Outpourings

Welcome back me.

2010-03-22T22:49:00.002Z

Well it's been a few years since I've blogged and seeing as I've found myself back at my brother's place in Hove, in front of the same old desk, I thought I'd see if anyone noticed if I revisitied ThoughtsOfMouldy. Leave a comment if you do notice.

So I'm not going to list what has changed - that will become apparant as I write.

So here goes...

Yesterday, I ran the Hastings Half Marathon for the second time and improved by about 11 minutes. I'm amazed with myself and really chuffed. It was also my fastest and most enjoyable half marathon yet. I actually felt like I had some control over the way I performed, like it was more than an endurance event. It was a race, there were tactics and a plan that I formulated and stuck to and it paid off. It was a brilliant experience and I don't even feel that rough today.

So now, I'm taking on my biggest challenge yet; a marathone. The Loch Ness marathone in October to be precise. So I'm going to have to build on that planning skill and stick to a whole new agenda.

Wish me luck.

Tomorrow Belongs To Me

2007-06-07T11:47:00.000Z

I've reached a pinacle of sorts. Last night I ran a personal best at the Worthing 10K. My time of 51 minutes 39 seconds represents an imporvement of around 6 minutes from my first race back in November.

Whilst this is great, and the comments and support from my friends and colleagues have really pleased me, what yesterday showed me was how much personal satisfaction I was getting out of it. I saw for a minute a realistic goal and saw too how to get there.

Running is great because it's so methodical. You run more and you improve. And as you improve you get fitter and thinner. Plus, I've found that my attitude to the "bad things" has changed too. I don't fry ups and burgers now because I can clearly see that they have a negative impact on the running.

I still think I need to change more but its going well. Who would've thought it?

Fat of the Land

2007-05-15T15:25:00.000Z

I shouldn’t have just eaten that mini bakewell. Or that cookie!

BUT

I have gone vegetarian.

Just spoken to my Dad;
Me; “Can you make sure my Mother knows that I no longer eat meat?”
Dad; “Again? Ha ha ha! But she’s cooking steak…”
Me; “Oh well.”
Dad; “Lovely, juicy steak with lots of fries. Mmmmmmm!”
Me; “Well, I’m not eating meat so that wouldn’t interest me.”
Dad; “Don’t be daft, I’ll tell her you want some. Bye” and he hangs up.

Excuses, excuses!

2007-04-30T18:00:00.000Z

"Mouldy, you're overweight! Why is this?"

Well, I picked up some excess baggage during adolescence and coupled with my thyroid problem and my massive appetite have never been able to lose it.

"Why do you smoke?"

Its an addiction and I have an addictive personality.

"Why aren't you fit?"

I just don't have the time to excercise.

"Why does your love-life consist of one unhealthy, inappropiate crush after another?"

I'm naive. In many ways its a good quality to have.

"Why don't you do something about it?"

Please see my responses above.

* * *

That's a conversation I might have had last week, or last month or at any point over the last 27 years.

Well, no more. That's it. No excuses please. Just progress.

There are brighter things to life...

2007-04-19T19:33:00.000Z

Lunchtime today.

Me, The Crush, Sharron, Marly.

We talked about;

How diffiuclt it is to buy a house.

The Crush, it seems, is quite a political theorist and has a whole manifesto and extended politcal idea. It seems quite a good idea but then he could meticulously describe fascist totalitarianism to me and I would go away thinking "what a good idea!". Or maybe not. Anyway, this particular theory involves taking away state benefits and replacing it with enforced labour. Interesting idea, if a little Right Wing.

Marly advised "NEVER GET MARRIED!". Marly is married. The rest of us are all single. Marly's advice is that the best reason to stay single is that you can always sit at home on the sofa and watch exactly what you want on the television when you are single. This isn't the case when you are married because you have to look after kids and mop the bathroom floor when the flood the bathroom. However, as The Crush so eloquently pointed out, you can't do that when you are single either cos you're always too busy going out trying to get into a relationship. I think life is a Catch 22 situation.

I went to see Sunshine the other night with Jazz. It was a good film but I just don't get Sci-fi! Someone has sat down and come up with the idea that the world is frozen and the only way of saving it is to send a spaceship filled with 8 stupidly good looking people who are supposed to be physicists and astronauts, to the Sun to restart it. It was quite beautiful and had some exciting parts but it was so claustrophobic. One spaceship. They can't even nip outsie for a bit of fresh air. No, I'm afraid you can keep your science fiction. I mean - Stars Wars, what a load of crap.

Does the body rule the mind?

2007-04-16T20:49:00.000Z

Sunday 15th April, 10am.

Arundel Park 10K, Arundel West, Sussex.

Kilometre 5.

A fat, northern, homosexual struggles up a ridiculously steep hill. He slows to a snail's pace, and eventually gives in to a walk, gasping for air likes he's underwater. Its too much. The one thing he aimed to do (not stop running) has proved too much and he feels like a failure.

He hates himself. He hates everyone he knows. He hates everyone he has ever met and especailly all those people around him, passing him, all of them seemingly older and fatter and yet with much more energy than him. Much more desire to carry on.

He regrets every burger, every third helping, every pint and, most of all, every cigarette. He declares war on it all! Especailly the fat, The Fat's days are numbered. It's on its way out.

Stop me if you think you've heard this one before

2007-04-03T18:53:00.000Z

So I've become a little obsessed of late with "The Crush" and it's time
to get back to a bit of reality. The truth, in case you're wondering,
is that this crush is nothing more than a fabrication of emotion
designed to distract myself from someone who is many miles away at the
moment. And while this plan is working now, it seems unlikely that it
will have much longevity.

* * *
So what else is happening, I ask myself?

Work is poo of course, but I seem physically incapable of doing anything about it. I wouldn't say my job was a Mcjob
as such but it is pretty soul destroying when it goes badly. The
problem is that I love the people I work with and as times goes on I
seem to meet more and more lovely people (The Crush, for example) and
this makes it harder to leave. I guess its all about breaking the
cycle, but how does one go about this.

* * *
At this minute,
I am at my brother's house in Hove. I've just run about 4k on Hove
seafront which was lovely but bloody hard work as my legs felt like
lead. I'm trying to get fit for a 10K race on Monday but I fear one
week isn't quite long enough. One thing that I have learnt though, is
that pain isn't always bad and you can run through it.

* * *
A
friend of mine who has been going through a pretty rough time lately
made me think today. She said, "I'm surrounded by some truly amazing
people and I'm so grateful for that!". Now before you reach for the
sick bucket, hear me out! It got me thinking about how we never really
say to those around us how much they mean. How we never really show
true affection. So I'd like to say now that I too am surrounded by some
truly amazing people. At work, in Brighton and at home (my housemates
are two of the greatest people I have ever met). And yet because I
can't tell them how I feel, I'm going to write it here. I love you all.

What if...?

2007-04-03T11:57:00.000Z

Supposing the Crush reads this. That would be embarassing. Especially if he was able to identify who he was from the subtle clues I have left.

So, The Crush, if you are reading this, I am not some obsessive psycho idiot. I am a nice guy.

Confirmations

2007-04-02T11:37:00.000Z

The crush is a confirmed hetero. Shame.

I've been accused of building him up a little to divert from attention from my feelings towards certain other people but I refute this.

But it provided a little interest for a while.

Who's next?

* * *

Quiet weekend but strangely satisfying.

Getting With The Program

2007-03-28T19:46:00.000Z

Enough is enough. Its time for a reality check.

On the way home from work I was telling the other people in the car abut my lunch with The Crush and Mad Old Woman stopped me and said "He's straight. Get with the program!"

That stopped me in my tracks and brought a tear to my eye. What an old fool I've been.

Time to move on.

What the F*ck!

2007-03-28T11:13:00.000Z

I can't even think about crushes and homophobia today because work has unleashed a whole can of mental whoop ass on La Mould and he is suffering.

There are not enough swearwords in the world...

* * *

But...

...re the crush...

...why the f*ck hasn't he gone to lunch yet? It's like 12.15 and he normally goes at 12. Probably going to the pub again with "Sharron".

D'ya know what? F*ck it. I'm going to eat.

Stop it!

2007-03-27T11:59:00.000Z

I love having a crush.

He is going to the pub cos it is Sharron's birthday. I wonder if he and Sharron are getting on very well. That would be typical, that would.

He is lovely.

Three strikes and you're out!

2007-03-27T11:06:00.000Z

I am no longer putting up with passive homophobia. So if anyone does any of the following they get a strike. Three strikes and they are "out". I am yet to decide what being "out" involves but it is going to be bad:
- criticism of; Kylie, Madonna, Abba, Barbra etc
- criticism of my music taste, my taste in film, my taste in clothes etc
- questions that involve the notion of "is that because you're gay?"
- any expression of disgust at gayness.
- any derogotary term eg puff, queer etc

So far Ho and The Jackal are "out".

* * *

In other news, my housemate bought for my Birthday a DAB digital radio. This was an excellent present and so I want to get him a good present for his birthday in May. However, I can't think of a thing. Advice welcomed.

* * *
Crush Update

He isn't going for lunch. He should be at lunch now. Normally, I time my arrival at his table, just after he has sat down, so I can go "Is this seat taken?" and he can nod excitedly. But he hasn't gone. What is occuring I wonder?

* * *

Nice-but-dim isn now "out".

Facebook

2007-03-25T14:09:00.000Z

I now have a facebook account. Seeing as I am dragging my feet on Myspace I bit I thought this might be good fun. And it certainly is...

The crust is on facebook too. I wonder if the crush was to read this, would he know who he was? Just in case, I won't put my blog details on my profile.

Crushes are complicated!

I don't want to speak too soon

2007-03-24T14:54:00.000Z

Back at the library where I seem to have written most of my recent posts of any worth at all.

Been to town this morning to buy presents for the many people who have birthdays this month.

Now I'm here, and in a minute I'm going to Tesco.

Whoever said my posts were dull?

The Ostrich policy worked.

And I have a new crush...

Mad March

2007-03-20T13:26:00.000Z

When did blogging get so difficult? I have loads of things to say but I cannot find the words.

I might have to start keeping a blogging notebook and then transcribe my thoughts.

In short, life has posed me some problems since my 28th year began. They're not life changing problems, like illness or loss (that was last month). But they are in the "moral dilemma" line. I've not known how to act or what to do about them so I have opted for doing nothing - the Ostrich approach. And so far it is working like a dream.

Roll on April.

My favourite Month

2007-03-03T10:37:00.000Z

So after a tough few weeks I have come out of that ghost ride of a month, February, and into the joyousness of March. We have Birthdays and busyness to come this month so I am predicting highs and lows.

Coming out of the blackness

2007-02-10T15:15:00.000Z

This week hasn't been an easy week. Illness, dissapointments and dark moods have conspired to make life a little difficult. I wouldn't want to overstate. Its not that bad, but its just been one of those weeks where everything seems to happen at once.

But to Babel. I liked it. I didn't love it. It was ok. I'm no Barry Norman here!

Polish food however was something of a novelty. The restaurant, called Patio, is on the Goldhawk Road in Shepherd's Bush. It is one of those little, family run places that has received a lot of media exposure and its front window is jammed with press cuttings. The decor was twee and the lady in charge looked like a real Polish woman who one wouldn't want to cross. But I wasn't terribly impressed with the food. I was expecting a lot of deep frying with some spice but I found much of it bland. The desert of a bizarre cheese cake was a real highlight with its subtle sweetness but the main course of a Polish delicacy of meat wrapped in cabbage leaf was dissapointing, as was the starter of potato pancake. What I did like was the price though. £15.99 for three courses and a free shot of vodka after the main course. And the experience of the meal and the service were excellent. Polish food was really worth trying but I don't think I'd go again. Unless I was in Poland that is.

