| In the News... |
[Aug. 17th, 2007|07:27 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  cheerful | ] |
Nice story seen on Yahoo!
Apparently Stephen King was mistaken for a vandal at an Australian outback bookstore recently.
A customer saw a man walk in off the street and start writing in some of the books and reported it to the store owner. When they got to the books the man had gone but he'd left his famous signature behind...
The store owner then saw King in the veg shop across the road and went to thank him. 5 of the 6 books he'd signed have gone for fund raising auctions for local community groups - the 6th was bought by the customer who never recognised it was Stephen King...
Kind of liked that. |
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| Bex in LAH |
[Jul. 13th, 2007|07:40 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  confused | ] |
So brand Beckham hits the US today...God help them. The US that is...
Is it just me that thinks the Beckham Two are just awful? They're a pair of shop window mannequins. She's a has been pop star with a perma-pout and he's a bloke who kicks a football around and gets daft haircuts. I've no idea if he's a good footballer or not - that's not my thing. I just can't understand why they are adored so much. OK, he's got a nice bod (if he had a hairy bod, now that would be special, but there are hundreds of great looking men with the same gym bods...) I find Mrs.B quite repellent to look at - stick thin is not a good look, the sour fish lips and the dodgy sunglasses everywhere she goes is way over the top. This is not style because it has no substance. They don't DO anything but pose a lot and have celebrity friends. And yet they are idolised. Mystifying.
Reading that back, it's a bit of a rant. Maybe they are exceptionally nice people. My Mum likes them. But I'm still deeply confused about their appeal.
But maybe I'm weird. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 6th, 2007|07:49 pm] |
Sadly I'm back from San Francisco. Got back on Monday but the jet-lag wiped me out a bit for a couple of days. It's really weird, its like a wave of such intense tiredness you can hardly sit up. Well, it was for me anyway.
San Francisco was fantastic. It's such a beautiful city, the people were friendly, the men were awesome... Gay Pride was fun, vast numbers of gayfolk just having a great time together, it did feel quite emotional at times but also invigorating and empowering. I've walked miles and miles and been a total tourist, I've walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and took a cable car... Sometimes I had to stop for a minute and silently remind myself where I was ("You're walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Remember this, you might never do it again.") The Castro is incredible, it's like a big gay bubble in the world, with handsome men who'll chat you up while crossing the road, and the rainbow flag flies high above it all. I've never been anywhere like it.
I think the only downside (and unfortunately it's quite a big one) was the number of homeless people begging on the streets, wandering around talking to themselves, laying drunk in the middle of the footpath. They shamble and weave about like the living dead. The only thing to do is to try to ignore them, but its hard sometimes. There is obviously a lot of mental health problems among these people, as well as alcohol and drug abuse. I found it very hard to understand how such a big city with such a lot of wealth could just ignore this problem.
Beyond that San Francisco was a real joy. I was only there for two weeks but it's easy to start fantasising about what life would be like there. I've now been to San Francisco and New York, very different but both amazing and unforgettable. I love going to America. You can keep Europe, if I spend the rest of my days visiting America as often as I can I'll be happy.
So back in England. Flew into Manchester and it was grey and raining. Soon heard the bad news about the major flooding that has occurred in my home city of Hull (thankfully my house was undamaged). The only good thing was seeing my cat again. Magic apparently settled into the cattery really well but she was happy to be home, walked around complaining for a bit then she was fine. She's been very loved up since she got back, follows me around everywhere. And now I'm back to work too, it's as if I'd never been away...
And thanks to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) bullchef for tagging me with his 7 random things. Nothing too startling I'm afraid but here goes:
1. Children make my skin crawl. Sorry but it's true, really can't cope with them at all. Prefer cats. Especially mine...
2. I'm 45 this year!
3. I've never had sex with a woman. And don't plan on changing that anytime soon.
4. I don't own an ipod, and probably will never own an iphone either. That's ok. I'll live...
5. I've been single for 6 years - and its OK.
6. I'm very close to deciding I could live in America.
7. My current favourite quote: "Normal is a cycle on a washing machine." - Emmylou Harris.
(I know I was supposed to tag 7 others, but they've probably all done it by now...) |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 11th, 2007|07:59 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
Saw my friend yesterday and he seems to be ok, very bruised and battered of course, but not in bits like I would be.
