B.T.H

Back. 

Tired. 

Heartbroken.

I would love to say that this trip to Glasgow was perfect, but, I can't. 

I mean, it was an amazing trip, but I come back with my heart broken in million of pieces, and it's hard.

I left Thursday morning. 

In the train, I don't know why, I choose to change my usual itinerary... Why ? No idea. Anyway, I chose to try another one and realize that it was a mistake because to go to the Airport by train, you need a specific ticket, and of course, with that itinerary, impossible to buy one, had to leave the station and re-enter to buy my ticket.

I put the excitation on it !

Arrived at the airport, surprise : 20 minutes delay. Wonderful ! It was almost a month I was super-excited, and now, 20 minutes delay ? Stupid Easy Jet !!!

I sat on the plane, and from the last minute to the last one of the flight, a kid behind me didn't stop screaming. It was awful, I was so tired, hesitating between reading and sleeping, and the kid was screaming !

Anyway. I arrived in Glasgow with rain, and finally met Dave. 

I have to admit that it was really sweet to meet him, you know, after all those emails, chat and Skype calls !

After a sweet lunch (around 15:Glasgow time - when my last meal was my breakfast, around 7h30 Paris Time...), he left (busy man) and I made my first visits in the city.

In fact, no. I choose to do shopping cuz it was around 16:00 and museums close early in the UK. Walking, I saw the "famous" Box and already knew what would be my program for the night.

I went back to my hotel, had a little rest, food, shower, and left for the Box. I arrived there around 20h30 I think. One guy was on stage, singing some pop-folk songs. And then another one, that was awesome. Now I realize how stupid I am, I wanted to take a picture at the door to remember the name of the other bands, and did not, so I forgot !

Anyway. At the end of this second band, I went out for a smoke and met Derek. We talked a little bit, and suggested me to join his friends. It was a sweet evening, talking about everything and nothing, that was great.

Before they left, we had a long talk about love. And, this talk was really interesting. What is love, when can you be sure of being in love, what if it's just lust and not love. It made me think about the reasons why I came. 

After that, the real gig began.

In fact, not exactly. I was checking doors, nobody. I finally left to the toilets, and when I came back, I finally saw Gary. He really was wondering why I was here !! It was really sweet !

So, that night, was my first Three Card Trick gig, and God I loved it !!!!!!!! I just can't wait to make them come back to Paris !!!!!

I finally went back to my hotel around 3:30 and fell asleep. Happy. But, with one bad thing in my mind.

When I saw Gary and that we talked, he asked my why I was here. I told him that I was here to see Royal Foundlings, meet the band, and that because I knew he was playing there every week, I needed to see him live with the band once ! He told me, joking, that in fact I was only here to see Neil, and said that it was too late for me cuz he was engaged. I took it as a joke, but wanted to make him repeat that.... I still don't know if it's true or not.

I though I would sleep a lot that morning, and no. Works in the hotel, awake at 7:30 !!! I was crazy. I tried to sleep a little bit more and succeed cuz, when I finally went for breakfast it was 9:30 ! 

I left the hotel around 10:30 and walked in the city. Went to George Square, the Cathedral and back. Cannot do more cuz I had to meet Dave at 14:00 the same day ... Almost reunion time !!

We first went to the radio station where Royal Foundlings has a show every Friday night, and this is where I met Andrew. Talked to the radio, as an interviewed guest, for the first time. It was a little bit scary, but I think that it was good !

After that, we left for Dave's church, loading time. This is where I saw my sweet Maggie for the first time in 2 years. Realize that ???!!!! 2 YEARS !!! Last time was when Neil and him were still playing with Zakk !

It was really really sweet !

After the loading, we left for the first gig of the week-end. A charity show. And this is where I met Jill, and finally saw my sweet Fishboy, and the girlfriend. 

Let's be honest, I was more than happy to see him again (same, 2 years !!!!), and I first was happy to meet her, until I realized she was the one who was breaking hopes and dreams. 

As you know, the reason of my excitement for this trip was not just meeting the band (even if it was a big part of it), it was also seeing him again and talk and try to know where to go with him. When Gary talked about the girlfriend, I was super-sad and angry, like one more time I lose a fight ! 

After that, it was impossible for me to smile or laugh. I cursed the whole world, smoke almost the entire packet of cigarettes I had, and later cried.

I wasn't expecting my tears. In fact, they came just before the last song. Dave talked about a lot of things, and what made me cry is when he said "I don't know what you've been through". One second and the all 2011-year came back to me, the deaths, the car accident, my job, Gary's jokes, my professional tensions, my broken heart.

I chose to isolate myself after the gig, I think nobody noticed it, and maybe it's a good thing.

Dave drove me back to my hotel, and I fell asleep, after other tears.

