I want snow!

Hello readers and welcome to a festive blog!

I will jump right on in as I am in the middle of helping repair a roof! (no, really!)

I will begin with Monday. I awoke knowing it was the start of the last week of term so that immediately put me in a good mood. After scraping the car I went to work and got on with the usual task of keeping everything cushty. Time seemed to fly by and at 3:00pm I got on with helping out for the Christmas concert which was on the Wednesday. (But more about that below)

I was given the task of spray-painting the music stands... Hmm, not an easy task. After spending quite a long time doing the first two I thought "sod it" and just gave the rest a quick blast to tidy them up!

In the evening I went over to Solihull. Carl was back from Uni' and so we all had a get-together.

After coming home I was greeted by the cat who had taken to using the Christmas tree box as a make-shift bed...

At least it gave me a laugh....

Tuesday... Work seemed to go fairly quickly and before I knew it, that magical time came where I could go home. In the evening Myself, Adam, Carl, Bobby, and Jo went to The Fieldhouse for the quiz. I picked Jo up at 8:00pm and we set off to meet everyone else. We were the first to arrive, though and parked up in the one and only space on the carpark. we were joined a while later by the rest of the gang who had to park on the road. Seating was impossible, so we stood with our drinks leaning on what ever to write our answers down. As you can imagine, by the 4th round our legs were aching, but luckily Jo spotted some people who were leaving and expertly grabbed the table!

We ended up finishing mid-table. 7th-or-8th out of about 20 teams. Not bad I suppose. After we heard the final scores, we drank up and left.

Wednesday, it is at this point that work tends to drag a bit... I'm not sure why, but Wednesdays go slowly for me. I was glad of the bell at 3:00pm as I could get on with helping for the christmas concert. In between hanging a few more stars on the stage, and touching up the back wall, I found time to:

• test the lighting
• sound check the bands
• have a go on one of the kiddies bass guitars
• (un) impress people with my (lack of) drumming skills
• swing the 10 ft' stage ladders around my head
• "sing" in to the microphone (the word "sing" is used very optimistically)
• re-test the lighting
• drop the 10ft' stage ladders

It was a right laugh! Now last week I said I would take you a photo of the stage...

Well I forgot. Sorry.

I didn't actually go to the concert, because I had heard all the songs being rehearsed at school. That saved me £3!

I left at about 5:30pm and came home to watch a bit of telly, before going down to Fathers to watch a bit more telly! (and to give him his christmas card)

Ah Thursday... The last day of real lessons! In fact it was just like a normal day so I wont bother typing about it... in the evening, I went to the Packhorse as usual, though we had to sit in the retaurant section as it was quite full. We were joined by the rest of the gang. Jenny had bought my christmas pressies though I am at a loss as to what they are. One rattles, one's flat, one feels like a toy car and the other is in the shape of a small box. Go figure!

After the frivolity and the merriment, and the faliure to accuire tickets for christmas eve (bastards!) we left and Lank dropped me home.

Ah yes... Friday! The last day of term, and there were no lessons. Kiddies were in forms all day and Myself and John Pearson (yes, ex-woodrushians Mr. Pearson is still there) were working in shifts to mind a form who's teacher had not turned up. Although they were hyper, we had a laugh. We had quizzes and sing-songs. I went in to one of the assembleys to watch a version of Deal or no deal on stage with the behavioral team... Very strange, for some reason they had called it "meal or no meal" (although one of the prizes was a voucher for McDonalds, so maybe that was the reason)

Then, like a chorus of angels, singing from the heavens, the most glorious sound in the world...

... The bell.

I'd done it... I had survived the great winter term. I was free...

... Well, not quite, we still had the speeches in the staff room, but that only lasted half an hour. I shot out of the doors like a man possesed... Actually EVERYONE shot out of the doors like a man, (or woman) possesed!

I came home and thought "What shall I do to occupy myself from now until christmas?" The answer was easy... I went and purchased Guitar Hero 3!

HMV was rammed. I'm not sure where the back of the queue was, so I just walked up to the counter and paid for it! I probably angered a few people but hey, you know the saying: all's fair in love and HMV. (That's right, isn't it?)

Anyway, I came home to try it. I then thought "I know who would appreciate this!" and phoned Carl. After a short chat, I shot over with my Xbox Hard drive and my guitar-pad. We had a jolly time completing the co-op career. Adam had a go, and so did Jenny and Marcus. Afterwards, as Adam was going to bed, and Marcus had fallen asleep on the couch I thought "maybe it's time I left" and so headed on home to my own bed.

Saturday... Saturday was spent indoors, a lot. We had some people over who were fitting new guttering to the house, and so we thought it would be a good idea to change the glass panels in the enrty-way to polyurethane since they are lighter, and better insulated. it was a full days work, (though to be honest I diodn't really do much) and at the end of it all, the polyurethane sheets were only tacked in and had not been set properly... That would be a job for me and grandad... More of that in the next paragraph though. I stayed in playing Guitar Hero 3 and was coaxed by some kiddies on to Halo 3 during the evening. I wish I hadn't accepted. *rant alert* It comes to something when 13 year olds win 50 to 42 when they have TWO extra players, and then start smack-talking saying how I was "owned." and that they are, oh-so-obviously better than me. The little shits (who are going to get it big time when we get back after christmas) then thought it would be funny to send me a load of messages insulting me and my family. Messages I still have, and might just record and send a copy to the parents (since I can access the school network and get the addresses of those involved!) It pissed me off, having tiny little puke-stains insult me, and then for no reason started bringing members of my family in to it. Whats the point?

Anyway, rant over (for now) and on to Today. Grandad came over and so this mornings task is to seal and flash the polyurethane roof panels, which we are in the middle of doing, but have stopped while my grandad fetches my nan and the dog. (see, I told you I was in the middle of helping repair a roof!)

I will leave you there for now.

Have a Merry Christmas and, In case I don't blog until January, have a very happy new year.

TTFN.

We don't play hip-hop, but we're waiting for a hip op'!

hello readers, and welcome to yet another thrilling blog, from the master blogger himself... Moi!

Lets begin with Monday. Now Monday mornings are always dreary and nobody likes them (which poses the question: "why do we have them!?") but I draged myself to school in a car that still smelt like puke and just got on with the day in hand... Actually Monday went by me quite quickly and I was out the door bang on 4:30pm. In the evening I went over to my nans because my dad was back from the USA! he had brought me a pressie: A T-shirt from the Harley Davidson factory!

Nice!

Afterwards I went over to Adam and Marcus's. We decided to go for a pint in The Greville because it had been rerfurbished so we took a walk up...

... Only to discover that, in fact, it was STILL being refurbished and therefore closed. We then decided that, rather than vegetate in front of the telly, we would go for a walk... And go for a walk we did! We were ambling along for a couple of hours before coming full circle and getting back to Sambourn Close for about 11:30pm. I didn't stay long after that and left feeling quite rejuvenated!

I awoke on Tuesday with a bit of a twinge in my neck (bloody excersise! I'm sure it's not good for you!) and so went to work with a bit of a funny look about me, since I found it hard to move my neck and had to turn my entire body to look at people! I got out after what felt like a proper full days work! I was actually tired and when I got home I found myself dozing off for an hour... I will call it a "Power nap" even though it was just me being a bit sissy and falling asleep during the afternoon. In the evening I went back over to Solihull and this time Marcus had seen people in the Greville and was sure it was open, so we took a walk up...

... He was mistaken, it was still closed, so we went back to the house to watch some telly for a bit. I left at about 12:00 midnight and came home to bed...

On Wednesday work was a bit boring and dragged on a bit. Still, no matter, I would be out the door at 4:30pm, right?

Wrong...

... You see Wednesday was the final day before the "Awards Evening" at woodrush, where they give out awards to kiddies that have done good at something. And I had been placed in charge of getting the stage looking like a movie set... The theme for the awards evening, and for the Christmas Concert next week, was "A night in Hollywood" So during the week I had been making wire struts above the stage to hang stars from, as made by Art Club and Miss Cormack. I had a small army of people helping me but didn't get out until 6:00pm!!! And to make matters worse, we weren't finished. The stars were up, and so was the "HOLLYWOOD" sign I had made, but the back wall of the stage still needed painting. We left knowing that another long stint would be needed the following day...

... And it was! At 3:00pm on the dot, myself, Carly, and Emma (art and music) plus some kiddies, came down to assist with the painting. We sponged over the sign, and began working on the wall in green paint to create the "Hollywood hills" effect that my paper sign would sit over. Now usually readers, I would have a photo for you to enjoy and to marvel at. But since I was fighting against a very tight deadline, and the fact that I don't take my phone to work with me I didn't. What I will do for you though is take one at the Christmas Concert next week so that you may all praise and admire me for having such creative vision...

... Or not. I'll let you be the judge.

Anyway, I got out at about 5:20pm with everything ready for the awards evening.

Friday... I got to work and everyone was comenting on how good the stage looked and how the parents who attended the ceremony thought it was wonderful that all that work had gone in to it...

... Bloody good job, too! If they had have complained about it I may very well have started biting people! Anyway. Work was a bit disjointed. sally, head of art, was off so I was left with the cover work. I had the year 7's who were no problem and the year 10's... who were! In fact I'm not going to go on about it since it makes me angry, but the room was left looking like a bomb-site after they had finished with it!

I was glad to get out at 3:30pm... Ah the weekend had started! In the evening I went over to Marcus's. Adam was out on his works Christmas party at the Metropol hotel so me and Marcus went for a drink...

... IN THE GREVILLE!

Yes, it was finally open! actually it looks really nice in there now. Not quite as many hols in the carpet, or bits faling from the ceiling... It's nice, even the fleas adhere to the dress code!

