Who's On-Line Now?

Tuesday 30 September 2008

Bad Luck, Good Luck

Yesterday at work I had to stay back an extra 15 minutes as someone had come in late and control had sent someone else who was banned from site. I hadn't had too bad a day so I didn't mind too much, it just grates a little when you know your time is done and you should be going home, no matter how long you have worked.
I was woken this morning at around 03:30 by a lot of sirens and commotion about 100m down the road from the flat. There were 3 fire engines, 4 police cars and a police van. I could see no flames or smoke, but one of the engines did have a hose out ready. I never found out what was happening as I knew I had to go back to bed, but when I went past the scene opn my way to work this morning there was still a police van parked there with the small alley cordoned off behind it! I guess I will never know.
Today, just as I was about to go on my lunch break we had a fire alarm and evacuation which took half an hour to sort so I was late going for my break. I also missed my afternoon tea break as there was stuff to do. I was lucky though as the line I was on allowed me to be let home early, meaning that I got away 50 minutes earlier than I should.
A little while after I got home, while watching the news, it was announced that the cause of the Cutty Sark fire was a faulty vacuum cleaner and that security guards at the site had falsified records so they could leave early. I felt a bit guilty. For less than a microsecond!!!!! I deserve to leave early more than I am allowed as, a lot of the time I am the first one in and the last one to leave, my manager and supervisor are always leaving early and so are the "crap" guards because my manager would rather they were off-site than sat in the same room as him! Good enough reason eh?
One more day shift and then four nights.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
James Barnett - US activist - 22
Truman Capote - US author and actor - Born 1924, Died 1984
Johnny Mathis - US singer - 73
Jeff Whitty - US playwrite - 37

Monday 29 September 2008

Hitch

Last night, before going to bed I watched the film Hitch. It wasn't a film I ever intended to see, but it was on and there was nothing else to watch so I had it on while I was on the computer. All-in-all it wasn't too bad of a film, but the reason I am mentioning it now is because, right at the end, there were two amazingly good looking guys worth a mention. The first was Jack Hartnett, playing Tom, who was absolutely stunning, just, wow. It will therefore probably not come as a surprise to you to know that he has also been in Sex and the City playing "hot guy," almost certainly getting it on with Samantha (lucky bitch).
The second guy was Ryan Cross, playing Charles Wellington, who I couldn't find any pictures of, but he was also good looking. Both were only in the film very briefly, but, if you do watch the film they are right at the end so it is worth hanging on just to see these two gorgeous guys. Take my word for it.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthday's:
Ann Bancroft - US polar explorer - 53
Carol Blazejowski - US basketball player - 52
Jeanna Fine - US porn star and dancer - 44
Boris Izaguirre - Venezuellan / Spanish author and journalist - 43
Ariana Jollee - US porn star - 26
Kelly Robbins - US golfer - 39
Trojan Rock - UK porn star and director - 44
Jahna Steele - US entertainer - Born 1958, Died 2008

Sunday 28 September 2008

Strictly Dance Off

The Sunday Night dance off of Strictly Come Dancing has just finished and it was a good one. To start with the professional dancers new to this series performed a dance together and it was quite impressive, though Brian couldn't quite pull off the sex object role he was attempting, in my opinion.
This was followed up by a spectacular reappearance of former champion Jill Halfpenny and her former dance partner Darren Bennett performing a jive. It was amazing and she seemed to have lost none of her talent in the interim 4 years.
All the professionals performed a tango together and when I heard the music at the start and recognised it as "Beat It" I thought that it would never work, but just as with my favourite dance that the pros have performed (also a jive to "Rebel Yell") it was great and the choreography blended with the song magnificently. I enjoyed it.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, who was going to be in the dance-off. My prediction yesterday was only half right. The pairs were Jodie & Ian and Gillian & Anton. Even before the dancing restarted the result was clear. Out of the two Jodie was obviously the better of the two and the judges agreed, unsurprisingly. It's a shame as I wanted to see if Gillian would have improved over time.

