NICKY SLATER'S BLOG...

Gwendel - Annecy 2018 Bid

2011-01-29T13:26:00.000Z

John and Sinead Euro 2011

2011-01-29T11:01:00.000Z

Euros Intro Dance C & N

2011-01-28T18:32:00.000Z

Euros 2011- DANCE PRACTISE TEST

2011-01-28T12:47:00.000Z

MOVED BLOG...

2011-01-26T19:47:00.001Z

I'M NOW ON MY WEBSITE....

www.nickyslater.com/newsite

old site still there - new one is in development but fun..

love n

PANTOMIME & THE DAILY MAIL

2011-01-23T09:43:00.012Z

We were guests of Christopher Biggins yesterday in Wolverhamption for Aladdin. A long trek for us back and forth but well worth the journey. A super show.

Biggins - as I expected - is wonderful and a strong cast and great 3D effects add to a superb entertainment package for all the family! To see pantomime through the eyes of a nearly 3 year old was a joy. Tiger loved it.

Met Paul (Zerdin) co-starring afterwards, lovely man and doing a super job. Loved the emperors main song and the baddie too... The show raced along with funny gags and spectacle and even an elephant! Biggins did a little extra twirl "The choreography is for you Nicky" - as he moved across the stage.... 'With refined elegance!'

Another week and its over - if you haven't seen a pantomime this year go see this one - you will love it.

Biggins said - "I read your bit in the Daily Mail" - I started to splutter about being misquoted etc... Funny I wake up realising that the reach of such a piece is more than I know and that - it's inaccuracy - that caused me to stop reading half way through, is factual to friends and colleagues in the media business - although some know these things can be inaccurate... As a friend of mine said - 'It didn't sound like you..." Indeed. However there it is.

Rats - from now on. "Written sign off!" I do know this but was reminded of my dissappoint in the piece as I met Biggins. Hmmm... And the world of pantomime - some decry it - I have never done it. Buttons, Stephen Adnett (costume designer of DOI said)...

Anyway onwards and upwards a great panto and today church, a birthday party of a three year old blonde my son is friend's with and I'm packing for my great train journey to Berne tomorrow. A 12 hour trip... I love the Eurostar.

Commentary for the European Championships with my great friend Chris Howarth this next week . The ISU have changed the rules for the ice dancing... and I do find the technicality inherent in the sport so complex and difficult to commentate on compared to how it used to be... However - I will do my best and hopefully raise a smile or two for viewers.

Sport is a million miles from music and entertainment for me currently so it will be a head change. I was writing a "Driving on road anywhere" song as we came back late last night - an interesting story... No doubt some song about travel or rail will come up tomorrow...

Love

Nicky

KYRAN BRACKEN - TALK RADIO EUROPE - CHALLENGE

2011-01-19T10:43:00.005Z

Kyran texted me - he's giving his DOI comments in The Blue Room? Where's that...

Just been interviewed by Steve Gilmore on TALK RADIO EUROPE - 30 minutes live! 'We only normally do 15." he tells me...

Will put up link soon. All about DOI and not being there what's going on etc...

He asked me to do an interview every two weeks on DOI - which would mean I would have to watch it!... Agh...

So let me get this straight - last five years I've been paid to be there - now people want to hear my views - it will take my time and headspace and I get diddly squat... Correct! Might be fun though.... and Christiane wants me to be getting more twitterers....!

What to do?

Love N

Monday DOI Report

2011-01-17T15:37:00.003Z

Dancing On ice view - show 2... I don't have one - I didn't watch! So I get from Christiane that it was better - audience more in evidence, better lights around central set, Karen only asked twice, Jason being constructive, judges all agreeing with each other... Emma much better - I can imagine they are becoming more of a team than we had been - no threatening overlapping roles.

And I was thinking for a moment that they needed me! Ha ha - the show rolls on...

I do think the judging panel - going from 3 skaters - two of which were ice dancers and therefore specialise in partnerships to one, who comes from a figure skating background, is a mistake. But then I'm a skater and many of my skating friends were saying this to me last week. However, this is not a show for skaters, it's a show for the public. Pity though that that the skating public is feeling let down by the way things have altered judging wise.

I've also had loads of feedback about the madness of the public voting for two to be thrown off initially - Angela Rippon should have stayed on in my book.

My trainer in the gym on Saturday morning said 'I'm missing hearing why things are good technically - I can see what I see but I want it explained to me - the technical bits...' Bless her - as I cycled and circuited and she ran me ragged...

So I hope they get another skater in - an ice dancer who is eloquent, charming, good looking and able to cope with the vagaries of colleagues and live entertainment... hummmm.. so that would be me then! Somehow I don't think so.

Slater Enterprises is recruiting... exciting possibility for MD and a Manager for me... doesn't half shake my cage though... I may have to actually produce something!

New website coming up this week - I hope... and Radio interview Wednesday - to Switzerland next week for the Great Train Journey...

Love

BEING MY WORD!

2011-01-15T21:25:00.002Z

I did a course - it turned into a three year journey. Part of the basis of it was BEING YOUR WORD - which is simple. You do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it. In the bible it says - "Let your yes be yes and your no be no." As my son repeatedly asked me the same question today I referred him to that verse.

So.. I said I would write my version of what I said in the Daily Mail - To set the record straight today... But I have not done it - and I may not do it... because.. ?

1) hey ho - I need to help a jounalist who has to report against my recounting events by insisting on a sign off - they have conflicting pressures and me having this in place can help them stand against editorial pressure or little edits and additions... that may or may not come and it also helps me maintain integrity - my policy from now on is.. with friends or people I don't know for journalistic items - I insist on sign off...

2) nobody died

3) I've had a great day and I need to go to bed now - and you can make of that what you will...

Good night

Love

DAILY MAIL TODAY! - 'QUOTES I NEVER SAID'

2011-01-14T22:55:00.004Z

I was in the Daily Mail today - centre spread. I did an article on Dancing On Ice where I was interviewed by Lisa Sewards, a lady I have met last year and we spoke on the phone for the interview. I did not ask for sign off on this as I have met the people involved and thought it would be fine.

Unfortunately, whilst some of the content is correct much has been written 'in quotes' that I did not actually say. This is always a a pain as I am careful of what I say and how I say it.

Now Nicky you should know better by now. You may say. Well... Perhaps you are right but the inaccuracies do make me wonder how this works. I say what I say and then it is re-packaged by someone else. But, next time - if there is a next time - sign off will be mandatory. That will help the interviewer and me maintain accuracy...

I will go into detail and re-write the piece for this space later - and let some people know the words were not mine where I feel I need to. Some won't care but some - even though they know this can happen - may doubt my sincerity!

Anyway - for the record - "I sat down to watch Dancing on ice - WITH A GUINNESS... - not red wine.

Moving on -

I did not say "Emma is more exposed as she doesn't have enough ice dance experience." She has no ice dance experience for a start! I did say "Emma was more exposed as she had more time to comment and didn't look comfortable in that..."that's what I saw - and it's a new thing and she can get better. I like her for goodness sake.

I was quoted as saying "Jason has no experience either." Meaning, I think ice dancing, as it follows on from comment re Emma. This of course is correct, but not something I would say. He is a choreographer, not an ice dancer. So bit concerned about that throw away line...

I did not say "The emphasis is on an entertainment rather than having an ice dancing competition and this is the wrong way round." I did say - 'This is an entertainment show with ice and some judging, it is not an ice dance competition." - the 'wrong way round' comment was not mine.

....and here's my trouble with this - I start to read it and get to the point of thinking this is a fictional interpretation of what I factually said and find reading onwards difficult - words are being put into my mouth - literally 'in quotes.'

There's lots for me to set straight here- whether it makes a difference who knows but at least I can feel that what I said exists - as I said it somewhere...

I did think of taping the whole thing and next time I'll do the interview on my vado video camera and post it - that way at least I'll have some verbatim backup.

Towards the end of the piece - to be clear "I did not battle with my lawyer..." - this in incorrect.

And I never said - last quote "I hope he meant it..." re Robin... I took the comment as real. He's a mate I believed it. I never said this... nor looked wistful! We were talking on the phone for goodness sake - it's fiction...

Lot's to clear up in the middle of the piece but - after driving back from Manchester I shall not do it this evening.

What has happened is that the general meaning of what I said in some instances has been repackaged and then put in quotes as if I said it verbatim. This is disappointing.

But - nobody died - well apart from my good friend whose funeral I attended today in Manchester and was always a happy man. So I shall take my example from him - let this go for now - and go to sleep happy!

Tomorrow I will write - my version of my interview... :) Slightly fewer people will see it but it will reflect more accurately what I said.

Love

Nicky

TED & VULNERABILITY

2011-01-13T08:57:00.003Z

If you have never watched TED I would encourage you to have a look. It is something very special. Wise, extraordinary people given 15 minutes to speak to other achievers at an exclusive gathering - that we now have access to for free :)

Here are two specific talks I watched last night and early this morning.

The theme that occurs to me for both is VULNERABILITY. What comes up for me is how can we/I be strong in the World yet vulnerable? I am learning here...

Also, what is it about spirit that makes me cry when I see it and hear it portrayed. The elephant and the lions...

And... connectedness... what we all really want to have. What is the risk? Stiff upper lip I can have, close my heart down I could do - my protection in the past. Not so these days - thank God. Still on a journey though...

Enjoy watching both these talks - food for thought... Enjoy...

Beverly + Dereck Joubert: Life lessons from big cats

http://www.ted.com/talks/beverly_dereck_joubert_life_lessons_from_big_cats.html

Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Love Nicky

DANCING ON ICE SHOW 1 - SERIES 6

2011-01-10T09:00:00.011Z

DANCING ON ICE

I had to watch it as I'm doing a review for the Daily Mail this week. I hardly ever watched in the past as I don't like watching me.... So I went to where Christiane would normally watch DOI with friends. Guinness, crisps, notebook and pencil at the ready.. let the show begin.

It was a bit bizarre and a fun time for me / us. Pat and Sarah and Christiane and Tiger and me 'watching' the show together - as opposed to them watching me being in it and me 'being in it'. Actually Tiger didn't watch he proceeded to position himself carefully in the way of me watching the screen - just by accident as he looked at something else...! Mummy can you take him... he knows how to push my buttons Bless him. Thankfully he passed out half way through and slept soundly through second half.

Brilliant to not be 'emotionally attached' and have a more detached view. Great therapy and it would have made a funny webcam slot - I had my audience - of 3 (my son was asleep) in fits of laughter or with - Ooh aahs... I see... at times. Pat, who normally leaves this gathering to go and play games on the computer stayedto watch as 'It's interesting to hear what you really think." The show for me was in their living room - how funny - you had to be there. We are having 2,000 guests next week... sign up now - Only kidding... I made me feel valued anyway - good for the soul.

The world was absolutely distraught that I was not there on the show and I was flooded with messages - two texts and one phone call :)

The time went quickly. My marks differed from Robin's at times I was more with Jason - who was very restrained. Lots of thoughts - perhaps I'll start to blog them. I texted Robin - who was looking great - to tell him so and send love to certain former colleagues there..

Some bottom lines - judging panel is too light, Karen's role contrived and just doesn't work, set is huge and impressive but layout change is half completed - big cave in middle of set - either have judges in it or have a logo or something... Set doesn't show audience enough and give intimacy which was there before (Christiane's comment) . Where are Simon's 'scores on the doors. Simon Latus provided the scoring system - it gave drama - it's a budget cut! Mistake in my opinion.... (((addition Monday afternoon - I was wrong on this scores still there - just didn't notice! - glad Simon still employed-N)))

'It's safe - tension has gone." - was Christiane's comment. Everyone has time to speak - great for judges, but Emma bit exposed in that place in first show. Marks out a ten - a throw away line from Phillip - Why? - loose unique positioning of a 6.0 also less increments for judges - Robin got stuck with 4 couples on 5 because he didn't go low enough on lowest ability skater score - I think...

Golly I was good with my marks my quips and contributions and Jason - you would be pleased to know I could actually heard what you were saying and was answering to that.

So... I have lots more but must save for Daily Mail!

Show one of series started - have we started or is this the prequel?... Reviews will be made things will be tightened and adjustments made.

My what a freedom to be able to speak and not be contractually hidebound to not... The key thing for me would be the good of the show and not to knock down. It is a fun entertaining show, with excellent production values and it wizzes past - particularly when scrolling through on the Sky Box thingymajig...

Back to work - I'm not being paid to be on Dancing On ice so mustn't waste time on it.

Ha - in my world, the world of my mind 'The show would be better with me in it!" Then the tension would be back a bit - Karen's role needs to be tweaked or sit her on the panel (a conflict of interest but then this is entertainment) - then DOI would rock and roll more. And - as the competition hasn't started yet there's still time to get me on that panel. ITV you have my number... :) There again in the real world...

Change is good - ... stop Slater stop or they'll be nothing left for Daily Mail...

Love

Nicky

NEW YEAR DANCING ON ICE - MUST WATCH!

2011-01-05T17:57:00.002Z

Oh my... New Year - enjoying being head down in my studio.

Daily Mail want me to give opinion of Dancing On Ice - which means I'll have to watch it - without being there! Ha - it will be an interesting experience. I may need therapy afterwards...

I'm enjoying the lack of schedules and pick ups and costumes and (some) challenging colleagues. It's certainly an interesting journey to be on the outside looking in.

Love N

PEACE

2010-12-24T12:42:00.002Z

Eighteen minutes till leaving for a Christmas celebration with my brother and his family with my mother too. My website software is frozen so I can't update it, I have admin to do, which I keep putting off, I have not done a lot of contacts and friends Christmas messages - (we have sent quite a few but I need admin help!)... There is loads to do... and

I have a sense of PEACE... as I am here in my studio. The studio is starting to be much cleaner and sorted, a lovely place to be, another few items to make, buy and it will be welcoming and functional - a lovely space for an artist... ME :)

And I think about the story of Christmas. I am a Christian man and I watched The Nativity on the BBC last night - it moved me and brought home in a different way the Christmas message.

More than anything, be it financial success, celebrity, acclaim or derision, happiness or sadness, pain or joy it is about the person of a baby called Jesus. The incredible gift he was to free us - one by one - to have freedom and peace, that passes all understanding.

Wow that is where I sit right now. It doesn't happen often but I'd like to have more of it in 2011. And so for you too - here wishing you love and peace this Christmas 2010.

Love Nicky

9 minutes to go - must pack! :)

SKI-ING ADVENTURE

2010-12-20T16:20:00.004Z

Have just returned from Austria - I have skied one day in the last seven years and this was getting back on the piste. I had the weekend with friends and last Monday and Tuesday on my own filming as I skied down. Got stranded in the dark Tuesday evening! Should make for a good film once I can get editing sorted - some beautiful footage.

My website is playing up - can't get the software to work so apologies for music not working etc.. Technical gremlins need to be found.

Love

RUTHIE HENSHALL ROCKS...

2010-12-05T23:38:00.003Z

Just back from watching Ruthie Henshall lead a super charity concert for Suffolk Carers with Christiane. She is the Patron of that charity. First time I have seen here sing and it was brilliant to see her at ease in her natural environment rather than being shouted at on Dancing On Ice - where I first met her.

The show was a great night with lots of new talent, a superb musical director and a treat to see the musicians - that are often hidden down in the orchestra pit - on stage. I learnt a lot about musical direction and drumming and percussion!

Caught up with Ruthie afterwards - lovely to see her again.

A NEW VISTA...

2010-12-02T21:10:00.008Z

A new vista - a fresh view. I have just invested in a new box of tricks that fits onto my EX3 video camera and enables it to take in up to 220 Megabites per second (MPS) - What?... You may say? Sounds like tech speak me... and it is.

The bottom line is that I can record at 100MPS, or over, and that makes footage that I shoot acceptable as broadcast quality footage in any area of the world.

So, from looking to create music and film for the web, suddenly I am able to create shows that can be on the web and could also be syndicated as television programmes on any world network. On my way to becoming a Production Company. Hmmm... it's the vision but it was s step away technically until today. I have full uncompressed HD in the studio - he's talking techie again.. Indeed... and now I have higher quality input from out and about... awesome.

Oh yes, from sublime to the almost ridiculous, I bought some funky squidgy toys that I imagine can dance - and you may see them dance with me on a video sometime soon, such is my world! The lady at Early Learning Centre had to go out to the container in the snow and brought back some different coloured squidges - brilliant. Buy three get a pound off - bargain. They will make you smile. Perhaps it's because I have been watching The Muppet Movie with my son that I am this inspired. I love Animal and Zoot - they are my heros from that cast....

