Meredith + Strongbow + Blackout + Candles = Bad

So, here's to another blackout in good ole London (you can reference this entry for the last blackout.) I walked into my flat at about 20 past 5:00 pm today and the lights wouldn't go on. We only have 2 candles in the apt. but no matches or lights (I remembered someone leaving a blue lighter in my room after the party but just realized as I'm now typing where it is.) I didn't want to sit here in the dark doing nothing so I headed to the main road (on which 3/4 of the shops and all houses had no electricity either,) bought some candles and a lighter and then went for a pint at the pub to kill time. Good thing the lights are back on because I can't imagine the damage I would have caused with candles right now. So basically I'm buzzed for no reason and am loving the extra beer calories.

Thanks to everyone who came to our Halloween party, it was really fun. The mess wasn't too bad the next day either so thanks for being neat too. I think the end of the lot cleared out at about 3:00 am. And to end all speculation, when people were leaving and couldn't find me, I was in Liz's room talking to Mairead so you can remove all other thoughts from your heads.

I have to give props to my two favorite outfits - Graham as a tourist and Dan Solo as a pregnant female chav with a horrific blonde, braided wig. Brownie points to Kill the Cereal as well.

Me, Zoe and Jamie ended up sleeping in my bed. It was uncomfortable but could have been much worse (and was way better than the squish in Jersey Shore last summer.) The next day, post-clean up, I went back to Zoe's and we watched the first seven episodes of Prison Break. Oh my god that's seriously the best show ever!!!! I'm having withdrawal symptoms without it and am not sure what to do. Aside from an awesome storyline, it definitely doesn't hurt that Michael Scofield is ridiculously hot. Although does the Secret Service really act like that?

Can someone please lock me in a cell with him? Thanks.

Zoe and I originally planned to take an overnight road trip yesterday. We thought about going to Brighton. Then we invited ourselves to stay with Jamie overnight in Kent instead. We were too tired and just went back to her house and planned to go to Windsor today. We finally ended up going to St. Albans, walked around and ate at the Waffle House. It was a good day but this obviously proves we are way lazy.

Current Music: Gavin DeGraw - Follow Through

To-Do List

I need to get myself organized for our Halloween Party tonight. It's 11:30 am and the party starts at 8:00 pm, which means no one will come until at least 8:30 or 9:00 pm. Here's what I have to do:

To Do:
- Clean bathroom
- Clean kitchen
- Clean living room
- Clean bedroom
- Hang up new poster in my room
- Finish decorating flat
- Create label for doorbell
- Remove nail polish
- Paint nails
- Create mega-long playlist
- Hide computer, jewelry, CDs, anything valuable
- Curl hair
- Get dressed/do make-up

To Buy:
- Red nail polish
- Two AA batteries for Halloween lights
- Crisps/Pretzels
- Candy (esp. candy necklaces if possible)
- Cups (regular/beer pong)
- Ping pong balls/Kinder eggs
- Beer
- Soda & juice
- Vodka & rum
- Ice
- Mistletoe for my outfit

Agh!

Current Music: The Coral - Pass It On

Update: Boys Are Not As Stupid As I Thought But Are Still Dumb

Okay so like 1/2 an hour after my last post, the Mojama guy sent me a text message. He's got the flu and was hoping to be better by tonight but he still doesn't feel well so he needs to postpone till next week. He also said he was really sorry for not calling sooner and that he still really wants to meet up.

We never made any solid plans for tonight, so my question is why didn't he text or call me earlier in the week about today's plans before he got sick? If this is how English boys all act, then it's going to be a very confusing year for me.

Current Music: New Order - Hey Now What You Doing

Boys Are Stupid

Mojama guy and I texted each other for the past week. The last thing he wrote was asking me if either Thursday or Friday would be a good night to go out for drinks. My message back to him on Tuesday said that Friday would be good, and I haven't heard anything since. This just puzzles me - does this count as being stood up? If it is, then that's just simply NOT COOL. The only time that's ever happened to me was by Rooftop Quality Steve. Said date was my only key to getting a discount at Trailer Park so thanks again Steve.

In all fairness I can't complain too much about not going out with this guy tonight...because I pulled a really cute guy at The Roxy last night. After playing the eye contact game for a good two hours this guy finally came up to me. He was very cute, very nice and very kissable. I took his number which I hate doing, but I figure it can't hurt to shoot him a text message at some point over the weekend.

The Roxy was packed - and they played Timebomb by Rancid - holy John Sarne!

I need a new plan for tonight because I do not want to sit home, anyone doing anything exciting?

