31st January

LGBT people born today:

1902 – Tallulah Bankhead – US Actress – Died 12^th December 1968

1905 – Anna Blaman – Dutch Author – Died 13^th July 1960

1929 – Andy Milligan – US Playwright / Screenwriter / Actor / Editor / Producer / Director – Died 3^rd June 1991

1940 – Pat Kavanaugh – UK Literary Agent – Died 20^th October 2008

1942 – Derek Jarman – UK Director / Screenwriter – Died 19^th February 1994

1961 – Charles Howard – US Hate Crime Victim – Died 7^th July 1984

1962 – Patrick Gale – UK Author

1962 – David Oliver – US Actor – Died 12^th November 1992

1971 – Patricia Velasquez – Venezuelan Actress / Model

1973 – Portia de Rossi – Australian Actress

1973/75 – Chad Hunt – US Porn [or 25th January 1971]

1973 – Albert Kennedy – UK Homeless Person – Died 30^th April 1989

1979 – Daniel Tammet – UK Autistic Savant

1983 – Maia Lee – Singaporean Singer

Professionalism

The second half of my shift last night was a nightmare. When I had got to work the supervisor who I took over from advised me that he was off for the next 2 days. He hadn't got any permission or told anyone in authority. He had however arranged for two of our regular guards to come in and cover, while the regular guard from his shift was arranged to cover the supervisor slots. At 01:35 I got a call from one of these guards saying that he had changed his mind and wasn't coming in. Thanks for the 5 hours notice mate! This meant that I had to phone head office and advise them of the situation, effectively dropping the supervisor in trouble (I guess he would have been found out anyway!). When 07:00 came along we only had one of the day shift guards in. The guard who had been sorted to cover the supervisor shift called to say he had just woken up. He turned up at 08:00 (an hour late) five minutes after the relief guard turned up (and he wasn't much use either. He phoned from the tube station to ask directions to site. When I asked exactly where he was he said "where the bus dropped me off!"). I hate working with idiots and unprofessional people. The only light at the end of this tunnel is that I should get an extra hour of money because of this (I say "should" as my employers are notorious for getting wages wrong and that's before there are last minute changes!). Two more nights to go!

30th January

LGBT people born today:

1855 – Howard Sturgis – UK Author – Died 1920

1873 – Maud Hunt Squire – US Artist – Died 1955

1925 – Jack Spicer – US Poet – Died 17^th August 1965

1955 – Thomas Duane – US Politician

1959 – Mark Eitzel – US Singer

And those who died:

1963 – Francis Poulenc – French Composer – Born 7^th January 1899

2001 – Rodolfo Morales – Mexican Artist – Born 8^th May 1925

Confidence

I can't access my blog while I am at work, filters you know, but this was how I felt this morning while I was there. It was 03:45 in the morning:

I really don't understand the way my mind works sometimes, but I'm not going to worry about it too much at the moment, because, for this ten minutes at least, I am in a good place. A couple of days ago I was feeling low and today I am feeling really good. I know things could be better in my life, but they could also be so much worse.
I am feeling particularly confident about my looks, which is a breakthrough for me. And by looks, I don't just mean my face, I mean my whole image. This in itself is weird because my stomach has never been as big as it is now, when I relax (which I never do in company) it hangs over my belt, a miracle considering up until 10 years ago I struggled to keep above 10 stone. I have no idea how much I weigh now, I must check to see if there are scales at the gym when I go next (I would guess at about 13 1/2 stone though).
My confidence in my image just hit me when I went to the toilet at work. I walked into the gents and there is a floor to ceiling mirror on the end wall, and I just stared at myself as I walked in and I liked what I saw. Smart looking clothes (well-pressed uniform anyway, the trousers and jacket don't match, but it only notices if you don't look too closely). I like my face, I even think I look very handsome sometimes. Sometimes. Today is one of those days, even though I have a few large spots around my neck and jawline, I still think that, today at least, I'm looking mighty fine. My deportment can be really good sometimes too, another thing that only comes with self confidence. I think I must try and remember one thing in particular when I am feeling low, or feel a low period coming on: Confidence breeds confidence. When I am confident I feel good, and feeling good makes me feel confident. Sounds simple doesn't it, but I realise that this will probably not always work for me.
I am also feeling good about my capabilities at work. I hate this job, as I may have mentioned once or twice, but I know I am good at it. Today I got a reminder that, despite my hatred for it, I have kept my standards and professionalism. Last week one of the regular guards on my shift hadn't turned up for work. When I called him he told me that he was too tired to come into work. This would have left us (me) in the position of being 33% down on my work force and unable to have breaks or do our job properly until a relief guard came in. I told him that this was unacceptable and that he had to come to work. He relented and came in (and subsequently had the hump with me for the rest of that shift).
He still has the hump with me tonight, and I am guessing that it is because I reported his behaviour to my manager who, in turn, had words with him. This makes me happy for two reasons. Firstly this kid needs a kick up the backside to make him realise that he can't just opt to work when he wants too (he has previously changed shifts with other guards without consulting any superiors, resulting in some problems). Secondly I was happy because it is the first time my manager has actually done any managing, the whole reason why I escalated the information. Hopefully I will get some professionalism out of both of them soon!
Feeling this good tonight, with my body not being any where near perfect, I can't help but wonder how good I will feel when it gets back in shape and I have a strong, toned body to show off for the first time. If, sorry WHEN that happens I am going to feel fucking amazing. How's that for more incentive to keep going to the gym?
By the way, my legs are still aching from going to the gym on Tuesday!