Had to take the car for an MOT to save Christiane from the dreaded snow and I love driving on ice and snow so no problems for me. Wrote three lyrics whilst waiting for MOT and brakes refit... As you do between ten and 1.15!

Three lyrics and five squidges and I did make it to the gym - even though I was cream crackered. A productive day then.

Hope you had one too.

Love

PS - I didn't even get - my best bits from Dancing On ice - now don't you think after five years they might do that for me?... Only kidding - I think... I'm not bitter - just processing.... I mean a gold watch a £100k pay off as an act of goodwill all would be fine...

MONDAY MUSIC & CONGRATS...

2010-11-29T09:53:00.005Z

Apologies, my music player is down on website - trial has expired - I'm going to get the bigger player (no Freudian comments or thoughts about this please - ha) but need to get code, embed etc... Been looking at other ways of doing my website - mocked up the nickyslater.com corporate world - exciting to see things being spaced out into their areas that I plan. Had some web design input last week that really helped me develop this. I love the web. My web software has fallen over too so need to re-install before I can get stuff redone - all part of the process!?

Just sat at my Oasys - always have it set as a Grand Piano and it sounds wonderful. Eight am is practise time and then see what comes from that... I'm now capturing midi and audio tracks so i can see scores and has the Oasys' brilliant sound output. Brilliant to see the chords that i like noted and captured.

Just created a melody and counter that are in F and play around the hands being central around middle C. Robert on the last cruise we went on did some Bach or Rachmaninoff I think - (or something fancy... ) and played like that so I used it as an inspiration point. Interesting because you can only play certain notes in between and around the central chord so it frames what you can play for the melody. Quite gentle and in 15 minutes of improvising the base has come .... a film score / symphony one day...

Still can't get flipping DOI at of my head - arrgggh... May do an internet show around it but considering that may take up time and fill my head with stuff that gets in the way of my main goals... Need therapy!

Guitar next. Then the dreaded admin - which once I'm into will be fine - just getting started. And filming today methinks - snow on the ground... we visited some glorious parts of Suffolk over weekend so look to be out to catch some of that today with snow on the ground - low angled light from late afternoon is glorious here.

There used to be a time I did not know what to do with my Mondays... Not any more...

CONGRATULATIONS

My mum - she has trained the current British Senior Champions, she is training the current Junior Champions and she has trained our Champions who were not able to compete through injury. Oh and she's off to hungary at the weekend - as you do for another comp with Josh and Charlotte.

Congrats Josh and Charlotte - Junior Champs second time and Louise and Owen for winning the senior...

Sorry I wasn't there - head down working and not feeling like being out and about with DOI gone - I'll get over it! Pull yourself together man! Yeah i hear you - read a Ben Elton book 'The First Casualty' over weekend - all about First World War - I don't know how lucky I am sometimes... Book is brilliant, superb twist at end. He captures the time.

Hope you're having a Happy Monday

Love

A DAY IN THE OFFICE - MY STUDIO - BLISS

2010-11-24T18:21:00.002Z

I was up at 2 am - wrote two lyrics - back to bed at three then my son came and snuggled in as he has a bad cough and cold... Bless him he does ask first which for a two and half year old is great. I tried to take him back to his bed at 5 am but he was not having it.. C and I both didn't sleep that well with his kicking and turning!

But today I had a day in my studio - 8.30 am to 6.30 pm with 30 mins for lunch. It's been great. Part of the issue with Dancing On Ice was that it took head space - and it took admin time. To be free to get on and create this morning and sort production stuff re lighting and systems this afternoon is brilliant. I have made very good progress and created a melody line in D for the piano - which I treated as violins - really interesting to feel how that develops and a base melody on the guitar which I treated as an electric guitar in Logic.

I had some Tweets of don't worry about yesterday - thanks for those - much appreciated... I'm excited about what I could be seeing in a year's time if I get this much done every day I have free time to use...

Hope your day was productive too.

Love

Nicky

HEY...

2010-11-23T21:30:00.002Z

In the impact of loosing the DOI gig, got the official reason why today, and a friend, 42, died of cancer yesterday. So wrote a song simply called Hey. It's about when you get to the point when you have 'Nothing to say'... Did a lyric - Do you know your name... talking about purpose that has some base notes too.

Funny, Hey... could be the song that has everyone crying if there's someone or something that's gone.. I wrote it from the Oasys then sang over the base track. You never know until it's happened...

Anyhow, a few days with family has been super and back to the studio now. At the end of the day, for us, no one has died and loads of possibilities exist. But I'm going through a tunnel at the moment and kicking myself... Hey...

Love Nicky

THE BLUES

2010-11-17T09:14:00.003Z

As I get more into music I'm becoming more interested in it's history. Last night I was fascinated to watch

Roll over Beethoven - The Chess Records Saga watch http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00vv0zz/Legends_Roll_over_Beethoven_The_Chess_Records_Saga/

The way the Rolling Stones took CHESS artists songs - often wrote by their in house songwriter a Mr Dixon - and made them their own was an eye opener. I'm starting to understand the song structures and business structures more, great to see. I was reminded of one of my favourite films, Dreamgirls. It has the same storyline CHESS Records had - anyway, if you are interested in music this is definitely worth a look.

I did write a lyric afterwards 'Get Away' but it needs some work before I put it up.

Have a great day.

Love

Nicky

PS Website update... pls tell me if fonts look ok on your browser?

BIGGINS IN PANTO - DEC 11TH ONWARDS...

2010-11-15T12:37:00.005Z

Christopher Biggins calls... his dulcet tones warming the heart as he passes condolences on Dancing On Ice goodbye to me and sends love to Christiane and Tiger. He is just back off the Aurora - been in the Caribbean... lovely.

I am reminded, and told him, that one of my fondest memories of the five years with the DOI show was on Tour with him, Kyran, Andy Peters and Andy Collins last year.

We had a great time. It's one thing to have the public face during a show quite another to enjoy the company of others in the changing room over a period - we had some great fun. Oh Andy Peters had his own changing room... of course! With his own juicer... must put that in my rider - in fact - must get a rider prepared...

Working on the web - updating website - on a mission to embrace Facebook and You Tube. You should see some changes in an hour's time...

So much to do?... But hang on - We all, the whole country, must go and see Biggins in Wolverhampton. It will be a hoot, can't wait. From 11th December onwards for eight weeks.

Love N

Nicky Slater YOUR CALL Azura 2010 (Excerpts)

2010-11-12T11:48:00.000Z

Updated movie excerpts from YOUR CALL show.

Love n

Nicky Slater - YOUR CALL Excerpts 2010

2010-11-12T07:14:00.000Z

NOW'S THE TIME

2010-11-11T11:35:00.003Z

This morning I came up with a lyric NOW'S THE TIME.

I've decided to start to publish what I write and compose rather than letting it sit in computer files.

So it's online at my site which now has a LYRICS page :)

NOW'S THE TIME - sounds like my first Album title...

Somehow I'm loving not being in Dancing On Ice - it's like a cork out of the bottle at present for me. Instead of being in someone else's show it feels like 'Now's The Time' to create my own. Need to get on as I need to support my family from that!

Scary, exhilarating, challenging and fun...

Have a great day.

Love N

SYNOPSIS - SHORTEN IT!

2010-11-10T18:12:00.003Z

My beautiful wife has just asked that I do shorter blogs - 'No one has the time to read all that." I suppose I do write an epic...

So here's a synopsis of my previous missive:

Oasys - expensive workstation keyboard bought 2007.

Been a nightmare to learn

Thought I'd made wrong choice was in 'Wo is me land'

Been learning about music production and to play piano better in last 2 1/1 years

Today had a breakthrough with Oasys

James Bond sounding music up online

Seeing potential for music arranging more clearly :)

Challenges still ahead but celebrating a win today

Better?

Love

BREATHLESS ON OASYS

2010-11-10T16:33:00.004Z

In May 2007 I bought a Korg Oasys. It was delivered on the Dancing On Ice Tour. I had played it in the shop and found it amazingly intuitive in following a lead I gave as it has Karma inside. Karma adds 'random seeds' as you play which feels and sounds awesome.

Now one of my goals was/is to write and produce my own songs and film and I thought this, very expensive, bit of kit could help.

Since then it has been a nightmare to learn for me. Whilst I can get great sounds out of it, it has been incredibly unfriendly to use in it's operating system. My Macs help me, the Oasys doesn't. You need to know how the Oasys, and sound engineering overall works, then it will work. It has no intuitive user interface and a handbook translated from Japanese that still has Japanese grammar - I swear some of it was written in Geek Japanese in the first place!

So, easy to use? No way. Not unless you are already conversant with Korg operating systems and sound recording overall. It's PC based in it's file structure has no - easy to use - PC interface. There's a reason for this, it doesn't want to waste anything on processing anything other than music, the result being it can process a phenominal amount of musical information. All that equates to great sound which is what you want.

Now I have battled and battled to try to get to grips with it. I suppose it would have helped if I knew more about sound recording as this is a complete music studio in it's own right oh yes and that I could play the piano!

I got sad. A waste of money? Maybe I will just use it as a piano and send some sounds over to Logic (my core audio software) in time. Oh yes and Korg stopped building it in 2009 so it's outdated now then... they have a lighter version that must be much better. Ah well, write it off to experience.

Two and a half years on and my journey sees me having a great morning with my lovely Oasys!? So good that I feel the potential this amazing machine gives me in composition and production and see that I didn't waste my money. So good that I felt the excitement you get when you jump out of a plane - Yes that good!

My story then: (1) Korg stopped making it because it was so expensive and only a few people bought it - thus it made no profit. They make cheaper ones because that is the market. It is a brilliant bit of kit, only a few thousand were made and I have one :) (2) I actually know lot more than I did two and a half years ago and it's starting to help me unlock routing patches and understand the audio engineering and file structures the Oasys has. (3) My piano is getting better so I can start to play it better - duh...

Bottom line. I play the Oasys, it records the sounds in to my Mac and I record the midi at the same time. I can then have Logic play back the Oasys and record a different instrument back into Logic. It is the sounds the Oasys makes that are superb added to Karma that make it amazing. Building o this I can do arrangements from the scores that are generated in Logic and I can back up onto the Oasys. Did you loose it there? Hee hee, little by little I'm becomming a sound engineer :)

So this morning a new vista opened up for me. A step change on my journey to make film and music combined. I played one Oasys Instrument - an orchestra - and thought it sounded a bit James Bond ish. You know - that time at the end of the film when it's going to be alright but then there's something else to sort out.

Christiane advised, "Keep the music short." So I improvised a piece to 1 1/2 minutes and I've popped it onto the net http://www.nickyslater.com/N/MUSIC.html and click on James Bond.

For me to be able to do this blows me away and yet it's normal for so many and is the World I'm stepping into. The player is a baby one, the website in it's infancy, some of the tracks have duff notes as I find my way but hey the tracks are all intuitive and free form, played once, and composed on the fly. So that's my excuse at the moment. I've been waiting for everything to be perfect before putting anything out... Change of tack in the last week...

Somehow I can start to see what I have been working towards for so long coming more into focus. No doubt challenges will come - software conflict with midi driver after an update yesterday is a classic - for example.

But... but... I can feel a shift. The 'Magic's in the Music' and slowly it's coming. To hear the tracks back from the computer as it comes from the internet gives a different perspective for me. To hear my sub woofer sounding like the time in the movies when that deep deep note makes your insides wobble was also a first.

My, I have so much to do and to learn but today is a big step forward, so I wanted to share it with you...

I hope you manage to move your dream forward today.

Love

Nicky

MUSIC AND MONDAYS

2010-11-08T16:08:00.003Z

In the last week Christiane and I have captured some fantastic film footage and I've been noodling with some music creations. I've always been waiting for everything to be perfect before putting stuff up... However - maybe it's a DOI gone thing - but there is a sense of everything has been taken out of my way and I need to just be doing it... as the adverts say.

So maybe notes and phrases not as pristine as they will be when published but, for improvisational works, I like some of what I'm hearing and hope you do too.

Film to music is one goal for this week.

Love N

NOT ON DANCING ON ICE AS A JUDGE

2010-11-02T07:51:00.001Z

I will not be on the judging panel for DOI this year

Cut and paste link for statement

Love

http://www.nickyslater.com/N/HOME_files/DOIEND_1.pdf

AZURA ADVENTURE

2010-10-31T06:58:00.004Z

Back after 12 days at sea on P&O Cruise ship Azura to the Canary Islands and back via Lisbon and Vigo. Cream crackered and need a rest! We were in Madeira when it rained and rained, there were floods there that killed 43 people earlier in the year. Interesting to here locals advising where not to go as they feared landslides!

I did my new YOUR CALL Show in the theatre. I was on 2pm in afternoon and had a super time with Techies form sound Richard and lighting Steve setting up. Twenty four lighting cues, smoke etc - all great fun.

The show was the best yet, a theatre being a lovely venue but... I did a little intro with a few laughs about life on the ship (5 minutes extra) I expanded a bit of story detail (9 minutes extra) and I found I was 59 instead of 45 minutes! Now this does not normally matter as most times I do two shows in an evening so if I'm a bit longer on one it's no trouble. I had noticed people arriving at the back - I thought it was my audience arriving late - the venue became chocker block - lovely.. I thought. Anyway something told me to stop - Benne the Cruise Director coughing from the wings, lights being lifted, red lights beings hone at me etc etc..

What to do with 15 minutes left... I summed up and found a convenient out point and we concluded. The team had 1 minute to reset for the 70 piece choir to follow!! Oh my word. Might have been fine if one artist was to follow.

I did a Q & A with Benne on the last day of the cruise at sea and did the last 15 minutes and we had some fun with it so all was not lost. However this was a 10 am so some of my former audience was still in bed. They allowed 30 minutes after me to get the choir in - just in case!

Anyway the learning for me is to check if the 45 minutes is rigid. I did 46 minutes in Barnsley the other week. But I didn't have all the visuals. It was 46 on Oceana running at full steam ahead. All in all a fun adventure although I did feel like a naughty school boy for a day and did get a boo from all the choir people wanting me 'out of the way' on the show. Actually there was frisson in the audience as my lot wanted me to finish my show and the others wanted me off...

I think I will be remembered! My apologies to the choir. A lesson I will not forget.

All this said Christiane said it was the best show yet and I had some very positive feedback, all the cues worked - except one - we were trying to get the fire to work a la DOI.

We hung out with the Entertainers this time, never made the main restaurant, saw loads of performances. I love to see it and learn as I spend time with these top professionals.

Bob, Mike(Mick) Victor, Andrew, Robert, Amanda were amongst those we got to know. My late nights in entertainment land added to early up with our son 8am! took it's toll. Well worth it. Back in the gym from tomorrow to clear the system and get into shape.

YOUR CALL - MY NEW SHOW...

2010-09-29T12:20:00.004+01:00

I had in mind a new show for a gig on P & O this last month. It took me ages to develop and I had the wonderful pictures of Ken McKay available to me. How to get into 45 minutes all I could and wanted to say? On the cruise I was distracted and not on holiday - except for a day on the beach in Monte Carlo - bliss! I was forever trying to square this circle of what the show would finally be. It was challenging.

Anyway, I did the shows. A deadline always helps! What happened was fantastic. I took the audience to a point of decision and had them sat in the judges chair. It was an organic thing that happened in the show itself as I wizzed through. I also found I can get much more in than previously if I pace things. All great learning.

I got some super feedback and as it was in the theatre we used effects and big screen for the music and videos and slides. P&O entertainment techies Martin and Kit were excellent support. Specifically the guys who came were saying how interesting and entertaining it was and how they had not expected that to be the case.

So, all good but... a lot of guys didn't come to the show. The one's that did were dragged by their wives... and yet the one's that came enjoyed it. So I thought I needed to change the title. I heard from a friend that a film was not a hit until it had it's title changed three times. My original title 'Here Comes the Judge' obviously wasn't doing it and I had some new shots Christiane took of the show itself.

So this morning I've created YOUR CALL. I think this really works because in the show this is what happens; I take you on a journey and you get to a point of having to make YOUR CALL. I think / hope this will appeal much more across the male / female divide because it is less Dancing On ice specific.

I also think YOUR CALL has a powerful Corporate application potential, everyone has to make decisions and communicate them, this is doing just that under pressure. I think it could really help peoples insight into how they are in that process.

