Day 96. Sang karaoke at a gay bar

Whilst in Sheffield I was also dragged to a gay bar I had managed to avoid throughout my years there and it didn't fail to live up to my expectations of being tacky and not worth a repeat visit!

Karaoke night at Dempsey's was quite something. Mostly empty except for about 10 regulars and me and Jan, I felt rather out of my comfort zone. But Jan loved her first karaoke experience. Her Shakira 'She wolf' was quite something.

I was in a very shy mood and so only can half say I did try karaoke as I sang half of Whitney Houston 'Wanna Dance with Somebody' then gave up. Singing to an empty room just doesn't seem right to me!

I did several things haven't done in a long time that night...such as joined in group dance routines such as Saturday Night, the time warp and more. It reminded me of family dos in manchester in the 80s. Jan had fun though.

Day 95. Heard the hang being played

I was introduced to the amazing instrument that is the hang for the first time whilst in Sheffield.

My friend Lu's boyfriend Tom treated me to hearing him play this beautiful 21st century-invented percussion instrument. It's a magical sound if you've not come across it. Genuinely not quite like anything I've heard before.

He had to write personally to request it to be sold to him by the maker and travel to collect it in Switzerland, such is the rareness of these instruments.

I was really excited to hear it and later discovered the Portico Quartet who use it a lot in their music and loop it/play with the sound as I imagined would be ace when Tom played his for me.

I want one!

Day 93. Drank champagne at the longest champagne bar in Europe

I missed my train on Friday night on my way up north so to console myself whilst I waited an hour I treated myself to a glass of champagne at the longest champagne bar in Europe.

It may be the longest but I'd feel more glamorous and indulgent sipping lambrini at a Wimpy than at the St Pancras bar. The bubbly itself was pleasant enough and slipped down easily but there was so little ambience. I was bewildered by the fact each plywood panelled table had a lampshade yet no light. They seemed to be fake lamps as none were emitting any light.

Odd.

At least I can say I've done it now and another first is completed. I shall know to save my pennies next time.

Manifesto

I really like this manifesto screenprint called 'Kill Your Tv' by Lesley & Pea.

Many ways to be a better person indeed. I may create my own manifesto sometime soon.

Day 92. Met a tattoo superstar

Today I met Angelique Houtkamp for the first time.

I have not yet taken the plunge and got a tattoo (and won't be doing in time for 100 days project now) but so this is one that remains on my list...BUT I have got a step closer as today I met my favourite tattoo artist.

She is one of the only people who I'd trust to ink me up and I love her illustrative style and the influences she draws on. Her work influences and reflecting my own tastes in art (mainly ladies faces, skulls, roses, nauticalia, birds, Victoriana...the usual cliches).

After seeing her artwork up close today at a fun exhibition opening at Nelly Duff I am all the more enamoured and determined to:
a) Be able to afford some art work I love for my walls one day
b) Be a tattoo artist and illustrator myself
c) Get tattooed with something beautiful

I heard that her waiting list is actually 7 months which is better than I thought so I'm going to sign up and get that much closer to this first...A trip to Amsterdam for November around my 28th birthday to get a first tattoo by her is a great plan I think. So whilst not in time for 100 days, at least I'm a bit closer. Some things take time for a reason.

Day 91. Went to The Victoria pub

Last night I got crafty for the first time for Ladyfest Ten fundraiser Crafter Dark: Your Mum which I'd helped to organise and also visited the pub it was in (The Victoria, Mile End) for the first time and on the bus on the way got both lost and horribly violated by a stranger for the first time.

Some firsts you set out to do and choose. Other firsts are thrust upon you. Some good, some bad.

Yesterday's first time experience of The Victoria pub was wholly positive (and if I'd got on the right bus would've been a good direct route from my house, almost a new local) and it's good to know such a lovely establishment with an array of fun nights held weekly is in my area.

The first Crafter Dark event went well too- with some lovely people coming and happily beavering away in the nice ambience, going home sugared up by yummy home-baked cakes and with some ace hand-made heartfelt gifts for their mothers and others. A great start and first £160 odd quid raised towards affording this year's Ladyfest Ten festival.

