It's been a while, hasn't it? Well, here's one to make up for it. This entry will be long, rambling, emotional and may contain traces of Pink Floyd - you have been warned.
I've not really felt like updating the blog for a while, to be honest. And my twitter posts have also declined from the usual 30-something a day to more like 3 - and they've mainly been links to websites or blip.fm or YouTube videos. And as it goes on-line, so it goes off-line. I find it's just about possible to get through an entire day without speaking to anyone. Or texting anyone. I've not contacted Groupie since the start of what's still officially a "trial seperation" and I have no intention to at least until that period is over, in about three weeks time. On the rare occasion I do talk, my voice is even more soft-spoken than normal, a small, almost frightened little voice saying the minimum possible to get the conversation over with. Because I just don't feel like talking right now.
I've even considered making my 4,000th tweet my final one, assuming I make even that - I'm about 15 or so short of that milestone at the moment. Same goes with the blog. I'm not entirely sure my heart's in this anymore.
Those who don't know me well - i.e, practically everyone - may well think this is me overreacting to the disintegration of the thing I had with Groupie. But it's not. I think this is my default state of being. Try as I might, I just don't seem to be very good with the social side of things.
There's a blog I read regularly online in which the author recently reflected on the fact that she seemed to be building walls around herself and being a bit overprotective of her feelings, and she felt she didn't want to do that anymore. I added the comment that I could understand why she would want to do that as it was natural to want to put up walls of defence around us because we don't want to get hurt by people - "and I speak from experience here".
I've been reading a lot on the web recently about schizoid personality disorder - the symptoms, and stories of people who have it. Here's a list of the criteria that's used to determine whether someone is schizoid. Here's an essay - a very informative essay - written by the ex-partner of someone who is schizoid, in which the point is made that "it's a personality, not a disorder" a stance which I generally agree with. And as both those pages have a lot of reading in them, I'll also link to this article from the New York Times which is much shorter and more accessible. I particularly like the title "Like A Fish Needs A Bicycle - For Some People, Intimacy Is Toxic"
All my life I've shied away from getting too involved with people. I'm just no good at it. And I think that's because I've always preferred being on my own. Growing up in the countryside gave me a lot of opportunities to do just that. Even today I can sit and watch the bees forage around the flowers for absolutely ages. Or I can log onto Wikipedia and spend hours looking things up - days, sometimes, when I first discovered it, which I'm not exactly proud of. But it was fun.
While the others in my school would play around with football or whatever, I would spend my lunchbreaks on my own, walking around and thinking about things, perhaps taking a personal radio with me on Tuesdays so I could hear the latest pop chart being announced. If I could find a place where no-one seemed to know about, that was excellent - it was like my sanctuary from the world. Of course, that branded me as "different", something which hurt, to begin with. Later I'd play on it, and later still I'd call it "alien" - particularly when the X-Files were popular and images of the "greys" were everywhere. I felt more in common with them that with my own species, and to this day maintain that if I was to be abducted by aliens I would go willingly.
At my work I continue to do this - before the office was redesigned I discovered a little place that I could just about squeeze into where literally no-one went. I took to having my lunch there, and it was fun to sit reading my copy of Rolling Stone or Wired and scoffing my sandwiches. I was never discovered, although people did sometimes wonder where I disappeared to on my break.
Of course, I did socialize a bit - particularly when I got into my teens and interested in girls. And they seemed to be interested in me, at least to talk to - there's many happy memories I have of standing with a group of them chatting away about all sorts. Maybe they were using me to find out what made boys tick, or maybe I was different enough that they were intrigued by my take on life. Anyway, the attention was nice, while it lasted.
And I've always been rather uninhibited when it comes to a dance floor, or a karaoke night. Mainly because then I'm playing to a stage, and the others in the nightclub or wherever become my audience. This I can do. But when I get off the stage, I return to type - sitting by the side of things drinking a Red Bull or whatever.
When I was in university I had a whirlwind fling with this girl, and afterwards, one of her friends in the local student bar told me "she only went out with you because she saw you all alone and felt sorry for you". I think she was trying to hurt me. "Don't worry, that's what they usually think" I said, which surprised her a bit.
I'm beginning to think I could be schizoid. I fit a lot of the criteria, such as not wishing to be close to people, or wanting to be on my own a lot. I get the feeling that I'm somehow "an observer" rather than "a participant" in life. And strangely, but crucially, this doesn't bother me. Like the main character in Pink Floyd's "The Wall", I find myself retreating from the world - I'd like to fit in, but it seems I don't. So I'm just going to accept the reality and give up trying.
Before anyone says, I have no interest in going to the medical profession (who I deeply distrust anyway) and getting a diagnosis one way or the other. Partially because I don't want stuff like this on my record. "Schizoid" sounds a bit too much like "schizophrenic" but they're very different, and I'm mindful of the paediatrician who got their house torched by an angry mob because they confused "paediatrician" with "paedophile". But more importantly, I don't think there's anything medically wrong with me. This is just the way I always have been, and probably always will be. As one of the articles I linked to state, to try to get me to do otherwise is like asking fish to fly.
I did think about putting a track from "The Wall" at the end of this entry, but I found a better one from Simon & Garfunkel which sums things up a lot better. And it's a lot happier too.
See you around - maybe...
SIMON AND GARFUNKEL - I AM A ROCK
(from the album "Sounds Of Silence", 1966)
2009-03-23
Back By Unpopular Demand
After two weeks of slumming it I had to report for duty once again at 06.00 this morning, and while the first day back at work is always tough, I managed to get through it OK. After a long hard winter, I'm finally going to work in the daytime again, and while that'll probably only be for a week (the clocks go forward in Europe this weekend) it's nice to have that again. I looked at the trees on the way into work and the blossom is already beginning to bud on some - spring is springing all right!!
And I must admit I really enjoyed the office atmosphere this morning. I was rather quiet for the first hour or so - then the Boney M. came on the radio and that was the spark that set me off. I felt good - recharged, refreshed - not sure how long that will last. But it'll be good while it lasts. Or should I be having that much fun at work? :)
Mind you, when I went out on the rounds it was a bit of a different story - what with the strange weather we were having. Literally "four seasons in one day" as one of my favourite bands would say :) we even had sleet at one point!! The weather alternated between wet and windy and bright and breezy pretty much all day, and it was a bit of a struggle to finish the round in the end...but I made it OK.
I did intend to do some housework after work, but it felt really cold when I got in and the duvet was so tempting to wrap myself in....and of course, next thing I knew it was four hours later. And I'm still feeling tired, so that's probably the end of that idea.
And - of course - there's something else in my head at the moment, something I don't want to think about, but it's there. You know, I'm all right about it as long as my mind's occupied. It's just when my concentration drifts...and I realize the implications of what happened last night.
Anyway, think I'll just snuggle up back under the duvet again and we'll worry about things tomorrow morning. By a rather happy coincidence, it's my day off tomorrow, so it's an easier lead-in back to work than I would normally have.
For some reason, this song was in my dreams last night, and when I woke up and heard the wind and rain outside, I wanted to hear it for real. One of the most unlikely UK #1's ever, so they say - almost exactly 39 years ago. It felt good to look out at the rain, mug of coffee in hand, and sing along to this at 05.00 this morning. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best.
LEE MARVIN - WAND'RIN' STAR
(from the film soundtrack "Paint Your Wagon", 1969)
And I must admit I really enjoyed the office atmosphere this morning. I was rather quiet for the first hour or so - then the Boney M. came on the radio and that was the spark that set me off. I felt good - recharged, refreshed - not sure how long that will last. But it'll be good while it lasts. Or should I be having that much fun at work? :)
Mind you, when I went out on the rounds it was a bit of a different story - what with the strange weather we were having. Literally "four seasons in one day" as one of my favourite bands would say :) we even had sleet at one point!! The weather alternated between wet and windy and bright and breezy pretty much all day, and it was a bit of a struggle to finish the round in the end...but I made it OK.
I did intend to do some housework after work, but it felt really cold when I got in and the duvet was so tempting to wrap myself in....and of course, next thing I knew it was four hours later. And I'm still feeling tired, so that's probably the end of that idea.
And - of course - there's something else in my head at the moment, something I don't want to think about, but it's there. You know, I'm all right about it as long as my mind's occupied. It's just when my concentration drifts...and I realize the implications of what happened last night.
Anyway, think I'll just snuggle up back under the duvet again and we'll worry about things tomorrow morning. By a rather happy coincidence, it's my day off tomorrow, so it's an easier lead-in back to work than I would normally have.
For some reason, this song was in my dreams last night, and when I woke up and heard the wind and rain outside, I wanted to hear it for real. One of the most unlikely UK #1's ever, so they say - almost exactly 39 years ago. It felt good to look out at the rain, mug of coffee in hand, and sing along to this at 05.00 this morning. Sometimes the simplest pleasures are the best.
LEE MARVIN - WAND'RIN' STAR
(from the film soundtrack "Paint Your Wagon", 1969)
2009-03-22
Zaphod & Groupie, 1996-2009
It's over.
I called Groupie up this evening and told her she was now an ex-groupie.
Well, officially, after much discussions, we've just put things on hold for a while. So I guess it's not finished with officially yet. But I know I'm not coming back.
It's something I should have done a while ago, to be honest.
But I have finally pulled the trigger.
That's it.
KEANE - WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS
(from the album "Hopes And Fears", 2004)
I called Groupie up this evening and told her she was now an ex-groupie.
Well, officially, after much discussions, we've just put things on hold for a while. So I guess it's not finished with officially yet. But I know I'm not coming back.
It's something I should have done a while ago, to be honest.
But I have finally pulled the trigger.
That's it.
KEANE - WE MIGHT AS WELL BE STRANGERS
(from the album "Hopes And Fears", 2004)
2009-03-21
Hurt
There is no feeling worse in the world than when someone you care about is upset and it's because of something you did.
