Sunday, October 22, 2006

More press for Frankenstein's Cat

Article in THE SUN

Just stumbled across this article online which I figure was in today's Sun newspaper. Not a newspaper I'd ordinarily get but might have to ask the newsagent if he can dig out a copy of it tomorrow as I've missed it now. Nice to see the Cat still getting column centimetres! :-D

I've been absent from the blog due to fresh fatherhood once more. Yes, restless nights all over again as we take it in shifts to be deprived of sleep. Wouldn't change it for a thing, mind you. Has been lovely this weekend to have all my kids at home with me, AJ, Evie and Lottie. A happier chap you'd struggle to find.

As things are settling back into order now it's back to work for me this week as the Cat production rolls on, namely with me churning out the designs for episode number 2. All fun stuff.

On a much sadder note, I'm sorry to report that my good friend and mentor Jeanette Crizzle lost her battle against Leukemia on Friday in the early hours. I first met Jeanette when I turned up to do creative writing and illustration workshops with her class of boys at Bedford prep school and her unfailing dedication to her pupils, literature and most significantly her family took my breath away. I've been back to Bedford frequently in the last few years, Jeanette principally being the draw. She leaves behind Adam and her two children, Emily and Nicky. I've agreed to become a patron of the Jeanette Crizzle Trust, hopefully helping to spotlight and raise the profile on the criminally ignored subject of bone marrow donation.

Following on from this awful news, I'd like to direct anyone who hasn't read it to "Harry" by Rosemary Timperley, in my opinion one of the greatest short ghost stories ever written, certainly the saddest. It's there alongside "The Monkey's Paw" for mine. Jeanette directed me to it when we first met and it had a profound effect upon me. Please try and pick it up if you're a fan of chillers/horrors. It can be found in various collections, most notably the Roald Dahl Book of Short Ghost Stories.

"Such ordinary things make me afraid. White roses. Sunlight. Sharp shadows on grass..."

6 comments:

I. N. J. Culbard said...

Sorry to hear about your friend passing. Very sad news indeed. Wonderful however to hear what a tremendous impression she left upon you and, by what you say here, many others, I've no doubt.

The story rings a very loud bell. Shall have to have a root around as I don't recall the title, but the story certainly sounds familiar.

And lastly, "The Sun" calling you production designer?? After all them newspapers and radio shows that called you 'the creator', I'm a touch surprised to see The Sun getting it's facts straight!

Jo Bling said...

Ian, fear not, as you can see in the post I've edited it to include the said story, "Harry". Many many MANY thanks go out to Kim Newman and Gordon Fraser for digging out said information. Hugely appreciated. GO BUY IT!!!

Ian, Jeanette was quite simply a wonderful lady. She leaves a huge whole in the lives of those who knew her, and especially her lovely family. Thanks fella.

As for The Sun, they've still managed to imply I have a series of CAT books. Hey, I'm not gonna correct 'em....

Gordon Fraser said...

ALL IN A DAYS WORK CITIZEN......FAREWELL!!

Andrew Glazebrook said...

Sad to hear about your friend,it's sadder when that person has left an impression on you,when you do things and you remember that person.My old Chief at the Odeon left lasting memories with me,it was sad when he departed for the great projection box in the sky.
A newspaper getting a story wrong,what is the world coming too ? :)

Jo Bling said...

Chaps, many thanks for the kind words. I was talking to INJun about this and it's times like this when you throw a shout out into the big wide virtual beyond to ask for help on something obscure that the internet proves it's worth. In this case it's shown what a wonderful tool it can be. Cheers all.

Jobey, I've been asked to attend an event on Tuesday 7th November at the Baltic, Gateshead, run by NFM. Sounds like a schmoozefest. What night is the Seven Stories thing on? Don't think I could do two nights with Mrs Bling and freshly hatched Blingette in need of my able and hairy assistance.

Alexiev said...

Congratulations...