Written 16 December
It all started with a chilli squid salad, a half hour of brain sapping ‘Thai Fight’ mixed martial arts television viewing (between ordering and whilst pleasuring my taste buds); and  630ml of SINGHA to occupy our two hour wait at Main Station, Bangkok – awaiting embarkation onto Train 69, bound for the Thai/Laos Border.

However, this is not the commencement of my story dear readers, for we’d just taken in an evening and a day in a city that serves up fabulous food both street side and restaurant way as well as providing my 12 year old with immense food for thought (and questions), specifically as we walked around hostess street heaven, very late last night.

This town’s great…Bangkok…that’s if I’ve already lost you.  For not only does anything go… here are some other reasons:

• the five star hotels are accessible to the not entirely rich
• the service and friendliness of its people, incredibly appreciated
• the Skytrain’s clean, efficient, air-conditioned, inexpensive and a wonderful way to sightsee in comfort
• if you decided to fall asleep in the street, it’s OK. Lots of people do it so you shan’t look weird, rather at ease in your environment
• And the backing music that played whilst I consumed this evening’s hearty feast was exquisite soft eighties rock at its Asian covered/pirated best.

Just dress in linen, embrace the 30 plus temperature and marvel at the difference a simple, give-or-take 16 hours (including check in + immigration) can provide the excitable traveller (that’s if you are flying from Heathrow, please adjust flight times from other departure cities of course).

And one more thing before I reflect on current travelling compartment situation and this is really important…the massages are indisputable champions of cheap, long and wonderfully satisfying – so make sure you keep £4.00 (in equivalent THB) in your side pocket for these little treats.

To Train 69, Carriage 13, Compartment 21/22. Recommended by the Chap in Seat 61 and a super way to combine overland travel with a sight-examining component, as well as not having to pay for an additional evening’s accommodation (crafty hey).

The train leaves nightly at 8.00pm and apparently takes approx. 11 hours – and better still, though we don’t have Wifi, my boys have just returned from the Bistro car where they’d happily sipped on their beverages of choice whilst soaking in the atmosphere of open train windows (and doors) which circulate the smells of Thailand; taken in the sound of Thai Disco Legends; and absorbed the company of a mixed bag of travellers, whom sounded perfect for material and essential for memories.

I’ve just realised you might be concerned about the open window bit…please don’t be alarmed…for if you take up evening lodgings in Carriage 13 you’ll be bathing in the refreshing beauty of air-con.

Additionally, a train steward (I assume that’s what they are called), will create your sleeping world with precision – for the triangle corners he produces in his 60 second make-over of your room – not only looked good to me, but really impressed one of my co-travellers who has incredibly high standards when it comes to folding, polishing and definitely ironing.

Now to bed and tomorrow – Vientiane, Laos

So, I’d been preparing for this particular production for a considerable time – being specific since 5 March when I purchased the tickets – so by last Wednesday my internal excitement levels had surfaced, and my poor, unsuspecting work colleagues were placed in the hideous position of dealing with an all singing (badly), all skipping (somewhat better), all at times too genuinely excited Allied Health Professional. Bring on Saturday…and happily it came.

Thus, post a delicious two courser at the Rooftop Restaurant, accompanied by a glass and a half of Chablis, we took our seats and prepared for the action. And oh such fabulous action it was.  And humour, oh such fabulous humour it was. And the best (I really mean this), the very best staging I’ve ever had the delight of spying. Dear Scenic Art Department and Scenic Engineering Department you created and crafted a ‘First’ in spectacular scene setting.

So to the story, I giggled (politely) though by the time it came to Falstaff meeting Mistress Page in her seductive warehouse conversion, I was chortling and chuckling like a madwoman.  The smooth moves, the flirtatious agility, the suspicious Frank Ford were too much for me to bear, hence I remained pretty much for the rest of the show, shrieking loudly and being genuinely absorbed by the talented acting and entertaining text.

Furthermore, as you can only imagine… Shakespeare…Comedy…must include mistaken identity and you are not wrong.  Additionally, deception (raucous laughter deception) is available in abundance within this production.

You experience no anti-pleasure. The show’s a stomper in the stakes of all round great entertainment.