I did NOT choose to be touched inappropriately by a stranger sat next to me on the bus and still feel rather angry, sullied and disturbed by the incident. How some people are so desperate and deluded to do such things and violate other people's personal space, bodies and selves is beyond my understanding and empathy almost. It was not a pleasant first but I know it could have been a lot worse. It motivates me to raise even more money to celebrate and promote women through events such as Ladyfest and its causes which champion women as independent, amazing artists and individuals and supports women's charities that combat abuse and degradation of which this personal incident was only a very small scale in worldwide context.

www.ladyfestten.com

Day 90. Cooked Persian chicken...a celebrity Come Dine With Me recipe

I cooked Persian chicken for the first time and rather tasty it was too.

It was a recipe from a d-list celebrity who appeared on Come Dine With Me and I have decided that perhaps I am a thigh woman rather than a breast woman.

I shall be cooking it again...

Day 89. Convinced a friend she can draw

Lorraine's first award winning drawing:
and my drawing: Slinky Sparkles, the model's, chosen favourite!



Last night I went to Dr Sketchy London (not for the first time) but it was the first time that I had persuaded drawing-phobic friend Lorraine to come along and join in the alcohol-fuelled burlesque-modelled life drawing event fun.

I am firmly of the belief that everyone can draw- that everyone can make marks on paper and create their own drawing style. Lorraine was of the opinion she just couldn't do it though but as I arrived she was already getting into the quick sketches and had produced some not-at-all shabby pieces of art of the army themed semi-nude man posing on stage at The Paradise, Kensal Green.

We both had a fantastic time creating our sketches (adding in random themes such as skulls, grave robbing and orangutans at the demands of host Dusty Limits) and I was proud of punch when Lorraine's was selected as a favourite and awarded a prize. Plus lots of fellow sketchers came over and said they loved her drawing. I hope she has more confidence now!

It was also the first time I'd managed to go to a life drawing class and the best piece actually was of dead people...hmmm, a reflection of my current positive outlook on life? The model Slinky Sparkles chose mine as her favourite. Photos above.

Day 88. My horoscope says...

Days 86 and 87 I was too busy to really take in whether or not any particular firsts were expexperienced. I by no means had dull days and was rushing around so I'm sure I snuck some in there somewhere seeing as was the first of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner performances etc.

On Sunday I got a free newspaper delivered with a bulk juice and fruit order I'd made to keep hundreds of young people performing in the show hydrated and energised. I wouldn't usually take heed of a Sunday paper's horoscopes (especially not in such a publication as The Mail) but it kind of rung true for this week as we enter into the last ten or so days of A Hundred Days and I run out of steam a little....

I shall try to take its advice and squeeze in as many firsts as I can into the last week or so. Watch this space.

Day 85. No firsts. Only lasts

On this day I fear I didn't complete any firsts but am sad to suspect that I may have experienced some lasts.

I cried (emotion fuelled on by sheer exhaustion).

I know that I like firsts much more than lasts. Lasts just make me sad and cry.

Like firsts, you can't often know when the last time is going to be the last time and so you don't make the most of it at the time perhaps.

I hope that the end of one chapter shall lead onto more exciting new ones eventually...

Day 84. Went to Cafe Oto

I went to Cafe Oto for the first time for a gig.

It's a lovely little venue just 10 minutes up the road from me off Kingsland Road yet I'd not discovered it before my friend from Cambridge visited and knew friends playing there last Wednesday night. It's a fantastic discovery and I'll be back again for more music and to try their cake and check out the gallery space too. Has a really nice feel to it and was a good crowd there with a couple of other people there I knew too which was a nice surprise. Lots of Brighton people apparently so perhaps that explains the loveliness of them!

Was the launch of Tristram EP and really enjoyed the lead singer's vocals, particularly on more upbeat tracks. The Mariner's Children played and I enjoyed them again plus my current favourites Lulu and the Lampshades didn't disappoint. I love them so and am inspired to learn to play my uke once more.

Day 83. Ate kamaboko

I tried kamaboko for the first time.

After working a twelve hour day, my managers kindly agreed I could claim a free takeaway from Wagamama and in my ramen came several new Japanese ingredients I'd not encountered before. I've since discovered that the 2 unidentified floating objects in my broth were kamaboko and dory. Yes, dory as in the finding Nemo fish voiced by Ellen DeGeneres.

Kamaboko is also apparently known as 'fish sausage'. Hmmmm. I shall stick to the Japanese. You can also get it with faces and characters such as Hello Kitty running through its slices. Nice.

