Trunk Guys'

Is there any wonder that the US Army keeps blowing themselves up!

2009-08-17T18:19:00.001+01:00

The ideas you have when you're young...

2009-08-09T08:18:00.001+01:00

A quiet Saturday

2009-08-08T15:18:00.000+01:00

Brighton Pride

2009-08-02T10:02:00.006+01:00

Now as anyone who knows me will tell you about me I a) don't like Brighton and b) am not too keen on Pride events. Yesterday was a revelation then as I attended Brighton Pride.

Some very good friends of ours invited us down to Brighton for a Pride breakfast before heading out to the watch the parade and head over to the park for the party/picnic.

After a less than easy journey down to the coast (thanks to National Rail and London Transport) we hooked up with Lisa, Renee and settled into a fun morning of polite conversation and japes with their friends. (Little known to me that the strand that connected us was our place of work!)

Anyway we had a fantastic breakfast of fried meats followed by pancakes. We even enjoyed to sit in Lisa's wonderful garden and enjoy the fleeting moment of sun.

We headed out to watch the parade around 11, all completely full of food, wine, champagne and such like. Very tipsy but in a festival spirit. BY the time we left the house it felt like we'd all known one another years and were all mingling and joking.

We perched up and got a decent view of the parade and happily took loads of snaps, laughed, joked and enjoyed the flask or two of neat Pimms that appeared from Tom and Andy's never-ending rucksack of booze!

Of course it started to spit so we headed to the nearest pub we we took the only large table outside (!) and enjoyed a jug or two (to be fair a jug plus more Pimms from the magic rucksack). Our gamble to sit outside paid off as although it rained slightly it didn't have us running for the interior of the pub. In typical English manner we gritted our teeth, donned our stiff upper lips and enjoyed the conversation and jokes that followed.

A couple hours passed (as had the rain) and we decided to brave the weather and head to the park. It seemed foolish when it felt the whole of Brighton was walking away from the park but when we arrived the party was in full flow and the park was rammed.

As we made our way to our picnic spot Richard and I were stopped by GuysWithiPhones who asked to take our photo (yes we were on our iPhones so that's how they picked us out of the crowd!). I am not sure if we'll make it online but keep an eye out ;0)

Picnic rugs and more booze appeared from more magic bags and rucksacks and we sat and enjoy some more bubbly taking in the festival atmosphere and people watching.

Richard and I made our excuses late afternoon as we were aware of our two hour + journey home. This turned out to be a great decision as the heavens opened on our way back to the station.

The weather didn't spoilt the day though as we had a really fun time, enjoying great company, making new friends in the wonderful Pride atmosphere.

Of course lots of photos were taken - pop by Flickr to see the full set (be warned there are some near nude shot of the odd male figure (and I mean odd!) - LOL)

Things to love...

2009-07-25T08:56:00.002+01:00

Things to love this Saturday morning:

International Diving Champsionships from Rome + BBC iPlayer/Downloader + Grab = Fantastic captures such as this one of David Boudia flashing his butt as he hit the water ;0)

Legacy...

2009-07-25T07:46:00.000+01:00

Cotswolds

2009-07-24T09:11:00.002+01:00

I have just returned from 4 days solo in the Cotswolds (yes 4 and not the originally planned 3 - this is because I ended up having to come home and back again on Tuesday - long story won't bore you with it (but it's Richard's fault!)).

Anyway I had a lovely time and it was the perfect way to finally recover from my back op - at the beginning of the week I was still a little numb but with all the driving, walking and fresh air I am nearly 95% back to my normal self (god help everyone...).

As is traditional for me I took lots of photographs, some of which are online for you to flick through.

Highlights of my trip included Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Would, Broadway Tower, Moreton in the Marsh, Oxford (dinner with a very good friend of mine), Gloucester Cathedral (not the city although I discovered a great little organic delicatessen which sells the best tea), Cheltenham, Northleach (and the wonderful Mechanical Music Museum), Hidecote Gardens and Chipping Campden. Yes I did cover a lot but to be honest but I didn't rush any of it and thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

I think I covered 400 miles (but this does include the extra round trip to St Albans!).

I was going to use MotionX GPS on my iPhone whilst away and even though I know it doesn't need a phone signal I decided not to use it as the signal was so patchy in places (and I wanted to conserve my battery).

