Sunday Dinner

On Sunday I treated to a home cooked Sunday dinner by the fabulous Bob & Caroline. Bob & Caroline are venue managers at the Monday & Thursday night venues I DJ at. Bob picked me up at 2.30pm which allowed me to have a couple of glasses of wine with dinner with no worry.

Dinner started with an entrée of smoked salmon and prawns and salad delicious – especially the smoked salmon which I am normally not a big fan of – the flavour was much more delicate than I have ever encountered before. Main course was melt in the mouth roast lamb with organic veggies. An dessert was homemade strawberry tarts – well the pastry was bought but the filling and glaze was homemade – and god knows I I wouldn’t even have attempted to make that much of them. And they were the most delicious tarts mmmmmm.

As a thank you for their hospitality rather than risk wine – not knowing the brands here I suspected I would end up choosing something hideous, I next considered cut flowers but apart from the super market didn’t know where to get them and the ones at the supermarket weren’t very inspiring. So in the end I settled on 2 small flowering plants – I didn’t know if B&C were gardeners as such but if they weren’t the plants would last at least as long as cut flowers. As it turns out Caroline is into gardening and has a lovely garden :)

It was a lovely afternoon of good food and great company including the lovely Tilly the cat to pat.

I did good in Glasgow

On Saturday I drove over to Glasgow to DJ at their monthly Ceroc Party, I was somewhat nervous about this as I was warned that the Glasgow Crew were rather difficult to please.

Anyway I departed from Dundee a little late around 3.20pm the plan was to leave at 3pm arrive at Pretzelmeister’s around 5pm have time for dinner and to get changed before leaving to for the venue to set up. Well things went pretty much to plan – except for the arriving at the venue to set up – I didn’t have the right intersection programmed into TomTom and drove right by the venue where in it took me 15 minutes to get myself back to the venue by which time I was running late!!! But with Franck’s assistance was all set up by 8.02pm – just 2 minutes late – and with only one punter in the room! Phew!

Glasgow university is a very graceful looking building but a nightmare of a room set up and sound wise. Set up wise it’s difficult as there is only 1 that’s right 1 working power point!! Off this power point on a configuration of 2 extension cords and 3 powerboards we ran

• mixer


• Laptop


• 2 speakers


• 2 little swirly lights


• 2 fans


• 1 rope light and


• 1 set of 4 coloured lights.

Spent a large part of the night half expecting the sparks to fly – thankfully they didn’t.

From here the night got better – although it was disconcerting that it took about 20-35 minutes before anyone started dancing, according to Franck this is normal they like to have a natter before hitting the dance floor.

At about 9pm there was a short Blues lesson and then the dancing started in earnest. As there was a blues room starting at 10pm upstairs the mix I played in the mainroom was pretty upbeat – mostly middle of the road with a few faster songs and a few slower ones.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying the music through the night – floor was busy most of the time and there wasn’t a mass exodus when the blues room opened so figured I hadn’t got it completely wrong. However at the end of the night I discovered I had done better than not just getting it wrong – they had actually really liked it. I had one couple come up to me directly and tell me how much they had enjoyed the music and Franck relayed several other compliments including one person asking if he could get me back again!! Needless to say I was a happy wee elf!!

Pretzelmeister and McJester assisted me with my pack down and packing the car which meant a lazy pack for me – as they kindly did the heavy caring.

The 3 of us headed back to Pretzelmeister delightful domain where we indulged in drinks, dancing & discussion. McJester was a somewhat sensible fellow and headed home around 4.30am or so I think – time had become a somewhat abstract concept at this point.

And after a water fight that he started and in which I displayed my complete lack of eye hand co-ordination by completely missing a stationary Pretzelmeister from 3 feet away, we finally headed to our beds sometime after 6am.

At a l1am my alarm drove me from bed – as I need to be heading back to Dundee by 12-ish.

My gallant host provided me with a cooked breakfast/lunch to sustain me on my journey and I was away not much past 12.

