The long, long road

This is my 250th post! Wowzers! Yay me!

I start my new job tomorrow and I am a little apprehensive. I did the journey run for the first time on Friday morning and took a lil look around my new 'patch'. Despite it being a little bit more 'inner city' than where I've been used to working, there is definitely an insular village feel to the area. In fact I been told by someone who lives around there that it is now known as Hackney Village.

This past month I've not been able to go out as my cash flow is lower than I've ever known it. I've not one penny in my bank (I lie really - I actually have 17 pennies!), my credit card is totally maxed out, so no leaning on it as I have been in recent months. I've actually squeaked through so far this month by spending my Christmas and birthday money, but even that's all gone now! I'm gonna have to go bowl in hand to somebody....

Also in both good and bad news, giving up my job has meant giving up my car which is good because I wouldn't even be able to put petrol in the bugger right now, also having no car helps to keep me 'hermit-fied' and conserve money over the next 6 months whilst I build a pipeline in my new job which will hopefully translate into an improved pay packet come June. The downside of having no car means I'm now 'hermit-fied'!! (with no money to boot!). The internet and my PS3 are likely to become my new best friends.

the space my car used to go in

I recently bought 2 Hedkandi albums seeing as I've now gotta do all my raving indoors; Hedkandi - The Mix:2008 (I've got Axwell's, I Found You, on constant repeat (choonage!)) then when I need the chill-out room and some mellow vibes I slap on Hedkandi - Kandi Lounge.

choonage

Last night I was out for my and fellow colleague Neil's leaving drink. He arranged it all so I can't really claim it to be mine, its just that any leaving drink I would of arranged, would of been on the same night and featured the same people. We went for dinner in the fish restaurant 'Ark' in South Woodford. I had a tasty bit of salmon. We finished of the night in Switch bar, formerly Jets. I'd never been either before but Switch is defiantly worth going to again. I lost my wallet last night and had to walk home (no money) but luckily I had left in someone car and I have it back now. I was worried for a bit there and couldn't sleep soundly.

Christmas Carols with the Stars (vol 2)

(Again with the delayed entry) Thursday 29th November. Mr Garner had invited me back once more to help in the choir as they sang at the Albert Hall along with Sydenham Girls School. This as last year there where a host of 'soap stars' and TV celebrities on hand, but unlike last year we (the school) only got to see them as they were announced and appeared on stage during the concert. The celebrity count was up from last year but unfortunately we (the performers) were not allowed cameras which means no snaps. Robert Powell, Lorraine Chase, Ainsley Harriot, Paul O'Grady; also the cast of The Bill lead by Graham Cole, PC Stamp. The only other person I would have any knowledge of would be Tommy Walsh from Ground Force.




Kirsty had been invited to sing with Caterham School as well, and a good thing too, as it was the first time we had seen each other for months and months and months! During a 2 hour break between rehearsal and concert we snuck away from the group and climbed to the top of the Albert Hall, and hung out, high above the hubbub below. That was cool.

The 'Hairspray' and 'The Ivy'

Exactly 2 weeks ago my office had its Christmas do. As we had won a bit of extra money for our performance this year, we decided to do something a little bit extra. We agreed on a restaurant, and choose The Ivy, and then wanted to back it up with a show. Alan, Sharon and Melissa had all seen the recent movie Hairspray and really wanted to see the stage show; I didn't need much persuading.

All 4 of us were working that day so some careful juggling had to take place so that all the company cars were at home come 6pm. A quick change into our snazzy threads then the tube to the theatre for a 7.30 start. I absolutely loved the show. It is set in the 60s, and I was totally thrilled with the era, the music and the outfits; by the curtain fall I was buzzing and saying to myself that this had been the best piece of entertainment I had ever seen!



From the theatre we had an 11pm dinner at the Ivy. I guess due to the high celebrity count I was told I was not allowed to take photographs. With that and the 'no camera' policy of the theatre I was left with a nigh on redundant camera! Grr.



Once I got home I ordered the DVD of Hairspray.

