Seeing Red

I almost forgot this year, which I am really ashamed of, that 1st December is World AIDS Day. I hope that you all have purchased your red ribbons, they are available from various sources. I felt a bit guilty last night that I wasn't wearing one, so I purchased one in Rupert Street (and had help putting it on!).

I have rediscovered my metal Red Ribbon and was wearing that today, while I went into town to treat myself to comics (my first in nearly 5 weeks!). I am looking forward to reading them over the weekend.

Whatever you are doing tomorrow, spare a few minutes to think of those people in or around your lives who have themselves or know someone who has HIV/AIDS. Wear your ribbon with pride, promote the wearing of ribbons to others and promote awareness about HIV/AIDS in any way you can. But most of all, be safe, be honest and have fun.

Birthday Hunk

Today's birthday hunk is someone who I have mentioned on a few occassions before and certainly will again. England and Wasps rugby star Josh Lewsey MBE is a mere 31 years old today and I would love to wish him a very happy birthday! I'd rather do it in person (and in private) but this will have to do (for now).

Pathetic Religious Idiots!

One thing that really winds me up, more than anything else on this planet is religious intollerence. Religion is meant to be a personal thing, bringing peace and harmony to individuals to better civilization. Instead it has the exact opposite effect, with people arguing over what is the best way to "serve" their deity! Even worshippers of the same religions clash over the slight differences in worshipping practices.
I say, who care how anyone else worships, you do it your way and don't worry what anyone else is doing, so long as no one is harmed in the process.
What has brought me to comment on this? What else? Sudan's unbelieveable actions over the innocent naming of a teddy bear! It sounds like something from a comedy sketch, but British teacher Gillian Gibbons was facing six months imprisonment, 40 lashes or a fine! For naming a teddy bear! F*****g ridiculous!
Currently, Islam is seemingly the only religion that is reported in the media over incidents such as these, but I'm sure it is not the only religion being used as an excuse for attacking others, either verbally or physically.
The incidents that are reported are, in my opinion, close to the way that "western" Christians attacked anyone who wasn't a devout church going worshipper for hundreds of years.
Instead of hanging innocent girls for being witches, launching Crusades against the Middle East and "re-educating" native peoples, Islam hangs gays, issues fatwas and declares jihad on anyone with a differing opinion.
All I have to say to Sudan officials pursuing this case is: It is a f*****g teddy, named after a child, get a grip on reality people! I think you have far more pressing problems to resolve in your country at the moment!

Now, anyone know where Salman Rushdie hid out all those years? I may be needing a safe house!

Drinks

I did decide to go out for drinks tonight, and it was very busy in Rupert Street. When I got to the bar I was served by Vlad and he even paid for the drink for me, which I thought was a really lovelly thought (he knows I've been unemployed so he was buying the drink as a congratulations for getting the job).
I then went to Barcode for one before returning to Rupert Street. I got a bit bored and so came home after that. As I got off the bus Tim called to ask where I was. But we arranged to meet for drinks tomorrow night so it wasn't a problem.

What I would like to help me celebrate the new job...

I took the job

Just after my last posting I spoke to the recruitment manager who I'd had the interview with earlier and agreed to take the job. I went back to the office to fill in the paperwork to start and was feeling quite good at having the worry of money taken off my shoulders slightly. I then had to go to another office just down the road to speak to the guy issuing uniform. He had nothing to fit me and asked if I had anything I could wear on my first day, I eventually got a pair of trousers, 2 shirts (only one that was the right size) and a tie! I will have to work without a jacket and provide my own shoes! This second office was in the basement of a large building by Blackfriars Bridge, and was cluttered and untidy, three people work in that office and it just came across as a two-bit firm. I was show the control room in that building and it was even smaller than this office, I've seen disabled toilet cubicles bigger! By the time I left that building I just kept saying to myself:

"What have I done? What have I done?"

I'm really not sure that I have done the right thing. I hope that I am proved wrong on that!
I'm currentlywaiting to hear back from Tim to see if he is about for drinks tonight as I want to get out and celebrate. My long awaited holiday pay cleared in my account today too, so I have that to spend.

I don't know what to do!!

