Tuesday, September 28, 2004

thoughts on notation

Examine the use of Notation in the study of Dance


Notation is the written form of dance, using symbols and a staff to represent both the movement performed and it’s relationship to time, space, and the body of the dancer. In Laban notation even the floor plans can be recorded for the perusal of the dancer.


Notation has the potential to change the way dancers work. It could be called the literature of Dance and ‘all the benefits which literature and literacy bring[i]’ will enhance the working lives of dancers. A literate dancer eliminates the need for hours in the rehearsal studio because they can study a score at home. No special equipment is needed, just knowledge of the symbols and what they mean.


Being able to record dance as it is created will aid the choreographer. No longer having to memorise each phrase and its minor adjustments, notation enables the choreographer to simply refer back to previous notes. It would be unthinkable that the orchestra would sit waiting whilst each bar is individually created by the composer, and then learnt by the orchestra, bar by bar, taught by ear as the composer hums. Why then should dancers be unable to see movement on the written page? With a notated score the dancer can look over any particular phrase or motif that presents difficulty and analyse it in his or her own time till they are happy with it. They can see how many times a motif is used or developed, allowing them to easily prepare for that moment in mental rehearsal.


A dancer asked to fill a role as an understudy can come to rehearsal prepared for the role if given a notated score. Even if the dancer speaks a different vocal language to the choreographer, the potential universality of dance notation means the dancer will understand the movement he or she is required to perform, echoing the standard issue of music notation or chemical symbols.


Notation also creates a reliable way of recording choreography for future generations. Watching dance on film is unreliable because we are watching one dancer’s interpretation of the choreographer’s movements. This was evident in Unit (4?) where we were learning the set study. The dancer in the video performs the dance in a very different manner to the way the dance was taught at our teacher’s course, providing opportunities for discrepancy. The notated score allows the student to have a definitive version of the correct movements.


Unfortunately, the score provided is of such a high standard that only an A level student of a very high standard would be able to read it. The majority of A level students, with only a years worth of experience cannot learn the dance from the score provided. To be at that standard the dancer would need to have learnt notation from an early age. Indeed, to produce dancer confident in and capable of recreating works from notated scores, dance notation needs to be taught as the dancer is learning the very basics of dance, much in the way that children at primary school are familiarised with standard music notation as they learn to play simple instruments such as the recorder.


The potential ideal of literate dancers being able to communicate easily through the common language of notation is further hindered but the lack of a standard form of dance notation. There are two major forms of dance notation, Benesh and Laban. These differ from each other greatly, Benesh having the ability to be written on a conventional music staff, being read from left to right, and Laban being written on it’s own staff, read from the bottom up, focusing on the spaced travelled. Dancers are usually trained in one form or another, rarely both. This would create problems if a dancer trained Laban notation were handed a Benesh score. For notation to fulfil it’s potential in dance, it needs to be standardised. There are few specialists in the dance world who choose to stud notation meaning that the in depth research for such standardisation to occur is a long way off.


The main problem with dance notation is there is no way of recording emotion in a notated form. Music notation has the Italian musical terms to convey a little at least of the feeling with which the composer intended the piece to be interpreted. Dance notation lacks this. From the notated scores we have worked from in lessons, I have no way of knowing the emotion or feeling behind the work. Dance is communication using the body, and without knowledge of the dance idea, the dancer is unable to communicate effectively, and the dance piece fails. My choreography in Unit 1 was based on the sensations and emotions of loss, deep longing and anger. Without being able to communicate these on a score, the dancer would be unable to communicate the full feeling and give the necessary quality to the movements.


It is this sense of movement quality and emotion that makes dance. Dance is a live transient art form. Yes, notation provides dance with the means of a literature, but it cannot permanently record the feelings.

[i] From Dance Notation

thoughts on notation

Examine the use of Notation in the study of Dance

Notation is the written form of dance, using symbols and a staff to represent both the movement performed and it’s relationship to time, space, and the body of the dancer. In Laban notation even the floor plans can be recorded for the perusal of the dancer.

Notation has the potential to change the way dancers work. It could be called the literature of Dance and ‘all the benefits which literature and literacy bring[i]’ will enhance the working lives of dancers. A literate dancer eliminates the need for hours in the rehearsal studio because they can study a score at home. No special equipment is needed, just knowledge of the symbols and what they mean.

Being able to record dance as it is created will aid the choreographer. No longer having to memorise each phrase and its minor adjustments, notation enables the choreographer to simply refer back to previous notes. It would be unthinkable that the orchestra would sit waiting whilst each bar is individually created by the composer, and then learnt by the orchestra, bar by bar, taught by ear as the composer hums. Why then should dancers be unable to see movement on the written page? With a notated score the dancer can look over any particular phrase or motif that presents difficulty and analyse it in his or her own time till they are happy with it. They can see how many times a motif is used or developed, allowing them to easily prepare for that moment in mental rehearsal.

A dancer asked to fill a role as an understudy can come to rehearsal prepared for the role if given a notated score. Even if the dancer speaks a different vocal language to the choreographer, the potential universality of dance notation means the dancer will understand the movement he or she is required to perform, echoing the standard issue of music notation or chemical symbols.

