I'd like to dedicate today's blog title to my cousin Angela in honour of the best karaoke story ever!
I had a really weird dream last night that Adam and I went to see Michael Nesmith but Manchester had been taken over by zombies and we were trapped in a taxi with a zombie taxi driver. It was scary. I have no idea where it came from either, I am not a fan of the zombie on any level, and have never watched anything involving said mythical baddie ever in my life. Except an epsiode of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. called 'The Very Important Zombie Affair' and an episode of Gilligan's Island called 'Voodoo'. But in each case the zombie situation wasn't particularly threatening, least of all from Professor Roy Hinkley.
In fairness, I get that sort of 'undead' vibe from Manchester every time I visit the place.
And I have to say, he may unquestionably be very close to the top of my Favourite People in Existence list and he is an artistic, literary and musical Peter Perfect - but Mr Leslie screams like a girl when confronted by a zombie asking him for his taxi fare. Just sayin'.
Tell you what though, if any zombies even attempt to ruin my night seeing Nesmith, they'll be messing with the wrong girl...
Anyway, where was I? Ah yes. Manchester. *shudder* Let's get out of there.
I can't say the weekend has been particularly interesting. The rain was so bad on Friday (as previously documented) that I had to postpone Zara and Nicky coming to visit as Leyland was absolutely flooded, so Saturday went from being potentially the most exciting day of the year so far to being spent doing housework and glaring disapprovingly at the rain every time I looked out the window.
In the end I gave up and watched the Bourne Trilogy. I do love the Bourne films. I'm not a fan of Matt Damon, particularly - but I do love the films. They're all very exciting and there's hardly any dialogue to screw up, but there's loads of Jason Bourne looking all tortured and then going off killing people with biros and stuff - and the car chase in The Bourne Supremacy is possibly the best one in cinematic history. I can't wait till The Bourne Legacy comes out, it'll be more of the same (hey, if it ain't broke etc!) but with Jeremy Renner AND Edward Norton on the screen at the same time!! Eeep!! I'm far more excited about that than the Spider-Man and Batman films put together. Which sounds terrible coming from a huge fan of both Spider-Man and Batman, but there you go. Don't get me started on my trepidation for the new Spider-Man film. There's only one Peter Parker/Spider-Man and that's Tobey Maguire.
I know, I had a similar feeling about the Edward Norton/Mark Ruffalo/Hulk/Bruce Banner issue, and I was proved completely wrong there - but Spider-Man is my all-time favourite superhero and it genuinely didn't feel like Tobey Maguire ever needed to act that role. He just was Peter/Spidey. Say what you like about the Sam Raimi films, but they were all very special to me (especially Spider-Man 2) and it's going to take something spectacular to win me over. Judging by the reviews so far, I'm not going to build my hopes up.
2012 - it's an interesting year for cinema and no mistake!
I did overdo the Synnage on Friday - but I had spent the entire day being rained on and thought a couple of chuff-off brandies would have a medicinal benefit and stop me catching pneumonia. So far, so good - I've not even had a sniffle yet. So there must be something in it... I've been very good on the diet front since Friday, though. I've had a will of iron. I will lose that half-pound this week if it flippin' kills me!!!
I might have some exciting news on Wednesday. Why don't you join me then and find out?
Showing posts with label concerts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label concerts. Show all posts
Monday, 25 June 2012
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Dude, I Feel So Gnarly
I'm pretty sure only one person on earth will get that particular reference.
My apologies for a lack of update on Monday. I've been poorly. I've felt, well... gnarly. Just unnaturally exhausted, all the time. And dizzy. So flippin' dizzy. Kind of like I'm coming down with something but nothing's actually happening. You know those really annoying vague illnesses that make you feel like all hell but you can't exactly say what's wrong with you. So tired my fingertips hurt, frequently dizzy and nauseous, weird headaches that feel like my head's trapped in a vice... and I feel a right numpty going to the doctors and saying "I feel lousy, what the chuff's up with me?!"
Nevertheless, I did. Two days off work and I still felt rubbish. There was nothing else for it. Understandably, the doc was as stumped as I was and sent me for blood tests just to make sure my body isn't being taken over by aliens (because that's guaranteed to make anyone feel under the weather) or anything.
I've dragged myself back into work today and typically I feel even worse today than I did yesterday and Monday combined. What's a girl to do? If my boss provided sick pay I'd have taken the week off and actually managed to get some proper rest. Never mind. I'll live. I don't think it's possible to actually die of tiredness. Although if I'm wrong I want Fire by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown to be played at my cremation...
