2008 can only be better!
Who's On-Line Now?
Monday, 31 December 2007
New Year Wishes
I have already received 3 text messages wishing me a Happy New Year from well meaning people and my sister, Lynn, has phoned from Perth, Australia to say that it has been and gone in Aus already and it is really warm and made me feel really depressed (okay, I was already depressed, but she made me feel worse talking about how nice it is over there and how warm it is!). I can't wait until it is all over. I won't be sending any New Year messages or phoning anyone as I just want it to pass me by. I'm glad that 2007 is ending it had been my annus horribilus as Her Majesty once said! (I get them roughly every 10 years, for example the year that my mum died which was 1998!)
Tim on Confidential
I finally got around to watching the Dr Who Confidential episode concerning the "Voyage of the Damned" Christmas Special today. I hadn't watched it when it originally aired as it was on late on Christmas night and I was working early on Boxing Day.
Today I looked it up on BBC iPlayer and found it very easily and enjoyed it thoroughly. I especially enjoyed seeing Tim on there for the first time (I don't think it was the first time he was on there, just the first time I have seen him). I laughed at the first shot I noticed of him, while they were filming the shot of Astrid falling, as he was the only one of the group who actually looked at the camera, and then quickly looked away as he realised that they were meant to be ignoring it!!
He was in a few more shots after that, standing with his arms crossed looking superfluous mainly, sorry Tim!! But at least I have now seen him there, my first friend who I've seen on the telly (I think)!! He's doing quite well for himself, and has worked on some really high profile stuff, just check out his IMDb page! Yes, he has his own!!
Today I looked it up on BBC iPlayer and found it very easily and enjoyed it thoroughly. I especially enjoyed seeing Tim on there for the first time (I don't think it was the first time he was on there, just the first time I have seen him). I laughed at the first shot I noticed of him, while they were filming the shot of Astrid falling, as he was the only one of the group who actually looked at the camera, and then quickly looked away as he realised that they were meant to be ignoring it!!
He was in a few more shots after that, standing with his arms crossed looking superfluous mainly, sorry Tim!! But at least I have now seen him there, my first friend who I've seen on the telly (I think)!! He's doing quite well for himself, and has worked on some really high profile stuff, just check out his IMDb page! Yes, he has his own!!
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Work over for another day
I have just finished the 5th day shift of this set of shifts and from tomorrow I am start 3 night shifts. Nothing else to report about work as NOTHING EVER HAPPENS!!!
Saturday, 29 December 2007
Friday, 28 December 2007
Which Celeb?
Today in the Daily Star (not my paper I hasten to add but the senior guard's) there was a little mention of a "celebrity household" which was rocked on Christmas Day, to soap show proportions, when it was revealed that the husband was revealed to have been "playing away with the home help." The twist in the story was that the home help happened to also be male!
Now, I have been racking my brains to think which celebrity "family" has a male "staff member." The only one I can think of would be everyone's favourite (I jest) Jude Law, who must have a male nanny now as he couldn't be trusted before with the female one!! I have heard many rumours about Jude, one of which was that he will shag anything! I wonder when the name will actually be released.
I am sure though that, if it was Jude, the name would have been mentioned because the paparazzi really hate him. I'm not that keen on the pretty boy either! I think I first went off him when I heard about his kid swallowing an ecstacy tablet that the child had found in the house.
Now, I have been racking my brains to think which celebrity "family" has a male "staff member." The only one I can think of would be everyone's favourite (I jest) Jude Law, who must have a male nanny now as he couldn't be trusted before with the female one!! I have heard many rumours about Jude, one of which was that he will shag anything! I wonder when the name will actually be released.
I am sure though that, if it was Jude, the name would have been mentioned because the paparazzi really hate him. I'm not that keen on the pretty boy either! I think I first went off him when I heard about his kid swallowing an ecstacy tablet that the child had found in the house.
Worst day ever at work
Today I was almost in tears I was so frustrated at how bored I was at work and how frustated that I was that there isn't much I can do about it until I get some days off. I was so tempted to just walk out I was that bored.
I was working with the senior guard again, which is frustrating enough as it is because he cannot construct a sentence properly and yesterday I had to show him how to do HIS job (he couldn't even log onto the computer without my help!!). And for the last 3 days we have had untrained guards working in the building, meaning that I have had to train them (which I do not enjoy) knowing that they probably will never even be back in the building again!
I need another job and I am in the process of constructing a document detailing what I am looking for in a job, where I would like to work, the wage I expect and what my skills are etc etc. When it is completed and refined, which once again will probably be when I have a day off, I will be detailing it here and hopefully on Facebook as well, and any other website I can find.
I was working with the senior guard again, which is frustrating enough as it is because he cannot construct a sentence properly and yesterday I had to show him how to do HIS job (he couldn't even log onto the computer without my help!!). And for the last 3 days we have had untrained guards working in the building, meaning that I have had to train them (which I do not enjoy) knowing that they probably will never even be back in the building again!
I need another job and I am in the process of constructing a document detailing what I am looking for in a job, where I would like to work, the wage I expect and what my skills are etc etc. When it is completed and refined, which once again will probably be when I have a day off, I will be detailing it here and hopefully on Facebook as well, and any other website I can find.
I just need a f*****g break!!!
Birthday Muscles
Today we have 2 birthday boys, each famous for their muscles, though in much different ways!!
Firstly we have American bodybuilder and muscle model Frank Sepe, who also happens to be a handsome devil too! Frank is 34 today.
Secondly we have American gay porn star Jason Ridge, and we all know which muscle I mean with him!! Jason is 33 today. 
Happy Birthday to both
Thursday, 27 December 2007
An unimaginably long day
I really couldn't believe how long the day seemed to be today. There were three of us in, although one was a relief guard who didn't turn up until 08:00 and didn't know the building, so it was a waste of time for him to be there. At one point I went on a patrol early as I thought it was an hour later than it really was. I really need to get a new job, I really hate being bored. I wish I could afford to just quit, it is really depressing me, especially this week.
Wrestling Birthdays
Today's birthday boys are both wrestlers and both sexy in their own ways:
Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss wrestler who I have never heard of and is celebrating his 27th birthday today. He is a cutie and has a good body.
And, also today, veteran American wrestling superstar Bill Goldberg is celebrating his 41st birthday today. I have fancied Bill for years, probably the first wrestler I ever fancied.
Claudio Castagnoli is a Swiss wrestler who I have never heard of and is celebrating his 27th birthday today. He is a cutie and has a good body.
And, also today, veteran American wrestling superstar Bill Goldberg is celebrating his 41st birthday today. I have fancied Bill for years, probably the first wrestler I ever fancied.
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
I need to change employers
I got to work today at the usual time, 06:45 and one of the night shift guys then left. A new guy, Justin was also on the night shift and had to wait for the second day shift person to arrive. At 07:00 still no one had arrived, so he phoned our Control and asked them what was happening. He was told that someone would be there at about 08:30 (making him work an hour and a half extra without asking!). At 08:30 still no one had arrived, so he phoned again and they said that someone would be there within 45 minutes. The guy eventually arrived at 09:55 and apparently had not even been phoned until 08:30!! How's that for employers looking after their employees, especially at Christmas.
I need a new job, something that isn't working 12 hours EVERY day and almost certainly not security! I will have to think long and hard about this. Watch this space.
I need a new job, something that isn't working 12 hours EVERY day and almost certainly not security! I will have to think long and hard about this. Watch this space.
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
Back to Work
Unfortunately I am back to work tomorrow, with 5 day shifts and then 3 night shifts, the nights beginning on New Year's Eve (not as bad as it sounds, as I hate NYE anyway, I'd rather be getting paid the double time!!). All the same I do not want to go back to work, as I know it will be boring, even more so since Tim put an idea in my head the other day!
He phoned me at work on Saturday, to confirm the details for out drinks on Sunday night, and when I informed him that I was bored as there were just the two of us working in the building all day, he asked if we were spending the time shagging!! Now, all I can think of is what a waste it is that I will be working with 1 other guard in the building tomorrow and on every night and weekend shift, and none of the guards are attractive! How unfair is that? I would love to have a shag-fest with a good-looking guy to pass the time, even an okay looking guy with a good body, I'm not fussy. Okay, who am I kidding an ugly f****er with a great body would do fine!
Let's hope that I am not too obsessed with the idea all day tomorrow!!
He phoned me at work on Saturday, to confirm the details for out drinks on Sunday night, and when I informed him that I was bored as there were just the two of us working in the building all day, he asked if we were spending the time shagging!! Now, all I can think of is what a waste it is that I will be working with 1 other guard in the building tomorrow and on every night and weekend shift, and none of the guards are attractive! How unfair is that? I would love to have a shag-fest with a good-looking guy to pass the time, even an okay looking guy with a good body, I'm not fussy. Okay, who am I kidding an ugly f****er with a great body would do fine!
Let's hope that I am not too obsessed with the idea all day tomorrow!!
Strictly Come Dancing Special
As well as Dr Who, I was looking forward to Strictly Come Dancing, the Christmas Special. Any excuse to watch Gethin Jones and Mark Ramprakash again!! And the rest of the men too actually!!
I was actually fairly disappointed with Mark and Karen's Jive as I thought he made quite a few mistakes and appeared slightly out of time during the beginning of the dance. Sorry Mark. But his arse and arms still filled his trousers and shirt very nicely indeed.
Alesha and Matt's dance was also unimpressive, compared to their previous performances, and they incorporated a lot of moves from their previous dances into this one. The move at the end was a surprise, with Matt being held aloft by Alesha's leg strength too!!
Gethin and Camilla's waltz was lovelly, though I did notice that he couldn't help smiling throughout the dance, I don't know if he was meant to be, but he seemed to be trying to stop himself. He obviously enjoys the experience so much that he couldn't contain his feelings. they got a perfect score of 4 tens, which he deserved.
Letitia and Darren Bennett's foxtrot was brilliant in my opinion. From the start Letitia looked relaxed, which she never really was during the whole competition, and subsequently she danced amazingly getting 4 nine's, though I believe she should have got at least 1 ten. She also looked beautiful in her emerald green off-the-shoulder dress which accentuated her beautiful figure.
