Okay, so those people who know me won't be easily able to imagine me in a tutu and pointe shoes, especially if they've seen me spinning fire or wielding a sword. BUT it doesn't mean that I'm not aspiring to be one.
This post isn't so much of a post about me and my dreams, it's more of a rant about the ballet world and the ballet community.
First thing I want to say, before I forget, is what is everyone's problem with Anaheim Ballet*? The amount of articles and blogs and ballerinas who have something to say about the dance school seem to have only negative points!
Anaheim ballet is a podcast that also post their weekly videos online. They start each video with the same narration, in which he says 'Ballet is for everyone, and now it's for anyone who has a computer', and because of this simple slogan, everyone seems to be set against them!
Now obviously, I am well aware of the dangers of teachings oneself ballet, especially pointe work. Like myself a few years ago, most aspiring ballerinas assume that pointe work is easy with little risk except for sprained ankles, as it looks so effortless, and almost everyone who has learnt ballet can work up to it by the time they're twelve. What isn't realised, is the fact that the twelve-year-olds who dance en pointe have usually been doing ballet since before they could walk, and have lessons four or five times a week. Pointe work is dangerous, and can leed to bleeding toes, blisters and bunions, as well as more serious problems like foot deformities, weak ankles and tendonitis if not taught properly, and teaching yourself is a definite 'NO'.
But people seem to be taking AB's slogan the wrong way - the way I see it, is that they are not saying that ballet can be learnt from the internet. This is reinforced by the fact that they have never recorded a podcast with any form of tuition. The closest thing to a lesson that I have found is when they asked their dancers for advice about tying pointe shoes. I see their slogan as saying 'nobody is wrong for ballet, and now the experience can be shared through our podcasts'. I find them rather enlightening, as they follow dancers' progress and give an insight into their lives, and how ballet affects it.
It's a bit like an encyclopedia in that respect - it doesn't tell you how to do something, but it does tell you facts relating to the topic.
Man, now I have a headache.
So I'm going to end my rant, and hope that somebody, somewhere is reading this. Not so I can get comments and get views (although they would be awesome... *hint* ...), but so I can get my opinion out there, and so my voice can be heard.
Out for now
Pebz x
* Anaheim Ballet
- http://www.anaheimballet.org/
- http://www.youtube.com/user/AnaheimBallet
Monday 1 September 2008
Friday 22 August 2008
MIDLIFE CRISIS!!! (And I'm only 16!)
I don't know what I'm doing with myself now my GCSE's are all over. I have my results which aren't too bad, thankfully!
So what do I do?!
At one point, I was heading towards Ballakermeen because they came highly recommended for performing arts, and I wanted to be a drama teacher. *wanted* being the key word there. Because recently, my dreams have come crashing down around me, and I no longer want to teach. Pretty much end of. Childhood dream to be a teacher, and now I don't want to.
But now Psychology has gone at Ballakermeen, and not wanting to do performing arts as much anymore, there's no reason to really go to Ballerkermeen, or St. Ninnians, where I also put my name down. Meaning that, if I wanted to, I could go to QE2, and save myself the trauma of leaving.
But now I've kind of gotten used to the idea of leaving. My boyfriend and I talked for a while last night about it, and he mentioned the Isle Of Man College - an option I hadn't even thought of. He was talking about his experience when he went there for his engineering course, and he said that it was a really good atmosphere, you can wear whatever you want (jeans, hoodies - 'you can go in in just a thong and nipple tape'), and you swear WITH the teachers, not at them, which sounds like the kind of working environment I can enjoy and learn from.
HOWEVER
There is no music OR performing arts there, and it's got me in a rut because now I really want to go to the college, especially for art as the budjet at QE2 is being cut - the college will have a much wider and better collection of art supplies. But they have no music, which seems to be what I'm angling for at the moment. Something is pulling me in that direction, especially because the head of A-Level music said that, without a doubt due to my past experience with school productions and performances, she will accept me onto the music course despite my not having a GCSE in music, which is a godsend.
It doesn't help that, in the last hour when I've not been typing, I think i've realised what I want to do - I want to join a circus. No, I'm not joking, I really do want to travel the world performing, spinning poi and juggling and doing acrobatics. Cirque du Soleil would be the most amazing thing in the world to be a part of.
OR I wouldn't mind being a singer, or a Broadway actress. I can't write songs, but I'm working on it, and I would need to develop my stamina so that I could do ongoing, demanding performances for weeks - even months. Don't get me wrong, I realise (maybe not completely) that any mainstream onstage performance will be more demanding than anything I've done in my life, but I think it would be so rewarding at the end of it.
