digicasts

This is where i work.

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Beats my “two planks of wood, a skateboard and some bricks” coaster i built when i was a kid

Well, it’s all over.

Had a very nice birthday. A bit of walking in the rain and a bit of birthday sunshine. A late breakfast, “coffee” then walking for the afternoon. A little trip to see what Amsterdam had to offer. Then a super Thai meal and a last trip to a bar, but was way too full so we only stayed for one.

The trip went super fast, which I guess is a good sign.

Can’t wait to go back. Maybe next time i will buy some painted clogs.

and its online

http://kuler.adobe.com/

colour wheels galore, pretty simple but incredibly handy

Out for a wander on Sunday. It’s festival time in Holland, Sinterklass. Lots of blacked up minstrels and St Nick looking types. These “assistants” throw biscuits at people, and during the procession a huge cannon was firing out sweets into the crowd.

Then we had breakfast (Falafel) and went for a wander. The main plan was to visit the Amsterdam Dungeon. But when we got there the “act” had begun, and the woman on the door was just starring into space. When we went to leave a man jumps out. Felt a bit of twat so didnt bother going back.

Then it rained so we went to the cinema to keep dry for a couple of hours. Then a few bars in the evening.

Similar set up on monday. Went shopping (was raining again) a quick coffee, then time to hit the bars again. Came back, had a nap then out for something to eat (god bless febo).

So today is the big day, and its raining again, though it does look like its brightening up a bit. Ooh, a hint of blue.

Ok time to go.

Toodles

Hola.

We are in Amsterdam at the moment for a little break to celebrate my 29th birthday (tuesday).

Flew with BA this time, for £10 more it beats Sleasyjet. Even got snack and drinks on the very short flight. Usual airport crap, checked in online to save sime by only having to use the “Fast Bag Drop”. But seeing as everyone checks in online or via the little kiosks at the airport the queue was still massive.

Security was ok though, only one lighter and had to take my laptop out of my bag for seperate inspection.

Checked in at the Eden Rembrant Hotel. Decided this time not to pay the premium for staying in a “specialist” hotel for a free gay map and a crappy Athena black and white torso on the wall. Hotel is cheaper and nicer because of this. Room is cosy but very modern and well equipt with a super shower with two roses.

Went out last night, got some “sweetstick” and had a burger. Then back for a disco nap before setting off the “The Cockring”. Never been there before, its not a sleazy place but like most amsterdam bars does have that available. It mainly a club and attracts all crowds, three floors. Dance and shows on the bottom, then the “low lit” areas, then another busy bar at the top.

It was very smoky, I smoke but there was no ventilation, just a big fan blowing the smoke about (and in my eyes). The show was rubbish, leave it at that, zero effort.

Then back at 3.45. Slept in, just got showered and now out to play with my new toy. A loverly digital SLR. Pics soon.

Toodles

Well the day I have been waiting for has been and gone. My first viewing of Wicked (courtesy of a leaving present from work).

Little bit of background. Wicked is based on the book “The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire. It is the “untold story of the witches of oz”, a prequel if you like. Beginning with the conception of Elphaba (WWW) and how she met Glinda (Good Witch of the North (thanks Adhil)) at school, and everything leading up to her unfortunate incident with Dorothy and a bucket of water.

I first heard the show from a bootleg recording of the whole Broadway show. I was captured pretty early on with the music and story (my “flying high, defying gravity” title of this blog is from the show). The idea of a prequel to such a familiar story is crafted very well. Questions arise during the early part of the show and answered towards to end. Glinda is the rich blonde girl who always gets what she wants, and Elphaba is the daughter of an embarrassed governor of munchkin land. They soon meet at the start of school, loathing each other. Elphaba notices some sinister things happening in Oz from Doctor Dillamond, a teacher of history and a goat.

The two leads become very good friends (the “dancing through life” interlude was very moving). At the end of the first half both have to make a choice, and their decisions clash.

The musical story is very different to the dark and twisted tales that come from the book. I heard the show before reading the book and was shocked with the content of the book. Not that the book is incredibly shocking, but compared to the wonderful world of the musical, it is. Including fucking, urine and gutting.

A hit on Broadway since 2003, they have clearly invested in hopes of similar success. The sets are huge, effective and plentiful. As is the lighting. Make up and costumes are colourful and creative, all together making the stage version of Oz equally as weird and wonderful as the film. Elphaba is green and always green, yet not shiny and greasy. I dread to think what that is doing to her pores every night. But there are embraces and touching without any care to colour coming off, and it stays on.

The performance itslef had a lot to live up to. I was used to a studio recording, so quickly noticed the “live” sound. I’m not certain, but im sure I have heard a better quality sound in a theatre, the first act lacked volume and depth, but the second half was beefier.

The performances themselves? I had to see the show before the new year. Idina Menzel was recreating her Broadway role as Elphaba and hers was the only Elphaba I have known. I have been a fan of Idina since her days as Maureen in one of my favorite musicals, Rent. She was the original Maureen and recreated her role 10 years later in the Rent movie. Anyway, she was good, very good. The way she sings the songs obviously differs with time and musical direction. But she has a unique amazing voice and hits all the notes, I am very glad that we didnt have an understudy. I am more than prepared to see the show with a different cast, but I really wanted to see her. If it had been an understudy I would have gone again.

Glinda on the other hand was different, she wasn’t trying to be Kristin Chenoweth (the original broadway Glinda). And rightfully so, i am all for artists giving their own twist on things. Would I have wanted to to see the oriinal broadway duo? definitely, no doubt, but it was a bit of a shock to hear Idina was having a stint and was happy with that. Glinda is blond and squeaky (well, Krisin’s interpretation) our Glinda played by Helen Dallimore is not so blond. A very good performance, but somehow didn’t reach to peaks with Elphaba (couldn’t hear her during the climax of defying gravity). She was very good at the long highs, and the comedy song Popular was still as cute (toss toss). So whilst she has some negatives her pluses exceed and Helen pulls off a British Glinda very well (so to speak). The blond squeaky Glinda is very american (think Clueless and Romy and Michele). Putting on the american accent would have been strange.

Nigel Planner, famously Neil from The Young Ones plays the wizard and Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout in the Potter films and Nursey in Blackadder) plays Madam Morrible (headmistress). I though Nigel was a little too tall for the wizard, but played the role well. Miriam was also perfect for the strict headmistress.

The accents thing was a little strange, Elphaba’s sister Nessarose is again British as are her parents so Idina’s “twang” stands out. Boq (one of the munchins) is Glaswegian, but is very cute and was nice to hear the differences.

It’s a new refreshing musical, with wide variety of songs, a pleasing and clever story and brilliant performances. A good night out with songs you take away with you. Recommended on many levels, set design, production, effects, costumes and music and songs.

(toss toss)

this has to be one of the funniest things for….. well at least a couple of weeks.

Not kidding about the Dean Gaffney thing, hilarious. And perhaps the funniest half hour of tv. Though i think Nikki’s (Big Brother) first eviction was pretty special. The interview (basically 15 minuets of “best bits”) was brilliant and had my LOLing all the way (it takes a lot for tv to make me LOL)

I am shocked to see how much spam gets posted as comments on this blog, that will teach me to allow anyone to post. All deleted now (must of had about 20 comments yesterday)

So now if you want to comment you have to be moderated, but only the once. If you have posted before and i approved then the comments appear without my approval.

Have some links:

A nice flash drawing thing, well some are nice, some are lame.

This is a loverly animation, well animated, but it’s the story that makes this.

have fun

Greetings from the solent. Sending this via my phone. No news. Cya.
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