Notation also creates a reliable way of recording choreography for future generations. Watching dance on film is unreliable because we are watching one dancer’s interpretation of the choreographer’s movements. This was evident in Unit (4?) where we were learning the set study. The dancer in the video performs the dance in a very different manner to the way the dance was taught at our teacher’s course, providing opportunities for discrepancy. The notated score allows the student to have a definitive version of the correct movements.

Unfortunately, the score provided is of such a high standard that only an A level student of a very high standard would be able to read it. The majority of A level students, with only a years worth of experience cannot learn the dance from the score provided. To be at that standard the dancer would need to have learnt notation from an early age. Indeed, to produce dancer confident in and capable of recreating works from notated scores, dance notation needs to be taught as the dancer is learning the very basics of dance, much in the way that children at primary school are familiarised with standard music notation as they learn to play simple instruments such as the recorder.

The potential ideal of literate dancers being able to communicate easily through the common language of notation is further hindered but the lack of a standard form of dance notation. There are two major forms of dance notation, Benesh and Laban. These differ from each other greatly, Benesh having the ability to be written on a conventional music staff, being read from left to right, and Laban being written on it’s own staff, read from the bottom up, focusing on the spaced travelled. Dancers are usually trained in one form or another, rarely both. This would create problems if a dancer trained Laban notation were handed a Benesh score. For notation to fulfil it’s potential in dance, it needs to be standardised. There are few specialists in the dance world who choose to stud notation meaning that the in depth research for such standardisation to occur is a long way off.

The main problem with dance notation is there is no way of recording emotion in a notated form. Music notation has the Italian musical terms to convey a little at least of the feeling with which the composer intended the piece to be interpreted. Dance notation lacks this. From the notated scores we have worked from in lessons, I have no way of knowing the emotion or feeling behind the work. Dance is communication using the body, and without knowledge of the dance idea, the dancer is unable to communicate effectively, and the dance piece fails. My choreography in Unit 1 was based on the sensations and emotions of loss, deep longing and anger. Without being able to communicate these on a score, the dancer would be unable to communicate the full feeling and give the necessary quality to the movements.

It is this sense of movement quality and emotion that makes dance. Dance is a live transient art form. Yes, notation provides dance with the means of a literature, but it cannot permanently record the feelings.
[i] From Dance Notation

My lovely ring

Listening to: Eleanor playing the piano

Talking to: No one

Thinking:lots of small and insignificant things.









Well that's the gorgeous ring. Unique, because Rob had it made for me. A lighter sapphire as they're better quality. Small diamonds so my little hand isn't over whelmed. White gold as i don't like yellow. A raised setting to let light in and make them sparkle. A horizontal oval to create a sleek look.


Mmmm....it's nice to feel special.

My lovely ring

Listening to: Eleanor playing the piano
Talking to: No one
Thinking:lots of small and insignificant things.





Well that's the gorgeous ring. Unique, because Rob had it made for me. A lighter sapphire as they're better quality. Small diamonds so my little hand isn't over whelmed. White gold as i don't like yellow. A raised setting to let light in and make them sparkle. A horizontal oval to create a sleek look.

Mmmm....it's nice to feel special.

Monday, September 27, 2004

An annoucement

Just wanted to share that all with you!!

On the 25th of sept, at my 18th Birthday party, where you all had to come dressed as your favourite fictional character I was dressed as Satine, and he as Sharpe from the Bernard Cromwell books and tv programme with Sean Bean.

After people had got their buffet food and were settling down to eat, he turned off the music and ask people to be quiet. Then he spoke of how we'd been together for 2 years and he wanted our relationship to move on to the next level. The next thing I know he's down on one knee, holding both my hands, looking me in the eye and saying

" Alex, will you marry me?"

With all my friends and family cheering him on.

I whispered a yes and then both with very shakey hands we eventually got the ring on. It's an oval sapphire set with two diamonds either side. It keep catching my eye as I type.

He even asked my Dad for permission.

And before anyone goes..."Oh but you're so young!" I am. But when you're onto a good thing you know it. It's not like we're getting married this year. We'll have to wait till we can afford a place of our own, and I want to finish college. But It is wonderful to be engaged.

An annoucement

Just wanted to share that all with you!!
On the 25th of sept, at my 18th Birthday party, where you all had to come dressed as your favourite fictional character I was dressed as Satine, and he as Sharpe from the Bernard Cromwell books and tv programme with Sean Bean.
After people had got their buffet food and were settling down to eat, he turned off the music and ask people to be quiet. Then he spoke of how we'd been together for 2 years and he wanted our relationship to move on to the next level. The next thing I know he's down on one knee, holding both my hands, looking me in the eye and saying
" Alex, will you marry me?"
With all my friends and family cheering him on.
I whispered a yes and then both with very shakey hands we eventually got the ring on. It's an oval sapphire set with two diamonds either side. It keep catching my eye as I type.
He even asked my Dad for permission.
And before anyone goes..."Oh but you're so young!" I am. But when you're onto a good thing you know it. It's not like we're getting married this year. We'll have to wait till we can afford a place of our own, and I want to finish college. But It is wonderful to be engaged.

