In the misery of which is the post-xmas period I have been recollecting in some old tunes from a few years back. I dug out an old Kerrang CD from like 2001-2 and with curosity played the whole thing in the kitchen (of course, music in the kitchen is the best place to listen to anything) whilst washing the dishes. Immediately I remembered the likes of 'A', Lit, Fu Manchu and Alkaline Trio, which floated my boat back in the day. It made me acquire the new Trio album, Crimson, which is awesome. Get it - it might just change your life. Might.
In an attempt to get back into the academic feel of things I have been reading the comment section of the Times. Oh what a bad idea. Especially when the subject prays upon my overactive paranoia. For some who know me well, they will explain that I have very strong paranoid tendencies. For example, checking the front door is locked after I leave the house (even if Im 10 minutes down the road) and when I lived at home, ringing my mum to wake her so that she could check if I had left the iron on.
The article I read was about internet identity and what information which we could describe as 'personal' actually reaches the web. 'Googlestalking' is a new craze for identity theives, paranoid androids and the bored. Just type your name into Google and see what comes up - you'd be surprised. Even if you don't appear in any of the articles once you've added a few details about yourself e.g. where you live, where you work etc. to narrow your identity down, what you can uncover is quite worrying. I now know that my father shares a name with a West Wiltshire County Councillor and that Jen shares her name with a law lecturer in Oxford. In another article I have read that some women track their ex-boyfriends if they were 'stalker-esque'. One woman discovered that her ex lover had left town by checking a newspaper article. This worries me - is this too much information to have avaliable?
People put the info about themselves on their blogs and sites in many different ways. Some will be very limited in what they display, some all bare all details including name, address, telephone number etc. and for some, they even create separate identities entirely for the internet and effectively become a duality. We are all permitted to share information about ourselves in what ever way we choose, but surely we must be prepared we accept that what we place on the net is not just going to be seen by our mates, but the whole world. That includes the scum of this world.
Some other scary sites with worrying prospects:
Net House Prices - Enter your postcode and see how much some of the houses in your street have sold for. Good to reveal if someone is feeding you bullshit concerning the price they paid for their house. Bad as it is perhaps information which just shouldn't be on view.
Check Your Area - Enter your postcode once again and witness the real wonder of which is your street. This site will tell you what type of area it really is, who lives there, whether it's has a 'good or bad' credit rating (creditors consider the postcode, not just the house and it's occupants) and whether you read a newspaper or not. Designed for people moving house and to have an idea of their potential home. But once again, should we really have this type of info available to all?
Some things are just meant to be private.
A Christmassy Post
And so another Christmas comes and goes, just like the occasional cold. You only have to blink and before you know it, the nice shiny presents you once were eyeing up now clutter up the bedroom cupboard, probably never to be seen again. Christmas had of course been creeping up on us for ages, but to me the last visable sign of the season came on the night of Christmas Eve. THERE WERE NO CARS AT ALL NEAR CASA DEL CATHAYS AT ALL! Parking was a dream. I really wish I took a picture now!
Its been a pretty good Christmas in all - pretty much like the previous ones, so no complaints there. Its always great to have a family Crimbo, sit around the table and take the piss out of the Queen's message, take the piss out of the 'cracker treats', not to mention wearing those rather fetching cracker paper hats, which never fit my head properly. I think it meant more to me as it was my first 'live-away-then-come-back-for-Christmas' Christmas. I must give many thanks to both Jen's family and my own for some excellent festive meals. They were delicious! We should have sausages in bacon more often!
The pic above is from the Argos Crimbo Party a few weeks back, which was a big disappointment. Sadly only a few people turned up, but we still had a good time thanks to many drinks on the company and some rare Cha-Cha sliding from Leighton. The above creature could feature in a BBC One wildlife documentary for it's arachnid presence, but fear not, it is merely Tom's party sausage .. erm .. thing. Well done Tom - not only for your creativity, but that thing was a great time killer, not to mention it raised a good laugh.
With work on both ends of the 25th, Christmas Day was also a good time to relax and actually take some time out from a work marathon. On Christmas Eve, as part of the festive dress up theme in work, I found a kindred spirit in a fellow fat man - Father Christmas himself! Thats right, I was wearing red and you bet your ass that I looked the part!!! Explaining out of stock refunds was brill because the customers couldn't take me seriously wearing a hat and (well, for some of the time) a beard. The effort from all was great - most of the guys dressed up, wore tinsel, a hat etc.. Well done to all!
