AUTUMNAL OPPORTUNITIES

    After my disappointment at not hearing anything from the Sherman Theatre since the start of the year about scripts I'd sent for feedback, I'd almost given up ever hearing from them again. Then, last week I met Alan Harris, the guest writer at Pontardawe Script Cafe, who gave me constructive feedback on the reading of my short play,'The Dove and the Frog.' Later that week I received an email from the Sherman inviting me to take part in workshop sessions covering various elements of script writing, led by Alan, taking place at Chapter this autumn. At the end of these sessions they designate a Saturday when all participants will be asked to go into Chapter for a 'Lock In' day and asked to write for a full day and have a session with Alan or Sian Summers discussing the idea that we've had for a play in some detail. They will give us a submission date, about 6 weeks hence, by which time they will expect us to have completed a first draft of our plays. We will then receive detailed feedback from the team at Sherman Cymru. 
    I am so thrilled to have this opportunity-it feels like the kick start I need to get writing plays again.
Meanwhile, I'm continuing with my cycle of full moon poems and some poems about climate change.
    Awel Aman Tawe has a series of arts events around the theme of climate change this autumn. Contact Emily Hinchelwood at info@awelamantawe.co.uk or 01639 830870 for further information.   

DOVES & FROGS

Thank you to all my friends who've kept in close contact and given me enormous support since my operation. I have really appreciated your friendship. To those who haven't been in touch, well, you know who you are! It's true, you know who your real friends are when you're in need. It certainly separates the doves from the frogs.
Anyway, I'm making good progress now, walking shortish distances with the aid of a crutch. I'll be going back to see the consultant in three weeks time and hope that the operation has been a success.
This week I went back to work. I wasn't expecting to be looking forward to it but it's bucked me up and has taken my mind off myself.
Last night was my first evening outing to Script Cafe in Pontardawe. Alan Harris was the invited writer/speaker. He has written a number of plays, including plays for the National Theatre of Wales, Hijinx, Sherman Theatre, BBC Radio, and is currently involved in writing a libretto for Wales National Opera.
My short play,'The Dove & The Frog' about the relationship between Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera was given a reading by Llinos Daniel, Mark Cainan and Emily Hinchelwood. The feedback from Alan and members of Script Cafe was constructive and helpful. This was written for the NT's 'The Habit of Art' competition and inspired by our recent visit to Mexico. It seems that there have been lots of plays about the famous couple, as well as a film, and it was good to hear that many of the women in Script Cafe are great fans of Frida's art. I'm wondering if there's a Frida Kahlo Appreciation Society in this country?

CUTS START WITH THE SICK

After getting back to the ward I was left alone for a day before the physios came marching in with their sweet smiles and hard discipline. As soon as they got me out of my chair I came out in a sweat and vomited ferociously.
'We've told them it's too early, but they do insist,' said the staff nurse. 'Would you like something for the sickness? she asked and stuck a syringe into the IV connector in my hand. I immediately perked up.
Later that day I was sick again.
'Would you like something for that?' another staff nurse asked and brought me a tablet.
'Can't I have the IV one? It worked a treat last time.'
'OK, but don't tell anyone.'
'Why?'
I'm supposed to give you the tablet first and if you're sick again I'm meant to look to see if there are any bits of tablet in the bowl. If there aren't then you get the tablet again if you need it. If there are, then you get the drug through your IV.'
'But that could mean more distress for the patient.'
She smiled sadly,
'Yes, but the IV drug is more expensive.'

I suppose that every person who comes out of theatre is likely to be sick at some point. Vomiting and retching's horrible and leaves you feeling weak and low.  I'd like to know what the difference in cost is between the two drugs? The benefits of the more expensive drug is self evident. Surely, at the point people come out of theatre, weak and vulnerable, it is not the time to start making cuts?

WHAT'S THAT BANGING?

On September 1st I was finally admitted to Llandough for my hip replacement. I was given an epidural. Anaesthetics are pumped into your spine. You can have the choice to be awake or not during the operation. I chose not to be awake. Towards the end of the op I found myself drifting in and out of consciousness, chatting to the freckled face anaesthetist perched at my head.
'What's that banging?' I asked her. 'It sounds like someone's hammering decking or demolishing a wall.'
No comment.
'Is it my hip?'
She smiled.
I asked if I could see my old hip and the surgeon pushed a red bald tennis ball into my face pointing out the white bits of arthritis and the total lack of cartilage. Someone else whipped down a plastic splash sheet and like the sawn-box magician's trick my lower half miraculously appeared again. Smiling doctors stood round me dressed as spacemen wearing welding visors. At the bottom of the bed the consultant held my feet together and said,
' You now have two legs the same length.'
I was then pushed into the recovery room, where I guess you're supposed to wake up.