Rant 1

Chelsea.
Manchester United.

Or more pointedly Chelsea vs.Manchester United.

So looks the Premiership is a contest between them.
The FA Cup is a contest between them.
The Champions League looking very likely to be a contest between them.

Frankly - what's the point?
Why not just give them their own mini league so they can thrash each other to bits on a fortnightly basis.
Let's call it a North vs South football league and be done with it. Then the rest of the league(s) can get up and have something to aspire too again.

Witching Hour

Or more correctly week. I think I have worked out spot explosion and indeed connected it to the rather embarrassing hot cheek flushes I have been having this week. In the middle of meetings when the room has been cool. And for reference, if I haven't noted it before - be wary of typing 'hot cheeks' into a google search to work out what ills are associated with these symptoms. That's how people get sacked.

All I can say - hormones and who would be a woman.

I still have yet to fix PC so photos etc are on hold - plus my ever growing list of rants are also awaiting publishing - I guess this list too can be attributed to witching time of month.

In an update on neighbours. I hate them. It has got no better. I am now sleeping with ear plugs - which annoys me as it means I have to turn radio up a bit louder so I can still hear that but not thumping elephantines above. Then again no it doesn't annoy me - just hope it annoys them.

Face

Mask! Blitz those zits!

PC Update

Well Norton 2007 is finally installed without error and now all I need to do is get through a full system scan without it crashing! Oh joy - that's 16 hours of my life I'll never get back... and with another attempted scan I can't see me using my home PC until Thursday pm.

Stateside

One of the guys at work is planning a holiday to California, which took me back to my 3 month stay out there in 2000. Then whilst browsing for test images for an extranet I found this... a memory of my road trip with Scott from Sacramento - up via Lake Tahoe to Reno then back through the Golden State to Death Valley and onward to Las Vegas, the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon... we returned via the Mojave in triple digit heat... aah what a great experience!

Spots

Eek. I appear to have erupted. My face has a total of FIVE rather big white heads/pimples. Do you think this is the stress of returning to work?? Or a sudden dip in dietary inputs? I just don't understand... I wouldn't mind but they are on the sides of my forehead so I am beginning to look like an alien in Doctor Who. Perhaps a sonic screw driver can blitz them...

Happy Birthday!

A known admirer celebrates the big 4-0 today! So best wishes and hope you have a great day and year!

Have you tried rebooting?

Well chaps our team came second out 20 teams in the firm's quiz with 225 points! 5 rounds of 20 questions plus a marathon name the album cover round! Split into questions on the 60's, 70's, 80's (our joker round), 90's and 2000's we did pretty well considering our team dwindled from 6 to 4!! Just goes to show general knowledge is a useful thing to know!!

Congratulations!

Lisa completed the marathon in 5 hours 30 minutes - which considering the humidity yesterday was a bl00dy marvellous achievement. Pictures of the intrepid runner will appear here shortly (once I have fixed my blessed home PC!)

Well done Lisa!

St George's Day

today - did you know that? What does it mean to you? According to the Metro he never even came to England!!

I meanwhile am back at work, in charge too as boss in on hols, - and boy did I resent the packed tube journey in this morning...

Just returned from weekly weigh in - now down to 10stone 8.5lbs - which proves that good food and walking is the answer!! oh and a proper pair of size 12 jeans - at last no saggy bum!

Just noted also that Matt Jarvis is in the League One PFA Team of the Year - well done Matt! Please stay!

And tonight I am off to the firm quiz - representing popular music - which is a laugh as I don't listen to music radio anymore! Oh well!

Gillingham 3 - Port Vale 2

With only 3 games of our season remaining and League One safety already secured today's game was all about ending the season on a positive note. And the side did not disappoint! Hoorah! armed with our 6th goalkeeper of the season (we REALLY must sort that out over the summer) we kicked off in the sunshine with just under 6,000 fans watching. (I reckon Vale bought about 75!)

Our stalwart defender Cox breaking the deadlock just before half time, and the captain Flynn perhaps somewhat belated proving his worth as owner of the armband with a double on the 49th min and 53rd. However in true Gills spirit we allowed Vale to score two and as the game drew to a close it was a relief not to succumb to a 3 all draw!

Goods news really - puts us 13th

10 Doncaster 44 6 62
11 Millwall 44 -4 62
12 Crewe 44 -6 58
13 Gillingham 44 -19 58
14 Port Vale 44 -1 57
15 Northampton 44 -3 57
16 Huddersfield 44 -11 55
17 Brighton 44 -8 52

the aim surely now is to finish above Millwall!! And my aim now is to enjoy falafals and roasted veggie! Yum!

Pictures

Of Wednesday over at Kazza's Walks - words to follow!

Debating the Capital Ring walk from Wimbledon Park to Richmond....

Needless to say I did not get a text on Wednesday so will not be going to 7/7/07 - oh well. And now time for a wander... ttfn.

