Magaziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiines

I so want to spill about the magazine that's going to be reprinting my article, but I feel like I can't until I see it in print myself.

What that does tell you however, is that yes, the magazine is going to be running my article. Which is kind of amazing. But it's a yes!!! Nationwide glossy, slight niche market... but the biggest reach of a publication I've written for so far. Really, aside from some internet journalism, anything in print has been Scottish publications only. This one, people can order it from all over the world, tho it is UK based and aimed I think.

So, when will all this be happening? The September issue, which comes out August. I want this summer to be long, glorious and filled with sunny days that stretch out. But I want that magazine in my hands! But more importantly, I want it to be on shelves. I'll be one name among many in all the magazines out that month. And who knows how my copy will be redited, shuffled about, changed. I might see it and not be happy with it. But for now, I can dream and enjoy what *could* be.

Tennis!

To those of you who kept up with Andy at Queens, look at the pay off, he only went and did it! And made it look easy! All those years of Tim, will he, won't he, one final, it was such a trochall. Andy just went and did it. And he's Scottish too. :D Wooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now if he doesn't win Wimbledon people will be pissed... but, one grass court win does not a Wimbledon champion make. Look how many times Roddick won Queens (four) and how many times has he won Wimbledon? (Thats '0' in case you're wondering). HOWEVER, Andy has beaten Federer at least three times now I think, which Roddick was never able to do. And Murray's beaten Nadal.

You never know, he could do it. Or he could go out in the first round, disappear and win the US Open, and noone will care because it wasn't Wimbledon. What can he do. Just play. And let everyone talk, as they are want to do, and ignore it.

I love his strength. I love his stoicism. I love that he's a Scottish lion that roars when he wins a point. C'mon Andy Murray!!!

Ashes to Ashes, Funky to Funkier

Ashes to Ashes! How good was it! You're not pulling my todger... well he can't any more... You've been Quattroed! Shaz shooting a baddie in a wedding dress (nod to Kill Bill, 'the Bride'? Y, n?) That was a bit outrageous, but they just about got away with it.

And and and... SPOILERS...

Alex gets shot in 1982... all goes white... she wakes up, and there's a bandage on her head. She got shot in the head in the present, in 1982 she gets shot in the torso... so... does that mean she's back? But hang on, they've just announced A2A is coming back with a third (and final :-( ) series... so, is she gonna slip back in a coma... and there he is... Gene Hunt, haunting, nay, *hunting* her through the hospital screens and machines... 'cause he's gonna go down for shooting her in 1982, which he did... but he didn't do it on purpose.

So, wait a minute, I thought the whole deal with Alex Drake is that she knows its all in her head. Not actually travelling in time. Which rendered a lot of the jeapordy in series 1 as null for me. Oh a character dies, well, they're not real, it's just her imagination. In series 2 however, her state of health in the present, deteriorating, racked up the tension. And somehow... somehow... what happened in this 1982 felt real and relevant... and now Gene's hunting her in the present... It's certainly muddied the 'it's all in my head' theory, for me. I *like* the idea there's actual time travel involved, and I liked it better that the show seemed to acknowledge that a bit more this time round.

Thoroughly enjoyed this series. Want more more more!!!

Also, the red button 80s Top of the Pops show with Gene making ascerbic comments in between, and sometimes over, acts, was great. Again, I'll repeat, more more more!!! This is television that gets me excited!

(Altho pls dont tell me... if series 3 is set in the present... we'll lost all the 80s kitsch...)

Interviews, Possibilities, Play

What's the news ppl?

I interviewed Lingo 24 entrpreneur Christian Arno about setting up his company. Had a good natter about the French Open on the side. Love a tennis fan!

Also, rather big news... which could just not happen, lol. But it might! A national glossy magazine are considering running an interview I've done. They're talking about it today, even possibly right now, in an editorial meeting. They have the power. I could have my first national press credit... or not. And then it's back to the drawing board. 'Cause it's all luck. I have no insiders at the big publications, I don't know what they're looking for. It just so happened this was the right interviewee at the right time... but even then, that might not be enough. If it got in tho, maybe I could get in further with this magazine. Or maybe they'd use it, and then I'd be cast off, back to where I am now. I just write about things that interest me. There is no master plan. I follow my instincts and what catches my attention. I couldn't do it in any more prescriptive way, otherwise where would be the fun in that?!

I finished my play! Oh ye of little faith... miss Mentor, you missed out, 'cause actually I am entirely capable of reaching a high level, and this could be good. Yes, it's gay. And it's a road trip. And it might not break the mould, but it shows totally blinding enveloping affectionate love and the things it'll drive us to do. Or how we'll drive across the Earth in the name of it. Haha - tagline right there! I'm having a theatre bud read it over, someone whose mentored me before and actually gave me benefit of the doubt/the time of day. Hope to goodness it's got the potential I think it does. Normally I'm not so sure, then I'm surprised when things do well. If I'm sure, does that conversely mean it won't be as good...? Huh... Hm...

