Going HAM at HWE

Hello! How are you? Good? Good! I'm great too, thanks for asking!

So, it's been a while, hasn't it? Sort of. Feels like it. Let me catch you up on the (not many) new things that have happened since I came back from my trip to Southampton.

I got a new job! Kind of.

I'm doing casual work for the 'Customer Contact' people, who joined forces with the library back in October - basically my job is to sit at the desk in the ICT suite every morning until 11.30 and monitor the computers: log people on if they need me to, take money for printing, etc. Originally, it was going to be temporary, just until the end of May, but I hope they carry it on further, because it's quite an enjoyable bit of work, really. I used to do it last summer, before the library was converted into a community hub, and it was actually my favourite part of the job.

It almost makes me feel powerful, sat behind a desk, and I'm left to it, given the independence I prefer when I'm working. Another benefit is that on days like today, when it's rather quiet, I get chance to work on the things I've struggled to find time for otherwise: preparing pieces of artwork for book displays, filling in overtime forms, writing blog posts!

I still do my Wednesday and Friday shelving shifts for the library, but I've managed to work those around the morning work, which is made easier by the fact that they're both based in the same building!

I think it's safe to say that I've very nearly gone back to loving my job, purely because of that little bit of variety I've been given!

Aside from my new job role, there wasn't anything necessarily exciting happening. Until the other week.

I. Met. Hollywood. Ending.

I'd been looking forward to it for months. In January, not long after Hollywood Ending released their single 'Freak Like Me', it was announced that they would be headlining a show in London, called 'Showcase Live'. It's a music project which aims to give up and coming acts a platform to show what they've got, both to audiences which fit their demographic, and to those who may end up becoming new fans.

The day that tickets went on sale, I wasn't due in work until 10am, so I spent the morning gulping down coffee and practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. Then, of course, at 8.59, I was continuously refreshing the ticket page, waiting for the clock to strike 9 so they'd be on sale.

I don't think anyone realises how much tension and pressure surrounds you at that moment until it actually comes, when you know you have a matter of minutes in which to secure the tickets you want before they sell out. Phew.

I was so, so pleased when I successfully bought a VIP ticket! And when it ended up that all of the girls I met last time - Jenny, Katie, Natalie, Zoe, Beth and Charlotte - had VIP as well... I was over the moon!

As the date of the concert edged closer and closer, my excitement levels were building higher by the minute, helped along by the girls and our little Twitter freak outs!

I'd spent ages thinking about what I could give to the guys as a little token gift when I met them - given that they'd been announced as a support act for part of McBusted's tour (yesssss!), I wanted to be memorable to them in some way, before they (deservedly so) rocketed out of the little box we'd kept them in, labelled 'Our Little Secret'. Eventually, I settled on the idea of mugs - a personalised mug for each of them. Now all I had to do was find a good design for them.

I scoured their Twitter pages for ideas, and then scoured the Internet for a good (but affordable) company to have the mugs made by. My little notebook-come-doodle-pad is now packed with sketches and scribbles of the little brainwaves I kept coming up with but then dismissing as ‘not quite good enough’. In between all this, I was playing around on Paint, trying to create some kind of genius design for each of them.

Eventually, it got to the week before the concert – 7 days to go – and I still hadn’t ordered any mugs. As much as I was looking forward to the show, I couldn’t let myself get mega excited while I was still stressing about my idea going down the pan. So, in desperation, I Googled ‘Next day delivery of personalised mugs’, and went on to discover YourDesign.

YourDesign is a company based in Lancashire which sells all sorts of goodies, like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, hoodies, wall art, temporary tattoos and so much more – many of which can be personalised! All of the products have a fixed price – so you’re not charged more for each letter or image you add – which makes it great value! Not only that, but they offer 48 hour dispatch on their products, with the option of next day delivery (for a small, extra fee), so it seemed like the perfect place to order the guys’ mugs from!

I made four separate mugs, using the images I’d put together in Paint and the text tools on the YourDesign website. Here are some print-screens of the how the designs looked on the online order:

The Designs of the Mugs for
Hollywood Ending

I ordered them after 5 o’clock on the Monday, and paid for the next day delivery, meaning they would be made on the Tuesday and dispatched ready for delivery on Wednesday. I was really excited to see how they’d turn out, especially after seeing on their Twitter page that one of their pre-made mugs had been spotted on an episode of Corrie a few days before!

Dan’s mug did cause me a few problems, I’m afraid. I’d originally had the (frankly quite genius, if I do say so myself) idea of putting his head on a ten-pound note, to tie in with his ‘D-Money’ nickname, like so:

The Original Design of D-Money's Mug

However, while I was on the way home from work at about noon the next day, I received a voicemail from a lovely gentleman called Carl at YourDesign, informing me that due to the security measures taken against printing money, Dan’s mug wasn’t coming out with the full image (which is quite understandable).