Birthdays

Woefully inadequate amount of LGBT birthdays today, I will try and do better in future:
Denham Fouts - US prostitute and literary muse - Born 1914, Died 1949
Kurt van Eegham - Belgian singer and presenter - 56

Saturday 27 September 2008

Strictly Starting Well

Today was Ladies Night on Strictly Come Dancing, with the female celebrities dancing their first competition dances in this series. Just like Men's Night last week they mostly started incredibly well.
Jessie Wallace was the first to go and it wasn't an example of the great dancing to come, she was a bit clumpy but looked like she was enjoying herself, which is as it should be for the Salsa.
Second came Christine Bleakley, who I was expecting to be awful as she seems so introverted, as much as a television presenter can be. But she was beautifully elegant, showed confidence but just didn't finish her lines well enough. Very promising though.
Lisa Snowdon looked incredibly beautiful and elegant too, but didn't look like she was enjoying herself, and the dance was a bit too slow, salsa-wise, for my liking.
Jodie Kidd was graceful, despite her long-limbed disadvantage, but showed no personality in her dance. She managed spectacular high kicks during the dance though.
Heather Small enjoyed her dance, though was unremarkable. The choreography was good though, so I may have to change my mind about Brian her partner.
Gillian Taylforth was not as bad as I expected her to be, she started brilliantly but got worse as the dance went on and seemed to miss some steps and didn't appear to be in time with the music. I hope that she improves as I like her and, although I don't particularly like him, I feel sorry for Anton and the poor partners he has had recently.
Rachel Stevens' dance could almost have been done by 2 professionals it was intricate and fun, fast and sexy.
Cherie Lunghi was up last, and was so elegant and stylish it could also have been professionals only dancing.

The boys did a group marengue dance which didn't really do any of them any favours, except maybe for John Seargent who was charming in his own bumbling way. He looked out of his depth, but was having fun. Mark Foster looked awkward, due to his long limbs again and his lack of performing experience. Austin appeared to miss steps, but he was Arleene's favourite, but she could be biased. Andrew Castle looked lost, like he didn't know what his next step was, during the training clips he always looks to be skiving.
With two first weeks as good as this it leaves me to believe that this will be an amazing series. My guess for the dance off tomorrow would be Jessie and Gillian, battle of the soap queens but I will have to wait to see.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Rhona Cameron - UK comedienne and presenter - 43
Tim Campbell - Australian actor [Home & Away] - 33
Rudolf Moshammer - German fashion designer and murder victim - Born 1940, Died 2005
Robert Patrick - US playwright - 71

Staying In

No one was available to go out last night and the same for tonight, so I decided to stay in as there is no point going out on the pull when I am meant to be abstaining from sex for a week (due to my infection). So, today I decided to go into town, pick up my free gay magazines and buy myself some comics. All in all it was less than I would have spent going out drinking and it will keep me occupied for a few hours. AND, I am within this weeks budget still! Hooray!
I sat and read a couple of my comics in Soho Square while I ate lunch and then came home. Not too exciting but it is a lovely day, shame no one is around to do something with it!

Friday 26 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Joop Admiraal - Dutch actor - Born 1937, Died 2006
Gloria E Anzaldua - US author, poet and activist - Born 1924, Died 2004
Anthony Blunt - UK spy - Born 1907, Died 1983
Patrick Bristow - US actor - 46
Andrea Dworkin - US author and activist - Born 1946, Died 2005
Scott Heim - US Author - 42
Olivia O'Lovely - US porn star - 32
Arnie Zane - US photographer, dancer and choreographer - Born 1947, Died 1988

Check Up

I decided last night that I would go for a check up at the sexual health clinic today. I hadn't been for a check up for about 7 years, so it was about time and I had been meaning to do it for a couple of years. What prompted me to make it today was the fact that I thought I had an infection. I was kept awake last night for hours by an irritation in my penis.
I hadn't realised before today, but there is a sexual health clinic at St Bart's Hospital, which is just around the corner from home. Ideal. And today they were holding a walk-in clinic.
I was lulled into a false sense of security by the reception room downstairs as it was empty. I thought I would get served pretty quickly. Not so. I had to fill a form out there and then was sent to another waiting room on the first floor. There were 7 people already waiting in there, so I knew that I was in for a bit of a wait. Everyone was desperately trying not to look at each other, for some reason. Embarrassment? I didn't really fancy any of the guys there, though a couple were okay looking. I don't know if I would have chatted any of them up if I had fancied them considering where I was and why I (and they) were there. Who knows.
It turned out to be about 2 hours before I was initially seen, when they took blood, a mouth swap and the dreaded penis swab (ouch). I then had to wait about half an hour for the initial results.
It turns out that I do have a non-specific urethritis, cause unknown. I have been given tablets, which I have taken and that should cure it. I am to abstain from sex for a whole week though!! (Like that will be an issue, especially as I haven't even felt like having a w**k lately!)
I will get the results of my blood test in about 10-14 days, to tell me my HIV status and if the Hepatitis jab I had previously had taken. So I will let you know when I know.

