Glastonbury 2013 - A Dream or a Reality? Day 3 - Friday

Day 3 - Friday - Just Noise, White Noise

I had a mini lay in this morning after last nights Shangra-La antics. Also the sun was hidden behind clouds so the black pearl didn't have chance to wake me up. Black Pearl was starting to smell a slight bit. Two 25 year old men in a small tent with lots of alcohol adds upto an interesting aroma. For some reason we thought it would be a good idea to have a team 'brush off' where 3 of us held another ones toothbrush and brushed each others teeth, this was a definite 'had to be there' moment.

We had a discussion around the extinguished fire and fire wood stack about where we were all heading. We split up into our groups. Me and Martin went to see Haim, a band of three sisters from America, who were the first on the Pyramid Stage. I was surprised at how good Haim were as I had only heard their most famous song 'Falling' but the most impressive song was 'Don't Save Me', see the clip below: 

They were an impressive band, with the lead singer having an air of Annie Lennox type presence and vocals, however, her sister who was on the bass was a classic annoying American, who claimed to nearly faint and then dragging out a sob story about Diabetes as if she was the only person who had the condition. Believe it or not she recovered to finish the set, how appropriate. WE LOVE YOU GLASTONBERRY, yes Berry, stupid Yanks.

After Haim we headed across to the John Peel stage, chilled out by a pylon, waiting to see one of the bands I was looking forward to seeing, Kodaline. An Irish Indie Band who have similar tones to Mumford in certain songs. We chilled out near the middle waiting for them to come on (whilst being constantly bombarded with more Charity videos). Kodaline came on, only for their first song to be pretty much silent as the speakers didn't work. I have personal experience of this, when the monitors work so the band thinks all is well yet the crowd can't hear anything and all the crowd is chanting 'UP,UP,UP'. A horrible experience. Just like Haim, I was impressed with the front mans vocals and stage presence. The most impressive song for me was 'Love Like This', see the clip below:

So far my first taste of the music side of Glasto was great and the weather was the same, it was boiling with no need for wellies. After Kodaline we went back to the campsite to get some snap, the mornings porridge didn't fill us up. We sat in the sunshine, had a few drinks and chatted to an Aussie woman about travelling. We met back up with the rest of the group and headed over to the Other Stage after walking round all the shops. We all sat at the campsite and we played drinking games. The best one was 'We went to the shop', which got out of hand as it usually did with the Kiwi's. For me, I loved the music but the festival was about chilling with people and having a laugh. It all ended up with face paint, drunken behaviour and good times.

Alt-J were on at 7, we were a long way out but we were having a laugh at the back. Alt-J were ok but I was drunk on some pure dirty vodka so I only remember my favourite song, Tessellate. They were good but I wasn't blown away. We now had a big decision to make. Go to Disclosure or wait at the Pyramid Stage for the Monkeys. I decided on disclosure as I had seen the Arctic Monkeys, even though I love their new single, see clip below:

On the way to disclosure, we picked up a few Brummies that we knew and called ourselves the Fluid Crew. As you can tell we were now drunk. Discolsure were by far the highlight of the day. Every song was energetic and it was just amazing. It was also rammed. Nani, a Brummie, kept feeding me red wine, while we fluidly dance to songs such as 'Latch' and 'White Noise'. My new favourite is in the clip below:

After Disclosure we bounced happily across to catch the end of the Monkeys. I pushed my way through the crowd, to near the front. I will be honest and say I can't remember what songs they played while I was there but they were tight and very impressive. I met a girl and we danced. I got back to the tent later on, alone at like 4. The fire had been put out. What a great day. I had an epiphany on my walk back, after I bought food for sure.

