IT'S LIFE, MR EAVIS (MBE) - BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT

Glastonbury 2007.

Some initial thoughts through the haze...

Last night at about 2am we stumbled upon a café in a marquee in “La Belle Epoque”. I thought we’d entered a Lost Vagueness wedding reception...

A wee lass in a wedding dress greeted us at the door and told us to find a seat and someone would be over to take our order (A seat? My order? Both rare Glastonbury treats..)

Smartly dressed teenagers straight out of “Dawsons Creek” cluttered the place, rolling massive joints, all dressed up and wearing very smart hats, with guitars and drums on laps.

Stoned adults milled about muttering things like:

“You know you’re REALLY wasted when you can’t find your own pocket!”

“Mud. I’m looking for mud. Have you seen any?”

and

"Teacakes!! Making a comeback!"

A haphazard collection of cakes were piled on a table under triangular fly protectors, and tea, scones and teacakes were being snapped up by the masses.

Occasionally the low hum of people chatting was broken with shouts of. “Can anyone play the piano?”

Cue many fingers pointing to the piano in the corner of the marquee, until someone has a go at a chopsticks duet.

A waitress (a Pirate this time) lucky-dip basket underarm asks “Perhaps you’d like a hat or a tie to wear?” I accept, and select the campest, pinkest wedding hat I can muster the courage to wear, and plonk it on my rain-soak'd head.

Most people take up the offer of a hat or tie, and the place looks great. The people who decline shuffle out apologetically, as someone on the other side of the room focuses in on me, points in my general direction and declares “Yeaaaaah, man. That looks cooooool.”

Glastonbury 2007 Highlights

• Chai and chocolate brownies in the chill out tent
• Hot chocolate and flapjacks at the “Belle Epoque” café
• The discovery of the Aussie steak bar right next to the wine bar. (Mmmmm. Steak and onion baguettes and Shiraz while standing out in the mud and driving rain.)

(I know, I know, L, "It's not a food festival, Annie".)

• The exclusive gathering in the Guardian Lounge for the Magic Numbers mini-gig. Awesome.
• The music, maaaaan. Who could forget the music:

• Friday: Benjamin and the Sirens, Soweto Kinch, Amy Winehouse, The Magic Numbers, Bloc Party, The Fratellis, Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys

• Saturday: Catherine Feeny, The Storys, Liam O Maonlai, Lily Allen, Paolo Nuttini, Mark Ronson, Mika, The Waterboys, The Killers

• Sunday: Koop, Seth Lakeman, Shirley Bassey, LCG Choir, KT Tunstall, Kaiser Chiefs, Corrine Bailey Rae

Glastonbury 2007 Lowlights

• Mud
• Rain
• Camping on a hill for 5 nights
• Mud
  
• Cider overload and falling onto a stranger's tent (not my finest hour)
• Rain
  
• Wading through the carnage that was the Pyramid stage to get to our tent in the early hours of the morning
• Mud
  
• Packing the tent and gear in the driving, cold , wet rain.
• Rain
• Rain
  
• Wading through the apocalyptic war zone that was the bus rank, lugging bags through the mire
• Rain
  

Not such a different experience to last time then.

It's good to be back in the land of the living now though.

Ek hoor donder, ek hoor donder, hoor jy ooooook? (Hoor jy ook?)

BANKSY WATCH

I was in Weymouth this weekend and spotted this.

Can't be a proper 'un, cannit?

Jislaaik, Tannie!

ONE WEEK TO GLASTO 2007

I'm getting excooooooited.



Lekker bietjie musik vir jou, Sannie?

BANKSY STRIKES AGAIN

Banksy. Coming soon to a field near you...



Lekker soos 'n bietjie biltong.

TRIBAL DANCING

I rest my case.

Ridiculous.

Net in Engerland.

Snaakse Mense.

RUNNING ADDICTION

Q.
Can runners become psychologically dependent on running?
If so, what are some of the symptoms?

A.
Most regular runners seem to have a least a mild psychological need for the activity while a very small percentage are compulsive runners, to the point of psychological dependence. These runners generally have a psychological profile that looks something like this: They exercise (run, lift weights, etc.) one or more times a day, and will do so even when injured. Their running often takes priority over most other activities, sometimes to the point where family life, social activities, and work are disrupted. When they can't run, they feel guilty; their mood changes for the worse; and they have a very strong compulsion to start exercising again as soon as possible. When they do resume the activity, they show a positive change in disposition. Moreover, unlike people with drug and alcohol problems, addicted runners usually know and often readily admit that they are compulsive exercisers. They are also usually aware of the effect it is having on their lives. Although the precise cause of exercise dependence is unknown, it has been linked to morphine-like substances called endorphins that are produced by our bodies. These hormones are triggered by strenuous physical activity as well as by acupuncture, pain, stress, psychological disturbances, sexual activity and even by suggestion.1"

Well - That cleared that up, then.

Ja, Bruce Fordyce.

1. As Posted on the University of Florida Website

GLASTO LINEUP ANNOUNCED

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it (like it)
I'm so excited and I just can't hide it
And I know I know I know I know I know I want you (want you).

Oh. The Glastonbury Tickets arrived today.

Briljant, Sannie!