Back in blog

So, not as soon after the last posting as I would have liked but it's better that the year or so break I took, right?

In true blogtacular tradition of days gone by, I'm writing this on a train coming back from an outing with someone(s) awesome(s?). I was over in Manchester visiting Sarah and Martin. Various circumstances have conspired to ensure that this is the first time we've met up since before Xmas. As a result, there was the inevitable exchange of gifts, which is often a cause for anxiety for me... I'm never sure that I've bought someone the right thing and there's always the dread of your gift being totally outshone by the gift that has been got for you, showing you up as totally not understanding the other person as well as they do you.

In the end all was well; I was hella-happy with what I got. There's a guitar tab book filled with the greatest hits of guitar hero. Finally I'll be able to look down on people who love the game and say "play a real guitar" and show them how. Surely learning the whole book of songs won't take me long. The other thing is a weird tower building game where you have to pile up hedgehogs.

Trust Sarah and Martin to find something totally nuts and awesome all at the same time. Kit and Pik will be subjected to this amazing thing at the next opportunity. I think that "Venn That Tune" went down pretty well... I know that I would have loved a copy for myself.

Other than that, I've been trying to be good and not go traveling all over the place every weekend. I have a thesis to finish correcting and it's not going to do itself. Having said that, I was in Sheffield with George for this weekend just gone and it was one of the most nutso weekends I have ever had.

Geordie certainly keeps interesting company. There's plenty of things I can't relate on here given that some pretty young people actually read it on a semi-regular basis. There were some interesting firsts that I can talk about; My first football match AND my first ever fish finger sandwich. There was also plenty of SingStar... in fact, I think I found someone who might just love the game as much as I do. Arran (one of the ladies of the house I was staying at) seemed to be screaming for literally minutes when the revelation that I had brought 12 unplayed SingStar discs with me came to the fore. I do love bringing joy to the world through the medium of fake karaoke that somehow seems to think that I am a pretty good singer. It kind of helps that the singing was done in pajama-based attire. Nothing like getting comfortable before belting out some Madonna or something of that nature.

There has been the suggestion that I go back the next time that Geordie is down that way. The prospect fills me with a certain amount of apprehension as well as enthusiasm. There was plenty of fun and games, but nothing got too out of hand. Apart from the whole Adam (random 20 year old boy that ended up under our "protection") situation.... the less said about that the better I think.

Speedily approaching Leeds station, so I will leave it there. Hope to relay all the amazing things I have been up to soon, but this weekend WILL be devoted to thesis, so there's not going to be much to say any time soon.