Experience #5 May: "GET FIT! + WEB DATING PT.2" - COMPLETE

Apologies for the delay in updates!

Well, not a huge amount to report really. I've come to the conclusion that online dating is a no go for me. It might've taken me three different routes to come to this conclusion, but it's not working for me, and there's got to be a reason for that. I do believe in fate and without getting all 'crazy mystic meg' on everyone, maybe I'll meet someone further down the line, now just isn't the time. I'll def. be keeping my eyes open :)

At least my health has benefited this month. I'm now on week 3 of cycling to and from work, which I'm really enjoying. We've just got paid and I'm buying those 'puncture resistant' tyres this month, then I'll be able to go on long bike rides and really get out there and enjoy the Summer. (That's if the last three days was it and I've now missed it!) It seems while cycling past the Milton Keynes National Bowl (home to many cool concerts from Green Day, Ozzfest & Michael Jackson) over the past few weeks a stage was being erected and I only assumed it was for 'The Prodigy' that are playing there in July. It seemed a bit early, but maybe they're just getting organised...nah! It turns out 'Muse' were secretly rehearsing at the venue for their upcoming European tour and Glastonbury appearance!!!

I did my research (pester a security guard outside the venue) and found out that they weren't only rehearsing Saturday night (which i missed) but also on Sunday too! I met up with a friend and we went for a few pints in the beer garden just across the road from the venue and we could hear the rehearsal perfectly! It was a great way to end the weekend! Just a shame we couldn't see inside!!

So, to sum up, Alicia Keys was an added bonus this month. Muse's secret gig was a blast to catch and online dating can now be crossed off the list. If anything, I'd try speed dating again, but I think I'll be leaving it for a while first!

NEXT UPDATE: FRIDAY 28TH MAY - "EXPERIENCE #6 - JUNE"

"Concrete jungle where dreams are made of..."

This is more of an additional 'experience'. I bought my ticket to see Alicia Keys back in December, and it seems that last night's show was taking forever to come around. This time, it would be a little different. I'm used to being crushed at the front of the barriers, stood half way back at an Arena show or standing at the sides struggling to get a decent view. I paid a little bit extra and I had bought myself a front row seat! This was part of the floored blocked seating, words that normally make me think twice about buying a ticket, for me it's all about being part of the audience - being crushed and singing along with the crowd is standard, not sitting down like it's a theatrical performance!

I entered in to the Arena, I walked straight to the front, and I was directed to my seat by the event steward. I couldn't believe it! Literally a stone's throw away from the stage, perfect view - I could see part of the stage hiding behind the black curtains to what would be a huge production.

Melanie Fiona was her support and she has such a powerful voice. Imagine a slightly younger Alicia Keys, but with the same focused attitude and vocals that filled the arena and that takes some doing! Melanie made great use of the stage and when she walked over to the left hand side (directly in front of me) my jaw hit the floor, she was so close I was expecting a tap on the shoulder from one of the stewards and him saying "err....you're not meant to be down here are you? This is the VIP section". A great start to the evening, and now we waited while the final alterations to the stage took place.

9.15 - The house lights went down and a wave of cheering from the arena surged the stage as three huge screens played a short intro video that looked like someone was trying to tune their TV. Scrambled images of war & groups of soldiers marching then Alicia's image was on the centre screen, talking about how she is a Renegade, and fights for the truth. "Fallin'" & "You Don't Know My Name" were the first two songs on tonight's setlist and I was quite surprised by that. I was expecting those for the encore - not quite the versions I was hoping for, more of a 'jazzed up big band' style than her stripped down album version.




I got chatting to a couple of guys sitting next to me, and they've been to quite a few concerts which have chosen blocked seating over general admission standing - and they prefer it! As expected, a few people from rows further down came up to the front to take photos, which led to a load of people charging to the front with their "I'll just take one photo, then I'll go back to my seat" face, which the stewards weren't buying. There must've been around 20-30 people standing at the front, but nobody seemed to mind. Alicia made full use of the stage, spending time in the centre as well as walking across to the left and right hand parts of the stage so everyone could enjoy her talent close up. By the middle of her set, those in the first few rows were either dancing in their row, or like me, just wanted to be up close against the barrier. I completely forgot about everyone else in the arena, it felt like it was Alicia Keys and the first 5 rows of the audience!

