... and I had jelly in my hair.
Quite nasty does jelly go when it's dried and crispy.
Oh well, I'm back home now and looking forward to going away tomorrow. Cath is ironing, the kids going to their grans later on. I am just sitting down and reflecting on the day.
I like acting, not that that's what best describes what happened today. But I like being other people. You can do so much more than what is 'you' when you put on a costume. I like that.
Thursday 31 May 2007
My bear-like feet hurt...
Posted by starinajar at 7:47 pm 2 comments
Wednesday 30 May 2007
If you go down to the woods today...
...You're sure of a big suprise.
Too right. I have done some crazy things in my lifetime, all of which fun but few can compare with the current 'off the wall' project. As i've said in a previous post I am Daddy bear in the Afan forest park Woodland Festival!
Good grief... Last night we had a dress rehearsal and i fell around crying. Much respect is due to Anthony the cuddly wolf (imagine a womble) and the three ginger bears (Of which I am the tall one).
I don't know what else to say. I'm speechless.
Today we have a dress rehearsal at the forest park. I just hope we don't get wet, arrested, or kidnapped by mountain bikers.
And then at 4.30 am off to see the new Pirates movie.
Posted by starinajar at 10:54 am 0 comments
Sunday 27 May 2007
Fancy that...
Also, if you drink a bottle of wine while making welsh cakes, they come out all weird shapes!
Posted by starinajar at 8:03 pm 2 comments
Beloved Exile
That was the best Cordell book I have read (It was my fifth).
n.b. don't mix this book with wine as you feel quite emotional at the end.
Posted by starinajar at 3:37 pm 0 comments
Saturday 26 May 2007
testing, testing...
The observant among you may have noticed a new addition to the blog.
That's right.
A fish! (below and to the right if you haven't seen it yet)
Still working on him at the moment as my flash actionscripting isn't fab and once your mouse leaves the bowl the fish jumps back to the middle and doesn't swim back. oh well, it's something for me to work on.
By the way his name is Dai Fish
Posted by starinajar at 12:20 pm 2 comments
Glad that's all over...
I'm on holidays! (not away, but off...)
I am so looking forward to this break, lets look at the diary...
Today:
Sunday:
Monday: Bank Hols. (nothing planned)
Tuesday: Daddy bear rehearsals in the evening (for thursday)
Wednesday:
Thursday: Woodland festival!
Friday: Away to the city of Bath with Cath for a treat.
Saturday: Still away. Back in the evening.
Sunday: Photo shoot in the afternoon (i think).
Excellent. Plenty of time for reading, drinking coffee, and socialising with friends. (Maybe meeting old friend who lives in Japan, depends if it's this week he's back over) . Im planning on exercise, and generaly having a good time. Any ideas of what to do, or friends who want to meet up, give me a call?
Posted by starinajar at 9:05 am 0 comments
Thursday 24 May 2007
They're here!....
My books have arrived! (All three of them!) Will blog better another time, at the moment, there's reading to do!
p.s. you may have guessed that i'm very excited.
Posted by starinajar at 8:17 pm 2 comments
Tuesday 22 May 2007
Can you get OXO for rabbit?...
Here we are the 22nd of May 2007. To most this date is just another day but for me (and my wife) it is our wedding anniversary. 3 years ago to this day we were married! Horrah!...
Usually we would go away for a couple of days but this year we couldn't because of various family commitments.
One being a pet show.
Yes, today while the kids were in school we were able to steal a few hours away together at the Welsh Botanical Gardens but were unable to go away far as we had to be back for the pet show at 6pm. So back we were. Only to realise that as we walked through the school gates they were announcing the final award: the best dog in show. We were 45 minutes late. Off my youngest wanders leaving Cath with the rabbit. The five minutes we were there were amusing as my youngest was no where to be seen and Cath was being scrammed to bits by a terrified rabbit, who had never seen a dog before let alone a dozen snarling beasts.
Well anyway... back home now, Cath has put antiseptic cream on her wounds and the rabbit grazes happily out the back.
What a day...
p.s. me and Cath are going away to celebrate our marriage next week when the kids are on half term! (the kids are going to their grans!)... ttfn.
Posted by starinajar at 6:58 pm 0 comments
I was feeling welsh...
Felt inspired last night. Must be all the Cordell books. So off I go into the kitchen and 30 minutes later out i come with hot fresh welshcakes!