But even if what happened was actually done by someone else, it's still possible to feel responsible for upsetting them.
I'm not going to go into details here - for the sake of the people involved. And because it hurts to type. And because as much as I want to get the words out, I'm not sure which ones to use.
Suffice to say I feel like dirt right now. And I feel that a friendship which means a lot to me has been irreversibly damaged.
And I regret that. Perhaps more than I should.
It's times like this that you realize how you actually feel about people. And I need to have a good long think about how I feel about people in general, and one person in particular. Let's just say, things cannot go on as they are.
JOHNNY CASH - HURT
(from the album "The Man Comes Around", 2002)
But even if what happened was actually done by someone else, it's still possible to feel responsible for upsetting them.
I'm not going to go into details here - for the sake of the people involved. And because it hurts to type. And because as much as I want to get the words out, I'm not sure which ones to use.
Suffice to say I feel like dirt right now. And I feel that a friendship which means a lot to me has been irreversibly damaged.
And I regret that. Perhaps more than I should.
It's times like this that you realize how you actually feel about people. And I need to have a good long think about how I feel about people in general, and one person in particular. Let's just say, things cannot go on as they are.
JOHNNY CASH - HURT
(from the album "The Man Comes Around", 2002)
2009-03-20
Nothing Lasts Forever
As I've mentioned here a few times, today is Renewal Day - the alien new year. May it be a good one for you all.
I was in a rather unhappy mood this morning, having problems with my iPhone again. I was trying to sync it up with iTunes and it just froze up on me after a while. Long term readers will remember that I've had problems like this before, but a full restore managed to cure things this time around. Still, it took quite a while to refill the phone with all my music, apps, podcasts etc... time I spent watching Jamiroquai videos on YouTube, which cheered me up a bit. Many thanks to the lovely lady who sent me the link to one of JK's finest - she knows who she is :) x
The iPhone troubles wouldn't have been so bad in isolation, but coming on top of my sleeping pattern being so screwed up - and me feeling so screwed up - well, it all started to get on top of me a bit. Not to mention certain other issues which have been discussed on here far too often already.
As it was a nice afternoon, I decided I'd go for a walk along the city streets, and ended up walking all the way into the city core. It was nice, just me and my iPhone, and I was deliberately choosing to walk through quiet (upmarket) residential areas and along main roads. And I began to imagine myself doing this through the streets of Milton Keynes of an afternoon, and wondering what that would be like.
Even so, there was still the annoyances of, amongst others, the idiots who tried to accelerate into me as I was passing a petrol station (and then laughing about it) to say nothing of the lowlife scum who I have the misfortune of living next to. Honestly, you sometimes wish the terrorists would bomb this place instead - although I doubt even bin Laden's lot would waste good explosives on this place.
I found myself in the city core and after buying something to drink (and using the self-checkout machines in Boots for the first time - quite easy) I found myself in the nearby graveyard, which is quite a popular place to sit and sometimes picnic (as well as a haunt for the local drunkards, but they were clearly elsewhere today) The tombstones here are quite old - centuries old, and I found myself reading some of them. Some had the deceased's occupation on them as well as the usual details, and I found it quite interesting, and wondered what they'd make of life in 2009?
There's also some stones in the ground marking the burial places of others, who presumably are buried under said stones, perhaps in the crypts of the nearby church. Unfortunately, most of them have had the engravings worn away over the years, and while some were very well made and still quite legible even after a quarter millennium, a lot of them were just blank pieces of stone now. I could see one where the inscriptions were clearly fading, and in another 50 years, or maybe even 20, it'll be blank too.
So I guess I'll never know anything about who was buried there. And what about the tombstones which fall over and break? They don't get replaced if the council can't track down the descendants of the deceased, and after several generations, well, who's gonna care? So, they too get forgotten - lost to history.
But then, nothing lasts forever, does it? And that's probably a good thing - as we look forward to the springtime, and the notional "re-birth" of nature, we ought to remember that something had to die to make way for it.
Happy Renewal Day from the alien amongst you.
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - NOTHING LASTS FOREVER
(from the album "Evergreen", 1997)
I was in a rather unhappy mood this morning, having problems with my iPhone again. I was trying to sync it up with iTunes and it just froze up on me after a while. Long term readers will remember that I've had problems like this before, but a full restore managed to cure things this time around. Still, it took quite a while to refill the phone with all my music, apps, podcasts etc... time I spent watching Jamiroquai videos on YouTube, which cheered me up a bit. Many thanks to the lovely lady who sent me the link to one of JK's finest - she knows who she is :) x
The iPhone troubles wouldn't have been so bad in isolation, but coming on top of my sleeping pattern being so screwed up - and me feeling so screwed up - well, it all started to get on top of me a bit. Not to mention certain other issues which have been discussed on here far too often already.
As it was a nice afternoon, I decided I'd go for a walk along the city streets, and ended up walking all the way into the city core. It was nice, just me and my iPhone, and I was deliberately choosing to walk through quiet (upmarket) residential areas and along main roads. And I began to imagine myself doing this through the streets of Milton Keynes of an afternoon, and wondering what that would be like.
Even so, there was still the annoyances of, amongst others, the idiots who tried to accelerate into me as I was passing a petrol station (and then laughing about it) to say nothing of the lowlife scum who I have the misfortune of living next to. Honestly, you sometimes wish the terrorists would bomb this place instead - although I doubt even bin Laden's lot would waste good explosives on this place.
I found myself in the city core and after buying something to drink (and using the self-checkout machines in Boots for the first time - quite easy) I found myself in the nearby graveyard, which is quite a popular place to sit and sometimes picnic (as well as a haunt for the local drunkards, but they were clearly elsewhere today) The tombstones here are quite old - centuries old, and I found myself reading some of them. Some had the deceased's occupation on them as well as the usual details, and I found it quite interesting, and wondered what they'd make of life in 2009?
There's also some stones in the ground marking the burial places of others, who presumably are buried under said stones, perhaps in the crypts of the nearby church. Unfortunately, most of them have had the engravings worn away over the years, and while some were very well made and still quite legible even after a quarter millennium, a lot of them were just blank pieces of stone now. I could see one where the inscriptions were clearly fading, and in another 50 years, or maybe even 20, it'll be blank too.
So I guess I'll never know anything about who was buried there. And what about the tombstones which fall over and break? They don't get replaced if the council can't track down the descendants of the deceased, and after several generations, well, who's gonna care? So, they too get forgotten - lost to history.
But then, nothing lasts forever, does it? And that's probably a good thing - as we look forward to the springtime, and the notional "re-birth" of nature, we ought to remember that something had to die to make way for it.
Happy Renewal Day from the alien amongst you.
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN - NOTHING LASTS FOREVER
(from the album "Evergreen", 1997)
2009-03-19
An Unhappy End To An Unhappy Season
It's been a few days - and this is the last day before the alien new year (or, more officially, the beginning of spring and start of the days being longer than the nights again) It's been a hard winter - physically and emotionally - and I'm glad it's over. I feel like I've woken up from hibernation and have more energy to tackle day-to-day life.
And I would like to have done a blog entry or two about what I've been up to - but I just can't get my head together at the moment. Part of this is due to my sleeping cycle becoming totally decoupled from the rest of society (I've been waking up after noon, and going to bed at times ranging between 03.00 and, on one memorable night, 06.00 - just before sunrise). But mainly it's because of what happened last night, and yes, it involves GroupieGirl once again...
We'd had a lovely night - a very lovely night...mmm.... and were snuggled up on the sofa watching this horror film from New Zealand called "The Tattooist" which was on Sky Box Office (pay-per-view) And everything went really well, right up to the very end of the evening when I was preparing to walk her home. A little comment was taken totally out of context - and it led to things being said that makes me just not want to be with her anymore. She's got some really major issues about certain things and I'm really not sure about whether or not I want to see her again. I know I've been having doubts about this for some time now, but I really thought we'd worked things out. It seems we haven't.
But that's not something I want to think about just now, still less write about. And so, instead, I'm going to play a bit of Rock Band for a bit, and then maybe have a shower (and another go with the Veet - I'm beginning to see why it takes women so long to get ready for a night out) and then maybe head out into the town to forget my worries for a while. It is alien new year's eve after all...
And when I'm on Rock Band, here's one of the songs I'll be drumming to - the last time I was out they played this on the video jukebox, and I smiled to myself as I subconsciously found myself keeping the beat like in the game...
RADIOHEAD - CREEP
(from the album "Pablo Honey", 1992)
And I would like to have done a blog entry or two about what I've been up to - but I just can't get my head together at the moment. Part of this is due to my sleeping cycle becoming totally decoupled from the rest of society (I've been waking up after noon, and going to bed at times ranging between 03.00 and, on one memorable night, 06.00 - just before sunrise). But mainly it's because of what happened last night, and yes, it involves GroupieGirl once again...
We'd had a lovely night - a very lovely night...mmm.... and were snuggled up on the sofa watching this horror film from New Zealand called "The Tattooist" which was on Sky Box Office (pay-per-view) And everything went really well, right up to the very end of the evening when I was preparing to walk her home. A little comment was taken totally out of context - and it led to things being said that makes me just not want to be with her anymore. She's got some really major issues about certain things and I'm really not sure about whether or not I want to see her again. I know I've been having doubts about this for some time now, but I really thought we'd worked things out. It seems we haven't.
But that's not something I want to think about just now, still less write about. And so, instead, I'm going to play a bit of Rock Band for a bit, and then maybe have a shower (and another go with the Veet - I'm beginning to see why it takes women so long to get ready for a night out) and then maybe head out into the town to forget my worries for a while. It is alien new year's eve after all...
