I was passing the studio the other day
The only snag with time travelling back to the 1930’s is if you get caught out time travelling. Its fine if I put on the Clara Johnson look, as no one is the wiser, but if I forget, or the camouflage vanishes, well…
So there I was, coolly back in 1933, walking past Warner’s studio, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, and a voice said, “Clara, so good to see you, we need you for a photo shoot right away. Just go put on a sexy dress, get down to the stills studio, and get it done.”
Well, given I didnt want her to get into trouble, what can I say, I went along with it. Short dress, showing lots of leg, enough to get the men excited, and all that. Up until yesterday, no concern, never seen recently, so I assumed it had got conveniently lost, until it hadnt!
OK, anyone who believed that story, you’re way too innocent, even if it looks like it was taken 85 years ago, lol. Actually, it was taken about 5 years ago, but you have to admit, it has the look of something far more vintage. This fact is down to the talent of a friend named Frank, nothing to do with time travel, or studio photo shoots at Warner’s in 1933. But yes, look at those legs, lol, all me!
I assume its all done with one of these modern computer filter things, to turn this
into my 1930’s self! I actually posted it for a Myrna Loy ‘homage’ photo contest, said jokingly that it should look more 1930’s, and lo and behold…
But fine, if you really want to think that the first picture is genuinely me, taken in 1933, and that the second one is a colourised version of it, then fine. But which is the true story, you decide! 😉
So, you might then be asking, what was Clara doing at Warner’s in 1933, in the first place? Well, unsurprisingly, it was for one of those magical Buzby Berkeley musical numbers. Clearly she was a competent swimmer, as she is in this, see if you can spot her? Easiest in the fountain section, but you do see her in the pool too. So…?
Out of era, out of time
Yesterday evening, when I got home from work, I found out we were going out for a meal that evening, as the others had been busy doing some roof repairs while I was at the ‘day job’, and part of the reward for the hardest working pair, was not having to cook that night.
The most difficult bit I had to do, given it was a Saturday evening, and seemed wise for a party of 4, was to book a table. I assumed they would be popular, but in hindsight, they weren’t when we got there, and discovered why. But more on that shortly…
As is my whim, I decided I was going to slip on a dress to go out. I know, old fashioned thing, but something I dont often do in public, so… Given I have a fairly new pair of sparkly blue shoes, and I have a less new 30’s style blue dress, I decided to combine them. Fine, it shows a bit of leg, but no knees, so who cares? Funny thing was, when we got there, I was greeted by 2 ladies dressed in flapper style dresses, so I guessed at the wrong era lol!
The pub/restaurant that we’ve gone to for years, wasnt as busy as I expected for 7.00 on a Saturday evening, and in truth, not booking a table wouldnt have been an issue. Surprising, but a few months ago (just before my birthday), it changed style, and branding, and as we know now, it changed service quality too!
After ordering our drinks, and our meals, we waited for them to arrive. And waited, and waited…about 30 minutes later, the drinks arrived, about 10 minutes after that, the meals. Nothing complex, nothing they shouldnt have served in about half the time!
Then, after about 10 minutes trying to catch a waitresses eye, to clear the table, and order desserts, I had success. We ordered them, a couple of drinks, and then waited, and waited, with nothing arriving. Anyway, 40-45 minutes later Ella queried the matter, and we found out the waitress hadnt even put the order in for us! Nor had she ever collected the last plate, in truth. We did get the desserts, and drinks free (though as one of the 2 latter was a free refill, no great shout), but nothing else off the bill, shocking, really. Not sure if the staff simply didnt care, or were new to the job, but…
Lets just say we wont be going back there anytime in the near future, and leave it at that. So, if anyone in the Yorkshire area is reading this, and is thinking of going to the Yorkshire Rose, in Huddersfield, I’d advise against it! Given most of my readers are in the US, probably an unneeded piece of advice, but anyway, its done. It used to be nice, but now its out of time for future trips!
Talking of which, the video, from the 60’s. Some may know the Rolling Stones version, but this is the one that topped the charts over here in 1966.
