Blood On The Dance Floor

Blood on the dance floor?? There was no dance floor!

Today I am supposed to be in London at the Angel Islington (is that a real place or just the Monopoly name? I only ever see 'Angel' on a map) completing a day long Michael Jackson themed dance class.  Unfortunately due to the adverse weather conditions I am doing no such thing.  In fact I am sat at home with cold toes listening to Let It Rain by East 17.  Poor choice of song perhaps.

The dance class was going to be epic.  4 workshops positioned throughout the day and then featuring a showcase at the end to pull together what we had learned.  I had even sorted out some pretty damn wonderful costumes for today including sequinned jackets, a Smooth Criminal-esque suit and appropriate 'zombie' attire.

Also I have been in 'practice(se)' mode for the past few weeks - I bought Dance Central for Kinect and have been using it regularly.  Note; I have gotten rather good at Jungle Boogie (5 gold stars on Hard! Boo yaa!).  Also I have been watching This Is It quite a lot to familiarise myself with his and his dancer's dancing styles.  I have worked this hard as I am was such a terrible dancer.

But never fear, we have rescheduled for March so I have a few months now to perfect my costumes and also my dance moves.  I am also looking forward to the Michael Jackson dance game to come out on the Kinect which I think will be in February so I can do some cramming before the day.  I don't want to look like an unprepared arse y'know.

Hybrid Theory

So, I have this new theory. 

I live on the 2nd floor in a block of flats and people regularly pee in my doorway and it seeps through the bottom of the door and onto the doormat on the other side of the door.  It's vile, it's disgusting and above all; it's unhygenic and possible a health and safety hazard.  Unfortunately our letting agents don't give two hoots and no matter how much the residents complain, apparently there is 'nothing they can do'.  I've come up with several solutions so I am unaware how they can come to this conclusion.  It's almost as if as soon as us residents mention it, the letting agents stick their fingers in their eyes and sing "lalala, can't hear you!"

Also, on my way home from work, there is a tramp that lives in a doorway several doors down from me.  He is always begging for money and occasionally has a lass sat next to him.  I never give them money (if I do it once they'll pester me forever right?) and he sees me every day and every day I walk past him and tell him I have no spare change (which to be fair I genuinely don't - I'm trying to save up for a house here people!) and then he sees me saunter off into my building.  He sometimes sees me deliberately not crossing the road before him but after him just so I don't have to say that I can't spare any change.

So back to my theory.  Is it rude to think that he is peeing in my doorway because I don't give me any money and he sees me walk into my flat everyday?  Any thoughts?

Yesterday's Got Nothing For Me

It's been a while...

This isn't really an excuse but I've been mega busy at work recently and also my computer has been all over the place.  It now has a new home though in my new office at home, hurrah!  That last bit really isn't an excuse as I can post blogs from my phone...

So, what have I been doing for the past month?  Quite a bit.  In a nutshell, I have been settling into my new job and coming up with different strategies of how to get what I want.  The most common theme seems to be running alongside the idea of 'fake it til you make it'. 

I have also been trying to save money.  I failed miserably though so will be doing it from next month.  The idea behind me saving money is that Guns N Roses have announced that they are touring the US around March time.  I wanted to go back there anyway so thought I could kill 2 birds with 1 stone (or as Ali G might say - rather crudely - knobbing 2 birds with 1 jonny aiight), and do both at the same time.  I'm incredibly busy in March though so fingers crossed it will be spread out over a few months.

That's enough of this boring post.  More interesting posts will come soon.

In the meantime, this is me

You Could Be Mine

Guns N Roses - LG Arena Birmingham - 17th October 2010

This blog is a bit late as the show was 2 days ago but I wanted to drag out the Guns N Roses experience I had a bit longer before being dragged back to the reality of no Guns N Roses shows.  (What actually happened is that after the gig - I got home at 3am - Had a full day at work the next day - Got home and went to bed - and now it's after work on Tuesday).

I haven't even got inside the building yet and already I am unimpressed.  I was expecting to go in, eat somewhere and then get to the ticketed part of the arena.  But no, I had to queue up til doors open time (6pm) and then get food.  Had I have known that I would have eaten something beforehand and then queued up quietly and got to the front of the gig.  As it turns out I was close to the stage anyway.

