Tuesday 11th September 2007

What a difference 24 hours makes. I do not just feel better, I feel great. It is difficult to explain, the why and how. I will, however try my best. I hate having things hanging over me, particularly at work but by 5pm, the rain clouds had cleared. Not just that but I had great news from one of my friends on MSN and the sun had just come out. What more could you ask for?

As if the song had been written for me, for this moment, I have found the song for the moment. I headed over to Pop Justice as I do most Monday evenings. I watched the video, from the first second I was hooked. The annoying thing is, I could have caught the first television performance on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway on ITV1 over the weekend. In fact, I saw the first few minutes of the return of the Geordie double act’s prime time weekend show, which featured the artist hanging around the canteen. I have to be honest, I have been a closest fan for numerous years. My favourite line up, of course, does not feature Amelle or founding member Siobhán Donaghy. Their debut single (as most debut singles tend to) did not register with me whatsoever. In fact it was not until 2002, when I was placement that I started to realise how big this girl band were going to become. Back in those distant days I would listen to BBC Radio 1, in my cross country trip across through Aylesbury towards Milton Keynes but taking a sharp right to sunny Bedford. It was around this time, that “Round Round” reached number one and in a way became the anthem of the summer. My favourite song, up to now had been “In The Middle” closely followed by “Push The Button“. To begin with I had did not like Easy but it grew on me and listening to it on the way to Islington did prove it to be a song that ‘grows’ on you. That brings me quite quickly to the present. I knew little about the song and had only heard about possible dismissal of Amelle from the band, thanks to a news bite over at ChartSingles. So you can imagine my surprise to find the YouTube video linked on the music blog, that is Pop Justice. I listened briefly for a few minutes and knew within the opening few seconds that it was a great song. Great songs just come alive instantly. I downloaded the mp3, placed it onto my Zen and listened to it on repeat for a ages. While doing so, I browsed some old photographs on my Zen. The beauty of the Zen software is that it automatically copies across your photographs onto the device. I looked through some of the memories of the past two years. The Community Shield, final day drama at Highbury, Beckham’s hero return against Brazil at Wembley, DeLorean & Lotus weekend in Norfolk. I could go on, but I will stop there.

Slowly, as the song played I began to realise how lucky I have been. How many amazing things I have seen and done and yet there are so many more to look forward. Strange how it takes a song for me to appreciate all the things that have happened and all the promise of the days ahead.

Nothing really planned for Sunday. I settled in front of the computer around 1pm. I was going to sort a few bits and pieces out and then go and wash the car. I heard a buzz. It was my phone, I had a missed call and two text messages and a voicemail. I checked the texts, they were from Pav. The Admiral had given Breezy a lift over to Hayes to collect his M3, so they wanted to pop into Wycombe for a drink and some food. The only requirement was a television to watch the Rugby World Cup. I called Charlie back. He asked what I was doing and I replied honestly that I was doing ‘nothing’. They would be around in quarter of an hour. My computer was shut down, I got ready and waited. While doing so I vacuumed the car but never got around to the wash. Charlie pulled up, sunglasses on, in his Vectra Estate. Where was Pav, was my first question? He missed the turning for the M40 off the M4, so is coming down the by-pass. It was nice to see them both, when Pav did eventually arrive. I had proposed we pop down to The Litten Tree in the centre of town. However Charlie suggested the pub on the Wycombe Road, heading into Marlow. It is a real strange location for a public house, out in the middle of nowhere. The last time I had been here was with one of my friends for a quiet drink sometime in autumn 2002. Since then, it had been renovated. As we walked through the door Pav noted, “It’s quite swish!”. My reply was one of those classic lines, “It was never swish before!”. Beefeater had been the proprietor before but this was now Mill & Carter, an upmarket steakhouse grill restaurant. We headed for the bar area with Charlie scouring the decks for a television. There was a small flat LCD job above the bar. We asked if it could be changed from Sky Sports News to ITV1, so we could watch the egg chasing. We were politely declined. Great. We went for the menu and decided what to have for our late lunch. Nice to get out of the house for an hour or two and enjoy the company of my friends. We discussed among other things, a clubbing trip into London, planned for next Friday and my 26th birthday (of all things). I have to admit that once the Admiral gets a idea into his head, it is very hard to get him to let go. Teaches me to give away the responsibility of organising my birthday to a mad man who just lives from one challenges to the next!

Can We Bring Yesterday Back Around
Cos I Know How I Feel About You Now
I Was Dumb
I Was Wrong
I Let You Down
But I Know How I Feel About You Now

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