tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088360674463120842024-03-05T09:48:54.164+00:00The Soup SpoonSoup of the day: Random RamblingsKat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-59780185683281644342013-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:002013-01-01T00:27:56.517+00:00Hello, GoodbyeIt's New Year's Eve. In some parts of the world it's already New Year's Day. And where am I? Relaxing at home with the family? Off out at a house party or getting cold and wet at a city centre New Year celebration? Nope. I'm working. And found out that I would be working less than a week before Christmas. This pretty much sums up 2012. It's been like that.<br />
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Last year, as the last whisps of 2011 melted away and 2012 arrived, I remember feeling quite melancholy. It was a feeling that clung to me for weeks. And not without good reason. When I look back now, as I'm about to close the door on 2012 forever, I can see it's been a year dogged with ongoing issues, few resolutions and lots of goals left unachieved.<br />
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The first half of the year, Granny was very poorly. We were all very concerned for her and to that I added the weight of concern for my Dad and cousins. Steve and I made two very long trips to Canterbury to visit as her health deteriorated and finally my last surviving grandparent passed away.<br />
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The second half of the year has been plagued with work issues, as my previous employer's contract came to an end and a new (incompetent) contractor came in to take over. There has been much anxiety in the build up to the transfer, which has manifested in people generally being unkind to each other. I've had to say goodbye to some great colleagues (and one very good friend who is bringing in the New Year in Australia). The final culmination of this has been mass redundancies and some really inappropriate and unfair actions by the new employer. This has been the single most stressful thing I have been through with any employer and I hope I never have to repeat anything similar in the future.<br />
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Our house is still on the market. It still hasn't sold. It's still causing a disproportionate amount of stress with dickish estate agents and a kitchen roof that continues to leak. We've missed out on a number of opportunities, the worst of which was a house with a turret. Even with the front of the house sinking, it was a bargain and it would have been a beautiful home. I fear I might always regret that as 'the one that got away'.<br />
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However, 2012 has a few things worth remembering it for. I have waited for most of my life to see The Phantom of the Opera and I was not disappointed when Mum and I went to see it in May. It was spectacular and if I had been able to afford to see it again, I would have. I also saw Starlight Express this year. I've wanted to see it since I was about twelve so it's been a long wait.<br />
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May was a great month this year; as well as Phantom of the Opera at the Palace Theatre, Mum and I had a trip down to the Big Smoke so I could sing at the Royal Albert Hall with Sing Live and the Night of 1000 Voices. I love the choir. I love singing. And combining that with the trip and having Mum there was a real treat.<br />
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Mum, Steve and I holidayed in Cyprus in May as well. We lounged around the hotel pool and the hotel bar and the hotel restaurant and our room and didn't leave the hotel all week. It was almost perfect. But I really must stop eating milky and creamy things: My stomach can't take it!<br />
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In August Ann and I went into Manchester for one of those makeover days where they take photos. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it and came away with a bunch of photos that I'm really pleased with. They actually make me look quite normal, and not strange or hideous. Although they do show I have a dent in my forehead. Investigations into the cause of the dent are ongoing. (I suspect Dad might've dropped me on my head as a child.)<br />
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One final highlight of the year has been Pinterest. Ah, what joy. And what agony. Pinterest inspired me to make some of my Christmas presents this year. Claire got a handmade bracelet that I was quite pleased with. My Dad received an iPad case made out of a recycled suit jacket. I gave my Mum a scrapbook of our wedding photos - it wasn't quite finished but I think she was really pleased to finally have a wedding album. Ann got a Memory Jar. And my in-laws... I made them a patchwork quilt, which I finished at 2.30am on Christmas Day. It turned out really well and I have a queue of people asking for me to make them one. So Pinterest has been a success in that it has lead me to achievements myself.<br />
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Looking forward to 2013, I'll be graduating from the Open University, achieving my Literature degree. I'll also be going to see Wicked when it tours (another one of my favourite musicals ticked off the list) and I'm hoping to get to see a few more theatre productions this year too. I would love to see Avenue Q, although I'd be surprised if that opportunity rolls around this year. I'm really looking forward to the Les Miserables movie, and Sing Live's first concert of 2013 on the 3rd of Feb at the Bridgewater Hall.<br />
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I'm renewing my 2012 New Year's Resolution to read 12 books (I only managed 6, with 2 still on the go) but I think I might have to aim for 13 books as it's 2013.2013 will also see the first draft of the novel that I've started at least three times, and I'm determined to keep a diary. Writing has to be a focus of the year, if for no other reason than it's necessary for my degree, so I'm relaunching my writing blog tomorrow. I'm not setting a goal of blogging every day, but I want to make sure there is regular content, and if I'm writing everyday that should be easy... Should... Be... Easy. Famous last words.<br />
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I really want to spend a bit more time with friends this year; I feel like I've hardly seen Ann or Claire and I'd really like to meet up with some old friends that I haven't seen for a while. I'm already dreaming up a visit to Ally and Rich in Londonium, and maybe lunch or dinner out with Jo Jo from First Choice. And who knows what else I might manage to do. <br />
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So I'm making 2013 a year of friendship and achievement! 13 might be unlucky for some, but it's never steered me wrong. Hello 2013. Goodbye 2012.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-66280133716167489392012-09-25T00:13:00.001+01:002012-09-25T00:13:34.480+01:00Inspiration!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been inspired; not in an arty way, in a guts and glory way. This isn't a matter of The Muse knocking on the door and calling me out to play, it's inspiration in the way a person can be inspired by an Olympic Athlete to become more active, or by an X-Factor contestant inspiring a singer to think 'I can do that.'<br />
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My 'I can do that' moment has originated from an interesting source. A long-time friend, Ally, is a talented artist and I recently found her <a href="http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?227508-Ally-Albon-s-Sketchbook" target="_blank">Sketchbook on Conceptart</a>. I looked through her art work, starting last August, right up to this year and saw a remarkable improvement and this improvement has happened because she took a critical look at herself and asked 'what do I want to achieve?' She set herself goals, decided what she needed to work on and then worked on it. Tirelessly. Well, I can do that.<br />
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For years I've wanted to write: Novels, screenplays, drama, stage plays... anything really (except poetry, which I officially SUCK at!) I've been writing stories since I was in primary school and even ran a fan-fiction writing group between 1998 and 2008. I know there are characters and stories inside my head trying to claw their way to freedom, but life always gets in the way. There's always work, the house, the husband, the dog, singing, politics and god-knows-what-else to do. Well, Ally has inspired me to apply the same dedication to my writing that she's applied to her art.<br />
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This isn't the first hint that I should be more dedicated in the application of the writer's craft. Hubby has been saying for months that if I want to be a writer I need to write, and the internet is littered with advice from bloggers and writers saying that the first step to writing is to write everyday. Add to that the fact that I have seen significant improvement in my singing just purely from setting goals and applying regular practice. Ally's success on Conceptart isn't so much another hint, as a slap in the face with a wet kipper: It seems like the whole world is telling me I should write.... lots.... everyday. <br />
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So... I've started another blog... <a href="http://kjmiddleton.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Writer Inside</a>. Writer and blogger, <a href="http://goinswriter.com/" target="_blank">Jeff Goins</a> says that a writer shouldn't just practice, they should practice in public. And so I shall. I still intend to use The Soup Spoon for general posting, but my intention is to post as often as I can on The Writer Inside and to post lots of snippets, short stories and character word-sketches. I'd love to get some feedback about what works and what doesn't, so come on over and have a look around.<br />
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I only hope that I can enjoy a similar improvement in my writing that Ally has in her artwork. Who knows, maybe I will actually manage to finish the novel, screenplay and TV pilot episode that I've been chewing on forever.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-81755806473035042002012-08-21T12:41:00.000+01:002012-08-21T12:43:35.792+01:00An Open Letter to Twitter #KeepTwitterAdFree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><i>Dear Sir or Madam,<br /><br />I mostly access Twitter using the iPhone mobile app. A while ago I noticed that Promoted Tweets started to appear in my timeline. I had noticed Promoted Trends and Promoted Accounts before, but this was the first time advertising had actually appeared directly in my timeline.<br /><br />I strongly object to the use of Promoted Tweets in my timeline. It is like a company walking up to me in the street and interrupting in the middle of a conversation to market their product to me. I find it rude and offensive and have, until recently, been blocking all accounts that use Promoted Tweets, including products that I have an interest in; I really do find it THAT intrusive. However, I notice now that I am seeing Promoted Tweets from accounts that I have already blocked. This is particularly unacceptable to me; I should be able to block whomever I choose.<br /><br />I understand that advertising revenue funds Twitter and allows you to continue to develop the site and mobile apps. I am content for other forms of advertising to continue (Promoted Trends, and promotions that appear outside my timeline are much less intrusive) but I personally feel that ads in my timeline is a step too far. I acknowledge that others will not feel as strongly about this as I do. All I ask is that you respect my wish to not have Promoted Tweets appear in my timeline; it would be nice if you stopping offering Promoted Tweets altogether but I realise that this is unlikely. It would be acceptable if I was able to block any account that uses Promoted Tweets.</i></span>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-59105098502726636952012-07-30T14:16:00.000+01:002012-07-30T14:34:44.346+01:00Olympic Gold<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Did anyone catch the Olympics Opening Ceremony by any chance? Wiping out three hours of the BBC's evening schedule, it would be pretty hard to miss. Personally, I'm glad I made a point of watching; it was a fantastic celebration of our nation and I felt very proud to be British.<br />