Afterwards we took a brisk walk back to the house. I flicked the telly on, and sat watching it until about 1:00am before coming home.

Saturday. During the day I went shopping in Solihull for the rest of my gifts for Christmas. I got everything I needed (except for a couple of select items, of which I am going to Tesco's for after todays dinner) and came home for about 2:00pm. I then began the menial task of wrapping. Now i'm not very good at wrapping... So, this year, if your gift LOOKS like it might be a television arial, it's not... It will be a book or something, but the shape of the parcel never resembles the shape of the actual gift... No no, not when I'VE been wrapping the pressies!

in the evening, I went with Donna over to The Lyndon pub where Richard was working. Donna had said to me "lets go. They have live music on a Saturday!" I thought "fantastic!" and off we went...

... To a 40's night! Thats not for people who are in their 40's... But a wartime band playing music FROM the 1940s!

At one stage the lead singer (who looked like Corporal Jones from Dads Army!) pretended he was going to vault over the stage banister... Thankfully he didn't actually try it. We were joking about how the old-timers don't play hip-hop, but most of them were probably waiting for a hip op' to which Donna requested that become this weeks blog title... So it did!

At one point things got a bit interesting

Afterwards we shot over to The Packhorse to meet up with Neil and Maggie (Donnas mum and dad) for a swift drink. At about midnight (and 5 pints of Guinness!) Donna kindly dropped me back home where i made my way, as gracefully as I could, to bed.

I was awoken this morning at about 11:00am by the sound of Selena and Kieron nipping over (they didn't come yesterday due to having been invited out by one of their friends) They stayed for an hour-or-so and then left, leaving me with the task of blogging...

.. Which I have just completed in time for dinner!

Bonus!

TTFN readers

Regurgutated bodily fluids? No thanks!

hello readers and welcome to another late blog. I am in a bit of a rush so I will will keep this brief and to the point...

Ok, Monday at work went quite quickly, and after art club had finished at 4:30pm I left as well. In the evening, nothing happened since me and Adam were both knackered and too lazy to go out in the cold.

Tuesday, again, work went fairly quickly and I got out for about 5:00pm. I went over to Adams and Marcuses for something to do. I discovered that they were putting up the Christmas lights! After several attempts i felt that i had to do my duty to my readers, and so created a video for you...

Looky below!



I think thats how they have left them!

Anyway. After getting some chips, and discovering that The Greville was still closed for its refurbishment, we headed back. It wasn't too long before I left to come home to bed.

Wednesday... Was a bit long for my liking. Work dragged on a bit and by the time I got out, it felt like the middle of the night! I stayed in wednesday evening...

... I think. Can't quite remember that one. Sorry readers.

Thursday was the same as Wednesday, but at least I had the Packhorse to look forward to! lank picked me up for about 8:00pm, but we didn't leave my house until 8:20pm because he was having a look at all the music I have on Windows Media player! (coupled with the fact that I wasn't ready!) In the Packhorse,Kate had a short quiz for me. She has been trying to stump me with riddles and questions for a while... I'm not sure if she genuinely thinks I'm too clever for my own good, or whether she wants to just see me fail at something, but either way, I got 6 out of 8 questions correct... So she was partly happy!

Ah, Friday... Friday, Friday, Friday... Where to begin. I will skip the events at work, since they are pretty mundane to the events of the evening... I had arranged to take Katie out for a drink, since I haven't seen her in ages and I thought it would be a good thing if I actually took a girl for a drink once in a while... (you know, just because it's the done thing, and all...) So I met her in the masons for about 8:40pm. She came in and introduced me to her mum and dad who were stopping for a quick bevvy' and then she mentioned going to Reflex. This I had not planned on, but was happy to agree, since you might as well make the best of a good night out. She then told me that her new boyfriend would be joining us...

... fair enough, I suppose. wasn't expecting that because she was single the last time we met... But hey! the more the merrier! Now it is at this point that I have a confession to make, readers...

... That although she most definitaley introduced us, I can't remember the guy's name... For this I feel quite bad... (But not as bad as Katie now feels for the faux-pas she commited of which will explain at the proper point in the story!)

So we were having a good ol' laugh and a drink, and a bop on the dance floor, and some more drink (though I was on Soft Drinks due to the fact I had driven) And come 2:00am Kate was truly merry... They were going to get a taxi home, but since she didn't live all that far away, and the fact I had my car, and I quite enjoy driving at night when there are no cars about, I did the "Good Samaritan " thing and offered them both a lift home...

So there we were. kate and fella' in my car, and I set off...

... Kate promptly fell asleep. She awoke momentarily complaining of feeling a bit queezy. Thinking it was nothing more than my driving, I drove nice and steady, with the window down.

... In fact that was the best decision I made...

... Guess what happened?

... Go on, guess... Here's a hint: What's the title of this post?...

... It was horrible... Though 90% of the puke ended up streaked along the outside my car, the remaining 10% ended up spattering her boyfriend, and my door upholstery and passenger seat!

Now before I go any further I have to mention that, while it was horrible, and a situation in which many would have become angry, I saw the funny side and don't really blame her... (I mean how can you accuse someone of doing anything malicious when they are half-unconsious?) And I have since told her that, since I saw the funny side, that she is allowed to as well and that there are no hard feelings.

So I got her home, and helped get her inside. Then me and... (oh, lets call him "Dave") me and Dave got on with the business of clearing up my car. I was thankful for the help, as I don't really do sick... It sets me off far too easily.

Anyway I got home for about 3:00am freezing cold as I had the windows down on the way home to try an alleviate some of the sicky-smell!

Right... Sunday. I was supposed to drive Donna and myself in to Birmingham as we had arranged to go and have a look round the German market and to start Christmas shopping. I told her about the incidents of the night before so, rather than sit in a sicky-smell car she offered to drive. She picked me up at about 11:00am and we set off. After parking at the back of Centenary square we walked round towards the town hall and then set off down New Street having a look at all the stalls. After grabbing some cash at a nearby ATM, we had a walk around before giving in to the temptation of Christmas shopping.

Now obviously I won't tell you which shops we went in to because that might give away too much about what we might have bought, and since I know certain people read this on a regular basis, I don't want to start giving anyone cause to speculate on their christmas gifts this year...

.. After all there is no fun in ruining a surprise, now, is there?

After the shops had beaten us, we had lunch (for which Donna paid 10p due to the till girl messing up her change!) then took a walk up to the market to get a beer (Though Donna had hot chocolate and Amaretto... Seriously, try it! It's a fantastic combo!) before we made our way back to the car and set off for home.

After we got back, I sat and helped her type out a worksheet she needed for her year 7 maths class, and then had a bugger-about on Youtube before getting her to drop me back home.

I spent an hour on the PC before heading off down to my nans for tea as usual and to watch TopGear. I got there and was there a good half-an-hour before I noticed that my nan has a new Cockatiel! Her last one, "Cocky" was tremendiously old (seriously, he was nearly as old as me!) when he died, and she hasn't had another one since and I only noticed this one because he started making a noise during the end of Sports personality of the Year! His name is "Cheeky" (though my cousin wants to call him "Nutter") and as yet he can't talk or sing any kind of tune. (It is to be noted that, while my nan insisted that Cocky could talk, I never heard him, and am pretty sure that nan used to assign words to what anyone else would describe as a "Random squawk") I have therefore made it my business to whistle the theme tune to "Super Mario" at him, and repeat the words "piss off" until he picks it up for himself...

... Well, it's a laugh isn't it?

Right. I will leave you there readers. TTFN

Robert Du Sable is a wanker...

Hello readers and welcome to my (slightly late) blog for this week. details of why this blog is late will appear somewhere below... But lets begin, shall we.

Last Monday at work, time seemed to fly by. Maybe it's the run-up to Christmas but work on Mondays always seems to go really quickly of late. I got out of the door at 4:30pm after helping with "Art Club!" and went home to play through a bit of A/C (assassins creed, incase you didn't read last weeks blog or did read last weeks blog but have forgotten that I shortened it.) In the evening I went over to Adams, then we went for a drink... I think.

Tuesday at work was another good day, and again, I was out the door before I knew it. More A/C ensued and again, in the evening it was decided that we go for a drink. I picked Jo up at about 8:15pm and we headed on over to The Colebrook because Jo was sure there was a quiz on. We arrived ans Waited for Adam and Bobby to get there as they would provide some stable knowledge for the team...

... Or they would have done if the quiz was on a Tuesday and not a THURSDAY!

... Oh Jo, what will we do with you!

Anyway, it didn't matter since we all have a laugh and a drink, and a good time was had by all.

On Wednesday work seemed to slow back down to normal. I didn't mind though, as I got a fair bit of work done. 4:30pm came along and I left.

The evening was spent in the Swan with the rest of the T.A's as it was our annual night out and this time I really was part of a quiz team! Now usually when some of the T.A's go out for a quiz they call themselves "The Hollywood Wives" but since I was with them, along with eveyone else they decided to call themselves "Gareths Hollywood Wives" I swear that wil be a rumour before too long! Anyway, we didn't do to badly at all. We came 3rd out of about 20 teams so we were dead chuffed! When it was time to go home Tim gave me and Ann a lift home in his mini... Not a new mini but an original mini! I have never been in one before...

... And probably never will again! The back seat is really small and there is no headroom. Still, I was thankful of the lift since it beat walking back in the cold.