Guns N Roses came on over an hour later than Sebastian Bach (who has a wicked voice btw!) and the crowd was starting to get irate and there were some 'boos'.  Not from me, I didn't care, I was about to witness an incredible show.  I knew they'd be on 'around 10' so that was fine for me.  The 'boos' didn't last long, the house lights went down, the crowd erupted in screams and whistles and so the show began.

From the start I noticed that Axl's voice wasn't on top form.  He sounded great but a little strained.  At the end of the show he did apologise and said he woke up with a sore throat.  Again, I noticed that the crowd were really noisy but a bit static.  Maybe it was just where I was stood?

I was absolutely gutted that they didn't play Don't Cry, at around the age of 17, I was completely obssessed with that song.  I love the making of it and can listen to it for hours.  They also didn't play Better (love that one too) and several other songs, making the set about 45-60 mins shorter than the show I went to on Thursday.  But really, how could one top that show - that historical show? 

This is my favourite photo of Dj Ashba that night.  He always had his head down and no amoun of screaming, waving, jumping around etc. got his attention.  (I had even had a ridiclously low cut top on - I planned ahead - but that didn't work either *insulted*)  He was on fine form and I fell in love with him all over again (after Thursday, I got over him by Sunday morning).

Also, he came to the barrier!  Had my boyfriend not be right next time, I expect I would have knocked the girls in front of me out the way and copped a feel ;)

Best Bumblefoot pic.  I stand by my previous statement, he looks so down to earth and friendly.  And, I got in his photo at the end!  Ok, it's only half my face but you can tell it's me!

My best pic of Axl.  He never stayed in 1 place for more than a second so got loads of blurry pictures of him.  I'm actually surprised that he let people take photos because I know he's been really hot on not liking photo's being taken in the past.  I can see why as it does distract you from the show.  I was so excited though that I had to take photos as I forgot most of the show instantly as the house lights came up so having some evidence that I went was great.

The guys at the end of the night.  My dream is gone.

It's now all over so you know what?  I'm now saving up for their US leg of their tour - I'd love to go back to America and what would make it better would be seeing them again on their home turf.  There must be a US leg of the tour right? And surely it would be next year?  Which gives me enough time to save up for a trip across the pond!

Get In The Ring Muthaf****r And I'll Kick Your Bitchy Little Ass, Punk!

Thursday October 14th 2010 - O2 Arena London. 


Without a doubt the best concert I have ever been to.  Visually stunning, excellent pyro effects and lighting.  The whole band was on form, Axl's voice was spot on at all times.  He was still bombing around the stage like he did 20 years ago.  The rest of the band looked and sounded great.  The only downside to the whole night was that it had to end (and also I may have gained an extreme slight crush on DJ Ashba).


We (myself and my friend Sarah) got to the O2 at 4.30pm.  Slightly early.  Apparently we got there too early as Sarah suggested going later and I didn't respond so we went early - I don't remember that bit though.  The guy in Starbucks laughed at me as we were 5 hours early.


Somehow though time flew and suddenly we were in the arena and Sebastian Bach came on stage.  I saw him a few years back in Nottingham when he was supporting Guns N Roses there.  He had the same energy there and was a good performer, he got the crowd going and there were quite a few Skid Row fans in the crowd.  I've got no idea what he was talking about though, I heard his voice but didn't understand.  He performed an hour long set and then we waited for GNR.  After about an hour or so the lights went down, the crowd went wild and then opening riff of Chinese Democracy sounded.


I love that song, I first heard some Chinese Democracy songs around 8 years ago when I went to see them at London Docklands Arena, I only remember Madagascar though from that time. 

Anyway, Sarah and I decided that Bumblefoot would be a great guy to go to the pub with.  He seemed really down to earth and a lot of fun. 

