a big guy in a big city

Posted by Bone at December 29th, 2005

Right, so here’s the thing: we want to know why we’re not getting many comments, considering how immensely popular the site is. Comments validate us, and make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.

If you don’t comment I’ll cry. I will. I promise.

Edit: I thought I’d flesh out the whole thought process behind this post now that I’m back in Cumbria (more to follow on the London trip), Richard actually wrote it, a collaborative effort Sas we were both thinking about the same point. It comes down to having people tell me that they’re fans of the site (example, Sandy in the Wheelhouse last week, she knew all about the Pirate party, barely even needed to ask how I was doing, she already knew!) , which explains the surprisingly large amount of hits that the site has been getting in the second half of the year. It seems to me that having more visitors, would mean that I’d get more comments on the blog. Now I know and you know that I don’t write this for the hits and for the comments, but Richard was right, they are validating, and they do prove that I’m not stood on a box talking to myself.

And thanks, everyone, for responding.

Posted by Bone at December 27th, 2005

Colwith Force

Originally uploaded by bigguybigcity.

Christmas in the Bowness household is like most others, a huge rush, filled with last minute shopping, cleaning and tree decorating.

We broke tradition and had a fake tree in the sitting room for the first time, it looks good though.

Presents! The new laptop didn’t arrive in time, 42 Below vodka, knife sharpener, chocolates, spoon holder (?), camera tripod (used for the long exposure shot to the right), armani & hugo boss stuff, jamie oliver flavour shaker.

I did find a picture of me from years ago when I was dressed up as Santa for a school thing, I was gonna put it on here but I don’t have a scaner here, and a picture of a picture would be silly.

Posted by Richard at December 27th, 2005

Snow hits the south..

Originally uploaded by Richard Spooner.

Finally, on the 27th December, London and its environs got some snow. Not a white Christmas, but still exciting: I’d driven to a local park to take some pictures in the morning sun, but was instead caught in a mini- blizzard.

Walking along in the snow, listening to music, and barely able to feel my fingers, was a strangely fulfilling experience, especially after being stuck in dreary urban and suburban England for the last three months.. Not quite as good as sitting watching the Baltic Sea from the ramparts of Helsinki’s Suomenlinna Fortress, but definitely more pleasant than writing a dissertation.

Tomorrow Randy ‘Andy’ McBone Bowness, the elusive founder of bigguybigcity.com, is coming to London to sample its nightlife. Oceana, an awesome (as in truly dreadful) club in Kingston is our destination, and the Polish legend, who has so often been mentioned on this website, will also be present. All in the Christmas spirit!

*Bone: Whilst I don’t doubt Richard’s opinion on clubs, I thought I’d take a look around myself, I found this site, 1 out of 5 stars, it’s gonna be awesome!

Posted by Claire at December 25th, 2005

Ha, look at the dedication to the cause! I figured I’d just wish everyone a Merry Christmas as I’m printing off a picture I made for my cousins & I’m really permitted internet usage at home as it is. But as it’s Christmas, Dad said you can pretty get away with anything. Except murder he says.

So now I’m off… Hope you’re all having a good Chrimble, I’m loving being back in Windermere, having a great time in England. Not yet visited the Wheely Bin & was mad when upon seeing Tyson yesterday he told me that everyone was out the other night. However, I was gate crashing Reniors Christmas Party at the Brookside, getting terribly drunk & having a crack with my old colleagues. Tommy & Jamie belong together!

Posted by Richard at December 23rd, 2005

Stephanie and George

Originally uploaded by Richard Spooner.

I know that everyone thinks that the babies in their families are cuter than everyone elses’, but isn’t he fantastic!

George William Halton was born at about one this morning, thirteen days overdue and following a slightly difficult labour. I went to see his exhausted, relieved, and happy Mother (my sister) and Father (my brother-in-law, surprisingly) today in hospital, and I’m happy to report that they’re doing very well: the only challenge that I can see them facing in the near future is having to introduce the poor kid to all its great- grandparents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, and cousins..

Still, not a bad Christmas present for everyone!

Posted by Bone at December 21st, 2005

Farmhouse

Originally uploaded by 20zero1.