The Joys of External Stimulation

2007-01-30T18:32:00.000Z

The Ipod is on Shuffle. And I just going to write.

Firstly, Pinter. Last Wednesday we went to see The Caretaker at the Theatre Royal Brighton. I enjoyed it. I like the way the dialogue works and how it affects the mind. Junior didn't like it although it has meant that he now refers to things I do as "Pinteresque". I am somewhat at a loss to understand what he may be referring to here.
For a review of the play, I can think of no better place to direct you to than Anna's fabulous review. Whilst, I don't agree 100% with her emphatic praise (I can only assume that the audience on Press Night in Sheffield was more into it than the audience when we saw it - one man, who was wearing a cravatte was proclaiming loudly in the interval that he didn't like it at all!) the review gets all the important points across.

It has given me a taste for Pinter now and like the true zealot that I am, I have been to the library and acquired everything I can about him and hired from the video shop every play that has been filmed (ok, so there's only really the Birthday Party available but its better than nothing). I can't say just yet what it is that makes me like his work so much but I think I love it because it challenges me. They put me on edge - which makes a change.

Film-wise there is very little to report. After the decadence of Shortbus last year (I would recommend that film - it also challenged some of my perceptions in a beneficial way - but go with an open mind, please), I haven't seen a thing. So tomorrow we are making ammens by going to see Babel. It's Junior's choice really but it has Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in so I doubt it can be too bad.

Books-wise things are much healthier. I finished On Beauty by Zadie Smith last week and would recommend it to anyone - except my mother. I have never read anything which makes you like the character so much, nor have I cared about the ending so much and not cared about not liking it so much. So read it, please and post what you think.

From there I have moved onto Youth by J M Coetzee. This speaks to me too but to different parts of me. Its about a 19 year old boy (you are not given his name) who is striving to be indepentant and an academic. He moves to London and tires to make ends meat but finds it difficult to match his artisitic ambition with the need to make money to live. Its a very male book and I love it. But I can see that this isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Finally food. This weeks marks the first real step on my World Tour of Restaurants. I'm starting with Polish Food. I'll let you know what it was like.

Here's to the New Year

2007-01-27T12:32:00.000Z

I know this is a bit late and we are almost a twelth of the way through the year already (how the time flies) but I've been procratinating. It's something I do alot.

Nothing is really new as such. Same old really. Which doesn't really make for interesting blogging. But then, I'm not sure I've ever really achieved an interesting blog yet.

So my Resolutionis too blog more interesting things.

Christmas Spirit

2006-12-12T19:23:00.000Z

Is it me or is it still early to be sending cards and buying presents. And yet I have met people who have bought all of theirs and are thus all ready for the festive season. I'm not judging them. No really. I'm not.

So I've survived the party season so far without making too much of a fool out of myself. I was a little worried when last weekend's team meal night out included the new German student in our department who, I must admit I have a little crush on. Me and Air Hostess are constantly competeing to get in his "good books" but knowing my luck with men, she has a very good chance indeed.

Talking of Air Hostesses, I happened to meet up with an old friend last week. She is brilliant and apparently she has a Myspace. Check it. Its very her.

No Dolly quote this week.

Instead, here is an Irish ditty that I like;

So fare thee well, my own true love
When I return united we will be
It's not the leaving of Liverpool that's grieving me
But my darling when I think of thee

***

Do you ever thank your partner for all they've done for you during the year?

***

I feel very alive at the moment. Long may it last.

Don't EVEN get me started

2006-12-05T19:03:00.000Z

So it was our works do last Friday night (see the Fairy). I plucked up the courage to proposition someone
and the cheeky bastard turned me down. I couldn't believe I'd done it
because this guy isn't exactly Brad Pitt but what surprised me the next
morning was how little I was bothered by it. Not mortified at all.

***

Work
is so so frustrating at the moment. Mainly its due to the combination
of a heavy workload and the apparent lack of any real management
direction. And then my partner in crime at work, Rosebud, handed in her
notice today. I'll be a lost soul in January but maybe it will give me
theimpetus I need to finally give myself a kick up the arse and get a real job. What job, is another question. Suggestions welcomed.

***

Today's Dolly quote is;

They let your dream
Just a' watch 'em shatter
You're just a step
On the boss man's ladder
But you got dreams he'll never take away

Dolly gets it. She always has.

THIS IS THE NEWS

2006-11-28T18:40:00.000Z

This week I am introducing a new feature to Thoughts of Mouldy. Namely, Thoughts of Dolly. I discovered whilst watching Transamerica that she is a genius (not that I didn't know this already). So I am going to provide you, my readers, with short snippets of her words. Here's the first one;

Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men
Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when
And I hope I'll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew
As I was travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin' thru

***

I am listening to a very good friend of mine present a Radio Program on a BBC Local Radio Station. She is very good. Its weird when your friends get famous.

***
Things I wish I'd of said at the time;
"What are you doing on Saturday?"
"I'm going to the Dogs!"
"Darling, you did that years ago!"

***
Its our work do on Friday and the "Entertainment" is being kept secret. There are rumours though. One is a "local" band! Another is that there'll be a famous comedian and the word is it might be a certain P*t*r K*y! There are also rumours about the Chippendales and Julian Clary but I made those up - its surprising how gullable some people are.

Quizically speaking

2006-11-21T19:23:00.000Z

Music Survey

1. Which bands/artist do you own the most albums by?
REM

2. What was the last song you listened to?
I'm listening to some songs for the soundtrack to Bugsy Malone on the radio.

3. What's in your CD player right now?
Elton John's Greatest Hits; Disk Two (Well, I AM a gay!)

4. What was the last show you attended?
Imogen HEap at the Brighton Dome in October

5. What was the greatest show you've ever been to?
REM Hyde Park July 2005. Sublime.

6. What's the worst show you've ever been to?
Beth Orton at the Brighton Dome - she didn't fucking show did she! Would rather go to the fucking Brits.

7. What's the most musically involved you have ever been?
I am not musical. I was in a musical once but it didn't involve singing. I was the Irish Priest.

8. Which band/artist do you dislike?
Oasis. And other over-rated acts (in my opinion) are; Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and U2. But then I do like Country.

9. What shows are you looking forward to?
Killers in Brighton. But that is all I have on my horizons. Sad innit?

10. What is your favourite band shirt?
Never had one but I liked the really Britpop ones from the mid 90s. Even the Oasis ones.

11. What musician would you like to hang out with for a day?
No contest. Dolly!

12. Who is one musician or group you wish would make a comeback?
Sleeper

13. Who is one band/artist you've never seen live but always wanted to?
Killers but that is sorted. I'd also like to see Amy Winehouse.

14. Can you name three flawless albums?
REM - New Adventures in Hi Fi
REM - Automatic for the People
Killers - Hot Fuss

16. How many concerts/shows have you been to, total?
Not more than 50

17. Who have you seen the most live?
Its Morrissey - 3 and a half (the half was Glatonbury 04 where I sort of heard him)

18. What is your favourite movie soundtrack?
Prescilla - as I said I am a gay.

19. What was your last musical "phase" before you wisened up?
Boy bands

20. What's your "guilty pleasure" that you hate to admit to liking?
Proper Bluegrass - the real twangy stuff but most of my taste is pretty dodgy. Barbra being the dodgiest.

The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner

2006-11-21T18:46:00.000Z

Things that have happened;

I have completed the Brighton 10K. I did it in 57 mins which I am quite pleased with because it is within the time I set myself (one hour). So I have a sense of achievment. Now I need to do it again (there's my addictive personality speaking. But first I need to lose some weight.

So it's FUCK THE FITNESS: LET'S GET THIN. And with the festive season approaching that looks, well, unlikely. But whatever.

* * *

My Mum has become addicted to Ebay which is fine because she has made literally hundreds of pounds by selling her dresses from when she was a wee lass in the 50's and 60's, but she can't work how to get the money for them. Which is a problem.

* * *

So yet another close friend turns 30 next week! So I'm heading up to the Finest City in Norfolk to celebrate. Wish me luck!

* * *

I'm watching more films than I thought but none of them are igniting my passion. Never watch Mike Leigh. Ever!

* * *

I am a handful at work. I need anger management. That is all I am saying.

* * *

I need blog inspiration. Please help.

Deadlock

2006-11-14T18:53:00.000Z

I have rage. Rage against stupid people mainly. The nameless stupid people who make me follow pointless rules. This rage doesn't always make me a very nice person.

And it doesn't make me want to blog.

Catherine Tate had a right go at the Doncaster accent last week. How DARE she!

I'll be back.

Some snippets of info

2006-11-03T11:18:00.000Z

Don't have much time to post these days but here are some snippets of thoughts.

I am never having a party again. I was trying to have a Bonfire one but it has failed so much that I have thrown my hands up in the air and said "THAT'S IT!". People have backed out, other people have failed to committ and others have messed me about and I decided its not worth it.

The History Boys is the best film I've seen for ages. Right up my street. Go and watch it please.

Fat people eat cake. I am overweight because I like cake and haribo. Realising this fact is my first step towards recovery.

Lessons in Life

2006-10-25T21:13:00.000Z

Number 1; Don't blog when drunk.

***

So tonight I have bitten a bullet.

I'm not a vindictive person and I am the last person to hold a grudge. But its becoming more and more apparent to me that people screw you over in life. And how do you react when someone wrongs you? Well you either let it form a chip on your shoulder, you forgive and let them walk all over you and do it again, or you forget - pretend they don't exist. And sometimes you combine the three.

Well tonight I reached that forgetting stage with my only ever real grudge. This particular person wronged me many times, offended me, upset me and those around me in an unforgiveble way and I havn't seen her for 11 months until tonight.

I was so nervouse when I walked into the pub. My hands were shaking and I didn't know where to look which shows me I don't do this sort of thing easily. My instinct was to guffaw and ask her how she was but instead I politely ignored her. And I think it worked. I couldn't stay long but I got through it.

And now I'm just a little proud of myself.

***

Tomorrow the Becster is coming to visit. And who knows what will happen. She is keen to try Line Dancing which is great and I have some friends I want her to meet. But other than that Brighton and Hove is our oyster. And who knows what will happen?

The onset of winter

2006-10-24T21:03:00.000Z

Its cold out there. Winter is here for definite. But I'm not sure whether I have my traditional "full of regret" attitude towards it. Its kind of cosy, ain't it.

The wedding in Essex was fantastic. Can more people I know get married, please. I like weddings. I'd just prefer if they were nearer.

I've had some time off this week for no other reason than the fact that I have to take holiday or else I will lose it. And it has been cheap and fun. The best way. And it ain't over either.

I am a little drunk. This is the first drunken blog I have done and rather than ranting about all sorts of shit, I am opting for concise comments. So here's my life today;

Work is dissatisfying.

I'm very opinated and have many extreme views (anti-religion, anti-marriage etc)

Many worries over family health especailly after this weekend.

But generally its ok.

Long may it remain.

Menial things

2006-10-21T21:56:00.000Z

I want to blog some stuff.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I have to travel to Essex to a wedding. This will be nice because
it will be the first of my Uni friends to get married. BUT I will have to travel for 4 hours each way to get there. This will make me angry because it will largely be due to engineering works. How INFURIATING!

This is a Saturday night post but I am treacherously sobre. This is because I have stayed in tonight. This is because I was meant to be going to the cinema but I was let down by someone. I don't know why he let me down - perhaps it was born out of misunderstanding - but I feel let down anyway. Especially because I really want to see this film and because I know this person will love it as much me, and I would've liked to see it with him. But the best laid plans...

