Poem about my fridge

In my previous post, and in posts before that, I mentioned that I've started writing poetry. They are not exactly the most heartfelt pieces of work, however it's enjoyable enough. So, on that note, here is another (quite short) poem about my fridge:

Grade A Fridge

My fridge recently passed all his exams,

Some of which involved chilling hams

He only just got his final result,

It's an A, without a fault.

I was so proud, a pat on his back,

Efficiency is a tough nut to crack.

You see, I only got a D,

As to procrastinate is for me!

And here's a haiku about a kid who was kicking the back of my seat on a recent train journey:

Kid Kicking My Seat

Good God, please stop now

I will tie you to that chair,

No more I can bare.

Train related poems

Recently I've gotten into writing poetry. It was inspired by a trip to a poetry evening at the Big Comfy Bookshop, which is in a recent post (here). Whether this hobby lasts or not is yet to be seen, but in the meantime I've written some stuff about what I think are humorous events in my life. So, the following two poems are about one day just before Easter in 2015, when I was returning home for, well, Easter. I'd had to get 3 different trains, starting at Manchester Piccadilly. On that day, fate had decided I would have all my allocated yearly train related issues. So the first poem is about the first train I had to get and how I managed to lengthen my journey duration just a tad.

That Time I Stopped A Train

I'd arrived at the platform, where was my train?
So to the departure board my head did strain,
12:05 Manchester to Leeds,
Delayed in Liverpool - not what one needs!

It wasn't long until I was on board,
I was rushed in, as part of the hoard.
Clutching my bag, I soon found a wall,
Somewhere to lean and try not to fall.

Fields and trees quickly flashed by,
But the train couldn't make time, though it did try.
Yet, what happened next didn't help much either,
As the train decided to take a quick breather.

Middle of the Pennines, we ground to a halt,
A voice said "THIS IS THE DRIVER - WHAT IS THE FAULT?"
Was he talking to everyone, with his voice so shrill?
Not everyone, as I turned and saw the speaker grill.

It was talking to me - and I suddenly saw why
An emergency stop, leant on by I!
No glass to break, nothing to smash,
Just a lever to push, quick as a flash.

To make it worse, I saw the blue sign:
Penalty for improper use - a £200 fine!
What could I do - where could I go?
I had to be fast, time was running low.

Jump off the train? That's a big no.
Run to another carriage? Again - no.
So I stood, I waited and I stressed,
Then the driver arrived and I confessed.

"I'm an idiot" I said - "I made a mistake"
"How do I pay? What do you take?"
Then he said, in a way most sublime;
"Don't worry mate, it happens all the time"

I was amazed, relieved and astounded,
At how ridiculous that had sounded
And I was offered a seat, which I gladly took,
Out of the way, I stuck my head in my book.

We eventually rolled in,
I sat and waited for the crowds to thin,
Then I stepped off that train and thought about my trip,
About that lever that was so easy to flip.


So that above was the story of how I stopped a train. Luckily I didn't miss my connection, which from what I remember was a fairly pleasant journey - up until the end. So read on and find out about a time my new train-stopping abilities would have come in handy.

That Time I Missed My Train

Here comes Peterborough, oh here we go,
We're pulling in now, a tad too slow,
I've got a train to catch, so speed would be fab,
My final connection, just one train to grab.

We've pulled in late, I know it's true,
As my six minute gap has dropped to two,
I'm at the door, the light turns green,
I'm out in a flash, such speed you've never seen!

It's platform one and I'm at four,
It's time to sprint, let the pedal hit the floor,
Down the platform, up the stairs,
Back down, platform four and the whistle blares.

A high pitched shriek, it's time to panic,
No no no - what is this trick?!
I run to the beast and without a care,
I scream at it "DON'T YOU DARE!"

It doesn't hear, or pretends not to listen,
As it pulls away, I'm on a mission,
I smack at the doors, hoping they'll work,
No such luck, this train is a jerk.

Only one thing left with sweat on my brow,
I shout "COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!"
And "YOU STUPID TRAIN, COME BACK!"
What was I expecting? I'd forgotten all tact.

And so it left, without me of course,
I must have spooked it, much like a horse,
The station silence then pierced by laughter,
Fair enough, I couldn't have looked dafter.

Big Comfy Bookshop and My Attempt At Poetry

Hello once again -  this blog is raising its heavy head, wiping the sleep away from its eyes and reaching for the nearest cup of coffee. The reason I say this is because (as you may be aware), the posts on this blog became few and far between, with items appearing sporadically when I had the inclination. Unfortunately inclination is easily triumphed by procrastination, resulting in a poorly updated blog. However, I aim to rectify this in the coming months, so stay tuned.

About a month and a half ago, I moved to Coventry (moved, not sent) as I have begun a new position as a PhD student at a nearby university. In this time, I have been exploring the city, getting to know my new surroundings and increasing my intake of caffeine. As a result of my explorations, I have been to a few events here and there, one of which I plan to make a staple of my monthly calendar. What is this event, I hear you ask? Fire and Dust Poetry Night, at The Big Comfy Bookshop (BCB).

Poetry?

Yes, poetry. This night is a monthly event, taking place at the BCB, a beautifully quaint second-hand bookshop in the heart of Fargo village in Coventry. I will admit, the name is somewhat misleading, as it isn't particularly big, but it certainly is comfortable. The event runs as follows - if you want to read some poetry, you can. If you don't have anything to read, but you'd like to hear some - you can. I went in not really knowing what to expect - my last experience of poetry was the GCSE anthology and forced rhyming schemes. Thankfully, this was not the case, as people had written about a whole variety of topics - from leaving old jobs to how their dog was the best dog in the world. It was a brilliant, relaxed evening with no judgement or scathing cut-downs, only applause and laughter (where appropriate). It made me realise that you could write about anything and more importantly, anybody could do it - even me! So, I went away feeling invigorated and ready to write some poetry.

