Back from the summer hiatus (I really do love that word!)

Yes I've used the same intellectual sounding word twice in two blog titles but I don't care! I love that word, it ranks right up there amongst my favourite words (talking of which there's a newcomer in that category: papoose).

Anyway, back to the point - I've not blogged since before my dissertation deadline so here's a brief summary of what’s happened since then:

> Dissertation was handed in successfully. Got a 2:1. Content with that though was hoping for a 1st.

> As such my whole degree came out as a 2:1 with a strong average, for what thats worth. This means I got onto my MA course. Still wish I'd done that bit extra for the 1st. Have vowed to get a distinction in my Masters instead.

>Was chuffed to bits to have a letter appear in Empire though miffed to hell at that being the month they changed from giving a prize to every letter to reinstating the letter of the month format.

>Got job in Primark, slave away there for £5.69 an hour. My contract hours are Saturdays: 10.30-20.00 and Sunday 09.30-18.00.

>Went to see the new Indiana Jones film and was unimpressed, let down even.

>Discovered "Zero Punctuation"

>Attempted to move into new house, found it to be a sh*t hole and relocated to new, nicer abode.

>Graduated.

>Saw "Dark Knight" at a preview screening two days before the general release. Thought it was amazing, absolutely loved it. Also loved the limited edition moving posted I got free for going.

>Went to Barcelona with family

>Decided walking to Primark was too much effort (45mins!) so brought bike to Liverpool and now put life into the hands of the drivers on Edge Lane at least twice a week

>Dressed as a Celt for Kate's Liverpool 21st Birthday Party, the theme was nations. (See pic below)

>Saw R.E.M. at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, supported by The Guillemots and The Editors.

>Saw the Trestles as part of the Matthew Street Festival which I finally made it to for the first time.

>Made a trip to Cardiff to visit the now distant Bec and Steve as well as some family in Swansea. Saw former-Stereophonic drummer Stuart Cable in Cardiff.

Well anyway, that brings you up to speed. I'll be posting at least a few more times in the coming days, hopefully at least once a week. Until then this is me signing off. Adios Amigos

Anything I've forgotten may be added at a later stage....

Man of Broken Steel

Superman, the Man of Steel, the very epitome of a hero, a super hero. For all the garish colours of his costume and the more than slightly camp underpants outside the tights he is the very example of human strength and honour, all the more ironic for the fact he is in fact an alien on our planet.

There's something magical about Superman, I mean apart from the powers, he sings something to the heart. Someone once said that you could take a handful of symbols into the deepest darkest jungle and they'd be recognised: the Christian Cross, the McDonalds "M", the USA Flag and Superman's "S".

John Williams' score the original Superman films is an amazing piece of music and putting my costume on whilst the music filled my room, I felt like I could fly - a dangerous thing being on the third floor.

Fencer's don't have the best AU night record but this Wednesday we had a really great night and a reasonable turn out. I have to come up with a viable theme for next month now (suggestions on the back of a postcard). I have to report I was in severe pain the following morning.

Somewhere in the course of last week I took a tumble and sprained my wrist, gained a lump on my head, a sore knee and an aching side. Of all of those injuries my side is still hurting, one rib in particular and I can only assume that I have either broken it or at the very least fractured it. Not a lot you can do about a damaged rib but oh the pain of going from the man of steel one night to an old man who can't even sit up in bed the following morning.

Bloody thing still hurts, but we get by. Might have to cut down on the flying for now though...

A Hair Raising Encounter

October 27th

My worst fears were proved true when, at the sight of the moon, I had an uncontrolable urge to howl. Hair in excess of even my normal amounts sprouted all over my body. I can only be thankful that the urge to kill and infect others with my... condition... was sated by copious amounts of alcohol, although measures may have to be taken to ensure I am so lucky again. I cannot bear the thought of inflicting my painful curse on another human being....