I like

Pickled Eggs.
and Cheese.

Ride of Your Life...

A friend sent this to me based on my worried frown lines....

George Carlin's Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to
the next number, or even a few ahead.
'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!'
You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16!
And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! She
TURNED; we had to throw her out. There's no fun now, you're just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40.
Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.
But wait!!!
You MAKE it to 60.
You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to
60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70!
After that it's a day-by-day thing!
You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime.
And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and
a half!'

May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!


HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning.
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle
mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants,
hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away .

And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!

SO if you are reading I'm sharing it with you! Frowns and all....

Did you know

The first Number 1 D Bowie had was 'Fame' and it was largely inspired by the presence of John Lennon being in the studio when DB was writing it... so fuel for your pipe planetface.. maybe.

It's not all work work you know...

Well actually right now it is - hence little or no blogging...

Trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel - sadly contact lenses too poor! Secretly I prefer to be busy - just trying to re-learn how to deal with my 'stress'. Slowly turning it round... slowly.

Gillingham 0 - Oldham 0

Last time Oldham came to Priestfield I was there to watch it and we lost 0-3. This evening bogged under by writing up documents I failed to leave the office in time to catch any train to get to Gillingham in time. SO. I missed our nil-nil draw. Not so spectacular in itself - however in the 38th min our super goalie got sent off and we rallied long and hard and saved a point. Thanks Pops for the frequent text updates... and to further aid the evening Spurs beat Arsenal 5-1 in the Carling Cup semi - the first win in 8 years! Well done! So good I texted my bro to share the news!! I suspect that the game would have been slightly more entertaining than 'Mistresses' - but then again!? (A programme which makes me wonder where my fateful meeting will be and how I missed out on all these encounter opportunities!)

You Have the Power

You are going to be moving through a long period of transformation. But from this week onward, the Cosmos allows you a taste of what is to come. Jupiter is already in your sign, giving you the confidence and faith in yourself to make necessary changes and to aim for your highest and most exciting goals. Jupiter will trine Saturn on Monday, which will encourage you to leave behind those limiting beliefs, such as the ones that are seriously holding you back and keeping you feeling small and fearful. If you feel an urge to drop them, then do it! You don't need to hang onto the past, and it is time to be bold. The Full Moon in your joint financial zone on Tuesday may encourage you to use up a lot of your credit and go on a mad shopping spree. Have fun, but don't go too over the top. Pluto moves into your sign on Friday, and you are going to have to learn how to deal with power head on. If this is an issue you have avoided, then you will not be able to do so any longer. You cannot afford to allow others to dominate you, and you should guard against dominating others.

I fear this rings more true than I'd like...

Gillingham 0 - Northampton Town 1

Not sure what was worse. The train or the game.
There were engineering works on the trains which meant my trip took 1 hour and 30 minutes (oh yes it was 'fast' via Strood - this is code for a very slow crawl though the real sarf east of London and the barren wastelands of Dartford, Slade Green and Gravesend). It did mean the train was very empty.
The delay meant I had to get my bag into the ground. Gifts for folks. A quick search and I was ushered in. Dad gets his Tardis money box and Mazza her coasters!
Well 3 mins in and King had given away a free kick and the Cobblers had scored. The rest of the first half was very sloppy. Some returning players meant that once more the team were trying to gel with each other. Half time.
Gills did try harder second half and were pressurizing the goal lots, but so were Northants, though the impetus was with us. Dad turned to me and said 'You get the feeling that this is it don't you. We just don't seem to be able to get it right'. It was true as the away side decided that falling over was a good option Andy D'Urso (Essex) seemed as keen to make us suffer. A trend of all Essex refs we have had over the last few months.
We did not score. The Gills did not win and I ducked out at the added time board to get the 'fast' train back to London. Painless enough - plenty to read.
Tube. Fine until the last stint of the northern line. Some drunken 'fan' decided to holla at me from half way down the carriage, not sure what he was saying as I was plugged it. But fingers were being raised and he was full vitriol. As I suspected he thought my scarf was a n other club. He was yelling at me cos he hated Chelsea and thought that was my team. Moron. He did venture down carriage to check scarf. Bit late I felt. I was quite shirty in my response to him. The rest of the carriage were also fairly unimpressed by his behaviour. Idiot git. He didn't even apologise when he realised he had been yelling abuse at a fan of a team he didn't even know. Twat.

My hero

Current Reading...

John, I'm Only Dancing..............

