Films of the Month - May

I watched eleven films in May which wasn't a lot actually. I didn't watch any until the 8th of May, for one reason or another, and then I had a ten day gap mid month. I guess I was just busy! But here's what I did see:

I've never seen Starter for Ten even though I love James McAvoy, so when I saw it on iPlayer I watched it. It's cute, I liked it

The BBC also recommended this to me so I gave it a go. Patrick Kielty was better than I thought. It's the kind of slow, melancholic film that I sometimes really like

Lee and I watched The Wedding Singer while we were away in Withernsea. I absolutely love it and always have, so it was nice to see it again as I haven't for ages

We also watched Toy Story because it's a classic but didn't require either of us to really pay much attention to it

Jac and I watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show virtually together just after I had seen it live, because I hadn't seen it in forever and wanted to

And then the day after I watched The Perks of Being A Wallflower because of the Rocky Horror part of it. It's a pretty good film, I quite like it. I loved the book but it's a really long time since I read it

Lee and I watched Monsters Inc one Friday evening as we both love it

I don't remember ever seeing the Godfather Part III in total before. There were loads of things that happened in the film that I utterly don't remember, so I'm really not sure if I have or not. It's fine. Not amazing, but fine

I managed to find the Road Diary of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, and it was glorious. It was such a brilliant look into the band and into Bruce's history and into his shows and the fandom. It was brilliant. Plus it had footage from Sunderland 2024 when it was absolutely throwing it down just before he came on stage. I was there!

I watched Almost Famous because I just love it so much

Finally I watched Judy, the biography of Judy Garland. I have seen it before but didn't remember a lot of it. It's fine, I'm not sure Renee was brilliant for the role but she was okay

Afternoon Out in York

On the second of June I went to York for the afternoon to see Jacqui. First of all I went to craft club, and then I ran errands and picked up some lunch, and then I went home and ate my sandwich sitting on the bed talking to Katniss, and then my mum arrived to take me to the train station in Barnsley. Lee works in Sheffield on Mondays so couldn't take me. So I had asked my mum to. She wasn't well - ongoing issues with post mastectomy stuff - so my stepdad was driving. They dropped me off at the station and I got on a train to Wakefield Kirkgate which was stupid because they could have taken me there! But I thought I was changing in Leeds. Never mind. I then got on a train to York. 

At York, at 2.30ish, I left the station and walked left to go under the city walls. I had decided to walk into town even though I knew it was quite a long way for me; I took it steadily and I stopped a couple of times but I was fine. I walked all the way to the Minster, across Lendal bridge. 

I went into the Red House antiques centre and I think I looked at every piece of jewellery they had! But I didn't get anything. Then I stopped outside the Minster for a few minutes. It was warm, although not too sunny. I walked along High Petergate, stopping in a couple of shops. Outside Shared Earth an American woman stopped me to say that she liked my walking stick - it is white with pretty watercolour flowers on it. She had a cane herself and we had a nice chat about the ergonomic handle I have on mine and how it really helps my hand to not hurt. It was a nice conversation! 

I walked up Stonegate and went into a few shops there. I went into an antiques place there and was taken with a tourmaline and white topaz pendant on a silver necklace. I had Christmas money left over still so I bought it for just under £60. It's lovely, I've worn it twice since. By this time Jac had finished work and was sitting in Evil Eye waiting for me. 

It's an iconic cocktail bar for me; it was there when I was at York St John twenty years ago. I haven't been in absolutely forever so had suggested it to Jac. I had a Constantine to start off with which is a classic. Then I had an Evil Sunrise which was also nice. 

We had planned to eat in a restaurant called Coto which was Vietnamese, but it was closed. So we went round to Pho instead. The food was fine but the place itself was a bit odd. But not to worry, we had a good time anyway. I had a Pride cocktail which was a bit peachy and a bit minty - no ideal what made it Pride themed but it's June so fuck it! 

I had walked a really long way by this and was feeling pretty sore. I had used some kinesioogy tape on my feet and I think it really helped - I'll be using it again. But I don't think I could have made it all the way back to the station, so Jac and I looked for a bus but the road was shut, so we jumped in a taxi instead. It dropped me at the station and then took her home. I got myself a drink for the journey home. Lee ended up picking me up at Wakefield Kirkgate because otherwise I would have had to wait for nearly an hour before I had got back to Barnsley, so it made sense to. 

