Chatting in a train

On the train towards Edinburgh, at some time, she came in, going on a weekend of walking alone in an Island.

In perhaps, an hour, we learned a lot about each other.

I had three young interesting women around me, two going to the festival, this one to walk along the shore, alone.

Each for holiday, just for a few days, and with all three a great contact. But finally I learned more about her.

The naked presenter

The naked presenter by Garr Reinolds, a book about how to present before public, staying, somehow like in a Japonaise commun bath, "naked" open, vulnerable to communicate more effectively, with more power.

Allowing yourself to be exposed.

Expressing freely, washing away before all it is not necessary, nothing letting come between the audience and the presenter.

Removing the walls and barriers. Confident yet vulnerable and flexible.

So much noise this days about "naked" - so what?

First, it depends on the culture. Then, in my opinion we are the same, clothed or not. It is no such big deal!

Manchester True Tales

Here in Manchester at Grant's True Tales before the tellings with Peter from America.

He was now the organizer of most of the "how to" in Edinburgh.

There is a new group True Tales on Facebook and I just received this:

"Анастасия Сотникова Thank you very much to you, Mrs.Kertiz! Your story tald 2 years ago in Manchester was the one who inspired all Russian Grant's PR team and better then any other presentations explained the concept, the spirit and the values of the project ♥

Well, my name is not precisely spelled but I was really stunned by this wonderful homage.

We can be proud of London

Well, not London itself, but all those Londoners who worked to make the Games and transport smooth.

"During the Games, the Tube carried over 60 million passengers, an increase of 30 per cent compared to last year; that’s more passengers than at any time in our 149 year history. The DLR carried over 6 million passengers, an increase of over 100 per cent compared to last year and London Overground carried almost 6 million passengers, an increase of 47 per cent compared to last year. Again, that’s more passengers than ever before. Traffic on our roads kept flowing and buses coped well."

Send to me by Transport to London, who did give each day - to those who requested - infos about travelling. 

Here I am with two of those unsong heroes who day by day went to smooth our travel and life.

Madame Pompadour arrives to Edinburgh

It is not the Queen, it is Mme Pompadour arriving near the, closed to circulation, High Street in Edinburgh.

It was an impressive arrival!

Magnificent horse, and costume for the actress so pleased to pose. And a great publicity for the show. I took also some of her pictures and a few different of the horse, too.

Now home in London, and ready to go for other adventures, but so much more to tell about my week in Ed!

Making memories at Charing Cross Station

I did not realise the "funky pigeos" and would like a lot to know what it means and why it is in the Charing Cross station, but it seems funny as a background.

Back to London, back to Olympic games and to exchange words and photos with those who think "these are exceptional times, let us make memories!"

The new telephones one of them had send me instant email with this photo : one told how to the other did it, that was a real teamwork.

"Would you also pose with us? We will put it in the station to remember the Olympic games and those we met at this very special occasion!" 


I had to go to an important meeting, but what a joy to meet this three in the station!

On the streets of Edinburgh Fringe

Reflections

Our true stories are somehow like this trees reflected in the Paris' St. Martin Canal.

True trees, true memories. Somewhat blurred. Crafted. Rewritten to reflect even better how we feel, now, what happened, then.

A tree, this tree, tried to tell me my mother, when I was 12 perhaps, it all depends... I did not believe her! This chestnut tree in this park, is solid and old, and gives chestnuts - as every year. How can it be different?

The past changes, I read in a book ten years ago. It is not true! How can what happened in the past change? I told myself.

It all depends, what light falls on it, told Stendhall, long ago. It depends? Why?

Until I begun to craft stories. True stories, to tell.

Then I begun to understand.

Then I understood all.

Perhaps the past events can not be changed, but how we look at them, how we feel about them, makes a huge difference! And then, the chestnut tree becomes your childhood tree, either where you crashed as you drove first your bike not knowing yet how to stop, or the tree under which someone hold you dear.

Is it the same tree?

Is it the same park?

The memory plays with us, but we also play with it, while we tell true stories of our life. The light we colour it different, from each tale and each telling and audience. Sadder, more joyful or playfully.

Each story is connected to our life. And to the life of others too. My grand great mothers stories, my grandmothers diaries, my fathers tales live in me like I was there, myself.

On the Fringe street - enjoying the show

On the streets, in the clubs, so many shows, so much to enjoy for all!

Today, comedy after the true tale event for me. For the first time, two shows in one day!

Tomorrow, I was invited to a Toastmasters meeting, 'back in family' before I leave Edinburgh.

Opening True tales, first day

How come I did not write so many days?

Preparing the next speech, learning the more difficult words, walking around, mixing with audience and connecting with those working on the premise, taking photos of people on the streets.

And delivering my True Tale. Different each day, takes time and energy.

Returning home. I will have so much to tell and so many pictures to show and comment!

It will seem as if I have been here a lot longer, as usual, because of it. As usual.

From here to there

My first story told for a big audience happened when I was 10 years,old. Today, I will tell a tale that begins at 13 ( finishing at 43) and this morning I found a wonderful link - and a very true one, between them.

What a joy!

Some mornings are really creative for me!

On the footbridge

Usually, in the summer, the footbridge from Charing Cross, Embarcadere to Royal Festival hall, is full.

Well, as you see, this summer, it is not.

Some photographes and tourists are there but a lot less as usual.

Strange!

Where are all gone?

Everyone expected more people in London during the games, not less!