I don't particularly like a certain online shopping company and the Royal Mail. Mainly because I bought something exciting from this site and they sent it vis the Royal Mail but my letter box is too small for them to post it and they won't let me pick it up from their depot. Heaven knows if I will ever get it.

If anyone knows a handy trick for charging a mobile phone without using a charger I would appreciate them letting me know. Getting in touch with me might be a little difficult because my phone is out of battery.

I love Strictly Come Dancing. My favourite is Carol Smylie although that might have more to do with Matthew Cutler who is her partner. He is the campest man alive but is married to his pro dancing partner Nicole (bloody typical).

Finally I have just been introduced to the finer points of MySpace and would like to draw your attention to these two sites.
The first is the York based band Cardboard Radio. I have seen them play and they are very good. Their lead singer has real charisma.
The second is a Leeds based band called Grammatics and although I am yet to see them, I love the tune they have on Myspace. I particularly like the look of the cellist. So check it and recommend me more of these Myspace thingys.

Troublesome little mice

2006-10-20T13:21:00.000Z

Did you ever hear of a mouse that had a battery in it? I didn't and thus my surprise was immense when the cursor on the screen stopped working due to lack of battery power. So now I have searched the house high and low and finally found some. Grrrrrr.

I am contemplating running on the seafront. A minute ago the rain was pouring down and now it is sunny. So I don't know what to wear and how far to go.

Let's go blogging mental!

2006-10-20T10:27:00.000Z

So this, here, is what I would be like if I had my own computer that worked (and didn't just sit under my bed taking up space). I have access to the fab world of blogging whilst not being at work over the next week so lets see if I can come up with anything good.

A word about Extras. I know this series has lost its way a bit lately and certainly lost some of its popularity (eg Anna) but I'd look at it this way. This series has been like an old friend who you havn't seen for a while and has started taking himself too seriously. You still occasionally get glimpses of why you liked him but mostly you don't quite get him.

Contemplating the future

2006-10-17T18:49:00.000Z

It has been a while but now I am back and I predict a golden age of blogging in Thoughts of Mouldy over the next 10 days. Watch this space. I'm also planning an alternative blog which has a more philosophical nature. So again which this space for details.

But as for the past;
Last week was filled with free fun:
Monday - a free tour of Harveys Brewery in Lewes. It plays an important part in the town's local culture, does Harveys, and so it was great to get inside and get a feel for what actually goes on. And brewing beer can be interesting, who knew? I think what made the tour so much fun was the enthusiasm of the guide. It must be great to have a job that you can really put your heart and soul into.
Tuesday - Down to the Corn Exchange in Brighton for a free comedy night called Comedy Blue. Now, I didn't really twig at first that Blue in a comedy sense meant filthy ("Bit of blue for't Dads") and so just expected some nice comedy. But they tried to be as shocking as they could and no word was off limits. Actually, they couldn't say m*ther fucker but I didn't mind that so much. It was good but I realised that I am very hard to shock and that I don't find homphobia funny. But then I've heard it said many times that gay people have a great sense of humour except when it comes to their own sexuality. Anyway, this was a really good night and the weirdest thing is that it will be on TV. So if you have the Paramount Comedy channel, keep your eyes peeled for me.
Wednesday; A highlight in the already fabulous week. Imogen Heap at the Dome with the Fairy. Now I knew that I liked the songs I'd heard but I didn't know all her work and it was really really good. It was pure talent mixed in with some real innovation. Brilliant. Makes me want to see more and more gigs.

By Thursday I was exhausted.

***

There is a downside. My McJob is proving more and more frustrating. I think it has come down to a simple decision; tow the line or get out. What will I do? Suggestions welcome!

Check this out

2006-10-12T15:37:00.000Z

Check it xxx

Stirring things up.

2006-10-10T15:17:00.000Z

Check out the following and leave opinions if you like;

Paul's interesting opinions on merchandising.

Anna on Extras.

And Yasmin Alibi-Brown on the veil debate.

Thanks

Positive Self Image

2006-09-26T18:49:00.000Z

Mother's Message

When I was growing up, one of the pearls of wisdom that my Mum used to dish out on a regular basis was "See yourself as others see you!". That is to say "You're an arrogant little monkey so wake up and realise its not all about you!" Good advice for us all there!

But getting back to the basic message, its quite interesting to try and imagine what other people think about you - not to live your life by it, but just to bear it in mind.

What made me think of this was a sobre viewing of Withnail and I on Sunday. Jnr and Rat have said in the past that I bear a similarity to Uncle Monty. Perhaps they are referring to his intersting use of the English Language, perhaps his amusing eccentricity but most likely to the fact that he is a fat, old and lecherous homosexual. I'm none of those things but its good to remember that sometimes I can be perceived as this.

Then Jnr turned up (he'd been missing for a while) with a Birthday card that his girlfriend had made for his brother. I wont go into details about what was depicted because it would bore you more than this drivel normally does, but sufficed to say I wasn't happy with the image it portrayed. Again, I came out looking rather sad, slightly deranged.

Then I thought about the incident at work from Negative people (see previous post) who said I was a moaner and I thought "realiseing the way people view you and not liking it, helps me change" Hoorray!

Just thought I'd share.

Life is a Cabaret

Check out the Paul today on Cabaret. He's a mighty fine writer but BOY! does he not like Musicals. And to read him you wouldn't think he grew up in Northern Suburbia.

Sport

Arsenal are playing now so I'm going to make this short. On Saturday I'm doing my second preparation event for the Brighton 10K in November. Its a 4K race, again in East Sussex. Wish me look.

Something old and something new

2006-09-23T11:30:00.000Z

After I recovered emotionally from the scandal of over-exuberance at the wedding, moving offices and having the house to myself. I have had the week sent directly from Heaven this week. I am going to chaperise this;

Epiphany

Monday was a hellish day,
My mood was very black,
But then, at night, in bed I lay,
And got my happiness back.

That is to say that I was a very negative person on Monday and then that night I couldn't sleep and whilst pondering the day I decided that the only person really bothered by my negativity was me. And normally I'm not negative at all. People who complain about EVERYTHING were saying that I moaned a lot. ME! Positive Mould! So on Tuesday I was a subtly new person. More cheery, no moaning, no seeing the neagitves (therefore much less speaking the truth), and no bitching (I have renamed it commenting). And it bloody worked! Just shows how effective and slightly-more-dilluded-than-usual outlook can be. Lets hope I keep it up.

Folk
Kate Rusby with Trethana (I hope you will hear more about her in the future - she is one of my muses). I have never looked forward to anything more in my life. From that fateful day in 2001 at 12 Denbigh Road in Norwich when I turned on Later With Jools Holland and heard her singing a song about a sailor. Just her and a guitar and it was a revalation. It caused a lot of trouble - country music came from that, as did line dancing - but I love it. And I'd wanted to see her forever.

And it didn't dissapoint. It helped that we had the best seats in the house (how that happened I have no idea).

What a night.

Tapas and Theatre (what a shit title for a chapter)

Dancin Fairy, Shining Wit and I went to see Haebeas Corpus at Brighton Theatre Royal. We had Tapas first and nice conversation. The play itself was ok. I like darker Alan Bennet more than the comedies but it was fun (it was about sex).

The best thing about it thought was the company and the experience. The company because it made me incredibly relaxed and the experience because I got a such urge of what I want to do with my life - watch plays. If only that was a career and not a hobby.

Getting my groove back

Line Dancing and I havn't had the best relationship lately. I was getting bored and a little frustrated with it. There seemed to be no continuity to it but I soon realised that this was because I hadn't been doing it regularly enough. Last night I LOVED it. More than enything. Its pure escapism - like everything else stops for 2 hours and all that there is is a floor, some old people, some fat people and me in brown shoes, dancing to Jane MacDonald. Who would of thought that I would find contentment in that?

Afterwards I went and met Petal for a drink and met some of her mates. IT was weird to meet new people again but they were so lovely. It was good for my confidence. It fact it was good generally. Go out and meet someone today. It'll do you good.

Mystery

I don't know what has happened to Jnr. He went out last Friday and didn't come back. I've decided to call it The Case of the Dissaperaing Housemate. Watch this space...

Why Mould hates Work.

2006-09-13T15:19:00.000Z

1) We are moving to a place that is far away. My journey will no longer take less than five minutes, it will take over an hour. This could have a severe impact of my quality of life.

2) This move and new office has been in planning for years. In spite of this it is still a fiasco that has managed to annoy just about everybody.

3) People keep saying things like "you are a moaner" and "do you know what is bad for moral? YOU!" when I try to point out the above. This makes me feel undervalued, especially when I know that I am not just speaking for me.

4) Its a very selfish conceited world we live in. There are many examples of this at the moment.

And your point is...?

2006-09-13T14:39:00.000Z

I have been contemplating the point of life today. Not the meaning but the point. Why bother? I have decided that if the point of life is to find a partner and settle down then I give up now. That isn't and will never be the point of my life. Not to any extent.

Thats a strange reaction to a wedding isn't it.

Drunk

2006-09-12T15:57:00.000Z

Weddings make me imbibe too much. I imbibed so much that I was incapable of speech and movement. Without a nice boy called Simon and the Becstar (to whome I shall be eternally grateful) I would have been found in a gutter somewhere.

So today is a day full of regret.

When am I going to learn?

A sojourn

2006-09-07T15:52:00.000Z

I popping off to the North of England for a couple of days. The purpose of this expedition is to attend the nuptuals of my good friends Marshy and Sally in the fine town of York. These are the first of my friends from school to get married and it is just a little scary that we have now reached "that age". And knowing how these things go, it will probably herald a whole glitch of weddings. Could be fun though, eh?

Also, on Sunday I will be 26 and a half! I expect half birthday greetings. I set myself some targets for my 27th year and I am yet to achieve them. But the cup is only half empty. I have another 6 months to go.

When you're bored, make a list

2006-09-05T15:57:00.000Z

See Paul's blog for the inspiration for this.

TOP TEN TV CHARACTERS

I can't put these in any order so this list is just Ten TV Characters That I Think Are Good;

1. Nyles Crane from Frasier
Conceited, snobbish, bitchy, neurotic and a real weed - how can that be at all good? But he is so funny.
2. Anna from This Life
Bitchy again.(there's a definite theme emerging) but flawed. And the whole thing about being completely in love with Miles. Ah, perfect gay fodder.
3. Alexander from Queer As Folk
The gay one. Well, the camp gay one at any rate and the only one of the main cast to be actually played by a gayman. Again he's bitchy but flawed. What fun!
4. Karen in Will and Grace
A classic bitch! But this one redefines bitchiness. Too evil for words sometimes.
5. Bubble in Absolutely Fabulous
Not a btch. But outthere. And the clothes!
6. Gary in Men Behaving Badly
I like the body language and the faces he pulls.
7. Carmella in the Sopranos
Camp, flawed and feisty.
8. Rachel in Friends
I love her. I think I actually love her. Especially when she is angry.
9. Swerengen in Deadwood
He has so much depth to him - he;s not just your classic baddy but he has a heart and sympathy as well as showing how wise he is.
10 The Mother (Ruth) in Six Feet Under
Ahhhh. What a woman. So deep and emotional. As someone said to me recently "She breaks my heart!"

Och Ayeeeeeeeeee

2006-08-31T15:50:00.000Z

I would like to meet the person who doesn't find Edinburgh in August a really fun place to be. Actually, I wouldn't like to meet them because they would most likely be a social misfit and a bit miserable. Suffised (how DO you spell that?) to say, it's a great place to be.