Matt and Flavia's rumba to Last Christmas (the Wham song) was okay, but I didn't feel that there was much actual dancing from Matt during the whole dance, though his hands were feverishly trying to make up for this missing ingredient. They were given 3 ten's though I didn't think they deserved them.
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova's American smooth was good and it was amazing to see how light on his feet Darren is, considering what a big lump of a man he is. They also got 4 tens, thought I didn't enjoy it as much as Gethin and Camilla's dance.
The over-all winner, and second time winner of the Christmas Special was Darren Gough, with Gethin coming in second. [I do know that if I performed with Gethin he would almost certainly come second then too!!] I was gutted for him, but I hope we all get to see him dance again very soon.
I was actually fairly disappointed with Mark and Karen's Jive as I thought he made quite a few mistakes and appeared slightly out of time during the beginning of the dance. Sorry Mark. But his arse and arms still filled his trousers and shirt very nicely indeed.
Alesha and Matt's dance was also unimpressive, compared to their previous performances, and they incorporated a lot of moves from their previous dances into this one. The move at the end was a surprise, with Matt being held aloft by Alesha's leg strength too!!
Gethin and Camilla's waltz was lovelly, though I did notice that he couldn't help smiling throughout the dance, I don't know if he was meant to be, but he seemed to be trying to stop himself. He obviously enjoys the experience so much that he couldn't contain his feelings. they got a perfect score of 4 tens, which he deserved.
Letitia and Darren Bennett's foxtrot was brilliant in my opinion. From the start Letitia looked relaxed, which she never really was during the whole competition, and subsequently she danced amazingly getting 4 nine's, though I believe she should have got at least 1 ten. She also looked beautiful in her emerald green off-the-shoulder dress which accentuated her beautiful figure.
Matt and Flavia's rumba to Last Christmas (the Wham song) was okay, but I didn't feel that there was much actual dancing from Matt during the whole dance, though his hands were feverishly trying to make up for this missing ingredient. They were given 3 ten's though I didn't think they deserved them.
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova's American smooth was good and it was amazing to see how light on his feet Darren is, considering what a big lump of a man he is. They also got 4 tens, thought I didn't enjoy it as much as Gethin and Camilla's dance.
The over-all winner, and second time winner of the Christmas Special was Darren Gough, with Gethin coming in second. [I do know that if I performed with Gethin he would almost certainly come second then too!!] I was gutted for him, but I hope we all get to see him dance again very soon.
Dr Who - Voyage of the Damned
- SPOILER WARNING -
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE SHOW
- SPOILER WARNING -
All day I had sat in anticipation of watching the Christmas Special of Dr Who as there was nothing on that I wanted to watch before it today. I whiled away the hours updating my Labels on previous (the oldest) postings, so that it is easier for me (and you dear reader) to find a specific entry.
Finally it came time to disembark my room and occupy the living room with my supply of mince pies and Southern Comfort (shame I had no Haribo). I sat there and watched, even saying "What" in time with the Doctor in the opening scene (as I had seen the end of the previous episode several times). Kylie appeared very quickly on the scene and then the action started. Geoffrey Palmer played the suicidal ship's captain well, he has the face for "misery." The "almost" cameo by Bernard Cribbins was brilliant, as he was one of the Doctor's companions in one of the Peter Cushing film "Daleks Invasion of Earth", so I was thrilled to see him in a "cannon" episode (even more thrilled that he will be appearing in at least one more episode of the next season, if the preview is anything to go by).
Gray O'Brien, formerly of Casualty and Peak Practice, is still a handsome devil and Clive Swift's character was adorable really, I hope he gets to appear again (maybe he could pop up to aid Sarah Jane at some point?). Bannakaffalatta was also a great character that it would've be nice to see more of.
Totty-wise the ship's mechanic / engineer was a bit of a hottie, though we didn't get to see much of him, played by Bruce Lawrence (I think).
The whole show was, I think intentionally, Poseidon Adventure in space, with Debbie Chazen playing the equivalent of Shelly Winters' role in the original.
Her Majesty the Queen in hair rollers and a cardigan was hilarious, I was howling with laughter at that, I'm still not sure why I found that so funny.
And poor Astrid, Kylie's character, so full of potential and I really hope that Kylie puts the time aside to film some more in one, or more, of the four (I believe) specials after next year's season of Dr Who.
I'm sure the Doctor could find a way of bringing her back to him! (Didn't give away too much there did i?). Even if it is for just the one show, then it was good to have back the Tegan-effect of an Aussie accent even though she never got to see the inside of the TARDIS.
Overall, a great epsiode that almost had be in tears, but not quite, though I did get a call from Alexis in Torquay saying that he HAD been in tears.
The only bit that I didn't like was after the initial explosion of impact when the screen was tilted and all the actors were racing to one side with flames following them. This looked so false and pantomine-like and I thought for a minute the rest of the show would be the same, I'm glad I was wrong. I just hope that Tim didn't do the flame effects on that shot because I wasn't convinced by them! Oh, I was also miffed at the speed that the credits sped past. I didn't get to see who was playing who and I barely saw Tim's name and didn't catch what his title was down as this time (I'll have to ask him when I see him next).
The sneak preview of the upcoming series was great with guest stars of the previously mentioned Bernard Cribbins, along with Felicity Kendall, and Sarah Lancashire. A sneak preview of Torchwood was also shown (which is beginning in January I believe) and we saw that Alan Dale will be appearing, as is James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Truly the highlight of my Christmas this year (though, sadly, that isn't saying much!!)
Monday, 24 December 2007
Birthday Beauty Bonanza
Today we are in for a treat as we have 3 beautiful men who are celebrating their birthdays:
Firstly we have an American actor whose name you may not know, Mark Valley is 43 today and has appeared in shows such as ER, The 4400, Boston Legal and Days of Our Lives, as well as single appearances in many other shows you will certainly have heard of. He is a stunningly handsome man. 
Second, we have Puerto Rican singer and actor Ricky Martin who we haven't heard from in far too long over here in the UK. Ricky is 36 today. 
And last, but certainly not least, we have another American actor, Amaury Nolasco, one of the stars of the US hit show Prison Break (which I have still yet to see any of the third series of!!!), who is 37 today (and I thought for certain that he was younger than me!).
I'm sure you'll agree all amazing looking men. Happy Birthday to all.
Christmas Drinks
I went out last night to meet up with Paul, Tim and Richard for our last drinks before Christmas (and the last time we will probably see each other this year). We aranged to meet in G.A.Y. Bar, not my favourite place but they have cheap drinks before 20:00. I got there at about 18:05 and waited for the others to arrive, which they did about 20 minutes later. We stayed there until just after the drinks went up, I bought the last round and just missed the discounted price (damn my luck).
From there we went to the Duke of Wellington for one before going on to Barcode. Everywhere was really quiet. Yes, I know it was a Sunday and I guess a lot of people would be travelling home for Christmas or all spent up on prezzies but I was disappointed that there was a distinct lack of talent out!
We split up after Barcode to go home and I made my way to Chariots, which was also very quiet, eventually getting home at about 04:00!! An okay night overall.
From there we went to the Duke of Wellington for one before going on to Barcode. Everywhere was really quiet. Yes, I know it was a Sunday and I guess a lot of people would be travelling home for Christmas or all spent up on prezzies but I was disappointed that there was a distinct lack of talent out!
We split up after Barcode to go home and I made my way to Chariots, which was also very quiet, eventually getting home at about 04:00!! An okay night overall.
Sunday, 23 December 2007
B******s
Yesterday I did a large shop (for me anyway) in Tesco spending £30 on food for a Christmas buffet for myself, so I can pick at stuff all day if I want. I spent that much as I thought I had about £250 to last me until pay day (11th January). Upon checking my account this morning I have realised that I have grossly miscalculated and I have only approximately £80 (after the money I have taken out for tonight's drinks).
This isn't a disaster, as I can survive on this, but I was hoping to be able to get myself a Christmas present (some comics, a DVD or two, a couple of books), but now I am going to have to wait 3 weeks now. A disappointment, yes, but I wasn't expecting to be able to treat myself this year at all until I got paid and saw how little they had charged me in deductions. So, I am not too down-hearted. It helps that Tim has just phoned to outline the initial plan for tonight's drinks (which are starting in G.A.Y. bar where they apparently have cheep drinks until 20:00, whoo-hoo!!), so I am looking forward to going out now, and will probably start getting ready very soon.
This isn't a disaster, as I can survive on this, but I was hoping to be able to get myself a Christmas present (some comics, a DVD or two, a couple of books), but now I am going to have to wait 3 weeks now. A disappointment, yes, but I wasn't expecting to be able to treat myself this year at all until I got paid and saw how little they had charged me in deductions. So, I am not too down-hearted. It helps that Tim has just phoned to outline the initial plan for tonight's drinks (which are starting in G.A.Y. bar where they apparently have cheep drinks until 20:00, whoo-hoo!!), so I am looking forward to going out now, and will probably start getting ready very soon.
Saturday, 22 December 2007
Birthday Model
Today marks the birthday of American model turned actor and yoga instructor Chris Carmack, who, to me, is best known for his appearances in The O.C. He is a bit of a sexy boy,hence his appearance here. Check him out:
Last Day Before Christmas
Today was a boring one at work. It was just me and one other guard and he wasn't much company. He mainly taked on his mobile phones (yes plural, I can never trust someone that has more than one mobile phone with neither being for business purposes [legitimate business anyway]), sat chewing gum with his mouth open or grinding his teeth or just disappeared leaving me in the control room.
I managed to finish Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and began Prisoner of Azkaban.
I also got a call from Tim to say that he and Richard would be out for drinks tomorrow night, as he had received a call from Paul also. After he had phoned I was in a good mood, it also helped that this was close to the end of the shift!
On the way home I popped into Tesco and loaded up with food for my Christmas dinner, loads of bits and pieces, not a roast or anything (loaded skins, barbecue wings, cocktail sausages etc), spending over £30, which is far too much for me normally.
I managed to finish Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and began Prisoner of Azkaban.
