Bored on bonfire night

It's Guy Fawkes night and I'm stuck inside being bored. I had to be sedated this morning to have an Upper GI Endoscopy so I have to stay inside under the supervision of a 'responsible adult' instead of going out and joining in the fun.

The examination wasn't the greatest experience I've ever had but it wasn't the worst either. My dad and I arrived at the hospital at 8.15am. We sat in a waiting room with loads of other people and then at 8.30am we were shown into the day surgery ward where we were allocated our beds. I guess when you become a patient on a hospital ward most of the beds are full already but this was like the beginning of a shoot for somthing like Holby City just before filming started, as when we got there the ward was empty. Once I'd filled out my consent form and had my pulse and blood pressure taken I had to wait, and wait, and wait. They worked their way throught the beds in numerical order and, typically, I was in bed ten. Also people were having lots of different proceedures done so people in the beds after me went in earlier which meant that I was the second last person in the entire room to be seen. In the treatment room I told the consultant that I wanted to be sedated, you could have a throat spray if you wanted but I thought it would be best to know as little about it as possible, and before I knew it I was feeling slightly drunk and had a tube down my throat. It wasn't particularly uncomfortable and it was over in fifteen minutes which felt like nothing as I was woozy.

The good news is that they found nothing wrong with my throat and stomach which has eliminated my fear that I had an ulcer. The bad news is that I still don't know what's causing my problems with swallowing.

I've been off of work today and I have to rest tomorrow as well just in case anything goes wrong so I'm having two boring days at home as I'm not allowed out on my own which means I can't even pop around the corner to buy a magazine or a cross stich pattern from the craft shop.

At least it's given me a bit more time to work on the dreaded application form!

I tried to phone Cat tonight but, unsuprisingly for bonfire night, she didn't answer.

The man of the moment has sent out email invitations for his 25th birthday 'barbeque' on December 20th. I have informed him that I'll not be the mug standing outside doing the barbeque in the cold and darkness!

My album collection - Part Two

The Bs...

Baby D – Deliverance
Year of Release - 1996
Favourite Track - Take Me To Heaven
Notes - A truly brilliant album, one which all self respecting 'old skool' fans should own. It gets right on my nerves that the only track that ever gets played these days is 'Let Me Be Your Fantasy' as there are lots of other great stuff on the album. All together now 'I'll take you up to the highest heights...'
Interesting Fact - The Prodigy sampled 'Casanova' on their track 'Break and Enter' and Baby D thank them in the sleeve notes to this album.

Backstreet Boys – Backstreet’s Back
Year of Release - 1997
Favourite Track - Backstreet's Back
Notes - I inherited this from my sister who, after meeting her boyfriend, decided that she was way too cool to have it in her CD collection. The only reason I wanted it was because I really like the title track. I loathe the rest of the sappy rubbish they produce.

Basement Jaxx – Remedy
Year of Release - 1999
Favourite Tracks - Red Alert & Jump and Shout
Notes - Another classic album. A diverse range of tracks which are original and full of energy and gel together to make a great musical experience. Cardiff bloke would say Basement Jaxx produce 'dance music for people who don't like dance music' which is true, I know of many serious indie fans who have this album alongside Muse and Elbow. The interludes are pointless but fun and prove that this is a well thought out album not just a collection of singles thrown together.

Basement Jaxx – Rooty
Year of Release - 2001
Favourite Track - All I Know
Notes - The material on 'Rooty' is very different to the stuff on 'Remedy' but in my opinion just as good. Again the diverse tracks come together to make a great album which keeps the listener interested all the way through. I can't wait to hear the new release 'Kish Kash' which is meant to be their best work yet. I think I'll ask for it for Christmas.

Bon Jovi – Crossroads
Year of Release - 1994
Favourite Track - Living on a Prayer
Notes - When I was a vulnerable schoolgirl it became fashionable to like Bon Jovi for a while and this album is a remnant of my, thankfully short, soft rock phase. It's one of the few albums I still have on tape. I can't remember the last time I listened to it.


The Cs...

Chemical Brothers – Exit Planet Dust
Year of Release - 1995
Favourite Track - ?
Notes - I find it really hard to pinpoint a favourite song Chemical Brothers albums as they all tend to merge together to create a brilliant, psychedelic experience. This was their first album but the last I added to my collection.
Interesting Fact - The Chemical Brothers were originally called The Dust Brothers until some American DJs with the same name complained and they had to change it, hence the title of this album.

Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole
Year of Release - 1997
Favourite Track - Setting Sun
Notes - Another brilliantly diverse album with real big beat anthems like Setting Sun and Block Rockin Beats mixed with laid back, hippy tracks like Private Psychedelic Reel. I've picked Setting Sun as my favourite track as it's great to go crazy to on the dance floor and equally good to sing along to in your bedroom. The huge sounds used and the inspired use of pauses and short break downs make it an unforgettable track from the era. This is despite the fact that I loath Oasis and the Gallagher brothers. I love the random arty sleeve too. Each page is taken up with a really random picture or for example: an orange.

Chemical Brothers – Surrender
Year of Release - 1999
Favourite Track - ?

Chemical Brothers – Come With Us
Year of Release - 2002
Favourite Track - ?
Notes - You may have guessed that I really like the Chems! This album goes back to their big beat roots a bit with tracks like 'Come With Us' and 'It Began in Africa'.
Interesting Fact - The Chemical Brothers met whilst studying medieval history. Proof that historians aren't all unsuccessful, boring, geeks!

Cole, M J – Sincere
Year of Release - 2000
Favourite Track - Sincere
Notes - Another essential album for any fan of the late 90s UK Garage explosion. Soulful and melodic, M J Cole's stuff couldn't be further removed from So Solid Crew and the like. The whole thing is quite laid back and relaxed, just right for listening to when chilling out. Would be good seduction music if any of my recent boyfriends had been able to stomach Garage music. I saw MJ Cole and his singer Elizabeth Troy play live with a band on 'Later with Jools Holland' a while ago and they were great. Proof that Garage music isn't all production and sound effects but can involve true musical talent.