Go on!

LOOK LIFE

Today has been about several of my loves - walking, London, good lunch time banter, art and reaching my set goal.

Today I walked to work! It was a challenge I set myself several weeks ago to do when I was on leave. There was a team meeting at 11.30am so I had a purpose and a goal. Full pictures and commentary will appear on Kazza's Walks! The route defined by walkit.com took me over 8 miles, I left home at 9.10am and got to Blackfriars Bridge at 11.15am so I was well within the fast walking pace time.
Made the team meeting, went for lunch with Mike and Gary @ Tiffins and then trekked over to Tate Modern for some culture!
Gilbert & George was my mission - recommended by Mike which was reason enough! Interesting approach to colour and words and themselves.
For me the fascination came from watching them as a couple grow old within their art. Especially rewarding today were the London E1 pictures - suspect some overlap will occur in my walking blog!

Need less to say the Northern Line was suspended so a bit more walking beckoned.

Today in total 14.232 miles; 28627 steps and NO blisters!

What is it with England ...

and World Cups?

Face it we have been naff in the Footie one, just proved our lack of ODI class in the Cricket one (I have listened and cringed all afternoon and evening to our final hope against SA. Pants) and have the disaster of the Rugby one to look forward in the not too distant future... Oh to be great at something...

Anything.

Kent - Part IV !

And the Mecca!


No, not BINGO!!! Finally after EIGHT hours fannying with my PC I have managed to transfer my Mobile phone pix over to my PC. I have had to restart more times than the Grand National did on Saturday and at one point the dreaded System Restore was upon me.. joy joy joy. All that and even now I am not sure its OK. Anyway herewith the walk to Priestfield and the mighty stadium itself! For those with a vague interest more Rotherham and Chesterfield pix now with blog posts!

Gucci

Please allow me to introduce one of my favourite animals! This is Gucci.

Back in 1997-98 I dog sat for Rosie and looked after a much younger Gucci for 6 months. He turns 10 in July this year and bless the old fella his back legs are crippled by arthritis and by all accounts he is now a tad deaf. But he still recognised me and we shared a hug or two. Hard to believe he is the same dog who used to wake me up at 6.30am by bring one of my walking boots and waving it in my face while I lay in bed. The great thing about Gucci is that he has a naughty streak but between us we walked miles around the quiet and lazy lanes of the Downs. I never felt threatened by him - he is a big softy - except when he sees a car, cyclist or indeed another dog! But I learnt the art of using a strong arm and a short lead! If I ever have a dog - it will be one of this sort of size. A real dog who likes walking as much as me!

The last picture makes me look like I did when I was about 10 years old!

Kent - Part III

Grafty Green - Monday 16th April

Visited my mum's friend Rosie today in another hidden part of Kent! The rolling downs surround her cottage and as you can see the views and spring Bluebells are not a scene you see in SW19!

Kent - Part II

Reculver - Sunday 15th April

Home of the Roman ruins and a bit more besides...





I have never been to Reculver before - it has always been a curiosity viewed from the car as you travel along the Thanet way. From a distance it looks huge and foreboding. So in order to test this feeling I requested a visit. The remains up close are indeed awe inspiring - the view across the estuary and the history hidden within. However the reality is that the ruins are a magnet for teenagers who think playing football up against the grave stones is a great thing to do. No matter that there is a filed opposite which is free of obstructions. So I was disappointed at the lack of respect being shown to our heritage. One of the pictures show the beaches were Barnes Wallis tested his bouncing bomb - crucial during the Second World War in cripplingly the German dams - and of course instrumental in the infamous Dambusters story.

Kent - Part I

Westgate to Margate...Sunday 15th April

Those of you who know me well, know I have a soft spot for my local riveria. So Sunday, fresh from Chesterfield, we ducked down the A2 to Westgate. We stopped in at the nursery to purchase tomato plants - whilst all around (happy-couple-Sunday-shoppers! or rather bossy matriarchs and subservient blokies) were returning with trolley loads of plants and compost - Pops wandered back with a tray, held like a waiter, containing just TWO tomato plants! It was at the time an amusing sight!

Amazing how the first taste of summer and everyone is buying folliage that come July they won't be able to water because the hose pipe ban will be back in force... ah well.

We continued on to the hazy filled coast - parked at Westgate and did the customary walk to Margate... the wind still held a chill so the trusty body warmer was a relief.

Margate in the distance...





The groynes of the Kent coast....... which reminds me Margate beach was full of Britons stripped off and enjoying the sunshine. Playing football, tennis and having a donkey ride..












The beaches between Margate and Westgate. Various children discovering the rock pools. Dad and I merely commented on the rubbish washed ashore. Litter -its everywhere.

When did we become such a filthy nation?




















Me @ the beach!


As for this picture it just goes to show how hazy the day was - the horizon is there - somewhere!