I also got a call from Tim to say that he and Richard would be out for drinks tomorrow night, as he had received a call from Paul also. After he had phoned I was in a good mood, it also helped that this was close to the end of the shift!
On the way home I popped into Tesco and loaded up with food for my Christmas dinner, loads of bits and pieces, not a roast or anything (loaded skins, barbecue wings, cocktail sausages etc), spending over £30, which is far too much for me normally.
Friday, 21 December 2007
Uneventful Day
Today was a fairly uneventful day, and frustrating due to the fact that it was obviously the last working day this year for so many people, including my supervisor, the building manager, and all the contractors. And all I could think was:
I also got a call from another friend, Paul, and we arranged to meet for drinks on Sunday, which is good as I wanted to go out that day for drinks anyway. Hopefully Tim and Richard will be able to come out for a few pints too.
I finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this morning and started Chamber of Secrets.
I was very surprised to get a bottle of wine from the building manager this afternoon, don't think too much of him I think he was "bullied" into giving the wine away by my supervisor. He offered me a bottle of white first which I accepted to be polite (and because I knew I would get nothing else from him or from my actuyal employers), he then said I could have a bottle of red too. I said that the white was fine. He then had 3 bottles left and so let me have another bottle of white and said that he wouldn't be giving the guards from the night shift anything. He and the supervisor then went to the pub. When the guard who is usually on my team came in for the night shift I let him have a bottle of white as I thought it was only fair, especially as I don't even drink wine. I don't know what I am going to with the other bottle!
"One more shift!"
I almost forgot to wish Lee a Happy Birthday, but texted him during my first patrol at midday and he phoned me back. I do miss his companionship, but our friendship will just never be the same as it used to be as we have drifted apart over the last two years. I also got a call from another friend, Paul, and we arranged to meet for drinks on Sunday, which is good as I wanted to go out that day for drinks anyway. Hopefully Tim and Richard will be able to come out for a few pints too.
I finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone this morning and started Chamber of Secrets.
I was very surprised to get a bottle of wine from the building manager this afternoon, don't think too much of him I think he was "bullied" into giving the wine away by my supervisor. He offered me a bottle of white first which I accepted to be polite (and because I knew I would get nothing else from him or from my actuyal employers), he then said I could have a bottle of red too. I said that the white was fine. He then had 3 bottles left and so let me have another bottle of white and said that he wouldn't be giving the guards from the night shift anything. He and the supervisor then went to the pub. When the guard who is usually on my team came in for the night shift I let him have a bottle of white as I thought it was only fair, especially as I don't even drink wine. I don't know what I am going to with the other bottle!
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Knight Rider
I had heard that there was to be a rebirth for the 80's TV classic Knight Rider, but until today I didn't know who would be starring in the show. I read today in ShortList that it is to be an American model turned actor named Justin Bruening, who is 28 and a bit of a hottie (of course!). Unfortunately, The Hoff is still going to be a feature of the show. Check him out:
Strictly Amazing
Speaking of Strictly Come Dancing, there is now a video of Victor da Silva and Hanna Karttunen's dance from last Sunday. Just check it out the strength moves are amazing and so is his body. I also found last year's appearance by the duo which has a lot of similar moves but more actual dancing from Victor himself.
Rebel Yell
At my new job, which I will probably refer to as my new job until I leave, my supervisor constantly has music playing on his computer in the control room. He is mainly into rock stuff and one of the songs that comes on regularly is "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol. Whenever I hear it there I can only think of the fantastic dance performed by the professional dancers on Strictly Come Dancing a few weeks ago, it was amazing and so I thought I would look it up on You Tube. What do you know it is there. Now ever since Beta Blogger took over as my host for this blog I have not been able to post videos here, which is really annoying me, so I cannot post the video directly but I can post a link. If you like Strictly then please check the video out because the dancing is amazing.
The Night Listener
I finished reading The Night Listener, by Armistead Maupin, at work today. I had read the book previously and remembered the outline of the story, but I was glad that I had forgotten the twists and turns that it took on the way and so was pleasantly surprised while reading it again.
I had also forgotten that it is linked with the Tales of the City books, the main character in this story had a bookkeeper, Anna, who was a child in the Tales of the City stories and her twin brother and lesbian parents are also mentioned in the book. This endeared the story to me even more, as I had either forgotten this element or not made the connection previously.
Maupin writes in such an engaging way and had a special gift of making you a part of the story but placing it in a certain time frame. He does this in almost all his books by mentioning an event that you can actually place in "reality" and which you can almost always think, "I was in such-and-such a place when that happened" In this book it was the mention of The Real World, an MTV series in which a group of strangers were housed in the same massive apartment and the cameras taped how they got on. Sort of a Big Brother, but with the "stars" not being confined to a building. The series mentioned was the one set in San Francisco, aptly enough as that is where the book is based. I remember watching the original series of The Real World (in New York) and the third series in San Francisco. And, even if the events mentioned are before your time, or just hot ones you were aware of, with a little research you can place your own (or your parents' etc) location at the time, making it easier to identify with the time. I guess a lot of books, TV series' and movies do this but I have noticed it more with Maupin than any other medium.
In The Night Listener I also empathised with the main character, Gabriel Noone. Don't I always? I guess this is for a few reasons but the main one being that Noone is, in his own way, a very introverted character who likes to play the put-upon role a bit too much, wants the focus to be on him only to realise that the world goes on without him, that he isn't the only focus of his friends' and family's lives. He even has the same sexual peccadillos as me:
"... I had accepted my disinterest in fucking, though I had always felt something less than a true fag for my failure to achieve either top- or bottom-hood."
That sounds just like me. I've been told that I just need a good teacher, and I guess I agree (applications in writing please!!).
Another thing that Noone communicates while he narates his story is something that many gay men and women would probably identify with, when he talked about:
"...getting as close to the truth as I could without tipping my hand. "You learn to camouflage when you are a baby homo. You learn to tip-toe around things.""
This describes exactly how I felt when I was a child (and a teenager and a young adult). As soon as I realised I wasn't "the norm" like every one else, (at around the age of 7 for those of you interested, though I still didn't really know "what" I was), I felt that I had to be guarded with everything I said and did just in case I gave something away, just in case someone else figured out that I was different. That is when I closetted myself, and not just from letting the world know that I was gay, but from letting the world know ANYTHING about me, just in case. It wasn't until I was 18 that I trusted anyone with the information that I was gay, only to be let down by that person eventually. Eleven years of acting a certain way are bound to affect the way you act later in life and I guess I haven't changed all that much. I still find it difficult to let people see my true emotions, and when I do I just get let down again and again.
Late in the book there is a scene where Noone is remembering when he visited his mother in hospital just before she died and they talked and shared information that they had never shared before. When I read this all I could think of was the time I had visited my mother in hospital before she had died, by this time she had been too ill to realise truly that the family was there and so unable to communicate effectively, she barely registered my presence. I had received no "secret information" from her and no last words of wisdom, just an image burned into my memory of a sick woman slipping slowly away with nothing that could be done by anyone, not that anyone seemed to be trying. This was one of many moments in the book when I struggled to hold back the tears ( which wouldn't have been good, considering I read most of the book at the reception desk at work!). If I had been at home I would not have held them back, I would have let them flow readily.
Also late on in the book is a section where Noone talks about his father's refusal to discuss Noone's grandfather's death. Something which I also identified with. My father died when I was 7, and so I have very few memories of him, just bits and pieces. I was always brought to believe that you do not talk about the dead, and so I was unable to ask questions about him, about his personality, his likes and dislikes, his feelings for me. When my mum died, I felt that I lost the chance to really find out about the parent I had lost so early. I have my sisters and my brother I could ask, but they will only have limited information and I still have that nagging feeling that I shouldn't ask, and even stupidly, that I don't have the right to ask, to drag these feelings up in people who were so much closer to him than I. I know this is wrong, but, not being emotionally communicative with my family as it is, this is a step to far for me at the moment. Maybe I should make this another of my New Year Resolutions.
One thing I did find annoying about the book was the sharing of a memory by two separate characters in two separate books. In The Night Listener, Noone talks about when he was a child and on a camping trip with the Scouts. He recounts that:
"The only break in my misery came after a huge thunderstrom.... that drenched us to the bone. We were rescued by some Yankees at a neighbouring campsite... who shared their food and dry clothes with us.... That night, as the rain poured down, we joined them around the campfire. One of them put his arm across my shoulders...., and urged me to lean against him for warmth. The comfort I felt was a revalation."
This story is almost identitcal to one told by Michael Tolliver (I think) in a previous Tales of the City book, the passage of which I cannot find at the moment [damn]. This kind of spoiled the imagery for me as I had already placed Mouse's face in this story and could still see it there while Noone was recounting his memory. Maupin also made this mistake in a brief description early in the book, though I cannot for the life of me find this either to quote it now.
Overall though, I really enjoyed reading the book again, and I highly recommend it especially if you have enjoyed the Tales books. I have made a promise to myself to purchase Maybe The Moon and Michael Tolliver Lives, the only two Maupin books that I know of that I have yet to read. I have also just been checking on Wikipedia and it states that Maupin is writing another book with the Tales characters in, so I hope that this is a truth and not just a Wikipedism.
I had also forgotten that it is linked with the Tales of the City books, the main character in this story had a bookkeeper, Anna, who was a child in the Tales of the City stories and her twin brother and lesbian parents are also mentioned in the book. This endeared the story to me even more, as I had either forgotten this element or not made the connection previously.
Maupin writes in such an engaging way and had a special gift of making you a part of the story but placing it in a certain time frame. He does this in almost all his books by mentioning an event that you can actually place in "reality" and which you can almost always think, "I was in such-and-such a place when that happened" In this book it was the mention of The Real World, an MTV series in which a group of strangers were housed in the same massive apartment and the cameras taped how they got on. Sort of a Big Brother, but with the "stars" not being confined to a building. The series mentioned was the one set in San Francisco, aptly enough as that is where the book is based. I remember watching the original series of The Real World (in New York) and the third series in San Francisco. And, even if the events mentioned are before your time, or just hot ones you were aware of, with a little research you can place your own (or your parents' etc) location at the time, making it easier to identify with the time. I guess a lot of books, TV series' and movies do this but I have noticed it more with Maupin than any other medium.
