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My 29th Birthday – No Plans, No Pressure and Plenty of Presents

By Friends & Family, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & Joy, LifeNo Comments

Recently was my 29th birthday. For the first time since I can remember I had no plans. That week I had gone back to work on a phased return, so although I was off work on my birthday I was exhausted. So I took it easy and did as little as possible. It felt great to have no pressure to do anything. But next year I’ll be making big plans, especially as it’s the big 3-0.

By 11:30am I was overwhelmed by the number of people who’d left birthday wishes on my Facebook wall. Mum and Ian nipped round after lunch time and that was it for my day. As always I was fortunate to kindly to receive many cards and presents off family and friends.

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My New Crystals: Christina, Chris and Quartzy. All on my new Clear Quartz Crystal Bed.

 The presents were plentiful and are still coming. These included a clear quartz bed and three quartz crystals (pictured left). I’ve named them Christina, Chris and Quartzy like when Sid off Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs names the T-Rex eggs Egbert, Yoko and Shelly.

Simon got me a Yankee Candle (among other things) and we went out for dinner. Kay bought me Him & Me by Michael & Jack Whitehall (pictured below left).

I’ve started a Minion Family. Steve bought me the small wind up minion Bob (the one with the teddy). I was bought the medium-sized minions that flashes multiple coloured and the small wind up minion Stuart (the one with the guitar) (Pictured below right).
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Yankee Candle off Simon and Him & Me book off Kay. 🙂
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My Minion Family – New Minions are the medium sized one that glows different colours and the two smaller wind up ones.
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Books & DVDs Bought With Birthday Money 🙂

 People were incredibly generous and gave me some money. With the money I bought some books, DVDs and a box set off Amazon (pictured left). Here is what I treated myself to:

Top Row: If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern, The Humans by Matt Haig and Gavin And Stacey – Series 1-3 And 2008 Christmas Special.

Middle Row: Jack Whitehall Live, Jack Whitehall Gets Around and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.

Bottom Row: Jerry Maguire and After Earth.

Jayne kindly bought us tickets to see Ruby Wax in her show Sane New World. There’s so much to say about the show that I’ll write a separate blog post. But words that spring to mind when I think about the show are: inspirational, funny and informative.

A huge thank you for everyone that sent me well wishes, bought me cards and presents. Thank you again. It is very kind of you.

At one point on my birthday, I felt a little sad that I’d done nothing and planned nothing on my birthday. But I’ve realised that as the year roles on I’ve got plenty to look forward to including:

  • Mum and Ian getting married and my mum’s 50th.
  • A fishing trip stag do.
  • Simon’s birthday.
  • Summer is coming which means warmer weather and more sunshine.
  • Watching Nina Conti live with Simon.
  • Watching Wheatus with my cousin Jenny.
  • Watching Southport Fireworks Championships Show with Simon.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Wednesday 27 May 2015

Import: Manchester Pride Fringe Festival: Must See Shows

By Creativity, Gay, Gigs & Shows, JournalismNo Comments

Manchester Pride Fringe Festival is a wide-range of events throughout August that are separate from main event: The Big Weekend. We’ve had a glance at the programme and chosen our five must see shows:

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Ennio Marchetto

 Ennio Marchetto
Date(s) & Time: Thursday 8th & Friday 9th August 2013, 19:30.
Venue: TBC.
Cost: £15 per ticket.
About:
Ennio Marchetto is described as being a ‘living cartoon’. The Italian’s mime act, with its paper costumes is truly a spectacle to behold and is hugely popular wherever performed.

Ennio Marchetto has been performing for over twenty-one years and to date this is his only UK performance this year. This unique show is an absolute must see.
Booking: Tickets can be purchased through the Manchester Pride website.

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If I Can Dream

If I Can Dream
Date(s) & Time: Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd August, 19:30.
Venue: The Lowry, Salford Quays. M50 3AZ.
Cost: £6-10 per ticket.
About:
Young Liam’s world is full of violence and lies. Liam loved his father, who loved Elvis. The musical tells the story of how Liam uses Elvis songs to cope with a difficult time in his life. Expect this to be upbeat as well as emotionally touching.
Booking: Tickets can be purchased through The Lowry website.

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Up4aMeet?

Up4aMeet?
Date(s) & Time: Friday 2nd & Saturday 3rd August, 19:30.
Venue: AXM, Bloom Street. M1 3LY.
Cost: £16 per ticket.
About:
When Grant and his flat-mate Carlos accidently pick up each other’s phones you know it can only lead to comedy. Add into the mix an App called The C*ck Shop and you can be forgiven for letting your imagination run away with you.

