The fountains in Trafalgar Square..... 
Part of the walk Stu and I took and where I found myself Saturday pm.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Red sky at night?
St Pauls from the Millenium Bridge
Stood on the Bridge
Stood just below the BridgeRock N Roll
After the footie I returned to Victoria. I was due to go to a friends leaving drinks in Putney. But that didn't start until 7.30pm. So I went for a walk helped along by Matchbox Twenty in my earholes. Do you know I was stopped 4 times and asked for directions - I must have that look of A-Z ness required to be stopped. How far to Buck Palace? Where is Oxford Street? Where's the nearest tube station? Who on earth is the team badge on your hat? (Ok I made that one up. No-one ever asks/cares)
So that helped kill 30mins. It was the route Stu and I took in October, only a trifle colder.
Tube to Putney Bridge and The Larrick. Could I find the blighter - no. A pint of Guinness and several sweeps round packed sweaty pub. Text message and generally feeling like a plum (remember I was wearing clothes suitable for sitting for 90 mins in wind chill factor 10 at the footie). I probably looked like a plum by this point. Plus I was a bit hungry and also had a birthday do to go to. So I waited for 30 mins - no response to text. So bit bullet and went back to tube station. It was one of those situations when being single or at least on your own is really awkward. Everyone in the pub seemed young, under dressed and Antipodean. I looked some where between a bag lady and a freak. Not that that overly bothered me - I just felt out of place. And I do so hate drinking alone.
As I got on tube Dave texted back. There was obviously a back room in the pub. Not happy. Anyway here publically I would like to say sorry Dave I failed to overcome my plum-ness and find you. I wish you all the best back in Sydney and hope it goes well. Pleasure working with you, knowing you. Will have to buy you a beer when I get doon under. God speed.
And so back to CW. Where my evening took an interesting twist and turn. The Nelson. It's my local. It has some very good memories and also some utterly horrid ones. The place I met Mr G. The place where we laughed. The place I spent nights in the rather chilly Ladies and cried. A place where I have seen both my worst and best sides. This evening though there was a triple Birthday celebration. Dog invited me Thursday (I must write a piece about Music Night - for it is a special night and sort of ties in with last night) when I was at Music Night. So along I went.
Mr G was there and BL and all the usual Antipodean suspects. (Yes it is a recurring theme) It was the Rev 2 Sheds 70's Disco. Which was entertaining on New Years Eve - but not a bookmarked event for me! Unusually they weren't all sat by the bar but by the pool table. So I sat down and removed several layers of clothes. Had a few drinks and bantered with everyone. Then more people turned up including a few from music night and did what I do best, circulated and yes I confess I boogied! Well Gary Numan's Cars came one and off I went. A dancin plum! Cars is not really the easiest to dance too, especially by yourself. Then a few people joined me. I ended up dancing with a chap called Bruce. Who plays at Music Nights and liked the shapes I was throwing. Transpires he is Scottish. And when the Clash's London Calling came on we moshed! Good laugh. Also got people staring. Ha ha. He came over later and we had a long chat. I guess in hindsight I was being chatted up. Ha ha again. Well it was all good so I'm not going to complain. Good night. Bed by 3am.
And Sunday. Washing. Eating and catching up on an hours worth of ironing. The joys of weekends. They are too short. Got my Bonus Buddy working so can starting the steps again. Lovely!
So that helped kill 30mins. It was the route Stu and I took in October, only a trifle colder.
Tube to Putney Bridge and The Larrick. Could I find the blighter - no. A pint of Guinness and several sweeps round packed sweaty pub. Text message and generally feeling like a plum (remember I was wearing clothes suitable for sitting for 90 mins in wind chill factor 10 at the footie). I probably looked like a plum by this point. Plus I was a bit hungry and also had a birthday do to go to. So I waited for 30 mins - no response to text. So bit bullet and went back to tube station. It was one of those situations when being single or at least on your own is really awkward. Everyone in the pub seemed young, under dressed and Antipodean. I looked some where between a bag lady and a freak. Not that that overly bothered me - I just felt out of place. And I do so hate drinking alone.
