Last day of the year in 2015 (Thank God)

Well here we are, facing the last day of the year again. New Years Eve! It's always a bit scary; the thing is, it always feel like you have to have a great time on New Years Eve or it doesn't bode well for the coming year. This year has been so bad, I don't want to celebrate, I want it to pass painlessly so we can glide smoothly into 2016. At the very best, I want to spend the time quietly with my children, maybe a meal out or a takeaway meal. I'd like to watch Jules Holland on the television in his annual hootenanny, large drink in hand.

So what are the highlights and lowlights of this year. Definitely more lowlights in 2015.

So I'll deal with them first.

Lowlights

My much loved mum passed away

My Uncle George (mum's oldest brother) passed away.

My Uncle Ronnie (mum's youngest brother) passed away.

I've piled on weight

My masters dissertation has come to a standstill

I've hardly done any paining 

Am feeling sluggish and unwell.

Miss my mum and my uncles

Highlights

I acquired some keyboards and have taken up piano again (which I love)

Have started to sing again

Have started to improve a bit on the guitar

Have met some nice people

Had a holiday in Rhodes with the girls

Got an IPad

Got  a variety of musical equipment

Started a local arts group 

There's so much to think about for 2016, so many projects that I need to complete. 

Finish my masters degree

Sort out domestic affairs

Complete some business ideas

Expand arts group

Paint more

Write more

Improve musical skills

Improve my YouTube channels and blogs

Socialise more

Get away more

And the usual .......... Lose weight and get fitter :-)

So wish me luck. And I wish you all a Happy New Year and only great things for us all in 2016

Far From the Madding Crowd

I was really looking forward to this film, and certainly wasn't disappointed! The word I would use to describe it, if I had to use only one, would be enchanting.

The rather gorgeous Gabriel Oak, was well cast, although perhaps a bit more handsome than the 'original oak' was meant to be; comparisons with the tree in Sherwood Forrest are intentional as Gabriel is as solid and incongruent with nature, as the ancient oak itself. Sergeant Troy, played by Tom Sturridge seemed far less appealing in comparison with Matthias Schoenaert's Oak, a conceited and irresponsible boy, no less; unfortunately, unlike the book, far less handsome than Gabriel. Bathesheba, played by Carey Mullighan, was not as heart stoppingly beautiful as Julie Christie in this role, but perhaps delivered a more convincing performance as the feisty Miss Everdene. The best performance in the film however, is that of Mr Boldwood, played by Michael Sheen. The sensitive and heart wrenching portrayal of the shy, sincere man, misled by Bathsheba's joke Valentine card, is perhaps the best performance of the film. Michael Sheen lends an element of sheer pathos to this adaptation, in his unrelenting devotion to Bathsheba.

The cinematography has to be mentioned; the Stunning west countryside is as much a part of the film as the cast. A criticism, which is probably a natural consequence of fitting a book into the relatively small time frame of a film, is that there is much omitted from this production. It is never really explained, for example, that Bathsheba saves Gabriel's life, which serves to put there relationship on an equal footing. 

All in all, an exquisite film.

Truly delicious!

The Theory of Everything

I've been hearing good things about The History of Everything, so really had to see if for myself while it was still on he big screen. And I wasn't disappointed. It was a delight of a film!  Starting from the opening scenes of a 1950s Cambridge, a young and charmingly gauche Stephen Hawkins begins a hesitant romance with the pretty, quietly religious Jane. But it is obvious, inspite of his burgeoning feelings for sweet Jane, that Stephens real passion  is for his work,   Not long into their romance and Stephen's research for his PHd study, he begins to develop some worrying symptoms. Upon medical investigations, Hawkins is revealed to have Motor Neurone Disease, a neurological disorder that brings with it a prognosis of gradual physical decline resulting in death within two years. After a period of shock and depression, Jane convinces him that her feelings for him are those of love and that they will make the most if their remaining time together. We see the marriage of the young couple on one hand,  and also Stephen's  return to his doctoral studies with vigour.

Time passes, and Stephen's  thesis is completed, just before his health takes a serious turn for the worst. In spite of this, Hawkins manages to father two children and continue to produce groundbreaking work, before the eventual deterioration of this marriage, which sees Jane seek comfort in the affections of another man. However, Jane's loyalty to Stephen, renders her unable to leave him, so her affair is brought to an end, only to resume when sometime later Hawkins departs for New York, with formidable nurse.

This remarkable film is beautifully acted by all concerned, but Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Stephen Hawkins is ultimately rewarded by his amazing accolade at the 2015 Oscars.

"British star Eddie Redmayne was overcome with emotion as he was named Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance as Professor Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything"