However! As I’m off on my hols this week and I’m desperately trying to do anything BUT pack – I thought I might actually give this a go…

But first – here are the rules:

• We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.

• Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

• People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

So – without further a do – here we go!

1. I am a Hugger. A Free Hugger in fact. I own two ‘Free Hugs’ T-shirts, a ‘Free Hugs’ hat and I even have a few ‘Free Hugs’ badges that I give out on occasion. I bought my first shirt on a whim earlier this year and now wear it quite regularly – in fact – I even set up the facebook group – ‘Huggers Unite‘ – where I organise the odd ‘Free Hugs’ event around the streets of London… Why not join the group and come to the next one? I believe a hug can make you feel so much better.  The first event we ever did in Covent Garden was only supposed to go on for an hour – but we were there the whole afternoon – one of the most satisfying things I’ve ever done.
2. I’m a geek. No really. Not in the mobile sense like you’re all thinking right now. But in the “I-own-comic-books-and-I-collect-the-figures-and-sometimes-I-don’t-even-take-them-out-of-their-boxes” kind of way. There. I said it. Ahem.
3. I once fasted for seven days. That’s right. SEVEN DAYS. Not a single morsel passed my lips for a week. Detoxing in Thailand at the Spa they have on Koh Samui. Changed my entire life. Everyone should do this at least once… It sorted my head out, put my career on track and as and an added bonus – I lost about two stone in weight!
4. I used to be an accountant. Say. No. More.
5. I studied at Drama School, (see above).
6. I’m a gamer. I love Nintendo through and through and have owned pretty much every system they’ve produced at some point or another in their patchy history… I bought a Wii on day of release and people are STILL struggling to get their hands on them… This fact I like a lot. )
7. I can dance like a Cossack. Like.. properly. Strange old family tradition. We can all do it. Are we Russian at all? No. But if you’re REALLY special and if I like you an AWFUL lot – then I may consider wheeling it out for you at your next party… for example – the wedding I went to at the weekend… my thighs are killing me now… aargh! Yeah – so don’t ever let me get involved in a dance off – (it’s been known to happen before).
8. I’m a married man. Got hitched in June 2005 and it was all over by March 2006. The best part of it all? I wouldn’t change a single thing. Without it, I would not be person I am today… and anyone who knows me knows that I am one happy fella!

So who do I tag?

Well – I think eight random things about the following people would make a good read:

1. My good friend (and new blogger) Will,
2. Fellow Nintendo fan Neil,
3. My Jaiku/Vox Nokian buddy Carol,
4. New friend Melissa,
5. Taptu demon Vero,
6. Founder of Refresh Mobile – Scott Beaumont – link as soon as I have it  (I know you’ve got a blog somewhere Scott), EDIT – Thanks Scott
7. Good buddy and ex colleague of mine – Prash
8. Aaaaaaaaand… last and by every means least – Mobile9 King: Abul. ;o)

By the way – the photo on this post? It’s a pic of eight random things that are closest to my desk!
A prize for the person that can name all eight…

EDIT – Scott came back with his link – it can be found here: http://scottbeau.blogspot.com and also – as for the picture prize competition – name as many as you can…

Prize goes to the person that gets the most right…

First off – apologies for not following up with Thailand stuff…

I’m off to Glasto this weekend and I’ll be blogging as much as I feasibly can….

Cool beans – I’ll post back here again when I’ve sorted out my web arrangements…
See you soon,

(and thanks again for reading)

James. x

Here’s today’s entry: (2006 style)

“The time has come – tonight ladies and gents I will be disembarking to Thailand!
I can’t wait!
Woooo..

At 21:35 this evening my flight will be departing Heathrow Airport and heading for Bangkok International!
Yay me!
I have shaved my head in preparation of my finding my inner Buddha and fingers crossed I’ll come back a changed man!

And well…
Those of you who knew me before I left for Thailand know how much this journey meant to me. You know how much good the trip did me.
You know how much has changed over the past 12mths.

It truly is astonishing.

Those of you who didn’t know me before I left for Thailand?