As I got on tube Dave texted back. There was obviously a back room in the pub. Not happy. Anyway here publically I would like to say sorry Dave I failed to overcome my plum-ness and find you. I wish you all the best back in Sydney and hope it goes well. Pleasure working with you, knowing you. Will have to buy you a beer when I get doon under. God speed.
And so back to CW. Where my evening took an interesting twist and turn. The Nelson. It's my local. It has some very good memories and also some utterly horrid ones. The place I met Mr G. The place where we laughed. The place I spent nights in the rather chilly Ladies and cried. A place where I have seen both my worst and best sides. This evening though there was a triple Birthday celebration. Dog invited me Thursday (I must write a piece about Music Night - for it is a special night and sort of ties in with last night) when I was at Music Night. So along I went.
Mr G was there and BL and all the usual Antipodean suspects. (Yes it is a recurring theme) It was the Rev 2 Sheds 70's Disco. Which was entertaining on New Years Eve - but not a bookmarked event for me! Unusually they weren't all sat by the bar but by the pool table. So I sat down and removed several layers of clothes. Had a few drinks and bantered with everyone. Then more people turned up including a few from music night and did what I do best, circulated and yes I confess I boogied! Well Gary Numan's Cars came one and off I went. A dancin plum! Cars is not really the easiest to dance too, especially by yourself. Then a few people joined me. I ended up dancing with a chap called Bruce. Who plays at Music Nights and liked the shapes I was throwing. Transpires he is Scottish. And when the Clash's London Calling came on we moshed! Good laugh. Also got people staring. Ha ha. He came over later and we had a long chat. I guess in hindsight I was being chatted up. Ha ha again. Well it was all good so I'm not going to complain. Good night. Bed by 3am.
And Sunday. Washing. Eating and catching up on an hours worth of ironing. The joys of weekends. They are too short. Got my Bonus Buddy working so can starting the steps again. Lovely!
Gills 1 - Scunthorpe 3
And so welcome to Priestfield to the only other team in the football league with a swear word cunningly hidden within it... mind you some of the abuse our fans wanted to vent yesterday meant that Gillingham were fairly close to being included into this list. We were poor. Weak. Woeful.
It was cold but bright and the trains were running fine. I had a productive morning before I left for the 1.30pm train. But the afternoon held no joy.
Two blokes behind us - a son (late 30's) and his dad were sat behind us talking about the kids, the grand children, the wife, the sister, the fact that being at the football together was their idea of a perfect afternoon - blah blah blah blah. So much of a perfect afternoon that the son went to make a call and missed the Gills goal (thanks Justin I had forgotten what cheering wildly at going ahead felt like) and then the father went for a half time pie and missed the equaliser. They were gone all over half time and returned 10 minutes into the second half. I kept getting a toe up my bum and at one point I really thought they were auditoining for the Trisha show.
'I think being rich would ruin me.', ' Yeah I know what you mean, I mean what could be better than this?' , 'that said if I did win some money I'd set up this, do that blah blah blah' (With any luck go and support Chelsea who they obviously would much rather have been watching.) Anyway so ideal was their afternoon, that they left 10 mins pre the end. Now frankly I was relieved, but I have real troubles understanding why grown men come to live football,(ok live-ish, more precisely non armchair bound) talk up the game/experience/bonding etc and then fail to watch any of the game or indeed have any fundamental grasp of what is going on in front of them. They cheered for the Blue Boys when the Irons had the ball and whenever the ref blew his whistle he was a w*****. Anyway I think at the heart of their enjoyment was the great cover story that the whole afternoon gave them in order to have a few beers.... Men - start acting like it.... Stand up for yourself, just put your cap on and go for a pint, talk about the family there - but don't sit behind me and ruin my afternoon. I can barely cope with the team driving me to despair without two nit wits talking dross for 80 mins.
Anyway the Gills then conceded two more goals. Each player failed to acknowledge the vague noise the fans had made all match, and the chorus of Boo's at the end was unlike anything I heard before. Crowd just over 6,000 and with weather like this many will start to think twice about coming. Did have an idea for a fanzine column - but its gone now - oh no I was going to call it 'View from the Sink'. Play up the feminine bit plus the possible drop we face.