Duff appeared on stage - the first time Axl and Duff have been on stage together for 17 years.  I've seen Axl twice and Duff twice, it was great to see them together.  It was actually pretty impressive.  Since the event there has been loads of speculation that there is going to be a reunion and if so what would happen to the new band and also that Axl was 'cold' towards Duff on stage.  I enjoyed it for that 1 night special, kinda like when Tom Cruise joined the Black Eyed Peas on stage a few months back - obviously Duff was more epic though. 

I found out that Richard Fortus has amazing pecs.

DJ Ashba, I'll be honest, I hadn't heard of him before he joined Guns N Roses.  He's a lot older than he looks.  So he's the 'replacement' Slash.  He's come under a lot of scrutiny because he also uses a Gibson Les Paul (along with thousands of other guitarists may I add), he wears a hat (that looks tailored to suit him, I also know a lot of people who wear hats) and he moves like Slash (again, when playing the guitar, there are only so many ways you can 'jam').  I liked DJ Ashba a lot.  I liked his energy, he had a pretty smile and he spent a lot of time on the side of the stage where I was - I'm going to position myself on that side again in Birmingham and Sods Law will dictate that he decides to take a liking to the other side of the stage that night.  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of his pretty smile, I didn't quite catch it.

Axl Rose.  Still my ultimate favourite bloke/showman/performer.  He really proved that he still 'has it'.  He sang and whistled all songs with apparent ease.  What really impressed me was when he sang Nice Boys perfectly.  Yes he still had many costume changes, but from what I saw he needed to - he was running around the stage and his clothes were soaking wet within seconds of a change. 


Guns N Roses played a large range of old and new songs.  I enjoyed every second of it.  I did notice though that for a rock concert, the crowd was rather tame.  The crowd was loud but generally quite static.  Perhaps it was something to do with at the beginning a guy got escorted out by security for starting a mosh pit.  Unfortunately I didn't get any good pictures of the rest of the band. 


I took loads of photos, most of them were rubbish.  I learned that the iPhone4 camera is not great in a concert situation.  And the zoom lessens the sharpness of the photo.

Guns N Roses gave a big FU to their haters.


BRING ON BIRMINGHAM!!!!

This I Love

Today's post is brought to you by the song This I Love.  I was thinking about it earlier, it's so light and peaceful yet to contrast so powerful.

So I was reflecting on little things that I love about music stars:

• During the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert when Queen are playing Tie Your Mother Down and Joe from Def Leppard announces 'Slash' and he comes bounding on stage.  Love that bit.
• The way Dave Grohl plays his guitar - not musically, but physically.
• During Don't Cry on the Tokyo Use Your Illusions Tour DVD, Axl Rose sings "I know how you feel inside I've, I've been there before" and he looks really cheeky/mischievious as he sings it.  Dirty boy ;)
• When Chester Bennington is singing and bends over as if putting all his energy in that note.
• Mark Hoppus and Tom Delonge's on stage chemistry.
• Fred Durst's sexy 'movements' towards the end of the Eat Your Alive video.  "Once you seep in..." *I may have misheard those lyrics.

I could go on for ages.  But I won't.

Does anyone else have favourite music moments?

The Pace Is Too Fast/You Just Won't Last

Wow what a week.  Exercise wise I did pretty well, I did Zumba on Monday night with my good friend Jessica Rabbit and then got up at 6am (!! Yeah I know, I was surprised too) on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a 30 minute exercise DVD shred, sweat, whatever.

My new job seems to be going well, I'm building new relationships and slowly figuring out what my job actually involves and also finding my way around campus.  On Thursday I trundled all the way up to London for a business meeting.  I had some spare time before getting the train back so thought I'd find another university to visit, I went to London Met.  I just stood outside as security was so tight.  I learned a lot from that. 

I keep having amazing ideas for my blog and then forgetting them. 

The top 5 things I have learned this week:
1. Be like a Scout and Always Be Prepared
2. Don't just 'drop in' somewhere big, it won't be appreciated so make an appointment
3. Going up to London, even for only a few hours, will make the inside of your nose black
4. The 'General Public' are extremely selfish and unaware of their surroundings - when saying 'Excuse Me' 4 times, each time increasing the volume only for the lady blocking the aisle to still not move, does justify me opening the freezer door a few minutes later and therefore blocking up the aisle for when she tried to walk past me.
5. I am still a long way off from being able to 'shake it!' at Zumba class

Blog title today - Linkin Park - Points Of Authority.  I have rediscovered Linkin Park today.  I haven't heard any of their material post-Meteora so not sure what they are upto nowadays but I love 'old skool' Linkin Park.