I therefore have mapped my routes on Google Maps and include them here - explanations below:

Monday - Home- Great Rissington (F) - Bourton on the Water (B) - Stow on the Wold (C) - Broadway Tower (D) - Moreton in the Marsh (E) - Great Rissington

Tuesday - Great Rissington (I) - Gloucester (B) - Home! (D) - Bicester Village (F) - Great Rissington (I) - Oxford (H) - Great Rissington (I) - PHEW!

Wednesday - Great Rissington (G) - Gloucester (B) - Cheltenham (C) - Northleach (D) - Great Rissington (G) - Bourton on the Water (F) - Great Rissington. Believe it or not this was the most relaxing day!

Thursday - Great Rissington (A) - Hidecote (B) - Chipping Campden (C) - Home (D)

All in all 400 miles, an exciting week. Some relaxing, some not LOL

Click on the photo of Chipping Campden below to see all the photos in my Cotswolds set:

Post Op

2009-07-14T15:30:00.005+01:00

So I had my operation and all went as planned - kind of.

I was originally told that I would only have local anaesthetic at the point of the injections but I ended up going under general anaesthetic too. This was a mild shock on the day and to be honest it made me more nervous, especially as I had to have a line in my hand (which I hate as I am always terrified I will snap it!).

I don't remember taking this photo let alone uploading it - I must have done so when I was coming around after the op with my iPhone!

It was all very swift and to be honest I remember going into theatre and being asked to turn over onto the theatre bed and that was it 90 minutes later I am awake back in my bed!

I was thankfully discharged the same day and Richard and Brandy played nurse.

What I hadn't expected was to still be off work. I was warned the operation could have no affect, instant affect or pain through adjustment - sadly I got the latter.

Since the operation I have been through varying degrees of pain raining from sharp pains throughout the affected area to complete numbness down one side.

At one point it felt like someone was sat on my back jabbing me in the butt and leg.

I did assume that this was part of the healing process - something my doctor confirmed yesterday.

I am on stronger painkillers and mild sedatives as I have not slept well since the op (I cannot do anything for too long as I get uncomfortable - be it walking, laying, sitting to standing).

One minor annoyance was when I dropped my iPhone coming out of the surgery yesterday. I didn't feel it due to the numbness in my hand and hadn't realised I had let go of it until it hit my foot. Thankfully it had an inCase slider on it (which cracked) - the phone was unscathed. Pissed off about the case but glad it was there otherwise I'd be without my iPhone!

I hope this process speeds up and I can get back to normal as soon as possible.

The good news (!) is that this pain is new and different from before which is good as it was excruciating when I originally tore the tissue. I know (or rather hope) if I take it easy for a while then I should be back to my old self.

You can tell I have been under the weather as I stop shaving when ill - I see no point when I am not going anywhere (hence the photo at the top!)

I am away on my own next week as I wanted a break following such a hectic year at work. I am not planning to do anything major as I am off to the Cotswolds with my camera and paints but I have to drive there first. Wish me luck!

Thanks to everyone who sent me really kind messages through Twitter, Facebook, Email etc. - that was very sweet of you all.

Back Again

2009-07-07T05:57:00.004+01:00

Well today's the day, after months of physio, scans and investigations I am going into hospital for procedure on my back.

After the MRI scan it was discovered that the problem is with the tissue around my lower disc - hopefully todays procedure will reduce the swelling and take the pressure off my nerve. Wish me luck.

As a little distraction I thought I'd share this rather odd Sony promotional shot with you - do you think they may be targeting gay gadget lovers? LOL

Happy Birthday Baby xxXxx

2009-07-02T17:37:00.004+01:00

Happy Birthday Baby

Another year has passed and you just keep getting sexier ;0)

xxXxx

2 men in 2 hotels in 2 capital cities = 1 hell of a weekend!

2009-06-23T18:17:00.005+01:00

So the big weekend has happened and I had an absolute blast.

My weekend started on Friday where I met Lee in the Docklands where we spent a leisurly day having lunch, browsing and discussing all things Pet Shop Boys (PSB).

Late afternoon we made our way over to the 02 Arena where we met up with Steve and a host of new friends. It was great fun winding people up about my relationship with Ste. Most (nearly) believed that I used to be his rent boy and he paid me to give up following a terrible chaffing accident. Lol.

Anyway Ste and I made our way to our seats (not before he tried on most of the merchandise!) and caught the end of Frankmusiks set which was average at best.

For the main event we were greeted with a stage full of White boxes onto which the vt was displayed.

