Full Fetish

Having not done anything on the scene in a while my neighbour Matt invited me to join him on Saturday to the recon event Full Fetish.

So saturday we headed into town to find an outfit at Expectations. Ended up going in Rubber Waistcoat, Rubber Shorts and DMs.

Amazing how many faces you see that you know at these sort of places. It was held at Mass, a converted Church in Brixton. Definitely need to buy some more gear next year.

As final post of 2008, let me wish you all a very Happy New Year and a healthy and prosporous 2009. Much Love. Neil. x

Christmas Day 2008, s

We had been told we should be up by 11:00 by my mother, but it was so cold over night in Essex I was awake far before then. While we dont have the bedroom boiling, I like it to be warm enough that I can leave an arm outside of the covers without freezing. I guess you get used to the luxurys you enjoy at home, like a Duck and Goose Down Harrod's 12 Tog Duvet. Somehow I couldnt get warm enough, even in bed. So was up by 10:00, had a coffee and came downstairs for some Toast.

Mum asked me to drive and collect nan from her house and then we were rushed into the Lounge so that we could open our presents before all of the rest of the family arrived. We then, as always, had to take it in turns opening one present at a time each. I got a Wii Fit which I absolutely love. I have been trying to find one for months so goodness knows how my Mum managed to hunt one down.

Dusan loved the Eurovision CD and DVD I bought him. I swear, I have never known someone enjoy watching the Eurovision song contest so often. He starts to review the video's on You Tube by the new year and even now (the song contest was in April) he watches it at least weekly. You would be surprised when you know the songs how many are used in other peoples hit's or even commercials on television.

Once the gifts were done, I had promised I would make the Roast Potatoes. Something mother decided to tell everyone about. I thought it would be nice to do my potatoes the way I have cultivated for a year. Cooked in preheated goosefat and grated with Lemon Zest, Garlic and a sprinkling of rosemary bunches. Everyone said they were fabulous, so project achieved. Of course, offering to help with the Spuds meant that mum had me do all the veggies, Beans, Peas, Carrots and Parsnips, sprouts and chestnuts. Then I was left to run the food out from the Hostess Trolley to the dinning table and the 22, yes 22 people waiting to dine.

Adam and Verity plus Baby Thomas were there by then as well as all the cousins and their cousins and family from next door.

You can imagine how loud dinner was with Samantha's 3 children and Thomas too. The smoke alarm kept going off from the Candles and then the Christmas Pudding and by the time we had eaten I felt exhausted. Thankfully Dusan was in need of a sleep too so we headed upstairs for an hours kip, setting the alarm for just before six in time to watch Doctor Who.

Once that was over I showed Dad how to use and set up his Ipod and then packed up our stuff, said our goodbyes and loaded the car. All of my cousins and brother and sister in law had gone. It was just the oldies left. We escaped to London and the peace of home by 730PM. Amazing how you just appreciate your own space and the peace and quiet that it brings.

Have a feeling we will escape next Christmas. Who knows how much longer my parents will have the strength to host such a large party. I personally would prefer a smaller, more intimate lunch. Do really nice quality food over cantering for the masses. Still it was nice to see everyone again. But nice to be home and relaxing now.

Christmas Eve

Dusan was off on Christmas Eve but I had to work. I had a meeting first thing and we ended up in the pub in the afternoon for a pre Christmas drink. I then met up with Dusan who was doing some last minute Christmas shopping. We nipped into Waitrose to grab a few bits and had thought that the West End might be a little quieter with everyone already heading home for their Christmas celebrations. How wrong we could be. It was busier than ever. Seemed shppers were all out hoping for a last minute saving. We decided to bail, came home and had to pack up all of the presents that were unwrapped and threw some clothes together before heading into the car and making our way to Mums.

We arrived just in time to go over to my Aunt and Uncles where we had the traditional Indian meal for Christmas Eve. Samanthas kids were running riot as always. But then its what is expected when you have a four and eight year old in the house. Her 1 and a half year old was thankfully already upstairs in bed. But Grace and Alex were demaning enough to wear you out within an hour.

Dinner was lovely but seemed everyone was a lightweight and we were done by 11:00. Mum and Dad came home and went staright to bed and we sat up and watched some TV but were in bed by 1:30, tucked up like good boys, waiting for Santa to visit :-).

The joy of Christmas

Heading home this a evening on my usual journey, train to New Cross then a bus to home. Though one quite often walks rather than wait for the bus. Stopping on the way, as one does quite regularly in the little corner shop. Now I have to point out this is the tiny little newsagents next to the Noodle place and not the shop in the complex.

I popped in and as always said hello to the man behind the counter as I made my way to the back and selected a bottle of Merlot. Handing the man my money he called something in Asian to his colleague and bought over a second bottle and simply said, this is to wish you a Merry Christmas and to thank you for you custom. This has to be one of the tiniest of shops you have ever seen but still they are able to supply me with staples year round and thank me with an extra bottle of wine. Well I shall certainly be going back for that deed secures my custom.

It reminded me a little about the true spririt of Christmas, about spending time with loved ones and the gift of giving. Somehow that deed made me feel more Christmasy than anything I have done over the past week. The unexected. God Bless you all and have a Merry Christmas.

GMC & XXL

Tis the season to be jolly, falalala la la la. Or so the Carol goes and in truth festive fashion I had arranged with my lovely girls, Emily, Lisa & Gill to go to see the annual Gay Mens Chorus Christmas concert, saturday afternoon.

We had bought tickets and arranged to meet at Victoria Station at 1300. Poor Gill had been taken ill the day before and was tied up in her bed and couldnt make it.

So I met with Emily at 1:00 at the Station while Lisa was delayed on her way in to town. We made our way to Cafe Rouge and ordered food for luncheon and a bottle of bubbles to wash it down (Lucky Bitches). It was Emily's treat as I had paid for the tickets. Lisa arrived an hour later and we then jumped into a taxi to Cadogan hall for the show. Good job we took the taxi as we only just made it in time.

Cadogan Hall is hidden just off of Sloane Square. Its an old venue with a grand church hall versus the Morman Tabanacal feel. Our seats were in the Gallery, front row and we settled down just as the choir started to pour on to the stage. 150 men with voices of Angels, performing as only the choir do. Emily and I have been supporting their work for 4 years now. They make lovely musical arrangements that alter the sound of a song as only a choir can do. What I like about it most is thats its no ordinary concert. All of the songs are entertaining and upbeat. The audience is invited to participate and they have guest appearances. The show lasted for around 2 hours and thoroughly put us all into the festive mood.

Emily had to rush off after the show to go to a Strictly Come Dancing Finaly dinner party and so we all said our goodbyes as I made my way home to chill for a few hours and then jump in the shower and spruce up.

Dusan was already out, having gone to meet his friends he used to flat share with. We had arranged to meet later that evening in XXL. With it being the weekend before Christmas you can never be sure as to if it will be busy or not. Sometimes people have left already and gone home for the holidays and other years everyone is there and ready for a festive time. It was packed and we had a good time. I even surprised myself and virtually outlasted Dusan. He had been drinking since he met his friends and was starting to look a little worse for wear around 330, so we came home and crashed out. Was a nice festive start to the Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas everybody! God bless you, everyone. xx

Caution - Long Veichle

We have all seen the sign, on the rear of a Lorry or Bus with the Caution warning you of the extra length involved. The law requiring that they carry the sign as a caution to other road users. I urge the law to be updated to include any person with a wheelie suitcase. It seems nearly every day at one of the London Tube Stations I am nearly hit by someones out of control baggage.

Not only do the owners of these bags show no disregard for other pedestrians, far worse they seem oblivious to the fact that they even have it with them. As they board the escalator rather than pulling the case close to their body they seem to stetch out over 3 or 4 steps then without even a glance behind as they reach the top, they fail to notice the dozens of people rising with the speed of the Escalator as they quite litterally come to a complete stop right at the top of the escalator causing a multi man pile up as they stop to pull their case off at the top.

You can be walking through a packed station and yet person with trailer in tow will try to zig zag directly through your path much like a Bowling Ball aimed at 10 Pins. They will walk with Vigour only to come to a complete stop without warning and all of this without mentioning how much extra space they require on the already packed Tube.

Watch out folks these cases are a danger. A lorry or van would require a siren sound upon reversing to warn others of the inpending danger but case bearers reverse without so much as a glance. Yet they seem to be breading. Take a look as you next take a journey via a mainline station, these wheelies are everywhere, have no liscense and can be extreemly dangerous. You have been warned. :-)

Ian took me Spread Eagle

Yes, he did. Honest. To the pub "Spread Eagle" just around the back from Bond Street.

It was officially the staff non Christmas Party but I didn't get the email for the non official party and found out about it yesterday. With my granite now arrived, but having never seen it, I had thought about heading home, wrapping gifts and decorating the tree. Dusan had, after all, promised he would nip to Wickes and buy a bucket it could reside in.