So YOUR CALL is on the website which has been sprinkled with new formating... Much better methinks.

Enjoy

Love

THE CONSEQUENCE NEGOTIATION

2010-09-28T09:32:00.005+01:00

Please do not do that without Mummy being there... A pause, my two and a half year old son disappears then returns to the bedroom and proceeds to do exactly what he was asked 'not' to do. This consists of pulling himself up and in a rather athletic manoeuvre flinging himself headfirst over the bed frame, normally landing on his head and cranking his neck (thus good to have supervision present to help him land) but this time more tidily done. But... Consequence...

So what to do? First thing in the day after hugs and "I love you mummy, I love you daddy," Here we go again. Yesterday it took 25 minutes before my son would sit properly by the sofa on the floor for two minutes. The 'sitting on the step' concept. We got the point where he would sit four inches from the alloted spot but still this was not acceptable to daddy. We got there - exactly, eventually. Back to today...

"Into the bathroom young man" says daddy. "Now; two minutes sat in the corner please? That is the consequence for your action of disobeying your mamma..." "I don't want to!" rings out loud and clear and rises to a shrill crescendo as feet are stamped and pitch of voice increases to one an Opera Diva would be proud of. I am always amazed at the volume such a small person can exude. "I don't want to daddy..". a refrain that is repeated again and again as I reason with what is happening and why... and after the tenth explanation stop explaining. He knows!"

My, the freedom to negotiate a child has, the changing intensity, the trying to gain a touch of ground here and there. The 'I'm not held back here so I'm telling you how I feel,' communication. Parents throughout the world will know it but for me, never having been a parent before, it is fascinating, and is most challenging (when I'm tired or cross at someone or something else).

I can understand how a parent, who is very upset at something else could transfer some of that anger against their child when the child kicks off. There is an outlet channel. Thankfully this didn't happen for me, I was unattached to the 'surround sound' with it's impressive volume and wonderful stamping and 'in your face communication' and kept telling him I loved him but there was a consequence. After 20 minutes of me sat in the bathroom and Tiger (Benjamin to his mother) standing I announced I was off to get my breakfast and he could tell me when he would start the two minutes. All was quiet.

"I'm sat in the corner daddy." came the voice from my son after another five minutes. Bless him. I went to look and there was a smiling angel sat 'exactly' in the corner of the bathroom. Two minutes were counted, I went and called time. He came out hugged me and said "I'm sorry daddy, I love you daddy." I love you too now go and say sorry to mamma." " Sorry mummy, I love you mummy. Can I have some breakfast of hoops and milk now please."

Another gentle start to a day. What a wonder children are.

I was reminded of what a XXXX (think horrible, abnoxious, argumentative) teenager I was and how badly I treated my mother who taught me ice dancing. She was my coach. My father let me give up figure skating (singles - which I am better suited to physically than dance) because I said I didn't want to do it. I tried everything to get my mother to say "Well give up then," on the ice dancing side of things. She never did. My story is that her love and determination to give me a future in this area allowed her to put up with as much stamping, shouting and sulking as I could muster. It is my story and may not be true but, as Coach, in acting so I think she lost authority and discipline. I needed to go and sit in the corner for two minutes, or, in my case thirty minutes and then ask if I may be allowed to come back on the ice. Maybe I would have walked away from ice dancing altogether, maybe I might have 'Chosen' to come back and stay. Anyway - she was a Saint to put up with me... I never really 'chose' ice dancing. Even though I did Olympics in it etc..

When one skated onto the ice in Queens Ice Club in London you had to say "Good morning Miss Hogg" to Glady's Hogg the doyen of skating coaches, I remember. Sixteen and full of confidence / arrogance I bumped into her with my partner one early morning session. If you have ever seen the picture of the guy sat in the armchair with his hair blown back by the sound of the speakers that would have matched my look as Miss Hogg proceeded to deliver expletives and discipline to this teenager advising on looking where one was going and safety and ... well it went on and on... I can't remember my response, apart from the fact that I was gob smacked that this little lady could speak like that and I was learning new words and that the tone was very, very clear! I imagine I said something like "Sorry Miss Hogg. Can I carry on now Miss Hogg." I never bumped into her again and always said "Good Morning Miss Hogg," when I went onto the ice in Queens.

Funny what comes to mind... My happy son has just gone to the shops with his mummy, negotiating about shoes to wear, no coat etc etc... Joy.

Have a great day.

Love

Nicky

A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVES

2010-09-21T18:35:00.008+01:00

Just back from a cruise. "It's alright for you," you may say, "but isn't there a recession on?" Indeed. However, I'm pleased to be able to report lovely weather around the Mediterranean, better than for many of the summer cruises (sorry chaps), and a millpond sailing back across The Bay of Biscay and 'all in all' a lovely time.

I didn't relax until near the very end though because I was creating a new show. I did it in the theatre of the Oceana and it went down well. Two shows in one night. The first one flew to time, the second one was 7 minutes slower because I ran out of steam a little in the middle bit.... Should have eaten between shows to keep energy up but I was getting lost in the bowels of the ship trying to find my way back to the stage without walking through the passenger bits. Time akin to Spinal Tap.

We met some lovely people and made some fun new friends. Ray Chopin - a concert pianist being one of these. I blew his identity after my second show but he coped admirably with the questions from passengers. I now have an in with the Welsh Police force, amazing who you meet onboard, not that I need an in with them you understand!

We linked up with old friends we first met in our honeymoon which was on the Oceana three years ago which is very special. It's great to see people onboard who were working then and they greet Tiger as though he is family. The crew are brilliant. It makes me think of what I/we have achieved in the last three years. I think we're doing OK but I need to speed some things up.

Oceana is my favourite P&O ship to date - atmosphere, crew, size, decorum all play a part as do the creche girls and guys who look after the youngsters. My son had a great time and sat with me this morning looking at his books not interupting me - he learnt that on the ship!

So two shows away and successful but the highlight of the cruise was an afternoon on the beach in Monaco. Tiger swimming with me and Christiane in the sea with his armbands on. Ages since I've been in warm sea water and to be with the family was brilliant. Mind you with beer at almost 8 Euros per glass you wonder how much it would cost to live there? Maybe the wine is cheaper?

We are blessed.

Love

JOHN WOODEN

2010-08-27T10:21:00.004+01:00

I was creating a program to help people learn to skate today and thought of John Wooden. John is a legend of a coach in the United States and someone, along with Dr Vincent Peale, I have huge respect for and wish I had known his teachings earlier in my life. If you are based in Britain you may not have heard of him.

I thought I would like to include some quotes so I needed to see if I can get in touch with his publishers. I found he had died in June this year aged 99.

I'm sad to never have had the chance to meet him or write. I should have acted earlier... But his legacy is strong in what he leaves by way of a structure to give the best you can which I try to embrace.

If you want insight into how to be the best you can be Google John Wooden. It is wonderful timeless wisdom. I have a clip on my site http://www.nickyslater.com/NOTES.html - scroll down and have a watch and a listen I also watched this http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/news/story?id=5253601

I'm very aware that I have short comings against some of the criteria Johnny Wooden established in his Pyramid - God help me to get better at these areas...

An inspiring man.

Love

Nicky

TOO BUSY TO BLOG...

2010-08-23T12:15:00.005+01:00

Christiane my beautiful wife has gently berated me for not blogging or Tweeting or anything like that. My response "I'm too busy to Blog!" "Well tell people..." came her gentle reply.

I think it's more like the Blogging thing is ongoing - like a footsoldier - keep on keeping on.. But I am a Commando in my makeup so right now - with no specific deadline for much of the development and learning I do I'm not feeling provoked to blog / tweet...

Addressing scales, 12 bar blues, circle of fifths on piano, guitar barring (hurts the finger!), iambic pentametres, ternarys and troichaic and pyrrhic substitutions all becoming clearer in poetic mode and various areas of songwriting and website marketing stuff being drilled. I have been writing too. It is never a problem being creative. Oh yes and there are some specific projects being brought to life as I write.

But all that is perhaps a bit boring, unless you're doing it, in which case it all starts to cross reference and becomes rather fascinating and takes every waking hour.

Having a shoulder that crocked when I was lifting heavier weights and a cough doesn't help but all will repair shortly. I sound like an old fashioned Carlsberg advert at present...

If you lived in my world you would be seeing a range of characters developing and music and personalities developing for these. You would see the possibility of a mixing and matching of these characters and the fun in that. But that is my world... for now; so it's a secret and the subject of obscure ramblings..

Enough - "I am too busy to blog..." I am getting on, getting on..."

I hope you are enjoying the summer.

Love N

One foot cable!!!

2010-08-09T17:50:00.003+01:00

I used to know a man who owned a Pools Company. Every weekend millions of people predicted the winners of the football matches and could themselves win millions if they got the right answers. The lottery killed the business. One weekend his computers weren't working. It was a nightmare; results are shown on television and broadcast on radio - to not be able to announce the winner was terrible - customers might not trust you again...

Experts were brought in to see the state of the art computers and fix them. All to nought. A helicopter brought in a super specialist. Still no joy. Then, one of the employees asked what he thought might be a silly question. "Is that the plug for the computer? The one that's not quite in it's socket?" Of course it was and no one had remembered to check it! Everything else worked but the power was intermittent and was 'upsetting' the computer results - as you might imagine.

In my studio, after much deliberation, I had choosen a certain type of USB mixing desk. This links directly to the software in the computer. It should be brilliant. It wasn't. Time and again one part of the system worked and another didn't - always a different part. I thought it was me.

Over weeks that became months I worked away to fix it. I know I am configuring it correctly, I know it should be seeing it work, I am getting in to midi controller programming- Ahhh... not somewhere I want to be!

Anyway - long story short - one midi cable 12 inches long was a dud. I finally saw that it worked sending but not receiving and started to spot quirks and isolated it to that problem, more by luck than judgement. So, £4.99 has delivered me a beautiful mixing desk that works like a dream. I showed Christiane and she was delighted too. So, in a happy mood I went for lunch. Came back after lunch and... it didn't work again!!!!!! Calm down check the wires. The new one was not pushed in far enough... and it all worked again - pretty lights, faders et al. Thank goodness. I can track across 72 tracks with two key pushes... joy...

Step by step I'm getting there with my studio set up. Just hope I can get there before I'm 96!

Love N

450...

2010-07-01T10:46:00.004+01:00

I am sorting all my files onto our new computer system. "BUCKET OF DOCS" is one file on the Raid Drive. Out of sight, out of mind is how things work for me so I am discovering hundreds (make that thousands) of documents as they are all laid down in one big file and not duplicated anymore across different hard drives...

I've also created one file for 'MY LYRICS' and I've been putting the words I've written into this as I've gone along. Last time I catalogued them was in 2006! I found this file and Christiane had me print them out so we had hard copy then.... Four years ago. Can't believe it was so long ago - time flies.... I decided to do a rough count of the work done since then... 177 Lyrics to 2006 - another 300 ish since then.

So I have written around 450 Lyrics for songs since my first on 17th June 2005 when I started to study lyric and music writing... Goodness. And I have produced the sum quantity of 5, which I hastily did in 2006 and were dreadful. I sent a copy to Mike Batt prompting him to write back to me and beg me not to keep singing!!!! He was very gentle in his observation and trying to save me from myself... lovely man.

I have far fewer melodies - about 50 so this is an area to develop.... or maybe just to produce a few would be a new strategy! More to come though from my studio :)

And Mike - I have a sound booth - no-one can hear me sing - so I can warble away free from upsetting the neighbours and letting myself go - which may help my tone and ability / capability ... you never know - beautiful sounds may one day be heard from here.... hopefully before another five years have passed!

Systematisation of production is what I'm after - a Sausage Factory for music and film... my rationale being that I want to enable a lot of output and - once the cork's out of the bottle we will be able to fly in that - that's the goal I have... Of course it needs to great quality output - a part of the challenge - interesting journey in building this capability. I think I'll need a backer and an engineering and production team at some time... Hopefully soon...

Keep the dream alive says my friend Chris - and as he flies in his journey - it's a good one for me to remember.

Now back to writing a new show for gigs on Monday evening... need to stop being distracted!!!

Love

GARDEN PARTY...

2010-07-01T08:58:00.003+01:00

This Tuesday I was invited to the annual ITV Garden Party hosted by Peter Fincham, the Director of Television and all things Online for ITV. It was a glorious evening and some of the great talent of ITV's presenting and performance lineup were there along with execs that make things happen.

I always find it a bit daunting to go to these things initially. But once I'm there there is always someone interesting to talk to. Had a wonderful conversation with Melinda Messenger and with her hubbie Wayne - we chatted about music, swing songs and artists such as Chet Baker, Andy Williams and Sinatra and about bringing up kids. Wayne is a singer and was encouraging me to get out gigging! Scary... but necessary? Robin (Cousins) tanned and glowing from his West End success in Grease was great fun too... Some fun chats with DOI potential cast, Controllers and media people...

It's funny when you see the people that are 'Stars' in close proximity... Everyone is just doing a job but it still has a dynamic to it.

Anyway - I read in the BBC News that STAR PAY IS TO BE CUT... due to economic circumstances. The BBC does not comment on the salaries of individuals, however a spokeswoman said: "Whilst it's true to say that we are, of course, honouring existing contracts, our presenters are aware that when contracts fall due for renewal, the fee will be reduced." Now am I right in thinking the BBC is funded by a license fee and that this keeps going without advertising? So its income is guaranteed and is much less susceptible to economic circumstances than that of independent ITV or Sky for example. Perhaps I am missing something here?

Of course the prevailing mood of our country is tighten our belts and austerity all round but... Why can't we be happy to reward great talent? Now if you don't deliver and still get paid that gets me going as I'm sure it does you but performance related pay is nothing new... Are the BBC using 'the prevailing mood of the country,' helped by our media, to give PR leverage to their negotiations with Artists Agents? What will they do with the money saved? Reassign to other projects? I've been in the "Times are tough and we have no money, negotiation..." Which isn't true but is perhaps a place to start if you want to get people for very little money. A consultant friend of mine told of his dealing with a lawyer who said "I have a great day when I get everything for nothing." Not quite a Win Win scenario....

The danger in this stance is that PEOPLE LEAVE YOU... you can bank on the fact that right now the super agents of the big stars will be scouting out options for moves. But then they always will be. Top talent goes where the biggest money is - hence the plethora of foreign players in our Premier League.

I do wonder if and when it gets to the wire and the bottom line is... OK we will leave you now for a competitive broadcaster that the PR talk may become more muted and we may hear?

"We are delighted to have signed Mr Slater and whilst we cannot comment on individual salaries we are convinced we have excellent value for money." :) ....

Apparently the top 30 to 40 performers in the British Entertainment industry earn over £1m a year. (Source BBC Report - June)

That would do then...

What value Andy Murray if/when he wins Wimbledon?

Have a great sunny day.

Love

HAPPILY MARRIED AND LIFE IS GOOD...

2010-06-24T06:51:00.002+01:00

I got two 'Fathers Day' cards. One had a picture of a guy jumping into the sea against a blue sky. Below him on the picture was an island in the distance. The message read 'Happily married and life is good...' and - as I sit here waiting for my son to wake at 6.55am I am blessed to say that this is the case.

I do need to get more of a half full attitude though. I once spent a lot of time learning how to 'get over myself' in terms of addressing what held me back. It was lots of courses, met some great people, got some huge insights but... still my question that would keep coming up was "What's wrong?" Expecting something to go wrong, so I could sort it... But it's silly because it can go right just as much as wrong...

So, as the sunshines, I work in my studio (joy at progress over last few days) spend time with my wife Christiane and son and meet friends over this summer in Brighton and elsewhere. Life is good...

Must go - son stirring.....

Hope you are loving the summer.

Love

Nicky

STAR SPOTTING

2010-06-03T21:33:00.007+01:00

A day in London - hotel meetings then a walk down Goodge Street and left onto Chancery Lane. My, London was gorgeous today. (Some very nice frocks around too...! - I know that sounds bad and Christiane raised an eyebrow when I read that bit out but... well gentleman you know what I'm saying and ladies... you know what I'm saying) anyway...

Sat chatting at a table facing onto the street and suddenly before me there was someone I know. A rather well dressed man, distinguished looking. TV colleague? Exec, actor? I know you but....

I looked him in the eye and thought 'I know you.' But... I can't quite place you...

He saw me looking (did he think I was gawking) and (1) looked away because he thought I was a stalker and he gets that sort of attention a lot or (2) maybe he recognised me too but 'couldn't quite place me' and remember my name so was embarassed and had to look away.

Stanley Tucci - co start of Julie and Julia (that I watched with Christiane last Wednesday evening and is a great movie. Buy it, you will be inspired to cook if you don't already and Stanley was so well dressed throughout....) and of course THe Devil Wears Prada - it was him in the flesh, right there in London's media land.

Anyway - it was an exciting moment for me. Even if I do think I might have looked like a plonker as I stared in his direction. This is not America - I am not going to attack you Stanley you are safe.

I do need to get a bit more assertive though. Need to get over being star struck - it's all nonsense!!!

Perhaps Stanley might have considered skating in Dancing On Ice and we missed a golden opportunity?

Should have asked him...

Love

I NEVER WILL FORGET

2010-05-28T15:52:00.004+01:00

My Godmother Dorothy Moore was buried yesterday. Twelve people attended here funeral. It was 280 miles away - 5 hours. I didn't go. She was 92. I had not seen here for several years and indeed my Godfather had asked that I did not go to see them. I think he thought they had reached a state he did not want me to see them in, and he had his pride. With sadness I honoured that request. Phone calls were then never responded to.

Dorothy and Edgar Moore were wonderful to me, they would look after me when my mum and dad were teaching at the ice rink. I would play with their Yorkshire Terrier Cindy. I would pull her out by her whiskers from under the sideboard (I was six) and once they could not find the poor pooch who was in one of the drawers! She never retaliated but perhaps was relieved when I left at the end of a 'baby sitting' session? Fish fingers and tomato sauce were my staple diet and I always felt safe and loved with them.

Dorothy and Edgar had a daughter Margaret whom my parents taught in ice dancing. Margaret tragically died at around 35.

I'm sad I didn't go to the funeral but I imagine Dorothy would have said - "No no you get on with your life." I remember she had once listened to me across their kitchen table as I explained - at age 40 something that I thought there was no one for me in the world - by way of a girl to be with for life. "There will be someone.' she confidently asserted. In a kind of spit-spot Margaret Thatcher warm and confident way. My - she was right.

They were a wonderful Northern couple to me, never knocking people - even Robert Maxwell who stole their pension and gave them hardship. Edgar was a newspaperman - a printer, Dorothy in her later years before her illness helped Marie Curie Cancer greatly cheering up people young and old.

Edgar was proud that he was driving up until his mid eighties and was never one to complain. Although he did give me some gip for my marks on Strictly Ice Dancing when it came on.

I remember them fondly.

Perhaps that's what today I wrote two verses - one about D - Day and one about our Capital Gains Tax which will affect pensions and how I sensed a 'Spirit of Fear' being propogated in the newspapers. Whatever it is - or because it's a Friday - I thought I would share them.

I NEVER WILL FORGET

I was a happy wanderer

Upon untroubled seas

When I heard the call

The radio beseeched

Men are stranded

On a foreign beach

Lives were being lost

We had to help them

Whatever the cost

We hoisted our mainsail

Engines full ahead

Sailed the murky depths

Going where they’d said

Guns roared above us

Smoke filled the air

Thousands in the water

Singing, saying prayers

We took aboard

The nearest men

All that we could hold

Then we promised

To come back

Four journeys later

Two hundred souls

Back to fight again

Some to fill the honour rolls

And I never will forget

Their dark faces as we’d go

Hoping we’d come back again

Hoping they’d get home

And I never will forget

The sound of the guns

And the calmness all about us

As mothers lost their sons

Friday, 28 May 2010

SPIRIT OF FEAR

CH: Times they are a changing

Spirit of Fear

Money I once had

Disappeared (Rpt)

V1: I’m afraid

What will we do

Worked a lifetime

You’ve loved me through

I’ve tried to do what’s right

Sometimes - you know - it’s been a fight

Now how to pay our way

Work till you drop they say

V2: Pensions gone

Funds went down

Confidence crashing

All around

How will we make it through

How will others make it too

Time to leave grieve

What to do

V3: I heard about

A man who died

He’d a big house, fancy car

But no one heard his cries

A fire with his family

Verdict

Suicide

V4: Why save at all

Changing rules

Companies fail

Bonuses fools

Dog eat dog

Fighting abused

It’s tough for me now

It’s tough for you

Friday, 28 May 2010

DAVID'S BAG

2010-05-25T22:52:00.003+01:00

So there I am in the restaurant this evening with two of my close friends and we're having a great time. I love learning about people's backgrounds and experiences. My friend David has had a rich life... I was hearing something of his most memorable moments.

A young man (say 12?) came up with his sister and asked for my autograph - he was very respectful and brave leading his sister (8?) to get my signage. Another autograph request followed. All lovely...

I was talking a little about 'being clocked' and ruminating about 'Celebrity' and - in timely fashion - Adrian mentioned that it was not me 'being clocked' but actually it was David with his bag! Indeed.... Of course - how vain of me to think it was about me!!!

David has a European style bag and of course is a personality in his own right. Ha - so there I have it - as soon as the Celebrity moment happens my friends help my feet find the ground.. excellent.

A superb evening with great guys...

Love

GTD.. AH YES I REMEMBER

2010-05-20T17:18:00.003+01:00

Have you read Getting Thiings Done by Dave Allen? If not, and you have a lot to do, I recommend it. I was reminded of it today and dipped back into the book.

If your system is not 'hard edged' i.e. there is overlap your mind will think it's broken. Yes, yes that's what's happened for me. That's when 'Overwhelm happens'... So a day of sorting things and getting clearer. Lovely.. and getting things done with ease... Love that. Systems development to come. I've already got somethings in order as Dave suggests but need to clean up further and tweak to get more effective again.

It's like a delayed spring cleaning :)

Oh yes and Watch Julie and Julia - great fun. Makes me want to cook! We watched it last night.

Off to Kettle Bells and Abbs...

Love

PLUG IT IN - TECHNOLOGY CAN HAVE A GOOD DAY

2010-05-19T17:08:00.003+01:00

Plumbing various bits of hardware and software has been a challenge for me over the last year as I seek to build my studio! A learning curve akin to the North Face of the Eiger being the climb for each piece of software and it's integration with hardware.

Back off tour my Raid drive refused to work properly which is a bit of a nightmare and I have been in technological overwhelm city...

Then a sunny day comes and some kind Tech support guru offers some advice.

Check to see if the cables are plugged in. Now don't be silly there are only two cables on a Raid drive and the green label one is to the green label marker on the computer and part of it works anyway and... well it looks like it's plugged in and.. well I'll just just wiggle that one to check and - 'click'..... Restart computer and there it is working! Oh my goodness what a bozo. The techies were kind - thank you Joel for saying it happens to all of us.

A man I new once told me the story of how his company, a Football Pools Company of national renown had to get results out on a Saturday. It was in the days of Saturday games only. The computer failed to work and experts were ferried in by helicopter and worked around the clock but to no avail. It got to Sunday, it was a nightmare and the punters would feel cheated and perhaps not keep using the company. A company that was in it's second generation of successful operation. "Have you checked the plugs?" asked one person. No doubt a withering look from the techies was received but? Yes you've guessed it, the 13 Amp plug powering the computer had a loose connection and the computer was of course being affected by that! Once fixed all worked again perfectly.

The moral of the story - Check the plugs first then! Doooh

And joy of joys - my Mackie Mixer has decided to see Logic - I can't get the C4 to read yet - but it will come. Touch sensitive controls and an easy to use interface - a breakthrough as it was refusing to see Logic properly before. The secret - remove everything - don't believe icons and rescan from scratch -plus some updates I've downloaded may have helped....

And my third techie joy today is with my Oasys - I recorded a Dance Track for fun this afternoon. Very detailed and easy.. Now - need to link it to Logic...

For anyone who has gone to sleep I can quite understand... but for me it's great when stuff works.

Now back to what I should be doing rather what distracts me :)

Love

MONDAY MONDAY

2010-05-17T14:16:00.003+01:00

Once upon a time I can remember not having had much to do on a Monday. I could just go out for a coffee and enjoy the view of the beach.... my life was managed so that I didn't need to do much. But it wasn't fulfilling. I did enjoy my turkish coffee though.

Once upon a time I had retired. Interesting how people perceive you when you say that to them - and you're not 84! I think they imagine you as rich enough to never work again....

Well that was then and I'm in a different world today. This Monday is full of challenges and opportunities and after a melt down on Friday and Saturday where I was 'exhausted' - must have been tour reaction and body saying - STOP! Energy is back and moving ahead... and maybe the sunshine helps too.

Funny how - even when tired a song outline came on the Oasys last night... I love my Oasys even as she hides in her complexity. I am coming to be less daunted by and more able to work with her... and.. I have a new electric guitar that is great fun. Garage Band first for playing with stomp boxes and to Logic later. Loving the range of sounds I can create to add to what I write. Another palate to come from - Mud - lead singer of my band MudAthewall is very pleased with the Axe - as I understand it to be called.

Worldwide online business ideas developing and possibly a little skate in June... Plus a BIG IDEA for ice... but these are distractions - back to finance and tech linkages. My office is starting to look like I am flying a plane - just what I envisaged.....

What you can conceive you can achieve - or see it be it as someone once said somewhere...

Hope you're having a great Monday.

Love

ADMINISTRATOR NEEDED

2010-05-13T10:17:00.003+01:00

Back in my studio. Admin work piled up after time on the road :( I need an Administrator to do the bitty stuff. So many bits to be sorted, eats time and energy.

But studio is coming on and so are songs - wrote some on tour and another one yesterday.

It's exciting to realise I am being Producer - as in old fashioned Producer enabling the Artist to play, create and see what comes. The Artist being me :) It's a stretch to set it all up professionally with technical software and hardware engineering issues to be overcome but the potential is fun....

Time away gives a refreshed view for me. Just need to choose what's first on the huge TO DO list.

And other business opportunities coming up - I need an Administrator!!! otherwise I think I shall explode. A full time assistant to get stuff done.

OK job description to be put together...

Have a great day

Love N

HOPE?

2010-05-12T18:54:00.003+01:00

David Cameron speaks outside No 10 and I am moved by his words. Change cannot be brought about by the Government alone but by all of us - Yes, of course, as Barrack Obama says - I have responsibility in this too... He speaks of Principles - thank goodness - not just 'I can give you 10p off this or that..." A tear runs down my cheek (what a softie!). It's because I am reminded that this is my country - and deep down it is a country I love passionately.

I watch David Cameron and Nick Clegg stand alongside each other in the gardens of No 10 Downing Street. I hear the words and smile at the prospect of two able men leading a team. I note the result of 'unhurried' negotiations led by William Hague - a man of mark - from the Conservatives side. These men speak of BRITAIN - indeed Great Britain. They speak of 'hope' they speak of 'responsibility' not of 'rights' they are young and seem sure in their stance of wanting to do the best for the country.

I am seriously considering leaving Britain - or UK as they have come to call it - because it has become more of a police state overburdened by bureaucracy and anti-entrepreneurial sentiment. Where posters roadside ask you to inform on people doing wrong. Report them? Some type of Big Brother watching you mentality. Where a person can make money by 'Being Right' in their 'Rights' easier than through their endeavours and service to others. Where the phrase UK - United Kingdom permeates a Kingdom that in the last thirteen years has pushed for separatism and devolution where the term Great Britain only surfaces around Olympic time.

'Deep down' I really love my country. But how I wish it was more businesslike. How I wish it did not produce inept overbearing form filling. CRB checks for everyone creating an industry that produces expense without really protecting. If you want to ceat it you could. A drivers licence that needs a paper form as well as a plastic card - why both? Health and Safety edicts that make it a nightmare to feed or employ people. Employment Law that leads to a contract by contract culture where loyalty to the company in the long term is the exception. PFI Contracts 'Off Balance Sheet' for the country that carry 25 year contracts with offshore companies and that, if included in our National Debt would add massively to it. How much money has been spent in the last thirteen years?

So hope? As with President Obama and look at his popularity ratings right now. We have to rein in spending on public funded bodies but pensions are contracted to last a lifetime? We have to 'PRODUCE' output, not simply check if anyone is OK to do a job, or looking for a job - for the set number of weeks then remove them from the register - as happened to my friend! We should remove any office that does not produce output... Output should be a positive contribution to the economy. Will we stick with the politicians when things get much tighter?

It was once suggested to me that I take a department I ran in company and set it up as a Consultancy. I was scared to do so. I did not realise that what I ran - a 15 person £1 million turnover communications and marketing department could actually have made a contribution and been a very successful business so I resisted. Perhaps part of the way forward is in envisaging the many people in jobs that do not produce into 'What's Possible' - their entrepreneurial traits and skills in administration - which are so valid - released to a new place.

Hope... I pray they can make a difference - our new leaders - serve us and inspire us to serve our country in return. I feel like staying and trying to help make things work better, make Britain Great again, if they can do it, lead us effectively...

And as my son gently talks himself to sleep I wonder for him. Where is the best place to bring him up? Could it be worth staying here? My I hadn't considered that until I heard David Cameron talk today.

Hope...

So God Bless this government as they seek to turn around a ship that is holed with a huge deficit and, like a tanker, will take a while to turn around.

Goodness, the Civil Service may have done scenario planning but even they will not have seen such an integrated cabinet and linked coalition as this.

Brilliant - I hope...

Here's to 'GREAT BRITAIN' - a Land of Hope and Glory. Now that would be special.

Love

2.5 to 6.0 - How People Perceive

2010-05-07T11:47:00.005+01:00

I've just done a post about last night. It brought to mind that - whilst I explain to every audience what I am trying to do on the tour - I have never published such. So here goes.

I found myself trying to create a 'first to last' positioning for the competitors on this tour. It is a competition whereby eight couples skate a number and we - the judges - give one mark. To separate them - using our marking system of 0 to 6 with 0.5 increments means you must start at 2.5 and finish on a 6.0 otherwise you have ties.

In the past, and on the series I have had ties (couples on the same mark). My criteria is what I sum up as the whole package. This is a mix of skating and presentation. In my skating days their were marks for Technical Merit and Artistic Impression. These days it is split but still has the same route. For Dancing On Ice the mark is simplified ( as against skating competition elsewhere run by the ISU ).

It is interesting to me though that I have been tared with the brush of 'The Nasty Judge'. "My you give low marks." Because my colleagues stay higher and tie. What seems to happen is that people see the relative mark and think you're harsh - but actually I am trying to be absolutely fair to those that have done better.

How we perceive what people do then is an interesting observation for me in this spot. As 10,000 people gleefully booed me in Manchester for about a minute and a bit as I continued chatting to them (!) we have had some fun. Great pantomime moments.

It's quite character building as well - as you might imagine. As i walked back to the hotel in Manchester car windows rolled down and "We love you Nicky- sorry about the booing we were told to do it" was repeated again and again.

Andy Collins - our brilliant warm up guy doing a great job then (?) plus one of our cast was actively encouraging the booing! :) All great fun -

However I may need some therapy when I get home and my mother in law has suggested I paid by the boo in future... That would dramatically increase my worth!

It's a funny old world.

Love

BELFAST - MIKEY WINS FROM ME- DOI -LAST LEG

2010-05-07T11:25:00.003+01:00

Lovely day in Belfast and looking over the Loch. Gorgeous. Last leg of tour 3 shows to go of 38.

Last night we decided to give Mikey (Graham) a leg up towards his Bolero - a 5.5 from all the judges for his performance. Audience voting had him in the final with Hayley.

Mikey skated the funniest Bolero I have ever seen and skated a routine that had moments of flow, poise and speed along with lifts and a relationship between him and Mel that has characterised their routines. There were also moments of wobbles, of 'which way should I go now?' and the feeling that it would all end up in a heap. But it didn't. A superb one off effort by an Arena trained showman. My it made me laugh and it made me think - you are skating out... and I was surprised to overall be impressed by his ice coverage and presentation.

Hayley skated her Bolero with Dan. This is a totally different routine. It is theatrically perfect in its presentation and works with the music. However, I always analyse from the feet up and Hayley and Dan's routine - which they choreographed themselves - has Hayley in the air for a major part of the piece. When the skating happens it is precise yet slow over the ice.

So, in comparing the routines I found myself reflecting on the amount of skating and presenting of his partner Mikey did in a positive light. And the comedic and entertainment value of his performance added weight to my overall decision.

I was the only one to vote for Mikey as my Champion. I was surprised - as I often am - that I was the only one to do so!