Heart was the opening number and Neil and Chris came on stage and performed with boxes on thier heads. Once the boxes were removed it was bowler hats and rousing renditions of DYSMC? and Pandemonium/Can you forgive...

The rest was a blur really. As ever this PSB performance was a real stage show. The set changed many times. Most dramatically when the boxes collapsed to form a larger wall which the dancers danced/marched on for Go West.

This tour was by far more exciting than Cubism and yet there appeared to be less hits. I was very moved to hear Kings Cross performed live although not so fussed regarding Jealousy or Always on My Mind which was sadly lacking all it's orchestral mid sections.

A fantastic show of hits and PSB gems ( 2 divided by 0, Why Don't We Live Together to name a few).

The encore was not traditionally Go West but Being Boring and West End Girls. Once again Boring reduced me and Ste to tears. We consolled one anoter with a hug through the song. It was all very moving. There is something about that song...

We stopped post concert at the 02 for a drink before heading back to the hotel.

What I haven't mentioned is my back was playing up and I had a stinking cold. Ste felt a little off colour and had post gym aches and pains '0). By the time we had finished chatting it was past 1 and neither of us got much sleep. If one of us was asleep the other was awake. Our 5:45 start seemed to come around slowly considering how tired we were. Still it gave us both a great opportunity to catch up!

Post breakfast we hopped on a bus to Waterloo where we managed to loose one another at the tube gates!

I made my way to Kings Cross (without getting lost ;) ) to meet up with Richard for a coffee before hopping on the Eurostar and zooming toward Paris.

It was very mild in Paris this weekend and it seemed to be the weekend to be there.

We stayed on the Left Bank in the Latin Quarter and we'd do so again as it was so vibrant and fun.

Post siesta (I was so tired following the concert I was happily addressing all the Parisians in Spanish), we headed out around Mouffetard where we discovered the wonderful markets a well as all the restaurants, fromageriers and patisseres.

Sat evening we spent in our favorite restaurant in the Marais before heading out to catch all the Paris queens posing and prancing around the bars and clubs.

Sunday we headed to Le Bourget for the Air Show an the 100th Anniversary of Avaiation which made for a really interesting day.

The usual military and domestic air craft were on display but this show had a twist as the flying display included planes from every era of avaition. You didn't need to be a enthusiast to enjoy the show.

We headed back for a late siesta before heading back into the Latin Quarter for dinner. It was absoluetly packed as it was summer solstice and the start of the Music Festival. Every street corner had a different band performing and all the restaurants we al fresco. The experience was electric and lots of fun.

We walked to the Pantheon to watch the sun set before heading back.

On Monday we started our day visiting the Pantheon which was very interesting. It's such a majestic building.

There was a march on Santo Pompiers (Parisian fire men) which was an extra special bonus treat.

We strolled down towards the Jardin du Luxembourg and had a rest watching the world drift by.

Heading back into the Marais we had lunch at the Open Cafe Bar and were served mouthwatering food by a hot Latino dish called David ;P

An afternoon of browsing and shopping found us in Les Halles listening to an organist practicing in the church of St Eustace.

All too soon we were back at Gare du Nord and rapidly heading home.

With the PSB set list still ringing in my ears it's been a fanastic long weekend.

I've slept with two men. In two cities. Experienced some great events and admitted to giving up my life as a rent boy!

Pop by Flickr to see our Pics of Paris and the Pet Shop Boys. Au revoir.

Hands and Blogs

2009-06-07T10:42:00.003+01:00

I have been banging on about Little Boots for ages now and have played the early tracks to death.

I think this has unfortunately tainted my view of the album. Now Hands is finally out I must admit I am a little disappointed (no pun intended).

I think I have heard so much of it already that the new tracks seem odd wrapped around the familiar.

Earthquake - nice catchy pop song
Click - don't like it (but it will get into your head)
Remedy - the stand out track, a huge gay club floor filler!
Ghost - interesting track, very poppy
Symmetry - Excellent track which features a wonderful duet with Phil Oakley
Tune into My Heart - another great pop song
Hearts Collide - Again very catchy, very electro pop
No Brakes - a fun pop song, great for the summer

I didn't cover tracks I have already heard such as New in Town, Meddle, Mathematics or Love Kills.

Something else that is bugging me is the redesign of Trunk Guy - it wasn't planned but as the weather was so bad yesterday I spent some time on the design and really like what I have.

