Oor Kris

Okay, so I had good intentions in my last post to blog more regularly. Turns out I missed January altogether. Figures, eh?

Things have been unexpectedly busy – and all for good, it seems. Much of the month was consumed by rehearsals for the productions I’m involved with at the minute. First there’s the Double Bill of Family Opera I’m taking in part in, a joint production between Scottish Opera and the Citizens Theatre community company. We’ve been rehearsing on and off for our half of the bill – a one-act opera called On The Rim of the World by composer Orlando Gough – since October, and it’s been quite an adventure. The tech rehearsal on the main stage at the Citz last night finally saw a lot of things click in to place; the set looks brilliant, and the lighting, costumes and props all put the icing on the cake of the tough singing, music and movement we’ve been rehearsing for so many weeks. We started off with a mixed bag of ages and abilities back in October, we’ve knitted into a really tight cast and I’m proud to be working with such a great group of people. It will be exciting to finally share the production with the audience this weekend.

I’ve posted a slideshow of rehearsal photo’s from the Citz Flickr page.

The other production I’m now in rehearsal for is Girl X with the National Theatre of Scotland. It came out of the blue as a result of my involvement with the Citz opera. A group of us were selected to take part in script workshops with actor/co-writer Robert Softley, director/co-writer Pol Heyvaert, dramaturg Bart Capelle and composer Scott Twynholm. The plot is inspired by internet debates in online forums surrounding the case of a girl with severe cerebral palsy whose parents opted for surgery to keep their daughter a child and spare her the pains of menstruation. The first week was quite challenging as we got to grips with our role as a greek chorus, with lots of work on speaking in unison and learning the rhythms of the dialogue. We’re now in to our second week and have made it right through the script, so it will be interesting to see what happens next in the process. Girl X opens at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in March before transferring over to the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, then tours to Dundee Rep Theatre and Eden Court in Inverness in April. You can find out more about the production and the case that inspired it in this web chat with Robert.

With so much happening theatrically, you’d think I’d have little time to think about much else, but I do still have lots happening. Every day I’m closer to launching my new coaching programme and I have my first collaborator on board to blog for the website – I can’t wait to bring it all together and go live. I’ll talk more about it soon. I’m also still finding time to fit and work and to study – I’m currently deep in darkest prosody territory on my creative writing course and have been amazed to discover I’m actually quite passionate about poetry. If I’m feeling brave I may inflict one or two lines on you in the coming weeks…!

Seeing as I missed January, I should point out here that as a life coach, I don’t follow the vein of New Year’s resolutions, I much prefer to set realistic goals and stick to them – it’s something everybody should do throughout their life, not just spur of the moment at the turn of a year. Last year I read a fantastic book which encouraged me to write out a Big Wish List of 100 things I’d like achieve – whether for fun, for career purposes, whether small or large – lots of things went on the list. It’s funny how the act of writing things down and being able to visualise them can actually help to make them become a reality, as right now I’m in the process of ticking off not one or two of the small ones, but actually achieving no less than eight of the big ones. So, my lesson for 2011 – especially after what felt like a pretty unlucky 2010 – is this:  say no to the things that are needlessly taking up your time, focus on your goals, roll with the punches, don’t give up, and go with your gut instinct. Just putting yourself back out there and being open to new experiences might land you in the right place at the right time.

Right, now that I’ve dangled an almighty carrot in front of fate, I’m away back off to the Rim of the World!

I haven’t posted on here in ages. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to sit down and blog much as the year’s gone on, which is sad as I’m actually writing more at the moment than I ever have. My diary is full, my writer’s journal is packed, I’m mid-flow on second year of my creative writing course at uni. I guess I’ve just not been in much of a sharing mood to post things online as my writing has become quite private and personal.

Winter is well and truly on. Glasgow was bombarded with more snow than we could have expected over the past week and a half. At first it was pretty, then it quickly become a nightmare as the country ground to a halt. I do still like winter, but I much prefer to look at it rather than have to work my way through it.

I have a few exciting projects up and coming. I’ll make an effort to write about them soon.

I’m loving all this sunshine we’re having at the moment in Glasgow! Everyone seems much cheerier and brighter all of a sudden after such a cold winter.