Thursday. Thursday at work was OK though it felt like I didn't get a lot done. I was glad to get out at 4:30pm. Before going to the packhorse as usual, I went down to my nans for an hour because Father was there and he was jetting off to the stated the following day. I spent an hour there before coming back home just in time to grab a lift to the packhorse with mother before she went out. A merry time was had by all, though we were abit thin on the ground. Myself, Matthew, Lank, Benji, Naomi, and Kate were all that there were. At a respectable 11:30pm-ish people started to leave and lank kindly dropped me home, where I went to bed.

Friday! I love fridays. Work went quite quickly and I was out the door for 3:30pm! I spent the evening playing A/C and very nearly completed it. It was a jolly nice change to stay in and save a bit of cash for once.

Saturday came along and I awoke just as mother was coming back from Tescos... At 11:00am! I never usually sleep in quite that late! Selena popped round along with nan and grandad just as i was playing through the final assassination on A/C. My grandad seemed quite enthralled with it, but declined the offer of a quick go on my xbox. In the evening I took Donna to see "Stardust" at the Empire Cinema in Rubery. Although it is a bit of a girly film in parts, Robert DeNiro more than makes up for it in brilliant comedy... Oh and there is a slight lesbian undertone in one scene, so it's not all bad! Afterwards I dropped her home, sat in the car talking for an hour, and then left (as I was pretty tired.)

Sunday... The day that this blog should have been written... I got up and played a bit of A/C but couldn't do a lot on it since I had met my match in terms of gameplay difficulty (Damn you Robert du Sable!) I turned it off, made a curry for Sunday lunch (what? It's perfectly normal!) and then got ready...

... For a shift at the Legion!

I had been asked to come in to lend a hand since Blues were playing and it would be quite busy. After they won it quietened down a bit, and the last hour wasn't too bad. I got out at 7:00pm and shot home for a bit before going down to my nans to watch TopGear and Long Way down (which I was dissapointed with, as it was the last of the series, and they rushed it a bit. The ending was truly unspectacular!)

Anyway. After that I came home and got some sleep...

And thats your lot for this week readers... TTFN

I've got ham but I'm not a hamser...

Hello readers and welcome to post 231 of my blog...

... Not that it's any sort of important number, I just thought I would mention it. Anyway on with the show!

I begin, as usual, from Monday. I awoke to the results of the blizzard we had the night before (we don't usually get snow at this time of year. Whats going on?) and drove to work... All be it, slowly. Work went surprisingly quick, but have you ever had one of those days where you feel like you haven't got anything done? Well for me, Monday was one of those days and I came away knowing that the following day would have to be used for finishing off little jobs and menial tasks that I didn't have chance to complete.

In the evening I went round to Adams because he had bought Assassins Creed for the 360. I had been wandering if it was any good so went to have a proper nose at the game...

... And the results are glorious! The whole game feels like a proper historical epic. The game engine works beautifly and is just about perfect... (with the exeption of the main assassinations, which I find a bit annoying, but I am told this is because I'm not doing it properly!)

Anyway. I left at a reasonable time and came home with the thought that if I am a good little boy, Santa will bring me the game for Chrismas.

Tuesday morning came and, actually, work wasn't as hectic as I had imagined. I had a productive day, but at the back of my mind was still the thought that it would be fantastic to be able to play Assassins Creed again. Throughout the course of the day the snow melted and we had sunshine by the afternoon. I came away at 4:30pm hoping I could go round to Adams for an Assassins Creed fix...

... But. He rang me to tell me that he wasn't going to be in. He was off to see Frank Skinner at the NEC...

... WHAT WOULD I DO!?

... Well, after that crushing blow, a rather strange series of events happened...

Mother wanted me to have a look on the internet for a new oven, since ours packed up the week before. (Which I suppose I should have mentioned in my previous blog, sorry readers.) Whilst doing that I had a look at the Argos website just to see, purely out of interest, how much a certain game cost. (I'm sure you know by now which one I was looking at!)

After browsing various electrical retailers websites I couldn't find a good brand of double oven cheap enough so I suggested that we go to Comet to have a look what they have in stock...

... Comet in Shirley...

... Thats right by Argos...

... Oh my god...

... It all sort of happened in a bit of a blur. I always thought I had such good will power. I knew in my head that it would be far better to wait and get Assasins Creed for Christmas. I knew that it would be foolish to get it now... But my hand just sort of started moving of it's own accord and before I realised I had reserved a copy of it to be collected at shirley...

... Oh the shame. I had turned to the dark side... The force is not strong with this one, dear readers... I was... I was... IMPULSE BUYING!!!!

... Oh the shame, the shame...

... Anyway. We set off and I dropped mum at Comet, then whipped round the corner to Argos to collect my gaming fix for the next few months. I then went back to Comet to get mum... She had purchased a Zanussi oven and it was going to be delivered on Saturday. We left and I raced home to play a bit of Assassins Creed...

You know what readers, I'm just going to refer to it as: "A/C" from now on... It saves wear and tear on the keyboard...

So, on to Wednesday. I went to work and was put on 2 cover lessons! This meant that I had no spare time to do anything for the art department and spent the day trying to teach science and history...

I was quite knackered when it was time to leave at 4:30pm....

In the evening I... Well. Don't get me started about Wednesday evening...

... I mean to come back from 2-0 down and then let Croatia score a third is just unacceptable! (Ooh, get me talking about football!) I know I'm not the worlds greatest fan of the game... But when it comes to England... National Pride... I'm all for giving the rest of the world a proverbial middle finger. And if that proverbial middle finger comes via the world of football then it has my blessing... Provided, of course your team isn't comprised of TURF-KICKING NUMTIES!!!!

Seriously... (here we go, I'm on a rant now...) I want the Managers job... I'd get the lazy bunch of troglodytes working for their bloody pay-check! I'd wipe the slate clean first. Get rid of unnecessary players. Then go and scout a few clubs for some real talent! Offer them a place on the squad but say, "Your paycheck will depend on your performance. You don't come up with the goods, your money will be your clubs standard rate. Do well and your paycheck will start with a bigger number than usual" And if they didn't like it, and I ended up with absolutely no-one willing to play under those conditions, then I will have proved a point: That players play for the money, and not for the love of the game...

... Which I believe is the case right now, and is the reason England will never win the world cup for a second time.

... Ah, rant over.

Right. Thursday. Thursday at work was a good one. It went quick and, although I was on cover again, felt like I had accomplished something. 4:30pm came round faster than a carousel with a nitrous kit and I was out the door. (Did you like that similie? I thought it was quite good! "Carousel with a nitrous kit" Not bad concidering I plucked it out of the air... I will remember that one.)

Ah. Friday... Friday was excellent! Work was good and we were out for 3:30pm. But that wasn't the reason why it was excellent... No, no, no... It was excellent because I was going to see Bill Bailey at the NIA!!!! Oh, yeah! I saw him at the Hippodrome in Birmingham about 5 years a go, when he was doing the "Part Troll" tour. His latest tour is the "Tinselworm" tour... But what is a Tinselworm I hear you ask?

"Is it a worm? Or a metaphor? Is it in fact a hybrid worm, so favoured by celebrities? Or is it more sinister, a GM worm, a freak of nature? Too cheap for silk, too proud for earth... The Tinselworm is a mid-level worm that dares to dream."

Anyway. Kieron drove myself, Selena, and John. We met up with Adam and co' in the NIA itself. Before Bill appeared we were instructed to:

"Turn off any electrical equipment, including mobile phones, pacemakers, powerful electromagnets, and electrostatic nuclear devices, as these items may intefere with the venues navigational systems"

Then another announcement:

"Please remember to remain optimistic at all times, as hope is the key to human survival"

This is exactly the type of lunacy involved with Bill Bailey...

During the show I attempted some photos but the focal range on my mobile is a tad limited. The only one decnt enough to show you is below... And even that one is a bit ropey!

I appologise for the slight blur. You can see Bill centre stage... Or on the huge screen in the upper left!

Anyway he did a fantastic show, covering everything from doorbells, to song lyrics, to emo's! Afterwards I bought a recording of the Birmingham performance to listen to (Though that wont stop me buying the DVD when it's out! We dropped John home, then myself. I played a bit of A/C before going to bed.

Ah Saturday... Saturday started out as a good day. I got up, played A/C for a bit, nan and grandad and Selena came round, we had wine, I played a bit of the Bill Bailey gig, it was all jolly. The new oven arrived as well! it looked nice and was installed within minutes. Then selena said "Why don't you come round and have a look at Mario Galaxy?" (which she had bought the day before) I agreed so she set off, and I followed about 5 minutes later. So there I was, driving along, minding my own business, when

BANG!

there was what sounded like an explosion going off under water, my car pitched itsef violently to the left, bounced off the kerb and would have ended up swerving across the road, had I not fought the steering wheel, and just about won, to keep it pointing just about straight...

... I could feel that the car was sort of leaning over slightly, and limped it round the corner to Selenas flat where I descovered the cause of this impromtu surprise...

... I had suffered a complete blow-out at 40mph!

if you have never experienced one, let me give you a piece of advise: Never EVER think "Ooh, that sounds exciting, I'd like to experience that!" because you don't! I thought I had driven over a land-mine! Fortunately there wasn't any cars around me. If there had been, it could have resulted in a bit of a mess. My nearside front tyre was totally flat, and I'm not sure if I have buggered up the alloy. I put the spare on and went in to Selenas. To top it off, Mario galaxy is a bit naff. It received absolutely fantastic reviews but I had a go and found it basic, repetetive, and unresponsice in terms of the control system. The story is exactly the same as Mario 64: 140 stars have been nicked by Bowser so Mario must travel to different worlds to get them back. Oh, and some worlds are only available after you have so many stars... See? It's mario 64 all over again! I mean Mario sunshine was a bit original with the whole water-pistol thing, but they really are the laziest game designers in history. Anyway, after that I dropped a DVD off at fathers house and went round to Adams. We all watched Hostel 2... Which was a bit lame. I mean it had it's good bits, but essentially it was a gore-fest with a few boobs on display to keep people interested.

