Tuesday 18 December 2007

Brighton Belles

Had a great day out in Brighton on Sunday. My sis had bought us tickets to see the Kaiser Chiefs so we heading down there for the day.

After having a spot of lunch and hitting the shops we headed out with my friends to see some cabaret. One drag queen (the lovely Davina Sparkle), and two cabaret singers later (Jamie Watson and Jackie Kahn) we went to the gig.

I don't think my sis knew what had hit her as its not a scene she is used to but we had a whale of a time.

The gig itself was fab. Luckily they didn't leave all the good songs until the end because we had to leave a few minutes before for the train. They have boundless energy and passion and the lead singer was climbing over the stage as if possessed by some mischievous spirits.

Saturday 15 December 2007

Busy week

Went off to see the Manic Street Preachers on Wednesday, via our favourite Brixton pub the Far Side. After bad days all round we got a bit tipsy which I think helped. The Manics were flawless and professional but I think ATP has ruined me a bit. There was no raw passion. It was more like a damp squib.

Afterwards we found a new pub down a side street, I couldn't tell you what it was called, but I could take you there! It was quite small, quite camp and definitely a good find. I do enjoy Brixton drinking. There is always something interesting going on.

Thursday I had my work Christmas do which was an opportunity to try out the food in the Dartmouth Arms. http://www.thedartmoutharms.com/. I wasn't disappointed as the food was lovely. A good time was had by all and I ended up asleep on the sofa watching re runs of neighbours! I was just tired honest.

Last night I went to the ballet to see the Snow Queen. Having once been in the Snow Queen play at school as the grandmother ( a very important part don't you know), I thought I would be clued up on what was going on. I am definitely losing brain cells as I was trying hard to remember the plot, and was a bit disturbed that I had always though Kay and Gerda were brother and sister, not lovers. Anyway it was lovely, although I was a little tired and enjoyed my hot chocolate on the train home far more than I should do at my age.

Today I'm off to town for the Frost Fair and the Louise Bourgeois exhibition
http://www.visitsouthwark.com/banksidefrostfair2007
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/louisebourgeois/default.shtm
and then meeting friends for drinks.

Tomorrow I'm off to Brighton to see the Kasier Chiefs. Its all go...

Wednesday 12 December 2007

ATP

Had a fab time this weekend at ATP. We were a little worried when we got there that there weren't as many bands playing as before but it all turned out ok in the end.

We missed the first two bands we wanted to see which was a bit dissapointing but we checked out our chalets and they were better than last years so we were happy bunnies. A quick sloe gin later and we were off. Top bands of the weekend were Fuck buttons, Seasick Steve, Julian Cope and John Cooper Clarke.

I am still receiving councilling after seeing Jerry Sadowitz. Him wanking on stage made me glad to be a lezza and I was also glad I wasn't in the front row as he was very spitty. He also asked for no one to review his act. Many apologies Jerry.

Anyway back to reality. I can't wait to see who organises it next year. I am hoping for someone more upbeat (Julian Cope please step forward). I found Portishead to be a bit depressing in places.

I also hope Malakai are feeling better as the lead singer had man flu and his voice wasn't the best.

In a change of musical direction I am off to see the Manic Street Preachers tonight as my mate fancies the singer.

Friday 2 November 2007

I'm back, and my house depression is over

So it finally happened, after a month of living with the folks I am back online and back in my own house.


The new pad is ok. It needs a fair bit of work and the floorboard people haven't turned up today but I will get there.

Am going to pick paint for the living room tomorrow and then possibly carpet for the bedrooms. I will be a house bore for quite some time to come!

Friday 31 August 2007

I be a zombie I be

Well, maybe a zombie pirate. i am addicted to pirates on facebook at the moment. I just can't stop.

And I was a zombie the other day when I took part in the world record attempt at walking like a zombie. Sadly we didn't succeed as the record is currently at 884 and happened in Pittsburg. I think we got to about 400.

I am a stressed out bunny constantly at the mo. I still haven't exchanged contracts and my poor old nan is in hospital. Its not fun. But, it le weekend so am planning to chill out big time.

