Tuesday 28th September 2010 - @originalsteve

For a regular Tuesday this one seemed to be a good one for me. For two reasons:

1 - It was pay day
2 - I got to go to the BBC and watch Later...with Jools Holland

1. Pay day is always one of those great day in the month, usually after weeks of surviving on what you have left in the bank after splashing out in the first two weeks. You take a sigh of relief as you see your bank account refilled. This month for me will be a bit different. I’m going to try my hardest not to spend everything, I mean, splash out on the West Wing box set I saw on Play.com for £35, kind of splashing out. There are always new shiny things to buy, it might be an iPad or it could be a DSLR camera, none of which I can afford to get from one months salary, but something that I can save for and aim towards. I don’t know what it is, but there is always that feeling that all you want to do is head out into town and buy something. Whether it’s that new coat that your think you need or those shoes you've seen. Working in this middle of this fare city does make it harder to not be tempted by these distractions.

2. My evening though was different to what I would usually do on most tuesday evening (for the past six weeks I’ve been watching the Great British Bakeoff). It has been a bit of a childhood dream to wonder down the halls of the BBC Television centre in White City. I blame it on watching too much CBBC as a child and dreaming of being on Blue Peter or even Noel's House Party... (yes I wanted to be one of those kids or won all the goodies). But I was lucky enough to get a ticket to one of the most unique shows in town. I do love my music and finding new a different artist to what gets pumped onto the radio. So for me, Later...with Jools Holland usually showcases some great artist and ones who are the cream of the crop. I discovered some new bands such as Everything Everything and Delta Spirit (links are to Spotify) as well as rediscovering old ones such as Kt Tunstall, who I was always dubious of in the past but this song stuck in my head “(Still a) Wierdo”..and I fell asleep with the lyrics going around my head.

“Pay my lip service
Keep it eloquent
Optimistic but
Never quite elegant
Still a weirdo
Still a weirdo, after all these years”

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Steve Whiting

@originalsteve

Tuesday 28th September 2010 - @peacockpete

I love technology. I love gadgets. I like shiny new toys.

Since the weekend I've been thinking about that damn iPad again. Urgh. Seriously, it does lots of lovely things and it's a really lovely piece of technology. I thought about it for most of the weekend. I tried to think up daft schemes to raise money to pay for one... But on this Tuesday morning, a thought struck me: why do I want one?

I love the idea of exercising some level of creativity. With certain apps I could do stuff with music, writing, drawing, while keeping up with news and the social networking stuff. But I do that now! An iPad won't make me more creative. It's not the iPad that will come up with the ideas, it's me. I'm capable of expressing myself with paper and a pen. And I have to remember that. 

Also, the cost of a tablet is prohibitive. Would I be too scared to take it out with me? What would I end up using it for? It's pretty clear I'm not ready for one. Everything I really need to do I can already. So why, on this nippy Tuesday, do I appear to have had some kind of epiphany?

Truth is, I haven't. I still love gadgets, and I still love toys. I would want to use the iPad on my travels to and from the capital, and there's no way I'm bringing out an expensive bit of kit like that on the 18:whatever to Bedwyn. So I may just treat myself to a new iPod. An iPod Touch. It's got all the gadgety apps and stuff, and it's small enough to not attract negative interest. I don't want an iPhone, I love a physical numeric keypad too much.

So even being sensible, I'm not being sensible at all really. Will I never learn?

Probably not.

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

Peter Shorney

@peacockpete

peacockpete.wordpress.com

Tuesday 28th September 2010 - @p_tay

One Chance… Part deux

“Is that a new phone?”
“Yeah! It’s awight, innit Shirl?”
“You're worse than me Jackie, Jesus you might as well have a prick!!”

Choice words, Shirl.

This starts my working day, on a train at 06:11am on Tuesday going to Hull for a client visit.

These women are venomous, leaving no opinion unsaid, whilst vigorously romping through topics with as much gusto and aplomb as Russell Brand rummaging through girls knickers pre Katy Perry.

Now we are on to Shirl's husband screwing up big, she’s digging him out about it to her hens, “'E ain’t getting anuvva fucking chance, no one does. One shot, **bangs on table** that’s your lot, the C…”, Which made me think about love and how many goes you get to get it right.

I’m a man with several favourable characteristics, but like most gay men with disposable time and 

income I have some selfish ways. Natural selection made fanny abhorrent to me. I’m no “father to be”, the idea of spending OMGcash on knitting needle survivors, (instead of the next shiny pretty Apple releases) doesn’t even register. I like me time.

