Gigs of the musical and comedic variety

One week in November, 4 gigs.

The first was Daniel Kitson who might well be the funniest stand up in the country. I love love love him and he really didn't disappoint, we took two friends with us who had never seen him before, for a while I was concerned they wouldn't like him. They did, they laughed from beginning to end. I am already looking forward to the next tour.

The next was Rob Brydon. I like him in interviews, he's amusing, chatty..... but none of us were sure about the stand up, it was ok, but perhaps having seen Daniel Kitson the night before ruined it for us, he had a lot to live up to. Totally different kind of comic I guess.

Then the first music gig...... Motorhead, I have never wanted to see a bad play live more than these guys. It has been something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember but every tour there's been some reason or another I've not been able to go. Now though, I can die happy, I have seen Lemmy. Overkill was absolutely amazing. I didn't even get bored during the 5 minute drum solo, it was immense. I wish they'd tour again this weekend because I would be there like a shot. The only downside was the crowd, or at least the old, drunk men. One of whom held me by the waist (despite the 17stone Mr T at my side) and slurred at me for way too long than was necessary. He spoke to Mr T, apparently we didn't look like a couple. I didn't really care what he thought. I told him to stop touching me, he did. I ignored him speaking to me, he wasn't put off, he carried on. I nearly missed Ace of Spades because of him.

Last but by no means least was Alice Cooper, again a show I've wanted to witness for a long time. Probably since the opening bars of Feed My Frankenstein blurred out from the screen whilst watching Wayne's World. Sadly I am too short for an Alice gig. Standing about 10 people back from the stage and with a backcombed mullet worthy of Garth Elgar right in my face for the duration I didn't see an awful lot. The crowd again not only having zero concept of personal space acted in a very very bizarre manner which I have never seen at any other gig. Nobody danced. Every single person stood still, completely still. Maybe they were hypnotized by the man himself, maybe they didn't want to move for fear of losing their space I don't know, but what I do know is it was awkward. Anyway, I've now heard School's Out twice (why is anyone's guess) and I've heard Poison live, no Feed My Frankenstein though which was something of a disappointment but there you go, it's not a juke box it's a live performance. I must say for a man who died on stage three times (or three times that I saw) Alice does a pretty amazing show.

Next month, Tragedy, Imelda May and the Wildhearts in the space of a week and a half. My ears will not thank me but I'm certain I'm going to have fun.

One day

my boss is going to approach me as I sit at my desk upon which there is a pile of heavily scribbled upon paper and ask me what it is he pays me for.....

I won't be able to answer him.

This is quite a worry

Ear plugs

Well last night was the night to test the ear plugs, a night at a Wildhearts gig is always guaranteed to be an assault on the old ear drums. Pity then that I forgot to take them with me when I left the house. I am an idiot, a forgetful idiot.

Has beaten Apple

Hurrah. I am pleased to report I have beaten that slippery bugger iTunes. There's something hidden in the preferences menu which allows MP3 conversions. I am more pleased about this than perhaps I should be.

That's all.

Technology Pt. 2

I wish we had an I.T. Department at work, I could get them to magically put all the tracks I love on a CD for me. Then again, if we did have an I.T. Department I probably wouldn't have a job, I spend way too long online but yesterday would've been the final nail in the coffin if a fire wall had picked up the site I happened upon while I was looking the a band's website so I could find out the set list for a gig I'm going to at the end of the month, I missed out a small yet vital 'the' and found myself sitting at my desk staring at an array of dildos. Ooops.

Technology

I bloody hate technology, I just don't understand it, I cannot make it work.

My iPod is dead, it died a while ago and has remained dead. I was harbouring a secret hope some elves might fix it while I slept, like the kind hearted souls who helped the shoe maker, as yet they have not fixed it. Mr T tried to fix it, he bought me a new hard drive for it, it worked until I asked him to check if a podcast would play and then it died again. I have complained about this before, I am sure. Anyway, last night I thought I would compile some MP3 cds for our next mini adventure, iTunes won't let me create an MP3 cd because the files are M4a format, Windows Media Player won't play either and I can't find the button on Nero to make it work. Are there any elves who I can appeal to for help with this?

I am going to sing to Mr T for the duration of the road trip, maybe that will wear him down enough and he'll replace the iPod. Or maybe I should just give in and buy a new one.

Ageing

I don't know how but over the last few months I have suddenly aged, it's like Benjamin Button in reverse. I am concerned.

At the weekend my Mother taught me how to knit, I have been practising ever since. I am bloody terrible at it but we'll skirt over that.

I have spent a few days looking for ear plugs to wear when I go to gigs because I am paranoid about the vibrating going on in my eardrums whenever I or someone close by shouts. If anyone can recommend some please do.

I need my eyes tested, badly. I have been aware of this fact for quite some time but am increasingly aware that focussing isn't something I am doing automatically.

I have a bad hip, it aches a lot as do my knees.

Last night, I realised I was sitting wrapped in a duvet, watching QVC whilst knitting, I have skipped the age old turning into your Mother thing and headed straight for Grandmother.