Thursday 25 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Sebastian Cole - Australian porn star - 34
Danny Hunter - US porn star - 27
Cherrie Moraga - US author, playwright and poet - 56
Ronald Robertson - US figure skater - Born 1937, Died 2000
Mark Slade - US porn star - 40
Oras Tynkkynen - Finnish politician - 31
Robert Wright - US musical writer - Born 1914, Died 2005

And............. I'm Off!

Four days off now. Whoopie.
Last night went quicker than most, but also had its frustrations. One of the guards I was working with was constantly late for swapping over positions and even though he wasn't the first one in, when it came to 07:00 he walked off site without the full day team being on site and without permission. Anyone would think that he is leaving this week, oh, that's right, he is! Good.
Strangely, when I got home this morning I didn't feel tired, but managed to get to sleep. I woke up at around midday though so today won't be totally wasted.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Pedro Almodovar - Spanish film maker - 59
Chad Beguelin - US playwright - 39
Sir William Dobell OBE - Australian sculptor and painter - Born 1899, Died 1970
Michelle Ferris - Australian cyclist - 32
"Big" Jake Gianelli - US porn god - year of birth unknown
Mark Leno - US politician - 57
John Logan - US screenwriter and playwright - 47
Ross Mathews - US presenter - 29
Eric Stryker - US porn legend - Birn 1954, Died 1988

Sleepy

I was on night shift again last night and got home just after 07:00 as usual, going straight to bed. I slept through until 16:00 this afternoon, so have got absolutely nothing done. A bit of a waste of a day but I guess I must have needed the sleep. I have one more night shift tonight and then 4 days off. I hope that someone is out at the weekend to have a drink with!

Tuesday 23 September 2008

What's Been Missing Here?

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Sarah Bettens - Belgian singer and musician - 36
Ani DiFranco - US singer and musician - 38
Michael Soldier - US porn star, singer, actor, musician and drag queen - 41
George C Wolfe - US playwright - 54

Monday 22 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Hilton Brown - US artist and activist - 70
Richard Fairbrass - UK singer, presenter and activist - 55
Gyorgy Faludy - Hungarian poet, author and translator - Born 1910, Died 2006
Tim Miller - US performance artist - 50
Sue Perkins - UK comedian and presenter - 39
Matt Rush - US porn god and personal trainer - 36
William Spratling - US artist - Born 1900, Died 1967
Lilo Wanders - German actor - 53

Sunday 21 September 2008

Strictly New Series

I finally managed to get to watch the first episode of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing today. I had intended to watch it after work yesterday, but it hadn't made it's way to BBC iPlayer by the time I went to bed, so I had to wait until today.
Unfortunately, this meant that I watched the elimination show before seeing the full first show, so I saw Phil Daniels go out in the first week. This was a shame, but not totally unexpected. I did, however, think that he danced better than Don Warrington who was also in the dance off.
From the first show I was incredibly impressed with how good many of the men were, the women are dancing next week. The three men I was mainly watching for all danced well with Tom Chambers (dancing with Camilla Dallerup) looking really comfortable, full of confidence and appearing to enjoy the whole dance.
Austin Healy, probably the sexiest of the men (you know I like my rugby men), looked dashing dancing the waltz with Erin Boag and was very smooth around the dance floor.
Mark Foster, also a very sexy guy but slightly too tall for my liking (fussy aren't I?), looked slightly awkward throughout the dance with Hayley Holt and appeared to have a nervous smile the whole time, not looking like he was really enjoying himself.
Of the other dancers, who I don't have a sexual interest in, I was most impressed with John Sergeant, dancing with new professional dancer to the series Kristina Rihanoff. I was expecting John to be awful and to be the first one off the show, but he surprised everyone by performing a sweet waltz while looking slightly nervous and self conscious the whole while, but performing it fairly smoothly nonetheless. Looking like a bit of an odd couple, he could have been the father of the bride dancing with his daughter, and looked every bit as proud of her as that role would have demanded.
Gary Rhodes was awful, and I actually felt really sorry for Karen Hardy having to dance with him. He is such a perfectionist but has nothing near the talent that is required for this show. I hope to see then end of him pretty soon.
We only got to see the female celebrities dancing in a group performance in the main show and the dance-off show, but I didn't see any that stood out from the rest in a good way. I already do not like Jessie Wallace, for her personality not her dancing, which is a shame as she is with my favourite male dancer Darren Bennett. I shan't be routing for Rachel Stevens and Heather Small either as I do not like their dance partners, Vincent Simone and Brian Fortuna respectively. Sorry girls.
The female celebrity that I would like to see do well is Gillian Taylforth, dancing with Anton du Beke, as I have always liked her in all her acting roles. Unfortunately, in the group dance from yesterday she looked like she had forgotten most of the moves, so she may not last long. Although he isn't anywhere near my favourite dancer, I do feel sorry for Anton having yet another possible lame duck.
Overall I think it was a very promising start to the series and I look forward to following the whole season of shows.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Luis Cenuda - Spanish poet - Born 1902, Died 1963
Melissa Ferrick - US singer / songwriter - 38
Fannie Flagg - US actress and author - 64
Johnny Hazzard - US actor and singer - 31
Christopher Price - UK presenter - Born 1967, Died 2002
Alan G Rogers - US soldier and activist - Born 1967, Died 2008
Pavel Tchelitchew - Russian painter - Born 1898, Died 1957

