WICKED!!!

Today I went to see the Musical Wicked, with two close friends!

What can I say that hasn't already been said before! The costumes were a delightfully crazy!

The singing- oh the singing- not a note out of place! Kerry Ellis was Fab-u-Lous!
UNluckily Diane Pilkington wasn't on stage as Galinda/Glinda but her stand in Sarah Earnshaw was a very good choice to fill the shoes of Glinda!

Alas the Lovely Oliver Tompsett was not in this Matinee Performance, but his stand in, Dougal Irvine was a very strong vocalist!

The show was a huge aray of colours, catchy songs, and touching moments between friends, sisters and Lovers.

And the little twist at the end of the show added something special to the performance. The book doesn't have this twist which makes the show unqiue from the book. I could have sat there for hours watching this show, and am kept prepared to see it again as soon as possible! Fully worth splashing out on!

The show does vary from the book, but is as good as the original writing of MacGuire. The shows livilness, and the involvement, enthrals everyone. Each song got it's indiviual round of applause, but at the end of the show, although there was a huge amount of tulmutuilous applause, there was no sign of a full standing ovation. There were pockets of people standing and clapping and cheering wildly in which I took part!

The show was very uplifting and I can't wait to go and see it again, before the cast is re shuffled in June 2008.

I'm quite willing to five Wicked! A five star rating! *****

if you get the chance to go and see Wicked, I suggest you do! It's a brilliant experience and a lovely show!

WICKED WAS AWESOME! lol

New Books!

"Oh Gosh! That's wonderful! Thank you!" David Morton breathed excitedly down the phone, as his twelve year old twin brother and sister, Dickie and Mary hopped excitedly up and down waiting for him to finish.

David put the phone down, and turned around to face his brother and sister, his eye gleaming.

"What was that all about David?" Mary squeaked, seeing the excitement in her brothers eyes, "Who was on the phone?"

"Not now twins," David said, "Get on your bikes and go and get Tom and Jenny from Ingles, tell them we have an impromptu club meeting! Go on! I'll call Peter!

Oh and if you see Jon and Penny walking back, tell them to hurry up!"

"What about Harriet?" Dickie asked, "She's with Peter!"

"Then I'll tell Peter to bring Harriet as well," David said nodding, "Now go on!"

The twins, ran for their bicycles, willing this once to carry out David's orders to find out what the mysrtious phone call had been about.

Half an hour later, the Lone Pine club members stood under their old Pine tree on the side of the Long Mynd. They were all interested to find out, why David had sent them urgent messages to attend an ever so sudden meeting.

"What got you so excited David? You're normally so thorough," Jon said taking off his spectacles to polish them, "I must say, this impetuous side of you is not making a good start, old chap."

"I think it's fun to have on the spur meetings," Harriet remarked as Mary began to look impatient.

"Hush a minute," Mary said over the babble, picking up her darling Scottie Dog, Macbeth for fear of him being trampled, "David's had a very interesting phone call! Hasn't he Dickie?" She added turning to her twin.

"Hm? Yes, he did," Dickie said, poking the fire.

"Look, shut up and let David talk," Tom said glaring at the twins.

"Yes please do," Jenny gulped happily, "Is it thrilling David? Have you found us another adventure?"

"You're as bad as the twins, Jenny," Peter said smiling from her place at the foot of the Lone Pine, "Now let David speak."

"I'm with Peter on this one," Penny said blowing a red curl out of her face, "Come on David! Why all the secrets?"

"Well," David began, smiling, "Someone form a publishing Agency's just been on the phone to me, and they're company has decided to reprint the Malcolm Saville Books!"
"Oh wonderful!" Peter said, smiling, "Our books back in print again!"

"Smashing!" Said Dickie laughing, "Can we have something to eat now?"

That's right! I heard it today!

I was in my local bookshop, and I was just browsing the shelves, when I spotted a name I have never seen in print before! Malcolm Saville!

His books, the Buckingham Stories are being reprinted by Evan's publishers for his Centenary! I was speaking to the women who owns the bookshop and she said that she would let me know after talking to the Evan's representative who calls at the shop every month whether they have the rights, and the manuscript to re-print the Lone Pine adventures, which were probably Saville's best known work!

The Lone Pine adventures, follow the fortunes and adventures of nine children ranging from the youngest (The Twins Dickie (Richard) and Mary Morton) at about nine in the first adventure (Mystery at Witchend) to eighteen nineteen at the end (Home to Wicthend) where they're older brother David is at least eighteen.

