Blog

*Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Episode 22 Happy New Year!

Christmas was action packed but now I am ready for 2006.

Please use this link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) to subscribe to my podcast and download the latest edition through your news reader.

or

Subscribe via iTunes to benefit from the hidden extras.

or

To listen to this podcast without subscribing, right click this link and save the podcast to your desktop.

To subscribe using iTunes (as I am currently not listed), copy the link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) , select the [Advanced] menu option then [Subscribe to podcast] - paste the address into the box and click [OK]

For further podcast information please visit the Podcast page ;)

Oh yes before I go, Ricky, you gorgeous hunk of non gay ness you (yeah right!): I can easily forgive that hair do if you Shake Ya Bon Bon for me ;0) Boy you've got to love the Latino hunk in those Trunks! What a way to end the ~~rear~~ year! xx

[iTunes: "Trunk Guy (22)" : Trunk Guy]

0 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

Seasons Greetings.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Well I am sure it must be Christmas somewhere by now! It's 15:21 here in the UK, the shops are about to close and it's dry and mild outside. (An ordinary Christmas for the UK!)

No snow, no frost and enough panic buying to deplete the worlds stocks of all the over produced and packaged food and gifts.

By this time tomorrow I expect you all to have gasped at your presents, shared jokes with friends or family and generally eaten so much that you feel sick and bloated (it is traditional after all!)

If you are spending Christmas alone, don't be down, at least you won't have to force yourself to be polite in front of your in laws! (And lets face it, bandwidth will be at a premium as most people will be offline - well all those except sad XBox 360 types who have no real friends!).

This will be my last post for 2005! (I have been threatening it for a while I know!)

Richard and I will be enjoying one anothers' company tomorrow in the comfort and peace of our own home, before heading to the south west to catch up with family and friends.

Here's wishing you all the very best Christmas and New Year, thanks for your loyalty, your humour, your comments and your support. Here's to an even bigger and better year through 2006!

[iTunes: "Deck The Hall" : The Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

Stroke, stroke!

Friday, December 23, 2005

This Christmas why not support the delicious Ben and James, 2 Men in a Boat. ;)

Wouldn't you like to help them with their strokes?

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

If you would like to witness Christmas here in St Albans, jump over to Flickr.

[iTunes: "The First Noel" : Pro Arte Orchestra]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

Confusion

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

I was watching the TV and got a flash back...

I was sat watching Dragons' Den, What Happened Next? when the opening sequence of a guy starting his own magazine and having a glitzy launch party suddenly reminded me what I have achieved in my life so far. I find it odd that we can get stuck on the negatives and not focus on the positives.

I know that Richard has had a battle on his hands lately (bless him), as I have been quite single minded to everything. Don't get me wrong, nothing about my current state of mind has anything to do with Richard, there is no problem with Richard and I - these thought processes are focussed elsewhere.

Thinking of the launch party in the TV programme reminded me of a launch party I attended for one of my old web sites. It was rather a glitzy affair, it was situated in a chic club with a hip DJ in the West End and there was cabaret (Pam Ann), themes cocktails etc. In fact as far as I remember I got very drunk and had a blast. It was the perfect culmination to the hard work I had put into the project.

This wasn't the only launch event for that particular site but it was one at which I could relax.

Although I was proud of that project and elevated by the launches, I hated working for that specific company. Is that odd?

Life is full of highs and lows and to be honest, I don't think it's ever more apparent then at Christmas.

Why is it this time of year makes us all so damn stressed and frantic? Every year I plan my Christmas and every year I have it all done and dusted before the event. There are always outside influences that cause grief and it seems that this year will not be any exception.

Our friends are off to the Suffolk farm where we stayed in September and I really wish we were going too. I know Richard feels the same. We both work damn hard and when do we actually get time to relax?

Yes we have holidays but that is only a small proportion of time out in the year. Weekends seem to be filled with recovering from the working week and living.

I can hear people now commenting on how I should get out more, go wild or have fun!

Well I do! I just don't see why having fun should involve getting so damn drunk that I waste a day trying to recover. I also don't see why that sort of fun should cost so much!

What is wrong with taking it easy, switching off and enjoying one anothers' company, as well as that of friends?

I know I am very lucky to be an openly gay man, in a loving, stable relationship. Lucky enough to be out to everyone I know, I work with and call friends and family. Knowing that Richard and I have support at home can be humbling at times. I know many other gay men are nowhere near as lucky as us.

I will say that I would love this rant to be far more personal than I have but I am sure that certain people are using my blog as a tool to figure out what is going on with me. That sounds malicious and I am sure their intentions are but that is just my perception. I would also add that I do feel that my blog is, in a way, censored because of the actions of a few people. But I guess that's the price you pay for publishing your thoughts globally.