Leave

Well I have had a great couple of days in the sunshine. Am now looking out at the clouds and planning the rest of my week. First up a bit of domestic work - the usual spring clean - net curtains, winter wear and things for the washing machine. Then I have some great photos to share and some long walks planned! So expect some additions to Assume Nothing during the day!

Chesterfield 0 - Gillingham 1

I can only describe this as a dull game spent on the terrace in the blazing sunshine. So not all bad. How we won I do not know - but all I care about is that we did! An 89th minute string of passes and proper football - led to a screamer of a goal from our Welsh man Crofts. Good for you Crofty! The coach journey home was full of potential wins for the rest of the season (only 3 games to go) and play-offs! What is really scary is if we do get a couple more 3 points we will finish higher in the table than truly reflects our season! Funny old game!

Crooked spires

Up the Gills here @ Chesterfield

A.W.O.L.

for the weekend - but I did note that 14th April is the 40p man day! So just thought I'd recognise it once more! And wonder - where the bl00dy hell as the time gone?!

Expect a blogger photo to appear at some point after 2pm tomorrow, not of 40p obviously, but of Chesterfield!

Also today invested in my second pair of size 12 jeans... at last my saggy denim bottom has gone - and they fit in all the right places! Right, gotta fly!

Live Earth 7/7/07

Just registered for the Live Earth concert - I'll let you know if I am successful on Wednesday!

London Marathon

My good friend, Lisa will be running the Marathon on April 22nd. Please, please sponsor her as I know she has been working fairly hard, despite a few accidents along the way, to be fit enough to complete the 26 miles.

You can sponsor her here. All donations going to the British Heart Foundation.

I plan to be somewhere on the course so will try and publish some photos of the day.

Good luck Lisa!

Strange

The things you find in ur parents garage!

Gillingham 1 - Bristol City 0

GET IN!!!

After the abysmal showing at Rotherham it was a great surprise to see practically the same team come out and play their socks off. 3 points secures our League One status and I for one am so relieved. After the second half taunts witnessed up north I really did think we were rubbish and were going to drop. Anyway one goal from super sub MacDonald (he came on, he scored, he went off again!) was enough to secure it. Good shows from the mature Ian Cox (OK he is my age!) and the somewhat confidence busted Spiller made for a great afternoon in the sun at Priestfield. Even the train engineering works couldn't dampen my mood! Bristol City will naturally feel they deserved at least a point - and indeed it was good to see so many away fans packing out the other end. But sorry lads today was our day - at home with a team in blue who finally showed some fighting spirit and refused to give up. Read the 'unofficial' report here.

UP THE GILLS!!!!

Rotherham 3 - Gillingham 2

It's a fairly long trip up the M1 to Rotherham. An 8.15am start and a stop off at Leicester Forest East services. You veer off into the Sheffield hinterland toward the Rotherham district.

The Millmoor ground is nestled in amongst scrap metal yards and railway lines. It's northern. But the sun was shining, the locals were friendly and we had a pleasant pint in the away end Millers Bar (it was like Peter Kaye's Phoenix Nights - the disco light above door professing 'The Millers Nightlife', the MDF tables and old fashioned chairs which have graced the backsides of many a large sweaty pie eating away fan). The one thing less pleasant was the toilets - damp loo paper, wet floors, draughts and sinks out of use, but you when you have got to got, you have got to go! Beer in, through the turnstiles to the Community Stand. From here you can see the bridge over the railway lines were buses head across to Blackburn.

The Millers' mascot is Dusty a huge lumbering character with a large red hat. The pre-match presentations went on a bit and the piped music was in a time warp! But it was an away game and the hard core Gills fans were in good voice. Team wise our International goalie, Mr Jack, was back, to which we groaned. Our squad is depleted at present. Jarvis is still injured and 'Dave' Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu & Dean McDonald are not exactly hot shot scoring players. In fact our lack of strikers is causing problems. Gary 'Twiglet' Mulligan was playing and curiously Mr Spiller had been moved up front. So it was with trepidation, after the Miller Men song had been played &the coin tossed, that the game kicked off.

Within 7 minutes we allowed the Millers to do exactly what we let Brentford do. Take the ball from the goal kick two touches and oops back of the net. Groans. Here we go again.

But there was some light - our strike force maybe numb but we have some persistent midfielders - and they scored some cracking efforts. Bastiens, out German loan signing who really does have some forward thinking scored a brilliant effort from the edge of the box in the 21st, while our international Crofts headed home in the 24th. We went loopy!

Half time - no real entertainment just 15 minutes of lottery winning numbers - etc etc.

Second half. Oh dear. Not much to say except what the hell happened during the 15 minute break? Did get the sulks cos their numbers weren't drawn?! Whatever happened the second half was a case of Gillingham defending so deep they may as well have played in the goal mouth and diced with the goal line.. oh - they did.

