| (no subject) |
[Sep. 25th, 2006|09:02 pm] |
Oh dear. Is it really a month (nearly) since my last LJ post?? I’m even more rubbish at updating my journal than I’d expected myself to be!
So… this Saturday, the man and I took ourselves off to Camden for the first time in a good few weeks, to make the most of what is probably going to be one of last weekends of decent weather this year. After a very good breakfast in the Camden Kitchen and a little wander around the market, we had a stroll in the sunshine through Primrose Hill and the back streets of Belsize Park up to Hampstead, then back to Camden where Lew was meeting up with some friends from his training course for the afternoon. As we were walking up the road toward the tube station, we bumped in to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) morbidfrog, who was just coming out of her flat on her way to do some shopping in Camden… how lucky she is to have it all just on her doorstep! A little later, I decided to go off and do the same thing myself, while Lew and his friends entertained themselves in the pub.
One new bag, one birthday pressie for a friend, one coffee in Tupelo Honey and one vial of magic mushrooms later (purchased, not ingested – that is yet to come!), I caught up with Lew and his training course friends in the Ice Wharf. A very lovely, but very eclectic bunch – from what I could work out, they are all very different personalities from extremely diverse backgrounds, and it was interesting (to say the least) to watch the interaction between them all… some of whom got on very well, and some of whom fairly obviously - and rather hilariously - didn’t! The evening culminated in the entire drunken bunch of us going to some community hall near to Regent’s Park where one of the guys worked part time, to drink some cheap booze and to watch some very unprofessional Scottish dancing!
After that, we headed off to Kryptorium for a long overdue catch up with deltress… unfortunately our day hadn’t quite worked out as planned and we hadn’t been able to get home and rest in the afternoon before going to Krypto (too busy pub-hopping and kilt-watching), so we were both pretty knackered and only managed to stay for a couple of hours. By the time we left - just after midnight - there were still only a handful of people there… perhaps the masses had been lured away by Queen Adreena’s set at Antilight?
As to the rest of the month’s highlights… last Saturday we went for a very long walk in the gorgeous Windsor Great Park, coinciding with the annual National Carriage Driving Championships which were being held there that weekend. Consequently, we had some beautifully turned out horse-and-carriage ensembles trotting past us during our trek to the village in the middle of the park and back. A wonderful sight, and I’m so glad that there are folk out there who are dedicated (and wealthy?) enough to keep a tradition like that alive. We must make the effort to go into the showground for a proper look around at next year’s event.
The weekend before that, I took Lew up to Cambridge. Such a beautiful city… usually I go there with a friend who lives nearby, to see some band or other at the Corn Exchange, so it made a nice change to go there as a sightseer for the day and do some of the typical touristy things – a good nose around the shops, punting on the river Cam, etc. Sadly we didn’t have either the time or the energy to look around any of the colleges – I would particularly have liked to have taken a closer look at the lovely, Gothic-wedding-cake St John’s – but we’ll go there again sometime and make sure we do that. Probably sooner rather than later in fact, cos during our wander around the town centre Lew discovered a rather nice whisky shop, and I found a fabulous chocolate shop, so we’re both pretty keen to go back!
I think we're coming close to the end of our Saturday summer outings for this year though, because the weather is going to turn pretty soon… although we may try and fit in another quick trip to Brighton before it gets too chilly. We won’t be going anywhere too far-flung this weekend at any rate, because on Friday it’s Fright Club and I intend to make the most of it, especially having missed the last one… see you there! |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 30th, 2006|07:44 pm] |
Not been on LJ too much recently. Last Tuesday night I had to go home early from work because I was feeling ill, spent half the night throwing up, and subsequently spent most of the rest of the week recovering from what was supposed to be a 24-hour stomach bug, but which dragged on for considerably longer. I’ve still been coming to work, and going out and doing stuff, but I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for myself! Better now though.
Despite that, I managed to have a pretty good Bank Holiday weekend. On Friday afternoon after work we met a friend for a quick coffee in Starbucks, then as it was such a lovely evening, instead of going straight home Lew and I wandered along the South Bank on the way back to Waterloo Station, stopping outside the Tate Modern to watch a singing street performer – er, ‘Budgieman’ - with his ‘magical performing budgies’(!) (couldn’t resist – I’m afraid I’m a sucker for anything to do with animals), then on a whim - and as we were passing - we decided to go to the bar at the top of the Oxo Tower for some vastly overpriced cocktails which didn’t taste anywhere near as nice as they sounded from the menu! Good view, though.
