Community - Is it such a good thing?

As I said, I've been lying in bed dying (okay, slight exaggeration, I had a virus) all week, and without even the energy to turn over and find the remote, I found myself watching anything that came on the channel that I was on. And to be honest, it wasn't a bad move, (it wasn't a move at all actually ;)) as I found some really interesting things about the idea of community from right where I was.

Now everyone knows daytime television isn't the greatest of entertainment, but there is some pretty decent things to watch. Things like GMTV, This Morning etc are both factual and entertaining, but what they exceed at is grasping very different and controversial topics that highlight certain communities around Britain. This actually brings their regular and wide community of viewers together, learning and sharing stories. Then, at times like these, they choose a deserving charity and raise money with the help of the viewers, e.g. this year This Morning built a Day Centre for the local pensioners for Christmas. Very heartwarming Television. 

This type of community is a bit different to the communities we have been discussing in class, as this isn't a community that know each other, talk to each other and share mugs of sugar. This community come together between 10:30 and 12:30 every morning to watch their much loved presenters and feel good or perhaps forget about the fact that they are not at 9 to 5 jobs just for that day or for everyday of the year. Because for them two hours, they are part of a community of viewers who enjoy good entertainment, gaining information about recent topics and enter lots and lots and lots and lots of money competitions. All in the comfort of their own home. Or in their bed, like me.

Just a random different view on community there!

Things about real life communities also pop up all the time on TV, and as you can imagine, it is found mainly in the news. But without dwelling on them, I found I noticed a few things on other factual programmes that looked deeper into crimes and police work. 

For example, I watched a documentary about the murder of Jamie Bulger and when the boy's murderers of the little boy were being taken to court, there were riots and people trying to break the doors down to get to them. The police commented, "There is a strong community within Liverpool which is great for support for Jamie's family, but not good in times like this." Seems like the word community brings so many positive connotations, sometimes dismissing that there are just as many negative. 

Similarly, with police programmes focusing on football hooligans, they are a big community supporting one team, but there will always be an apposing team's fan club to fight with. 

We can all think of 'bad' groups or gangs of people, but aren't these people just passionate about their communities that they are within? Or do they use these sort of instances as an excuse for their actions?

Ahh you big big scary blog.. I've written you!!

Before I start I must apologise for any gibberish that I may write this week, I've been stuck in bed all week with only Jeremy Kyle and the Loose Women to keep my company. I cannot therefore excuse any foul language, rubbish debates or the odd talking-to-myself moment.

I think I've finally got the idea into my head that this blog isn't going to instantly write itself every week. After my essay of a blog in the first couple of weeks, I let myself get a bit comfortable and thought it'd be okay to forget about for a week or so. 

Fast forward however many weeks and there I was dwelling on the fact that I hadn't written anything in a while but still couldn't get my head round why I still wasn't writing anything. Then we had a pep talk with Mark and Molly last week and Mark spelled it out for me.. I was scared. For this light enjoyable exercise has turned into this big bulging dissertation of work (in my head) and for some reason I have literally run for the hills.

I think I was too busy seeing the blog as a polished bit of work rather than a 'scrapbook of ideas' for the semester to come. I do have my fears and weaknesses within this subject, but as usual have some form of fear towards telling people so, hoping they don't notice. But it may be getting to a time now where I should be speaking about these things, as well as any random stuff that comes in and out of daily life too, community or no community.. anything to get me writing!!

My worries are involved in random parts of the course, I worry initially that i just don't know enough within Drama as I haven't very involved within the practical side of things at university, (although at school I was the total opposite), and therefore I don't want this to have a knock-on effect to what I do at the Mulberry Centre. The worst thing I feel I could do is not do them and the performance justice mainly because of an amateur production. I feel out of touch to put it simply. Any words of advice from anyone would be much appreciated! Even any suggestions as to productions to watch in on etc would be a help.

Speaking of help, I think its about time we all got talking within this blogging community and make it just that. Perhaps just a few comments could make us all a bit more confident to keep on typing.