Soooo, it's been WEEKS since I last wrote a post...and that's not down to laziness, but purely from being completely hectic!
Rather than ramble on about the past few weeks, I think I will jus sum it up:
Christmas - ate, drank, slept, amazing
New Year - ate, drank, enjoyed fireworks on the roof of Hampstead Manor, amazing
New Job - busy, exciting, fun, early, amazing
New Me - busy but sleeping, eating but healthy, feel amazing
So there you have it, my life in a nutshell!
Today, it's my little sis' birthday...so we're off to enjoy some afternoon tea as a celebration of her 22nd year!
Sunday 17 January 2010
Wednesday 23 December 2009
A long day, an icy day and a last day
It was my last day on The George Lamb Show on Sunday - sad for many, not so much for others. The vibe in the studio was slightly low, not due to me leaving, but rather the consumption of alcohol that had taken place over the weekend, at George's 30th birthday.
After a decent send off, I hit the streets of London again to buy even more presents and spend a load more money, before heading to Covent Garden to meet Helen, Lauren and my sis. We went to Fire and Stone for pizza (standard) and had a good ole catch up. Helen and I then found ourselves sitting in a tiny little pub, enjoying a Hobgoblin and chatting before working out how to get to our friend Dan's house, for his Christmas party.
Having stuffed myself with pizza, I was not in the mood for anymore food. On arrival to Dan's palace, however, I was confronted with something I could not refuse; a Christmas Kebab! That's right, a skewer of stuffing, peas, roast potatoes and sprouts with a dip of gravy...it was delish (I had 3 - bad idea)
I couldn't stay long at Dan's as I had to trek back (Stoke Newington is an awful long way out!) and meet Seb (back from L.A.) and Sam. We went to our favourite little pub in the Hampstead area, The Wells and enjoyed a chat, some food...and a glass of fizzy water (me) Seb rushed off to see his other mate Dom and Sam and I retired to the flat. Neither of us could stay awake, so it was early bed.
I awoke late(ish) on Monday and packed an overnight bag, before grabbing a Gails coffee (Gail's is the little cake shop opposite my flat) and getting on the tube to Edgware. This was the decided pick-up destination, where Ford, the lovely Captain and Velvet Hands would meet me in the Bysee (a sort of people carrier thing) and drive us up to Manchester. Due to the weather and traffic, they were delayed...so I wondered round Edgware, bought Focus magazine and read it with a lemonade.
When they arrived, we hit the road and arrived in Manchester around 4.30. This was not ideal, but a thorough and speedy soundcheck meant we were set up and happy by 6.45. The show started at 8, so I took it upon myself to get grub in before...this took the form of a pizza (a hot chicken one, with loads of chillies and jalepenos on it...WOAH!) After wolfing it down, it was time to do the show, which we did, and very well if I do say so myself. Ford played a great show, Hands and I didn't mess up, the crowd were lovely and we raised a lot of money!
After a pack down (and deciding to leave the Bysee load-in until the morning) we nipped round the corner to our hotel - The Crowne Plaza dontcha know - to check-in and abuse the bar. Hands and I hit the pear cider, a wonderful drink for that time of night (sorry, morning...it was 1am) and we wiled away a couple of hours on a relatively uncomfy sofa. By 3am, I was in my bed...and WHAT a bed. It was probably the best bed I have ever slept in. I was out like a light and didn't wake up until 9:45 (in a kind of Lost In Translation style scene where everything was quiet and I was just staring out of the window at the city)
Shower, coffee, down for the load-in. Everything was going well and to plan, until we got to the Bysee. It was stuck and the back wheel kept slipping on the ice. We faffed around for almost an hour, pushing, pulling and generally getting frustrated, until we finally managed to manouver it out of the tight space it was in (without hitting the BMW next to it) We packed the van and hit the road, late and tired. What was to be a quick trip home, had already turned into a nightmare...and it didn't get any better, we had to drive slowly because of the snow and therefore, I didn't get back to London until about 8pm. I had organised leaving drinks at work that night - but didn't get back in time, what a joke!
I had a quick shower - put on fresh clothes, than caught the tube to Leicester Square. I met Helen quickly for a chat, glass of vino and pasta at Med Kitchen, then I bolted for the Haymarket Hotel. It was the Beggars Banquet Christmas Party - a masquerade ball actually - so I donned my reindeer eye mask and headed into the melee. It was a lovely evening, the whiskey and gingers were flowing, some of the 6 Music Music News team were there, and we shared some food (tapas) and a dance (on a very 70s chic dancefloor). After "doing the rounds" and making sure I'd seen everyone I needed, I left at a very reasonable time of 1am. This was to ensure I wasn't thrown into the swimming pool in the middle of the room - as people had started getting ever so slightly drunk by that point.