Well done him for delivering a memorable and entertaining Bolero. A treat for Belfast for one night only. It takes nothing away from Hayley and Dan's presentation but I will always be a stand for skating first as for me - Dancing On Ice is done best when you are doing the dancing whilst moving fast over the ice - that's when it's more difficult.

Love

BIRMINGHAM NEC

2010-05-01T22:13:00.002+01:00

In 1986 I chartered a private jet to fly in Chris and Jayne and Karen from Germany. I arranged for airspace clearance across Germany. The event was Sport Aid screened for ITV. My first producer role. Tonight - a few years on I judged celebs skating and Karen is on the panel and Chris and Jayne of course star in the show.

Booing seems to be much in evidence. I kept a booing relationship going for about a minute and a quarter tonight as I explained my marks to the lovely people of Birmingham here. All good natured and pantomine and a release of tension for our crowd - at least I hope that's how it is...

Two more two show days to come then Belfast for the final leg of the tour.

My mother in law is suggesting I get paid by the boo next time - this would increase my salary exponentially!

Love

ALTRINCHAM SKATING....

2010-04-23T08:56:00.003+01:00

Hectic days of travel, home to repack and get business sorted, and shows. Manchester leg of Dancing On Ice Tour, crowd wonderful in my home town. Booing huge for some of my marks, but not with nasty edge, at least that is how I imagine it!

Off for a skate today - first time on the ice for a while with Kyran in Altrincham this morning. He wants to learn some steps... Will be fun.

We will be going on the public session - lovely!

Love

MONDAY - FLIP SHOW - ALMOST... DANCING ON ICE TOUR

2010-04-19T22:21:00.003+01:00

I am getting disorientated. Is it Monday? Is it afternoon or evening. After a few days here with two show days over the weekend this is probably normal. Anyway - sat on the bus online!!! :) Brilliant dongle usage.

Show was flipped which means some people get different numbers on the Tour in the first and second half. This changes the dynamic of the competition part of the show. My marks reflected that. Linda Lusardi was the guest judge and it was great to see her again.

Hayley won the bolero by three judges to two. Close but will encourage her. Ray was in the final with her.

Worked out before the show as usual - our carpenters Mark and Ray fitting me up with two metal boxes full of weights - great fun. Kyron (Bracken) having a night off - we'll be back running and lifting some weights tomorrow.

Love n

SUNDAY AFTER DVD DAY

2010-04-18T15:21:00.002+01:00

Sunday - O2 - day three... two show day.. show 13 half way through.

Yesterday - on the Dancing On Ice Tour - we did a DVD shoot of the show and I found it difficult to judge. Up to now the placings of the competitors has been clear for me and a range of 2.5 to 6 covers eight couples. But... for DVD day skaters do different routines and this means some do better, some less so.

Emily was better - her Bad Boys number should be her competition piece. Mikey did worse - his new number had limited content. Gaynor did better and looks to be fulfilling the hope I had in her from the start of the tour and then Gary was scratchy with hips back and free leg not extended. So I ended up grouping this lower segment. For the top skaters Ray was super with a Grease routine that was developed very quickly but, I did not give him a six because his split jump is not yet up and sure as it was last year. So, after being that tough, when Chris Fountain didn't do his routine 100% I gave him a 5.5 otherwise I would not have been consistent and fair on Ray. I tied them.... All the other judges gave 6.0's to Chris - so, whilst I am sure of what I did I can't help having pangs of being a meany... Which is not the intention....

Today then judging is a challenge - as it gets around show 13 - some improving - some not so much - position changes afoot perhaps.

It might only 'be a show' but being a judge is 'being a judge' for me. Being strong and true to convictions and resisting tieing everyone and being polite is not the game I'm playing.... Would be easier if I did that perhaps...

Love

DANCING ON ICE - ON TOUR...

2010-04-09T21:17:00.003+01:00

Must get a way to get pictures on blog...

On Tour with Dancing On ice. Backstage as second half proceeds. It's Day 2 - Show 2 of 39...

Chris Fountain and Brianne were a six last night, 5.5 tonight and still top for me. Mind you I got booed royally for not putting Hayley and Dan first. Some of my colleagues gave her a six - but, whilst it was a six in the studio - unless more speed can be squeezed out of the choreography and the small amount of skating can be expanded this routine won't fill the arena on bigger ice and.... in the context of skating against Ray and Chris.... will be a poor relation for me. No matter how loud the music is played!

It's a bit of a quandary, as I am not to judge the choreography, and the choreography does not include much skating for Hayley. But then - if this was an easy job anyone would do it!

Mikey skating, smile lighting up the arena. We are talking about music - how rich to be speaking with someone of his experience and I was playing Mark's guitar (on our video crew) before the show - Fender Stratocaster - he's looking at what electric I should buy. All this from the party last night which was fun and at which I did boogy!!!!

Lovely days - even with the booing!

Love N

RED NOSE

2010-04-03T10:36:00.004+01:00

I write a lot. Maybe one lyric or rhyme every day .

One day I may be a poet - but I need to learn a lot more before such accolade could be given. Anyway I love to write and I've learnt lyric structuring over the years and continue to develop here...

There is the dilemma of sharing? Will it be nicked? Is it wise.? Will people think it's rubbish? Well for today here's a lyric I was inspired to write after seeing the movie Patch Adams again last night. If you think it's sentiments are mad look up Bill Gates or Chuck Feeney as people who took the stand of giving it all away.

And it's Easter and I reflect on those times. Freedom bought for us all. Wow...

God Bless you this Easter - enjoy Red Nose - can't think of a snappier title and Patch Adams wears red noses to cheer up the children who have cancer... Perhaps it's apt.

Love N

Now must get packed for tour and complete accounts, get hair cut, pay insurance etc...

Want to see who Patch Adams is?

http://www.patchadams.org/Gesundheit_Institute_speakers

RED NOSE

V1: Again I watch the movie

Man with a red nose

Courage and crazy laughter

Everywhere he goes

Daring to be different

Passionate and strong

Challenging the way things are

And have been for so long

Ch1: Tears reflect my inner fears

See his wondrous freedom fly

My spirit shouts out make a stand

Before your life’s gone by

V2: So many times I’ve been afraid

Or so tied up in me

Fighting for myself

Forgetting others in need

How would it be if l gave more

Than I thought was wise

If my passion for life and giving

Surpassed my pay cheque size

Ch2: Maybe my eyes would fill with tears

Feeling passion with freedom fly

Maybe I’d have made a difference

Before my life’s gone by

Br: I can look outside

From what might be, of having it tough

To give more than is comfortable

To those that ‘really’ have it rough

To give the widow’s mite

To give deep from the soul

To give all I have away

Before I get too old - then..

Ch3 Maybe my eyes would fill with tears

Feeling passion with freedom fly

Knowing I’d made a difference

Before my life’s gone by

Saturday, 3 April 2010

Friday, 2 April 2010

Inspired by Patch Adams movie

SHOES & THE FINANCIAL TIMES

2010-03-31T22:19:00.006+01:00

SHOES

"I can't buy high shoes if I can't walk in them - it's a dilemma.." so says my wife as she asks what I think of her new shoes... "Well they look ... comfortable" is my response!

Oh my and you know you are digging a hole right there. The truth or... "They look lovely darling..." Truth is - high heels work for me.. and she has fantastic pins - but she doesn't like wearing high heels as they are uncomfortable. Something about running around barefoot in Fiji when she was growing up!!!

What's a man to do? I think we need to go shoe shopping together - sounds like I'm getting in touch with my feminine side - Oh my... Maybe I need to give her Emma's number so she can get some 7" heels :)

FINANCIAL TIMES - THE FT

There was a one page interview with me in the Financial Times last weekend. I asked if I could have the pdf for my website. Felt quite posh to be in the FT. Have to pay is the policy of the FT. Anyway possibility of FOC for the words but will cost hundreds to re format without the picture. So seeing if I can get the picture cleared. The world of rights and copyright I live in... fun huh?

Love

DANCING ON ICE FINAL

2010-03-29T12:06:00.003+01:00

Drama, as ever, at Dancing on ice FINAL....

Three contestants - Hayley and Dan, Gary and Maria, Kieron and Brianne. Three routines...

FLYING - Gary managed to look lighter and graceful and had more content than Kieron - who did what he was given with arms that were stronger. Flying favours the girls and Hayley's presentation with Dan as the base worked brilliantly. I had a Hayley, Gary, Kieron placing.

FAVOURITE ROUTINES - Hayley with Bollywood superb, Kieron with Punk great energy but a trip, Gary managed to communicate and express his routine relating to Maria and skated well with lots of ice coverage. I had a Hayley 6.0, Gary, Kieron placing.

BOLERO - Hayley and Dan skated first. Presentation super as expected but hardly any skating from Hayley and slow over the ice, a door had been left open. Robin didn't mention this in his comments - the rest of us were given no time to comment! Gary skated out and covered 'miles' more ground with very good presentation and a flowing routine. Gary's was undoubtedly the best Bolero for me on the night.

RESULT - I sat watching and thought.... Hayley should have won because of her contribution to the entire series, Gary should have won because his Bolero was better - and that would have been what we, as judges, would have been expected to judge irrespective of what had gone before. So I sat in the space of each of our two final contestants could rightly lay claim to the title.

PUBLIC VOTE - Hayley won.... and, on Bollywood alone, she and Dan deserved it. Congratulations to them and to Gary as well - he and Maria did a great job.

CHRIS AND JAYNE - Awesome! Learning and performing a flying routine with ribbons that had danger, finesse and power for the final. I have heard it said as a show business mantra - start brilliantly, finish brilliantly and/or leave the best to last... This was their best performance of the series and a reminder that - an Olympic mentality says - Be The Best, keep pushing and improving. Golly they were great and the backing band wasn't ad either.

TUXEDO - It was the final, we should all have had Dinner Jackets on - the ladies had long gorgeous dresses - what happened to the guys? Well I wore mine because it was the final... Normally that's the form. Perhaps some of the other chaps got the tuxedo out of their system on movie week?

MY AWARD - I got an award from The Friday show for nearly causing the show to crash it's ending because I wouldn't shut up... Just one more thing. I'm quite proud of it in an anarchic type of way... I wasn't trying to crash the break - I just had more to add.....

PICTURES - pictures to come... wrap party was fun but a mix of 1 Guinness, 1 red wine and a tequila shot with Pavel along with bed at 3.30am have left me with a thick head so I'll take a break and do pictures later.

Love

Nicky

SENSE SHOP OPENING

2010-03-26T17:04:00.007Z

Radio interview link http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/p006ys6 at 2hrs 50 mins on Radio Suffolk. I was also on Heart with kelly - Emma Bunton's station which was fun.

The shop was brilliant, great bargains and superbly preented. How do they offer such great choices at great prices in a professional environement - it's about you bringing qulaity itens you don't need or use any longer and they enabling others to buy them - recycling plus reusing and the charity benefits - a win all round....

12 Meridith Road Ipswich is the store....

Here's a photo of me skating with Lucy Adeye from Barnet last year. I helped her have some fun on ice at Sense's City ice Skate. She had never skated before - let alone with a strange man! After thirty minutes she wanted to stay on and do more. I think we had around 45 minutes on the ice. Brilliant when she was very scared when she first went on. A wonderful example to me of how we all can give to hep someone less fortunate than ourselves and that they give back back a smile that melts your heart.

Love N

www.sense.org.uk to see more and support

DANCING ON ICE SEMI FINAL...

2010-03-22T10:34:00.003Z

Well a dramatic evening and difficult to judge. It's Chalk and Cheese - two types of abilities - one where the presentation is excellent the other where the skating ability is higher. The challenge for me, as a judge, is that the two elements of skating ability and high presentation skill are not in any one couple.

Skating was the lead factor. I had Gary and Maria first in the main show - Hayley and Dan second - superb presentation but slow skating over the ice when Hayley is solo (it is much easier to do moves when one goes slower rather than at speed) - Kieron third, who skates fast but run out of steam half way through and was a bit messy, Daniella fourth. Daniella has superb acting skills and very good presentation but the weakest skating ability.

The skate off saw Gary and Daniella facing each other. I expected Gary to be the winner. He skated, missed his spin, wobbled and generally had a much poorer performance than in the main show. Finally he fell at the end of the programme. Daniella skated and presented well - the same level as the main show performance. Daniella was ahead for me.

Robin - as head judge - called the fall of Gary and Maria as being after the routine had finished. Honouring that call meant that - for me - Gary just squeezed ahead of Daniella. Had the fall been included then Daniella would have gone through on my marks.

I am sad that we will not be seeing Daniella fly. She would have given a strong performance as less actually skating ability is required and I hope that gary can have a breakthrough with his acting and presentation ability for the final.

Love

FACEBOOK / TWITTER - OH MY GOODNESS...

2010-03-21T10:59:00.006Z

Website updated and starting to look into Facebook.

I could be on it for days and never stop talking.... and have no life... and miss Dancing On Ice Semi Final today - because I'm on Facebook....

Great to be starting to see peoples picture, and their sites, and try to work out how it all works and then there's Twitter.

On Friday a friend was showing me Twitter - and how to see what's going on online.

It was 10.30 in my local coffee shop - a post had been put up at 10.20 "At a business meeting in coffee shop, Nicky Slater, Dancing On ice Judge sat on next table!".... and he had gone... spooky....

I picked an Evening Standard up off the tube last week and on the back page it said 'Fabio Capello appoints - Nicky Slater of Dancing On ice - new talent to defence - Nicky Slater being in black pen - it took me a moment to see someone had written on the paper and shown this to a friend - and I had picked up their left paper.

The world is becoming rather strange!

Off to the semi final.

It will be exciting and challenging to judge no doubt.

Love

A WEEK!

2010-03-12T22:09:00.003Z

Car crash, keys lost, locked indoors, red carpet, Grosvenor Great Room celeb fest, Pause for Thought - yes really - 3 minutes to time, hotel from hell with three room changes ending up in a suite you could play cricket in and still the taps didn't deliver hot water at more than a trickle. Two year old turning into a terrorist with incredible negotiation skills "I'm frustrated daddy" at two! iSkate column, papers following storied - no comment... Walking across a street thinking it was one way - it wasn't - and surviving, This Morning fun, a new song saying 'I Love You' on Logic and a home personal workout coach - not what you you may think... lunch with an old schoolfriend who has Archbishops call him on a regular basis - they should pay for his advice. Still not meeting for lunch with my brother as he jets off as I get to his city base. Locks renewed, car being sorted, a glass of red wine and it's Friday... a busy week then... Roll on a quiet relaxing weekend of Dancing On Ice.

Love n

TOO BUSY TO BLOG!

2010-03-08T21:11:00.005Z

My great friend David reminded me that I had not blogged for almost three weeks this evening. So this is for him, although he does know some of the things I'm about these days.

Ideally I would be blogging and twittering like Phillip (Schoefield) and co and building up a community so that when I bring music out there will be millions of you ready and waiting to wiz to iTunes and buy and enjoy it... However. With 4 followers... I am just not getting my act in gear for this, or maybe there is nothing of interest to say!

Concentrating on creating something worthwhile first is the plan, otherwise all is just hot air...

But my I seem busy right now...Writing has been increasing, last week articles for The FT, my iSkate column, Portunis Magazine and I wrote a Country Song inspired by the Crazy Heart movie (I love Jeff Bridges) this weekend.

Oh yes and I created and built a website last Wednesday for my friend Bruce between 4pm and 2am see www.vikingice.co.uk - needs some tidying in proof stage but I was quite chuffed. iWeb is cool. I was reminded of how I love the possibility of the internet. Bruce sponsors my ice floor so it's the least I could do....

Friday Show was a hoot - I was so tired that I was trying to be alert! Watched it back and I think I looked like a poodle on speed... Emma looked at me as though I was on something - I wasn't ... might have been better if I'd had an expresso.... Anyway some people thought all was OK...

This week - This Morning on Wednesday - will be great to be on that show and Pause for Thought recording for Sarah Kennedy after that... Yes I am pausing for thought on what to say for that? A poem methinks....

And I'm in my studio and finding updates to software - Logic 9.1 - sabotages plug ins and hardware doesn't work as it should and no one quite knows what to do about it just yet.... Ahh the joys of technology at the cutting edge. Stress and time eaten getting you no where. There will be a time when, as the study books I work from promise, "The Technology enables creativity" that will be heaven. I did have some breakthroughs midi programming and drum programme design being one of these that opened up - great fun...

