Festival Decisions.

Good rapper practice on Monday. There was a new lad came along who towers over everybody. Makes me feel tiny! I gave him a lift home and gods alone know whether he'll come back because I managed to get stuck in a one way system due to the tram works and went round a good couple of times before I managed to escape it, muttering all the way.

Took a half day yesterday because my sleep cycle has switched to 'knackered' and I don't think it's being helped by generally feeling lousy. Meant to go home and sleep but lay down and my eyes went 'ping'. Got through a few more books and Sherlock Holmes episodes but very little sleep. Now really shattered. I still have to change the bridge on the fiddle but I think I'll wait till I'm slightly more compis mentis before I give that a go.

Off to see Damien Barber and Mike Wilson at The Pleasance tonight (provided they make it through the snow which just seems to have appeared this morning and is showing no signs of stopping). Hope I don't nod off.

Have definitely decided on Oxford Folk Festival (although there was a last minute bid from Sidmouth who have Belshazzar's Feast playing but I think I'll find somewhere else to see them). Am using the fact that I will be using the money saved from cancelling TV stuff to justify it. Now just have to book it.

Glasgow and Weasels

Glasgow rapper tour was great fun. Andy did a fantastic job as his first time dancing out as Number 1 and Ian did the Tommying for the first time. It was also James' first time out with us although he played rather than danced. We started off with the usual pubs and, in one of them, the hat was hijacked by a random audience lady who insisted on taking it round for us. She was far more aggressive than any of us would have been and I suspect we did quite well there. In the Scotia, during the tumble, Dot managed to kick a man's pint right out of his hand so that it shattered on the ceiling. Very impressive to watch even if did mean that we spent the remainder of the dance dancing on crunchy glass and having beer drip down onto us from the ceiling. The man whose pint we destroyed seemed happy enough with a replacement drink and his friend, who was the one who received the brunt of the splash, was far to happy shouting 'tumble' at random intervals to care. The rest of the audience seemed fairly blase about the whole thing as well which was a bit of a relief. Towards the end of the tour we hit a couple of kareoke bars who seemed more than happy to see us. (I did like the lady in the second bar who suggested, as there was a second section to the bar that some of us danced over there and the rest where we were actually setting up to dance. She seemed fairly bemused when I quickly explained that, for the dance to work, we really had to all dance in the same place...)
Our last dance was in Babbity's which seemed to go down well before people had to head home. It was decided that James was going to go back to Edinburgh but, as there was no room for him in Roger, he would get the train and meet us there. In retrospect, we agreed that it would possibly have been a better idea to send someone who actually knew Edinburgh on the train and take him in the car but we finally anaged to get hold of him again. I went home at this point as I was feeling a little off and my cough was really setting in.
All in all, a really good night. It was nice to be able to mix up the dancers a bit, the dances went really well (other than fast and loose where people kept losing swords. Different people each time and no apparent reason. we recovered pretty well each time so not really a problem but very odd!) and it was just generally fun.

Paid for the tour on Sunday. I was hallucinating weasels in the curtains (at least I hope I was hallucinating, otherwise that's going to be a fun call to Pest Control...) for a good part of the day so I dosed myself up on paracetamol and tea and just resigned myself to watching them gambol about the drapes.

Rapper practice tonight and, while I don't feel a hundred percent, I do feel better than I did yesterday and I am no longer seeing random mustelids in the soft furnishings so I will see how it all goes.

I think it's the Highland Ball in St Andrews this coming weekend but I'm in two minds as to whether to go or not. On one hand, it's usually a good dance, it'd be nice to see folks again and the floor in the Younger Hall is lovely to dance on. On the other hand, I haven't been to Scottish Country in ages , I still haven't got any new dance shoes and it's IVFDF the weekend after and, if I want to be able to find the stuff I need to take to IVFDF, I need to tidy (I really, really mean it this time!) I think, on the whole, I will leave it cause I'll get to see folks at IVFDF where I can do dances that I do actually currently have the shoes for and that are far more fun for me.

Bloody Cold

Well, I officially have a cold. I'm wondering around with a stuffed head smelling strongly of Vicks which could be why people are keeping their distance. Not going to irish set tonight since I can't breathe that well (which never helps!) and I want to try and recover for Saturday! I will make it along to irish set at some point.