The nightbus whisked me to Hampstead Heath and I crashed into bed, realising that I needed to pack for going home the next day. "I'll do it tomorrow" I thought, and fell asleep. Indeed, that seemed like a good idea at the time....
...this morning, however, it was the worst idea I could of had, as I scurried around throwing shirts and trousers into a bag, trying to remember everything I'd need whilst attempting to keep up the morning routine to time. I got everything I needed and headed to work - my last day at 6 Music.
The office is ghostly today - I think everyone had the right idea and booked this week off. I have packed my desk, tied up my loose ends and am now ready to go. I enjoyed a thai lunch with Pip earlier and will no doubt have a wonderful family meal tonight. It will be weird not coming into the building for the next 12 days...weird, but bloody brilliant!
After a decent send off, I hit the streets of London again to buy even more presents and spend a load more money, before heading to Covent Garden to meet Helen, Lauren and my sis. We went to Fire and Stone for pizza (standard) and had a good ole catch up. Helen and I then found ourselves sitting in a tiny little pub, enjoying a Hobgoblin and chatting before working out how to get to our friend Dan's house, for his Christmas party.
Having stuffed myself with pizza, I was not in the mood for anymore food. On arrival to Dan's palace, however, I was confronted with something I could not refuse; a Christmas Kebab! That's right, a skewer of stuffing, peas, roast potatoes and sprouts with a dip of gravy...it was delish (I had 3 - bad idea)
I couldn't stay long at Dan's as I had to trek back (Stoke Newington is an awful long way out!) and meet Seb (back from L.A.) and Sam. We went to our favourite little pub in the Hampstead area, The Wells and enjoyed a chat, some food...and a glass of fizzy water (me) Seb rushed off to see his other mate Dom and Sam and I retired to the flat. Neither of us could stay awake, so it was early bed.
I awoke late(ish) on Monday and packed an overnight bag, before grabbing a Gails coffee (Gail's is the little cake shop opposite my flat) and getting on the tube to Edgware. This was the decided pick-up destination, where Ford, the lovely Captain and Velvet Hands would meet me in the Bysee (a sort of people carrier thing) and drive us up to Manchester. Due to the weather and traffic, they were delayed...so I wondered round Edgware, bought Focus magazine and read it with a lemonade.
When they arrived, we hit the road and arrived in Manchester around 4.30. This was not ideal, but a thorough and speedy soundcheck meant we were set up and happy by 6.45. The show started at 8, so I took it upon myself to get grub in before...this took the form of a pizza (a hot chicken one, with loads of chillies and jalepenos on it...WOAH!) After wolfing it down, it was time to do the show, which we did, and very well if I do say so myself. Ford played a great show, Hands and I didn't mess up, the crowd were lovely and we raised a lot of money!
After a pack down (and deciding to leave the Bysee load-in until the morning) we nipped round the corner to our hotel - The Crowne Plaza dontcha know - to check-in and abuse the bar. Hands and I hit the pear cider, a wonderful drink for that time of night (sorry, morning...it was 1am) and we wiled away a couple of hours on a relatively uncomfy sofa. By 3am, I was in my bed...and WHAT a bed. It was probably the best bed I have ever slept in. I was out like a light and didn't wake up until 9:45 (in a kind of Lost In Translation style scene where everything was quiet and I was just staring out of the window at the city)
Shower, coffee, down for the load-in. Everything was going well and to plan, until we got to the Bysee. It was stuck and the back wheel kept slipping on the ice. We faffed around for almost an hour, pushing, pulling and generally getting frustrated, until we finally managed to manouver it out of the tight space it was in (without hitting the BMW next to it) We packed the van and hit the road, late and tired. What was to be a quick trip home, had already turned into a nightmare...and it didn't get any better, we had to drive slowly because of the snow and therefore, I didn't get back to London until about 8pm. I had organised leaving drinks at work that night - but didn't get back in time, what a joke!
