Wear your wounds with pride

Tonight is the night for a new edition of Hindu Nights! Sounds like the right time to post the pictures of the latest edition on a secret location which turned out to be the Backdoor. Another great night with (a loto of) my favourite people in the world. (most pictures by me and Melanie)

Revolver

The Vatican's official newspaper Osservatore Romano released a list of the pope's 10 favourite rock albums, and I just had to share it with you. Can't believe Oasis is on the list! :)

1."Revolver" - The Beatles
2."If I could only remember my name" - David Crosby
3."The dark side of the moon" - Pink Floyd
4."Rumours" - Fleetwood Mac
5."The nightfly" - Donald Fagen
6."Thriller" - Michael Jackson
7."Graceland" - Paul Simon
8."Achtung baby" - U2
9."(What's the story) Morning glory" - Oasis
10."Supernatural" - Carlos Santana

Christmas TV (London 5-6)

It's okay that I pray that you will miss your flight
And have to stay with me another night (Slow Club)

As I was leaving London on Saturday around noon, I wanted to make the most out of my Friday. In the morning I made use of another one of Alan's tips, which was the John Soane museum. Soane was this architecture spending his money on a fantastic collection of art from all ages - Egyptian, Roman, medieval, absolutely everything. The location of the museum is the house the man used to live in, so you can imagine it's absolutely one of a kind. And not too overcrowded with tourists so far!

In the afternoon I met up with Alan in Berwick Street to do some cd shopping. Alan showed me some great second hand shops and we both ended up buying heaps of cd's for very little money. Afterwards, we went for a drink with a friend of Alan's. When his friend had to leave, Alan and I went to some more record shops and for another drink. We decided to 'race' back home - I would take the tube and do the rest of the road by foot, he would do the entire trip on his bicycle. Despite my cursing when I had to wait for a tube for 6 minutes (since when does anyone have to wait 6 fucking minutes for a tube in London??) and my pretty impressive sprint on high heels, Alan beat me with 4 minutes.

When I managed to start breathing normally again, Alan, Christina and I discussed wether to go to the Garage (Islington) or not. The Rifles were supposed to play an acoustic gig, but they cancelled and we weren't particularly excited about seeing The Twang or any of the new bands that were on. On the other hand, Rob was djing, which should've been pretty good. Christina seemed to be quite fond of going, until she suddenly got really tired. Eventually, she fell asleep. Alan and I left the room quietly, enjoyed some spirits in the kitchen, and then withdrew to his room. Alan works for the Guardian, which leaves him with heaps of double cd copies, and he invited me to pick out some albums for myself. We were laying on his bed, listening to music (including a selfmade christmas cd - I can't believe someone else shares my love for christmas songs!) for hours and hours and hours, and getting all cuddly.

The next day I had to leave around noon. Christina prepared us a fantastic brunch, but then it was time to say goodbye. Of course I got all teary-eyed when I hugged Christina, Nikos and Alex, but it got even worse when Alan walked me to the tube station and the tears started flowing heavily. It took us at least 15 minutes to say goodbye and I almost missed my Eurostar, but in the end, I was on my way back to Belgium. I felt sort of lost back here, but I'm going back to London soon (well, soonish, as uni prevents me from leaving before the start of the Easter holidays) and I'm quite excited already!

Alex's farm

Christina

Alan

Alan and one of the beer glasses he ordered for his new "bar", covered in stickers

me, covered in stickers as well

and again

Here I lie far from close enough to you (London 3-4)

Wednesday morning I took the bus to Camden. I had a fantastic banana milkshake in a place called Inhabition. I'd read about it on that 'Secret London' Facebook group (yes, it's not that secret anymore, really) and I can only agree with their enthusiasm. After finishing my drink and having a chat with the lovely woman who worked there, I walked around the stables market and took some pictures.

In the afternoon I took up Alan's advice to go to the National Portrait Gallery near Leicester Square. I don't really know why I hadn't been there before, as it is a great collection of 18/19/20th century paintings and modern photography. Quite touristy, of course, but worth the visit anyway!

