Nick Jordan

Yesterday afternoon I re-dyed my hair. Not very interesting, except that I managed to get the dye all over the bath mat, prompting a remark this morning about the modern art I’ve created. Good job it was only a cheap mat and is easily replaceable. I’ll have a go at washing it but I don’t really hold out much hope. Maybe I should try flogging it as art – you never know.

This morning I woke up feeling much, much better and more awake than I have for some time. I really hope this is the beginning of the end of my recent bout of insomnia, with which I’ve been boring the pants off the world recently.

Another plus is that tonight I’m off to see my friends Lord Byron play at the launch of their single, which all of you will, of course, buy immediately. I know I may be viewed as just a tad biased but they really are very good indeed, as well as being genuinely nice people. If you want to support an up-and-coming band, this is the one. At least until Stealing Jenni get going properly!

As you know if you’re a regular reader of this blog, I’m suffering from insomnia at the moment. It was pointed out to me yesterday that I seem to have stopped reading. While the two aren’t directly connected, it occurs to me that getting stuck into a really good book might help me relax and sleep. Besides, I love reading more than almost anything.

I usually read fantasy, science fiction or humour, with occasional travel books but I’m willing to try anything suitably gripping, so if you have any recommendations I’d be very grateful for them.

I find myself off work today as my insomnia has really sunk its teeth into me. Yesterday was pretty bad; I found myself unable to concentrate at all. I thought that going out for a nice evening and being a little late home might help me relax and sleep but that certainly didn’t work, so today I’m trying to get some rest. I won’t actually sleep during the day as I’ve never been able to do that but I shall probably do a little light housework in between listening to music, watching DVDs and generally putting my feet up. All that followed by a reasonably early night will at least help me make it to the weekend, I hope.

Yesterday we spent the day with some friends, who very kindly took us to a beautiful country pub for lunch. There I was, dressed in black from head to foot, including my nice new full-length coat. There the pub cat was, almost entirely white. You can see where this is going, can’t you? Yes indeed, the cat decided that I was the most appealing person to sit on and, as a result, all my clothes got covered in cat hair. Most of it did brush off eventually but I suspect I’ll be black and white for some time, even after the application of sellotape.

However, it’d been ages since I had a cat sitting on my lap and it was totally worth it. I adore cats.

On Wednesday afternoon I ordered this rather nice coat. It arrived this morning. Now that’s what I call service! Oh, and it’s every bit as lovely as I’d hoped.

I’ve never been much of a one for snappy dressing. All my clothes have been bought for comfort and practicality (read: lots of pockets) rather than style and I’ve never really done much to take care of myself. Recently, however, I’ve discovered (better late than never) that I really enjoy wearing nice clothes and taking trouble over my appearance. I’ve spent a buttload of money on new clothes and even some on, for want of a better phrase, personal grooming. I’m taking time to trim and pluck. And you know what? I feel so much better about myself.

Yes, I still really don’t like a whole bunch of stuff about myself, but I’m doing the best I can with what I have and it’s good. I may even take the time to recommend some products when I’ve had some time to discover what I really like. In a manly, grrr!, kind of way, of course.

I went out for a few beers with a friend last night. One of the pubs we went into was the Bell, and we loved it. It’s small, with very friendly bar staff and great beer. The room upstairs was comfortable and empty, which meant we could chat undisturbed by loud music or drunken idiots. At one point the barman very helpfully set up the next drinks while I went to the toilet, which I thought most helpful. I shall be going back there again, I reckon.

Last night I performed the next part of the self-changing process and dyed my hair black. Well, the box said ‘cosmic blue’ but it’s black as far as I’m concerned. I do so love sitting around with a plastic bag on my head; it’s so attractive.

Anyway, it’s all done now. I shall try to take a photo tonight and post it to Flickr so that those with an interest can gaze in awe and wonder. Or something.

Yesterday morning I finally got around to shaving my beard off. I’d had it for around four years this time and had got very used to it but it really was time for a change. I made some silly joke about my chin getting cold now and then found that when I went out I actually could feel the difference.

I’ve taken a good critical look at myself in the mirror and, while I still hate the way I look, I do have to say that I prefer being clean-shaven. Every time I put my hand to my chin, which I seem to do quite often, I notice and it feels good.

