Awards ceremony
The firework in the backyard incident was a crappy ending to what had previously been a very good night: I managed to recover from the puking/exhausted bug that struck after the Memorial Service in time to take my biggest clients to a music awards ceremony that they had sponsored. My colleague and I had brokered the deal concerning the commercial sponsorship of the awards, and it was an evening I had been looking forward to for months.
We had champagne in a smart bar, then dinner at the Awards venue, (watched by three thousand ticket-buying members of the public, which felt a bit odd) , and then watched an excellent show featuring Ms. Dynamite, Sean Paul ( got a pic of him looking cool and me looking an over-excited nob next to him as my mobile phone screensaver) Ciara, the fantabulous diva Angie Stone and loads of other artists. It was filmed for Channel 4.
Afterwards we went on to a night club where the after-party was held, but here my energy flagged and I left my colleague and some of our guests still in full party mode on a heaving dance floor. It took over an hour to get a taxi home, shivering in the drizzle in a silk top and fake fur stole, no black cabs to be seen, zingo and dial-a-cab cab-call not operational, and I won't get into an unlicensed unknown mini-cab, however desperate I am, however desperate they are, because I am too scared.
Made it home eventually, bit pissed, was just dropping off when the stupid firework exploded a metre away on the other side of the french windows in my back yard causing nerve-jangling adrenalin surge.
It was still a great evening though, and the sponsors were happy, so I 'm happy. I'm going to have a very sloth-like day and watch the football in a pub or at a mate's house, with J.
The poor stinky cat has got over her shock but the smell of her firework-fear-induced pee lingers. Better start burning joss-sticks and opening windows. Lots of them.
We had champagne in a smart bar, then dinner at the Awards venue, (watched by three thousand ticket-buying members of the public, which felt a bit odd) , and then watched an excellent show featuring Ms. Dynamite, Sean Paul ( got a pic of him looking cool and me looking an over-excited nob next to him as my mobile phone screensaver) Ciara, the fantabulous diva Angie Stone and loads of other artists. It was filmed for Channel 4.
Afterwards we went on to a night club where the after-party was held, but here my energy flagged and I left my colleague and some of our guests still in full party mode on a heaving dance floor. It took over an hour to get a taxi home, shivering in the drizzle in a silk top and fake fur stole, no black cabs to be seen, zingo and dial-a-cab cab-call not operational, and I won't get into an unlicensed unknown mini-cab, however desperate I am, however desperate they are, because I am too scared.
Made it home eventually, bit pissed, was just dropping off when the stupid firework exploded a metre away on the other side of the french windows in my back yard causing nerve-jangling adrenalin surge.
It was still a great evening though, and the sponsors were happy, so I 'm happy. I'm going to have a very sloth-like day and watch the football in a pub or at a mate's house, with J.
The poor stinky cat has got over her shock but the smell of her firework-fear-induced pee lingers. Better start burning joss-sticks and opening windows. Lots of them.
posted by Rachel at 12:37 pm
About your post - Final media push
London Bombings - from fictional to real?
See the two-minute video clip available here.
*Yawn* Sofocleto.
Prison Planet is a conspiracy theorist's favourite.
A man who runs a security company that is employed to do risk assessments and form crisis plans, is employed by a city business with a staff of 2000 workers, to look at a hypothetical situation - simultaneous attack on the London public transport system.
He is EMPLOYED to do that sort of thing, it is his JOB, he does it ON A REGULAR BASIS.
Madrid and Tokyo have both experienced this situation, as has London. If your job is to assess risk and provide crisis advice, that is a MORE THAN SENSIBLE SITUATION TO PLAN FOR.
The emergency services and all London hospitals had rehearsed for it too. Why on earth could this be? Gosh, it doesn't take a giant leap of imagination to get there, does it?
It's always been quite likely, unfortunately, and it has always been sensible to plan for it.
(What would be the point of practicing for an alien invasion, or a swarm of killer bees? If you are a risk assessor employed to look at crisis situations for a London company, would you think an Al-Quaeda simultaneous attack of the tube likely enough to plan for?)
So, the fact that he was engaged in an exercise of this type on July 7th is a COINCIDENCE.
Occams Razor.
Ker-ist, I do find conspiracy theorists tiresome. All those stories about the bombers being unwitting drug mules, then we see Khan's 'This is a war and I am a soldier' video. All the stuff I read on net messageboards about bombs being planted in tunnels not on trains by Black Ops. For pete's sake, get a grip. It was horrifying enough without having to make up fairy tales about it.
