What I Did On My Holidays (Part Two)

Tuesday 18th November

As I wouldn’t be in the UK for Christmas this year my mum decided to throw us an early Christmas Day. The plan was that we make it a real Christmas. The family would swap presents, have a proper festive Dinner then we would play games in the evening. Both my brother, sister and her boyfriend Neil took time off work to make this happen for Emma and me. We were very grateful and very excited.

We met little Jon Ollington at Fenchurch Street station (after being delayed on the first train we got. I really haven’t missed our public transport) and we boarded the train back to Leigh-On-Sea. Em and I were exhausted due to running to catch this train with a very heavy suitcase full of presents. I wish we had hired a car in retrospect!

Dad was waiting for us at the station and before we knew it we were back home. It really felt like Christmas as my mum had even put up decorations. It was ace to see my mum as well as Sarah and Neil all there waiting for us. As regular readers will know my sister has just got engaged so I was pleased to congratulate the happy couple.

I got some really ace presents and like Roy Wood I wished it could be Christmas every day. Our dinner was delicious and we had lots of arguments when playing DVD games of ‘Pub Quiz’, ‘Catchphrase’ and ‘Family Fortunes’. It was brill! In the evening we were joined by Auntie Angela and Uncle Colin, as well as friend of the family Roger. My Auntie was convinced ‘Catchphrase’ was called ‘Mr Pips’ and no telling her that the little computer person was in fact Mr Chips (and that wasn’t even the title anyway) sunk in.

It really was a lovely day, and Emma and I were quite touched with the effort everyone went too.

Wednesday 19th November

Emma and I slept for ten hours solid and woke up at 11am. We had been out and about so much since we got back it was good to be able to lie in. We had some tea and toast before saying goodbye. My Dad dropped us in Leigh where we were meeting our friends Mark and Becky for lunch. It was fantastic to see them and we had a nice pizza. I had a full fat coke too. I think you should always treat yourself on occasions such as this. They also had their lovely children in tow, Mollie and Thomas. We had only seen Thomas once before. He was now nine months old and cute as a button. It made Emma and I want children right away, until we realized not all of them are as well behaved as The Rice’s. Our lunch went far too quickly and before we knew it we were back on the train to London.

In the evening we went to our local pub with Sinead and Iain. Emma and I know Sinead from Nat Geo, and she lives near us in Anerley too. We are now all top mates and that kind of thing. Sinead’s man is called Iain. He is a top bloke who I have got to know over the last couple of years. We bonded over having the same racist driving instructor. Anyway, we had many drinks and great chats and before long it was closing time. It had been another smashing day. I was now enjoying being back at home.

Thursday 20th November

I had a lot of running around to do during the day for last minute Carter gig preparations. This meant that I couldn’t join the Furness family for lunch which was annoying. I had to make do with a sandwich from Tescos.

Mr. Spoons picked us up in the evening and soon him and I, along with the talent (Jim and Les) were heading up to Birmingham.

This year they had decided not to go in the tour bus with the crew (that would be leaving later) in order that they get a good nights sleep and that they were properly prepared. The crew themselves were also up and loading in the venue at 8am (so they would have us believe!) so we didn’t want to be disturbed.

Out hotel was very nice and the rooms had imacs in them, which also doubled up as TVs. I thought this was very cool. We all went out for a pizza before having a cheeky drink in the hotel bar. It was soon time for bed though, and once again I had lovely sleeps.

Friday 21st November

The day of reckoning was here. It was the first proper gig! We got to the venue at around mid-day as I had to sort out the merch, guestlists etc. Our Tour Manager Sam had everything in hand and I was able to relax a bit. It was still very manic before doors though, and we were soundchecking right up to the wire. In fact, the first band on ‘Vile Evils’ carried on even though doors had opened. There is nothing more I hate than late opening doors (we had a curfew of 10:30 tonight so the pressure was on to be spot on) but we just about made it. I reckon I lost a good few years in worry though.

I soon saw Emma, who had traveled up with Mrs Spoons, Mrs Jim Bob and Mrs Fruitbat. Emma had been to Selfridges and a German Christmas market with Mrs Spoons during the day and had spent ten billion pounds in the process. The credit crunch doesn’t exist in the Ollington household. Em did buy me some marzipan (which I adore though) so I didn’t mind really.

