#192: Six-String-Simmy

After an awful afternoon yesterday, and those antibiotics sorting me out, big time, I was over the moon! The sun was shining, and music filled the air!

Me, Col, and Sean sat out in my back garden, and played guitar. When you have friends like these, who needs Glastonbury?! :)

I'm practicing a lot more than I used to, and feel I have a lot more of a nack for it than I did when I was younger. So, I'm a lot better than I was.

With singing lessons on there way, and an urge to strum a six string more often than before, things really seem to be looking up for me musically. So much, Sean has nick-named me Six-String-Simmy.

Here's a picture of today's blue sky... :)

#191: A Day From Hell

I think for once in my life, and probably one of the only times I will ever find myself saying this... I am so thankful that I was not at Glastonbury this evening, watching The Rolling Stones! Why?! I know. I can barely believe I'm saying it either. But today, as I have recently described to friends,  has been a day from hell...

You know that bladder infection I mentioned yesterday, that I hoped was going to go away? Well, it didn't. It turned into a kidney infection...

I was late for work this morning, as it had kept me up a little in the middle of the night, and had made me feel like utter shit the following morning. When I got there, I was under the impression it was just the morning that was making me feel worse, and that I'd feel a lot better as the day went on. I had a good morning, then carried on trooping until it got to my first lunch hour.

I went for a walk, with my lunch, and sat up by the moat. Wells was packed with people. It was a beautiful day. The market was on, along with a flower festival. People sat eating their pic-nics, whilst a few of Glastonbury Festival's most privileged roamed around in wellies, looking for local showers, and nutrients, no doubt. A gazebo stood tall and white, outside The Bishop's Palace, and a swing band summoned tourists to this little patch of green. Despite this lovely summery scene, I began to feel iller.

As the afternoon dragged on, my infection developed, and progressively got worse. I kept having to use the toilet, and my right kidney began to ache...

It got to around 16:00, and I had to be sent home from work, due to crying in the office, from the consistent agony. I went straight to the local pharmacy, and had to ring "111" to book an emergancy appointment with an emergency GP, as it was a Saturday.

Colin found me in Boots, and drove me to Shepton Mallet's local hospital, to see the doctor. I then had to wait another 20 minutes, to get my prescription.

After I had seen the doctor, all I needed was a chemist... But there were no chemists open after 19:00!

We ended up travelling around, whilst still in complete agony, looking for at least one chemist that was going to be open! Finally, I ended up having to ring the emergency "111" number again, to find out where the nearest, OPEN pharmacy was. We then had to travel to Cheddar!

By about 20:00, I finally had my antibiotics, and ended up not returning home until 21:00. But after taking just 1 pill, I felt miles better.

I have had a Thai green curry cooked for me, and am being looked after by Sean. So a special thanks goed out to my brother Colin, for driving me around, buying me my prescription, and going food shopping, all after a hard days work! Also to Sean, for consistently being there, whenever, and wherever I need you!

#190: Pimping My PS3

Another long day at work has resulted to me escaping from the world on a Friday night, under my duvet. Rather than doing what is supposedly cool, and hitting the town. I always start work extra early on a Saturday morning too, so the last thing I really want to do on a Friday night is go out on the piss.

In all honestly, since yesterday, I have had a bladdar infection. I'm hoping it's going to go away, but it has left me feeling a little under the weather. Therefore, I am a prisoner of these soft satin sheets, and am quite willing to stay here and enjoy being one.

I've decided to take this opportunity to pimp up my PS3. I have changed my online message to "5318008" for any geeks, to enjoy the meaning... tehehe! I have bought, downloaded, and installed a few different avatars I have wanted for a few months. I have gone for a soft, khaki-brown profile, with a close up of Lara Croft as my avatar. Tomb Raider was one of the first PS games I ever played, along with my favorite game of all time, which I have just downloaded for the PS3... Tetris! It's the classic game we all know and love, with a modern day- techno spin, to it.