I had considered moving the blog elsewhere but then Trunk Guy wouldn't be the same so what would be the point?

If people want to ask me something then they should do so in the environment to which it is appropriate.

I hate people who act as if they are your friend, people who think that being nice can get them what they want. I am constantly alarmed by how two faced people can be - and to some extent how naive.

I think I need to sum this entry up as I fear I have hit several cul de sacs' in my rants!

I think I really need to just get Christmas out of the way and focus on 2006. The beginning of the year will be a bit manic so I guess I will take my usual approach and confirm a resolution on my birthday, the first of February.

We'll be in New York so I will be away from home, hopefully relaxing, with the love of my life and able to focus my attention on what I want to do.

I feel I should make 2006 more positive than 2005 but I also feel that I need to take next year somewhere.

I am not entirely sure, just yet, where somewhere is but I know it'll make me a damn sight happier!

Oh f*ck it I think we need to shift focus - how about a nice bit of Christmas arse! LOL

Hmmmm - I wonder how long it would take to make my way from HA to AS!

Oh and Furnish and John tied the knot (why is it all the UK press fell the need to italicize or quote tie the knot or marry? We all know civil unions in the UK are not recognized by the church but who cares when it's legally binding?). Can you imagine just how camp (and full of E list celebrities) the reception will be!

[iTunes: "Somewhere" : Pet Shop Boys]

5 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

What a bloody day!

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

I am not really in the mood to blog much today (yes one of those days), so I thought I'd upload this photo of Andrea and I at our office party!

As for the continuing international iTunes Saga. Knotty thanks for "ripping them a new asshole!" LOL ;)

[iTunes: "Mother" : Kubb]

5 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

It passed (not that I ever had any doubt!)

Monday, December 19, 2005

Yesterday I think I must have undergone an enema! For some stupid reason I offered to help my friends with their Christmas shopping yesterday! Why? I had finished! I could have spent the day in front of the fire watching the box. Instead I spent five hours traipsing around St Albans! Never again!

At least I have had some good news today as our car passed it's first MOT with flying colours :)

Thanks to KB for the great gift from iTunes - it's just a shame that a USA voucher cannot be used in the UK store :( Come on Jobsie get your act together! (If I find out how to do this I will post some hints!).

Thanks to Ernest too for the run of Q & A questions ;)

**Part 2!

As you can tell the beginning of my day wasn't actually that bad, all things considered it was very positive (apart from the iTunes hiccup). So why does it all have to go tits up?

I knew I had to take the car in today so arrange for a service guy to come and replace our electricity meter - at their request. Annoyingly they turned up and knew nothing about it, simply taking a reading. I had to call several numbers to get hold of anyone with half a clue what I was on about and was then asked if I could arrange another day.

No I fucking can't! It's bad enough waiting in already today let alone waste another day off.

I had planned to take a walk around the park if it was all over and done with early, sadly this is not to be as I am now waiting for the idiots from Siemens to call me back. Sexy Santa!

What a waste of time!

Royal Mail also managed to screw up this morning (I feel your pain London Dan!). Some young scrot. turned up outside our house, parking in such a manner to block all the traffic, he pounded on the door, thrust a package into my hands and sped off. It's bad enough that the parcel isn't mine, I wasn't asked to sign for it and it's actually for a town about 20 miles away! Looks like some one won't be getting their Christmas present/order/parcel from the USA as planned!

Why are people so damn inefficient these days?

On a separate note, I felt sure this already happened a couple weeks ago didn't it?

I also read that Microsnot are no longer creating IE for Mac - good. It never worked! IE is bad enough on an XP machine let alone a Mac. Safari is a much superior browser anyway. At least it means I have one less browser to consider when I design web sites!

Oh well I am sure staring at Santa might help me through the rest of the day!

[iTunes: "Home" : Will Young]

0 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

She was robbed!

Sunday, December 18, 2005

All I can say is Zoe Ball was robbed!

She was clearly the best dancer in the final.

Colin made a big mistake with that stupid muppet routine and Darren was just plain clumsy.

Why is it the English always go for the underdog?

At least Ian got his chest out for the boys, eh Rowin ;)

And I am happy that Strictly Come Dancing's ratings beat the X Factor on ChaTV.

Oh well maybe next year...

[iTunes: "dance on" : Prince]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

Blogged

Saturday, December 17, 2005

I visited the book store on campus yesterday and spotted 2005 : Blogged which is an interesting record of the year using excerpts from numerous blogs to record public opinion of major events over the year.

