Live Earth

For this post I really wish I was a better writer. I want to try and get down in words what a phenomenal day it was but I am just not able to find the words.
I have to say that by the time this rolled around I was incredible underwhelmed. Things were hectic at work, and I still had my mind on Glastonbury, and as far as I was concerned there was no way that one day at Wembley stadium would every compete with that experience.

Steven made the decision that we should leave Putney at 8:30, and boy was I unhappy about that. I made it perfectly clear to everyone that I thought this was a ridiculous idea and that I was unhappy. Surely we would not be able to maintain a place at the front of the crowd for the whole day no matter how early we got there. But I got up at 7:30 and dragged my sorry as down to the station non-the-less. We got to Wembley way before the doors were due to open and queued for about 2 hours, and boy was I glad we did. We managed to get into the "pit" which was right in front of the stage. They only let a certain number of people in there so there was no over crowding , we even had enough space to spread out our picnic blanket and have a lie down between acts.

The sun shone the whole day and the performances just got better and better as the day went on. The Foo Fighters and Madonna were probably my highlights but in actual fact there were very few acts that I did not LOVE. I would have payed double the price to have been able to experience that day! Amazing!!!

2 Down 1 to go

This summer was going to be the summer of festivals...Glastonbury, Benicassim and V. I have not idea what possessed me to try cram a life times worth of music into 3 months! It has been totally amazing and totally crazy.

I didn't think Glastonbury could possibly live up to my expectations. I had been buzzing with excitement for weeks on end and I could barely sleep the night before we left. Nick had procured a car and I nominated myself for navigation duties...insisting that I had the capabilities of....well a great navigator, and then promptly got us lost in London!
We arrived at the campsite and I was blown away by the size of the festival. Everywhere I looked in every direction was just tiny little tents. We set up the tent and then headed off for a walk about. It was even stranger than I had imagined. The front end of aeroplane, huge metal robots, areas to make clay sculptures and tiny cafes to try and escape the mud. I remember thinking on that first day, if this is the mud they have been talking about, I can definitely handle it....little did i know.
Day 2 the rain began....and it didn't really let up for the rest of the weekend. The mud became ankle deep and then calf deep. Determined as I was not to fall the mud became so thick that my foot git stuck, the top half of my body kept moving forward and my feet remained stationary. hand first into the mud.
By the end of the weekend, living in mud and rain and being totally filthy started to feel normal. We saw some great music and would escape to the circus/comedy tent to try find somewhere to sit down! I was torn between desperately wanting to get home and never wanting to leave! The real world became a distant memory and life became all about food, music and crazy people! For weeks after coming home I felt a pang every time I thought of Glasto.

Benicassim was pretty much the polar opposite. We jetted off to Spain, leaving a cold and rainy London behind and arrived to a boiling hot dusty evening. The campsite was rammed full and we had to find a tiny corner in the back of campsite to pitch our tent. Our days were routine....get up, head straight down to the beach to grab a deck chair and umbrella and relax in the sun and swim all day. The sea was the most gorgeous blue and it was so warm. In the afternoon we would head into town for drink and to grab some food before hitting the festival. The crowd was so energetic and it made the festival for me. But I realised that I do not have the kind of stamina to be able to do this all day all night kind of thing. I was always the first one to head off to bed! The real drama of the holiday was us missing our flight! I know that is the thing I am going go tremember when I look back on this holiday! desperately racing to get to the airport, watching the minutes tick by and feeling so helpless. Thanks to the great taxi driver who did everything he could to get the crazy english speaking tourists to the airport on time, especially with stsven shouting, rapido, rapido at him every now and then!

So V in a couple weeks, I'm looking forward to this one casue hopefully it will be stress free. Loads of friends are going so I'm looking forward to a chilled weekend away and seeing the Foo Fighters!

Lunch break terror

Yesterday I was enjoying a leisurely lunch in the park when I was viciously attached by a bird. I was truly fearing for my life, as it puffed its feathers up and made vicious attacking noises. I was clinging to Nick for dear life as it circled around us, eying our food with it's beady beady eyes.
Nothing would put this fearless (vicious) bird off. I think eventually it took pity on me and decided I wasn't worth the effort, as clearly I had nothing to offer.
It took me the rest of the lunch break to recover...and I can tell you I will not be sitting on that side of the park again!