29th January

LGBT people born today:

1858 – Edward Irenaeus Prime-Stevenson – US Author – Died 23^rd July 1942

1946 – Ian Meldrum – Australian Presenter

1960 – Gia Carangi – US Model – Died 18^th November 1986

1960 – Greg Louganis – US Diver

1969 - Mirjam Muntefering – German Author

1971 – Clare Balding – UK Jockey / Presenter

1975 – Sara Gilbert – US Actress

1979 – Francesco D’Macho – Italian Porn / Director / Model

1982 – Adam Lambert – US Singer / Actor

1985 – Todd Herzog – US Reality TV [Survivor]

And those who died:

1912 – Herman Bang – Dutch Author – Born 20^th April 1857

1999 – Benjamin Smoke – US Musician – Born 28^th January 1960

2008 – Paco Vidarte – Spanish Author / Activist / Philosopher – Born 1^st March 1970

Events in LGBT history:

2007 – Israeli couple (Avi & Binyamin Rose) become first gay couple to legally register in Jerusalem after the Supreme Court ruled in their favour

Just Say "NO!"

I went out last night, not expecting much as I didn't know of anyone else who was going to be out. I started in Comptons, where some older guy tried to chat me up by comparing their chandelier to the one in the Phantom of the Opera. I went on to the Duke of Wellington where a guy and his boyfriend complimented me on my arse (it happens a lot) before uninvitedly feeling me up! I moved to the other side of the pub and saw Russell Tovey walk by. Somehow, whenever I see him I always manage to catch his eye. Even though I was inside and he was outside, he turned around just at the right moment. Initially I just thought, "good looking guy," then (and I hate to say it Russell) I noticed his ears, which were being pushed down and out by his woolly hat, and I knew it was him. I smiled, mostly because I hadn't initially recognised him and this was when he looked at me. I think I am destined to talk to him at some point. The pub was really quite dead so I moved on to Rupert Street which was busy as always. I was followed around by a European guy, who I had heard talk about me when he first walked through the door. He had said "What about that English boy." I was put off immediately and so moved away from him and his mate. Unfortunately they followed me, and then he followed me to the bar and tried chatting me up there. I just acknowledged his question, whatever it was, with a smile and continued to ignore him.
After a couple of drinks here I moved on to Barcode. Soon after getting there, and slightly falling for the cute new, and surprisingly chatty barman, I saw Alfredo and we spend a while together, before he went and chatted to someone else. I was pretty drunk by now, though how I don't know as I had only had about 6 pints and 2 Red Bulls, which isn't a lot for me. I went to the toilet where an guy I wasn't attracted to flashed me his huge cock (it must have been as thick as a Coke can and long too!). I was intrigued but left him to it, got my coat and left the bar. I don't even think I said goodbye to Alfredo. Whoops!
I was walking back to the bus stop to come home when I saw a really good looking guy walking the other way. He stopped and chatted briefly and we started kissing (I told you I was drunk) and he invited himself back to my place. I agreed but made certain that he knew that there would be no fucking going on! I repeated it to him several times and, as the concept seemed alien to him, we went over what we could do. He said this was okay and we got a taxi for expediency.
When we got back to mine he immediately wanted to fuck me! I had to tell him several times that it wasn't going to happen and when I thought we were going to have some fun he still tried to fuck me (without a condom too!). I got up, went to the toilet and when I came back he had got the hint and was getting dressed ready to leave. Shame, as he was a lovely looking guy with a nice cock, but I don't put up with shit like that. Unsurprisingly, I got to sleep pretty quickly after that.
When I woke this morning I found that he had left his Calvin Klein watch behind. I have no way of contacting him, I'm not even sure that I can remember his name (despite him telling me about 3 times). So, unless he comes back for it, it looks like I have a nice new watch! That's something at least to make up for the hangover I've had all day.
Now I have to get ready for work. Bummer!

