The Wanderer's Ramblings

Yet more ranting at whiny judgemental arseholes

2010-01-29T13:21:00.006Z

Just read this story and the comments below it. Go read it, then come back and read what would have been my comment.

I tried to comment on there - but the first posts comment system is shit - it removes all the line breaks to make what I wrote below just a wall of text.

yet again i've found myself getting really pissed off with as i say in the title - whiny judgemental arseholes in forums and comment threads. there is no point engaging them in reasoned debate, because they are (n my opinion) incapable of it - for all their bloody preaching, it's always the supporters of comedy and performer's like frankie boyle - who seem to express themselves with more balance and finesse than the whiny bitches who complain about them in the first place.

So strap yourselves in folks - it's rant time :)

'Glaswegian comic, surely an oxymoron.

Posted by John Clare at 11:27am on November 4, 2009'

you are joking aren't you? please tell me you're joking, more funny people come out of glasgow than most places in the UK. And that's just the ones who make it as professionals.

'Is Mr Boyle a comedian? Such little talent for so much recognition.

Posted by David Taylor at 11:39am on November 4, 2009'

Please people save the air of superiority and the 'oh is he a comedian, i hadn't noticed' comments. There's a word people forget about when it comes to humour - Subjectivity - what you find funny, is not what others might. Bear that in mind, because when it comes down to it, it takes enough balls and talent, to stand up on stage, with an hour and a half's material that you've written and make people laugh. I don't doubt that there are comedians out there with far more finesse - i've seen a fair few myself - but when you see frankie boyle, it's because you want sledgehammer humour, not rapier wit. If you don't like him, don't watch him - it's not like he's on everywhere - he was pretty much exclusively on mock the week so he's easy to avoid.

you might not like him, or any of them, but don't degrade yourself and them with such a stupid blanket statements as saying that glasgow comedian is an oxymoron. To prove my point that it's not an oxymoron, here's a few more Glaswegian comedians - Fred Macauly (comedian, writer and regualr panelist on several BBC radio and TV comedy panel games including QI, the News Quiz, the 99p challenge, mock the week and have I got news for you), Armando Ianucci (writer of some of the best satirical comedy this country has ever seen, and another BBC radio regular), Billy Connolly who has been entertaining people for some 50 years now and last but not least Chic Murray - billy connolly's hero and one of the finest comedians to ever grace our screens stages or airwaves. That enough for you? - I'm sure there are more - and did you notice as well - there's a spread of different kinds of comics there - storytellers, satirists, good old fashioned talk comedians and joke tellers - comedy is a varied medium - wherever it comes from.

I may well be troll baiting here, but please, unless you can back up dumb statements like that with FACT not opinion - don't post it. It doesn't make you look big and clever - it makes you look like a narrow minded fuckwit.

'So, Pete Simmons, you think that "If comics aren't allowed to be offensive, there'll be no comedy"? In the words of that offensive cretin Frankie Boyle, "That's a load of bollocks"! So called 'Comedians' who find it necessary to frequently use swear words, or other offensive language, must be sorely lacking in imagination! Likewise those who support such pitiful attempts to be 'funny'!

Posted by jayprime at 4:54pm on January 28, 2010'

Thanks for that lovely blanket statement. I found the joke funny, you call me lacking in imagination, as if liking that one joke defines my entire sense of humour?? so sad. The list of comics I like is varied, from unsubtle comedians like Boyle to wordsmiths and great wits like Eddie Izzard, Russel Brand (yes I said it - Brand has a love of the english language and its use matched among comedians in my opinion by very few) Daniel Kitson, Josie Long and Stephen Fry.

To call someone pathetic or lacking in imagination for defending a SUBJECTIVE thing is offensive itself. You are making a statement that calls doubt upon peoples right and ability to choose how they are entertained, not to mention the perceived level of imagination on the part of people who occasionally have a laugh at someone else's expense (like you bloody know - my knee jerk reaction is to think that people who sit and slavishly watch the x-factor happily gobbling down the shit that Cowell and his cronies spoon feed to them are lacking imagination - but I have worked with with funny, imaginative people who do just that - just shows how wrong our prejudices can be doesn't it), just because you don't like it doesn't make it wrong or unfunny.

Censorship and overzealous Political Correctness is the bane of creative media at times, yes it stops people from stepping over the line and being outright offensive (the laws on discrimination cover this very nicely) but it also puts massive restrictions on the creativity and scope of material comedians can use.

If this carries on going as it has been we'll end up with situations where the only comedians on tv are people like michael mackintyre, safe and inoffensive to the more 'sensitive' among us (sensitive that is until it comes to complaining about it - then you lose that perspective and so called sensitivity don't you) - don't get me wrong, i like Michael Macintyre, he's a very very funny guy, and would happily pay to watch him live, I've already got the DVD's he released - but all creative industries have genres and groups, comedy by committee, forced to comply with regulations to make intolerant narrow minded fucknuts happy will lead to stagnation (on tv at least, thank god we have a fantastic comdey club scene in the UK that can still foster great comic talent). Frankie Boyle just happens to belong to a group of comedians who are less subtle and at times less kind with their material, long may that be so.

For the record, I thought the joke was funny - cruel yes, but funny, comedy doesn't have to be nice, in fact a great seam of comedy isn't. Boyle doesn't have to resort to cruelty at all, I've seen him live and his material is more varied than what you see on mock the week, but the shocking material is what he's become known for on TV - and he can only work with the material he's given by the show.

So please, engage your brain rather than just your misplaced and overactive sense of moral fucking outrage and your perceived superiority before you try to tear down things like this - because in the end, you just look like whiny intolerant arseholes - not intelligent defenders of moral standards as you may think.

This weeks 'Bugle' and 'Now Show'

2009-12-07T13:04:00.002Z

Just finished listening to these - Both podcasts this week have been absolutely stunning. My face is aching from laughing - if you like a bit of british satire you absolutely have to listen to them both.

If I can find direct download links, I'll post them here.

Relief

2008-11-10T08:37:00.002Z

Well that last post was a cheery affair wasn't it.

Well now for a bit of a cheer up - my fears were unfounded and America made what I see to be the right decision, I'm looking forward to seeing how well Barack Obama can do, let's be honest he's inheriting a bit of a mess.

The speeches after the election impressed me - Obama's was great, and paid great tribute to McCain - but mention has to go to John McCain, who was in my opinion a model of grace in defeat. He had to calm down the crowd and stop them booing whenever he mentioned Obama's name (something that really irritated me, but hey it's to be expected). I have a lot of respect for the man, but Palin (or the Deomcrats secret weapon as I think of her lol) I think killed it for him.

interesting times ahead :)

Been a while... but I can't keep quiet for long :)

2008-11-01T22:25:00.004Z

Hello hello,

yes been a while, and there's reasons.

I've not been seeing any less things that irritate me (lets be honest, much of this blog was full of my venting about such things) but just lately, I'd start typing a reply, or a post about things like that and then think.

Why.. F**king.. Bother. Can I really be bothered to be Flamed by ignorant trolls.... No I can't (I am here of course referring to forum trolls, I'm in no way referring to any of the three people who might bother to read this crap).

and I then get completely demoralised and return to grumbling sullenly in the corner.

But lately I've found a subject I've been very vocal on, and have been arguing with folks about.

Jonathan Ross and Russel Brand

Can we please get this issue in perspective. Ross and Brand are not the root of all evil. They are two entertainers who went a little too far. that is all. End of story. I agree the recording shouldn't have been broadcast, the messages should not have been left. But they were, Ross has since made a personal apology to Sachs, Brand has resigned from the BBC, as has the controller of Radio 2. And Ross is also suspended under contract for 3 months.

I'm sorry if this pisses people off, but I really do not see why such a massive over-reaction has come from this. The mail on Sunday (a paper I wouldn't wipe my arse with let alone read) starts shit stirring and all of a sudden, two entertainers who pull in a lot of ratings for the BBC and are bloody good at what they do, are the scum of the earth. Please people, there's worse people out there, and more important things to be thinking about. Listening to the Bugle (brilliant Times Online satire podcast) on Monday morning - I've heard the best description of what's annoyed me about this whole sad sorry affair - Aside from the two complaints, many of the other complaints seem to be people who are offended that a lot of people heard it, and weren't offended.

I find the rampant calls to sack Ross more offensive than anything else. I appreciate the messages left were not in the best taste. But this has happened because of one tabloid rag - one not known for it's measured responses to ANYTHING. The girl Brand made his comment about is now represented by Max Clifford - that says to me that she's not happy to have a public apology - she wants blood, she wants people to lose their fucking livelihood over a bloody phone call.

GROW THE FUCK UP accept the apologies that have been given and get on with your life. It's really not that big a deal. And yeah I'd still think that if I was on the recieving end.

Right, that's one thing out of the way...

next up - Sarah Palin

This woman, or rather the thought of this woman having any kind of authority, frightens the living crap out of me. How in god's name can anyone think giving this woman any power beyond control of the TV remote is a good idea? I can't really say much more than that, the idea of her having the ability to make Laws is utterly abhorrent.

that is all - there might be some happy blogging at some point lol - I hope so. I've not been motivated to write in a long time, but I kind of miss it. So I might be back soon.

yours Grumpily

James :|

further chucklsome findings - dog diary vs cat diary

2008-04-25T09:56:00.002Z

The Dog's Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

--------------------------------------------

The Cat's Diary

Day 983 of my captivity

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...

todays xkcd strip

2008-04-25T09:44:00.002Z

this just made me absolutely piss myself laughing, I'm getting funny looks from the other office folk lol.

I had to share this

2008-04-20T00:14:00.007Z

This was forwarded to me by my dad, really made me chuckle :) enjoy

And these people have jobs!!! Scary!!!

I walked into a Subway's with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a sandwich. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said 'buy one-get one free'. 'They're already buy-one-get-one-free', she said, 'so I guess they're both free'. She handed me my free sandwiches and I walked out the door.
They walk among us and many work retail!

A friend of mine bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: 'Free to good home. You want it, you take it.' For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. My friend decided that people were too untrusting of this deal. It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read: 'Fridge for sale $50.'
The next day someone stole it.
They walk among us!

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends wh en one of them shouted, 'Look at that dead bird!' Someone looked up at the sky and said, 'Where?'
They walk among us!

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent wh ich direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, 'Does the sun rise in the north?' When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, 'Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff.'
They walk among us!

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual wh o asked wh at hours the call center was open. I told him, 'The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.' He responded, 'Is that Eastern or Pacific time?' Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, 'Uh, Pacific.'
They walk among us!

My colleague and I were eating lunch in our cafeteria, wh en we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a convertible, but 'didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving.'
They walk among us!

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.
They walk among us!

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.
They walk among us!

I was hanging out with a friend wh en we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, 'Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?' I explained that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter wh ich way the head is turned.
They walk among us!

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. 'Now,' she asked me, 'has your plane arrived yet?'
They walk among us!

While working at a pizza parlour I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding.'Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.'
Yep, they walk among us!

The 5 phase procrastination pattern

2008-02-20T16:11:00.003Z

This came about from an email to a friend today. My whole day today seems to have been an exercise in procrastination (including this post) here's the 5 phase procrastination cycle as regards putting off work.

phase 1 - check emails, forums and web comics for updates
phase 2 - reply to emails / forum posts, check and organise work
phase 3 - look for people I've not emailed in a while and email them, hit stumbleupon for a few minutes
phase 4 - wait for / reply to emails from person(s) emailed in step 3

phase 4 (supplementary) - quantify and classify stages of procrastination in normal working day, tell phase 3 email contacts about said process

phase 5 - realise there is too little time left to do anything, spend rest of day slyly reading comics while giving the (fragile) illusion that some sort of worthwhile pursuit is in progress.

Sound familiar??

Shewsbury folk festival

2007-09-12T18:03:00.000Z

A few weeks ago I spent a most enjoyable weekend at my first ever festival. And boy what an initiation. It was a whole family affair, 13 of us in total (Me, My sister, Her Fiancée and their Son, My Mum and Stepdad and two stepsisters, My Uncle and Aunt, their two daughters and their son). Between us we took up 3 large tents and a motorhome, in an arrangement we affectionately called base camp :).

the festival itself was great, just big enough to give everyone space, but small enough to feel homely and intimate - a perfect balance. Very nice food stands as well, so nice I didn't mind paying event prices for it :) but all this is getting away from the reason why i was there - the music.

Friday evening
the first gig we saw was Rod Picott - a brilliant American artist very reminiscent of Tom Waits or Bruce Springsteen, but with a feel of his own. A very cool laid back induction to the weekend, This was one of a fair few artists whose cd's we bought while there.

Second gig I saw on friday was a band called the Peatbog Faeries and was a far more raucous affair, the Faeries are a fairly large band, playing traditional folk Jigs and Reels, but with an almost rock feel to it - ably assisted in this gig by Fiddle player Peter Tickell, the faeries had me jumping, and I was clapping so much along with the beat that by the end of the gig, the only thing I could feel from my hands was a heat that would have boiled a kettle. Definitely one of the highlights of the weekend for me, equalled only by the wonderful Wailin' Jenny's (but more about them later)

Saturday
the First gig on Saturday, was my equal favourite of the whole weekend - the aforementioned and absolutely brilliant Wailin' Jennys. to sum up this gig, I can only say that some of the songs they sang moved me to tears (go to their myspace page and listen to Begin to hear one of them), the vocal harmonies were utterly wonderful and the entire set had shivers running through me. So much so that I went back in the evening to watch them a second time :) and sing along with the songs I remembered from the first time around. I really hope to see the Jennys back in the UK again, because I'd love to see them live again.

The second gig on Saturday (after the Jennys' repeat performance) was an apparently renowned group called Show of Hands - being new to the folk scene I'd not heard of them, but after this gig - it's not hard to understand why so many people packed into the main marquee (over 3000 people) to see the show. Wonderful songs, brilliant vocals and great instrumental skill - this description cannot give an adequate description of this gig - wonderful feeling.

To my shame I can't remember where in the running order this next band were, but they were superb - Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies. A great set, some really really good song writing, and the playing and vocals were very very good :)

Sunday
First gig on Sunday was the fantastic Kathryn Tickell Band - this was the only act I'd heard of prior to coming to the festival, and was one of the number one reasons for going. Kathryn Tickell is a brilliant player of the Northumbrian pipes, and the rest of her band are equally cool. This was a brilliant gig with a great mix of fast paced dancing tunes, and beautiful lilting slow pieces.

Sunday was quite a light day for me, I saw Kathryn Tickell's set and spent much of the rest of the day wandering and relaxing, including in the evening while most of the rest of the clan were watching Kate Rusby and Bellowhead. I headed back to base camp with my Sister Jessica and her fiancée Dan, and my Nephew Christian. We had a very pleasant evening sat drinking tea and talking about all sorts of stuff, I sat and played around on the guitar for much of the evening too.

Monday
Much of Monday was spent (once we'd packed up base camp) killing time waiting for one of the most fun gigs of the entire weekend, a brilliant bluegrass band called Crooked Still. Absolutely brilliant, foot stomping, hand clapping brilliant :) and I've never seen or heard a Cello played quite how their Cello player did. Stunning gig, and a marvellous end to a brilliant weekend.

Can't wait till next year :)

Joke

2007-07-13T13:17:00.000Z

I don't post Jokes very often, but this one I loved - probably because of the idea of the building of the second Ark being blighted by red tape and political correctness.
**************************************************************

In 2007, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England and said, "Once again, the Earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing, along with a few good humans." He gave the CAD drawings, saying, "You have six months to build the Ark before I start the unending rain
of forty days and forty nights."

Six months later, the Lord returned unto Noah and found him weeping in his yard, but of the Ark, there was no sign. "Noah!" the Lord roared,"I am about to start the rain, Where is the Ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed Building Regulations approval because the Ark was to be over 50 metres. I've been arguing with the Fire Brigade who insist that it is fitted with a sprinkler system and fireproof doors and my neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission prior to building the Ark in my garden because it is a development of the site - even though in my view it is a temporary structure, but the roof is too high. I had to appeal to the Secretary of State for a decision.

"The Local Area Access Group complained that my ramp was going to be too steep and the inside of the Ark was not fully accessible to the disabled, that there were not disabled toilets and the gangways were too narrow for wheelchairs. Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond to be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and overhead obstructions, to
clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they wouldn't listen to me.

"Getting the wood was another problem.. All of the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders upon them and we live in an area of Special Scientific Interest, set up in order to preserve the spotted owl that lives around here. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but again, they wouldn't listen. "When I started to gather the animals, the RSPCA threatened me with prosecution. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued that the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.

"The gay rights activists threatened to hold a demo in my garden as they learned that I was planning on only taking on a female and male of each species - they said that was homophobic and was against the Civil Liberties Act. Then the County Council, The Environment Agency and The Rivers Authority ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they had conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many ethnic minorities I'm supposed to hire for the building team. The Trade Unions say that I cannot use my sons as they insist that I have to hire only CSCS accredited workers with Ark-building
experience. To make matters worse. Customs & Excise have seized all of my assets, claiming that I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.

"So forgive me, my Lord, but it would take me at least another ten years to finish this Ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you are not about to destroy the world, Lord?"
"No, Noah" said the Lord. "The Government has already beaten me to it."

I give up swearing warning

2007-06-28T13:48:00.000Z

This has been a long time coming, but hell I can't take it anymore.

I'm a stalwart supporter of freedom of speech and expression, but i am getting increasingly fucked off with reading the opinions of narrow minded fuckwits on message boards.

I love the internet, it's a fantastic tool for communication, but why are people so unable to express their opinions maturely, instead of belittling everyone else's opinions. I'm sure these fuckwits get off on being so narrow minded, and seeing just how much they can piss people off.

This has been brought to a head by something I just read on the Linkin Park forums - I've been a LP fan since Hybrid Theory, they're an excellent band, brilliant lyricists, and the combo of the two singers (Chester singing and at times screaming, and mike rapping) is great, and works well. They recently released a new album, and I have to admit - on first listen I didn't think much to it, i thought it was a bit inert and lacking in that passion i've come to love from them - now however - 2 weeks after getting it - I can't get enough - not a single track I skip. Lyrics are as good as ever, but it is a very different album to their others, it has a different feel.

as you can imagine, change = bad album in the eyes of so many. I got tired of reading the same shit when Metallica released Load - because it was a different kind of album, now I'm of the opinion that it's about the best album they've ever released - I love it, yet I appreciate it's not really a heavy metal album, so genre purists are not going to enjoy it so much. But people just don't get the fact that bands that don't evolve, don't change a little, mix things up tend to die out. Unless they have something so very very good, a formula that embraces change and variation from the start.

I'm tired of defending maturity in a sea of fucking morons - am I the same as them for my zealous pleadings and preachings for balanced expression? I think about this - I have very extreme opinions regarding HOW you can express things without inflaming, and yet still encourage something approaching intelligent discussion. So many threads that discuss something even vaguely divisive just end up as flame war's and bitching matches - i just find it so depressing and frustrating.

please tell me i'm not alone

Money

2007-06-19T08:29:00.000Z

It sucks, especially when you don't have enough of it. It's the week before payday, and I'm so skint I'm asking homeless people if they can spare a little change lol. Between debts, loans and my own bloody stupidity I seem to have put myself in a bit of a financial hole - nothing I can't get out of, but it's frustrating - and it happens over and over again - I'm just stupid with money, and I don't like going without (how childish is that).

Now if I was talking about going without food - that would be something, almost excusable (not to mention a bloody miracle lol) - but I'm not. I'm talking about not wanting to go without music, books, video games, DVD's, cinema tickets etc. For example, last month I spent £65 on an admittedly beautiful and brilliantly put together collectors edition of Niel Gaiman's Sandman comic book. And it really is beautiful, a fuge ornate looking leather bound tome - but I didn't need it, and really couldn't afford it.

I cannot work out if I'm dumb, or just stubbornly refusing to put my life and enjoyment on hold because of money (I realise that the two of these are linked lol - so I may well be both).

you may now feel free to chastise me for this utterly childish outlook - either that or join in and tell me what you have splashed out on when you couldn't afford it lol.

MMM Foood :D

2007-06-05T11:44:00.000Z

I'm sat at my desk at work, eating my lunch (chicken and vegetable stew i made last night - bloody lovely even if I do say so my self), one of those moments where I really couldn't be happier lol

I love my grub

I've not been this pissed off in a looooong time

2007-05-27T15:02:00.000Z

I stumbled upon this page well actually i was directed to it by one of my multiply contacts Tortoiseboy, and I read a few articles - mainly in the section about roleplaying games once i'd read the harry potter stuff.

these people really need to get a life, I'm tired of reading ill informed bullshit (Christian or otherwise). How on earth do these people ever manage to leave the house without having to go down on their knees and beg forgiveness for wearing the wrong coloured socks or some such.

these people need to open their eyes, AND THEN REMOVE THE BLINKERS FROM THEM

i read some of the stuff they were saying about D&D - these people have no idea at all - they seem to think every D&D game session is clandestine gathering of devil worshippers in black robes. They think we read spells out loud FFS - please people if you're going to criticise something - talk to normal people - not people prone to fanaticism - because you'll never find a balanced answer from a fanatic - of anything.

I've played D&D and many other RPG's for years - nothing wrong with it, it's a good social activity, and an excuse to get around a table with friends and have some fun. OK maybe some people might take it more seriously than that - but then the fault is with the people, not the game - but i'm not calling for the game to be banned - just as i don't call for the bible to be banned when christian "pro life" activists murder doctors who work in birth control clinics. As for the Harry potter stuff - get a life, Harry potter may portray images of evil and such, but it does not glorify them - harry potter is a classic good versus evil story - like much great fiction (lord of the rings or the chronicles of narnia anyone) - if you can't handle that, put the book down, go read the bible and leave the rest of us open minded people alone.

I got news for you people - and listen up - CHRISTIANITY IS NOT THE ONLY WAY - and to claim it so is the absolute height of ignorance and arrogance - How dare you discount every other faith on earth, each of which is equally relevant - religion is a creation of man, an interpretation of the will of a creator and caretaker or group thereof depending on your beleif, and a set of principles to live by - why do you feel justified in conducting these crusades (in writing or otherwise). Arrogant ignorant bigots like you make me sick

I have no problem with faith, it is a great and good thing - it gives people something to strive for and live up to - but organised religion puts that faith and wish for goodwill on rails, why does it so often seem to be the case that beleif in one religion results in total dismissal (at the least) of anything else - this is the reason why Religion is the number one cause of war in the world (well besides george bush wanting a nice oil bath that is) because all religions teach you that every other relgion is wrong. Even the christian church has inumerable offshoots and branches - you can't even agree with yourselves

I don't go to church, I do not feel comfortable in religious services - not because i'm an atheist, but because the ritual and rote of religious service is just not appealing to me, I find it stifling and restrictive, just as I find dogmatic drilling of religous "fact" to be wrong and immoral - fine for those who can't make up their own minds, let the sheep be led by the shepherd. I'd rather walk my own path, and see what else there is

Avaaz.org campaign

2007-05-22T10:56:00.000Z

Just received this in my email - and upon reading it I signed immediately. Just goes to show the real reason behind Dumbass Dubya going in to Iraq - I can't say I'm completely surprised - but it's not always nice to be right.

Have a read and see what you think, and pls sign the petition if you agree :) Cheers

Dear Avaaz friend,

The Iraqi Parliament has a chance to block the handover of Iraqi oil to multinational companies. Help them resist:

Take Action Now

Amidst rising bloodshed, President Bush has told the Iraqi Parliament they have till the 31st of May to pass a flawed oil law that could give multinational companies unprecedented control of Iraq's oil fields. But some Iraqi leaders are daring to resist - and they need our help. Two weeks from now, members of the Iraqi Parliament -- including Sunni, Kurdish and Shia leaders -- are planning to read Avaaz's petition of solidarity from the floor of Parliament.