NME New Music Tour

Tuesday night I managed to convince a few of my girlfriends to join me at the NME new music tour. The gig was at Koko in Camden which is one of my favourite venues. We got there early and so managed to secure a balcony area where we could sit and wait for the bands to start, and which also gave us a great view of the stage. The only band I had any real interest in seeing was Pull Tiger Tail, and I was not disappointed. The Guitarist Davo(??)was your typical cocky, I think I'm hot Brit rocker, and while he irritated the crap out of all my friends I found his antic mildly amusing. At one point he jumped down into the press alley in front of the crowd, I think he was expecting mass hysteria, but the crowd barely reacted. I really started enjoying myself when they got several people on stage with them to help them play one of their songs (will have to buy their CD in order to tell which song it was). It had an awesomely infectious beat, magnified by the extra people onstage thumping out the rhythm. This was the point where they started to look like they were really having fun, and from my great vantage point I could tell the crowd was loving it. I am seriously looking forward to seeing where this band again.

The surprise band of the evening was The Little Ones. I had never actually heard of them before this tour and they blew me away. I loved how they could stand on stage next to these other typically British bands, with their own very unique sound and "rock out". They even encouraged the crowd to throw things at them at one point. The lead singer, Ed Reyes, is incredibly charismatic and I fell in love with him the moment he stepped up onto stage and started wriggling his little butt around. He reminded me of a toddler, trying to explain something very earnestly, all big eyes and cute expressions. The music was incredibly happy and upbeat and I couldn't stop smiling throughout their performance, I actually felt a pang of loss as they walked off the stage.

I don't have terribly much to say about the other two bands. The drummer for the Blood Red Shoes was amazing, but I found the lead singer to be dull and her guitar smashing act at the end of their performance seemed like a childish temper tantrum. I would definitely like to keep an eye on the drummers career, my uneducated opinion is that he should ditch the girl and find someone with a bit more spunk.

The Rumble Strips.... where do I start? 15 minutes into their performance I snuck into the toilet where I overheard two girls discussing the Rumbles performance. The one drunken girl summed it by saying,"it's just shouty bloke music, who would want a Rumbles bootleg album?" I was unmoved by their performance. I spent more time watching the crowd than watching the band, and their music didn't really stir up any emotion. I was pretty much indifferent and we left before they had finished.

All in all I am really glad I went along to this. It is always great to hear new bands live and to find unknown gems! I'm off to buy the Little One's and Pull Tiger Tails albums.

One day older, one year older

Yes, this weekend I turned 24. I have to say that this year my expectations and excitement levels were at an all time low. There has been so much other stuff going on that it didn't seem to sink in that my birthday was upon me.

Luckily for me I have some amazing friends who
a) helped organise a celebration and
b) turned up and made the night worth while.
We started off at the Amused Moose comedy club. I was feeling a little apprehensive, cause if comedy is not great then it is just embarrassing. Luckily for me the three comedians were fantastic. It being my birthday I was very worriesd that one of my friend would draw attention to me and embarrass me. Sadly I do not need friends to draw attention to me as I am more than capable of embarrassing myself. During the one quite moment in the comedians witty banter I hiccuped....loudly, and it did not even take him 5 seconds to launch into me. I now have a new nick-name. But if you weren't there on sat night I'm afraid there is absolutely NO WAY I am going to divulge what it is.

Anyway....after the comedy ended we hung out for a couple minutes but the club emptied out faster than I could top up my glass of wine, so we headed out to Ghetto, were the music is kitsch and the men are "friendly", to dance dance dance the night away. The trip home was long, but fun filled and Jo will be forever known as McSleepy.

