Thursday, May 29, 2003
Actually, I prefer to think of it as visual graffitti. An art form, if you will. Anyway. Don't get me started on Susan's taste in men. Mainly because, obviously, I've got nothing to say on the subject, and she'd only start shouting certain names back at me, and then I'd be forced to tell the world about her and Michael Bolton and...
I've said too much already.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Again, that was nice of Sharon to post up a picture of the man she fancies the most in the whole wide world.
Another weekend, another hen night. That's the last of them for a while though, wedding season is starting up now so instead of spending my cash on posh hotels I get to spend it on stupid dresses which are never again going to see the light of day. For some unknown reason, it took me and Kathryn five hours to drive to Nottingham on Friday (well, it took me 5 hours to drive and it took Kathryn 5 hours of sitting next to me listening to me singing). We left my house at 2.30pm and hadn't even reached Peterborough by 5pm so we stopped for a rest cos we were getting bored and annoyed. We started off again and with Kathryn eyeing up most male drivers on the A1 the time flew by until 7.30pm when, after driving in loops around Nottingham, we finally found the Village hotel in a part of the city that we had never even heard of. As it was 7.30pm we were faced with the dilemma of finding everyone else or having a nice cup of tea and watching Corrie and Eastenders followed by the Big Brother contestants entering the house. Being bad friends we put the kettle on and had a lie down but we were rumbled when we got a call from Sophie asking if we wanted to go down to the bar for a drink. After dithering for a bit Soph decided to pop into our room so we could finalise the plans for embarassing Kate the next night. It was now 8.40pm and Big Brother had started. We had a knock at the door and were horrified when Soph told us that Kate had booked a table in the restaurant for 9pm. I have no idea how, but we went from looking horrific to actually better than we look at the best of times (if I do say so myself) in 20 short minutes.
For some reason we hadn't had much to drink during the day and were feeling fairly deyhdrated so when someone suggested we get numerous bottles of wine for "the table", Me and Kathryn looked at each other and could see exactly where the night was heading... we started drinking it like water which everyone worryingly seemed to think was very much in character and throughout the night between the two of us we consumed approximately 4 bottles of Pinot Grigot. We moved into the lounge area after we had eaten and played a game that Soph and Nicola had devised. 25 questions all about Kate and her past antics. If you got your question wrong you had to do a dare, and if you got it right then Kate had to do a dare, but if Kate did the dare she would win a prize. I couldn't help feeling this was slightly tipped in Kate's favour. I spectacularly managed to get all three of my questions wrong (how I was expected to know which song Kate and Lee were having for their first dance when they didn't know themselves is beyond me). So I had to go and give the night reception man a peck on the cheek, stand up and dance everytime someone said Kate's name and buy Kate a drink (which was my favourite one cos the bar had shut hours previously). It was just before me and Kathryn went up to our room that I noticed that the hotel music was on a continuous loop and included classics such as Michael Bolton "Steel Bars" (my particular favourite), the Beautiful South, Crowded House and other bands that are played as standard on Magic FM. By the time we were to leave the hotel, I would be able to impress everyone by predicting what the next song was going to be.
We woke up numerous times during the night both desperate for water cos we had accidentally forgotten to drink anything other than wine before we went to sleep. At 8.30am we made the bizarre misguided decision to go swimming in the hotel pool. I think we must have still been drunk. So we got our swimming stuff, went to the pool, swam round it three times and then sat in the jaccuzzi for 20 mins before getting out and going to meet the others for breakfast and impressing them with our tales of activity at such an early hour of the morning.
After breakfast we all put on our oldest clothes and trainers and made our way to the quad-biking track as a fleet of 6 cars, most of them half full despite the environmental implications. After turning round about three times we finally found the quad-biking place. It was nothing more than a field just outside Newark (which is an anagram of w*nker) with a dirt track and a portaloo. After putting on overalls and having a team shot around the bikes, we took it in turns to drive round the track with the man following us to make sure we were ok. To start with there was a lot of careful driving but when it was time to split into teams for a relay race things started to get faster. I rode twice for our team cos we were a man short and after being almost a lap behind, Sophie managed to pull back half a lap and it was time for me to jump on for my second go. With no thought for my own personal safety I managed to catch up with Karen and hazardously started trying to get past her just as we came up to a lap to go. We turned the corner onto the long straight and I pushed the accelerator down as far as it would go, held on tightly and managed to get past and heard a yelp as I did so. She was right behind me round all the corners and onto the final straight where I floored it again. Round the final bend and past the chequered flag. We had done it. And until that moment I hadn't realised quite how competitive I could be. I was shaking with excitement and adrenaline when I got off the bike but we were all thrilled. Even though it was only a friendly race. They thought they had us, but we showed them. I am thinking of turning pro. Certainly intend to have another go. Might see if there's anywhere that does it in Edinburgh... hmm.
