We will overcome, if no one sleeps tonight
This'll be a bastard of an update, my own fault for being lazy and ill really. Might try doing it in two parts, see how it goes:
Well last Wednesday, unless my memory fails me (which is quite possible, all things considered) was spent in the company of vampiric_monkey, exchanging the contents of our hard drives. I now have the first three seasons of Red Dwarf to watch, and therefore am hankering for Dom Perignon '44 (in a pint glass). Thursday found me in charge at work, with all the people above me being off. This would have been fine except no one had asked me, and other departments thought they could dump complaints, etc on me, so I wasn't too happy. Thursday was also superbadassmeme day, with my second to last post generating well over 100 responses. This proves nothing other than that we're sad, sad people.
Friday, and a last minute change of plan, as Sam had family events to attend to. It being payday, I had no qualms about forgoing everything else and catching the first train south (aided and abetted by the boss, who rather graciously decided I'd done plenty of work, and let me out an hour before time). The reason behind my sudden escape? Why the first Satan's Circus show of course! Met kimera_kydra outside the Purple Turtle, and soon found myself introduced to a bewildering array of people, all of whom were damned nice folks. Settling into the backstage area (for what it was, a 6' by 5' sweatbox with no aircon), we were joined by _vimto_, voluptua, Cherry and Dee Dee. Now I have to confess to feeling a little bit like a spare part at this juncture, what with conditions already being cramped, a couple of the girls not knowing me and probably wondering who the random was in their changing room, and me not entirely sure what my role as 'stagehand/bodyguard/cameraman' would entail. Still, this all changed when I completed my first task, the highly important 'fetching the ladies their liquor'. After that they seemed to get on with me just fine. My time throughout the evening was spent doing light fetching and carrying, retrieving articles of clothing, and wondering why the hell my real job isn't as fun. As for the performances themselves, we had Christelle doing a Jazz Singer performance, and an 'sbusive husband' skit with Kate. DeeDee and Cherry did an Addam's Family themed Spookshow sequence, Kate did something quite amazing with a pair of fans, and they finished with an extanded game of 'strip' poker on stage (which I ended up filming most of, in an effort to keep myself busy). Highlight for me though was easily Christelle, Kate and Georgie dancing on the bar to the sounds of Tito & Tarantula's 'After Dark', like a cross between From Dusk Till Dawn and Coyote Ugly. So yes, so far a flawless night, semi-naked ladies, whiskey, and decent tunes (rockabilly and punk, and Texas Chainsaw played as well).
At some point (I lost track of time fairly early on, because there were better things to look at than my watch) it was decided we should move on to the Blue Sunflower. A couple of you may have been to this place, for those of you who haven't, I'm afraid it's very hard to describe. It's like a cross between a squat, a studio, a large student flat, a bar and a library, in short it is very, very cool. Here we chilled out for a good while, playing 'I have never', which due to the characters participating, soon changed into a game of 'I have', a couple of the guys performed some quite hilarious songs (I was pretty much the only person who couldn't sing), I think there was pole dancing as well. It was light outside by the time we left, headed to Kitten Palace to wind down a little, then the ladies headed for bed, and I for the Tube, a walking zombie. I'd like to thank the girls for their hospitality, here's to the next show!
So, Saturday, and a train journey spent desperately trying to sleep and failing to do so in the face of screaming children. Upon arrival back in Notts I got a call from Sam, they were lost, and had been driving round for an hour (Sam doesn't have a mobile phone, firstly because he's a luddite, secondly because he's hardly ever in the country). Turns out they were next to the Trip, so it was an easy wander over to meet him and his girlfriend Laurel. For those of you who don't know who Sam is, I'll pause a minute. Samuel Filgate is my oldest friend, who I've known for about two decades, and who was my next door neighbour until the age of 18. We went to (mostly) the same schools, and while we're largely different people we share the common bond of knowing what it's like growing up and escaping from a tiny Norfolk village. When I went away to Uni, Sam went for a year in Canada, working in children's camps, before going to the UEA (and taking a year out in America). He now moves between Canada, the US, the Caribbean, France, the Med... you get the idea (he'd just come back from Oslo). Despite me having suspicions that he might be gay, he's been with Laurel for three (I think) years now, and they're making noises about getting a place together in Calgary. Ok, that's enough background, on with the entry!