Glastonbury 2013 - A Dream or a Reality? Day 2 - Thursday

Day 2 - Thursday (Games and Shangra-La)

So after the first night of light drinking, I woke up in our aptly named tent 'the black pearl' fully clothed.   I was sweating more than an 80's radio dj whenever they heard the doorbell. As the tent was black, it was toasty to say the least and this was at 9am. Also, just to add a quick point, 2 man tents are not suitable for 2 men. A) They aren't long enough, B) they aren't wide enough. (Can you tell its nearly been a week so my post-Glasto stress has kicked in). Anyway, I digress, I crawled out of my pearl to see some sprightly Kiwi's and an Aussie, all sitting in chairs (that weren't yet broken). On Wednesday myself and Martin both broke a chair each, easily done when your nickname is G-Lo in my case and Martins is Clive as he is clumsy.

I went for the usual trip to the long drops. Not upto their usual day 1 standards, the poo was building up, like the shittest game of jenga ever. I came back to my homemade porridge on the stove, a nice cuppa and a discussion about the day ahead. We all decided to explore more as we had a lot to see. The sun was shining but a storm brewed in the distance. We took a bag so we could chill near the flags and sup cider. This ended badly as halfway down we lost 2 cans after Clive dropped the bag, I now smelt of stale Cider, a sign of things to come. We all bought some decorative flowers for our heads and walked round. We got Water Aid charity people bugging us but we aided them by fake signing a petition as Peter File. Amused ourselves with pringles lids. My favourite shop had an extremely creative name 'SOCKS', I wonder what it sold. We went to go and do some Yoga, wasted time by playing guess that tune. My rendition of 'Rule the World' by Take That wasn't too popular. We missed the Yoga but we saw other shit (including a group of stag do scousers, the most annoying type of stag do's, all in their Liverpool kits, pricks). It started to rain so we headed back to camp.

What do you do when it starts to rain at a festival? Get pissed, correct. So we all chilled in the big tent getting drunk. Me and Martin cleaned a whole crate out in a few hours. The piss was flowing (as was the tent with excess muddy water). We played 'On the Bus', 'Ring of Fire' and 'Red or Black'. It was a right laugh. Soon we all got cravings for food, some heroes braved the weather to get burgers for everyone. The rain eased about 8pm, after a new arrival in the group. After more drinking and less memory we decided to head out in the rain.

We went wandering round, look at a fire, got excited by some steps, then we stumbled into Shangra-La. This is when we were like, 'what the fuk is going on'. We headed to a stage where it looked like about 20 men and women were dressed in all sorts of fancy dress and face paints but they were 'singing' and the crowd was loving it. We were tipsy so we got involved. We found out it was 'Beans on Toast', him/they were quality. We bounced, danced, jumped, drummed through the set. Then we went into 'Anus Close', thats right 'Anus Close'. It was this weird shit with loads of sex related tunnels. We had a cinnamon and lemon tequila, danced and then got talking to a transsexual nurse. This nurse wanted us to 'go into a room and have medical things done to us'. No ta. We went outside to see a girl had fell for this. It was basically a gay guy, a tranny and a girl doing weird shit to each other. 

We went and danced at a bar called 'Red something'. It was like an open air theatre dance room. It was quality. After that we walked to the 'stones' and to see the other side of the park. This was a long walk but it was good to see the other parts. We thought twice about going into the 'Rabbit Hole' and walked back. I can't really remember but I am sure I got some food, maybe a Greek Chicken which I disliked so I then bought a Hog Roast. We went back had a big fire, chilled, got drunk. Day 2 was a good day, could it get better?

Glastonbury 2013 - A Dream or a Reality? Day 1 - Wednesday

Wednesday - Travelling Day

We woke up at 6.30am, like excited kids waking up early for Christmas Day or their first day at Disneyland. Glasto was like an adults Disneyland, apart from it includes far more weirdos and a lot more drunken/drugged up people. We went to the bus depot with an excess of baggage which mainly included food and booze as we had someone else put our tents up. Massive bonus as this is by far the worst bit of any festival (thanks Yak). After about 5 hours of dazing on a National Express bus we arrived and loaded ourselves up with numerous mis-shapen bags.