My plan this week is to lose 1 1/2 lbs. I dunno if I'll do it because, due to the fact I've felt like someone's pulled the plug out on me and replaced all my limbs with lead-lined cement blocks, I've been rather sedentary the last couple of days. Still, I've been pretty good on the lack of Synning front. I've been drinking heaps more water than usual and eaten loads of fruit and stuff. So I should be okay. I mean 1 1/2 lbs isn't exactly attempting to reach the unreachable. I mean if I'm being mammothly aspirational I'd like to have lost 8 1/2 lbs by my weigh in on July 5th, which will be my six-monthiversary of starting Slimming World and it will be great to say I've lost 4 stone in six months. But if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, I'll lose it eventually. I've got just over 4 months before I go to see Michael Nesmith in concert and I should be almost there by then. At least, I hope so.
Join me again on Friday when I'll bring you all the gossip from Slimming World, including how mum got on during her first week and hopefully news that I've reached my half-way point at last. The llamas should be on fine form. Miguel is still tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle, groaning slightly every now and again for effect, but Ricardo's friend Diego said that he'd happily stand in this week while Miguel's recouperating. I just hope Enrique can teach him the dance routine in time...!!
My apologies for a lack of update on Monday. I've been poorly. I've felt, well... gnarly. Just unnaturally exhausted, all the time. And dizzy. So flippin' dizzy. Kind of like I'm coming down with something but nothing's actually happening. You know those really annoying vague illnesses that make you feel like all hell but you can't exactly say what's wrong with you. So tired my fingertips hurt, frequently dizzy and nauseous, weird headaches that feel like my head's trapped in a vice... and I feel a right numpty going to the doctors and saying "I feel lousy, what the chuff's up with me?!"
Nevertheless, I did. Two days off work and I still felt rubbish. There was nothing else for it. Understandably, the doc was as stumped as I was and sent me for blood tests just to make sure my body isn't being taken over by aliens (because that's guaranteed to make anyone feel under the weather) or anything.
I've dragged myself back into work today and typically I feel even worse today than I did yesterday and Monday combined. What's a girl to do? If my boss provided sick pay I'd have taken the week off and actually managed to get some proper rest. Never mind. I'll live. I don't think it's possible to actually die of tiredness. Although if I'm wrong I want Fire by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown to be played at my cremation...
My plan this week is to lose 1 1/2 lbs. I dunno if I'll do it because, due to the fact I've felt like someone's pulled the plug out on me and replaced all my limbs with lead-lined cement blocks, I've been rather sedentary the last couple of days. Still, I've been pretty good on the lack of Synning front. I've been drinking heaps more water than usual and eaten loads of fruit and stuff. So I should be okay. I mean 1 1/2 lbs isn't exactly attempting to reach the unreachable. I mean if I'm being mammothly aspirational I'd like to have lost 8 1/2 lbs by my weigh in on July 5th, which will be my six-monthiversary of starting Slimming World and it will be great to say I've lost 4 stone in six months. But if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, I'll lose it eventually. I've got just over 4 months before I go to see Michael Nesmith in concert and I should be almost there by then. At least, I hope so.
Join me again on Friday when I'll bring you all the gossip from Slimming World, including how mum got on during her first week and hopefully news that I've reached my half-way point at last. The llamas should be on fine form. Miguel is still tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle, groaning slightly every now and again for effect, but Ricardo's friend Diego said that he'd happily stand in this week while Miguel's recouperating. I just hope Enrique can teach him the dance routine in time...!!
Friday, 15 June 2012
Keep On Keeping On
There is a double celebration of fiesta-ing today in the Diary, and a good job too. The llamas have had three weeks off and Enrique has started panicking that if they have any more time off, their muscles will all seize up and they'll never be able to do those high-kicks again.
To mark the glorious occasion, they've decided on a very spectacular stunt. Miguel has bravely offered to be a llama cannonball!! Ricardo has designed a lovely red sparkly cape for the occasion. It'll be the finale sequence to the fiesta and I'm sure it'll be a breathtaking sight!
The first reason I'm celebrating is, after a week off and not really following the diet strictly at all - it turns out I've lost a whopping FOUR POUNDS!!! I'm now just 1 1/2 lbs off having lost 3 1/2 stone!! For those still keeping track, I've lost 47 1/2 lbs in 23 weeks. Which is still quite good going.