We had tons to do at work, worked late and ended up going for a drink for Panna's leaving do at the Spread Eagle. Several Guiness later I made my way home but not before 10:00PM. No gifts were wrapped, no tree was decorated and no bucket was awaiting my return home. But the granite does look fabulous. Like I said it would, making a centre piece of the Island and a place we can eat, work or place plants and lots of gorgeous things.

So much for another early night but thankfully its not far from the weekend.

Bon Soir. x

Kitchen Capers

Its been quite a fiasco really, initially we couldn't find a kitchen Island that we liked and the flat seriously lacking both surface space to prepare and storage space it was something that we knew we had to purchase eventually.

In September we found cupboards that matched our existing kitchen in MFI and so ordered and paid for it at last.

The cupboards arrived by October and we hired a joiner to come and put them together, considering the incredible weight of the granite top we had ordered. Finally it was ready and I had to call the granite people directly to arrange for them to come and measure to build a template for the granite. Then on November 27th, over 2 months down the line we hear MFI has gone into liquidation when we receive a call from the Granite Company saying MFI have said they will not fullfill our order but we could deal with them directly.

For over 2 months we have had cupboard with no top, making the whole kicthen look unsitely and partially finished, They are due in 90 minutes to change that and the transformation can be complete before Christmas.

Having seen blips of it over the past few weeks, why are they not showing the Coke Holidays are coming advert? Instead we have the Coke through the years one. Come on Coke, its not Christmas without "Holidays are coming". Merry Christmas everyone.

Countdown to Christmas

The week has literally flown by with the countdown to Christmas well under way. The Christmas party came and went and then Friday was out again with work for a few drinks and dinner with the team. So many late nights in a week meant that I needed to catch up with sleep on Saturday and by the time I got up and dressed and made my way to B&Q they were sold out of Christmas trees and Christmas Tree stands. I tried Sainsbury's too but to no avail.

The next day I drove around Blackheath, Charlton, Greenwich but still not luck when eventually I found a place in New Cross where I could buy a Potted Tree.

Tonight having finally got around to putting it up it turns out the pot is not a lot of good. Its too small for the weight of the tree and we have to find a bigger bucket to put it in and some more weight. I have a fake tree in my parents loft but I thought is it really worth driving all that way and back just to collect an artificial tree. In for a penny, in for a pound eh?

Work has been rather crazy. With the lay off's last week everyone seems kind of tense right now. Scared that they will be the next for the chop. It doesn't seem real that just 6 months ago, the economy was booming, albeit the talk of the credit crunch. Now the crunch is more of a recession, people are tightening their belts, not because people don't have money but they are scared as to where their next pay check will come from.

We sit it out like everyone hoping all will be okay by next week or next month but not really sure. While that happens the Pound has died so any hope of escaping away for a while are gone.

I have had a few comments about my words and comments about the government. I will agree with you reader that Labour helped us with the equality we have today but that doesnt mean that its not time for a change, before its too late and they have landed us in it more than neck deep but actually for decades to come.

In the mean time, I like many others am battoning down the hatches and hoping that things seem brighter in the New Year.

Team Christmas Meal

The last week was all a bit of a whirl, what with being busy with work and trying to catch up on some of the Christmas chores inbetween.

For once we left work at fairly close to our contracted hours, leaving the office around 530 (Officially we work until 5), making our way to London Bridge. Adam, Ray and I and Oliver from Switzerland. The L&D Dept and Ian had some last minute things they needed to do so joined us a little later.

We made our way first to a Pub at London Bridge, near to the London Dungeon. It was what you could refer to as a real pub with Ale's and a large selection of wines and ports. They served the Ale in a metal Tanker. Having a visitor from Switzerland and being served in Tankards was nice. I dont think I have ever seen a pub elsewhere that uses them.

From there we went on to a Malaysian restaurant somewhere under the viaduct towards the back side of London Bridge. We had a set meal pre booked and started off with some canapes and then bread and dips. Ostrich & Venison followed in various flavours of spice and there was, ironically called, Intercourse. A Sorbet that tasted much like Ouzo and was very strong and fabulous.

Dessert was followed by much more wine and the problem always when you are out like that is that staff are always filling your glass. You are not really able to keep track of how much you have drunk.

Made it home by around 1:00AM and struggled when my alarm rang the following morning at not having quite had enough sleep. Still a good time was had by all and I got from secret Santa a Hollyoaks Hunk calandar! :-)

Tinsle Time

Today is our departments Christmas meal. The original party was due to be next week at an undisclosed location, but due to the state of the world and the negative publicity right now, much like many in the Industry,this years staff party was cancelled.

Instead my team has booked a restaurant and at 7PM tonight will head off for a festive frollick. There is talk of going somewhere afterwards, but I am thinking with it being a school day and all I should be heading home soon after. We have a four course meal with a light mid course between starter and main. Only they didnt call it a mid course on the menu, instead it was listed as "intercourse". Who on earth calls a mid course intercourse? Naturally everyone has been asking who's having intercourse. They say I am full of puns and innuendo. How very dare they.

Spinning at the Gym

Clearly our group activity last week of the spinning session was a positive thing as I looked up the time table at my gym and managed to get there in time last night to participate. Right now the gym is under going major refurbishment. They have been bulding a Mezzanine recently and the place is full of dust. In the interim the spinning class is taking place in the upper club lounge balcony and not a studio. Its all rather make shift. A portable sterio and the bikes cramped onto the balcony. No state of the art PA here. The instructor had to shout so as to be heard over the sterio.

It was quite a contrast to the class at Virgin and reminded me of how camp the gym can be as we were given Christmas Party Hats and Hooters to blow on and the entire class was completed to Christmas music. Somehow it wasnt the same as to high energy dance tracks, but it was only a one off Christmas special.

Following the workout, Im glad to say I lasted the entire class, it was the gyms Members Christmas Party. There was free drink and nibbles and I chatted to some of my old Step Class buddys. It reminded me of why I liked it there. Friendly, fun and a little bit different. Good old YMCA.

Barry Manilow @ the 02

All my mother knew she had to do on Saturday was pick up Fanny from her home in Broxbourne and then drive to my appartment in London. Arrive by 4PM I said.

They litterally were here at just before four and we all had a coffee while I showed Mum how the Wii worked and we created an Avitar for her. Fanny had spent the morning wondering what on earth to wear as she rightly said, my mother always looks so glamourous. To that end I was running around the flat deciding what to wear too. Settled on suit slacks, polo short and a cashmere jumper from Banana Republic.

I asked mum if she had any idea what we were doing, but despite the fact I had bought the tickets n the summer, she said No, maybe a West End Show. When I told her we had tickets to see Barry Manilow she was delighted. I was sure she liked him, but turns out she has been to see a few shows of his before.

We drove to the 02 for 5:00 and then found a restaurant for dinner. The pre show, Bobby Davro, started at 8:00, then Barry Followed.

I think I was one of the youngest in the audience but he put on such a great show, dare I say it was as enjoyable as Madonna's sweet and sticky tour. I didnt know all of the songs he sang, but there are so many I did.... I write the songs, Could it be magic, Cant Smile without you. Everyone was singing along then when you could hear the Bongo drumbs kick off Copa Cobana not a single person, mother included was not standing and singing along as his backing singers marched out fully clad in colourful Brazillian outfits.

Had a really lovely evening and Mother said what a great show it was. Fanny and mother were able to nip in the car through the Blackwall Tunnel and I jumped on the tube one stop and then took the DLR home. What a difference from Wembley. I was in the flat less than half an hour after the show finished and had a chance to see one of the greatest song writers of all time. Oh and I nearly forgot, joint on stage for a song in the middle was the one and only Lulu.

Ouch

Okay, I was not quite sure which part of my body was aching the most. Spinning had left my bum raw hide and the body stretch had me aching in places I didnt know I could ache. Laura was our Personal Trainer throughout the whole event and God bless her she really did take us through the paces. Our very own Mr Motivator. It was a fun fun fun team building exercise that actually was good for our bodies too. A huge thank you to Ian & Marcus for organising.

What a lovely team we have. A little bit of work Utopia. Bless. Sweet dreams! X

Team Spin

I wish I knew why it was that I can go to bed, exhausted at 1130PM and wake up bright and alert at 3:00AM. I lay there for 2 hours unable to get back to sleep till 5:00 then am due up at 5:45. Even a glass of milk didnt send me back off. Have the feeling it will be a long day today.

Tonight we have a departmental workout at a gym near the office. Everyone is doing a Spinning Class followed by a body scultp. Not done spinning in forever so not quite sure how well I will do. As for making it to a second class after spinning, I was always more a first class person really. We will see. May be nice to sit in the steam room for a bit while the others finish their second class. Then we are off to a members club in Soho with my director for drinks and canapes. Should be fun so watch this space!

