Nic's London Excellent Adventures =P
I think I'm experiencing Backstreet Boys withdrawal, I need to lie down.
Yeah, for, like, a whole month, because, guys, I'm seriously drained.
So, um, oops I did it again, lol! Flying to London to, er, stalk the BSB, that is. *blush* I barely told anyone about this before actually leaving because I'm awfully superstitious when it comes to the guys, but I left on June 2 and came back home last night because I had my fucking Russian exam this afternoon, grrr. Not to mention a French one tomorrow and an English one in two days. =S Yes, I'm crazy, I've been told so by no less than 7 people in 4 days. But, oh well, I had it coming. *g*
Let's start with the 'downs' of this trip of mine:
1. I had to go with an ex-penfriend of mine I honestly can't stand, because my parents were giving me a hard time and I was kind of worried about going alone myself, but now I've made up my mind and I don't give a fuck. The next time I have a chance to go and see them - or anyone else, for that matter - I'll go alone, unless someone I *actually* want to go with is willing to go with me, of course. I'd met this girl once before and hadn't liked her then, but I was hoping she would be, I dunno, somehow different this time; but no, she wasn't, and I basically had to baby-sit her (and she's even older than I am!) for 3 days. Gah. Hence my frequent use of first person... Yes, I know I'm being mean but you'd be too if you knew her! ;)
2. I didn't really get to talk to the guys, as in have-a-meaningful-conversation-with-them-or-something (and the fact that 90% of the things I'd like to talk to them about have to do with slashing Nick & Kevin doesn't help, LOL!)
3. I couldn't take pictures and film them at the same time, so I basically settled for pictures and the filming part came out crappy, as usual. If only my mom had been there... I hope some of the pics will be ok, at least. *sigh*
4. Apparently, Ben McKenzie was in town the week before. Meh. =(
5. I'd booked a 6 Bed Female Dorm in a hostel but we were assigned a Mixed Dorm...together with 4 more guys! =S Luckily, they were all (at least the 3 I met) very nice and friendly and didn't bother us at all. Our timing was perfect anyway, lol, because it seemed like they were there when we were not and viceversa, so it was not that bad.
6. Lastly, and most importantly, I came out as the complete idiot that I am. >.<
Now, some inane facts you need to know if you're not familiar with London and some shit about touristy me *grin*:
1. There's a tube stop which is called Stockwell, lmao. <--which is basically what I did when I read that. >.<
2. There's another tube stop called Cockfosters...needless to say I thought it was called Cocksuckers the first time I took a quick glance at the map! =P
3. I didn't have time for any sightseeing/shopping (I ate once a day and slept a total of 8 hours in 3 days, give or take =S), so I only bought Markie's new album, "How The Mighty Fall", @ HMV, a copy of "To Kill A Mockingbird", one of W.S. Borrough's "Speed" & "Kentucky Ham" and one of Robin Lane Fox's "Alexander The Great". Um, okay, I know what you're thinking..only?!? But you wouldn't be wondering if you'd seen me in total shopping mode. =P
Now, on to the really good stuff...
* I got to the GMTV studios around 7 a.m. on June 3. The guys came out around 9:30 a.m. and it was...FREAKING INSANE!!! The Spanish Bitches fans were pushing like crazy and bodyguards got quickly annoyed and forced the guys to get inside the vans, so I only managed to take a couple of pictures and have Nick & Howie sign my official book (the same Kevin had already signed in October 2003 when I'd met him in the West End after "Chicago").
Because, like I said, I can't seem to help making a total fool of myself when I meet them, I had to ask Nick for my pen back, lol, because I needed it for Howie to sign my book AND, while trying to take a pic of my penpal with Howie, he told me to wind the little 'wheel' of my disposable camera because I'd forgotten to do that earlier and I was horribly nervous. *blush* *crawls back to her hole*
After that mayhem, I went to the Channel 4 studios (around 12 p.m.) and the guys arrived a couple of hours later. That's where I got to have my pictures *crosses fingers* taken with AJ and Nick and take random pictures of the 5 of them. =P
Then they went in and that's when the best thing (for my slashy self, that it) happened: while they were heading to the actual studio for the interview, Nick & Kevin were being all silly and playfully punching one another and, seriously, I thought I'd die right there and then. *flails*
Later, while they were in, I was like, 'Mm, they should let Kev, Howie, AJ and Brian come out first, because I just can't focus on them if Nick's around, he's way too distracting for me *lol*!' and...that's exactly what happened! They all came out but Nick, which gave me a chance to have my picture taken with Howie, Brian and Kevin!! =D
More embarassing moments *meh*: I opened my book while I was standing next to Howie (yes, Howie again! =S And I used to think that, if I ever got to meet all of them, he'd be the one I'd be the most comfortable around, lmao!) and he was, like, 'Um, I've already signed that' >.< and I tried to be as nonchalant as possible *rotfl* and said, 'Oh, yeah, I meant...if we could take a picture'; he was his usual charming self and posed with me. And he's so, so beaufitul. =)
Then it was Kevin's turn to have to deal with me, lol. I went up to him and this time my book was closed and it was he who asked if he should sign, haha, so I was, like, 'Oh, it's ok, you've already signed it' (and I wanted to add '2 years ago' but I didn't =P), so, after an instant of panic where I couldn't seem to find anyone to take the pic for me and Kevin & I looked at each other with what was probably the same lost expression (only obviously much better looking on him, heh), we finally had our pic taken.