Finally and the thing that probably astounds me most – it’s incredible to think that his kind of comedy just doesn’t age.  For here I am approximately 500 years after this was first staged, getting the jokes and reacting in perhaps the same way as another theatre goer did 100 years, 350 years, 500 years ago did. Moreover, plays are still being written and produced along these lines today – such as the fabulous, One Man, Two Guvnors – so it’s great and encouraging news dear theatre lovers. There’s a wealth of divine satisfaction do be had.

Go get some!

I thought I’d briefly compile a little list of some truly remarkable reads.

Some, I had the pleasure of coming in contact with a very long time ago, whilst others are fairly new acquaintances.

Be aware, I’m not an undergraduate in literature (oh the shock), and sometimes I struggle to read between the lines, however these little beauties have delivered hours of enjoyment, so I thought it would be wise to share…

Please note: The below mentioned aren’t in any particular order (except maybe 1, 2, 3) and will no doubt be added to (so look out for joint 3^rd , joint 4^th and joint 15^th etc in the not too distant future).

The Alexandria quartet Lawrence Durrell

London Fields Martin Amis

The Blind Assassin Margaret Attwood

Atonement Ian McEwan

Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy

The Road Home Rose Tremain

The Little Friend Donna Tartt

Vernon God Little DBC Pierre

Lolita Vladimir Nabokov

Cloudstreet Tim Winton

Jude the Obscure Thomas Hardy

The Good Soldier Ford Madox Ford

The Submerged Cathedral Charlotte Wood

The Thing Around Your Neck Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Loved One Evelyn Waugh

Tomorrow in the Battle Think on Me Javier Marias

The Secret History Donna Tartt

One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Victory Joseph Conrad

The Master and Margarita Mikhail Bulgakov

Tim Winton

I couldn’t put it down the first time and I couldn’t put it down the next.  For a fairly slim book that started out as a love present to my husband, it has rapidly become a personal favourite with its impact pleasing on many levels.

From page one, your senses are put on High Alert with delicious little morsels of texts like ‘the briny smell of the sea’, ‘whitebait cracking the surface’ and ‘fat tide’, peppering the page. Initially, Mr Winton takes you back to his childhood summers and though yours may have been completely different, or not too dissimilar, I found myself experiencing his narrative on a truly personal level. You easily respond to his unsurpassed imagery. You are there. These are your memories as well. His thoughts, understanding, observations and experiences are yours too.

He describes the beach, the sea, the wind with innate experience, admiration and poetry. As well as providing the reader with a little context of where his passion for reading and writing was born.

He depicts 1960s/1970s Aussie suburbia to a T. And this is where you might need to take some deep breaths and prepare yourself, for I’m about to provide you with a little further background…for I, yes I, am indeed a child of 1970s Aussie suburbia… A place where you’d have to run really fast over the fat, sharp, dry grass to avoid bindis; having a second hand bike was your ticket to freedom; and a setting where you could sit for hours admiring the intelligent design of the Hills Hoist.

Carrying forward from his childhood reflections, you gain further exposure to his previous (and present) existence and adoration of living with the land behind him and the expanse of sea in front.

Sharks never being a particular favourite, I now somehow understand (though not fluently) and respect.  Additionally, the sea and coast are explored with reverence.

He beautifully details dolphin majesty – so be warned you might find yourself also searching like a crazy lady for cheap flights to Perth.

The experience of near drowning is described, not in a terrifying, best avoided at all costs kind of a way, rather more matter of factly, something that’s part of the programme.

This wonderfully crafted homage to Land’s Edge is delicious prose at its peak.

Be Wise. Go find it!

I’d been itching to take in this particular display since seeing it first advertised, so happily met my 2.15pm Slot (just), armed with supreme company, last Saturday, post a little Albarino, some spicy squid and a lunch that was stuffed with laughs. Thus, it is fitting to say, our entry couldn’t have been more optimal.

Dear Readers, Fashion – Room 40 is where it’s at and where you’ll find not only a beautifully fitted out exhibition space…look for the cool iron gate off the mezzanine and marvel at the roof…though also approximately 60 evening-wear treasures, dating from the modern day back to the 1950s.

For me the exhibition’s Top Treats pretty much sit in the 1980s…though I could obviously rave about the exquisite 1950s & 60s satin, velvet, beading, diamante, sleeveless (and strapless) beauties; and Roland Mouret’s (2010) fitted, one-strap, detailing in the just the right place, peach number…however I do honestly feel the pizazz factor was owned by the eighties.

