You Have Gotta Love Them

Noah's Ark Rides Again. You've gotta love his passion. Christians really love Jesus, they just hate the idea of giving their hard earned cash to other people. Instead they build great follys.. "holy" theme parks, creationist "museums" and Arks. Not that I begrudge them... trust me, if I had £700,000 I'd wanna build something big.... but really I'm not a Christian and I just don't think it's really "Christian" to spend money like that.

Then there's the really messed up gay Christian peacemaker who went to Iraq to stop a fight against Islamist insurrectionists. I can understand the Christian part of him wanting peace... but surely the gay part should have gone "ewww... Islamists". Oh well... at least I can see some of Jesus' teachings about loving everyone and being a peacemaker in there somewhere.

Daz Sampson has begun his Eurovison promotion tour... come on UK! Love the fact that someone thought Belfast was in Ireland in the comments on that news... let's not mention that to Rev Paisley he'd have a heart attack. Hmm... anyone know his email address? ;op

An enemy of my enemy isn't always my friend...

The Christian Afghan Controversy goes on. It is truely amazing to think that there are still such large numbers of backward people out there who would want a man to die just because he chose one religion over the one he was "born into".

But then again there's still some people out there who want me dead just because I'm gay (hello Mr Phelps!!).

Thousands of years of civilisation... and we still hate each other. You have got to love our sheer boneheadedness.

With that in mind make it your mission to hug some bigots this year. They need the love. Now I don't mean one of those limp British hugs... I mean proper bear hugs... and get someone to take a picture and send it in...

Come on join Jae's A Hug A Bigot Campaign

A New Page

So let's start this post of as I mean to go on... with my fave Eurovision winning song...



Yes Dear Constant Reader... Jae can Google Video and YouTube it with the rest of those newbie bloggers.

Finally watched Grizzly Man all the way through. Timothy Treadwell was one passionate, if messed up guy. I'm sure a lot of people agree with what one of the participants of the documentary said; he got what he deserved. I'm not one of them. I believe that it's guys like Timothy Treadwell who make our world a little more interesting. His heart was in the right place. His legacy lives on with Grizzly People.

After taking the kids home to Hemel Hempstead (where I finally saw some of the immense damage left by the Buncefield Depot fire first hand... imagine those news shots we used to see from Sarajevo... messy) we went to the cinema to see Inside Man. A good premise, good acting and good camera work. Shame about the pacing... slow enough so that I had more than enough time to work out the ending before we got there. And this is me people. It takes me many days to work out film endings normally.

Clive Owen almost made up for it...

The Next Millennium: Make It Magnificent

This is my 1000th post on this blog. If this was a television show you'd need to prepare yourself for "A Best Of" compilation of clips, a fireworks display and guest appearances from people I haven't seen in five years.

But we won't have any of that. Just a thank you to everybody who has ever read this blog, who has ever linked here, and to all those special people who have allowed me (as if I gave them a choice!) to write about them...

I just want to link one old post, as a taster of what went before...

Block 33

Amazing how much your life can change in just 5 years...

I have a proposal... I am tired of using Blogger templates, but don't really have the urge to master HTML to the amount needed to properly redesign my blog. So I would love someone to design a template for me... if you're interested there's £40.00 (that's a GAZILLION dollars to any Americans reading this) through Paypal and my infinite thanks in it for you. If you are interested all I want is a template with the theme "Queer London" retaining my title and tagline... that's all I ask!!!

Now... I'm loving Sakis Rouvas, this years male Eurovision presenter and 2004 runner up (Shake It!!)...

I Do It All For You!!!!

Today's featured Eurovision act is Cyprus' Annet Aptani. This was less interesting than one dancer from the Ukraine's entry...



YUM!

Do big cats roam the UK? I'd like to think so... but then I love cryptozoology and it's all probably wishful thinking. But don't be too cynical... it's a harmless belief after all!

Talking of cynical... after a hard days work I got to Waterloo East to find the evening commute in chaos due to a security alert. After it became apparent I might be there for quite some time I caught a train to London Bridge where things were FAR worse. The platforms were ten deep with people... after getting dragged from platform to platform by some very bitter and stupid people I decided to get the tube home. That was far more pleasant. I'll never understand peoples reactions to delayed trains... anger at innocent staff members, impatience, intolerance of others and a complete lack of understanding of the big picture outside of their small, rather pointless little lives. When I saw a man shouting at some poor information desk employee I almost went over and punched him (darn my dislike of physical violence and confrontation). When I saw people standing on the wrong side of the yellow line I almost lost it again... People standing that close to the edge of the platform means the drivers have to go much more slowly, meaning your journey will take longer. And they are not going to hold a late train just for you, because there is a whole rail network to run. So stop having a go at the middle man.

I could understand peoples complaints if our train operators were totally useless but South Eastern has been one of the more competent operators in the country. We now get like one or two days of delay a month... not bad considering!

It worries me that so many stupid little people are allowed to vote,

No Dream Impossible

Loadsa work at the moment so I'm a little tired when I get home so my posts are becoming very brief and to the point. Must do better!

Soooo... in Eurovision news:

The draw for vote and play order has been completed.

Hats (cowboy hats that is!) off to Germany's entry "Texas Lightning" who I may vote for just because there are just plain adorable in their outfits!

ESC-TV goes live! YAY! Ooo... doesn't the presenter look cute?

Last night I went bowling in Elephant and Castle again. Twas loads of fun, my performance wasn't great but it was far better than last week. And I was on the blokes team which meant lots of manly celebratory bundles from Scott, Paul and Peter. Which was nice. ;o)

Eurovision, bowling, Texas Lightning

Nice Things

Eurovision

Today's post is brought to you by Belarus' Eurovision Entry (click on the watch button on the right to be blown away!). I would be against Belarus being allowed in Eurovision, being Europe's last dictatorship, but a couple of years ago they had a really cute vote announcer. That makes it all okay. Or not. In related news I now have every Eurovision song since 1956 on my iPod. Yay!

X-Men

I am now also the proud owner of the entire X-Universe Chronology thanks to the glory that is .cbr files. This makes me very, very happy. And the movie looks good... and so does Colossus...



V For Vendetta



Last night, after a trip to Pizza Hut, Jim, Zoe, and I went to the Galleria to see V For Vendetta. This is one hell of a good movie! Stephen Fry's in it. Plus the storyline ain't too bad either! Kept me interested all the way through.

Staropramen

Jim brought me back some from Paul and Jane's. YUM!

Tags: Eurovision, V For Vendetta, X-Men, comics, beer

Eurovision... Jae's Passion For The Next Couple Of Months

Vote count changes!. I don't know how I feel about it... I enjoy the vote counting being longer, it gives the awesome Terry Wogan more chance to mock the presenters.

Over the next couple of months I shall be bringing you the songs of this years Eurovision... starting with Armenia who have entered for the first time... see Andre's "Without Your Love"

Now what is it with the Nordic entries? They are either tediously boring... or rather worrying!. Only in Finland!

Eurovision

This is Post 995

Not long to go till the big 1000! Donations in honour of this would be gratefully (very gratefully) received.

Today I went up to Birmingham with Natasha from work to meet some people who I have spent the last 8 months in daily phone contact with. I don't know if anyone else has people like this at work; people who you talk to but never see. At Three Valleys I never met those voices who I laughed and joked with. But today I finally put some names to faces.

It's funny how people are never like you expected them... the image in your head just doesn't quite match up. But I actually was fairly pleased to met everyone... it made them real and made me less likely to moan about them...

Now note to people on trains... if it says reserved... it means it's reserved.. for me. Understand? Cheers!

Zoe's staying over. Woo...

Alistair Appleton Has A Blog!

Do Buddhists Watch Telly? Who knew??

Serbia and Montenegro pull out of Eurovision... noooooooo.... their entry was cute... I'm going to sulk all the way through Eurovision this year in protest!! Unless Terry Wogan can cheer me up... which he will... :o)

Oh those Bulgarians!

O-Zone singer represents Moldova.

Mr Brent Corrigan - All Grown Up

I love Brent Corrigan's blog (note to straight readers and those of a nervous bent... naughty but nice pics inside!). You have to really. First off there are the pictures... PHWOAH! That boy gets sexier with each post!