The gig itself was truly fantastic. I never thought it possible but Carter were better than last year. All the hard work had paid off. The lights were amazing, the sound was great and the atmosphere was superb. Vile Evils and EMF were both fantastic too and really made Carter raise their game. And they did that with a superb set that lasted just over two hours. I was running around like a maniac at the end getting a curfew extension as the boys seemed like they were never going to stop playing.

We found out later that not only did Carter break the bar record, but it was also the best attended gig ever at the venue. Even though a lot of shows sell out you normally get a 10% drop off. Well, we sold 3000 tickets, and 2984 went through the door. How great is that?

I was able to watch a lot of the set, and I really took it in, it was the only time during the day my mind wasn’t racing with a barrage of things. After the gig I got the regular hassle and abuse from people who weren’t on the aftershow list and who thought they should be (even though Jim and Les themselves didn’t attend the aftershow, and it was more fun in the main venue, as people were allowed to stay for the club night). And I then had to go and sort out the merchandise money and do a stock take. I finished just past midnight. By this time everyone was as drunk as lords. We got back to the hotel at around 2am (I think!), I had an orange juice (there wasn’t any point in drinking with such a big day tomorrow) and Emma and I went to bed leaving the rest in the hotel bar.

Saturday 22nd November

We got up early doors and were traveling to Brixton by 9:30am. It was also Jim’s birthday today so I did my best to be extra nice to him. Once again we arrived at the venue just past mid-day and I got down to work. The setting up of things went a lot more smoothly today and Carter even sound checked early. We were ready with half an hour to go.

I was really pleased about this and I was ready for a great night. My mood was soon bought down by someone I know pretty well abusing me because they weren’t on the aftershow party guestlist! I could have left them off by mistake (or it could have been the person who was meant to put them on), but even so I sorted it out for them quite happily. I didn’t need the abuse and was a bit annoyed by it. I then got a call saying Tim Connery (top scriptwriter and chum) was also not on the guestlist (which was my fault!). Luckily Tim was a lot more understanding than the other nameless person and it was lovely to see him, once I had got him in from the cold. I only saw Mr. Connery briefly but it reminded me how much I missed Monday Club (our regular drinks in the Palace, with the hardcore members being Me, Neil, Les, Jim and Tim)

Once again the gig was amazing and Carter played a storming 2hr plus set again. The atmosphere in the Academy was fantastic and everyone from the staff, to the promoters said how different it was to a ‘normal’ gig. These shows were real celebrations, and I felt proud to be part of them. Over six months worth of work went into this, but it was ruddy worth it!

After the show I was able to say a few quick hellos (including my Mum and Dad who had come along after loving it last year) but while the aftershow was in full force I had to do the merch stocktake and count. This takes at least an hour but luckily little Jon Ollington was there to help me. We then spent ages taking the leftover merch to the stage doors. Just when we thought our work was done we realized that the van had left without the merchandise. Everyone else was too tiddly to deal with it. Luckily Mr. Spoons was still sober and we were able to load up all the merch in his car (after I was roped in to help load up the PA!) and drive it round to Les’ who lived nearby in Brixton. What would we do without Mr. Spoons is a question I often ask myself.

Emma didn’t want to come to the next Aftershow party at the venue Jamm (I know – another aftershow) but I fancied a drink or two (I can’t drink at the gigs, not when I know I’m dealing with lots of cash later) and finally at 2am my work was done. I got to Jamm and while I was happy to see people there I didn’t really get into it. It was great to see so many people I know, and to see my mate Jez DJ but after a beer or two it was time for me to leave.

I got a cab back with my mate James who lives dead near me. I got to bed at 4am and just fell straight to sleep. The gigs couldn’t have gone better. But I must admit to being relieved they were all over.

Sunday 23rd November

We said goodbye to Felicity Furness and we got into our cab for Heathrow. We had the loveliest cab driver in the world. He told us lots of great stories of his life and it cheered Emma up (as she was sad to be leaving her family and friends again).

I treated the Emster to Guitar Hero for her Nintendo DS lite to cheer her up further. This did the trick. I got a Smiths CD! Our flight was bang on time and the journey back was pure eleven hours of bliss. The flight was half full so we could stretch out and relax. I read my Morrissey book and watched some films. Time went so quick. Before I knew it we had landed and we were back in our Santa Monica bungalow. Had it all been a dream?

Em and I went to bed and I had the best nights sleep ever, just in time for work the next day.

Coming Next: Thanksgiving in LA