I would be blazing it right now, if I didn't have to wake up early for work tomorrow morning. I know too well that if I was to start playing it now, I would be awake for another couple of hours, on an adrenaline rush, trying to out-do my last score...

Instead, I'm retiring to my slumber, with an episode of Gossip Girl to settle me down... Goodnight.

#189: Footloose!

Ever since GTA Vice City came out, many moons ago, I have loved 80's music! With an endless list of fantastic tunes, I find it hard to really highlight my favourite 80's tune of all time. However, one that does spring to mind is Kenny Loggins - Footloose. I find this vibrant tune ridiculously up lifting, and have to turns whenever I hear it. Whether in the street, or even at work, I have to cut loose. Footloose.

In the many hours myself and Lucy have spent getting ready, dancing and drinking, we both became a little obsessed with this song, and decided that we had to buy Footloose, and watch it!

Today, Lucy treated me to a Mocha Locha Frapacino (a coffee and chocolate milkshake, in other words!) After gossip, we then headed to Insane Game's, where they sell... well, games! But also, second hand DVDs, in hope to snatch up Footloose. And oh! What luck we had! We managed to grab not only Footloose,which lucky for us, also came with Flash Dance, but a bargain of 2 other DVDs for only a fiver! These films were Fame... and Silence Of The Lambs, because being a film buff, I NEED to see this movie, and its criminal that I haven't yet.

We headed back to mine with take away chips, and expectations that were completely exceeded. I expected it to be a cheesy, fun film, but I am very happy to tell you that Footloose? - Frickin' awesome!

Me and Lucy have now made it our mission to learn the line dance moves, and hit the 80's club in Bristol ASAP!

#188: Freedom

After a day if travelling back from the Briz, arriving home, feeling under the weather, and deciding to play my PS3, for the rest of the day, me and Col decided to watch Django Unchained.

This would be the second time I've seen it in just over 5 months. I think It's safe to say I enjoyed more the second time too. I felt I understood what was happening a lot more, and was more absorbed.

The first time I saw this film I fell in love with the choice of music. A cross between slave blues, and modern-day hip-hop, evolving gradually throughout the film, which I think symbolises a transition over time, from the every day lifestyle of a black person. Once very saddened and emotional, to a now victorious and outspoken persona, in music, and life.

I took the time to "Shazam" the songs that I heard, so I could download them, and add them to my collection. Here is one of my favourites from the film...

#187: Singing Water

I've been very excited about today for a few weeks now. I knew today was going to be a lot of fun, but once again Bristol, you have exceeded my expectations of just how awesome you are.

At 16:10, I left my house in hope to catch the 16:20 bus, which was a 20 minute march away... I literally just managed to catch it. I couldn't believe my luck!

Once I reached Bristol, at around 16:30, I had only then realised that all I had eaten all day was a boiled egg, but hadn't any money to buy any food. It was then I realised I sill had a few points on my Boots card, and that the Boots in Bristol had a huge food section... Result!

After buying myself a salad and a few snacks, it was time for my consultation for my singing lesson.

I had a meeting with my teacher, who broke down a lot of the psychology in the  confidence of my singing. It was really interesting to see where a lot of my issues with performing had come from, and helped me have a proper understanding of what was going on. She then felt around my neck and shoulders, at the tension in my body, where I hold it all, how it affects my singing, and how we're going to tackle it.

I'm not going back there for another month, due to lack of funds, but I can't wait to get stuck into it properly!

My course should take around 3-6 months, and by the end of it, I'm going to be miles better than I had ever imagined. I can't wait!

Afterwards, I met Lee for some Cheddar Valley Cider, and a catch up.

We then met Liane who I finally got my headphones, and top back from.

We all then went across the street to see Lee's friend's girlfriend play an open mic. She did an hour long set, which then made me want to start playing guitar again.

I seem to keep putting off practising, even though I really wang to play. I imagine this is some sort of deep insecurity... This will no longer stand!

Afterwards, we got pizza and chips, and sat in front of the water. We then went back to the pub we were originally at, had even more Cheddar Valley Cider, and watched another open mic. This one was incredible! The people who performed were none like I had even seen before. I was so completely blown away by it all, it made my head spin.

