Laura, because she worked so hard. I've found some true friends in this cast and have loved assistant directing.
I auditioned for MSND the other day. Ned (director) is cutting loads of the text and multi-role-ing the characters. He's also playing up the comic aspect so the auditions involved improvisations with larger-than-life characters. I played a sexual woman and a fat man. I figured that even if I didn't get in, I had fun in the audition. Well, I didn't get in. My ego is rapidly deflating and my self esteem is virtually non-existent. But I shan't give up! Oh no, I shan't!
It's just a bit crap that I haven't done any acting this whole year (I don't include Ash Girl because it was a piece of shit) and won't get a chance now. Which means there's a whole load of pressure on me now to do something spectacular in my third and final year. I've been trying to put myself out there by contacting casting directors, applying for film auditions and joining Equity. I need an agent, really, but you can't get one without any experience. Psh.
Well, I still maintain that everything happens for a reason. If I'm meant to act at uni, a part will come my way. But I have to make it happen. And I shall damn well try my hardest.
Things aren't looking too good on the money front. And I accidentally bought a new wallet on ebay today. I get paid soon though. No fear. But...then the rent comes out. Poop.
Joy of Sex soundtrack (midi versions of cheesy pop songs)
]
It was the opening night of 'Joy of Sex' last night. It went really well and the audience seemed to really enjoy it. I've really enjoyed working on it but it was a strange feeling to be backstage for the whole play. When the actors went on stage at the end for the curtain call, I felt suddenly very detached. I really really miss acting.
Anyway, Ali and I might be going to see the new David Lynch film today - hurrah! I love the Cornerhouse. It's this artsy cinema with red velvet seats. It's just so swish.
I had a dream last night that I was on holiday with Will, Soph and Nate and my parents had bought a villa in Bintan. It was the hugest mansion thing and we all had an amazing time. Then I woke up and remembered Soph is so very far away. And so is Bintan. Le sigh. I need to figure out what I'm going to do for the Summer holidays because I think if I just stay in Leicester and get a job, I might actually tear my own head off.
If only I was clever enough to get an internship in New York! I'm starting to think that Business is the way to go...and IT. There seem to be loads of jobs geared towards the two. Whereas a Drama degree? Well....perhaps I should have thought about this some more. I guess I'd kinda hoped I might end up in the right place at the right time and get snapped up by some groovy agent and get loads of parts in plays and TV. But I can't even get into the Drama Festival plays...
Oh dear. This was meant to be a hopeful entry.
My job's going well. I'm getting the hang of all the tasks now. And I answer phones! But I still get really scared and often hang up accidentally when trying to connect them to someone else.
Weee! I'm excited about going to Leeds on Friday and seeing the Caz dance her heart out. It's going to be brilliant.
Also, I had an interview for a part-time office admin. job last Friday. The two employers were really nice and were genuinely impressed with my CV which I've never experience before. They said I was perfect for the job but that they had interviewed a girl yesterday who was also perfect. Well...I got the job! I'm rather pleased with myself. It pays 6 pounds 50 (ACH, I really need an English keyboard) and I do twelve hours a week. I started my first half day this afternoon and it was fine. At first I was a bit put off by the technical terminology but actually, it's just really easy spreadsheet stuff - no maths! Hurrah!
Oh, and we now have a flat for next year. It's complicated, but we have one. It's gorgeous. It will be so nice to live somewhere that ISN'T falling apart...
My God at the Movies course is going much better thanks to the amazing David Butler. I'm finding it interesting learning about the Gospel and such. It's very hard to make a GOOD religious film...
OO! And I ordered one of those mini exercise trampolines online after watching "You Are What You Eat". I can't wait to bounce up and down on it. Exercise that's fun! I SO need some exercise. Need to shed some wobbly bits to look ok in a bikini for June when I'm going to Malta again with the Will.
University...it's really not as fun as I'd hoped. I haven't been out in a long, long, long time. And I'm so miserable and stressed at the moment because we cannot find a fucking house.
We looked at this AMAZING flat yesterday. It was perfect. And for under 60 pounds a week. Then we find out it's not available for September; it's available for now. Poop. Giant radioactive poop.
ARGH! Stress does not even convey what I'm feeling.
I hate Sundays. And this particular Sunday sucks more than normal because I'm home alone. With nothing to do. Except laundry and reading. Psh.
I miss random spontaneous nights out.
Ugh, I cannot WAIT to go to Leeds and see Tangliners again. I need some FUN!
I feel like I've been in a bubble version of university in Manchester. When I moved into halls last year I expected people to be bringing people back to shag them; I expected drugs; I expected scandal; I expected craziness and constant parties. Not so. Did I sign up for the PG rated version of uni??