I’ve been a bit quiet on the blogging front. I had a bout of ill health and a stay in hospital to contend with, then ran straight in to playing catch up to finish a course I’ve been studying. It has still been a productive time, though. I finished writing my fourth play, and also a thirty minute monologue that I’m hoping to have produced over the summer.

As for April and May, I’m just about to head off on tour with Scottish Ballet in Romeo and Juliet. We open tomorrow night at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow. You can find out all about it at my acting website here.

You might be interested to know my theatre reviews are now being published online by A Younger Theatre, a brilliant website masterminded by young theatre-maker Jake who views the industry from a fresh new perspective. It’s exciting to be part of such a movement at the beginning and I’m sure the site is going to go from strength-t0-strength in the coming months. The site is particularly informative for young people looking to establish themselves in the arts, and as well as news and reviews boasts a mine of information compiled by Jake on apprenticeships and opportunities.

You can also head over to Twitter and follow the news feed here:
twitter.com/ayoungertheatre

It’s not often I am moved by a measly drawing, but surely this has to be the saddest cartoon ever? Poor Spirit.

From http://xkcd.com/695/

Well I knew January was going to be a busy month, but last week ended up totally hectic!

I was in and out the theatre teching for Tally’s Blood, rehearsing for Fiddler on the Roof, had workmen at the flat, made a trip to IKEA then built three bookcases, attended counter-terrorism training (oh yes, more about that next time), fire marshal training for work, two assignments due in for uni, meetings to attend, a playwriting deadline to hit, and still found time to cater a meal for a party of 40 people on Saturday night.

Oh yeah — and work my full time job. Knackered!

My second uni assignment was the last one on my A176 Start writing plays course, which I’ve really enjoyed. I think I now have a plan for how I’m going to progress my writing career and I have a list of other courses I want to pursue now. I’m thinking about switching from the BA Open degree to the BA (Hons) Humanities and Literature, as I’ve started to settle on what courses I’m enjoying and what subjects I’m not. The assignment itself ended up being stress on a plate – I had a noon deadline, and on trying to submit it at 8am discovered the file was corrupted (thanks a bunch, USB pen). After several frantic emails and calls to my tutor, I was basically left with no choice but to do a complete rewrite in just two hours. I think my final one act play actually ended up better than the version I had completed the night previous; fingers crossed my grade reflects it when I get my results back.

I did get bad news on the uni front this morning, though. The OU are stopping accepting Tesco Clubcard Vouchers for courses above Level 1, which for me is a disaster, as all the courses I need to do to achieve my degree are now at Level 2 and 3. It throws my future studies in to jeopardy from next year onwards, as I’m ineligible for funding or support and struggle to pay my bills on a monthly basis as it is. Unhappy face.

I finished reading Clutter Busting during the week too (yes, I still have time to read thanks to my daily commute). It’s had a profound effect on me. I cleared 4 boxes of books and clothes out almost immediately and have labelled a further 3 ready for attack this week now that I have a bit more free time. I don’t think I was fully embracing the “letting-go” mentality though, I did keep a lot more than I probably should have. Maybe some things are meant to hang around a bit longer than others. I’m sure Brooks Palmer wouldn’t agree and would soon send me packing (well, unpacking) with a flea in my ear!

My short play The Bench is finished. I’m really pleased with it. It’s my first complete work and is now winging its way to a few different places for reading and feedback. I’m not sure it will come to anything, but I’m hoping it will at least make a few people take notice and remember me.

Right. What’s February going to throw at me?

22nd January : 22/365

Originally uploaded by KrisClark

My copy of Clutter Busting arrived today!

I became instantly intrigued and excited by the whole concept after stumbling upon a blog post by Bonnie Gillespie, who appears to have rapidly put it to good use after attending a workshop with author Brooks Palmer. I sadly won’t be hopping across the Atlantic to meet the man himself, instead I’ll be using the book to delve in to the psyche of why we hoard and what it’s doing to us in other areas of our lives.

I suspect I could end up a broken man over the next fortnight while I exorcise the many, many boxes and shelves of keepsakes and possessions around the place; not to mention what’s going to happen as the emotional and psychological baggage that goes with it all gets dumped along the way.

Here’s hoping there’s a lesson or two in store – watch this space!

