Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in chromosomechic's LiveJournal:

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Sunday, May 8th, 2011
9:02 am	I care but I'm restless, I'm here but I'm really gone What an absolute hilarious mess everything has become over the last six months. Admittedly, there have been times when its looked like it might all just about come together, but all in all, its been massive struggle followed by kick in the teeth. Jane is in hospital again - 4th breakdown so technically she now has the lead over her pathetic twin. While initially this precipitated an upsurge in relations between myself and them, their general uncaring nature towards helping her to get better, and not wanting to know because she is so down and it might make her mother more ill is really exasperating me. I actually think everything would be better if they got the hell out of everything. I suppose christmas at theirs should have taught me that one - being reprimanded for having too much mustard on the Christmas dinner was a particular lowlight within this. Its made worse by the fact that Jane and I were supposed to be there next week - to go and see a few days of Worcestershire v Durham. Potentially the only chance I get all year to see my beloved team at home, but I somehow doubt that they'd allow me to stay during that, no doubt they'd think I should be holding the baby here and visiting Jane. I probably should, but its so draining. The hospital are about a millionth as competent as last time she was in. I've witnessed physical altercations between staff and service users, and the general air about the place is turgid, added to the fact that its in what can only be described as a complete slum. The more I contemplate, the more I wished I lived out in the countryside. I really don't like Fawdon, too many people, notably chavs. I just don't like the urban look - I try to go through it under cover of darkness to avoid having to look at any of it. I did have a house we were likely to move to, but just as it was going to go through - Jane finished in hospital spectacularly. Related? Possibly - although I think her mothers breast cancer returning that topped that one. While I do sympathise - they knew Jane was volatile, especially hundreds of miles away and feeling helpless and I'm annoyed that they told her. So with Jane in hospital, I've got my homeless (again) mother staying with me, and she is a complete bag of volatility. She did move to Birmingham, almost ended killing herself unable to cope on her own so ended on my grans sofa. Its great to have her here, but it really is a walking disaster having someone so unhappy living here, while my entire life is about work, hospital and trying to fit in as much else as possible. My mom has decided a family crest of carpe jugulum (seize the throat) is appropriate - it sounds a good one. Anyway, I'm seeing Christine this afternoon, and my midweek forays are to Sedgefield on Tuesday and Swalwell (league cup final) on Thursday. I'm in the midst of another real ale challenge this year, and I've massively exceeded where I was at the corresponding time in the last challenge, namely 510 - I should easily smash the 1000 barrier. Its just a shame I havent had the chance to see more of Holty, and also Colin (who I was meant to be seeing next week. Still, I've travelled alone this far. Less than three weeks to my 30th - just sense that it might be an unhappy one - I really can't see Jane being out by then... a night at Trail of Dead on my own... Current Mood: crappy (Comment on this)
Thursday, September 9th, 2010
10:35 am	But I never made the first team, I just made the first team laugh Well, its been a long time, with an awful lot going on since the last update. And to cap it all, I'm off on a trip whalewatching tomorrow, along with a couple of football grounds in Iceland, which should take the tally up to 329. But that has only been the half of it. Technically, my mom is now homeless. Shes moved out of her last house, and can't move into the new one (240 miles from me) until a week on Friday because the people shes buying off are on holiday. The vaguaries of housebuying elude me, but it convinces me its something that I have no inclination to ever do. It shouldn't bother me too much, but in my childish comfort zone, it kind of does. I moved up here partly to be closer to her, so that she is moving away feels a bit like a dagger through my heart. Tangibly, I may well see more of her, after all, I tended to see her for an hour once a fortnight here, but over there, I will see her once every six weeks but be staying with her. But I suppose what really worries me is how much of a comfort blanket having her nearby is. She did a wonderful job of getting everything sorted for us moving house before, an amazing job truth be told. And I suppose that when things really were going scarily awry in the last flat, it was nice to know that had it been torched or whatever, we would have had somewhere down the road to stay. But perhaps more worrying is where it leaves my dad. He couldnt move with her as his mom is fully dependent on him, and I suppose it hurts to have both parents living completely alone, isolated (well, with the exception of a mad 92 year old in my dads case - and he wanted to live alone but couldnt get it together). I guess when I was about 17 I absolutely hated him. All I wanted in life was him and my mom to split up, but there was so much acrimony then. Now it feels difficult to conceptualise because they've been together for 42 years, and their lives have somehow drifted apart, with their wants being irreconcilable. Just as I get to the point of getting on really well with both. I suppose it makes you start to value what you have but it still really hurts. Sunday was particularly painful - I had my mom staying over at mine, and it was so hard to just let go. I know the 'if you love someone set them free ideology', but playing in my head at that moment was the chorus of Sunna's 'One Conditioning', with 'I'm just a child' frequently repeated. The cry certainly flowed. To be fair, the fact we've moved did make it a little easier because it had taken a huge weight off my mind. Without going into too much detail, things had gotten really untenable at the last place, between the dampness and frequent drugtaking literally on our doorstep. I'm not going to pretend for a second that where we are now is perfect, but it isnt quite so bad as it was before. Allied to this, I'd ideally love to get back to Birmingham somehow in the not too distant future, and lets face it, the way the job market is currently my hand may be forced on that one. It looks like Worcestershire's promotion charge is going to end this week unfortunately, as the game with Middlesex meanders away to a draw. We went down to that one on Tuesday, and combined it with Carshalton v Tonbridge, a five goal thriller which took our goals per game average above 3. Just a shame we didn't consolidate that by doing Ashbrooke Belford House v Redcar last night, although we were both very tired and had a lot to do for our holidays. Current Mood: pensive (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, April 16th, 2010
2:02 pm	I've just had the craziest week Long overdue update methinks - I havent got round to doing this thing for ages in spite of the best of intentions. The groundhops are still coming along thick and fast. 291 is the current tally, after long jaunts to Retford and Newton Aycliffe this week, with Penrith coming up tomorrow. Having already completed all the Scottish leagues, Penrith is my penultimate NL ground, so I will have that done by the end of the season. I'm off to Riga in May as well, to continue the international flavoured hops. That is if flights arent still all grounded by then! Someone at work asked me if I actually enjoy the football while I'm there, which I class as a silly question, because if I didnt I'm sure that there are plenty of other things I could do while visiting random places. Next season I probably will go and watch Queen of the South a lot more, because thats relatively close and they are a team I've grown into following. I'll have to, in the interim just make do with watching them on BBC Alba on Tuesday. And I will see their opponents, Ross County, at Hampden. Theres a huge irony to the Old Firm, who harp on and on about how inferior other teams in their league are and how that drags them down, going out of the cup to Dundee United and Ross respectively. Hooray for the underdogs, and come on the Staggies! I was going to do Newcastle beer festival yesterday, but both me and my dad agreed £5 in was steep - effectively the cost of 2 pints before we'd started. So we just drunk in town and it was all fine, until he resorted to his typical pointscoring againsst my mom. I guess being an only child has its plusses (being a spoiled brat included!) But this is definitely one of the marked negatives of it - I constantly get played off agaisnt the other by both of them. That said, I am rather worried about my moms current mental state - to call her depressive would be really understating the point. I just wish she could ascertain what would make her happy and do it whatever it takes. Whether I think her moving up here was a mistake or not is besides the point, I am not her. At least myself and my dad have agreed to go to Brampton Folk festival together, although no doubt his mother will scupper those plans. I'm currently absolutely shattered but buzzing after the week I've just described - but probably going to try and get my head down for a bit before watching the live Irish footy on the box later. Current Mood: sleepy (Comment on this)
