15th December

LGBT people born today:

1861 – Vida Dutton Scudder – Indian / US Author – Died 9^th October 1954

1904 – W Dorr Legg – US Landscape Architect / Activist / Author – Died 26^th July 1994

1913 – Muriel Rukeyser – US Poet / Activist – Died 12^th February 1980

1941 – Tom Ammiano – US Politician / Teacher / Activist / Comedian

1958 – Alfredo Ormando – Italian Author – Died 23^rd January 1998

1959 – Donna Brazile – US Politician / Activist

1974 – Ion Davidov – Romanian Porn

1978 – Will Wikle – US Reality TV [Big Brother] / Presenter

And those who died:

1962 – Charles Laughton – UK/US Actor / Director – Born 1^st July 1899

1986 – Serge Lifar – Russian Ballet – Born 2^nd April 1905

1991 – Floris Michiels van Kessenich – Dutch Activist – Born 26^th August 1957

1997 – Jack Robinson – US Photographer – Born 18^th September 1928

Tim - Latest

I got up later than usual, considering I'm on night shifts, today at around 16:00 and immediately felt guilty as I had wanted to phone Tim before he went into hospital for his cranioplasty tonight. I called him once I was fully conscious and the call went through to voicemail, so I left a message and then sent him an email.
He phoned back a little while later and explained that he hadn't gone into hospital yet, he was just in the shower when I had called.
He is not going to the hospital until first thing in the morning, and by first thing I mean he has been told to be there for 06:30 not nice, especially when you are not used to getting up that early.
He should be in hospital until the 19th and then is due to have his stitches out on the 24th (which seems very quick to me). Hopefully all will go well with the procedure. I feel guilty too because he is going into hospital all on his own, no one will be with him, at least initially. I don't finish work until 07:00 tomorrow morning, but he did say that it may be better that he is alone. I've asked him to let me know when he knows the time of his operation, if he is able to that is. I know I shall be worried until I hear he is out of theatre okay again.
Fingers crossed.

Saved Again

Last night, at work, I was saved again by having a speaker for the computer and BBC iPayer to watch. I got through a film, Perfect Creature, which was a twist on the normal vampire story, and seemed more like a pilot rather than a film. I also watched an episode each of Casualty and Holby City, and then I discovered Beautiful People.
Beautiful People is in its second season and even though I knew it had a gay theme, when I saw the trailer for the first season last year (I think), I was not tempted. I watched it last night as I was out of options and I am so glad that I did. It is so funny, camp, and surreal. I was laughing out loud so recommend it as well worth giving a try in my opinion. I got through 4 episodes and have one more to watch. Then I think I will be stuck for options tonight.

14th December

LGBT people born today:

1903 – David Lewis – US Producer – Died 13^th March 1987

1923 – Gerard Reve – Dutch Author – Died 8^th April 2006

1946 – Jobraith – US Singer – Died 3^rd August 1983

1948 – Boudewijn Buch – Dutch Author / Presenter – Died 23^rd November 2002

1951 – Paul Zaloom – US Puppeteer / Actor

1955 – Herve Guibert – French Author / Photographer / Journalist – Died 27^th December 1991

1957 – Kerryn Phelps – Australian Presenter

1959 – Bob Paris – US Bodybuilder

1962 – Doug Blasdell – US Personal Trainer / Reality TV [Work Out] – 22^nd January 2007

???? – Julio Duran - ?? Porn

And those who died:

1993 – Lee Kok Cheong – Singapore Teacher / Hate Crime Victim – Born 1939

2006 – Kate Fleming – US Actress / Producer – Born 6^th October 1965

Saved From Complete Boredom

My night at work last night was saved from being 12 hours of boredom by a simple speaker. The day supervisor had found a speaker that we can plug into the computer so we can have sound. This meant that throughout the night I could watch BBC iPlayer. I got through both sections of last nights Strictly Come Dancing, 5 episodes of Celebrity Eggheads, an episode of QI, Defying Gravity's latest installment and 3 episodes of Merlin. I would have watched more but the internet kept crashing (which it does normally even when we are not using it for iPlayer).

I may struggle to find things to watch tonight, but I'll watch crap if it alleviates the boredom.

Talking of Strictly, I wasn't disappointed to see Ali voted out last night. She is a good dancer, but like Laila, I think that she was consistently overmarked. It seemed a bit of a travesty that she got full marks last night and Ricky Whittle didn't, he was so much better, at least to my eyes. I can't wait to see his show dance next week, along with Chris's show dance too, which I think could be drawing on his Charleston which was so popular.

The guest dancers who came in to do the show dance were good, but I wasn't as impressed as normal. They made a big mistake in the middle, but the male dancer, Craig, was gorgeous and exploding with muscles, so I can forgive him.

13th December

LGBT people born today:

1895 – Lucia Sanchez Saornil – Spanish Anarchist / Author / Poet / Activist – Died 2^nd June 1970

1904 – Glen Byam Shaw – UK Actor / Director – Died 29^th April 1986

1951 – Anne-Marie Alonzo – Canadian Playwright / Poet / Author / Critic / Publisher – Died 11^th June 2005

1964 – Sal Sapienza – US Author / Actor

1969 – Allen R Schindler Jr. – US Hate Crime Victim / Naval Petty Officer – Died 27^th October 1992

1977 – Winfried Baijens – Dutch Presenter

1982 – Anthony Callea – Australian Singer

And those who died:

1466 – Donatello – Italian Sculptor – Born 1386

1983 – Mary Renault – UK Author – Born 4^th September 1905

1993 – Tommy Sexton – Canadian Comedian – Born 3^rd July 1957

1999 – Robert Wagenhoffer – US Figure Skater – Born 5^th July 1960

2003 – Bob Ross – Canadian Publisher / Activist – Born 2^nd April 1934

2006 – Robert Long – Dutch Singer / Presenter – Born 22^nd October 1943

More Money For My Moaning

While chatting with Jesse, one of my flatmates, she let slip that she pays £100 more than I do per month, which has got me worried as I am only paying less because Kevin knew me before I moved in. He has already put the rent up this year once. Now that the new landlord, Oscar, has taken over (which apparently he has, though no one has made an announcement), I can't see him letting me "get away" with paying less for long. Yet another reason to move out. If I am going to have to pay £100 extra a month, it may just be worth me moving out now (then again there is council tax, electricity, gas, tv licence, etc etc etc to worry about as well).

They Are Not Making It Easy

I know I say it a lot, but I really hate living here. Sharing with 5 other people is not to be recommended.
I was woken up this afternoon by my flatmates music, I can't really complain too much about this as I have had 7 hours of sleep which is good for me lately. It was still annoying nonetheless.
I got up and went to the kitchen intent on making myself breakfast. In case you hadn't guessed, I am on nights at the moment, hence the lateness of me getting out of bed. When I got to the kitchen there were no bowls to have my cereal in, so I decided to have lunch instead. There were no plates to have my food on! There were also no spoons or forks. Everything was in the dish washer which was running. I managed to find the last mug and make myself some tea, using a knife in place of a spoon. To tide me over I've had a packet of crisps. Whoopie! (It was actually good to eat the crisps, because it means that the soreness in my gums has eased and I can begin to eat more normally again).
I was quite mellow when I woke, despite being woken by the music, as I was thinking that there were only two more night shifts to go in this set. It took me a while to realise that I was wrong though. I have only worked one night, not two, so there are three more to go. I was sooooooo bored last night. There was absolutely nothing for me to do after about 21:30.

12th December

LGBT people born today:

1912 – Karl Gorath – German imprisoned for homosexuality – Died 18^th March 2003

1922/23 – Jose Sarria – US Drag Queen / Politician / Activist

1945 – Massimo Consoli – Italian Activist – Died 4^th November 2007

1952 – Ken Yeager – US Politician

1957 – Robert Lepage – Canadian Playwright / Screenwriter / Actor / Director

1957 – Toby Radloff – US Actor

1959 – Jasper Conran – UK Fashion Designer

1960 – Volker Beck – German Politician / Activist

1968 – Dmitry Kuzmin – Russian Poet / Critic / Publisher

1972 – Brandon Teena – US Hate Crime Victim – Died 31^st December 1993

1980 – Desislava Petrova – Bulgarian Activist

And those who died:

1923 – Raymond Radiguet – French Author – Born 18^th June 1903

1968 – Tallulah Bankhead – US Actress – Born 31^st January 1902

1976 – Jack Cassidy – US Actor – Born 5^th March 1927

1999 – Paul Cadmus – US Artist – Died 17^th December 1904

2008 – Van Johnson – US Actor / Dancer – Born 25^th August 1916

Still Not Good

I can't believe that I am still not feeling 100%. Every 10-20 minutes I still have to rush to the loo, I still have my cold sore, my gums are still sore and my throat is constantly blocked by phlegm.
Worst of all is the fact that I have to start my night shifts from tonight. I really do not know how much more of that place I can take. It is so boring and there is no one there I actually want to talk to. It just feels like a little piece of my soul dies each time I go there. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but I wanted to get across how much I hate the place.
I have nothing on the horizon either. All I have to look forward to is a couple of days at my eldest sister's place for Christmas, which should be okay. Other than that I have nothing. I've been invited to a house warming party at the end of January, though it was an invite sent out to this guys whole Facebook Friends list. I am working that night, what a surprise.
I need a change. Change of health. Change of job. Change of home. And that's just for starters. Roll on the New Year.

11th December

LGBT people born today:

1712 – Francesco Algarotti – Italian Philosopher / Art Critic – Died 3^rd May 1764

1913 – Jean Marais – French Actor – Died 8^th November 1998

1938 – Reg Livermore – Australian Actor / Singer / Presenter

1945 – John Preston – US Author – Died 28^th April 1994

1954 – Vicki Randle – US Singer / Songwriter / Musician

And those who died:

1976 – Elmyr de Hory – Hungarian Painter / Forger – Born 1906

1984 – Oskar Seidlin – US Poet / Author – Born 17^th February 1911

2007 – Allan Berube – US Activist / Author – Died 3^rd December 1946

2008 – Maddie Blaustein – US Actress – Born 9^th October 1960

Temper Temper

I really must learn to control my temper when it comes to inanimate objects. I was watching an old episode of Dr Who earlier full screen and, when it had finished, I tried to reduce it down to it's normal size. It wouldn't do it. So, I tried to pause it (it had gone onto an advert at this point) and it wouldn't pause. Nothing I did would affect the bloody thing and after a couple of minutes of trying I got frustrated and thumped the keyboard. This obviously didn't work either, but did leave a large dip in the upper left corner of my keyboard (around the "1" and "Q" keys). I really must learn not to lose my temper as I cannot afford to replace the laptop, especially as I have not even had it a year yet!
I think it was just a last straw thing, what with me still not feeling 100%, doing nothing all day and the fact that I have to go back to work tomorrow. I need to get out of this rut, the main contributors being the shit job I am in and changing my home.
I did have a check up with Optimax earlier and my eyes have improved even more, with the prescription for each of my eyes being almost exactly the same now. Brilliant news.