With that said, I un-learnt true selfishness at 25 when I came out, I entered a 3 year relationship with the first guy I met off Gaydar (gasp! Did I say THAT word?). It was bliss, beautiful, until I realized I wasn’t in love with him anymore.

I had everything I needed, but not everything I wanted (Or so I thought), so I, regrettably, let go.

Then Mr Pretty walked into my life. SO pretty, high ranking to many men. I’ll be brief. He cheated, a lot. So, karma offered me everything I wanted, but nothing I needed. The irony was delicious.

I became wary and cautious about relationships, and selfish, again. For a year I spent myself over many dalliances, all brief and hollow. Meh.

Following a brief salsa with Chico Guapo, which I ended to save him from my tyranny I met Karl… My Boy :)

I’d actually known him 2 years prior as my first gay friend when I shucked Mr Pretty from my life. I can wax lyrical about Karl all day, to anyone who will listen. He is a radiant sun which I orbit.

I now have everything I need, and most of what I want, (I still covet the “lady who lunches” badge) I can see what’s over Karl’s shoulder and it’s not greener grass.

I’m no longer selfish with my time. I’m currently acting (pah) in his short 6 minute film, except I can’t act, I’m a disaster! I don’t care, he wants this, and he chases his dream. If I look a cock in front of a camera for him, so be it.

I ruined my first chance at happiness all too easily and thought I’d never get a second chance again, thankfully Shirl and I were wrong.

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

Peter Moynihan

@p_tay is a twitter drone.

Tuesday 21st September 2010 - @bainser

It’s easy to contribute to a blog, oh yeah you just bash out a couple hundred words. Not too many, that’s boring, and too few and well you might as well just hand out a powerpoint and some bullet points. It’s a fine fine line between writing utter dirge and something engaging. When I’m writing for myself it’s no biggie, slight lie there but moving on, thing is when you write for someonelse’s it has gotta be your best.

So here I am stuck with a problem this Tuesday was fairly uneventful. Actually to be honest it was totally uneventful. Distinctly bland and a smidge dull. I got up, went to work, came home watched some telly and had dinner just the housemate, the husband and I. After which I crawled into bed and slept like the dead though without the festering.

If Sarah Beeny were to describe my day, she’d be ecstatic about its magnolic-esque blandness ready and raring for someone else to paint an excited life all over it.

But if I’m being frank, that’s exactly what I needed. The previous week included 2 days in Paris traipsing up and down two aircraft hangers. Chatting to fabric agents and picking out what will hopefully be in stores next winter. That is of course if said agents, some of whom had the English of your average central London barista, understood a single word I said. Pointing and nodding can only get you so far.

After that it was but a quick (thankfully) flight on Ryanscair to Seville for a friend's wedding. The venue and company and copius alcohol were all sensational. What better way to follow your big day than lounging round the pool with 40 or so of your closest friends?

The flight back on Monday meant my I lost most of the feelings in my legs. Bizarrely this affected my memory resulting in a temporary lapse as to the exact location of the car. This is not something you want to happen at midnight when you’re in Stanstead and have work in the morning.

Like I said all in all a hectic, but wonderful week. So when Tuesday rocked up again, all biscotti coloured and routine I genuinely couldn’t have been happier. If next week is more fun I’ll be ready to rock it out again. But for now, thanks for the piece and quiet. 

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

Nick Bain

@bainser

bainser.tumblr.com/

Tuesday 21st September 2010 - @RealDanielLee

Tuesday mornings usually designate an “up and at ‘em” type day for me, the type I most enjoy, and this was no exception. This is when I schedule meetings in London, all over our beautiful capital city. First on the agenda was at Stonewall, just south of the London Eye. This wonderful charity, founded in 1989 by a small group of men and women (including Sir Ian McKellen) who were active in the struggle against Section 28 of the Local Government Act, is one place I volunteer. Once inside this rather drab building’s fourteenth-floor, abutting Waterloo Station, one has a bird’s-eye view of every landmark for miles. On 03 October I shall participate in a 10,000-ft jump (I know – that’s two miles!), with donations going to Stonewall. Details of this event are at http://www.justgiving.com/RealDanielLee They are also working with me on my Gay History/Pride documentary, PROUD!, celebrating and remembering events along the LGBT timeline, including interviews and other contributions of celebrities and public figures who support gay rights and issues affecting the gay community. Just a very few of these granting me access and helping me deliver this project are Liza Minnelli, Sarah Brown, Horse McDonald, Dillon Buck, Gaydio, Ben Patrick Johnson, and more. Their biographies and documentary information is on my blog http://epip1.wordpress.com/

Lunchtime found me at Edge Bar in Soho where I met my friend, Dillon Buck, to discuss his interview for the PROUD! documentary, chat with manager Rafaela about filming locations in this impressive three-storey venue, and grab a pint. I really like the al fresco tables (which were unfortunately in use) although the multiple monitors of the latest music videos made up for having to meet inside.