Nick came out about 10-15 minutes later and I finally managed to get him to sign me a 'personal' autograph! =D And I almost made it through spelling my name right, LMAO. =P My penpal wanted an autograph, too, so I asked him for it and he helped me find an empty page because, again, I was pretty much a nervous wreck. But he was really sweet. Did I ever mention I hate myself??? *sob*
I also saw AJ at their hotel at 8:30 p.m. I got there, like, two minutes before he came out! Happiness. =)
* On June 4, I was at the CD:UK studios at 6:30 a.m. and I was the first in line. There was this really funny man from security - who said his name was Bill (but don't quote me on that because he kept teasing us and making up stuff, hehe) - that helped us kill time during another awful wait (3h30 =S). We were let into the building at 10 something a.m. and into the actual studio at 11:00 a.m..
BSB arrived around 7:30-8 a.m., went straight in but we (hopefully) got to take more close pics of them; also, at one point Nick was standing behind AJ, he playfully grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him a little. Ah, so much boylove going on among my guys, lol. *sighs happily* ♥ Once inside, they were in a conference room and I could see Brian sitting next to ♥ Nick sitting next to Kevin ♥ - which obviously got me stupidly happy - because the studio entrance had glass walls and I was on the good side. Yay! =D
I was front row and I had to turn into a total bitch, literally stomping my feet on the ground and elbowing back those assholes who kept trying to get in front of me *Ha! As if!* to keep my 'place', which was exhausting but SO worth it! The guys came out from the side I was on (yep, my lucky day alright) and Brian asked a girl I'd already 'met' 3 years ago, the first time I was in London for Nick (and whom my English friend Sheetal & I have nicknamed 'Mean Fan' because that's what she is!) how her baby was; I think she asked back about Baylee because Brian made the cutest face to imply he's growing teeth and drooling a lot. Awww. He must be such a wonderful dad. =D
On stage, they clowned around a little while the cameras were still off, Brian being the silliest of all, as usual. ♥ He basically kept going behind AJ and..um..I need help to explain this without making it sound like another slashy moment, LMAO. Gotta love Arok!Love I also loved how Kevin kept checking out all the stage fixtures. Such a Kevin thing to do. ;)
Then they were off and on stage again and that's when they sang "I Want It That Way" and...OMG I just downloaded it and saw myself, LMBO!
Ok, back to the show...after performing "IWITW", Kevin commented on the great response they got from the UK audience. Funny, considering there were actually almost more Spanish & Italian fans in the front row than English ones.
In the interview part I thought/hoped Brian would sing Take That's "Back For Good", heh...ah, it would have been just about perfect. =P And there was another cute 'Brian moment' that was not filmed: he joked about turning "Incomplete" into a rock song so he started to sing it as a punk song and we were all nodding like crazy along with him. =D
They also filmed a short tidbit for CD:Live (the Italian equivalent of CD:UK) and when they said they're touring Italy in October I yelled, 'Thank youuu!' but I don't think they've heard me. ;)
When they left, I shook hands with each of them and wished Nick & Howie (I think! =P) a safe trip (as they were heading to Italy just for the night to perform at Festivalbar).
* The next morning I was outside their hotel again at 9 a.m. Sadly, I had to leave at 3:30 p.m. to catch my stupid plane, but, luckily, I didn't stand there for over 6 hours for nothing (I think I fucking deserve a Patience Award, lol!), because around 2 p.m. Brian, AJ & Kevin came out again to go play golf. =)
And I'm afraid this is it, kiddies. =P I really have to go to bed now, because my chances of passing my French exam tomorrow are already slim as it is, without me going to sleep at 3 a.m. =S
Laterz. ;)
Yeah, for, like, a whole month, because, guys, I'm seriously drained.