Sunday 26 August 2007

The glorious 80s

We descended on Hastings last night to go to the 80s concert at Battle Abbey. I love the 80s. Our wigs and makeup bought back memories of ra ra skirts, grolsch tops in our shoes and luminous socks. In fact the wigs had me in near pant wetting hysteria and the night continued on that theme really.

We saw Toyah (always good), Carol Decker (bitchy as ever), Bananarama (Or banana, minus Siobhan), Nick Heyward (he should never try to be funny - he just isn't), Belinda Carlisle (beautiful but could have made more of an effect clothes wise. She looked like she was in her gardening outfit), and Midge Ure (he was loving it).

After the concert we went to a pub doing the best selection of the worst karoke ever, followed by a trip to the local Hastings nightclub KRASH! It really was like being in a car krash but we had a fab time. It has cheesy tunes and the dancefloor was practically our own. We managed to last till about 3.30 and then survived the kebab shop without getting in a fight.

We all looked like we had seen better days this morning. But hardcore as we are we went for a trip along the sea front, saw the castle and went on the funicular railway. A lovely weekend was had by all.

Monday 20 August 2007

Any pork in a storm

Whilst at the V festival this weekend we were left wondering why all picnic snack foods are pork based? After a frenzy of pork pies, scotch eggs, pepperami, sausage rolls and mini sausages we were suffering from pork overload.

Obviously we did not find the answer to this meaningful question over about 500 pints at the weekend but we did do lots of other things including walking 500 miles with the proclaimers and slagging off the Americans with Lily Allen.

The weather was terrible but we survived a serious drenching with the help of our wellies, emergency ponchos and offerings of pork based snacks to the sun gods.

These are the bands I saw:

The Proclaimers
Juliette and the Licks
The Thrills
The Fray
Baby Shambles
Paolo Nutini
Kanye West
Pink
Snow Patrol
Foo Fighters
Seth Lakeman
Lily Allen
Manic Street Preachers
Goo Goo Dolls
James Morrison
KT Tunstall
The Fratellis
The Killers

My faves were Juliette and the Licks, Lily Allen, Baby Shambles, Snow patrol, Seth Lakeman and the Manics.

Have come back to find out my buyer is going to pull out at the end of the week if we haven't exchanged. I am so bored with house buying!

Thursday 16 August 2007

Centreparcs are go

Well, so much is going on at the moment.

As well as having big stress in the work and house buying worlds I have been away every weekend in Aug and its exhausting.

Went up North last weekend to meet up with my sis and my niece and nephew and went off to Centre Parcs. It was fab. But, archery, kayaking, swimming, nature walks and crazy golf all in one day for 4 days is a bit much. I did enjoy it massively though and the trip to the spa was well worth while on the Friday. We are already planning next years!

Yesterday was also hectic. I went to see Pink in the evening doing her V warm-up and it was fab. A small crush has turned into being a little bit in love with her. Enough to see her again Saturday anyway when I am at V...

Monday 6 August 2007

Happy Pride

Have just back back from another top Pride in Brighton. There was no rain on our parade and my look is now more white stripes than musicals.

The park was absolutely packed and I did have a bit of a sense of humour failure in the toilet queue for 30 mins in the baking heat with a very amourous couple in front of me. It was soon cured though by lots of beers and a bit of cabaret.

We pub crawled it back from the park and spent a few drunken hours at the street parties. As always we were done by about 11 as its such a long day so we staggered home via a takeaway.

Sunday was Jamie's day and we spent most of it in the R bar watching the cabaret after a nerve wracking 90 mins where the sound system didn't work. Poor Jamie was beginning to look really stressed but it got fixed and the show went on.

It was sad coming home today but it gives my liver a rest. Only 2 days of work and then a very different weekend at Centre parcs with my sis's family.

Pride photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10736&l=30e93&id=611030754

Tuesday 31 July 2007

Comfortably numb

Despite feeling a bit pants on thursday I enjoyed the scissor sisters. They have lots of sequins, energy and sparkles, and wall to wall lesbians - well practically. The only problem was that the sound wasn't great. Not sure if it was them or the new venue the O2. It seems a good venue though, if a bit packed. We enjoyed a couple of martini cocktails on the beach but all the food places were really busy and the tube station was a nightmare to get into afterwards.

