the sky here on Friday 13th... apparently it gets called a "mackerel sky"...
So, tickets are on sale for Scotland's StAnza poetry festival. Since we moved to Scotland in 2002 I have been to the festival most years (apart from last year, obviously, as we were far, far away - oh, how lovely that was!). Since I've been blogging I've mostly written about what I've been to see/hear at the festival too (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010... seems I didn't write anything that year... I think I only went to one event). But this year..? I just don't feel the urge to get down there and soak up the poetry. I could bore you with moans and groans about why that might be... but no! There will be no moaning and bitching on the internet for me! No! No! No!
If I did go this year I'd probably try to hear the delightful writer Jackie Kay (go here for a lovely video of her reading “Old Tongue” - packed full of Scottishness). I would have liked to embed the video but it wouldn't let me (lots of other poetry videos here). Instead I'll embed this one... a song we were singing this week thanks to the TV show “Glee” (season 1 first shown here in 2010 but h got the DVD for Xmas – and loves it!). In the show it is sung by Amber Riley (playing Mercedes) but this is the original from 2007. Apparently Jill Scott, who is also a poet... and an actress, wrote it about finding loads of hateful comments about herself online. It's a great song - and what a way to turn bad into something better!
So, tickets are on sale for Scotland's StAnza poetry festival. Since we moved to Scotland in 2002 I have been to the festival most years (apart from last year, obviously, as we were far, far away - oh, how lovely that was!). Since I've been blogging I've mostly written about what I've been to see/hear at the festival too (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010... seems I didn't write anything that year... I think I only went to one event). But this year..? I just don't feel the urge to get down there and soak up the poetry. I could bore you with moans and groans about why that might be... but no! There will be no moaning and bitching on the internet for me! No! No! No!
If I did go this year I'd probably try to hear the delightful writer Jackie Kay (go here for a lovely video of her reading “Old Tongue” - packed full of Scottishness). I would have liked to embed the video but it wouldn't let me (lots of other poetry videos here). Instead I'll embed this one... a song we were singing this week thanks to the TV show “Glee” (season 1 first shown here in 2010 but h got the DVD for Xmas – and loves it!). In the show it is sung by Amber Riley (playing Mercedes) but this is the original from 2007. Apparently Jill Scott, who is also a poet... and an actress, wrote it about finding loads of hateful comments about herself online. It's a great song - and what a way to turn bad into something better!
12 comments:
Would you like to live in the US Rachel - you say how you miss it? We love it everytime we go but feel we are too old to move now. If we were younger we would probably move to the wide open spaces of Canada which we love dearly.
No, what I miss is the travelling, the being on the road, the anonymity and excitement seeing somewhere different every day! I'd happily set off somewhere else today but there are family responsibilities, financial constraints... all these pesky things getting in the way...
x
Mackerel skies and mares tails...make for fair weather and full sails.
I love a sky like that...it reminds me of Hopkins' poem Pied Beauty.
Just went to read it. How he loved to pack a lot into a line!
Hello Cath - I don't think I've seen you here before...
x
So THAT's what that type of sky is called! I took a similar photo last year...it's in my office, pretending to be a window. :)
I'll check out your suggestions soon as I can...they're always good ones!
And this is the year I've vowed to make it! I want to waft around with a big scarf and let greatness rub off on me...
How good is that song! I loved the peach pie line. And that is exactly how I want my hair.
Here's some mackerel sky info
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wxfacts/Sometimes-a-bit-fishy.htm
I'd never heard the term but I posted the photo in a FB 'skyscapes' group and somebody mentioned it.
T - if you go for the 'wafting scarf StAnza' look I believe brooches are a big part of that ensemble (and why is it that I don't believe 'brooch' is the right spelling... it looks horrible!). I've never tried that look myself but if you do you certainly won't be alone. One year I considered going in a ballgown... not sure why... I've never worn one anywhere else... just something about it... I guess I find it an oddly muted affair in some ways. But I have had some interesting experiences there too, heard some good speakers etc.
x
p.s. the Glee version of "Hate on me" is here
http://www.videolog.tv/video.php?id=567364
x
I'm only staying for one night this year - going on the friday and leaving late afternoon on saturday, annoyingly the events I most wanted to go to are on the thursday and sunday night which I can't make - John Burnside and Kathleen Jamie, I'm mad about this!!
I did stay overnight a lot in the past (even just going from here it's hard to get back late from Leuchars!). I've probably spent a fortune on it all over the years. This year we're redecorating the back room instead...
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Jill Scott is an amazing singer. Did you ever see Dave Chappelle's Block Party? She sings in that and is outstanding. What a voice!
No, not seen that. Will look out for it.
x
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