“Elliot… I’ll Be Right Here” (*points at heart, cue man tears*)

The One Where The Stag "Ends"

Stag: Day Seven. Done.

So I’m on the way home.  Everyone in the train keeps looking over when we go through a tunnel, and the Mac backlit keyboard makes me look cooler than I really am. I have a beard. And long hair. Like Nic Cage in Con Air.

I’m not sure what to say, really. I’ve had a brilliant, epic week. My friendship with my three best friends has grown immeasurably. That’s really the message of the week.

I’ve seldom laughed as much as I have over this week. There were times where I had to leave the living room, as I had that thing where I thought I was going to be sick from laughing too much.

I loved London. More than I ever have. I get it now. There is beauty there.

On my last day we ended up in Hyde Park, “playing” Football in the sunshine. Killing time really, building up to Biffy Clyro at Hammersmith Apollo. It was pretty desperate stuff! The highlight was clearly me scoring a left footed goal, albeit on the goal line. Oh… and GC running.

“Looks Like We Made It… I Can Tell That You’ve Been Flying”

The top pic is stolen from GC, and the second from his sister. I make no apologises. They are both class pictures.

Biffy has become a huge part of my life. The sort of band you listen too at least once a day. They have provided the soundtrack to my life over the last 18 months, that they have to be considered in the same breath as the Boss and Counting Crows.

It’s only the second time I’ve seen them, and last night went some way to rectify the Ledgers being unable to see them in June.

What I love about them, and they did this last night, is that they make me actually appreciate the playing of instruments. I’m a lyric person. It goes some to my eclectic taste in music. I’ve had Alicia Keyes and Athlete on whilst in the “quiet section” of this train. Quiet? There’s people talking louder than my music, so “do one” if you try and get me to shut it down. I’d hammer the keys to be louder, but the Mac is too damn beautiful to risk hurting.

Simon Neill is a bit of a hero, though. He really makes that guitar talk. But he does the lyric thing too. My top three Biffy songs all have the sort of depth to lyrics I demand. Just beautiful truth. They really resonate.

I will be going in December, and be the proudest fan there that they are playing to sort of crowd size they deserve.

Even Adam Ricketts beating his girlfriend up last night couldn’t ruin it. (Stag joke).

And so I leave the lads there for one day, one sleep, and a morning. I’m sure they’ll have a class time. I've had an immense week, cheers to everyone for that.  

I can’t say I’m upset to see Mrs T and ET though. I hope they remember my voice. I meant to get a haircut.

"You're Good Kid... But As Long As I'm Around, You're Second Best"

The One Where I Won Poker


Stag: Day Six. Done.


Breakfast with @kyelani. UFC. Poker. First ever game. Won. Lock in. Too much to drink. Scones and toasted tea cakes when back. Bed at three. Up at nine. Day Seven will be the best of the lot. Its Biffy. They created all the Bubbles at night. I wont go on about the Poker... but this is a lot like how it "went down".

"I Wish I Could Quit You"

Stag: Day Five. Done.

"OK Ramblers... Lets Get Rambling"

The One Where I Call the Fraud Department


Stag: Day Four. Done.


Bank Holiday Monday meant I couldn't get hold of the Fraud department until Tuesday (Day 5), so it was on my mind a bit. Planet Hollywood beckoned in the evening, and after saying, "no beers", we were "on it" by midday. :-/

Another stroll around London led us to the best breakfast I've ever had - ironically in a cafe opposite where my card was stolen! Hence my forlorn expression in the picture above. I seriously did perk up when that breakkie got there though. Then... an Epiphany... lets got to the Natural History Museum. So we did. It was more of a recon for me to see whether ET would like it. He would. So we'll go.

I wanted to look "hard" by swearing at the T-Rex, to impress the lads. The truth is, I felt awful when I saw his little face. He looked so small, and sad. So very, very sad.

I've been listening to a lot of Alicia Keyes as it reminds me of my wife, who I miss more than words. I'm not moping around though. Which is what she would want. Go to Grays Blog to see who my "hand twin" is! And after a meal at PH, in its new location, music came to the fore. Drunk in the Duke, something magical happened... Counting Crows came on, and both of JMcGs turned out to be huge, huge fans. It was surreal. I'm not used to anyone even knowing who they are, let alone drunkenly singing Mr Jones with me. Then Biffy came on. I thought it was a wind up. Finishing up with Oasis, so MC was in his element too.


Talking of Oasis... recognize this street, and this pose? This was Saturday. I am genuinely honoured to be in the pic.

Back home for Big Trouble In Little China, and to a tiny bit of stick from JMcG as he realized GC and I wouldn't be going to Thorpe Park with him Weds. Trust me - with how I feel today, its for the best!

"Jim.... Jimmm!! ....JIMMMMMM!!!!"

The One Where GC Sleeps Like A Baby


Stag: Day Three. Done.

So I should be writing about how inept Liverpool were. How they didn't need to "throw it", as they lost with Chelsea in first gear anyway... *BUT* I had my card skimmed today.

"I'm Gonna Walk The Earth... Like Cain In Kung Fu"

The One With 100 Nuggets


Stag: Day Two. Done 


Walking. Lots of walking.

Mike and I pictured outside of Pineapple Studios. Then re-enacting "Whats The Story..."

100 nuggets ordered - eaten in Trafalgar Square. Not all mine.

Back home, and Planet Terror and 6 player FIFA.

Good times.

Everyone had a feeling this week was building up to something, though....

"Next Time, Baby"

The One With Imax


Stag: Day One. Done.

What started with 20 nuggets ended with Gray and I getting hangover headaches during Iron Man 2 at the BFI Imax. Biggest screen in the UK? No shi....