Steve Pitas

Monday, August 5, 2002 - 08:06 p.m.

If I lived in Middle-Earth, it would be in:
Lothlorien or Rivendell

You prefer the tranquilty and peacefulness of nature and enjoy the milder seasons of the year. While you know it is necessary to keep in contact with other living beings, most of the time you enjoy the seclusion of an aesthetically pleasing, woodland environment.

Take the
"Where in Middle-Earth Would I Live?" Quiz
by skepticism

Monday, August 5, 2002 - 08:00 p.m.

The unions and the government have worked out a pay deal and I now don't have to worry about being a scab, yipee!

Monday, August 5, 2002 - 05:04 p.m.

The sky outside is a gorgeous grey just now, and the electrical feeling in the air is magical. The lightening is now flashing through the sky like aliens are taking pictures of the people down below. This is quickly followed by a deep rumble, maybe of the ships moving through the sky to position for another picture?

I've seen that cute girl at work twice today, and before you say it I am not stalking her, and she still looks lovely. She has dyed hair before you ask, although it is only black and not red. On the second occasion of seeing her I managed to drop half the files I was carrying, please feel free to call Mr McBeal for the rest of the day.

The Primal Scream album came out today, I don't think I should buy it till my cheque clears but the lure of the genius that is Bobby Gillespie is strong and I may just go to Sainsbury's when I get home and see if they have it cheap in there.

This afternoon has seemed long as Lana took the afternoon off, and with no-one to really chat away to periods of time have really dragged on. One of my bosses James came in though and we chatted away about music for a bit, he's a bit of a blues fan so I'll have to find out which bars are good as a night of relaxing blues can be good for you now and again. Me and my mate Tam used to go to a pub in Dundee some Saturday afternoon's and listen to some basic blues, whilst sipping some quality beer and waiting for the football scores. Those were the days.

I get a bus trip around Camden tomorrow, and more free food as part of my induction to the council so not sure if there will be any updates tomorrow, don't all feel too heartbroken eh?

It looks like there is going to be another strike by council workers and that means I'm going to get stuck in the middle of it all as I don't think I need to join the union with only being here 12 months, what will I do? I'm going to have to come to work even though I agree with what they are doing, and that could involve walking through picketers. Argh! I'll probably lie and say I'm working for an agency if they ask me anything, but if anyone calls me a scab I may have to kill them.

Monday, August 5, 2002 - 12:32 p.m.

Well I had a nice weekend, mostly spent shopping and helping Mike spend his ~~hard earned~~ bonus. I am never helping buy another second hand monitor though as carrying it around the underground, up stairs, along the street is bleedin' difficult when it is not boxed and such an awkward shape.

I remembered to buy tickets to see Neil Gaiman later this month, so me and Maz are off to listen to him being interviewed by a woman from Newsnight for an hour or so. Hopefully he'll do a bit of a reading as well. I picked the book up on Saturday too so will get it read before then and get it signed as well.

Talking of getting things signed, I've just remembered that Christopher Lee's signing is the same day as my football training so I'll have to give it a miss, oh well. Saves me having two copies of LOTR though.

We went shopping again on Sunday and got caught in a deluge of rain. The normal people hid under shelter, but me and Mike decided to walk in it instead :o) It was actually quite nice as I like the rain but I had my old trainers on and some of the water leaked in....soggy feet.

Before we went shopping on the Sunday though we went to a double bill at the cinema, and it was fantastic. It was Delicattesen and Amelie, pure delight. The fact that I own both on DVD does not make me mad for going to the cinema to see them ok.

Amazingly Maz actually went for a drink with me and Mike on Saturday night, but it was only cause we ate in the Wetherspoons on the way to do food shopping. We spent most of the time trying to spot good looking women but it was difficult, Southgate does not appear to be full of indie chicks for some reason :o)

Dundee Utd started the season with a poor draw against Partick, we need to do better than that if we are to progress this year. I don't think Smith helped the matter by playing only one striker up front. This was against one of the weakest teams in the division, is he mad? I know it was away from home but that tactic better not be a sign of things to come, especially when we have so many strikers in our squad now.

X-Files Season 8 Spoiler Alert (just in case)
Was suprised to see Mulder sacked last night although I suppose it was finally inevitable. The problem was I didn't really seem to care, which considering how much I used to like this programme goes to show how much it has fallen in quality. The episode was also about the black oil virus which used to make you sit on the edge of your seat, but instead I lay watching in bed hardly interested. Another one bies the dust I suppose.

Friday, August 2, 2002 - 08:08 p.m.

I went for a short jog this evening when I got home to try and shake off some of the cobwebs for the training next week and don't think I have ever been this unfit. I was struggling after only a 15/20 minute jog and that is just so wrong, hopefully training twice a week and playing once will sort my body out a bit.

Friday, August 2, 2002 - 07:54 p.m.

There are just so many things wrong with S Club Juniors and I don't just mean the crap music, I mean surely they are designed for pervy old men as much as young kids. They were just on TOTP and all the girls were wearing skimpy clothing and they were singing about love and failing to sleep at night etc. How old are these people?

Friday, August 2, 2002 - 07:47 p.m.

Bobby Gillespie is on TOTP just now and he is really looking strung out, I think the years of drugs have finally caught up with him.

Friday, August 2, 2002 - 07:37 p.m.

Forget everything bad I have ever said about NS, amazingly they have paid me some of the bonus money which I earned whilst I was there...I am in a state of shock still. I didn't think for a second I would get this, but now I am considerably richer. HEH!

Friday, August 2, 2002 - 01:08 p.m.

It's Friday and the weekend is near, yipee!

This guy got a PS2 last night so our lives are now officially over :o) We ended up playing FIFA 2002 last night for a couple of hours and it was great, even if Mike did beat me...revenge shall be sweet.