In The Night Listener I also empathised with the main character, Gabriel Noone. Don't I always? I guess this is for a few reasons but the main one being that Noone is, in his own way, a very introverted character who likes to play the put-upon role a bit too much, wants the focus to be on him only to realise that the world goes on without him, that he isn't the only focus of his friends' and family's lives. He even has the same sexual peccadillos as me:
"... I had accepted my disinterest in fucking, though I had always felt something less than a true fag for my failure to achieve either top- or bottom-hood."
That sounds just like me. I've been told that I just need a good teacher, and I guess I agree (applications in writing please!!).
Another thing that Noone communicates while he narates his story is something that many gay men and women would probably identify with, when he talked about:
"...getting as close to the truth as I could without tipping my hand. "You learn to camouflage when you are a baby homo. You learn to tip-toe around things.""
This describes exactly how I felt when I was a child (and a teenager and a young adult). As soon as I realised I wasn't "the norm" like every one else, (at around the age of 7 for those of you interested, though I still didn't really know "what" I was), I felt that I had to be guarded with everything I said and did just in case I gave something away, just in case someone else figured out that I was different. That is when I closetted myself, and not just from letting the world know that I was gay, but from letting the world know ANYTHING about me, just in case. It wasn't until I was 18 that I trusted anyone with the information that I was gay, only to be let down by that person eventually. Eleven years of acting a certain way are bound to affect the way you act later in life and I guess I haven't changed all that much. I still find it difficult to let people see my true emotions, and when I do I just get let down again and again.
Late in the book there is a scene where Noone is remembering when he visited his mother in hospital just before she died and they talked and shared information that they had never shared before. When I read this all I could think of was the time I had visited my mother in hospital before she had died, by this time she had been too ill to realise truly that the family was there and so unable to communicate effectively, she barely registered my presence. I had received no "secret information" from her and no last words of wisdom, just an image burned into my memory of a sick woman slipping slowly away with nothing that could be done by anyone, not that anyone seemed to be trying. This was one of many moments in the book when I struggled to hold back the tears ( which wouldn't have been good, considering I read most of the book at the reception desk at work!). If I had been at home I would not have held them back, I would have let them flow readily.
Also late on in the book is a section where Noone talks about his father's refusal to discuss Noone's grandfather's death. Something which I also identified with. My father died when I was 7, and so I have very few memories of him, just bits and pieces. I was always brought to believe that you do not talk about the dead, and so I was unable to ask questions about him, about his personality, his likes and dislikes, his feelings for me. When my mum died, I felt that I lost the chance to really find out about the parent I had lost so early. I have my sisters and my brother I could ask, but they will only have limited information and I still have that nagging feeling that I shouldn't ask, and even stupidly, that I don't have the right to ask, to drag these feelings up in people who were so much closer to him than I. I know this is wrong, but, not being emotionally communicative with my family as it is, this is a step to far for me at the moment. Maybe I should make this another of my New Year Resolutions.
One thing I did find annoying about the book was the sharing of a memory by two separate characters in two separate books. In The Night Listener, Noone talks about when he was a child and on a camping trip with the Scouts. He recounts that:
"The only break in my misery came after a huge thunderstrom.... that drenched us to the bone. We were rescued by some Yankees at a neighbouring campsite... who shared their food and dry clothes with us.... That night, as the rain poured down, we joined them around the campfire. One of them put his arm across my shoulders...., and urged me to lean against him for warmth. The comfort I felt was a revalation."
This story is almost identitcal to one told by Michael Tolliver (I think) in a previous Tales of the City book, the passage of which I cannot find at the moment [damn]. This kind of spoiled the imagery for me as I had already placed Mouse's face in this story and could still see it there while Noone was recounting his memory. Maupin also made this mistake in a brief description early in the book, though I cannot for the life of me find this either to quote it now.
Overall though, I really enjoyed reading the book again, and I highly recommend it especially if you have enjoyed the Tales books. I have made a promise to myself to purchase Maybe The Moon and Michael Tolliver Lives, the only two Maupin books that I know of that I have yet to read. I have also just been checking on Wikipedia and it states that Maupin is writing another book with the Tales characters in, so I hope that this is a truth and not just a Wikipedism.
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
I don't want to go back.
I really didn't want to go to work this morning as I knew it would be a boring, unstimulating, and freexing cold day there. And I wasn't wrong. I really need something to occupy my mind and a warm environment to work in. The only place that is warm at work is the tiny control room which is normally kept TOO warm, so I am bracing myself for the 'flu as I have to alternate between extremely cold and extremely warm environments. Three more shifts to go!
I'm a good person, GET ME OUT OF HERE!!
My Boy's Birthday Again
Today is Jake Gyllenhaal's 27th birthday so I would like to send him my fondest birthday greetings.
I, as regular readers will know, am a big fan of Jake's though I have only seen 5 of his films. And I have said before that he is an amazing actor, for which I admire him almost as much as his sex appeal, he is so versatile in the roles that he accepts and doesn't feel as though he has to be the "star" of the films he stars in.
I intend to see many of his other films in the New Year, including Rendition (the latest release), Proof, Bubble Boy (which I am not expecting to be good, but you never know), and October Sky being the first ones I would probably watch.
I also intend to increase my DVD collection of his films, at present I only have Brokeback Mountain, The Day After Tomorrow and Donnie Darko.
Here are some of my favourite images of Jake that I hope you enjoy as much as I do: 
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Finished another one!!
Today was a slowish day again and I managed to finish another book, Sure of You (the sixth in the Tales of the City series). I started it at the beginning of the shift and had finished it by 16:00!! By the end of the six books I had come to really dislike the character of Mary Ann Singleton, whom I had liked when I first read the books and saw the television series.
Her character developed from a naive newcomer to San Francisco to an unthinking, career-focussed woman who didn't think about how her actions would affect others. She wasn't intentionally hurtful, just self-centred. She sort of reminded me of my friend Lee, who was formerly my closest friend until about 2 years ago. I guess that makes me Brian, who was the wronged other half (though Lee and I were never an item, we were very close friends), who is not ambitious and lacks direction in his life. I think that sums me up quite well.
Tomorrow I am starting the Night Listener also by Armistead Maupin.
Her character developed from a naive newcomer to San Francisco to an unthinking, career-focussed woman who didn't think about how her actions would affect others. She wasn't intentionally hurtful, just self-centred. She sort of reminded me of my friend Lee, who was formerly my closest friend until about 2 years ago. I guess that makes me Brian, who was the wronged other half (though Lee and I were never an item, we were very close friends), who is not ambitious and lacks direction in his life. I think that sums me up quite well.
Tomorrow I am starting the Night Listener also by Armistead Maupin.
Birthdays
I was just about to list and picture the handsome birthday boys for today's date, then I realised that there were none that I hadn't featured this time last year:
Anthony Catanzaro
Casper van Dien
"Stonecold" Steve Austin
Brad Pitt
How lazy am I?
Monday, 17 December 2007
Birthday in Bollywood
Today's birthday boy is a model turned Bollywood star, with the unlikely name of John Abraham!! He is 35 today and has a great body and handsome looks. 
I hate my job
Work dragged today and I was freezing when I had to sit at reception, there is a useless heater that you cannot feel the benefit of unless you are sitting within an inch of it. I eventually had to change out of my blazer and into a jumper to help keep warm.
I finished another book today and I will start the sixth book in the Tales of the City series tomorrow: Sure of You.
I have realised that work is what is depressing me lately. Before, when I was a my previous job, work was a relief when I was skint as it was where I could interact with people when I couldn't afford to go out. Now, I just want to be off as I have nothing in common with the few people at work and so the conversation is limited. While doing my patrols all I kept saying to myself was "F**k This" & "F*****g That!", because I am so borted, have nothing to stimulate me mentally, and I just do not want to be there.
I was eagerly anticipating coming home and checking my email account to see the email I was expecting from the job interview I went to on Thursday, but there was no email unfortunately, so I will have to wait, yet again, to hear from a potential employer! Annoying.
I finished another book today and I will start the sixth book in the Tales of the City series tomorrow: Sure of You.
I have realised that work is what is depressing me lately. Before, when I was a my previous job, work was a relief when I was skint as it was where I could interact with people when I couldn't afford to go out. Now, I just want to be off as I have nothing in common with the few people at work and so the conversation is limited. While doing my patrols all I kept saying to myself was "F**k This" & "F*****g That!", because I am so borted, have nothing to stimulate me mentally, and I just do not want to be there.
I was eagerly anticipating coming home and checking my email account to see the email I was expecting from the job interview I went to on Thursday, but there was no email unfortunately, so I will have to wait, yet again, to hear from a potential employer! Annoying.
Sunday, 16 December 2007
Voyage of the Damned
I have just caught the trailer for the Christmas special of Doctor Who, which looks great. What I hadn't realised about the program, which was almost certainly done on purpose, was that the Titanic that crashed into the TARDIS at the end of the last season is actually a space craft in Earth orbit! Tim tell's me nothing the git! I am so glad that I am going to be able to watch the episode on Christmas Day. Nice to have something to look forward to on the day. 
Strictly WOW
Tonight's Strictly Come Dancing saw the exit of my favourite celebrity, Gethin Jones. At this stage of the competition it was so close between the three remaining couples that it must have been hard to choose between them. Gethin has a place in my heart, so I am obviously disappointed but he has done so well during the competition (as have all of the celebrities and the professionals for that matter!). 
Also tonight was a demonstration dance by Victor da Silva and Hannah Karttunen. They danced at the same stage of the competition last year and I was amazed by Victor's body then, and once again he was topless which produced an initial WOW and that, along with the amazing lifts he performed, held my interest throughout the dance.
He is an amazingly sexy man and a powerful figure on the dance floor (though he himself didn't perform many actual dance moves, but who f*****g cares with that sculptured body on show). 
Also tonight was a demonstration dance by Victor da Silva and Hannah Karttunen. They danced at the same stage of the competition last year and I was amazed by Victor's body then, and once again he was topless which produced an initial WOW and that, along with the amazing lifts he performed, held my interest throughout the dance.