The books started in the middle of the Second World War, when the Morton Family, minus Mr Morton- who has gone to be a fighter pilot in the RAF, go to stay up in Shropshire on the Long Mynd in a cottage called Witchend. From there they meet a girl called Petronella Sterling, who likes to be called Peter, and Tom Ingles, who works on his Uncle's farm, similarly named. From there they go on to have adventures together.

In the second book, Seven white gates, the Five of them meet, Jenny Harman, who becomes a member of the Lone Piners. And In The Third Book, they meet Jon and Penny Warrender, who are cousins who live in Rye, where the Morton's go on Holiday.

They don't meet they're last member, Harriet Sparrow, until Book ten, Lone Pine London, where Jon asks Harriet to show him the way home, because he's lost in London, while staying with the Mortons.

Without giving anything away, that's as breif an outline as you'll get from me. But I have to say, after being introduced to them a few years ago through my Mum's old copies of orginal print, I would love to own a selection of my own, to read so the orginal copies that I already have can be preserved.

Saville has become one of my most favourite authors next to the work of Enid Blyton. Much the same style as Enid, Saville's adventures seem to be aimed at the slightly older audience, but are just as thrilling as Enid's which at the beginning were written around the same time.

One major difference I can see between these two authors and they're "Best work" in my opinion, the Famous Five by Enid Blyton and The Lone Pine Adventures by Malcolm Saville is that after a period of time, where the post War rationing etc had burned off, Saville decided to age his characters, of course giving him more possible storylines, where as Blyton decided to try and keep her characters all the same age for the duration of her series, to keep the books aimed at Children.

But I must say, both sets of books, will never stop being a thrilling read for me, because of the magic of them. Alright I didn't read Saville until a few years ago, but I was able to apperciate his style and plots more, but Blyton never has lost her appeal to me, and I hope that as I get older (And Hopefully wiser) that both authors, and both sets of books, remain as dear to me as they are now, and that I can encourage more people to read some of the greatest Children's classics of the 20th Century!

The New Famous Five! A Whole Load of Crap!

Right, So I know my first post was on the new update of the Famous Five, but suddenly over at least Four British Papers today, there have been articles on the New animation series.

I get that to get people to read the books you might have to make an animation of the books, but that does not mean that you have to update it so much that it is as unreconisable as The Famous Five- which it orginally started out as!

I suppose for most Enid Blyton Fans the definitive series of The Famous Five was the 1976 Version- which is fair enough. But as a "Verteran" Of the 1996 series I have to say along with Many others that this is going to spoil the Magic of the books and the Magic of Enid Blyton herself!

I see the point in updating the stories to Animation, but why change every single thing about The Famous Five!

These characters will become icons for the next gernation for potential Enid Blyton Fans! They will come to read the books and fall flat on them because of the fact that they are nothing like the TV Series that they grew up with!

Obviously things would have to change, for Political correctness sake (Although God knows why, Because the books are of their time) that you would have to have Ethnic Diversity, but seriously! They thing is un reconisable from it's counter-part!

To prove my point, I have posted the links to the articles in the papers, today! The Sun is particulally interesting because it has a very bad clip of the first episode! The Sound's a bit crap!

Well see what you think and Let me know you're thoughts and feelings!

Stef

Check out the whole load of crap coming from the mouths of Disney!
The Sun with added Video!

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article938216.ece

The Telegraph!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/19/nfive119.xml

The Times!

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article3584003.ece

100 things about me

1. Full Name: Stephanie ***** Woods
2. Nicknames: Stef, Steff, Steph
3. Birthday: 17th March 1991
4. Place of Birth: Middlesex
5. Zodiac Sign: Pieces
6. Male or female: Female
7. Grade: year 128. School: Waingels
9. Occupation: voluntary student, part time cleaner
10. Residence: Woodley
11. MSN Screen Name: Currently: [(Stef)]It's not true that life in one damn thing after another; It is one damn thing over and over

__Your Appearance___

12. Hair Colour: Dark Brown/ Fading red
13. Hair Length: Shoulder length
14. Eye colour: Blue
15. Weight: not telling
16. Height: average
17. Braces? Not anymore
18. contacts: never
19. Piercings: Ears
20. Tattoos: None.
21. Righty or Lefty: Righty

___Your 'Firsts'___

22. First best friend: Nasha
23. First Award: Swimming
24. First Sport: Swimming.
25. First pet: rabbits- Flash and Dusty
26. First Real Vacation: America
27. First phone: Nokia 3310
28. First Love: no- crushing