Sunday, January 24th, 2010
4:05 pm	I just can't think of England The main thing to have me riled more than ever about this place: Someone at Janes work got dismissed for making comments that all geordies are thick and how much he hates them. Ok, that itself can be seen as an over simplistic and bigoted view - but its the fact that doesnt affect his ability to do the job - nor is it any worse than a lot of the comments I've heard since moving up here. There is an obsession with 'incomers' and no doubt keeping the bloodlines 'pure' - maybe the reason why geordies struggle so much in education is because when learning to count, most use their fingers to get up to ten.... they get up to twelve too easily. Rant over on that front - but there is plenty of other ammunition. I made it to Bamber Bridge yesterday at least, and watched Halifax comprehensively beat them 2-0. A new ground at least and I feel that the groundhopping is back on track. We have Retford v Whitby next Saturday which could be interesting given recent form for both sides. I would love to be doing Doncaster v Middlesborough on Tuesday but Jane is too much of a wimp to ask to leave early. I hate people who are that diligent. The negative to that is its sufficiently close that jane's irksome little family have decided to come along to that as well. Anyone knowing me would know how much that possibility revolts me, even if there is scope for it all to kick off very amusingly without me doing much, and theoretically coming out in Janes eyes as the good guy there - the only problem is her inability to accept what they actually are. When it should be patently clear for anyone with eyes or even an iota of sense - to see. Added to that, I would much rather be doing Newark beer festival as a precursor to it. Jane also managed to irritate me on Friday by getting absolutely hammered on 3 pints. And acting like a complete arsehole. I comprehend that its entirely due to her not eating with it - so eat with it!! Some of us manage to do things with a modicum of responsibility and dont make the rest of us out to be the twats. So basically she ruined that night. Ah well, at least the Caps bandwagon keeps on rolling, with us having beaten the worms last night. Lets hope for a repeat against Cardiff this evening, though I have trepidation and I am still far from convinced that we will even exist as an entity next season. Current Mood: annoyed (Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
11:19 pm	Cos I started the night with all my friends but I ended up alone So, upon giving up on Buenos Aires actually happening, I've decided to bite the bullet and get myself a laptop. I'm gutted that Holty couldnt be persuaded to go over there but I do understand his reasons and in many ways it is probably for the best. I'm now feeling very poor, but at least have this up and running. I've also got Starters Orders for it too, so I can engage in horse racing in a certain way. Cricket captain is up next methinks, going to see if I can get that in Game. I certainly love my strategy games, I'll eventually get round to football manager. I went onto MSN for the first time in 2 years, in other words since I last had a computer at home earlier.... was strange looking at all of the unfamiliar names in my lists, many of whom I might have come across once, maybe twice. I'm determined I'll get back onto playing chess online as well in the not too distant future. Jane is meant to be paying the web access at least and I did at least manage to both get to the races and win at the races this afternoon, which was really good - it was well over a month since my last outing at Hexham, so I was indoubitably suffering from withdrawal symptoms before going. 4 winners out of 7 (including the race at Punchestown) was a good return especially given the recent lack of form to go by. I couldnt believe I got 8-11 on Diamond Frontier who literally had a crock of shite to beat and did it very comprehensively. Malta, where we got back from on Monday, was an interesting trip overall. We managed to tick off 3 new grounds (Ta Qali being the best but an absolute pig to get to on public transport) and the games, while not the best ever, were perfectly adequate and all cost between £4 and £7 to get into... that leaves me on 272 grounds now, and I'm determined to get that up to at least 290 by the end of this season. I did want to get to 300 but that has flown. I had toyed with a trip to Deveronvale v Fraserborough on Saturday but thats been eclipsed by either Bamber Bridge v Halifax or Arthurlie v Petershill, on account of the fact that its still rather cold in the heart of Aberdeenshire and booking in advance can be somewhat precarious. I do want to do a lot more of the highland league soon though. And I might even revisit Catterick on Friday, although I might not as well! Not a course I am keen on at all, and I might just wait for Sedgefield on Tuesday - although the BHB were mooting an extra northern meeting next Friday, and if that was placed somewhere convenient (like Kelso Carlisle or Hexham) I might even wait for that. Best news however comes from the bouncebackability (is that a word?) of Edinburgh Capitals. Heroes, all of them on account of tonight. To go to Coventry with 14 players and beat the league leaders on their own ice was nothing short of remarkable after losing 9-0 at home to them on Sunday. Jane was predicting that they would beat us 6-2 tonight, so I am absolutely loving ramming that one right down her throat - thought she was going to cry - after all we're just a diddy little team from a 3rd world country, right? Capitals, Capitals, HOP HOP HOP!!!! Current Mood: ecstatic (Comment on this)
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
5:37 pm	The scavengars pillage whats wasted away Feeling completely pants at the moment. The cold weather has continued its icy grip over everything, decimating sports schedules in its wake. I was hoping for a little respite and a trip to Catterick on Thursday, alas no joy because thats now fallen by the wayside. There is hope of a jumping resumption at Musselburgh on Friday but alas, I'll be in Malta at the time so its going to be at least next Wednesday before I see any racing. Thats a gap of 42 days since I've last been - which is a big gap for me. I even took to revisiting an already done ground last Saturday, with a trip to Partick v Dundee United. It wasnt the best game in the world - Dundee United won 2-0 - and it was absolutely freezing. Still, at least it was getting out of the boredom that had enveloped everything. Jane suggested last night why I didnt spend more time on my xbox - frankly because I'm sick of it. No new football management games on that format since April 2008 and nothing in the pipeline either. I'm seriously close to buying a laptop, where I can actually get the 3 games I want: Cricket Captain, Starters Orders and Eastside Hockey manager. Oh, and Football Manager. Very tempted. £400 and that would then be £15 a month for mobile internet. I will speak with Holty tonight about Buenos Aires, and if that isnt happening I should be able to afford it. We shall see though! (Comment on this)
Thursday, December 31st, 2009
