Hot Tickets

Having been given twenty five free tickets for the production of Othello, starring Ewan McGregor, I was tempted to sell one or two when I heard how sought after they were. Of course, it was just a momentary thought and we all enjoyed the performance and the post show talk with Ewan (this bit particularly engaged the students and staff!). I was surprised to read this article as I felt that McGregor gave an energised and focused portrayal of Iago; on the whole I felt the production was well cast, particularly the leads. I am by no means a fan of Shakespearean plays (usually falling asleep), but I managed to last the distance of this show. I have seen some terrible shows in my time and have walked out of several; this one was by no means on a par with them.
IMHO, if you can get a ticket, it's worth a visit.

Tagged (Parts Three and Four)

This is not the first time I have been tagged, in fact it is the third and fourth(see here and here)! I am by no means complaining :-)

Here are the rules:
1. link to the person that tagged you, in my case, Sisterlocks Convert and Still Waters.
2. post the rules on your blog.
3. share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I guess as I've been tagged twice I should share twelve things, but I'm not sure that I can think of that many that you don't already know!

• My earliest childhood memories are of being at Nursery at the age of two. I can remember not being allowed in the paddling pool because I had a cold and having to watch all of the other children having fun in the water :-(
• I have a passionate dislike for Okra.
• I am really struggling to find facts to share! (does this count?)
• I like Root Beer, but it's hard to find over here. MacDonald's used to sell it, but haven't done so for years. I guess the closest thing in taste is Dr Pepper, but for me it's not close enough.
• I enjoy watching crime investigation series'; from Columbo to CSI, they all hold my attention.
  
• I once ruined a school production when I burst into a fit of laughter that lasted several minutes. I was playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and my teacher wasn't very happy with my lack of professionalism!
• I have always felt it useful to be able to speak another language. At the moment, I am trying to brush up on my French skills for a forthcoming holiday; I also have 'teach yourself' kits for Spanish and Italian which I intend to work my way through.

I honestly can't think of anything else to share that I haven't already or that I am saving for future posts. So that, as they say, is all folks.
I am posting this so late in the day, that I am sure that there isn't any left to tag.
However if you haven't been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged by me and I'll look forward to reading your post!

"Aah Miss, your hair looks sick"

I'd better start by explaining that sick means bad when bad means good.

To be honest I thought my student was taking the mickey out of me when she said this; after all I think my hair looks a mess at the moment. She told me that she liked the way my hair had a nice afro shape to it and I explained that said afro look was due to the fact that my roots need 'doing'. She finished by saying "come on Miss, your hair looks really nice, I like it more than I did before and I really liked it then". At this point I smiled and thanked her.

Who was I to argue, after all, I like it more now than I did before.

However there is no denying the fact that my hair needs to be done. I have no time at the moment to do it myself and can't seem to get an appointment with my hairdresser. With another show on at work in a few weeks, I can see it being Easter before I get my hair sorted!

While I'm sharing recipes...

...here's another one for you.

I made this dish for my SO as part of our Christmas meal, as he doesn't eat meat. It's really easy to make and tastes great; I'm sure you can experiment with the filling but I used the ingredients suggested by the chef Gino D'Acampo.
The Aubergine is stuffed with spinach, pecorino cheese, tomatoes, parsley and pine nuts and topped with lots of mozzarella. After being drizzled with olive oil, it's baked in the oven.
Fantastico!

Something I've learnt this year

Ok, ok I know we're only a week into this year, but it's a while since I've done it.

Buying a new house is soooooooo stressful!

This is what we are doing at the moment and it has me absolutely zapped. We have seen 11 houses in the past 4 days and I must say, that bar one house, we really enjoyed it. Thankfully we've managed to get a short list from these and fingers crossed, our new home is amongst them. But the tiring part is dealing with Solicitors, Financial Advisors and Estate Agents, don't even get me started on Estate Agents. We have become their new best friends and they seem to have us on speed dial; they all have the perfect house for us, in fact they all have several of the perfect house for us!

The process of packing up our current home has begun; we are trying to get rid of all of the stuff we have acquired over the years, that we don't need to take with us - isn't it amazing how much 'stuff' you can accumulate over time.
I am a little nervous about moving, it will be a new house, new neighbours and for us a new area; not too far away, but enough for me to notice.

For the first time in, let me see, in a year, my hair is taking a back seat!

For Brenda

It has been a long, long time since Brenda 'won' a cheesecake in my blog quiz! And it has been an equally long time since I have made my signature dessert. As I can't put the cheesecake in the post I am sharing the recipe here instead. I made it for my New Years Eve soiree and as expected, didn't have any left on New Year's day!