They say this statement of global support for Iraqi sovereignty will strengthen the resolve of their colleagues to face down Bush and big oil companies by opposing this law. So sign the petition today--let's make 100,000 voices heard in Iraq's Parliament before they vote: http://www.avaaz.org/en/iraq_oil_law

Our simple message: we support Iraq's sovereign right to its own oil. Revenue from oil should be distributed fairly to the Iraqi people. And the Iraqi national parliament should decide this without foreign influence. Oil accounts for 70% of Iraq's national income. The proposed oil law would give multinational companies broad control of those revenues for three decades -- a deal more generous than any in the Middle East. In most countries, oil corporations perform services under contracts with governments. In Iraq, foreign companies would sit on the national council that gives out the contracts.

Here's how the head of the Iraqi Federation of Oil Unions, Hassan Jum'a Awwad, put it: "Iraq is passing through the most difficult of times, because all and sundry are hounding it and covet a share of its riches. Everyone knows that the oil law does not serve the Iraqi people, and that it serves Bush, his supporters and the foreign companies at their expense." It's a rare sign of hope to see Iraqis coming together on anything, but this law is bad enough to unite almost everyone. Iraqis are asking for our help. Let's tell them the world supports their right to set their own future.

Sign on and help us reach 100,000 voices before they present the petition to the Parliament: http://www.avaaz.org/en/iraq_oil_law

In peace, Ricken, Graziela, Paul and the Avaaz Team

What happened?

2007-05-21T08:17:00.000Z

Ok - strange thing happened this morning
I woke up at 7:30 - having only gotten to sleep at around 3:30
and was able to get straight up

that
NEVER
happens

If anyone else notices strange happenings (rivers running with blood, plagues of lucusts etc)
please let me know, as the end of the world is the only possible explanation for such a bizarre event as this.

Lostprophets - Liberation transmission

2007-04-27T11:28:00.000Z

This album has been out a while now, but I only just got it after seeing lostprophets live last Friday night at the NIA in Birmingham. The gig was amazing, one of the best I've ever attended. If I'd known all the lyrics I'd have sung myself horse (it was a kind of last minute thing - I only found out I was going on thursday night - so I didn't have time to learn the lyrics)

My first impressions of this album - instant classic. It's not often I buy an album I can listen to all the way through, over and over again. But this album I can, and I have - since acquiring it on Tuesday lunchtime (it's Friday today) I think I must have listened to it 20 times all the way through - and it's not getting old yet :). Every song is great, yet even among such a fantastic collection of songs - there are outstanding tracks - tracks I've been humming or singing to myself since I got the album on Tuesday.

Town Called Hypocrisy & Rooftops - great lyrics, and choruses you just have to shout.
Can't Catch Tomorrow - probably the catchiest song on the album, great rhythm to it. Can't help but tap your foot to it. And the chorus - the chorus is simply fantastic :)
4am Forever - heartbreaking, that would be my one word review of this song. I defy anyone who has been through a breakup to listen to this without tears coming to your eyes. First time I heard this, I couldn't read the lyric sheet by the second verse. I LOVE SONGS LIKE THIS - I love songs where the sheer emotion in the lyrics brings me to tears.

Not sure which is my favourite song on the album, it's between Can't Catch Tomorrow, and 4am Forever - both of which have made it into my favourite songs of all time list.

If you even vaguely like rock music with good deep lyrics, and choruses you can really shout - get this album. you will not be disappointed. If you want to see what all the fuss is about - click on the title of this post to go to the preview page on the Lostprophets website and have a listen for yourself.

Mark Thomas - "My Life in Serious Organised Crime"

2007-04-03T12:52:00.001Z

"My Life in Serious Organised Crime" Is quite simply the single most brilliant bit of political comedy I have ever heard anywhere.

Mark Thomas is a particularly brilliant British stand-up comedian and political activist, he's been responsible for a fair few changes in law - and he's brilliantly funny as a storyteller and standup.

This show is now available on DVD - "Mark Thomas - Serious Organised Criminal"

Faithless

2007-03-18T00:16:00.000Z

Oh my god

will this high ever end

I've just got back from one of the best gigs I have ever experienced. Been to see Faithless at the Nottingham Ice Arena, and I'm still tingling from head to toe. If you ever ever get chance to go and see these guys, grab it. they are awesome.

Even if you don't know the songs, there is no denying the atmosphere in the room. When they came onstage there was a wave of noise as every voice in the arena was raised in welcome. And the buzz started then, and is still yet to fade.

excellent gig :)

Raw Video: First Look at New Leopard Species

2007-03-16T14:12:00.000Z

The World Wildlife Fund says it has discovered a new species of leopard in the Borneo rain forests; the Bornean Clouded leopard spends most of its time deep in the jungle. (March 15) Click title to see the video.

Stop the clash

2007-03-09T10:08:00.000Z

This is something I beleive in strongly and I know I'm not alone, do us all a favour and sign the petition on the site (click the video window rather than the play button to go to avaaz.org)

cheers :)

Damn what a week

2007-02-23T16:20:00.000Z

This week has seen me reach levels of tiredness I've not hit for such a prolonged period of time, there are a few reasons for this.

Insomnia - I've posted before about my passive insomnia, because my mind is constantly ticking over thinking about various things, it doesn't switch off until I'm exhausted.
Random waves of Inspiration - Again this happens from time to time, and always, always in the early hours of the morning. But I have to catch the waves, because by morning it will have lost momentum and the idea's will have gone
Stumble Video - i thought stumbling for websites was addictive, how wrong I was. this shit is like internet Crack. 2 solid hours I sat there last night, didn't realise the time until I looked at the clock and saw it was gone 2am.

If I wake up before mid day tomorrow, I'd be very very surprised.

The week has been quite productive however, idea's have been coming thick and fast for my RPG and I've got a ton of work done at work. So it's not all bad :)

An interesting viewpoint

2007-02-19T11:07:00.000Z

click the post title for article link :)

This is from the first post, a news service I subscribe to. It's an interesting article on the possible POSITIVE effects of global warming. An odd slant to take, and one I feel we should be careful with in case it is used as an excuse not to do what needs to be done to slow it down, but every issue needs two sides, and it does make an interesting read.

what do you think?

[edit] Just as an aside for those who've read the article I'd like to say I don't want Scotland to be more 'hospitable' one of the best things about Scotland is the fact there's no bugger there, and I happen to like rain and snow. If I want hot sunny weather and lots of people - I can go to Cornwall.

possibly the best lawyer story I've ever read

2007-02-19T02:07:00.000Z

This was forwarded to me by one of the guys in my office, and I nearly laughed myself off my chair. A beautiful example of Karma biting you in the ass

A Charlotte , NC lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive
cigars,then insured them against fire,among other things.
Within a month,having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars
and yet without having made even his first premium payment on the policy,
The lawyer filed claim against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small
fires." The insurance company refused to pay,"citing the obvious reason
That the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued and won!

(stay with me.)

In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that
the claim was frivolous.The judge stated nevertheless, that the
Lawyer "held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the
cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them
against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable fire"

and was obliged to pay the claim.
Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance
company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the lawyer for his loss
Of the rare cigars lost in the "fires".

Now for the best part

After the lawyer cashed the cheque , the insurance company had him
arrested on 24 counts of arson!!! With his own insurance claim and
testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was
convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced
to 24 months in jail and a $24,000 fine.
This is a true story and was the first place winner in the recent Criminal
Lawyers Award Contest.

**********************************

How beautiful is that, major Kudos to the Insurance company on that genius bit of legal reversal, oh I'd love to have been there when they arrested that smug shite of a lawyer, i'd have been kicked out of the court if i'd been there at this sentencing lol. One of the rare times I'll cheer for the insurance company :)

I'm coming home

2007-02-19T02:01:00.000Z

This is where it started, and this is where I'm coming back to. Multiply was great in the beginning, but all the people who made it great for me - now are no longer there, and I miss them, I miss posting blogs and actually feeling like someone gave a toss about what I write. I now feel like I'm part of someone elses network over there, rather than my own.

And yeah Kim and Jilly - I missed your comments :)

So I'm coming back to blogger, I may well transfer some of my more interesting posts over here. I'll have to edit one or two of them.

See you soon anyone who's reading

James

Goo Goo Dolls - Name

2007-02-19T01:58:00.000Z

I love this song - and it's got me thinking too (I love music that does that) the opening line is so descriptive of me lol.

Here's the lyrics

Goo Goo Dolls - Name

And even though the moment passed me by
I still can't turn away
Cause all the dreams you never thought you'd lose
Got tossed along the way
And letters that you never meant to send
Get lost or thrown away

And now we're grown up orphans
That never knew their names
We don't belong to no one
That's a shame
But if you could hide beside me
Maybe for a while
And I won't tell no one your name

And I won't tell em your name

Scars are souvenirs you never lose
The past is never far
Did you lose yourself somewhere out there
Did you get to be a star
And don't it make you sad to know that life
Is more than who we are

You grew up way too fast
And now there's nothing to believe
And reruns all become our history
A tired song keeps playing on a tired radio
And I won't tell no one your name
And I won't tell em your name

I think about you all the time
But I don't need the same
It's lonely where you are come back down
And I won't tell em your name

*******************************************************

Great tune, been listening to it at least 2 or 3 times a day for the last couple of weeks.

Merry Christmas

2006-12-24T16:30:00.000Z

I'd like to wish anyone who see's this a very happy Christmas, and a Merry new year :P

enjoy it folks - see you soon :)

James

la la laaa

2006-10-27T08:50:00.000Z

I had to post something, since no one else is :P

had some great humour stuff in my email at work lately - I'm going to start posting it on here. there's some cracking stuff.

that's it for nwo - got some stuff coming up, just a matter of getting my ass in the chair and doing some writing

New Blog

2006-01-21T00:45:00.000Z

got a new blog folks, I'm leaving the sun drenched shores of blogspot. And am off to the tropics of multiply - come see me here

http://barefootwanderer.multiply.com/

My year in review

2005-12-31T16:34:00.000Z

Well what a year - it's been quite a ride this year, some good stuff, some bad. here's the memorable stuff.

finally getting out of retail - this took too damned long, but now I'm out I couldn't be happier, I love my new job and the people I work with are a great laugh (Money's not bad either)
Moved out of my mum's for first time, I love having my own space. Although having no-one telling me to sort out my room has meant that it rarely gets done, but it's a great thing to come home to MY house.
The unfortunate death of two of my favourite ever comedians Dave Allen and Richard Pryor, as I said at the time, it always saddens me when great comics die. I'm declaring a day of mourning when Billy Connolly dies.
continuing to work on my RPG. This year has seen quite a significant change in character and background which I'm very pleased with.
My holiday in scotland with my Grandad, a brilliant week and a brilliant way to spend my birthday.
The death of my great uncle, while I didn't know him too well the manner of his passing made me evaluate things a little.
The birth of my little Nephew Christian - who is now 9 months old.
The birth of my uncles first Son - William.
Attended my first works christmas party - well 2 of them. One was utterly awful, and only rescued by the fact that the guys in my department are such a good laugh. The second - which was for our department alone, was a great night. Despite the presence of a karaoke machine which normally has me running for the hills - still didn't get up and sing, but i did sing along with alot of people who did.

well that's the really memorable stuff. Lot's of stuff has happened some is still hapenning, and some I hope will happen a bit more (more on that if it does)

nothing like a mysterious ending is there.

Have a good new year everyone

See you soon

White christmas (2 days late)

2005-12-28T11:46:00.000Z

Hey folks, hope you all had (or are still having) a good christmas, I'm sat here grinning like a little kid, it started snowing last night, and by the looks of it today it didn't stop. By this evidence I can only assume that the rest of the UK is totally buried in snow since I live on fairly low ground, bad luck folks.

Right, who's for a snowball fight :)

Merry Christmas

2005-12-24T13:26:00.000Z

Just a v quick post to wish all of y'all a very happy christmas.