Planetface has asked why the sudden references, mentions and general Karoona love-in, in the direction of David Robert Jones.



Well I can't lie I have always had a fascination for the man. Intrigued by the suggestions of bi-sexuality, the tales of drugs and the lifestyle of a man who has divided public opinion. Seems you either love him or loathe him. And I love him. His work. His individuality.



The joy of an MP3 is that you can go random. Towards the start of the year under my Capricorn moon that's where I went - random Bowie. The journey of my discovery into his music playing through my mind. The initiation - Buddha of Suburbia I referred to a post or two back and then Friday on BBC 4 total wall to wall Bowie. It was during the Ziggy concert I realised I needed to know more.

So at that moment I went scooting through my book shelf.

When my brother moved to Australia the annual Christmas and Birthday present trauma was easily filled with books and c-ds, so thanks to Stu I have an extensive collection of Bowie biographies and indeed some rarer Bowie mixes. The books have been show pieces - until now.

It sounds strange but I was put off reading them as I felt they would erode my perceptions and adoration for the artiste. But 10 chapters into Living on the Brink I am more inspired and enthralled than ever before. It helps that his formative years were spent in downtown Kent - Bromley/Beckenham. His early backing bands from the shores of Kent. And this evening I learnt with amusement he had had a gig in Gillingham. Now those really were the hey days for the culture starved Medway town!!

I am not sure now if my parents ever understood the skinny freak who appeared on the scene in the early 70's when I was but a mere twinkle in the eye. The year of my birth Ziggy Stardust was being retired. Seems I came on the scene too late. At 26 he was performing to manic audiences in the most revealing and feminine costumes he could muster. Like a leper messiah.

Planetface refers to the Magpie qualities. As I am fast learning David Jones was a teenage intellectual and read books like kids today play Wii games. He studied stuff that interested him. For me to find him during the Buddha of Suburbia phase juxtaposes the themes that pulled Bowie away from cabaret and drew him into the rock n roll star he became.

At the start of the week high my reading and overdosing on random MP3 music I had an argument with the First Man. Seems its easy to poo poo Bowie on the basis of 'Tin Machine' and all his work post Ziggy. What folly. Bowie works best as a solo artist backed by a trusted and flexible band.

I can't even shorten my list of fave albums to 5 - cos across his career I admire certain works for very different reasons. 'Outside' - story telling music, the time I was back at home after a whirlwind extra year at Leicester post University. Some of my closest friends are still stored in my mobile based on the Bowie characters. 'Ziggy Stardust' - for I was his 'Lady Stardust'; 'Aladdin Sane'; the Thin White Duke; the Buddha of Suburbia. 'Reality' - an album for its time. I agree his experimentation into drum 'n' bass was not necessarily the easiest to listen too - but 'Little Wonder' still makes me smile from the Earthling LP. Notice how I have worked forward first. It's all too easy to cite Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (yes I do put that in my top 5!), Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups, Diamond Dogs, Station to Station, Low (in my Top 5), Heroes, Scary Monsters (and super creeps), Let's Dance, Black Tie White Noise.. do I have to continue? But of these which do you place in Top 5? 5 just isn't enough. The point is he has a massive back catalogue..

Why am I doing this? Well why not? Knowledge is power. It's an influence. It's a great read, to be taken back to those early days and work out the parts of London he flourished in and wonder will there ever be a Bowie like musician ever again?

Chances are - no.



Love him or hate him... he will leave a legacy.

I am just glad I got to see him on his last tour.
I am just glad that he did the decent thing and recorded a single with my other fave band, Placebo (Without You I'm Nothing).
I am just glad to have found an influence which makes me think - why do you like this chap's music?
Variety. Depth of feeling. Scant regard for tradition. And yes I do tap my feet. I wanna sing along. I wish I'd been at Hammersmith in 1973....
Let's Dance.

Books etc

For Christmas I was given these two titles - by my mum. I can only assume she thinks I need some push or shove into realising that sex is okay. Or to remind me what it is! Torture me even!?

I have read 'The Shoe Queen' - it was a light trot through Parisian culture and a well to do lady and her passion for shoes (I too like shoes and Paris). Her quest leads her to true love and cheatin on her husband..

'Call Girl'. Yes well a whirlwind trip but perhaps not quite the 'erotic' content a girl needs. But some good observations as to the nature of all things intercoursal. These were without doubt titles to drag me well away from the disappointment of 'Operation Shylock'. They did then reignite my need for a good read.