Please appreciate this last point with a little background as clouding of judgement may be occurring:

1. My number one desire during this period – to somehow master the lock of my sister’s wardrobe and get my hands on and into her Adam Ant inspired jewels
2. Believing that one day, if I tried really hard, I could be Demi Moore in St. Elmo’s Fire
3. I’m quite simply an obliging slave to cloth that shares its thread with purple, royal blue, bright reds and gold lame. And did I happen to mention I’ve just become the happy mother of a longed for glomesh coin purse

So back to the frocks and I promise I’ll try and compile a list which isn’t completely focused on New Romantic expression and may provide you with a couple of ‘ahhhh’ moments.

• Atsuko Kudo’s (2011) extraordinary lace-look Latex gown
• Gareth Pugh’s (2011) silver/metal, long sleeved, probably a little heavy to wear all evening, something Grace Jones would look ‘wicked’ in, floor length, conversation stopper
• Wonderful video footage of several very pleased models elegantly displaying gorgeous floor length fantasies as they glide past the admiring throngs
• A strapless, beaded, black, exquisite creation once wore by Beyonce
• And Mr Bruce Oldfield comes through with a red hot night time decision with black bow detail

And further findings – Hollywood Costume – opens 20 October at the V&A, featuring outfits from sweet little Dorothy from Kansas; the not so sweet or little, Darth Vader; Mr Jones of the Indiana variety; and the always perfectly attired Holly Golightly.  Five days and counting….

Back doing what I pretty much do best – participate by watching – I was once again stationed midpoint, approximately ten rows back at the Oxford Playhouse, two nights previous.

Very excited, perhaps more so than usual, as I’d been anticipating the return of the ETT, since seeking high level pleasure from their production of The Real Thing (29 June).  In fact I was so excited during the afternoon lead-up, that I started to put together ideas for an Outfit and prepared well with a pre-theatre G&T (try Tanqueray – Export Strength, Rangpur for its subtle limey-botanical favours).

Following the bus trip down, which was theatre in itself as I was able to eaves-drop on a highly amusing attempt by one, not bad looking 40 year male, to chat-up a presumably ‘new the area’, very attractive 19 year old student. Unfortunately, my stop arrived so I’m unsure of the proceeding Act(s) in this particular drama, thus can’t provide greater detail….never mind, to the Playhouse we go and taking one’s seats.

First impressions and what carried through, good staging and excellent costumes, especially the selection of correspondent shoes sported and Stella’s outfits, particularly her white trousers, knit and scarf combination.

And to the belly of the drama:
Great that I hadn’t swatted-up on the storyline prior to attendance, for my ignorance played to its advantage. Yes, I was kept in continued uncertainty (and suspense) as to the outcome of each scene. Slowly forming my opinion of what would happen next or who was the actual bad-doer, to have these ponderings abruptly sentenced to the ‘you’re completely wrong corner’, thereby providing me with ample scope to think hard, concentrate hard and be entertained hard.

Additionally, I discovered that when subjected to Nurse Wayland’s example of ‘virtue’ and ‘uprightness’, my money’s on the not so well behaved. She was really hard work and as it turns out not really a champion of integrity, rather someone who had her nose out of joint at having to work for a living and had a crush on someone’s husband, so struggled to have kind thoughts for the wife.

My favourite characters – perhaps very much to do with casting – award goes to….

• Robert Demeger – for his role as the Major
  There wasn’t a moment when I thought you were anyone but
• Jamie de Courcey – for portraying a perfect Maurice
  When you were really involved in the action you were good and when having to sit still for extremely long periods, you were (are) the Master.
• And ladies – Mrs Tabret, Stella and Nurse Wayland
  You did the show well. And the more you were all on stage, the better the production became.

My advice then, if you are planning or contemplating attending… go flying the flag of ‘don’t find out about the plot’ or try and erase the knowledge you have of it if you have already engaged with Mr W.Somerset Maugham’s text – for not knowing only adds to the fun.

Having been breast fed on James Bond it was only natural that we should end up back at the Barbican Centre last Friday, ready to celebrate and squeal over ‘Fifty years of Bond Style’.

No doubt aimed completely at my market (the booking site that is), when purchasing our tickets online the night before, there was a ‘special’ on for those interested in a cut-price cocktail at the Martini Bar. If that doesn’t get you thinking about ‘quality’ I don’t know what will.  Ohh, I was so excited, I woke up every hour on the hour, fearing I’d miss my alarm.