I also put together a small jazz set last week and Christiane said "That's amazing" the Oasys provides wonderful quality in its sounds and is starting to integrate to Logic... a taste of what's possible.. along with Ableton Live starting to fly working from my APC controller which is awesome.

So - on track and on plan - just takes effort and time. Tomorrow evening a relaxing dinner in a London hotel - that will be nice... Pity the Savoy is still shut.

Well that's it David I have blogged... :)

Love

TWO.... OLYMPICS ICE DANCE... HURRICANE

2010-02-24T08:31:00.008Z

TWO

My son is two today. I am constantly amazed to see a little person grow and develop in their speaking, helping, arguing "I say no to you daddy" and the wonder of all things new. His scooter and guitar are favourite presents. As I write he his helping his mamma put up cards. Kind of...

OLYMPICS ICE DANCE

Congratulations to Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, Ice Dance Olympic Champions. I have yet to see the Free Dance but some of the Original was spectacular in the speed of the twist in lifts along with beautiful flowing edges. I would have loved to have been there and seen the speed, live.

Well done to John and Sinead too. Eighth may not have been their aspiration but the die was set to a degree and the quality of the top couples, along with a French battle just above them contributed to holding them to that spot. What they always do is provide exciting entertainment for the audience and that is both bankable and a place they love to be and thrive in. Seven times British Champions is also a tremendous achievement in anyone's book. I hope they get some time off before World's where a higher placement could be on the cards for them.

HURRICANE

Christiane and I watched a film THE HURRICANE about Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter a man who was a boxing champion and was falsely imprisoned for twenty years in the US. It is an inspirational story of how to cope with adversity and ultimately win through. If you haven't watched it do so, it's on my favourite films list now.

Love

WRITING, INTERVIEWS and a POEM

2010-02-10T10:20:00.003Z

I love writing and am learning more of poetry structures and being blessed with lyrics - two songs last week. I even did a poem for Phillip and holly - now that's scary! It was fun though...

Yesterday I finished an article for iSkate magazine which gives me free rein to speak on anything I want. Wonderful editorial freedom and allowing me to 'go off on tangents' that I hope are fun and thought provoking for folk.

Interview for the FT - Financial Times that will benefit Sense - a charity i support yesterday. My brother, who works in the city will be surprised to see me in such an auspicious journal.

Interview for European Radio in Spain was fun too...

Oh yes and there I was with Petronella in the Daily Mail last Friday.

Now, after a personal training session that started at 8am to 9 I am at my desk to delve deeper into Logic on my beautiful 30' screen - joy. Fresh coffee beside me - Christiane and Tiger off at the Grapevine Group she helps run. All is right with the world.

Have a great day.

Love

THE IMPACT OF OUR WORDS?

2010-02-02T09:37:00.015Z

Week Four of Dancing On Ice is complete. Another eight to go. Some of the couples are getting into their stride others still feeling their way. Early days.

The hothouse of DOI creates a 'reality situation' that provokes accelerated learning of dance with the slip factor of ice. The format is always creating surprises, drama and breakthroughs.

Yet one thing is not a surprise. Once again I find myself reflecting upon how the words spoken out might impact the people they are aimed at and the wider viewership and also how I should react to them personally?

To my mind words either build up or tear down. I prefer the former. On DOI I care that each person and couple do the best they can and become the best they are capable of becoming. I have a passion for encouraging this. It is hard wired into my DNA it seems.

It is always interesting therefore to be in close proximity to those who do not appear to share that view at times in their 'show persona'.

It is a challenge for me in life, and perhaps for you too, in how to deal with harsh words spoken or humour that is clever and derisive, belittling, insidious. Do I ignore it? Do I attack back? If I do nothing am I weak? Turn the other cheek the bible says? If someone else is attacked do I seek to protect them or do I not let it bother me justifying my stance in the light of the words being 'just pantomime'?

No doubt some would say methinks too much? Just get on with it, stiff upper lip etc.. However I do reflect on these things at this time as they are provoked by my DOI involvement. What impact on our society are we having or is it simply 'a show'?

There is a part of me that admires the ability to create one liners that provoke derogatory images with a sense of wicked 'fun' from what is performed before us in a very tight timeframe. It is undoubtedly a skill. But...

My belief is that words can damage people and I know we/I hear negatives louder than positives. It has been proven that a negative occurs as 6 to 10 times louder than a positive to the recipient. So how do I choose to respond? Is some criticism that is provocative useful?

Taking the challenge and provocation idea I am reminded of a former fitness trainer of mine who - when I was doing abb crunches on the floor forty minutes through a training session - put his face to mine and shouted "The girls are doing better than you!" Which provoked a smile from me and even more effort! He was a great coach and motivator. We had some Olympic athletes in that room too which gave me a spur to compete and a nodded well done from our coach to me one week made me feel ten feet tall. He had our respect, he had our total commitment and he had a distance from us that maintained his authority. He was a former Sargent Major and 65, my he was amazingly fit.

A judge though is a different persona to a coach and yet, for me having been a business and life coach and having been coached on ice and off I find myself aiming to not only judge fairly but to inspire and encourage improvement and caring for those competing.

I once wrote and presented a seminar for judges and parents for the National Ice Skating Association. The idea came from the CEO of NISA and was looking at the paradigm of Customer Service against 'Being a Judge'. The seminar challenged the senior judges present to provide criticism that did not 'tear down' the participants with the objective that those competing would 'Keep Skating' no matter what marks they got. There was uproar in the room when I started putting forward these ideas, feelings were running high from threatened judges and angry parents. The cork was out of the bottle with regard to 'Don't tell us what to do' and 'What you have done to me/my child!' By the end of the morning session a quiet calm had decended upon everyone as lunch was taken. Perhaps it was the therapy of realising the impact judges words could have on competitors if harshly delivered? Perhaps it was the seeing the judges take on role pay that challenged and changed their view? Perhaps it was in the process itself that some found a release - mainly in shouting at me the presenter for around 20 minutes at the opening! Perhaps it was in how I presented the initial ideas and my history with some of those judges!!! What ever it was there was a positive shift for many there as understanding dawned.

This year at the British Championship the majority of our men skated in a way that suggested a disaster was about to happen and when faults duly happened a shrug and on to the next element was the norm. There seemed to me a swing of the pendulum to a culture that now accepted lacklustre performances without fight. I wrote in iSkate about the need for a warrior spirit from the men and challenged them to show this. My words were designed to provoke a fight back so that they can become worthy of competing on the international stage. No one is interested if you don't fight to be the best you can be.

Questions without a clear answer as yet and the usual frustration that aggression gets more airtime than good news. What's new?

I shall reflect further on this conundrum this week. In the gym, my work at Spartan Training hitting the bag with the boxing gloves might prove to be even more robust and therapeutic than usual?

Love

Nicky

DEADLINES...

2009-12-11T09:09:00.002Z

Seems like deadlines come thick and fast at present. I had one on the front of my website... I had forgotten to check it and saw yesterday I had 1 hour left to complete a project! Ha.... Well the project in question is not completed. There are three main areas still to address then a raft of detail. However - the good news for me is that it is nearly done and will be something to build upon in the future and that 27 other areas have been addressed already.

Completed iSkate 3 article. Had double the words for one page so hopefully they can give me two pages.

Dancing On ice photo shoot was last Monday - I was ready for that. New suit, tailored with new shirt, shoes the works. Plus interview for later use. All good - excepting that someone snaffled my iphone - in a secure environment too. Very disappointing - have to sort that today.

Love

MAN FLU

2009-11-11T10:11:00.003Z

Had a wonderful holiday. Two weeks away, lovely. We went around the Med on a ship, I spent lots of mornings in the creche with Tiger and his chums. Great fun. I have always wanted to jump into one of those ball park things you see at Ikea and was able to fulfil that aspiration whilst posing as a help to the youngsters playing! :)

Back for a week and in action then... MAN FLU. Sunday - lousy cough and it's all over - to bed for the day. It's worse for us guys than the ladies I'm sure. Today I'm nearly back in action but still groggy. Christiane has been making me egg soldiers and buying Lucozade - to replenish her man/boy. I love her.

And Dancing On ice is staring to gear up. New judge, new celebs, a lot of the same team. It will be good to see friends again sat in the same seats doing the jobs they did last year - a little deja vu.

Back to the cough medicine.

Love

On a Glacier

2009-10-12T14:04:00.007+01:00

First go at creating a film from my studio... Rough around the edges but still a bit of fun methinks...

www.youtube.com/nickyslater

Getting Fit

2009-10-07T15:40:00.004+01:00

It's coming on winter here and I have decided to get fit. Now, like you perhaps, I have decided to do this before joined a gym and gone along to a couple of classes. Or I've been to some classes and that worked. But recently - the last few tears I haven't done much. But I was inspired by Andy's Peter's and Collin's and to get in the gym on the Dancing On Ice Tour this year.

So now Christiane has found me a gym where I've signed up to do every class I can. I'm doing one to one and a half hours six days a week! Boxercise was today - I was soaked through by the end of it. Christiane always says get a shower before I can have a hug when I come back from a workout.

It's been four weeks and I touched the floor with legs straight this morning for the first time in years - hamstrings lengthening.

So kettle bells and bags full of weights along with Hours of Power and cycling I'm doing it all. Going on a cruise in the med in a couple of weeks so need to look in better shape anyway.

This working out thing is good for the head too... everyone should do it. But not in an isolated pocket in a gym - gyms should be more class and interactive based - works for me.

Love N

FOCUS

2009-09-15T09:47:00.002+01:00

This weekend we had time with my brother and his family, he has three boys - 2 1/2, 6 and 10 years old. Christiane did a film making course so I had Tiger for two days, he's 19 months old. My it was exhausting... There was one moment where I was distracted by watching cycles in Richmond park - a duathalon was in progress and I suddenly lost Tiger from my vision. A moment but my what a moment! He was beside me. I can understand how Christiane and all mum's get so tired by the constant demands of the little one, not so much in attention as in running all over the place, interested in everything, little apparent concept of fear.

I ended up facilitating the use of a toy phone amongst the three youngest boys. The phone was George's and it was 'mine' initially but shared later on... Good corporate managing training methinks - for me that is!

Yesterday a sound and lighting show... learnt a lot but not reached end of specing for lights studio. Some interesting innovations possible though. Wish I could fast track learning still.. Found some breakthrough sound products - APC 640 from Akai for Ableton is super aid to composition in live performance mode.

Last night I had a meeting with some business friends and come away a bit bruised. It's funny how you know you are climbing a mountain of a project and others can see a different perspective as they watch you. Need to take on board comments and reset some areas - it's all about focus...

Back to the mountain then...

Love

Grey wet September day. Winter comes soon

BACK ON DRY LAND

2009-08-31T13:20:00.002+01:00

A week away on the high seas - a force 9 to 10 at one point! Great fun, new friends and seeing the engine room of a ship. Brilliant. I have been trekking across a glacier and speaking about my life and times. The venue was the Oriana and the journey was to Norway and back. A rich time.

There is a Gary Rhodes restaurant on the Oriana and we went twice. Had to be done. It was 12.45 am when we realised everybody else had left... food and service was superb. Oriana is a lovely ship.

I need a holiday now to recover from our week away:)

Love n

CAVEAT EMPTOR

2009-08-17T18:06:00.002+01:00

Had a super weekend filled with friends, new places and faces and great food and drink, exhausting and wonderful. Now back to work...

I am still in STUCKSVILLE re technology. One of my suppliers has suggested I getting a Master Tech helper in for £550 a day to train me in how to do this stuff. Seems funny to be sold it and then have to pay to have someone to teach you to use it!? Hmmm...

But... I suppose I am trying to fast-track my learning?

I long for the day when I have this system working - all the bits enabling fast workflow and production... Until then. Frustration, helpline's, chat rooms and the worst kind of computer stress caused by brick walls of computer programes and codecs not working.

My advice for anyone thinking for buying final cut pro and final cut server pro with xdcam sxs media input and thinking it's not a great upgrade from imovie.... do not believe the marketing - it is a huge jump and it eats time.

There must be millions of people leaning new computer stuf everyday and not producing anything because of that.. crazy.

I need a new strategy here - how to breakthrough being STUCK... and I'm stubborn so I keep reading learning and I'll get it done/ Must be an easier way...

Any suggestions?

Love

UPDATED WEBSITE

2009-08-14T18:14:00.002+01:00

Revision of nicky slater website uploaded. www.nickyslater.com simple and new logo. See the sarajevo bobsleigh ride. I found it online the other day and remember it well!

PRIVILEGE...

2009-08-11T08:28:00.003+01:00

I was working away yesterday and I suddenly realised how privileged I am. To be able to work on the area that lights you up - to be pursuing a dream supported by family and friends and to have nothing in the way - apart from the technical mountains - and then the performance mountains - and then my own stuff - in creating entertainment magic.... Wow...

I'm learning how to make films... and the integration of servers and codecs and frames per second interlaced or progressive and the relationship of film to tv, NTSC or PAL.... Seems like stepping into the professional world causes a shift in what you have to know, "Media Management is complex..." Final Cut Pro manual. It is though becoming less scary and slowly I am taking things onboard.

As a relief I've been on the Ventura recently - pictures to come soon. I used my tiny camera to catch my new presentation that I wrote on board - it was great fun. Oh yes other news - I was cut in half on Sunday in a field - a s you do. I'll post that soon too.

I spoke to my friend Neil about the project I am developing a long while back and said I thought it would inform and add depth to my 'How to get where you want to go' project. I was right... The challenge is bringing to mind much from my sporting and business life and in what I have learned over the years. All good.

Right now the cork stuck in the bottle concerns the last third of studio creation. Then... well once foundations are in place development will be next and then production. I have been writing lyrics again so the creative juices haven't stopped entirely. An idea for a web series also came up on Sunday on a boat.

Back to putting the nuts and bolts together now about rendering in different codecs? and the eyelet size for the curtains and the.....

Love

GO FOR IT KYRAN...

2009-07-22T15:45:00.002+01:00

I'm wishing Kyran Bracken and the team all the best for his shows - 24 shows I counted in Jersey and Bournemouth - go and buy a ticket Robin (Cousins) is directing so it is guaranteed to be well presented. From rugby player to impresario and skater - go for it Bracken...

Me - off to Cannes, Corsica, Rome and home with some chats about skating on the way on the Ventura... then Brightons calling... hope it's sunny when I get back.

Love

Ahhh... Vision to Reality

2009-07-21T15:02:00.003+01:00

Having a vision is one thing, realising it another. For many years I did not have a vision of what I wanted to do and, as I believe you can achieve what you can conceive - or see it be it - I was a lost soul - shame! It was a pretty rubbish time and I was finding self worth in the project of the moment. I can show you a CV of projects achieved... but it wasn't really me...

Now I have a clear vision of what I'm trying to achieve. It's all around creating entertainment products - music, film, dance, shows and reaching people who would like this worldwide via the web. To do this the metaphor I am taking on is in the creation of an entertainment factory. I love the systems and processes, raw materials in to finished goods out imagery. I grew up in north Manchester so the mills as they were are in my mind...

So I have a vision, in comparison to the past, it is a great place to be. But it can be overwhelming as the vision is big... The challenge now is to make what I see reality in a timely manner. We each have only so many energy hours, how best to use mine?

I'm seeing the need for team - Together Everyone Achieves More - duh!!! But they can also cost a fortune and be inefficient. I am seeing what type of roles need to be filled if my vision is to be reality. Setting in place issues of vision, goals, strategy and culture - all stuff I've known in the past and used in various situations but it is clearer now. People want to know what is expected of them, what they are signing up to and whether it's just a job or a flag to follow, a cause to believe in. I think I'm on the development path to having a company with an exciting vision that people can be a part of and get excited about - rather than it being just a job. Now that would be brilliant....

That reminds me I do have some of the team in place already - oh yes - need to share the vision with them more...

Do you have something you want to achieve but haven't gone for yet? What not give it a shot... Will it be easy, maybe, maybe not, but you only live once and it would be a shame to miss having given it a go...

love

OVERWHELM!

2009-07-18T12:46:00.002+01:00

I am in the process of building my studio. It grows in complexity as I seek to join up the dots between film, editing and distribution. Fascinating to learn more about the areas I have been involved in regarding television and entertainment production but a real job of work to get it all to work smoothly.