Consequently the Millers scored and if they could score one then 2+ was on the cards. I missed the winner - I dared the toilets at the back of the stand. An improvement. The echoing of Millers fans being happy was enough to know. I re-sat in time for the final whistle and chorus of 'What a load of rubbish' from the following Gills fans. Indeed. So, no safer and little hope of getting the coveted 3 points on Monday.

The trip home was long but the sun sets and rolling countryside was a pleasure to enjoy. And the Rotherham No 23. Martin Woods was a bit of a sort! ha ha!

Back to Kent at 9.30pm. What a day. What a way to spend it!

UTG!!

The Millmoor Lane experience!

Up north!

Made it-now in bar!

Maundy Thurs

Capricorn: In the event that crass commercialism is wearing on your soul, you may head for a beautiful retreat to revive your spirits. Nature is wonderfully restorative.

Must be time to head to sunny Kent then!!

Bet the Man U fans wish they had stayed in sunny Manchester yesterday! Oh ah. All sounded a bit nasty out in Rome. If it had happened in England heads would be rolling...

OK Baggy!

You're right - I have been lax in returning to fully document my weekend!

I guess a good weekend starts with a slow Friday night - i.e. not going to the Bishops Finger and drinking my weight in Spitfire/Bishops Finger/Master Brew or Porter* (*delete whichever is on tap at the time). Dad was right with his well told phrase - 'Shepherd Neame - Shit 'n' Scream', as vast quantities of any of the above beers does have a tendency to put me in a rather bad way the next day. Anyway this Friday I restricted myself to a pint and a half. Got home in good time and was able to organise washing etc. Saturday morning I awoke fresh as a daisy and set about tidying up, hanging washing out and generally getting set for an early show at Victoria.

I was on target. I even had a good chat with the man at Victoria Station ticket office about who the Gills who playing and our distinct need for 3 points. Got the early train, thus avoiding the Tit and read 'Angry White Pyjamas' - thankfully there were few Brentford fans on board! Once at Gillingham I undertook my marathon stomp to meet Dad at the car (always confuses other home fans as I am walking away for the ground!) - certainly helps get my steps on a Saturday up to 10,000. Smiled inwardly as Dad relayed his week, the 'dad version', having had the 'mum version' via text message. I suspect that after 37 years of wedded bliss there are going to be times when there is either nothing to say or everything that is said is due to tedium or mild irritation?! Either way as the only offspring in the country able to listen, I do tend to get both sides! It's what makes me love them!

So having successfully made contact with Pop, we ranged our way back towards Priestfield concerned at what lay ahead. Well Gillingham won - screamer from Jackman sealed it. There were a few shining lights but on the whole I was guilty of my attention wandering off to other directions. It's amazing what you think about at football when you're not 100% into the game, I am sure if I remembered half my brain waves I'd be a millionaire! So 3 points in the bag I sped off to the station and got the slow train back to London - so whilst I missed the Tit I did have to share my journey with a bunch of very disgruntled Brentford fans!! Oops. From what I could gather a few of their number had been chucked out before/during the game and as such they had not yet managed to see an entire game at Priestfield.. oh well. Drinks in, sense out and all that.

I did though manage to get back to London without verbal abuse or bruises, and still defiant as a Gills fan - I had seen my team win - always a pleasure! However whilst sat just outside Victoria station waiting for the green light to let us into the station I noticed some of the great buildings which flank the sides of the station. Looking closely I tried to work out how many flats on each floor and judging from the chimney pots at the top of each chimney stack I would reckon quite a few. I got a real sense of how these flats had evolved as I imagine they have been there for almost a century - with their windows bricked up and the smoke that no doubt used to pump from each flat.. very intricate designs. What sort of noise pollution and view does a tenant of one of those places have?

The slow train also takes a different route through Sarf London so trying to spot where is goes as opposed to the fast train is also a fascination I have... many passengers I suspect just pass by and not really take time to notice or contemplate such thoughts. I see it as our history - compare these aging monsters to the new purposes build apartments on the other side of the river with their coloured panels and curved windows! Progress?

Anyway in the spirit of 'not noticing' my next mission was to be home in time for Doctor Who... and when my tardis arrives I'll let you know how that went and of course Sunday!

Pretty Good Weekend!

Hoping to blog it all properly later today!

Remind me to talk about bricks, chimneys, Saturday couples, Saturday tubes, Brentford fans, Jackman's screamer, 3 points, early trun to Next 2 day sale, expired cash cards, power walking up Wimbledon Hill, using my oven to full effect and even doing my ironing! Fun packed huh!!

UTG!

Knees

And waist!

Aliens!

Seemed amusing on the day Doctor Who returned to our screens.

My phone has face warping software - and it is very amusing! Especially when you try it with your friends! After a pint or two!!

What next?!