28th January

LGBT people born today:

1873 – Colette – French Author – Died 3^rd August 1954

1901 – Richmond Barthe – US Sculptor – Died 5^th March 1989

1937 – John Normington – UK Actor – Died 26^th July 2007

1940 – Guido Bachmann – Swiss Author / Actor

1941 – Joel Crothers – US Actor – Died 6^th November 1985

1952 – Bobbi Campbell – US Nurse / Drag Queen [Sister Florence NIghtmare] / Activist – Died 15^th August 1984

1959 – Adrian Lee Kellard – US Artist – Died 14^th November 1991

1960 – Benjamin Smoke – US Musician – Died 29^th January 1999

1975 – Tyler Riggz – US Police / Porn

1986 – Blake Riley – US Porn

And those who died:

1936 – Richard Loeb – US Murderer – Born 11^th June 1905

1947 – Reynaldo Hahn – Venezuelan / French Composer / Conductor / Musician / Critic – Born 9^th August 1874

1969 – Josephine Herbst – US Author / Historian / Journalist / Literary Critic – Born 5^th March 1892

1983 – Bryher [Annie Winifred Ellerman] – UK Author / Poet / Editor – Born 2^nd September 1894

1993 – Jerry Mills – US Cartoonist – Born 26^th February 1951

Slight Downer Today

I'm feeling slightly down today, nothing major, but I thought I would head into town and see if I could buy myself something to bring me out of the minor funk that I thought I was headed for.
I managed to see one celebrity, Paul Gambaccini, and saw some woman being chased by a paparazzi guy outside the Ivy restaurant, though I did not recognise her at all!
I wandered around Forbidden Planet, Orbital Comics, Burtons, and Prowler and could not find anything that I really wanted. I was tempted by several things, but I didn't need any of them and so decided that I was better off not buying them.
All I came home with were 2 free gay magazines and a very cold face. It is really cold out there today, and the wind doesn't help at all. When I left it was also raining, which is not a good combination at all, but at least that has stopped now.
I feel like I should go out tonight, but am discouraged by the weather. I haven't been out for nearly 2 weeks and so I deserve a night out. It's hardly ever fun though when I am out on my own. What I really felt like doing today, that I haven't done for years, was meeting up with someone and having lunch somewhere, Balans, The Box, or anywhere really, just sitting in the window of an unpretentious eatery and chatting. That would be so nice to do, I just don't know anyone who would be into that. I had to settle for coming home and whacking the remaining stew that I made last night into the microwave. It was a fantastic stew, if I do say so myself. Just enough flavour, a little spice, lean mince and plenty of vegetables.

27th January

LGBT people born today:

1911 – Sarah Aldridge – Brazilian / US Author – Died 11^th January 2006

1949 – Ethan Mordden – US Author

1965 – Alan Cumming – UK Actor

1977 – Ryan Andrijich – Australian Chef / Presenter [Aussie Queer Eye]

And those who died:

1950 – Augusto d’Halmar – Chilean Author – Born 23^rd April 1882

1994 – Alain Danielou – French Historian / Author – Born 4^th October 1907

2008 – Alan G Rogers – US Soldier / Activist – Born 21^st September 1967

Horny

Since my almost encounter at the gym this morning I am feeling really, really horny.