*Of course, I am a government agent posing as a bomb survivor in order to spread government -sanctioned propoganda and disguise the awful truth - the lizards did it. They told me at a debrief at Canary Wharf, in their underground pyramid Illuminati lair. Shortly afterwards, they implanted a chip in my head and now they monitor and control my every move. However, I have protected my skull from their radio-thought-control waves by donning this tinfoil hat, and for 3 minutes, I hurriedly type out the chilling truth.
Before they come to get me.
Mwah hahaha
You're saying the fact that he was engaged in a bombing exercise at the very same day - July 7th, at the exact same locations and at the exact same times is a COINCIDENCE?
What an extraordinary coincidence! The same day, the same locations and the same times. Awesome!
*looks at sofocletos posts*
Its nice when people come and visit with helpful info isn't it?
Sounds like you had a fab time at the awards, which you totally deserved!
As far as the cat pee goes...febreeze is what you need. Eventually the smell will go away. Probably just in time for next year :)
Bx
What's wrong with helpful info? Is this info fake? What about the official story?
Yes, sofocleto, the fact that someone whose day to day job is to assess risk with particular reference to terrorist attack was engaged in, erm, assessing risk of an-all-to-plausible terrorist attack scenario when it actually happened is not that bloody surprising: I advise you to try to deal with it. I deal with far more difficult imaginative leaps on a daily basis.
Such as the fact that a 19 year old was prepared to climb on my train and blow himself and 25 other people to pieces. That is hard to believe, but as I was there, I can assure you that it happened.
The self-indulgence of boys-own conspiralunacy crap like that shiote spouted on prison planet which you have linked to, seems to me to be a puerile attempt to make the reality of the incomprehensibility of evil deeds fit a childish 'goodies'/'baddies' narrative drama, to make it make sense like a bedtime story and indulge one's fantasies as being some Neo-like seeker of truth in the infernal Matrix.
Grow up, sunshine: you may enjoy the frisson of your phantasmal imaginings; those of us who were there can ill afford such egotistical meanderings down blind alley ways. They waste time. They waste energy. There is enough crap and quasi-religious nonsense being spouted already without you making up more, and if you are going to be outraged about something, you don't need to make up a 'cover up':government agents blew up the trains, mossad blew up the trains, a practice run went wrong, lizards are in control - it's just crap. You're letting your self down, and you are letting all of us down - take your anger, your questiing, and apply it to the uncomfortable real questions that are raised by 7th July and after.
Be angry. Direct that questioning zeal and flip-a-switch paranoia against a worthy target. Question what has happened, but don't invent lies about what went on.
Allow us who were there the small victory of reporting the truthful testimony of our experience: your insistence on esoteric plots invalidate our pain and dishonour our dead.
Who needs to invent lies when the truth is so shockingly raw?
Well, you, clearly, and that says more about you than anything about the truth.
In your desire for a narrative framework which can accomodate your own inflated self of aggrandisement as the Voice in The Wilderness Speaking the Real Deal, the 'only I and my brothers see the truth in this corrupt web of lies' bollocks, you are a heartbeat away from the pathetic fantasising of the suicide bomber with his sureness that he is chosen, the truth-revealer, the instrument of god. Think about that.
And we, the ordinary peoplle who you condemn as Orwellian Sheep, and he as Infidel Pigs, have to deal with the crap your fantasy belief systems leave in their wake.
Can you not think of a better use of your time than believing this utter tripe?
I'm slating you, sofocleto, because you are the first conspiracy theorist to visit, and so you get a belly-full of my irritation directed at all your kind.
Your paranoid and puerile tin foil hatterry isn't worthy of such a long reply, but hell,it makes me feel better.
Sheesh.
Beth
Thank you for the suggestion about the cat pee stuff; can I get it at supermarkets?
The Awards was great: I'd looked forward to it for months and it was better than I imagined. I am a lucky woman and last night I felt very grateful. We had all worked very hard putting the Awards sponsorship deal together and it is just great when you can celebrate something you've put loads of time and energy into! The champagne felt extra fizzy and tasted extra good!
sofocleto - If you feel compelled to witter on about conspiracy theories, go ahead. My issue is that you've come on here and you're posting things about an issue that was EXTREMELY difficult for the person who writes this blog.
If you want to bandy about your conspiracy theories, go right ahead. Just be a more tactful about where you do so them.
Rachel - Yep, you can get febreeze in supermarkets. Its with all the washing powder and stuff.
