MY TRIP WITH ALTER BRIDGE....

Here is a little story that I would like to share.  Most of you know that I went to see Alter Bridge last night, 29th November 2011, since I bragged so much about it.  And instead of telling you all over and over again, I thought it would be good to share it in writing instead along with some pics.  I will share a piece of my life in my little trip to see Alter Bridge at Wembley Arena, London.  There were moments of pure bliss, and moments of frustration and moments of pure tiredness - but all in the name of 'FUN'.


On Tuesday, the 29th November 2011, our day began really early.  Earlier than normal, considering we only had to be there for 6pm.  I managed to force and drag my fiance, Brett along with me and began our train ride at 9:30am, of which I'm sure Alter Bridge were still in bed.  Our train ride took us into Fenchurch Street, London half and hour later, and we made our way to the underground jumping enthusiastically onto the circle line to get onto the Jubilee Line and head off to Wembley Park station.  The closer we got to Wembley Park station, I was buzzing.  I have to say the exit at Wembley Park station was impressive - a massive walkway into Wembley Stadium - a pure grandeur of an arena - it was HUGE!

Despite the endless space of construction around Wembley Stadium, it was still impressive.

We towered around Wembley Arena and noticed some really dedicated fans already there.  My fiance thought I was talking rubbish when I told him people will be already there - way before us, and some may even have slept over to get first place.  Low and behold!  I was right :)

Since my fiance was starving and I was bordering on hunger, we made our way to have a bite to eat.  Good old Wimpies :)  We devoured our burgers, and felt a bit more alive and energetic to make our way back to Wembley Arena and tower around even more.

Basically, I didn't want to miss and opportunity to PERHAPS bump into Alter Bridge.  I wasn't thrilled about standing in the queues outside - so Brett and I just walk around a couple of times and soon figured out where a good standing place would be.  Right near the car park entrance.  From 1pm, we just stood outside right near the car park entrance and chatted and gooved around, and waited.  I got a little bored and started nosing around near the doors, since I could hear rehearsels taking place inside - only to notice a steward supervisor coming our way.  He came to see if we were standing or sitting, and to get into the queue as soon as possible.  We ended up having a little chat about the bands, and soon noticed some photographers who were placing a camera on the floor, outside of the car park entrance.  Oh my suspicions grew...and thought 'That has to be for Alter Bridge' since I knew they were going to be filming this event.  My eyes were fixed....








I then asked the supervisor if it would be alright to hang around there, and he had no problems with it.  But I just waited to see first.

And to my wonderful surprised - look who begins to ROCK UP? hehe .... ALTER BRIDGE'S bus.  I got all giddie and nervous and explained to Brett in my new broken English - this is Alter Bridge for sure!  I really wanted to run up to the bus and just wave or something, but I didn't want to look a bit weird and just watched from a distance - I'm sure they saw us standing there staring - Alter Bridge?

I didn't just stand and stare - I had to take a picture 'Oh so exciting!'
'What a grand entrance!'
The coach slowly reversed in and at the same time, I slowly began making my way to the entrance. Is this now perhaps bordering on a little idiotic?  I don't ever usually do this kind of thing - hunting after a band I think is absolutely fantastic.  But I wanted to break the rules, and have a go at something I don't usually do - otherwise life gets boring - and boy, did it pay off!!

I made my way down and slowly began watching inside the car park, and who do I first see?  Mark Tremonti - WOW!  and then Myles' wife Selena (I think - it surely looked like her - forgive me if it wasn't).  Both Mark and Selena looked snug and warm in jackets, gloves and hats.

Now my optimistism really began kicking in, more so than before.  Right there and then I said to Brett 'we are staying right here!'

