Really: nothing has happened! Nothing blog-worthy, anyway.

I did have a strange dream last night that a well-known junkie's step-daughter told me her step-dad had been busted. Then there was a mass brawl in the middle of town between junkies and non-junkies. There was a lot of blood and I was left to clean it all up. I've been having some very vivid dreams lately. My brain's working overtime! I still haven't recovered from a nightmare I had two nights ago about having nails in the backs of my thighs.

About the only news-worthy thing I have done is buy a new book. I'm going dog-sitting again later this week and I always like to take a book with me to read. The only problem is I always read horror stories, which are no good to me when I'm alone in a strangers house. So I picked out one of my favourites - Nick Sagan's Idlewild - to re-read. Then I remembered that there was a sequel to the book that I had never been able to afford to buy. So buy it I did. It's called Edenborn. Should be very, very good; the first one was great!

I bought a few new CD's over the last couple of weeks. I bought Muse's Absolution on a whim. I've been in love with the songs on that album for years so because I had some spare cash I bought it. And it hasn't disappointed. Then there was FOB's Infinity On High. I'm still undecided on it. Some songs I loved on first listen, others I'm really not that keen on. I'll wait a while before I've decided on that one.

Last night I had my first falling out with Halo 2. I've progressed onto the Hard level now. Halo 1 was great fun but Halo 2 is just a little on the annoying side. I don't like it when they make games so that your enemies have stupid amounts of more health and weapons than you. Obviously I don't want it easy - I spent four hours trying to complete one bit of Halo 1 and I loved doing it! - but Halo 2 is really just taking the piss a bit. I'll see how I get on with it today. It's certainly not good for the blood pressure that's for sure.

I didn't only play Halo yesterday - I wrote as well. See, getting back to normal routine again.

It's Sweepie's first birthday tomorrow. One year ago my life was turned upside down by eight squealing, needy puppies. Aww, I miss them...

Labels: birthday, dreams, drugs, Fall Out Boy, halo, muse, music, nick sagan, reading, sweepie, writing

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Yesterday I decided to blitz my half of the bedroom. Over the months I have collected so much stuff that just grows more and more out of control by the day. So I stripped everything away and started again. It took me about five hours in total!

Sweepie offered her own unique help by lying in the stuff I pulled out from under my bed.



She got a bit concerned when I get diving under the bed on my belly to retreive big fat boxes of forgotten things. I have two boxes heaped full of Take That memerobilia, which is just so great :) They don't make stuff like that anymore - I even have the dolls! Anyway, this didn't impress my little girl. She just went right on back to sleep.





The room is now clean :)

I've been taking heaps of pictures of Sweepie lately, which I am going to have to upload onto my Portfolio Site. I want to re-vamp that site actually. But that'll happen later.

I have new Pug photo shoots to add - lots of Sweepie, of course, who loves to laze around having her picture taken (well, the lazing around part anyway). But while the gasmen were here fitting the new boiler I did distract the manic Pugs by taking lots of photos of them.

First there was Sweepie:



Then her brother Fall Out Boy:



Then there was her mother, Madge. I have better pictures of her but she took two such commical pictures I wanted to post them instead. Firstly, it's her howling at the gasmen, and the second one, well, that's just plain scary!





I'll try and get all the photos from the collections up on the site in the next few days. I'm just not online much at the moment so I never seem to be getting anything done.

I'm going into town in a bit so I'd better go and get ready...

Labels: cleaning, photos, pugs, sweepie

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I was involved in another car crash. That's my third one in six months! No, wait, it's not. Let me explain.

Part 1 happened some time in the summer. Ray coming round a corner on a hill a little too fast in a car that's brakes were not very good. It was only a little bump. Not even a scratch on either car. It made me freak out a little. I was nervous about driving up close behind other cars and always convinced we were going to rear-end someone.

Part 2 happened about a month or two after that. A big people-carrier beast took over on a sharp bend that we were approaching. So we were basically on the same side of the road. Mere centimetres separated us from death. That was scary. So now I worry when I can't see round corners.

Part 3 happened early Friday evening. A car stopped in front of us to let a car in front of him turn off. Ray didn't see it in time, slammed on the brakes after I shouted at him and we ploughed head-first into the back of a car. The other car isn't too bad - just a broken bumper. Ray's car was a little worse for wears, though. The bonnet crumpled and now needs to be replaced. I got a couple of pictures of it later on that night once the shakes had subsided so they're a bit blurry:





I think God no longer wants me to drive in cars. Either that or he wants me to be squished up inside one.

Labels: car crash, photos, ray

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The snow melted. Actually, by the next morning it barely looked as though it had snowed much at all! There was complete chaos for twenty-four hours and then it was all gone again. Mammy spent the night at work cos she couldn't get home. Daddy had to abandon the car on his way home from work and walked the rest of the way. Ray's car got stuck so Jem and I ended up pushing it most of the way up the hill - yes, up hill! It snowed all day and by the time lunchtime hit the snow was even taller than Sweepie! It was lots of fun. We spent the night playing Halo on the big TV downstairs. But, like I say, by the following morning the chaos was over, Mammy got home and everything went back to normal. A very weird day I have to say.

