An Overdue Big Brother Update...

So since we last spoke about Big Brother 7 Grace has been evicted (YAY!) and so has Lisa (thank God... I'm not the biggest fan of swearing...). Susie, the Golden Housemate (sounds so Power Ranger ish!), has entered the house. Nikki has inexplicably become very popular, despite being annoying enough to make me reach for a knife. And she's all over my Pete. HANDS OFF. Aisleyne and Susie were up for "eviction" today. Well they thought they were but it was actually about who got moved into a second BB house with 5 new housemates... mwhahahahaha...

Aisleyne was evicted and my heart went out to her she started hyperventilating as she walked up the stairs. Thank God they didn't make her walk out the door!

The BB 7 Version 2.0 Housemates

Jonathon - Lovely arms.

Spiral - He's just a little Irish.

Jenny- CHAV.

Michael - He wants to be with a girl, but he just doesn't fancy them. Rrrrrright.

Jane - What is it with big breasts this year??? She's mad.

Aisleyne was told by BB that she would have to evict 4 of the housemates over 4 days. All 4 will go to the Big House.

Tomorrow is Europride, which I shall be attending with Sam America and Mer(edith). If you're gonna be there drop me a line!! Meeting readers is always fun!

London Pride's of the past...

My first Pride

My first Big Gay Out

Jim's first Pride

I love having a blog... my memories good but it's the little details I forget like Ben's red glitter hat, Ste's friend Pete wearing a leather collar (PHWOAH!), Sam Fox, and the biggest hat in the world!!! This blog reminds me of the small joys hidden in among the big ones.

Technorati : big brother, europride, gay

Pay Day Tomorrow

It's been one of those months... the month of not having any money what so ever. I hate this kind of month, and am determined that next month will be different.

Hmm.. my boss mentioned the tennis player Graydon Oliver today (Wimbledon fever is back!). Immediately everyone in the team had googled him and were ohing and awing about how nice he looked. Cute. 6'4"! Mmm...

Technorati : graydon oliver

My God, I'm Loaded!

I'm the 245,669,566richest person on earth! Discover how rich you are! >>

That's the top 4.09% for those counting. That I could believe, there's a lot of poor people in the developing world...

But... According to Channel 4's Rich-o-Meter I'm in the top 20% in the country!! 80% of the population earn less than I do. Considering I don't feel like I earn that much I'm fairly shocked. I can't make my wages last the month... how can these other people survive???

So in an effort to try to make my "massive" wealth go further I've decided to make sure I cut every corner to save. Right now I'm subscribing to my fave magazines and banning myself from buying any others. This will stop me going to W H Smiths and buying an overpriced mag, a sweet and a drink like I tend to do. No more newspapers... I can get the Guardian online for free! Oyster, Travelcards, Oyster...

So if I don't make it to the end of the month without having to borrow money from the Bank of Jim or the Bank of Mum I shall have to forfeit all Diet Coke for the month of August...

Why not check out my current tenant Newfie Girl... you'll love her.

Technorati : poverty., wealth

Nature or Nurture: Does It Really Matter To The Gay Rights Debate?

Yet another news story came out yesterday stating that some scientists believe that homosexuality might be biologically determined. Now of course any study into something we're not sure about is welcome, it's part of the human experience to be curious about the unknown.

But does the cause of homosexuality really have a bearing on our pleas for equality? I personally don't think so. My freedom as an individual to do whatever I like with my body as long it doesn't harm anyone, and it's completely consensual, is paramount. Who I choose to love is irrelevant to the Government or society in general. I'm bored of people using the nature versus nurture debate in arguments over gay rights and freedoms. The following part of the BBC article is what really pissed me off.

Andy Forrest, a spokesman for gay rights group Stonewall, said: Increasingly, credible evidence appears to indicate that being gay is genetically determined rather than being a so-called lifestyle choice.

It adds further weight to the argument that lesbian and gay people should be treated equally in society and not discriminated against for something that's just as inherent as skin colour

OK.... so what you're saying there is if being gay is just a unique character trait somehow our fight to be treated equally is hurt? What the Hell? If our argument for being treated like any other human being relies in whole, or in part, on whether we're "natural" *scoff* or not we might as well give up. Not exactly taking the moral high ground, more a hopeless crotch for a losing point of view.

We deserve to be treated equally because we are human beings who are doing nothing wrong. We are not, as a group, hellbent on the destruction of the planet. We are not paedophiles. We are not in the business of recruiting (no matter how much we might joke we are!). We are just like everybody else. Some of us are fucking bastards and some of us are not. Strange, gay men are just the same as everyone else... we're all unique and different!