My attempts

I quickly realised that this poetry lark was going to be quite difficult if I didn't know what to write about. Some people had written about heartbreak, some had gone for abstract themes and bizarre scenarios. Neither of those (or many of the scenarios in between) were for me, so I settled on a topic I knew all about. Things that I've done/ happened to me, with a possible focus on my idiocy. A goldmine of ideas! I'd have poems for years.

My return to the bookshop

BCB Logo. Credit: Big Comfy
Bookshop

Soon enough, a month had passed and I found myself returning to the poetry night at the BCB. I recognised several faces from the month before, along with some faces from other events I'd been to. The night was organised the same way, the main difference for me was that I was now a participant. So, speakers went up and read their works (one of my favourite was the heartbreak over falling in love with a Tory). Then it was my turn. I went up to the microphone, introduced myself and explained that my poems were mainly about stupid things I'd done. After one about my first day of work (which involved an accident report - I'll put it in a future blog post), which was pretty well received, I read out the following poem. It's about having a cold and as I explained on the night - I had a cold but I wanted to get something positive out of it! It's called "Cold Gremlin" and I forgot about syllables and a constant rhyming structure when writing it.

Cold Gremlin
Today is a Sunday,
And I have a cold,
My nose has packed in,
As earlier coughs had foretold.

How do I get rid of this gremlin of mine?
Perhaps a fire hose,
Put up in my nose,
It could work - who really knows?

So Fireman Sam turns on the tap,
As cold water surges up to my cap,
Floating my brain and turning me blue,
I'm awake now, that much is true!

And without warning,
There's an almighty pop!
Lo and behold, a gremlin did drop!

A creature so green,
With skin most foul,
He looked up at me,
And gave me a howl.

So I gave him a kick,
I had to act quick,
As now the sight of him,
Was making me sick.


It got a few laughs and went down better than I had expected - I quickly realised my nerves had been for nothing and that this was something I could do. I could write poetry about things in my life - a new hobby emerged! The rest of the night at the BCB was excellent as usual, and after chatting with the fellow speakers at the end of the event, I'd made a vow to start up my blog again - so here we are! So stay tuned for hopefully more coherent posts, poems and reviews of places and events I'd been to (mostly with a Coventry focus).

Why you should visit Montmartre

For many who visit Paris, Montmartre means two things – a quick picture outside the Moulin Rouge and a hike up to Sacre Coeur to soak in the view. Once these two tasks are complete, they’re usually followed by jumping back on the metro and zooming off to elsewhere in the city. I recently visited Pairs and I don't know if I would have done much more if my hostel (Village hostel) wasn't based in the area. However, this region of Paris offers much, much more, if you know where to look. So read on and let me convince you that Montmartre is worth more than a flying visit.

For those who enjoy fancy idling away a few hours by strolling around, there is probably no region more rewarding than Montmarte. Between the basilica and the Moulin Rouge lies a region just perfect for an afternoon walk. Walk up and down the hill and you can easily lose yourself in the narrow cobbled streets and you’ll see why this area was such a draw for artists and poets alike. Keep an eye out and you’ll easily spot a moulin or two (other than the Moulin Rouge!) If you’re really paying attention you might stumble across the Clos Montmartre vineyard – a fully working vineyard in the capital! If you ever get lost on your walk, just head uphill and you’ll find yourself at the Basilica du Sacre-Coeur, one of the most impressive monuments in Paris. If it’s a nice evening, make sure to get up there around sunset, find a seat and enjoy the atmosphere as you watch night descend upon Paris - something I discovered on my visit there.

For those who enjoy a museum, the Montmartre region caters for you as well. The region boasts the Museum of Montmartre, which is based in the oldest building in the area. The building has previously served as residence to artists such as Renoir and Valadon, the works of whom comprise part of the permanent museum collection. The museum also plays host to the Renoir Gardens, which offer a perfect spot to rest. If you hadn’t found the Clos Montmartre already, these gardens offer views of it along with the rest of Paris. While at the museum, keep an eye out for the cancan room!

That leads us to Boulevard de Clichy, home of the Moulin Rouge and what many call the ‘street of sex’. Cancan, peep shows and sex shops are the order of the day (and night) along this street. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, it’s definitely worth a walk along to take in the surroundings. At sunset, as the neon lights switch on, it becomes all the more impressive. While here you can find the Elysee Montmartre theatre, which some say is the oldest (or at least one of the oldest) cancan theatres in Paris.

So, the next time you’re in Paris you know why you should head over to Montmartre. There are some pretty great hostels from the HipHop group in the region - so you can easily base yourself in Montmartre and have a great time. Either way, it doesn’t matter how long you’re in the city for, this region is worth it and has a little something for everyone.

The 16-25 Paris Pass

When travelling around in Britain, it’s easy to take our museums for granted – free entry all around! Consequently, when travelling around Europe and a museum is spotted, incredibly often it is followed up by a slightly emptied wallet and a sense of annoyance. So imagine my surprise when in Paris, one of the most expensive cities around, I discovered a deal which can save you a nice sum when visiting museums and attractions. The name of this deal? The 16-25 EU Citizen deal. Not a very catchy name, I know.

Names aside, this deal deserves more attention that it currently receives. Being less than two and a half hours from London, Paris is obviously a destination that is top of the list for many Brits. So I thought I’d shout about this deal a bit. Quite simply, if you’re aged 16-25 and you’re an EU citizen, then you get free entry to a whole cavalcade of destinations – and not low rate ones either! For example, you can get to the top of the Arc de Triomphe for free, where you can get views such as these:

Or you could go and try to understand some modern art at the Centre Pompidou, or perhaps you could just take in the bizarre architecture of the building. Well, a modern building for modern art I guess.