Friday, I was more than a little weary and was even worried that I had enough energy to go to my family lesbo 60th. I needn't have worried though. A few drinks later I was showing them all the finer points of line dancing - well I would have if I'd have been able to remember a single step. I don't think they'll be relying on me for lessons.

Saturday I went with my sister to see Harry Potter again - she hadn't seen it - and then headed down to Whitstable en famille for the final weekend of the Oyster festival. Highlights were the fireworks in the rain, The mud tug in the freezing winds and my very interesting burn marks after walking to Herne bay and back when summer finally started. I love it and am very sad to be back today.

Wednesday 25 July 2007

Stress overload

Well as they say the stress always comes out somewhere. Things with the new property are going well and my body seems to have taken it as a sign that its ok to be sick now!

I am feeling well rough and seem to have slept for the majority of 3 days.

Before the dreaded lurgy set in I did have a fun night in Vauxhall. Started off in Bar Code to meet my mate. I felt quite a few resentful vibes coming from the pretty boys and was beginning to get the impression that they didn't like girls in these parts - although there were a few there. We stayed till 10ish and were given free beer courtesy of gaydar as it was there first birthday. After a few pints my female friend and myself decided that it wasn't because we were girls that we were getting looks - but because we were a bit scruffy for them.

So, we headed off to Duckie which couldn't be more different. Had a fab night, the DJ is top and although mostly boys, the vibe was very friendly and people chatted to us. The acts however being pot luck were I thought shockingly bad. I think my mate was pleased to miss the guy weeing on stage whilst she was weeing somewhere else.

I was definitely go back and Amy Lame as always was a goddess. My friend tried to pull me the only lezza in the place. However, it didn't seem to occur to him that just because we were both gay didn't mean we would get it on - bless him.

The next day after a big lie in I was dreading my buyer coming round as he is so needy. I managed to put him off with the news I was buying somewhere else and instead went out to see the new Harry Potter film.

I love it, I know I'm a big kid but the film was really good and quite scary. I don't think my nephew is ready for this one yet. I've also just finished the book but I found that a bit of an anticlimax. I think she was a bit to worried about tying up all the lose ends.

Anyway, back to my sick bed now. I hope I feel better tomorrow as I'm off to the Scissor Sisters. Also, everyone at work knows I am going so I have to do both - boo! Thank god I have a long weekend this weekend.

Saturday 21 July 2007

Where've I been!

Crying into my glass that's where. The whole house buying business has really been getting me down recently. But no more!!

Well Mr 'I want to be alone to decide what to do' can find a better buyer for all I care. I have found myself another place that I like even more! All systems go.

To celebrate I am off drinking in Vauxhall tonight. I have even dyed my hair so things are looking up!

Thursday 12 July 2007

Mistaken identity

Walking home from a rather drunken night out at the Black Sheep Bar last night a van pulled up, grabbed my mate by the throat, threatened to kill him, and then said oh sorry wrong person! Well aren't we pleased about that. Although I am a little bit concerned for the welfare of the intended person!

Anyway, it was a top night and we saw a great act The Drag with No Name (http://www.thedragwithnoname.com/) I will now have to be a good girl for the rest of the week, well until tomorrow anyway my body is a temple!

Saturday 7 July 2007

Burlesquing the night away

Well I decided to put my house woes to one side and go out to Hip Hip at the Cobden Club last night. Its an amateur burlesque night and some of it was very funny.

The first act, of singing Germans started off badly but did get more entertaining - although that might be the extra glass of wine I had had by then.

The next few acts don't really warrant explanation although bearlesque was funny and deeply disturbing. Bears in what looked like nappies and very earnest expressions on there face - nice!

Hula hoop girl was marvellous and had good attitude even when she went a little wrong. My friend was very impressed with the Daniel Craig alike Doorman doing his own little striptease and Madame Fifi had gone all French with accompanying patriotic balloons.

A good night was had by all and the trek home wasn't too bad.

I am a little tired now...
Favourite thing of the week - Tales of Mu http://mutales.livejournal.com/628.html online book.

Sunday 1 July 2007

A very wet pride

Well, we had fun yesterday marching in the rain. Its a shame they changed the route to cut off embankment and the rest of Whitehall but I think that may have been for security reasons.