And so to my evening....
It was cold but bright and the trains were running fine. I had a productive morning before I left for the 1.30pm train. But the afternoon held no joy.
Two blokes behind us - a son (late 30's) and his dad were sat behind us talking about the kids, the grand children, the wife, the sister, the fact that being at the football together was their idea of a perfect afternoon - blah blah blah blah. So much of a perfect afternoon that the son went to make a call and missed the Gills goal (thanks Justin I had forgotten what cheering wildly at going ahead felt like) and then the father went for a half time pie and missed the equaliser. They were gone all over half time and returned 10 minutes into the second half. I kept getting a toe up my bum and at one point I really thought they were auditoining for the Trisha show.
'I think being rich would ruin me.', ' Yeah I know what you mean, I mean what could be better than this?' , 'that said if I did win some money I'd set up this, do that blah blah blah' (With any luck go and support Chelsea who they obviously would much rather have been watching.) Anyway so ideal was their afternoon, that they left 10 mins pre the end. Now frankly I was relieved, but I have real troubles understanding why grown men come to live football,(ok live-ish, more precisely non armchair bound) talk up the game/experience/bonding etc and then fail to watch any of the game or indeed have any fundamental grasp of what is going on in front of them. They cheered for the Blue Boys when the Irons had the ball and whenever the ref blew his whistle he was a w*****. Anyway I think at the heart of their enjoyment was the great cover story that the whole afternoon gave them in order to have a few beers.... Men - start acting like it.... Stand up for yourself, just put your cap on and go for a pint, talk about the family there - but don't sit behind me and ruin my afternoon. I can barely cope with the team driving me to despair without two nit wits talking dross for 80 mins.
Anyway the Gills then conceded two more goals. Each player failed to acknowledge the vague noise the fans had made all match, and the chorus of Boo's at the end was unlike anything I heard before. Crowd just over 6,000 and with weather like this many will start to think twice about coming. Did have an idea for a fanzine column - but its gone now - oh no I was going to call it 'View from the Sink'. Play up the feminine bit plus the possible drop we face.
And so to my evening....
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Plea to my readership...
...if of course anyone is reading this!!
Having read Nick Robinson's blog the key thing about Blogs is that it should be commented on...
So please do...!!
Having read Nick Robinson's blog the key thing about Blogs is that it should be commented on...
So please do...!!
Cheers!
'The' Hair Cut
Doncaster 2 Gills 0
My trip to Doncaster bad result, good day out.
It was like going back in time. A wooden stand. Cramped seats. But beautiful weather and a good family atmosphere. The romance of the game I always challenge Man Utd fans with...
It is called the Earth Stadium.
It was like going back in time. A wooden stand. Cramped seats. But beautiful weather and a good family atmosphere. The romance of the game I always challenge Man Utd fans with...
It is called the Earth Stadium.
My favourite moment - Donny Dog shaking our fans hands in the away end - yes all terracing. And here to celebrate the finer moments of the day is the Dog in action!(Which reminds me, I did email SN and he did reply. An apology at last. Honesty is all I ask.) Oh yes and that former Gills great Leo-Fortune West.....nuff said. Hope he had his contact lenses in.
I have to say I made lots of notes in the grey book over the weekend but having just tidied the flat, hoovered, watched the Apprentice (Go On Alan give em hell!) my desire to write about the full experience has dissipated. At least the notes are still there. SO when I do I can discuss the smells of onions coming from the Snack Bar, the fact that as an away fan in the stands I had to walk through the home fans to get to the toilet and that if you missed the red door with toilet signs on you actually ended up going through the turnstyles back to the outer sanctum. I will also then be able to recall the fettish the Doncastrians have with topiary on roundabouts... the Doncaster race course was opposite the Earth Stadium. Which is moving - the new stadium is in its skeletal stages. The game? Gillingham looked helpless. Note not hopeless. Missing the key players and with more changes than are required on a bad day on the tube network, they never looked settled or united as a team. It is a shame as we were starting to get more focused. I do worry what will happen. The MB this week seems more concerned with the tensions between the Independent Supporters Club and the new faction FOGFC. Men. Games.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
HAIRCUT
Apparently I need one - AND I need to accept compliments....
tsk. me?!? accept a compliment....!?! mmmm
tsk. me?!? accept a compliment....!?! mmmm
Pay Day!
