Wow, time has flown this year. Maybe it's just me getting older, but I suppose when you're busy, time passes quicker.

I've had a varied year so far, and I'd love it to continue being so varied. Variety is the spice of life! Looking forward to working with several people on the cre8NET workshops, maybe learn a few things as well as passing on my own ideas.

Working on a new video to upload onto here, as well as bravely subjecting myself to a photoshoot; again, the results will be posted on here.

Spent a great afternoon yesterday with Leeka on Kulture Klub at 6-towns radio, shamelessly promoting myself to anyone who'd listen.

In the meantime, searching for new avenues for work, new collaborations with other artists, new challenges to meet and generally being very happy.

Take care and God bless

Alan :)

... but I've been away, working in sunny Cleethorpes then up in Middlesbrough. Lovely jobs, great kids, fantastic staff .... have I told you just what a great job I have?

Sadly came back with tonsillitis and a heavy cold, but a small price to pay for being so lucky to do what I do, instead of working for a living!

Now I need some more work for later in the year, so I'm offering a special deal.

NO PRICE RISE for 2012/2013

I managed to keep my prices the same for 3 years till September 2011, now I'm promising the same deal for next year. There's no point being greedy when there's so little in the pot.

Contact me - I'm worth it!

Take care and God bless

Alan

Had a great time at the DatFest 2012 event, organised by B Arts, this weekend at the Mitchell Memorial Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, as part of the audience (participatory), and then acting with a French company - Association Frères Poussière - in their production of Aubervilliers-on-Trent.

I have some lovely schools lined up for this week and have discovered some incredible Anglo-Saxon knowledge during my research for stories.

Took a phone call from Derbyshire Woodlands Trust earlier and they're wanting me back for their annual festival at Alcester in September, as well as in Buxton for the Queen's Jubilee!

All in all, a very productive few days.

Take care and God bless

Alan

Not working today, which on the one hand is annoying, on the other hand means I don't have to try to slither and slide my way round assorted obstacles, curbs, steps, fallen children and other things I could squash.

It's been a strange week in many ways, but fun all the same. Had a wonderful day on Monday at Blackfriars SEN FE college. we started with simple storytelling, then they made up their own and we designed and created (using fabric crayons), three tepees they can use in class. Excellent artwork and imaginations.

The response of the SEN groups is always enthusiastic and fun. They're such a joy to work with.

Tuesday afternoon I met up with some incredible people at the Donna Louise trust to plan for a couple of future events. The trust looks after life limited children and teenagers and the staff there are just amazing.

The rest of the week has been a bit hit and miss, but means I've been able to catch up on the dreaded paperwork and mail shots.

Let's hope you're not suffering in this cold and you're just as happy as me in your work.

Take care and God bless

Alan