Notes of Life

The boys are back…

Last night I went to see Boyzone at Birmingham NEC, reliving my teenage years. I last saw them live in 1996 with Lyndsey, my sister-in-law’s sister.

Boyzone had 2 support acts last night. The first of which was Laura Critchley, a female vocalist described as a “toe-tapping, head-nodding Nashville-meets-Merseyside pop nugget”. I really enjoyed her set. She has fantastic vocals and you can check out some of her songs & videos on her website. (I’m certainly going to get her album). The only thing I would say is I’m sure she would have benefited from a live band behind her.

The second support act was A.M.A.N.D.A. They weren’t my cup of tea, but were pretty good.

Then came Boyzone…

The show started off with some dancers with lightsabers, so I began to wonder if I’d walked into a Star Wars show or something! Then the show began and we slipped back into the 1990’s. They sang songs such as Picture of You, Isn’t It a Wonder, Words and No Matter What, as well as a couple of solo numbers by Ronan and Stephen. They also did a Jackson 5 medley including Bad, Billy Jean, Black or White and one or two others. They even stripped their tops off to show their buff torsos for one number!

It was great to see the boys back again, 8 years after they split, although in some ways they’ve never really been far away. Ronan had his solo career, Stephen has been in a number of stage productions (including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), Shane has been motorracing, Keith has been acting (most noticibly as a barman in Coronation Street) and I’m not sure what Mikey has been up to!

Oh, I nearly forgot something! Boyzone also sang a new song - Can’t Stop Thinking About You - It’s quite catchy and a really nice song. Will we be getting a new album?

Following on from Wednesday to Thursday…

Friday morning I made my way to Euston to meet up with Chris at midday. I decided to take the shorter route from Wembley by using the overground train to Marylebone station. After we’d sorted out a train ticket for Saturday morning we made our way to the Farringdon Travelodge to book in early. We wanted to have a rest and take our time getting to the gig that evening.

We joined the queue outside Union Chapel in Islington for James Marsters’ gig around 4.30pm. The queue wasn’t as long as I thought it would be at that time (possibly due to the threatening rain clouds). We said hello to those we knew in the queue and settled in for the wait (at least it was dry this time!).

Sometime later a couple of Italians came and stood by the queue in front of us. I wasn’t sure if they were just talking or if they were trying to jump the queue. I mentioned it to Chris and we asked the people in front of us (I think they were German) if they knew the girls. They said no. Chris asked the Italians to go to he back of the queue, but they refused. The people in front of us asked them too, but still they refused (in Italian), so Chris went to the front of the queue to ask for help (well, imagine if others tried jumping the queue, the rest of us would end up at the back!). Again the Italians refused, so somebody else arrived to translate and the unhappy Italians were ushered to the back of the queue. I guess it’s just us Brits (and some other mad Europeans) who will queue for just about anything!

When we were finally let into Union Chapel, Chris & I managed to get seats 5 or 6 rows from the front an had a gret view of the stage. Although, to be honest, I think wherever you sit in Union Chapel you’re likely to have a good view.

The support act was a solo artist called Benmark. I’d never seen him before, but he certainly got the crowd going. Everyone seemed to like his music (including me) and many went up to the stall to buy his CDs (and meet him) after his set. He’s definitely worth checking out!

James Marsters got a huge welcome when he arrived on stage. He was off-key a couple of times, but otherwise it was a great performance. The crowd was even louder than last year and he even gave us an extra song after a request was made… He’d missed out a popular song on his setlist and the audience wasn’t about to let him forget to play it! No broken guitar strings this year either! All in all, a wonderful gig.

Chris & I headed to the nearest pub for a drink before heading back to the hotel. We had an early start the next morning!

Saturday to Sunday up next!

I’ve been a little busy since my last post, so here goes…….

Wednesday evening I met Mum off the train and took her to the orthopedic hospital to see Nan. My brother and sister-in-law also turned up so the three of them went into see Nan while I waited outside with my surprise. I then went in when my brother & sister-in-law went home. Nan didn’t see my surprise at first (or saw it, but couldn’t believe her eyes), but was delighted when she saw it… which pleased me no end. Nan looked surprisingly well considering the operation she’d had the previous day. She didn’t even have any bruising. She’ll be back to her old self once she’s had her other hip done (which shouldn’t be long now). We all had a good chat and even went beyond visiting time, but the nurses didn’t seem to mind. Nan came home on Friday afternoon, a couple of days earlier than originally expected, so that was great news!

