Monday, October 29, 2018

Seeing Jack White in Edinburgh

flic.kr/p/Q9mzFU This was the first time we'd been to Edinburg in a while. Our objective (well, mainly my lifetime objective) -- to see Jack White in the flesh! So we dropped off Daisy at doggie daycare, jumped on a train, and headed north last Sunday. Our hotel was located in Grassmarket for easy walking from the station and Usher Hall. That meant we had plenty of pubs and the castle to view from our room. It's too bad our trip was short because we could have spent a load more time looking around (I still haven't been to the Writer's Museum I don't think) but we walked up to the castle, had some pub grub, explored some Harry Potter shops and a museum on what was the inspiration for Diagon Alley. There are a ton of Americans there, let me assure you. Then we headed to Usher Hall. This was the first time we'd been to a gig that didn't allow phones. They asked if you had one when you went in and then gave you a little green sock thing that locked. On the way out, someone was there to systematically pop locks as you walked out. Pretty straight forward except a lot of people didn't get theirs locked up. Now, to be fair, I didn't see those people using their phones during the show (I figure Jack would scorn and shout at anyone who tried) so it wasn't a horrible experience at all. It was just weird not knowing what time it was. I could have worn my watch, I suppose, but I didn't risk it in case those needed locking up too. Too much faff when I could easily leave everything locked in the safe at the hotel. Now I've tried to remember all of the songs he did and all I can say was, it was a pleasant mixed bag. White Stripes songs, Dead Weather (this he played with the opening band who were local Newcastle lads), some Raconteurs and, of course, his new solo stuff. And he played Beck's "Devil's Haircut" which was cool. Steve said he had never seen anyone get a crowd so worked up and after an hour or show and an hour encore, I knew what he was going to end with. Seven Nation Army. I mean, come on! That was so amazing! Afterwards we were pleased and happy with money well spent and fully entertained. Steve isn't a huge fan but he really liked the show, so I was pleased by that as well. Before heading back to the hotel we had a nightcap at a Tiki Bar and I had a Taste the Rainbow which was Skittles Vodka and strawberry flavours. When we got back, I took my shower, said "goodnight" to the castle, and crashed. I had to take a Monday off work just to travel home early in the morning, but it was so worth it. Jack White promised he'd be back to Edinburgh, so I'll count on going back myself. My mother said she saw him on TV watching the World Series in Boston, so he must have hopped on the tram first thing to get to the airport in time. Bless.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

Recovering from a holiday

Happy sunrise

I don't know how else to explain my crappy mood -- I'm just recovering from my holiday.

We left on the 17th of September and went to Disney the first week. We were Jack and Sally for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and we had to turn back early from the gorilla exhibit at Animal Kingdom due to lightning in the area. We had dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse in EPCOT which was super fun and I can’t recommend it enough. After dinner, funny enough, we came across a concert and saw Living Color play live. (Yes, we got to hear “Cult of Personality.”) Steve shook the guitar player’s hand, we said hello to the singer, and all and all we had the best anniversary so far.

The first weekend was our Bahamas trip. We took my parents who had hemmed and hawed about this for ages, but went and enjoyed themselves as we knew they would. They got to try out their shiny new passports, and Dad took photos of Nassau as we came into port. We all hung out in a cabana on Coco Cay and the weather didn’t let us down the entire time. (Plus, the ship only swayed a bit in the night, which I was supremely thankful for.)

But after all of the fun in the sun, and the visiting my friends and family, and the staying up late to eat pizza and watch good TV had to end, and I was just sad. I went to work on Wednesday after we flew in on Tuesday and since then I’d been just plain blah.

Yesterday I got my flu jab and today was my day off and only the second day I’ve spent alone in the new house. I finished up Season Six of OITNB and then just napped. I spent all day feeling super sorry for myself because I’m back in jolly old England where it’s 40 degrees Fahrenheit and just ugh! Why me?

But finally I knew I had to pull myself out of it because I started my MSc computer course again this week and I have a blank bullet journal and a new Happy Planner that needs my attention. Also, I’m trying to read Girl, Wash Your Face since it’s been talked about and recommended online a lot lately.

Other than that, it’s just back to being me in Pick Manor. Steve is good, Daisy is scheduled for her surgery on the 1st of December (which irritates me because I had tickets to see A Christmas Carol at Newcastle Uni’s Northern Stage that night) and Jake may be getting a new sister. There’s an elderly cat who’s in need of a retirement home, so she may be coming to live with us now. The more the merrier, I guess, yeah? Wish us luck!