Afterwards we did a very mini-pub crawl, it was a bit wet to go too far. Went to the cabaret stage but Jamie had already been on as they had changed the running order. So, we met up with him for a drink and then finished with dinner. Which did about finish me off. I fell asleep on the train and went straight to bed when I got in about 10. I am getting old!

As is tradition the day after pride I am now knackered and have sore feet.

Monday 25 June 2007

Nightmare, nightmare, nightmare

First it was on, then it was off, now it may be on again. Now I may have 2 places at the same time. AAAAARRRRGGGHHH!!

Anyway, feel better for getting that off my chest. Hopefully I will have somewhere, anywhere, to buy soon.

Wednesday 20 June 2007

Very hacked off

I hate house buying and if I every do move I am never doing it again, ever!

Because of my house selling nightmare my vendor has secretly put his house back on the market. Great. Thanks!

Have no idea where I stand now. Need to contact estate agents and solicitor tomorrow.

Can I trust him now anyway! Can I afford to find somewhere new! Do I want to run away and join the circus....

Tuesday 19 June 2007

We do like to be beside the seaside

No news on the flat...but I don't care
Crap day at work...but I don't care

I am still totally chilled out from my 3 days of relaxation and rain dodging by the sea. I walked by the sea, I pottered around a bit and I read my book. That's about it and it was fab.



Thursday 14 June 2007

My flat - the TV series

Can you believe it, the sale on my flat has fallen through again. I feel cursed and keep feeling the overwhelming urge to giggle hysterically. However, I am saved by a new buyer stepping forward - as long as my vendor is prepared to wait. Who knows, who actually even cares anymore. I'm off to the seaside this weekend and I'm going to bloody enjoy it!

Tuesday 12 June 2007

Drag queens and decking...

...Really don't go! I went to a wedding reception on Friday in Brighton and there were a couple of near disasters with decking and umbrella stands. In the end the heels were confiscated and luckily I think apart from a few physical and metaphorical bruises there was no lasting damage.

The happy couple looked radiant by the time I got there, if a little pissed which is to be expected what with all the excitement.

The next day was spent wandering around Brighton. Kemp Town has a fab new food shop and I wanted to buy everything. This spending lust did not extend to the pressies I needed to buy and we retired empty handed to the pub.

I then headed back to London to end the day in Cubana's at Waterloo. Much fun and frozen daiquiris were had. They also did a fairly good job at masking my back ache which still refuses to go.

Aqua tonight is off as we are all rubbish which means I am sitting here getting fatter by the minute as I can't be bothered to cook, only snack, and I just want to lie on the sofa and either take more painkillers or perhaps have a little drinkie.

Also recovering from my dad trying to give me a heart attack by telling me he had rushed up to Leeds to look after my Sis's kids as they are ill. He told me this by text and didn't explain. Panic over, the have viruses but nothing too serious. Drama queenness runs in the family!

Friday 8 June 2007

Tired week

Well gallivanting in Germany does take it out of you. I really absolutely knackered. Luckily I'm working at home today so a bit of piece and quiet is welcome before my trip to Hove for a wedding reception.

Haven't managed to do much this week although I did go to the Catford Beer Festival on Wed and had some rather nice expresso stout. Last night I went to killer aqua aerobics. Its only the cute instructoress that gets me to the pool. Isn't it great when a crush can improve your personal fitness!

Tuesday 5 June 2007

A schoffer hoffer heffe weisen anyone

Just back from a weekend in Berlin and had a great time. Our arty hotel merged into the Mitte's ambience with the view of the famous squat next door. A great place to grab a beer and look at the creations of Berlin's arty types. This was a bit of a haven. Finding a decent pub/restaurant in Berlin can be a bit tricky. The stag party crowd is definitely catered for.

We did however find a good live music venue and saw Canadian singer and accordion player Geoff Berner, who may now think he is being stalked internationally by a group from Croydon. We also found a great place called the King Kong Club which had a rockabilly edge and did some lethal cocktails.

Best drink of the weekend was a Rasberry Mojito in the ambulance bar - you must go there, and a few nice pints of dunkel.

Best sites are the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust memorial.
Best fun was the double decker train - I am sad - and the fantastic Eastern traffic lights -
Ampelmännchen.