Its all about the airport.

I was always told that you should consider the journey as part of the holiday therefore I chose to fly from London City. Rather than have the havoc of getting to LHR or LGW why not fly LCY? Its on the DLR afterall. Last year we landed and 2.5 hours later we were at London bridge. This year we flew from London City Airport, Fabulous. No queues, no people, no nothing. Really, it was like that. We checked in immediately. No wait and went through security. Bought a glass of wine each and had to think, we normally would be paying money now to access a VIP lounge. At London City, no need. The whole airport is VIP. No queue at check in, none in the lounge and deffinitely none at the gate.

We boarded the plan and had to confess the clientelle were clearly more classy than when we have flown on say an Orange airline.

The Plane, surprisingly, was a Jet propelled. I wasnt sure if it would still have blades. We enterered the lounge area and sat for 1 minute before they started boarding. How first class. We could board our small plane at the front or the rear. Thus speeding boarding. The staff were superb. It has to be said, you can tell the difference.

By the time we were airbourne they were offering us a choice of sandwich (all free by the way) then a free bar service. Marvelous. A glass of red for me please. We landed not 45 minutes from take off and were in the Dam.

Amsterdam was its usual wonderful self. You cant help but love the people, but with the pound so weak we really noticed a price difference. Suddenly a Euro wasnt seen as different from the Pound, Suddenly the Euro was almost as strong as the Pound. Every meal was $50 and thats £45 give or take.

We had a night out at the Cockring on Saturday and spent the rest of the time enjoying the city and its bars.

Flying home today again, its all about the airport. Schipol is big enought that we have a choice of VIP Lounges. We relaxed in the lounge and just had a drink or too. Before we knew it it was time to board so we made our way to the gate. Unlike when we flew orange, we had our own private security screening at the gate. Quite marvelous. As Emily would say , Its What Posh people do! From the lounge to our private gate security. Marvelous, as Helen would say. So from the gate we boarded, all what 18 of us, then it was service on board, we had a fab time.

We landed at 4PM and were in the flat by 5PM. Now thats a connection. You cant beat that. We had to fill out Dusan's landing papers and before you knew it we were last in the line. Not a problem with only 18 or so of us on the plane.

We had a great time albeit that Dusan cut his foot. Always end ups in A&E God Bless.

Home safe and sound. Much love for now. Neil & Dusan xx

Average Saving per Brit

Apparatly the Tax cuts of yesterday will save the average customer £170 per year in saved sales tax. They really have lost the plot. Do they think £170 will make any difference what so ever? Will I spend more money? No. Will I likely hold on to my money longer? Yes. Infact, although my savings are not earning as much as they did do I want to have nothing in the bank for a rainy day? Unlike this Government I dont want to be up to my eyes in dept.

Apparantly the UK was still paying off the debts that the government ran up during the Second World War, so goodness knows how many decades this labour, buy now tax later, Government has implemented. What a joke. £170. It prooves how far detatched the politicians have become. If they think £170 will make a single difference to anyone instead of those that are on benefits. Surely there has to come a time when the middle classes unite and say thats enough, we will not stand your taxing us to death anymore?

Do we really have monkeys running the country?

Seems like our government is more out of touch than I even thought they were.

Firstly the other evening there was a documentary on John Prescott, deputy Prime Minister. The interviewer was following him around for a day. She asked him at one stage does he know what a Chav is? He said "A what?".

He clearly hadnt got a clue. How can the people that run the country not even know what a Chav is when you only have to pick up a newspaper and can hear about them. Of course this would be the same politicians that wont take public transport and havnt got a clue about how awful it is for the rest of us when the trains are so full you cant even move. Of course this is supposed to incentivise us to use public transport.

Then today the much talked about pre budget report. They had been taking about the potential tax cuts that would be the saving grass of the economy and help us all bounce back from recession.

With such baited breath were we all that nearly the entire bank was sat there with headphones on waiting to listen to the Chancellors speach.

How out of touch is a government that thinks that by lowering VAT (Sales Tax) by 2.5% its really going to make any difference to peoples spending habbits. CAn you imagine seeing a poster in M&S stating "Sale 2.5% off". Would you even bother crossing the road. Oh and then to pay for some of it they will increase National Insurance payments by half a percent. Funny I thought National Insurance was supposed to pay for National Health and Pensions. Now its government spending also. So deluded are they that they think that increasing the upper tax bracket for those high earners 5% it will help the economy. Our economy is based around the Finance Industry, infact its whats kept our great nation, great. Only now they want to tax even more the people that helped build the economy.

I remember back in the 80s when Neil Kinnock was fighting to win an election and put Labour into power. The newspapers front cover said "Would the last person to leave the Country please turn out the light". Even my Dad used to say how they would tax us to death and they would consider moving abroad.

This pathetic 2.5% reduction will do nothing in real terms. Think of a shop, say GAP or M&S that has a top for £30. Will they really reduce it .45p and would that make all the difference in your purchase? Infact I bet the shops dont even go to the effort of reducing the cost on the labels. For small businesses that are the backbone of the country, will they really change their menu's and go to all that effort? Will they heck! No they will consider it a bonus and keep prices static.

Its almost the same as they pumping Billions in to the banking system! Made no difference whatsoever. Infact, what this country needs, and I hate to say it is a reduction in the price of housing period. Thats all that will get the housing markets moving again.

My Dad was right when he said Labour take money from you and conservatives put it back in your pocket. How on earth is a country that is pumping billions into a system that rewards those that put nothing back. Im not taking about the old or those that are unable to work but the millions of poeople that just take money off the state and dont want to contribute towards it. Now if only those that didnt pay tax couldnt vote, we would see a swing away from those in power that are actually making those of us that work harder and harder pay for those that dont want to contribute anything at all.

Madness? Well I know where I will be putting my cross on election day. I just wish it was it was sooner that 2010. Goodness knows how many more billions they will have squandered by then. Maybe we will be bankrupt. Time for change.

Infact if they did want to help us, they could do something usefull. Pull us out of the EU. Something we pay billions in membership fee's so that they can give it to other countries. They say there is an EU law the prohibits that they charge any EU state less than 15% in Sales Tax. How is that a system that is beneficial of the people? Its been too long they have been taking us for a giddy kipper. But sadly I see noone else up in arms and as upset about it as I am!

Dinner at Balan's with Gill

Having not seen each other since September, Gill and I had arranged to see each other Saturday evening. She was off to see a show and so I hit the gym first then made my way to meet her from the theatre. We had hoped to try Wahaca, a fab new Mexican place I have been to with Mikey. But it being the Theatre district everywhere was heaving with people, so we made our way to good old reliable Balans. Great service, good looking servers and great food, you cant really go wrong.

We enjoyed a Chocolate Martini each to start. Gill's first ever. I think I can safely say she is hooked. Was home by 2030. Clearly worn out if I look forward to a Saturday night in. Either that or I am offically old? :-(

Sugarbabes

Nipping out to grab some food at lunchtime today I noticed a road leading to Oxford Street closed and they were constructing a stage. Made me think that tonight was the night they were turning on the Oxford Street lights. Looking it up on the internet my suspicions were correct. Sugarbabes would be turning them on around 6PM this evening.

So leaving work just before six I made my way via John Lewis & Waitrose to buy some dinner and stopped to look at the bedding on the second floor then suddenly heard the crowd cheer and so made my way out to the street to hear them singing Push Da Button. Seemed quite appropriate as they were turning on the lights. Stayed for a while and enjoyed the crowd and the music then made my way home to escape the madness of the West End even more packed than normal with shoppers and tourists.

545AM Starts

I dont think I will ever get used to getting up this early every morning. As I wake to the news and swicth to Gaydar Radio I really do think, God Bless Neil Sexton. My dear friend from Gaydar Radio has to do it every single morning and all in the name of showbusiness.

Its particuarly difficult at this time of year when its dark and wet in the mornings. Brrrr. Thankfully next week I can cut back an hour and go in a wee bit later once my deadline is out of the way! :-)

Guy Fawkes & Steph's Birthday

Friday night was Richard & Mark's (Aka the Leather Queens) traditional annual firework party at their home.

Dusan and I were both working and by the time we got home, changed and made our way there it was almost 9 PM and they had set off the fireworks without us. What a liberty.

Was nice to see everyone again. Not seen the boys or Stuart & Yannis in forever.

Came home and managed to catch up on some sleep by laying in until almost 1245PM Saturday morning. You know what its like when you wake at the normal time, around 6 PM and think oh how marvelous, I can go back to sleep. That I did for several hours more.

Saturday evening was Steph's Birthday Party in Kent. I had heard that they were closing Blackheath due to the firework display so had to make my way there early and caught up with Steph & Georgie and Steph's 2 kids, Hannah and Alex. Not often you meet such nice Children. Both very pleasant and perfect hosts at their Mum's party.

