Y Wegof Di-Reswm

What with Thursday's decision on the job, I had Friday free which was handy as I was officially having my first guests since I moved in to the flat. Clare and her friend Laura came up from Brum to catch 'The Ladyboys Of Bangkok' which was on at the Lowry. Clare had warned me that Laura was ever so slightly mental, but of course in a nice way, not like when you make every effort not to look someone in the whites of their eyes incase they become violently antagonised and verbally agitated. Besides people have rarely described me as totally sane (Captain Haddock from Tintin's got to be one of the hardest to quantify). She was in fact totally lovely and great fun to boot, Adam & her got on like a house on fire! It was a pleasure to meet You. Clare & I introduced Laura to 'A Night At The Roxbury' and despite being a trifle bemused now she too will never be able to listen to Haddaway the same way again.
In keeping with the theme of night I considerd turning my hand to some Thai cooking, but quickly reconsidered and settled on Mexican as it seemed a lot simpler, to amuse me, Clare & Laura toyed with their food for a while, and ate some to be polite before I offered to liquidize it for them which they declined.
On our way to the Lowry we popped via town to meet Adam & Rich who were on some work do thing. It was a new pub to me, 'The Town Tafern' and like the unadventurous name was a little square, but the company was good. We only had one drink before we headed to the Lowry.

So Inspired by Po's unpublished confessional we eagerly headed to the show. When we got there we discovered that the show was in fact not in the centre itself, but in the 'Thai Pavilion' which was in fact a tent, abiet a big one. That aside we noticed that the event had brought out some 'oddballs' but the vast majority of people were totally normal. There have been posters all over Manchester and it's had good reviews, it's been on for a month and this was the second showing on the penultimate night. As soon as we got there we were keeping our eyes out for tell tale signs, I had my eyes out for instances of the
prominence of the thyroi, Laura was checking hand sizes, and Clare was on the lookout for suspect bulges.
Our table was roughly in the middle, and not too far back, but a little too near the bar. The show itself was Fabulous, Extravagant, Fantastic, Marvelous - take your pick, it was great fun generally. The were a few drunks in there though who managed to blemish the otherwise 'shiny' nature of the night, getting in the way, being loud, lovin' it a bit too much! etc (utterley hammerd - poss on Babycham?) they should have been chucked out, or beaten up but there we are. The funniest bit were with the less convincing Ladyboys, the Drag queens I suppose, who really camped it up and played it for laughs! Hillarious!
At half time there was an opportunity to have your picture taken with scantily clad Ladyboys, but it cost £5 and was with a polaroid camera of theirs, which would have been no good for this 'ere blog, so we unfortunately passed that one up.
We wern't allowed to take pictures during the show, the few photos we took from earlier in the night are in an album, Click here, I look a little rough close up, but better when in the distance.
One of the programme sellers must have been a former performer who'd they'd kept on judging by her age and broad shoulders, I asked her if she had proof of her gender, I meant of a documentary nature, however she asked me in broken English out back after the show! I didn't show up as we rushed for the car to beat the rush.
I had a great night & I'd like to thank Clare & Laura for coming along and being up for a cabaret show with a twist of something a little different!

SWYDD: Now It would seem I'm starting with Lex on Monday, I met today with them and they offered a better role, better pay, better security, and experience relevant to my CIMA qualifications than GE.  One of the ladies was actually from Pentywyn (Pendine) and almost caught me offguard by knowing where Glanaman was, but I'm sure that had no bearing on the outcome. Also the bonus is up to 25% which would be nice. It also means I've sort of got tomorow off, although that has generally been the case. Adam also starts work on Monday, so it's going to be strange.
IAITH: I've also invented a new word in Welsh and submitted it to the relevent authorities, the word is 'Wegof' and is simply a translation of 'Blog'. Blog is from the words, Web & Log, so pretty straight foward. The words in Welsh that I truncated and then fused were Wefan (Website) and Cofnodion (Llyfr Cofnodion = Log). I'm awaiting an email to see If they'll accept it as a word or cast it in disgust to the floor. 
RYGBI: Touch rugby tonight, Adam's gibbing out tho!                                             
SOYA MILK: Thin water with a bit of flour! Hint of nuts. BAGDERS.
TaRa!

There Is No NEWS!

The Day Of Harvesting Draws Ever Nearer For Steve.

