Week in (not my) Photos

The parentals are coming tomorrow and my flat is immaculate. You could go blind in my bathroom it's so bright. It's so clean yet I feel so dirty now.

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I did lots of stuff this past week. I managed to alternate paper writing days with days o' fun. I did things like...

Seeing Delays at Islington Academy on Friday night with Alex, Liz, and Graham...

It was a special showcase so they played in the small upstairs bar, and it only cost 6 quid per ticket. Being that it was done for the interweb, they only played for 45 minutes, but 'Hideaway' was most awesome so I didn't really care.

On Saturday night I played Bingo with Liz, Graham, and Henry...

Then Henry and I left Old Street with Christine* and we met up with the usual suspects...

at...

for Solo's birthday...

where they played mostly this ...

this...

and this...

On Sunday I went for a roast at Horniman at Hays near London Bridge...

We watched a bit of the London Marathon...

Then went to another pub to watch the West Ham v Middlesbrough game...

That was followed by a pub quiz at The Black Sheep with two Davids, two James'es and a Cory...

Monday night Miss Z and I caught Augustana at The Metro...

Funny that she liked them last summer in NY but I wasn't so into it, and this time I loved it but she felt the opposite. They organ-fied 'Bullets', effectively creating a sound that can only force me to name it as my favorite live track of 2006 thusfar, congratulations boys!

We then raced home to catch the new episode of Prison Break, naturally...

Tuesday was spent with only one David in Cambridge, but not before spotting Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross...

Cambridge was very nice and not at all what I expected the university to look like...

And they charge you to see each campus, which, after paying, only contains grass as all other areas are visitor restricted.

We did a big ole walk from Kings Cross to Embankment and ended the night by watching the Arsenal v Villareal game...

and Peep Show...

Tonight was all about me being suckered away from doing my work by Liz for a return to Mecca...

She won 10 pounds but is still pissed that she had to split her 20 with another winner. Who knew that Bingo was so addicting?

Current Music: Pussycat Dolls - Beep

And Bingo Was His Name-o

I'm sitting in Henry's room and he's procrastinsting going into the shower. Go into the shower now please. Stop cleaning and go, now!

We are meeting up with Christine* and then heading to the Borderline for Solo's birthday. There sould be a smorgasbord of people there, and I will drink lots of snakebites and get drunk and dance, yippee!

We just came from playing Bingo with Liz and Graham. Henry and I split the numbers in half so we only spent 5 pounds each which was very affordable for fast paced, exciting gambling. English Bingo is confusing if you don't know it in comparison to American Bingo, but I can't find an image to show what the cards look like right now. Also, people yell out things like "blegh!" and "grgljigla!" and other bodily fluid-like noises instead of "Bingo!" Anyway, the main point of the story is that Graham won a full house for 100 pounds. 100 pounds!!!

I am going to be late. Henry, you are tooooo slow!!!

Cirrent Music: Zero 7 - Give It Away

Come Back To Camden

Thursday night was the Camden Crawl, and the NME most definitely blew their load all over town. Every band they've been raving about for the past six months were playing within a one mile radius of each other in an eight hour period. After exchanging our tickets for wristbands, I spotted a one Russell Lissack of Bloc Party who had just exchanged his ticket as well. A bit of a celebrity letdown considering I'd already met him but nevertheless...

We started out at the Electric Ballroom to catch The Young Knives. Mairead asked me if I caught the humor factor, but I think I was too busy arguing about fats vs. carbohydrates to notice. They were okay, on the unique side which was a good thing.

We hopped over to Lock 17 next to watch the Maccabees who were pretty average. We watched maybe 3/4 of their set and left for Koko to check out Guillemots who were very original and the best of the three bands up till that point.

After chomping down on chicken and falafel, we went to Dublin Castle an act and a half early thinking we'd fool all the other crawlers in order to see Supergrass at 11:30 pm (this was probably about 9:30 pm.) We got there though and the queue was 100+ long which made me sad. At that point I figured we prob. had a better shot at getting in to see The Futureheads at Koko rather than Dirty Pretty Things at the Ballroom. Not the end of the world, but I've just been in a phase where The Futureheads have started to annoy me because I realized that I'm just as good as them in terms of writing lyrics, being that they write songs about literally anything and just sing them like a robot and became popular for them. I understand there is also music involved, but how do lyrics such as 'I ask a question, you make a comment, Impossible, to make a comment, I ask a question, you make a comment, Can you say that again, 'cos i didnt catch your comment' become popular?!

