Updates
I've been away in so long that it feels slightly strange to be writing a post. A real one. With news and views and a promise of more to come. I should be doing work but instead I find myself on lj. Such is life and such is summertime with its unpredictable weather - gorgeous sunshine laced with biting wind and dreich skies. It is also the time to steal a few moments away from the computer screen in search of other experiences such as : lazy afternoons spent in the shade of trees peering at the sky and humming a tune, taking a bus out to Stonehaven and walking along the cliff paths to the castle ruins, walking in Platt field garden hand in hand watching the children feed the ducks, watching the kids jump in the cold water of the Don from the Brig o' Balgownie, shopping at the sales, sipping mango lassi in a local shop, walking in the sunshine, dancing to Jamie Cullum, drinking cocktails in Bacchanalia, chatting away at the Machar, being a part of Steve's wedding, getting out of breath at rambunctious ceilidhs, sipping whisky, waiting for three o'clock skives, watching films and enjoying sliences...
Firstly, I went to Manchester where the bustling city scape reminded me of home (the messy streets of Rusholm were reminiscent of the streets from Indian cities). I saw a wonderful production of The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams at the Royal Exchange Theatre which has an unusual design. It is a seven sided structure within a glass capsule ( according to the website, I didn't really count the sides! ) which gives the set designers a different and more creative space to work with . The stage effects were inventive and complemented the costumes and action. The acting was tremendous though I wasn't initially convinced about the Southern accents but later got used to them. It was so good to see a play after ages! I really do enjoy Tennessee Williams and the way he dramatises familial conflicts - his Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is one of my very favourite films.
Oh, by the way did I mention earlier that Spring blossoms are a wonderful, wonderful sight:
(Bluebells)
We had the Word Festival this year as per schedule and were treated to some readings by very accomplished poets and writers such as Michael Longley, Sinead Morrissey and Robert Crawford along with the very enjoyable Anne Donovan and Ron Butlin. I didn't hear Gray or Kelman but did buy a copy of Lanark which I intend on starting very soon!
Last week I travelled northwards to Dornoch and it was as always - marvellous. I wish that I could have stayed longer. The blue skies competed with the bright yellow gorse ( they smell strongly of coconut) and the trusty brown peaks rolled into green fields and the shells on the beach were the foot prints of the wide expansive sea. We saw seals at Loch Fleet and one curious fella even swam towards us! Seals do have faces like dogs when they bob out of the water! We ate lots of good food and weeded the garden and found snails hiding under bushes and walked through woods and climbed over fences and slept in and watched films in the afternoon. Atomised was a dark thought provoking German film which I recomend while I felt Brick Lane was miscast and at the end not that good(unsurprising , as I got bored with the book)! I could go but I think I'll stop as its late and I should get back to work.
Till next time folks...mind yourselves.