Igor : Premature Souperhero

In the last few days I feel I've really reached a crossroads in my life, in the same way that I did just before I came to Uni. I suggested to everyone in the flat we rebook the forge for next year because I thought it was going well. Turns out Rick and Cippo didn't want to, so we've been looking for somewhere to live. We've got on the bandwagon a little late though so all the good houses are gone. Out of the 6 of us looking to get a place together I am the only one at Collegiate so they won't consider Eccy Road and would prefer City Center accomodation which I don't really have a problem with. Sheff One is sold out, so we found Portland Tower which was probably the next best thing. Me, Rick and Cippo went for a viewing yesterday and absolutely loved it, then Chris and the other 2 lads are going today. Hopefully we'll be all signed by the end of the day and 4-5 of us will have a deposit in place to secure it.

The flat itself is awesome. There is a massive living area, well nicer sofas than the forge, even a large table and chairs for meals. 3 fridges, a well nice oven, dishwasher.. loads of storage space. We have our own utility room with a washer & dryer, 2 large shared bathrooms which all the lads seem fine with, we have a massive window overlooking The Cavendish if we get the flat we're after. Also, because there is 6 of us, Sky TV and Wireless Internet for £3 per month each! £75 per week which is cheaper than the forge, £300 for bills annually (paid in 3 installments), if its any less they give us money back and we don't get charged above £300. 12 month contract also so we don't have to move stuff out in holidays etc. and get a cool place to stop in summer if need be (which will probably be the case as mum and dad are selling my car so I doubt I'll be home much this summer because I won't be able to do anything!)
Its such a massive improvement on The Forge, I will be so gutted if we miss out but fingers crossed because I rang up earlier and its still avaliable and the woman seemed fine with us getting it.
Take a look.. http://www.sunrisestar.co.uk/portland.html
The one pictured is the Penthouse, which Pop's (me and him in Zante) brother and his mates lived in last year. Ours isn't quite as extravagant as that but still really nice.

In other news, the new student night we're promoting at Sheffield Parties is called Therapy, monthly at the 02 academy. It launches on 28th November, and amongst others, has sets from Murkage Cartel and Boy Better Know which should be awesome and I'm really excited for. Should be able to sell plenty for it once I get my new replacement Blackberry through on Friday.
Tonight I'm going out but taking it easy because I've been good in uni this week and we're getting our essay marks back tomorrow. Then tomorrow night its Cris's birthday so we're all going mental and loads of people are coming up which should be awesome!

Uni work has been piling up, I'm going to be doing a fair bit of that this weekend. A lot of work in in the next 2-3 weeks.

This is the poster for this week's Bedlam, the night I promote for on a Monday.

Now look a little closer.

And again..

This poster has been put all over town, accomodation and west street. This poster's design has been put on 5000 flyers which have been put under every student flat's door. My face is all over Sheffield. This is by far the closest I've been to world domination ever.

I didn't know this before tonight, but Arctic Monkeys is an anagram of Sticky Romance. Excellent news

Without a doubt the best I've ever seen them play.
I don't know if its because it was "home" and not Manchester, where I ususally see them, but they all look really up for it. Completely different from the miserable bunch I'd watched on Johnathan Ross the night before. Alex was relatively chatty with the crowd ("Sheffield, You've been wonderful") but beyond that banter was, as usual, kept to a minimum and nothing was said about it being a "homecoming" That took nothing away from the night though. They started in a cloud of smoke with "Dance Little Liar" which I wouldn't have expected to work but it so did. From that they launched into Brianstorm and continued going right through their catalogue, leaving none of the three albums untouched, and adding one as yet unrecognisable B-side in for good measure. Gold confetti flew into the air during Secret Door which was absolutely brilliant, an awe inspiring moment.. They played all of my personal favourites, If You Were There Beware, Do Me A Favour, Still Take You Home,
They finished on 505, and Mardy Bum mixed in softly with Fluorescent Adolescent. It was special.
Best song.. either Pretty Visitors (even though I lost my blackberry in its first verse) or Secret Door.
I did have some top photos to put on because I was right on the barrier, but as mentioned, the blackberry escaped my trousers somewhere around "I'm willing to whine in co-operative time," I'm so gutted words cannot describe.