I left at about 1:00am. Came home, and went to bed.

And thats about it readers...

Thankyou for your time, and I will blog again next week

TTFN

"Hello... No, I'm not a waiter!"

Hello readers and welcome to this weeks thrilling update. And what an update it will be! I have some lovely photo's for you, and even a video or two! So prepare for a feast of juicy blogging...

I will begin, as always, with Monday... Which dragged on a bit at work, but it wasn't too bad. In the evening everyone decided to stay in. Myself, John, and Adam ended up on our Xboxes playing Halo.

Tuesday at work went quite quickly and I was out the door for 4:30pm. I spent a few hours browsing the inter-web when I came across the following picture. It is such a simple thing, but it had me laughing like an idiot. (so much so that it is now my PC desktop wallpaper...

Ha ha! You can just imagine the one on the left thinking: "Oh for gods sake"

Ah well, it made me laugh... In the evening Jo was supposed to join us but she was feeling tired and decided to stay in. We ended up... um... Actually I can't remember... I will have to think.

What I do know is that it was my sisters birthday. She had gone out with friends for a drink that evening but would be available the following day to accept presents from family members!
Wednesday, work went fairly quick, though I rather stupidly missed a staff briefing! No matter though, I was told that the information could be Emailed to me at my Woodrush staff email account...

... Wait! What? I have a Woodrush staff Email account!?

I logged on for the first time since it was created in September... I had quite an inbox and some rather important stuff which I needed to respond to! I will have to rememeber to keep on top of that in the future. In the evening me, Selena and Dad went for a meal at the... um.. pub... the one I can never remember the name of... I always get it mixed up with The Peacock and The Bluebell... I think it's over towards Bromsgrove....

... The Fleur de Lis! Thats the one! We went to The Fleur de Lis for a meal... I had fish and chips (not fish 'n' chips... Fish AND Chips... There's a difference!) which was nice and cheesecake for dessert... Which was even nicer! Afterwards we left and got back home, since a big meal will undoubtedly make me want to sleep...

Thursday... Thursday was an interesting day at work... I was called in for my "Annual review" because every member of staff must, by order of the powers that be, have a review of progress every year without fail... Well I have been there 3 years and have never had one! So at 10:15am on the dot I was summoned in to an office. It was an informal affair and within 15 minutes I was back out and getting on with whatever needed to be got on. 4:30pm came round soon enough and I was out the door.

At the packhorse that evening me and Lank were the first to arrive. Jenny followed, and then everyone else a while later. We had a good evening, though I spent most of it talking to one of Dans' mates at the bar! Lank and myself left at a respectable 12:00midnight, and I got in and went to bed.

Friday! Friday was non-uniform day at school for Children in need and so the kiddies were hyper! (it's just the way it is when it's non-uniform) I had to cover a science lesson which should have been revision, but it soon decayed in to madness and I was forced to shout... Something which doesn't happen very often, but is always an option if needs be. Anyway at 3:30pm I left and was gearing up for the weekend. It had been arranged that me, Adam, Jenny, and Marcus, along with some of Adams work collegues, would go for a bit of a night out in Solihull. Jenny kindly picked me up on the way to Marcus and Adams at about 6:00pm. When we got there, Adam was playing Assassins Creed... It's a really good game and I think I will add it to my christmas list! At about 8:00pm we started the walk in to Solihull town centre. It isn't far, but it was cold! I was being manly and went out without a jacket...

... Sorry, did I say "manly"? I meant "Stupid"

Actually, my years of throwing myself down mountains during blizzards meant that I felt it a lot less than the others. We started off in Weatherspoons, but ended up walking up to... Where else? Reflex. (One of Marcus' favorite drinking establishments!... Not!) We met up with some of Adams friends and got the drinks in... During the course of the evening we aquired a set of novelty sunglasses... remember I said there would be pictures? Well here you go...

Adam... Or should I say "Insect-boy!!! Ever alert for the call to action!" (No, wait, thats Bananaman, isn't it?)

... And his companion, "Bug-girl" (with a ghostly, mysterious face in the background!)

... And here we see... Um... "Marcus-Man!" about to unleash "The finger of superhuman pointing!"

... Oh screw it, you get the idea!

Anyway, a little later on people were inexplicably attracted to the dancing pole... Mr. Turbitt got up, but...

... Refused to have a go (though I still have a video, which is on my blog somewhere, of Adam dancing around this very pole)

then Marcus wanted a go...

Pole dancing with a pint in his hand... Classy! Fortunately, a few minutes later...

... Jenny, who has hips and knows how to use them, decided to join in and teach marcus a thing or two about dancing.

We were in Reflex until about 2:45am... Which is when it closes! I dived in to a taxi and went home where I went straight to bed.

I awoke Saturday morning and waited for my sisters arrival, along with my nan and grandad (who had bought me a sausage roll which is still in the fridge... Hmm.)

After pottering about people left because it was time to get ready for the main event... It was ladies Night at the Chateau Impney! The theme this year was "Moustaches and Tiarras" so I cut mine in to what has been described as a "Wyatt Earp" style 'tash... After doing that Selena went home to get changed, and I got my tuxedo out. Selena was dropped back to my house by Kieron, but we had to go back because she had forgoten her necklace. After retrieving it we picked Donna up since she was my lady for the evening. (I mean that in a completely innocent way, of course.) Mum dropped us off at fathers house and we waited for the taxi. Whilst waiting we got a couple of photo's...

These have been poached from Donnas Facebook album...

Me and Donna. Doesn't she look lovely?

Dad, Selena, and me... You will notice that, since my dad had had a 'tash for the past 35 years, he didn't have to actually do anything for the evening.

The minibus taxi arrived 10 minutes early (there's a world first!) so he was waiting a good while before we were all ready. Us four, plus my dads neighbourse from both sides of his house, piled in to the minibus and we set off. It was about 20 minutes to the Chateau and when we arrived, we got stuck in to the routine of mingling, and doing introductions (So that Donna knew who people were.) At about 8:15pm we were sent through to the main dining hall and the evening got underway. The meal was 5 courses: Salmon and mayonaise starter, Mushroom and pea soup, Lamb and veggies with new potatoes for mains, Honey topped Bruille for dessert, and then coffee and chocolate. It was all rather suave... That is until everyone picked up the pea-shooters provided and started pelting each other! Oh yes, and then there was the entertainment. Last year it was a Tiller Girl act which was blogged one year ago! This time round, it was a hawaiian/surf dance routine... Words fail me... The guy closest to me is my father... Oh the shame, the shame! ha ha... just watch the video!

ha ha! It had everyone in stitches.

Afterwards the lights were dimmed and the disco started... Again, I have a few photos for you. Some are mine, some are Donnas...

Off donnas camera, I reckon this is the nicest photo of the evening!

One I took of the entertainment. Father is on the right...


Donna caught my dad trying to dance... What move do you call that, father?

One of Selena and Neils partner. They used to work together at Joffsons Forklifts, and Selena didn't know that they were going!


Proof that I at least attempted to dance!

And again, on the floor.

My real test was when Donna grabbed me for a rock n roll number... And my footwork was expected to be impecable since donna had taught it to me a while a go whilst I was fixing her PC. (though she did give me a quick refresher course at the table.)

I think I passed my test (just.)

After the wine, the music, and the helium (Oh yes, there was balloons galore!) it soon became time to do one last dance (New york New york, what else!?) to close the evening. At about 1:30am we got back in to the taxi and went home. I was the first to be dropped off along with Selena. I said goodnight and went in, to hang up my penguin suit, my waiters uniform, my bond costume for another year...

... But, I had an absolutely wonderful time. I mean, how could I not? I was dancing with the prettiest girl in the room!

TTFN readers.

I love rock 'n' roll...

Hello readers and welcome to my late entry of a blog. I would have done it yesterday but my time was eaten up with doing things...


... But more of that later... Right now I will start with last Monday... And what a Monday it was. Work went fairly quickly, I got a lot done, I got out slightly earlier than usual, and in the evening I played Halo with Adam until about 1:00am... Lovely!


Tuesday at work was the same-old-same-old. It too went fairly quickly because I was looking forward to the evening... I was off to see The Foo Fighters at the NEC with Kate and her sister!
I gott o kate's for about 6:00pm... Well. It was more like 6:20pm by the time I had got lost, driven around Dorridge, and randomly stumbled across her road! Her sister was already there, and after 15-or-so minutes we were off to the NEC! I drove, and got parked rather quickly. We didn't waste any time and we were in the arena before you could say "support act"...

... Which leads me on nicely to the support act! I had a treat in store for me. I had been hearing good things about Serj Tankian's (lead singer for System of a Down) solo album "Elect the Dead" but had never got round to downloading any of the stuff to listen to...

... 3 Guesses who the support band were? Yep! Serj and his band. The sound is pretty much identical to System's and the vocals and structure are familiar too, but it's all good. Fans of System of a Down should check it out if they haven't already! Kate and her sister, didn't really approve, but I enjoyed it. And then came the main show! Foo Fighters in the flesh. We got a bit closer to the stage and had a really good view... As the photo's will now prove!

Serj Tankian (knelt down with the white top hat!)

Mr. Dave Grohl... Not looking at the camera!

Mr. Dave Grohl... Not looking at the camera, but facing the right way!

And a random one of Dave G. that looks a bit arty... Well I think so, anyway!