*AAARRRRIIIIBBAAAAAA!!!!!!*
The second reason for celebration is that I have actually managed to get tickets to see Michael Nesmith - after a very dramatic turn of events this morning. It nearly didn't happen at all - but eventually I got two seats. They're back row, I grant you, and when I had the possibilty of seats in the third row at first, it does sting somwhat, but there are only 12 rows in total, the venue only seats 460, and I think the hall is laid out in such a way that there's really no such thing as a bad seat. I mightn't get to see every whisker on his face but I'll certainly know it's the right fella.
WOOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
*dances round like a mad eejit*
133 sleeps, apparently. According to my calculations, there were 136 but I'm reliably informed there are only 133. This is very exciting news. I just hope by then I'll be as close as possible to my target size. I've got four and a half months to lose three dress sizes. I think I can do it. I hope so. Even two would be great!!
Anyway, back to Slimming World. My mum joined last night!! This is great news. Partly because I get in next week free for introducing someone. I really hope she makes a good job of it. She only wants to lose the same amount I've already lost. And I've managed it so she can definitely do it. Hell's teeth, she's had five kids, losing a bit of weight isn't going to cause any problems!!! Apparently Andrea the Consultant kept telling mum (and the other newbies) to listen to what I told her because I'm doing so well. How embarrassing!!! I wish Mum hadn't told me, I'm not a fan of all this attention.
I'm so excited I really don't have the brain to type any more. Let's see The Llama Cannonball in action for the big finale to end this very exciting and hysterical blog!!
.............
.....................................
...................................................................................
*wince*
Ricardo, you really ought to check that you're not firing that thing off anywhere near a wall....
*sigh* We're a llama down, ladies and gentlemen, but don't worry, it isn't fatal - he just needs a good rest and he'll be right as rain soon.
Join me next week, when hopefully I'll have calmed down slightly, and I'll give you an update on Miguel's progress. Hooves crossed he's well on the mend by then!!
To mark the glorious occasion, they've decided on a very spectacular stunt. Miguel has bravely offered to be a llama cannonball!! Ricardo has designed a lovely red sparkly cape for the occasion. It'll be the finale sequence to the fiesta and I'm sure it'll be a breathtaking sight!
The first reason I'm celebrating is, after a week off and not really following the diet strictly at all - it turns out I've lost a whopping FOUR POUNDS!!! I'm now just 1 1/2 lbs off having lost 3 1/2 stone!! For those still keeping track, I've lost 47 1/2 lbs in 23 weeks. Which is still quite good going.
*AAARRRRIIIIBBAAAAAA!!!!!!*
The second reason for celebration is that I have actually managed to get tickets to see Michael Nesmith - after a very dramatic turn of events this morning. It nearly didn't happen at all - but eventually I got two seats. They're back row, I grant you, and when I had the possibilty of seats in the third row at first, it does sting somwhat, but there are only 12 rows in total, the venue only seats 460, and I think the hall is laid out in such a way that there's really no such thing as a bad seat. I mightn't get to see every whisker on his face but I'll certainly know it's the right fella.
WOOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
*dances round like a mad eejit*
133 sleeps, apparently. According to my calculations, there were 136 but I'm reliably informed there are only 133. This is very exciting news. I just hope by then I'll be as close as possible to my target size. I've got four and a half months to lose three dress sizes. I think I can do it. I hope so. Even two would be great!!
Anyway, back to Slimming World. My mum joined last night!! This is great news. Partly because I get in next week free for introducing someone. I really hope she makes a good job of it. She only wants to lose the same amount I've already lost. And I've managed it so she can definitely do it. Hell's teeth, she's had five kids, losing a bit of weight isn't going to cause any problems!!! Apparently Andrea the Consultant kept telling mum (and the other newbies) to listen to what I told her because I'm doing so well. How embarrassing!!! I wish Mum hadn't told me, I'm not a fan of all this attention.
I'm so excited I really don't have the brain to type any more. Let's see The Llama Cannonball in action for the big finale to end this very exciting and hysterical blog!!
.............
.....................................
...................................................................................
*wince*
Ricardo, you really ought to check that you're not firing that thing off anywhere near a wall....
*sigh* We're a llama down, ladies and gentlemen, but don't worry, it isn't fatal - he just needs a good rest and he'll be right as rain soon.