But then what's my fallback? Fame and fortune will only last for so long, and that's only if I get noticed. I'll need to have something else to do, something more...And I'm stuck at what that something will be.
Everything seems to be pointing me towards QE2, and whilst at the beginning I would have given nothing more than to be able to go to QE2, now I would just feel guilty, and I can't see why.
I don't care if nobody reads this. It would be nice if someone could comment and give me some advice - like what you did for you A-Levels, or anything at all that could help me.
Well...
See you around.
=]
So what do I do?!
At one point, I was heading towards Ballakermeen because they came highly recommended for performing arts, and I wanted to be a drama teacher. *wanted* being the key word there. Because recently, my dreams have come crashing down around me, and I no longer want to teach. Pretty much end of. Childhood dream to be a teacher, and now I don't want to.
But now Psychology has gone at Ballakermeen, and not wanting to do performing arts as much anymore, there's no reason to really go to Ballerkermeen, or St. Ninnians, where I also put my name down. Meaning that, if I wanted to, I could go to QE2, and save myself the trauma of leaving.
But now I've kind of gotten used to the idea of leaving. My boyfriend and I talked for a while last night about it, and he mentioned the Isle Of Man College - an option I hadn't even thought of. He was talking about his experience when he went there for his engineering course, and he said that it was a really good atmosphere, you can wear whatever you want (jeans, hoodies - 'you can go in in just a thong and nipple tape'), and you swear WITH the teachers, not at them, which sounds like the kind of working environment I can enjoy and learn from.
HOWEVER
There is no music OR performing arts there, and it's got me in a rut because now I really want to go to the college, especially for art as the budjet at QE2 is being cut - the college will have a much wider and better collection of art supplies. But they have no music, which seems to be what I'm angling for at the moment. Something is pulling me in that direction, especially because the head of A-Level music said that, without a doubt due to my past experience with school productions and performances, she will accept me onto the music course despite my not having a GCSE in music, which is a godsend.
It doesn't help that, in the last hour when I've not been typing, I think i've realised what I want to do - I want to join a circus. No, I'm not joking, I really do want to travel the world performing, spinning poi and juggling and doing acrobatics. Cirque du Soleil would be the most amazing thing in the world to be a part of.
OR I wouldn't mind being a singer, or a Broadway actress. I can't write songs, but I'm working on it, and I would need to develop my stamina so that I could do ongoing, demanding performances for weeks - even months. Don't get me wrong, I realise (maybe not completely) that any mainstream onstage performance will be more demanding than anything I've done in my life, but I think it would be so rewarding at the end of it.
But then what's my fallback? Fame and fortune will only last for so long, and that's only if I get noticed. I'll need to have something else to do, something more...And I'm stuck at what that something will be.
Everything seems to be pointing me towards QE2, and whilst at the beginning I would have given nothing more than to be able to go to QE2, now I would just feel guilty, and I can't see why.
I don't care if nobody reads this. It would be nice if someone could comment and give me some advice - like what you did for you A-Levels, or anything at all that could help me.
Well...
See you around.
=]
Thursday 10 July 2008
Enjoy Destroy Live At Centenery Centre
Okay, yesterday was pretty...
well...
No.
I T W A S A W E S O M E ! ! ! !
Well my EnjoyDestroy day really kicked off at about 12, when I went up to the school for a 'workshop' with the guys, which turned out to be more of a Q&A (Question and Answer) session mixed in with an acoustic set of old and pre-released songs. Then we got free stickers, free badges and I got a signed poster, with my name on it! =] (so easily amused...)
So they talked for a bit about how they made it into the music business, how they've played together for about six years and have recently produced their first album [Little Dreams], which was helped along by the singer from Feeder.
The gig in the evening was fantastic. Enjoy Destroy were supported by Stockholm Syndrome, a local band, and whilst it was good, their sound check could have been better. At times, you couldn't hear the singer for the double neck guitar, and the bass guitarist...did he exist? He just kind of hovered around the back of the stage, looking ready to fall asleep at the amp. So where the music may have been good, they lacked the skills to keep the audience involved, especially because they kept turning their backs to us. Psh.
Then, after a twenty minute interval whilst the bands changed over, Enjoy Destroy came on the stage and sounded absolutely fantastic. They went through a number of their old songs and then some of their new ones which will be coming out on their next album, and they couldn't have sounded better. Having listened to them live and then listening to their album, I think I prefer them live, but that could be because they bring such a great atmosphere to it. They manage to interact with each other as well as the audience, and I even clapped along when they wanted us to (which I rarely - if ever - do.)