Thursday morning I set off for London. I made it to Shrewsbury train station with just minutes to spare to catch my train. I had a reserved seat from Birmingham to London, but somebody was already sat in my seat so I politely asked them to move. When I finally sat in my seat somebody else came along and asked if I was sure that was my seat as he had a reservation for that seat. I’m not sure if he had the wrong train or if the seat had been double booked, but the reservation thing above the seat had my name on it so I wasn’t going to move!

The tube journey from Euston station to Wembley seemed to take forever and I found out that Wembley Central station was quite a walk from the hotel and Wembley Arena and Stadium. I soon realised there was an overground station right by the stadium!

I stayed at the Hilton Wembley Plaza hotel which overlooked the stadium as well as Greater London. They allowed me to book in a couple of hours early which was great, but the hotel isn’t up to other Hilton hotel standards. Still, the room was warm and did its job (provide a comfortable place to sleep!). I had a bit of a rest before heading down to Wembley Arena. I had a standing ticket to see Matchbox Twenty and wanted a good view of the stage.

When I got to the SE entrance of the arena there was already around 15 people queuing, so I joined the queue and sat on the floor to save my legs/feet for the concert. As the queue steadily grew so did the black clouds above. It wasn’t long before it started raining. Thankfully I’d got a lightweight waterproof coat on so most of my stayed dry (but cold!). It rained on & off so by the time the doors were due to open the queue was restless and eager to get inside. Unfortunately, it sounded like the band were only just doing their sound-check and the doors weren’t about to open.

Half an hour later were were finally let through the doors. Security was tight and everyone was being searched. I got stopped and questioned about my camera (it seems they can’t tell the difference between an SLR camera - which aren’t allowed - and a non-SLR camera - which I’d got!). The girl finally let me through, only for me to be stopped again as I was putting the camera back in my pocket. So I went through the whole thing again. This security guy kept telling me it was a professional camera and I kept telling him it wasn’t. Another security guy came over and looked at it and said it wasn’t professional and it was fine for me to go. Finally, after a hundred or so people had gone past me, I was allowed to make my way into the arena. I wasn’t happy! Thankfully, I still managed to bag a spot by the barrier in front of the left side of the stage.

The support act was a band from Nottingham called Headway. I’d never heard of them before, but certainly enjoyed their set. They were a nice compliment to Matchbox Twenty. You can check out their music on MySpace or Bebo.

Matchbox Twenty came on stage and were fantastic! The entire arena got a notch louder when ‘Real World’ was played (’Real World’ was the first MB20 song I heard and was hooked as soon as I heard it). Standing in Wembley Arena on Thursday night you’d never believe that MB20 aren’t a big band here in the UK. They put on a wonderful show.

Towards the end of the evening there was a bit of comotion in the middle of the front row of standing. A girl didn’t feel too good and the first aid staff sorted her out, but left her in the crowd. Rob (Rob Thomas - lead singer) had noticed this while singing the last verse of a song and as soon as he had finished he called for the lights to go up. Up they went and Rob asked the girl if she was OK. He had a lttle chat from the stage and then asked for security to pull her and her partner out of the crowd and to sit her right in front of the stage for the last song! She looked a little embarrassed, but Rob made sure she was OK. It shows just how much of a nice guy he is.

I came out of the concert much drier than I went in and in my had were a USB wristband (containing a recording of the show I’d just seen) along with a t-shirt and programme (which I can’t help but get when I go to a concert).

I headed to the hotel bar straight after the concert for some much needed refreshment before heading to bed.

Friday to Sunday to follow shortly!

… Fantastic! Fantastic! FANTASTIC!

I’ve just come home after going to see John Barrowman in Cardiff last night. He started his tour at the Millennium Centre and what a start it was! John sang songs from his latest solo album Another Side as well as others. John used them to tell us about his life (both personal and professional). One of my favourites was when he sang a song from the musical Wicked, only he changed the words slightly… It described Captain Jack’s feelings for The Doctor (Doctor Who)… and it was brilliant! John’s background is musicals and it shows. He really is a great showman!

John Barrowman’s support act last night was Connie Fisher. John told her to kick the habit and she really did. She was the perfect choice as John’s support act and she did a wonderful job. Of course, she couldn’t help but mention her new album out later this year.

