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Ups and downs

Thursday, August 31, 2006

I have long thought that Thursday are a natural dip in the week for me and once I completed tonight's run of brain training, I have the proof.

I got my Brain Age registered at 40 yesterday but today it dipped to 44.

It's been a very tiring day and I am so glad to be home.

I get a bit of a lie in tomorrow morning which is always nice. I have my Myers Briggs assessment at the office - lord knows what that will throw up!

If you want to know what else has been going on, listen to today's Trunk Cast for more information.

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Improvement?

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Well it was a very busy day yesterday and I managed to find some time to undertake my Brain Training during the commute home. I managed to get my Brain Age down to 55 but I know I can do better (and I know that the system told me I was tired by my reaction speed). I wonder how I would do if I tried this at lunch time?

Anyway my other DS addiction arrived in the post yesterday, Animal Crossing Wild World. It's hard to explain and harder to understand why it is so compelling and yet I found myself sat on the train this morning, fishing! I think this is going to consume way too much of my time. But if it helps me relax it cannot be a bad thing can it?

BTW if you have ACWW on the DS, why not email me your friend code, maybe you could pay me a visit at Trunkvil!

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Doctors and Nurses

Monday, August 28, 2006

well you can tell it's a bank holiday as it's bucketing it down with rain!

Probably just as well though as Richard is still rather poorly and has spent most of the weekend in bed (he's still there now). I'm checking in on him regularly just to make sure he is comfortable.

This weekend has given me more time to chill out too which is a good thing. One of the therapeutic things I have managed to do is to get my paints out again and have another crack at a big (ish) canvas. I haven't felt like painting much of late and wanted to get back into it.

This painting is another from Niagara mainly because I am really pleased with the way the last one turned out.

My painting hit a bit of a dry spell because I didn't feel very inspired, I didn't have the time nor the subject matter to paint.

I do welcome criticism as you know but I received a rather scathing attack on my work a while ago and this knocked me out for a bit :(

Still I am back at the easel and prepared to prove my critics wrong.

Why have I chosen Niagara? Or rather this shot? Simple, it's the spot where Richard proposed back in February, therefore I think it is very important and special to both of us...

As ever I'll let you see the progress as it develops. The last one took weeks due to all the layers and I am sure this will be much the same. This isn't a bad thing as it means I can dip in and out of the painting in the evenings. It'll possibly help me unwind.

On a completely separate note - does anyone use Ecto to blog? I do and until recently loved it. For some reason it just won't log in and upload blog entries any more (Blogger), anyone have any idea why?

Oh and as a side note I have just purchase Dr Kawashima's Brain Training for my DS - in an effort to get me to do it daily I will (no doubt embarrassingly), publish my daily score... Today (rather ashamedly) is 67!

Doctor Pressure (Dirty Radio Edit) from the album "Doctor Pressure - Single" by Mylo

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Bank 'holiday'!

Sunday, August 27, 2006

So it's a bank holiday weekend and so far we haven't done a great deal.

The weather was really poor yesterday so we had a quite day... Actually it wasn't a total waste. With Richard away last week we spent the day together and that was really nice.

Unfortunately we had a bad nights sleep and whatever affected us (I am sure it was last nights dinner), it's hit Richard pretty hard and the poor lamb has been in bed all day.

We were invited to our neighbours for a party but obviously I called over the wall and gave our apologise. Glad we didn't go as there was quite an odd crowd in there.

Today therefore has been another quiet one - I have been pottering around and spent sometime redeveloping the Trunk Cast page. It's now structured using the same layouts as my blog page so that listeners can comment and leave voice mails on each Trunk Cast. This helps organise and determine blog entries from pod casts - something I have been thinking of doing for a while. Therefore if you have looked here in the past for Trunk Cast information, you'll need to look here in future.

There is also a dedicated feed for the information and not just the Trunk Cast so you can see the description and show notes through your RSS feed reader.

At least we have tomorrow off as well. With Richard in his current state I feel he'll need the extra chance to rest.