Today I went on an Epilepsy training course, through my work. I have daily contact with a number of people with Epilepsy, and although I'm pretty confident and I've seen many many different kinds of seizure, it's still good to have refresher training like this. A good day, and only three more working days this week then I'm on holiday!!! |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 10th, 2007|07:36 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  aggravated | ] |
Had some bad and shocking news yesterday. Heard from my straight male friend that he'd been attacked on Friday night. I've not seen him yet but he tells me there were 10 of them and they beat him up pretty badly. Broken nose, cut and swollen lips, he's going to have whopping black eye and loads of bruising to his face. He's with his girlfriend now but I hope to see him this week, I don't think he's up to seeing anyone else yet. He's reported it to the Police of course, and he tells me it made the local papers. I hope they catch the cowardly bastards that did it...but this being England they'll probably get away with it, we've lost all capability for justice.
On the flip side, there's only one week left to San Francisco... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 3rd, 2007|09:36 am] |
Successfully managing to avoid the new series of 'Big Brother' - the all female version (unless the rumour of the guy going in on Friday was true)... It's so sexist, they would NEVER do an all male version (but I can dream)...
Also started re-reading the 'Tales Of The City' books in prep for San Francisco - only a staggering 14 days away!
Magic is all ready for the Hilltop Cattery, although she doesn't know it yet of course. Just have to remind my sister that she promised to take us...
(Also half managed to convince myself that the expense of the boiler can wait till after my holiday. After all it's turning a bit warmer now, the shower heats the water itself, so does the washing machine...so what's the rush...?) |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 29th, 2007|10:11 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | pissed off | ] |
Just discovered my boiler has broken down...so no hot water, which is a pain in the ass. And it's Sunday. And it's not that warm today so no central heating either...
Could really have done without this so close to my holiday. Hate to think what this is going to cost me... |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 28th, 2007|11:30 am] |
Apparently there was an earthquake in England early this morning. It struck 7.5 miles off the Dorset coast, between 4.7 and 5.0 magnitude. Knowing nothing about earthquakes I don't know if this is a big or small quake. Can't help thinking this is very rare for England...
Later...
SKY News and BBC put it at 4.3 on the Richter Scale. Just a wobble then... :o) |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 27th, 2007|07:44 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | relieved | ] |
Took Magic to the vet today, she's had the first round of her vaccinations and we have to go back in three weeks for a booster jab. Magic completely hated being in the cat carrier-box, but apart from that she's been fine, hissed at the cute hairy vet but didn't make too much fuss. I think I've been in a worse state than she was. Once we got home she had some food and went to sleep. Cute hairy vet did say she was healthy for an older cat (she's 10) so that was good to hear. Now I've got to find a place for her in a cattery... my job for tomorrow...
Listening to Mika 'Life In Cartoon Motion' - very good, sounds a Scissor Sisters at times (which is good...) |
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| (no subject) |
[Apr. 22nd, 2007|02:54 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
On the countdown to San Francisco now...7 weeks and 6 days to go! Just a few more things to do then I can try to relax and just wait for it to happen...
Today I made an appointment for Magic at the vets to get her vaccinations done, a cattery wont accept her without them. I guess I should have done this before but she's never really mixed with other cats, or even wanted to go out that much - if she goes outside I have to leave a door open for her so she can get back in! She is going to hate it of course and no doubt I will be made to feel guilty. Then I've got to find a good cattery for her, which she will also hate no doubt, but this has got to happen...
Yesterday I bought some US dollars. It all seems more real when you've got currency in your hands, the smell and feel of them is even different to ours. And the exchange rate is pretty good at the moment, so I'll be getting some more before the week is out.
