Not Lapping up the Laptop

It's a little bittersweet to think that the last thing your laptop will likely do is help you research a new laptop. I spent most of this week waiting on a brand spanking new device to arrive and today was the day. I peeled away the layers of cardboard housing the new bit of kit, only to quickly discover that I just didn't vibe with it so I had to return it. Bit sad really, but I'm trying to 'buy nice, not twice' at the moment and if I already had problems with it I just knew they'd haunt me far into the future. So dealing with all that took up most of our day, thankfully we left all that stress in place in Bristol as we headed over to Newbury. Dad had just got back from hand surgery (nothing too serious) but everyone was in good spirits. It's a bit of a lay over today though, our final destination is Bournmouth where we'll be enjoying the sun for the final few days of my time off.

Bash the Fash

My day was full of (relatively) unexpected Nazis. My breakfast YouTube video was all about the Nuremberg Trials. We watched Cabaret this evening which has our fascist friends bubbling away on the periphery. Finally the new Indiana Jones game went on sale just as I was thinking to myself 'gosh it's been a long time since I punched a Nazi in the face.' 

Otherwise the midway point of my Hiatus has come and basically gone. It started off as an ocean of opportunity, but it's drying up into a lake of maybes. Time at home has been productive in a different way, but now I'm ready for one last change of scenery before I'm back to it on Monday. Bournemouth beckons... 

My Best Friend's Wedding

On the topic of spending each and every day of my holiday we'll I'm proud to say I did something that I have been putting off for far too long, (and maybe you have too).

I defrosted my freezer.

After that I was actually invited to the cinema to go catch 28 Years Later but plans fell through at the last minute with the chaps I was meant to be going with. Instead Rebecca and I continued our Rom Com fiesta with My Best Friend's Wedding which was not great. 

I read a few user reviews of the film who argue it works better when you embrace the fact that you're meant to accept the fact that love makes you so crazy things, even if it makes you the anti-hero of your own movie. I can respect that if it was the intent but somehow I doubt Hollywood would attempt something like that. The script was dead on arrival, minus Rupert Everett, who's charm and charisma carries the whole thing.

Farewell Cottage

With heavy hearts, Rebecca and I packed our bags to leave the cottage and our chums behind. Back to a fragment of reality at home but we are still on our holibobs so we're going to do the most we can with it! We went out for lunch almost immediately after getting back to Bristol up at the Sundial Kitchen. I've never had lunch there but never had any doubts about it's excellence, indeed, we left stuffed. While waiting for our food I drew up a little list of all the films I want to try and watch this break. I put 10 on there, an ambitious but achievable number and so far I've already seen two of them so I'm well on the way. Gotta try and do a lot of the things we love this week.

Sunday Stout

Pretty perfect Sunday all told. Rebecca and I wanted to repay our most gracious hosts by cooking them a meal, so a short trip to the local Morrison's was in order. We left with all the ingredients for a chicken picatta (one of my new signature dishes) but we had plenty of time to kill til supper so we played Mario Kart and Bananagrams. We fancied a walk latterly so we all ventured down to the nearest pub, only a brisk walk away. We all discovered Nightjar Stout and quickly fell in love with it (and the non-city prices). I brought a few games to play on a pub bench for a change of scenery and we stumbled home. 

Very glad we agreed to stay on another night, it just meant we could all enjoy one extra day here. There no Sunday Scariest niggling at the back of our minds, just an upcoming week of easy going and recharging. The only thing I will be thinking is I don't think we'll be able to top the last few days out here in Hereford anytime soon. 

Transparent Needle In A Haystack

The porridge that lined my belly was more than enough to take me up Hay Bluff. We parked up the car, pointed at the big hill and said we're gonna climb that. A short while later we were stood next to a Trig point, admiring the view while surrounded by Welsh sheep. We headed into Hay on Wye for some book shopping, Rebecca was in her element and gave us all the best venues to pop into. Just as we were headed into the final shop I put my hand into my pockets to check for my belongings and noticed I only had one of my Invisalign retainers... I sheepishly informed Rebecca then even more sheepishly retraced my steps around town before resigning to the fact my upper retainer was lost to Wales. I tried to play it cool all the way back to the car, after all it would be near impossible to find a set of transparent dentures in a busy village. 

