Steve Pitas

Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 05:06 p.m.

Is suppose I should write a decent review for TITP but to be honest I can be arsed, I was even struggling to remember which bands I had seen on the saturday which just goes to show how exciting they must have been eh? So instead of anything witty and interesting your gonna get a list of the bands I saw and a brief synopsis of what I thought of them, if you want more you'll need to ply me with beer and sex.

Saturday

Biffy Clyro (fuckin rock, much better than I expected and the new album shall soon be in my collection), Kings of Leon (not sure if it was the crappy sound as we were so far back but they sucked, I think they are the death of real rock as well but for now lets just enjoy the music and analyse later), Har Mar Superstar (was good fun but will never watch again as the joke is thin and just about lasted the set, you have to admire a fat guy who can barely sing, stripd down to his pants and shouts out "Let's here it for me as I'm fucking awesome", Cosmic Rough Riders (good enough indie rock), Idlewild (very good, what did you expect. Didn't play Captain but still mixed in enought old stuff to make it worthwhile), Flaming Lips (stole the weekend, played the White Stripes 'Seven Nation Army' better then the WS ever could and generally had the audience eating out of Wayne Coyles palms - magnificent", and the closers REM (great, but not as good as Brixton. Mixed up their tracks again so it was a different set which was good, Stipey seemed more subdued though).

Sunday

Ravonettes (magnificent, helped by the sun and a smiley Ellie), Hell if for Heroes (there album is a little patchy but live they were great, unsurprisingly the mosh pit formed right beside me, the singer even came and crowd surfed whilst still singing/screaming), Funeral for a Friend (not very good), Kinesis (ok, too hot to bounce about though), The Coral (missed most of set but seemed ok, need to see them properly at some point), Ron Sexsmith (was ok, not really on the mood), Ed Harcourt (seem him better, ok), Teenage Fanclub (seemed good enough, played Sparky's Dream so can't complain), Tom McRae (very good but dragged some songs on a little too much, and finally Death in Vegas (were ok, missed end of set but not overly concerned).

Overall an ok festival which offered few surprises really. I wish I had caught Mars Volta instead of REM but I was too near the front and couldn't be arsed moving but hopefully i'll catch them at a future date.

Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 02:07 p.m.

I'm just glad I finally bought a pair before now as there is no way I could buy something owned by nike.....FUCK!

Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 12:07 p.m.

My mind must be in a fuggle just now as not even listening to Madonna's Immaculate Collection on the way to work could get me out of it, blurgh.

Looks like the sun is finally leaving these shores, it will be missed but it will be good to be able to breath again. Let just hope the rain holds off till I get home as I don't have a jacket and I'm wearing a nice thin footie top (it's fun confusing the locals by wearing a bright tangerine top that they have no idea about).

My forehead has finally started peeling after the burning of this weekend, lets hope it all falls away to reveal a pretty face but somehow I doubt that don't you?

You just know that this whole 12 year old running off with marine thing is gonna fuck us internet users over don't you? Big Brother clamp down commencing in 5,4,3.....

I'm scared, I've found myself agreeing with the House of Lords and Oliver Letwin about something, I feel so dirty. But can someone tell me how getting rid of juries (only from some cases, but for how long before it is more?) helps increase justice?

Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 09:31 p.m.

Sometimes I just wanna write what is in my head, but then I remember who reads this. Is that wrong? I wish I had people I could chat too about these things, people who didn't know my other friends and could comment on things I can't sort out for myself as I am nothing but a man, but I don't have many friends let alone people that don't know my friends. So I will have to suffer in silence and just wish that certain things could be different.

Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 08:58 p.m.

I like the heat so I didn't want to complain about it, but when it is this sticky and muggy I just feel like shite. This probably isn't helped by the complete lack of sleep from the past few days but that's besides the point. Lets hope the storm at the end of this week clears the air a little eh?

Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 03:08 p.m.

Quick update as bored at work and people are probably worrying about me after such a length away, what do you mean no-one reads this trash? OK, you're right they don't, but I can live in a dream world right?

So TITP was a bit of a mix this year, some bands were great, some were good and some were poor. The weather is boiling, the lack of sleep terrible, the disappearing friends scary and the lack of food good for my figure.

It was also good to catch up with the little one, even if I did upset her by saying she wasn't cute or adorable :op By the sounds of it I'll be doing it all again next year, hopefully with the scary bearded one joining us as well.

I can't believe that amongst all the footie tops I never saw a single arab one, although apparently there was on at the front during REM, so next year I'll have to wear something to show off the team I love although not a top as I dinnae want to look like a ned. I even managed to see someone wearing a Caley Thistle hat, how sad is that?

Well the dentist didn't cause me as much pain as I expected, and I never felt as nervous as I thought I would so all is well and fine except for the fact that he found more teeth that need fillings. I just hope he isn't taking me for a ride and just happily emptying my bank account (which considering I got paid today is now nice and empty again so looks like a quiet month again for me).