So now it's more waiting, some planning, then more waiting... |
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| 23 |
[Mar. 5th, 2007|07:26 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | content | ] |
Went to see the movie "The number 23" last night. Really enjoyed it, and I'm about a hundred million miles away from being a Jim Carrey fan. Thankfully there were no ridiculous face contortions or slapstick - this is a suspenseful, intelligent thriller which keeps you guessing to the end. It's a story about obsession and fear with plenty of tension. Forget "The Da Vinci Code", in my opinion this is much better. And Carrey is good in it, up to now he's made a little go a very long way but hopefully this will be a turning point for him.
I don't think I'd ever be able to have a number obsession, my mental arithmatic is too bad - I'd need a calculator! |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 12th, 2007|06:33 pm] |
Well home again, obviously no post done while I was away. Had a brilliant time in London - shopping, beer and sex...what more could you ask for? It's done my confidence and self-esteem a hell of a lot of good, it's so easy to slide into a rut while you're at home, for time to just slip by really without noticing it. I didn't realise how much I needed this break.
All of my concerns over the snow were unfounded. When I get to Kings Cross there was nothing but a bit of wet slushy stuff on the ground (OK I'm sure in some of the suburbs it might have been worse, but come on...). My hotel was adequate, cheap and clean and close to the station and the Underground. Didn't take me long to find my way to 'The King's Arms' in Poland Street. I have been here before years ago and was pleased to find it hasn't changed much. Very relaxed pub, a fair bit of totty too. I spotted this guy come in, smartly dressed, short dark hair, dark goatee, goodlooking. He caught my eye and before I knew it he was at my side chatting me up, very confident and sociable (seemed to know everyone in there). I'd planned to go to 'Barcode' for the 'Tonker Lite' night after 'The King's Arms', then my new friend said he'd come in straight from work and was going to go home. He gave me his number and asked me to call him the next day. So I stuck to my plan of going to 'Barcode'. This came as a bit of a disappointment really, seemed to have a bit of attitude in there - supposed to be a bear-ish night but didn't come across like that. Granted I didn't stay too long, it had been a long day and I was knackered.
On Friday I called the guy from 'The Kings Arms' and we arranged to meet in there early evening, which we did. Again he arrived straight from work, so we went for something to eat then on to 'The Duke Of Wellington' pub in Soho which seemed ok and again he seemed to know everyone. We collected three guys in there and then went back to 'The Kings Arms' where pool was played till closing time. After that my new friend and I went back to my hotel and had a very nice time...but I won't go into the gory details...
The next day I did some shopping and general wandering around, but it was cold and wet still so I had a bit of a siesta before the night started again. Later on I went to XXL - completely brilliant, filled with great looking men, very friendly. It really reminded of what good Saturday nights used to be like in Heaven 20 odd years ago. I was totally staggered to find this stunning Italian muscleman had seen me and fancied me. There must be a God after all! He even said he liked my belly! The bad news was I was catching a train the next morning so I couldn't take him anywhere and get as close as I would have liked. But men being men we did find a place for a snog and a fumble and whatever... Anyway, wouldn't have missed it for anything. Had a fantastic night. Even getting to my hotel after was ok, the club had a rank of taxis waiting outside so I didn't have to go hunt for one as I expected to. I didn't stay till the end (although I really wanted to) as I knew I had to get that damn train in the morning.
After about 4 hours sleep I was up, had breakfast at the hotel, packed and off to King's Cross for the ride home. Think I must have still been a bit drunk because the departures board looked a bit blurry. Anyway spent much of my boring train journey asleep. Back to my house and cat, and back to work today...business as usual.
Writing this has reminded me what a great time I had. I'm going to think of it as training for when I get to San Francisco. But London does have lots of memories for me, I lived there for most of the 1980's - memories mostly good, some not so good. This is just another good one. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 8th, 2007|07:12 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  awake | ] |
Fingers crossed I'm still off down to London today. Looks like the weather is worsening darn sarf but up here it's still ok (makes a change) - so my train should run ok.
