One question, NEWM - when you get the stuff through, is the gas just as good as in british drinks, or is it a little flat? There's a retro/import sweet shop where I live (at inflated prices, obv) and I've tried six different brands, and they were all flatter than our own drinks even though they were well in-date.

1- After a period of some personal un-settlement I think I'm heading in the right direction. I'm not going to push my luck and I'll just try and slide back into normality somewhat slowly so I don't fuck it up but Its a nice feeling.

2- I've got up to speed on botchamania, which is always fun.

3- I'm doing that Movember thing, click on wrestling's best moustache and driver in the sig to donate.

4- I finally mustered up the confidence and motivation to go to the gym after a time away due to number one mainly and didn't feel as much of a massive twat as I'd have expected or always did, which was nice.

5- I'm actually enjoying my job despite it being repetitive and a couple of people are massive twats and I gave up an ace job to move to this one as I got delude with self confidence and the belief I could be some one. But....I'm not quite sure where this is going, perhaps I've just stopped giving a shit or started deluding myself into taking pride in my results or something but either way it is a plus.

6- that's right 6, so things must be slightly good. Its a mates wedding on Friday and both of them are sound. I'm actually really looking forward to it.

I've not noticed this myself. I'm staggering the cans to try and make them last a bit, but I'll remember to check this on the next one and report back!

1. Got a job over christmas. Doing a night shift in a post office but works work and it'll help me get back into the swing of things.

2. My baby brother finally got the puzzles I sent him, sadly he completed them all in one day but still...

3. Feeling more confident about work in general.

4. Gotten back into history. Particularly, criminals and rogues from the 1700s. I'm fascinated by Jonathan Wild, the Tony Soprano of 18th century London.

5. Catching up with DVDs I've bought and not watched yet. Now seen Green Hornet and the A Team, not classics but fun films. Next the Men Who Stare At Goats.

1. I'm in the middle of an epic run of nights. Over the past few nights, I've had karaoke, Bonfire Night, Fozzy and Raw then I've got Smackdown tomorrow. Really having fun and enjoying my life at the moment.

2. I've not been home since the start of September, but I'm back for a few days now. I've got my reading week and with TV tapings at home, it made sense to stick around for a few days and see family and a few friends.

3. According to my friends, I'm close to getting into a relationship with a girl. She's on my course but we never really spoke until around May/June and hung out a bit over summer. Met up whenever we were both in Leeds during summer and then we've gone out a few times with other friends for food/hanging out. She's in different classes to me so I only see her in uni once or twice a week so we've had to make an effort to see each other outside of uni. She came to karaoke the other night and we had a really good laugh. My flatmates think she fancies me because she spent most of the night with me talking, supposedly flirting and we walked back together. I've never really been that good at spotting flirting, but since it was pointed out to me, I'm either just seeing what I want to see, or there's something there. A good part of me hopes so...she's a really amazing person and I can't help but feel it's about time I stopped being so cynical and tried to be happy with that aspect of life again.

4. Already made plans for Friday with Hessie (the girl from 3) where we're going to watch This is Spinal Tap because I happened to mention it to her earlier and we ended up quoting bits of the film for a while and saying that we needed to watch it. There's some other films she's been talking to me about, so we might watch those too. Who knows. I've said I'll make some food as well, so it should be a fun day/afternoon/evening/whenever.

5. I'll hopefully get a chance to see my niece and nephew while I'm home. I've not seen them for a few months, but my sister gave me a picture that Maisie had drawn in school which is now pinned on my wall in the house in Leeds. My nephew's now 18 months old, walking around everywhere and is starting to talk, so I've missed out on a lot of things there.

Really, things are pretty good in life at the moment. I've not felt this positive in a long time, and I think it's a combination of everything coming together quite nicely.

1. Brocolli, with salt and pepper. Love it, that little kick at the end of every bite.

2. WWF 2001 stream I've been watching. Heel Austin was fantastic, and it's full of some mental stuff. The Two Man Power Trip was brutal, on one ep of Raw, they spent about 5 minutes beating the shit out of Lita with a chair, hitting their finishers on her. Harsh as.

3. Going to see Raw tonight!

4.Diet Coke Cherry. I'm on a diet at the minute, with that Slimming World place. Or at least my Mum is on it, and I'm copying it for free. You're allowed as much Diet Coke as you like, so I got the Cherry version because the normal one tastes like piss. It's delicious, a really dark cherry flavour.

5. Lance Storm's party gimmick. Insane.

Stick a courgette down your trousers.