The whole show was amazing! I think it would be unfair to compare her to the Lady GaGa show I saw earlier this year, I'm sure GaGa has a larger budget and it's a different style of show. That said, it felt like Alicia had to come out with a huge 'big band' style show, and I think that rained on her talents a little, as everyone is focused on the busy video displays and dancers. It has completely changed my mind about floored seating concerts, one that I'd definately consider in the future, but to be honest, it'd probably have to be front row or nothing now :P

Experience #5 May: "GET FIT! + WEB DATING PT.2" - Update

Ok, so with two challenges on the go, I'd at least get a result from one! No, sadly it wasn't the online dating, exercise wins this round.

I've been cycling to and from work all week and not only feel better for it, but more alert and ready to go at 9am than relying on my usual cups of tea with two large spoons of sugar to get me going. It used to be a 15 min walk, which was nice. Listen to the ipod, get some fresh air, but now it takes me 5 mins to cycle to work (which is mainly up hill) and 4 coming home (Mostly down hill thank god!) I'm a little hesistant to go on long cycle rides at the minute, not so much to see if my body can handle it after such a relaxed Gym schedule, but the fear of getting a puncture 10 miles + from home, that's a walk I'd rather not do. There are 'puncture resistant' tyres that you can buy, but at £30 a time that will have to wait until next payday. That said, I still have my local circuit that covers 4 miles and crosses two lakes which is something!

On the dating front, I've been receiving 'mail' on my account, but have either had messages of "hi" - direct and to the point I guess, but nothing there to follow up on - add to trash. "I like and if you like, I electronic mail you" - add to trash. While browsing through the profiles earlier on this week there seem to be a number of duplicates, and even accounts that have photos of Lauren Conrad (The Hills) & Anna Kournikova as their profile photo. Hmm...somehow I don't think they would need a dating website do you?!

I've had no reply from the couple I messaged earlier this week, so it's been pretty quiet on this front. I can't say I'm that surprised, after my 'luck' on various other dating sites. Ah well, there's still another couple of weeks before month end, maybe my luck will change next week.

NEXT UPDATE: FRIDAY 21ST MAY

Experience #5 May: "GET FIT! + WEB DATING PT.2" - Update

Ok, so It's Sunday morning and after cycling 12 miles over two days, my legs are starting to feel the burn. It was miserable weatherwise as predicted, but that didn't stop me. I was out there at 11am yesterday battling the elements, (well..a little wind and rain) and felt ready for the day ahead. By 7pm, I was back in Grandpa mode and could've easily dropped off for a little snooze. I have realised that I need to get some ankle bracelets or maybe just duck tape my jeans (i mean around the ankles, not a new Lady Gaga inspired fashion moment) as on one side they're nicely coated in chain oil :( And I always used to laugh at cyclists with ankle bracelets thinking "What idiots! Do you actually know what they look like with those on?"

I was cycling home after a quick visit to Mum's yesterday, and as I was cycling home, thre was a guy on the road (in full 'tour de france' gear) speeding past me and as he reached a speed bump, showed off with a little jump which almost went entirely wrong as he mistimed his landing and almost went flying - which would've been to my amusement.

On the dating side of things, I've searched through all of the profiles and only found two or three that caught my eye. I have messaged them, proud of the fact they're individual messages and not just a copy and paste job, and now waiting to hear (if anthing) back from them. Some of the profiles are questionable, when all they enter as they're opening line is "Nice ass, let's lick it". I wouldn't of thought that's quite the way you want to make a first impression, but I guess there truly is someone for everyone! Now comparing this form of dating with Speed Dating, now that I've experienced both - I'd say that Speed Dating is more fun and atleast everyone goes there with an open mind and a sense of fun. Online sites, such as this one tend to list everyone's "ideal" preferences, which obviously gives you an idea of what that person is looking for, but some profiles do read more like a shopping list. Sometimes it would be easier to simply put "looking for a Megan Fox-alike, if not, don't contact me".