After about a short 30 minute walk we found our campsite, loaded with a Yorkshire flag for recognition purposes. After doing the old 'awkward meeting' of new people we soon found out that it took our group 2 hours to get to our well placed site. Lucky us. Plus our tents were up. The view was amazing across all the campsites and festival venues plus it was sunny. I could feel the start of a great festival, different to any other. We cracked open a Carling and got on it, one of 50 cans we had, not to mention the 3 litres of dark rum and 2 litres of vodka, it was fair to say that if we drank all this booze it would be a hazy festival. It could be our g-LAST-o festival, I love a good pun, that was shit though.

About 7 we went for a walk to get our bearings. First stop, the long drops. First day long drops are like heaven in toilet, at least festival toilet, land. We walked past a sea of tents to see the impressive Pyramid stage. This looks bigger on the TV but it is a Pharoah-ld size still (they will get better I promise!) You walk down the roads and see all the stalls an you can sense the excitement in people's behaviour. We saw our first drunk girl, stumbling out of a loo trying to do up her dungarees, she failed miserably. We saw some amazing things. Greenpeace area was great, Shangra-la was, lets say, different. We wandered round exploring everything until we came upon a Motown bar. We danced, drank tequila, I won a bet that there was a baby in a pram in the bar not some alcohol as everyone else said. 

We walked back to our tent at 1am, happy, knowing we had only seen 10% of what was a massive, truly extraordinary place. A different world all together. We had a small camp fire, then hit the hay as they say.

Week 10 - Pompeii, Stumble and Yankees

Week in Progress

All stress levels are on high alert as work gets tough as we started the process of moving into our new factory. I think my hangover on Sunday didn't help the stress as it was the worst I have ever felt, meaning it has lasted me a few days and destroyed my throat.

I managed to watch an average film named 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters'. One highlight of the film being Gretel, who was stunning, Gemma Arterton her name, see below:

The premise behind the film is that Gretel and her brother 'Hansel' (must be said in a stern German accent), lost their parents when they were young, got tortured by a Witch who found them in a Candy house. They kill the witch then make it their life time dream to hunt other witches. Very believeable. Some of the dreams I have are more believable and thats saying something when I often get chased by a large tiger for ages and through numerous dreams.

Pompeii

In a way this section does represent the ancient city which got overhauled by some lava but it is mainly about the band I went to see on Sunday night. They are called Bastille, and yes I do constantly rave about them. That's because they're good. Pompeii is the name of their chart topping (well number 2 at the current time) single they released a few weeks ago. Their album is currently number 1 in the UK's album chart. Quite impressive for a fairly new band starting out onto a path of success (or more likely a path of a second album which will inevitably flop, The Kooks, The Fratelli's, to name a few who have taken this path). They were impressive and the audience loved them, all apart from one of my friends who had to leave mid-gig as they couldn't stop being sick through their alcohol intake the previous night. It also took 2 hours to get home due to the 'Icing Ring' that was the M1. See another one of their hits below, named: The Things We Lost in the Fire:

Stumble

You may think this would be a story relating to a drunken exploit which ended in a 'Stumble'. You would be incorrect. It is about a website that everyone should join upto which I found out about a few months ago called Stumble Upon (www.stumbleupon.com). Basically, you tell the website what your interests are then you press stumble. It will bring a wide variety of websites up and some of them are hilarious. Below is a clip from the Sesame Street, not that funny but I just enjoyed it.

Having looked back at the choice above, there are many more interesting and funny items which turn up, the best are the gifs.

Yankee's

Yankee's is on Ecclesall road in Sheffield and is basically a poor man's Uncle Sams. On Saturday night we turned up to Uncle Sams with ten of us only for it to be booked up so we headed to Yankee's. The meal was extremely nice (Burger and Chips) and so was the company. After the meal we decided to have a 'few' drinks. This inevitably ended up at the Leadmill until 4am. From what I remember it was a great night, it always is when you go to Leadmill. I enjoyed being reminded of seeing an old firned in the morning, this was the first I knew. Ah, alcohol, we wouldn't live without it.