10:50 am	Since its the last day of the year, I thought it appropriate for a real rant on everything that has got my back up this year. Feeling quite vitriolic at the moment for reasons that will indoubitably become apparent throughout this post. 1 - Taxi drivers. They always seem to think that they are the most important people around. This can entail everything from driving like maniacs, using bus lanes when not carrying any passengers to parking inconsiderately on pavements. The latter is a particular issue around our flat because there are not enough ranking facilities (and you could easily argue, too many taxis for everything but Friday and Saturday night). The thing that annoys me most is how they are so vehemently opposed to the introduction of a proper nightbus service. But hey, most turkeys wouldnt vote for christmas would they. 2 - The weather. If we could have some global warming, quickly please! Basically we've been in an ice age for the last 2 weeks with temperatures barely creeping above freezing. Its forecast to continue for another 9 days as well. This has played havoc with my groundhopping attempts and even bids to get to the ice hockey in Edinburgh. But still people go on about the need to save our childrens children... Screw that, just see point 3. 3 - People with kids who think that makes them more important. The future of the planet DOES NOT need them. In fact we'd be better off without them, its an overpopulated planet anyway and more space for everyone would be hunky dory.... abortions should be made easier and contraception given out free to everyone at school... in fact, stuff that, sterilisation would be a good option come to think of it. 4 - Old people thinking being on the planet since the year dot makes them more important. Again, it doesn't. Respect is earned rather than taken for granted. But some people think that because they are of a certain age everyone should defer to them. The current load of septegenarians are the first ones ever to live life to the full so much as to screw up things for future generations, and it isnt like they can argue having had to fight in a war any more. Well, except the Falklands, and see 5 (below). The incident at Elgin summed all of that up and personally I'd definitely advocate compulsory euthanasia. 5 - The armed forces. They certainly arent doing it in my name. But they get paraded around as heros in spite of wasting money that I, as a taxpayer, contribute to the economy. All they do is contribute to the instability of home security by involving themselves in hegemonic nations internal battles and think that they should be heroes for doing so. They get a handsome salary so why should they be seen as any better than anyone else. You want to see a true hero? Firefighters do ten times the job that they ever do, and no hoo har for them. 6 - Janes dad. Partly in relation to 4, but just generally. Going round wearing his trousers so high that its laughable and generally being the worst dad in the world. The comments on Lucy's lesbianism were absolutely classic (she tries to come out and gets a 'but you wouldnt be would you, that would be terrible') - duh, I dont think the question was hypothetical. Then because they disapprove of Jane's lifestyle choices she is pretty well out on a limb. Charming really. Besides, I blame them at the moment for the stumbling blocks inhibiting Buenos Aires from happening. 7 - Health and safety, litigation culture and no win no fee solicitors. Accidents happen. Deal with it. Shit happens. Like it or lump it. Just don't sue whoever made it happen and make lawyers even richer than they already are. Fact of the matter is that in the UK, so many people run scared of doing anything slightly wrong because some critter will sue the pants off them. Its lead to postponements that really shouldnt occur of football and generally everyone stepping on eggshells. I remember tripping over something when paralytic, and when being approached by one of these vultures them saying I'd have a case.... that just epitomises everything thats wrong - the fact I was paralytic might make it my fault. Not the absence of a sign that there was a steep drop - not being paralytic I'd have seen it.... duh. So there you go. I could go on but hey. I'm meeting my dad for drinks in Wylam later this afternoon, then the weather means a blank new years day rather than a trip to Garforth v Halifax. At least we have Portsmouth and Slough Jets on Saturday. Then its back to work on Monday - wonderful. And I can't see me having next Wednesday off to do Hexham because its chances of being on are akin to a cat in hell. New years resolutions: 1 - To dump Jane 2 - To lose 4 stone 3 - To get with someone else 4 - To go to South America 5 - To find a new job 6 - To get my ground tally up to 320 7 - To get back into political activism and direct action Current Mood: determined (Comment on this)
Monday, December 21st, 2009
4:54 pm	Take the national express when your life is a mess Well, that transpired into one of the most calamitous weekends ever - largely through the fault of certain coach companies and idiotic football clubs who give overly optimistic information on the likelihood of games being on. It was the first weekend in an age without groundhopping, I just wish we'd arranged to go up and do a Highland League game - because at least Cove was on. To be honest it infuriates me what a bunch of pathetic fannies we are in this country. In Prague, there was about 7 inches of snow when we were there last year. Did Zizkov have undersoil heating? Or cover? No, the game went ahead, fans slipping was their own problem. And many spent it snowballing the linesman. Over here - a smattering of snow and everything is off and don't even dream of expecting a transport network to run remotely efficiently. Part of it is this obsession that a game would be a lottery. Frankly, well good. Secondly is the ridiculous obsession with health and safety, or more to the point having their pants sued off (the American way). As the fun scandals articulated very well 10 years ago, 'England is the USA'. Well its certainly trying to be. Anyone wanting to see how the Highlands cope - check www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1533862 For the record, it snowed through most of Saturday in the south of Aberdeen but they got it on. If the HL called off for snow or frost - no league. Here, snow is such a novelty it grinds all to a halt. So we accepted early on that Lancaster, Bamber Bridge and Gateshead had no chance. It quickly became clear that Queen of the South was precarious. It was about this point I discovered Runrig were playing Saturday night. And also that Gateshead had passed an inspection. Perfect combination. So we headed over to Gateshead to find that, although the away side were Kettering (Northamptonshire) they'd had the foresightedness to call it off less than an hour before kickoff. Talk of treating fans and teams like dirt. Fans spend good money following teams through thick and thin, and stupidly late abandonments should not be part of the 'thin'. Annoyingly we could have done Hartlepool had we known. So then it was to the pub - cue more criticism from Janes mom when she phoned and we were in there 'surely you've got better things to do the Saturday before xmas' (er, no actually!) and on to Runrig. Who were the saving grace of an attrocious weekend. The ending on Loch Lomond was fantastic and the whole set emphasised what a great live band they are. Avoiding falling over on the way back was quite an achievement - it was slippy. So yesterday was going to be the salvation of the weekend - travel sorted to Edinburgh to see the Capitals beat the slimy little Newcastle Worms. Which, to be fair we duly did (altogether now, Cingel shoots, Cingel scores, Cingel all the way). But were we there? No. Because firstly, a certain coach company - rather than changing drivers mid-route, insists on having 40 minute breaks in a place to meet working time regulations. Cue irritation at bus just waiting there while the driver has his break. So did they load people onto the bus during this hiatus? No. They waited until 15 minutes after this geriatric old twat of a driver had finished his break (and then had a cigarette and a cup of tea) to start loading. And then, with everyone on they then found a woman who couldnt speak English didnt have her baby properly strapped in. Of course, legally that is her fault but this neurotic female employee wouldnt accept this case - preferring to make a huge scene about it and calling for extra assistance. I dont know who I hated more, the companys staff or people living in a country who are incapable of speaking the language. Pious though it may seem, I feel that my own puny life is worth 20 of either. So I stormed off the bus effing and blinding a little, though stopped short of my moms downright previous abuse/criminal charges and went home in a huff. Not before putting £10 on the Packers to beat the Steelers in the NFL. Which looked a great bet. Until 4 seconds from the end, when with the last action of the game, the Squealers stole a touchdown that cost me £22. Merry christmas my arse..... at least I'm done for the year now. I just hope this cold snap snaps before the 28th when I'm hoping to do Altrincham then Musselburgh on the 29th. Current Mood: enraged (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