Well actually Steve AKA Silverback/Sasquatch/Teenwolf/A-Babar/Daddyo/Stephen Matthew Bragg Potter is 29 today. He'd decided he'd like take a day off from the grind of the laboratory & PHd write-ups to get out of the city, (Cardiff in this case) and go to... another city, Birmingham(Flawless-Go To The City). Actually a good choice as Brum's pretty much halfway between b'there and b'here and Clare (who's b'there(Brum)) has a week off from work & would have just been dossing otherwise(And Why Not?)! Fantastic plan.
So off t'Brum, aiming for eleven. Steve managed to get lost in Brum but not as badly as I did on a previous occasion but it still made me feel a slight sense of satisfaction as it wasn't only me who'd got lost as Po hadn't had any problems. That was resolved though, quickly enough for us to have a quick cup of tea along with Beanie, before we shot off for lunch, and Beanie went to work.
Lunch was at  a French resturant, 'Chez Jules'  in town, Rosco (You may remember from such posts as 'The Bob Dylan Trip') joined us during his lunch hour. The food was totally fabulous and very reasonably priced, can't fault it. I had the soup and really dug the swine, lush! as was the lamb it seems.
Anyhow Rosco had to get back to work, we had a look around a few shops in town & then we paid a visit to the Wing Yip supermarket. I didn't realise it was so cheap and am definately going to the one in Manchester azap (a.s.a.p.) as it was brilliant inside. I got a shark steak (which I've just eaten - a bit of a funny taste actually, won't get it next time... I'm getting the swordfish!), shrimp noodles, some bamboo, a bag of whole dried silver fish (anchovies), and a tin of fizzy 'Green Grass Jelly' pop. It smelt like grass sure enough at first, and had strips of jelly floating in it(?), it was far too sweet, I wouldn't reccomend it (go for the sparkly lychee drink instead- mmm!). But all together it was all less than £5- amazing!
The heavens had opened on my way down from Manchester in the morning, but it was suspiciously dry in Brum, but it was very close, and looked like it'd hammer with rain at any moment, so Clare took us to Sutton Park (apparently Europe's largest council owned park) i.e. outside, but the gamble payed off and it held off long enough for a quick walk around, it's got woods, lakes, fields, golf courses loads of stuff really, but we only saw a small section of it which was however very nice,and had a secluded feel to it. After that Steve & I hung around to miss the rush on the M6/5 and chatted with C&B for a bit before I escorted him back to the M5, sorted. I Really enjoyed today.
I was called by the agency with the crazy agent (Jonsey (half Gog)), one of the companies who'd offered me a job on Friday, Lex, had come back to offer me a newly created position, I'll have a chat with them Thursday, and decide as it'd be the last roll of the dice, as I'm due to start at GE the following day. It's good to have that option I suppose! 
TV calls (like Red Red Wine) and it's just me in at the mo so I'm off to stew. Hwyl...

Ych-A-Fi!
It's a print from Ikea (about 3x2 ft) apparently that Adam has accquired, to 'hang' in the lounge, I'd been warned that it was vaguely reminicent of something in particular, and didn't need it pointing out. Most disturbing is the prehensile nature that's reminicent of Japanese manga. Well at least it could be a topic of conversation, for unsuspecting  taken-aback guests. I'm fairly sure ad's grandparent's are up in a month, Ha! It is total filth though!

 
...Has Left The Building
I must return the jumpsuit today, what a shame. It was a close call as it would almost have been worth it to forsake (Like Cefnbrynbrain is forsaken by god, or the Gurnos by endeavour) the deposit. The reason that I didn't being that they had a fantastic gorilla costume for the next occasion whatever that may be, and I wouldn't be able to go back there obviously with such a track record.
Yesterday I got hold of 'Curly' Chris James from Cwmdu (It's where Rex(the yank) lived Ian&Dunc) near Llandeilo, (yet another who's been re-forged at HBoS) who's been AWOL. Well he's been city hopping in Canada, and is currently washing dishes in Calgary. Tidy.
I'm trying to work out how to post audio clips, but havn't managed it yet, there is one in the profile section, but it's not of me (It's Stewie) - work in progress.
It's a bit funny (Funny peculiar, not funny ha-ha (a Dangermouse classic)), with the blog, how with certain people it's a conversation stopper, maybe it's because I do most of the talking, but when, the only reply you get is 'Yeah I know' it can get difficult, It's not even like I print everything as I have to exercise a degree of self-censorship. It could be down to me going a little crazy on the regularity of the updates. Strange or what?

