Two new Fiery Rockets Videos now live!
"The Edge" - a piece of spoken word based on a true story, by myself, Gemma Connell.
Photos by Francesca Hughes of The Big Walrus (www.bigwalrus.co.uk) and Music From Rainy Skies Magazine (www.musicfromrainyskiesmagazine.com)
An accompanying blog will follow at www.fieryrockets.blogspot.com
I reviewed the Manchester stop of the Dot-to-Dot Festival for Music From Rainy Skies (www.musicfromrainyskiesmagazine.com). Here's some footage from the bands we saw:
Patterns
Turbowolf
Wonder Villains
2:54
A Plastic Rose
Pure Love
Dog is Dead
The Drums
An accompanying blog will follow at www.fieryrockets.blogspot.com
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label literature. Show all posts
Monday, 18 June 2012
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Flow!
"Flow!" The FIRST EVER Broken Rose Performing Arts event, with Manchester's Contact Theatre and Manchester Literature Festival - http://www.contactmcr.com/whats-on/987-mlf11-flow/ - it's just a teaser... more coming soon
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
"Women Who Run with the Wolves"
What?! I hear you cry.
Have you ever felt like your dreams will never come true simply because you need to focus most of your energy on day to day living to get by? "Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes is a book which will without a doubt put a stop to this kind of thing in your life.
Estes states that art and expression are the inner most important aspects of being a woman. Woman cannot function properly, or gain her full potential by chosing not to persue her art, whether that is an active choice, or one which she feels forced into. Through the telling of old folklore, Estes inspires women around the world to practice their art, and follow through on the projects that they dream up.
It is not unhealthy to chase dreams, it's unhealthy not to. Every woman on the planet should read this book.
"Create your art. Now, not another word unless you're a singer."
Much love.
CC.
Have you ever felt like your dreams will never come true simply because you need to focus most of your energy on day to day living to get by? "Women Who Run with the Wolves" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes is a book which will without a doubt put a stop to this kind of thing in your life.
Estes states that art and expression are the inner most important aspects of being a woman. Woman cannot function properly, or gain her full potential by chosing not to persue her art, whether that is an active choice, or one which she feels forced into. Through the telling of old folklore, Estes inspires women around the world to practice their art, and follow through on the projects that they dream up.
It is not unhealthy to chase dreams, it's unhealthy not to. Every woman on the planet should read this book.
"Create your art. Now, not another word unless you're a singer."
Much love.
CC.
Monday, 15 November 2010
Vegan Freak
"All vegans have been there - if you're vegan, you know the situation well. Perhaps it's at work. Maybe it's with friends or even family. You sit down to eat, quietly ordering a salad or the ubiquitous (and so very tired) grilled vegetable entree, and some observant dinner companion notices that you're not chowing down on the chicken smothered in cream sauce and butter topped with bacon, or whatever the heart attack Atkins-approved special du jour is. You are keeping to youself, completely quiet and proper, and suddenly, in that moment of omnivorous realization, without any work on your part, you're turned into the militant animal rights activist, earthy weirdo, and transcender of all that is good and righteous in the world.
In short, you've become The Vegan Freak."
... The opening lines of a book which has been sat on my bookshelf for a while now. I can tell you every word is true. All vegan's will testify to having gone through this moment, which is usually promptly followed by a chorus of "What do you actually eat?" Yet, when you reply with a list of foodstuff as long as your arm, no one quite seems to believe you. I've taken to directing those non-believers to the famous book "Diet for a New America" which not only demonstrates how easy it is to become vegan, and how sustainable the diet is, but also spells out many harsh truths which today's society is inclined to shy away from.
The truth of the matter is, a lot of people seem to acknowledge that humans shouldn't consume animal products, but no one wants to talk about it. Now, I'm not one for preaching, but I prefer it when people practice what they believe to be right and wrong. I'd much prefer you to think it right to consume animal products (and explain your reasons for it) than continue to needlessly kill them because you like the taste but can't bear the thought of what you are actually eating. Be honest with yourself, that is all I ask.
I'm well aware that the world isn't going to simply turn completely vegan. However, if you become vegan at the age of around 20 (I did at 18) and you stick with it, you personally save 2000-3000 animals from the slaughterhouse in your lifetime.
I feel quite good about that.
Much cruelty-free love.
CC.
In short, you've become The Vegan Freak."
