31st May 2012

Another few weeks have come and gone, and we have lot of news.

Michael participated in a Film Academy workshop, where he learned how to audition, the importance of your presentation, eye contact, and mannerisms.  For example, don't fold your arms, it makes you look guarded and not easily approachable.  A director will likely pick a child who has an open demeanor, as they seem easier to work with and more likely to take instruction eagerly.

The kids did a skit called the Polar Bear and the Eskimo.

On the way there we saw a news article about the Wiggles, Mike's (obsessively) favorite childhood band, show, and toy line from 6 mo to 6 years old.  The article told us that the Wiggles have announced their retirement, and the handing over of the Big Red Car keys to a new generation of Wiggles.  Michael started crying.  He was heartbroken at the thought of having no more Jeff, Anthony, Greg, and Murray out there performing shows.  After some consoling, and discussion about the importance of these Wiggles (aged 40 to 50's) to slow down and take care of themselves, he became more understanding and willing to embrace the passing down of the Big Red Car.  They are doing their last tour this year, and Grandma (D'you D'you) very kindly bought tickets for Mike to see their final show in Brighton.

At 10 years, all of this hit me unexpectedly.  I thought those days were over for him, but he obviously holds them close to his heart.  Talk about loyal!  While putting him to sleep last night, I noticed that the Lego 'Wiggles' were strewn over the dresser after being attacked by Joker, Bane, and a few other nefarious DC characters.  One can only hope that Batman will come to the rescue soon.

The Wiggles with custom instruments before the attack of the Joker

We had our first very convenient week for me to be off work, as we had the car cleaned and serviced.  One would think that after having it serviced, when you set out on your trip to Birmingham the next day, one would have working Air Conditioning.  One would be wrong.

One would also assume that their hotel room would be air conditioned.  Wrong again.

We did get to see a train on the motorway though...and that doesn't happen very often!

A train on the motorway

Friday evening we went to dinner at TGI Fridays with Jamie and Adi. Jaime works with Neil and it was great to be able to get together and meet them.  We had a great night of laughs.

TGI Fun!

We have not eaten in a restaurant, nor had any food outside of our respective diets, in about a month.  Neil stayed on track through the meal with a rib eye, and had a chocolate cake for desert which he didn't finish.  I had chicken fajitas, and only ate a quarter of it, but finished off with a gorgeous slice of cheesecake.  Speaking of food, as of this write up, Neil has lost an amazing 12 lbs since 5th May on the Dukan Diet!  I am so proud of him, he has really stuck to his guns with this diet.  I haven't stayed with Dukan, but have lost 6 lbs.  The boring details of my diet is in another blog...

The convention was a fun day, and Neil got to pick up a copy of the deluxe edition of Ankh-Morpork, containing wicked resin components.

The resin peices

The Board

Michael chilled out with some Dr Who's and Dolly the Dalek, and we found a new Dr. Who RPG game soon to be released that we have added to Mike's future gift list.

   


We picked up some new 12 sided die to replace the lost set from Killer Bunnies, and got to play a few games we hadn't tried before: Gem Dealer, Botswana, and Cloud 9.

Mike and Neil playing Cloud 9 at UK Games Expo in Birmingham

Of course, there were loads of people dressed in outrageous costumes, and we really like the storm troopers who were providing security this year.

Mike getting the 'Heathrow' treatment

No Humans beyond this point

We drove home Saturday afternoon and were home a bit after 6pm, so we called the Pat and Cush at the kennel and asked to pick up the dogs a day early, which they were fine with.  It was so nice to have the family together again!  Even a day without them seems too long to me.  Our dear pups have picked up a new habit.  When walking, it is perfectly acceptable to stop at any time and take a nap!

Sorry!  We aren't moving!

On Sunday, Michael and I took the convoluted trek to London for a Street dance Academy Video shoot.

Eating the mega ham and egg roll on the train.

After arriving and waiting a bit longer than Mike would have liked, the parents were ushered out of the studio and I took my seat across from another mom, basking in the unusually warm weather, and we chatted about boys and parenting.  When the kids came out for break, it appeared that Mike had struck up a friendship with the son of the mom I was chatting with, which was a nice coincidence, and when the filming was over, she gave us a ride to the station to catch our train home.  Mike said he had a great time doing the shoot, and he would even like to go take the Street dance Academy course himself.

Waiting to start the filming

Coming home from Studio

On Monday I dropped Michael off at school and took a long leisurely walk around the fields with "Frick and Frack" as I often refer to the dogs. Samson has become fast friends with the creek, and has taken to a game in which I throw a stick into the water and the creek carries it downstream.  He follows, and eventually catches the stick.  The water is shallow enough that it doesn't require him to swim.  I don't think he would like that much to be honest!

 When I picked Mike up in the afternoon he excitedly told me that he had won second place in the talent contest and would be performing at the Jubilee celebration on stage next week at school.

Listening to instructions at street dance 

 

Street dance pose

"What was your talent?"  I asked, puzzled.  A myriad of things ran through my mind.  Magic?  Jokes?

"I did the street dance routine I learned yesterday for the video!"  he beamed  "it was really good!"

I was grinning like a monkey no doubt.  I hadn't realized that he had learned a routine on Sunday, so it was doubly a surprise, and I was very happy for him.  Parents can't come to the Jubilee party next week, so I will have to take his word on his debut performance, and sadly, wont have photos.

Yesterday our Olympic tickets arrived. It comes with travelcards too, so our train fare is included! Yay!  We have invited Michael's friend along, and both boys are very excited to be part of the Olympic excitement.

Olympic Tickets!

 Til next time!