Moving to Blackpool

30 Jul 2006 I’ve created a monster Last week I mentioned setting up a blackpool gay community message board.  Well I did it, sent a few emails asking to various members of gaydar and myspace to look at it and its really kicked off. At the moment the URL is http://blackpoolgc.proboards38.com/ but I am hoping that in the next day or 2 I can get that changed to www.blackpoolgc.co.uk.  So far I have had loads of positive feedback about the site and more people are joining thanks to word of mouth.  Once I get the url changed I can really get to work in promoting it.  I guess the fact that it has had a good start goes to show there was a real need for something like this.  I must admit I am putting a fair bit of my own time into managing the site but as it picks up I hope to get more administrators involved.  Apart from taking the pressure off me, this will also encoursge the community to take ownership of the project.  (god that sounded, like dead grown up and stuff). I am really proud of whats happened so far with the site and from a personal level its helped me find my feet down here. Currently reading : Doctor Who: I Am A Dalek (Doctor Who (BBC Paperback)) By Gareth Roberts Release date: 19 July, 2006 6:29 – 3 Comments – 2 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Community For the last few weeks I have felt a bit of a fraud at work.  Because I donât come from an education sector background I have had difficulty keeping up with the conversations and discussions.  It has felt like a foreign language at times; Moodle, NLN, QiA, WebCT, COVE, Fenc, TASI, CETL, LLUK, SCORM, etc.  you get the idea. The thought that I will have know and understand this to the extent that I can go out and advise colleges, has been daunting to say the least.  Earlier this week I was in Worcester for a meeting of people around the country with the same job as me, these meetings happen 3 times a year and during the day there are various presentations.  However the most important part of the gathering for me was during the evening where we all had a meal and a few drinks.  I was really impressed with the sense of community and support.  The event doubled as a leaving do for one of the founding members of the group. During the various speeches and toasts someone spoke of how they felt when they started all those years ago, and how they put off going to college visits because they were so daunted at the thought.  But they got through it and so will I.     As I mentioned last week, I have found then gay scene a difficult place to fit in.  If there is a âcommunityâ then I havenât found it.  However I have made a few friends via websites such as gaydar and myspace.  Through these contacts I have discovered that there is a large number of gay people who avoid the scene.  I was thinking about this and what could be done to develop some kind of community spirit., when I had the idea of a Blackpool gay community internet forum.  A forum that catered for the gay community, and not just the gay scene.  There isnât anything like this at the moment, so why donât I start one? Actually I can think of loads of reasons why I shouldnât but I think I might do it any way.  I havenât had anyone give me any reason to think that it will be anything other than a huge waste of time, but if I donât try then I wonât know, and id rather try and fail than just sit around complaining about things.  Lets see what happens. Currently listening : Batman By Prince Release date: 15 June, 1989 5:26 – 3 Comments – 2 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Drinkin with the devil

Its been another busy week what with starting the new job and going out every night:
- Monday – Karaoke in a scairy rough bar (good fun)
- Tuesday – Drinks with 1 of my new housemates
-Wednesday – Drinks with Pip & his BF Steve, Mates from N’Cle
- Thursday – Work related night out- more fun than i was expecting
- Friday- trying to discover the scene- More on that later

But lets get back to the new job, the reason i’ve moved down here.  I started Monday and there have been moments where I have felt as though I have been swamped with so much information i didn’t know where to begin getting through it all. As I don’t come from an educational sector background i feel as though its a doubly steep learning curve, not only learning the job but trying to get my head round all the abreviations, acronims, services, products and various partner organisations. Having said that, I have also had times this week where i have felt that once I get to grips with it all, i will fit in and be bloody good at the job. time will tell.  Also there is something about the organisation that seems to attract doctor who fans, told you i’d fit in.

So last night I got in from work and the sun was shining so i went for a couple of beers over the road with one of my housemates, emma. It was good but it gave me a thurst for a few more so I shaved my head (not a good dea after a few beers) and went into town.  Now, whereever I go, either to live or on holiday, I enjoy sitting at the end of the bar and making friends by chatting to people.  But blackpool is different.  There doesn’t seem to be that culture of making conversation at the bar.  I am finding this really odd.  As I think i mentioned in my last blog, i have found the community atmosphere more noticable on the gaydar site than in the real world.  But I ended up out on my own last night anyway.  I was there for a while when i noticed someone who i vaguely noticed from the bars in newcastle.  we started chatting and it wasn’t long before the subtley negative comments started coming though
“you’ve moved here? why?”
“nice place to visit but you wouldn’t catch me living here”
“Haven’t you just left loads of friends back in newcastle”
“you’ve put on a fair bit of wieght havent you?”
“Your really loanley here arnt you?”
“I give you 6 months before you move back”

Thankfully half way through this conversation I swapped my lagers for diet cokes and this helped me reallise what was going on.