Back row, Honour roll, Ahead of the class...

It's not quite like that for me now as I am not back at Uni as a student, but now as support staff.  It's been my first week and I've had meetings, phone calls, office cake and literally bumped into millions of students.  I've really enjoyed it though and I found out that since it's Freshers week (or Freshers Fortnight as it is now, in my day it was just the week), most things were free.  The only benefit of this for me was the free bus fare on the Uni bus.  However I finished earlier today and I got on a 'public' bus so had to pay.  First of all, it was extortionate - £1.90!!  That was only for one-way as well!  Also I forgot that bus drivers get rather annoyed if you give them anything but the fare.  I got told off for giving the bus driver a £2 coin.  And also, being on a bus unfortunately forces you to be in close proximity to certain members of 'riffraff' society.

So not a great experience.

Buses aside, I had a great first week and I'm looking forward to bringing this job role forward.  Assuming I pass my probation.  Apparently most people 'breeze' through it - no pressure!

In other news, I went to a BodyCombat class last night at a nearby leisure centre.  Wow.  It was hard.  I was supposed to be going with a friend but she got stuck in traffic (in her defense, it was gridlock).  I decided to opt for a Spinning session but it was fully booked so did the BodyCombat on my own.  Massive hall, 4 instructors, loads of people there and I deicded to go at the back so I could copy everyone else.  Which would have been great if I had my glasses on.  So struggled a bit there but it was good nonetheless, lots of jumping too!  I don't ache today but expect that it will come on overnight.

I had an excellent blog idea yesterday and now I can't remember - typical.  It's going to be bugging me all weekend!

Anyway must dash - I'm really hungry!!#

P.S For any of you wondering - the Title is the opening lyrics from New Kid In School by The Donnas.  One of my favourite songs to play drums to on Rock Band.

New Kid In School

Yes today, I was in the new kid in school.  Or should I say University?  Well I should because I was at my new job at a University.  I spent most of the day reading through documents, meeting with colleagues, not answering the phone and wondering whether I could afford a car.  I borrowed a car today and drove to work, not looking forward to getting the bus.  I saw the bus after work at it was rammed. 

My first day seemed to go quite well, that was until I had my first-day-faux-pas at 12.15 - I looked down and noticed my fly was undone *great*.

I think I'm going to enjoy this role, I appear to be going to spend most of my time organising events and meeting with businesses.  I was incredibly nervous but that was unnecessary as everyone was really nice.

I thing has become apparent though, I have A LOT of learning to do.

Schools Out For Summer!

...well that's not completely true, a) I'm not at school anymore and b) we're just entering Autumn (or Fall to my American audience).  But I remember this being played on my last day of school and today was the last day that I would be working at the recruitment agency that I have been working at for the past year.  It hasn't quite hit me yet that I won't be going back there to work.  I had cake though so all in all, it has been a good day.

I spoke to my new boss today and he has confirmed my start date for Monday.  I'm quite looking forward to it, meeting new people etc. 

I went out for lunch with Steph today, she worksed in the office below me.  We got some lovely cakeythings that were quite small.  So I had two.  Unfortunately this meant that I had to have a low fat dinner so had a low fat lentil and vegetable tinned soup and to say that it was vile isn't quite at the level of grossness which this soup was at.  I felt like I was eating potatoes in water.  But a thick water.  I didn't like it.  I'm going to have to wash it down with a glass of wine which completely ruins the whole idea of having the soup in the first place.

As it's Friday, I'm heading out in a bit.  But in true 'me' style it's not off for a night on the tiles, I'm going to Blockbuster to rent Prince Of Persia.  Finally.  I've wanted to see it for ages.  Plus it's a free rental from Mars sweets promotion, good deal!

Er, guess I should be off...

Dance and Shout - Shake your body down to the ground.

I am the best person at mishearing lyrics, I hope I got those right.