Absolutely. I picked up Summerslam 2000/2001 Tagged Classic in a bargain bin lately, and enjoyed 2001 so much that I bought the next two PPVs following it. The top card at the time - combined with the atmosphere of WCW going belly up - was nothing short of brilliant.

A courgette? I can't help but think I should acknowledge this advice and then completely ignore it.

1. My parents are down to visit for a few days, I only see them every few weeks. We'll have a couple of nice meals out, and generally hang out. They're both retired now, it's good having them down for a few days rather than just a day.

2. A few nice occasions coming up. Curry on saturday for a friend's birthday, The Dwarves in London next week among other things. After a dry spell of not going to too many gigs I'm really loving the punk/ska scene again lately. Capdown, Skints, Filaments, Tyrannosaurus Alan, Dirty Revolution and more were fantastic on Sunday.

3. The new(ish) g/f is awesome and loves the same gigs and stuff as me, it's fantastic to have someone to go with. She has an incredibly positive take on life and it's rubbing off on me and replacing my usual negativity.

4. Watching a ton of old TV from my teen years recently. The x files, dark skies, american gothic, kids in the hall and more. Really loving it.

5. There's a new tattooer at my local place. Lovely guy, has won awards for his portraits and is keen to get to work on my second sleeve at a discount price as he likes the idea.

Derek at the airport?

1. Career direction. Finally decided what I want to do, going into Law and putting film on the backburner. Slightly sad to choose a corporate life over an artistic one, but it's not as if I can't still write and try to get published, I was never into working in the technical side anyway. Two years training seems a long time when you've just done a three year degree, and it's fucking expensive (25k for the GDL conversion course, the LLB solicitors course and living expenses), but of course you make it back in the long run if you get a company.

2. Saunas and steam baths, enjoyed it so much I started a thread.

3. The George Harrison documentary, there was new stuff even for anyone whose watched the Anthology series and read loads of Beatles books.

4. The new Drake album, production is masterful, melodies a great, lyrics are cool, can't lose.

5. Hitting London for a few days next week, staying with a friend I've not seen in a while, going to a networking event, generally meeting new people, having two or three nights out, being taken for lunch by the Uncle and generally having a good time. It's near my birthday too, though that's less cause for celebration when you turn twenty three and realise your juvenile youth is behind you, and there'll be no more bumming around Australia and that you're really too old to be watching the sun rise with a bowl of cereal after staying up all night playing music.

Haha. The new bAzTNM.

Fuck off

1. Panto season - I love being in a creative atmosphere like there's been at some of the rehearsals, just coming up with silly jokes and gags and cracking up when we try them out. And my costume for one of the above pantos - I look STUPID. In the best possible sense; I'm confident I'm going to get laughs for looking a right idiot.

2. A girl. We've been talking loads and getting on really well - I don't think it'll go anywhere, but I don't mind - it's just nice, you know?

3. There's been a restructuring at work which should benefit me once it's all figured out what the hell is actually happening.

4. Wednesday night TV - Frozen Planet, Fringe, Grey's Anatomy. That'll do me nicely.

5. I had a message read out on Jeremy Vine on Monday. FAME

1) Did ten minutes of new material in Leicester last night and it worked better than it had any right to. Largely just half formed ideas.

2) I've spent my work afternoon largely listening to 'Mr Bungle' and 'Bomb the music Industry'.

3) I've secretly fallen in love with the handlebar moustache I'm sporting for Movember.

4) I'm on a bill with Paul Foot next week. (Seems insensitive after what happened with Kamala)

5) I have a night off tonight and get to spend it with the man I love.

Johnnie Walker or Jack Daniels?

Talisker. I'm not sure what gender that is.

Glen..morangie?

Well, TripleA, I laughed anyway.

1. New girlfriend. Been seeing her for 6/7 weeks and we're getting on great.

2. Legal Aid. Got my Legal Aid granted last week so going to court with my ex partner shortly as we're invovled in a dispute about contact with my sone who's 18 months old. I need to pay the first £2,500 of the costs but it's over 3 years so I'm delighted with that as I've already laid outroughly the same in legal fees that I wasn't entitled to legal aid for. I'm lucky that a) I livein Scotland not England which is a nightmare for non-resident parents and b) I've still managed to get a good amounts of contact with my son but a court order wil mean my ex can't stop and start it as she sees fit.

3. Work. Things going well just now and we had our SCSWIS inspection recently which I was in charge of and we got our highest grades ever and even scored the maximum in one area.