I had a quick shower - put on fresh clothes, than caught the tube to Leicester Square. I met Helen quickly for a chat, glass of vino and pasta at Med Kitchen, then I bolted for the Haymarket Hotel. It was the Beggars Banquet Christmas Party - a masquerade ball actually - so I donned my reindeer eye mask and headed into the melee. It was a lovely evening, the whiskey and gingers were flowing, some of the 6 Music Music News team were there, and we shared some food (tapas) and a dance (on a very 70s chic dancefloor). After "doing the rounds" and making sure I'd seen everyone I needed, I left at a very reasonable time of 1am. This was to ensure I wasn't thrown into the swimming pool in the middle of the room - as people had started getting ever so slightly drunk by that point.
The nightbus whisked me to Hampstead Heath and I crashed into bed, realising that I needed to pack for going home the next day. "I'll do it tomorrow" I thought, and fell asleep. Indeed, that seemed like a good idea at the time....
...this morning, however, it was the worst idea I could of had, as I scurried around throwing shirts and trousers into a bag, trying to remember everything I'd need whilst attempting to keep up the morning routine to time. I got everything I needed and headed to work - my last day at 6 Music.
The office is ghostly today - I think everyone had the right idea and booked this week off. I have packed my desk, tied up my loose ends and am now ready to go. I enjoyed a thai lunch with Pip earlier and will no doubt have a wonderful family meal tonight. It will be weird not coming into the building for the next 12 days...weird, but bloody brilliant!
Saturday 19 December 2009
Is it Saturday already!?
Where has this week gone? Last time I checked, I hadn't got any Christmas presents for anyone and still had loads of work to do. Oh, that's still the case!
Well, lets round up the week as quickly as it has passed for me:
Wednesday was back to the grindstone, we spent the morning recording links for THE BEST OF show, which will be going out on Christmas weekend. After work, I was treated to a thai dinner at one of my favourite little restaurants (Together Thai) by the lovely gents at Polydor Records. Myself and some of the Radio 2 gang got stuck into some food and beer (green tea for me) and I was on the way home by 8.40.
Thursday eve had a treat in store, in the form of dinner, drinks and the company of Helen. We enjoyed a Samuel Smiths beer before going to another favourite restaurant of mine, Odins. Unfortunately this time, no one was there to pick up the bill! We had a bottle of red, some amazing food (I had salmon and pheasant) and a lot of catching up. We hopped in a cab to go to London Bridge and have a few more drinks at Emily, Becki and Maddie's flat. It was all very festive - and lovely to see the gals (even if it was brief) - and I was home by midnight.
I didn't get much sleep, Friday brought an early morning - it was Sir Terry Wogan's final Radio 2 breakfast show. I lept from my bed into the cold and was out the door by 7am. I had composed a poem for Terry ('Wave By To Wogan') which I framed and gave to him. I recieved my usual nod of approval from through the glass - and a big hug, from the man himself and top Producer...Dr Alan Boyd. Crowds swarmed Western House that day, and the suits were on form; Mark Thompson, Tim Davie, Alan Yentob had all turned out to wish the head of the TOGs a fine farewell.
The rest of the day was spent tying up loose ends, as you do...oh, and interviewing Will Young (also as you do!) What a lovely guy he was. I sped out of the office early, so that I could get down to Bush Hall and soundcheck for David Ford's 9th "Milk and Cookies". Unfortunately due to some technical issues, we ran a bit late. Still time for me to meet Helen and the good lady wife and snaffle up a Nandos. The gig started just after 8 and although we were all slightly nervous about the un-rehearsed set, it all went pretty well.
Very rudely, I had to fly out of the doors at the end of the gig. I'd booked a cab for me and the good lady, as we were headed to George Lamb's 30th birthday in Soho. After squeezing into a crammed bar, we found a drink and a spot and spent an hour mingling (mainly with the cool 6 Music bods who were there) We treated ourselves to a cab home too (it was too cold to be waiting for buses) and made it to bed, just after 1am.
It's now Saturday - I'm at work, it's cold. I spent an hour in Selfridges this morning, spending money like it was going out of fashion. As much as I love Christmas - I always leave it bankrupt!
Well, lets round up the week as quickly as it has passed for me:
Wednesday was back to the grindstone, we spent the morning recording links for THE BEST OF show, which will be going out on Christmas weekend. After work, I was treated to a thai dinner at one of my favourite little restaurants (Together Thai) by the lovely gents at Polydor Records. Myself and some of the Radio 2 gang got stuck into some food and beer (green tea for me) and I was on the way home by 8.40.