So I replied by email when I got in, after quickly putting finishing touches to the back-up design I’d had in the pipeline – Dan’s very own (and very orange) D-Money note. Carl worked with me to make sure the new image I sent him was going to be the correct size, in order to make it look the best it could on the mug. I can safely say that the customer service was brilliant and the updates I received about the dispatch and estimated delivery time for my order were extremely accurate and helpful. The parcel arrived while I was at work on the Wednesday, and the mugs had turned out brilliantly.

So another big thank you must go to the people at YourDesign. I recommend them to anyone looking for good quality, personalised products at reasonable prices, and intend on ordering from them again very soon.
Here's the link to their website: www.yourdesign.co.uk

With the mugs ready to go (after a little bit of jigsaw-style wrapping with scraps of tissue paper and ribbon I’d scavenged from work), and a soppy, typed-using-Comic-Sans-font-because-my-handwriting-is-rubbish letter to go with them, I was finally able to relax and let my excitement levels increase to maximum!

The day finally came – Monday 14^th April – and I had a morning of work to get through before I could head to London. I was only there for 2¾ hours, but it felt like a lifetime. But as soon as I signed out at 11.35, there was no stopping me!

Home, shower, change, grab the essentials and back out the door within the hour.

Then I was on my way to London. And by golly gosh, I was excited.

The show was being held at Under The Bridge, a music venue underneath Stamford Bridge (Chelsea’s football ground.) I arrived there at around 2.30-3pm, and joined Natalie, Charlotte, Beth, Jenny, Zoe and Katie in the queue. It was so lovely to see them again, and we chatted excitedly about Hollywood Ending, McBusted and other such fangirly things, which is something I don’t really get to do elsewhere, seeing as any close friends I have are male. While we were queuing, I also met Jess and Sophie, who are as lovely as the other girls and just as fun to chat with.



Pre-concert Excitement!
(l-r) Zoe, Natalie, me, Jenny & Katie

It’s probably because of this that the time passed considerably quickly, until it got to around 5.30, which is when the queue stood up and started getting ready to go in. The VIP was due to start at 6, so it was inevitable that the last half hour beforehand would drag. It was then that I suddenly filled with energy and apprehension. The butterflies in my stomach were starting to hurt. ;) I think I may have driven the girls mad with my bouncing and my constant exclamations about how nervous I was. (Sorry girls!)

Eventually, at about quarter past 6, I think, the doors were opened and they started to let us in, small groups at a time. Beth, Charlotte, Sophie and Jess went in a little ahead of the rest of us, so when we were waiting in line inside to meet the guys, we were cheering for them at their turn.

The queue was moving quite quickly, and it soon got to the point when I was next. Natalie and Zoe were with the guys, and we were cheering for them (we might have burst the eardrum of the security guy there. Oops) but my stomach was doing flips.

I wanted so much to be cool and collected, but I just knew that it wouldn’t work.

So when it was my turn, I (very shyly) walked up to Tyler and hugged him, with a ‘How are you?!’. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and said he was good and that he liked my t-shirt. It was white with a big yellow face on it, which had hearts for eyes. While he was looking at it, he pointed at the eyes (coming very close to touching my boob, might I add ;P). Then I hugged Cameron and asked him how he was. He said he was good, but sad that they had to rush the VIP through, because of the late start. Tyler had spotted the gift bag I was holding and asked what I had there. I told him they were presents for all of them, and that I’d nicked some tissue paper from work to wrap them in. They both laughed, and I think I heard Cameron say the word ‘Sick!’

Then I hugged Chris, who asked my name, so I said ‘Sarah’, rather quietly.

I have to admit, I disappointed myself there. I’d missed the perfect opportunity for me to pull out the George McFly chat up line I’d borrowed from Back To The Future: “I’m Sarah. Sarah Gibson. I’m your density!” (It was either that, or a Francis Weir style line about headboards and parking tickets…)


With Dan

With Chris

Anyhow, Chris said it was nice to meet me, and then I hugged Dan and said hello to him. All four of those boys give the most amazing hugs ever!

Then the Showcase Live photographer took our group photo, and I managed to grab quick selfies with Chris and Dan before moving away for Jenny and Katie to have their turn with the boys.
 



With Hollywood Ending

I went bounding over to Zoe and Natalie, brimming with happiness and smiles! It was probably only a minute I had meeting the guys, but it was such a fabbity one! I loved every second, despite my sudden inability to form a sentence! They were all so lovely!

 We watched while Katie and Jenny gave them the bandanas they’d bought them, snapping photos of it when possible.

When they came away, we all had another little fangirl together, before moving towards the stage. Now we had the gig to look forward to!

We managed to find a spot where we had a decent view of the stage door, much like the December show, and proceeded to crane our necks for a glimpse of the guys whenever the door was opened!