If anyone reading this has tickets for any of the rest of their shows this tour, you are in for a treat.
Enjoy yourselves

PS: Eagles of Death Metal were brilliant aswell. I'd never heard anything by them before tonight but I'm fully converted now.

I have loved "No Kind Words" since the first time I heard it, but beyond that I've not been an especially big fan of The Maccabees. My sister raves about them, she is such a fangirl ever since she met them after a show in Manchester a couple of years back.
Anyway, Roots Manuva is immense aswell, I first got into him after hearing "Going Off" on the Toddla T album and now I love him.

Favourite song by The Maccabees + some new Roots Manuva verses = Good. (in my eyes anyway!)

I'll be honest, not a lot of reading has been done!

Since my last post, on Tuesday I gave my stuff over at the office no problem. Tuesday night stayed in and relaxed.
Wednesday I went in to Uni in the day (the only time I've been in this week) for a History seminar but it was soo bad. At the minute for making History we are studying the role of Chocolate in 19th Century Imperialism with the African cocoa Industry and firms like Rowntree's and Cadbury's establishing themselves there. Its a joke, its so boring, its all from the point of view of a feminist historian who works at Hallam and wrote a book on it. We read her book and the whole thing is so anti-man biased its ridiculous. On top of that for this module we're only taught by women so they're all spouting this bullshit about how male historians view is wrong etc for no good reason really. The girls on our course are indifferent to it, the lads hate it... Why teach something to us if its just going to grind us down and make us feel awkward about our "male opinions?" I hate this module. The woman who teaches us is absolutely mental aswell, she always has a crazy look in her eyes and is pretty slow.. Its probably the second most demoralising thing I've done this week. (1st will follow later)

That night, Boing Boing @ Embrace. I sold out my 25 yet again and could have sold more. A good night in all. It was our mate Mull's (Grey polo on the right) birthday so everyone was out. But then halfway through the night I was hijacked by Dom and Nana who I work with and I went absolutely everywhere in the club. It was a really good night, Dom and Nana are so grooming me for future working though haha. Can't say I mind.
Was a pretty memorable night. Fantastic "Tell hers" (probably the best game ever), learning "mine", everyone was out, Rick got off with literally the fittest girl we've ever seen in Sheffield, she was absolutely incredible, but then he made a rookie mistake and didn't get her number! He was so gutted next day. When we got back Jonny showed us the flat power box and how to work it. Timmy then started playing his guitair and rocking out in his underpants which was pretty weird, so we started cutting the power to his room off. Very funny

Thursday morning was spent mainly reminiscing. I went to Rosie's and picked up my sister's birthday present which she'd been holding for me. I think she'll be very happy with it. From there I went into the office and handed over my stuff. I then got some inside info on a new night they want to put me on. Saturday nights at 02 Academy. Its a new student night SheffieldParties are doing, and it should be really popular because in Sheffield there isn't really anything student friendly on Saturdays. Launching 28th November. I'm excited.
I went back to the flat for a bit then was back to the office for half 9 for my first flyering shift on Thursdays. It was dead because of reading week so I wasn't doing much but still getting paid so I'm happy. Was a good night to ease me into it although it was a little bit boring at times. Also a lot of rude people out there, won't take the flyers, look at me funny when I put my hand out, or take them or drop them as soon as they are past me. Like I care, but still. They could at least put it in the bin. I'm hoping that will be a weekly thing now, hopefully I'll get a T-shirt for next week

Today: Tidying, Washing, Gym,
Tomorrow: Mum comes, Arctic Monkeys @ Sheffield Arena

All in all a pretty quiet weekend. Was only me and Timmy in the flat though so that was to be expected.