4. My son. He's 18 months and just starting to talk semi-coherently. Every day I see him he does something new. He's the best thing thats ever happened to me.

5. Linwood Barclay. This guy is a great author. Reading his book 'Never Look Away' just now and when I'm done I'll have ready every novel he's put out.

1) I started a work placement on Monday at a primary school for children with autism as part of my degree. I'm really enjoying it and would definitely like to take this direction in the future. it's great to have some structure and motivation after a shaky start to the Uni year.

2) I saw Raw and smackdown last week and went to see smashing pumpkins in manchester on Friday. Always great to see live shows and made a night of the pumpkins gig, it had been a long time since I had slept on the floor with a couple of hours sleep, was grand.

3) It's my birthday, 21st infact. So I'm getting plenty of money to buy out my contract and get a decent phone that I can have spotify on. I could do with it for the time I'm spending on trains and buses at the moment.

4) I'm currently reading Mick Foley's hardcore diary. it's a decent read and is an interesting look into his mind during his 2006 Edge partnership period. I was given Rob Brydon's autobiography today so more reading for the bus to come.

5) The girlfriend and I are likely to live at home during the next academic year giving us more money, more time to work and the opportunity to buy a car which would be great. I don't think I'd be missing out by moving back home either as I live with my girlfriend and friend who I would obviously continue to see and Liverpool nightlife doesn't do too much for me. I'd much rather save the money for holidays and overnight stays for gigs etc.

I'm pretty much in the same position at the moment except I'm in England. It's a fucking nightmare trying to get any point listened to outside of a court or solicitors. The laws in regards to families needs a serious overview and re-write.

I hope things go ok and that the issue/s is/are resolved in the easiest possible manner.

EDIT: I'll throw my five out whilst I'm here:

1: I've lost 40 lbs this year and have done minimal excercise in doing so. I play five-a-side once a week for an hour but the weight loss is down to eating better. I hardly ever drink and never without reason which is probably the biggest help in cutting down, eating within boundaries and slowly adapting to it without sacrificing many luxuries has been another key point. Another 10 lbs and I'll have reached my target so that I can move on to stage two of my fitness plan.

2: Slowly introducing a minimal but effective weights program has bulked my arms up an inch or two, tickets to the gun show will be on sale soon.

3: Clothes fit better now, I was too small for XL but too big for L so half the time it looked like I was wearing a tent. Now I've lost the weight my L stuff fits more comfortably and I feel more confident in wearing the clothes.

4: Due to all of the aforementioned, I'm starting to appeal to the ladies a little better and within that, it makes my feel damn sexy about myself. Confidence in this field is something I have now in abundance.

5: Music, Music, Music: I've been pretty closed off where my musical tastes were concerned but at the moment I've taken to reading recommendations from various places and giving them a try. Not everything has been great but there has been a few gems inbetween.

1) Hardy Bucks series two: http://www.rte.ie/drama/featured/hardybucks/playlist.html Watch it, clims.

2) I've just been given me Christmas box!

3) My ever-loving and supporting girlfriend, who frequently bends over backwards for me. Not literally, although she does literally bend over forward for me sometimes.

4) The creative, patient and understanding friends and colleagues I'm blessed with (although I wish there were as many of them as there are cunts).


5) The new Snow Patrol album.

1-5.

I don't know how much in terms of figures, but I've lost a load of weight over the past 3 or so weeks through Slimming World. My mum joined it, so I joined in for moral support and I needed to lose a bit. I didn't weigh myself as I'm aiming for top/waist size. I've dropped from XL to L, and a waist size already. It's very noticeable around my neck, cheeks and stomach too. I haven't felt this good about myself in years.

XL? Wow. I would never have guessed you were that much of a fattie.. Although all I have to go on is what your Xbox avatar looks like.

Well done anyway.

1) text message from my accountant telling me my last invoice has just been paid.
2) Friday!
3) There's this cute receptionist who ocassionally fills in on the desk at the office I'm at today. I don't work from this office very often so as a result the overlap on times that we're both here is infrequent. As such I told myself last time that next she was here I would actually ask her out for a drink after work instead of just flirting and making chit chat. I just gotta work up the nerve now.
4) Back in the gym this week and I feel better for it!
5) Made the outline of a really good tune the other day if I do say so myself. Looking forward to finishing it off over this weekend.

I've gradually became a fattie over the years, Chest. Completely my own fault, obviously. But I'm finally doing something about it.