Finished 'Rabbit Redux' last night. Rabbit realigned himself with Janice and sets the stage perfectly for 'Rabbit is Rich'. So do I know re-read 'Rabbit is Rich'? OR move to 'Rabbit at Rest' OR read something else in the intermediate stage?

'Angry White Pyjamas' by Robert Twigger is currently being mooted. Vaughany recommended it years ago and maybe some Kung Fu militia fiction will do me good. (It's not about Kung Fu in that sense - more about a westerners quest to succeed at Japanese martial arts and complete the Tokyo Riot Police on their year long budo training... ) Tough as nails. Not quite Rabbit country.

The Apprentice

returns! And leaders, managers and project management techniques are all thrown into the spot light. The underlying truth, as with most things, its really all about how well people can interact and deal with other people...

Speaking of which should McClaren Go? or Stay?

Personally I think the England team are just not good enough and no matter who manages them they are all focussed on their own aims and sponsorship deals... I urge you to consider if you will the Premiership and its constituents...the world cup farce. The quality of home grown. The concept of determination. I urge you to reassess your assumptions. Then again what do I know - I am but a mere spec in a mass of footballing fluff.

Carpet..

and I am not talking Carpetman (a very attractive bloke who I fell in love with on my first day at Uni. He had a curtain hair style and wore a poncho (hence the carpet reference) and bright coloured jeans).

My neighbours had a new one yesterday. So last night I was lying in bed wondering what difference it would make... it has certainly dulled some of the noises but such efforts with the flooring have unearthed a multitude of squeaky floorboards... I think I have become so aware of the noise that I am waiting for it. Mr S returned home at midnight and a few footsteps but then I drifted off so I guess in some way there has been an improvement. I'll also be lenient for one night as they re-arrange their furniture etc. But the next few nights will tell... squeaky floorboards aside...

If

building contractors spent less time constructing works of scaffolding art, would they be able to finish the actual building quicker?

Wandering up and down Cheapside has brought to my attention the wooden constructions which now appear as standard around the base of scaffolding. Work men cutting sheets of wood to fit the spaces. Then they paint the wood. Blue. And then they paint it again. Reddy orange. All very colourful - but why? Not only that but it takes up more of the pavement...

Code of Conduct

Bloggers everywhere take heed...

Walk it!

My colleague has just imparted a very useful website to me - Walkit.com whereby you can decide your start and end point and it gives you a map and a instructions!

My walk home (should I chose to do it!) is 8.4 miles - and a fast walk would take 126 minutes, so just over 2 hours. Which means if I left work on time I could be home the same time I am when I leave work at about 6.15pm... worth thinking about.

However a medium pace would be - 167 mins and slow - 251 minutes!! 4 hours!!!! Better leave at lunch time!!!

Best foot forward!

Long time no blog!

Just to say I am well. I have had a haircut and reached my target WW goal weight!! Hoorah!

I would though rather not talk about 5-0 defeats. (That said have booked 2 more away days - Rotherham and Chesterfield). But I do refer my honourable readers back to my prediction of the England game being a white wash... glad I stuck to the cricket instead.

All being well tomorrow my upstairs neighbours are having a carpet fitted in their lounge (courtesy of my landlord) so hopefully I will be getting my regular sleep pattern back - ah a whole night without disturbance would be nice! Please note that local councils only deal in TV and radio noise - which when you consider the fashion for floorboards and the number of ground floor flats in London there must be a rather high number of fellow dwellers suffering the same fate as I. Note to oneself - top floor flats from now on!

And what a difference BST makes - lighter in the evenings so I can walk for miles!! But the temperature in the office has soared - very unpleasant. Feel like my eyes are about to pop out of my head!!! Hey ho back to the grind stone!

Oh yes and the tattoo is 6 years now!!

A moment in time...

Radio Five - Breakfast Blog - midday today what will you be up to?! Blog it here

Nottingham Forest 1 - Gillingham 0

Twiglet was denied a penalty.

The Forest free kick was dubious.

Either way we lost and are 2 place above the relegation zone. And why is Jarvis still sidelined? Injured or being held back til the end of the season when Forest may well buy him?

Questions questions... either way we need 3 points fast...

Red Nose Day

Wheelie red!

Phew

Was having a mini rant this morning, in the bathroom, as I got ready for work, listening to Radio 5 Breakfast... all because of the Football League trying to suggest that the 'lower' leagues weren't currently exciting enough. He hem - because the Premiership isn't a one horse race is it?!

