End of week seven and six challenges are complete. Next on the list is my party.....I've just booked the venue, an old scrap yard in a hidden part of town, I think its rather magical! I'm not joking.....I can't wait!
I am doing rather badly on the running and yoga challenges which is a worry as I have booked to run a 10k in December
and as for snogs..... :-(
Saturday 8 October 2011
Challenge No:42 Organise a treasure hunt for 200 students!
Challenge no: 42 was to do something different at work. Having taken part in performance called 'Fortnight' during MayFest this year I suggested to the Head of School that we do something similar in order to engage our first years in their first week of university. After much brain storming with my colleagues we came up with various ideas which became the treasure hunt. It took a lot of work and planning and I can't take any credit for the success of the final event which is entirely due to Caroline, Martin, Lesley and all our student helpers, you were all fantastic. We sent the students all over the campus, got them to find things, do things - some silly and some sensible and send us photos along the way. At the end we gave them pizza and beer and gave out prizes.
It was great to watch 200 young people chatting, smiling, working together and making friends - a great reward for lots of hard work and a few sleepless nights. I do hope it has made settling in a bit easier for them. It certainly made work more interesting and I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed bringing something creative to my job. I'm rather proud of myself!
It was great to watch 200 young people chatting, smiling, working together and making friends - a great reward for lots of hard work and a few sleepless nights. I do hope it has made settling in a bit easier for them. It certainly made work more interesting and I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed bringing something creative to my job. I'm rather proud of myself!
Driving me crazy! Challenge No: 40
On the 18th September I went on a driving challenge. This is organised by the Firefighters Charity where you get the opportunity to drive various vehicles from tractors, jeeps, cranes, fire engines and lorries of various sizes! I must admit its never been an ambition of mine to be a 'billy big rigger' but my Brother Paul kindly organised this for me, my Mum raised the money for the charity and the thought of meeting a fireman drove (!) me on. So on a wet and wind swept racing track I got to drive a huge Sainsbury's articulated lorry without a 'greasy side up', a fire engine - with a proper fireman, sirens and flashing lights, a traction engine and a tractor. Action photos below:
You have to climb up a ladder to get in!
'On the floor and looking for more'!
Parking.....
Trucker hand signal for 'did good'
Complete with a real fireman!
Action shot - I think I am waving.
Fireman hand signal for 'he was nice'!
I ran over and flattened 2 bollards - its not easy steering a traction engine!
Traction engine hand signal for 'dirty hands'.
There were far too many gear sticks and handles on this tractor, I didn't have a clue what I was doing and drove it far too fast!
I did it!
Thank you so much Paul for organising this and for saving the day when I had 'bubble trouble' and nearly didn't make it. Thank you Mum and her friends for raising the money so that I could do this. 'Great big sprocket' - challenge no: 40 complete!
Saturday 17 September 2011
Daniel Kitson said....
"A fundamental human desire is to be understood and judged at all times for who you are. This is a ridiculous desire because you can never be fully understood if you never allow yourself to be fully misunderstood and you can not simplify your life so that its accessible to the most foolish person you will ever meet. Some things will not be understood and some things will be misunderstood its the nature of existence."
What a relief!
What a relief!
Friday 16 September 2011
Coming up.....
Challenge no: 40.....Paul, my brother, has organised for me to go on a driving challenge on Sunday 18th Sept!
End of week three - Sunday 11th September
End of week three .... four challenges now complete.
On Saturday 10th September I went to the Circus, challenge no: 33. The lovely Jude took me to see Giffords Circus for my Birthday! This is one of the most charming circus companies you can go and see. Each summer Giffords circus take their show to towns in Gloucestershire, pitching their tent and vintage caravans in fields in small local towns, it really is like going back in time. This years show was 'War and Peace', talk about attempting a challenging story!! The big top is small and intimate and the players take you through the story with music, rousing song, juggling, acrobatics, knife throwing, and clowning. There are wonderful moments with horses, geese and doves - its really enchanting and exciting. One of my favorite memories will be when the lady with the silks daringly span down from the roof of the big top and a little girl in the front row shouted 'Ohh do it again', that little girl giggled and squealed all through the high flying act and inside I was too. I was lead on a wondrous journey, enthralling and highly entertaining. I want to run away with the circus! If you get the chance go and see them next year. Thank you Jude, it was a lovely present, I had a blast.