Well its a good way to break up the week!
Finished both my books so am now onto another Booker Prize Winner... Alan Hollinghurst 'The Line of Beauty'. So far I am gripped - 60 pages in and I only started today!
'All Families are Psychotic' ended as anticipated, a real joy of a read. Meanwhile 'Oscar and Lucinda' - well it was not the ending I have expected. Felt a bit deflated by the final chapters to be honest - maybe thats why i put off reading the end of it. Who knows.
Been thinking a lot this week about people - dark and light and the invisible line... People being in the light and those in the dark. And my key curiosity - me one side of the line (single) and people I see on the tube wearing wedding rings and expressions that somehow seem different to mine. I can't put my finger on what exactly it is these thoughts are driving at but its a recurrring theme at the moment - so be assured it will become clear at some point.
Other news - Saturday I went to watch GIllingham FC for the first time in over a month. South Eastern Trains had engineering works so the trip was made more interesting by a bus ride... I say interesting cos on the journey down a son in law and father in law were sat behind me having a good chat. I was able to provide certain footballing facts to help their conversation flow! I hate people not knowing! But the journey back was painful - bus to Strood and then a 'fast' train to London. The trip was worsened by a tension headache and the realisation I had just witnessed an ill tempered and uninspiring 90 minutes of torture, sorry I mean football! GIllingham 1 - Tranmere 1. The ref did not help. Last night our run of wins came to a halt with Swindon 1 - Gillingham 0 and for some reason Byfield being sent off... Anyway in a vain attempt to recreate the tops atmosphere of Huddersfield I am off to Donny with Pops at the weekend - for report look here next week!
Talking of Pops it was his birthday this week - and I was once more grateful for being able to sned him a cheeky card and talk to him post his birthday breakfast - especially as I feel all my friends are coping with less pleasant scenarios as far as their dads are concerned at the moment. Makes me want to shake my dad at times - tell him to make the most of his good health and mobility... sure Mum will have similar words. And for my friends - am thinking of you and wondering how i will cope when its my turn.
Gig news - Gary Numan and The Cure are looking strong favourites to go see on top of tickets already in hand for PLACEBO - new album out in March!! Oh and I must check out tickets for Chicago... the one stage show I still want to go see..
Right okay - until probably post Donny - UP THE GILLS!
Take care all...
[BTW the someone i kinda liked is on MSN at the moment - but am I making a move to say hello - am I ever.. that escapade has dulled my need to get involved with unknown 'people' for a wee while. Lucky for me I have such tops mates.... ]
Finished both my books so am now onto another Booker Prize Winner... Alan Hollinghurst 'The Line of Beauty'. So far I am gripped - 60 pages in and I only started today!
'All Families are Psychotic' ended as anticipated, a real joy of a read. Meanwhile 'Oscar and Lucinda' - well it was not the ending I have expected. Felt a bit deflated by the final chapters to be honest - maybe thats why i put off reading the end of it. Who knows.
Been thinking a lot this week about people - dark and light and the invisible line... People being in the light and those in the dark. And my key curiosity - me one side of the line (single) and people I see on the tube wearing wedding rings and expressions that somehow seem different to mine. I can't put my finger on what exactly it is these thoughts are driving at but its a recurrring theme at the moment - so be assured it will become clear at some point.
Other news - Saturday I went to watch GIllingham FC for the first time in over a month. South Eastern Trains had engineering works so the trip was made more interesting by a bus ride... I say interesting cos on the journey down a son in law and father in law were sat behind me having a good chat. I was able to provide certain footballing facts to help their conversation flow! I hate people not knowing! But the journey back was painful - bus to Strood and then a 'fast' train to London. The trip was worsened by a tension headache and the realisation I had just witnessed an ill tempered and uninspiring 90 minutes of torture, sorry I mean football! GIllingham 1 - Tranmere 1. The ref did not help. Last night our run of wins came to a halt with Swindon 1 - Gillingham 0 and for some reason Byfield being sent off... Anyway in a vain attempt to recreate the tops atmosphere of Huddersfield I am off to Donny with Pops at the weekend - for report look here next week!