Early On: Gavin & Lee Get Into The Swing Of It.
Ugly Stick: There's a album set up with the rest of the pictures which I'm afraid on the whole arn't pretty, click here.
Saturday started off quietly, I'd decided I'd need a lie in to last the course, as it was set to be a long day, unfortunately I couln't manage it and I was up at nine. During the day I was possibly meeting Abraham (Steve B) & paying a visit to a jazz festival in town, but neither happened.
I left for Lee's party with enough time as I was planning to drive sensibly and I may have got lost. I didn't get lost, but I did drive sensibly and it sucks! I just can't understand what is going through some people's minds when they set some of these speed limits, it's too extreme to be a case of the nanny state, it's what you'd expect if a bunch of militant vegans took over and changed the menu in McDonalds(tm) - what the effing hell is the effing point, it's plainly stupid, and those who speak up get shouted down with road death stats - fair enough in many cases, but 40mph on a deserted three lane motorway... it'd have been quicker to take 'A' roads if I'd known my way, which would have been inherently more risky to drivers and pedestrians. You'd have thought it was intuitive.  Don't get me started either on trucks, or that stretch of the A57 in Manchester they have the cheek to class as a motorway.
Anyway, sorry about that, movin' on I got there on the dot, and unfortunately not everyone was elaborately attired as Lee & I.  Still it was good to catch up with Bex, Gav & Lee, I'd met Kate & Andrea before, at a black tie do where I'd turned up dressed as a Pirate, I had little recolection of that evening however. A few people streaked, which is one thing, but the property has security camera's intalled & made for an amusing review on the subsequent morning. As there were a few present & former HBoS 'starlets' in attendence, talk inevitably turned to who was doing what, and Gav & I worked out that It must be 1am in Bali where Po was, & as he's such a party animal, and it was Saturday night, there was no way he'd be asleep. Needless to say he wasn't amused by his 3am wake up call, but was verbaly at least reasonably restrained. Sorry, it was Gav's fault honest.
On Sunday I called via Clare's, it so happend some relatives were calling round, and she was initally embarrased, then just got plain tired of having to explain away the anomalous person dressed as Elvis, with an improbably strong Welsh acent in the kitchen.
I drove in a measured fashion once again back to Manchester, which is such a drag, but at least it ate into my day, as I had/did nothing else at all to do...

Practice In front Of A Mirror On A Cold And Grey Chicago Morning In The Ghetto. Thank You Very Much!
Owzy-O!
Uh-Huh! It's a little fuzzy, but it's the best of the lot that I took. I sure I'll get better ones from tomorrow!
And Nothing Is Rhyming, Oh Mandy! It's plainly cronyism, but I think there's more than one undercurrent involved.

The Guns Of Navarone... have finally been silenced. But it may only be temporary, the building site opposite us which woke us without fail every morning at eight, has been deserted, they've now leveled the site, and I expect it'll all start again next week, when they start to build whatever goes in its place.
Whoever Heard Of A Wormskin Rug? It's a bit like london busses, none for ages then... three at once! As I waited in the reception at Lex (part owned by HBoS I just learned) I recieved a call from an agency saying that I been selected for both the positions I'd gone for (Pinpoint & GE) and which was my preference. I still went through with the interview with Lex, just out of manners more than anything else, and got offered that too, I didn't quite come clean with the guy, but got it sorted out with informing the relevant parties. To celebrate tonight, there's cooked food in the offing! (Toast bring Pain)
Where Eagles Dare. So, I start next Friday morning at nine as 'Fleet Manager' would you believe? To ease into it I'll be travelling to a former airstrip in Bedfordshire, to what amounts to effectively counting cars. It's about time I got a job, but I am bricking it a bit as I think there's a lot to take on and learn, and it's not something I've touched on much before, I suppose I just hope I'm up to it. It would have been chicken to go for the other positions as they would have been pretty easy to be honest, I think the inherent challenge of this role, will be the acid test. The proof of the pudding...
I Have a Much Uglier Word For It. At last I picked up The Elvis jumpsuit (picture to come), as you can see it's the real deal (whatever happend to Evander Holyfield?) I unfortuately left the sideburns a little late what with interviews and will have to thicken them with felt-tip, but nevermind!
Mejor Que Compre Aspirinas Para Su Dolor De Cabeza. People may find my one-scentence film reviews a little unsatisfying, if so fear not, a new addition to the blogger family to have sprung fom HBoS is Wolverhampton's finest, Gavin Evans who's reviews are more in depth, and cover, the mainstream, international cinema & film Noir. He seems to have kept his blog a secret for a while but I'll let him off as I presume it was just so he could build his back catalouge! Check it Out!
Have a great weekend! Hasta Pronto Peeps.