Back home I found Alex and Alan cleaning up their living room, transforming their closet in a bar (right side of the closet) and a eh, farm for Alex (left side), consisting of a plastic horse and a stone duck. Alex prepared us some delicious pasta, but had to leave shortly after. I stayed in with Alan, who introduced me to his favourite blogger Momus (who sadly quit blogging earlier this week) and Momus's music and lyrics. I usually tend to go out quite a lot when I'm London, but I must say I've really enjoyed my cosy nights in with Alan. Shortly after midnight, we were joined by Christina, an Austrian girl who'd be my fellow couch surfer from that night on. She turned out to be a very nice girl with a delightful sense of humour.

The day after, I met up with Rob. After doing some shopping on Oxford Street, I told Rob I wanted to look for a toy animal. Rob was quite surprised, but after telling him about Alex's farm, he was happy to help me find a suiting addition to the farm. We went to a children's shop and found a lovely cow. Afterwards, Rob and I went for a drink or two, three before I returned home. Alex was pleasantly surprised when he received the cow.

When everyone was back home (me, Alex, Alan, Nikos and his girlfriend Abi; only Christina was away, she was attending a couch surfing 'drawing' event), we took off for a pub quiz. I was quite excited as Alan had taught me everything one should know about British pubs, including the tradition of the pub quiz. I'd never been to one before, so this was my chance! Unfortunately, the quiz was cancelled, so we ended up just having drinks for a while. Alan had to go to work that night, Nikos and Abi went to their room, and Alex, Christina (who got back by then) and I watched Curb Your Enthusiasm and chatted about Belgian and Austrian music for hours and hours.

But there is someone I'd like to see, she never mentions a word to me (Liverpool 1-2)

...
I woke up early to catch my coach to Liverpool at Victoria Station. It was a 5h30 drive, which could've been rather boring, but turned out to be not that bad after all. I had my iPod, my book and the company of two lovely South-American girls that were sitting next to me. I'm also really fond of the break in the middle of the trip that gives you the opportunity to spend all of your money on snacks in one of those road shops. Hm, chocolate croissants. :)

Once in Liverpool, I went looking for my hostel, got myself installed and then took off again. I spent the rest of the day walking around through the city centre and the Cavern Quarter, where I of course visited the legendary Cavern Club. By coincidence, I walked in when this Australian edition of John Lennon, Marcus Cahill got on stage. I heard him sing, got myself a drink, sat down and stayed there for two hours. I'm usually not really a fan of cover acts, but this guy was absolutely amazing. He looked liked John (incl. the nose) but he even more sounded like him. After the show I got introduced to him by a local and we had a nice chat. Afterwards, the local guy took me to another Beatles related bar that didn't make it to the tourist guide.

The plan for the evening was meeting up with my very long-term internet friend Liam, but that plan sadly got cancelled last-minute. Instead, I went back to the hostel, had a chat with my roommates (two Spanish girls) and then went to sleep rather early.

After breakfast I immediately walked to the Albert Dock. First up was a visit to the Beatles museum, which I absolutely adored. The shop at the end of the visit was just as great. I liked the fact that so many schools with 8-year-old kids were visiting the museum as well, I don't think that could ever have happened in my old school or in any Belgian school, really. The next museum on my list was Tate Liverpool, where I mostly enjoyed the DLA Piper Series (sculptures). Then it was time to catch my coach back to London, where I'd spend the rest of my trip.

China Town Liverpool

one of the many Beatles shops

Cavern Pub

John & I

Cavern Club

Marcus

hostel

Albert Dock

Virgin offices

Beatles museum

Tell me how do I feel (London 1-2)

So here I am, back from London. I received my (really good) exam results yesterday, but I haven't got plenty of time to stand still and enjoy the glory, because today is the start of the new semester. Before I leave for my first course of the term, I'd like to share some of my latest UK trip with you guys.

I arrived in London on the last Saturday of January, quite tired because I went out in Ghent the night before and only got about half an hour of sleep, quite nervous because I was going couch surfing for the first time in my life. But first of all, I met up with Jim, who by coincidence was in London that weekend to visit his parents. We went for a drink and a chat, and then he was kind enough to escort me all the way to Alan's (my host) place and carry my suitcase. I said goodbye to Jim and Alan (still dirty from playing football :)) welcomed me into his house. He turned out to be a very charming 24-year old English guy, sharing a place with two other lads (Alex and Nikos). He was absolutely lovely and I felt at home in no time.

The boys had some friends over, and Nikos prepared supper for all of us. Afterwards, all of them took of to see Real Estate. I didn't have a ticket, but we met up after the gig to go out together. There aren't many things I like better than British indie nights, so you can imagine I had a great time (even though the dj didn't play my request, Blue Monday by New Order).