Bored, Bored, Bored

The last four shifts have all merged into one, they have been so uneventful and boring I just have nothing to report, sorry. If only I was working with someone interesting.

Saturday 20 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
James Bernard - UK composer - Born 1925, Died 2001
Lesley Brehm - Dutch presenter - 32
Lane Fuller - US porn star - Year of birth unknown
Gordon Heath - US singer, actor and director - Born 1918, 1991
Richard Montague - US mathematician - Born 1930, Died 1971
Chuck Panozzo - US bass player - 60
Mike Roberts - US porn star - 50
John Vassau - UK spy - Born 1924, Died 1996
Emma Willits - US physician - Born 1869, Died 1965

Friday 19 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Michael Bihary - Slovakian / Dutch singer - 30
Inge Diepman - Dutch presenter - 45
Brian Epstein - UK artist's manager - Born 1934, Died 1967
Ethel Mars - US artist - Born 1876, Died 1956
Sam Jensen Page [Sam Tyson] - US journalist, personal trainer and porn star - 34
Tegan & Sara Quin - Canadian singers and musicians - 28
Gottfried von Bismarck - German aristocrat - Born 1962, Died 2007

Thursday 18 September 2008

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Pia Beck - Dutch pianist - 83
Gerald Tyrwhitt-Wilson, 14th Baron Berners - UK composer, author and painter - Born 1883, Died 1950
Greta Garbo - Swedish / US actress - Born 1905, Died 1990
Jack Robinson - US photographer - Born 1928, Died 1997
Trajan - Roman Emperor - Born 53, Died 117

Back To It

I hate to say it, but I was right. I was bored stiff today on my first day back at work. As usual there was nothing to do and almost no one to talk to. I really hadn't missed it and I wish I was still off.
I did get some good news though, sort of. I am going to have about 6 supervisor shifts next month and there are negociations for a pay rise in the pipeline, which could be up to a £1 an hour (for supervisors, which apparantly I will be whether I want it or not). As you are aware I need the money, so I suppose I have little choice but to accept the position.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Back to the Grind Stone

Well, I am about to head off to bed as I am back to work tomorrow morning after a whole two weeks off and having accomplished nothing jobs-wise and only managing to go out twice. But it was really nice just not having to go to work, being tired and bored the whole time. Hopefully, things will be a bit busier at work now and we will have more to do, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I wonder who has been sacked and hired while I've been off, there have bound to have been some changes. I'll let you know tomorrow.
I am going to have to grin and bear things though as, with the current financial climate and the recent events with Lehman Bros, Merril Lynch, AIG and HBOS there are even fewer options for me, who has no qualifications and no real skills. I will just have to wait until I either I have saved enough to pay for some courses, or until I win the premium bonds or the lottery. Which do you think will come first?

Final Paralympics Update 2008

I just thought I would give you the final Team GB medalists list and the final results on the medals table for the Beijing Paralympics 2008.
We gained one more gold medal today from David Weir in the Men's 1500m T54 Athletics.
2 more silvers came from Mickey Bushell in the Men's 100m T53 Athletics and Shelly Woods in the Women's 1500m T54 Athletics
Our 3 final bronze medals came from the Men's Basketball team (Joe Bestwick, Andy Blake, Simon Brown, Matt Byrne, Terry Bywater, Peter Finbow, Jon Hall, Kevin Hayes, Abdi Jama, Simon Munn, Ade Orogbemi and Jon Pollock); Ian Jones in the Men's 400m T44 Athletics; And Hazel Simpson in the Women's 100m T36 Athletics.