'Oh, are those them?' Matt asked, pointing at the side of the road where we parked the car. I'd recognize my teeth anywhere and lo and behold, Matt found a needle in a haystack. A quick rinse and they were back in my mouth.

Mum read the Blog yesterday and messaged to say the cottage we're staying at sounds a bit like the one from Withnail and I, which I chortled at, then immediately clarified that it was in fact very lovely, in spite of reading about a past incident in the guest book involving a dead owl and the wood burner. Gosh we found that entry funny, until we ourselves heard a flutter inside the wood burner. 

Rebecca bolted out the room while Matt and I fashioned a cage out of a laundry bag which we pressed up against the cast iron doors. Gingerly, we opened it up. Yet we heard no commotion, nor could we see a sign of life. Had it escaped up the chimney? Maybe died of stress? We moved aside to investigate further, dropping our guard for just enough time for the sparrow to fly into our faces and around the room. I dashed to open a window and it got the memo and quickly flew out.

A beer was in order after that, so we opened the fridge and settled into a lazy afternoon of games and drinks while Ben busied himself with slow cooking a joint of lamb. Every second of marinating and slow cooking was worth it when it finally hit our plates. I just went very quiet as I slowly and deliberately took mouthful. It was that good. 

One more full day in the cottage tomorrow, I doubt it'll top how eventful today was, but I don't want to speak too soon.

Fantasizing about Fun

 The anticipation for wrap was on the mind of every single crew member. The promise of a week off was impossible to put out of our minds. Some are going to Spain, others Corfu, others are having a staycation. But everyone will get the chance to rest and recharge thoroughly and holding that thought in the mind is a very powerful thing indeed. 

For part one of our hiatus fun, Rebecca and I drove along the windy roads up to Hereford. Matt and Ben have a relative who partially owns a cottage there which we're all staying in. Frankly, it's a miracle I can post the Blog tonight since the service it patchy and there's no WiFi here (but after slamming my out of office on, zero interest sounds like a blessing). We dusted the cobwebs off our bed, drank beer in a cost living room and discussed plans for the coming days. Holiday starts now!

Hiatus Incoming

The morning to midday leg went really slow. Then the afternoon just melted away like it always does, leaving me scrambling. Just one more day of work til our week away and by golly, everyone is gagging for it. I'm just excited to rest up and recharge more deeply. I want to watch a boat load of films and take my foot off the gas for a minute or two. Til then, we got one more day.

 

 

Tracking Wide Shot

Made a royal fool of myself on 2nd unit in front of the whole damn crew. I had to go see someone who was on a far side of a field where the cameras just so happened to be pointing. So I ran as fast as my little legs would carry me so I could duck out of the big wide shot. The were nowhere near ready to turn over as it turned out and everyone just watched, their heads tracking me as if I were a very slow moving ball at Wimbledon. 

Everything else went smoothly and I wished my Mum a happy birthday too. She's going off to eat Ramen at a favourite sushi place. I so very much wished I was there. I just had a pale ale for dinner and I'm thinking of chasing it with under 7 hours sleep before I do it all over again. 

Holding My Breath

Got pulled in so many different directions today that I actually found myself booking taxis for people - far from my job role but needs must. When folks weren't getting in touch over email I ended up calling and getting properly involved in their movements which meant my head was constantly shifting gears between a variety of things. On top of that I was prepping a 2nd unit again and arranging a suite of other behind the scenes bits. I didn't really get a chance to catch my breath, quite literally because I noticed that when I start feeling a bit stressed or anxious lately I have a tendency to hold air in my lungs. Everything went fine though so no need to torture myself, but still I wished I could afford a small moment of respite.

First One In, Last One Out

Back to it on Monday morning and the day had some choppy pacing. First one in the office so had about 30 minutes to catch up on all the stuff I may have missed out on while I was away. Next hour or two was just tinkering away. Midday was crunch time as several little jobs all landed on my plate all at once. Then outro into the evening and it was smooth sailing. I was also the last one out the office. What I really want is a day where no one messages or throws me through a loop where I can just crack in with all the other bits that have started to pile up between the cracks. Instead I'm doing a three legged race with myself, limping over the finishing line til our hiatus.