ALSO! I went to the Doctor Who exhibition and I had the BEST time! :D It was amazing. It was like I was *in* the show. It was so cool. No wonder people on that show describe it as the best job in the world. The sheer quality and attention to detail of the work was so... exciting. Imagine being surrounded bythat expertise every day. I wish I was! Highlights... the Autons from the first ep, actually scary, the Face of Boe, K-9, the Daleks! I almost had the whole exhibition to myself, one of the staff gave me a free programme as they said they'd never seen anyone enjoy it so much. I was jumping up and down, so carefree, so happy. Why can't life just be like that... no worries. I've honestly not been that happy... in so long. And it took the Doctor Who exhibition to do it!

Spotted actress Hayley Atwell (Line of Beauty, Ruby in the Smoke, Mansfield Park). Actually spotted her dog first, cute long haired daschund, then I noticed its owner, lol. She was sweeping through, dark hair flowing, in the gorgeous Glasgow sun. She's in a play that's currently touring and made a stop in the city. Tried to take a snap, but couldn't, then realised that would make me like a pap, and that's not nice.

Later on that day, I also won a bottle of wine and a free drink in the quiz! Such days rarely happen, so I tried to cherish it! Just to compensate I went out Saturday night and it was a bit rubbish! But I got home unscathed, just about, so ready to write another day!

Take care, watch Andy (Murray) play at Queens!

x.

Quick Update

I turned 24 yesterday!

I interviewed Dizzee Rascal!

I saw Paolo Nutini live, he was amazing, music courses through every part of his being, he's incredible. Great atmopshere. Chatted to the support band after.

I interviewed Lydia Kelly from Hollyoaks, who plays recent addition to the cast Lydia (yes, same name), the new belle of Sarah.

Having to write these up both for looming deadline and with a monster hangover.

Well, it was my birthday.

x.

New New New

Well I suppose every update is new until the next one. Anyway.

Rachael Cantu, singer/songwriter, based in LA. Currently in Vancouver recording new album.

Read about her here, first, in the UK anyway: scotcampus.com/may09 p.25

Also covered is the sh(OUT) exhibit at Gallery of Modern Art. Read about it here: scotcampus.com/may09 p.31

I recently got placed in the photography category in a local show. A nice thing on the side.

For the next issue. Boo on the interview front. The singer I was getting set up to interview was La Roux. The Roux are playing as part of the NME tour, next week you see. I took an email from the press ppl asking what I'd like to do interview wise as an indication things were well on their way. I was wrong. No interviews. Shame.

So, I've got a few things in mind for the next issue of Scotcampus, see what, if any, come together!

Playwright mentoring... probably less said the better. It didn't work out. Born freeeeeeeeeeeeeee, free as the wind blows.... Is that even the lyrics? I don't know. In any case, I will be crafting my own work, on my own. And giving it a lot of time, no deadline.

Beginning to get the acting bug again. I'm restless. I watch how much fun people have on the job and I know I want a piece of it. But it's so far to get there. Don't suppose I can just call up Andy Pryor and get on Doctor Who straight away? No, nah, didn't think so. That'd be a scary prospect though, no? First major tv gig, on the biggest drama in the country. Holy shit, I think I'd have a heart attack.

Probs best not then :-)

Take care folks, till next time,
x.

Music, Art, Entrepreneurial Endeavours, and Charitable Causes. Well, you can't say it's not varied.

Yep, all of that is coming your way...

First off, I interviewed singer/songwriter Rachael Cantu, of catchy ditty 'Saturday' with Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara. Rachael is from Orange County, a talented lady whose just started a raft of gigs opening for BB King. That feature/interview will be appearing in the next issue of Scotcampus, out May.

I went to the major new exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art, "sh(OUT)", all about lgbt lives as expressed through contemporary art. Some very moving pieces, some perhaps startling on first glance but not as necessarily alarming as some might have you believe... I then popped into one of the accompanying exhibits, "Our Vivid Stories", created by an lgbt youth group. I covered those exhibits, also featured in the May issue of Scotcampus.

I compiled a feature on young chef Sam Stern for Source magazine, and a community feature on charitable organisations who have benefited from a government cash from criminals scheme for Primary Life. PL is going nationwide.

Those will be out in the coming months for Spring.

Playwriting wise... working away, and waiting for feedback. I also put one I was working on, on hold. I wasn't pleased with what I was writing, it didn't feel right somehow. I may yet come back to it, we'll see.

I've been in touch with a few national magazines, UK wide that is, nothing in stone of course, but there's interest, and that's a good thing.

Find out more about Rachael at myspace.com/rachaelcantu

Trying to set up a very cool interview in the next month or so... oh it would be so cool if it happened. But maybe that's just because I personally like this artist very much. Let's just say she's a she, and she's just made it into the Top 10 this week, first hit single. That narrows it down... maybe too much, lol. Even if the interview doesn't happen, it's been fun thinking "what if". In fact, it might be too exciting if it did happen. I might not be able to get through it through sheer exhiliration. Deep breaths.

Till next time,

x.