Hoping I can find somewhere to do the occasional post during the weekend. |
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| (no subject) |
[Feb. 6th, 2007|08:23 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | pissed off | ] |
Eagerly looking forward to my trip to London on Thursday. That's if I can get there. On the BBC this morning the weather forcaster mentioned snow...for Thursday naturally, she even used the word "disruptive". As long as I can get there it can disrupt as much as it likes... Maybe I'd better pack a jumper...and gloves...and scarf... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 26th, 2007|06:47 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
My new passport arrived today! I'm quietly impressed with the good old passport office, 6 days is pretty good I think. It's one of those swanky biometric doodads. Awful picture of course, I'm sure the one I sent was better than that... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 20th, 2007|04:30 pm] |
Today I submitted my application form for a new passport, it was checked over at the Post Office so should be ok (fingers crossed), it should be back in about two weeks from Monday (still with fingers crossed). Also paid for my travel insurance today so now I'm really all set for SF, just got to save a bit more for play money while I'm there.
Went out for a beer with my straight friend M last night. Inevitably he talked about women all night, which is actually starting to get a little boring. He really desperately wants a (good) relationship with a woman, but all the ones he chooses seem to end up barmy and it's knocked his confidence a lot. I do sympathise with him but at the same time he goes on about it all the time which is becoming wearing. Really wish he could meet a nice normal (preferably sane) girl who won't mess him around, there have to be some out there... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 15th, 2007|07:16 pm] |
Well the toothache has subsided so it's given me the opportunity to put off the dreaded dental visit, and the sty on my eye is shrinking rapidly. Which is good because I need to get some new pics done for my new passport (which ran out in November)- and since I aint that photogenic anyway I didn't fancy being stuck with a mugshot of me with a humongous growth on my eye for years to come.
I've booked some leave for next month so I've decided to visit London for a few days, found a nice cheap hotel in Kings Cross and booked my train ticket. Foolishly excited by this. I haven't been to London in ages, not since I split with J who lived there, and obviously then I didn't have the chance to go out and 'play' - which I can now since I'm free and single, if not young. Can't wait... |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 7th, 2007|07:18 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  crappy | ] |
Hmmm...so I start the year with a huge sty in one eye...and now toothache. Needless to say I can't get away without treatment for much longer, but I really hate dentists (not personally, I'm sure some of them are very nice but...) My stomach is churning just thinking about it.
On the plus side I've seen a couple of friends this weekend and went for a ride in a convertible MG sports car (great fun till it started to rain!). |
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| Happy New Year |
[Jan. 1st, 2007|07:23 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
Well I guess it's that time of year when folks take stock, of the year that's been and look forward to what's in store over the next 12 months. I'm no different.
I can't say I'm sorry to see the end of 2006. The death of my friend Marina to cancer was grim and cast a big cloud over the latter part of the year, and it seemed that every time I asked someone around me "How are you doing?" they'd answer with some tale of woe. Think it might be best to stop asking, but that's not me.
So onward to 2007. This year I'll be going to San Francisco in June, meaning I'll be there for gay Pride. That should be pretty awesome. I'm not really making resolutions as such, but I've thought of a few things I'd like to achieve this year (nothing earth shattering):
* Lose some weight - currently feel pretty lethargic and uncomfortable, so need to lose lbs...
* Spend less time on the computer...
* Be more sociable - I've become a bit of a reclusive old git recently and want to change that...
* Finish decorating the bedroom - it's been in a sad state of limbo for far too long...
* Be more careful with money - I don't have an extravagant lifestyle yet I seem to be broke all the time, need to keep a closer rein on what I'm spending...
* Keep blog more up to date - it's been too long since last entry...
* Be more creative - I used to be quite a reasonable artist but lost the enthusiasm for it, I'd now like to revisit that...
I see that some of these seem a bit contradictory, but maybe it's more about getting the balance right. Maybe that's the Libran in me. |
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| Stress |
[Oct. 28th, 2006|08:19 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  okay | ] |
A Prayer For The Stressed
Grant me the courage to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I cannot accept,
And the wisdom to hide the bodies of those I had to kill today because they got on my nerves.
And also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today
As they may be connected to the feet I may have to kiss tomorrow.
Help me give 100% at work:
12% on Monday
23% on Tuesday
40% on Wednesday
20% on Thursday
and 5% on Friday.
And help me to remember...
When I am having a bad day and it seems that people are trying to wind me up,
It takes 42 muscles to frown,
28 to smile,
And only 4 to extend my arm and smack someone in the mouth! |
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