then two come along at once...

Some of you may recall me moaning a few months ago about missing a Richard Jobson talk because of my sudden and unexpected lack of interview for an MA assignment that was due in about Screen Project Development. Another interview was found at short notice and after 2 days smacking it into shape, it eventually got me through with a better mark than I expected.

Recently I've been struggling with the next project in that module, a Market Analysis and have had to just accept that this one wouldn't include an interview (I wasn't going to be caught out like last time!). I'm not entirely thrilled with the result of the project but it was submitted in time and now I just hope to pass. ANYWAY.... I'm enjoying my first few days without stress as all MA projects are in, car has been taxed, I've submitted my tax return, done the hospital run with an elderly relative, and have started my new part-time research job..... so what d'you think plopped into my email this morning? The Q&A interview that I initiated back in October/November for that first Case Study project - typical!

I hope there might be a project I can use it in, but I don't hold out much hope as its rather narrowly focussed. However, all credit is due to the interviewee for still returning it 3 months late - it's restored a little bit of my faith.

Just watched 'The Hours' and I really enjoyed it. Lets face it, all the central performances are great but there were 2 real standouts for me - Ed Harris (brilliant as always) and Julianne Moore. I don't think I've ever seen either of them give a duff performance - suggestions on a postcard if you can think of anything.

a wee hairy spider

Happy belated Burns Night - had my haggis and neeps last night - but once again didn't get round to making the cranachan damn.

Later on I did get a laugh at my research job though. I was looking into traditional Burns poems, and I came across some kids interpretations of them. The best by far was one that simply thought Burns wrote 'those things' about 'a wee hairy spider' (I'm guessing he was thinking of 'wee sleekit cowerin' timorous beastie').

IT bites

Seems like I am IT. The challenge from Miss Read is to "Grab the book nearest you. Turn to page 123. Go down to the fifth line. Type out the next three sentences."

I was hoping I'd have some weighty tome that would sound impressive, but of course not, the book closest to hand is 'Record Collector, Rare Record Price Guide' because I was looking up a mad 50s Calypso LP (what are the kids calling those these days, other than 'old'?) which goes as follows :

"56 Decca F 10706 No, Not Much/You Can't Keep Running £6 (see also Roland Shaw)

LEE BENNETT & SUNLINERS
64 Decca F 12024 Poor Bachelor Boy/Fool, Fool, Fool £5"

Pity it wasn't a bit further down the page as there is Tony Bennett's discography!

we have the technology

This is my first post on broadband! About time I know, and it did take an expensive call to my isp to get it finally working, but its already MUCH faster than dial-up. People have been freaking me out with tales of hackers though so to indulge my paranoia I'm going to unplug the modem tonight... they can't get me then can they! I'm sure I'll be blase about it in a week, but even now while I'm downloading system updates, its making a massive difference time-wise.

The homework is done - Script Report and Market Analysis (just as well as deadline is tomorrow). I doubt more time would've improved them as I've done what I can - that goes especially for the Market Analysis. Looking forward to the next module where we get to do some writing.. hope I can remember how to.... something about a pen.. some paper.. I don't know.. sounds .... old-fashioned..... does it need a modem?

Assignments oh yes

Why is January such a month from HELL? I've got tax returns to do as I'm self-employed, I'm doing some work as an online researcher so have to set-up that over the next few days, I've finally got broadband (hurrah!) so have to sort that before the research job kicks in, I've got a car to get serviced in Edinburgh, and re-tax (though apparently you can do it online now - will wonders never cease) and finally I've got 2 assigments due in for Uni - a Market Analysis, and a Script Report.

For the Market Analysis I've settled on Gothic drama on the small screen - its been hard work. I've been enjoying writing about the subject, but I find all the statistics and percentages and so on reallllllllllllly hard-going. The Script Report has been on one of the two full-length feature scripts that we've been given. Neither was particularly to my liking but I've gone for the lesser of two evils, and though 3000-4000 words sounds no small amount, once you get going its not really that tough to fill. The Script Report was by far the more enjoyable assignment but since I completely mis-guessed my marks from the last two projects, I'll reserve judgement.

We returned to Uni last Thursday, but then bizarrely we were told that we've got another 3 weeks off due to the vagaries of the exam systems - strangely perhaps most of us students weren't thrilled. Most of us had turned up after the festive holidays all excited at getting our teeth once again into the course, but alas our hopes were dashed. Seems a bit strange when we had 3 weeks holiday over Christmas, back for one week and then off for another 3! Still, it'll save me money from the evil but convenient Starbucks.