After a 2 hour set they encored with some stuff off their first album and then the lights came on... It was done. I had seen the Foo Fighters live, and up close, too! Now all I had to do was drive out of the carpark and get home...

After an hour we left the NEC carpark (they need more stewards directing traffic... Why did you give it up, John, why? Think of the tempers that you could save!) and I got us back to Kate's. I had a cup of tea before leaving, with the promise that I would phone Kate in the week to arrange a drink somewhere... (Shit, I had better do that!) I got home and immediately went to bed...

On Wednesday worked seemed to drag a little bit but I got what needed to be done, done. I came home at 4:30pm feeling like I had done a proper full days work... I was rather shattered! Father was out that night so I didn't go down to his house. Instead I played a bit of Halo and watched repeats of TopGear and QI on UKTV gold... Most enjoyable!

Thursday, and work was good. In the evening it was business as usual at the Packhorse. Lank picked me up for about 8:00ish and a good evening was had by all. Lank dropped me back for about 12:15am and I again, went to bed.

Friday... Friday was a good day at work as well. I raced around, did all I could and left at about 3:30pm. Mother had gone to Scotland that morning, so when I got home, it was the start of a weekend to myself! In the evening though, I went to Sweet Chillies restaurant with Selena, Kieron, and some of their friends for my sisters birthday (which is actually tomorrow) I drove Kieron and selena, and Steve and his girlfriend there and back, and therefore couldn't drink...

... Bugger.

Afterwards I ended up back at Selenas for a bit before coming home and going to bed, completely, and utterly, sober!

I awoke Saturday and just lazed about the house. I didn't do much, and didn't go anywhere particularly exciting... Selena turned up after having her hair cut, and we started talking about next saturday, which is ladies evening at the Chateau Impney. The theme this year is "Moustaches and Tiarras." Now I have a 'tash and beard so I could, if I so desired do nothing... But there's no fun in that! So I had a bit of an experiment... I wanted to really emphasise the 'tash, and so, with some eyeliner-pen to mark out the shape, I re-cut my 'tash!... want to see it?

... Well tough! you're going to see it anyway!

Ha ha! Yep! I shaved out the middle bit of my beard (though kept it at a #1) and left the sides. I thought I might kep it for later on that evening, but decided to just cut it back to a #1 as well, so that it all matched again... You see i noticed that it was how Lemmy from Motorhead has his 'tash and that was appropriate...

... Because I was going back to the NEC with Father and Mr. Mike Parlett to See: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Motorhead, and Alice Cooper!!! Now I have seen Motorhead before at the Carling Academy in Birmingham. But I have always wanted to see Alice Cooper live... We got to the NEC for 7:00pm-ish and got free parking all thanks to a little trick that Mr. Parlett knows because his brother works at the NEC as a steward.

I wont bother trying to explain in words what it was like. Well, OK, maybe one word: "LOUD"
Now I was further away than I was from the Foo Fighters, and so photographs were tricky to do in the low light... So you will have to do with my poor quality video's dear reader...





Well, at least this explains the title of the blog! Joan Jett's one and only recogniseable hit!

Ace of Spades by Motorhead.

Poison by Mr. Alice Cooper...

And Schools Out! The show topper!

Ah, what a night! After the show we beat most of the crowds and got out for a reasonable 11:15pm!. I got home for around 12:00midnight and had some supper before going to bed.

Ah. Sunday. I really should have blogged for you reader, but I was busy... At the Legion! where I was working from 2:00pm until 7:00pm, just to help them out for poppy day. After a long (but enjoyable) haul at the Legion, I went home to get changed, and got down to nans as usual. Me and Selena left early though since we had to go and pick mum up from the airport as she was flying back in from Glasgow. We left at 9:45pm and I shot down the M42. We parked up and were stood inside arrivals for 10:15pm where mother appeared about 10 minutes later. I shot back home, Selena left from my house and everything was hunky-dory...

... So that is that, and it is where I will leave you, dear reader...

TTFN

Call that a rocket?

Hello readers and welcome once again to my little blog.

I will crack on with it since dinner is nearly ready.

Ok, Monday and I was back at work following my half term break. I had to walk to work since my car had failed it's MOT and had also run out of tax. No matter though, I just put my earphones in to my phone, whacked on some music and put one foot in front of the other... It only took me about 15 minutes to walk to Woodrush, but I can remember walking home from school as a child and it seemed to take forever! Obviously having longer legs helps quite drastically. Monday seemed to go quite quickly, though, and before I knew it I was walking back out of the gates at 4:00pm.

I got home and lounged about for a bit. In the evening I played Halo with Mr. Turbitt until about 1:ooam. We had some good matches and both gained some significant wins.

Ah, Tuesday. I had to be up early because my car was going in for it's MOT re-test. I dropped it off at All Electric Garages down in Kings Heath and mother dropped me back at Woodrush for about 8:00am. I did my usual hard days work and at 4:00pm I left to meet Grandad, as arranged on the youth centre car park for a lift down to the garage to get my car. The bloke gave me my keys and certificate and I drove out, with the intention of taxing it at Morgams (sorry, I mean "Mills") Newsagents right away...

... But this is ME we're talking about, and things never happen the way they should...

At some point I must have passed a mobile police van who picked up on the fact that my car had no tax... Not that I was driving illegally since, as I'm sure you all know, you are allowed to drive an untaxed car to and from an MOT test centre provided you have insurance for the vehicle. Well as I went passed cocksmoor Woods, 2 police cars were waiting for me. One got behind me, the other shot passed and got in front to box me in. They then led me back to cocksmoors carpark to question me about my tax. I explained about my MOT and showed them my brand-spanking new certificate. One weedy-litte-pointy-hat-wearing-lanky-streak-off-piss-jobsworth of a policeman (I use the phrase "man" lightly) started checking my vehicle and kicking the tires to see if he could find anything wrong with it, because he was obviously annoyed that he, or any of his collegues, couldn't arrest me. I waved the MOT certificate at him and explained that, since I was coming from an MOTcentre, that there is going to be nothing wrong with the car... The bulky-fat-red-miserable-bulldog-tubby-Hitler-seargent then did a licence check to see if I owned the vehicle, mumbled at his collegues and let me go after about 20 minutes... Just enough time that the post office was shut by the time I got to Wythall... Bloody marvellous!

I stayed in that evening too, playing Halo with Adam and messing about on Facebook...
Actually there is a story there... Randomly, Emma Lewis (Although she is now Emma Smith) sent me a message and a friend request. I havent seen Emma in years so it was good to catch up with her.

Wednesday was another walk to work, and the day seemed to drag on for some reason. I had to cover an English lesson and had a child puke half way through! thats twice that has happened to me, and it was in the same room as well! It must be a combination of my teaching, and that particular room that some kids can't stand!... I will be sure to use the full power of this phenomenon in the future!

At what seemed like it should be 8:00pm, but in reality was only 4:00pm, I left school and walked home. I grabbed all my car-related paperwork and went to the post office to finally tax my car...

... But this is ME we're talking about, and things never happen the way they should...

I had, in my stupidity, picked up my insurance certificate that was now out-of-date, since my insurance was up for renewal 2 weeks before. But Admiral hadn't sent me my new form. So the lady at the post office couldn't give me my tax... it was begining to look like I would never be able to drive again, what with all the problems I was having. I went home, phoned Admiral, and asked to have a new insurance certificate.

In the evening I went down to fathers (mother dropped me off) and I spent the evening watching telly before being given a lift home by father.

Ah Thursday. Thursday was a good day. It seemed to fly by quite quickly and before i knew it, I was marching home. I arrived home to find that Admiral had got my new form to me! so that was that: I WAS GOING TO TAX MY CAR COME HELL OR HIGH WATER!!!

... But this is ME we're talking about, and things never happen the way they should...

Like a prat I picked up the renewal notice and dropped the certificate. Now apparently the post office wont issue a tax disc with just a renewal notice (I don't know why) and they were closing in 15 minutes... I shot home (I drove up... Technically illegal, but the police owed me one!) got home and luckily, my certificate was on the kitchen floor. I got back in my car, shot back to Mills and luckily, just luckily, got there a minute or two before 5:30pm!

I GOT MY CAR TAXED!!!

Phew! finally! I went home and was browsing the internet (specifically: http://www.firebox.com/) when I came across these little gems. I had received Firebox's catalogue in the post a couple of days earlier which had a £10 voucher inside it... I decided to order one and had it sent to my nans house (since it requires a signature on delivery, and I would have been at work when it arrived...) At 8:00pm I was picked up by lank to go to the Packhorse. I didn't have a lot of money though, so it was a particularly sober evening!
We made our move at about 11:30, after the laughter and merryment had passed... I got in, played a bit of Halo, and went to bed.

Ah, Friday... I DROVE to work (there's a novelty) and worked as hard as I could to make the day go quick...! It did, and 4:00pm was upon me as fast as... as fast as... a... very fast thing, that was in a hurry to get somewhere very fast!

I played a bit of Halo, but had to get ready to go out. You see it had been my cousins birthday and everyone was going for a curry in Henley to celebrate. Selena picked me up at 6:50pm, we went to get some cash, went to get father, and shot over to Henley. By the time we had found a place to park it was gone 7:30pm. We walked up to the restaurant to find everyone waiting for us!

It was a good meal. I had a Lamb Balti with a Special Naan. After we had stuffed ourselves we went back to Lydias house. Her housemates, who were at the restaurant with us, came back and we had a good laugh until about 12:00am when everyone decided to either leave or go to bed... Probably making excuses for the fact that the effects of the curry were starting to kick in!

Selena dropped me off first and I went to bed, knackered!