So, rehearsals for "Joy of Sex" are going well. I'm enjoying being assistant director although I keep feeling like I'm waiting for my scene when I can get into the space and act. Still, I'm finding the whole experience quite rewarding. I feel very Brechtian and objective.
House hunting is not going well. We've ruled off quite a few houses because they were miles away from the main road in ghetto land. Going to see another house today and we're all hoping this'll be the one. Sophie's going home again this weekend so if not, Will and I shall have to continue the search alone.
It's fucking cold in Manchester at the moment. I got on the wrong bus and ended up travelling through the back alleys of row upon row of terraced houses. Saw another side of Manchester. But I rather enjoy sitting on buses and in cabs and just being driven. It's therapeutic. And I enjoy watching people and lives pass by. My little day dream crash landed when I had to suddenly get off and walk down the whole of Wilbraham road in the freezing cold. I think my nose stud had frozen and was consequently chilling my whole face bit by bit.
My course has very suddenly become more intense. There's lots of reading and we're required to do presentations every week. Ugh. Work? At uni? What is this!
I've reapplied for the proofreading job that I got 'fired' from last semester for showing up violently hung over and very late on my first day. I need some income. Especially as I've now become a fully fledged ebay addict. Uh oh.
La la la. At least I escaped my rather spontaneous 75 quid bid on a pair of brown ugg boots. But then I did order a pair of sheepskin boots from another website for 52 pounds. Oopth! I'm currently watching a few weekend bags and purses. Weeee! Ah... money makes the world go round, if only I had more!
Yay! It's Obi in the snow! (Last Christmas) Spot the canine teste!
Well, it is the end of a mad and hectic week. Exams and research presentations are over.
My birthday: I ended up taggin along with a lecturer and some volunteers to Blackpool to perform Victorian clown gags that had not been performed for some one hundred years. We all piled onto a coach; the clowns and the makeup crew (my friends Dan and Laura) and set off. When I saw the tip of the Blackpool tower and the sea I became uncontrollably excited. I'd never been to Blackpool. It's so quaint and almost dead; petrified in some forgotten time. The theatre where the lecture/performance was to be held was a beautiful old Victorian theatre with an elaborate proscenium arch and lush red velvet seats. We all stood on the stage looking out at the stalls in awe. Strangely, the lecture had attracted a lot of press: BBC, Granada and Radio 4 were among those hovering around the student clowns. It was quite exciting. Dan and I went on the sandwich run to Marks and Spencer which, after getting momentarily lost and stuck behind nearly dying old people, reminded me of the episode of Father Ted when the priests get stuck in the lingerie section for hours. I was in charge of the camera and so sat in the box filming the performance. It was a very interesting lecture, actually. Anne described in detail what the circus would have been like then and the clowns who came on to perform 'wheezes' added a visual dimension of interest. Afterwards, we went to the bar where the house manager gave us free drinks. Two men came up to the student clowns and thanked them sincerely for a performance they'd never forget. Shortly afterwards, we got back on the coach, sad that we had not had a chance to explore the beach or the pier.
When we got back to Manchester, I went to get Caz from the train station. We bought a few bottles of wine and hopped on a bus bound for Fallowfield. Once home, I heated up some risotto and smoked salmon which we were happy to cram down our throats. Then, Ally, two of her friends and Natalie arrived and my room became crowded full of drunk and drinking people. Eventually, we headed off to Queen of Hearts where Caz and I danced the night away in the most stupid ways we could think up.
At 1am, it was time to head back home for....ROTI PRATA! It was sexual. As always.
Then yesterday, we went into uni bright and early to watch some research presentations before I had to drop Caroline back at the station, waving her off sadly at the platform.
Well, the theatre festival auditions have started. On Thursday I auditioned for "Closer" and "Mouthful of Birds". "Closer" went better than expected as I ended up getting a recall. On Friday I auditioned for Taking Sides (got a rejection email yesterday). I nearly didn't go to the "Closer" call back because the director forgot to let me know and when I hadn't recieved any word, I texted her. She apologized and said she'd thought she'd called everyone. So I had a call back on Friday which went pretty well. I read Alice in the scene when she confronts Anna and then the scene when Dan leaves her. I gave my best, really. So yesterday I was waiting all day as I'd been told I'd be called either Friday night or Saturday morning. By 2:30pm on Saturday I'd run out of patience and I texted Camille who told me she'd email me that night. All day I couldn't concentrate on my research presentation (due in Tuesday) and just rolled around on the floor in agony. I hate waiting. Especially for a really good part. I checked my email every few hours last night and in the end, gave up and went to bed. I dreamed I got a rejection email. When I woke up, I checked my email and, sure enough, there it was. 'Thank you for auditioning....but we can't cast all of you...' Poop. Wasted my day for nothing! Silly Lisa.