10th December

LGBT people born today:

1903 – William Plomer – South African Author / Poet / Editor – Died 1973

1933 – William Armstrong Percy III – US Professor / Historian / Activist

1941 – Tommy Kirk – US Actor / Businessman

1946 – Chrystos – US Poet / Activist

1958 – Mike Roberts – US Porn

1962 – Scott Capurro – US Comedian / Actor

1962 – Cassia Eller – Brazilian Musician – Died 29^th December 2001

1966 – Jason Lorber – US Politician / Comedian

1972 – Brian Molko – Belgian Singer

1977 – Vinnie D’Angelo – US Porn

1980 – Nicole Georges – US Illustrator / Comic Book Writer

1981 – Max Schutler – Argentine Porn

???? – Erik York – Swedish / Finnish Porn

And those who died:

1965 – Henry Cowell – US Singer – Born 11^th March 1897

1970 – Thelma Wood – US Sculptor – Born 3^rd July 1901

2008 – Dorothy Porter – Australian Poet / Librettist / Author – Born 26^th March 1954

9th December

LGBT people born today:

1902 – Lucius Beebe – US Author / Photographer / Journalist – Died 4^th February 1966

1948 – Ron Vawter – US Actor – Died 16^th April 1994

1959 – Mario Cantone – US Actor / Comedian

1964 – Hape Kerkeling – German Actor / Presenter / Comedian

1980 – Mathew Helm – Australian Diver

1980/81 – Christian Owen – US Porn

And those who died:

1991 – Berenice Abbot – US Photographer – Born 17^th July 1898

2004 – David Brudnoy – US Presenter – Born 5^th June 1940

What's Going On?

I really do not know what is going on with my health lately. First it was the knee pain and possible rheumatism, then my 'flu which lasted ages and came back again this weekend, not I have an ulcer in my mouth and other soreness in my gums, and a coldsore. I think I am falling to pieces. I know I do no exercise and my diet isn't brilliant but I shouldn't be falling apart this badly should I? The 'flu was really draining and demoralising, but the rest of this stuff is just annoying and getting me depressed as I just feel like I can't do anything while I am feeling ill.

I want to go and see Tim, as I haven't seen him for over a month and he goes in for his cranioplasty next week. I don't however want to risk giving him 'flu which would result in his operation being postponed again as well as making him feel like shit!

I did manage to get out of the flat briefly today. I had to take my dry cleaning to be done and I managed to go to WH Smith and get a couple more Christmas presents and treated myself to some (cheap) DVD's. I got The History Boys, as I know despite only just seeing it that I will want to watch it again and again. I also got Jarhead, with my man Jake Gyllenhaal, which I haven't seen for ages. And I got 300, with the amazingly sexy Gerard Butler, which I have not yet seen, but have a feeling that I will like it. I may watch that one tonight.

Oh, and I got my first Christmas card today. I can't remember the last time that I didn't get a card until December. Normally I get at least one in November. Not that I am complaining. I must start writing mine out soon and getting them sent off.

8th December

LGBT people born today:

1626 – Christina of Sweden – Swedish Queen – Died 19^th April 1689

1868 – Norman Douglas – UK Author – Died 7^th February 1952

1925 – Sammy Davis Jr. – US Actor / Singer / Dancer / Comedian / Musician – Died 16^th May 1990

1933 – Leroy F Aarons – US Journalist / Editor / Author / Playwright / Activist – Died 28^th November 2004

1950 – Dan Hartman – US Singer / Music Producer – Died 22^nd March 1994

1959 – Paul Rutherford – UK Singer

1967 – Marina Baker – UK Model / Actress / Journalist / Author / Politician

And those who died:

1954 – Claude Cahun – French Photographer – Born 25^th October 1894

1990 – Boris Kochno – Russian Poet – Born 3^rd January 1904

1993 – Nicky Crane – UK former Neo-Nazi – Born 21^st May 1958

1994 – James Stoll – US Minister – Born 18^th January 1936

1996 – Howard Rollins – US Actor – Born 17^th October 1950

True Blood

Most of the time television, despite the hundreds of channels available, is a pile of poo (please excuse the colloquialism). But, every now and again, you get a lot of programs on around the same time that you love. Now is one of those times. I love Defying Gravity, despite it being cancelled. I like Paradox. I'm addicted to Strictly Come Dancing, despite it not being as good as previous years. And now I have just discovered that True Blood, which I have wanted to see for ages, is being shown on Channel 4! Who knew?

I watched an episode this evening on 4 on Demand (on-and-off due to sharing my broadband with 5 flatmates) and I liked it. It may have helped that Ryan Kwanten performed a sex scene in it, but I like the idea of the show too. Vampires are always interesting. It is such a shame that the whole series cannot be viewed on 4oD though, and the adverts (before, during and after) are also a bore. I will try and keep up with the show and, if I continue to like it, will consider buying the box set (after checking if anyone I know has it to borrow first of all!), which is probably why 4oD aren't "storing" all the episodes to watch in the first place, lots of money to be made from DVD sales!!!

The History Boys

On a whim last night, even though I should have gone to bed hours beforehand because I was still feeling ill, I decided to watch The History Boys on BBC iPlayer. I'd heard good reports about the film, and the play that it is adapted from, but had up to them missed watching it somehow.
I am so glad that I have now seen it as it is a fantastic film with fantastic performances from all the main cast. I so wish that I had seen it in the theatre with the original cast too. If it comes around again, and I can find some non-Philistine friends to go with, I am definitely going to see it at the theatre.
I tend to believe that the best films are the ones that make you laugh AND cry, sometimes in the same scene. That is what life is all about, enjoying yourself while you can because the bad times are plenty enough that if you don't enjoy yourself sometimes it will just engulf you, a feeling I have felt all too many times in my life.
I only have one criticism of the film, though I am sure Alan Bennett had his reasons. There were three characters in the film who are gay, all of whom are teachers (at some point), and all of whom either think about, plan to or do touch their pupils. I guess that Bennett was trying to portray the pederastic relationships that are so often depicted in literature (if I was better educated then I would be able to give you some decent examples of these myself), but it still feels like this film could be used to "bash" the gay community with.
It also left me wondering if anyone out there actually liked Dakin? Yes he was a pretty boy and redeemed himself with his chat with the headmaster, but other than that he was just too full of himself. Personally out of the boys, if I had been Posner, Scripps would have been the object of my affections, ignoring the religion thing!


Despite enjoying the film tremendously, it also depressed me. I have been thinking a lot lately about how I wish that I had gone to college and then perhaps university. I feel that I missed out on my full potential and that now it is too late. I know it is never too late to go back to education, people do it in their 90's. I had trouble with studying when I was at school, so how will I cope now? I was quite good at the learning and the coursework, but when it came to homework I was terrible. I needed the structure of the classroom and the reassurance of a teacher to prevent me from getting distracted and to answer questions if I had them. If I went back to education now, I could only (barely) afford to do, and only be able to do, a distance learning course because of the hours that I work (I would never be able to commit to, say, a Thursday night course as I would probably miss 2 or three of them per month with the shifts that I work).
On top of that I really do not know what I want to study. How do I decided what to study when I don't know exactly what field I want to get into? And what courses and qualifications are the most accepted? Which ones are a waste of time? I never had any help with this sort of thing when I was at school so how can I make these decisions now.
At the moment all I know is that almost every job that sounds interesting to me either wants 2+ years of experience, or wants you to be a graduate! I have got to the stage now where I actually hate that word, "graduate", and I detest / envy anyone who is actually one. Pathetic eh? I really need to sort my life out and make some decisions.

Oh, I did manage to find a job to apply for yesterday. It didn't ask for graduates, which is surprising as it was for an banking company, is local and pays from £6K more than I am getting at the moment and is bound to be Monday to Friday with less than 12 hours a day. Going on my recent application history, i.e. the last 2 years, I will never hear back from the company. The only ones I ever hear from lately are security jobs that I have never even applied for!

7th December

LGBT people born today:

1873 – Willa Cather – US Author – Died 24^th April 1947

1917 – Hurd Hatfield – US Actor – Died 26^th December 1998

1944 – AJ Antoon – US Theatre Director – Died 22^nd January 1992

1957 – Kevin M McCarthy – US Judge

1964 – Roberta Close – Brazilian Model

1965 – Cooper Seay – US Singer / Songwriter / Musician

1983 – Linda Bresonik – German Footballer

And those who died:

1943 – Per Imerslund – Norwegian Author – Born 9^th May 1912

1946 – Laurette Taylor – US Actress – Born 1^st April 1884

1969 – Eric Portman – UK Actor – Born 13^th July 1901

1970 – Romaine Brooks – US Artist – Born 1^st May 1874

1975 – Thornton Wilder – US Author / Playwright / Soldier – Born 17^th April 1897

1980 – Darby Crash – US Musician / Singer – Born 26^th September 1958

1990 – Reinaldo Arenas – Cuban / US Poet / Playwright / Activist / Author – Born 16^th July 1943

Feeling Like Crap..... AGAIN!!

As I went to bed last night I felt quite achy all over, so I thought I would try and sweat out what felt like an oncoming flu attack again. I kept waking up all through the night, probably prompted by the lock-in going on downstairs in the pub, with people coming up and down the stairs all night long and people shouting outside.
When it came time for me to get up for work I felt like death warmed up. A couple of weeks ago I was quite flu-ey, but today made that feel like sniffles by comparison. I walked to work in a bit of a daze and when I got there I just sat in the control room for 2 hours doing nothing. Through the morning I managed to skive off for a couple of hours and got some much needed sleep in after which I began to feel better. I was so happy when the hours had passed and I was able to come home.

On a plus side, over the last 2 days, we have had two contractors working in reception to put a new entrance mat in. These two guys were really friendly from the start, though I hardly got to speak to them as I was stuck in the control room. I thought that both of them were attractive, though I liked one more than the other. I eventually worked out that they were actually brothers. It was just a shame that I never had a chance to talk to them more. I'm sure that they were straight, but you never know for sure.

Bejeweled Keys

I had another strange dream last night. I dreamed that I was playing a computer game of Bejeweled Blitz (which I normally play on Facebook most days), the difference was that instead of different coloured gems to match up, there were different coloured keys to match. It just goes to show that I have been doing too much work on the keys at work!

6th December

LGBT people born today:

1864 – Charles Edward Sayle – UK Poet / Librarian – Died 4^th July 1924

1892 – Sir Osbert Sitwell – UK Author / Soldier – Died 4^th May 1969

1893 – Sylvia Townsend Warner – UK Author / Poet – Died 1^st May 1978

1931 – Zeki Muren – Turkish Poet / Singer / Composer / Actor – Died 24^th September 1996

1951 – Tomson Highway – Canadian Playwright / Author

1961 – Jim Provenzano – US Author / Playwright / Photographer / Arts Editor

1968 – Kathleen Bryson – US Author / Painter / Actress / Director

1970 – Anders Hornslien – Norwegian Politician

1971 – Carole Thate – Dutch Field Hockey

1981 – Sophia Santi – Canadian Porn

And those who died:

1954 – Elisabeth de Gramont – French Author – Born 23^rd April 1875

1955 – George Platt Lynes – US Photographer – Born 15^th April 1907

1988 – Timothy Patrick Murphy – US Actor – Born 3^rd November 1959

1995 – Robert Fizdale – US Pianist / Presenter / Author – Born 12^th April 1920

Strictly About Bloody Time!!!!!!

HOO-BLOODY-RA!!!

I'm going to spoil it for those who don't know already, but I am just so pleased that that lazy bitch Laila is out of Strictly Come Dancing at last. There are so many celebrities who deserved to stay in the competition in her place it is sickening.
I felt that most of tonight's first show was really lacklustre and the whole show was only saved by the very last two dances, performed by Chris & Ola doing the best Samba of the series, and Ricky & Natalie doing a great Cha Cha Cha. Not two of my favourite types of dance, but the most memorable of tonight's by a long shot.
I felt the whole show would have been so much better if Ali and Laila's places had been taken by Zoe and Jade who are better dancers in my opinion.