I did a Maz last night and after saying I would go the pub with the girls, I didn't go, heh. It's their fault actually, they said they would get me before they left as I had to change (I wasn't going to the pub in knee length shorts and a Scotland top). So I was blasting the new Primal Scream songs from the web and waiting for them when I heard the front door shut, they'd left...pah! Mike then came down and said they'd meet me in the pub as they didn't knock on the door 'cause the music was too loud, eh???? So I said 'Stuff it' and stayed in, I'm so petty :op

I checked my bank account and realised I have spent too much over the last couple of weeks as I had forgotton that the girls hadn't cashed their cheques yet, doh. I should have enough till pay day, but should anything go wrong with the money going much fun shall insue.

Today has been a good day for seeing good looking women, can I be depressed now? On the second train in to work there was the most scrumptious of ladies, all petite with shoulder length hair tied back and yummy clothes. Normally I can look at a good looking woman for a not and then get on with my reading, but I kept looking at this lass. She zoomed off after we got off the train though and went onto the tube, boo hiss. Then a minute ago a nice lass, petite, shoulder length black hair tied back, came into the office, heh. I need to find out where she works :o) She also had cool clothes on, although I can't remember what, my mind was stuck on what she would look like naked I think :op

I didn't bring a jacket this morning as it was gorgeous sunshine, the sky now resembles the darkness of a black hole.

I've got the Friday feeling of not really caring at all.

It can get really quiet in my office sometimes as we don't have that much in common, resulting in periods of strange silence which is completely different from most jobs I have has where there are people I could talk to about something or other to at least keep the day going. I am now reminiscing in my mind about some of the people I have worked with, and a couple I have fancied as well, this could be a long day.

I need chocolate...

A couple of the people at Fife Council I got on really well with, both fellow students from my course who were working there at the same time,seem to be predominent in my mind just now as I slowly digress back. We used to meet up every lunch time, meet on the bus to work, or sometimes I'd get a lift back from one of the lasses if she had her car. We seemed to have so many things in common, laughing about, talking about music, football and movies. In the end I ended up fancying one of them, but as they both had boyfriends I knew it wouldn't go anywhere. The thing was, I can remember going clubbing with one of them and telling her I fancied the other and it seemed like she was dissapointed it wasn't her. Maybe I read it wrong, but maybe if I had said I fancied her something could have happened? Looking back I definitely fancied the wrong one, which is the story of my life really.

Then whilst at Hydro Electric I used to hang about with the fellow student there, again chatting about music and football. She was also very cute but strangely I never fancied her? We used to hang about at Uni too for a while, but as is always the case I have no idea what happened to her after she left Uni?

Finally, at the Video-shops I have worked at I have always chatted away to them. Not so much in the Dundee one, but at the Forres one I dated one girl and watched Disney and joked about with another. Even the big bosses were a good laugh.

And now in London I have struggled to find things in common in both work places. At NS I could get away with talking about general stuff with them, but there wasn't anyone I would hang about with or anything till Mike came down. Then here, I don't really see anyone apart from my office mate apart from the other new guy who is ok, but again we have little in common. And people wonder why I want to leave London?

Thursday, August 1, 2002 - 07:28 p.m.

Who else thinks it funny that Peter Nicol failed to retain his gold medal at the Commonwealth Games? HA HA, serves the fucking turncoat wanker right.....

Thursday, August 1, 2002 - 07:08 p.m.

Go the Primal Scream site now and listen to the free song they are giving away, it's just ace. And who would have thought that a sing with Kate Moss would have been good?

Thursday, August 1, 2002 - 06:56 p.m.

The Economist this week had an article in it about Economists trying to work out the value of happiness and it has to be one of the most pathetic articles I have ever read. For starters how can you measure something so personal which relies on many different factors for each individual person? The thing that really got me going was the fact that they reckoned being married was equivalent to getting £60,000 a year wages (I know which I would rather have), and the loss of a partner could be offset by £170,000 a year. Bollocks is the word that comes to mind.

Thursday, August 1, 2002 - 06:38 p.m.

mmmmmmmmmmm.....doughnuts!

Thursday, August 1, 2002 - 04:29 p.m.

The training was actually quite interesting at times, with some very interesting discussions about housing needs for people and the polerization in London meaning you will end up with only very rich or very poor people living here as they would be the only people able to obtain property. Some interesting thoughts about whether to give money to beggars or not, or whether street meals are a good thing or not. Lots to think about anyway.

Need to remember to go and get tickets for Neil Gaiman's talk tonight as they are selling fast. Might get Iain Banks one too???

There's a guy here with the surname Jellow, heh.

Got details about football training today so will be heading along next Tuesday evening, my first step to stardom begins :o)

Went to the Tate Modern last night to look at the Picasso and Matisse(sp?) exhibition and some of it was quite enjoyable and I would happily hand some of that on my wall, but on the other hand some of it was really bad too. I have to admit to preferring photographs to art, but still, some of the pieces were just boring and uninteresting. The sculptures were pretty bad too. Lots of pretentious people too yapping away about how important this pic was, and how blah blah blah. Shut up and just enjoy the pictures instead of ruining them by disection. And watch out, Mike is turning into one of those people....

The lass I work with hardly listens to music, doesn't read books, doesn't watch many films, hates football and dislikes travel. I only have 12 months here, this is gonna be impossible. Already made her look out for the Dundee United score on Saturday so that is a start. Which area do you think I should concentrate on first?

You all have to email and guestbook Mike to badger him into going to the football with me next week. He knows he wants to :o)

OK, changed my mind and going to go to bookshop on Saturday as it looks like it's going to pour with rain and I haven't got a jacket with me.

I need to find a new way to find new music as NME is getting worse and worse (I haven't bought any of the last three issues), and XFM just plays indie-lite all the time? I suppose I should go to more smaller gigs but then you could be spending a fortune on junk? Hmmm.