Laughing, drinking, and talking music reminds me again of where I need to be, and what I need to do... To make things happen. The vibes I feel whilst walking on  pavements of cobbled stones, and sunken cigarette butts. Lights reflect against sky-coloured water, and my heart is swimming, once more.

#186: The Last Of The Butternut-Squash...

Ever since I was about 17 years old, and me and Andy went out for a Valentine's dinner, I have been a fan of butternut-squash soup. The restaurant we went to itself, was laughable, but it introduced this soup to me, which I'll be forever grateful for.

Ever since that night, for years, I was on a mission to find that soup again... and I never did. Until about a year ago, when I heard Carla was on a bit of a soup making mission. Naturally, my ears pricked up when I heard this, and I expressed my utter enthusiasm for the butternut-squash soup. She then brought some round, where my dreams where brought to life, and taught me how to make it. I then too went on a bit if a soup making spree... I made a few batches, then suddenly stopped. Today, for the first time in about a year, I made butternut-squash soup. We also had cups of tea, and caught up on the latest in our lives.

Afterwards, Sean popped over for a film, Budweiser, and chocolate. We watched Ted, which was the first time I had seen it since the cinema. An absolute classic! I happen to have a big crush on Mila Kunis too, which adds to the awesome factor of that film. But that wasn't before I started up a little something that everyone's been talking about lately... The Last Of Us!

I have been greatly intrigued by this game since first hearing about it last year, and now that it's finally out, I couldn't wait for Sean to blaze through it, so that I could have my turn.

A week and a half later, here I am, feeling completely absorbed immediately. The storyline, the graphics, and the gameplay on a whole, is just fantastic! Gaming magazines have given The Last Of Us a 10/10, along with IMDB, giving it an incredibly high score of 9.7. I'd be a fool not to play it!

Whilst playing, I turned out all my lights, and had nothing but the dull colours from the television, and my camping lamp in the corner, to comfort me... I wanted to really set the scene! And it certainly worked, as I was gasping, and shouting at the T.V, every two seconds... Much to Sean's amusement!

It'll be nice to play this, and have a break from L.A Noire, but something tells me I'm not going to be able to tear myself away from this one...

#185: Bogus!

I thought I'd woken up with a terrible hangover this morning... Turns out, I'm actually ill! My body is aching, sharp pains are stabbing me randomly, all over my body, and my throat hurts. I have no energy, and all I can seem to do is moan. It's not great.

I spent my day playing GTA4. When the evening came, me and Col decided to watch one of our favourite classics. So we went for Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. Excellent!

This was in fact my favourite film when I was little. I used to insist on watching it over and over, more than 3 times a day. 

Me and Col would quote this film constantly. We'd act out the scenes. Every post box we walked by, every Porsche 911 that drove past, there would be a quote.

I was made snacks, and drank Diet Coke all evening. You'd think would have kept my energy up, yet I can't seem to be able to stop my eyes from getting heavier...

Goodnight readers... If there are any out there...?!

#184: Lucy Is A Penguin

It was another night out in Wells, with Lucy. We bumped into Squelch, which was warm and fuzzy from the moment I walked into the pub. We both fell into fits of laughter. It was lush!

The whole evening was filled with free drinks, free entry, and great company!

It's been lovely spending so much time with Lucy, lately. She's going to live in China for a year, in a couple of months. I'm really going to miss her!

It's been really good having a girlfriend around to be an absolute cliche with... Hairbrush singing, listening to Gaga and Britney, and cackling... I love it! :)

#183: I Want My Beach Body Back!

So, I was on Blogger, and I decided to look at my blog views, from around the world, in more detail. It told me that most of the views of my blog had been linked  from a website. When I clicked on this particular website, it linked me to an animated video, full of squiggly,cartoon people, acting out what the gent was speaking about, over the video. This was his presentation on a weight loss plan. He wasn't promoting dieting pills, but expressed his views on dieting, and spoke about how your body works.