Current Music: Oasis - Slide Away (10 Years of Noise and Confusion 2001 Tour, Live at the Barrowlands - my newest purchase, yeah!)

I've Hit the Big Time

I made it into TheJC.com's photo gallery from the Sparklets' charity event last week not once, but twice. I'm way super cool! Here's one of me and Laura -

Lau, please don't kill me for posting that.

By the way, if anyone has the link for the Sparklets' website please send it to me as I'd like to post it. ¡Muchas gracias!

Bye Bye K-Rock

I just read this on Brooklyn Vegan's website. I don't know whether to be happy or sad - K-Rock has sucked so bad lately that taking it off the air shouldn't matter, although now there is absolutely no shot of hearing alternative music on NYC radio now. Good thing I've got XFM, eh?

The only things I think I'd miss about the station are Booker and the 90s flashback weekends; they'd already moved Import/Export over to K-Rock2 a while ago so basically it's been crap anyway for the last few months.

Does anyone remember the good old days of 92.7 WLIR (formerly WDRE)? I used to intern there and they played the best music ever.

Current Music: Semisonic - Chemistry

I know...cause I've seen it...it was great...and I want it

Yesterday I went to the NME Rock 'N' Roll Riot tour at Brixton Academy. Unfortunately, between the tube taking forever and the long line to get in, I only caught two songs by The Cribs (although they were the two I know so that was good.) They’re a good band but I'm not too devastated about missing them because I've already seen them once before.

Next up were Maximo Park. I like them, they were good, and the singles sounded the best of all the songs live. I love watching Paul Smith dance and interact with the crowd, although I wanted to smack the sh!t out of the keyboard player for doing his karate chop move for the entire length of the show. This was a very different dynamic from the first time I saw them at Mercury Lounge when there were only about 15 people in attendance - I usually love seeing intimate shows, but moreso when I know the songs first (yes, there are exceptions), and I didn't know any of their stuff at the time so if I'd have to rate them I'd say last night's show was better.

Finally came the Kaiser Chiefs. Seeing them this time was also a very different experience for me - every time I've seen them I've stood on the floor and been able to move freely and jump around. This time we had seats in the balcony, and since we were in the front rows we weren't even allowed to stand up. I was dying to jump out of my seat, but I guess it gave me a different perspective to just sit and observe.

They opened the show with an old video documentary of London which was random and okay at first, but seemed a bit unnecessary by the end. I loved how they followed this though - there was a huge black curtain draped over the front of the stage which dropped to Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" and the five of them were standing there in a row. I probably should have thought this to be uncool, but it was cool! The stage was also set up with different levels and steps which was unlike the regular floor set up they've used in the past.

They started the show off with "Saturday Night", played some of their stuff which I find to be not too exciting and then got into the good stuff with "I Predict A Riot" about halfway through. Ricky Wilson was held up by the crowd and walked through them a few times, but unfortunately I couldn't see anything that was happening on the floor.

They did "You Can Have It All" (my favorite) and just like at Webster Hall, Ricky pulled a girl up on stage, got on his knees and sang to her. He danced with her and twirled her around, but this time at the end of the song he decided to flip her into this 50's, Grease-style twist around his body. I totally thought he was going to drop her on her head but he didn't; he just ended up carrying her off the stage at the end of the song with her hanging horizontally across the back of his body, gripped by his left arm which was really funny.

They started the encore with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" which they covered on the recent "Help: A Day in the Life" album. I hadn't heard their version yet and it was really good.

I can't say this was the best time I've seen them (out of six times this year because I'm a complete Kaiser Chiefs dork) but I still think they are so fun to watch live. Just for the record, I've probably seen 30+ shows this year and their show at Webster Hall was definitely my favorite of 2005.

BTW, I really missed my Kaiser Chief partners-in-crime on this one!

P-P-P-Pneumothorax Is A Word That Is Long...

...They’re just tryin’ to put some punk back into punctured lung!

Dear Kaiser Chiefs,

I love you.

Yours Faithfully,
Meredith xx


Current Music: Kaiser Chiefs - Saturday Night

Delayed Reaction

I did this photo music quiz on Ben's blog yesterday. It took me a good 15 minutes of staring at hotness to realize that number 5 was the Delays. Greg Gilbert looks so good in this photo that I couldn't resist posting it.

