Somewhere to plop out ideas...

Yes, I've been gone for ages without any explanation, but I'm back now. For a bit at least. What did you do since last April? I did my first Edinburgh run last August (mostly a nightmare), then I got back and hit more brick walls than I care to mention. Emotional brick walls, Creative brick walls, Career brick walls... as I say, all kinds of walls. Well they say you build your own walls, but I'm slowly trying to knock through a few of mine. 

So, In December, I finally quit my job, after years of complaining about life at the council... in the end things got really horrible, so I chose my happiness and sanity over financial security and I have to say it felt great to leave all that horror behind me.

I'm off work for the moment, so I have some time on my hands and looking for somewhere to dump ideas and try and do a bit more writing. I'm guessing this is as publicly private as anything else - no one I know that was blogging when I began really still bothers and I doubt anyone will read this unless I choose to draw attention to it.

I still do stand up comedy. I'm still only gigging once or twice per week, but still going says something doesn't it? Dumb persistence... Still on the open mic circuit. Still doing mostly five minute spots, but most of all, still enjoying myself. (Most of the time.) It does form 90% of my social life and takes care of a similarly large chunk of my self esteem, so I've no choice but to continue for the time being

I was bold enough to complain this week about my lack of success in relationships and was told - "You have two cats and a nice checked shirt. What more do you want?" In fairness, I was probably talking to the wrong person, but if that isn't an incentive to turn things around, I don't know what is! 

Anyway, imagine this is me dipping my toe back into the world of blogging. Imagine there are people reading... Imagine you need something to know it is worth visiting here again... Well

• Imagine I'll write more in the future about what is fun and what is not about being at home all day and explain my views and experience of job hunting. 
• Imagine I'll wow you with intimate gossip from the world of open mic comedy and insightful gig reports.
• Imagine I've invited you in ... as I rebuild my life ... from single jobless aimless sofa dweller into successful creative type with a fulfilling day job and happy relationships, 
• or just watch as the shit really hits the fan and my life falls to pieces... or maybe a bit of both. 

For now, here are a few pictures from the last ten months of Og-land. 

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1) Attempting to write an Edinburgh set - Spring 11. 

2) Post 'Race for Life' with Mummy Ogs - July 11. 

3 and 4) Cakes I made - Summer 11. 

5) Drunk in a borrowed hat in Edinburgh - August 11. 

6) An aptly named street in Islington, where I used to hide in breaks from hateful work - September - November 11. 

7 and 8) The cats - All the time.

9) The only Veg harvested from the garden - September 11.

10) Another cake - December 11

To Blog Or Not To Blog.

I'm not blogging anymore. There is no money in it anyway. Or is there? Norm has a new blog and it is covered in adverts. I bet he is raking it in now. Have I been super naiive? Could I retire on the ad hits from my blog alone? With only 6 followers to date, I'd better not bank on that. I've never been one to assume everything has to end in a pay cheque and I'm not sure the blog really benefits from being plastered in ads, but what would I know. . .



But no, I haven't quit blogging just yet, I do keep meaning to blog. Only 3 posts in July? That is shocking. All of those posts at the start of the month - so no posts since July 2nd? Again - it is a shocker, where have I been? What has been going on with me?



Well...



I've been in a mini lull. There are a lot of things I haven't been doing like I should...I only gigged twice in July too. Work has been a bit hard going. I haven't been to the gym. WW plateued at only 2lbs weight loss. Its all gone to the dogs!! Gone to the dogs, but still no puppy :'( Poor Ogs.



I did have a fantastic time in Cornwall. It wasn't sunny every day, but we did have a few lovely hot afternoons/mornings and one whole hotter than hot day on the beach. And little tiny toddler niece loves the beach too, so everyone was pleased with that. Constantine Bay was as beautiful as I'd promised and I think even Mum and Dad were taken aback by it. We ate out all the time. We visited places like the Eden Project and Tintagel Castle. I turned 33. It was a really nice family break.



I only had one tense moment, when by Wednesday, used to suiting myself 24/7, I felt like I had overdosed on 'happy family life'. I felt myself getting tetchy and grumpy for no good reason, but after grasping a few hours to myself on Wednesday morning, I put my smile back on. We all had a lovely last day or so and found our way to Friday morning and goodbye time, with everyone in excellent spirits...



I stayed on for a few more days with Vicky, for lots more eating, drinking and Cornish merriment, then sadly it was time to come back to London.


I've been back at work for nearly 3 weeks now and they have not been the happiest or the proudest 3 weeks of my 'career'. The boss has got wind of the fact I am - at best - coasting, at worst - drowing (in boredom and despair, rather than being overworked...) Oddly enough - he has started to get a bit shirty when things don't always get done as requested. Who knew? These managers can be so unreasonable at times!!



I did have a very nice gig in Eastbourne on the 17th. Thanks to Peter G for inviting me along to that.



Roger's tail seems to be looking pretty good after a few nasty bouts of finrot earlier this year and the cats are in fine fettle, so that is nice.


No point in detailing all that has been going on in July at this late stage: July, as they say, has been and gone. August lies ahead of us with a whiff of wonder, the parfum of promise or is that just more rain in the air? Anyway, it is August now, so it is onward and upward for this here Ogs...



Perhaps I'll try and switch to a more topical blog for August on a trial basis. Hey, I could even attempt to look at the news, read a book (or maybe read an article about a book). Maybe I'll watch a film between now and September. Lets face it, writing about me and the things I haven't been up to, is getting a little tiring... for all concerned.



Well there we have it - I am back up and running and more to follow soon, we hopes xx Sorry if it is a bit of a slow re-start, just as well I'm not reliant on that advertising income just yet...