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So often I think that as a nation we suffer from a lack of national identity. It's a fluid concept as national interests and tastes change, but most nations are known for something very specific, either in the character of the people or the character of the geography: Germany is famous for engineering and efficiency, Italy is known for flamboyancy, France is known for being insular (sometimes even xenophobic) but also for gourmet cooking, America is the nation of excess, etc., so what makes us British?<br />
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I think our lack of identity sometimes stems from the fact that we aren't one single nation. Scotland, Ireland and Wales have their own sense of identity and it's something which can drive a wedge between the people of those nations and their identity as a British National. (Scottish Independence, anyone?) In addition, I think that we are also sometimes guilty of holding on to our historical identity so steadfastly that we forget to embrace our present. Then again, our present isn't always something we would want to embrace when there's rioting in the streets, petty crime is rife and the media is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. However there are somethings that are completely unique to Britain and this is what Danny Boyle so successfully exploited.<br />
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We are an old nation with a history spanning millenia, not centuries. Britain was the seat of the industrial revolution and continues to be a breeding ground for some great technological wonders, celebrated in the opening ceremony by the inclusion of Tim Berners-Lee. We are recognised around the world for our British humour (so many of my overseas friends love the likes of Monty Python and Mr Bean), the British music scene is one of the most diverse and vibrant in the world and British literature is celebrated around the globe. And of course, we should celebrate the great British institutions, like the BBC and the NHS, which are both completely unique. Politically, we are both liberal and socialist, defending the rights of the individual and fiercely protecting the welfare state and institutions like the NHS, but also celebrating our monarchy. We are diverse and we are inclusive.<br />
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Danny Boyle reminded us of these facts by doing nothing more than putting on a terribly British show. For that alone, at least in my eyes, he is both a genius and a national hero.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-57250264263936162972012-03-26T23:23:00.000+01:002012-03-26T23:24:20.233+01:00The Cabin in the Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Joss Whedon is no stranger to incredible blockbuster movies, having racked up writing credits for<i> Toy Story</i>, <i>Titan A.E.</i> and <i>Serenity</i> - all fantastic films - so I approached <i>The Cabin in the Woods</i> with a certain expectation.<br />
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Without revealing too much, <i>The Cabin in the Woods</i> is a teenage horror flick with a difference. It follows the inevitable misadventures of five teenagers taking a weekend out to visit a spooky cabin in a picturesque but isolated spot (kids, eh! When will they learn?) All too soon the hijinks start to unravel and the fun really begins.<br />
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Joss Whedon walks a very fine line between the horror genre and the very best and most entertaining of the spoof genre. The result is a truly entertaining and clever black comedy that is witty and sharp. Whedon's fingerprints are all over it with an intelligent plot, charming characterisation and strong dialogue. This is Drew Goddard's first outing as a director but he does well, creating some really memorable moments.<br />
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But...<br />
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The ending stretches reality a little too far and harms the integrity of the movie and spoils the fun. It's slapdash and is perhaps the only point that Goddard's directorial inexperience shows. But perhaps the DVD release will have an alternate ending.<br />
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<i>The Cabin in the Woods</i> is a funny and entertaining horror-fantasy cross-over. As the body-count rises and the level of gore increases this is a movie that will appeal to fans of movies like <i>Scream</i>, <i>Devil</i>, and <i>Final Destination</i>. It may not achieve the mass appeal or success of those flicks at the box office, but it will definitely have a cult following simply for it's idiosyncrasy. And it's nice to find a movie that feels too short rather than too long.<br />
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<i>The Cabin in the Woods</i> is released in the UK on 1st April.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-68320663630130443152011-11-10T21:51:00.001+00:002011-11-10T23:33:46.036+00:00X Factor Live Shows Week 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's the halfway point of the live shows and, by now, we should be settling in. Every week, things should be getting more predictable and the results should be expected. And yet, this has been probably the most turbulent week (or two) in X Factor history.<br />
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Following on from the renaming of Little Mix, the resignation of a band member from The Risk and the immediate replacement of him, the absence of judge and Girls mentor, Kelly, and then the shock loss of Sophie Habibis (all in week's blog), this week we had a double elimination that continued to reinforce the fact that no-one is safe, and then the shock exit of Frankie Cocozza from the show. But more on that later. First, a run down of this week's performances.<br />
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This week, I was most saddened to say goodbye to Johnny. I find him entertaining and his charm and joy is infectious. However, he's not quite X Factor material so it was inevitable that he would leave sooner or later. Not only was he first to perform this week, and therefore vulnerable for that reason, I felt his performance was weaker than in past weeks. The staging was great and he looked fantastic on stage, and ever more comfortable when performing, but the first of the two songs in his mash-up didn't really work for me. You Spin Me Round was much better and it was a shame that he didn't just do this and skip Hung Up. As for Kitty this week, I also felt her performance fell a little flat. There is nothing better than a nice bit of Madonna, but Kitty murdered Like a Prayer. She doesn't have the best voice in the world, in particular her vibrato (the pleasant wobbly sound, for the uninitiated) is very forced and fast. It's distracting and I would much rather she just sang a clean note than force a vibrato. I also hated the staging. It annoys me a little that Kitty feels the need to prance around in her underwear every week. Having said that, she is a good commercial act, so the decision to keep her in over Johnny, was the right one. Part of me would rather have seen Johnny stay though.<br />
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Moving on to Kelly's lovely Girls, Janet was second in the line-up and committed the ultimate sin of performing - she forgot the words! Having said that, I strongly disagree with the feedback from the judges. I really enjoyed her performance. It was an excellent song choice that suited her quirky voice. I also loved the styling this week, with the softer make-up and hair. There's only one thing about Janet that continues to irritate me (and others that I know of) and it's her general attitude. She always seems miserable and the comment on the show about not wanting to dance because it detracts from the music is just pompous nonsense. I just wish she'd have a bit of fun for a change, because I want to have fun when I watch her. As for Misha B, now there's a girl who knows how to have fun on stage, and I always enjoy her performances. She did one of my favourite songs too - Proud Mary - and did a big song the justice it deserved. Win or not, Misha B is going to be an X Factor success story.<br />
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The other casualty in this week's double elimination was The Risk. After the last minute changes of the previous week, they were probably under the most pressure to bring it to the stage this week. The sad thing is that they did bring it. But unfortunately as successful as Night to Remember was as a performance, it just wasn't memorable. I had to go back and watch it YouTube to remind myself what they sung and it was only watching it back that I realised just how good it was. What a shame. But at this stage, every act has to do their best to stand out against the competition, because not doing so will cost you your place on the show, as it did for The Risk. The other remaining group in the contest, Little Mix, had a tough song, and if I'm honest, the vocal wasn't that great this week, it certainly wasn't as good as The Risk, so perhaps it's a bit unfair that they stayed and the boys went. However, I can't help but like them and, unlike The Risk, their performance was memorable. I do think they have a long way to go, I they want to survive future votes. Their harmonies are weak and when they sing in unison it's even worse because the sound is muddled and clashy (probably because they are not actually in unison, are supposed to be in harmony and there are harmonies on the backing). I love my Little Mix girls, but it's time for them to up their game.<br />
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Finally, the Boys - my favourite category! Craig Colton was a revelation this week. This should have been a weak theme for him, having stuck to ballads (and quite rightly, with that type of song being his strength), but the song really suited his voice and he looked so comfortable on stage, like he was having so much fun, it was infectious. I genuinely enjoyed the performance. It's getting to the stage where I can't wait to see what he pulls out of his bag of tricks next, and where I can't separate him an Marcus - surely they must both be headed for the Final. Speaking of Marcus, he was, as usual, superb this week. This is a guy I can get exited about. He's got a great voice, he'll have a go at anything and always puts in 100%. He's fun to watch, and really enjoys being on stage. Plus, he's really cute, although that is by no means the be-all of his charms. Once again, I can't wait to see what he will do next. Rather than Misha B, surely both Craig and Marcus are headed for great careers whether they win the competition or not.<br />