Friday, September 24, 2004

New project

Sorry for the crappy picture quality. It's night time here and the energy saving light bulb is not conductive to taking pics with web cams.
Just thought I'd do a knitting update. This diddy bit of cable is a start of a scarf for Billy. It's actually the cable pattern from Coronet on Knitty.com. Depending on how bored I get i'll knit this fortop and bottom and then stripe 6/6 cables for the mainbulkof the scarf or use this as the stripes. I'm enjoying cabling...nice challenge.
Been trying to knit Clapotisin this nice yarn, but struggling with pattern, so started on this instead. Also have a beige stripy scarf that's too wide and twoshort that i'm going to 'Steek'. Thought if I machined to rectangles onto the scarf, then cut between them and sewed them together it might get to the right length.
Had an early b-day pressie today too from Vicki. A set of 6mm, 40cm circs, and a set of 2.75mm, 80cm circs...so circular knitting here I come. I think my first project on those will be a baby blue shrug for Miss B using the end of the baby yarn. She's always cold bless her!
Does making pompoms count as a knittiny activity? Well I suppose it's fiber! I made two big white fluffy poms for Amey's shoes for tomorrow. She's coming as Tinkerbell to my come as your favourite fictional character 18th b-day party...:->

New project

Sorry for the crappy picture quality. It's night time here and the energy saving light bulb is not conductive to taking pics with web cams.
Just thought I'd do a knitting update. This diddy bit of cable is a start of a scarf for Billy. It's actually the cable pattern from Coronet on Knitty.com. Depending on how bored I get i'll knit this fortop and bottom and then stripe 6/6 cables for the mainbulkof the scarf or use this as the stripes. I'm enjoying cabling...nice challenge.
Been trying to knit Clapotisin this nice yarn, but struggling with pattern, so started on this instead. Also have a beige stripy scarf that's too wide and twoshort that i'm going to 'Steek'. Thought if I machined to rectangles onto the scarf, then cut between them and sewed them together it might get to the right length.
Had an early b-day pressie today too from Vicki. A set of 6mm, 40cm circs, and a set of 2.75mm, 80cm circs...so circular knitting here I come. I think my first project on those will be a baby blue shrug for Miss B using the end of the baby yarn. She's always cold bless her!
Does making pompoms count as a knittiny activity? Well I suppose it's fiber! I made two big white fluffy poms for Amey's shoes for tomorrow. She's coming as Tinkerbell to my come as your favourite fictional character 18th b-day party...:->

Proud gf of MOD Employee!!

Listening to: The quiet murmur of a d- day tv program

Talking to: Rob and Matt

Thinking:Rob's got a new job YAYAY!!!


Just a quick update. Rob my darling bf as of the 25th of October will be employed by the Ministry of Defence as a service desk operator for the Royal Navy. It's wonderful to see prayers answered.

Proud gf of MOD Employee!!

Listening to: The quiet murmur of a d- day tv program
Talking to: Rob and Matt
Thinking:Rob's got a new job YAYAY!!!

Just a quick update. Rob my darling bf as of the 25th of October will be employed by the Ministry of Defence as a service desk operator for the Royal Navy. It's wonderful to see prayers answered.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

I wrote a great entry last night and blogger lost it!

Listening to: Fran and Steve bickering over bickering and small spelling errors.

Talking to: Fran and Steve, who keep critising my crap typing skills...just because i'm not a keyboard junkie!


Thinking: I'm not a keyboard junkie! So meh!


So far today I've worked very hard. I've made a tinkerbell dress with Amey...well pinned it anyway....and sorted my personal statement for UCAS and had a dance lesson where we finished a display. That's very productive and it's only 5 mins past 11am.


It's nice and sunny today. Which has really lifted my mood. I like sunshine. So Yay! Though the wind has mussed up my hair rather so I look like a mad professor but that's a good thing. I'm too intelligent anyway! Einstein here I come.


Just had History. We spend more time in History debating current world politics than anything else but I like it. I think it's really important that students develop in all areas. I find it horrific that in our french lesson where are current unit is french politics that I find that I and the teacher spend the majoity of our time expaining to other other two students the basics of british poilitics in order for them to form opioins to say in french. This type of ignorance leads to apathy and low turnout in elections. My friends don't feel informed enough to consider voting, or don't feel it important enough. I think that if you do not vote you have no right to complain about the government as you did nothing to try and change it.


Now Stalin would say we don't have true democracy here anway because when we look at canditates their matter of policy are nearly all the same. There is very little difference between our political parties today with maybe the exception of the Green Party. Most of the policy is set up to maintain or improve the system we already have where lots is controlled by few.


Now I'm no Marxist. I do believe that those who serve the public should live as member of the public with no private interests. And that the minister for education should have experience of a public education or be an educator. And Teachers should get tax breaks.


And on a Knitiny note I'm going to knit clapotis from www.knitty.com It's so lovely...... in red wool...

I wrote a great entry last night and blogger lost it!

Listening to: Fran and Steve bickering over bickering and small spelling errors.
Talking to: Fran and Steve, who keep critising my crap typing skills...just because i'm not a keyboard junkie!

Thinking: I'm not a keyboard junkie! So meh!

So far today I've worked very hard. I've made a tinkerbell dress with Amey...well pinned it anyway....and sorted my personal statement for UCAS and had a dance lesson where we finished a display. That's very productive and it's only 5 mins past 11am.

