Yo-Yo song: a path to enlightenment

2008-06-29T13:43:00.000-07:00

CELEBRATIONS!

The end of the year is upon us!

Well done me, that's all I have to say. I shall do my upmost to see everyone I can during the Summer, and to post on here at least semi-regularly. I'll definitely be down in London if I possibly can, since apparently there's photos of me at the Theatre and Design exhibition at the Victoria & Albert. I'd do a link, but there's no mention of the CYT on the website, and I can't remember how to do links....

See you all soon!

2008-06-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for everything.

Much, much love

Leo

2008-06-11T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ger the Rigger...

Also this week: the final group performances, heralding a weekend of revelry followed by a site specific performance project which remains shrouded in mystery...

2008-06-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

Went busking on Buchanan Street yesterday. Made £11 and some cookies in an hour, and had some toddlers dancing, which was nice. I now have a rash on my arms though, which I think may be to do with all the sun we've been getting. There's no pleasing some people apparently...

2008-06-03T15:49:00.001-07:00

This is turning out to be addictive. I am learning lots of new tunes at the moment. Nearly got the hang of an Irish tune called Ger the Rigger, and I'm relearning one of the ones that gets played at Wiston a lot, that I don't know the name of. Vidoes of both coming soon I expect.

Lovely to see Pete this evening at my show, hope you enjoyed it, despite the gratuitous ironic racism...

2008-06-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

My first schottische...

and a million trillion other things that I'm not going to list here. Except this one:

This Tuesday and Wednesday are my group's end of term performances, and it's the first piece of work I've done this year in an actual theatre instead of just in one of the classrooms. I'm excited- you should be excited too! Especially those people who are coming to see it.

Keep your eyes peeled; Who knows, maybe I'll start posting here again...

2007-12-23T16:29:00.000-08:00

Well here I am, back in Peebles after surviving my first term at the RSAMD and then spending a rather lovely pre-yuletide week in Sheffield. All that's left is actualy Christmas now, which will be very nice I'm sure. Plus, with any luck me and laura will be at Wiston this/next year for all the hogmanay fun and frolics.

I haven't got anything exciting to show you I'm afraid, though I found out today that my laptop is wireless enabled, which I was rather excited about...

2007-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

I feel very lazy for not updating more often, but it's internet's fault I swear!

Also I'm doing so much at the moment that it's difficult to decide what to write, without accidentally writing several very pretentious sounding novels. I general, all's well. I should have started an essay but haven't, but that aside everything's going a-okay, albeit in a rather bizarre sort of way.

Looking forward immensely to this Saturday, at me faither's birthday party. Much merrient will be head, I'll wager.

If anything else comes up I'll be sure to let you know.

Ooh, and have a gander at these...

2007-10-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well, my internet has decided to let me post, so here I go. Spent the weekend staying up too late watching Green Wing and devising my solo performance on Monday. I think I've pretty much got it down, though I need to practice it a bit. Happy Birthday to my Granny, who is 80 today!

That's about it for now. I have a toothache, but there's little else to report.

2007-10-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Hello hello. Sorry it's been ages, my internet' having a hard time and I'm writing this in the Academy on a computer I'm only supposed to use to check internal emails, so I'll be brief.

All's well, the course is unbelievably brilliant and Glasgow is lovely.

That'll do for now I think.

2007-09-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Um.

Umumumumumumumumumum.

I wrote a new banjo tune this evening, which seems to be called 'Hop skip and jump away from home' but that could all change...
I also ordered a new laptop for uni, and went on an unsuccesful hunt for appropriate excercising trousers. There's still time.

That's all for now!

2007-09-08T10:42:00.000-07:00

Right, I'm here now.

Sorry for the long absence. There's almost too much to put in one post I've been away so long, but the basics are that I'm going to uni in 17 days (I move in to halls in just 14 days- oo er) and Pete, I need some yoga equipment for my birthday; I'll give you the details next time we talk.

I shall do my best to update here more often from now on. (Where have I heard that before...)

2007-07-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Well what do you know? There I was, innocently walking down the Royal Mile, when I run into these chaps busking on a bench. After spending a few moments plucking up the courage I went up and suggested a brief jam (I happened by a bizarre coincidence to be carrying a couple of harmonicas with me) and we had a jolly old time. This means I may have made my first Blues contacts in Scotland! Which is a major plus.

Weather was lovely most of today. Rhapsody in Red run finished fairly successfully; I plan to be involved in the summer show next year, though if what I'm told about it being an all-female cast proves to be true, I may have to rethink those plans. Or at least put on a wig...

2007-06-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Right- enough of this dilly-dallying, I'm going to get the publicity stuff for my play...

