I live with fear almost every day.  It races through me like an illness.  Every sound makes my heart skip a beat.  Checking the windows and doors.  Knowing that if they want to get in they will.  They’ll kick the door in and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.  Wal is away again.  I haven’t slept.  I check on Squidge often.  I sit here half watching television and half listening for noises outside the house.  I see my reflection on the kitchen window and I’m paralized.  Then relax as I realize it’s me I see. So I’m exhausted.  I’m tense.  I’m scared. Wal is away again.  He was in South Africa last week and left for Spain yesterday.  He was only home for a couple of days.  Not enough time for me to decompress.  He...

I’m still at work, its 9.53pm - Been here since 8am. Not bad, eh? And I’m sat with 2 other Web Developers and 2 other marketing people. This is how we roll!… On a semi-unrelated note, check out my averagely updated Twitter feed (I’m still a bit new to the whole thing, but is looking cool) twitter.com/dazecoop...

A little puzzle that arose on Saturday night. Names have been changed. You arrive in a pub for last orders. You see a work colleague called Allan. Allan has minor learning difficulties, but he looks obviously upset. There’s a foul stench of alcohol amongst him, meaning that he has been drinking for quite some time. Allan is usually quite a chirpy character, but today he’s different “I’m going to prison!”, he says over and over again, in slurred English. “I’m going down, and they’re going to kill me!”. Allan is annoyed about something. Last orders come,  and bouncers aren’t being much help, say “Just throw him in a taxi and take him home.”. Unfortunately, nobody knows where home is, and asking “where do you...

I’ve kind of forgotten what I was going to update about, however I do have some other stuff to moan about, so I may as well, eh? I went to see John at work tonight, I had to go in and clear my desk anyway and get two passport pictures out of my desk drawer. I’ve got an appointment to renew my passport tomorrow, so I’ll need those. I can’t actually find my passport anywhere, but I don’t suppose that’ll matter, so long as I’ve had one before, they’ll know what I’m after when I get there, hopefully. Anyway - John and I were having a carry on, and as daft as it sounds we’ve got this thing where we poke each other in the eye. So, I poked him in the eye and the response I got was less then pleasant. He told me to get to fuck and threw...

No seriously - is this it until I’m 70? I’m knackered already, I’m not Rocky Balboa, I don’t think I could take everything that London has to hit me with and still keep fighting, eye of the tiger and all that. The thrill of the fight? Calm down, I’d rather be sat in a ‘Bucks reading books and slurping a chai latte with a little sprinkling of nutmeg and vanilla on top. The extra mile, going a little further? I feel like I’ve already used up my allotted share of that pixie dust on mildly ungrateful student body. They do say that every political career ends in failure - perhaps mine will end in failure before it has the chance to do so more spectacularly. I think I would sacrifice a greater career for my own sanity and well-being - I would rather be...

I’ve been exercising lately, part of the Me Nazi programme I have embarked upon. Hopefully if I benefit then others will too, but I’ve also realised that it’s not going to happen unless I make it. As a part of getting a bit healthier, and of course me being me, a lot of this involves looking stuff up about doing the thing. Something that’s written a lot about is the links between depression and exercise and how it helps blahblahblah because if you look and feel good, then you’re good and that’s good. But then last week. – HAHAHAHAHA see what I did? I said good three times in one sentence and then started a new one straight away with “but”. heh – I read something saying the link was made up. They didn’t say “made up” it...

Busy busy busy! That’s me! Certain people who I may or may not have seen naked have commented on the downward spiral this blog has been on on plurk. I’m a little concerned, yes, but my social life has been awesome, and some of my websites have been doing well, so much so that I’m actually considering removing paid advertising on this block (I will hopefully aim to become more authoritive, talk about things which I do use and do find useful/fun, and yes I will include affiliate links). But the amount of money I get from it is negliable, and it’s lucky, because all my deals are seemingly ending at the end of next month. I’m kinda restructuring my online efforts now, watch this space. But some of you may weep, some of you may jump for joy, but I’ve decided...

It’s not great. Technically, I’m still a bum — but I don’t have the time to blog? Something is wrong. I guess this is all to do with that theory. If you have a demanding full-time job, go to night college, look after kids and do all the shopping and you have to do something, no bother, you just do it. If you are a bum who does nothing all day, gets up in the afternoon and spends two hours deliberating over what you should have for breakfast, you just get nothing done. I’m in the latter stage at the moment. I’m working on rectifying that, but it’s difficult to get going because I spend three hours a day deciding which font I should put on my CV. It’s not that I haven’t been blogging. You may know that I have another blog which is...

I’m spending the next couple of days in Limerick researching the book I am writing. And I’m hoping for "the luck of the Irish". I’m going to see a way of life which is totally alien to me - and 99.9% of you too. I know it will be riveting and unbelievable in many ways. I just wish I had time for sight seeing too and could explore its lovely castle nestled next to the River Shannon. All will be revealed in due course...

