Alrighty then!
I have let this go for far too long, giving in to my evil "do nothing" side.
Thinking I have nothing to say, is just plain wrong, inevitably the act of writing will lead to words spilling out of my sub-concious. Plus, I have much to draw on considering my prolonged abscene from this blog.
Christmas happened, a welcome break from work and a chance to see my family and catch up with friends - all very good fun. Highlights included giving my parents their presents, turning my mind into ectoplasmic soup at a mates house(!), Star Christmas dinner, and lunch at The Oxford Retreat with some of the loveliest people a person could ever wish to know, a lunch which lasted at least 8 hours, well the eating bit was over after the first hour or so, the drinking bit continued on into the night. Excellent fun, me and Jimmy were last men standing I believe.
2008: we careered headlong into the new year, hurtling towards my 40th birthday aka. "the birthday that cannot be named".
The original plan was to have a gig!! However this was proving to be tricky. Trying to pin bands down to do an impromtu set isn't easy especially when they have other commitments that pay money. So plan B was to have DJ's!
This was a far far better idea, it negated all the logistic problems, allowed everyone involved to do their bit and then carry on partying, I didn't need to employ a sound man, so cheaper for me too. It also gave the evening a wider music range so something there for everyone, yaay!
I don't really put parties on but this was an occasion I needed to mark, after all I have got this old and not had a wedding so I felt I deserved a big blow out with lots of friends.
Invites were done via myspace and facebook, plus some phone calls and word of mouth, this avoided the need for printing and posting invites and so fitted in with my lo-cost minimal paper ethos. Due to my bad organisation I was sure I had forgotten people and was also fearing that no one would turn up but I am sure these are normal party fears.
I had secured the use of the upstairs of the Jericho Tavern as the venue, on a Saturday night no less thanks to Autumn. DJ's were booked and confirmed. I braced myself for the night, that sounds a tad paranoid but I was really nervous about it. I asked my old mate Dougie to give me a hand and provide some CD decks, he dropped by on the saturday afternoon to give me a hand and I would have been lost without him, his experience with such things was invaluable and I can't thank him enough for all his help. He sorted out the sound as best as was possible, which more than adequate for the occasion with the proviso that "no one turns it up too much".
I doubt he will read this but I am indebted to you Douglas James.
And so all set up - we were ready to rock. I went home changed and showered, and returned to the venue. I even had time to have some dinner at the Jericho, what with them being a bit of a gastro outfit.
The evening went off better than I could have hoped for: people turned up in their droves, I didn't count but I would estimate at about 70 - 80 maybe more (yeh right)! so many friendly faces everywhere I went.
The DJ's were nothing short of brilliant. Heres the line up.
8 - 8.50 Jimmy, PC, Walter (2 foals and a viking)
8.50 - 9.20 Ollie and Thomas YK
9.20 - 10.20 Ady VacPop
10.20 - 11.10 Darryl
11.10 - 12.10 Micheal Barry ARF
PC Rae kicked it all off (by arriving with a headphone adapter when one was essential and impossible to find), he led his co-horts Jimmy and Walter through a set of the finest current tunes, as well as not so recent monster tunes.
Ollie and Thomas, smashed it up, my personal highlight was them going from "Warm leatherette" The Normal into "I could be so good for you" the theme from Minder!! Stunning.
Ady was throwing down the classics as he threatened to do, nice work my friend.
Darryl my old mate filled the place with disco house which actually got me on the dance floor!!
Micheal rounded the night off with his brand of indie dancefloor grooves from the top smash club night he runs called Abort Retry Fail, a great job well done - loved it.
Pretty much something there for everyone.
I got some great gifts too!! I'm not really used to getting presents so I was blown away by this.
Including an "old man/duffer" kit from Abby, hee hee, very funny.
I managed to stay standing all night, despite being bought drinks left, right and centre, had to dodge a couple as I was already drinking 3 drinks at a time.
It was amazing, even to the point of being almost dreamlike, so many friends all wishing me well, and they were all having a great night, (I think. :))
Happy birthday was led by Hannah Connely aka thebirthdaygirl - I was so stoked!
I only had the Jericho til 12, which seemed early but as it turned out was probably the perfect time, leave it on a high, best policy I reckon. The party however was continued at the HiLo Jamaican on Cowley Road, Aidan Larkin (the Rum & Bass king of Oxford) was spinning reggae and ska to a packed house and we joined in the madness with rum and red stripe - Oh Yes.
Then back to normal. well the glow of bonhomie, does continue and my memories are with me always.
