I was attacked constantly by a child with a metal fork (from first class) the entire trip as well as my row being used as some sort of slip road for people to get from one side to another. Needless to say, I got not a wink of sleep the whole flight.
We arrived earlier than expected but our driver was still there. Nice guy from Indian. Had to act like I knew something about cricket to keep him busy. We arrived at the hotel... and thank God. They got the reservation right. 2 beds.
We went up, threw our bags down and went exploring Islington.
It was super quiet and the streets were practically empty (besides a guy pissing on the outside wall of a pub and a few people riding around on the Barclay bikes that are on nearly every block).
The time flew by as we planned a short film that was half baked from the inception.
By the time we knew it, it was 4am.
We returned to the hotel with a bag filled with bottled water, Tuc crackers, salami, cheese, and some random other little snacks. Not sure how we ate that shit at 4am, but we did.
Thursday we woke up much later than planned.
We called the short film shoot off and stuck with the original plan of only shooting one film. With some new time to kill, we hit up The Lexington (same bar that the show would be in).
Their bourbon menu was like Christian's wettest dream. They had every bit of Kentucky that I have ever tasted plus more. Lots more.
We sat down for a burger and an afternoon Four Roses. It hit the spot and had me moving slowly as we got on the tube to go to Edgeware.
The objective in Edgeware was to find some thobeys walking around so that we could get them in the film. Kinda like a "home is wherever you roam" sorta vibe.
BUT.... we didnt find a single one. What Mo did manage to find was a shitty guitar shop run by a dude who dreamed of being in Whitesnake in the 80's. He, for some reason, bought a junk acoustic to play on the trip but something tells me it wont be making the trip from London to Manchester with us.
We also found an Oxfam (sorta like a Goodwill) and went treasure hunting.
I left with some Yeats poetry, Oscar Wilde short stories, 3 T.Rex 45's, 2 Elvis 45's, and a few other bits and bobs.
We jumped back on the tube and headed to Oxford Circus with Lauren's Topshop shopping list. The place was mobbed. The whole area was a circus. Insanity.
We eventually fought our way through the swarms of people, got everything we came for, jumped in a cab, and headed back to the hotel by 7pm.
After a quick clean up, we headed down to the Lexington to meet up with people.
Vlatka was the first one on the scene. Then I ran into a Rogue named Darren. Then came Nora and her roommate. Then Hend and Dina. Then a group of about 20 other Rogues.
All of the sudden, I felt really at home. Never did I expect to see so many familiar faces.
By the time it dawned on us, the show was sold out and no one (besides me and Mo had a ticket to go in).
So we stayed with everyone for as long as we could. Eventually though, we went up to the ticket lady and asked what time the opening band went on.... she laughed and in a sort of panic said "the headliner is already on!".
SHIT!
We got our hands stamped, ran up the stairs not saying anything to the group we were with (man, we are dicks), and pushed our way into the crowd.
The place was packed. PTM even exclaimed that it was their first ever sold out show in England.
Eventually I was able to push my way all the way up to the stage and get a few good shots.
Once they finished, we poured out on to the street with Hend and Dina. Sadly, everyone else (minus a group of hardcore Rogues) had left when we were upstairs.
We chatted up a bunch of people and then went for a stroll.
I think we unintentionally started a gang as we posted up on a block and called it our own.
Then a brilliant idea came over us..... WE NEED TO RENT THOSE BIKES!
We tried and tried and tried (and probably even got charged for them) but never freed the bikes from the racks. Defeated, we headed back to the bar.
We found an excellent booth hidden in the corner and sat down.
There was a sign reserving the table for someone named "Fandango". We vowed not to leave until this Fandango character showed up and most likely got beat up for trying to tell us to move. But we waited and waited and waited and Fandango never showed. Bitch.
So we called it a night.
I fell asleep with all of my clothes on and didnt even roll over until my eyes opened this morning.
Now we are off to catch a train to Manchester and do it all again tonight.
Here's to Portugal the Man, Hend and Dina, Islington, City Pizza, rental bikes, Rogues, friends from all over the world, and anything else that deserves a cheers.
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