Just thought I'd share that with you! Let's hope that these will help:

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

K-nackered K-Clicker

It looks like my trusty(?) Clicker (in the side-bar) is knackered. For the past 3 days it has been blank (unable to load), this morning I couldn't even connect with the website from the link, and now it is stating that I have had 3 "clicks" when 3 days ago I was on 72067. I'm not using the Clicker any more so I may just get rid of it. Anyone have any objections? Didn't think so!

Just Call Me JellyLegs!

I am back from my first full session at the gym. In fact it was not even a full session. Elijah gave me my 1 hour induction, and we did 2 sets of each of the exercises that he suggested for me (instead of the usual 3). I couldn't even manage some of them the first time, let alone three lots of 12! I have balance issues, and some of the exercises really challenged me on this, especially the squats with the kettle weights which he "kindly" saved until the end! Despite the fact that, in my first half hour induction, I told him I wanted to work on my upper body (arms, chest and abs) he insisted on putting in a lot of leg exercises. It went to show today that I obviously need those exercises to be completely fit, but that is not what I am interested in. I don't really give a shit about being fit, I just want to look good. My legs are fine to look at. The knees are only slightly knobbly now, as opposed to when I was younger and they looked like a skinny kids Adam's apple in the middle of each leg!
I found some of the stuff to be a bit embarrassing. I hate doing exercise in full view of others. When I use machines it is always the one furthest away from anyone else. But he had me doing stuff in the middle of the exercise mats and walking squats, right at the end, on the actual running track that runs around the gym floor! I was mortified when I couldn't do them without taking so many rests! I felt like such a wimp.

Despite my unease and embarrassment, I will continue with his exercise plan until I feel that it isn't working for me. In the mean time I have my second, and final, half-hour induction with him again on Tuesday of next week.
At the end of our session today, I had hoped that I would go off in the gym and do some other stuff, but I was too knackered. I almost came a cropper when I took the first step down the stairs towards the changing room as my leg nearly gave way. Now THAT would have been embarrassing.

I took a shower and, upon Elijah's advise as I don't have a bath at home that I can soak in, I went into the sauna. Well, that was my plan, but I saw a cute guy go in the steam room first, so I popped in there. Pretty soon it was obvious that we were both interested (towels are indiscreet that way!) and just as we were about to take it further an old guy came in and the cute guy left. I went into the sauna for a couple of minutes and then got changed and walked (slowly) home.
My legs feel really weak, so I won't be walking down to Holland & Barrett to get creatine as I had intended (I had also intended to ask Elijah what he thinks about creatine, but forgot). I'll get it tomorrow. And I will also have a rest from the gym tomorrow. Three days in a row is enough I think.
What I need now is a night out, or, even better, a romantic night in snuggling on the sofa in front of the telly in the arms of a sexy man. Yeah, right!

26th January

LGBT people born today:

1908 – Jill Esmond – UK Actress – Died 28^th July 1990

1931 – Fernand Legros – French Art Dealer – Died 7^th April 1983

1931 – Alfred Lynch – UK Actor – Died 16^th December 2003

1941 – Keith Norton – Canadian Politician / Lawyer

1944 – Angela Davis – UK Professor / Activist

1958 – Ellen Degeneres – US Comedian / Actress / Presenter

1963 – Scott Amedure – US Reality TV [Jenny Jones] / Hate Crime Victim – Died 9^th March 1995

1964 – Wendy Melvoin – US Singer / Songwriter / Musician

1971 – Rob Cryston – US Porn [or 19^th January ????]

And those who died:

1957 – William Eythe – US Actor – Born 7^th April 1918

1995 – Geoffrey Parsons – Australian Pianist – Born 15^th June 1929

2001 – Diane Whipple – US Lacrosse – Born 21^st January 1968

Gleeful?

I've just watched this weeks instalment of Glee, and although there was not much singing in this episode (or maybe because), I still enjoyed it. I can't, however, seem to put my finger on exactly why I enjoy it. All the characters are stereotypes and Rachel Berry is incredibly unlikeable (much like Carrie in Sex & the City, what a bitch she is). Let's just hope that Finn doesn't end up with her! And let's also hope that we get to see more of Puck with his top off, like last week!

Tonight, I was slightly tearful when Kurt came out to his tough-guy dad, and his dad was totally supportive of his son. I would have been more tearful, but was aware that my flatmates could walk in the room at any time and didn't want to be caught weeping.