May make a concerted effort to try and clear the bed tonight because I reckon being able to sleep stretched out may help somewhat.

Tried Roger last night and he works which is always reassuring. Just have to remember to put all my rapper kit out to dry tonight.

Have definitely decided to give up the virgin Tv package, and, in fact, the Tv licence. I just have no interest in the telly at all. Obviously I will hang on to the telly itself since I like to watch DVD's and videos on it but it's not like there's any reception without the cable anyway. Must get onto Virgin Media and the Tv licence folks and get them cancelled.

Huzzah, Rapper Tour!

We have a time and a date! We're setting off from Laurie's Bar on King Street at 7pm by the looks of things. Have offered lifts to folks so had better check whether or not Roger is working tonight (Half term for fiddle class tonight. Thank the gods I had a sudden urge to check this last night!)

Feel all scritchy at the moment and I think I'm coming down with a cold which gives me 2 choices: I can go through the cold very quickly so that I am better for Saturday evening or I can try and hold it off until after Saturday. I do not get to have a cold on Saturday. We're already going to be slightly off balance without our usual number 1 without adding more complications to the mix. (We really do need to mix the team up a bit more often to try and stop this happening!)

Tried to tidy last night, encountered the Hornblower books, tidying stopped...

I forgot I had ordered bedding for the rat cage (trying to get absolutely everything organised in advance) so was a little surprised to get back to the burrow to find this huge 25Kg bale of substrate sitting outside the door. Ah well, it would have taken a really determined (and slightly odd) thief to pinch that and lug it back up the stairs. I had problems trying to get it into the burrow and I can still lift over my body weight! (Of course I wasn't helped by the fact that there's a lot of stuff lying in odd places in the hall floor that I had to climb over because, oddly, I still haven't tidied.)

Seriously considering The Oxford Folk Festival now. It has both Bellowhead and The Demon Barber Roadshow and lots of other stuff. Hmmm, need to do some planning.

Wolfy Antics

Well, went to see The Wolfman last night. Took a while to get started (and have to admit that I'm not a big fan of Benicio Del Toro. I always find him a little flat) but it was entertaining enough and there was lots of hilarious gore and dismemberment (This could just have been me though.)
Anthony Hopkins was Ok although he was hairy enough that when he transformed into the werewolf I didn't actually notice he was changing at first, and Emily Blunt did a good job of playing the gothic heroine. It took me ages to work out where I knew the actress playing the old gypsy from until I looked her up and realised she played Queen Anne in The Three Musketeers (The good, Michael York, Oliver Reed version) The whole plot was fairly obvious right from the start but it was entertaining enough (with what looked like a nod to An American Werewolf in London with the whole omnibus thing) and the whole thing was lifted by Hugo Weaving as Inspector Aberline. He was brilliant and very funny and just raised the whole film to another level every time he was on screen. Don't think I'll be repeatedly viewing it a la Sherlock Holmes (thank the gods) but I'm glad I saw it.

Still not sure what's happening with rapper on Saturday but still looking forward to it. Looks like we may not have our normal number 1 so that should be entertaining (for sadistic onlookers, probably not for us!)

Must remember to try and get along to irish set this Friday and, at some point, I must have another go at tidying the burrow.

Silly People

No rapper last night since most of us couldn't make it after the weekend. Therefore, took the opportunity to nip along to the cinema and see Sherlock Holmes for absolutley the last time (at the cinema, obviously) since it looks like it finishes tomorrow. Still enjoying it but I could have lived without the lass in front of me who tried to text all the way through the film which meant there was a really bright light shining in my eyes. I thought I was very polite when I asked her if she would mind not doing it please since the light was very distracting but she looked scared and moved seats. Ah well, whatever works. Could also have done without the family across the other side of the cinema who spent the whole film trying to explain the plot to each other and did not understand the concept of inside voices. Seriously, if you really need a whole film's plot explaining to you as you're watching it, you probably need to go and see something a little more simple (and in this case, that probably limits you to Tom and Jerry cartoons!)