Thursday eve had a treat in store, in the form of dinner, drinks and the company of Helen. We enjoyed a Samuel Smiths beer before going to another favourite restaurant of mine, Odins. Unfortunately this time, no one was there to pick up the bill! We had a bottle of red, some amazing food (I had salmon and pheasant) and a lot of catching up. We hopped in a cab to go to London Bridge and have a few more drinks at Emily, Becki and Maddie's flat. It was all very festive - and lovely to see the gals (even if it was brief) - and I was home by midnight.
I didn't get much sleep, Friday brought an early morning - it was Sir Terry Wogan's final Radio 2 breakfast show. I lept from my bed into the cold and was out the door by 7am. I had composed a poem for Terry ('Wave By To Wogan') which I framed and gave to him. I recieved my usual nod of approval from through the glass - and a big hug, from the man himself and top Producer...Dr Alan Boyd. Crowds swarmed Western House that day, and the suits were on form; Mark Thompson, Tim Davie, Alan Yentob had all turned out to wish the head of the TOGs a fine farewell.
The rest of the day was spent tying up loose ends, as you do...oh, and interviewing Will Young (also as you do!) What a lovely guy he was. I sped out of the office early, so that I could get down to Bush Hall and soundcheck for David Ford's 9th "Milk and Cookies". Unfortunately due to some technical issues, we ran a bit late. Still time for me to meet Helen and the good lady wife and snaffle up a Nandos. The gig started just after 8 and although we were all slightly nervous about the un-rehearsed set, it all went pretty well.
Very rudely, I had to fly out of the doors at the end of the gig. I'd booked a cab for me and the good lady, as we were headed to George Lamb's 30th birthday in Soho. After squeezing into a crammed bar, we found a drink and a spot and spent an hour mingling (mainly with the cool 6 Music bods who were there) We treated ourselves to a cab home too (it was too cold to be waiting for buses) and made it to bed, just after 1am.
It's now Saturday - I'm at work, it's cold. I spent an hour in Selfridges this morning, spending money like it was going out of fashion. As much as I love Christmas - I always leave it bankrupt!
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Feeling festive
So, Saturday came and went. After a looooong working day, I spent the evening relaxing with the good lady, enjoying food, wine and some trash tv! 5am came very quickly again the next day and I was up and out the door in my usual zombie-like daze. George's show was a good one...and before there was time to blink, we were out of one studio and into the next, pre-recording another 3 hours. This, it must be said, took its toll.
I was feeling a lot more festive than I had been on Sunday afternoon. Maybe it was because a roast dinner was in store, cooked by little miss munch. Sam and I travelled down to Surrey to meet up with a few gals, drink some wine and eat the flat right out of everything! After din dins, we raided the games shelf and decided upon Humbug as our game of choice - where you have to hum a well-known song to the rest of your team, as they try to guess. As you can imagine, I got competitive...but it was all good fun in the end.
We got back in the early evening and spent the rest of the night chilling out. There was no real need to eat anything - as we had stuffed our faces steadily for the whole afternoon. I got a good night's sleep - including a lie in and felt a lot better in the morning for such a solid slumber.
Monday - being my day off - was spent lounging. I soaked up a bit of festive cheer round Hampstead village, before the arrival of good friend and musician David Ford, who popped up to see me. I cooked us a thai curry - it went down well - and then we headed out for a walk and a pint. We eneded up at the Old Bull & Bush (famous for the song of the same name, which is an old Victorian drinking song). Although old on the outside, it was very "gastro" on the inside, so had lost its vintage edge. They served a nice pint of Adnams though, so I wasn't too fussed.
After Ford left, I was pottering on the laptop. I have recently got very into Tomb Raider 3 (an old old game, but one which I used to play as a nipper) so I spent an hour moving Lara Croft around London before the lovely Jen came to visit. She arrived just before 5 so we opened a bottle of rose and caught up on the sofa, before scooting down the road to the best Indian in town - Bombay Bicycle Club! We shot down to South Bank after dinner and another drink, to enjoy one of the first ever screenings of James Cameron's new film AVATAR. It was at the imax, in 3D and it was fabulous. I don't think Jen liked it as much as me...perhaps due to the length (it was pushing 3 hours) and the fact we were sitting too near to the screen...but I was in awe of this brilliant piece of film-making, which has pushed the boundaries of cinema and will no doubt pave the way for how we watch films in the future.
We got back late (due to the length of the film) and by 1am, I was ready to crash. Like any good host, I had offered up my bed to my guest...so I grabbed a sleeping bag and tucked myself up on the sofa. The next day, after Jen had left to do her Chrismtas shopping, I took the tube down to soho to watch Local Natives at the legendary Ronnie Scotts (a place I have frequented many a time) Champagne was on offer, as were nibbles...and the atmosphere was festive and fun. I met with Nic, from 6 Music, and we had a good ole chat before Local Natives came on and played a blinding set. They were really enjoyable, as was the whole event.