And when I'm on Rock Band, here's one of the songs I'll be drumming to - the last time I was out they played this on the video jukebox, and I smiled to myself as I subconsciously found myself keeping the beat like in the game...
RADIOHEAD - CREEP
(from the album "Pablo Honey", 1992)
2009-03-15
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Well, as the old saying goes, there's been some changes made. There's a faint smell of chemical products from my bathroom, looking in the mirror is a strange experience which I'm going to have to get used to and I have no idea what GroupieGirl is going to say about all of this...
When I was 21, I used to have long hair - the classic mullet, which you'll have seen on the various social networking sites I frequent as I used to use a picture from there as an avatar. My hair's a lot shorter now, because, well, it started to disappear and there's nothing sadder than a guy who's thin on top trying to camouflage it by wearing what's left of it long and straggly. But as far as the rest of my body went, I wouldn't say I was that hairy - probably about average for a white Scottish guy. I'm certainly no "medallion man", and wouldn't want to be.
The hair on my chest in particular never really bothered me - I never gave it much thought. Until the day, a few months ago, when I was larking around with Groupie and she said "you know, you've got a patch of grey on your chest". This just blew me away. "Really?" I asked. And I had - and I felt really sad about it. I just didn't feel ready to have grey hair on my body, even though I'd had some on my head for a while. "Too young for that" I thought. I mean, I realize it's a natural process - we all get older, sadly. And it's not as though many people were going to see it anyway! I'm not one for going topless in public, even on a beach, and trust me, that's probably just as well!!
But still, I wasn't happy about this new development, and out came the scissors to remove the offending grey hairs, which I somehow managed to do without stabbing myself in the chest. When they grew back, I cut them off again. And then I started to think about just getting rid of it. All of it.
I'd seen pictures of Richard Fairbrass out of Right Said Fred (quite a few, as Groupie's association with the band developed during 2008) and I thought, hmmm, maybe I could try that. Didn't want to go to a beauty parlour, though. And I wasn't having wax put on me - that sounded painful! Something like Veet hair removal cream would do the trick - which used to be called Immac here, and which I remember an ex-girlfriend of mine using for a while back in the 1990s. Well, why not give it a go??
I remember the first time I bought contraceptives, which is supposedly an embarrassing time for a young lad. Not for me though - this was 1990, I'd seen the AIDS adverts on TV, I was sensible about these things - no problem. Buying Veet hair removal cream in 2009 though - now that was a different matter. I skirted around the aisle of the chemist several times before plucking up the courage to pick the thing up and take it to the till. And - oh no - there were women in the queue. And on the tills. I turned the tube around in my palm so the identity of the stuff couldn't be seen. Why did I feel like this?? I dunno. It was clearly marked "FOR MEN" and was in amongst the shaving gel, so why the shyness?? Anyway, I bought the stuff and went home with it. No turning back now.
With a soundtrack of 1960s music in the background, I went into the bathroom, took a deep breath, and smeared the stuff all over my front. Then five minutes later I stepped into the shower and the depilation began in earnest. It was a weird experience, I can assure you! It felt like toothpaste, and the hair was coming off like a sticker on a CD case. I did it in sections, and I had to use a razor to get some areas clear, but before long, I was looking at myself in the mirror at a sight I hadn't seen since the Reagan administration - me with no hair on my chest.
It looked strange. It certainly felt strange. And putting a t-shirt on felt a bit uncomfortable at first. But I'm slowly getting used to it, and I think I like the effect. One thing it's highlighted is that I need to get toned up a bit, which could well be my alien new year's resolution (if I bothered to make any)
I've deliberately not told Groupie, and I'm not going to - so she'll have a bit of a shock coming to her if she's round at my house again! I have no plans to remove the rest of my body hair (at least not yet...one thing at a time, yeah?) Oh, and before anyone asks - no pictures either. Believe me, you don't want to see me undressed... you really don't...
When I was 21, I used to have long hair - the classic mullet, which you'll have seen on the various social networking sites I frequent as I used to use a picture from there as an avatar. My hair's a lot shorter now, because, well, it started to disappear and there's nothing sadder than a guy who's thin on top trying to camouflage it by wearing what's left of it long and straggly. But as far as the rest of my body went, I wouldn't say I was that hairy - probably about average for a white Scottish guy. I'm certainly no "medallion man", and wouldn't want to be.
The hair on my chest in particular never really bothered me - I never gave it much thought. Until the day, a few months ago, when I was larking around with Groupie and she said "you know, you've got a patch of grey on your chest". This just blew me away. "Really?" I asked. And I had - and I felt really sad about it. I just didn't feel ready to have grey hair on my body, even though I'd had some on my head for a while. "Too young for that" I thought. I mean, I realize it's a natural process - we all get older, sadly. And it's not as though many people were going to see it anyway! I'm not one for going topless in public, even on a beach, and trust me, that's probably just as well!!
But still, I wasn't happy about this new development, and out came the scissors to remove the offending grey hairs, which I somehow managed to do without stabbing myself in the chest. When they grew back, I cut them off again. And then I started to think about just getting rid of it. All of it.
I'd seen pictures of Richard Fairbrass out of Right Said Fred (quite a few, as Groupie's association with the band developed during 2008) and I thought, hmmm, maybe I could try that. Didn't want to go to a beauty parlour, though. And I wasn't having wax put on me - that sounded painful! Something like Veet hair removal cream would do the trick - which used to be called Immac here, and which I remember an ex-girlfriend of mine using for a while back in the 1990s. Well, why not give it a go??
I remember the first time I bought contraceptives, which is supposedly an embarrassing time for a young lad. Not for me though - this was 1990, I'd seen the AIDS adverts on TV, I was sensible about these things - no problem. Buying Veet hair removal cream in 2009 though - now that was a different matter. I skirted around the aisle of the chemist several times before plucking up the courage to pick the thing up and take it to the till. And - oh no - there were women in the queue. And on the tills. I turned the tube around in my palm so the identity of the stuff couldn't be seen. Why did I feel like this?? I dunno. It was clearly marked "FOR MEN" and was in amongst the shaving gel, so why the shyness?? Anyway, I bought the stuff and went home with it. No turning back now.
With a soundtrack of 1960s music in the background, I went into the bathroom, took a deep breath, and smeared the stuff all over my front. Then five minutes later I stepped into the shower and the depilation began in earnest. It was a weird experience, I can assure you! It felt like toothpaste, and the hair was coming off like a sticker on a CD case. I did it in sections, and I had to use a razor to get some areas clear, but before long, I was looking at myself in the mirror at a sight I hadn't seen since the Reagan administration - me with no hair on my chest.
It looked strange. It certainly felt strange. And putting a t-shirt on felt a bit uncomfortable at first. But I'm slowly getting used to it, and I think I like the effect. One thing it's highlighted is that I need to get toned up a bit, which could well be my alien new year's resolution (if I bothered to make any)
I've deliberately not told Groupie, and I'm not going to - so she'll have a bit of a shock coming to her if she's round at my house again! I have no plans to remove the rest of my body hair (at least not yet...one thing at a time, yeah?) Oh, and before anyone asks - no pictures either. Believe me, you don't want to see me undressed... you really don't...
2009-03-13
The Great Awakening
Well, we have another Friday the thirteenth upon us - the second consecutive month to have that fateful day!! And there's still another one to come in twenty:09 - in November (three is the most you can have in a year, and that'll happen again in 2012, which should amuse/worry those who follow the Mayan calendar...) Exactly a month ago I was in London, with the GroupieGirl, not having the best of times to be honest...but this time it's a lot happier!!
Next Friday is officially the first day of spring in my half of the world (or, in the alien calendar, it's only a quarter moon to Renewal Day - maybe I should do a blog entry on my alien timekeeping method) which means, of course, that winter is almost over - and I could really feel that today. Even allowing for the congestion which seems to be building up inside my nose & throat (had to get the Lemsip out again this morning) I felt a lot happier than I have over the last few months, in fact it's almost like I'm waking up from a long winter hibernation. Which I suppose I am, when you think about it. Perhaps that's why I like to think of the year really beginning about now.
I spent this morning listening to some great tracks courtesy of blip.fm (I was having a little back-and-forth with someone I follow on there - and elsewhere - which was really enjoyable) and the sun was streaming into my lounge - mmm, nice. I even thought it would be a good idea to go walking along the beach, but it was a bit windy for that, so I just went into the core for a look around the shops.
While there I picked up some fruity shower gel (coconut, and wild cherry, should you care) and half-a-dozen pairs of funky patterned socks. I'm a great believer of wearing wildly designed socks, or t-shirts, or underwear, because sometimes you can't be as flamboyant or colourful with your clothes as you'd like to be (particularly if you live in a place like this). This is my subversive way of getting back at people who look down on you for being different and individual. Zog knows there's a few of them around here (you can usually spot them a mile off, they're all walking around in packs wearing the same coloured tracksuits - what IS that about??) I bought something else too, but that's for another blog post I think...
Anyway, I'm home now and at this moment deliberating whether or not to go out and have some strawberry beer, or stay home and watch some films, or do some more housework, or try out my new shower gel - or a combination of all four!! Feeling happy with my general situation at the moment, which can only be a good thing.
DONOVAN - HURDY GURDY MAN
(from the album "The Hurdy Gurdy Man", 1968)
Next Friday is officially the first day of spring in my half of the world (or, in the alien calendar, it's only a quarter moon to Renewal Day - maybe I should do a blog entry on my alien timekeeping method) which means, of course, that winter is almost over - and I could really feel that today. Even allowing for the congestion which seems to be building up inside my nose & throat (had to get the Lemsip out again this morning) I felt a lot happier than I have over the last few months, in fact it's almost like I'm waking up from a long winter hibernation. Which I suppose I am, when you think about it. Perhaps that's why I like to think of the year really beginning about now.