The next morning, so Saturday morning, I slept a little bit more. I think I woke up around 8:00... and went for breakfast around 9:00....

Saturday was a day full of visits. Glasgow is a rich city, there are million of things to see and visit ! The Victorian buildings are beautiful, and all the buildings designed by Charles Rennie MacKintosh are breathtaking !! So, I walked, visited, walked, visited. A beautiful day !

I finally stopped around 16:00 to have a tea (and free WI-FI....) and got my orders for the evening ! In fact, I was supposed to meet Maggie and Neil the same night, just needed to know where and when !

I came back to the hotel an hour later, slept a little bit, finished my book (The Centenarian Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared), took a shower and left. 

I met Maggie again, and his great sister (you have no idea how much I can laugh when she comments on Facebook !) and finally learned that Neil will not come. Why, don't know. Too bad I thought. A reason to have another Tequila Sunrise. 

The fact he didn't come that night make me realize that maybe I was completely wrong, that I cared too much about the past, and that what happened in Paris was just a game for him. 

I left with Maggie, he took his train, I stopped by the MacDonald (yes, very Scottish !!) next to my hotel. I craved for a Happy Meal. And when the girl told me "if you don't want the toy, it's cheaper if you take it in that formula"... No toy, no real Happy Meal ! But still a cheeseburger and fries that I ate in a short time (around 4 minutes cuz it's 4 minutes between the MD and my hotel !). There, I listened to the discussion between 2 girls and 4 guys. I understood that the girls were Scottish, from Edinburgh, in Glasgow for the first time in their life (what ????!!!!), and the guys were Quebecois, from Laval near Montreal, in Glasgow and Glasgow for the first time in their life. I laughed when one of them were trying to say his name to a girl and she was not understanding ! And so, because he noticed I was laughing, I joined the conversation.

We shared a beer at the hotel bar and talked about everything and nothing, French president, student strikes, terrible Quebecois singers, everything. That was really really nice !!

And one more time, I was in bed around 2:00... But this time happy. Really happy !

Sunday was, finally, the big day. This time I really slept and almost missed breakfast. Just had the time to drink a coffee !

After that, I made my last visits. This time, I went to the Glasgow Cross, the Lighthouse, the School of Art, well, a lot of miles !

Then, I had to be at the O2 ABC at 2:00 to meet the band. 

Neil was the first to arrive and if my memory is good, we just shared 3 sentences. Wahow ! Ok, it's because there was a lot of things to do, but, I don't know... Two years and just 3 sentences, just let me go back home, I get it I was completely wrong !

The band made soundcheck, she arrived, I left for smokes, we went for food, he did not, the show began. The venue is huge and the sound perfect, but, ok, one of the first places I had to find was the smoking area. Found it and I think that I was the only one to use it ! Me, and the security guy who was standing next to that door !

Royal Foundling set was amazing. I have to admit, there are really good. The music is good, BUT, on stage it's just a million time better, because they have so much energy that the band becomes a band you have to see live !!

That night, Royal Foundlings (and other bands) was supporting the American band Leeland. Their set was good too, very good. But, at a moment, I needed to leave. In between, the promoter made a speech about miracles and power of God and everything, and it was too much for me. If there are miracles as they say, maybe my Grant Aunt wouldn't have passed away from a cancer, maybe I would have a job, and maybe my Fishboy won't be breaking my heart. I had to leave, needed fresh air and went to the smoking area. When I went back inside, the set was almost over, Neil stopped by the table where I was, asked me if I was good, I answered that no, not that much, asked me if I wanted to drink or eat something and left. Didn't even try to ask me why I wasn't that good....

I met his parents just after that, and I don't know why, it was hard. Especially when his Dad said "you're one of Neil's friend" "yes the stupid one with the broken heart, nice to meet you !!"

The day before, I tweeted and have that answer : 

of course, I answered with a lie, saying it was a guy in France, blahblahblah. Sorry Maggie, but I don't know if it would have been a good idea to say the truth ! Plus, I tweeted that when I was really upset, it was an impulsive tweet. Now that I accept the fact that I was stupid to hope something, it's different. There are other fishes in the sea. (ok, bad idea, this all fish story is because of him and stupid jokes we had when we met, so, need another animal !)

Anyway, back to the Sunday night. After the gig, we left for food. Just before that Neil and the girlfriend left. Please notice that he almost left without a goodbye. Two years ago, it wasn't almost, it was without, because of the bitchy-brunette who stole him from me after the gig at L'International !

This last meal was pretty bad. I mean, the Chinese food look disgusting ! But I had a great time. Leaving, we walked next to the Box (O2 ABC, the Box and the disgusting Chinese restaurant where we were are all on Sauchiehall Street) and it gave me the occasion to see Gary a last time before going back to Paris. He was on a break during his Sunday night gig, I think I would have enjoyed staying but I had to wake up at 5:00 to leave around 6:00 to the airport and it was already almost midnight ! Too bad ! Next time will be just for Three Card Trick !!