*clump clump clump*

*rummage*

*rummage*

*clump clump clump*

Here we are...

'Rhapsody in Red'- An enthralling new drama about artistic freedom, by Robert Salvin

At the Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High Street, Edinburgh

12-14th July, 7.30 pm

Tickets £6
Booking Tel: 0131 556 9579

A Holyrood Amateur Theatrical Society Production

There. Now you know.

2007-06-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

"Maybe there should be types of gardener who visit bookish old men to trim and prune and generally tidy them up occasionally,"

I must insist that everybody stops whatever it is they're doing and reads The Raw Shark Texts by Steven Hall immediately.

2007-06-10T14:28:00.001-07:00

Okay, this is my official apology for never updating this blog anymore. If there's anyone left who still reads it at all, then please do keep checking back every week or so because I am going to start posting again and who knows? I might even say something important or interesting!

So in short, watch this space. Things are going to start getting written. Big things.

2007-06-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

Erk! I'm supposed to know my lines by Monday. Better get learning....

2007-05-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Laura, Huw and Kate sneaked up to Edinburgh this weekend for a secret surprise visit, though it turns out it was only a secret to me, since just about everybody I know seems to have been in on it. A good time (and too much cake and ice cream) was had by all. The house seems much emptier now though, looking forward to having Lesley and Andrew back.

Also, in a bizarre twist of fate, I seem to have become the lead man in 'Rhapsody in Red', so if you're in Edinburgh between the 12th and 14th of July then come see it at the Scottish Storytelling centre. It's got Stanislavsky AND Harpo Marx in it! Who could say no?

2007-05-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well what do you know? I got into the RSAMD!

Bloody hell, that means I actually know what I'm going to be doing for the next four years. I don't think that's ever happened before...

2007-05-12T12:59:00.001-07:00

Life continues in a mostly unspectacular way, but I seem to be having a nice time of it.

By special request, I have removed the dancing cat video from my earlier post. If you've yet to watch it, it can be found here.

The hippo is here.

I am now involved (in what capacity I don't currently know) in a play at (or with, or because of, or at least something to do with) the Sottish Parliament, thanks to Marg's daughter Claire, and the leading man running off to Vienna for some reason, and that's not so unspectacular.

2007-04-27T19:18:00.000-07:00

ooh! Also went to see The Lesson by Eugene Ionesco at the theatre in Peebles last night. It was very good in that way that keeps reminding you how good it was, and seeming more and more important every time it does.

2007-04-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

Blah! Sorry about the long absences, turns out I'm not as good at updating this thing as I thought I was. I had it for a while, but it's slipping away again...

Ummumumum lately I have been mostly...

- Gradually realising that I have a job. The People at Barony Castle were very quiet about it, but I'm fairly sure they've hired me. They said they were paying me anyway, which is the important bit.

- Realising also that in having a job, I've just come to the end of the longest holiday I've ever had (it started on january the 5th, though it wasn't meant to go on this long).

- Wine tasting. Myself, Andrew, Lesley, another Lesley, Joe and an American called Dick who I'm sure I've met before, though he didn't seem to remember me (except by whose son I am) went to Julian's house and were given a test on his home-made wines. I think the plum & ginger was the overall winner.

I'm a little bit jittery this evening. I've eaten too much gooseberry fool I think...

2007-04-17T22:34:00.000-07:00

Well, this pretty much sums up my understanding of conceptual physics

2007-04-13T09:33:00.001-07:00

Andrew bought me a pizza and now I'm in a good mood.

Discovering that this chap and also this fellow exist has helped as well.

It's hot as high summer here, and sunny with it. Lovely jubbly.

2007-04-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

Easter came and went crowdily, with Huw and Andrew's two brothers coming and going the week before, and Laura and brother Josh coming and staying. Much merriemtn was had, and I did that thing where eating chocolate just becomes my general state of being.

Thanks go to Will for bringing this to my attention...

2007-03-23T07:46:00.001-07:00

I'm not completely happy with where I've ended up for the time being so I'm not going to tell you.

I am however going to tell you to order the April issue of this magazine because one of my poems is in it.

2007-03-05T12:16:00.000-08:00

I don't have any excuse for why I haven't posted in such a long while, except that there hasn't really been anything to say. I managed to build up a bit of a backlog of things to make a fairly decent post now though, so here goes.

Thursday night saw the Red Deer Acoustic Blues night. It was really nice to catch up with all my musical pals and remind myself what I do it for. Still no recordings, but I'll manage it one day.

Saturday night I fulfilled every 14 year old boy's dream by attending an all-girl (yours truly excepted of course) sleepover. Ate far too much. Also enjoyed (but failed tom photograph) the lunar eclipse.

