"Thats no way to tell a lie"

Good evening, good morning, good afternoon... whichever is applicable to you, please note that One Man is back for another edition of my latest shenanigans. As you can probably tell from the title, or even the pics, I recently went to see the awesome James Dean Bradfield at Cardiff SU. It goes without saying that the Manics frontman really kicked ass, belting out his solo stuff as well as the stuff we all know and love. Emigre, perhaps my fave track from The Great Western, was performed better than I could imagine. In addition, the acoustic versions of Kevin Carter, This Is Yesterday and Ocean Spray were also fab. Its great to hear that the Manics are back together next year, but the solo efforts of Bradfield and Wire have been really promising, especially Wire's I Killed The Zeitgeist. The gig was also great because Jen and I had the chance to meet up with Chris and Greg as a four - the first time since we lived in Cathays. It was just like old times!

Once, twice, three times a Rhodri?

Now if Tony Blair strolled into your work, some people would understandably make a fuss, point and stare, ask for his autograph, and all that ridiculous faff people do on this island when they come face to face with someone with slight celebrity status. Alas for poor Rhodri Morgan, our very own First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government, he can only muster confused looks and complete ignornance from his adoring citizens. Shame really, the power of celebrity - but thats another blog topic I could go on about for ages. The thing is, when Rhodri stepped into Argos the other day, it triggered The Bus Effect. I was not to see him once, but twice in one day. Spooky huh? And this was on Halloween too! Anyway after Mr Morgan was served at our customer service dept (and from what I gather, was given detailed information about our returns policy), he appeared at a conference in the National Museum where I was waiting outside with Jen and Tom for the 'Creepy Cardiff' tour (which was ok, quite informative, but in my opinion was fairly steep moneywise). Rhodri escaped the building with a bit of a whimper, no adoring public, no paparazzi, no police escort - in fact, he climbed into his chaffeur-driven car and got out at the nearby cash machine for a few notes! To think eh, even Wales' leading political figure has to go to a hole-in-a-wall just like us!?!?!? It amazed me. I really wish I took a picture now. Oh well. Rubbing shoulders with the Welsh political elite is tough job, but clearly it comes easy to me!

What?! You're Taking the Diss!

Alright.... I may have said the dissertation would be finished by October. Yet on the turn of November I was still placing the finishing touches on the thesis! But officially, it's now at a close. Last Wednesday I gave it in and kissed goodbye to student life for good. It was a great feeling to see the work in a shiny binded cover; it made the whole year worth while. Not to say that the year was a waste of time. I really enjoyed this year and the course, which was very thought provoking and rewarding intellectually. Political science and theory has really interested me and has opened new doors for me I feel. Let's just hope it finds me a job!
Which brings me onto full time work. Its hard! I'm currently working full time in Argos (thus the sighting of Rhodri) whilst looking for something new. I want to work in government of some sort, maybe a local council or maybe something in public policy. But again, I am no nearer about singling out a particular job - I dont think I ever will!

Well I hope that has wet your appetites for now, Im off to bed as I went for a lovely family meal to celebrate my parents' silver wedding anniversary. Good night to all, and to all, a very good night.