The other day I was in my local coffee shop and Assoush, the owner asked me how I was. In a country called Overwhelm in a place called Running Away was my answer. Hence my trip for a coffee. We are both small business owners and we chat - he reasoned I need to know how it works to grow the facility in the future. I think he's right.

I would like to have one of those 'Matrix' plug ins. In the film he just had a download of 'How to do this" If someone has a copy of Final Cut Pro in that format I'd be grateful for it.

Off for a week on the Ventura next Thursday - Rome, Corsica - the plan is to get some footage I can use... So if you're on the ship don't be surprised if I rope you in as a camera assistant.

Back to editing then... I have the fastest Mac computer possible and its chugging away on a render - need to learn more about offline stuff... which makes it faster - apparently. Media storage strategy!!!

I am seeing some cool visuals though - I am skating in a field and then in the clouds... No I have not been drinking... the possibilities for creating stuff are great. Hopefully they will be seen before Christmas 2010!!!

Love

Ice Galas, da-da and first steps...

2009-06-11T16:16:00.002+01:00

I am up to my ears in the project of building my studio. Audio and visual and linking up all the bits - one moment audio engineering next minute into the detail of chromakeying and staging. If ever there was a University course in how to make audio / visuals that was 24/7 this is it... and I love it. From codec's to jib's falling over to being gobsmacked at pictures that are being created and innovating all over the place this is a super challenge. My goal is to have the studio operational by the end of this month, next quarter will be joing the dots and making it work and quarter after that - well output... by Christmas. Nothing like being occupied.

Galas have been on the agenda - A charity one for breast cancer in guildford inspired and skated in by Charlotte Hawkins and then two for Arena Group last weekend. All very intense in terms of scripting on the day as I expected but went really well and were fun. Kevin Van De Perrin and Jenna McCorkell starring in the Arena Group ones led a strong cast.

Da da - my son says this first thing in the morning. He is 16 months old and a joy. He walked four steps on Monday after holding onto my leg for a moment. I gleefully told his grandmother's on both sides of the family who were singularly unimpressed as apparently that's what little one's do... as in walk. Well it was an exciting moment for Christiane and I! Tiger himself didn't seem that impressed but then he had ben inspired by seeing a young fellow of his height running around on the Sunday in church - maybe that got him going...

DANCING ON ICE TOUR..... BIRMINGHAM 09...

2009-04-24T15:18:00.003+01:00

Nearing the end of the shortened, more compact DOI Tour. The team - or rather I should say the DOI Army - from talent to tv to tech to catering is running smoothly. It's all very impressive, a big show. Crowds have been full houses and appreciative Chris and Jayne doing Bolero every night a joy as the focus of this year. Celebs doing better than ever - all good.

Took Tiger swimming this morning - he loved it. He's almost walking and almost talking... He held court in the hotel this morning to an audience of diners from adjoining tables - great fun.

No Jason on the panel - a different dynamic. Seems to work, we are all having fun with the odd disagreement that is part of the show - normally caused by yours truly!

Back soon to set up studio - exciting and challenging times ahead. Can't wait... well actually I could wait and have a holiday in the Bahamas before I get down to business but that's not on the cards right now...

Love

March Already

2009-03-14T04:57:00.006Z

Who's the judge?

My sister in law berated me the other day for not having been blogging. Why have I been quiet... Well.... it's about TV, a studio and life...

DANCING ON ICE 4 - The series is now at semi final stage. As I expected we've seen celebs and pro skaters combine to deliver drama, fun and surprises that make the DOI format so brilliant.

Ray - on sheer talent should win - if he can relax and not get focused on not being perfect, and the British public vote for him and not just expect him to win. Jessica, if she gets driving numbers and not slow ones can challenge him. Donal - doing better and better still needs to get ' Marriage Gear Forward' to improve his posture. Colleen - goodness, the John Sargent factor kicked in last week. She skated with the most guts and attack and anything is possible on DOI. Flying this week. A must see.

Chris and Jayne have been great - she has lost weight and is so toned.. must be the fitness video! He's got bigger muscles... the result is some new flick lifts that are very clever alongside their easy mirror style.

Judges - Jason has been on form. He is Mr Predictable - Mr Nasty to start, Mr Nicer now. He berates and clobbers verbally early on moves into giving challenges and advice and then claims success with the survivors as we near the end of the journey. Not always easy to be on the receiving end of jibes but the pantomime of it has been embraced by our celebs this year more than ever. Robin - has often spoken so eloquently what I was thinking. Ruthie has her heart on her sleeve and has the courage to stand her ground in this. Karen has won the glamour stakes with a new look and maintains an encouraging stance for celebs when speaking. All in all the panel has been more involved as a group in debate at times this year, I do like that more. It would be great to have more air time though - I do commentary for Eurosport - been doing a lot this year - and can speak of the performances afterwards. Pain to not be able to share this and get it out of the system!!!! Must find a way of doing this therapy....

So for me as a judge on DOI - I do have a mix of emotions. I love being involved with the show of it all. It's always a challenging time some weeks to separate some of the couples as they may be good technically and bad artistically or vice versa. But.. what I have to say is more than a sound bite, my style works more in discussion format but there is no air time for this so I find it very frustrating at times to (1) not be asked and (2) to have a sound bite segment to answer in. However, that's the job, so no point moaning. Ha I hear you say - I should have been blogging more... I've tried to encourage the celebs and the pros more this year and not be concerned about sound bites. To do what they do is brave, crazy and - whether paid well or not - crazily entertaining!

So DOI Tour next - faster than last year with less dates. Will be fun to meet the team on tour again. Looking forward to breakfast at the Lowry in Manchester.

Thanks for the people who have said hello via the blog and messages and have asked for pics and signatures. I'll get back to you soon. Always great to hear from you and sorry for my delays in replying.

I've been doing a lot more commentary for Eurosport this autumn and new year. Junior Worlds the other week was an eye opener as expected with some fabulous skating the other week. This has taken up time, in an entertaining way. Must work out a way of covering World's though - I miss doing this every year as Simon and Chris do it.

So why haven't I been online more. What's going on? What's my focus? Studio building.... To create music and film. Sounds easy, but it's like building a house. I'm loving the challenge and learning loads but in danger of becoming and anorack at times. I understand about codecs! I was at the Broadcast Expo the other week and met some of the techies from Dancing On Ice... The cost of the kit we use on DOI and how great are technical team across the board are. I appreciate it more and more.

So busy in this studio creation - the output due to be starting from the end of June this year. Not a lot of time... No pressure then.

Christiane's coming to DOI on Sunday, her first visit this year due to Tiger needing to be looked after. It will be his first 'part evening' on his own. He'll be at my brother's and we'll be back after the show so he'll be fine - we hope. He's almost walking and is adorable...

See you Sunday.

Love

Nicky

Crazy rules

2009-01-08T05:03:00.004Z

I haven't been blogging for a while. I read on a developers website that no news means that work was being done.... I suppose that's true of me. Time flies, family visits, covering the Grand Prix Series for Eurosport last quarter of last year and digging foundations for our new business.

This week Dancing On Ice 4 starts - the ITV reality series featuring celebrities learning to Ice Dance. I will be judging again. This will be fun and lasts for eleven weeks with the tour running after that.

In the midst of that is Eurosport commentary on Europeans from Helsinki with Chris Howarth - we'll have a blast.

My son was ill with his first cold over Christmas - bless him. As he's 10 months this was and is a big deal for him poor chap. I've been doing 3.45 am shifts with him resting on my shoulder. He's given me his cough now - hope I can speak by Sunday for live TV!

Research and development to set up my studio is progressing well. Just takes a long time to trawl through the myriad of options on each area and fit to a developing business plan. I'm excited about the capability we will have when it's done. A production factory for music and audio visuals being the goal.

I read an Obituary in the Times that Christiane had sent to her. The death was recorded of Common Sense.... having had lunch with some Brits who have moved to New Zealand and hearing how life is there I think we seem to live in a place that is sadly loosing perspective in many areas of administration. NZ sounds great by comparison - you fall over on the street and you can't sue people. It's your job to stand up... makes sense to me. Encouraging though how the British humour and the decency of people can still shine through, I'm meeting loads of great folk at the moment. Who makes the crazy rules we hear about? Did I hear it right we are not going to call schools schools because the term is not positive? At least it gives Terry Wogan something to talk about on an ongoing basis....

Here's to a great 2009 and a rebellion against the faceless administrators that introduce crazy rules....

Love

Foundations

2008-11-10T19:32:00.005Z

To build a tall building I've seen you need strong foundations. Currently I am building towards a vision for a new company. To build it well I see, and Christiane helps me see, that I need strong foundations in place. It takes time..... and sometimes I find that frustrating, I want to move faster but other times I feel this is definitely the right way.

Creating a studio, looking at what's the output, who's it for? What will be the benefit and who will be the customer? Over the years I've done lots of coaching and learnt lots about business but never really done it! Now, a detailed business plan, a production factory set up is being established and I'm learning loads.

As I share with people I think they may think I am a little crazy, perhaps I am.... but I am also quietly excited about having a space to create some magic .. when will it surface... next year now.

My son Tiger swam with me for the first time the other day, I'm blessed with having great times with my family. I know many dad's don't have that much time with their children as they grow up, currently I get to see lots of my little boy as he grows daily, brilliant - if exhausting - at times!

So wherever you are on your life's journey I wish you well. I am privileged to be enjoying the journey and I hope you are too. It's an amazing time for us.

I'm doing commentary on Eurosport every weekend this month too. Great fun being alongside Chris and Simon. I tried to do a pancake live on air two days ago! You had to be there to get it. Hope you can tune it to join us.

Love

Nicky

AUTUMN LEAVES

2008-10-18T21:07:00.002+01:00

Today we walked through a nearby park. It was beautiful. I sat with Tiger under a tree and covered him in leaves that had fallen. His first time seeing leaves in autumn, he loves to feel everything and as an 8 month old, try to taste it too!

Having lived nine years on the sea front in Brighton I would see the change of season with seaside businesses closing down, shutters being put up and the sea front preparing for winter storms. This year it's different. I now live looking over a river estuary, it's quieter, more peaceful. A great place for creativity and a park is around the corner. I'm seeing more green and brown.

So what? Well it's just good to be alive and see the miracle of the seasons.

Telephones and broadband and BT!

2008-09-25T18:02:00.003+01:00

I forget to mention about the land line saga - and the mobile saga for that matter! What choice we have. How I would like less choice and better service. Even when you've identified what you want from all the information on offer you find it doesn't work in your area. So what was the point of all that time in working through the details - no point at all - it's just to get me into the shop so I can be sold....

So BT - you have the most incredible telephone menu system in the world that takes me ten minutes ever time I call to get anywhere, and sometimes to the wrong place. The best menu item so far... " you have reached the broadband test area - (how goodness knows) press one to test your line - sorry this option is not available - press two to .... ahhhh!!

And then, after traveling via numbers all over the place a voice says we will call you back in under 45 minutes leave your number. And they do - brilliant - but why the pain beforehand, madness and my life is worth more than the time you take and the energy you take!!!

So - thank you lovely man who took my order on phone, thank you engineer who came to fix the line after I was assured it was working, err not my end....

But I'm off to Talk Talk - even though you are charging me £70 to leave your contract BT - how can you be allowed to do that!! Ratbags...

Great people when you get them at BT, lousy systems and skulduggery in the charging. I can get a person after four clicks on Talk Talk - yeah!!!

Now to sort the mobile contract....

September...

2008-09-25T17:34:00.003+01:00

Autumn breezes, low light, beautiful air, I love the autumn.

Since writing we've been on the Ventura (P&O's new ship) cruising - I did two shows, they went very well but, with little one with us it was exhausting. Need a holiday to recover from the cruise! Also I always remake my presentations as they are organic and until they are done I can't fully relax. They were near the end.

Had dinner one night in the White Room aboard the ship - Marco Pierre White's restaurant - hmmm... very nice. It's a tough job but someone has to do it!

Having a wonderful productive time right now. Sorting and planning and writing, all cathartic, all good.

I read once that highly creative people need to be very organised. Having moved and the opportunity to get everything sorted everywhere is helping me clear the way to move ahead faster. It feels like we're creating the space for greater productivity...

We shall see. the proof of the pudding is in what is produced methinks.

Love

A Landline!!!!

2008-08-15T18:13:00.004+01:00

More like a landmine... Trying to get a landline and broadband installed. Is it just me or is Customer Service a misnomer when trying to get a telephone and broadband provision.

Talk Talk was a trip - the menus, the take you through entering your number - then they ask for it again! Why... and the 'getting nowhere end of the line - only 25 minutes of my life and a few pence on the mobile but not quit my idea of entertainment...

BT - into menu heaven - reach an operator hello sir please give me your fullname and your date of birth? 'Why on earth do you need my date of birth? I just want a landline connected..." ...... she cut me off - rat bag... so through the menu heaven again. Haven't had such an effective cut off since a Washington based taxi company lady cut me dead - in the US of A.

Try again - Dave - helpful - £125 for your line but then we have to tie you in for twelve months, as you'd expect, and by the way if you leave us in that time we charge you £70...

Ok so let me get this straight - you charge me to connect, you force me to get a 12 month package as a part of that and then - should someone else provide a better service you charge me to leave... let me think about it!

Easier to negotiate world peace than get a simple solution on your phone package? Perhaps....

I've been having a great day before that!!!!

Enjoy the weekend.

Love

Nicky

NEW HORIZONS

2008-08-08T14:18:00.002+01:00

We've moved - upped sticks from Brighton and found a new place to live with a superb live and work space split. Bit of a caffufle sorting out all the details to say the least but all will be fine.

And now we have a studio space - amazing and exciting and then... Lots of work to set up and make things happen. I've been wanting to have time and facilities to develop music and visuals for ages. Now we have the space... so no more excuses! Just do it.... Ha ha.

Love

ADVENTURES

2008-07-30T09:30:00.003+01:00

1,600 miles in 10 days, two successful ICE TIMES shows in Darlington and Fife, new partner Jade for Darlington and a new couple Jordan and Kaysha for Fife along with Charlotte coming up and doing a great job for our last show.

Fourteen ICE TIMES shows since January and I am now confident in my control of the show content, I'm better at delivery, letting words breath, saying less at times and pushing things along where they need more pace, I'm able to deliver within a 60 minute and 45 minute format. I now control a myriad of cue points for visuals and sound and you don't see these happening. All this is a million miles from when we started the shows. Pain there has been at almost every venue and major challenges but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and I know more what to expect...

So a theatre show has been created and people seem to really love it, they laugh, they find it insightful and they get value for money. It has loads of music, skating and visual content and is now sophisticated in its use of technology. Brilliant fun....

So now - review and chose what's next. A big job in itself... exciting times.

BONNIE SCOTLAND - FIFE...

2008-07-24T16:53:00.004+01:00

We are in Scotland for the last ICE TIMES show of our current run which is in Fife on Saturday.

Darlington was last Tuesday and we had a fine time - the rake on the stage was so great that it enabled me to get loads of speed up on the down slope! I love raked (angled) stages. Also the audience sees the lovely colours on the ice and the whole look is enhanced. The theatre is beautiful with triple layer in the old style, I had to remember to keep looking up.

I had no partner coming up to Darlington last Monday and, after an appeal on the regional news, I found one - Jade was great fun and did really well.

So it's been: Louise 1, Louise 2, Charlotte, Jade and now Charlotte again as my main partners and having Stephen and Zoe involved for four shows was also super. Quite a journey.

I'll be glad of the break after Fife, we've learnt so much from doing this tour and now need a bit of time to reflect, take that learning on and see how we can develop things. I love it all in this show business but a month off for August will be just fine. Although we have plans now for August that are exciting and another blog subject.

I was really pleased last week to not be stressed by not having a partner for the show. We spent a weekend with family and friends, I sang in the band at church and we made our way up here. By Tuesday evening everything was just fine. Amazing for me to realise more and more what's possible without being stressed out about it!

Oh yes - how did the Worthing show go? Good, but not brilliant - I spoke for too long and the back lights didn't work leaving a flatter atmosphere but.... well I think it was a 7 out of 10. So far I think we had one 10 / 10 evening in High Wycombe, the next will be Fife! Darlington was a 8.5 out of 10....

Love

n

NEW WEBSITE

2008-07-15T13:53:00.003+01:00

I've been playing with my iWEB features on my Mac and have published a very simple site that includes some new photos from ICE TIMES and recent pictures of my son TIGER. You may want to have a look - click on site button adjacent.