Makes 20-25
Ingredients
8 oz (225 g) self-raising flour
4 oz (110 g) butter or margarine
3 oz (75 g) mixed fruit or just sultanas
3 oz (75 g) caster sugar
1 small egg (I don't use the egg though)
½ teaspoon mixed spice
To cook these you really need the traditional heavy, flat, iron pan (sometimes called a griddle or girdle). However, a good solid heavy frying pan, with a flat base, will do.
First, sift the dry ingredients together, then rub in the butter or margarine as you would if you were making pastry. Then, when the mixture becomes crumbly, add the fruit and mix it in thoroughly. Then beat the egg lightly and add it to the mixture. Mix to a dough and, if the mixture seems a little too dry, add just a spot of milk. Now transfer the dough on to a lightly floured working surface and roll it out to about ¼ inch (5 mm) thick. Then, using a 2½-inch (6.5 cm) plain cutter, cut the dough into rounds, re-rolling the trimmings until all the dough is used. Next, lightly grease the thick heavy pan, using a piece of kitchen paper smeared with lard. Now heat the pan over a medium heat and cook the Welsh cakes for about 3 minutes each side. If they look as if they're browning too quickly, turn the heat down a bit because it's important to cook them through – but they should be fairly brown and crisp on the outside. Serve them warm, with lots of butter and home-made jam or perhaps some Welsh honey.
Thanks to Delia for the instructions...
Posted by starinajar at 9:04 am 0 comments
Labels: recipie
I am Robin Hood!
I had a dream the night before last. Cant remember much about it really but I was an archer! (and impressively good I hasten to add). Woken up inspired I googled archery and stumbled upon a local archery club! I want to try the beginners archery course but Cath is not at all interested. and a bargain at £30 for 6 lessons. find more info here.
Posted by starinajar at 9:03 am 3 comments
Monday 21 May 2007
Gone... all gone...
There we have it, my book (This Proud and Savage land) is out of pages.
What to do now? ah well I am already ahead of myself. Today I ordered three new books by Alexander Cordell on the fab interweb from various back street book traders around the UK. The books are:
- Beloved Exile (Iestyn in exile in Afghanistan)
- The land of hearts desire (Iestyns return to Wales from Afghanistan with a Princess)
- The love that God forgot (Tom Mortymer (son of Iestyn) and his wife seek a simpler life, also includes the return of Jethro)
Until then I am going to make a start on The Fire People.
Posted by starinajar at 3:54 pm 3 comments
Saturday 19 May 2007
Friday 18 May 2007
Traumatised...
Have just finished reading my book. Funny how words can evoke such emotion.
Going to rest a while now before I start another. However when I feel like reading very little can stop me. Darkness is one way. So maybe tomorow in the morning and daylight I will bring out my fourth, the prequel, - ' This Proud and Savage Land'... Normally I wouldn't like not having design work to do, but am quite looking forward to this weekend.
Posted by starinajar at 10:39 pm 4 comments
Another thing i've found...
If you google search 'Iolo Milk' My blog is top of the list!
How cool am I?
Posted by starinajar at 1:21 pm 2 comments
Friday got here in the end...
Well it's friday! brill. My week is almost over, almost finished 'Song of the Earth' and have nothing exhausting planned for the weekend. I am happy. But what is happening this weekend... On Saturday I am going swimming! (all part of my getting fit schedule). On Sunday I don my 19th century clothing and have my photograph taken digging for coal... (I get asked to do some random things)... anyway. work first....
Posted by starinajar at 8:35 am 0 comments
Thursday 17 May 2007
There you go... deleted...
Happy now? back to petticoats and soot...
good grief...
Posted by starinajar at 8:08 pm 0 comments
Eight random facts
This idea comes from Elianor.
The Rules Are:
Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
- I am really irritated by people who show up late. If you are meeting me show up on time or have a really good reason.
- On my desk window in work I'm growing strawberries, (even though the taste of them makes me feel ill).
- I have a dark side.
- xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (that one is still a secret).
- When younger I wanted to be an archaeologist but didn't fancy it after watching Jurassic park. (I thought it would be too dangerous)... (seriously)
- I love sitting in my garden and listening to birds singing, while I'm drinking banana milk shake (with ice cream in it).
- The voice of Amy Nutall especially the song 'No Greater Gift', makes me feel floaty light.
- My biggest thrill in life is seeing people smile after I've done something to help or encourage them.