I awoke Saturday morning and played a little Halo. My nan and grandad arrived and they had my new toy with them! I had to nip out to get fireworks and batteries so I did... You see the plan was we were going to have a barbecue and fireworks party at Adam and Marcuses house. I was providing some of the fireworks but was contacted regarding the matter of charcoal...

... You see Marcus and Adam didn't have any and were out and about trying to locate some. I was enlisted to try and track some down. Luckily, however I had half a sack of the stuff in the shed. I got batteries for my new toy...

... No, stop it I'm talking about the helicopter (if you didn't know it was a helicopter, you obviously didn't click the link 7 paragraphs ago!)

Anyway. I got the fireworks (I got 2 packs of rockets and 2 "barrages" basically a box containing 100 tiny rockets, but only one fuse!)

At 5:30 I packed up the fireworks, the charcoal, a bit of grub for the barbecue, and my toy chopper (since I knew it would provide some entertainment) and set of for Sambourn Close...
I got there and set out my mild explosives along with Marcus and Adams. At 7:30 me and Jenny went to get Jo. By the time we came back, Mark, Katie, Matthew, Naomi, and Kate had arrived. We got the barbecue lit and Mark appointed himself head chef (good job, too, he can do a pretty good burger on the ol' barby! 10 out of 10 Mr Cox!)

We got the show up and running, although my rockets weren't exactly record breakers... They went up, fizzed, and let out a little puff of coloured stars... Not exactly the loudest, most brilliant on the planet. Marcus had some big buggers that were the type used for proper displays... They were BIG. After a couple of house stuffing our faces, and watching the fireworks, the party moved indoors. People had a go at piloting my helicopter (Naomi was rather good at it, and she wants one) before leaving at about 11:30pm. Me and Jo left at about 2:30am. I dropped her home and went home myself... I was in need of some sleep by that point!

And I awoke this morning to blog for you, dear readers...

... Now I'm off to perfect my piloting skills. Look out for piccies and maybe even videos of my skills next week!

TTFN

Wait... What time is it?

Hello readers. Before I start blogging I will remind you that you should have put your clocks back an hour...

I trust you all remembered.

Right, well... Where to begin. As most of you will realise, this week has been half-term, so that means I've been on a weeks respite from Woodrush. To be honest, there isn't a lot to blog about and my weekdays have been quite boring. My car won't be on the road until Tuesday, so I have been stuck inside... In fact my week days can be summed up in just one word (avid readers may be able to guess what that word is)

Halo. Plain and simple. I have spent the week playing Halo 3.

But I will get on with the day by day account, so many of you have grown acustomed to...

Monday. During the day I played Halo but in the evening I was picked up by Donna and Lank and we went for a drink in the Peacock with Kate who used to work in the Swan. I haven't seen her in a while but we had a good natter. After a few good pints it was all too soon time to call it a night. We said farewell to Kate and headed for home where I had a bite to eat and went to bed.

I got up Tuesday and, yep, you've guessed it... Straight on the ol' Xbox360.

In the evening I went out to the Packhorse with Adam and Jo. Again, since I wasn't driving, it was more beer for me! After laughter and merryment, it was again time to head for home where I went to bed.

Wednesday... Stuff what I did during the day. In the evening me and father went back over to Lichfield to finally sort out a webcam for one of his friends. I worked a little techno-magic and got it to work without crashing the whole machine. Father fixed a section of coving and we went on our merry way.

Ah, Thursday. In the Packhorse we were a bit thin on the ground. Myself, Mark, Katie, Benji, kate (for an hour) but bolstered by the arrival of Marcus and Carl! Who was back from Plymouth for the weekend.

On Friday afternoon Carl came over. I was downloading the Family Guy Star Wars Special (which is called "Blue Harvest" due to that being the code name for Episode VI!) After watching it, and playing some Halo, Donna gave me a ring and wanted to know if I wanted to go for a drink. Me and Carl decided to meet up with her in the Packhorse. We got there early and got a bite to eat. We were joined by Donna just as the pudding was served. We had a natter (and I had to do the introductions, since Donna and Carl had never met before!) After the grub and the beer it was, again, time to go home. We said ta-ta to Donna and Carl Dropped me home.

Ah, Saturday. I unhooked my Xbox ready for Carls arrival. He picked me up and then went to get John... Yes! Thats right! JOHN came out! I haven't seen him in about 2 months! We went back over to Carls and we hooked my Xbox up to Adams and had team games on Halo 3!. Me and Carl playing Adam and John. Marcus and Jenny went out to the cinema to see Stardust.

Afterwards we dropped John home, and was supposed to meet Jo, Gemma and Woody for a drink, but they were back in the Masons so Adam and Carl came round to mine and we watched Kelly's Heroes on DVD. At about 12:30am they left and I went to bed.

I awoke this morning to the smell of roasting Lamb... lovely! I then started blogging, stopped to have dinner, and then carried on...

... But now I've finished!

TTFN readers!

I knew we wouldn't win...

Hello readers and welcome to this weeks blog.

Well, I will get the ranting over and done with before I blog properly... And if you read the title i'm sure you all know what I'm going to go on about...

English Sportsmen, that's what! I assume most of you watched the Rugby? OK, we did really well to get to final, and that disallowed try didn't help, but really? South Africa? We should have been on better form, and shown a little flair. Mind you, it's not like rugby players are like footballers... Pansies! ("Ooh ref' he looked at me in a funny way and thats not allowed, let me have a free kick... What if I roll around clutching my shin? would that help?")

British sportsmen seem to cling to the old saying of "It's not the winning, it's the taking part that counts"

WELL NO IT BLOODY WELL ISN'T!!! IT'S ABOUT NATIONAL PRIDE AND KICKING SOME INTERNATIONAL ARSE!!!

Seriously, I hope Hamilton wins the F1 chapionship. Otherwise British sport will truly be dead in my eyes... I mean can't we win just one little thing? Can't we be better at something than somebody else for a change?

Anyway... Now that I have vented my frustration I will start his blog.

Monday. Monday heralded the start of the last week before half-term. It was also the day my car had to go in for it's MOT... And guess what! Yep, failed! Brakes mainly (scary, isn't it?) along with my cracked rear light (even though the light works.)

In the evening, therefore, Adam, along with Jo came over to Wythall and we went to the Packhorse.

Tuesday at work was a bit dull, but went fairly quickly. The evening was spent playing Halo. It was suggested that everyone go bowling, but no one wanted to. Still, pretending to run round shooting things is better than knocking down a few old skittles, anyway.

Wednesday was a good day at work. Everyone was counting dowen to Friday. In the evening, me and father went over to do a bit of PC repair work (I mentioned it in my last post) over in Litchfield. The problem wasn't a tricky one, but I will need to go back and alter a few things to make a webcam work properly, instead of crashing the PC every time it wants to load in MSN. While i was there I became aware of a gritty feeling in my throat. You know the feeling, it feels like you have sand stuck in your voicebox, usually before you get a raging sore throat...

On Thursday I awoke with a raging sore throat, stuffy head, watery eyes, a stiff neck, and a snotty nose... Lovely. I phoned in sick, doped myself up on Lockets, Cough medicine, Paracetamol and, very nearly, the cats worming tablets (well they look like dequacain tablets and they were in the cupboard!) though I stopped myself just in time after reading the back of the packet. I then went back to bed to sleep it off. I awoke at about 2:30pm feling marginally better. I made myself a hot cup of coffee and necked it (assuming that it was possible to"burn the illness out of my throat" Strangely, after a second or two of pain it helped... I'm not sure why but if you ever have a sore throat, try hot coffee... REALLY hot coffee)

I then went back to bed for an hour. When i got up I was surprised to find that the symptoms had subsided a fair bit. Would I be well enough to go out later? Well as it turns out, no not really, but I had arranged to meet up with Kate from college, who I haven't seen in a fair while. So I mustered my strength, had another hot drink, and got a lift to The Plough. I was there a bit before kate so I sat by the bar. She arrived about 10 minutes after me and we sat and had a drink before getting a table in the restaurant section for a bite to eat. I decided to try something that I had never tried before... Venison. It was really good, and I had cheesecake for afters. After a natter and another drink we decided to call it a night. I got a lift back to Wythall, and Kate went home, though I will be seeing her again in a couple of weeks because we're going to see The Foo Fighters at the NEC!

Right... Friday. The last day of term. It should have been a good day, but being off the day before, I had missed some of the drama. I wont go in to it, but a member of staff who was leaving, who was one of my friends, I might add, didn't get chance to say goodbye to anyone because of a stupid decision on behalf of the powers that be...

It's a long story, and one that I'm sure isn't suited to be posted on my little bit of the internet.

Anyway. At 3:00pm the bell went and the kiddies went. The staff followed half an hour later. I went home and after a couple of hours of TopGear started getting ready for a night out. Me, Adam, Jenny, Marcus, and two of Jenny's (quite good looking!) friends were going for a drink in Solihull. I got a lift in and met up with everyone in The Coach House. After a while Bobby joined us and I started queuing at the bar... After a good 20 minutes, I had been served and could get on with the business of actually socialising with people. After a few drinks we decided to move on to The Hogs Head for a quick drink. After The Hogs Head it was decided that we would go on to Reflex! Somehow me and Adam ended up carrying Jenny's friends (Ellie and Corinne) up the high street, in a sort of unofficial race! (god help us if one of us had fallen over!) Anyway we got in to Reflex, but ellie was stopped because apparently she was "too drunk" to go in! I have never heard such twaddle from doormen (although granted she was 3 parts gone, but so were lots of people going in!) We ended up round the corner in The Saddlers Arms. It was packed to the rafters, but we found our spot and had a bit of a dance. Whilst in there I bumped (quite literally!) in to one of the skiing party. Larry (who is a bit of a Joker, and managable only in small doses) was in there so I said hello. He spent the first 5 minutes talking to me before saying "So... Tell me where I know you from" I just said "Skiing!" and then he started talking to me but calling me Adrian (my dads name, for those of you readers who wouldn't know) so I corrected him, he said "F**KIN' 'ELL! NICE TO SEE YA!" and walked off... Which was probably for the best, since he was rather inhebriated, and was walking sideways.