North East to South West

For all intents and purposes, today was a travel day. We packed down the Air B&B in the morning and got back into Bristol in the latest portion of the afternoon. In between there was a Tesco meal deal, a pull over for some plane spotting and a moderately delayed train (entitles us to some money back at least!) To pass the time I stuck my nose deep into the new Donkey Kong game which I just about ended up finishing an hour ago. Gotta get my head out of holiday and video games mode though as another week of work looms... Then it's hiatus time!

Beach Hut Brigade

 With all the wedding business out the way, today was a planned come down of sorts. We were invited to a beach hut to spend the last few hours of the Saturday out on the sand. Put a bunch of 20 somethings out there with a spade and eventually they'll just start to dig a hole and we were shocked at how deep they got it so fast. On e the crowd dissapated Rebecca felt a bit cheeky...

Afterwards we paddled in the water, collected shells and was visited by an especially curious seal. The rain called off any later plans so we all hundled underneath the beach hut and took shelter. While the weather wasn't ideal, there was some bonding to be had with 20 people hunkering together as the yonder was pelted with raindrops.

Back at the Air B&B only one thing was left to do on the beach vacation bingo card: get fish and chips. Bags are mostly packed for the long trip home tomorrow, it's gone pretty quick the last few days - hopefully my time off soon goes a little slower. 

2025 Wedding Number 1

Wedding days always go so fast. One minute I'm cooking brunch at an Air B&B while pressing my trousers, the next I'm getting pats on the back from the father of the groom for cutting shapes on the dance floor. Somewhere in the middle there was a ceremony, wedding breakfast and cake cutting, but something about drinking champagne at midday has the capacity to distort time and space. 

The turnout on the dance floor has always been my barometer for how well loved the family is and this wedding was full to the brim. I'm always humbled by being merely invited to weddings and this one was a corker.

Getting my Kong On

While we had a big leg of of journey to do to get to the weekend's wedding - my priorities were loyal first and foremost with Donkey Kong. I missed a bus, got caught in the rain and attended the most vacant feeling Argos I'd been to in a long time, all so I could get my hands on the new game. With that in hand, I was ready to sit in the backseat of a car for over 3 hours, heading up from London to Wells-Next-The-Sea.

We did a quick whistle stop tour of the town (a trip down memory lane for Rebecca and her parents) then headed to the first of many wedding engagements: the family BBQ. The parents of the bride and groom are the generous sort and provided burgers and merriment for a staggering amount of people - I reckon they're super grateful for everyone making the trip up this weekend and I'm equally grateful to be invited. 

Bloody Cheekbones

Did the next round at the dentist with his tiny saw inbetween my canines. Only 15 minutes in the chair thankfully getting parts of my skeleton permanently shaved off. When we were done I went for a light rinse of water and the liquid ran red once again. The nurse had to get a wet wipe to dab at my cheekbones as blood somehow got up there too. I'm at the halfway point of my treatment now (in theory) and things are still going well, just gotta keep on trucking.

I drove to Unit Base straight from the dentist to complete typing up my handover and doing all the other bits to clear my backlog before I bowed out for the early weekend. Rebecca's Dad drive us up to London where we're staying over before doing the next leg tomorrow. Lot of travel over the next few days but it'll all be worthwhile to have a boogie in my suit.

Wedding Packer

Laughed about a very old call sheet that dumped me with an 13 hour work day... Then did almost the same hours today. Prepping things for my hand over and running between the office and the studios means that a lot of my time is eaten up super quick. And when I got back home all I really did was pack my suitcase for the wedding I'll be at the weekend. At least that drummed some excitement into me for the long weekend I have coming up, all my hard work will be rewarded with a nice spell away and a party to dance at.

Surprise Distance

My day was full of little surprises. I was mentally prepared to do a full day at the Studio, I set up my desk just right and a pot of coffee had my name all over it. The. I was summoned to the truck on location so I took my coffee to go and worked from there.

