The Wolf Pack

On Thursday last week I visited Mum's house (whilst she was out, though Stuart and Nat were in) to get introduced to Logan (and see the ever rambunctious Finn). Logan is a foster dog Mum is looking after and it looks ever more likely he'll be becoming a permanent edition to what shall from now on be known as "The Wolf Pack". 

Logan and Finn

Friday was a day of work, there's something pretty annoying about going to work for one day only. Didn't feel like I achieved anything. No more work now until... next Friday!

Saturday I went up to Greenwich with Jim and Ayden to see Denis and have a few drinks in the local. Though I'm pleased to be living in Folkestone I do miss Denis and the Ash. It was lovely being there and Ayden was so well behaved! He did experience a minor problem when he went out into the pub garden. He went down the stairs fine but when he turned to go back up he realised he could see through the gaps in the back of the stairs and this revealed his latest phobia: steps with gaps at the back. He thus sat at the bottom sulking in the rain. We eventually realised he'd been gone some time and rescued him by opening the other door to the outside.

Sunday morning we took Ayden to a huge dog walking area between the sea wall and the golf course at New Romney. Mum and Stuart were already in there with Finn and Logan. When Finn realised we had arrived he shot over to the fence and Ayden and he ran up and down excitedly until we finally coaxed Ayden to the gate. After he and Finn had done their obligatory chasing games, he finally was introduced to Logan and they seemed to get along fine. The Wolf Pack became a reality.

Ayden, Logan and Finn Await Some Treats From Mum

They then proceeded to terrorise the other dog walkers in the walking area by appearing from behind large mounds and racing towards them as a group. Given their size and speed there were a few worried looks!! Of course they are as soft as anything (all Ayden ever wants to do is say hello to every dog he meets) but there were a few frowny faces. One lady, walking her dog, informed us she actually had a phobia of dogs to which Jim replied that coming to a dog walking area was probably not the best thing for her to do then. People are silly!

We also met a huge Afghan Hound who soon put The Wolf Pack in their place. Cowed and in awe they followed said Afghan Hound on yet another tour of the dog walking area to terrorise the dog walkers again (including the phobic woman!). Ayden spent pretty much all of the rest of the day sleeping, totally exhausted.

Jim attempted a rather wonderful cheesecake with a cookie dough centre. Whilst tasty I feel we are going to be have a Cookie Dough Cheesecake 2.0 *rubs hands in glee*

The Dark Streets Of Whitechapel

Work is, at the moment, a source of great stress and upset for me right now. Soon, I hope, it'll all be over... one way or another. By Thursday things should be far more relaxed. Alas not tomorrow though! Sigh. So it came as surprise both to myself, and Jim, when I accepted his offer to go out with him, Denis, Nal, and H for a meal.

Our first stop though was a reconnaissance to the Prince Albert pub, here in Greenwich, which is undergoing refurbishment. Well when I say undergoing, reports had obviously been vastly exaggerated. It was more like refurbishment had just start 5 minutes before we arrived. With little thus to see and comment on we decided to make our way to the station. Much hilarity ensued as we all got our own type of ticket... surely given we were all going to the same place via the same train this was completely impossible but not in London of course!

Our destination was Shadwell from where we were to walk to Whitechapel and one of Jim's newest favourite restaurants; Needoo's.

As always the food was gorgeous and cheap. Added fun was had because Nal has eyes bigger than his stomach. When his order was brought out, an extra table was added to the end of ours. True story.

With added cute but world-weary waiter (I like to make up stories about my stalking victims lives, he struck me as a newly arrived immigrant who has discovered that his dreams of earning decent wages were cruelly shattered upon his arrival to our dismal country) and a lovely atmosphere it was a nice way to forget about all my work stress.

The walk back to Shadwell was bitterly cold. Another cold snap is definitely upon us!

After a nightcap in the local, it was time for bed and the horror of work in the morning... :(

If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist

Angry Commute

1) Dear Man on Platform 2 London Bridge at 17:50 today. When you decided to walk backwards into me as I stood awaiting my train, I wonder what exactly went through your mind to do it again. And again. Were you perhaps hoping I might pull your head off, boiler it clean and use the skull as a new fashionable Oyster card holder?