Thanks so so much to all y'all that pitched up. My night would not have been the same without you xxxx

39 Steps

I was tired!!! Very very tired. And I did not feel like going out. But I had booked these damn tickets through damn lastminute for dinner and theater, so I dragged my sorry ass from work through to Picadilly to meet with the lovely Carlene. Dinner was nice (the company more than the venue) but the theater was great. My interest was piqued when I realised the theater was actually underground (yes I am easily excited!) Despite my lethargy, I was able to concentrate and even managed a few laughs. There were only four actors playing a number of roles. The whole show was very tongue in cheek but at the same time very very clever. I spent the whole night wondering how they had managed to think up so many different ways to bring this movie to the theater. I am sure I would've appreciated it even more if I had actually seen the movie!!!!! Never the less I was highly entertained for 2 hours and would loved to have met the actors so I could personally tell them how much I had enjoyed the show. After seeing this show I am even less impressed with "Treats" than I was on Monday night! For me this show is what the west end is all about, slightly over the top acting, clever props and a lot of laughs.

The long overdue Fall Out Boy concert review

I am a HUGE fall out boy fan. I have introduced all my friends to them and I've been waiting a year to see them live. So I my expectations for this gig were pretty high...and they went unmet. We arrived to hear the last few songs of the support act and I took the opportunity to check out the crowd... once again I was the oldest person there by years and at only 23 that was not a good feeling. Pretty much as soon as FOB came on stage the teeny bopper punks started moshing, things were out of control before they called for the "whirlpool" or whatever the moshers call it. The band had zero spark and at no point did it look like Patrick Stump was having a good time. Pete Wentz endless spinning around made me dizzy and don't even get me started on their half time entertainment freak show. If I wanted to see some guy jump through a table I would rent Jackass.
I had heard bad reviews about FOB's live performances but had refused to believe them... I guess I can't live in denial anymore!

Trick or treat?

Last night I took Julie to see "Treats" for her birthday. If I am totally honest I didn't know a whole lot about the show before I booked the tickets, all I saw was some famous faces that I wanted to see a bit more up close and personally.
I haven't seen all that many plays (in other words non-musicals) and so I think my expectations were a little off. I basically expect a live movie. What we got was some real live crying and some jilted dialog. That's not to say it isn't good, but somehow without camera angles and lighting and music (and all the other movie magic) it's just not the same. And yes I know it's not supposed to be the same, as I said, my expectations are off.
In the end it was enjoyable and I got to see some stars and I feel a bit more cultured, but I can't claim that theater is my most favourite thing.

I choose my choice!!!

I've just gotten back from SA. It was wonderful to be home. To be back with the people who at the end of the day know me the best and love me despite the dork I was in High school. The whole time I was there I was more than willing to tell anyone who would listen how great the UK is and how they should come over that very minute. I also made sure everyone around me knew how happy I am here. But even while I was talking I was wondering if I had made the right choice in making the UK my home. I AM deliriously happy here most of the time, and the life and opportunities here so for exceed the options in Cape Town, but at the same time I am missing out on a lot. My young brothers and sisters are growing up at a rapid pace with little thought to how that makes me feel, my parents and grandparents go on and get older and my friends are getting married (separate issue all together). So getting on the plane was hard, much harder than the last time as now I know I will not be back for another three years or so, and so so much is going to happen in that time, but at the end of the day, I choose my choice. I choose London with all the hecticness and stress, as well as the beauty and vibrancy. And I choose to let people in SA move on without me. I choose my choice!!!!!

YOU GOT PUSHED!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is safe to say that my tube ride to work in the morning is never pleasant, but most mornings I can get onto the tube, find a place to stand and listen to some music or read a book. This morning however was not one of those mornings. There were SEVERE delays on the district line, so when I ran up the stairs at East Putney station people were standing 4 deep waiting for the tube. Luckily I spotted Steve who managed to drag me onto the next train with him. So we were chatting, trying not to irritate too many people around us when we heard some girl starting to kick off. I had heard rumours about this kind of thing going on but had never seen it myself. She just shouted at this poor man for about 10 minutes, saying the same thing over and over again. Soon the whole carriage was making chirps and getting laughs which lightened the atmosphere, but nothing would stop this girl...she was pretty much going to rant for the rest of the journey.
Nothing like a bit of Drama on the tube to kick start your morning!!! And nothing like some mad woman screaming to unite the rest of the poor people on the tube!!!!

