Oh my goodness, this is all so exciting. I think some of you already know that I will be appearing on stage at the ARC in Stockton on September 22nd. The programme was supposed to be called 'A Moment with Marjorie', but due to an industrial dispute it has been advertised as 'Funny Haha, Funny Peculiar'.
While I find this distressing and upsetting, I have decided to keep a stiff upper lip and not complain to the management.
As long as everyone understands that this is really Marjorie Pickering's recital, with support from some nice young men who call themselves King Ink and another young man from Bristol who wears a lot of badges and calls himself Byron Vincent. He claims to have two ears and no club foot, but with a name like that you never can tell what might be missing.
Having also paid another nice young man to make portrait photgraphs of me, I am surprised that they have not appeared in the programme either, another thing I need to remedy.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Sunday 12 June 2011
What a week! I had the great honour and pleasure of appearing at the Leazes Fringe edition of Jibba Jabba and a few days later at Pink Lane - two shows in a week!
At Jibba Jabba, Jennifer was looking particularly perky as it was a kind of anniversary for her and Steven. Unfortunately someone who will remain nameless, since almost everyone knows who it was, managed to offer me a glass of vodka and cranberry - all down my left side. I had to spend the whole evening feeling damp and sticky, not pleasant at all.
Pink Lane on Thursday was most exciting. Of course I had to come later in the evening as Amina appeared in the first segment of the show. Actually I was glad I missed her performance as I understand she did some quite unsuitable material. People may have been amused, but I still think it sounds as if she disgraced herself. I may have to seriously reconsider our friendship.
But as you will see from the photograph, I am having to carry my telephone around at the moment. Jack has gone missing. I mean a lot more missing than usual. A few days ago there was a strange phone call saying that L. Grando was holding Jack and that he proposed removing some of his cahonies (if I understoon it correctly). Following that I received two small round softish objects in a bag and am afraid they may be Jack's. The strangely phrased note accompanying them suggested that I could have him back if I pay a rather large sum of money. It's is all rather worrying - and of course I am not supposed to tell anyone or get the constabulary involved, but this blodge is all between friends, so I don't suppose that counts.
After the way Jack has behaved in the past I am not at all sure I want him back but on the other hand I don't really want too much more harm to come to him.
I had better stop here. The telephone could ring at any time and I have much poetry to compose before my next engagement.
At Jibba Jabba, Jennifer was looking particularly perky as it was a kind of anniversary for her and Steven. Unfortunately someone who will remain nameless, since almost everyone knows who it was, managed to offer me a glass of vodka and cranberry - all down my left side. I had to spend the whole evening feeling damp and sticky, not pleasant at all.
But as you will see from the photograph, I am having to carry my telephone around at the moment. Jack has gone missing. I mean a lot more missing than usual. A few days ago there was a strange phone call saying that L. Grando was holding Jack and that he proposed removing some of his cahonies (if I understoon it correctly). Following that I received two small round softish objects in a bag and am afraid they may be Jack's. The strangely phrased note accompanying them suggested that I could have him back if I pay a rather large sum of money. It's is all rather worrying - and of course I am not supposed to tell anyone or get the constabulary involved, but this blodge is all between friends, so I don't suppose that counts.
After the way Jack has behaved in the past I am not at all sure I want him back but on the other hand I don't really want too much more harm to come to him.
I had better stop here. The telephone could ring at any time and I have much poetry to compose before my next engagement.
Sunday 29 May 2011
Goodness gracious! I can hardly believe that I haven't written in my blodge since March. It's true I have not been on the performance circuit for a few weeks. An artist needs to withdraw from time to time to get in touch with the Muse again. I also had to speak to the press about the misinformation they were spreading about my appearance at the Edinburgh Festival. This was a complete fabrication and I am thinking of taking out a super-conjunction or sewing someone.
I have been most honored to hear from the Oxford Dictionary of Poetic Quotations that they plan to use some of my most memorable lines in their next edition. In addition to that I am in negotiation with the Goldfish Society of America about the possibility of giving a recitation at their next Annual General Meeting. Practical Fishkeeping Magazine may also publish one or two of my poems in a future issue.
My many fans may be happy to hear that I will be appearing at Trent House on 5th June as part of the Leazes Fringe and again on 9th June at Pink Lane. That will be very exciting - my good friend and agent, Amina is appearing on the same bill! I haven't heard her perform for a very long time - she seems to be using all sorts of strange modern technology which I don't begin to understand but it keeps her in a good temper, so I suppose that's a Good Thing.
Amina thinks this is funny
Goldfish 1: Hey, look at that castle!
Goldfish 2: What's a castle?
Goldfish 1: I don't know, why d'you ask?
Goldfish 2: Ask what?
