Random Ramblings

I have spent the past few days trying to duplicate the paper props in the show so we have back ups, as the ones we are currently using have lived just a little. As the show is based round the 'collection of lovely eveydences' there is alot of paper. Pages of books, quarantine reports, theatre programmes, tram tickets from turn of the century Germany, a love letter, a library fine. It is fascinating and a bit of a challenge. I am either starting from scratch, abusing quark and photoshop, or scanning them in from the originals, and editing them to make them readable/printable. Printable on the right paper. Apparently our printer likes tracing paper but doesn't like news print, which is why I'm heading bedwards. I shall poke it tomorrow and all will be well!
Another interesting thing that I kind of knew, but didn't realise it would scupper me a little is that because they are all American the paper sizing is different. Who would have thought.
This is a very boring post isn't it. To be honest at the moment I am a very boring person. There is other stuff going on, so watch this space, but for now all I want to think about is getting the show up and finding a european date stamper with individual numbers and a large wooden table. Warm fuzzies will still be there when we have opened. Hopefully.

So Sunday. My two weeks off between panto and rehearsals is up, which feels very strange, it doesn't feel like long enough, while it has also seemed like forever. I'm not good when I'm waiting for something, I get twitchity, and procrastinate.
I have been fighting receipts all day and my tax form is still a mystery.
I'm now printing out contact sheets and lists and maps for tomorrow and eating a chocolate orange. There is a CSI type programme on the TV that I'm not following and I'm thinking I probably should have shaved my legs for tomorrow, which is weird. I guess its the difference between the two of me, which is a thought that I haven't had for a couple of years. We are getting much closer together now, there isn't a definite split between the two - which I guess is progress. Either that or people, the ones that matter at least, and ~I think me ~ are getting to know me better. Still progress.
I'm on a furniture hunt. Gumtree and eBay and free cycle. The warehouse is a blank canvas, and its quite a fun challenge furnishing 3500 square foot with a penny and a prayer. I have an eye on a bed for my boudoir. Ten whole pounds on eBay.

I've sucked chocolate orange slice now and its just the 'rind' so time to move on. What a lot of ramble.

p.s. Those of you wonderfully nosey lot that emailed me about the last post... No, it wasn't aimed at anyone specific, it probably wasn't aimed at you - (unless you want it to be?!) -so don't feel bad, that was never my intention, and yes, out of the possible people that read this I think 2 of you will make them for me, both with love, just different types. I will make them for 3 of you, although 1 of them will be with Elmlea. 1 of you would absolutely love to but doesn't have the courage just yet. 1 of you will not have the time to get round to it but the thought is there. So yes... you lot can decide amongst yourselves and prove me right or wrong!
You are all lovely. Really. I really do appreciate it so thank you, I am a very lucky girl indeed.

75g margerine or butter
115g plain flour
3 eggs, beaten
5 tbsp Baileys (for 5 teaspoons read atleast one bottle)
1x150g plain chocolate, broken into pieces (again... who are you kidding)
800ml whipped cream

1. Preheat oven to 200 degees C/400 F/Gasmark 6.

2. Open bottle of Baileys. Pour me a glass. Pour yourself one while you are there.

3. Slowly heat butter and 200ml water in large pan until boiling. Stir in flour then remove from heat. Beat mixture until thick and smooth. Cool.

4. Pour me more Baileys. Humour me when I get the giggles.

5. Beat in eggs into water and butter mix a little at a time, until smooth. Put teaspoons of mixture on a non-stick baking sheet, spaced apart.

6. Check on my Baileys status... chances are I will be running low. Top up at will.

7. Put profiteroles for 20-30 mins until puffed and golden.

8. Meanwhile bring your Baileys to wherever I'm sitting and snuggle me for about 20 minutes. Leave me with the cat (making sure I have a full glass) and pierce each ball and return to oven for 5 mins to dry out. Remove and cool.

9. Probably open more Baileys, but don't tell me about it. It will end badly.

10. Whip cream (600ml) with Secret Baileys (lots) until thick. Pipe into profiteroles. Leave enough in the bowl to lick out later, or possibly to leave in the kitchen and get the cat drunk.