Two shows this next Thursday and Friday. First time with two back to back, a different challenge. It will be interesting to feel how this works... plastic ice takes its toll on the blades and everyone needs a re-sharpening after each show. I'll need a new set of blades after this tour! I think I'll get some old style Pattern 88's - theyd have bolt on blades - I'll see if I can have some specially made for me for next time! We shall see...

Last Friday I got on the ice and found I was slipping sideways! It was awful I just couldn't skate. I tried to get emergency sharpening but - being in Malvern - this was impossible so I did the show sliding all over the place... I didn't do the routines with Charlotte because it would have been dangerous. I was able to demonstrate how not to skate very well!!! There's always an upside. I just felt such a plonker and really cross with myself. My blades had been part sharpened the show on Wednesday and I somehow thought they would be ok. This was not the case.

I've got Charlotte and Zoe and Stephen with me for the next two shows which will be excellent as they are a lot of fun and do a great job. Next week they can't skate though so - new cast to find again... Anybody out there in the Darlington and Fife area?

The slides and videos seem to have a mind of their own again for the shows. Need to get them nailed down - they seem to do their own thing at times. A bit disconcerting when presenting in front of an audience.... keeps you on your toes though.

Love

THE SHOW MUST GO ON...

2008-07-10T09:27:00.002+01:00

Interesting day for Hayes Show yesterday. I feel I am being trained for something in this series of ICE TIMES what the something is I'm not sure yet. Anyway - we lost our technician for the show who sets up ice and lights, sound, set so we had no show at 10.15am. A bit of a pity as we had already cancelled this show once and to do so again would be awful.

I'd met Ryan and Ricky at a charity bash for Leukemia last week and they had ice - I helped youngsters to skate on it. Wasn't sure if it would work but called them and they said they'd come along. So we had a show - at 11.15am..

But I needed to be the technical set up director as well as present the show and skate with Charlotte and Zoe and Stephen and re-brief them so - all in all a bit to do. And I needed my blades sharpened - thanks Clive in Slough for that.

So theatre set up, Patch on lights - great job... fun to have the moving lights revamped. Becky on sound and Kerry helping get us set us... all coming together. Focus time for me. There's a lot of stuff to sort out. Ice went down....

And skated - couldn't hold edges! Sliding sideways, plastic ice surface was harder than Ice Magic surface and none of us could skate properly - and to do routines was impossible. Show set, everything ready - 7 pm. Do I pull the show because we can't skate routines? No pressure at all then! What would you have done.

Giles our Producer who was on his way I was a help - "We've come so far you've got to give people a show." So I considered..... everyone waiting, spoke to Christiane, skaters, theatre manager.... Choose Nicky... "OK we go ahead." I edited the show content in 10 minutes to remake the show!

So we did the show, and the projector didn't work at the start (it had been working) so I had a false - warm up start - funny time. And start again. Two hours overall - a bit too long but we had a lot of fun and the audience could see we were giving it everything we could. It is always a surprise to me that different stories come up and associations in each show. even though I have a framework It is always different.

I tried to skate at the end! I looked like Bambi - I would have got applause for a fall I'm sure.

Great comments from audience at the end who really enjoyed it and Giles was right... "The Show Must Go On." This is Show Business..... and I love it.

Day off and to develop my theatre brief as Technical Manager(!) and to Malvern Theatre on tomorrow. We'll see some skating there.

Have a great day.

Love

Our 'Source' said

2008-07-09T11:18:00.004+01:00

Ha ha - a friend showed me an article that said the DOI judges were asking for much more money - a doubling of their £60k to £120k per series that was in a Sunday paper.

How interesting to read something you have had no input into! It is a story, fiction... based on something? A source said... who is that person called 'Source' I've never heard it as anyone's name.

How do you/I respond though? This is where you see the 'it is fabrication and we can't talk about individual contracts' disclaimer being handed out.

What would my statement be? Perhaps....

"I am quite happy with the £1 million pounds per series I receive which added to the use of a Bentley Turbo for the year as a tax free perk makes my involvement in the show enjoyable." - now that's another story - or maybe I'm dreaming... Would be good though, maybe I should suggest this to the producers?

or...

"I don't do it for the money I do it for the joy it brings to the British public, for the inspiration it brings to young people who take up the sport and to contribute to fair decisions amongst the competitors."

Or maybe it's somewhere in between at which point you get to. 'I am not a liberty to disclose individual agreements."

And I used to believe what I read in the papers! Duh....

Love

HAYES SHOW AT BECK THEATRE TODAY

2008-07-09T09:39:00.005+01:00

This evening we are due to skate ICE TIMES at the Beck Theatre in Hayes.

Looking forward to seeing you there if you've got tickets.

Looking to replicate the success of the last one... lots to do today!

Charlotte, Zoe and Stephen will be along with me on stage.. we'll have fun...

LOVE

THiS IS LIFE...

2008-07-07T09:03:00.004+01:00

I've been hectically busy and then last week - (I don't know if this ever happens to you?) - I hit a wall. I forget to schedule in the holiday after some major projects and tried to keep going. Both Christiane and I were completely cream crackered and productivity dropped off to a standstill! I need to get better at holidays... Back with engines firing on most cylinders today.

We're staying at a friends house whilst they're away as house sitters - great fun - but they have a television - and I want to watch it all the time! I haven't had a tv for seven years and it eats time and energy. Some wonderful entertainment - Vicar of Dibley and Wimbledon final and news on Channel four but such lightweight shows elsewhere and repeated ad infinitum.... It's odd to see The Bill after all this time and analyse scripting etc... I need a time limit on viewship so it only works for four hours a day maximium - must invent one of those....

Where we are staying the guy of the couple is a guitar expert as a player and collector. The upshot of this is that I have 13 beautiful guitars to play with. Danelectro 12 string is awesome as is Turner Jumbo and the Fender Telecastor - he has a Stratocastor somewhere I must find. Grist to the mill of songwriting and playing guitar that's for sure, it's an Aladdin's cave.

Talking about tv Anyone see the tennis yesterday? Fantastic. I haven't seen the championships for a few years. I really liked BBC's coverage, very accessible and so well presented with a coue of quirky moments - being interviewed on a roof with wind blowing / boys walking out into rain at end of interview, the last one Sue picked up on. Sue Barker was excellent as anchor with her mix of knowledge humour and professionalism and Andrew Castle's insights into the people of Wimbledon made it a more real occasion or me - great coverage. Boris was very strong and funny and Tim did well (they must take the monitor out of his eye line though it distracted him, - it distracts me when I do interviews too) Tim mentioned the phycologists always told him - Stay in the present - it's not the past or the future, it's the present you're playing in is how I interpreted that. Makes a lot of sense.

Two shows this week for ICE TIMES - the first time I'll have done two shows almost back to back. Charlotte and Zoeanna and Stephen will be with me and we will have some fun.

I've also got a couple of contracts being negotiated - we'll see how things go. I'm excited about the possibilities I see in the next year and whether I'm in TV or producing songs somewhere lovely, or a mixture o both there's a lot to be done.

Right now though to have some time out to develop my competence as a songwriter / performer and producer is the priority. I need to complete songs I've written and have an ongoing production capability for more. Big mountain to climb but one I love the challenge of. I've got some super material and it keeps on coming as I learn more about the craft of songwriting but I need to bring some to fruition. The big question for us is where to base ourselves in this time? The options develop daily....!

I think too I'm a bit reticent about 'coming out' as a singer songwriter, I did a demo for my friends very quickly three years ago and it was - creative, bold and.... from a production and performance point of view well.... - pretty dreadful! So I want to get excellence before lifting the curtain on this again.... and for this I need time and to focus exclusively on this area. That's what I'm aiming or right now.

Little Tiger is a joy, he found himself surrounded at church yesterday by four lovely little girls - ha, ha he can't engage in meaningful conversation yet but they didn't seem to mind.

I was a bit stressed at times last week (you know when you're tired and have so much more to do and... well you just can't be bothered...) and then I stepped back and looked at my life. I have a beautiful wife I love to bits and a gorgeous son, I am 'being showman' by being on stage in my own show and people loved the last one in particular. I am pursuing an area of development in music that is a thrill for me and singing is a big stretch - I love that challenge. I have a super family, loads of great friends my health is good and I have the blessings of sight, hearing, motor skills etc... (I so take these for granted). And I have a firm faith in God as a Christian. Not a PC thing to put on a blog (?) but hey let's do politics and religion. Actually I don't like the word religion I prefer faith.

I was told you can't be in the entertainment business and talk about religion or politics. Well we shall see. I love to talk about both. Maybe there's a job in that somewhere, that would be fun - once I've done the music... don't get distracted.

I'm getting rid of a load of stuff from my life right now. Years of cutter, empty files that I've kept (why) and books I've read. Going 'light weight'... another big job but useful if you are about to cast off and travel to some - yet to be defined - song writing inspirational place in the world.

Wish me luck.

Have a great day - love n

Great time in High Wycombe!

2008-06-20T17:58:00.004+01:00

Well would you believe it ICE TIMES - the latest version - was brilliant fun last night in the Swan Theatre in High Wycombe. Charlotte, Zoeanna and Stephen did a great job and the show was a success! Well at least that's what many people in the audience told me afterwards.

My legs are starting to ache today. I skated miles as we brought together a theatre show in the afternoon, rehearsing and then performing in the evening all on plastic ice. Nothing like adrenalin and focus to keep you going.

So from having no one to skate with to three with me in the cast and then remaking the show to fit this dynamic as well as incorporating what I developed on the cruise has been my week! The result - well Richard said it was brilliant with great energy and fun - and he's a strong critic. For me, well I think it's the best show performance I've ever done - so I'm a bit gobsmacked by that and it leaves me today feeling a sense of accomplishment. Adversity and keeping going really does pay dividends then... Of course you are only as good as your last performance but I'm encouraged now to get better and build on this baby platform.

Richard - who drives me and assists with the show was a star as ever - he had a Guinness on the bar for when I finished - I think this should be written in to my rider, if I had a rider! We got back at 1 am. I couldn't sleep so 3 am before I went to bed. Too much of the sports drinks to keep me going perhaps. Tiger then proceeded to wake me what seemed like every ten minutes until 6am... Joys of being a dad!

Now the next shows to sort out. But my idea of having the show not dependent upon a single girl has legs. It's full on in the show developing routines and the unexpected in there. But I thrive on all that and it keeps things fresh! As you never know what will happen next...

Love

ICE DANCE PARTNER!!!

2008-06-17T15:34:00.004+01:00

I've just been away on a cruise to the Norwegian Fjords. Great except Christiane and Tiger couldn't come - he's not old enough yet. Did two presentations and they went down a storm. Deja vu to last year when the projector screen starts swaying as we sail across the North Sea. Thankfully it wasn't too rough!

And I get back to find I am partner less for my show this Thursday - again! What is this...? I need to change my deodorant - obviously. But what to do for this Thursday? So far I've trained up three girls spent a fortune and loads of time travelling the country and here I stand without a partner again. Nightmare... so having to invent a way whereby I can perform and the show is not dependent upon one girl! That's what I'm doing today, working out how this can be andI think I'm making progress. What's coming is the idea of making up routines - on the day, before your very eyes... Along with the rest of the show running at the same time. Dancing on ice you get a week - how about 20 minutes? What can be achieved in that timeframe? And I'm getting more skating ideas from Vauderville times as I face this challenge - I think we'll see some more fun on this tour yet...... and hopefully less stress!

How was the Basingstoke show? Well just OK from my point of view - I think the audience enjoyed it but the technical stuff all worked (for the first time) and it kind of got in the way. I played to the slides and visuals rather than being able to give full out to the audience. So - from my perspective - a 6 out of 10. Could be better... I was also a little freaked by the size of the theatre - huge... felt like I needed more to fill it although once the lights are down its like anywhere and I've played big arenas so don't know what was going on there.

Wish me luck for Thursday - I have a sense that a stronger, funnier and more robust show will come out of this adversity... It's certainly character building! I have 48 hours to rehearsal time to find a partner - n0 problem at all then.

Love

BASINGSTOKE ICE TIMES TOMORROW

2008-06-04T21:09:00.003+01:00

Well tomorrow there's another show and I'm working on more visuals and music this evening. I'm excited about building some of the photo content with music from the period it was taken in so the audience gets a feel of the time.

I have a partner for tomorrow too which is super. Since last ICE TIMES Louise Owen and I decided not to keep our partnership going. Louise Walden by the way, my first partner, had only agreed to do the first four shows and then review things - she is now training in France so I needed someone else.

I've had a busy couple of weeks visiting some rinks and Kathy Green from Sheffield is skating in tomorrow's show. She only gets to skate on the plastic ice before the show in the afternoon - she'll be fine! Actually I'm sure we're going to have a have a blast.

I fell head over heels today, sore shoulders and hip tonight along with bruised elbow - I love the war wounds...

Skated in Slough today - cost me £18 for the two of us for an hour and a half! Ha ha... made us work hard whilst we were on the ice though.

Wish us luck for a great show.

Love

NEW PARTNER NEEDED FOR WEEK TOMORROW....

2008-05-28T16:55:00.003+01:00

Ha ha, Emma glad you enjoyed the - slightly different show in Croydon! Best night out you've had in ages with your friend - well we did laugh a lot, what a night!

OK HERE'S THE CHALLENGE

I need a new partner for my next ICE TIMES show a week on Thursday. No pressure at all then!

I need a petite top class ice dancer to come out of the woodwork and magically appear! Actually I am taking steps to find someone who could take on the role but there seem to be very few girls who will fill the bill right now.

I sit in how to make the shows brilliant for the audience and not be beholden to 'the girl'. Otherwise the shows cannot continue. It's an interesting conundrum.

I'm excited about how the show has developed and we're working on all technical and content aspects to try to ensure we have all our systems robust.

But 'the girl' now there's the challenge.... we shall see. Know anyone? Let me know.

DATES CHANGED

We've changed some dates and I need to have the site updated!

Sorry for people who were not able to see me in Hayes we'll be back July 9th

Love

CAN IT POSSIBLY GET ANY WORSE!

2008-05-24T15:43:00.003+01:00

ICE TIMES last Thursday! Goodness me. This show is having it's technical problems but Thursday was the biggest and most challenging so far. From 4 pm to 7.45 start and then beyond up to ten people trying to get the computer to link up to the projector and the sound to work. Sound link to computer broken, visuals work... and sound fails.

So - what do you do? Carry on... It was quite a night. I think being alongside Peter Kay must have provided some inspiration as the audience and I laughed our way through the scenario of 'Can it possibly get any worse'. Improvisation, seeing the same slide 25 times - (so exciting!?) and working with the pain of the moments had us laughing and almost crying from 7.45 to 10.30.

Sorry for the long interval without info everyone - I was remaking the second half!

Skated with Louise Owen and she coped well with the alterations...

I will be glad when the gremlins are out of this show technically. Even the guitar sound dissapeared between half time sound check and me playing - crazy.

However, it does show what can be done and the humour of the situation gave everyone more laughs than I had heard before so on a laughter / value basis this show - with technical meltdown - was the most successful. Maybe there is a lesson in that?

Have had to cancel some shows because of lack of support and reschedule others that had good audiences for a variety of reasons. My apologies for anyone who is inconvenienced about this, hope you can come to new dates.

In some ways, even with the enormous stress points the show is creating for me regarding technical issues ICE TIMES is developing in an exciting way. It is becoming more dynamic and more spontaneous - God knows where it will end up! But I hope there will be a lot more insight and laughter for the audiences that will build to and inform our next production...

Love

The end of Dancing On Ice Tour - Ice Times beckons

2008-05-16T23:54:00.004+01:00

Dancing On Ice perk - sitting next to Peter Kay who was our guest judge in Manchester one evening. He created wonderful comedic chaos and I loved every minute of it.

DOI Tour finishes tomorrow - 51 shows I think we've had, now that is some tour. It's been great but enough now, time to have a little space at home.

Two ICE TIMES shows next week and loads to do. New boots - they were white and I've dyed them! But they won't dry properly. New partner Louise Owen - skating together Monday. New Production Manager, new way of running show with my controlling visuals and probably sound too. So it's going to be a busy week.

Can't wait to get into the show again and looking forward to it as well as being daunted by so much to do and leaning stuff with Louise - we'll make it fun though.

Written some lovely chords on my guitar this week - it's still got altered tuning and is providing a rich source of new music.

Tiger is doing brilliantly and starting to do long conversations that almost finish with 'Hello' or maybe he's just gurgling?

Love