Had a minor ruffle through stuff when I got back but gave in and watched more episodes of Sherlock Holmes and read a couple more library books. (Particularly enjoyed the Railway Detective one but that could just be because I'm on a victorian detective kick.)

The leak is still leaking (thankfully still in a drippy sort of way) Don't think I'll completely relax until it gets fixed.

Rapper tour in Glasgow this coming Saturday. Not sure where or when (other than Saturday in Glasgow, obviously) but will hopefully find out before we go (otherwise the tour will consist of rapper dancers hunting for each other across the city!)

Off to see The Wolfman tonight. It'll make a nice change to see something else at the cinema (even though I'm apparently sticking with the victorian era) and I will get round to seeing Avatar at some point. Probably.

The new bridge for the fiddle arrived last night so I'm just working up the nerve to have a go at changing it. The sandpaper is at the ready to help shape the feet and I have spare strings at the ready just in case (I really don't like the look of my A string.) I'm thinking I will have to pluck up the nerve soon before my current bridge just folds in half. Just hoping the sound post hasn't displaced.

Snark!

Well the weekend got off to a rocky start on Friday when the newsagent I have to collect the work newspapers from tried to give me flowers, chocolates and his phone number. I wouldn't mind but I've been telling him no all year. I even told him I had a girlfriend (when my boss innocently told him I didn't have a boyfriend) and it hasn't phased him in the least. I've stopped trying to be polite now and I'm just plainly pissed off. I hope this latest lot of refusals have sunk in cause, if not, I'm going to be looking for somewhere to hide the body. I don't think he's quite right, really (well he's asking me out for starters, that can't be a good sign!) and I realise his English isn't good but no means no means no! Spent the evening watching Sherlock Homes episodes and polishing my reenactment knives. Calmed me down a bit.

Saturday was a huge improvement. Met up with the rest of Mons Meg and Snark Rapper (who, it has to be said, resemble overgrown leprachauns in their kit. They make it work though, once you get over the urge to shout, 'Top o' the Mornin' at them!) at the Central Edinburgh Youth Hostel and forth we ventured. The first couple of pubs turned us down (football and rugby on the telly. Telly's must be the worst thing that ever happened to pubs) but then we hit our stride. I can't remember all the pubs we went to but we started off alternating which side danced before just having everyone dance in te last couple of pubs. Stand out memories are The Windsor Bar whose landlady appears to love rapper dancing to the extent that she won't serve anyone while the dance is on because she wants to watch it (I think Aubrey made her day by using the calling on song to say Snark were dancing just for her!). We like her! Priscilla's is always going to stand out just cause the crowd is so appreciative. I think Boda's is where Kev managed to set his hair on fire (don't ask!) and I think it may have been Victoria's where Trina got her foot caught in the bar that runs along the bottom of the bar (so to speak.) It's the best we've danced out for a while and it was lovely to be out with other rapper dancers (if only for the fact that it's a bit of a novelty for us to outnumber the audience!) and it was great to see Snark dance. I even managed to handle the kitty for Mons Meg (which is not as worrying as it sounds) although the next person who just tells me 'beer' or 'you choose' when I ask what they're drinking is getting tennants!
I nipped off back to the burrow after Kev's self-immolation attempt to get changed for the evening meal which was in the Compass (and was very nice! Especially the soup!) and got to see Snark bureaucracy in action which was very funny and somewhat surreal, before we headed off to the Port of Leith. As was commented on at the time, there might have been room for a rapper side to dance if it hadn't of been for all the rapper dancers... Anyhow, we all retreated to The Malt and Hops where there was a bit more room (and you could hear each other yell!). Mons Meg did a respectable final dance and then Snark got up to do theirs. Now there are 2 danger to dancing in this pub. The first is that every time you reach too high (obviously not a problem for me!) you get showered in hops from the rafters and the second is that you're dancing on the trapdoor which really doesn't look too sturdy. It certainly didn't look too sturdy when Snark were dancing on it and we spent the whole dance waiting for them to disappear downwards (which would, admittedly, have been a hell of a finale!) Fortunately they made it to the end on the level at which they started but, judging from the bar man's expression (hands to the side of his face, absolute horror in his eyes), I think it would be wise if we left it a good long while before asking if we can dance in there again....