Now in Glasgow for my audition at RSAMD tomorrow. Wish me luck!

2007-02-22T09:30:00.001-08:00

You find me no longer in London, but back in Sheffield, where I have already sorted out lodgings and made better progress with getting myself employed than I managed in five weeks in London. Apart from being further away from my borthers Joel and Josh, and the no longer possiblity of me Joel and oor faither getting together in the big city, I am very pleased to be back, I must say.

2007-02-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

I love you Doctor Johnson, and I want to have your babies.

I haven't seen Blackadder in ages...

I also hadn't seen You've Been Framed for a very long time until last night, when I watched it at my brother Josh's friend's house, before going to Josh's other friend's 30th birthday party in his new pub. Much merriment was had, I assure you.

Today I was introduced to Springfield Park, another park I've never been to before.

This all sounds very boring, but it was a lot more interesting than it seems, really. Really!

Ooh! And I got a second audition at Queen Margarets! Huzzah!

2007-02-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

I don't know how anyone can stand to live in this house for long...

The most significant place I was this week is Edinburgh, where I was auditioning for the Acting course at Queen Margaret's. I won't go into details, but it went quite well.

Back in London now, possibly in Stoke Newington tomorrow evening.

More as it comes.

2007-02-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

My first visit to the Tate Britain, followed by some pleasant wandering through some lovely winter-sunlit London with Joel was my yesterday afternoon. My yesterday evening was spent listening to this lady, which was an experience, to say the least. Having missed the opportunity to ever see Captain Beefheart in performance, I took last night as something of a consolation.

Today me and Joel didn't manage to record any music, but Joel did introduce me to the wonders of the Turkish Food Centre, and may have by now gone back to take a photograph of the Chicken Shop, if you're lucky. He'll have posted it here if he has.

Sheffield tomorrow, then Edinburgh on Tuesday, then my audition on Wednesday. Still haven't chosen which song I'm going to do yet.

Won't be posting till Friday, because I'm not taking my computer away with me, so have a nice time until I next see you.

2007-02-01T06:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday meant a walk across Hampstead Heath (where I have never been before) with Joel and Catherine (who I have never met before). Hampstead Heath is very big, as it turns out, and a lot of it (as does more and more of London I notice- I wonder if it's all just wishful thinking gone mad) looks like bits of Sheffield. Joel's friends are quite a lot like my friends, which is nice. Only they're older. A bit.

I took some photos of some interesting looking ducks. There were three of them, and as is to be expected they didn't all start swimming together until after I had finished photographing them. They looked like this though...

The evening meant going (for 'going' read 'sprinting') to the National Theatre to see the Man of Mode with my flatmate and having a jolly time. It's well worth seeing if you happen to be in London and you know which tube station to go to to get to the National before you set off.

Today has so far meant buying stamps and learning speeches. Audition next week...

I also got an email today telling me that one of Laura's Christmas presents that I ordered in November has finally been dispatched. Marvellous.

2007-01-30T06:32:00.000-08:00

Andrew, I saw this and thought of you...

Went exploring in the other direction today, and discovered that I live 10 minutes not only from the London Butterfly House, but also from a field full of canadian geese!

Plus I found a few other things around where I live that I didn't know there, like these.

Isleworth Cemetary has a palm tree in it. Explain that.

2007-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

It's nice to know things that look like this still exist.

2007-01-29T10:13:00.000-08:00

Returned to the British Museum today to take the photographs I didn't take last time. This happy little fellow is in one of my stories...

As is this dagger.

I also went to Covent Garden and wondered around aimlessly for a bit, before catching the end of a tightrope walking/knife-juggling act. It's not every day you see a giant unicycle chained to a lamppost, especially not one as badly photographed as this...

2007-01-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

Joel has very helpfully taught html illiterate old me to do blogger links, so now I can show you this!

2007-01-26T15:18:00.000-08:00

Buttered malt loaf (ready sliced, no less!) and hot cranberry squash at my brother Joel's house this afternoon. Falaffel followed later in the evening.

Some "music" also occured, which can be listened on Joel's blog.

2007-01-26T04:37:00.000-08:00

Struck down by the impotence of not being able to post music files as I am (had you going there for minute didn't I?), I can't prove this to you, but I'm going to tell you anyway.

Robert Petway is bloody good. Track down his version of Catfish Blues and you'll see what I mean.

Visiting Joel this afternoon, which is nice.

2007-01-24T13:17:00.000-08:00

The snow had all but disappeared by the time I got outside today, but it's nice to know it was here at all. It caused 'Chaos' accoridng to the Newspaper.