Goldfish 1: Hey, look at that castle!
- personally I find it quite insulting and politically incorrect. I will ask Avaaz to start a petition and take the matter to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Goldfish.
Well, enough of my little grumbles - hope to see you next week at Trent House and Pink Lane.
I have been most honored to hear from the Oxford Dictionary of Poetic Quotations that they plan to use some of my most memorable lines in their next edition. In addition to that I am in negotiation with the Goldfish Society of America about the possibility of giving a recitation at their next Annual General Meeting. Practical Fishkeeping Magazine may also publish one or two of my poems in a future issue.
My many fans may be happy to hear that I will be appearing at Trent House on 5th June as part of the Leazes Fringe and again on 9th June at Pink Lane. That will be very exciting - my good friend and agent, Amina is appearing on the same bill! I haven't heard her perform for a very long time - she seems to be using all sorts of strange modern technology which I don't begin to understand but it keeps her in a good temper, so I suppose that's a Good Thing.
Amina thinks this is funny
Goldfish 1: Hey, look at that castle!
Goldfish 2: What's a castle?
Goldfish 1: I don't know, why d'you ask?
Goldfish 2: Ask what?
Goldfish 1: Hey, look at that castle!
- personally I find it quite insulting and politically incorrect. I will ask Avaaz to start a petition and take the matter to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Goldfish.
Well, enough of my little grumbles - hope to see you next week at Trent House and Pink Lane.
Tuesday 29 March 2011
'Rave Reviews'
Goodness, me, it has been a jolly month! In the end Amina couldn't make it to Radikal Words at the Tyneside Cinema, so I stepped in so as not to let that nice Jeffrey Price down.
The audience were quite appreciative which was nice as I had written some new poems specially for the occasion - a trionelle and a villanette. The latter was rather difficult, so I patterned it somewhat on a poem by Dylan Thomas. I am sticking to what I know - writing mainly about Jimmy the goldfish and Herbert, my cat, but at the same time I am exploring life's eternal verities.
The women's night at the Cumberland Arms was also most enjoyable, although the audience there was really rather rowdy - quite a different class of people. It is quite hard to get them to settle down and listen - they behave a little like school children. Nonetheless I had splendid reviews, one of which I am putting here.
Howls of laughter and tumultuous applause greeted the poetry reading of
Marjorie Pickering at the Cumberland Arms last night.
The variety of poetic forms she uses and the deep simplicity of her
subjects - life, death, love and goldfish are impressive.
Her audience were heard to remark 'I bloody wet meself' and 'Eeeeeeeee I was
fair crying' and 'Marjorie, you HAVE to write more Haiku'.
Marjorie herself said later, 'The audience were very unruly. They will
keep giggling when I'm trying to read. But they do seem to like my work'.
Rumours that she has been invited to have a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Festival are unconfirmed.
The audience were quite appreciative which was nice as I had written some new poems specially for the occasion - a trionelle and a villanette. The latter was rather difficult, so I patterned it somewhat on a poem by Dylan Thomas. I am sticking to what I know - writing mainly about Jimmy the goldfish and Herbert, my cat, but at the same time I am exploring life's eternal verities.
The women's night at the Cumberland Arms was also most enjoyable, although the audience there was really rather rowdy - quite a different class of people. It is quite hard to get them to settle down and listen - they behave a little like school children. Nonetheless I had splendid reviews, one of which I am putting here.
Howls of laughter and tumultuous applause greeted the poetry reading of
Marjorie Pickering at the Cumberland Arms last night.
The variety of poetic forms she uses and the deep simplicity of her
subjects - life, death, love and goldfish are impressive.
Her audience were heard to remark 'I bloody wet meself' and 'Eeeeeeeee I was
fair crying' and 'Marjorie, you HAVE to write more Haiku'.
Marjorie herself said later, 'The audience were very unruly. They will
keep giggling when I'm trying to read. But they do seem to like my work'.
Rumours that she has been invited to have a one-woman show at the Edinburgh Festival are unconfirmed.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Time is Marching on
How droll.... Marching on - it's March. Yes, of course you understood that. Well it's a busy month because last week there were all kinds of celebrations for International Women's Day. I suppose I could think of myself as an International woman since I have lived abroad for nearly half my life.
But this month there are all kinds of poetry events - Amina has been invited to take part in Radikal Words at the Tyneside Cinema tomorrow. I hope she makes it - she has been a little sad just recently. But I suppose it will blow over.
I am taking part in the Women's special Take Ten at the Cumberland Arms on March 24, which is really jolly exciting. Originally they had invited Amina, but - and I'm a little hestiant to say this, after hearing me at a workshop Poetry Jack insisted that I come myself.
