Sunday, July 30, 2006

Top of the Pops

Today was the end of an era. Today the last episode of Top of the Pops was aired.



My dad watched this show when he was Kenneth's age. I watched it even before I knew what it was - before my parents divorced, even. I can remember excitedly being told it was on (wasn't quite old enough to keep track of the days of the week and know it came on on Thursdays) and dragging all the pots and pans out of the kitchen, along with a few wooden spoons, so I could 'play along.' Then, as I grew up, all summer long I'd rush in excitely on a Thursday night from playing outside on bikes, often with Melissa, Lewis, Alistair, Gavin, and Eugene, to see what this weeks number one was, and watch the singers perform. Oh the excitement. The fun. The countdown, and the final annoucement of who ruled the charts this week. Every summer. For over 14 years.

Every year. For 42 years. Top of the Pops has been the show to get on if you're interested in making fame in the UK. Even the US artists know it. If you're on Top of the Pops, you'll make it. At least with this song. No guarantees about the rest of your career - that's in your hands.

So tonight we sat gathered around the TV to watch the last ever Top of the Pops. Watching highlights of the last 42 years, including lots of the Nintys and (as they called it) Noughties (2000s) that I remember. Spice Girls first hit - Wannabe - brought back memories, as well as Robbie William's first single hit, Let me Entertain you, and all those other people now well known. Britney Spears, Coldplay, Eminem, Destiny's Child, All Saints. And the more recent of course, including the first ever British number 1 from downloads alone, some guy who sings a song called 'Crazy'. He's number one on my Now 64.

And finally, we watched the last ever ToTP top 10. The last number one ever on ToTP was announced. Quite a name to hold, really. It was (AJ will be happy here) Shakira, with Hips Don't Lie.

Birthday Stuff

Hello.
I'm 20 now, and I feel old.
List of presents received:
AJ coming over (received previously) (Dad)
DS Lite (received previously) (Mom)
1ft tall purple feather pen (Alice)
2 grapefruit soaps (Heather)
Cut-Throat Celts book (Kenneth)
Dr Who Season 2 Episode 2 (Libby)
Eagle of the Ninth Book (Liz)
Celtic Knot Earrings (Liz)
Weird Fish Hoodie (Me)
Leather Wallet (Me)
Now 64 (Dad)

And, lastly, Playmobil. Of course.
Yes, Playmobil for my 20th birthday. The pony farm at that.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Goatfell

I am 20 in 4 days. 4 days!
Two decades. I really think it should be celebrated much more than 21. I mean, two decades! That's very significant. Anyway, I could do at 18 anything that I want to do. Except rent a car. But that's like 24 or 25, unless I go work for the govt.

Anyway, I'm on Arran, and climbed Goatfell, the highest point on the island, today. 2654ft or something like that. Anyway, very high, very steep.

My trip with AJ was the best thing ever, ever. It really was. It was so much fun. *sigh*

Got to go now. Send me birthday love for my 20 year-being-alive-anniversary.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Baby Hang

Hello people of non-existance.
AJ and I are in Edinburgh (Eh-din-burr-uh not Eh-din-burg) downstairs of a McDonalds on some weirdo internet cafe thingy. I am typing on a grotty grotty keyboard.

Edinburgh is interesting. I have not been in the city for a very, very long time, and it pretty neat. Lots of old buildings, and a very up-and-down city built over this strange valley. It's very big. AJ and I found a random B&B that's very nice (we weren't planning on spending the night tonight, but decided to) and it has a blue ceiling and a nice bathroom. The man who runs it seems to be Persian and his wife is Scottish.

Yesterday AJ and I travelled to Holy Island. We walked from the A1 just near Beal to the town on Holy Island, carrying our huge-o bags. It took us 2.5 hours. We were exhausted. It was very painful. Our shoulders are still sore. Today we had to walk from the train station to our hotel on Orchard Road, which took over 40 minutes, and started up the shoulder-hurting all over again, though not nearly as bad. Anyway, if anyone wants to figure out how far it is from the A1 at Beal to the middle of the town on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) then I'd be happy to hear your estimate. We are thinking it's about 7 miles.

Lindisfarne is peaceful. Edinburgh is busy. Aberdeen will be a nice home-stake before AJ has to set off, which is super-sad.

England lost to Portugal on penalties. Portugal sucks. England. I am sad. Everybody is sad. Except here in Scotland, where nobody cares. Poopies.

Well, I guess I should publish before this thing cuts me off.

Baby Hang

Hello people of non-existance.
AJ and I are in Edinburgh (Eh-din-burr-uh not Eh-din-burg) downstairs of a McDonalds on some weirdo internet cafe thingy. I am typing on a grotty grotty keyboard.

Edinburgh is interesting. I have not been in the city for a very, very long time, and it pretty neat. Lots of old buildings, and a very up-and-down city built over this strange valley. It's very big. AJ and I found a random B&B that's very nice (we weren't planning on spending the night tonight, but decided to) and it has a blue ceiling and a nice bathroom. The man who runs it seems to be Persian and his wife is Scottish.

Yesterday AJ and I travelled to Holy Island. We walked from the A1 just near Beal to the town on Holy Island, carrying our huge-o bags. It took us 2.5 hours. We were exhausted. It was very painful. Our shoulders are still sore. Today we had to walk from the train station to our hotel on Orchard Road, which took over 40 minutes, and started up the shoulder-hurting all over again, though not nearly as bad. Anyway, if anyone wants to figure out how far it is from the A1 at Beal to the middle of the town on Holy Island (Lindisfarne) then I'd be happy to hear your estimate. We are thinking it's about 7 miles.

Lindisfarne is peaceful. Edinburgh is busy. Aberdeen will be a nice home-stake before AJ has to set off, which is super-sad.

England lost to Portugal on penalties. Portugal sucks. England. I am sad. Everybody is sad. Except here in Scotland, where nobody cares. Poopies.

Well, I guess I should publish before this thing cuts me off.