So, um, oops I did it again, lol! Flying to London to, er, stalk the BSB, that is. *blush* I barely told anyone about this before actually leaving because I'm awfully superstitious when it comes to the guys, but I left on June 2 and came back home last night because I had my fucking Russian exam this afternoon, grrr. Not to mention a French one tomorrow and an English one in two days. =S Yes, I'm crazy, I've been told so by no less than 7 people in 4 days. But, oh well, I had it coming. *g*
Let's start with the 'downs' of this trip of mine:
1. I had to go with an ex-penfriend of mine I honestly can't stand, because my parents were giving me a hard time and I was kind of worried about going alone myself, but now I've made up my mind and I don't give a fuck. The next time I have a chance to go and see them - or anyone else, for that matter - I'll go alone, unless someone I *actually* want to go with is willing to go with me, of course. I'd met this girl once before and hadn't liked her then, but I was hoping she would be, I dunno, somehow different this time; but no, she wasn't, and I basically had to baby-sit her (and she's even older than I am!) for 3 days. Gah. Hence my frequent use of first person... Yes, I know I'm being mean but you'd be too if you knew her! ;)
2. I didn't really get to talk to the guys, as in have-a-meaningful-conversation-with-them-or-something (and the fact that 90% of the things I'd like to talk to them about have to do with slashing Nick & Kevin doesn't help, LOL!)
3. I couldn't take pictures and film them at the same time, so I basically settled for pictures and the filming part came out crappy, as usual. If only my mom had been there... I hope some of the pics will be ok, at least. *sigh*
4. Apparently, Ben McKenzie was in town the week before. Meh. =(
5. I'd booked a 6 Bed Female Dorm in a hostel but we were assigned a Mixed Dorm...together with 4 more guys! =S Luckily, they were all (at least the 3 I met) very nice and friendly and didn't bother us at all. Our timing was perfect anyway, lol, because it seemed like they were there when we were not and viceversa, so it was not that bad.
6. Lastly, and most importantly, I came out as the complete idiot that I am. >.<
Now, some inane facts you need to know if you're not familiar with London and some shit about touristy me *grin*:
1. There's a tube stop which is called Stockwell, lmao. <--which is basically what I did when I read that. >.<
2. There's another tube stop called Cockfosters...needless to say I thought it was called Cocksuckers the first time I took a quick glance at the map! =P
3. I didn't have time for any sightseeing/shopping (I ate once a day and slept a total of 8 hours in 3 days, give or take =S), so I only bought Markie's new album, "How The Mighty Fall", @ HMV, a copy of "To Kill A Mockingbird", one of W.S. Borrough's "Speed" & "Kentucky Ham" and one of Robin Lane Fox's "Alexander The Great". Um, okay, I know what you're thinking..only?!? But you wouldn't be wondering if you'd seen me in total shopping mode. =P
Now, on to the really good stuff...
* I got to the GMTV studios around 7 a.m. on June 3. The guys came out around 9:30 a.m. and it was...FREAKING INSANE!!! The Spanish Bitches fans were pushing like crazy and bodyguards got quickly annoyed and forced the guys to get inside the vans, so I only managed to take a couple of pictures and have Nick & Howie sign my official book (the same Kevin had already signed in October 2003 when I'd met him in the West End after "Chicago").
Because, like I said, I can't seem to help making a total fool of myself when I meet them, I had to ask Nick for my pen back, lol, because I needed it for Howie to sign my book AND, while trying to take a pic of my penpal with Howie, he told me to wind the little 'wheel' of my disposable camera because I'd forgotten to do that earlier and I was horribly nervous. *blush* *crawls back to her hole*
After that mayhem, I went to the Channel 4 studios (around 12 p.m.) and the guys arrived a couple of hours later. That's where I got to have my pictures *crosses fingers* taken with AJ and Nick and take random pictures of the 5 of them. =P
Then they went in and that's when the best thing (for my slashy self, that it) happened: while they were heading to the actual studio for the interview, Nick & Kevin were being all silly and playfully punching one another and, seriously, I thought I'd die right there and then. *flails*
Later, while they were in, I was like, 'Mm, they should let Kev, Howie, AJ and Brian come out first, because I just can't focus on them if Nick's around, he's way too distracting for me *lol*!' and...that's exactly what happened! They all came out but Nick, which gave me a chance to have my picture taken with Howie, Brian and Kevin!! =D
More embarassing moments *meh*: I opened my book while I was standing next to Howie (yes, Howie again! =S And I used to think that, if I ever got to meet all of them, he'd be the one I'd be the most comfortable around, lmao!) and he was, like, 'Um, I've already signed that' >.< and I tried to be as nonchalant as possible *rotfl* and said, 'Oh, yeah, I meant...if we could take a picture'; he was his usual charming self and posed with me. And he's so, so beaufitul. =)
Then it was Kevin's turn to have to deal with me, lol. I went up to him and this time my book was closed and it was he who asked if he should sign, haha, so I was, like, 'Oh, it's ok, you've already signed it' (and I wanted to add '2 years ago' but I didn't =P), so, after an instant of panic where I couldn't seem to find anyone to take the pic for me and Kevin & I looked at each other with what was probably the same lost expression (only obviously much better looking on him, heh), we finally had our pic taken.