I then had another weird day - night. Tuesday was Ray's uncle's birthday so we all went down for a meal for him. The meal was very yummy and we all ate 'til we burst. Then the women retired to the living room to look at wedding dresses and venues (Ray's sister is getting married next year) - eek, not my thing at all so I just watched "The Simpsons" on TV. After a while I ended up with the kids sat around me and then played catch with a new baseball glove. Everyone ended up leaving at about 9 and once they were gone Ray's aunt announced that someone within the family had said on a website that she was bisexual. At first I didn't understand what was wrong but it soon became clear that she was shocked that such a "big thing" was posted online before it being announced to the family. After much conversation, I felt I had to admit that I am bisexual. This shocked her all over again. And when Ray joined in as well she nearly fainted. I've never had to "come out" about my sexuality before. At home we're all very open and I'm always asking Daddy if he thinks a guy is cute or not. It's just the way I was raised. When I started dating Ray I did the same to him - and we now argue over who's going to have Justin Timberlake (me, obviously). It was decided it must be a generation/age thing and that although Ray and I felt that sexuality was just a thing that wasn't even worth discussing, Ray's anut and uncle still saw it as a thing that needed to be clarified. I couldn't honestly say I was one way or the other; it really depends on my mood, who I have a crush on, etc. I asked them both if they'd ever even entertained the thought of being with the same sex - they both honestly said no. I was pretty stunned actually. When I told them they were the only people I knew who were 100% straight, who had never had any kind of feelings for the same sex, they seemed surprised. But it was the truth. The only person I know who says they're totally straight is my younger sister but whether or not that means she's never even thought of it I can't say. It was such a weird night. Whether or not there'll be repurcussions from this conversation I'm not sure. I naively thought that no one really gave a crap who you fancied/dated anymore.

Anyway, it's Valentines Day today. This is my first Valentines Day spent with a guy! I've bought Ray two presents just cos I love spoiling him and I actually have some funds to do so. He has "Red Dwarf" series 2 cos I'm slowly building up the collection for him cos he is a little obsessed with the show. And I've bought him some small silver/white earings cos he's been looking for some nice ones for a while now - I really didn't like the huge David Beckham-esque ones he picked last time. I don't think we have any plans for tonight. VD has never really been a big thing for me. Isn't it supposed to be when you ask out a guy/girl you like? Not about people who are already in relationships? I've just used it as an excuse to spoil Ray this year. So if you're brave and ask someone out today: well done and good luck! If you're already in a relationship: happy spoiling and being spoilt!

Labels: family, ray, sexuality, snow, valentines day

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I'm snowed in baby! All the roads are closing! Mammy and Daddy are stuck in work! Yet there's nothing on the news -- oh how us Welsh are invisible.

Labels: photos, snow, weather

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I've had a really nice weekend. It was one of those times where you wake up at some stupid ungodly hour of the morning and feel thoroughly depressed cos it's all over.

I got to move Ray in for the weekend. I haven't been able to keep him with me all night since New Years (one of the curses of sharing a room with your sister). But this weekend I asked if she minded him staying for the Friday night - she didn't. Saturday we spent all morning in bed making plans about moving out and having our own space. I don't think we got up 'til two. In the evening we headed down the pub to see how the boys had got on. That was okay for the first few hours but when the junkies moved in we moved out. I got a snooty reception from some of the committee men after me handing in my resignation with the website but strangely I didn't care. Usually I can't stand it if someone is giving me the cold shoulder and I feel really stupidly paranoid about it but this time I just didn't care. Maybe cos this time I know I'm in the right - and my principles mean more to me than some website.

That night Ray stayed again. That wasn't the original plan but Jem was in a good mood and so she agreed. See, sometimes she's nice ;) Hehehe. The next day we headed over to the pub to watch the Wales V Ireland match. I thought the game was a bit pants and Czekaj kept getting slagged off - I like him so... We lost in the end, which I don't think any one was surprised by.

Monday I returned a second phone call from a couple who wanted me to dog-sit for them. I'd given them only two weekends I couldn't work in March so what did they go and do? Book up a holiday for one of the weekends I'm away! When I told them I couldn't do that weekend I was made to feel like I'd misled them in some way. I know I'd been clear with the dates cos both weekends have been out of bounds for me for ages. Grr why can't people listen?

I played Halo 2 all afternoon. I'm a proper X-box junkie now and am proud of it. Halo 2 is nowhere near as good as 1 but I'm working my way up the levels. I'm on Normal at the moment. I'm sure there'll be a super nerdy Halo/Masterchief post before long ;)

I asked Ray if he'd like to run away last night so I wouldn't have to do the dog-sitting job. He said I shouldn't tempt him. Sometimes I wish we could just run away. Life just seems so stagnant here at the moment. I can't get anything going no matter how hard I try. It's been a funny start to a year.

