Congratulations to Gareth!
Visitor number 1500!!

30.12.03

Bob Monkhouse passed away today. The world was a happier place because of him and will be sadder now he has gone.

29.12.03

Happy Christmas!
How many of you woke up today and opened up a present that made you think
'someone saw that and thought of me???!!'
Not just me then!!

25.12.03

Had a perfectly relaxing day shopping In Southampton today. I just can't seem to get the hang of buying presents for anyone but myself. Oh well, I'll try to cope!

22.12.03

Headed over to Wales yet again, this time to see the Stereophonics play the Millennium Stadium. It was a great gig but without Stuart Cable on the drums it just didn't seem quite right.
A big thankyou to David Williams for sorting a ticket for me!

20.12.03

Happy Birthday to my sister Julie! She doesn't look a day over 43!

16.12.03

Headed up to London to see ExileInside play a small club underneath Oxford Street. Fantastic gig! My addiction to McDonalds Dairy Milk McFlurry was proven as I ate one on my way back to the car after the gig, in the cold pouring rain!!

12.12.03

Met up with both my sisters in Wales today, as Julie is visiting for a few days. As if it wasn't bad enough having to meet them in the town centre on a Saturday in the run up to Christmas, they ensured my complete humiliation by making me meet them in Primark. I swear there was a town somewhere in the Welsh valleys that must have been empty as all its inhabitants seemed to be in that shop, foraging though piles of clothes, most of which were on the floor, looking for that elusive pair of leggings in a size 'extra large'. Oh the shame!

29.11.03

Received a text message tonight from my mate Bertie who was at the Radiohead gig at Earls Court in London. He was able to confirm that my 'troll convention' theory was proven correct once again. In fact he claims that the last Radiohead album must have come with a free 'ugly stick' and was keen to point out that on tonights evidence it wasn't a limited edition either!!

27.11.03

Went home to Wales today as I'm seeing two gigs on consecutive nights. Firstly got a bit of retail therapy in, accompanied by my sister Glenys. Later met up with my mate Mark to see Radiohead. It has to be said that a Radiohead crowd are never going to win any beauty contests. It was like a troll convention, and the more aesthetically challenged the individual, the more word perfect they were to obscure songs. As I only know the words to one or two, I have scientifically proven that I'm drop dead gorgeous....ahem.

24.11.03

My niece Jo gave birth to a beautiful son today! I obviously had to drive to Cardiff to get a glimpse of 'Daniel John' who was born 6 weeks premature but in good health!

16.11.03

Met up with my mate Graham to see The Electric Soft Parade play a gig in Bristol. Superb night!

11.11.03

Woke up to find the world clothed in fog, so I took my camera with me when I took the dogs out for their early morning walk

28.10.03

Sometimes as I drive around Wiltshire I get to see some of the most beautiful countryside. I took this picture just outside Devizes

27.10.03

Went for a long walk along the coast today in a place called Milford On Sea. The picture below sums up the beauty of the day



and the sunset later was simply stunning

26.10.03

An absolutely beautiful autumn morning. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and every shadow was frost filled as the sun slowly rose.
I decided to take the dogs for a long walk through the surrounding fields. It was so peaceful. Then as we walked alongside a hedgerow there was a large squawk and a startled pheasant flew out. To say it was surprised was a bit of an understatement, but not half as surprised as me! I almost fell over in the ploughed field and could imagine the coroners report...'Death by being spooked by a wildfowl!'

25.10.03

Finally got my car back from the garage today! They asked me if I was satisfied with the repairs, to which I had to reply "who cares about the repairs, you cleaned it!"

24.10.03

Opened my bank statement today to find that the person that hacked into my e-mail and Ebay accounts on 17.09.03 had also got access to an online payment account I have. They had spent over £250 of my money. Thankfully the online company have refunded all I've lost, but it's made me very wary of online payments now.

20.10.03

For a change I went to see Keane tonight! This time they were headlining in London at the ICA in The Mall, rather than Pall Mall where I wandered for ages looking for the venue! Doh! Big thanks to my mate Bertie for guiding me to the correct place via mobile phone!
As I walked in I saw my mate Nick walking towards me with two members of Coldplay. They headed off to the bar as I accosted him to ask how he knew them, and amazed him as he hadn't even noticed them!

