It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these! The past week was a bit of a whirlwind, and I had a really good weekend with my family – we went to see Graeae’s Reason’s To Be Cheerful in Watford on Saturday night, then we saw The Artist at the cinema on Sunday night. It was great to go into a cinema and not have to worry about subtitles. Sure, subtitles are getting better – there are some cinemas that show films regularly, even if they are at weird and unsociable times (Sunday morning? Monday afternoon? Tuesday at 4pm?) – but at the same time, more often than not I’ve been sorely disappointed by showings billed as subtitled not being subtitled. Or the subtitles start late. Or they are halfway off the screen. Its so disappointing. Its like you’re on tenterhooks right up until the film starts, just in case the subtitles don’t come up. Luckily, it doesn’t seem that it happens half as much as it used to – about 80% of the showings I went to before had this issue!
Anyway, The Artist was different. I appreciate silent films and old movies, and although this had the style of those old silent films, there was something different about it – a kind of tongue in cheek style, yet more emotion, more serious issues being explored. It definitely explored the themes of pride and learning to move on and pick yourself up when life knocks you down. Most of all, it explored how images and film have power over our emotions, how sometimes pictures and silence speak much louder than words. I found it interesting how some characters were easier to lipread than others! Berenice Bejo was incredible – so stunning and endearing. The dog was quite possibly in a whole class of his own…
So – last week I had my first job interview. It went much better than I expected it to go, because I’m generally not so great in formal speaking situations. I found it really hard to just relax and be natural because, lets face it, who can in job interviews? It feels a lot like you’re being cross examined and confronted about your life choices and education, and job history. All in all, though, I felt it went okay, and though I’m not sure I’ll get the job, at least I didn’t have a meltdown. It feels like I can deal with anything if I got through my first interview! Then on the same day I traipsed off in the evening with my sister and the Handprint team to an opening event for a festival they’re taking part in this summer. I’m so excited to be a part of Handprint theatre – even just as someone maybe doing a bit of writing and blogging for them, it is still a wonderful chance to work with an inspirational group of people.
What else happened? Well, I’ve been trying to let go of all sorts of negative emotions, trying to learn to see things in a more positive light. It’s difficult when you’re staring down into empty space, worrying about money. Yet if anything, this has taught me to be more careful with what little money I do have, and try not to take things for granted. I’m afraid of a lot of things, yet I’m learning that to get something out of life, you have to go out there and get it, work for it, otherwise you’ll just be waiting for something that won’t happen. So if you’ve always wanted to do something, then now is the time to do it – get out there and make things happen. Find your place in the world. Do what makes you happy and make a difference to other people’s lives. Ironically, since I’ve lost such a huge amount of money, I feel less afraid of taking chances, to try my hardest.
I hope you had a good Monday. It’s definitely over now, so no need to panic!
I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, – something heroic, or wonderful, – that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all, some day. ~ Louisa May Alcott, Little Women.
Cats and Chocolate 