So thats the story of my life today (or, rather, yesterday). I came away with a number of free stickers and badges, a signed poster, a free CD single, the Little Dreams album and an Enjoy Destroy t-shirt (so comfy. I'm wearing it now!)
Well, I'm out!! If you read, please leave a comment, I'm feeling very unloved right now...Nobody is commenting on any of my blogs...
*puppydog eyes*
Xx Pebbles xX
well...
No.
I T W A S A W E S O M E ! ! ! !
Well my EnjoyDestroy day really kicked off at about 12, when I went up to the school for a 'workshop' with the guys, which turned out to be more of a Q&A (Question and Answer) session mixed in with an acoustic set of old and pre-released songs. Then we got free stickers, free badges and I got a signed poster, with my name on it! =] (so easily amused...)
So they talked for a bit about how they made it into the music business, how they've played together for about six years and have recently produced their first album [Little Dreams], which was helped along by the singer from Feeder.
The gig in the evening was fantastic. Enjoy Destroy were supported by Stockholm Syndrome, a local band, and whilst it was good, their sound check could have been better. At times, you couldn't hear the singer for the double neck guitar, and the bass guitarist...did he exist? He just kind of hovered around the back of the stage, looking ready to fall asleep at the amp. So where the music may have been good, they lacked the skills to keep the audience involved, especially because they kept turning their backs to us. Psh.
Then, after a twenty minute interval whilst the bands changed over, Enjoy Destroy came on the stage and sounded absolutely fantastic. They went through a number of their old songs and then some of their new ones which will be coming out on their next album, and they couldn't have sounded better. Having listened to them live and then listening to their album, I think I prefer them live, but that could be because they bring such a great atmosphere to it. They manage to interact with each other as well as the audience, and I even clapped along when they wanted us to (which I rarely - if ever - do.)
So thats the story of my life today (or, rather, yesterday). I came away with a number of free stickers and badges, a signed poster, a free CD single, the Little Dreams album and an Enjoy Destroy t-shirt (so comfy. I'm wearing it now!)
Well, I'm out!! If you read, please leave a comment, I'm feeling very unloved right now...Nobody is commenting on any of my blogs...
*puppydog eyes*
Xx Pebbles xX
Friday 4 July 2008
Just bulking out my blog...
Step 1: Put your iTunes/iPod/mp3 on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Strike out the songs when someone guesses correctly.NO CHEATING
(Okay, so I probably won't do step 4 because I don't think you CAN strike things out on here, but I may put a little star next to the ones people guess...Not that anybody comes on my blog...)
(Now let me just get out of artists...)
(Here we go!)
1) I heard you're doing okay, but I want you to know: I'm a dick - I'm addicted to you
2) Iki o shiteru, Kokyo shiteru, Mistumeteiru, Michibiiteru, Negai o no seta shiroi hikari
3) America, America, America - Fuck yeah!
4) [You can say what you want about me, try to do what you want to me, but you can NOT stop me] I've been knocked down, it's a crazy town, even got punched in the face in L.A
5) The fights, those nights, I tried to pretend that it don't hurt
6) Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you
7) I'm through with standing in line to clubs I'll never get it
8) It's been a long road, getting from there to here, It's been a long time, but my time is finally near
9) Nani gaiichi ba unmatsi tastukao
10) I've always needed time on my own, I never thought I'd need you there when I cried
11) Words like violence Break the silence Come crashing in Into my little world
12) Daddy told me 'look into the future, sit at your computer, be a good girl'
13) [Come with me, to the Emerald City] One short day in the Emerald City
14) No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears, I'm here, nothing can harm you
15) Want to get closer, in too deep Where there is something I wish for I’ll go through Want to get closer into you
16) Nogashita sakana wa ooki zo, Deai kashira ga taisetsu na noni
17) It's not everyday That I meet a person quite like you, Perfect every way
18) Oh the power to be strong, and the wisdom to be wise, all these things will come to you in time
19) Kotoba mitzukerarezu, Omowa zu furetaka wazaki
20) Please, leave all overcoats, canes and top hats with the doorman
21) Spectacular, spectacular, no words of the vernacular can describe this great event, you'll be dumb with wonderment
22) Never been in love 'cause a girl like me never had someone to care for
23) Are you aware of what you make me feel, baby?