Knowing we would never make it into Barfly pre-headliner time for the Spinto Band, we thought we'd go to The Purple Turtle to catch Morning Runner, which by some miracle we walked right into. I thought they were the best band of the night, plus I got a seat at the bar which made the experience even better.

Thinking we'd get right into Koko after that for Futureheads, we were very mistaken as the queue was wrapped around the corner(?!) We gave up quickly and went to hear the Kerrang DJs at the Underworld who played the most horrible hard rock/metal-type music ever. They played a few random nineties songs that reminded me of high school, like 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings', but my head was going to potentially explode, so we went back to Koko for the Crawl afterparty...where there was even a queue post-Futureheads, grrr!!

After queueing for about 20 minutes and still waiting around the corner, someone randomly opened up a side door to exit the venue and we decided to rebel and run in through the doors with some other people. We got in unscathed which was probably the biggest success of the night.

Klaxons ended the crawl which was the most exciting thing for me since I've been wanting to see them for the past two months. They were good, I wanna see them in a small venue though because I think the crowd would be more fun. And you know you've got the uniqueness factor down when you start and end every song with a foghorn thingy (by the way, I just found out that the trademark used for a foghorn thingy is in fact called a klaxon - am I the only person who didn't know that?) It was also really cute to see some of the other bands dancing and singing on the side of the stage while Klaxons were playing. I want to be in a band just so I can do that.

Anyway, part of our Camden Crawl goodie bag contained a double cd with a song by every band that participated. What I want to know is why, when I put Disc 1 into my computer, does it come up on iTunes as titled Bukkake Ruined My Carpet, the songs are all by Cocknocker, and the song titles include ones such as 'Rusty Rim Licker' and 'Hillbilly Rectum Swap.' Methinks someone is in trouble.

I also think I just OD'ed on linkage.

Current Music: O-Zone - Dragostea Din Tei (Alo, Salut, sunt eu, un haiduc!)

Come To My Window

I can't believe this is a word -

defenestrate \dee-FEN-uh-strayt\, transitive verb:
To throw out of a window.

"I defenestrated a clock to see if time flies!" -- Lane Smith, "quoted in Who's News," [2]Time for Kids, September 25, 1998

What?!

Current Music: Weezer - In the Garage

It's Always Better on (Bank) Holiday

I haven't posted my weekend activities until now, probably because either I can't remember what I did, or I just didn't do anything exciting. Nevertheless, let's get on with what I do remember.

On Sunday, I somehow managed to control myself from eating dinner out for once as Christine* came over and we made chicken parmesan and pasta. Afterwards we headed to the Garage with Ben and Andy for the Buttoned Down Disco Easter Party. I'd been on the mailing list for these parties for a while so I'm glad I finally made it to one. It was mostly indie stuff, half of which I didn't know but it was still danceable.

Monday was spent in Hampstead (with a random bumping into Zoë and Louise), followed by a spicy stir fry at Toast and a walk through the park with me forcing David to walk through not one, but two funfairs (whose fried food pales in comparison to the church carnivals in Queens.)

Last night I met Zoë in West Hampstead for dinner at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, where I had a Pestarella burger, then after scrolling through probably about 200 movies on the TV, we couldn't decide on one and just ended up watching Friends and The OC.

And today, after worrying that I would never reach 3500 words on my paper, I somehow not only reached it, but surpassed it, which worries me considering I have about 4 more topics to cover, blagh.

I just found out I'm going to be Crawling through Camden tomorrow. Anyone else going?

Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of

This is possibly my worst nightmare.

After my 23rd birthday at Filter 14 (RIP), a couple of us went for late night food at the Tramway Diner. I saw some old ladies chatting a few booths down from us, and I noted to everyone how that would be us in 40 years. Then I realized that they were all crossdressers and/or transvestites. And that is how the Tramway Diner was rechristened the Tramvestite Diner.

Current Music: Live - The Dolphins Cry

Is It Any Wonder?

Oh my wow, the new Keane song is soooo good! Here it is, I suggest you absolutely most definitely for sure download it. It kind of sounds like U2, but actually even better!