2) Dear Lady on Platform 2 London Bridge at 17:54 today. Some of us have the uncanny ability to know where the doors of a train are going to open. Others are too stupid to understand they open at the same place every day and instead position themselves randomly along the platform. I am the former, you are the latter. What this means is I am at the front of the queue to get on (once everyone is off of course), so what was going through your mind when you attempted to squeeze yourself (forcefully and hurriedly) into the one foot of space between me and the door thus getting in the way of those getting off and in the way of someone who has legs that are bigger than you?? Were you hoping to form a new type of graffiti made from your remains after I'd squashed you up into a pulp?

3) Dear Man on the 17:54 Greenwich bound train. You had been seated throughout the journey, whilst I had been standing. I was quite clearly standing waiting to get off. So what ever possessed you to think that when the doors opened you'd rush to push me out of the way so you could gain an extra 2 seconds lead? Did you think you'd be successful in moving me, Jae Kay The Man Mountain? Of course you failed. I trust this will serve as a lesson to you that the overwealming combination of etiquette and hugeness makes me a formidable commuting opponent whom you shall inevitably lose to should you seek to break the unwritten rules of travel.

If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist

Christmas With The Kays

Christmas Eve was spent in the local. On arrival we found our table laid out with presents (from Denis, Mark and Jo) and Panettone. Mmm... Soon enough Mum, Stuart, Beth and George arrived and we settled down for a lovely meal followed by the quiz. Sadly Denis was a little worse for wear by the time the quiz came along and it took so long the others had to leave by the penultimate round. This was no major disaster as we still came... first! I know, it's a bit suspect but that's now 7 consecutive victories (ignoring our day off and the music quizzes). Left the pub like a pack horse, ladened with 12 bottles of wine, and all our gifts.

I was a tad annoyed to hear one of the members of another team (one who rarely makes it to the top three to boot!) came up to Jim and accused us of cheating. If he'd said that to me, I think I would have been very aggrieved but Jim handled it with good festive cheer which I think was the better way!

Christmas morning we headed down to Snodland to pick up my Nan. Sadly she wasn't quite ready by the time we got there so we parked up on Constitution Hill and whilst Jim caught a quick snooze I reminisced about the old video shop where my Mum worked whilst I was young, and the Lodge where my Nan worked and I used to hit up the old ladies for sweets and presents. Finally we picked her up, dropped by Great Aunt Joy's to get more presents and then we were on our way down to Hythe.

When we arrived at Hythe I opened the boot of the car to find we had brought LOTS of things. Presents, food and WINE. Lots, and lots, of wine. We settled down so that Nan, Jim and I could indulge in our delayed Christmas morning tradition of opening presents.

I was much pleased with my haul... the centre piece being a 1000 Marks Reichbank note from 1910 in perfect condition from Mum and Stuart. Also got: Stasi Hell or Workers' Paradise? Socialism in the German Democratic Republic from a Dear Constant Reader, Fragment from Beth, Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall and The Scottish Nation: 1700-2007 from Mum and Stuart, Guinness World Records 2010 from George, Calvin Klein's Crave from Jim (and some more from Mum and Stuart), a nice wine from Great Aunt Joy, Great Railways of the World from Denis and a tenner from my Nan. Most excellent present gathering indeed!

This was followed by an awesomely relaxing day with very little TV, lots of chats (and Nan anecdotes such as the time she used a teddy bear to pick up a dropped knife to avoid bad luck!) and a huge dinner. Beth and George went to their Dads in the evening and we settled in for Doctor Who and other festive TV. All very nice.

Boxing Day was again relaxing and after taking a Nan back home, Jim and I went down the pub for a locals night where leftover food was shared out and much Wii bowling occurred (I got a most excellent score of 198 but didn't make it to the final!!)

Yesterday was the laziest day in history during which I geeked out over railways and Jim played his guitar.

I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas time. I also hope you can forgive me for some of the forthcoming end of the decade nasel gazing that is to come this week. But don't worry there shall be an uplifting post at the end of the week looking to the future!