So we did and we did and time moved on, and soon enough a couple of photographers came out, a guy and a lady - we shared some friendly words about Alter Bridge and low and behold who comes up the ramp - Steve Wood.  He came out and had a good natter with the guy and lady photographers.  I had hoped to get a chance to say HI, but I didn't want to rudely interrupt their chat, and then he disappeared off whilst talking on his phone.  Oh well!!   That's what you get for being polite lol :) x

But things are really looking up here :)

So I waited a little longer....and to my uttermost surprise here comes....

Scott Phillips

I was so so surprised to see him coming out for a quick ciggy.  I was expecting and hoping for some luck, but when luck comes to you, you are stunned and not sure what to do, and that is exactly what happened here.  For sure I was really friendly and gave him a great big hello, asked politely for a pic and he was more than glad to take a pic.

And then we got chatting - we chatted about the general things of life...like how's the team doing?  Enjoyed a bit of London?  Any more tours to the UK?  What to do before heading off to Australia?  I will always remember this conversation.  There were awkward silences, because I hadn't had the foggiest thing of what to ask next, and just couldn't believe who was standing in front of me having a ciggy.  

Has anyone realised yet what I forgot to ask?

Oh yes!  His AUTOGRAPH!!  I mean seriously!!  Judith, what is wrong with you, woman!?  I had it all ready.  Not only that, but I clearly didn't think of asking him to get me the rest of the team's autographs.  

Someone please tell me - 'why am I so damn polite?'  All I kept on thinking was - these guys must be exhausted and fed up by now - so I won't be too overwhelming or strange.

But when I look back, I say 'At least I got a pic' that is still good to me.

And Scott, thank you so much once again.  It was by pure luck that I managed to say HI to you.  Oh yes and I was the ONLY ONE THERE.  I couldn't believe that no one else was standing there and waiting.  Then my optimism went through the roof and was expecting Myles, Brian and Mark to come out soon.  Uuuum.....three hours later no luck :(

Bugger!

My fiance said that was the biggest smile that he has ever seen me give, he couldn't believe how happy I was.  He could see that he wasn't the center of my attention that day afterwards.  I was in the clouds - hoping and having a blast.

I started getting worried when no one showed up and started asking security if I would have any luck - they gave me no luck.  We ended up wandering around looking for a loo and headed off to Wembley Stadium and nosed around :) 

Brett on his phone to work, typical.

Oh the bitter cold wind of London, chills me to the bone. (feeling a little poetic)

Trying to show my excitement hehe :) 

From here we continued to hang around until the time began to start queuing, looking for autographs (maybe, just maybe) or change my ticket (ah...not possible LOL).  And soon enough time came and we had to queue, and the sound began to pound through the walls and our excitement was getting bigger and bigger.

This queue was just the beginning, it got so long that it went all the way back and had to bend carrying onto the right hand side wall, and that's just NE entrance - ALL FOR YOU ALTER BRIDGE, all for you :) xx

And then we were in.  Flip me!  By now I was so grateful for any warmth that could soothe my aching hands and feet.  But only to discover how TIGHT-FISTED Wembley was with their seating.  There was a steward at every flipping damn stupid door :(  but that didn't stop me hehe.

We got comfy, and eagerly waited for Alter Bridge, and straight after 'Black Stone Cherry' I crept my way as far down the back as possible, and just casually walked through the last set of doors - only to find myself at the back of the stage - my first thought - 'oh shit, not supposed to be here' and because I'm such a good girl and a law-abiding citizen I worrily walk out again, and as I took two steps away - I realised there was no one there to stop me - so I went BACK.  Hahaha!!!aaah NO!  A very big man (security) came towards me and I thought - 'SHIT' really?

Do you have a pass? 

No, I just want to take one pic and I'll be gone.  

Did you think he let me through??  As usual no luck.  I kept on thinking 'Why didn't I just go in, no one would've probably known the wiser'  

Yeah, that's what Scott Phillips said as well - we both agreed - just be confident and let people think that you are supposed to be where you want to be and it usually works.  And usually it does - but I cocked up!