The other highlight of the Glasgow party was getting to meet several more forumites – including in one case chatting with one but not realising she was a forumite *blush*

And I’m looking forward to meeting more of them at the Dundee party this Saturday.

Real Live Cemetery

On Friday I got an early mark and the sun was Shining so something out doors seemed appropriate – as I didn’t have sensible shoes on a walk in the woods was out of the question so I decided to to drop in and check out a cemetery I had driven past a few times.

I have visited many cemeteries over the years – I find the stories the memorials can tell fascinating – when I was a Uni I used to eat my lunch in the oldest graveyard in Wellington – it was a lovely peaceful place with lots of green around.

Anyway this cemetery creeped me out!!!

And not for any reason you would guess – but because it was a live cemetery the graves here weren’t some sort of history of the area they belonged to here and now, connected to this world. The youngest grave I saw had a date of 14 June 06 on it!! These graves belonged not to the person in them but the families that mourned them and came to visit and care for them.

It was interesting to see land so clearly set aside for new graves.



The other thing that I found interesting was that the gravestones or more to the point that there were gravestones as when I visited my grandmothers memorial– that most of the graves there had plaques in the ground – apparently the cemetery didn’t allow stones as they were to hard to mow around. Personally I prefer the gravestones just seems more fitting/proper ...

Floating through the fog

Driving home from class last Tuesday was an interesting experience – while we were inside dancing our toes off a fog had descended over the land.

A fascinating lightly glowing blue blanket of fog caressed the landscape. Peering into the fog obscuring the green fields I felt a great desire to step forward into this seemingly magical world and see if the fairy would take me on an adventure or would I just be left to wander aimlessly.

The reality was a rather surreal drive home with minimum visibility – which really should have been stressful but there was something rather soothing about it.

It was as if I was floating along in a bubble, with only the occasional power pole or building to mark my passing by. Sometimes if felt as if I was just suspended in time and would be forever travelling in my fog bubble – which now sounds very horror movie scary but it wasn’t.

well done Jessie & Susan

Just got some lovely news from Melbourne, Australia - Ceroc Melbourne has a local comp and a couple of the students from Albert Park came second in the Intermediate category.

WOO HOO!!! Jessie & Susan - you guys ROCK!!!!!!!

Another Stirling Tea Dance

Once again I headed over to Stirling for the monthly Tea Dance. This time proceeded a cheery journey in the company of Freya, Piglet, Douglas & AussieTime – than you to Freya for driving and an amiable lunch with my travelling companions with the additions of Firefly, McJester & Johnthehappyguy.

Between the lunch & the tea dance – they were studious students at a workshop and I discovered St Ninians – see previous post.

And as 3.30pm rolled around Tiggerbabe started dolling out the tunes, Franck laid out the cake and fun began with delightful dances, congenial conversation, daring debates and most delicious coconut cake.

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=bn23palx.562ihln1&Uy=-l0ip01&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB

Wandering in Stirling

Had some time to kill in Stirling today between lunch and the monthly tea dance. So I did what I do I went walking to see what I could find. And wandering along in the balmy sunshine I discovered St Ninians Church and spent a pleasant hour or so investigating what I could of the church and it’s surrounds.

A very short history of St Ninians Church

The old Parish Kirk of St. Ninians was blown up by Prince Charles Edward’s forces, who had used it as a powder magazine in 1746.
While Stirling Castle was under attack during the Jacobite rebellion, the original church was used as a powder magazine and was blown up by the retreating Jacobite army in February 1746.

All that survived the explosion was the fifteenth century chancel and the tower which has been added to the Kirk as recently as 1743.

The present church was built in 1751 and altered in 1937, replacing the earlier church. The original 1732 tower is still standing.

Photos @ Kodak

an experience out shopping

headed into town to do a bit of shopping and as I was wandering along this lady asked me if I wanted a make over - as first I was going to say no - but then I thought what the hell it can't hurt it'll just be some make-up and it's always nice to try something new - and said yes.

well it was a bit more than just a make up stall - it clothes and make-up and it was all being done on radio - so next thing I know they are asking my style issues?!?! apart from the fact that I was on stage in some of my oldest clothes ... I said smart casual - so shortly I was redressed in a smart casual outfit followed by make up - apparently I have lovely skin :)

the outfit was very cute - and if it wouldn't have cast me nearly 2 weeks salary I would have gone and bought it.

