August 22, 2003

Another lifetime since I updated this - again partly due to being so busy at work. It's bonkers here and I just can't wait for my fortnight in Ibiza. Just two weeks now before we go - it's gonna be great just lazing on a beach and not having to get up early in the morning for work.

Thoroughly settled in at the new place in Shoreditch and enjoying it - even if it is quite loud and grungy at times. But I guess that's half the attraction. Some great markets and bars round there and I've explored a few of them with mates in the last few weeks.

I've been totally obssessed with finding a man this summer - maybe it's the fantastic weather we've been having that's pushed my hormones through the roof. Whatever, I seem to be going out on more dates than most people do in a lifetime. Met some nice guys and some horrors. One or two nice ones have potential, although whether they feel anything for an old has-been like moi is another matter entirely.

I had to have a few days off work after getting a bad infection on a cut in my foot. It blew up like a balloon and probably got infected after a visit to the nudist beach at Studland - it was a great day even though I got a sunburnt arse!

And here's a pic of me and some former and present work colleagues at a wedding of my fellow editor Marianne near Warwick.

July 10, 2003

It's been ages since I've updated my diary but so much seems to have happened of late that I don't seem to have had time. First, I've moved home! My flatmate John moved his girlfriend in recently and they preferred to have the place to themselves, much to my initial dismay at the thought of having to move again.

Fortunately, it coincided with American Michael needing to move out of his place with Marcello so the three of us eventually found a place in central London - in the rather trendy Old Street area. It's a nicely done, two bed flat, rather spacious and neatly decorated. We moved in last Saturday - myself and Michael doing all the work. It was horribly stressful, as the weeks before had been, and it was with something of a relief that the task was done.

Now it's a question of settling in and finding out whether we'll all get on. Hopefully it will work out.

The previous week I'd been on a work awayday thing - three days on a houseboat on the Thames riddled with spiders and one loo between eight. We got a lot of work done but it was nice to get home to a proper bed.

And the weekend before that it was Kate and Danny's wedding in Bath! Had a great weekend in glorious weather with the gang. Was feeling a bit stressed by everything else that was going on so couldn't really relax but it was great seeing them so happy and to get out of London.

June 6, 2003

How's life? We've been having some good weather here in London of late and that doesn't half help to up the mood. I had a day off last Friday to make it a long weekend and take advantage of the good weather. Celebrated Craig's birthday in the evening and then had a very quiet Saturday and Sunday, which was a bit on the dull side.

I've been doing the usual gym visits and meeting friends - Stuart, Michael, Jamie and the old school gang. The previous weekend I went round to Jamie and Brian's for the EUrovision Song Contest and laughed when we got 'nils points'.

It's all been a bit mad at work and I'm crying out for a week away somewhere but, looking at the calendar, it's looking unlikely. July is particularly mad with things at the weekend scuppering any chance of getting a holiday in. Bit of a nightmare cos I'm feeling a little bit tired.

May 22, 2003

I can't believe it's been a month since I last wrote - but things have been so busy of late. Work has been a bit of a challenge with so much to do and limited time in which to do it. At least the days go quickly.

I've also been quite busy socially, in between visits to the gym. American Michael is back from San Francisco, Nobby had a birthday and last night we went out with Pete after he finished his latest set of accountancy exams. Ginger Stu had his birthday last week and that proved to be a riotous night. And this week I went out with nan for dinner - as it's her birthday this weekend. It's all birthdays...

I had a fun day in Epping Forest last week, volunteering for an environmental charity through work. We cleared scrub and cut down trees - and for the next few days I was as stiff as a board!

I've been feeling very hormonal lately - seem to be desperately keen to find a man and have gone out on a few dates. One looks promising.

April 21, 2003

Last Wednesday saw my debut as a TV star when BBC2 broadcast the edition of the game show Treasure Hunt I made with Jamie. We met up in a bar in Clapham to see it screened and various mates and work colleagues came along. I have to say I was more nervous watching it with them than I was filming the show on the night. And to be honest, I wasn't nearly as camp as I thought I was gonna be. I still hate hearing myself though.