I don't know if it is just the programs that I am catching (having limited channel selection on the television in my room), but there are so many programs about schools on the television, particularly high schools and colleges! Glee, Greek, Veronica Mars, 90210, even Heroes is partially set in a college now! You can't get away from it. And every time I watch it makes me think how I wasted the opportunity, when I left school, to further my education and thus give myself a boost in the job market. I know that I can go and study any time that I want, but the trouble is that I don't know what to study, and, when I find a course I want to do, I have to make sure that it is available to study from home as my shifts preclude me from attending regularly scheduled lessons / courses! Excuses, excuses! I know. But it is difficult. Though not impossible, so I will keep looking.

Aching

I went to the gym again today, though I can hardly say I did much. I was only on the gym floor for about 45 minutes, but I guess it is better than nothing. I started off on the cross-trainer, which is how I used to warm up when I used to go to the gym. I am finding the cross-trainer much harder work than I used to so I think I will give that a miss, or at least leave it until I am a bit fitter. I also worked on some weight machines (arms and legs), the rowing machine and the treadmill. I was disappointed at how little I felt that I did, but I was starting to ache, and also starting to get bored.
I had picked another quiet time, but there really was nothing to keep my attention while I was "working out," other than one seriously sexy guy, who left soon after I arrived.
I explored the sauna and steam room, as I knew they were empty, and found them to be very small. I had heard on Squirt (a site which "reviews" cruising areas) that stuff goes on in there, but I can't see how, because as soon as someone opens the door they would see everything! Maybe the upstairs changing room is different. I will have to check that out one day.
The chance of a sexual encounter is one thing that keeps me going there, but I am not going to actively look for it. Well, not just yet anyway!
I've got my hour-long induction tomorrow, to get together a plan of what I should do each time I go to the gym. Should be interesting. It is with Elijah again, who is not really my type, so I hope I can keep my attention in the right place. Three days running! I am going to need a serious massage after tomorrows session! Let's hope I can find a willing volunteer for that!

25th January

LGBT people born today:

1874 – W Somerset Maugham – UK Author – Died 16^th December 1965

1882 – Virginia Woolf – UK Author – Died 28^th March 1941

1914 – Ian Harvey – UK Politician – Died 10^th January 1987

1952 – Peter Tatchell – UK Politician / Activist

1962 – Aaron Fricke – Canadian Activist / Author

1963 – Suzanne Klemann – Dutch Singer

1963 – Don Mancini – US Screenwriter / Producer / Director

1969 – Eric Banks – US Composer / Conductor

1975 – Dano Sulik – Slovakian Porn

And those who died:

1975 – Charlotte Whitton – Canadian Activist / Politician – Born 8^th March 1896

1986 – Bill Kraus – US Activist – Born 26^th June 1947

2005 – Philip Johnson – US Architect – Born 8^th July 1906

2009 – Antonio Pagan – US Politician – Born 22^nd August 1958

Reasons to go to the Gym?

Back From The Gym

I am just back from the gym, having my first induction. I had booked an hour induction (apparently you get an hour and then 2 half hour inductions) with Adam. When I got there I found out that it had been changed to a half hour induction with Elijah, the guy who emailed me yesterday. So I never got to find out who Adam was, shame as I like that name.
I was briefly shown what each of the cardio machines did and a couple of the weight machines too and that was it really. On my next visit, which I have booked for Tuesday, I will have an hour and Elijah will help me draw up a plan of what machines to use etc to achieve my goals. My goals are basically to look better. I've already told him that it is pure vanity, I just want some definition in my chest, abs and arms, and maybe to build up my running stamina.
When our half hour was over I had a go on a few machines, starting with a basic cross-trainer. I used to manage about 10 minutes on this when I used to go to the gym 4 years ago. I barely managed 3 today and I felt sick. My own fault really as all I had eaten this morning was 4 Go Ahead Yogurt Break biscuits (which I am addicted to at the moment) and a glass of fruit juice.
I persevered and had a go on 2 weight machines, the rowing machine (which I quite enjoyed) and the treadmill. I began to feel really shaky though so, once I steadied myself I made my way back to the changing room.
I had lasted 30 minutes (after my induction) which I was disappointed with, but it is only the first day. I will try and make myself go again tomorrow for a short work out and then I have my next induction on Tuesday morning. Lets hope that I get into the habit of going at least. Enjoyment can come later when I know what I am doing.