Thursday, August 1, 2002 - 12:35 p.m.

Picasso kicks Matisse's arse.

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:49 p.m.

Yeah right.... Damn, Rico! You are 76% dateable! Attractive and confident, witty and charming, a healthy ambrosia-based diet... you're wanted in the 48 contiguous states, you slayer. Call me. Seduce me. Make me a woman (or man.) Not only do you know how to turn a girl's (or guy's) engines on, but you also know how to oil, lube and rotate it. You put the "elation" back into "relationship," and the "night" back into "one-night stand."

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:16 p.m.

The website about the football team I want to join doesn't make sense about when the training starts or where it is held so I've just sent of an email to get more info. Fingers crossed.

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 09:55 p.m.

Am I sad for actually finding a whole days worth of presentations about housing interesting?

Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 09:51 p.m.

It's not fair, at the induction training day today some people laughed at me because I said I had 'wanted' to join local government....hmmmm.

Monday, July 29, 2002 - 04:36 p.m.

Oh, guess who looks like getting a pay rise already which will take me above what I was on in my old job? he he. The post should be getting regraded next week, Mike - don't kill me.

It is still very hot, which was lovely to sit out in, but horrible to walk to and from the park in.

I have managed to break their system already and create a new way of having to do my work. The system already had this problem which came up once or twice a week, on Friday I caused it to happen four times :o) It's not my fault but still very amusing.

I just went to use my mouse as the stapler...

I brought in some of my cows to brighten up the desk, at least I know have something to talk with when Lana is out of the office.

We get to go on training courses here and the list that came through the other day included "Phone Rage". You can tell I work for Local Gvt can't you?

Files in this place seem to live in another dimension as nobody ever seems able to find them, and as a result I just caused a rather amusingly ratty email to be sent by my boss. Such fun.

OK, remember that thing about the file that went missing? It now appears I have kicked off WW3 about it...it's been nice knowing you guys.

My new shoes, although resembling something most people would take to ride the seas with, are certainly more comfortable than the old ones and I can actually walk further than five yards without wincing. Hurrah!

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 10:44 p.m.

Went into a pub in Coventry to ask directions to the football ground and this guy starts singing Hearts songs...madness. Lots of humour between the fans, us singing "It's just like watching Brazil", "There's only one David Seaman", and "What a shitty home support". Also 'Flower of Scotland' was inroduced a few times, with them singing 'England' songs. There was a slight feeling of ugliness but nothing happened in the ground, although I did hear some stuff did kick off outside. Luckily I missed it though, but it has put me off going back that ground now though.

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 10:42 p.m.

Coventry is more confusing than any maze ever invented. Signs start directing you then just dissapear.

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 10:38 p.m.

I think Josh and Donna from West Wing have even better sexual tension than Mulder and Scully ever did, I just hope the writers don't ruin it like they did in the X-Files and over play on it too much. Season 6 (I think) just went completely overboard with it and it became a farce, but knowing script writers they will go ahead and cock it all up.

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 08:55 p.m.

I have a bit of a dimena, Christopher Lee is doing a signing of LOTR on the day of release but I don't want to get this version as I want the super-duper November version. Not fair.

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 08:51 p.m.

I can't believe that Emily complained about having to do a small pile of dishes again this morning. Admittedly she did the load yesterday but she has a long way to go before I touch them again :o)

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 02:34 a.m.

After the football I raced back through to London so as to go to Pablo's B'day party, and much fun it was too. I finally got to meet Pablo who was as nice as can be, and I also got to chat to Lara and her bf again which is always fun. I did feel a little out of place there though as everyone was all dressed up for a party and I was there in old jeans and a bright tangerine football top....oops. I am never good at parties either as I am the guy that just likes to let other people talk and I'll chip in every now and again, so I feel like everyone will just think I'm the weird kid that turned up to this party who no-one knew and no-one talked too. If only I was cool eh? Pablo seemed cool about it though, and the few others I chatted to seemed ok, but my paranoia makes me feel like I cocked it all up. We have arranged to meet up again, hopefully then I will be able to put myself across a little better.

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 02:28 a.m.

I am completely worn out after today, running about the shops getting shirts and trousers for work (alas no new shows which were the major need), then travelling through to Coventry for the football to finally see United play after nearly a year. The game was ok, your typical pre-season friendly really, but some good signs were there, we just need to sort out our defence from cross balls or we'll be screwed.

Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 02:25 a.m.

I'm kinda in shock as the dishes have actually been done, so please bare with me if any entry after this doesn't make any sense whatsoever....saying that, today's dishes are still sat there so it's still not perfectly clean.

Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 10:11 a.m.

Well after not knowing what I'm gonna be doing for the weekend, I have now decided to go to Coventry to watch the best team in the world, then go over to Pablo's for a party even though I'll not really know anyone as Maz has decided not to go through with me even though she agreed to yesterday....I'm full of suprises this morning aren't I? WOMEN!

Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 09:33 a.m.

There is now a massive pile of dishes in our house as neither of the girls have bothered to do them, I think I'll be counting the ants/slugs/cockroaches soon.

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 10:32 p.m.

Well since I was ordered....

Top 10 Albums That, Having Seen Them In Your Date's Collection, Make You Re-evaluate Your Desire For Said Person

1. Anything by fuckin' ABBA
2. Anything by Vonda Shepherd
3. Anything by Westlife/Boyzone
3. Anything by Stereophonics
4. Anything by Travis after their first album
5. The Vines
6. Any christian rock bands eg Creed/POD
7. Anything by Celine Dion
8. Anything by Queen
9. Anything from Ibiza
10. Anything by Dire Straits
(did I cheat there at all?)

...and...

Top 10 Albums That, Having Seen Them In Your Date's Collection, Make You Think You Might Have A Winner Here!