Its useful for when you've got in from the pub and you're wearing something that now smells all smokey. It gets rid of that as well! Its the way of the future i tell you! lol
Bx
Sofocleto is postin ghi s conspiralunacy shite on here because I am getting a lot of traffic at the moment. Which is why I felt compelled to tackle him feet first. And I've been dying to kick some of the conspiracy theorists into touch for a few weeks as I find them 'kin infuriating. If he wants to post this rubbish on my website, he can live with being publicly and pointedly mocked.
Anyway. Febreeze. In supermarkets. Ace. I don't use supermartkets ( no point: no car, and am surrounding by fabulus Turkish greengrocers and a superbn butchers and famousl bakery 3 mins from end of road - but will go to Tescos or Sainsbury's tomorrow tpo get this elixir of which you speak.
Have also thrown rosemary essential oil all about the house as well.
Hello Rachel
I'm really pleased you had a great time at the Awards Ceremony - you needed and deserved a good night out. Sorry to read about the crappy end to the night though with the firework. Honestly, some people are real prats aren't they. (Sofocelto being one of them.)
Hope Miff has got over her shock now - poor thing. There's nothing worse than the smell of cat pee is there!
Take care.
Nicky
Hi Rachel,
Just to keep on the "conspiracy theorists" and please feel free to remove this post if you feel it is inappropriate.
Sofocleto,
I've spent many years working as an IT Consultant with London Fire Brigade and made some very good friends there, including some senior (and not so senior) members of Uniformed side.
I know they were involved in training exercises, they have done several (but not 7/7), "London Resilience" is a real project to protect London and (in the very worst case) save as many people as possible - I've done some work for it!
LFB personnel were doing plenty on 7/7/05, mostly rescuing and helping people, good, honest, caring people and, above all, people that could easily have been me (because I use the Picadilly line), my Dad, my friends, my neighbours or possibly, maybe, even you.
Now that would have been a good conspiracy wouldn't it. The one person who can uncover the truth is tricked into using the tube on the very day the bombs go off (spot the sarcasm).
There are enough "events" big and small, even people practicing for emergancy situations that I would be surprised if they wasn't someone practiccing that day. Have you considered the possibility that Mr Power is telling a few porkies just to get publicity for his company (I'm not suggesting he is by the way).
As part of another job I have personally made plans for how my employer could carry on if a plane crashed into it's buildings, so maybe I was involved in the 9/11 attacks as well.
There have been so many people affected by these attacks, suffered from them and continue to suffer. But, despite that they help others, share their experiences and allow others a chance to see how good humanity really is, so don't belittle or patronise them with your stupid "scare" stories that, to be honest, no self-respecting 7 year old would believe.
So, Sofocleto, my one piece of advise to you is, P@@S OFF and get yourself a life - failing that, just leave the rest of us alone.
Gary
Rachel,
So glag your night-out went well (are you really thinking about giving up this job?).
Fabreeze is excellent stuff.
You can't legally buy fireworks until you're 21, so I think it's the sellers that should be licenced rather than prohibition that's the answer to that one.
And, in answer to your post about "what would you do?" I would like to think I could get close to how well you've handled yourself, but we never know until we find ourselves thrust into the "firing line". I think your actions on the tube, and the person who first took your hand make you both heros. The best cure for panic is someone else giving off a feeling of calm, strength and stability - which is what you did. Not everyone would have done so well or so much or carried on giving support despite their own suffering and setbacks. so please, don't suggest that you don't deserve hero status. We simply wont believe you.
All the best, Gary
Hi
hope you are well and glad the award ceremony was fun.
Re - the cat pee - my cat once decided to pee in my new shoes (not kidding I loved her to pieces but that day no cuddles) the only thing that seemed to get the smell out of my room was dust polish spray aided by a lot of scented candles. Depends how much you can handle the smell of pledge though...
Anyway take care
S x
Ooh how exciting you got to go to those music awards Rachel :). I don't blame you about not getting into an unlicensed cab. You hear such horror stories these days. Did you hear about the newest venture from TFL about calling for black cabs from anywhere in London?
Hope Miff has got over the fireworks shock.
Hi Rachel,
I'm ashamed to say I did actually looked at the link that Sofocleto posted. I'm glad I did because it really shows how much Sofocleto wanted to read into Mr Power's interview.
Mr Powers did NOT say he had planned for an attack at exactly the same time and places. He did say "Underground AND Mainline stations" and at "Virtually" the same time. So that rather blows the conspiracy theory totally out of the water.
Maybe the next post can get back to what we're all interested in: You, your friends, KCU, helping and learning.
Look forward to some "normality", whatever that means...
All the best, Gary