I discovered the deal on a recent short trip to the French capital, when I decided to visit the Musee D’Orsay and see a few of the works of Vincent Van Gogh. I'd been staying at the Village Hostel, up in Montmartre (website here) and after a good night with other guests in the hostel, I was ready to tackle one of Paris' finest museums.So there I was, stood and ready to part with my cash - only to be asked if I was English and under 25. I quietly answered yes, expecting a price increase on the spot – only to be told to go straight through with no charge! This deal saved me about €10 there and then, which was much appreciated. I later found out this deal applies to a whole heap of attractions across the city, including the Musée du Louvre and the Panthéon, making it perfect for culture vultures.

It’s certainly worth knowing about if you’re heading to Paris soon and you’re trying to stick to a tight budget. But then, even if you hadn’t planned on visiting Paris, this might convince you otherwise! So, if you’re coming up to 25, or your country (for some reason) doesn’t want to be part of the EU anymore, get your skates on and get to France! You can see some pretty impressive sights and avoid the cost just by showing your driving license/passport. At the end of the day, it’s really a no-brainer.

My Interrail Trip

Very recently I went on a month long trip across Europe, using trains to hurl myself between major cities, countries and even a principality. During my trip, I wrote a series of articles for the guys at Interrail Planner, to document the adventures I had. I've just realised that this might be a neat thing to link from here, so here you can find the link to the my first entry. Hopefully from there you can work your way through and find out what I was up to! Just click on the picture of the castle to get to the first entry:

Click this picture!

Interrail Planner

Interrrailing. A strange muddle of a word, but it’s one which has become very familiar to myself and I imagine countless others over the last few years. As the name suggests, Interrailing is the act of travelling between countries using the native railway networks. While it could apply to any set of countries, the word itself has become synonymous with Europe and more importantly, the Interrail Pass.

The Interrail pass is a combined rail ticket of sorts, allowing you to jump on European trains without worrying about foreign ticket offices. However, the planning that goes into it can cause nightmares, especially when sorting the route – you can end up in a whirlwind of confusion if you’re not careful. So when I was told about Interrail Planner, a new website aimed to clear up Interrail route planning, I was intrigued.

St Mark's Campanile in

Venice. I needed a nice

Europe picture.

Interrail Planner (www.interrailplanner.com) is designed by interrailers who loved their time abroad but hated the planning experience. The endless maps, the head-spinning spreadsheets and countless hours spent poring through train timetables had become too much to bare. By setting up their own website, they aimed to clear up the process and make the steps between deciding to go interrailing and getting on the train much smoother – all while being free to use.

The website aims to be an all-in-one hub for interrailing, rivalling that of the actual Interrail site, and I decided to give it a go. The bulk of the website is built around the interrail process that anybody who has been before has become familiar with. First, you’re asked to select your pass (Global or One Country), then specify the amount of travel days you require. Once you’ve done this, you’re required to fill in a few details about the nature of your trip (how many people, when are you setting off, etc). When that’s complete, the real fun begins.

You’re greeted with what initially appears to be quite a daunting page, with maps, calendars, and train itineraries all present at the same time. However, once you take a moment to have a look around, you’ll realise that this one page displays the majority of information that would have been on your awkward-to-read spreadsheet.

The planner in all its glory, with a route planned out.

The page is split into four sections: the right-hand panel, the map, the calendar and the info tabs. While there is a tutorial available, I personally found it easiest to start clicking and try to plan my route. Just from adding locations in, it became obvious that the right-hand panel will be your new best friend. It allows you to sort locations, train reservations and even search for hostels, all with the click of a button. Adding locations is a breeze and there’s even an option to look up alternative methods of travel, if a train route can’t be found.

I should say at this point that the website is in its beta stage. I say this because currently while the majority of train routes are automatically identified (e.g. those between capital cities), I found that some routes between smaller cities currently don’t come up with a train (e.g. the Balkan express between Sofia and Nis). However, they’ve accounted for this by having an option to leave feedback, so it’s likely any similar issues will be ironed out soon.

While you’re planning the locations and nights, the rest of the page keeps tabs on your progress, meaning you don’t go past the length of your pass. A calendar shows which days you’ll be in each city, the “Pass Info” tab shows how many travel days you’ve used up (if the right-hand panel identifies a train for each leg) and the map shows your route (obviously).

The website is clean and easy to use, with options to purchase passes and such being present but not intrusive. The fact that it’s free to use is a huge plus, as it means you can make routes even for journeys that might never happen. Making a route was simple to do and if you have a free account you can even save it and share it with others, making group planning that bit easier. As I mentioned earlier, the website still is in its beta stage, so once the very few bugs are sorted, I personally think this website will be the one to beat when it comes to planning your Interrail trip. 

Zero by JustTalk Theatre

Credit: JustTalk Theatre Company

I'll admit that when it comes to theatre, I may not be the first person you should come to for a review or advice on what to see. However, I enjoy theatre as much as the next bloke (unless they are a proper critic) whether it's on a grand stage for all to see, in the open (with the audience in a sea of umbrellas), or even in the back of a pub in Salford.

An original piece by JustTalk cofounder Robin Lyons, Zero is set in the aftermath of father's suicide and focuses on the lives of his two children, Eddie and Helen, and their attempts to move on. Working around the theme of suicide, the play had the dangers of becoming bogged down in depression and despair. However, while the suicide had a looming presence throughout, light-hearted humour was deftly weaved in where required.

The writing was at its best when it spent its time as a duo piece, with the interactions between the brother and sister being used to explain the nature of the family and the eccentricities of their father, along with their own opinions towards his end. Soliloquies were not just used to fill in the history since the suicide, but most importantly allowed us to learn all we needed about Eddie and Helen.