So now the celebrations are well and truly over one can only look back. But why do that? New Year is on the way and my birthday is around the corner! I wear my Boris Johnson 'Piffle' shirt (gift from Jen) with pride in awe of one of new heroes, and think about what to spend with my Crimbo cash. Hmm.... Anyways I hope you all had a great time over the last week and I wish you all a great New Year too.
P.S. This a snap of the some of Swansea's Christmas lights. Compared with Cardiff? It's St. Mary's St all the way baby!!!
Fat Boys For Life? Or just for Christmas?
Recently Jen and I visited Asda Coryton in for some Christmas light/inflatable Santa hunting. As predicted, we walked away with an inflatable Santa (which now sits masterfully in the living room), some cheapy berry lights for our mini 3ft tree (the tree kindly donated by the family of Payne, thanks again!) and finally, a pretty cool icicle light. A pretty good trip in all, however it was to come with a very fulfilling bonus - formed as one of those weighing machines you find now and again at public places. Now I haven't weighed myself in a while - Christ, we are talking years. And I know I ain't no Brad Pitt when it comes to my torso. In fact, over the last couple of years Im sure I could have given Rik Waller a serious run for his money. My eating habits haven't been ideal either. Therefore I expected the worst when this day would come along. I was thinking 20 stone plus.
As of Friday 16th Dec, I weigh 17 st 2.5 lb - which some may find replusive. I call it pure relief! I had a spring in my step all day from then on. Alas, with Crimbo around the corner will this figure of mine stay at this personally acceptable figure? Now where did I put that bacon sandwich.....
Been listening to a lot of Megadeth lately - really forgot how good they actually were. Velvet Revolver also have been rocking my boat of late. From what Ive heard of the new and upcoming Strokes album it looks like the New Yorkers will produce another quality album.
Im still pondering over what to wear for Saturday's fancy dress day in work. Im all outta ideas - its always the same problem every Christmas at Argos and this year is no exception. I may even accept defeat this year and just be 'jolly' with a Santa hat or something. Noooooooooo! I cannot do that! I need to dress up... it just has to be done!!! Its the one chance to look as silly as I like, its an opportunity not to wasted! Thinking caps on!!!
As of Friday 16th Dec, I weigh 17 st 2.5 lb - which some may find replusive. I call it pure relief! I had a spring in my step all day from then on. Alas, with Crimbo around the corner will this figure of mine stay at this personally acceptable figure? Now where did I put that bacon sandwich.....
Been listening to a lot of Megadeth lately - really forgot how good they actually were. Velvet Revolver also have been rocking my boat of late. From what Ive heard of the new and upcoming Strokes album it looks like the New Yorkers will produce another quality album.
Im still pondering over what to wear for Saturday's fancy dress day in work. Im all outta ideas - its always the same problem every Christmas at Argos and this year is no exception. I may even accept defeat this year and just be 'jolly' with a Santa hat or something. Noooooooooo! I cannot do that! I need to dress up... it just has to be done!!! Its the one chance to look as silly as I like, its an opportunity not to wasted! Thinking caps on!!!
Another shameless advert
Just spotted this on the Guardian website and mainly aimed at my fellow Argos slaves. Here Tim Dowling is in replying to the recent book, 'Is It Just Me Or Is Everything Just Shit?', by stating an A-Z of things we should be grateful for. Sadly, as you can guess, the Argos Catalogue makes one of these very things.
"Argos catalogue
You know when you feel like going out and buying some stuff, but can't think of anything you need? What if there was a big book that reminded you of all the things in the world available for purchase, and the phone number for a shop where you could buy them all? Would that fill the empty place in your aching soul, if only for a while? Well, there is, and you probably already have it. And if not, it's free! Move over, the Bible!"
Unbelievable. But I know for a fact many people share this view!
Pint for the Fella, Glass of white wine for the Lady
Feeling like Alex Ferguson right now; sick as a parrot. However my illness is not due to a certain James McFadden or a recent Euro exit, but of a greater consequence - the common cold. Yes like a true male, I have moaned like a wimp about being 'cold' and enthralling the house with my dramatic antics. I'm sure I could show David Tennant a thing or two about acting after this bout of influenza! I must give a giant thankyou, multipied by a million to Jen, who has put with my moaning and has taken care of me despite my ramblings. Cheers honey!
Last Monday we endured a hellish trip west to the City of Swansea. I say hellish as a 35 mile journey took just under two hours! Mainly this madness is down to a ridiculous set of road works on Fabian Way, perhaps Swansea's busiest route in and out of the city! However the trip was worth the wait as the Grand Theatre was hosting the alter-ego of the dramatically gifted Al Murray, none other than the Pub Landlord himself. The Guv'nor was in top form, especially when he had mistaken a long haired male student for a girl. Even Murray himself was lost for words but his recovery was fantastic, in fact it strengthened his act even more. I felt sorry for that student though... his chuckling parents were even with him!!! The anti-European sketch was also a great laugh and what he had to say about the current state of politics in this country rings true... Its just like a panto!!! I won't give too much away from his act as I implore you all to go see him when he comes to Cardiff in June. If anyone is interested, I'm game for another pint of comedy from the Guv'nor!