1. Holy Bible - The Manics
2. Complete REM Collection
3. Madonna - Trail of Dead
4. Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan
5. Hips n Makers - Kristen Hersh
6. Young Team - Mogwai
7. either/or - Elliot Smith
8. Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea - PJ Harvey
9. We Have Come For Your Parents - Amen
10. Either 'Dawn of the Replicants' albums

Let the arguing commence.....

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 10:03 p.m.

I have finally caught up with all the diaries again after being so far behind....phew!

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 09:48 p.m.

Shons or Mich, did White Arrow pick up my parcel or did you two run away with it?

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 09:38 p.m.

I've been trying to find some cheapish concerts for next month since lack of money is still an issue, and I still can't find anything. I have however found a JJ72 gig for October, and a Fugazi gig for November.

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 09:15 p.m.

We finally have someone coming round to fix the shower (it dies on Sunday I think) which is cool, pity no-one has bothered to do the dishes though so the landlord will be well impressed. Hopefully he'll moan about it and then someone will do something about it, 'cause fuck if I can be bothered.

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 09:08 p.m.

Korn, G'n'R and the Manics all have tickets for sale. Do I use my credit card or not?

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 09:04 p.m.

Spiderman wasn't really that good was it kiddies? I mean there was nothing wrong with it (apart from the Green Goblins suit looking like a Power Rangers off-cut), but at the same time it didn't really do anything truly exciting either. Maybe I was expecting too much of it (as happened with X-Men which I only started really enjoying second time round), I don't know. Kirsten Dunst looked gorgeous with her red hair, and Toby McGuire (have you seen his gut lately?) acted quite well, but the story was poor and the action scenes never really got going at all. Here's hoping it improves when I next see it.

Thursday, July 25, 2002 - 07:49 p.m.

Considering a lot of my new job involves writing up one of my bosses reports, why did I end up with someone with worse writing than me? It really is amazingly difficult to read, keeps me busy though :o)

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 10:10 p.m.

Well off to bed now as sleep has beaten me, adios kiddies. But before I go, the new bookworms poll is up now so feel free to vote and join in.

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 09:44 p.m.

Feel a little more refreshed now as had a nice soak in the bath. This working is not good though, I get tired too early and am struggling to read my newspapers/new statesman/bookworm book....I need to find some new hours to add to the day :o)

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 09:06 p.m.

The new job is going well enough, its pretty easy but the atmosphere is relaxed and the people nice so that's good. I get to share an office with a 22 year old beauty too....hmmm. Pity she's married already (I think) though. She made me laugh today when she asked me where Canada was, he he. She has a University education as well??? I won't tell you what she said when someone asked her where Portugal was.

Wednesday, July 24, 2002 - 09:03 p.m.

I am not touching the fucking dishes in our kitchen, I don't care if we get the bloody lergy and a swarm of cockroaches, I am not touching them. I did the dishes every day of the month and a half I was not working, well now I am working and now other people can help out, although being the lazy bastards they are I bet I still find them there when I get up for work tomorrow morning....cunts.

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 06:57 p.m.

Well the two witches have gone home now so I get a chance for some peace and quiet at last :o)

Sunday, July 21, 2002 - 02:06 p.m.

Yuck, I managed to avoid a hangover this morning so instead I have a horrible cold with sniffles and a sore throat that is making it difficult for me to talk, which is a bit of a bummer considering I start work tomorrow. Last night was fun as I danced about like a maniac for a few hours to a mix of good and bad indie/rock songs. Loads of people just hung about as normal only dancing to the 'cool' tracks, plurgh.

Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 11:00 a.m.

Well the girlies got here all ok on Thursday night, and apart from being crammed onto the train back to the house the tube strike didn't cause any problems. So far we have been eating lots of food, drinking booze, shopping, chatting, losing at scrabble to Mike, and watching foreign movies. Great fun. Off to wander about again today before heading out to Camden for dancing and more drinking, somebody warn everyone in advance will you.

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 02:44 p.m.

Yuck, it's still all hot and sticky and I've been slaving away in the kitchen getting some of the food prepared for when my sister get's here, I need a rest now. Got the two desserts done, chocolate torte and this rasberry cream thing that looks lovely. Also prepared some nice cheese/onion/garlic/etc stuffed mushrooms for starters, and since there was some mix left over I put it into a toastie for lunch....hmmmm. Just need to prepare some of the Risotto before I go pick them up and I will be sorted, I just hope they like all the food [worried look]. And why did I have to choose two desserts that involved whipping cream when my body is so tired from yesterday and we don't have an electric mix? I just haven't got the wrist action :o) Mike seemed good at it last time though....

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 09:53 a.m.

After the Idlewild performance I had to leg it to the Green Day gig, which considering there was a tube strike made things a little awkward but I eventually got their (half an hour late) to meet Mike, and amazingly he was getting off the same train, heh. We missed the beginning of the first band (possibly Less Than Jake), but not bothered as they were shite. Green Day though were fantastic, I got completely crushed, and with the heat I was sweating before they even got on stage and just before the end of their set I actually had to move out of the throng and go get water as I was so dehydrated I was ready to throw up. It's harder to move backwards than it is forwards in these crowds, I should have gone over the front. Had to stand at the back for the encore, but it wasn't that far back and was still great. They did a great mix of new and old which was cool, the only bad thing at the gig was the fact it was full of kids.....who danced to YMCA and other crap tunes being played on the PA before the gig. ARGH!

Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 09:12 a.m.

Yesterday was brilliant, Idlewild played a great wee acoustic set to about 200 people before doing a signing. So I've now got the CD signed, and made Roddy laugh which is always a good thing. I commented that no-one had shouted for 'Captain' which must be a first ever, heh.

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 02:24 p.m.