A short walk away and I was at the Dominion Theatre discussing Freddie Mercury and his positive role-model qualities that are inspiring, and whose music with Queen are featured in the West-End musical, We Will Rock You.

 

The funniest moment of my day occurred when leaving my third stop, the Palace Theatre, speaking with folks there about ‘gay entertainment’ aimed at the general public. As I exited the stage door, a tourist taking pictures of the marquee ran up to me screaming, “Are you somebody?” Denying my urge to answer philosophically, I turned quizzical, lowering my ever-present sunglasses due to ‘glarephobia’, peering over the rims and replying, “Don’t you recognize me?” Without missing a beat, in true emperor’s-new-clothes mode she shrieked, “YES!” and snapped a dozen pictures. I turned my collar up, told her she was welcome, and walked away, laughing all the way to my fourth and final appointment – The Really Useful Group - Andrew Lloyd Webber’s office for permission to use Priscilla in my film.

Winding my way through the West End en route, I met a few actors outside St. Martin’s theatre, home of The Mousetrap – Agatha Christie’s mystery holding the world record of continually running play at 58 years. One of these, Michael Roberts (Mr. Paravicini in the show) introduced me to Polari, the old British gay slang that has all but died out, and its usage in theatre – a fascinating man and conversation, both of which I worked into PROUD! That conversation is exactly what I enjoy most about documentaries – watching or making: Discovering the unexpected, and realizing that often what one needs to tell the story best, cannot be found – it finds you.

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

Daniel Lee

@RealDanielLee

Tuesday 21st September 2010 - @binkybird

Dear Tuesday.

I had high hopes for you last week and had approached you with some excitement, but you turned out to be the start of a miserable week of messed up insulin levels and a dose of the blues that made me want to retreat from the world for days on end.

So how were you this week? Well a mix of silliness and seriousness really. Worry about my family has been hugely on my mind, which always sends me down Memory Lane. Remembering random events in my life where the family were together for once, whatever the reason, but that feel warm and cosy to recall. Distractions from my Twitter friends that were much appreciated, especially when they had me curled up giggling with the silliness. Oh the relief a good dose of laughter can provide for the overactive mind! Besides, I’m not convinced that the idea of an alcoholic cheese is a bad one anyway, flippant though my original suggestion was!

I wonder how next week will be. Will I return to the pondering of the future which was pushed from my head last week? Will good news about my sick relative lessen the worry about my family, all so far away? Well I can only hope.

What I do want is more of the silliness and friendship I get from my Twitter mates. It’s most appreciated. Sure I get those things from my offline friends too, but my access to them outside of when we’re together is limited by their disinterest in technology. A stupid thought, even relayed to them by text, loses its fun once a time delay is added. Online friendships, though often criticised by others, are for me not much different than being with friends in person. It just removes issues such as distance and time zone. Some of my closest friends are people I originally met online and they are no less important to me than those I’ve met in person first. I adore meeting up in person, don’t get me wrong – it’s not a substitute for going out and interacting as many suggest (virtual food and booze just ain’t the same!). But it is a way for people with similar mindsets (who cares if our interests are the same) to hook up, become friends, be silly or serious as the occasion befits, and to be there for each other. A virtual hug can be as comforting as a real one if it shows you you’re not alone and that people care, even if they can’t be with you right at that moment.

So what about next week Dear Tuesday. Well whatever you decide to throw at me I know you won’t be able to quell my excitement at being with my twitter mates on Wednesday, in person. Although sadly, not all of them will be there….well with all the technology we’ll have with us, they kinda will be….virtually! And you know what Tuesday – that’s just fine!

