Olympic Torch Relay

Today I made my way to Elm Park to watch the chairman of the Kings Cross Steelers, Tim Sullivan, run with the Olympic Torch. I was running late, because going on the District Line I had to wait for the fifth train to get to that station. I eventually got there 15 minutes after I intended, but was still early (even though it was a 15 minute walk to the actually running site).
There were about 40 of the Steelers there, which was great and we saw Tim run past all too quickly. What was unfortunate was that his mother, who was watching in a chair by the side, fell into the road as she tried to get a better look, just before he ran past. She is getting on a bit and so it could have been quite serious. She ended up missing him running past altogether while she was tended.

Half of us then went to a pub by Hornchurch station for a couple of drinks where we met Tim (he'd had to go back to the start and get his car). He was overrun with people asking to take picture with him in his white running outfit and Olympic Torch. It did get a bit ridiculous, as he ended up having about 40 photos taken and that's not counting the ones with us, but took it in his stride. He left after a while to go and see his mother in the hospital.

I was hoping that the guys were going to go to the Vauxhall Tavern, as I had been asked to meet Thain & Darren there. But, by the time I got back to Clapham it was 19:00 and so was too late.

Kings Cross Steelers

I can't remember if I've mentioned it to you guys yet, but it seems that I am resuming my role as second team captain with the Kings Cross Steelers, the same role I had during the Bingham Cup. I think I was the only one who volunteered for the position at the AGM, but even so I am happy to be more involved.

Although I am not Recruitment Manager, I feel that it is my duty to get to know the new players and support all the other players during training, you never know who is going to be in the second team. And, after all, we are all one team at the end of the day. This is why I am making a point of attending all training sessions that I can, at least during pre-season anyway.

I also am promoting the Steelers and looking for potential players and supporters. I'm constantly recruiting (even when on Grindr and Scruff). So, I thought I would do the same here. If you like rugby, or think you might, but have never watched it, then come along to training to either watch or train (we train newbies as well as experienced ones).

Here is a copy of the flyer we have been given out:

World Pride

What I can remember of yesterday:
I joined the Steelers at Manchester Square at 10:00 and we made our way to our start point of the Pride Parade just before 11:00. The start of the Parade was brought forward, for unknown reasons, from 13:00 to 11:00. We didn't actually start moving until about 13:00 anyway. I could have had a lie in. All the time we were waiting to move it was dry, just as we started to move it started to rain. Apparently there were twice as many people in the march as was expected, we were told there were 20,000 in the march this year.
I'm relaxed and confident enough with my place in the team now to be able to talk comfortably with all the players and supporters. And some of them go out of their way to talk to me too, which is always nice.
During the march we were instructed to recruit as many potential players and supporters as we could. We were given business cards to hand out to possible people. I made it my aim to recruit the gorgeous ones (I don't think I was alone in this). I managed to find several people who were both gorgeous and potentially interested in playing and some potential supporters too. I even gave a card to Chris Geary, as I know he plays Rugby League. I asked him to come along to just one match and see if he wanted to consider changing codes. Unfortunately I didn't have a pen to write my personal number on the cards. After the march, we were going to start our drinking at Halfway to Heaven (where I saw Richard and Lawrence), but it was too packed for us all so we went to the Duke of Wellington instead. We stood outside for the whole time we were there (the weather mostly held out for us). I didn't buy any drinks in the bars though, I saved my money and bought cans from supermarkets instead. Cheap, I know, but it saved me so much money (and queueing time).
Staying in one place all day is a great idea as everyone else seems to move around and almost everyone I know walked past at some point. I saw Humberto, Dean & Jamie, Tony, Ashleigh, Kerry, Prav and David (among others). I also met a few new guys too, including Samuel (though I don't actually remember meeting him there) who is gorgeous.
Gareth Thomas also came along at one point and I chatted to him like he was a mate, shook his hand and then directed him to where Tim (our chairman and his mate) was.
As it got dark a group of us decided to go to the 2 Brewers (which suited me fine, being so close to home). We had a fantastic time there too. I flirted with several people there, including one guy who was there with his girlfriend and always flirts with me overtly in front of her when I see him in there.
I was so warm, and had been wearing the Steelers tour top all day (as instructed by the team for the march earlier), so I took it off and stayed topless for the rest of the night. When I went to leave it had gone, some bastard must have stolen it. I was not happy. Luckily I had a hoodie in my bag as it was pissing down when I left.

This evening I met up with Samuel, though he ended up getting to Clapham about 3 hours after he said he would be here. When he arrived he was tired and so was I so there wasn't much in the way of conversation really and after just one coke in Kazbar he went home, which was a shame as he is gorgeous.

I had intended to call in sick the today anyway, as I knew it was likely that I would have a hangover. Unfortunately I went straight to sleep when I got home and so forgot. I woke at 06:30 and realised that I hadn't called in, so quickly did it, saying I was vomiting all night. I had a hoarse voice anyway, which hopefully helped me sound more convincing. I am however meant to give much more notice for being sick, so I may be in trouble. I really don't fancy going back to work tomorrow, but I have just called them to say that I will be back.

Clapham Street Party

Yesterday was a fairly busy for me. I got a message on Grindr first thing and arranged to meet a guy. I had met him before at the gym and so was happy to hook up. Just after I'd arranged it I got a message from another guy, much sexier and more muscular, but I couldn't cancel the first arrangement (it's not polite), so I had to turn down the hot guy. The first guy came over but wouldn't do anything other than wank because he saw I had a split lip. He eventually left with neither of us being satisfied.
I had to get ready for the Clapham Street Party later so I didn't have time to rearrange a meet up with the second guy. Maybe another time.
I asked Tim, Richard and Humberto if they wanted to come over to mine first for some drinks, before going to the party. None of them wanted to. My ideas never seem to be popular. I went to the party at just before 15:00 and met Humberto there. Richard turned up soon after as did a couple of the Steelers (Kevin and Scott, are they a couple now?). Tim also turned up later with one of his young, Latino shags (who didn't stick around long).
I had my Steelers top on as I was meant to be promoting the team and recruiting new players and supporters. It did mean that I had an excuse to talk to hot guys if I wanted and made use of that excuse. I don't know if I managed to recruit anyone, but I had a good time. I also got to chat to the gorgeous brother of an England rugby player. I hope that he turns up to play, or at least to watch. 
Harley Everett was there, like last year and so were several of the other Steelers.

I had arranged to meet Gary at the party at around 20:00. I met Gary at Chariots about a month ago, but have not been able to meet up with him since. Gary is handsome, very muscular and is a very good kisser. I met him by the entrance and we soon left to go back to mine. In case you don't know, my place is just across the road from the party.
After a couple of hours he left to meet some friends at XXL. I was intending on heading there later after going to the 2 Brewers. I queued at the Brewers, but after 15 minutes of the line not moving I gave up and headed to Chariots instead. I don't know why.

I finally got home at around 04:00. Just after I got off the bus I saw that there was a guy laying next to a car (road side). Initially I thought he had been hit by a car, but it turns out that he was just incredibly drunk. Once I made sure he was conscious I persuaded him to stand up and once I knew he wasn't injured I helped him up and to the pavement, where he stood clinging to a lamppost. I then left him for the police to look after. My good deed for the day.

Now, tonight I have to go back to work. It is not fair. I know I have only worked 1 day in the last 16, but do I really have to go back to work tonight?