Before I log off, I should add that I put my piccie on Hot or Not's meet me section so if anyone is stupid enough to say yes I will post them up here...I am nasty. I don't really intend to meet any of them as I would act like a total prat, but hey it'll be fun to see if I get any responses anyway. Oh, and if any of you london mob are reading this, are you wanting to go out this weekend or not?

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 02:10 p.m.

I'm not entirely sure what to make of the apology by the IRA yesterday, I mean what is it actually meant to achieve? Will it make up for the hundreds of people they have killed and the lives that these deaths have touched? Will it make the government apologise for the atrocities they did? Has it come about due to the fact most funding came from the US and now these people feel ashamed to be backing terrorists? Will it stop the Real IRA and other groups from causing terrorist acts? It seems to open more questions than give any actual answers, but I do believe it was a good thing to do and I hope that it is another step to peace in Ireland.

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 01:41 p.m.

I can't remember if I have mentioned or not but the two loveliest girls in the world are coming to see me this weekend :o) My sis, and this girlie. Should be fun; food, drink, dancing, and sun. Bought the food today to cook two gorgeous meals for them, which will hopefully not kill them with food poisoning. Just need to tidy the house a bit tomorrow and I shall be ready for them.

Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 01:29 p.m.

Got the new Idlewild album earlier and first impressions are good. Not fantastic though, just good. There are four or five stand out tracks already which is a good start, but it is much more mellow than I would have liked, resembling 100 Broken Windows more than the hardness of Captain and Hope Is Important that I like. I am sure it will grow on me though, the videos on the CD are good, although two of them make me want to grab the next train to Scotland (one of a forest and one of a sea). To make the CD more special though I am going to go to the instore gig and signing this afternoon, then follow that up with the Green Day gig. It looks like I have a life again....yipee :o)

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 04:56 p.m.

Oh yeah baby. "It's so easy, easy, everyone's trying to please me baby".

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 04:36 p.m.

Just one piece of advice.....RUN!

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 04:34 p.m.

This is cruel, but very funny also. And I thought my sister had a big arse :o)

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 04:26 p.m.

and this one too.../ The internet, fun for everyone.

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 04:17 p.m.

Not that I've been dossing about on the web all day or anything....

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 03:46 p.m.

He he. "There is "Shaggy," a skinny junkie who is always sleepy, hungry, and paranoid. If you look closely enough, you can actually see the needle marks on his arms where he would inject a liquified form of "scooby snacks" which were really nothing more than a mixture of cocaine and heroin."

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 03:18 p.m.

Obviously everything the Americans do in Afghanistan is correct right? "We were told there were no friendly forces," said Guckenheimer, an assistant gunner with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. "If there was anybody there, they were the enemy. We were told specifically that if there were women and children to kill them."

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 12:49 p.m.

Indymedia is a fantastic site, but sometimes you get articles that are written by people just way too paranoid. Now some of the facts in their article are true, but to try and compare the current political situation in the US to that of Nazi Germany is just insane. I can't see Bush cancelling all elections (although he has stolen one) and suddenly locking up everyone that disagrees with him. I was gonna say he won't start invading countries, but oooops he's already done that hasn't he.

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 12:10 p.m.

I am gonna get my arse kicked for this but after looking at the pictures of some of the girls from Scotland at Hot or Not I think I remember why I wanted to leave Scotland :o)

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 11:05 a.m.

I was gonna link to this person, but I thought better of it. Someone actually put one of their major likes as Elton John. Can I kill myself now?

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 11:01 a.m.

Messing about at Hot or Not just now and some lass actually put this for her description: "I love men who articulate in 14 positions and are choking hazards." I'm down to 6.6 now, boooooo.

Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 10:34 a.m.

Great, pah! Just got stuff through from the Council saying what I need to take on Monday for my new job, and everything is fine except for the fact I have to take my original birth certificate....ha ha ha. I've never actually seen my birth certificate and have no idea whether my parents still have it about or not. Let's hope they do so Shons can bring it down or I will be very screwed as I can't start without it. It also reiterates the point of original so surely that stops me getting a copy, even if I did know how???

Monday, July 15, 2002 - 09:46 p.m.

In 16 days I managed to watch Seasons 1-6 of X-Files, the movie, and four videos of episodes from series 7 and 8. My head hurts. Mingle that with the bizarre episode that was on BBC2 on Sunday (it made no sense, have they been skipping episodes again?) and my head really hurts. There were plenty of highlights, the whole of season 3 and that baseball episode, and a number of lows too, but what struck me was how much more sense it makes watching it like that. It also clearly shows how superior the first three series are to the rest, in the end I was just looking forward to the consiracy episodes and few other. I had never noticed Krycek kissing Mulder on the cheek before either, heh. One question, in Travellers (Mulder speaks to detective in 1990 about a case he had worked on) when Mulder is sitting speaking with the old detective, I am sure I noticed him smoking and wearing a wedding band, is this right?

Monday, July 15, 2002 - 06:23 p.m.

Been doing a quick search on the web for a cheapish restaurant in london for this saturday and I've realised that most people's version of cheap is about £20 more than mine. Pizza Hut anyone?

Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 12:34 a.m.

Even though I own a load of Dylan albums they can often spend time being ignored, but just now as he sings in the background and I surf away on news sites it all fits perfectly and I remember why he is so brilliant.

Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 12:16 a.m.

So with all the sleeping I've been doing lately I should be a genius right?

Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 11:07 p.m.

With all this time off the days are just melting into each other and time has no significance....it's great. It's liberating being able to do what I want, when I want, not worry about work or sleep. So today has been no different from any other really, getting up late, watching X-Files, drinking too much tea, messing about on the net. I have done something different though, I've watched a couple of movies so I can review them for my site, I have notes and everything. Now when I actually getting round to writing the reviews themselves is another matter, I mean I haven't even written the Oasis review yet. I am too lazy these days, maybe the new job will get me into some sort of gear that isn't 'Neutral'. he he.