Before I go, I really seem to be struggling through the final Dark materials book, I'm hoping that it is just down to fatigue after this weekend or I'm gonna be very upset :o(

Thursday, July 10, 2003 - 04:21 p.m.

Well I'm off to Scotland in about half an hour as I'm going to see loads of bands at T in the Park, and also annoy little miss ellie. So don't miss me too much and I'll let you know how I got on next week at some point.

Monday, July 7, 2003 - 09:13 p.m.

Blood Brothers and Mates of the State are playing a show together in October, come on. And Mogwai are going on another tour then as well so looks like that should be a good month for music, especially as it is such a barren spell just now with fuck all on worth watching.

Monday, July 7, 2003 - 09:05 p.m.

Anyone else as excited as me about the fact that another Fountains of Wayne album is finally coming out this year? Go listen to the samples and tell me you don't love summer pop.

Sunday, July 6, 2003 - 08:34 p.m.

It's not fair, evil men in white coats want to take me away and drill holes in my head and then charge me for the experience, what sort of world do we live in kiddies? At least the pain has gone away for just now and I don't have to keep knecking down the painkillers like some kind of speed freak.

Have I mentioned enough times on the web how great Northern Lights is? Thought not, now go read my review here, or better still go out and buy the book now and settle down for the best read you'll have this year.

Currently listening to the Mars Volta album and I have to say that it is pretty fuckin' good, maybe a few too many guitar noodles going on but ignore them and you have a great rock album. This does of course leave me in a bit of a dilemna for T in the Park as REM, Flaming Lips and Mars Volta all play at the same time? Feckin' arse is what I have to say to that. Considering how we all mourned the implosion of At The Drive In we haven't done too badly with Mars Volta and Sparta even if neither of them do quite match the genius of their previous incarnation.

Downloaded Champ Manager 4 yesterday and already I've fallen in love with it so my life is effectively over, and any social life that was planned, or even unplanned, may as well just be thrown in the bin. I started off managing Caley Thistle and doing OK but the thing crashed on me so I took over Charlton instead and finding it much harder but we'll see what happens and see if I can do as well as the real team this season.

Do you think my mum will be pissed off if I don't come home for xmas this year as Charlton are playing on Boxing Day? I can still make it for New Year but with my dad away in Kuwait for eight weeks I really didn't want to stay down here. Life is full of way to many options and consequences.

I need E4 before monday as the final season of Dawson's Creek is starting, I don't suppose any of you gorgeous people out there will be taping it will you?

Civilisation has finally come to an end.....microwave toasties. I mean is there even a point to them, it's not like normal toasties take a long time to sort out is it?

But if civilisation isn't going to an end can someone please promise me that The Darkness will be then end of the 80's comeback? I can't think of a worse band to have come out of the 21st Century.

Friday, July 4, 2003 - 10:36 a.m.

Go to http://www.google.com/ Type in the words weapons of mass destruction and click I'm Feeling Lucky.

Read it carefully

Thursday, July 3, 2003 - 11:16 p.m.

Sometimes it's just good to talk, thank you.

Thursday, July 3, 2003 - 10:20 p.m.

Is there even any point to this anymore? I want to bitch and moan but I really can't be bothered, my apathy wins over yet again. I'm a waster that gets annoyed at stupid TV programmes about house buying as I don't see or understand the great need to have a big fucking house, especially when so called experts just casually drop sagely words of advice like "well they'll have to change they're careers and earn more money" like it is the simplest thing in the world to do. Fucking stuck up wankers, who wants to live beyond 40 anyway? I would quite happily die tomorrow and not give a fuck.

So Dave, when did you join Mogwai exactly (OK, the scan isn't very clear), are you trying to become the coolest guy I know?

And this is where I will be sitting next season, isn't it exciting?

Wednesday, July 2, 2003 - 05:03 p.m.

Not much to say as still at work pretending to work, which considering it is now past 5pm is a minor miracle really. First, Shona if you don't sign up for my book club I'll never speak to you again (although obviously you're phone line is broken anyway as you never phone or email me). Second, Northern Lights was fucking amazing, now onto The Subtle Knife already. And third, I'm off to see a Big Read show tonight which could be on TV later in the year, yippee!

Tuesday, July 1, 2003 - 12:52 p.m.

Fuck, I wrote this in notepad before uploading it and decided to save it as I needed to go off and do something else, I then remembered I needed to add something and I've gone and saved over the two emails I've written to people this morning, one of which is (sorry, was) really long. I give in.

I need sleep, I am struggling to keep my eyes open, my mind wanders off to worlds that shouldn't exist, I have searing pain in my mouth and my work is just jumbled and confused. The sooner I get these teeth sorted the better as I haven't been able to sleep in days now and it is hell. It doesn't hurt too much during the day but at night it seems to slowly creep up on me then grab me with a large vice like grip and not let go until the morning. Looks like root canal work to me, bugger.