... The opening lines of a book which has been sat on my bookshelf for a while now. I can tell you every word is true. All vegan's will testify to having gone through this moment, which is usually promptly followed by a chorus of "What do you actually eat?" Yet, when you reply with a list of foodstuff as long as your arm, no one quite seems to believe you. I've taken to directing those non-believers to the famous book "Diet for a New America" which not only demonstrates how easy it is to become vegan, and how sustainable the diet is, but also spells out many harsh truths which today's society is inclined to shy away from.
The truth of the matter is, a lot of people seem to acknowledge that humans shouldn't consume animal products, but no one wants to talk about it. Now, I'm not one for preaching, but I prefer it when people practice what they believe to be right and wrong. I'd much prefer you to think it right to consume animal products (and explain your reasons for it) than continue to needlessly kill them because you like the taste but can't bear the thought of what you are actually eating. Be honest with yourself, that is all I ask.
I'm well aware that the world isn't going to simply turn completely vegan. However, if you become vegan at the age of around 20 (I did at 18) and you stick with it, you personally save 2000-3000 animals from the slaughterhouse in your lifetime.
I feel quite good about that.
Much cruelty-free love.
CC.
Friday, 29 October 2010
Millenium
Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy has to be by far the best set of books I've read in a long while. More twists and turns than a new theme park ride.
The heroine, Lisbeth Salander, is like no other - small, private, tattooed, she appears to most as one of society's rejects, when in fact she has the most exquisite mind. Her genius is beyond compare, and the lengths she will go to in order to have bad guys taught their lesson are astounding. Teamed with journalist Mikael Blomkvist, a seemingly iresistable older man, Larsson leaves his readers begging for more.
The first book in the trilogy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, hooks you into the world of Swedish magazine Millenium with a dramatic plot line and stunning bouts of character development. Just when you think you know Salander and Blomvkist, the second book, The Girl who Played with Fire, pops up to prove that you really didn't. Besides which, the twist towards the end of this second installment actually had my eyes popping out of their sockets. As for the third book? Well, just like a complicated court case, I think it's better if you discover every aspect of that one by yourself.
I truly reccommend this beautifully written trilogy.
Much Bookish Love.
CC.
The heroine, Lisbeth Salander, is like no other - small, private, tattooed, she appears to most as one of society's rejects, when in fact she has the most exquisite mind. Her genius is beyond compare, and the lengths she will go to in order to have bad guys taught their lesson are astounding. Teamed with journalist Mikael Blomkvist, a seemingly iresistable older man, Larsson leaves his readers begging for more.
The first book in the trilogy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, hooks you into the world of Swedish magazine Millenium with a dramatic plot line and stunning bouts of character development. Just when you think you know Salander and Blomvkist, the second book, The Girl who Played with Fire, pops up to prove that you really didn't. Besides which, the twist towards the end of this second installment actually had my eyes popping out of their sockets. As for the third book? Well, just like a complicated court case, I think it's better if you discover every aspect of that one by yourself.
I truly reccommend this beautifully written trilogy.
Much Bookish Love.
CC.
Sunday, 10 October 2010
We few, we happy few...
I've noticed over the past couple of months how your bedroom can tell the story of your life. I first realised this when I returned home from university, and tried desperately to cram all of my new belongings back into my tiny box room in my parents' house. Needless to say, I've still not been completely successful in that task, but as I filled every surface with old and new tophies and medals, certificates, books, DVDs and CDs, I saw how every chapter of my life was represented in some way.
The pictures which grace my walls date back to the year 10 residential trip to France, whilst the new editions to my shelves include various different graduation bears. I don't think there is a section of my life so far that isn't documented in those four walls.
This idea hit home even more, and in a very different way, when my parents recieved a new painting to go on the living room wall. The painting is entitled "Band of Brothers", and I'm told that the Shakespeare reference is intentional. It's a painting of my father and his three best friends, one of which, let's just say, is rather ill.
It's a sobering thought to have this particular part of our lives documented, but an important one, nonetheless.
"We few, we happy few
We band of brothers."
- William Shakespeare.
Much Love.
CC.
The pictures which grace my walls date back to the year 10 residential trip to France, whilst the new editions to my shelves include various different graduation bears. I don't think there is a section of my life so far that isn't documented in those four walls.
This idea hit home even more, and in a very different way, when my parents recieved a new painting to go on the living room wall. The painting is entitled "Band of Brothers", and I'm told that the Shakespeare reference is intentional. It's a painting of my father and his three best friends, one of which, let's just say, is rather ill.
It's a sobering thought to have this particular part of our lives documented, but an important one, nonetheless.
