AndyBlog

Divorcee

To be fair, I did toy briefly with “Bachelor” and, for an even more briefly'er moment “Gay Divorcee” - but I decided that for overall honesty and to avoid possible misconceptions “Divorcee” was very much the way to go here.

I make this post in order to state the blindingly obvious - so obvious is it that you may well groan - but I say it because the reality of it is what has become true to me over the past few weeks.

It is simply this - when one is on one's own, noting happens unless one, one's-self, does it.

Obvious, yes?

Yet I wonder... how many husbands are used to quietly taking credit for a house presented by their wives. How many spouse's quietly take credit for a meal cooked by their opposite number. It is the “family unit” that takes the plaudits. When that family unit is just one - and the one is a woman, a fairly high standard of cleanliness and tidiness is assumed. When that one is a man - no matter how hard he tries, he is judged by how different it is to how a woman might keep hers. I have even heard it said that this place now lacks “a woman's touch”. Frankly, I resent that - because I'm practically gay, apart from the sexuality thing.

I know exactly what I want to do with the place - I am just too poor and too darned lazy to do it. These are the real facts. Nothing happens unless I make it happen. No washing is done, no pots are cleaned, no surfaces are wiped.

I may never rise to “He keeps his place nice!” - but I am becoming aware that “He hasn't let it slide too bad...” is just about on the cards.

I shall get used to it eventually.

Great Christmas!

...quiet Christmas.

I never made it down to Jac's for Christmas Day festivities. So sad. I just could not drive today - didn't make it down the stairs even. I took extra pain killers to get me through the night and they rendered me unfit in a driving kind of a way.

I had a nice Christmas meal with someone strangely familiar - and then another Christmas meal with my colleagues from the Arts Forum Committee. I feel so guilty going out with these people - they work tirelessly for the AF and I do all but nothing, whilst arguably having the most time on my hands. I guess that is the sad irony of depression.

Today has ended up as strange a Christmas as I have ever had. Spent, in most part, completely on my own. Many thanks to Jason for supplying me with a Christmas dinner fit for a King - or someone very important indeed - maybe Simon Cowel or something.

Here's hoping you had a special time and I wish you every good thing over these Christmas Holidays. Me? Oh, I am interested to see what I'll do in 2009.

Buffet Food...

Here's how to get the great British buffet aftertaste without the expense

...without the party.

We all love the feeling of having been at a wonderful British buffet over the Christmas period. They're wonderful, aren't they? Well, without going to all the expense of either driving to one - or, let's face it, managing to get invited to one.

OK, so here's how.

As pictures - get pickled onions, peanuts and cheese.

1) Take a bite of onion
2) Take a bit of cheese
3) Grab some nuts and “sprinkle” them into your mouth
4) Chew and subsequently swallow

Now then - now, and only now...can you taste it? Close your eyes, imagine it - YES you're at a fairly poor church or youth club organised party, aren't you? Man. Takes me back.

If you don't like onions - try substituting pineapple chunks. Works just as well.

This tip brought to you by Andy®

Christmas Greetings, and stuff...

I awoke today to the smell of autumn, but with the unmistakeable chill of Winter in the air. This evening, it could easily have been bonfire night, but for the crispness. The air was full of moisture and it was almost magical the way the lights in the street were etched out, each with their own misty glow. I started to think about what to give people this year or Christmas. This lead me along the path of thinking about people.

Thinking about it - I do know some great people. I will not be making much of a show of Christmas this year, but I do, nonetheless, wish everyone a great holiday time - and I look forward heartily to the celebrations I shall be enjoying. Seeing as this is my first Christmas away from Liz - it will be a little muted, but that is only right and fitting.

The only thought I would proffer - in terms of advice this Christmas - is “Try to remember that Christmas is far more about people than it is about things.”

You can have what you think of as your best ever Christmas with a can of beans and four slices of bread. Heck, that kind of paucity makes a time like Christmas unbelievably good. How many times have you had such wonderful presents for people that you were convinced they would bring happiness - only to be surprised and somewhat crestfallen when the gifts were received with only moderate approval? Have you ever laid on a tremendous banquet for your visitors - only to be let down that the night was not a success? I have. I often try too hard at entertaining - over-provide food, embarrass people with too much “stuff” of all kinds.

When things truly succeed is when my heart is in the right place - when I am not in a state - when I can welcome people with a real genuine smile.

So - what's your best piece of Christmas advice for us all to relish?

Good Turnout

That's it really... Just loads people here at the gig. :-)

Christmas Party #1

Here we are at Hexham cricket club getting ready to happy the people of Hexham. I'm not on the mood for this gig -but I think I'm going to enjoy it.

Music has a way of lifting my spirits lile nothing else can. I welcome that a lot. Plus it gives me a chance to post something here. Usually, little happens to me these days.

I don't rate my chances of making it to church in the morning...