Once again I seemed to be nominated as social co-ordinator for the Saturday night. I booked us a space at the Pitcher and Piano in Nottingham which is the most beautiful building in Nottingham. An old deconsecrated Unitarian church. It is huge and has massive stained glass windows, a spiral staircase, glass walkway... you'd have to see it to believe it. We had a massive area towards the back with an eating area and also a couple of sofas. It turned out we had our own barman, Adam, who towards the end of the night had surely gone off women forever. For some reason we managed to turn into the old women in the Harry Enfield sketch... "ooh, young man..." we were even taking photos of his backside. It was embarassing. Possible explanations for this might be that the majority of the girls all have boyfriends so perhaps don't get out much and might not have seen such a good looking young man for a while. Although I must admit to being one of the ring-leaders (we had been drinking wine) I think Nicola asking the poor boy if we could have our photo taken with him was taking things a little too far. The poor lamb. Anyway, I have written a nice letter to the manager of the P&P showering praise on young Adam in the hope that he will get danger money or something.
We left poor Adam to recover and moved onto a club called Media, which is usually a proper club with horrible noisy dance music that I hate, and possibly full of people taking ecstacy or whatever the latest fashionable drug of choice is these days. It was very cheesy music and we must have looked a state (did I mention half of the girls had bought bunny ears with them?!) singing along to Bon Jovi and the likes and it was when the DJ announced that the next song was from 1982 and that "most of you weren't even born then" we started to feel our ages. Other details from later on that night are slightly sketchy other than someone being politely (and almost convincingly) shocked when I said I am not 19, I am 26. Someone told Cath that she didn't look bad for her age so we all got going while we still had a tiny shred of dignity between us.
We sat up in the lounge at 3am playing spin the bottle with Ian (the night reception man - what a great name though). Me and Cath decided to sit it out and drink some more wine and the questions soon degenerated into people being plain nosey. I went to bed in protest when Ian said he had slept with 50 women. I am sorry, but we all found that impossible to believe but then I suppose if you are going to lie about that you might as well lie in spectacular fashion.
Another sleepless night and a lovely loud fire alarm to wake us up the next morning and we managed only to be an hour late checking out of our room - which for most of the weekend had looked as though a bomb had hit it. We all met up in the lounge area and somehow as everyone said goodbye and went home, five of us ended up sitting there for three hours exhausted and unable to move, but drinking lemonade and coke like it was going out of fashion and guzzling down hot sahara nuts. We finally went our separate ways and that night me and Kathryn went to Just the Tonic, the best comedy club in the whole of our land.
The line up was Ross Noble compering, Howard Read, Matt Kirshen (Open spot) and Adam Bloom. Ross Noble was brilliant as ever so there's not really much point me telling you about him except that he didn't do his "there's the face, next muffin" routine which was a great disappointment to both me and Kathryn as I had been annoying her by reciting the line all day in anticipation of seeing the great man. Howard Read started well but then struggled a bit in the middle but managed to get everyone back on side by singing his "W*nk me off Mrs. Grimshaw" song which we like a lot, as did the rest of Nottingham because it contains swear words. Then came Matt Kirshen who I have definitely seen before but can't for the life of me remember where. He was very good for an open spot and the audience took to him very quickly. He was very confident and had good stage presence and delivery and when he went off he got a massive cheer and people were shouting for more. Personally we did wonder whether he actually had anymore to give but he came back onto the stage looking absolutely terrified. He called someone a tw*t and then decided he couldn't top what he had already done and left. Adam Bloom was headlining and there's not a lot I can say about him either. He was brilliant but then he always is. Bearing in mind the night was massively over-running and Adam didn't get on stage until gone 11pm I think he and the audience did spectacularly well. It was such a fantastic night which ended at 12.15am. Which is when we started the long drive home...
Another weekend, another hen night. That's the last of them for a while though, wedding season is starting up now so instead of spending my cash on posh hotels I get to spend it on stupid dresses which are never again going to see the light of day. For some unknown reason, it took me and Kathryn five hours to drive to Nottingham on Friday (well, it took me 5 hours to drive and it took Kathryn 5 hours of sitting next to me listening to me singing). We left my house at 2.30pm and hadn't even reached Peterborough by 5pm so we stopped for a rest cos we were getting bored and annoyed. We started off again and with Kathryn eyeing up most male drivers on the A1 the time flew by until 7.30pm when, after driving in loops around Nottingham, we finally found the Village hotel in a part of the city that we had never even heard of. As it was 7.30pm we were faced with the dilemma of finding everyone else or having a nice cup of tea and watching Corrie and Eastenders followed by the Big Brother contestants entering the house. Being bad friends we put the kettle on and had a lie down but we were rumbled when we got a call from Sophie asking if we wanted to go down to the bar for a drink. After dithering for a bit Soph decided to pop into our room so we could finalise the plans for embarassing Kate the next night. It was now 8.40pm and Big Brother had started. We had a knock at the door and were horrified when Soph told us that Kate had booked a table in the restaurant for 9pm. I have no idea how, but we went from looking horrific to actually better than we look at the best of times (if I do say so myself) in 20 short minutes.