I went back to my hotel room, packed my stuff and went to bed.

It was hard to leave the bed around 5:40 to be downstairs at 6:00 meeting Dave. But, no choice. 

I arrived on time at the airport, enjoyed the breakfast I couldn't have at the hotel (breakfast starts at 7:00) and walked to the gate. I sat in the plane, and... surpriiiiiiise ! 

The traveller next to me was a girl, around 5 years old, who spent the all flight playing with an iPod, a game with an awful sound ! And not that far away, the younger sister who spent almost the entire flight screaming and crying ! Nice !

Thanks God, I had my iPod with good music and my new book : 

I arrived easily at the airport, found easily the first RER, the second one and my train. I walked home under the rain. Rain that I never saw in Glasgow.

I arrived at home around 14:30. Just arrived, email from the City Hall guy for the Music Day, call to that guy, and other stuffs to check. I unpacked around 18:00. And sent an email to my Fishboy, telling him he broke my heart. He answered shortly this afternoon something that I will resume by "???" 

Stupid girl ! 

This week-end in Glasgow was beautiful, full of great people, of wonderful buildings and visits, of amazing gigs, but it was also heartbroken ! I don't know how long it will take me to stop thinking about it, but I know I'll be able to turn the page, always did it in the past, why not this time ?

I know I missed a Sunday Stealing when I was in Glasgow, and because I have time, here it is !

41. Growing up, who was the easier mark : Mom or Dad ? 
Probably my Mum cuz my Dad already was supa-busy...

42. What is the stupidest pet that you ever saw? 
Fish... or rabbit...

43. Tell us about a band whose every CD is a “must have”
Metallica or EZ3kiel, or John Mayer...

44. Where you surprised when Jim Parsons came out? 
Well... I don't know who Jim Parsons is... Let me check. Ok, I see... Well, honestly, I don't care !

45. Have you ever shoplifted? 
 Hmm, yes, in Junior High, stole lipstick...

46. We currently have a person who plays both this meme and Saturday 9 who signs in to Mr. Linky every week. Yet, if you click on that link, you are told that only “members” can read the blog. Why do you think that person even bothers to sign in or for that matter, do the meme? (Don't misunderstand, we have no rules and we aren't angry. But it is damn peculiar, no?)
Ahahah ! It's stupid ! Honestly, I'm not interested by protecting this blog with a restricted access, I assume what I post. I locked my Facebook to my friends only, I don't protect my tweet, but care most of the time of what I post. Why having a blog if you restrict it ?

47. Have you ever driven a Ferrari? 
Nope. Not interested by Ferrari ! But a 70's Mustang, hell yes, I'd love to !!!!

48. What do you call those little plastic things on the ends of shoelaces?
I call them those little plastic things on the ends of shoelaces !

49. Have you ever walked more than a mile ?
Of course ! I walk a lot, and honestly, I think I walk more than a mile this week-end in Glasgow !! It's very good to walk everyday ! Leave your car people !!

50. Do you believe in magic ?
Nope. 

51. Have you ever been arrested ? 
Nope.

52. Have you ever skinny dipped ? 
Never.

53. Explain what you think about hippies.
Hippie, hippie, hippie... I think we can understand hippies if we lived at this moment, I mean, the movement was against Vietnam War and all the politics around. At this moment it had a sense. Now, I think the nowadays hippies are ridiculous !

 
54. New York or California?
New York. Because I never went to California yet. But maybe one day I'll change my answer !

55. Have you ever been dumped ?
Yes, once.

56. What are you wearing right now ? 
Pink jumper, beige t-shirt, blue jeans, socks, sleepers.

57. John Edwards had a mistrial. How do you think he conducted himself after the verdict? 
Who's John Edwards. Let me check. Oh, ok. Well, honestly, we have the same in France but they don't have trials or mistrial, so, let me care about my own country first.

58. Did you watch the series finale of House ? 
Never watch House, so why will I watch the final ?

59. You may need to go back a long way if you are old like Harriet. Who was the last person who asked you out? (Or that asked you out. Same dumb question either way.)

As a date or like that ? Cuz if it's like that, well it was Saturday evening, Maggie told me to come having drinks with him, his sister and other friends !

As a date ? Don't remember, sorry !

60. Do you have any collections?

I had the "insufficient" papers for the Driving test, had the Job Center card, but a serious one, well, tea boxes : the first one we had was the one for Charles and Diana's Royal Wedding, we have the Will and Kate one, and now one for the Queen Jubilee. Yes, we are all French at home !

And now, time to bed !!