Join me next week, when hopefully I'll have calmed down slightly, and I'll give you an update on Miguel's progress. Hooves crossed he's well on the mend by then!!
Monday, 11 June 2012
Harmony Constant
I don't think this will really get it out of my system, but here it is anyway:
29 OCTOBER!! SOMEWHERE IN MANCHESTER!!! ROBERT MICHAEL NESMITH!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out the news via Milton Keynes' finest export first thing this morning. Normally I'm a miserable old sod of a morning. I don't do conversation, I don't do eye contact and I certainly cannot smile before at least my second coffee. But this morning was different. The overcast drizzly British summertime morning seemed bright and breezy. A song filled my heart, my eyes brightened, the smile on my face spread from ear to ear.
Needless to say, the first thing I did when I arrived in work was book the time off. It's happening. It's finally happening. Me. Nesmith. Same airspace. In the words of Dusty Springfield - I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm so excited it's beyond ridiculous. I'm already trying to decide what to wear and realising that I might just be at my target size by October and I don't know how well I can cope with the dual excitement of Nesmith AND skinniness...
I need to link my excitement over the forthcoming Nesmith gig to a recant of my adventures at the weekend. And I can't do that in a particularly smooth manner. So... er... I won't.
I went to see Westlife on Saturday with my pal Sue. She's a huge fan and was so upset that they'd announced they were splitting up before she'd had chance to see them live in concert that she thought 'to hell with it' and ordered two tickets, she didn't care where they were. They weren't together, but they were on the same row - and I, in an unselfish act of kindness *removes tongue from cheek*, agreed to go with her to save her husband the trauma of spending the evening in a room with 16,000 screaming women. Which is understandable.
They were actually very good. Of course, I've liked them since they won the Smash Hits! Pollwinners Best New Act as Westside in 1998, and I used to be absolutely mad about them until around about their third album when I just became far too 60s for anything modern at all. It also sort of coincided with the time they started to be marketed as a sort of Housewives' Choice act and, well, I'm not a housewife so I suppose I'm not the target audience any more. I went to see them on their first arena tour back in 1999 (I think), when they were just another boy band as the boy band trend was dying out - and 90% of the audience was made up of 13 year old girls, and they were pretty good then, but naturally, over the years they've just gone from strength to strength and are genuinely a very good live act. Vocally they're all absolutely spot on and their crowd interaction was brilliant.
Everyone had a good night. It was pretty emotional for them, it was their last gig as a group in Manchester. I suppose it must be a bit weird if you've been doing the same job since you were 18/19 and then you get to 32 and decide it's time for a change - this tour is sort of them working their notice period. Must be really bizarre for them.
They did, however, at one point do a cover of 'Don't Cha' by The Pussycat Dolls. I think the phrase "least said, soonest mended" would apply here. I don't think the reaction they were after was hysterical laughter, and I'm not proud of myself for it, but it was hilarious in all the wrong ways. Just... no. Really. Just. No. Someone will have put it on YouTube by now, and I'd recommend you take a look just for the comedy factor. Which I have a feeling wasn't quite intentional.
All in all, though, it was a great night, they did very well. It's strange that it's all over. It's like they were the last of the great boy bands of the 90s (anyone who is of the mindset 'there were no great boy bands of the 90s' is simply wrong - the 90s were the decade of the boy band, it's like saying there were no great beat groups of the 60s!!). There's quite a large chapter of my teenage years that's been closed by their breakup. I'm not sad or upset or anything, it's just a bit sort of... strange. Still. Onwards and upwards. They'll probably get back together for a reunion tour in five years anyway!!
I have no news on the weight loss front. I'm pretty much back on it now - I discovered yesterday that I'm drinking far too much diet coke and it's made me a bit poorly, so I've quit that. Herbal teas and water all the way it is, then. Serves me right, of course. If I'd only been sensible in my eating and drinking habits in the first place I wouldn't be in this situation now. Still, if I didn't need to lose weight, I wouldn't have started this blog and what would you have to while 10-15 minutes of your day away with?! Exactly. You're welcome!!
Join me again on Wednesday when I might've calmed down slightly from the Most Awesome News Ever In My Life. But don't count on it...!