Zumba was excellent.  I really enjoyed myself and had 'a right laugh'.  It was so difficult though, I was unable to 'shake my thang' excessively which was a requirement for most of the class - hence the laughing.  I have read that laughing is good for your stomach muscles - so all is not lost.  Has anyone else tried Zumba?  I hear it's the new craze!

I've just finished a Jillian Michaels 20 mins work out, I really enjoy it and although it's only 20 minutes, my heart rate monitor tells me that I burn around 400 calories each session which I'm happy about.  Need to get that NYC body!  I'm 14lbs away - I am the junk food is holding me back.

I found out yesterday that my current boss is letting me go on Friday - in a good way!  I'm currently working my notice as have another job lined up, so hopefully I'll be in my new job from Monday onwards - IT pending apparently!! 

Everything is ticking over nicely at the moment, so I'm looking forward to this dramatic change.

Lets see how it goes!!

Just a little patience

I have been a busy little bee over the past couple of weeks. I have however had time to post. I just haven't because I don't want to spill all my news and then it not happen. I am in the early stages of a new project which I am really hoping will improve my employability for NYC in a few years time. It's not finalised yet so will say no more.

I am attending an eBay workshop on Tuesday, I'm quite looking forward to it. I always welcome learning new things and haven't sold anything on eBay before so thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. Who care that I'm about 5 years too late!

Speaking of new things, I am hoping to attend a Zumba dance class tomorrow night. I have a Michael Jackson dance master class to attend in 3 months so I'm trying to cram in as much dancing before then so I at least look a bit good at the MJ class.

Will let you know how Zumba goes, I hear it's the 'in' thing to do!

There Was A Time...

It might not be apparent, but I am a huge Guns N Roses fan, to look at me - a 25 year old with no real sense of style and no obvious stereotype - it doesn't jump out at you.  It's Bank Holiday weekend, I'm sat in at home all on my own (there is a tramp that lives on my doorstep and I'm fighting the want to invite him in just so I have someone to talk to - word on the street is that he is a class A junkie), I've been listening to Chinese Democracy on repeat for the past few hours and I'm constantly checking Twitter for GNR updates by the band, just to rub salt in the wound that they are in Leeds and I'm nowhere near there.

But yes, I am a massive GNR fan (favourite song is There Was A Time at the moment, vocals are excellent) and named my blod accordingly - Move To The City - a song on Live Like A Suicide/GNR Lies, which is actually a cover. 

I've been doing a lot of research once again about moving to New York City and it's going to be a very long process.  Still got fingers crossed for winning the lottery (I don't play but my parents do) as I could then get in from having a financial interest in a company.  Otherwise I shall be somehow building up a strong rapport with a company to sponsor me.  Or of course, marry an American, but I'm really not interested in that.  Or getting married for real come to think of it.

Anyway, I'm at home, all alone and knowing that I have lots to do but feel like I should be doing more 'fun' stuff as it's a bank holiday and I've been looking forward to this bank holiday, well since the last one!  I've put out a few 'lonely' ads on Twitter and Facebook today but haven't had any positive responses from anyone who is doing anything.  I 'could' have gone to a car festival, but would have had to camped over and I really didn't want to do that.  I suppose I did have options so not sure why I am moaning.

There Was A Time has just come back on, perhaps the fifth time I have heard this today?

I'm off to get some work done and then get some dinner, get drunk, perhaps watch a film and play on the net, or play RockBand.  The possibilities are endless!

I will close with a lyric from this excellent and thought provoking song.

"If there's nothing I can gain from this or anything at all, it'd be the knowledge that ya gave me when I thought I'd heard it all."