It's nice and sunny today. Which has really lifted my mood. I like sunshine. So Yay! Though the wind has mussed up my hair rather so I look like a mad professor but that's a good thing. I'm too intelligent anyway! Einstein here I come.

Just had History. We spend more time in History debating current world politics than anything else but I like it. I think it's really important that students develop in all areas. I find it horrific that in our french lesson where are current unit is french politics that I find that I and the teacher spend the majoity of our time expaining to other other two students the basics of british poilitics in order for them to form opioins to say in french. This type of ignorance leads to apathy and low turnout in elections. My friends don't feel informed enough to consider voting, or don't feel it important enough. I think that if you do not vote you have no right to complain about the government as you did nothing to try and change it.

Now Stalin would say we don't have true democracy here anway because when we look at canditates their matter of policy are nearly all the same. There is very little difference between our political parties today with maybe the exception of the Green Party. Most of the policy is set up to maintain or improve the system we already have where lots is controlled by few.

Now I'm no Marxist. I do believe that those who serve the public should live as member of the public with no private interests. And that the minister for education should have experience of a public education or be an educator. And Teachers should get tax breaks.

And on a Knitiny note I'm going to knit clapotis from www.knitty.com It's so lovely...... in red wool...

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

*sigh* and *sneeze*

Listening to: Eleanor humming

Talking to: No one

Thinking: I don't know why.


Nothing much more exciting hapenned. I had my lessons. I learnt a little. My runny nose got worse. Lol..it's running away from me. I hate that blocked up feeling. But by his Stripes I am healed so it is going to go away.


Everyone seemed to be in such foul moods today. Fran's Od is a nightmare. I just don't know how to make things better and then I say nothing, knowing that it isn't helping. I don't know what she needs or what she wants as it changes from moment to moment. I just feel like a crap friend.

Lord, I pray you surround her with your loving comfort, your angels your blood your protection. What ever is hurting her,affecting her, remove it. Bless her Lord with your peace your mighty and powerful peace. Lord I'm standing in the gap for her Lord. I come on her behalf whether she wants it or not. Lord hold her close to you, Breathe your life into her. Lord I'm hurting for her. I wanna see her the way you see her. Please Lord Hear my Cry. Amen.


Lizzy came over after school. We made fairy cakes for my birthday and decorated them. It was fun like being a little kid again. We painted little fairies to go on my cake too. It should be very very pretty. Oh dammit I need to blow my nose again.


Wow this is soo cool. My friend Becky who got ill with stress and stuff and had to leave sixth form is chatting to me on msn. I tried texting her but got noreply and I though she'd vanished

But she better now, and is going to come to my birthday party!! This is wonderful.


And on that Happy Note, Here is a nice pic of robs bike and i'm off to do homework.






*sigh* and *sneeze*

Listening to: Eleanor humming
Talking to: No one
Thinking: I don't know why.

Nothing much more exciting hapenned. I had my lessons. I learnt a little. My runny nose got worse. Lol..it's running away from me. I hate that blocked up feeling. But by his Stripes I am healed so it is going to go away.

Everyone seemed to be in such foul moods today. Fran's Od is a nightmare. I just don't know how to make things better and then I say nothing, knowing that it isn't helping. I don't know what she needs or what she wants as it changes from moment to moment. I just feel like a crap friend.
Lord, I pray you surround her with your loving comfort, your angels your blood your protection. What ever is hurting her,affecting her, remove it. Bless her Lord with your peace your mighty and powerful peace. Lord I'm standing in the gap for her Lord. I come on her behalf whether she wants it or not. Lord hold her close to you, Breathe your life into her. Lord I'm hurting for her. I wanna see her the way you see her. Please Lord Hear my Cry. Amen.

Lizzy came over after school. We made fairy cakes for my birthday and decorated them. It was fun like being a little kid again. We painted little fairies to go on my cake too. It should be very very pretty. Oh dammit I need to blow my nose again.

Wow this is soo cool. My friend Becky who got ill with stress and stuff and had to leave sixth form is chatting to me on msn. I tried texting her but got noreply and I though she'd vanished
But she better now, and is going to come to my birthday party!! This is wonderful.

And on that Happy Note, Here is a nice pic of robs bike and i'm off to do homework.




Grrrr...:-S

Listening to: People moaning about broken computer and sarah being really loud and wearing 3 pairs of head phones.


Talking to: Sarah, Erica, Tim and Fran


Thinking: I feel really stressed out. For no good reason. But I have another mitten nearly done! Yay!


Well I got healed last night, which was interesting. I had a sore throat and a runny nose, but by the end of prayer i didn't have a sore throat and my runny nose is less runny. So that's quite amazing.



Youth Group went better than I thought it would. I used some stuff my Dad gave me on trusting God and how Abram just had to leave everything behind etc.... Turns out to be actually exactly what God wanted me to bring. We also had a great discussion on all the practical things we need to learn to be good wives and mothers and women. You know changing tyres, preparing food, And how exactly do you get a morgage? That sort of thing. The key skills we don't get taught at school.


So I think it went okay. I'm glad things are kinda looking up a bit about youth group now. For a while it looked scary. Like things would only get worse.