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As for Frankie (who gets a paragraph all of his own), what a naughty boy and what a vile performance. The least deserving of his place in terms of his vocal ability, I am glad that he's gone from the show, although I wish it had been by public vote and not because of his behaviour. I understand why Gary chose Frankie to go into the show, and I understand why he was still there, but his performance on Saturday was terrible. He was shouting rather than singing and was just walking around the stage rather than performing. The rumours that he was high at the time are hardly surprising. As for his behaviour, I hope that he will have learned from the experience. Considering the thousands of people that applied for X Factor, and the many hundreds of very talented people who weren't successful, rightly or wrongly, I can't help but feel that Frankie should have been more appreciative of the opportunity.<br />
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Thankfully, we have a chance to give one of the four acts that went out in Week 1 the opportunity to come back and be part of the X Factor again. Voting is open now and will close on Saturday during the live show (12th November some time after 8.15pm). You can vote for lovely Essex lasses, 2 Shoes (0901 616 1301), rock chick, Amelia Lily (0901 616 1302), curly-haired cutie, James Michael (0901 616 1303) or hunky hero, Jonjo Kerr (0901 616 1304). For more details and for call costs, click <a href="http://xfactor.itv.com/2011/news/story/read_votes-open-now_item_100199.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. I'll be hoping that either 2 Shoes or Amelia Lily come back. I'd definitely like to see more of either of them.<br />
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Inevitably, there have been some people saying that the show should bring back Johnny, The Risk, or one of the other previously departed acts. However, it would be difficult to justify that to Ofcom, to whom ITV are accountable for their public telephone voting. The public have already voted against the acts that have gone in the past. I'm not sure what Ofcom rules are about it, but I'd bet it would be a headache for the broadcaster. In addition, some of the evicted performers have already made other commitments - Sophie Habibis, only one week out of the show, has been out and about quite a lot already, and will be at Birchwood Shopping Centre next Thursday (17th November) evening to sing and switch on the Christmas lights. Therefore, this lifeline to the initial four acts that were evicted seems like a good halfway house and I will welcome their return. I hope that whoever returns will be able to make something of this second chance.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-86556314732132482462011-10-31T22:35:00.001+00:002011-10-31T22:35:11.407+00:00NaBloPoMo Day 31 - Last One <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left'>First... Happy Halloween... second... it's the last blog of NaBloPoMo 2011 and boy am I proud of my achievement. 31 straight days of blogging... and I even managed an extra one in there to boot. Hopefully this will set me up for my next challenge: NanoWrimo.<br><br>Yes, indeedy. Don't be expecting much in the way of blogs in November (although I still intend to do a weekly X Factor blog, and probably a Young Apprentice blog) because I will be slaving away over a hot keyboard, pull in together 50,000 words from the ether to form a - hopefully - cohesive novel. I already have my idea all planned out so, along with the daly blog in October, I feel quite well prepared, which is an improvement on last year when, at this stage, I didn't even have a title, never mind a clear idea about what I was writing or where it was going. C'est la vie.<br><br>So, wish me luck for November's challenge and thank you for indulging my random ramblings in October. It was fun (and surprisingly easy) to blog every day and I look forward to doing it again next year. And in the meantime if you hav enjoyed my NaBloPoMo, please makes sure to pay periodic visits to my <a href='http://katssoupspoon.blogspot.com' target='_blank'>homepage</a>, or you can follow me on <a href='http://www.twitter.com/katmiddleton' target='_blank'>twitter</a>.</p>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-20311985131064263662011-10-30T22:32:00.001+00:002011-10-30T22:32:57.933+00:00NaBloPoMo Day 30 - X Factor Live Shows Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a shocker! But that's the way of this show; sometimes contestants that have the potential to go all the way end up in the bottom two, and unfortunately, who stays and goes all depends on who they are up against in the showdown.<br />
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So let's start with the Girls category. It's a testament to the fact that Kelly is actively mentoring her acts, that her absence this week, showed in their performances. It's important to say that there really wasn't a bad performance this week, from any of the acts, but there are always weaker performances and Sophie was, for me, probably the weakest of the night. She didn't really do anything wrong, but it was a terrible song choice - many people have tried, and failed, to up date it but it doesn't seem to work without that old fashioned, Nancy Sinatra type of vocal. That mistake left Sophie exposed, and her song for survival wasn't very impressive either. Although I did love her man-chair. Where can I get one? Ahem... I also thought Janet was quite weak. I love the Miss Havisham vibe that the production team put into the staging and I appreciate what she tried to do with song. It was suitably atmospheric, particularly on the flattening of certain notes, but some songs shouldn't be messed with. I can't help but reflect, as well, that Janet needs to smile more. I understand how much pressure she's under and she's obviously had some personal distress as well, but performing is about putting on a show as much as it is about plugging into your emotions (and those of others) and she's such a talented and beautiful girl, it's a shame to see her constantly solemn. Finally, Misha B. The one act from the Girls category that I didn't expect to see in the bottom two. I always love her performances and this week was no different. I love how adventurous she is with the staging and costuming and I think she has an amazing voice. Having said that, I think this week was her worst performance so far. That isn't to say it was bad: it wasn't. I honestly think the only reason she made the bottom two was because of the little disruptive rap bit in the middle of her song. It was unnecessary and didn't really work for me. I can imagine others being really annoyed by it and in such a close competition, that's a dangerous thing to do.<br />
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Moving on, one of the acts that I did half-expect to see in the bottom two was The Risk. Opening the show is always difficult and always a disadvantage, because everyone else is compared to you. It is therefore vital to put in a performance that will blow everyone else out of the water. I didn't think The Risk's performance measured up to the task. Having said that, it's hard to put together a show-stopping performance in 24 hours, which is basically all they had left after Ashley's shock departure, and Ashford's return. Turning to Tulisa's other group, Rhythmix... I mean Little Mix, I really did enjoy their performance and I'm pleased that the name change didn't damage them this week. I thought their interpretation of Alien was excellent and the staging was stunning. As much as I have enjoyed their previous shows, it was nice to see something more grown-up from them this week.<br />
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So who was strongest this week? That's always a tough call and the competition is impossibly close this year, but I agree with Gary that the performance of the night was Craig Colton. It was a stunning version of Set Fire to the Rain and the energy he put in stamped his identity on a song that is already quite iconic. The staging, once again, was brilliant and made it a memorable performance. As far as the rest of the Boys category goes, I also loved Marcus. He's very natural on the stage - an art which eludes me and which I am very jealous of - and he had a great voice. I really enjoyed his interpretation of Superstitious and, if it had been my choice, that's what I would've liked to see opening the show. It actually got me grooving in my seat. Frankie was, once again, the weakest of the three boys. Having said that, I did enjoy his performance and it was a good song choice for him because it hides the weaknesses in his voice. He's not quite my cup of tea, though, and I would honestly have preferred to say goodbye to him than lose Sophie.<br />
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In the fourth and final category, the Overs, I much preferred Johnny's performance from last week, but the song choice this week really did show off his voice. I adore him and think he has great appeal. He'll get a career out of this, but he's not really X Factor and I fear that it is only a matter of time before he falls by the wayside. Until then, I'll continue to enjoy his performances and his infectious smile. Last of all, Kitty continues to trouble me. She is gradually winning me over with her performances and this week was no different. It was a great interpretation of Sweet Dreams that made it really contemporary. I think the less she tries to impress with her off-stage persona, and the harder she tries on the stage, the more successful she will be on the show. For the first time, I can see her lasting, but her position is still precarious.<br />
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So overall, I would personally have liked to see Frankie Cocozza go this week, if only for the fact that his general laddishness doesn't appeal to me and I think he's a terrible role model. (I sound so old!) I didn't surprise me that Sophie was in the bottom two, but I didn't think she deserved to go and Misha B shouldn't have been in the bottom two at all. I still think Misha B is a winner. I haven't really seen anyone surpass her yet, but Craig, Marcus, Janet and Kitty are all serious contenders.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-46046061242703797552011-10-29T23:49:00.002+01:002011-10-29T23:49:54.222+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 29 - Another day, another chance to sing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This will probably be a fairly quick one, mainly because I need to get out with the dog and I want to finish watching X-Factor but I really wanted to mention a cool (in more ways than one) thing that I did today.<br />
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Today, England played Wales in the Rugby League Four Nations competition at the Leigh Sports Village. I, along with a bunch of my fellow Sing Live members were fortunate and honoured to have the chance to sing the national anthems on the pitch before the start of the match.<br />