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

Binky

@binkybird

Tuesday 21st September 2010 - @darrengoldsmith

Tuesday. It’s not Monday. There’s no particular dread surrounding these twenty-four hours. It’s not the start of the week. Or the middle. Even Thursday is aiming for Friday... and has never missed. Tuesday is as ubiquitous as fog. It sits, patiently. A blank canvas.

This morning I woke, shouting… twisting the duvet. A dream where I dissolved into a billion pixels. De-rezzing. Each single pixel a memory of the whole, a billion holographic versions of me. Room spinning as I open my eyes. So very dizzy. A hangover from a hundred late nights. A continued lack of sleep. Withdrawal to the point of nervous collapse.

Pull back. Tree top height. Tuesday floats with you, in the leaves, air currents buoying you along. The clockwork routine of sights and sounds and smells, the same as every Tuesday. If you changed its name, it would still be there. That blank canvas.

I was six years old when my granddad died. I wasn’t upset because I believed in the lie. The one that all parents tell their children. About heaven… and falling asleep. It wasn’t until very recently I realised I missed him. The memory has remained intact. In my head he’s still the noble, gentle man. With an odd sense of humour and a sparkly gleam in his eye.

Pull back. Church-steeple height. Further. Scrape the top of those high-rise flats. Tuesday scrapes with you. Swaying now, the gusts are stronger here. The ground takes on a strange, flattened look. The eye distorting. Sights and sounds and smells are transformed. But Tuesday remains. It’s only the detail that changes.

My granddad use to play ‘submarine commander’ and ‘fighter pilot’ with me. He would often dash to hide behind the sofa during an episode of Dr. Who. The memory has remained intact. He never really died. His physical body withered away long ago but while I’m alive and have the capacity to remember, he’ll be there too.

Pull back. A big leap. Some 310 miles. You can see the Earth as a sphere from here. Take the globe in your hand and turn it. Watch the land masses and the oceans emerge into the sunlight, reflecting a billion different colours before falling back into the darkness. Tuesday is here. It has followed us. No longer the ubiquitous fog. Fog starts to lose its meaning.

The memory remains intact. My granddad is still there, laughing his crazy laugh. Eating Old Jamaica Rum chocolate. And pulling a magic cigarette from his ear.

Pull back. One last, huge effort. To the edge of the universe and time itself. There is nothing to see here. No planets, nor stars. A billion galaxies, de-rezzing. Cold seeps in. Is it still Tuesday? I forget.

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

Darren Goldsmith

@darrengoldsmith

Tuesday 14th September 2010 - @abandonedbear

Mother Theresa once said that 'loneliness was the greatest poverty on earth'

The clock radio woke me from an all too brief slumber. It never normally gets the chance to disturb me as I always wake 15 minutes before it fires up and scares the crap out of me. Today was a little different though. Today I was not alone. After a 'quick' drink the night before that became two, then a bakers dozen and then a brewery, the evening had ended like so many evenings before with drunken affection and clumsy advances. Though oddly enough these lurching desperate advances always seem to work which never ceases to amaze me, its just a shame my liver has to suffer for the sake of my confidence.

I digress, back to Tuesday and the stranger in my bed.

I watched him for a moment, he looked peaceful, bedraggled but peaceful none the less. I fought the idea of just letting him sleep, maybe leaving a little note apologising for having to rush to work and asking him to remember to close the front door when he left. I actually did that once before, leaving a complete stranger in my house, trusting him not to rob me blind or set the place on fire. He repaid my trust by doing neither and we are still firm friends today but there are only so many times you can play with fire before getting burned.

With this in mind I ran my hand across his broad shoulders and kissed the back of his neck. Slowly he rolled over opened one eye and sleepily smiled. That used to be enough for me to start planning a Summer wedding and wondering how adorable we'd look on the front of photo Christmas cards, maybe in matching sweaters. Life however is not a picture postcard and I am now old and wise enough to realise that when a young handsome chap wakes up in my bed, to just enjoy the moment and realise that I won't be seeing him again, not if he sees me first anyway.

Coffee? I ask. Sure he says, rubbing the last of the sleep from his eyes and raising himself up. I catch myself looking at his firm chest and the pain of knowing such youth, such beauty and realising I will never know it again makes me dizzy. Coffee it is then, I make a hasty retreat downstairs to collect myself.

The all to brief remainder of the morning passes with coffee and conversation before the reality of the day forces us apart. He asks for my number which I duly oblige, understanding the request for what it is, morning after etiquette. He hasn't rang, he never will.

Mother Theresa, that girl knew a thing or two.