Nothing much's happenned yet at school so i'll update when I get back!


Grrrr...:-S

Listening to: People moaning about broken computer and sarah being really loud and wearing 3 pairs of head phones.

Talking to: Sarah, Erica, Tim and Fran

Thinking: I feel really stressed out. For no good reason. But I have another mitten nearly done! Yay!

Well I got healed last night, which was interesting. I had a sore throat and a runny nose, but by the end of prayer i didn't have a sore throat and my runny nose is less runny. So that's quite amazing.


Youth Group went better than I thought it would. I used some stuff my Dad gave me on trusting God and how Abram just had to leave everything behind etc.... Turns out to be actually exactly what God wanted me to bring. We also had a great discussion on all the practical things we need to learn to be good wives and mothers and women. You know changing tyres, preparing food, And how exactly do you get a morgage? That sort of thing. The key skills we don't get taught at school.

So I think it went okay. I'm glad things are kinda looking up a bit about youth group now. For a while it looked scary. Like things would only get worse.

Nothing much's happenned yet at school so i'll update when I get back!

Monday, September 20, 2004

Some more FO's

Listening to: cars going brum

Talking to: Rob and Lizzy

Thinking: Crap I've still not got much for youth group.


Here are some pics of things I've finished recently. The baby jacket needs some more blocking it's still skewiffy....

And this is the first mitten for sarah.
Had my Bugsy Acting Audition today. I had to sing "Happy Birthday" and act a couple of scenes. Unfortunately I'm not sure whether I was intune, and my accent was rather southern. Mood has not been helped by three people managing to sing it with histronics and feeling I'm not bitter no.....grrr


Some more FO's

Listening to: cars going brum
Talking to: Rob and Lizzy
Thinking: Crap I've still not got much for youth group.

Here are some pics of things I've finished recently. The baby jacket needs some more blocking it's still skewiffy....
And this is the first mitten for sarah.
Had my Bugsy Acting Audition today. I had to sing "Happy Birthday" and act a couple of scenes. Unfortunately I'm not sure whether I was intune, and my accent was rather southern. Mood has not been helped by three people managing to sing it with histronics and feeling I'm not bitter no.....grrr

Age of Wonders

Listening to: A supply teacher struggling to teach dance. Yes I'm in the cupboard that is the Dance office.

Talking to: No one, though I did just tell JP about the dodgy puters up in the sixth form.

Thinking: Crap...I still have nothing to bring to youth group.


So yesterday. I got up. I went to church. I got bored. It was very hard to deal with. Firstly the new songs we're singing are really awkwardly arranged. Take a lower key and the beginning is too low for the girls to sing,. Take a higher key and the chorus is too high for anyone to sing. It's one of those songs where is you get one note wrong you've lost it for the entire song. Didn't help that both I and Craig our worship leader were amazingingly out of tune the whole time. I have to admit I did just gove up towards the end.


Plus the service kinda tailed out. People were going up for prayer at the end of the sermon, but no they didn't do it en mass, they did it in dribs and drabs. No wonder everyone else got bored and went out having coffee. I don't mind praying for people but it is inconsiderate to expect children to be quiet for huge lengths of time, especially when the service was supposed to finish 20 mins ago.


But the day picked up. Having worked really hard all week, I had enough done to enable me to go to Robs for the afternoon/evening. So I did. And it was fun. We played Age of Wonders 3. A Lord of the Rings esque strategy game, I like playing as the Archons a race of pure good super people. They're just so pretty. Rob and I got very annoyed when it appeared that the computer players are always given an advantage over the human player. There was no way we could win. I mean, I attacked a city with about 12 units. The city had 6. But they were ENCHANTED units. I mean Rob and I had not had enough time or money to get to a leel where we could have enchanted units, so how could the computer do it? My thoughts? It cheats!! *gasp* I lost all but one unit, tried to convert them into archons and then they rebelled so i didn't, which left my other town gettgin cross that I now had a bigger human city than archon city and they all rebelled. I got so cross.


Still I did have fun, and I managed to finish one of Sarah's mittens for her birthday which is the day before mine. I din't have enough pink wool of the same shade for a matching set, so she's going to have one dark pink mitten with light pink decoration and vice versa. I've finished the pale blue baby jumper I started for Lisa M in America, so that needs to be blocked and washed. And posted.


Lisa M's baby should be coming in just over a week and Scott and Lori are married now!!! Bloggers are moving on! So exciting!


And I will be soon. Soon to be 18. Adult, responsible for any mistakes I make. My short time on the vast stage of the universe cut shorter. Oohh..exciting though....

Age of Wonders

Listening to: A supply teacher struggling to teach dance. Yes I'm in the cupboard that is the Dance office.
Talking to: No one, though I did just tell JP about the dodgy puters up in the sixth form.
Thinking: Crap...I still have nothing to bring to youth group.

So yesterday. I got up. I went to church. I got bored. It was very hard to deal with. Firstly the new songs we're singing are really awkwardly arranged. Take a lower key and the beginning is too low for the girls to sing,. Take a higher key and the chorus is too high for anyone to sing. It's one of those songs where is you get one note wrong you've lost it for the entire song. Didn't help that both I and Craig our worship leader were amazingingly out of tune the whole time. I have to admit I did just gove up towards the end.

