And there you were thinking i'd forgotten about this site...
mood: unstable
So, it's been a day or two since my last message. I really don't have much to say. 7th of June i went on the BruceAir trip to Iceland. It was a damn early wake up, which i barely did about 8 minutes before my taxi arrived on the doorstep. I can now confirm that it is posible to get up, showered, and dressed in 8 minutes. Then i had to shoot downstairs and let the taxi driver know i was there and to wiat for a couple of minutes while i quickly packed my bag for the trip. Nothing like a little last minute work to get the old blood pumping! Taxi to station, train to airport (and boy was this train slow). I finally got the the airport and made my way to the other terminal for check in. I wasn't the first, but i certainly wasn't the last. So i got myself a pretty good seat. Breakfast consisted of beer and bacon, traditional early morning airport fare before a gig. Flight was excellent. Bruce is still IMO one of, if not the best pilot i have ever flown with. I'm not just saying that because i'm a Maiden fan either. I've flown about a bit in recent years and he is very smooth with the control. I know he doesn't do it all alone, he has John with him to make up the cockpit team (must say hello next time John). Anyway, got to Iceland eventually, all pumped up after watching Rock in Rio on the flight, and getting stuff signed by Bruce and Nicko. Took the coach trip for the Blue Lagoon ( www.bluelagoon.com ) lovely place. Geothermal spar. There was a sulphurous smell as we arrived, but it wasn't so noticable when we got into the pool. Hiring a swimming costume from them was a little hassle. I'm not exactly the smallest of blokes! Anyway, an hour or so in the warm water was nice. It's suppose to take 20 year off you! I can't say i felt younger. In fact i felt damn tired afterwards, as it was like taking a bubble bath at home, and they always put me to sleep. After the blue lagoon we had a very short stop in the capital for food. Literally for about 20 minutes. Just enough time for a hotdog (or 3) to keep me going. Then onto the gig. We got a special flight 666 wristband for getting into the gig, and we were let in first via the side door. I made a beeline for the front, and then spent the next four hours wishing i hadn't worn my bloody great big woolen trenchcoat, and i was baking. I know most people think that the coat is actually part of my skin as they never see me without it, but it does come off. Anyway, as soon as they let the regular people into the gig the crush began. I can honestly say it was one of the worst cruches i have been in. Not many of the original line up from front and cente survied the whole gig. I think there was only me and one other by the end. Loads of people had to be pulled out from the crowd, and that was just during the warm up act! It was worse when Maiden started. Warm up were a band called Nevolution or some such, they weren't really my thing. The two songs i didn't mind were the covers they did of metallica's Blackened and the song I like big butts. That last one was not quite expected. When Maiden finally came on they played and absolute blinder! It was great to hear some of the older less played songs. I'm not going to go into too much detail as i don't want to spoil the show for others, but they have some of the old fav's as well as songs they haven't played for years. It was definately well worth the trip. By the time the show finished i was soaked through in sweat and water. Not the most pleasant experience i can tell you. Coach trip bakc to the airport couldn't have ended quick enough for me, then it was just through customs and into the toilets for a complete change of clothes!! Flight back was another relaxing one. They put on the wickerman to watch, but i pretty much slept right up until the meal was passed in front of my face. Bruce did another photo and autograph session then landed the plane for us. I dunno how he does it, as i was very tired by this point, but that man has an endless supply of energy. Trin home again from the airport was uneventful, probably as i spent most of it fast asleep.
It was back to work for me on the 9th and 10th. Was pretty much the usual routine. It was a pretyt relaxing weekend, shame i was ill ove rit, and the first two days of the next week. God damn cold i caught in iceland, combined with the exceptionally high pollen count practically killed me. God i havent't coughed up like that for years. back to work on the wednesday, then i had the rest of the week off due to a late night motorhead show at the hammersmith apollo. Well, no don't get me wrong, motorhead are a good band, but they don't really do much for me. I was far more interested in Saxon. Although i was very disappointed when they came on 5 minutes last and had to go off stage 5 minutes early. At least i'm seeing them a few more times later in the year on the uk tour.
Anyway, one more boring week at work after that before another Maiden trip, in Paris this time. had a few friends over at my place the night before due to the stupidly early flight, thanks to rescheduling. Check in was a bit of hassle as some of us could use the machine check in and other couldn't. Although those that used the machine got moved from their chosen seats due the airline displaying the wrong plane seat plan on check in. finally got to Paris, and followed the pretty reasonable, if not quickest route to the hotel supplied by the tour operator. Stopped for a beer and snack at a bar across from the hotel. Beer was again damn expensive, €7.80 for a large glass, and that isn't even equal to a pint. OPne expensive sandwich, and three more expensive beers later we headed to the hotel, where the 'fun' began. It seems that they were rather behind on having rooms ready. Sure, we were early for checking in, but even so, it seemed they had every room available but the twins. I dunno why none of the twins were ready, but it took me over 50 minutes of waiting and constant badgering to get my room. Then i could finally freshen up after the noon heat and the flight. Headed down the the bar to meet with the rest of the guys. We had missed the FC meet up by this point as everything too so bloody long to get sorted. The supply of t-shirts, and pit passes went well though, so we were all sorted for the gig when we finally made it there. We hung about in the bar for an hour or so, by which point we had drunk it dry. Headed off to the local McDonalds for a bite to eat before the metro to the gig. We made the stadium ok, but got sent on a wild goose chase by the secuitry who didn't know where we were meant to go, so by the time we finally got inside, the first support had already started. once inside we just pretty much collapsed for a bit. Didn't want to move, and just sat on the floor slowly drinking may way through loads of water. when Dream Theater started i felt able to make my way to the pit area. I'm glad it wasn't too busy there. I squeezed my way to the front for Maiden. Placed myself in front of janick this time. I find he is always good for a pose or two. The Maiden set was very tight again. They were really enjoying themselves on stage, and it seems that i was rather a camera hog as i was in loads of the screen shots of the crowd. The crowd was very gentle compared to Iceland, and also to the previous paris show in Bercy 2003. I got myself a load of good pic's, all of which are viewable via the gallery link. All in all a good day. alright, the day was pretty crap, and i could barely stand with my knee after the gig, let alone walk. However i did struggle back to the hotel (stopped for a swift beer on the way as i needed to sit down). Next day was a much more gentle pace, sport of brekkie,then off ot the Eiffel Tower, and a walk around the area, with time for posing for photo's, and even time for a nice resturant visit. Then back to the hotel to meet the other and train back to the airport for the flight home.
Well, i'm getting quite close to current time now. Not much has happened in the past week though. i will however have more for next week, after i see Maiden again. In Gothenburg this time, then i have Rammstein the week after that. Damn but the amount of good concerts and festivals is the best thing about summer.
I'm going to sign off now, before i spend all night here adding little bits and bobs i keep remembering i'd forgotten to add.
oozily on 07.03.05 @ 10:55 PM GMT [link] [8 Comments]