While initially Dean Gregory's Eddie led the play, it was later in the play when Rosemary Terry's Helen came to the forefront, benefiting from her more engaging emotional subplot. However, this is not to say that either became unbelievable at any point, with both captivating and holding the audiences attention (a difficult task for this easily distracted viewer) throughout their double helix of highs and lows. 

However, I personally felt the play suffered at its ending. The introduction of a third main, Tim, attempts to clear up some of the mystery of the father's end but in my opinion provides a jarring ending to the play. A quiet ending may have fit better with the rest of the production.

In summary, Zero is a strongly-written and intelligent production with a fantastic cast and setting, I'd highly recommend going to see it in the rest of its run at The Eagle Inn in Salford, on 29th-31st March 2016. It's a bit of a trek to get there, but once you're watching, it's well worth it.

HOME is where the heart is

Very recently I found myself at a loss of things to do in an afternoon. So, instead of sitting around like a lemon, I picked myself up and headed HOME.

Heading HOME?

Yes, I headed HOME. The capitalisation of the word probably gave it away, but I'm not talking about sunny ol' Bedfordshire, rather the new art/theatre/creativity stronghold which has recently opened in Manchester. The product of a merger between Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company, HOME aims to show the world through Mancunian eyes, or at least that's what their website says. I headed there to check out their latest art gallery, titled 'The heart is deceitful above all things'.

"Who can understand it?"

The gallery takes its name from Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick, who can understand it?" Revolving around the heart and asking "Who hasn't had their heart broken?", the gallery aimed to stir up feelings of lust, envy and heartache, all while in the semi-sterile environment of an art gallery. With attention-grabbing and eye-popping exhibits all around, HOME certainly knew how to keep you interested.

The various slogans, on their bright, eye-catching platforms. Photo: HOME

One such exhibit which has stuck with me was "Slogans for the 21st Century", which devoted a wall to motto's of the new age, especially those which were internet-centric. These mantras, in block text which clashed with their bright background colours ignited curiosity in most, as they tried to see which one applied most to them and which ones they were guilty of uttering. I'll leave it for you to look at the picture and see which one is yours. Often the slogans would match up with others, I personally found myself drawn in to grouping them together. Whether this was the intended aim, or just a happy coincidence which acted to hold my attention for longer, is unknown to me.

How long is it around for?

The exhibit began with HOME's opening back in May and runs until 26th July, as part of a greater overarching theme called Transactions of Desire, which involves various plays and talks. The exhibitions, such as this one, are free to enter and there is often some entertaining theatre on. If you haven't been to HOME already, I'd definitely check it out, as it looks like it's on its way to becoming the cultural hub of Manchester.

Pint of Science 2015

As exams come to a close, I find myself able to write a piece for this sporadically updated blog. For those who are familiar with the blog, you need only scroll back one year to find a very similar piece to this. For what has most likely become an annual event in my calendar, Pint of Science was back at the English Lounge and once again it was bringing science to the huddled masses.

Obligatory logo photo, from the
first night.

Pint of Science

For those who are unaware of Pint of Science (POS), it's an annual festival which aims to bring researchers out of the lab and into the pub, where they can talk about their work over a pint. Now in it's third year overall, POS has exploded into an international event. Anybody can get involved and help with the running of the event, which is where I came in.

This year, like last year and most probably a few years to come, I helped to organise three nights. However, unlike last year, this time I was helping with the 'Our Body' team, which meant I was in somewhat unfamiliar academic surroundings. Yet, as part of an excellent team, the nights were organised with only a few hiccups on the way. You may recognise the pub in the pictures as The English Lounge, which is where we held nights last year. 

Who Gave Talks?

The aim of POS is to have anyone who is doing interesting research at the local university to give a talk. For our nights, we mainly had PhD students who were interested in public engagement, so it acted as a perfect platform for them to get their work known. With talks ranging from stem cells to cosmetics and stopping off at discovering new drugs in the battle against cancer, there was something to keep most interested. Obviously, for those not interested in the human body there were other events at other pubs running simultaneously to our nights. 

Lee chairing a Q&A session on the second night

The general format of the night was very relaxed, especially when the beer was flowing. Talks generally ran for 25 minutes, then followed up by a Q&A session which was always chaired by our compere Lee Moore (@fullofpenguins). With plenty of breaks for drinks and quizzes galore, the nights always ran smoothly and the audience seemed to enjoy themselves. 

When was it?

The event took place on 18-20th May and will most likely be on the Mon-Fri of the same week next year. If you're reading this and interested in getting involved, check out their website or send me an email through the Google+ profile to the right (I promise I will see it). With plans for the event to expand to even more cities and countries, it looks as though Pint of Science is always moving on up.

Whitworth Lates & Laughing Hole

What happens when you mix one of the greatest art galleries in the North West, top quality music and a pioneering art installation? The answer is Thursday Lates at the The Whitworth.

Taking place in the refurbished Whitworth Gallery, Thursday Lates offers late-night openings to the galleries with a twist. Wandering around, it was obvious that this was how galleries should be experienced. With DJs and jazz quartets echoing around the galleries and breathing new life into the exhibits, both artistic novices and royalty were seeing things from a new, refreshing, perspective.

What truly caught my attention was a SICK! Festival installation, titled "Laughing Hole". A six-hour long performance which aimed to confront the themes of sexuality, abuse and suicide, Laughing Hole filled the Grand Hall with continuous laughter and littered it with hundreds of cardboard signs. Three women roamed freely with disturbingly labelled placards (e.g "Impotent Mum" and "Warlord") and confronted visitors with their focused stares and disjointed cackling. The absurd nature of the space resulted in initial laughter, however with speaker systems amplifying the noise the oppressive atmosphere caused many to repeatedly read the placards for some distraction. Many watched others reactions, to see how they were coping. While being free to leave at any point, the combination of the laughter, signs and stares resulted in a sense of claustrophobia, which made the artistic themes really resonate. From an outsiders view I was completely unshackled, but inside I felt nailed to the floor. Never before have I experienced so much in an art installation.