Now you can quote that being gay is unhealthy (what's that got to do with you? I believe in health insurance, if we pay our way get over it!), is likely to lead to mental problems (more likely the mental problems are caused by bigotry, real or perceived), and is not right by the Bible (trust me there's a lot of prohibited things in there that no one seems to worry about, read it and see! And what has your Bible got to do with me?) but I stand firm behind my beliefs... homosexuality, whether it's a choice, a reality or an illusion, should not be a basis for discrimination.

Technorati : gay rights, homosexuality, news

Italy Win

BBC story Which gives me an excuse (as if I needed one) to post this.



All the things I could do...

Footie At The Gay Bar

Yesterday afternoon Jim and I went to watch the England match at Ye Olde Rose and Crown. It was quite quiet with a mob of chavvy girls and a mob of lesbians making up half the bars inhabitants. I attempted to stay awake throughout, and just about managed it thanks to the delightful arse of a tall German guy standing behind Jim. England v. Ecuador was the first game I've seen this World Cup and we were rubbish.

Afterwards went to one of the food stalls at the market for a curry. The stall we go to is just next to NatWest and is staffed by a friendly Thai lady who quickly sorted us out with delicious food. The stuff from there really is divine. Just another good thing about Greenwich.

Watched Nightmare on Elm Street last night. I love that movie. Johnny Depp is so hot! Men should be banned from wearing t shirts which show off their stomach... it's distracting. Today is day 1 of our no computer use after 7pm rule. GOD SAVE ME!!

Napola

A movie about comradeship at a school for the Nazi elite

Jun 25, 2006 by Jae url NaPolA

This is the third German movie I've seen this year. And all three have being impressively good.

The story is about a boy, Friedrich Weimer played by the delicious Max Riemelt, whose boxing abilities get him into the NaPolA against his parents wishes. At this prestigious school he befriends the son of a Gauleiter, Albrecht Stein played by Tom Schilling, who doesn't share his enthusiasm for Nazism.

Over time, under the strict conditions of the school and the harsh realities of the war, Friedrich comes to recognise Albrecht was right to be hesitant... but he comes to this realisation only after a tragedy...

A story of friendship flourishing in the harsh surroundings of fascism. Touching, well acted and features a few nice backsides as well. Perfection.

Technorati : germany, movies, napola

Greenwich = Heaven

Yesterday Jim and I headed to Greenwich Park to feed the squirrels (almonds no less... they couldn't get enough) and have a nice wander. In the summer Greenwich Park is the place to go in London. It's so gorgeous, with an amazing backdrop of Canary Wharf and the Queens House. Love it. Walking past all the tourists I felt a little sorry for them. They don't get to live here after all.

We had a pint of Staropramen in the Nags Head and lunch at Vietnam. Wandered home round the Cutty Sark which is looking more worse for wear every time I see it.

Doctor Who last night. I wanted to like the episode. The Tenth Doctor is awesome. Rose is brilliant. The story concept was promising. I just couldn't like it. I feel like the writers have all got lost up their own arses. There's something about the episodes recently that puts me off... But next week... Cybermen, Torchwood, Daleks?, the departure of Rose begins and it's the opening shot in the closing two parter of series two.

Please God let the next companion be overly muscled and totally gay. PLEASE! Or bring back Captain Jack...

Commander in Chief got cancelled. :(

No more Matt Lanter. :(

Technorati : commander in chief, doctor who, greenwich

It's Saturday!

NICE!

Thank the Gods! Jim is home, work is finished and no customers to deal with for two whole days. Having been in customer service for 4 years now (4 YEARS!) I've had quite enough of dealing with the STUPID British public. Example: "This item says it's available next business day, does that mean I'd get it delivered on the next business day?".

Example 2: "I need to know how much a product is. Can I give you a product code?" "Of course sir, but may I just ask where you got the code from?" "It's on the website just to the left of the price".

I REST MY CASE... weekends are bliss.

They Say The Meek Shall Inherit

Oh Joy! I got home today to find another parcel waiting for me! Thanks this time to one of my bestest friends, and long time reader, Zoe. She bought me Twelve Days of Terror from my wishlist. Thank you Zoe, miss you too!

Last night I went out with John, his girlfriend and Elliot. I've missed them. God these days I miss everything and everybody! I need a giant reunion for everyone I've ever known!!! It was cool. We met up in Covent Garden (after I foolishly used the stairs at the tube station... WOW... who knew the underground was that far.... underground) and after wandering around and around in search of the Roadhouse and free beer we gave up and settled into the Nags Head. After a few pints I decided John's girlfriend was the coolest person I'd met all month..