I’m old and grumpy
Well, in truth I have my moments. Oh fine, I have too many of them nowadays lol. But no, the inspiration today for my blog wasnt really me, it was my dear old laptop that I’m typing this on, with the emphasis on old!
Its not quite first generation, but its definitely getting on a lot, given I’ve had it for about 8 years, and that was second hand! Mind, given that the previous recipient of it never kept his for long periods of time before upgrading, I’d guess its about 10? I know, in laptop terms, a dinosaur! Just like me? Lets just say that in the case of a lot of the keys, its a good job I know where the letters are, because many are worn away, and others barely there!
Before anyone asks, yes, I have got a new one, again second hand, but about half the weight of this ‘goliath’. But fine, the convenience of an old friend, with everything loaded has lasted until now. In truth, the long walk at Newcastle convinced me that it was too heavy for me now, given the damage to my back. So I’d sort of decided I was going to be brave, and get Ella to get me running with my new, lighter one before Seattle, even if hopefully I wont have to walk too far carrying it, if things go to plan.
Anyway, the laptop settled the matter this morning for me! Tried to log on, something about not accepting User Profile, or something, anyway, I couldnt get in! Thankfully Ella called as planned this afternoon, and managed to solve the issue, something had got corrupted in an update last night, but its fine again at present. But yes, to say I’m a bit behind would be to put it mildly! So yes, even before me, this old laptop will be on its way out very soon, though I know I’m going to have nightmares with passwords when logging in on the new one! Lots of forgotten password requests, very likely! Ah well…
Oh fine, just to prove I’m old and grumpy too, and believe me, I am, let me complain about something that will be relevant to me in a few years time, the senior bus pass! Not so long ago, I’d have had one a month ago, now its nearly 6 years time, but thats not what I’m grumbling about. I know there is some sort of similar thing in US, though more often reduced fares than free ones, so…
Lets just say that the freedom to use these cards starts at 9.30 in the morning, after the rush hour. I leave here on the 9.15 bus, before that time, and am due in town just before 9.30. So, logically you would think that the people with the cards would wait until after 9.30, then do their travelling, right? Wrong! Quite often there is someone at my stop expecting to get on for free, who glare at the driver when he says they cant use it. Hey, its an automated machine, its going to get recorded if he did, dummies! The number of times the bus stops, because someone stops it, says, “I know I’m not really allowed on the bus yet, but…” to be told no, glare at the driver, and delay the rest of us, well, its a lot!
I swear that when I get one, I’m not going to even think of using it before 9.30 in the morning, honest! I cant see why they feel the need to try and cheat, they have all day after that to use it, lets face it! I suspect Seattle has some arrangement for Seniors to get reduced fares, but I dont know the age cut, and I’m sure you have to be local, so will be full fares for me, ah well…
Rants over, from the 2 elderly ones here, me, and my laptop! 😛
Right, video time. Twist on the concept totally, in truth. Yes, Clara Johnson worked on this, when they get to the girls coming round in sequence, she’s 2 before Toby Wing (main lady) reappears. Yes, young and healthy, definitely not me!
Well, I guess this makes me a pro?
Firstly, let me go back to events yesterday. Yes, Julia went on stage at York, and from what I’ve seen, was brilliant. Yes, I’ve seen the film via Facebook, cant yet find it on You Tube, so you will just have to take my word on that. Hopefully, at some point…?
Yesterday also ranked as the weirdest day at work I’ve ever done, and given thats a 43 year period, that takes some doing. I did consider whether a very wintry day in the betting shops, where there was 1 greyhound meeting that survived, and we took 12 bets all day might top it, but I doubt it.
