So I'm officially home from one of the craziest, happiest week of my life. Details below.
Monday 2nd April
It is a very odd feeling to spend two hours in a car with people you have never met before in your entire life; nevertheless, this is how I spent my time from 9am until 11am on Monday the 2nd of April 2012. The destination of this rather unusual journey was, of course, Suffolk. Have some Suffolk facts:
1. The county seat is Ipswich.
2. The terrain is low and undulating, and the region, mainly agricultural, is one of the chief producers of grain, sugar beets, and vegetables in England.
3. Suffolk and Norfolk formed the Kingdom of the Iceni, whose Queen Boadicea led a revolt ( 60) against the Romans.
4. In Anglo-Saxon times Suffolk was part of the kingdom of East Anglia, inhabited by the "south folk" of that kingdom, from which its name comes.
5. In the Middle Ages, Suffolk was the center of a large wool industry. The importance of Ipswich as a port increased when Great Britain joined the European Community (now the European Union).
6. In 1974, East Suffolk and West Suffolk were combined to form the nonmetropolitan county of Suffolk.
7. My first friend in Broughton, Kat, has lived there for the last 3 years, and, for the first time since she moved, I was visiting her. For 3 nights. Except those three nights were to turn into five, and one of the best almost-weeks of my life.
So after a two hour journey with complete strangers, I arrived in the fairly sunny Debenham, and sat next to a red telephone box outside a post office as I awaited Mr Brilliant. When he arrived I broke my face on his shoulder, petted some greyhounds and chatted with his mother on the way to his house. We spent our afternoon chatting, guitaring, spooning while I read, and - on my part - falling asleep. We also took a trip around Otley and Brilliant and I 'shared' a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
M'darling Kat arrived to steal us away to her home for the next few nights. T'was so fantastical to see her again! I had missed her so damn much! Her house is also rather epic - they are well suited - I can't believe I haven't visited sooner!
I had a really splendid evening nomming food, guitaring, chatting and laughing with these two truly wonderful people. Evenings like that are almost magical, and it's so hard to believe they weren't brilliant dreams from which I must one day wake up.
Tuesday: "Did the cat eat the pasta shell?" "No... The pasta shell ate the cat"
I woke up quite early, and after being momentarily disorientated, I happily discovered that Monday had not been a dream and I was definitely in the home of my wonderful Kat, accompanied by Mr Brilliant. Took a shower! (An excellent change for someone who can only have baths because the shower is broken). And plodded down to breakfast with wet hair. Mini chocolate weetabix were surprisingly nice. We resorted to watching two depressing episodes of Scrubs and some strangely entertaining Jeremy Kyle. Began to watch Whose Line Is It Anyway, and ended up on YouTube watching clips from Fast And Loose. I believe it was around now that the first new person arrived. I have to say I was terribly nervous about meeting Kat's 'gang'. Seriously. But I think I needn't have been. They are an astonishing group of people, and I can not get over the way they just welcomed me as one of their own. Anyway. Tuesday.
So BeardyBen (I'll explain later) arrived (in Lycra I may add. Very peculiar way to meet someone to be honest) and he went upstairs to get changed into proper attire while Kat put some pizzas in the oven. CuriousGeorge arrived just in time for food, and we all squashed onto the sofa to eat while we watched some hilarious youtube clips, including some old Eddie Izzard - "Covered in bees" and "cake or death" being some of our collective favourites.
Muchos banter ensued, though we ended up calling Rory and whining down the phone at him because he wasn't there yet. I couldn't stop playing with BeardyBen's hair. He had a ringlet right at the front, and it was so cute! So by the time GeniusRory (semi-adopted nickname from Brilliant) arrived, I was cuddled into the sofa by Kat, BeardyBen and CuriousGeorge, happily playing with BeardyBen's hair. GeniusRory was one of the people I was most nervous about meeting, but I found him to be very welcoming, and a really lovely and intelligent person. I'll write more about individuals later. We all settled in to excellent banter and moments full of joy and laughter.