21st January : 21/365

Originally uploaded by KrisClark

Sunrise over Glasgow, 9am this morning. Spoilt only by the reflection from the double glazing.

Turned out to be a short day! About 2 hours after this was taken, we had a massive power outage in our quarter of the city, resulting in us being sent home early. I headed off to help @kazbaa with her tax return and received a lush turkey dinner in return from her mum. Bonza!

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

I started studying towards a degree (at last!), I appeared (briefly) in a TV series, I hosted my own drama workshops, and I finally finished writing my first play.

2. Did you keep your 2009 resolutions? Will you make more for 2010?

I’ve never made resolutions at New Year as a rule, I prefer to set my goals and check my objectives as life ticks along. I did, however, resolve this year to take part in Project 365 in 2010 by uploading a photo from my life every day, and to make a better effort at blogging.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Nobody in my immediate inner-circle, but a few friends and colleagues did.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Again, nobody in my immediate inner-circle, but I did lose two acquaintances who had always been supportive and kind to me.

5. What countries did you visit?

I only made it as far as neighbouring England, but I did get to visit several places I’d never been to before.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

I’d like feel a bit more secure financially, feel a bit healthier and generally improve my all-round wellbeing and happiness. Not too much to ask for! I’d also like to spend more time with friends and see more of my family.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

I’m going to cheat and say the first two weeks of August as a whole. The two summer schools I attended were inspirational and life changing; I learnt great things, worked with wonderful tutors, spent quality time with friends and met new people who will stay friends for life. I also had great experiences performing and had a real boost in confidence and ability. Happy days.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Making it to 2010 without losing my marbles!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I don’t think in terms of failure, I see everything as a lesson or an opportunity to improve. I know I compromised my wellbeing by taking too much on in 2009, and will try to stay more focussed next year so that I still have “me” time.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, I had several hospital visits and surgery to contend with. The big lesson: stop ignoring “minor” complaints and get checked out, we have a free health service in the UK for a reason!

11. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

This is an amazing question, and I’m really annoyed that I can’t think of a brilliant answer as lots of people have done great things this year for me. My friend Bec did a wonderful thing for me this summer, and I will genuinely treasure her kindness forever.

12. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

I felt a bit let down by a couple of people who dropped off the radar despite me trying my best to make contact, only to find out later they’d done it purposefully based on things they believed that sadly weren’t true. I’m a talker and a fixer, and not being given the chance to give my side of a story disappoints me, especially when it means losing friendships. I hope they’ll see through it eventually and come around. I was appalled by the behaviour of my appointed loss adjustor during my home insurance claim; I’ve felt ignored, mistreated and cheated in equal measure throughout the year, and I’m depressed that it’s still not fully resolved.

13. Where did most of your money go?

Almost entirely on the mortgage! I invested what I could spare in uni courses and theatre-related training activities, and hope the universe will pay-it-back soon. The rest of my money went on fixing up my property and emergency repairs – sadly this happened several times. It wasn’t a good year for my bank balance.

14. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

My summer school trips! Two weeks locked away in theatre-enthused training with like-minded actors and creative people. I also got really excited about performing in the musical Rent, and being cast in the lead of A Chorus of Disapproval.

15. What song will always remind you of 2009?

Seasons of Love: the highlight of appearing in Rent, the highlight of several concerts, and the lyrics to which describe my year succinctly.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?

Happier. Things are moving on.

b) thinner or fatter?

Hmm, I *was* thinner but have probably arrived back where I was, sadly.

c) richer or poorer?

Slightly poorer in pocket, but slightly richer in capital.

17. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Relax and recuperate. I work so hard on so many things that I really don’t devote enough “me” time, as I said earlier. I’m fixing that in 2010.

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Running after people – and I don’t mean that ungraciously. It would be nice to feel wanted without having to invest my entire soul in the pursuit of happiness. Friendships and relationships should be two way streets, not life pursuits.

19. How will you be spending Christmas?

I imagine back home with my family, as we do traditionally. It would take something very out of the ordinary for us not to have Christmas together. 2009 was slightly different as we spent it at my sister Helen and her partner Steven’s new house for the first.