3:23 pm	I curse the day I ever set foot in this godforsaken town So, here we are - about 10 days before Christmas. And, though I resolved not to be, I'm still stuck in the same living arrangement as before, in other words still with Jane. Which is a very disappointing fact - as my mom says, we are not good for each other, and her lack of ability to articulate herself, or to develop as a person is holding me back. Essentially, I'm earning over double what she gets, and she doesnt see why it would make sense for her to actually earn more. In fact, she'll hide behind the fact of 'having a bad upbringing that has left her devoid of confidence'. Yawn. Didnt we all. I don't see how at the age of 31 everything comes down to upbringing, but meh. Anyway, we have the landlord inspecting the flat fully tomorrow, that could be fun. Because if he does opt to be rid of us, there is positively no way I'm taking on a new contract here, not when I'm so determined to escape to another job elsewhere. I've got the grounds tally up to 268 now, with the likes of Linlithgow and Northampton Spencer added to the list of grounds done. I'm still hopeful of 300 by christmas, but in the near future, it may be inhibited by an absolutely vile weather forecast for the next few days. I was hoping to tick off Bamber Bridge in their game against Skelmersdale, but we shall see - as I say, the forecast is absolutely freezing. It might be getting a boost April time if I can talk Holty into the Buenos Aires trip that is at the centre of my dreams - but nothing back from him on that one yet. Current Mood: resigned (Comment on this)
Friday, November 20th, 2009
11:08 am	Boom bang, shit flew, brains too, life removed leaders unmoved I hate it when you have a day off work and colleagues think that you should be at their beck and call, contactable throughout the day. Fact is, I'm owed a lot of time and I want a break from all of that. Admittedly I wanted to be at Kelso today but their is one stupid irritation stopped that one - basically the fact they insist on having 35 minute gaps between races and therefore need to start at 12.15. With the first bus getting in at 12.01 and a 20 minute walk it would have been a problem and its impossible to get in with horses on the track. I could have done it by train but that would have meant a being in at 10am with a lot of time to kill - which would have bored me senseless. Still, I've got the joy of a trip to Hayes and Yeading tomorrow. Unless I opt to do Wimbledon v York - either would be fine to be honest. Just hope that the weather isn't quite as bad as forecast - either way its a lot of waiting around - we arrive in London at 7am. I've now managed every ground in the Scottish League, and my tally is up to 263. It would have been one higher but for the postponement of Newton Aycliffe v North Shields on Wednesday - alas I've got a load of interesting ones to come including a few in Malta, Edinburgh City and Retford! I'm trying to get to 300 before the end of the season but thats going to be quite a challenge to be honest. (Comment on this)
Friday, October 23rd, 2009
3:12 pm	Meeting my mom for lunch really is a bittersweet experience. I love meeting her, and I like spending time with her. But she really is so down and that really is painful for me to watch, I kind of feel that she is a shell of the person that brought me up. I look back on so many happy memories, feeling safe in her presence knowing that she would guard me from all the horridness in the world. Now I feel that its me trying to do all I can to protect her from all of the worst excesses of horridness that Trashington has to offer. She really needs to escape and she needs as much moral support as anyone can offer. My own selfish ego struggles with that one – besides, I find the shell of former self so difficult emotionally. To be honest, the state she is in mentally I really worry about her, that each time I see her will be the last time I get the chance for that, and her actions last time with Birmingham merely serve to affirm this. Of course if anything ever did happen, I’d have to rise phoenix like from the ashes but I know how long it took to get over Chloe when she died, not to say I properly am over her now anyway. She is still the nicest woman ever in my life, never answered back, would give everything for a belly rub – no! not an avenue to go down! But seriously, I’d take a dog above most things – kids, a partner, you name it. All this of course poses the crucial questions of what I do if she finally does get it together and escape Trashington for Birmingham – I don’t like it up here either frankly – though I do have a good job. But put bluntly, I could stay in my current existence with Jane being a complete selfish prick all the time and doing everything to protect herself, while paying well under half (but that’s ok of course because she damned her career so only earns less than half), and having to do everything because she is too useless/lame/pathetic/lazy *delete as appropriate – to manage anything. The fact is I do long for an escape, and I do long for the idea and option of being a mommys boy and able to live off – and look out for – my mother. Because lets face it, my useless inept prick of a dad won’t. I seriously lost my temper last week – I was almost run over by a car that decided for some obscure reason to u-turn at about 20 miles an hour. Against my better, more sober judgement, I ran 20 yards down the road to take a flying lunge at it... pedestrian rage. I'd have loved the driver to complain because I was spitting bile at the time. Jane of course was panicking like the pathetic little wimp she is. My simple way of looking at it is cars can hurt pedestrians a lot more than vice versa, so frankly if we want to smash them up, it should be positively encouraged. It would facilitate better accessibility anyway. Jane then further annoyed me on Tuesday when I wanted to have an evening at Doncaster v Peterborough to tick off the keepmoat. She didnt and made it clear she'd throw a hissy fit if I did. Alas, she then decided that she wouldnt even go out for a drink that night. Of course, if the shoe was on the other foot, I'd be expected to ask how high the minute she asked me to jump - her demands on me going to basketball (which must be the most boring sport ever invented) just about summed it up. Of course, no chance of her going alone - I worked out basically 6 things that annoyed me in a week and for all she understood my irritations, she wont apologise for any. Would make it all the sweeter if I did escape and left that moo in the lurch. Livingston last saturday was another one. For all I'm a Berwick fan, going to that franchise run dump sickened me. Frankly, the most horrid trip in the Scottish league by a very long way - and one I never want to do again, in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by shit frankly. I'm at Civil Service Strollers tomorrow though if the weather gets too bad for standing in a field, I might remind Jane I'd rather do Vale of Leithen v Keith. And no doubt be shot down, that would randomly be the 4th time I'd have seen Keith this year. Then its over to Whitley to hopefully watch this dump that is Newcastle get pumped by Belfast, the more (goals) the merrier Current Mood: aggravated (Comment on this)
Friday, October 16th, 2009