Once again, and finally the judges AND public have seen it, Laila just couldn't be bothered. Yes, she is pretty. Yes she looks great in some of the dresses she has had. But she isn't that good a dancer and she rarely performs well. Anton is also awful and his place should be at risk in the series. He is terrible at the Latin dances, looking worse than his celebs sometimes, something that just shouldn't happen. He is only saved by the fact that he is amazing at the Ballroom dances, even if it is only in traditional styles, to traditional music.

I didn't really see the point of Darcey Bussell, sorry daaaarrrling, but you seemed more pointless than Alisha at the beginning of the series. Great dress though.

The second of tonight's shows was really all about the Argentine Tango. As Bruce said himself, this dance, performed by Vincent & Flavia, is one of the best parts of the whole series. I love the dance so much and they make it so complicated, fun, sexy, dramatic and interesting, just what you need to get people wanting to join in and have a go themselves. I was dancing around my room after watching this and wishing I was also learning to dance like the celebrities. Such a shame that a non-celebrity version doesn't exist!

Announced at the end of the second show was the fact that Lily Allen will be on next week. I was a bit shocked as I've been celebrating since I found out she was meant to be taking some time off. I guess I will watch the show anyway, despite her being there. I'm working on Saturday, so when I watch it on iPlayer I can also flick through her ditty!

Radioactive!!

I had a strange dream last night, and what is even stranger is that I can still remember parts of it this late in the day!
I was in a very mountainous place, possibly in the future, which was heavily radioactive and everyone seemed to live and travel around in specially adapted Winnebagos, shielded from the radiation outside. They even had "air-locks" which could eradicate radiation on people to allow them in!
Somehow I blagged my way into one of these vehicles and found out that they occupants were very excited as the heavy rain outside meant that they were expecting flooding which, for some reason, would bring cleansing water, or some other special liquid, up to the surface to absorb and eradicate most of the radiation in the environment.
Unfortunately I woke up before I was able to find out exactly how this was to be achieved!
I wish I had more dreams like this.

5th December

LGBT people born today:

1930 – Larry Kert – US Actor / Singer / Dancer – Died 5^th June 1991

1932 – Little Richard – US Singer

1955 – Marianne Weber – Dutch Singer

1961 – Laura Flanders – US Journalist / Presenter / Author

1963 – Jason Branch – US Porn

1968 – Margaret Cho – US Comedian / Actress / Fashion Designer / Author / Presenter

1972 – Heather Mizeur – US Politician

1972 – Cole Youngblood – US Porn

1978 – Jean Franko – Spanish / Venezuelan ? Porn [or 12^th May ???? / 1976]

???? – Amanda Lepore – US Model

???? – Nick Piston – US? Porn

And those who died:

1986 – JW King – US Porn – Born 21^st July 1955

4th December

LGBT people born today:

1903 – AL Rowse – UK Historian / Poet – Died 3^rd October 1997

1903 - Cornell Woolrich – US Author – Died 25^th September 1968

1949 – A Scott Berg – US Author

1959 – Jon Ginoli – US Singer / Musician

1972 – Nikki Tyler – US Porn

1979 – Filippo Romano – Italian Porn / DJ / Personal Trainer

And those who died:

1976 – Benjamin Britten – UK Composer – Born 22^nd November 1913

1989 – May Swenson – US Poet / Playwright – Born 28^th May 1913

1995 – Michelle Abdill – US Hate Crime Victim – Born 8^th July 1953

1995 – Roxanne Ellis – US Hate Crime Victim – Born 4^th November 1942

The Paradox Paradox

I have just watched my second episode of the new BBC TV crime / Sci-fi drama Paradox , now that iPlayer is back up and running, and find myself still quite enjoying it. This in itself is a paradox as I am definitely not a fan of the "star" Tamsin Outhwate. I like the idea of the show, being a more down-to-Earth version of one of my favourite ever Marvel Comics series' "What If?"
"What If?" explored alternate timelines if events had gone slightly differently than in the "normal" Marvel timeline, i.e. "What If.... Spider-Man had joined the Fantastic Four?" or "What If... the X-Men had died?"
In this show a scientist receives 8 seemingly random images on his secure computer via his company's personal satellite which seem to show events in the near future. A police team is brought in to investigate the first set thinking that he (the scientist) is plotting a terrorist attack.
If they succeed in preventing the incident, whatever it may be then they have to face the question of whether they have indeed changed the future or not, something which challenges the faith of some of the characters.
The day following the first story, the scientist finds that he has received a further 8 images, one of which seems to show one of the investigating police detectives dead!
The concept may sound bizarre, especially if you are not a sci-fi buff, but is strangely compelling. I'm looking forward to the third episode. Give it a go, you may even like it too.

Oh, and I'm still liking Defying Gravity too, although I know I am ultimately going to be disappointed as the show has reportedly been cancelled already and some of the series not even shown in the US! Why do they do that? It had all the indications of being a good mix of Lost and Grey's Anatomy.

Bad Day

I guess I knew it was going to be a bad day when I woke up at 04:00 and kept looking at my alarm clock every 10 minutes until I had to get up at 06:00. Not a good start.
I ran out of work to do by 09:30, except for the work I still have to do on the keys, which can't really be done properly until the weekend. I was in a bit of a belligerent mood and felt like I was being taken advantage of with all the work that I do and none of the others (especially the supervisors) do anything other than the minimum. I was in a foul mood. I took it out a bit on one of the guards after he had covered my break and not opened any emails, acknowledged any alarms or filled in the Occurrence Book (which is an hourly, or half-hourly requirement). Even so, I managed to restrain myself and only let fly with half a rant rather than the full blown explosion of anger that I was feeling.

I need to get out of there A.S.A.P!!!!!!!

HELP PLEASE!!

Do any of you lovely readers out there know what type of qualifications employers are looking for for administration / research / records management work (other than being a bloody graduate)?
I need desperately to do a course of some kind just to get my foot in the door (I'm not even getting interviews) and I don't want to waste my money, AND TIME, on the wrong course.

3rd December

LGBT people born today:

1944 – Antonio Variacoes – Portuguese Singer / Songwriter – Died 13^th June 1984

1946 – Allan Berube – US Activist / Author – Died 11^th December 2007

1946 – Guy Hocquenghem – French Author – Died 28^th August 1988

1953 – Patrick Angus – US Painter – Died 1992

1955 – Michael Musto – US Columnist / Author

1957 – Del Shores – US Actor / Director / Producer / Playwright

1958 – Victor Garanon – Nicaraguan Porn

And those who died:

2006 – Craig Hinton – UK Author / Playwright – Born 7^th May 1964

Another Nothing Day

I've managed to do a grand total of nothing today, but I'm not going to sweat it after my little epiphany yesterday. Today was just meant to be a recovery day instead of actually doing something I guess.
I did watched the first episode of the new series Paradox earlier on iPlayer though, and thought it was really good despite starring Tamsin Outhwaite, so I immediately wanted to watch the second episode only to find that iPlayer was "down for maintenance" and "will be back soon"! Not good, I suppose I should go to bed as I am back to work tomorrow. Once again,I suppose it goes without saying, but I don't want to go back. Let's hope that I can get to sleep straight away and STAY asleep all night. It shouldn't be a problem as I am knackered after last night / this morning!! G'nite!

Hungover Again!

I got into Comptons last night at around 19:30 but the actual "action" didn't kick off until after 21:00. I purchased £10 of raffle tickets, 20 of them, but when they did the draw I was cheated because they were drawing them out in strips of fives rather than individually. Even so, I thought I had won at one point when my numbers were called out, unfortunately it was a different colour ticket to mine.
The auction of Kings Cross Steelers players was fun, though slightly degrading for the guys who didn't make much money. Only 4 of them were originally in the auction, though another was "forced" to auction himself too. One of the guys up for auction was a guy named PJ. He is well known within the rugby crowd as he plays for the first team and is also a singer. Despite him not being the specifically the type of guy I would normally go for, there is something about him that makes him attractive. All night long I kept catching his eye and I thought that maybe something was going to happen. I lost track of him though and I moved on to Barcode. He later arrived there too and by then was with someone else, who I think thought I was after him! Confusing.
Despite not talking to many people and not getting off with anyone I had a good, though frustrating, night.

By the time I left Barcode though I was feeling incredibly horny and so I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Yep! I went to Chariots.
It was the first time that I had been there in months and, being a Tuesday, I wasn't expecting much. To my surprise there were a few nice guys there and, more importantly, not many ugly or old guys. I got it on with a good looking couple and another guy and we had a fantastic time. I didn't really want to leave straight away, but I was knackered.
When I got in I must have gone to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. And this morning I have the hangover to prove I've been out!

2nd December

LGBT people born today:

1943 – Steve Rubell - US Businessman / Club Owner – Died 25^th July 1989

1946 – Gianni Versace – Italian / US Fashion Designer – Died 15^th July 1997

1954 – Dan Butler – US Actor

1968 – Tom Limoncelli – US Author / Activist

1970 – Hildo Groen – Dutch Hairdresser / Presenter

1982 – Rocky Oliveira – Brazilian Porn [or 2^nd May 1982]

1987 – Chris Crocker – US Internet Personality

And those who died:

1935 – M Carey Thomas – US Suffragette – Born 2^nd January 1857

1990 – Aaron Copland – US Composer / Pianist - Born 14^th November 1900

1992 - Steve Abbot – US Author – Died 21^st December 1943

Achievements

I have had a fairly good day today. I went out this morning, okay early afternoon, with the intention of getting my sister a birthday card, a pair of smart black shoes and a pair of cuffinks. I came home with a pair of shoes, cufflinks, 2 books for myself, 3 books as Christmas presents and a comic. Not bad. I kicked myself that I had forgotten the birthday card and so went over to Waitrose and got one from their limited selection, though it was a good one if I do say so myself.
While ironing my selection of clothes that I may be wearing out tonight I reflected on my achievement and how the other week I was moaning that I never achieve much. I realised that overall this year I have done quite well. I may not have got myself a new job yet, which is my main aim now, but I did finally pay off my vast debt, as well as purchasing a new laptop and television, I came off of the anti-depressants that I had been on (on-and-off) for over 7 years, I have had and (mostly) paid for corrective eye surgery and coped with almost losing a very close friend. Quite a lot in a year I would say.
So, although I am still aiming for that "perfect" job ("perfect" meaning a job that meets my specific and difficult to match criteria!), and obviously I also want the "perfect" man (again, "perfect" being any man that meets my specific and almost impossible to match criteria), I am going to give myself a break from criticism and just reflect on what I have achieved (mostly off my own back too I hasten to add!).
My aim, for now, is to have a good, no, make that GREAT, night out tonight and take one day at a time, one goal at a time.

Red for World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day

Do you know how many people in your acquaintance are HIV+?

Do you know how many people you have known have died from AIDS related illnesses?

I wonder how many of you have stopped to think and count the numbers? Those of a certain generation may have given up counting out of weariness rather than lack of caring. Those of the younger generation may have never given it a passing thought.

I consider myself lucky that the numbers are low for me. I have only 2 people who have died from AIDS related causes. I guess that there are others that I have known and lost contact with who may have also died, but these two are the only ones I KNOW about.

At the moment I am also only aware of 3 people that I know to be HIV+, and all have been for at least 6 years and are, on the whole, very healthy still. There are also almost certainly people who have not yet confided in me, and those who may not even know themselves that they are HIV+, obviously though, I can only quantify the ones that I know about.

I was in senior school when the AIDS epidemic first made itself known to the world. Back then, even though I knew I was gay, I had yet to discover sex and so it had little impact on my psyche. I left school in 1988, and that December 1st was the first ever World AIDS Day. Again I was blissfully unaware of this at the time.

