Dinner Party Guests

Picture Accreditation: Allan Engelhardt

Who would you invite to your party?

I was asked the question yesterday, 'If you hosted a dinner party, what five people would you invite?' Although at first glance it looks like quite a straightforward question, it got me thinking.

If I was only allowed five people from throughout history who would I choose?

I could choose close family as they would be the ones who would probably appreciate the party the most. But, I could pick five of my closest friends as this would probably end up being the most fun party. However, in both of these cases people are going to have to be left out. This would then cause arguments and I could even lose friends over it. This would therefore make me feel guilty for throwing the party, no matter how good it was. A third option would be to invite five celebrities that you don't know but could hope to get along with. Theoretically this is probably the best option. Firstly because other celebrities are unlikely to get angry at being left out, and secondly because as there are five of them it is likely that you are at least going to get on with one or two of them. If I invited five celebrities they would be: Paul O'Grady, because he always seems to have something to say and would be brilliant for the conversation at the party. Secondly I would invite Julie Walters, just because I can't think of anything bad that she has acted in and she'd be fantastic in the compulsory game of charades. Next up would be Elvis Presley as he would provide superb musical entertainment. Fourth would be Victoria Wood, the Queen of comedy. She would help to break the ice with a few jokes and may even provide some light entertainment by acting out a few sketches with Julie Walters. Finally I would invite Mel Brooks, the film director. I don't really have a reason as for why, I just like his films. Of course, there is no guarantee that these five people would get on or would even reply to the invites. My friend who first asked me this question has told me that I've thought about this far too much and apparently I should just have given five names!

Facebookaholic

Picture Accreditation: AJ Cann

I am now officially addicted to Facebook. I have pretended for too long that I wasn't but it is obvious that I am. The revelation came last week when from Wednesday to Saturday I was away and therefore I had no access to the Internet. When I got, the first thing I did was to go onto Facebook and change my status and to check any updates that may have occurred in those three days. I am also one of these people who fills out stupid questionnaires just so that I can remain logged in to Facebook. I spend endless hours answering questions like: 'Favourite Colour?' and 'First Kiss?'. Often I'll do these quizzes and then get too embarassed to even post them! Another way of knowing that I am addicted is by how many times I click onto Facebook when I should be doing other things. I often go onto the computer with the sole intention of doing research or getting an assignment done - before I know it, two hours have passed and I'm still making meaningless chat to someone on Facebook. It seems to be programmed into me to click onto Facebook whenever the computer goes on, no matter what the intention. I am not alone though with this addiction, it emerged last week that scientists have now deemed Facebook as addictive as drugs, coffee and sex.

Kids with kids

Picture Accreditation: Daniel

So this week we find out that a thirteen year old boy, Alfie Patten has had a baby with his fifteen year old girlfriend Chantelle Steadman. Alright, I can see the ethical issues that go along with this, but isn't more pressure being placed on them through exposure to the media? Yes, they are too young to even consider raising a child but they can't reverse what they did - now they have to live with the consequences. Among others, one ethical issue being raised here is: when should the media step back and leave people alone? When does media involvement become too much? It is obvious that the media have made Alfie Patten reconsider whether he is up to being a dad as it has emerged today that he will be having a DNA test. Contrast this to when the story first broke. Alfie was quoted saying that he would be a good dad and will care for his baby, Maisie. Now, because of persistent questioning of his ability by the media and the public, he is trying a get-out clause by having a DNA test. I believe that the media have delved too far into this story and should now step back and leave the young parents to it. The story has however has also raised the question of sex education in Britain - again. The Government say that children are getting enough but if this was the case, why is teenage pregnancy the highest in Europe and still on the rise? Children need to be taught at a young age the dangers and consequences that can happen if they have unsafe sex. If the Government could get sex education correct (at the right age and the right amount) then maybe cases like Alfie and Chantelle's may become a thing of the past.

Panto weekend

Pic: Me and Tanya Wenman (Queen Lou and The Cheshire Cat) backstage.

Finally after five months of hard work and countless rehearsals, the Leadenham pantomime came to a close this weekend. 'Alice in Pantoland' has actually been a part of my life since last May when I began to write the script (my second after 'The Genie, The Witch and the Red Robe' for the '08 pantomime). Each performance in the first weekend (30th and 31st Jan) had at least one or two minor hitches - mainly technical problems. I was hopeful that this second weekend would run more smoothly. However, the audiences soon became the main problem. After a small audience on Friday night - due to snowy conditions - I didn't hold out much hope for the Saturday performances. The Saturday matinee seemed to confirm my worst fear, we performed for just over fifty people. They didn't get the jokes and failed to laugh in the places where we thought they would. However, Saturday evening more than made up for the lacklustre afternoon. We performed to a full house of 120 people with every little joke being picked up on. It is a fantastic feeling knowing that something that you've written is actually being performed by and enjoyed by others. The after show party was an excellent way to celebrate all the effort and hard work put in by everyone involved. During this party I was asked a number of times what my ideas were for next year's panto! Truth is, I have no ideas as yet!