I spent this morning listening to some great tracks courtesy of blip.fm (I was having a little back-and-forth with someone I follow on there - and elsewhere - which was really enjoyable) and the sun was streaming into my lounge - mmm, nice. I even thought it would be a good idea to go walking along the beach, but it was a bit windy for that, so I just went into the core for a look around the shops.
While there I picked up some fruity shower gel (coconut, and wild cherry, should you care) and half-a-dozen pairs of funky patterned socks. I'm a great believer of wearing wildly designed socks, or t-shirts, or underwear, because sometimes you can't be as flamboyant or colourful with your clothes as you'd like to be (particularly if you live in a place like this). This is my subversive way of getting back at people who look down on you for being different and individual. Zog knows there's a few of them around here (you can usually spot them a mile off, they're all walking around in packs wearing the same coloured tracksuits - what IS that about??) I bought something else too, but that's for another blog post I think...
Anyway, I'm home now and at this moment deliberating whether or not to go out and have some strawberry beer, or stay home and watch some films, or do some more housework, or try out my new shower gel - or a combination of all four!! Feeling happy with my general situation at the moment, which can only be a good thing.
DONOVAN - HURDY GURDY MAN
(from the album "The Hurdy Gurdy Man", 1968)
2009-03-12
Fun With Friends In Cyberspace
Yeah, I know, no-one uses the word "cyberspace" anymore. But hey, I still like it (and it looks fantastic in the Amelia typeface I'm writing this in - I type my blog entries out in Textedit and then upload them to Blogger)
It's been an evening of social networking :) firstly I was chatting on Yahoo Messenger - with Groupie!! She has a Yahoo email address (but no computer, so don't expect a speedy reply from her if you send her any!) and recently got herself a new mobile phone which allows her to check her mail (although I'd imagine typing an email from a standard ten-digit keypad would be a bitch). And it also works with Yahoo Messenger, so we were chatting a bit over that earlier this evening. It's not something I imagine we're going to do all that often (she's always said she can't see the point of Twitter etc. and if she wants to contact me she usually texts) but it's weird seeing "Groupie" come up on my TV screen at home... and as a side effect, she's heard the name "Zaphod Camden" mentioned for the first time...
Another (purely online) friend of mine got herself a refurbished iPod, but was having problems with it, so I found myself giving her some tech support over Twitter. I'm not the best at this job (not sure I could do tech support for real, it's difficult when you can't see what's happening at the other end) but I did my best. Well, what are friends for??
I've spent all day indoors, not doing all that much - part of me always feels like that's a waste of a day but I am on holiday from work and I guess I need to chill out sometimes. My sleeping pattern is royally screwed, as it always becomes when I'm left to my own devices, so it could be a late, late night at Zaphod's place...
I had this dream this morning which was lovely - right up to the last few minutes where it turned a bit sad. I'm not sure whether I should post my dreams here or not - but then it's my blog isn't it?? And since I don't have much else to talk about today, it'll fill the entry up nicely.
I was at my parent's house - well, a sort of combination of where they live now and where we lived in the 80s - watching this programme on tv about some Irish guy who had invented a flying car and was demonstrating it by flying all over the world with it while raising money for Africa - there was footage of him somewhere like Nigeria preparing to take off. I then got a phone call from a friend of mine - well, actually, an online friend of mine, who I've never met (identity withheld to protect the less-than-innocent) She (for it was a she) was in the area and so I asked if she wanted to come round for a chat and a laugh, and she agreed.
So she showed up at the house with a big bag and we chatted for a while, I told her about the show I'd just seen. After a while my parents and my sister arrived back and I introduced them to my friend. "Remember", I told her, "she's the one who sings - she entered the Eurovision contest I was in." (this is not true in reality - at least I don't think so) I then turned to her and said "maybe you could show them what you entered? I think they'd like it"
And so, with a suitable BBC introduction from myself, she performed a great rendition of her "entry" which went down a storm with everyone there, despite her protestations that her voice wasn't 100%. "It doesn't matter", I said, "you sound OK to me." Not long after that, she looked at her watch and said she had to go catch her train home, and so I said "I'll help you with your bag" and we both went into the hallway leaving my folks and sister behind.
"So...can I meet up with you again?" I asked her. "I'm not sure...." she said, hesitantly. "Maybe I could call you and arrange something?" I offered. She looked down and said "I don't have that number anymore...." and I began to think "I'm never going to hear from her again...and that's a shame" and I felt like crying. I think she sensed this and began to look through the notepad on the side table so she could write down an alternate number I could reach her on - but all the pages were full. There was nothing to write on. And for some reason there was soft music playing in the background. I can't remember having incidental music in my dreams before. Strange.
It was about that time that I woke up, and found myself lying in my own bed. I listened to the traffic and the wind blowing for a while, thinking about what my brain had just conjured up as a test pattern after it had filed away yesterday's memories and repaired any damage - for that is all a dream actually is. And yet, for a while after I woke up, I still felt sad - like the emotion had carried over into the real world, and I don't know why.
It was a nice dream though... and it was nice to sit quietly on my sofa drinking Red Bull and listening to the wind outside.
And now, some happy Europop from my teenage years (two decades ago now - shudder!!)
C.C. CATCH - LIKE A HURRICANE
(from the album "Like A Hurricane", 1987)
It's been an evening of social networking :) firstly I was chatting on Yahoo Messenger - with Groupie!! She has a Yahoo email address (but no computer, so don't expect a speedy reply from her if you send her any!) and recently got herself a new mobile phone which allows her to check her mail (although I'd imagine typing an email from a standard ten-digit keypad would be a bitch). And it also works with Yahoo Messenger, so we were chatting a bit over that earlier this evening. It's not something I imagine we're going to do all that often (she's always said she can't see the point of Twitter etc. and if she wants to contact me she usually texts) but it's weird seeing "Groupie" come up on my TV screen at home... and as a side effect, she's heard the name "Zaphod Camden" mentioned for the first time...
Another (purely online) friend of mine got herself a refurbished iPod, but was having problems with it, so I found myself giving her some tech support over Twitter. I'm not the best at this job (not sure I could do tech support for real, it's difficult when you can't see what's happening at the other end) but I did my best. Well, what are friends for??
I've spent all day indoors, not doing all that much - part of me always feels like that's a waste of a day but I am on holiday from work and I guess I need to chill out sometimes. My sleeping pattern is royally screwed, as it always becomes when I'm left to my own devices, so it could be a late, late night at Zaphod's place...
I had this dream this morning which was lovely - right up to the last few minutes where it turned a bit sad. I'm not sure whether I should post my dreams here or not - but then it's my blog isn't it?? And since I don't have much else to talk about today, it'll fill the entry up nicely.
I was at my parent's house - well, a sort of combination of where they live now and where we lived in the 80s - watching this programme on tv about some Irish guy who had invented a flying car and was demonstrating it by flying all over the world with it while raising money for Africa - there was footage of him somewhere like Nigeria preparing to take off. I then got a phone call from a friend of mine - well, actually, an online friend of mine, who I've never met (identity withheld to protect the less-than-innocent) She (for it was a she) was in the area and so I asked if she wanted to come round for a chat and a laugh, and she agreed.
So she showed up at the house with a big bag and we chatted for a while, I told her about the show I'd just seen. After a while my parents and my sister arrived back and I introduced them to my friend. "Remember", I told her, "she's the one who sings - she entered the Eurovision contest I was in." (this is not true in reality - at least I don't think so) I then turned to her and said "maybe you could show them what you entered? I think they'd like it"
And so, with a suitable BBC introduction from myself, she performed a great rendition of her "entry" which went down a storm with everyone there, despite her protestations that her voice wasn't 100%. "It doesn't matter", I said, "you sound OK to me." Not long after that, she looked at her watch and said she had to go catch her train home, and so I said "I'll help you with your bag" and we both went into the hallway leaving my folks and sister behind.
"So...can I meet up with you again?" I asked her. "I'm not sure...." she said, hesitantly. "Maybe I could call you and arrange something?" I offered. She looked down and said "I don't have that number anymore...." and I began to think "I'm never going to hear from her again...and that's a shame" and I felt like crying. I think she sensed this and began to look through the notepad on the side table so she could write down an alternate number I could reach her on - but all the pages were full. There was nothing to write on. And for some reason there was soft music playing in the background. I can't remember having incidental music in my dreams before. Strange.
It was about that time that I woke up, and found myself lying in my own bed. I listened to the traffic and the wind blowing for a while, thinking about what my brain had just conjured up as a test pattern after it had filed away yesterday's memories and repaired any damage - for that is all a dream actually is. And yet, for a while after I woke up, I still felt sad - like the emotion had carried over into the real world, and I don't know why.
It was a nice dream though... and it was nice to sit quietly on my sofa drinking Red Bull and listening to the wind outside.
And now, some happy Europop from my teenage years (two decades ago now - shudder!!)
C.C. CATCH - LIKE A HURRICANE
(from the album "Like A Hurricane", 1987)
2009-03-11
Taste The Rainbow Of Fruit Flavoured Fun
As I'm typing this, I feel like some mad scientist - I've got coloured liquid filtering through into glasses and jars. The liquid in question is vodka, which I've flavoured by mixing it up with Skittles candy. I'd seen an article about this on the internet, and thought "you know, I'd really like to try this..." So I got myself a 750ml bottle of Absolut and a big bag of Skittles, and called my glamourous lab assistant over (or Groupie, as she's usually known), and we separated the Skittles out into the five different flavours and mixed them up with the vodka. Then we left them alone so the magic could happen :)
Today, we got each of the mixtures out and ran them through some paper coffee filters to strain out the goo which was left behind after the candy dissolved into the vodka. I should point out that the article recommends using four filters, but we found that one did the job fine and using multiple filters just slowed things down too much. Mind you, that may be down to the filters (these are from Marks & Spencer, so presumably are pretty decent ones) or it could be down to the fact that I'd let the vodka mixtures develop for two days (which wasn't planned, but it just worked out that way) Even so, it's taking over an hour for the vodka to filter through, but that's OK.
