Oh, my God has it been so long?

Well helloooooo!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since the 16th of April. That is the longest I've been without blogging. Tut, tut, tut.
But I'll tell you what's going on.

My family came here on the 31st of March and we spent a fabulous week going around London and eating in fantastic restaurants. Yum! The weather was unbelievably springy and hot and my sister and nephew had a great time.

After my sister and nephew left, my mother stayed here with me, as she does every year, and I went back to work. We always have great time together, we laugh a lot, eat a lot and of course, shout at each other a lot, LOLOLOL. Love her.
This year I made the mistake to mention a website that shows all the current Greek TV series and that was it! She only wants to watch this, she doesn't even let me take my emails, hahaha.
What torture... While she's watching this, I put my headphones on the TV and watch my shows and DVD's. So no internet, no blog, no emails, hahahaha. Even now as I write this she's over me saying "Let's do this, let's do that, can I watch that?" Oh, come on!

But I can't say no, since I love her dearly and a little accident happened to her about three weeks ago: she was walking down the street holding a bag with clothes she wanted to exchange in a shop and a motorcycle went by, grabbed the bag with the clothes (thank god she was wearing her actual bag across the chest like I've shown her...) and threw my mummy on the pavement.
I was at work and when she came to see me, she said it was nothing serious.
Five days later the pain at her wrist continued and I made an appointment with the doctor (me and my bloody work, I couldn't take her to the doctor earlier....) and then for an X-ray.

After the X-ray was taken the doctor came out and said:
-OK, she will be admitted tonight and the operation will be tomorrow
-Wait, what?
-She will be a d m i t t e d today and the o p e r a t i o n...
-What operation? No, no, no, not my mummy!

Ok, it wasn't like that, but it felt like that. She had broken her wrist, thankfully not severely, and she had to go through surgery. I called work and said:
- I won't be coming for the next two days, byyyeee!
Of course they understood, my bosses are fantastic!

Thank God everything with my mum's operation, went absolutely fine and now her hand is in a cast, which will be removed in a month's time. That means, she's staying for another month with me!!! Hurrah!

Oh, God! One more month of crap Greek TV, LOL.
I really don't care, as long as she's fine, you know.

So anyways, that is why I haven't blogged for so long and it won't be absolutely fully until me mom goes back to Greece at the end of June, sorry my friends...
I hope everything's well with you.

And see you a bit later
xoxoxoxoxoxo
M

Even...

Even when I have not been in here for a month and a half,
Even when I have the family around and I can't blog or visit anyone's blog,
Even when it's late and I'm tired and I want to go to bed - crying as I do now,
Even when I'm a Greek in London and USA and Virginia is too far away from me physically and mentally,

I can't ignore what happened and not write about how shocked, sad and speechless I am.

To the young people who lost their lives so soon, may you rest in peace.
To their families: may your pain be less by all the world sharing it.

In case you've been on another planet

Jimmy and Julia's first dance has been in the papers, on the TV and radio around the world and viewed on YouTube over 540,000 times. Some people have left very positive comments and some have discribed it as cringeworthy and have labelled Jimmy as gay.
The reason? Their first dance wasn't just another traditional slow dance, with the groom feeling a bit embarassed and the bride worrying about her hair and train.
Jimmy and Julia, from Wimbledon, had rehearsed for six months to do the Dirty Dancing routine. A suggestion by Julia, followed by dance lessons and countless rehearsals.

I think it's brave, innovative, fun and they both look beautiful. The video brought tears in my eyes. Does Jimmy have a brother?
Enjoy and tell me what you think.

OSCAR WHERE ARE YOU?

Ok, I am VERY PISSED OFF!
Over 40 channels on cable and none of them broadcasts the OSCARS. Not tonight, not any other night.
Boo-bloody-hoo :(

I remember the good old days, when I would make a large pot of coffee, get the video ready and anticipate for
"Live, from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles is the OSCARS!!"

I have been recording the ceremonies since 1985, when my lovely Amadeus won Best Picture. I was hooked every time.
I don't care about the red carpet, pre-Oscar stuff. Loads of channels show that, including websites. What I love is the actual ceremony.

I love the beginning, the nominations, the clips, the life-achievement awards, the dances and most of all the minute that the presenter says:
"And the Oscar goes to...."

My sister in Greece is going to watch it, through satelite of course. I live in a block of flats and they wouldn't let us put a dish for SKY. But even if I had SKY, SKY 1 is going to show only the highlights, not the whole ceremony. Looks like I'm going to watch the highlights of the highlights on the news. And I'm sure the UK news will emphasize on British winners only...