I have heard the forthcoming Justin Timberlake and Beyonce albums and I hate both of them... Justin is just too cocky for his own good (he's become an American Robbie Williams) and Beyonce proves she is a one trick pony. With these albums and the appalling early releases from Janet's 20 Y.O. I think the end of the year, musically is going to be very disappointing.

[Listening to: So Excited - Janet Jackson - 20 Y.O. (3:16)]

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Such a smoothie

Now I don't want this to sound like we are following the latest fad but I am grateful that such a fad has happened...

We like to make fruit smoothies and have mad several in the past. The only problem is getting the ingredients right, finding a decent recipe and not spending an absolute fortune on fruit and veg. (Although thanks to the large local market we can purchase bowls of fruit for next to nothing each Saturday).

Richard discovered that Tesco have jumped on the Fruit Smoothie band wagon and have started to produce packs of frozen fruit that can go straight into your blender with the addition of some juice.

It's lazy I know but it's an excellent, quick way to make a smoothie when you don't have time to prepare everything.

Todays strawberry and banana mix went very well with a couple oranges and some juice. And it took me no time to prepare.

(What you don't see is that there is enough mix for two glasses and two flasks!).

[Listening to: What Goes Around.../...Comes Around Interlude - Justin Timberlake - FutureSex/LoveSound (7:28)]

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So Excited

Saturday, August 26, 2006

My baby is back - he had a good flight and got back yesterday evening.

It certainly sounds like Richard had a nice time. I am so happy as he went away quite frazzled.

I am a bit annoyed with Royal Mail and Play.com as I ordered a couple of games and a case for my DS at the beginning of the week. I ordered it online as I saved a bit on the cost. Play's account details and email said they posted it on Tuesday, nothing has arrived so far. Was does it take so damn long to receive anything in the post in this country? Is the saving worth the wait?

Oh and as for Janet's So Excited, the jury is out... I really don't know what Jam, Lewis and Jackson have been smoking (maybe it's the inclusion of Jermain Dupri), but on first listen I ain't feeling the love. I fear 20 Y.O. will be a huge disappointment :(

[Listening to: So Excited by Janet Jackson (3:16)]

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Well everyone else is doing it!

Friday, August 25, 2006

Watch the magic unfold here...

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Delirious

Thursday, August 24, 2006

It's been a bizarre day and this cute little fellow is just what I need to help lift my spirits (and yes I know I have two cats of my own but this little fellow is currently paying me more attention than them!)

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Rubbin' me Rabbits!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

OK if you don't have a Nintendo DS you will not know the first thing about Rub Rabbits - basically it's a game and it's a game I got today for a measly £9!

I bought a DS Lite at the weekend as I put my PSP up for sale as I thought it was terrible (see previous blog entries and Trunk Casts!).

Anyway I was about ready to give up on the DS Lite really early on as i couldn't get used to the split screens but now I realise it's probably my original choice of games.

I have ordered a couple online (as it's much cheaper than the shops), and hope to hook up my DS Lite to the network soon so I can start interacting in the other games I have bought.

It seems that Nintendo have focused on the correct thing for a games machine - the games. There are more of them, they are backward compatible and they play well. They do exactly as they should.

Yes you can (or will be able to), browse the web etc with it but it's not pretending to be an all singing all dancing entertainment system and that is where I feel the PSP has fallen over - it simply tries to hard.

Although I don't ever really want to see a game featuring Gay Mario - what would he do? Chase Luigi in an a sexual manner? Search some kingdom for lube and condoms? I shudder to think! LOL

Anyway find out how I get on with it in this weeks Trunk Cast (currently in production).

The Skin Game Part 1 from the album "Come Back To Me - The Remixes" by Janet Jackson

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No Auntie No!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Dear BBC What the hell is going on with your web presence?

You used to be an online pioneer, you used to be at the forefront and you set the trends instead of following them.

So why are things falling apart?