I'll see you later

A free mind is a beautiful thing

2005-12-22T00:39:00.000Z

I've been musing on this lately. I've long thought about this in my more introspective moments. My driving force in my life is a desire to be different, to stand apart in some way. It can be a lonely way to travel, but if you find kindred souls on the journey the friendships formed will be so fulfilling. I've often found that. The friends I have are so precious to me they are almost extensions of myself. And I care for them as I would a member of my immediate family.

When I refer to a free mind, I'm not exactly sure what I mean myself. Like much of my pseudo philosophical meanderings my thoughts are half formed, and I'm trying to shape them in the writing of this. In relation to myself - the freedom of my mind is that I often judge situations and actions as unique. I forgive quickly, but seldom forget - be it a slight or a service. I make up my own mind by instinct rather than influence.

If I recognise this in other people, it always makes me smile, anyone who strives to be unique in some way, I respect immensely. I love to find people who think like me, it's rare that I do but I have found a couple. Mostly I meet them on the net, it seems to be a haven for misfits and outcasts like me. And services like blogs are a great way of allowing people to publish their thoughts freely - since for the most part, the internet is the most free medium of expression there is. With very little in the way of censorship. Long may that last....

that's enough inane drivel for now, I'm too tired to write any more at the moment. But more there shall be - oh yes.

Take care folks, and have a Merry Christmas those of you who celebrate it.

Richard Pryor R.I.P

2005-12-10T22:09:00.000Z

this has happened too often in the last year, too many great comedians have left us in the last couple of years. Spike Milligan, Dave Allen, Ronnie Barker and now Richard Pryor.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4517714.stm

Although he was a brilliant and highly prolific comedy actor, I think his true genius was on the stand up stage. This man was responsible for the single funniest stand up concert in history (his concert at Long Beach California - which was released on dvd in the UK last year). He was also the catalyst for so many great black comedians - guys like Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. A stunning performer, who often (like so many great comics) used his own life experiences tragic or great - as a source of material for his comedy. Quite simply he was a comic genius, and he did the world a great service in blazing a trail for other black comedians to follow.

Like all comedy greats when they leave us, Richard Pryor will be missed. But his material will live on, if you've never seen any of his material, I urge you to do so. It's about as funny as it gets.

Rest in piece Richard

I'm Back

2005-12-06T15:35:00.000Z

Just got back from an absolutely brilliant week in Scotland. I'd post photo's but unfortunately one of the small disasters that occured last week was that my Grandad's camera was dead. Without much hope of repair or at least - Quick repair.

It's a strage thing but after a holiday I often have trouble remembering exactly what I did. Did a fair bit of walking, one particular day that sticks in mind was a walk in a town called Callender (i think that's the right spelling) a 2 hour walk, the first half of which is a seriously steep climb (about 30 degree angle) my Grandad (71) did the climb with almost piss taking ease. I on the other hand struggled and wheezed my way through it in a most pathetic fashion. I can walk along flat ground for hours with no problems, but climbing kills me, I don't know if it's my weight, my posture or a combination of both, but after about 15-20 mins of hill climbing I get a pain accross the base of my back that feels like I've keed punched in the kidneys.

Once we were at the top of the hill, I was so hot that despite the sub zero temperature I had to take off my jacket and top, and did the rest of the walk In my T-Shirt which got me some very funny looks by the time I walked back into town. It was a great walk, would have been better if it hadn't been such a foggy day, but the view from the crags was still impressive - as we were above the cloudline by then, and could see all the other high peaks rising above the clouds.

We got back to the town, and remembered that the motorhome had run out of gas to power the cooker the night before, so armed with a thermos flask I went in search of a coffee shop that was still open, I found one, and got the best deal of the whole holiday. My Grandad's flask full of coffee, and two gorgeous Aberdeen Angus steak pies for £3.00 an absolute bargain.

We then spent the rest of the afternoon (about 3 hours) driving the length and bredth of Stirlingshire searching for a garage that sold Autogas (LPG), which we needed to refill the gas cylinders in the motorhome. That was a very fun day.

more later when I have the time and / or inclination to write more.

Don't ask me, I know jack shit (or so it would seem)...

2005-12-06T15:31:00.000Z

Just had one of those really embarrasing moments at work. A new co-worker asked me a question about the content management system we use every day. And despite the fact that I know how to do what she needed to do. I don't know how to tell her how to do it.

I know all sorts of stuff, but I cannot pass that information on, I suck as a teacher. I mumble, forget things, do things wrong and generally make a complete tit of myself. God I love being me

First frost...

2005-11-14T09:26:00.000Z

may not seem like much to get excited about, but we don't get snow in nottingham unless the rest of britain is under eight feet of the stuff. So frost will have to do.

A short and relatively pointless post but hey

Go read this now...

2005-11-12T00:16:00.000Z

http://my10kidfamily.blogspot.com/2005/11/conversation-with-god.html

Kims blog (for the three of you who don't read it)

actually it's just struck me how slightly futile it is putting a link to kims blog on my blog. Since she's my only regular reader lol.

aw whatever, the though was there, and my intentions were pure.

Later folks

Winter and Buses

2005-11-11T10:54:00.000Z

Getting on a bus in winter is horrible. It's cold outside, so you wrap up warm, then you get on the bus and the temperature and atmosphere inside is close to tropical, you can't breathe, and you're losing half a stone in sweat every minute unless you go through the hassle of taking your coat / scarf etc off, then you have all the fucn of putting the damned things back on again, on the bus. Makes getting off the bus and feeling the cold air on your face an absolute delight.

It's been a while...

2005-10-31T13:05:00.000Z

I can't help it. The great thing about my new job is that I'm so happy doing it. The bad thing there is that for the most part, this blog is rant based. And with so little annoying me now, it's hard to work myself up to the levels of rage I felt when working in retail.

There is however one subject that has got my rage levels going, and it's one that has puzzled, intrigued, annoyed and frankly horrified me for some time now. I'll throw out more details as I flesh out what I'm writing, but it's likely to be a biggie. May even have to spread it accross several posts.

I'll leave you with that..

but there is more to come

THUD!

2005-09-30T13:20:00.000Z

I have spoken on a few occasions of my love of the works of one Mr Terry Pratchett. Having just finished reading his latest work 'Thud!' I feel the need to reiterate this point.

The man is a genius, his writing is so infused of sarcasm and cynical stabs at the modern world. His sense of humour is brilliant, and his sense of narrative tension - particularly in this latest novel, is equally superb.

Moreso than in any other discworld novel, Thud! has a real sense of tension as the story develops. The city watch books have gotten better and better as the series has developed. With the political storylines weaving into the standard crime stories. Couple this with the fact that the relationship between Commander Vimes and Lord Vetinari produces some of the best character dynamics I've ever read.

I won't spoil it for you if you're a fellow fan, it's sheer brilliance from start to finish, definitely one of the best discworld books ever. Read it you will love it.

well i'm back

2005-09-29T11:58:00.000Z

Hi folks,

I've been lying low for a while after my previous post. Managed to fight off the stormtroopers. Got a bit of a beating from it but I'll live lol.

hell who am I fooling.

the reason for my absence ladies and gents is this little gizmo

stumbleupon

stumbleupon is a rather cool little browser add-on that works with Internet explorer and Firefox. When you sign up with stumbleupon (or stumble as i'll call it now, can't be bothered to keep writing the full name) it asks you to select broad topics of interest, then whenever you click on the "Stumble!" button on the toolbar, it takes you to a random site within one of those subject areas.

it also acts like a portable favourites page, although currently the favourites are not sorted in any way.

It is also extremely addictive. It's taken me to pages I would otherwise never have found, it's bloody brilliant.

so that's the real reason for my absence, i've been stumbling. Give it a go

that's all for now folks

I think I'm going to be sick

2005-09-14T08:30:00.000Z

Swearing warning.

Just read this on the Onion

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/39512

PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS A NIGHTMARE, TELL ME I'M FUCKING DREAMING.

As for their self assured smug question "If gravity exists. How do Angels Fly?" two point's I'd like to make.

WINGS, going by their reasoning birds shouldn't be able to fly.
If they exist - which I'm not disputing, I'm a spiritual person myself. But if they exist they are incorporeal creatures. Beings of spirit, and thus have no mass, therefore gravity wouldn't apply anyway.

I'm sorry if this offends, I really am. But I do not agree with this at all. Gravity although not complete, is something that can be proven in some way with mathematical equations. Yeah ok so it doesn't always match up with quantum level physics, but lets be honest, not much does. There are many things in this world we cannot entirely understand, but that is the job of scientists, and theorists.

As I said before, faith is a wonderful thing. But it is irrational to expect it to explain everything. There are things that science cannot explain, but gravity isn't one of them. The theories may need some work in places, but it goes some way to explaining and giving measurable, mathematical proof of it's effects.

I feel the need to explain my extreme reactions here. As I have stated, faith is a good thing. But I am somewhat mistrusting of organised religion. If a person is going to beleive, and worship god in what ever from he/she/it/they may take. They should do it out of choice, not dogma. I do not consider it a good thing to baptise a child who has no say in where they want to place their faith, they only end up being made to feel guilty that they are not following the path their parents chose for them, and guilt for that reason is not a good thing. I am pro-choice in every sense of the term, I beleive everyone has the right to live their life in the manner of their choosing so long as this does no harm to any person, or undue harm to the world around them. This goes for Abortion too, if a potential parent feels that they cannot give adequate care and standard of life to a child. It is their choice to take on the responsibility to stop the process before it goes too far to be ethical (there is a point at which the embryo begins to develop some form of sentience - beyond that, I personally do not consider it ethical to terminate a pregnancy)

I cannot find any part of myself that agrees with the dogmatic methods of some organised religions. It's wrong to force someone who is at the time impressionable and who has no knowledge to make an informed choice, into a religion that my not be the path that would give them the most satisfaction in their life. This includes at school, where teachers are trusted by students as bearers of knowledge. This could lead to a whole generation of kids who become blinded by the dogmatic teaching. I also consider it somewhat unethical to teach such things from a purely christian perspective, in a multi faith society such as we live in now.

Anyway I think I've rambled on enough now I think, and the international council of churches stormtroopers will be bursting into my office any second LOL. I'll try and fight them off, with luck I'll speak again soon *gets hammered over head with soapbox he was standing on*

I'll be back .....

While you are waiting, here's an interesting site to look at while we're on the subject of religion...

http://www.churchofvirus.org/ read with an open mind. One of a few faiths or Philosophies old or new that I've been genuinely impressed with. This one is very new.

Life update (for those of you who are interested)

2005-09-12T11:43:00.000Z

Hi folks, I'm still here (mostly). It's been a slightly eventful couple of weeks. Here's the rundown

* my housemate has moved out. Due to circumstances beyond our control, which is a real shame, but could be something of a blessing in disguise. Since he moved into the house with me we both noticed we weren't doing as much as we used to. Probably because we didn't really have to make the effort to get together somewhere for a chat etc. So hopefully we'll do a bit more now which would be nice.

* What isn't so nice is the financial situation I now find myself in, to summarise I'm wading in shit creek, up to my waist. I only just break even every month now, I'm left with only 15 - 20 quid a week to live on. But I have had crisis meetings with my chief financial advisor (my Mum LOL) and things look like they will be sorted without too much trouble. A month or two living on a very tight budget, and I'll have a new housemate.

* My best friend Andrew has just returned from Russia, where he has spent the summer teaching English at a summer school. He had an amazing time by all accounts, and will definitely go back. When I found out that James (my former housemate) was moving out, I tentatively asked Andrew if he would be able to move in. The response was everything I had hoped for, Andrew and I have known each other since the first year at secondary school. And have been best friends since college, the only reason Andrew couldn't move in with me when I first moved into the house was because of the cost of going to Russia coming up. We had always talked about getting a place together, don't think he'll be moving in straight away as he's still getting used to being back here. But hopefully within a couple of months (wonderful).