So there we go. Eight facts you wouldn't usually find out about me in general conversation. (Unless it was a bizarre conversation)
Feeling inspired? want a go? just remember to link it back to Elianor.
Posted by starinajar at 8:26 am 0 comments
Tuesday 15 May 2007
There be lions here...
Hello from my course. Well actually I am back in my Bed and Breakfast now. (But i'm mid way through the course) What can I say. The stuff i'm learning is fantastic. There are five of us in this training room. I dont know about you but when i think training course I think of a small community centre style room that has that weird smell in the corner packed with sweaty bodies crowded around 1 computer. How wrong was I.
Today I have spent my time intensely learning. In a manor house!. With regular breaks in which we would retire to the library, drink coffee around an open fire and watched the flames dance hypnotically as I sip away. For lunch we were taken to the pub that modernisation forgot and i ate red thai curry on a bed of something rice with bizare vegetable gracing my square plate (never understood square plates). Luxurious.
Now my course has ended for the day I retire to my bed and breakfast where I write this entry. Oh yes and the fact that it is 5 star, and i presently am sitting in my private living room eating the biggest chunk of cake I have ever had Sitting on pure white sofas. My bed is high and soft. And my rooms overlook and orchard! The coridors are lined with fantastic memorabilia like this erie old rocking horse. You could easily get lost in the number of rooms. And I have no doubt that behind one door there is a wardrobe that allows you to enter Narnia. I tell you tonight I will be watching out for Lions and witches.
But now what do I do? do I play croquet on le lawn? Tennis perhaps? Or maybe retreat into my book?...
P.s I couldn't and wouldn't stay here on my own forever though because of loved ones I allready miss!
a kiss and a hug to you all
xx
Posted by starinajar at 5:17 pm 3 comments
Sunday 13 May 2007
The Song of the Earth...
Usually it is difficult getting me to read a book. But at present I'm half way through Song of the Earth by Alexander Cordell. A book based around life in the mid 19th century in the Vale of neath. Like i said, I'm half way through and feeling quite emotional. In the last two pages Bryn (the main character) has just recovered from Cholera, his sister Gwen died of it. And now they have just had a meal together and the eldest brother has just led Mari, to the top of the table and sat her at the place where their old Mam used to sit. ... sob sob...
Posted by starinajar at 9:22 pm 1 comments
Answer me this...
Sundays are full of people who try to balance out their uncaring lives by asking others personal questions, the answers to which they really don't give a stuff about.
For example:
Why do people tell each other they've been missed, asked where they've been, and told that they've been thought about?...
In this 21st Century world I have; 1 mobile phone, 4 email addresses, 1 msn messenger address, 1 postal address, 1 blog and 1 website... Its easy to get in touch if they wanted. it just goes to show that they don't really want to at all... aagghhh!
Posted by starinajar at 3:55 pm 0 comments
I like this quote...
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss
Posted by starinajar at 9:45 am 0 comments
Saturday 12 May 2007
20 things to do...
Ok, inspired by other blogs (and motivated by the fat comment) here are 20 things i must do this year.
1) Run Cardiff half marathon (Oct)
2) Go running most mornings i.e at least every other day
3) No biscuits in work
4) Go to gym more
5) Catch a decent sized fish
6) Move house
7) Read more books.
8) Get a hobby
9) Get another hobby
10) Draw more (I used to find it really relaxing)
11) Try more home cooking (stop eating rubbish)
12) Take the ACE exam
13) Take Cath horse riding
14) Do at least one thing each week that i've never done before
15) Do something each week that isn't me
16) Do one thing that is really, really, really isn't me
16) Add someone new to my 'important friends' list
17) Be more honest with myself and tell people how I really feel
18) Grow my hair long and see if it suits me.
19) Get a new job
20) Watch the stars more while lying in my hammoc in the garden (find out the constalation names)
Lets see how I get on...
Posted by starinajar at 8:59 pm 6 comments
Just sitting there in Borders...
...watching the world go by and I see someone I know.
Chatting away and he said I "look bigger than I used to"...? "eh?" I enquired... "oh you know... just... bigger...all over"... ?!?!?... "oh" I said.
Now I'm sorry, but you dont just say that to someone do you? Ok married life has made me a bit more 'relaxed', not to mention that now I sit behind a desk all day, not doing physical work. But am I noticably fat?
Am feeling quite paraniod now.