___Favourites___

29. Movie: Love Actually
30. TV programme: the Famous Five/ Friends
31: Colour: Anything but pink
32. Rapper: you have got to be kidding
33. Band: loads....
34. Song: I want you to want me
35. Friend: lots
36. Sweet: Cadbury Chocolate
37. Sport to Play: Shopping.
38. Restaurant: The Red Rose
39. Favourite brand: don’t really have one
40. Store: Primark, HMV
41. School Subject: English Lit, History
42. Animal: Rabbit
43. Book: The other boleyn girl, Malory Towers, Famous Five
44. Magazine: Sugar
45. Shoes: Roxy Trainers, boots

___Currently___

46. Feeling: tired, upset
47. Single or Taken? Single
48. Have a crush: Yes, don’t ask
49. Eating: Nothing
50. Drinking: Nothing
51. Typing: This
52. Online? Bebo, MSN and Myspace
53. Listening To: Best Chill Out (Songs)
54. Thinking About: Going to bed
55. Wanting To: Write/sleep
56. Watching: The screen
57. Wearing: Black T-Shirt, Cheap Jeans

___Your Future___

58. Want Kids? Yes
59. Want to be married? Yes
60. Careers in Mind: Writer, Geographer, Geography Teacher, English Lit Teacher
61. Where do you want to live: Country/ Seaside
62. Car: Suburu

__Which is Better With The Opposite Sex___

63. Hair colour: light brown, dark ginger
64. Hair length: A bit long
65. Eye colour: brown/ hazel
66. Measurments: taller than my five foot Seven
67. Cute or Sexy: both
68. Lips or Eyes: both
69. Hugs or Kisses: both
70. Short or Tall: Tall
71. Easygoing or serious: Easygoing
72. Romantic or Spontaneous: Don't they go together?
73. Fatty or Skinny: More on the skinny side.
74. Sensitive or Loud: Sensitive
75. Hook-up or Relationship: Relashionship
76. Sweet or Caring: both
77. Trouble Maker or Hesitant One: depends

___Have you ever______

78. Kissed a Stranger: no
79. Had Alcohol: Yes
80. been in a police station: No
81. Ran Away From Home: no
82. Broken a bone:no
83. Got an X-ray: yes for my knee, when I did something to the cartilidge
84. Been with someone: no
85. Broken Someone’s Heart: no
86. Broke Up With Someone: no
87. Cried When Someone Died: Yes8
8. Cried At School: Yes

___Do You Believe In___

89. God: not sure
90. Miracles: again not sure
91. Love At First sight: possibly
92. Ghosts: don’t know
93. Aliens: don’t know
94. Soul: yes
96. Hell: not sure
97. Angels: not sure
98. Boogie Monster: No
99. Hatred: yes

___Answer Truthfully___

100. Is There Someone You Want But You Know You Can't Have? Yes for a long time now, there’s a couple of them actually.

Birthday!

It's that time of year, when I can be as happy as I want and no one questions why!

I'm Seventeen on Monday!

Yippee!

Seventeen! OK OK, so the only real extra advantage is that i can drive. And I plan on taking that advantage and running with it!

I can't wait really! I have my first Driving lesson next Thursday! I'm really looking forward to it!

I'm having some friends over tomorrow for pizza and a movie. And I suppose we'll muck around a bit too! Nothing like having friends over to lighten the spirits.

I suppose you're sitting there, reading this and thinking to yourself- She's seventeen, why isn't she having this great big party and total mash up? Well this is because there is more to life than drink! I don't have big parties because I'd have to clear up all the mess.

I am not above drinking as a rule, I just don't see it as necessary to go out every Friday, and Saturday Night and get mashed down the park, where anything could happen. I'm quite happy with simple things such as the Internet, my books, and my music.

You don't need Alcohol to have a good time, and it does so much damage to your body, It's a wonder anyone still has a body left. But to have a really good time, you're mates are the most important thing out there! You can be drunk, and lonely. You can be lonely in a crowd. But with a few really good mates, you can have a fabulous time!

Now I not saying that Alcohol is a bad thing, taken in moderation it can be a good thing, But too much can be bad for you.

Now I'm looking forward to Monday for several reasons;

1. It's My Birthday!! (Obvious)
2. I haven't got Chemistry (YAY! I'm failing and not having Chem on my birthday is a great Birthday Present!)
3. I don't have to go to work (Nuff said)

And Of course, PRESENTS! YAY! The best bit about birthdays!