Oh well. Haven't heard back from "Mouthful of Birds" yet and there's still plenty of plays to audition for.
In the meantime, our house has decided to fall apart. The other day, when it was really windy, half our roof fell off when the British Gas man came to mend our boiler. The previous night we'd had to call someone in at 1am because the pipes were making a really terrifying scraping, scratching noise. Apparently, our pump's broken. But that's not all. BG man couldn't get our boiler to reignite and reckoned the gas valve had gone. This could be because they stopped manufacturing our boiler in 1983. He also pointed out, upon revealing the ancient pump beneath the floorboards upstairs, that we have serious damp and probably rats. He later picked several mushrooms/funghi out of our kitchen wall. Yum.
So, now we have no central heating until the end of next week.
Everyone that comes to see our house is turned away at the door: 'You don't wanna live here, TRUST US.'
Well, this Christmas in Leicester is a vast improvement on last Christmas. I actually enjoyed it. We were woken up early to have breakfast at 9am in order to start the preparations for the lunch time drinks party that was to be held at the Gill family residence. We made bilinis! Little mini pancakes with philadelphia and smoked salmon, ricotta and caviar and philadelphia and parma ham. They went down a treat! After everyone had left, Rosie and I sat down to watch some Mighty Boosh. We both fell asleep and were woken up in time for Christmas dinner.
As always, it was amazing. I love that my parents are good cooks; it makes Christmas day even more amazing. I must say that this was the best Christmas dinner we've ever done. Plenty of stuffing (the best bit) and excellent roast potatoes. For dessert, I helped Mum make a fucking incredible white chocolate and raspberry triffle. It was sex in a bowl.
We rounded off the night by sprawling ourselves on the sofas, feeling fat and sassy, and watching It's a Wonderful Life. Ah. Lovely jubley.
Over the next couple of days, I need to do some coursework. Then, on the 30th, I'll be seeing my Will. Hopefully, I'll also be seeing Miss Sofa Buttface (aka Soph).
P.S. I rather like Sufjan Stevens' Christmas album...
Well, I'm sick of living in Manchester. Sick of bills, sick of rent, sick of crap food. I'm really bored right now as I don't have much to do. Of course, I have a boat load of work to be getting on with but...I need a holiday!
I'm also pretty sad that Clive's proposal for 'Closer' got rejected and this girl Camille (who is conveniently on the board of the drama society) got it instead. Meh.
I'm also slightly pissed off, no, VERY pissed off that the kitchen at Stamford Halls is being re-done over Christmas and I can therefore not work there over the holidays in order to get myself OUT of my overdraft.
I'm setting myself some targets. Maybe I'll make them new years resolutions...but before I forget:
- Learn how to play the guitar - Get a driver's license - Get singing lessons - Go to the gym regularly, maybe do something exciting like a dance class or something - Get a job - See about getting work experience at the Manchester Guardian - Read more plays - See more plays - Write a play - Do something new with my hair
That's all for now.
First night of 'Ash Girl' went well. I quite enjoyed it. Only two more nights and then I'll have a life again!
Well, I'm pretty knackered at the moment. I've been in uni at 9am for the last week rehearsing and doing set. I've probably been doing an average of 8 hours a day. I'll be so relieved when the production is finished this Saturday so I can rest.
My parents came up the week before last which was super nice. We went to the Christmas Market and had a nice Indian meal. They brought me up lots of food supplies - hurrah! Also brought me up a fan heater and a new duvet cover. I miss my parentils which is a new sensation.
Clive emailed me his proposal for 'Closer' the other night. I was quite impressed! It's very passionate and considered. Proposals are due in next Friday, you see. We found out today, however, that a girl called Camille, who is a well-known figure around the drama department, is also submitting a proposal to put on 'Closer'. I'm very worried because I want so much for Clive to put it on and also, I'll never get another chance to play the role of Alice because no one else sees any potential in me. I've been reading the play over and over again and it's just so wonderful...Argh! I hope Clive's proposal is accepted.
I got fired from a trial for a proofreading job because I showed up late and incredibly hung over. Oh well. Hopefully I will be presented with more oppurtunities...
Ooo oo! Saw 'Pan's Labyrinth' yesterday. A very interesting film. Beautiful yet sinister fairy-tale vs very gruesome Spanish Civil War. Loved the music. Ali says it's overrated, which is true, but very good.
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