Right. OK. Yes. It is now definitely time to write again. I say I've left off a proper blog entry for so long that in theory I should write a short novel, were it not for the fact that I have scant novel writing skills and rather pursue this less exasperating mode of keeping you all up to date.
So, Like I said, the new year. In this year I have already broken a pretty nice record; I have seen, heard and sang to more Beatles than I ever have in all my life. Let me begin where most stories start, the beginning...
As you might well be aware, my mother came over during the holidays. We had a fabulous time exploring the depths and crevices of Liverpools museums, shops and streets (I discovered a whole load of stuff I didn't know about the Pool) and hung out at churches, galleries and sometimes uninhabitable homes a few minutes down the road from my flat. This all out of sheer interest for Liverpools history and to gawk at how a city can have such magnificent cathedrals besides such decrepit slums.
Of course, we also visited the Beatle's Story; the world famous Beatles museum at the Albert Docks. (Technically, this was one or two days before the new year, but we were already celebrating 2008 in spirit) A short summery of the tour; I now know everything to do with the Beatles and I saw John Lennons tinted glasses. Altough I love the band for all they've done for Rock and Roll, and I am very fond of Jude and the Strawberry fields, 10 pounds was a little steep even for a museum full of famous things. But me and mum had a very good time sitting in the Yellow Sub and staring at the fishes. Unlike the clay figurines and wax dolls, they were real.
After many other things that were very exciting and lots of memorable outings that do not belong is this particular story, it was the New Year. Well, no, it was New Years eve and we were bound for the Anglican Cathedral. A hundred year old and may I say Gigantic and rather Magnificent example of a church. Too bad it wasn't build in Medieval times for that would have been even cooler. For this night, the church had prepared a special evening. And although I wasn't too sweeped away with the 'And on the eight day, God created Liverpool' bit that they'd put into a song and dance routine, the gospel choir did their best to get everyone's hands together. But the best thing came a little later. About half an hour before midnight, the 'boss' (I'm so not sure if in the Anglican faith he's called a dean or a chaplain or very possibly something else) told everyone to go outside. With everyone that was a couple of thousand people who'd slowely filled up the church over the hour. Once outside the real party began, the choir was singing songs and after some mighty ding donging by St George's bell they lit the best fireworks I'd seen since Guy Fawkes day (I'd seen none to be honest but still....) and one minute after midnight the whole street outside the cathedral was full of Hey Jude's 'Na na na na na na na' cus the choir had begun singing the Beatles greatest hits. What a way to begin the new year!
Well, mum left shortly after. And I reunited with friend and housmate who were slowly returning home as well. So, continuing the Beatle tour, on a random Thursday after new year's. I and a host of Germans, Austrians, Swiss and the odd Spaniard (seriously, I'll be fluent in German by the end of this year) finally found time to visit the Cavern, arguably the most famous nightclub in the world. The Beatles did over 30 (I think) gigs here and every Thurs a Beatle tribute band preforms part of their oeuvre to an overexcited audience. I'd never really heard about this before, so was taken by complete suprise when four blokes clad in black and white suits and shoes with heels were shouting well known lyrics in their microphones. Save to say after a couple of overpriced ciders we all agreed all you really need is love and ta ta da da da and so on. It was a hoot.
So, Like I said, the new year. In this year I have already broken a pretty nice record; I have seen, heard and sang to more Beatles than I ever have in all my life. Let me begin where most stories start, the beginning...
As you might well be aware, my mother came over during the holidays. We had a fabulous time exploring the depths and crevices of Liverpools museums, shops and streets (I discovered a whole load of stuff I didn't know about the Pool) and hung out at churches, galleries and sometimes uninhabitable homes a few minutes down the road from my flat. This all out of sheer interest for Liverpools history and to gawk at how a city can have such magnificent cathedrals besides such decrepit slums.
Of course, we also visited the Beatle's Story; the world famous Beatles museum at the Albert Docks. (Technically, this was one or two days before the new year, but we were already celebrating 2008 in spirit) A short summery of the tour; I now know everything to do with the Beatles and I saw John Lennons tinted glasses. Altough I love the band for all they've done for Rock and Roll, and I am very fond of Jude and the Strawberry fields, 10 pounds was a little steep even for a museum full of famous things. But me and mum had a very good time sitting in the Yellow Sub and staring at the fishes. Unlike the clay figurines and wax dolls, they were real.
After many other things that were very exciting and lots of memorable outings that do not belong is this particular story, it was the New Year. Well, no, it was New Years eve and we were bound for the Anglican Cathedral. A hundred year old and may I say Gigantic and rather Magnificent example of a church. Too bad it wasn't build in Medieval times for that would have been even cooler. For this night, the church had prepared a special evening. And although I wasn't too sweeped away with the 'And on the eight day, God created Liverpool' bit that they'd put into a song and dance routine, the gospel choir did their best to get everyone's hands together. But the best thing came a little later. About half an hour before midnight, the 'boss' (I'm so not sure if in the Anglican faith he's called a dean or a chaplain or very possibly something else) told everyone to go outside. With everyone that was a couple of thousand people who'd slowely filled up the church over the hour. Once outside the real party began, the choir was singing songs and after some mighty ding donging by St George's bell they lit the best fireworks I'd seen since Guy Fawkes day (I'd seen none to be honest but still....) and one minute after midnight the whole street outside the cathedral was full of Hey Jude's 'Na na na na na na na' cus the choir had begun singing the Beatles greatest hits. What a way to begin the new year!
Well, mum left shortly after. And I reunited with friend and housmate who were slowly returning home as well. So, continuing the Beatle tour, on a random Thursday after new year's. I and a host of Germans, Austrians, Swiss and the odd Spaniard (seriously, I'll be fluent in German by the end of this year) finally found time to visit the Cavern, arguably the most famous nightclub in the world. The Beatles did over 30 (I think) gigs here and every Thurs a Beatle tribute band preforms part of their oeuvre to an overexcited audience. I'd never really heard about this before, so was taken by complete suprise when four blokes clad in black and white suits and shoes with heels were shouting well known lyrics in their microphones. Save to say after a couple of overpriced ciders we all agreed all you really need is love and ta ta da da da and so on. It was a hoot.
To top all of this 'experience-the-age-you've-totally-missed-cus-you-were-born-in-the-eighties' thing off, on the 12th the People's Opening of Capital of Culture took place on George's Square. The same place that held so many good memories of failing Christmas lights never being switched on and bands preforming I'd never heard of. This time however, the start of the Cap. of Cult. was great. They had fabulous entertainment like dozens of guitarists on every roof around the square, fireworks, the Wombats (the band, not actual furry animals) and the icing on the cake, Ringo Starr on the drums on the roof of St. Georges Hall. He'd changed since I last saw him in the Cavern tho, he'd gotten a little old and all his hair was gone... It was a party nonetheless and everyone had a great, be it cold and windy, time.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23041807-23109,00.htmlSo, that concludes how I spend almost a month in a sort of Beatle time. Not even including the Beatle photography exhibition at the National Conservation Centre or the Yellow Submarine at John Lennon Airport.
Now uni is starting again tomorrow, auditions for the plays are on, I'm off on new courses (including a foundation unit in the Irish Language (exciting!)) and loads and loads of BA paper writing to do....FUN!
Will be back soon....
No comments:
Post a Comment