Anyway, right now the blackcurrant and lime versions are finished and in the fridge. The strawberry and lemon ones are filtering through, and once I've done those, that'll just leave the orange - which I'm a little concerned about as it doesn't seem to be mixing as well as the other four, with most of the orange colouring floating on the top. Never mind, I'm sure it'll work out OK. And no - I haven't actually tasted any yet. Well, I did get a little of the blackcurrant on my fingers while that was filtering, and it seems all right. I'm certainly going to try this again, and I can imagine making up say half a litre of each flavour up, which will do me for ages I think!!
Today, we got each of the mixtures out and ran them through some paper coffee filters to strain out the goo which was left behind after the candy dissolved into the vodka. I should point out that the article recommends using four filters, but we found that one did the job fine and using multiple filters just slowed things down too much. Mind you, that may be down to the filters (these are from Marks & Spencer, so presumably are pretty decent ones) or it could be down to the fact that I'd let the vodka mixtures develop for two days (which wasn't planned, but it just worked out that way) Even so, it's taking over an hour for the vodka to filter through, but that's OK.
Anyway, right now the blackcurrant and lime versions are finished and in the fridge. The strawberry and lemon ones are filtering through, and once I've done those, that'll just leave the orange - which I'm a little concerned about as it doesn't seem to be mixing as well as the other four, with most of the orange colouring floating on the top. Never mind, I'm sure it'll work out OK. And no - I haven't actually tasted any yet. Well, I did get a little of the blackcurrant on my fingers while that was filtering, and it seems all right. I'm certainly going to try this again, and I can imagine making up say half a litre of each flavour up, which will do me for ages I think!!
2009-03-10
I'm As Mad As Hell, And I'm Not Gonna Take This Anymore
I've been hibernating again...and this classic scene from the movie "Network" really sums things up. Much better than any blog post I could write....certainly in my current state.
2009-03-08
Champagne SingStar
Well, that was a nice Saturday night!! I'd gone out for a little bit of a boogie to celebrate not having to work for a fortnight. Spent a couple of hours or so in the bar I met Groupie in (the one I rediscovered earlier in the week) drinking Red Guinness and listening to their video jukebox (a lot of good 80s hits on it, which both pleased me and worried me when I started to work out how long ago they'd been hits). Then I went somewhere for some food (yum!!) and then it was club 80s time again...
However, when I got there, I found I was a little early for the DJs, so they told me to go up to the side room - this was interesting as I'd been told the last couple of times I was there that it was some sort of members only room, but clearly tonight the arrangements were different. If you can imagine someone's loft with black velvet on the walls and a bar in it, that would pretty much describe it. Still, there were quite a few people there and I could hear singing. "Mmm....karaoke?" I thought with a smile on my face. Actually, not quite - there was a girl with a Playstation 2 in the corner playing SingStar!!
Now, this I just had to have a go at. I'd done my fair share of karaoke in the 90s, but this was a new twist on it. I'd heard a lot about this game, so I asked the girl DJ running things for a song list and chose the Pet Shop Boys "Always On My Mind" as my entry. I then sat around drinking some Red Bull waiting for my call and listening to people covering stuff from All Saints to Lynryd Skynyrd with various degrees of success.
Then it was my turn. And I have to say, this was more difficult than karaoke - not only do you have to sing the song in tune, you have to hold the notes for the right length of time to get a high score!! But I tried my best, spurred on by some cheering from the crowd and the video for the song playing on the screen in front of me. Near the end I could feel someone's hand on my waist, and turned round to see a lady smiling at me and singing with me (she'd probably had a few refreshments, but hey...)
My final score was 8,110 - I have no idea how good that is - but I'm thinking it must be all right as the DJ said "that was really good" and gave me a voucher for a free glass of champagne!! Free champers is always fun, I thought. Very nice!!
SAILOR - GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE
(from the album "Trouble", 1975)
However, when I got there, I found I was a little early for the DJs, so they told me to go up to the side room - this was interesting as I'd been told the last couple of times I was there that it was some sort of members only room, but clearly tonight the arrangements were different. If you can imagine someone's loft with black velvet on the walls and a bar in it, that would pretty much describe it. Still, there were quite a few people there and I could hear singing. "Mmm....karaoke?" I thought with a smile on my face. Actually, not quite - there was a girl with a Playstation 2 in the corner playing SingStar!!
Now, this I just had to have a go at. I'd done my fair share of karaoke in the 90s, but this was a new twist on it. I'd heard a lot about this game, so I asked the girl DJ running things for a song list and chose the Pet Shop Boys "Always On My Mind" as my entry. I then sat around drinking some Red Bull waiting for my call and listening to people covering stuff from All Saints to Lynryd Skynyrd with various degrees of success.
Then it was my turn. And I have to say, this was more difficult than karaoke - not only do you have to sing the song in tune, you have to hold the notes for the right length of time to get a high score!! But I tried my best, spurred on by some cheering from the crowd and the video for the song playing on the screen in front of me. Near the end I could feel someone's hand on my waist, and turned round to see a lady smiling at me and singing with me (she'd probably had a few refreshments, but hey...)
My final score was 8,110 - I have no idea how good that is - but I'm thinking it must be all right as the DJ said "that was really good" and gave me a voucher for a free glass of champagne!! Free champers is always fun, I thought. Very nice!!
SAILOR - GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE
(from the album "Trouble", 1975)
2009-03-07
Clocking Off For Fourteen Days
All right, I am officially on holiday from work (again!) this time for two weeks to celebrate the alien new year. And yes, that is the reason I gave for taking these particular weeks off. For the non-aliens amongst you, the alien new year (or "Renewal Day" as we call it) is on March 20 this year (and usually every year). There is actually a serious side to this - as regular readers will know, I usually don't have a very happy time during the winter for various reasons (unless there's plenty of snow to keep me occupied, of course) and March 20 is officially the first day of spring in this part of the world - from that point on, the days are longer than the nights. I can already see the dawn breaking as I get in to work about 06.00, the temperature is beginning to rise and best of all the bees and butterflies are beginning to come back!!
As far as the next two weeks are concerned, I plan to get rid of more clutter in my little house - there's some more clothing I could recycle (though this time perhaps I'll mention what I'm recycling on here in case any of my readers want the stuff - you live and learn) It'll also be nice to just chill out and leave my worries behind for a while. Once again there's worries about the future at work (I'm convinced we'll be out on strike again this summer at some point) and I've also been feeling really tired a lot over the last couple of weeks. Yesterday, for example, I just hibernated all day.
Plus, my pad looks like a war zone at the moment and really needs some tidying up, and preferably in a way that ensures it never gets like that again - and we've been down this particular road many times in the last two decades, haven't we? Still, at least I'm not as bad as I was in my university days, or in the dodgy digs I lived in before that - but it's getting dangerously close....
And there's been another worry all winter - and this one wears size 12 concert t-shirts and knits dolls for pop stars...and has the ability to drive me mad and drive me wild at the same time. However, I've not been texting her, or meeting her, as often as I used to and I think she's twigged that something's up... ...but as I said, I'm on holiday and don't want worries on my mind, so 'nuff said there I think.
Work today was a real surprise as they put another guy on my round in order to "show him the area" - a London lad, so as you can imagine we had lots to talk about. We also managed to do the job in record time between us, and it's a lovely feeling to finish your work at 11.15 - even when you start at 06.00!!
Just as I was finishing up I bumped into another workfriend of mine who offered me a lift home and on the way we called in at his place so he could show me his fish tanks. He's really got into the fish-keeping hobby and has two large tanks filled with tropical fish, plants etc. (sadly one of them managed to jump out of the tank while he was at work and was lying dead on the carpet...) He takes this really seriously and has ordered devices to regulate the carbon dioxide in the water, chooses the plants to put in the tanks very carefully...all that stuff, and I have to say I was impressed. It was good chilling out drinking coffee and watching the fish swim about for a bit.
I also said goodbye to another of my work colleagues, who'll be 60 next week and is retiring. Despite our age difference we have a lot to talk about - we've both got similar political views and usually have a lot to say about the way the business and the wider world is being run (the phrase "you couldn't make this up" is used a lot) I gave him one of my little business cards with my contact details on it and said "gimme a call sometime if you like, we'll go out for a drink". He replied "well, don't hold your breath for the email, given I'm not online". Hopefully I will see him again, as I think I'd miss him. The "characters" in the office are slowly leaving for one reason or another. Soon there'll just be me left - and perhaps that'll be my cue to go too? Perhaps swapping an AB postcode for an MK one :)
And now, some music from a band I'm getting into of late...
INCUBUS - LOVE HURTS
(from the album "Light Grenades", 2006)
As far as the next two weeks are concerned, I plan to get rid of more clutter in my little house - there's some more clothing I could recycle (though this time perhaps I'll mention what I'm recycling on here in case any of my readers want the stuff - you live and learn) It'll also be nice to just chill out and leave my worries behind for a while. Once again there's worries about the future at work (I'm convinced we'll be out on strike again this summer at some point) and I've also been feeling really tired a lot over the last couple of weeks. Yesterday, for example, I just hibernated all day.
Plus, my pad looks like a war zone at the moment and really needs some tidying up, and preferably in a way that ensures it never gets like that again - and we've been down this particular road many times in the last two decades, haven't we? Still, at least I'm not as bad as I was in my university days, or in the dodgy digs I lived in before that - but it's getting dangerously close....