In case you don't know, August is festival time in Edinburgh and you can see just about any type of theatre, dance, comedy, drama, music that you want. There's loads of street theatre and free previews on the Royal Mile and the atmosphere is fantastic. I cannot wax lyrical about it enough.

We saw 3 comics and a play; Sarah Kendall, Demitri Martin, Simon Amstell and the play was Radio.

Becca and I made a photo story. Check it out.

(Sorry this is short. I've been told my portrayal of V was dull so I am keeping it short and sweet from now on.)

Mould at V!

2006-08-25T14:04:00.000Z

What a time I have had over the last week! So here are the details;

We went to the V festival last Friday. There was Me, Jnr, JLP and Respected Local Businessman (RLB). In an attempt to beat the crowds and get a decent camping spot, we set off at the crack of dawn and arrived at Chelmsford at 10.30 which was exactly the moment that JLP noticed that the campsite didn't open until 12! So we sat with our bags at the entrance and watched the big grey clouds roll over, wondering if we might have to camp in The Somme again like last year.

Due to increased security, the 6 security people on the entrance searched every bag of every person going through, so despite the fact that we were very close to the front of the queue it still took an age to make it into the campsite. We needn't have worried though because soon we had our tents up and were tucking into our beer whilst RLB cooked bacon and eggs (for himself).

All went well for the rest of the day whilst we got slowly drunk (some more that others) and waited for the fun to start on the Saturday. Some nice ladies camped next to us and they had been to T int he Park recently which they mentioned at every opportunity ("At T in the Park there was a whole village of things to do on the Friday!"). But they were amusing.

When we woke up on Saturday we discovered that we had been robbed. Our cool box with the remaining eggs and bacon and loads of beer in had dissapeared from outside our tent. We told the ladies next door who said "THAT didn't happen at T in the Park!". Then we noticed that some human-being had taken a dump at the fence next to our tents. How disgusting! No one did that either at T in the Park apparently.

Then came the music. All good fun. But not as good a line up as last year (or T in the Park, come to that). I enjoyed Orson and Girls Aloud and Radiohead were a bit too weird for me but it was funny watching JLP and RLB piss off the "real" fans by singing a song called "What the fucking hell is this?" every time they played a song we didn't know.

We went back to the tent to find that it had been robbed. Every bag had been looked in but they only took Jnr's phone. What a nasty thing to happen!

Sunday was better. Highlights were Morrissey, The Beautiful South and the Sugarbabes but I also liked Starsailor and Rufus Wainwright. (It occurs to me that my musical tastes is very commercial. I am not proud of this but I won't deny it either.)

So V was really good. Even the appalling traffic on the way home couldn't ruin it.

Here is why I won't be blogging for a while

2006-08-17T15:40:00.000Z

I am going to;

V
York
Edinburgh Festival
Doncaster
A 5K Fun Run in East Sussex.

Take great care.

Returning

2006-08-14T16:51:00.000Z

Dear Reader,

I am back after a week of the following;

1) Manic busyness caused mainly buy staff shortages and poor computer systems.
2) Illness
3) Travel plans.

I have learnt;
1) I may only get ill once or twice a year but its fucking painful when I do.
2) My boss has cold blood.
3) A weekend of doing literally nothing (due to illness) can be very relaxing.

I have contemplated all sorts of things for this blog in the last week. But I am decideing to take an aversion to anything of consequence (much like the BBC does).

So don't watch this space - go an watch Channel 4 News.

And give me Edinburgh tips that don't involve the Mighty Boosh!

Yours

Big Mould

PS, Without wishing to sound bitter. What on earth is so fooking good about South East Asia? EH?

NEWSFLASH

2006-08-08T15:56:00.000Z

My housemate read this last night. He says its boring.

He has found another blog by someone called Mouldy which is much more interesting than mine.

See what you think.

There's more

2006-08-04T11:26:00.000Z

I am alone again.

We had to shut the blinds earlier. The dark was eerie.

H has been giving me the details of her current menstual cycle. I do not wish to know but that hasn't stopped her. No one has ever been this frank with me before. It is unsettling.

Someone sent a forward around;
-It had these comedy metaphors in;
-He was as tall as a six-foot-three-inch tree.
Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left York at 6:36 p.m. travelling at 55 mph, the other from Peterborough at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
-John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

I laughed at this.

Not going to plan

2006-08-04T11:00:00.000Z

Today hasn't really been filled with mundane things so far. Typical isn't it.

The lady who works in the canteen gave me a packet of smarties. But they were minging with bits all over them. I am now unsure if she is trying poison me.

I left my phone at home again. That is all very well but it is Ellie's birthday today and I should text her.

We are busy.

CELEBRATING THE MUNDANE

2006-08-04T08:40:00.000Z

So today I am posting those little mundane things that normally aren't worth mentioning. See also Monkey and Fairy for more.

***

Woke up at 8 today. Alarm was set for 6.45. That's one and a quarter hours of snoozing. That must be some sort of record. Does it count as a lie in?

My dream was about a big storm that approached a house by the sea where I was sleeping in an enormous bed. During the storm there was a HUGE wave that crashed in. But nothing happened. There was no damage. I've just looked it up and dreaming about waves signifies sexuality on the one hand and tidal waves means strong emotions. So there you go.

The milk was off. I put it on my bran flakes, left it to soak and then tried to eat it. But it was minging so I had a salad sandwich instead.

No TV this morning and I enjoyed it. I listened to the CD that was in the stereo and pondered things. The things I pondered were;
- whether Snow Patrol are gay. I decided that they are not but the first song on the album is sung by a boy to another boy.
- The sky.
- Where my housemate, Jnr was. His bike was outside but there was no sign of him. I concluded he was having a lie in.

Jnr got up at 8.30. He was having a lie in. I told him about this feature. He told me that I shouldn't find writing mundane things too difficult as it is what I do all the time. What does he want? War and Peace in Blog form?

There is a new weather person on Breakfast. He is called Matt and is camp and welsh.

Where did summer go?

2006-08-03T12:34:00.000Z

Inspired by Leonie and because I can't be bothered with paragraphs today (the weather is SO oppressive) here is a list of what is happening in Lewes today;

1) I never leave this small town on the South Downs. Never. I walk 100 yards to work. I walk hundred yards back. The shops, the gym, the park, everything is 100 yards away. When I get off the train/bus in Brighton tomorrow I am not going to know how to cope. I will be like an old person driving in London.

2) There is intrigue at work. It relates to a job and we do not know who has got it and who hasn't. I am curious but not in a I-want-to-find-out-everything-now way. More in a I'll-be-quite-interested-if-someone-wants-to-tell-me way.

3) I am on my own at the moment. All the other four are on holiday or on lunch. This isn't bad though because I can appreciate being me. I can swim in Lake Mould for a bit.

4) Never watch Rumour Has It (starring Jennifer Anniston and Kevin Costner). Its rubbish.

5) My travelling friends have gone quiet. This could mean they are in an isolated location (are there any left?) or it could mean they have been sold in the white slave trade. I'm sure this happens all the time.

6) I am returning to Line Dancing this week. I have been off for three weeks and likely to get some "where've you been?" type comments. I hope they don't know where I've been - it would ruin my reputation.

7) The weigh-in last night went well. I have now lost 3 of the 5 lbs I have put on since startig this health kick.

8) Pride on Saturday. My first one (that's rubbish for a gay in Brighton and I should be ashamed of myself).

9) I am struck, writing this by how bored (and boring) I am. Whatever, though, its just an uneventful week. (That might be tempting fate a little considering its only Thursday.

10) All this has been in practice for the "FRIDAY OF NOTING THE MUNDANE" tomorrow. Keep an eye on mine and Monkey's Blogs for more details and updates.

Mouldy and meaning

2006-08-02T11:30:00.000Z

Monkey wants an explanation of my blogging name.

First, I need you to see mould that grows on bread/shower curtains etc and myself as two entirely different things. I do not grow on old things. I do not smell (not like mould anyway) and I am not caused by dampness.

The name derives from several things;
1) My initials are M O and my nickname at one point (just before the birth of Mouldy) was Mo
2) I had a skin problem on my leg which I thought was shingles and made a huge deal out of. This turned out to be ceriosis(?), caused by stress and became known as my mould.
3) I then developed excema around the eye and this also way known as my Mould.

The author of these nicknames was a close friend of mine (who's not around anymore, he's not dead, he's travelling) and his name is Rat.

So in conclusion, Mouldy isn't a nice nickname but I have become quite fond of it. But sometimes, when I get introduced to people it can lead to them getting a bad impression of me. I should be introduced as Matt really. That is my real name after all.

All clear now?

By Ek!

2006-08-01T12:48:00.000Z

Check out this chat on't Bbc Site.

Should make us exiled Yorkshire people laugh.

And on the same subject; someone was at a pub in Brighton and over heard the following whilst stood at the bar.

"There are three types of men in this world: Yorkshiremen, those aspiring to BE Yorkshiremen and those with no ambition!"

How true.

WILD MOULD

2006-08-01T10:18:00.000Z

It's a well known fact in this job that Tuesday is the worst day of the week. Its always either deadly quiet or manicly busy and all my colleagues are always more that a little tetchy. Well, today I am a caged lion likely to bite the head off anyone who approaches me. I've already had altracations with too colleagues (one who deserved it, one wo didn't) and there is likely to be more by the end of the day.

Some people are just idiots.

***
Something that Monkey said has given me an idea. So try this;

One day soon (nominate the day yourself) when you get up, grab a little notpad and write down everything that happens that day. I don't mean just the major stuff like an itinery or the work stuff but the little weird things that happen that you would never normally comment on.

Go on! Try it and leave the Link in my comments.

Lets celebrate the mundane!

Spot the badger

2006-07-28T13:38:00.000Z

Today is Friday and it is the middle of summer and our office is very quiet. So there is much horseplay.

The reason I mention this is; I was attempting to steal Marge's mug from in front of her. I tried the classic diversionary tactic of "Is that a badger over there, behind you?" and she totally looked. I was amazed. She said "well there could have been a badger" Bless her. How we laughed.

* * *

What proportion of men go to see Romantic Comedies with the girlfriends? And how do they feel about it?

The reason I ask is that I watched a film last night called the Family Stone (Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane Keaten, Clare Danes) which, from the publicity I could imagine would be a date movie. And I can imagine a few men being mighty pissed off after being made to watch it

It was so DEPRESSING. I was so miserable afterwards and not just because it was crap. Give me films about Patagonian dogs any day of the week.

Mouldy's Weight-loss plan

2006-07-27T13:12:00.000Z

Everyone I speak to at the moment seems to be obsessed with diet, exercise and health generally. Maybe because of this heat we all feel much fatter and unhealthier.

I certainly feel fat and unhealthy, but then I have done for the last 10 years. A recent visit to the Dr has put it in perspective. If I carry on at my current weight I have a 80% chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes in later life. This is not good and there is something really definite I can do about it now; lose weight.

Now, I've been visiting the gym regularly for 2 years now. The problem is that I eat like a horse, therby negating the exercise I do. So I have taken a two pronged approach of; cutting the crap and doing more efficient exercise. And because we all respond well to motivation, with the help of my housemates (Jnr and Ho), I have developed some targets.

The first is the Brighton 10K in November. This will be an almighty achievment if I complete is as I have never been fit and doubt I could run it now. But both housemates and Dover (another car-mad mate) are also doing it (as is my brother, Big John) which should make motivation easier. I have three target times, one realistic and the other two, not so much:
1) Run all the way and in under an hour.
2) Beat Dover - he's unfit but weighs much much less than me. He's also competitve.
3) Beat the time Rat did it in last year (46 mins). This is hopelessly unrealistic but the satisfaction I would get would be amazing. He'd be appalled.