According to my iTunes, I've played the Kooks cd 12 times since I bought it last Thursday. I've played 'Naive' only 31 times.

The new Snow Patrol is pretty good as well. I can't believe they are gonna be playing up the road from me and I don't have tickets. Although they generally suck live (minus the random amazing show I caught with Todd at Irving Plaza in 2004.)

'Dani California' by the Chili Peppers is surprisingly (for me) really good too. I'm not a huge fan of theirs but this song excites me a little bit. Oh, and sorry, this one and the next one are giving me trouble uploading.

I've also been playing 'Unwritten' by Natasha Bedingfield lots and lots. And I only started liking that song after Ayla sang it on American Idol which is kind of weird.

So anyway, back to business. I saw Scary Movie 4 last night. I went more cause I just wanted to go to the movies rather than go out, but man was that a waste of money, even with the student discount. The entire movie is literally people banging into walls, having things dropped on them, or getting slammed in car doors. That's not funny.

Also, for anyone who hasn't heard, I'm coming home for a visit! I'll be back from June14-21. And I just found out about a friend's wedding that weekend, talk about good timing. I'm excited to see everyone, yeah!

Current Music: The Source ft. Candi Stanton - You've Got the Love

Le Petit Venise

I've had a gastronomically ace 24 hours. It started off yesterday with some food at The Abbey, which came out on a huge wooden board rather than a plate. Twas a chill pub which I hadn't been to till now, despite it being just a five minute walk from my flat. The burger was a bit too flavorful though, kinda like the herb-infested kind my dad used to make until I finally managed to convince him that I like the chopped meat cooked plain with no flavoring whatsoever.

After that, David and I walked all the way from Kentish Town to Little Venice along Regents Canal. It was only two miles, but it felt like ten. I'd never seen the houses on the canal before, holy oh my god! If I win the lottery I'm so buying one of the ones on the park/water (pending they are up for sale, of course.)

We stopped at the Bridge House pub which is pretty nice (not from the outside, more so from the inside,) then we tubed it (next to the most annoying American girls ever) to the Charing Cross Road area so he could buy some sheet music, I had a yummy light caramel frappucino (which I'd been craving for days,) and then ate the yummiest Italian meal I've had so far in London at Biagio's. I suggest everyone go there NOW.

Last night Tine* and I went to Cargo (£10 cover but a free cd and a live jazzy-over-fusion-stuff singer included.) Two guys approached us who'd been ready for the kill whom we thought we could avoid, and of course I got the classy one who opened with "You curvy!" Yugh. The trip home was almost as good, having been accosted by two wasted 22 year olds who were quite possibly the most annoying people (even worse than the American girls) to not leave me alone on a public bus thusfar.

This morning I tried a Nescafe Latte for the first time. YUMMY!!! Go buy a box, it's like £1.15 in Iceland.

Current Music: George Harrison - Any Road

Hairdresser on Fire

Of course, after a week of not having internet access and finally posting to tell everyone that, it suddenly reappears this afternoon. Well, I'm not complaining.

I just got my hair cut for the first time since September, yippee! I usually only cut it maybe every 4 or 5 months, but I thought I could hold out this time until I made it back to NY to go to my usual hairdresser (which would have totaled about 9 months.) I couldn't stand it anymore though, so I went to the place that was closest, cheapest, and had an appointment available today. My hair looks great, if not better than when homegirl does it. It kind of looks like it has a red tint though, but I'm not complaining.

Stereogum posted a new Shack track. OMG, a popular blogger knows Shack! And the song is, as they sing, beautiful. I'm certainly not complaining.

Did you hear that Chantelle and Preston got engaged? I like them so I'm not gonna complain about that either.

American Idol spoiler alert for UK kids: Without blatantly saying it, if you've read my previous entries about my feelings on Idol and a certain someone who should have been kicked off, say 347,302 weeks ago, I thank you Erica F. for spreading the good news to me early cause it's finally been done. On that note, no more complaining about that show from me ever again.

Current Music: Shed Seven - Why Can't I Be You?

Damn You Illegal Internet Connection!

So, the internet gods have finally gotten their revenge on me - I no longer have access to the world wide web from my flat. I knew this day would come, but I just didn't think it would happen the minute my classes ended and I had nothing to do from then onwards (well, nothing except for two papers and a dissertation.) Nevertheless, I am annoyed.