Overall we ended in second place behind China and ahead of the USA where we were for almost all of the competition in a performance that the whole team, and the country, can be proud of. Medals came from all ranges of ages, regions, levels of disability and length of practice in their sports and they, and we hope that it is a magnificent target that will only be bettered when it comes to the 2012 London Paralympics. Good on you Team GB, we are proud.

I have only one thing left to add. I was ignorant, as are a lot of people when it comes to sports for those with disabilities. I had never really given it much though, but assumed that Paralympics was a contraction of "paralysed" or "paraplegic" and "Olympics." Now that I have come to think more about it, and put into use the little Latin that I do know, I have realised that "para" means alongside, as in parallel. These games, more than any other, have made me realise that these athletes deserve to have as much coverage as able bodied athletes, if not more. They provide a great example of what canbe achieved if you just put your mind to it. Something that puts me to shame, although I am still too lazy to actually do anything about it.
These athletes truly deserve to be highlighted alongside other athletes and I can only apologise for my ignorance and lack of support in the past. Thank you for you superb example and your continued hard work.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Sir Frederick Ashton - Ecuadorian dancer and choreographer - Born 1904, Died 1988
Nate Berkus - US interior desinger and presenter - 37
Chris Burns - US porn star - Born 1958, Died 1995
Jade Esteban Estrada - US singer, comedian, actor, dancer, choreographer and author - 39
Michael French - UK actor - 46
Manvendra Singh Gohil - Indian prince - 43
Charles Griffes - US composer - Born 1884, Died 1920
Bryan Singer - US director and producer - 43

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Frankie Loves Me... I Think

Yesterday, Frank showed me that he was feeling much more comfortable in his new [old] home by coming into my room, jumping on my bed and pulling himself along with his front paws scraping his bottom on my sheets (like a dog does when it has worms!). Lovely!!
He was never very good at cleaning his bum when he had a messy poo, and apparently hasn't learned the skill while away. He left a nice skid mark on my sheets, which I obviously changed and washed immediately.
Don't you just love pets?

Even More Medals...

...but no golds unfortunately.
Our medal tally at the Beijing Paralympics has risen once more, but only with silver and bronze medals. How quickly we get used to winning gold! The heroes this time are:
Silver
Matt Walker - Men's 50m butterfly S7 Swimming & Men's 50m freestyle S7 Swimming
John Cavanagh - Men's individual compound W1 Archery
Stephen Miller - Men's club throw F32/51 Athletics
James Anderson - Men's 50m backstroke S2 Swimming
Frances Williamson - Women's 50m backstroke S3 Swimming
Robert Welbourn - Men's 400m freestyle S10 Swimming
Bronze
James Anderson - Men's 50m freestyle S2 Swimming
Sascha Kindred - Men's 50m butterfly S6 Swimming
Frances Williamson - Women's 50m freestyle S3 Swimming
Ian Jones - Men's 400m T44 Athletics
Peter Norfolk & Jamie Burdeken - Quad doubles open Tennis
John McFall - Men's 400m T42 Athletics
Louise Watkin - Women's 50m freestyle S9 Swimming
Matthew Whorwood - Men's 400m freestyle S6 Swimming
Daniel Greaves - Men's discus F44 Athletics
Natalie Jones - Women's 50m freestyle S6 Swimming

Some of these medals are a couple of days old and I'd missed them somehow, so apologies for that. Team GB are still second in the overall medal tableand look to keep that position as the games are coming to a close tomorrow. Well done team.

Catch Up

I went to see my old work mate Mike last night, mainly to pay up what I was overdue on my Lotto payments, but also to catch up as I haven't chatted to him for months. It was a nice change to just sit around and have a cup of tea and chat. Normally when I meet up with mates it has to be in a pub, which is okay but not ALL the time.
We had a good chat and I paid my money, so now I don't have to feel guilty about owing anything! [I worry about these things you know!]. His missus, Gab who you may know from her comments, has suggested meeting for drinks sometime [I've not yet had the pleasure of her company] and so hopefully that will happen soon, either with them coming to London or when I am visiting my sister in Basildon where they also live. I look forward to it.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Justin Deabler - US reality tv star (Real World: Hawaii) - 31
Freda du Faur - Australian mountain climber - Born 1882, Died 1935
Wilhelm von Gloeden - German photographer - Born 1856, Died 1931

