Keyboard Shenanigans and the Great North Run

I just thought I'd give you a cheeky little update on how my challenges are coming along as well as some future fun I have to look forward to!

Open Mic Challenge -

My lovely friend Lynne has given me a HUGE list of potential venues which is amazing, so now I just need to get my act together - literally!

I dug out my old school Yamaha keyboard and after a slightly distracted 5 minutes of playing monkey noises and elephant sounds I decided I should really learn to play an actual proper song, that people would actually want to listen to.

Now part of my problem is that I no longer remember how to read sheet music, nor do I own any music which would be suitable for this event, so my efforts so far have been a bit maverick to say the least! Mainly me listening to things on my iPod and trying to copy them bit by bit, and I've actually managed to get to the end of a song so far. The playing and singing at the same time thing is quite tricky though, I can only equate it to trying to pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time - does not compute! But I'm happy that if I keep practising I'll get there in some form!

And worse comes to worst I'll just play chopsticks and press start on the demo version of Little Brown Jug and we can have a good boogie!

Run Pickle Run -

I also have a pretty monumental challenge coming up which I haven't told you about yet! I've only gone and got myself signed up to do the Great North Run (shock, horror)! Now I actually started training for this back in March/April time, but I didn't want to shout about it too much at the time as I wasn't sure whether it was something I could physically do, I haven't ran since school and even then I didn't particularly enjoy it!

I've tried to stick at it, fit as many little runs in as usual with a big run at the weekend, which is all well and good except when I first started running my muscles would ache for days making it difficult to keep the momentum going. Now I seem to be at the opposite end of the spectrum, my stamina has improved, I can run more than a few feet without dying on my ass, but the training seems to be taking its toll, especially on my  poor knees! It's got to the point where I can keep going, I'm happy to run and run as long as I have my iPod on me, but my knees seem to have other ideas!

This presents somewhat of a challenge in itself, as I only have 8 weeks to go until the big day where I'm expected to run 13 miles and at the moment I've had to force myself to rest after my last 5 and a half mile run left me in a knee brace walking like a pirate. I know, it's a good look!

Not looking good but I won't give up just yet, especially as I'm doing this for a cause which is very close to my heart, and people have started to sponsor me!

Speaking of which, if anyone would like to sponsor me for running 13 miles like a pirate please feel free, all donations are appreciated, just visit my sponsorship page here.

I'll keep you posted on how everything goes :)

Becky x

The next challenge awaits...

Hi Everybody!

Sorry I'm aware that it's been a while since I've posted a challenge, I'm having a very busy July so I thought it would be easier if I look to plan ahead for the next set of hurdles!

The first stop is definitely to make up for my epic singing fail. I know I posted about performing with the choir a while back and I didn't follow up on how it went after the event. Well the concert itself went amazingly well, we had a fantastic turn out and everyone had a blast. Unfortunately I can't be as cheery about my solo which sadly fell on its ass as my nerves completely got the better of me. I stood up to sing and the minute I started walking to the front of the stage my legs just turned to jelly on me. I started off fine, but then I took a deep breath and immediately my mouth felt like someone had sucked all of the moisture out of it. I choked, I froze, I looked to the pianist for help and was met with a mad panic look that said "for god's sake don't make me do some sort of weird improvised piano solo". I looked up to the audience and was met with 80 pairs of eyes all thinking "poor thing" and then I heard the sound of salvation behind me, the choir (awesome, wonderful ladies) started singing quietly behind my back, spurring me on. I sucked it up, looked the audience in the eye and forced myself to sing (all be it a bit haphazardly and with my eyes closed at times) until the end of the song, I wobbled back to my seat and was greeted with a drink of water from a very kind lady from the church. I sat down and wanted the ground to swallow me up whole.

Now I'm not the sort of person to take defeat lying down, those who know me know fine well I'm very stubborn and once I set my sights on something I'm like a dog with a bone. So instead of accepting this as a defeat I decided to accept is as a minor hiccup and try again.

So my new challenge is going to be....performing at an open mic night or a gig by singing and playing the keyboard. I'm always very jealous and massively in awe of people who get up on stage and perform while playing an instrument so it would be great if I could achieve it for myself.

The singing part is all well and good, I've done karaoke before and while that does still bring out my nerves and jelly legs there's generally vodka involved which fuels me with false bravery. So I hope that singing in this setting may be a little less nerve racking. The keyboard however is a whole other kettle of fish. I learned to play as a child, I still own my keyboard - a Yamaha with all the trimmings - think Ross in friends with his crazy sound effects - but I can't say I really know how to play, never mind read music! I know I'm better at playing by ear but that will mean doing some very simple songs.