29 OCTOBER!! SOMEWHERE IN MANCHESTER!!! ROBERT MICHAEL NESMITH!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out the news via Milton Keynes' finest export first thing this morning. Normally I'm a miserable old sod of a morning. I don't do conversation, I don't do eye contact and I certainly cannot smile before at least my second coffee. But this morning was different. The overcast drizzly British summertime morning seemed bright and breezy. A song filled my heart, my eyes brightened, the smile on my face spread from ear to ear.
Needless to say, the first thing I did when I arrived in work was book the time off. It's happening. It's finally happening. Me. Nesmith. Same airspace. In the words of Dusty Springfield - I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm so excited it's beyond ridiculous. I'm already trying to decide what to wear and realising that I might just be at my target size by October and I don't know how well I can cope with the dual excitement of Nesmith AND skinniness...
I need to link my excitement over the forthcoming Nesmith gig to a recant of my adventures at the weekend. And I can't do that in a particularly smooth manner. So... er... I won't.
I went to see Westlife on Saturday with my pal Sue. She's a huge fan and was so upset that they'd announced they were splitting up before she'd had chance to see them live in concert that she thought 'to hell with it' and ordered two tickets, she didn't care where they were. They weren't together, but they were on the same row - and I, in an unselfish act of kindness *removes tongue from cheek*, agreed to go with her to save her husband the trauma of spending the evening in a room with 16,000 screaming women. Which is understandable.
They were actually very good. Of course, I've liked them since they won the Smash Hits! Pollwinners Best New Act as Westside in 1998, and I used to be absolutely mad about them until around about their third album when I just became far too 60s for anything modern at all. It also sort of coincided with the time they started to be marketed as a sort of Housewives' Choice act and, well, I'm not a housewife so I suppose I'm not the target audience any more. I went to see them on their first arena tour back in 1999 (I think), when they were just another boy band as the boy band trend was dying out - and 90% of the audience was made up of 13 year old girls, and they were pretty good then, but naturally, over the years they've just gone from strength to strength and are genuinely a very good live act. Vocally they're all absolutely spot on and their crowd interaction was brilliant.
Everyone had a good night. It was pretty emotional for them, it was their last gig as a group in Manchester. I suppose it must be a bit weird if you've been doing the same job since you were 18/19 and then you get to 32 and decide it's time for a change - this tour is sort of them working their notice period. Must be really bizarre for them.
They did, however, at one point do a cover of 'Don't Cha' by The Pussycat Dolls. I think the phrase "least said, soonest mended" would apply here. I don't think the reaction they were after was hysterical laughter, and I'm not proud of myself for it, but it was hilarious in all the wrong ways. Just... no. Really. Just. No. Someone will have put it on YouTube by now, and I'd recommend you take a look just for the comedy factor. Which I have a feeling wasn't quite intentional.
All in all, though, it was a great night, they did very well. It's strange that it's all over. It's like they were the last of the great boy bands of the 90s (anyone who is of the mindset 'there were no great boy bands of the 90s' is simply wrong - the 90s were the decade of the boy band, it's like saying there were no great beat groups of the 60s!!). There's quite a large chapter of my teenage years that's been closed by their breakup. I'm not sad or upset or anything, it's just a bit sort of... strange. Still. Onwards and upwards. They'll probably get back together for a reunion tour in five years anyway!!
I have no news on the weight loss front. I'm pretty much back on it now - I discovered yesterday that I'm drinking far too much diet coke and it's made me a bit poorly, so I've quit that. Herbal teas and water all the way it is, then. Serves me right, of course. If I'd only been sensible in my eating and drinking habits in the first place I wouldn't be in this situation now. Still, if I didn't need to lose weight, I wouldn't have started this blog and what would you have to while 10-15 minutes of your day away with?! Exactly. You're welcome!!
Join me again on Wednesday when I might've calmed down slightly from the Most Awesome News Ever In My Life. But don't count on it...!
Monday, 20 February 2012
My Heart Skips Skips Skips Skips Skips Skips A Beat
No, my heart has not been possessed by the spirit of Michael McIntyre, nor have I developed a stammer. No, indeed - but this weekend was all about the man with the tightest trousers on God's green earth. Yes, folks, OLLY MURS!! (I hope you read that in your Voiceover Man from X-Factor voice!)