Then there's the writing... he seems to live one of those totally interesting lives that were meant to be blogged about. Intrigue and upset over the whole Cobra debacle. Excitement as he tries to make his own way through the world of porn. Let's face it... anyone who has been in the same room as Chi Chi needs some props! And the occasional cutesy post about his dog.

LOVE HIM!

Am I getting just a little excited about Eurovision? Answers on a comments form!

Bowling For Elephant and Castle

Last night I headed up out with Paul, Morgan and Ben, bowling at the Elephant and Castle. Twas loads of fun and I even came third in one game. WOO!!! ;o)

I have finally got round to watching the BBC's Making Your Mind Up. This is our UK selection process for Eurovision, the greatest single event of the year. In my opinion. I have finally listened to our winning song and I have to say it's crap. But... it was way better than any of the others so I grudgingly give it my support.. Come on Daz do it for the UK!!!

In Serbia and Montenegro the contest was a little more controversial. I'm with Montenegro on this one... their band are cuter... :o)

I Don't Feel Like Writing Anything Today

There's Only One Way To Watch The Terminator

Last night I headed into town using my favourite method of transport; the DLR. It's the least stressful way to travel. I love it. Anyway... I met John at Tottenham Court Road station and we got the Northern Line to Tooting Broadway, and Bonnie's party.

Got there to find Natasha and her boyfriend, Sam (America), Meredith and their entourage of flatmates and friends. Elliot turned up and a rather good night was had by all. For once I barely noticed time passing as I chatted and laughed myself silly with Meredith. She's fun. Elliot is currently on my missing list, last seen on Bonnie's sofa on 11 March 2006. If anyone has seen him please comment! :o) Background at the party was provided by glow stick wearing people and some New Zealand lads with big arms... Perfect.

Managed to catch last DLR home by the skin of my teeth (origins of that phrase on a comment form please!)

Jim has pinched a movie projector from downstairs and I'm currently watching The Terminator in it's original glory on our living room wall. Seeing Arnie's 2 feet high pecs has really sold me on this projector... everyone should have one!



I cannot wait to watch the 2nd season finale of Battlestar... mmmm....

Tags: Battlestar Galactica, Terminator,

Winston Churchill can you hear my voice

So over the last week or so I've been updating songs on my iPod. Mainly I've been counting the lost albums of old and downloading replacements for them. One of those, which finally finished downloading today, was the Manic Street Preachers "This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours". It was one of my fave albums during my teenage depression and my fave song was "Black Dog On My Shoulder". I thought today I'd find out what it meant... see here "Winston Churchhill called his depression a "black dog", and that's where the song title came from." Interesting... and topical because of the current Churchill statue controversy

Nice when something fits so neatly...

Going Nuclear

Not since the end of the Cold War have nuclear weapons been so much at the forefront of the news. As George Bush tries to tell Iran it can't have nuclear weapons and making out this message doesn't conflict with his leniency with India, it becomes apparent we were rather naughty and helped Israel gain nuclear weapons.

Now before I go on I do just want to say I think India and Israel are fab and Iran stinks... but...

Isn't the case of Israel one of the reasons Iran feels the need to get nuclear weapons? I don't want to get into the rights and wrongs of Israel having these weapons. But I think it's unilateral decision to go nuclear certainly is now beginning to cause it's neighbours to consider their own deterrant.

In India we have a similar situation. Pakistan and India both have nuclear weapons. They are not the best of friends. Shouldn't Mr Bush have said... "Look Mr Singh it's time to talk. If you want domestic nuclear power on a larger scale we can help. But you are going to need to give up nuclear weapon construction and talk with Pakistan about doing the same. At the very least we want strigent rules and regulations regarding the use of the material we could trade with you." Instead he said "Hey Mr Singh, you're not a Muslim are you? How do you fancy having some nuclear material? Don't worry we won't ask too many questions about what you do with it". With Pakistan, India and China all in the club will it be that long before other South East Asian countries begin to worry and get their own nuclear research programmes? George Bush's mixed messages aren't going to help us stop this... if India's allowed them why not anyone else?

Wouldn't it all be simpler if Superman was real? Oh well.. Brandon Routh is close enough...

Race The Rats

The morning walk along the South Bank between Charing Cross and work in Vauxhall is totally lovely. It was pouring with rain yesterday and I still loved it. I must be mad! This morning as I strode purposefully down the path, watching carefully for crazy joggers and bicycle riding loons, I spotted two Canada geese flying low over the water past the Palace of Westminster making the loud quacking sound geese make... and I couldn't have been happier. Beautiful.

Last night I went out to Tiger Tiger for work drinks paid for by our suppliers who sent a few big wigs down to keep us from buying too much alcohol. It wasn't as awful as I thought it'd be and there were a few funny moments that will stay with me... such as a gay American called Joe (hmm what is it with gay men with that name?) accosting poor innocent Paul and Scott. The word stereotypical was invented for Joe.

Now isn't the following picture of handsome Tom Welling quite lovely?



5 years ago today the heart of my family was ripped out when the nicest person in the world, my auntie Melly, passed away. She was only 27. Melly... you were the light of our lives, and without you being happy and having a laugh is just that much more difficult. I will always love you Melly.

Jae McFatty Fat Fat

OH MY GOD!

I just looked in a mirror while topless (calm down at the back!) . I have never been this fat. NEVER! Now normally I find people who obsess over their weight annoying, but hey it's me doing it now so it's ok. ;op

SOOOOOO... from tomorrow... I WILL walk to work from Waterloo station every day... and walk back again every evening. Maybe even go from Charing Cross. Yeah... Charing Cross. That'll do it. I miss walking, and I think I need to take it up again.

No more: cooked lunchs at work (take a sandwich or a salad!). No pain au chocolate for breakfast. NO PANCAKES ALA JIM. No chocolate fall stop. No takeaways. NO ALCOHOL (except for tomorrow night as goodbye drinks to drinking). Harsh but should be effective.

NO DIET COKE AT WORK. Now sure work may need to reconsider their current water arrangements should I switch... I can get through 2 - 3 litres of water in a working day.

Wish me luck... one svelte Jae coming up... after we've all oogled Ryan Carnes!

God Save Us!

So Britain's Eurovision entry has been chosen... I am going to reserve judgement for now. Until I've heard it that is!!!!

More Spore Please

So at Elliot's party on Saturday John happened to mention a Google video he had seen about a new game from the creator of The Sims.

Now little did I realise this was also a game I'd heard vague mutterings about on some blogs. The game is called Spore and it looks right up my street. I won't tell you too much about it (because Wikipedia does it so much better!!) other than to say I can not wait for this game to come out.

Jim has become a master pancake chef in the last couple of days cooking the most amazing American style pancakes. I'm truely in heaven!

OK.. this is post 983... only 17 till the big 1000!!!!! Ooo... can't wait!

And please visit my latest tenant... the more hits they get the happier I am!!

In Memorandum

As I'm apt to do, I recently took a trip down memory lane. Using the Wayback Machine I went and read a little of my old posts on my old templates and by the Gods that was depressing! But more importantly, I saw my old blogrolls. What a graveyard they were.

I remember the "olden days of blogging", when things were new... before people started using ads on their blogs, before link exchanges, when the web ring was all powerful, and when blogs were interesting. I remember Mister Alan when he wrote in English, and Karen. I remember Somagod.net, True Porn Clerk Diaries, Closet Boy, Dusty, Just Like Heaven and Sister Mary Matthew and his school for wayward girls. And there's a little bit of me that misses them, and misses how blogging used to feel.

I'm not saying things now are "bad". Just different. You can't stop change. It just amazes me to remember a time before the war in Iraq and the culture wars, before dull blogs about "1000 Ways To Boost Your Self Esteem" and "My Blog About Tractor Marketing", and before spyware pop ups (I'm looking at you PoetX!). Blogs used to be so blunt, raw, and personal. You really used to get a feel for who someone was... there aren't many blogs in my blogroll that remind me of that time. But hey there's a few.

So in memory of those who have gone before I pledge...

1)I shall never allow commercial adverts here
2) I will blog as long as I am able
3) To strive to find blogs as funny as Mister Alan and Sister Mary Matthew, as touching as Dusty, as well written as True Porn Clerk Diaries and as sexy as Somagod.

And now here's some blasts from the past...