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Christmas has well and truly begun!! Saturday I went on a brief but interesting sortie into Folkestone via the High Speed link.

Now, overall, the outward journey was only a few minutes shorter than going via the main line as I had to take a half hour journey on the DLR to Stratford Regional and allowed myself some extra time because I didn't know what to expect. It was actually really rather easy, getting off the DLR and then heading through the well signposted subway to Platform 11. Walk to the end of that and you find a bus (where tickets can be purchased for the Southeastern High Speed services). This whisks you to Stratford International (there's no pedestrian access at the moment!). There was only two of us on the bus which was also a bonus!

Stratford International puts me in mind of some of the newer TGV stations like Valence. It's big, modern and lacking charm. Not in an awful way, it is just a means to an end after all.

The train arrived, looking all sparkly and new and FAST, and upon boarding I found there was plenty of space and leg room (something I was NOT expecting). The journey was smooth, fast and the conductor was nice.

Kent was covered in snow! After moaning for so long about having no snow I was very happy to see it, even if it was at a high speed blur!

Arriving in Folkestone felt like coming home. Nothing better and I grabbed a taxi outside Folkestone Central and headed to the East Cliff Pavilion for Three Valley Waters Christmas do. Saw loads of old faces, felt more comfortable than last time and Stacey Lady was there which is, as ever, the best thing about TVW dos. Mere hours later I got a taxi back to Folkestone Central and headed back to Greenwich. Now without my added extra time for safety's sack the journey is a good 20-30 minutes shorter on the way back than it would be on the main line. Getting home I settled in at the pub for a cheeky midnight pint with Jim before sleep.

Sunday. Jim went to see his children which left me at a loss as to what to do. Hmm... Christmas. Jae is alone. Time for... Christmas movie day! I watched A Nightmare Before Christmas, Home Alone 2, Gremlins and Miracle on 34th Street. All very Christmassy and it was a very nice lazy day.

Monday... work. Yuck! But things brightened up at 4.40pm when there was an unexpected snow shower. Not just a little one either. By 5pm it was time to go home and I got to trudge (I repeat... TRUDGE, don't you love that word Dear Constant Reader?) through the snow to the tube station. All was going swimmingly until I arrived at Cannon Street. The station was closed and a huge crowd was gathered outside being marshalled around from the road by police. I made an executive decision and returned to the tube and made my way to the DLR at Bank. Here was crowded too (as not everyone is London is a total idiot) but there were two Lewisham trains due, a minute apart. I knew what that meant.

I settled down and watched the ensuring fights and squeezing that occurred when the first train arrived. Then once it had been departed I strolled up to the platform edge (behind the yellow line of course) and lo and behold the second train arrived and I sauntered on in comfort and calm, confident that the train in front would keep on clearing the platforms at every station ahead allowing me a no hassle journey home. Bliss.

Got off the train and headed straight for the local for twas the night of Christmas caroling! Whilst the Christmas Carolers when off around the Triangle (as we call the area here in Greenwich) demanding money with menances and threats of singing, the remaining men of the pub gathered around an open fire, roasting chestnuts and doing those oh so stereotypical "men around a fire" things. the Carolers returned and more songs were sung (not by me for both ideological and concerns for other people's ears reasons) before we had a dinner of jacket potato, beans and sausages from the BBQ round the back. Snow made the scenes even more Christmassy. There was a quiz but as Jim had written it, we didn't take part and then most of the Carolers left... except one. Oh, she was a little worse for wear and after telling Denis how hot and sexy he was she then decided Jim and I didn't look gay, began matching up other men in the pub who weren't gay and then went back to telling Denis how hot and sexy he was. Repeat for two hours. Hilarious!

A very good night indeed ended with a brief early morning snowball fight. Perfect.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Another Week!

Tuesday: Was quiz night! And, continuing a rather impressive winning streak broken only by the monthly music quiz and our one night off, we won again! Becoming a bit of a habit, and despite belief the contrary we do not cheat!