He is an amazingly sexy man and a powerful figure on the dance floor (though he himself didn't perform many actual dance moves, but who f*****g cares with that sculptured body on show). Apologies for duplicating the same pictures from my entry on their appearance last year, I can't find any fresh pictures of him.
Apologies
I must apologise for my lack of manners yesterday. I forgot to mention that the "Christmas" meal that my sister cooked for lunch, and the food for our tea, was fantastic. Lynn used to be known for presenting cold vegetables with her roast dinners, but has long since become adept at getting her food prepared and ready at the same time. I'm sure that the "practice" she has had with her four kids and a husband has had a hand in this. The turkey was succulent, the vegetables perfected by steaming them rather than boiling and the roast potatoes were fantastic. I felt quite disappointed when I realised I was full as I wanted to carry on eating!
I also was surprised to find out that I have been chosen by my other sister, Maxine, to be the one to give her away at her wedding in August. It was quite a shock to find out that she had nominated me for this task. I was also taken aback by the casual manner in which she announced the day she would be getting married. All she said was "keep August 30th" clear won't you! I am terrified! I have not been to a wedding since Kevin's second wedding over 10 years ago, what am I expected to do? Do I have to make a speach? I surely hope not! But you never know, I know that the bridesmaids are meand to get action on the day, will I?
I also was surprised to find out that I have been chosen by my other sister, Maxine, to be the one to give her away at her wedding in August. It was quite a shock to find out that she had nominated me for this task. I was also taken aback by the casual manner in which she announced the day she would be getting married. All she said was "keep August 30th" clear won't you! I am terrified! I have not been to a wedding since Kevin's second wedding over 10 years ago, what am I expected to do? Do I have to make a speach? I surely hope not! But you never know, I know that the bridesmaids are meand to get action on the day, will I?
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Early Christmas
Okay, so I admit that I never look forward to spending time with my family, but when I get there I usually have a good time.
Today, I planned to get the train from Fenchurch Street at about 10:00, but after taking too much time over reading my emails and getting ready, and then getting off the bus too late I didn't get there until 11:05 just missing a train. I eventually got to Lynn's at around midday.
It was goot to see her and the kids:
Arron is exstatic that he is now taller than me, even though he is only 16, and I'm affraid to say he is looking more and more like my brother at his age every time I see him (he is tall, skinny, spotty and has a prominent nose, he is even sporting a 70's hair style too!).
Joe is as eager for attention as always, though I do think he has lost some weight, which he unfortunately needed to.
Connor is less shy now and very energetic and very well coordinated, able to do 1 1/2 back flips continuously on their garden trampolene.
And Molly is still really girly and sweet with it, most of the time.
After getting paid more than I expected this week I was glad that I was able to give each of them £10 for their Christmas presents, but still felt guilty that I couldn't give more, as I usually spend at least £30 on each of them.
Adrian, my brother-in-law also collected his parents to spend the day with us and my other sister Maxine turned up for tea with her boyfriend Lee and his son, also called Arron.
Last of all to turn up was Mikala, my niece, with her other half G and my great-niece Courtney. It was good to see them all too. I've only seen Courtney once before, shortly after she was born, when she was just a wrinkly thing. Now she is beginning to look like a person and is beautiful. She is, unfortunately, suffering from a cough and a temperature and so wasn't pleased of the company. When Lynn was showing Mikala how to administer Courtney's inhaler correctly we all got a shock we could have done without. For the first puff Courtney was either shocked or remembered that she didn't like the inhaler fumes and so she held her breath. She went bright red and sort of slumped in my sisters arms as she passed out almost. The whole room went quiet (for the first time all day), Mikala burst into tears thinking that Courtney was a gonner, and even Maxine (who is a nurse, but with far less experience with kids than Lynn) was in shock almost. Lynn, who has worked on the Special Care Baby Unit for years knew what she was doing and Courtney revived and after three more puffs of the inhaler (where she didn't pass out again) her breathing was much better, and she even began to smile after about an hour. It was a scare that we could all have done without though.
Lynn told me that she is now unemployed as the NHS would not give her the time off she wanted over Christmas, despite giving them notice since August, so she handed her notice in. How ridiculous is that, she has been nursing now for about 20 years and they are willing to throw her experience away over a trivial matter. Hopefully she will be able to get work when she gets back from her trip, if she still can't pursuade Adrian to move to Australia that is!!
As usual, I was dreading the presents that my sisters insist on buying me. I feel really ungrateful slagging the presents off but they are quite often useless items, for me at least. This year I got a robot alarm clock / money box from Maxine, which I cannot shut up without taking the batteries out! I'm 35 for f***s sake!!!! A money box???? And a robot one at that!!!!! Not even a famous robot!!!!
And from Lynn I got a bottle of Southern Comfort (which is a good gift, even though I don't normally drink at ahome), but she also bought me a "teapot-for-one", which is a tiny teapot which sits in it's own cup. Now, apart from it being a reminder that I am on my own, I find this frustratingly amusing as it is the third time that one of my sisters' has bought this item for me in the last few years. I remember the first one was a novelty (though I never used it or any of the counterparts), but I got one the following year from the other sister. Now I have a third one! I gave the other two away to charity shops. This time I think I may sell it on eBay (what a shame that I won't be able to get it to someone by Christmas for them to give as a present! Yes, I know I am an ungrateful git, but I hope you can see my point!
I left at about 22:30 and got home about an hour later after struggling with the tubes.
Today, I planned to get the train from Fenchurch Street at about 10:00, but after taking too much time over reading my emails and getting ready, and then getting off the bus too late I didn't get there until 11:05 just missing a train. I eventually got to Lynn's at around midday.
It was goot to see her and the kids:
Arron is exstatic that he is now taller than me, even though he is only 16, and I'm affraid to say he is looking more and more like my brother at his age every time I see him (he is tall, skinny, spotty and has a prominent nose, he is even sporting a 70's hair style too!).
Joe is as eager for attention as always, though I do think he has lost some weight, which he unfortunately needed to.
Connor is less shy now and very energetic and very well coordinated, able to do 1 1/2 back flips continuously on their garden trampolene.
And Molly is still really girly and sweet with it, most of the time.
After getting paid more than I expected this week I was glad that I was able to give each of them £10 for their Christmas presents, but still felt guilty that I couldn't give more, as I usually spend at least £30 on each of them.
Adrian, my brother-in-law also collected his parents to spend the day with us and my other sister Maxine turned up for tea with her boyfriend Lee and his son, also called Arron.
Last of all to turn up was Mikala, my niece, with her other half G and my great-niece Courtney. It was good to see them all too. I've only seen Courtney once before, shortly after she was born, when she was just a wrinkly thing. Now she is beginning to look like a person and is beautiful. She is, unfortunately, suffering from a cough and a temperature and so wasn't pleased of the company. When Lynn was showing Mikala how to administer Courtney's inhaler correctly we all got a shock we could have done without. For the first puff Courtney was either shocked or remembered that she didn't like the inhaler fumes and so she held her breath. She went bright red and sort of slumped in my sisters arms as she passed out almost. The whole room went quiet (for the first time all day), Mikala burst into tears thinking that Courtney was a gonner, and even Maxine (who is a nurse, but with far less experience with kids than Lynn) was in shock almost. Lynn, who has worked on the Special Care Baby Unit for years knew what she was doing and Courtney revived and after three more puffs of the inhaler (where she didn't pass out again) her breathing was much better, and she even began to smile after about an hour. It was a scare that we could all have done without though.
Lynn told me that she is now unemployed as the NHS would not give her the time off she wanted over Christmas, despite giving them notice since August, so she handed her notice in. How ridiculous is that, she has been nursing now for about 20 years and they are willing to throw her experience away over a trivial matter. Hopefully she will be able to get work when she gets back from her trip, if she still can't pursuade Adrian to move to Australia that is!!
As usual, I was dreading the presents that my sisters insist on buying me. I feel really ungrateful slagging the presents off but they are quite often useless items, for me at least. This year I got a robot alarm clock / money box from Maxine, which I cannot shut up without taking the batteries out! I'm 35 for f***s sake!!!! A money box???? And a robot one at that!!!!! Not even a famous robot!!!!
And from Lynn I got a bottle of Southern Comfort (which is a good gift, even though I don't normally drink at ahome), but she also bought me a "teapot-for-one", which is a tiny teapot which sits in it's own cup. Now, apart from it being a reminder that I am on my own, I find this frustratingly amusing as it is the third time that one of my sisters' has bought this item for me in the last few years. I remember the first one was a novelty (though I never used it or any of the counterparts), but I got one the following year from the other sister. Now I have a third one! I gave the other two away to charity shops. This time I think I may sell it on eBay (what a shame that I won't be able to get it to someone by Christmas for them to give as a present! Yes, I know I am an ungrateful git, but I hope you can see my point!
I left at about 22:30 and got home about an hour later after struggling with the tubes.
Crap Night Out
I went out for a few drinks last night and, as you can probably tell from the fact that I'm writing this at 08:12 the following morning, it wasn't that good a night. I got into Soho a bit early, hoping to avoid to cramped buses that I normally encounter, so I went into Rupert Street first before heading to Barcode at 17:00 our usual meeting time. I had spoken and text-chatted with Tim the day before and said I would be out and he told me that he would probably be back from Cardiff by then.
He wasn't in Barcode so I sent him a text. He was in G.A.Y. Bar with some friends and so we said we would meet up at some point. He had forgotten that I had said I would be out. That sort of put a downer on the evening there and then. I didn't want to go to G.A.Y. Bar for three reasons: firstly I do not like the crowd in there, it is too young and too queeny for my tastes; secondly, they would probably be in, what passed for, the beer garden smoking the whole time and it was far too cold for that; and thirdly, it was entirely possible that, by the time I got to the bar, they would be leaving.
On top of this Barcode was quite busy but with far too many women, who seem not to care who they bump into or how loud they scream, and a few queens with the same problems too!
Instead I went to Comptons and text Tim to tell him that I was headed there. He texted back to say he would try to pursuade the others to go to meet me there. It didn't sound promising so, once I had finished my drink, a Red Bull as I wasn't in the mood for too many Strongbows, I left and went to Rupert Street, texting Tim to tell him and asking him to let me know where they were headed next.