Normally, I would turn off something like that, as it's  dull and boring. However, the amusing, cartoon drawings really grabbed my attention... And actually brought back attention to the fact that I really need to start working our again!

I felt fantastic when I had that workout in Devon, and annoyingly, I haven't kept it up.

It also told me that I need to detox. Especially my liver... For some scientific reason or another, to do with fat cells... So, I'm going to go for it!

I started today. Nothing but healthy eating, (which I'm usually quite good at anyway). I will be having a few, cheeky bevys tomorrow night, with Lucy, as planned, but after that, it back to it, my friends!

Keeping your mind focused on a new challenge, and pushing your body to a new maximum is one of my favourite things, once I get into the flow of things. It's exhilarating and one of those things that just needs to be kept at. Because quite frankly, I miss my beach body!

Ibiza, May 2011...

#182: Just Friends

Lucy came over today. We had lunch, and watched The 40 Year Old Virgin.

Afterwards, we ate home-made, chocolate brownies, made by Lucy herself, chatted about crushes, and read Cosmo together... I swear to god, I have never been this much of a cliche in my entire life, but when I'm with her, I couldn't act any more like a girl. I love it!

I don't get a chance to girly it up, as most of my friends are guys, so when I do, I guess it's just released all at once, which effectively turns me into a cliche.

I love how in life you have those friends that are good for different things in your life. Lucy is great to be girly with, and go out and be reckless with. The same goes for Carla. Then you get your friends who you go out for coffee and meals with, and laugh and joke endlessly. That would be Andy. There's also your mates you go to festivals with, your mates you see for drinks on a Saturday night, and then there's your best friend, who is good for all of those things, and more. Your best friend... Sean.

#181: Anxious...

Today hasn't been the most productive... It's been spent mostly worrying about where I want my future to go, what I want to do for a career, and writing anxious notes to myself, about it all.

So, what do you do when you're upset? What's the best way to vent your anger and emotion. I usually find writing poetry, drawing, or writing out what's bothering usually always helps.

Here's a pic of my notes...

#180: Adventures

I'd woken up from 14 hours sleep today. I was ready for action.

I didn't want my adventure to end. I always want there to be a new adventure to follow, travel, and discover. But that isn't the easiest thing to have when you're living in Wells. The smallest city in England. And when you have no money. But still, I wasn't going to let that stop me.

I went for a walk, in a place that I have lived opposite for the last 13 years, but have never been to.

I cut across the golf course, along a path, into the woods, over more barbed wire, back into more woods, then out in fields of buttercups and heather.

Beautiful views greeted me in a mist of houses and hills. Birds trod quietly in the path of the grass, as rabbits hopped hastily into the long blades. I saw a tree I wished to climb, then remembered how difficult it was after I'd tried it, and why I hadn't bothered before then...

After walking for over a mile, I eventually found myself at the top of Tor woods, staring down at the paths I had travelled many times, below me.

I then met Sean, and his old friend from primary school, Paul. We went for a big smoke in another field, where I then went into another dimension... And going into another dimension is definitely worth calling an adventure.

#179: Homeward Bound

This year was my 6th year at Download. It was my 4th year camping... And every time I leave, I feel so sad it's all over. When I get home, I feel a little lost, and I'm not entirely sure what to do with myself!

This year was been wonderful. I'm so pleased I decided to buy myself a ticket, the day before I got the sack. Otherwise I would have never have thought I would be able to afford the festival... I still don't really, in all honesty, but at least I have my beautiful memories to help pay off my debts...

Me and Matt grabbed breakfast, then headed off around 11:00, after a night, and a morning, of intense partying! We then said our goodbyes, but knew we'd be seeing each other at the weekend again anyway, as his parents live just up the road from me.

So, for now, its back to reality. I got into Bristol Temple Meads around 17:00, then got the bus, to make it home by 19:30. I have had not nearly enough energy to even write this blog post, but know the rules. So, on that note, here is something to end positively on...

My highlights?!