Up4aMeet? Dubbed the naked play, has Lloyd Daniels (XFactor) who recently admitted that he’s a ‘bit of a naturist,’ indicating that he might be getting naked for his role in the show.

We’ll be going along to see this, so expect a review after the showing. If you’re not in Manchester on these dates, don’t worry as Up4aMeet? is on a national tour.
Booking: Tickets can be purchased through the Up4aMeet? on tour website.

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Someone Borrowed, Someone’s Blue – The Musical

Someone Borrowed, Someone’s Blue – The Musical
Date(s) & Time: Monday 19th – Thursday 22nd August, 19:30.
Venue: Afflecks Palace, 52 Church Street. M4 1PW.
Cost: £8 per ticket.
About:
Drag Queen Sandy Beach has got her upcoming Wedding to organise. But she needs help, so she recruits her big-boned and walking disaster zone sister, Wendy. But with strictly no lip-syncing, can Sandy sing her way out of the inevitable disasters that follow?
Booking: Tickets can be purchased through the New Attitude Theatre Company website.

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9 To 5 – The Musical

9 To 5 – The Musical
Date(s) & Time(s): Tuesday 20th – Saturday 24th August. Performance times vary: Tuesday’s 20:00, Wednesday-Saturday’s 19:30, Matinees Thursday-Saturday’s 14:30.
Venue: Opera House, 3 Quay Street. M3 3HP.
Cost: £17.90+
About:
Based on Dolly Parton hits and the film comes a comedy story about friendship, gossip and revenge. Three women office workers take on their sexist, egotistical and bigoted boss to take control of the company.

9 to 5 is crammed with Dolly Parton songs which makes it a must see. If you’re not in Manchester on these dates, don’t worry as this is on a national tour.
Booking: Tickets can be purchased through the ATG Tickets website.

For other Manchester Pride Fringe Festival events see the Fringe Festival website. Find out more about Manchester in our Manchester Guide.

Published by: The Gay UK on Wednesday 31st July 2013.

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Saturday 6 July 2013

The Wedding of the Year

By Happiness & Joy3 Comments

On Saturday 2nd July 2011, Shaun (see The Long Lost Brother Story) and Sarah (his missus) got Wed. They couldn’t have choose a better day for it. The sun was bright, warming the air and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Plus they had the sound of the calm sea as they got married on the sea front. I was honoured and privileged to be invited to what turned out to be the Wedding of the year.

The night before I had stayed over with Shaun, to help get him and the kids ready in the morning. Well I managed to get the kids, Shaun and myself ready and there on time. Shaun was uncharacteristically nervous, but then it was his wedding day, so I’ll let him off.

Shaun and Myself

As people started to arrive I got a snap of mum and Jodie (Alex’s girlfriend going in his place, see My Darling Baby Brother), the both of them looking particularly beautiful:

And I am pleased to say I didn’t scrub up too bad either:

The ceremony started at 1pm in the hotel. It was a small intimate setting with the ceremony being one of the most overwhelmingly emotional I have ever experienced. You could feel the love in the room; the love for Shaun and Sarah and the happiness at them both finally making a life long commitment to one another. Tears of joy filled my eyes as they did in most peoples. I didn’t get many pictures during the ceremony as I wanted to really absorb the event in to memory. But I did get these:

Shaun and Sarah signing the Wedding Register

Shaun and Sarah about to leave the room as Husband and Wife

After the ceremony, the photographer used his charisma to get us to pose for various photos. Here’s one of Shaun and Sarah outside the hotel:

Then it was time for something to eat. On entering the well dressed dinning room, I couldn’t help but notice the seaside town theme:



Food came which was course after course of some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had in my life. Seriously good food. Pate, Soup, Chicken with green pepper corn sauce and veg, profiteroles and then coffee.

Speeches followed. All from the heart and with a good amount of humour.

Shaun giving tokens of appreciation as part of his speech

After all that, it was time for a break. We had an hour to relax before the evening do commenced. Some went up to their room in the hotel, whereas others stayed by the bar. I was so full after all those courses I wanted a nap, but as I wasn’t staying at the hotel I didn’t. The evening do kicked off with cutting of the cake and the first dance:


After that it was party time. A good time was had by all. I spent the next few days recovering from all the fun! Easily the best Wedding of the year. I’m so happy that they had such a good day and want to wish them all the luck in the world for their future together.

Take care,

Antony

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Friday 8 July 2011
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