So this is when I turn to you for help :)

a) I could do with a suggestion for a venue/event I can play at - I'm thinking August/September time to give me time to learn a decent number of songs.
b) I don't own a keyboard stand so I may need to borrow one if possible! Nor do I own a microphone or any kind of sound system, but I guess that depends on the venue!
and c) any song suggestions for a female solo vocalist with a piano would be greatly appreciated.

I'm also open to suggestions of other challenges I can do, I've had a few already put to me and while some were reasonable - learn a language - others were a little odd - do an archaeological dig...erm...

So if you have any suggestions of things I can try my hand to in the Newcastle/Gateshead area please feel free to get in touch!

Becky x

Pickle on the rocks...

The next challenge in my adventure came in the form of rock climbing, well bouldering to be exact, which doesn't involve ropes or harnesses...yippee!

I should probably take this time to point out that I'm rubbish when it comes to heights, something which seems to get worse as I get older and more aware. The first time I remember really panicking about being up high was as a child, I must have been quite fearless at the time as I'd used a lamppost to scale up to the top of the cemetery wall, all fine and good despite the risk of electrocution, however when I got to the top and had to think about getting down I was suddenly paralysed. I ended up lying rigid on the old stone wall, unable to move, with my little sister trying to coax me down and threatening to go and tell my mum (snitch)! I don't even remember how I got down, such was the extent of the trauma, I must have done otherwise I could imagine I'd still be there now, the crazy wall lady, living on moss with a lamppost as my only companion.

I also remember the first time I ever dared go off the "top diving board" at the Dolphin centre, for years it had scared me, I'd never even dared go up the ladders never mind jump off the damn thing! I was already scared of the diving pool as it was so deep I was convinced that a killer whale was going to get me....yes even as I child I had a very odd imagination...Anyhoo one day it seemed that I'd decided I was going to give it a go, I remember holding on to the bannister so had as I climbed up to the top, and still not letting go as I edged towards the end. I sat with my legs dangling willing myself to make the final push off the edge. I remember having to get up a few time to let other people go as I was holding the queue up so much. When I finally dared go, rather than jumping, I sat on the end and slid myself off. I was so impressed at my bravery that half way down I decided to take a huge gulp of air way to early, by the time I hit the water (hard) I'd completely ran out of breath and had to swim as fast as I could (also to escape the killer whale) to the edge of the pool where I emerged spluttering and red-faced. I never went off the top diving board again.

Anyway back to the bouldering, I went with a group, most of us were beginners which did quell my fears a little. We paid £15 for an induction course which meant we could at least be relatively safe on the walls, or at least less of a threat to the other (seriously cool looking) climbers. We put on our "special" shoes, ladies we could start a fashion revolution with these things, that's how stylish they were...and we were ready to go. We started out on the kiddie wall (yey) and our first task was to simply walk in a straight line around the wall, barely more than a foot off the floor. I fell off three times....not a good sign...

Once we had mastered the kids wall we progressed into the main room with the scariest looking walls ever, seriously how are people meant to climb upside down?! Our first tasks was a simple wall, nice and flat, nothing too fancy or complicated, we just had to stick to the blue foot and hand holds and work our way up. I sneakily shuffled to the back of the queue and watched my friends attempt to climb first, some made it look so easier, granted if you were taller it probably was, as a short arse I was already at a disadvantage with my stubby little arms. When it came to my turn I was feeling OK after watching other people who seemed to be as scared as me conquer their fears. I started to climb following the careful instructions of our guide "Spiderman" Dave on where to put my hands and feet, and I was fine until I looked down... I got stuck half way and suddenly my legs decided that they were made out of jelly, I wobbled and shook as I desperately tried to make my way back down the way I'd came towards the nice, safe, bouncy floor. 


We tried out other walls of varying difficulties and I admit despite my rocky start I was starting to feel more confident, I was happy hanging about on the lower walls though I still couldn't get any higher than half way. The rest of the group were also starting to relax and have fun, it's fair to say we got a bit giddy with our conquests and I'd like to take this chance to apologise to my friend Gillian for putting white chalk hand prints on her bum...

So although I didn't completely conquer my fear I think it's something that will definitely improve with time, and I could see myself trying it again to see if I can actually get to the top now!

If anyone would like to give bouldering a go check out Climb Newcastle - http://www.climbnewcastle.com/ it costs £15 for an induction and it's well worth it to learn the basics and build up your confidence in a safe environment.