Getting very drunk, and watching KoRn, whilst biting lots of people, including myself, on Friday afternoon. Then watching Slipknot headline the main stage, in the evening.

Getting high, and chilling to Alice In Chains, and Queens Of The Stone Age, with Beak, Maj, and Amy, on Saturday afternoon.

Watching Rammstein Sunday evening' Then heading to a crazy party at our camp site, until 06:00 in the morning.

 Thanks again Download! 

#178: Hier Kommt Die Sonne!

Today was the last Download day! :( But we were gonna make it a night to fucking remember!

30 Seconds To Mars, The Gaslight Anthem, and Stone Sour played before the main act we were all really psyched to hear... Rammstein!

I dressed as Snow White as a tribute to the video for Sonne, (my favourite Rammstein song), and when it came on, I was up on shoulders rocking out, big time!

Rammstein were definitely one of the best bands I've seen live, along with Slipknot, The Prodigy, and Stone Sour. Their set was incredible! They had fireworks, fire, and one of the band's members were even set alight at one point! Not to mention the gimp walking, and giant ejaculation all over the audience... I was gob-smacked!

After the gig, we went about the campsite, met crowds of alternative legends, and raved with them, in the middle of our campsite, until 06:00.

What a way to end a festival?!

#177: Satan's Saturday Sunshine

After as good of a night's sleep that you can get at a campsite full of metal head but cases, I felt a lot better!

Alice In Chain were fantastic! A band I've wanted to see live for ages, and I finally did! We lead on the grass, had a smoke, and watched fluffy clouds float by. It was perfect!

The weather couldn't make its mind up. it went from rainy, to cloudy, to sunny, to cloudy again. But by the time Queens Of The Stone Age were on, the sun was breaking out eagerly through the rain clouds. This in itself helped QOTSA become my personal highlight, of the day.

I also saw Karnivool, who I'd never heard before, and was really impressed with. Motorhead, who I saw for around the third or fourth time, Enter Shikari, who I much prefer live anyway, so I was very happy, and Iron Maiden.

After we'd seen the bands, we headed back for a drinking sesh at the tent, had a huge game of " I Have Never", and "Truth Or Dare". I had to suck a random mans toes, when we went into the village, and a couple of our guys had to kiss each other... It was very high school, but amazing fun, nonetheless!

#176: Download Day!

So, today was the day I was on my way, to dance and say, "It's Download day!"

My 2 and a half hour train journey felt like only half an hour, due to talking to a Texan named Don, the whole time. He was on his retirement, with his wife, who were traveling around the world. I aspire to be like him at his age, but at this point, I am just knackered after one day at a festival!

I, naturally, got very drunk, and enjoyed the sounds of Papa Roach, who were surprisingly excellent, Korn, who were predictably brilliant, and ofcourse, the one and only Slipknot. Still the best band I've ever seen live, and I've seen roughly over 60.

I said it back in 2009, and I'll say it again... If you ever get the chance to see Slipknot, take it!

I was very much involved in a mosh pit, for Slipknot, however, I was in such a sleepy state, I had to ask a random man if I could rest in his deck chair, so I could still watch, where then, I had a little snooze. 

Here's a picture of me after KoRn, happy to see Clown.

And another of Slipknot!

#175: Ready To Rock And Roll!

Do you ever pack all your things to go somewhere, and them unpack, just reorganise your things, re-arrange, then re-pack again? ...no? Just me?

This is all my day has been about. Packing, and downloading some new tunes for the journey up there. But now I'm all ready to rock and roll!

I also arranged to meet with my friend Matt, who I met on the train back from Download last year. We stayed in touch, and are going to be reunited. Should be a laugh.

The Download buzz hasn't sunk in yet, and I'm going to stop talking about it before it does, otherwise I'll be awake all night!

No doubt ill be blogging either in the early hours of the morning, very drunk, or the following day, with a hang over, and a can of sliced pears!

But for now, my 40 winks!

#174: Sacked & Packed!

So, today I went into my admin job in Cheddar, only to find that someone had replaced me, whilst I had been away.