The second is a weight loss chart, a kind of Name and Shame thing, where each housemate has a target weight loss for the weight (at times, this can be dispiriting, as they both weigh about 10stone) and we publicise the results (so far I have gained 5lbs in 3 weeks).

So my target weight is 13 stone. I am currently 15 stones and 11lbs.

Today is weigh in day. Stay tuned for the results. I hope to see a difference this week. I need something positive to encourage me.

So, I'm turning this blog into a Health Blog. Any tips and advise and shared stories are all appreciated. That isn't to say that it is all going to be about my fitness quest. There will still be the usual banal stuff about other things. So do not fret!

The motivation (boy, am I over-using that word), for this came from Leonie who wants diet tips. Well, in that I am putting on weight and not losing it, at all, in any way, I'm not going to offer any. But I hope to be able to soon.

* * *
I watched Bombon el Perro last night. Marvellous. Uplifting. And I can't tell you my other feelings about it because it would ruin the ending for you and I am not that type of boy.

Wrongness in a wood and some movies

2006-07-26T15:16:00.000Z

Friday last. Thetford Forest on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. Lots of people crowded in a field to watch the Pet Shop Boys play the last part of their European Tour. It was marvellous. Over the top, camp, flambouyant featuring line dancing and army uniforms and all sorts. But what amazed me was how many straight people were there. But more than that, how many straight people were totally loving it! I mean familes and the old and loads and loads of 40 year old straight couples, singing along, ("it's a sin!"). Do these people not know what these songs are about? The Pet Shop Boys are surely the gayest band alive, aren't they? Have I been wrong all this time?

* * *
Saw the Break Up (yawn). Good yarn. Funny in places. Jenn is nice to look at. Vince, not so much. I wouldn't bother if I were you. ESPECIALLY if you have relationship issues.

* * *
Next day, I watched Kinky Boots. About a shoe factory in Northampton that couldn't make shoes anymore so started making boots for drags queens. This was a good laugh. But…sanitised. OVER-sanitized. Again, I wouldn't bother.

* * *
Next day, I watched Broken Flowers. Brilliant. Marvellous. Superb. Cannot praise it highly enough. Go watch it now.

* * *
Today I am watching something Argentinian. About a dog. I'll tell you if its good but I am not holding out much hope.

Requiring Inspiration

2006-07-19T16:14:00.000Z

Thoughts on the treadmill;

How did I get to be this BIG?

I have a thyroid problem. I should be bigger than I am. Hell, if they han't found it I'd be dead, or at the very least I'd have learning difficulties so I should be grateful that the worst that happened was that I balooned at some point in my teens.

I know roughly when it happened. 1994/5. The first year of big school. Every night I came home and watched TV. I didn't do sports. I didn't do P.E. Any excuse I could get I would use. "What's that, Miss? You want me to miss PE to help you out in the library? OK" And why did I hate PE. Because I was SHIT at it and the hard kids who were all the same height as me and therefore got grouped with me for rugby, took the almighty piss!

And then, after rugby we had Wednesday afternoon PE and I went to the Doncaster Dome and played squash with the girls. What a waste of time.

And boy, do I regret it! I'll say I do. Most of the people I socialise with now were incredibly sporty at school and now, when they chose to run the odd 10K race its no trouble. A bit of working out, a few training sessions and its there. For me it's the biggest struggle of my life.

I'm not moaning. If that's my biggest struggle then I'm doing ok really aren't I? But it could've been easier if I'd have had more sense. Yet again, my Dad was right.

Look at my arms. They're like big flabby joints of meat.

And my shins hurt.

And yet I won't stop. Keep going, Mould! KEEP GOING!

Inspiration

2006-07-11T18:52:00.000Z

So I am sitting here, on a Tuesday, and it's sunny and I have some banging Country and Western (Garth Brooks) playing in't background and I am thinking what I'm gonna write in my Blog tonight and I get drawn to Paul's Blog. And hell I'm INSPIRED!

Now me a Paul are as different as...well...we're as different as Cheese and a different type of cheese. He's a hard cheese and I'm brie. Same hometown, similar family background, similar education, similar subjects taken, similar friends and, if I may dare to say it, similar politics these days. But hell, there are differences a plenty. Straight and not-so-straight, north and south, yankophile and anglophile etc, you get t'picture.

But say what you like about our differences, I'd like to think there is a mutual respect there. I once had a friend who was such a communist that she shocked most people and yet she was so fixed in her opinions that I respected her despite disagreeing with her strongly. Its like you have this inbuilt reverence for anyone who exhibits those strong opinions that are so different from your own. And thats a bit like me and Paul. I respects him! (OK I'm over using that word now but I ain't got no thesaurus with me right now).

What Paul teaches us is, "Fuck it! You go right ahead and like what you like and I'll find you interesting anyway!" And we should all be a bit more like that!

******************************************************

I bet when you all read that I'm here listening to my Country music you think "What a load of redneck sh*te!" Is that true? Is it?

If it is you havn't really thought about it enough. HA!

******************************************************

Big John, my brother, gave me a pearl of wisdom tonight. On hearing that I had suffered a massive hang over on Sunday, he said "Remember, Mould, it only gets worse as you get older!" Reason enought to stop drinking! And yet...

******************************************************

So I've started proper training for the Brighton 10K in Novemeber. Jnr took me out for a run and it felt GOOD! Yes, it was only half the distance and I am at least 2 stone too heavy but I got a taste for it! Watch this space. And come and support me on the day!

******************************************************

I was calmly working (ok, that never happens but you know what I mean - I was ticking over at work) today, when I gets an email from one of my oldest and best friends. Lets call him Wigger! Even though he lives in the East these days its great to know that he's exactly the same as he always was. It makes you appreciate how lucky you are.

******************************************************

The Fairy, bless her has a very valuable gift. She can talk about very personal things on her blog and it remains very entertaining. There is something that I want to talk about but I can't find the words just yet. Maybe in time.

Feasting Fasting

2006-06-30T09:56:00.000Z

Appetizer
On average, approximately how many times per day do you yawn?
On average, 3 or 4 in the evening before bed. If I have any sort of training this is likely to be significantly higher! Also, there's that tired drunk thing where you yawn all the time but don't feel tired. Weird.

Soup
What was your most memorable school field trip?
France. I was obsessed with this girl (completely besotted by her) so I asked her out and she said no. So I asked her best mate out. Didn't go down too well. Also, I was sharing a room with the guy I ended up having "relations" with.

Salad
Fill in the blank: I was extremely ANGRY ABOUT WORK this week.

Main Course
Which colour do you think of when you hear the word "soothing"?
Blue.

Dessert
What is something that, if you had to, you could save up the money to buy within one month?
An IPOD. I really want one.

Listmania

2006-06-27T18:41:00.000Z

Not for the first time I have been inspired by the Fairy to write lots of lists so here goes;

Where have I been for two weeks?
- Newcastle on a Symposium! Get me!
- Newquay, for a week with my housemates and Big Ben! It was fun!
- Getting a permanent contract and making the Fairy lots of money in the process.

Why is this Blog so short?
- Because I am obsessed by the football and France are playing Spain in 15 minutes.
- My mothers spicy chicken stew has had a negative effect on me
- I have a visitor!

More soon.

On my travels

2006-06-13T06:22:00.000Z

I'm at the airport!

This keyboard is very weird. Its completely flat.

There are lots of people here considering it is on 7.20am

How busy are the trains in the morning? Very very busy! I had to STAND on the 6:05. Unheard of.

I only have 5 minutes on this thing so I had better go. And they have just called my flight. Don't want a repeat of Edinburgh 04 when I made the flight late cos I was looking at perfume.

Have a good day.

Lateness pain

2006-06-07T12:59:00.000Z

I didn't blog last night. On Monday I woke up with a painful neck. Everytime I moved, I yelped like a dog. This meant that I had to sit in my chair wathing a film called Green Street with a heat pack on my neck. But it worked and now I am back to full strength.

So apologies.

I'd like to get some conversation going about the Mighty Boosh with particular reference to Paul!
Is it good? Is it bad? Tell me, tell me, tell me!

I will be attending the Edinburgh Festival with the Becster on August 22nd. Please let me have reccomendations of shows I should see.

Waving the Flag

2006-05-30T18:19:00.000Z

So I answered the question last week before I asked it. Which kind of defeats the object. I shall do better this week.

In summary; Big Mould doesn't like flags.

"What's good, Big Mould?"
Bluegrass versions of Van Halen classic
Salad - (if I have any American readers can you let me know what is in a Cob Salad - I was watching Curb Your Enthusiasm and there is a funny episode involving a man in a wheel chair and a Cob Salad and I was mystyfied what it meant!)
Nearly holiday time.

"And not so good?"
Email disagreements about Colonic Irrigation (do not EVEN get me started!)
Unpredictable weather - I mean hale stones in May - what is occuring?
People who don't reply to texts, emails and phone calls.

So to this week's question;

Modern morality and manners

What instance of bad manners infuriates you the most?

Shout out to the Fairy who is ill and has such a deep voice that I thought she was a man earlier.

Oh and I have read the NME this week. I was not impressed with Preston claiming to be Rock and Roll and some shit for brains teenage sensation claiming that Steps and S Club 7 should be called pop but should be called shit! Whatever!

I...

2006-05-26T11:52:00.000Z

I am Mouldy, or Big Mould, or New Mould, or Big Fat Ugly Mould (BFUM) or Toad, or Oades. I am slightly over weight (but I have a thyroid problem). There is a rumour going round that I am a HOMosexual but I can't confirm this.
I want it not to be raining.
I wish I had more time to read, to listen to new Music, to watch movies, to swim in Lake Mould
I love fast cars, loose women and strong beer. Not really. I love peace and quiet and calm. And Rats.
I fear the unexpected. And loss.
I hear things almost as well as the next person unless you are stood immediately to my right in which case you will have to speak up.
I wonder what will happen in the next year and what Vice Versas are.
I regret nothing. Oh and not working harder.
I dance every Friday night in Brighton with the Brighton Bootleggers line dancing troop..
I cry when I think about Africa and Hong Kong (on Saturday).
I confuse Dogs -they always look at me like I'm mad. My parents.
I tag Fairy, Shinin Wit, Leonie, Monkey,

Feasting

2006-05-26T10:27:00.000Z

Appetizer
How old were you when you got your first credit card?
I was 18. But for some reason I didn't use it at all until I was 21. It just sat there in my wallet not doing anything.

Soup
When was the last time you felt out of place?
I was going to say that I felt out of place at the Opera (at Glyndebourne) but I didn't - it felt just right! So I suppose it was a few weeks ago when my housemates and I went to have a kick around at a local park! No I like watching football, and I quite like playing it but only when I feel comfortable with the people I am playing with. On this particular day there were 7 14 year olds already playing and they challenged us to a match. I felt soooo out of place there because I was so self concious about my ability, It was awful.

Salad
Did you have a curfew when you were a teenager? If so, what time did you have to be home?
When I was 13 it was 9pm. How early is that? And then when I got to 15 it just dissapeared. There wasn't one. And there was never ever a disagreement about it. Maybe my parents were cool. I don't know.

Main Course
Name a person from history with whom you feel you have something in common.
I could say Wilde but that would be a bit obvious. Also, I've never been married so that doesn't work! I think Van Gogh! I hate my ears, you see.