1) she is friends with Toby, the baby from the Labyrinth

2) she designs fetish gear

3) she spent Tuesday watching Skinflick by Bruce La Bruce, a gay porn movie!

The defence rests.

Got home by dodging tramps and beggars and misdirecting a ferociously gorgeous German who was trying to find Elmstead Woods. I couldn't concentrate... he was too beguiling... so I have little doubt that he's now trapped in Sidcup or somewhere equally strange. Sorry to him and all the tramps I haven't given money to.

Technorati : covent garden

Life Is Good... ish

I headed home yesterday after work suffering from severe after work
blues and thinking about getting home to an empty house without Jim
yet again. Depressing.

But what I found when I got home was more than enough to cheer me up.
First off on the side downstairs was a birthday card from the FAB
Stacey Lady. I love Stacey, and miss her terribly. She now has a bump
as well which shall soon become a mini Stacey which shall be scary.
Smiling I wandered upstairs to the flat to find a parcel waiting for
me from Amazon. Hmm... I thought to myself... what is this??

It turns out it contained Stephen Kings "The Bachman Books", the Peter
Benchley novel dramatisation "The Creature" and "The Deep Blue Sea".
All sent to me by one of my favourite readers... Luke. So a big shout
out to Luke and love and kisses and nice things of all sorts. And to
the rest of you, Dear Constant Readers, GO SEE MY WISH LIST and send
me stuff just like Luke. I shall love you forever
;o)

Today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! I'm heading
off to Covent Garden tonight to see John and his girlfriend. Should be
a laugh.

Miss Jim :o( Also miss Bangkok, San Francisco and Prague. :o(

Hard Candy

After the kids left on Sunday Jim and I headed to the cinema (I'm telling you it's an unintended birthday tradition) to see Hard Candy. Great movie. Really thought provoking and great role reversal of the stereotypical victim/predator relationship. Patrick Wilson is yummy. Ellen Page was brilliant.

After the cinema we had a lovely meal on the terrace of the Cafe Rouge watching Greenwich go by.

As of next Saturday Jim and I have agreed to stay off the computers for one week excluding use at work. So I shall still be blogging but my posts shall be short (and let's hope sweet). Jim is away again from Tuesday (off in Ireland) so if anyone wants to meet up for some drinks let me know, I need to get away from my work crowd based social life.

Last night I went out with some people from my department for drinks and Italian in South Kensington. It was a lovely evening.

Technorati : hard candy, movies

Birthdays - Past

It's my third 21st birthday today! And given the fact it's a celebration all about me let's look at some memorable birthdays of old...

My 6th birthday. It's the first birthday I remember, living in Snodland with my Mum, shitface and a million animals. Pictures of said event must be destroyed if found as I look like the campest boy (blonde, slim and limpest wrists ever) in the world!

My 7th birthday. I invited everyone I knew. I also decided that it was my birthday and I could make other people cry if I wanted to. And did... our neighbour Amy was the victim of my over excited use of party poppers (in the days when I didn't know about the real poppers!). Dressed in startingly red and green striped t shirt/shorts combo. Pictures of this have all been destroyed for the good of all.

My 10th birthday was held in a monastery. Ok.. so it was where I lived... converted into flats you see! Sellindge... wonders will never cease...

My 13th birthday was held in a mansion called Belmont... much to my delight there was a secret bookcase/door which lead to a spooky deserted part of the house. It was my home for the summer. As I wandered down the stairs that morning I was telling Mum that I would be happy with any present but a television... I think, based on my ability to put my foot in it a lot, you can guess what she'd bought me that year. Whoops. Spent much of the day in my room sulking, cept I do remember a bizarre incident involving a game of golf and an exploding golf ball (twas Fathers Day as well you see...)

My 15th Birthday. I was doing work experience at SAGA and I'd had a lovely day. The guys there had all bought me cards and chocolates which was very thoughtful considering I was only there two weeks! I wandered home and ended up walking behind the Sixth Former for 15 minutes. He was my unnamed crush from the Harvey Grammar and it was the last time I'd ever see him. Sweet.

My 16th birthday. I remember Elliot spent much of it looking at porn on my Mac, while John and Matt played on Matt's laptop. Then everyone looked at porn. Straight porn of course. Not one of my more exciting birthdays.

My 18th! I remember it was in Gees and I remember a table covered in pints of beer all for me (14 pints)... my memory starts to fade after that point...

After that... the posts speak for themselves.

2002 - my first birthday on this blog. 19 years old, working at Eurotunnel, going out with Ste and dreaming about Ben.