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Phil Ryan

Twitter: @abandonedbear

Tuesday 14th September 2010 - @peacockpete

Ah, I see you've finally delivered September!  It's taken you a while, but you got there in the end. 

As dark, rolling clouds loom overhead, I can't help feeling that it's time to bring out the Big Coat.  I love this time of the year.  Blustery winds flick at my coat tails, lifting yellow and russet leaves that have outlived their usefulness to the trees.  The air somehow feels fresher, as the earthy scent of the season begins to creep into the ether.

These are the days where I feel more myself.  My style reverts back to the aforementioned attire, the three-quarter length coat, long-sleeved shirts, waistcoats.  I often feel like I'm some sort of historical cross-dresser.  In the same way that a man may feel more comfortable in women's clothes, I feel more comfortable dressed in the manner of an Edwardian gent.  Or as close as I can get without being sectioned.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm not completely against seeing the sun.  I love those days where the sun burns through the misty haze of morning.  And very little is as refreshing as the invigorating, crisp sunny mornings.  Such a welcome change from the oppressive heat of high Summer. 

But, knowing September like we do, it'll be quite a mixed bag.  The Big Coat is waiting, the waistcoats are emerging from the darkness, and I am ready.  Somehow though, I get the feeling that we haven't shucked off the last tendrils of Summer just yet...

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Pete Shorney

@peacockpete

peacockpete.wordpress.com

Tuesday 14th September 2010 - @fairywishes

Today, I have been thinking about how lucky I am.

This is not something I could have imagined 3 years ago when I was happily married with two small children, or even a year ago when I was facing life as a single mum after my husband left us. I now think this as I've come to terms with things. I'm closer to my family especially my parents, they always loved me but our relationship wasn't easy.

These crises have shown me that they will support me in the way they can, and I am learning to ask and accept what they can give and not want more. It's very difficult financially when you don't work and the wage earner leaves, but my parents have been able to help me with this, and for that I am so lucky too.

Recently I finished a course of therapy, I have learnt so much about myself, the world, who I am and how I work. I believe I am a different person now, I interact with others differently and I will be a better mum and have more chance of long term happiness. I'm really lucky that I had the opportunity to do this – Thanks NHS.

I am lucky too as I have found so many new friends through twitter and being a different person. I've become closer to friends too and now understand others more and am more sympathetic.  It's amazing that I am now in a couple with a really good friend of mine whom I'd never thought of in that way, but now we are it's working well and I feel so loved and supported. As my ex has the children I am also rediscovering (through necessity) the joy of time without the children and time for me.

I can never regret my marriage of nearly 10yrs because I have the two most precious things, my lovely children, from it. They give me joy, love (and stress!) every day. I now have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings just me and my little ones. I look forward to these times and feel so lucky to have them.

At the moment that is what I am thinking when I wake. I've had a very difficult couple of years but I am a stronger person now and have a chance for a great future and for that I'm so lucky.

Elly Hase
@fairywishesToday, I have been thinking about how lucky I am.

This is not something I could have imagined 3 years ago when I was happily married with two small children, or even a year ago when I was facing life as a single mum after my husband left us. I now think this as I've come to terms with things. I'm closer to my family especially my parents, they always loved me but our relationship wasn't easy.

These crises have shown me that they will support me in the way they can, and I am learning to ask and accept what they can give and not want more. It's very difficult financially when you don't work and the wage earner leaves, but my parents have been able to help me with this, and for that I am so lucky too.

Recently I finished a course of therapy, I have learnt so much about myself, the world, who I am and how I work. I believe I am a different person now, I interact with others differently and I will be a better mum and have more chance of long term happiness. I'm really lucky that I had the opportunity to do this – Thanks NHS.

I am lucky too as I have found so many new friends through twitter and being a different person. I've become closer to friends too and now understand others more and am more sympathetic.  It's amazing that I am now in a couple with a really good friend of mine whom I'd never thought of in that way, but now we are it's working well and I feel so loved and supported. As my ex has the children I am also rediscovering (through necessity) the joy of time without the children and time for me.

I can never regret my marriage of nearly 10yrs because I have the two most precious things, my lovely children, from it. They give me joy, love (and stress!) every day. I now have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings just me and my little ones. I look forward to these times and feel so lucky to have them.

At the moment that is what I am thinking when I wake. I've had a very difficult couple of years but I am a stronger person now and have a chance for a great future and for that I'm so lucky.