GoogleWhacking: This'll be lost on many. But for those in the know, I searched upon google with a particular combination of words, one of which was already within my site, and had a zero hit return. Thus by mentioning the other word, i.e. dodecahedrons, in theory my site should be a googlewhack, but alas google (who own blogger by the way) was unable to find this combination in my site, so the dream is still unfullfilled, I suspect it's down to the nature of the blogspot websites but to my detriment I cannot confirm this. Stagecoach Dodecahedrons is cast to one side.
My only official engagement today was with an agency regarding an interview tomorrow with Lexx in Sale. I was summoned to their office for interview coaching, my contact, Sara Jones or 'Jonsey', is absolutley off her rocker, but saying that she is nice and gets the job done. She's not really mad of course but tells me off for figiting, tapping, smiling inappropriately and has a bizarre banter & innuendo laden manner. I had to practice handshakes with her then she set me homework! She's phoning me tomorrow morning to test me on it! Strewth.
I received a call from the agency that set me up with Pinpoint (trace agent) & GE (fleet manager), notifying me that I'm down to the last two for both positions, which I'll take as a plus. So quickly using maths and assuming the chances in both are equal the probability of landing something is 75% (GCSE Maths eh?).
What with the rain laying off for a change (I sometimes wonder If Manchester is wetter than Cardiff, but it's definately not wetter than Pontypridd) I was able to make touch rugby for the first time in a month, and this time I had my togs (studs/moulds that is) as opposed to plain daps as on the previous occasions. Needless to say I rocked, but am now counting the cost.
Well I'm stuck in tonight again & I'm putting off my homework at the moment, I've felt lethargic throughout today but can't afford to be so unproductive, so I'll really have to get to it & stop procrastinating/beating around the bush/dilly-dallying and cut to the chase. Over & Out! 

Mr.T Certainly Wouldn't Take Any Crap!
Owzy-O!
Hola! Another day, another interview. It went well however, but I didn't have quite the experience on Excel that they were seeking, but it generally went well, another case of sitting tight.
If they were to take me on it would definately be a challenging role and do my Resume a world of good, if only they knew what they'd be letting themselves in for! Watch this space!
I phoned Cardiff County Court today, for an update on the ol' divorce. When I rang there was the normal rigmarole of reference numbers and address confirmation, but as the clerk was breezing through the formalities he suddenly said, "Oh! That's.....Can you hold on a moment?". Before I'd even opened my mouth the phone was playing  a fuzzy version of Handel's Water Music, which was nice. Anyway a few minutes (my inner monolouge was getting more hysterical & entertaining improbable scenarios meanwhile, what if...etc) later he got back to me it seemed that for some reason the case hadn't been uploaded to the computer system (which is why I hadn't recieved written confirmation), so he'd retrieved the paper copy and sure enough the Decree Nisi was approved, and that they'd issue written confirmation. I'd assumed she'd recieved some sort sort of letter about the matter as I'd had a concilliatory e-mail from her, actually more of an essay. My reply however was concise, & I asked for my money back, but it's been a week & no reply! So the nineteenth of August is the date that I can request the Decree Absolut to finally end the farce.
Saturday's preparations gather apace, as I bought gold spray paint to decorate an pair of boots to accompany the Jumpsuit, wearing Daps would have just been plainly silly Duncan.
Adios, O
It's  later now,  Ad's gone out to watch a chick-flick, I saw the trailer there's no way I'd ever go (the filim in question is 'The Prince & Me' and looks like 24carat wink). I'm trying  to watch one of his soppy DVD's now but feel I won't last the course, I've wandered aimlessly off a number of times and look set to use the disc as a coaster. Actually a frisbee would be more fun especially as I reckon I could get some distance as the flat's on the forth storey. Back to Family Guy methinks.