13.10.03

I spent the evening with friends Scott and Jon and after an eventful meal we headed to the cinema to see 'Cabin Fever'. Lets just say that about a quarter of the audience had left before the end, and we so wished we had joined them!

11.10.03

I headed over to Cardiff tonight. Following a great meal at an old haunt of mine, Diner 77, my friend Darryl lured me to his home where he insisted I look through some very specialised magazines. Some of those pictured were complete bitches...check out the website here

10.10.03

Went to see Keane again tonight in Bristol with my mate Graham. The word is spreading....!

09.10.03

Met up with my mates Mark & Sarah in Cardiff tonight to witness another superb performance by Keane.



I chatted with Tom and Tim from the band afterwards and they were kind enough to sign some cd's for me too.

08.10.03

Drove to Cornwall and back today! A round trip of 340 miles, taking nearly 6 hours in total, so I could surprise Spencer on his birthday! He was suitably surprised. Phew!
Together with our friends Lynda and Andy we toured Cornwall and eventually got to Lands End

06.10.03

My car finally went into the garage today for 'extensive' repairs. And what did they give me as a courtesy car? Well, it is allegedly a Nissan Micra but I believe it is in fact a Jaguar X-Type, heavily disguised as a Nissan Micra to avoid other road users getting jealous. I would have taken a picture of it, but I would hate to generate such envy amongst you all!

03.10.03

I went to London for the day and felt compelled to go in as many shops as possible. I also managed to fit in a 'flight' on the London Eye where this picture was taken.

02.10.03

Together with my mate Lynda, I went to see Starsailor tonight in Southampton.
Absolute class.

30.09.03

Went up to London tonight to see the Howard Jones 20th Anniversary Concert. Met up with friends Mark and Sarah to witness a very bizarre gig.
For some reason, about three quarters of the way throught the set, Howard invited 80's singer 'Nena' onto the stage to perform her hit '99 Red Balloons'. Unfortunately she chose to sing it in German and the crowd where I was stood were not too thrilled.
This was followed by Midge Ure taking the stage to sing the Ultravox hit 'Dancing With Tears In My Eyes'. I commented that it could only get weirder if he sang 'Vienna', which he promptly did next!

20.09.03

I had to sit and watch one of my e-mail accounts being hacked in front of my eyes tonight, as well as my Ebay account. Someone got in and changed the passwords whilst I was logged into both. I advise you all to make sure you have a firewall on your PC as mine was turned off at the time (a long story). The 'hacker' worked via a server at Oklahoma University. Really spooky to have it happen in front of my eyes.

17.09.03

Absolutely beautiful sunset tonight. I took the picture below near the historic stone circle at Avebury

15.09.03

Finally got around to getting a piercing today! I've put a photo below so you'll be relieved to find that it's only my navel!



I wont regale you with all the gory details but lets just say I needed two changes of clothes just afterwards due to the amount of blood I lost!

13.09.03

Whilst driving in Swindon today some stupid driver decided that she didn't need to check for oncoming traffic on a main road when she drove out from a side road. I hit the brakes but mainly used the side of her car to stop mine. And I'd only got it serviced yesterday!! From the picture below you can make out the dent in the bonnet and the crumpled wing. At least it is still driveable at the moment which can't be said for the other vehicle which caved in as I hit it. Courtesy car hell awaits me!!

11.09.03

I went for my second session with a Counsellor today. I can't recommend this enough as each time I leave there I feel less burdened than when I went in. It's very 'me, me, me', but hey, we all could do with that every once in a while!

08.09.03

I'm beginning to sound a bit repetitive, but I went up to London to see 'Keane' play in Camden. Word is definately spreading as the venue was completely packed and the crowd were rewarded by a band who know they are on the way up!

04.09.03

Fate has a funny way of stepping in when you least expect it. In the last week I've found the 'me' I was sure I'd lost, and as I embark on a new chapter in my life I've never felt happier! Watch this space!!

21.08.03

Once again I headed up to London to see the band 'Keane'. Have I still not managed to convince you just how good this band are?!! Another fantastic gig!

19.08.03

I decided that a bit of professional help wouldn't do me any harm so I went to see a Counsellor today. An absolute revelation that I would recommend to everyone! Suddenly loads of things are a lot clearer in my mind so I can deal with 'em better. I'm more focused on what makes me the person I am.....Marvellous, obviously!!