It was a lovely afternoon! 

Just as I left the station, this is part of the city walls

The river Ouse from Lendal Bridge

Looking up at the Minster from a seat just outside. There were people around, honestly!

In Evil Eye. Definitely visit if you're in York

Evil Sunrise

Pride punch in Pho

Of course I got what I always get - summer rolls with peanut sauce

And tofu curry with rice

Martha Wainwright in Leeds

On the first of June Sam and I had tickets to see Martha Wainwright in Leeds. We absolutely love her and have seen her a number of times over the years, although we couldn't remember exactly the last time we had seen her. It was the 20th anniversary of her debut album, because we are all old as fuck these days, so she was playing the album in its entirety. We bought tickets back in November and it felt like forever away, but now it's June which just seems crackers, we're nearly halfway through the year!

Sam and I decided to meet at Zaap to eat first. It's a Thai restaurant at the bottom of the Grand Arcade and I've been past it a hundred times but have never been in. I know that Sam had been before though and she said it was good. I drove to Leeds and parked just down from Zaap because I know it's a decent car park and would be fine late on too. I was a bit early so I walked up and got us a table in Zaap. Sam arrived not too long afterwards. 

I had a frozen lemonade which was slushy and delicious. To start with we shared vegetable spring rolls and deep fried tofu with chilli sauce. They were both nice but the tofu needed a bit of seasoning on it as it was a bit dull. Then I had tofu paneang curry with rice which was spicy and delicious. So good! I really liked it.

We then walked up to the City Varieties Hall where Martha was playing. It wasn't quite open as we were early, so we went in the pub next door. Then we also had a drink in the theatre itself before we took our seats. Martha came on just after 7.30 and played about half of the album in an hour or so. She always has interesting stories to tell. Her band were good and included her cousin Lily Lanken. After an hour there was an interval. I popped to the loo but we didn't move otherwise. 

Martha came back on by herself at first. She played a new song, which was great, and a cover of a Rufus Wainwright song (her brother, if you didn't know) which was good. Then she played the rest of the album and finished off with Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole (a song about her dad, Loudon Wainwright III). She finished at 9.30 so it was still light when we left the theatre! I was home by 10.10pm which was perfect! 

It was a good night, I enjoyed myself.

Starters

And my amazing curry

And the stage before Martha and her band came on. It was more like a theatre show than a gig because you couldn't really take photos while she was on. We were on the third row, right in the middle, so had a brilliant view

A Gorgeous Dress from a Clothes Swap

On the 28th of May I headed to Sheffield to see Lolly because we had a date at Costco planned! She is a member and I really wanted to go, so we set it up. I set off to Laura's about 10.45 and went in when I got there. Franklin was off because it was half term, and Gary had just come in too, so it was nice to see both of them. Lolly and Franklin and I set off to Costco together. It was busy! I guess because the kids were off. 

I was determined to not buy too much rubbish, but I did also want a blender if there was one. I got one for £30! I also got some rice crackers, wine gums, cat food, a Victoria sponge, some San Pellegrino, and some mango lassi. The cat food wasn't much cheaper than it usually is, but at least we've got a stock of it now. Everything else was cheaper. 

Laura ordered a cheese pizza and a mango smoothie each, and we put everything in the car while the pizza was cooking. Then we headed back to Laura's to eat. The pizza was nice - warm and cheesy and delicious. The smoothie was nice too! We then split the two cakes we had bought so we had half each of chocolate fudge and Victoria sponge, and split some cookies we bought too. Over twenty years ago my dad had a Costco card and we used to buy the fudge cakes and slice them up and freeze them, and when you microwave them from the freezer they're all melted and delicious. We also used to buy cases of fizzy pop which I would take to college. I would have bought some, but they didn't have any caffeine free Pepsi or Coke. But I came in under £90 which was good to be honest!

I sat chatting to Laura for a bit but before I left I got her to take a photo of my dress. I picked it up at the clothes swap in Manchester a couple of weeks previously. It had a label on it that said handmade and I really liked it. I wasn't sure it would fit, but tried it on over the dress I was wearing and it seemed to be fine. I thought it might be a bit low on the neckline, in which case I would have worn a cami underneath it, but it actually isn't.

