#BLOGTOBER14 - Day 9

Best or Worst Halloween Memory #TBT

I can't pick just one! 

There are so many memories and they've all merged into a mental movie of Trick or Treating, costumes and nights out.

I suppose the first time I went Trick or Treating has to be one of the best ones. I was in Ireland vising family and we went out with our cousins to Trick or Treat. I don't remember much from it, other than getting lots of sweets.

A more recent & better best memory you ask? 

Well, okay. While at university I went on a night out to a halloween dress up night. It was much funsies, and I think it was one of the first times I met Maxx - the dashing other half of Pip. We all had a great night and I got to peel latex off my face when we got back. It looked like skin was hanging off my face!

I worked as a scarer on a scare tour in an old fort for two years running - 2008 and 2009 I think. It was really fun to do, I love to scare people. though it had it's drawbacks - waiting in the freezing cold for the next tour to come through was one of them...

Another would be winning a costume competition in 2012 - it was awesome. I was a killer clown. 

Worst halloween memory has to be not doing ANYTHING for halloween last year. It was dull, I missed out on a great excuse to get dressed up! 

Tomorrows prompt:

I Never Thought Blogging Would...

Matilda the Musical

On Valentines day myself and A went to see Matilda. I'd been hearing good things about it and I'm a fan of Tim Minchin, so I was desperate to see it. Not to mention I love the film as well.

If you've seen the film you will know that the story centres around a young girl whom is extremely bright for her age, and is unappreciated by her family. I'd go so far as to say she is neglected by her family. Both the film and the musical are based on Roald Dahl's popular story of the same name. The musical hit London's West End in the face and has become very popular amongst children and thespians alike.

Upon arriving, the Cambridge Theatre is decked out in chalk boards with child-like drawings, jokes and messages with extra chalk for the audience members to add their own messages and answer the questions. At the bar there were character themed drinks, the most memorable was Mrs Wormwood's-glitterberry J2O and vodka (or something to that effect). Upon entering the auditorium the stage is open, enabling the audience to get a good look at the amazing set. I can't imagine how long it would have taken to paint all of the blocks and lettering. Actually I have an inkling of how long that would take having studied performance management at uni.

The show opens with a birthday party, and I was blown away by the talent of the group of children on the stage. They were unbelievable, excellent movement and facial expressions. So disciplined for children so young. The next scene was a birthing scene where we meet Matilda's parents. Mr and Mrs Wormwood are both very large, exuberant characters. Almost overly large. I was not sure about them at all, which made me worry I would not like the rest of the production. As it turned out, this worry was unnecessary. The rest of the production was amazing. In retrospect I can understand why the characters are so...for lack of a better word...irritating. We as an audience are not meant to like them, and that is the point. The fact that I felt dislike for them is a credit to the actors playing those roles.

On the subject of noteworthy chracters, of course I must give The Trunchball her due. The first time we see her is with her back to us in her office, while Miss Honey is trying to work up the courage to knock on the door. The actor playing her was very good. The voice work he must have done for Trunchball worked really well with the character, and she was one of the best played characters. One of my absolute favorite parts was the moment I heard 'Amanda Thrip...' as soon as this was said I got very excited and looked and A breifly (who endures my excitable moods and knew instantly why I was so happy) before turning back to watch one of my favourite scenes from the film, which is followed by a girl being bodily thrown by Trunchball.

There are quite a few scenes and numbers worth mentioning, but I'm going on far too long as it is. One I will mention was the first number to really blow my mind and put a huge wow smile on my face. This was the first schoolyard number (I believe it is called School Song). The wow was for the choreography alone, never mind the music and lyrics. I could enthuse about this forever it was that good. Another to mention is Matilda's story. There are several scenes in the library where Matilda is telling the librarian a story. This is split through the show, and the way in which it was told was creative and dramatic. I couldn't take my eyes from it, and I won't spoil it for you, but I worked out who's story Matilda was really telling really early on. I'm good at that sort of thing. The opening of Act 2 was yet another spectacle to behold, using a slide and rope swings for the song 'When I Grow Up'.

Being a little bit of a theatre geek, I have to mention the stage and set. It was so well done, that I didn't suspect a thing until it happened, and then I was happily suprised. I won't go into detail as I don't want to ruin the wonderment.

Matilda is brilliant mix of humour and darkness. Very Tim Minchin. There are so many good things I could write about this musical, but I wouldn't want to ruin the fun for those wanting to go and see it. Which I highly recommend you do. Right now. Next showing is at 7pm.

Sleepy Sunday!

WHAT a week. Been a very busy bee recently! I'll give you a rundown...

Monday...