Wednesday: Another trip to Needoo's began with a visit to Whitechapel, and I believe the half hour I spent waiting outside Whitechapel tube station deserves a blog entry for itself. Jim, Mark and Jo eventually turned up (on time, i.e. late in Jae time ;) ) and we had a pint in the Grave Maurice. Despite it's rather "Backwater town club" feel, the staff and punters were friendly, the Stella cool and refreshing and the sofas comfy. Loaded with some beer and wine from the local shop we finally wandered up to Needoos to discover there was a power outage! We returned to the Grave Maurice for another pint in the hopes half an hour might solve the problem but when we returned we found it hadn't. We sat in the dark with a few other brave customers but eventually, after a few rounds of poppadoms and reading menus by mobile phone light, we decided to give it a miss. A shame as I did enjoy it the other week. Instead we caught a taxi back to Greenwich, and made my first ever trip through the Rotherhithe tunnel. Excitement.

In Greenwich we settled in for a good old Folkestonian meal... at the Gurkha's Inn! Mmm.. we normally get take out but I have to say it's nothing compared to a sit down meal. Tasty. It was a shame, for the owners, that we were the only customers. After Mark and Jo headed home, Jim and I partook of a cheeky one in the local before falling to sleep.

Thursday: Snow Day. Ish. I spent the whole day having my snow hopes raised and dashed repeatedly. Every flurry was a source of hope of snow and perhaps an extra day off work. I went to sleep reluctantly, desperate for a white start to the morning.

Alas...

Friday: Whilst most parts of the south east were able to engage in that most British of sports, moaning about snow, we Londoners had to make do with a little light covering in some places and nothing in others. The trains were working far too well for this lazy man's liking.

But the day was spent at work dreaming of snow and the occasional flurry again created an emotional rollercoaster of despair and hope but still... nothing. Great sadness indeed!

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

New Greenwich Train Times!

Southeastern Highspeed | Ramsgate
Originally uploaded by kpmarek

So today was the first day of Southeastern's radical new timetable. I had two very different experiences.

On the way to Cannon Street things were not going smoothly. Firstly it was pretty clear that everyone from the old 07:03 Charing Cross train and everyone from the old 07:13 Cannon Street train had decided to get the new 07:03 Cannon Street train together. Add on top of this that the train arrived 5 minutes later and you have one very uncomfortable journey in. :( Hoping that with train being on time and the "Oh my, there's a new timetable today?" crowd gone things might be a little better tomorrow.

The trip home... was absolute bliss. Cannon Street trains home were not only on time... but absoltely empty and not only did all the normal sized people get a seat but giant folk like me got one too on the 18:00!! Lovely.

Let's see if the kinks on the morning journey get ironed out, else it might be an even early morning for me from now on...

The train above is not the train from Greenwich but hopefully within the next couple of months will be. It's the South Eastern Highspeed and she's gorgeous.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

The Week In Briefs

Tuesday: hectic day at work as there was an inspection on. I was selected to represent my team and have an inspector listen in to my calls and ask me questions. This was followed by a trip to the 7th Floor (never been quite that high before!) for a debriefing where I was asked how many breathes I took during the visit and whether the inspector looked me in the eye. After work headed down the pub to see Jim. Won the quiz (YET AGAIN... We Are The Champions!). This was followed by many more hours of drinking and Jim and I stumbled home around 2am... slightly worse for wear.

Wednesday... another night in the pub although we finished it off before 11pm. Hair of the dog and all that. I had not felt particularly jolly at work! Ouchy head.

Thursday... more work. Fucking boring work.

Friday. Workity, workity, work. Then went out for a couple of drinks in the Hammersmith Ram before heading back to Greenwich. Horrible trip home caused by Christmas partying, stupid suits. Got to local to find Jim, Mark and Jo drinking surrounded by Mark and Jo's French friends. Cheek kissing ensued. Awkward. Then a puppeteer joined us and let us in on the next big thing... on CBeebies anyway. I stalked "new" cute bar man



It was a good night and I came home with 36 Mini Mince Pies courtesy of Denis. Score!

Now for our last lazy weekend before the move...