http://www.giffordscircus.com/
No 38: 50 hrs yoga - Nil
No 39: 50 hrs running - 2.5 hrs
No 36: 50 snogs - Still nil :-(
On Saturday 10th September I went to the Circus, challenge no: 33. The lovely Jude took me to see Giffords Circus for my Birthday! This is one of the most charming circus companies you can go and see. Each summer Giffords circus take their show to towns in Gloucestershire, pitching their tent and vintage caravans in fields in small local towns, it really is like going back in time. This years show was 'War and Peace', talk about attempting a challenging story!! The big top is small and intimate and the players take you through the story with music, rousing song, juggling, acrobatics, knife throwing, and clowning. There are wonderful moments with horses, geese and doves - its really enchanting and exciting. One of my favorite memories will be when the lady with the silks daringly span down from the roof of the big top and a little girl in the front row shouted 'Ohh do it again', that little girl giggled and squealed all through the high flying act and inside I was too. I was lead on a wondrous journey, enthralling and highly entertaining. I want to run away with the circus! If you get the chance go and see them next year. Thank you Jude, it was a lovely present, I had a blast.
http://www.giffordscircus.com/
No 38: 50 hrs yoga - Nil
No 39: 50 hrs running - 2.5 hrs
No 36: 50 snogs - Still nil :-(
Wednesday 7 September 2011
End of week two - Sunday 4th September
End of week two and all I've managed to do this week is add to my running total!
So here we are so far.....
No 38: 50 hrs yoga - Nil
No 39: 50 hrs running - 2 hrs
No 36: 50 snogs - Still nil :-(
So here we are so far.....
No 38: 50 hrs yoga - Nil
No 39: 50 hrs running - 2 hrs
No 36: 50 snogs - Still nil :-(
Friday 2 September 2011
Have you seen?
'See No Evil' is an art event where some of the world's leading street artists have produced some of the biggest pieces of permanent street art in Bristol. If you get the chance do go to Nelson Street and have a look its brilliant and inspiring. See: http://www.seenoevilbristol.co.uk/
End of week one - Sunday 28th August
Its the end of week one and so far I have completed 3 of my challenges:
No 1: Start a blog
No 26: Go to the Edinburgh Festival
No 3: Have my feet nibbled by fishes
No 38: 50 hrs yoga - Nil
No 39: 50 hrs running - 1 hr
No 36: 50 snogs - Nil :-(
Off to a good start!
No 1: Start a blog
No 26: Go to the Edinburgh Festival
No 3: Have my feet nibbled by fishes
No 38: 50 hrs yoga - Nil
No 39: 50 hrs running - 1 hr
No 36: 50 snogs - Nil :-(
Off to a good start!
The big day....24th August
Oh well its here and there's no turning back, so happy birthday Pip! 50, hip hip hooray!
Challenge No: 3 is to have my feet nibbled by fishes! I didn't imagine this would be a physically challenging task and Viv has gallantly offered to do this with me. So this morning as a Birthday treat we went and had our feet done. I have to report that although this is not horrid I would NEVER have this done again! Its a very weird and frankly silly thing to do. As soon as you put your feet in the tank the fish swoop in and start nibbling, its an odd sensation, it does tickle, especially when they nibble between the toes, its slightly scratchy but doesn't hurt. I had read that you should go in the morning as the fishes are still hungry which if you think about it is slightly unsettling. Anyway it was different and great to share the experience with Viv. Thank you Viv for coming along and here are the photos.
The rest of the day has been very pleasant, lunch with friends at work and my boys and Jenna cooked me tea. And to top the day off Viv and Steve hosted drinks with my friends. Thank you all for your cards and texts and turning a dreaded day into something very nice. xxx
Challenge No: 3 is to have my feet nibbled by fishes! I didn't imagine this would be a physically challenging task and Viv has gallantly offered to do this with me. So this morning as a Birthday treat we went and had our feet done. I have to report that although this is not horrid I would NEVER have this done again! Its a very weird and frankly silly thing to do. As soon as you put your feet in the tank the fish swoop in and start nibbling, its an odd sensation, it does tickle, especially when they nibble between the toes, its slightly scratchy but doesn't hurt. I had read that you should go in the morning as the fishes are still hungry which if you think about it is slightly unsettling. Anyway it was different and great to share the experience with Viv. Thank you Viv for coming along and here are the photos.
The rest of the day has been very pleasant, lunch with friends at work and my boys and Jenna cooked me tea. And to top the day off Viv and Steve hosted drinks with my friends. Thank you all for your cards and texts and turning a dreaded day into something very nice. xxx
Monday 22 August 2011
Edinburgh - The End
I’ve had an amazing time, Edinburgh
I’d like to thank Jane and John, without whom this trip would not have been possible! Their generosity and sense of fun have enabled me to experience the festival again 32yrs later and I had an absolutely brilliant time. Thanks also to Catherine, Bob and Emma for being lovely company and great housemates.