TripleXL

Please don't change my name again

Post a fat pic.

I might do when I've got to a decent size. It'll look more impressive when I've dropped a couple of stone than half a stone or so.

It'll be fully clothed though, so don't get too excited.

1. Won the quiz last night just 2 of us, 44/60. 2 free carveries and drinks each. Bonus
2. The Bombay Bad Boy Pot Noodle I just ate.
3. Sorting my life out, its been too long, needed doing, now if only I could sort me back
4. Bacon and Black Pudding Sandwiches
5. Catching up with peeps and generally getting more of a social life

follow up on 3). - I had a perfect opportunity and bottled it

I have this weeping hole in my face from a botched ingrowing hair removal I attempted and felt very self-conscious.

Oh well. Next time.

edit: As A result, I'm replacing it with 3)Children in Need bake sale. Damn this is some good cake, and I didn't even have to leave my desk to get it. And the trolley came around right when I'd just got a cup of tea. Perfect.

Take a photo a day, and then put them together into a flickerbook of yourself shrinking.

1. I've just met George Harrison's wife, Olivia. She was lovely. Spoke to her very briefly (well, muttered and stuttered in her general direction) but she was really friendly and happy to chat. Probably would, too.

2. I went to the game at Old Trafford last night so as a result, the entire Palace team. And Darren Ambrose's right peg

3. I've been working my arse off over the last few months, working on a couple of bids which would increase the company turnover by £15-20 million if we won them. This week, we won them. It'll be even more work now to implement the projects but I'm delighted that it's all paid off.

4. As a result of the above, I've got a meeting with my boss lined up to discuss my pay rise and bonus, which we've been delaying to see how the bids went as they'll influence how much I'll be getting. There are mumblings that they'll be pretty decent.

5. Boobs. Not mine.

1. Madden 12. I waited until the price dropped, so I really feel I'm getting value from its goodness. Cut days in franchise mode are tearful though. "Don't cut me coach it's my last chance." I was in pieces after that, but in fairness he was shit.

2. Got my results through early for the first part of my masters course. Slightly miffed I didn't get a distinction (which I would have got were it an average score across components rather than a threshold per component )

3. Christmas shopping is all done and I've surpassed myself with the sheer awesomocity of the gifts.

4. Signing invoices, although I'm not doing it with a stamp...yet.

5. My Kindle. No longer do my eyeballs burn after wading through 100s of pages on security policies.

6. Got a new battery charger that has 4 independent charging channels. Charge, discharge, refresh - it can do them all~!

7. I collected enough Disney Movie Rewards for another free blu-ray. This time I went for Monsters Inc.

8. I got a CD through that I'd forgotten I'd ordered. I largely bought it for the "Telephone" cover http://youtu.be/AgAu0mZ8hbs but the rest is also nice.

9. We'll be making our family calendars to go out this weekend. Always fun!!

It's a beautiful day people:

1. Despite working myself up in a state, my mum got good news from the consultant. Despite a pending scan, my mum's feeling much like her old self and we have a diagnosis. It's not particularly nice sounding but pretty small problem.

2. Start work in half an hour for three weeks.

3. Decided to go for it and getting a new TV and an Xbox 360.

4. Watched Hook over the weekend. Love that film.

5. Xmas presents pretty sorted out. Getting a Kindle or Kobo for dad, jewelry for mum, vouchers for sister in law and pirate ship for baby brother. Just need to find something for my older brother.

Okay, I've posted in the other thread so I thought I'd be best to balance it out with this.

1) I've moved back to my mum's. This probably sounds like a negative but I went in way over my head with the last place I lived in. My mum's the only one who lives here and it's a nice house in a nice area and it's just a relief to not have to worry about the stress of bills, shopping etc for a while.

2) I'm going to uni. This is the reason I've moved back home. I'm working for a family business this year so it'll be fun whilst I save up for uni.

3) I've quit smoking. It might be a bit of a nightmare at the minute (see the other thread) but I've barely had one since the beginning of January and I've not used anything to help with stopping.

4) This weekend. After splitting up with the girlfriend yesterday, I get paid on Friday and I can't wait.

5) Rock/Cena is getting near. Fucking yes. The biggest match since Austin and Rock met at the Reliant Astrodome back when I was 11.