Saturday Night - I left Timmy at home doing his essay and headed out with Andrew from my course, and his mates Tino and Dave. We headed to the Common Room on Devonshire Street to watch the Haye-Valuev fight. Only there and Bar:One were showing it. We had to queue up to get in because they were doing one in one out. Word had spread so all the men of Sheffield had desended and were in this queue, and those who didn't want to queue were stood on the pavement watching one of the screens through the window. Tino and Dave did that while me and Andy queued and went in just in time for the start of the fourth round. Once in we settled for sitting on the floor between some pool tables as no seats with a decent view of the screen were free. The fight wasn't the greatest I've ever seen but I still enjoyed it, I'm not sure if I like Haye's personality but can't doubt his boxing ability. He fought a smart fight unlike Hatton when he faced Mayweather or Pacquiao and his tactics were spot on. He always looked the better boxer in my eyes, Valuev relies too much on his insane size. Haye's sheer athleticism was amazing aswell. He was so much more ripped than Valuev, and hardly ever fights for the full 12 rounds so was obviously gassing out and absolutely knackered but still carried on. The final round sealed it as Haye absolutely dicked on Valuev so a deserved victory, and its nice to have a British Heavyweight Champion again. Either of the Klitschko brothers would absolutely murder him though.

After the fight the victory got me in the mood for a night out so me and Jonny from upstairs headed to Sheff1 at Hubs with a girl he knows and some of her mates. We met Rob from upstairs and some of his mates there but once in there I ran out of money and just wasn't in the mood so I left at about half 1 and walked home.

Sunday - I woke up early for Sheffield Parties football. It was at the 3G pitches at Sheffield Uni. I had no idea how to get there so Dom gave me a lift. The weather wasn't great but I was pretty up for it and feeling good, so was gutted when our opposition didn't show up. Chickens! I headed home then back out to the office for 3 for Hall Runs. It was the same people as 2 weeks ago, and we headed out to all the halls we'd done the first time. All went smoothly but then me and Nana got chucked off Charlotte Court by security. He really wasn't happy at what we were doing! Miserable old man. When he asked me my name I told him Nickolai Valuev haha! I missed Man City - Burnley with work but was getting regular text updates, and had United-Chelsea scores up on the Blackberry. Disappointed to only get a point against Burnley at home to be honest, especially after scoring 3 goals but United lost so that softened the blow a bit. Home from the office and a chilled night in. Rick came back from Manchester so me and Timmy were no longer alone which was a bit of a relief to be honest. I need more than one person around me or I get bored.

Monday - Start of reading week so a nice little lie in because I've not actually got any work to do! I handed in my essay with no problems, and sold 11 tickets for Reggie Yates @ Embrace that night which I was pretty pleased with. Not even close to my 50 but it was a lot more than anyone else I've spoke to so wasn't too bad. In the day I rang work and sorted myself my first flyering shift for Thursday night, and then went into the office to get my wages for the last week and a half after the invoice didn't get through on Friday. An easy £50 which I'm happy with. I spent it all that night and paying Rick back after he subbed me when I lost my card but I'm still happy. Its not hard work and the more I do the more I'll get in terms of shifts and stuff so my money keeps going up and up!
That night I went to a flat party in E Block with Jenna. It was me, one other guy and 11 girls I'd never seen before which was a bit odd. Wasn't the best of times until I started getting through my beers. One girl there was absolutely mental, really loud, inappropriate and horrible. Felt really awkward being in the same room as her, it was like she was on crack or something. I hate people like that. They all knew eachother from their course and Eventually Jonny came from work and then a load of other sports lads then once again I got in the mood to go out. Me and Jonny headed to Embrace and had a good night, Reggie Yates was on doing a DJ set and was actually pretty good. I got Jonny a VIP band so we got drinks quickly in the exclusive upstairs bit and had a gud'un from what I recall. Things got very messy very quickly though. It was good to see some of the work people out doing their thing but by the end of the night we were both messes. We met Reggie for about a second, said alright and shook hands and stuff then got sat in the queue for photos. While we were waiting he suddenly got off! Very disappointing, quite a stern (new Forge slang) thing to do! Still a good night though. I like going out with just one person, or massive groups. Anything inbetween doesn't really do it for me. Did the standard route home via Chino's and to bed.

I've woke up today rough as. Going in to the office later on to hand over my money/tickets and may go to the gym. I keep saying I will but never seem to find the time or effort. Its not like I'm doing much atm anyway. Hard to say if I've put any weight on. I probably have, just haven't noticed yet.

Excellent.