And there's been another worry all winter - and this one wears size 12 concert t-shirts and knits dolls for pop stars...and has the ability to drive me mad and drive me wild at the same time. However, I've not been texting her, or meeting her, as often as I used to and I think she's twigged that something's up... ...but as I said, I'm on holiday and don't want worries on my mind, so 'nuff said there I think.
Work today was a real surprise as they put another guy on my round in order to "show him the area" - a London lad, so as you can imagine we had lots to talk about. We also managed to do the job in record time between us, and it's a lovely feeling to finish your work at 11.15 - even when you start at 06.00!!
Just as I was finishing up I bumped into another workfriend of mine who offered me a lift home and on the way we called in at his place so he could show me his fish tanks. He's really got into the fish-keeping hobby and has two large tanks filled with tropical fish, plants etc. (sadly one of them managed to jump out of the tank while he was at work and was lying dead on the carpet...) He takes this really seriously and has ordered devices to regulate the carbon dioxide in the water, chooses the plants to put in the tanks very carefully...all that stuff, and I have to say I was impressed. It was good chilling out drinking coffee and watching the fish swim about for a bit.
I also said goodbye to another of my work colleagues, who'll be 60 next week and is retiring. Despite our age difference we have a lot to talk about - we've both got similar political views and usually have a lot to say about the way the business and the wider world is being run (the phrase "you couldn't make this up" is used a lot) I gave him one of my little business cards with my contact details on it and said "gimme a call sometime if you like, we'll go out for a drink". He replied "well, don't hold your breath for the email, given I'm not online". Hopefully I will see him again, as I think I'd miss him. The "characters" in the office are slowly leaving for one reason or another. Soon there'll just be me left - and perhaps that'll be my cue to go too? Perhaps swapping an AB postcode for an MK one :)
And now, some music from a band I'm getting into of late...
INCUBUS - LOVE HURTS
(from the album "Light Grenades", 2006)
2009-03-05
If You Have To Ask, You'll Never Understand
The title for today's entry is Louis Armstrong's classic answer to the question "what is jazz?" - and speaking as someone who does enjoy a little jazz from time to time, I can see where Satchmo's coming from on this. However, I'm thinking about using this line as the answer to the question which seems to be being asked in mainstream media more and more - "what's the fascination with social networking?"
A lot of people still don't "get" the idea of things like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc. and probably never will - it's just something they just can't grok, to use the alien term :) Not sure why - perhaps it's because it's such a new concept, something people often have problems with. Years ago it was fashionable to joke about mobile phones, and the "idiots" who had them - but now we've all got them, haven't we?
And yet the people who are currently using the social networking sites are having all sorts of fun, doing all sorts of things and meeting all sorts of people on them (sometimes, for real). It's like some sort of huge global club thing - and anyone can join!
My interest in social networking sites was sparked by the idea that the wider you cast your net, the more likely it is you'll make contact with people who share your interests. Living in what would be a small town by global standards with a pretty homogenous population, I find it difficult to connect with people here who are interested in the same things as me - because they're not mainstream here (and we're talking about things like ice hockey or the Eurovision Song Contest, for example)
Personally, I'm not on Facebook or Myspace, and probably never will be, but I am a huge fan of Twitter, which started out as a fun diversion for me. I'm always keen to look at new concepts in technology and wanted to give it a go. I'm finding now that I'm using it almost like a mini-chatroom, and have got in contact with various people around the globe through it that I'm very grateful to have "met" - and while it's unlikely I'll ever meet those people in real life (though anything's possible) it's nice to connect with them in this way.
And then, of course, I found that the 140-character limitations of Twitter sometimes wasn't enough, so I started a blog... and for those times when mere words are not enough, and only a picture will do, I started using Twitpic and posting occasional snapshots from my iPhone. And then I discovered last.fm and thought "hmm, that sounds like fun - perhaps a way to discover new groups I'd not considered before..." and I signed up for that - and then I did the same with blip.fm (a musical version of Twitter which I mentioned here a few entries ago). And everything's linked together - so my "blips" show up on my twitter feed, for example, and you can see what I've been listening to on last.fm here on the blog...
And it doesn't end there. I've recently signed up with likaholix, which is basically a site where you list the things you like - films, TV shows, bands, anything - and can get recommendations of other things you may like based on what others have said. It'll be interesting to see what direction that takes. I'm also considering getting a flickr account and using that to share photos I've taken with my "real" camera with my internet friends. It's almost as though my whole life is moving online - whether that's a good thing or not is something to deal with in another blog post! Though I doubt I'll ever be as open as these two ladies who I chat to on Twitter occasionally (link NSFW - though very tasteful in my opinion - and by the way, check out their podcast when you're done gawking)
Groupie - who doesn't know about any of my online presences - is one of those who simply can't get the concept of social networking. "What is the point of Facebook?" she told me when she was last at my place. "Something I'd never want to do...and why would anyone have the patience to write a blog? Or do this Twittering thing? What is the point of it all?" We then had a bit of a laugh imagining what her blog would look like - here's a few "extracts"
But as she says, all of that information is already written down somewhere - except rather that on a blog, accessible to everyone, it's in the letters she writes to her many penfriends, and personalized to them only. She's very "old media" in that respect - but are the two of us all that different?
I'm having lots of fun online, with some very interesting people all over the world. I even found myself writing for an online newspaper blog on the Eurovision Song Contest for a while back in January, all thanks to social networking sites. And if I see anything which sounds new and innovative in the sphere, I'll have a go at it. Why would I be bothered with all this? Well, if you have to ask, you'll never understand...
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS - EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK
(from the album "Punch The Clock", 1983)
A lot of people still don't "get" the idea of things like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc. and probably never will - it's just something they just can't grok, to use the alien term :) Not sure why - perhaps it's because it's such a new concept, something people often have problems with. Years ago it was fashionable to joke about mobile phones, and the "idiots" who had them - but now we've all got them, haven't we?
And yet the people who are currently using the social networking sites are having all sorts of fun, doing all sorts of things and meeting all sorts of people on them (sometimes, for real). It's like some sort of huge global club thing - and anyone can join!
My interest in social networking sites was sparked by the idea that the wider you cast your net, the more likely it is you'll make contact with people who share your interests. Living in what would be a small town by global standards with a pretty homogenous population, I find it difficult to connect with people here who are interested in the same things as me - because they're not mainstream here (and we're talking about things like ice hockey or the Eurovision Song Contest, for example)
Personally, I'm not on Facebook or Myspace, and probably never will be, but I am a huge fan of Twitter, which started out as a fun diversion for me. I'm always keen to look at new concepts in technology and wanted to give it a go. I'm finding now that I'm using it almost like a mini-chatroom, and have got in contact with various people around the globe through it that I'm very grateful to have "met" - and while it's unlikely I'll ever meet those people in real life (though anything's possible) it's nice to connect with them in this way.
And then, of course, I found that the 140-character limitations of Twitter sometimes wasn't enough, so I started a blog... and for those times when mere words are not enough, and only a picture will do, I started using Twitpic and posting occasional snapshots from my iPhone. And then I discovered last.fm and thought "hmm, that sounds like fun - perhaps a way to discover new groups I'd not considered before..." and I signed up for that - and then I did the same with blip.fm (a musical version of Twitter which I mentioned here a few entries ago). And everything's linked together - so my "blips" show up on my twitter feed, for example, and you can see what I've been listening to on last.fm here on the blog...
And it doesn't end there. I've recently signed up with likaholix, which is basically a site where you list the things you like - films, TV shows, bands, anything - and can get recommendations of other things you may like based on what others have said. It'll be interesting to see what direction that takes. I'm also considering getting a flickr account and using that to share photos I've taken with my "real" camera with my internet friends. It's almost as though my whole life is moving online - whether that's a good thing or not is something to deal with in another blog post! Though I doubt I'll ever be as open as these two ladies who I chat to on Twitter occasionally (link NSFW - though very tasteful in my opinion - and by the way, check out their podcast when you're done gawking)
Groupie - who doesn't know about any of my online presences - is one of those who simply can't get the concept of social networking. "What is the point of Facebook?" she told me when she was last at my place. "Something I'd never want to do...and why would anyone have the patience to write a blog? Or do this Twittering thing? What is the point of it all?" We then had a bit of a laugh imagining what her blog would look like - here's a few "extracts"
- my god, Sundays are so boring. Blew off some steam with Syphon Filter - it's so good to play that game again. Nothing like a gun and plenty of ammunition to really make a girl feel good.
- she's sending me bloody texts again. She's so obsessed with Right Said Fred it's scary. Going to a gig simply to wait outside the stage door and not go in? That's just crazy. Listen honey, you don't stand a chance with Richard - he's MINE!!
- going to Zaphod's to dye his hair and paint his toenails. He's talking about his internet girls again - he was chatting to one of them last night. Why would he want to bother with them when I'm here - and real? I'll never understand that alien :(
But as she says, all of that information is already written down somewhere - except rather that on a blog, accessible to everyone, it's in the letters she writes to her many penfriends, and personalized to them only. She's very "old media" in that respect - but are the two of us all that different?
I'm having lots of fun online, with some very interesting people all over the world. I even found myself writing for an online newspaper blog on the Eurovision Song Contest for a while back in January, all thanks to social networking sites. And if I see anything which sounds new and innovative in the sphere, I'll have a go at it. Why would I be bothered with all this? Well, if you have to ask, you'll never understand...
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS - EVERYDAY I WRITE THE BOOK
(from the album "Punch The Clock", 1983)
2009-03-04
I Would Go Out Tonight, But I Haven't Got A Stitch To Wear
...not to mention that I'm bloody tired and aching, and literally counting the days until my two-week break from work. Today in particular was pretty tough, it was hard waking up and going to work in a half-asleep daze is seldom a good idea, even if it insulates you from the harsh reality that was my work today. I find that when I work three consecutive days, the third one is usually pretty tough going and I usually need to just sleep lots to recover - this is a side-effect of working non-standard weeks I think. But I get by...somehow...