Nearer Than Heaven

Multiple Choice Quiz

HSBC Bank Account Quiz (Scroll Down for Answers):

1. As an international student, when opening a bank account at HSBC in the UK, your debit card and checkbook will be delivered to:
A) Your international home address
B) Your current English address
C) Will not be delivered at all
D) Will be delivered to the bank when you are told it will arrive at your current English address and you wait around for it for three weeks when no one tells you otherwise

2. When depositing checks of a foreign currency into your UK HSBC account, the teller explains that it will be in your account and accessible within:
A) 4 weeks
B) 6 weeks
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 8 weeks

3. When calling the toll free HSBC number for help with accessing online banking, you must provide:
A) Your HSBC internet access number
B) Your security code which was never given to you by the bank
C) Your debit card number even if you haven't yet received your debit card in the mail because its sitting in the bank and no one has told you about it
D) All of the above

Answers:
1. D
2. Can be any of the answers, even if it is the same person at the bank who tells you a different answer every time you go in
3. D

-If you got 1 correct answer out of 3, it is inadvisable for you to open an account with HSBC.
-If you got 2 correct answers out of 3, it is inadvisable for you to open an account with HSBC.
-If you got 3 correct answers out of 3, you have probably been in my situation; if you haven't, then it is inadvisable for you to open an account with HSBC.

Current Music: Howie Day - Perfect Time of Day

Safe Haven

So last night I saw Haven at the Highbury Garage. All I really need to say is oh..my..god..so..good! This band, like Shack, was one I for some reason didn't think I would see live in this lifetime and am now so happy that I have.

Laura and I placed ourselves in prime positions in the front row with arms dangling over the barrier in anticipation (and in full-out natural groupie style of course) for the band to come on. We peeked at the set list and I was excited to see all of my favorite songs grouped together at the end of the set.

The band came on, began with "Til the End" and then continued with a few new songs and some random ones from their two albums. The singer has one of the more beautiful voices of the bands I like and it sounded just as perfect live as it does on the albums. Despite a bloody finger, he and the band played a great set that ended with a terrific version of "All For a Reason."

For the encore they did my other three favorite songs. They started with "Something Moved Me" which they followed with "Say Something." "Say Something" contains one of my favorite lyrics of all time - "Believe me now I'd only lie to you." It's so beautiful and a group of guys in the crowd were swaying and singing along with the band - you could see the band's faces light up at that which was really nice to see for a change. They ended with my all time Haven favorite, "Let It Live." Even though the singer elected not to hit the high note on the "Let it breathe" line, it was still stunning live.

The roadie was generous and decided to give some of us at the front the singer's unused picks. I was lucky enough to get one (the closest I've come to getting anything offstage was at Mardi Gras '04 when the singer of Better Than Ezra threw his beads into the crowd, one set landed on the floor and Meghan picked them up and gave them to me.) Laura did even better than me though - the roadie gave her the singer's used pick from off the floor which was covered in blood from his cut. It was excitingly disgusting!

After that, Laura and I descended upon the meat market that is Tiger, Tiger...except that instead of Filet Mignon, it seemed that all I was finding was Spam. I do have to give a shout out to my Irish soulmate who I met in the upstairs of the bar. Declared by his friends to be "the funniest of their group," I had him telling me I was funnier than him by the end of the night. I think we were actually twins separated at birth despite the fact that we look nothing alike.

Off to the Brondes now...

Current Music: Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

Ringtone Help

I am currently trying to pick a ringtone for my phone. I would like to pick a song that people will recognize/sounds recognizable as a ringtone. This is what I have so far:

My Final Choices:
Ash - Burn Baby Burn
Coldplay - Speed of Sound
The Delays - Nearer Than Heaven
Hard-Fi - Living for the Weekend
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot
Oasis - Some Might Say
Oasis - Supersonic
Razorlight - Somewhere Else
The Strokes - 12:51

Ringtones I Want but May Sound Awkward on a Phone or Just Cause General Uncomfortableness:
The Coral - In the Morning
Editors - Bullets
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
Nine Black Alps - Just Friends
Sean Paul - We Be Burnin'
Snoop Dogg - Drop It Like Its Hot
The Streets - Any song

Completely Out of the Running:
Anything by Franz as I had Take Me Out as my ringtone in NY

FYIs:
Q-Tip - Breathe and Stop comes out as Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough, do not purchase this
Scissor Sisters - Laura just gave me a pounding headache, do not try this one out

Any opinions on the first list would be greatly appreciated!

Bored and Awake

Is what I am right now. I know I'm not going to be able to fall asleep anytime soon so I figure why not write.

I've returned home from a night of roller skating in Kings Cross. I only fell once which was just because I got pulled down. It was an okay night but slightly frustrating because everyone was drunk when I arrived and I was sober.