Back home I noticed how cool and breezy the temperature was, it would be a shame not to go running in it. So I strapped on my shoes and popped out for a quick jog. But aforementioned weather was so nice to run in that I decided to take it slow and see how far I got. I ended up pushing myself in all the right ways and did my first 5K run since Covid. You always feel best when you inch yourself out your comfort zone, but the hardest part is always starting... I almost couldn't be bothered to head out today, but I'm so glad I did. 

Broski BBQ

The Sunday gods blessed me, I awoke with no hangover whatsoever, just in a tiny pool of my own sweat as the Summer heat rinsed me. I could just about muster a trip to the supermarket to get bits for a BBQ later on. We invited Louis over for it to, I'd totally forgotten he'd been to a stag due this weekend so he was looking more hot and bothered than me. We fixed him a plate though and he perked right back up again though, in fairness if I was in his shoes the prospect of have a free grill up would be hard to say no to.  

Boat Drinkers

 After recovering from a night out it was only fitting to go day drinking. My colleague booked in today way back in March so it's been a long time coming. We went up and down the river with beers in hand. Before I knew it it was almost midnight- that's the power of drinking with people you enjoy being around I suppose! 

Bouncing Back from a Bender

 I told myself a keen lie last night. 'A late night and only 5 hours sleep before work won't hurt me, I did some mad nights for Youth for Europe so I'll be fine.' Turns out, I'm no spring chicken anymore who can bounce back from a bender. I arrived at the office and all I really wanted to do was find a secluded office, shut the door and close my eyes. Alas, I was basically in charge today since the rest of my team were on a mandated day off, I got to run around and keep the ship afloat. I was also an Assistant Director for a lot of the day, putting cast in cars and moving them around the studio. Lastly, the day finished with me driving a Luton up the road (it's been a while) before closing the day with a cute pint with Rebecca.

I cannot wait for sleep. 

Us and Them Myth

Unit base was like a runway strip. Perfectly level concrete as far as the eye could see. And the temperature was like taking your first step off the plane as you start a holiday. 'Thank God for air conditioning' said our Line Producer. At the time I agreed with her but I felt for the crew down there sweating it out on set. 

That's the common perceived disconnect between crew and Production. Like generals in the army, we point the finger from afar and make them fight our war from our cool, cool office. The key is to try and bridge that gap between the two sides - this is where crew drinks comes in. Historically I was often the only member of the Production team willing to be out for a session. But tonight we got 4 of us, plus a sweep of other departments (including catering) to come out for a drink, or two , or three followed by some dancing. Heaven knows we deserve it. I burnt the candle at both ends a bit as I'm the only one out tonight who has work tomorrow, but I showed my face and that counts for an awful lot.

Knickerbocker Glory

Slept for over 8 hours and had a day where I could finally catch my breath a bit. It was also cause for some celebration as we hit a milestone in filming - a Mr Whippy ice cream truck parked outside and we all dove into Knickerbocker Glory's (Which I'm still recovering from). All I really want right now is a nice long weekend but we're only halfway through the week, still I'm on the mend now, just hacking up all the residual horribleness leftover from the cold. 

Summer Cold 2025

Stressed myself over nothing with the 2nd Unit. I still got it. Everything ran like clockwork and everyone was super chill and happy with the day. In reality I spent most of it blowing my nose inside a cast trailer, I suffered a small relapse in health after feeling perky again yesterday... Tomorrow though... That's when I'll really be in the up. 

Rebecca has taken time of work to get over the sickness too. Nothing worse than a Summer cold, especially when your nostrils are already chafing from hay fever. 

Twelve Hours

Actually got some sleep last night and elected to work from home to avoid putting too much strain on myself. Which turned out to be counterproductive because I got a phonecall at 07:30 and the work didn't stop for me for another twelve hours. My busiest days are always the ones where I can't do anything for myself, it's not that I don't trust people but coordinating things always takes more time and effort when doing it from afar. Our first 2nd unit day commences tomorrow, think I'm a little rusty but we'll see how the day goes. At least I'm feeling a whole lot better... But I have given whatever Lurgy to Rebecca now.

