Today I embarked on my first 'proper' gig of the year. The Futureheads came to Hull Uni. We set up and waited for the band. And waited. And waited. And waited some more. Eventually the band arrived, but... the crew were stuck on a train in Leeds. Nice.
Eventually the band set up their own equipment, but were a little unsure after having crew do the task for them for the last few years. Anyway the crew arrived and an experienced engineer did a speedy sound check.
Then the support act. What a farce. Poor engineer, poor band!
Then local support...
The gig started and I endured the first two acts... But The Futureheads came to the stage and were amazing. Tight performance, brilliant engineer and good banter with the crowd.
A sharpish load out and we were home after a very indifferent day with all the waiting etc...
Tonight I worked a Welly for the first time in ages. The band were a drum and bass / happy hardcore type outfit. Not really my sort of thing if I'm honest!
Sound check came and went and I was sceptical about the show ahead as the s/c was being used as a rehearsal.
Showtime - The first few songs were very disappointing. The room was empty and I think it sounded pants. Then a few people came in and it improved a little. Plus i think the band started playing material they were more familiar with.
A couple of songs later the room was full with a bunch of people dancing away. The mix started to fall into place and with tweaking here and there I got a mix going that I was beginning to be happy with.
By the end I was loving it, and was wanting them to play for a bit longer. Bummer!
Christmas 2007 -> Dec 21 - Jan 07 - 2 Weeks off Work, 1500 Miles In the Car, 9000 Miles Overall
Friday 21 - Just a Friday So as soon as work was over Vicky and I jumped in the car and headed over to Manchester. In the land of the Manc we met up with all my old uni friends, some of whom I haven't seen since last year in Canada. Twas groovy night, plus we got to see robs new place and wait ages for a cheeseburger whilst Rob was trying to sleep.
Vicky, Me, Chris, Rob, Steve, Dunc (Mark and Rach where also present)
Saturday 22 - Christmas Eve Eve Eve From Robs we woke up and drove across Manchester (GPS's Rock!) and met Vicky's Friend. After a brief brew we gave Kat a lift back to Driffield.
We then went home packed some fresh clothes, and went for a night out in Driff. Not sure I ave any pictures from this one. At the end of the night we took up residence on Vicky's parents sofa, to be greeted in the morning by a bacon sandwich. Result!
Sunday 23 - Christmas Eve Eve Today we went round the local market and round various members of Vicky's family acting as couriers for St Nick.
This Day ended in Hull New Theatre taking Vicky's 6yr old niece to watch the local panto of Jack and the Beanstalk. Guest stars were Cannon and Ball. A funny show, but not as good as last year. We did see Bob Ball driving away at the end though. Livin' it up with the celebs this Christmas!!
Monday 24 - Christmas Eve After a troll round the shops for some last minute shopping we took Phoebe back home and had a Christmas party with her family. Some more alcohol was consumed and I honestly don't really remember it now! Too much has happened since. Tuesday 25 - Christmas Day Bloomin' heck. Santa has properly been. Vick and I have bought each other loads. Where has our lounge floor gone!! After a quick open we promptly headed off to Vicky's parents to say "Merry Christmas". Plenty more presents came our way. We had done really well. Loads more than expected. Tummy's started grumbling and one of those gorgeous bacon sarnies came our way. Merry Christmas!
We then headed off to Derby to see my family. I presented Vicky a new tradition for Christmas Day. In the pub by 1. Result!
The day did its business and plenty more was drank.
Wednesday 26 - Boxing Day Boxing day was started with another beautiful bacon sandwich and then will trolled in the car and headed to Scarborough to spend a day with Vicky's family. The night was spent drinking in Bridlington.
Thursday 27 - New York Eve The morning was spent packing. At lunch we headed down to see my Grandparents near Birmingham. On the night we headed back to Derby to see my family for a bit more. And drink some more.
Friday 28 - New York Travel We got up and travelled to Heathrow. An afternoon flight meant it was bedtime by the time we arrived. We headed to Times Square, grabbed some food and promptly headed to bed.
Saturday 29 - NYC Mid Town (New York is told in Pictures...) Times Square by Day
Maybe I could get a job here...
Vicky and I (Where I text her from as soon as I arrived last time)
Public Library - The Day After Tomorrow
Grand Central Terminal
Chrysler Building - The is a good Starbucks at across the road. But some lady did spend 20 Min's in the "restroom" and I was burstin...
All Cheesy for the UN
Propping up a United Nations Gift. IF at first you don't succeed, add more force...
From here we wandered round The Mid East Side of Manhattan. Went past the Citicorp building, and went in Bloomingdale's (which did my head in cos it was hot and heaving!) We then walked down 5th Ave, wandered past some shops, and went to Rockefeller, where we saw the famous Christmas Tree. I would like to saw ours at home is better, but this is huge. Massive in fact.
By this time is was going dark. We headed back to the hotel to offload bags and decided to embark on the Empire State Building.
My mind was however else where...
I Got got down on one knee and asked Vicky to Marry Me. She said Yes!!!! This is straight after...
We celebrated by having a Chinese Takeaway!!
The best day of my life to date.
Sunday 30 - Downtown Ground Zero currently being dug out for the Freedom Centre
Cookie...
Starbucks...
Statue of Liberty
Staten Island Ferry
Statue of Libety a tad closer
Check out the size of the shackle on the Anchor (Pier 17!)
Walking over Brooklyn Bridge
The building in the background where we where last night
Brooklyn Bridge / Downtown By Night
Brooklyn
Monday 31 - New Years Eve Columbus Circle
Central Park
On Vickys Bridge (The picture at the top of our stairs)
Getting arty
The Rockefella Tree (It's the camera thats wonky!)
Times Square with no traffic!
4pm and people waiting for New Years (Heaving)
A dead person under the bed!
Our spot for New Years - Just before 8pm
Its Cold!
Mamma Mia it's cold!!
The New Years Countdown -> You will need to turn your head on its side!
Tuesday 1 - New Years Day A statue growing from my head
Back towards downtown NYC from Liberty Island
Empire State Building - On our way into Macy's.
Hard Rock Cafe
Wednesday 2 - Home Time We plodded round NYC on our last day. Did some last things including the NBC tour. Then flew home on the evening. Boooo! I got proper depressed in the airport. What a mint city. What an ace holiday it has been!