Blue Roses
Ari
Deb

If anyone has any info on the whereabouts of the missing (and Gregita) let me know!!!

Television Presenters Must Never Become Our Leaders!

So say I after reading Lowri Turners recent recent news paper article. I actually saw this story in the Gay Times but Garibaldi Gay reminded me about it. The crux of her argument is:

Under the headline "However much I love my gay friends, I don't want them running the country', she said: "Frankly I don't trust a man who says he swings both ways, unless he is a spotty teenager who hasn't sorted himself out yet.

"Oaten is 41 and Hughes is 54. If they think they are old enough to run the country then surely they are old enough to work out which gender they fancy?

"Those who claim to be bisexual are simply trying to fudge the truth."

Later in the column, Ms Turner said gay men did not make good party leaders because they did not face the same challenges as those who had children, adding: "I have gay friends whose biggest headache is whether to have a black sofa or a cream one."

Gay men aren't parents?? Oh Ms Turner YOU ARE AN IDIOT. There are plenty of gay parents. I know quite a few. I go out with a man who has 4 kids. But I suppose that fudges the crux of my argument which is... you're gay friends sound bloody boring.

Ok the real point of my argument is she is just replaying part of the whole parental cult thing; you haven't lived until you've had a child etc. Well here's what I say to that: maybe not having children gives you a more level perspective on the issues of child care and education, a different but useful view that might lead to some useful changes. Let's face it... having parents run the country hasn't exactly done much good for our education system.

I hate the parental cult. Will people please note that having children does not make you any better than people without children. It just makes you different.

OK... yesterday was Jae's Lewisham day. Had lunch at Yate's in Lewisham yesterday with Jim, then went out to Elliot's in Ladywell for his flat warming party. Twas cool to see him and John.

Lunch, Politics and Friday

Ever since the Wheatsheaf changed hands a few weeks back lunchs have lost their charm... our choices were the newly expensive Wheatsheaf (with awful service), Wyvils with it's interesting (not in the good way) food, and even more interesting staff (ditto), Kennington Cafe which is yummy but very basic and bland or one of the many lesser places which suffer from either bad service or bad food. But today, finally a new place has entered our lunch time retinue... The Rose.

This pub, just by the Thames, has fast service, excellent food, pleasant (and rather cool) surroundings and the best looking bar man I've seen in some time!! Sure it's a little expensive but it's worth it.

As Sir Menzies Campbell prepares to address the troops I'll give you my thoughts on his leadership... he looks the part, he brings a sense of maturity that Blair and Cameron can't match, he is a safe pair of hands for the party as it tries to find out what it's all about and his principled stand against the Iraq war can only pay dividends in the future (even if I don't agree with him). Not my first choice, but then Dolph Lungdren wasn't available. I look forward to hearing his plans.

Yes people it's Friday!! I hope to be going to Elliot's housewarming tomorrow. And Paul's got a new blog. Visit him... oh and visit my current new tenant or I'll never post another picture again! ;op

The Secret World Of The Gays

I can't remember where I got this pic from so sorry to whomever. But mmm...

I went out last night to the Lavender for Sam Americas "See you soon" drinking session. I may have drunk too much. I may have hugged too much. I may have called my boss "hun".

I'm sure there's a nymphomaniac working platform two of Greenwich station. He has a dog and when I get the late train home once or twice a week I spot him meeting a man... a different one each time. I've occassionally caught snippets of conversation like "Hi I'm *name witheld because I'm nice like that*". They both always have that "I'm gonna be getting jiggy with it soon" feel. Hmm.. good on him I say. I wonder if any of the other sheep like commuters notice this little bit of post gaydar gay life playing out in front of them.

I know my blogs been down. Sorry! I think it's fixed but I've logged a query with Blogger just in case. Cheers Kev for letting me know!!

Blogmad launched today.

Fawlty Towers?

As anyone who has ever read through my archives will know I used to work for a hotel named Faulty Towers; it lived up to the reputation of it's namesake! Well I was watching Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares last night about Sandgate Hotel (Sandgate being one part of the urban sprawl of Folkestone and Hythe). God it was like travelling back in time...

The music from Fawlty Towers was played throughout the programme as staff used walkie talkies to communicate (Faulty Towers did that too!), the owners were a completely inexperienced couple (check), most of the staff used the bar (check), and the chef was slightly mad (check). It just looked so amatuerish... just like this blogs namesake... I think Folkestonians have lost the ability to run a hotel properly...

OK... my vote for most beautiful man of the decade goes to...



HUBBA HUBBA...

Yoinked from Male and Beautiful

Catch Up

I've been very naughty recently and not updating as regularly as I should be. So let's have a look at what I've been up to...

Saturday popped into See Woo. See Woo is a large Chinese cash 'n' carry which is rather cool with live lobsters (not for very long!) and more frozen spring rolls and pancakes than Hong Kong. Got half a duck and had some lovely Peking Duck for dinner. Yum.

Sunday was a family affair down in Lympne with my parents house being crammed chock full as always. I liberated a box of my old photos and some long overdue university work (3 years?). Useful stuff.

Monday... had a lovely meal in Il Bordello, one of the best restaurants in London. Excellent service, huge portions of yummy Italian food and the best bruschetta around. Give it a go.

Home Sweet Home

It was my brother and sisters birthday this week so Jim and I are off to see them today. As it's that time of year for me to get sentimental about the past here's a few links...

Folkestone Then And Now - an excellent old Folkestonian's home page.

The Old Harveians Blog - Oh how I don't miss the Harvey Grammar School... except for some of the boys ;op You know who they are Dear Constant Reader...

Folkestone on Wikipedia

A Folkestone Blog

Finally... Folkestone Gerald No... I haven't misspelt the Folkestone Herald incorrectly!!!

Behave!

Yesterday marked 8 years since I stopped denying the inevitable and became a fully fledged gayer (got the badge, began attending "How to take over the world" seminars... the usual). I was out last night for Andrea's leaving do. I shall miss her! People were talking about sex and yet again another gay man admitted he had slept with a woman. So own up... how many gay men are there like me, who have never had sex with a woman???

Zoe and Ray stayed over Thursday night, thanks for the malteasers!!!!

And you think we are safe? Even in this country we still have to put up with being looked out of bed and breakfasts and being threatened with a gun. Joy.

Are you really surprised?

Had a lovely, if very boring, day today. I didn't have to go to the office and had to attend a meeting here in Greenwich with a supplier instead (about Furnology... exciting!). Something nice in being able to walk to work with no need to use public transport.

Now I don't know what some people think happens in the customer service industry. Reading this article about Indian call centres you'd hope no one was shocked by it. The central "discovery" of this article is people can be racist and rude. Trust me, if you worked in customer service you'd know that people generally ARE racist and rude.

Before I started work I used to think 99% of the population of this country was comprised of decent, hard working, law abiding and intelligent citizens. Customer service has taught me that about 60% of the population are one of the above and about 2% are all of the above. (all the above and below are my own opinions and don't constitute facts, thought I'd just state that in case one of those pig ignorant debate society members turns up to leave a rude comment about me not making it absolutely clear that these are not facts)

I was totally shocked to discover a very large minority of people I have to deal with daily are rude, unpleasant and mean spirited. Now I'm just very cynical, apt to think the worst of people... I really need to get away from customer service in the long run before I go postal...

Are Ashley Cole and Jermaine Pennat the NOTW Gay footballers?

This link is for all those crazy football searchers!

Are Ashley Cole and Jermaine Pennat the NOTW Gay footballers?

Let The Beltane Fires Burn!

My favourite time of the year is just getting under way... the days draw out, the freezing cold becomes a refreshing chill, and the first growth of spring appears. Lovely. I hope you all have a fabulous day today.

 

Blessed Be

 

Jae x

There Must Be More To Life

And another Holocaust denier bites the dust. Now I'm no fan of David Irving (I think the following poem explains why, composed by Irving for his daughter to be recited whenever "half-breed children are wheeled past", I am a Baby Aryan/Not Jewish or Sectarian/I have no plans to marry an/Ape or Rastafarian) nor of those who equate the Holocaust with branding or deny it's existence completely.

BUT... Freedom of speech must prevail! Unless someone threatens violence, or incites it, then no matter what they say we just have to put up with it. Although I suggest not listening... it's your right not to!