Torture!
Bastards!
Aaaargh!

Courting London

I am having the time of my life!
Only the fact that I can sleep as much as I want is enough. Top it up with some friends, blogging, the unexpected Attic Show and lots of music, then you have my ideal way of fun.
But, this past week has been truly amazing for one reason only: London.
A few months ago I downloaded from iTunes a podcast called London Walks by Robert Wright, with the idea of using them when my mum arrives in April, so we could have a guided tour.
The podcast got updated every week and was silently waiting for me to use it. A few days ago I was mixing and fixing something on my iTunes when accidentally a soft music and a soft voice transported me into inner Kensington... I decided that with my days off coming, I would take that walk.
I did on Tuesday and it was absolutely breathtaking. I didn't know (well, yes of course I did, but not as much) London has so many beautiful buildings. I fell in love all over again. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, so no photos. But the walk, lasting about an hour and a half was amazing. Little cobbled pedestrianised streets, alleyways, squares with bricked mansions, historic pubs and of course very posh people walking around... The narration and guidance by Robert Wright was so interesting and enjoyable I didn't want the walk to end.

Today I was meeting some friends downtown, so I decided to take another walk, this time armed with my camera. The walk today was Legal London and The Da Vinci Code.
What can I say? It was like a dream. A London I had no idea existed. The architecture and the preciousness of the buildings is beyond description. I went through numerous Barristers' Inns, Chambers and Courts via archways and alleys, I visited Temple Church, but unfortunately it was closed-so only from the outside, I went through the vibrant area of London School of Economics, with students all around and dozens of beautiful pubs. For almost two hours I was oooing and wowing from the unbelieveable sights.
The area is just a treasure, so on your next visit to London don't just go to Buckingham Palace and Picadilly Circus. Go to Chancery Lane and take the tour, with the company of Robert's soothing voice. I highly recommend you subscribe to his podcast.

Here are some pictures so you'll get a small idea of the beauty.
Click on some of them to experience the real thing.



A beautiful stained glass window



The Old Curiosity Shop made famous by Charles Dickens

The Royal Courts of Justice. You can't imagine how huge and majestic is this building!



The flames are burning next to the Royal Courts of Justice...




How old can this building be? And how much the new building is ruining the view...


A plaque opposite Temple Church


Temple Church and two Knights on a horse


Temple Church



A gorgeous archway leading to one of the numerous breathtaking courts


Shadows we are and
Like shadows we depart



The ellaborate entrance to Lloyds bank


And the entrance to one of the Solicitors' courts.

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
xxM

Can you believe it?

I have two weeks off!!!

Yes, finally I can rest and relax. Sleep late, do lots in the house, maybe a day trip to Brighton or Oxford, or somewhere else nice, BLOG!, finalise the re-mortgage papers, sort out my closet, see friends, go to the movies, listen to the radio all day and not only in the early morning, eat nice home-cooked meals and not junk food, do a bit of yogalates, go for walks around London, or.... do absolutely nothing!
It's the first time after six months I can just chill and enjoy myself. Happy!!!

Only, don't talk to me about the concert of the boys at the Royal Albert Hall. It coincides with the day my family arrives to London from Greece, and they will be knackered, all three of them. And of course, even if they agreed to go, all tickets are sold out. It would be impossible to find four good seats. I am not going and not taking the family if we have seats in the upper circle. And I'm not paying a penny to the b***ards who hog all tickets and selling them three times more expensive on Ebay. No, no, no.
So, unless a miracle happens and Pete invites us himself with four front row (ok second row, I'm not picky) tickets, I'm not going. Shite!

I'm sure I'll see them somewhere around Europe, even in a different London venue some time this year, though. I can always live in hope!

For the moment, let me enjoy my long overdue bliss...

Kisses and hugs to all.

At last! New (good) Blood!

Ok, no more gloom and doom.
I cave to Rachel's choices of guests and her new ITA CD on iTunes, which should be fantastic.
There is some good music around and finally, after many years of musical seclusion and refusals, I listen to contemporary music again and to the radio-although mainly Virgin Radio.
Even though I know that rap, hip-hop and the kind of crap so blaspemously call R&B is still around I chose to listen to the new "Indie", "New Wave", "Alternative", "Pop-Rock" combination bands that are storming the airwaves. And I love them.
Some of them were guests in the Attic, like the amazing Razorlight and the incredible Zutons.