For some reason we hadn't had much to drink during the day and were feeling fairly deyhdrated so when someone suggested we get numerous bottles of wine for "the table", Me and Kathryn looked at each other and could see exactly where the night was heading... we started drinking it like water which everyone worryingly seemed to think was very much in character and throughout the night between the two of us we consumed approximately 4 bottles of Pinot Grigot. We moved into the lounge area after we had eaten and played a game that Soph and Nicola had devised. 25 questions all about Kate and her past antics. If you got your question wrong you had to do a dare, and if you got it right then Kate had to do a dare, but if Kate did the dare she would win a prize. I couldn't help feeling this was slightly tipped in Kate's favour. I spectacularly managed to get all three of my questions wrong (how I was expected to know which song Kate and Lee were having for their first dance when they didn't know themselves is beyond me). So I had to go and give the night reception man a peck on the cheek, stand up and dance everytime someone said Kate's name and buy Kate a drink (which was my favourite one cos the bar had shut hours previously). It was just before me and Kathryn went up to our room that I noticed that the hotel music was on a continuous loop and included classics such as Michael Bolton "Steel Bars" (my particular favourite), the Beautiful South, Crowded House and other bands that are played as standard on Magic FM. By the time we were to leave the hotel, I would be able to impress everyone by predicting what the next song was going to be.
We woke up numerous times during the night both desperate for water cos we had accidentally forgotten to drink anything other than wine before we went to sleep. At 8.30am we made the bizarre misguided decision to go swimming in the hotel pool. I think we must have still been drunk. So we got our swimming stuff, went to the pool, swam round it three times and then sat in the jaccuzzi for 20 mins before getting out and going to meet the others for breakfast and impressing them with our tales of activity at such an early hour of the morning.
After breakfast we all put on our oldest clothes and trainers and made our way to the quad-biking track as a fleet of 6 cars, most of them half full despite the environmental implications. After turning round about three times we finally found the quad-biking place. It was nothing more than a field just outside Newark (which is an anagram of w*nker) with a dirt track and a portaloo. After putting on overalls and having a team shot around the bikes, we took it in turns to drive round the track with the man following us to make sure we were ok. To start with there was a lot of careful driving but when it was time to split into teams for a relay race things started to get faster. I rode twice for our team cos we were a man short and after being almost a lap behind, Sophie managed to pull back half a lap and it was time for me to jump on for my second go. With no thought for my own personal safety I managed to catch up with Karen and hazardously started trying to get past her just as we came up to a lap to go. We turned the corner onto the long straight and I pushed the accelerator down as far as it would go, held on tightly and managed to get past and heard a yelp as I did so. She was right behind me round all the corners and onto the final straight where I floored it again. Round the final bend and past the chequered flag. We had done it. And until that moment I hadn't realised quite how competitive I could be. I was shaking with excitement and adrenaline when I got off the bike but we were all thrilled. Even though it was only a friendly race. They thought they had us, but we showed them. I am thinking of turning pro. Certainly intend to have another go. Might see if there's anywhere that does it in Edinburgh... hmm.
Once again I seemed to be nominated as social co-ordinator for the Saturday night. I booked us a space at the Pitcher and Piano in Nottingham which is the most beautiful building in Nottingham. An old deconsecrated Unitarian church. It is huge and has massive stained glass windows, a spiral staircase, glass walkway... you'd have to see it to believe it. We had a massive area towards the back with an eating area and also a couple of sofas. It turned out we had our own barman, Adam, who towards the end of the night had surely gone off women forever. For some reason we managed to turn into the old women in the Harry Enfield sketch... "ooh, young man..." we were even taking photos of his backside. It was embarassing. Possible explanations for this might be that the majority of the girls all have boyfriends so perhaps don't get out much and might not have seen such a good looking young man for a while. Although I must admit to being one of the ring-leaders (we had been drinking wine) I think Nicola asking the poor boy if we could have our photo taken with him was taking things a little too far. The poor lamb. Anyway, I have written a nice letter to the manager of the P&P showering praise on young Adam in the hope that he will get danger money or something.
We left poor Adam to recover and moved onto a club called Media, which is usually a proper club with horrible noisy dance music that I hate, and possibly full of people taking ecstacy or whatever the latest fashionable drug of choice is these days. It was very cheesy music and we must have looked a state (did I mention half of the girls had bought bunny ears with them?!) singing along to Bon Jovi and the likes and it was when the DJ announced that the next song was from 1982 and that "most of you weren't even born then" we started to feel our ages. Other details from later on that night are slightly sketchy other than someone being politely (and almost convincingly) shocked when I said I am not 19, I am 26. Someone told Cath that she didn't look bad for her age so we all got going while we still had a tiny shred of dignity between us.