Feeling slightly tipsy, I left Ronnie's at about 3.30 (5 champagnes down) and headed back to Hampstead Manor. Rachel, one of the lovely HM residents, was hosting a party for a few of her friends...so I filled my face with home cooked treats and moved on to red wine (several glasses of it) After a game or two of charades, I was up and out the door again. This time, I was headed to The BBC Club for the Radio 2 Christmas party. Dancing, drinking and merriment were the order of the evening...and with Mr Alan Dedicoat calling us up in pairs onto the dancefloor (in true Strictly Come Dancing stylee) it would have been rude not to put down a few moves.
Having drunk my body weight by 10.15, I left so as not to cause embarrasment. I headed to the good lady wife's abode, and got tucked up for a good night's sleep - which unfortunately neither of us had, due to my snoring. Ooops
I was feeling a lot more festive than I had been on Sunday afternoon. Maybe it was because a roast dinner was in store, cooked by little miss munch. Sam and I travelled down to Surrey to meet up with a few gals, drink some wine and eat the flat right out of everything! After din dins, we raided the games shelf and decided upon Humbug as our game of choice - where you have to hum a well-known song to the rest of your team, as they try to guess. As you can imagine, I got competitive...but it was all good fun in the end.
We got back in the early evening and spent the rest of the night chilling out. There was no real need to eat anything - as we had stuffed our faces steadily for the whole afternoon. I got a good night's sleep - including a lie in and felt a lot better in the morning for such a solid slumber.
Monday - being my day off - was spent lounging. I soaked up a bit of festive cheer round Hampstead village, before the arrival of good friend and musician David Ford, who popped up to see me. I cooked us a thai curry - it went down well - and then we headed out for a walk and a pint. We eneded up at the Old Bull & Bush (famous for the song of the same name, which is an old Victorian drinking song). Although old on the outside, it was very "gastro" on the inside, so had lost its vintage edge. They served a nice pint of Adnams though, so I wasn't too fussed.
After Ford left, I was pottering on the laptop. I have recently got very into Tomb Raider 3 (an old old game, but one which I used to play as a nipper) so I spent an hour moving Lara Croft around London before the lovely Jen came to visit. She arrived just before 5 so we opened a bottle of rose and caught up on the sofa, before scooting down the road to the best Indian in town - Bombay Bicycle Club! We shot down to South Bank after dinner and another drink, to enjoy one of the first ever screenings of James Cameron's new film AVATAR. It was at the imax, in 3D and it was fabulous. I don't think Jen liked it as much as me...perhaps due to the length (it was pushing 3 hours) and the fact we were sitting too near to the screen...but I was in awe of this brilliant piece of film-making, which has pushed the boundaries of cinema and will no doubt pave the way for how we watch films in the future.
We got back late (due to the length of the film) and by 1am, I was ready to crash. Like any good host, I had offered up my bed to my guest...so I grabbed a sleeping bag and tucked myself up on the sofa. The next day, after Jen had left to do her Chrismtas shopping, I took the tube down to soho to watch Local Natives at the legendary Ronnie Scotts (a place I have frequented many a time) Champagne was on offer, as were nibbles...and the atmosphere was festive and fun. I met with Nic, from 6 Music, and we had a good ole chat before Local Natives came on and played a blinding set. They were really enjoyable, as was the whole event.
Feeling slightly tipsy, I left Ronnie's at about 3.30 (5 champagnes down) and headed back to Hampstead Manor. Rachel, one of the lovely HM residents, was hosting a party for a few of her friends...so I filled my face with home cooked treats and moved on to red wine (several glasses of it) After a game or two of charades, I was up and out the door again. This time, I was headed to The BBC Club for the Radio 2 Christmas party. Dancing, drinking and merriment were the order of the evening...and with Mr Alan Dedicoat calling us up in pairs onto the dancefloor (in true Strictly Come Dancing stylee) it would have been rude not to put down a few moves.
Having drunk my body weight by 10.15, I left so as not to cause embarrasment. I headed to the good lady wife's abode, and got tucked up for a good night's sleep - which unfortunately neither of us had, due to my snoring. Ooops
Saturday 12 December 2009
And so to bed...