Turns out I have internet access at home too! All I have to do is move my computer into the sitting room and hey presto!

Went to the British Museum and the National gallery today. All the Monets, Van Goughs and Cezanne's are in the basement now, which I'm sure they weren't before...

I thought I would regret deciding to see Apocalypto, but I actually quite enjoyed it. I still would rather have seen Happy Feet though. Still, at £9.50 a pop I don't think I'll ever be going to see another film there.

2007-01-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

I'm back in the Hammersmith internet cafe and there is a very loud polish man having a voice conversation on msn next to me.

When I set out at noon today it was a gloriously sunny day, though it seems to have greyed over a bit now.

Little else to report currently. More news as it comes.

2007-01-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd mention that Lesley called this evening to say that I'd got a letter from Queen Margaret's University College in Edinburgh saying I've got an audition!

Things are starting to move...

2007-01-22T03:40:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am, in an internet cafe in Hammersmith, writing a cover letter for my CV (the job hunt started today).

Had a little adventure to Harrods and Leicester Square yesterday, and am now feeling very positive about this whole thing. I even have my own Oyster Card!

I'm sure I'll be back to post again before too long, but in case I'm not, have a nice time until we meet again.

2007-01-17T04:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm off to London on Saturday (yes I know I said Monday before, but I changed my mind)and so far I'm feeling pretty good about the whole thing.

In the meantime, I am going to the cinem this afternoon. Not sure what I'll end up seeing, but I'm certain Ben & Jerry's will have something to do with it...

2007-01-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

Well I was waiting to tell you this until I got all the travel arrangements finalised, but since I'm going to Sheffield tomorrow and may not be able to post again until it's actually happened, I might as well tell you the Big News now...

I'm moving to London!

My good friend Kristin texted me a few weeks ago and asked me if I wanted to go and live with her, and I (after some evaluation and kicking myself into a mood for actually living my life) said yes! So in about a week's time or thereabouts, I shall be moving to my new home(?) in Brentford, which I am rather terrified about to be honest.

But before all that, a week in Sheffield with friends and familiarity and all that. I've packed up my trusty rucksack which served me so well in the months before my arrival in Peebles I felt it deserved some kind of inanimate service medal and am off bright and early tomorrow morning (I do hope this rain clears up by then- I left my umbrella at Stobo Castle when I quit and I wouldn't have the free hands to carry it anyway) for another lovely adventure!

So until my next post, wherever it may come, I shall bid you all adieu!

PS: Pete seemed to be feeling better today, he came and said hello and goodbye. I do not know how Joel is feeling, but I do hope he is fighting off his lurg successfully.

2007-01-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

Get well soon to Pete and Joel, who are both poorly.

I was worried that I would get properly ill over New Year, but I managed to avoid it, unlike my dear father and brother, the former of which will (health allowing) be giving me a farewell visit on Sunday. There's a clue to the Big News...

2007-01-04T14:22:00.001-08:00

I'm afraid I've been rather lazy with my posting, and as such have made my New Year seem much more boring than it actually was. Brother Joel has a far more exciting account (it has videos!) of what happened on his blog, which can be reached by copying the following address and pasting it into your web browser, as I STILL don't know how to make links on this blogger...

http://www.joelstewart.co.uk/blog/blogger.html

2007-01-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

Happy new year to all, and to all a happy new year!

Spent two and a half rather lovely days at Wiston Lodge, playing music and drinking my weird hot chocolate that no one else likes. Here is a picture of brother Joel being silly...

And one of Pete being silly, though it's not immediately so obvious why...

I don't have a picture of the three of us playing, but here are most of our instruments...

2006-12-28T13:11:00.000-08:00

Been singing that damn song from Chicago all day, it just won't leave me alone.

Yes oh yes oh yes oh yes they both oh yes they both oh yes they both reached for
The gun the gun the gun the gun oh yes they both reached for the gun for the gun...

2006-12-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas all of you.

My apologies for my long absence, the very welcome arrival of my family means i haven't had much access to my computer for the past few days.

Off to Wiston in a couple of days for hogmanay hoots.

Big News is just around the corner.

2006-12-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

Before

After

2006-12-11T11:56:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I went ice skating in Princes Street Gardens (or anywhere for that matter) and I've never done it in the rain before, so I was very pleased with myself that I managed to skate for the whole session without falling down once (there were a few close calls, mind you).

Me and Laura aren't in these photos, incidentally, I just thought they were nice.

We also ate paninnis at the bottom of the Princes Mall, and made this ship out of the packaging. Avast ye, lubbers.

All in all (Christmas shopping nonwithstanding) an extremely nice weekend. I hope you had one too.