Why eye

I cannot believe that Keegan is back at Newcastle.. I'd love it, just love it if he lost his rag again on MOTD!

I cannot believe Swansea are being beaten... by Havant.

I just cannot believe it! (Do I sound like Victor Meldrew yet?!)

Who's frowning at you kid?

Can you id any women with this issue? Apart from me, obviously.

HELP

A forehead full of frowns. :(

I think

last week when my hormones were all over the place I may have been slightly blunt via email/text to people. If I was - I apologise... My mood has restored itself, thankfully and my bad temperedness is back to normal!!

No Country for Old Men

Last night I was fortunate enough to have won a free ticket to see 'No Country for Old Men'. A film by the Coen brothers. I suspect I might have needed to better inform myself of the Coen's work - however.. I dashed out of work to ensure I was at Wimbledon Odeon in time. Good thing I did - the cinema was heaving. Event once I sat down more and more couples came piling in. Sometimes being a lone ranger means you can sit anywhere! At the time of writing the film has yet to be on general release or indeed received too many UK reviews - so here's one from the US. From my point of view... well I laughed in places, I physically jumped, I shrieked and I hid behind my hands. This film is wanton death by bullet. At two hours it was quite a slow mover. Beautifully shot and the characters strong. When I left the cinema my usual bouncy step was nowhere to be seen. I walked home doubting every passing car and from the corner of my eye everyone was wielding a shotgun. As I thought more about it I can see the parallels to the Western. This is a modern day 'send up' of a Western. Where once it was horses its now trucks - tho the Sheriff still uses a horse in one scene. The handover scene. That said I sort of enjoyed 'The 3.10 to Yuma' more. I think.
This film is not for the faint hearted as it is a bloody and violent film. Once you have got your stance on that at the right level it is an enjoyable watch. Enjoyable. Okay maybe over egging it - but it certainly has an impact and makes you consider the western and how the west of America is now. This film obliterates any romantic notion you may have of the wild west.
Then my dad rang this evening and mentioned he fancied it. Hope he is OK with the self bullet wound treatment scene which takes place. Oh and dad there is a lot of blood and I know how it makes you feel!!
As for me - I want to gen up on the Coen's and see what else they have offered up. I suspect my opinion of No Country for Old Men will alter as I get further from it.

Snap

How to take good pictures.... some tips.

Too short

Realised as I was washing up that the weekends are too short and in actual fact part of me dreads every Monday morning. Dreads and loathes it.

I really need to suss out what the hell I want to do with the next 35 years of my life.

Before it all slips away.

Lucky Time

You are in a very lucky period of time, thanks to beneficial and fortunate Jupiter and the bright Sun in your sector of self. You glow with all the radiant energy around you. Every upturn has a downside though, so be prepared at the beginning of the week for a few emotional bumps and bruises, as the Moon in Aries squares Jupiter and the Sun. You may have overextended yourself and promised too many favors to other people, and now your good-hearted desire to help others is leaving you feeling very tired and drained. You are known for the way you take care of your friends and family, but you also need to turn your attention to yourself and your own needs, or you may burn out. On Friday, you may sit down with a paper and a pencil and write down all the things you do for others and all the things you do for yourself, as the Moon in Gemini in your sector of health trines Mercury in Aquarius. You might be very surprised at what you come up with. Making changes can be hard, but you might need to consider all your options for your own well-being.

Farmers

Market - in Wimbledon Park was my destination this morning. And what a glorious morning it was. Clear, crisp and bright. I could have walked for miles - which in truth I did. But it was the sort of day I could have walked until dusk. I did not quite manage that - but buoyed on by the Channel Four food fight season I thought it prudent to check out my local sources of organic and fresh food. The farmers market was to say the least hidden from this less than Wimbledon regular - despite sharing a postcode I am not sure that most people realise how varied the people and places are within SW19. The walk there was though pretty revealing as it takes you passed Plough Lane - which is no longer a football ground but a huge housing development. So if I can find quarter of a mill I can have the pleasure of purchasing a nice new flat but not a view. As it looked yesterday none of them are finished yet and to the rear of the development, the central hub for which can only be the starting point for all the electricity pylons I take photos of whilst out and about. Nice.
Go over the railway bridges for some fantastic views of central London and head into deepest Wimbledon. The market is at a school and it was positively buzzing. Lots of well to do types, arty crusty types and well just a real sense of sunshine and freshness. I did not purchase any fish, meat or veg. It was though tempting. I shall wait until I have a reason to purchase nice veg and cooking for more than myself. Mm. I can taste it now!
Home. Washing out. Cleaned down fridges/freezer hadn't realised how filthy they were! Oops. Dinner - Tasty tasty kale and spud soup followed by baked apples with apricot filling. Yum Yum! Ironing. And then I indulged and watched 3 of the 4 episodes of The Buddha of Suburbia. Spot that train journey into London! I had forgotten how promiscuous the characters were.. naughty! Is suburbia really like that? I suspect not.
The I watched 'Catch me if you Can' on Beeb 3. Then bed.