Just over half an hour after the VIP meet and greets finished, the show started. Luke Franks, who is also a radio DJ and a children’s TV presenter, hosted it.

There were four acts that performed before Hollywood Ending: Lawrence Taylor, Brad Kavanagh, Calvin Goldspink (originally from S Club Juniors, it turns out!) and Mdnght.They were all rather fab, but I have to admit, Brad was my favourite out of the four - purely because the kind of music he plays is the kind I prefer, with the kind of funky, pop-ish songs which are great to sing along to.

It was fantastic to see some new artists, but I have to say, a lot of my focus was on looking forward to HWE, as can be expected, I suppose, at any show one might go to for love of the headlining act. Plus, in all honesty, my knees had started to seize up!

When the time finally came for Hollywood Ending to take to the stage...well... I was buzzing. Absolutely buzzing. I think we all were; it was hard not to be.



This is the best photo I got of the four guys on stage.
My photography skills aren't great...
And Chris kept moving ;)

They kicked off with Don't Let Me Down, so they had us acting as human pogo sticks from the very start. Two songs in - not even at the end of Always 18 - I was already feeling worn out. My heart was pumping, I was boiling and I was on a massive high. The show got more incredible as the set went on. The guys interacted with the crowd brilliantly, the new songs they played were amazing, and I heard the word 'Tesco' said in an American accent, which was adorable! Plus, Chris demonstrated his lightning reflexes and catching skills when the strap of his bass broke while he was in the middle of going HAM! They even played an acoustic version of their Grocery Store Rap! My god, it was epic.

With Brad Kavanagh

It is definitely up there as one of my favourite shows I’ve been to. The only bad thing was that it was over far too quickly - I was longing to do it all over again before the lights had even come up.

Walking back to the station with Katie & Jenny and Natalie & Zoe and their parents (who are lovely, by the way!), my excitement didn't drain, even though I was shattered. We chattered elatedly about the show and how much we loved it. We even bumped into Brad Kavanagh!

In the fortnight that's passed since the show, I've been attached to Twitter (even more than before). I've been fangirling with my lovely HWE friends about the show, and keeping a close eye on the boys' profiles, for any mentions of the mugs I bought for them.

Admittedly, two days after the show, I got a little anxious to know if they'd liked them, so I asked straight out, and got a response from Chris saying they love them, which I was thrilled with!

 After that, I carried on with work and suchlike, went out with friends a couple of times and went to see McBusted (which was incredible! Blog post to follow).

Then it got to Sunday night, I was chatting away to my brother about McBusted and showing him videos I'd got. Then my phone buzzed with a Twitter notification about Chris' latest tweet:

Chris' Tweet about his Mug!

My Reply to Chris

I don't think I've ever grinned so big, ever.

I quoted it in a tweet and added a 'That was me!', before replying properly.

I woke up yesterday morning to see that Chris had favourited that tweet, which made me smile again! I'm so happy that they like them and that my designs went down well!

'Anywhere' - The new EP by Hollywood Ending.
Available now on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify

On top of everything else, Hollywood Ending's new EP called 'Anywhere' was released on Friday, and I am ADDICTED. It is so amazing. It's pure Hollywood Ending goodness: it was written, recorded and produced by them, all in the comfort of the Cage (otherwise known as Cameron Byrd's basement!)

I've been asked about my favourite song from it, but I honestly can't choose. I want to say Another Round because of how catchy it is; but then I love Unbelievable because of how cheeky it is; or Mona because of how funky it is! Not Another Song About Love is really great, even if it is a quite NASAL ;), and Good Time Girl is amazing. HWE's cover of I'll Be There For You is brilliant. And remember Freak Like Me? The single I told you about? That's on the EP, with a slight twist to it, which gave me goosebumps when I heard it!

I believe it is on Spotify as well as iTunes, Amazon, etc, so please do check it out! It is a truly fantabulous EP!

The really great thing is that I'll get to hear the songs played live, on the 12th June! After the boys finish supporting McBusted on their arena tour, they're going to be embarking on their own UK 'Anywhere' tour.

It took some persuasion and negotiation, but I finally talked mum round about letting me go to the Brighton show! I managed to snag myself a VIP ticket, so I'm really looking forward to meeting the boys again. I'll be staying at the Jurys Inn in Brighton for two nights, because I haven't been known to have all that much luck with trains. I can't wait, although it will be strange not having the girls there. I'll probably have to FaceTime them while I'm in the queue, just so I can share my excitement with them! It'll be a great show, I can feel it in my bones!!

Okay, I think that's enough fangirling for one post. I have overloaded you with it there...sorry! Haha. I'll leave you with a video clip of Hollywood Ending performing Good Time Girl at Showcase Live. I'll post with more fangirling soon, about McBusted this time. Because, much like the Hollywood Ending show, man... that night was unbelievable! ;)