"We few, we happy few
We band of brothers."
- William Shakespeare.
Much Love.
CC.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Naturally.
This month's isseue of National Geographic contains a Green suppliment which asks the question: "What's Nature Worth?"
The article which claims to answer this speaks of how, if people focus on the economic value of nature, we might have a better chance at saving it. Now, while I appreciate the attempt to instigate a change of heart in individuals who currently don't seem to care about the environment, I feel that the issue of the survival of the planet should be pushed more forcefully.
I don't understand why certain people have to be convinced by the amount of money they would conserve by being environmentally friendly. Shouldn't the survival of the planet which is there home and its preservation for future generations take precendence over this? I guess I will never understand such people.
However, reading such things has put this book on my wishlist:
"How Bad are Bananas?" by Mike Berners-Lee
I add this to my already rather pricey list of:
Second and third book of Steig Larsson's Millenium trilogy - I read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" as part of a book club recently, and I was completely enthralled by it. It's a pity that I've got such a huge pile of books to get through first, before I'll have the chance to read the other two of Larsson's books.
"Bones" seasons 3-5 - I had forgotten how much I loved this programme. I watched it religiously from it piolot until about halfway through season 2, at which point Virgin Media had an argument with Sky and the channels Sky 1 and 2 were cut from my television package. Right on a cliff hanger. I bought the second series box set when it came out and I've only just gotten around to watching it. A fascinating and touching look into the life of a forensic anthropologist - I would reccomend it to anyone.
In other news, I've got to figure out 2 lines of banter for the "Cobwebs" play and then I'll be away on my second draft! Long story...
Much love.
CC.
The article which claims to answer this speaks of how, if people focus on the economic value of nature, we might have a better chance at saving it. Now, while I appreciate the attempt to instigate a change of heart in individuals who currently don't seem to care about the environment, I feel that the issue of the survival of the planet should be pushed more forcefully.
I don't understand why certain people have to be convinced by the amount of money they would conserve by being environmentally friendly. Shouldn't the survival of the planet which is there home and its preservation for future generations take precendence over this? I guess I will never understand such people.
However, reading such things has put this book on my wishlist:
"How Bad are Bananas?" by Mike Berners-Lee
I add this to my already rather pricey list of:
Second and third book of Steig Larsson's Millenium trilogy - I read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" as part of a book club recently, and I was completely enthralled by it. It's a pity that I've got such a huge pile of books to get through first, before I'll have the chance to read the other two of Larsson's books.
"Bones" seasons 3-5 - I had forgotten how much I loved this programme. I watched it religiously from it piolot until about halfway through season 2, at which point Virgin Media had an argument with Sky and the channels Sky 1 and 2 were cut from my television package. Right on a cliff hanger. I bought the second series box set when it came out and I've only just gotten around to watching it. A fascinating and touching look into the life of a forensic anthropologist - I would reccomend it to anyone.
In other news, I've got to figure out 2 lines of banter for the "Cobwebs" play and then I'll be away on my second draft! Long story...
Much love.
CC.
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
A Reading Matter...
I never actually acknowledged how useful my English Degree was going to be. I figured that I was there to perform, and prove that my brain hadn't completely gone to mush, but I didn't realise that in researching source material for a play of my own, I'd need to know everything the University of Warwick had taught me.
Some reference to "The Epic of Gilgamesh" being a source of vampirism in Ancient Babylonia got my brain ticking over and I realised that I had the text itself on my bookshelf from when I'd studied the epic tradition. It's weird how things seem to fit together like that. And also really weird how apparently there's some kind of monster/vampire that came from Leamington Spa, which just happens to be where I lived whilst at uni. Hmmm... creepy.
Speaking of reading material, a tweet from the lovely bubzbeauty reminded me how huge a stack of manga is collecting dust on that very bookshelf. I used to love manga... and now I can't remember what I've read and what I haven't.
Meh.
CC.
Some reference to "The Epic of Gilgamesh" being a source of vampirism in Ancient Babylonia got my brain ticking over and I realised that I had the text itself on my bookshelf from when I'd studied the epic tradition. It's weird how things seem to fit together like that. And also really weird how apparently there's some kind of monster/vampire that came from Leamington Spa, which just happens to be where I lived whilst at uni. Hmmm... creepy.
Speaking of reading material, a tweet from the lovely bubzbeauty reminded me how huge a stack of manga is collecting dust on that very bookshelf. I used to love manga... and now I can't remember what I've read and what I haven't.
Meh.
CC.
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