So several ideas were to be discussed as a means of spicing up games which were liable to end in a draw... WOT ROT! The Championship and League One are the tightest leagues to watch at the minute - a matter of points separate top teams and potential relegation teams. A run of 3 wins can see you in play off spot - a run of 3 losses, basement bound. Now I have in the last fortnight seen an exciting draw and mediocre win... BUT that is the nature of the game. STOP trying to change it to meet money grabbing sources. The true fans like it the way it is - its the likes of Sky and wealthy chairman who have created the rot that has set in in the Premiership... let em rot in peace I say - leave us less famed teams to enjoy our SPORT!! The cheap away ends with no roofs, no seat backs and expensive cans of Boddingtons. The walks to far flung grounds from northern railway stations. Leave us to enjoy the knowledge that every Saturday at 3pm our team will be playing, and no doubt during that time over enthused stewards will turf out an away end supporter. The ref will be jeered the linesmen taunted. Face it we are already adept and making our own excitement!!! SO how exactly does a penalty shoot out make a game more exciting - in fact on that basis, why bother having the first 90 mins at all?!

Anyway seems I am not alone in my opinion...

AND the mecca appears on the beeb website!

interesting!

Capricorn (Dec22-Jan20)If you want to widen your social circle, you've got to improve your image. Make sure your clothes and hairstyle reflect the real you. For instance, do you wear dark colours because they suit you, or are they just a means of blending in with the woodwork? When talking about movies and books, do you ever discuss guilty pleasures, or do you pretend to like what everybody else does? Stop trying to be accepted and start asserting your true personality.

I think on reflection I did quite enjoy being semi blonde... or better still short haired and very very black hair!

After

And yes it needs a big cut!

Before!

Hair

Mine

Chestnut...

I forgot to mention I covered my 'blonde' locks Monday night, well actually the locks were a horrid combo of grey, my natural colour and orangey blonde at the roots and silvery blonde at the tips so I went radical cover up ... chestnut.

This was prompted by Sainsos not having my normal light brown in stock and me being nervy at the prospect of any other colour on the silvery tips going a bit wafty.

So I am quite a bit darker than I have been for a year.

And guess what NO Bugger has noticed. Well one did and asked if I had got hair extensions?!

I do wonder about peoples observational skills!! Anyway photo to follow to keep up the hair theme!

National No Smoking Day...

... you know it makes sense.

Stub it out! Save the cash! Smell nicer! Walk faster! Tastier breath! Whiter teeth! (call it prep for National Kissing Day!!)

I'll be honest I have been struggling (been good the last few days) so I need to be more will powered in situations I know are my weak spots... roll on the smoking ban in pubs! And trying to believe that one down the pub is ok - is a lie. Yes you may manage for a couple of weeks - one or two on a Friday - and then none til the next Friday. But then you get cocky and a Thursday night becomes a full blown smoke fest and before you know it - you have a packet and some left over... here you go again.

It's no good. I know I find it hard to stop. I get into certain situations and they are my answer - even though deep down I know they are not. I know I feel better off them. I just have this horrid suspicion that part of me will always be hooked. I'll always be a smoker who is choosing (in some case fighting) to ignore her urge to smoke.

My relationship with cigarettes is uneasy.
My conscious giving up is tested.
I only kid myself.
And when I do I feel bad.

I am trying. Really hard. More gum and WW Fruities I fear.

Guinness Girl

Other than me, some nose art on a Buccaneer at the RAF museum.

RAF Museum

Finally, finally got myself up 'North' to the RAF Museum at Hendon today.
Finally because I been in London long enough to have gone sooner and finally because this morning's northern line was playing silly buggers - terminated at Hampstead, then Golders Green and then at last Colindale.
Not sure what Dad & I were expecting (apart from planes obviously) but in the spirit of leave I found myself absorbed by colours, markings, aerodynamic lines and the simplicity/complexity of man's engineering abilities. Aeroplanes for the forces tend to have one purpose - destruction of the enemy - but putting this aside they are feats of mechanical genius. I undersell this theory by likening them to houses - each architect has the basics and then designs accordingly. So it is with planes, the basic wings and tails but each an individuals ideal made reality - well it used to be. Now-a-days one plane fits all - that is of course once its been agreed by the allied countries building it. As much as the day was about learning new things it was also about nostalgia - aircraft we have seen in the skies. Airshows we have been too. There is one major problem with a museum - everything is static and on a midweek day like today, apart from the odd group of school kids - it is eerily quiet. Part of the thrill with these machines is seeing them alive - hearing them whistle over head.

There were a good selection of types fighters, bombers, and an entire hanger devoted to planes considered 'milestones' (so much for escaping work!) in aeronautical history.

We pootled back down a much quicker northern line to Charing Cross and got a beer and food in Covent Garden - after depositing my dad on the 7.11pm train I headed once more for the tube. There is something wonderfully liberating about being on a tube dressed in mufti on a day off watching the 'commuters' suited, tired and drowning in newspapers and books on the way home. I look like that normally, but this evening I was brighter and more observant. Days off are great - especially when you do something that cements your core self and bonds you closer to those that matter. Cheers Pops for giving to me your sense of interest - can't pretend to know as much but standing under the Vulcan's wing I felt the hairs on my neck stand on end... pure joy!