A man is put in prison for just saying something that the majority think is reprehensible, but he hasn't threatened anyone nor suggested anyone hurt anyone else. So where do we draw the line? No offense but people such as the German and Austrian governments are not holier than thou. It's only recently they've began to stop denying that the Holocaust affected GLBT people too... who will go to jail for that one? And will the few remaining survivors get the compensation they are due, denied it for so long because being gay was still illegal after the war? No... probably not. Who will go to jail for that????

The News On Sunday

NoW Drip Feeds Info On Gay Soccer Stars

This is torture. And I don't mean for me. The News of the World is being unreasonably cruel using innuendo and farce to scare those involved in it's current "scandal". If it has proof that these things are occuring it should print their names, otherwise... let it go! It is obviously some kind of petty vendetta being played out in a national paper and to be frank I'm bored with the whole thing.

Reading the story (which I shan't be linking to) I have to say this: what these guys are getting up to doesn't sound very gay. Betting people to suck your cock and playing silly boys games involving showing each other your penis sounds a lot like some pubescent hetrosexual game.

I can relax. Will Young is not involved. Phew! It was some DJ. The "picture" doesn't appear to be of my other secret love Scott Mills, so I shan't worry about the Music Man.

Latest name to enter frey: Ashley Cole.

Please note I want the use of the word gay, homosexual, sick and perverted should be removed from these stories. None seem applicable. Oh and if the NoW believes mutual masturbation and oral sex are "perverted" I'd just like to bless their cotton socks.

Dancing On Kelly Holmes Icy Grave

Oh glorious day. Dancing on Ice just got better. Kelly Holmes was voted off. FINALLY! She was an ice queen of the first degree with her catty comments and stiff movements. She was even a bad loser. About Bonnie, the BEST celeb perform of the series (no contest), she suggested that Bonnie had beat her because Bonnie was "popular with the judges". She beat you because she had talent and a lovely personality.

Jae's First Podcast

Listen to it here

In Other News...

Jurassic Park IV won't be released until 2008.

Italy: The Fourth World

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Italy rape ruling draws criticism

Oh my God.

And you thought Berlusconi was bad!! Now he seems really quite amusing compared to Italian justice.

Reasons To Love Battlestar Galactica: Number 1

Jamie Bamber

Jae Is Out Of Action

Off work. Sick. I hate actually being sick when taking a sick day. Especially when I feel this bad!!!

Who's The Lucky Boy Then?

OK... so my site is being hit by lots of people searching for information about the gay (bisexual?) premiership football stars. Well who am I to disappoint? Why not visit the Famous Males Forums, after you've read Dayorama's early entry into the story.

If you can't be bothered the current smart money is on: Sol Campbell, Jermaine Jenas and Will Young. Personally I think it better not be Will Young... he's mine!!!

I'm sure the evil big wigs at News Corporation won't let this go and I expect your need for information shall soon be met. Just remember... don't buy their papers!!!

Bad Weeds In London

Today was the day that I met Corkey Mineola of Bad Weeds fame as he stopped by in London on route to Uganda! Corkey, Colin (a fellow Bad Weeds fan) and I had brunch in the Balans cafe. Thankfully I didn't say too much and hopefully avoided looking like a prat! Luckily Colin was really a rather intelligent and interesting person so Corkey must have got some good content. I'll let you know when the show is up online!

Hmm... first there was Surface. Then came Commander in Chief. My latest current telly obsession is...



One word: Awesome.

Gay Soccer Stars Shock - They Are Not As Gay As You Thought

In possibly the gayest sport since water polo and rugby you'd expect the fans to be unsuprised by "revelations" that some footballers have sex with men. I mean they shower together, play together and hang out together. If men stay around each other for long periods of time it's bound to happen. I've always found it odd that men who profess to like women spend every waking hour with other men.

But no they get all shocked by it. Weird. Did they not wonder why Mark Oaten made his rent boys dress up as footballers? Have they not seen this music video?

I think it's time these Premiership stars came out and showed the world their not ashamed to be bisexual idiots who took pictures of their sex games as if they wouldn't fall into the hands of the tabloids... d'oh!

Business As Usual

I went out last night with work peoples to the Lavendar and had a cool time. The new boy is a witty one (reminds me of Seth from O.C.) and I saw Meredith who is back from America. Very amusing evening any all round including the crazy Vauxhall guy who ran out in the middle of the road screaming "Fuck you" at any car that dared enter his personal space... i.e. the road.

Got home to find the water was still off and both Jim and the bloke downstairs had gone out drinking themselves silly. While Jim lay passed out on the sofa, I headed downstairs to chat and steal some DVDs. Mwhahahaha.

Plumber came today and sorted our water out really quickly. Yay for skilled labourers!

Why Do I Write In My Blog?

You know some of the comments I've been getting here recently seem endemic of the current blog culture. 1) they take blogging way too seriously. Now I've read the articles on the BBC and in the Economist that show some blogs have power and integrity. That is not this blog! So calm down, step back and reflect... life is too short to take my brain dumps that seriously (and to respond so rudely)! 2) some blogging is self important and written for attention. Some is not. I'm not writing primarily for attention. So do you really think I'll pay attention to you if you are rude?

When I started this blog 4 years and bit ago I did it for two reasons 1) I had just read an article in the old style Guardian techy supplement about blogging and 2) because I have been a journal writer for years and thought an online one would be easier and much more tidy than a handwritten one!! This blog is my diary. Knowing when things happened is important to me. Being able to write my thoughts and opinions, however badly expressed, is important to me. I do it online as I can access it where I want to, I can read it without having to work out what that scribble meant, and because other people can read it... I'm open and honest on here. Keeping a written diary used to feel so dark and depressing because I felt it had to be hidden and secret. Why hide what you think? Honesty is the best policy

Now that doesn't mean I'm not a hits whore, that a small smile won't rise on my face when the Guardian links me or when my hits are up on the month before. We all have a hobby and mine is trying to get as many hits as possible... just a little something to make me happy.

And of course I like praise!

But primarily this blog is for me, and of course for those people who I want to read it like my friends and Jim (and you Dear Constant Reader, don't fret you're always welcome!). If you don't like what I write tell me politely, I love polite criticism! Don't be mean... because I probably am much bigger than you and I don't like mean people! Or better yet (because life really is too short) just move along.. Nothing to see here! Except this...

It Never Rains, It Just Pours... Through The Roof

Last night as I headed home I had that "It's nearly over for the week" feeling washing over me. I was all light and airy as I unlocked the front door and bent down to pick up the post. I paused... was that water I heard? Drip drip drip drip... hmmm...

 

I walked into the hall a little further and walked right into a stream of water flowing down from the ceiling... from our flat.... AH! I rushed upstairs and struggled to find the lock with my key...

 

The flat was a perfect scene of tranquility. The aquarium bubbled peacefully and the smell of something long dead in the kitchen swept up my nostrils but otherwise all was fine. So I immediately knew what I had to do... call Jim and tidy the flat!! I searched for the internal stop cock (long and hard) not realising it was in the basement... I'm useless in times of great panic involving technical things.

 

So that was my drama last night, and after a visit from the landlord and a trip into the scary basement, we went for dinner to Richard I. There is still no water in the flat.... Oh what fun!!!!

Capital Punishment

Last night while we were watching Supernatural, I read to Jim this story. And he said how he knew I was against capital punishment but whoever was responsible should be strung up. And so we got into the usual debate about the death penalty. I just want to know how you feel about this issue? If you are for it I would like you to answer me some honest questions, not because I want to shoot you down, but because I am interested to know how you square certain principles against a belief in the death penalty.

1) Why do you think a country has the right to decide who lives or who dies? Surely no one has that right? (PS the death penalty, abortion and euthanasia all disgust me but abortion and euthanasia are choices made by individuals about their own future and I don't feel we have a right to stop them)
2) If we had the death penalty someone at some time would die an innocent. How do you square this kind of sacrifice of an innocent person with the urge to "punish" some criminal who is worth squat? And how do you feel about a system where hundreds of people would be directly responsible for said innocents death?
3) Death is not a punishment! It does not deter the truely messed up... the paedophiles, the psycho murderers... do you really think the fear of death would stop them from living out their warped fantasies? And I would hope we weren't going to use the death penalty for anything less than the most horrendous of crimes? Death is a release. A life (and yes I believe life should mean life) in prison, as uncomfortable as possible, would be a far better punishment and safeguard against the repition of their crimes.
4) Given that the UK is one of the safest nations in the world and doesn't have the death penalty... is it necessary in any other country??
5) You are all for the death penalty. Could you be the executioner? If not then you cannot be in favour of the death penalty. If you were not prepared to take someones life in that way you shouldn't be prepared to let someone else do it for you. It's one of the real bugbears for me about the death penalty debate; the arm chair executioners. Honestly could you stare someone in the face and kill them, knowing that possibly they were an innocent, someones friend or family... if not step down from the debate!