Sunday, I really meant to excavate the bed which I haven't slept in since before December. Sadly, the Sherlock Holmes DVD was still in the laptop and I ended up watching a few more episodes before finding some Ellis Peters books and re-reading all of them. You see therein lies the problem. I get distracted by books. The bed is buried under books. I should probably not expect to see it again until November!

IVFDF Musings

Well, no sudden flood last night (and no tidying either. Got through 2 more books though) so that's good. Think I will actually move away from the door tonight though cause it's a little chilly there. (On the other hand, I must make a fairly good draught excluder since the rest of the burrow was a little warmer than normal.)

Feeling quite glad that I managed to get my IVFDF tickets ordered when I did since they've apparently run out of sleeping space. Not that I ever do a huge amount of sleeping at IVFDF but at least I have space for the little I do. Been looking at the workshops planned for IVFDF. Obviously want to do the rapper (which is being led by High Spen so could be interesting). There's also a workshop on how to set up a rapper side by Star and Shadow. Not quite sure what that'll be like (may have a better idea when they publish the usual blurb) but may meander along if there's nothing I really, really want to attend on at the same time. Other workshops I quite fancy are the clog, the border morris, the contra, the calling your first dance class (I don't know why I go to these cause I will never be able to call due to my brain impediment. Oh, wait, I do know why. I'm nosey!), the surviving in a session class (purely as a spectator since not taking the fiddle but interested in tips for the future) and the northumbrian tunes workshop. The actual programme is not out yet so no doubt all these workshops will clash horribly. Ah well, will see what happens.

Will have another attempt at tidying the burrow tonight. (Have now reread all my Susanna Gregory books so it's a touch more possible I will actually try tonight.)

Indoor Swimming Pool?

Very few of us at rapper last night so I ended up dancing at 5. This is a position I used to dance fairly frequently so I should have known it but, it seems that I've become so entrenched at Number 2 that I instinctively try to end up in that position (which is a problem when there's someone already there!) Still, it was really good fun and I would like to do a bit more dancing at different positions cause it makes me think.

There is a leak in the stair outside my door. It's not very big at the moment so it's not an emergency fix so could take some time to get it repaired so I'm storing towels and dishcloths near the door just in case it decides to worsen rapidly.

Was early to work this morning cause I forgot my clock is an hour fast (and has been ever since the clocks changed so it's not exactly a new thing) I thought the buses were a bit quieter than usual. It's been a long day so far.

Tonight should involve me trying to tidy the burrow a bit while staying as near to the front door as possible listening for the sound of suddenly gushing water. What will probably happen is that I will end up sat with my back to the door while reading another Bartholomew book (had forgotten how funny this series is!) and the first I'll know of any flooding will be when my bum gets wet!

Anyhow, if it's not fixed before the weekend, the burrow will have to fend for itself cause nothing is getting in the way of a rapper weekend!

Lack of Success

Well, started tidying the burrow this weekend but, due to the burrow being full of stuff and me, apparently, being infinitely destractable, it now looks worse than it did and there is no clear space anywhere. On the other hand, I got a huge amount of fiddle and clarinet practice done, finshed 4 puzzle books and managed to get through 7 of the Matthew Bartholomew books by Susannah Greogory.

It looks like I will be attempting to replace the bridge on the fiddle myself. Have been investigating various guides and how-tos and, once I have space to put the blinking thing down, I will give it a go. (This could obviously be quite a while...)

Ended up ordering new laptop powercord online from Dell since it's cheaper and I know it will work with my laptop.

At least I got my washing done this weekend. Now I just have to find somewhere to dry it. Was considering trying the line outside again and then it started raining, so maybe not!

Ah well, rapper tonight

A Faster Pace

Fiddle was fun last night. We were having a go at Freedm Come All Ye at a slightly faster pace than we usually do which I really enjoyed. If I can, I'm going to go and see if I can get a new bridge for the fiddle this weekend (and see if I can aford it! Have been hearing horror stories from the rest of the group. If it's a lot then I could be learning to do it myself!)

Off to PC World tonight to try and get a replacment power cord for my laptop since I think I've killed mine so that should be fun.