The reason? In a nut shell, my boss had a problem with me, but was too much of an arse big to tell me, until I got there. Not cool.

So, there goes my traveling around England opportunities for a while!

I spent the day chilling. I bought everything I needed for Download, including done new wellies that I'm temped to put nail varnish on, to snaz them up, a bit!

Me and Martin played Tekken, Little Big Planet, and watched Step Brothers. It was awesome.

What was even more awesome though, was receiving my Download ticket through the post! I'm almost packed, and am now very  happy! :D

#173: ...cba

I've done it! I've bought my Download ticket! Yes!!! I'm going to Download this Friday, and I cannot wait!

I'm so glad that Ive decided to go because life's too short, and you've got to do what you love! I almost couldn't be arsed with it this year, as I thought I had done it all, and seen it all before. But then I remembered, every year is different from the last, and in the most wonderful ways!

"I cba..." Aka; "I can't be arsed...", to those of you who didn't know. It's a sentence I use myself, and hear a lot myself, and today was definitely one of those "cba" days.

I hadn't been out of the house since Saturday night, I'd spent most of my day trying to sort out a Download ticket, and arrange my travel to, and from the festival, and I was feeling lethargic.

I spent some of my evening chatting to Carla, and she was telling me how she cba, about something or other...

At 21:30, I got a text from my mate Martin, who asked if I was coming to open mic, and I told him I cba. After encouraging me to meet him there, I figured, what else is there to do? So I decided I was going. At this point in time, I asked Lucy if she wanted to come too. She replied, "I cba". Then, after a little encouragement, she decided to meet me down there.

I then text my mate Rich who also joined us. Sean however, was unfortunately, not as keen.

We had a great evening, listening to Ross and others perform just as brilliantly as usual. There was a lot of dancing, and afterwards, we headed back to mine.

The moral of this story? Never let your lethargy, or lack if self confidence stop you from doing something fun. What's the worse that can happen?

Down at open mic, was Maria. A 68 year old ex dancer, who's still got it, and knows its not ever going away! She certainly has a way with the boys, and seems to be my biggest fan! She was at the first open mic I ever did, and helped ease the nerves if my first performance.

She's definitely a woman who doesn't give a shit about what people think of her, and is a free spirit. Which is why I love her!

#172: The Butterflies Are Back!

So, my day had consisted of doing pretty much the exact same thing as I did last year... Scatting around trying to find out where I can get a Download ticket from, and how much time and money I will have for everything.

News Flash! THE DOWNLOAD BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK! ...AND FOR GOOD!

I have not been able to stop buzzing about the idea of this year's festival! Just seeing everyone talk about it on Facebook, and hearing things about it, it's getting me absolutely psyched! One problem... I can't afford a fucking ticket! Urgh! What can you do?!

I'm straying to do something similar to what I did last year, and just blag my way there... But I seem to have developed a bit more of a conscience since then, and I'm not as keen on asking people to lend me money...

Lets see how things go!

In other news, I cleaned and tidied the house, and had a delicious homemade lunch, and catch up with my mum, who has been away for 2 weeks, on 2 desperate holidays.. Lucky cow! So, now it's my turn, right?! COME ON DOWNLOAD!!!

#171: Summertime

Sunday. The perfect day for lounging around, eating off a hang over, and utter relaxation! And when you're Mum isn't about to make everyone a roast, what better way to spend a summer Sunday, than to crack open a few buds, pop open a pipe of Pringles, and listen to the sounds of the summer?

A couple of my favorite summer tunes at the moment, are Lana Del Rey's Summertime Sadness, and of course, the infamous Lucky, by Daft Punk, featuring Pharell Williams.

An all-time summer classic for me, has got to be Will Smith's Summertime. It has a great combination of some of the best lyrics I've heard, and a really crisp, chilled out sound.

Here's one of my favorite pieces from the song... Cheers!

The temperature's about 88,

Hop in the water plug, just for old times sake,

Break to your crib, change your clothes once more,

Cos you're invited to a BBQ that's starting at 4.