We sat up in the lounge at 3am playing spin the bottle with Ian (the night reception man - what a great name though). Me and Cath decided to sit it out and drink some more wine and the questions soon degenerated into people being plain nosey. I went to bed in protest when Ian said he had slept with 50 women. I am sorry, but we all found that impossible to believe but then I suppose if you are going to lie about that you might as well lie in spectacular fashion.
Another sleepless night and a lovely loud fire alarm to wake us up the next morning and we managed only to be an hour late checking out of our room - which for most of the weekend had looked as though a bomb had hit it. We all met up in the lounge area and somehow as everyone said goodbye and went home, five of us ended up sitting there for three hours exhausted and unable to move, but drinking lemonade and coke like it was going out of fashion and guzzling down hot sahara nuts. We finally went our separate ways and that night me and Kathryn went to Just the Tonic, the best comedy club in the whole of our land.
The line up was Ross Noble compering, Howard Read, Matt Kirshen (Open spot) and Adam Bloom. Ross Noble was brilliant as ever so there's not really much point me telling you about him except that he didn't do his "there's the face, next muffin" routine which was a great disappointment to both me and Kathryn as I had been annoying her by reciting the line all day in anticipation of seeing the great man. Howard Read started well but then struggled a bit in the middle but managed to get everyone back on side by singing his "W*nk me off Mrs. Grimshaw" song which we like a lot, as did the rest of Nottingham because it contains swear words. Then came Matt Kirshen who I have definitely seen before but can't for the life of me remember where. He was very good for an open spot and the audience took to him very quickly. He was very confident and had good stage presence and delivery and when he went off he got a massive cheer and people were shouting for more. Personally we did wonder whether he actually had anymore to give but he came back onto the stage looking absolutely terrified. He called someone a tw*t and then decided he couldn't top what he had already done and left. Adam Bloom was headlining and there's not a lot I can say about him either. He was brilliant but then he always is. Bearing in mind the night was massively over-running and Adam didn't get on stage until gone 11pm I think he and the audience did spectacularly well. It was such a fantastic night which ended at 12.15am. Which is when we started the long drive home...
Thursday, May 22, 2003
"I hear the Beatles have reformed. Just doing Drum & Bass obviously."
This is apparently a Malcolm Hardee joke which I have just come across on Chortle. It is very funny indeed and is now my new favourite joke. This lunch time I have been mostly reading the Chortle forum while trying to work out who everyone on there is. I am getting quite good at it.
It's been 9 days since the last Blur gig and I am still recovering. Have a lovely chest infection to contend with but I have the day off tomorrow to go up to Nottingham for hen weekend #3 but I will soldier on. I have managed a whopping 3 days at work this week. That's quite special. Only one wedding to go after this and then its the 6th of the 6th Benefit for me followed by a day of sleeping. Do make sure you all buy your tickets for the Benefit, I think we have already told you to. We *won't* tell you again.
Obviously the big news is that the Boosh TV show has been commissioned by the BBC for 10 episodes to be aired on BBC3 early next year. And that's official. Julian off of the Boosh told me that. That's right, look impressed. He told me. Not you. Victor Lewis-Smith has written a lovely article about the Boosh TV show which he clearly didn't understand and which he has for some reason decided to take out on poor Steve Coogan. VLS doesn't really seem too clear about what he is actually writing about so this article doesn't really make a huge amount of sense. He is an non-Booshing idiot. Here is a picture of his stupid crying face in case you see him in the street and want to... well, whatever. Far be it from me to encourage physical violence.
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Thanks to Sharon there, for randomly posting a picture of one of our favourite comedians who we hope to feature on the site very soon.
This is apparently a Malcolm Hardee joke which I have just come across on Chortle. It is very funny indeed and is now my new favourite joke. This lunch time I have been mostly reading the Chortle forum while trying to work out who everyone on there is. I am getting quite good at it.
It's been 9 days since the last Blur gig and I am still recovering. Have a lovely chest infection to contend with but I have the day off tomorrow to go up to Nottingham for hen weekend #3 but I will soldier on. I have managed a whopping 3 days at work this week. That's quite special. Only one wedding to go after this and then its the 6th of the 6th Benefit for me followed by a day of sleeping. Do make sure you all buy your tickets for the Benefit, I think we have already told you to. We *won't* tell you again.
Obviously the big news is that the Boosh TV show has been commissioned by the BBC for 10 episodes to be aired on BBC3 early next year. And that's official. Julian off of the Boosh told me that. That's right, look impressed. He told me. Not you. Victor Lewis-Smith has written a lovely article about the Boosh TV show which he clearly didn't understand and which he has for some reason decided to take out on poor Steve Coogan. VLS doesn't really seem too clear about what he is actually writing about so this article doesn't really make a huge amount of sense. He is an non-Booshing idiot. Here is a picture of his stupid crying face in case you see him in the street and want to... well, whatever. Far be it from me to encourage physical violence.
Thanks to Sharon there, for randomly posting a picture of one of our favourite comedians who we hope to feature on the site very soon.
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Thursday, May 15, 2003
I have found the set list for Saturday night... not that anyone other than me cares... Here it is.
