December 6th - The Modfather

I'm off to see Paul Weller at St Georges Hall, Bradford tonight - so a picture of him is today's advent calendar

Madness Part 2 (we went we skanked)

Well that was a bloomin marvelous weekend. We set off Saturday morning with the car loaded up with the new Aggrolites Album and The Liberty of Norton Folgate and headed down south to fancy London for the weekend.

The weather on the way down was frightening - we drove through (well I was driving) the most amazing storm and it felt like we were just driving through one big puddle for about 5 miles.

So we landed in Greenwich and had a quick change, waited for the weather to pass and headed off to Mile End and then up to Victoria Park, Hackney for Madstock. We arrived just in time to see The Aggrolites and the sun was shining - The Boy got his Fez as he missed out when we saw Madness at The O2 in December last year:

The drink of choice was Pear Cider for The Boy and Dry Cider for me (it seemed to go with the sunshine). We then watched Jerry Dammers and his orchestra whilst eating Pie & Chips (The Boy), Moroccan Lamb Kebab with salad (me). We then went for a bit of a wander round and The Boy discovered Churros & Chocolate - he was very happy about this:

All was going well:

The Blockheads came on (with some chap who sounded a lot like Joe Strummer but just not quite as good) - more cider was drunk, and then the heavens opened:

It eased off in time for The Pogues and was dry and fine again by the time Madness came on. They were brilliant (as per) and we danced and danced and danced. Managed to get the tube and bus back to Greenwich really easily and rested our feet.

So Saturday and The Boy had a shopping list - we did all the shops he wanted and managed a quick trip down Mount Street were I stopped in Louboutin and Marc Jacobs but kept my purse in my bag. Not so in Marc by Marc Jacobs where we both bought Tshirts and I bought a few pouch bags. Back to Greenwich and The Gypsy Moth for a pint of Hoegarden and a late lunch (Bangers & Mash - The Boy; Steak and salad - me). Back to the house to catch up with my brothers and rest for a few hours before heading up to Kings Cross and The Camden Centre to see Neville Staples, Pauline Black and The Beat (no photo's as I forgot to take any). We both said that we didn't think we would be dancing much but that didn't last very long. My perfect blowdry lasted about 30 mins before being scraped back into a pony tail to cope stop it sticking to my skin. Another great gig and a great crowd - strange venue but perfect location.

So now we are back in Yorkshire, washing is in, courgettes have been inspected, Ocado order has been updated and our excellent weekend draws to a close. My feet hurt, my thighs ache, I may have pulled my left calf muscle a bit and I'm dog tired but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Madness, Madness they call it Madness

Tomorrow (Friday) I am going to do one of my favourite things - I am going to see Madness live. Its such a great gig - it's my first trip to Madstock and I am really looking forward to it.

Unfortunately it's going to rain so no idea what I am going to wear but a good time will be had by all.

Huzzah.

Took That - Partied

So where are we - it's been a busy and good few days what with Take That, Punk, Wimbledon (on TV) and the coast so time to catch up - a series of blogs to get me up to date.

So last Wednesday I met with the lovely KBW for lunch pre-Take That, we went to Hush I had the Chicken Ceasar Salad and she had the Steak; we sat outside it was glorious and relaxing. Then off to Wembley to meet Zee and see Take That. We got there in time to see the end of the Support Act (James Morrison) and take in the vastness that is Wembley; it's HUGE

Take That were brilliant - I saw them with Utterlt Butterly at The City of Manchester Stadium when they first got back together a few years ago. This show was so much more and they were better (slicker) the circus theme was amazing - a great gig. I met some of Zee's friends who all seemed Lovely and really up for a fun night.

KBW and I snuck out before the end to get on the Tube back to town - this was a great plan as we got on the Tube very easily and got seats. Though this is when I realised that I was a little bit tipsy (I think this was apparent when I said to the line of British Transport Police - 'hurah it's the real police it's the BTP - hello boys fancy a party; thankfully they just smiled at me ....anyway they didn't arrest me!). So we went to town and went to the painfully cool Punk - lovely T was on the door so we got in nice and quickly. It was brilliant, we danced and sang for 3 hours with the most fabulous trannies and dandies - felt ridiculously underdressed with all those amazing people (wish I had photo's - next time I will dress more appropriately and take photo's). Both KBW and I had the best time, taxi back to Greenwich and so to bed.

The next day was rough - I had a hangover and it was so hot. The cheap pre-booked ticket I had was actually booked for the wrong day so I had to buy a new ticket BUT it was worth it.

Never Forget Where You're Coming From.

Fancy That

Well here I am experiencing the wonders of modern technology as I blog
from my iPhone using the train wireless whilst also listening to
Stevie Wonder on the iPhones iPod -proof it it were needed that the
iPhone is a female for only she could multitask this well!

So I am off to fancy London to see Take That with Zee and KBW. I'm
looking forward to seeing my friends and forgetting about the dullness
of my continuing job sear b for at lease 24 hours.

I am on the soon to be renamed National Express East Coast train. I
wonder why it is so difficult fir a train operating company to make a
success of this route. I mean it's a fab quick journey to London from
Doncaster - approx 1 hour & 40 mins. I can be at a meetin in Central
London from home less than 2.5 hours. But, and here's he rub it's
bloomin pricey. A same day purchase of a 1st class ticket is not much
lower than a ecomony flight to NYC, the trains are not clean and the
customer service patchy. From Leeds it's an additional 40 mins and
often the trains are delayed. They talk about decreasing passenger
numbers but every train I catch seems to be pretty full no matter what
time of day.

There are bargains to be had (for example todays journey is about £85
return as it's a non flexible advance. Cheaper than driving yes but
nowhere near as comfortable.

I feel for the staff - it only seems like 2 minutes since they
transferred from GNER to NEXC and here they go again - the unions have
to be careful what they say on one hand another change for the staff
is bad but a renationalised is exacy what they have been after for
years - so the union wins (or perceives they do) but what about the
individual? And where does this put other privatisation plans such as
the Royal Mail?

Anyway back to positives (and trivial matters) it is due to be
glorious, wine shall be drunk, song shall be sung and fun will be had.
Good friends, good weather & good times - huzzah.

Sent from my iPhone