Happy New Year!

Well, I'm off to party away 2006 and ring in 2007 at Munich's Tollwood New Year's Celebrations with Marianne and 5 of her Greek, French, and German friends! Unfortunately Duncan couldn't make it here in the end (crazy flights), but his wild dancing spirit will be here enjoying the celebrations with us. I am starting my new year off in an appropriate fashion by being on a plane and travelling back to England at 11am January 1st.

I want to wish you all the best for 2007, and hope it becomes everything you want it to be! Happy New Year!

Flew into Germany... and are my arms ever tired!

Well, I've arrived safe and sound in Munich, where I am staying with Marianne. Today, we are heading into town to see Nathalie and Toby and their new baby! Also we'll hang out with Stephanie and Dave, who flew in this week as well! I predict a bit of beer drinking, city walking, and baby burping.

New Year's Eve is coming soon, bringing Duncan, who will help us ring in the new year. We have tickets to a festival on the Oktoberfest grounds (I just can't stay away!) with four live bands, lots of dancing and lots of drinking. Should be a blast!

What are your New Year's Eve plans?

My Talented Sister

For Christmas, my sister - Lisa - made me this amazing Batman picture! She is in the middle of her digital graphic design course, and as you can see she is excelling in it!

If anyone wants to hire a creative, talented, energetic, funny, and skilled graphic designer for your advertising business or workplace, let me know and I can pass you to her! (She is also an incredible singer - fronts the band One Year Later - and a wonderful sis!)

Merry Christmas!

Well friends, I am hoping on a bus in an hour and a half and going to Guildford to spend Christmas with my cousins. It's a 4 hour bus ride, so I am bringing some schoolwork as well as The DaVinci Code. That should be enough to pass the time!

After Christmas, I'll be heading to Munich for New Year's. I plan to stay with Marianne and see Duncan, Stephanie, Nathalie (and Toby and baby!) and also Dave, who I think is there until the 31st. We will be attending a festival with four bands, food, and drink, and fun! I'll be back on Jan 2nd.

To all my friends and family who read this blog, Merry Christmas and have a very very happy New Year!

Thank goodness for long arms.

I found this on the National Geographic News website:

WORLD'S TALLEST MAN SAVES DOLPHIN

Apparently the dolphins have swallowed some plastic bits and only the World's Tallest Man could reach into their stomachs and retrieve the bits. Check out the full story here!

Yahoooooooooooooo!

School is OUT for Christmas!

And, oh, do I NEED this. Two beautiful weeks away from the children who are driving me mad! Mwahahah!

Whew. Yes, the first term is over. School begins again on Sept 3, so what am I going to do for two weeks? Well, I am heading to Guildford for Christmas to see my cousins Nicky, Lara, and Angie. It will be really nice to see them, as it has been about three years. I'll let you know about my New Year's plans once they are finalized.

I can sleep in tomorrow!!!

Pantomime Time

Merry Christmas Web!

Yesterday, a traveling pantomime came to our school! We were treated to Aladdin, the panto, performed by only three people - the Villain (he also played the "bubbles" character), the Hero (good looking girl playing Aladdin), and the Dame (hairy fat man in a dress). And what a DAME!

This was the most over-the-top Dame I've ever seen! Fat, flamboyant dress, white clown face, scary woman make-up, deep male voice, and plastic fluorescent hair! The show was great and the kids loved it! I loved it too!

Somehow, though, the Dame knew my name! She told the school (as she was describing her past husbands) that she was in love with Mr. Bond. And boy did she not drop it. She (or he!) came and sat on my lap (to the mortification of my students!) and fed me fudge, showed me her ankle (ugh), and blew kisses across the hall. And I loved it!

Some of you out there may not know that I've been involved with pantomimes for the last 10 years in North Vancouver. With SMP, I've played the Babe, the Wolf, the Sage, the Farmer, the Villain!, the Rat, even the Panto Horse! Unfortunately, I won't be in this year's pantomime - Robin Hood and the Singing Nun - but I was able to create the poster and logo.


For those of you in the Vancouver Area, I urge you to go see this panto! Go see it now! Well, go see it in January!!! Go watch it for me and let me know! It is going to ROCK!!!

Miss you guys, SMP Panto-People!

88 Minutes

One of the movies I did extra work on that hasn't come out yet is "88 Minutes." This big-budget thriller stars the legendary Al Pacino. I have to say it was a thrill to work with the star of "The Godfather" and "Scarface." Unfortunately Al turned out to be the primadona many huge stars are. He stopped production for 20 minutes so he could have a coffee break, while 150 extras waited in their spot. An extra was also fired on the spot for accidentally nudging Al.

Anyway, those from Vancouver will recognize Downtown and UBC where it was shot. Look for me playing one of Al's students at the university. Hoo-wah!

Harborne at Sunset

The weather here in Birmingham in December is cool and crisp, with some rain spells. The sunsets and sunrises have been beautiful recently. These shots are up and down the High Street here in Harborne (click to enlarge).


This is the front of my flat. I live on the ground floor and my bedroom is behind the large white bay windows!

I am experimenting painting with acrylics. This is my ammonite so far... What do you think?

Hot Fuzz

There is a new movie coming out in Feb 2007 from the makers of "Shawn of the Dead!" It is called "Hot Fuzz" and looks fantastic. If you loved "Shawn" and you like "Spaced," than you will probably very much enjoy "Hot Fuzz."

Here is the two teaser trailers:

And here is the full length trailer:

I can't wait for "Hot Fuzz!" Can you?

International Vodka Party

We had our first party last Saturday night in our flat. The theme was International Vodka and Czech Food!

Kate and Renata and her friend (all Czech) cooked us classic Czech food (dumplings, soup, goulash - all fantastic!) while we drank shots of Czech and Polish vodka. And beer.

Soon our flat was filled with people talking, drinking, and dancing. There were over 25 intentional friends from Poland, France, Czech, Finland, Germany, and India - as well as us British and Canadians!



You can see us all squished into our living room area (yes - that's Van Gogh on the wall). This room ended up becoming a dance hall as we turned off the lights, while the party continued in the kitchen and hallway.


Arjun and Kate having a laugh!

roommates: Me, Renata, and Roger!


We all had a great time during the party, but were feeling sore the next morning! But that's what indicates a good party!



Leon, Roger and Renata.


As you can see, I am making a few friends here in Harborne! Patrick, Renata, Leon, and Roger are great roommates and we go out quite often. We will be having a sixth and final roommate join us on the 18th of December: Emily - a jewelry designer - Just in time for Christmas!

Until then, keep on partying...

Cat Bodyguards

On the heals of "Bad Sushi" comes "Cat Bodyguards," an even less serious short film created by Prehistoric Insanity Productions in 2004. This film was shot and edited in under an hour in the mansion where we lived in Drumheller.

Bad Sushi

Welcome to the internet premier of "Bad Sushi," a short film created to teach geology 12 students. It is the debut film from Bond-Wade-Travasso Pictures, written, filmed and edited in under 48 hours. Please let me know if you enjoy it.