Thoughts from the front of the back of my mind

Anything that makes me get up at 0530 on a Saturday has got to be something worth doing. And it so was.

In Brighton for 9:30 and at the meeting point for 9:45, a drawn out period of "hurry up and wait" followed as the parade amassed. Me and miss_amaranth were marching with the Sussex LGBTQ group, closely (and mingled in with) the Socialist Workers. I have a rant against them (particularly their attitude to/at Pride) brewing but I will leave it be for now.

The march could only be described as intense. The heat wasn't helping, but with such a huge number of people, but with none of the wide open spaces afforded to somewhere like London, the overall effect was much more in-your-face. There was also a lot of revelry in the parade that left me feeling more than a little uncomfortable.

We covered what felt like a very large distance (probably 2 miles) and the whole city was involved - rainbow flags everywhere, even the shops, was a sight I haven't seen anywhere else. The park itself was crazy busy and the Bi Meet at the stall was excellent, something I really think we should consider doing again at some of the other prides.

We spent the rest of the day hanging out with sunflower_29 and finally got a lift home to Jess' aunt's about 10pm where we promptly went splat. Sunday was dedicated to recovering before heading home.

Brighton has left me with some mixed feelings - much more so than the other prides I've attended. What's odd is where they lie. I loved that the whole city seemed to be involved, rainbow flags everywhere and streets closed for the whole day was amazing. The actual parade and festival though left a somewhat bitter taste.

The parade seemed badly managed, it was far too long. I was very glad I'd brought a big bottle of water with me or we would have had to bail early. It was also massively overpriced, £45 for volunteer groups is messed up. Then to have the nerve to bug people constantly for donations is just testament that someone, somewhere, is making far too much money from this.

One of the big things I noticed at the festival was that for a lot of people this was a piss-up and nothing more. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate it's meant to be a party but, I don't know, I just didn't like the atmosphere there. I do avoid music festivals for this reason though so maybe that has something to do with it. There was a good community village though (I'm looking at you, London) and the Bi Stall was excellent. It seems they were the only ones who came prepared for the wind though!

There were also some major organisational concerns. Food sellers were heavily overcharging (£3 for a small box of chips) and there wasn't a single extra bin provided. The mess was horrific by the time we left and still looked awful from the quick glimpse I caught on the train home as it passed the park. Why there weren't skips dotted around (like at Oxford), I don't know.

This post is coming across far too negative. The Pride was amazing, with the whole city getting involved and seeing so many people out-and-proud both in the parade and in the crowd. I'm going next year, undoubtedly and the whole weekend was a blast.

Very much looking forward to the much more sedate plans we have this weekend though. Ice cream, anyone? *grin*

Saturday
This weekend was very enjoyable. A bit of a late start, I met miss_amaranth in Oxford about 4pm. It was a lovely, sunny Saturday and Oxford was absolutely heaving. Not good. We decided eating in City Centre was a bad idea so went out a bit too the Subway near the Pink Giraffe. Then, remembering the free refills we went into G&D's mode and spent over an hour there chatting and relaxing. Was very pleasant and something I'll probably remember for the next time I want to spend a long time talking to people when outside isn't an option.

We then headed off up to cheshcat's for a very nice evening of talk and Dominion and Pizza. It was great to see Chesh, something I don't get to do nearly enough. We all had lots to talk about and it was nice to share some recent revelations of my own and listen to her and miss_amaranth and just connect as a tribe.

At 11:30 we said our goodnight's and headed over to amuletts' to spend a very lovely night catching up with her and feanorfinwe. Finally fell over about 4am after an excellent night.

Sunday
Woke up about 11:30 and headed off back to cheshcat's. We decided was nice enough to risk it, met up with wolfpeach and his 2 (adorable) smalls and headed to Bury Knoll for a picnic breakfast. It was excellent to see wolfpeach again, especially since I've only met him at parties so struggled to find the time to have a dedicated conversation.

We then headed back to The Flat With No Name for a game of The Shinnin' where I was promptly wiped out as the traitor after 2 turns without even killing anyone. Bad rolls + items already in play = anti-climax. Was a very funny moment though when one of the characters fell through a continuity hole (wall switch + moving room = what?)

Then wolfpeach headed home and I had a much needed nap as miss_amaranth and cheshcat spent an hour or so chatting with anarchist_nomad on the phone. Then me and miss_amaranth said our goodbyes and headed home for nachos, an episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, cuddles and bed.

A good weekend (TM).

Thanks to Zippy and Bungle down at RBS, I've still not had my credit card address updated. They've updated all my other accounts, but the one I actually need they haven't. The branch has no idea why so I have to wait until tomorrow just to find out what's stopping me. This is not a good thing as that card has all my Christmas money on it. Starting, pretty much, today. Which leaves me in the really awkward situation of probably having to ask the 'rents for a loan of some description. Fun fun.

As soon as I've cleared all my debts with them, I'm leaving RBS. Admittedly, that's looking like 3 years away, but it's the principle, dammit.

ION: I saw an AWAC on the walk back to work. And a helicopter must've been right on top of the office as there were a few rattles from the looser desk items.

Also, the weekend was very fun. Expensive cocktails (white chocolate martini being a clear winner), a fancy dinner of fish in pig (Cod wrapped in Parma ham) and all for the great price of £0.00. Hurrah for work dos.

Now I just need to limp through this week and I'll be home free, thanks mostly to an early pay day.