Before Dr who, Russel T Davies and Christopher Ecclestone collaborated on a show called the second coming.  In this show the devil took over a normal guy (the fat guy from the “new customers only” building society adverts).  and this guy would talk to people and, in conversation, bring up there fears, and paranoias which would make them much worse.  This is exactly what this guy was doing.  He was so full of negativity that, if you allowed him too, he would really bring you down.  I made sure this wasn’t going to happen.

He hated the fact that i had moved on from the beers “let me buy you a pint”, “Go on, I’m on holiday, i’m sure i can afford it more than you can”, “Just cos i buy you a pint doesn’t mean i’m wanna shag ya”, “HAVE A PINT”, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU? HAVE A PINT, ” “WHATS WRONG WITH YOU?”

What the hell was I doing talking to that peice of shit in the first place? But walking away from him made me feel stronger.  I won’t deny I have paranoias and worries about moving down here.  The lack of community atmosphere on the scene means I won’t be able to fit in the way  did in newcastle, but you know what? It just means I will find other ways to find my space in this town. and i will.

Currently listening : Confessions on a Dance Floor By Madonna Release date: 15 November, 2005

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“Any one in tonight from Newcastle?”

Is been difficult getting round to writing this blog, my first since moving to blackpool last weekend. Not sure why, maybe its because I was feeling quite down earlier this week and when Im down I dont like to share, maybe its because I havent had a busy schedule, and when im not busy I end up not doing the few things I should be doing, or maybe its because there has been so much I could write about I dont know where to start.

So I think Ill start with a list of things I could write about:

• The fantastic leaving party I had on my last day in Newcastle, where Daniel had his chest waxed (click here for photos)
• The stress of trying to move my belongings from one side of the country to the other during the hottest day of the year
• The efforts I made during the week to get out there and try and make some friends on the gay scene which resulted in me making some enemies
• The shock and disappointment I felt upon hearing there is no gay scene karaoke here
• My new housemates who seem really nice guys but who I havent really gelled with yet, primarily because I have been out every night
• The loneliness I have felt during this week in a town where I didnt even know the area code, never mind any friends.
• The difficulty I have had in trying to tap into the gay scene community up here
• Managing to find more of a friendly, community feel via the local gaydar chat room
• The few potential new friends I have made thanks to gaydar and a shared interest in Doctor who
• The local cabaret curcit which I am fascinated with, varying from really good pop/rock acts to ultra cheesy singers with black suits, ruffled shirts, a laptop onstage full of backing tracks and a diamante treble clef brooch on the lapel.

I think Ill leave it there for today.  Hopefully my next week Ill be in a routine with my new job and Ill have started to feel more settled in.

Currently reading : Bigger Than Hitler By Rik Mayall Release date: 05 September, 2005

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“Haven’t you gone yet?”
Current mood: full

It’s been another week of farewells, with a karaoke/gay scene leaving do on Sunday and a works and others do this evening. Plus I have just had my works leaving meal (Lunch at Pizza hut click here for photos).

I always kew that some people wouldn’t be happy with me having a leaving do at a Sunday at the karaoke, but i went ahead with it any way.  It was too noise and busy which is probebly the ain reason most people turned up for a short while before making their excuses and leaving.  Plus I was taking every opportunity to sing.  Having said that I had a good time, particularly as thanks to these karaoke Sundays I have made so many new friend such as Arthur, Carlos, Kevin, Laurence and Diane. I was so shocked when as I walked through the door Diane gave me a big hug, a card and a beautiful watch as a leaving present. For me the highlight of the night was singing with Diane at the end of the evening.

I did pop out again during the week on Wednesday firstly to see the hoppings fair. which was pritty much the same as last year, although there were allot more queues for the fortune tellers. I wonder if this is connected to the rise in ghost shows on living TV? and then i popped down the yard to have one final song with my Diane.

Today’s Pizza hut work lunch was fun, an impressive turn out (20 I think) far too much food, for me anyway, and a presentation( 3 cards, a tie, £50 and a fantastic pair of tardis cufflinks). I have taken the opportunity to get hugs of pretty much everyone.

So now I have come home to get ready for the evenings final farewell before moving across tomorrow morning. 

I have noticed from the pics just how much of an effect all this partying had had on me. When i get moved in I am going to spend some serious time at the gym.

Currently listening : Bright Idea By Orson Release date: 08 June, 2006

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Party Animal
Current mood: tired

Its been a busy week, I have only had 1 night that hasnt involved me going out and partying.  It was my 31^st on Monday which meant I had to go out Sunday and Monday.  Wednesday I went out, well just because I wanted to, Thursday was one of the legendary Newcastle pub crawls with my mate Martin, and last night It was a night out with the lads from work. I am going to do my best to stay in tonight, especially as tomorrow is my Gay scene leaving do. 

 

In between all this partying I am getting things packed, and returning assembled funitire to its previous flat pack state.  This is so I can load the car up next Saturday and begin this new life.  Time is dragging at the moment, especially at work, just because I want to get this move over and done with. As a friend at work said, I need to stop saying my goodbyes and start saying some hellos.