Friday, July 12, 2002 - 02:42 p.m.

I took the plunge and put my picture up at Hot or Not (I'm not putting the link to my picture as I want to see a fair score come up, so please don't go searching either). So far I have an average of 6.6, which is pretty much what I expected I suppose but I have had a couple of tens which is cool. I'm not sure how they do their maths though as by the looks of the chart the majority of results fall between 1 and 3, yet my average is so high? And someone rating me 1? I know I'm not Brad Pitt/Jonny Depp/Jude Law/Dermot O'Leary (delete as appropriate, last option for scary housemate) but surely that area of 1-3 puts me in Lyle Lovett terittory of something? Don't even think of saying it Mike.

Friday, July 12, 2002 - 02:33 p.m.

You lot are a lazy bunch aren't you, that's two people that have told me they don't check my diary as there is no easy 'red'link from Diaryland. It only takes around ten seconds to get here if you type the address in, and less if you have me linked somehow. I thought I was lazy :op

Friday, July 12, 2002 - 12:45 a.m.

Did anyone else see Living With the Enemy last night on BBC2? Have you ever seen two people be so homophobic in your lives? I knew people could be prejudiced, but really that outspoken and stupid? I was finding it difficult to watch as these two rugby players were just being so closed and full of hate, I was expecting something to kick off any second. For those that haven't seen this program before, the basic idea is that they take people from one background and who hate/dislike another one and transplant them into living with them for a week (past shows include an upper class women having to stay with Cradle of Filth fans, surely a punishment for anyone with a brain :o). Wednesday nights episode put two northern rigby players in a flat in london with two gay men, and although they seemed to get on ok-ish at the beginning, by the end of the week they hated each other and one of the rugby players even said that they would terminate their kid if they knew it would be gay before it was born. I didn't even know people like that still existed, let's just hope they are the last of a dying breed. Although how rugby players can feel so strong about gay people I don't know, I mean do you know another sport which involves more male contact and where they get naked all the time after the game?

Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 05:34 p.m.

This report sort of carries on from what I was talking about yesterday when mentioning that we create stress and problems for ourselves.

Thursday, July 11, 2002 - 03:40 p.m.

I finally have a start date, pity it's not till the 22nd though. Oh well, at least I now know and can plan my expenses as required. Yipee!

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 07:12 p.m.

Please, no Matt Damon. He's not a bad actor, but I can't see him fitting in as either superhero.

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 07:09 p.m.

How come in America it's only in the Sports Section that you can find true sense about the accounting scandals?

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 06:40 p.m.

Finally some sense about this whole IVF issue.

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 06:24 p.m.

Stolen from The Guardian, but shows the sort of press we have to deal with in the UK and the wrong causes they go for in the majority of cases: "The Daily Mail inadvertently made the point with a picture of a Westminster roadsweeper beside a parking meter: "This parking meter earns £4 an hour. The roadsweeper working for the same council is on £3.50." (Alas, they drew a bizarre conclusion: "Astonishing insight into the exorbitant cost of motoring in today's anti-car Britain.")"

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 03:30 p.m.

Today I have felt more and more depressed, but I'm not gonna complain about it here as I am fed up of reading about people in these diaries feeling so sorry for themselves and it is getting a little tiresom. I know my last couple of diaries had pages full of such dirge, but to be honest beyond lack of money I don't really have anything to complain about. I mean I can at least choose to do the things that I do, and my life is like it is cause of the decisions I have made. There is no point in blaming anyone, or whinging like some middle class wanker like in so many of these other diaries. People should just be glad of all the things that they have instead of creating non-existent problems, I mean why are they doing it? Can they not live without pain? Can they not live without trying to create some sympathy and attention? Is middle-class life really so bad?

Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - 12:39 a.m.

Not only am I bored, and slightly depressed, but I have to listen to my housemate have sex too. Someone hand me a shotgun please? I promise to only kill myself and no-one else.

Tuesday, July 9, 2002 - 11:51 p.m.

We may not agree with what Isreal are doing just now to the Palestinians, but we cannot let that stop us from educating their children and hoping to build a better future. I thought most Academics were liberals anyway? Wrong again.

Monday, July 8, 2002 - 10:44 p.m.

This August Bank Holiday weekend XFM are doing their X-List top 104 tracks as voted by us the listeners, so since I shall be unable to go to the Reading Festival this year unless I win one of the competitions I have entered I shall probably be listening to see who what crap the audience have voted for, but to help me listen to some decent music please feel free to vote on the site. You can all listen as the station is online and available on digital sattelite (details on site). I voted for Trail of Dead's 'Perfect Teenhood'. Somehow I can't see it getting in, but at least I am now entered for loads of free concert tickets :o)

Monday, July 8, 2002 - 10:11 p.m.

Did anyone else want to shout at West Wing last night for the way that they treated the anti-globalization mob? I mean not everyone was like the way that the portrayed them to be, and to simplify the WTO and IMF like Toby did was a sound-byte worthy of George Bush, although he wouldn't have said that free-trade prevented wars as he is too busy starting the wars himself.

Monday, July 8, 2002 - 08:55 p.m.

This is quite an interesting look at how the opposite of democracy can work on some ways. I wouldn't advocate it, but it does make some interesting points.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 08:46 p.m.