I got a call about 10 minutes later to say they had got to Comptons, just as Tim received my last text! But we arranged to meet in the newly re-opened Duke of Wellington. I met them on the first floor. The pub actually looks quite nice, the ground floor hadn't changed that much but the first has been extended and the toilets moved to the second floor.
Tim was appearing very drunk by the time I met with him, Richard and Terry, and I wasn't as I had only had 3 pints and was on my second Red Bull by this point. I really wasn't in the mood to stay out much longer, but tried to make an effort.
Tim confirmed that he would not be doing his Christmas dinner at home as he suggested he might, as he and Richard are going to friends for Christmas. He did say however, that he would really like to do it next year, hopefully in a new flat as he is not happy at the one he is in at the moment.
At about 22:30 we left the Wellie and they went to have something to eat while I made my way home feeling more depressed than I have been all week. Going through my head was something that Tim had said to me a few weeks back, "You need to get some new friends!" He hadn't ment it in a nasty way, as in "I don't want to hang out with you any more", at least I hope he didn't, but in a friendly way because he knows that he is the only person I actually hang out with AT ALL any more. All my other friends live to far away (Torquay, Melbourne, Cambridgeshire). I just am not very good at talking to new people, and the only ones I have met recently have been through work and none of them are people I would particularly want to hang out with, as demonstrated by the fact that it was the work's drink-up last night and I didn't go.
I guess that means that I have my first New Year Resolution: To be more outgoing and make new friends! Yeah, like that is going to be as easy as it sounds!!
He wasn't in Barcode so I sent him a text. He was in G.A.Y. Bar with some friends and so we said we would meet up at some point. He had forgotten that I had said I would be out. That sort of put a downer on the evening there and then. I didn't want to go to G.A.Y. Bar for three reasons: firstly I do not like the crowd in there, it is too young and too queeny for my tastes; secondly, they would probably be in, what passed for, the beer garden smoking the whole time and it was far too cold for that; and thirdly, it was entirely possible that, by the time I got to the bar, they would be leaving.
On top of this Barcode was quite busy but with far too many women, who seem not to care who they bump into or how loud they scream, and a few queens with the same problems too!
Instead I went to Comptons and text Tim to tell him that I was headed there. He texted back to say he would try to pursuade the others to go to meet me there. It didn't sound promising so, once I had finished my drink, a Red Bull as I wasn't in the mood for too many Strongbows, I left and went to Rupert Street, texting Tim to tell him and asking him to let me know where they were headed next.
I got a call about 10 minutes later to say they had got to Comptons, just as Tim received my last text! But we arranged to meet in the newly re-opened Duke of Wellington. I met them on the first floor. The pub actually looks quite nice, the ground floor hadn't changed that much but the first has been extended and the toilets moved to the second floor.
Tim was appearing very drunk by the time I met with him, Richard and Terry, and I wasn't as I had only had 3 pints and was on my second Red Bull by this point. I really wasn't in the mood to stay out much longer, but tried to make an effort.
Tim confirmed that he would not be doing his Christmas dinner at home as he suggested he might, as he and Richard are going to friends for Christmas. He did say however, that he would really like to do it next year, hopefully in a new flat as he is not happy at the one he is in at the moment.
At about 22:30 we left the Wellie and they went to have something to eat while I made my way home feeling more depressed than I have been all week. Going through my head was something that Tim had said to me a few weeks back, "You need to get some new friends!" He hadn't ment it in a nasty way, as in "I don't want to hang out with you any more", at least I hope he didn't, but in a friendly way because he knows that he is the only person I actually hang out with AT ALL any more. All my other friends live to far away (Torquay, Melbourne, Cambridgeshire). I just am not very good at talking to new people, and the only ones I have met recently have been through work and none of them are people I would particularly want to hang out with, as demonstrated by the fact that it was the work's drink-up last night and I didn't go.
I guess that means that I have my first New Year Resolution: To be more outgoing and make new friends! Yeah, like that is going to be as easy as it sounds!!
Friday, 14 December 2007
Pay Day Yay!
I have been paid! Hooray.
It is my first wage from the new job and that is always a worry: will they get the right account; will they pay the right hours etc etc. Well, I got the right amount of days, and the first tqo training shifts were paid at a lower rate (as I had been told might happen by my work colleagues, not my employers) but it wasn't as low as I was told it could be. My tax and NI payments were very low too, so I ended up getting more than I had expected to be paid.
This means that I will not have to feel guilty about going out tonight, and I could probably even stretch to giving my nieces and nephews a £5 note each for Christmas, it isn't much and a lot less than I normally spend, but better than nothing.
Next pay day is 11th January, so it's not too long of a wait after New Year luckily. And I am STILL waiting for my refund from the SIA of 50% of my licence fee.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
The Interview..
Well, I got to the interview far too early (about 20 minutes) as it was nearer than it looked on the A-Z map. The interview itself was fairly short, about 20 minutes again, and was basically a preliminary interview to see if I would be suitable to take to see the client. I seemed to pass, but he is doing further interviews tomorrow and Monday, so I will hear after that, by email probably.
I came clean at the interview about my dismissal from my last job, but I know most people probably wouldn't have at this early point. I feel that I have to as I would hate to get to the point where I am offered the position only to be knocked back because of the dismissal, or because I hadn't disclosed it. Or, even worse, to be offered the job and give up my existing job only to be denied the new job because of the dismissal.
The job doesn't sound quite as good as I thought, as it is with a very small team of guards, but it is bigger than the team I am with at present. It is within a walkable distance too. It is also very likely that the building I would be working in also houses a team of security for one of the tenants which contains at least 2 former work colleagues of mine. I am waiting to hear back from one of them on Facebook to see if it is the same building.
What I did found frustrating about the interview was that the interviewer suggested that I could be suitable for managerial positions at head office, as did the interviewer for my current job. This has been suggested to me before, I was practically begged to be a supervisor at the place I was dismissed from about 3 years ago on at least 2 occasions, and people always look at me strangely when I say I don't want a managerial job.
The fact is that I would just be too stressed if I took a management job. I have had supervisory positions previously and every time I have almost had nervous breakdowns as I have been unable to cope with the pressure from above and below. I prefer doing a job with a certain level of responsibility, with reasonable targets and then being able to leave everything at work until the next shift. I'm sure that is why I get so frustrated with those managers who do poor jobs, because I know that I could do a better job, but would suffer for it! Maybe sometime in the future I will feel able to take such a position, but I wouldn't hold my breath!!
I came clean at the interview about my dismissal from my last job, but I know most people probably wouldn't have at this early point. I feel that I have to as I would hate to get to the point where I am offered the position only to be knocked back because of the dismissal, or because I hadn't disclosed it. Or, even worse, to be offered the job and give up my existing job only to be denied the new job because of the dismissal.
The job doesn't sound quite as good as I thought, as it is with a very small team of guards, but it is bigger than the team I am with at present. It is within a walkable distance too. It is also very likely that the building I would be working in also houses a team of security for one of the tenants which contains at least 2 former work colleagues of mine. I am waiting to hear back from one of them on Facebook to see if it is the same building.
What I did found frustrating about the interview was that the interviewer suggested that I could be suitable for managerial positions at head office, as did the interviewer for my current job. This has been suggested to me before, I was practically begged to be a supervisor at the place I was dismissed from about 3 years ago on at least 2 occasions, and people always look at me strangely when I say I don't want a managerial job.
The fact is that I would just be too stressed if I took a management job. I have had supervisory positions previously and every time I have almost had nervous breakdowns as I have been unable to cope with the pressure from above and below. I prefer doing a job with a certain level of responsibility, with reasonable targets and then being able to leave everything at work until the next shift. I'm sure that is why I get so frustrated with those managers who do poor jobs, because I know that I could do a better job, but would suffer for it! Maybe sometime in the future I will feel able to take such a position, but I wouldn't hold my breath!!
Just to keep you updated
I applied for another security job last night after I got back from work, I told you I was still looking! I received a phonecall this morning asking if I could attend an interview next Monday. I am unfortunately working on that day, but luckily they could fit me in this afternoon for an interview. So At 14:00 I am going for the interview at their head office, which is not far from home and so I am beginnning my preparation now. The job is nearer to my old wage level (within £2000 p/a) and is still corporate security, it is in the City (so I won't have to worry about travel costs or times, especially with Christmas coming up), and it is Monday to Friday 60 hours a week (so therefore 07:00 to 19:00 each day). This is a shift pattern that I have never worked before but at least I would be almost working "normal" hours and have the same sort of routine as other people.
The good news is that, as I am still within my probationary period with my new employers, I do not have to give any notice. So, I could start on Monday!
Oops, I'm talking like I already have the job and overconfidence has been my undoing before so I need to go and re-focus and get my head in the right place for the interview. Wish me luck.
The good news is that, as I am still within my probationary period with my new employers, I do not have to give any notice. So, I could start on Monday!
Oops, I'm talking like I already have the job and overconfidence has been my undoing before so I need to go and re-focus and get my head in the right place for the interview. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Babycakes
It was a fairly busy day today at work, with a few viewing of the empty building. I personally wasn't busy at all, but the day still went quite quickly, which I was incredibly grateful for, being my last of 7 shifts!
I managed to finish Babycakes today, at the end of which I really did not like Mary Ann Singleton at all, and began to read Significant Others, in which she has yet to redeem herself. Burke Andrew took on mythical proportions in my imagination after reading Babycakes, as a better looking, younger and physically fitter version of Paul Gross (who played Brian in the original series of Tales of the City, who Burke was said to resemble). But I was disappointed with the over sexual content in the book, which it didn't need and Maupin had refrained from using in the previous book.
I managed to finish Babycakes today, at the end of which I really did not like Mary Ann Singleton at all, and began to read Significant Others, in which she has yet to redeem herself. Burke Andrew took on mythical proportions in my imagination after reading Babycakes, as a better looking, younger and physically fitter version of Paul Gross (who played Brian in the original series of Tales of the City, who Burke was said to resemble). But I was disappointed with the over sexual content in the book, which it didn't need and Maupin had refrained from using in the previous book.
Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Birthday Boy
Today is the birthday of an American actor who was formerly in my Top Ten Men and is also "appreciated" by my mate Tim! 
He is 45 today shockingly! 
Ben Browder is known, mainly, for starring in Farscape and, more recently, in Stargate: SG1 (although I have yet to see any episodes starring him!). 
He is 45 today shockingly! Ben Browder is known, mainly, for starring in Farscape and, more recently, in Stargate: SG1 (although I have yet to see any episodes starring him!).
Today
I finished "Further Tales of the City" today and started on "Babycakes". Apart from that, nothing at all happened at work! Luckily I have just one more shift to go before I have 4 days off. Unfortunately, I will be at my sisters' for one of those days. That sounds aweful, I do love my family, but I treasure my days off (even though I do nothing with them lately), especially after working 9 out of ten days in a row, 12 hours at a time!
Monday, 10 December 2007
By the way
I forgot to mention that today went by fairly quickly, which is a blessing. I think it is helped by the fact that I am taking a book in to read every day. I started on Saturday and today I began (and am halfway through) my third. I am reading the Tales of the City series and I'd forgotten how good they are. Luckily I can't remember all the details so thay are still exciting and funny. When I have finished them I think I will have to read the Harry Potter series and after that I am going to have to find a new book, or should I say series of books, to read!! God knows what though!! I really hope that Michael Tolliver Lives is out in paperback soon so I can enjoy that too! For those not aware it is the latest, and long awaited, in the Tales of the City series, and I really want to get my teeth (eyes?) into it to find out what has happened to my beloved Michael Mouse, who I, and presumably thousands of other readers, totally indentified with (except that he has actually had relationships but cannot maintain a longstanding one, I just can't get one!).
Christmas Schedule
I finally found out exactly what they want me to work up to and over Christmas. I have 2 more day shifts to go, then I have 4 days off. Then I am back on days for 6 shifts. I then have the 23rd, 24th and 25th off and then I'm back on day shifts from the 26th. So I get ONE day at double time, oh, and New Year's Eve on which I am working nights [that's good news for those who don't know me, I hate NYE].
So, my plan is to go to my sister's early Christmas on Saturday (after possibly going out for a few on Friday night), and relaxing on Sunday. Then next week, I can go out after work on the Saturday if I feel like it. Spend Christmas Day at home, or at Tim's if he is still planning to entertain. Then I go back to work and forget the whole horrid season for another year.
So, my plan is to go to my sister's early Christmas on Saturday (after possibly going out for a few on Friday night), and relaxing on Sunday. Then next week, I can go out after work on the Saturday if I feel like it. Spend Christmas Day at home, or at Tim's if he is still planning to entertain. Then I go back to work and forget the whole horrid season for another year.
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Birthday Models
Today's birthday celebrants are two models turned actors:
Jesse Metcalfe is the most famous of the two, and is celebrating his 29th birthday today.
Jesse came to promenance in the series Desperate Housewives, but I was more impressed with his presenting skills when he stood in for Paul O'Grady a few months back. 
He was actually very good. 
It is a shame that I cannot be as impressed with his choice of girlfriend.
Oh well. 
Also today we have Indian model, Dino Morea, who apparently is also in the upcoming series of Heroes, who is 32 today. 
He has a great body and a boy-next-door look. 
Jesse Metcalfe is the most famous of the two, and is celebrating his 29th birthday today.
Jesse came to promenance in the series Desperate Housewives, but I was more impressed with his presenting skills when he stood in for Paul O'Grady a few months back. He was actually very good. It is a shame that I cannot be as impressed with his choice of girlfriend. Oh well. Also today we have Indian model, Dino Morea, who apparently is also in the upcoming series of Heroes, who is 32 today. He has a great body and a boy-next-door look. Happy Birthday to both.
A Quick Day
I think I mentioned that today, less than 1 week after starting with this new security company, I would be the senior guard on duty!! Well it was frustrating but the day did go by at a good pace. The other guard turned up late, had already booked himself on via his mobile, took twice as long to do his first patrol (which meant that my break was 1/2 hour late), ate in the Control Room despite having been told not to at least 3 times before, made a personal phone call on the company phone, talked really loudly on his mobile, read out loud in a stage whisper-type voice (which incidentally had always freaked me out), and, when a relief arrived at the end of the shift, said to me:
I do hope that I don't have to work with him again!
"Shall I go home then?" I couldn't believe it!
"I don't think so, as I was here 20 minutes before you AND you were late!"
"Oh, but I thought that, as I live further away, I would get to go first!" he responded.
"Are you having a laugh?" was all I could reply in astonishment!
I do hope that I don't have to work with him again!
Saturday, 8 December 2007
Some Good News
I was a bit miffed yesterday that I wasn't going to go to the Christmas party of my former work colleagues last night. I am still skint, in the middle of 7 day shifts and had had a bad day so really wasn't in the mood for an 80's revival party! So, I was quite pleased this evening to hear that the party was a flop! Apparently only 8 people from work turned up, and some of them weren't exactly the exciting bunch! I feel sorry for those who did go, but happy that I didn't bother going myself!
I've still not decided if I am going to go to my sisters' early Christmas dinner next Saturday yet!
I've still not decided if I am going to go to my sisters' early Christmas dinner next Saturday yet!
Work
Well, today wasn't too bad at work. I remembered to take a book in with me and nearly read the whole thing. I was good to reaquaint myself with Tales of the City, it has been years since I last read it. It really helped the day go by quickly. At least I have 5 of the sequals to entertain me over the next few shifts.
I was training a new starter today! Yes me, there was no one else. And, what is more, tomorrow it will be just me and the new starter! Less than a week into the job and I'm in charge (and not through anything I've done, just the "luck of the draw!").
I got home just in time to see the final dance on Strictly Come Dancing! B*ll*cks!! And it wasn't even Gethin, who I am quickly becoming obsessed with (I've hardly thought about Jake for weeks!). Unfortunately, I will also miss the results program tomorrow as I am working until 20:00! Double B*ll*cks!!
I was training a new starter today! Yes me, there was no one else. And, what is more, tomorrow it will be just me and the new starter! Less than a week into the job and I'm in charge (and not through anything I've done, just the "luck of the draw!").
I got home just in time to see the final dance on Strictly Come Dancing! B*ll*cks!! And it wasn't even Gethin, who I am quickly becoming obsessed with (I've hardly thought about Jake for weeks!). Unfortunately, I will also miss the results program tomorrow as I am working until 20:00! Double B*ll*cks!!
Friday, 7 December 2007
Yesterday was a fluke!
This morning I felt like crap again, with my bloated stomach. Again, I didn't feel like going to work. It shouldn't be like this with a new job. I should still be learning and finding new things out about the place, not bored of the job within hours!
I did feel better after a couple of hours again this morning, but only physically. Emotionally I was really down as there was absolutely nothing going on, and even fewer people in than usual (and that is saying something!). The Site Supervisor was at his other site so we didn't even have his constant music in the control room. Nothing. Absolutely no stimulation at all! And they expect us to stay awake all 12 hours with no stimulation! Bloody ridiculous.
By 11;30 I was considering jacking the job in. I'd already completed all 6 sudoku puzzles from the morning's papers and had nothing else to pass the time all day. I was so glad when it was finally time to go home!
2 of the shifts from my old job are having their Christmas party tonight, but I am too tired, pissed off and skint to go. I have another 5 day shifts to go before I have a day off. I may just chuck myself off the top of this building if things do not begin to look up! And I am only just about kidding!!!
I did feel better after a couple of hours again this morning, but only physically. Emotionally I was really down as there was absolutely nothing going on, and even fewer people in than usual (and that is saying something!). The Site Supervisor was at his other site so we didn't even have his constant music in the control room. Nothing. Absolutely no stimulation at all! And they expect us to stay awake all 12 hours with no stimulation! Bloody ridiculous.
By 11;30 I was considering jacking the job in. I'd already completed all 6 sudoku puzzles from the morning's papers and had nothing else to pass the time all day. I was so glad when it was finally time to go home!
2 of the shifts from my old job are having their Christmas party tonight, but I am too tired, pissed off and skint to go. I have another 5 day shifts to go before I have a day off. I may just chuck myself off the top of this building if things do not begin to look up! And I am only just about kidding!!!
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Better Day
This morning I woke up AGAIN at about 04:30 and kept waking up every 15-20 minutes. It was really annoying! I still had my bloated stomach that I'd had all day yesterday and really didn't want to go to work at all.
After about 2 hours at work and a very slow patrol I began to feel better. I didn't eat anything while I was at work, but by 17:00 I was getting really hungry. I had a microwave meal when I got home.
All in all it wasn't a bad day.
After about 2 hours at work and a very slow patrol I began to feel better. I didn't eat anything while I was at work, but by 17:00 I was getting really hungry. I had a microwave meal when I got home.
All in all it wasn't a bad day.
Thank F**k For That!!
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Bad Day
I have been having a really bad day today. On top of still feeling unwell (as I have done since the weekend), I had absolutely no reason to get out of bed today. I DID get up at around 10:00 though and got showered and dressed. I checked the internet for new job vacancies, and bought some food at Tesco, but other than that I have had nothing else to do all day.
I have worked out my finances and I am really short for this month, about £150 at the moment. Luckily Kevin is understanding and willing to wait for his rent money, which I cannot afford to pay in full this month, otherwise I would be stuffed.
This afternoon and early this evening I have been feeling really depressed, especially after receiving invites to Christmas parties that I either can't attend due to work or due to having no money. I really hate this time of year, so I think my depression is only going to get worse. That is a real shame as I was doing so well, up until just over a week ago. I was really proud of myself and happy that I was coping so well. I had a couple of hiccups with my depression, lasting a couple of hours maximum each time, while I was unemployed, but it just escalated after I took this job!
At this moment in time I am feeling bloated, nauseous, and have a bad headache. I feel like going to bed, but know that I won't be able to sleep though the night if I do.
Sometimes I just want to sleep through the whole Christmas and New Year season!!