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It was an early start, to get up, dog walked, both of us fed and watered, showered (that's me, not the dog), dressed and out the door to get to Pennington Flash before 9.30am. Arrival at the car park set the pattern for the day: standing around in the cold. We had a very successful rehearsal in the stadium - although the groundsman gave strict orders to stay off the pitch - and considering that it was the first chance we had to try the two anthems with the band and with each other, I think that on its own was an achievement. After some car moving and lunch, we had a blessedly warm practice in the dressing room and then lined up to go out on the pitch for the performance. Unfortunately the lining up was outside and it hadn't warmed up much since the morning, and then even when we got out on the pitch we were waiting for around twenty minutes before the actual singing. By the time we'd finished, I had cramp in one foot and in my hand but it was a great experience and I would do it again a million times... in fact I am doing it again in November in Hull for Wales v Australia.<br />
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Sure, there were a few issues surrounding car parking and I had to move my car a total of three times, and there really was a lot of standing around in the cold, but that can hardly be helped. Overall, it was a generally well organised day and we were provided with a really nice lunch and the people who looked after us we great and made sure we had everything we needed.The Welsh National Anthem is a beautiful melody and I thoroughly enjoyed learning and singing it. Although I think I'm going to have to find a harmony for the next time we do it because it's ridiculously high. And despite what people say, I think God Save the Queen is a stirring anthem and it's a pleasure to sing. The soloist was a lovely young singer named Megan Armstrong, who (I'm
told) is the brother of a young rugby star. She was fantastic and has a
stunning and powerful soprano voice and she looked amazing in a black sparkly number for the performance. And all of this was possible with Sing Live.<br />
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I know I've beaten this drum before, but I really do think that Sing Live is the best opportunity for ordinary people like me, who can hit a note, but have a thoroughly ordinary voice, to sing in brilliant venues and at big events like this. As my husband said earlier, this is the second time I have been on TV in just over a year. Short of getting on one of the talent contests (not going to happen!) how else would I get that chance?Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-17155014085400435732011-10-28T23:37:00.000+01:002011-10-28T23:37:06.554+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 28 - Group Therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's all gone on in the X Factor house this week. At least for Tulisa's groups it has; it seems rather than going from strength to strength they are going from trauma to trauma.<br />
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Earlier this week, Stephen Fry tweeted a link to an open to Simon Cowell and his multi-million pound show from the organisers of a charity. The charity in question was called Rhythmix and works with young people in the South East of England. Their aim is to develop the kids' personal and social skills while encouraging creativity. They have reportedly worked with 40,000 young people in the twelve years since they were formed. When the X Factor four-piece girl group formed, they chose their name without knowing about the charity. When the Syco - Simon Cowell's production company - tried to trademark the name, the charity took action so they could continue to use their existing name. When the girls found out about it, they decided to change their name and this evening announced that, from this weekend, they will be known under the new name 'Little Mix'.<br />
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However, that's not the end of the changes. This evening, on twitter, The X Factor announced that four-piece boyband, The Risk, have lost one of their members. Ashley Baptiste, aged 22, said on twitter "I love The Risk to the core. I just know that I am not at the right place to commit fully." Rumour has it that Ashley still wants a solo career and was concerned about committing to the band, only to leave. Ashley has also struggled with illness during the live shows and last week appeared despite suffering from Laryngitis and Glandular Fever in the run up to the show. Rather than continue as a trio, the boys have petitioned X Factor hopeful, Ashford Campbell, who sang in the first and second live shows with rival group, Nu Vibe, to take Ashley's place.<br />
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It seems the Girls category is not short of their own problems this week as category mentor, Kelly Rowland has fallen ill during a trip to Los Angeles earlier in the week. A statement read "Kelly is devastated she won't be here for this weekend's show. She is extremely ill with a viral throat infection and her doctors aren't permitting her to fly." However, rumours abound that Kelly is considering quitting the show following accusations from Tulisa in last week's live show that one of Kelly's star acts, Misha B, had been bullying some of the other contestants.<br />
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Regardless of whether there is any truth to the rumours, the question is, how will this week's X Factor roller-coaster affect Little Mix, The Risk and three girls, Misha B, Janet Devlin and Sophie Habibis? Such upsets, if playing on the contestants' minds, could affect their performances, and The Risk in particular, face the challenge of bringing a new member up to speed in very short shrift. No wonder Gary is feeling confident for this week. And of course, the earlier controversy over fourth judge, Louis Walsh, is now forgotten. How convenient.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-73956112671854494252011-10-27T23:57:00.000+01:002011-10-28T00:01:33.094+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 27 - Sing Live<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had two options for tonight's blog post. The only thing that prevented me from writing about Manchester City Council's proposals to close facilities at Heaton Park was the fact that I did a political post last night and I am trying hard to keep my blog more lighthearted during NaBloPoMo. Instead, I want to tell you all about one of my passions...<br />
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I joined Sing Live in 2009 to perform a concert of Big Band music. It actually seems like it's been much longer than two and a half years because I feel like it has been a long (although incredibly fun) journey between then and now. After that first concert I was privileged to join the company for the 10th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall, followed by Movie Musicals in February last year, the Beatles Story in June the same year, and then Magical Musicals in June this year. Last summer I also performed with Sing Live on the channel 5 TV show, Don't Stop Believing. Looking back, it's no wonder that it feels like more than a couple of years!<br />
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In case you haven't come across Sing Live before now, it is a company aimed at sharing the joy of singing with everyone. The founding principle is 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things in exciting places' and when I think, not just about the venues that I've performed in, but also the ones I haven't been able to join for (Disney World in Florida, Venice, Cruises and even The Vatican) that guiding idea is certainly coming true. Almost everyone I know within Sing Live is an amateur. We are literally ordinary people - very few are exceptionally talented, including me - but we get to sing in amazing places. And it isn't as if we're bad - we are skilled, disciplined and Sing Live concerts are always of the highest possible standard. There are no auditions to join, which means that whether you sing in public or just in the shower, you can participate, and the group environment is a great place to sing while feeling supported and safe.<br />
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When I think about my journey with Sing Live, that's exactly what I needed, especially at the beginning. I used to sing when I was in school, but hadn't done any singing (other than along with the car stereo) for well over 10 years. I have no illusions about my ability but I really felt, despite getting a lot out of singing, that I couldn't sing. I felt very out of practice and very unsure of myself. Over the course of the past couple of years, I have got back into the groove and grown in confidence. I've even tried out for solos, and recently started personal singing tuition to help me improve further. And all of that is down to the friendly, nurturing environment that Sing Live provides.<br />
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Our next concert starts rehearsing in early November and we will continue through until early February, when we perform at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. If you are a frustrated (or not so frustrated) singer, come along to one of our preview nights next Wednesday or Thursday. If you don't want to sing, why not come to our concert. Even if you don't live in the Manchester area, Sing Live operates across the UK and also in Florida. More details available from the Sing Live <a href="http://www.singliveuk.com/">website</a>.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-9626834054281868692011-10-26T23:58:00.003+01:002011-10-26T23:58:49.416+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 26 - When does unfair become fair?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a day when British Prime Minister, David Cameron, should have is attention firmly squared upon the Eurozone crisis, a leaked report by Conservative donor, Adrian Beecroft, suggests that the government should repeal legislation that protects workers against unfair dismissal. The report, commissioned by David Cameron, suggests that employment law is holding back economic growth and that in order to encourage business, the laws should be scrapped. In the report, Beecroft says:<br />
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<i>"Many regulations conceived in an era of full employment are designed to make employment more attractive to potential employees, That was addressing yesterday's problem. In today's era of a lack of
jobs those regulations simply exacerbate the national problem of high
unemployment." </i><i>(<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/10/26/unfair-dismissal-law-scra_n_1032144.html">Huffingtonpost.co.uk</a>)</i><br />
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I fail to see how keeping someone in a job (whether they are lazy or otherwise) contributes to a problem of high unemployment.<br />
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Unemployment law in the UK is very detailed and sometimes complex, but if it is, that is because it has been honed to achieve the best balance between the employer and the employee. Having said that, the dismissal process is relatively straightforward, particularly for unproductive workers. How difficult is it to understand and implement a policy that is as simple as verbal warning, writing warning, final writing warning, out?<br /><br />
In my experience, all too often, unproductive workers are the result of the mismanagement of the employer. I have witnessed first hand an employee that literally sat with his feet up on the desk and got away with it over and over because the manager failed to follow the correct procedure for dismissal. Why did this happen? It wasn't because the law was ineffective, it was because the manager didn't want to deal with the problem and, when threatened by the employee (with an employment tribunal), didn't understand the process and the law enough to be confident to proceed.<br />