So, I have been for my interview, not that many questions were asked, and have visited the site I would potentially be working on. But I am still not sure if I should take the job or not. It is paying the absolute basic I would need to get by, it is only a small team of guards, and the duties are so basic that I'm scared I will get bored very quickly (i.e. the first day) with little to do and few people to talk to. The job is literally 2 minutes walk away from home though and the site manager seems okay.
Alternatively I could go for a job with an ex-manager of mine for 38p extra an hour, the site is further away, though not exceptionally so, but I would have to wait approximately 4 weeks while they complete the vetting, before I could start.
I really do not know what to do!
What I need is someone to make the dicision for me, or a cheque to drop through my letter box from the premium bonds!!

Help!!

They come in 3's

I've just had my third piece of good news today: I have finally been paid my outstanding holiday pay from my previous employers, and it is over £100 more than I was expecting it to be. All I need now from them now is my P45! I'll give them until the end of next week, but I bet I will have to chase them up about it (I have about everything else!).
The best thing is, I can afford to go out for a drink this week, without worrying too much. You never know, after tomorrow I may have something to celebrate as well.

Whoo Hoooo!!!!!!!!!

15,000

Over 1000 clicks in 9 days, wow!

Fantastic!

Thanks people.

Job News

I received a phonecall today from one of the companies that I had sent applications to. I'd posted the letter yesterday and they have asked me in for an interview tomorrow. Unfortunately it is not one of the higher paying jobs that I've applied for, but a job is a job at the moment. They were advertising as paying up to £8.50 an hour, and that was including supervisor rates! But, the guy who phoned me sounded okay and I'll see what they say tomorrow and I will let you know! It is a good sign though, maybe I won't have to sign on after all!

Job Hunt

Two more jobs applied for today. Just thought I'd let you know.

Superman Returns...

....and I wish he hadn't bothered!
I was sat in the living room this evening, watching television there for a change. I'm sick of sitting in front of my laptop all day long, so I thought it would make a change. While flicking through he channels trying to find something to watch, I noticed that Superman Returns was about to start, so I thought I'd give it a go. I'd never really wanted to watch the film, as it didn't look very interesting (I hate super hero films with no super villains, I just don't see the point!).
I was surprised to notice that the title music was the same as the original (Christopher Reeve) Superman film, my first thought was, "Ooh, they saved some money there!" There were a few inconsistencies that I noticed in the science which slightly annoyed me (being a sci-fi geek!), and the fact that James Marsden, Cyclops from the X-Men films, was in the film also annoyed me. In my mind if an actor is in a comic book film he should never appear as another character in a different film, especially crossing over between DC and Marvel Comics! Just a little foible of mine.
The costume worn by Superman in the film also disappointed me, as my first impression of it was, "have the colours faded in the wash or something?" The logo also looked like it had shrunk into the wrong position on his chest!
When I realised that they were using footage or Marlon Brando playing Jor-el from the original Superman film as well as the music I thought again "saving money?"
I loved the subtle touch of having a photo of Superman that was posed the same as his debut appearance in Action Comics #1, a truly iconic comic book cover. Only comic book fans would have noticed that.
Ian Roberts, the sexy, and gay, former rugby star was also in the film, though the portion that I watched he didn't actually have any speaking lines. He also looked a bit gay with his, hopefully, false moustache on.
I gave up about 45 minutes into the film as nothing was happening, and even if it did I didn't care any more. I wouldn't recommend the film sorry. Considering the good job that was made of Batman Begins, it was even more disappointing.

Spicy X-Mas

I keep meaning to mention how much I love the new Tesco advert with the Spice Girls shopping for gifts for each other. Now, I am not a huge Spice Girls' fan, but I think the advert is really funny, especially with Victoria posing infront of an advert of herself. Excellent.

More job news

I've just finished updating my CV after some free advice - they didn't tell me too much as they were touting for me to pay for a complete CV rewrite (sod that!).
With the new CV I have just applied for another job. The job isn't very highly paid, compared to my old job, at approximately £21k maximum, but I will let you know how that goes.

Birthday Wrestler

Today's birthday hottie is American professional wrestler and former school teacher, Maverino Klint "Maven" Huffman. I've never actually heard of him before today, and so not seen him wrestle, but he looks hot!