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Music Quiz

Another late night session in the local last night where Jim and I were corralled into doing the monthly music quiz. Whilst we are occasional dabblers in the normal quiz, as The Tailenders, we have avoided the music quiz like the plague since the first and only time we did it. That time there were questions like "Listen to this song" *plays 1950s obscure song* "What was the B side?"

But this time Denis was doing it so it was hard but not impossible (unlike that quiz I did...) and with a little help from a random stranger called Richard our new "team" Slash and Burn didn't come last! Quite an achievement given our terrible quiz history ;)

So the news from the Eastern front (i.e. home) is not good. The break down of the marriage has not gone at all well and the usual family drama is playing out in the ever so predictable fashion. Money, power and jilted spouses do not a pretty divorce make.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

A Night In Soho

Last night, after work, Jim, Denis, H and I headed to Yauatcha for a meal (although we managed a quick drink in The John Snow, it's a Sam Smith's pub and sadly I decided to have a bourbon and coke. YUCK!).

Yauatcha is a dim sum restaurant in Soho, and one Jim had I went to a couple of times back when we first started going out. Back then the food was delicious but the staff were... RUDE. Well... there has been a pleasant surprise. The food is still delicious (again must recommend the Venison Puffs which are practically heaven in a foodstuff) but the staff are now friendly, attentive and pleasant! It was a very good night, finished off with some beers (well I had a beer, the other three sampled the wide range of fruity ciders available) at the Crown and the Two Chairmen, which was a pub with good music and good atmosphere despite what the reviews say!

When I say finished off, obviously we did stop for a quick JD and Coke in the local where we dropped off Denis, H and... my phone.

It was a good night, in my opinion!

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

All Change Please?

Are their big changes ahead in the lives of Jim and Jae? Possibly. Little spoken dreams of moving out of the big smoke and back into the country have slowly come together into something more. Not quite a firm plan, but certainly a firm shared desire on our parts to move to Kent. I want to go to get away from London and return to the warm embrace of familiarity and comfort that is my home town. Jim wants to get away from London, save lots of money and live by the sea.

So what are the benefits:

1) I'm tired of London. A little time away might bring back my rose tinted glasses and return London to my favourite city, like it was in 2005.
2) I'm useless at keeping in contact with my friends in London and outside of it. Being back home should make keeping in contact with my mates there a little easier and having friends in London should mean I come back to visit every so often!
3) more house for our money. One bedroom flat on a busy road in Greenwich versus three bedroom house on the seafront in Folkestone? No contest really is there.
4) Fresh air
5) Wonderful scenery (Kentish men are really, really hot).

And the drawbacks:

1) Public transport is so much better here in London and as a hardcore pedestrian this is has allowed me a level of freedom I simply don't have back home.
2) Employment options are limited, the pay very much reduced and career advancement nearly non existent. Whilst part of me thinks "So what? I DON'T WANT A CAREER!" (and to be perfectly blunt, I don't. Life is too short.), I do want to at least try to pull my weight with money in this relationship.
3) Erm... err... erm...

Yeah I'm sure there are actually lots of drawbacks and perhaps it's a case of the grass is always greener, but one must sometimes take a leap of faith. So whilst Jim plans exactly where he wants to live, I've dusted off my CV and put it up. Dear Kentish Constant Readers keep an eye on the Herald jobs section!!

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Cruising The River Thames

Friday night, and I was pleased to be home from another week of work. Jim's Mum had arrived from Glasgow during the day so after a brief wash and change of clothes I headed down to meet her and Jim at the local. We had a few drinks with the (off duty) Antonio, and discussed the future of Brazil in world affairs (well Antonio and I did anyway!). Charlie, who was having his last shift behind the bar before he moves to Paris, helpfully mocked Jim and his Mum's Scottish accents. Awkward, but funny.

After taking Jim's Mum to her hotel, we settled back in at the local to say goodbye to Charlie and chat with a few regulars. I told Jim about my crush on a certain someone (who shall go unnamed) which surprisingly surprised him. And then it was time to go with an awkward hug for Charlie (I'm not a huggy sort of a person). Jim managed to avoid shedding a tear, something we should all be amazed by.