I have worked out my finances and I am really short for this month, about £150 at the moment. Luckily Kevin is understanding and willing to wait for his rent money, which I cannot afford to pay in full this month, otherwise I would be stuffed.
This afternoon and early this evening I have been feeling really depressed, especially after receiving invites to Christmas parties that I either can't attend due to work or due to having no money. I really hate this time of year, so I think my depression is only going to get worse. That is a real shame as I was doing so well, up until just over a week ago. I was really proud of myself and happy that I was coping so well. I had a couple of hiccups with my depression, lasting a couple of hours maximum each time, while I was unemployed, but it just escalated after I took this job!
At this moment in time I am feeling bloated, nauseous, and have a bad headache. I feel like going to bed, but know that I won't be able to sleep though the night if I do.
Sometimes I just want to sleep through the whole Christmas and New Year season!!
Today's handsome birthday hunk is French rugby star Xavier Garbajosa who is 31 today.
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Still looking for work!!
Today was the second day of my training at my new job, and although I didn't think it was possible, I was even more bored than on my first day! I did 3 patrols, each taking approximately 45 minutes, and that was all I had to do all day. Oh and I signed off my training sheet, which basically involved listening to some common sense statements from the site manager. Other than that I was sat bored in the control room waiting for something to do.
I did, though, manage to get to leave at 16:45, though I was please about this as it was not long after I found out that I wasn't getting paid my full rate for my 2 training days! No one in authority has mentioned this to me, but one of my colleagues mentioned it and another one confirmed it! I wouldn't mind so much but it is more than £2 an hour less than I was told I would be earning, making it over £50 I will be missing for the 2 days, money I cannot afford to lose, being on such a low wage already! I am going to have to confirm this with management when I am back on Thursday and make a complaint.
The bad points of this company are gradually increasing, and so I am still looking and, when the opportunity arises, applying for alternate employment.
I did, though, manage to get to leave at 16:45, though I was please about this as it was not long after I found out that I wasn't getting paid my full rate for my 2 training days! No one in authority has mentioned this to me, but one of my colleagues mentioned it and another one confirmed it! I wouldn't mind so much but it is more than £2 an hour less than I was told I would be earning, making it over £50 I will be missing for the 2 days, money I cannot afford to lose, being on such a low wage already! I am going to have to confirm this with management when I am back on Thursday and make a complaint.
The bad points of this company are gradually increasing, and so I am still looking and, when the opportunity arises, applying for alternate employment.
Monday, 3 December 2007
Oh, I should mention...
Almost forgot to mention that today is also my eldest sister's birthday. But, I'm sure that Lynn would not want me to mention that she is 45 today, so I won't. Oooops!!
Birthday
Today, celebrating his birthday on the same day as my sister, is Canadian Hollywood actor and former sex god (okay that may be stretching it a bit, but I certainly would have!), Brendan Fraser, who is 39 today. He drew my attention in George of the Jungle and California Man (Encino Man in the US), mainly because you got to see his body, which was very nice. And he sustained my attention in the Mummy and its sequal The Mummy Returns because his character had a certain sexy draw. He now, unfortunately, is constantly ridiculed for his hair (or lack thereof), which is unfortunate because through a lot of his career he sported long locks.
First Day Report
It was quite reassurung this morning actually having to get up and go to work! Even though it was early for most normal people (07:00 start). But, as I was dreading, it was boring. Hardly anything happened all day and my training was minimal. I never thought that I would get so bored that I actually wanted to do a patrol of the whole building just to pass the time. Unfortunately I only got to do it twice (not enough to remember the route completely! Though by the end of tomorrow I think I will have).
If I was bored on my first day, god help me on a normal day when there are even less people to talk to. We are running 2 over today and tomorrow as there are 2 of us training. Otherwise there would normally only be 2 guards and a supervisor on a day shift and just the 2 guards on a night! I really am going to have to keep looking!
Good point of the day are:
If I was bored on my first day, god help me on a normal day when there are even less people to talk to. We are running 2 over today and tomorrow as there are 2 of us training. Otherwise there would normally only be 2 guards and a supervisor on a day shift and just the 2 guards on a night! I really am going to have to keep looking!
Good point of the day are:
- The people are okay
- I've come out to one of them already, so I'm sure everyone will know now!
- I got to leave an hour early, and should do tomorrow too.
Bad points of the day were:
- The boredom
- One of the guards has 2 REALLY long nasal hairs that were really annoying me, I just wanted to yank them out myself!
- The building manager seems like a knob (probably because he is grossly obese and is overcompensating!)
Hopefully tomorrow will prove to be better, but don't hold your breathe for good news!
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Kenny is out [at last]
Strictly Come Dancing has just lost another celebrity this week. Kenny Logan and Letitia Dean and their partners were, rightfully, in the dance off "tonight" and Letitia really pulled it together and danced much better than she had on "yesterday's" show, so she deserved to stay in another week. Kenny Logan is going home [Gab'll be pleased!], well done for such a vast improvement.
Next week, barring any dramatics, I would imagine will be Letitia's last, though I hope she gives it her all, as she still has a chance if she maintains her highest standards and the others do not. Though, I think it is almost certain that she will be out, she has given a magnificent performance so far in the series and should be very very proud.
The dancers with Kylie were a bit of a disappointment, I like the new song now (I didn't upon first hearing it) but the dance didn't add anything to the performance in my opinion.
Next week, barring any dramatics, I would imagine will be Letitia's last, though I hope she gives it her all, as she still has a chance if she maintains her highest standards and the others do not. Though, I think it is almost certain that she will be out, she has given a magnificent performance so far in the series and should be very very proud.
The dancers with Kylie were a bit of a disappointment, I like the new song now (I didn't upon first hearing it) but the dance didn't add anything to the performance in my opinion.
Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip Drip
That is the sound that awoke me this morning! One of my window's is leaking, just slightly, but the puddle on the window sill started dripping on the floor and the sound perplexed me at first and then, after a little investigation, I found the source. It is weird though as, even though it has now not been raining for over an hour, the leak and subsequent puddle persist!! Strange.
Good news though is that I am feeling a bit better after yesterday's "hangover." My stomach is feeling like it could take some proper food, whereas yesterday it felt like a weird cross between bloated and starving, at the same time (sorry I can't describe it any other way!)
There were plans to have a Sunday dinner all together in the flat today, not my idea at all, and I am hoping that they have forgotten as I am not feeling all that sociable at the moment. When am I ever? We'll see how things go.
Good news though is that I am feeling a bit better after yesterday's "hangover." My stomach is feeling like it could take some proper food, whereas yesterday it felt like a weird cross between bloated and starving, at the same time (sorry I can't describe it any other way!)
There were plans to have a Sunday dinner all together in the flat today, not my idea at all, and I am hoping that they have forgotten as I am not feeling all that sociable at the moment. When am I ever? We'll see how things go.
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Strictly Hunky
Today's winners, for me, in Strictly Come Dancing was certainly Gethin & Camilla without a doubt, though, in terms of points they were only joint with Alesha & Matthew. I enjoyed the waltz, and thought that Gethin's acting in the performance was very good (after his lessons from an acting coach this week). And what can I say about their second dance, the salsa! He just really seemed to let go and he just had sheer joy all over his face during the whole dance. 
It was almost on a par with Mark Ramprakash's "Hot Hot Hot" dance, and Mark was in the audience to witness it. I was also personally impressed by Gethin's biceps which he showed during the video clip of their week's training. Wow. He's getting sexier and sexier each and every week. 
It was almost on a par with Mark Ramprakash's "Hot Hot Hot" dance, and Mark was in the audience to witness it. I was also personally impressed by Gethin's biceps which he showed during the video clip of their week's training. Wow. He's getting sexier and sexier each and every week. I really felt sorry for Letitia though, as she had been ill all week and was still sufferring, throwing up during dress rehersals apparently and after her first dance she had to go off screen and sit down. Being ill, and lacking in confidence as she almost always is, she didn't perform well. Under the circumstances she was a star.
I did get my wish, that Kelly Brooks go out of the competition, but I really wish it had been under different circumstances. Her father passed away this week and she found it too much to continue with the show. I don't know how this will affect the show, as, if a couple are voted out each week, then surely the show will now finish a week earlier than expected! I hope someone can clear this up for me.
Tired
I did go out again last night and met up with Tim and Richard for a few drinks. It had been a nice day up until about 16:00 when it began to rain. I considered hanging around until the rain stopped but it didn't seem to be letting up at all so I left home at about 18:10. I got soaked walking to the bus stop, then the first bus to come along was packed solid, so I didn't get on it. I got on the next bus, thought that was packed too. After a few stops the driver said quietly to one passenger getting on that there were seats upstairs (why couldn't he say that before?) so I battled my way through and when I got upstairs I found that it was half empty up there! The journey seemed to take ages as traffic was bad, and I eventually got off the bus at 18:55.
I went straight to Barcode and just as I ordered my drink Richard came in even wetter than I was! Tim arrived about 5 minutes later.
Due to the weather we stayed in the one bar and even when they left for another bar at 21:50 I stayed, as I would have had to pay to get back into Barcode after they went home after their one drink somewhere else.
The talent was poor in Barcode and so after 3 more drinks I decided to go home. As usual though, when I got off the bus in Barbican I decided to go to Chariots and eventually got back home at 04:30!!!
Today I have been unable to get myself motivated and mobile and only got out of bed about half an hour ago!! Well, I was up earlier for about 20 minutes then I went back to bed! I have now got 1 more day of freedom before starting my new job on Monday!
I went straight to Barcode and just as I ordered my drink Richard came in even wetter than I was! Tim arrived about 5 minutes later.
Due to the weather we stayed in the one bar and even when they left for another bar at 21:50 I stayed, as I would have had to pay to get back into Barcode after they went home after their one drink somewhere else.
The talent was poor in Barcode and so after 3 more drinks I decided to go home. As usual though, when I got off the bus in Barbican I decided to go to Chariots and eventually got back home at 04:30!!!
Today I have been unable to get myself motivated and mobile and only got out of bed about half an hour ago!! Well, I was up earlier for about 20 minutes then I went back to bed! I have now got 1 more day of freedom before starting my new job on Monday!
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