According to wikipedia:

"Kamaboko (蒲鉾?) is a type of cured surimi, a Japanese processed seafood product, in which various white fish are pureed, combined with additives such as MSG, formed into distinctive loaves, and then steamed until fully cooked and firm. The steamed loaves are then sliced and served unheated (or chilled) with various dipping sauces or sliced and included in various hot soups, one-dish meals, or noodle dishes. Kamaboko is typically sold in semicylindrical loaves. Some kamaboko include artistic patterns, such as the pink spiral on each slice of naruto kamaboko, named after the well-known tidal whirlpool near the Japanese city of Naruto."

Mmmmm, not so sure I'll be a regular eater of it now I've read that description but it added to a tasty free meal.

Day 82. Sang solo in front of colleagues and school children

Solo karoake was on my original list of things to do for the first time and whilst I've yet to tackle this first, I have ended up singing on my own in front of a school choir of children, senior colleagues from work and strangers which is surely ten times worse?

Just be thankful no audio recording is available.

I've been enjoying going into schools for singing workshops over the last month in preparation for a production of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. I've been visiting five different schools each week and it's been really fun working alongside a fantastic vocal animateur. She wasn't able to make this session though and the teacher unexpectedly asked me to sing part of the song on my own to the group to help them remember the tune etc. I doubt my quavering voice was much help to them and the episode was rather embarassing but at least now I can do these things asked of me without hesitation and the children were kind enough not to laugh. Karaoke here I come....

Day 81. Re-Visited Leamington Spa

Last Sunday I visited my friend Eva in her new house in Leamington Spa for the first time.

It was the first time I'd been back to the town in a very long time yet it was by no means the first time I'd been there. I spent a year living, working and volunteering there in a nearby village during my gap year at the tender age of 18. It was a really significant and challenging yet amazing year for me and I thought returning after so long may bring back lots of memories and nostalgia yet actually it felt rather odd and I felt quite detached from it as a place.

Perhaps I'd feel differently if I went back again in summer or spent longer there but it was odd to see the changes and to not feel as attached as I thought I would to it. I experienced many firsts in that town and it was real time of firsts in my life as I moved away from home for the first time, ventured into the world of working with young people and the arts as I'm still in and forged an independent identity away from all that was familiar to me. Exotic Warwickshire!

I fulfilled Josie's request for film footage on the way there and back by train. Was scary to work out this little trip was the first time I've ventured out of London in 7 whole months! How that happened I don't know but I'm determined never to let it go that long again. Not good....

Videos of my serene journey there and my cold, tiring journey back.

Day 80. Designed a flyer

I designed a flyer for Ladyfest Ten for the first time- the first flyer for the first craft fundraiser of the festival so far.

My Photoshop skills are pretty basic but I had fun drawing a little owl and playing with fonts.

Reminded me how much I like drawing.

Come along to the event one and all on Weds evening...

Day 79. Learnt about popcorning

My friend Sally introduced me to the odd phenomenon that is guinea pigs 'popcorning' for the first time.

She's got two of the little creatures and apparently they do this odd jumpy thing. I'm disturbed it has a name.

Check out youtube for an insight into this oddness...

Inspiration from the original Yes Man....

I've been a bit rubbish at completing firsts over the last week or so, or at least I've been not very good at sharing them here or consciously ticking them off.

Life has been rather busy and tiring (exhausting actually) meaning that doing the basic things I need to do to get through the day has been trial enough yet alone trying to do new things on top of that.

I was moved to read Danny Wallace's weekly column in Shorlist though and his rather insightful and beautiful ponderings on the nature of firsts (along with lasts) on the birth of his first baby.

Here's what Daddy Wallace has to say:

"As I stand there, and as I pick him up, and as I hold him for the first time, and as I look into his eyes for the first time,and as I hold his and hand and I kiss him for the first time, I realise that this is a day of firsts and not a day of lasts, because out of nowhere I now know that life- the very best of life- is all about the firsts. Because the firsts are what matter. The firsts are worth looking forward to: the firsts are worth looking back on."

Day 78. Wore a top hat and played Poetry Hopscotch

Today I had a really fun time at work playing Poetry Hopscotch as part of Imagine Children's Festival. I got to wear a top hat for the first time (and enjoyed it- felt very dramatic and Mad Hatters tea party) and also got to make the most of the power that a megaphone gives you. Myself and the Word Migrants poetry collective were like Pied Pipers, leading children out of Royal Festival Hall to play and chalk up the square in the sunshine.

I'm looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow and I'm glad I could join in the hat theme without even realising!