I’m back in Cumbria for Chrimbo, yay!

I thought I’d have to take a picture of myself here or use one of my old photo’s so that I could illustrate my surroundings, but… I didn’t need to. Someone had already done it for me!!!

Yep, that over there >>> is chez Bone, as pcitred by someone else, and made to look like a painting. Makes me feel kind of special that people think my house is worth a quick snap.

The Bone is experiencing a cold at the mo, even Christmas shopping is struggling to perk up my mood.

And I’m getting a haircut tomorrow! The first since well before Amsterdam, I’d imagine that it was about the same time that I got my bigguybigcity.com t-shirt that I had my last haircut, if this picture is anything to go by.

Posted by Claire at December 19th, 2005

Serenity

Originally uploaded by x Claire x.

Well, you learn a new thing about yourself everyday. I’m not going to be soppy & go into that whole ’self-journey’ crap, but I every so often I surprise myself…

Firstly I’ve grown to love EMO. This wasn’t supposed to happen, but with the regular feedage of advice & tracks from my male friends, I now regulary listen to the likes of Brand New, Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance & Dashboard Confessional to name but a few… If male EMO Fans like Bone & Rob are distinguished with a white belts & the like, what should I do to show the love huh?

Over this last week I’ve seen 2 films I’ve loved. I hate the books of bloody Narnia, but the film was simply amazing (even if it was auf Deutsch) and tonight I’ve seen Serenity in English… which combined comedy, action, horror & was sucessful! Yay!

Ohmigod 3 more sleeps & I’m back in the bosum of the LD. I’m so excited, bit over the ‘Burg & their Nazis for a while. And it’s Cheeky Vimtos all round on Thursday night. Don’t get any ideas, I’m not buying!

Posted by Bone at December 18th, 2005

Ba ahahahaha

Originally uploaded by bigguybigcity.

This story isn’t half as exciting as Claire’s is, but it deserves telling nonetheless.

It was our last night out in Leicester for this calender year so we had to make it a bit special. And you know it’s gotta be good, just look at the pic.

Full alcohol fuelled story after the cut.
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Posted by Claire at December 17th, 2005

I’ve had an ‘interesting’ day. Scary to be honest. This morning I heard something on the radio about another Riot in Regensburg. I say another, a few weekends ago there was a Riot in the ‘burg after a Nazi Demonstration. Today was the turn of the left party…

So, I figured it would be pretty harmless & little, I had a lot to do in town, so I decided to go & do the things I needed to do. It was snowing too, so pretty, but annoying! Anyway so I was returning from the Shopping Mall & the was stopped in an endless queue so he opened the door & we all got out. As I was walking along I could here lots of shouting & saw a HUGE strom of people ahead of me. Next thing I know, there is a massive gang of teenager running towards me, one of whom pushes me in a bush. I was ok in myself, just a bit shaken. This american couple helped me up, totally confused as to what was going on. We ran away fairly quickly… it was just crazy, there were these really old people practically throwing themselves down the bank to get out of the rioters’ way. I then had to work out how the hell to get out of the town centre as soon as possible, I was totally disorientated, luckily a policeman helped me… And there were tonnes of those around today… with GUNS!

So that’s my story for today. Next time I will heed the Radio’s warning & stay out of town when the Nazis are about. Personally couldn’t believe that there were that many Neo-Nazis & Communists around in Bavaria, nevermind little old Regensburg…

Posted by Bone at December 16th, 2005

The eye at night

Originally uploaded by bigguybigcity.

^Austin powers reference^

Yesterday I travelled down to the real big city to do some research at the Imperial War Museum.

I’m not really one for getting up early, and the hour of seven o’clock is not really my friend, but nevertheless, two larms managed to drag me out of bed (which was a struggle because the bastards next door started playing Rammstein *loudly* at 2a.m.).

Bacon & black pudding bagel safely in my stomach, I headed off to the station. I feared that the rush-hour trains would lead to me standing up all the way, but tomy surprise I was able to sit, I read the economist and listened to Sigur Ros () (those who know, will get it). It’s funny how different types of music make a journey feel different.

Astoundingly long story (possibly not my best work, but there is some nice stuff in there) after the cut.
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