Ambulance
Moroccan People's ...
Beetlebum
Girls and Boys
Good Song
Badhead
Gene by Gene
Topman
For Tomorrow
Tender
Out Of Time
Brothers and Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trabb
Battery in your leg
-----------------
Caravan
Popscene
On the way to the club
We've got a file on you (x3)
This is a Low
Must go and see some comedy now...
Ambulance
Moroccan People's ...
Beetlebum
Girls and Boys
Good Song
Badhead
Gene by Gene
Topman
For Tomorrow
Tender
Out Of Time
Brothers and Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trabb
Battery in your leg
-----------------
Caravan
Popscene
On the way to the club
We've got a file on you (x3)
This is a Low
Must go and see some comedy now...
No more Blur gigs. Boo. But the good news is that UK/Europe dates will be announced at some point for October/November so I intend to go to as many of those as possible. Hooray. Anyway, Tuesday nights gig was great. We managed to get to the second row again, more or less where we were on the Monday, and once everything kicked off and the tiny Japanese girls behind us started burrowing and everyone started jumping, I somehow made it onto the barrier at the very front. Which was nice. As a result I had no cushion in front of me and am aching and covered in even more bruises. Another appearance by Phil Daniels meant another rendition of Me White Noise and more therapeutic shouting of swear words. And it needs to be said that Dave Rowntree am the best drummer in all the planet.
The set list was...
AMBULANCE
BEETLEBUM
GIRLS & BOYS
GOOD SONG
BADHEAD
GENE BY GENE
FOR TOMORROW
TOPMAN
TENDER
CARAVAN
OUT OF TIME
CRAZY BEAT
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
SONG 2
TRIMM TRAB
BATTERY IN YOUR LEG
------------------------------------
POPSCENE
ON THE WAY TO THE CLUB
ME WHITE NOISE
WE’VE GOT A FILE ON YOU (X2)
THIS IS A LOW
Those of you who are good at Maths or are super brainy and have a maths degree as I do, will have calculated that over the past 5 gigs I have hear "We've Got A File On You" no less than 11 times. That is quite special.
When we were queuing to get our bags and coats we bumped into the wonderful (soon to be featured in Comedy Lounge) Paul Putner who (despite the fact that it was years ago) was still raving about how great it was to hear "Young And Lovely" live at the B-sides gig. I am sure he is never quite sure who I am when I am not with Sharon, although he seemed to recognise me. Hooray.
My boss cleverly decided that the day after my 5th Blur gig would be the right time for me to go and visit one of the other offices in Bournemouth. So I dragged my sorry arse out of bed at 7am in order to catch the 9am train from Waterloo. It took 2 long and boring hours to get there, just for me to sit with one of the girls for 90 minutes before catching a train back at 1pm. I thought I was being clever by catching a train to East Croydon but little did I know it was going to take 3.5 hours. By the time I got on the 194 in Croydon I was shaking and finding it very hard to stay awake. My body had clearly given up and shut down as some kind of punishment for having too much fun.
Went to see King Adora at the Garage in Islington last night, which was possibly one of the worst ideas I have ever had. Quite why I thought I would be in a state to go to 6 gigs in 7 days is beyond me. They were really brilliant, and the lead singer is such a great front man/woman/thing but they were only on for about 50 mins, which is pitiful compared to Blur. I am glad they are not my favourite band. Kathryn and I also worked out that I have seen Blur play live no less than 31 times. I think that means I am some kind of mentalist. So today I am off work sick with some kind of flu type ailment. I am aching all over, my throat is agony and I can barely move. And I have another sodding hen weekend to go on. I can barely wait. Another exciting train journey... this time to Bristol. But we are having a spa day on saturday which involves a massage which is great news. I will stop moaning now. Its nearly time for Richard and Judy.
I am sad to report that there have as yet been no unscheduled episodes of Going For Gold.
The set list was...
AMBULANCE
BEETLEBUM
GIRLS & BOYS
GOOD SONG
BADHEAD
GENE BY GENE
FOR TOMORROW
TOPMAN
TENDER
CARAVAN
OUT OF TIME
CRAZY BEAT
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
SONG 2
TRIMM TRAB
BATTERY IN YOUR LEG
------------------------------------
POPSCENE
ON THE WAY TO THE CLUB
ME WHITE NOISE
WE’VE GOT A FILE ON YOU (X2)
THIS IS A LOW
Those of you who are good at Maths or are super brainy and have a maths degree as I do, will have calculated that over the past 5 gigs I have hear "We've Got A File On You" no less than 11 times. That is quite special.
When we were queuing to get our bags and coats we bumped into the wonderful (soon to be featured in Comedy Lounge) Paul Putner who (despite the fact that it was years ago) was still raving about how great it was to hear "Young And Lovely" live at the B-sides gig. I am sure he is never quite sure who I am when I am not with Sharon, although he seemed to recognise me. Hooray.