Now how to catch up a day for the final 20 days of firsts?

Day 77. Double tossed pancakes

How can it be that I am a day behind yet again? I think I catch up but no....Am I working to a different calendar to everyone else?

Ah well, on Tuesday I double tossed for the first time.

Yes indeed, you better believe it. For Shrove Tuesday, I tossed 2 pancakes at the same time. One big wok, one little pan in each hand. Both landed in the pans and tasted yummy yum yum.

It's all in the wrist action...

Nuttella, banana, toffee sauce and double cream was my favourite combination of the evening.
So much fun to be had with friends, some flour, eggs and a bit of cow juice.

I have to express my outrage at the following story about pancakes...the feminist in me rises up to protest. Who do these new young Blue Peter presenters think they are? Grr...

Now what to give up for Lent? I think 100 days idea to TAKE UP something rather than giving up something is much better idea.

Day 76. Went to a sexual health clinic

Following on from the lovely disappointment of Valentine's Day, I had many delightful first time experiences during my first time visit to a sexual health clinic on Monday morning. What a great way to start the week...

Sorry, not so lovely to share I know, but it was pretty much all I could claim to do that day as it left me in a bad mood. It was an experience of genuine firsts.

Unpleasant as the whole experience and reason for going is, it does strangely feel like a kind of rite of passage to have been to the clinic for a check up and it occurs to me that if I had been along to get a check up sooner then I wouldn't have to be having this early morning appointment now perhaps or suffer some of the other firsts I did for the first time (just one word:speculum). Who knows for sure.

Maybe I can blame 100 days for the reason for my first visit...as it was partially due to another first that I ended up there. But I think that is has made me a better person, as I've been to check on this area of my health and was overdue to do this. As with the other firsts on my list that still remain undone, it's easy not to do some and put them off and make excuses because of fear, nervousness and laziness.

I learnt many valuable things about STIs and sexual health for the first time and experienced for the first time the automated results phone line which I found most bizarre. As the lady read out the results it all sounded rather Eurovision and I kept expecting to hear:
"Gonorrhea...Deux points."

Day 76. Didn't celebrate Valentine's Day

On Sunday 14th February I didn't celebrate Valentine's Day for the first time ever.

I realise a lot of people don't commemorate St Valentine's and avoid acknowledging it but come rain or shine in the romance dept, through the droughts and deserts that is my so-called-love-life in my 27 years of life, I have previously in living memory always fully embraced this occasion.

I think I just love any chance to theme a day and especially one that red can be so prevalent at. Hearts, roses, redness...I love it all.

Even though all except one or two V-Days have been celebrated tas a very single person, I have still loved making cards (labours of love) to send to friends or those that have been unfortunate enough to be the current target of my stalking...and thinking up extravagant ways to celebrate the day. From baking heart cookies for all my friends, to launching messaged 99 red balloons, to putting up a hundred handmade cards around a Sheffield roundabout for passersby to find and take on Valentine's Day morning. Or put out lots of romance themed cakes on the streets of Camden. Or go out dressed as a Green Triangle Quality Street.

I blame my mum. She used to wake me and my brother up with musical-plastic roses flung over our doors and decorate the house with massive red hearts and ribbons and encourage me to invite friends over in primary school for Valentine's themed parties.

This year I was hoping I may actually be able to celebrate it with someone and do something actually romantic and loved up. But it went a bit wrong. So I ended up spending it alone and wallowing in self-pity and disappointment. Oh dear.

So this was the first year I didn't celebrate and embrace Valentine's Day in all its glorious hearty, red and love themed glory. I can't wait to take it back up and throw a big ROMANCE IS DEAD themed party next year. I did however make the above card but didn't send it off in time so it doesn't count.

Day 75. Visited Brixton Market and wore a dead animal on my head

On Saturday I visited Brixton Market for the first time.

I thought that it would be full of excitement and newness. I thought it would beat Peckham and persuade me to move there.

I was quite disappointed. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong bits? Or it was just a bit too cold?

I did like Electric Avenue. And I would be curious to return to see if any pizza is really that good to queue for so long for. I think I need to return with an experienced local guide for inside knowledge.

The best part of the day was finding a fur hat (or more of a band, not technically a hat perhaps) that I have since enjoyed wearing nonstop. It is cosy and doubles up as something to stroke when I get stressed. It is also the first time I've worn a dead animal on my head.

Day 74. Wore ear protection in a bar

Tonight, out for a friend's birthday, I realised I hadn't done anything new yet that day.