Last night was quiet. Me Timmy and Jonny headed down to the Frog & Parrot on Devonshire Street to watch a mate of mine from work do a gig there. He's a Scouser who does mainly acoustic and sings songs about West Street. A bit of a strange combination but he wasn't too bad. It was a shame though because no-one in the pub was paying any attention to him and the management had obviously intended him to be nothing more than backing music. Even his mates weren't totally paying attention and so after every song there was an awkward 2 second gap before one of them would notice and there would be this "spontaneous" applause and wooping.

Today I've tidied the flat and I am about to walk into town to buy a jumper/something warm because Sheffield is starting to get seriously cold, much more than home!

Tonight money's telling me not to go out (weekend prices aren't student friendly) so I'm going to the gym to get back into that because I had to stop so the hemorrhaging in my eye wouldn't get any worse. Also partly because I'm playing football on Sunday for Sheffield Parties which should be interesting, I've not played a competitive game for a team since I was about 15 or maybe even before though. I'll be a bit rusty but shouldn't be too bad, I'll tell them not to expect too much because I am known for crumbling under pressure in sport!
I finished my essay yesterday. Got everything I wanted to put in and finished on 2199 words. The upper limit is 2200 so I'm happy.

The Good

1. Got my new PIN sent through so I can finally buy food again. Dicko hungry no more! I was getting sick of having to gamble and eat stuff in the fridge which was up to a week out of date! Yuk!
2. Picked up my Arctic Monkeys tickets from the post office depot this morning. Its next Saturday night, Eagles of Death Metal supporting too, should be amazing. I dont really know any Eagles songs but to be honest I can't wait to see a big live show again for the first time since Beni
3. My essays going to plan. More today, day off tomorrow so I'll do some then, and then writing it up this weekend so its ready for Monday. Nice.
4. The Sunshine Underground posted the video for their new single, "Coming To Save You" last night and it looked top. Its been taken down now though? I love that band
5. I'm getting paid £50 tomorrow from Sheffield Parties for all the flyering and commission from the last week and a half.
6. Next week is reading week.

1. Last night at about 5AM someone got shot outside the main gates of the forge (yes you read that right!). I got woken up by a text about 10 mins after it had happened from a girl at the other end and she said there was police everywhere. I went outside this morning on my way to uni and sure enough, all sealed off, and about 10 police cars all parked up, then when I came back from Uni it was all gone and back to normal which was a bit odd. I asked around a bit and no-one seemed to know what actually happened, whether the guy was a student or not or if he even survived. And now the front of the forge is back to normal apart from one police car so I'm guessing he must be OK? Strange times.
2. Cippo (ill) and Rick have both gone home so its just me and Angus in the flat. We're both doing this essay so i suppose its better for that but at the same time I am a bit bored!
3. Rick did my head in the other night calling me dry and actually getting mad because I've got more money than him but sometimes I just don't fancy going out. Was being dead confrontational over nothing. Did my head in. I think its because of my card situation and he had to lend me £25, and then maybe that went to his head? Also because I didn't watch United with him (why would I? I hate them, and while he says he watches city with me, united play 2-3 times a week so i'm not going to watch them every time.) Whatever.
4. Plug on Tuesday for Geoff''s birthday wasn't a particuarly good night. Bars were understaffed, the arena wasn't anywhere near being full either. The Dj, Dan Hills was well good mixing in loads of Dubstep and Drum n Bass with top 40 stuff which was class but at the end of the night I was smashed and just left thinking what was the point in that, £25 owed to Rick for what was a proper mediocre night. I think on Tuesdays I'll just stick to Crystal.

On Monday I invested in a new phone, or more specifically a Blackberry Curve 5230. Its a massive improvement on what I had before, I absolutely love it and the wi-fi hasn't even kicked in yet! Great little gadget. Its my first pay monthly deal. 200 minutes, Unlimited Texts, Unlimited Internet and Insurance covering damage, loss and theft all for £30.46 per month so its saving me loads. Very happy with it.