I was rather pissed off with most of my mates though - who didn't bother coming along, let alone responding to messages about it. I'm sure I wouldn't miss something as important to them. I guess they are getting less and less reliable as the days pass. It's not helped by my general feelings of utter irritability either. I dunno why but I seem to be getting very short-tempered and easily vexed of late.

Easter is here again, and very welcome it is with four days off work. I spent Good Friday with the family seeing my lovely nieces and sitting in the warm sunshine - we have been having great weather of late. Having said that, it's now all gone.

Here are some screen-grabs of the TV show:

April 7, 2003

What beautiful weather we've been having these last few weeks - it hardly seems like March/April! I went out with Pete the other Sunday afternoon for a walk and a beer and there were so many people sunning themselves on Clapham Common. It was more like a June afternoon than anything else.

With sunshine, a boy's thoughts turn to romance. I've been doing some sniffing around, seeing who's out there - and more importantly, who would be willing to take me on! Watch this space...

I've done plenty of catching up with mates of late too - American Michael, Emma (who's just back from Vietnam), Jamie and Brian. Jamie's still stressed about our forthcoming appearance on the telly! I think I'm the one who will turn out looking like a complete prick... hey ho.

Other things - got to get back on the straight and narrow. Been pigging out and beering up too much lately so more discipline required there and more visits to the gym too...

Here are some pix of me in Prague last month.

March 27, 2003

A quick update to let you know that I filmed a BBC quiz show on Tuesday night with Jamie - it's called Treasure Hunt and used to be on Channel 4 years back. It's gonna be broadcast in April, presented by news reader Dermot Murnaghan (who's a really nice guy). Here's a pic of us!

The show involves us being in a studio directing a helicopter to various places on a map - but to get to the places we have to solve a series of cryptic clues. And all this is done against the clock. Surprisingly, I was rather relaxed during filming - although not beforehand! But the show itself was one long, mad rush and the clues were horrendously difficult.

It was a great experience - even if I look fat on the telly - but I fear I will come over horribly camp! I won't let you know the result - you'll just have to watch!

March 24, 2003

I've been so busy since my last entry - including spending five days in glorious Prague with American Michael. I wouldn't describe it as a holiday as I came back feeling quite drained from all the walking, sight-seeing and excessive drinking of extremely cheap Czech beer.

I went there last year for a few days on CJ's stag weekend but saw very little of the place so it was good to really explore the place this time. I'd never been away with Michael before but he proved an ace travelling companion. We explored quite a few of the gay bars and clubs - most of which were extremely weird. Some were nothing more than dressed up brothels!

I'm also preparing for a TV appearance. Me and Jamie are filming Treasure Hunt for the BBC tomorrow night. Had to buy a whole new wardrobe as my existing clothes are 'unsuitable'! I'll let you know how it goes but at the moment I'm rather nervous about the whole thing.

Otherwise, I'm working hard at the office, meeting friends for drinks - the usual stuff.

March 5, 2003

Several months of enforced idleness, caused by illness more than anything, has left me rather overweight so it's been time to return to the gym and do a bit of dieting. And it's paying off already! I've lost a few pounds and can fit into trousers I thought were lost to the bottom of the wardrobe forever!

As a result, I've been going to the gym and limiting my nights out and alcohol intake - which has also been good for the wallet. Talking of which, I found out I'm getting a £3,000 bonus at work! The downside is that most of it will go on paying off the credit cards. Still, it's better than getting nothing at all.

Socially, I've been back to the folks to celebrate by niece Catherine's second birthday, met up with Emma before she went off to Vietnam and met up with Haydn from Out for a nice night in town.

February 20, 2003

What an amazing weekend that was... Saturday saw perhaps the largest demonstration Britain has ever seen as part of the campaign against war in Iraq. And I joined it with Pete and Catherine - we were hoping to meet up with other friends but it's a bit difficult when you're surrounded by a million people! The atmosphere was simply incredible and it took more than five hours to get from Waterloo to Hyde Park in the bitter cold.

I don't think I'll ever forget the determined but light-hearted mood, the sheer range of people on the march, the waves of sound and the huge numbers. I doubt Blair will listen but we made our point - that he can't just walk into another country without sanction from the UN. To think I once supported Blair but he seems to have become nothing but an ass-licking poodle who spends his entire time with his tongue lodged firmly up George Bush's rectum. It's a pitiful, disgusting sight.

