Memo....

'Curtain up, light the lights

We got nothing to hit but the heights....'

This is my lighting desk. No. No. No! This is not my lighting desk. This is the lighting desk which I found myself in charge of for the recent Young Farmers' production. Lighting desk and I had only got to know each other 2 days previously. We are strangers, still in the exploratory stage of our relationship. I slide my fingers over Lighting Desk's box-fresh controls and Lighting Desk responds with spots, washes and filters. I am hesitant and confused - left is right and right is left. Thank goodness Lighting Desk doesn't want me to play with its computer programme too. I'm a straightforward sort of gal - I don't do kinky - can just about manage the switch for the 'big light' in our sitting room....

I had an artist's palette of lights to play with here; such potential. That I really didn't know how to work it plus the pressure of a production at very short notice added to my angst. I'm quite touched that somebody thought it within my capabilities but on reflection now realise that I have become by default the person that 'does the lights'.  I've been up the scary high ladder and adjusted the lights. I know which slider relates to which spot. I can plug things in and wind wires up with un-natural confidence. I have the DVD of the computer programme...In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king. Oh dear.

.....note to self: always go to meetings where tasks are allocated.