harpsichords will save us all

So that was a pretty hectic weekend. Might as well go through the full story as there's a fair amount involved.

My mum gave me a lift home from work on Friday and I jumped on a train to Waterloo with all my gear. At Hinchley Wood, I bumped into Ian Halliday (also part of our touring side) so we had a good chat about all sorts of hockey politics before arriving in London. There we met with Saity and Captan Fatman (the only people who had arrived at the time) and were presented with our tour shirts. Red with dark blue trim, they actually looked pretty quality.

After buying a four-pack of Red Stripe for the journey, we all boarded the 18:35 train to Bournemouth and found a place next to a bike rack that had enough room for eight of us to stand. I'd also procured a pack of cards so we spent the journey playing Higher or Lower. Also, at various stops along the journey, Cpt Fat had provided us with A3 size printouts of photos from Bournemouth tours in the past. It was certain players' duty, at each stop, to put these up as posters and dance around them, then get on the train just before the doors closed.

Sadly, Matt Sheridan failed and he was left at Southampton Airport Parkway, so we all left the train at Southampton Central and waited for him to arrive on the next train. His face, as the train began to pull away, was priceless. On the left is Daryl and I having a bit of champagne while waiting for Matt to turn up.

We arrived in Bournemouth a lot later than anticipated, but we were picked up from the station by Saity's parents, whose house we would be staying in for the duration of the weekend. Having consumed a fair amount of beer, champagne, and sports drinks with various alcohol applied, I do not remember entering the house, getting ready for the night out, getting to the centre of Bournemouth, or even half the pubs or clubs we were in. I do, however, remember getting slapped by a girl who was selling shots in one of the pubs (for some reason I felt it appropriate to pinch her arse) and then at around 2am, most people left to return home. Myself, Daryl, Ian and Jimmy went to the local casino, however.

Despite becoming a member that night, I decided, in my horrifically inebriated state, that putting any money down on anything was probably a VERY bad idea. So Daryl bought us both breakfast burgers and then we went home, leaving Jimmy and Ian to play Roulette (Ian won £35).

The next morning, we were up at 9am, and I felt fairly horrific. Mrs Sait had, however, cooked us all bacon baps. One of those (and a banana + a LOT of orange juice) later, I didn't feel much better, but I certainly didn't feel like someone had sawn off my head and shat in my neck.

We were supposed to be playing beach football that morning, but sadly, the weather had conspired against us so we stayed at the Saits' and chatted until about 1pm when we decamped via minibus to Bournemouth Hockey Club. The club itself was quite big, also with football and rugby pitches so the clubhouse was much nicer than ours. Sometimes, despite Surbiton being one of the greatest clubs in the UK, seeing other clubs puts us to shame a little bit.

Anyhow, the game began and within 5 minutes it was obvious we were all still feeling the effects from last night. I put my back into it and eventually shook off my hangover, but we found ourselves 1-0 down, and Ian Halliday had a penalty brilliantly saved by the keeper. However, we drew level with a well taken goal from Ian, a mazy dribble ending with a well taken finish from the right, past the keeper and just underneath the backboard to the left of the goal.

We took the lead soon after through Comedy Goal #1; ball coming in from the left glanced by Fitchy towards the goal - the keeper thought it was going wide so he stood and left it, and we all watched in disbelief (he probably watched in horror) as the ball crept between him and the front post. They however drew level soon after when Daryl fouled one of their forwards, only for them to play the advantage well while Daryl and Capt Fat floundered, thinking they would take a free hit.

We regained the lead after the second half, due to a quick tactical change that the opposition couldn't counter. Our right wing, Barry Kumar, took a ball hard in the foot, so while he recovered I switched to his position and he went up front. Ian picked the ball up in centre midfield and I cut in from a wide right position and latched onto a superb through ball, before putting the ball away with some finesse into the corner. 3-2 to Surbiton Surbiton.

Again, they drew level (with a very fortuitous foot that the umpire claimed not to hsave seen) but again we reclaimed the lead when I pounced upon a loose ball in the D and headed it past their keeper. I'm still unsure how the ball went in, but the umpire said the goal would stand. 4-3 up. They equalise. Again.

Finally, with mere seconds to go, a horrific mistake from one of their defenders allowed Jimmy Wickens to latch onto a loose ball and bobble it past the keeper's reach to make the final score 5-4. RELIEF.

Post-match, a few beers and a game of touch the cup help us to all wind down before being taken away by a slightly drunk Mr Sait in the van. A 40-minute power-nap later, and we're getting ready for a meal at Lastrada in Bournemouth. I order my food then promptly forget what I've asked for, causing much confusion at the table. Barry and Terry Kumar both leave us to get the train home, we pay and then make our way to a club in the centre of town. I don't know the name of the club, nor do I really care, there's a lot of cheese music. Jimmy and myself have a walk round to see if there is any rock or indie being played in either of the smaller rooms, upon our return (fail) we both raise smiles to the likes of Queen and Van Halen being played.

More smiles are raised when a group of young ladies come and dance near us, including this fine young filly on the right, who we nicknamed "Bob The Builder". Highlights of the evening included the Dance-off Competition (won by Matt Sheridan), Tony Haycroft's high kicks when dancing with the ladies on the table next to us, and all of us spending only £20 and getting constant drinks. Good shit.

At around half 3, everyone decided to leave but Ian and I again went to the casino, with a couple of "free £10 bet" vouchers in tow. I did quite well. Well enough, in fact, to pay for my entire tour. I think I have a Roulette addiction now.

Sunday morning was, again a slight struggle (not least because we'd got back to the Saits' at 5am) but we were up and out to go and play Mini Golf. After leading the scores after 9 holes, I crumbled under pressure and ended up finishing joint-last with Fitchy. After a final (delicious) lunch at Saity's, we were dropped at the station, and said our goodbyes. I got home weary, but a bit excited because I knew Megan was coming over. We had a nice night in and although I was really tired, we watched American Psycho (she loves it, I've never seen it, I had just downloaded it) and an episode of 24 (I love it, she'd never seen it, I wanted to re-watch it and indoctrinate her).

Waking up Tuesday morning without her felt really weird. It's kindof odd how I've not known her very long yet I feel like I've known her for ages, and that we're just generally really comfortable around each other. It's really fucking cool and it's nice to feel wanted again.

Monday and Tuesday were spent working (with hockey practice on Monday evening) and then Dave and I managed to get a free slot at the Peel on Tuesday evening for a good band practice. We've finished two songs musically and structurally, one of which has lyrics, the other of which i'm yet to write some for as i don't think any of the currently written lyrics fit it well. We also jammed out a few riffs I'd written into something fast and punky and fun. It was cool.

Today I have sat at work all day doing fuckloads of shipments. As soon as I get this main project finished though, the company are paying for my car insurance YESSSSSSSS. So I might have it for the weekend. We'll see.

Current listening:
Adebisi Shank - This Is An EP...
The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
65daysofstatic - The Destruction Of Small Ideas
Sigur Ros - Heim
Aereogramme - White Paw EP