As for totty? There were a couple of okay looking guys there and one guy I really liked. I wasn't sure if he was interested or not, but he gave me a sort of half-smile at one point. Unfortunately he went back to the changing room just as I was leaving. I didn't try out the sauna as there was an unattractive, portly guy sitting right by the door and I didn't feel like squeezing past him.

I am now sat back at home, eating a low-fat microwave pasta meal as I needed something quick to boost my energy levels back up and get rid of the shakes. I really mustn't work out on an (almost) empty stomach next time.

Oh, and before I went to the gym I took measurements of my body so that I can gauge how well my efforts are doing. I measured my biceps (flexed and not), chest, waist, neck, thighs and calves. I will probably re-measure ever month or two to check. I did notice, however, that my right leg is bigger than my left, by about 1.5cm on the calf and thigh. I wonder if that affects my balance?
I forgot to see if there were any scales at the gym though, so that I can watch my weight, as we don't have scales here at the flat any more. I'll have a look next time I go.

Nervous

I have my gym induction in about an hour and a half and I am nervous for some reason. I have face more challenging things than this, with more at stake, so why is this making me nervous?
I guess I am a bit worried about looking like a fool (aren't I always) as I won't know what any of the machines do (when I was a gym member before I didn't get a proper induction). But it must be more than that.
It may also be that I feel like I SHOULD be going to the gym and I am scared that, once again, I will not enjoy it enough to keep me interested. It is also another attempt by me to get a life. I have so very little going on in my life, and so few people to spend time with, that I guess I am hoping that this may lead to some new friendships, or at the very least an enjoyable pass time, to get me away from sitting in front of this bloody laptop all day, every day on my days off!
I will let you now how the induction goes later, and how fit this Adam is, who is going to be doing my induction.
Oh, by the way, I got an email from Virgin Active yesterday asking if I wanted to book my induction, obviously they do not speak to each other at this branch as I had already booked my induction the day before. I sent a blunt reply to the guy, after all he was asking 5 days later than I expected!

24th January

LGBT people born today:

76AD – Hadrian – Roman Emperor – Died 10^th July 138AD

1932 – Henri Nouwen – Dutch / Canadian Priest / Author / Theologian – Died 21^st September 1996

1944 – David Gerrold – US Author

1944 – Klaus Nomi – German Singer / Actor – Died 6^th August 1983

1958 – Benny Medina – US Talent Agent

1965 – Jake Andrews – US Porn

And those who died:

1983 – George Cukor – US Director – Born 7^th July 1899

1994 – Yves Navarre – French Author – Born 24^th September 1940

1998 – Donald Vining – US Author / Playwright / Publisher – Born 20^th June 1917

2006 – Betty Berzon – US Author / Psychotherapist – Born 18^th January 1928

2007 – Bryan Kocis – US Porn Company Founder – Born 28^th May 1962

2008 – Jahna Steele – US Entertainer – Born 29^th September 1958

23rd January

LGBT people born today:

1898 – Sergei Eisenstein – Russian Director / Producer / Screenwriter – Died 11^th February 1948

1924 – Joyce Grant – South African Actress – Died 11^th July 2006

1934 – Pierre Bourgault – Canadian Politician / Author / Actor / Journalist – Died 16^th June 2003

1942 – Patrick Fyffe [Dame Hilda Bracket] – UK Comedian / Singer / Entertainer – Died 11^th May 2002

1943 – Gary Burton – US Musician

1954 – Kyle Rae – Canadian Politician / Activist

1977 – Devon Barry – US Porn - Died 5th August 2005

And those who died:

1981 – Samuel Barber – US Composer – Born 9^th March 1910

1998 – Alfredo Ormando – Italian Author – Born 15^th December 1958

2003 – Nell Carter – US Actress – Born 13^th September 1948

Events in LGBT history:

2008 – Couple (Hamzeh Chavi & Loghman Hamzehpour) arrested in Sardasht, Iranian Azerbaijan for homosexuality

Ahmet is Part of my Family

I just found this while researching for my LGBT database. Ahmet was a Turkish student whose relatives are believed to have travelled across the country with the specific intent of murdering him because he was gay.

Is Ahmet Yildiz part of your family?

Not As Active As They Should Be!