On the good news front, the guy I met at Mojama last night texted me asking me out for a drink. He looks like John Kelly but not as cute (still good though - you know I likes me some strawberry blonde!) Also I forgot to mention that "Hard-On Guy" texted me last week (I gave him my number before the "situation" happened.) I did not write him back.

I went shopping today at Brent Cross. I was so excited at the thought of a physical shopping center that I did not let the HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTE BUS RIDE bother me too much. I came away with a cute pair of shoes in a UK size 4 that I now realize are too big on me. It was a really great, worthwhile trip.

Time for spider solitaire!

Current Music: Haven - Let It Live

Blackout 2005

Last night I entered BRB in Hampstead to a load of cheers. After thinking the entire bar was excited to see me I realized the power had gone out just before I'd walked in. There were groups of guys chanting and banging on the tables. One guy got on the bar and started singing (very badly.) It's funny how people act when the lights go out.

I went to Mojama afterwards for a friends of friends' charity event which raised money for cancer research. The place was packed so I think it was an overall success. The only annoying thing about the bar was the over-meticulous bartender. It took him about 15 minutes to make four mojitos because he had to place every leaf, straw, etc. perfectly in each glass. It was really aggravating.

My friend Lori just sent me a new take on one of my favorite songs. These guys must have been really bored: Not the Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way

Yeah, roller disco tonight!

Current Music: The Lightning Seeds - Waiting For Today To Happen

World Series of Beer Pong

Finally!

Thank you Zoe for referring me to this New York Times article: "As Young Adults Drink to Win, Marketers Join In."

Also, they called Flip Cup "Flippy Cup." HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Repeat Worthy

I am so late on getting the Franz Ferdinand cd (I still plan on buying it but I've just finally gotten a copy.) "What You Meant" is so great!!!

Have some here: Franz Ferdinand - What You Meant

Did anyone go see them in New York?

I hung up a few more things on my walls so the "decorations" in my room are finally complete. Maybe I'll actually be able to sleep well tonight. Results to follow tomorrow.

Current Music: Franz Ferdinand - What You Meant

Can You Fill Me In

Instead of forwarding this one I figured I'd post it. Feel free to do yours in the comments section, although I'm not sure how many takers I'll have.

*Date: October 19, 2005
*Starting Time: 5:48 pm
*Birth Date: September 11, 1979
*Name: Meredith
*Age: 26
*Color of eyes: Brown
*Hair: Brown
*Height: 5' 3"
*Shoe Size: US - 7
*Brothers/Sisters: My brother Dave, 23
*When your bedtime is: Since I moved into my apartment about 4:00 am b/c I can't fall asleep

---------------HAVE YOU EVER---------------
*Been in a car accident: Twice with Erica E driving, once with Erica F driving, one minor one with Julie driving, and one where I drove and I thought the other driver was going to shoot me (PS - wasn't my fault!!!)
*Been hurt emotionally: Not badly
*Ever had an imaginary friend: Nope
*Cried during a Movie: Yes
*Had a crush on a teacher: Yes
*Been on stage: Yes
*Cut your hair: Nope, but I cut Ryan's
*Been sarcastic: Yes

---------------FAVORITES---------------
*Shampoo: Herbal Essences
*Colors: Teal, blue, silver
*Day/Night: Both
*Summer/Winter: Summer
*Lace/Satin: Lace
*Cartoon Characters: Spongebob Squarepants
*Food: Cheeseburgers; Bolognaise sauce
*Fave Ice Cream: Baskin Robbins Peanut Butter & Chocolate
*Fave Subject: History
*Fave Drink: Alcoholic: Stoli raspberry and Sprite. Non: Diet Snapple iced tea

---------------RIGHT NOW---------------
*Wearing: Grey turtleneck and sweatpants (just changed)
*Drinking: Nothing
*Thinking about: Blowing my nose
*Listening to: Bloc Party
*Talking to: No one
*Watching: The computer screen

---------------IN THE LAST 24 HRS---------------
*Cried: No
*Worn a skirt: No
*Done laundry: No
* Drove a car: No

---------------DO YOU BELIEVE IN---------------
*Yourself: This is a dumb question
*Friends: See above
*Tooth fairy: Not at 25 cents/tooth
*Santa: Yes, esp. considering I'm being his wife for Halloween
*Destiny/Fate: No way
*Angels: No
*Ghosts: No