Saturday, I was up early and discovered via a Facebook chat that Mum had told my step dad last night she wants a divorce. I'm going to call my siblings later on today to try and make sure they are ok but a Facebook chat with Bethany suggests she is... After that little piece of drama we were up and away to Maggie's in Lewisham for a diet-busting cooked breakfast. Yum yum. Jim's Mum enjoyed it just as much as Jim and I predicted the first time we ever went there. Maggie's Irish charm made us all smile. Following another scarily healthy shop at Tesco's we wandered down to Greenwich Pier to catch a City Cruise ferry up the river. It's no Thames Clipper (as we went on the other week) but that is to be expected as they serve different needs... City Cruises are for sightseeing and are accompanied by a commentary given by a crew member (who come in varying degrees of interest and knowledge, but as they say they don't get paid to do the commentary just keep as afloat).

The Thames was very busy as it was the Thames Festival, and there was steam boats aplenty and stuff going on all along the banks. We got off at Westminster and had a wander by the Palace and the Abbey. I foolishly went to get a bottle of water in the Tesco's by the tube station and discovered it was in fact a one aisle assault course. Never again.

We then caught a boat to Tower pier and another home to Greenwich (the final trip had the best commentary and we even discovered where Cher used to live... he was certainly the most knowledgeable of the three commentaries). We had an evening in with Jim's paleo curry. Yum. Pictures of the day can be found on my Flickr.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Five On The Fifth: Greenwich

See The State Of The Nation UK for more on Five On The Fifth, where one takes 5 pics on the fifth of the month and publishes them online. This week has a Greenwich theme... as that was easy. ;)

The wind turbines at the Peninsula Sainsburys store.

Gibbs The Bearded Dragon

Queuing for the ferry

The Royal Naval College

Statue of George II in the Grand Square of the Greenwich Hospital

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Hitting The Wall

Yesterday Jim woke me up fiendishly early and we headed down to see the family in Kent. We went past the Climate Camp on the way (it is only up the hill from our home admittedly). What they hope to achieve I don't know. When will they learn that they need to persuade the public, not large corporations, about their aims? Don't protest outside Barclays, protest outside a football stadium and ask why those folks keep voting in numpties election after election (if that is what you believe) and try and convince them otherwise.

It was lovely to be out of the city, where there's more grass than tarmac, more trees than lampposts and as many cows as there are people. Jim did his usual duties of fixing everyone's broken computers whilst I amused myself by spoiling Angel cat with ham, making a fuss of Noodle's the dog, feeding the fish and having the latest addition to the menagerie (a Jack Russell puppy called Bella) sleep in my arms.

Home today, via Sainsbury's, Makro and Charlton Reptiles. In the queue at Makro, there was a little upset behind us as some yappy little lady decided to have a go at the guy directly behind us who she felt had pushed in (he was off to the side resting his shopping on a display as it was heavy). I couldn't stand her high pitched, whiny voice so turned around and agreed he had been behind us and was in the correct position in the queue. She did not like this one bit, and continued to moan ("I hate it when people do this" - What prove you were wrong???) but at least stopped abusing the poor man who seemed pleased I'd backed him up, but given he was on his own against her and her husband I felt it was my duty to help him out. I felt quite proud of myself for finally having the balls to stand up for what is right against the self obsessed, ignorant bastards who seem to cause trouble every where you go.

Diet wise... it's 5 weeks today! But I feel like I've hit a wall these last two days. It could be because my brother George decided to sit next to me yesterday eating a Cadbury's Dairy Milk. This would have been alright if he hadn't kept holding it under my nose and then making loud "mmmm"-ing noises as he ate it and stared pointedly at me. Little git. Anyway, I've kept strong but think after 5 weeks it might be time to "treat" myself. Something small, and a one off. We'll see if that helps stem my desperate need for something junk food like.

Finally finished Fast Food Nation: What the All-American Meal is Doing to the World - Eric Schlosser, an excellent breakdown of what bad business practice in corporations is doing to capitalism and allsorts of different ways of life.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Art Makes Me Laugh

So, having promised my Facebook friends that I would do this for days, Jim and I finally took a trip up the Thames to the Tate Modern.