They are young people who are inspired by the great music created in the 60's and 70's, gave way to electronica in the 80's, revived in the 90's with Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, the RHCPeppers, and the likes and finally evolved into something really unique into the 00's. There is so much talent around, it makes me very optimistic for the future of music, because before I thought it died in 1989.

The songs currently re-played again and again on my ipod are the following:

(please note: I only download from iTunes or my CD's
and not from free music-sharing sites.
If you call yourself a fan, then support your band to the full and pay for their music.)

• The Zutons: Valerie - there is something on the singer's voice that drives me nuts! This tune will take you to the Moon!!!
• Razorlight: America - soft and ear-pleasing, melodic and smooth, pure genius
• The Ordinary Boys: I Luv You - a bit silly, a bit happy-clappy, but it feels good and the music is excellent. And Preston is sooo cute!
• Editors: All Sparks - it was performed in the Attic and it stole my heart. The singer's voice is incredible.

And soon to be added, because it's not available yet: Kaiser Chief's Ruby - which for me tops them all, it is such a powerful song.
Also, just out and just straight to Number 1 from downloads only, MIKA's Grace Kelly.
The guy's a genius and has the hippest website.

Other bands like Franz Ferdinand, Kasabian, Keane, Snow Patrol, the Raconteurs, the Magic Numbers and many many more budding rockers, equally contribute to keeping the music standards high and are always welcome to my ears.

The 3-minute song is back and it sounds good!

Of course, let's not forget the band that in 2006 had a new come-back album and a sell-out Tour and still kick ass and sort of started it all: Take That!

You still alive? LOL. No, of course I meant our boys, the 'Orrible 'Oo, and I don't have enough words to describe the feelings when I listen to their songs. Any of their songs.

In a day and age where reality shows "manufacture" bands and musical styles, when all the good songs are "covered" or "sampled" sacrilegiously, it's very good to see, or rather hear, some original talent, which derives from the original talents of the golden age of music.

Rock On!

Losing the magic?

Hello all, it's been a long time.
I am still working like a maniac. I am doing three lates per week now, and rumours are that we will soon be staying open until 9pm, which means I won't have time to do anything, let alone blog.
It's nearly 2am now, but after sorting out some finances (there is no other time!) I decided to visit Rachel's blog to see how things are going on the other side of my La-la-land.

As I was reading Rachel's latest post about the new Attic Jam in Joe's pub in NY and I felt a pang (pung?) in my stomach for not being able to be there again, I couldn't stop thinking about how it was about 14-15 months ago...

• we had Attic shows every Wednesday - best time of the week!
• we had the chats during the shows - amazingly funny and sweet
• we felt close to our Pete, our Rachel, our Mikey, our Simon - but they were still our "idols", a bit unreachable, a bit of a dream...
• we were anticipating a live show, just to be there and hear them play
• in the Bedford Gig it was a pinch-me moment when I got a photo with Simon
• as for the first Attic Jam ever (Basement Jam) it was beyond words to describe, as I shook Pete's hand and them Mark, Jill and I were guests in the Attic! Absolute magic and very special

The Leeds concert was incredible, being at the front row of such an historical event... Our blogger friend Tony (Haribomort) got a pic with Pete and it was absolutely magical.
Then the Attic was flooded by guests... the Eels, the Kooks, the Editors, and many others whom I can't remember. All very good artists, but It wasn't the same for me. I was tuning in to watch Rachel and the gang and not Martha Wainwright (which, I am very sorry to say, I don't like at all). Out of politeness to Rachel and her generous soul I didn't say anything back then, but as time goes by and I see that the shows are more about the guests and not our beloved artists...I don't know, I feel it's losing its magic. But I would never discourage Rachel, if that is what she likes to do, I will listen to 20 Wainwright songs, just to hear one of Rachel's...

Now, about the meet and greet: I'd kill, steal and lie to be in one of them. I would punch people in the face (careful!) to have a photo with Pete, like a lot of you did. But then I would go away and the next person would come to have another photo with him, and I think he would feel a bit like a Tussaud's wax statue????? I am sure that our Attic gang are more than happy to meet their fans. Rachel has been so close to us and I truly appreciate that. Pete has been amazing with all of us. But sometimes I feel like we are asking too much?????? We take it for granted????? We expect it??????
As I said: not magic! "Oh! I got a photo with Pete and Rachel" , "Oh, yeah! me too" "and me" and so on and so on. Someone who did meet him and had a chat with him, was even talking very blazé about it. It got me a bit angry...
I am talking about someone who also deleted one of my comments on her blog, called me "someone" and has not visited my blog ever since... Long story, another time.