Little has happened since my last update, the party wasn't too bad in the end as I just spoke to the couple of people I knew (although more time with that red head would have been nice) and liked, saw Elvis, spoke to a really drunk man, got shouted at by people going by in a car, spent two hours getting home on night buses, watched a male and female fight with each other, and then collapsed in my bed at 3am. I'm sure there was more but fuck me if I can remember just now. I'm struggling to remember my own name.

Sunday was then spent recovering in front of the Grand Prix and then the playstation, and this was again repeated last night where Mike kicked seven shades out of me at Formula 1. I'll get even when we play ice hockey again. or basketball.

I blame Mols for my sleepless nights too (ooh err) as I'm finally reading Northern Lights and it's amazing. I'm about 200 pages through already (that's fast for me ok) and I can't wait to get onto the next two books and just read on and on. Hopefully I'll be finished by August when this starts (shameless plug).

And how could I forget, I had lunch yesterday with the ever lovely Lola. Much fun was had chatting about nothing and everything, and there wasn't even alcohol involved. We amazed ourselves I think.

Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 11:16 a.m.

Football is a strange old world, first of all you had the shock death of Foe this week which was just a massive shock and deeply saddening, I mean here was a man of 28 years at the peak of his condition and he just collapses in the middle of the park and dies. It was disturbing watching it happen and I hope some proper respect is shown to the former West Ham and Man City man at the beginning of the new season.

Then in today's paper we find out that a player duped his way into getting a contract with Arbroath, what a complete numpty. Basically he was vying for a contract with another player and when it looked like he had lost it he pretended to be a chairmen from a better club and offered the other player a deal, so the other player went back to Arbroath and said he didn't want the contract. It was only then that he found out it was a hoax and that he was now clubless. Luckily the other player saw sense though and admitted that it was him, eejit.

And finally, you are now looking at a Charlton season ticket holder....COME ON!!!

Friday, June 27, 2003 - 04:52 p.m.

Toochache is not good, espcially when not mixed with chocolate. I don't think I have ever been in that much pain before, and remember I'm a United fan.

Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 10:39 p.m.

Sometimes you just have to do mad things, so in two weeks time I'm off to T in the Park. There is no real way of affording this, and I said I wouldn't travel back to Scotland till Xmas, but sometimes you need to escape from things and with a chance to see Idlewild again and some great friends how the hell could I not do it?

Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 11:10 a.m.

Even my stapler doesn't like me, it just slammed shut on my poor wee finger when I was adding more staples.

I went home last night and promptly fell asleep instead of cooking food for me and the housemate, I am turning into a big waster. I didn't even eat the chocolate that I had bought to comfort myself....

I need to get out of this place, but just now all I have plans for is a holiday in November if I can sort it all out (anyone wanna come to the US with me/put me up/tell me where to go over there? This time it is going to happen, even started saving money for it and everything). My sister is down in September but I don't want to wait that long, who wants to pay for my to go laze on a beach for a week? I'll be your bitch.

Last nights music...dashboard confessional, manics and alanis. also played trail of dead this morning and had the desire to just repeat mistakes and regrets....make of that what you want.

Finally going to be sending CD's to people today, ain't you all lucky. Other parcels also being sent but not giving away any clues on that one.

I can't be bothered about anything just now so taking a half day and spending money I don't have in the HMV sale that kicked off this morning. Expect much guilt tomorrow.

I've linked her every day this week but I promise I'm not stalking her, but how could I not add another link after finding out she had graduated. You the best girl.

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 - 12:42 p.m.

Well REM was the bomb last night, up there with the best ever although not quite pipping Mogwai at the very top. I have to say though, if Evan Dando is King, and Stuart Braithwaite is God, where exactly does that put Michael Stipe? The father of God?

You will absolutely love them at TitP (although you won't get them for two hours like we did), they played such a mix of old and new that I was struggling to recognise some of them, especially the mid-set quartet from Lifes Rich Paegant as they amped them up quite a bit. There new songs are amazing as well, quite rocky for them and I just can't wait for thier best of to come out later this year.

The setlist was:

'Get Up','The Wake Up Bomb','Imitation Of Life','Animal','The Great Beyond','Drive','Pilgrimage','The One I Love','Feeling Gravity's Pull','Maps And Legends','Driver 8','Life And How To Live It','Electrolite','At My Most Beautiful','Bad Day','Losing My Religion','Star 69','Man On The Moon','Walk Unafraid'

Encore: 'She Just Wants To Be','Everybody Hurts','Little America/People Have The Power','It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)'

I just wish I had tickets again for tonight as I could quite happily go through that again.

To counter all this though and to ruin my day/week/life, I took the risk of asking Jen to get Saskia's phone number for me but to absolutely no suprise I find out she already has a bf. So that one's now nipped in the bud, and to top it off if Jen did like me she probably doesn't anymore. Fuck me does life suck, I should be banned from interacting with females as then I would never get my hopes up and I could just spend my like wanking off to porn like a sad old man.

Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 03:31 p.m.