So I took suggestions. Someone pointed to a sign on the wall that said " Ear protection available at the bar" and on confirmation I hadn't been in public in ear protection before they swiftly went to get some for me.

I was slightly disappointed when they reappeared not with a pair of chunky, industrial earphones but actually a small packet of ear plugs.

I rolled them up and stuck them in my ears good and proper. I then kept them in for most of the night and the struggle to interact and follow conversation was really quite and odd and awkward experience. I was told I wasn't speaking loudly enough and a girl who tried to chat to me in the loos gave me an odd look when I replied to her.

I felt quite trapped in trying to have one to one conversations as I had to focus on them so much and couldn't enjoy tuning in to the surrounding chatter and be distracted/listen out for better discussions happening around me.

I misses jokes, felt boring and couldn't engage with people as I normally would have. It's given me more insight into what it may be like to have a hearing problem and yet I still had quite a lot of hearing.

Day 73. Homage 2:Learnt a word in Arabic

Today I am continuing the theme of copycat activity for my first and borrowing Jane Pitt's pledge for the day which is "to learn one new word in arabic".

I liked this first as I have been listening to some native speakers lately and would quite like to be able to join in...every journey begins with a step and all that jazz so perhaps this one word will lead to many more and I'll be fluent in no time...

So my word for today (well, it's actually more of a phrase chosen because I like the sentiment and the way it matches my 100 days pledge) in Arabic is:

in phonetic spelling: marr-rah-sa-llama
meaning "Go without fear"

I'm going to test out the pronunciation for accuracy soon...

Day 72. Completed a 100 days homage

I'm excited and revitalised by this new challenge of Josie's. I was starting to lull a bit in my enthusiasm for firsts, feeling the pressure of only 30 left to do and lots more biggies to conquer with little energy or funds.

I like this idea of plagiarising others though. So this week I'll be seeking to do for the first time other people's pledges and see where it takes me.

Today, to start with, I'm tackling one that I've really enjoyed: The Facebook Cull. I have recently had a big cull anyway so finding a suitable person to cull has been tricky but here goes. I've certainly not been so analytical in my facebook culling before today.

Katy Measures

HOW DO I KNOW THEM:
Katy was a fellow volunteer with me when I worked at Edinburgh Fringe over two years ago. We bonded together in a trio with another girl after realising that we were 3 vaguely normal and lovely people in a sea of oddballs. We shared a flat and lots of fun nights out and all the bonding fun a month of Edinburgh has to offer.

WHY ARE THEY MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK:
After spending almost solid 3 weeks together, working, (not resting) and playing, I was happy to accept Katy's friendship online and it meant we could share many photos taken. I wanted to keep in touch and see how she got on with starting her art student career. And keep up to date with her fugelhorn playing antics.
After Edinburgh my facebook friends tripled with all the team quite heavily into facebook. Katy was one of the view who has lasted this long.


WHY AM I DELETING THEM:
I've not sent Katy any messages in over a year and so unless we were both planning to volunteer with the venue again I see little point in boring her with my day to day lack of updates etc. We don't have link now except for the memories of a fun summer.

HOW DOES THIS DELETION MAKE ME A BETTER PERSON:
Hmmmm, I'm not so sure. Perhaps it makes me not cling to the past? Although seeing her face did remind me of an adventurous, brilliant time. Perhaps deleting her has made me more determined to work Fringe again this summer and make new acquaintances?

STATUS AT DELETION:
Katy is huddersfield townin it tonight!!!


ANY HESITATION:

Less so after reading her status- who needs old Edinburgh buddies when you've got an active Northern social life worthy of so much exclamation? plus she has over 800 facebook friends. She won't miss me.

REAL WORLD ISSUES/AFFECT:
I don't think I'll ever see her again but it may look weird that I deleted her and not Ciara, our mutual Fringe friend.

FINAL WORDS:
Keep blowing that fugelhorn Katy. And never forget Mike and what he did with that toothpaste...

The original and genius project here

Day 71. Cooked celeriac

I cooked a celeriac for the first time.

Once I'd hacked into the strange rooty looking thing, baked it up with lots of stock, creme fraiche and cheese it was transformed into something quite tasty and lovely.


Never judge a vegetable by its cover.

Celeriac dauphinoise recipe available on request.

Day 70. Rude boy rice milk

Today I suckled at the teet of the rice cow for the first time.