Huddersfield 1 - Gillingham 3

Did I hear that correctly? Is Radio Five playing with my feelings? No way?

But yes indeed. An away win. Good stuff lads - and who was the king of the scoring - Twiglet! Go Gary, Go Gary!! Lifts us to 15th which although not play offs - seems better than beng 18th! Can we make 2008 great?

Watch this space.

Friday pm

Spent with Sir David of Bowie and the Spiders from Mars. BBC 4 - thank you!

I think my neck hurts...

A to Z ness

Who where when?!
9th Jan 2008 - American Tourist - Fleet Place - what's the best way to the Millennium Bridge?

Chicken Wars?

Sainsbury's sent me a letter today. In it were 2 fliers - one discussing CHICKENS and the other about EGGS. Telling me about their labelling and their Compassion in World Farming awards.

Basics. Barn. Fresh British. Corn fed. Taste the Difference. So Organic. Free Range. I will be doing a proper survey next time I am in there...watch this space.

aaah

On a day which saw me zombie like having eventually got to sleep at 2am and then dealing all day with the period pains from hell it was a treat to see my favourite PC (DI Turner- Doug Rao) outside CW tube station this evening.. buying a Big Issue and in charge of a fold up bicycle. Another sort I could settle down with. Had I had my wits about me I should have asked him how Reg Hollis was doing... engaged in conversation... mmm. Fancy a coffee sometime? Fair trade of course....

Oh well.

Cant sleep

Hugh's Chicken Run

I think I quite like Hugh. He's the sort of bloke I could settle down with. Grow veg and raise animals. I like the idea of living close to nature. Being self sufficient. I really am a simple soul.

Luckily I have never been a big fan of buy 2 chickens for a fiver..but will we find out where chicken breasts etc come from? Though to be fair - I have not bought meat for MONTHS. Lentils, artichokes and chickpeas for me. Veg is easier to cook and healthier!!

Happy Birthday!

Sir David of Bowie! My Buddha of Suburbia dvd turned up today in honour!

(And Elvis if he were still here to chomp blue suede shoes)

And for those into big b-d cakes Nigella had a her birthday on Sunday 6th Jan!

(Thanks Ziggy for reminding me - Scary Monsters indeed!)

Ooh - eer

19 inch screen...

traditional stone-out dates...

random items and words from today...

Change One Thing...

I joined up to the Boots change one thing website in-between Christmas and New Year. I signed in again today - 10 days since having last cig - I was amazed - the buddy community on the site is really good. People drop by and wish you luck and support. It's a chance to give tips and encourage people to stay OFF of the things.. Can highly recommend it!

Good News

This is going to be an interesting week for you, and also an interesting year! Jupiter is now in your sign, where it will remain for the whole of 2008. You have faith in yourself and in your ability to take up new challenges and achieve wonderful things. But this week is special for another reason, and that is because you have a New Moon in your sign. This is perfect for all those new beginnings and applies to all areas of your life, whether you want to get a new job, restore your health, find a new lover, begin a new phase in your ongoing relationship, or make a move on your primary goals within the next two weeks. Ideally, the sooner the better! Your love life seems quiet, which may be a good thing. Long-term relationships may need a little boost to kick-start them into action. In terms of your job, you are going to find that it is you that pulls the strings and creates opportunities for yourself so you can flourish. If you run your own business, it is a good time to nurture the plans you have and develop them into something special.

Picture(s) of the Day

Certain people suggest certain things are photogenic, be it in my mind and by association or by saying ooh that would be interesting. Here are some for today.

This one is for a known admirer who has mentioned this last wrapped box more than once as a worthy subject...

This is for Cheesy. The newly rennovated roof at St Pancras. The light, the structure, the sense of space, the shadows are all inspiring.