I feel like a kid again just now, not only am I worrying over a girlie that will probably end in nothing but tears and hatred (women tend to do that to me, evil little things that they are), but I am over excited about going to a gig tonight. Yep you've guessed it, tonight is REM night. The night where I get to stalk Michael Stipe and tell him he's the greatest. Yes I may have seen them before but that was 8 years ago now and Mr Stipe was just a small speck at the other end of Murrayfield Stadium, but this time it's gonna be up close and personal at Brixton Academy. Nothing is gonna stop me being near the front, nothing.

For some reason he doesn't seem to be excited at all which is just madness, maybe this is the fan boy coming out again as REM meant so much to me when I was growing up (she probably understands). Even more exciting is the fact that they are playing songs off albums like Lifes Rich Pageant and Murmour, I may wet myself before the end of the evening. Lets hope this isn't a big dissapointment or I could end up jumping off a bridge tonight.

No progress on the dilemna yet but thanks to those who have written words of enouragement/given advice, much appreciated.

Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:24 p.m.

Well this is an interesting dilemna that should keep you thinking for a while, first of all lets ask the pretty girlies:

1. If you said to a guy, after speaking to him for a good hour about pretty much anything and everything, it was really nice meeting you as he left would that mean you liked the guy?

2. Would you be offended if someone asked you for one of your friends number?

And now for the pretty guys:

1. If you met a lovely girl from Holland, who works for a charity, has great taste in music, likes politics, and listened to you blab for an hour whilst slightly enebriated would you think she was interested in you?

2. Would you try and get this girls number before the end of the night rather than forget/wimper out?

3. Would you ask the only person you know who has her number for the number when said person is a girl you fancy from work who's party it is you went to?

Keep in mind that you don't know how you feel about girl/whether girl likes boy (in either females case), and you don't know girl really well to go asking for friends phone numbers. Oh, and remember that you are a big wimp who has no social skills when it comes to women and have a failure rate with women comparable to the amount of allies that Americans shoot during wartime.

And that's all I have to say for now....

Friday, June 20, 2003 - 04:34 p.m.

I am in a stinkin' mood just now and it's all of my own making, I've allowed myself to get stressed for no reason and now all I want to do is start an argument with someone. Now I need to get this out of my system before I leave work as I do not want to meet Jenny whilst in a foul mood, and I don't want to have to sit through a meal with workmates whilst slowly simmering either. So if anyone has any solutions please let me know....

Got the Charlton stuff through last night but it sounds like loads of their season tickets have already been sold so not yet sure if I will be able to get one or not. I'm sending the info back straight away though so keep yer fingers crossed for me kiddies.

My office block is like a pavlov experiment, there is a food trolley that goes round and to get people's attention the lady rings her bell. I'm tempted to go round doing the same without any food and seeing what the response is.

This diary is getting really boring isn't it? I need to start finding interesting things to talk about before this thing dies a death.

Friday, June 20, 2003 - 02:39 p.m.

This is a day old now but I forgot to post it before I left the office yesterday so you get it now instead:

One of my favourite music venues in Dundee is closing down, oh what happy memories I had there. From seeing JJ72 with about 8 other people, me happily singing along to a couple of their singles and everyone else not having the foggiest who they were. Then of course there was the Tim incident, me being texted to come outside as my mate was drunk....I then saw him lying on the floor in the car park and deciding fuck it and telling my other matess to shove him in a taxi as I was enjoying the music too much. Oh those were the days, luckily it is moving to a new venue but it won't be the same will it?

So United have a good start to the season eh? Hibs, Rangers, Hearts and someone else that I can't remember...FUCK! First game is a doddle though, home versus the druggies and they're losing players quickly and not replacing them. At least September looks good, and now I know why Shona decided which week she was coming down. There are no footie fixtures that weekend.

If I do get a Charlton season ticket I will see Everton, Man Utd and Arsenal early on, yipee! But could someone tell me who I'm meant to support when Everton do play? The added advantage to getting a season ticket is I have more chance of getting away tickets for other grounds around London, Highbury here I come.

Thanks to all those who have signed up to the book club already, if you haven't done so I expect to see your name there before the end of the month or I will stalk you and make your life a living hell.

Finally got round to sorting some of the music that I owe people last night but I forgot to bring it in with me today so you'll probably not receive it till next week now. Two problems though, one is that I have no CD cases left so I won't be printing sleeves or anything out but I can email them to you if you want, and second the Blur album will not copy for some reason. So you have a choice big sister, do you want it on tape or do you want a copy of the old version that I found online? The choice, as they say, is yours.

I found out today that another of my work mates lives quite near me and gets on at the same station, strange. At least I now know another footie fan and have someone to talk to about the wonderful game. Even stranger still, apparently one of my bosses has written a book about Chelsea, something to do with their finances or something. I'm not sure if to be in awe or think he is a geek?

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - 02:14 p.m.

For anyone that is really bored this summer please skip over to the new and wonderful Cow and Chicken Online Book Club that is now in full(ish) swing. There are fun and games for all ages so feel free to bring along friends and family, and best of all it's free. What more could you want this summer?