September seems be slipping by with frightening speed and, as we approach the latter stages of the month, it can only mean one thing: it’s LLM time. Yes, faithful blog-watchers, the Michael will soon be back doing some ‘law stuff’ after a varied and at times, strained summer. I think I’ve divulged on Law Actually before that my LLM is based on commercial content, God help me. No, seriously: I know what I’m doing. Some of my modules are perhaps a touch questionable, though: banking law? Seriously? Anyone? I’m hoping that one isn’t going to come back to bite me. For the most part I’m excited at the prospect of the LLM - much more so than I was this time last year about the LPC. For the next week, I’m going to be enjoying a little...

I’m still here. I just don’t have the energy to compose any posts.  Which is really bad seeing as my posts aren’t exactly deep! I started on a post where I talk about how I feel about not being married, then I kinda ran out of steam.  It’s in my drafts, maybe one day it’ll see the light of day. This is what we’ve been doing for fun around  here. We’re still going for our evening walks.  I saw this really cool car during a walk this week.  It’s an old Citroen. I want one- can’t you see me booting around town in this?  No? I’m thinking about making some big changes here in house of Squidge.  I’m working on my own blog design and self hosting.  I don’t know what the hell I’m doing so it might be a while...

I’m getting tired of RSS feeds. I’ve never been entirely convinced about them. I like the look and feel of going to the actual blog or website. Now I use NewsGator online because they have an excellent iPod Touch app that syncs with my account over WiFi. It works really well. I used to use Bloglines but NewsGator’s mobile app makes all the difference. Now I can read my RSS feeds offline on the train to work. There’s nothing new about this but getting masses of information has never been easier, information is omnipresent. Consuming it is like some kind of mania. This looks vaguely interesting … I’ll add it to my RSS Feed, something great is bound to come up. Does that ‘something great’ come up? No. The more I think about it the...

Well it’s how the Mrs does it anyway. I’m pretty crap at it if i’m honest, they end up sort of hanging off the string in no real semblance of order. I’m gonna  write  ‘we ‘ though cos i was there taking pictures! I’ve been meaning to post this for ages as there really isn’t...

Stamping feet! Crossing arms! *pouting* I’ve found a house I love.  Seriously, I love it and have been by to see it daily.  It’s still in the general area I’m in now meaning Squidge will be attending a decent primary school.  It’s a stones throw away from a large park w/ a duck pond and a large playground.  It’s well within our budget (I’m still shocked by that).  I’ve contacted the estate agent and I hope to view the property soon.  I’m sad because I know I will not ever live in this house.  I know this because I live with a man that will move when he damn well pleases.  The problem with that is that I hate living in this  house.  I really really really hate it.  I hate everything about it.  Mostly I hate the smallness of it. ...

So I’m very excited (and a little bit scared) to be speaking at Web Directions East in Tokyo this November. I’ve never been to Japan before, but it’s somewhere I’ve always dreamt of going. I’ve got around 10 days to explore, so would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and recommendations. I obviously want to see Downtown Tokyo, including all the crazy Otaku haunts. I’m not one for Karaoke but definitely want to check out a cosplay bar or two! And before you ask, no I won’t be dressing up as my favourite manga character! I’m also keen to do a spot of “Lost in Translation” sightseeing as I kinda like the movie. Maybe just grabbing a drink at the hotel bar. Daft I know. I’m equally keen to get out of Tokyo and explore the...

So I’ve been MIA for a couple of days.  I just didn’t feel like blogging.  I didn’t feel like photographing anything either, I didn’t take a single picture for 3 days.  gasp! shock! horror! So doing my best Perez Hilton impression- I’m back bitches! Yesterday I went to a Photography workshop where I learned to do this see that creamy whiteness. That’s supposed to be nicer and more pleasing to look at than this- So that is basically what I learned how to do.  I enjoyed reviewing things and finding out how much I did now and how much I didn’t know!  I’m still trying to figure out what type of photographer I am.  What do I like taking photos of? I think I’m pretty spent on flowers.  Unless I can get some sweet bokeh I’m...

SAYS Jennifer Lopez, aka Jenny Who Owns The Block, of life with her husband Marc Anthony: “I said, ‘I did the superwoman thing, I finished the tour – now I need you to take care of me. I love doing things for you; if I’m not cooking, then I’m picking out a shirt. But this is the first time in my life where I’m just going to be a little bit selfish.” - Elle The help must be in...

We don’t go in for grand redesigns around here, as you know as I’m too lazy a fan of classic design and the importance of building brand identity. However, as a mark of my move and while I’m somewhere other (here), my lovely seeeeeester has drawn a marvellous new background for my boat. Anyone reading this post by some fancy rss means won’t have a clue what I’m talking about, of course. But she’s a marvel. And I miss her already....

Im sorry im not posting more informative and readable articles but there is a reason for this...There is sweet FA going on at the moment, im not keen on repeating the website as thats just plain boring...No game this weekend either.No news.I will be back when the news is backpromise.Im bored.I name these days the nothing days.I fucking hate international...