Monday 15 September 2008

One More Medal

We have one more medal in the Beijing Paralympics that I don't think I have mentioned.
David Roberts won gold in the Men's 50m freestyle S7 Swimming

Birthdays

Not a lot of LGBT birthdays to report today:
Jacques D'Ancona - Dutch journalist - 71
Claude McKay - Jamaican / US author and poet - Born 1889, Died 1948

Sunday 14 September 2008

Frankie's Back In Town

This afternoon Kevin brought Frank back to the flat. Frank was a cat that he initially brought into the flat to get rid of the mice that we had here back in July of last year. He gave him away back in November as e was going a bit stir-crazy all alone in the flat most of the day and apparently he was much happier at his new home. Unfortunately his new owner has moved home and cannot have pets, so we have him back for a couple of months until Kevin can sort something else out.
Frank is so much bigger than he was when I last saw him and his fur is really thick and full. The poor thing is a bit lost in the flat and keeps hiding under things, but hopefully he will start to feel at home again soon. It is good to have him back, although I have scratch marks on the back of my hand again which took ages to heal when he was here before! Still, it's worth it to have my mate back again.

More Medals

Team GB are still doing incredibly well out in Beijing with even more medals coming our way. Unfortunately, China have had a burst of gold medals and so catching up with them seems unlikely, but you never know.
Gold
John Stubbs - Men's individual compound open Archery
Darren Kenny - Men's road race CP3 Cycling
David Stone - Men's road race CP1/CP2 Cycling
David Weir - Men's 800m T54 Athletics
Peter Norfolk - Quad singles open Cycling
Eleanor Simmonds - Women's 400m freestyle S6 Cycling

No More Facebook!

I am faced with a fate worse than death today. My Facebook account has been disabled! How will I survive?
Pretty well I guess, as I am not as addicted to it as a lot of people are, but it was my only link to a lot of people and I have lost access their email addresses etc with the loss of Facebook. I did receive an email from Facebook about the disablement but, as with all other emails from them, I deleted it thinking it was just another notification of a message or something and that I could get full details when I logged on.
I have no way of knowing why my account was disabled, what I did or what someone has suggested that I have done. Who knows? I have emailed them, after searching for about half an hour to find a way of contacting them, so it is now just a waiting game.
It is especially annoying as I was praising Facebook recently for its assistance in getting my extended family talking again! I'll keep you posted.

Ben Cohen

Celebrating his 30th birthday today is one of my Top Ten Men, Mr Ben Cohen MBE. Ben is a gorgeous, sexy, hairy rugby player with a big gay fan base which he apparently loves.
Happy Birthday Ben

Another Night Out

I decided that I needed another night out last night. I can't have 2 weeks off and only go out the once can i?
I headed to Rupert Street initially, as is usual when I am out on my own. As I waited to be served at the bar an American woman approached me and complimented me on my "great physique from behind." I ignored the obvious slight to the front side of my body and chatted with her. I explained to her, and her gay friend who had joined her, that I hadn't been to the gym for over 3 years to I was pleased by her comment. The guy jokingly called me an "arsehole" (because I hadn't been to the gym and I still wasn't fat!) so I said back that "that muscle hasn't been exercised for ages either!" The woman seemed to be disgusted by this, which I have to admit pleased me a bit and they both walked away. I saw a little later that she was approaching several men, so I felt less special, but still think that I looked good and se deserved the comment. It started my evening off well anyway.
I went to Comptons for one before returning to Rupert Street and then going on to Barcode. While in there I saw Alfredo. We chatted and I was introduced to the friends he was meeting. I also saw a guy in there who I have fancied for ages. I can't remember his name but he was asking why we had never had sex. To be honest I didn't think he was interested in me, but I guess he was. He left early though, with his friends, to go to Barcode South, but not before he stopped and gave me a good deep kiss.
I had a wander around after about an hour and got chatting to a Spanish guy in the downstairs bar. Luciano eventually came home with me and spent the night. Who would have thought it? I felt guilty that Alfredo had gone by the time I had got back to the upstairs bar, but not too much.
All in all a good night. Again!