My boss cleverly decided that the day after my 5th Blur gig would be the right time for me to go and visit one of the other offices in Bournemouth. So I dragged my sorry arse out of bed at 7am in order to catch the 9am train from Waterloo. It took 2 long and boring hours to get there, just for me to sit with one of the girls for 90 minutes before catching a train back at 1pm. I thought I was being clever by catching a train to East Croydon but little did I know it was going to take 3.5 hours. By the time I got on the 194 in Croydon I was shaking and finding it very hard to stay awake. My body had clearly given up and shut down as some kind of punishment for having too much fun.
Went to see King Adora at the Garage in Islington last night, which was possibly one of the worst ideas I have ever had. Quite why I thought I would be in a state to go to 6 gigs in 7 days is beyond me. They were really brilliant, and the lead singer is such a great front man/woman/thing but they were only on for about 50 mins, which is pitiful compared to Blur. I am glad they are not my favourite band. Kathryn and I also worked out that I have seen Blur play live no less than 31 times. I think that means I am some kind of mentalist. So today I am off work sick with some kind of flu type ailment. I am aching all over, my throat is agony and I can barely move. And I have another sodding hen weekend to go on. I can barely wait. Another exciting train journey... this time to Bristol. But we are having a spa day on saturday which involves a massage which is great news. I will stop moaning now. Its nearly time for Richard and Judy.
I am sad to report that there have as yet been no unscheduled episodes of Going For Gold.
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
I know I keep saying this, but last night's gig was the best so far... which gives me great hope for tonight, the last one in the run. Gutted. We were in the second row again last night, but closer to the centre of the stage so nearer Damon, but thankfully Damon didn't land on us when he stage-dived into the crowd. Last night's gig was being broadcast live simoultaneously on Radio 1 (which everyone I asked to tape managed not to... (anyone got a copy??)) so Steve Lamacq came on at the start wearing a Modern Life Is Rubbish t-shirt to introduce the band - yet dressed in old-Blur style suit jackets and slacks Blur only saw fit to play one song from my favourite album. Damon spoke about Graham again but really did suggest, more so tonight than any of the other nights, that Graham would be back in Blur at some point.... so my dreams of Graham walking on stage tonight aren't too unrealistic then... Anyway, Phil Daniels came on for the encore and they played Me White Noise which is the hidden track on the new album and it was absolutely amazing. It was very therapeutic screaming.... "Why am I here..?? I'm here because I'VE GOT NO F*CKING CHOICE..." at the top of my voice. Absolutely brilliant. I wonder if he'll be tempted to come back on again tonight... hope so.
Here's the set list.
Ambulance
MPRBC
Beetlebum
Girls & Boys
Good Song
Badhead
Gene by Gene
For Tomorrow
Tender
Out of Time
Brothers & Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trab
Battery In Your Leg
----
Caravan
Popscene
On The Way To The Club
Me, White Noise (starring Phil Daniels)
We've Got A File On You (x2)
This is A Low
Here's the set list.
Ambulance
MPRBC
Beetlebum
Girls & Boys
Good Song
Badhead
Gene by Gene
For Tomorrow
Tender
Out of Time
Brothers & Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trab
Battery In Your Leg
----
Caravan
Popscene
On The Way To The Club
Me, White Noise (starring Phil Daniels)
We've Got A File On You (x2)
This is A Low
Monday, May 12, 2003
Saturday night's gig was absolutely brilliant. Other than the fact that it was a Blur gig, I had the most fun I have ever had at a gig. Met up with some Blur fans in the pub beforehand and then we split up and wandered into the Astoria in dribs and drabs. Were quite far back when we bumped into Adam who dragged us further centre and near the front. Lost Kathryn after about 3 songs and stood back a few metres and bumped into Tom and his girlfriend. Then lost them and bumped into someone else who also looked after me and took me a bit further in. I was all over the place all night, it was so funny. Then I bumped into someone I haven't seen at a Blur gig for about 3 or 4 years and we had a quick chat during "Battery In Your Leg". It was such a funny night. Kathryn knew where I was the whole time cos I had my water bottle in my hand and my hand was in the air for the best part of the night. I am covered in bruises, most of which are invisible, but I have a lovely one on my back and one on my arm. Who cares? I am really looking forward to tonight, hopefully leaveing work an hour or so early so I can be at least 1st/2nd row like we were on Friday cos its nice to be able to see and breathe.
Will post the set list up when I find out what it was. They did play "Tender" at which point everyone wondered who was going to sing Graham's parts. When it came to it we heard a similar voice but it was only when I stood on tiptoes that I saw that it was Dave and there was a massive cheer. No sign of Phil Daniels though... maybe tonight. Athlete are supporting tonight and they're the only support from the run who I am bothered about seeing, so it'd be nice to be down the front for them. Good old South East London boys...