I can honestly say that a grand old time was had by all four of us (Jo's pals from work, Hayley and Rachel, were our partners in crime for the evening). We sang. We danced. We laughed. We ate, drank and were merry. Even Jason Manford joined in on the fun. More on that later! I think my one and only grievance was that the boys and girls from Northern Trains are under the misguided supposition that a train consisting of two carriages is sufficient in order to transport the inhabitants of Leyland, Preston, Blackpool, Bolton and the surrounding areas home after a gig at an auditorium that houses 15,000 people. Just saying. Being able to breathe might be nice.
I decided to have my first Flexible Syns day since I started this whole slimming thing. It's slightly more structured and less terrifying than just having a day off, in that rather than just thinking "Bah, to hell with it!" for the day and eating your own body weight in chocolate, you can say to yourself, "Okie doke, I'm going out somewhere that will involve a lot of eating and drinking and general carrying-ons - I'll double/treble my Syn allowance for the day!" and then rein it straight back in for the rest of the week. So I decided upon 45. I did have quite a few drinkypoops, but was actually really rather good on the eating front. I had this amazing salad for my tea consisting of loads of salad leaves, green beans, eggs, tomatoes, grilled chicken and bacon, on a plate roughly the size of my bottom (which may give you an idea of how huge the salad was - I must say I was struggling towards the end!) and all the salad dressing was put in a little pot at the side, so I didn't put any of it on. Fabulous. Had egg, bacon and three Synful sausages for lunch, which was amazing. Been so long since I had anything resembling a Full English breakfast, it was a lovely treat. I have a feeling it should have always been a lovely treat, rather than tea two or three nights a week and then lunch on a Saturday!!!
Of course I still managed to beat myself up about having had a load of Syns, even though I knew I was going to and I didn't go over what I'd decided on, but I did do an awful lot of dancing and jumping about like a mad eejit. I may be fat but I can still shake and shimmy with the best of 'em. I also went on a mammoth walk to my pal Helena's which was, I've now worked out (thanks, Google Maps!), 2.2 miles - so every last drop of booze must have been worked off already!!
Back to Olly.
I think Olly Murs must be the least offensive person in pop. I mean, I appreciate that he mightn't be everyone's cup of tea, and I'd never call myself his biggest fan or anything - but he's just a nice chap and sings cheery songs of cheeriness. I mean you'd need a heart of granite to enforce a feeling of hatred towards him. And, fair play to him - he knows how to put on a show. He had a bit of a ska set and a bit of a Motown set, had everyone up and dancing, as well as all his own songs - I genuinely don't think that there was one person in that audience, male or female (you'd be surprised at how many men were there!) who didn't walk out of the arena feeling just a little bit in love with him. Although it was a large venue, he was so chatty and personable he made it feel like it was a rather intimate gig - which is no mean feat. He made quite a large tour of the arena floor, even going right to the back to dish out hugs and kisses to fans who I'm quite sure never imagined they'd get quite so close from where they were sitting!! Good on him. I've honestly never seen any singer or musician be so committed to making sure *every* person in the audience is having a great time. The big sister said, "It's like everyone who goes to see him gets sprinkled with a bit of love dust!" and it's absolutely true!!
As I may have mentioned, our tickets weren't just in the normal seats - Jo's boss had arranged for all of us to have seats in a private box. I know, get us - partying like celebs without even the slightest hint of a king prawn ring from Iceland!!! I don't think I'd like to gig like a commoner again! We had glasses of red wine out of real glasses, no cheapo plastic glasses with lids, thank you very much! Poshtastic. One started referring to oneself in the third person and everything.
Rachel spotted some actress from Emmerdale in the box next to us, and she smiled and waved and seemed dead nice (I wouldn't know her if I fell over her, but that's beside the point!). So it was quite nice, feeling as though we were rubbing shoulders with a few possible future contestants in I'm A Celebrity. Then, as I was having a bit of a gormless people-watching moment around the arena, I turned around to look in the box next to us and saw a tallish fella who looked rather familiar. I couldn't quite place him and I had to look a couple of times, but then he clocked me and I looked away in case he thought I was being weird. Jo asked me what the matter was and I said, "I'm probably wrong, it probably looks nothing like him - but I'm sure that fella in the box next to us looks a bit like Jason Manford!" She had a quick look and said "Erm, yes. That's probably because it is him."
I am such a Comedian Fangirl, I was more excited about him than the prospect of Olly Murs's trousers! I thought I'd just be cool and pretend I hadn't noticed, but Jo, Rach and Hayles all waved and he gave us all a big smile and waved back.