I'll let you know how the next session goes :)

Becky x

Pickled Salsa

I used to do dancing lessons as a child, I can't say I was particularly good at it but it appealed to the extrovert side of my personality which enjoyed dressing up and prancing about on a stage for the world to see. As a child I was very dramatic and loved to be the centre of attention (not much has changed there then) I would force my siblings to put on fashion shows for our parents and to record endless cassettes of us singing which my Grandma still owns and will probably use to bribe me at some point in the future.

I'd always fancied taking up dancing again, even if it was just in the form of an aerobics class or some sort of dance-a-cise with a bunch of women of a certain age at my local leisure centre. I must admit however as I get older I seem to have lost the ability to dance, especially on a night out in front of people. In my younger days I would happily prance about and make a fool of myself (even though I thought I looked ah-mazing) but the older I get the more I seem to revert to "dad" dancing, shuffling from side to side and gripping my drink tightly for fear of actually having to do something with my arms.

So when I was given the opportunity to attend a salsa class I was naturally nervous, I didn't have a clue what to expect. My visions of leg warmers and a load of middle aged ladies drooling over an Latino lover instructor called Esteban couldn't have been further from the truth. I turned up at the venue, slightly harassed (understatement) after getting stuck in traffic and getting lost - using a photograph of the map on my phone to find my way seemed a good idea at the time. When I (finally) arrived the people I was meeting were already there, they'd been before so I felt a little less silly, the bar itself had an amazing atmosphere, dark and moody (perfect to hide) with a relaxed feel.

We started off with the beginner level, nice and fun, tripping over my feet a little but still enjoyable. Then we moved onto a slightly harder proper dance routine, we were split into a circle and put with partners (eek) and had to learn the steps while being passed around the circle from guy to guy - very surreal having to meet someone for the first time while holding hands with them....

Some of the dances were a little awkward, I had one guy who literally would not make eye contact with me - mind as I'm only 5'2 and he was considerably taller it was quite easy for him to stare off in the distance over my head. One guy seemed to be quite content having a conversation aimed directly at my chest (glad when I got moved on from THAT one), and another guy who was in his late 60s but was absolutely adorable and charming. Generally however people where very nice and friendly and didn't seem to mind so much that I had my "bambi on ice" moments until I got the hang of it, and sometimes it was like playing a vertical game of twister.

We danced for around two hours with the moves getting gradually harder, I was shattered and wanted to sit down but I kept getting jokingly pulled back into the circle. I finally gave up the ghost when the lesson ended and the real dancing began, and oh my goodness some of those people could DANCE! I felt like Baby in Dirty Dancing when she carried the watermelon and the pride I'd had over finally mastering what now seemed to be pretty basic moves diminished somewhat as I stared open mouthed at the limber limbed goddesses being flung around the dancefloor by very able men!

I would happily say I'd try it again, I imagine with practice and a little confidence it could be quite good fun and I'd be less likely to pose a threat to myself and those around me.

If you fancy giving it a go the lessons are on at Madisons bar near Haymarket in Newcastle from 7:45pm on a Tuesday night, full details can be found here or check out their Facebook page.

...with the sound of music

So my next musical challenge came courtesy of my confidant and knight in shining armour who had a friend who sang in a choir in a local school. The instructions of how to join were sketchy and suspicious to say the least, I was basically just told to turn up at the car park at 7pm and to try and grab someone who was going into the school. In all honesty I half expected to be bundled into the back of a van with a bag on my head and to wake up in an ice bath missing a kidney. Anyway as it turns out that didn't happen, I turned up and followed a couple of ladies into the school (cue me looking weird and suspicious) and found my way into the music room where a large group of super friendly gals greeted me into the fold.

I was thrown in at the deep end and placed in the middle of the choir on the front row where a gap had formed from people not wanting to sit at the front. The first rehearsal was a blur of me trying in vain to remember how to read sheet music while also smiling like a maniac at everyone hoping they would think that I wasn't some weirdo for just turning up.

A few months down the line and I'm happily unleashing my inner Rachel Berry. We had our first choir competition back in March, tensions were high, we'd spent weeks practising a Hungarian folk song which was supposed to only take 48 seconds to sing (without any music) it was tantamount to torture. We turned up on the day all dressed in black and donned our blue and red scarves ready for battle. We turned up in the hall and faced our foes, I've never been so threatened by two bunches of middle aged ladies in floral shirts in my life. We eyed up our rivals (I felt like I was in Westside Story) and got to the stage, gave it our all, waddled off with jelly legs, sat down and attempted to look diplomatic while the other choirs sang.