Currently listening : Greatest Hits By Red Hot Chili Peppers Release date: 18 November, 2003

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paranoia’s
Current mood: nervous

I have only got about 40hrs left to take an 18-30 Holiday. Yep, Im gunna be 31 on Monday.  How do I feel about this?  Err absolutely nothing. Maybe its because all I can think about at the moment is the move.  Although I am organised I am still a bag of nerves about the whole thing.  Hopefully a session at the gym will help me work off some of this stress, and it should be better for me than the several glasses (ok, bottles) of wine I have sampled this week to do the same thing.

 

After writing my blog last week I had nothing  to do for the rest of the day except enjoy the delights of Blackpool in the sunshine.  I went out that evening and visited various local gay bars.  I dont know if was the heat or the fact that I was a tired, but I didnt feel my sociable self.  Usually I can go somewhere and find someone to chat to, but last Saturday Blackpool felt a very lonely place.  This was playing on my mind during the week and fuelled my paranoia about leaving all my friends in Newcastle,  to a town where I dont know a soul. These paranoias where dispelled (for the moment at least) by a few kind messages from Dean, a guy from Blackpool, who I found via myspace.  He has invited me for a gathering to meet him and his partner and friends once I move down.  Suddenly Blackpool doesnt seem such a lonely place.

Currently listening : Whales & Dolphins By Terrorvision Release date: 27 September, 2001

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The move continues
Current mood: hot

Well here I am in that same cafe in Blackpool. The frustration of not getting details of the new job was really getting to me so by Wednesday I gave them a call.  The new contract had been sent and was in the post and my start date is 10th July.  Since finding that out I have been busy getting things organised; handing in my notice (last day 30th June), sorting out 2 leaving do’s (a works do and a gay scene do, although I am dragging my work mate to the gay scene anyway),and I drove down here to blackpool yesterday after work to look for somewhere to live.  I have just put a deposit down on for a really nice shared house in Leyton, Blackpool.  I even have a view of the tower from my bedroom window.

Have been on such a high since finding out about the job that I must be hell to live with and work with at the moment, even more than usual,  although I did get quite emotional when I read the comment left by Davyjimjam on my myspace page.  I think that other than my landlady/friend/Guiding light (Oscar) I will miss my work collegues the most especially as I feel that there are so many really good friendships that are blossoming.

By the way while I am writting this, the rest of the world are watching the 1st england world cup match, I have just overheard that england are winning 1-0 Beckhan scored, no idea who against.  The whole country appears to have gone a bit mad with the whole thing. At what point does patiotism turm to jingoism? (see i do know big words, even if i cant spell them).  I am even doing my bit, I have been walking round in the baking heat all day so tomorrow my entire body will be “eng-ger-land” red, with white bits.

Thats it for now

OK, love you, Bye bye

PS I have done my best to think of a witty football related pun for this blog, but failed. sorry.  If i think of one i’ll update , or if there is anyone who reads this and can think of one, please let me know

cheers

kev

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Limbo
Current mood: frustrated

I am waiting, and waiting, and waiting. You get the idea.  I cant hand in my notice at work yet because I need to wait until I get various forms through from the new job, then have some kind of medical, then wait until I get a starting date.  So at the moment I cant really look for accommodation,  arrange a leaving do, etc. 

 

But enough of that lets go back a bit,  I wrote my last blog last Saturday from a café in Blackpool.  I eventually found a cure for my hangover; fish, chips and anadin while sat on the beach.  That night I went out with the owner of the B&B I was staying in and a few other guys staying there.  The club was fantastic and I danced all night. Im sure everyone thought I was on something, which I wasnt.  The best moment was when I came off the dance floor with a big grin on my face, and the B&B owner put his arm round me and said Welcome to Blackpool

 

The rest of the week has just been the usual odd night out and work, although now it feels like I am starting to tie up loose ends and plan who I will be keeping in touch with, and who I wont.  The highlight of the week was a grape fight with the lads at work.

 

Right thats me for now

 

Kev

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Blackpool

Yesterday mornin I had my interview.

Yesterday afternoon I got a call offering me the job

Yesterday evening/last night I went out and celebrated.

Today I feel ruff.

I am still numb, not from the drink, ok not just from the drink, but also at the thought of how much my life is about to change.

I have had the happiest decade of my life in newcastle, and I have so many friends there, and I am saying goodbye to all that to start again in a town where i don’t know anyone.  you know what? I can’t wait.

I will miss everyone so much but I know i’ll keep in touch with those who i want to keep intouch with, and I have a new adventure to begin.  It hasnt sunk in at all yet, again that might be due to last nights celebrations.

I am going back to newcastle tomorra, so another party night lies ahead.  I think i’d best have a few hours kip before then. maybe i should start looking for flats while i’m here?

sod that I’m too hungover.

right time for a lie down.

PS I am moving to a town with a perminant doctor who exhibision, Get in

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