Overall, the night showed that to bring the gallery to life, all you needed was some jazz, some drinks and a hard-hitting performance. If this edition was anything to go by, the Whitworth Lates have got themselves a regular visitor.

The Dumb Waiter

Hello, I'm back! 2015 is upon us and I'd love to say I've been incredibly busy. However, the truth is I haven't been particularly rushed off my feet (other than exams), so I don't have a great deal to tell you. Well, that's if you don't count my recent trip to see The Dumb Waiter at HOME...

The What?

The Dumb Waiter! A Ransack Theatre production, part of HOME's Re:play Festival 2015, which was performed on the 15th and 16th January. Taking place in HOME's new home on First Street, The Dumb Waiter was a production of the play written by Harold Pinter. If, like myself, you're not familiar with the works of Mr. Pinter, I'll give you a brief synopsis of the play, watch out for spoilers!

1.) Show starts. Two men, Gus and Ben, both in suits, are waiting in a grotty basement. The younger man (Gus) asks the older, more weary man (Ben), a series of questions about their next 'job' and other related (and unrelated) topics.

2.) The two men bicker about a series of items, ranging from whether Man City are playing this weekend, to the term 'put the kettle on'. It becomes evident the two men are actually hitmen (shock, horror!)

3.) A series of food orders arrive from the floors above, the two men panic. Hilarity ensues.

4.) Hilarity ends when the men receive their orders for the next 'job', causing betrayal.

Gus waiting for the next job. Photo: HOME

So there's a brief run-though of the play, without ruining too many plot details. At an hour long, this was a one-act play, which was well-received. Any longer and the story line would have been stretched thin, like butter scraped over too much bread. A two-man play can be a tricky thing to master, as if the actors don't fit together, then the audience will be lost relatively quickly. However, James Warburton (Gus) and Alastair Michael (Ben) were perfectly matched, with Michael's performance as the short tempered, wearier, Ben being of note.

The simple set design helped portray our duo's lack of control over their next job, a dingy, windowless room with two beds and a gas cooker which doesn't light. Almost a third companion, it helped amplify the rising tensions and the claustrophobia that accompanied the darker moments of the play.

How Much?

Tickets to the play cost £8 for students, and £10 normally. The play was run as part of the Re:play Festival, where the best fringe drama from the last 12 months in Greater Manchester is brought together for another run. The Re:play Festival has ended now, but I am in no doubt that HOME will run it again next year. 

Indy Man Beer Con

Hello again! I'll start by asking you a simple question. Have you ever been to the land of beer? Sadly this land is fictional, however the Independent Manchester Beer Convention (IMBC) acted as an embassy for four days last week. Taking place in the Victoria Baths over 9th-12th October, the IMBC brought together the most progressive breweries to show off their wares in the most impressive of surroundings. As a volunteer, I got to have a wander around and try a "few" beers.

What was it like inside?

The food hall. There were balloons everywhere.

Using the full space of the Victoria Baths, along with part of the car park outside, breweries clamoured to get your attention with their newest ranges. Any flavour of beer, you could probably find it. Want music and strobe lights? Just head to the Turkish Baths. Thought of a bizarre name for a beer? They've already got a stranger one. You could forget about traditional alcohol content as well, with certain stouts and ales reaching the lofty heights of 11 per cent. These weren't beers you'd find in Sainsbury's, these were boundary-breaking thirds, ready to blow the cobwebs from your tastebuds and dull your other senses.

What kind of beer was there?

Music! And more balloons.

Snazzy glass.

There was a plethora of different beers, more than you could even imagine. However, you probably worked that out already! But what was my favourite beer? Well that would have to be the "Earl Phantom", a 'lemon iced tea sour' beer, served up by Beavertown Brewery. Upon first taste you were greeted by a jolt of lemon zest, immediately followed up by the soothing taste of a cup of Earl Grey, all finished off with your body screaming for more. Either that or "Rapture" from Magic Rock. An incredibly hoppy red beer, with an intensely colourful flavour, it was another which really made you stop and appreciate what you were tasting. With drinks being served in the traditional one-third pint glasses, it was easy to try a wide range before you were ready to collapse down onto the bean bags in front of the music stage.

How much was it?

Tickets were £10 for a session, which would be approximately six to seven hours long. I must admit, as I was volunteering, I didn't buy a ticket, so I can't tell you what exactly was included in the ticket price. However, I do know you at least got entry, a fancy one-third pint glass, IMBC pencil, programme and the opportunity to sample dozens of beers! IMBC has been running for a few years now, so tickets are moving increasingly quickly. However, increasing ale awareness means that this will soon be an event on any beer drinkers calendar.

The Big Feastival

Hello and welcome back! I recently got the chance to spend a day at the Big Feastival, Sit back, relax and let me regale you with tales from Alex James' farm...

What? Alex James' Farm?

Yes, the Big Feastival was a food/music festival taking place on Alex James' farm in Oxfordshire. You'll know Alex James as the blur bassist turned cheese-man, who teamed up with Jamie Oliver to bring top quality food and music to the masses.

What Was There?

Ducks! Ducks, ducks ducks!

The festival had a whole host of different stalls, for all tastes. Obviously there were the food vans and music stages, which I discuss below. For those who wanted to improve their cooking skills there were cooking demonstrations with top chefs, or you could go to a Q&A sessions with food and drink experts (including Adam Henson from Countryfile), or you could even just go to the petting zoo. There were also market stalls where you could buy a range of items, including hot sauces, brownies and cooking utensils. For fans of cooking and food, there was almost everything you could wish for.

What Kind of Food?