2006-12-08T05:46:00.000-08:00

More evidence that Peebles is the friendliest town in Scotland...

Stay in your cars people.

There are lots of robins out today, I tried to photograph one, but without much success. They are harder to capture than street signs.

2006-12-06T13:33:00.001-08:00

Big news may be on its way.

Stay tuned.

2006-12-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

Sadie ate my first advent calendar chocolate today. Me and Lesley discussed the superstitious consequences, and concluded that it means we will have a white Christmas.

Saw and enjoyed Pan's Labyrinth, then went to a lovely Mexican Restaraunt with Lesley and Andrew, and ate rather too much.

More news as it comes.

2006-11-30T11:53:00.000-08:00

Autumn was being aggressivley aumtumnal today, the wind not only blew down a tree in the castle grounds, it also provided us in the laundry with an almost constant supply of dead leaves to sweep up, as if we didn't have enough to do...

The laundry isn't outside, in case you were confused, it has a window in it and a door to the outside, both of which are always kept slightly open for some reason.

Can't believe it's December tomorrow...

2006-11-29T14:04:00.000-08:00

Wash towels, dry towels, fold towels, carry towels, put towels on shelves, collect dirty towels, wash towels, dry towels...

It's the rock and roll and roll lifestyle, I'm telling you.

I'm handing in my notice on December 10th.

2006-11-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

Went to Sheffield on Wednesday and got back today.

The Wesern Park Museum had a copy of Brother Joel's 'Me and My Mammoth' in its box of books and puzzles.

And a woolly rhinoceros (on a display, not in the box).

2006-11-21T14:24:00.000-08:00

I'm just so much happier now... http://www.alligatorboogaloo.com/songs/EatinCookie.wav

I'm also happy because I'm going to Sheffield tomorrow. Hoorah!

2006-11-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm in a play now. 'The Story of john MacDonald' by Jenny Chapman will be performed in March in Peebles, Melrose and somewhere else that I forget the name of. It's set in the latter part of the 18th century, which means Pantaloons, funny wigs and Leo putting on a Scottish accent, which should be interesting... Still, at least I'm finally doing what it is I came here to do.

Little else to report, except it turns out I didn't get paid, which means I have to go and badger my boss for a cheque. Also, I'm going to Sheffield on Wednesday! Hoorah!

2006-11-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

Might have been paid today.

I say 'might have' because there was some confusion about whether or not the money was going to go straight into my account, since they only got my details recently, but they haven't given me a cheque, which implies I already have the money. I shall have to check the money machine tomorrow and find out.

Little else to report, except a record label on myspace seems to be showing some interest in Adam Hopeless, and Blind Willie McTell's 'Dying Crapshooter's Blues' is a brilliant song. As are 'Big Rock Candy Mountains' and 'Baby on Board', which I have been learning on the banjolele.

2006-11-10T09:25:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETE!

I say that, even though I have already wished it him in person, and am indeed now typing this from his computer, as I took advantage of how close I live to him now to come and give him a birthday visit, and to make use of the third ticket he has to the theatre tonight.

I was in Edinburgh today and I walked past the Edinburgh Dungeon, which had an "Actors Wanted" sign outside it- It didn't even need thinking about. My CV will be off to them before the weekend is over.

Found a massive book about Lenny Bruce in HMV today that should have been $30 but was on sale there for £1.99- again, the decision practically made itself.

More news as it comes.

2006-11-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

Had a very lovely time in Sheffield this weekend; a good time was had by all, even Yan, who is ill (get well soon!)

The journey back up north was not quite so lovely, two trains and a replacement bus service added two and a half hours onto the journey time.

The (figurative) hunt for Richard Nesbitt continues. he is currently not answering his phone...

Have a sticky bun.

2006-10-30T12:59:00.000-08:00

Laundry laundry laundry...

Lesley managed to find affordable tickets to Sheffield for this weekend, so I get to go now, which I am very happy about.

I got trick or treated and had to give my chocolate away. I suppose it's better for me really, but still...

Pitch Black AND Chronicles of Riddick are on tonight- score!

2006-10-29T08:46:00.000-08:00

It's been a lovely day here today. I went for a very long walk and saw a heron twice.

I have cold fingers now though, and I can't afford to go to Sheffield for my friend Asa's birthday.

After all my ranting about how pointless it is I decided to sign up to UCAS today. It's a bit of a hassle; still, they assure me it's useful...

Here is a happy camel.

2006-10-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

First of all...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the marvelous Mrs Laura!

I love you and can't wait to see you tomorrow. (seriously, I'm building a time machine right now)

In other news, I work here now.