Relaxing On The Window Sill In The Lounge. Yes I was Pretty Damn Bored.
Owzy-O!
For those who are familliar,  Shaolin-Funk's site has been updated by Mally-Mal & is looking pretty funky even if I can't get past the first page!

Stewie: I Shall Kill You
Owzy-O!
XX-VII-MMIV, Tuesday (evening-ish)....After Eight!
I had an interview today & it actually went really well. I could easily do the position in question (although Patrick may not approve of it m'lud), and the HR guy seemed pleased enough with me, & he even politely laughed at my half-assed jokes(he said, "I have to tell you I'm very impressed" to which I replied, "Well, I work out!" D'oh!). Funnily enough, speaking Welsh may well help me to get the position, but it would have been even better if I'd spoken for instance, Urdu apparently. I was though, the first candidate to be seen (4 others for 1 position), and they should have let me know by now but I suppose that it'll've wait till tomorrow (Interview with GE tomorrow as well).
Otherwise, I'm Soooo Booored out of my mind...but at least t'net has been connected to the flat now.
Hasta la vista Cariad!
Owz

Aarti Vasoya- She'll Kill Me For This!
Owzy-O!
A last minute addition to this post Aarti was foolish enough to send me this over messenger as I was uploading the other pictures, she was obviously pleased with the picture and described it as eye-candy! She keeps threatening to write a book & start a blog but as yet....nowt. Do It! Do It!

Bovine-Surfing In St.Ann's Sq.
Owzy-O! 
I'm really getting sick & tired of agencies and the subsequent hastle, although I do appreciate the efforts made on my behalf. However as it's the weekend, such considerations can be pushed to one side as little real progress can be made on that front.
On Saturday morning Nicci came up from Cardiff, so that evening a foray made made into Manchester with the Didsbury lot (Rich & Lee etc) and Dan who'd come up From Coventry and was staying there. I had forced down a beer but was frogmarched into town stone-cold sobor. Still it was fun for a while, but I was too tired, & not in the mood for noise. Canal st was on the cards (again) and after a while I'd had enough of being 'tipped' and having my ass grabbed (Po-I know your tricks!), so I snuck off early in true weasel fashion (a la Turner).

Goldberg Holds On For Dear Life
Owzy-O!
The Bovine-Surfing eventually occured on Sunday, Adam wouldn't partake even to take the picture as it would cramp his style no doubt, he doesn't see eye-to-eye with Goldberg at all. Nicci was unable to assist as Adam wouldn't stop but fortuately I found help elsewhere. 
Many thanks to Helen for coming along & being the official photographer, although she did take them from a safe distance (the zoom's really handy) to avoid being implicated in the ensuing folly, fair enough though - good work, job done!

Elvis Practice - Getting Into Character
Owzy-O!
Sunday evening heralded a BBQ down at Didsbury, I tried turning up fashionably late, but was third there, so I went off and came back a few hours later, I brought some sausages (to go with the million others they had) and some beef stakes (which I made sure I took back with me). I had a bit of a chat ,milled around and got from Rich a prosthetic rubber Elvis hair piece (pictured). But I'll probably go with my own hair next Saturday. I had an interview again on Monday, with Stagecoach but as I sat down, they told me the Sales Ledger position had already gone, But there was a crappy alternative (their words not mine -honest) that I might like to try for! Crap.
Anyway, and had I got it it was less than 100m from where I used to live in Stockport! C'est la vie. But I did call round the old house and bumped into Chris for a breif chat who was having an 'extended' lunch 'hour', so not all was lost.
I had to sign-on proper that morning, I think the people at job centres started with the best intentions but dealing with so much greif on a day to day basis had made them vindictive & sadistic, not unlike HBoS I suppose, so I held my tongue, even if they did seem totally thick. They are to be pitied maybe.
I was invited that evening for sausage casserole at Didsbury. The casserole contained 135 sausages & there are still loads left, The casserole was lush, but I was polite and had to force down the sausage crumble dessert to avoid offending the Chef.
Can't complain though, do you know how much it cost me? That's right - nuppence! Cheap at half the price.
I am currently have stuck in my head the whistling bit from 'Don't Worry Be Happy'.
O