Lots of love to you all for making it a very special Birthday treat which I will treasure forever.
Xxx
Feel like I have just given my Oscar speech! The festival has gone to my head!
So that is No: 26 on the challenge list completed. Next challenge is No: 3 which will happen on my birthday.
So that is No: 26 on the challenge list completed. Next challenge is No: 3 which will happen on my birthday.
Edinburgh - Part Two
Wednesday 17th August
Went to see the Scottish Parliament building which is very striking. Viewed the World Press Photo exhibition and cried. This is really turning into a very emotional week!
Saw Ten Plagues at Traverse with Marc Almond. One man’s journey through a city in crisis. I found the severe operatic style of music a hurdle to enjoying this show. Marc Almond performed amazingly, he was vulnerable, if a bit two dimensional but he sang his heart out, it was a very brave performance. Loved the rousing end with the extra voices. Great set, the traverse is a wonderful performance space.
Jane introduced me to the Forest Fringe, which offers various forms of performance for free. They are housed in a ramshackle building with a café, some of the acts are from Bristol
Saw Tim Key at Pleasance. I enjoyed the show, not belly laughs but a slick, professional and confident performance.
Retired to bed very tired with a blister!
Thursday 18th August
Saw an exhibition of work by Elizabeth Blackadder at the National Gallery, lovely paintings.
Release at Pleasance. Story of three people newly released from prison and on probation. Great acting and very physical.
2401 Objects by Analogue at Pleasance. Play about ‘HM’, a man who has lost his short term memory. Analogue use high tech multimedia in their performances which is refreshing. Nicely told story.
Paul Foot at Underbelly. Why do we have to sit in the front row? This guy is frankly weird, quirky, manic but funny. Cross between Dudley Moore and Frankie Howerd with a mullet hair cut.
Audience - thoughts
Audience by Ontroerend Goed. This company is one of my favourites, they push boundaries and I have really enjoyed the shows I have attended so I was looking forward to seeing this show. We had heard that it might be challenging, their shows always are, but I didn’t anticipate that I would find their methods questionable. The audience are the focus of the show, a man trains a video camera on the audience and we see ourselves projected on to a big screen on the stage, its unsettling and unnerving. The Actors seat themselves with us in the seats, talk to us, talk about us and finally insult one member of the audience, this part of the show was very cruel. As the show continues we are taken on a disjointed rollercoaster of ideas, often slick in their execution and thought provoking but not ground breaking enough to justify their methods. The idea of challenging the role of the audience is interesting, but I just can’t get past what they did to this young woman, it was a step too far and frankly not that enlightening. What I will admit is that I have spent days mulling over my reaction to the show, the show is still with me, I am still thinking about the issues and probably will for a long time. They are always provocative and I probably will go to another of their shows, oh god what does that make me!!! See it just goes on and on …….
Some comments from other audience members:
Sunday 21 August 2011
Edinburgh - Part One
Sunday 14th Aug
Arrived in Edinburgh via Durham
Monday 15th Aug
Spent morning getting bearings and looking at venues. I went to see Transluna Paradise by Theatre Ad Infinitum. I really liked the show which is about loss and grieving – whats not to like?!! Very sad but beautifully performed with haunting music. People were blubbing all over the place, including me!
Spent morning getting bearings and looking at venues. I went to see Transluna Paradise by Theatre Ad Infinitum. I really liked the show which is about loss and grieving – whats not to like?!! Very sad but beautifully performed with haunting music. People were blubbing all over the place, including me!
Went to see Joe Wilkinson at the Pleasance. I think we all had high expectations, especially after Dr Brown but it didn’t hit the spot for me. He's a bit like an odd friend with a quirky and funny way of seeing things who everyone likes and enjoys chatting to in the pub but not stand up for an hour.
Watched the logistics of herding crowds for the Edinburgh Tattoo with fly over and fireworks – got the whole Edinburgh
Tuesday 16th Aug
I did a couple of galleries in the morning and then went to see Overcoat – ACE productions at Pleasance, story of a quiet man, very average.
Next saw Gentlemen of Leisure – The ‘Death’ of the Novel? 2 man stand up, enjoyable, intelligent, nice observations and generally funny (not belly laugh – but felt I had been entertained). The show is in an amazing venue Just the Tonic at the caves, literally underground vaults with water dripping down the walls!
Next Holly Walsh at Pleasance, funny and refreshing and intelligent.