Thursday 24 May 2007

Blackpool rocks

Its been a while as I have been gallivanting up north for Blackpool Pride. I haven't been there in a good few years and it hasn't got any less tacky, marvellous, and made all the better by drag queens and a visible presence of the gay community. Its a bit smaller than the prides I am used to but was perfectly formed.

It was a very blustery day but on the pier there was a greenhouse type sun trap and we enjoyed lots of beers and good music whilst eyeing up the local talent.

My mate hosted the day and did a show wearing a spectacular coat which made him look a bit like Joseph (www.jamiewatson.co.uk/) we also pogoed to Toyah and ran away from the very popular Eton Road.

Back to reality, the sale of my flat has fallen through so back to the drawing board. I am about to show some people round in a minute so fingers crossed. Can't believe I was hoping to move this weekend.

Ah well, am trying not to take it to badly and think about Berlin next weekend instead.


Monday 14 May 2007

I am so unfit

The new aqua teacher passes as she nearly killed us. I do feel good for doing some exercise though. We are trying the Tuesday class tomorrow to compare and contrast.

Top camp weekend. I went to visit my lovely friend Lyndsey in Chester and after a late night catching up all on gossip we prepared ourselves for a
eurovision extravaganza...via the cinema to see 28 weeks later. It was a bit of a gore fest but very entertaining. The ending was a bit annoying though. In our fragile states we were a bit unsure how it had actually ended. Hopefully the making of 28 months later will help to explain it.

After this we tried out a new Turkish supermarket and bought lots of yummy stuffed vine leaves, roll mops, juices and peppers.

Once back at home from stocking up on cheap booze we got out the
Eurovision scorecards and drinking game, waited for the girls and off we went. Despite our disgust at the political voting we loved it and I won my bet on Serbia to win.

After it finished we decided - in our wisdom - to go the gay bar in Chester because we hadn't had enough to drink. Much hilarity ensued and we got home very late and very drunk with kebabs in tow.

Yesterday was mostly spent getting home. But today, as it is a
Monday, I am living a zen like existence.

Thursday 10 May 2007

Venting my spleen

Last night I arranged with some friends to go to The Black Sheep Bar for Comedy Camp. I was feeling a bit knackered but was looking forward to sitting back and relaxing for a laugh and a few beevies.

Anyway, after a nice meal and a chat in Wagamamas we headed down there only to be turned away at the door. Apparently, it is now members only and as we didn't walk around with our passports we weren't allowed in. Now, the Black Sheep bar is pretty much Croydon's only gay space at the moment, although it is fairly mixed on the Wednesday's in question, and normally fairly quiet. Definitely not the kind of night you can afford to turn people away from. And I feel sorry for the cabaret act who may have to play to an empty room. Anyway, I have emailed them and had my rant so shall desist here.

Instead we went to the Green Dragon and listened to some good folk music by somebody Longfellow and then to our favourite local for a final drink. It was a good night but not what we had planned.

I fell asleep trying to watch another episode of 24 before I went to bed.

Well, its aqua aerobics tonight. After months of inertia my friends are I are trying a different pool in the hope that the instructor is less useless. Am not feeling energetic at all!

Tuesday 8 May 2007

Number one

Well, having finally bitten the bullet I suddenly feel a bit word-shy. I nearly typed work-shy in instead there. A bit of a Freudian slip, its been one of those days. After a weekend of pagan Morris dancer worshiping getting back in the office was not really a fun thing to do.

What did make it worth getting up though was the fact that I am well into my new book - The Royal Assassin. I do get confused with it sometimes though as the lead character has a tendency not to stay in his own mind all of the time.

Another good thing today was the eating of the Curry Sauce Co's Dhansak sauce. I bought it on Sunday at a farmers market and it has gone down a treat. Not quite as spicy as I expected though so I added a good dollop of chilli pickle.

Also been watching the Charmed DVD I treated myself too to celebrate 1 month of not smoking. I am on season 5 now and its great to watch them all again. I always spend half the episode trying to decide which one of them it is that I have the crush on. All three! I'm also watching season 3 of 24 at the moment but I keep falling asleep. Not reflection on the programme I'm sure. Am I the only one who finds 'Kim' mildy irritating!