So I kept creeping down each door nagging to get a pic, and finally found a lucky spot close-up. The view was so nice and close, and I managed to take some pics of the stage being set up and one beginning shot of the grand start to Alter Bridge's intro.....mmmm GREAT!

And then it began..... 'WOW!!!!'  I had no words to describe how great the intro was - nicely done Alter Bridge!!!

Myles was definitely standing there and he began to sing in the dark 'slip into the void, into the dark.....'  

Please go to your seat - is the next thing I hear.  Argh!  Seriously, and hence I got this blurry picture - blame security for this PERFECT picture.

So I rushed straight down the corridor, to my seat and continued taking in this glorious moment.  I have to say that it was so loud that I could STILL hear Myle's voice singing as I ran down the long corridor.

I nearly killed myself as I tried to fly over chairs to my seat, but survived - phew!

And just watched......

Straight away Myles poured all his energy into his talent and just shared it passionately through the microphone, and then the whole band poured in - the experience I certainly had was a goose-bumpy experience, and my focus and attention locked onto that stage.

Every single song that Alter Bridge played was hypnotizing and overwhelming beyond anything I have every experienced at a gig.  This was ultimate.

I never heard Myles sing out of tune - not once!

And the band never missed a beat or hit the wrong note.

It was perfect, really perfect, and they really enjoyed themselves - by the looks of it all.

Alter Bridge put so much passion into their gig, and really showed us what they are made of - PURE TALENT and HARD WORK!

Alter Bridge's gig will be resonating through my mind and soul for a good few months and hopefully years.  It was a fantastic experience.  Myles and the team gave 120% of themselves, pouring out their extremely talented skills and bringing their music to life more than any of the other concerts I've seen on youtube.com.  Myles managed to reach epic tones to clear perfection.  And I have to say Myles - you certainly sprussed yourself up - looking refreshed and fitter than ever.

But the guitar playing was divine - a sound that would mark your soul and leave you aching for more.  Great talent!  The lasers and fire were a fab effect that just added the magic to the sound.

I surely enjoyed Myles' jazzy moment - it was different - giving a taste of alternative sounds, but when they began again with their own sound - it surely reminded you of how awesome they are.

And seriously....I couldn't believe Myles did his movie scene (Rockstar 2001) on stage.  I was just like 'Oh no.  This doesn't suit you.'  But someone dared Myles to do it and he delivered - it was fun. He continued to remark that if he ever had to put on another leather outfit with that wig again - someone just shoot him.  

I thought you really got a kick out of wearing leather Myles?  hehe...only kidding

Myles really got the crowd on his side, he was relaxed and had a good time - thank you Myles :)

Then after a good few songs they were off, but I knew they were not done.  The audience lights hadn't changed and I said to Brett 'wait, they'll be back' and soon enough they came back once the crowd began an encore - you gotta have an encore, because we always want more.

And flip me! Did they come back or what - even better!  With my one and true song that first caught my eye and fascination with Alter Bridge's 'Open Your Eyes'

I had never screamed and shouted so much that night as I did at that very moment - when the guitars rang with the chords of 'Open Your Eyes'  

My mind and soul elated with joy that made my mind burst - I was ecstatic!  I had asked them to play that song on facebook, and you guys delivered - I cannot thank you enough - it was mind-blowing - thank you, thank you and thank you a thousand times more.

And then the final humming tones for the final song 'Rise Today' - oh we certainly lifted the roof with that last song - my energy levels tripled after that.  The band went off and Myles jumped off-stage and high-fived the crowd below

And it was all finished.  I really didn't want to leave, but the stewards...oh the stewards - thanx for doing your jobs lol :) 

So...we were off and started heading towards the station and ended up passing the car park again - and I saw quite a few people there.  So I naturally assume...great!  Alter Bridge will be coming out for pics and signings.

(This pic was actually a test shot to see that if I did take a pic with one of you guys it would be right)

And now here is the time of testing our loyalty and patience lol

I begged my fiance to let us wait with the crowd, because this doesn't happen very often - especially for me and chose to stay a little longer.