It is a gorgeous swishy fabric, with a really cute little pattern. It has pockets! It is also a really good length on me and I will wear it without tights over the summer too. I can't believe someone was giving it away but I really love it and am so glad I picked it up!

The pattern is palm trees, surfboards, and little boats. I love it

And here I am in Converse and tights are per usual

My Mum's Birthday 2025

My mum was 67 at the end of May and we went to the Ivy Asia in Leeds to celebrate. She and I ended up there when we went Christmas shopping in Leeds last December, and it was so fancy and nice that she wanted to go back for her birthday. So she booked a table and Lee and I went over with her presents beforehand. She wanted a big suitcase so we had bought one on Barnsley market for her and it was lime green. Hey at least then it's easily visible when you arrive at the airport! I also got her a Ronnie O'Sullivan mug when we were at the snooker because she's a massive fangirl. 

We set off to Leeds in our car and parked near the Ivy Asia and went in. The staff are so welcoming and we were soon seated right at the back of the restaurant. We ordered drinks. My mum and I shared a bottle of French rose wine which was lush. Norman had some red wine. For starter I had avocado and asparagus sushi and for my main I had Keralan chickpea and pepper curry with rice, and on the side I had the cucumber and peanut salad that I had last time. 

The service is lush in there - they refill your wine glasses and water all the time, and there are plenty of members of staff around. It makes it a real occasion and it feels fancy and nice. We decided to share two desserts between us so went for two Samurais which were vanilla ice cream, brownie bites, chocolate mousse and chocolate soil, and it was served on dry ice which gave it a real drama. It was so nice! My mum also got mochi ice cream with a candle in because it was her birthday. She hadn't had it before and she didn't like the outside, but the ice cream was really nice and refreshing. 

Norman got a cherry and lychee cocktail and I got one that was poured over candy floss so it was ridiculously sweet but really delicious. It was so nice! We got back to my mum's not long after 10pm so called it a night. I'm glad we went though as a treat. 

At my mum's after I had put lipstick on. It's a MAC one that I've had forever and I love it and should wear it more

My mum and I in the restaurant

The napkin holders are SO fancy, I love them

The dessert when it arrived with all the dry ice

From the top, it was cute AND delicious

My mum with her mochi ice cream

Grace Petrie in Leeds

On the 24th of May I was going to see Grace Petrie in Leeds with Sam and Jodie. But before that Lee and I had to go into town to buy a suitcase for my mum for her birthday, so we had a wander round too. There was something going on in the town centre which made it quite busy, but we first of all went up the arcade so we could go into Fosters bookshop and the record shop. In the bookshop they had some mystery boxes of books for £8, so I took a chance and bought one. Lee bought a record in the record shop. We needed some lunch but not loads, so we went into a cafe on the arcade. Lee had soup and a sandwich and I had a sandwich which came with crisps and salad and coleslaw. It was good, we've never been in that cafe before but liked it. 

We went into the market and got my mum's suitcase, had a look round a couple of other places, but then headed home because Lee was going out at 2pm. There was an all day gig on in Sheffield that he had tickets for, so he set off out. I chilled out until 4pm when I got dressed and headed to Leeds.

Sam and Jodie and I had planned to eat at Lupe's Cantina so I drove there, but when I got there Sam and Jodie were outside because they didn't have any tables. So that was a bit annoying but maybe we should have booked. We decided to go to My Lahore which isn't too far away so I drove us there. We got in there fine. I've been to the one in Bradford but not the Leeds one before. 

We all had samosa chaat to start with and then I had a vegetable biryani. It was a special one - it had potatoes in too and it had like a paratha baked on top. It was really nice but very filling, so I only ate half of it and brought the rest home. It came with raita too. We also shared a jug of mango lassi. The food was nice, and cheap enough. 

We drove up to the Irish Centre at about 7pm and joined the queue, at the front for accessibility. I haven't been there before and it's a weird place, right off a dual carriageway. But it has a big car park so that was good. We got in and sat on some of the banquettes at the back of the main room. The support act was Jasmine, who is in Grace's band. She's from the area which I hadn't realised, and she was good, we enjoyed her. 