---------------FRIENDS AND LIFE----------------
*Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend: No
*Like anyone: Surprisingly no
*Who's the loudest?: Gareth
*Who's the weirdest?: Melanie
*Who do you go to for advice?: My dad
*Who do you think about most when you're not online?: Jimmy Fallon
*Who do you cry with: Whoever happens to be with me when I get upset cause i can never hold it in
*What's the best feeling in the world?: I'll let you know when i find it
*What's the worst feeling in the world?: Loneliness
*Who did you send this to?: The people who were on the original
*Who sent this to you: Zo
*Do you want all your friends to do this and send it back to you? Sure!
*Finish Time: 5:56 pm

Current Music: Bloc Party - Plans

When It Rains It Pours

I'm feeling pretty bad for Liz right now. It's raining and her window just started leaking. A lot. We put a pot against it and a towel over the top part but its not helping much. On top of that, her room has a condensation problem and there's been different colored mold growing out of her wall which gets grosser every day.

I'm not sure but am thinking this definitely can't be worse than me living with 184,729 mice for the last two years.

Current Music: Delays - Long Time Coming

I Hate Caffeine

I hate caffeine. It's horrible. I think it could seriously damage someone or break a person down.

I went to the Lock Tavern last night for a drink with Alex. I had a glass of wine because I'd had enough beer throughout the weekend.

Then we ate at some American-style place. I had a highly caffeinated diet coke. Much to my shock they had pizza burgers. I ordered one - it came with mayonnaise on it. Come on people, seriously!!!!

After that we went to a place called Colour on Inverness Street. There was a decent band for a Sunday night in a random bar. The DJ played some good oldies. I had another highly caffeinated diet coke.

I came home around 11:00 pm. I checked my email, had a few IM conversations with my friends, and watched my Best of Jimmy Fallon on SNL DVD for the 1835th time. I tried to go to sleep around 2:45 am. I did not fall asleep until after 5:00 am. This is why I hate caffeine.

Current Music: Pete Yorn - Long Way Down

Ballroom Blitz

Last night I went to Lock 17 in Camden for Sunil's friend Krish's birthday. His friends were all really nice and fun and the bar was good too. The bar closed early (shocker) so we headed over to the Barfly which I didn't have high hopes about since it sucked when I went last time on a Friday night. I am happy to report that they played indie and Britpop upstairs and I had a really good time dancing with everyone.

Downstairs I was waiting at the bar for Sunil who disappeared and a very trendy looking guy came up next to me attempting to get a drink. I asked him if he was in a band because he certainly looked like he was and it turned out I was correct. Apparently this guy, Gary, used to be in a band called Ballroom that was around during the height of 90s Britpop (my favorite era) when Blur, Suede and Menswe@r (fyi - that's not a link - they just do the a like that) were really popular. I actually thought he was possibly in Menswe@r before I spoke to him because he had their exact style going on. He told me they were signed to Blur's label, Mother, so I decided to do a bit of googling on the band today. I found one photo of them (Gary is the one that stands out, I'm guessing because he was the singer):

I also found an NME review from November 3rd, 1998 that says:

BALLROOM Day After Day (Mother)

U2 REALLY ARE EVIL BASTARDS. NO LONGER content to foist their nauseating bombast on the public once every few years, they are now filling in the gaps between their own records by releasing pompous toss by other acts on their Mother label.

Ballroom come straight from the same school of songwriting that brought us the bilious musings of Suede and the noxious, self-pitying shite of Morrissey at his least inspired. 'Day After Day', while not without redeeming features, is an album drunk on doomed romanticism which lies prostrate on pop's busy highway waiting to be splattered. Singer Gary Prosser has a raspy voice not unlike Crispin Longpig and a knack of writing miserable epic tunes but is seemingly unaware that there are white keys on a piano as well as black ones.

Hence, while in the context of more varied material, the title track and the similarly sullen 'Household Names' might have sounded rather mighty, mounted as they are in 35 minutes of supine foppishnes with string sections they are denied the opportunity to shine.

Ballroom then, as in plenty of room for balls.

4/10

Ouch! Maybe next time Gary.

Current Music: Menswe@r - Stardust (I've been inspired to listen to Nuisance now.)

Last Nite

I'm watching an old episode of The Simple Life and Paris Hilton just did the weather on a local TV station. I hate to admit it but it was actually really funny!

In other TV news, I just watched TOTP Reloaded. Hillary Duff was on and she is so emaciated. Sorry but she just looked gross.

So last night we unfolded our kitchen table to play beer pong, but we forgot we needed ping pong balls, whoops. We ended up using the inside of Kinder eggs instead of balls. It worked okay but it was hard for me to play with Carling. Mairead and I beat Zoe and Liz, and just for the record Liz stunk (sorry Liz!)