Anyway once it was all over and was back into my own clothes they handed me a small black sports bag saying thank you and here is your gift bag. And a pretty fine gift bag too.

Inside the sports bag there, was a large towel, a lush bath ball and discount voucher, a small make up bag, several perfume samples and Lancome samples.



proves you never know what will come your way if you say yes things rather than no....

Beach Ballroom Chill

This is the closing event of the Beach Ballroom weekend – and has a very relaxed atmosphere and takes place at the Northern Hotel with fab music by Tiggerbabe!

Originally I hadn’t intended to got to this party as having been away from Friday night – figured some time at home – those damn domestic duties just won’t do themselves - and an early night was in order.

However with such impassioned pleas for me to come to the event and having found my groove – it seemed worth the back and forth driving involved – so after some frenzied washing and cleaning I was back on the road to Aberdeen.

And it was so WORTH it – the only bad thing was having to tear myself away before the end so as to make it home at a reasonable-ish hour.

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=bn23palx.9i8z6r91&Uy=b9r0kp&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

Beach Ballroom

This much anticipated Scottish Ceroc Event takes place in the Beach Ballroom (hence the name), the featured teacher this time was Amir Giles so while I was meandering around the grounds of Balmoral others were cramming their heads full of the delights of Jango.

The Beach Ballroom party was delightful!!! As well as bringing together all the Scottish dancers there were a number of southern boys up for a visit – so even more boys to play with :)

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=bn23palx.9r2h28j9&Uy=l777b3&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=150871738751_545030190133

Getting lost in the flowers

To get out of the rain I ducked into the small conservatory – and was seduced into spending the best part of an hour in the intricate of the blooms.

These two are my favourites




Other favourites are on Flickr

Balmoral

Today a tourist I was! I departed Aberdeen for Balmoral – the holiday residence of the Queen. Balmoral is a working estate who’s major crop is timber the ground apparently is pretty crap for growing much else. They do however grow enough produce for the Royal table and flowers enough to supply 2 arrangements weekly – one to the local church and the other …. Somewhere else. When the Royal Family is in residence obviously more cut flowers are required in the castle

As Balmoral is an actual residence – visitors only get to enter one room of the building – the ballroom where there is an interesting array of items on display but the real appeal of Balmoral is the grounds and the stories that go with them.

As part of your entry fee you get an self guiding audio tour – which is brilliant!! Sadly as my day went from calmly over cast to soggy and rainy it was hard for me to make the most of it as I tended to have to dash from building to building.

Due to the bad weather I decided to take the tractor tour – this tour is well worth the £2 cost – it goes for an hour and takes you further a field than you can go on foot. With some of the highlights being

John Browns Cottage
The Estate Village
The Highland cows
A west view of the Castle – is a different view that normally seen
Memorials to Victoria & Albert
Alberts Cairn

And I even bought my first souvenir!!!



I so feel like a real tourist now ;)




Photos @ Kodak

And the travelling fund does grow!

I started a 3 month contact today. I didn’t want a contract that long – wanted some time off for doing the tourist thing – to that end I figured I would lay down some requirements and put myself out of the running.

My requirements were simple

Must finish @ 5pm
And must have 3 Fridays and 3 Mondays off

But they must be pretty desperate as the still wanted met o interview – which happened last Wednesday and concluded with “the job’s yours if you want it”

So now I am the newest contractor of ITI Life Sciences.

Seems like a very laid back & Friendly office to work in.

And so the travelling fund does grow.
!

On the Mend

Despite the abuse dished out to my feet over Southport the tendonitis in my left foot appears to be clearing up or at the very least it has eased off significantly *knock on wood* something to be said for dancing in thongs

My Life as a Ceroc DJ!