I had a last miute interview arranged with CIS, but it was soon clear that i wasn't suited for the role, then they said I was over qualified anyway,  so I wasn't gutted but it was a waste of my time although I do seem to have a fari bit on my hands. I've two interviews next week, but need any job at the moment really.
After that I popped out with a few of the Holz-ffone crowd, Helen, Chris & Gary who used their years of accquired local knowlege to expertly take me on a tour of a few pubs in the city centre, It was a school night for them though so we took it easy. Ports of call were a Wetherspoons, a Sci-fi bar (Gary's choice!) and a Rock bar, which was a bit tame, unlike 'The Bank', we had a minor altercation with some locals because when they challenged us to a pool game the woman's innuendo (well actually sexually explicit statements/questions) just didn't raise a laugh at all, she'd had one pint of 'wife-beater' (Stella) too many obviously.
Family Guy arrived this week and shall keep me occupied, Trish is just totally doing my head in.
I saw Shrek 2 on Friday at Didsbury UGC, the small quirky jokes are the best bits in it but I won't spoil it, but definately worth watching. I'm a bit worried but Spider-man " after what Po said, and the first one was a chick flick, so I'll prob see Michael Moores Farenheight 9/11 next.
Just viewd Po's album & I'm sure I'll have to wait till he gets back to see the best of the pictures. Anyhows I'm off Bovine-Surfing. Owz
 

Well We'll see about that when/if I get a job.
I took me four hours on Sunday to wash all that I'd brought back for the kitchen. Adam's mother called up & it was great as we ganged up on him!
Monday I'd been told I had to sign on, I turned up waited for 40 minutes before I was told that they'd given me the wrong week and I was in fact a week early, But at least I seemed keen.
On my way back (3mins from home) I was propostioned by a '$20 whore', " Hey Darlin, fancy some buisness?". "Sorry, I've only got a few quid on me". "Ok, do you have a fag then?". "Sorry don't smoke, But I've got some Polo's - Don't worry, they're sugar free."
But she wasn't fussed, neither was I, but I didn't really expect it at one in the afternoon. I wish now that I'd got a photo for the blog as she had gold teeth, but nevermind. There is a fair bit of the illicit trade going on around here, with definitely unlikely couples (he could be her grandfather! shouldn't she be in school?) etc.
Tuesday, held the promise of an interview with Barclays, which was cancelled with 20 mins to go, the agency (Rullion) told me as soon as they found out, and Ann-Marie who works there has been a great help, and they sorted me out another interview on Thursday, and looked to reschedule the cancelled one asap.
As the interview was cancelled I had a few hours on my hands and decided that maybe I should get 'cultured' - I went to an art gallery (entry was free). It was run by the city, and so had the normal stuff you'd expect, history of manchester etc. but some of the interactive exhibits presumably to keep the younger child amused as they'd be probably dragged around there were total crap, and they might well as not bothered. There was one display that made me laugh though, A Beijing artist Zhao Bandi  and his Pandaman show. He has picture taken of himself with a stuffed toy (It's Been Done!) but a panda not a gibbon.
I had a temporary job offered to start Tuesday through Hays, but when I mentioned that I had an interview, the offer was withdrwan immediately, I even offered to cancell the interview (later to be cancelled anyway) , but to no avail.
Do you know those droopy style dogs? what with my body's current catabolic excesses, that's a little how my self-image feels at the moment. It really sucks, And I'm sick of Forms, Waiting, Buses, Certain Agencies & unreturned calls. Shazzbot!
To lift my spirits I've hired an Awesome elvis jump suit for next Saturday's party of Lee's in Solihull, I 'll get some pics and post them, no worries. Also thanks to Spencer for the pics from Jabez Clegg the other night, The ones of Delayed Promise apparently didn't come out, but the one of me did in too fine a detail & are shocking. But I may even still post them.
next time. owz

Actually I won't. It was just an opportunity for another amusing Simpson's quote, as requested by Po. Happy now dude?

The Aliens From 'Cocoon'? Delayed Promise @ Jabez Clegg
Owzy-O!
There's been some mild activity, If I were a patient, condition stable may be apt.
It's the usuual story of going to agencies phoning around and the like, Wednesday heralded a visit to Moss Side Job Centre, which wasn't that bad, A bit like Garnant's but bigger and with armed guards.
When my sister Carys went to Uni in Manchester back in '93 the house she got funnily enough was two streets up (they rn parallel) from where I am now, and during her first week there the person who lived on the house backing on to hers (so 1 street away) was decapitated. But things do seemed to have calmed down, and they are rebuilding everywhere.
Boredom can easily set in and that night Adam & I embarked on the Highway To Hell (the A666) which actually took us to Blackburn (see pic below). The town doesn't seem to have much going for it like many former industrial towns.