This picture is for Sparky. They have vandalised your clock I am afraid.. but hopefully only temporarily. Meet me at St Pancras...

And in other news 'Assume Nothing' has become a link on another blog... I feel secretly honoured and v surprised. Thanks Jessica - keep up your efforts - I love the images you are chosing to use.

Sunday Sunshine

I did manage to get into town - but was later than I wanted to be so missed the arrival of the Green Man. I did though take a photo of his boat and also the crowds at Bankside who were revelling in the actoring, alas there were far too many of them for me to actually see anything - so I had a choice - mouch back home or make the most of the brillant weather and take some snaps. I took the latter option. You can check out the key parts of the walk elsewhere! Stomp this way for the full tour!

Here are just a few reflections of my city.

Cranes

Of St Pauls

LAST ONE!

What Karen Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

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

Having tried a few other names I am bemused that actually most names are 'Type A' and rebels, and troublesome etc etc... oh well! Take it all with a pinch of salt!

According to Wikipedia: 'As a female name, Danish form of the name Katherine and means "pure"; In Armenian, the name Karen is masculine and its origins lie in an exiled Armenian prince in Persia.

FAC 3rd Round

It's OK - I haven't spent all day checking out pointless web things. Honest! Just the last 15mins!

I got to bed at 3am (this creative writing stuff plays havoc with your body clock) and was up and ready to go walking at 10am. So I went for my 4 miles in an hour sweep round SW19. The sun was out and the sky as clear and blue as the autumnal mornings I pictured before Christmas. The pre Christmas bustle gone and the post sales bun fight seemingly over, Wimbledon was pretty quiet.

Home and time to tidy and remove the Xmas evidence. This became a full blown sort and chuck out session so my plan to go to the cinema and watch Lust, Caution went right out the window. I have though another bag for the charity shop in the bath and put a good pile of magazines and newspapers in the recycle box. I spoke too soon about the Up Neighbours. I now have a white cabinet and broken drawers outside my bedroom window. And the dog poo was even further distributed following the dustman and recycle man's visits. Nice.

Over Christmas Mum gave me the latest WW cookbook and the lentil casserole looked rather tasty so I pootled to Tesco to stock up on veg and fruit. Cleaned oven. Cooked tea. Ate tea. Very tasty! So well over the 5 fruit and veg portions!

So why FAC 3rd Round? Well all day Radio Five has been my company bringing the magic of the FA Cup into my flat. Tho the Gills aren't there I have some very vivid and positive memories of our ventures in 3rd Round world. I envy Oldham and Huddersfield their successes today - there's no better feeling than stuffing a Premiership side! I did watch the 2nd half of Villa and Man U - but it was for the most part uninspiring. The final will doubtless be too. But for this weekend each January hardy fans with little or no successes to look forward too each season spend this day in the hope of some glory and exposure. Love it! For the full scores and round up - check out Mr BBC! Tomorrow in between funny Green Men and river side pleasures I'll be hoping for some further upsets! Come on Stoke (never thought I'd say that...)

Now I am just bored..

Men See You As Choosy

Men notice you light years before you notice them You take a selective approach to dating, and you can afford to be picky You aren't looking for a quick flirt - but a memorable encounter It may take men a while to ask you out, but it's worth the wait

How Do Men See You?

Good!

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

I have sung Love Shack @ Karaoke. Oops

Your Karaoke Theme Song is "Margaritaville"

You are a true party animal, but your style is mild and chill. Kicking back with a few friends and a few drinks is all you need to be happy. You certainly don't feel pressured to be a part of any party scene. In fact, you avoid trendier spots. You've been known to kick loose anywhere and everywhere. All you need is a cooler. You might also sing: "Gin and Juice," "Love Shack," and "Red Red Wine" Stay away from people who sing: "Wind Beneath My Wings"

What's Your Karaoke Theme Song?

Blog things...

Your Attitude is Better than 60% of the Population

You have a good attitude. While a realist, you do see the positive side of most things. People love to be around you.

How's Your Attitude?

Bowie - 1993

Back in 1993 I was living in a small terrace house in Bridge Road Leicester. My bedroom was at the front and had a hideous fake stone fire place and surround (in a non-student house it would have been a front room/lounge). I was living there with Jo and Helen. It was the year I started smoking and the year I discovered how cool Freakscene and being seen in the Uni clubs/bars could be. Bit late really as it was also my final year at Uni.

