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  News archive: October - December 2006
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Sunday - 1st October 2006

I got up at about 12:15pm. Had a shower, then kissed my boyfriend Mike, good-bye. Then I set off to Cambridge, to meet up with my friends Jaco and Namir. I set off at about 12:30pm and go there just after 1:00pm. Which is not too bad really for a 26 mile drive. But it does help, since most of the route is motorway. We just spend most of the day, chatting, watching stuff on TV. We also went, for a drive in Jaco and Namir car, so they should show off there, sat-nav. We also called in it, Pizza Hut, so get some take away food.

I left Jaco and Namir home, at about 11:30pm. So thanks, to them both for a very nice day. I got back to my boyfriends Mike house, at around 12:15am. We chatted for a bit, before going to bed at about 1:00am.

Tuesday - 3rd October 2006

I did not get out of bed, till about 2:00pm. Mainly because for some reason, I did not sleep at all, well last night. I think it's got a lot, to do. With that fact, that I miss Mike, when we're not in the same bed. When I did make it out, of bed. I of course had a shower. Then I did some more work, to a new website that I am working on, for a book author called Carmen Squillante. So check check out the website, at www.carmensquillante.com and let me know what you think of it.

Then I went out for a 18 mile cycle. You can tell, it's now October. As I was a bit cold, wearing just my cycling shorts and t-shirt. Once back, I had some food. Then give my news pages, on this website, a much needed update.

Then in the evening, I was of course, working at the dog track in Peterborough. I was working on bar 2, with Becci and Andrew. It was a OK evening, I guess. A bit boring at times. I had a busy night, for a Tuesday evening really. It was not even, half full. And I still sold, 24 bottles of wine. Coming to a grand total of £281.75.

Then after work, I went to my boyfriends house. Once there, we had me, we had nothing to drink in the house. So we both went to the 24 hour Tesco. That is just around the corner from his. While there, we some stuff to drink, of course. Some food, I also got X-Men: The Last Stand on DVD. Then once back at his, we both watched the DVD, before going to bed at about 3:00am.

Thursday - 5th October 2006

Today my boyfriend Mike and me went to York for the day. Our day started at about 9:00am. When we both got out, of bed and had showers. Then I had a look at the BBC Weather site, to make up my mind, want to wear. It said, it would mainly be went, to made sure, that both Mike and me took jackets with us so wear. Then once we made sure, that we had everything that we needed, we set off to the bus stop. I would normally take the car. But I did not really, want to have to pay £9, to park my car at the train station for the day.

We got on the bus at about 10:10am. Which got us, to Queensgate Shopping Centre, at about 10:35am. So it give us, just over 10 minutes, to walk from Queensgate Shopping Centre, to the train station. Which is lost of time, really. As Peterborough train station, is just over the road.

So we had about a 10 minute wait, at the train station. As the 10:45am GNER service, was running a bit late. Once on the train, we found our seats. Which was in coach E, seat 57 and 58. Just incase you wanted to know. We got into York train station, at about 12:00pm. Is it was about 8 minutes late. While I am talking about York station, I may as well tell you it's been voted "Station of The Year".

So once out of the train station, we walked to the National Railway Museum. While there, we had some nice lunch. We where there, for about 2 hours. I could, have stayed for a lot longer. But we had, so many other things we wanted to fit, in before getting the train back home.

So once we were done at the National Railway Museum. We walked into York City Centre. And had a look around, some shops, before going to the Jorvik Viking Centre. It's now the third time, I have been. I do really like it. It was also good, since Mike liked it. Well, more the the National Railway Museum. Because trains, are not really his type of thing.

Then we went to the The York Dungeons. We was really great fun. We not never been there before. It was so good. It be £11.95, each to get in. It was money well, spend. We when in at about 3:40pm. And did not, get out, till well after 4:30pm.

Then after that, we looked around some more shops. And also got some, food and drink. Before walking back to the train station. To catch the 7:10pm GNER service, back to Peterborough. The train was on-time. And got us into Peterborough, at 8:19pm. We then walked to the bus station, to get the bus back home. But we had just missed one, and did not really feel like waiting till, 9:15pm. To get the next one back, to Mike's. So since it was a nice evening, and the rain had stopped we walked back to Mike's house. Which took us about 45 minutes.

On the way back, we also called in to his local Spar, to get some more food. Then once, back in at his. He cooked us both dinner. We then played about on the Internet, for a while. Before going to bed at about 2:30am.

Friday - 6th October 2006
Some good news, well I think it is. From today, my broadband speed will be upgraded. Right now I am on, 2 Mbps. But if the BT line checker is correct. Then I may get a speed of 4 Mbps. Which will make it much faster for me, when downloading files. Also it's does mean, that my upload speed will also go up. But only by a wee bit. Even it that only goes up, by a bit, it will see be useful, for whem I am sending big emails, updating my website's and of course uploading my podcast's, then they can be a couple of be MegaByte's in size.
Saturday - 7th October 2006

Did not really do much today. But I do have one thing to tell you. And that is about a new gay film that I watched on DVD today. Well it's new to me anyway. It's called "Prom Queen" and it's based on a true story. It's about out gay teenager from Ontario, Canada. Who wants to take his boyfriend, to the Prom, but the school, says he can't. The media picks up the cause, and in time, the decision goes all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court. I am not going to say, anymore. Then, if you loved Get Real, Beautiful Thing and gay films, like that. Then you really have to add this DVD to your collection.

I got it from PlayUSA.com, because for some reason it's not out in the UK in the Region 2 format. It only cost me £15.99. Which is, not bad at all if you ask me!

Thursday - 12th October 2006

Today I had some fun, editing a very short video of my village, of Little Bytham. The video, is taken from the East Coast mainline. When Mike and me went up to York last Thursday. Sorry, if you're hoping it's a video of me. Then your out of luck. But since I know, have worked out, how to edit videos using my computer. You never know, in the future. I may, even start to do some video podcasts.

Friday - 13th October 2006
I am happy. As I have done 2,094 miles so far this year on my bike. Which means, I have beating my last, year's record of 2,092. Which is good, since I still have just over 2 months of the year, still to go.
Tuesday - 17th October 2006
Today I got a new mobile phone, that I ordered from the Orange website on Sunday 15th of October. It's not the best mobile, in the world. It was a free upgrade and it's better, then my last mobile. As long, as I have a mobile that lets me send text messages and make calls, I am happy. I don't seem the phone, in mobile, with good cameras, that plays music etc. Since I have a good digital camera and a MP3 player. The new mobile, I have is a Nokia 6070. Which replaces my Nokia 3220, that I have had, for just over 1 year
Thursday - 19th October 2006

Today I got up at about 10:00am. Had a shower. Then I walked up to the local garage, in the next village. To pick up my car, that us been at the garage, since Monday. Getting it's gear box fixed. In total it cost me, £920.47. Which was £96.77 for a new clutch. £21.61 for gear oil. £485, for the gear box repair. £180 for the labour. Then of course, VAT which cost £137.09.

It may have cost a hell of a lot to get fixed. It's running again like new. I can even hear myself, think when driving it again. It's just going to take me a while to get use to the new clutch. I just really do hope, that nothing else goes wrong with my car. As so far this month, I have spend just over £1,320 on it. Which is a hell of a lot, since the car only cost me, £1,700 I think it was, when I got it. Oh at this point, I better say, a very, very big thank-you to my Mum and Dad, for helping me pay the £920, to get it fixed.

Once done at the local garage. I drove to Peterborough to pick up my boyfriend Mike. Who I have not seen, since last Sunday. Since I have not had a car. So I have really been missing him, to say the least. Once I got to his house, he was still in bed. He looks so cute, when he's just waken up. But then he's looks very cute all the time. Once Mike was out, of bed. And all sorted. We then set back off to my place.

On the way though Stamford, we called into the town centre, so I could go to the bank. Which I normally do on, Mondays, but I would not go, then as I did not have a car. Then we also called in at Morrisons, to get food.

Then once back, at my place. We both took the dog out for a nice long walk. Well in fact two long walks. For the second walk, we went to Bythams Spinney. To see if a fire we had set up, last week, was still there or not. Which is was. But more about the fire later.

Once back from the walks. We had done diner. Which Mike, very nicely cooked for the both of us. Then once it was dark, Mike and me walked back to the Bythams Spinney. But this time, with out the dog. To have a bonfire. Which was great fun. It's reminds, me of when I was in the Boys Brigade. Because, when I was in the Boys Brigade, we use to go to Loch Lomand, have some bonfires, often.

Once back from the Bythams Spinney. We both watched TV and played about on the net, before going to bed.

Tuesday - 7th November 2006
My new hard driveI had great fun, installing a new hard drive in my desktop PC. It took about 1 hour, just to get the PC, to see it. Because I had never installed a Serial ATA hard drive before. I got there in the end, which was the main thing. It's so nice to have so much more space free. As the new drive, I got was a 200GB. Which replaces my old 30GB one. It now also means, that I have Windows 2000 Pro and Linux on the same computer. So all going well, I am going to install Fedora Core 6 tomorrow.
Wednesday - 8th November 2006

My desktop PC running Fedora Core 6During the day, I had fun installing Fedora Core 6 on my desktop PC. Which means, I can try and cut down my Windows use to half. All going well. I am not a Microsoft fan at all. I try to use open source software as much as possible. So far, I use Audacity, Apache, Gaim, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird and OpenOffice.org.

In the evening, I was working at the track dog. I had a crap evening to say the least. I have not bad evening before at work. But nothing like that. Since it's work, I can't really say too much about it at all. Oh well, I am sure it will sort it's self out. Well I hope so anyway.

Saturday - 11th November 2006

Today I had fun, helping my boyfriend Mike, move to his new house. He moved because he was getting pissed off, with the people at his old home. The place he's moved to, is owned my the same land-lady.

In the evening, I was of course working at the Peterborough Greyhounds Stadium. You will, all be glad to hear that things have sorted themselves out. I just hope that it stays that way. As most of the time, it is a great place to work. But like all jobs, you can just have bad, day, well in my case two.

After work, I had to make sure, I remembered to go to Mike's new place and not his old one. It will take me a while, to get use to. Since he's been at the same address, since we started going out.

Friday - 17th November 2006
For work, everyone had to dress up as cops and robbers. To raise money for the BBC's Children In Need appeal. I dressed up has a police man. It was great fun. Everyone at work, said now good I looked in the policeman uniform. I have no idea, how much we did raise, but when I do found out, I will post it on this website.
Saturday - 18th November 2006
Some more news about Children In Need and how much the Peterborough Greyhounds Stadium raised. They raised, just over £1,100. Which is not bad at all, if you ask me.
Tuesday - 21st November 2006
Mike and me have now been going for half an year. And what a great half a year it's been. We have done so many things together. We have been to London EuroPride, Nottingham caves, been a 46 mile cycle to, then the long way around Rutland Water. Done double shot photos, for my Wetsuitlads website. Been to York, and a hell of a lot of other things.
Monday - 27th November 2006
Happy birthday to my boyfriend Mike, who turned 23 today.
Wednesday - 29th November 2006

While I was plugging in my battery's for my Cateye ABS 25 front bike lights into the charger. I somehow broke, the charger. But sort of pissed me off as the battery's are both flat. I was hoping to go a cycle Thursday night, in the dark. But that's now off, still I get a new charger. I have already ordered a new one from Wiggle.co.uk which is a great on-line cycle shop, that I use all the time. The new charger is costing me £25.00. I just hope that it does not take too long to be delivered.

But one good thing, did come out of be breaking the charger. It meant that I use to use "The GIMP" a bit more. To edit the photo, to the left. I have been using Paint Shop Pro for years. But since I am trying to use more and more open source software. I trying to get use to using "The GIMP" which is really the same idea, as Paint Shop Pro, but it's 100% free to use.

Saturday - 2rd December 2006
MP3 version:
Episode 50 (96 kbps, 3:51 minutes)

If you have listened to episode 50 of my podcast. Then you will have heard me speak about an Irn-Bru Snowman advert. So below is the advert. I hope that you like, it as much as me. Things to watch up for in the advert are the Falkirk Wheel, Loch Ness - complete with an appearance from Nessie - the Forth Bridge, the Glenfinnan Viaduct - as seen in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - and Eilean Donan Castle.

Just incase you don't fully understand the words, due the sexy Scottish accent. Here are the lyrics.

We're walking in the air
I'm sipping on an IRN-BRU
My chilly snowman mate said he would like some too
I tell him, get your own
He looks like he is going to cry
I tell him once again that the IRN-BRU is mine
Now I'm falling through the air
I wonder where I'm going to land
He nicked my IRN-BRU and let go of my hand

While I am, posting Irn-Bru adverts on my website. Here is one, all the way back from 1988. I still remember this advert, even now. So it much have been good.

 

Friday - 8th December 2006

Mike and me went to Grantham today, just for something different to do. While there, we had a quick look around the shops, before going to ASDA to get stuff to eat and drink.

In the evening, I was of course, working at the dog track in Peterborough. It was a very, very busy night indeed. You can tell, that Christmas is just around the counter. Because the place was mad. I had a very busy evening indeed. I sold a total of 76 bottles of wine. Coming to a grand total of £864.

Then after work, I went to my boyfriends house, to the spend the night.

Monday - 11th December 2006

I was a bad boy today, as I did not get out of bed, till after 2:00pm. Mainly because the house is so cold. So I stayed in bed, where it's nice and warm. Once I was out of bed, I had a shower, then got dressed. Then I went into Stamford. While in Stamford, I went to my bank, to pay last week's money in. Then I got my hair cur. Which I have been, meaning to do for a long, long time. It was getting so, long I would clean my ears with it. I felt like a change, when I get my hair cur. So I told him, to take it, all off. Well a 3 all over. Which is hell of a lot shorter, then normal. He asked me at least 3 times, if I was sure, I wanted to get it so short. It did feel, very weird at the time, when getting it, done. While watching all my hair, fell to the ground. If you want to see, want I look like, with a 3 all over, then click here.

Once I was done getting my hair cut. I went to Morrisons to do my weekly food shopping. I sure, I was getting funny looks, from people. Since they are not sure, to me having short hair. Or maybe, they were looking at me, since I am so good looking! Well may not.

Once I was back home. I had another shower. To get all the lose hair our. Then I made myself some lunch. Then I played about on the net for a number of hours. Then put my sexy cycling gear, and went for a nice cycle in the dark.

Then I just spend the rest of evening, chatting to friends on-line, watching TV. Before taken myself off to bed.

Wednesday - 13th December 2006

During the day, I did not really do much. Other then play about on the net. I was hoping to spend the whole day with my boyfriend Mike. As he had booked the whole day off work. But he had to go in for a hour. Well it should, have only been 1 hour. But it ended up turning in to about 4 hours. But did piss me off. But oh well, these things do happen.

Once we was back from work. He had a quick shower. Then we set off, to Jaco and Namir house in Swavesey. We did leave maybe a bit early, we we did not need to be at there, still about 7:15pm. We set off at, just after 6:00pm. But you can never tell, what the A14 is going to be like. Why it's never been upgraded to a motorway, I have no idea. The journey, ended up only taken just over 30 minutes. So we both called in at the Cambridge services, to get some food from Pizza Hut.

Once we had the pizzas, we then drove the rest of the journey to Jaco and Namir house. We all chatted for a while, before setting off to the Cineworld Cinemas, in Huntingdon. None of us, had been to that cinema, before. It was nice and easy to get to. Once inside, Namir and me went to get the pay for the tickets. We both used Orange Wednesdays, which means you pay for one ticket and get the other free. Why I have never used Orange Wednesdays before, I have no idea. It's so easy to do, all you have to do is send a text message to 241, and they send you a text ticket.

The film we all went to see was the James Bond film, Casino Royale. I had been looking forward to seeing it, since it fist come out. But I am not a bit fan, of very busy cinemas, so wanted to wait, till it was not so busy before going to see it. Over all, I would say it as a good film. But it was a bit on the long side, it was on for 2 and half hours. I did not like, the way the film ended, since you have to wait, till 2008, which is when the next one comes out. To see what happends next.

Then after the cinemas, we all went back to Swavesey for a while. Chatted for a while. Before Mike and me, set off back home. On the way back home, we called in at Jaco and Namir, local Tesco extra in Bar Hill. Mainly to see what is like. Before Namir is always saying how big it is. Tesco, that is and not something else. LOL. And Yes it's very big, a lot bigger then the Tesco extra in Peterborough.

Once back home, I checked my email. While Mike, read some more of a book, he's been reading for a while. Before going to bed.

P.S. I would like to think both Jaco and Namir for a great evening. We will need to do, it more often.

Thursday - 14th December 2006

The Willoughby ArmsToday Mike and me went out for a nice long walk, with my dog Pebbles. Once back from walking the dog. We both had some food. Then we both watched the Death of a President which is a fictional documentary about the assassination of 43rd United States President George W. Bush. If you have never seen it, then I would really recommend that you do. Even if just to see the bit, were he gets shot. Oh sorry FBI, if you reading this. I am not a big fan of George W. Bush. Then, I don't think that many people are .

Then we both watched Torchwood, that I had recorded last Sunday, for us both to watch. Then we, both played about on the net and chatted for a while. Before walking up to The Willoughby Arms, which is my local pub. To get some food. The food, was OK. But no where near, as nice as it was last time. When we went a good number of weeks ago.

Once back from the pub. I was very happy to see that I had an email from the Hummy.org.uk Forums website. To let me know, that there was a new software update for my Humax PVR9200T, Freeview box. You may think, I am sad for writing about this. But to me, it's like a early Christmas present. I would already say, that the Humax PVR9200T is best PVR you can great. They just keep making it better and better. I will not bore you will, all the new things they have added in this update. But if you have the Humax PVR9200T or are thinking of getting it. Then click here, to see what they have added in this latest update.

Thursday - 21st December 2006

My boyfriend Mike and me got up at about 10:15am. We both had showers. Then I just did once last double check, to make sure that I had everything for going to Scotland. Once I was happy, I had everything. We then both walked to his local bus stop. To get the bus into Peterborough city centre. At this point, I better say, that I am not a fan of buses. Since passing my driving test. I only uses buses when, I really have too.

We got into Peterborough, with lots of time, for me to get the train. So we walked slowly from the bus station, to train station. Mike very nicely, waited with me at the station. For a while, before saying our good byes. I am really going to miss him. Since this will be the longest time, that we have ever, been apart, from each other. He would have loved to, have come to Scotland with me. But he could not get the time off work .

Once we had said, our good-byes. I did not have long at all, to wait for my train. The train left Peterborough, dead on time at 11:46am. But then it would do, since GNER are best rail operator in Britain. They even have the award to prove it

Once I found my seat. Which was 35 in coach E. Just incase you wanted to know. I just seat watching the world go by. While reading a magazine called "Rail". Which I got from Tesco last night. By the time, I got to York. I had read most of the good stuff, in the maginze. So I got my laptop out. Mainly just to see what the wireless Internet on them was like. I had heard both good and bad things about it. So I wanted to see what is was like for myself.

I was not impressed by it at all. The only bit, I could get to work. At first was the welcome page. Which lets you view most of the GNER website and shows you a map, of where the train is. The image to the left shows the GNER welcome web page.

But every time, I clicked on the link, to enter in my credit details. So I could to pay, to use the Internet. It just kept on timing on. When it, did at last least me enter in my details. And connected me the Internet.

It was, so so slow. I would even go as far, to say that dial-up is faster. So I am glad that I have "tired" it out. But I was not impressed by it at all.

So once I had given up with the whole wireless Internet on the train business. I just spend the rest of journey, listening to my ipod. While watching the world go by. Till the train got into Glasgow.

The train arrived in Glasgow, right on time at 4:25pm. Where both my Mum and Dad were waiting for me.

It was funny, the second my Mum saw me. I could tell by the look on her face. That she did not like, my new hair style at all. But like I said to her, it's my hair. So I can do, what, I want to it. And some far, everyone. But two people at my work like it.

Once my Mum, had got over my hair. We all walked to the Concert Square car park, were my Dad had parked his car. Then he drove us, to Killearn. Where the family dog Ghille, looked very pleased indeed to see me. Then my Mum, started jumped up and down. Well maybe not up and down. To come and have a look at there new conservatory. We when first walked into it. I just could not believe, the size of it. I had seen photos of it, taken while it was being build. But none of them, made it look that big.

Once my tour of the conservatory, was over. My Mum very nicely, cooked me some dinner. Which I really needed. Since I had not really eaten all day. Then after that I texted my boyfriend Mike. To let him, know that I had got to Scotland OK.

Then I spend the evening. Chatting to my Mum and Dad. I also watched TV of course. Which gets me nicely onto something, else they have had done. Since I was last up. They have, had a new TV aerial installed. So they now get Freeview. Which is great, since the last time, I was up. They only had four, TV channels.

So that was my day, really. I hope that you have enjoyed reading it. And have not been bored too much, by it.

P.S. Just one more thing before I go. My great boyfriend Mike and me have now been going out, for 7 months as of today.

Friday - 29th December 2006

The main thing that I did today. Was go to around Carmen's house. Just incase you thinking who is Carmen. Well she is a book author, that I did a website for a while ago. It was great to get to meet her at last. We have spoken on the phone once or twice. But never meet in real life. So it was great to put a face, to voice at least. Yes I have seen photos of her, before. But that's just not the same.

While I was there. I showed her, how to use Dreamweaver. A bit, so she can try and keep her website up-to-date, herself. If she needs too. While I was there, I also chatted to her other half, Alistair. About a website that he's thinking about doing. I was there for a good 45 minutes, I would think. So thanks to Carmen and Alister, for having me around. At this point, I better give out her website URL, which is www.carmensquillante.com.

 
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