I handed in my Nationalism Essay Plan last Friday morning (the day I got battered in Leeds) and finally got it back last night. A solid 3/5 which I'm quite happy with. It was the first piece of work in any of my modules I've been asessed on and had go towards my end of year grade. I was a bit nervous when I handed it over, I was happy with the effort I put in but it was the first piece so I wasn't sure what standard to produce. The lecturer said 3/5 would be good, 4/5 would be exceptionally good. Everyone else I've spoke to got a 3 (2 people) or 2.5 (4 people) so I'm dead happy with how its gone. I've made a start at doing the essay with a load of books I've taken from the library. Going well

Monday night was Bradley from SClub Vs. Scott from 5ive Pop Battle at Embrace. I was selling, but only managed to shift 4. I sold 29 on the night but that included all of my Wednesday night allocation so I probably should have done better. No-one wanted them though so what can I do.. With all my flyering work on Sundays I'm getting paid £50 on Friday which is much needed. I got a new card but the pin didn't work so while they're sending one out I've had to not spend anything. I am running out of food!
Rick is lending me £25 tonight though because its Geoff's birthday so we're all going Plug..

Peace!

My eye is pretty much back to normal now which is good . Still a little bit of blood on the eye itself but thats normal and I don't need to see a doctor unless its not gone within the next week.
This weekend has been good, which I really needed. Thursday night I was wrecked so I had a 14 hour sleep and felt so much better for it.
Friday day I headed out to Ecclesall Road with Rick, his brother and his brother's girlfriend to get our fancy dress for Halloween. I ended up deciding to go as a Pirate because there was loads of stuff for that but then after buying the hat I ran out of money.
Friday night some girls from home came up so I went for a drink with them at the Hubs, then headed back to Rosies. Things got very messy very quickly and I walked back with the lads from the flat upstairs.
Saturday the final pieces of the Halloween outfit came together. I walked into town with Johnny from upstairs and from Primark I bought a £2 White T-shirt. When we got back i drew an anchor on it then lended some fake blood and white facepaint from my flatmate Timmy Angus so I was now an undead pirate which was cool. Here's the finished thing!

We headed next door where all the Halloween Decorations were for a flat party which was good. See here.
From the flat we headed to SheffOne at the Hubs and had a wicked night, I thought it was really good. All the girls from home were out aswell. I had a top time. I headed back to Leadmill Point with them all then at about 5 walked back to the Forge. A very good time was had, all on £20 (£30 if you include the hat!) which was just what I needed.
Today I woke up a little late and headed out to the office for my 2nd time doing weekly Halls rounds. I wasn't as tired at the end as I was last week, and had an alright time going round all the Uni halls this time. Endcliffe Village is absolutely massive, Ranmoor is nice too but Tapton is absolutely hanging. Some of the Uni students were a bit arsey aswell when they saw what I was doing which I didn't really need, but whatever, another £20 for me. I'm glad I ended up at Hallam. After the work we all headed down to Spoons on West Street for a Sunday Roast which was a nice treat and very filling. Tonight I've tidied a little and watched Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels which was absolutely wicked. Can't believe I've never seen that film before.
Random Things

• City drew 0-0 with Birimingham, I missed it with work but Shay Given was outstanding aparrently. Its a point gained, although we've drawn too many recent games for my liking.
• S-Club (Bradley) Vs. 5ive (Scott) Pop battle at Embrace tomorrow night. I'm selling for it, will be quite good I think. Hopefully will be able to shift a fair few as this has been the first weekend where there hasn't been a carnage or another crawl on the Sunday, and everyone's had enough time to recover from Halloween now.
• I-pod Situation: I very much doubt I'll see my much loved one again after Leeds, but Timmy Angus has stepped up and given me his old Nano for the time being which I'm really appreciating. Really good lad. I saw a cheap shop selling them in town which I'll pay a visit to in January when i get my 2nd bit of student finance and I have my birthday.
• Phone: I spent £80 on credit last month which is a bit of a joke so i'm investing in a Blackberry this week on a pay monthly contract which will be much better for me. I can't wait to BBM everyone! Hopefully will be good for selling tickets and staying in touch with whats going on aswell. Its free then £27.99 a month including insurance so is a good deal.
• I'm picking up something from the post depot tomorrow. It could be a textbook, or Arctic Monkeys tickets The Suspense is killing me!
• I cancelled my bank card after losing it on Monday and the new one should be delivered to the Lloyds in the center of town by tomorrow which will be a great help.