Please, please, please don't get me wrong. I am happy for everyone who got to meet and greet and take a picture with our prized personalities. Well done and good for you! I am not writing all this out of jealousy as you might think. I don't want you to think that "hey Marietta, you met them, we haven't so what's YOUR problem?" I am just expressing a concern, that we might be losing the magic here. And I think I agree with Pete's and Rachel's decision not to have a meet and greet this time. Keep the distance a little bit, keep the magic...

I will probably not take part at the competition for the tickets when Rachel launches her album. She will be sooo busy, what with the press being there and the promotion, she won't even remember my name. But, it goes without saying, good luck to all of my blogger friends who will.

I am not losing my faith, I have not idolized them in the point of God-like idols, I don't blame anyone who will go and have a pic with them, I'm still one of you... I hope you understand what I'm trying to say here...

Once again, for all my blogger friends who have met them, FAB!
For those of you who haven't: GO FOR IT!

But for me, it has lost its intimacy.

One last thing: When I was in Hyde Park I didn't manage to go backstage, fair enough... In one of the following ITA's I heard Simon say "Boy, we had a looot of people backstage" and you know what? I was glad I wasn't one of them!

TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING
IS TOO MUCH FOR ME..

Love to all

*** HAPPY NEW YEAR ***

Well the fireworks by the London Eye were amazing last night... I wonder how many thousands of tons that was..
I am still working non-stop, hence my absence from blogland. I have a day off on Thursday and I will probably pop up to say hi.
In the meantime have a fabulous 2007 and may your dreams be my wishes...

Lots of love
xoxoxo
M

The three Witches of Christmas

Little Faith pressed her face on the window and stared at the beautiful globe with the three witches that turned and turned. She was holding her mother's hand, both wearing torn gloves that let their fingers out, to be touched by the cold wind. They hadn't eaten for days, and, as it was Christmas Eve, Mrs Hope was going to ask to help Mr Strickland at his gift shop, in exchange for a little money for hers and Faith's Christmas dinner.
"What do you see my darling Faith?" Mrs Hope asked, seeing her daughter's eyes nearly in tears.
"I see that beautiful globe with the three witches. How I wish I could buy it for Christmas"
"I know honey, but at the moment we need food and warmth. So I am going to ask Mr Strickland for a job for today, so we can eat and get a warm room in the shelter. So, I want you to promise me you'll be a good girl and you won't speak to the man, until he speaks to you and also not to touch anything in the shop."
It was known to the whole village that Mr Strickland was a very strange and sometimes mean man. He had never decorated his shop for Christmas and no one had ever seen him smile.

"All right mommy", answered Faith. But she didn't take her eyes off the globe as they were entering the shop.
Mr Strickland, without even raising his head shouted "No beggars, go away!"
Mrs Hope was ready to turn around and go, but she made a step forward, took a deep breath and said "No, we're not beggars. I am looking for a job for today, or any other day until New Year's, so that I and my little girl can have a plate of food"
"Niah, I know what you're like. If I take you in here, the minute I'll turn my back you'll steal my money"
Mrs Hope was ready to say something when she noticed that Faith had gone near the window and had stretched her arm and taken the globe.
"Faith, NO!" shouted Mrs Hope and Mr Strickland plunged at the window and grabbed Faith by the hair. "NO ONE TOUCHES ANYTHING IN HERE, ESPECIALLY YOU, YOU FILTHY BEGGAR!!" and pushed her out of the door.
Faith let a cry and fell on the floor. As she fell, the globe flew out of her hands, and it crashed on the pavement. Faith looked around her and saw she was on her own, her mom or Mr Strickland were nowhere in sight and the shp was shut.
Suddenly, the wind blew madly and everything became misty, as three strands of smoke rose from the globe and transformed themselves into fully fleshed witches, identical to the ones that were in the globe.
"Ah! Free at last!" said one witch.
"Unbelievable, after 260 years!" said another
"Hey, look, the Strickland shop is still here!" said the third.