Who is your biggest crush

give this a go

The car journey from hell

Today we journeyed up to exotic Norwich. Instead of catching the train like normal people we hitched a lift with Gary. We thought everything was sweet until we hit a massive traffic jam as thousands of people fled London to the country for the long weekend. We eventually arrived in Norwich 6 and a half hours after leaving home...totally tuckered out after all the sitting. Thank goodness we re catching the train back home....

Spamalot

Go see it.... that is all I have to say

I stole this from my friend Rich...

1. A is for age: 23 (almost 24)

2. B is for beer of choice: yuck yuck yuck....

3. C is for career right now: Exhibition assistant and event organiser extraordinaire.

4. is for your dog's name? I had a dog once......

5. E is for essential item you use everyday: hair straighteners

6. F is for favorite TV show at the moment: HERO'S !!!!!!!!

7. G is for favorite game: can I make G is for your favorite guy???

8. H is for Home town: Currently London baby....but originally Cape Town

9. I is for instruments you play: My iPod

10. J is for favorite juice: apple I think

11. K is for whose butt you'd like to kick: SMcV....my arch Nemesis
12. L is for last place you ate: I had a snack on my bed while I watched a DVD

13. M is for marriage: yes please...

14. N is for your full name: Bronwyn Allison Sletcher

15. O is for overnight hospital stays: nope

16. P is for people you were with today: work colleges... and flatties

17. Q is for quote:

18. R is for Biggest Regret: I don't believe in regrets

19. S is for status: negative

20. T is for time you woke up today: finally crawled out of bed at 7:45

21. U is for underwear you have on now: the normal

22. V is for vegetable you love: mmmm... not much of a vegetable person....although I will eat them....maybe baby corn

23. W is for worst habit: I would tell you, but then I'd have to kill you

24. X is for x-rays you've had: on my saliva gland....had a blockage and my face was about to explode...and on my kidneys after a vicious infection

25. Y is for yummy food you ate today: 2 croissants for brekkie.....yummy

26. Z is for the zodiac sign: Gemini

Top tips for organising a event for 800 + people

4 weeks out...
1. Relax, take it easy. It is well known that all organisation for any event happens in the last week, so you might as well put your feet up while you can
2 weeks out...
2.Your event planner would probably like to meet up with you at this point... avoid this at all costs....if they know what you look like they will rush straight to you for every little thing on the night of the event...and this would really ruin your evening.
1 week out
3. Stop answering calls....it is inevitably some guest calling to tell you they have not recieved their invitation or someone cancelling their seat causing a problem on your seating plan.
4. Start shifting responsibility of important tasks....that way when the shit hits the fan at the event you have someone to blame
day before the event
4. Make sure you go for your mani pedi and fake tan....nothing helps in a crisis like looking good.
D-day
5. Have a relaxing morning, sleep in. You will need your beauty sleep. Pitch up at the venue in time to get a few bevvies in to calm the nerves...then go shine....you have worked long and hard on this event so enjoy your moment......

Noddy

For home group this week Rox suggested we head down to our favourite local The Jolly Gardener for a chilled evening. What we didn't realised was that Tuesdays are pub quiz night at the Jolly. I am not a fan of the pub quiz, for the simple reason that I am not British and so don't know the answer to ANY of the questions and so I walk away feeling a little uneducated. While trying to figure out which F1 driver one his first race since 1996 Liz suggested Noddy....and we were off. Any question we didn't know the answer to our default answer was Noddy.... Rox was so embarrassed by our effort that when I cajoled her into handing our form in, she threw it at the bar counter and ran to the bathroom to hide. Watching the woman sniggering as she marked our answers did little to increase my love of the British pub quiz... Sadly we had to leave before the winners were announced so we didn't get to see the woman wondering around looking for the winner of the pub quiz.....NODDY

Counting Sheep

Friday I was enjoying a relaxing night in with Rox and V, when we started discussing sleep patterns. The conversation eventually came around to the strange things people resort to in order to go to sleep. I admitted to having tried counting sheep but that I would get frustrated as my sheep seemed to have a mind of their own and would all start leaping over the fence at once making it very difficult for me to count them and leaving me more awake and frustrated than before. At this point Rox was laughing hysterically having also experienced out of control sheep. When we eventually calmed down and were able to talk and breath I was so relieved to realise I was not the only one to have this problem.... and it made me think that Rox and I really have a lot more in common than we would probably ever realise....

