Nick Jordan

Last night I met up with some of my ex-colleagues for my previous employer’s IT Department Christmas do, held at Planet Poppadom in Chingford, an average Indian restaurant with somewhat odd decor. Huge fake marble arches stretch from side to side for no apparent reason and domes sparkle with coloured lights. Anyway, it was delightful to catch up with people and it was worth missing the last train home to spend time nattering in the pub after the meal. I even managed not to get too drunk despite consuming what was, for me, quite a large quantity of alcohol. Bonus.

Even though it’s only for a one-off show, the return of Tiswas makes me very very happy indeed.

After taking the day off yesterday and riding all the way down to my Dad’s brother’s place, I arrived to find nobody in. No cars outside either. Nothing. I hung around for a bit in case they’d just nipped out but nobody showed up so I got back on the bike and came home. I haven’t heard anything; no phone calls, no messages of any kind. Initially I was a bit worried but I think that if anything was seriously amiss I’d know about it by now.

I have a day off work today. My Dad is over from his home on the Isle of Man, so I’m going to Surrey to see him at his brother’s (therefore, my uncle’s, obviously) place. I’m looking forward to getting a decent long ride on the bike - it’s been a while. It’s also nice not to be at work, since the last few days there have been rather stressful. I’m not complaining - it’s in the nature of the work I do (and love) that there are roughish periods, but it’s good to leave it behind for a bit and do something pleasurable.

It’s my birthday today. Another year older but no wiser. I don’t have anything particular planned except for a quick trip to the pub at lunchtime, but that’s fine. As long as I finish the day full of beery goodness I’ll be happy.

Death penalty for Saddam Hussein. It seems to me that human decency has gone out of the window. Killing a man for crimes against humanity is, surely, a crime against humanity. Haven’t we seen enough death already?