The pain in my shins has lessened somewhat but is still very tender in places which is worrying me slightly. No doubt that will pass though (The pain possibly, the worry certainly)

Anyhow, the Big Burrow Tidy of 2010 starts tonight!

Ooops (Again!)

Well, I got to the cinema last night. Really enjoyed Sherlock Holmes... I swear, I'm going to go and see Avatar this weekend.

Considering either The Oxford Folk Festival or Folk by the Oak this year (Mainly cause both are being attended by Bellowhead who I still haven't seen live and would dearly love to.) Will have to have a muse.

Fiddle practice tonight and have just realised I've spent the entire week practicing morris tunes rather than what I was supposed to. Ah well

Licence Wonderings

Another bloody fire alarm this morning (I'd only just got in so I went and sat in the car instead of tramping all the way round to the park cause there's no snow to build snow bunnies now) I hope this isn't going to start up all over again!

Picked up the rat cage yesterday. It's a little bigger than I was expecting, the rats will have space to do whatever they want, I will be huddled in a corner of the settee! Still, very cool.

Didn't go to the cinema last night but I did work out how to renew my library books on line. This is useful because I always read them all in the first week, if that, and then I forget all about them as I get through my other books so being able to renew them online means I can have a last minute panic and still not have to pay a fine.

At some point I am going to have to get my telly fixed. Am now seriously wondering whether I should just cancel the service since I haven't had it since before Christmas and I obviously haven't missed it. The only thing I've been watching is 'Being Human' and I can see that on-line. Obviously I like things like Top Gear and QI but I only tend to watch them if they happen to be on and I'm flicking through channels. When it comes to sci-fi shows, I tend to wait for them to come out on DVD. Obviously if I do cancel the media TV service, I'll not be able to watch the freeview since the poor reception in the burrow was what caused me to opt for the cable option in the first place but I think I still have to pay the licence fee for the couple of things I watch on-line and I'll still have the telly cause I like to watch my DVD's on that rather than the laptop. Maybe if I manage to find another flat with actual reception I'll look into the freeview option (and, of course, I'll have to probably get digital adaptors or somesuch). Yep, I think cable TV's going to be cancelled.

Going to make an appointment with the GP at some point just to check on the shins. It suddenly occured to me that this has been going on long enough and is different enough this time that there is the, admittedly small, chance that there might be a stress fracture. It almost undoubtedly isn't one but I've got the thought in my head now and it would be sensible to just reassure myself that it isn't before I go off and do something really stupid.

Have put my 3D glasses in my bag to go and see Avatar tonight. I will go and see it tonight!

Ouch!

Rapper practice was fun last night but I couldn't dance much cause of the pain in my shins. At some point I should really go and see someone about that. I think I did the damage while scottish country dancing and it's probably something I will just have to live with (cause I'm not giving up morris now I've finally managed to start) but I should probably make sure it's not going to have a long term effect that could stop me rapper dancing. Anyhow, I still had a good time at practice since I got to watch the dance and pick up bits that need work. It had also been suggested that we should get the Tommy to bring in a box for me to stand on in the backlock in Winalton. I feel I should be insulted but, at the same time, I have to admit it would be very funny (and probably helpful!).

Not impressed with the snow this morning (although fairly impressed with the amount that's managed to fall overnight). I'm off to Bo'ness tonight to collect a rat cage so I'm hoping that's all the snow we're going to get.

Off to the cinema when I get back tonight. I'm intending to see Avatar but I suspect it will be another viewing of Sherlock Holmes.

This weekend is going to be spent tidying the Burrow (and, if I have time, sorting through my DVD collection and seeing what I can sell on. I think there's quite a large number I'd be happy to get rid of.) I need to clear out a hell of a lot of stuff. There's old reenactment kit that can go, there's old electronic equipment that I've killed and which can be taken to the dump, old defunct camping kit and all sorts of other things. I really am a terrible hoarder by nature and I can't afford to be in such a small space. Am starting to consider looking for a different flat. I would quite like somewhere with a seperate kitchen (as opposed to one in the sitting room) and easier parking (parking is hell around the burrow.) and a bath would be a bonus. Will see how things go.