Annapolis

Hmm... well would you look at that! The film me and Jim saw shooting down in Greenwich has been released and is called Annapolis, not Anapoly. Three cheers to anyone who can track down my blog entry about the filming!!

Mmm... sailors!!

Please visitors click my rent my blog tenant! We must all wuv him very much!!!

IPOD's Are So Cool

As you know I have far too many iPods. Well for the last few months I've been using my video iPod for nothing but music. This weekend I finally realised how stupid I was and Jim showed me how to work it!

My life will never be the same again. Downloaded a couple of Commander in Chief episodes to test the water with that show plus put my fave porno on there too. Watched CinC on the way to and from work... it's awesome... don't know why I like it... is it the fiesty female president? The brilliant plot? Or something else?? Matt Lanter perhaps?



Anyway... the commute to work just got a lot more bearable!

Row over Cameroon 'gay' witchhunt

BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Row over Cameroon 'gay' witchhunt

This is always how it begins... now we need an Oscar Wilde to really scandalise them. Then a hundred years later... freedom is ours. You persecute us quietly and we won't fight back. But openly persecute us? We'll find each other, and fight...

Skating On Thin Ice

Let's turn our attention from the boring real world for a moment... and to one small spark of joy... ITV's Dancing On Ice. Sure it's ITV's way of cashing in on the success of the Beeb's Strictly Come Dancing. But wow! I love it!

It's got the good (Bonnie Langford) and the bad (Andi Peters, thankfully back safely in the audience!) and the truely obnoxious (Kelly Holmes - ungracious in body and mind). I was deeply aggrieved that Holmes, yet again, went through after her robotic performance while my two favorites (John Barrowman and Stefan Booth) had to fight it out in the skate off. And John Barrowman lost!!! Sob... oh well let's just hope Stefan can keep at it!!!

See John Barrowman's and Stefan Booth's sites.

Please I beg of you... don't vote for Holmes!!!

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Embassies burn in cartoon protest

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Embassies burn in cartoon protest

"The Vatican says the right to freedom of expression does not imply the right to offend religious beliefs."

OK Vatican... fine... but if that's the case then freedom of religion and expression does not give you the right to offend my religious belief (based on my form of paganism) that homosexuality is not just right but part of the Gods plans (true). My religion has just recently decided it is forbidden to suggest that homosexuality is anything other than divine in nature (exaggeration).

So if I hear the Pope or some Cardinal insult this deeply held belief I'm going to threaten their lives and burn down the Vaticans embassy (true ;op or maybe I'm just trying to make a point).

Jack Straw. You support the whole anti-freedom of speech thing at the moment. I'll trust however in light of current developments you will be calling up the Syrian ambassador and asking him some very pointed questions about the lack of protection afforded to diplomatic property (especially considering one of the embassies burnt down contained the Chilean and Swedish missions who are totally above the whole argument in the first place)... at the same time could you please remove said protection from the Syrian embassy and see how they like it.

Don't Let Short People Get To You

BBC NEWS | England | Leicestershire | Tall girl 'bullied' in chatroom

Bastard short people... yeah I mean YOU! If it wasn't bad enough that you've designed the world to be fiendishly small, you start bullying tall people as well!

If I become prime minister I'm going to make all shelves at least 8 foot high, remove every second step on stairs, and make all bar stalls 4 foot high at least... ah, a perfect world...

Jae Likes Bush

No I haven't gone straight. And no I haven't gone mad and started supporting that bloke over the pond. I just went to the fabulous Bush Bar on Thursday which is a very nice bar with excellent cocktails. Mmm... mojitos!! And the meal at Sodore was fab too. Sure the surroundings weren't up to much but the Ethiopian food was tasty and the host gracious.

Last night had a meal with Jim at Vietnam Restaurant.

Just discovered M&M's being sold in a shop in town... thank the lord! I haven't found any M&M's for years!!!

OK... my two cents on the Muhammad cartoon controversy. What is worse? Insulting someone's religion... or inciting violence?? As I looked at pictures of Muslims using threatening behaviour outside the Danish embassy, here in London, waving signs saying "Butcher Those Who Mock Islam" I decided that my sympathy for Muslims has reached it's lowest ebb yet.

I need to meet some nice, sane Muslims beyond the lovely guy at the corner shop. I need positive images to go against the constant negative imagery I see on telly and in the newspapers. Right now all I see is facist bastards who hate Jews, want to end free speech and censor the press. People who don't think twice before hanging gay people or stoning an adultress. Positive Muslim input required!

My last Muslim friend was way back at primary school...

My fave site of the day is: The Church Sign Generator

I Like Driving In Jim's Car

Jim got his new car yesterday (ask me what it is and I'll give you a real blank look). I'm over my hate-hate relationship with cars. I'll admit I was wrong. Cars are okay in moderation. Sure it still stresses me out to be stuck in traffic, but I like the feeling of us having a car. It means we can do interesting stuff more often. Go for day trips, take over the world. You know, the usual. We took a drive round Greenwich, and it's always interesting to see things your used to from a different perspective. Colin  Farrell for instance...

 

Yeah I saw a brief bit of that video yesterday. Colin Farrell you dirty bastard... that rooms a mess. And having sex in front of a cat. That's scandalous!!! Anyway... not a bad cock Mr F. Oh yes anyone seen that top 100 sexiest men?? Jamie Foxx (failed Eurovision and reality TV star) beats Colin Farrell (they are 29 and 34 respectively). And David Cameron beating Will Young (92 and 98) is too awful for words. David Cameron looks awful and, far worse, has an appalling personality. Will Young don't worry! I'll always love you... I can feel a restraining order coming on. 

 

My laptop has broke (it wasn't me, twas my foot) so I'm not going to be reading that many blogs for a while... and linking will become a little erratic... but I'll still be here!! 

 

Off out to some Ethiopion restaurant tonight in Shepherds Bush. Wish me luck!

You Can't Ban Hatred

It's true. You can only ban incitement to violence, or something which would cause significant fear of violence. Humans are pretty stupid, hatred will always exist.

We live in a country where there is a right to freedom of speech and expression. We may not like it a lot of the time. I'd rather we closed down News Corporations offices. I'd rather homophobes were mutilated, executed and hung on Tower Bridge as a warning to others. But I understand that in order to live in a free society bigots, nasties and idiots (like me!) must be allowed to talk freely. Similarly their opponents must be allowed to talk back.

The House of Lords amendments to the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill were sensible and well considered. This was made especially necessary by the sensitivity needed in dealing with two very emotive subjects: freedom of speech and freedom to live your life in peace. And well done to the House of Commons to have the sense to back their compromise.


"The Commons confrontation followed a series of defeats inflicted on the bill by peers in a bid to safeguard freedom of speech.

The peers said only "threatening words" should be banned by the bill, not those which are only abusive or insulting.

They also called for the offence to be intentional and specified that proselytising, discussion, criticism, insult, abuse and ridicule of religion, belief or religious practice would not be an offence."

Tis Pay Day

Dear Constant Reader,

 

Today is a watershed. It's my first pay day of the new year. And I'm determined it marks the start of a new outlook for me. I am going to keep to a budget (£100 a week, although this week it shall only be £80.00 as I spotted some iPod accessories I liked. Rather than buy them I took the money off my budget for saving... see good or what!). I'm also toying with the idea of giving this blog some structure... Tuesday Totty, Manic Mondays (for my rants!), Friday Funnys... you get the idea. We'll see whether I can be bothered...