Hahahaha! Should I laugh any harder?

A little longer ended up becoming a solid 3 hour wait.  I mean, you would seriously start thinking after one hour 'nope no one is coming'.

Of course not!   After two?  Surely you should get the message...ah nope.

Then Dan comes out and sits outside on the pavement and whilst waiting for a cab shows us an edited version for the new DVD.  So cool, but I wasn't really sure who this guy was and didn't bother to take a pic - dum ass!

Anyway, he then tells the small crowd of loyal fans - Alter Bridge is gone, Myles buggered off to the hotel already, along with the rest.  He then says to make our way down to the Arch Angel pub, which is apparently straight across the street from their hotel.

Now you would think to believe him.....hahaha no.  We didn't...yes I know - bang your head against a very hard cement wall and bleed, because he was right.   Yes!  he was right!  Because after waiting until 2:30am, we gave up, the cold was killing us - we could barely walk.  Not only to mention that Brett and I missed our last train home, and were now stranded in London until 4:30am.  By now my fiance (love you darling xxxx) found a hotel for us and told me stupid porkies - saying it cost us £150.

Now I'm thinking great!  In the name of Alter Bridge I have jeopardized our way to get back home, left in the cold, feet, legs and hands cold STIFF! And have to pay £150 for a room, so I can eagerly get an autograph and pic - oh Judith!! hahaha 

The things us humans do - we are simple little beings aren't we?

I made my way to a nice warm bed and sleep - dreaming that I was still waiting for an autograph (yep!  I've been traumatized lol) and got up early - God knows why!  And when reality hit, I remembered what Dan had said about the pub and hotel, and thought let's see what I can find.

So I got my iPhone out and 'google' mapped 'Arch Angel' - oh look!  it's in Kessington.

Darling......by now you've got to understand, my fiance was fed up beyond understanding - but LOVE has no boundaries.

We were off.....

....had some breakie (breakfast) 

....and made our way to Arch Angel

We missed our final bus stop at Kessington Palace and got off ahead, followed the map to a 'T' and got a little lost.  After putting common sense onto the map, realised that our first bus stop would've dropped us right outside Arch Angel (sort of), and what is on the other side?

A big fat whoping HOTEL!

ARCH ANGEL....ladies and gentleman

And their hotel (supposedly) the 'Royal Garden Hotel'...ladies and gents

I only had the nerve to take some pics and not try and find Alter Bridge, because I'm sure by 2pm, they weren't in their hotel - they were probably heading home, and I didn't feel like harassing anyone lol :)

If Alter Bridge, you are reading this and realise out loud amongst yourselves 'uuum nope, we weren't there' please let me know in a PRIVATE message on facebook, because I don't think I can be fooled for the third time :(   the waiting around for 6 hrs in the cold for an autograph is all I can bare xxx

By heck, I'm still a 'Die Hard Alter Bridge' fan :)  love ya guys and once again THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO MUUUUUCH FOR A FAAAAABBUUULOUS SHOW!!!!

Then I buggered off and did some shopping in Kessington :) xxx

50 Things you should know.....

Dear Readers,

Here is something from a website called StumbleUpon - Great stuff!!

50 Things Everyone Should Know

1. The word "queue" is the only word in the English language that is still pronounced the 

same way when the last four letters are removed.

2.Beetles taste like apples, wasps like pine nuts, and worms like fried bacon.

3. Of all the words in the English language, the word 'set' has the most definitions!

4. What is called a "French kiss" in the English speaking world is known as 

an "English kiss" in France.

5. "Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all the letters 

in alphabetical order.

6."Rhythm" is the longest English word without a vowel.

7. In 1386, a pig in France was executed by public hanging for the 

murder of a child

8. A cockroach can live several weeks with its head cut off!

Human thigh bones are stronger than concrete.