Well, the Christmas party was a great success. Rodrigo's Quiff, the band and the actual quiff, rocked the socks off of everyone. We flew through the set at high speed, with stand-out performances from Mr Shaun Keaveny and Tom Robinson and stirling work from the rest of the band. I was just happy I managed to get through the drumming on "Punka"!
After several (9) Desparados and some amazing dancing, I decided to take the plunge and go home (well, it was 1am!) I set off into the cold night, with the lovely Rosa, and got a bus home from Euston, having stuffed my face with a Subway (oh dear) I dropped into bed and slept badly.
Friday started slowly, but after a coffee and some Pret A Manger loving (ie a cheese and bacon croissant) I got my arse in to gear and headed down to the Grovesnor Hotel in Park Lane, to join the many journo bods who were getting ready to interview Celia Imrie and Rupert Everret, and the lovely Tamsin Eggeton and Talulah Riley. After a lot of waiting...and more coffee...I was given 5 minutes on a plush sofa with Rupert and Celia, and another five minutes at a table with Talulah and Tamsin.
And so the day went on...and by 4, I had hit "the wall". Luckily, my good friend Morgan had arranged a nice thai meal for us (and Helen and Susie) at Mango Tree in Victoria, so I had something to look forward to. We went for din dins at 6 and then I headed out to Clapham to meet the good lady wife and her flatmates for a drink and a trip to Inferno's (that's right, Clapham's premier nightclub) Due to the 5am start the next day, I didn't stay long!
I struggled to get up this morning, but made it in to work (just!) and had a great morning show. The working day is nearly over, and all I can think about is crashing out on the sofa!
After several (9) Desparados and some amazing dancing, I decided to take the plunge and go home (well, it was 1am!) I set off into the cold night, with the lovely Rosa, and got a bus home from Euston, having stuffed my face with a Subway (oh dear) I dropped into bed and slept badly.
Friday started slowly, but after a coffee and some Pret A Manger loving (ie a cheese and bacon croissant) I got my arse in to gear and headed down to the Grovesnor Hotel in Park Lane, to join the many journo bods who were getting ready to interview Celia Imrie and Rupert Everret, and the lovely Tamsin Eggeton and Talulah Riley. After a lot of waiting...and more coffee...I was given 5 minutes on a plush sofa with Rupert and Celia, and another five minutes at a table with Talulah and Tamsin.
And so the day went on...and by 4, I had hit "the wall". Luckily, my good friend Morgan had arranged a nice thai meal for us (and Helen and Susie) at Mango Tree in Victoria, so I had something to look forward to. We went for din dins at 6 and then I headed out to Clapham to meet the good lady wife and her flatmates for a drink and a trip to Inferno's (that's right, Clapham's premier nightclub) Due to the 5am start the next day, I didn't stay long!
I struggled to get up this morning, but made it in to work (just!) and had a great morning show. The working day is nearly over, and all I can think about is crashing out on the sofa!
Thursday 10 December 2009
Swagger
Although I found myself running really late on Tuesday morning, I made it to The BBC Radio Theatre for 10am and enjoyed a whole 90 minutes of Mr Robbie Williams, singing and chatting to Richard Allinson (with a slight interuption by Mr Ken Bruce). I'm not a huge Robbie fan, but the opportunity to see him in front of 250 people was too good to miss. I was actually very impressed with the performance, and from a man with such a swagger, he came across as a very nice bloke!
The rest of the day was my own...and so in true lazy bum style I saunted down to the South Bank, taking my time and enjoying the fact that I was walking slowly whilst people were trying to push past me. I grabbed a programme from The National and went to sit in the BFI cafe with a cappucino. I headed off after an hour, returning to the manor, to meet Pip for some lunch (I cooked a wonderful green curry) and then sat in The Wells, with a mulled wine and a game of draughts. It felt like a Sunday!
Then, I was off again, back into W1 to rehearse with Rodrigo's Quiff (aka the 6 Music band) for the impending show tonight. We had a slightly ropey rehearsal, after which I headed out to The Kings Arms for a couple of Guinness's with Helen and Suse. I murdered the jukebox in there, I don't think the two blokes in the corner liked ABBA or MJ! Oh well...
I got home to the good lady wife and after a chat and a cocoa, went to sleep.
Wednesday morning brought with it a 6am run - something which I had planned with Sam a few days earlier, but had conveniently forgotten about...until the alarm went. ugh! We did our usual two mile stretch, and felt alive and well after it. After a shower, I raided the cupboard for anything that looked edible and stumbled across some sardines in a tin. "They'll do" I thought and wacked the contents onto two peices of toast. DELICIOUS! is the only word I can think to describe how they went down. I can see that becoming a new breakfast favourite - and so cheap!
