'The Unvarnished Truth'

This morning I should not be here, I should not be sitting in front of my computer on an early sunny Sunday morning just as I have for the past five weeks since I started the ‘COVID Blogs’ (yes, I decided, heaven help me I would be ‘that’ pretentious twit).

This morning as I write, I should be in my car and driving to meet my fellow amateur thespians. I should be helping to clear away the debris of the post show party and helping to take down the set.

This part of the process is the one I dislike the most as it always feel like the end of Christmas when you take down the decorations, the hard work and excitement disappeared into the void and everything feels like it didn’t really happen.

We chat about all the funny things, missed or rearranged lines, props that refused to behave themselves, technical gremlins and the lines we didn’t expect the audience to laugh at or that someone in the audience who laughs so loudly you almost lose concentration because laughter is infectious and you want to laugh too.

Our production isn’t cancelled just postponed, although like the world right now, we are unsure when that will be.

I do know that I cannot wait to hug my buddies, something that as lovies, we are most inclined to do. One of my favourite moments being, when the curtain closes after that first night and we all hug each other; it is hard to explain just how special that is and I have found myself feeling incredibly emotional as I write and suddenly realise how much I miss my wonderful, talented, and quirky thespian family.

So I thought I would post one of my favourite images from one of our popular farce plays. I have so very many and I have not chosen the one that perhaps those who know me well would expect. The reason for this is that it would require another blog which I do intend to write at some point but my emotions are already high and it will be difficult and not yet the right time.

So instead, I will add an image that makes me smile, the memories are of a moment, when this particular cast was complete and a production that at times, made me laugh so much, I thought I would burst.

I had two spray tans during this production as there was rather a lot of flesh on show and my pasty white physique was something no one needed to see. I have also chosen this picture as like many, I have no idea how long it will be before I have another chance to wear those glorious heels!

“Look No Hans!” By John Chapman and Michael Pertwee

Our next production is called “The Untarnished Truth” by Royce Ryton (hence the blog title).

Missing those events as we all are, means we have all been adapting to new experiences, I have read in the news that people are reading far more, watching online events, online videos (thank you to those who have been following my poetry videos on Vimeo) and the most common of all, we as a nation, have began to worship the ‘E’ word.

Yes ‘that’ word which if I’m honest, does not really feature highly in my vocabulary that was, until now.

I too like many others, are finding new facets of their psyche and as such have now re-joined the exercise gang.

I have always dipped in and out to be fair, aerobics, yoga, jogging and most recently Joe Wicks but then gave up!

I am far from a gym bunny type (think Lands End to John O’ Groats) and as I grow older I have felt even less inclined, despite a little nagging voice that is well intentioned but I have consciously chosen to ignore.

However, with time on my hands and like many others I have finally taken notice, taken heed and ta-dah!

I have started running.

I use the this term lightly, more jogging like I am at the end of a marathon, spent and on my last legs but I am doing it and I’m a little bit proud of myself, I downloaded the app and I have a printed sheet for the ‘Couch to 5k.’

I have ditched them both.

Instead, I am doing my own thing which I call the ‘Lamppost and Tree Method’ this started with a brisk walk to said lamppost then a jog to the next. My routine then advanced to two lampposts and a brisk walk in-between. The trees then became involved when I ran out of lampposts as I jogged around fields.

These timber friends are less reliable and spaced far wider and quite challenging markers but they are enabling me to increase my fitness albeit quite tauntingly. The revelation being, that I am sort of enjoying it (some elements more than others) but yes, I am.

I even ordered the arm thingy to put my iPhone in so I could listen to music, but here’s the rub, apart from taking my phone to take photos, I haven’t used it.

Instead, I am listening to the sounds of the world, birdsong, the buzzing of insects and the solitude of my inner thoughts. It is however, a blessing that no one is around as I have found myself speaking to insects and nature which, I am pretty sure, is Beatrix Potter’s fault.

I have said aloud “Hello Mr Red Admiral, you are beautiful!” “Good Morning Mr Bee” and indignantly rebuked a tree “Really?”

So, I guess for me there has been all sorts of connections; nature, inner thoughts, a re-connection with exercise and goals, the next being three lampposts.

The highlight of this new regime?

When a younger and far fitter fellow jogger gave ‘me’ the ‘Joggers Nod.’

What he didn’t see as he carried on his 12k run was that I stopped two minutes later loudly panting and gasping for breath, but for a few fabulous seconds, I felt like I was some sort of recongnised athletic type.

So probably further than two lampposts to reach the ‘Really?’ tree.

I hope you too have found new or re-visited experiences; these connections that make this heartbreaking situation a little more bearable for us all.

Stay home and stay safe,

Joy xxx