Julie 2 Milner

Great story. I do think we can still be classed as a nation of "animal lovers" though sadly I think not as much as we were. As a dog owner I find it very sad when parents pull children away, not because of fright, but "dirty creatures". I worry about hedgehogs when my dogs plough through leaves. My dogs are big and probably stupid enough to investigate a hedgehog.lol

Sometimes I think it is a very good idea to take a step back and look at all this vocational"stuff". We get so caught up in it from auditions onwards. The pressure to accept places, try for places, etc is huge. My son wasn't involved until 6th form but even so. Then the pressure continues. A job? Is it a "good" job. People outside the "business" assume all dancers dance with the RB and almost pity one that that isn't the comapny. They fail to understand the huge talent and ability of companies world wide small to large. We know that a vocational school formost is the route to a career and sort of say it has to be. I for one, have to remind myself this is a job, one they love hopefully, yes but a career and a life. I think I and many get wrapped up in the artsitry of it all. But like any enviroment it can be so tough for so many. Your daughter had other issues that made the problem so hard but many struggle with vocational training. Some will keep going with an eye on the end, even though unhappy. Others will take the brave decision to follow another path. My admiration for all involved is tremendous. Julie

I'm so sorry to hear this; a tough time for you all. But there is life beyond vocational school and it sounds as if she has made a brave decision. I don't know your story but whatever, I think it is one of the toughest decisions to make. Wishing your family and daughter the best and success on the next step.x

shelia only just seen this. So pleased its all up a running. Any specific questions I can ask Martin. Think as I said before he was a big Wear Moi user really through lack of choice but Danz eze belts. Good luck with it all. Julie

Fiz that is dreadful. What a horrible woman. Its the "its only a dog " brigade. They just don't get it!

I have 3 bulldogs. When are old boy was pts 4 years ago I wasn't going to get another bulldog. Within 2 months we had Oscar, 6 months later, Elsie and then last Dec we rescued Ted then 8. The mess? Huge. Three predominantly white dogs lead to a lot of hoovering.lol But they have helped keep me going through health issues. When they are all curled up on the sofa together my heart melts. All the children ask to see them when they Skype.

I used to really care about punctuation. Loved "Eats Shoots and Leaves", but somehow it bothers me less now. Maybe I'm getting lazy. Lulu Guinness, the designer, sells a handbag with incorrect punctuation. Given the bags are hundreds I could understand why some were upset. Lately though I have started using the "oxford comma", before and, but etc. The nuns would shudder. I have one aunt though who is a demon for grammar and punctuation and I still go over any emails written to her very carefully. We all met up recently, 3 of my mums/ aunts generation and 3 of mine. We ended up discussing fewer and less etc. Re Halloween I don't think I've ever used an apostrophe but then I didn't even know when it was until I went to Uni!!!

And was Sandie her daughter?

Nicola that's it!! I remember chatting to her when trying to sort it all out. Did Freya go? That would be a coincidence if they were both there together. Martin only went once but loved it.

Don't think it is, or was, run by L'Opera de Paris but there were students from there and from RB. When Martin did it it was run by an elderly lady and her daughter. I believe the lady has given up but her daughter may still be doing it. When Martin did it Maina Gielgud taught and there was a concert to do with Violette Verdy.So yes definitely the same one. Or at least definitely in Pont l'Abbé Trying to rack my brain to remember the ladies name. I know he stayed with someone called Carinne who was lovely. The contemporary and jazz teaching was great too and I think the jazz was the organizers daughter. When I next speak to Martin I'll ask if he remembers anymore. He went in either 2006 0r 2007 and therefore it was to help with fench A level not GCSE. I can't remember if it was after his first year at elmhurst or the summer before.

My son did it many years ago. He loved it. Stayed with a local family and had a whale of a time and thought the standard of teaching high. Now I think it may be run by someone different now though they were involved when Martin did it. It also doubled up as away to practise french for GCSE. Is a bit of a mission to get to as, in France, one generally has to go into Paris then out but he manged fine.

Liz Earle for me now.

Just been told by my son that they are doing some live streaming from Bavarian State Ballet. He says it is being done on 13th Dec, which is "Nutcracker" Also many apologies to aileen who asked me a question re Vadim earlier. I'm so sorry I didn't see this question. He did indeed get a very appreciative reception. Julie

That is a lovely tribute to Chino. x

I think she has already improved hugely. No more yeahs. Also she and Craig are great. I believe they knew each other before. Actually reading through the thread I think everyone concurs she is doing a good job now and is a real asset to the panel.

He is amazing!

Its strange as I don't know hfbrew or her son or any of the dancers but I feel a sort of connection. It will be lovely to see a fellow "Ballet.Co er"'s offspring performing.:-)

Booked my ticket for Tunbridge Wells on 8th Dec. All on my own. Really looking forward to it.

I feel though she respects Craig. Mind you he was a bit gentler too. He is my favourite judge. I think they are going to be a good pair. What is interesting is that largely they mark the same. Even when Craig marked higher than Len and Bruno she did too.

Well give Darcey her due she has learned very quickly from last week. Very few "yeahs". Tonight I thought she was very good.

Craig is the best judge. He says it like it is. It is interesting that he is always the one the dancers want a good score from as it means something. Bruno is fun but Len I think is poor. He knows his ballroom but then gives out high marks for no good reason. also he gets very personal in his attacks on Craig. Last year he behaved very poorly on too many occasions. Craig and Darcey largely marked in a similar manner which is good. Bring Arlene back? Never! She'd become so sleazy. Like your grandmother perving. yuck. I liked Alesha. She'd been through it and had obviously researched requirements for the dances. Sure her grammar wasn't the best but, for me, that was far less irritating than Darcey's continual "yeah". Oh and Bruce should go:-) Which all goes to show we'll never agree on this one.lol

Must admit she drove me crazy with all the "yeah". But that she can change. Thought she did ok. I didn't warm to her when she appeared before and haven't yet. Was it wise. Well yes if she wants to move more into the media. So hopefully she'll watch a vid of her "performance" and if so I expect alot fewer "yeahs" next week.

Munich do a Neumeier Nutcracker which is quite different. Didn't get out to see it last year but would like to this.

Ours was second audition as far as I remember.

Saw it in Stratford. Did post a semi review. It is an amazing production. To be honest we went to see it to avoid Jubilee celebrationa in our rod but boy was it worth it. Superb all round. Glad you enjoyed it too.