You will need:

• 175g Good Quality White Chocolate
  
• 250g Cream Cheese
  
• 200g Ginger Biscuits
  
• 200ml Double Cream


• 50g Unsalted Butter

Prepare your base by crushing the biscuits and melting the butter. Combine the two together and then press into a flan case.
Put the cream cheese in a bowl and whip it lightly. Slowly add the double cream, whisking the mixture continuously.
In a separate bowl, melt the chocolate; when it has cooled, slowly add it to the cream cheese and cream mixture.
When all of the chocolate has been added and mixed in well, spoon the mixture onto the biscuit base.
And that's it, easy peasy. Put your cheesecake into the fridge for a couple of hours (if you can wait that long) and enjoy after a good meal!

I promise you, it tastes delicious; the white chocolate works so well with the ginger. For those of you (and I mention no names) that don't like white chocolate, it can be replaced with the juice and rind of two limes; this creates a lighter, refreshing dessert.

If like me, your family absolutely love the taste, you will find yourself making extra so that they can take one home!

Maybe I should start designing party hats for locked hair

My sister insisted that we all wore hats at my very small New Year's Eve party. In fact, it was also my sister who insisted that I had the party in the first place! Of course everybody thought it was hilarious that my hat wouldn't, actually I mean couldn't fit on my head properly. My ill-fitting crown didn't stop me enjoying myself; I laid on a mean buffet and made cocktails to order - the perfect hostess!
When Big Ben struck midnight, we all stood in a circle holding hands and sang a chorus of Auld Lang Syne. At JB's request, we then watched the London firework display on the television.
A great way to see the new year in.

Wishing you all, every happiness for the coming year.

Xxx

More birthday celebrations

The celebrating of my Mum's birthday, presented another opportunity for our family and friends to get together. This year's gathering took place at her house and there were plenty of people there to share her day.

My cousin and sister cooked up a storm and I was especially happy to see that fried chicken was on the menu :-) It was a nice, mellow event, but I think I must be getting old because I had to leave just after midnight, to catch up on my beauty sleep. According to my sisters; my Mum and her guests were still going at 3am!
We will continue celebrating her birthday on Saturday, when we'll be going out for a family meal. Glad you enjoyed today Mum.

Birthday greetings also go out to my cousin Deb, who is in Japan where her husband is stationed. X

The newest members of the Simply Mel clan

Introducing Chris and Noel.

JB had wanted a pet for quite some time; he'd never requested anything specific until last week, when he asked for some fish. After a lengthy consultation with the lady at the pet shop, he chose his tank and his fish on Christmas Eve. Their names were selected before we'd even got home! (I'm sure you can work out where he got them from)
I think that pets are a great way of instilling responsibility in children and I know that JB will take his role in looking after them very seriously.

Seasons Greetings to you all.

Xxx

Birthday Girl

My birthday celebrations started yesterday evening, when I went out with friends from work for drinks. Actually, if I'm honest the celebrations started a little earlier in the day, at the end of term party, which I took to be my birthday party! There was a lot of delicious food and plenty of champagne and of course lots of cheesy party music - I love cheesy music!
This evening I went out for a wonderful meal with my family at a local Thai restaurant. Towards the end of the meal, my sister announced to the entire restaurant that it was my birthday; they all obliged her by singing a raucous Happy Birthday! It was embarrassing, but very very funny.
I have been blessed these past two days to share this time with my very special family and my dear friends; I enjoyed every single minute of it.


Oh, my hair - it wasn't even a issue!

Arsenal 2 - Spurs 1

What more could a gooner ask for on her birthday!

A great match.

One Year!

Wow, I can't believe it's been a year already. And goodness, how my hair has changed; making this compilation has allowed me to really see the changes that have occurred.