Today, among all the other tasks – putting a new tax disc on the bike, washing, washing up, possibly a run to the council tip – I hope to be dying my hair. It’s all change around here.

I’m up at stupid o’clock (currently 1:50am) drinking hot chocolate and poking about online in a desperate and probably futile attempt to get myself into a state where I can sleep. I’ve been waking up in the wee small hours and then just dozing lightly between long periods of wakefulness for a good few days now and, believe me, it’s not my idea of a good time.

All suggestions on how to deal with this gratefully received.

Update: Meditation seems to have done the trick. At least it did last night.

Amazing and strangely hypnotic.

Yesterday Jenny and I, accompanied by Jenni, our ‘Maid of Dishonour’, toddled off to the Wedding Show at Olympia, mostly to poke fun, which worked well. I mean, who on Earth would want the shoes pictured above?

After a good mooch around and a pub lunch we headed off to Oxford Street where we hit the stores. Jenny and Jenni bought new clothes, I bought some new ear buds (oh, the excitement!) and Jenny went mad and tried on some wedding dresses, for a laugh.

When we’d had enough we popped into HMV, picked up some DVDs and headed home for pizza, silly movies and bed. A good day out by any standards.

Too busy to make a jam sandwich? M&S can help. I think I know where I’ll be buying some of my lunches from next week. How lazy can I get?

This morning my good friend Jenni, who has been staying with us for a few days, and I took a wander up the High Street to the Royal Mail depot and picked up a parcel for me from The Dark Angel. I’d ordered a pair of black jeans with buckles down the sides and a couple of loose shirts, one white and one black.

When we got back home I just had to try them on, of course, and I have to say that I’m really pleased with them. They’re excellent quality at a decent price and the fit is great. So sorry, Jenni, but you can’t have them. You’ll have to buy your own! And I’ll definitely be ordering more.

Jenny’s cool new Victorian style boots had also arrived today so she got dressed and tried those on, and they look truly fantastic! We have cool new clothes, and that’s a great thing. A good start to the day.

After yesterday’s chaos I expected the trip to work this morning to be hellish, but it was anything but. The sun shone, the snow crunched satisfyingly under my feet and the train was bang on time. In the City I found relatively few people about and very light traffic indeed. It looked rather odd, somehow, but in a good way.

If only every day started this well.

It’s quite snowy here in London and the whole place has pretty much ground to a halt as a result. No buses and very few trains. As a result I’m stuck at home, which feels rather bad since I was off sick last Thursday and Friday. Still, there’s nothing I can do about it except check my work email periodically and deal with anything I’m able to, which isn’t likely to be much. Other than that, I shall try to catch up on some housework.

One upside is that the snow’s very pretty. As long as I don’t have to go out in it I shall be fine.

Yesterday I made the huge mistake of going to get my hair cut. I’ve been trying to grow it for quite some time, so all I really wanted was the ends trimming and tidying up a bit. What I got horrified me and made me very angry and upset. He’s taken a colossal and unnecessary amount off the length and, just to cap it all, it’s not even the same length on both sides. Fortunately the latter isn’t too noticeable but I’m still very unhappy. I’ve been going to that particular barber for several years but I sure as hell won’t be going back.

On a more positive note, good friends Steve and Jen came over for a meal last night, and we set about planning our forthcoming holiday in Scotland. I’ve only been to South West Scotland before and am really looking forward to seeing more of it. Anyway, good conversation and good food and drink were had, which ended the day on a much more enjoyable note.

This weekend Jenny and I headed off to Bath with Steve and Jen, where we met up with fellow SCA folks Kevin and Mary for a visit to the Fashion Museum and the Roman baths. Kevin and Mary very graciously put us up for the night in their splendidly comfortable home, where they fed and watered us splendidly.

I’d been to Bath before and, of course, had seen the baths themselves. They were well worth a second visit and the Fashion Museum, which was a first for me, was very interesting as well. Especially as we’re in the throes of planning a wedding. My current thinking revolves around leather jeans, a white shirt and a knee-length jacket of some sort. I have only the vaguest idea of what Jenny’s planning, which is only right and proper.

Anyway, we headed back to London just after midday. I found myself surprisingly tired, and my eyes were closing as I sat in the car on the M4. This evening has been spent doing some washing and trying to relax before another busy week.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. I’m very pleased to announce that Jenny and I got engaged last night. And yes, I’m very very happy.