2003 - 20 years old. Working at Three Valleys Water, going out with Gareth and dreaming about nothing in particular... life was bliss

2004 - 21. Working at Three Valleys still but far more confident, single and dreaming of escaping to some point unknown

2005 - my second 21st birthday. Just started at EO, now living with Jim in Greenwich and life is the best.

Things that strike me about these posts... I tend to celebrate my birthday on the 17th for some reason and a trip to the cinema seems to occur within days.

Things That Happened

Technorati : birthday

Wild Animals

Today is the last day of my 22nd year. I got 5 cards in the post. I've never had that many cards in the post before. After the kids (minus Ian) arrived we shoved them in the car and drove down to Lympne to see my family. My sister Beth was totally moody seeing me paying attention to children other than her. She wouldn't even kiss me goodbye which made me feel a little sad. Mum got into her "Grandmother" role far too enthusiastically. Trust me... seeing your Mum being Gran is one of the scariest moments of your life. As we left Mum gave me a cheque which she wouldn't let me look at... hmm... a surprise for my birthday...

After that we drove to Port Lympne which is a wild animal park in the village my parents live in. I've been there so many times but it is still one of the best animal attractions in the country that I've been to. Huge paddocks and enclosures for the animals who look (and act) like they are healthy and well looked after. My favourite part has always been the gorilla enclosure (Port Lympne and it's sister park Howletts have the largest captive gorilla population in the world). Port Lympne is home to a beautiful silverback who today we managed to catch sitting right next to the window of the enclosure studying the visitors intently. It was patently obvious that this was a creature with a formidable intelligence. And just so big as well! Loved it. Chiang Mai might of had an edge on quantity of exhibits but Port Lympne is QUALITY.

Doctor Who tonight was a bit trite but I'll give it points for originality. Just not my cup of tea.

Technorati : doctor who, port lympne

Get Grace Out

Ugly bastards aren't they? These homophobic murderers have been jailed for life. Let's hope some well hung monster takes a liking to them. Sorry I'm being flippant about the serious subject of gay rape. Let's hope someone stabs them both in the stomach instead. (for all those dim bleeding heart readers who will start writing comments about how nasty I am... I don't really mean it... I'm too nice, I just like being able to say it on here to get it out of my system).

Once there was a boy who loved his Super Nintendo. He loved his colour Gameboy. He lusted after a N64. And then one day he just stopped liking games consoles, even the beloved Nintendo. The hype about the X Box 360 passed him by. Playstation 3? What that?

And then one day... Wii! I'm in love.

Grace has been evicted. Grace has been evicted. The evil one.... evil! And she's only 20! Glad we nipped her in the bud before she launched her world takeover bid. Goodbye Grace. We won't miss you. Even as she left the house she chucked a glass over Susie. If anyone sees Grace out and about please throw your drink over her. I'll put a "Grace Drenching Expense Form" up tomorrow night so you can be reimbursed for your trouble ;)

Technorati : big brother, homophobia, wii

Billie Piper Leaves Doctor Who

Full story here. I'll admit it... when I first saw Rose Tyler in action I thought "Dear Lord NO!". Something about her didn't sit right with me. But it didn't take me long to warm to her. Rose has been one of the best companions in the shows history. Funny, fun loving, honest, curious, strong willed and naive. Billie Piper was the perfect choice to play her. Rose and Billie will be missed. Long live Doctor Who.

But more shockingly... the poll on the news page for best companion shows only a 4% support for Tegan! THAT IS SCANDALOUS! I loved Tegan. She was one of those unfortunate "reluctant" companions (the ones who accidentally enter the TARDIS thinking it really is a police box) but she quickly became chief companion above Nyssa, Adric, and Turlough. Her no nonsense attitude was a breath of fresh air compared to previous companions... Vote for Tegan!!

I have a sneaking suspicion Rose, Sarah Jane and K9 are only winning because they are the only companions the new generation of fans know!

Technorati : billie piper, doctor who, rose tyler

Jim - Come Home

Today is Liberation Day in the Falkland Islands and our other south Atlantic territories. Hands off Argentina!

This is week three of Jim being away on weekdays. And I miss him so much. Love you Jim!!

5 days till my third 21st birthday.. there's still time for present buying so check out my wishlist. HINT HINT.

I'm back into sci-fi and horror. Currently reading Meg: A Novel Of Deep Terror which is pretty readable and just finished The Long Walk for the fifty millionth time. Love that book. Finished watching the Dalek Invasion of Earth. Saw the Truman Show, which has been one of my fave movies since the first time I saw it. Soon to watch the Thirteenth Floor... Dear Constant Reader... geeky Jae fights back!