Cheese! Clockwise from top: Little Wallop (Goats),
Blue Monday, Farleigh Wallop (Goats), Goddess Geu

There was food for all, of all shapes and sizes! From paella to dumplings via ice cream and cider, there was something for everyone. The traditional festival food had also been elevated to new heights. For example, at the Barbecoa stand (a Jamie Oliver venture), you could get short rib burgers along with double beef burgers. There wasn't a bottle of burger sauce in sight, this was a much "classier" affair. 

For fans of cheese, there was an entire tent dedicated to the cheese of the feastival co-founder Alex James. You could buy a sample plate of four of his award winning cheeses (I didn't check which awards they were), which were delicious. They were so good that I didn't even realise Alex James was standing about 10 feet behind me while I was eating them! If that's not a testament to their quality, I don't know what is.

And The Music?

As a food and music festival, there had to be a careful balance between the two. Focus too much on one and you risk losing the audience for the other. However, with several stages for new artists and a main music stage, all with different acts throughout the day, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing something good. The whole weekend had some big names, such as Fatboy Slim and Laura Mvula on Saturday, but on the Sunday I was able to see De La Soul and Jamie Cullum perform to the crowd. De La Soul gave an incredible performance, with tonnes of audience interaction. Seeing an Oxfordshire crowd all bouncing their hands to De La Soul is a sight I won't forget in a long time. 

There, proof I was there!

Jamie Cullum was the headline act and his performance truly earned that slot. He was electric and full of energy, blasting out classics with his band. He was unafraid to get the audience truly involved, which culminated in pulling up one man to play piano with him on stage. Luckily the man knew his piano, which saved Jamie Cullum from a very embarrassing moment. 

Summer-y

Sorry for the awful pun. As it was a festival, the cost of the food was inflated, along with the fact you were paying for top quality stuff, so it was a event where your wallet could take a significant hit, if you let it. The whole event took place on the 29th-31st August near Kingham in Oxfordshire and if this year's impressive show was anything to go by, then it will be back next year! So all in all, the Big Feastival managed to bring together brilliant food and great music in a way that many other events would fail to, all in the Oxfordshire sunshine.

Just So Festival

Hello and welcome back! Yes, it's not just a welcome back for you, but for me as well. I'll admit I neglected this blog recently, it's been waiting for the day I could come back and wow you all with my recent adventures. So, like a man blowing off the cobwebs from his favourite suit, it's time for me to dust off this blog and give it a new entry. With no further ado, it's time to relay my thoughts and opinions about my most recent venture, to the "Just So Festival"...

Why was I there?

Just like my visit to the Towersey Village Festival, I was volunteering with the Institute of Physics on their "Physics In The Field" stand. On this stand we used everyday objects (bottles, marshmallows, handkerchiefs, etc) to demonstrate principles of physics. I was on the stall on the Saturday and Sunday of the event for most of the day, meaning I didn't have much time to explore the festival, but I gave it my best shot!

Tell me more...

The Rode Hall Estate. Lovely.

As you wish, the Just So Festival was a family arts festival taking place at the Rode Hall Estate in Cheshire over 15/16/17 August. As a family festival, it aimed to provide something for the kids to remember, but also something the parents would take pleasure in. A difficult balance, as too much of a focus on child-friendly content can leave a parent bored and the inverse, well, can get a bit inappropriate. But clearly a lot of care had been put in to get the programme right, with child-friendly performances galore during the day and more adult themes later on.

Oh no!

Talking of themes, the festival theme (from what I could guess) was one of general fantasy and wonderment. This theme presented itself everywhere, from the festival areas ("Lazy Days Glade", "High Seas", etc) to the events taking place (Circus acts, wandering tea ladies, a mirror maze). All around the festival site there were posters saying of the disappearance of the "Fairy Queen", who could only be brought back with the help of festival-goers all around the site! Now, I'm not sure on the details, but I believe families could tie bells to trees to help bring her back. The bells showed children still believed in her and sure enough, Sunday evening she had returned! Hurrah!

    
  

Yep, it's a frog.

Animals of all shapes...

The festival-goers were split into various tribes, which competed against each other to win the "tribal tournament". However, the real competition was definitely in who had the best costume, with some people putting in ridiculous amounts of effort to transform themselves into foxes, fishes, frogs, stags or lions (I might have missed one).

Spot the odd one out. I know, purple?

Performances

Time for a song!

During my brief time at the festival, my highlight was wondering into the "Spellbound Forest" and seeing a performance entitled "The Story Giant". A tale about a dying giant desperately trying to find the last unknown story, with his 4 companions. A whirlwind story full of other tall tales ranging from that of a woman with a magical bag to the wise man who came to dinner. Taking place on a stage in the "Spellbound Forest", the performance of the Shanty Theatre Company was thoroughly impressive, with the surroundings also lending themselves to the mystery and fantasy elements of the story. I would definitely recommend seeing any performance of theirs if they're at a festival near you!

Guess which one is the giant. No, it's not a trick question.

Information (Or lack of)

The one disappointment that springs to mind is the lack of information available about and from the festival. For example, on Saturday I asked the information centre if they had the number of a local taxi company. This is information a festival should have listed down. After a brief discussion between the two women on the desk, I was told they didn't know and that I should 192 it, as I didn't have internet available. I was unable to find basic information on their website about their programme, or even their festival map. This is basic info that I'd expect from a festival.

Finishing Touch

To finish off, apart from the information issue, the festival itself was a enjoyable experience. However, it must be noted that I spent little time there, so I will have missed a fair bit, but from what I saw, it seems like a great weekend for the whole family. It's perfect if you've got a flair for fancy dress!

Watch out!

Pint Of Science

Hello, I'm back! Yes, exams are over and I'm free to write up posts to my heart's desire! That means I can tell you all about my latest escapade, which included a pub, pints and a lot of science!

Fancy a Pint of Science?