We caught a Thames Clipper from Greenwich Pier. Last time I got a boat up the Thames, it was a slow tourist cruise with commentary and peeling chairs. The Thames Clipper services was quite a revelation. Comfortable, fast and staffed by a very good looking crew.

We got off at Bankside Pier and headed into the Tate Modern. I've been a few times, but this was Jim's first experience. Again the giggles overtook me at times, as they did at the National Potrait Gallery the other month, and I had to laugh at some of Jim's expressions as he was introduced to some of the tat they have at the Tate Modern.

We quickly left there (after stalking a gorgeous blonde guy... yum), and wandered over the not-so-wobbly-which-is-sad Millennium Bridge, around St Paul's, past the Scientology HQ (very nice inside... the taking money for telling lies business must be pretty good) and back to Bankside Pier.

We headed up on another Clipper to the O2 (this clipper was staffed by two of the hottest men ever), not once in 5 years and then twice in one week, for dinner at the Rodizio Rico. Don't say we aren't obsessive! Then home again on a final clipper, which is now the only way to travel.

I've put some pictures of the day up on my Flickr, don't get too excited, they aren't that good. ;)

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Procrastinating Can Be Fun

Despite my best efforts to be extremely lazy, last night Jim took me out to the Rodizio Rico restaurant at the O2 (my review here). I have to admit, I've never been to the O2 before. I know, I've lived in Greenwich for 5 years. I'm a bad person.

It's pretty nice in there, plenty of choice of restaurants, although I can imagine it's hell on a gig night. Saw (out of the corner of my eye, I didn't make a pilgrimage after all!) the Michael Jackson shrine which was surrounded by insane people. Strangely enough.

All in all, a nice evening with Jim.

Today Jim has briefly popped to work, and having put off getting my haircut for nearly three weeks, I roused myself from my procrastinating in front of Twitter and headed down the barbers. Thankfully, it being a working day, I was the only customer and so the hellish experience (for me anyway) of being in a barber's chair was mercifully short. An example of how bad my hair had gotten: my barber was able to brush some hair growing from the side of my head and it went over to the other side. Ouch. Anyway, I've got it marine-cut short again and having looked in the mirror I am most pleased. With a thinner face and a hair cut I'm returning to how I looked 5 years ago. It's spurned me on to continue with my diet.

Took a walk to Lewisham to get some curry leaves for Jim's dinner tonight (when I say Jim's dinner I mean he's the one cooking, so I think it only fair I do some of the hard work) and stocked up on fruits and nuts. Some guys in the queue next to me thought that because I had my iPod in I couldn't hear them making fun of my height. Sadly they hadn't reckoned that the height they were making fun of was me at a slouch and so I raised myself to my full height and gave them a very pointed stare. I was so suitably satisfied with their embarrassed looks and total silence from that point on, that I didn't think I needed to press the point. I'm tall, not deaf. When will people learn. I also, at my current weight, can cause serious damage if I decide to sit on you. Really folks, why can't they be a little more discrete? I'm just thinking of their own well being.

Returned home feeling a lot better with my hair cut and with some fruits to snack on, and returned to procrastinating.

Time off work can be very difficult.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Strong Shoulders Are The Best

Jim got home from Boston last night, and to celebrate (and deliver duty free cigarettes for Karen), we headed straight down the local. There was a New Bar Man on (friend of Cute Bar Man) and I was most pleased for he has the most pleasingly large shoulders (with acceptably large arms to boot). Plus cute guy who was at least 2.1m walked in and made me go "Phwoah". He was delicious, and even Jim (who only has eyes for Cute Bar Man usually, and me of course :p ) was rather besotted.

A good night was had by all. Except those who were trying to avoid being perved over by the two gay guys in the corner (note: we had off duty Cute Bar Man and Brazilian Bar Man sitting with us, so we can't be all bad... ;) ). OK... New Bar Man did not help the situation by massaging Cute Bar Man. What is it with straight guys these days? Such teases... *not complaining*

Just been out and got a Gibbs a nice new stand and light for our living room floor. That way he can stay out of his viv a bit more often (he loves being out and about in the living room). We went down the local for lunch after shopping and they have a new menu. Absolutely gorgeous Sri Lankan food. Really nice curry and a lovely set of starts. Numnumnum.