* work continues on the writing of the Role-Playing Game I've been writing for some six or more years now. Just getting past the event horizon as it were, where all the idea's and concepts we've thought up are being filtered out, and a really cohesive setting has been created. I will soon be starting to post the background stories and development material on my development blog http://outcastsrest.blogspot.com.

That's about it really. Not much else going on, thankfully. That's about as much as I can handle at the moment.

Later

Sod's Law

2005-09-01T12:48:00.000Z

The funniest thing happened last night. I was channel surfing, and noticed a western show on TV (the Magnificent Seven for those of you that are interested) It was quite early in the morning (about 1ish i think) and I wouldn't have continued to watch but....

One of the actors was familiar, but I couldn't place him. My mate Steve didn't know his name but named a couple of the roles he played (Kyle Reece (spelling bad) in terminator, and Hicks in Aliens). So I decided to keep watching and find out his name from the credits, so there I am at 1am. I have to be up for work at 7:30, and I'm waiting for the end of a show I wouldn't normally watch, just to find out this bloody actor's name.

The Program ends, the credits roll AT A RATE OF ONE PAGE A SECOND!!! I barely got time to register that the damned credits were even running.

I could have gone to bed, it was a total waste of time.

Sod's Law in action ladies and gentlemen.

Education - Part 1

2005-08-17T19:48:00.000Z

Two issues have arisen in the last few days that have got me thinking. One has made me very confused and a little angry, the other just thoughtful. I was going to deal with them both in the same post, but have changed my mind they are best dealt with separately.

Lets start with angry shall we. I read in the newspaper yesterday (though it wasn't yesterday's newspaper, I think it was from last week) the education authorities in America are introducing creationism into the teaching curriculum. Now for those of you who do not know, creationism is a very popular point of view in America with regards to how we got here. Creationists believe that evolution doesn't happen, they believe that we were created by god, and that any improvements that might have occurred are god's design. There is also a certain amount of debate regarding the age of the earth, but I won't go into that right now.

Over the years, some of the finest minds our race has ever produced have done research into evolution, and the evolutionary process. Finding connections between species, and scientific evidence of evolution. Creatures will evolve to fit their surroundings, people ask why if we evolved from monkeys, do we still have monkeys. I have an answer for this, it's not a particularly scientific one, but it works for me.

The reason as I see it that monkeys still exist is that they are quite happy where they are. They are perfectly adapted for their environment and do very well thank you very much. Something happened to the apes that we descended from, a curiosity about the wider world - one of the more profound evolutionary steps I believe was not a physical one, but a mental one. We got curious about the wider world, and ventured out into it, over the generations we adapted to our new surroundings, and the way we lived in them.

But I'm getting off the point, the scary thing about creationism being on the teaching curriculum in the states is not that I disagree with it, I am a very open minded person, I hold to some rather odd beliefs myself (or would like to think they could be true) my problem is that it will encourage a school of thought that has already more than enough influence in America. Religion is a fine and good thing, it serves many purposes, for some it gives purpose, others hope. Faith is not an issue here, what I mistrust slightly is Organised religion. And when organised religion gets into education systems, all the fun starts to happen. You get the zealous ones, those who are not open minded enough to accept that other faiths may well be just as relevant as their own. You get almost institutionalised guilt tripping. And strange twistings of the tenets of a religion (such as the pro life movement).

At this point I would like to point out very strongly that I have no problem with faith, everyone has their own personal faith, and I believe everyone carries a fragment of the divine within them (hey call me a hippy if you like, I care not. With a belief like that, it's not hard to see how I came to be tolerant of other's faith). My problem is in what happens when organised religion meets political power. It is at this point that religion ceases to be about faith (most of the time) and becomes about control, and so you end up with a situation like we have now. With a discredited and probably ill founded belief is being taught LIKE A SCIENCE SUBJECT. I give up, the world is a f**king scary place when that can happen.

Anyone agree with me?

Education - Part 2

2005-08-17T07:58:00.000Z

Well it's that time of year again. I'd like to start by wishing all those awaiting thei A-Level results the very best of luck, you deserve it. However, I'm going to tackle a subject (quite a controversial subject) that I feel quite strongly about, that involves A-Levels.

Every year in the UK, at about this time of year, the same arguments begin. As predictions and projections for A-Level pass rates are released. The line in all the papers is always the same.

ARE A-LEVELS TOO EASY? or ARE A-LEVELS GETTING EASIER?

My answer, it's possible. I've studied A-Levels, and they were bloody hard, that was eight years ago though. However, easier or not there is a definite problem with them, it is not that they are getting easier (which they may be, certainly evidence suggests that is the case), or that the student's are getting smarter (I'm taking absolutely nothing away from those of you awaiting your results, and nothing I say here discredits you in any way - at least that is not my intention). The problem is that when you study A-Levels now, you do not study the subject but the curriculum. What's the difference you may ask.

Subject = knowledge realting to the subject as a whole, the teaching of which leaves the student with a good wide variety of knowledge with regard to said subject.

Curriculum = knowledge relating to the area's of the subject that are likely to be covered in examination. A snapshot or cross section of the knowledge required for a student to have a good level of proficiency in the subject as a whole.

This failing in the system I beleive has been brought on by the introduction of Academic League Tables. Showing the pass rates etc of various educational institutions. Now this is an act of supreme lazyness, and one of misguided if innocent stupidity in my opinion (not that i'm the almighty authority on anything). The government no doubt thought that league tables would be a great idea, being able to see how well you did in relation to other institutions would no doubt make them push harder to get better results.

The problem is that better grades does not necessarily equal better educated students. Oh within the boundaries of the Curriculum, such students are fantastic, and well done to them - it takes hard work to do what they and I have done, but in the broader aspects of their subject, only the most avid or enthusiasticly interested student will be able to hald their own in the same way. It is the system that has failed here.

Now just being a normal joe, my idea's probably aren't going to be noted any more than (as a friend of mine put it recently) a fart in a hurricane. But I'm going to put them down anyway.

I think that A-Level subjects should have a more abstract element to them, some other way of expressing the student's knowledge of the Subject. Perhaps they should be encouraged in one project, to study a subject that lies outside of the curriculum. With the tutor providing help and guidance to the student. While this is less easily measured than an exam, it would push students to push the boundaries of their studies.

Another way could be for part of a student's examination process to be based on debate or conversation with the tutor and/or other students. Perhaps the week before the lecturer could tell the student's the subject of the following week's debate. To allow them a week to dig up the information and familiarise themselves with it. You can get a far better understanding of a person's knowledge of a subject if the examinations and assesments are done in a variety of different ways. and verbal expression of knowledge, and the benefits of sharing such knowledge provide a very active platform for student's to push the boundaries. This information would be taken into account in the student's final grades, but the subjects discussed there would lie outside of the standard exam curriculum, they may be related, thus improving background knowledge in the subject. But they would not be directly called on in examinations.

Well, what do you think? I'm hoping to get some sort of discussion going here, would be interesting to see your thoughts.

Robin Cook

2005-08-08T11:30:00.000Z

This is a breif tribute (it has to be breif because I know so Little of the man's career) to Robin Cook, who died while hillwalking in scotland on saturday.

I had heard of Mr Cook on the news, and on satire programs like Have I Got News for You and Spitting Image. It wasn't until I saw him on Parkinson when he was publicising his book "Point of Departure" that I got any sort of idea about the man. I found him to be posessed of a very sharp humour, and an intellect to match (as you have to have to survive even one day in the house of commons) I liked him instantly. He resigned from government because of his disagreements regarding the events in Iraq, and his resignation speech was the only speech in the history of the House of Commons to get a standing ovation. Resigned from the one thing he had based his life on since school, to step away from that in support of your own beleifs was a brave thing to do. A shame that such a brilliant man should die so young, I had been looking forward to the possibility of another book from him.

There you go, as I said, a short tribute to a man I admired. Rest in peace Robin.

I.R.A Announcement

2005-07-29T11:59:00.000Z

The I.R.A yesterday announced that it would be ceasing military activities in Northern Ireland, this is great news, and hopefully a ray of hope for the peace process there. There are however still splinter groups that are refusing to drop it, which is a sad thing. Now I'm no huge fan of politics (it interests me but it's hard to trust the process) but surely these people must in the back of their minds be wondering if there really isn't a better way of going about things than blowing the shit out of people.

But I seriously hope this is the beginning of the end of hostilities there. To be honest the first step in any situation like this as I see it, is to deflate a few egos, and swallow your pride. Don't forget the past, you can learn from the past mistakes, but forget the resentment, hatred. Deal with things with a level head - I appreciate I'm speaking as a total outsider and have a disconnected view of the whole thing. But the simple fact is, violence breeds violence, hatred breeds more hatred, it's a vicious circle that needs to be closed before peace can really happen.

That's my political preaching done with for now.

Cheers

Robert Newman gig.

2005-07-28T08:12:00.000Z

What can I say, bloody brilliant.

For those who don't remember Mr Newman, he was one of the four comedians who made up "The Mary Whitehouse Experience" in my opinion the best comedy show of the 90's here in the UK, and Rob Newman was by far the best of the lot. My interest in comedy was just blossoming then, and that show is the first I remember making me laugh so hard I slid off the sofa.

Well last night I went to see Rob Newman in concert at Nottingham Castle, and as I said. It was superb, no comedian since the late Bill Hicks, has produced a show with such a brilliant depth of knowledge and political wit. I love political comedy, I view satire as being one of the greatest forms of comic expression, and it's refreshing to have a comedian stand in front of you who not only has the presence to hold an audience's attention for 90 mins. But the wit and ability to seamlessly weave an awesome amount of knowledge into a comedy show.

In short, if you ever get the chance to see him live. Take it, especially if you like good satire, and historical/political commentary. fantastic.

Songs that got me Buzzing

2005-07-27T11:44:00.000Z

Hi everyone (all three of you lol)

There's a few songs I've been listening to lately that just have me buzzing every time I listen to them. Thought I'd share them with you, Here you go:

Sum 41 - Fat Lip (All Killer No Filler)
Sum 41 - Pain for Pleasure (All Killer No Filler) (this is great, a tribute/piss take to 80's hair metal)
Blink 182 - The Rock Show (don't know the album)
Blink 182 - All The Small Things (ditto)
Good Charlotte - The Anthem (The Young and The Hopeless)
Good Charlotte - My Bloody Valentine (The Young and The Hopeless)
Counting Crows - Angels of the Silences (Recovering the Satellites)
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life
Evanescence - Tourniquet
Green Day - American Idiot - the whole album.
Lifehouse - Come Back Down (Lifehouse)
Lifehouse - Hanging By A Moment (No Name Face)
Slipknot - Duality (The Subliminal Verses)
Smashing Pumpkins - The Everlasting Gaze (Machina - The Machines of God)
Rainbow - Since You've Been Gone (don't kow the album)

there you go. No point to this post other than to share that with you

Cheerio

Week 1

2005-07-15T23:29:00.000Z

Well it's the end of my first week in any sort of employment outside of Retail. And I'm happy to report that all is well (at least apparently) have spent the week doing site checks, and a few other little jobs. Am looking forward to getting stuck into the real stuff.

Everyone I work with seems to be cool people, good sense of humour all round.

So all is going well.

Plus (added bonus) my start time means I now don't have to wake up unitl about half seven, which is bloody wonderful let me tell you.

well that's it for now folks, back soon.

Farewell Ernie

2005-07-02T19:21:00.000Z

I have just heard this evening, that my great uncle Ernest (my grandad's brother) died today. My feelings here are foggy, I'm saddened by this. But I hardly knew him. What saddens me most is he died alone, he'd never made a life he wanted I don't think. It's difficult to say more, My usual flair with words fails me at times like this. So I'll sign off with a simple goodbye

Farewell Ernest, Rest in peace.

WORK SUCKED TODAY

2005-07-02T19:17:00.000Z

I had to spend the day at work, serving customers, and being nice. When all I really wanted to do was be at home with a few friends, a mountain of munchies, and Live8 on the television. I've been catching snippets of it all day, and I've made my displeasure at having to work today felt. To my workmates and customers lol.