And there's things which enter my mind from time to time - some of which I've lamented about on here already (far too many times, frankly) and some of which I haven't mentioned - such as the possible changes at work and the almost certain antagonism between the management and the unions over them. Could be another summer of strained industrial relations - oh, and aren't we due to get a pay rise shortly? As the union representative told me, negotiations on that start on the day after the previous pay rise is agreed to - and they still can't get an agreement made on time, and never have in all the years I've worked there.
Like I said before, sometimes it's better not to think about things. Or maybe I'm just a binge thinker. And if so, I'm not alone. Groupie certainly feels she is, and showed me this article in a magazine she gets when she came round last night. It certainly made interesting reading - do go and have a look yourselves...
Monday night was interesting in that I rediscovered an old haunt of mine. I decided on the spur of the moment to go out for some adult beverages that evening. The original plan was to pick up some more red wine from the shops that afternoon, but that plan got shot down in flames after I thought "well, let's walk home from work today, because if I get public transport back I'll just want to sleep all afternoon". Good idea on paper - not such a good idea in reality as my feet were bloody aching by the time I got home, and next thing I knew I was slowly waking up on my bed in the dark.
So, I decided to go out for a bit and after a quick shower and putting on my black gear I went into the city core. It was really quiet - but I expected that on a Monday night. And I found myself near a bar which holds a special place in my heart - it was the bar I met Groupie in...twelve and a half years ago. She was with a couple of her friends and one of them noticed my bright yellow baseball cap I was wearing - and after a quick bit of banter I was introduced to Groupie, I bought her a drink and the two of us sat in this little booth together talking to each other till closing time... Anyway, I've been in the place since, obviously, but not for years, so I thought - why not?
It's changed a bit since summer 1996 (but then, haven't we all?) The little booths have gone, and it's even got a Facebook page these days, but the atmosphere inside was just like it was in those Britpop-filled days. The average age of the punters hasn't changed much (so now I was one of the "elder statemen" in the bar - sob!) but even for a Monday it was packed out and I really enjoyed myself just sitting back with a Red Guinness (which I'd never tried before) and listening to some great tracks, which now came from a video screen rather than the DJ in the corner who spun the CDs back in the day. And to my sheer delight, the little club upstairs was still there - with the same name and everything!! I've gotta give that a visit sometime for nostalgia's sake if nothing else.
I was served my drinks by a guy who had black nail varnish on his fingernails - yay! Actually, the varnish could have done with a touch up. (mine could too, actually...or maybe a colour change) And when this song was played I found myself smiling and lip-syncing along. Does anyone else actually lip-sync in public, or is that just me as usual? Anyway, I had a great time (which I think I needed) and I shall be going back there on numerous occasions I think!!
THE SMITHS - THIS CHARMING MAN
(from the album "The Smiths", 1983)
And there's things which enter my mind from time to time - some of which I've lamented about on here already (far too many times, frankly) and some of which I haven't mentioned - such as the possible changes at work and the almost certain antagonism between the management and the unions over them. Could be another summer of strained industrial relations - oh, and aren't we due to get a pay rise shortly? As the union representative told me, negotiations on that start on the day after the previous pay rise is agreed to - and they still can't get an agreement made on time, and never have in all the years I've worked there.
Like I said before, sometimes it's better not to think about things. Or maybe I'm just a binge thinker. And if so, I'm not alone. Groupie certainly feels she is, and showed me this article in a magazine she gets when she came round last night. It certainly made interesting reading - do go and have a look yourselves...
Monday night was interesting in that I rediscovered an old haunt of mine. I decided on the spur of the moment to go out for some adult beverages that evening. The original plan was to pick up some more red wine from the shops that afternoon, but that plan got shot down in flames after I thought "well, let's walk home from work today, because if I get public transport back I'll just want to sleep all afternoon". Good idea on paper - not such a good idea in reality as my feet were bloody aching by the time I got home, and next thing I knew I was slowly waking up on my bed in the dark.
So, I decided to go out for a bit and after a quick shower and putting on my black gear I went into the city core. It was really quiet - but I expected that on a Monday night. And I found myself near a bar which holds a special place in my heart - it was the bar I met Groupie in...twelve and a half years ago. She was with a couple of her friends and one of them noticed my bright yellow baseball cap I was wearing - and after a quick bit of banter I was introduced to Groupie, I bought her a drink and the two of us sat in this little booth together talking to each other till closing time... Anyway, I've been in the place since, obviously, but not for years, so I thought - why not?
It's changed a bit since summer 1996 (but then, haven't we all?) The little booths have gone, and it's even got a Facebook page these days, but the atmosphere inside was just like it was in those Britpop-filled days. The average age of the punters hasn't changed much (so now I was one of the "elder statemen" in the bar - sob!) but even for a Monday it was packed out and I really enjoyed myself just sitting back with a Red Guinness (which I'd never tried before) and listening to some great tracks, which now came from a video screen rather than the DJ in the corner who spun the CDs back in the day. And to my sheer delight, the little club upstairs was still there - with the same name and everything!! I've gotta give that a visit sometime for nostalgia's sake if nothing else.
I was served my drinks by a guy who had black nail varnish on his fingernails - yay! Actually, the varnish could have done with a touch up. (mine could too, actually...or maybe a colour change) And when this song was played I found myself smiling and lip-syncing along. Does anyone else actually lip-sync in public, or is that just me as usual? Anyway, I had a great time (which I think I needed) and I shall be going back there on numerous occasions I think!!
THE SMITHS - THIS CHARMING MAN
(from the album "The Smiths", 1983)
2009-03-02
It's On My Blog, And Off My Mind
Attentive readers will have noticed that I've been making the odd oblique reference to "things on my mind". And there are many, and none of them are good. I'm rather drunk now, as I have been every night this weekend, and maybe I shouldn't be blogging about these things now (or at any time) but sometimes you need a shoulder to cry on, and a blog is as good a shoulder as any.
I mean, there's the situation with Groupie. You have NO IDEA how much I want things to work between her and me. She has been, in the past, the rock I have clung to when I've needed to, and there's been many times when I've needed to in the past. And I've done the same for her, on even more numerous occasions. She is beautiful, both in and out of her clothes, and when she's up to it she totally blows my mind, if you see what I mean. And we've had countless fun and great experiences in our time together - there's sayings and words which would mean nothing to anyone else, but we know what they mean, and they make us laugh.
Last Valentine's Day, she gave me a card with the following quote on it "The first chapter in the book of my memory was when I met you. It reads - Here begins a new life". I cried when she gave me it, and I'm crying now thinking of it. But - she's also a ball of hate and bitterness and spite. She's fallen out with loads of people in the twelve and a half years I've known her, sometimes for the most bizarre reasons - and once you're her enemy, you stay that way for life, and so do your descendants and anyone who's friends with you. I'm not making that up - although that's probably because she's known some screw-ups in her time (her ex-boyfriend treated her like dirt, and sometimes I wish she'd known me when she was 17 because I sure as hell wouldn't have done that). She's now angry with Right Said Fred because "they said they'd give me a free copy of their latest CD and they haven't yet".
And if she's against something, then you just don't talk about it. I remember when we went on holiday together to a holiday camp in Wales - and every time we went down for breakfast, they were playing an Abba CD - the same songs in the same order, every day. I remember joking with the staff about it (the guy said, with a smile "you should feel sorry for us - you're going home on Saturday, we're stuck here till October!") But, from that day to this, you just don't play Abba tracks in Groupie's presence without a crash helmet... and that's a shame, because I've grown to love some of their songs. For other, similar, reasons, anything by Robbie Williams is out too (and while I can't stand the man personally, some of his songs are incredibly beautiful and indeed have been linked to here)
And that's why I could never live with her. And recently, she seems to have got worse - or maybe I've moved out of our little bubble now I've got involved with social networking and got in contact with several fantastic people all around the world. Those people mean a lot to me - I count them as friends, even though I've never met them. I actually feel a little sad on the days when they don't show up on the social networking sites, it's like something's missing. I shouldn't feel this way, but I do - maybe due to the fact I don't have many "physical world" friends, and never have done. Some of them, I'm sure, will be reading this, and thinking to themselves "what a screw-up!" And no doubt, will not wish to be involved with me anymore.
I should just level with Groupie, I know. But I can see the look in her eyes that she'd have when I say to her "look, I'm sorry, but I don't want to see you anymore" and then explain why. The tears. The anger, and possible violence towards me. And the remote, though real possibility, that she'd do something to herself. Which I will NOT have on my conscience.
I've never really felt close to my family - certainly not in the last twenty years. I could never tell them I'm bi, for example, and they still think I voluntarily left university rather than was asked to leave because I failed the exams one year (I actually kept up the lie for months between getting drummed out of uni and finding a job) But then I've become quite adept at lying, or being economical with the truth, to my family - conservative folk the lot of them. And they wouldn't be happy with me moving south if I ever wanted to. Maybe it's because of them that I went to university in my nearest city instead of going to Manchester. (although, in hindsight, maybe it was just as well, as they were there to pick up the pieces afterwards) Maybe it's because of them that I didn't consider getting a passport till I was 29, and that was only because that was the year the Euro was introduced in cash form and I wanted to go to a place that would use them (Groupie and I eventually went to Dublin)
I can remember when I moved to the council house where I'm living now, from a three-person flatshare (which wasn't going well for me, to be honest) Without asking, they got out their chequebook and paid for my new place to be furnished and decorated. Which was a shock - I've always gone through life expecting nothing from anyone, so it was nice. But for me to throw that away and "go back" to "sharing with strangers" (as I almost certainly would have to if I moved south) - oh man, there would be some serious words said about that. And all I really want is a quiet life.