I think that the first time I really paid attention to World AIDS Day was when I moved to Torquay in the mid 90's. Being in a smaller community I was more aware of the minutiae of gay life. I got chatting to a local charity worker and arrange to get a quantity of red ribbons to sell at my place of work. I didn't raise massive amounts but I did raise awareness and so hope that I made a difference that way.

That year, I am embarrassed to say, was the only ever time that I have ever gone out of my way to raise money for charity. I support certain charity events, like World AIDS Day and the Poppy Appeal for Armistice Day, but rarely go the whole hog to raise money from others myself. Maybe I should, though I am put off by the possibility of being forced into political, theological or moralistic "discussions."

World AIDS Day is, to me, one of those rare times when we can congregate as a community to mourn our losses, share our knowledge and experience, and raise awareness within and without the community boundaries. A speciality of our community is commemorating this serious and decidedly dreadful thing in a humorous, energetic and memorable way. I personally am looking forward to the party in Comptons tonight when the players from the Kings Cross Steelers will be up for auction! I expect to see plenty of flesh being flashed. I've raided my penny jar in preparation already!!

1st December

LGBT people born today:

1955 – Olivier Rouyer – French Footballer

1957 – Jeff Gannon – US Journalist

1959 – Oscar Swartz – Swedish Author / Blogger / Businessman

1961 – Armin Meiwes – German cannibal

1976 – Matthew Sheppard – US Hate Crime Victim – Died 12^th October 1998

And those who died:

1947 – Aleister Crowley – UK Author / Mountaineer / Poet – Born 12^th October 1875

1989 – Alvin Ailey Jr – US Dancer / Choreographer – Born 5^th January 1931

1989 – Billy Lyall – UK Musician – Born 26^th March 1953

Physio

When the physiotherapist finally deemed his lunch to be finished, about 10 minutes after my appointment was due, he let me into his room. Yes he was male, and Australian, but no he was not attractive. Oh well!
He asked lots of questions, some of them he asked three times which got a bit annoying. He moved my legs about into various positions and eventually came to the conclusion that i just need to build up some muscle strength in my legs which will help the whatever-it-is in my knee cope and heal better. So, basically he told me to join the gym, as I was intending to do, and see how that goes for at least a month before deciding if I need to see the doctor for further tests.
So, now I have no excuse NOT to go to the gym. I guess I will have to make an appointment for a look-around at one, probably Virgin Active as it looks like it has a lot of variety of equipment. I will, however, need to get some decent training shoes before I start as the only ones I have at the moment are about 7 years old and are threadbare between the soles and uppers!!! A task for tomorrow I think.

Tired Still

I woke this morning at 11:30 and jumped out of bed as I couldn't remember when my physio appointment was today. My appointment card said 14:00 so I jumped back in bed and had another 30 minutes sleep. That's half the day gone! I hate this recovery from night shift mode, it really mucks up my four days off. And I have a splitting headache.
I am guessing that, despite all the porn films that I have watched that hint to the contrary, my physiotherapist is not going to be a stunning Adonis who wants to examine my whole body intimately, so I am not dressing to thrill. I'm just making sure that I have trousers that I can roll up above my knee, which is the area under scrutiny at the moment.

Other than this though, I have nothing planned for my day today or tomorrow day either. Then tomorrow night I am aiming to go to Soho, Comptons in particular as they are having an auction of the Kings Cross Steeler boys. I won't be bidding for one but there may be some flesh on show, who knows?

30th November

LGBT people born today:

1869 – Konstantin Somov – Russian Artist – Died 6^th May 1939

1904 – Robert Odeman – German Pianist / Actor / Composer – Died 14^th January 1985

1914 – Charles Hawtrey – UK Actor – Died 27^th October 1988

1938 – Richard Lipez – US Author

1943 – Jerry Hunt – US Composer – Died 27^th November 1993

1968 – Tommy O’Haver – US Director

1978 – Clay Aiken – US Singer

And those who died:

1900 – Oscar Wilde – Irish Playwright – Born 16^th October 1854

1944 – Eoin O’Duffy – Irish General – Born 20^th October 1892

1977 – Terrence Rattigan – UK Playwright / Screenwriter – Born 10^th June 1911

1979 – Laura Gilpin – US Photographer – Born 22^nd April 1891

1987 – James Baldwin – US Author / Playwright / Poet / Activist – Born 2^nd August 1924

1992 – Jorge Donn – Argentine Ballet – Born 25^th February 1947

1997 – Kathy Acker – US Author / Playwright – Born 18^th April 1947

1998 – Simon Nkoli – South African Activist – 26^th November 1957

4 Deserved Days Off

I truly deserve my four days off this time around. I worked my butt off over the last four night shifts, going through every single key we have for the building to make sure that they all fit and that we know exactly what they are for. I managed, in only about 4 hours per shifts, as that is all my duties allowed, to check out from the ground floor all the way up to and including the seventh. The only areas that I wasn't able to do in the time were the basements and the upper [plant] floors.
I am glad that I had something to do while I was at work, as it made each shift really speed past, but I am also resentful as I feel like I am the only supervisor doing any work. The only one putting myself out, willing to more than the minimum. It is really annoying me as I get paid exactly the same as the others and they do virtually nothing to better our working environment. It's frustrating and very demoralising. Let's hope that one day soon I get something back from this unfulfilling job, it'll be about time!

29th November

LGBT people born today:

1764 – Percy Jocelyn – Irish Bishop – Died 3^rd September 1843

1915 – Billy Strayhorn – US Composer – Died 31^st May 1967

1960 – Philippe Elan – French Singer

1962 – Martha Beck – US Sociologist / Therapist / Author

1965 – Guillaume Dustan – French Author / Journalist – Died 3^rd October 2005

1979 – Simon Amstell – UK Comedian / Presenter

28th November

LGBT people born today:

1632 – Jean-Baptiste Lully – French Composer – Died 22^nd March 1687

1887 – Ernst Rohm – German Soldier – Died 2^nd July 1934

1914 – Owen Dodson – US Poet / Author / Playwright – Died 21^st June 1983

1928 – Anthony Edward Dyson – UK Literary Critic / Lecturer / Activist – Died 30^th July 2002

1941 – Joke Swiebel – Dutch Politician

1944 – Rita Mae Brown – US Author / Activist

1947 – Herbert Muschamp – US Architectural Critic – Died 3^rd October 2007

1953 – Gordon Marsden – UK Politician

1960 – John Galliano – UK Fashion Designer

1963 – Thierry Paulin – French Serial Killer – Died 16^th April 1989

1965 – Erwin Mortier – Belgian Author

1969 – Colman Domingo – US Actor

1978 – Siri Hall Arnoy – Norwegian Politician

1979 – Jonny Staub – Canadian Presenter

1982 – Roman Prada – Slovakian Porn

And those who died

1994 – Jeffrey Dahmer – US Serial Killer – Born 21^st May 1960

2003 – Terry Lester – US Actor – Born 13^th April 1950

2004 - Leroy F Aarons – US Journalist / Editor / Author / Playwright / Activist – Born 8^th December 1933

2007 – Tony Holland – US Director / Producer – Born 18^th January 1940

27th November

LGBT people born today:

1877 – Katharine Anthony – US Author – Died 20^th November 1965

1883 – Edmund John – UK Poet – Died 28^th February 1917

1943 – Nicole Brossard – Canadian Poet / Author

1946 – Terry Baum – US Playwright

1963 – John Aravosis – US Author / Activist

1963 – Marc Ramsbottom – UK Politician

1964 – Adam Shankman – US Actor / Director / Choreographer / Director

1972 – Jason Kingsley - South African Porn

1978 – Shy Love – US Porn / Actress

???? – Matt Windsor – UK Porn

And those who died:

1925 – Magnus Enckell – Finnish Painter – Born 9^th November 1870

1978 – Harvey Milk – US Politician – Born 22^nd May 1930

1993 – Jerry Hunt – US Composer – Died 30^th November 1943

1995 – Simon Bailey – UK Priest / Author – Born 16^th June 1955

1997 – Daniel Farson – UK Author / Journalist / Presenter – Born 8^th January 1927

1998 – Douglas LePan – Canadian Diplomat / Poet / Author / Professor – Born 25^th May 1914

2006 – Alan Freeman – Australian / UK Presenter – Born 6^th July 1927

2007 – Jane Rule – Canadian Author – Born 28^th March 1931

First Night Back

I suppose my first night back at work could have been worse. It actually went quite quickly, mainly because I kept myself busy all night. It took me all night to sort out the keys that we have just for ONE floor of the building. The descriptions for the locations they are to be used were woefully inadequate, hence the reason it took me so long. Once I have a legible listing of all the keys for the building I am going to relabel and reorder them. All this because no one else was intelligent enough to do the job (or some were just too damn lazy).
I asked one guy to check the keys for one of our floors about a month ago. I was on days and he was on nights (it's easier to do when the staff aren't there). I came in the next morning and he proudly told me that all the keys worked, but some were labeled wrong. Excellent, I thought and proceeded to ask him where the list of the correct locations was. "Oh, I didn't write that down, you just asked me to check the keys!" This is the kind of idiot that I work with every day!

I was really pissed off this morning as, after getting in from work just after 07:00 and getting to sleep by half past I was woken up at 11:00 by my landlord letting himself into my room to show, what I presume was, a surveyor around (he is handing over the pub to the new landlord this weekend). I was not happy, but too tired to put a sentence together to tell him so. He did apologise by saying, "Well, I did knock first!" This is the kind of idiot I live with!
I couldn't get back to sleep after that, so tonight is going to be a long one I think!
Let's hope that, if the new landlord ever does this he does it with his cock hanging out because he is a very sexy looking guy, and newly single if the rumours are to be believed!

26th January

LGBT people born today

1905 – Emlyn Williams – UK Actor / Playwright – Died 25^th September 1987

1915 – Earl Wild – US Pianist

1924 – Isabel Miller – US Author – Died 4^th October 1996

1924 – Alma Routsong – US Author – Died 4^th October 1996

1926 – Richard Hall – US Author – Died 29^th October 1992

1939 – Wayland Flowers – US Puppeteer – Died 11^th October 1988

1957 – Simon Nkoli – South African Activist – 30^th November 1998

1966 – Sue Wicks – US Basketball

1969/77 – Sean Storm – US Porn / Director

1970 – John Amaechi – UK Basketball

1974 – Tammy Lynn Michaels – US Actress

1976 – Jack Ryan – US Porn

1979 – Jason Sechrest – US Porn / Screenwriter

And those who died:

1943 – Winnaretta Singer – US Heiress – Born 8^th January 1865

1994 – Joey Stefano – US Porn – Born 1^st January 1968

2006 – Mario Cesariny de Vasconcelos – Portuguese Poet – Born 9^th August 1923

Waiting

I hate this. This is one of the reasons that I hate working night shifts. I am sat here in my room with nothing to do. I don't want to go out and get myself all tired from walking around shopping or something, as I have a 12 hour shift starting at 19:00 tonight. I am probably going to go back to bed in a while to try and get some more sleep before I have to endure the boredom of 12 hours of nothing very much with no stimulation and no decent company.
I was slightly hopeful earlier when I received a call from a recruitment agency who had a position they thought might suit me. I prepared myself for a telephone interview only to be told that it was for a security position. NO THANK YOU. I want OUT of this god-awful industry. I want to be treated like a human being for a change, working days only, and not working 12 hours every time. I want to work with people I actually like being in the company of. I want to have something to do all day, I like being busy. Boredom makes my mind shut down. Makes me turn off. I've been turned off for the last 2 years. I need a job that will switch me on again.
Come on, someone, please press my "ON" button!!!!