Cockpit

Better than my usual desk view, F-4 phantom. My fav!

Blogging in the UK

Radio Five are currently airing a half hour special ... readers sharing the posts they made on Monday 22nd Jan when the Breakfast Blog went live! Seems we all have a story/point of view.. or morely pointedly a means of dealing with the mundane in a less negative way! Take part yourself on the 20th March!

Gillingham 1 - Crewe 0

WE WON!!

An amazing strike by Flynn from just outside the box proved to be the bullet like shot we needed! Otherwise Dad & I were really unsure if a goal was ever going to happen! It was for the majority of the first half - very dull. Nowhere near the excitement and drama of last week against Blackpool. But second half buoyed by a goal we looked brighter.

I have 2 observations -

1) THE RIGHT SIDE (IE my side) need to step up and join in with the song!! 'We are the right side, we are the right side, we are the right side Rainham End .' 'We are the middle, we are the middle, we are the middle Rainham End .' 'We are the left side, we are the left side, we are the left side Rainham End .' I DID try but no-one else joined in so once more the Right side were ridiculed. Event the Town End piped up!!

2) The father and daughter combo behind me were fascinating (i jest!) okay they were very irritating - little 4 year old Gabby needing to be told who was in what colour etc etc - but give him his due by the end of the game Gabby was a Gill through and through. But it got me thinking - the advice and pointers he was giving Gabby were way off beam from anything my Dad imparts to me (when he isn't keeping his fan club happy!). I guess the bottom line is that Pops and I have been through too many experiences and seen too many losses etc. Hardened. Until the goal we had lost all hope of winning. After it all we wanted was to hang on to it! Gabby and her dad probably enjoyed the game more - 'the Blues', getting Gab's to identify players with numbers (which frankly even some of the older fans don't yet get!) and going for chips. I also hope they enjoyed kicking my seat through out - cos I didn't!

All in all a good day - early train. stomp round Gills to meet Pop, note that Gillingham is full of Zombie teens who like to block all pavements. You could step into the road and walk but I doubt they would notice that either. Missed the Tit on both in and out trip! Joy joy joy!! And of course the sunset was once again magnificent - the rosy red of the sun as it dipped beneath the Red Millennium Wheel. Beautiful.

Ah - and tomorrow wall to wall sport on the Beeb!

Kick off!

Here again!

Eek

News story that Huddersfield are 'interested' in getting our manager back to their gaff.. Not sure that will help us in any way at all. We need to win today and bt Crewe - POINTS are vital!

Fighting Talk!

Hooray!
Johnny Vaughan is back for a one-off in the hot seat show! Back to the good old days!

NO Logan!! Hooray!

Always a traditional pre-off-to-match listen!

Today is gorgeous - sunny and brisk! A day for winners!?! UTG!

I just

hit the 2000 views mark!

Cheers all! A new millennium awaits!

:-)

New oven...

Finally!

Sunset

Managed to leave work whilst light-beautiful colours..

Do I?

go to the smallish Placebo gig on Tuesday pm - by myself?

I have never been to a gig by myself before, cinema & football yes, pub club and gig - erm no.

I want to see my favourite band but it means going alone.. and I know if I don't I'll kick myself for being a wuss - but then again standing around a venue alone may look a tad weird? Will anyone notice? Yeah probably the weirdo who is preying for a lone Placebo fan... then again may be good novel content... and if the builder if naff my propensity to spend time in my lounge could be very low!!

Nite..

(eyes in back of head watching the Hammers vs Spurs on MOTD-go the Spurts it makes my brother's Monday when I text him with a win!)

Well

the builder arrives tomorrow am to 'fix' the damp patch on the back wall; the kitchen tiles; the shower rail runner and all the other things which are broken. To allow him to do this I have had to move and pack things away. I rather suspect that this packing and seeing of empty walls has opened my eyes... time to move on I fear. Somewhere nicer - less ramshackled. Somewhere which is not a ground floor flat...

Gillingham 2 - Blackpool 2

2 2 2 - and for us definitely 2 points lost. Boo. Mind you with Notts Forest sniffing round for a Jarvis purchase and him being out injured it was an opportunity to see how we will fare once he has gone - because let's face it come the end of May he will be off...

Very unfair result. I was surprised to actually enjoy the game - both sides were so poor it was actually entertaining and exciting. We scored early on. We looked in control. We scored from a set piece (quite rare.) We missed a penalty. We let in a goal - because of the sun in the goalie's eyes?! We gave away a free kick near the area and they equalised. They had fans removed by the stewards.. All in all a rip roaring way to spend the afternoon. Made better by me getting the half-hour earlier train, thus missing the Tit. And then having a good long walk to catch my dad as he parked the car. This benefit of this being that I get some time to chat with him - as pre match & at half time he seems to have acquired celebrity status, with Arfur, Colin, the Twins and Razman all engaging him in football related punditry. He is quite good at holding his audience - so they all stand and nod approval and chip in with tactical ideas. Aristotle and his followers. I am a girl therefore I just stand there and watch the 10 year old's penalty shoot out...whilst munching on my mini choc bar. Today was no different - and to think if he hadn't been noted for absence whilst down under this new twist of communication would never have happened.

