London a Paki Holding Cell

Cameron Reilly, a Scots Guard soldier deployed to guard Buckingham Palace described London as a "Paki holding cell" on his Facebook page. The soldier, from East Kilbride, is now being investigated by his regiment for this and other controversial remarks.

Pigeon Porn - Part 1

I have been nagged/bullied/badgered/bribed to spill this story by the lovely SAHM loving it Mama Makes and Inside the Wendy House as I alluded a few weeks ago to this awful incident happening to me.

I am going to have to tell you this in two parts as you need to understand my paranoia before you hear the story............

Let me explain..................

Firstly, I am scared of birds.  Specifically pigeons and I blame this on my parents who took me to Trafalgar Square when I was around 4 to feed them.  This is actually my earliest memory and it still sets my teeth on edge.  We arrived at Trafalgar Square and after buying our seed cartons from the cart vendor, I stood as still as a statue with a pot in each hand, arms held out. 

Within a few seconds I had a pigeon on the end of my hand.  I remember feeling happy and for the next few seconds I was at one with the bird whilst my parents looked on.   

What happened next has stayed with me and no doubt will do so for the rest of my life - I was attacked/swamped/bombarded by what felt like thousands of pigeons.....they came from all directions, were on my head and naturally I tried to run.  I stumbled over and consequently spilt bird seed all over myself...the birds were then all over me from head to toe as my parents looked on laughing. 

It took a few minutes (probably only a few seconds in reality) before my lovely mum realised I was frozen in shock, I had wet myself in terror and was by now sobbing, great, big, gut wrenching sobs.......

My parents shooed the birds away and picked me up - a gibbering, sobbing wreck and with a lifelong fear of pigeons..........

So, you can imagine how I felt when a pigeon came on my face/hairline.  You'll have to wait for that instalment tomorrow as I am going for a lie down, just writing this has freaked me out.....

Love

S.A.M xx

Wicked - A spectacular theatrical experience

Last night will go down as one of my most memorable theatrical experiences.  I have spent a LOT of time over the years in various theatres as both a performer and spectator and was utterly delighted when I was offered 3 top tickets by Superbreak.com to see Wicked.

I have been almost reluctant to see Wicked as I am a massive "wizard of Oz" fan and I was concerned that the magical feeling every time I watch the movie would somehow be broken if I "knew" what the real story was.  Like most people I was aware that the story was based around the witches but didn't really know the full story.

I took two girlfriends with me, one of whom only saw the show in January (and couldn't wait to go again, surely a good sign!) and one who like me was a bit dubious in case the wonder of the original film was somehow tarnished.

From the moment I walked into the Apollo Theate at Victoria, I was captivated.  I hadn't been there for at least (maybe more) a decade when I took clients to see "Starlight Express" and I had forgotten just how beautiful the theatre is.  Originally built as a cinema in early 1930 is had all the splendour and glamour of the Art Deco period. 

We settled in our seats and from the opening scene I was captivated. 

"Wicked" looks at the relationship between Glinda the good witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West.  They meet at Shiz University where Glinda is your arch typical, ditzy, popular blonde whilst Elphaba is the social outcast because she is green. 

Initially they are arch enemies but after a lovely gesture by Elphaba they become best friends.  They then go on a journey that alludes to "The Wizard of Oz" in so many subtle ways, you find out who and why the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow are and how they came to be in Oz.  It is a story of love, rivalry and friendship.   I am not going to say any more on the story as I really don't want to spoil it for you.

Several times during the performance I had goosebumps and the score, magical effects, costumes and superb storyline will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final curtain.  It got a very well deserved standing ovation.  I can't wait to go again.

If you fancy a weekend in London then have a look at London Hotels and don't forget to check out this really insightful guide London Theatre Guide but my advise is see "Wicked".  I can honestly say it is the best show I have seen in a very, very long time.

It's not just wicked, it's awesome, amazing, enthralling, enchanting, spine tingling, spectacularly great!

Peace and Love

S.A.M

Listography - Take 5 places.....

This is the first time I have taken part in Kate Takes 5 listography, but I have a spare 20 minutes and I really enjoy this as a concept.

I have always loved travelling, new experiences, new people and places and I harbour the dream that one day in the not to distant future, we will take the kids out of school for a year and show them volcanoes, hot springs, shanty towns and the amazon in real time rather than out of a textbook.

Here are my 5 favourite places:

1) Angel Falls, Venezuela

Not only is this the largest waterfall in the World, it is also where HAW proposed to me.  We flew over in a twin engine plane from a beautiful lodge of the Isle of Margarita.   It holds lovely memories for me and of a very happy time in my life.

2) London

I am a Londoner born and bred and had become quite blase about the fact the City was so accessible and so close.  However, having a Kiwi business partner has re-ignited my passion for our Great City.  I am so grateful that it is on our door step as I am loving showing the kids our wonderful Capital.

3. New York

I have been to New York at least 10 times (spoilt brat I know) my parents first took us about 20 years ago and we all got totally hooked on the fast paced city Life.  I was fortunate enough to visit on lots of work related "jollies" and had plenty of SATC moments in the City that never sleeps.  

4. Camber Sands

We have only recently discovered Camber Sands since having the kids but it is only 90mins away from where we are.   We rent a beach house that has direct access to the beach and the kids can go wild as you can see!!!  I would love to move down to this part of the World.

5. Maldives

After having a cancer scare in early 2008, I booked a once in a lifetime, no expenses spared holiday for the four of us to the Maldives.  I decided that life was worth living and off we went.  This is really worthy of it's own blog but we had the most amazing holiday ever, it really was paradise and the icing on the cake is that I returned pregnant with our little Pixie (having been told that I wouldn't have more kids!).  I dream of going back one day.....

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http://katetakes5.blogspot.com/

What ever happened to MY weekends?!

Ok, this is going to sound incredibly selfish but what on earth happened to my weekends?  You know the sort, a long lazy lie-in with the one you love, followed by a jaunt through the more eclectic areas of London, stopping for a long, alcoholic, lazy lunch whilst poring over Time Out trying to decide what to do or who to see?

Then a nice supper in front of a roaring fire before having a long, luxurious bath and maybe popping out to the cinema.  Or deciding on a Friday morning to go away for the weekend and that hurried scramble to find somewhere (I always loved Bath)

I tell you what happened - The Kids came along!!

Now, don't get me wrong, I adore my kids, they have made me such a better person and I wouldn't change anything, but by heck what I wouldn't give to have a time travel machine to be able to go back and appreciate what I had before my weekends were spent watching football, driving around here there and everywhere, the whole "routine" of being a parent.  I guess what I am trying to say is, will I ever get that spontaneity back in my life???