Dessert
When you read a newspaper, which section do you go for first?
On Sundays its always the Culture/review bit. My sister-in-law always used to laugh at me for this (in a nice way). Its good when you all want to read different parts though isn't it. On a weekday I read it from the beginning. One funny thing is that I always leaf through the whole thing before reading anything properly. Its like I have to kn ow what is in there before I can concentrate on anything.

2006-05-23T17:43:00.000Z

Howdy! How quickly the time is going! April 23rd already! The year'll be over soon!

Anyway, lets talk about popular things. I'm inclined to agree with most of the people that commented on my last blog. Popular doesn't mean bad and anyone who turns against something because its popular is ultimately losing out.

Whilst the Da Vinci Code isn't well-written its a good yarn but more than anything its accesible and, I suppose, that is one of the things that makes it popular. It doesn't mean I'm enjoying it though. So, I hear you say, why am I reading it? I suppose I want to know what the fuss is about. So I read, Harry Potter and The Curious Incident of the Dog and the Nightime for the same reason and didn't really enjoy either of them.
Do you ever do this?

So last week was insanely busy. Dissapointing Champions League Football on Wednesday. I went to the Opera at Glyndebourne with Miss T on Thursday (such a different world), line dancing for three and half hours on Friday (I could barely stand up by the end but, boy, did I love it!) and Eurovsion on Saturday (I really hate it! Its shit and yet...I watch it).

I watched two movies on Saturday. The first is Six Degrees of Separation starring Will Smith and Stockard Channing and is sublime! I love the way it keeps you hooked and builds. Then I watched the Contender about American Politics which was one of those films with lots of rousing speeches a la the West Wing. Good though.

Then last night I watched Mr and Mrs Smith! And I was impressed. I was expecting utter drivel but it wasn't at all. The joke of them both being assasins and yet being married wore a little thin but it was good fun! I'd like other peoples opinions on this...

So...things that are good;
Bank Holiday weekends
That soccer aid thing on ITV (I'm clutching at straws)
Trains

Not so good
Work
Illness (as in flu and stomach issues and things)
Apathy (ie not being able to think of things to put in these stupid lists)

But that brings us to this week's question.

We had a situation in our office recently where some people wanted to put up an England flag to celebrate the World Cup. Now, I'm into football as much as the next (gay) man but I was not at all comfortable with a flag being up because of the associations that that flag has. People say "Thats silly - the flag isn't racist" but I still feel uncomfortable.

So...would you feel comfortable (or proud) displaying your country's flag in a prominant position?

Greenery

2006-05-16T18:05:00.000Z

Last week I asked how easy it was to live an ehtical life and whether or not it was worth it. From your answers the consensus seems to be "Its worth it but its mighty hard!".

And I think I agree with that. There's a constant aura of guilt around green issues. If I throw away a glass bottle or a can I feel guilty. If I drive somewhere I could've walked, I feel guilty. If I don't buy organic or free range I feel guilty. And yet all these things are only drops in the ocean.

I reckon there are much more effective things we could all do. Fair trade is one. Lobbying MPs, MEPs, local councils. These too may be ineffective in the short term but enough of us do it then...well, I don't know what.

So elsewhere...

I want to know more about the Mighty Boosh! Please tell me what all the fuss is about.

Stuff that ain't good
Annoying co-workers (well only one actually)
Feeling stressed about work whilst being fully aware that if I had a real job then I'd be a lot more stressed (thanks Mum for reminding me!)
Again, the time thing, I was only just 2005 and now we're almost half way through 06!
People who go travelling

Stuff that is good
The Fairy
Line dancing again (I'm moving up to intermediate this week)
Excercise (feel those endorphins - feeeeeeeel them).

Thin week's question relates to yesterday's blog (are the apostrophes right in that sentence?). Someone close to me made the other statement in a recent conversation about the Da Vinci Code; "It's far too popular for me to read!"

So the question is; does commercial success mean that the thing is going to be sh1t? How do you feel about things that are popular?

Life is a Pigsty

2006-05-15T16:22:00.000Z

Culturally speaking;

Books;
I finished the new Nick Hornby book (A Long Way Down). I couldn't put it down but that doesn't mean I enjoyed it. I love the way he writes but I wasn't convinced by the characters, the plot moved at a weird and unsatisfying pace and there was only partial resolution. I'd give it 5 out of ten.
Next is the Da Vinci Code. I have caved to commercialism (again) but I want to see what the fuss is about.

Music;
I went to see Morrissey last night at the Palladium. He played for an hour and a quarter and then left the stage in a huff and didn't come back on. No bowing, no encore. Nothing. What an idiot. We paid Â£40 each for those blasted tickets plus the trainticketss to London and he didn't even have the decency to playa full set. Rubbish!
I'm starting to think that I am cursed because Beth Orton didn't even turn up when I went to see her in Feb.

Films;
The Edukators - a German film about Communism which is fab and I would recommend it to anyone.
This week I want to watch the Royal Tennenbaums. If you've seen it let me know what you think.

Also, I want to hear gossip about Big Brother...

Food

2006-05-12T10:13:00.000Z

Appetizer
What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
This is unbelievably boring but my favourite flavour is Vanilla. But not just plain old Walls vanilla Ice Cream. I mean porper vanilla which is a real creamy colour. The best type of vanilla ice cream I've had has been in France or at Pizza Express.

Soup
What are 3 things you would like to put in a time capsule?
Tough one. A photo of myself (to give it that personal touch). A copy of Heat (it might sum up our style obsessed, over feminised times) and a mobile phone.

Salad
Name something you are 100% sure of.
This is much harder than I thought it would be. There are a lot of things that I am 90% sure of but that extra 10% is hard to commit to. Like my sexuality - I am pretty sure about it but you never know do you. Like the fact that I will always like in Brighton - well I don't want to move away but supposing someone came to me and siad that they have this great opportunity for me in Sydney, or San Francisco, or Slough - what would I say? No this question is too difficult.

Main Course
What is something you do to calm yourself when you're stressed or upset?
Stay very quiet. Or talk it out. One or the other. Oh and alcohol helps.

Dessert
If you could receive an invitation to any important event, what would you like it to be?
It sounds fake and false but I woyuld love to go to the Oscars. But that isn't really an important event. Full of glitz and glamour though!

Twice in one day!

2006-05-09T18:42:00.000Z

I have a lot to say today.

Last week I asked how your year was going. The fairy has had a great on so far which is brilliant for her. Every time I see her I see how happy she is. So thats good.

My year has been ok. I feel a lot more like myself this year if that makes any sense. But there have been some actual issues to deal with. Mostly they centre around parting from people which can be a hard thing to deal with. But change can have good aspects too. Who knows?

Anyway, I've been to Paris this week. It was marvellous. I have never seen a more beautiful city. If you havn't been, go as soon as you can. I cannot think of one thing that I didn't like about it. Leave me your Paris stories in the Comments!

Bookwise; I'm with Nick Hornby this week. He's a tricky one. Very readable and yet there is something deeply unsatisfying about his latest book. I think it lies in the characters. I'll keep you informed.

I've just booked tickets to go and see Kate Rusby in Brighton in September. I've wanted to see her live for over 5 years and finally she has come far enough south for me to go. Can't wait.

I go Line Dancing and I'm not ashamed of it. Comments please.

Things annoying me;
Time going too quickly.
People who want to move house all the time.
Unpredictable British weather
Unpredictable public transport

Things that are good;
Eurostar
Country Music (again not ashamed)
Blogging (please note new found enthusiasm)

And so we come to this weeks question;
In Paris the four of us were sat around having a coffee and one the girls (lets call her A) was telling us about her newly found ethical life. She doesn't shop at Tescos, she buys organic and Fair Trade, she uses the bus and she recycles. So my question is this;
How easy is it to live an ethical life and is it worth it?

Tuesday Feast

2006-05-09T12:22:00.000Z

Ok, so its late but I was in Paris last week.

Appetizer
From which country(s) are some (or all) of your ancestors?

There's a can of worms. They are rumoured to be from; Portugal, Germany, Russia, Scotland. But most were in South Yorkshire.

Soup
How would you describe your sneeze?

Too loud. Over the top. You might even say flamboyant but not camp.

Salad
What is the last thing you cleaned?

Everyone else has said themselves. This is true of course but the most interesting thing I cleaned was the pan in which I had boiled my eggs in. Here is a question; when boiling an egg, how do you stop the egg from cracking? I have tried everything and they still bloody crack and leak out all over the pan.

Main Course
Who made the strongest first impression on you?

In terms of actual, split second, first impression, that would be a guy called Istvan at Uni. He came into the kitchen whilst I was eating Museli. He wasn't wearing a shirt and he evidently worked out and was quiet buff. He said "Hi! I'm Istvan!" But it sounded like "Hi! I'm blaa blaa!". It wasn't what I expected to face at that hour of the morning in my first week away from home.
The other person who made a strong impression on me we shall call by the letter R. I really didn't like him at first. How that changed!

Dessert
Name one thing you want to accomplish in your lifetime.

Write a whole book.

Blogsday

2006-05-02T18:34:00.000Z

Tuesday is the new Blogsday seeing as I am completely unable to do it anywhere near the office anymore.

Three things that annoy the Mould today;
Being busy at work.
My own inability to make my house tidy.
A person a work who we shall call Craig.

Three things that are good;
I'm going to Paris on Thursday.
I thought this week would be one of the hardest of the year. It isn't. I feel fine.
Country music although I am a bit shamed to admit it - I just love and I don't know why!

If you read this, answer the follow question in the comment and next Tuesday I will answer it;
We are almost halfway through the year! Is it going how you planned? If not why not?

Weird things

2006-04-27T11:45:00.000Z

Two of my friends are going away for a year.

I am sad about this because it will change my social life. But I am happy that they are going because it will be fun for them.

As seems to be the fashion these days they have got a "Travel Blog" which is all very well but for some reason they have put a picture of me on there. In fact I am the first thing one sees when one goes there. I have not yet been given an adequate explanation for this but it freaks me out.

It's the end of the world as I know it!

2006-04-11T11:39:00.000Z

But sadly I don't feel fine. I feel this sense of impending doom. Like the world is going to end at the end of the month.

The reasons;

1) Weather - Yesterday I woke up and there was snow outside. Its April! I mean, what on earth is going on. This week, last year was so lovely and balmy and the weather made up for all manner of other horrendous things that were going on at the time,

2) Work - I have been here a year today! That needn't necessarily herald the apocalypse but its a nice round figure and I think nice round figures encourage change. A year? That's a long time! Too long.

3) There is a person. That's all I can say on that subject but this person is preventing me from being the calm and collected person I am underneath. And I don't know what to do.

4) My tarot was bad.

Please someone provide me with solace!

Foodies

2006-04-07T11:53:00.000Z

Appetizer
Name a trait you share with your parents or your children.
Depends who you speak to. According to my Mother I share my Dad's arrogance and self-obsession and according to my Dad I am moody like my mother.
Personnally I think that is pretty accurate.

Soup
List 3 qualities of a good leader, in your opinion.
Empathy, consistency, and respect.

Salad
Who is your favorite television chef?
Gordon Ramsey.He is fab and the type of bloke who should be held up as a modern hero.

Main Course
Share a story about a gift you received from someone you love.
Ah. A little pebble from a beach. I can't remember why or when but I remember him giving it to me in a really sweet way.

Dessert
How do you react under pressure?
I work best under pressure. But not too much because I tend to go mad with too much. So if there is just enough pressure then I do well but if there is too muich then I go barmy.