Mortified

What a day. I have spent the whole day feeling a mix of negative emotions. First I was nervous and panicky as was having my hair done and hoped it would be ready for the big event later on today. It turned out that it was (and it looks great by the way) but I completely messed up my afternoon. I'm one of those people who beat themselves up at an error that they can't change, things happen and we move on. Why do we fall down? So we learn how to pick ourselves up again. (Batman Begins) I know this and in theory I know how to react in different situations and I know that if some minor detail goes wrong, then you pick yourself up, move on and don't let it effect your future performance. So, what do I do? I do the complete opposite. My mind is screaming at me 'what are you doing?!' It reminds me of a time, years ago when I was 19 and I was driving my parents car, my bf at the time made me (ok, strongly advised me) to take him to the shop to get some beers. I was reversing out the drive and was too close to the car next to me, he was shouting at me 'what are you doing? You're going the wrong way!', so, all parts of me said to stop. I carried on, making the the bumper fall off, minimal scratching though. He took the blame for pressurising me.
But that's not the point, the point is; I went against what I should have done and did the opposite. That example also used a lot of negative thinking and I am trying to get rid of that habit.
Another example is the other day, I went to my regular coffee shop and the owner was there - he doesn't know me so he doesn't give me a discount, he also doesn't know what he's doing - so I went against my better judgement of walking out and heading off to Costa and stayed in the coffee shop and waited 10 minutes for 3/5s of a coffee for more than what I normally pay and half the loyalty stamps that I normally get. Ouch.
So I suppose I do it to prove my negative thinking is correct? Or just because I don't think. Either way, this afternoon was a disaster and despite not being able to change a thing by turning back the clock and instead of moving on and learning from my mistakes with my head up high. I am cowering away, beating myself up and feeling dreadful and maybe in a few days once I'm over it, I'll then learn my lesson - only to forget it all when I'm
in the same situation again.

Camping Chaos

So yes...my camping trip. I haven't properly been camping before (I don't count Reading Festival '03, that was 3 days of fun), but I was surprised that I enjoyed it apart from the tent mishap. Big tent, full of creepy crawlys. Also the inflatable mattress and inflatable pillow both burst on the first night so I was sleeping on the hard ground for 3 nights. We went up to the Lake District on Friday night at 10pm, which was a little later than the scheduled 5.30pm departure. We were all cursing the one who slowed us down by several hours...that was until he told us why he was late - he was making a large BBQ and skillet for us all to cook on. He is quite the craftsman.
We drove half way there and then stayed over in a Premier Inn. The one we stayed at had 2 available rooms so we thought 'great, they will fit us in', but alas the Receptionist was having none of it. 2 people to a room for safety and fire hazards etc. We finally accepted this and the driver stayed in his van to save money (and the fact that he didn't have a choice, the other 4 of us were couples). My bf and I got into our room to find a double bed, a pull out single bed AND a rather large sofa that a 6th man could have easily slept on. What a joke! Our driver could have stayed in our room after all!! What's the point of having 4 beds if only 2 people can stay in the room?!
After getting ripped off for breakfast at RestBite (and all the other service stops we had along the way - a tenner for 3 coffees?? Come on Costa!) we made our way to the Lake District where I learnt several things:
1. It definitely is a lot colder up north than down south.
2. No matter what weather warnings I receive, I always pack wrongly.
3. I am quite tolerant and easy going.
4. I am nowhere near as fit as I should be.
5. My bf is one of those people who would throw a non-swimmer into the deepest pool to teach them how to swim.
I spent several days walking up steep hills, sitting in a chair covered in blankets and also not drinking as much as I should have done because the toilets were inconveniently far away.
All in all it was a great trip. But I won't be going camping again.

Pack Your Bags And Move To The City

I wish it was that simple.  I have just come back from a camping trip, my first proper camping trip, and I think it's pretty safe to say that I won't be going camping again, not in a tent anyway (I'll get to that another time).  Anyway, I've decided that I want to move to New York City.  As does millions of other people I suppose.  I've wanted to move there for years, but true to character I haven't done anything about it - my realistic (negative) attitude has said that I can't do it.  However, as Anastacia once said 'feeling sorry for yourself ain't got nobody nowhere', or words to that effect, so yes, I will do it.  I know that it's going to take years - I've done my immigration research.  Unfortunately I am not a doctor or scientist so can't get in that way and I have no immediate family (or any family for that matter) who are US residents.  It looks like I will either need to win the lottery and invest in a business or become sponsored by a company, which is fine it just takes a lot longer.  So here is my quest to get there, plus a few distractions of other things I get up to along the way...