I got home just before 0100 and watched some television before crashing out and sleeping in until almost 1300 once again. Blissfull.

Got dressed and made my way to Sainsbury's for my weekly shop. It was my turn to cook the home made soup for our Monday soup club at work this week and I needed fresh veggies in order to do that. Stocked up on a week's worth of food and made my way to the checkouts. What the heck? Every checkout was heaving and I stood in line for at least 15 minutes. Why is it they never have all the checkouts open? There was a family in front of me with 2 trolleys. It looked like it was Mum & Dad with the first trolley and their daughter of around 20 with the second.

With nothing to do but wait in line I watched as they slowly unpacked their trolley onto the conveyor at the cashier. I almost felt embarrased as they loaded junk food and the cheapest brand instant meals onto the counter. Watching eagerly to see how much each item cost. Economy brand cheese, Economy Brand value meals, economy brand everything. Now dont get me wrong, I buy cheaper things like kitchen towells and Kidney beans. They only go in a dish and they taste no different. But economy cheese? Economy brand toilet tissue? There are some things I just wont scrimp on. But I was amazed at how much junk they were buying. Chocolate rolls, crisps, chips, cakes, sweets, and all these microwave meals.

I looked down at my own selection, a kilo of Mince meat, a kilo of steak chunks, a whole chicken. Then I watched in amazement as their trolley of junk came to £220, their daughters £82 and mine only £60, filled with fresh meats, veggies and 2 bottles of wine. Jamie Oliver was right. People dont know how to cook or what to cook and live on a staple diet of junk food, probably telling themselves they cant afford to eat better.

My whole chicken and a bag of potatoes made dinner for both of us 2 nights running, plus the chicken made the stock for my soup and the Mince alone will make 4 meals for both of us. To think I couldnt even cook myself a year ago but for the odd basic meal.

Despite a not too late a night was exhausted this morning. Must have been all that shopping?

Joy and then sadness

As the world woke with new hope and new dreams it really did feel like the world was in a better place as we woke to the new of Barrack Obama winning the US elections. Taking the Bus, train and Tube to work everyone was reading the special editions of news papers all about the elections.

Then at work today I got an email from my dear friend Ed, telling me that Proposistion 8 made it through. A Judge in the state of California has ruled that Gay weddings are illegal and that as such they could be revoking all the weddings that have taken place in the past few months. Including my dear friend Ed and his husband Jason.

We woke thinking that if the American people could vote for a black president maybe the world was getting better for us all to realise that the most liberal state in the US is still so homophobic. Makes me realise how lucky we are for the rights we have here at home. I hope, especially for Ed & Jason, that the ruling is overturned sometime soon.

A New Day Dawns

As I went to bed last night the first of the votes were not in, but as much I tried not to, my heart hoped and prayed that Barrack Abama would win. This morning there is a new hope in the world. Looking at how much the Labour party changed our country, bring equality and the opportunity for people like me to have a civil partnership.

Change is always good. I always think, especially in politics, this is particuarly true. After so much change they go stale and the world demands change. So much so that that the near impossible, America would be ready for a black president. Hopefully he can lead the American people and the most powerfull country in the World and lead the world to a better place. God Bless America.

Vote America and change the World

The World waits with baited breath. For today the leader of the most powerfull country in the World will be chosen. Go my American friends, place you vote. Do you bit and vote for Abama. For a vote for Abama would be more than just a vote for your country, its a vote for the World.

I pray that the world is ready for change and somehow it feels that if Abama wins, the world will be a better place. If McCain wins it will go backwards. It feels that if Abama wins a new world will be be created. A world of hope, it will create a positive light. The positivity that it would create. The ultimate American dream that really anyone can become president of the United States of America. It could be just what the world needs right now. A new breath of life. It could be the change needed ti lift some of the gloom of the recessionn.

But its not for me to vote. So my frineds, go, vote. Do you bit and make the world a better place. America we are waitiing, watching and we are all ready for change.

Lucky Bitches meet Lucky Bitches

A huge thank you to Mikey who organised tonights trip to the theatre and the final tour of French & Saunders. For 30 years they have filled our screens with commedy from the French and Saunders show through to their own projects such as Absolutely Fabulous and the Viccar of Dibley. Of course they all came out on the stage, including the place I got the name for the Blog, Lucky Bitches. So I Can quite literally say that Lucky Bitches met Lucky Bitches.

We met Mikey at 645 and had hoped to go for a nice meal before hand. For some reason the world and their mother are out in Town. I know its half term but every restaurant that we went to had over 30 minutes wait time. Oh well, maybe we should have gone to Soho instead.

Still we had a great night out in good company. But i'm sure the lack of an early night will mean that tomorrow I am a wee bit tired. Oh well. Noone said it was easy being Fabulous, but somebody has to do it.

In the mean time I have to say there were no signs, for once, of recession everywhere. Theatres, Bars, the Tube and train were all heaving, even at 1030PM. Must have been pay day!

Alex's Birthday Party

Having arrived in Leeds, with Steven around 330PM, albeit a little bit fluffy. I managed to find my way to the hotel and check in. You know you can never go wrong with a Mal Maison Hotel. The Leeds one is a converted warehouse. A beautifull red brick building. I checked in and went up to my room. Mal have the most wonderfull beds, fabulous duvets, perfect pillows. So I nipped to the shop, bought some wine and water and came back to relax a bit before a nice shower and getting ready.

The distance from my room to the party couldnt have been much more than 200 feet. Bumping into Lizzie first, then Alex, Mikey, Mark, Tony, Dean & Annette.

The venue was a private room that could be described as a lounge. Lots of sofas and memorabila. The staff were bring around Champagne and canape's of Fois Gras, Salmon or minted pea risotto.

After an hour or so and having said all our hello's we were invited through to the private dining room. There were I would say, about 40 guests. The dinner menu was served.

We had all been asked to pre order and having looked at the menu and decided there wasnt really something that I fancied for either starter or main. Game Terrine possibly, but to me it sounded like Monopoly in Jelly and Venison main course. Bambi anyone?

Now having stayed for many weeks at Mal Maison, I know you can get a fabulous steak frites & Soup for £20. I was teasing when I said to Mikey I didnt really fancy any of it but when he said they would let me have steak and soup I thought super. Or should I say Souper?

Of course, everyone was wondering why my meal was different than theirs. Its not easy being a lucky bitch is it?
I was sat next to Annette and Dean. Dinner was marvelous. Starters, Main and coffee then back to the lounge to relax.

By around midnight some of them wanted to going out. But having paid for a room and knowing that I was within staggering distance of my room, I decided not to go and spent a very pleasant evening in the company of old and new friends.

Finally retiring at 3AM I was more than greatful for the extra hour in bed. I made it down to breakfast just before they stopped serving at 11:00AM. Something nice to soak up the drink. Toast, Eggs Benedict and juice. Why is it only the best places serve Eggs Benedict?

Checked out soon after and onto the train and made my way home. Was a lovely party, great to see everyone but I wish I had stayed an extra couple of days. Happy Birthday Alex.

Big Bird

Ah how sweet, I had a message from Long Lisa saying thank you for remembering her real name. As I cant respond via email, it doesnt send me it, yes we had a great party thank you. I will update blog with the party details this evening.

Hope the Hen do was fun too. Keep well and be Fabulous.

Alex's Birthday Weekend

With it being Alex's birthday and as he now lives in Leeds (I know, I still dont get it?) his birthday celebration was organised at Mal Maison Leeds.

I odnt think anyone RSVP'd immediately. The shock of the fact the party was so far away was enough for some people.

So with Dusan away I booked my ticket and the hotel. Thankfully the party is in the hotel so I only have to wander within the hotel. :-)

Managed to leave the house in plenty of time to get to Kings Cross, even without the Thameslink running. Then collected my ticket and decided to buy a sandwhich when I ran into Steven Vowels. He had missed his train by minutes and was going to risk getting on mine. I talked him into seeing Customer Service as I didnt want him to be thrown off mid journey. They let him ride as it was not the cheapest ticket.

Found my seat and sat together and was joined by a lovely lady called Pippa. She was quite posh and lovely and I did laugh when we drove through Peterborogh and said I have a friend, Helen, from here. Somewhere near here anyway thats posh. She said, Stamford? She was met later on the journey by her friend, Long Lisa. Known by that as she is so tall. I did tell her that in my blog it would be Pippa and Big Bird!

We managed a couple of bottles of wine between the three of us and made it to Leeds just before 3. Plenty of time to some shopping and get ready for the party!

Missing him already

Having not seen his family in over 16 months and with some extra holiday available to him, Dusan booked a week off to go and visit.

It seems crazy that the only real option to the Capital there is Wizz Airlines from Luton. No options from Heathrow or Gatwick at all. So the poor thing had to be up at 3AM on Tuesday morning and had a taxi to take him to Kings Cross at 4AM.