24) What you got if you ain't got love? The kind that you just want to give away?
25) Oh I wish you could meet my girlfriend, my girlfriend who lives in Canada
There you go folks, have fun guessing!! This will probably not be the last time you see this 'game', as I intend to repeat it when I have more people visiting my blog. =]
P.S: Apologies for No.s 2, 9, 16 and 19. The Romanji (big hint) may not be all correct. Many apologies for my terrible Japanese, but I know how to sing it phonetically!!
Xx Pebbles xX
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 25 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Strike out the songs when someone guesses correctly.NO CHEATING
(Okay, so I probably won't do step 4 because I don't think you CAN strike things out on here, but I may put a little star next to the ones people guess...Not that anybody comes on my blog...)
(Now let me just get out of artists...)
(Here we go!)
1) I heard you're doing okay, but I want you to know: I'm a dick - I'm addicted to you
2) Iki o shiteru, Kokyo shiteru, Mistumeteiru, Michibiiteru, Negai o no seta shiroi hikari
3) America, America, America - Fuck yeah!
4) [You can say what you want about me, try to do what you want to me, but you can NOT stop me] I've been knocked down, it's a crazy town, even got punched in the face in L.A
5) The fights, those nights, I tried to pretend that it don't hurt
6) Say it's true, there's nothing like me and you
7) I'm through with standing in line to clubs I'll never get it
8) It's been a long road, getting from there to here, It's been a long time, but my time is finally near
9) Nani gaiichi ba unmatsi tastukao
10) I've always needed time on my own, I never thought I'd need you there when I cried
11) Words like violence Break the silence Come crashing in Into my little world
12) Daddy told me 'look into the future, sit at your computer, be a good girl'
13) [Come with me, to the Emerald City] One short day in the Emerald City
14) No more talk of darkness, forget these wide-eyed fears, I'm here, nothing can harm you
15) Want to get closer, in too deep Where there is something I wish for I’ll go through Want to get closer into you
16) Nogashita sakana wa ooki zo, Deai kashira ga taisetsu na noni
17) It's not everyday That I meet a person quite like you, Perfect every way
18) Oh the power to be strong, and the wisdom to be wise, all these things will come to you in time
19) Kotoba mitzukerarezu, Omowa zu furetaka wazaki
20) Please, leave all overcoats, canes and top hats with the doorman
21) Spectacular, spectacular, no words of the vernacular can describe this great event, you'll be dumb with wonderment
22) Never been in love 'cause a girl like me never had someone to care for
23) Are you aware of what you make me feel, baby?
24) What you got if you ain't got love? The kind that you just want to give away?
25) Oh I wish you could meet my girlfriend, my girlfriend who lives in Canada
There you go folks, have fun guessing!! This will probably not be the last time you see this 'game', as I intend to repeat it when I have more people visiting my blog. =]
P.S: Apologies for No.s 2, 9, 16 and 19. The Romanji (big hint) may not be all correct. Many apologies for my terrible Japanese, but I know how to sing it phonetically!!
Xx Pebbles xX
Thursday 3 July 2008
A Letter From Barbie
******************************
A LETTER FROM BARBIE
******************************
Chief Executive Officer
Mattel, Inc.
El Segundo, CA
Dear Sir,
Listen you little troll, I've been helping you out every year, playing at being the perfect Christmas present, wearing skimpy bathing suits in frigid weather, drowning in fake tea from one too many tea parties, and I hate to break it to ya, but IT'S DEFINITELY PAYBACK TIME! There had better be some changes around here this year, or I'm gonna call for a nationwide meltdown (and trust me, you won't wanna be around to smell it).
So, here's my 1997 resolution/wish list:
1) A nice, comfy pair of sweat pants and a frumpy, oversized sweatshirt. I'm sick of loking liked a hooker. How much smaller are these bathing suits gonna get? Do you have any idea what it feels like to have nylon and velcro crawling up your butt?
2) Real underwear that can be pulled on and off. Preferably white. What bonehead at Mattel decided to cheap out and MOLD imitation underwear to my skin?!? It looks like cellulite!
3) A REAL man...maybe GI Joe. Hell, I'd take Tickle-Me-Elmo over that winped-out excuse for a boyfriend, Ken. And what's with that earring, anyway? If I'm gonna have to suffer with him, at least make him (and me) anatomically correct.
4) Arms that actually bend so I can push the aforementioned Ken-wimp away once he is anatomically correct.
5) Breast reduction surgery. I don't care whose arm you have to twist, just get it done.