Ah well I'm now sat at my puter, and watching the stunningly beautiful Joss Stone sing her heart out on stage. More to come too.

Byeeeee

This silence is killing me

2005-07-01T18:13:00.000Z

I write this here because in truth I'm too much of a coward to do anything direct. And that cowardice drives me mad. Here we go

Three times now, I've sat either opposite or near to a girl who makes my head spin with just a thought. Dark hair, beautiful eyes I could drown in. I don't know her name, or anything about her except for the fact that every time I've made eye contact with her I get major butterflies in my stomach, and have to stop myself from grinning like an idiot. I'm 25 years old, but seeing her I feel like a kid again, and words fail me.

part of me hopes you'll read this, because I cannot bring myself to open my mouth and ask for your number, or for a drink. If you think me a coward I wouldn't be surprised, but for some reason saying what I want to seems easier here.

Dammit I've been single and not looking, too long. I've even forgotten how to start talking to a girl without tripping over my words. Who'd be me lol

later folks.

James

On Ranting...

2005-06-24T23:57:00.000Z

I noticed from an earlier post (too much misery) that I signed off by saying I'd have some more cheerful stuff and ranting for you soon. I find it kinda funny that I don't consider ranting to be negative.

Ranting for me is at the same time extremely therapeutic, and also bloody good fun. All my favourite comedians, all my favourite comedy usually stems from someone ranting about something or other. Ranting comes from many sources for me, rage and frustration at the world, or myself. And a need to make people laugh.

Humour has always been a part of my life since school. You've all heard that line about the kid who uses humour as a defence mechanism. That's me, you know what I did? When people took the piss out of me, I used to join in. It pissed people off no end, to know that it wasn't getting to me. That's why I rant, I enjoy it. I like to make people laugh, and like one of my heroes - Bill Hicks, I want to try and open peoples eyes to see things a different way.

there you go. Some pointless meanderings from myself.

I have no idea what to call this post.

2005-06-19T00:26:00.000Z

You have one of my MSN friends to thank for this. For she is currently using the following quote as her MSN screen name

"This world is a comedy to those who think, and a tragedy to those who feel"

The world I find my self in seems to be filled with greed, decadence, selfishness and cynicism. In the middle of this sit people like me, intelligent, sensitive, affectionate. People who feel like they're the only ones who see the shitheap the world could turn into.

I don't want to get too preachy on you. But soon it's going to be too late, It sickens me that sooner or later near every fucking decision comes down to money. A few creations in human history have done more damage than any other.

1. Gunpowder - making war easier, and more distanced from yourself. We can now wipe out entire nations without even having to see a single face twisted in pain. War is a sick joke, yet it seems to hold a sick fascination to the human race, we are drawn to conflict like moths to a flame. Getting burned again and again, but we never learn.

2. The concept of Money - before this idea, communities were exactly that. Everyone helped everyone else, it was just the way it worked. You didn't expect anything in return, because you knew that when next you needed help - it would be there. No questions, it was just the way it worked.

I get frustrated with the world - that's why I rant. I get frustrated with politics, and the fact that bureaucracy and money get in the way of everything. Take this G8 summit thing - the G8 countries know that it's right to do something about world debt. They know what they have to do to do it.

I get pissed off with the fact that people seem to be out for themselves, material concerns cloud every decision - not their fault. But society as a whole is such that you cannot live without thinking of money all the time. Except (and this is the real irony) if you have lots of money.

but in the middle of all this shit. There are shining diamonds. Once in a while I find people who make me forget mankind's faults. People who make my life better by their mere existence in it.

James - one of my two best friends, I share my house with him. And he's as close to being a brother to me as you can get.

Andrew - my other closest friend, and another near adopted brother to me. Andrew is a constant source of inspiration, humour, and life advice (even if I don't take it). And the rock I lean on when life gets me down.

Maria - what would I do without you. I can say little more, it's not been long since we became friends but I wouldn't lose you for the world.

Lianne - another person who just makes me feel great. One of the few people who share my sense of humour, among other things. My life would be dimmer without you.

Kim - god what can I say about Kim. Those of you who read her blog will know her well, those who don't read her blog, you soon will. Go here. A person who can make me laugh, and cry in the space of a single blog post. Someone who like me isn't afraid of sharing her thoughts and life with the world at large.

there you go. a positive note to end on. I had to give these people the credit they deserve for making my life great. (I mentioned none of my family here, but they go without saying) Thank you all. You keep me sane (not an easy task LOL) and I have nothing but love and appreciation for all of you.

Speak soon folks

James

Too much misery...

2005-06-18T19:54:00.000Z

I'm going to give myself a good kick up the arse and stop being so bloody melancholy. I'm sick of it, i'm not a negative person, so why do I always seem to use this blog to whine of late. I have no idea, I might just be running from something, but i don't know what. Whatever it is, I'm tired of running. Hope to have some more optimistic stuff or ranting for you soon.

Ciao

Don't talk to me it hurts.

2005-06-11T15:25:00.000Z

I've had the mother of all headaches today - the kind of headache I call a brain pulse. I can feel every beat of my heart as my brain pulses against my skull. So it doesn't help that today has been the busiest saturdays my department has had in ages.

Where the hell have all these customers come from. Where were they hiding. When will they go away.

Later folks

Good Stuff Bad Stuff

2005-06-07T22:35:00.000Z

Good stuff: I got the Job I applied for, will soon be starting work at the Nottingham Trent University. And I cannot wait.

Bad Stuff: Going through one of those odd periods of my life where I feel a little lost. Many of the friends I speak to haven't been online in ages, I've had to skip meeting up with friends because of work or other commitments. And generally at the moment am feeling a little lonely. N idea why, well actually I have one theory. The best way I can put it is...

Every night I come home from work. My housemate James is home - great, we sit talk have a laugh while one or the other of us plays on the PC. Then as the time approaches midnight, and with work beckoning the following day, bedtime arrives. I am single, and have been happily so for some 7 years. But getting into a double bed alone every night is making me wonder what I'm missing. I don't mean that to sound wholly related to sex (you can't miss what you've never had), but that's part of it. Part of me (a growing part of me) yearns for companionship, to wake up in the morning and see someone I love lying there with me.

My problem as always lies in getting my arse out of the door. I've been using internet services (that is tickle matchmaking, yahoo singles, and match.com at various periods) for a while now - and while in three cases, it's given me good friends. I'm increasingly finding that this is not enough, One of the aforementioned in particular; Maria. Has become a most cherished friend - among the best I have, and I don't know what I'd do without her. My other problem is that I am blessed/cursed with a happy attitude, a good sense of humour and a likeable personality. This means that the Friend Zone Hilton is a regular stop over for me, before heading back to singletown. I edge around my personal feelings with people, for fear of scaring them off. I can't do that anymore, it's driving me nuts.

The most recent episode of my saga came from an E-mail sent to someone on Tickle. In a classic situation, My e-mail arrived just too late, as the stunning, talented damned near perfect girl in question had just met someone. D'oh!

Life's a bitch. But that's no reason not to laugh at it...

(See, even when feeling as I do at the moment I cannot help but throw humour into the mix)

The Law of Sod

2005-05-30T19:26:00.000Z

On the whole my life is a fairly charmed existence. A great family, fantastic friends, I enjoy life, I have a fairly good job, and a decent education. I get on well with people.

But fate feels that it has to get it's own back on me for this. In stupid childish little ways. Examples include

every time I wash my hair - it rains. no exception, every time.
I always lose important things - bills, keys, sunglasses, cd's, dvd's, books. Anything I want to keep hold of basically.
I always forget my friends birthdays. always, this really is not like me at all. I love my friends dearly. but try as I might, I can never remember their sodding birthdays.
When doing my banking, there's always a bill I forget.

I have no idea why these things happen to me. but i can't complain too much.

THAT F**KING FROG !!!

2005-05-27T23:41:00.000Z

I SWEAR IF I HEAR THAT F**KING CRAZY FROG RINGTONE ONE MORE TIME I'LL KILL SOMEONE.

as if it wasn't bad enough that it's on every single bastard commercial break on MTV and VH2. Now theres a single. And to my horror, it's gone in at No1.

WHAT???

did i miss something. The british music buying public has lost all sense. some fucking idiot does an impersonation of his mates moped. and ends up with a no1 single. WHY???

I cannot stress just how much this pisses me off.

but right now i'm just too incandescent with rage to write any more WITHOUT HAMMERING THE SHIT OUT OF MY DAMNED KEYBAORD.

apologies for the swearing... but i have to scream to the world my helpless rage at the stupidity of the british music industry right now.

Later

Money ...

2005-05-16T13:16:00.000Z

why why why?

why is it that no matter how well I think i've planned, no matter how careful I am with my money. There's always something that takes me by fucking surprise and puts me in debt again.

With 2 weeks until pay day, I'm overdrawn by £150, hopefully my bills have all been paid. if not i'm screwed. I have no idea how this happened (I usually don't), money matters, and banking are unpleasant chores for me. No matter how hard I try, I can never seem to keep my finances under control, frankly it's starting to piss me off.

Ah well, what can I do. Not alot for now, think I'll be paying the bank a visit sometime soon.

Normal humour will resume when I'm not feeling so shitty..
Thank you for your patience.

Later ....

2005-05-13T22:41:00.000Z

Rejoice and celebrate folks. The UK's best music show is back on the telly.

Later... With Jools Holland is quite simply the best music show you will ever see on British TV.

Only artists of real merit make it onto the show, and one or two great British rock bands owe their success to the show (Stereophonics for one). Every week there is such a varied mix of music, from all strands of music, rock, r&b, dance, jazz, blues, Folk everything. I've gotten into so many bands and artists just by watching this show, including some weird shit.

the best thing about it is the mix of old and new, in every show you will see blockbuster artists like Foo Fighters and Black Eyed Peas alongside total unkowns.

Welcome back Jools and Co.. you were missed.

Memories ...

2005-05-05T10:16:00.000Z

Funny how memories can leap into your mind unbidded isn't it. Happened to me yesterday, I have no idea what triggered it. . .

Seven years ago I split with my then girlfriend, a couple of weeks before we were both due to go to university (yes I've been single for that long) I only write this here because I am slightly puzzled by my reactioon to the event, and it illustrates a point about me.

On the day we split, it was a glorious summers day and she was so upset, she had felt that things weren't going too well and the split was at her suggestion. But it hurt her so much to suggest it, that I buried my own grief and upset over it. o help her deal with it, to comfort her. I walked her home, and we said our goodbyes. On the way home I broke down entirely, and could barely see by the time I had walked across the fields to my house.

This kind of situation happens to me alot. And yesterday when I remembered that day, I thought "How did my apparently passive attitude come across to her?" did it seem like I didn't care, this messed me up a little. This obviously wasn't the case, I can tell you that it took me ages to fully let go. For the circle to close allowing me to see our relationship from the outside. Any of you who read my blog may or may not know that I care about the people around me alot. And the thought of hurting them, even without meaning to upsets me.

But the reason I do things like that is that I instinctively put others before myself, and do what I feel is best at the time. Strange how such a caring attitude might come across as cold sometimes isn't it.

St George's Day

2005-04-23T20:02:00.000Z

Well it's St George's day, and the English (and anyone else who happens to be here) are celebrating in typical English style. In other words drinking until they fall over, throwing up, standing up, then ordering more drinks.

This was going to be a rant, but I'm in a good mood tonight. Hope everyone had a good time, I just still can't see the attraction of drinking until you can't stand up. I don't suppose I ever will, I do drink myself, but only what I like the taste of (wine or fruit juice mixed with something alcoholic). I don't drink to get drunk, as you may have guessed.

I may sound defeated here, for years I've railed against English drinking culture. I just can't be bothered anymore. Why are we as a race, unable to celebrate anything without stupid amounts of alcohol being involved.

Ah well, each to their own. As i said earlier, hope anyone who's out there has a good time (and a good hangover to remind them of such lol)

Laters

Another bit of bullshit corporatese

2005-04-22T11:04:00.000Z

**obscenity alert**

A couple of posts ago, I had a rant about some of the posters with slogans on that have been dotted around my workplace. Well I've found another one that's got my back up ....

