AndyBlog

The more I change...

...the more I stay the same.

I have some news, friends. I have changed my name!

It's been a long time coming and perhaps some of you didn't think I would actually get round to this, but I have finally done it and from now on you can all call me by new new name:

ANDY CURTIS

First of all, I hope you like it. It took me a while to decide on this name - and I wanted to get the mix of old and new just right. So, to be fair, i took the name "Andy" from my current forenames - and the name "Curtis" from my current surname. I figured this would give a feeling of continuity.

I know what you're thinking - it isn't very different, is it? Well, no, it isn't. That's the point really. It is exactly what and who I am. My middle name has gone, and my forename is "Andy" - being the shortened version of my original name "Andrew". From now on, I can say with some justification that my name IS Andy Curtis.

At the doctors. When I am in court. On my passport. In hospital. With the Police. At the drugs rehabilitation centre. At the Dentist's...etc.

To everybody and in every situation I am finally simply "Andy Curtis".

It's a situation that pleases me no end. I have achieved a level of conformity this way - by being the same thing to everyone. I found it hard being "Andrew Curtis" to some. It just didn't seem to fit. Better to be the thing I am and even everything out that way.

I know it isn't a big thing for most of you, but it is a big thing for me.

I am falling for myself...

Of course, I never meant to.

I was walking along, minding my own business, and it just happened. I had been taking some pictures at the delightfully named "Calf Sound" and away I went - falling.

Somewhere deep inside, I was jealous of Liz and her spectacular fall at church the other week, and I wanted to fight back with my own fall. Not in the same league, of course, but it was the best I could do.

I simply lost my footing whilst walking on a road. That's the best way I can put it. Well, actually, I might improve slightly on that, I lost my leg for a while. Not in terms of geographical location, of course, it remained attached to my body in that strictest sense, but in every other sense that means anything at all, I lost it for a while.

Not surprisingly, losing a leg suddenly has ramifications - serious ones in terms of balance and stability, certainly. The immediate upshot was a strange sort of strangled "hop" sideways...a muffled scream and, I suppose, some sort of thump as my considerable frame returned, less than gracefully, back to mother earth.

Naturally, as is the family way, Liz quickly got her camera out in order to be sure of the most sensational picture. That said, I should point out that I was no longer lying in the middle of the road when she took this.

I will never tell you which part of my body is pictured here. Mostly because I think it is quite hard to tell, and therefore the non-revelation of this fact will enable you to have some fun at home, discussing the pros and cons as to what part of my body it actually is. It may make a serviceable family game for some. Please don't try this at home though - I do NOT want to hear any stories of you trying to throw yourselves at roads in order to create similar injuries. I had hoped we had all learned our lesson from this after last time.

I suppose I should say that I am fine - which of course I am. The picture makes this look SO much worse than it actually was. It spoiled our enjoyment of an afternoon somewhat and is still a little painful for me, limiting some of of my movement in certain ways. (being careful here not to spoil your potential Waddingtons-beating games here)

In other news - the Isle of Mann is a wonderful place, with lots of lovely scenery. It's like a cross between the Isle of Tiree and the Yorkshire Dales...with a bit of Scarborough thrown in for good measure.

Just a quick break though, and back tomorrow. If you are a client of mine, please disregard this last statement and bear in mind that I am on holiday "for some weeks" and will complete your work on my return - whenever that is. (no fixed date)

Pretty, yes? (Click for bigger..)