1.)I'am going to see 'All New People' on Saturday in Manchester (Birthday present from the ex), and then PCW in a few weeks after, plus its my Birthday in between. No matter that Im skinted, its gunna be a blast
2.)Having purpose and direction for once. Going to see if I can get back into writing, perhaps as a job, who knows? Some of the articles Ive written are going to be published in a book shortly, and Im going to start writing a novel which will definitely be an experience.
3.) My back has been asymptomatic for about 6 weeks, I dont know if its permanent or what but not being in pain constantly is a great help. Its not as great as it could be because of reasons to be mentioned in a bit in the 5 things I hate thread, but its still fucking awesome.
4.) Thinking that maybe, maybe, able to get back to work if, 3 continues and get the okay from the specialists... its been a long time coming
5.) Im enjoying life in general and have a smile on my face, im getting back to some semblance of being alive rather than existing. Its been hard work and there have been struggles on the way but finally there is some end in sight

1) New lady in my life. Bit of an age difference but we get on really well, so we'll see where it goes.

2) Got to look through some first edition Charles Dickens books at work this morning. Happy Birthday Boz!

3) Went on an Amazon pre-order spree and must say, I'm looking forward to March when all the shite I've bought turns up.

4) Might hopefully get a part in a very funny play, and may get to direct a Pratchett adaptation in the summer, which'd be one off the bucket list.

5) Still keeping to my New Year's Resolutions - I've re-started saxophone lessons, and am adding weekly to a Florida holiday fund (to be used god knows when, but I'll be able to afford it when it does).

1) I’m off work this afternoon

2) I’ve finished a drawing I’d been working on since November.

3) My next drawing is already under way.

4) I’m going to Noel Gallagher’s gig on Monday.

5) I’m loving old school horror / sci-fi films right now too.

1 - Lording it over the Giants fan crowd, with my office directly at eye level with the parade bus.

2 - Home made crisps

3 - Tits

4 - Job is going pretty nicely

5 - Richie Freebird

1. The swim>steam>coffee house routine I do daily with my friend is just highly fucking enjoyable. Coffee bar is full of students as well so you can persuade yourself that you're still chilling at university even though you finished months ago and should really get a real career.

2. The fucking obscenely attractive girl we've been talking to there lately. She's a regular as well with her friend so we've started to sit together. One of those girls that looks beautiful just in a hoodie and slacks without any makeup, perfect features, gorgeous complexion. Seriously one of the most perfect girls I've ever met looks wise, you could tell immediately she was southern and here for university as she's such a step above the locals. She has a boyfriend and I don't even have any expectations that I could ever get with her, but it's just enough to hang out with someone like that. One of those people you feel privileged to know.

3. Clothes prices - the recession means you can get some swank threads as awesome prices. Plus I love the current trend for chunky knits, and being out and about in social places every day gives you incentive to look the best you can, so you don't lapse into the slovenly unfashionable lay about you can become when you have nothing productive to do all day.

4. Writing. I'm inversely at my least productive as a writer when I have the most time, but recently I've bucked the trend and started to get serious work done on projects I've been all up on for ages without making headway.

5. Tropical fish. It really is true that it's relaxing to keep fish, I can go into a trance and watch them for ages. Nothing better than pouring a beautiful gin and tonic, putting an awesome record on, turning the lights out and watching the colourful fish dart about. True escapism.

1) It's my birthday this week so I'm going out on a boys night out for the first time in a good 6 months. No Mrs, no kids. Just booze. Lots and lots of booze.....

2)....and Star Wars first. Episode I get's released this week in childhood-memory-raping 3D so we'll be going out to see that before the ale quaffing begins. Or maybe we'll hammer some beers in the cinema and use it as an excuse to shout abuse at the screen when the kid that plays Anakin Skywalker wanders on

3) The Mrs' 20 week scan is this week so we find out what we're going to have baby wise. We've got one of each already so I'm not massively bothered either way. I'd like a girl but I've an incling it'll be a boy.

4)I've lost weight. Thank fuck. I've sucessfully cut down on snacking, bread and cheese and my gut is vanishing at an alarming rate. Ok I'm so hungry I could violently attack passers-by but that's not the point. The goal is to lose enough of my gut so I can actually see the tattoo on my stomach. Then I know I've lost enough

5) It's all I'm eating at the moment in an effort to lose the gut. No croutons though which kind of takes the whole point of soup away as far as I'm concerned.

If you don't mind me asking, how big of a difference?

Like 6 years ... so not that big really?

That's nowt.

well.... that kinda depends on how old he actually is.,

And which way the age difference is.

I'm assuming she's just got her letter from the Queen.

6 years is nothing. So assuming she is at least 16, then the worst it can be is that she is 16 and you are 22.