Basically, the system was down for the day, so there was a message on the phone system advising prospective callers of this, and advising them to ring back during the week, but we had to have a few of us in, just in case people ignored that, and came through to us, so…I got 1 call all day! Day not wasted though, did lots of my apprenticeship stuff (yes, I know, at 59, but has to be done, so…!), also applied for a pathway course to management in Civil Service as well. Yes, diversity candidates desired. I’m not sure, I’m going to be 61 by the time the course ends, and even if they dont give in on retirement age, I’ll only have 5 years to go, so…But yes, I needed to do something! Did some practice tests, seemed to go OK, but anyway…
The other thing I did, technically, was become a professional performer. Yes, I got ‘paid’ for my presentation last week. Oh fine, technically it was a reward payment for doing it, but yes, I’m an actress with a mischievous sense of humor, so I’m saying that makes me a professional performer. No, I dont expect that to create a rush of offers from Broadway, Hollywood, or even small professional companies, but you never know, lol! Professional speaker on LGBT and Transgender issues, hmm? No, I doubt that very much either!
Oh, my fee? £25, but seriously, thats the first time I’ve been paid to perform, ever! Well, that I remember, anyway…? Treated myself to an Amazon voucher (email version), but have failed to find a controlling robot suit at any price, let alone £25 lol! 😛 Question is, if I find a stylish (ideally full length) flapper, or 30’s style dress, does that count as a business expense for an actress? 😉
Lastly, lets get this mentioned on the right day of the year this time around, its Nancy Carroll’s birthday today. She would have been 114, so you wont be surprised to hear she died over 50 years ago. But…? I have a friend in Australia, named Diane, who uses a picture of Nancy on her Facebook page, which leaves me wondering if…? No, I’m sure she didnt really time travel, just before her death, move to Australia, and…? 😉 All the same, she’s a lover of movies from that era, so…hmm? Yes, she probably will kill me for this, or would if we werent on opposite sides of the world!
Lets see, video time. Well Nancy Carroll was a fine dancer, as was my past life self, Clara Johnson. Indeed, they may well have worked together, who knows? Thing is, last year, I used the best video of Diane, sorry, Nancy dancing, and its possible Miss Johnson was there too. So lets do something different tonight instead. This was a hit in the 1970’s, recorded live at the start of this year. Very good it is too, and its what both young ladies did
Back on the high stage again
No, dont get excited, I havent got a movie, or theater offer just yet. But next month I’ll be doing a Diversity & Inclusion presentation for a large group of people (about 110, I’ve been told) in Leeds, about life in my Civil Service Department, ooh! No script, well, not unless I write my own, anyway. To be honest, I might do a few notes, but generally I’m pretty sure I’ll just go with the flow, so often its the easiest way with things like this. A fortnight on Wednesday, for those interested, though I’m pretty sure there will be no tickets for the general public lol. Yes, it is a piece on Transgender life, so yes, I do know the subject matter pretty well, I guess?
Seemingly the approach was made on Thursday, though I didnt pick it up until Friday, as I’ve cut back on my working week of course. A quick check for approval from bosses (its on a working day), and I replied positively. One moment of amusement was when she rang up later that day to confirm details, she mentioned the numbers involved, and asked if I would be OK with that, and then after she’d said it, remembered I’d said about being an actress, so…all fine! In truth, it will be interesting to see how I react, given its been a while, other than the wedding, where I have been ‘on show’ to this number of people, but I’m sure its just like riding a bike, anyway.
I have no great idea what the dress code is for a presentation like this, but I’m going to assume, unless told otherwise, its going to be business smart wear. So yes, I will wear a nice dress, and get my hair curled 30’s style, either on the day, or the day before, depending what time I need to be there. No, I wont wear anything as clingy as Harlow would, or as revealing as a chorus line dancer (Miss Johnson) would have to for such an event, principally because I have an obvious issue with too revealing (unless a surgeon is offering to remedy that quickly), and besides, its not fit for a moment like this. I think my ‘publicity manager'(Yes, Madi, I mean you) would love it if I went all flapper, and agreed it might be fun, but apart from the fact those dresses are quite short, they arent winter wear over here, and November might be cold lol! So I’m pretty sure that it will be 30’s look, to some degree. More classy look anyway lol. There is also the factor that I need something that I can hide the brace corset underneath, lets face it, only way I’m going to stand for about 15 minutes or so!