Talking of numnumnum, have you seen what has happened to Kenzie, of Blazing Squad and Celebrity Big Brother? Here's a picture of Kenzie from the past, all slim and cute. Niw here's a picture of him as is (via Tottyland):



I quite liked him how he was but you will not hear me complaining about this change!! Wowsers.

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

The Squeaky Gate

Our next door neighbours are "dodgy". Not anti-social behaviour dodgy, but certainly up to something. Whilst this is a cause of mild interest it's never really been something that's bothered me much as at least they keep whatever they do quiet and unobtrusive (except for that time the police came and cordoned off the crossroads our house sits on, but that was more fun drama than annoying ASB).

If they are so quiet how do I know something dodgy goes on next door? I hear you ask. Well there is always at least one occupied car sitting outside their house at all times of the day, as if they were waiting for someone who had gone into the property. Not much evidence, but enough based on the way the people in the car never make eye contact with you.

All well and good. But I've spent the last few days off work at home and I am growing increasingly grumpy. Why? Because every 5 minutes (NOT AN EXAGGERATION) the frigging front gate is opened by one of their frequent visitors and issues a rusty squeak. I'm sure there must be some WD40 around here and if this goes on much longer I'm going to go out and fix that bloody gate. Grr... the sound of the gate is going right through me.

I have never noticed it before, so either the gate has only just started squeaking or I'm just more sensitive.

NOTE: Whilst writing this blog post, which took me 8 minutes, the gate has sounded 5 times!! 5!!!!!!! *breathes, reminds himself there are more important things to worry about than a neighbour's squeaky gate, moves on*

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Bug Hunt!

So there I was cleaning out Gibbs' salad bowl in the kitchen whilst Jim was starting to feed him in the front room. Suddenly there was a holler, and I came a running to find Jim standing the middle of the room as two crickets scurried to get away. I promptly joined him in a stampy dance and we managed to vanquish our worthy adversaries pretty quickly. Unfortunately this was just the tip of the iceberg.

Jim had just gotten the box of crickets out and was showing them to Gibbs when Gibbs decided he wanted to eat them NOW and made a jump at the box and it had flown out of Jim's hand and opened as it fell to the floor. Jim managed to get it closed but by that time around 30 little monsters had escaped and thus our bug hunt commenced.

Thankfully Gibbs has not moved on to these yet

Nor these...

Furniture was upturned, long forgotten mementos found (Honey Bear! The lesser spotted fork. Jim's Napa Valley Bike Tours cap), and rubbish moved about. There was much reaching under things, and nashing of teeth. We did things that I regret, it was plainly a massacre and none were given quarter. But all's fair in love and war.

The Enemy

I'm doing my part, are you?



And finally a musical interlude...



This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist

Four Days Off With Jim And Gibbs

Being a bit skinty poos (as Jim would say) we've had a very quiet weekend, if slightly longer than usual due to my flexitime and holiday. Which hasn't been a bad thing, I've managed to do a few posts for Moonlight Investigation and even a few saved up so I can keep that blog going along a little better. Rushing those posts is just not possible, as I've found out.

Gibbs the Bearded Dragon is doing well, looking amazingly gorgeous and cute no matter what. Just look at him and tell me he isn't delightful?





You know, I've had all manner of pets before including tortoises and an American Bullfrog but I never thought I'd get a lizard AND think he was actually very adorable. It's not that I've ever disliked lizards, but that from my experience of wild ones, when I was younger and messing around in the Pit in Snodland, I've always felt them to be somewhat emotionless and cold which is very much not the case!!

Oh and it would seem the scriptwriters are at least considering putting Khan in Star Trek 12. NOOOOOOOOO... don't do it. Please God do something original. It's great Star Trek has been rebooted but don't then follow the same path. Let's have some new adventures!!

This blogger works for nothing but the joy of writing but always appreciates things bought from his wishlist