Well the Concert Band ball was last Saturday and first of all I have to say it was one of the best nights out I've had in ages. I checked into the hotel about 2 and then we immediately headed out to a bar to watch the cup final.
Originally thinking that playing West Ham would be a walkover was a mistake as they played a fantastic match which went to extra time (issues for rehearsals) and penalties but Liverpool won (get in!) which to be honest is the main thing.
Getting back and sound checking and then getting ready all kind of went past in a haze and before you knew it, everyone else was showing up and we were getting ready to play. The set went really well, quickly followed by dinner and then the speeches and a new rousing arrangement of happy birthday which Jamez had arranged last minute, as per ;)
Time swiftly moved past and before we knew it the bar was closing and we were looking for a new place to move onto. Eventually collapsing into bed around half 2 was a blessing after a great night with great friends.
Unfortunately the last few days at work have been fairly long as we try to complete everything before the deadline but it should all be worth it, especially as our manager has agreed to get the drinks in when we head to the pub on Friday, result :D
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
Large Update
Check back it's been nearly a month since I updated so here's a hopefully comprehensive rundown of what's been going on. (In sections too, check me out)
Work
Things continue with a much of a muchness. There's plenty to be done, and hopefully just enough time to do it, but the work is still challenging (very in places) which is the important bit at the moment, I don't want to end up doing the same thing over and over again so it becomes mundane, gotta keep it interesting.
Band
Well we're back rehearsing after the Easter break, and the line up for the summer concerts is looking good. Bohemian Rhapsody is back in there again, with the fantastic tenor solos which I aim to really nail this year, obviously along with all the other pieces we'll be playing.
I did manage to go and get a new saxophone and after nearly an hour playing some very very nice instruments I went with the Yamaha (pictured below) which seemed to suit my style of playing and the type of playing I'm doing at the moment, and will probably carry on doing.
Speaking of playing, with the Summer Ball on Saturday the jazz band have reformed with it's 5th line up to provide some early evening entertainment for the masses. Last year's was really good fun to do, and hopefully this years will be even better. Just need to find the right level of liquid stimulation to induce the best improv possible ;)
O&S
With August fast looming and the need for the group to run independantly things are moving along fairly well. The structures appear to be falling into place for everyone to help out and keep things running and growing. I've got the role of chair of this new group, albeit temporarily until January when we should have more of the things we need in place.
It's looking to be quite a challenge running all these things, but hopefully the experiences I've already picked up from things like Concert Band will stand me in good stead, plus I've got a fantastic group of people to work with so that's got to be a bonus.
Sport
Finally a fairly unobvious section for those who know just how sporty (or not) I am but I think I can justify it.
The Ultimate club has moved the practices outside for the forseeable future (trying to encourage the summer) which means that there's a lot more running around to be done. The first one was last week, and was very enjoyable. Now I just need to sort out the throws again to cope with the wind, and cutting into the now acres of space there appears to be everywhere.
Secondly the concert band are now doing sports on the common of a weekend. The first was during the bank holiday weekend, which was felt for the next couple of days as every muscle complained bitterly about being used for something active. But we did the same mix of football, rounders and chucking the disc about yesterday, and things did seem a lot easier this morning. Plus I think certain aspects of the games we were playing had improved and I was definitely running about a bit more.
---
Well there we go, hopefully a fairly comprehensive roundup of the last few weeks. Likely to be more of the same over the next few weeks, but I really will get round to doing some decorating this summer, most likely the lounge, and sorting out the garden a bit more as it'd be nice to have at least one bbq this summer.
Work
Things continue with a much of a muchness. There's plenty to be done, and hopefully just enough time to do it, but the work is still challenging (very in places) which is the important bit at the moment, I don't want to end up doing the same thing over and over again so it becomes mundane, gotta keep it interesting.
Band
Well we're back rehearsing after the Easter break, and the line up for the summer concerts is looking good. Bohemian Rhapsody is back in there again, with the fantastic tenor solos which I aim to really nail this year, obviously along with all the other pieces we'll be playing.
I did manage to go and get a new saxophone and after nearly an hour playing some very very nice instruments I went with the Yamaha (pictured below) which seemed to suit my style of playing and the type of playing I'm doing at the moment, and will probably carry on doing.
