A Moment in Music at St Pancras & Home

If you ever go to St Pancras International train station in London, you will see in the main walkway, a number of upright pianos. Available for public use. And while we Brits have a reputation for not being too self-promoting, I have to say that there are a lot of talented people going through St Pancras on a regular basis. And maybe a lot of bored people waiting for trains.

While waiting for a friend I decided to have a go at remembering some old pieces I learned for my piano exams. I'm a sucker for a minuet, but after a while of my mediocre playing and fun reminiscing, a young guy with the thickest East End accent asked if his friend could have a go (said friend hanging back and looking a bit shy and embarassed). Of course I gave up my piano stool and let him have a go, but decided to stay & listen. Best decision ever- absolutely beautiful playing from this teenager in low slung jeans and baseball cap. The elderly French lady next to me was as mesmerized as I was and we practically applauded and praised this poor boy into embarassment.

I'd love to thank whoever came up with the idea of placing those pianos there, for the knowledge that hidden talents and beauty can be found everywhere, even in a busy train station in London.

When I returned to my family home, I decided then to practice a bit, not having access to a piano where I now live. I found an arrangement of the theme to Spice & Wolf, a newly discovered animé, which was called Tabi no Tochuu. The arrangement by someone under the name TheIshter, who makes piano arrangements of popular animié themes and posts them on youtube. He also posts the sheet music which is kind and lovely of him. This was my challenge. I never got past Grade 4 and I'm terrible with chords, but I found a familiar satisfaction in struggling through learning this. I haven't quite got it down yet, but I can play enough to be able recognise the piece and I will persevere. Most of the enjoyment is in the struggle and the trying.

All in all,  an enjoyable August Bank Holiday weekend to remind me of the beauty people can create, and that music is one of the highest forms of said beauty.

Peace,

The Traveller

GITS or A Trip Down Memory Lane

So, I like baking and shopping and travelling. I like high heels and tailored dresses and shirts, and dancing and singing and playing the piano.

I also once loved high paced, action animés featuring sexy kick-ass military cyborg women.

And I'd forgotten all that, until last Friday, when a link in the Guardian newspaper, about Chinese cinema, took me to the British Film Institute's website. The BFI just so happened to be holding an Animé Weekend. And that Friday evening in Southbank, London, they would be screening Ghost in the Shell: Arise. Parts 1 and 2, of a four part series.

Context: as a moody teenager who liked to stay up late into the night, I discovered a late night Anime channel on Sky. The channel only aired programmes from 10pm til 2am, but the most memorable series they showed was Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Main character, the Major. She was smart, she could kick ass, she was sarky, and she was a cyborg- her brain was her only organic organ, for lack of a better turn of phrase. She solved cyberterrorism crimes with a team she led in a post-World War Whichever Japan. I was hooked. I lost several hours sleep. I stopped watching when the channel disappeared and I forgot about GITS when I left home.

So seeing this film advertised, set as a prequel to the main GITS series, I was hit in the face by nostalgia. Last minute decision time. I left work early, bout the ticket online, bought a.ticket to London, got lost in London, made it with a minute or two to spare before the start. And shock, no trailers.

My review: Batou's voice freaked the hell out of me. Not sure if it should have but other reviewers and critics seem to agree so there you go. The Major was younger, more vulnerable, the snark was still there but less overt than I remember, but just as kick ass. She worked as prequel-Major. Even if I couldn't tell whether her non-fighting movements were clunky due to bad animation or to highlight how much earlier (in terms of technology?) these films were set. Either way, the fight scenes were en pointe, and the Logicoma (cute but handy robots with childlike voices) stole the show and drew laughter from an intent (and slightly intense) audience.

Overall, 3.5/5. Great idea, decent execution. But though it's fun to see the origins, when the later model is so great, you can't help compare and find the young-Major lacking. Had fun though, which was the important thing. And there's another series to put onto MyAnimeList.

Peace,

The Traveller

Workaholic - time to get a life

I'm not yet at the stage where I can call myself a workaholic. But I see it looming in the future.

At present, I blame it on living in a new town, away from my friends and family, and those other lively diversions.

That excuse is starting to wear thin, so I am making mid-year resolutions to take up old hobbies and other cultural activities. Working so far, so here is the list with progress.

To read more - recently finished Dominion by C J Sansom, and currently reading Sacrées Vacances by Ted Stanger.
To rekindle my love of music - just bought some Khalil Fong songs (oh, nostalgia) and an album by Stromae, who I am starting to love and now love to dance to- another past-time that makes me happy
To travel more - nowhere yet, except for work.
To exercise my mind - studying Chinese once more, despite the class I booked being cancelled
To exercise my body - two exercise classes taken, we'll see how that goes.
To rediscover my inner gourmand - had a gorgeous Afternoon Tea with my best friend at Fortnum & Mason, discovering a new love in their Green Darjeeling tea.

Overall, a promising start, but we'll see what happens over the month. I'm just taking the opportunity to improve myself and keep myself healthy and happy.

This should include taking time for self-reflection, so hopefully I'll be writing here more often, and keeping track of where I'm going and where I've been (physically and metaphorically speaking).

Peace,
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