Yesterday was my first visit to the Wales Millennium Centre. It’s beautiful on the outside (picture below) and the theatre itself is stunning. I visited during the day yesterday… I sat in the cafe for a drink and then followed my ears. I could hear live music… Various people (who had already been through auditions) were taking their turn to sing on a little stage at one end of the Millennium Centre. I stood and watched for a while and there was definitely some talent up on stage. The funny thing was as this girl was singing with such a beautiful voice this old man walked past with his hands over his ears! I couldn’t help but laugh!

2007 is just about done, so I guess it’s time for my review of the year.

I think I’ve done well on the family history front this year. I discovered a couple of forgotten family bibles in the bookshelves, giving me a whole generation of birth, marriage and death dates. I found information on a great uncle who nobody seemed to have heard of - He was dead by the age of 20 and spent his last years in a lunatic asylum, poor soul. I also met up a long lost cousin and his wife (found through Genes Reunited) and discovered one or two more distant relations. I discovered I had a rare marriage certificate in my possession (the bride & groom, their fathers and the 3 witnesses all shared the same surname) and it was published in the Family Tree Magazine. I also discovered my Great Great Uncle served in the British Army by finding some military records on Ancestry, when previously I’d only got 1 reference to him in the 1871 census.

This year I ventured abroad for the first time since 2001. Dad & I went on a World War 1 battlefields trip to Northern France and Belgium.

We stayed in Tournai (Belgium), spending some time in the Ypres area visiting the city as well as Tyne Cot Cemetery, Hill 62 and Santuary Wood, Hooge Crater, The Yorkshire Trench near Boezinge, Poperinghe with its 2 death cells, execution pole and military cemetery, and Menin Gate for the Last Post.

We also spent some time in the Somme area (France) visting Historial de la Grande Guerre (The Museum of the Great War) in Péronne, Guillemont Road Cemetery, Delville Wood, Lochnagar Crater, Sunker Lane and the memorial to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Newfoundland Memorial Park and Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.

It was a very interesting and informative trip, and we were blessed with beautiful weather.

As usual, I attended a few gigs. I saw James Marsters at Rich Mix and Union Chapel in London, Anthony Head in Milton Keynes and Take That in Birmingham. I should have seen James Marsters in Cardiff too, but the floods prevented me from going anywhere that weekend in July!

I also went to 2 or 3 motorsport events this year. I saw the DTM and Superside at Brands Hatch in Kent (Mika Hakkinen nearly ran me over with his scooter that day!). I couldn’t afford to go to the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, so I went to watch the Big F1 Test instead (not as good as watching racing, but it was still great to see the F1 cars blasting around the track). I also went to the Charity Open Day at the Honda Racing F1 Headquarters in Brackley. While there I met F1 driver Antony Davidson and commentating legend Murray Walker - another great weekend.

Work has been very busy this year, especially the 2nd half of it. A colleague was on sick-leave for a couple of months and I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed before! So, I was ever so glad when the time came for my Christmas break!

Christmas was a quiet one this year. Nan didn’t feel up to coming over for Christmas Day, so Mum, Dad & I went over to my grandparents for Sunday lunch and spent Sunday with them instead.

Christmas morning was spent giving and opening presents. Dad & I surprised Mum with a fairy statue/bird bath from us both and I surprised them both with giftbags of goodies - a book about Passendaele and a bottle of whiskey for Dad and a silk scarf, purfume and kitchen bits for Mum. I received a subscription to the Family Tree Magazine, a few books (including Cheshire’s Execution Files by Derek Yarwood, Michael Palin’s New Europe and On The Edge by Richard Hammond), a calendar, money, a gift voucher and some other bits & bobs.

My brother joined us later on in the morning and stopped for Christmas dinner (the best meal of the year!), but my sister-in-law had to work as she’s a carer. The evening was spent relaxing in front of the TV. This year I watched a new-ish Christmas film - The Polar Express - a wonderful animated movie.

Boxing Day was quiet too. More TV and another roast dinner to finnish off the turkey!

I haven’t done as much as I wanted to do with my time off work so far. The weather has been so miserable! Before I go back to work I’m hoping to go over to Melton to visit my friend Lisa (and deliver presents) and make a trip up to Caernarfon. I also want to get out and take more photos, so I’m watching the weater forcast carefully.