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

Elly Hase

@fairywishes

Tuesday 14th September 2010 - @originalsteve

Today, for me, I actually achieved something  that I’ve been meaning to do for a while. Nope, it’s not getting back into running (that's on the list), no, it’s not sorting out my shelve full of DVD’s (that’s on the list too). It was that I actually made some time for myself to catch up on some reading.

I like reading articles, I’ve got subscription to the UK and US editions of WIRED and I subscribe to Time Out (being new to the city it was essential). I also subscribe to different blogs, both fashion, media, and lately, blogs related to the area in which I live.

The thing is though, I never find the time to actually sit down and read things, there is always something else to do or something that I need to sort out. With blogs it’s easy, I’ve got an app on my phone that downloads the latest blogs from my Google Reader and catch them on my commute to work (Reeder - probably the best I’ve found so far). Finding space to read anything bigger than an iPhone on a morning commute is a little challenging, especially the trains that I get on.

This morning though, after a bit of a false start, (I was meant to be going running or get an earlier train into town...both failed). I made it into town and plonked my self down in a little Starbucks. With my big cappuccino in hand, I set my self ready and began to read.

Over the weekend, there was an article published by the Sunday Times about Lady Gaga, (I would look for the link, but it’s hidden behind a stupid Rupert Murdoch pay wall) challenging her status as an icon. Written by Camille Paglia, it looks at how this image of Lady Gaga has been created and rapildy shot into stardom. It takes pokes at her outrageous style and links it back to other icons, such as Madonna, David Bowie and Marlene Dietrich. All stating that this is image of Lady Gaga that is portrayed is not new. To be honest, it isn’t and we all know that, she has cleverly taken elements from icons past and brought them to the mind of Generation Y/Z, for whom this style has not been seen before. There hasn’t been many icons for this generation of people as most people have just ‘fitted in’ or not attempted to ‘rock the boat’ of style and fashion.

This article tearing down elements of individuality struck a cord with me today. After work it was my task to get my outfit sorted for a wedding that I am attending at the weekend. I would usually go in a smart suit and tie combination, but this is a bit of a different wedding. It’s not your traditional bride in white dress going down the isle, it’s a pagan wedding. Everyone is going to be expressing their individuality, my boyfriend has confirmed his eccentric side with a full on Victorian gent outfit that he will look amazing in. So for me, I have to up my game a little. Like Lady Gaga, I look at the icons around me and taking a bit of style from David Beckham and Matt Smith, I’m going with a waist coat, brown shoes and a bow tie, because in the words of Matt Smith in Doctor Who “Bow ties are cool” and after a couple of hours trying things on, I have my look sorted.

Setting these little bits of catch up time aside are important to achieve something. Lets see what happens when I get down to reading WIRED, will I be coming up with the latest eco friendly business idea that links people on the internet? Probably not, but it’s nice to know that it’s possible.

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Steve Whiting

@originalsteve

Tuesday 7th September 2010 - @originalsteve

There has been a strange little theme running through my day today. Looking back it seems be in everything that has happened has been linked....

Waking up at 7am, I stumbled to the shower. Slowly walking down the stairs, without my glasses on, I headed to the bathroom. All that I had in mind was to have a shower and wake myself up so that the rest of my day would click into place. I seem to have a little routine in the mornings, shower, get part dressed, iron shirt, make my lunch, drink coffee (if we have the pot on), add some wax or gum to my hair and head out the door for my train. Just as I was getting the bottom of the stairs a figure dashed in front of me. My housemate scooted into the bathroom and locked the door. Slowly my brain realised that I was going to change this little morning ritual so I went and grabbed my shirt to iron.

Next stop was the train station. Being in the middle of a 24 hour tube strike made me think that the station today was going to be absolutely rammed as (nearly) all of the London population had to change their commute to be able to get into work. luckily I get an overground train and walk, so I’m not usually affected by the strikes. Anyway, the station was busy and my housemates and I discussed jumping on the next best option, the river boat. 

Luckily though our train pulled in and we were able to get on with space to spare for a comfortable journey. Once in central London everything was busy and there was huge queues at bus stops. Nothing stopped me from getting to the office. But once there I changed my mind. It was a flexi-day in the office, meaning that I could work from home if I wanted to. 

As I wanted to get my head down I spent my lunch traveling back on a quiet train, being glad to miss the potential chaos that there could have been on my evening commute and being able to work at home without distractions.