Will post the set list up when I find out what it was. They did play "Tender" at which point everyone wondered who was going to sing Graham's parts. When it came to it we heard a similar voice but it was only when I stood on tiptoes that I saw that it was Dave and there was a massive cheer. No sign of Phil Daniels though... maybe tonight. Athlete are supporting tonight and they're the only support from the run who I am bothered about seeing, so it'd be nice to be down the front for them. Good old South East London boys...
Saturday, May 10, 2003
While Susan is running around London pretending to like Blur, I'm sitting at home doing public service broadcasts. Sigh. It's a thankless life.
Any people who live in or near the land of London should go and see this comedy show. It's for a great cause and it's got an amazing line up (which includes someone who was on Richard and Judy last week)
Six Of The Sixth
A Benefit for Kith And Kids
On Friday 6th June, doors 7.30
At The Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon St, LONDON WC1
Nearest tube Euston.
Box office 0207 388 8822
Kevin Eldon (Big Train, Jam, those Twix adverts, The Fist of Fun, the radio version of To The Manor Born)
Stewart Lee (The Fist of Fun, The Ant and Dec Show)
Francesca Martinez (from off of Holby City)
Simon Munnery (Attention Scum, Alan Parker Urban Warrior, The Nation's Favourite Poem)
Al Murray (Sky's The Pub Landlord, Election Night Armistice)
Dan Antopolski (Perrier Award Nominee)
… more names to be confirmed
What a night. Last night's gig was way better than the night before. We got to the queue 45 mins before the doors opened and managed to get to the second row behind four tiny girls but there were two larger ladies nearby who were wearing knitted tops with roll necks so we knew they wouldn't last too long. Damon was on absolutely brilliant form and dived into the crowd twice, luckily we were to the right in between him and Alex so he didn't land on top of us. He ran across the front a few times slapping everyone's hands and the fact that we could breathe and see made such a big difference.
The set list was...
Ambulance
Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club
Beetlebum
Girls & Boys
Sweet Song
Badhead
Gene By Gene
Topman
For Tomorow
Out Of Time
Brothers And Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trabb
Battery In Your Leg
----------------------------
Caravan
Popscene
On The Way To The Club
We've Got A File On You (x2)
Coping
This Is A Low
Coping was definitely a highlight and I am hoping one night they will get round to playing Colin Zeal, Advert and Trouble In The Message Centre. Managed to prise myself out of bed at around midday and had a look at tonights tickets and was horrified to see that the doors open at 6pm tonight. Prseumably because the gays need their G-A-Y venue back so they can see Girls Aloud. Obviously I would *love* to see Girls Aloud but after seeing Blur that might just be too much excitement to cope with. Not. Decided it is for the best if I view tonights gig from maybe halfway back so we can jump when we want to jump and not feel like we've had a bucket of sweat tipped over us. Nice imagery for you there.
Phil Daniels might be there tonight. It seems like the most obvious night for him to do (cos he is doing one night) so that should mean renditions of Park Life and Me White Noise, the hidden track on Think Tank. I am going to go and collapse in a corner now.
The set list was...
Ambulance
Moroccan Peoples Revolutionary Bowls Club
Beetlebum
Girls & Boys
Sweet Song
Badhead
Gene By Gene
Topman
For Tomorow
Out Of Time
Brothers And Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trabb
Battery In Your Leg
----------------------------
Caravan
Popscene
On The Way To The Club
We've Got A File On You (x2)
Coping
This Is A Low
Coping was definitely a highlight and I am hoping one night they will get round to playing Colin Zeal, Advert and Trouble In The Message Centre. Managed to prise myself out of bed at around midday and had a look at tonights tickets and was horrified to see that the doors open at 6pm tonight. Prseumably because the gays need their G-A-Y venue back so they can see Girls Aloud. Obviously I would *love* to see Girls Aloud but after seeing Blur that might just be too much excitement to cope with. Not. Decided it is for the best if I view tonights gig from maybe halfway back so we can jump when we want to jump and not feel like we've had a bucket of sweat tipped over us. Nice imagery for you there.
Phil Daniels might be there tonight. It seems like the most obvious night for him to do (cos he is doing one night) so that should mean renditions of Park Life and Me White Noise, the hidden track on Think Tank. I am going to go and collapse in a corner now.
Friday, May 09, 2003
Adrian has left for the day and I have absolutely flip all to do today so I am indulging with a spot of gossiping with young Miss Cribbin. We are mainly talking about boys and Edinburgh. Its not even 3pm and I have a feeling the afternoon is going to drag cos I am desperate to run out of the door and see Blur for the second time.
Last night was great. Here is the set list if you are bothered.
Ambulance
Moroccan People's Revolutionary Bowl's Club
Out Of Time
Beetlebum
Girls & Boys
Good Song
Badhead
Gene By Gene
Top Man
For Tomorrow
Brothers & Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trabb
Battery In Your Leg
----------------------------------
Popscene
On The Way To The Club
We've Got A File On You (x2)
This Is A Low
Damon said something about seeing Graham at Alex's wedding last week and they got on well and it made him reminisce which is a good sign. *We* were thinking wouldn't it be great if they played this is a low again for the last song on tuesday night and then as Simon Tong is beginning the sub-standard guitar solo, Graham walks on and shows him exactly how its done... then they could play for another hour as a reunited blur. we can all dream. But do we really dream? Yes we do. But do we really...? Yes, we do. But.... yes.