Hitting the Wall

2006-04-06T12:35:00.000Z

Earlier today, Shining Wit said to me that he had "hit the wall". I said that, despite being very close to the wall, actual contact was yet to occur. The Shining one however, had made a big hole in it.

The reason for this is that it has been a busy week. I will not go into this because it is more dull than you could ever possibly imagine. Sufficed to say that it feels like The Wit, Woodie and I have been fighting an immense war and we are losing and, even if we do win we'll get no credit for it anyway.

As a result of this situation I am unable to write anything else.

Here are some things that I am unable to write about;

- The Apprentice and how I love it.
- Unexpected visitors
- Losing something and not quite knowing what it is.
- Roast dinner without meat (butternut sqaush though - yum)
- The Dancin Fairy and her none attendance at lunch (anybody would think she was in love.)

My Blood Sugar today was 5.8.

QUESTIONS

2006-04-04T11:52:00.000Z

After some tackage from the Fairie here are some answers to some questions.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Getting ready for my GCSE's. I was incredibly loved up but didn't have the courage to own up to it which was just as well as it turned out because I doubt me and him would be as good friends now if I had. All I remember about 1996 is the sunshine. It was the last summer before we started going clubbing as a group of friends so there was a lot of house parties and drinking cider. I suppose it was a happy time.

What were you doing 5 years ago?

March 2001. Well I came out to my family which was a massive deal at the time but by Easter I realised that nothing had really changed at all which was good. I was menat to be doing a dissertation and revising for my finals at Uni but I went up North for a month and went out a lot. That was a carefree time too - no men on the scene.

What were you doing 1 year ago?

Well, last year I was just about to leave my previous job and come to this one. I wasn't getting on well with my best friend and we were hardly speaking (nowt changes). Lived somewhere that I wasn't happy in and my family was just coming to terms with terminal illness. So a lot is better now.

5 Snacks you enjoy:

Toast
Chilli Crisps
Cheese
Cheese Scones
Pizza

5 Songs (you think) you know by heart:

I will Survive - Gloria Gaynor (it’s the gay law)
Stand By Your Man by Tammy Wynette
Cowsong by Kate Rusby
Goodbye My Lover by James Blunt ("Did I diasssapoit you, or let you down?")
Tragedy by Steps (again obligatory)

5 things you would do with a LOT of money:

Travel
Learn to play golf properly
Buy property
Buy a horse (racehorse)
Buy cars (environmentally friendly or a BMW X5)

5 Things you would never wear:

Fur
Brown
A mini Skirt
Leathers
A beret

5 Things you should have never worn:

My Neo jacket.
Denim shirts
Shell suits
Jodphurs
NHS specs

5 Things you enjoy doing:

Choosing books
The cinema
Drinking at my local pub
Bitching (sad but true)
Dancing

5 Bad Habits you have:

Smoning without guilt. regret or concern
Obsessing over a particular person
Sleeping in
Comfort eating
Bitching.

Feast time again

2006-03-31T09:39:00.000Z

It's back. Enjoy...

Appetizer
Name 3 things that you think are strange.
Being emotionally closed is strange. I find it impossible to hide anything that I am thinking and don't understand when others hide stuff.
Dog ownership is strange if you think about it.
People (friends) who don't ring you back.

Soup
What was the last ceremony you attended?
Oh gosh. It was a memorial service. My Sister in Law who was 39 when she died, It was very tough.

Salad
What is one lesson you have learned in the past year?
That friends aren't always forever. And some differences are irreconcilable.

Main Course
Tell us about one of your childhood memories.
The sun is always shining when I remember my childhood and I am always in a big garden playing with toy cars or my big yellow dog. I don't have bad childhood memories. ThatÂs lucky, I guess.

Dessert
If you could extend any of the four seasons to be twice as long as normal, which season would you want to lengthen?
Summer. ThatÂs an obvious answer. More specifically I love May and June. When Summer is starting.

Monday Feast

2006-03-20T12:51:00.000Z

I stole this from the Fairy, who stole it from someone else.

List ten things you want to say to people you know but you never will, for whatever reason. Don't say who they are. Use each person only once:

1. You are a good influence on me and what you say makes a lot of sense. I know you think you are looking out for our best interests but the advice you have been giving is wrong.

2. I hate the way I feel about you as much as you do because I know you're not worthy of it. You've treated me incredibly badly and then acted like its my fault.

3. I know I sometimes treat you without consideration. Remember that you are always important to me.

4. Its not a matter of meeting the right girl and its not up for negotiation.

5. Don't waste your youth and wake up when you're 40 and think, "I wish I'd made the most of my 20s!"

6. Every time I see you I am struck by how much you would get out of life if you REALLY put yourself first. Leave that place where you live and make the most of the connections you have elsewhere to make a positive new life for yourself.

7. I have so much admiration for the way you have built a brilliant life for yourself whilst still being the same person you were when I met you.

8. You're not a rubbish friend. The reason why you find certain friendships so difficult is because you pick the wrong people.

9. Gosh you're dull.

10. I don't know why but I feel really chuffed that you're in my life. There are several reasons why we shouldn't get on but we just do. Its cool.

And because my Blog was DOWN on Friday here are my feast choice things;

Appetizer
What job would you definitely not want to have?
I wouldn't really want to be a Customer Care Co-ordinator for a Diagnostics Firm. I think it would be really boring and tedious.

Soup
Oprah calls and wants you to appear on her show. What would that day's show be about?
Gayness I guess. It seems to be what most people associate with me. Knowing my luck, it would probably be about having to tell you're family you're actually straight after coming out about being gay.

Salad
Name 3 vegetables that you eat on a regular basis.
Spinach, Broccili, potatos. Living with vegatarians means I eat all sorts.

Main Course
If you were commissioned to rename your hometown, what would you call it?
Shithole - its accurate. (Talking about the town where I grew up there - not where I live now)

Dessert
If you had a personal assistant, what kind of tasks would you have them to do?
Vacuuming - I hate it. And throwing things away which I seem physically incapable of doing.

Things Unspoken

2006-03-17T13:39:00.000Z

Competition

2006-03-16T13:57:00.000Z

The Dancin Fairie has just got a book out of the library called Eleanor Rigby. It by Douglas Coupland who also wrote a book called Girlfriend in a Coma.

This set me thinking.

If you had to write your autobiography and it had to have a song title, which song would you pick? I'll give a prize for the best one.

Walking the Line

2006-03-16T12:38:00.000Z

Last night I went to the movies with the Dancin Fairy. We went to see the Johny Cash Biopic, Walk the Line, and it was marvellous. What is it about films this year? That was the fifth one I've seen and its the fourth one that I didn't just like, I LOVED!!!! (the others are Crash, Brokeback Mountain, Goodnight and Good luck)

Go and see it!

Birthdays

2006-03-10T12:04:00.000Z

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how intuitive do you think you are?
8. Someone walsk through the door and I can tell if they are ina bad mood or not. I can tell if there is something going on, if someone is pissed off with me and if someone is sad. Maybe that isn't intuition. But I think it is!

Soup
What is your favorite kind of gum?
I thought that said "GUN" then. I thought, "is this Friday Feast thing American?" but on closer inspection I see that it says gum. Well, there's something about Doublemint isn't there. The creamy taste, the "strip" nature of it. The way you can tear it in hald and share it - "great to chew, even better to share" - what a line! When I was thirteen I used to buy a packet of it a day and I'd give most of it to a girl called Sarah who I had a crush on. She'd take the Chud and smile but would she go out with me? Would she hell!!!!! This must have upset me greatly as I never pursued another woman after that.

Salad
Name a CD you own that you would never get rid of.
Tough one. There isn't one. That’s sad, isn't it! I just can't get enthused about CDs! But if I was pushed, I'd say it was ABBA Gold.

Main Course
When was the last time you said something you didn't mean?
Last night. Someone said to me "What's wrong?" and I said "Nothing!" when there was something quite badly wrong and I just wanted to scream and shout! But there you go! Manners before Morals.

Dessert
What is the sum of the numbers in your birthdate? (Example: 3 + 2 + 1 + 9 + 7 + 9 = 31)
This is the most bizarre one of these I've ever seen. The answer is 22.

New Catchphrase

2006-03-08T19:31:00.000Z

My latest catchphrase is "That simply isn't true!" with particular emphasis on the isn't.

Use it in a sentence today!

Monday Off!

2006-03-06T14:59:00.000Z

Well, it's the start of another week and I find myself able to Blog at some significant length today as opposed to the hurried posts at lunchtimes at work.
So why am I not at work? Well, I thought I'd take a day out to do nothing. No real reason but I think we all need a day like that from time to time. Especially as the weekends tend to fill up very quickly.

So it was the Oscars last night. And...er...I'm struck by how very dull all the reports about them have been. Philip Seymour Hoffman...yawn...Reese Witherspoon...yawn...Rachel Wiesz...(She's British so we should all be really pleased, apparently, but thats according to the BBC and don't even get me started)...yawn...and Surprise Surprise, Brokeback Mountain didn't win Best Film. I wasn't suprised - its got a gay theme. And Hollywood doesn't like gay people (see how many openly gay actors there are - well apart from Tom (W)Hanks playing an AIDS victim). So is anyone bothered? Please tell me you are!

And now I come to something I havn't spoken about here before. On February 15th this year a 39 year old mother of one died of a brain tumour. Yesterday was her memorial service in a little village church just outside Brighton. The church was jam packed with her friends and family and the service was very moving. Her name was Kelly. She was my Brother's wife and she was one of the most inspirational people I have ever met.

During the service, her friend Sharon, read out a letter from her. It must have been bizarre to plan your own funeral but Kelly's letter was perfect. It was very moving - when she spoke about the love she had for her husband and her four year old son, - but it was also in a strange way uplifting. She was someone who faced such terrible illness but remained positive and even to her last days her thoughts were for those she was leaving behind. She said she'd stopped asking "Why me?" but had started instead to ask "Why not me?" - there was no anger there, just sorrow that it was over so soon and sadness that she wouldn't see her son grow up. Even when she was well she was someone who you admired because she was always busy and she always said what she thought - she kept this too, right up to the end.

I think wherever she is she will be pleased at the way we said goodbye.

So spare a thought for Kelly today. And spare a thought too for Thomas, her son and John, her husband.

Meal

2006-03-03T12:06:00.000Z

Appetizer
How many pillows and blankets do you sleep with?
A double duvet and three pillows. That’s apparently really bad for you. Oh well.

Soup
What are you currently "addicted" to?
Garlic mushrooms. And fags (the kind you smoke). I tend to get addicted to people but don't have any major ones at the mo!

Salad
If you could make a small change to your current routine or schedule that would make you just a little bit happier, what would it be?
Ahhhhh. There's a question. Without getting too personal, I would sleep less. Time in the morning is at such a premium and if you rush too much it can put you in a bad day for the whole day! Perhaps I should start at 9 instead of 8.30. That would help.

Main Course
Which adjective do you find yourself using often?
"How awful!" is a current favourite phrase. Another is "How Wonderful!" The two are pronounced very slowly and drawn out…"Hoowwwwwwwwww awwwwwwwwwwful!" The advantage of this is that you can start…"Howwwwwwwwww…!" and run the "w" sound into the next word. This way you can keep the suspense going as to whether you are going to say "awful" or "wonderful". It comes from a story my Dad told me. In the 60s the model Twiggy was in a trendy night club in London. In the same club was Princess Margaret, who as you probably know was a bit of a party girl back then. After being there a while Twiggy felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned round to find Princess Margaret there. The Princess, a little bit inebriated, said "Is your name Twiggy?". "Yes it is!" responded Twiggs. Princess Margaret looked slightly disgusted and, turning around, said "How awful!" What a woman!