Lastly, after an afternoon at my bedroom desk it was time to get my evening in order. I was planning doing a night of what I call ‘Double Cooking’. To save myself some money, I’ve been trying to cook my dinner and lunch (for the next day) at the same time. After which I was going to knuckle down and get some more elements of this little project completed, followed by a couple of episode of Mad Men before bed (I’m at the beginning of Season 3 - need to catch up!). Instead my lovely housemates persuaded me to join them in a Tuesday Domino’s two for one, followed by comedy Eastenders, The Great British Bake Off and last nights Big Brother Come Dine with Me special. To be honest, was a lovely evening hanging out with my housemates, which is always needed!

So, at 11:45pm looking back on my day, I can see a pattern of changes. Luckily all good changes with positive effects I might add and nothing dramatic...phew!

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

Steve Whiting

@originalsteve

Tuesday 7th September 2010 - @RichTheTiger

So it is Tuesday and it is day 81 of my unemployment. The radio alarm went off at seven, still set from when I had a job. I laid there for a while listening to the inane banter; Listening to the news and the traffic reports. It was too early so I rolled over, turned it off and went back to sleep.


I would normally get up about 8.30, but today I just didn’t want to. It was raining outside. I had no plans. I have no job. I went back to sleep.


I was still in bed at eleven. I know I am being lazy but I have been broken, I have lost all motivation to find a new job. I don’t even know what I am looking for anymore. I will just stay here for a bit longer.


Once I finally got up I grabbed a coffee, I fired up the computer and I stared at my e-mails. I looked at the job notifications. They are all beginning to look the same now, would I be good at that? I am sure I could do that one, oh but I don’t have the experience. I checked about a dozen different websites, I just confused myself.


My mood went from bad to worse. I felt angry and I am not sure why, I have nobody to blame except myself. And despite many offers of help somehow it feels I have nobody to talk to about.


In an attempt to feel like I was achieving something, I called some government agency that dispense careers advice. I’ve organised to meet with one of there’re advisors next Monday. They If nothing else at least I have achieved that today. There was thunder and Lightning by now.  The weather seemed to suit my mood. I stay out of everyone’s way because I know I will bite if challenged.


I received a text message from a guy I’ve been seeing. I cancelled a date with him on Saturday because I was having a tough day; I am surprised he bothered contacting me now.


I felt like a cadged animal, nowhere to go and nobody to interact with, going slowly mad. By 2 o’clock I still hadn’t bothered getting dressed. What is the point? I went back to bed to watch a DVD.


By 4 o’clock I was fed up of feeling sorry for myself, and decide that I need to pull myself together. I dragged myself into the shower. I stood there under the hot water and think. But like always there were too many thoughts and I couldn’t make sense of everything going on inside my head. I planned to go for a walk, which always helps.


I love going out for walk, wandering around my village, watching others living there lives:  school kids wandering home, people driving home after work, popping to the shop, heading off to the gym, meeting friends for an early evening drink.


When I got home, I watched some TV. After a while I moved into the study I stared at my computer. Looking up things I don’t need to know about, wasting time chatting online. I’m filling my time with mundane tasks, because then I don’t have to think. I don’t have to think about my future, I don’t have to make any decisions.


To make me feel happier I ate some more chocolate, and some ice cream, and a couple, okay a few biscuits! I will get fat if I keep this up.


And before I knew it, it was 1am Tuesday is over, I went to bed too late, and waited for Wednesday and day 82 of my unemployment.

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

Richard Keenan

@RichTheTiger

http://flavors.me/rktiger

Tuesday 7th September 2010 - @peacockpete

Dear Tuesday

I think I should learn another language.  It's high time.

Last night I was downloading stuff from www.gutenberg.org – great, out of copyright books for free – and  found a book on learning French.  Well why not?  So I downloaded it, and began to read...

Um, it was perhaps a bit advanced for me.  I read on, speaking the words as I read, moving my mouth around the shapes.  It sounded rather convincing to me, although to anyone versed in French it would have come across as a cacophony of mispronunciation, clumsy tenses, and a rather peculiar Thames Estuary/West Berkshire accent.

I always get a passing fancy that I want to learn a new language.  Italian is the highest on my list.  I went to Tuscany once, and found it beautiful.  I want to go to Italy again, and push my way into the country and culture a little more.  To do that, I should at least speak the language.  My friend Sam has made a drunken bet to learn 31 languages in a year.  With that in mind, is it really that tough to learn one?