And you can say what you like about me. You can say I'm spineless, and weak. You can say I should live my own life without thinking about what these people think. And you'd be right. Which is what makes me feel so sad. And I'll be honest, and truthful, about this - it makes me want to die sometimes. Or be institutionalized, which I think I've mentally become anyway.
I am SUCH a mess, such a screw-up, and such a failure. I can take a lot of mental pain. I've become very good at suppressing my thoughts because I'm frightened of confrontation. I have become like the inhabitants of Soviet Russia for example. I'm not free, but I get on with my life as best I can. By not thinking about things, I can cope. Until the night comes, and I find myself reaching for the red wine - and the sad playlists...
Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up.
MANIC STREET PREACHERS - THE EVERLASTING
(from the album "This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours", 1998)
I mean, there's the situation with Groupie. You have NO IDEA how much I want things to work between her and me. She has been, in the past, the rock I have clung to when I've needed to, and there's been many times when I've needed to in the past. And I've done the same for her, on even more numerous occasions. She is beautiful, both in and out of her clothes, and when she's up to it she totally blows my mind, if you see what I mean. And we've had countless fun and great experiences in our time together - there's sayings and words which would mean nothing to anyone else, but we know what they mean, and they make us laugh.
Last Valentine's Day, she gave me a card with the following quote on it "The first chapter in the book of my memory was when I met you. It reads - Here begins a new life". I cried when she gave me it, and I'm crying now thinking of it. But - she's also a ball of hate and bitterness and spite. She's fallen out with loads of people in the twelve and a half years I've known her, sometimes for the most bizarre reasons - and once you're her enemy, you stay that way for life, and so do your descendants and anyone who's friends with you. I'm not making that up - although that's probably because she's known some screw-ups in her time (her ex-boyfriend treated her like dirt, and sometimes I wish she'd known me when she was 17 because I sure as hell wouldn't have done that). She's now angry with Right Said Fred because "they said they'd give me a free copy of their latest CD and they haven't yet".
And if she's against something, then you just don't talk about it. I remember when we went on holiday together to a holiday camp in Wales - and every time we went down for breakfast, they were playing an Abba CD - the same songs in the same order, every day. I remember joking with the staff about it (the guy said, with a smile "you should feel sorry for us - you're going home on Saturday, we're stuck here till October!") But, from that day to this, you just don't play Abba tracks in Groupie's presence without a crash helmet... and that's a shame, because I've grown to love some of their songs. For other, similar, reasons, anything by Robbie Williams is out too (and while I can't stand the man personally, some of his songs are incredibly beautiful and indeed have been linked to here)
And that's why I could never live with her. And recently, she seems to have got worse - or maybe I've moved out of our little bubble now I've got involved with social networking and got in contact with several fantastic people all around the world. Those people mean a lot to me - I count them as friends, even though I've never met them. I actually feel a little sad on the days when they don't show up on the social networking sites, it's like something's missing. I shouldn't feel this way, but I do - maybe due to the fact I don't have many "physical world" friends, and never have done. Some of them, I'm sure, will be reading this, and thinking to themselves "what a screw-up!" And no doubt, will not wish to be involved with me anymore.
I should just level with Groupie, I know. But I can see the look in her eyes that she'd have when I say to her "look, I'm sorry, but I don't want to see you anymore" and then explain why. The tears. The anger, and possible violence towards me. And the remote, though real possibility, that she'd do something to herself. Which I will NOT have on my conscience.
I've never really felt close to my family - certainly not in the last twenty years. I could never tell them I'm bi, for example, and they still think I voluntarily left university rather than was asked to leave because I failed the exams one year (I actually kept up the lie for months between getting drummed out of uni and finding a job) But then I've become quite adept at lying, or being economical with the truth, to my family - conservative folk the lot of them. And they wouldn't be happy with me moving south if I ever wanted to. Maybe it's because of them that I went to university in my nearest city instead of going to Manchester. (although, in hindsight, maybe it was just as well, as they were there to pick up the pieces afterwards) Maybe it's because of them that I didn't consider getting a passport till I was 29, and that was only because that was the year the Euro was introduced in cash form and I wanted to go to a place that would use them (Groupie and I eventually went to Dublin)
I can remember when I moved to the council house where I'm living now, from a three-person flatshare (which wasn't going well for me, to be honest) Without asking, they got out their chequebook and paid for my new place to be furnished and decorated. Which was a shock - I've always gone through life expecting nothing from anyone, so it was nice. But for me to throw that away and "go back" to "sharing with strangers" (as I almost certainly would have to if I moved south) - oh man, there would be some serious words said about that. And all I really want is a quiet life.
And you can say what you like about me. You can say I'm spineless, and weak. You can say I should live my own life without thinking about what these people think. And you'd be right. Which is what makes me feel so sad. And I'll be honest, and truthful, about this - it makes me want to die sometimes. Or be institutionalized, which I think I've mentally become anyway.
I am SUCH a mess, such a screw-up, and such a failure. I can take a lot of mental pain. I've become very good at suppressing my thoughts because I'm frightened of confrontation. I have become like the inhabitants of Soviet Russia for example. I'm not free, but I get on with my life as best I can. By not thinking about things, I can cope. Until the night comes, and I find myself reaching for the red wine - and the sad playlists...
Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep and not wake up.
MANIC STREET PREACHERS - THE EVERLASTING
(from the album "This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours", 1998)
2009-03-01
Same S**t, Different Month
Well, here we are in March, with nineteen days left of the northern hemisphere winter to go - the alien new year ("Renewal Day", I call it) is drawing near. Those non-aliens amongst you will have turned your calendar pages over by now (mine tracks the moon phases, so my "flip" was last week)
I did actually open my curtains today, which was a start - and I had plans to get stuff done as well but as usual they came to nothing. Well, that's not strictly true, I did download the BBC iPlayer and have stored a few programmes on it for later viewing. Takes the pressure off the Sky+ box - although I find I'm not watching nearly as much TV as I used to. I'd rather mess around on the internet these days - if not reading up on interesting topics on Wikipedia, then bothering people on blogs and social media sites (and I hope that's not actually true in reality)
One social media site I've been exploring a lot today is blip.fm - I've had a lot of fun there today messing around with some cool music. For those who've never heard of blip.fm, think of it as a sort of musical Twitter. You can choose a song to "blip", listen to the tracks others have "blipped" and give "props" to those people who post tracks you particularly like. Like Twitter, I joined the site a while back but have only recently started to really be active on it, and it's been interesting and enjoyable. I've started using it for my "tracks of the day" that I post to Twitter, rather than linking to YouTube...but you don't have to be a blip.fm member to hear the tracks on it. Not that many people actually take notice of my "tracks of the day", I'm sure...
It's certainly good to chill out with some good music when you're having trouble with technology. I still can't get my iPhone and iTunes to play nice with each other, having been affected by a bug which seems to be spreading like wildfire out there. The iPhone can work perfectly well when I'm out in the streets, but when I try to sync it up iTunes just freezes up. And I've tried all the workarounds I can find on the net - short of reinstalling iTunes itself, and it could well come to that. It sucks because I like to carry podcasts with me out on the road, and I can't do that until the syncing issue is sorted. Hopefully it will be, soon.
I felt like going out for a drink this evening, as I'd been indoors all day - and thinking really unhappy thoughts about my situation... thought it might help to get out for a while. However all the time spent messing around with the iPhone meant it got too late for that, so will have to settle for having some more red wine and maybe watch something off the iPlayer. Or listen to some more great music on blip.fm. Or something - I'm sure I can think of something...and while I am, I'll leave you with the song I woke up with this morning.
DIDO - WHITE FLAG
(from the album "Life For Rent". 2003)
I did actually open my curtains today, which was a start - and I had plans to get stuff done as well but as usual they came to nothing. Well, that's not strictly true, I did download the BBC iPlayer and have stored a few programmes on it for later viewing. Takes the pressure off the Sky+ box - although I find I'm not watching nearly as much TV as I used to. I'd rather mess around on the internet these days - if not reading up on interesting topics on Wikipedia, then bothering people on blogs and social media sites (and I hope that's not actually true in reality)
One social media site I've been exploring a lot today is blip.fm - I've had a lot of fun there today messing around with some cool music. For those who've never heard of blip.fm, think of it as a sort of musical Twitter. You can choose a song to "blip", listen to the tracks others have "blipped" and give "props" to those people who post tracks you particularly like. Like Twitter, I joined the site a while back but have only recently started to really be active on it, and it's been interesting and enjoyable. I've started using it for my "tracks of the day" that I post to Twitter, rather than linking to YouTube...but you don't have to be a blip.fm member to hear the tracks on it. Not that many people actually take notice of my "tracks of the day", I'm sure...
It's certainly good to chill out with some good music when you're having trouble with technology. I still can't get my iPhone and iTunes to play nice with each other, having been affected by a bug which seems to be spreading like wildfire out there. The iPhone can work perfectly well when I'm out in the streets, but when I try to sync it up iTunes just freezes up. And I've tried all the workarounds I can find on the net - short of reinstalling iTunes itself, and it could well come to that. It sucks because I like to carry podcasts with me out on the road, and I can't do that until the syncing issue is sorted. Hopefully it will be, soon.
I felt like going out for a drink this evening, as I'd been indoors all day - and thinking really unhappy thoughts about my situation... thought it might help to get out for a while. However all the time spent messing around with the iPhone meant it got too late for that, so will have to settle for having some more red wine and maybe watch something off the iPlayer. Or listen to some more great music on blip.fm. Or something - I'm sure I can think of something...and while I am, I'll leave you with the song I woke up with this morning.
DIDO - WHITE FLAG
(from the album "Life For Rent". 2003)
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half a billion quid, every single day...
the alien's greatest hits...
ZAPHOD CAMDEN, MMXI
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