1. The very last bit of hair to be put into the SL patern
   
2. Day 2, my first attempt at a braidout.


3. Week 1 and it's a ponytail for me.


4. Week 1, how thin my locks were back in the day!


5. Week 1, lots of length but lots of perm.


6. Month 1, I loved those two bunches!


7. Month 2, my first twistout


8. Month 3, another twistout - I loved the wave this styling option gave my hair.


9. Month 4, the difference between my two hair textures is becoming more apparent.


10. Month 5, half of my relaxed length has been chopped off.


11. Month 6, shorter hair and back to the braidout.


12. Month 7, the locks are really filling out now.


13. Month 8, all of the relaxed ends are gone!


14. Month 9, first time tightening my ow hair.


15. Month 10, Freshly washed and freestyling.


16. Month 11, lovely and thick, with a bit more length.

Shame on them

I was intrigued when this story first broke; man goes missing, he's presumed dead, five years later he turns up alive and 'well'. My suspicions were roused by the fact that he was able to give important information about himself, his name and D.O.B, but he thought that he might be missing. Intriguing, but I guess it could be possible to remember your name and nothing else and from that summise that perhaps you are a missing person and should get yourself to a police station. Yes, you are right, Mel was not convinced by this story!
When John Darwin's wife Anne began to speak to the press, I had the distinct feeling she knew more than she was letting on (or that she was not happy that her husband was actually alive); she was shocked by the news and would be returning t the UK at some point! Surely ones first instinct in this situation would be to rush the side of the loved one once thought lost; instead she seemed 'happy' to stay in Panama.
Her tune changed dramatically when stories like this emerged in the news, along with pictures of the couple said to be taken last year, it was clear that they were in it together.
All the time that I'm following this crazy story, I'm thinking what about their sons ; how do you, as a parent, allow your children to go through all of that pain and torment? Believing for all of that time that your Father is dead and then to find out that not only did he fake the whole thing, but that your Mum was in on it. Awful, truly awful.
There are other cases of (mainly) men who walk out of the door and leave everything behind; most of them a little publicised than the Darwin story.

Kiva

Some of you may recall my previous post about the organisation that facilitates loaning money to businesses in need; I loaned to three people and they are all in the process of paying back. kiva have now set a loan amount limit of $25 (roughly £12.50) as a result of the growing number of people wanting to help these worthy entrepreneurs.
I discovered today that Kiva offer Gift Certificates; the recipients can choose who to loan to and then once it's repaid they can loan again or get their gift back.
I have decided to buy some as Christmas presents; if you find yourself stuck for gift ideas, you might consider them too.

There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us

And today, for me, my colleagues and our students, somewhere, was back at school. It always a strange experience, the first day we go back after being at the theatre for two weeks. (A person can be fooled into believing they actually work in a theatre and that they are not really a teacher!). It is such an intense, demanding, but at the same time very rewarding experience; bonds are formed amongst all involved. And then it ends and it's back to normality; students and staff alike, spend the first day or two walking around school looking very lost.

The production of West Side Story was a huge success and the students received some fabulous feedback. It is perhaps, one of the most difficult musicals to stage; the score is very complicated (no easy thing to follow when choreographing) and there are some difficult songs too. The decision next year's 'big' production has not been made as yet and probably won't be until early in the new year.
In the meantime, we have auditions this week for two new productions that will take place at school, including Bugsy Malone (another one of my favourites) for students in years 7.8 and 9.

Oh yes , the bag; it's my marking bag and I'm starting to fill it up with work to do over the Christmas holiday!

A quick distraction

Great. As long as they are not students from my school!

That's better

As I have been run off my feet with WSS, I tried to get an appointment with my hairdresser for a retightening. Alas, she could not fit me in and so I had to find the time to do it myself. Armed with my new Nappylocs tool (which I loved using), I have managed to tighten my hair in between being at the theatre and sleeping. I'd estimate that it took me eleven hours to complete; a little longer than the first time I did my own hair, but I am running on an energy deficit at the moment.
It's funny that although my hair has just been done, my parts are hardly visible; a sign of my hair's new 'big' status!



This is not the best picture of me (look at the bags under my eyes!) but I like the way my hair looks :-)

What the blazes!!!

I was driving along listening to the news headlines when I heard about this; at the time I was a little concerned. When I got home and heard the whole story, I was absolutely irate. Not only is there a possibility of my very important details falling into the wrong hands, but information about my children is also lost in transit.
Until the discs are found, millions of people are at risk of becoming the victims of identity fraud; this could happen today, tomorrow or in many years to come. I have had my credit card cloned before and it was a horrible experience. The knowledge that the loss of this personal information could result in similar situations occurring is very worrying.
Apparently I am going to receive a letter from this government department, apologising for the situation; unfortunately this will provide very little comfort.

The Palace, Royal Nuptials and lots of rain

I had a great time at the Palace of Westminster on Monday. The launch of the production went extremely well and our enjoyment wasn't spoilt by the erratic weather we experienced. The students were very excited by the fact that we were just across the road from the wedding anniversary celebrations of The Queen and Prince Phillip. We had to drive through the media frenzy and the students were all trying to spot the VIPs entering Westminster Abbey. Inside The Palace of Westminster, our champagne reception lunch was followed by performances from the students and speeches from MPs and our very own VIPs.
The picture in my anniversary post, was taken on the terrace of the Palace (between thunder storms!), which overlooks The River Thames.