Nick came out about 10-15 minutes later and I finally managed to get him to sign me a 'personal' autograph! =D And I almost made it through spelling my name right, LMAO. =P My penpal wanted an autograph, too, so I asked him for it and he helped me find an empty page because, again, I was pretty much a nervous wreck. But he was really sweet. Did I ever mention I hate myself??? *sob*
I also saw AJ at their hotel at 8:30 p.m. I got there, like, two minutes before he came out! Happiness. =)
* On June 4, I was at the CD:UK studios at 6:30 a.m. and I was the first in line. There was this really funny man from security - who said his name was Bill (but don't quote me on that because he kept teasing us and making up stuff, hehe) - that helped us kill time during another awful wait (3h30 =S). We were let into the building at 10 something a.m. and into the actual studio at 11:00 a.m..
BSB arrived around 7:30-8 a.m., went straight in but we (hopefully) got to take more close pics of them; also, at one point Nick was standing behind AJ, he playfully grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him a little. Ah, so much boylove going on among my guys, lol. *sighs happily* ♥ Once inside, they were in a conference room and I could see Brian sitting next to ♥ Nick sitting next to Kevin ♥ - which obviously got me stupidly happy - because the studio entrance had glass walls and I was on the good side. Yay! =D
I was front row and I had to turn into a total bitch, literally stomping my feet on the ground and elbowing back those assholes who kept trying to get in front of me *Ha! As if!* to keep my 'place', which was exhausting but SO worth it! The guys came out from the side I was on (yep, my lucky day alright) and Brian asked a girl I'd already 'met' 3 years ago, the first time I was in London for Nick (and whom my English friend Sheetal & I have nicknamed 'Mean Fan' because that's what she is!) how her baby was; I think she asked back about Baylee because Brian made the cutest face to imply he's growing teeth and drooling a lot. Awww. He must be such a wonderful dad. =D
On stage, they clowned around a little while the cameras were still off, Brian being the silliest of all, as usual. ♥ He basically kept going behind AJ and..um..I need help to explain this without making it sound like another slashy moment, LMAO. Gotta love Arok!Love I also loved how Kevin kept checking out all the stage fixtures. Such a Kevin thing to do. ;)
Then they were off and on stage again and that's when they sang "I Want It That Way" and...OMG I just downloaded it and saw myself, LMBO!
Ok, back to the show...after performing "IWITW", Kevin commented on the great response they got from the UK audience. Funny, considering there were actually almost more Spanish & Italian fans in the front row than English ones.
In the interview part I thought/hoped Brian would sing Take That's "Back For Good", heh...ah, it would have been just about perfect. =P And there was another cute 'Brian moment' that was not filmed: he joked about turning "Incomplete" into a rock song so he started to sing it as a punk song and we were all nodding like crazy along with him. =D
They also filmed a short tidbit for CD:Live (the Italian equivalent of CD:UK) and when they said they're touring Italy in October I yelled, 'Thank youuu!' but I don't think they've heard me. ;)
When they left, I shook hands with each of them and wished Nick & Howie (I think! =P) a safe trip (as they were heading to Italy just for the night to perform at Festivalbar).
* The next morning I was outside their hotel again at 9 a.m. Sadly, I had to leave at 3:30 p.m. to catch my stupid plane, but, luckily, I didn't stand there for over 6 hours for nothing (I think I fucking deserve a Patience Award, lol!), because around 2 p.m. Brian, AJ & Kevin came out again to go play golf. =)
And I'm afraid this is it, kiddies. =P I really have to go to bed now, because my chances of passing my French exam tomorrow are already slim as it is, without me going to sleep at 3 a.m. =S
Laterz. ;)