Plus the service kinda tailed out. People were going up for prayer at the end of the sermon, but no they didn't do it en mass, they did it in dribs and drabs. No wonder everyone else got bored and went out having coffee. I don't mind praying for people but it is inconsiderate to expect children to be quiet for huge lengths of time, especially when the service was supposed to finish 20 mins ago.

But the day picked up. Having worked really hard all week, I had enough done to enable me to go to Robs for the afternoon/evening. So I did. And it was fun. We played Age of Wonders 3. A Lord of the Rings esque strategy game, I like playing as the Archons a race of pure good super people. They're just so pretty. Rob and I got very annoyed when it appeared that the computer players are always given an advantage over the human player. There was no way we could win. I mean, I attacked a city with about 12 units. The city had 6. But they were ENCHANTED units. I mean Rob and I had not had enough time or money to get to a leel where we could have enchanted units, so how could the computer do it? My thoughts? It cheats!! *gasp* I lost all but one unit, tried to convert them into archons and then they rebelled so i didn't, which left my other town gettgin cross that I now had a bigger human city than archon city and they all rebelled. I got so cross.

Still I did have fun, and I managed to finish one of Sarah's mittens for her birthday which is the day before mine. I din't have enough pink wool of the same shade for a matching set, so she's going to have one dark pink mitten with light pink decoration and vice versa. I've finished the pale blue baby jumper I started for Lisa M in America, so that needs to be blocked and washed. And posted.

Lisa M's baby should be coming in just over a week and Scott and Lori are married now!!! Bloggers are moving on! So exciting!

And I will be soon. Soon to be 18. Adult, responsible for any mistakes I make. My short time on the vast stage of the universe cut shorter. Oohh..exciting though....

Saturday, September 18, 2004

After Ballet Blues

Listening to: Teardrop by Massive Attack - Our song...*sighs*

Talking to: No one today

Thinking: I should be writing an essay.


Ohh aren't guitar riffs lovely. The song just changed to Sugababes - One Touch. It has such a nice riff, but then they spoil it with uninventive drumming..I shall skip it. That's better. Jars of Clay jangly guitars.


Well I've just had dance, not that we did much dance today. We're planning a show for the summer, based on C. S. Lewis' book The Magicians Nephew. I shall be a gardener, a tree fairy and Aslan....I can't wait. But I miss not doing some proper ballet hence the blues


All this performing. What with Bugsy and the Dance nights. When I am I going to fit in my school life? I'm headgirl and all. which is a point I have to look up forsome old skool stle retro headgirl badges to get my friends. I missed out my first event as head girl as I was working! Well I couldn't really askfor time off as it was only my second night.


Work is well.....boring. Shelf stacking was never going to be that interesting. But it really is mundane. And at only £3.75 an hour. Still when I start my driving lessons it should be enough to get me one a week. Driving is so expensive. £20 a lesson and I need to buy my provisional. That'll be £35 at least! I kinda need to get that don't I before I start my lessons really.


Anyway work. I seem to only make friends with people as they are leaving. First James a cool Australian guy who's moved to Scotland on my first night, and last night another James who's going back to University College Winchester to do his final year in Archaeology and History. Still there's always wossisname (Matthew?) Randle, who's in the year below me. We got told off on Thursday for talking. We can't help it. We're both new and we got stuck. There's this thing you do called 'facing up' after youstacked the shelves when you go around making sure everything is the right way round, all labels facing the front, neat and tidy. We were doing the cakes aisle which apparently we leave to last, but no one'd toldus this! Still think of the money Alex!


Last night Rob came over which was lovely. He did however have to teach me how to do nothing as he just wanted to chill out after a boring/crap day at work. Mum and Dad had gone out to the cinema to see The Terminal so we lay on the sofa watching tv and chatting. And mockarguing and playfighting and talking. But overall we had a great night. That's something I'm definately looking forward to in the future. Rob never having to go home because we'll be married and it'll be our home already.


We were talking about engagement things yesterday too. He so likes having secrets from me. Apparently everything's sorted and planned but he won't tell me whether he's bought the ring yet. It's like a game of chess, he's always 5 moves ahead. It was a wonderful moment. Soft glowing warm light, lying in the crook of arm stroking his face while we talked about the future and bridesmaids of all things.


I had a horrid dream last night. With all the furore over mounted foxhunting and all the breaches of security at the Houses of Parliment, I dreamt Hunt supporters were rioting in the streets with hounds and horse trying to brutally attack people. Firstly I was on a train trying to get home and then I was in my house/shop with some people and children and I couldn't get the door shut because it only had a little latch and the latch kept pooping oopen everytime the horses crashed into the door, so I sent people upstairs and then the hounds spilt into the galss hose porch and it was terrible so we were forced to live in a cupboard. My subconcious is too active I think.

After Ballet Blues

Listening to: Teardrop by Massive Attack - Our song...*sighs*
Talking to: No one today
Thinking: I should be writing an essay.

Ohh aren't guitar riffs lovely. The song just changed to Sugababes - One Touch. It has such a nice riff, but then they spoil it with uninventive drumming..I shall skip it. That's better. Jars of Clay jangly guitars.