First off I would like to say that I am not at all bitter that Trunk Guy did not feature - honest! Why am I not bitter? Well because I think I didn't ever intend on my content being that topical.

As you will probably have realized the majority of the stuff I cram into these pages is based on things that are happening in my world, this is interspersed with the odd bit of news that I find interesting.

I am not sure I could write the volumes of copy that some of my fellow bloggers put together to be honest. It would seem that every time I write reams I loose it! (As in my machine tends to crash mid way!).

Maybe I should become more opinionated - although I think I would find it difficult to be more opinionated!

I wonder what I would have to do during the next year to feature in the 2006 edition?

Anyway back to things that interest me...

Prince has released (or rather pre released) the first track from his new album 3121, which is due at the beginning of the year. Te Amo Corazón is a lovely ballad which illustrates all the best bits that prince is so good at. The video is also worth a look, especially as it's directed by Salma Halek... I do wonder why Prince has decided to launch with such a subtle track but I am sure there is a plan.

I was slightly annoyed that I had bought it from the NPMGC (it only cost me 77c (about 40p) though) and was about to convert it (protected WMA damn!) when I found it on iTunes! Then again I shouldn't complain because at least this album will feature in the iTMS for the UK - Musicology was USA only :(

I also read that Janets' new album is due to drop in the first quarter of next year (I can see it being an expensive start to the year!). Jam & Lewis have stated that there are nods back to Control as 2006 is the 20th anniversary of that album. I am expectant for this as Control was the album that kicked of their careers and the whole R&B movement as far as I am concerned.

Janet is also looking for new dancers which is encouraging because I did read some time ago that the new album was going to be more dance orientated (long before Madonna decided to do it with Confessions). I am confident though that Janets direction will be much more contemporary than Madge. Lets face it, Janet doesn't have to pander to a gay audience to increase sales (although apparently Britney Spears does as she has signed the Confessions production team to write her come back album).

Hey I just thought! Wouldn't it be cool if Janet started to promote the new single in February and was in NYC when I was :)

I was saddened this morning to hear that John Spencer has died of a heart attack at 58. Talk about life imitating art! It's probably just as well the West Wing finished when it did.

I had added a new section to Trunk Guys where you can ask me anything you like (within reason), and I will post my answers. Funnily enough I decided to call it Q&A! Why not submit a question!

I wanted to say a quick hello to Donnie over at Fresh 'n Tasty. We managed to have a chat through Skype yesterday and I can report he sounds as cool as he comes across in his blog and on his podcast. (You can find me on Skype as Trunkguy)

I thought I'd leave you with this enduring image! I found it on Flickr thanks to Purpletwinkie! Nice!

[iTunes: "Even God Can't Change the Past (Live)" : Charlotte Church]

0 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

Weekend

Friday, December 16, 2005

Well the weekend is upon and I am so glad as it has been a very hectic, stressful, tiring weekend. I am sure I am not the only one locally who has felt so wiped out. Sundays events really did not help the week start well.

Still never mind, it was the Schools Christmas Party yesterday... As you can see I looked happy (ish) to be there!

seriously though it was quite a nice party. I always find it odd that it's held during the day but at least it means I am not knackered the next day.

In case you wondered I am sober as, obviously, I drive to work.

Annabel insisted on the photo and the top hat and wand comes from the table decorations as the theme was Christmas Magic! I hasten to add I do not look that pale, it's Annabels nuclear spray on tan that makes me pale in comparison!

Tomorrow is the final of Strictly Come Dancing and this year it's really tight. Well that's what everyone else says.

Personally I want Zoe Ball to win - I think of all the competitors she is the true dance natural. Colin Jackson is just some camp paddy and Darren Gough annoys me as he just plays it dumb all the time (and his partner feels the need to cry when things go wrong). I really hope people vote properly tomorrow.

I would be very happy to see Zoe and Ian lift the trophy.

We do have friends over for a little Christmas get together which will be nice. I think then I can really get into the swing of things. I know Christmas is next week but it still feels a little odd. I shouldn't moan though as the presents are wrapped, the cards are sent and the tree is up.

I cannot really get a good shot of the tree as it's too big to fit into one frame but I hope this photograph gives you some idea. (In case I have not mentioned it's 6 foot high and I had to take some of the rear branches out to stop the tree sticking out in front of the open fire!). More pictures can been viewed on my Flickr page.

I am sure there will be another blog entry over the weekend, I am not in Monday as our car is due it's first MOT so I will have some time to kill on Monday.

[iTunes: "Another Lonely Christmas" : Prince]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

*Trunk Cast 21

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Episode 21 The pre Christmas Blow out!