Sorry this has been a bit un-comedy related recently but the excitement of Blur is all too much and is taking up quite a lot of what would have been comedy-going time. I will make up for it when this madness has passed.
Last night was great. Here is the set list if you are bothered.
Ambulance
Moroccan People's Revolutionary Bowl's Club
Out Of Time
Beetlebum
Girls & Boys
Good Song
Badhead
Gene By Gene
Top Man
For Tomorrow
Brothers & Sisters
Crazy Beat
Song 2
Trimm Trabb
Battery In Your Leg
----------------------------------
Popscene
On The Way To The Club
We've Got A File On You (x2)
This Is A Low
Damon said something about seeing Graham at Alex's wedding last week and they got on well and it made him reminisce which is a good sign. *We* were thinking wouldn't it be great if they played this is a low again for the last song on tuesday night and then as Simon Tong is beginning the sub-standard guitar solo, Graham walks on and shows him exactly how its done... then they could play for another hour as a reunited blur. we can all dream. But do we really dream? Yes we do. But do we really...? Yes, we do. But.... yes.
Sorry this has been a bit un-comedy related recently but the excitement of Blur is all too much and is taking up quite a lot of what would have been comedy-going time. I will make up for it when this madness has passed.
Thursday, May 08, 2003
I am incredibly bored again today. The day is dragging because I am desperate for it to be about 9pm which is roughly when I will be seeing Blur for the first time at the first of the five gigs I have coming up over the next while. I can't tell you how excited I am. I have my tickets resting on my keyboard, my trainers in my drawer and when the clock strikes 5pm I will be running out of the door. My boss is out this afternoon so in theory I should be entertaining myself with the internet but there's nothing I can be arsed to look at. Bored bored bored. And when I am done seeing Blur tonight, I get to see them tomorrow night AND the night after, a rest on the Lord's day and then I get to see them another 2 days in a row. This is all too much. I haven't had much of a chance to see any comedy recently and Sean Lock and Friends are on at the Store on Monday (the night of the penultimate Blur gig) so go along to that if you can - Rich Hall, Lee Mack, Jeff Green amongst others. And if anyone buys the new Blur album from Virgin and would like to donate their badges to a good cause then please get in touch cos I will be more than happy to take them off your hands.
Bored.
Bored.
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
This is the only decent picture of the Comedy Lounge team in existence. We're working on the next issue as we speak but if you see one of us out and about a few words of encouragement wouldn't go amiss. Will let you work out who's who. We are laughing because I have just balanced the camera carefully on a bin trying to avoid contact with a nasty French spider and then run across to sit with Sharon. And we laugh all the time anyway, obviously.
We are also slightly delirious from boredom of waiting for the tiny train and if you remember this station is where the wild woman nearly left her rabid dogs at us.
We are also slightly delirious from boredom of waiting for the tiny train and if you remember this station is where the wild woman nearly left her rabid dogs at us.
Tuesday, May 06, 2003
You will be pleased to hear that I am still in one piece after the weekend. I am very pleased indeed cos it means that I can jump up and down a lot at the forthcoming Blur gigs. Laser pidgeon shooting was very much fun despite the fact that it started at 9.30 on Saturday morning, meaning we had to get up at 7.30am. The guns were really big and heavy especially as we were all girls but despite that, once we had worked out which eye we needed open to look down the barrell, most of us turned into professional marksmen. We were paired up and I was put with a very nice girl called Jeanie, and over the course of the next hour which included a break for tea, we proceeded to whip everyone else's arses and become reigning champions. Next was the quad-biking which was actually really bloody scary and quite hard to start with. I was rather predictably the first to fall off after a mere 15 metres or so and managed to leave myself with a nice big bump on my ankle. The safety talk at the beginning had scared us witless so we all went very slowly round the course sort of bunny-hopping as we went. Most of us weren't really sure if we wanted to get back on the bikes (like the bunch of girls we were) but we all got back on and by the end of the afternoon we were tearing it round, trying to get each other with mud and driving really quickly through the deepest part of the puddles. It really was ace. We had to wear yellow waterproofs, horrible non-velcro fastening driving gloves and helmets. Along with the red jump-suits we had to wear for the shooting, we all looked pretty stupid and quite hard to tell apart.
We were the only girls there which seemed to attract a lot of attention. You'd think they'd never seen a group of 12 girls before. One of them was wearing a pair of home-made antlers so I wryly asked them what they were celebrating. They found this very funny. The old ones are always the best.
We were the only girls there which seemed to attract a lot of attention. You'd think they'd never seen a group of 12 girls before. One of them was wearing a pair of home-made antlers so I wryly asked them what they were celebrating. They found this very funny. The old ones are always the best.