I mention this as it was also the start of my now deep held fascination for all things Bowie.

The Buddha of Suburbia was the one programme all three of us watched together - tea and wine. The green 3 piece suite and our walls of fame.

The incidental music was all written and performed by Sir David of Bowie of Bromley Kent. It was the first album of his I ever bought and just recently I have been o-d'ing on Mr Bowie's work on my MP3 player. Random. The tracks for this album always take me back to that house. 44 Bridge Road. I read the book, I own the soundtrack and just 15mins ago I managed to source the DVD on the Beeb Shop website. Cool!

New diary

Fittingly this year's offering from Redstone is the City Diary - an inspiration I intend to take...

007-008 : Reprise - Review

There have been several good number plays on the theme of the year. I like the fact that ITV flooded their channels with 007 movies in a last ditch attempt to confuse us as Big Ben chimed the first dong of the year 2008. On the first day I had fully intended to blog along the lines of 'hey check this out - 01/01/08' - '118 118' - but failed miserably to blog anything of note on either occasion, New Years Eve or Day.

So then New Year's Eve. Please don't be fooled by the picture.. I did take the picture and send it straight here (oddly that went through in super fast time - yet any attempt to send a text message to anyone took until 10am 118) but I did so from the comfort on my lounge. It was on TV see. And well New Year 007 my TV exploded. So it seemed fitting to include the new one in a 1st b-d celebration picture. Good fireworks. Still not overly fussed that yet again I failed to haul my backside into town to see them 'LIVE'. The paradox to all this is that on New Years Eve there was naff all on TV. So I turned on my PC and decided to give BBC iPlayer a twirl. So yes on NYE I spent the evening with the Mitchells', the Brannings', the Beales' and the Wicks' catching up with their Christmas Day gossip. Moderately entertaining. I then dipped to my lowest and watched 'Casualty' - nowt better than gun shots and death to to remind you that new year, new number actually changes very little. That said I did feel vaguely detached from the whole 'party on' notion. I was warm, safe and secure in my own little world. Candles, glass of red and the new tv-pc for company.
Such a late night may explain the semi bad mood of New Year's Day - or maybe that was the last vestiges of my most recent 3 day detox from ciggies. Yes I fell off the wagon spectacularly on the night of the Christmas party and for the days between the 7th Dec and the 29th Dec I was to all intents and purposes a smoker again. Buying them and smoking them as I walked to and fro work. No-one noticed. Or at least said anything. Its terrifying how devious you can be if needs be. Trouble is I tend to fess up at some point and spending Christmas at home I did just that and smoked my way through what will hopefully be the last instance of me in the parents garage puffing and getting cold feet. I set myself the gauntlet so by the day of my b-d I would be over the worst and feeling much more positive.

New Year's Day though was hard work. I woke up late. It was cold, grey, damp and truly miserable. Welcome to the New one. Quite rightly before match kick off there was a minutes silence to acknowledge the shocking death of Scottish footballer - Phil O'Donnell, who at the age of 35 collapsed and died before the final whistle. The ref blew his whistle at the O's and the rowdy Gills fans hushed - it was a proper respectful minute. It was shattered only by the hospitality boxes whose loud TV music was at the time engaged in the full A Team theme tune. I can though report that despite that the silence remained true. Weird thing football fans, on the one hand so aggressive and yet at other times completely and utter humble and willing to show humility.
Tube home. Soup. Back to student rations! The positive note - my upper neighs were away for the whole time Sat 29th to Jan 3rd. I thank you!

NB: I have though failed to mention that when I returned from deepest Kent on the 27th Dec I came back to flat to find a wardrobe and several other items of furniture material all stacked up outside my bedroom window. There was also the largest pile of dog shit ever known to man at the end of the front path. Oh and on the weekend of my departure both Sat 22nd and Sun 23rd I had opened my front door to find the house front door wide open. Leaving the upper Muppet's alone with my little flat below to fend for itself was hard to do. Did I also mention the abysmal Virgin Mobile phone delivery service? No - well I will save it for its own splendid entry - needless to say my Pop had one less present to open on the 25th and he of all the people I know loves Christmas the best.

NNB: The wardrobe and other rubbish were miraculously gone when I got home Thurs 3rd from my afternoon of prosecco and fine dining. The dog shit had also been scraped further across the pavement and in many splendid directions. Which was nice.