His only been gone since Tuesday and I do miss him already. I guess I feel a little bit flat without him. Like an important part of me is missing. Still I guess that it proves that even virtually six years since we met we both still miss each other even if we spend a single night away. Yet these nights appart actually draw us closer. Make us realise how much we love each other. In January it will be 2 years since he moved in. Two years since that day Richard and Mark waited at Gatwick to pick him up. Seems crazy that it has been 2 full years already. But the best thing about true love is that it shines through no matter what.

So I miss him immensely and look forward to his return and in the mean time I realise that love is the most wonderfull gift of all and that makes me a very lucky bitch!

Will Obama save the world?

With less than 2 weeks to go the race to the White House is becoming as frantic as forever. With Obama deffinitely still ahead in the polls, who will be the rightfull successor and most powerful man on the planet?

The World waits with baited breath and rightly so. The two men seem so different. This is the first year I have watched their campaigns so religiously. McCain seems like a clone of George W Bush and is such a war monger it would appear that the US would be at war in the middle east for years to come.

Compair that the Obama who wants to pull out of the war torn zones as soon as possible.

Surely the biggest fear however is not that McCain gains Power but that he gains Presidency only to pop his clpgs in the next couple of years. The war monger scares me big time. I admire the fact that he has fought for his country but I dont think he has any touch with reality and the real people of America. After all, he didnt even know how many homes he and his multi millionaire wife knew. My biggest fear is that he dies in Power and the truly evil Sarah Palin takes over his seat. Thats right, takes over. In the US the Vice President gains power should the President for any reason die. They would also remain in Power until the next election in some five years time.

Imagine she is in Power. Abortion would be banned forcing it underground. Her teenage daughter gets pregnant by her 17 year old boyfriend, Levi, and this is endorced. Hardly a message of wear a Condom. Instead encouraging them to have family at an age when they should be getting an education.

But its not for us to vote, boy we wish we could. Maybe we could get rid of the idiotts making a mess of our country right now. With 2 weeks to go, lets all just pray that the American people see sense and vote for the right man.

Barb Weekend

You have probably all heard me talk at some stage at my Fabulous friend Eddddddd, the Filipino who lives in San Francisco. We met by accident in the year 2000 at a pool party at Michaels house in West Hollywood. Well his work mate and friend Barb was in London for the weekend and we offered to host her during her stay.

What a lovely gal. Friday I got home from work and met her in the residence bar, then after a quick drive ended up very much last minute at the George and Dragon. We went for a wander and just ended up going. She liked it as its is a mixed gay venue and a lot more girls than some of the places we go.

How I wished Saturday we had not been out so late. Okay it wasnt even that late, but 2AM going to bed when my joiner was coming at 745Am to put together my new kitchen Island was a bit much.

We ended up going out while he did the cupboards and took a nice boat cruise up the Thames and then due to the lack of sleep decided we would stay home and have an Indian.

Sunday was a real Touristy day. Spent all afternoon shopping on Regent Street and then into Soho for dinner at Balans followed by a drink in the Candy Bar. She left yesterday and we both headed back to work. Was lovely to see her and had a fun tourity weekend though I have to say I feel quite exahausted and ready for a duvet day real soon. Hope you got home safely Barb!

GBLT Drinks

I attended my first work GBLT drinks with the bank last night. Was nice to meet other likeminded people from work and finally meet people I have been talking to for a couple of months. Yes I have been there 2 months already! Details will follow when I get in this evening :-) X

Full Moon

A couple of weeks ago I was at the gym and this friendly American chap whom I have seen there for the past ten years was chatting saying hello when he said it was about to get stormy as Mercury was doing something. It goes into something and the whole world goes crazy.

Well it seems to be true. Hubby is not talking to me for something I didnt do and I have not slept in like 2 nights properly.

Tomorrow will go fast as I have a classs to teach and 2 meetings then tomorrow is the first GBLT drinks I have known about since I started. Bit nervous about going. But right now I feel like I am on egg shells anyway. Hopefully I will get a good 6 hours sleep and feel fresh tomorrow. :-) I want to be a lucky bitch again!

Time Out

Having had a really long week at the office I was quite exhausted by Friday. Dusan was working so I had some food and then just watched television for a bit. Poor Dusan was home way after I had gone to bed and was up way before I wanted to be up. He had to leave by 9AM and that left me a chance to lie in. The next thing I knew it was almost 2PM. It must be a sign of getting old when you look forward to spending weekends in bed.


Saturday evening went over to Steve's flat for a cheese and wine evening to welcome his new flat mate to the complex. But I couldnt stay too late, I was shattered and despite the lie in needed to get some more rest. Having had the cold taht everyone seems to have been suffering it just needed some rest to help me get over it.

Thankfully it all paid off the rest and I feel so much better now for it. Well have to dash. Bed is calling. Night! Zzzz

Holidays are coming

You know there are certain things you look forward to in life. Seeing the first Snowdrop in Spring, the first winters Snow, Your Birthday and Christmas. When you come home from a holiday and heading to London you look forward to seeing the Art Deco District on the elevated section of the M4. I look forward to Christmas. Yes in our house we Celebrate Christs birthday from November 1st. Well I figure its a very special occasion. I dont celebrate my own birthday with decorations. Plus there is tradition, and then there are the lights and the trees and the gifts and seeing the family and all that joy and love.

What I look forward to, and despite the fact that I have been known to put up my Christmas Tree on the 1st November. My inspiration, Halloween has ended, time to celebrate Christ. I pride myself on being the first home in the hood that has a tree up and most certainly I hate the 6th January, for I have to take it down. For I am a Son of God, a Child of Christ, and I rejoice in these celebrations.

Some may argue that its too commercial now, but in practiacality, I love it. I love gods gift to thee, I love the lights and the passion and the romance of christmas. I love it all.


So what it is it that makes you know that Christmas is really upon us. Is it the Trees, the cards. Is it the festival season? For me it is but one thing. It woulnot be Christmas without the commercial, Holidays are coming. To me that is the opitime of Christmas. It makes me smile, it makes me cheery. You know in this time of really financial gloom its just what I need. So this evening I have looked up the commercials and I lovwate them. For me Christmas is... watching Miracle on 34th Street and then the Coca Cola adverts fro Holidays are coming. Its like the Disney electric light parade. I love it. Of course, my husband, Dusan, is far less enthusiastic, but then as a Disney Child I was want the tree up and the tinsel glistening. I guess I will wait a few more weeks, but you know and pardon the cliche "Holidays are Coming, Holidays are coming, Always Coca Cola.

Has been a week since my last blog

I know that heading almost sounds like confession but in truth I have been really busy this past week.

Saturday Steph and I went over to France for the day on a Booze Cruise. It was something we had been talking about doing for ages and we finally booked and went. Initially we were going to take the newer, faster, Eurotunnel service but when they had the fire last month we were not sure how long it would be before it was up and running again.

How I wish now we had taken the train.

We left Stephs house at around 1030AM and took an 1215 ferry to Calais. Took a drive till we found the big hypermarket, Auchen and litterally spent 3 hours shopping. Cheap Wine, Cheese, Chocolates. Almost ike paradise eh?

After stopping for dinner on the way home in a Calais eatery, we got to the port and were told that the ferry was delayed 30 minutes. Once we boarded and bought a coffee we were off to sea. 10 minutes later the storm hit. The boat was pitching and rocking. People were laying down and trying to sleep through it. As we bobbed up and down and more people were running to the bathroom, we went to the rear to go outside. Then we realised we were not moving. We had been sitting there waiting for the Port to reopen. Apparantly due to the storm we were stuck. And thus we waited, waited, waited, till in the end we were there over 3 hours (thus I wished we had taken the train).

I didnt get home till 1AM. Still loaded with food and drink it was a fun way to spend a day and was really pleased with my purchases.

The lack of a lie in is paying its toll. This week is starting to feel long at work.
Monday, I met up with a friend of my fabulous friend from San Francisco. Ed!!!! He really is amazing, I cant wait to see him again.

Barb was over visiting London and despite not knowing me she made the effort to call me and we met up Monday lunch for some food. What a lovely lady. She is comuing back on her way back from Spain in a couple of weeks.

Roll on the weekend. I feel I really need it now.

Pride of Britain

Watching the Pride of Britain and seeing some of these young people who have shown such bravery and courage. A boy of ten years old who's was woken in the night hear a bit of a commotion going on in the hallway to discover his mother being attacked by a would be theif.

Far from standing by and watching his mother in vain and despite his size and age being only ten year old, he ran and jumped on the attackers back and actually saved his mothers life. His mother having been stabbed over ten times and young nathan getting sliced by the knife on his arm. Doesnt it make you realise that maybe there are still some people out there that have similar values in life to me. Respect for other people. God bless him for being such a brave young man.

