h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I haven't been here that much recently, and my apologies!!!

So what has been happening in my life recently?

Well, the first item was the shock of fellow Hootoo'er Cyn's car accident. That really shook me . I have had a charmed life so far, with not having had any major, unexpected turmoil in my life, and it was a wake-up call. Messages have been passed on, action taken and now I'm just waiting for updates.

The rest of that week was steady at work, then the hectic BBC Proms Folk Day. Up at 07:00 so that I could be at the Royal College of Music for rehearsal, then on to Kensington Gardens for the Park Proms, where we played. Good fun. Back to the Royal Albert Hall for the afternoon Prom. I then decided to go to the evening Prom as well, at £5:00 for the ticket and a very good concert. A good day, but too long on my feet.

Monday, I should have been up at 09:00... except my body clock was and, due to getting up at 07:00 on Sunday, I thought it was Sunday so fell asleep, to wake up at 10:00 and a mad dash for work. Luckily I am very rarely late, so nothing was said.

The rest of the week was steady, with the occasional update about Cyn, and my best wishes, along with other HooTooers were flowing in her general direction.

Wednesday was the rehearsal for the 'PJ's got Talent' which went rather badly... Signs of things to come? I had a rapid rehearsal, before shooting back to work, due to staff shortages... Then came Friday, my day off, and the Final. The day was hot and humid, and after bathing and dressing, I spent an hour trying to cool down and staying dry. I then had to get the gear to the venue. That was two fiddles (Acoustic and electric) cables, pedals, tripod, camera and camcorder, plus outfit. Strangely I was hot and sticky again when I got to the venue. Quick bite to eat, then time to set up. The major problem was that I had to plug into the band's gear, and they were nowhere to be seen. When I didd eventually get to plug in, I had a two minute check to make sure it worked, before being bustled into the Green Room. Here time dragged very slowly with the female singers hitting the Chardonnay and applying the Polyfilla, as well as a dramatic increase of tension, nerves and adrenalin in the room. I was just getting hot, especially at 19:15 when told to prepare to go on, so on with the Serge 1937 tail coat, pre-60's homemade waistcoat, made for my Father by his Mother, and a Boater I bought when 17, so purchased around 1976. So I was really cooking.

However it was a false start, and we had to wait another twenty minutes before the off. I was first on, but the alleged Compere had to get the crowd of 250 had to be primed.

It was time... My four minutes of fame! First off... Disaster! I'd practiced and warmed up on the Acoustic four string... This was the Electric five string... and I was on the wrong string! Rewind and take two... This was better, and started well with the Classical piece, 'Humouresque' by Dvorak, and plenty of support. This flowed smoothly on to the Jazzy classic, '5'2", eyes of blue' and still a fair amount of support. Finally I segued into Trumpet Hornpipe, (Captain Pugwash to you...) with the continuing, then dieing so I cut it short! But plenty of applause at the end...

By this time I was drenched, and desperate for a . First I had to get the Judges' responses, which were favourable. Now for the long wait for the other seven acts, with the Band undoubtedly being the best...

Finally, an hour later, came the finale, with us all doing a rendition of 'Simply the Best' while the crowds' votes were counted. It started well, then collapsed. I tried desperately to hold it together, although it is not my type of music, or a piece I know well, but I couldn't hold it myself, and it died, badly...

Around 21:45 the results came in... Third was K who sang 'In His Tears', second was A who sang 'These Boots are made for walking.' The Band came first with a medley of tracks, and well deserved.

The rest of the evening went well, although I was very hot and sticky. I then got half my gear home, leaving the rest until Monday, and a couple of relaxing

Then I saw the Video... It was not the best performance, being tinny, very top ended and just Next time I would do it acoustically!!! It just didn't work this time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIyNfGEjIXk

Saturday was spent recovering, and beating myself up, but I am over that now, and looking forward to my week's holiday at Broadstairs Folk Festival on the 8th August...

http://www.broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk/

And if anyone is going, I'd be happy to meet up with you...

Now I can spend a little more time here, and catch up with my Friends who have been so supportive and who, inadvertently, I have largely ignored and please accept my sincere apologies for that. It was totally accidental and I just hadn't seen the passage of time...

It is so good to be back!!!



MMF

I really hope you have stopped beating yourself up, as you did good. Now you have given us a blow by blow account, it is clear you did very well. In my youth - now very !! - I tramped round with a group for several years and your comments brought back a lot of memories. The hassles were unbelievable - music and songs played superbly in rehearsal going belly up in front of an audience; being somewhat 'shown up' by bands with more expensive equipment, poor accoustics in halls, rude audiences, travel problems etc. and of course that awful thing of stifling heat, the last thing you need!

I am sure some time soon you will be able to give us a rendering of something up to your usual standard without all the attendant hassle. In the meantime enjoy your Folk Festival.

Websailor

I'm with Webbioe (as always )

Have a great time at the Broadstairs festival.

You did well the video was good the isolation must have been dredful you were excellent, should be proud of yourself you did all hootooers proud thank you for makeing us look good.

Hi MMF. I just listened. You had a really interesting variety of themes. Well done.

Well done, MMF


And Hubby and I watched the Albert Hall 'Folk' night, too

Well done MMF we're all very proud of you