Quote of the Week

"Even if you never know it, each and every kind act affects someone, your small act of kindness might be the one small thing that keeps another holding on."

Week 9 - York, Goats and Tangles

Live for the Weekend (YOLO)

That's right, I just put YOLO. Deal with it. Had a great week, which involved food (as always), including a home cooked steak and ale pie, homemade vegetable kebabs with cous cous and takeaways. All this cultured eating is great for opening the taste buds to different cultures but as I am currently injured (Gregley King) it isn't doing my weight any favours. I am getting fatter. Alcohol + food + no exercise = fat.

Had a few quiet drinks on Friday night on Ecclesall road for Sainty's birthday, it was a good night but I was saving myself for the day and night (Kid Cudi style) in York for Mid's 30th. 

York

It was a glorious day on Saturday and we made our way up to York about ten, I had a nagging mini hangover but luckily I wasn't driving. After a few games of the Alphabet game (football teams and players) we arrived about half 11. When we arrived all the group had been on it since 10 so we had a big of catching up to do. The drinks were flowing and I hadn't eaten (schoolboy), I managed to fit a sausage roll in from the heavenly shop that is Gregg's. After getting refused from about 4 bars as we were in a group we managed to reside in a pub called Tiger 10, just over the bridge. It was brilliant in there, everyone was starting to make their way onto various levels of tangledness, me included (bearing in mind this was about 4pm). 

Hen parties galore, arm wrestling, moustache's and comedy dancing ensued. Then it got to about 6pm and we headed to our hotel to get ready for the night out. The shower in the room was intense and my memory from here on in is vague at best. Gav thought it would be funny to kick his shoes off at me again, so I made sure one went out of the fire escape (didn't want another 'Taxi-Shoe Gate' like last time), long story.

So, we got changed and went back out to Tiger 10 again. It was just as good at night as it was in the day. From here on in I remember less and less after every bar. So after asking everyone in the morning what happened I found out I was the drunkest man out of everyone and my hangover confirmed this. Some of the texts I sent were 'Find Me', 'You Herd' and 'Help'. I also got refused service at the bar for being too drunk, first time for everything. Even though my memory is vague I know it was a quality day and night. I would recommend going to anyone.

Goats

Today we had the classic Sunday lunch with my dads yorkshire puddings and the conversation turned to goats. Watch the below clip, it made Thorney (brother in law) cry with laughter and snort out some gravy:

There are plenty more where that came from, its just brilliant.

Song of the Week - Dizzee

Not my usual choice/type of music but I just can't get this song out of my head. Its catchy and annoyingly addictive. "I don't need no ketamine......."

Quote of the Week

"If you stop working at a career, it goes away. When things are good, that's when you have to work harder, because otherwise it will disappear. And if you don't work toward it, you're not really appreciating what you've got. "

Week 8 - Guess Who, Growing Up and The Crown

Guess Who

This section refers to the age old classic board game named 'Guess Who'. I know your all thinking "a very random heading" for such an intellectual blog and level headed blogger. Well, it is random but I put it in for this reason. Having gone over to my sisters to see my 2 nieces, the eldest, Evie (now 4), wanted to play me at her new favourite game 'Guess Who' (this game is comprehensively better than her previous weeks game of 'Barbie Weddings' and the week before's game called 'Furniture Weddings', where different forms of furniture get married, enthralling stuff when the table marries the sofa :s). She is growing up fast.

So anyway, after cooking a tuna steak and garlic mash tea (had to add this in to point out my culinary prowess) we played the game. Firstly, she only picks a card that is a girl as she "doesn't like boys", therefore straight away I am thinking I am onto a winner and put all the boys down (she will never know). She asks me if 'I am a boy', I answer 'yes, I am a boy and so is my person', she ignores my subtle wit, maybe as she is 4 or maybe because it was too quick for her. So she asks me if she puts the boys down, I say 'no, leave the boys up'. I have a go, then its her go. Bearing in mind she has about 12 boys to pick from she just comes out with 'you have Sam'. I did have Sam. She won, comfortably. The morale of the story is don't let a 4 year old 'randomly' pick you a card/person, 4 year olds can cheat aswell and that you should never underestimate a 4 year old who claims not to know how to play a game, they know and they will win.