Then me, M, Z and Laura met their friends at Wax Bar. There were some real classy guys in there. One guy stopped me to ask if I was the Irish girl on X Factor last week. I don't even know if there was an Irish girl on the show but for some reason I thought it was a good pick-up line.

Then I started talking to some guy who actually knows Alex from his hometown which was really random. I ended up dancing with his friend for the rest of the night who after the first few minutes I did not want to be dancing with. Then the conversation turned into this (please keep in mind that I did not kiss him):
Guy: I'm reeeaaalllly horny right now.
Me: Uh...?
Guy: I'm sorry, I'm really hard (grabs his crotch.)
Me: What?!
Guy: I really want to go down on you.
Me: What did you just say?
Guy: I really want to go down on you!
Me: I thought English guys don't do that?
Guy: I need to go, it was nice meeting you (walks away holding his crotch.)

What was that?!

Current Music: Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure

New Kind of Low

I've really topped myself on this one. In my previouos post I said I was going to drink in moderation last night. I no longer consider moderation to be five tequila shots + I don't know how many beers within the span of an hour and a half. During our halfway break during class this morning I threw up from my hangover...and on Yom Kippur! Although just for the record, I definitely hooked up on Yom Kippur once, but I cannot remember for the life of me who it was with or where it was. If anyone recalls that story please e-mail me because I'm dying to know!

Also, this is the IM conversation I just had with my dad:
Acquiesce4: i threw up during my class break today!
Acquiesce4: because of a hangover!
Acquiesce4: i'm sure you wanted to know that
Acquiesce4: ive hit a new low
Daddy: Dave threw up the other nite also hangover
Daddy: he did not eat
Acquiesce4: thats funny
Acquiesce4: but i bet not at work

My parents tend to think it's funny when my brother and I do this. Is that normal?

I just came back from breaking fast at Zoe's. Her family was really nice and the food was yummy. I didn't pay for the train there and I even got to bring her mom's honey cake home with me which totally made my day.

Current Music: The Cardigans - Erase Rewind

Isn't It Ironic...

...that I have Modernity, Post-Modernity & The Islamic Perspective on Yom Kippur? Well, I think so at least.

I've been trying to read for class tomorrow and I don't understand what I'm reading. Luckily I was able to Google a synopsis of the book so at least I will have a basic idea. I'm supposed to meet up with someone from school tonight since we live near each other. I will not be eating and will be drinking in moderation so I'm half-assed trying to be a good Jew.

PS - Don't tell God I'm on the computer.

Current Music: The Libertines - What A Waster

Understanding Council Tax

I recently received a letter telling me that I need to provide evidence that I'm a student or else I'm going have to pay the monthly household Council Tax of GBP 170.00. Are you wondering what Council Tax pays for? These are some of my personal favorites from the borough of Camden in 2004:

• Got more drug users into treatment than any other London borough by developing facilities that deter drug users from committing crimes.
• Issued 135 Anti Social Behavior Orders since 1999 and closed 17 crack houses over the last year, far more than any inner London borough (guess I won't be seeing Pete Doherty and Kate Moss in these parts.)
• Fitted over 5,000 home smoke alarms, mainly in the most needy neighborhoods.

I don't have a smoke alarm and I'm needy, what's up with that Camden?

So last night I saw Editors at the Astoria with much thanks to Ben who gave me his extra ticket. The Cloud Room, who are apparently from New York, opened. I'd have to give them another listen before thinking about buying them but their last song (which is currently being played on K-Rock) called Hey Now Now was very good.

Next up were We Are Scientists who were AWESOME. These guys have great songs and play really well. I think they are madly in love with all the members of Editors though which worries me a bit. Anyway go see them.

I also have to mention that we met Editors' parents. Ben figured it was them because there were three sets of older couples standing in front of us on the balcony (and trying to duck out of our way) as we were watching W.A.S. He started talking to them and as he suspected they actually knew people in common. I didn't say too much; I just had a short conversation with one of the dads as he assumed by my accent that I was there to see We Are Scientists. Very nice people, I wish I knew who the singer's parents were though, I would definitely not mind going on a blind date with him.

Finally came Editors. They were really great. My favorite song was Bullets. I don't have too much else to say except that I hope I've still got a ticket for Franz Ferdinand because they are opening.

My Jackson Hole-style burger is ready now, yum.

Current Music: Cosmic Rough Riders - Justify the Rain

Random Gigging

Yeah! I'm going to see the Editors tonight! I've only heard the cd a few times but me likey. The much-hyped We Are Scientists are opening too so I'm looking forward to hearing what that's all about.

Current Music: Editors - Munich

Weekend Update

I'm really exhausted. I'm not sure why because I haven't done anything in the least bit exhausting.

On Friday night I met Alex in Angel and we went to the Chinese buffet in the N1 shopping center that I'd wanted to try. It was better than the nasty buffet Liz and I had in Soho but it still wasn't very good. The best part were the dumplings (oh how I missed them!) and of course the dessert. After that we went into Islington Academy to see The Stands. We walked in at about 8:15 and freaked out because they were already on. Then we did a double take and it wasn't them, but it definitely could have been a tribute band because they sounded and moved exactly like them. We walked in during their last song which is too bad because they were really good and I have no idea who they were. The place was full but we still managed to stand in the third row. The Stands were really great live again like always. And I have to admit that the new guitarist is definitely good looking (he looked like he could be Dave Grohl's cute younger brother) and was a great guitarist too (he's still no Luke though.) He seemed to be watching everything Howie Paine (singer) was doing as to take cues but he really got into it about halfway through the show. They did a few new jams; one during Soon Come and another during a cover song in the encore, and like usual the best live jam ever during Always Is the Same. That was the highlight, but my other favorites of the night were Just Enough Love and Here She Comes Again. The new guitarist doesn't play the sleigh bells as well as Luke but is definitely a satisfactory replacement.

We didn't end up staying for XFM night because they chucked us out of the venue and I had no patience to wait on line and then pay again to re-enter.

On Saturday I read for my class all day. I'm really not kidding! I read a whopping 100 pages of The Twenty Years' Crisis 1919-1939 by E.H. Carr. Fun times.

Last night I went to Laura and Mairead's housewarming party. Most of us here have very tiny refrigerators with practically no freezer, so they stored bags of ice in the washing machine. How clever is that?! It was Zoë’s debut back in London too so I was very happy to see her. The party was fun; I mostly remember being really hot and hearing I Predict A Riot four times. I also asked Dan Dan's friend Andy 472 times if I could come over to his house when his mom makes sushi for dinner, I'm really annoying sometimes!

They also had these cute plastic shot glasses (which Mairead apparently sweet-talked a local bartender into giving her for free) that had a divider down the middle and the girls filled half with Baileys and half with Crème de Menthe. It was the best shot I've ever had and tasted like a liquid Andes mint. Does anyone know what that shot is called?

Back to the weekend. So I stayed over, and then this morning Laura, Alex and I went for brunch at The Brondes Age (which is in, well, Brondesbury.) I had an omelet with spinach, but it really isn't the same without feta cheese. I miss NY diners.

After that I came home, and then walked up the Kentish Town Road to get money out of the ATM which was predictably broken. I then bought the wrong light bulbs for our new lamps which is really annoying. After that I hit up my favorite supermarket, Iceland. Fine, it's not my favorite supermarket, but it's my favorite cheap one. Almost everything in that place is 1 GBP! I came home and dropped the food off, then had to go back outside just to take advantage of the lovely 60 degree weather. I took a walk down to Camden to go to the HSBC there, but the line predictably had 20 people on it so I didn't wait. Okay, I didn't really go to Camden just for the ATM and the nice weather. I actually went so I could go to my real favorite supermarket, Sainsburys. I seriously love food shopping. Plus Iceland didn't have grapes and I'm dying without them. I forgot that they close at 5:00 pm on Sundays though (damn you Sainsburys!) so I took a brief walk up the main road instead. I popped into a few sneaker stores because I'm desperately trying to find a pair of outdated black Pumas (btw pronounced Pew-ma here.) I also bought some toiletries at Superdrug which is much cheaper than rip-off Boots.

I just downloaded the newest version of iTunes. After I installed it I plugged in my iPod (just for a general song update) and it updated 4293 of my 5968 songs. I don't understand that - has that ever happened to anyone before? The iPod is working okay though so I'm not complaining.

Now I'm back here and am not attempting to turn on the TV because I know there is bound to be only crap on the four channels I have. I did watch Top of the Pops Reloaded yesterday which is my new favorite show. I know that only 13 year olds watch it though so don't tell anyone.

It's already 9:30 pm; there is no way I'm going to end up reading for school tonight which is really bad.

Current Music: Bell X1 - In Every Sunflower

I've Waited So Long

YES YES YES YES YES! I'm going to see The Stands tonight! I looove them!

This will be my fourth time seeing them (should have been the fifth except the people who run V festival don't know how to handle a queue and I missed them.) I've been looking forward to this for a long time, especially since the second album came out.

