Lily (My One and Only)

Monday night was Lily Allen at the Astoria with Ben. New Young Pony Club opened who had a couple of pretty good songs. Lily came on with a complete band - 3 piece brass section, 2 back-up singers, keyboardist, guitar player, bass player, and drummer, basically the works. Her first dress was seriously blinged out as well.

I stole (more like "borrowed") this video of her singing 'Friday Night' from Ben:



I thought she was very stiff for the first half of the show, I think it was probably just nerves cause she's still pretty new to performing her own gigs in front of large audiences. She covered Keane's 'Everybody's Changing' and The Kooks' 'Naive' (which I think sounded great despite mixed reviews) and I think after that halfway point she relaxed a bit more and the show was more enjoyable. She also hit all of her high notes which was nice to hear because I hate when singers can't do that live cough*Brandon Flowers*cough. I wouldn't necessarily recommend seeing her live on her own but I'm still glad I went. Highlights were her singles and the unreleased song which I think is called 'Absolutely Nothing.' If you have American iTunes and you haven't heard her yet, I recommend you download 'Smile' as it's the free download of the week.

The new Take That song 'Patience' is good! Mark Owen looks as cute as ever in the video and even the two busted brunettes got better with age. It's reminiscent of the 'Back for Good' video which I LOVE.

Laura and I went for sushi tonight. I tried octopus - tentacles and all.
Verdict = DISGUSTING!!!

Is it weird that I've only seen photos of, and read interviews with Amy Winehouse, but haven't heard her music and yet I still want to punch her really hard in the face?

Current Music: Simon Webbe - Coming Around Again

Written Apology

Dear Weekend,

Hey! How are you? I hope everything has been going well and you've been keeping yourself busy.

I just wanted to let you know that I am truly sorry for having neglected you for the past month. You must understand that I have been working every Saturday and Sunday and was simply to exhausted to enjoy you, as I had been literally standing all day long and could not appreciate you the way you deserve to be appreciated. And although I did put in a strong effort this past Friday night at the Angel Walkabout, Keston Lodge, and XFM First Friday (remember how I was so excited to spend quality time with you that I fell on my butt? Hilarious!), I know it just hasn't been enough.

Therefore, today was my last day working at the Game On exhibit in the Science Museum. Don't worry, I'll still be earning an income starting tomorrow at an office temp job so you and I can reunite and get back to our old tricks.

Once again I am so sorry for not spending time with you recently. I look forward to us having a big night out together in Balham this Friday.

Love Always,
Meredith

THIS UNIVERSITY IS FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT?

I just got this e-mail from the University of Westminster courtesy of the library:

Dear Sir/Madam,
We would like to inform you that your ILL request item (as per details listed below) has arrived to the library.
Please come to the ibrary (not my spelling) at your earliest convenience to pick up the item
Bronson, Rachel.
Thicker Than Oil
2006.
BOOK

Not only did I request this book to use for my dissertation research back in May - I completed it in September and received my grade a month ago. UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE.

The Happy Goth

Happy Halloween! I had no outfit and no plans but I really can't go without dressing up for my favorite holiday. I just bought myself some over the knee purple socks, hand gloves with purple skulls on them, purple hairspray, and purple lipstick. I don't really know where to go either cause most places did their thing on Saturday, but I was thinking the Purple Turtle cause they are having something (random coincidence with the clothing color and bar.) In case you haven't guessed my half-assed costume yet, it's a Camden wannabe goth chick.

Also, my goth name is Damaged Roses. Get your goth name here.

You Know You're a VIP at Work When...

...YOU HAVE TO WEAR A FUCKING BRIGHT YELLOW REFLECTOR VEST TO BE RECOGNIZED AS STAFF. God help me.

Another way in which the University of Westminster has screwed up yet once again - e-mailing me asking to give my opinion of the school's modules and lectures (which I obviously can't wait to do considering I have numerous complaints), I sign onto the page and it says "You do not have permission to view this page. The page you have requested is protected and you do not have permission to view this page." Stop e-mailing me then assholes!

Thanks for listening.

Current Music: Turin Brakes - Underdog

One Night in Bangkok

I've got nothing to write about so I'm going to post some photos from Asia since I previously failed in that department.

BANGKOK!

Big-ass Buddha #1

kjgjfKhao San Road (aka stinkiest place on earth)

Wat Po Action

KUJGKUGUKFYD

Big-ass Buddha #2

KUJGKUGUKFYD

Mo' Wat Po

KUJGKUGUKFYD

Laura Getting Her Hair Did

KUJGKUGUKFYD

Me Surrounded by Aforementioned Stink

Floating Market

KUJGKUGUKFYD

Yummy Fruit

KUJGKUGUKFYD

Current Music: Suede - Stay Together

Rapper's Delight

Has anyone, particularly in the U.S., ever heard of the rapper Rhymefest? He met with a U.K. politician recently and I thought he was a total nobody unless I've missed something on the American rap scene? Help please?

Also, what the fug is this game?! A 2D dog-thing that raps about shampooing and perming hair and has to save the world from a noodle takeover?!

Parappa!

Current Music: Delays - Hideaway

Finally!

My most favorite break-up ever.