Saturday, we visited St. Albans – a very pleasant town (well – officially it’s a City, I think) in Hertfordshire that I used to live near. It has a lovely cathedral, a medieval clock tower with great views from the top over St Albans and the surrounding countryside, many beautiful old buildings, some interesting Roman history, and an even more interesting waffle house (mmmm) next door to the old water mill, where we had some lunch. The weather wasn’t the best, but when we’d previously planned a visit there a month or so ago it was too ridiculously hot to go anywhere at all, so I much preferred having to take a brolly for the odd shower rather than trying to cope with sickening 35 degree heat.
On Sunday we went into Camden to do some shopping – we almost had to turn round and go home when we’d only got as far as Waterloo because I’d started feeling dodgy again, but after getting off the train for a bit I felt OK enough to carry on. Glad I did, cos I had the pleasure of meeting sassygoth24 in After Dark Fashions, who did a brilliant gothic makeup on me – makeup is something I’ve always been absolutely useless at doing, but she gave me some really good tips and the next day I *think* I managed to fairly successfully recreate the look she’d done for me. I’ll have to make the effort to get to a few more clubs and VC/ LVG events now, so that I have an excuse to practice my new-found liquid eyeliner skills!
Monday, we met up with deltress in the afternoon for coffee, then we all went off to the Dev for the Doll’s Tea Party and Dragonne Tayles event. Sadly after a couple of hours of sitting in the pub and feeling increasingly unwell, I was in need of some serious fresh air, so I had to leave way before the Tayles started, and also before I saw any LJ friends arrive… sorry I missed you, chaoscowboy and sassygoth24 (I’d have liked to have gotten a critique on my makeup attempt from you!). We went for a walk up to Chalk Farm, stopping en route for happy hour cocktails in Cottons (MUCH better than the Oxo Tower ones and less than half the price too), up on to Primrose Hill and back round to Camden, finishing up in the Lock Tavern for some dinner – I love that pub, great food too, shame it’s always so crowded in there. Then on to the Enterprise in Chalk Farm for a quick snifter before heading off to the Scala to see Front Line Assembly – excellent gig, and I love the venue, even if it is in scuzzy old King’s Cross, and it was just about the perfect ending to a very full and fun weekend.
And now it’s Wednesday already, short week - hurray for Bank Holidays! |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 15th, 2006|06:21 pm] |
Hmmm. Not too clever at this LJ updating thing, am I? Mind you, that has a lot to do with the fact that our office layout has temporarily changed, and a few weeks ago we were moved from the back (where we had a bird’s eye view of the entire floor and of any approaching bankers) to a few rows further forward. What with the constant flow of human traffic behind us, it now feels like we’re sitting in a corridor. Consequently, I have to be a bit careful what I have up on my computer screen at any given time, in case one of the big bosses walks past behind me. Hopefully, though, it’s only a temporary measure until our floor is reorganised, and we can move back again.
A couple of weeks ago we went to see ‘Fuerzabruta’ at the Roundhouse – at least partly because I was curious to see what the venue looked like after its facelift! If anyone had told me beforehand that the show was ‘performance art’ (which I suppose is the best way of summarising it), I probably wouldn’t have bothered going – I’ve always associated that term with, I dunno, someone standing on one leg for five hours whilst reciting bad poetry and holding a kipper, or some such wankery. But as it happens, Fuerzabruta was excellent – very stimulating and invigorating, with loads going on and lots of inventive ideas – it was a bit like being in the middle of someone’s very bizarre dream. Unfortunately, Lew got sick during the performance so we had to leave halfway through. It’s on until the end of the month though, so I might try to go again and see it through to the end this time! As for the Roundhouse, I thought the whole complex was lovely – very clean and modern with nice bars/ restaurant/ cafe, and definitely a lot smarter than grungey old favourites like the Forum or the Astoria. I’m now contemplating going to see the Dresden Dolls there in November, whom I’m sure would put on a great show – anyone else seen them live before?