A lil bit of this, a lil bit of that!

Last Tuesday afternoon I got a call from my music teacher from school, Mr Garner, its concert time again and he wants me to help his chior out in the 'Christmas with the Stars' concert again, plus the Caterham Christmas concert.

Last Wednesday day I got paid. Woo-hoo! By Friday after all the bills I only had £150 left. D'oh!!

Also on Wednesday I passed up on going body pump (as I felt too tired for the body pump/badminton double), took a lil nap instead but failed to wake in time to go badminton, Oops.

On Thursday evening Gregg invited me to join him for an 'invite only', Ted Baker sale evening, with complimentary drinks and 20% off everything. As you know I'm never one to pass up a new experience, so went along. I did buy something. A black shirt; £75 (before discount)!!

Saturday was firework night and as usual my brother, Shaun, hosted the fireworks but at a new venue; my other brother, Brian, had the night at his new house (only bought 2 months before). Brian laid on the barbecue while Shaun handled the light show. Shaun always gets professional fireworks and it took a few attempts to find the balance between spectacle and life saving body swerves! To close the night he brought a firework named 'When Roswell Attacks!'. It cost £75 and was 3' across and 1' deep! This monster started off sane enough with gentle spiralling whizzes, but about a minute in the was an almighty scream as the main body of the firework ignited. The UFO shaped disc shot up into the air, leaving behind a smoke trail, and when it reached a point higher in the sky than I've seen any firework, it exploded and lit up the sky. Very impressive. My spiritual sister, Sarah, come along for the night too.

Sunday I went shopping down Bluewater with work friend Melissa. I wanted to get a cardigan as I've decided to jump on that bandwagon. I also ended up buying an Armani jumper and a Reiss top as well. I only spend a quarter of what Melissa spent thou; she bought 2 suits, a black skirt, a pair of boots and a Calvin Klein overcoat (that even with a 10% discount for a missing button, still cost over £200).

Monday at circuit training I wanted to give 100% to each minute of the 13 exercises we have to perform but 4 from the end of the 2nd set I ran out of steam and didn't have the energy to lift my arm, let alone do a minute of squat thrusts! The instructor also made us do deadlifts. My back is still hurting from it now! Also met up with Channa in the gym afterward but had no energy still to work out, so chatted instead.

Thanks wikipedia.org

Stars of the future (?)

On Tuesday I went to what can only be called an amateur singer/songwriter showcase. As regular squish pages fans should already know, Catherine is a budding singer and at first I thought I was to see her sing, but it turned out that we were to watch one of her manager's other singers. Myself and Channa agreed to come along and Cat drove us to Benthal Green and the Backyard Comedy Club, where it was being held.

We watched quiet a few singers during the night, many of them singing songs they had penned themselves. To be expected, the talent on hand fluctuated wildly. I couldn't give you any names but in my opinion the best singers of the night was a guy with a guitar and brunette lady in a brown top. Channa also spotted, during the night, the comedian Lee Hurst who actually owns the Backyard Comedy Club. She suggested on sneaking a pic but it would of looked too obvious.

Dancing on the streets of London town

As is customary come August Bank holiday Monday, I was at the Notting Hill Carnival. After missing last year's it was certainly good to be back. We were all lucky enough to have good weather over the whole weekend which makes things that bit more pleasant.

As with every year I've been, Gregg was was my partner in crime; and also with every year we attempted to recruit some troops to share in the great time we always have. Gregg fared better than myself, bringing along Gigi and Ellie plus a couple of her friends. I convinced Sarah to come along but she could only spare a couple of hours.

With the company I had, the day fell into 3 chapters...

Chapter 1 was Sarah. It was good fortune she came because otherwise I'd would of been on my own for about 2 1/2 hours as Nikki (an old college chum I had also arranged to meet up with) and Gregg both arrived later than planned. As it was I spend 45 minutes alone after Sarah left. It was her first time and I'm pretty sure she enjoyed her time there.