No, sadly I’m not expecting any Hollywood, or Broadway agent representation at the event, a girl can only wish! Nor do I expect them to be able to grab it on You Tube either, ah well…
But who knows, getting back on a stage might just get infectious, and I’ll see where it goes from there. In truth, my long term standing issues might make things complex, but…its a comeback at least!
The video, well, its one word different to the blog title lol! 😛
A frustrating sort of week
Yes, I know, strictly, I was due to do a blog last night, but it never happened. Mainly because I lacked for decent material, to be honest. Not that I have a lot more today, but thanks to another case of beating my head against the proverbial modern brick wall, lets roll with a rant about modern life, something I seemingly get to hate more by the day.
Apologies to Stacie, and Andy, if they thought I might roll with their idea of ‘bad taste’ album titles, but that would be just too many images I’d have to store somewhere, so, sorry. But yes, their Facebook thread on the issue was quite something!
So sorry, its a job hunting rant again! Monday saw me heading to the outskirts of Bradford for an interview. Thankfully, the right side of Bradford for me, but still a long way off the bus route. But anyway, show willing… Fine, you can guess the outcome before I say anything, I didnt get it, or I wouldnt be writing this, would I? To be honest, having tried the walk from the bus stop (and back), there is no way I would fancy doing that at 8 pm, on a cold winter evening, so may, in a sense at least, be for the best.
But lets not focus on that, lets focus on that annoys the ecologist side of me so much, the job application form. Seriously, I know they want details (even though most are on my CV), but 10 pages, really? Not aided by the fact that I dont have my own printer, and have to get someone else to print it off for me, but regardless of that, the amount of trees that must get wasted on these things, at a time, when lets face it, all those details (if it even gets to that point) simply get loaded on to a computer, and probably discarded anyway!
Oh, and do you know whats more annoying? I’ve got an interview tomorrow, with the same firm, for a retail job, as opposed to a head office one, but guess what? Yes, I have to do it all over again, and will have to get all those pages printed off again, so frustrating. Why? They’ve got all my details, its all going to the same recruitment department, but anyway…aargh!
But fine, just when I thought that was ridiculous, I’ve got a job interview on Monday afternoon just outside Leeds. Wait for it, wait for it, their application form isnt 10 pages long, its 15! Yes, fine, its a financial related industry, but yes, it could easily lose a few pages, without losing information, for sure. To be honest, given its location out of town, even with a company shuttle bus, I would say I would pass on it, but lets face it, at the moment, I’m really not in the mood to do that. Just glad I bought someone here a pack of paper a while back, but even so…
Oh, last rant for today about modern job interview methods. This morning, I had a phone interview, for a branch position, with a different building society to above, and I survived, quite well in fact. So what do I get as a reward, some sort of psychometric set of questions to answer. Which, in truth, almost make competency based questions look like a sensible route to go down. So yes, I answered them as best I could, in an honest way, but about an hour or so later, I get an email telling me that my answers dont meet their desired parameters, so thats it!
Yes, I’m getting totally sick of these modern interviewing techniques, just about had enough, in fact. But it has to be done, I guess, so? Though yes, I wish it wasnt, and I will be glad when its all over, however that happens!
Right, rant over. I promise to try and come up with something more cheery for the weekend! The video, something I discovered this morning, and suits my tastes. There is a classic disco piece from the 1980’s, by a group called New Order. Yes, Blue Monday. But just suppose, it was played on instruments that was available in the 1930’s, not all that modern technology. In that case, it might just sound like this?
Some modern things are the ‘cats whiskers’
Oh, and in case any of you modern folk are wondering, the ‘cats whiskers’ is a term for something that is very cool, as used by the flappers in the 20’s. And in line with that era, the vintage top I have on (might be a modern style one, but labels suggest maybe otherwise?, combined with my new bra (very modern) are doing their very best to push my boobs into the view of everyone! Fine for sitting at home, but not exactly suitable for work lol!
