Let me start off by saying that I am a total Tolkein nut. I read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings before I was 10. I watched the three Lord of the Rings films the instant that they came out and I also own the extended editions, which makes… Read full post »

Well, here we are in 2012 and I thought that I’d share with you my New Year Resolutions:

1)      Enjoy my new job and make the most out of it.

2)      Keep kissing my wife as often as I can every day, as well as telling her… Read full post »

I don’t know how many people know this, but the Romans used to have a saying that when there was trouble up ahead their thumbs would prick.

I’m not sure what a pricking thumb would feel like, but what I do know is that at the start of this… Read full post »

“Honey, the census arrived.”

“It has? Where?”

“I left it on the stairs for you.”

“Yay! Census! At last!”

“… ok, why are you so happy about the census arriving?”

“Well, it only comes once a deca… Read full post »

As my wife Kathleen can attest, it’s never a good idea to have a conversation with me first thing in the morning, before I’ve had my coffee. There’s a good chance that the only response that you’ll get will either be a grunt or a glassy-eyed stare. I love my… Read full post »

Flaws? Me? How much time have you got to read this? Ok (deep breath) here I go.

I like to walk. A lot. I even bound up and down stairs, not because I’m claustrophobic about lifts, but because I think that not taking the stairs is lazy. I’ll walk… Read full post »

I’ve always known that Bill O’Reilly, a man who once tried to tell his viewers that his “We’ll do it live!” moment of pop-eyed rage was entertainment of some sort, was stupid.

I didn’t realize that he was as stupid as… well this video.

BillO th… Read full post »

Well folks, it’s true. Alaska’s favourite daughter – sorry, ex-favourite daughter due to her giving up and running away from the tiring role of Governor – has torn off her mask and revealed her true, red, colours for all the world to see.

Yes, she’s… Read full post »

I’ve agonised over this post. I’ve wondered if I should ever confess to my dreadful, horrible, secret. Ok, deep breath, here I go – I used to be a monarchist.

Ok, ok, so I was 12 years old at the time. Charles had just married Diana, the world was swooning… Read full post »

A long time ago, when I was in Swansea University, I had my one and only confrontation with an Irish person. His name was Rocky. He was about 6’6” tall and once drunkenly asked people at a party if they wanted to join the IRA. He then told me (after I… Read full post »

I’ve been a bit quiet on OS recently. This was due to a combination of things including a trip to stay with my parents during half term that meant that I had to add 60 miles to my daily commute for two days (but which meant that we were next to… Read full post »

This story had me exhaling coffee all over my desk this morning - http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/10/18/smartphone.everywhere/index.html.

I know that people are getting increasingly attached to their phones and computers but I had no idea that some people were effectively downloading their br… Read full post »

Dear A.

I don't understand. I didn't believe the news when I heard it on Monday morning and when I heard about the circumstances last night I was incredulous. Why? Why do it? What made you take your own life on Friday night?

I know that it hasn't been the best… Read full post »

1. Lingerie & pajamas. Bullshit. What do you really sleep in?

Sheets. No wait, I get the question now! Nothing.

2. What’s the one thing in your refrigerator you’re goddamned angry about if someone touches it?

Me man. Get grouchy when BEER touched!

3. What’s the one thing you do so… Read full post »

1. I have a nasty tendency to notice the odd and bizarre things in life. That or I'm a magnet for the odd and bizarre. Take this for example - http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/nudists-fight-for-bare-essentials-as-swingers-invade-holiday-colony-2087042.html. It contains the phrase "nudis… Read full post »

It's been a funny kind of week. It started off with me feeling fine on Sunday evening, only to feel increasingly light-headed, right up until the moment I started worshipping at the great toilet god, so to speak.

I took Monday off to recover from a night of twitching sleeplessness, only… Read full post »

I’m currently on the horns of a dilemma. It’s a bad one too, one that has resulted in me frowning a lot and muttering under my breath.

The cause of this dilemma is currently sitting in the window of the nearest bookshop. Yes, Tony Blair has written a… Read full post »

Here are some words of wisdom as to why the world is in such an appalling mess right now. Enjoy!

This is something of a departure for me. Let me know what you think of it.

London Bridge they call me. There are other bridges of course, some more distinctive (like Tower Bridge) but I am by a long way the oldest crossing point.

The waters below me hide… Read full post »

Well, today is something of a milestone for me. It’s been hanging on my mind for months now and now it’s here. Today is my last day as a 39-year-old. Tomorrow I turn 40.

I’ve gone through a wide range of emotions about this event, ranging from vague depression… Read full post »

As I have just about recovered from the jet lag (and the stomach upset I picked up and the mosquito bites) I’d like to share with you a few insights I’ve picked up over the past two and a half weeks.

1)      New York City in late July can… Read full post »

It’s been an odd week so far, mostly because Kathleen and I are experiencing the passing of time at different rates. For Kathleen the week is whizzing past at a great rate of knots as it’s the last week of term and she has five million things to do.

 … Read full post »

This morning I woke up, stared at the ceiling and said just one word: “Bizarre.” The reason for this utterance was that last night I had a string of very odd dreams indeed – odd enough that they stuck in my mind for a while afterwards. Something about Triffids, goblins, hunting… Read full post »