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 11:04 p.m.

My parents are buying me the best b'day (don't worry, it's not for another 4 months and a day) and xmas pressie this year.....a proper kilt. I got kitted out for it when I was last up, so come August I'll be able to walk the streets dressed like this:

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 11:00 p.m.

I finally sat down and caught up with all the emails that I owed people and I feel a little less guilty for ignoring so many people. I now just dredd all the replies as it could easily take just as long to reply to them again.

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:57 p.m.

So Beckham has finally signed for Real then, well that has to be one of the worst kept secrets eh? Hopefully now that will be the end of that non-news event and the papers can get on with talking about the lies Blair has been telling us all lately. Oh, and what is the new President of Barcelona gonna do now that he can't make his promise happen? Can you get sacked after only two days in the job?

Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:08 p.m.

It feels weird having the internet back in the house as I've realised that I didn't miss it that much as I never really did that much with it anyway. Hopefully this is going to be rectified as I am planning on getting work done to my website, and also the the spankingly brand new online book club which shall be announced in the next few days with much celebrations and fan fare.

There aren't many sites I look at either apart from the obvious blogs/diaries, footie and music sites, and the odd news page. I suppose I have kept away from the political sites for now and maybe that's why I still have some spare time, how long do you think that will last then?

Monday, June 16, 2003 - 03:55 p.m.

Why does it feel like I've just eaten five chilli's in a row? Surely this weather is illegal in this country, especially when we are meant to be working. My office if it gets any hotter will start sweating itself and screaming for mercy...Personally I like hot weather, but please not when at work and not when I'm still a little ill.

Forget to mention that I went to the theatre on Friday night to see th funny and enjoyable His Girl Friday. I had trouble hearing it all as the cold had blocked my ears a bit so I missed some of the jokes, but overall fun was had even if it did feel a little long.

Finally got round to sitting and listening to some of the albums I've bought/been sent yesterday when catching up with blogs/diairies, time for some mini-reviews; Radiohead - better than everyone keeps complaining about, not as depressing as I was expecting and actually has a few really good tracks that could sit on any of their albums; Blur - was ok on first lesson, may need more time to grow on me though; Grandaddy - a return to form after their lacklustre previous album, sunny pop for the summer; Aerogramme - considering how great this band is how come i keep having to rely on copies of their albums rather than buying them?; Longwave - so, so indie, i think more listening is needed; Bridge and Tunnel - i guess they are from NJ with a name like that, but anyway they produce beautiful songs which tug you along for a joyful ride.

Sunday, June 15, 2003 - 09:24 p.m.

I'm back, yep it's a Sunday and here I am adding an entry so that must mean just one thing......the internet is back and my social life (hah!) is over once again.

Just spent the last few hours reading everyone's diaries after being unable to for three weeks and now I'm scared to make comments as I'll probably get everyone's stories mixed up so I'll just say I'm glad to see everyone is doing ok, obviously you all coped without my presense so that is either reassuring or confirms that none of you really love me and couldn't live without me, boo hoo?

So what have I been up to for the last few weeks then? Well mainly moving house and that's it. I've had no money to do anything else, and if I have done anything major (concerts or travelling to scotland) I've actually written about it in here, so how do you like my exciting life?

And there we shall sign off as I'm all interneted out for now and just want to curl up in bed (although I'll probably hold out for 24 to be on) as it is all sticky and muggy and I'm still catching up with the lost sleep when I had my cold.

It's good to be back, lock up your guestbooks as they are no longer safe :o)

Wednesday, June 11, 2003 - 04:56 p.m.

How come the night that I am having a meal with work mates as part of some "team building", I also get invited to cute Jenny's birthday drinks? Life sucks in so many ways, which do you think I should go to? Bearing in mind my boss would probably be a little peeved if I didn't go to the meal, and I have no idea if Jen has a bf or not? Grrrr.

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 - 04:27 p.m.

I am about still, it's just we still haven't got internet access in the house and I've just spent the weekend in Scotland celebrating Scotland's result against Germany and my mother's birthday. Will try and update with more detail tomorrow as today has been hectic at work catching up with everything.

Oh, and Happy Belated Birthday to my little sister.

Friday, May 30, 2003 - 03:49 p.m.

Oh my god, searches that have found my site today:

Sexy wimen
steve pitas
esther ranzen pics
glamoram theories

My paranoia and fears for the human race continue to grow.

Friday, May 30, 2003 - 03:46 p.m.

Why CTCL is the best music mag out there just now:

Quote from the artist Sole: "I've found friends I can trust, and know I can work with. And that's what everybody should do; band togethe with their fucking friends and start restaurants and cafes and record stores. From that, small towns can band together and kick out big businesses. There's so many things people can do, but people are so fucking passive and confusedm they just take it".

And in the description for the new Zea album: "The respective rosters of Sarah Records and Tigerbeat6 line up at opposite ends of the playground and then...BULLDOG!! Not and hairgrips everywhere" - how could you not want to buy that album?

