Bell-Xbox-1

Despite feeling a bit low and rather stretched at work I do have a big bright blue light on the runway of the past two weeks.

On Saturday night, just gone, Bellx1 were due to play in Paradiso. Tickets were €12.50 and sold out by the time I got my ass in gear (story of my life). I was gutted as I really wanted to see them, and I love Paradiso so it was a double whammy to me.

Only one thing for it… 6.30pm saw me standing outside Paradiso hoping to catch the eye of someone with an extra ticket. By 7.30pm I had almost given up hope, but I had noticed a handsome man walking towards me….. hmmm…. “what are you doing here” he said leaning in with a grin.

It was the lovely Xbox and after our almost/nearly/neverdid meeting in Cork Airport after the bloggies I was glad he came to say hi!  Unfortunately he didn’t have a spare ticket either so after a quick chat and a prompt to go back up to the door and ask again he was gone.  Well that was that, my resolve was made, I wasn’t going to miss a night at Bellx1 in Paradiso with one of my favourite  bloggers. Up I marched to the door again, the ticket booth was empty of punters as the gigs were all just about to start.

The conversation went a bit like this:

Me: Any chance of a ticket for Bellx1? Have there been any cancellations or sell backs?

Ticket Lady: No… sorry its totally sold out.

M: *sigh* ok, I really wanted to see them but I guess I’m out of luck.

TL: Is is just you, or are you with friends?

M: No I’m on my own, but I’m ok in the city, thanks for asking.

TL:  No I mean, do you just need one ticket?

M: Eh.. yeah… just one, just for me… I’m on my own (I’m babbling at this point)

TL:  Ok ask that man over there (points to burly doorman who previously growled at me) to come talk to me.

M: Ok… (runs to door man) Eh that lady in the ticket-box wants to speak to you

He ambles over to the ticket box and then turns on his heel and grabs me by the shoulder  I pretty much think I’m going to hit the pavement for harassment or just being weird.

He ushers me inside the door and says… “gig is upstairs, enjoy!”

Wow, I literally did a little dance in the lobby of the Paradiso, the lovely lovely ticket lady came out and said “Run its about to start” I asked her if I could pay her for the ticket and she said no, she had a guest pass and it was not going to be used so I should have it!

Anyway, I legged it up the stairs and met Xbox at the bar. I went to join his gang and we watched a great set by Bellx1.

Highlights were Bad Skin Day, Rocky Took a Lover, Eve the apple of my eye, and Ribs of a Broken umbrella. They also did Flame and Blue lights on the runway and a fair few others I cant remember now.  It was 2 hours of music and I loved every minute. Seemingly its their first sell out gig in Amsterdam, and I hope they come back soon so we can give them another sell out audience. They were excellent. I’m just annoyed I didn’t pluck up the courage earlier to ask the ticket lady (and not the doorman who growled at me) so I could have caught Duke Special’s set. They played upstairs in the small room, which is really intimate and I was feet from the stage.

Thing was, I had spent the day shopping for my nemesis… frickin wedding shoes (or just shoes to normal 30yr old women) I only wear winter boots, trainers or converse (for smart occasions) so as I’m off to a wedding at the end of the month, I needed to buy wedding shoes. More anon

But lets just say I hadn’t had time to eat all day as I was on my shopping mission impossible. I went straight to Paradiso and then gig (plus beers) From there I went out with Xbox and his lovely wife Elaine who has the most beautiful smile ever; her whole face lights up, she rocks. (not hitting on your wife Martin – promise) and their mates. Yep I was not the best for ware as I cycled home at quarter to three on Sunday morning….

My left hand, wrist, elbow, inside leg, Right wrist, knee, ankle will all attest to the fact that drunken cycling isn’t the smartest thing I’ve done. Several beers and one sharp turn too many saw the road quite literally (to me anyway) rise up to meet me from a sharp bend off the Prinsengracht, and I went from sitting on my bike to lying face down on the pavement.

Oh well… hope the bruises and scabs heal up in time for the wedding or the sophisticated look I was going for might be impaired, it might just be a bad skin day.

Ps If you havent already bought Blue Lights on the Runway please do. Its a fantastic album