Later on, during the gig, Jo's feet were killing her, so she took her shoes off and put her feet up on the little ledge in front of us and started wiggling her toes in time to the music. Jason then went down the steps in his box to the ledge, had a bit of a look round, saw Jo's feet, did a massive comedy double take and burst out laughing! She didn't see it, but it was one of the most surreal moments in my life. It's one of my life's ambitions to make a famous comedian laugh - I think if I can do that then I am officially funny. But then our Jo just got her tootsies out and he was in stitches!!!
A girl in front (in the commoners' seats!) saw him and got her photo taken with him, so Hayley and Rachel jumped on that whole scene and also got their photo taken with him. He was so nice, Hayley said that he must get sick of being constantly asked for photos and stuff and he was like "No, no, it's fine, I'm happy to do it!" She said to him, "Listen, Jay, my husband's a big fan of yours. I'm not so keen, but he'll never believe we've seen you!" which I think was probably THE most awesome thing anyone could ever say to a famous person!!! Then afterwards she said to him, "Hey, if you ever want inspiration for new material, come on a night out with us!" and he pointed to Jo and said, "I know! That one's got her shoes off!"
My sister, ladies and gentlemen. The woman whose feet have probably inspired Jason Manford's next stand-up tour!!
What an awesome night. I danced so much my everywhere hurt, I was absolutely wrecked - but it was so worth it. I'm still quite giddy about it. If you're going to see Olly on this tour, you won't regret it - even if you just think "I don't mind him", you too will fall under the Murs spell after the show. Absochuffinlutely fantastic.
Right, well. After all that frivolity and hilarity - it's Monday again. It's another rainy day in Chorley (I'm sure there's a song in that...) and five days of monotony are stretching ahead of me. There is, however, some serious light at the end of the tunnel, as this Friday will be renamed Firman Friday. I cannot wait. Me. Pete Firman. Same room. Same time. Le squee. So exciting I had to say it in French.
Join me again on Wednesday when I'll give you an update on slimming and exercising (I'm going to try a lot harder on the exercise front this week), and hopefully I'll be looking forward with a degree of excitement towards the weigh-in on Thursday!!
I can honestly say that a grand old time was had by all four of us (Jo's pals from work, Hayley and Rachel, were our partners in crime for the evening). We sang. We danced. We laughed. We ate, drank and were merry. Even Jason Manford joined in on the fun. More on that later! I think my one and only grievance was that the boys and girls from Northern Trains are under the misguided supposition that a train consisting of two carriages is sufficient in order to transport the inhabitants of Leyland, Preston, Blackpool, Bolton and the surrounding areas home after a gig at an auditorium that houses 15,000 people. Just saying. Being able to breathe might be nice.
I decided to have my first Flexible Syns day since I started this whole slimming thing. It's slightly more structured and less terrifying than just having a day off, in that rather than just thinking "Bah, to hell with it!" for the day and eating your own body weight in chocolate, you can say to yourself, "Okie doke, I'm going out somewhere that will involve a lot of eating and drinking and general carrying-ons - I'll double/treble my Syn allowance for the day!" and then rein it straight back in for the rest of the week. So I decided upon 45. I did have quite a few drinkypoops, but was actually really rather good on the eating front. I had this amazing salad for my tea consisting of loads of salad leaves, green beans, eggs, tomatoes, grilled chicken and bacon, on a plate roughly the size of my bottom (which may give you an idea of how huge the salad was - I must say I was struggling towards the end!) and all the salad dressing was put in a little pot at the side, so I didn't put any of it on. Fabulous. Had egg, bacon and three Synful sausages for lunch, which was amazing. Been so long since I had anything resembling a Full English breakfast, it was a lovely treat. I have a feeling it should have always been a lovely treat, rather than tea two or three nights a week and then lunch on a Saturday!!!
Of course I still managed to beat myself up about having had a load of Syns, even though I knew I was going to and I didn't go over what I'd decided on, but I did do an awful lot of dancing and jumping about like a mad eejit. I may be fat but I can still shake and shimmy with the best of 'em. I also went on a mammoth walk to my pal Helena's which was, I've now worked out (thanks, Google Maps!), 2.2 miles - so every last drop of booze must have been worked off already!!
Back to Olly.