Well I've just had dance, not that we did much dance today. We're planning a show for the summer, based on C. S. Lewis' book The Magicians Nephew. I shall be a gardener, a tree fairy and Aslan....I can't wait. But I miss not doing some proper ballet hence the blues

All this performing. What with Bugsy and the Dance nights. When I am I going to fit in my school life? I'm headgirl and all. which is a point I have to look up forsome old skool stle retro headgirl badges to get my friends. I missed out my first event as head girl as I was working! Well I couldn't really askfor time off as it was only my second night.

Work is well.....boring. Shelf stacking was never going to be that interesting. But it really is mundane. And at only £3.75 an hour. Still when I start my driving lessons it should be enough to get me one a week. Driving is so expensive. £20 a lesson and I need to buy my provisional. That'll be £35 at least! I kinda need to get that don't I before I start my lessons really.

Anyway work. I seem to only make friends with people as they are leaving. First James a cool Australian guy who's moved to Scotland on my first night, and last night another James who's going back to University College Winchester to do his final year in Archaeology and History. Still there's always wossisname (Matthew?) Randle, who's in the year below me. We got told off on Thursday for talking. We can't help it. We're both new and we got stuck. There's this thing you do called 'facing up' after youstacked the shelves when you go around making sure everything is the right way round, all labels facing the front, neat and tidy. We were doing the cakes aisle which apparently we leave to last, but no one'd toldus this! Still think of the money Alex!

Last night Rob came over which was lovely. He did however have to teach me how to do nothing as he just wanted to chill out after a boring/crap day at work. Mum and Dad had gone out to the cinema to see The Terminal so we lay on the sofa watching tv and chatting. And mockarguing and playfighting and talking. But overall we had a great night. That's something I'm definately looking forward to in the future. Rob never having to go home because we'll be married and it'll be our home already.

We were talking about engagement things yesterday too. He so likes having secrets from me. Apparently everything's sorted and planned but he won't tell me whether he's bought the ring yet. It's like a game of chess, he's always 5 moves ahead. It was a wonderful moment. Soft glowing warm light, lying in the crook of arm stroking his face while we talked about the future and bridesmaids of all things.

I had a horrid dream last night. With all the furore over mounted foxhunting and all the breaches of security at the Houses of Parliment, I dreamt Hunt supporters were rioting in the streets with hounds and horse trying to brutally attack people. Firstly I was on a train trying to get home and then I was in my house/shop with some people and children and I couldn't get the door shut because it only had a little latch and the latch kept pooping oopen everytime the horses crashed into the door, so I sent people upstairs and then the hounds spilt into the galss hose porch and it was terrible so we were forced to live in a cupboard. My subconcious is too active I think.

Friday, September 17, 2004

A Poem

White spirit on my spirit

A painters soul on my hands

oil dripping through frozen fingers

Ice clay shaping

monumental forms

Art is subjective, don't you know

i see beauty in your

eyes

but your soul is becoming black

as your doodles become evil

hatred in every stroke

and you influence the art

that draws it's self around you

blue and black

on white

white purity

on

Paper

A Poem

White spirit on my spirit
A painters soul on my hands
oil dripping through frozen fingers
Ice clay shaping
monumental forms
Art is subjective, don't you know
i see beauty in your
eyes
but your soul is becoming black
as your doodles become evil
hatred in every stroke
and you influence the art
that draws it's self around you
blue and black
on white
white purity
on
Paper

Bugsy Alone

Listening to: Computer humming and printers whirring.

Talking to: Fran intermittently

Thinking: Yes Rob is coming over.


The audition yesterday went okay. I think. We're doing "Bugsy Malone" as the school production this year. I don't know whether I can handle a big part. But it'd be fun. I can't do an american accent which will count against me, but I can dance my socks off, which will help. Last night was a dance audition. I had to learn and perform this ever - so - cheesy routine. I mean it was like Emmenthal or something. Flexed wrists, Big grins, whoops and hollers, cheeky wave, springs and mock tap dancing....Man it was fun.


What annoyed me was the unprofessionalism of a certain someone. Who arrives late. Then disrupts the sudition by demanding to know what we were doing and the what steps she'd missed. Who then asks the teacher the whole way through the audition to go over steps, to ask if she's doing them right, to push to the front, and then demand a break after 15 mins of dancing. That made me mad. This is an audition right, where they're trying to see how quickly you pick stuff up?


So I said we can't break this is an audition. The reply? "Well duh?" or something on the lines of "Well who'd have thought" or "Well never" Urrghhh..if she get Talulah or Blousy I shall go mad!!!


To be continued

Bugsy Alone

Listening to: Computer humming and printers whirring.
Talking to: Fran intermittently
Thinking: Yes Rob is coming over.

The audition yesterday went okay. I think. We're doing "Bugsy Malone" as the school production this year. I don't know whether I can handle a big part. But it'd be fun. I can't do an american accent which will count against me, but I can dance my socks off, which will help. Last night was a dance audition. I had to learn and perform this ever - so - cheesy routine. I mean it was like Emmenthal or something. Flexed wrists, Big grins, whoops and hollers, cheeky wave, springs and mock tap dancing....Man it was fun.