Talking of Pops it was his birthday this week - and I was once more grateful for being able to sned him a cheeky card and talk to him post his birthday breakfast - especially as I feel all my friends are coping with less pleasant scenarios as far as their dads are concerned at the moment. Makes me want to shake my dad at times - tell him to make the most of his good health and mobility... sure Mum will have similar words. And for my friends - am thinking of you and wondering how i will cope when its my turn.
Gig news - Gary Numan and The Cure are looking strong favourites to go see on top of tickets already in hand for PLACEBO - new album out in March!! Oh and I must check out tickets for Chicago... the one stage show I still want to go see..
Right okay - until probably post Donny - UP THE GILLS!
Take care all...
[BTW the someone i kinda liked is on MSN at the moment - but am I making a move to say hello - am I ever.. that escapade has dulled my need to get involved with unknown 'people' for a wee while. Lucky for me I have such tops mates.... ]
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Friday nights...
are not what they were.
They used to be down the pub after work and then stumble home via the local for one last drink. Now it consists of a walk to Waterloo - travel home, go to Tesco for milk. Home, bowl of cereal and TV. It's now 11pm the TV is drivel and I'm off to bed. Well sort of!
The excitement of going to see the Gills tomorrow is too much to bear! At least we have some good news - the vote for a player campaign is going really well - we're 5th in the table - we need the cash!! SO VOTE NOW!! Pity the trains have engineering works tomorrow and it will take 2 hours to get there and probably longer to get back. At least it means I avoid the rugby - sorry rugby lovers but I just don't get it!! Honestly Union is soooo stop start, give me rugby league any day, esp. Brian Carney!
The invite for my brother's wedding arrived this week - as did a form from Leicester Uni requesting cash. I picked up my passport renewal forms too - they need specific types of photos so they can digitally enhance it - Big Brother?
Reading my latest Douglas Coupland book from my collection at the minute - left him a lone for a while to read other authors but am now on the home strait with 'All Families are Psychotic' - a whiplash of a read. But I have enjoyed the diversion in the mornings. I will return to 'Oscar and Lucinda' and finish the last 10 pages of it over the weekend - the glass church has arrived, what will be the result?!
In other art and culture related news I went to see 'Walk the Line' on Tuesday. Never knew anything about Johnny Cash until then. In truth my interest was more involved in how June Carter impacted upon his life. There were lines I recognised from my previous experiences. The music made my toes tap and there were tears as well as smiles. Having passed by Folsom Prison and sat by the lake I could identify with the American aspects. Just inwardly rewarded that I was able to treat a friend to see it and for both of us to gain something from the feature - as much about the screen lives as some mutual recognition of our own.
Right I am off now to finish 'All Families...' it's a belter! ttfn
(Almost forgot - wanted to note that this has been one of the more productive working weeks in a while - I was even in work EARLY today.. as were a lot of the team. A definite buzz around the room again. Hope it lasts. In general I certainly feel much more secure than I have for a while.)
UTG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blue is the Colour!
The Last Waltz.
They used to be down the pub after work and then stumble home via the local for one last drink. Now it consists of a walk to Waterloo - travel home, go to Tesco for milk. Home, bowl of cereal and TV. It's now 11pm the TV is drivel and I'm off to bed. Well sort of!
The excitement of going to see the Gills tomorrow is too much to bear! At least we have some good news - the vote for a player campaign is going really well - we're 5th in the table - we need the cash!! SO VOTE NOW!! Pity the trains have engineering works tomorrow and it will take 2 hours to get there and probably longer to get back. At least it means I avoid the rugby - sorry rugby lovers but I just don't get it!! Honestly Union is soooo stop start, give me rugby league any day, esp. Brian Carney!
The invite for my brother's wedding arrived this week - as did a form from Leicester Uni requesting cash. I picked up my passport renewal forms too - they need specific types of photos so they can digitally enhance it - Big Brother?