So on to the show – first stop, first room – Goldfinger (1964). A huge array of grand stuff filled this exhibition space. You could gaze upon…here’s a teaser…

• A Gold Record recording of Dame Shirley Bassey’s, title song hit
• Scaramanga’s golden gun
• Video footage of a clearly dazzled Roger Moore meeting Lady Diana
• Dust jacket designs from 1957-1960

And further interesting titbits taken from this room:

Apparently, it took Mr Ian Fleming just eight weeks to produce a novel.  Additionally, they kindly listed several of the authors whom inspired him – including Patrick ‘Paddy’ Leigh Fermor;  Evelyn Waugh, Graham Green and Somerset Maugham.

Next stop, next room – Q Branch – can it get any better for my 12 year associate…

Teaser time:

• See a model – good size for teddies and half a small baby – of the Lotus Esprit (The Spy Who Loved Me, 1977) – remember that super cool, amphibious vehicle that drives firstly into the water, shoots down a helicopter, takes out a couple of underwater villain assistants and then casually drives up the sand, past a load of heavily bronzed, astonished European folk enjoying a day of leisure.
• Lend your eyes to time spent viewing the Little Nellie Combat Storyboard (You Only Live Twice, 1967)
• Take in ‘Rebreather’ (from Thunder Ball) which apparently permitted the user, 4 minutes of oxygen.
• And I really loved this piece of information – apparently, ’the first digital watch ever seen’, appeared in Live and Let Die.

Another room.  And this is when I became a little more excited than excited, for it was CASINO.

Think fabulous, mirrored and filled to the brim with tailored tuxedos and figure enticing evening wear.

Now for the painful teasing part.

• Plenty O’Toole’s (Diamonds are Forever)  – dress requires special mention – for not only its excellent breast presentation, though also for its ability to remain stylish without giving off ‘cheap’ signals.
• Beautiful Vesper Lynd’s (Casino Royale) – I can only explain it as deep purple, stop what you are doing everyone and take a look at how simply stunning I am in this Robert Cavalli evening gown.
• Major Anya Amasova ’s (The Spy Who Loved Me – think Triple X) – night blue silk jersey dress with Swarovski ‘elements’ adorning the neckline and straps. You know the outfit she heads into the desert in, exceptionally accessorised with clutch and gun, and cigarette stash that she removes from her thigh on the boat ride (back from the desert temple, where Jaws took both Bond and herself on) in a very clever attempt to get the microfilm plans and stop Bond from hitting on her.

Then behind a half wall – miniature space suits from Moonraker (1979).

Ahh and just when you thought you got your monies worth – it’s time for ‘Area 2’

Villains and Enigmas

Though note as you are crossing the hall from ‘Area 1’ to ‘Area 2’ – you receive bonus pleasure from seeing the real swimsuits that Halle Berry, Ursula Andress, Sean Connery and Daniel (ahhh) Craig ever so kindly positioned their bodies into.

Top treats from Area 2

• Storyboard of the Cuban jungle sequence illustrating the evil deeds of Xenla Onatopp (Remember the very naughty, hot, baddy from Goldeneye). Slightly Manga in appearance, (the illustrations, not Ms Onatopp).
• Not for the faint hearted – Elektra King’s Torture Chair.
• Jinx Johnson’s (Halle Berry to you and I) leather cat suit ensemble
• Octopussy character poster concept

Then onto Area 3 – downstairs in the Pit Theatre

The focus here is on sub-zero action.

Big Screens, Big Action and an abundance of depictions and storyboards illustrating the activity.

Ahhh….Ahhh…Ahhhh…and there’s, Elektra King’s ski suit, from the World is not Enough. A sensational burgundy and fur ensemble.

Note – this room is a lot smaller than the other exhibition spaces, though clearly delivers its business. For you are even furnished with a replica of the Ice Palace (Die Another Day), which is not too dissimilar to the Sydney Opera House, only a lot colder and translucent in construction.

I loved it. I really and honestly loved it.

As indicated by my previous mini mention, I’ve been firmly embedded in a comprehensive work up to Submission Day.  Joyfully, this day has come and gone (yesterday) and I met it with a 79 page document, 480 hours in the making.