So as you can see, I can't wait for my Birthday! The one day a year, I would say I'm allowed to be a little selfish!

LOL Just Kidding!

Stef

Valentines

So It's almost that time of year again when all the plants start blooming and everything starts warming up (Well maybe not in Feburary) but then in the middle of next month what is it?

Bloody

Fucking

Valentines

Just so all the people out there haven't realised it's the one day of the year when the people who haven't got anyone to share that day on are riddiculed for not having someone.

It's ridiculous. A Saints day has turned into some sort of commercial holiday just like everything else, and it's when men and women all over the world (Well in those countries that celebrate Valentines) spend God knows how much money on cheap gimmicks that their 'Sweetheart' will probably dislike and put to one side anyway!!!

Maybe I wouldn't be so cynical if i had a signifcant other. But as it is, I don't and will be spendning another Valentines day at home, alone, with a huge bar of chocolate, some ice cream and lots of movies, not to mention and hell crap load of homework for AS. So those are my valentines plans.

Although for those of you who know, and you know who you are, there might (Although probably not be) a surprise. I Dare Not even hope. I'll keep you posted.

Now here's the part where I start blaming Men for the whole concept but on this side of things I think that Women are as much to blame as men, due to the fact that sterotypically we're meant to be the soppy ones.
And anyway, no one's going to read this and no one cares what one person thinks in the midst of all the lovey dovey merriment that engulfs the majority of the world when Febuary 14th dawns.

There will be no sane people left because all the singles will be doing nothing and all the couples out doing whatever they want, and it's the one night a year a guy cannot be ridiculed for being romantic. (Though that might be an understatement- whatever day of the year it is, men always get the piss taken out of them)

I will be hiding under my duvet if anyone wants me

Stef

Mentoring

So in the end it was a bad idea.
I went into the room where they were doing the interviews sat down, and no one know what the fuck was going on.

So I said no.

I'd obviously trod on some toes so I said bugger it. I know I'd be good at it, but i won't do it because you've mucked me- and the others about- so very much that I don't think I can do it.
I mean, what the head of sixth form had in mind for me, was being in charge of mentors, yes but of the year ten mentors who had been specially trained, by one of our Deputy Heads (Well I'm not meant to say that anymore- it's Vice Principle! DON'T ASK!)
And that wasn't something I wanted to do. I mean I'm sure that the Year 10's are nice and everything but I don't think they'd like having to report (Which Is what they'd be doing ) back to someone who's two years older than them.

In my mind it just wouldn't work.

So i said my piece and it was all very well, them saying that I could manage such a job, but with the Library taking up so much of my time, I really couldn't see how it would work.
And i don't feel that I am really appreciated by people outside of the library, and then I get told that it isn't true, but i know it is really.

So anyway, made the point that I'm probably doing more community Service than the others will do in a year. And that seemed to clinch the deal really.
I mean I'd put myself out there for deputy head girl, and then someone who didn't even run for it, got it because they allowed her to run for it. It's like a consolation prize. And I get told, you should go for community captain. And then The Mentoring thing. I was like Fine, I'll do it.
Then I upset everybody on the head team, pissed everybody off, and decided to end it there and then, because there was no point in me wasting what would have been a good talent, and putting something on thee back burner just because of something that would have taken up a very large percentage of my time, and I would have not have had a defined role for.

For once in my life I needed to say no, and be just the tiny bit selfish, because I've been spreading myself so thin, and That school has given nothing back to me, since the day I arrived. Apart from an education.

The thing is that they're still trying to talk me into it, they want to see how a Christmas break has effected my feelings towards this. Well nothing will change. I've put too much out there to have it thrown away again, and this time, this time, I want to be just a little bit selfish, to save myself from myself.

To save myself a little dignity.

The people in that school judge on looks only, which makes me, pretty much at the bottom of the food chain. they don't care whether I'd be good at the job, all they care about is who their friends are and who will give them the best deal.
And it's all very well for the Head of KS5 to say that if she had a choice then i would be on that head team, but I'm not am I? thanks to my peers, I'm on the outside, where they believe that I belong.

So I can't say that I haven't done it, but I have, and I'm quite happy with my decesion thanks very much.

I'll stay where I am in the Library, but Politics is not my forte.


Here it is then, the first rant of 2008, which really should have been written down in 2007, but there you go.
I forgot, plain as.

Stef