Friday, October 28, 2005

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!)

Thursday, October 27, 2005

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!

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

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!

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

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

Monday, October 24, 2005

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

Sunday, October 23, 2005

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

Saturday, October 22, 2005

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!

Friday, October 21, 2005

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

Thursday, October 20, 2005

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!

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

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