Back in the office, work was pretty much the same as always. I met with a plugger, Jeff, from Northern Ireland who had some great new artists to talk about. He took me out for a Christmas sarnie at Pret and I in turn took a couple of cds off his hands. After work, I met up with the lovely guys from Rocket PR (Pru, Emma and Luke) We went for a few jars, in the festive spirit of course, at the Hat & Stick and enjoyed some tapas style dishes too. Calamari was the winner I think.
After sampling their red wine, just to check it was all ok you understand, I headed back (yet again) for the final rehearsal of Rodrigo's Quiff. It went BRILLIANTLY! Like all the peices of the band had finally fallen into place. I left, happy in the knowledge we weren't going to look a complete sham tonight at the Christmas Party. I went to the good lady's house and stayed the night, woken this morning by the same alarm that had woken me up at 6am the previous day. I didn't want to get up - but forced myself out into the freezing cold air. Once in work, I was quite awake...but now I'm flagging! Perhaps the adrenalin of performing tonight will wake me up????
The rest of the day was my own...and so in true lazy bum style I saunted down to the South Bank, taking my time and enjoying the fact that I was walking slowly whilst people were trying to push past me. I grabbed a programme from The National and went to sit in the BFI cafe with a cappucino. I headed off after an hour, returning to the manor, to meet Pip for some lunch (I cooked a wonderful green curry) and then sat in The Wells, with a mulled wine and a game of draughts. It felt like a Sunday!
Then, I was off again, back into W1 to rehearse with Rodrigo's Quiff (aka the 6 Music band) for the impending show tonight. We had a slightly ropey rehearsal, after which I headed out to The Kings Arms for a couple of Guinness's with Helen and Suse. I murdered the jukebox in there, I don't think the two blokes in the corner liked ABBA or MJ! Oh well...
I got home to the good lady wife and after a chat and a cocoa, went to sleep.
Wednesday morning brought with it a 6am run - something which I had planned with Sam a few days earlier, but had conveniently forgotten about...until the alarm went. ugh! We did our usual two mile stretch, and felt alive and well after it. After a shower, I raided the cupboard for anything that looked edible and stumbled across some sardines in a tin. "They'll do" I thought and wacked the contents onto two peices of toast. DELICIOUS! is the only word I can think to describe how they went down. I can see that becoming a new breakfast favourite - and so cheap!
Back in the office, work was pretty much the same as always. I met with a plugger, Jeff, from Northern Ireland who had some great new artists to talk about. He took me out for a Christmas sarnie at Pret and I in turn took a couple of cds off his hands. After work, I met up with the lovely guys from Rocket PR (Pru, Emma and Luke) We went for a few jars, in the festive spirit of course, at the Hat & Stick and enjoyed some tapas style dishes too. Calamari was the winner I think.
After sampling their red wine, just to check it was all ok you understand, I headed back (yet again) for the final rehearsal of Rodrigo's Quiff. It went BRILLIANTLY! Like all the peices of the band had finally fallen into place. I left, happy in the knowledge we weren't going to look a complete sham tonight at the Christmas Party. I went to the good lady's house and stayed the night, woken this morning by the same alarm that had woken me up at 6am the previous day. I didn't want to get up - but forced myself out into the freezing cold air. Once in work, I was quite awake...but now I'm flagging! Perhaps the adrenalin of performing tonight will wake me up????
Monday 7 December 2009
I asked Draco Malfoy out on a date
It turned out Saturday WAS a hoot...what a party! Judy - who was the birthday gal - had made some amazing Caribbean food, which I tucked into whole-heartedly before hitting the dancefloor and throwing some serious shapes. A few of Radio 2's finest were there, Mr Evans and his lovely wife included, and the party was still going strong when I left it (having to get a train back to London to get a much needed 6 hours in bed)
Sunday morning was slightly easier than the Saturday had been. I found myself waking easily at 5.15 and showering quite happily for a good 10 minutes to make sure I was fully alert. The show went well - with two very different guests making an appearance. The dancing sensation, Lionel Blair, joined us on the phone to play Celebrity Mastermind and Tom Felton (AKA Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter films) came into the studio. It was during a break in the middle of the interview, that I accidently asked him out on a date. Purely innocent you understand; I was trying to be polite! I wondered whether he had a lot of other PR stuff to do, so I asked "Are you doing anything later?" The whole studio errupted and I was left without a defence...I had tried to chat up a Harry Potter character - oh dear.