What annoyed me was the unprofessionalism of a certain someone. Who arrives late. Then disrupts the sudition by demanding to know what we were doing and the what steps she'd missed. Who then asks the teacher the whole way through the audition to go over steps, to ask if she's doing them right, to push to the front, and then demand a break after 15 mins of dancing. That made me mad. This is an audition right, where they're trying to see how quickly you pick stuff up?

So I said we can't break this is an audition. The reply? "Well duh?" or something on the lines of "Well who'd have thought" or "Well never" Urrghhh..if she get Talulah or Blousy I shall go mad!!!

To be continued

Thursday, September 16, 2004

First Knitting Foray

Listening to: Dance Auditions Going On

Talking to: Steve who looks bored brainless waiting for his audition

Thinking: I need to do some more hmk..but i can't as I have to go to WORK!!! Arrgghhh


And so to take my mind off work...I will post picture of my FO's..


:->

This a hat for lovely Lizzy.

My Sister's Poncho.
and lace closeup...
A hat for Lisa...
And some Mittens

First Knitting Foray

Listening to: Dance Auditions Going On
Talking to: Steve who looks bored brainless waiting for his audition
Thinking: I need to do some more hmk..but i can't as I have to go to WORK!!! Arrgghhh

And so to take my mind off work...I will post picture of my FO's..

:->
This a hat for lovely Lizzy.
My Sister's Poncho.
and lace closeup...
A hat for Lisa...
And some Mittens

Thinking of Yesterday

Listening to: Amey playing computer games in the Study Centre with me.

Talking to: Amey about Mum.

Thinking: About what happened yesterday and the relationship with my mum.


Yesterday was an important day. Two years ago yesterday Rob and I got together. It was more through mutual consent rather than one asking the other. Which is a good way of describing our relationship. Things happen by mutual consent. And it's wonderful. The happiest two years of my life so far. Here's to many more.


It's nice to be wanted and needed. And vice versa. I do love him so. He completes my picture..And future to come!!


He told me the much talked about engagement ring will be coming before Christmas....So exciting. It'll be a surprise, but I know he's got very good taste. He bought me a great necklace for my 16th Birthday, and if he sticks with that modern look he can do no wrong. However it'll probably be a sapphire as that's his name for me, Sapphy or Sapphire.


I don't know how my mum'll take it though. I get the impression that she's not very impressed with Rob. Probably because he's not the dashing doctor Son in Law she'd hope for. But I love him and so what if he's a Customer Service Advisor for a mobile phone company with aspirations and a conditional job offer for the Ministry of defense? When I confront her she says that it's fine but I know it's not....Dad loves him, "I've got a lot of time and respect for Rob" Dad likes having another man around in an all girl house.


It's exciting and scary all at the same time. I'm worried that once we're living together Rob'll be sick of my company. But he never seem to get bored with me when we spend long periods of time together. Or that my past will come back and bother him. But we had a new start at Faith Camp. I don't know. I'll just trust him and God to do what's right I suppose.



Thinking of Yesterday

Listening to: Amey playing computer games in the Study Centre with me.
Talking to: Amey about Mum.
Thinking: About what happened yesterday and the relationship with my mum.

Yesterday was an important day. Two years ago yesterday Rob and I got together. It was more through mutual consent rather than one asking the other. Which is a good way of describing our relationship. Things happen by mutual consent. And it's wonderful. The happiest two years of my life so far. Here's to many more.

It's nice to be wanted and needed. And vice versa. I do love him so. He completes my picture..And future to come!!

He told me the much talked about engagement ring will be coming before Christmas....So exciting. It'll be a surprise, but I know he's got very good taste. He bought me a great necklace for my 16th Birthday, and if he sticks with that modern look he can do no wrong. However it'll probably be a sapphire as that's his name for me, Sapphy or Sapphire.

I don't know how my mum'll take it though. I get the impression that she's not very impressed with Rob. Probably because he's not the dashing doctor Son in Law she'd hope for. But I love him and so what if he's a Customer Service Advisor for a mobile phone company with aspirations and a conditional job offer for the Ministry of defense? When I confront her she says that it's fine but I know it's not....Dad loves him, "I've got a lot of time and respect for Rob" Dad likes having another man around in an all girl house.

It's exciting and scary all at the same time. I'm worried that once we're living together Rob'll be sick of my company. But he never seem to get bored with me when we spend long periods of time together. Or that my past will come back and bother him. But we had a new start at Faith Camp. I don't know. I'll just trust him and God to do what's right I suppose.


Wednesday, September 15, 2004

What I hope will be the first in a long line of posts!

Well now to jump on the band wagon!


I've blogged for a while on OpenDiary but the hacker crisis there causing me to loose all my entries has inspired me to start using a service which seem to work for a lot more people, plus has the benefit that Blogger is not blocked by schools ISP.


I'll post a proper introduction later...but for the mean time...I'm Alex...Hi!

What I hope will be the first in a long line of posts!

Well now to jump on the band wagon!

I've blogged for a while on OpenDiary but the hacker crisis there causing me to loose all my entries has inspired me to start using a service which seem to work for a lot more people, plus has the benefit that Blogger is not blocked by schools ISP.

I'll post a proper introduction later...but for the mean time...I'm Alex...Hi!