First you insist on converting all your programmes to Real Player format. A file format read by one of the most invasive programs available. A format that takes more time to buffer than to play and a format where the sound and the picture is a sub standard quality. Why not output your files in Quicktime? They may be slightly bigger file size than Real Media but at least the buffering is more intelligent and the files are already HD ready!

But today you make the biggest mistake - you decide to beef up the title bar of the BBC News site. What have you done? You've split the screen into three regions and filled in the gaps with icons and text.

Now I know there is always a struggle to find room for everything on one screen but this new layout looks cluttered, over complicated and claustrophobic.

What happened? Did some queen in the BBC graphic design department have a bit too much Coke over the weekend?

I am really disappointed that one of the online leaders has taken such a messy route. At least it's a blessing that you haven't redesigned the site to add in damn curved/rounded corners!

Hey, Headmaster from the album "Alternative" by Pet Shop Boys

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Blowing my own...*

Sunday, August 20, 2006

(*Trumpet!)

I have been browsing through my Flickr photo sets and thought it might be a nice idea for me to group together a set of photo's that I have taken. Photos that I am really proud.

I have done this and called the set Blowing my own.... Take a look through and let me know what you think. Why not recommend some for the collection?

[Listening to: Sexy Mutha - Prince - Symbol - Clean (5:25)]

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48 hours in a day

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Today seems to have been a very long day but as it's a Saturday this is not a problem.

I don't remember getting up that early but we managed to get the shopping done, sort the house and have a wander around town all before 12:30.

This afternoon has been really lazy as we have both been rather busy with work and it's nice to get to spend time together as Richard is off on his travels again on Monday. As I have recently started a new job, I don't get as much holiday entitlement as Rich so I am unable to join him on his next break. Richard has to take his leave otherwise he'll lose it. I think he needs a break away from it all to be honest so it'll do him good.

I expect next week to be rather busy and I doubt I'll have much chance to think as work seems to be gaining pace.

This isn't to say I haven't got any holiday booked. We are going to Spain in September for a couple of days, this is around the time we are meeting with the registrar and the hotel regarding the Big Event. We then of course are away straight after the Big Event (a honeymoon if you will), and we're off to our favourite barn in Suffolk.

We took this photo whilst in Paris, Summer 2005

We took this photo whilst in Paris, Summer 2005

Rich did give me some excellent news this week that he'll be away at Euro Disney in Paris for a week in September, this in itself is not great but I get to spend time with him at the end of the conference. We're not planning on staying at Euro Disney but are capitalizing on Rich being in Paris. I'm flying out to join him so we can have a weekend in one of our favourite cities.

We usually try to visit at least once a year and this years trip is rather late. That said it will be very welcome and I am really looking forward to spending time in the French capital.

So apart from the work, the next couple of weeks/months look like they are going to be very busy for us.

Just as well we're vegging out today ;)

P.S. If you are interested in a rarely used white PSP with lots of extras, stop by EBay as I put mine up for sale yesterday!

[Listening to: Ain't No Stopping Us Now - Dimitri From Paris - International Flight (8:01)]

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A Very Big Bang

Thursday, August 17, 2006

There are times when I miss not being back in my home town (city) and each year I promise myself I'll get back for the British Firework Competition. This may not sound too thrilling but it really is something you should witness at least once in your life time.

The displays you see at public events are usually put together by the competitors and this is their chance to shine.

This year they aimed to break the world record for the most amount of rockets to go off at one time and they sent 55,000 of them above Plymouth Sound. (I say aimed as it'll take a week to count just how many rockets were ignited!)

I can only imagine the noise, and the panic that would have brought to my parents cat (as the sound resonates throughout the city).

Of course every year it rains but this doesn't dampen anyone's spirits.

Maybe next year we may managed to get to see it... It'd be a first for Richard too as this started before he left Plymouth.

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It's a long one *Official!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Yep it's a long week - it's only Tuesday and already I am falling asleep on the train home! (Although the book I am currently reading probably didn't help!)

I know I didn't get much sleep this weekend (I never do when Richard is away), but it's been absolutely hectic and I think I need to take five minutes to breath - if I had five minutes that is!