11 Months!

Still having a ball!

Sunday Styling IV

I achieved my anniversary style with a Softspike set and a hairtie. It had been my intention to wear my hair out, but today was one of hideous weather and I had to change my outdo to an updo. The set was far more successful this time and I managed to keep my hair on the curlers!

The bigger picture

Anonymous recently asked what had happened to me as I haven't been blogging with my usual frequency. Let me just say that I was touched that you had noticed and had missed me, Anon. :-). I am currently very busy with my school's production, which will be launched next week at The Palace of Westminster. The picture in my previous post is of me messing around on the set of the show; a few of the characters enter into a scene through a manhole and being me, I just had to test it out (I picked up the hard hat and drill on my way, to amuse my colleagues when I emerged!). Things are going to plan with the show and as of next week my job changes slightly and I, along with my colleagues and the students, am based at the theatre. We rehearse the show in situ, finalise lights and other technical aspects and then have a dress rehearsal. The following week the students perform eight shows in five days; it is a very gruelling task, but also an amazing experience for them.

These are a few more shots taken of the set (excuse my strange looking eyes, I haven't quite mastered red eye reduction on Picasa!).

1) I am having a very important meeting (probably about where to go for lunch) with my colleague Will, who is also the show's director.

2) The bridge is being strengthened - it gets used a lot so it's vital that it's completely safe.

3) I'm relaxing in 'Maria's apartment'.

4) Parks and I, in the orchestra pit, which doubles as an exit during the rumble.

What's happened 2 you Mel?

New toys

Now I need to work out how to use it!

I have a new coffee making gizmo and couldn't resist sharing it with you. My friend Parks has the same machine and she made me a great cappuccino the last time I was at her flat; don't worry Breadfruit and Brunsli, it was in the morning!

After that, I was sold and decided that I had to get one for myself; I picked mine up at Argos and with a combination of gift vouchers and nectar points, I managed to get £30 off the price! There are, of course, far superior, higher spec machines out there, but I'm the only person in the house that drinks coffee - making this an ideal choice. Super T and JB are also pleased with the new addition to the kitchen as it makes delicious hot chocolate as well.

103.9

No this is not the frequency for my favourite radio station; it is the price I paid per litre for petrol today. To say that I was a little irritated is an understatement; for the first time in my driving life, I am considering becoming a tube commuter.

Big hair, here I come

I honestly thought my hair hadn't grown much over the past couple of months. It was only when I had to keep using a hairtie or hairband to keep it out of my face that I began to consider otherwise. Earlier today I came across the picture on the left, taken the day I cut my relaxed ends off; I decided to compare it to the more recent one on the right, which was taken at the weekend. I couldn't believe it, not only had my hair grown quite a bit but, my how my locks have thickened up. Now, I know they are not the best pictures to compare, but I can really see a difference.
Just humour me if you can't!

Chillaxing

My skin has really been playing up lately; in fact I have joked that I teach teenagers with better skin than myself. I have realised that over the past few weeks, I haven't been as vigilant with my water consumption or with my intake of fresh fruit and veg. I quickly began to remedy that side of things, but felt I needed something extra.

I purchased this charcoal face mask from Origins after it was recommended to me and couldn't wait to use it when it arrived. I thought I'd make a real treat of it; soft music, vanilla candle burning, 'do not disturb' sign on the door(ok, I didn't go that far, but you get the picture!). It takes about 10 minutes for the mask to set, but I'm sure I was there for a 'little' longer (according to my SO, I was very much asleep). I was really pleased with the results; my skin felt really soft and my pores open.

I have decided to make it a weekly treat; Mel's home spa!

From the head of the NHD

Literally!

I present to you, my newest hairties. While we were in Switzerland, Brunsli was kind enough to let me select some pieces from her collection. I'm sorry I can't give you the names (because I don't know them!), but I can tell you that I think they're great. Being Brunsli-sized, I can actually wear them as hairbands; the little purple one (and you all know I felt bad about choosing the purple one!) has become an almost daily accessory for me. I put it on whenever I have had enough of my I-actually-think-it's-growing-now hair being in my face. The cream one, has a lovely pearlised crackled finish to it. Brunsli joked that I had chosen this one because it looked like a white chocolate truffle (which I absolutely adore)! As you can see from my roots in the hairtie pics, I have given up on retightening my hair - only momentarily though. I have ordered the nappylocs tool and will keep going when it arrives.