Sitting with your friends, whilst ya'll reminisce,

About the days growing up, and the first person you kissed,

And as I think back, it makes me wonder how the

Smell from a grill can spark up nostalgia...

Song Of The Day: Will Smith - Summertime.

#170: SodUK

Last week, Lucy found out she got a new job, so naturally, we spent the evening celebrating, with lots of wine, Lady Gaga, and dancing!

I haven't listened to Gaga properly for a long time, so to sit there and blaze through the Fame album, whilst resisting all the lyrics and dance moves, was so much fun! I even found myself actually singing into a hairbrush, at one point... and not even on purpose! It just happened! I am a walking cliche.

After a few drinks, Kudos was on the agenda...

Kudos is a club in the city I live in, which is basically a local joke. It's a terrible club, the DJ is shite, the staff are rude, the people in there ate scum... *breath*... the drinks are over priced, not to mention the entry into the shit hole itself, which is usually around £8, only to find by the time you're in there from town, after plenty of drink sneaking, and fag tolling, you've only got 2 hours left! I have been involved in a few fights in there, and I'm really not the type to start that sort of thing. Me and my brother even came up with the nick name "SOD UK" for it... That's Kudos backwards, by the way, guys!

Yet, you find yourself crawling back for more... And no one seems to really know why. However! Saying that, it has seemed to have improved lately. The staff are more friendly, the bouncers are nicer, and the music might have even improved, a little.

So, with that in mind, I think it was safe to say, we were gone!

It was an awesome night. I saw a lot of old faces, and there was a good atmosphere.

#169: Hello, Goodbye, Devon

I spent my morning and afternoon cleaning, tidying, and packing, so it hasn't been the most eventful day.

However, I did go on a treadmill for the first time in about a year! I thought I'd be dying by the end of it, but I actually felt really great, so I'm really happy about that!

It was sad saying goodbye to Zak and Yasmin. I don't often go to Devon as much as I should so I don't know when the next time I'll see them will be.  I won't leave it too long though. I don't see my sister and the rest of my family half as much as I should.

I miss Grammy. I hardly ever see her. It's been nearly a couple of years now. We always arrange to meet up, but then something always gets in the weather,whether  it's someone having to have an operation, being ill, or just an inconvenience, in general, it always gets put off. Hopefully, if all goes to plan this time, I'll be seeing her before these 365 days are up!

For now though, it's just hello and good bye for another time.

#168: The Spinning Wheel Owl

It's weird I should be talking about crossroads the day before, because this evening, I definitely reached one.

I made a choice this afternoon to go to the beach, rather than just sun bathe on the trampoline again.

When I got there, I grabbed some chips, and a can of coke. After I had had my fair share of rays, and watching the tide gradually make its way over to me, slowly, but surely, I treated myself to a 99, on my way home.

About 10 minutes later, I came to  a crossroads, in my life, as well as a physical crossroads... Something was telling me not to go home. So I went the other way. I chose the unfamiliar, scarier option.

I decided to have one last walk along the beach, then have a drink in The Spinning Wheel.

A local got chatting to me, and we talked about many different topics, including life's coincidences, novels, and inner animals. When I told him mine was a cat, he insisted I was incorrect. I would expect this from a self-indulgent, know-it-all, such as him, however, I felt he made a  good point. He insisted that I was in fact a bird. Purely for the reasons that I sit above everything else, and observe what's happening around me. I'm at the top. I only wish to be a cat, because I feel it is far better than the actual thing I really am, when it isn't. Truth be told, I have found myself pretending to be something I am not in the past, because I am afraid that I am not good enough the way I am.

He also commented on my feathered earrings, and owl necklace, so his conclusion of the bird I am was an eagle-owl.

We ended up seeing a live band that played there that evening, called Mercedes.

After he had left, I got chatting to a group who were traveling around for work. Another strange coincidence seeing as that is something I am considering doing myself.

What do you think about coincidences? Are we all connected in some way, or does shit just happen?