Anyway. After the merriment had been had, and the beer had been drunk. It was time to call it a night. I dived in to a taxi and set off, homeward bound.

I was awakenrd on Saturday morning by...

.. Hang on. Is that correct English? "I was awakened"

Screw it...

I got up Saturday earlier than planned because my nan, Grandad, and dog arrived. Mum had gone shopping so I was the only person in. Saturday was spent on Halo and, where needed, the PC. Literally that is all I did all day. I found a couple of free games on the 'net that are quite good at wasting time... They are silly, pointless, but strangely addictive...

There's Bloons where you have to pop as many balloons as possible (One for you, Donna?)

And there's Red where you use your turret to repel asteroids.

Give them a go!

Anyway that was saturday.

This morning I got up. Watched some telly, ate lunch... Roast chicken, very nice! and started Blogging.

... And that's the end of that chapter...

TTFN

Where' they coming from? She only had four!

Hello readers...

... Actually I was thinking, how many regular readers do I have? It would be interesting to find out. If you want to stand up and be counted put a post in my shoutbox on the right, look, it's just over there...

Anyway, on with the show...

I will start with last Monday (the day before my last, rather late, post.) Work was a typical Monday affair, with me not fully waking up until about 11:00am. In the evening, instead of going out I played Adam on Halo for a good few hours...

... In fact I acheived my Spartan Officer ranking! I know that won't really impress any of you, but for me it's a very good thing...

Anyway...

Tuesday was, well just like a Tuesday. I didn't go out in the evening, either because the gang went to see Halloween at the Cinema, and to be honest, I've never really been a fan. Michael Myers as a baddie isn't scary... it's a bloke in a boiler suit with a silly white mask. The film is also a remake of the original, rather than a sequel, which is generally something I avoid like the plague.

Wednesday... Work was work, and in the evening I went down to Fathers as usual. I would have been drafted in to doing a bit of PC repair work for one of his friends, but she was out, so that will be done this coming Wednesday instead... I put Phoenix Nights on, since I never got in to it when it was on TV, but I've made an effort to watch it and I find it really funny.

Ah, Thursday. Thursday was a good day at work, It seemed to go quite quick and I got quite a bit done... Bargain! in theevening it was business as usual at the Packhorse. Me and Lank got down there for just gone 8:00pm and everyone else followed a bit later.

Friday... Friday was a bit of a git of a day. It dragged on, and the History lesson I had to cover wasn't the best I have ever done. I was glad to get out at 3:30pm. I came home and fell asleep... I don't usualy take a kip in the afternoons, as it's something that I feel should be reserved for people who are quite a bit older than myself. But I had a quick kip purely because I was unfathomably knackered...

In the evening it was more Halo, playing along with some kiddies as part of a team slayer... Although we suffered some losses, a point or two was won and we came away slightly better off than when we started.

Saturday was interesting. I went with Father over to Stratford because he has bought himself a car! His R-reg' 1.8 Escort has been replaced with a T-reg' 3.0 Jaguar S-Type! I was there purely to drive the Escort back, but have been promised a drive in the Jag when It's properly insured.

Blimey! All this Car-talk has reminded me, mine's in for it's MOT on Monday.

In the evening the Packhorse crowd met in Weatherspoons to celebrate Jenny's birthday (all be it a week late) we watched England beat France at, oh... You know, that game... Not quite as popular as football, even though they can use their hands... RUGBY! thats the one! And ended up singing "Swing low, sweet chariot" for half an hour. We then took a walk to Rosies (Where else?) and spent the night bopping away to a selection of '80's hits... And a few '80's flops.

At about 2:30am we left and joined the queue for the taxis. Half an hour later we were off back to blighty. I got in and had something to eat (as is the law after a night drinking) and got to bed at just before 4:00am

I awoke early this afternoon and cooked a chicken curry for lunch. I ate that and got on with the serious job of blogging for you, dear readers... And that is where I will leave you...
TTFN

Late entry...

Hello readers and appologies for the late post. Sunday was spent playing Halo.

In fact I will ask for your forgivness if this post seems a little rushed as I want to play it some more!

I will start last Monday, and work was the same as ever. In the evening, me Ad' and Jo went to the pub. Marcus stayed in doing boring but necessary work type stuff though.

Tuesday, and work went quite quickly for me. In the evening I think I might have gone out with Adam and Jo again...

Wednesday was a shocking day! I had to be for a... a... a...

MEETING!

Phew! even typing the word makes me feel ill! It wasn't just me though, everyone was there, which wasn't to bad. After I raced out of work at 4:00pm I came home to more Halo 3... Aah... Halo 3.

I then went down to Fathers as usual. He had made biscuits! (Actually they were quite nice!)

Thursday at work was a good day. Lots of painting was done, and I gave a demonstration... Well, someone has to! in the evening it was the Packhorse as usual. Kate bought out some "Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans" (apparently it's from Harry Potter!) Guess what flavour I got?

Go on, guess?

I got bloody earwax flavour! Thats what! It was horrible! I then voluntarily tried "Dirt" flavour, and, to be fair it did taste like dirt... Wonderful!

Friday I went to work and waited until 3:30pm... When I shot out of the door glad it was the weekend. I spent all evening playing...

... yes, you've guessed it...

Saturday was spent playing...

... yes, you've guessed it...

Sunday was, oh, you get the idea!

Right, now I'm off to play...

... yes, you've guessed it!

TTFN

Gained the lead...

Hello readers, and welcome back. Are you sitting comfortably? Good...

I must admit that I almost forgot to blog today, due to the purchase of a rather well advertised first-person-shooter for the Xbox... You may have heard of it: Halo 3! (But more of that later)

Firstly, lets begin with last Monday. I went to work as normal and did what it is I do. I came home, had some tea and then went over to Adams house... Which is now Adam, Marcus', and Carls house, although Carl is at uni' so for the moment it's Adam and Marcus' house...

... Anyway, thats not the point.

We ended up picking Jo up and going for a drink in the Sharmans. It was a bit quiet though, but it didn't matter. Afterwards we dropped Jo home, had a famous Hindmarsh cup of tea (heated to well beyond the normal capacity of standard water...!) in her lounge, and then we left! I had quite a nice evening!

Tuesday at work was strange... Do you ever get the feeling that, although you have been to work, and done what you are supposed to do, you feel like you haven't actually done much and then feel a bit guilty for it? Or is it just me? Anyway thats what happened.

n the evening Myself, Donna, and lank went for a drink in the Swan. I picked Miss Pickard up at about 7:30pm and we met Lank at the pub. We had a merry-old time and a proper good old fashioned chin-wag before leaving at about 10:00-ish. I dropped Donna off, but went in because she needed something doing to the computer. I backed up a load of files for her and then left because I was tired...

Ok, Wednesday... And that meant:

HALO 3

I went to work, frantically did what needed to be done, counted down the time until 4:30pm, then shot out of school, in to Solihull and grabbed my copy...

I raced back home, ripped Guitar Hero 2 out of the CD drive and whacked Halo on... Ah, finally, after what feels like a lifetime, I had my Halo fix. The story is excellent, the game play is well balanced, and the ending almost made me cry, (I stress the word "Almost" and it wasn't a close "almost" it was a distant "almost")

Anyway, I only had an hour-or-so to play it as I was going down to see Father. I went down as usual, watched a bit of telly, and at 10:45pm came back for a bit more Halo... I say "a bit" it was close to 2:00am whan tiredness drove me to turn it off.

Thursday at work I was awful... I was yawning, and my eyes hurt... But I still managed to do the usual chores...

I went to the Packhorse as usual that evening. Nicola phoned me to tell me she was there on her own, so I got a lift with Ma' (no Lank for this week... I'm sure if you check his blog he will have said why.)

Shortly after, Kate, Benji, Jason, Mark and Katie turned up. We had a good old time, so we did, and before to long, and too many drinks people left. Jason kindly dropped me off home, to save my little legs, and I went to bed.

Friday at work was a bit of a sad one: Kate who works in the office (I know a lot of "Kate's" don't I?) was leaving. We have always got on and had a laugh. In fact if you can't get on and have a laugh with Kate, then you have something wrong with you because she's always smiling, and usually has people in stiches.

At 3:30pm, Me, Sally, and Kate went up to the Packhorse to have a drink and say "ta-ta" we were joined by Julie a while later and had a natter before leaving.

After we all left, I shot home and...

... Yes, you've guessed it, put Halo back on. I was messing around with the video and screenshot capabilities and took a couple of pictures during a few online matches...

Yeah! Gravity Hammer... 1 shot, 2 kills, 3 medals (assasination, beat-down, double-kill)

And, with the Gravity Hammer, in a different match, getting 3 kills in one shot!

This next one was taken from a team game, which is why my colours are different. I'm the red one...

Ahem... Sorry Mr. Blue

I played until about 3:00am before going to bed. Me and Adam did a co-op over Xbox live and completed the game, though so it is all good...

I awoke on Saturday and just played on Halo... then went to bed... at 4:00am...
... Seriously! That was Saturday! I did have a good match with some of the kiddies from Woodrush... And thrashed them! That felt good!

Today I got up and um... Well... take a guess!