20. Did you fall in love in 2009?

The person I borrowed these questions from wrote this, and it applies to me too: “I am constantly falling in love. With people, with things, with places, with my life.” Did I let my heart get broken in 2009? Yes, a bit – silly schoolboy crushes. You’d think I’d have learnt by now!

21. What was your favourite TV program?

I had several: Heroes, The Inbetweeners, Skins, Big Bang Theory, Gary: Tank Commander, Two and a Half Men, The Mentalist, True Blood, Misfits, and 8 out of 10 Cats. 2009 was the first year I’d really enjoyed TV again in a long time, thanks to having Sky+ installed – I spend so little time at home during a week that I rarely got to see things in the past, now I get home and my favourites are all waiting for me to watch when I’m actually free.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I don’t hate anyone. I feel let down by a few people, but hope they’ll make their way back in to my life eventually.

23. What was the best book you read?

I read so many books that it’d usually say it’s too hard to single out just one – but this year, without a doubt, the one that had most impact on me was Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

King’s of Convenience, discovered after Last.fm gradually got to know what I like. I’m so pleased I found them.

25. What did you want and get?

To be the leading man in a play. An autoharp (which I’ve wanted since I was 10).

26. What did you want and not get?

To direct or produce my first play.

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

This is hard to pin down as I saw a lot of really good pictures this year. I’ll cheat and make categories instead:

Best adaptation – The Time Traveler’s Wife
Best sci-fi – Star Trek
Most unexpected – (500) Days of Summer
Most touching – The Soloist
Most (Hmm, what’s the word? Different? New? Inspirational?) – District 9
Best animated film – Up (Yes, I did cry, within the first 5 minutes.)

28. What did you do on your birthday? How old were you?

I was 28 on my birthday. I insisted I wanted no fuss when plans I’d started to make for a day out were hijacked then went pear shaped, but my workmates surprised me with a buffet and a cake, and I got the chance to review some theatre at night and saw the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Peer Gynt with my dear friend Beth.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Not having my mind so persistently on money matters. I have so many dreams I’d like to achieve, and would like to support so many others to achieve their goals too, but sadly not the funds to finance them. At the most basic level, my year would have been immeasurably more satisfying if my house hadn’t kept falling down around me.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Oh dear. I have absolutely no sense of fashion at all. 2009 was no different to 2008 as far as things went for me, I’m afraid I live in a fashion-less bubble. You’ll usually find me in jeans and black t-shirts: I’m afraid I’m not that adventurous.

31. What kept you sane?

Having lots of exciting projects to concentrate on and not dwelling on 2008!

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Oh dear, I get crushes all the time. I spare my blushes by not listing them all. I think Fearne Cotton topped the list, and probably still will next year. God bless Twitter for bringing us closer together!

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

The whole MP salary and expenses issue made me boil. I also got very heated over the same scandal within the banking sector.

34. Who did you miss?

I miss lots of people, and think I felt it more this year living on my own and not having company around. I particularly missed my family, I didn’t get to see them as regularly as I would like as I had no car from January onwards, and my travel budget took a nose dive. I probably most miss my Aunt Anna in Australia for her companionship and advice.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I wish I had answered this every year so as not to do an injustice to the wonderful people in my life. 2009, though, probably goes to Andy Reiss, who inspired me, educated me and has kept in touch and motivated me.

36. What valuable life lesson did you learn in 2009?

That money is not the be-all-and-end-all in life; but while we live in a capitalist society, it helps.

37. What song lyrics sum up your year?

I’m going to say the lyrics to Seasons of Love for all the reasons at number 15 – and oddly it was the same song the person I pinched the questions off picked. That’s synchronicity.

I’ve had a mental past few days.

I’m so tired I won’t spend a lot of time talking about it now, but suffice to say, it’s a miracle that I managed to cram in everything I did between Thursday and Tuesday. A full block of uni assignments, an essay, a scene for my new play, two full rehearsals for a show, work, my appraisal, a council meeting, a committee meeting, and an addition 10 hours of study.

It’s all at the expense of sleep, of course; had it been this time last year when my insomnia was at its height and I was participating in the sleep research program, I would probably have been fine – 2 hours a night I could cope with back then! Today, however, I’m absolutely shattered.

I came across a blog posting that really inspired and motivated me yesterday – I’ll share it tomorrow when I have a fresh head on.