Technorati : falkland islands, long walk, meg, movies

Uncommon Commonwealth

Despite my fundamental belief that marriage shouldn't be the business of a state, I'm still perplexed by the very different attitudes of two Commonwealth countries with regards to same sex marriage.

Canada (O Canada, we stand on guard for thee) has really got into the act when it comes to cashing in on gay marriage. I'm glad to see their brains in the right place there.

Australia ( "Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?") hasn't quite got the idea yet. The Australian Capital Territory (it's about as big as your back garden) decided the gays could be equal but different (hey it's a step in the right direction huh?) but that was too much for little Mr Howard and the Government... who decided that the union between men and women is too special. Imagine... if you let the gays get married what next? Erm..we do away with state sponsored marriage entirely?? YAY! Vive le revolution.

I love Sam from Big Brother. She is sooo much fun... put her back in the house!

Talking of gay marriage... here's my future husband...

Don't worry Jim. I'm all for polygamy... ;)

Technorati : australia, canada, gay marriage

Doctor Who - I Love You

I was always an early riser as a child... sometimes I'd be up as early as 4am. But I'd never bother my Mum, I'd just head downstairs, make breakfast and watch television. At that time of the morning there was nothing on except infomercials (American ones at that) and television for the under 2 months old child. Sundays in the earlies Nineties were particularly awful... so I often found myself watching Blake's 7 on UK Gold it was... ok. I never really warmed to it. It was followed by Doctor Who.

Being alive in the United Kingdom meant I knew more about Doctor Who than I did about the Bible. This was despite the fact that back then I'd never seen Doctor Who before. In Britain you just know who the Daleks are. The first story I saw was the Keeper of Traken and I was hooked. As in the very next story the Fourth Doctor regenerated into the Fifth, I'm apt to tell people that "my" Doctor was the Fifth Doctor. Everyone has their own Doctor... he's the one that first got them into the show.

Doctor Who was my escape from the mundanities of childhood, and it was a pleasure I didn't have to share; Doctor Who had been cancelled and was slowly being forgotten at the time. I loved it's quirkiness, it's comedy, it's tragedy. It wasn't Shakespeare but it was top notch entertainment.

I was soon reading Virgin New Adventures stories, DWM and buying the videos. I was not the Doctors most obsessive fan. I was, however, heading towards hardcore. Over time I started to do stuff.. get a boyfriend, get a life, and have exams. Doctor Who faded into the background. It was still a love, but it was placed on the back burner. After all, I thought, it wasn't going anywhere... it was finished after all.

Last year it started again and slowly, but surely, my love affair has been rekindled. Even if some of the continuity has been turned on it's head, even if the Doctor and Rose have kissed... it's still the Doctor. Things may change, people might grow old... but the Doctor is always there to take your mind of it. Doctor Who I love you!!

The Tenth Doctor is rapidly overtaking the Seventh Doctor as my all time fave. Even Rose is working her way up my fave companions list... although she's not a patch on my beloved Ace.

Technorati : doctor who, television

To Infinity

Thursday I headed to Wimbledon Park with a couple of people from work to see our office team compete in a Dragonboat race. It was cool, one of the teams consisted of teachers so there was a crowd of hundreds of school kids to create a party atmosphere. We came second from last, which is pretty good considering our team hadn't trained at all. Wimbledon Park is really rather pleasant.

After that we headed (via a journey and a half) to Wimbledon station and a bar named the Terrace which was rather nice. I was complemented on my teeth and my intelligence... all was good. Nice to get to know some of the newer people a little better.

Headed home early Friday morning to find the 24 hour shop was not open. Hmm...

Friday... was a work day but Jim came home from another week away so I was very pleased to see him.

Saturday... after a hellish trip to some shops (stuck in a car park for 40 minutes... nuff said) Jim and I headed to Lympne via a Nan pick up in Snodland. Saw my cousin "Little" Tony. Haven't seen him for a couple of years, and he is now 18 and looks and acts like a man. It was refreshing to see him all grown up. He seemed like he'd become a really nice bloke.

After the match (football? What what?) we had a BBQ and we finally escaped around midnight. Good to see everyone but that house is a little too busy at the mo. I felt bad about leaving though because Beth and George really seemed like they wanted me to stay.

Big Brother. Grace is EVIL. Nikki is ANNOYING. Sam was evicted. Shame on this nation... Nikki is the spawn of some really annoying acolyte of the Devil. She has to go. Pete has got off with Nikki. He is now a marked man in my opinion. And there's a new housemate called Susie... the Golden Housemate. I hope she slaps Grace.

Technorati : big brother, dragonboat