I'm off now readers... There is a Team Slayer match on that isn't going to win its self!

TTFN

Give me a shot to remember

Hello readers and welcome once again to my little blog.

Now before we start I will warn you that, possibly due to having by brain stunned by a rogue staple, I'm having trouble remembering the start of the week! I will also have to keep it brief because I am doing a shift at the Legion in an hour!

So here goes...

On Monday I went to work as usual, along with that usual Monday feeling! I was glad to get out at 4:00pm. In the evening Jo was working, I think, so we ended up round Carls/Marcuses.

Tuesday was more of the same at work, and in the evening me and Ad' met up with Jo...
I think.

Wednesday was a bit different. I mean, work was the same but in the evening Father had a meeting on so I didn't go down to his house. I went up to to the Swan to see Donna... Oh yes, I promised her a special mention so here it is...

"Donna"

Thursday at work was spent getting ready for open evening. I was at school from 8:30am until 8:30pm... 12 hours at work... "lovely!"

Afterwards I went home, got changed and went up to the packhorse as usual. Father came for a swift beer, and we all sat talking about Thunderbirds, Stingray, and Captain Scarlet!

Friday was interesting... Me, Sal' Carly, and a couple of sixth-formers went down to Wythall library to hang up the exhibition of GCSE and A-level work. If you want a quick gander at it, just pop in. The work looks fantastic.

In the evening, the Packhorse gang went up Solihull for lanks Birthday. Me, Lank and dan got a lift with Lanks mum, maggie who dropped us at wetherspoons where we met up with Jenny, Marcus, Mark, and Katie. After a swift pint we went up to Reflex and met up with Nikki, Spike, Kate, Matthew and Naomi. We ended up in the 80's room (where else) having a good old bop on the floor. We left at around 2:00am-ish via taxi. I got in to the house and went immediately to bed.

I got up this morning to find that UKTV Gold has an all day Only Fools and Horses. I am watching it now, actually, as I'm blogging...

I will have to cut it short though readers as I'm working at the Legion in about 20 minutes.

TTFN readers

I ain't afraid of no ghost...

Hello readers, and welcome to this weeks thrilling update!


Because it is currently late and I have work tomorrow (as do all of you, I imagine!) I will keep my words short, and my setences brief...


So lets begin!


Monday. Now Monday is a bit of an oddity... I am capable of doing daft things but I did something on Monday that takes stupidity to a whole new level...


Ready for the story?


Ok, I had seen a magic trick done using a post-it note and a staple gun.... The idea is you make it look like you have stapled the note to your forehead, without actually doing so... Basically the trick is you put a staple in the post-it note, but keep that hidden from the viewer. You then say "I bet I can staple this to my head and it wont hurt!" you then take an EMPTY staple gun, stick the post it note (with the staple already in it) to your head, pull the trigger on the EMPTY staple gun, and "voila!" it looks like you have stapled your forehead!

Now guess what I did wrong!


No... I know what you are thinking, but I definitley emptied the staple gun before the trick (I'm not THAT stupid!) No, the mistake I made was after emptying the staple gun, I left it out while I went to find the post-it note...


... During which time, someone re-filled it!


So, when I put the note on my head and pulled the trigger...


... I shot a 13/6mm staple in to my forehead! If you don't believe me check out the photo...

It isn't a very good quality picture, I know but if you look right up at the top, in the midle you will see a red cut on my forehead...

Ah well, It is a lesson learnt, I supppose...

In the evening Me, Adam, and Jo went round to Carls to watch a DVD we watched Tenacious D and the pick of destiny. Always a good choice, since it it so damned funny!

Afterwards I came home to beddie-byes.

On Tuesday work went as normal. I received the expected bout of jokes involving staples, as by now all the kiddies, and all the staff had heard the tale of the man who stapled his face...

I got through the day by not listening to anyone and just keeping my head down (literally!)

In the evening Mr Bennett popped round. We ended up watching a 9/11 conspiracy video on youtube

Anyway, that was that...

On Wednesday work continued in the usual trend, and in the evening I went down to fathers as usual. I resigned myself to watching the England game though, as anyone who knows me is fully aware, I absolutely cannot stand the blasted sport. We will never win anything important because our team is a bunch of pampered glamour-boys who would rather pose for the cameras, or indorse the latest fashion trend, than actually get on the pitch and play the game they are supposed to be good at...

Anyway. After we won (I can't even name the team we were playing... If you know, feel free to put it in my shoutbox) I went home ready to face the perils Thursday would bring...

Well... Thursday wasn't that perilous, actually... Sorry for the misleading omnious ending to that sentence... Thursday was quite a nice day!

In the evening I had a shindig to attend. It was Lorraine Lakes' (family friend, fellow skier, and surrogate mother whilst everyone is in Austria!) Birthday and there was a suprise party at the Barnt Green Inn. If you have never been, I would recommend it.

We arrived about half-an-hour before Lorraine, as did various other people who we know through skiing and a few people we didn't! When she arrived she was thoroughly shocked, but thrilled. I left at about 10:00pm to drop in on the Packhorse for a quick pint with the usual gang before coming home.

Friday... I love Fridays. I got up, went to work, didn't injure myself, and before I knew it, it was 3:30pm and home time! I got in, got changed had tea, and at about 6:00pm shot off to Adams ready for a bit of a night out! You see Gemma knows this band called The Chairmen who were playing at a gig over in Hinkley, and Adam, Jo, and myself were going to watch them, so we picked Jo up and set off. We got there well before any of the bands were on, but when it all kicked-off, we had a good old time. (Even though Jo questioned my dancing abilities, which, to be fair were quite good considering the music isn't exactly what you would slow-dance to, there was limited room, and we were both drunk!)

After the Chairmen and some other bands had played, The Rumble Strips finished off the night. We then high-tailed it back to the Red Lion where we had a good old fashioned lock in. (I love the Lion Lock in sessions!

At god-knows what time... 3:00am I think! we left because me and Adam had to be up early the next day! because we were off to warwick Race course.

Adam had got a spare ticket for a trip to the races organised by one of his old classmates from St Peters. I decided to go, but because I was going out to the NEC in the evening (more about that in a bit) I decided to drive, rather than go on the coach that was provided, so I could leave early. We got to Olton station, the pickup point, and we set off. Adam was on the coach, having a chat to friends he hadn't seen in ages, and I followed in my trusty Mondeo. We got there and got settled. The first race I picked the winner, but only put a "to place" bet on, so I didn't win much... £3.10 to be exact. The next race, half an hour later, my horse didn't do very well and came in about 6th. race number 3 I won a few pounds and race four, again, I picked the winner, but only had a "to place" bet on, so I won about £7.00 though I did get a good photo of the race...

Not to bad I suppose. Whilst we were there we got talking to one of Adams old classmates, Helen, and her Boyfriend Simon. They were very nice people and I hope Adam invites them out for a drink at some point, since they are both a good laugh.

At about 4:30 I left, and Adam decided he was leaving as well, since he was getting a bit bored, and he also had some stuff to shift in to Carls, ready for when he moves in.

We jumped in my car and set off. I dropped Adam home and shot back to my house to get changed because I was off out with my mum, Selena, Nan, and grandad to see James Last in concert at the NEC.

You see we bought the tickets as a present for my nan and grandad last christmas. James Last (who my nan and grandad are huge fans of) is currently doing his last ever UK tour. So it seemed like a logical christmas present. We set off at about 6:15pm (Grandad was driving) and, afterparking in carpark E1, the most difficult carpark to find...

...EVER!

We walked over to the coach that drops you at the NEC arena doors. Getting seated was no problem, and before long, the lights went down and the Orchestra came out, followed by the man himself.

Now there is a bit of a story here, because something happened that I didn't expect...

Naturally I took some photo's and have a couple of videos for you to enjoy, but it's the photo's i want you to see, and to give me your explanations for...

About 20 minutes in to the concert, I decided to take a couple of photo's so I took this first one...

Not a fantastic image, I agree, but other than that, completely normal...

Now about 30 seconds after I took that photo, I decided to take another one without quite so much zoom... The next photo is the result....

See it? That dark shadow at the front of the stage. I promise you that there was no-one stood there when I took the picture. It isn't one of the band as everyone who appears on the previous picture, appears on this one... And anyway, the people who are wearing black still show up on camera. That figure is just pure shadow! Spooky or what!?

Seriously, it freaked me out!

Anyway, I took some other photo's... the next one was during a version of "singing in the rain"

Note the audience nutters with the brollies!

This next one was taken during a performance of "Somewhere over the rainbow"

Ah... pretty. They did a lot of James Lasts own compositions including something called "Tapesty of civilisation" which blended music styles from all over the world in to one piece. They did an Abba medley, some Shakira, and Mariah Carey songs. There was a lot of "big band" stuff as well as a few songs that you may recognise readers... Here they are for you... (though I appologise the picture isn't too good, and the sound could be better...








Yep! a 78 year old, pedantic German composer/conductor likes U2 and Green Day... Now thats cool!

I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I love live music.

After the show we made our way back home. I was pretty tired by this point so I went straight to bed.

Today i woke up and was invited by Selena to go over to her place because her and Kieron have bought Trivial Pursuit: Lord of the Rings Edition! We played 2 games, neither of which I won...

... I will have to get Carl involved as a team-mate if I want to win...

Anyway that about wraps it up readers...

... Oh except that I have completed another drawing (remember last time I said I would upload them as to keep a record, and so you lot could pass judgement?) Well, here it is...

It is a Californian Poppy. It's not too bad, though it looks like an ilustrative drawing, rather than an arty one. Still, it will do.

Right. I'm off to bed, readers.

TTFN