25th November

LGBT people born today:

1896 – Virgil Thomson – US Composer – Died 30^th September 1989

1913 – Robert Friend – US Poet / Translator – Died 12^th January 1998

1942 – Rosa von Praunheim – Latvian Director / Activist

1948 – Lars Eighner – US Author

1949 – Randy Turner – US Singer – Died 18^th August 2005

1955 – Bruno Toniolli – Italian / UK Dancer / Choreographer / Presenter

1956 – David B Feinberg – US Author / Activist – Died 2^nd November 1994

1960 – Tonie Walsh – Irish Activist / Journalist / Presenter

1962 – Lance – US Porn – Died 26^th May 1991

1968 – Craig Seymour – US Author / Photographer / Professor / Stripper / Journalist

1986 – Jason Rae – US Politician

And those who died:

1970 – Yukio Mishima – Japanese Author – Born 14^th January 1925

1973 – Laurence Harvey – Lithuania / UK / South African Actor – Born 1^st October 1928

1983 – Sir Anton Dolin – UK Ballet – Born 27^th July 1904

2001 – Alan Bray – UK Historian / Activist – Born 13^th October 1948

2005 – Pierre Seel – French Author – Born 16^th August 1923

False Hope

Earlier tonight I was watching my new television (QI on Dave) feeling relieved that the reception had finally settled down and I was at least able to watch a couple of channels. Then, in came my flat mate, who is based in the room next to mine, and - BLAM - there went my reception. My television sounded like Norman Collier's unfunny brother!
As long as he is in his room, which like me he always is when he is at home, then I have terrible reception on my television. Yet another reason to want to move out.

My landlord came and told me that the new landlord should be in within a couple of weeks. Hoorah?!?
And then commented on how the handle on my door was falling off. I had actually mentioned it to him about 2 months ago when it happened, and he repeatedly had told me to look for the screw that had fallen out of it (thus loosening it) and that he would get it fixed if I couldn't. I guess it is the alcohol that had made him forget that he already knew about the door handle!

24th November

LGBT people born today:

1886 – Margaret Caroline Anderson – US Editor – Died 18^th October 1973

1915 – Denise Restout – French Musician / Teacher / Author / Editor – Died 9^th March 2004

1940 – Arthur Tress – US Photographer

1944 – Candy Darling – US Actress – Died 21^st March 1974

And those who died:

1991 – Freddie Mercury – UK Singer – Born 5^th September 1946

2004 – Joseph Hansen – US Author – Born 19^th July 1923

Friends of Friends

I'm thinking of suggesting a new "game" to play on Facebook.
I get very frustrated when I look at the guys who are friends of my Facebook friends and wonder why I have not been introduced to these gorgeous specimens. I believe that it is a person's duty to ensure that their friends are happy. Therefore my suggestion is that you send a message to all of your single friends and ask them if there is a person on your friends list who they may be attracted to. Then, if you know that person to be single, you approach them with the idea of arranging an introduction. It could be the start of a wonderful partnership (or a stalking nightmare if you are just Facebook friends and do not actually know the person).
I have dropped hints with my friends about introducing me to their gorgeous friends before, but I am guessing that either my hints were too subtle, which I doubt, or my friends too dense. The third option, that I am not someone that anyone wants to admit to knowing, is something I am trying not to believe.
I was reminded of this "friends having gorgeous friends" thing the other day when I saw an posting on Facebook announcing that my friend Gareth had become friends with someone. I always check out my gay friends' new friends, just in case, and lo-and-behold, Gareth's new friend was a guy I had been cruising the last time I was out!
Do you think it is a game / practice that will catch on? I doubt it, so I guess I'll just keep my virtual "mouth" shut.

Horny?

I am now at the stage where I am not feeling 100% well, but I AM feeling 100% horny. I'm not looking or feeling well enough to go out looking for a man, but feeling like I really need to feel a man's flesh against mine! And what is more frustrating is, I know I will have to wait at least until my next set of days off because I am back to work on Wednesday night. It would be so nice to have someone here at home just to snuggle up to, especially if they had pecs and/or biceps that could double up as pillows:

Sitting In Comfort (For a Change)

After spending the last 2 days stuck indoors, because of a combination of still feeling ill and the god-awful weather outside, I felt that i had to get out today All I managed though was a trip to Argos & Ryman to get a Christmas present and a new chair for my room. I managed to break my last office chair in my room ages ago and have been sitting on a storage box (with cushions) ever since. I cannot tell you how much better the chair is feeling!
It was a nightmare getting it home though. Although it wasn't particularly heavy, it was just that little bit too big to be held comfortably in my arms. Therefore I kept having to stop every 100 metres or so to readjust the way I was holding it. It didn't help that I also had a carrier bag which was swinging against my legs as I was walking. I was so glad to get home finally and be able to put it together (which was relatively simple, luckily).
I am now sitting in comfort and all I have to worry about now is disposing of the large cardboard box it came in (the recycling people won't take it away being so large, figure that one out), and getting rid of the wooden storage box, which is now falling apart due to my excessive weight bearing down on it for the last year or so! Along with either throwing away, or finding new homes for the junk sat inside it!

23rd November

LGBT people born today:

1939 – bill bissett – Canadian Poet

1948 – Bruce Vilanch – US Scriptwriter / Comedian / Actor

And those who died:

1998 – Gene Moore – US Window Dresser – Born 1910

2002 – Boudewijn Buch – Dutch Author / Presenter – Born 14^th December 1948

Sorry it's a bit sparse today. Anyone know of someone I missed from the list? Please let me know.

22nd November

LGBT people born today:

1869 – Andre Gide – French Author – Died 19^th February 1951

1913 – Benjamin Britten – UK Composer – Died 4^th December 1976

1915 – James Gleeson – Australian Artist / Poet / Author / Critic – Died 20^th October 2008

1941 – Nicholas Dante – US Dancer / Author – Died 21^st May 1991

1943 – Peter Adair – US Director / Artist – Died 27^th June 1996

1943 – Billy Jean King – US Tennis

1950 – Art Sullivan – Belgian Singer

1958 – Horse McDonald – UK Singer / Musician

1960 – Christopher Ciccone – US Artist / Screenwriter / Director

1961 – Stephen Hough – UK / Australian Pianist / Composer / Author

1961 – Pedro Marin – Spanish Singer / Actor / Presenter

1964 – Stephen Geoffreys – US Actor / Porn

1976 – Yves Steinhauer – Canadian / Luxembourg / Dutch Singer

1977 – Lucian Dunareanu – Romanian Activist / Editor

1982 – Alasdair Duncan – Australian Author / Journalist

And those who died:

1902 – Friedrich Alfred Krupp – German Businessman – Born 17^th February 1854

1918 – Rose Cleveland – US First Lady – Born 13^th June 1846

1943 – Lorenz Hart – US Lyricist – Born 2^nd May 1895

Strictly Losing Interest

I watched Strictly Come Dancing earlier and there really was nothing much to report other than:
Jade is out of the competition due to her injury, which is really bad news as there are really only two couples now who are worthy of winning the trophy based upon their dancing abilities, Ricky & Natalie and Ali & Brian.
Ricky & Natalie performed a great American Smooth tonight with an amazingly difficult lift made to look easy by the fabulous Mr Whittle.
Next week could be interesting, as it will be a challenge for both the celebrities and the professionals. The remaining couples will be dancing either a Charleston or a Rock & Roll dance. Should be good.

Tonight's dance off was between Ricky & Erin and Laila & Anton. I was really hoping that Laila would be gone, but tonight she actually did a good job, especially as she apparently only had about 6 hours of training. I just do not like her as she just doesn't seem to care about the competition or try enough, especially when she doesn't like the dance. Unfortunately all the judges seem to love her which is why she has survived the dance off so many times. Get rid!

21st November

LGBT people born today:

1844 – Francis Leon – US Female Impersonator – Died ????

1886 – Harold Nicolson – UK Author / Diplomat / Politician – Died 1^st May 1968

1929 – Laurier LaPierre – Canadian Politician / Presenter / Author / Journalist

1931 – Malcolm Williamson – Australian Composer – Died 2^nd March 2003

1938 – Robert Drivas – US Actor / Director – Died 29^th June 1986

1947 – Nickolas Grace – UK Actor

1952 – Corny Littman – German Football Club President

1956 – Cherry Jones – US Actress

1962 – Christine Vachon – US Producer

1963 – Moises Kaufman – Venezuelan Author / Playwright / Producer

And those who died:

1999 – Quentin Crisp – UK Author / Actor – Born 25^th December 1908

Made It

Well, I managed to survive my four day shifts despite feeling like crap for most of them. I began feeling unwell last Sunday, and then spent almost all of Monday in bed. I was back to work on Tuesday and expected to call in sick, but surprisingly felt fine when I woke up. I gradually deteriorated throughout the day and went to bed not long after returning home that night. I woke up on Wednesday morning at around 04:00 and felt like Hell! I took a while to make my mind up, but decided to call in sick. As I got out of bed to find the head office number I felt better. I went back to bed, thinking I could sleep the rest of it off in 2 hours, but laying down was what was making me feel worse. So, I decided that I had to go to work.
On Thursday morning I was woken by my alarm and made it to work in a daze, feeling dizzy and a bit disorientated. I made it through the day. And today, began the same, though not quite as bad (dizzywise), and I soon forgot about it as I had a fire evacuation practice to take my mind off of things for a couple of hours. It was still a long day (long four days).
Now I am off for 4 days and then unfortunately back to work on nights from Wednesday. I won't be going out this weekend, because I still feel ill, and I can't really go and visit Tim (as I had hoped, and had wanted to do on the Monday just gone too), as I don't want to give him my virus, especially considering that he has an operation coming up in less than a month. I don't want to make him feel worse than he already does, or jeopardise his chances of having this op over and done with as soon as possible.
So, it looks like it will be 4 days all alone. That will make a change! I'm going to bed now.

20th November

LGBT people born today:

1898 – Grace Darmond – Canadian / US Actress – Died 8^th October 1963

1924 – Genevieve Pastre – French Author

1941 – Oliver Sipple – US Soldier – Died 2^nd February 1989

1942 – Meredith Monk – US Composer / Musician / Director / Singer / Choreographer

1956 – Benno Thoma – Dutch Photographer

1979 – William “Willie” Hernandez – US Reality TV [Real World: Philadelphia] / Actor

1981 – Eric de la Cruz – Filipino Actor

???? – Paul Johnson – US Army / Porn

???? – Gage Weston – US Marines / Porn
And those who died:

1965 – Katharine Anthony – US Author – Died 27^th November 1877

1993 – Emile Ardolino – US Director / Producer – Born 9^th May 1943

1995 – Steven Powsner – US Activist – Born ????

1999 – Sadao Hasegawa – Japanese Artist – Born 1945?

2006 – Dirk Dirksen – US Music Promoter – Born 25^th August 1937

19th November

LGBT people born today:

1889 – Clifton Webb – US Actor / Dancer / Singer – Died 13^th October 1966

1896 – Anton Walbrook – Austrian Actor – Died 9^th August 1967

1908/12 – Gisele Freund – French Photographer – Died 31^st March 2000

1919 – Morris Kight – US Activist – Died 19^th January 2003

1953 – Tom Villard – US Actor – Died 14^th November 1994

1959 – Timothy Conigrave – Australian Actor – Died 18^th October 1994

1962 – Jodie Foster – US Actress / Director

1963 – Klaus Bondam – Danish Actor / Politician

And those who died:

1958 – Hans Heinrich von Twardowski – German / US Actor – Born 5^th May 1898

1974 – Louise Fitzhugh – US Author / Illustrator – Born 5^th October 1928

To Be (Sick), Or Not To Be (Sick)?