Got out fairly sharpish as the legendary Pater had been given a last minute call up to go to a quiz night - so off he went (be fearful next week he has to shoot off to Bury St Edmund's) already fretful about roadworks and diversions! I on the other hand wandered swiftly to the station and got the slow train back to London. Result all round - saw the beautiful sun set and the cheesy coloured full moon awaiting its eclipse, as well as avoiding the Tit once more. Excellent. Was home by 7pm and indulged in my Red Nose Day Squished Tomato Soup - lovely!!

I watched my usual Casualty to see where abouts in the never ending story cycle that is Casualty we had got too.

I then flicked over to BBC Four and 'Reichenbach Falls' - which I have to say was the best piece of drama I have seen in ages. Twangs of humour. Great interweaving of plot lines, story lines and dream lines. I was intrigued. Absolutely brilliant. Note: Must visit Edinburgh. Also tickled me due to 'some' (okay quite alot hence the title) references to Sherlock Holmes - illustrated no less. Oh poor old Adam Edwards - his book of the same became legendary...Good to see it here being used to better ends!

Neighbours out so it was peaceful - oh until 1.15am when they returned, woke me and dissolved my happy spirit.

Live!

From my mecca - the mighty Priestfield!

I don't believe it...

my upstairs neighbour Mister and Son, locked themselves out this morning. Instead of waiting for Mrs to return or contact a lock smith - they rang MY doorbell and without flinching asked to come through my flat, out of my backdoor, so they could use their outside stairs to reach their back door and get back into their upstairs flat.

Can you imagine my reaction?! I wanted to say - 'well can you stop making noise at 11pm-1am?! NO!? Well there's your answer.'

Instead I think I muttered 'Ah so I am worthy of talking to now am I?' And then said 'Well I suppose so.' So they scooted through rather swiftly - getting tangled in my newly hung up washing and 'forgetting' to say thank you.

I slammed said back door and fumed. The bare faced cheek. Not even an apology or an admittance of any of the other rot going on... unbelievable.

As with life..

blogs are soon forgotten when their tone slips away from positive and pleasant ideas.

Or in this case the readership dwindles because the author neglects to post. I am slightly cross with myself but will use this blip to lever myself and my esteem back into the black side of the account.

To this end I have a series in draft at the moment; entitled Love. Work. Home. Life. Sounds a bit pretentious but then you know what I often wonder what I may still achieve in the arts! Culture Show status every Saturday pm/Sunday supplement reviews...Desert Island discs - now there's an entry I never completed!!

So please bear (not bare as I originally typed - bloomin Justitia again!) with me - call it writers block - call it external influences - either way I am still aware of my audience...

World Book Day

'Rabbit Redux' - today was talking about 'Nam and slavery - which were both stories on Radio 5 this morning... shame it was Mark P and Gabby L - I want Nicky and Shelagh back! SOON!

Interesing this morning to see who was reading what - bit of Daphne Du Maurier - and oh the Metro.. nevermind.

Spot on!

Capricorn (Dec22-Jan20) At times you might feel as if your work and responsibilities to others have taken over your life. In matters that have been challenging and problematical you're almost ready to throw in the towel. Hang on in there a wee while longer as your life will soon take an upturn and you will be able to cope. It might also help to pacify you if you tie up loose ends and arrange to pay off any outstanding debts so you can turn your attention to new things.

Noise Abatement .. Part 101

As you know I sent a letter to upstairs asking them to consider thier noise pollution - and for 2 weeks they did not approach me to talk about it and noises continued (even though we have bumped into each other in the shared hallway still nothing had been said - in fact I was not even acknowledged!). So I sent a letter to my landlord enclosing a copy I sent to upstairs and also a rahter long list of flat related issues. I cunningly signed letter "Otherwise things are fine" when clearly reading both items would have suggested alternatively.

Well I have a builder arriving Monday am to ‘fix’ damp; washing machine; shower head runner rail (there's a new term I learnt); kitchen tiles; mice; oven etc etc. I wait with semi-baited breath.

And landlord has spoken with upstairs AND offered to help pay for a CARPET! However I suspect this will fall on deaf ears as it made no difference last night – they were stomping twice as much and moving furniture at 12.30…

Consequently my normally sunny disposition is fast deserting me. I am so angry. I pay a substantial amount each month to live in a flat which is farily sub-standard and get the added 'feature' of neighburly entertainment. Yet I am cast as the bad one becuase I chose to speak up.

I will keep you posted on progress... and building repairs!!