Dinner with Dear Friends

Having not seen Gill or Lisa in a good few months we arranged to meet up on Saturday. They had tickets to see "Spamalot" which I have not seen yet. So we met in Soho and went to dinner at Balan's in Soho.

The great thing about dear friends is it doesnt matter how long it goes between seeing each other its just like it was yesterday and we just all get along so well. Love you girls.

I wont go into what we did after as its v v v v v pppp p p personal. You know what I mean girls.

Last night I went to the gym after work. My normal routine after my warm up is to run or hit the cross trainer and plug my headphones into the Audio theatre and watch BBC news. It was the US congress voting on whether they would bail out the finance industry to the sum of $700 Billion. It seemed they would not as the votes came to a close and we waited and waited and waited till they finally announced the vote some 15 minutes after the official vote time ending. At the time I have to confess I was anxious and dissapointed. Was this, afterall, not the plan that would help prop up the world economies and with efforts from around the world, surely this would mean the economies would rebound and the world would be saved. So to speak.

Sadly it was not to be and at the time I felt bad, maybe nervous as we enter bad times and not knowing what will happen. But now, in reflection you have to admire those senetors that took the Nay vote and voted against the plan in the will of their own consituents. Something that our own government failed to do when they signed over the sovereignty of our fair land to the European Union. So rather than sound my dissapointment I sulute thee for the bravory of representing the people. I wish our government would.

£40 Billion Bail Out

I dont really understand why the Government has to step in and nationalise Bradford and Bingley. After Northern Rock last year and the powers that be spending all of the money the country had thanks to their wreckless spending spree in times of wealth and not saving enough for these hard times. So with the treasury empty and at a time when incoming monies are at an all time low due to lack of income. Income tax is down, Stamp Duty sales have all but dried up. So where the heck are they supposed to find £40, Billion to bail out building society Bradford and Bingley. Thats over half a Billion for every person in the country. I think they said that the US efforts of their mega 700 Billion Dollar injection worked out at around $2200 per US citizen. In our small Island doesnt it equate to more than half a billion pounds each for every one of the 60 Million people here?

So because of some greedy bankers lending to money to people they should not have the whole country has to pay. I've said it before, my proposal would be to let the bank fail. If you own a mortgage with them, congratualtions, your house is free now. Give the half a billion each to every citizen and think of how the economy would boom. I know inflation would go mad. But it sure would be fun.

I did manage to get to bed early but have been waking on and off throughout the night. The weather has changed, with mornings feeling chilly and the deffinite feel of winter approaching. With the cost of fuel at an all time peak we apparantly hear that due to essential maintenance this year we may have black outs due to lack of capacity at the Power Plants in this country. A definite case of too little too late. The new set of nuclear plants wont be ready for over a decade. I have to wonder rather than nationalising banks that stupidly leant should be not spend the £40 Billion on building our own power stations so we can supply our own nation with affordable electricity as the winter dooms?

I actually dont even think this government could organise a drink up in a brewery.

American Embassy

It seems to have been one of those weeks that started to drag by Tuesday. Don't get me wrong, work is going great, infact the time I spend at work flies by. Sometimes I cant believe that its 6PM as seems like I have only been at work a couple of hours.

Had been invited out a couple of times this week, over to the residence bar, Red, or out into Soho. But with a bit of a snotty nose and a good old fashioned cold, I have felt I needed a few early nights to say the least. Dusan has been on days or off this week. Monday he had to have a day off to go to the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square. Being a non EU citizen, he doesnt qualify for the Visa Waiver Program as I do and needed an official tourist visa in order to visit the USA. Its been weird as normally I would be shooting over to the USA at least every year to catch up with Ed or Lea or friends in Florida.

But since Dusan moved in, even before we were married, I felt it wasnt right to go without him.

A few months ago he called the number on the Embassy website to make an appointment. Its an 0905 number meaning calls cost over £1.50 per minute. Then you have to pay the money at the time of making an appointment. It was something like £100 in advance with no guarantee that you will get a visa.

Even then he had to leave his passport with the consulate and it was couriered to him yesterday. Finally he has a five year tourist Visa. Its a little crazy as his Croatian Passport will expire before the visa does but we figure that in under 2 years on the anniversary of our wedding he will be entitled to British Citizenship and as such can get a British Passport and will need a visa no more.

With the visa in his possession he is actually really excited. For the one thing I have done tons and he has never done is the USA. I grew up and really became the man I am living at Disney World. Its where I made some of the best friends I know on the planet. Dusan has never seen it at all. Knowing him like I know him and seeing how excited he is getting, especially whenever an Orlando commercial comes on to the television I can tell taking him to Disney will be like taking my own child. His eyes are wide with excitement. Maybe finally he will understand my obsession with Disney,afterall you can take the boy out of Disney but never Disney out of the boy.

Finally an Island to call home

Having been living in our new fabulous apartment for nearly just over 7 months we felt as though it was time that we bought the new kitchen Island that we have been promising ourselves since we moved in. The biggest downfall of the apartment is the simple lack of storage space. While there is possibly enough space for one person, for two there is so little storage its impossible. By the time we put a microwave in the kitchen there is no space other than the hob to do any food prep and as for cupboard space. Well, lets say I would be grateful if there was at least somewhere I could put the Wok, Pots and Pans.

So on Saturday we went down to the retail park to finally buy an Island. Walking around and checking out some of the designs that we would like we found someone to assist us and having already decided the measurements we asked the lady if she could help us build something we had in mind.

2 hours later we had chosen the colour of the cupboard doors and was down to a decision on work top surfaces. Wood, Plastic or Granite. I know in my mind I had always wanted a granite one and when she started to talk through the various options and the cost difference and then a tour of the options in the showroom, it seemed evident that despite it costing a fair bit more, granite was the only options. After all, what do they say? Cheap or sheik! So at last we have placed an order and it should come in a few weeks. Fingers crossed, there will be a fabulous new surface I can chop on and a brand new place to put the final things away.

Shock in the City

It seems crazy that we went to bed Friday having read the Evening Standard and the Financial pages saying that either Barclays or Bank of America would buy out the now ailing Investment Bank, Leahman Brothers.

So to wake on Monday to the news that Leahman Brothers had filed for bankrupcy in the US sent shudders throughout the financial sector.

We watch the news every day worried about who will be next. They were saying today that HBOS lost over 20% of their market share today. What seems so crazy is that these are power companies that are worth billions. If a company worth Billions can go under over night, surely nobody is safe?

While at the gym tonight a couple of guys were talking in the locker room about Leahmans and XL recently going into insolvency. Their words were, "Its the begining of the end". We all hope not. Our lives or rather lifestyles are really at risk.

With inflation rising faster than ever and the cost of fuel for our cars and heat are rising through the roof. Will this be the UK's first winter of discontent since the 1970s?

Everyone has lost faith in the government. I'm sorry Gordon, you shouldnt have stood there and time and time again said how you had stopped the era of boom and bust. With companies folding almost daily one has to ask, what happened?

I only wish that our election was as close as the American Presidential Campaign. It seems forever since we last had a chance to vote and vote for change. Each night as we go to bed you have to bed the question, will I still have my job in the months to come? Will we be able to afford the Mortgage repayments? Lets pray that the worst is over and this is the low and not the lull before the storm.

Tortois and the Hare

Ever notice how the week days go by at a Tortois pace and yet the weekends fly passed like a Hare? Thankfully I managed to get some lie in's over the weekend.

Last night we had wanted to go to bed early, but as is always the case after a weekend, I can never get to sleep early on a Sunday.

Seemed I had not long lay down to go to sleep when the alarm was buzzing to wake me up. Struggling with my first coffee of the day while I wake to the world and the challanges that await. Wishing you all a very good week!

Lazy Weekend (ish)

I don’t know why this past week at the office seemed so long. Maybe all of the lack of sleep caught up and I did get woken a few times by Dusan coming into bed in the wee hours.

By Friday I was struggling to get through the day without exceeding my daily limit of 2 coffees at the office. The coffee machine is so nice that nearly every time somebody says they are going to get drinks, I am tempted to say Cappuccino. My boss was off sick on Friday which meant I just had odds and ends to finish off and started to make a start on learning some of their existing software which I believe they are going to get me to take charge of learning the upgrade.
Coming home Friday, I cooked up some pasta with Bacon, Courgettes and Mushroom. All fresh of course. I actually never buy ready meals any more. Amazing to think that back in February when I had a couple of weeks off between the recruitment and pharmaceutical contracts and spent some time in the kitchen just preparing some food and seeing where it ended up.

After spending an hour and far too much money in Sainsbury’s I came home and ended up with a fridge full of food. Rather than cook a huge meal Saturday evening I decided to clean the flat and make a fresh lasagne. I was proud of myself even being able to make the white sauce from scratch.