Check them out here: The Stands - Do It Like You Like video

Those who know my relationship with The Stands know about my obsession with Luke Thomson, the former guitarist. This will be my first time watching the band without him. I'm not happy about this but will hopefully be able to focus on the music without looking at the left side of the stage. The last time I saw them I almost pushed Luke down the stairs when I grabbed him to talk to him.

This was taken the first time I met him at Mercury Lounge (you can tell how interested he was in the conversation.)

Anyway, Kat is back here for a week so we went to The Angelic last night, which is where else, but in Angel. I have a cold and was not planning on drinking but you know that didn't happen.

Tonight is XFM night (aka good indie/britpop music) at the Islington Academy right after The Stands. I won't have to pay to get in since I'll already be there which is nice. I heard they played Hard To Beat three times last time so I'm looking forward to it!

Current Music: The Stands - She Speaks of These Things

Drive Me Crazy

I totally forgot to mention that Meghan saw Adrian Grenier on the street filming The Devil Wears Prada the other day. I am verrrrrry jealous! Did anyone see the last one or two episodes of Entourage? Were they good?

I think I may be the only person on earth who owns Drive Me Crazy on DVD.

Current Music: Beastie Boys - Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix)

Do You Want To?

This is Franz Ferdinand's video for "Do You Want To." I'm at the end of the video with about 70 other extras in a few split second shots doing a robot-style dance. I know it's like playing Where's Waldo? but I'm in the third row in the middle behind Alex and the band. I'm in a black tank top and skirt trying to peek out from behind the tall guy in front of me.

Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To video

Current Music: Annie - Heartbeat

Happy New Year!

I just celebrated my New Year's with a lovely dinner of Campbell's Tomato Soup. Should I really have expected school to give us the day off for a Jewish Holiday? No. Should I have expected them to schedule my bi-weekly Tuesday afternoon seminar to start next week rather than today? No. Should I have expected the first meeting of the Democracy Club (recommended we attend) to start on a day other than a Jewish holiday? No. Happy Rosh Hashanah to me.

Current Music: Haven - All For A Reason

Holy Satan's Underpants

I just came back from the UK Air Guitar Championships. No, I'm not kidding.

The night started off with an opening performance from the Skintight Jaguars. It was typical heavy metal with an added plus of the singer sticking his hand down his pants and touching himself. I was not impressed.

Next up were the "Championships." The first band up were the only indie act, The Miserables, performing I Predict A Riot. That was fun for me but obviously everyone else hated it and they were taking the piss out of themselves anyway. They got sent into the cage (where the bad air guitarists had to go) and next up came "Crispy" who air guitared to Muse. I couldn't believe there were two good songs in a row but that was the end of that. There was a gladiator (literally), a farmer (last year's champion), two crazy kids who stripped and a few others that don't deserve a mention. The group who put the most effort into their performance was Satan's Underpants. They distributed a newsletter about themselves prior to their performance, had a fan base in the audience waving Satan's Underpants flags, and they had hardcore props. They entered by tearing through a huge banner and performed Fight For Your Right (To Party.) Their entourage threw huge bouncy balls into the audience and shot off confetti guns. It was a great display and they had a full air band including a drummer. I had to root for them (mainly considering I was wearing a "Come On Our Pants! Satan's Underpants!" sticker), but Crispy won which was well deserved. I will not be attending in 2006 but it was a worthwhile one-time experience.

I forgot to mention that I went to my favorite indie night in London again at The Roxy on Thursday. They played Ladykillers by Lush and I almost had a heart attack. Nobody here even knows that song; too bad because I would so kill that at karaoke. They also played Pain Killer by Turin Brakes so I actually died twice.

Current Music: Jimmy Eat World - Firestarter

That is the Correct Answer

Tonight I watched a game show titled something like "In It To Win It." The host was the guy from the game show in Trainspotting when Renton is hallucinating during his withdrawel. I didn't know that he was a real TV host, what an exciting discovery! The show's questions were alright and it moved much faster than "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" so I would watch it again.

Today I went to the library to read but a) I didn't understand what I was reading, b) they didn't have some of the books I needed and, c) a live Jimi Hendrix concert was blasting from the adjacent room. It was commemorating his first performance ever in London which took place in that very hall. It was good but we were in the library - who can do work while Jimi Hendrix is blasting?

Then I came home and watched Love, Actually for the 197th time. I'm going out now for Joy's boyfriend's birthday. Ben and Dan Dan are coming now too so I'll know some people, yeah!

Also a congratulations to Liz who finally bought a phone!

Current Music: Jay-Z - I Just Wanna Love U