Speaking of playing, with the Summer Ball on Saturday the jazz band have reformed with it's 5th line up to provide some early evening entertainment for the masses. Last year's was really good fun to do, and hopefully this years will be even better. Just need to find the right level of liquid stimulation to induce the best improv possible ;)
O&S
With August fast looming and the need for the group to run independantly things are moving along fairly well. The structures appear to be falling into place for everyone to help out and keep things running and growing. I've got the role of chair of this new group, albeit temporarily until January when we should have more of the things we need in place.
It's looking to be quite a challenge running all these things, but hopefully the experiences I've already picked up from things like Concert Band will stand me in good stead, plus I've got a fantastic group of people to work with so that's got to be a bonus.
Sport
Finally a fairly unobvious section for those who know just how sporty (or not) I am but I think I can justify it.
The Ultimate club has moved the practices outside for the forseeable future (trying to encourage the summer) which means that there's a lot more running around to be done. The first one was last week, and was very enjoyable. Now I just need to sort out the throws again to cope with the wind, and cutting into the now acres of space there appears to be everywhere.
Secondly the concert band are now doing sports on the common of a weekend. The first was during the bank holiday weekend, which was felt for the next couple of days as every muscle complained bitterly about being used for something active. But we did the same mix of football, rounders and chucking the disc about yesterday, and things did seem a lot easier this morning. Plus I think certain aspects of the games we were playing had improved and I was definitely running about a bit more.
---
Well there we go, hopefully a fairly comprehensive roundup of the last few weeks. Likely to be more of the same over the next few weeks, but I really will get round to doing some decorating this summer, most likely the lounge, and sorting out the garden a bit more as it'd be nice to have at least one bbq this summer.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Shopping and DIY
OK, so I've been telling people over the last couple of days my exciting news about getting a new saxophone, and I was all prepared to go up to Dawkes and try out and bring back a shiny new one. There just came the slight snag of getting the money out of my savings and ready to be used, I log on to my 'online' account and initiate the transfer which disappears straight away, but to where, it's not in my current account, and apparently won't be there until after Easter. So why does it take three working days to electronically transfer some money. Who know's but it does mean that the journey if postponed until next weekend :(
But this does give me some time to spruce up the house a bit and possibly sort out the garden over the long weekend. This will reaquaint me with the glorious orange receipts of B&Q but that not necessarily a problem.
On the plus side the prints I bought in Reims are now framed and hung (not too badly for a first attempt) so there's a bit more interest in the hallway. However the coat hooks appear to be pulling a massive amount of plaster out of the wall, so they may be moving slightly earlier than expected but this will at least remove coats from over the thermostat.
But this does give me some time to spruce up the house a bit and possibly sort out the garden over the long weekend. This will reaquaint me with the glorious orange receipts of B&Q but that not necessarily a problem.
On the plus side the prints I bought in Reims are now framed and hung (not too badly for a first attempt) so there's a bit more interest in the hallway. However the coat hooks appear to be pulling a massive amount of plaster out of the wall, so they may be moving slightly earlier than expected but this will at least remove coats from over the thermostat.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Back, and recovered?
Well tour was awesome, the photos are all up on my flickr site so you can check out some of the great shenanigans as I caught them on film.
Highlights of the week have to include
Never mind, the break was well worth it, and I can't wait for next years excursion.
Highlights of the week have to include
- Touring round Moet & Chandon, learning quite a lot about champagne and then getting a couple of free samples.
- New food, trying mussels for the first time (will try again), and in a more French style, Snails(!) or Escargot if you want to be posh. Quite a lot like mussels once you've hooked them out of the shell.
- Three great concerts, two which in churches with very challenging acoustics, but which we admirably coped with and made a significant difference to some of the pieces.
- Most importantly, getting to know all the new people in the band and everyone hanging out during the evenings in the local bars.
Never mind, the break was well worth it, and I can't wait for next years excursion.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Off on tour
After a hectic few weeks ensuring that everything would be done at work in time to meet the deadlines it's finally time to go off on tour with the band again.
This years tours to Reims should be fantastic, plus we have the advantage of being guided round Moet & Chandon champagne house as well as all the traditional meals in local restaurants and rearranging the local pubs to suit our seating arrangements better.
There will no doubt be a longer post once we're back and I've suitable recovered. But until then we're off for some fun and games :)
This years tours to Reims should be fantastic, plus we have the advantage of being guided round Moet & Chandon champagne house as well as all the traditional meals in local restaurants and rearranging the local pubs to suit our seating arrangements better.
There will no doubt be a longer post once we're back and I've suitable recovered. But until then we're off for some fun and games :)
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