Florence Moon introduced me to the joys of rice milk and Rooibos tea. Twas a truly spiritual experience.

Much better than soy milk. Smoky. Sweet. Goodness.

Day 69. Went to Ealing Broadway

Somehow I seem to have skipped a day and am 24 hours behind everyone- can't work out where this went wrong so answers on a postcard please...

Anyway, today is Monday 8 March and I went to Ealing for the first time.

I haven't really explored this part of London much before (don't really feel that familiar with the wild west of london) but my old school bus the trusty 65 that I got on daily for however many years listed it's final destination as Ealing Broadway. Lots of my hockey sticks and PE kits probably ended up there yet I had not been.

Today, on a snowy day off from work, I ventured there and discovered that it has many of the same shops as Kingston, people who like parkas and is not a good place to keep hold of gloves.

I lost mine which was rather sad. Perhaps someone can photograph one for this project though and that will make me a little happier.

I also visited someone's house for the first time and met several people for the first time whilst there so ticked off some more firsts today.

Day 68. Took afternoon tea in a hotel

On Sunday I had traditional afternoon tea for the first time.

Well, I've had plenty of tea parties and more than my fair share of cake before but this was the first time I've done it properly. It was at Atheneum Hotel and it was lovely to be treated to the works as I caught up with old girly friends.

I have to admit it is a rather decadent and pricey way of basically making yourself feel sick but for a special occasion a lovely thing to do.

In true hungry caterpillar style, here is what I consumed:

1 glass of champagne
6 cups of Earl Grey tea
9 finger sandwiches (smoked salmon and cucumber ones my favourites)
2 scones and jam with clotted cream
1 piece of chocolate cake
1 strawberry and mascarpone slice
1 crumpet with honey

I shan't be indulging my sweet teeth in a while...ooo for at least a good 24 hours I'd say

I

Day 67. Explored St John's, Waterloo

I have passed this church thousands of times as I come out of Waterloo station but never explored inside or discovered its peaceful grounds before.

I took up the invitation for a cup of tea with the vicar there to explore the crypt and discovered lots of interesting things lie within its doors. I particularly liked the mosaic workshop and the mosaic covered sculptures to be found in little labyrinths within its gardens. Come spring it'll be a good place to go and eat lunch in my breaks. It feels surprisinly tranquil despite being right next to the busy Imax roundabout.

I found out it was refurbished to coincide with 1951 Festival of Britain on the Southbank.

I liked the inspiring quote on the side of the church wall:
"All may have if they dare try and glorious life and grave."

Day 66. Saw United Vibrations play

Today I heard a band United Vibrations play for the first time.

I liked their music- a very danceable, joyful mixture of Afrobeat,drum and bass, hip hop and other things called 12 tone dance. I particularly enjoyed their vocals and raw sound.

Very friendly people too.

The gig was attended by an interesting young crowd. I'll be checking them out again when they play in Hackney.

Check them out: www.myspace.com/unitedvibrations

Day 65. Went to Tournament of Tease

Tonight I attended the Tournament of Tease for the first time at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club.

This is a night I've been meaning to go to for ages and I enjoyed an inspiring evening of comedy, performance and song (oh and some lovely naked breasts thrown in too just for a bonus).

Shirley Windmill and her allotment inspired act was delightful and a real joy to watch from start to finish. I want to see alot more of her (ahem). Top marks for her strategically placed rosettes and homemade marrow prop. A very
deserved first place.

I am inspired to attend a burlesque class for the first time....

Day 64. Watched a 3D film

Today I went to the cinema and watched a film in 3D for the first time.

I was persuaded to go to watch Avatar to see what all the hype was about. To my disdain, the visuals sucked me in and I was wowed at the pure aesthetic appeal of the landscapes but after a while the plot bored me.

I didn't think that CGI could suspend my belief so effectively and so for all the faults with the plot and all else I did enjoy it on the level of pure spectacle and appreciation of the technology and work that went into the artwork.

Day 63. Tried pickled walnuts

Today I ate a pickled walnut for the first time.

It took me a while to identify the flavour.

It's just a big chunk of Branston's pickle.

Day 61. Tried Jagermeister and ate Ukrainian treats

I realised that I skipped a day by mistake. So Day 61 (Saturday)coming up, out of order.

On Saturday I met a group of new people and whilst I was a bit nervous about meeting these new people, I had lots of fun and several firsts.

