Or a ‘Spice Girls’ depending on how this works out…
It’s been a long time since I last posted. I could blame university business or having nothing to blog about, but that would be bollocks on both counts as (a) I’m at university, and (b) I’m at university =) Fact is, a single-sentence status on Facebook is far easier than writing a fully-formed account of what I’ve been up to.
So, what have I been up to since I last posted? Gimme a sec to check exactly when that was, and I’ll let you know…
Blimey…!
Well, for starters, there was an entire year of university in there. My second of three to be precise. It went well enough and I’m currently headed for a 2:1, which is none-too-shabby. I’d like to think my writing’s come a long way since I began the course, but as it has been primarily focussed on the short-story form, I’ve often found it a struggle. I like the time lent to me by the novel to develop my characters, set-up and execute elaborate and (I hope) interesting and exciting situations and plot lines, and weave a grand tale over several chapters…or volumes… Fortunately, the third year features a novel-writing module that I’m particularly looking forward to.
Also, the first draft of my dissitation is practically done. Bonus!
Then end of the academic year brought with it Glastonbury! For years I’ve dreamed of going, and following Blur’s triumphant reunion set in ’09, I determined to make it happen. And happen it did!
First the bad: A event famous for its rain and mud, we instead had nothing but clear skies and blistering sun, resulting in me spending a couple of days suffering from sun-stroke.
But, the good: Any weariness, sunburn or general lethargy was forgotten with every set we saw. Opening with the legend that is Rolf Harris (yes, I thought that an odd way to kick off 40th anniversary celebrations too), we didn’t see a bad set the whole weekend. U2 were supposed to have played the Friday, but Bono threw his back out and Gorillaz took over the spot (to chargrin of many attendees), but we avoided that set and instead listened to the great Flaming Lips from the comfort of our tent. The other two headliners, however, we did see and we did enjoy. How could we not when they were Muse (featuring a special appearance by U2′s The Edge) and Mr. Stevie Wonder?
But, despite those two monumental headliners, my personal highlight of the event was Mumford & Sons. Being relatively new, I think it was the biggest gig they’d played to that point, and it showed. They looked terrified. Then, midway through Sigh No More, the whole tent errupted and they threw themselves into a stunning set that couldn’t even be beat by the two headlining legends.
Other acts of note were Biffy Clyro, Paloma Faith, Adrian Edmonson and the Bad Seeds, Sea-Sick Steve and Slash, who was accompanied by a singer who not only ably filled the shoes of Axl Rose, but pulled off a perfomance that would make the now bloated shrieker hang himself with his own ill-advised dreadlocks.
Quick side-note: caught some of “Guns’n'Roses” Reading set last week. Rose had had to hire two guitarists to fill in for Slash who, combined, weren’t up to the task, and Rose himself sounded terrible. Kinda depressing really, but also a tad funny.
Elsewhere, little has changed. I’m still writing, still playing World of Warcraft (geek!), still single, still in need of some regular gym attendence, not to mention a job, and still watching my DVD collection expand beyond the imaginings of a Bollywood studio.
However, the coming year is looking to be an interesting one…
Hopefully, this time, I can remain disciplined enough to keep you up to date.
Anyway, how are you?
We then hit the town, danced a little, drank much and ended up in a B&B (which we neglected to check into). With four of us and only two beds, I happily opted for the wooden floor, with only a pillow for comfort. Thanks to copious amounts of alcohol, I slept rather well and was feeling good the next morning, partially thanks to a cup of tea and a McDonald’s breakfast.
Bebbet