11. Heat rest of cream (200ml) and bring to boil. Add most of the remaining chocolate and stir until dissolved. Leave to cool, then pour over the profiteroles.

12. Serve in a large bowl, with 2 spoons, more Baileys and the piece of chocolate you broke off by candlelight, on a big squidgy sofa or bed, possibly wearing a tight shirt (or naked... baring in mind we will have drunk...well... just a little) with your choice of dvd.

13. Enjoy as much as me, and prepare to be adored! :o)

So we have finally found somewhere... The top floor of a warehouse block in High Barnet, of Northern Line fame. There is a long story about the one with the purple gate, but that's going to be next door and we opted for the sensible one with the space and no draft. Its being renovated at the moment and should be ready to move mid Feb.
Big Bounce!
We have two empty rooms that we need some fabulous people in... so if you want to play (oh yes...there will be much playing, singing and general fabulousness!) or know anyone that does then drop me a doodah!
Oh I'm so excited!
Now I just need to find me some furniture....

so... 5 weeks, several bottles of baileys and 44 shows later we have emerged from our giant doily. Its been great fun, many new friends, new quotes and memories, catchphrases and promises of floors, coffees, beers and nights out. Seriously I have had the most fun I have had on show for a long long time, which is probably why I have been completely neglecting emails and other forms of communication, I am sorry, and normal service shall be resumed shortly!

So ... for those of you that weren't there (and yes... I realise that is most of you!) here are the things that made it so special!

• The cafe next door to the theatre that fed us so well. Dumplings the size of a person, chicken pie to die for and a whole load of other carbohydrate heavy meals. Also serves diet coke in pint glasses. How can you go wrong!
  
• The plasticky singing robin in above cafe. Bursts into song whenever anyone makes a noise (give you a clue... we weren't a quiet bunch!)
• The lack of cue lines, one culprit in particular springs to mind - however I do forgive our lovely dame because ... well.... he is lovely, and the only man I know that can pull off leather chaps and not get beaten up for it in yarmouth... And he didn't throw the killer raisins at the band... much!
  
• The model yacht pond on the way in to the theatre... and the amazing fact that nobody ended up in it!
  
• The little lighty up red alien that had our MD in stitches.
  
• Jack Trinnyandsuzannahing said MD's wardrobe... and getting away with it cos they are both complete legends.
  
• Going to Norwich to hit the sales on New Years Day only to find that the city is a ghost town and all the shops were shut.
  
• Looking down to find a doily under our prawn cocktails at the company meal.
  
• Looking up to see the giant staring down at me when I had a hangover. Yes I know he lives in the roof, and yes, he had been there all the run, he just snuck up on me and made me jump, and then gave me the giggles... yes - thats what it was about the other day!
  
• Putting all the dross on my desk in Jill's pinny right before she went on stage. Never got old. Well... not for me.
  
• Small wearing the pink furby costume in the pit.
  
• The dancers ... in general. 4 more lovely girls would be hard to come by.
  
• The yellow stool that magically appeared next to me whenever I was hungover, tired, stressed or anything really.
  
• In the same vein... Christmas tree lights that magically turn on when I'm in the toilet! (Thankyou!)
• Just being in the boys dressing room. Hours of amusement.
  
• Daisy the cow. Suddenly brought to life by the girls about 4 days in. and boy can that cow tap. And moo. Very impressed!
• The girls in the wings doing BVs to Daisy's song... Mer Mooo Mer Moooooo.... and not laughing all the time!
  
• 'Give everything to it... Tie some string round it....' (made my day!)
• Fanfares, of any length, at any time.
  
• Wendy!
  
• Playing twister without the board, and plenty of sherry.
  

There are many many more, Everytime we went out it was an occasion and I had a brilliant time, So you guys thank you lots and lots for making it so special and I really hope you had as fabbiebiscuity time as me!

And the rest of you... you just wait till you meet the mob! they are seriously a lovely lovely company.