That was the question that I was faced with this morning when I woke up at just gone 04:00 feeling like death warmed up. I knew that I would have to make up my mind within the hour whether I was going to call in sick to work or not. I don't think I have had a day off sick in nearly 3 years, though I may have conveniently forgotten one or two days! But it is very unusual for me to go sick (mainly because I do not get paid for any sick time).
I eventually decided that I would call in sick and had to get out of bed to get my notebook as I didn't have the head office number I needed stored in my phone. When I stood up, I felt much better and so couldn't justify to myself calling in sick. I went back to bed and instantly felt worse again. The very act of laying down was making me feel worse! That concluded it for me then. There was no point in calling in sick, and losing a day's money, if I wouldn't feel any worse at work than at home.
The only problem was that, by the time I had made my final decision it was far too late to go back to bed (and I would have felt worse anyway). So, I had my shower early (thereby missing the usual morning competition with Visar, my flatmate who has recently decided to get up 10 minutes earlier than he used to just to mess up my routine!). After my shower I got dressed and then had a quick lay down until my alarm went off telling me it was time to leave for work.
It was a very long day and I am now knackered! I think I could well be going to bed by 21:00 tonight, which is never heard of!

18th November

LGBT people born today:

1872 – Sir Edward Marsh – UK Translator – Died 13^th January 1953

1877 – Arthur Cecil Pigou – UK Economist – Died 7^th March 1959

1906 – Klaus Mann – German Author – Died 21^st May 1949

1944 – Jackie Goldberg – US Politician / Teacher

1944 – Wolfgang Joop – German Fashion Designer

1985 – Kemal Shahin – Turkish / UK Reality TV [Big Brother]

1985 – Christian Siriano – US Reality TV [Project: Runway] / Fashion Designer

And those who died:

1909 – Renee Vivien – UK Poet – Born 11^th June 1877

1928 – Mauritz Stiller – Finnish Director / Screenwriter – Born 17^th July 1883

1966 – Mike Connolly – US Reporter / Columnist – Born 1914

1986 – Gia Carangi – US Model – Born 29^th January 1960

1996 – William John Christopher Vassall – UK RAF / Spy – Born 20^th September 1924

1999 – Paul Bowles – US Author / Composer / Translator / Photographer – Born 30^th December 1910

1999 – Horst P Horst – German / US Photographer – Born 14^th August 1906

1999 – Ralph Pomeroy – US Poet – Born 1926

Better

I woke up this morning, about 10 minutes before my alarm was due to go off, and I felt much better than I did yesterday. I felt congested and headachy still, but not so lethargic. I decided that I had to go to work, though I really didn't want to.
When I got to work everything was messy and misplaced, as it always seems to be when I have any amount of time off. My work life would be so much less stressful if the other supervisors weren't there to mess up "my" stuff. Then again that would mean that I would have to be there more, which is not a good thing!
I had almost 2 weeks of emails to read through, to make sure that I didn't miss anything. One of them was a request from the Facilities Manager asking if any of the security staff had done anything worth praising or mentioning to raise our profile. I felt like telling her that I could do with something other than a pat on the head for the 2 weeks of hard work that I put in for less than my usual daily wage! I still can't believe that I got absolutely nothing for doing them such a favour!
I am already counting down the days until my next day off (Saturday). Let's hope that I am feeling 100% by then!

17th November

LGBT people born today:

1851 – Lord Arthur Somerset – UK Aristocrat / Major – Died 26^th May 1926

1925 – Rock Hudson – US Actor – Died 2^nd October 1985

1960 – Daniel O’Donnell – US Politician

1960 – RuPaul – US Drag Queen / Singer / Actor / Model

1961 – Jose Villarrubia – Spanish Comic Book Artist

1969 – Rebecca Walker – US Author

1983 – Brad Star – US Navy / Porn

1985 – Shay Jordan – Filipino / US Porn

And those who died:

1992 – Audre Lorde – US Author / Poet / Activist – Born 18^th February 1934

1996 – Kurt von Ruffin – German Actor / Singer – Born 3^rd September 1901

2001 – Aaron Webster – Canadian Hate Crime Victim – Born ?? June 1959

Typical Man?

I've been at home all day, feeling like crap, and I feel even worse than this morning. My stomach doesn't feel as bloated and I have just managed to have some soup, my first food all day. I still have my headache, and feeling lethargic, but am now also running a temperature. I hope it clears for tomorrow, as, even if I feel like this I will still go into work (I don't do sickies and even if I did I don't get paid for them!). Let's hope that I can sweat it out through the night. I've got a feeling though that tomorrow is going to be a bad, bad, BAD day!

Feeling Off Colour

I woke up this morning at around 10:30 after taking hours to fall asleep last night. I didn't feel very good so I decided to stay in bed and try and get some more sleep. I eventually gave up an hour later and got up and had a shower.
I am feeling really lethargic, my stomach feels bloated, I have a headache and my eyes keep watering. My discomfort is not eased whatever position I adopt, whether if be sitting up, laying on my back, front or side, or walking around.
I think I probably need to throw up, but can never face making myself do it, so shall just have to wait and see what happens.
I really am not sure what is actually wrong with me but I hope it goes soon, as I want to be feeling 100% for tomorrow. Going back to work is bad enough after 12 days off, but I'm not feeling well at the same time then it will be even more of a hell for me.

16th November

LGBT people born today:

1936 – Morton Beiser – Canadian Professor / Psychiatrist

1952 – Glenn Burke – US Baseball – Died 30^th May 1995

1958 – Anne Holt – Norwegian Author / Politician / Lawyer

1964 – Waheed Alli – UK Politician

1966 – Gerard Duphiney – US Reality TV [Amazing Race 3]

1970 – Jamie Babbit – US Director / Producer / Screenwriter

1974 – Zsolt Kopazs – Hungarian Porn

1983 – Gus Carr – US Actor / Dancer / Singer / Songwriter

1983 – Ukea Davis – US Hate Crime Victim – Died 12^th August 2002

And those who died:

2000 – Russ Conway – UK Pianist – Died 2^nd September 1925

The Waters of Mars

****possible spoilers****

I've just watched the latest Dr Who special, The Waters of Mars, and I must say I wasn't too impressed.
The performances were good, I have no quarrel with that. The "monsters" looked great, especially with the water pouring out of their mouths, but the blasts of water from the hands were pathetic, and the running was crap. All this year, the Doctor Who episodes have been known as "specials." So far, they have been anything but. I just hope that David Tennant gets the spectacular send off that he deserves for the brilliant job he has done over the last 4 years. The next two episodes, which I believe are due on Christmas Day and New Years Day, need to be spectacular ones. I am already slightly disappointed that it will be John Simm as the Master AGAIN, but hopefully it will be good anyway.
I am going to watch The Waters of Mars again on iPlayer tomorrow, in case I missed the point. But for the moment it just felt like a drawn-out trailer for the story to come in the final two episodes for the tenth Doctor.

15th November

LGBT people born today:

1873 – Sara Josephine Baker – US Author – Died 22^nd February 1945

1923 – Fred Richmond – US Navy / Politician / Pianist

1962 – Judy Gold – US Comedian / Actress / Author / Producer

1966 – Evan Adams – Canadian Actor / Playwright / Doctor

1967 – Francois Ozon – French Director / Screenwriter

1974 – Todd Klinck – Canadian Author / Director / Producer

1982 – Stephanie Thomas – US Hate Crime Victim – Died 12^th August 2002

And those who died:

1942 – Annemarie Schwarzenbach – Swiss Author / Journalist – Born 23^rd May 1908

1978 – Margaret Mead – US Anthropologist – Born 16^th December 1901

1991 – Robert McCall – Canadian Figure Skater – Born 14^th September 1958

1991 – Jacques Morali – French Music Producer – Born 4^th July 1947

2002 – Mary Meigs – US Painter / Author – Born 27^th April 1917

Strictly Unnecessary

Strictly Come Dancing has just finished and Phil Tufnell is out. Which is a bit surprising for me as I thought it was his best dance yet. I'm not really a fan of his, so that is saying something.
It felt like a stand-in show for the real thing though as so much had gone wrong this week. Bruce Forsyth was off sick with the flu, so Tess Daly was the principle presenter for a change. They had Ronnie Corbett co-presenting with her, though he barely did anything so it seemed like he was really unnecessary. Claudia Winkleman was backstage and she was brilliant as usual.
My favourite dancer, and I am still surprised that she is that about Jade Johnson, was not dancing this week after he knee "popped" during dress rehearsal. Such a shame as she looked stunning in her tango dress, and Ian was so looking forward to dancing the tango which he hasn't been able to do for about 4 years on the show.
Laila apparently injured her knee as well, though for some reason (perhaps the fact that I don't like her) I am not sure if I believe her 100%. I just felt that she was after the sympathy vote and she gave up half way through her dance. She was saved by the public. AGAIN! Please vote her out next week. PLEASE!!!

I was watching most of the show in the living room with two of my flatmates. Surprisingly they had chosen to watch is as I had resigned myself to watching it on-line, but when I realised they were watching it too I joined them. As the Jersey Boys were singing, our other flatmate came in, Penny. She likes X-Factor and was visibly disappointed when we weren't watching that. She walked in front of the television and "accidentally" switched the DVD player on which made us lose the channel we were on! I went back to watching the show in my room on-line so missed most of the song and all of the street dancing unfortunately.

Next week, hopefully Bruce will be back and we have Dame Shirley Bassey singing. Can't wait.

Change of Plans (Again!)

I was thinking of actually going to a Kings Cross Steelers game today, I thought that it was about time that I did, especially as I now have my membership and have yet to make use of it. But then came the storm! Today we have heavy rainfall and powerful gusts of wind, all of which combine to make it a no-brainer decision. I really do not fancy standing outside in a muddy field, in the rain, being blown all over the place. Even if it means that I get to see some muscular men get down and dirty! I am staying indoors, though I will have to go to the corner shop for some food as I have nothing in that will constitute a proper meal!
So, the new plan for today? Stay in and watch DVD's (starting with Star Wars Episode IV), have a nice microwave lunch in a minute and later watch Strictly Come Dancing.
Then tomorrow? The Waters of Mars. The latest Doctor Who episode, a prelude to David Tennant's Christmas/New Year two-part finale.

Finally

I went out to meet Richard for drinks last night and got into Comptons a couple of minutes before he did. the only space we could find in there though was by the window and so sat there. I had a good view out of the window, but because we were seated and backed against the window (and a cigarette machine) I couldn't move much and could see even less. I began to get frustrated quite early on. Two of Richard's friends turned up after a while and it was too much hassle trying to work out the conversation in the noise of the pub so I gave up. I really just wanted to go elsewhere, i.e. Rupert Street, as that was the type of place I was actually dressed for. When Richard announced that he didn't want to go to Rupert Street I decided to say goodbye and head off on my own. His friends decided to persuade him to go and so they tagged along with me. It was packed solid and I would have been better off on my own.
We only stayed there for one drink before they all headed off. I then went on to Barcode. I wandered around there for a while and then, all of a sudden I was approached by a nice looking, fairly muscular guy called Carlos. Before long we were snogging and then went back to his place, which is literally just around the corner from home.
His place was really nicely decorated and he was a really sexy guy, with a body just hairy enough and he was just enough in every other department too!!!!!
He said that I could stay the night, but I chickened out and walked home instead. I got his number, and he mine, but knowing me I won't call!