I tried Jagermeister for the time. It was medicinally tasty goodness.
I ate Ukrainian spicy tomatoes, bread and meat for the first time. All equally yummy.
I nibbled a strangers toes for the first time, as part of a teenage-like game.

Day 62. Cooked a full Sunday roast

On Sunday (I'm a traditionalist) I cooked a roast dinner for the first time ever.

How I've escaped this for so long I don't know but whilst I've helped and 'supervised' with many a roasted feast before, this was the first time I took charge.

Potatoes, parsnips, a juicy chicken, stuffing with mushrooms, greens beans, garlic carrots and yorkshire puddings, pigs in blanket. All by myself. Shared with 4 good friends.

Plus I taught my nominated sous chef for the day to make cauliflower cheese and then got a teeny bit of help with the gravy and spiced cabbage to add a little extra.

I did manage to set 2 tea towels on fire in the process which was a bit of a scary moment for all present but apart from that I was rather pleased with my first attempt. The roasted potato scares me no more. I have conquered Mr. Potato head at last.

Day 60. Head over heels...

Gosh- Day 60 already! Only 40 more to go...yet so many more on my list to tackle. I'm realising more and more that whilst there are some things that I have to make myself do for the first time and cross off my list, there are many firsts which are stumbled upon, which invite me to undertake them organically and that I just have to keep my eyes and ears open to looking out for firsts each day and they have started to present themselves more and more.

The unexpected ones that I couldn't have imagined to set out to do- the surprises- are often the most fun ones.

Today, in keeping with the love theme of this week, I did something for the first time to express my feelings for someone I like. I can't say what though as that would be telling and spoil it really. I might be able to share later.

So the thing I did for the first time today that I can share is that I used a cobblers for the first time. I got my new boots re-heeled and it is revolutionary! Up to now I've owned lots of pairs of vintage shoes that I've ground down so much that I've walked around wonkily for months like a pirate. Now I've seen the light and realise my feet need suffer no more. A little first but a practical one.

Day 58. Wrote a piece of erotic fiction

I attempted to write erotic fiction for the first time, as part of love week.

It is very much a work in progress. I recently discovered the erotica section in Hackney Library (signing up for a card there recently was another exciting first)and so have enjoyed reading various short stories lately. Realising that they vary from the shockingly hackneyed (no pun intended) to the actually quite arousing, I thought I'd give it a go myself.

It turns out that avoiding cliches to describe body parts is actually rather more difficult than I first imagined and so I am not yet ready to share my attempts but perhaps I'll be the next big name in erotica yet with a little more practice...now what should my pseudonym be? Crimson Rose? Stella Abattoir?

Day 57. Decided to put my love of red to good use

Today I applied to be part of British Heart Foundation's 'Wear Red Day 2010' campaign.

I've been thinking of how I can link my firsts into the LOVE theme and so googled 'heart' and it led me to the BHF's website. Heart disease is a cause close to my heart, as several people close to me have suffered from heart attacks and it's definitely a cause worth supporting and raising awareness for.

I've discovered that February is National Heart Month and today I applied for a kit to help me join in National Wear Red Day on Feb 26th. If anyone else would like to link in their 100days activity to this on that day then that could be good!

I love red- alot- and wear it most days anyway so the thought of encouraging others to get involved in doing so makes me happy. I think I'm going to sell red heart cookies at work and maybe have a red-themed party that evening to try and raise some money and awareness for the cause.

More info about the campaign here.

Day 56. Texted my dad with love...and scared him

Today I thought I'd get going with the love theme and so sent my dad a text saying 'Love you Dad x' for the first time.

I text my mum this quite often and tell her that I love her when I'm feeling appreciative or just a bit soppy. I realised that I've not texted my dad this before (or told him in person since I was a child) so not quite having the courage to ring him I sent him a text message. We were out of touch with each other for a while but now we're getting closer again and so I thought it would be a nice thing to do.

I didn't expect the reaction though. As soon as I'd sent the message my phone rang. It was my dad. I was suddenly too shy to pick it up. So I let it ring.

Then the house phone rang. And rang. And rang. I didn't pick up. Then my mobile again. My dad left a voicemail message saying to ring him.

I haven't rung him back yet and he's worried something is wrong with me. I've texted to reassure him I'm all fine and he texted back that he loves me too. I think my text confused and worried him though. He think he thought I was dying/something really bad happened. It's made me realise how I've really not told him that before as an adult.