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Ruthie Alcaide - US reality TV star (Real World: Hawaii) - 31
Amanda Barrie - UK actress - 73
Eric Bentley - UK/US actor, singer and playwright - 92
Allan Bloom - US author - Born 1930, Died 1992
Ashlyn Gere - US porn star - 49
Michael Patrick King - US director - 54
Kate Millet - US sculptor and author - 74
Rhett O'Hara - US porn star - 28
Pier Vittorio Tondelli - Italian author - Born 1955, Died 1991
Alexander von Humboldt - German explorer - Born 1769, Died 1859
Peter Watson - UK artist - Born 1908, Died 1956
David Wojnarowicz - US painter, photographer, author, film maker and activist - Born 1954, Died 1992

Saturday 13 September 2008

Paralympic Update

Three more medals overnight for Team GB in the Beijing Paralympics, including an all important gold medal for Danielle Browne in the women's individual compound open Archery, bringin us one step closer to China. Also in that event we gained a bronze with Mel Clarke. Our other medal, a bronze, came from Hazel Simpson in the women's 200m T36 Athletics. Well done girls lets keep up the good work and see if we can make it to the top of the table.

Birthdays

Today's LGBT Birthdays:
Mousbah Baalbaki - Lebanese belly dancer - 35
Nell Carter - US actress - Born 1948, Died 2003
Jan Fischer - German DJ, model, porn star and presenter - 27
Robert Indiana - US artist - 80
Randy Jones - US singer (Village People) - 56

Friday 12 September 2008

Lost Souls

I've just listened to the special Radio 4 afternoon play Torchwood: Lost Souls, via the BBC iPlayer, which was commissioned to celebrate the activation of the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland on the 10th September 2008. As you are probably aware, I am a big fan of Torchwood and all things Dr Who, and as such I enjoyed listening to this story. But, for me, radio just doesn't work as a medium for science fiction. Yes, it leaves a lot for the imagination, which is one of the good things about reading science fiction, but too much emphasis seems to be placed on getting the right sound effects in place to help tell the story, which conversly hinders the telling of the story itself.
Characters say much more in radio dramas than they would otherwise need to with the visual aid of television. I don't think that it was a fault with the writing of this story for radio, but something I have a problem with when it comes to any radio drama (I've tried listening to the Archers and can't get into it because of all the background noises and unnecesary speaches). I am just going to have to stick to the visual element of television, or the total self-created imagary of reading.
Other than this small flaw in my enjoyment, okay it was quite a major thing but I still kept listening through the whole story, Lost Souls had some nice touches and set itself in Torchwood history (though whether it is cannon history I will have to check with Tim, if I ever see him again!). Martha Jones enquired with Jack and later with Gwen about how they were coping with the loss of Owen and Tosh, placing the story just after the end of the last series (possibly just before their appearance in the final two episodes of the last series of Dr Who (The Stolen Earth and Journey's End).
The story had some good humourous moments in it, some very emotional moments and lots of scientific mumbo-jumbo, but very little in the way of action.
All-in-all, I would say it is a must-listen episode for die-hard Torchwood and Dr Who fans, but otherwise, you haven't missed much.

Beijing Paralympics

Firstly I have to apologise because I have ignored the Paralympics, as far as this blog is concerned. I was unaware of the coverage on BBC2 and so had not been following it. I have just caught up, and am pleasantly surprised that Team GB are second in the medal table, just behind China. We have 33 gold medals, 20 silver and 16 bronze, China only have 37 golds, so it is possible that we could overtake them, although probably not in total medals as they have 109 to our 69. Behind us are the USA with 23 gold medals, but even they are 16 medals behind us in total.
Congratualtions to all Team GB, and especially so for the medal winners:

Gold
Darren Kenny - Men's Individual pursuit CP2 Cycling
Simon Richardson - Men's Individual 1km time trial LC3-4 Cycling
Aileen McGlynn & Ellen Hunter - Women's Individual 1km time trial B&VI Cycling
Sascha Kindred - Men's 200m Individual Medley SM6 Swimming
Anthony Kappes & Barney Storey - Men's 1km time trial B&VI Cycling
David Roberts - Men's 100m freestyle S7 Swimming
Eleanor Simmonds - Women's 100m freestyle S6 Swimming
Jody Cundy - Men's Individual 1km time trial LC2 Cycling
Darren Kenny - Men's Individual 1km time trial LC2 Cycling
Simon Richardson - Men's Individual pursuit LC3 Cycling
Aileen McGlynn & Ellen Hunter - Women's Individual pursuit B&VI Cycling
Mark Bristow - Men's Individual 1km time trial LC1 Cycling
Sascha Kindred - Men's 100m breaststroke SB7 Swimming
Anne Dunham - Individual championship test grade LA Equestrian
Lee Pearson - Individual championship test grade LA Equestrian
Sophie Christiansen, Anne Dunham, Simon Laurens & Lee Pearson - Team championship Equestrian
Sarah Storey - Women's individual pursuit LC1-2/CP4 Cycling
Anthony Kappes & Barney Storey - Men's sprint (B&VI 1-3) Cycling
Jody Cundy, Darren Kenny & Mark Bristow - Men's team sprint LC1-4\CP3/4 Cycling
Heather Frederikson - Women's 100m Backstroke S8 Swimming
Matt Walker, Graham Edmunds, David Roberts & Robert Welbourn - Men's 4x100m freestyle 34 points Swimming
Matt Skelhon - Mixed R3 10m air rifle prone SH1 Shooting
Helene Raynsford - Women's single sculls A Rowing
Tom Aggar - Men's single sculls A Rowing
David Roberts - Men's 400m freestyle S7 Swimming
Sophie Christiansen - Individual freestyle test frade LA Equestrian
Lee Pearson - Individual freestyle test grade LB Equestrian
Rachel Morris - Women's time trial HCA/HCB/HCC Cycling
David Stone - Mixed time trial CP1/CP2 Cycling
Sarah Storey - Women's time trial LC1-2/CP4 Cycling
Daniel Bentley, Nigel Murray, Zoe Robinson & David Smith - Mixed team BC1/BC2 Boccia
Sam Hynd - Men's 400m freestyle S8 Swimming
Elizabeth Johnson - Women's 100m breaststroke SB6 Swimming

Silver
James Anderson - Men's 200m freestyle S2 Swimming
Heather Frederikson - Women's 100m freestyle S8 Swimming
Louise Watkin - Women's 100m freestyle S9 Swimming
Chris Martin - Men's Discus throw F33/34/52
Nyree Lewis - Women's 100m backstroke SB6 Swimming
Rik Waddon - Men's 1km time trial CP3 Cycling
Sophie Christiansen - Individual championship test grade LA Equestrian
Libby Clegg - Women's 100m T12 Athletics
Nigel Murray - Mixed individual BC2 Boccia
Ben Rushgrove - Men's 100m T36 Athletics
Jon Fox - Men's 100m backstroke S7 Swimming
Felicity Coulthard - Individual freestyle test frade II Equestrian
David Weir - Men's 400m T54 Athletics
Anne Dunham - Individual freestyle test frade LB Equestrian
Ricky Balshaw - Individual freestyle test grade LB Equestrian
Simon Laurens - Individual freestyle test grade III Equestrian
Darren Kenny - Men's time trial CP3 Cycling
Simon Richardson - Men's time trial LC3 Cycling
Heather Frederikson - Women's 400m freestyle S8 Swimming
Gareth Duke - Men's 100m breaststroke SB6 Swimming

Bronze
Natalie Jones - Women's 200m individual medley SM6 Swimming
Matt Walker - Men's 200m individual medley SM7 Swimming
Matt Walker - Men's 100m freestyle S7 Swimming
James Anderson - Men's 100m individual medley S2 Swimming
Anthony Stephens - Men's 200m freestyle S5 Swimming
Claire Cashmore - Women's 100m breaststroke SB8 Swimming
Samuel Ingram - Men's 90kg Judo
Louise Watkin - Women's 100m breaststroke SB9 Swimming
Sean Fraser - Men's 100m backstroke S8 Swimming
Vicki Hansford, Naomi Riches, Alastair McKean, James Morgan & Alan Sherman - Mixed coxed four LTA Rowing
Sam Hynd - Men's 200m individual medley SM8 Swimming
Heather Frederiksen - Women's 200m individual medley SM8 Swimming
Louise Watkin - Women's 200m individual medley SM9 Swimming
David Weir - Men's 5000m T54 Athletics
Shelly Woods - Women's 5000m T54 Athletics
Matthew Whorwood - Men's 100m breaststroke SB6 Swimming

Whew! I think that is everyone.... so far!

Jason Statham

Today is Jason Statham's 36th birthday and I would like to wish him all the best (I'd also like to wish a whole lot of other things for him, but am too shy to share them here!!) He is still sitting at number 4 on my list of Top Ten Men and will be on that list for a while I imagine. Have a great day J.