North of the Stupid Line

I would just like to extend a hearty congratulations to FGW for actually delivering me on time to Newport train station from London Paddington this morning. Shock, horror. It’s a miracle! Hallelujah! *angelic harps and chorus in background*

I don’t usually come home on a Saturday, but I was asked to present a talk about property law at the Deaf Clubs Conference today, and I duly obliged. It was quite an interesting experience, explaining legal terms in BSL to a mostly Deaf audience.

I was just reading this article in the New York Times and was thinking to myself how glad I am that I don’t live in the USA. Can you imagine having to pay for your health care costs, even if you get cancer or heart disease, or just to find out what’s wrong with you when you’re ill?

For all the criticism levelled at the National Health Service, we are very lucky to have it. You don’t need to worry about health insurance, and the poorest of the poor can have medical treatment and won’t be denied it simply because they can’t afford it, which is what happens in the USA.

Even for the middle classes, it can be a very expensive business, and like the family featured in the NY Times article, some even have to file for bankruptcy as they can’t afford to repay the medical costs as well as their mortgage, living costs etc.

The USA is meant to be the ultimate in democracy. Ha, don’t make me laugh. It is a money-hungry, corporate-minded nation that is generous to the rich and hard on the middle and working classes, as well as the poor. So much for the great US constitution!

I am so excited because books by two of my favourite authors, Robert Jordan and George RR Martin, are being or have been released this month.

George RR Martin hasn’t published in years, even though he is currently writing a series of books called A Song of Ice and Fire which are breath-taking in their scale and viciousness. The latest instalment, A Feast for Crows was published on 17 October 2005, and I’m desperate to read it. Only problem is, it’s been so long since I read the first three books, that I can’t remember what happened. So, looks like I’ve got a bit of re-reading to do.

Another book out in hardback from 11 October 2005 is Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan, another fantastic fantasy author. His Wheel of Time series has taken hold of me and won’t let go. Knife of Dreams is the penultimate book in the series, so I imagine the pace will be fast and furious, and un-put-downable. Only problem is, all the other boks in the series I have are in paperback, so I’ve got to wait until Knife of Dreams is out in paperback before I can read it. Pah.

I went to see the After Dark Cabaret last night at The Riverfront, Newport. What follows herewith is my review of the main acts:

Tyron Woolfe

Tyron is always consistent in the quality and delivery of his performances, and his dramatics for some songs from West Side Story were particularly effective, particularly A Boy Like That / I Have A Love. The best interpretation, however, was The Phantom of the Opera, which gave me, and a lot of other members of the audience, goosebumps. Excellent.

John Wilson

John is a poet and has not read his poems in public for nigh on ten years, so it was a real privilege to see him tonight. His poems were really powerful examples of the anger and frustration Deafies face in everyday life. From the Depths was a particularly imaginative piece of work, as John uses the vehicle of the hunting and killing of a whale to describe the education system that focuses on oralism.

Barry J Roberts

Barry had an interesting act. Having collaborated with AMP Dance Theatre, he produced a short dance piece that had a strong impact in its delivery. Basically, he mimed the hurt that is caused by abuse, with the very graphic display of committing suicide at the end. It left us all a little shell-shocked, but it was particularly effective.

Ramesh Meyyappan

Ramesh’s act was easily the best of the night. His skits literally left us all breathless with laughter. The second one, where he called up three members of the audience (and left us all scared shitless that he was going to pick us) and got them to imitate his mime, and putting them altogether at the end to depict a cowboy riding a horse, climbing up a drainpipe and through a window, to meet with his lover, who was depicted preparing herself for his impending arrival, and then the jealous husband who killed the cowboy with a fencing sword! Ramesh is a natural comedian, and honestly, he was an absolute delight to watch.

MCs Jeff Wilson and Maggie Hampton

They both introduced the acts successfully and raised a few laughs with their stories and banter, but I think perhaps they should have let the presence of Deaf artists speak for themselves.

All in all, this was a first for Wales, and we should bear that in mind. If it becomes a regular event, then it should improve. I would go and see it again, that much is certain.

P.S. I’m sure J will be so happy to see such a looong post from me!

Yes, I know, I know. I’m a terrible blogger, a shitty entertainer and inconsiderate to all my fans. Why? ‘Cos I’ve not posted in a little while – oops.

I’ve just run out of things to say (hard to believe I know). My life is sort of in a limbo at the moment, and I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I won’t go into too much detail here, just in case it jinxes things; needless to say, my life could be about to change, again (!).

Ahh, I can see what’s going through all your minds at this moment:

1) “He’s breaking up with Rachel?!”
2) “He’s selling the house? Poor mite can’t afford the mortgage – awwh what a shame!”
3) “Wedding plans going down the pan? Eek!”
4) “Has someone died?! Gulp!”
5) etc.

I can reassure you that it’s none of those things, so rest easy. Just be patient, you’ll find out after Thursday.

Update: You won’t be finding out what’s getting my goat at the moment until the end of the month! What fun, another 3 weeks of being stuck in a limbo!