14th November

LGBT people born today:

1874 – Adolf Brand – German Author / Anarchist / Activist – Died 2^nd February 1945

1880 – Eugene O’Brien – US Actor – Died 29^th April 1966

1900 – Aaron Copland – US Composer / Pianist – Died 2^nd December 1990

1906 – Albrecht Becker – German Actor / Photographer / Production Designer – Died 22^nd April 2002

1906 – Louise Brooks – US Dancer / Model / Actress – Died 8^th August 1985

1930 – Pierre Berge – French Businessman

1932 – Jack Smith – US Actor / Playwright / Director / Photographer – Died 25^th September 1989

1939 – Wendy Carlos – US Composer / Musician / Photographer

1960 – Tom Judson [Gus Mattox] – US Actor / Porn

1962 – Stefano Gabbana – Italian Fashion Designer

1966 – Petra Rossner – German Cyclist

1968 – Svetlana Surganova – Russian Musician / Singer / Poet

1981 – Russell Tovey – UK Actor

???? – Bo Summers – US Porn [or 20^th October 1964]

And those who died:

1938 – William Lygon, 7^th Earl Beauchamp – UK Politician – Born 20^th February 1872

1991 – Adrian Lee Kellard – US Artist – Born 28^th January 1959

1991 – Tony Richardson – UK Director / Producer – Born 5^th June 1928

1994 – Humphrey Berkeley – UK Politician – Born 21^st February 1926

1994 – Tom Villard – US Actor – Died 19^th November 1953

1999 – Peter Wildeblood – UK / Canadian Journalist / Author / Playwright / Activist – Born 19^th May 1923

2008 – Lateisha Green – US Hate Crime Victim – Born ??

Weird Mood

I've been in a strange frame of mind over the last few days. I can't quite explain it, but I have just not felt motivated to do anything Even more than normal!). Thus I have very little in the way of food in the flat and I've had to force myself to do basic chores like pick up my dry cleaning etc.
What's more, I've been sat here at my laptop almost all day, every day, doing absolutely nothing productive. Playing Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook, checking emails, and visiting blogs that I haven't checked for ages, which has gotten me feeling all randy and frustrated.
I've achieved very little during the last 3 days, which is made worse by the fact that I felt that I had achieved quite a bit on Tuesday.

I am due to go out tonight to meet Richard for a few drinks. I am not really in the right frame of mind, but that doesn't matter so much when I am actually going to be meeting someone for drinks, rather than going out on my own. As soon as I see Richard, and whomever he may be with at the time (I'm bound to know someone), I should feel my mood lighten.
I have a new shirt to wear tonight, I'm going for smart casual, rather than just casual. And I will also be wearing my lovely new boots. I haven't had a pair of boots for a couple of years. I'd forgotten, until the other day when I wore these boots for the first time, how much I like the feeling of wearing boots. Somehow, they just feel so much better than shoes. I feel so much more confident when I wear them.
I hope that I get to meet some interesting people tonight, that is my aim rather than hooking up. I would rather meet someone I like the company of and would like to spend more time with, than someone who is going to be a one-night-stand.
Let's hope that it isn't a textbook Friday the 13th for me tonight!

13th November

LGBT people born today:

1913 – Niek Engelschman – Dutch Actor / Activist – Died 27^th October 1988

1914 – John La Touche – US Musician / Author – Died 7^th August 1956

1941 – Dack Rambo – US Actor – Died 21^st March 1994

1955 – Anna Livia Julian Brawn – Irish Author – Died 5^th August 2007

1959 – Rosie Jones – US Golf

1964 – Sam Carson – US Porn

1967 – Claus Larsen – Danish Musician

And those who died:

1916 – Saki [Hector Hugh Munro] – UK Author – Born 18^th December 1870

2003 – Manoly Lascaris – Egyptian / Australian Lover of Patrick White – Born 5^th August 1912

2004 – John Balance – UK Musician – Born 16^th February 1962

2006 – JP Kelso – US Businessman / Murder Victim – Born ????

Feeling Horny

12th November

LGBT people born today:

1915 – Roland Barthes – French Literary Critic / Philosopher – Died 25^th March 1980

1931 – Bob Crewe – US Record Producer

1941 – Cristina Peri Rossi – Uruguayan / Spanish Author / Poet / Journalist

1949 – Stan Rosenberg – US Politician

1958 – Eric Marcus – US Author

1958 – Megan Mullaly – US Singer / Actress / Presenter

1961 – Cristina E Martinez – US Activist

1965 – Christopher Cabaldon – US Politician

1968 – Kathleen Hanna – US Musician / Singer

1969 – Paul Magrs – UK Author

1970 – Craig Parker – New Zealand Actor

1976 – Tevin Campbell – US Singer

1978 – Andrew Kinlochan – UK Singer / Reality TV [Popstars: The Rivals]

1980 – Ricky Sinz – US Porn / Mixed Martial Arts / Soldier

And those who died:

1933 – F Holland Day – US Photographer – Born 8^th July 1864

1982 – Patrick Cowley – US Record Producer – Born 19^th October 1950

1992 – David Oliver – US Actor – Born 31^st January 1962

2002 – Johannes Kerkorrel – South African Singer / Journalist – Born 27^th March 1960

Difficulties

Why does everything have to be difficult nowadays? I went to Argos today and finally bought myself a new television (after ripping the aerial out of my old one back in February when I got frustrated at the terrible reception I was getting). I got a voucher for £10 off with that purchase and so bought a fancy aerial too.
When I got back home and tried to set it all up the television could not find any signal. At all! And that was with the fancy aerial plugged in. It was ........ disappointing to say the least.
I fiddles around with it and eventually managed to get some channels loaded, but none were clear and most are not even watchable. I know this estate has trouble with television signals, but I thought digital was meant to make things better, easier. It doesn't seem to be any better than analogue (which I also had trouble tuning into, and are not clear at all).
So, basically, I am in the same position as before I spend £150 on new technology. I can't watch any television channels but I can play dvd's.

Any ideas you may have on improving my viewing capabilities would be greatly appreciated.

11th November

LGBT people born today:

1949 – David J Acer – US Dentist – Died 3^rd September 1990

1965 – Max Mutchnick – US Screenwriter / Producer

1966/8 – Peaches – Canadian Singer

1969 – Carson Kressley – US Presenter / Actor

And those who died:

1994 – Pedro Zamora – Puerto Rican / US Reality TV [Real World: San Francisco] / Activist – Born 29^th February 1972

A Productive Day!

I've done quite well today. Makes a change.
I got up at 08:00 this morning so that I could get to the hospital for 09:00. I went to the blood test clinic first and didn't have to wait long, despite about 15 people being in the queue before me. I then had to go upstairs to the x-ray department and again didn't have to wait long. All in all I was only in the hospital about 2 hours, which is the minimum I was expecting for each department. So, thank you to the hospital staff there at St Bart's. Now I just have to wait for my doctor to contact me as the results will be going to him first.
I then decided to try again to find some new jeans so went to Oxford Street again. I managed to find some nice ones in Burtons, but they didn't have my size. I did buy 2 shirts and a pair of boots in there though. I then went to Blue Inc. and managed to get a pair of blue jeans, it's a fairly rare colour believe it or not at the moment. Then I went to the Officer's Club and got another pair of trousers, this time beige casual ones, some boxers and socks (which I desperately needed). I then made my way home, and it still wasn't even midday! How good is that? And considering what I had bought I was pleased to find that I had spent less than £150 too! Amazing.
With that great start to the day, the fact that I haven't been out for a drink in over 5 weeks and also the fact that I am feeling incredibly horny, I decided that I would be heading into Soho tonight for a few drinks. I don't expect it to be busy at all, being a Tuesday and it being cold and a bit wet, but I need to get out. I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes, or, if it is really bad it'll be tonight!

10th November

LGBT people born today:

1879 – Patrick Pearse – Irish Poet / Author / Activist – Died 3^rd April 1916

1903 – Josephine Hutchinson – US Actress – Died 4^th June 1998

1911 – Harry Andrews – UK Actor / Singer – Died 6^th March 1989

1913 – James Broughton – US Poet / Director – Died 17^th May 1999

1924 – Phyllis Lyon – US Activist

1945 – Terence Davies – UK Screenwriter / Director / Actor / Author

1955 – Roland Emmerich – German Director / Producer

1963 – Adam Ebbin – US Politician

1978 – Kyla Cole – Slovakian Model / Presenter

1982 – Heather Matarazzo – US Actress

And those who died:

1891 – Arthur Rimbaud – French Poet / Anarchist – Born 20^th October 1854

Tests

I should be in bed already, but I just thought I would remind you all that I am going to the hospital for an x-ray and blood tests tomorrow to determine if it is rheumatoid arthritis that I have. My knee has been aching almost constantly for the last week, and on and off for the last year or so. I went to my doctor last week and he gave me a referral note to attend a local clinic.
Unfortunately it is a walk-in clinic and so will be a case of fist come - first served. It is an A.M. clinic too and I'm not sure what time it will be starting (there is nothing on the website to help me out). I'm going to aim to get there for around 09:00 (it is only around the corner, so it is not too bad). I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.

9th November

LGBT people born today:

1731 – Benjamin Banneker – US Mathematician – Died 9^th October 1806

1870 – Magnus Enckell – Finnish Painter – Died 27^th November 1925

1902 – Anthony Asquith – UK Director – Died 20^th February 1968

1905 – Erika Mann – German Actress / Journalist / Author – Died 27^th August 1969

1923 – James Schuyler – US Poet – Died 12^th April 1991

1938 – Ti-Grace Atkinson – US Author

1950 – Liz Stefanics – US Politician

1954 – Jeremy Fisher – New Zealand Author

1972 – David Boothroyd – UK Politician

1972 – Corin Tucker – US Singer / Musician

And those who died:

1969 – Valentine Ackland – UK Poet – Born 20^th May 1906

2000 – Hugh Paddick – UK Actor / Comedian – Born 22^nd August 1915

2008 – Duanna Johnson – US Hate Crime Victim – Born 1965

8th November

LGBT people born today:

1748 - Anne Seymour Damer – UK Sculptor – Died 28^th May 1828

1883 – Charles Demuth – US Painter – Died 23^rd October 1935

1949 – Gerald Chapman – UK Director – Died 25^th September 1987

1956 – Roy Simmons – US American Football

1959 – Chi Chi LaRue – US Porn Director

1960 – Megan Cavanagh – US Actress

1964 /6 – Ted Matthews – US Porn

1965 – Craig Chester – US Actor / Screenwriter

1982 – Sam Sparro – Australian Singer / Music Producer

And those who died:

1957 – George Quaintance – US Artist / Photographer – Born 3^rd June 1902

1976 – Gottfried von Cramm – German Tennis – Born 7^th July 1909

1991 – Frances Faye – US Singer / Actress – Died 4^th November 1912

1992 – Larry Levan – US DJ – Born 20^th July 1954

1998 – Jean Marais – French Actor – Born 11^th December 1913

Typical

The day that I finally decide that I will go out and watch the Kings Cross Steelers play a competitive game under a clear blue sky on a nice November afternoon and both matches are cancelled! Good news for the Steelers (as both teams get automatic wins as it was their opposition who couldn't field teams, I think), but now I am stuck for something to do AGAIN!