Adam & I on the way to Blackburn
Owzy-O!
At last the final horse crosses the line. Members of my family have now checked out the Blog, but have restrained themselves from passing comment. That's probably for the best.
On Thursday I caught up with some of the Holz bi-ffone crew Chris, Helen, Spencer, Gary & his mate Ming (a slice of lemon in Guinness-what is that about fella?)to see Helen's band, Delayed Promise at the Jabez Clegg. There were four bands on the line up and they were up first. They were absolutely brilliant, and played their own stuff & totally set the tone. I had a quick word afterwards with the frontman Andy & Helen to congratulate them on their set. The second band were a bit naff, I forget their name but they seemed to be a bunch of 'funky dads' just amusing themselves...('That Does Not Rock!... Whoa! Easy Gene). The third band were pretty good, I enjoyed their set aswell. The forth indie style band had been built up beforehand, top of the bill etc. But they were fairly wishy-washy. Still All round good night, except that I had my arm twisted with a few pints, & they took their toll, Will I ever learn?

Gareth & Me enacting Streetfighter II
Owzy-O!
Friday: Up at 6am and on my way to Cardiff to see some of the peeps and to get kitchen stuff. I was back in Cardiff within 3 hours, where I called 'round to see my sister Carys, & my aunt Julie. I also made a flying visit to Glanaman, to get stuff for the kitchen, I had a quick chat with my mother, and Ian 'strange' Williams. Have you noticed how you cannot buy sugar-free polo's any more? well you still can in Glanaman, there are masses. I really should have brought in bulk I suppose, or checked the best before date. As my younger bro Gareth had a week off work, and it was still morning I knew he'd be in if I called around, sure enough my gentle tapping on his front door got him out of bed. He seems to be sorting himself out wich is good and posed for a pic (see above). I then raced back to Kairdiff & Ikea.
Steve & Zoe, put me up that night & it was also good to catch up with Jimmy, Lou, Dan, Claire & Kwok, I even had a chat with Po. We popped out to Moloko's that night, Andy Smith formerly of Portishead was on the decks and was pretty good. I met jimmy's boss Matt who like most normall Barry boys, was already plastered & couldn't stand without assistance by the end of the night, & he was in work at 9am! Another of jimmy's mates, Gregg a drunken Cornishman with a passion for all things Greek, well the philosophy at least. I bumped into Kate MacKie (former HBOS) there as well who it seems hasn't been deported contrary to rumour. There were some real ontis out as well, so a bit of a mixed crowd and Steve, Jimmy & I almost got into seperate violent altercations with some of the idiots who were out. I'd've 'ad 'im 'onest!
So on Saturday night I went back to Manc, on the way i recieved a call from my former landlady just to check if I was out that night, handily though I was in Birmingham (in a pub called the Queslett, which I've now been to more often than to any establishment in Manchester as of yet) calling in on Clare.
So I made back to an empty flat at 8ish (Adam's out partying with Rich again) and just zonked out.

The last two will probably have to wait untill Adam has a party but anyhows.

Wearing Elvis Shades Whilst on the M60
Owzy-O!
Not that much has happened. The rest of the weekend was pretty boring. To amuse myself, I took Goldberg (see below) shopping with me. I popped to Morrisons in Cheadle with one of my louder Hawaiian shirts on and Goldberg adorning my belt. At the checkout I posed for the photo. Some of the locals were suitably freaked and just stared (see background), but what can you do?
On Monday AJ & I picked up some dole forms as a precaution, and proceeded to town in search of work, I've got an interview with Barlclays next week, otherwise a consultation with my advisor who will be 'Jane' on Thursday at the Job Centre.
In the afternoon we went for a trip to Liverpool...On the way we passed through Knowsley, which apparently is the home of QVC! We drove around a bit in the city centre and it smelt a bit funny, and the streets were surprisingly busy with scallys.
The move ot the flat on Tuesday went well, and I'd pretty much unpacked by mid afternoon. The only problem is that as yet we don't have any utensils or crockery etc as it'll all in Cardiff. I was gasping for a cup of tea & thankfully we had two mugs (a Playboy mug, a gif from the staff at Holz Bi-Ffone & an Avro mug which I misapproriated from the same source!) however we didn't have a kettle (I gave mine to Iris the landlady of the Haven in Roath along with my toaster) so we nuked the cups with water and a tea bag in them for two minutes in the microwave, then had to fish out the t-bag with a biro. (I'm reminded of a story about a t-bag, but it will have to wait). To improve our lot a bit when we stocked up at Asda's we intended to acquire disposable paper plates and plastic knives and forkes as I'm heading to Cardiff & Glanaman on the weekend to pick up kitchen stuff. But it was cheaper to get a child's plastic playset of 4x bowls, plates, cutlery for just a few quid.