At least the flight security restrictions have been lifted at most of the UK airports and things are getting into some order. I know I don't like being without my baby but Richard is taking a break away from it all next week (he needs a break more than I do and I have no spare holiday to go with him :( )

But I do hope everything sorts itself out by next week otherwise Richard won't go. I can totally understand his decision but it'll be a shame for him to miss his holiday and in some respects it means the bastards have won.

I'm not saying I want him to fly if it's unsafe, I would obviously rather have Richard here on terra firma but who can convince me that is safe?

Wandering around St Paul's at lunchtime I was very aware of the huge police presence on the streets. Of course the City of London is always well protected but today it seemed more so.

I think there is an edge in the air too as we have all heard the reports that the proposed terror strike was due to happen tomorrow. I just know it'll be even worse tomorrow. As long as we all get to work and home again safely then I am not worried...

Thankfully most of my colleagues are very high spirited at the moment, it's probably our way of

coping with things but at least we're not depressed.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The bastards will not win, we will not give in and we will not be threatened or defeated by these religious maniacs.

On a lighter note: if you are interested in hooking up with Dan (see pic), drop me a line with some details about yourself and a photo and I'll pass them on (yes I am playing Cilla! LOL).

Survival from the album "Bedtime Stories" by Madonna

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Snigger

Sunday, August 13, 2006

I should be more grown up and this and I know I should see this as a sign to start getting the last preparations together but I couldn't help but find this amusing!

I am sorry, I know it's childish but I am that bored!

It's been a long weekend with Richard away and the weather has not helped.

It has also not helped that one of my friends cancelled on my last night when I had got prepared to cook us dinner and share and evening of drink and DVDs! I was bored witless last night as a result.

Where are my friends when I need them the most? It's funny how I seem to be the one who always contacts them... you know who you are!

Anyway my friend did redeem himself by turning up today so at least we had some time together to chat and to chill out.

I cannot believe it's this late on Sunday already though - I have done nothing this week (except possibly relax and spend too much time at the PC). But I know I will regret it when I am back in the office tomorrow :(

At least Richard is due back sometime tomorrow though :)

(Oh I have decided I am selling my PSP - bit stinking pile of poop that it is!)

Sexy Mutha from the album "Symbol - Clean" by Prince

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PSP* (Pants, Sony Pants!)

Saturday, August 12, 2006

I have had my PSP for a couple of months but after the rush of playing games (the ones I got with it), I have gotten bored. I have not found as single game to hold my interest.

Loco Roco was possibly the easiest game ever.
Worms Open War-fare was annoying.
Outrun 2006 was just silly.
Lumines is fun for all of five minutes...
Wipeout Pure makes you squint and therefore dizzy

You get the idea!

Anyway I thought I'd resurrect my interest today by purchasing a new game - PIQ. A puzzle game which rates your IQ. Was it any good - well yes for all of five minutes and then it became very samey.

I have yet to find one game on the PSP that will hold my attention.

I find it really difficult to comprehend how people can keep hold of their PSPs and remain interested after a couple of weeks.

I have tried all the extra bits and pieces too.

We tried LocationFree. Great idea but in order to watch the TV you have to have wireless access - not exactly possible on the train/tube.

I tried to watch movies and TV from the Memory Stick. Nice idea but the screen isn't that great when you are on the train due to reflections. The volume of audio cannot compete with the noise of the tunnels (and yes I am using better headphones than the crap ones supplied by Sony).

Using it as a MP3 player is OK but the unit is cumbersome when wanting to change tracks.

RSS Podcasts/Feeds are a nightmare to download as Sonys software insists on streaming content instead of connecting, checking and downloading (as any normal system would)

UMD's are expensive and you cannot continue watching a film/program from the same point once you switch off as it insists on going back to the beginning where you have to wait for all the damn studio credits.

I find it so bad and so incredibly annoyingly that I have fallen out of love with my PSP so quickly.