Having showered and changed I was invited over to our neighbour, Steve, for a few glasses of wine. I was tempted to go to XXL but having had a couple of drinks I wasn’t able to drive and wasn’t in a mood to take public transport. Instead we made our way to the George & Dragon just up the road at some time past midnight. It has a rustic feel of being from a bygone day. A typical ye olde English Pub that now happens to be a gay venue. Its old, tacky, plays pop music and has some remnants of a gay discotheque in a small town somewhere abroad. But it’s our little local. The bar staff are cute and we can walk there or more essentially back. The G&D happens to be one of the few venues in this part of London that has a late license. Having had a few drinks, but being way too late for the show (Apparently the act is on stage at around 11:00 PM but have only ever been there in time for the show once).

Leaving around 3:00AM when I had a text from Dusan texted to say he was on his way home from work, we stopped at the local Kebab and Chip shop for a portion of chips. I’m not quite sure what it is about drinking that makes you want to stop and eat junk food on the way home. Of course the cute boy that works in the chip shop is always worth a gander at on the way home and we walked home eating our chips after a nice unplanned evening.

As much as people , ourselves included, have the odd moan on the forums we had to agree, it’s a fabulous place to live. We have great neighbours that have truly become friends, great facilities and a real sense of community. I have some friends who live in London and have done several years who say how hard it is to make friends in the big city. All I can say is maybe they should move here. If anyone is old enough like me to remember the old Milton Keynes advert. The catch phrase used to be “Milton Keynes, a Nice Place to live”. Well following that route, “One SE8, A Fabulous place to call home”.

Finally, forgetting to by carrots I made a walk up to the market yesterday, I noticed that the Estate Agent on the main road has closed up shop. I guess the recession is looming its ugly head on our own doorstep.

Being home so late I was determined to have a nice lie in and would have probably been in bed still at 2PM if my phone had not gone off at 1:30PM. Blissful a real lie in for once! 

7 Years On

I guess its one of those things people will always ask, where were you on September 11th 2001? Here we are 8 years on. Seems crazy how much the world has changed since. It doesnt seem 7 years ago that we were at peace and now, the world seems so full of danger. We didnt go bang when they started the LHC under the swiss alps this morning. Reading the Evening Standard apparantly they have only started firing them one direction so far. The world watches and waits as on this day we bow our heads and remember the day that the images that were beaming into our televisions on the news channels was so real you wanted to believe it was a Hollywood movie. I guess I am a firm believer in the famous lines, Dance like noones watching, live like there is no tomorrow and love like you loved your first love. Be happy and have a great day!

Big Bang - The End of the World

I first became interested in the large Hadron Collider (LHC) 3 years ago when I went to a chill out at my friend Lee's flat. His ex Joel was a National Geographic reader and we ended up reading about the LHCs and how after the collisions they phisically create a black hole.

The scary thing about the LHC, the biggest one in the world, is that they create a miniture black hole. Albeit they are mini black holes there are some scientists that argue that when they start colliding millions of Hadrons a second at each other at the speed of light and look for science to uncover wonders we have never known these black holes could become so dense that they mistakingly could suck us and the rest of the universe into them. Of course it would all be done in a flash and so the universe and world as we know it started with a big bang, could phisically end with one. Fingers cross they they have the science right or we all could suffer.

Big love and good luck!

My phones running late!

For the past week it doesn’t seem to matter where I am going my phone is always running late. I set the clock via the time on the Computer which is set centrally. Yet on Saturday I missed the train to the races yet according to my phone I had five minutes spare.

Today was my typical Monday. Up at 615 and out of the door by 715. My phone said it was 722 when I arrived at New Cross train station. Though the boards were reading 0718. As the train pulled in I had to run and make my way through the tunnel to the correct platform.

Monday we have our Team meeting every week, something to break the day but in all honesty I am far from bored, in fact really enjoying it. I am so busy I can’t get in all I have to in a day.
Ended up doing 90 minutes at the gym before I came home and just chilling before bed now! Sweet dreams.

Red's official launch Party

Having been open on a trial basis while the staff learned the ropes, last night was to be the official Red Launch Party. (Our residents bar and restaurant).
The party kicked off at 7 but I didn’t get back from the races until almost 8 so went home to change and get ready and then met Lynne, Steve and Thomas over at Red.
The music was pumping and as a promotion they had free wine tasting at the beginning. Apparantly they had free champagne too but I was too late for that. With a DJ and accompanying Saxaphone player there was a really good atmosphere.
We bumped into more neighbours, Phil and Mike and then my friend from Lewisham, Blake, arrived. We enjoyed some drinks and met more neighbours from the Forum. Was surprised that people knew me as Vauxhallcowboy. That will teach me to write a blog. Its strange when someone you have never met before asks, “How’s Dušan?”. Met a new to development couple who have moved here from Switzerland, Daniella and Vibes (Welcome, hope you are happy here as we are).
It was a great night. Funny but since it opened 2 months ago its become a focal point on the whole development. Much like a village pub really. Really looking forward to the forthcoming quiz nights and wine tasting too.
Just before midnight Thomas and Steve insisted I went on to the George and Dragon with them. It turned into quite a messy one by the end of the night when Tom and I left the bar shortly before 4AM to make the way back to the complex via the Kebab shop.

Was a fabulous fun evening. As my new (ish) neighbour, Mike said. “It’s so nice to move somewhere and have a chance to meet nice people. Mike, your so right. Its a fabulous place to live and via the residence website and forums we may have our say but at the end of the day, we have our very own community. A fabulous friendly place to live and play in the heart of inner London. If that’s not worth celebrating? Huge thanks to Red for the party and being the focal point. To all the staff at Red and the fabulous friends we have made since we moved here. Just over a year ago we sought a new home and life in London, expecting to find a new flat. Instead we found a new home and fabulous new friends and as they say. Home is where the heart is and that’s right here!

Kempton Races

Even before I had actually started my first day at the new job they had invited Dušan and I to a Partners Day at the races. Sadly Dušan had already booked 2 weekends off in September meaning he couldn’t take any more time off, but I went along on my own.
My manager had emailed us with the joining instructions, but with the dozens of emails flying round the office on Friday (Remember a world before email?); I printed the wrong one off. I was sure it said meet at Waterloo at 11:55AM. 1155AM on a Saturday morning? What about my lovely lie in?

Dušan was at work by 9 AM so I was up early enough and getting dressed in slacks and a shirt I couldn’t find my shoes. When it struck me I had left them at work I was frantically rushing around to find another outfit and left just after 11:00. It usually only takes 20 minutes to London Bridge. However, with the DLR out of service all weekend for more Engineering work I took a bus to New Cross and crazily had to wait a full 25 minutes for the first train.

I arrived at Waterloo at five to noon. I needed 3 things, food, money and a train ticket. According to my watch I had plenty of time, only the ATMs (All four) were out of order. I spent five minutes queuing for some money. Then grabbed a quick burger and ran upstairs to the concourse. Spotting the others waiting, as arranged, under the grand clock. The Station was heaving; in fact I have never seen it so busy in all my years. There were lines at every one of the ticket machines at least 10 deep. By the time I got my ticket and ran to platform four I was in time to see the train pulling away. Thankfully they run every 30 minutes. I had time to buy a newspaper and made my way casually to the races on the next train.

We had some drinks, bet on some races and won some and lost some. It was a fun day out and good to see the team outside of work on a social basis.
Thankfully the train station is literally at the races. While waiting on the station platform a lady leans over and says, “Hey it’s you from the train”. For a moment my mind was a blank, but it turns out it was the lady I met after lunch at Emily’s with Gill. I bumped into the lady and her friend on the way to speed dating a month back. How she recognised me I don’t know. But we had a chat again. Funny how people remember me all the time.

Finding a seat on the train, crazily in 2008 the train has no toilet. Not even one. By the time we completed the journey I was so desperate for the loo I made a desperate run to the station bathroom. Like half the people on the train, frantically looking to see if we have 30 pence in change to pay to spend a penny. (Not spend 30 pennies) Crazy isn’t it? More sign of Rip off Britain. 30 pence to simply use the loo, at a station that you have already paid a small fortune for a train ticket for. I wouldn’t mind if they were spotless but half the time the station loos are vile. In fact it seems the staff are more keen on ensuring users pay than actually taking care of the cleanliness. The facilities change machine was out of order so for once, the facilities were free. Everyone was saying, wow I am now 30p up. Everyone’s a winner, no matter what you lost at the races. Come on Boris (Mayor of London), surely there is something you can do to make us all happy. With all of the public conveniences now closed down you could make the facilities free to the public.

When I have read in the paper that the City of London, the square mile, is now going to be fining people for using the street to do their business, when in truth, we have all been there. There are no facilities open in the evening. Even the tube stations have nothing, especially after 6PM. I challenge anyone who has been out for a few hours, having enjoyed just a couple of drinks to not have to use a facility at some time on their way home.

