"She likes British candy, British boys, British songs and British beer..."

So, I'm currently in England. Brighton to be exact. I'm sitting in my hotel room and looking out at the ocean reminiscing about the show I saw tonight and counting the minutes until the next!

I'm in England for four reasons. Four reasons that Ruth outlined in her ode to The One Love. British candy, boys, songs and beer. I think the order is a little off, but it made for a better song. The boys definetley come first of course...along with their songs. Ok, the songs come first...but the boys write the songs. It's kind of like that whole chicken/egg thing.

I arrived in Manchester on Sunday morning. My friend Brinn met me there shortly after. After the debacle that ensued Sat I have no idea how I even got there in one piece, on time, with all of my belongings. Cathy and Caroline should write about that! So, we rented a car and drove to Nottingham. This trip should have taken about 2-3 hours, but took more like 7-8. That day I got used to driving her again, Brinn got used to her iphone GPS and we learned to concentrate on the road, not the radio, gorgeous mountainsides and anything else that got in our way. At some point on the trip to the east, I ended up in Liverpool and flipped out as that is definetley west. We finally got to Nottingham and checked into the Hotel Brittania, the hotel that Cassie, Cathy and I stayed at the night The One Love was born! It was a hell hole back then, but it's been updated and that was a welcome surprise! After that, we went to the Nottingham arena where I fell in love with a ticketing guy and then fell in love with Scouting for Girls all over again! I met them a few weeks ago at a CMJ showcase in NYC thanks to an invite from Caroline. They were amazingly happy (Think British Bryce Avary) and offered tix if we ever made it out to England...well, we did and I'd like to thank Roy for the amazing seats!! ...and an even more amazing show!!!!!!!!!!!! I was in awe! It was such a postive, happy vibe and the audience and band interacted like they were meant to. It was a good start to what's shaping up to be an amazing week!

Later that night, we visited the infamous Nottingham pub which is, and I confirm, the birthplace of this site. It was quite sad though as the bar was bought out and. in a sad attempt, was made to be a little nicer. It was awesome bc it was so shady. The drink specials that have taken their place in our history were nowhere to be found. That's right...no dancing dolphins, no brain damage...just a regular old bar. We climbed up on the top platform where we hung out that October night in 2006 and I sighed as I noticed the wall where I had written "NATE CAMPANY FOR LIFE" was now painted and it could no longer be seen. Soon a group of kids came in and migrated toward us. We ended up hanging out with some Nottingham kids all night and talking about how much their love our country and how much we love theirs...how much they would rather date Americans and how we were in the bar to meet hot British guys...we compared candy, and food, and music and eventualy had and in-depth talk about politics. I think we shall hang out again this week!

The next day we drove to London to see WICKED! I love Broadway shows, and this wasn't short of amazing!! You really must make plans to see it!! Before the show, we parked at Watford Junction and took the train in. After a long commute during rush hour, we arrived at out "hotel." I dare use that word as this dirty old box we stayed in made my college dorm room look like the Ritz. It was quite an experience. We also ate at Pizza Express that night...one of my favorites...and I got dough balls, which I love!

Today, I vowed that nothing could go wrong. This day would be the best day of the year. I proclaimed this with making the exception that the amazing dream-come-true Fall Out Boy show at AK47CHI on Aug 31 was exempt from the year as it was the best day OF MY LIFE and can no longer be judged against other days of the year. Today...you see, was the day I had been waiting for during the past year! The past two days, though amazing, had been torture as I usually get off a plane and get going to this particular event, but thist trip just wasn't planned that way. So, what made today so spectacular? MCFLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think many people on this site truly understand what this band means to me. Let's just talk about the pure fact that I am on the other side of the world for a few concerts. I can sit here and list and list reasons why McFly is the best band I'VE ever loved but just take my word for it!!

So, did it turn out well? Was it the best day of the year? YES! IT WAS!! Not only was I having an amazing time here in Brighton, but Miss Ruth Collins had an amazing day back in Nashvegas! Family Force 5 released their new "Radiator" video, and you should click here to watch it now! Also, David Cook's album was released today. Thank God for iTunes. I'm always sitting at home trying to figure out how to beat the UK iTunes system and buy the music for once. I scan their shop often drooling over music that I end up shipping to me for 5x the price. Today, I was on the other side, sitting in England being so happy that I could access American music! I am also glad that my good friend Danny got back home safely to Manchester after being away for nearly a year and I'm really glad that he now has unlimited Internet access!

On my end, I began a series of squealing fits today about once/twenty minutes bc I was so filled with excitement! I began crying as I realized that all I had ever wanted to do was drive myself to a McFly concert while singing their music at the top of my lungs, and when I realized that it was actually happening, I couldn't help but cry. The show was amazing! I somehow ended up right beside the stage and enjoyed every second of it. I even witnessed a girl fight during the middle of the show. It was pretty dramatic AND it allowed me to get closer to the stage...thanks for ripping each other's hair out ladies!! I don't really have much to say about the show. I'm not good with words when words aren't good enough for my feelings. Sometimes I think that can really be true.

My ears are ringing. My hair isn't as straight as it was when I got to the show. My makeup is run over with tear marks. My feet are sore. My money is dwindling down. I have a slight hangover and I can't sleep bc I'm still reminiscing but all of these things make me happy. No pain. No gain. I don't think this concept is more prevelant in my life than when referring to concerts. I don't comprimise anything for my bands. Brinn asked me if I still had the tickets after going to the restroom. I didn't know honestly without a doubt, but I said to her, "Of course I have the tickets. I always have the tickets!" She said, "Oh, I'm sure you do, but I'm just checking." I said, "I'm not even checking but I need you to realize that I'll lose keys, phones, wallets, my mind, but I NEVER lose my tickets bc they are the most important thing that I can hold. They are the most tangible way of holding a dream, a moment, my heart. I will NEVER lose a ticket bc without a ticket I miss out on an experience that I need to survive. So, yes, of course I have the tickets." ...and I did.

Tomorrow we are traveling to Brighton to see OLD GREGG!!!
Seriously.
I also plan on backing it up on Noel Fielding during a Coldplay song.
Seriously.
The last time I made that statement it went something like, "I will back it up on Perez during Vogue." It happened. Don't doubt me.

Until I have time to write again...

If any of you are going to the McFly shows in Nottingham or Manchester, let me know!!!! I just managed to write this blog without referencing "Danny Jones." I don't think I've referenced anything during this day more than Danny Jones, so here's to that amazing man. One day I plan on seeing Danny Jones sing "Don't Know Why" live...with straight hair. LAUREN AIM ME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!