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While the employee must take responsibility for their own actions (or inaction), the employer must take responsibility for addressing those problems. Individuals must be given a fair opportunity to reverse the negative behavior and improve their performance. Existing laws ensure that all employees receive due process when being dismissed and that they have a right of appeal. Even with laws as they are now, anyone can be sacked for any reason; it's just a matter of cost!<br />
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I have also witnessed first hand someone
being summarily dismissed because the manager wanted to replace them with a friend, so it's not as if unfair dismissal doesn't still
happen, even with the laws in place. <br />
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If there was ever any doubt that the Tories have changed for the better,
this report removes it in one fell swoop. They are the party of the rich and the
party of business and they have once again demonstrated how, despite a young, fresh
image, and a selection of moderate policies, the party is the same old wolf wearing
the same old sheep-skin rug and hoping no-one will notice. But we have noticed.<br />
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I understand the motivation and I even understand the principles on which Conservative policies are founded - small government, less tax etc. But the problem with small government (ie. repealing laws and removing government and civil justice responsibility) is that it is always the guy at the bottom of the ladder that suffers. After all, shit falls downwards.<br />
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Beecroft goes on to say in the report that:<br />
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<i>"The downside of the proposal is that some people would be
dismissed simply because their employer did not like them," and adds
"While this is sad I believe it is a price worth paying for all the
benefits that would result from change." (<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/10/26/unfair-dismissal-law-scra_n_1032144.html">Huffingtonpost.co.uk</a>)<br />
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The unjust sacking of even one hard-working
individual is a price that I am simply unwilling to pay. Mainly because
that person could, one-day, be me. We need more job security in a recession, not less and I'm pretty sure if Beecroft or David Cameron had normal jobs, this idea would never have been thought of, never mind actually making it to consideration. .Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-59667295502826711622011-10-25T22:56:00.000+01:002011-10-25T22:56:02.803+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 25 - Young Apprentice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a little behind with my blogs now - yesterday was X Factor, which should have been Saturday or Sunday, and today I'm going to write about something that was on TV yesterday - Young Apprentice.<br />
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Last year was the first time the BBC had tried the teen version of one of their most popular reality TV shows, The Apprentice. Then it was called 'Junior Apprentice', but the premise this year remains the same; take collection of precocious 16 and 17 year olds and put them through their paces on a range of tasks designed to test their teamwork, management and business skills. Each week, one of the hopefuls is 'fired' and sent packing. Up for grabs to the last one standing is a fund that will be invested in the winner's education and business.<br />
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Watching these kids, two things fascinate me. First, most of them have an entrepreneurial spirit and as a result have already started their own business despite being barely out of school. Most adults three times their age haven't achieved that. There's some definite educational high achievers too, with one lad this year achieving the joint highest result in his year in GCSE Economics in Northern Ireland. All of them have impressive CVs but the thing that really amuses me is that they are all clones of their adult counterparts.<br />
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Is it that the kids are particularly mature and that is reflected in their antics, or is it that the adults have never grown up and are still behaving like teenagers. In both shows there is bickering in abundance, plenty of tantrums and the biggest egos imaginable.<br />
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The first episode was excellent, with it being all too obvious which candidates were out of their depth. I'm already looking forward to the next one.Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-36182472938645464592011-10-24T23:44:00.001+01:002011-10-25T09:29:25.333+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 24 - X Factor Live Shows Week 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a week on X Factor. It is rare indeed that I don't watch the Saturday night show and have an act (or sometimes several) that I either think will go, or wish would go, particularly this early on. I felt that everyone put in a good performance and as a result, the show was a pleasure to watch. Here's a few thoughts on the four categories and this week's result.<br /><br />The Boys category took the lead into the show this week with a tremendous opening from hairdresser, Marcus Collins. His vocal could have been stronger but I felt his performance was well rounded and, as always, his fantastic personality shone through. Frankie Cocozza was much better this week - wooing the ladies and getting rat-arsed obviously works for him. (Hrrrmmmm!) Frankie has the weakest voice of all the contestants (including many of those that have already gone) but his strength is his stage presence and 'cheeky lad' character. As long as he and Gary continue to play up to that he will be alright. Craig disappeared into the background a little this week and I felt he was somewhat at risk. He has a great voice and a lovely personality (he comes across as being very personable on Twitter - @CraigColtonUK) and when he has the right song he can really emote, but I can't help but feel that Rock Week isn't his gig.<br /><br />The Girls category put in another solid performance this week. Janet brought a slightly insipid version of Sweet Child of Mine, but I can't fault her vocal. She was lacking a little bit of sparkle, but in the grand scheme of things she was still a joy to watch. Sophie is emerging as a potential dark horse now. She is starting to show a bit more of her gutsy personality, which is a pleasure to see. Her verson of Living on a Prayer was probably the best version of it, bar the original; I've heard it sung a lot of different ways, and I've head it murdered a lot of different ways, but Sophie's version was excellent. Of course (and this is the only sad thing) is that both Janet and Sophie, no matter how talented, pale in comparison to Misha B. The girl is a great character, a great performer, has a great look and a great brand. She's hard working, dedicated and has a genuine feel for 'the biz'. It's a sign of her threat to the other categories and contestants when Tulisa and Louis feel the need to character assassinate her, live on stage. More on that in a moment.<br /><br />I felt that the weakest category overall this week was the Groups, although this was due in part to Tulisa not understanding the challenge (Has she never watched this show before????) and, certainly for The Risk, a weakened team through illness. I have enjoyed both groups in previous weeks but I thought that this week was Rhythmix's weakest performance vocally, but their song was rubbish and the vocal arrangement was a train wreck. Tulisa had better up her game next week if she doesn't want to lose her girls. The Risk were the beet of the two groups and the arrangement for Crazy was actually really quite inventive, although it lends itself to a four-part better than the Push It Mash-up that the girls had.<br /><br />Finally, the Over 25s were super this week. Like Kelly, I think of Johnny as my guilty pleasure. I loved his performance this week (although it got a bit slap-dash at the end) and the styling this week was brilliant. The thing that really entertains me though is the banter with Gary. Long may it continue! Sami, I fear, was let down by her mentor. Why is it that Louis can't see past the cruise-ship/lounge singer styling and song choice. Sami has a belting voice and deserved a better shot than Louis was able to give her. I am disappointed that she suffered as a result. As for Kitty, my personal opinion of her hasn't changed. But like her or loathe her, she can sing and she can perform. I hate to say it, but I felt this week was her strongest performance to date and it put her right up there with the best acts on the night. I predict, however, that the public will not warm to her and she will fnd herself in the bottom two again. If she comes up against a more commercial and popular act, she will be out.<br /><br />So, overall, an entertaining showcase of genuine talent. I found it hard to pick the loser this week and I was sad that it was Sami, particularly since I feel that she was not given the best chance of success because of her mentor. On that note, Louis is in hot water at the moment because of his accusation of bullying against Misha B, and rightly so. It was a terrible thing to say, especially for the sake of gaining an advantage over your competition. The press (and the public) are beying for blood and I tend to agree; Louis is past his sell-by date (it's nothing to do with his age, it's to do with his ability to mentor and judge the competition) and I would like to see him replaced. Rumours circulate that Simon Cowell could be returning, but I feel that would be a mistake. I would like to see a younger artist take Louis's place however my feeling is that it's not going to happen. We'll wait and see.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-13396918783956909372011-10-23T23:21:00.001+01:002011-10-25T09:27:36.347+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 23 - Occupy X<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">
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Normally I would do some sort of X Factor blog (since I didn't do it last night) but today there is a bigger and much more inspiring story.<br />
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Today Libya celebrated its liberation from Gaddafi's dictatorship. It is a nation that has suffered under a brutal tyranny designed to entrench the leadership, and a people that for too long have been denied freedom. But today Libya is a nation that looks forward to the future and the hope of democracy. While the people remember their dead and the wounded recover, they are hopeful for better things; for simple things like the freedom to choose their leaders and freedom from the threat of death for descension. I celebrate the liberation of Libya and I celebrate the sacrifice that her people made to rebel against the rule of a corrupt man and his family.<br />
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How sad and how shameful that the Occupy protests that are taking place in London and cities in America should compare themselves with Libya and the Arab Spring.<br />
