More JW and childhood

I read a few chapters of Jeanette Winterson's book last night and a few this morning. It's not an autobiography as such, it feels like her thoughts mingled with fiction with fact and you can hear her saying it aloud. This is why I like it so much. And it reminds me of things, things that I knew but were not said, or thought clearly. Some people at her reading said how she inspired them, (young women from Accrington and others) how she resonated with them, how she made them laugh and think. All these things.
Reading her book from her comments reminds me why I too used to read so much. It isn't to lose yourself, it is to find.
There is a coldness to a childhood in the north of England, was, physically due to lack of heating and the weather. There was warmth, a lot of warmth, I had a very happy childhood, but at the edges there is a coldness. Parents weren't involved, children had their own world, there was a difference that now blends between children and parents. If you're lucky.
But we found out on our own. And I read. It's good to be reminded.

Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

AT five o'clock yesterday, Sunday, I went with a friend to hear Jeanette Winterson read and talk about her autobiography, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?
I've only read Oranges are not the only fruit and have seen the television series that was made of it. I don't know the rest of her work, only that it is experimental, she has written some children's books and she is insightful on programmes like The Late Review.
She was funny, interesting, knowledgeable and a great reader. She didn't need anyone to interview her, she could carry an idea, take on board a question from the audience and run with it well enough by herself.
I liked her idea of the inner world seeing us through crises, though my friend pointed out, all very well to say that when you live in Hampstead.
Mmm. It's a mix. We need to look after our outer and inner selves. But we don't need banal aspirations and trivia around us. What does get us through hard times is how we deal with them and that comes from...luck? How we deal with them and that comes from...character? The ability to have an inner world that can get us through rough periods in our lives.
Whatever the outcomes, she made me, I won't speak for everyone, think.
And a young woman from Accrington, where JW is from said her friends were amazed a girl from Accrington could read, let alone write a book. There will be many in Accrington who can read and write and maybe even a novel, but this young woman was inspired by her and had come to Manchester to buy Oranges are not the only fruit and then saw the author was giving the talk.
We could buy books and she signed them and looked you in the eye and responded to everyone, even if they were saying the same as the last, or something similar.

Perfect time of day and the perfect day as well. Five O'clock on a Sunday afternoon. Royal Exchange - we want more!! This should be a regular event.
I'm so glad I went.

A View from a Bridge

Well, it was worth it. A View From a Bridge at The Royal Exchange was mesmerising. The direction, staging of the set, the minimal set itself, costumes, lighting, sound were spot on. But the script and the acting were what made it so stunning. I was stunned.
Beatrice stood out most for me. Her dilemma, shown so brilliantly. I'll look up the names of the cast. Flawless accents, totally believable and heartbreaking.
Eddie emitted a great deal of flying spray from his mouth as he punched out his words, so not sure what other cast members felt about that, but he was hunched and angry and frustrated and torn.
Arthur Miller's words from the lawyer were poetic but real. Wonderful to listen to and must have been a gift to speak. Then the family and the cousins. Tough, gutteral and painful.
Oh, and in places it was very funny. Good use of facial expressions.

I sat on the banquette (£9 - only available by phone or in person, not on-line) I'd had such an annoying time to purchase and sat spellbound. The auditorium was packed. One tip, don't sit behind the rocking chair!
Watching a story played out by people in front of you is far more effecting than on a screen. Yet again, the argument that theatre should be accessible for all - all types of theatre. Like last Friday at Digitfest at The Lowry, being part of The Rite of Spring. Such different 'live' experiences, but one that makes life so much richer. I understand more, I will forgive more, I won't be so angry about a theatre ticket.
And at the end, a woman stood up from the banquette a few places away from me and said to anyone who was listening, 'AND he was married to Marilyn Monroe!'

Apologies

Why is it people seem to have lost the capacity to say, 'Sorry?' What's so hard about it? You realise something is your fault, you apologise, it's quick, and everyone usually feels better. When it's meant.
But there seems to be a blockage in some people's brain. I hope they're not being obstinate on purpose as that is a whole other issue. I don't believe they are. It seems as if certain people genuinely think they've done nothing wrong. They can't see it.
A friend came round last night. A woman had driven into the back of her car. No apology. No damage was done and that was agreed. Eventually the woman barked, I don't really mean it, 'Sorry.'
Just now I tried to book tickets online at The Royal Exhange on their website. It kept coming up as an error.
I ended up phoning. Took ages to get through. I booked tickets. When I asked why I couldn't book online, he said because there are only bangquettes left and they don't come up online. I said, well I've got the page infront of me 'Banquettes, £9, and I've clicked for two seats' He said no isn't up there. I said yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is. Where did you look? Your website. I'd tried to say, just tell someone to put on the website you can only book banquettes on the phone or in person at the box office. He wanted proof I'd seen the page. He said it comes up as the seating plan, yes, and I said I'd clicked 'available seats.' He did, oh, yes, there are bangquettes advertised.......
'So you believe me now?' I quipped.
'Well, you went a different way.'
'It's on your website, maybe just tell someone.....'
In the end I said, 'I accept your apology.'
No comment.
What is so hard? 'Oh, yes, sorry.'
The customer is always right? I WAS RIGHT. Why on earth would I make it up?

Just say sorry, everyone feels a whole lot better and we can get on with it. I'm now ranting. I now want to complain about this guy on the box office. I want to enjoy going to see 'A View from a Bridge' because I've heard it is excellent. I don't go often to the Royal Exchange. This experience trying to book isn't encouraging especially when you are interrogated and checked up on and then left floating in the void thinking, 'what happened there?'