Catch up

So, I have been decidedly slack in the blog department. I think a combinations of things have caused this.
1. I realised no one was actually reading my largely useless musings on life.
2. I am really busy.
3. While I am busy, I am not busy doing anything very interesting. I tend to work and see friends and sleep...not very blog worthy.

Last week I helped out at a work function at the houses of parliament. I was excited to go inside but to be honest once I was in there I could have been in any building. I felt very out of my depth so I stuck with my friend and colleague Nick...eating large amount of horrendously expensive canapes and drinking wine. The best part of the evening by far was packing up and heading to the pub.

Other than that I have been consumed with the thought of festival tickets and going home. 5 weeks and 2 days till the impending trip and 2 weeks till Glastonbury tickets go on sale....I will get these tickets as I have already missed out on V tickets and the line up is outrageously good....sob

Emerging anew

Went away with a fairly large group of young people from my church for the Emerge weekend. I had really really been looking forward to the weekend the whole year (all 3 weeks of it) and it was definetly everything I hope it would be.
I laughed (till it hurt) and cried a LOT, and came back feeling totally refreshed and ready to tackle the world.

The best part of the weekend for me was abandoning the amazing 80's party to go play a few games of twister. I haven't played since high school and tho I lost horribly every round (there was major boy cheating going on) it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Work

So work has gotten interesting....and busy, so very busy. For my first month of so I was plagued with boredom and could not wait till things picked up. And while I do not wish to go back to that snail pace I do find myself wishing I had a few more hours in the day, and thinking about staying late after work.
The good thing is that I genuinely enjoy what I do. I may find myself frustrated or stressed but it is all worth while when you get job satisfaction.

First transport rant of the year

I know I frequently compain about the transport but I have to have somewhere to rant.
So the crowds are back. Untill this morning I had been enjoying a relatively empty tube...but it couldn't last. This morning the crowds were all headed back to work.....Got dirty looks from some woman for DARING to read a newspaper on a crowded tube..... only 52 weeks of this left....

Long time, no Blog

Just logged onto blogger for the first time this year and was shocked to see I have not blogged in over a month....so apologies to anyone who has been checking my blog in hopes of fresh posts.

New years is a time of looking forward for me....thinking about things I'm hoping to accomplish and planning exciting adventures for the year. So here is some of what I have planned.

1. I am going to make a long awaited trip home.
One of my oldest and dearest friends is getting married this year and so I am going home for 2 weeks. It will be 3 years by the time I get back to SA...three years of not having seen 90% of my family and most of my old friends. I am looking forward to catching up and chilling out and totally enjoying all the holiday splendour that SA has to offer (despite the fact that is is going to be autumn and a tad chilly)

2. I am going to 2 music festivals
The plan is to go to Spain for an amazing long weekend on the beach. The festival runs through the nights and so I am going to spend the days lazing on the beach and swimming.....can hardly wait. Then going to Leeds/Reading festival in August for a muddy version of the Spain festival...minus the beach...and with a lot less sun.

3. Probably a trip to Egypt
Hoping to go to Egypt in around September for a final shot at getting a tan....Have ALWAYS wanted to go there and I am looking forward to a mixture of seeing some ancient history and doing sweet blow all.....should be amazing

4. Get a grip on my finances
If I want to do all the above mentioned activities I am going to have to get serious about my money.....spend less save more is going to be my motto.

5. Career focused
Work is going to be a major priority this year. I desperately want to be good at what I do and be able to move up the ladder at the end of this contract and not into a similar job in a different company...so going to work hard and have as much fun as possible.

6. Be more precious about my time
Last year I said yes to everything and by the end of the year I was going out 7 nights a week and was totally run down and near hysteria a lot of the time. This year I am going to limit my week day activities and spend more time chilling out after work (lets see how long this lasts!!!!)