Radiowildfire

Posted on May 12, 2008 by predencia

Ever wondered what happened to Dave Reeves, editor of Raw Edge Magazine? (A local magazine for cutting edge new writing whose Arts funding was withdrawn recently) He’s now heading up a web radio station called Radio Wild Fire. It broadcasts live every first Monday of the month between 8-10 p.m. and in between runs a loop of past performers and interviews. The focus is on spoken word intermingled with mucic. Currnet loop of 12 performers include John Elgar, Stereogram and Julie Boden.

I had the pleasure of being Dave’s guest on Monday 5th May – Bank Holdiay Monday. I’d agreed to do the show before I realised it was Bank Holiday, but it was worth going. And as the first guest I was out by 9.15 so still had time to enjoy the night. I was impressed with both Dave and what the team is able to acheive from the tiny studio on the edge of Birmingham city centre.

The loop will be updated soon with some of the material I performed on the night. To listen to the station go to www.radiowildfire and click on the loop. Dave and his team are always looking for more people to listen and to take part in broadcasts. Contact them on radio.wildfire@googlemail.com

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Broken Love Entangled Lives

Posted on May 7, 2008 by predencia

At the weekend I went on the most baffling and spiritually intriguing course I’ve ever experienced. You might know it as Family Constellation as i did, but discovered that it’s actually more accurately described as Systemic Constellation. Even those who have experienced it finds it difficult to explain what happens. The blurb in the course details says

‘Systemic Constellation is a highly practical method for making the hidden dynamics within systems visible, revealing the nature of a situation and its possible resolution’

For systems – read family; because it is essentially about healing family relationships. So what’s new I hear you ask, lots of courses are about that. The difference is that this one heals realationships from past generations – ancestral stuff – as well as the more immediate bickering and in-fighting that goes on in families today. It works on the principle that if a family member is forgotton/not spoken about (usually for shameful reasons) some other person in the family will find a way to represent them by taking on one or more of their qualites (usually unsociable or disruptive ones) until the person who is not spoken about is acknowledged. Lets say someone committed a crime or was a drunk, drug addict, or wifebeater and everyone in the family refuses to talk about them. Some new child being born will agree at some spiritual level to take on some of those qualities and represent them in the family until the original family member is acknowledged and spoken about again – this may go on for several generations. I saw such generational healing taking place.
I shared a most transformational weekend with 9 other people who all helped me to understand the longstanding conflict I’ve been having with one of my sons and to find a resolution and heal the situation. Thanks to you all. You might like to know that in light of the burden my son has carried all his life to have his dead siblings remembered we’ve agreed that I’ll call him by another name to mark the fact that he has put down his load and started a new phase of life.

It is extremely difficult to put into words what happened but if you are interested contact Vivian Broughton on info@constellationswork.co.uk or look at her website http://www.constellationswork.co.uk/ She is a most amazing facilitator
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Bare bodies on South Downs

Posted on April 28, 2008 by predencia

Saturday is one day I’ll not be forgetting in a hurry. Its not everyday that I have to get up at 4.15 a.m. to get a coach from Birmingham to Firle is Sussex for a bare body extravaganza. I always knew it was going to be interesting but it surpassed even my expectations. There were only 15 of us on the coach from Birmingham so I assumed that the recruiting of the expected 450 people must have come from nearer the event – other wise we were going to be very thinly spread indeed. A couple of our party seemed to be still on whatever they were taking the night before and already I was questionning my sanity. One guy I was chatting to said he travels around the world taking part in naked installations – I was obviously among experts (or at least one).

Three and a half hours later we were being ferried up to the Downs by minibus as the track was too small for the coaches. Hardly any expense had been spared by the ITV crew with the massive white tent, the carpetted floor, breakfast (bacon and sausage baps for the meateaters and danish pastries for the vegetarians) I was moved to ask ‘where is the protein in danish pastries’ but was advised not to ask that on camera for the first of what proved to be many an interview to camera throughout the day.

The rehearsal was thankfully fully clothed and I was grateful to have been cast a a left finger. I’m not sure how the guy who’d been cast as the penis tip felt but he fulfilled his position admirably. I have to confess that I felt very confident throughout the day – until it came to actually taking all my clothes off and putting on the boiler suit in which I would make my way back out onto the Downs when I began to feel a little anxious.

Panic didn’t really set in until the order to ditch the boiler suits and take up our positions on the grass so that we could be filmed from the helicopter came. What I hadn’t actually bargained for was that we’d also be filmed by the crew on the ground. I have to confess that after a few minutes of lying in the beautiful sunshine with my eyes closed (funny how you think that if you close your eyes no one can see you) I began to relax a little – and by and by even plucked up the courage to give an interview to camera – completely starkers!! Well, how liberating is that. I’ll never view my body with quite the level of secrecy I did before. I have been at my most vulnerable and survived. I guess it helped that there were over two hundred other naked bodies around. I bit of a surprise for the ramblers walking the South Downs Way. What they must have thought when the turned the corner to see naked bodies spread out all over the ground with camera people weaving in and out of them. A helicopter overhead, and Trinny and Suzanna standing naked hugging each other in the middle of a field.

It was all quite uplifting and liberating really. But the best part of the day for me was the service provided by the delicious Butlers in the Buff. (See photo) Very fitting for the event. The shows go out on June 3/4/5 not sure of the time yet but will post a reminder.
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The Great British Body

Posted on April 25, 2008 by predencia

Call me mad if you will but tomorrow I’m off down to Sussex to take part in Trinny and Suzanna’s Great British Bare Body photoshoot. For those of you who don’t know Trinny and Suzanna are currently filming a new series to be broadcast on June 3/4/5 in which they are looking at what constitutes the average British body. A think as most of us know it’s not the kind portrayed in the magazines and music videos. Thery’ve been conducting roadshows across the country and asking Joe and Jane public to come and be weighed and measured. I went to the one in Birmingham. (Thanks Adrianne for coming with me – glad you had a good time). They had about six stations of nurses weighing and measuring, not just the usual vital statistics but head and neck circumference, leg length, hand span, and foot length. (I was given some helpful tips on cup size which I have taken with huge improvements). I was curious about the scan machine which I was not invited to use and was informed that it was to check the correct functioning of the internal organs of people who had lost a lot of weight very rapidly or who had been grossly overweight at one time.

They also had someone testing people for the fat gene. I didn’t need a test – I have it, I just know – I just manage to keep it well muzzled. On Tursday I had a call from ITV to ask if I’d mind being interviewed by the social historian working on the show (they were trying to see if there are hereditary factors dertermining peoples shape, size, and in my case longevity.) They were interested in the fact that the female side of my family go on a long time. I have an aunt who died a few years ago aged 105 and another who is currently 96 and not looking like she’s off anywhere anytime soon. My own mother died last year aged 92 and only then I think because she got bored. As you can also guess there is also an issue of late fertility. I was interviewed on camera so you may see me on one of the show in June.

So how is it mad to be going to Sussex tomorrow? Well, they are going to be doing an ariel photo of a male and female body made up of about 450 people. One will morph into the other – but they want to shoot them bare, yes – naked. 450 naked people making up one man and one woman. It should be a laugh. I’ve checked the forcast and thankfully it looks like sunshine and about 14 degrees C. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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Where did March go?

Posted on April 6, 2008 by predencia

I can’t believe it’s April already. It seems like just a few days ago since it was February and March has just disappeared in a blur. Too many things happening. Thanks to all of you who came to see Veronica’s Room. I hope you were impressed with my Irish accent – my son said it was a bit Irish/Jamaican. What do you think? I was hoping to get a few pics to post – especially ones of me as the elderly Maureen but they didn’t come out too well. Look out for a film clip on the website soon. Soo much to do!!

I’m trying to catch up with everyone but the day job was rather hectic last month and looks like it will continue into this month. Also I’m starting my NLP training tomorrow which won’t be completed till mid May; and have started rehearsing for ‘See How They Run’. I also had a problem accessing my blog but will endeavour to keep up to date.

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An Amazing Women’s Day

Posted on February 28, 2008 by predencia

Some things are just an absolute treat to be a part of and the ‘Amazing Women’s Day’ at Salford University yesterday was one of them. You’ll know if you’ve read my profile that I’m a life coach and this event was made doubly amazing because it was co-hosted by one of my clients – JennyMcGuire. Jenny who a few months ago has difficulty standing up in front of 20 people at business breakfast meetings had organized with her business partner Catherine an event for up to 1000 women. On the day there were approximately 200 and Jenny stood up in front of them and told the story of her journey so far. Of the the way she had buried her issues of abuse and tried to mask them with sex, drugs and booze. And how it was only when she was able to face these things; bring them out into the open, deal with them and learn to love herself again that she was able to move on. I was amazed at her courage and felt intensely proud of her and the work she has gone on to do with her own clients – who were happy to testify of the changes she’s helped them to make.

It was a fun filled day of music, dance, skits, interviews and sharing. Sharing in a way that touched the lives of everyone who was there. I discovered something about myself, about my lingering underlying fear of relationships which I can now put right once and for all. So many other people left with resolutions for making changes and a great many want to come back next year to share their progress. I think that definitely means another one guys. That’s one I’m definitely putting into my diary as soon as you decide a date. Check out Jenny and Catherine at www.growingdreams.co.uk

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The Fairytale is Over

Posted on February 23, 2008 by predencia

I’m generally a happy person and usually have great weeks but some weeks are just amazing and I’ve just had one of them. Have you ever had them? You know – the ones where everything you touch turns to gold. Everything just flows, where you glide effortlessly over obstacles and everything you need is presented to you exactly at the time you need it?
Thanks Julie for stepping in at exactly the right time with the solution to my NLP course, and to all my clients for having such brilliant weeks – your success is my delight. Thanks Geoff for providing the solution to the singing lessons, and Andrew the solution to the transport. Sandra, thanks for your input with Veronica’s Room – I’m right on target now.
So if it’s been such a great week how comes is the fairytale over? The title is a misnomer really because the fairytale is only just beginning. I went to see an amazing band called The Fairytale last night at the Hiberian in Birmingham. They were the second of a 4 band line up and stole the show. They’re a young band – very individual – very dynamic – full of energy – and definitely going places. And I’m not just saying that because my son’s the drummer. They completely usurped the headline band who had come over specially from Sweden. To check out their style have a listen to them on www.myspace.com/thefairytaleisdead

They’ve got gigs more gigs in Birmingahm and gigs lined up in Bath next month and they’re planning a European tour in the Summer. For me – a perfect end to a perfect week…aaahhhh!
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Single on St Valentine’s night?