 

Yesterday at work we found our normal lunch pub closed (it's now under new management) so we headed to Wyvil's (where the foods not too bad, and the service has improved; it's now just slow rather than abusive). There I was pondering at the fact that as well as some fellow old pub refugees there were a hell of a lot of gay men in the pub. I then noticed the rainbow triangles newly fastened to the windows... hmph does Vauxhall really need another gay pub? I spose if the business is there... Today again to Wyvils... those barmen are cute...

 

Jim gets a new car tomorrow.

 

Customers are pissing me off.

Same old, same old.

 

Tomorrow, we start anew!

What's Hot In Jae's World

Dancing on Ice. But I just don't know why

Stefan Booth possibly helps...



American Idol - Hilarious. I want the cute cowboy to win!!!

Season two of Lost although Ana Lucia is very annoying (Love this blog). Hooked again... can't wait for the next episode (thank God for torrents...)

Surface. Hello!!!

Supernatural. Seen two episodes so far and it looks cool. Is it so wrong to wish for two brothers to get it on?



Monk as always...

The Aquarium

When I was just a little boy I used to be taken to gardening centres all the time by my gardening conscious mother. I used to spend ages in the little pet shop areas staring in wonder at the tropical fish in their tanks, and wishing we could afford to own some.

In July, Jim and I got an aquarium which has sat in the front room ever since populated by black tetras, neon tetras, catfish and clown loaches. Now it hadn't really captured the same joy as those pet shop tanks. The catfish and loaches spendt their daytime in hiding while the neons and blacks swam slowly back and forth... it had none of the energy and life I had hoped for.

Jim had a fab idea a couple of days ago; we'd take the children to Pets At Home and each could choose their own fish. Yesterday we came back with 4 colourful guppies. And what life they've brought as they've explored their new home. The neons and the blacks have stepped up a gear to assert their supremacy... It's great... I'm actually enjoying just sitting and watching them.

And today... they've started to mate. LIFE AT LAST!

Hmm...

Page 11 of the Guardian. Look at that my second appearance in a newspaper... :o)

Now Army Investigates Gay Porn Allegations... I agree, people should not be starring in porn while they are members of the military. It is certainly not respectable behaviour and is certainly conduct unbecoming.

But the American military's response is rather horrid...

Maj. Todd Vician, a Defense Department spokesman in Washington, said the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy states that "homosexual orientation alone is not a bar to service, but homosexual conduct is incompatible with military service."

"We define homosexual conduct as homosexual acts or verbal or nonverbal communication that a member is homosexual," Vician said

Oh well that's ok then...

The Third Man

I've decided that I'm going to get behind Chris Huhne for leadership. He seems to be sane, hasn't gloated over the other contenders problems and has some reasonable policies. As long as when he says he wants to use the tax system to tackle sins like pollution he doesn't mean he's going to put taxes up on fatty foods or drink in some nanny state move.

Simon Hughes on the otherhand used a husting to gloat about his new found gay pride by comparing his "private predeliction" to those of Lloyd George and Churchill!!! 1) calling your sexuality a "private predeliction" makes it sound shameful and 2) comparing yourself to Churchill and Lloyd George is say just a little arrogant considering you aren't even party leader yet...

Holocaust Memorial Day (UK) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Holocaust Memorial Day (UK) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

We remember.

A Policeman Being Honest?

Warning Brain Dump Ahead

Sir Ian Blair says what he thinks about Soham and racism. I actually must applaud him, even if I think he is a tad naive about the media. Saying this kind of thing is likely to cause you a hell of a lot of trouble as the media scum pounce. But it did need to be said.

Think about it for a moment... how is it that the Soham murders were given so much press attention when children are murdered all the time. The reason? Because the victims were pretty little white girls who lived in a pretty little village. I have nothing but sympathy for the victims parents, family and friends. But they must realise that the media didn't choose to cover the story because they felt it unusual or frightening but because it'd sell well to their demographic (white, middle aged, family people). Sir Ian is just being honest.

Imagine what the story would have been if the victims had been poor, black Londoners whose parents were drugged up junkies (but there were no connections with crazed religious practices, that always sells). Would there have been such an uproar? Answer that question honestly, and then think about how disgusting Britain's media machine is. The kids would have been just as sweet and innocent but their story wouldn't fit the required picture. You know it would have got one page, deep within the papers and then it'd be forgotten about.

We after all still live in a country where cheap homophobic jokes are used as front page headlines.

News International, gays and Lib Dems from Guardian Unlimited: Organ Grinder

News International, gays and Lib Dems from Guardian Unlimited: Organ Grinder

Oh wow.... a revelation. How much more must I bleat on about the evils of News Corporation??? Surely it's common knowledge that Murdoch is the devil incarnate... now I must get round to closing my MySpace account...

BBC NEWS | Politics | Gay revelation 'is leader test'

BBC NEWS | Politics | Gay revelation 'is leader test'

Simon Hughes says "he was not afraid of dealing with things". Erm... he's 54 years old... he has been in politics since 1980... and he comes out as bisexual in... 2006. If he took this long over this imagine how long it'd take him to "deal" with something truely frightening.

And he came out only after he was scared into it by the Sun. How on on Earth does this show leadership skills? It certainly shows he's afraid of things, and that he isn't willing to stand up to the media. He even gave into News Corporations usual gay blackmail "We know you're gay, either talk to us or we'll spin it negatively".

Simon Hughes loses more of my respect by the minute. First he's too far left for me. Then he comes out as a hypocrite and now he tries to spin his sexuality, of which he is so obviously ashamed, into a positive for his campaign????

I've said before... DON'T VOTE FOR SIMON HUGHES.

Simon Hughes - The Bastard Son Of A Bitch

Sorry for my recent language but the Liberal Democrats (my own party!) are starting to piss me off. Simon Hughes is bisexual. You'd expect me, being highly prejudiced in favour of homosexuality, to being cheering for him. I hate his guts. I hated him before he came out, and I hate him more now.

This twat's election campaign in 1983 is infamous for the high level of homophobia directed towards the Labour candidate (and my own personal hero) Peter Tatchell. This, and the fact people I know who know him say he is a horrid person, set me against his leadership bid.

But for him to now come out and admit he has had homosexual relationships in the past... IT MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL. And he gives his story to the Sun. Of all the flipping newspapers it would have to be the News of the World's sister paper.

Sure I was bit disturbed today when BBC Breakfast painted his bisexuality as some kind of (their word) "scandal". It sure is a scandal... but not because he's bisexual but because he is yet another Lib Dem hypocrite. Charles Kennedy lied to us, the Lib Dem "shadow cabinet" lied to back him up, Mark Oaten lied to his family, and Simon Hughes lied to his constituents. You don't have to tell people you are gay if you don't want to that's your business... but you do have to make sure you don't do anything that conflicts with your lifestyle... such as tell off judges for having rent boys (hi Mark!) or launch homophobic campaigns against openly gay opponents.

My membership is up for renewal... do I jump the sinking ship? Or do I head down the street to Greenwich party HQ and lend a hand at the pumps?

Menzies Campbell... please save us from the hypocritical poofs and lushs!!!

Nobody Loves Me

Google Ads doesn't want me because of my ault content. :o( Half naked men isn't adult content... in my opinion... ;o)

OK everyone, click on my blog renter on the right as he is feeling lonely!!!

I Feel So Dirty But It Must Be Said - The News of the World is evil!

News Of the World - LIB-DEM OATEN'S 3-IN-BED RENT-BOY SHAME

I'm linking to a News of the World article. It makes my skin crawl. Now I haven't read the News of the Screws in quite some time, not since I've been old enough to buy my own paper (the Guardian). But I used to wonder even as a child why on Earth gay people would choose to talk to this paper.

Let's face facts here... News Corporation, the NoWs owners, are no friends to gay people and are not supporters of gay rights. Some stories in these tabloids have shocked me. Not because of the content but because of the hate filled message usually blantantly spelt out in childish capital letters.

So I must say to the young men who helped the NoW get this story on Mark Oaten... you fucking traitors. You tosspots. Have you NO SHAME??? Sell your story to a quality paper, even the Times. Have them break it. It needed to be said but really it should of been investigated by people with more than half a brain. Did the Jews sell their stories to Der Stuermer???

Message to all gay men and women. Don't support homophobic publications!!! Or I'll hunt you down and shoot you.

Good day I'm off to watch Fox News, fair and balanced don't you know? :op

Oh My God... The Liberal Democrats are... liberals!!!