Well the gig yesterday was ok. The bands themselves were all reasonable at least (Black Rebel were the best of the day), but there was always an undercurrent of violence and too many people who went to one gig a year and didn't know what to do when dancing/being pushed about/etc. Add this to two people taking a piss next to me and getting it all over my leg and I was getting more and more pissed off (no pun intended) as the day wore on. Luckily Oasis were good and the mood lifted, but there were just too many jerks which meant I could never really enjoy it. Also, to the fuckwits who started singing "No Surrender to the IRA"....I hope you accidently get shot in the gut and die a horrible and prolonged death. Just because you are wrapped in a Union Flag, does not mean you shout such bollocks when you probably have no idea what the fuck you are actually saying. Also irritating was the amount of "England, England" chants but I should have expected that, luckily there were a couple of Scottish flags about, and at least one gou who kept chanting Ronaldinho. He was certainly braver than me.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 07:45 p.m.

If you only write one letter this year, make it for this purpose.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 07:07 p.m.

This is one of the reasons that I want to work for Local Government, but with current thinking these ideals are a long way off. Hopefully the Labour Government will change track and when I return to Scotland I can help in some way at getting cities up there to develop, even if it's only in the smallest way.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 06:52 p.m.

This person's list title on Amazon is "Does your DVD collection measure up?!". I presume he is taking the piss though, I mean Destiny's Child, Madonna, Hocus Pocus? Now I like some DC and Madonna, but a great DVD collection they do not make. That makes my collection look fantastic in comparison.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 06:37 p.m.

So that's why no-one comes to my site then? At least it's not because I'm boring and no-one loves me :o)

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 06:24 p.m.

This could be good for people who can actually write, and who are interested in personal freedom. I might try and write a piece on the subject but I don't think I would actually be good enough to write anything too original or of high enough quality to enter the thing. I'll add it to my rant section if I do get it done though.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 05:36 p.m.

You Americans are going to be the death of us all you know. But I bet Bush still doesn't pay attention to the environment saying it's all a load of rubbish, and that these distractors are just trying to prevent the growth of already rich Americans, who then wouldn't be able to exploit people or give the Republican party lots of cash to look after them. And yes, I know we all have to do something about it as all of us use too much electricity and water. Especially me with all this online activity and rdrinking of tea in the last couple of weeks, ooops.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 04:36 p.m.

I know kids can be stupid at times, but do they not realise how stupid they are being by doing this? I mean it only takes one psycho paedophile to kill them.

Sunday, July 7, 2002 - 01:38 p.m.

After looking in the mirror this morning, I realised I do have a six pack. It's just surrounded by packaging :o)

Saturday, July 6, 2002 - 11:47 a.m.

The bad ones are the bast: What did the inflatable teacher say to the inflatable boy who brought a pin to his inflatable school? "You've let me down, you've let the school down, but worst of all, you've let yourself down."

Saturday, July 6, 2002 - 11:34 a.m.

He's making a sick joke right? How could this man possibly think that what he did was anything other than pure evil? And helped by his good friend Margaret Thatcher too, good to see that we keep have always kept in with the right people throughout history.

Saturday, July 6, 2002 - 11:29 a.m.

My country is full of treasures, and quite literally too. What with gold being found in abundance in some streams, and the earlier news that some people are going in search of some treasure in the river Tay. Any chance of them sending some of this wealth to me?

Saturday, July 6, 2002 - 10:16 a.m.

I've been going to bed later and later due to having so much time off, but I think that is about to stop as the postie decided to wake me up this morning by bringing our books for this through the post this morning. I mean what sort of time is 9:15am to get up on a Saturday?

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 11:12 p.m.

I'm getting fidgety, thinking I should be doing more than just sitting and surfing, whilst listening to the Trail of Dead, why? I suppose I have been doing it pretty solidly since 6pm or so, but that's besides the point. Why should I feel guilty at reading about politics, other weblogs, or football? I never seem to be able to calm down unless I am doing ten things at once. At least this week with working on my site (which is pretty much clean of errors now I think, although do email if you find any) I have felt like I have been doing something. Maybe I am just itchy to get back to work instead of just sitting about all the time. I also need to learn how to relax, or could it be withdrawals since I turned off the X-Files earlier as it was getting difficult to read sites and watch at the same time? I have done a load of research for a new freedom entry though, and that would be a first in ages. Wish me luck in getting it done.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 09:24 p.m.

Even seeing images like this get me excited, it's like being a child again. And as for the Fellowhip coming out on DVD soon, oh yeah. The dilemna arrives at the fact that there is a double disc set coming out in August, and the super-duper four disc set in November. Somehow I am going to have to wait and hope that some lovely sister or parent (hint, hint) finds it in their heart to buy it for my b'day.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 09:08 p.m.

I think Mike needs to read this. I also think we both need to stop watching the X-Files :o)

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 08:39 p.m.

I'm just glad I bought my Catcher in the Rye book a few years back, and that it was my sister who bought me my Che Guevera book or they would be standing on my doorstep.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 06:57 p.m.

This is just so wrong, I mean why would you want to see The Doors without Jim Morrison?

I'm glad to see he is working in a new album. Pavement were one of the best indie bands around and although his last solo album wasn't fantastic, it was still very good. He was good live too.

And finally, Trail of Dead and Amen are supporting the Sex Pistols this summer which is great, except for the fact I don't really wanna see a run down Sex Pistols. Not fair.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 06:24 p.m.

Oh dear, Tim Henman is out of Wimbledon for another year. He was unlucky to meet such a fantastic player in Leyton Hewitt who was just on top of his game today. I may slag off the hysteria that surrounds Henman at Wimbledon, but I like to see him do well. I doubt he will ever win it though as there always seem to be one player at least that is on top of his game at the time and capable of beating Henman however good he is.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 05:00 p.m.

Although I love the X-Files, and it is some of the greatest television made in the 90's, you have to laugh at the way the government would be so paranoid about people finding out about aliens. Also, why would they leave so much information lying about that could give the 'game' away? I know governments are pretty useless, but at times it was just laughable.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 12:18 a.m.