Now, I’m a little less shouty, though only minimally, and about to embark in the particularly fine pastime of reading and relishing novels.

Prior to that however, I’ll provide you with a tiny fill-in on some exciting pursuits I was able to squeeze in during the summer.

Friday, 6 July 2012 – Julius Caesar, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Here goes at a punchy one liner…

‘Tough and incredibly satisfying’

Or maybe

‘Go see it…I think it’s heading to Aylesbury…’

No…not sufficiently catchy to snatch your attention.

Succinctly then, I hadn’t read or studied the text and wasn’t actually planning to attend until my husband piped up one morning, stating that he’d seen it advertised, it was playing and when were we going.  A little caught off guard, unprepared and placed in the position that I had to admit, I hadn’t ‘thought of it first’, I happily rushed off and secured some of the last seats, back row, so not ideal – though at least we managed to see it.

It was powerful. It was hard work (though good, thoroughly enjoyable, hard work). It was excellently directed.

Cassius and Brutus, you were terrifying.

Mark Antony, I want you on my debating team.

And Portia – you entrancing and intoxicating woman.

It’s not laugh out loud, so don’t expect to roll around clutching your tummy at this one.

However go… (just goggle it, I believe it’s currently at the Noel Coward Theatre, London)…Be astounded with just how incredibly talented these actors are; how cleverly the show has been pieced together and directed; how accomplished the musicians are; how effective the stage design is and how, when Shakespeare is produced by the RSC, even really difficult texts like this one, come alive and you come away knowing how lucky you were that you were in the audience.

I’ll fill you in further tomorrow, as the kitchen calls and Dr Who starts in 1 hour.

Hi – I’m definitely still here, though currently stuck under a huge pile of my other life, that being university commitments. Though not too dreadful…actually kind of enjoyable…strangely.

So, I’ve been quiet and well remain so, until submission day, 31 August 2012.

However, please feel free to keep your fingers crossed that I furnish the examiners with what they want and my results return in fairly decent shape.

THEN – be aware and prepared, for I will return and be ready to continue in our one sided conversation.

Urgent not to get caught up in the rush of Olympic cultural traffic we headed down to London a week and a half ago to take in a little Bauhaus enlightenment.

First up, the Barbican centre couldn’t have been beaten as the ideal location to showcase the pieces.  For it’s audacious, individual and peerless which just adds to the uniqueness and impress factor of exhibition as a whole.

So, post a 10.45eees in the café where we chowed down on an oversized brownie (what a shame), an oversized muesli bar (gee the pain), two smoothies and a coffee, we headed to the 3^rd floor to take in the show.

Luckily, we’d arrived for Opening so explored additional pleasure by being able to get up really close to each creation. Furthermore, the short text specifics furnished throughout the exhibition space was sufficiently detailed to provide the reader/visitor with a background to what they were currently perusing, though luckily not too academic that you’d feel overwhelmed. Rather, interested in perhaps learning a little more by way of purchasing the catalogue…or visiting Google once you made it home.

With my scribbling pad at the ready, it wasn’t hard to find some really beautifully produced items from the sculptures, paintings, fonts, photographs and textiles (not a the complete list either)on display, so many in fact I had to be ruthless and cut down my bullet pointed list below, otherwise I shan’t be getting dinner out on time, and you can just imagine the fallout that would generate.

So here’s a severely slashed ‘Top Appealers’ listing

• A rare treat, Wassily Kandinsky’s questionnaire to students querying their matching of basic geometric forms with one of the primary colours and requesting a rationale for their answer.
• Slightly sleep not preparing toys and puppets. My personal favourite,the Crowned Poet (1919) – very caesaresque, created by Paul Klee for his son.
• Farkas Molnar’s design for a single-family house 1922
• An exquisite chess set – Josef Hartwig (1922)
• Josef Albers’s photographs. At times a little wacky, however also some tremendously beautiful, look for ‘Pius and Schifra Ascona VIII’  (1930)
• Gunta Stoelzl – Five Choirs ‘Jacquered weave’ created in cotton, wool, rayon and silk (1928). 1.5m x 2.5m in size, though note these are my calculations and I’m probably not as talented at estimating as I should be.

So much is so right about this exhibition

The final word…It was enlightening, really enlightening…so even if you do have to muscle through the Olympic cultural traffic you’ll be thrilled you did.

It finishes 12 August 2012