OK... Mark Oaten has an affair with a rent boy (although I'd say it was really an escort as he was 23, and last I checked that's no boy!). Naughty boy (Mark Oaten's obvious immaturity with regards to his personal life is a signal for us all to refer to him as boy)! he he... I would soooo have voted for ya. If you'd not cheated on your wife.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Oaten resigns over rent boy claim

OK... who's gonna be the first to resign over cannabis use? Come on Lib Dems... you're giving us all a bad name!

Mark Oaten

God Bless The Whale. Can I be the first to ask for a permanent memorial by Battersea Bridge?

We're All Going On A Summer Holiday

Well obviously Dear Constant Reader you're not coming with me (unless you really want to, you're paying though). Jim has in the last few seconds booked us a holiday in May to... Thailand! Woo... it's on a whole new continent and everything.



We will be spending 4 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in Chiang Mai and 8 nights on Ko Samui. It's gonna be great... sun, sand, bars and Thai men. Can't wait.



Second picture courtesy of Cute Asian Guy

The Whale

BBC NEWS | England | London | Concern grows for stranded whale

Poor thing. I hope it gets back to it's pod who were spotted off the Thames Barrier on Thursday. This goes to show the Thames pollution is improving... seals, porpoises and now a whale. All praise the clean up!

See a Wikipedia article about the species of whale here.

I love this quote from the BBC: "But at 0830 GMT on Friday, a man on a train called in to say he might have been hallucinating, but he had just seen a whale in the Thames." I feel like that some mornings too...

Budgets, Holidays and The Future

Hmm.. ok I am dead set on budgeting all this year. This doesn't mean poverty but means cutting down on totally unnecessary spending (mainly thinking when shopping for food... not shopping for things as needed at the corner shop as opposed to buying things from a supermarket). My budget for spending money will be £400 a month and I will not take more than that out. Or else you'll have to shoot me.

 

Got home to find Jim watching Thomas Cook TV, and getting excited over a summer holiday. He wants 14 days of sun and relaxation which would be rather nice. Cuba is the current top of the pops but Mexico (please read this as Meheco which sounds far more fun). I've just gotta try to think of it as a holiday not an experience. Otherwise I'll spend no time resting and far more time exploring. And I don't think that's what Jim is looking for in our main holiday... and I'll admit I really want to relax somewhere nice too.

 

Hmm... well I was planning on leaving my current job this year to find something better but events of the last few days mean I am more than happy to stay a little longer. So Jae is going to spend the year getting a nest egg together ready for holidays, adventures and the buying of nice things. Yay!

I'm Holding On To All The Handrails

It's been one of those mornings!!!

 

Last night I headed out after a very successful day at work (shh... it's a secret) for some customer service team building drinks. Twas a fun evening but I drunk too much again (I did request diet Coke's but no one listened).

 

Woke up this morning with a not too bad headache and the quickly disappearing memories of a dream I had about visiting India in search of curry. All very normal. Got to the train station and there was a 6 minute delay... no bother I thought. 6 minutes turned to 10 minutes then to several cancellations. I then did the near unthinkable... I caught a DLR without a ticket. I don't think I can quite convey into words the discomfort this gives me. I  had to force myself onto that train, and then the ticket collector came and stood next to me for the whole journey. I almost burst out crying while shouting "I have no ticket, arrest me!!!"

 

Anyway finally got to Lewisham... where the trains were delayed. DELAYED!! Grrr... I then went from one platform to another (repeatedly) missing trains till I finally caught a train to Cannon Street. Went to get off at London Bridge... the doors were out of order. SOB. So I've decided the Gods do not want me in work today... I've been walking slowly down stairs gripping handrails, like a sailor on deck in rough seas, and purposefully avoiding black cats and ladders. I just can't wait for this day to be over... and it's only just begun...

 

 

Pennypinching

Who is that new cutie on the right hand side? Tis Nimrod from Surface. Ain't he the sweetest little baby? Wuv him...

OK from next month I'm on a budget... I will have £100 spending money per week. Not that stingy a budget I know but it'll do for now...

I So Wanna Be Invaded By Eddie Cibrian

So I sat watching episode two of Invasion last night and pondered where I had seen the lead Eddie Cibrian before. I pondered for at least two seconds before I went on to IMDB... he was in But I'm A Cheerleader playing the awesome looking Rock... mmmm.... I love the satisfaction IMDB can bring to you.

Invasion is ok so far, but Surface is my new love after Lost. Come on how could I not love it? I spend half my internet surfing life reading up on cryptozoology... this series ticks all the boxes for me. Strong "takes no BS" female lead, cutesy teenage boy subplot with just as cutesy Nimrod, all American male lead, crazy scientists, army conspiracy, and 200 foot sea monsters who can kill in oh so many exciting ways. Sure it's done on the cheap, but I'm a Doctor Who fan... I can live with this!!!

What is it with all these one word titles Lost, Surface, Invasion? I actually quite like it.

Stardust. Stories like this restore my faith in humanity... when we put our minds to it we can do some pretty impressive things, beat that dolphins! :op

Random

This is class!!! - Stolen from Mr Stevie

Jim didn't seem in a very good mood with me this morning, I'll have to wait till he gets back from Hemel to find out why (no doubt my drunken snoring was to blame...)

Been watching Surface and Invasion. They are not actually that bad.

Strange isn't that once Pat Robertson realised some of his comments might leave him out of pocket he apologises? Bizarre coincidence, he is a man of God after all, and they never do anything wrong...

Ain't That Just The Way

I am very poor at the moment. Comes of having been paid ten days early last month... forty days without a pay cheque? It's just wrong.

So went out to the Beehive for a drink, and for once loads of people came with me. Spent the evening have drinks bought for me every time I even mentioned heading home. Also spent the evening making fun of the straight guys and having the barmaid guess which one of them was gay... :o)

The accounts manager lost his boxers to a hen party. It was one of those sorts of evenings.

Now must go sell my body for cash.. see ya...

EDIT God Save Gordon Brown. I love the Union flag and the United Kingdom... I haven't seen someone say something like this in ages. Hats off to him! God Save The Queen!

The Bad Samaritan

I crossed to the other side of the road today. It had been one of those days, you know what I mean and as I walked out of work I ended up behind a drunk. The part of Vauxhall I'm in is right near the station, and a homeless centre that seems to house only drunk homeless people.

They normally spend their days in the park, or under the rail bridge, launching missiles at unwary American temps.

Well the one I was behind staggered from one side of the pavement to another, fell onto a car and then rolled onto the floor. I have NEVER seen anyone quite so drunk. I stopped and asked after him. My immediate impulse was to rush to his side and help him up. Then he mumbled something drunkenly at me. And all my sympathy washed away... I saw he was fine and I walked on, albeit with the angel on my left shoulder scolding me something rotten. Then the two most annoying people I had ever been stuck in a lift with (they spent the journey down admonishing some poor girl because she only had two lights on her bike not three) notified the homeless shelter that one of their charges was lying in the road.

Now would you have stopped to help him up? I feel bad that I didn't but what would I have done? Tried to help him up and have him drag me to the ground too? Was it my fault he was too drunk to be walking, and completely out of his mind?

I am going to have to work on my sympathy. 5 years ago I would have helped him, and admonished a world that allowed such people to go on being homeless and alchoholic. Now I'm just "Serves him damn right for drinking too much". Can I be so heartless to really wish him not to have the brief joy the drink brings him, when his life is obviously horrid?

Please God... no...

BBC NEWS | Politics | Hughes enters Lib Dem leader race

Not he of the homophobic tendencies, if he wins I'll have to vote Labour. My God what am I saying?? If he wins I'm going to have to find myself a grassy knoll near Westminster... phew, that's the less extreme option.

Colin Farrell Has Sex With A Woman Shock!

Yes you read it here last... Colin Farrell had sex with a female on camera. I was obviously devastated. Next thing you know they'll try and convince us Prince William is a breeder (God forbid!)...

People this is not a news story! Sex tapes are so twentieth century...

Jae Loves The Interweb

I love my new 24 meg connection. I just downloaded something, and it came down at 1.5megs a second. I was impressed... considering it wasn't the only thing being downloaded at the time!!! Mmm... porn is sooo easy now, and copyright law? Who needs that huh? :o)

Go check out Brent Corrigan who is getting sexier by the minute!!!