Posted on February 17, 2008 by predencia

St Valentine’s Day is obviously big business now. Enough’s been written about it and I’m not going waste much more time adding to the miles of words already out there about it. I’m not a kill joy, and I’m about as romantic as they come – hearts and flowers mean a lot to me – I just don’t need someone telling me when to give them. I did, however, enjoy this Valentine’s day more than most. Not because of the georgous red dress I got as a present, or the bling jewellery, or the fabulous meal (with my health in mind). All of that was fanastic and much apprecited. What made it more special was that I was performing at Waterstones’s in Birmingham with Writers Without Borders in an evening focused on love and food. This event was absolutely made for me; because, as you know I love food, and I love love. To be in love, to be loved, thinking about love, talking about love, writing about love. And it was just great to be out there on the night rhyming about love…and food.

It was a busy time this week because on Friday night I was at the Museum and Art Gallery doing a re-run of Thursday night. This time at a ‘Singles’ event. I thought there would be about fifty or so people out on the ‘Love Trail’ around the Art Gallery. But no….over two hundred people turned out in search of their perfect partner. Not that we could fit 200 into Gallery 20 where we were performing. There were about 60 or so of them that made it from the bar and the jazz on the main reception area. It was a fantastic night; its always good when members of the audience feel so inspired that they want to join us on stage..an two people did just that. One man did a short poem in Urdu and another man an even shorter one from his mobile phone. We were allowed to mingle with the ‘guests’ afterwards – a gift if you wanted to hunt out your perfect partner too. Sadly we were not given a half of a postcard so it we could find the matching half as all the paying guests got on their way in. I haven’t spoken to anyone from our group yet so I don’t know if anyone got lucky.

I do know that one of my friends who I met there is going to meet the other half of her post card again…..maybe….who knows? Can love really be found when the meetings are so contrived?

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Far from magic Monday

Posted on February 4, 2008 by predencia

It started well enough; quite a leisurely crawn out of bed after a late night at the Kitchen Garden Cafe last night; recorded my dreams (which were a bit wierd – including keys, spectacles and mirrors) ate some breakfast; made some phone calls, cooked some food; did some work and was feeling that I was finally getting back to normal after the rush of next week. So how did it end with the ambulance coming to take my son’s friend away because we couldn’t figure out what she had taken and could barely keep her conscious. That was a couple of hours ago and I still haven’t heard how she is. Why is it when you feel like you’re just getting back in the groove, just getting back on track – life sends you the wrong kind of snow to try and derail you? Still, I guess I’m nowhere near as derailed as her parents are – my love and blessings are with them all right now. I trust she will be fine.

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Roi Kwabena’s 21 Drum Salute

Posted on February 2, 2008 by predencia

I’ve just come back from a tribute celebrating the life of Dr. Roi Ankhkara Kwabena. I am moved to write because I was move beyond my expectations. I met Roi a few times through Writers Without Borders – did one of his workshops and thought him an unusual man. The last time I saw him was a few weeks before his death when he came to do a poetry reading as part of the Equiano exhibition at the Art Gallery in Birmingham. I remember he missed his slot because his train was late. His audience had gone and so he performed to four of us who had gone to say hello. He looked very frail (more so than usual) and propped himself up on the lecturn when he spoke. I can’t really remember what he said because a) I was cold, and b) I was too busy watching the movement of his face. He had a very mobile and expressive face. I remember Sue saying he was very ill, but I took it to mean with one of the numerous bugs that was going around then. Not with the cancer that was diagnosed too late for treatment.

I’m not too brilliant myself at the moment, coming down with a head cold but decided to go to his 21 Drum Salute at (very fittingly) The Drum tonight. I’m so gald I went. I learned so much more about him by going. I didn’t know he played the drum – which seemed to have been such a big part of his life – and now I’ll never hear him play. I never knew he was so well travelled. I knew he was an activist but I didn’t know to what extent. The more I heard, the more humbled I felt because you would not know these things from talking to him. He was extremely unassuming. Someone said he had no ego; that he was a very spiritual man; that he quietly went about the business of fighting the battles of the oppressed, the displaced, those without hope and those with talent who needed a mentor to bring it out. And as I listened I realized that he was all the things I aspire to be, and I felt even more humbled. But by the time they did the second 21 drum salute I felt priviliged to at least have met him.

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