My turn to host the Argos Poker Night and I promised not to disappoint. All went well I'm happy to say, as we welcomed debutants Rhyd and Alyson for a high turnout of 12 players. Jamie S once again walked away with the most money in his pocket, defeating the Steed Unit in the final showdown. Well done to Rhyd however, who reached the final three! Sian was also very kind to bring down the Buzz game, which was an instant hit with all. We have now stolen it :) and is a regular past time for us all at Casa del Cathays. Only kidding Sian, you can have it back soon enough... as soon as we can part our grubby mits from it!!!
I suspect that I will not blog until Xmas so to all my readers have a very merry good time over your holidays!!!!
Last Monday we endured a hellish trip west to the City of Swansea. I say hellish as a 35 mile journey took just under two hours! Mainly this madness is down to a ridiculous set of road works on Fabian Way, perhaps Swansea's busiest route in and out of the city! However the trip was worth the wait as the Grand Theatre was hosting the alter-ego of the dramatically gifted Al Murray, none other than the Pub Landlord himself. The Guv'nor was in top form, especially when he had mistaken a long haired male student for a girl. Even Murray himself was lost for words but his recovery was fantastic, in fact it strengthened his act even more. I felt sorry for that student though... his chuckling parents were even with him!!! The anti-European sketch was also a great laugh and what he had to say about the current state of politics in this country rings true... Its just like a panto!!! I won't give too much away from his act as I implore you all to go see him when he comes to Cardiff in June. If anyone is interested, I'm game for another pint of comedy from the Guv'nor!
My turn to host the Argos Poker Night and I promised not to disappoint. All went well I'm happy to say, as we welcomed debutants Rhyd and Alyson for a high turnout of 12 players. Jamie S once again walked away with the most money in his pocket, defeating the Steed Unit in the final showdown. Well done to Rhyd however, who reached the final three! Sian was also very kind to bring down the Buzz game, which was an instant hit with all. We have now stolen it :) and is a regular past time for us all at Casa del Cathays. Only kidding Sian, you can have it back soon enough... as soon as we can part our grubby mits from it!!!
I suspect that I will not blog until Xmas so to all my readers have a very merry good time over your holidays!!!!
Life is for living and.....
Guess the song? Or even the band? No?! No brownie points for you then! 'Life's forgiving' is taken from 'Pilgrim Soul', a rather hard hitting track from Pushing The Senses, the latest offspring from Welsh rock giants Feeder. In fact at the CIA we were treated to the Newport Connection, as the chavtastic GLC were the support. Myself, Jen, Sian, Rhyd and Tom caught the last song of their set, the bluntly titled 'Your Mother's Got a Penis'. Nice. Iit got the crowd going and I did break a smile.
Feeder were in form and as always they never fail to disappoint. 'Buck Rogers' made the walls shake (not literally before you ask) and the inclusion of the oldies like 'High' and 'Insomnia' is always good to see from a band who could churn out all of their newest stuff if they wanted to. Grant Nicholas was also given a standing oviation for his acoustic rendition of 'Dove Grey Sands'. More importantly however, I won the 'First/Last Song' guessing game so now I truly rule!!!
Of course, just in case anyone forgot where they were last night.
Yes this is me sleeping. Why i put this pic up, I do not know. Hideous wouldn't you say? You lovely people have Jen to thank for this eyesore.
Just in case you haven't noticed I have joined the online music revolution, Last.fm. I noticed it on Plas.me.uk and I thought it;s about time the world knew the true garbage I listen to. So if you asked for it or not, here you go! My Last.fm profile
Poker night this Sunday on my gaff - so be prepared to lose some money peeps! I need some dinero pretty badly!!!
My final thought is a poem written by Serj Tankian, who is the lead singer of System of a Down. This poem has made me think about the true concept of identity and what it means to be something. If it strikes a nerve with you, feel free to let me what you think.
Identity - Serj Tankian
I would like to meet a true writer
Who considers himself one who writes,
Or a true musician,
Who considers himself one who plays music,
Or a true hero,
Who considers his heroism as natural acts,
For the definition of the functions tied to people's necks
Choke the true essence of the identity.
On that final thought moment; take care of yourselves, and each other.