Goldberg the Gibbon & I in Cheadle's Morrisons Supermarket
Owzy-O!
That evening I went to get the cash my former landlady owed me. She greeted me again in her dressing gown, but I didn't let it phase me. My eyes were hidden behind a pair of Elvis shades (see top pic) that Adam had got for me. Incidentaly I have found a costume shop with a decent Elvis jumpsuit for the going rate (ta! Gary & Helen) which will do the job in Solihull at Lee's do later in the month, all thats left is to grow appropriate sideburns.
As me & Adam are an odd-couple in sit-com tradition we thought our 'show' should have a name along the lines of 'Friends'. As 'Chums' has gone, and 'Fellas' was a bit silly we went for a South Wales connection as we've both just relocated from Cardiff, we settled on 'Butties'.
That's pretty much all there is to report, I've strung my guitar but havn't been able to tune it yet. As I'm in South & West Wales this weekend give me a shout if you want.
Lastly, you know the things you find when you unpack? (oh my god that's where it is etc). Well I found my old mobile, and it's switched off all the time now, but the answerphone message still works if you ring it & some people find it funny, some won't. But listen for yourself on 07967 300438. Adios y Hasta Pronto! Owz

Hola!
The job at Vanguard was so bad I walked off early on Thursday, then popped in Friday to sort out the timesheeet. It was awful, there were bells ringing (really loudly) throughout the day to signify: start of work, lunchtime, break (or playtime)etc. and a three miute warning bell which meant you had to be back at your post and clock back in pretty damn quickly. With the Friday off I went to the Rullion agency in the town centre & they've put us (Adam 'Rugby Build' Taylor & I) foward for some decent jobs.
So I'd popped out the other night as Augusto asked & it was the last night in HIlton Street. Me met Romulo & Sabrina a couple from Brazil. They seemed nice enough but Rom was argumentative, a rugby ball is not a ball as it is not round apparently. Shirley thats a sphere you mean I said, but he's the type not to consider other opinions or viewpoints, so I dropped the subject. 'Gus (from Venezuala) argued with him then over crime in Brazil & Latin America, and it got too heated, with neither backing down! So as soon as the game was over that was it, we left.
Thursday night I moved my stuff to the landlady's flat, were she greeted me in her dressing gown (6pm) for the second time. She explained she was leaving on buisness that evening and would be back Tuesday.
Meanwhile the decent flat I'd seen the previous week, it turned out was still avaliable so i arranged a viewing for Adam and ordered him over there. He was happy with it as well so that evening we went round to pay deposits etc. The landlord (with the 'little red corvette') said we could move in Tuesday, meaning that I wouldn't have to share a night in the landlady's flat while she was there which made me feel a litle relieved as she has it seems an extensive knife collection!
So with nothing to do, no flat hunting or agencies open on weekends, Adam forced me to go over to Didsbury Friday night, I would have been dead bored otherwise mind. But it seemed that the 'Vino Tinto' he supplied me has an inherent level of alcohol within it. I hadn't eaten much and that was pretty much the end even though it was 9pm and we were out 'till 2am. We went to Canal steet and I kept for some reason wandering outside where the bouncers wouldn't let me back in. I have resolved since to get back on the waggon although Adam's attempting to apply peer presure by pooh-poohing it. But I'll show him!
So for the rest of the weekend I've got washing & shopping to look foward to! Far out!
Owz

Shw mae. If this works them it means i can text updates to my Blog. No thats not all: got a flat & move in tuesday. Bejesus! That's the ying now for the yang! xxx