I’ve got 10 top tips for writers who blog. It’s not that I’m claiming to be the worlds first, greatest or most able blogger - far from it - but I’m a good learner and I’ve picked up a few tips along the way which I’m happy to share. Here they are: People come back for the...

From today’s Sunday Telegraph: ‘I have voted, yes, but I’m not going to tell you who for,’ he smiles. ‘I’m not Conservative or Labour, I don’t have a political leaning, I’m a tactical voter. … I’d like a single transferable vote, because I think it would make more sense, particularly for the Lib Dems because they...

By the time this post goes live, I’ll (universe willing) be about an hour away from pulling into this: That is the fairly new Hauptbahnhof railway station in central Berlin… and as I’m not there yet, this obviously isn’t my photo, so I shall credit Flickr user SkypeNomad for it, as is proper. I may have been off from the day job this week, but clearing the decks for the following seven days has been a mammoth task, and I’ve literally just finished at 9pm Thursday - all that is left is this here post, and so it’s going to be very minimal indeed, because I have to get up at 3:30am tomorrow morning to catch my train to London and I need to get some shut-eye in the interim. Suffice to say that, by weight, my luggage contains far more books and electronics...

I think I’m going to make a proper archives page for this theme, because I’m actually not a huge fan of this javascript drop-down thing that’s on the menu at the moment. I’m also thinking of ditching the Delicious bookmarks, but I’m not so sure about...

For those of you who don’t already know, I’m Cosmodaddy because I’m the daddy of a two year old kitty named Cosmo. And I just bumped into the funniest kitty animation in history. It couldn’t be more true if it tried - it might as well be my Cosmo. Tell all your friends about this - they’ll die with laughter too, I promise! I’m off to watch the others in the series…...

I’m still not allowed to officially announce the secret that I hinted at a few weeks ago - but it’s because of that that I’m being quiet - partly because everything to do with it is occupying my whole time and brain in the real world, and partly because I’m really bad at secrets and I hate not telling you (believe me, I’ve been pushing to be allowed to mention it, but it’s entirely outside my control). ARG....

Hello – you’ve reached This Is This, but I can’t get to the blog at the moment. Your reading is important to me, so please leave a comment and someone will get back to you. Actually I’m in New York. In fact, if you’re reading this on Sunday lunchtime, the chances are that I’m across in New Jersey having a beer with regular contributor here (not to mention friend extraordinaire constant and true) Len G sitting in his garden right now drinking a beer and eating food in the sun. If you’re Len and you’re reading this on Sunday lunchtime then is kind of awkward, because I’m at your house and you’re reading my blog while I’m outside drinking your beer. And that’s kind of weird. But the point is, I’m away from the site for...

I’m getting ready to go to Denver for the Convention-  I’m not a delegate but my husband and few of my friends are delegates for Obama  so I’m sure I’ll have lots to write about. I should tell you something though. Most of the time I write about curses and ghosts, vampires and werewolves and witches so- there is no telling what you’ll get. Oh brother, what am I worried about? I’ll be in my element. Come on. I’m just kidding. Check back starting next Sunday and I’ll let you know how it’s going. Aloha! a.m....

I’m still on holiday. There’s rain forecasted for most of the week, so I am probably slopping about in wellies like Glastonbury but without any of the fun stuff. I’ll have been sleeping out in the awning of my parents’ caravan - I don’t know what state I’ll be in, I think I’m actually allergic to camping. My face starts to swell in the mornings after a couple of days out under the clouds. It’s truly tragic. It’s difficult to write anything else of substance at this particular moment in time, because although it may be Wednesday to you I’m actually writing this last Saturday. Yes, I know it’s cheating, but I actually have been doing it a lot with this new blog and you’ve never complained before. I’m a busy man, I...

RUSS Limbaugh - him again - is in conversation with George Bush: RUSH: What are…? (interruption) Interrupting for what? THE PRESIDENT: Hello! RUSH: Oh, jeez. The president? THE PRESIDENT: Rush Limbaugh? RUSH: Yes, sir, Mr. President. THE PRESIDENT: President George W. Bush calling to congratulate you on 20 years of important and excellent broadcasting. RUSH: Well, thank you, sir. You’ve stunned me! (laughing) I’m shocked. But thank you so much. THE PRESIDENT: That’s hard to do. RUSH: (laughing) I know, it is. THE PRESIDENT: I’m here with a room full of admirers. There are two others that would like to speak to you and congratulate you, people who consider you friends and really appreciate the contribution you’ve made. RUSH: Thank you, sir,...

A great deal of people take a drink to bed with them at night.  Me, once I’m out, I’m out so there is really no need for a glass of water.  Also admittedly, I’m paranoid when it comes to spiders and I always half expect to take a big gulp of water and find one caught in my throat.  Yes, I’m aware I’m seriously cracked in the head.  Well if you haven’t been scared out of bringing water to bed with you, you might consider picking up one of these little gadgets. That’s right, someone created  glowing rubber bands and are actually calling them gadgets.  Their words, not mine.  Actually, technically these aren’t rubber bands, they are stretchy rings according to the seller, my bad.  Well if you don’t want to fumble around in the...