Cirque du Soleil

Last night, John and I went to the Royal Albert Hall to see the show 'Alegria' by the Cirque du Soleil, which was one of the Christmas presents I'd arranged for John. The night didn't start well when we arrived at Shoeburyness station to find that no trains were running from there and we had to get to Southend Central. It turns out that engineering work was being carried out. Getting to the other station wasn't easy with one road being closed off and then having to find our way through the one way system. Once there, we found we'd missed the train and had to wait 25 minutes for the next one, and we began to worry that we wouldn't make it to the show on time. We pulled into Fenchurch St and I was busting to go to the loo but instead of going into the station as I wanted, John urged me down the stairs and out towards Tower Hill underground, saying there was a loo there. I said there wasn't but do men listen? We ended up going all the way back to Fenchurch St! We eventually got onto the tube and after a 10 minute walk from South Kensington, arrived at the venue with 10 minutes to spare. We were rewarded with smashing seats right at the top of the theatre in the front row which allowed us to lean forward over the edge and it was a brilliant view.We'd already seen La Nouba in Florida a few years earlier which was a mix of acrobats & clowns and this show was the same concept. Acts included high trapeze, a man balancing on one hand in all sorts of positions, a girl spinning hoops all over her body in different positions, acrobats doing somersaults on a bendy piece of wood about 4 inches wide, acrobats performing routines on a giant cross shaped trampoline which was built into the floor, and 2 young Chinese girls contorting their bodies into unbelievable positions - I had to look away quite a few times because it made me feel quite nauseous. In between most acts, you have the clowns which are vastly different to clowns you see in English circuses and are very funny indeed without the need for lots of props. You had to be there but the part with the very large paper plane was hilarious.Couldn't believe the huge markup on the prices of drinks inside the hall - a small can of Schweppes lemonade (like the ones you get on planes) and a can of Carling lager came to a whopping £4.30!!!! I think that's out of order and the law should change so that places like that can't charge extortionate amounts for food & drink.We didn't get home until 12:15 and poor John had to be up for work at 5:15 - I wonder how knackered he's feeling at this moment.

Am I Bovvered?!

Well yes I am actually, contrary to Catherine Tate's character Lauren! Today is the 4th round of the FA Cup & my beloved Spurs aren't in it :-( having been knocked out by Leicester in the 3rd round in the last minute of injury time. I guess they didn't fancy winning a trophy this year (like most years)! Going out of the Carling Cup a few months ago to mere mortals Grimsby was bad enough. Thank heaven we're not doing bad in the league, albeit on a bit of a slump at the moment. Here's hoping they can finish in the top 6 to ensure a place in Europe next season. Alice if you're reading this, you probably feel like you've been heavily sedated or even fallen into a coma!!! (sorry)! Above is a pic of me at my home away from home-White Hart Lane. I'll be there next Sunday for the game against Charlton.

Addictive Viewing

Celebrity Big Brother. Yes you can tell I'm bored out of my brain by talking about a silly TV show! Silly it may be, but it's been compelling & tonight is the finale. I'm hoping that Chantelle or Preston win it. I blame my mate Al for all this - I hated the show at first but she kept on & on about it till I finally gave in & started watching half way through the third one-the one with Alex complaining about peeing in the shower & dressing sexily behind the door to 'That's the way I like it' (ah ha ah ha). Now I'm hooked forever!! I also hold Al fully responsible for Most Haunted, Friends, Ebay, starting a blog & those chocolate dessert thingys-the name of which escapes me. Thankfully, we both got sick of the latter. I've been trying for years to pay back the compliment but Al won't entertain getting a cat or watching football. I'll have to try a Paul McKenna technique on her - maybe I'll get better results! I think I'm just rambling now so I'll be off! Hehe!

Update! Chantelle (the non celeb) has won. Good on her! She deserved it as she stayed calm throughout, nothing seemed to faze her and all in all seems a nice person.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Has the sun gone into hibernation?! Gawd! It's so miserable outside & so cold. This is why I'm writing in a warm colour today! I'm kinda glad I'm stuck indoors on days like this but that doesn't stop the utter boredom from being signed off work with sciatica. I'm awaiting referral to the hospital for physio therapy despite telling my GP that I've already had private physio which didn't work! I had to wait 7 weeks for my xray results due to a bodge-up by the hospital & at the end of it, nothing showed up anyway. Bloody NHS! They should've known to begin with that sciatica is a nerve problem & an xray wouldn't have helped. I've come to the conclusion that I will have to help myself & I've found a good website based in the U.S. I've downloaded a book which basically shows you how to rebuild your back. I've started the recommended exercises but it could be a long process before I'm better again going by the comments other sufferers have left on the messageboard. Ho hum! This is just the worst time of year to be off work :-(
Still, on the plus side, I've definitely improved my letters game on Countdown!!!

A Celtic Dream

Last Saturday evening I went to see the show Lord of the Dance at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend. Not many people will know this about me but I absolutely love Irish dancing & Celtic music. I am transfixed with the dancers' feet and completely mesmorised with the timing & formations. I don't know why but I always get emotional when I watch it. ??? Of course, my idol Michael Flately is long gone from this show and it can never be as good without him. I watched the dvd again today and God that man is sexy! Not particularly good looking - in fact not really my type at all, but Michael has such a huge presence; he owns the stage. What a fantastic show!
I really wanted to see his new show Celtic Tiger this year but seems all of the venues are sold out. Not surprising really-the man is a genius.

Blog virgin - beware!

Well, here I am, blogging for the very first time! A good friend suggested it as she has recently started one herself. I have been off work with sciatica since 24 October & have come to the end of my tether so a new interest is very welcome. I have little clue what I am doing at the moment, & finding my way around the blog & adding stuff is proving a bit baffling - I'm not the brightest of sparks when it comes to technical wotnot but I'm sure it'll all become clear in a few years!!

Now for the fun bit - pressing a button & hoping this appears somewhere!!!!?????