In Amsterdam, it’s so different. They know people have to go and have facilities for men, scattered around the city that are simply taken away and swapped with new facilities when they are full. With a growing population surely they could do more to make facilities available. Like a city wide law requiring every commercial facility to be accessible by customers and non customers alike. Hotels, stations, shops, restaurants, there are thousands of them everyone. Come on Boris, bring back the quintessentially British public convenience. We could call it the Boris Bog!

Too little too late Darling!

With the credit crunch starting to kick in and affect homes all around the country and with the housing market which effectively feeds the economy at a virtual standstill, people have been asking the question for months. What are the government going to do about it?

In the last recession they scrapped the Stamp Duty on houses for a period of time. Stamp Duty is a 1% Tax that the purchaser pays on buying a new home. Depending on the cost of the home the tax rises to up to 4% for properties worth in excess of half a million pounds.

In reality the cost of buying a house has been rising for many years now at a rate that everyone has known would be unsustainable forever. Your property cant rise in value by 15-20% every year indefinitely.

Now the inevitable has happened. Costs have risen so incredibly high that first time buyers are unable to get onto the ladder in the first instance. The banks have stopped lending to anyone who doesn’t have at least a 20-30% deposit and this has caused the entire housing market to stall for some months.

The rumours that the government might scrap stamp duty once more has stumped the industry even further as many buyers and sellers hold off their sale or purchase hoping that they can save some good hard cash. Our little flat meant we had to cough up to the treasury over £3000. It’s a lot of money when you add that to the solicitors fees and stamp duty etc.

Of course, last year the government bought in the useless HIPs (Home efficiency packs) claiming they would speed up the process of buying a home. Of course the mortgage lenders and other bodies involved in the process don’t trust the packs and despite it being a legal requirement to have one (Thanks Gordon Brown) they are pretty much useless. In fact, adding hundreds more pounds to the cost of buying a home.

Today they have announced that they will scrap stamp duty on homes under the value of £175,000. I just did a search on Google and officially the average cost of a home in the UK is £ £219,262. So how exactly is this temporary one year freezing of stamp duty up to £175,000 supposed to help people in this country?

We only purchased our small one bedroom flat last year. We bought where we did as it was one of the few areas that we felt safe in and could actually afford to buy a home. So to further my research I did a Google search for the cost of an average London home. Some £371983. In fact looking through the newspapers at the New homes for sale, 1 bedroom flats are almost verging on the quarter of a million mark.

So 2 things to say to you Alistaire Darling and Gordon Brown.

1. Too little too Late
2. General Election Time please, time to get you out of there and someone more competent in place instead.

Baby Thomas's Christening

With Thomas's Christening on Sunday I decided to visit Mum and Dad a day early so that I could get a chance to to catch up with them properly. Its never possible at a party to really even get a chance to speak to Mum and Dad as they are too busy being Host & Hostess.

AS I had to pass by there I arranged to meet Steph at Bluewater Saturday afternoon which was lovely. We have not had a good catch up in ages and enjoyed lunch and a spot of retail therapy.

Got to Ma & Pa's around 7PM and headed next door to Auntie Pauline and Uncle Trevors (AP & UT) for a nice Indian meal. Cousin Samantha and husband Marcos were there and we all enjoyed the meal.

Sunday I deperately needed a lie in and was almost dissapointed when I woke up before 11:00AM. Had some coffee and got dressed and ready in time for the Christening at Broxboure Parish Baptist Church at 3PM.

The reception was back at Ma and Pa's and the place was once more heaving with guests. Mum and Dad do host a good party. It was good to see my cousins and Linda and Terry again. Have not seen Linda and Terry in a good year now.

I think a picture tells a thousand words so enjoy the pictures. Oh and finally, dont you agree, isnt Thomas a gorgeous baby?

Countdown to a new President

As the countdown really begins towards a new President of the United States one can all but wish we were that close to an election over here. Perhaps we could get rid of the most unpopular Prime Minister of all time. In the mean time, for once, its stange that the Americans have all of the Pomp and Ceromony, something that we Brits are so famous for, elbeit theirs is in regards to electing a future leader.

Where as in the passed I have always been interested in who is the next American President, I think the World awaits with eager eyes to see who will take over the White House in the comming months.

If you read the polls, most Europeans are on the side of Barrack Obama. For some reason, in my eyes Mcain is far too close a similarity to Bush and the World feels in desperate need for a new leader.

I had to laugh when 71 year old Mcain was asked last week, How many homes do you own?. His answer was four but if you check the records his household count is presently 8. Much of it thanks to his wifes some $50 Million fortune. But I do have to ask you my American friends. Is an old man with a fortune of millions and unable to tell you simply how many homes they own really the sort of man you want as head of the most powerfull country in the World?

I am behind Barrack all the way and would give him my vote. I just wonder, as it comes close to the finish line will there be dispute over the results like there was last time in Florida? Its time for change. Time to move on from the war and build the world for the future. Good luck Barrack. The world needs you.

Have Ipod, Can Travel

I have this routine before I leave the house most days. Oyster Card, Wallet, Mobile telephone, Gym bag and of course Ipod. I sometimes pack a book but I like to read the Metro in the mornings on the way to the bank.

But sometimes, when I have had a bad nights sleep or been woken a few times too many in the night, (Normally by my husband coming home from work in the wee hours), I sometimes miss one of the steps. Sometimes its all I can do to make a cup of coffee or two and jump in the shower. My shirt has to be ironed the night before and I have to shave my head and face the night before else risk hacking my face half to pieces with my weary eyes in the early hours.

This morning I was a few minutes behind schedule, but as most things had been prepared yesterday I grabbed my bag and phone, kissed Dusan goodbye and headed out of the front door. Locking the door and putting my key into a secure place and then heading through the petit jardin toward the DLR. Suddenly it struck me. Had I done my full checklist before rushing out the door. Wallet Check, Gym Bag Check, Mobile Check, House Keys Check. I-Pod! Please tell me I packed my I-Pod. Its one of those things that I simply cant cope without. Not on the Journey to work anyway. On the way home one can make a phone call but in the morning rush hour its considered almost taboo to do that most natural thing, speak.

My heart almost started to race at the thought of having to take the entire journey without being able to block out the world and instead of the hussel and bussel of London listen to something upbeat and appropriate, like Abba, the Hairspray soundtrack or Peyton. Thankfully after a bit of a body search I found my Ipod hidden in a pocket but was almost tempted to come home for it and risk being late for work.

Thankfully we have broken the hump of the week. Roll on the weekend!

Bank Holiday Blues

Have you ever noticed how every time that we have a Bank Holiday the rest of the week feels even longer than usual? I must have enjoyed myself a little too much over the weekend?

I couldnt believe it when at 440AM, I woke and was unable to sleep again until I had atleast been to the bathroom. Then it was one of those sleeps where you dream but feel so wide awake from the dream.

I managed to be the first one in the office this morning. Officially I was told my hours are 9 till 5 but you are expected to do more. Being the new boy I feel I need to impress somewhat and so stayed till 545. The big question is, how late do you stay? How early do you go in when you are nowhere near to a deadline? I would happily work late if I have a project that needs to be completed.

I think I am still finding my feet and slowly getting my teeth stuck into more things.

Came home this evening, cooked, ironed and chilled ready for an early night to make up for the excessive late nights at the weekend!

Cardiff Weekend

After a late night out living it large in a packed Cardiff Saturday evening we have come to the conclusion that there were probably more gay people there for Madonna than there would be for even Cardiff Pride. The Bars were 6 people deep to get served for a drink.

We woke Sunday around 1:00PM. Both feeling a little shattered from the night before's festivities. We had missed Breakfast and so met Alex and Mikey and went to lunch at Ha Ha's before taking a walk around the city centre and doing some retail therapy.

By 4:00PM we were all feeling tired from walking and so went back to the hotel to chill. Dusan fell asleep within a few seconds, so Mikey and I went down to enjoy the Pool, Jacuzzi and Steam room in the hotels Spa.

At 6:00PM we made our way to the 7th Floor Executive Lounge where they serve free VIP nibbles from 6:00. Plus the free alcohol is available too. So we stated for 2 hours enjoying cocktails and some wine.

I had thought we would all be going out to dinner in the evening but the others wanted to do a Bar Crawl. So we started at the Loft Bar then on to Icon and then made our way down to the Golden Cross where my friend Denis said he would be.

They had a drag act on just as we arrived and the place was heaving with people. It was Miss Kitty Litter's time to entertain and I have to say she did have a belting voice and we enjoyed the show. Then imagine our surprise when they announced it was to be Karaoke following the act. I had clearly had a bit to drink as I signed Mikey and I up to sing Copacabana. Having not done Karaoke in years we enjoyed ourselves on Stage and more drinks followed till we got back via Chip Shop Alley to the Hotel around 1:30AM. It was a fabulous weekend and a good time was had by all. It must have been good as Dusan is already saying he would like to go back to Cardiff soon!