After the Lycra incident, mine and BeardyBen's friendship continued to be well... odd. Beardy was lying down quite sweetly on the sofa, with CuriousGeorge settled by his feet at the end. I returned to the room having collected my camera and sat myself in the curve of Beardy's body at his hips, leaning back into the arms of CuriousGeorge. Beardy's beard had been intriguing me for a while now, so I moved my fingertips from his awesome crazy hair to his stubbly-beard-ness. Finding the rhythmic stroking quite relaxing, I was fairly surprised to see Beardy's face change the way it did. SO CUTE. And slightly odd. But hey, life is life, and mine a peculiar one, so it seems only natural that I had accidentally stumbled upon someone's minor hot spot within an hour or two of meeting them. My duty for the day quickly became the stroking of BeardyBen's beard, which I really didn't mind as I found it rather therapeutic. So it came to be that when TheMiriam (I simply cannot find a word that fits her better than something that makes her as unique, and the one and only) arrived at around 4pm, I was nestled on the sofa as before, stroking BeardyBen's face and occasionally chuckling at his expression. TheMiriam is beautiful, intriguing, and has stunning green-blue hair! She is the other new person I was most nervous about meeting. But again, I was really touched by the way she, along with the others, welcomed me into the fold.
We all spent happy hours chatting, and at one point I believe Mr Brilliant broke out the guitars. The room was full of jamming and snuggling as we established new friendships and reinforced old ones. At one point BeardyBen and I had been jamming quietly (he is a fantastic guitarist - although perhaps as intimidated by Brilliant's skills as the rest of us - and I love his voice. It may not be technically whatnot, but something about it catches me, and makes me smile.) when the majority of the group left the room for reasons then unknown to us, and left Beardy and I guitaring alone together. We continued, and entered into a sort of 'song exchange' which I really enjoyed. Kat and Beardy are officially my favourite people to jam with, as it truly becomes an exchange. Whilst one plays, the other really listens, and vice versa, to the point where it becomes an unusual kind of conversation. It is a fantastic experience. So much more enjoyable than being barely listened to and played over. I was so happy to sit and listen to Beardy and then play a song for him in return. Suffolk people are some of the rare type that I am not afraid to sing in front of. They made me feel so comfortable being myself around them that I never once felt the need to change to fit in or impress, and for that I am eternally grateful, as people who give that effect are damn rare finds. I even played Beardy the song that I wrote last week, which he said he liked. (So nice to hear :D) And he also said that he was impressed with my guitar skills when I told him how long I had been learning. That was lovely :)
CuriousGeorge had re-entered the room and was curious about the disappearance of everyone else, so we followed our noses to the kitchen, where the others were making spaghetti bolognese with quorn. The three of us were soon kicked out of the kitchen and ended up discussing faith and politics for a while, which was rather interesting.
Dinner was served, and my compliments to the chefs! A really delicious meal :) We attempted to give Bingo (Kat's cat) a piece of pasta by putting it on the windowsill next to him, but when we next looked over, only the pasta remained; hence: "The pasta shell ate the cat!". Bakewell tarts for pudding :D <3
We returned to the lounge and continued chatting and jamming. I heard TheMiriam sing - she has a beautiful, soulful voice which, from what I've seen, reflects her personality. I ended up listening to her and stroking BeardyBen's beard as his head was in my lap. Mr Brilliant was bored, so came and sat with us, but then attempted to physically drag me from the room so we'd all go to the park. I did not like that at all. It hurt, and kind of pissed me off. I don't like being treated like people's property. Nor do I like feeling caged. Beardy fought for me though, and I exchanged a look with Kat as I took sanctuary in CuriousGeorge's lovely warm arms again.