One problem is does have though is the fact that it is much like a fanzine so the people writing articles are normally already in love with the bands so you're never quite sure how much you can believe in their writing. Some of it is certainly persuasive though.

I was coming off the train this morning and there was a lovely girlie in a gorgeous purple dress that I ended up following, so I ended up walking through the station the wrong way, oops. I haven't seen such a lovely dress as that since the retro-blue swirly one I saw one of the workers in the Curzon cinema wearing, now that was just luverly. Now why can't guys get such nice clothes?

Thursday, May 29, 2003 - 01:03 p.m.

Cocktails are yummy, going to work the following day is not so yummy. Actually I'm not that bad which is a bit of an achievement as I must have tried about 5 or 6 different cocktails last night, although annoying person did keep nicking some and drinking like a fish before turning into a complete wanker that I wanted to punch. Who invited him again? It was weird last night actually as it was a sending off to maz who is returning home to Scotland, I doubt I'm gonna see or hear from her much, unless she is down in London, until Em's wedding in a couple of years. I've known her for 7 years now as well, dear god where did that time go?

The move this weekend went ok, there are a couple of things needing to be fixed in the flat but they'll got done soon hopefully and then we can start making it feel more homely. I somehow managed to finish unpacking in a couple of days, which considering all the stuff I have is some sort of miracle. I just wish my room was a little bigger as it looks quite cluttered but there isn't really much I can really do with it, sigh.

Plans are for a housewarming if we can ever afford it, all you have to do is bring gardening equipment and do some tidying and then you can have the times of your lives :o)

Not much else to report really, currently looking at college courses to do laster this year and also speaking to some people about coming a shop steward at work for Unison so trying to keep myself as busy as I can. I need to start doing stuff or I'm gonna end up falling into a bigger pit of depression and misery than I am just now.

The Bjork gig on Monday night wasn't as great as I was hoping it would be, I mean it was good, just not great. She played a lot of new songs I didn't know, and messed around with some of the other songs a little too much. She looked great though, and danced around like a nutter, and the crowd were very vocal and appreciative so not sure why it fell so flat with me. Maybe I wasn't in the mood or something? The supporting DJ was quite good though, and I was all for dancing to him but as everyone else just stood still I didn't have the confidence to start jiggling about like a madman. Not sure what to make of all the male porn he had on a big screen behind him though, it never showed anything explicit but it certainly got people in the crowd giggling and pointing.

Well that's all I have to write just now as I don't want to descend into self pity as that is how I am feeling just now, oh well. If I'm not emailing and signing people's guestbooks as often as I normally do it's just that we don't have internet connection at home just now and I'm not able to read diaries here at work (evil filters).

Friday, May 23, 2003 - 04:44 p.m.

So did anyone else laugh at David Beckham last night? HA HA!

I can't believe that the SPL have voted to not allow Falkirk promotion, that has to possibly be the worst decision I have come across in many a year. So what if the don't have a perfect stadium, it's not like they are gonna fill it every week and it's not like Scottish footie is that good that it should be worrying about such miniscule things. I think Lex Gold needs a bit of a slap to wake him up to reality. I'm sure she'll be happy though.

I bought donoughts for everyone in my section earlier and none of them wanted any so me and Johnny have munched through them all, ugh! There's still a couple spare if people want them?

Mogwai were amazing again last night, there new stuff sounds really melodic and relaxing which should mean it is ace, and when mixed in a live context with the more heavy and rough earlier work makes for a gig you wouldn't want to miss. Evan Dando may have stolen the crown to be King of Pop, but Stuart Braithwaite still hovers above as God.

Today has been too long, but off to meet my dad in half an hour so that should waken me up a bit. Can't drink too much though as I have to pick the van up tomorrow morning, now that should be interesting. I would advise all those who live in North London to stay in their houses as it could be the safest place to be.

I keep forgetting to say it, but well done on you getting through your exams. We all know you're gonna do well so just relax and don't worry yourself too much about the results. Have a virtual pint on me.

Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 02:33 p.m.

Well it looks like on-one was up for my ideas last week, oh well there goes another bright idea by Steve down the drain. Sometimes I feel my genius is lost on you lot :o)

You're well travelled people out there, anyone know where I can find cheap accomodation in New York and Toronto? This is like major forward planning for me as one of those trips would be this September and the other early next year but I would like a rough idea of how much i would need to save if I went across.

Since we'll be moving this weekend we won't have internet access for a week or so, argh! I'd better remember to upload some new songs to the radio tonight for you enjoyment.

So Celtic bottled it last night then eh? They keep complaining about the Porto players diving but it's always happened and they should have been prepared for it, and if you tell me that Larsson and Sutton don't play for fouls I will laugh in your face and hit you with a haddock. How did Lennon not get sent off by the way? Ginger git that he is. And do people see something in Alan Thompson that I don't? He's pish, and this talk of him being in the England squad is a joke.