4:33 pm	Can't accept my life is a no point deal Lets start with a positive, because they are few and far between at the moment. Megabus are now operating a service Cardiff to Newcastle and its only £20 return. That makes Holty seem a lot closer! And it means a very good trip coming up in December even if I do have to now use leave for it. I'll go down on the Thursday afternoon, getting in at 22.15 (9 hours on a coach, yay). Then we'll do Carmathen on the Friday followed by Merthyr Tydfil the Saturday. And come back at 8am the Sunday arriving at 4pm, then up to Edinburgh for the racing (my annual december pre xmas jaunt) on the Monday. Mint. Makes that trip a LOT less expensive than I was prepared for - he's flying up when he comes to see me.... Only 2 weeks and we'll be in Ireland, thats really creeping up on me, but I'm worried as they seem to have changed the flight back. I'd rather do a Jane and pretend that problem didnt exist until Monday when it comes to online checkin. In fact, to be honest a big part of me regrets booking it at all - we're going to struggle to come by football tickets and the ice hockey will be a walkover the way we're haemmoraging players right now. I should be used to it with the caps but I was hoping for more halcyon days this season. I did have one big ice hockey positive last week though - went to Whitley v Dundee on Sunday. Now I don't really have a problem with Whitley - just the 'Credit Crunch Vipers' section who don't pay the bus fares to their away games yet turn up at Whitley in Vipers shirts. I see this practice as very condescending - if they even took the trouble to read whitleys message board, they'd see a lot of fans despise it. However, as Whitley are also a north east team I take great delight in their demises, and this was a demise against a team with 9 less skaters on the ice than them. Almost brought out a chorus of 'flower of scotland' from me. On another front, why do some people take everything so seriously? Sally, who I have the misfortune to work with just gets so het up over everything frankly, to the point of almost being ocd. Its not for 6 weeks this ruddy conference, and at the end of the day, who gives a monkeys if its crap? When I used to put bands on, I didnt feel the need to have everything so rigid, and woe betide telling them the setlist, but thats pretty well how far her directions go. Why bother getting a speaker in to script everything, may as well save the money and do it yourself! I'm looking at a trip to football over in Holland next year, in January but they annoyingly have a membership card system, effectively what yuppie scum Thatcher tried to put in during the 80s over here, a way to rip the heart out of everything. Put it this way, if you wanted to cause trouble, would this really stop you? I've never believed for a second that id cards are another way for the government to justify their cronies making more money from the suckers who have to buy them. But its a major barrier to this trip, I'm far from amused. Only £75 return on the ferry too, albeit excluding food. I've managed a few new grounds since I last updated this - Inverurie was a disappointment actually. The only pub serving decent ale in town was far too far geared towards diners, and frankly I'd rather get a haggis from a chippy. The wind did its best to totally ruin that game, and they lost 4-0 to a Cove side who adapted far better to the prevailing gales. On the way back, we saw a blown down tree and a roof off a building in Aberdeen. But christ, did that day remind me of the sheer excellence of the Grill pub in Aberdeen. Ok, the food is very basic but its also very cheap (£2.40 for a haggis) and the staff are amongst the most welcoming in the country. It was the last pub in Britain to allow women in, and even then they didnt install womens toilets until 15 years after (though looking at the mens, a total absence of toilets wouldnt be much worse). Its the 700 odd whiskies that they have on offer that makes it worthwhile however, along with the local beers. And the fact 4 people commented on my beard. Talking of beard, the last comment I got on it was if I added a bowler hat I could call myself an Amish and be unsackable on discriminatory grounds..... but I like it, I've always found beards quite sinister and thats what I thrive to be. Formartine was a much better trip - the game ended 1-1 with Keith but I couldn't recommend the club more to be honest, its a cracking set up and more hospitable friendly people you couldnt wish to meet. Upon hearing where I'd come from, I got a badge for free and they seemed really interested in my groundhopping tales - in fact I've never been at a highland league game where we haven't finished engrossed in conversation with the locals, it thrashes the Northern League with its sad 'not from round here' interpretation of a large number of individuals. Thank christ I'm not to be honest. Then, randomly at 1pm last Tuesday, a night out in Stalybridge appealed. So 3 hours later, armed with 6 cans of beer and a very large bottle of French xmas ale, we both set off on quite a jaunt, ready to load ourselves full of more poison at the train station. Stalybridge station is a funny set up, where the buffet bar is actually an award winning pub. As the real ale guide says, people don't mind if the trains are late here.... I just wish I'd had longer in there.... however a colleague at work stated it was the most horrible place she'd ever seen and that she just wanted a normal buffet with proper lighting. Theres no pleasing the new upper-proletariat, because this was a cracker of a pub. The game, although played in a lovely archetypical dilapidated west-pennines stadium was a little disappointing. Stalybridge never got to grips with FC Uniteds constant harrying every time they had the ball - and FC United won it with a wonder goal. They are a club I despise almost as much as tomorrows destination - Franchise Scum United (Livingston). Frankly I'd rather go to Newtongrange Star v Camelon - if only I knew what souvenirs they did I could persuade Jane. Jane always does my head in but lately is managing that more than ever - basically she thinks she has a divine right to everything without ever paying for or doing anything. Like Wednesday, I'm expected to get home, cook (in time not to clash with the E***and match) and to miss 2 programmes so she could see afforementioned game and the Simpsons. No give and take here.... she always has it so she always should..... and she should get to pick what game we go to on Saturday because Newtongrange Star, well thats just park football...... an attitude I'd love to stick where the sun doesnt shine.... so come on any Newtongrange people reading this, give me ammunition to persuade a poetic bearded groundhopper to visit your fine ground. Current Mood: energetic (Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
10:04 am	What can I say, its not so hapless, its not so harsh Another day off, this time for the trip down the A19 on the bus to Sedgefield. I'm also finishing early on Friday afternoon to take in Hexham, although looking at the weather forecast, there are few more gloomy places than there in the rain (although few more beautiful if the forecasters are wrong). Though to be honest, my weather worries are far more for the highland league games I have upcoming, it seems Inverurie will have gales on Saturday after rain through Friday. And Pitmedden isnt looking great for next week either. I guess its a risk doing highland league action, but I'm just going to have to grin and bear it really - I'd hope one of the three possible matches this Saturday would be on - even if I do end up at Turriff v Fort William. Back to today though, while I'm looking forward to the races, Tuesday is probably my least favourite day of the week to have off - it always feels like so much of it is left upon return - especially with a fiendishly long day on Thursday awaiting me. Dalbeattie was quite a good trip actually, I failed to persuade Jane to come along with me - alas I got to see a 6 goal thriller. Keith taking 4 of those goals in spite of being 2-1 down with 18 minutes to go - the first 65 minutes were poor until a flurry of goals around then brought the game to life (or at least woke Keith up). I'd forgotten how nice a place Dumfries is, especially the pub around Queen of the Souths ground (the New Bazaar) and that is definitely a ground for a revisit when I've exhausted groundhopping options around here. Also got to take in the cider festival over the weekend, which was great to be honest, all the ciders I had were served with absolute aplomb. It certainly left me more than a little tipsy however, and with Jane in a similar frame probably wasnt the best idea to revisit all the old ground over her family and quite how annoying they can be. Still, I should be used to her stubbornness on it all - I just remember being with Toni and how easily I could get on with her family - and the constant struggle this time round. Current Mood: pensive (Comment on this)
Friday, September 25th, 2009