Arrived at work, and was thrown into going to London Toy Fair to set up because my colleague was not well! I had no idea what the plan was, and had to pretty much just wing it...it made for an interesting morning for sure! By the time I was back in the office most of the day was gone.

Tuesday...

Was not as eventful as Monday, the office was really quiet due to lots of people being on the stand at toy fair.

Wednesday...

Worked through a whole bunch of outstanding tasks that had been building up. the day went very fast, but got a lot done. After work I went to the gym, I was on the treadmill and attempting to jog, 90 second intervals between brisk walking. I was shattered by the time the half hour workout finished, so I got the bus to go home rather than staying for weight work...

Thursday...

Is the day me and my two admin colleagues were able to visit toy fair to have a look around. we pulled names out of a hat to see which two would go first, it was me and B, but there was a meeting in the afternoon that J needed to attend, so I bowed out and stayed in the office. once they had come back-with thrilling stories of toys and minions-I set off alone to toy fair. It was awesome, Really enjoyed wandering around looking at all of the stalls. One big disappointment was that due to being an 'exhibitor' the stand with loads of minion (as in, minions from Despicable Me) stuff wouldn't let me look at it! I LOVE minions, I even have a minion phone case. But alas, no dice. However, when I got back around to that stall the minions were out! Definitely got my picture taken with those little cuties!

Minions and myself! 

I have to say, even though it was really cool, it would have been a bit more fun if I was able to go around with someone. I was originally meant to go back to the office, but I ended up staying, having a free massage and bottle of wine with the sales managers. a very good afternoon at work! I helped pack up and get the boxed loaded onto the van, then accompanied the van back to the office to unload. Once all this was finished, it was 7.30pm. Leaving me with a long journey to the boyfriend's house (as I was staying the night there).

I finally got back to my hometown, and was waiting at the bus stop. a random guy decided to talk to me, he was a little drunk, and seemed to want to know my life story. Freaky much? So I was moving away from him, and ended missing my bus because of that. Thanks Ian the Random Guy. Tried and failed to get money out for a taxi - the cash machine wasn't working. Next step, get on the train and hop over to the town MrMan lives in, and bus/taxi from there. walked up to the bus stop, got there at the time the bus was supposed to, but it didn't come. the roads were super quiet, so I figured it had already passed the stop. decided to start walking, and find a taxi number while doing so. Once I had found the number, the operator answered, and did a call out to the taxis to see if anyone was available. no-one responded to her, so she came back onto the phone and simply said "I haven't got anyone in that area, bye" and hung up. Awesome. 40 minute walk in the dark & cold for me then. finally reached the BF's at about 11ish...

Friday...

The day did not start very well. Missed the bus I was going to get, the next one got me to the bus station not long before my train. 5 min walk to get to the station, I got there just as my train was pulling away. So I missed the train as well. Luckily, the next train would still get me in on time. Quite a normal day at work, though I did manage to make J cry with laughter. I don't even know how...I think we were all just going a bit loopy with end-of-the-week-itis. Had a mad rush to get some packages ready for Nuremberg Toy Fair (Germany) had these ready JUST in time for the delivery man to pick them up. And later realised there was one more box that needed to be sent. Oops. Luckily the courier was still able to come and pick the box up under a different reference number. Phew!

After all of this, the best part of the day happened. An evening out with two of my colleagues. we went for dinner in this awesome little restaurant in London Borough Market called the Banana Store. Very limited menu, but absolutely divine food. And wine. Happy days. We were meant to then go on to watch a musical-Candide-at Menier Chocolate Factory. I saw 'were' because we got there 3 minutes after the show had begun, and there weren't able to allow audience members in due to lots of backstage activity! Luckily, it is also a restaurant, so we had more wine, and a chocolate platter. Each. This part of the evening involved lots of giggling, and more laughter crying! We were able to go in to watch the second half after the interval. It was SO GOOD. I was totally gutted that we missed the first half. I would even consider getting tickets just so I can see the whole thing. I highly recommend watching it if you are in the area!

Overall, a highly enjoyable evening to end the work week with.

The Weekend...

I feel like I never stop! Saturday morning I had a driving lesson, during the day I took some time to relax a little, but then it was off traveling via bus to the boyfriends house, then to our friends house for drinking and a game of Cards Against Humanity (this is 'a card game for horrible people', according to the blurb on the box. SUCH a fun game. NSFW though...) which of course, was yet again another late night. Sunday, I had a bit of a lie in. It was glorious! then the BF and I met up with our friends and went to a shopping centre briefly, watched a film (at home, not cinema), then to Nandos.

After a very busy week, I am hoping this week will be a little calmer!

It won't be, but a girl can hope!