2006-10-13T02:23:00.000-07:00

Some rather surreal pictures taken from Andrew's car during the journey up here. I was trying to capture the sunset and the peculiar blobs of mist that were squatting on the hill, but I failed completely and instead you have these to look at.

2006-10-12T01:55:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am in lovely misty Peebles, alive and well.

Nothing much to report; there was a lovely sunset on the drive here last night.

Job hunt starts today! (How many times have I said that in past couple of months...)

More news as it comes.

2006-10-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Three strikes you're out...

First things first:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLEY!

Hope you have a lovely day, and I am certain we shall all have a lovely time on Saturday.

Second things second:

Right. This one has to stick. I don't get any more practises a tthis; this time I have to have got it right.

I am in Sheffield on my way Peeblesward after my daring escape from Cambridge following 5 and a half rather tangled days of wondering whether I should have gone at all, some very interesting and enlightening conversations with various members of my family, an unplanned visit to brother Joel in London and a very odd dream involving penguins and giant sparkly lizards wearing top hats.

The nicest person in the world is Rick Sims,who gave me money at Peterborough station because I couldn't afford to get the rest of the way to Sheffield.

Thanks also go to Joel and Josh, for very generous money-lendings and invaluable advice, and also to anyone who agreed with me.

Onwards and upwards, as they say...

2006-10-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm in Cambridge and I don't like it very much, but I have managed to make it over to brother Joel's place for a night before he goes off to Italy, which is nice.

Not much else to report. I'm not very happy in Cambridge at the moment and it looks like unless I just quit the hostel and leave I won't be able to get up to Sheffield for Lesley's birthday party and the next Writing Squad Day (not connected), which is not very nice at all.

Humdedum.

2006-09-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

While I'm here, Laura has in-no-way-suggested-and-I-have-decided-entirely-under-my-own-power to mention her blog here on mine (that's networking). It is www.signedblot.blogspot.com

Visit it please.

2006-09-25T14:07:00.000-07:00

And so, here I am. Back in Pencaitland, stopping off briefly for re-fuelling before the next step of my journey down to Cambridge, and the beginning my new life. Again.

I do hope I've got it right this time, all this travelling is rather exhausting, not to mention expensive. Although it does facilitate an extremely welcome interlude in Sheffield with the marvellous Mrs Laura, which I am more than a little happy about.

In the words of R.L. Burnside, I am going down south, where the chilly wind don't blow (doodoodoodoodoodoo-doo), and I shall be back to update as soon as I can manage it. (Okay, that last bit was just me)

ttfn- ta-ta for now.

2006-09-20T04:55:00.000-07:00

I am in an internet cafe, as the library's free intternet service is currently not functioning; so I hope you all enjoy this post, its costing me enough...

I am not going to be in Orkney for very much longer, as Cambridge Youth Hostel rang me on Monday to tell me that I can have the job I applied for in the summer. As such I wil be moving back down south on Monday.

Even the mist is interesting up here...

I have bought a digital camera, in case you hadn't cottoned on yet. I need to buy a memory card for it though, as it seems to have decided that its internal memory is full up despite having no photos on it. Grr.

Little other big news to report, except that the Orkney Blues Weekend approacheth, and mercifully I am not working on those evenings. Much music will be played, and I expect a fair amount of beer will be consumed. Especially if my father makes it up here in time.

More news as it comes (assuming I can get online)

2006-09-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

When I was in Pencaitland the other week I found a copy of 'Moonbird' by Mike Higgs, which I had almost forgotten existed. It is my favourite series of children's picture books (my favourite single picture book being 'The Quangle Wangle's Hat' by Edward Lear).

If you are able to read, you should read Moonbird. If you are not able to read, then this book is probably aimed at you and you should get someone to read it to you.

I wasn't at work today. At least I don't think I was...

2006-09-04T15:30:00.000-07:00

I have a job! I now work at the Co-op, which means I am an official member of the Co-operative Group, which is very exciting, apparently, according to the (also very exciting) instructional video.

However, regardless of how exciting it may or may not be, I have a job. Which means I have proved I can actually survive up here. As long as the crushing loneliness doesn't kill me...

2006-09-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

I am about to eat a pie, making this the second post on this blog about pie.

2006-09-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

Eleven and a half hours is how long I travelled for (although that did include a two hour lunch break in Inverness) today to get to Orkney, where I live now. Sorry that's such a terrible sentence, I've been awake for sixteen hours and my English is rapidly degrading.

Anyway, I'm here now.

The job hunt starts tomorrow...

2006-09-01T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am going away tomorrow to live on an island.

2006-08-31T11:43:00.000-07:00

Here is a photograph of me building the sandcastle that me and Laura built. Laura is supervising my progress, it seems.

