Monday, June 30, 2014
Odd
Odd that when I don't post anything for a while, more people read this blog. There's no rational reason to explain that at all.
I am having a quiet night in; no TV, no noise.
McMum was cremated on Friday, a small ceremony with close family which was exhausting and intense. I do feel that between us my sister and myself (and in particular, my sister) made sure that McMum's last ten days were dignified and serene. Our youngest brother was with her when she died which is probably exactly what she wanted.
Thankfully, the Friar's Carse Songwriting Weekend followed and it was good therapy to be busy again, helping people to write lovely songs with the lush green trees around us and the bright blue sky above us. The weekend before, the lovely people on the Premises Songwriting course were also a pleasure to work with.
I came home to a CD on the doormat from my dear friend Dubulah and I will listen to that tomorrow.
It will be strange not to be making the 400-mile commute to Edinburgh; often, the trip was a swerve eastwards from something in Glasgow or northwards from something in Newcastle. I wonder whether Edinburgh will become a stranger?
There is such a lot to catch up on. I must start that now.
I am having a quiet night in; no TV, no noise.
McMum was cremated on Friday, a small ceremony with close family which was exhausting and intense. I do feel that between us my sister and myself (and in particular, my sister) made sure that McMum's last ten days were dignified and serene. Our youngest brother was with her when she died which is probably exactly what she wanted.
Thankfully, the Friar's Carse Songwriting Weekend followed and it was good therapy to be busy again, helping people to write lovely songs with the lush green trees around us and the bright blue sky above us. The weekend before, the lovely people on the Premises Songwriting course were also a pleasure to work with.
I came home to a CD on the doormat from my dear friend Dubulah and I will listen to that tomorrow.
It will be strange not to be making the 400-mile commute to Edinburgh; often, the trip was a swerve eastwards from something in Glasgow or northwards from something in Newcastle. I wonder whether Edinburgh will become a stranger?
There is such a lot to catch up on. I must start that now.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Looking Forward To...
I'm looking forward to the Friar's Carse Songwriting Weekend.
They are so different, all these events, each with their own distinct personality.
When I have time I'll upload some photos from the Premises Course; things are quite busy at the moment but normal service will be resumed next week.
They are so different, all these events, each with their own distinct personality.
When I have time I'll upload some photos from the Premises Course; things are quite busy at the moment but normal service will be resumed next week.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Disappearing Act
I was thrilled to see that the Newham Recorder had picked out my research to mention in an article they wrote about tomorrow's research conference at the University of the East last week, but not so thrilled to find out that it had been replaced this week by a paragraph about a colleague's research instead. What a mystery- and ironic, since I specialise in doing research about women who have been written out of history!
Charlie Chaplin
We were waiting at CamdenTown for our connection to Old Street.
A train slid past on its way out of the station.
In the end carriage, leaning back on his own, sat Charlie Chaplin in black and white, a expression of lonely sadness on his chalky face behind his bristling black fake moustache.
A train slid past on its way out of the station.
In the end carriage, leaning back on his own, sat Charlie Chaplin in black and white, a expression of lonely sadness on his chalky face behind his bristling black fake moustache.
The Premises Seven
Another Premises Songwriting Course has just come to an end. What a nice bunch of people. From the outset, they supported each other, listened to each other and boosted each other's confidence. Martin Stephenson did an amazing masterclass and Paulette Long spoke to them about marketing their songs. the band, Martin, Kate and John from The Daintees and piano player Barry Green worked hard all day yesterday in the studio; Jason did a grand job of recording and even rose to the occasion of recording Maya's harp with aplomb. Thanks to Julia for organising it- and here's to the next one.
Friday, June 20, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
McMum
Our mother, Jean McCallum, passed away very peacefully on Sunday in Edinburgh. She will be especially missed by her six grandchildren who had all visited her in recent weeks, much to her great joy.
University of East London Research Conference
I am presenting my current research here (and heads up to Paula Woolfe who I do actually quote from although it doesn't look like it from the blurb attached to this).
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uel-research-conference-2014-registration-11659021447
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uel-research-conference-2014-registration-11659021447
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Owls
My mother lay in bed listening to blackbirds in the daytime and owls at night.
Yesterday evening, my sister and myself sat drinking tea, and we distinctly heard an owl hooting in the darkness outside the flat: further, closer, further.
We had never heard one here before.
Yesterday evening, my sister and myself sat drinking tea, and we distinctly heard an owl hooting in the darkness outside the flat: further, closer, further.
We had never heard one here before.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Women in Punk, Sunday 1.30 p.m.
Women in Punk
Please note that there will be no adverts or trailers prior to screening(s) of this programme. The programme will start at the time listed.
4hr 00min.
On Sunday 15t June, The Phoenix introduces a double bill that celebrates free thinking women and rebel girls from school days to international fame. The event will kick-off with an introduction from Helen Reddington of the University of East London and end with bands The Exhausts and DOE playing in our café.
We Are the Best
Sweden 2013. 1hr 42. Directed by Lukas Moodysson.
An adaptation of a graphic novel by Moodysson's wife, Coco, about three young girls growing up in early '80s Stockholm, who are looking for a cause and decide to form a punk band despite being told by everyone that Punk is dead.
The Punk Singer
USA 20113. 1hr 22. Directed by Sini Anderson.
Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the punk band Bikini Kill and dance-punk trio Le Tigre, rose to national attention as the reluctant but never shy voice of the riot grrrl movement. She became one of the most famously outspoken feminist icons, a cultural lightning rod.
Helen Reddington is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London. Her publications include, The Lost Women of Rock Music: female musicians of the punk era, The Forgotten Revolution of the Female Punk Musicians in the 1970s and Lady Punks in Bands: a subculturette?
Following the films the Phoenix will be hosting hot new bands The Exhausts and DOE in the café for you to let out some of your angst!
Sunday 15 June at 1.30pm.
Tickets £7.
We Are the Best
Sweden 2013. 1hr 42. Directed by Lukas Moodysson.
An adaptation of a graphic novel by Moodysson's wife, Coco, about three young girls growing up in early '80s Stockholm, who are looking for a cause and decide to form a punk band despite being told by everyone that Punk is dead.
The Punk Singer
USA 20113. 1hr 22. Directed by Sini Anderson.
Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the punk band Bikini Kill and dance-punk trio Le Tigre, rose to national attention as the reluctant but never shy voice of the riot grrrl movement. She became one of the most famously outspoken feminist icons, a cultural lightning rod.
Helen Reddington is a Senior Lecturer at the University of East London. Her publications include, The Lost Women of Rock Music: female musicians of the punk era, The Forgotten Revolution of the Female Punk Musicians in the 1970s and Lady Punks in Bands: a subculturette?
Following the films the Phoenix will be hosting hot new bands The Exhausts and DOE in the café for you to let out some of your angst!
Sunday 15 June at 1.30pm.
Tickets £7.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is an extraordinary city. Even from here in the suburbs, you can see the castle and, of course, Arthur's Seat, the huge green hill that mocks Edinburgh's formality with its permanence. The shifting weather throws up different nooks and crannies every second. Spring shrubs blossom and fade in what seems like seconds. Tourists on Princes Street are caught in ferocious summer rain showers that drench their t-shirts. Old-fashioned bars squat next to newsagents plastered with notices and advertisements and vintage shops trace a map from charity shops just two doors away.
Chichi coffee bars are so laid back that nobody gets served, and the silver-haired elderly dart around, going about their daily business as they have done for decades.
Chichi coffee bars are so laid back that nobody gets served, and the silver-haired elderly dart around, going about their daily business as they have done for decades.
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