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I defend the right to protest and I applaud organisers of the OccupyLSX protest for how peaceful it has been. In recent years too many peaceful demonstrations have turned violent so it is a relief to see a well organised protest that is not aggressive in any way. However, I do take issue with this protest on a number of counts, the biggest of which is the association with the struggle of other nations where liberty and freedom are just words in a dictionary. If they think their campaign has any similarities with that of the Arab Spring, they need a wake-up call. Perhaps they should go a volunteer in Libya to get a taste of what revolution is really like.<br />
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These protests are Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Establishment, and Nihilistic. They offer no solution, no programme or suggestion for reform and many of the interviews that I have seen have revealed protestors views and reasons for joining in to be naive at best. It saddens me that these people can't see how fortunate they are. Here's a crazy idea, guys, why don't you get involved in politics - become a Local Councillor or an MP - and try to change society for the better? Or is that too much like hard work?</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-83258653351134453502011-10-22T22:40:00.001+01:002011-10-25T09:27:19.361+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 22 - The Black Lion<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">
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So, NaBloPoMo day 21... that's three weeks... only another week and a bit and it'll be Nanowrimo and I'll really have my work cut out for me!<br />
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Before I get into tonight's blog proper, a quick mention for my colleague and friend, Liz Kirk, who is 26 today. Happy Birthday, Road Safety Princess.<br />
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Another landmark event that happened today was me reading my local paper. It doesn't happen often; mostly when I have time (rare) and hubby hasn't already eaten it (even more rare). There was one story in particular that caught my attention. It was a little story written by my favourite journalist, Pamela Welsh, and it was about a local pub.<br />
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The Black Lion on Chapel Street in Salford closed last year. The ailing venue was bought by a local film company, FutureArtists, and re-opened at the end of September. The new owners invested £4,000 to revamp the pub and have not only breathed new life into a local watering hole, they have als created a venue fo local performers, artists and musicians. Work from local artists will be exhibited in the bar while upstairs will be transformed into a cinema, which will open next month, to show the films of FutureArtists and other local film-makers.<br />
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This is fantastic news. What an innovative idea to benefit the community and independent businesses, performers and artists. Well done to FutureArtists and to the pub landlord, Barry Phillips. I hope that this is a successful venture. Hubby and I will certainly be supporting it and I hope that others will do the same.<br />
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You can see what's on at the FutureArtists <a href="http://futureartists.co.uk/category/events/" target="_blank">website</a>.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-70310820280813109752011-10-21T23:41:00.001+01:002011-10-25T09:25:57.449+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 21 - Corrie<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">
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I admit it. I watch a lot of television. In fact, I would wager that I watch too much television. But it has been said (by Liz at work) "Do you watch any TV?" mainly because I don't watch soaps. It's a fact that the TV that I choose to watch, althoughly hugely popular, has more of a niche appeal that the stuff that most of my colleagues are in to.<br />
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However, tonight, while sharing a take out with my 'sistah from another mistah', I watched Coronation Street and actually really enjoyed it.<br />
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I don't really know why I never bothered with Corrie. Eastenders is too depressing, Hollyoaks is too young and pretty, Emerdale is too... well let's put it this way, I have concerns for the wellbeing of the sheep. But Corrie is friendly, it's neighbourly (being set in Salford, where I live) and it's familiar. My Nanna used to watch it religiously and the theme tune is something I grew up with that still creates a little warm feeling when I hear it. So many great actors and actresses have come through the show, including the wonderful Betty Driver, who passed away last weekend.<br />
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Of course, the acting is a little ropey in places and the dialogue is somewhat tedius at times, but it has emotion and, more importantly, a sense of humour.<br />
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It was pleasant entertainment and, while I don't think I am going to start watching it regularly, like my Nanna used to, I was impressed by how comfortable it was to watch and surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I may have to start paying a little bit more attention.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-26294574387888738912011-10-20T23:57:00.001+01:002011-10-21T14:15:28.539+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 20 - Top Tens<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">
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It's one of those things that we all do - say that such and such is in our top ten favourite whatevers - but I for one have never actually articulated any top ten list at all. We were talking about it at work this morning, so I thought (as I need to throw together a super-fast blog tonight because I have bee otherwise engaged) that I would have a bash at articulating my top ten favourite movies.</div>
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These are in no particular order, mainly because I could't possibly put them in any actual order. They are the films that I can watch over and over until my eyes bleed and still come back looking for more<br />
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1 - "NASA, you have a problem..." My first selection is Armageddon. I could be in this film, I've watched it that many times. I love the emotional roller coaster (the script takes you very quickly from high to low and back to high again, which makes it a lot of fun to watch) and I love the characters. It's filled with great action and special effects but it has a heart. Plus it's cheesy as hell (all those American flags in the backgrounds) and has some of the most memorable dialogue ever: "This is one order you shouldn't follow and you f**king know it!".<br />
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2 - I love cars and this next movie does a lot of the same things for me as Armageddon. It's Gone in Sixty Seconds (the remake). This is also a film with compelling charaters, plenty of heart and some really memorable dialogue. Plus it has some beautiful cars in it.<br />
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3 - "Give me a ping, Vasili. One ping only." Who would not include The Hunt for Red October? It's a riveting film that still keeps me glued to my seat despite having seen it hundreds of times. None of the other Jack Ryan films have ever come close to getting into my Top Ten but this one's been here since forever.<br />
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4 - My nod to Jane Austen in my Top Ten is Sense and Sensibility (with Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson). Sense and Sensibility is my favourite Jane Austen story, although I have enjoyed most of the ones I've read. I went to see this at the cinema and I was impressed as much by the acting and the script as by the camera work, which is just pure artistry.<br />
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5 - Dirty Dancing. There's isn't a woman alive in the UK (of my sort of age at least) that wouldn't include this in her Top Ten. For girls my age, it's the original love story and it has a brilliant soundtrack. This film still has the ability to make me cry like a little girl at the end when Baby does the lift.<br />
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6 - I was going to include a chick-flick here (because there are so many that I love) but eventually had to surrender to the call of Walt Disney. My all time favourite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast. It was the one that really introduced me to Disney movies, because I hadn't been that bothered about them before that. I have some special memories that I associate with this too, so into the Top Ten it goes.<br />
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7 - It's time to incude some of the movies I love from my childhood. I was divided between including Home Alone, Tron and WarGames. I have eventually had to go for Home Alone because it's the quintessential Christmas movie for me and it just isn't Christmas without it. (Incidentally, I have never seen any of the sequels to Home Alone. And I never will!)<br />
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8 - Star Trek (the new one with Chris Pine and Zach Quinto). What a stunning interpretation of a classic sci-fi series. Despite having new acors, new effects, new writers an people working behind the scneses that hadn't previously been involved with the original series, the movie captured the essence of the series and the characters and it did so with a feather-light touch.<br />
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9 - I really wanted to include a past Star Trek movie to balance the inclusion of the contemporary one, but I just don't have the space for it because I have to include American Beauty. I have loved this film from the first time I saw it and I can still watch it now and be as enchanted by it as I was then. I don't think it will ever drop off my Top Ten because it is still as fresh and compelling for me now as it was twelve years ago.<br />
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10 - Finally, a truly modern classic, Inception. I don't know how it must feel to create something this good on your first time out. How the hell do you top something like this? Christopher Nolan created something so awesome and unique, he could retire now and still be proud of his accomplishments.<br />