I think Olly Murs must be the least offensive person in pop. I mean, I appreciate that he mightn't be everyone's cup of tea, and I'd never call myself his biggest fan or anything - but he's just a nice chap and sings cheery songs of cheeriness. I mean you'd need a heart of granite to enforce a feeling of hatred towards him. And, fair play to him - he knows how to put on a show. He had a bit of a ska set and a bit of a Motown set, had everyone up and dancing, as well as all his own songs - I genuinely don't think that there was one person in that audience, male or female (you'd be surprised at how many men were there!) who didn't walk out of the arena feeling just a little bit in love with him. Although it was a large venue, he was so chatty and personable he made it feel like it was a rather intimate gig - which is no mean feat. He made quite a large tour of the arena floor, even going right to the back to dish out hugs and kisses to fans who I'm quite sure never imagined they'd get quite so close from where they were sitting!! Good on him. I've honestly never seen any singer or musician be so committed to making sure *every* person in the audience is having a great time. The big sister said, "It's like everyone who goes to see him gets sprinkled with a bit of love dust!" and it's absolutely true!!
As I may have mentioned, our tickets weren't just in the normal seats - Jo's boss had arranged for all of us to have seats in a private box. I know, get us - partying like celebs without even the slightest hint of a king prawn ring from Iceland!!! I don't think I'd like to gig like a commoner again! We had glasses of red wine out of real glasses, no cheapo plastic glasses with lids, thank you very much! Poshtastic. One started referring to oneself in the third person and everything.
Rachel spotted some actress from Emmerdale in the box next to us, and she smiled and waved and seemed dead nice (I wouldn't know her if I fell over her, but that's beside the point!). So it was quite nice, feeling as though we were rubbing shoulders with a few possible future contestants in I'm A Celebrity. Then, as I was having a bit of a gormless people-watching moment around the arena, I turned around to look in the box next to us and saw a tallish fella who looked rather familiar. I couldn't quite place him and I had to look a couple of times, but then he clocked me and I looked away in case he thought I was being weird. Jo asked me what the matter was and I said, "I'm probably wrong, it probably looks nothing like him - but I'm sure that fella in the box next to us looks a bit like Jason Manford!" She had a quick look and said "Erm, yes. That's probably because it is him."
I am such a Comedian Fangirl, I was more excited about him than the prospect of Olly Murs's trousers! I thought I'd just be cool and pretend I hadn't noticed, but Jo, Rach and Hayles all waved and he gave us all a big smile and waved back.
Later on, during the gig, Jo's feet were killing her, so she took her shoes off and put her feet up on the little ledge in front of us and started wiggling her toes in time to the music. Jason then went down the steps in his box to the ledge, had a bit of a look round, saw Jo's feet, did a massive comedy double take and burst out laughing! She didn't see it, but it was one of the most surreal moments in my life. It's one of my life's ambitions to make a famous comedian laugh - I think if I can do that then I am officially funny. But then our Jo just got her tootsies out and he was in stitches!!!
A girl in front (in the commoners' seats!) saw him and got her photo taken with him, so Hayley and Rachel jumped on that whole scene and also got their photo taken with him. He was so nice, Hayley said that he must get sick of being constantly asked for photos and stuff and he was like "No, no, it's fine, I'm happy to do it!" She said to him, "Listen, Jay, my husband's a big fan of yours. I'm not so keen, but he'll never believe we've seen you!" which I think was probably THE most awesome thing anyone could ever say to a famous person!!! Then afterwards she said to him, "Hey, if you ever want inspiration for new material, come on a night out with us!" and he pointed to Jo and said, "I know! That one's got her shoes off!"
My sister, ladies and gentlemen. The woman whose feet have probably inspired Jason Manford's next stand-up tour!!
What an awesome night. I danced so much my everywhere hurt, I was absolutely wrecked - but it was so worth it. I'm still quite giddy about it. If you're going to see Olly on this tour, you won't regret it - even if you just think "I don't mind him", you too will fall under the Murs spell after the show. Absochuffinlutely fantastic.
Right, well. After all that frivolity and hilarity - it's Monday again. It's another rainy day in Chorley (I'm sure there's a song in that...) and five days of monotony are stretching ahead of me. There is, however, some serious light at the end of the tunnel, as this Friday will be renamed Firman Friday. I cannot wait. Me. Pete Firman. Same room. Same time. Le squee. So exciting I had to say it in French.
Join me again on Wednesday when I'll give you an update on slimming and exercising (I'm going to try a lot harder on the exercise front this week), and hopefully I'll be looking forward with a degree of excitement towards the weigh-in on Thursday!!
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