Otherwise, the steroids seem to be doing the trick and the bronchitis is on the wane. I've been able to meet up with some mates, including Michael and Stuart - who I haven't seen for ages. Got horribly drunk with him and regretted it the next morning!

February 10, 2003

I dunno what's wrong with me this year - well I do actually. The doc says I have bronchitis with touches of asthma thrown in for good measure and put me on antibiotics complete with a puffer thing. The pills didn't work so I ended up on steroids, which finally seem to be doing some good.

Rightly he lectured me on smoking and warned me that, with my dismal history of chest infections, things could get pretty grotty for me in the next 20 years unless I continue to give up. I guess that's an extra reason to stay off the fags then. If only they could invent harmless ciggies.

It seems so long ago that I was away. Work was really stressful last week too, even though I shouldn't really have been in. It's gonna get worse as well with yet more demanding stuff on the way and I fear I'm rather floundering at the moment - working on a project I don't really understand and have no idea how to deal with. No-one seems capable or willing to dig me out of the hole either.

Some good news though... I have booked a holiday to Prague with American Michael and did an audition for the TV show Treasure Hunt, which went well!

Anyway, on those depressing thoughts, I've added a few pix of the holiday in here. Some are of me and Paul and the others are of the often volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote. Enjoy...

January 27, 2003

It's been a month since I wrote, and I'm just back from the Canary Islands. I spent a week there on holiday in Puerto del Carmen on Lanzarote with my mate Paul. And it was generally a good week too, lots of sunshine, lazing on the beach, drinking in the bars and wasting money in the casino. It was a strange resort, quite tacky, full of pensioners and young families and some pretty grotty people! But I survived.

One of the highlights was visiting the volcanic landscape of the south east part of the island. It was incredibly dramatic, full of craters and lava flows, and I hope to get some good photos online soon. It made a change from the beach!

The downside was that I had an awful cough all week, and have done for some weeks now. It's made me feel quite grim and down since just after new year and I was hoping a week in the sun would clear it up. No such luck, however.

Anyway, the sight of my fat gut in the mirror has prompted me to take some action. So from now on I'm watching what I eat and I hope to return to the gym as soon as I feel a bit better.

December 27, 2002

And so Christmas is over for another year, completing a very hectic December. The holidays were tiring in themselves but I spent good days at my brother Peter's place with Karen and the kids. It was quite a turn-out and the nieces kept us busy with their toys and general mayhem. Poor Rebecca was ill both days and Emily and Catherine (pictured in fancy dress) were not much better.

Boxing Day was spent at mum's for more food, drink and presents. I got some good stuff, including DVDs, clothes and smelly stuff. Today, however, I am back at work in a pretty deserted office.

The run-up to Christmas was chaotic, thanks to a busy time at work. We transferred the web site to a new content management system and that involved long hours and some stress. In between, I had plenty of Christmas drinks and parties to attend. It was good, in particular, to see Kate and Danny up from Bath for the old Clapham gang festivities.

As for New Year's Eve - well, it's one of my least favourite nights of the year. Far too much hype. I have no idea what I'm gonna be doing...

November 28, 2002

So how is the giving up smoking going? OK, apart from the odd lapse here and there. But generally it's been surprisingly easy - shock, horror. I've also been going to the gym a lot in a desperate bid to lose all the weight I've put on in the last year.

What else has been going on? I had a few days off work last week, trying to use up holiday, and caught up on sleep. We saw the new Bond film, Die Another Day, in town and followed it with a marathon booze session. The film itself? It's good but not as good as some - there's just a bit too much action and too little story for my liking.

On Saturday, Jamie and Brian bought me tickets for the Bond exhibition at the Science Museum as part of my birthday treat. That was fascinating - for a Bond fan anyway!

I went back to Caterham on the 17th to celebrate Rebecca's second birthday (pictured), which left me exhausted, and belatedly celebrated my mate Paul's 40th as well.

Now we're in the build-up to yukky Christmas and there are bloody Christmas carols being played everywhere you go. Hideous.