h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You'll be fine. Enjoy the butterflies, it's a bit like preparing to go on stage really... Nerves are normal and shouldn't stop you!



Plus, we all want to know how it goes, now!

Getting nervous about tonight. Though I'm going to unplug the internet now so I don't spend too long online then get stressed because I haven't left myself enough time to get ready.

I don't need to be nervous, it'll all be fine. I know at least a couple of people I talk to regularly will be there.

Offered to meet up with someone beforehand but they didn't go for it. I've told a couple of people I'll be there from 8 so nobody will be standing up there on their own like a lemon. So hoping I won't be the citrus one.

Social life resurrection.... stage 1!

You go girl!

*manly cough*

Well I was reminded about the difference between going with work mates and mate mates... everyone disappeared and I ended up getting a taxi home on my own.

Currently waiting for the hangover to subside.

Was it an OK evening though?

The pictures look like I was having a good time! It was hard work but I'm glad I went out. Got called a nutter a few times but I was singing quite loudly between pubs!

Just realised I'd forgotten to lower my shoulders so I wasn't so obviously conveying my tension though body language. Hopefull the alcohol probably lowered my shoulders for me!

Relaxing trick: (perhaps go to the loo the first few times until it becomes more automatic)

Breathe in through your nose slowly (a count of two is ok to start) properly into your stomach, not just into your chest (if you put your hands on your stomach just below your ribcage, you can feel them rise if you're doing it right), then breathe out through your mouth even slower (if you breathe in for two, breathe out for four, in for three, out for six etc.)

I tend to do it a few times, a short one to start, working up to a in4/out8 pattern.

When you've practiced a few times to get the feel, you'll probably notice how your body relaxes as you breathe out. To enhance this effect, imagine your tension leaving your body via your mouth along with the breath, from your head (forehead, ears, cheeks), your neck, shoulders, arms, legs, feet...

i like doing this now and then when I have some quiet time. It helps to clear your mind, too. concentrating on something like breathing and relaxing is relaxing in itself and is the start of a good meditative state (handy if you need a clear mind for problem solving or getting perspective on things. Concentrate on the breathing and let thoughts come and go. you'd be surprised what can occur to you that you're normally way to busy to notice!)

Sounds like you had an ok night, though. Bear in mind that most nights out are not 100% fun-filled, faultless, smooth running experiences so take the good , and the bad and look forward to another one!

eurgh, sorry, at the start I meant to say, practice at home, then try it when you're out (when it might be worth popping to the loo to do it so people dont think you're being a weirdo... After a while you'll need it less and so wont be so obvious about it so you can get away with it in public )

Up in Manhattan, I always sang between pubs because it made the junkies think you were crazy and they left you alone. Everybody else I knew got mugged at least twice, but they left the singing crazy man alone. Especially on the "Southern Gospel Tour" nights...

Sounds like you had a good time.