Neil's Slightly Random Wiblog

…Saw the Waifs play in Bristol on Tuesday night, supurb gig – my new favourite band! Was nice to know it is possible to drive up there, eat, go to a gig and still be home with enough time for a few hours sleep before work the next day!

Fell asleep in the middle of SiperSize Me last night… what happened at the end? Did he die?

Managed to get really lost going into London, went a little further into the centre than I meant to – although it was worth it to drive for my fisrt time ever over a “flyover” (actually went over it 3 times, I was very lost). I really enjoyed the way londoners drive, no time for daydreaming!

Got there in the end and had a lovely weekend gardening, helping with the Ship-of-fools “mystery worshipper” project, meeting some random people, spending time with my friend and eating.

Back to reality now (after getting lost on the way out of London, I am sure the residents of Croydon were playing some sick joke on me) and a busy social week ahead! Pretty much every evening has the potential to become a drunken, wild or late one – must try and fit some rest and sleeping in somewhere.

Busy week coming up, will be in London at the weekend helping a friend with her garden and a certain project a website is running this weekend (some of you will know what I mean!) Then next week seeing the Waifs in Bristol, hopefully meeting up with a few friends as well as work… I think by next weekend I will need to sleep the whole time!

Good news – My radio co-host is back in the country, I may not be quite so bored at the station on weekends now.

I treated myself to a few cheap CDs this week. Both were ones that i used to own, but don’t now for various reasons. It is great to hear the Manic Street Preachers Everything must go again after all these years (where did that CD go???) and also bought Bruce Springsteens The Rising which has to be his best (although i have not heard the new one yet)

… Someone today told me they thought I was going to be posher than I actually am.

I am about to confirm my poshness by admitting that I am seriously considering learning horse-riding.

…Sadly one of my Guinea pigs died today, she has been getting thinner and older looking for a few weeks now, this photo was taken last week.

… Thanks to John for sending me the revised Rover logo…

Not that I ever liked the cars, but very sad for the people losing their jobs.

Just got in from speed dating, registering happened first in the bar, where groups of girls looked confident while individual men looked nervous. I decided to chat to one of the men – he turned out to be a computer programmer, thus fulfilling all my stereotypes about men who go speed dating.

Then off for round one of speed dating, we were moved into a vacuous room with tables around the edge. We had to start at the table with the number on our badges, talk for 4 minutes, then move on at the bell. By about person 8 everyone needed the loo and was desperate for a break.

Part 2 was tiring, I was losing my voice and just could not be bothered by the last few!

So who did I meet? 18 girls (only 16 men, 2 walked out after about 10 minutes!!!) I ticked just over half, although only 3 had a really instant appeal. 3 girls wore tops too low, 4 were students, 3 were civil servants, 3 worked in a jewelry shop, 1 was an “entertainer”, 3 were teachers, and 2 were researchers at the uni, one worked in a slaughter house (I kid you not). One girl was totally pissed, two were posh, 2 seemed totally disinterested, 2 made me laugh, one was black, one was Asian.

So tomorrow I need to input my “ticks” into the site and wait to see if any of them ticked me!

I enjoyed the evening lots – very demanding on the social skills, but I am glad I did it… and if the well spoken teacher who made me laugh ticks me I will be very happy!

…just a few hours until speed dating now.

Advice given to me today -

“Smile lots”

“Have some questions ready”

“Smell nice”

“Get really, really drunk”

I don’t think I will be following all that advice…

- People who can’t focus are a pain

- People at work can be great when you get to know them better

- You can fit a bike in a Panda car

- There are at least 3 types of otter beer (Ale/Bitter/Gold)

- If people text you in the middle of the night it is generally a sign that they like you

- The band Buffalo Daughter

- Amilie is one of the best films ever, even after the third viewing

…nearly finished my overtime for today. So boring, but think of the money…

I think we will be off for a Saturday afternoon pint in a moment, then get home in time for Doctor Who!

Oh, did I mention I am going Speed Dating next week?…………………………………..