Chapter 2 was Nikki. She arrived with her friends, many whom I'd met before many times. It was good to catch up and get some food at the same time. A short time later Gregg arrived with his collective and also took the opportunity to have lunch. The 2 groups separated never really being joined in the first place and I bid farewell to Nikki and went with Gregg and Co. We paused on the main road to watch some floats go by. Afterwards Gigi and the others found the crowds a bit too much and left me and Gregg to battle on while they searched out quieter waters.

Chapter 3, Gregg. As always seems to be the case it was me and Gregg that lasted to the end. We pressed on to Norman Jay's 'Good Times' sound stage and danced on and drank on till the music stopped at 7pm. From then on we wandered the streets, alighting when the mood or music took us. We finally left the area about 9pm, after an utterly enjoyable day!

The T4 Party on the Beach Weekender (July 20-22)

It's seemed like a good idea at the time. And it was a journey made twice before: Drive to Bristol a couple of days before the Sunday for a full weekend of fun. I remember first time we (Me, Gregg and Neil) attended T4. It took me barely 2 1/2 hours to get to Bristol.
This year it took me 2 1/2 hours just to cross London!!!
Another 4 hours to get to Reading, and the whole journey took just over a whopping 7 1/2 hours!!!!!!!

There was a very good reason for the slow journey. It was the day the heavens opened. The rain we got was, quote, '10x heavier than heavy rain'. In fact I had to drive through a 'lake' very early in my journey, the water level easily lapping the top of the wheels!!

Needless to say the drive was very dull and tedious an agonising. I was hungry, because all the service stations had closed due to flooding and I was neigh on delirious when I arrived at the hotel at 8:05 after leaving Ilford at 12:30. To be fair Dan, Gregg and Neil, did no better. Their journey started from Kings Cross. They too had to deal with 'river crossings' and delays, just the same, and arrived about and hour before me.

Neil, Dan, Gregg

'Onwards and upwards'; we still had a quick sauna and swim before hitting the town. Food was paramount because till then I had eaten nothing all day and was starting to see dead people! We ended up in a Witherspoon mainly because we knew they would still do food at 10:30 at night. We wound up next to this crazy woman who was only a few years older than us but looked about 20 years older! She was mad!! We finished the night in Chicago Rock Cafe on the port because it seemed the liveliest bar.



On Saturday we pottered around town; the port front, the shops the Arnolfini museum. We had a late lunch in a bar the was a boat permanently moored. It was called 'Apple' and specialised in cider, which we all sampled along with the rather sumptuous food that was laid on. Back to the hotel for another dip and roast, and we were on the town again. We checked out several bars and pubs early on in the night before going to club Oceana. Dan and Neil had never been to Oceana before and me and Gregg took delight in showing them all the themed rooms. Sadly we only got a far as the 'Boudoir' and stopped for drinks. And there we stayed. We met 4 lovely young ladies in there and ended up chatting away till nearly closing time, when we all went up to the disco room to dance away the final minutes. Two of the girls lived not to far away so we all jumped in cabs to keep the drinking and music going. At 5:20 Dan recognised that we should get some sleep as T4 was only hours away.











I think we were packed and checked out by 12 on Sunday and drove the 20 odd miles to Weston Super Mare. The ever lovely Vicky met us there after getting the train that morning. The beach was a little soggy but the weather was bright and the sun beat down as the day wore on. We saw Akon, Amerie, Mika, Girls Aloud (rubbish, although the ginger one would get it), Badly Drawn Boy, Kaiser Chiefs, Natasha Bedingfield, The Hoosiers, Athlete and Just Jack. Vicky hot footed over to the second stage to see Mark Ronson and I heard Dizzee Rascal whilst we were queuing up for food.






The drive home was no better. The M4 was closed because of an accident and it took me and Vicky 6 hours to get home. Dan, Gregg and Neil failed to reach London in time for the last trains home, so Gregg had to stay at his girlfriend's while Neil had to stay at his parents, having to miss his next day at work. Poor Dan had to drive on to Canterbury in Kent. Even now I'm too scared to ask him what time he got home.

Same again next year? :)

More pics here on Facebook