Yes, the event I attended was the "Pint of Science" festival. The aim of this event was to bring science to the masses, in a laid-back environment. But where can you find an environment that is laid-back, but serious enough that people will pay attention? The pub of course! By having researchers and academics talk about their work in a pub, the gap between the universities and the general public shrinks. Plus, by going to one of these events, you might even learn something!

The logo was a pint glass with glasses and a brain!

The nights I attended were part of the Manchester physics and chemistry branch, being held in the English Lounge, in the Northern Quarter. However, there were nights running simultaneously across Manchester, on a variety of topics. The main set up of the evening was that there would be a introductory talk about the subject at hand, followed by the main talk of the evening. These were always followed by a Q&A session, which could get a bit dynamic, especially later on in the night!

Dr Jon Hargreaves giving the introductory talk about
acoustics. Look at how captivated the audience are!

The first night I attended was all about acoustics, with the main talk from Professor Trevor Cox of the University of Salford. He spoke about his travels across the world, finding and recording the strangest sounds he could find. This ranged from the call of seal (recorded underwater) to a record-breaking echo! The second night was about nuclear waste, with a talk all about the subject, the stigma and the issues surrounding the topic, given by Matt Gunther, who runs a blog all about the subject (here). His Q&A session quickly became a discussion, amongst the audience, all about nuclear power. This really showed how passionate people could get about science and it was fantastic to see.

How much?

Each night was ticketed, at a cost of £2 a ticket. This fee wasn't to make a profit, as any money gained is reinvested back into future events and the nights are organised and run by volunteers. Taking these facts into account, you can see that the each night was very good value. 

Where and when?

Pint of Science was an international event, held in 8 countries over 3 nights. This was the 19th-21st May. In the UK it was held in Cambridge, London, Oxford, Manchester, Bath, Bristol, York and Glasgow, but it has plans to expand further into more cities and countries, so watch this space!

Chester vs York

Hello! Long time no see! Well, if I could see you that is. Or can I? No, don't worry, I can't. Anyway, stumbling away from the political thriller theme that I seem to have fallen onto, over the last few months I have been able to do indulge in a few day trips. I say a few, I mean two. Yes, two trips from Manchester. One to Chester and one to York, but which one is better value? Well, relax and I'll tell you...

Size

Does size matter? Well it does if you've only got a day and you want to cram in all of the sights.For fans of Roman architecture and ruins which have survived the test of time, then Chester is the one you want. While both cities have Roman origins and boast impressive sights, Chester manages to pack these sights densely within the complete city wall. It also manages to pack in a racecourse and a riverside right by the city walls. Having these sights so close to each other makes it very easy to visit them all within a few hours.

Cathedral or Minster?

Yes, the inside of the Minster. I won't charge you for this.

Yes, both cities are famous for their places of religious worship. You can't go to these cities and not see the cathedral/minster, they truly dominate the cities. The Gothic York Minster, a truly impressive sight, requires payment to enter. £9 for students, £10 for adults, however the ticket does allow re-entry for 12 months after your visit. The Minster itself is massive, and contains various exhibitions and a museum underneath, all about the Roman occupation of York and the Roman origins of the Minster. All very interesting, but if you are like me and have a short attention span, then the re-entry feature of the ticket will come in handy. 

Boom! Chester Cathedral.

Chester cathedral is free to enter (they do like a donation), while it is still impressive, is not as large as York Minster. As a result, there isn't as much to hold your interest beyond the stained glass windows and the impressive pieces of art.

Shops

Yes, shops. Not my speciality, but I suppose they deserve a mention. Both cities had the traditional high street, that you can find in many other places. The famous York shambles is always worth a look, playing host to several cafes and souvenir shops. The surrounding area also contains several tea rooms. the most famous of which is "Bettys", which looked like you would have to queue up for hours on end, just to get a scone. 

Chester hosts the well-known Chester Rows, which are unique in Britain. Shops on two floors, which is an incredibly novel way of making the most of the space you have. There are pubs and coffee shops galore, the most eye-catching of which was "Central Perk", modelled directly after the famous coffee house from "Friends". New York, Chester, peas in a pod.

Chester Rows.

Yes, Central Perk. I wasn't kidding.

So Chester or York?

So you only have a day. If you are leaving from Manchester, both are pretty much the same distance on the train. If you want to see Roman history, go to Chester. The remains are a lot more intact, with a full city wall, amphitheatre amongst the sights. If you want a religious experience, go to York. The Minster, with it's exhibitions and museum will prove to be a more enjoyable time. If you want random shops and tea/coffee houses, then flip a coin. It really doesn't matter, you'll have a good day at both.

All pictures taken using the Nokia Lumia 1020 41MP camera. Impressive huh?

Poets and Players

Hello! Just a quick post this evening, to do with an event I went to earlier today. It was called "Poets and Players" and took place in the historic reading room in the John Rylands library in Deansgate, Manchester. Let's go!

Poets and Players

The idea of Poets and Players is very simple, some people read their poetry and some people perform some music. The poets and the players change at each event, ensuring a difference blend of talents each time. 

The Poets!

The first poet, Jo Bell, was an archaeologist for 18 years and lives on a narrow boat (she’s the Canal Laureate). As a result, her readings were of poems based around those two subjects. However, do not be mistaken, her work was not entirely quaint and rosy. For every piece which was calm and content, there was another which used language probably not suitable for a public event at 3 in the afternoon. But it certainly went down well. One poem with fire in its belly was that of “Ducks and Gang Rape”. I’ll leave that for you to ponder. An overall humorous person, she showed that poetry really could be about anything you wanted. Even ducks.

Not really related, just a picture
I took in the library which I like.

Grevel Lindopp was the second poet and had the appearance of a more traditional poet, with more “traditional” language. His work was incredibly descriptive and at times very serious, none more than when he was describing the feeling of being alone at night. He relaxed towards the end of his time on stage, even though he used his last poem to exorcise and banish a supposed ghost from the reading room itself. You could tell he really put his soul into his poetry, painting vivid mental pictures which let you into his work.