90% of the site is ready but annoyingly I cannot get the damn blog page to work in the new design. This blog has become so complicated I am finding it difficult to take it apart and make it fit into the new design.

This is a real shame as I really want to make the switch and I don't want the blog to look different from the rest of the site.

I think I will take a break from it for now and come back to it at a later date (which is a tad annoying as I am sure you'd like the new design as much as I do)

Empire meets Boosh?

2009-06-06T08:39:00.001+01:00

Choose Frog

2009-06-05T08:54:00.000+01:00

I love the lips!

2009-06-04T18:49:00.001+01:00

Ah Naked Paris!

2009-06-03T18:16:00.002+01:00

Why do I never witness things like this when I am in Paris?

Reead "Baby", 3 mecs à China Town, avec NuitSexy.fr
by rollrecords

Back to the future

2009-06-03T17:25:00.002+01:00

So I met with the Osteopath today and it's good and not so good news (actually that's a little negative, it's not that bad really).

I definitely have a problem with the disc in the lower right of m spine. This is causing problems in my leg, back and foot.

The good news is that I have done the right thing. THe advice from my GP and the sessions with the Physiotherapist have worked as they should and I have done nothing wrong. In fact he has recommended that I continue with the exercises until the tests prove otherwise.

Next week I am going back for a full MRI scan (you can tell I am not using the NHS can't you!) - this will help determine what is causing the problems and hopefully find a solution - I go back the week after to receive his conclusions.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Trunkgut

2009-05-31T10:41:00.005+01:00

Later this week I am going to see an osteopath about my slipped disc. Although better (following physio), I am still in discomfort. I have been religiously doing the exercises but am due for the appointment to investigate what's up.

The pins and needles come and go as do the spasms in my back. I try to be good and correct my posture, take screen breaks and do my exercises but it's not easy.

I've noticed that as I am now 35 I not only have these problems with my back but I also have a bit of a belly (a rarity for me as I was 8 stone and stick thin most of my adult life!)

I don't like it and I don't like the fact that I am not doing exercise for it due to my back. Hopefully my osteopath will be able to advise me.

My exercises range from physio to yoga and palates moves with some resistance but I don't know if it's enough nor do I know how I can push it. (Obviously cause I don't want to further damage my back).

I knew I have some body conscious when I was younger as I always wanted to put on some weight. Now however I want to stop!

I know I am not a bloater and I am not a victim of magazine anxiety but it is something that bugs me. Not helped by the scar I have running across my stomach (which has been there since near birth).

I walk a lot. I eat well and these exercises for my back are more than most do yet I want to know if I can do more.

I hope I can and I hope to find out after my appointment...

For now I am going to chill in the garden and hope my neighbours don't get offended by my undies on the line!

Kitty eated by garbage monster

2009-05-28T16:56:00.000+01:00

Recipe for a snog

2009-05-24T08:43:00.008+01:00

Take

One frozen yogurt bar
Continue to one gay bar (preferably one that takes advantage of the gorgeous weather)

A selection of the following:

Double gin & tonics
Mojitos
Brambles
Cosmopolitans
Bloody Othello's
Long Island Ice Teas

Mix with London's West End night life
Avoid the ice being thrown at me from the cute Spanish barman (flirting?)
Make fun of all the flighty queens
Leer at the hung bar staff

Transfer to a Spanish restaurant

Collectively NOM on approx. 40 different Tapas

Wash down with a healthy pint of Cruz Campo

Makes for an incredibly fun night in town with friends which involves lots of drunken debauchery, leching and a mild headache the following morning (at least it's sunny and warm so I am getting plenty of air typing this in the garden!)

Polarized

2009-05-23T09:40:00.001+01:00

As you may have noticed I have really gotten into taking Polaroid type shots and with the introduction of the fantastic Polarize app on the iPhone it's now easier than ever.

I love the Camera on the iPhone and feel it's more than up to the task. There is something about the Polarize shot though which really get my attention.

There's loads more to view on Flickr.

Human Interface

2009-05-23T09:00:00.001+01:00

Hi from Multitouch Barcelona on Vimeo.

RE:Tweet

2009-05-22T17:42:00.002+01:00

Well it's not every morning you are stopped by two uniformed officers in an unmarked car asking questions about your neighbours is it!

Why am I only discovering this now?

2009-05-18T18:47:00.000+01:00

Truly WTF?

2009-05-17T11:18:00.001+01:00

Could this be the strangest, campest, weirdest video game ever?