Dessert
Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker?
Not personally. Well, my friend Smith is a hitch-hiker and I've picked him up but not in the traditional "standing at the side of the road" type way. When we were 11 our school went on a trip to North Wales. We were staying on the coast in Criccieth and every night after dinner we'd go to a wonderful beach called Black Rock Sands. Once, on the way back to the Hotel, our randy deputy-head, let's call him Keith, saw too foreign young ladies at the side of the road and banged on the brakes of the coach. Imagine the 11 year old boys sat on the back seats of the bus with these two attractive foreign ladies up front! Giggling all round.

Jokes

2006-03-02T13:57:00.000Z

After a few days of serious discussion I have decided to revert to attempting humour. So, thanks to Leonie here's few jokes;

On a golf tour in Ireland, Tiger Woods drives his BMW into a petrolstation in a remote part of the Irish countryside.The attendant at the pump greets him in a typical Irish manner,completely unaware of who the golfing pro is:"Top of the mornin' to ye, sir" says the attendant.Tiger nods a quick "Hello" and asks the attendant to fill her up. Ashe takes out his wallet to pay, two golf tees fall out of his pocketonto the ground."What are dey den, son?" asks the attendant."They're called tees" replies Tiger."Well, what on earth are dey for?" inquires the Irishman."They are for resting my balls on when I'm driving", says Tiger."Jaysus", says the Irishman, "Dem boys at BMW tink of everything!" .____________

Five Englishmen in an Audi Quattro arrived at an Irish bordercheckpoint.Paddy the officer stops them and tells them: "It is illegal to put 5people in a Quattro, Quattro means four" "Quattro is just the name of theautomobile," the Englishman retorts disbelievingly. "Look at the papers:this car is designed to carry five persons.""You can't pull that one on me," replies Paddy "Quattro means four.You have five people in your car and you are therefore breaking thelaw."The Englishmen replies angrily, "You idiot! Call your supervisorover I want to speak to someone with more intelligence!""Sorry," says Paddy, "Murphy is busy with 2 guys in a Fiat Uno." _____

Sean walks into a bar and asks for a beer. After drinking it, helooks in his shirt pocket and asks for another beer. After drinkingthat one, he looks in his shirt pocket again and asks for another beer.This happens about another seven times before the bartender asks him,"Why do you keep looking in your pocket?"The man replies, "I have a picture of my wife in there. When shelooks good enough, I'll go home."

F*ck music - we've got a debate on our hands.

2006-03-01T17:02:00.000Z

It seems that Paul and his fantastic posts have stimulated some debate.

Anna, has come back with a great argument which raises some brilliant points.

I'd like to answer her by asking three questions;
1) How do you define a "blockbuster"?
2) Can you name a good "blockbuster"?
3) Is there any excuse for spending $200 million dollars on a movie as futile and pointless as Titanic?

I'm not saying that movies like Spiderman are not entertaining. I'm saying that we shouldn't be ashamed because we do not have the financial power to produce them ourselves. Also, the pointless comedies that the Brits make are these bland romantic comedies like Keeping Mum and to a point, Notting Hill. These films are trite, patronising and make the wide ranging talent that we could potentially show off, look second rate.

Gritty and hard-hitting films always have a point and it's not the complacent point of Brit Flicks or Hollywood. Films like Dirty Pretty Things and Wonderland are true "art" but they are not obvious "issue" movies. The points are often subtle and this is why I love them.

I sometimes feel that you Yankophiles out there dismiss a lot of British culture purely because its British. Shoot me down, please if you wish, but I think we have good reason to be proud.

MARCH IS FOR MUSIC

2006-02-28T14:32:00.000Z

I have been inspired to write this month on the subject of music.

There are a number of reasons for this;
1) I've just got an MP3 player
2) I've just got tickets for the V festival
3) I've just found Paul's Blog.

But before I start I'd like to give my thoughts on the BAFTAs (see Pauls blog for this too).

I caught about half an hour's worth of the BAFTA last Sunday and quite frankly that was enough. I used to lap these things up like the celebrity loving queen that I was but nowadays they can quite happily pass me by. I just can't understand why some films (Walk the Line for example) print in big letters at the top of their posters "NOMINATED FOR 5 BAFTAS" as though we should give a damn when we don't. For an awards ceremony on TV the BAFTAs this year did unusually poorly. Why is this? Because we don't care.

And yet I found myself incensed by Paul's post on the subject. I just about disagree with everything he says. The peacemaker in me wants to say "oh well, people are different. Horses for courses etc." and the rest of me wants to shout and scream. So I've reached a compromise.

Why shouldn't the BAFTAs be about promoting what we British do well? Fine acting. Excellent, gritty, working class and classical drama. Wit (as represented by Stephen Fry himself). Leave pointless "movies" to the Americans. Special effects need not be dominant here in the home of Shakespeare, of Pinter, of Tolkein. And yet we can appreciate those films like Brokeback Mountain which, despite being so typically American, are fine examples of Films - more than that, of art.

2006-02-28T09:22:00.000Z

So the month of cheese is over. And what have we learned?

Well, sadly I wasn't able to go to the extent that I wanted to due to difficult family circumstances (Dancin Fairy, thanks for your lovely comments) but I think we all get the message;

Cheese was great in January.

It will be great in March.

Get over it Mouldy - there are more improtant things in life.

Food on Friday

2006-02-17T11:55:00.000Z

Appetizer
If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why?

Pink. I don't need to go into that.

Soup
When was the last time you went to the doctor, and what was your reason for going?

I fell over at Christmas (not through alcohol which is miraculous and rather typical) and hurt my ankle. But it was ok.

Salad

What do you collect?
Postcards. Old ones. Especially iof Brighton and Hove and Doncaster.

Main Course
What were you like in high school? Name one thing you miss and one thing you don't miss about those days. (If you're still there, imagine how you'll remember it in the future.)

I really miss learning. Sounds swattish but a lot of it qas quite interesting wasn't it. I also miss the structure of the day. I was very camp at school

.Dessert
Pretend you're standing in front of your home, with your back towards your home. Describe the view - what can you see? Trees? Cars? A zoo? Wal-Mart?

A Prison at the top of a hill with lots of houses on it. Nice.

Friday mealtime

2006-02-10T13:16:00.000Z

Appetizer
What was a class or course you took while in school that you realize now was a total waste of time?
BA Hons in History

Soup
Who is the tallest person you know?
Big Ed (6ft 5) or Wiggy (also 6ft 5) but Wiggy looks bigger.

Salad
What's your favourite midnight snack?
Bread and Cheese (there's a surprise).

Main Course
Have you ever found money somewhere? If so, where did you find it, and how much was it?
One pound. Bought communal milk for the house with it! I'm so virtuous!

Dessert
Where would you like to retire?
Brighton and Hove is notthe best place I have ever been to in my life and I will never leave here.

THE DAY IN HEADLINES

2006-02-08T16:32:00.000Z

OFFICE WORKER INCAPABLE OF RATIONAL THOUGHT
Day of extremes leads to mental paralysys

"YOUR CALL QUALITY IS GREAT!" One manager, 57, tells Office worker, 25

"YOUR CALL QUALITY IS SH1T" Another manager, 41, tells same Office worker just two hours later.

MOULD HAS VAST RANGE OF CALL QUALITY, SURVERY REVEALS

NORWEGIAN WORKERS URGED TO WRITE THEIR OWN BLOGS
"The Blogging community is expanding by the second!" exclaims on recent convert, 25.

Goats

2006-02-08T09:55:00.000Z

Today's cheese related issue is this; goat's cheese - yes or no?
Personally I am not a big fan. But then feta is made from goats (or Ewes) and I LOVE that so the jury is most certainly out.

I need to make my Blog more interesting. Dancing Fairy has pictures and everything!

There's a lot of it about

2006-02-07T15:55:00.000Z

Thanks for all your cheese related comments. Today's recommendation was inspired by Monkey Typist and its Chilli Cheddar. Or for that matter any sort of cheese with bits of chilli flecked into it.

I first came across this cheese at a Sandwich shop called Toast near Brighton station. ItÂs a great shop and it was a great sandwich. So get hold of some and try it for me.

For those who can't have chilli, apologies.

On a sad note I'd like to pass my sympathies to all those people grieving at the moment. Specifically that's the dancin fairy and H. But also, I found out today that an old lady I spent a lot of time with in my youth died last week. She was always advocating fun and good times so I'm going to have a drink to her tonight. To Mrs C!

It's at times like this that you tend to realise how important good friends are. So lets all be nice to our friends.

Gosh, I'm feeling all warm inside.

Losing the will

2006-02-06T13:22:00.000Z

I bought Parmesan. It cost about one million pounds and isn't that nice anyway. My visit to the Supermarket went very badly wrong in terms of finance. I got home with my celeriac, posh fruit and expensive wine and wondered what the hell I was doing.

So I'm going to limit the "New Adventures in Cheese" to one per week now. Partly because I've had my fingers burned financially and partly because there doesn't appear to be that much choice out there. And I refuse to eat anything blue.

How much should we hate public transport? Well after spending 6 hours traveling on Saturday I hate it quite a lot. Normally, the same journey would've taken about one hour each way but no, not when there's engineering works. I was so angry. What made it so much worse was that I was a little bit drunk coming home and was craving more alcohol. I had a bottle of wine in my bag but no bottle opener! How infuriating! I'd like to know other people's bad experiences. Its good to share after all.

Work is very dull without the Dancin Fairy who is in Italy!

Brown Shoes

2006-02-01T14:34:00.000Z

It occurred to me yesterday that I forgot to publish my favourite cheese yesterday.

Well, its cheddar. That's unbelievably dull isn't it? But its so versatile.

Anyway, today's interesting fact (which is only interesting if you have any interest in me at all) is that I'm going to try a new type of cheese everytime I go to the supermarket. So tonight I'm off down W**trose and I'll let you know what cheese I decided on. Any recommendations?

In other news; what's wrong with wearing brown shoes? A colleague, who shall remain nameless, looked at me and said "Brown shoes? Mmmmm" and looked disapproving. I think itÂs a shame that people don't appreciate loud expressions of fashion. My shoes are lovely.

Pasta and Cheese

2006-01-31T09:16:00.000Z

Today's cheese related subject is;

Cheese and pasta.

Now, yesterday I started a "Change in lifestyle" which involves eating quite healthily and exercising a bit. The idea is that I continue living how I have been living but gradually make changes and by the end of the year I'm thinner and, more importantly, healthier. So I made a big old pasta dish with quorn and served it up with pasta shells (I've forgotten what they are called) and looked at the plate of food in front of me and thought "there's something missing!"
Then my house mate, lets call him JLP, came in and said "this looks good Mould! It would look even better with a load of grated cheese on it!" And then it occurred to me. The cheese was missing.

So here is the question; is pasta without grated cheese like roast beef without horseradish, like roast lamb without mint sauce, like a ham sandwich without mustard? Is cheese an essential part of a pasta dish?

In non-cheese news;

My mobile phone network isn't supplying me with coverage today. Think of all the people who have been trying to contact me who are panicking now because I am unable to receive their calls/texts.

The Month of Cheese is nigh

2006-01-30T14:54:00.000Z

I would like to proclaim that I am dedicating February to Cheese.

I want to hear all your comments on cheese and I want to find out lots of facts about cheese.

For example, did you know that grilled stilton and wet Labrador smell almost exactly the same.

So the first question is this? What's your favorite cheese?

Please leave your answers and spread the cheesy word.

I'll reveal mine tomorrow.