This morning I woke early - 7:10 instead of 8. So I got up and showered and finished packing my bag. I was meant to catch the 9:40am bus, which I did. I had to sit on the funny side-seats which meant I was nearly falling off the seat the whole way there. There were some men up the back of the bus who were discussing bird flu, which must mean I now have it. So if you're reading this you've probably caught it, too. I mean, you know how pesky bird flu is - cats have it and everything! Quick destroy all the animals! It's Bernard Matthews's fault. He hates birds. He brought it over from Hungry. I reckon he wants to go out of business. Hehehe. You have to love the hysteria, haven't you? The bird flu epidemic.

Anyway, bird flu was the only thing I caught today. Cos the second bus I was meant to catch went without me! I was standing in the bus stand where it clearly says it's meant to stop - and I was there ten minutes before it arrived. I saw the bus sitting opposite. I stupidly thought it would come to its marked stand when it was time to leave but instead it just sailed right by me! There was a man next to me who wanted to catch the bus as well. He gave up and wandered back into town. I had to get here to my dog-sitting job. So I had to ring Roger and he came to pick me up. What a bloody start to the day!

This afternoon's been relatively quiet. I've finally been able to read my letter from Sarah (I love you too :D) and catch up on the melodrama that is House of Carters - call me weak but the way Nick looks at Aaron just about breaks my heart; I mean, they're clearly all insane but that brotherly love is so squee. I'm about to go and catch up on the Craig and John-Paul love on Hollyoaks. That's the good thing about dog-sitting here: you get to watch oodles of TV without anyone else hogging the remote. Now if only I could get Masterchief here as well I'd be set...

Labels: bird flu, dog-sitting, halo, public transport, ray, rugby, tv, xbox

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Continuing on with yesterday's music theme: Fall Out Boy.

I first saw Fall Out Boy in February 2005 in a tiny, dark club in Swansea. I actually preferred the second support-act Spitalfield and the FOB boys watched me dancing and singing along. By the time FOB came onstage I could only see the top of Patrick's head. There was a bit of a crush down the front but I was safely standing behind, enjoying the songs I'd recently heard on Take This To Your Grave. I went home sweaty and happy but definitely preferring Spitalfield.

When Dance, Dance was released last year I became a little obsessed with it. I don't know why; it just sounded really good to my ears. I bought tickets to see them live again and bought the new album. I was completely oblivious to the fact that FOB had become "cool". I thought they were still that kooky unknown band from Chicago. I had heard about Pete's exposure on myspace (or was it youtube?) but that was about it.

I went to see them live in a slightly bigger venue than the first time. This was a sport's hall not a nightclub. Although I had no intention of needing to be down the front so queued late, I actually ended up second row. I should have sniffed out something was wrong then. The only way you can get that good a view after queueing so late is when a heap of young kids are in and don't want to stand down the front so mill around and let late-arrivers nick the good spots. When the young girl in front of me nearly threw up between support-acts because it was hot and people were pressing against her I really should have noticed things had changed. When FOB came on they were amazing live - so much better than they had been the first time. I was a little embarrassed cos I didn't know the words to the new album as well as I knew the older stuff. Turned out that was the complete opposite of everyone else. When FOB played the stuff from "Take This To Your Grave" everyone was quiet and I was stood there singing along, doing the bunny-hop thing. Joe looked impressed to have found someone who knew the old stuff - I just assumed everyone did.

I got home, vowing I'd see them live every time they came back to the UK. But during the six months that led up to that point FOB became the new cool band among the cool music press (NME in particular adore them). They were suddnely everywhere doing magazine covers, strange interviews, even turning up at schools for Radio 1. Maybe it was over-exposure that turned me off them, maybe they really did "sell out".

I'd always laughed at that phrase before. Just because an unknown band you like becomes big that does not mean they sold out - it means they just got lucky and are finally getting the recognition they deserve. But with FOB I noticed a whole new image overhaul. The main one being that their song titles are now short and have everything to do with the song, which is just not the norm. Their new music doesn't have the grimy, uhh! feeling that the original stuff did; now they're quite glossy and pop. So I fell out with them.

But last night, while spending an evening hopping through the music channels with Ray, I forgave them. Maybe it's just cos I can't resist a chubby blonde boy ;) The new song "Arms Race" is catchy and fun and considering I'm not feeling exactly down and out and in need of angry music telling me that life can often be shitty, I should probably embrace the new bouncy side of FOB's repotoire. The cool music press and fans will find a new fad soon enough and then actual fans (new and old) can be left in peace once again :)

So FOB are back on my to-see-live-this-year list.

Labels: Fall Out Boy, gigs, music

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