Also a couple of weeks ago, I got taken to Slimelight – amazingly enough, my first ever time there! I’ve never really been big on clubs/ clubbing, although there seem to be a lot more interesting ones around these days – I definitely want to go to the next ‘Fright Club’, for example, and also ‘Inferno’ at some point. Anyway, Slimelight – I liked the atmosphere of the place, very friendly and relaxed, and I enjoyed the music on the main floor. The venue, though, is the kind of place that makes you feel like you need a good bath afterwards - I had thick, glue-like black muck on the bottoms of my shoes when I got home, I have no idea what it was, and I don’t think I want to know, either! But that’s no big deal, I enjoyed myself and would definitely go again.
What else? Oh yes – the Ministry gig at the beginning of the month. I was really disappointed – I’ve been wanting to see Ministry for years, and they were playing my favourite venue too (the Forum), but the volume was cranked up so high that the sound coming through the speakers was a) earsplittingly loud and b) distorted to the point that it took me a full 30 seconds to even realise when they started playing one of my favourite songs (N.W.O.). They also played a good bit of stuff from their latest album – fair enough as that’s the one they’re touring, but I was none too keen on it, I found it far too thrashy for my liking. Ah well, hopefully the bands at the Festival of Shadows will be better – and Front Line Assembly at the Scala the day after, which I am really looking forward to. The upcoming Bank Holiday weekend looks as though it's going to be a busy one... |
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| The Sad Passing of Common Sense |
[Jul. 20th, 2006|02:33 pm] |
This was sent to me by a friend... though it's too true to be really funny.
"Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but, could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
If you still remember him pass this on. If not join the majority and do nothing." |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 18th, 2006|04:44 pm] |
Yick. I had a very restless sleep last night, because of the heat and mugginess (is it just me, or does it somehow seem worse at night than during the day, even though the temperature isn’t as high?). And on my way to work this afternoon, thanks to 'trackside fires at Clapham Junction', I was stuck on a sweltering train for 1 ¼ hours on what should normally only be a half hour journey, sweating out my litre bottle of water as fast as I was drinking it. It is just TOO DAMN HOT out there - and scheduled to be even worse tomorrow. Help! Thank goodness for lovely cool air conditioned offices – it’s not often that I’m actually grateful to go to work, but at least it gives me 8 hours’ respite from the heat. Oh, and thank goodness for my desk drawer supply of Nivea Spray Deodorant, too!
Well anyway, at least the weekend temperatures were much more bearable, so we were able to go out and do stuff instead of hiding indoors from the heat. On Friday after work, I met up with some friends - who had been picnicking on Primrose Hill during the afternoon while I was slaving away over a hot computer, alright for some - and we went to the Holiday Inn at Camden Lock. We’d booked in there on a ‘leisure break’ special deal: £119 per room per night, including dinner and breakfast the next morning. I wasn’t expecting much for the money, but as it happens, the rooms were lovely – and ours had a view over Lush, probably my favourite bar in Camden, so that instantly endeared me to the place! After checking in and dolling ourselves up, we went across the road to said favourite bar for a Happy Hour cocktail or four, then back to the hotel for dinner. I was really impressed - good choice of stuff on the menu, beautifully presented grub, and very tasty.
But anyway, the main point behind getting a hotel room, was so that we could go clubbing – Sin City at the Electric Ballroom. Eek! Whatever happened to Sin City? I know that technically it’s a ‘rock’ club, and as such plays all sorts, but the times I’ve been in the past, it was always more slanted toward industrial/ goth rock and metal. On Friday night though, it was more like Thrash Metal Frenzy. Admittedly it’s a good few months since I was last there, and I suppose things change… but it really wasn’t my thing at all, so we scarpered a couple of hours after getting there, back to the hotel at about 2am for munchies, drinks and, eventually, bed! Next morning after far too little sleep, we went down to the restaurant for the excellent help-yourself-to-everything, stuff-a-thon breakfast, then a little later we checked out of the hotel and all went our separate ways. It was a really enjoyable stay, and if they do any special deals again, I’ll definitely see what clubs in the area we can combine it with. Inferno, perhaps? |
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| The best laid plans... |
[Jul. 3rd, 2006|09:25 pm] |
Oh dear... this weekend really didn't pan out at all as it was supposed to have done! First off, I was supposed to have been meeting a friend on Friday afternoon after work for a coffee and a catch-up, and to hand her some photo albums she'd asked me to pick up for her. Unfortunately on the day she wasn't well and couldn't make it, so that was a bit disappointing as I hadn't seen her in months - plus, I had to lug the albums all the way home again. On Friday evening, myself and the man (Lew) were supposed to be going to Fright Club, which sounded excellent. However, by the time we'd got home, had some dinner and sat down for a rest (always a mistake!), a week's worth of sleeping badly plus the exhausting heat of the day decided to catch up with us at that point... so while Fright Club was in full swing and everyone was watching the fashion show and the band, and drinking and dancing and generally enjoying themselves, we were tucked up in bed and snoring. And by all accounts - not to mention morbidfrog's photos - it sounds/ looks as though we missed a really good night... ah well.