Notes on a Scandal

I saw 'Notes on a Scandal' last night - adapted from Zoe Hellers novel. I can thoroughly recommend it, an incredibly powerful film - and the other positive aspect being that it was only just over 90 mins long! Great entertainment watching Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett out-act each other, though Dench won - 'Barbara Covett' is truly one of her best performances, and she was barely recognisable in her sinister little school-teacher guise. Go and see it - its clever, adult and intriguing, superb screenplay by Patrick Marber AND there's a little twist to the end that will make you smile knowingly and whisper 'ahhh thats what happened with herrrrrr'. I sort of want to see it again as it gave me goosebumps (in the good way) - I haven't read the novel but I"m sure lots of the dialogue must have been lifted from the original as it was impressively 'writerly' but just cinematic enough. The friend who saw it with me had read the novel and though she liked it, she wasn't LOVING it like me so now I'm wondering if the book could be even BETTER (might have to read it but its never as good when you've seen the film first). Anyone else seen it?

Tomorrows World returns (in a fashion)

Apparently the Tomorrows World 'brand' is returning with Maggie Philbin! I loved this programme growing up with all its mad inventions and occasionally spookily accurate future forecasting. When I think of it I always hear the late great Raymond Baxters voice introducing a weird space-age contraption. The actual programme sadly isn't returning but little slots will be popping up on the news and so on. More here.

nice fangs, shame about the content

BTW - wasn't that BBC version of Dracula pretty disappointing - I was SO looking forward to it but it just seemed awfully lacking substance, and had one of the worst wigs I've ever seen on poor Marc Warren. It didn't reek much of gothic otherworldness either (which is sort of necessary for a true Dracula in my opinion). Nice fangs, shame about the content.

On a positive viewing note, 'Ruby in the Smoke' was great - owed a LOT to a couple of the Sherlock Holmes tales, and especially the Jeremy Brett version (his series was also shown over the holidays and it still ranks as one of my favourites - great job in the 'look' and production of this too - especially all the mad imagery and trippy bits).

I hear 'Robin Hood' is returning (boo) but this time with a Friar Tuck (hurrah!) so maybe it will get better?

I also hear that 'Merlin' is on its way to the screen - I just hope it satisfies - I'm picky about my favourite childhood stories. Wonder who'll play Merlin? He better be magnificent and brooding, and not some neddy lad in a fancy cape flouncing about the undergrowth with the Merry Men - don't disappoint me now!

'no Manny.. use TWO HANDS'

Forgive me - I've been slack SO slack - its been 6 weeks since I posted! So a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to anyone who actually reads my drivel - I hope you have a warm, happy and fun 2007.

Christmas was pretty fantastic this year - relaxed and tons of laughs with family and in particular my brother's two kids and their many presents and imaginary games. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to 'play shop' although I kept getting told off for handling the goods wrongly 'no Manny.. use TWO HANDS' . My family has had a tough few years while my lovely dad struggled and sadly lost his battle with cancer and this was the first one in a while where everyone felt like relaxing and looking forward to new things. So much food was eaten, drink consumed, stories told, and hopes and fears discussed. I've decided not to invent a whole host of unattainable resolutions so I've gone for practical ones - for what its worth, here they are :

* to watch more films (got a gift voucher for lovefilm so woohoo this one is likely to be fulfilled!);

* to be more proactive about my writing work and strive for at least one project to begin a development/prod. journey in 2007;

* to continue my MA ScreenW. course and practically apply what I learn to my own work rather than get mired in theory;

* to continue developing my business - I use Ebay too but the vintage clothing website is my baby and needs work;

* to plan a roadtrip (last one was Edinburgh to Brighton in a Fiat where I met Ali Smith - RIP little gold Fiat);

* to be happy, healthy and (cliche I know but doesn't harm to say it loud) to remember there's always someone worse off than you.

Oh yes and :

* TO POST MORE OFTEN AS I AM TOO OLD TO BE A SLACKER (even though I am a student again but that is no excuse especially as I started this blog to primarily keep a diary of my course).

I'm going to go a little bit Zen now so here's my thought for the day : 'the mystery of life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced' (coincidentally 12000 other people across the world will also be having this exact same thought today, and not because I am very clever and have special powers... no, it is because it is on my Zen calendar).