Last night (Monday 5 June to be exact) I officially started my life as a Ceroc DJ!!! @ Ceroc Scotland, Dundee. And thankfully my playlist was received favourably now I just have to do it again next week *gulp* and the week after and the week after….

I wonder how long until I get my first “your music is crap” feedback?

My Adventures in WCS

Finally got to try WCS!! Robert & Deborah taught 1 beginner and 2 improvers workshops over the course of Southport – the improvers classes built very smoothly on to what was taught in the previous classes with out excluding those that hadn’t attended them.

Robert & Deborah’s teach style is clear, fun & funky and you had better behave or Deb will “go all New York on You”

The biggest issue I encountered with WCS was/is anchoring properly and not stepping forward until lead forward.

In class many of the guys would just expect the ladies to step forward as the move was being called out by the teachers. So when I attempted to actually dance WCS I wasn’t anchoring properly & in coming forward threw the poor guys timing.

I’m sure Sheepman was much relieved when with a wail of “I official suck @ WCS” I returned us to the Modern Jive fold and left WCS for another day & victim.

And thanks to Paul – from somewhere south of Dundee for going over the WCS stuff

Acts of Dance Bravery

Aka dance stalking
I committed 2 acts of dance bravery over the weekend

First – Asking Robert Cordoba to dance after only 2 hours of WCS lessons!!
Robert was a very gracious lead – he lead and just let me follow as I would and I had an absolutely lovely dance – and even managed proper WCS when he lead a sugar push.

My second act of dancing bravery (which required all my stalking talents) was to ask Viktor to dance. Viktor is such a sweetie, who made me giggle when he hummed along with the music and asked for a second dance so sweetly I thought I would melt.

Sunday Bliss @ Southport

Sunday arrived sunny & fine and I headed to the Latin Quarter for my 3rd instalment of WCS and was pleasantly surprised at the difference in the atmosphere – it was much more relaxed, casual & mellow vibe than previously – there were also less people around – which one would think would be a bad thing but it wasm’t well at least it wasn’t for me - what it meant was that there was room to move and see what was going on around the place rather than just a seething mass of people.

As to where the people had gone, some had to go home Sunday afternoon and others were still asleep (20 sturdy and compulsive souls had danced through the night to 9am.

Sunday afternoon in the blues room was the absolute highlight of my weekend.

I finally found my groove, the weather was delightful warm enough to not need a jacket and cool enough not to get over heated dancing.
And some highlights within my Sunday afternoon were

• First convincing Isabella to ask Paul F to dance and then chatting with her after


• Being introduced to yet more forumites by the darling MsFab


• Watching the dancing

And

• Dancing of course (wink)

And in amongst all this social activity I even made it to a couple more workshops – Viktor’s - Jive Masters Secrets & Nigel & Nina’s – Advanced Jive

Lovely day for a drive!

IT was a merry band of 3 – Little Monkey – the most cheerful of ladies, Trampy & myself that departed Dundee on a fine June morning & with the assistance of TomTom we made our way to Potins Southport (a holiday camp very English tradition it would seem) where we banded together with numerous other groups of dedicated dancers to participate in the phenomenon that was “Jiving Away”

The journey was filled with chatter and chuckles and chocolate cake and all things good and car trippy. Including the required chants of are we there yet and how much longer.

Southport

Well I survived my first Southport! And much to my surprise I am planning to register for the Feb 2007.

Southport takes place at Potins – a holiday camp and is approx 6hr drive from Dundee, this one specifically took place 2-5 June 2006.

The basic stats of Southport are

• 1500 dancers


• 3 rooms of freestyle


• All day/night dancing in the blues room


• 3 rooms of workshops


• 26 teachers


• 12? DJ's to keep the music going all weekend

I found the evening freestyles on Friday and Saturday night rather overwhelming – rooms so full, hot, hyped, that if you had asked me at 3.30am on Sunday morning as I gave up and took my sore foot and weary head to bed I would have said it’s been interesting and all but wouldn’t bother with another; But then Sunday happened and made the whole weekend worthwhile.