On Saturday, I was supposed to be taking Lew to St. Alban's in Hertfordshire for a look around (a very attractive city that I used to live near). However because it was so ridiculously hot, we decided it probably wouldn't be a very good idea to go on any long journeys on public transport, as neither of us were too keen on the idea of potentially getting stuck in some tunnel on a non-air-conditioned train/ tube for hours on end, because of "the wrong kind of sunshine" or whatever National Rail's latest excuse is. So we ended up staying at home and doing some DIY! (Oh, and watching England get booted out of the World Cup - Thank Gawd that's all over with for another four years). Productive maybe, but not exactly the most fun use of a precious weekend, though we did manage to go out for a nice walk along the river later on in the evening when it cooled down somewhat.
Then on Sunday, I received a text message from my mum informing me that she's booked herself train tickets to come down for a visit on the weekend of August 11th - 13th... even though I'd told her that the weekend before or after were really the only convenient ones for me that month. So, no Antilite at the G Lounge for me on August 12th (which I'd been looking forward to)... ho, hum.
Still, the one redeeming feature of the weekend was when we went out for a walk in the park on Sunday evening, and we saw a couple of swans with their three beautiful (and very small) baby cygnets... awww. Though of course, I didn't have my camera on me to take any pics :o( It was a lovely thing to see, though.
And now it's Monday again already. Well - there's always next weekend... |
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| First ever entry - hurrah, I'm no longer an LJ virgin! |
[Jun. 23rd, 2006|04:33 pm] |
Ho hum... well, if I'm anything like as bad as keeping an online diary as I always have been at keeping handwritten ones, I'll no doubt be falling by the wayside pretty quickly with doing any daily entries... not that my life is that exciting anyway that I will need keep anyone (including myself) updated on the minutae of my day-to-day life! So I'll probably only be putting down stuff here that I've found especially interesting and want to share, or feel the need to comment (vent my spleen?) on. But I figured it was about time I started my own LJ diary, as I've been spending a good few months on here lurking on everyone else's!
Yesterday I changed my shift at work so that I could finish at 2.30pm (I usually work evenings and don't even start until 2pm). After work, I met my friend Donna at Tupelo Honey in Camden, we sat upstairs in their lovely roof terrace drinking cappuccinos, and then off we went to the Dev for the 'Doll's Tea Party'. What a great evening - when we walked in it had only just started and there were very few people there, so we spent the next couple of hours chatting to Thunder, and watching the place fill up. I was very impressed by all the artwork that was out on display in the stage area - it's interesting how artistically inclined most people on the goth/ vampyre scene seem to be, and how talented they are. And it was great to meet/ talk to a few LJ'ers whose blogs I've been reading on a regular basis (very nice to meet you chaoscowboy and to talk to you again, morbidfrog). I also enjoyed all the poem and story readings, and the faerie talk/ Q&A session, and just sitting and chilling with some good alcohol/ surroundings/ company/ music on the decks. Earlier in the evening, the boyfriend (Lew) had turned up bearing the news that he'd gotten a 2:1 degree in his Electronic Engineering course (I am so proud of him!), so the evening turned into quite a celebration for our little group.
The only thing that spoilt it, was having to leave at 10.30pm because I had to get up early the next day for work... ah well, at least it's Friday! |
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