And finally we went to see Audience – Ontroerend Goed, I'm going to write about this show in another post, it needs some thought!
Edinburgh or bust!
Saturday 13th Aug
The adventure starts….. We make the first part of our journey to Edinburgh via Whitby
John and I paddle in the Yorkshire moors
The dastardly duo!
Madam!
La Rosa lounge
Thursday 28 July 2011
Wonderful idea or bloody stupid idea?
Hi Everyone,
The list so far:
As most of you will know I am Fifty in August and although I am grateful to have made it this far there is also another part that is not skipping lightly into the next decade! So I order to embrace this landmark age and make it less daunting I came up with a plan that I would do Fifty things when I am fifty. The list follows below, its not complete yet, so do feel free to email me your suggestions and I will consider them, they can be small, silly, serious or sentimental and if you want to join me doing some of them then thats even better!
1. Start a blog so you can all keep up on how I am doing! - Off to a good start as I have done that!
So as you can see I need more suggestions, so email me. The scary thing is that I would be doing nearly 1 thing a week! Anyway it might make being fifty less daunting and the time will fly by etc etc. So keep on checking this blog to see how I am getting on and if any of you want to join me on any of the above that would be lovely.
2. 50th Birthday party, date to be confirmed - thats a nice one to start with!
3. Feet nibbled by fishes - I am booked to do this with Viv on my birthday. I think this might be the only physical contact I am going to get on my birthday!
4. Dye hair pink/blue/green (might be fun?)
5. Have a go at archery
6. Fire a gun (just thought I might like to try this, get some aggression out)
7. Run my first 10k race. I intend to do five 10k races over the year, this will add up to 50k. My first race will be the Weston Christmas Cracker on 11th Dec.
8. Run my second 10k race
9. Run my third 10k race
10. Run my fourth 10k race
11. Run the final 10k race - this will be a 'fun run' in aid of charity and organised by me on the downs in the summer of 2012, anyone can attend and can run any distance.
8. Run my second 10k race
9. Run my third 10k race
10. Run my fourth 10k race
11. Run the final 10k race - this will be a 'fun run' in aid of charity and organised by me on the downs in the summer of 2012, anyone can attend and can run any distance.
12. Run a half marathon - don't want to do a marathon as training for it would be really, really boring.
13. Camping in Wales - never know might be nice
14. Pedicure - never had one
15. Manicure - but really, really silly nails or those ones with the pics on
16. Learn a circus skill - not juggling but trapeze or something like that
17. Try a new food - yum
18. Grow some veg in my garden
19. Learn to make bread - feed to friends
20. Learn to make mayo - again feed to friends
21. Bake a cake - but a fab one and then eat it with friends - everyone benefits from Nos:19 - 21 as long as I do them well.
22. Henna decorated hands
23. Go surfing or boogie boarding
24. Stay in a camper van
25. Learn to use a drill and do a bit of DIY - I'm useless at this so its useful, I can't rely on my neighbors all the time!
26. Go to a festival - I am off to the Edinburgh Festival with Jane and John this August so this one nearly done. I will try and do a blog from the festival with photos and maybe even some reviews!
27. Go on a retreat - a proper retreat, not putting my head under the bed cover.
28. Tea at the Ritz
29. Ride a horse - Jane you can do this one with me?
30. Climb a mountain - well walk, I don't want to literally climb - bet there are a few of you who would do this with me. Has to be a UK mountain, already done Snowdon so suggestions please.
31. Do Karaoke - bet there a few people who might do this with me?
32. Go to a burlesque show - now I bet there a few who might want to do this with me?
33. Go to the Circus - maybe even run away with the circus?
34. Play World of Warcraft - suggested by Josh!
35. Eat a Hash Brownie - yes the illegal sort - again suggested by Josh, maybe once I have eaten the brownie I would then be able to play World of Warcraft?
36. 50 snogs - suggested by me! This could be 50 men or 5 or one man, actually anyone, yes even ladies? Open to offers!!!
37. Visit a foreign city.
38. 50 hours of yoga over the year.
39. 50 hours of running over the year.
40. Drive a fire engine! - My brother Paul has already set this in motion, I get to meet a real fireman and everything!
41. Jamie has asked me to take him to Womad next year, I will have to put up a tent on my own and sleep in it too, oh dear.
42. Do something challenging at work - this is in the process of planning at the moment, will keep you posted.
41. Jamie has asked me to take him to Womad next year, I will have to put up a tent on my own and sleep in it too, oh dear.
42. Do something challenging at work - this is in the process of planning at the moment, will keep you posted.
Heres to being fifty!
Pippa
xxx
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