"People are as happy as they choose to be"

What the fuck (excuse the swearing, but this has got me really pissed off) kind of crap is that. Like external factors have nothing to do with it. Kinda sounds like a cop out doesn't it, soc you're unhappy at work - well you must just have the wrong attitude then - nothing to do with us i'm afraid.

BOLLOCKS.

This is worse than the other one. Am i just being cynical or does anyone else read that statement like i do. what a load of crap.

And Relax ...

2005-04-14T00:35:00.000Z

Well it's wednesday now, and all went smoothly. My sister gave birth to a big ol' baby boy (9lbs and 9oz) called Christian. Both are home safe, Christian is (currently) and absolute joy, very quiet, and he mumbles all the time, it's fantastic. Kids fascinate me so I'm looking forward to watching my nephew grow up.

On the same day as Christian was born, I also picked up the keys to my new house, so monday was quite an eventful day. Went over to the place with my housemate and had a couple of drinks, and some muncies sat on the living room carpet, 'twas a fine day.

Later

Head pounding frustration

2005-04-10T22:39:00.000Z

As I write this, my sister is in labour. The rest of my family are at the hospital with her, she's been in labour since about 12 noon today, it's now quarter to midnight. The poor sod, I've had no word from anyone, everyone's mobiles are switched off.

I feel utterly helpless, and adrift, I don't know what to do, so I'm watching comedy dvd's and chatting to some of my fellow nocturnal friends on MSN in an attempt to chill out. My stomach is in knots, I can't concentrate at all.

It's not knowing what's going on that's driving me mad.

but what can I do except wait.

Later

Feelings...

2005-04-08T07:23:00.000Z

Been feeling a little strange lately. All my emotional senses seem to be operating in top gear. The impact of any emotional stimulation is amplified. Jokes are funnier, inspring stories i read bring tears to my eyes. I can't help it, it's very odd. But at the same time, I love it when i feel this way. I feel so much more alive, everything affects me somehow, makes me feel a part of something larger.

not a particularly long post i know, but i just felt like sharing it with you all.

Corporate Humour

2005-04-06T07:36:00.000Z

Ok here we go, this is one of those subjects that really gets me. It hit home when i heard at work something they call "smile am" a (thankfully) short radio broadcast in the store i work in, with cheesy music, and people trying to be funny in that cringe enducing way. the same way that local news readers try to be funny.

I hate shit like this with a passion, watered down humour. if you have to water humour down for fear of offending people, just don't bother with the humour because the watered down shite you try to "Entertain" with just offends those of us who haven't had our sense of humour surgically removed.

This does actually hark back to my political correctness rant. but it's just as much to do with bullshit corporate ideals that people have to suffer in just about every job in the world. I often view such things as displacement activity "well the place is shit to work in, and we know it. What can we do to make it look like we actually give a shit"

Last thing, and this illustrates the above point perfectly, at work at the moment there are plastered all over the place these little quotes that are supposed to be uplifting and eye opening. BOLLOCKS. heres the one that really pissed me off.

"Smooth seas do not make skilled sailors"

Rough translation "Yes things are shit, but it's character building"

what a load of crap

What is wrong with me?

2005-03-27T22:36:00.000Z

Ok this has been playing on my mind for a while. As you can tell from the title, it's a question about my self. here we go.

for some time now, i've been a member on a few internet matchmaking sites. I find this a more comfortable way of meeting someone, since I don't really seem to fit into the normal social pursuits of the UK (dancing, drinking till you fall over etc). Despite that I consider myself to be a sociable person, a good laugh, not too bad looking, caring etc. Many of the things that women ask for in such profiles. Now judging by the fact that i've not yet after a year or so had any response that's ended in a date (I should mention here that i have made two good friends on these services - whom I love dearly). I can come to only two possible conclusions.

1. women lie their tits off on there with all that "Good sense of humour" bollocks. this is entirely possible, and astoundingly frustrating.

2. there is something wrong with me, either physically or as a person. check out the following link for my tickle matchmaking profile. tell me what the hell is worng. because i'm buggered if i know.

thanks for your patience with my ramblings.

Luck be with you

An unusual post

2005-03-20T17:39:00.000Z

Unusual for me that is. In that this is a particulalry Bloke-ish post. But I have come to the conclusion this week, that the greatest invention in fashion is Hipster trousers and Belly tops. On girls that is, doesn't quite work on lads. But on girls I think it is one of the sexiest things around, especially if the girl in question has a pierced belly button. Lovely

right, had to get that out of the way. Normal services (griping, sarcasm, ranting etc) will resume shortly.

Back to work tomorrow....

2005-03-14T12:09:00.000Z

la la la la la ....

Yes that's the sound of me trying to ignore the fact that i'm back to waking up at 6, and pandering to the needs and desires of those most bemoaned of entities retail customers and retail managers.

*sarcasm mode*
God I'm so looking forward to it, whitout retail my life has no meaning
*disengage sarcasm mode*

Ha! i think not.

Still it's been a nice week, been out for lunch a couple of times. And spent an almost unhealthy amount of time playing world of warcraft. but now, back to the grindstone.

Laters

I F@%ING HATE RETAIL !!!

2005-03-02T18:59:00.000Z

As you can probably tell from the title, there is going to be some swearing in this post. Forgive me but I need it to get this frustration off my chest. I should mention that thusfar this week has utterly sucked, I got my rota wrong and somehow managed to turn up at work when I wasn't needed, but had to stay because I'd taken a day off I shouldn't have, this coupled with regular cramp attacks, headaches, and general fatigue have combined to make me really fucking cranky. The only high points of this week have been conversations with my friends (Thank you Andrew, Thank you James, Thank you Maria, Thank you Lianne you brighten up my life by your mere existance in it). So here we go with my rant.

It's taken eight years, but now I can say it with absolute clarity. I hate working in retail. Customers talk to you like shit, managers treat you like a moron, nobody's happy. You're at the mercy of people who have no apparent common sense at all. Today has been one of those "just don't fucking mention it and everything will be fine" days, unusually enough it hasn't been a customer that has sparked this off but a combination of a bitchy self important manager, and a startling realisation that I really resent getting up at six in the fucking morning for no reason better than if I don't I'll get the sack.

I've only been working in my current job for a couple of months. But in that time I've shown myself to be willing to work on any area of the department I work on. The people I work with are for the most part pretty cool people, even one or two of the managers are beyond merely being tolerable. Hell I even like one of them !!!

During the time I've worked there, I've built up a picture of one manager that has changed with each new piece. At first I really liked them, they seemed to be helpful, friendly and enthusiastic. But after two months I see that there's favouritism there - unforgivable in management in my opinion. They're nice to you until (a) they get bored of you OR (b) you do or say something that doesn't quite fit with their view of the world. This particular management is one of those nauseating people who try too hard to be accepted by particular groups of folks. Hearing them trying to talk to people on their level makes my arse clench with sympathetic embarrasment, and goes through me like a thousand fingernails on an amplified blackboard.

This week has just shat upon me from the start, I tidied sections of the department up not long ago. Now they look like shit again, I try to keep the place clean and tidy, but it's like pissing into a rainstorm - no one really notices. This constant grind of pointless activity has really begun to take it's toll. to the point where I now don't want to go to work tomorrow. I want to stay at home, eat soup with hot chunky white bread, watch comedy dvd's, and look for ways out of the fucking trade I've found myself in.

I'm sooooo glad I'm off next week, it seems to be a theme in my life. The week before I'm due for a holiday will be the most unpleasant, difficult, shitty, infurating and above all fucking frustrating week ever. So by the time I go on holiday, I'm so stressed (highly unusual for me) that it takes me a day or two to chill out completely. But I am so looking forward to next week.

Damn but that rant felt good. I feel so much better now.

Right I'm off to become an Architect (or at least try and find some way how to become an Architect)

Cheerio, and thanks for reading, I get all your comments, and will reply if an e-mail address is left.

What a morning

2005-02-22T11:24:00.000Z

Walking to work this morning was absolutely amazing. A light snow was falling and the morning sky was a vivid white gold. Walking along the street towards work, with my iPod's playlist matching the mood of the morning, I felt like I was being given a brief glimpse of heaven. I love winter mornings, I only wish I'd had a camera.

Walking home

2005-02-20T00:52:00.000Z

It's 12:52am and I've just experienced one of life's simple pleasures. Walking home on a cool clear moonlit night, no-one but me and my iPod. It's a half hour walk from my friends house to mine. and the cool air is wonderful. I love this time of year, the sky so clear, the air seems so much cleaner than in summertime. and some cool tunes plying on the iPod just rounds it off perfectly.

I tend to make the best of winter and spring, because I know that summer is coming. I don't have hay fever or anything like that, thank god. I just have a temperature tolerance that is set several degrees lower than the rest of the human race. If I were on a beach, I'd try and find some shade to sit and read my book, or I'd be in the sea with my wetsuit on catching some waves. Which reminds me I must sort out holiday to cornwall for summer ......

Laters

Joy and Frustration

2005-02-12T19:46:00.000Z

JOY
Well, I got the house (YAY!) will be moving in around april time. House is superb, overlooking a park, plenty of takeaways nearby, good pub nearby. Top place, I can't wait.

FRUSTRATION
Bloody women.

ok now that's settled in. I've been trying for a week now to arrange to meet up with the Possible someone I mentioned in the last post. to be met with obstacle after obstacle after hair tearing, teeth grinding, head pounding frustrating obstacle. We were going to meet up last weekend, but she had to work. Fine, lets make arrangements for when she's off in a couple of weeks. She's away for most of it, but she'll be around on Monday, monday being Valentines day of course. I thought this might make my hopes a little clearer, it may well have done. and this is where the frustration comes in. I DON'T KNOW

She's given no indication to me as to if she's up for meeting on monday (she's teasing me with indications that she difinitely wants to meet sometime), i keep getting confused signals (Or rather i keep getting confused by signals) from her .This isn't entirely surprising, since she's female, and women seem to delight in teasing, and playing hard to get. Either that or they really do not realise either what they are doing, or the kind of turmoil confusion and frustration it can cause. especially in someone like me, who always has to second guess himself, let alone other people lol.

the last couple of weeks since things started looking good, have been an emotional rollercoaster, my heart has soared and plunged as my mind turns over the questions "Will she text", "Should I text her" etc, then thinking I've blown it, before getting a text message from her. Even as i type this i'm smiling though. people don't get under my skin that easily. But that doesn't help ease the confusion, only increase the frustration because i think there could be something there.

Which is partly my own fault, as i have a tendancy to allow my emotions to run as they will, not reining them in. in this, my highs can be staggering, but the come downs and disappointments are a little harder to take (I'm not manic depressive or anything like that. just a very emotionally open person, open with myself, as well as others)

This confusion only does my head in because from the moment we met, I've felt something between us (Dirty dirty minded bastards, i don't mean that!). And while the whole mysterious girl thing is kind of alluring. it's bloody irritating if you're trying to make arrangements to meet.

I think I've said enough, If you read this, you may well work out i'm talking about you. part of me hopes that you do. because I'm too wary of scaring you off to make a move. But too scared of losing you to just sit back and let you contact me. I hope we get to meet up soon, because i'm driving myself insane.

James

what a year. and still only february

2005-02-05T22:42:00.000Z

was just thinking to myself about what's happened so far this year. here's the list of cool things to go on, or possibilities that have revealed themselves.

1. got out of tesco's and into a job at john lewis' department store.

2. maybe moving out, found a great house just hoping that our offer goes through.

3. AEG (alderac entertainment group) gave me permission to use their dice system for my role-playing game. This truly is superb news, i cannot express just how good. it means i actually have some kind of chance to publish the game as the system needs only minor tweakage to make it fit, rather than writing from scratch.

4. after nearly 5 years single, there might just be someone. this has me smiling quite alot at the moment, today more than ever.