Despite having practically no sleep (again), Alan and I woke up early (Alex decided to have no sleep at all instead) to watch the Australian Open finals. As a UK citizen, he of course had to support Andy Murray, but I was relieved to hear he also admires Roger Federer, who won the match (or what had you really thought? :p).

In the afternoon I hopped on the tube and went shopping on Brick Lane. I absolutely love Brick Lane on Sundays, with its cosy markets and the lively atmosphere. Plus, they have the most amazing vintage shops. I found myself a lovely flowered dress and could go back to the house feeling satisfied. Alan cooked me a typical English meal and we spent the rest of the evening watching YouTube videos of drunk ministers (hello, Michel Daerden). :) I went to sleep around midnight as I had to get up early the day after to catch my coach to Liverpool in Victoria.

...to be continued...

A gorgeous building I had to pass each time I walked from Alan's place to the tube station.

Brick Lane.

We are not the same

Today is the day of my last exam and I can't wait for it (the exam, not the day) to be over. I'm tired of rehearsing the same things over and over again. After that, I'm having a week off from uni and I've already filled it in with nice plans. Tonight I'm going to Ghent, have some drinks with Elise and Gui at Celtica, then head off to Hindu Nights at the Backdoor. The morning after I return home, get an hour or two of sleep, shower, watch the Australian Open women finals, then pack my bags and leave for...London (again, I know, can't help it that I love it)! I'll be there from Jan 30 - Feb 6, including 2 days of Liverpool, where I've never been before (quite a shame being such a huge Beatles fan!). I've already got heaps of plans for both my London and Liverpool stay, and I'm quite excited as well because my stay in London will be my very first couch surfing experience.

HOWEVER now I need to concentrate on that bloody exam! It really does my head in, especially because I feel too guilty to do interesting things during the time that I could use to study. Nonetheless, I had a very good Wednesday night. I interviewed Good Shoes to find out they were a bunch of really nice blokes. I watched their gig (very energetic, uncomplicated, just 40 minutes of really catchy music - that's how I like it!) and hung out with the band afterwards. They set up their ping pong table right in front of stage, which was quite funny. :) Here are some pictures..

And it really, really, really could happen

A couple of days ago I went to see 'No distance left to run', the documentary on Blur's reunion. In the context of the Battle of Britpop I would've picked the side of Oasis, but my love for Oasis never stopped me from liking Blur as well.

The documentary was really well made, a nice mixture of old and new video material and interesting, surprisingly honest interviews with all band members. Their story is quite sad, it somehow reminded me of what happened to The Libertines, only Blur has managed to come up with a happy end.

Anyway, watching the film got me in a Blur-mood, so I haven't been listening to much else since then. And because I don't have much more to tell you as I'm still in the middle of my exames, I decided to share my favourite Blur songs with you guys.

First up is 'Coffee & TV' with my favourite Blur member, Graham Coxon on vocals. It's so charming and perfect in a very lo-fi way. The video below shows the band at a Rough Trade instore gig from last year, but don't forget the check out the cute official video!


Then there's 'The Universal' with its super dramatic yet fantastic chorus. It was also used in the trailer to the movie, an excellent choice if you ask me.

Fool's Gold

Not much going on during the exam period, so I'm glad I finally have a good story to tell!

Two nights ago I went to see Ian Brown in Brussels and saying I had an amazing night, might be a major understatement. Ian played 'Fool's Gold' and my friend Elise and I decided to go on stage. Before us, some guys who tried to do the same thing, were thrown off immediately. When Elise got up first, they tried to push her back as well, but Ian said we could stay. So we ended up dancing the entire song next to and with Ian. :) After the show he invited us to his backstage, where we had a beer, a chat and a short photo session with Ian and his entourage. Still can't believe it!! Ian is a long-time hero of mine so you can imagine my joy! To end the night on a high note, I sang 'Strawberry Fields Forever' with a busker outside of the AB.

Someone filmed us! (I think we're on starting from 1:15 aprox.)

The universe is expanding

She didn't win the finals against Kim Clijsters in Brisbane, but even Kim fans will have to admit either one could've won. My point is: Justine Henin has made the best come-back ever, showed everyone she still has that magnificent fighting spirit and technique, and is ready to become the world's number 1 in tennis again soon! Allez Juju!