1:18 pm	Guess I'm frustrated at everyone around me For people who are so change resistant, Jane's family certainly relish changing their plans a lot. In this instance, staying around Sunday, to the point its led Jane to comment that she 'hopes I am not around'. Which is absolutely charming. I pay the lions share of the rent, the majority of trips we do. And she wants me out of my own home. Frankly, it tempts me to miss Dalbeattie and spend the whole day tomorrow winding him up. After last weeks practice, I have no doubt in my own inability to wind anyone up to the point of assaulting me, and if I could then get that to happen - well, tis time off work and everything, as well as litigation. And with his dads funeral today, he'll already be on edge. So do I do Dalbeattie, or do I have some fun with the mindgames. Given hes had the audacity to cash the £114 cheque I sent for the holiday, I think the latter. Unless I can continue my other game, and make it so Jane has no option but to come to Dalbeattie with me, just to spite them. I have a cider festival later to push that one forward, though my chances are somewhat limited I think, unless I use blackmail over Ireland etc. Or I could just state what I want in life. In other words, what emanated from the good chat I had with my mom earlier, she is ever more desperate to move. If only I could just get a comparible job in the midlands, I could move down there with her. Its a nicer place than here, I've got more friends and I'd have everything on a plate (literally in terms of food). Ok, so there isnt the highland league (though I could technically get up there for matches on the same bus as I get now, albeit at 11pm) but there would be the likes of Redditch and Bromsgrove I havent done yet. So frankly, its a case of finding something down there, and that would wind Jane up ever further because unlike her, I have a family that I would like to live with, who dont impose curfews on me and treat me like a kid. In fact, I am blessed! Although however great my mom has been, that just makes it harder to watch her mood sink ever further, and I've been leaning a lot on my colleague Paul for support and advice for how to cope with it. Anyway, shes sorted out my Medulla Nocte and Assert albums, so I'll feel a lot better with those to hand. Current Mood: enraged (Comment on this)
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
9:22 am	Like a rat in a trap, I'll be waiting for you I'm basically off today having worked out that I could take 6.4 days a month off until April, and with continuing uncertainties, not wanting to be left with loads of unusable leave. Well, quite a busy few days. We set off for Elgin on Saturday, but the bus happened to get into Aberdeen late - I was furious at Jane because I'd said all along that we should be going via Inverness, but as ever, noone takes a blind bit of notice with my common sense. 'But I wanted to see Andy' the reply, though quite frankly why, as the guy has the charisma of a whelk and at least whelks don't spend the whole time going on vomit inducingly about their kids. Frankly I can't think of much worse than that. So we got into Aberdeen, and it was a stark choice, of miss the first fifteen of Elgin v Berwick, or go to Deveronvale. We chose the former, which meant a train to Inverurie then a replacement bus thereafter. I sensed quickly that there would be problems from this very annoying coffin dodger on the seat in front who tutted thinking I should have let her on the bus in front of me (clearly having never heard of such a thing as a queue). And my mood got progressively worse as the journey continued, with punctuality getting progressively worse, and the driver thinking it was ok to go a slow pace along the roads because hey, he was only 6 minutes late. Why we had to stop at every little backwater when there were 2 buses completely baffles me... but anyway. We got to Elgin at about 3.09, and wanted to get off the bus quickly, alas it couldnt pull into the station because there were buses waiting, even though there was a bus stop right next to it. I make a comment about why it can't just let us off, and Jane agrees. Said geriatric and her fat disabled mother make the comment of 'what about people with mobility impairments' rather aggressively in my face. My comment back is 'was I talking to you'? before suggesting that they could just hop. That provoked a tirade of abuse from them, including having a go at Jane for being ugly (my response to which at least she doesnt have a lot of minging wrinkles like they did).... and in the end, the younger one hitting me with her stick. At that time her mom was trying to get out as well, and I was no way letting her out, putting as much pressure on as I could in the hope she'd fall over probably. I then made the comment that the whole group were walking adverts for compulsory euthanasia for over 70s, provoking more violent abuse from them all. Jane threatened to call the police, as I suggested, a far more fitting thing would have been to confiscate the stick as a weapon that had just been used as an assault, immobilise the scumbags. So lets look at this rationally, too many people think old people are all lovely just because they are old. What twaddle. Many of them think that the whole world owes them a living just because they've been housewives their entire life. Should respect be given or earned? To me, thats a simple answer, being more experienced doesnt necessarily mean better (or else every football club would be filled with 80 year olds)..... they generally make no productive input to the economy and are a waste of space who I hate having to share the air with. So, given the current 'demographic crisis' of an ageing population, with a lack of people of working age to support them. Aligned with the 'credit crunch' and having to fund their pensions, free bus travel etc, as far as I am concerned there is one very simple solution to it all. Compulsory euthanasia for over 70s. And yes, I would include my own family on that, I've got a suicidal mother and a dad who is getting on my tits for being thoroughly unsupportive of her. So I'd happily dispense with both when they hit that age. You could give them something wonderful for reaching 70, keep retirement at 60. And then, two weeks later, humanely put them down. They do to dogs after when they are too old to cope with the rigours of life..... Anyway, having missed Berwicks opener, we were treated to a classic where it finished 3-3, Elgin equalising in injury time. They had 4 chances the whole game, and put 3 away, hesitancy in the defence and profigacy in front of goal costing us 2 points. Elgin was a lovely place though, picture postcard with the people at the club being incredibly friendly and some good banter in the pub with the locals after the game, where I managed to cram some 6 pints in (still in shock at earlier assault, though what I'd have given for the 3 of them to be on the bus back, because I'd whipped Jane into a frenzy about it by then). But the fun was only just beginning, because the directions Jane had for the hotel were crap. Not only that, it was for a certain road that just happened to be about a 4 mile horseshoe. Eventually, after walking for 90 minutes, we found it, my legs were shaking by that time and I felt thoroughly crap. Straight to bed with a 6am start the following day. Boroughmuir Thistles ground proved equally elusive, and then upon finding it was a pig to get into. It didn't go down as a classic match, with one player a cut above all the others on the Inverness side eventually scoring the winner in spite of their lack of possession compared to their opponents. Still, it was a free day out in the sunshine and I couldnt grumble. Then it was straight to Murrayfield, to eat and prepared for the opening home ice hockey spar of the season against Nottingham. My feelings were mixed - we'd won 9-2 at Hull the night before, but with our esteemed leader out with a horrific sounding knee injury (get well soon Doug), and being a further import down, I was dreading a hammering. But we acquitted ourselves with aplomb, only going down 4-3 in overtime. Our 3rd period performance against the league leaders was probably the most stoic I can ever remember by players out on their feet. To get a point out of that game was an excellent return frankly. If we can get some more players in, we could have a decent season and I was so proud of them. Having been at the Metro Radio library the previous 2 weeks, it reminded me what a good ice hockey atmosphere was, with fans getting behind the team as well, rather than only singing/chanting when told to 'make some noise' by the PA. It was a case of getting back at 2am on Monday morning, before quite a hectic week at work, but I'm owed 25 hours now so I'll be taking a bit of time off - in fact I've worked out I'm in for less than 50 days overall before xmas - if you extract the half days from it. We went up to Benfield v Consett last night just to do something,and that was another cracker, with a spirited Consett effort going down 3-2 in spite of being down to 10. Two cracking free kicks from unlikely positions being 2 of the Benfield goals. I'm also suffering in pain with a nasty foot infection at the moment thats ripped a lot of skin off, on a lot of cream and antibiotics for that for the next couple of weeks, which I'm not meant to drink with - hmmm - cider festival tomorrow night anyone? Added to the delights of Dalbeattie on Saturday (I think Keith will win that one, though the forums suggest otherwise). To be honest, its anything to be away from Jane's family who are all around for Gateshead v Poxford. Current Mood: amused (Comment on this)