Eventually we did all head over to the park opposite Kat's, and had a lovely time frolicking and taking pictures. I fell down a slide. It was hilarious. The boys were laughing while they attempted to rescue me. It's okay. I gave them permission before I attempted the slide mission. We did some group photos, and then headed inside to the spare room because TheMiriam's bare feet were getting cold. We all listened and raved to some good music for a while. I was happy to have found a fellow Coldplay fan in the form of Beardy. We put on some U2 and even got GeniusRory to sing along before he had to leave. I have no idea how or why, but while Kat saw GeniusRory off, TheMiriam and I managed to get Beardy and CuriousGeorge shirtless. I have no idea how it happened, but it was rather entertaining. Mr Brilliant also played nervous with Beardy, which was ... odd... to say the least. He got very far. TheMiriam and I weren't really sure what to think or do. More chatting and whatnot when Kat returned, until Beardy and CuriousGeorge left in quick succession, and TheMiriam and Kat agreed now was the time for booze. So Brilliant, TheMiriam, Kat and I played the 'Roxanne' drinking game, chatted and just got to know each other a bit more. Mr Brilliant got very drunk very quickly, despite denying the fact that he was an alkie. I did not. Well. I had to crawl to the bathroom at one point because my legs weren't entirely stable, but I had a clear head. TheMiriam and Kat went off to her room, so Brilliant and I chatted until we decided to sleep. Apparently they came back at about 2am.
All in all, a fantastic day full of new (and old) astounding people.
Wednesday:
STUFF.
We all woke up fairly groggy and hungover, and so us girls forced Brilliant to make us fried eggs for breakfast. We nommed our fried eggs, bagels and cereal very happily.
Watched Zoolander, which was a WEIRD film. Seriously. That is one peculiar movie.
So yeah, we watched that, then decided it was time for luncheon. Fortunately (as I can't cook to save my life), I didn't do much to help with the cooking as mother dear called. We had a general chat, and then we discussed travel arrangements. I could either get the train home on Thursday OR I could stay until Saturday. Decided to talk to Kat about it after the delicious food. T'was so nice! TheMiriam, Kat and Brilliant are excellent cooks XD I think it was then that we had pudding, which consisted of ice cream (a large hunk of which fell on the floor and melted pitifully), banana, marshmallows, digestive biscuits, and swirly chocolate spread. Yom nom nom.
We went for a ramble in the woods, which had rather entertaining results. Came back and TheMiriam left soon after. I was sad to say goodbye. She's awesome. And she makes Kat really damn happy. So that makes her 10 times more awesome than normally possible. I completely approve.
Went for a waddle in the foresty-thing near Kat's which was entertaining. We conquered a mound with the cunning use of twigs.
More exceptionally nice food for dinnerrrr.
We then decided to dye part of my hair purple. Yeah. Seriously. I don't know if it was before or after that we watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show and got very freaked out when we realised Frank n Furter looks a lot like Beardy... O.o
Decided not to look at my hair until the morning so went to bed very nervous!!!
Thursday
My diary notes end here, so I'm trying to remember this day on the 7th of May 2012. Longtemps.
Woke up, saw hair and was rather delighted :D
We spent the morning ambling until Mr Brilliant had to go home. So we went with him across the many winding, bumpy roads, said a sad farewell, and returned home slightly uneasy to be welcomed by the smell of eggs. Not the best for our stomachs at that moment in time.
I think my favourite part of that day was just sitting around with Kat guitaring. We were even sat in the park guitaring at one point and two little boys came over and were very lovely.
WE MADE CAKES.
THEY WERE AWESOME.
It was Passover that evening, and we went, and I ate way too much food, drank way too much tea, and had way too much fun doing a dance round the church.
But yeah.
Good day.
We dyed my hair again, but this time we left it in over night....
Friday
PURPLE.
I washed my hair and soon discovered the a small segment was very purple.
We went to visit Kat's lovely little nephew Leo today!! SO CUTE. And his parents are lovely :D I didn't really remember Kat's sister that well, as it must have been ages, but she's rather cool.
So Kat and I basically spent the whole day cooing over Leo. We took him to the park and got a fantastic amount of 'omg young lesbian couple with a baby' looks. So proud XD But then he did his 'mum cry' and we took him home. So jah. Spent a lovely day with more of Kat's family, came home, sang songs and felt sad because I was leaving the next day. Also made another cake... cause we are cool like that XD
Saturday
Beardy and TheMiriam were supposed to be coming over so Kat and I got more fun with them before I left. In the end only Beardy could make it :/ Still good fun though :)
All too soon the time came for a very sad trip to Ipswich train station, very unhappy goodbyes on my part, and then one of the most melancholy train journeys I've ever taken. I do not like saying goodbye to my Kat. At all. Spent the journey reminiscing over the last few days in my mind and dreading my return to the land of hills.