5. as mentioned in my previous post, another job opportunity that would lead to me firstly doing something i have a qualification in. and secondly, 50% more money in the bank. that's a big secondly.

in short, life is good. and looking to get better.

laters

One month gone, how much longer?

2005-01-27T16:20:00.000Z

Well i've been in my new job for nearly four weeks now, and i may be leaving soon lol. Might have a web design opportunity coming up, something i'd love to do. Strange how things happen ain't it, I leave tesco to come work at John Lewis, thinking it's a step in the right direction. and within a month an opportunity like this falls into my lap, i'm so happy i could fucking sing.

Happy New Year

2005-01-01T01:34:00.000Z

Well another year gone. Been quite a year - I've seen my mum get married, moved house, changed jobs, put off actually doing something with my life for another year.

Things i'd like to do this year
* pass my driving test
* move out
* get website online
* take guitar lessons
* enjoy myself

i think that's enough to be going on with.

Happy New Year everyone

End of first week

2004-12-31T15:26:00.000Z

Well, that's week 1 over with in my new job. And I must say I'm knackered. Still not till trained yet, so spend all my time just talking to customers and doing the whole sales advice thing. Moving onto the computers section after christmas, looking forward to that.

New job

2004-12-27T22:17:00.000Z

started my new job today. working at John Lewis department store in Nottingham, TV & Audio section. Was absolutely manic, soooooo many people out shopping. but it was cool, and if i can handle a day like that, i can handle anything the place can throw at me.

Going to take a little while to settle in with my new workmates though, been working at same place for 8 years, since i left school. so working somewhere else feels Reallly wierd, but it's a great place to work.

more later.

CHRISTMAS - THE AFTERMATH

2004-12-26T18:50:00.000Z

ok, there are a few things that characterise the post christmas period for me.

1. I've eaten waaaaaaay too much of my mum's fantastic christmas dinner.
2. I have not got enough space to put all my new books on the bookcase in my bedroom, prompting yet another purge and banishing some books to the abyss of the attic.
3. a slight feeling of sadness, I love christmas. There's six people live in my house, Me, my Mum, my Stepdad, My sister, and two step-sisters, so it's a big event and takes a hell of alot of organising (and food lol).

it was a great day. got some cool stuff, including an iPod, loads of DVD's, CD's and books.

laters

Political Correctness has gone too far this time

2004-12-25T08:44:00.000Z

Ok, this has been boiling up for a loooooong time now. But I read a story in the newspaper today (I forget which) that has made my absolutely bloody furious.

A cathedral choir has had to re phrase the lyrics of the hymn "God rest ye merry gentlemen" to "God rest ye merry people" I'll just allow a few lines of contemplation space before the rant begins.

WHAT IN THE NAME OF CHRIST (forgive the blasphemy) IS GOING ON...

are we now judged to be so sesitive about things that even Hymns are not safe. what next.

Don't get me wrong, I think on some levels, political correctness is a good thing. I despise bigotry, and Racial or sexual slurs are just not acceptable.

But let me make this point - IT IS NOT A RACIAL SLUR, TO CALL A BLACKBOARD A BLACKBOARD. IT IS A BOARD THAT IS BLACK, WE ARE IN NO WAY IMPLYING THAT BECAUSE IT IS A TOOL ALL BLACK PEOPLE ARE SUBSERVIANT TO US "OBVIOUSLY SUPERIOR" WHITE FOLKS (sic) IT'S JUST A BLACK, BOARD. DON'T GIVE ME ANY OF THIS "CHALK BOARD" BOLLOCKS. I could understand this if the term used was the far more offensive derogatory term for black people (begins with N, work it out - i refuse to utter it here even to illustrate a point), but it's not. it is a harmless thing, that some limp wristed dickwit somewhere in the world thought that with the right combination of drugs, dementia and stupidity - it could be taken as a racist slur.

Here's another example for you. The salvation army band, when playing in leicester recently (apparantly, this story is second hand but i beleive it is true). The PC tossers, said that they couldn't use the term Christmas on their banners, they had to use the term "Winter celebration"(Leicester for those of you who do not know, is a city in England with a very large Asian population) apparently the term christmas would offend this section of society. Personally i don't think they give a toss, just like i don't give a toss if there are Diwali decorations around the place (forgive me if i got the spelling or the celebration wrong - i'm not well versed in religion, but you get my point). I care not, everyone is free to celebrate the time of year in whatever way they deem necessary, as long as it hurts no one else.

Here's an example form the Great Mr Billy Connolly, whom I hold in considerable esteem. (With censorship on the swearing)

" Political correctness isn't done for politicians, it's done for social workers. It's because fo these bastards we've got a thing in the road called a Personhole Cover. It's not a f ' ing personhole cover. It's a manhole cover, it's called a manhole cover because it covers a hole that a MAN goes down, to work in the city sewers. and when women show an overwhelming desire to be UP TO THEIR KNEES IN SHIT, then we'll change the name of it, until then it's a f ' ing manhole cover "

Thank you Billy.

my whole point is this, the people whoi decide on this crap are obviously so out of touch with normal people that they have to guess what could offend. I'm sorry, but if you are offended by the term Blackboard, you are very sad indeed as i explained above the name is merely a description it has no historical or political connotations at all. GET OVER IT.

To me, the enforcement of political correctness is a statement against the intelligence of mankind. these poor unfortunate lifeless people, think that we don't know what is going to offend. If someone wants to offend someone, they will. Political correctness will not help. If someone accidentally offends someone, so what - it can all be sorted out. I find Political Correctness insulting, and a perverse transgression of our first human right Freedom of speech. it doesn't help, all it does is annoy and frustrate. It needs to be brought in to rein. there has to to be some control, don't let these limp wristed dickwits tell you what you can and cannot say. REBEL, CALL A BLACKBOARD WHAT IT IS, SING THE HYMNS YOU WERE TAUGHT. you are doing no harm, and anyone who is offended by such small insignificant matters has a very sad life indeed, and should be politely informed of the fact that there is no offence intended, and that there is no offence that can possibly be taken except by the extremely picky, and those with a propensity to whinge whine and bitch anyway. GET A LIFE, AND GET OVER IT.

When I say rebel against Political Correctness, i do not mean go using all those revolting racial Nicknames that us wonderful people have invented. Bigotry should never EVER be tolerated. but be sensible, teach your children not to be offensive little brats (and then later on offensive big brats), but don't teach them that political correctness is a good thing always. All things are good in moderation, but you can have too much of a good thing. And telling a choir to change the lyrics of a Hymn that has existed as long as living memory, is just that. Too Much.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT

PS > Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone

2004-12-25T00:07:00.000Z

well it's just gone midnight here in sunny englandland. And i'm sat at my puter, folks have gone to bed, i'm watching billy connolly dvd's, and surfing through Blogger. Just thought i'd say a biggy Merry Christmas to everyone, before i get a rather touchy subject off my chest.

HAVE A GOOD CHRISTMAS ALL !!!

James

long time no blog

2004-12-22T07:47:00.001Z

Wow, been a while.

Got a book recommendation for y'awl, well a couple actually.

Past Mortem - Ben Elton (just finished this, an excellent novel)

Love all the People - a book of Bill Hicks Letters, Lyrics and Routines (for those poor souls among you unaware of mr Hicks genius. he was an american comedian, died in 1994 i think, but he was an absolute comic genius. and a man most worthy of the title "Comic Philosopher" check out the book and see what i mean.

The Salmon of doubt - Douglas Adams. the first eight chapters of the novel Adams was writing when he died, along with a brilliant selection of his non fiction writings. one of the funniest books i've ever read.

Right i think that'll do for now

James

Lord of the rings

2004-11-27T01:05:00.000Z

Or how films affect me.

Every time I watch these films, the same bits make my heart soar (The charge at helms deep, the charge of the Rohirrim at the balttle of the Pelennor). Make me feel pride in the story's heroes (Aragorn, Sam). And shed tears both in joy (Frodo's waking in the house of elrond, and his being reunited with the other hobbits and Bilbo) and sorrow (Frodo's leaving middle earth at the end of the films, the death of Boromir). Never in my life have I experienced films that have such amazing emotional impact on me.

Only two authors have ever had a similar effect, James Barclay (www.jamesbarclay.com) and David Gemmell (http://gemmell.suddenlaunch.com/) i cannot recommend either author highly enough.

That's all for now.

Outside looking in.

2004-10-13T22:07:00.000Z

Well I'm feeling a little odd and speculative tonight. Anyone else ever feel like you're looking at life from the outside, I kinda feel a bit like that at the moment. I'm sort of floating along at the moment. There's things I know I have to think about, but every time I try they slip through my fingers (mentally speaking).

This blog is likely to become a little centre of self therapy on occasion. I don't so much wear my heart on my sleeve as carry a neon sign stating how I'm feeling. I'm nearly 25 years old.
Naïve in the workings of the world sometimes. And wise beyond my years at other times. When it comes to meeting women, I definitely fall into the Naïve category, despite self confidence, a good (if strange) sense of humour among other things women 'say' they find attractive. So at the moment, here's what's going on.

You ever have that feeling, where you're not sure if you like someone enough to ask them out or not. That's happening to me at the moment, There is someone I'm interested in, but I don't know the reasons, or if the affection I feel is genuine (sounds dumb I know, but like I said, I've found myself to be in a very speculative and introspective mood tonight). I have this habit of becoming friends with women I'm attracted to, I am the lord high king overlord of the friend zone. I've picked up so many female friends, just because I cannot read signs (if you are one of them I love you all, don't think I don't), or I get too close and friendly. but the real bitch is that that's how I am. I cannot change that, an aggravating situation to be sure. Because if I could be a bit more distant, I could get the whole chatting up thing down. But I can't.

My apologies if this inane self analyzing psycho-drivel bored you. If it made you laugh, say so. If you've ever felt like this, for gods sake say so, it'd be so nice to know I'm not alone.

Hello

2004-09-29T22:15:00.000Z

i'm doing this at work so this first post will be short and sweet.

as the title implie's i'll be writing all kinds of nonsense on here, with very little in the way of theme etc.

more later

The Wanderer's Ramblings

Yet more ranting at whiny judgemental arseholes

This weeks 'Bugle' and 'Now Show'

Relief

Been a while... but I can't keep quiet for long :)

further chucklsome findings - dog diary vs cat diary

todays xkcd strip

I had to share this

The 5 phase procrastination pattern

Shewsbury folk festival

Joke

I give up *swearing warning*

Money

MMM Foood :D

I've not been this pissed off in a looooong time

Avaaz.org campaign

What happened?

Lostprophets - Liberation transmission

Mark Thomas - "My Life in Serious Organised Crime"

Faithless

Raw Video: First Look at New Leopard Species

Stop the clash

Damn what a week

An interesting viewpoint

possibly the best lawyer story I've ever read

I'm coming home

Goo Goo Dolls - Name

Merry Christmas

la la laaa

New Blog

My year in review

White christmas (2 days late)

Merry Christmas

A free mind is a beautiful thing

Richard Pryor R.I.P

I'm Back

Don't ask me, I know jack shit (or so it would seem)...

First frost...

Go read this now...

Winter and Buses

It's been a while...

THUD!

well i'm back

I think I'm going to be sick

Life update (for those of you who are interested)

Sod's Law

Education - Part 1

Education - Part 2

Robin Cook

I.R.A Announcement

Robert Newman gig.

Songs that got me Buzzing

Week 1

Farewell Ernie

WORK SUCKED TODAY

This silence is killing me

On Ranting...

I have no idea what to call this post.

Too much misery...

Don't talk to me it hurts.

Good Stuff Bad Stuff

The Law of Sod

THAT F**KING FROG !!!

Money ...

Later ....

Memories ...

St George's Day

Another bit of bullshit corporatese

And Relax ...

Head pounding frustration

Feelings...

Corporate Humour

What is wrong with me?

An unusual post

Back to work tomorrow....

I F@%ING HATE RETAIL !!!

What a morning

Walking home

Joy and Frustration

what a year. and still only february

I give up swearing warning