But fine, despite my happiness to eschew modern gadgetry like mobile phones and the like, there are one or two elements of modern life that this old fashioned girl definitely approves of. One is these messenger services, where you can ‘chat’ to someone online, thousands of miles from you, and it doesnt cost a penny! I did just that with my friend Kate, who I will be with, 5 weeks from now, yesterday afternoon, for nearly 2 hours, and it was great.
Hey, I’m old enough to remember a time when you had to book a call to the US well in advance, and it would cost you £1 a minute, and I’m talking that much in the 1960’s, when the average wage was probably about £25-30 per week, if that! Now, instantly, if you are both online…I know its not the same as actual talking, but…
The other modern delight I’ve been using this weekend is online banking. Firstly to transfer money to Dave, to buy my US dollars for next month, and in an even more modern sense, another payment, to deposit money on to my pre paid credit card! Oh, and I got an email this morning, informing me that my annual travel insurance will just be renewed automatically, unless I say otherwise!
Hey, I remember a time when if you wanted to pay a bill, you had to send off a cheque, and rely on the postal service to deliver it for you. It would take days, and then would need to clear the system, so…! Now, the money was in Dave’s bank account in about 30 minutes!
Oh, and fine, I know, flying around the world is a lot quicker, and a lot safer than it was in Harlow’s days! So fine, this modern style of life does have a few good things going for it, but…
Yes, if I could go back to the 30’s, with internet, then maybe… 😉
The video song, not entirely modern, its about 30 years old! But maybe this ‘Baby Jean’ will find some of this quite soon?
Not a Whigfield moment
Though this blog does relate to what happened on Saturday night, and a few hours before.
As regular readers will know, last night marked that event that is becoming less rare (thats the second year running I’ve been to one, after…hmm,… a while), going to a concert. Strictly, this was modern music, in the sense that the group are a bunch, of young, talented artists, thrust to fame with the aid of You Tube, as opposed to last year, and OMD, who have been around a while lol!
But in a sense, going to a Postmodern Jukebox concert is actually more akin to a step back in time, it has to be said. No, I cant speak from experience of a concert in the 50’s, let alone one in the 30’s, but in all honesty, but for the mobile phones, it could have been a time warp. Yes, they did request no use of the new fangled gadget, to fit in with the setting, but in all honesty, that was never going to happen, but anyway…
So fine, when Scott Bradlee (the genius behind the group) first said they were going on tour, he suggested that wearing a vintage look might be fun, so I took him at his word. Alright, me finding something vintage style to wear might not be the biggest challenge in the world, and wasnt, in fact it was more a case of deciding which item to wear! I did consider flapper style tops, but hey, I’m 1930’s now, and besides, they are rather boob revealing, so…Yes, despite going by train, I really did consider a dress, but bottled out. I know, should have done it, but too late now!
Me, I do it properly, got Abbi to do my make up 30’s style, and even gained myself a beauty spot for the evening, Jean would have been proud. Hair coiffed into 30’s curls, and looking and feeling great. Oh, what, you want to see?
Oh, fine
Happy now? I know, I know, Jean never wore glasses, but hey, I’m a short sighted version of her!
The concert, yes, it was well worth the effort. The vast majority were in what would loosely be termed modern clothing, though there were a number of others who’d made the effort to look the part, though from many decades of course, all adding to the mix. The show that the band put on was brilliant too, really glad I went. Being honest, a long dress would have been a bit out of place, didnt see many (as in hardly any) that dressed up.
The other thing you always wonder, is how will they sound live, as opposed to the film versions, which maybe one take, or might not be! To be honest, I would say the comparison was pretty good, if not better. So yes, if you like music from the past, and Postmodern Jukebox hit your town, or nearby, go and see them, its well worth it. Especially as currently prices are still quite cheap, I suspect that may not last for long, they really are that good.
OK, the video, and yes, its PMJ, you wouldnt expect anything else? They performed this last night, sounded as good as this, to be honest
stevielounicks 
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