I have a new tenant on the right hand side, you know the drill! Click and make Jae happy! Last week was the most successful yet which cheered me up no end!!

I am reattempting to read At Swim, Two Boys for the third time... this time I WILL FINISH IT!!!

Sommersturm

Yesterday I saw a brilliant German movie called Sommersturm. It was made even better thanks to gorgeous actors and the subtitles we used which were far better than any official subtitles... I can't really give an example but the phrasing was just hilarious!

It's a great coming of age/coming out story set around Tobi (above right) and his love for his straight best friend (above left) set as they compete in a rowing tournament. Luckily for Tobi there's a team called "Queerschlag" competing as well...

And Hanno Koffler is soooooo my fave member of that team.... cue totally pointless pics...

Brokeback Mountain - A Lot More

Brokeback Mountain

God, this movie lingers with you! So I thought I'd talk about it (it's a Sunday and none of you read this on a Sunday so I can be a little self indulgent today).

I've been reading other interpretations of the movie by other people. A lot of these have said "this isn't a gay movie, it's a great LOVE story". Which I will agree with to an extent. It is a great love story. A beautiful, heartbreaking and sexual love story. But to ignore the underlying gay themes would be to reduce the movie in a major way. This is a movie about a love story set against the background of poverty, closeted homosexuality and the power of nature. So to say it's a love story, or it's a gay story, is wrong. It's a well rounded drama.

The scenery is AWESOME and the camera work on this movie is amazing. It made sheep look dramatic. That's an achievement!

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal both act their hearts out in this and really escape any preconceptions I had of them from previous movies. Michelle Williams far exceeded my expectations of her, considering some of her other roles that really stank! Anne Hathaway to get an Oscar? She wasn't bad but she didn't blow me away!

The story was touching. To see Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) fight against his feelings for nearly 20 years made me really feel for his character. I wanted to reach in and beat him round the head at some points though for being an idiot. I wanted to shout "Run away with Jack and join the gay Rodeo" several times. Alas... Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal) was so endearing, though his never failing love for Ennis and his devotion to a dream that would never be was devastating.

It's interesting that this movie spends most of it's time detailing the emotional fallout of Ennis' struggle (broken homes, bitter recrimination, and violent outbursts), which at the time was actually fairly rare. The way Jack lived, as a closeted man who slept with other closeted men all of whom are like him married, was far more the done thing back then. It felt to me that Jack was fooling himself a lot more than Ennis was. Ennis ended up pushing people away to avoid hurting them. Jack didn't seem to care who he hurt in pursuit of his dreams. Although I have to say he could of beat his wife with a baseball bat and not hurt that emotionally void creature.

The movie doesn't end the way you wanted to... that's why I like it. No happy endings here.

Jack Twist: That's more words than you've spoke in the past two weeks.
Ennis Del Mar: Hell, that's the most I've spoke in a year.

Brokeback Mountain @ IMDB

Go see this movie now.

EDIT: Straight people are weird (see here and here). Are straight men so girly and weak nowadays that they can't even sit through one minutes of seeing... erm... well not much actually... there's a shot of two men in clothes moving against each other... Woo... no big deal! I have to put up with your shitty sex scenes in sooo many movies. I'm not worried I might turn straight. Are you so emasculated as to actually think it possible for you to turn gay? If you think that then you probably are a little bit of a poof.

Big props to the straights who don't moan!

Brokeback Mountain Broke My Heart

I went to the Picturehouse today and saw Brokeback Mountain. All I can say is this; it is excellent. It is also one of the most heartbreaking movies I've ever seen (and you all know the high quality of the movies I watch... Maximum Overdrive, the Great Outdoors, and Eurocreme Dreamboy USA ;o) ). It is not my normal type of movie I'll admit (being a massive horror fanatic) but it made me cry. More than once.

Go see it, be you gay or straight (there's more than one breast shot boys, take your girlfriend and make her think you're fucking cool!).

Cheer Up Charlie

Goodbye Charles Kennedy. You fought for us Lib Dems. You lead us to victory (twice!). You rallied the troops with speeches which were filled not with hate, but with carefully thought out arguments. A reasoned and responsible leader of the party.

And now take a break, get some help, and stay with us! We'll still need you, and whoever takes over better make sure they consult you.

Now again may I just say... please God, NOT SIMON HUGHES!

Charles Kennedy Must Go; Simon Hughes Must Not Win!

As the saga of the Liberal Democrat leadership battle continues I've been thinking about the options for an eventual successor to our beloved leader Charles Kennedy.

Let me make it clear... I think Charles Kennedy did a fab job up until the May 2005 election in securing the Liberal Democrats their best result since the 1920s. He deserves a place in our history as the leader who was able to capitalise on the unpopularity of both the Prime Minister and the Conservative opposition. But he hasn't progressed us any further. We are still a party who's beliefs don't quite add up on the economy. Are we liberal or social democrat? Do we want to tax or do we want to end the tax burden? We need to know if we are to hold on and then increase our share of the vote at any future election.

It's time for him to go. It's time for new blood to take over. But that shouldn't be the spawn of Satan... sorry.. Simon Hughes. His disgusting campaign against Peter Tatchell in Bermondsey many moons ago does not endear him to me. And what I've heard ,over drinks with certain Lib Dems in Shepway, about him makes me fearful of the kind of leadership he'd provide. See this Independent article about him. He comes across as... slimy... sorry if that's a bit of a slur, I'm just putting my feelings into words. Do not vote for this man should it come to it.

We need a moderniser. We need Lembit Opik... (JOKE!)

Ed Davey for leader. Pass it round.

OMG!

Lib Dem Drinks Alcohol Shocker!. I don't think Kennedy should stay. Not because he's an alcoholic (even though who'd want an alcoholic Prime Minister), but because he's been a crap leader. But... The Lib Dems I've met all like a drink or twelve, so let's face it, it wasn't a surprise.

As Sam (M) said in a text to me yesterday "Ed Davey for leader!".

Went to Jim's Reuters leaving do last night and got, shall we say, slightly inebriated. It was held at the North Pole (long way to go I know...) and was pretty cool.

Tonight went to the Beehive with Sam (R), Alex and Scott for a quiet evening. Was good to actually chat to Alex and Scott who are the new boys on the block at work at the mo.

Work is soooo busy at mo. Monday sees the start of a new company... so you'll get double the chance to chat with me on the phone!!! :o)

In Need Of A Catch Up

Today was busy at work. Phew, glad it's over... till 6am...

Lunchtime went to the Kennington Lane cafe with Andrea and sat there for half an hour in the dark due to a power outage. They are just sooo depressing aren't they?? Wandering back to work and we were accosted by the cutest, most hyperactive puppy I have ever seen! Running between our legs, attempting to trip us over. Bless it.

Went out to Lavendar with Sam, Peter and some others. Was cool.

Hmm... feel like a random picture...

Jae Has A Kerazy Idea

New Year, new ideas. If you want to post to this blog (as regularly as you want) please let me know. I'm opening the blog up to anybody, to any subject. If nobody wants to, that's fine. I'll just cry myself to sleep... ;o)

I'm bored!! Jim isn't here, and I don't know where he is. So ask me a question, any question. Any subject, no taboos. Go on, you know you want to!

Oh and click on the blog at Rent My Blog on the right... GO ON!!! What have you got to lose? It's the safest link over there, no naked men...

Stupid Humans

Sometimes I think humans are too stupid to continue as a species. I was reading this Reuter's story and wondered how we have managed to last even this long.

How can you have gone through life without someone telling you "never get between a parent and their child"? Were these people born in a box? Did they not know lions had claws and were carnivores?

And these people are allowed to vote. That is scary.

The First Post

New Years was spent in Dorking with Paul and Jane. Had a lovely time.

New Years Plans:

1) apply to the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard as a volunteer.

2) take over the world

3) post on this blog daily!

4) save money. No spending so much at lunch time. Either stop buying so many magazines or get a subscription to save money. Eat less junk, cook more. Hmm...

5) cook at least one meal a week from scratch.

6) visit at least two foreign countries.

Happy New Year everyone! This year I'll try to get some content to put some meat on this blogs bare bones...

Blessed Be

Jae x