Friday, September 18th, 2009
1:26 pm	We should gain our views from our own experience, not read them in dictating doctrine Definitely time for a major rant. Are some people genuinely useless, or are people of that ilk a lot cleverer than we all think? In terms of continually doing things really badly, so that eventually its easier for the rest of us to just do it ourselves? Especially when faced with their constant tears on being asked to do what I would consider a relatively simple task (ie book a hotel in Aberdeen). After all, the reason we need a hotel in Aberdeen is because Jane's loser friend opted to let us down on getting a better offer (after all, family come first (MY ARSE)). I'd never put family before friends, you can pick the latter, the former are imposed on you and can be treated like crap but, like a rubber ball keep coming rebounding. So anyway, she made a hash of that, and we have a 3 mile walk to and from the hotel (her comment of 'we could get a bus' on needing to be at the coach station for 6.45 on a Sunday morning was actually classic, if indicative of her brains incapacity to think. Why oh why didn't I stay in Birmingham and get with Lisa while I had the chance? Better looking, nicer person and I'd no doubt speculate a slightly less arsey family. Though she had about the intellect of a short wooden plank too. We are still going to Elgin tomorrow, though she is moaning like hell about finances. Which, if you will pardon the pun is a bit rich given I had to spend £207 on transport fares across the country to take us to the end of the year yesterday (I've still got Ilkeston, Ossett, and Scottish cup 1 to add to that, as well as another Edinburgh trip). But that phases me not, come onto the earth with nothing, live an enjoyable life, and then die out with nothing. Always the best way. Actually, there have been developments with the Addams, sorry Andrews family - Fred the shred finally popped his clogs last weekend, made all the more poignant by the fact his treasured son was out of the country in France at the time (now there is putting family first for you). But to be fair the said treasured son has finally relented and booked our return leg of our holiday (though I'm adamant he overcharged me on the exchange rate). Still hate his guts though, or at least I would if I could find any. Arbroath was a brilliant trip, probably the best awayday I've done in the UK - we got a day bus ticket and stopped off in Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie in each direction respectively, the Fishermans Tavern in Broughty being one of the better pubs I've ever been in. The weather augured perfectly for a lovely dilapidated old ground (where I only had to pay £6 in) and a 5 goal thriller. With the lovely backdrop of the north sea the only thing visible to the east for miles and miles, save for the ships out on it. Lovely day out as I say, and only 3 grounds still to do in Scotland. But today has me in a foul mood as I say. First off, I have to encounter being asked to go and pick up a 'couple of light boxes' from our other office, to arrive and be confronted with 4 that, from lying on the floor, while thin, were almost shoulder height. I frankly despise the pathetic cow who asked me to do it - she spends her whole time going on about how her husband is really abusive and beats her up - SO JUST LEAVE, DUH!! Or better than that, poison him. Then I get this other really annoying bat going on about how Newcastle is the greatest place by far in the UK - and ask if shes ever lived anywhere else. Of course she hasn't, but hey, Newcastle is so great she couldn't even fathom that. Points of reference anyone? I used to think Birmingham was absolutely shite and couldnt wait to escape until I actually did. Now, without thinking its paradise, it isnt so bad. Well, its better than here. The irony isnt lost on me that said woman works in the social housing team, and its had her off with stress. So if all those ickle pathetic geordies are so nice, then why do they stress her out so much? Finally, when I'm in a major rush in the lift to go, I get a woman getting on at floor 2 to go down. I couldnt resist mouthing 'no wonder you are so fat you ugly heifer' as she got out.... doubt she heard, they have a tendency to only hear what they want up here. Still, I'll be on 252 after the weekend, with Elgin tomorrow and Boroughmuir Thistle ladies on Sunday. Then Alnwick town on Wednesday, and Dalbeattie Star next Saturday. My latest guess is that I'll end the year on about 266 Current Mood: aggravated (Comment on this)
Friday, September 11th, 2009
1:30 pm	Is my blood as bona fide as yours? Been feeling really knackered all week and no idea why. I did drag myself back to the gym after 4 weeks off from that on Wednesday which left me more than a little stiff, but its been tiredness irrespective of whatever time I've gone to bed. Still, its the weekend now and I've got the joys of a 7 hour jaunt up to Arbroath tomorrow to watch them play Brechin, and tick off my 250th different ground. Durham are 1 wicket away from retaining the title, which is a cracking achievement. Not fully sure what to make of it, because while I have the utmost admiration for the team and especially the coaching staff, their fans have been becoming progressively arrogant. And I certainly think that insular parochialism is something that this neck of the woods has to a t. Still, congratulations to them are in order I guess, as from where they have come even 5 years ago, it is an unprecedented achievement. I've been amusing myself of late with how stressed people get about certain things. Now dont get me wrong, there are things which I think justify stress - A levels were the one I worked myself up over. Deaths or illnesses of relatives, fine. But the way one of my colleagues is claiming sleepless nights over a conference she's organising in November?!? Whats the worst scenario - its hardly going to kill anyone. It might damage future networking but so what. Personally, I think theres so much more to life than work anyway, I just want to earn enough to do all the things that I want to do, and I'm achieving that as it is. The last thing I want is more responsibility - just isnt worth it. Mind you, the person in question is a nasty bully who I found to my interest yesterday is afraid of spiders... hmm. Talking of nasty bullies, nastiness continues involving Janes family. Her dad won't book the rest of the trip even in spite of our pleas and promises to transfer the money to him immediately. Basically, he wont do anything to benefit me, and in the process would happily effectively drag Jane down with him. I can only look forward with zest to the time he needs someone, is frail and about to go into a home or something - my dad always taught me it pays to be nice to your kids because they choose the home you go into - now lets find the one most likely to abuse him, steal his money and tie him up now..... While I try to salvage the Ireland trip..... Current Mood: apathetic (Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
9:47 am	Like rats in the wreckage, we patrol the decay Gateshead summed up everything that is wrong with the north east in their game against Hayes last weekend. Drawing 0-0 and down to 10 men, one of their players goes down injured when they'd used all their subs. Admittedly, a serious injury but they refuse to play the rest of the match, claiming it should all be replayed in spite of the fact their opposition (and their fans) had travelled 220 miles or so, and are a part time club. Frankly, the only person who can abandon a game is a referee - he wanted to play it. If clubs can put pressure on for abandonments that sets a really dangerous precedent for other games. Who decides when an injury is serious enough? The ref? The player himself? I remember hell breaking loose when Chile? were playing Brazil and walked off claiming their keeper had been hit by a firework when he hadnt and being banned from the next world cup. I'd love to see the book thrown at Gateshead. They then make it worse by their response of claiming pretty much a southern hatred of them because their northern - face it, southern people don't hate northerners, they just don't acknowledge you. While you go around with a chip on your shoulder hating everyone that isnt you. But hey, I much prefer Scotland. The Scotland v Macedonia match was good on Saturday but I can't help but think its all academic - even if Scotland somehow beat Holland, other results