Archive for October, 2008

Five fantastic facts

Posted on October 26th, 2008
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… that you (probably) didn’t know about me and never wished you did, but are forced to read about them because this is my blog.

Fact #1 – I left home when I was 15 and never looked back.

Fact #2 – I was born in Florida and have dual nationality. My accent is English though and people don’t believe me when I say I’m American. Maybe that’s a good thing?

Fact #3 – I have a famous relative. My great grandfather, (who is my mum’s grandad or my grandma’s dad if you want to get complicated) – was the British Heavy Weight Boxing Champion in the early 1900′s and can be seen on old black and white films banging the Arthur Rank gong in the opening credits. His name is Bombardier Billy Wells for those who are interested.

Fact #3.5 He was used as the million pound question on the ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’ gameshow. I dearly wish I’d been asked that question for a million pounds, because I’d rich right now if I had.

Fact #4 – I used to suffer from bad bouts of insominia. The longest I’ve stayed awake for was about five days without a wink of sleep. It’s no way near as bad now, but you can often find me online at stupid o’clock in the morning (like now).

Fact #5 – I’m about to start my new job, (Monday to be exact) working in a bookshop. I’m very excited. I’ve kept it under wraps for so long because it’s taken a while to get everything sorted as the bookshop is located airside of an aiport. I had to go through various security checks before starting and I didn’t want to jinx the job by saying I’d been accepted when it hadn’t been officially confirmed.

So there you have it! Five fantastic facts (not), all about me. Normal-much-less-crap blogging service will resume shortly.

Socks are bad

Posted on October 20th, 2008
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I feel I need to explain my Twitter update, where I advised against buying socks as a gift. Socks in themselves are ok; they keep your feet dry and they come in a variety of colours (and flavours depending on how much you walk and therefore sweat). Socks are useful. Yes they are. In fact, I remember my old boss telling me that he can’t wear a pair of socks more than once because they lose that, what do you call it, Socky-ness?

There’s definitely a constant demand for socks (as demonstrated by my, quite clearly, sensitive footed ex-manager). So why are they a no-no as gifts? Let me take you back a few hours and all shall become clear.

I left for work this morning, (first day in fact!) except, it all went horribly wrong and it turns out, I can’t start today. Or tomorrow, or the day after. Not until November. Instead, I had to go all the way across London, to Finchley and meet up with the person who did my reference, and get them to change a measly date (which is stopping me from working!) as it was incorrect on a form… but that’s a story for another time.

I braved the very scary Northern Line (how many different branches does one line need?!) and sat as most Londoners do, ignoring my fellow commuters and staring at a forty-five degree angle, to a point just above their heads. I read, re-read and re-re-read the advertisements along the tube wall, several times, until I couldn’t take it anymore. In the end, I changed seats and continued to read the ads on the opposite side of the carriage. Just for the hell of it.

And here comes the crux of my story. There was an ad, imploring the Superficial London Commuter to buy a good gift, as opposed to (I assume) a bad one. This Christmas (or any other time of year, its just gifts + Christmas = good publicity) why not send a gift to someone in need? Enter Good Gifts – the concept, a pretty good one if I’m honest. You spend money on buying a cow, for say, someone who needs a cow; £95 if anyone is interested. Or fresh water, for people that like to drink fresh water. BUT! It was their marketing campaign that made me laugh, and laugh, and laugh.

Once you buy a “good gift” and pretend to be a little less selfish than you really are, you’re sent a Christmas card. On the front of the card is a Christmas tree with little presents that doubles up as an advent calendar. Behind each present is a really “good gift”. Their examples of good gifts? Medicine for the sick and food for the hungry. All great gifts. Yes, really good gifts (no sarcasm here). But then I read on. Socks for the homeless. Socks for the homeless? Huh? Are you for real?

A really good gift would be a house, a room for the night, a blanket, a home. Not a fucking pair of socks. That’s a bad gift, a baaaad gift.

So now you know. Socks are bad. Houses are better. I thank you.

A few of my favourite things

Posted on October 2nd, 2008
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I’ve noticed a lot of unhappiness lately. Whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, blogs or in real life. It seems there is a lot of sadness going around at the moment.

Not feeling particulary great myself right now, I wanted to remember the stuff which makes me smile. Here’s my little list.

#1 Tubby. Anyone who has met this bear will know what I mean. Tubby is awesome.

#2 A good book. Nothing better than snuggling on the sofa with a cuppa tea, a sandwich and a book to read.

#3 Meeting up with friends. Catching up and finding out what they’ve been up to; sharing moments and creating memories. Good companionship carries you through.

#4 Hearing my Mum’s voice. Seriously, I’ve had some major issues with my mum over the years but nothing can replace a mothers love. It’s unconditional.

#5 Winter. I love it. Your nose turns red and your hands feel like blocks of ice. But the coldness only serves to remind you that you have a nice warm home to get back to. Peace of mind is a something I never take for granted.

#6 Paul’s cooking. Especially his pasta. A home cooked meal from the one I love. Cue lots of nice warm fuzzy feelings. And Paul too obviously, that goes without saying.

#7 Good music. It’s amazing how much a song can pick you up. The lyrics are emotions with rhythm.

#8 Learning. That single moment of realistation when you discover something new for the first time. When it sticks in your mind and you use it throughout your life. Memories. Remembering.

#9 Writing. Even if I’m not the world’s greatest. Knowing I can express myself with words makes me happy. There is something magical about the written language. It’s been around for thousands of years and I’m contributing to it.

#10 Being on my own. I love my own space. I’m just as content to be by myself as I am to be around others. If you enjoy your own company, you’ll appreciate it more when you get time to yourself.