I have Mogwai tonight, I'm all excited. I've been listening to their albums all week and the anticipation has been building ever since. I could live my life to this music as it is just so amazing, if you don't already own an album by this band get off your butts and go buy Come on Die Young now. And you call yourself music fans, you know nothing.

Having packed most of my stuff I have come to the conclusion that I may own too much stuff, well it's that or Mike doesn't own enough as the majority of the boxes lying about seem to be mine rather than his. Saying that, at least I don't have a massive sofa bed to move that might not yet fit in the new flat.

I don't know why I have so much stuff though as I've thrown another load of stuff out, I know I have lots of books/videos/DVDs/comics but it still doesn't make sense. I'm sure the boxes have been mating and multiplying it's the only answer.

I had to take minutes for a three and a half hour meeting the other day, I was ready to collapse and cry by the end. Even watching Celtic play football was more exciting than this meeting. It's always fun trying to take minutes to subjects you don't understand though, makes the typing up much more of a creative project.

Does anyone know anything about the cartoon Samurai Jack?

One of my cows keeps jumping off the top of my monitor, I think it hates me.

There are plans to create a bigger and better online book club, spread the news like wild fire.

I have a ticket to the Scotland v Germany game - yipee! In the family stand - argh! Please don't be upset if I accidently decapitate a child, thanks.

Why do you always need to spend money when you don't have any?

Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 07:24 p.m.

There's reasons I haven't updated lately but you don't need to know about them, let's just say I couldn't really be bothered and lets leave it at that eh?

Well Celtic are due to kick off in about 20 minutes, lets hope they win. I can't understand why other footie fans in Scotland can't get behind them, I mean it would be good for Scottish footie if they did win especially with the national team being such a joke. So yeah, despite Celtic being from Glasgow, composed entirely of cheats and scumbags, and having the most inbred smelly fans in the world, I want them to win. So come on the Tims!

Sunday, May 18, 2003 - 11:45 p.m.

These cartoons are completely warped and fucked-up, enjoy :o)

Saturday, May 17, 2003 - 05:10 p.m.

After a completely shitty week it's ended on a bit of a high, not only did Evan Dando replace Jarvis as the king of pop last night, but Dundee United won again today to make their survival in the Premier Division complete. COME ON!!!

Friday, May 16, 2003 - 03:41 p.m.

"Let’s put our heads together and start a new country up
Our father’s father’s father tried, erased the parts he didn’t like

Rewrite the book and rule the pages, saving face, secured in faith
Bury, burn the waste behind you

This land is the land of ours, this river runs red over it
We are not your allies, we can not defend"

The above quotes from REM must be giving you an idea of what I want to do? We keep reading about the Yanks wanting to build nations and empires, and we keep complaining that democracy doesn't work anymore and that Blair and Bush are complete wankers but what I want to know is what you would do differently, and how would you go about creating a country if you could not start from scratch? Not sure how to start this off or where to discuss it, maybe I should put something in Barbelith if there isn't a thread like this already? I anybody would be interested in coming up with ideas for a constitution leave a note in the normal places. Maybe I could set dilemnas every now and again as well and we can start discussions as to how we would go about solving them. Something I'm interested in, but who else?

Friday, May 16, 2003 - 12:29 p.m.

Panic on the streets of London
Panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself
Could life ever be sane again?

So has anyone noticed how we haven't yet had any relent from fear in the media over the last year or so? They always seem to find something to try and scare us with, in fact you can probably go all the way back to September 11th and work from there and you'll not be able to find a front cover of a news paper that isn't trying to scare you. Whether it be war, other terrorist acts, possibly terrorist attacks, SARS, British transport etc. How long do they expect this to be soaked up by the public before they go....'SOD IT'? Personally I've stopped listening to the news, or at least reading/listening/watching with a very large pinch of salt. So who wants to go to Kenya with me next week then?

Well it looks like the flat we wanted is ours, we are just waiting to go and sign the contract next week and pick up the keys and we can start moving stuff across. The only problem is the fact that that weekend is a bank holiday and trying to order a van for just a day is problematic, argh! I've already started packing though and quite clearly I own too much stuff, although I can't find anything to throw out....how does that work? I do have some books to give away though, and loads of wargamming stuff if anyone knows anyone that's into that stuff? Otherwise I'll have to head down to Games Workshop and see if they'll take it off my hands.

Still feeling down, too many thoughts of loneliness and dissapointment, blurgh. I'm off to see Evan Dando tonight too, I'm sure his lyrcis are gonna help a lot. Why can't I like happy shiny music?

Email just sent round my work:

DO NOT PANIC
The smell you are smelling is not the building burning down but the smell of an angle grinder been used.

And who is the person that left a message in my gb saying, 'You the man'? I'm all intrigued to know who you are :o)

Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:45 p.m.

Through all the crap of the last few days there has been one little glimmer, a United win. I was shocked when I heard but it means we are near missing the bottom of the table and keeping away from the possibility of relegation. On the other hand though, Everton failed to get into Europe which is a bit of a bummer after such a brilliant season.

Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:40 p.m.