Reading my latest Douglas Coupland book from my collection at the minute - left him a lone for a while to read other authors but am now on the home strait with 'All Families are Psychotic' - a whiplash of a read. But I have enjoyed the diversion in the mornings. I will return to 'Oscar and Lucinda' and finish the last 10 pages of it over the weekend - the glass church has arrived, what will be the result?!
In other art and culture related news I went to see 'Walk the Line' on Tuesday. Never knew anything about Johnny Cash until then. In truth my interest was more involved in how June Carter impacted upon his life. There were lines I recognised from my previous experiences. The music made my toes tap and there were tears as well as smiles. Having passed by Folsom Prison and sat by the lake I could identify with the American aspects. Just inwardly rewarded that I was able to treat a friend to see it and for both of us to gain something from the feature - as much about the screen lives as some mutual recognition of our own.
Right I am off now to finish 'All Families...' it's a belter! ttfn
(Almost forgot - wanted to note that this has been one of the more productive working weeks in a while - I was even in work EARLY today.. as were a lot of the team. A definite buzz around the room again. Hope it lasts. In general I certainly feel much more secure than I have for a while.)
UTG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Blue is the Colour!
The Last Waltz.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
A walk through my city...
I was going to share my thoughts about the Hip-Hop Northern Line tonight - but having been canned like a sardine on the platform at Bank I think I would rather share the sides of London that I do like....These were taken yesterday on a walk that started at Vauxhall and ended at London Bridge. At last my knee is letting me out and about again.
This is my favourite spot on the river - extra marks if you know where it is!!
These naturally are not the sardines I saw at Bank this evening. They are though amazingly detailed for lamp posts along a grey river. The romantic side of the river...oh I think the river is romantic no matter what the time of year or whether I am alone or with a companion. The river is always different, the tides, the light - and at this time of year the naked tree branches afford the viewer a glimpse at buildings beyond which would normally be blanketed.
The walk was over the course of an afternoon/evening. Yes, a pub and some televised sport were involved in the afternoon! But I walked off my pint and a bit! And as an afternoon it actually felt like being on a city weekend break, strolling around my town at a time of the week when normally I am squirrled away out of sight and apprehensive that the next day is Monday... I recommend Sunday sojourns along the river.
The Lambeth Bridge and the Blackfriars Bridge - both captured my eye because of the way light was so brillant underneath them. Spot the tide also - very low at 1.30pm - but quite high and flowing at speed at 6.30pm.
I have some other pictures from the day - but I'll save the scary St Pauls for a one off entry!
I did feel slightly less grumpy when I got off the tube and walked home this evening. In a leafless tree outside the church (which is currently having its spire re-roofed) the birds were singing - roosting for the evening. A sign spring is round the corner? A sign it will be warmer this evening? Either way I am glad I left my ear phones at home this morning - as it meant when i walked home I was able to hear the cheerful chirupping of small but loud birdsong.
I have to credit my companion yesterday also - thanks Mr G for getting me/us out of the house and seeing things through different eyes. Patiently he waits as I see a piccy and take it. Patiently he waits.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Wedding...
was absolutely lovely... I don't really do weddings - but I had a REALLY good weekend in Exeter with Gill's friends and for the first time in a long while felt happy in my own skin. Laughed a lot and made the Telstar shake and shimmer with our breakfast time banter and late night chatter! Confessed a few amusing stories - and yes when I feel able a few pictorial pieces of evidence may well appear on these pages...
Until then - please enjoy a few moments from my weekend...
Until then - please enjoy a few moments from my weekend...
The view across Devon from atop the folly
The Tower - Belvedere HaldonAn historic building high on a hill - the sun was shining - and the wind was blowing - it was rather chilly! but bright and crisp - just right for new beginnings..
The Happy Couple - not a dry eye in the house....Cheers Gill 'n' Rob - all the very best to you both!
Swans 1 - 2 Gillingham
The WINNING ticket!
My Dad had the pleasure of a very long coach trip which took him to the Liberty Stadium and well 3 (yes THREE) points! Thank you Mr Byfield and Mr Harris for securing our first away win of the season - wish I had been there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