NBB: If you were expecting me to moan about why 007 was so awful and why 008 is gonna be so great then I am sorry - I haven't blogged all year to then provide a nice neat summary at the end of the year for you. You've read it so you already know. Read on to find out if and how it gets better...

Twelfth Night

Methinks having seen this , that trotting down to Bankside on Sunday would be a good thing to do! To see the Green Man and the Mummers plays.

We used to do those at primary school. Dressed in clothes covered in rags and jigging around with big sticks. One of very few primary school memories I still retain - the others far less romantic! Getting detention for running through the boys toilets. What went on behind the trees at the bottom of the playing field. Mr Lewis administering smacks with plimsolls in one of the mobile classrooms. Yes in my day mobiles were not mini-portable-technical-gadgets purporting to be telephones, they were cold and smelly asbestos (well maybe not - (then again)) cases raised on bricks on the tennis courts, or hidden at the back of school buildings. Our primary school had 2 of them. My secondary school 2 and my grammar school 9. Well, why build proper schools when you can fill an empty box with desks and a blackboard?

Has it affected me? Not sure but the man in green to the left is intriguing me.

Either way remember kids your Christmas decorations must be down by Sunday!

Me - Jan 08

Winter

Warmer

Views

Greetings

From Tate Modern restaurant! Cheers!

Today

For my birthday I did what I wanted to do and assumed nothing about anyone or thing.

So I got up at 9am. Went out for a walk to Wimbledon to make the most of the last of the sales. And despite the weather forecasts - the sun came out and the cooler air descended. I though was at such a pace I barely noticed. Walked back. Had lunch and a shower. Contemplated earlier sales purchases and decided which ones to return. So back to Wimbledon. Next to get refund for clothes. Then on to the cinema. Watched 'The Kite Runner' - can highly recommend it. Whatever you think of Afghanistan - this film will broaden your views. I do though wonder if I would have enjoyed it as much if I had read the book before hand? Have you read it?

Walked home. Pizza and glass of red. Now its a cup of Earl Grey tea and I suspect bed. Back to work tomorrow - proper work as everyone is mostly back and judging from my BB its the same old same old.

At least I have a pukka lunch and afternoon off to look forward too tomorrow!

Thanks to Baggy, Ziggy, Mazza, Pops, Stu, Mr G, Lisa, Swansea Jack, AKA, Cam, PCAnon for your messages and cards. Most appreciated. 35. Only 30 more years at work and then I can retire... there's a thought.

My treat!

Yum!

Even J

Sainsbury sent a card. 35. Eek

Leyton Orient 0 - Gillingham 0

An entertaining game and our first 0-0 in 89 games. A nice short travel to get there. That said I was sat next to giant haystacks. Who smelt of stale tobacco and for the first 20 mins was talking to Irene. I thought he was mad. He was hands free.

So the Orient thought they could win. The Gills fought well and played for long spells like a proper team. Royce is still without doubt our man of the season - but at least now a few others are earning their wage.

Home by 6pm - which in the damp conditions of New Years Day was a relief. Cheers Pops for 'treating' me to on eof our better away days!! :-)

Amazing 08

Happy 2008

to everyone who visits.

May you each be happy, healthy and hearty in all you do... xxx

NYE

And so its 8.45pm on New Years Eve. I am at my PC at home. By myself. Listening to the Archers, having missed it yesterday due to morning stomp.

Yup 2007 ends pretty much as it started. Here with my thoughts. This time last year it was a Sunday so hiding away was easier...

Throughout the whole of the Christmas I have been keeping an open mind and staying centred so I can enjoy myself and not get bogged down by 'what if's' or 'if only's'. If anything I have just moved myself away from events accepted them and moved on. It was not until this evening as I was walking along the Embankment that the sadness hit me. I can wander freely in my city - but just walking along there took me back to an incident which happened a month or so ago. Sadness. I can't walk the route and share so I drank it in by myself. I dawdled for portions watching the dusk fade and night fall. The lights of the RFH green, red and purple. The Eye lit like a flame in readiness for its performance at midnight. Portable toilets lining the park fences still and sentry like waiting for bladder full tourists and locals who have been out all night drinking and celebrating. The stillness was enough for me. The same scene will await me in the next year and I can watch the blossom return, fall the leaves spread and cover the branches once more. The river, the sky and the bridges. They will be there tomorrow for me to enjoy. It was decadent walking it this evening having the space to myself. Home, tea, some red wine and my trusty radio. Perfect end to a perfect year?! No such thing as perfect - just the things which make you happy.