Of course Amina was a bit hurt, but what can I do if my genius begins to shine through? Golly, I hope I don't sound conceited - I certainly don't mean to be. After all, I am but a beginner on life's poetic path and have so much to learn.
I was happy to hear some nice people from Scotland praising my hero William McGonagall on Facebook last week. They said he was one of the original stand-up poets, which I suppose he was, if you don't count people who wrote in Latin or Greek - or Sanskrit... or Chinese...
But this month there are all kinds of poetry events - Amina has been invited to take part in Radikal Words at the Tyneside Cinema tomorrow. I hope she makes it - she has been a little sad just recently. But I suppose it will blow over.
I am taking part in the Women's special Take Ten at the Cumberland Arms on March 24, which is really jolly exciting. Originally they had invited Amina, but - and I'm a little hestiant to say this, after hearing me at a workshop Poetry Jack insisted that I come myself.
Of course Amina was a bit hurt, but what can I do if my genius begins to shine through? Golly, I hope I don't sound conceited - I certainly don't mean to be. After all, I am but a beginner on life's poetic path and have so much to learn.
I was happy to hear some nice people from Scotland praising my hero William McGonagall on Facebook last week. They said he was one of the original stand-up poets, which I suppose he was, if you don't count people who wrote in Latin or Greek - or Sanskrit... or Chinese...
Saturday 19 February 2011
Out and About
Well, what a jolly month we are having. Of course, you know February is LGBT History month - delightful that there is so much choice these days. It wasn't that way when I was a gel - I mean some people were that way, but we didn't actually talk about it.
I had a surprise appearance at the comedy night at Trent House at the beginning of the month. Well, it was quite a surprise to me as I thought I was supposed to be part of a string quartet playing at the Sage, but ended up all by myself at the Trent. Never mind, we had lots of fun and I think I even made some new fans.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm off to Scratch Club 2 where artists gather to rehearse new work and get feedback from their fellows rather than from the microphones. I didn't manage to go to the first one as my alter-ego decided she was going, but this time it's my turn.
Jimmy, my dear goldfish (photo on previous entry) is doing well after suffering a cold and a touch of fin-cramp. Thank goodness for homeopathic medicine!
Well I must dash off and pen another masterpiece in time for tomorrow. - Oh, I have been invited to take part in a local radio show called Celestial Navigation, which is frightfully exciting. No date set yet, but I'll let you know.
Cheery Bye!
I had a surprise appearance at the comedy night at Trent House at the beginning of the month. Well, it was quite a surprise to me as I thought I was supposed to be part of a string quartet playing at the Sage, but ended up all by myself at the Trent. Never mind, we had lots of fun and I think I even made some new fans.
Anyway, tomorrow I'm off to Scratch Club 2 where artists gather to rehearse new work and get feedback from their fellows rather than from the microphones. I didn't manage to go to the first one as my alter-ego decided she was going, but this time it's my turn.
Jimmy, my dear goldfish (photo on previous entry) is doing well after suffering a cold and a touch of fin-cramp. Thank goodness for homeopathic medicine!
Well I must dash off and pen another masterpiece in time for tomorrow. - Oh, I have been invited to take part in a local radio show called Celestial Navigation, which is frightfully exciting. No date set yet, but I'll let you know.
Cheery Bye!
Sunday 30 January 2011
Hello, I'm Marjorie
Hello everyone, I'm Marjorie Pickering. Last year I came back to England after living in Amsterdam for rather a long time. My husband Jack was working there. I'm not sure exactly what he does as it's sort of classified. I mean, that's the way he describes it. 
Anyway, while we lived in Amsterdam I was on my own quite a lot, so I took a number of evening classses - Madrigal singing, Medieval History, Yoga, Pottery and Creative Writing. It was this last class that launched me on my career as a poet.
We were always told to write about what we know so I started out writing, mainly about my little cat Herbert and Jimmy the Goldfish.
this is Jimmy. Herbert was hiding somewhere. Maybe I will be able to show you a photo of him later.
Here are my first two ever poems:
My Little Cat Herbert
Oh Herbert, how furry you are
I wish you hadn't got squashed by a car
Dear Herbert, how furry you were
How sad you don't purr
any murr (more)
Jimmy the Goldfish
Splish, splash I see you swim
My lovely, shiny, fishy Jim.
What a pity I introduced you to Herbert.
Well, that is quite a long time ago now - I have written lots and lots more poems since then. Now that I live in England I have been able to sign up for writing courses at the William MacGonagall School of Poetry and even perform on stage sometimes! I like to experiment with different forms, from Haiku to Sonnet, Villanelle and many more.
I will share more of my poems in the next blog and I hope I will build up what they call a 'fan base' and get even more people coming to my poetry readings.
It's all frightfully jolly!
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