2006-08-31T07:15:00.000-07:00

Me and Laura bought Transformers today; I got this one...

Laura has gone home now, and I won't see her until October, which is very sad.

I don't really have anything else to say at the moment.

2006-08-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

Went to the beach today. Walked about and ate sandwiches with sand in them and me and Laura built a sandcastle, which turned into more of a walled sand town with a castle in the middle. It also included two inns, some peasant houses, the nobles' houses, a barracks, a stables, a courtyard and a church, but no brewery.

I am still unable to put photos on my blogger at the moment, but photos of the castle do exist, adn I will upload as soon as I can for you all to marvel at them.

2006-08-26T11:53:00.000-07:00

More revelry today, in the form of free comedy, which we only found out was going on on the last day of the festival. Typical...

Still, we had a jolly good time with Pappy's Fun Club, the Comedy Bucket (which mostly consisted of the same people as Pappy's Fun Club) and some guy from New Zealand whose name I don't really want to expend on the energy on finding the leaflet to find out.

Look out for Benny Boot- he's very funny.

2006-08-24T11:46:00.000-07:00

Went to see 'The Elephant Tree' today in Princes Street Gardens. It was performed outside under a big tree. It was an enjoyable show, though I'm afraid I did not find it especially captivating and it was unfortunately near the train station. Still, it was free and Laura enjoyed it; plus the father in the story was played by Patrick Niknejad, who played Pete in My Parents Are Aliens- the only good show CITV has had for ages.

Was very warm and sunny today.

2006-08-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh's Princes Street West End Craft Fair began today, which meant little else to me and Laura except that we spent the whole day in town and will be doing again for the next six days.

Explored the natural history museum extensively. It is still one of my favourite places in the world, even if they have got rid of the blue whale skeleton. At least the great moa is still there, which I can't put up any pictures of because of this confounded blogger and it's difficulty with uploading lately. Ho hum... For those of you who don't know, the great moa was the largest flightless bird that ever lived, standing up to 3.9 metres tall and weighing up to 500kg. It is now extinct. It looked like a big ostrich.

Looks like it's back up to Orkney once September begins. After a brief stop-off over in York of course...

2006-08-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Ate Haribo today. Kids and grown-ups love it so...
Which is good because I am a grown-up now.

My apple is going mouldy and it tastes like fish.

It is thirty three minutes past seven.

2006-08-19T09:34:00.001-07:00

It has come to my attention that more people read this blog than I realised. Comment all you lovely people!

I also feel that at this point I should make it quite clear that the clock on this blog is completely wrong and there seems to be no way of correcting it. I shall explore the settings and see what I can do, but for now rest easy in the assurance that it is twenty-five to six in the evening as I write this post.

2006-08-19T09:18:00.001-07:00

A thousand curses on my inability to put photos from Pete's camera onto my blog and my lack of the werewithall to work out how to.

Today me, Laura and Dan from North Wales went on a search for the Ormiston Yew Tree, a yew tree near Ormiston that is recorded as existing in 1476, meaning that it is at least 571 years old, and is almost certainly significantly older. Yew trees are rather impressive looking things at the worst of times, but this particular yew tree is quite something. It has exactly three main trunks and countless other branches and limbs which either spread to the ground and re-grow or grow upwards to form a massive canopy that from the outside just looks like a huge bush with a doorway in it. I fail to do it any kind of justice in my description, but if you ever find yourself in Ormiston you realy should go and see it. It is practically unknown apart from a few East Lothianers and is not signposted at all. The only evidence we could find that it existed was a photograph and some history of the tree on the Ormiston information board.

I have found on the internet two not terribly good pictures of the tree with some rather strange people under it, who seem to be called Annette and John. The site I found them on says that the tree is 1500 years old.

Little else to report, except that the Co-op in Ormiston charges far too much for their sultana slabs.

2006-08-18T02:59:00.000-07:00

Peebles for Pleasure.

Sheffield for two weeks.

Orkney for my birthday.

Edinburgh for the festival.

And that's pretty much all there is to say about my summer, except that I am now the proud owner of an original (and signed) Alvin Keech banjulele banjo, and that I got an A in English Lit, a B in Theatre Studies and a C in Art for my A-levels.

Come September I will most probably be living either in Orkney or Cambridge.

More news as it comes.

PS: Everyone should see or at least listen to the Luminescent Orchestrii. They played a couple of gigs in Orkney at the weekend and are currently doing the rounds ofvarious Scottish locations. They may even be appearing at the Fringe. They are a gypsy-tango-klezmer-punk band and are very, very good.