I wouldn't mind but I have paid more than enough for the unit, the games (most of which I hated I have sold on), a case, USB lead, 2Gb Memory Stick, software for the Mac and PC etc, the list goes on. What an absolute swizz.

I did look at the Nintendo DS Lite in town today but am not sure what to do... All I want is something pocket size which has a good catalogue of games that will keep me amused whilst commuting - is that really asking too much?

For a company that kicked out so many games for the PS and PS2 years ago, what went wrong with the PSP?

Can you recommend some interesting games? Could you give me some alternative things I could do with it? Is it really worth keeping? I am really not that sure to be honest, looks like I'll be heading over to E-Bay to see what they're selling for!

Why did I buy one? Well I thought it might help me while away some time train but to be honest I can do that easier and cheaper by using my iPod for music, my phone for the radio and books (of which there are one or two available for me to interact with).

Don't Play Me from the album "The Truth" by Prince

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A long, cold night.

Lord knows what has happened to the weather - after all the weeks of searing heat and humidity, the weather has made a turn for the worst.

~~We've not had any rain yet (typically), but~~ it's become very cold and windy.

Looking outside it really does look like the end of Autumn.

Ordinarily I would curl up with Richard, but he's gone down to the Isle of Wight to spend some time with his sister and family who are holidaying down there. I normally join them but as I don't have a great deal of leave to take (or rather no free days), I haven't gone.

So I didn't get to snuggle up with my baby, nor did I get any heat from Brandy, who normally lays in bed next to Richard.

It always amuses me that when one of us are away the cats become very unsettled and for the majority of last night I didn't see them at all.

So it's been a cold night, a restless night as I have had the bed to myself and I was rudely awoken by a phone call at 11:20! So I find myself blogging at 7.31 when I could be laying in! I think I shall draw myself a nice hot bath and relax for a bit...

[Listening to: Sleeping Beauty - Funkstörung & Lou Rhodes - Disconnected (4:12)]

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Organising some more...

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

It's only after I sort my wardrobe out I realise just how colourful it is. I also realise what has gotten buried in the back!

I am always amazed that I can forget something I really like just because it's out of sight.

Hopefully now I will have a better idea of what's in here. The added bonus being that the pile in front is casual work clothes as I don't want to wear any of my other clothes to the office!

Why did I do this? Well I like to be organized as you know. I keep putting it off. And Richard shamed me into doing it by sorting his at the weekend.

I just wish I could do something with my other wardrobe. I am not sure what to do with all the formal office wear I no longer use. I am loathed to throw it away (most of it is really new) and yet it's all taking up so much space... I need another wardrobe! ;)

LOL only kidding.

I am sure even as a gay guy, Carson would be distraught to see what's lurking on the bottom shelf ;)

[Listening to: All Things - Original Version - Widelife featuring Simone Denny - All Things (Just Keep Getting Better) (2:45)]

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Excellent

Don't try this at home - or in the gym!

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A'right Jack?

Monday, August 07, 2006

Whilst in Brighton yesterday I discovered Jack Wills...

I think I have found my alternative to Abercrombie.

To be honest though the clothes look and feel pretty similar - and when I reflect on it, all of these brands are eseantially the same thing... It's nice to have a different name on my chest every now and again :)

All joking aside it was nice to be in Brighton. At least to be beside the sea and to get lots of fresh air (by the sea not actually in Brighton which still smells like the worst parts of central London).

It was lovely to meet up with Andrea, Yvonne and Ness too - they all look so well... Of course there was lots of gossiping, shopping and eating/drinking too ;)

Scarily the next time I see any of them will be our Big Event - now it does feel like the days are ticking away. At least I have managed to get the template off to the cake decorator, finally!

Regarding Trunk Cast 51, I would just like to apologize for the sound quality in the second half. Obviously the two mics together did not work so well in one show. I would appreciate all the feedback you can give regarding this as I know the second half of the show annoyed me! Do you prefer the second segment or the first? Please let me know.