I told you I'd have news......

I said on Friday that I would have job news for you today and, true to my word, I have:
I applied for a job at the O2 site, doing security for £22 (£7.5K less than I am used to earning) and I actually got a reply this morning from them. I was shocked that someone had actually got back to me so quickly (I was shocked at getting a reply at all to be honest!).
Unfortunately there were applicants "who met the role criterea more closely" than I did and so Imy aplication is not being processed further. So much for setting my sights lower, looks like I'm going to have to go for a job I really do not want and that doesn't pay much in order to get any kind of job.

I ask you, is it bloody worth it?

Strictly Spot On!!

I predicted the bottom two couples in Strictly spot on and as I'd hoped John Barnes is out. I always avoided watching his routines as he just made me cringe. In the group dance tonight, he was the only one who stood out, but unfortunately it was because he didn't look like he had a clue what he was doing! Kelly Brooks is still in, but hopefully not for much longer (though I think Kenny or Letitia could be next unfortunately).

Oh, by the way, watching Strictly was the highlight of my day!! What does that say to you?

International Men's Day [in Canada]

Today is apparently International Men's Day - in Canada [how you can have an international day celebrated in one country I have never worked out!]. I decided to celebrate by focussing on sexy Canadian men today, and boy are there a lot of them when you start looking!!!!!

As well as previously featured Canadian hunks, we have:Ryan Reynolds;Daniel Cudmore;Daniel Gillies;Nathan Fillion;
Brendan Fraser;

Victor Webster;Sylvain Grenier;

and Rene Dupree!

Strictly Stunning

Tonight's Strictly Come Dancing marked the beginning of the final stage of the show, the top dancing celebrities are beginning to show themselves and those who have reached their limit are being found out.
Matt di Angelo and Flavia's dance was amazingly good, and despite not matching him on sex appeal and looks, the dancing was very close to Mark Ramprakash levels, very close.
Alesha Dixon and Matthew's dance was also excellent, earning the highest marks of the series so far, deservedly so.
Gethin Jones and Camilla are my favourites, simply because he is so handsome and has the boy-next-door charm that I would love to have in a boyfriend! His dance was good again this week, though not as good as the two that I have mentioned already, close but not quite.
Letitia Dean and Darren completed a wonderful dance, there were a few mistakes but it was great to watch and Letitia looked stunning in her dress, and she looked happy (before, during and after!). I hope that she gets to continue her amazing, and improving, journey of dance.
Kenny Logan and Ola are improving every week too, but I think Kenny's sheer physical size works against him. He is gaining confidence, and with it skill, every week, and I hope that he gets to carry on at least another couple of weeks. I just wish that he would do something with his damn hands, he always holds his fingers splayed and that looks untidy to me (though what do I know, I'm certainly not an expert!).
Kelly Brooks and Brendan's dance was aweful, out of time with each other, uninteresting and full of mistakes. Brendan's choreography left a lot to be desired and his escuses did too! Kelly has performed well so far, but maybe this means she has reached her level. Maybe it is just wishful thinking as I don't like Kelly much, she always comes across as being really false. And, annoying as he can be, I still think that there is something sexy about Brendan (though I'm sure that, if we met, I would hate him too. I don't get on with cocky people!).
John Barnes and Nicole were as bad as usual, I have never enjoyed any of his dances, he is always too plodding for my liking. I think part of the problem is the size difference between the two, his lack of physical condition and the fact that he reminds me of my old boss doesn't help either!!
If it were down to me I would put John and Kelly in the dance off for tomorrow, but we will have to wait and see!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

How cold is it today?!?! I was woken up this morning at about 05:30 because I was so cold I had to turn the central heating on AND the fan heater! And it still feels like there is a cold breeze flowing through my room! I'm sat here, pausing every few words to warm up around my mug of tea!!!

Should I, or shouldn't I?

I was debating earlier whether I was going to go out tonight for a few drinks. I shouldn't really, due to my money issues, but I could do with getting out and about. I eventually decided to leave the decision to someone else. I decided that I would only go out if I got a call from Tim to say he was going out too.
As of 18:12 I haven't received a call, so I am assuming that I am not going to be going out. It's probably best that he hasn't phoned. I will also leave tomorrow night to the fates too. (We both know that I WANT to go out, but also that I SHOULDN'T go out!).