Growing Up

I don't want to grow up, its a fact of life. It upsets me when I see people write statuses about going to the Leadmill (Sheffield) on a Monday night. That used to be my life but not anymore. The next stage of my life is to buy a house (along with a new car), may aswell spend the money in one go. I went and looked at a few houses this week. I know I need to commit to buying but I just can't, I want to rent and be a student all my life. My liver would disagree with this and so would my body but its the truth. I also have a slight glimmer left inside me that still wants to travel. Its an on going dilemma.

The Crown

This section will be of little interest to anyone but it has made me happy. Having changed football pubs to 'The Crown', we have played 2 games and won them both 3-0. There is nothing more satisfying than getting a clean sheet as a defender, unless you score which for me is unlikely this season as I am currently on -2 for the season. UP THE CROWN!

Song of the Week - Bastille - Pompeii

Bastille are a band that I have already harped on about over the last few weeks but for a good reason - they are brilliant. Such an easy listening tune, with great vocals once again. Cannot wait to see these AGAIN in a few weeks. I am starting to think these are my new obsession taking over from the mighty Little Comets.

One for the oldies........ WHAT A TUNE (see below):

The picture says it all.

Quote of the Week

Week 7 - The Council, Taybarns and Work Stresses

Taybarns

I started the week off by taking a very rare visit to the all you can eat buffet near Barnsley called 'Taybarns'. For anyone who has any level of standards when it comes to food then I would strongly recommend you stay away from this establishment. If you think this horse meat scandal is bad then you should have see the burgers at this place. It was literally like a Noah's Ark stab in the dark on what was in their burgers. On a global scale though this was NEIGHwhere near as bad as the horse meat scandal. Bu dum che (sound made when you make a very poor joke). This was followed by a few games of snooker, in which I won them all, I don't need to brag but I am the best.

Work Stresses

I really enjoy my job, 75% of the time, most of this week has been the other 25%. All day meetings with our biggest Belgian customer about a new problem was the low point. Having to constantly be alert to answer in depth and off the cuff questions can put a strain on the mind, especially when the customers first language is NOT English. I guess the saying "It's tough at the top" is extremely appropriate in this case. Basically, these meetings and follow up report writing days are where you earn your dollar, the stress has to be second nature. Work is tough but I am grateful for my job, it allows my to have a great lifestyle.

The Council Meeting - Southport Week 2

It was Katey Breen's birthday on Saturday so I went to my second home, Southport again this weekend for the celebrations with five of 'The Council' members. We had an amazing meal at the Hesketh, did a lot of holiday reminiscing had a few drinks then all got really tired at the grand old time of - midnight. The meal I had was steak and ale with a mixed platter starter. Sian was majorly hungover, the result can be seen below, along with our extreme party celebrations.......NAAT!

The next morning it was Breen's 23rd birthday, woo. We all went for late breakfast, well at like half one in the afternoon. I had curly fries and chicken pieces, continental breakfast its called in Southport. We gave Katey a Pandora charm for her birthday. It was a charm that looked like a mini house and had 37 engraved on it from our Uni house days. She got emotional, everyone wins. Great couple of days away, again!




Songs of the Week

Thrift Shop - Macklemore. Probably the most unlikely song that I would recommend on this blog but I love it. The lyrics are terrible but the backing track is quality and you can't help but dance when it comes on. Make your own mind up but its a winner for me.

Chocolate - 1975. I first saw this band a few years ago. They supported one of my favourite bands, the Little Comets in Leeds. They were called 'Drive Like I Do' at the time and have since changed their name a few times. Having now settled on '1975' they have some really good songs. Other tunes by them include: You and Sex. The draw of the song for me lies in the inability to work out the lyrics but it just works.

Quote of the Week: