End of Summer/start of Autumn catch up

Well a lot has happened of late. Almost immediately after the cigarette incident, a new tenant was found for the flat, so I promptly moved out. It cost a bit, but was worth it. I moved in with LG and Agi. They are always there for me when I want some time out from the rat race. I currently rent their spare room, but most of my stuff is packed away in their loft. Finished my long term contract and then spent a total of 2 weeks looking for work before realising that I don't actually want to work again for a little while. Went up to Toon for a bit then booked a last minute holiday to Amadores in Gran Canaria. It was a lovely 7 days away. Weather was fantastic and the location was spot on, perfect for relaxation. Came home, had 2 hours sleep and started a new job which was offered whilst on holiday. Straight away I knew this job wasn't for me. The project was planned poorly and I was going to have to work with a right egomaniac. This other FE dev was a proper billy big bollocks and frankly, I didn't like the idea of working long hard days for 5 months, having to bite my lip and take a pay cut on top. My free time and sanity is worth more to me. I quit that job after a total of 4 days. Felt liberating. There's been a lot of other stuff in between (such as buying a car) but that's all for now!

Peace and Love with Your Neighbours

Hey Widdler, don't stress out and get all angry about your neighbours. Why not invite them over to share some Momo and then wash it down with some lovely butter tea? You'll soon find that they will respond to your peace, love and kindness and will repay you two fold. Either that, or then try Heavenly Ascent (Front- Two-Hand Choke; Arms Straight) from the Kenpo Karate book of whoop ass and then see what happens. Breathe...
Sensei Seagal

Psycho Neighbour Goes Psycho

It was a miracle it didn't happen sooner, but here it is. The downstairs neighbours have flipped their lids completely yet again. Here's what happened.

It was a Monday evening. I came home from work, cooked a meal, washed up the dishes. So far, so boring. It was hot in the flat, so I opened the kitchen window and decided to have a cigarette to cool down. Without thinking, I flicked a little fag ash. From then, all I heard was a cacophany of hatred and bile. Windows were shaking and the two downstairs neighbours were in the yard yelling stuff like "Don't you fucking dare do that... this is private property... you're fucking bang out of line... you slam the doors too much(?)..." and so on and so on. So, I took my freshly lit cigarette and immediately put it under the tap to extinguish it. Then I popped it into the bin. So, I leant out of the window to say I had done this, and happened to shake some water from my hand - the one which was holding the fag under the tap. This was another red rag to this pair of miserable pair of bull(shitters). Again, the abuse and screaming started up, but this time much much louder. I took exception to this and started having a go back, asking them who they are to talk to people like that. Anyway, after a bit of shouting, I laughed it off, and they didn't like that. Closing my window, I called them psychos.

One hour later I was visited by two of the Met's finest. Well, one of the Met's finest who was accompanied by a lad who looked like he only just did his GCSE's. Anyway, apparently there were complaints of me flicking lots of ash AND cigarettes out of my window as well as pouring water down from my window! Yes, pouring water out of my window!!! Anyway, I explained the situation to the officers...

I explained how this couple threatened me on the day I picked up the keys to the flat (before I even moved in). How they assaulted the previous tenants in the street in front of the Letting Agents. How they threatened and continue to intimidate my immediate neighbours on this floor. How I complained to the landlord and agents for them to do something. How I took legal advice about moving out. How I took Police advice about nuisance neighbours. I think the two officers responded well to my side of the story. They went to speak to the boys next door and then they said they would speak to the nuisance neighbours themselves again.

There are no winners in all of this. No doubt I haven't heard the end of this, but I'll be fucked if I am in any way intimidated by these wankers. I haven't seen anyone this unreasonably aggressive and angry since I worked for barry Ritchie in Brighton all those years ago. The press dubbed him the "Worst boss in Britian"...

Seagal Proverb #1

"Hey tough guy, what do you think you can do to me with that colt 45? I'm just a chef. A lowly lowly chef. Put down that gun, and remember not to do any evil, but cultivate good, and to purify one's mind. This is the teaching of the Buddha. If you don't cultivate good, then I'm just gonna have to put down my filo pastry and Yokomenuchi Kubishime your violent behind. Now don't make me spoil my spanakopita. It's taken me hours to get this pastry mix just right..."
Sensei Seagal

New Editor, New Editorial Policy.

I know of only a handful of people that read this blog. Those few close friends that DO read it, know that it is written with tongue firmly in cheek, and not lodged in some wet body part like a panting dog eating its first meal of the year. So, for the psycho stalkers out there that have no life of their own, I have taken the time to ask my dear old friend Mr. Steven Seagal to be the new editor of this blog. Mr. Seagal is a peace loving, Buddhist-chanting no nonsense kinda guy, so from now on, within these very pages, there shall be no more offensive material. No more profanity; no references to sex, drugs, rock 'n roll; no fun, no freedom to express; no music; no sport; no outdoors; no travel and nothing that could possibly offend. In short, this blog will no longer contain any LIFE. Enjoy this new and improved blog. The Widdler (ex editor).

U2 at Wembley

Managed to score a pair of £85 tickets (each) for a total of £67. Now that's a bargain. Not really a U2 fan but was intrigued by the stage show for this tour. I have to say the whole thing was more of a miss than a hit. They sounded good, but they largely played to the front of the crowd, it wasn't a proper "in the round" experience like Def Leppard and Metallica have put on in the past. Also, the feet of the "claw" obstructed the view for a great number of people. An nice concept, but not the best of stage shows. This also happened to be the largest crowd for a gig at Wembley Stadium, ever.

Seven Sisters

Had a really relaxing weekend in Sussex. My sister went on holiday with her family, so kindly let me have the run of the place for the weekend. Used to car to go to Seven Sisters county park, between Eastbourne and Seaford. The walk along the Sisters was beautiful. Was very lucky to have enjoyed fine weather for the 3 hour trek.

Bye bye Brixton Hill Pad

We finally moved out of the H pad at the start of the month. We're getting 100% of our deposits back which is excellent news. If only everthing was as easy at the new pad...

End of July

Alright, so I moved out of my nice pad with Greg and moved into a hell hole flat on my own. Long story, won't bore you. Big big mistake. Still, there is still hope that another tenant may come on the scene soon and take it off my hands...

Went to see Oasis and Kasabian at Wembley. Great laugh as usual. Think this is the 5th time I have seen the Oasis boys live. Saw the brilliant Jason Byrne at Udderworld, then saw an amazing performance of Waiting for Godot with Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Wonderful performances.

Went to Newquay for Will's stag party. It was heavy. Started the trip with a 5 hour delay at Gatwick, spent drinking in the nearest departure bar.

Greg's Dad took part on the Fourth Plinth and that was fun. Also had a chance to catch up with Dan who was on his annual visit to these shores all the way from Perth. Managed to sink several ales before he went back to that part of the World.

FML

FML

Quick Round Up of June

Went to the Isle of Wight Festival and the weather was glorious. On the day we came back, I went to a sold out Steel Panther gig at the 229 club in London. It was one of the best gigs I have seen in years and years. Went to The Gate for their Wild Food Festival and the food was lush. Saw the amazing Chickenfoot at Shepherds Bush Empire. Had a few drinks for Ad's birthday at Taylors. Crazy Joe and Julie came down for the weekend and we meet up with the Gizzi's and crew to see Neil Young at Hyde Park. Went to The Lotus Chinese restaurant in Millwall Dock for Peter and Andrews civil ceremony chinese banquet. All the family was there. I was hungover after the N Young gig and got blind drunk and fell asleep. Saw Kings of Leon at the O2 on the last day of the month. That's a busy month done and dusted...