Of course, if it's a language you never use, it becomes redundant and is rendered useless.  In my day to day life I can't see it ever getting any practical use.  Still, it would be a good personal achievement to aim for.  So Tuesday, I will endeavour to get at least a bit of a grasp of a language under my belt.  Fingers crossed I don't get in the way of my own education.  Again.

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

Pete Shorney

@peacockpete

peacockpete.wordpress.com

Tuesday 31st August 2010 - @bainser

Marathon next year on their behalf. It’s been a long term goal of mine, and I needed someone to give me a kick up the arse to get on with it.

So here I am, following a trek and a half in the morning, somehow managing to get most of my work done, Nick Bain marathon runner in training.

Sure it’s going to be an uphill struggle. I’ve no doubt there will be many many dark nights where the thought of hours running through the rain will be the last thing on my mind. But T, I won’t lie. I’m really excited. Cancer has robbed me of family and friends and I can’t wait to give something back. You know, show it who’s boss, and this is really going to help. The money I raise will go to help the amazing work of Macmillan. So with the help of my mates, hundreds of hours pounding the pavements, the odd sports massage (with any luck!) and my new trainers, I can help make a real difference.

After work, you continued to get improve; an amazing Thai meal with two great friends is hard pushed to beat. But I’ll be honest Tuesday, it was the news about the race that really made my day. That and the fact my new iPhone is sat in my London office awaiting my return.

So thanks, I’ll even forgive you the jobsworth.

Cheers

Nick

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

Justgiving.com/bainser

@bainser

Tuesday 31st August 2010 - @originalsteve

So today was a bit of a weird one for me. After two weeks living with the parents while on jury service and after a great bank holiday weekend celebrating my boyfriends birthday, it was back to the grind of every day life.

Seeing the alarm for 6:45am last night felt a bit weird and getting back into my morning routine is a little odd. Jumping in the shower, ironing my shirt and getting the usual commuter train like the past two weeks have been forgotten. It's very easy to get into a pattern and recently I’ve found that I fall into this pattern a little too easily. Don’t get me wrong, a bit of routine in your life is a good thing but I vow from today to try and vary mine occasionally; doing little things every couple of days to make things a little less regular.

Once in the office, after trawling through 2 weeks worth of emails in my inbox, it felt like I had never left the office.  My work mates were as chatty as usual, I spent the day still losing at tea dice (to decide who makes the tea on our table we roll poker dice and who ever has the worst hand makes the tea) and I was suddenly back dealing with the work as usual.

Even though everything did feel the same, there were still subtle changes happening around me. Things are changing in my office, people are leaving, job roles are changing and we are having another big office move around.

Before I got into the office this morning, I stopped off at my favourite little coffee van to grab a little flat white. The guy who runs this makes a great coffee and has the best customer service around. I found out about this van through an article about 5 months ago, I started following the business on Twitter and had even started reading the blog. He even knew me by name and said, “hi” if I was wondering past. Sadly though, I was greeted with the news that it was the guy's last day. His plans of expansion had fallen through and it was looking like he was going to shut things down. Looks like I will be wandering around the streets of Soho looking for my new favourite little place to grab a great cup of coffee.

Today felt just like I was going back to school, you feel a little older and refreshed. But things are different... even if it’s only slightly.

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

Steve Whiting

@originalsteve

Tuesday 31st August 2010 - @peacockpete

It's the first day back after a long weekend. A rather fantastic bank holiday weekend, in fact.

I've celebrated my birthday in style, had a raucously good time. Then it's all back to work. That's not a bad thing, but my goodness the day did drag. Always the way, and makes us wish for more time, or rather, more time off.

As I started this, there was a call from my brother.  His wife's sister's husband had just passed away. I sort of had it in my head that I was going to write about time, and how it distorts depending on what we're doing, but this makes things a little different.

I'm not going to dwell on his passing as such. That might sound cold, but it's not something I want to go into detail about right now. I'm not even going to come out with stuff about seizing the day or treat every moment like it's your last. Live like that and it could be!

On this ordinary extraordinary post bank holiday Tuesday, I just want to say, live life like it's yours. You don't have to throw yourself off a cliff with a rope around your ankles unless you want to. You don't have to cycle around the world unless you want to. You don't have to enter a pie eating competition unless... well, you get the point.

Take away what you think is expected of you, and live your days for you.

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

Pete Shorney
@peacockpete
peacockpete.wordpress.com