I saw my friend Phoenix, who had also been at Patrick Wolf just ten days before, so it was nice to see him again. Grace took the stage and was brilliant, as always. Then I also realised my friend Ingrid was also there! They were at the bar so I went over to speak to them too. Sam and Jodie had to leave before the end of the gig because they had to get the last train back to Huddersfield, but I stayed and it was a good gig! Grace is a brilliant protest singer and we need more of her, I think. Afterwards, I spoke to Phoenix again briefly and then Ingrid came over too, which was nice. I spoke to Ben, Grace's fiddle player and all round excellent human, and then set off home. 

I got home about 11.30 and got into bed, but Lee wasn't back because there was a gig he had wanted to see who didn't finish until midnight. So he got home closer to 1am and I made sure he was okay but was falling asleep so I told him I would speak to him in the morning and went to sleep! 

It has been nice to see so many gigs in such a short amount of time, and there was one still to come when I wrote this post. I'm not sure why so many people were touring but it was good! 

I was wearing my new Springsteen t shirt that I got at the gig previously, I love it. Someone in the queue at the Grace gig told me they liked it and had been there in Manchester too!

The mystery box I got. The other choice was crime and thriller, which I do also read a lot of... 

This is what I got inside and I am SO impressed. Four of them are hardbacks! They all look so interesting and I will have to get to them soon

Samosa chaat, it was spicy and tangy and delicious

My baked biryani

I got these Converse off Vinted, as usual. For eight quid! I couldn't believe it. I had been wanting to try some of the ones with zips and was happy to get these. The zips and the logo on the inside edge are pink, and the rest of a kind of bluey purple. I like them! And they are easy to get on and off

Sam and Jodie look like perfectly normal human beings and I.... do not

And there's Grace and her band!

Bruce Springsteen in Manchester

So as I said in my last post, Caroline and my mum and my mum's friend Dawn and I had tickets to see Bruce Springsteen in Manchester at Co Op Live. My mum and I went last year AND the year before, and last year Caroline and Dawn were both there but not sitting with us. My mum really wanted to go this year so we all decided to go together. My mum booked the tickets ages ago and I've been paying her off monthly because it isn't cheap! But I knew it would be worth it. 

My mum was getting very stressed about getting there so she booked a ticket in the car park which allayed a lot of her worries. We decided we would eat lunch first and then set off mid afternoon, and take sandwiches and drinks for after the gig. The last time my mum and I saw Bruce in Manchester, back in 2012, we ended up having to sit in the car park for well over an hour, so we wanted to be prepared. There's nothing to do except just deal with it! 

I went to my mum's at about 12, because she wanted me to do some work with her before lunch. Then we went down to the Red Kite which is near her house, and met Dawn there. I had a halloumi skewer with chunky chips and coleslaw. It wasn't that nice so I was a bit disappointed, and the server left a lot of room for improvement. But never mind! 

We set off and got to Manchester in good time. I haven't been to Co Op Live before so didn't know what to expect. We had to park somewhere slightly different because there was a Man City game on just next door at Etihad. But it still wasn't very far to walk to the complex itself. 

Caroline and I bought a t shirt each - in fact the same one - and then we managed to get some seats on the terraced seating by the canal. The queues to go in were huge so we had decided to not bother until later. We got a drink each and sat in the sunshine watching the geese and their goslings on the canalside. It was lovely!

We finally went in about 6.30. It was fine by then, and very clear as to where to go and so on. We got to our seats and Dawn made friends with the peopel next to her and my mum talked to the man next to her! Ridiculous!

Bruce and the E Street Band came on about 7.35 and played for three hours. It was a good set; there were lots I didn't know which means I will have to go and check those songs out that are new to me! I really enjoyed Glory Days and a song called House of A Thousand Guitars. I also really liked Bruce's criticism of Donald Trump and his government. I am glad he is speaking out!

The show finished about a quarter to eleven. We went to the loo on the way out and then made our way back to the car. We ate our sandwiches and chatted, and we were absolutely fine. It actually only took about forty minutes to get out of the car park and we then didn't run into much traffic on the way home. We got back to my mum's at 1am. I had taken all my stuff to stay overnight so we all just went to bed! 

I was wearing earrings I had got off Vinted, they are dinosaurs and glittery and I love them

My mum took this photo of all of us sitting on the terrace

And then someone nicely took this of us

Geese and goslings!

This is what I was drinking and it was nice

The rest of my photos are all of the gig. I didn't take any videos this year but Caroline did so I could see those. I was more concentrating on enjoying myself and not worrying about photos!