9. You can't kill yourself by holding your breath

10. There is a city called Rome on every continent.

11. It's against the law to have a pet dog in Iceland!

12. Your heart beats over 100,000 times a day!

13. Horatio Nelson, one of England's most illustrious admirals was 

throughout his life, never able to find a cure for his sea-sickness.

14. The skeleton of Jeremy Bentham is present at all important 

meetings of the University of London

15. Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer 

than left-handed people

16. Your ribs move about 5 million times a year, every time 

you breathe!

17. The elephant is the only mammal that can't jump!

18. One quarter of the bones in your body, are in your feet!

19. Like fingerprints, everyone's tongue print is different!

20. The first known transfusion of blood was performed as 

early as 1667, when Jean-Baptiste, transfused two pints of 

blood from a sheep to a young man

21. Fingernails grow nearly 4 times faster than toenails!

22. Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin!

23. The present population of 5 billion plus people of the world 

is predicted to become 15 billion by 2080.

24. Women blink nearly twice as much as men.

25. Adolf Hitler was a vegetarian, and had only ONE testicle.

26. Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found 

in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by 

archaeologists and found edible.

27. Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a "Friday the 13th."

28. Coca-Cola would be green if colouring weren’t added to it.

29. On average a hedgehog's heart beats 300 times a minute.

30. More people are killed each year from bees than from snakes.

31. The average lead pencil will draw a line 35 miles long or 

write approximately 50,000 English words.

32. More people are allergic to cow's milk than any other food.

33. Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.

34. The placement of a donkey's eyes in its' heads enables it to see all 

four feet at all times!

35. The six official languages of the United Nations are: 

English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish.

36. Earth is the only planet not named after a god.

37. It's against the law to burp, or sneeze in a 

church in Nebraska, USA.

38. You're born with 300 bones, but by the time you 

become an adult, you only have 206.

39. Some worms will eat themselves if they can't find any food!

40. Dolphins sleep with one eye open!

41. It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open

42. The worlds oldest piece of chewing gum is 9000 years old!

43. The longest recorded flight of a chicken is 13 seconds

44. Queen Elizabeth I regarded herself as a paragon of cleanliness. 

She declared that she bathed once every three months, whether 

she needed it or not

45. Slugs have 4 noses.

46. Owls are the only birds who can see the colour blue.

47. A man named Charles Osborne had the hiccups for 69 years!

48. A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!

49. The average person laughs 10 times a day!

50. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain

(from StumbleUpon website)

My WITCHES BREW...

Hiya dear readers,

Today I thought I would add in my actual recipe for my WITCHES BREW, and the process that leads up to the actual brew.

Firstly, these are the ingrediants:   A handful of spinach (be generous), approx 6 large carrots trimmed at the edges, and a juice of your preference (mine is tropical).

This picture has a nice cup of already made carrot juice, and my bag of spinach.

This is a juicer that is able to juice most fruit and veg, but carrots and sweet potato work for us.

Haven't tried anything else much, apart from oranges, which is a bit messy.

Basically just add the carrots into the juicer and juice away.

Get your blender out, and place the handful of spinach inside. 

Add your carrot juice.

Then add in your preferred juice (the more you add the more flavourable it becomes)

Here are all the contents together in the blender.

Ready to go!

The end result.

Yes, I know - it's green - but it tastes pretty good and just think about all the GOODNESS.

BOTTOMS UP!!

Suffer from anemia?

Hiya dear friends,

Here is a good health tip for all those who suffer from anemia.

Like I, some of us don't eat enough iron to help get the blood pumping around our bodies and to our hearts, which in turn causes heart murmurs and other complications.
Doctors perscribed ferrous sulphate (iron supplements) tablets to help absorb iron into the blood.  After reading instructions - you need to take them one hour before or after you have milk, because milk depletes the iron from your system.
Interesting.
Side-effect?
Oh yes!  Constipation.  Nasty little bugger!

Then I looked into my diet, and decided to stop the supplements and eat food with more iron.