Posted by starinajar at 8:38 pm 5 comments
An expensive afternoon
One of the problems with the internet is that you just don't realise how much you spend. Have just purchased 2x1gb Ram for my laptop. I just entered my card details and it will be here on Tuesday. frightening.
Anyway, am off to Borders (bookstore) now to drink coffee and read books. Nice. by the way if anyone fancies 2x256mb DDR2-SDRAM PC2-4300 SODIMM for a bargain £20. send me a message...
Posted by starinajar at 2:45 pm 0 comments
Friday 11 May 2007
It's Friday!
Woo Hoo! About time as this week has been really slow.
Posted by starinajar at 1:42 pm 6 comments
Dilemma
Posted by starinajar at 8:21 am 5 comments
Thursday 10 May 2007
No Fear
I have been pondering certain issues this afternoon. Like 'why do some people worry about performing in front of an audience?'. I'm sure there are many possible reasons.
One issue is one I had to deal with long ago: fear.
When I was young I fell in love (aaaaaww). This girl also liked me (yay!). Then her parents moved away (nooooooooo). My chance of love had gone (sob sob).
It was shortly after that that I decided not to worry about what others thought or ever if I was good enough. That I should always do what I wanted to do. Thus when my friends went to a local college, I went to one further away (on my own) etc.
Following a two week project in university all about self discovery (If you really want to know me ask me about that), I realised two main things.
1) I am much better at stuff than I ever give myself credit.
2) I have a core group of people and their view of me is all that I'm concerned about. i.e. Why should I worry about issues when I know that if it all goes wrong I have people who consistently love me, whatever the outcome.
This made me happy. And confident in who I am. Don't be afraid. Remember that people love you.
Posted by starinajar at 2:56 pm 4 comments
Today...
I had Chicken noodle soup for dinner.
Was bland, and i'm sure that it contained no chicken.
How can soup makers do that?
Posted by starinajar at 1:43 pm 0 comments
MA or ACE?
I have a dilemma that I'm trying to work through.
Presently I have 'BA(hons) GrComm' after my name. My dilemma is what do I do now? I love learning and would love undertake an MA course, or/and an ACE (Adobe Certified Expert). Do I start down that road or do I instead dedicate the time that would take in developing my freelance business more? Please someone give me an answer... As much as I would love more letters, I'm thinking it would be more beneficial if I didn't... in the words of Penfold... 'crumbs!'.
Posted by starinajar at 10:57 am 1 comments
I've become Iolo Milk
Oh dear, it's finally happened. As I said a couple of posts ago one of the authors I've been reading of late is one Alexander Cordell. The reason for this is that long with a group of friends (some of which I didn't really know but through the duration of the project have really enjoyed their company) have joined the 'internationally renowned' Cordell Players. A group of people who act out scenes from various books of his. One of the characters that I portrayed was Iolo Milk (pronounce Yol-low). I also seemed to get the parts of dead or dying people (read into that what you will). But through intense study and sweaty perseverance became my character. Now that the production is over (for now anyway) I cannot get out of the Iolo mindset. Am I trapped indefinitely?
Posted by starinajar at 9:28 am 2 comments
Im going on the road!
Am on a course next week... Flash training in Bristol. This will give me a greater understanding of the software and strengthen my name of being 'the flash guy'.
Pros: Great training
Cons: Im on my todd for a couple of days
Posted by starinajar at 9:14 am 1 comments
Tuesday 8 May 2007
So where do I start?
Ok this little bit will help you get an understanding of who I am and what i'm into: My name is Matthew, im 25 years old. Am married to Catherine (a photographer) and when married became dad to 3 stepchildren. I graduated from UWIC Cardiff with a degree in Graphic communication. I work full time for a national charity in Cardiff as well as a varied assortment of freelance design work for whoever wants my services (check out my website for full details). To relax I read about psychology and counselling. Dabble in fishing (although most of the time I am just feeding the fish as so far this year I have yet to catch anything). Of late I have found great relaxation in the books written by Alexander Cordell (but that is a different blog entry).
Posted by starinajar at 2:58 pm 1 comments
Lets try again
The starinajar blog has undergone a bit of a revamp of late. The old entries have been culled in order for the start of a new era. An era in which you can read through the personal mumblings of a Graphic Designer and get to know me on a more intimate level. My website does still exist and thanks to all my clients for their ongoing support. It can be visited at starinajar.co.uk .... so lets see what goes on in my head...
Posted by starinajar at 2:50 pm 0 comments