After the working day was done, I took my li'l sis for Sushi in Hampstead. We opted for the eat as much as like menu, and went in on the salmon skin rolls and chicken teryaki - amongst many other bits and bobs. After eating my body weight, I was shattered so spent the rest of the afternoon on the sofa. Sam and I took in a few episodes of West Wing, we enjoyed a bit of pizza and then I took myself to bed.
This morning started early (considering it's meant to be my weekend) with a coffee and croissant in Giner and White. I read a few notes for an interview I had at 10, then set off to it...packing myself in with the other sardines on the Northern Line. The rest of the day was a leisurely one; I cooked a thai curry for lunch (should have just bought one, it wasn't great) and then caught up on a few programmes using my old trusty friend the iplayer.
I peeled myself off the sofa at 5 to head to South Bank. I met my friend Becks at Wagamama and grabbed a little bite before heading to The National Theatre. There, we met the munchkin (another friend) and took our seats for the performance of Brecht's, Mother Courage and All Her Children. The play starred Fiona Shaw (who was magnificent) and an aquaintence of mine, the brilliant, Duke Special (who had composed all of the songs used in the performance). Although 3 hours and 20 minutes long, the show was brilliant; well produced, well performed and all with great music.
I saunted back over the Embankment Bridge (it's quicker to go to Waterloo, rather than Embankment...but I don't think you can beat the view of London at night from that spot) and hopped on the Northern Line back home. I found myself sitting opposite Chip (Duke's percussionist) who I had just seen perform. I remembered myself to him and we had a catch up on all things musical, before he hopped off at Euston. When I arrived back at the manor, I had a sense of excitement - "I still have a day off tomorrow, I can have a lie in!" I thought: Not the case, I have to be in central by 10...but then, I am seeing Robbie Williams live at the BBC Radio Theatre, so I can't really complain...
Sunday morning was slightly easier than the Saturday had been. I found myself waking easily at 5.15 and showering quite happily for a good 10 minutes to make sure I was fully alert. The show went well - with two very different guests making an appearance. The dancing sensation, Lionel Blair, joined us on the phone to play Celebrity Mastermind and Tom Felton (AKA Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter films) came into the studio. It was during a break in the middle of the interview, that I accidently asked him out on a date. Purely innocent you understand; I was trying to be polite! I wondered whether he had a lot of other PR stuff to do, so I asked "Are you doing anything later?" The whole studio errupted and I was left without a defence...I had tried to chat up a Harry Potter character - oh dear.
After the working day was done, I took my li'l sis for Sushi in Hampstead. We opted for the eat as much as like menu, and went in on the salmon skin rolls and chicken teryaki - amongst many other bits and bobs. After eating my body weight, I was shattered so spent the rest of the afternoon on the sofa. Sam and I took in a few episodes of West Wing, we enjoyed a bit of pizza and then I took myself to bed.
This morning started early (considering it's meant to be my weekend) with a coffee and croissant in Giner and White. I read a few notes for an interview I had at 10, then set off to it...packing myself in with the other sardines on the Northern Line. The rest of the day was a leisurely one; I cooked a thai curry for lunch (should have just bought one, it wasn't great) and then caught up on a few programmes using my old trusty friend the iplayer.
I peeled myself off the sofa at 5 to head to South Bank. I met my friend Becks at Wagamama and grabbed a little bite before heading to The National Theatre. There, we met the munchkin (another friend) and took our seats for the performance of Brecht's, Mother Courage and All Her Children. The play starred Fiona Shaw (who was magnificent) and an aquaintence of mine, the brilliant, Duke Special (who had composed all of the songs used in the performance). Although 3 hours and 20 minutes long, the show was brilliant; well produced, well performed and all with great music.
I saunted back over the Embankment Bridge (it's quicker to go to Waterloo, rather than Embankment...but I don't think you can beat the view of London at night from that spot) and hopped on the Northern Line back home. I found myself sitting opposite Chip (Duke's percussionist) who I had just seen perform. I remembered myself to him and we had a catch up on all things musical, before he hopped off at Euston. When I arrived back at the manor, I had a sense of excitement - "I still have a day off tomorrow, I can have a lie in!" I thought: Not the case, I have to be in central by 10...but then, I am seeing Robbie Williams live at the BBC Radio Theatre, so I can't really complain...
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