The adjudicator got up to give her results after a long a drawn out story to create set the scene, honestly Chris Tarrent has nothing on this woman in terms of creating tension. We held our breaths, grasped the bottoms of our cheap school plastic seats and awaited for the results.

Anyway as you've probably gathered from the picture below we won! Two trophies in fact, we even got told off for celebrating too loudly when our name was called out and the hall erupted in a chorus of cheers and whoops!

All in all a massive success. I'm still singing with the choir and have even put myself forward to do a solo in our up and coming concert, anyone would have thought I'd been on the wine when I put my hand up to volunteer, but needs must and the point of this adventure is challenging myself and pushing my boundaries no matter how scary that may be!

The show must go on!

The hills are alive...

So challenge numero uno technically started towards the back end of 2011, having moved to Gateshead I really wanted to get myself involved in something musical. I always loved music as a child, despite my ability to stick with any instrument for a decent amount of time. You name it and I've had a go...violin, descant, treble and bass recorder, flute, trumpet, piano, keyboard, clarinet, the ocarina and I even attempted and failed to get a set of bagpipes to make any sound that didn't resemble a dying swan...So you can see why I was so keen to resurrect this amazing talent again.

Anyway, as fate would have it I happened to be walking past the monument in Newcastle city centre one sunny Sunday afternoon where I came across a samba band doing a street performance, the guy I was with at the time had previously been a member so we stopped to watch the show. After being utterly enthralled and having a good old boogie (I should probably point out that there may have been some alcohol involved) I nipped to grab a coffee from a nearby Starbucks only to find upon my return that I had been "volunteered" to join for a performance on New Year's eve.

This naturally lead to many weeks of me learning to master the bells, yes even hitting things in time with a stick provided a suitable challenge, I even managed to get so carried away that I broke a drum stick mid performance. The rehearsals lead up to the grand finale of us dressing up like crazed Viking types (super sexy look by the way) and parading our way through Newcastle city centre on New Year's Eve. I have to say even though I was home by 9pm, alone, with a chinese takeaway and a bottle of wine, I can happily say it was one of the best New Year's celebrations I've ever had.

If you would like to view (and laugh at) the videos from the performances on the day they can be seen on YouTube here.

Despite the eccentric oddness of it all when New Years Eve was over and done with and life returned to normal I found myself missing the adrenalin rush that you only get from being a part of something special, so the search for my first proper challenge of 2012 began...

2012 - The year of the Pickle

Welcome to my blog!

I suppose I should start from the beginning in how I've decided to put 2012 on such a high pedestal. In short 2011 sucked ass. I would usually class myself as a happy go lucky person, with a cheerful disposition and a smile constantly plastered upon my face. In fact for most of my adult life I had the mickey taken out of my by (not so cheerful people) who couldn't really understood why I smiled all the time. But in the last few months of 2010 and leading into 2011 a series of unfortunate events caused a bit of a wobble in my little life, my smile started to wane and more worryingly so did my sense of humour.

I won't bore you with the trials and tribulations but it's fair to say that I fought hard to scramble my way back to some sort of a normal life. One of the challenges set to me was to make January 2012 just about myself, to live for myself and focus on the things that made me happy, and, as I rather enjoyed this, I've decided to extend this jolly happiness holiday across the whole of 2012. Hurrah!

This may seem like a relatively easy endeavour but as I live alone and am single, with a small group of friends who are very settled, married, babies etc...I've come to face the realisation that it takes a whole lot of effort to do anything more than just being stuck in the flat on my own at a weekend entertaining myself with a vat of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and a gallon of wine - trust me, I've tried it, seriously, I should have shares in phish food and white zinfandel by now!

I also think it's fair enough to say that my comfy comfort zone has been stretched well beyond recognition, I was always quite happy to be settled and content with my lot, having to push my own boundaries and do things which in all honesty scare the crap out of me at the time has been a rather tricky challenge!

So anyhow, I know we're into May now (ticking things off my personal to do list isn't really my strong point) and I figured it was about time that I made this challenge public, to put a bit of weight behind it, as well as letting other's laugh at the ridiculous situations I will no doubt (and aim to) get myself tangled up in.

So over the next few months I aim to try as many new things, meet as many new people and travel to as many weird and wonderful events and places as my bank balance will allow, and I hope you will join me on this sure to be bizarre and eccentric ride!

Let the games begin...