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What are you favourite flicks and why? Do they touch you, inspire you, or do that remind you of something or someone special?Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-7043255637879051532011-10-19T23:51:00.001+01:002011-10-21T14:14:08.797+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 19 - To eBook or not to eBook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 19 already. Nearly three weeks. Very exciting. However, for the first time since the beginning of NaBloPoMo, I found myself at a bit of a loss on what to write about, so I sought inspiration on the NaBloPoMo website in the list of prompts. I had to go back to July or August but it was the first one that captured my imagination.<br /><br />Paper books or eBooks?<br /><br />There is no doubt that the Sony Reader, the Kindle, the iPad and the various other tablet and e-reader devices are clever pieces of kit - I have written every one of this months blog posts on my iPad and use it for all my notes, outlines and writing. But there's something about a book.<br /><br />In the same way that physically writing is different from typing, reading on a screen is a different experience to reading an actual book. There's something about holding a book, feeling it's weight and size, the smell of the pages and that sound as you turn a page; it's all part of the experience of reading. A book is warm and friendly and there's nothing quite like a dog-eared copy that has been read over and over, where you can see in every crease and worn edge, how much the reader has appreciated it. An e-reader is cold, mechanical and emotionless and can never tell it's own story the way a physical book can. A book is a doorway to another world, an e-reader is a tool to be used.<br /><br />You might think this is odd coming from someone who is a self-confessed iFan, but writing is a different process for me than reading and therefore the way that I choose to engage with that process is different. Reading is all about enjoyment for me. When I read I like to become absorbed. I don't analyse, I don't examine and I don't question, I simply let the prose lead me and I obediently follow. When I'm writing, it's work. It's work I enjoy, but it's work. My mind is busy, looking for opportunities to explore, sewing seeds and weaving threads together. When I write, I'm in the driver's seat. It's a more analytical process and a more active one. As a writer, there are occasions when I want to be free of my digital chains, and that's when I put pen to paper in a leather journal I keep for the purpose. In it you will find ideas, random thoughts, snippets of songs, poetry and prose that catch my attention, and general ramblings.<br /><br />For me, both reading and writing are quite romantic and artsy, but where reading is an entirely romantic experience, writing has a second facet which I think of as 'productive writing'. There's a place for e-readers; it's easier to take a loaded iPad on a two week holiday rather than a stack of 7 novels, and I acknowledge that some people will not romanticise reading as I do, but there will always be books in my house, and I will always prefer to read a printed novel over a digital copy.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-76755448859657237492011-10-18T23:55:00.001+01:002011-10-21T14:09:27.324+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 18 - The Secret Circle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not usually a soap opera or teenage drama fan. I give things like Hollyoaks a wide berth and generally avoid anything in which the key characters are likely to be students at a school. But every now and again something comes along that is worth dipping a toe in the water.<br /><br />The Secret Circle follows the misadventures of a group of six teenagers. However, in true dramatic fashion, these are no ordinary, angsty, acne riddled teenagers; these six kids are witches.<br /><br />Following the death of her mother, gorgeous supermodel teenager number 1 (henceforth referred to as 'Cassie') is orphaned and moves in with her grandmother. At her new school, in the small town of Chance Harbour, she encounters a clutch of bad-eggs who, it turns out aren't all bad, but are witches and revel that she also has the power to make stuff explode, set fires and make it rain (or not), both in the traditional direction and also the opposite one. The kids are struggling to expand and control their abilities while Cassie struggles to come to terms with what she has learned about herself and her family. Meanwhile, some adult witches, that have had their power stripped away by the previous generation following a horrific accident, are scheming to get their powers back, and it involves Cassie and the Circle.<br /><br />I didn't watch the series right away but I'd seen the ads and it look interesting so I recorded it and watched the first three episodes virtually back to back. The Secret Circle is everything a drama aimed at teenagers and young adults should be - there's the angst, the struggle to find oneself, the effort to be independent, the self discovery, and of course, deserving of as much ridicule as one can possibly muster, everyone is skinny and attractive and the teenagers all look about 20 years old. However, all of the typical themes and plot points are very carefully and cleverly woven in with the magical elements to make the situation seem both extraordinary and entirely normal at the same time and, in that respect, it reminds me very much of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.<br /><br />The characters are interesting and satisfyingly flawed, which makes them accessible to the audience. They are thrown together and made to rely on each other despite not really liking each other, which has introduced plenty of conflict; even by episode three, there are already two love triangles established, which is impressive considering the relatively small cast. The back story is intriguing, mainly because it is only really hinted at beyond establishing the key facts, but this aone gives plenty of scope for development and exploration. There is certainly plenty of potential. My hope is that the writing is able to find the right groove for such complex cocktail. Of the first three episodes, the second was probably the weakest, as Cassie spent two thirds of it running out rooms and away from people. So far the writing hasn't quite managed to find that groove, but it isn't far off.<br /><br />Admittedly, this will not be a show that will have wide appeal (and that may cost it in the long run), but if you enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this will probably be right up your street.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-91271269161456740202011-10-17T22:09:00.001+01:002011-10-17T22:10:23.159+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 17 - Dan Wheldon<div align="left" class="bloggerplus_text_section">
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Yesterday evening, Dan Wheldon, along with 33 other drivers, were preparing for the Las Vegas Indycar 300 - the season finale. In the very early hours of this morning I heard the news that a crash involving almost half those drivers had resulted in the death of Wheldon.<br />
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The accident began when the cars of Wade Cunningham and JR Hildebrand made contact with each other in the middle of the pack. The initial crash left a field of debris and pall of smoke that obscured the view of passing drivers. As they tried to negotiate the initial accident site, other cars made contact, exacerbating the problem. Dan Wheldon, traveling at an estimated 200 mph, hit the car of Paul Tracy and went airborne. Wheldon's car hit the catch fence at the edge of the track and the roll hood, designed to protect the driver, was sheared off. Despite being airlifted to hospital, the sad news that he had passed away came a couple of hours later.<br />
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I have seen the footage of the accident replayed on the news today and the accident can only be described as chaos. As a long-standing fan of Formula 1, however, something stood out for me and that was how, in the blink of an eye, such a relatively minor incident snowballed into something horrific. Compare this with some of Formula 1's most serious accidents of the past few years - the accident involving Sergio Perez at the Monaco Grand Prix this year, springs immediately to mind - and what strikes you is how much safer Formula 1 is.<br />
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In the 61 year history of Formula 1 there have been only 47 driver fatalities, with 15 of those in the first decade, only two fatalities in the last twenty years and a total of 6 fatalities behind the wheel in the latter half of the sport. The last driver fatality in Formula 1 was the great Ayrton Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994. Roland Ratzenberger also died that weekend during qualifying; it was only his third F1 race. In response to those deaths, Formula 1 worked to ensure that similar accidents would not result in fatalities in the future.<br />
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The Indycar Racing League has only been in formal existence since the mid-nineties, with a six year hiatus in between, yet there have been four fatalities with three of them since the sport restarted ten years ago. Crashes in Indycar are more frequent and more violent, and, while no-one wants to witness the death of a driver, there is a school of thought that suggests it is the spectacular crashes that blood-thirsty audiences come to see. There may be some truth to this, but that shouldn't make it acceptable.<br />
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Of course, the comparison between F1 and Indycar is somewhat spurious. Indycar is a sport in its relative infancy, enjoying only a few years of active racing to develop technology and improve safety. But it is a sport that, like F1 before it, must learn from its past. Already the critics of the sport are calling for a ban for being 'too dangerous'. I will never be a supporter of a ban on Indycar, or any other motorsport, however, the sport has a duty to make itself safer.</div>
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Improving driver safety doesn't necessarily mean eliminating accidents (although reducing speeds and making cars more stable at high speed would probably be a part of it). When you look at this particular accident there are two things that would have made it both less serious and more survivable. The initial contact caused both debris and smoke - a deadly combination to vehicles traveling at speed. Had there been less debris, perhaps there would have been fewer cars
involved and had there been less (or no) smoke, perhaps Paul Tracy would not
have had to slow or if he had, perhaps Wheldon might have seen him
slowing and avoided the impact. F1 cars are now designed to sustain damage to certain areas while cocooning and protecting the driver. Similar developments to Indycar could have prevented much of the debris and also limited fire and therefore smoke, and I am convinced that the roll hood of an F1 car would never be damaged like that of Wheldon's car, and this alone might have been enough to save his life. </div>
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While researching this blog post, I came across a quote that really puts the attitude of Indycar into the spotlight. Prior to the start of the race, Dan Wheldon signed a multi-year deal to replace Danica Patrick driving for Andretti Autosport, as she makes the move to Nascar. Following the accident, Michael Andretti said, <i>"But it's part of our sport. He knew the risks; we all know the risks when we get in the car. It probably touches me a little more because of everything that was going on. It's a terrible thing, but unfortunately in our sport we've had a lot of days like these. They suck, but that's the way it is."</i><br />
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It's absolutely right that the drivers know and accept the risks of motorsport when they get in the car - the same is true for all branches of motorsport - but that doesn't make fatalities any less tragic or any more acceptable and it worries me that American motorsport seems to accept fatal accidents as an inevitability.</div>
