Author: graybo

Paul’s survey of the relationship status of ukbloggers reveals that 60% are single. Not a shocking result (although I thought it might be higher). So, if 60% are single, with at least one common interest, do I see bloggerdating on the horizon? Scary thought.

quiet day today

tonight, a soft and gentle rain is falling on Chichester. It is more like June than February, and is a brilliant mood enhancer. I have the feeling that the “old world order” is falling away from my life, and a new order is about to impose itself. Things which for the last year at least, and in some cases things from the last 15 to 20 years, things that I have taken as granted and stable are proving not to be so. Life is changing in ways I can barely comprehend, let alone deal with. New challenges and new opportunities are becoming evident, and, as a naturally reserved person who enjoys stability, this is a slightly disturbing concept. I really need someone to hug and be a point of stability to work from. I know that the first half of that sentence seems a bit weak (the hugging part), but I crave some physical contact, the feeling that I’m not alone. As for the second part of that sentence (the point of stability bit), well, I’m the sort of person who usually does not respond well to changes in circumstance, and prefers things to be cosy, and yet challenging, and it’s always easier to deal with change when you have a point of reference, of stability, to work from.
I guess that the challenge and the cosy are missing right now.
…and I feel very alone…
UPDATE:
don’t feel quite so alone now (following morning), probably because the beer has worn off. It has to be said that drinking does nothing to enhance the mood. Not that I’ve been drinking gallons, just a couple of pints, but that’s enough to be a bit of a downer. Besides, why should I feel alone? I’ve got some great mates who have been really patient and supportive during the recent melancholies. Basically I just need to give myself a good shake and stride purposefully into the future (whatever that may be).

Nico has pointed out a problem with my code. Hopefully all is well now. Thanks.
UPDATE: oops – bad link to Nico now fixed. Sorry. Also, I’ve only fixed the bug on the Blogger-maintained pages, so the about page, my CV and meetlinks are all unrepaired – will fix them in the morning.

when I came past Chichester Magistrates Court this morning, on my way to work, a crowd of about 50 or so reporters and photographers were there, with a handful of policemen. By 10am, when the man accused of murdering Sarah Payne was brought to court, rent-a-mob was there in force.
There is no dignity in what they and the countless fools who left flowers by the side of the A29 last year (where 8 year old Sarah’s body was found) have done, and it certainly adds no value to the life that was lost. Instead we should be working to create a society where everyone has respect for the rights of every other person, be they male, female, gay, straight, black, white, young or old. That is not achieved through ridiculous token gestures, or worse, a descent into barbarism.

ok, this whole Singles Day/Valentines Day is starting to throw up some interesting stuff:
Paul does a survey of ukbloggers to find out the ratio of single to attached. I’ve voted “single” although of course when I started out, I was “attached”.
Meanwhile, Meg with help from Dave creates bile-filled Valentines Cards. Great.

just added another to the list of “preferred blogs” in the navbar – digitaltrickery. Any guy that moans about Tesco is a nice bloke in my book. All hail Waitrose!
ack – this could be a long day.

Today is Singles Day, and like many other people, I’ll be celebrating this and not Hell-for-Singles Day that is a week today. Funny that Hallmark haven’t cottoned on to this one yet.
Anyhow, as usual, I’m looking for suggestions for appropriate ways to celebrate.

TPL update: 39 points this week. Total now: 646. Scholes and Butt out, Bowyer and Keane in. Only six more transfers to last the remaining 15 weeks of the season.

interesting to read Ev’s blow-by-blow account of his fight to keep Blogger alive and kicking. It’s as if the poor guy is clinging onto the wall of the abyss by just his fingernails, and (as I’m re-reading it at the moment) reminds me of Douglas Coupland’s Microserfs and their battle with “Oop!”.
Actually, I can’t help but think that Microserfs may actually be part of the inspiration for the whole weblog culture anyway.