Well, it would be an understatement to say that a lot has happened since I last posted on here. I’ve moved to London, had so many amazing night outs, trips to the theatre and bought so many nice things it’s hard to know where to start updating you from. So, I’ll start at the beginning.
Due to my uncle becoming unavailable to drive me, and my life, down from Birmingham I had to rely on my Mom to take me and what she could of my life in her little Nissan Micra. The drive wasn’t as bad as I had imagined, she didn’t really shout or get angry, and I got some Krispy Kremes and a large latte from a yummy service station. But then, we hit the M4 (I think) and it started pissing down, and spray kicking off from the HGVs reduced visibility massively and it all felt very tense. Still, we managed to get across the river and to Clapham alive!! I was only to take the basics with me in the car, and couldn’t fit in my TV or many of my books or any of my DVDs, so they shall be coming down in a weeks time (I hope) and then I can REALLY settle in.
Where I’m living is pretty nice, bar a few problems with my room which I hope to be able to iron out in the next couple of months. It’s only a short tube ride or bus trip from central London and close to a handful of people who I know. Clapham also has a pretty decent selection of bars and cafes which makes me happy and poorer. And then there’s Clapham Common, which is pretty big and an ideal spot for a morning walk in the summer I imagine.
On my second night in London I was lucky enough to go to the Barbican to see the 25th Anniversary production of Les Miserables. Just prior to the performance I was fortunate enough to be able to go up to a 28th floor apartment at the centre and the views (and wind) were simply awesome. You could see right into the city and across the river to where Guy’s and the Shard is being built.
The theatre it was in was like a giant spaceship! Doors closing automatically and a ginormous golden safety curtain!! Worth going to the Barbican just to experience it hehe
The show itself was AMAZING!! I won’t go into detail because others have done a far better job of reviewing it than I could ever dream of doing *cough* Gari Davies *cough*. John Owen-Jones was amazing, I actually cried at several points not due to the storyline, but due to how amazing and moving the singing was.
If you EVER get a chance to see this version of it, I really suggest you do so. I think it’s going on a world tour after the 25th anniversary concert at the O2 tonight (which I am watching being streamed to a cinema).
I’ve also been to see Avenue Q at last!!! JUST before it ends its current run in London. I was crying with laughter during that show, it really was worth seeing for all the extra jokes they throw in between songs, and for the crowds reaction. Again, if you have a sense of humour at all you need to see Avenue Q when it tours soon!!
OH, and I HAVE to mention the most amazing thing happened this weekend. I went to meet Gari and he told me that Richard O’Brien, the living legend himself, would be supporting The Frantastics (country/rock music cover band) at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. I jumped at the chance!! Richard via The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has been a major point in my life, especially when I was a teenager. I simply had to see him in person!
Upon entry in the gay bar we were given a band, and a choice of handkerchiefs, Gari chose a dark blue on as it would go with what he was wearing, and I chose a red one because I love the colour red! We didn’t think much of it, even when the drag queen passed comment on my choice, and we went and ordered a drink. Only at that point did we bother to think ‘Wait, we’re in Vauxhall, in a gay club, with handkerchiefs . . . FUCK’. So we googled the handkerchief colour code to find out what our selections meant. Apparently my choice indicates someone who loves fisting. . . well, upon finding this out, I buried the cloth deep in my jeans pocket, just in case.
After The Frantastics had performed their first half of their set, some guy brushed past the back of me on his way into the toilet, Gari looked stunned, I asked him what was wrong, he replied ‘OMFG as if Richard O’Brien just nudged past you’. I was dumb struck for a second, and then woke up hehe I was very excited now =D
After a couple more drinks the Frantastics came back on, and were later joined by Richard, who not only played his harmonica ❤ but also performed the Time Warp!!! Gari and I jumped at the chance of doing the Time Warp with Richard O'Brien so we got our groove on and strutted what we had practised in out bedrooms and in clubs since we were kids 🙂 Richard was apparently looking at us while we were doing it, not sure why hehe You can read more about that night here.
I’ve been meeting up with lots of people socially as well, but I won’t detail every meeting i’ve had. Needless to say, if i’ve met up with you in the past week, I think you’re awesome =D
OH, and I somehow accidentally managed to buy myself an iPad – whoops. It’s freaking awesome, but I’ll do a short review of it soon after I’ve used it at Uni more.
Speaking of Uni, it’s the first day of my PhD tomorrow and I’m really excited – I have really bad skin ATM so I hope that that doesn’t mar the day. But YAAAY!! The start of the next four year of my life. My performance over these years will determine the rest of my life, whether I go into academia, or branch out, or change track totally. Either way I think I’ve firmly established myself in London now, and I’m looking forward to building on what I have and solidifying new friendships, whilst travelling to Manchester and Birmingham to maintain older ones.
I do hope I haven’t bored you with this long post, congratulations on finishing reading it! *gives gold star*
With love from London,
Karl x
Dedicated Nonsense 