So, I'm currently at uni writing this and I'm guessing my entries are again gonna be sporadic. Which ultimately is okay since nothing super amazing has happened to me. What have I been up to do you ask?

- Well, Dandan left for Australia so I had his leaving do (after wandering around the square for 15 minutes and not being able to find Lockside Lounge, the security guard of Jongleurs ever so nicely escorted me to it, and by escorted, I mean grabbed me by the arm and pulled me all the way there - which was really embarrassing!)
- I discovered Morrisons, a supermarket not far from my flat and super cheap
- I've been reading Killing Pablo incessantly so I can continue putting off writing my papers
- I've decided that I want to become super-obsessive about pub trivia machines, especially the one in The Porterhouse
- I watched the Middlesbrough v Basil game (a miracle in itself), which apparently was pretty historic so I actually picked a good one to watch
- I finally made it to my local pub, The Grafton Arms (where there were about 20 grandmas having a darts tournament?!)
- I celebrated Passover in an untraditional way - by eating Singapore-Indonesian style food in Brixton
- I had an interview to work at a conference in May for which I ran across half of The City trying to find
- And I hung out with Liz at Grandy's yesterday during the day, just chilling like in the old days (of August that is.)

So, I guess it doesn't matter that I haven't been updating because I'm boring. Until I get my ass in gear and get a job, I'm guessing most of my entries will be like this from now on. Sorry.

What a Totally Amazing, Excellent Discovery. NOT!

Yesterday it dawned on me who Graham looks like:

It also dawned on me how scary it was that after not having seen Wayne's World in probably about 8 years or so, I still remember almost all of the lines of the movie.

Current Music: Dream - This Is Me

Shacking Up

Probably the coolest thing that has happened to me recently (although I guarantee that absolutely none of you will care) is the following story.

About two Wednesdays ago when my brother was here, we went for a quick drink at The Social after seeing We Will Rock You (great show by the way.) So we're downstairs and I see some band equipment that has a huge Boy Kill Boy sticker on it, which just sprung to mind how I saw them open for Shack in September and that they were pretty decent. Then I realized that all of the equipment actually had "Shack" stamped on it. So I was thinking that Shack definitely couldn't have played that night because I hadn't heard anything about it. So, of course I was curious and had to ask the roadie, who confirmed that Shack played a secret show and that they were sitting at a table about 10 feet away from us. My brother and I went up to them and started chatting with the bass player, who also introduced us to the singer. We were having a laugh, I was listening to this guy's iPod, talking about music in general and stuff, then the band decided to leave but the bass player stayed and hung out with us for the next hour. I think he was probably excited cause he's still a newbie (he joined two years ago, but the band is like 15+ years old.) He bought us drinks and we just chilled in the bar. I also got a high five and a "your sister is so cool" comment for living in Kentish Town, as he lives in Tufnell Park (finally praise for living here, and from a rock star no less.) That was a great night, except for the end when we waited 25 minutes in the pouring rain at Kings Cross for the 214, which I'm still bitter about, naturally.

They are signed to Noel Gallagher's label too, so I finally attained a second degree of separation from God himself. Unless you count The Stands, but I'd say that's more of a social/mutual admiration relationship with God, than a business one.

Current Music: The Kooks - She Moves in Her Own Way

End of Term Status: Presentation on Cocaine - Finished; Paper on Bullshit - Not Begun

Okay, so I've got about half an hour to kill before I meet my brother for lunch. I've been swamped between him being here and the burden of my end of the term work (which of course I put off until the end of the term, which is this week.) My blog neglect should end after Thursday at 6:00 pm and I know that I owe like 10 people e-mails so I'll definitely be doing that this weekend.

I gave my presentation on U.S. - Colombia drug trafficking yesterday in my Latin America and Globalisation class. Tomo said it was, quote "amazing," and that it was like an FBI briefing, which was an uber cool compliment. I think it went alright, except for the minor process/explanation I left out - how the money is actually laundered back to the druglords from the U.S. to Colombia...whoops. Anyway, I found the surrounding two kickass graphics on Google images which enhanced the PowerPoint times 10.

Does anyone else find it ironic that "blog" comes up as an unknown word on the Blogger.com spellcheck?!