So they want to bid for the Olympics do they, WHY? The cocked up the dome, they cocked up Wembley, they cocked up Picket's Lock, and all they are wanting to do is win political points. WANKERS! Why haven't we been asked if we want our tax payers money spent on this crap? Why haven't those that live in London been asked whether we mind paying even higher council tax? You can shove that bid up your arse Tony, you self seeking tosser.

Thursday, May 15, 2003 - 10:31 p.m.

Today I was more pissed off than I have been in a long time, part of it is to do with tiredness and other parts are to do with depression that has been descending on me over the last week or so. I nearly shouted at a work mate for the most stupid of things too, I'm glad I can bite my tongue or I may have ended up in trouble.

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 - 10:12 p.m.

Back after a very tiring few days in Scotland that have drained me physically and emotionally. I had to go training today as well so pretending to care about housing issues and put on a smile for colleagues has made me ready for bed, so a quick look at some more diaries and them I'm off to the land of nod.

Friday, May 9, 2003 - 10:58 p.m.

Well I'm off to Scotland for a few days so this place shall be deserted until my return, don't miss me too much.

This is not a trip that I thought I would ever make, and now it is about to happen I wish that it wasn't real or that there was some way to turn back time.

Friday, May 9, 2003 - 12:31 p.m.

It still hurts.

I can't find the courage to ring my sister, I don't want her to think I don't care but at the same time I'm scared that I'll break down on the phone and that won't be much help to her. Me big wimp.

I hope the rest of you are doing ok.

I feel so tired today, I woke at 5am and never fell back to sleep, although as soon as the alarm went off I started to drift which is just madness.

I can't stand it when there is silence, I can't block out the thoughts, memories and images. I even ended up playing Star Wars games on my computer last night, even though they're a bit naff, as it's a way to keep my brain concentrating on something else.

We went to see a flat last night and it's a lovely little thing, slightly quirky and different so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we have a chance with it. We've put in an offer on the rent which is lower than he asked for so we'll just have to wait and see. It's got a lovely living room/kitchen and garden. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

There's nothing to talk about really, so keep yer heads up kids.

Thursday, May 8, 2003 - 10:20 a.m.

I don't know what to write, think, feel or say. Things shouldn't be like this, it's all just wrong. Why the fuck is shit like this allowed to happen?

All I'm gonna say is....Shona I love you, and I hope the hurt is not too great. I wish I was there to give you the biggest hug ever and to just sit with you and make sure you are ok, as not knowing you are ok is too hard to take just now.

And to J & M, my deepest sympathies.

Wednesday, May 7, 2003 - 03:50 p.m.

Well off to visit flats this afternoon and tomorrow which nicely eats into all my spare time, joy! This could all have been sorted by now if the landlady of the flat we had decided on taking hadn't screwed us over, at least no money was exchanged. Women!

I forgot to say congrats in the football, firstly TO Man Utd (although maybe we should just be laughing at Arsenal for being so pathetic?) for winning the league and hopefully making it easier for Everton to beat them on Sunday and gain a European spot. Also well done to Celtic in becoming only the 2nd Scottish team to reach the UEFA Cup Final, I wonder who the first was eh? Those were the days, when United would terrorise Europe with their flair and constant attacking football, beating Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Moenchengladback at the Bockelburg Stadion. We actually had to beat decent teams to get to the final unlike Celtic who faced teams that finished 6th and 7th in the League. Ok so we lost to Gothenburg, but nothing will taint the memory of such a great run. We even got clapped onto the pitch the following game after qualifying to the final by the opposition, I can safely say that never happened to Celtic at Ibrox.

Finally got round to posting off some letters and parcels today to people I had promised them to ages ago, so keep an eye out for various stuff popping through your letter boxes. Some of you may be surprised.

Congrats should also be passed onto the SSP for gaining 6 seats in the Scottish Parliament, that should suitably piss off the establishment and all the New Labour lap dogs. Yeah they may not be perfect MSP's, but at least they can try and make a difference instead of the country being stuck with the now right-wing Labour government running everything the way they want.

In shock that I'm finally going to be going out drinking with the flat mates this weekend, it has been so long that I may forget who they all are. Jen's also making an appearance so hopefully it will be a good laugh and we can have some fun before we all go our seperate ways at the end of this month.

Oh, if anyone can think of a decent, funny and useful present that can be bought for someone that is about to go travelling the world please feel free to let me know in my gb. Thanks in advance. My idea was a Kama Sutra book, they could then try a different position in each city and post it on the web. Mike just thought I was sick.

I just walked up the stairs behind some guy that was sniffling and snorting like a wild boar, talk about gross. He's the type of person I always seem to get stuck beside on the tube.

I finally sorted through a load of live gigs that I had downloaded and I've managed to fill around 20 CD's of music that I need to listen to, help me. I'll post some of the band up here when I get the chance so if anyone wants copies I can forward them on, there's quite a mix, from The Smiths, to GYBE, Mogwai and REM. Should also have a disc worth of music for someone else if the final two concerts would just download.