So we get back to the flat and drop stuff off, and I take a much needed shower. We started with a spot of lunch in the Dragon, and then as I'd promised Sam 'tourist-y things', we went and had a look round the castle, which did nothing but further my belief that there's nothing interesting about bloody lace. With all of us feeling somewhat battered we chilled out for a couple of hours at home, before starting the evening's entertainment. A meal in Wagamamas was followed by the Speak Easy, the White Hart, and the Salutation. I was trying to keep the evening somewhat light, as I was feeling the worse for wear, and S&L are quiet types, unused to the general mayhem and carnage that follows a night out in the presence of soldatengrab et al. We gave up at about one, and headed home where we failed to watch JCVH (yet again). I also made a couple of observations that night, which I will comment on further below.
Sunday, and after bidding farewell to S&L, lunch in the Sir John went a reasonable way towards making me feel human again. Moseyed to town and signed up at the gym, also booked myself in for my health check and starting session. jonthebloody might well join as well, which would be cool. Back through town, picked up bits and bobs, would have taken less time but we kept bumping into people. Finally got home and played video games through the football (using my usual method of gauging the score on the noises emitted by the other denizens of Park West). Grabbed a couple of hours sleep before starting my night shift. And here's where i took a turn for the worse, Sunday night I was a shivering, sweating, bundle of nausea. I blitzed as many emails as I could before trying to get some sleep. Got home on Monday and went straight to bed with a fever. Was rescued on Monday evening by manniqueen_ who came over after her work, made me get out of bed and took me to Asda, before cooking me some tea and driving me to work. This of course takes us to the night just gone, where I've felt a little better, though no more productive.
And that was the last few days. Congratulations to those of you who waded through that. Additional observations and news as follows:
1. It seems that while I considered Apocalypse Girls a joke, I'm in the minority, and everyone else has ideas for it. I am taking your ideas on bored, people, but give me a couple of weeks.
2. Joining Chris and Allan in the wave of 'rock types' invading Park West, it appears we shall soon soon have wordsfromrob in our ranks as well :)
3. notgothdammit, I believe you were going to take me to Hooters, still on?
4. My birthday. 14th July. In order to stem the tide of queries, *I don't know what I'm doing yet*. I'm quite overwhelmed and flattered that people are wanting to know what's going on, but I really, really don't know yet. I'll try and sort something out soon, I promise.
Right, that's it. To bed!
Well last Wednesday, unless my memory fails me (which is quite possible, all things considered) was spent in the company of vampiric_monkey, exchanging the contents of our hard drives. I now have the first three seasons of Red Dwarf to watch, and therefore am hankering for Dom Perignon '44 (in a pint glass). Thursday found me in charge at work, with all the people above me being off. This would have been fine except no one had asked me, and other departments thought they could dump complaints, etc on me, so I wasn't too happy. Thursday was also superbadassmeme day, with my second to last post generating well over 100 responses. This proves nothing other than that we're sad, sad people.
Friday, and a last minute change of plan, as Sam had family events to attend to. It being payday, I had no qualms about forgoing everything else and catching the first train south (aided and abetted by the boss, who rather graciously decided I'd done plenty of work, and let me out an hour before time). The reason behind my sudden escape? Why the first Satan's Circus show of course! Met kimera_kydra outside the Purple Turtle, and soon found myself introduced to a bewildering array of people, all of whom were damned nice folks. Settling into the backstage area (for what it was, a 6' by 5' sweatbox with no aircon), we were joined by _vimto_, voluptua, Cherry and Dee Dee. Now I have to confess to feeling a little bit like a spare part at this juncture, what with conditions already being cramped, a couple of the girls not knowing me and probably wondering who the random was in their changing room, and me not entirely sure what my role as 'stagehand/bodyguard/cameraman' would entail. Still, this all changed when I completed my first task, the highly important 'fetching the ladies their liquor'. After that they seemed to get on with me just fine. My time throughout the evening was spent doing light fetching and carrying, retrieving articles of clothing, and wondering why the hell my real job isn't as fun. As for the performances themselves, we had Christelle doing a Jazz Singer performance, and an 'sbusive husband' skit with Kate. DeeDee and Cherry did an Addam's Family themed Spookshow sequence, Kate did something quite amazing with a pair of fans, and they finished with an extanded game of 'strip' poker on stage (which I ended up filming most of, in an effort to keep myself busy). Highlight for me though was easily Christelle, Kate and Georgie dancing on the bar to the sounds of Tito & Tarantula's 'After Dark', like a cross between From Dusk Till Dawn and Coyote Ugly. So yes, so far a flawless night, semi-naked ladies, whiskey, and decent tunes (rockabilly and punk, and Texas Chainsaw played as well).