The Savour of Baldur's Gate

 Last night I attempted to manifest a good night's rest before signing off on my blog. The second I hit publish I laid down and couldn't sleep for three hours. Eventually I got up, made a lemsip, sat on the sofa to wait for it to cool down, next thing I knew it was morning after I sprawled out on the coach. The remainder of the day was spent feeling sorry for myself, even when the universe was at it's kindest. Rebecca was as patient and caring as ever while looking after me, our Sunday arancini guy gave us a free one, and the takeout we had for dinner bundled in a freebie too. Doesed up on meds, I'm ready for a real sleep tonight.

After 18 months in the playing, Mark, Dan and I finally finished our playthrough of Baldur's Gate 3. For a near hundred hour campaign, I am blown away by the fact we kept it going and it didn't fizzle out. The final battle is done, the victory lap was savoured and the adventure is over.

Sizzling Sinuses

My throat and nose were sizzling when I woke up and they maintained that level of nastyness long into the day. While I wasn't knocked out by the illness, a day of respite was in order. So Rebecca and I camped out in the sofa and watch movies (including Chicago, the only Best Picture winner from the 21st century I hadn't seen yet) as the Summer rain lashed against the window. Rebecca frequently remarked how hot I was to the touch, likely my body is fighting off something but with any luck I'll be in a better place after a better night's sleep.

Friday Lurgy

The thing that was causing me a barrel of worry has finally been resolved so I wanted to spend my Friday smiling. A few people in the office have some kind of illness but I also thought I caught something recently so I was totally immune. Went up the road for beers and board games, took one sip of stout and then it all hit me. Bunged nose, sore sinuses, fatigue, the works. Guess that's my weekend plans now - getting rested up.

Swelling Dread

Experienced yet another day that went by far too quickly for the amount of things I actually got done. I'm sat on my hands a bit again though as I I'm waiting on other people authorizing various bits and pieces before I can do anything. We got a 2nd Unit coming up (my specialty!) so I'll be across that no doubt in several of its aspects. In the midst of all this, I can't shake this feeling of impending doom lingering in the pit of my stomach. I honestly can't place where it's stemming from either...

Perfect Facsimile

We hired a temporary member of the Production to help us around the office, and without hyperbole, he looks exactly the same as me. I kept getting messages from the team laughing about how he's my clone and how our boss will keep having to do a double take. It actually put me in a bit more of an emotional spin that I had prepared for. Here I am, believing that I'm a beautiful, unique snowflake and all that jazz, yet here is my perfect facsimile, walking around the same office, in the same department as me. I know we're all instantly replaceable in the grand schedule of the job and this brought that to light in a way that was more uncomfortable than I expected.

But to be fair, it's also pretty funny. He's with us for two weeks, I wonder how long the comedy will stay fresh.

An Easy One

Got back into Bristol after a work day that went far too quickly. My team all stood behind their desks, unpacking their laptops after everyone went down to set. 'This'll be an easy day', one of us said. I also think that was the last thing that was said to each other as we got our heads down and powered in through the day. I came out the other side wishing we had a few more hours of the day, but that was all reserved for travel back home which felt painfully long. Time is relative as they say.

Time and Memory

Drove down a very literal memory lane first thing this morning. First two hours were admittedly not super nostalgic, but when I slowly approached the location that was so synonymous with Malory Towers in my mind, I started to feel all warm and fuzzy. Is there a word for a homecoming for somewhere you've never lived? The Germans or the Japanese almost certainly have a phrase for it, but we'll just call it a bittersweet sense of relocation. So many memories of Malory came flooding back on approach. The wrap parties, the landscape but most of all the people. Like all the cells in our bodies, coming back felt so alien yet so familiar. Something old and something new at the same time.

Somehow I lucked out and landed in the same accomodation wing as all of our big dog HOD's. (It was also where we put the cast up on Malory). We threw darts, shot pool and drank arguably too much for a school night. All the while I glanced at the pub tables and booths where past crew members and I sat. I remembered the conversations, their energy, their ghosts. But in this space I made new memories, just as fond as the old ones. Their moments overlap and interwine all at once, not unlike remembering multiple Christmases from long since past. What a hell of a thing time and memory is.