I know that some of you out there are comic readers so I was hoping that you could help me out. I seem to be stuck reading the same stuff just now, although I do pick up the odd new indie every now and again to see what it is like, but I am wanting something new to read. I don't mean by this that the comics have to be new, I just want to hear what it is you have read and liked and think I might too. I may have been reading comics for a few years, but I'm really a novice at it all and would love to hear your suggestions. Thanks.

Friday, July 5, 2002 - 12:04 a.m.

I have somehow managed to watch the first two series of the X-Files in about five days, how did that happen? And when you consider that I've been watching movies, listening to music, and reading as well, it goes to show you how much free time I have just now. HE HE! Still not got a start date for my job though, which sucks. I spoke to them yesterday and they were still waiting for stuff from my old work. HURRY UP!

Thursday, July 4, 2002 - 06:13 p.m.

Read this is you can't really argue with it, very well written ellie.

Thursday, July 4, 2002 - 05:37 p.m.

I spent the whole of yesterday sorting out my favourite folders as they were such a mess. I never thought it would take so long, but I was trying to add the good ones to my web site at the same time so it dragged on. Add that to the fact I kept looking at half the sites and reading stuff on them and it turned into a ten hour job, oops.

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 - 10:48 p.m.

It may have happened over 50 years ago, but I still think it is a good enough reason to boycott IBM.

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 - 09:53 p.m.

Apparently I'm Libertarian Left....I suppose I can't argue with that. Nearly the same as Ghandi :o) Although also very near Ken Livingston, who I suppose is OK but seems to be making a few mistakes these days. At least he is what you would call a proper Labour man and not the fakes you have these days.

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 - 06:37 p.m.

The weather is real cool outside just now, there was literally a rumble of thunder outside that lasted about 20/30 seconds....ace!

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 - 05:32 p.m.

Why did someone just make an email come to me from a MatchMaker site? Do people not know that I don't do stupid things like that? And there I was thinking that someone might have actually sent me a proper email, boo hoo.

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 - 01:50 p.m.

Could someone please email me and let me know why National ID cards are a good idea, as this one seems to have completely passed me by. I cannot think of one good reason at all really, and when Ann Widdecome was talking about it on TV last night (did she not used to have really dark hair, as it seemed a rather browny/blonde?) I just wanted to throw things at the screen. Are we going to be allowed to have any freedom at all these days or are we going to let governments strip away our rights bit by bit until they finally start controlling our minds (you know, so we end up like the 'sheep' you used to go to school with, imagine life with people only like that). It's also quite scary that even the Tory government ran away from this idea as it was too right wing, yet here we have a Labour government who opposed it in oppostion suddenly taking up the idea. Are there any MPs left with morals and who don't change every stance they have as soon as they gain some power?

Wednesday, July 3, 2002 - 01:46 p.m.

Gah, I just wrote a whole entry then my computer decided to wipe it, pah!

Tuesday, July 2, 2002 - 05:37 p.m.

I was watching the RHCP on Ch4 last nigbt and it was a reasonably good gig, but probably not as energetic as I thought it would be. At least they weren't wearing only socks I suppose :o)

What I did notice though was how much better their old stuff to what they are currently pedling. Don't get me wrong, some of the stuff on Californication was quite good, but the new single is quite boring and when you remember they released a great album like 'Blood, Sugar. Sex, Magic' you wonder where the magic went. And nothing compares to 'Under the Bridge' does it?

Monday, July 1, 2002 - 11:31 p.m.

They're certainly not the best band in the world, but how can you argue with this sentiment:

"Rock! It's what we're all about
It's what we live for
C'mon shout it out"

Sum 41's new song rules, and with a member of Slayer on guitar you can't say no to it can you?

Monday, July 1, 2002 - 10:58 p.m.

The new Green Day album is ace, maybe it's only b-sides and covers but they are new to me and makes me look forward to the gig later this month even more. "DOWN WITH THE MORAL MAJORITY".

Monday, July 1, 2002 - 10:50 p.m.

Well even though I spent half this afternoon chatting away on IM, which is totally confusing when you are talking to two people at the same time, I managed to get a lot of my site cleaned up so feel free to click on stevenicoll.com.

Monday, July 1, 2002 - 07:07 p.m.

I just did that Mash thing and these are the results

You will live in a Mansion.
You will drive a Blue Mini.
You will marry Molly and have 0 kids.
You will be a Council Worker in San Fransisco.

I couldn't actually think of anyone I fancied so I put in five d'landers instead (Kymee, Gingi, Volcanic, Molly, Torch), he he.

Please forgive me girls???

Monday, July 1, 2002 - 05:55 p.m.

After finally uploading my web site last night I noticed that loads of the links had been typed in wrong, but as it was approaching 2:30am I admitted defeat and went to bed. So as a result I have spent most of this afternoon watching the first season of the X-Files and updating all the web pages ready for reload tonight. Fingers crossed.

Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 08:31 p.m.

I am currently spending my day writing movie reviews to add to my web site which I am trying to get at least some of uploaded before the end of the day. I just wish I could actually write reviews which were interesting and not rehashes of the storyline. As for my memory of actually remembering characters names? Forget it.

Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:49 p.m.

Shit, I've been offline for a while and not been reading the diaries that I normally do so although a little late can I offer big hugs to these three girls, Gingi, Kymee, Lara. I hope things get better for you all soon.

Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 02:22 p.m.

Well since this is my first entry I should keep it simple I suppose. Well I have just finished watching the Word Cup Final and Brazil beat Germany 2-0 in what turned out to be a much better final than most of us expected. Germany played really well, and in addition to stifling Brazil for most of the game, they also played well going forward and controlled much of what was happening.

In the end though Brazil's class came through, and although the first goal was down to a couple of mistakes, overall they probably just about deserved the victory.

I'm just glad to see two teams who were written off before the tournament began doing so well in the end. And it took a whole 85 minutes before the commentator menioned 1966, that must have been the longest this tournament.