I signed up for my gym membership at Virgin Active on Monday afternoon and was told that I would be contacted "probably" the next day to arrange my induction (to show me how to use all the machinery and tell me what muscles each one works on). I patiently waited and heard nothing. The last 2 days I've popped in there after work and given up after seeing there were queues of at least 4 people each time.
I finally managed to sort it out this afternoon when I phoned them and enquired what was happening. The girl on the end of the phone asked when I wanted to book it for. I asked if they did inductions on Sunday's. She replied that they do them every day of the week. So, I asked if I could book one for Sunday afternoon.
"Tomorrow?" was her enquiring reply!
"No! Sunday" I wasn't happy at having to phone them, and she wasn't helping my mood.
"What time?"
"How long do the induction last for?" I asked
"Half an hour"
"Okay can I book it for 1 o'clock please?"
"Tomorrow?" I'm glad I was on the phone because I felt like punching her. Was I in a Victoria Wood sketch? "Can I take your order?"
"No Sunday!"
"Do you want one o'clock, one fifteen, one thirty...?"
"ONE O'CLOCK!"
She then took my name and confirmed the details back to me. I almost expected her to say Saturday, instead of Sunday. Let's hope that she DID indeed book it correctly. She also stated that it would be with Adam. I wonder if Adam is the gorgeous South African guy I saw when I was there on Monday? And, if it was, I wonder if he will show me the steam room and/or sauna personally?

22nd January

LGBT people born today:

1788 – Lord George Byron – UK Poet – Died 19^th April 1824

1908 – Sinclair Ross – Canadian Banker / Author – Died 29^th February 1996

1942 – Jaime Humberto Hermosillo – Mexican Director

1944 – Elaine Noble – US Politician

1951 – Ondrej Nepala – Czechoslovakian Figure Skater – Died 2^nd February 1989

1968 – Evan Taylor – US Porn

1969 – Gary Frisch – UK Businessman – Died 10^th February 2007

1969 – Al Start – UK Singer

1973 – Tony “Kamrun” Assher – US Porn

And those who died:

1933 – Elisabeth Marbury – US Agent – Born 19^th July 1856

1957 – Claire Waldoff – German Singer / Entertainer – Born 21^st October 1884

1964 – Marc Blitzstein – US Composer – Born 2^nd March 1905

1987 – Barbro Alving – Swedish Journalist / Author – Died 12^th January 1909

1990 – James Zappalorti – US Hate Crime Victim – Born 1945

1992 – AJ Antoon – US Theatre Director – Born 7^th December 1944

1999 – George Mosse – German / US Historian / Author – Born 20^th September 1918

2000 – Craig Claiborne – US Restaurant Critic / Food Writer – Born 4^th September 1920

2003 – Sarah Pettit – US Journalist [Co-founder of Out magazine] – Born 1966

2007 – Doug Blasdell – US Personal Trainer / Reality TV [Work Out] – Born 14^th December 1962

21st January

LGBT people born today:

1885 – Duncan Grant – UK Painter – Died 8^th May 1978

1895 – Cristobal Balenciaga – Spanish Fashion Designer – Died 23^rd March 1972

1899 – John Bodkin Adams – UK Serial Killer – Died 4^th July 1983

1905 – Christian Dior – French Fashion Designer – Died 24^th October 1957

1938 – John Savident – UK Actor

1967 – Dallas Taylor – US Porn

1968 – Diane Whipple – US Lacrosse – Died 26^th January 2001

1970 – Tom Katt [David Papaleo] – US Bodybuilder / Model / Personal Trainer / Porn

1971 – Amy Lame – US Presenter / Comedian / Columnist

1979 – Thomas Berling – Norwegian Footballer

1979 – Johann Hari – UK Journalist / Columnist

1979 – Scott Tanner – US Porn

And those who died:

1932 – Lytton Strachey – UK Author / Poet / Critic – Born 1^st March 1880

1942 – William Alexander Percy – US Lawyer / Poet – Born 14^th May 1885

1977 – Sandro Penna – Italian Poet – Born 12^th June 1906

1985 – James Beard – US Chef / Author – Born 5^th May 1903

1989 – Billy Tipton – US Pianist / Saxophonist – Born 29^th December 1914

2007 – Peer Raben – German Composer – Born 3^rd July 1940