The weekend after is the Snark weekend. It looks like Mons Meg will be touring with them on the Saturday and then some of us are going to the meal in the evening. (I've been told it's dressy so I may have to dig out my dress and heels. There may possibly be workshoppy stuff on the Sunday as well. Really looking forward to it. We also have a tour planned in Glasgow on the 23rd Feb. We're not sure whereabouts in Glasgow we're going to go yet but it looks like nearly the whole side'll be there so it should be a good night out.

Freaks in the Peaks

Well I didn't quite manage to get my tattercoat finished in time and managed to be 2 hours late picking up Trina due to various silly stuff and happenings (which might or might not have involved me getting lost in Edinburgh) but we finally set off to the Peak District. Journey down was easy enough (although there is still some impressive snow up on the Snake Pass which, up till this weekend has only been a name heard on the radio. Usually in travel reports saying that it's still shut because of snow!). Got down to Hathersage for around 21.30 and headed to the pub where we had a nice evening chatting to folks and listening to the session before heading back to the hall. I meant to go to bed but had a sudden urge to sew and managed a bit of my coat (while chatting to a castles expert which was nice!) before heading to bed (and I will say again that that airbed is probably my best buy of 2009!).

Saturday morning was spent practicing the dances (which was a good deal of fun) interspersed with mad bouts of sewing which meant that my coat was finished by lunch time! Huzzah! (Although, even as I was finishing it off, I was thinking of all the ways I could improve it, so there's still work to do!) Trina (who seemed to be supplying a small army) fed me lunch and then we were off to the Little John Pub where we danced a few dances before heading to the Scotsman's Pack to do a few more. dances went well, the pubs were nice, the weather was lovely and I got to wear my coat and hat for the first time. (Must remember that the hat makes me a couple of inches taller when swinging hankies round my head!). After this, we went and danced in front of the Gent's public loos for reasons best known to ourselves and got probably our largest audience of the day before retreating for tea. Trina and I retreated to the Little John Inn and had some fantastic bangers, mash and gravy (in absolutely huge quantities!) before heading back to the hall for a nap. This was when Trina apparently mistook me for a matress and tried to lift me up by my ankle! I think I should be worried about this!
The evening ceilidh was fun with all sorts of dance types attempted and we were treated some of John's fantastically funny and bizarre songs (including the one about breeding soft toys again!).

On Sunday, we walked across to the Tea Room at Grindleford (temporarily losing a large part of the side on the way!). You have to love a tea room that serves tea in pints!. Also saw the most labradors I have ever seen in one place. I was so tempted to steal one. I seem to have a soft spot for labs. (Fitting, I suppose, since labs do tend to be 90% soft spot themselves.) The walk itself was lovely with fantatstic views in the crisp, cold air even if we were vaguely knackered by the uphill climb.
We did a fair few dances at the Tea Room while dodging the traffic. I had a go at Lorenze's Butterfly and Twiglet, 2 of the more complicated dances, which didn't go as well as they had the previous day due to sudden memory blanks but I'm glad I had a go and think I will do better next time. We then walked back along the riverside (much flatter and just as nice) to an absolutely beautiful pub with an open fire that I can't remember the name of sadly and did a few more dances before heading back to the hall. We tried to help with the clearing up a little before we said goodbye to folks and headed back up North.
While we were crossing the Snake Pass, we came across a dip in the road where there was a deep puddle where cars had been splashing water up against the roadside trees which had frozen leaving them just covered in icicles and they looked absolutely stunning.

Made it back at around 23.00 where I had a bit of a nose round my green fabric coloured burrow before having a shower (and unknotting my hair which, due to a combination of me forgetting my hairbrush and having it under a hat all weekend, had tangled itself into a knotty mess that kept trying to eat the brush!) and slinking off to my (green fabric covered) nest on the settee.

I am now shattered, missing morris very much and saying 'ow' every time I try and walk. My shins really hate me! I do not think that my rapper stepping will go well tonight!

For some reason, I always think that morris is faster than it actually is (which is what put me off taking down the fiddle) but, on really listening during the dancing, I think I can actually keep up (what it'll actually sound like is another matter!) and I will have to play out some time and Freaks are a very beginner friendly side so next time I am definitely taking the fiddle or clarinet or both and, while I may not play for dances with audiences, I am definitely going to have a go at playing for practices.