The Players!

You can see what I mean by "cathedral of literature".

The players were Chris Davies and Beth Allen. They performed music which was based around the theme of “breaths”. An abstract concept, but one which nonetheless achieved in a remarkable fashion. This was through the use of several instruments, but none as effective as the simple act of breathing itself. These works reminded me of carols, which worked incredibly well in our Gothic location, an effective “cathedral of literature”.

Where and When?

The location and dates can vary, this time was in the John Rylands library. The full schedule can be found here. It's a free event, so if you feel like you want to get some top-quality literature in a brilliant location, then you now know where to go!

Secret Supper Club

Hello again and happy (belated) new year! I'm back and ready to blog, so lucky you! So what have I been up to recently? Well, I've been a little bit boring (revision) but don't worry, I've still managed to venture out of the norm and try something new out. Sit back and relax while I tell you all about it...

Secret Supper Club

A what? A secret supper club in one school of thought is having dinner with people you don't know, in a secret location, eating food from a mystery menu. When put like that, it sounds terrifying. However, let me assure it was quite the opposite, it was a delight.

Wendy's House Logo, if you didn't
guess.

Booking

There are several supper clubs spread around Manchester and spread around the country. The one I went to was "Wendy's House Supper Club". I found this particular one through the utilisation of tools such as Google and Twitter, you just have to search for "Manchester supper club" and enough results should appear. Anyway, Wendy's House is a vegetarian supper club, run by a lovely chef called Wendy (funnily enough). The event I went to was titled "Mexico Monday" and, being very true to its name, was on a Monday and consisted of a lot of delicious Mexican food.

Food!

Tortillas with dips, image from here.

Yes, food! Upon arrival I was treated to a tequila based cocktail named Paloma, which was dangerously drinkable. The dinner began promptly as soon as all the guests had arrived, with 5 courses being served in total. Even better, it was all home-made. It began with tortilla chips, guacamole, salsa and sour cream, all very tasty. We were then treated to a black-bean soup, with hints of chilli, which was one of the best things I've tasted. The main course was served up, consisting of rice, corn on the cob (cooked in chilli and lime), baked Mexican cheese, refried beans, a delicious salad with avocado and almonds. There were other items, but my brain was being subjected to such a pleasure overload from the food, it couldn't take in all the information. The pudding was served up soon after, which was mango cooked in tequila and chilli, served with ice cream and a Mexican sauce (once again, I apologise for the lack of information). It was all topped off with a hot chocolate. It was all luscious and I would not hesitate to eat any of it again, if the chance emerged.

People

Yes, a big part of the experience is dining with other people who you have never met. It may sound worrisome, but I found it to be a great way to meet a lot of people who you normally would never come across. For a student, it was a brilliant way to escape the "student bubble" for a little bit. The great bit is that you probably won't meet the same people twice, so it will be a different experience each time. If you are worried about who you might meet, then get a friend to go with you!

Somewhere in there.

Where?

That's another part of the experience, you won't know until you book the ticket! Rest assured however, it will be in Manchester. Wendy's House took place in, surprise surprise, Wendy's House. I'm not telling you where it is though, you'll have to find out by booking a ticket!

How Much?

The ticket for Mexico Monday was £25.00. Now this may seem expensive, but let's put it this way. You are being served top quality food cooked by a chef, in their house. You are paying for the company and for a experience which is out of the norm. You can take your own drinks, which was a nice touch.

Again?

Are you kidding me? Of course I will! As I mentioned earlier, secret supper clubs are spread all over Manchester and all over the country. They cater for several tastes and styles, so all you need to do is find out which one works for you. Good luck!

Hallé Orchestra

Hello again, you appear to have stumbled upon another blog post of mine! Very recently I was fortunate enough to see the Hallé Orchestra perform at Bridgewater Hall. So if you are interested in classical music and even if you aren't, this post will be perfect for you!

Hallé Orchestra

The Hallé Orchestra, for the vigilant, have been mentioned in this blog before (here). They are a world-class orchestra, based in Manchester. They do regular performances at Bridgewater Hall, but have been known to venture elsewhere, such as Jodrell Bank. For a complete novice in classical music, I have to admit I was skeptical as to whether I would enjoy an evening performance of pieces which I was unfamiliar with. Well, I had nothing to fear. The mixture of the beautifully designed hall (below) and the extremely talented orchestra ensured that I was in for an experience I'll happily have again.

Have a look at that. Breathtaking.

The Pieces

I'll list the pieces which they played, if you want to go and have a listen: 

Stravinsky-Symphonies of Wind Instruments

Mendelssohn-Violin Concerto in E minor

Tchaikovsky-Symphony No.5

If those mean nothing to you, you're in the same boat I was. But it didn't matter that you had no idea how the music went, as you could very easily lose yourself to the music. I think this was the nature of the Hallé.

The piece by Stravinsky was most probably my favourite of the evening, a 10 minute piece performed purely by wind instruments. It was short enough that you could listen to it when you had a small bit of time, yet it still contained all of the elements of classical music you would expect to find, if you wanted to delve into the genre.

The Orchestra, just warming up.

The piece by Tchaikovsky was performed in the 2nd half, after the interval. It was a piece which demanded its own section, a thrilling foray through the voices of many, many instruments, spaced with audacious pauses. These pauses could catch a beginner, like myself, out. Luckily, I had an experienced listener sitting next to me, so I knew when to react. So be careful when listening to that one in public, or risk looking the fool.

When?

The performance which I saw was part of the Thursday series by the Hallé, which takes place at Bridgewater Hall.

Cost?

The cost depends, if you are a student, then the cost is £3 on the door! Huzzah! You can get the experience of seeing a world-class orchestra for a shaving of what you would expect the price to be. Winners all around, so don't miss out!