Now, my past experience with Miss Spambot has taught me well and you can pretty much identify the 'fake' accounts instantly. Many just have 1 photo on their profile, and that's not a 'typical Myspace camera pointed at me from an angle' shot, but they've paid for a professional photoshoot and look incredible. Other profiles read more like an interview ad that include "Good communication skills is a must, educated and someone who sets their own goals and can achieve them." Christ! Why not just request 007 to get in touch, he can even 'take care' of your ex's for you.

Well, it's early days yet, but let's see what this week will hold! Next update on FRIDAY 14TH MAY.

Experience #5 May: "GET FIT! + WEB DATING PT.2"

The words motivation and gym are rarely used in the same sentence. I've been "going" to the gym on and off for the past few months, and after a slow start after Christmas, a three week succession of 3 times a week soon faded. So this month I'm getting back in to Cycling. I used to love Cycling when I was in my early teens. Weekly bike rides with my friends, and we 'pimped' up our bikes way before Xzibit came on the scene!

I now have my mountain bike, I bought it second hand off ebay. Not a bad price, but it did need almost as much cash spent on repairs and new parts :( That said, the bike is now ready for the redway and cycle paths around Milton Keynes! I've got the gear, the helmet, the gloves, bike lock & of course a speedometer to log my distance and track my speed when I'm zipping down hills focusing more on the fact I'm trying to beat 20mph without colliding with any pedestrians or dogs that might run out in front of me sending me head first over the handlebars!

Now the bike is ready to go, the weather outlook for the weekend is pretty dismal. Light rain Saturday, but hopefully clearing on Sunday. I couldn't help but take the new and improved bike on a test run that took me around 7 miles to cover. I'm feeling it now and it's barely 7pm and I'm ready for bed! I'm looking to go out as much as possible, take my camera and take some photos along the way. A greay way to see the outdoors and visit parts of Milton Keynes I have never visited before. Let's hope this is more succesful than my gym membership!

2.) WEB DATING - PART TWO.

Not content with unreturned emails from a certain Speed Dating lady, and being rejected by a spambot on a popular online dating site, something new caught my eye this week. Wait for it....a dating website that is run via a Cinema. The idea being that you can meet like minded film fans and see where it goes from there. On one side, it can't be that bad. If they are really that uninteresting you only have to endure them while the adverts are on then the movie starts! But let's see if I can get off the starting blocks on this one first!

So there I was, filling in my details, thinking of a suitable username, standard website procedures and then BOOM! I was confronted with quite a direct question. With a rating from 'low' to 'high' I had to rate myself on how successful I thought I was, fine - no problem, rate how caring you are - fine, no problem. Rate how sexually adventurous you are - WHAT?! Is that something I really want potential women to see? Is it really that necessary? I thought I joined a dating website that was connected to film lovers not applying for a role in the adult enterainment industry! Looking at other member's profiles, it seemed I wasn't the only one who was cautious about what they entered. I barely signed up and added a photo when I had an e-mail alert saying "you've got a new message!" I thought, ah great. Miss Spambot has found me again! Ah well, I double clicked on the message and it was from a girl in Northampton. She seemed quite nice, asking a few introductory questions which I was happy to answer and I replied...still waiting for a reply. Struck by the Spambot again? We'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, it seems many of the Females on the site don't mess around and simply copy + paste the same text into everyone's message box and send to every Tom, Dick & Harry on the website hoping to get some form of response. All went straight to 'Trash'. Now I have found a few nice looking Women on there, and I'll send some messages over the weekend. I can barely keep my eyes open at the minute!

Until the next update!...