Temptation

I managed to get out of the flat today. I had to go to the Post Office to post some items I'd sold on eBay, so while I was out I decided to go into town to get the free gay papers, which I did. I also had a look around Prowler and Clone Zone and then Blackwells and Borders to see if "Michael Tolliver Lives" is out in paperback yet. It wasn't. I really want to read this book as it is part of my favourite book series, Tales of the City, by Armistead Maupin, and has been long awaited.
I saw sone really nice jewellry in Prowler that I would like (which is very unusual for me as I don't normally wear anything), I liked the cufflinks, a couple of necklaces and bracelets.
I also popped into Forbidden Planet just to have a look and almost gave into temptation to buy some comics that I have missed over the last couple of weeks, mainly Avengers and Annihilation comics. I got to the point of going to the tills to pay, but changed my mind at the last minutes and so put them back and left immediately.
I am now back at home and job searching again.

!!ARSE!! Sorry, just felt like saying it!

On a Downer

My lack of progress on the job front is really getting me down now. I have not heard anything back from the last 6 jobs that I have applied for, 2 of these have been re-advertised over the last few days. I did apply twice for a job with a security firm that I formerly worked for, and they are also advertising again for the same position.
Other than these jobs I have not seen any jobs that I would want to apply for. I think I am going to have to lower my expectations and go for jobs on a much lower pay scale that I was applying for before. So, this means that I am going to be applying for jobs at about £9K less than I was earning. How's that for a shock to the system?

I have been quite proud of myself, up until now, over how I have been handling the whole sacking situation emotionally. Considering I only came off my anti-depressants in July, I think I have coped brilliantly with the whole situation. Yes, I've had my down times, but they haven't been crashes like I have had in the past. They have only been hours of feeling down at the most, rather than days, or weeks in some cases. It has now been 5 weeks, 7 if you include the time I was suspended for, and I am getting a bit stir crazy here in the flat with nothing to do other than search the 'net for jobs.
I have been out for drinks once a week since I was sacked and now I am at a point where I won't be able to do that for fear of using up all the money that I have left.
I also cut out buying comics from my routine about 3 weeks ago, to save money. This really grates on me as it is a hobby, and a habit, I have had since I was 8 years old. It is especially annoying as it would give me something to do while I am at home bored out of my brain. I guess that I will just have to re-read my old ones yet again, the ones I'm not selling on eBay to raise money to live, that is!
My intention is to have some news for you on the job front by Monday at the latest. Just wait and see!

Frustration setting in!!

I am getting really bored with my routine lately, with my days following the same course almost every day:

• I get up at around 09:30 or earlier and go on the computer to check my emails and the job websites for new positions.
• After having a shower, ablutions and breakfast I turn on This Morning at around 10:30.
• This is followed by Loose Women 12:30.
• I turn over to BBC1 at 13:30 to watch Neighbours.
• Then Doctors.
• Then Diagnosis Murder (thank god they moved Dirty Rotten Cheater to BBC2!!)
• Then, after the news headlines, I turn over to Channel 4 for Countdown.
• Followed by Deal or No Deal.
• I then watch Paul O'Grady, unless I can think of something else to do, sometimes turning over to BBC1 to watch Neighbours again!!! (That is sad I know!)
• Then I switch over to Channel 5 to watch Home & Away
• And then switch over to 182 to watch the next episode of Home & Away on Five Life!

The only variations to this routine are on Monday's when I watch the Sarah Jane Adventures on BBC at about 17:00 before Neighbours. The only program I make certain I see in the evenings is Spooks on Tuesday's at 21:00. My evenings are otherwise spent on the computer checking out Facebook, my eBay items, checking emails & looking for ideas for things to do. Pathetic, eh?

14,000

I've just noticed that I have passed the 14,000 mark on my counter. This means that over 4,000 people have clicked on my little ol' site in the last 2 months. I know it still isn't as many clicks as a lot of other sites get, but it is increasing and I am thrilled. I hope you are all enjoying the site. And Jake's here to celebrate, what better way?