The Book of Sifty

A big one that was meant to be small 5:10AM

Just a quick update today. I've got to get go to the pub soon for a few beers prior to going to a Tricky concert. This should be cool. Although I haven't listened to his new album, he should be good anyway.

Friday started out okay, but ended up extremely lame. I always think its better if nights start out useless then get better, since then you go home on a high, and your expectations are low so things can only improve. Started out at farewell drinks for a workmate of Eric's, I had to cruise through Eric's flat to pick up my stuff and had no door key, luckily just after I'd arrived at his door Sarah walked up. She was coming home to get changed before heading out to the same farewell. Other than her making the mistake of asking me what I thought of her outfit.. (I can't help being honest!) and a bit of delay while she tried on every clean item of clothing she owns, we almost made it to the pub in good time. As we approached the pub Sarah goes 'Shit! I thought this bar was in a different place!, I've messaged my friend telling them it was somewhere else.. they won't be able to meet us'. She didn't have her phone, or the number, so back to Eric's we went. Turning into the street.. 'Oh no you won't believe this Tom..' 'No key huh? Okay back to the pub then'. ""Okay"".

The lame ending to the night was an 'open mic hip-hop night' (even sounds lame). This sucked because a combination of the clientele, the venue, and the serious lack of a phat PA and anybody dancing. That an having to pay '5 to get in! I really should have gone home after the first pub.

Saturday was better. Left Cambridge about 12:30 for Oxford and a much anticipated Radiohead concert. After a two hour drive and some mob navigation techniques in Oxford (i.e. following the droves of people) we were standing with about 40,000 other people in front of a massive stage. My friends Mike and Jane are staying about 10 minutes on the train from Oxford, so I rang them to see if they were keen to go. They caught the train up, walked to the park and discovered that it was sold out, and apparently had been for months. The ticket scalpers current price was '65 each for ticket that cost '27 originally. Mike rang me from the station on his way back. I felt rude that I'd encouraged them to come up, since I've been there and know how bad it is to get so close and be denied.

Still all was saved. About two minutes later Mike rings back and they had scored two tickets for '30 each from some guy at the station. So after a bit of cellphone guided navigation through the crowd they were standing next to us.

Now I've heard quite a bit of Radioheads music, but never owned an album, and I sure as hell haven't listened to any of the new stuff. So I was a little worried about how much I was going to enjoy it. But I thought the support acts of Beck and Supergrass should be worth it alone. In fact Beck played an acoustic set which wasn't really my thing.. (dammit why couldn't he bring his 808?), but Supergrass rocked and despite a little bit of rain so did Radiohead. They played plenty of the classic old tunes that even I knew, and some quite upbeat new stuff.

I was supposed to meet up with Peter, an old client from New Zealand, but it was hard enough finding Jane and Mike, even with a cell phone, in such a massive crowd. So when it started hammering down at the end of the concert I gave up the idea of staying in Oxford and headed back to Cambridge with the lads.

Also of note over the last couple of days. I quit my current job on Friday. After my manager signed my timesheet for the week, I asked if I could have a quick word, she ushers me into her office and goes .. ""So when do you want to leave Tom? are you sure we can't talk you into staying?"".