Arrived home, saw mum which was really nice, got a cup of tea without Kat which wasn't quite the same.
Slept. For a really long time.
All in all a fantastic week full of insanity and hilarity. I'll be coming back as soon as I can.
Kat - love to the ear lobes. I miss 'em.
Wednesday:
STUFF.
We all woke up fairly groggy and hungover, and so us girls forced Brilliant to make us fried eggs for breakfast. We nommed our fried eggs, bagels and cereal very happily.
Watched Zoolander, which was a WEIRD film. Seriously. That is one peculiar movie.
So yeah, we watched that, then decided it was time for luncheon. Fortunately (as I can't cook to save my life), I didn't do much to help with the cooking as mother dear called. We had a general chat, and then we discussed travel arrangements. I could either get the train home on Thursday OR I could stay until Saturday. Decided to talk to Kat about it after the delicious food. T'was so nice! TheMiriam, Kat and Brilliant are excellent cooks XD I think it was then that we had pudding, which consisted of ice cream (a large hunk of which fell on the floor and melted pitifully), banana, marshmallows, digestive biscuits, and swirly chocolate spread. Yom nom nom.
We went for a ramble in the woods, which had rather entertaining results. Came back and TheMiriam left soon after. I was sad to say goodbye. She's awesome. And she makes Kat really damn happy. So that makes her 10 times more awesome than normally possible. I completely approve.
Went for a waddle in the foresty-thing near Kat's which was entertaining. We conquered a mound with the cunning use of twigs.
More exceptionally nice food for dinnerrrr.
We then decided to dye part of my hair purple. Yeah. Seriously. I don't know if it was before or after that we watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show and got very freaked out when we realised Frank n Furter looks a lot like Beardy... O.o
Decided not to look at my hair until the morning so went to bed very nervous!!!
Thursday
My diary notes end here, so I'm trying to remember this day on the 7th of May 2012. Longtemps.
Woke up, saw hair and was rather delighted :D
We spent the morning ambling until Mr Brilliant had to go home. So we went with him across the many winding, bumpy roads, said a sad farewell, and returned home slightly uneasy to be welcomed by the smell of eggs. Not the best for our stomachs at that moment in time.
I think my favourite part of that day was just sitting around with Kat guitaring. We were even sat in the park guitaring at one point and two little boys came over and were very lovely.
WE MADE CAKES.
THEY WERE AWESOME.
It was Passover that evening, and we went, and I ate way too much food, drank way too much tea, and had way too much fun doing a dance round the church.
But yeah.
Good day.
We dyed my hair again, but this time we left it in over night....
Friday
PURPLE.
I washed my hair and soon discovered the a small segment was very purple.
We went to visit Kat's lovely little nephew Leo today!! SO CUTE. And his parents are lovely :D I didn't really remember Kat's sister that well, as it must have been ages, but she's rather cool.
So Kat and I basically spent the whole day cooing over Leo. We took him to the park and got a fantastic amount of 'omg young lesbian couple with a baby' looks. So proud XD But then he did his 'mum cry' and we took him home. So jah. Spent a lovely day with more of Kat's family, came home, sang songs and felt sad because I was leaving the next day. Also made another cake... cause we are cool like that XD
Saturday
Beardy and TheMiriam were supposed to be coming over so Kat and I got more fun with them before I left. In the end only Beardy could make it :/ Still good fun though :)
All too soon the time came for a very sad trip to Ipswich train station, very unhappy goodbyes on my part, and then one of the most melancholy train journeys I've ever taken. I do not like saying goodbye to my Kat. At all. Spent the journey reminiscing over the last few days in my mind and dreading my return to the land of hills.
Arrived home, saw mum which was really nice, got a cup of tea without Kat which wasn't quite the same.
Slept. For a really long time.
All in all a fantastic week full of insanity and hilarity. I'll be coming back as soon as I can.
Kat - love to the ear lobes. I miss 'em.
ayy! it's up at last! i miss you, absenceofbeardy xxx
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