7th November

LGBT people born today:

1874 – Lucie Delarue-Mardus – French Author – Died 26^th April 1945

1921 – George C Rawlings – US Politician / Lawyer – Died 22^nd April 2009

1956 – Agnes Maltais – Canadian Politician

1962 – Dirk Shafer – US Model / Actor / Screenwriter / Director / Fitness Trainer

1979 – Otep Shamaya – US Singer / Songwriter / Actress / Poet / Author / Painter

1980 – Lee Walbash – US Porn

And those who died:

1978 – Janet Flanner – US Author / Journalist – Born 13^th March 1892

1990 – Vito Russo – US Author / Historian / Activist – Born 11^th July 1946

1991 – Tom of Finland – Finnish Artist – Born 9^th May 1920

2004 – Johnny Rahm – US Porn / Actor / Comedian – Born 11^th June 1965

Downer

I'm feeling pretty lonely and on a bit of a downer tonight. I really wanted to go out this weekend, but just could not face doing it alone. I stayed in tonight and nursed my bad knee. It is still hurting. Yes, the ache has turned into pain and, although it is a mild pain, it is still pretty annoying and it won't go away. To top it off I've had a headache since I got up this morning and I sure hope it is gone by the morning.
I was bored too tonight and wanted to watch a film. I've seen all of my DVD's at least 20 times with one exception. Brokeback Mountain. I love this film so much, but it depresses me every time I watch it. It is such a hopeless tale and yet, I would give anything to have been one of those two guys. Just to experience that feeling of love.
Is it worse to love someone, but to not be able to express that love and to repress it so much that you only get to be with that person for a few days each year? Or to never feel that love for anyone (and never have that love felt for you)? Who knows which is worse? But neither should have to be the reality. For anyone.
If you haven't seen this film I urge you to see it, at least once. Make sure you have plenty of tissues and when it is finished, just have a long hard think about what these two men had to endure in their lives. I guess I am lucky to have the freedoms that I have today, but is it worth it if I don't have the love that those freedoms are meant to support?

Not Convinced: Update

I have now created a secondary blog here on Blogger to house my showcase written items, instead of the less cooperative WordPress blog. The new blog is:

http://www.alexrobins.blogspot.com

I hope that you all enjoy it should you care to peruse my favourite written items.

Change of Plan

I went to Oxford Street today planning to treat myself to some new clothes for a rip out in Soho tonight. Things haven't quite worked out that way though. I couldn't find anything that I really liked, though I did buy a long sleeved white top which is far to sheer really, but I thought I would give it a go.
While I was looking though I did see a couple of things that could make good Christmas presents, so I decided that today would be a Christmas shopping day instead. I did quite well and got presents for one of my nephews, one of my nieces and all three of my great-nieces. I still need to buy for each of them some more and of course not forgetting the others, but it is a very good start.
I have been very lazy over the last 3-4 years and just got them all money, mainly because I was short of money and didn't know, until the day of my visit for Christmas, how much money I would be able to spare. But, this year I am a bit more flushed with cash and so can spend more and buy them actual presents which is always so much better than cash (well, if you get the present right anyway!). Let's hope that my sisters either don't buy me anything, or get me decent, useful presents this year. No more alcohol, nor teapots for one, or juggling balls!!!! That makes me sound so ungrateful doesn't it!?!

The result of my shopping trip today though is that I forgot to get some of the stuff I went out for in the first place, toiletries from Superdrug. I also am suffering with my knee which is really aching badly. So, I really do not feel like standing up for a few hours in a crowded bar all alone with a knee that is killing me! My night out has been postponed once more! I wish I had bought a DVD today, that way I would have something to do tonight. Oh well!!

Not Convinced

I am not convinced that my new blog, on WordPress is any good. I can't manipulate the text as much as I can here on Blogger, which is not very much anyway. I can't change text size, I can't even put spaces between lines easily, most of the add-ons and functions are explained in tech-speak which I don't understand, and it just doesn't look right. I may give up and just have a second blog on Blogger, though still not linked here. We shall see.

6th November

LGBT people born today:

1924 – Jeanette Schmid – Czech Whistler – Died 9^th March 2005

1926 – Jackie Forster – UK Presenter / Reporter / Actress / Activist – Died 10^th October 1998

1939 – Arthur Bell – US Journalist / Author / Activist – Died 2^nd June 1984

1949 – Brad Davis – US Actor – Died 8^th September 1991

1950 – Torben Lund – Danish Politician

1952 – Michael Cunningham – US Author

1956 – Jim Neal – US Politician / Businessman / Investment Banker

1957 – Cam Clarke – US Actor

1962 – Frank DeCaro – US Presenter / Comedian / Author

1962 – Georg Uecker – German Actor / Author

1979 – Owen Hawk – US Porn [or 6^th October 1979]

1980 – Barrett Long – US Porn

1980 – Vin Nolan – US Porn

And those who died:

1893 – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Russian Composer / Musician – Born 7^th May 1840

1976 – Patrick Dennis – US Author – Born 18^th May 1921

1985 – Joel Crothers – US Actor – Born 28^th January 1941

2008 – Phil Reed – US Politician – Born 21^st February 1949

Showcase

I have now set up a completely separate blog to showcase all the best of my written work. This will include poetry that I have written, commentaries and reviews from this blog and any other written work that I believe best shows what I am capable of. I want to use this alternate blog to store all of this work in a format and media that is instantly available to anyone, i.e. potential employers, and the reason I didn't want it linked to this blog is so that the reader can retain their objectivity without being influenced by my obvious mental instabilities!! [That was meant to be a joke, please say you laughed and didn't just nod with a resigned look on your face!]

I hope to receive some feedback on this new blog so that I can improve my writing style, but most of all I hope it leads to a more fulfilling career for me.

The new site, in case you want to read stuff you may have already read, is:

http://alexrobins.wordpress.com/

Knees Up

I was awake early enough this morning to be able to make an appointment to see my doctor today. I thought it was about time I went to see him about my knee pain and the fact that I suspect it is some form of rheumatism. My appointment, however, was not until 16:30 and so I wasted the day away again waiting for the allotted time to come around.
He did indeed feel some swelling on my knee and has given me a referral note to get an x-ray and blood tests done, though I will have to wait until Monday at the earliest to go and wait around for a chance to have this done. He also suggested that I see a physiotherapist, which I have made an appointment for, and that I put off joining a gym until I have talked with the physiotherapist. Another stay of execution for me as I am always looking for excuses not to rejoin the gym! (My eye treatment being the current one!).

I feel that I should be going out tonight, but I have no one to drink with and really do not fancy going out alone tonight. I have not been out for the night for about 2 months and it is really starting to annoy me. I didn't mind at first as I was recovering from my eye treatment and needed to save money because of the cost of that. But, I need a life too, and, more importantly, I need to get some attention and some affirmation every now and then, something which I just do not get at home or at work, strangely enough!
I'll put it off for tonight and treat myself to some new clothes tomorrow before possibly going out tomorrow instead. There, that sounds like a plan.

5th November

LGBT people born today:

1948 – Pepper LaBeija – US Entertainer – Died 14^th May 2003

1965 – Kevin Williams – US Porn

1968 – Penny Wong – Australian Politician

1982 – Bisexual Britni – US Porn

1983 – Andrew Hayden-Smith – UK Actor / Presenter

And those who died:

1963 – Luis Cernuda – Spanish Poet / Literary Critic – Born 21^st September 1902

1989 – Vladimir Horowitz – Russian Pianist – Born 1^st October 1903

1996 – Bunny Breckinridge – US Actor – Born 6^th August 1903

1997 – James Robert Baker – US Author – Born 18^th October 1946

1999 – Michael Montague – UK Businessman / Politician – Born 10^th March 1932

2000 – Roger Peyrefitte – French Author – Born 17^th August 1907

Disappointed Again

I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but I was hoping for something more than "thank you" for doing the manager's job over the last 2 weeks. I have had a couple of people saying what a good job I did and how grateful they are, but that doesn't go very far really. I am out of pocket (sort of) as I was working for less per day that I normally would work. It would have been nice to have some financial recognition, but most of all I would have liked to have had another job offer come out of it. But what do I have? Thank you. Not even a printed "Thank you" that I can use in a reference or a C.V., but just verbal "Thank you" 's. They are worth about what they are written on!
I am going to try not to worry too much about it now though as I am off work for 12 days. Lets see how well things go without me there. I don't expect it to all fall down, but maybe they will realise exactly how much I do and how bad some of the other guys are, or more to the point, how little they do and how unprofessional they can be!
I have had an employment agency contact me today after seeing my C.V. on C.V. Library, so hopefully, now that they know exactly what type of job I am after, they may be the answer to my prayers. I would love to find a job while I am off and never have to go back to that place again.

Oh, and I am thinking of setting up a new blog to showcase the best of my writing. I may include it on a C.V., or mention it in interviews etc. So, if you have a blog entry that I have written that you think was any good, please let me know so I can include it. I always appreciate feedback.

4th November

LGBT people born today:

1896 – JR Ackerley – US Author / Playwright – Died 4^th June 1967

1912 – Frances Faye – US Singer / Actress – Died 8^th November 1991

1921 – Sam Wagstaff – US Art Collector – Died 14^th January 1987

1933 – Barbara Grier – US Author / Publisher

1934 – Tommy Abbot – US Actor / Dancer / Choreographer – Died 8^th April 1987

1942 – Roxanne Ellis – US Hate Crime Victim – Died 4^th December 1995

1946 – Robert Mapplethorpe – US Photographer – Died 9^th March 1989

1956 – John S Arrowood – US Judge

1961 – Jon Robin Baitz – US Playwright / Producer / Actor

1972 – Steve Cruz – US Porn / Director

1981 – Dan Fishback – US Performance Artist / Playwright / Singer / Songwriter

And those who died:

1918 – Wilfred Owen – UK Poet / Soldier – Born 18^th March 1893

1959 – IAR Wylie – Australian Author – Born 16^th March 1885

1977 – Keith Vaughan – UK Painter – Born 23^rd August 1912

1989 – Trevor Kent – Australian Actor – Born 24^th April 1940

1995 – Essex Hemphill – US Poet / Activist – Born 16^th April 1957

2005 – Graham Payn – UK Actor / Singer – Born 25^th April 1918

2007 – Massimo Consoli – Italian Activist – Born 12^th December 1945

3rd November

LGBT people born today:

1500 – Benvenuto Cellini – Italian Sculptor / Painter / Soldier / Musician / Author – Died 13^th February 1571

1895 – Jeannette Howard Foster – US Author – Died 26^th July 1981

1933 – Jeremy Brett – UK Actor – Died 12^th September 1995

1939 – Terrence McNally – US Playwright

1943 – Tee Corinne – US Photographer / Author / Activist / Artist – Died 27^th August 2006

1959 – Timothy Patrick Murphy – US Actor – Died 6^th December 1988

1962 – Marilyn – UK Singer

1966 – Jim Stork – US Politician

1977 – Torbjorn Urfjell – Norwegian Politician

???? – Joao Pauzao – Brazilian Porn

And those who died:

2003 – Aaron Bridgers – US Musician – Born 10^th January 1918

Handing Over the Reigns

The new manager started today and, as I am also on day shifts today I have the pleasure of ensuring he knows what is going on, who everyone is and where we are at. It did ensure that the day went quite quickly, which is never a bad thing. I had plenty to do besides "training" him too so I can't complain at all. I just hope that the next 2 days are as busy. Then after that I am off for 12 days and intend to enjoy them. I haven't been out since I had my eyes lasered and I really want to go out and have a good time. I shall have to see if Richard is available for a good piss-up!
I also want to see if Tim can face going into town for a change of scenery. I