2006-07-17T12:43:00.000-07:00

I've stolen a moment to remind everyone that I'm moving house today. Our travel to Peebles begins this afternoon, and we are currently in the middle of making the Sheffield house clean and empty for the next popel to move into. Lesley is behind me hoovering the floor and I have been informed that I am on attic duty, once the removal men have finished in there. It's all terribly exciting.

I probably won't be online an awful lot these next few days, but I don't suppose it will make much difference anyway.

See you all soon.
Leo

PS: The time is quarter to 1 in the afternoon, but I never know which twelve is AM and which PM, so I made a guess.

2006-07-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

I am eating a kipper sandwich. It's much nicer than you'd think, actually...

2006-07-04T12:02:00.000-07:00

If this were Joel's blog there would be a link to a recording of the new tune I wrote today, but as it's me, there isn't...

I wrote a new tune on the banjo today. I wrote it after one of those BBC 2 continuity things with the strange robot number 2's (not that kind) doing morris dncing. I found myself idly whistling a misremembered version of the tune the 2 with the accordion is playing and then worked it out on the banjo. It doesn't have a title yet, but it is in honour of the summer, which is actually being very summery at the moment.

Laura is on her Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition and I miss her.

2006-06-27T09:37:00.000-07:00

And so, after two and a half rather unspectacular hours of exploring Brecht's theatrical intentions and outlining my set design ideas for Alan Ayckbourn's 'Bedroom Farce', my thirteen year long school career dribbles apologetically out of the door, and I stand on the brink of the rest of my life making worried faces.

Still got the school play to go before it's all over.

2006-06-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

Got shouted at by a farmer today for walking on his land. Although if you ask me if he's careless enough to leave his gate open without any "private" signs up, he deserves to have people walking on his field...

The Alpacas have been sheared, and I saw some curlews, although they didn't look very much like this...

I have a sort throat, and I couldn't find any throaty sweets in Somerfield. Still, I have found some Boots things that seem to be helping.

2006-06-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Having spoken to Danny Broderick of the Writing Squad, the decision has been made to start a poetry magazine!

Look out Sheffield Libraries, we're coming to get you.

I find myself in a gloomy mood for no reason...

2006-06-18T01:48:00.000-07:00

Father's Day has reached us, and in light of its arrival I would like to say a very belated, happy and lovely father's day to my own father, Pete.

Happy Father's day Pete!

It's a shame I don't get to see you as often as we'd both like, but rest assured I have not forgotten you! And do not worry, I shall be inflicting myself (and most probably Laura) upon you during the summer holidays, so there's no escape!

Remember to have lovely times whenever and wherever possible

Love, hugs and all that

Leoxxxx

2006-06-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

Well, had my theatre studies exam this morning- it seemed to go qute well, and if nothing else, it means I only have two exams left- hoorah!

Had a lovely bath, and some nice ice-cream (although not at the same time)

Adam Hopeless continues (by force) to gain popularity on myspace, and I strive to write a new tune, and fail.

Moew news as it comes, I'm off to bed now. It is 23.59

2006-06-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

Well, one down, three to go.

It's interesting when you open the paper and they tell you to start the exam when suddenly all your nerves go out the window and your mind just goes into exam mode and you sart working; for the first twenty minutes or so you're (or at least I was) pretty much unaware of anything else and just completely focused. Of course, it all goes out of the window soon enough and you're back to staring at paper lines...

Still, it went as well as it was ever going to, and I don't have to think about Measure for Measure anymore!

Saw two blue jays on the way to a barbeque last night. They're much bigger than I expected.

2006-06-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

Goodness it's hot!

Ate (too much) Chinese buffet today. The walk home was slow and warm and bloated, but happy still am I.

Here is a picture of a Summer Tanager, in honour of the season

2006-06-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well, the first English literature exam looms, and Leo is cattempts to learn quotes. I haven't been to Ecclesall library in ages. Turns out it's actually a very good environment to work in...

2006-06-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

Ironically enough, Lesley and Andrew bought me a big box of chocolates for looking after Sadie :)

I've made up a tune which I can now neither get out of my head, nor work out how to play on anything.

This dog clearly doesn't have that problem.

2006-05-31T15:29:00.000-07:00

This is getting beyond a joke...I think I'll have to skip tomorrow and start posting again on Friday.

Anyhoo, my new objective for June (aprt from hopefully passing my exams) is to fit the word 'pleonasm' (the use of more words than is necessary to explain an idea, e.g. "I saw it with my own eyes") into at least one of my exam answers. Im doing English Literature, so it shouldn't be too hard.

Roll on June 12th!

Actually, don't. Unless it's a very slow roll that allows me to prepare properly before it arrives...