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Dan Wheldon died aged just 33. In a motorsport career spanning ten years, he celebrated 16 victories and a further 27 podium finishes. He won the Indycar championship in 2005 driving for Andretti Autosport, and achieved two highly coveted Indianapolis 500 wins, including the 2011 race. Before today, few Brits will have known his name, but he was born in Emberton in Buckinghamshire. He lived in Britain for over twenty years, before moving to the States in 1999 to pursue a professional motorsport career. It was only a matter of finance that saw him cross the Atlantic; in slightly different circumstances, he could have been competing alongside Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. He is survived by his wife, Susie, and two sons, Sebastian and Oliver. My thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends today and it is my hope that his death will eventually be the catalyst that improves the safety of his sport. But for now, lets celebrate a bright career and a life spent doing what he loved. Whether you agree with my thoughts or not, one thing is certain: Dan Wheldon would not wish this accident to be the used to call for a ban.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-47912382187623460932011-10-16T23:29:00.001+01:002011-10-17T22:08:01.833+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 16 - Open Mic Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtdzfJKmyyJpzc3TcKJhKSpGE5TtYC32y9nPJUnEnejmpuel2SgRbavaSuMWPsuX7okyv0tjkGOlA-Uy8BzHk0BRYHaVsH5Mj6rz5r65P-f1_9xYvFq5gUN0E6-sAP-VR5W-oy9uA9vdQ/s1600/kirsty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtdzfJKmyyJpzc3TcKJhKSpGE5TtYC32y9nPJUnEnejmpuel2SgRbavaSuMWPsuX7okyv0tjkGOlA-Uy8BzHk0BRYHaVsH5Mj6rz5r65P-f1_9xYvFq5gUN0E6-sAP-VR5W-oy9uA9vdQ/s320/kirsty1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tonight I had the privilege to watch and here some of Greater Manchester's (and some from further afield) best performers.<br /><br />I was there supporting my friend, Kirsty, who is a superb performer with a belting voice (you can see another of her competition-winning performances <a href="http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=GB#/watch?v=tE9vJnMdylo" target="_blank">here</a>). Tonight she gave a flawless rendition of "On My Own" from Les Miserables, which is one of my favourite songs. She looked fabulous too, in a stunning electric blue dress. <br /><br />Most of the performers tonight were very impressive but two (apart from Kirsty, of course) stood out from the rest. Eli Cripps, a young woman with a lovely tone in her voice, gave a great performance that struck a fine balance between attitude and cocky. It was lively and fun and very enjoyable. The other notable performance of the night was from a group of three young lads; Hip Hop Disciples. They were by far the best performers of that particular genre and really deserve some recognition.<br /><br />Sadly, Kirsty didn't quite make the cut tonight, but it is certainly not a negative reflection on her talent or skill as a performer. Well done to her on a great performance and to those who were successful.<br /><br />This is my first encounter with the Open Mic UK competition and it is worthy of support, offering help and exposure to performers across the UK. For more information, visit the website: <a href="http://www.openmicuk.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.openmicuk.co.uk</a></div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-6742724578206728742011-10-15T23:47:00.001+01:002011-10-17T22:02:08.604+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 15 - X Factor Live Shows Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was a great show tonight and I had that rare pleasure of watching live - ordinarily I record it and watch it back the next day to spare hubby the 'pain' of having to sit through it but there was nothing else on so I won... DEFAULT DEFAULT DEFAULT!<br /><br />I think tonight's show demonstrated just how strong the field is this year. In past years there has always been a mish-mash of talent when it comes to the first couple of live shows, mostly, I think, due to the pressure. This year, however, there is plenty of talent on display and it is actually very refreshing.<br /><br />The Groups opened the show this week with one of the weakest performances of the night from boy-band, Nu Vibe. Louis nick-named them No Vibe, which, despite their decidedly average performance, is a bit unfair. They were much improved on the previous week and it was easy to see why they had got through. However, it was just an average performance when taken in context and opening the show is always the worst slot, so I fear they will be in the bottom two, and will probably be going home tomorrow night. Of the other two groups, The Risk put in another solid performance, although the start of their number was a little dodgy. I wasn't sure whether it was the vocal or that the sound balance was off. But even so, it was a good performance. Rhythmix were the stand-out act in the group category for me. These four girls look great, sound great and do something a little bit different from the usual girl-band type of stuff. They feel fresh and new without being weird. They're comfortable on stage and so that makes them easy to watch. For the first time ever, I have voted in the first show and I voted for these girls. I'd like to think that's a sign that they are something special.<br /><br />I think the Girls category was probably the strongest overall tonight. Misha B is a genuine pop-star. She has the look, the personality and above all the voice to be something really special but she is humble with it. It's like she knows she's good, but that she relies on the goodwill of others to carry her, and she's OK with that. Janet Devlin put in another lovely performance tonight too. She has a beautiful voice that is unique, which makes her ideal as a recording artist. She was a little downbeat in her performance, and her personality didn't come through, but I think that's to be expected due to the bereavement. What a little trooper. Finally, Sophie Habibis is the big question mark for me. When I hear her sing, I think she could be the dark horse and sneak up on this contest. Normally, this would be the kind of contestant that lingers in the background for a few weeks and then suddenly shines and goes on to be very successful. However, I wonder how much time she has. The competition is tough this year.<br /><br />The Boys category also had some highs and lows for me. Lets talk about Frankie Cocozza. I completely understand why he's there, and I do agree that he deserves it because he knows how to put on a good show. But the song choice this week left him completely exposed. He was uncomfortable (probably due to the late change) and although it was a song that suited his vocal, it's also one that is impossible for him to hide in. The weaknesses in his voice were all too obvious and I wonder if he will survive. Both Marcus and Craig put in great performances tonight. They are strong contenders and I hope they both stay for a few more weeks at least.<br /><br />Finally, the Over 25s category. This is still a category that is suffering rather than benefiting from Louis's guidance. Sami was first up with her stunning diva voice, but the song was hopeless. The problem with a song as iconic as 'I Will Always Love You' is that it is impossible to make it sound anything other than a cover of Whitney and it's so rooted in pop-culture that it shows it's age. Of course, Sami nailed it and made it appear effortless, so that should see her through but I hope that Louis starts listening to some contemporary music to find her something better for next week. Johnny is my guilty pleasure in this contest. Far from being the light entertainment like Jedward were, he has talent and he puts on a show. He didn't get great comments and I know he has his haters, but I love him to bits. Now... Kitty... her performance tonight was flawless. She took another old and iconic song but did make it a bit different and I thought her stage presentation was brilliant. Having said that, I find her so utterly fake that I can't believe her or her performance. I find her cocky and arrogant, and I actually wouldn't mind that (because the world is full of cocky an arrogant people and she has incredible talent, so would perhaps, be justified in her cockiness and arrogance) but she tries to hide it. She stands on the stage trembling and meekly thanking the judges for their comments, but it's a lie. You can see it in her eyes.<br /><br />So, my prediction for the bottom two is Nu Vibe for sure and maybe Kitty, just because the public aren't warming to her. It should probably be Nu Vibe and Frankie Cocozza, but I can't see that happening. Marcus could be at risk, because I'm not are how strong his following is. I would be genuinely surprised if it was anyone else in the bottom two. I think Nu Vibe are going home tomorrow night. I still think Misha B could win this year. In the meantime, I will be looking forward to more from the girls and from Rhythmix in particular.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-39127956721259387452011-10-14T21:32:00.001+01:002011-10-17T21:58:26.566+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 14 - I Spy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This evening, still feeling pretty terrible, I indulged in Sky 1's Comedy Friday. They aired a new TV show titled 'Spy'.<br /><br />The show tells the story of Tim (Darren Boyd - The Green Wing) who is a bit of a bungling idiot. He's been working at the same dead-end job for seven years until he suddenly decides to quit, in order to win the respect of his son. He goes to a recruitment day for a civil service data processing job and is accidentally recruited as a spy working for MI5.<br /><br />It's not a bad little sit-com. It certainly has some potential. The character of Tim is fairly charming and his situation has plenty of potential laughs. The MI5 recruiter als has a lot of promise. Played by the wonderful Robert Lindsay, who is evey bit a proper actor having fun in the role. However, Tim's son Marcus is truly terrible. It seems that the writers may have been aiming for the precocious child intelligence that has made BBCs 'Outnumbered' such a success. I'm not sure whether it's the writing, or whether actor Jude Wright has just failed to achieve the innocence of his Outnumbered contemporaries, but the character is, for me at least, a complete failure, so much so that I am unsure whether to stick with it for the remaining five episodes.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-308836067446312084.post-85172413082646525522011-10-13T23:10:00.001+01:002011-10-17T21:56:23.586+01:00NaBloPoMo Day 13 - Is There a Doctor in the House?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a few TV series that are true favourites. I love good drama and compelling characters. I like my dialogue clever and fast-paced, so my all time favourite show is The West Wing. My second favourite show is House.<br /><br />Years ago, when I was writing fan-fiction in college, hubby - who wasn't hubby then - dreamed up a character that was instantly a favourite. He was a dysfunctional doctor with an alcohol problem and a terrible bedside manner but skilled and talented in his work. When House hit our screens it was like seeing that character brought to life in front of my eyes.<br /><br />As time has passed, the series has achieved some highs and some lows. Last season plodded a bit, but the show has never shied away from tackling difficult and complex subjects including suicide, mental illness, drug abuse, medical ethics and the fine (and sometimes not so fine) line between right and wrong. <br /><br />It has a great cast, great scripts and great stories. I highly recommend it (start with the early episodes/seasons) and you'll probably be addicted before long.</div>Kat Middletonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13811447332782970787noreply@blogger.com0