Faith, with her mouth open stared at the witches. When she finally realised what was happening she asked:
"Are you real witches?"
"Oh, my dear child," said the oldest of the three witches", of course we are. We were cursed by that man's ancestor, Midas Strickland, to live inside the globe, because we punished him for being greedy. I see his progeny is not far better. We've been watching him all these years. Ever since he inherited that shop from his father. He's been a miserable and stingy man, especially after his wife died and left him on his own. I loathe him, but pity him the same time. I'm Fenella, by the way"
"And I'm Prunella" said the middle one.
"And I'm Carmella" said the youngest one and bowed.
"And you, " said Fenella " who freed us, can have a wish. Any wish. What would you like? Wealth? A house? More food than you can ever eat? Eternal beauty? Ask for anything"

Faith thought for a while. "You know what I want?"
"I know", said Carmella. "A doll, as beautiful as...well, me"
"Oh, shoosh Carmella" said Prunella. "Let the child decide. And I think I know what she wants. She wants a warm coat"
"You are both wrong", said Fenella looking at her two sisters dissapprovingly. "I think she wants her mother to get a job. That will be at least useful for longer!"

"Actually..." hesitated Faith, "you are all wrong. What I really want is..."
"Yeah?" the three witches said together with anticipation
"I want ... I want Mr Strickland to be happy...!"

"No, no, no, you don't understand" said Prunella. "The wish is for YOU and YOU only. Whatever made you think you could wish for someone else?"
"Yes, but don't you see?" insisted Faith. "If Mr Strickland was a happier man, he wouldn't be mean to my mother and me, he would have given her the job and we would not be cold and starving tonight. Or ever"
"I think she has a point", Carmella said. "You know for a little girl, you have a very big heart. What is your name by the way?"
"Faith" said the little girl and gave them a big smile.
"Well, Faith" Fenella said and rose her hands to the sky, as did the other two witches.
"Here it is, your wish:
By the enchanting Moon that illuminates the sky
And the stars that are lamps in the night
Make this man named Strickland happy
For ever more, as of tonight!"
And, wooosh, three stars appeared from the sky leaving three bright stardusted tails that lit the night with the brightest lights.

Faith blinked her eyes and when she opened them she was once again all alone. The witches were not around and the shop door was once again open.
"Faith, Faith" she heard a voice. It wasn't her mother's voice. It was a man's. It was...Mr Strickland's!
"Come inside, you'll freeze to death little girl" said Mr Strickland. Faith rose to her feet and went closer to the shop hesitating at the start, but then she saw her mother smiling to her so she ran inside.
"Well, Mrs, erm, Mrs..."
"Hope" said the woman, holding her daughter.
"Well Mrs Hope, I tell you what. It's already after four and I see that everyone's at home, no one will be coming here now. So why don't I shut this place and we all go home and have dinner. My sister sends me a huge meal every year and I can never go through it, so tonight we will share it. What do you say? Heck, it's Christmas Eve, after all!"

Faith and her mother looked at each other. Mrs Hope could not believe her ears. She smiled at the man and said "With pleasure, sir" and they all left to have a warm night and a rich meal.

Mrs Hope started working at Mr Strickland's shop, who gave her and Faith a small room above the shop to live. A few months later he married her and became the happiest man in the world, always smiling and giving a lot of money to the poor.

Mrs Hope could never understand what exactly happened and Mr Strickland changed overnight.
She never learned about her daughter's wish and the three witches of Christmas.
Faith never told her the story. She would never believe her.
It didn't really mattered though.
She kept her secret to herself. And every Christmas Eve she would look at the sky and she would see three stars flickering and smiling back at her.
_______________________________________________

Ok, that's a little story for Christmas I wrote some years ago, for my AOL webpage (which existed before this blog)
I dedicate it to all of you, wonderful people and wish you

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
and may you always have
FAITH and HOPE

So tired

I haven't blogged since the 3rd of the month.

I went to the ball on Saturday and it was nothing special. I got bored. Same band, same songs, but the food was delicious!
I hated my hair... I went for the "new" and wound up looking like a middle-aged office worker (which I am, LOL). What I mean is, it was like everyday hair, not ball hair, you get it?
Will post photos when I have some spare time.
I am working like a f*$£ing dog!!!

Take care.

You know you are living in 2006

I got this on an email recently and it's a lot of fun to read (and freaky too!)

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2006 when:

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.
10. You get up in the morning and go online before getting your coffee.
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice that there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list
AND NOW YOUR LAUGHING at yourself...

I can relate to most of the above, how about you?
I don't have any news... work work and more work (double dose).
The surveyor for the remortgage is coming on Tuesday, which means on my free hours I'm rearranging things, tidying up and cleaning. I sleep at 2am and wake up at 6:30 am. No time to blog seriously or relax. Hectic life, but at least it's a good hectic life.
Sending virtual kisses to all