That's quite sad. I didn't mean to freak him out. I hope one day it can be more normal.

Love firsts/First loves

So this week's theme is LOVE, as decided by Josie Long. I like her thinking. It is only 3 weeks until Valentine's Day I suppose and there can never be too much love in the world.

So far, it may seem that I haven't done a very good job of keeping up with this task but that's because when it comes to love related and romantic matters I can be a bit shy, private and cagey and so declaring and describing on here any truly love related firsts could be a bit tricky.

I'll give it my best shot though...and for example whilst going to the Geffrye Museum yesterday may seem very unlinked to love, I went along with someone who is rather lovely so perhaps I can consider taking up this task after all...

I shall try to make the next few firsts as LOVE themed as possible (and disclose those which I can!)

Day 55. Visited The Geffrye Museum

Today I went inside The Geffrye Museum for the first time.

It's a museum of interiors and the home that I've been past many times but never been in so passing by after a lovely Sunday of exploration and walking, I ventured in. I was a bit disappointed in that it is actually rather dull in terms of the way that it's curated. Attempts at interactivity and interpretation seemed rather pointless (such as a panel with bits of fabric through the ages to touch and handsets playing dialogue). The rooms that had been constructed seemed not quite authentic enough and presented without imagination that I would've hoped for. It all seemed a little too safe and clinical which was a shame.

The design of the building inside, with the modern staircase and pod built within such an old frame, was quite striking though and the temporary exhibition space worth keeping an eye on- had some nice eco friendly home products but most shops display them better than they were here.

Day 54. Ate cinnamon cream

I was lucky enough to enjoy cinnamon cream for the first time as part of the most delicious Indian meal I've had.

The day before I'd had a disappointingly bland meal at a Brick Lane restaurant and so it was a lovely surprise to be able to share in the yummiest Indian feast I've had before at the end of a long day at work.

The feast was cooked by one of the artists that I spoke about in the previous post and a group of young people, it was full of flavour and better than anything I've had at restaurants (even better than Mumtaz in Bradford I think I dare say). I would've been happy to pay lots for it but enjoying it for free was a special treat.

Homemade samosas, lemon rice, many different chicken dishes perfectly spiced, yoghurt, chutneys, lots of lots of succulent paneer, lentilly goodness. All served on a leaf and with love.

Plus rounded off by the new discovery of cinnamon cream (something I will definitely be making now) with rice pudding and mango puree. YUMMY.

Day 53. Took part in an improvised performance

On Friday, I took part in an improvised music and spoken word performance for the first time.

It was a large group of artists who I had the pleasure of working alongside over the past two weeks during a project called Collision. The improvisation lasted about half an hour and was conducted by Canadian Dave Clark.

I resisted taking part at first (knowing I have no musical let alone improvisation skills) and enjoyed the soundscapes created by the layers of different musicians, instruments and voices involved. When Dave pointed at me and told me to read from a piece of paper into a microphone at the front 'as loudly as I could' I couldn't really say no (though every inch of me was petrified and wanted to stay comfortably in the audience).

I was quaking in my boots as I had to shout into the microphone (and try not to let my voice shake):
'We laughed
We danced
We whistled
And chanted a song'

I had to repeat it over and over, sharing the microphone with someone else pulled from the audience reciting another piece, whilst the piece continued to build and include a clog-dancer, stomping, spoken word and poetry, percussion, ukelele solos, singing, marimba, folk and whispers.

I enjoyed allowing myself to be swept along with it and becoming less self-conscience as my voice became part of the piece and I became part of the group performing and going on a journey where none of us knew the destination.

I was thankful to be able to pull myself away and sit back again though. But it meant when I had to get on the mic later that day to do a simple intro I wasn't quite as normal as I would've been.

A film giving a flavour of the project, who was involved and some of the performance can be found here.

Day 52. Embroidered a vagina

Can you tell what it is yet? Yes, that's right. I embroidered a vagina (unsurprisingly for the first time)the other day.

I joined the very lovely people of Craftivist Collective in a workshop to handcraft my very own fabric masterpiece, assisted by Shoreditch Sisters and their brilliant campaign to create an exhibition of beautiful lady-garden inspired artworks to promote the issue of female genital mutilation.

It's a fantastic campaign and I met some great people in the group.

I've still got work to do on mine but check out the photo for where I got up to. And no, we didn't have a real life model to work from...just our memories and imaginations!

A unique and enjoyable way to spend an evening indeed.