I began drinking orange juice before a delicious steak or green veg.
Apparently any green leafy veg has loads of iron.
Spinach - saviour to us anemics!

Did some good research on spinach.  It has more iron that a massive steak.  Whahey!!  Good news.
Also.....

My family got into the habit of making carrot juice (in its purest form).
Did some research into carrot juice as well.
Whahey!  Perfect amount of iron in that too and LOADS of other benefits like Vitamin C which helps to absorb the iron.   Hmmmm, I'm liking the sound of these two.

So, I got thinking - why not combine the two together?  
And that is what I've done.
Every second morning I make carrot juice - using around 6 large carrots.
Put a handful of spinach into a blender, add the carrot juice, and another flavour natural juice of my liking for extra variety e.g. tropical juice.
Blend them altogether and bingo!
A juice that looks like a WITCHES BREW, but has all the benefits for us anemics.

This combo surely helps.
Get the added benefits for iron, and lasts two days (maybe more), but it's good to be regular.
And, of course, NO CONSTIPATION - Whaooo! lol x

But try it out yourself!
Wait for the time when you feel your body getting tired and you can't get around, loose concentration and just want to sleep all day.
Then make this juice - MY DELICIOUS WITCHES BREW - and feel the difference.
I promise you it's amazing.
It wakes you up instantaneously.

Bottoms Up! xx

I encourage you to just .... SWITCH OFF

Dear readers,

It is so easy to get wrapped up in our every day fiasco's that we forget what is so important in our lives.  So today I enourage you to just .... SWITCH OFF from your over-compensating activities and take a walk outside.  Breathe in the deep sweet air, and switch off your mind from your worries.

Take the time to remind yourself of the people in your life, and what they mean to you.  Also what nice things have you done for the important people in your life?

Take the time to look around.  Look at how far the sky can reach.  Or think about the things you take for granted, like watching tv, or be able to just go to the shop to buy whatever you need (some people don't have that simple luxury), or the job you have - how did you get that job? What did you do to achieve your goals?

Then think about the things you really would love to hang onto.  Planning a family?  Begin a relationship or get married?  By a house or a car?

Life is all about building memories and happy moments, and achieve goals (despite their difficulties).  We may have the odd obsticle or two, but just keep nudging away.

Again, I encourage you to just take the time to switch off and see the bigger picture.

xxx

Let's get HEALTHY!!...

My first post is going to look at encouraging us all to get healthy.

I have always known that being healthy was and is always important, because without our health a lot goes wrong in your life.  The things that we once took for granted we can no longer do.  After I found out that my mom had cancer my attitude towards health got me on the ALERT.

One remedy that my parents discovered quite a few ago, is something I really want to encourage people to start getting into.


CARROT JUICE a fantastic health remedy.  If you don't have a juicer I suggest you get one.  Then get a few big bags of carrots.  Trim them off at the edges and pop them into the juicer.  Don't ruin it by peeling them.  That skin of the carrot has extra roughage.

Then taste.  It's amazing to feel the sweetness on your tongue.  It's not tangy, but just perfect.  Did I mention how healthy it is?  You cannot believe how healthy it is, and the benefits you can get from it.

Ladies!  You want something for anti-ageing?  Drink carrot juice.  It perfects your hair, nails, bones, teeth, vision, digestion, constipation, mood swings and even cancer.

Here are some websites that can give you loads of information about the benefits of carrot juice.

http://www.naturalhealthcure.org/therapies/the-miracles-of-carrot-juice.html
http://guide2herbalremedies.com/health-benefits-carrot-juice/
http://naturecure.ygoy.com/2007/10/16/natural-benefits-of-carrot-juice-fast/

If you want you can also just 'google' - The benefits of carrot juice.   It gives loads and loads of information.

So, that is my first encouragement to everyone out there.  Get healthy and start by drinking carrot juice on a daily basis.  What have you got to loose?