won't sufficiently favour them. And, like all international sides they have plenty of tossers in their ranks, its just Scottish nationalism has a lot better songs than English crap singing about how great their reigning monarch is. How anyone can take themselves seriously singing a song about sending an outmoded idea home victorious - send her home from where? Balmoral? Libya? Groundhopping is still going along well, I hit the 250 with Arbroath on Saturday. And looking at other trips that are definitely happening by the end of this season, I've got Formartine, Inverurie, Elgin, Nairn, Stalybridge, Ossett, Stocksbridge, Alnwick, Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, Newton Aycliffe, Horden Colliery, Coldstream, Dalbeattie, Livingston, Auchinleck, Gala Fairydean, Heaton Stannington, Walker Central, and Wimbledon. Not to mention Bohemians and Shamrock over in Ireland. Mustnt grumble to say the least. I just want Berwick to get an away day against Burntisland Shipyard in the Scottish cup! Sedgefield races this afternoon, my recent form on that front has been poor but I've had a lot of bad luck, horses narrowly beaten at big prices. I could do with it turning round today because after paying for my holiday last week, I'm not feeling that flush! If I liked the flat I live in more I might stay in more not that I'm adamant that would be a good thing mind you, as I love being out there. Found an absolutely cracking beer the other day - Never Again from the Old Spot Brewery (Congleton). I certainly wouldnt say never again to it - it was 7.4% admittedly but actually quite morish and had some lovely chocolate flavourings to underpin the strength. That was all after watching Newcastle Worms beat Cardiff in the ice hockey, really wish they would crash and burn as a team, their fans and their squeaky voices with horribly banshee accents get on my tits. And to think I used to fancy geordie women.... I got a great comment at work yesterday - that I need a hat and a black cloack to go with my beard (but no moustache). I reckon I look quite good with the beard now, it suits me and I'm seeing how long I can grow it. Very much an amish look. Though when I suggested Jane got me a hat for xmas, I got offered a baseball cap or a horrid Ascot like embarrassment. I'll go get my slippers and pipe! Current Mood: calm (Comment on this)
Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
5:20 pm	If only there were clothes on the floor, I'd feel certain I was bedroom dancing Amazing how easy I find it to spend time on computers - being online the other day reaffirmed how much I actually miss having one at home, but I'm too lazy/useless/skint to get it sorted, and I can also add to that I really hope not to be living where I am in 6 months time - to be so would be a complete failure. In fact, if I have it my way I wont even be in Newcastle in six months time - the main reason I'm here now is fears that the credit crunch renders it worth clinging to a job I have (and a well paid one at that) with both hands, because security might be even worse elsewhere. Anyway, I used the other day to catch up with a few people I'd sadly lost contact with, even heard from a few which was nice. I suppose my biggest regret of all over the last few years is the feeling that my social network has crumbled more than a little as I've been more geographically isolated, and indeed tied with someone who has used every tactic under the sun to stop me having close friendships with others. I long for the days when we werent living together as it was so much easier, and things like disappearing with Lisa (god I miss her) for hours on end, and the whole Delly scenario were much more doable. Alas, my mom asked the question earlier 'are you happy'. Its an interesting one to analyse - my response is along the lines that 'I'm not unhappy' - but things are far from how I want them, or certainly how I imagined them a few years ago - much of that is my own fault, but I really feel I'm hitting the age now I need to decide what I want and go for it. Spending lunchtime with my mom however is one thing assured to make me feel less happy - she is very unsettled in the north east, not getting on with my dad and feels thoroughly isolated - I try to be there all I can but its really hard work to be honest. And I've always thought facing up to parents mortality is probably the biggest challenge of all in growing up. Scottish cup 1st round draw is out anyway, the games interesting me are at Auchinleck or Dalbeattie - I just worry that the former (which would appeal more) will thump Fort William, so I might be off for a trip to Dumfriesshire in a couple of weeks. Jane's delightful sister is in the north east that weekend, so the further away the better - although I've heard apparently she is terrified of me and has it in her head that I'll be the cause of her death, and cause her a breakdow. Now ignoring my love of mindgames (and I do love mindgames) I think thats beyond even me. For all I think she is the saddest most pathetic specimen of humanity I've ever come across - and not just because she wouldnt go out with me 5 years ago and led me on.... but anyway, thats a story for another day. Current Mood: busy (Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
10:44 am	I fly like paper get high like planes Well well well, 63 weeks since I've last posted on this. I hate not having a computer at home, so I suppose one slight benefit of my dad pulling out of a trip to Seahouses with me is that it gives me the chance to get online, do a few things that I really want to get done that I can't do on the computers at work. Especially with their increasing strictness about all things non-work related. So there really is so much to update on, even so much to look back on that I really don't know where to begin. My main success over the last few months has been football ground-hopping. I'm now on 248, a bit livid that the Bamber Bridge v Lancaster game yesterday was abandoned because I was going to pop over to Lancashire to get that up to 250 with combining it with Gillford Park but alas, I ended at Whitby Town v Kendal instead (which worked out to be explosive with a big fight in the players tunnel and a very late Kendal winner). Alas, I'll pick off the 250 before I know it, I've got Heddon v Ponteland tomorrow, and a week on Saturday I'll do it with Arbroath v Brechin. I'm still living in central Newcastle which has its plusses, I'm only 5 minutes from work. Its negative is that the flat is horridly damp, and nothing thus far has been done about it. I'm also not allowed to have a dog in spite of my protestations that both myself and Jane work 5 minutes away from the flat, meaning we could nip back on our (very differently timed) lunchbreaks - to take him/her for a walk. We even identified the one we wanted from the dog shelter - alas the landlord said no and that was that - Janes dad did moot helping out on a flat but relations there have continually worsened, with all kinds of allegations flying both ways - some of them guilty as charged - I can be a bit naughty after a few too many to drink. Especially earlier this year when I'd really cut back the few times when I did cut loose. Particular grounds to mention that I've got ticked off are Forres and Fraserburgh in the Highland league, and a few in the Czech Republic - I love the former league and the remoteness of the Highlands generally - its certainly a place where I'd love to relocate to albeit while acknowledging a lot of the problems of being that far from everything and the transport system. I haven't really settled in Newcastle truth be told, and would love a way out - its made me appreciate the plus points of Birmingham - my biggest issue is the parochialism of a high proportion of geordies and their despication for what they consider to be 'outsiders' from their nation. My own take is that being born in a stable doesn't make someone a horse (I'm definitely embedding myself into Scottish culture, anthem is much better, highest rate of heart disease, haggis etc).... although if asked where I'd be living in 5 years, honest truth is I don't know. I certainly know my immediate backup plan if this goes awry is to go travelling, I've found some kind of opportunity in Bolivia to work with animals, and that could really be the making of me - I've got a lot fitter than I am but to take that I'd need to take it to the next level, but really feel that could be the making of me (or the breaking). Sure, I would have security fears etc but I just feel if thats destined to happen, it would happen anywhere. Then its just a case of raising the finances..... Current Mood: determined (2 Comments |Comment on this)