I am in the mood for a good chat, a serious word and some festive cheer! It's been an odd week, I didn't mean this to rhyme but as it's nearly Chirstmas, check it all out here!

Please use this link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) to subscribe to my podcast and download the latest edition through your news reader or use iTunes to benefit from the hidden extras.

To listen to this podcast without subscribing, right click this link and save the podcast to your desktop.

To subscribe using iTunes (as I am currently not listed), copy the link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) , select the [Advanced] menu option then [Subscribe to podcast] - paste the address into the box and click [OK]

For further podcast information please visit the Podcast page ;)

[iTunes: "Trunk Guy (21)" : Trunk Guy]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

What is going on?

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Could someone please tell me what is going on with the web today?

From my first log on at the office around 7:20 this morning to right now at home (nearly 12 hours later) I am constantly experiencing problems browsing the web. Pages are failing to load, style sheets aren't loading and sites keep dipping offline. Has there been some telecomms issue? Is there a backbone or bandwidth problem in the UK or globally?

I just find it odd that it's happening on different networks in different locations.

At least there has been some good news today as my friend has been able to go back to her house. The fires have all but been extinguished and Liz will need to be escorted home so that the authorities can assess any damage, but at least Liz can get back into her home.

Getty Images

Richard and I have been fairly shaken by the events on Sunday and neither of us have slept that well. It hasn't helped that I have had to get up real early to negotiate my way through the ever changing road closures and traffic problems. I'll be glad to go to work and see and actual sun rise and not the eerie orange glow across the horizon connected to the enormous black cloud.

I have taken tomorrow off but I doubt I will venture too far out of the house. People in the vicinity of the cloud are being advised to stay indoors and as a short trip to the newsagent triggered my asthma on Sunday, I have no plans to want to go through that again!

I have been very impressed with the images that have come from the explosion but have not felt the macabre need to stop and take pictures. My favourite, and I feel most dramatic shot, is featured here from Getty Images. To give some proportion to the image, this is taken from the hard shoulder of the motorway that I use to commute to work.

[iTunes: "Build A Fire" : The KLF]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

Loud awakening

Sunday, December 11, 2005

We were awoken at 6 am by a loud bang and initially thought it was thunder. The cats scarpered and Richard and I were bolt upright out of bed and shaken.

Looking over the back of the house it looked like a gas explosion in a neighbours house as we could see the flames above the roof from the rear of our garden.

The sky orange with a large plume of smoke.

We realised it must have been a major incident when we came into the living room to discover that soot had been blown down the chimney.

Our friend lives right next to the depot and was evacuated, she drove to us this morning.

The sky is clear (9am) but there is a large black cloud of smoke slowly moving across the sky.

It's rather worrying that this happened dead on 6am but at least all our friends are safe.

This has been one wake up call I am sure we won't ever want to repeat.

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

*Trunk Cast 20

Saturday, December 10, 2005

I have been rather unwell this week, choosing to spend my time sleeping and resting. This is why the blog has been rather quiet. It is is also why this weeks podcast takes a bit of a departure from the norm. Enjoy!

Episode 20 The 2005 Video Slideshow!

(20) A departure from the norm, sit back and enjoy a video slideshow of our year. The music featured is 4Hero and "Les Fleurs"

Please use this link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) to subscribe to my podcast and download the latest edition through your news reader or use iTunes to benefit from the hidden extras.

To watch this podcast without subscribing, right click this link and save the podcast to your desktop.

To subscribe using iTunes (as I am currently not listed), copy the link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) , select the [Advanced] menu option then [Subscribe to podcast] - paste the address into the box and click [OK]

For further podcast information please visit the Podcast page ;)

BTW this has to be the funniest winter/Christmas themed cartoon I have seen:

[iTunes: "Trunk Guy (20)" : Trunk Guy]

0 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail

*Trunk Cast 19

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Episode 19 The saccerine podcast

(19) Gushing, deliberating, worrying and choosing - all in one podcast - you lucky people! I am still looking for people who would like to take part in interviews for Trunk Guy pod cast, why not send me an email and an explanation why you'd like to appear. trunkguy@gmail.com

Please use this link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) to subscribe to my podcast and download the latest edition through your news reader or use iTunes to benefit from the hidden extras.

To listen to this podcast without subscribing, right click this link and save the podcast to your desktop.

To subscribe using iTunes (as I am currently not listed), copy the link (http://feeds.feedburner.com/TrunkGuyPodcast) , select the [Advanced] menu option then [Subscribe to podcast] - paste the address into the box and click [OK]

For further podcast information please visit the Podcast page ;)

[iTunes: "Trunk Guy (19)" : Trunk Guy]

2 comments

Why not have your say? or leave me a voice mail