At some point (I lost track of time fairly early on, because there were better things to look at than my watch) it was decided we should move on to the Blue Sunflower. A couple of you may have been to this place, for those of you who haven't, I'm afraid it's very hard to describe. It's like a cross between a squat, a studio, a large student flat, a bar and a library, in short it is very, very cool. Here we chilled out for a good while, playing 'I have never', which due to the characters participating, soon changed into a game of 'I have', a couple of the guys performed some quite hilarious songs (I was pretty much the only person who couldn't sing), I think there was pole dancing as well. It was light outside by the time we left, headed to Kitten Palace to wind down a little, then the ladies headed for bed, and I for the Tube, a walking zombie. I'd like to thank the girls for their hospitality, here's to the next show!
So, Saturday, and a train journey spent desperately trying to sleep and failing to do so in the face of screaming children. Upon arrival back in Notts I got a call from Sam, they were lost, and had been driving round for an hour (Sam doesn't have a mobile phone, firstly because he's a luddite, secondly because he's hardly ever in the country). Turns out they were next to the Trip, so it was an easy wander over to meet him and his girlfriend Laurel. For those of you who don't know who Sam is, I'll pause a minute. Samuel Filgate is my oldest friend, who I've known for about two decades, and who was my next door neighbour until the age of 18. We went to (mostly) the same schools, and while we're largely different people we share the common bond of knowing what it's like growing up and escaping from a tiny Norfolk village. When I went away to Uni, Sam went for a year in Canada, working in children's camps, before going to the UEA (and taking a year out in America). He now moves between Canada, the US, the Caribbean, France, the Med... you get the idea (he'd just come back from Oslo). Despite me having suspicions that he might be gay, he's been with Laurel for three (I think) years now, and they're making noises about getting a place together in Calgary. Ok, that's enough background, on with the entry!
So we get back to the flat and drop stuff off, and I take a much needed shower. We started with a spot of lunch in the Dragon, and then as I'd promised Sam 'tourist-y things', we went and had a look round the castle, which did nothing but further my belief that there's nothing interesting about bloody lace. With all of us feeling somewhat battered we chilled out for a couple of hours at home, before starting the evening's entertainment. A meal in Wagamamas was followed by the Speak Easy, the White Hart, and the Salutation. I was trying to keep the evening somewhat light, as I was feeling the worse for wear, and S&L are quiet types, unused to the general mayhem and carnage that follows a night out in the presence of soldatengrab et al. We gave up at about one, and headed home where we failed to watch JCVH (yet again). I also made a couple of observations that night, which I will comment on further below.
Sunday, and after bidding farewell to S&L, lunch in the Sir John went a reasonable way towards making me feel human again. Moseyed to town and signed up at the gym, also booked myself in for my health check and starting session. jonthebloody might well join as well, which would be cool. Back through town, picked up bits and bobs, would have taken less time but we kept bumping into people. Finally got home and played video games through the football (using my usual method of gauging the score on the noises emitted by the other denizens of Park West). Grabbed a couple of hours sleep before starting my night shift. And here's where i took a turn for the worse, Sunday night I was a shivering, sweating, bundle of nausea. I blitzed as many emails as I could before trying to get some sleep. Got home on Monday and went straight to bed with a fever. Was rescued on Monday evening by manniqueen_ who came over after her work, made me get out of bed and took me to Asda, before cooking me some tea and driving me to work. This of course takes us to the night just gone, where I've felt a little better, though no more productive.
And that was the last few days. Congratulations to those of you who waded through that. Additional observations and news as follows:
1. It seems that while I considered Apocalypse Girls a joke, I'm in the minority, and everyone else has ideas for it. I am taking your ideas on bored, people, but give me a couple of weeks.
2. Joining Chris and Allan in the wave of 'rock types' invading Park West, it appears we shall soon soon have wordsfromrob in our ranks as well :)
3. notgothdammit, I believe you were going to take me to Hooters, still on?
4. My birthday. 14th July. In order to stem the tide of queries, *I don't know what I'm doing yet*. I'm quite overwhelmed and flattered that people are wanting to know what's going on, but I really, really don't know yet. I'll try and sort something out soon, I promise.
Right, that's it. To bed!