6) A sports bra. To wear until I get the surgery.
7) A new career. Pet doctor and school teacher just don't cut it. How about a systems analst? Or better yet, an advertising account exec!
8)A new, more 90's persona. Maybe “PMS Barbie”, complete with a miniature contained of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and a bag of chips; “Animal Rights Barbie”, with my very own paint gun, outfitted with a fake fur coat and handcuffs; or “Stop Smoking Barbie”, sporting a removable Nicotrol patch and equipped with several packs of gum.
9)No more McDonald's endorsements. The grease is wrecking my vinyl.
10)Mattel stock options. It's been 37 years – I think I deserve it.
Okay, Mr CEO, that's it. Considering my valuable contribution to society, I don't think these requests are out of line. If you disagree, then you can find yourself a new bimbo doll for next Christmas. It's that simple.
Yours truly,
Barbie
Dreamhouse
Malibu, CA
Tuesday 24 June 2008
Oh wow...
Oh wow...
My very own weblog...
Jeesh...
This could go horrendously wrong...
Okay! So, a little about me.
Name: You may adress me as Pebbles =]
Age: 16
D/O/B: 11/04/1992
Gender: Female
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Status: In love, and happy about it!
What else would you like to know? I like any kind of music really, except ridiculous remixes and pop songs and McFly. 'Oh, but they write their own songs and everything!' Yeah? So do Evanescence, All American Rejects and Rise Against. Live with it. =]
So life is pretty boring at the moment... Biggest thing on my agenda is the Prom/Graduation Ball (hereafter known as Prom because I'm too lazy to type...the other one), which happens to be in four days. Well. Three days, seeing the time is 22:47. It's great! Mayhem, but GREAT mayhem!
Prom dress isn't finshed - fantastic! - don't know what to do with my hair or how to do it - great! - haven't got a CLUE what I'm doing with make-up - even better! - and my boyfriend can't come.
Why?
Because the people who decide what's what around our prom made the decision a few years back that 'if they're not in our school, especially not in our year, they cannot come', and my boyfriend happens to be out of education and two years older than me. Crap.
(haha...the 176th annual Dyke Leaping championships...ROTFL...)
(Don't ask.)
So, back to my rant. Unless he can successfully deceive the staff of both the school and the hotel that he is supposed to be there in on occupation or another, I am going to be left slow dancing with Ellie. Not that I mind - Ellie's a wonderful girl; one of my closest friends! - but I'd rather be slow dancing with Bob. It sucks. =(
Well I'm off to bed before I fall asleep on the keyboard. I bet anyone 10p (all my worth) that the next time I check my account, I will have had no replies. I'm being dead serious about this - ten whole pence to yourself if you comment! lol
Bye then!!
Xx Pebbles xX
My very own weblog...
Jeesh...
This could go horrendously wrong...
Okay! So, a little about me.
Name: You may adress me as Pebbles =]
Age: 16
D/O/B: 11/04/1992
Gender: Female
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Status: In love, and happy about it!
What else would you like to know? I like any kind of music really, except ridiculous remixes and pop songs and McFly. 'Oh, but they write their own songs and everything!' Yeah? So do Evanescence, All American Rejects and Rise Against. Live with it. =]
So life is pretty boring at the moment... Biggest thing on my agenda is the Prom/Graduation Ball (hereafter known as Prom because I'm too lazy to type...the other one), which happens to be in four days. Well. Three days, seeing the time is 22:47. It's great! Mayhem, but GREAT mayhem!
Prom dress isn't finshed - fantastic! - don't know what to do with my hair or how to do it - great! - haven't got a CLUE what I'm doing with make-up - even better! - and my boyfriend can't come.
Why?
Because the people who decide what's what around our prom made the decision a few years back that 'if they're not in our school, especially not in our year, they cannot come', and my boyfriend happens to be out of education and two years older than me. Crap.
(haha...the 176th annual Dyke Leaping championships...ROTFL...)
(Don't ask.)
So, back to my rant. Unless he can successfully deceive the staff of both the school and the hotel that he is supposed to be there in on occupation or another, I am going to be left slow dancing with Ellie. Not that I mind - Ellie's a wonderful girl; one of my closest friends! - but I'd rather be slow dancing with Bob. It sucks. =(
Well I'm off to bed before I fall asleep on the keyboard. I bet anyone 10p (all my worth) that the next time I check my account, I will have had no replies. I'm being dead serious about this - ten whole pence to yourself if you comment! lol
Bye then!!
Xx Pebbles xX
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)