The Curious Incident of the Lemonade in the Night-time

The Scene: My Kitchen
The Object: One 2-Liter Bottle of Sainsbury's Diet Lemonade, 2/3 full
The Objective: Drink Said Lemonade
The Scenario: I go into the kitchen heavy with thirst. As I rarely buy bottles of soda for the home (they are too heavy to carry with other groceries), I am filled with excitement as I open the fridge to drink my rarely-there treat. My soda is not in the door where I left it.
The Reaction: Shock, Confusion, Anger
The Action: Check all over the kitchen as well as fridge #2 in the hallway.
The Suspects: Flatmate #1 - Me to her: Hey! Have you seen my lemonade by any chance? It's a 2-liter Sainsbury's Diet Lemonade and it was in the door of the fridge but I can't find it anywhere. Her to me: Provides a very sincere answer saying she didn't take it and suggests alternatives to where it may be or that perhaps someone else thought it was their's (strange considering there was a 2-liter bottle of Schweppes Lemonade on the table which is obviously better quality and worth more but no one took that.)
Flatmate #2 - Me to her: Same as above. Her to me: Shrugs and grunts.
Flatmate #3 - Me to her: Same as above. Her to me: Same as Flatmate #1 with an added 'I didn't drink it!'
Flatmate #4 - Not questioned yet, but she admitted to finishing off someone's milk last week.
Thief may also be linked to my dwindling shaving gel.

Songs I'm obsessed with at the moment:
Rifles - 'Peace and Quiet'
OK Go - 'Here It Goes Again'
Muse - 'Starlight'
The Automatic - 'Recover'
Snoop Dog v. Huey Lewis and the News - 'Drop It Like It's Huey'
The Killers - 'When You Were Young' (yes, I admit it)

Also, I double booked myself for two gigs in one night. This is very annoying considering I haven't been to one in months. The original is Art Brut at Mean Fiddler, the second one is The Stills at 93 Feet East, both on 15/11/06. I'd rather see The Stills but think I've gotta get myself out of that one. Anyone want to buy my ticket?

Current Music: Badly Drawn Boy - The Blossoms

Goody Two Shoes

I had my first nonebrity spotting at the museum on Sunday - Jade Goody with her tabloid boy toy and her 2 year old son! For those not from the UK, Jade Goody is a notorious British TV reality star (Big Brother) and her new show (Jade's P.A.) just started this week. The reason why she's so popular is simply because she's comically ignorant and seems to be just plain dumb. When I gave her the imax options, she appeared totally confused so I'm thinking the stereoptype holds true. She ended up not buying show tickets because she said her son wouldn't last through the 45 minutes. Instead, I told her to go to the basement where all the annoying reality stars are sent for lifetime imprisonment. Nah, I actually sent her there cause there's tons of interactive stuff for kids, and I figured her 14 year old boyfriend would like to play in the Launch Pad.

Current Music: Bjork - Human Behaviour

Weird Science

Not only did I go from being completely jobless last week to getting a job, I actually got two jobs!

I spent all of Tuesday training to learn all things silverware:

And about silver service, and like how to set the table properly and stuff:

I also learned how to do this the professional way:On Wednesday I had an interview where we did group exercises so the interviewers could evaluate our team skills:

Then I went to see this for free:(Can you guess where I was? Answer to follow)

On Thursday I worked for the first job doing this:

And today I started training for my second job at:(that says 'The Science Museum')

Where I sold Imax/Simex tickets beneath the energy ring:

And then I went on the Spongebob Squarepants simulator ride!

I also ate fish sticks for dinner and watched One Tree Hill but there's not enough memory to pop that photo up of the stix or Bethany Joie Lenz cuz I love her (hello, she also played Michelle on Guiding Light remember? Duh.)

Current Music: Radio 4 - Absolute Affirmation

Detachable Penis

Yes! It's what we've all been waiting for...Penis Week on Channel 4! Don't you just love British TV?

Click here for all things penis being shown this week.

Live & Amplified

I've finally posted my videos from Benicassim. I couldn't get the photos up so I may try that at a later date. If you want to see the videos, check out this former blog post for the following (bouncy) performances I filmed at Benicassim 2006:
The Kooks - 'Naive'
Franz Ferdinand - 'Take Me Out'
People skanking to Madness - 'House of Fun'
We Are Scientists - New Song
We Are Scientists - 'Textbook'
Art Brut/We Are Scientists - 'The Great Escape'
Silent Disco (half the people dancing/singing to 'Whoomp! There It Is' and the other half to 'Dare')

We Drink on the Job

I'm just looking at some individual company websites (political-type ones at the moment), and under one particular think tank's description of the salary, the end part cracked me up:

"The starting salary for young and talented researchers is £22,000 with senior researchers starting at £33,000 and going up to £50,000. There is also a contributory pension scheme and free coffee."

I want that job!

I Think I'm Turning Japanese I Really Think So

Last night I did a random music/film quiz at The Warwick on Essex Road. After the first question was 'name five movies starring Cher', I thought we were doomed (got 3 right though), and by question number 50 that assumption proved to be correct.

As hard as it was, we did manage to get a bunch right (embarassing questions involving Wilson Phillips, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and Sexxyback) and they had some really random rounds like the Kenny Loggins Footloose Challenge. What it was, was the MC playing Footloose on the turntables whilst spinning another record and you had to decipher what the other song/artist was. By the fourth one I was thinking gimmie a break this is impossible, I just wrote 'Footloose' as a joke. Turns out number 5 was actually 'Footloose' against 'Footloose'! (Liz was wondering why the beat sounded similar.) The other round that gets the award for best music pub quiz round ever was the translation round. They took a song title, translated it into Japanese, and then translated it back into English and it sounded totally different. Can someone please tell me why 'Permanently' translates from 'Back for Good' rather than 'Live Forever'?

Also, if anyone can tell me what 90s band was originally known as Ted Ed Fred I'll give you $94 because I couldn't believe the answer. Ok I'm lying, I'll just give you a high five.