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Getting organised

Saturday, August 05, 2006

I am looking at the outstanding list of things for the Big Event and it all seems to be falling into place:

Date - Arranged

Venue - Booked

Guests - Invited

Suits - Fitted

Shirts - Purchased

Ties - Woven

Music - to burn

Weather - beyond our control

Rings - Sorted

Cake - to be iced

Flowers - Growing

Vows - Writing

I cannot think of anything else - can you?

I've even updated my Flickr account so that everyone can upload their photos to one central place (I'll publish more details for guests nearer the time).

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Which day?

Friday, August 04, 2006

I have no idea what day of the week it is - I only just realised I have blogged very little and put even less effort into this weeks pod cast.

It's been a very long and busy week and yet I cannot believe it is Friday already.

For once though it's not been all work.

After a very long day at the office on Wednesday I met up with Tony who I used to work with at Cranfield. The spooky thing is that he's just finished some work on a web site for one of my companies brands! We may end up working together again very soon. It's a small world isn't it?

it's great to hear he has made the right move to his new role too - in fact neither of us really miss the miserable journey or the company that much.

It would seem we're both fairly dynamic and we weren't being challenged nearly enough when we were there (and Tony (poor sod), was there five years!).

Last night Andrea and Jo (also friends from Cranfield), came to ours for dinner. I had been in the TV Studio all day so was a bit frazzled but managed to get things together. They both look really well and the four of us had a lively evening.

I am looking forward to taking the drive up to Bedfordshire in the near future to see Andrea's new Spaniel (Dillon), whom she collects tomorrow ;)

Well it's Brighton Pride this weekend and if I had known I would have planned my weekend better! I am off down to Brighton with friends on Sunday ass we usually have a get together when we can. Thankfully most of the Pride events will take place on Saturday - probably just as well as I cannot stand Brighton. there are enough ex London camp queens there at any normal time, let alone at Pride.

I find Brighton a very cold place. Rocky beaches. Dirty streets and a real city (?) of contrasts. One half of the place is screaming Nellie's and the other are homophobic bully boys. Brighton is the only place I have suffered any homophobic abuse. Kind of bizarre for a place that is supposed to be some kind of gay mecca!

Right I'm going to sign off, get a life and join Richard on the sofa. Of course, now the West Wing has finished I am not sure there is to watch!

It's You, It's Me - Album Mix from the album "Hed Kandi Beach House N°3 (Cd1)" by Kaskade

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Call on a new Producer/Stylist/Designer...

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Oh dear!

The styling is too reminiscent of Runaway

The lead female vocal and guest rap start thing has been done to death

There is nothing really stand out about this track

Janet is pandering to a R&B style she created (and is indeed celebrating in the new album 20 Y.O.

I thought this album was supposed to be Janet going to her dance roots - what happened?

...and she's replicating what one of her dancers (J Lo) has been doing for ages!

I sincerely hope that the rest of 20 Y.O. picks up from this track. As a radio song it's ok but it gets lost in the sea of R&B.

I am not entirely sure that it will go far solely because it's Janet and Nelly!

If this is what janet sounds like after collaborating with her bf then she needs to dump him and move on!

(And yes this is penned by me, an avid Janet fan!).

Call On Me from the album "20 Years Old" by Janet Jackson

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I love being on top!

I love being on top of things...

The weekend was rather busy and to be honest driving around 500 miles in two days can be rather taxing.

I didn't actually do any driving as Richard but that doesn't mean I wasn't watching the road.

Of course this weekend was one of the busiest of the year as all the schools are on holiday - the trip home wasn't too bad (we left at the crack) but it took seven and a half hours to get back Sunday afternoon/evening!

Monday was a bit of a wash out to be honest - I know I was in office and I know I had a number of things to do after work, and more to the point I know I did them. What I don't know is how!

I had a pleasant surprise yesterday in the post but I will mention more about that in this weeks Trunk Cast.

There seems to be increased interest in the Trunk Cast this week so it looks like it might be a fairly interactive show. Why not click the link below and send me a voice mail - I'll feature your message ;)

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