18.08.03

I've been trying desperately to find something positive from recent events and I suppose one thing that comes to mind is the way we can sometimes take our friends for granted. I've definately been guilty of this but have quickly realised just how great all my friends really are. Yes, you lot, the people who read this. Be prepared to be hugged in the very near future. I cant guarantee I wont cry at the same time, but hey, some of you have weeks of practicing behind you!

17.08.03

I've had some real low days recently. The actions of certain people have stopped me in my tracks and I've ended up in a place where I'm wrongly blaming myself. I've finally woken up to the fact that some people just cant be helped, however hard I try, but I've got nothing to reproach myself for, as I really did give it my best shot.
The reaction of my family, friends and colleagues through all this has been totally amazing. You guys have dragged me from darkness back into the light. In particular I have to thank my sister Glenys, my friends Scott, Rob and Chris and my colleague Lesley. You've all put up with this blubbing baffoon and I'll never forget it. EVER.

16.08.03

'This Feeling' by Puressence has been my favourite song for so long that I'd started to take the lyrics for granted. Today they seem apt....

"Forgive me
Give me one more try
You're not the only one that can make me sigh
  Why don't you lift me
Lift me from the mire
Too busy staring cold at your magic eye
  Well I get this feeling
I get this feeling
Jumbled around and round and round
Inside my mind

  It's easy
To crease me like a page
Why do I think this way at such a tender age
  You just released me
I'm let out of the cage
I'm selling at the back from a battered case
  Well I get these feelings
I get these feelings
Rolling around and round and round
Inside my mind
  I'll take another pill to make me feel better
Take another pill to make me feel better sometime

Yeah you might find
a special kind inside my mind.
(take another pill make me feel better)"

11.08.03

I had my first ever canoeing lesson tonight on the local canal! As if being totally shown up by all the kids in the class wasn't enough, I also had to wear gear that did nothing to boost my confidence either!!

05.08.03

Went up to London tonight and got caught up in various traffic jams, so it took hours. I went to see 'Keane' again and they were absolutely superb. It was definately one of those 'glad to be alive' moments hearing them play, and those have been few and far between recently. I was lucky enough to meet Tom and Tim from the band afterwards and they were both charming guys.

31.07.03

Headed home to Wales for a weekend of catching up with family and friends. A huge thanks to everyone for keeping the smile on my face.
I also finally got a tattoo...

18.07.03

Congratulations to Darryl for being visitor
1000
to this site!!!

14.07.03

Went to see the Charlatans play a rocking gig at the Shepherds Bush Empire tonight. Somehow managed to get myself down to the barrier at the front for the best view in the place!

11.07.03

We all went to Longleat today where we had a fabulous time. We went around the safari park, then on a boat around the lake to see the seals and spent a frustrating time wandering around the maze too. Tim really enjoyed himself with his boundless energy!!

09.07.03

Went to see Haven play a gig in London tonight after seeing them last night in Southampton. A superb live band!

07.07.03

We all went to Lyme Regis today. The sight of Tim running around in the sea was a joy to behold!

06.07.03

My good friend Morgan, his partner Caroline and their two and half year old son Tim arrived from Sweden yesterday. I now have an excuse to take them to all the places you really need a child to enter. First stop was a local rare breeds farm where both father



and son



could not resist the lure of a rusty old tractor!!

05.07.03

Met up with all my old housing pals tonight. It seems this website is regularly visited but I'm still concerned by Neils comment that the picture in my 'Friends' section of my friends Scott, Stocky and I reminded him of the long forgotten band 'Brother Beyond'. Surely he must have meant 'Big Fun'!

02.07.03

I went to see a new band, 'Keane', tonight in London. I have never seen the venue so packed and it was subsequently extremely hot and sweaty. The band excelled and I recommend them to all.

26.06.03

I am beginning to suspect that I'm having a mini mid-life crisis! I am suddenly really aware of how old I am in comparison to everyone else, or so it seems.
I feel like it's time to hit the pause button on life and take stock. One thing that has really come to the forefront of my mind is just how great my friends are and how much I really do appreciate them.
Thanks to you all.

24.06.03