March 2nd 2006 -
I came home from work (at my mind-numbing and soul-destroying accounts job at the Daily Mail) to my clearly very distraught Wife….
She told me that night that we weren’t working.
That our marriage wasn’t working..
And that worst of all.. she wasn’t in love with me anymore.

It killed me…it tore me to shreds. I hit rock bottom harder than I’d ever known.
And oh my God it hurt.

But…
Looking back – it was without a doubt the best thing that ever happened to me.

Two months later I’d booked myself into a detox spa in Koh Samui, Thailand for ten days of mind, body and soul cleansing…

I’m going to spend the next ten days or so re-reading my diaries from Thailand and re-gurgitating the choice parts on here again.
So much has changed.
So much…

More soon.

PS – I know that some of you never knew about my marriage.
I never mentioned it on here.
Ever. Not even in my private diaries.
So I don’t really know why I am now..
I just feel I can.
I’ve always felt I could. But I just chose not to.

Apologies to those who I kept it from.
When I arrived in Thailand I didn’t want people to judge me. I was afraid of what people might say… I blamed myself.
“A 26yr old divorcee!” I thought.. “I don’t want them to know that.. know how I’d failed at something like that at such a young age…”

Silly huh?
Sounds silly now. But that was the place I was in when I first arrived there almost exactly a year ago now..

The good news is I’m not in that place anymore.
I haven’t been there for a very long time.

I’m gonna hit the sack now.
As I said. More to come over the next ten days or so…
I’ve missed blogging.
Haven’t had too much to write about (blatant lie) and well y’know…
I’m looking forward to re-reading my memories.

See you there.

J.

A quick blog for ya – I’ll update real soon I promise – been UBER busy!

Anywhoo – as you those of you who have just seen my new profile will have noticed…
I’ve just discovered the wonder that is YouTube!

So.. I’ve been posting vids left right and centre – lol

Now – remember my trip to Thailand?
Well – I had to pre-cleanse for two weeks leading up to it…
and THEN, on top of that!
I had to drink these things called “Liver Flush Drinks”.

They ming. Like Ming The Merciless.

BUT!
In case you ever want to try it – here’s a quick guide:

Liver Flush – Part 1

Liver Flush – Part 2

Liver Flush – Part 3

Liver Flush – Part 4

Please bear in mind that this was filmed way back at the end of April.

Back when I had hair.

…and a beard.

And an extra 28lbs or so!
So yeah – I look slightly different these days!

Enjoy!

)

….more to come soon.

PS – I’m in the final stretch of my notice period of my current job.
I’m finding it REALLY difficult to care about my work..
Hence me posting this when I should really be busy doing something else eh?

lol

..’til next time true believers.

I’m knackered – had an interview at my agency today – that went well

Refresh Mobile tomorrow..

We’ll see how it goes..

*yawn*

Just here to post some pics really..

Hopefully they wont be TOO big..

This is Bophut – where I spent my last night in Koh Samui..

Here’s me and a Ladyboy..

Yes. That is a Man.

So’s the one on the left.

Yeah – thats all I can be arsed to post..

I’m shattered..

NEED BED.

More to come sooon..

Oh.. ok – one more..

Me. In a small room. At work.

Yesterday:

Bed Now PLEASE.

I don’t know why but ever since Thailand I’ve got into the habit of putting my place of typage in the subject heading of my posts.. What do we think about that? Anyone?

Answers on a postcard… (or just click ‘add comment’ – either or)

Anywhoo – remember how I was saying how much I disliked my job?

Well I’m doing something about it. I called my old job agency yesterday and emailed them a new and updated version of my CV.. they called me back this morning and have asked to see me next week. So thats all good.

And also, I emailed that mobile phone software company that I had a chat with a while back, (those of you who know me know about this – if you dont – sorry, cant be bothered to explain – mail me about it if you’re THAT interested – hehehe), to see if they were still interested in me etc.. I just wanted to let them know that I was still available and I hadnt forgotten about them etc… they came back to me almost straight away telling me they were still keen to generate a role for me and they too have asked to see me next week!

So the wheels are in motion!

All I want to do is get a decent job where the stress and pressure is minimal so I can crack on with clearing my debt, sorting my life out, getting my TEFL and then buggering off to see the world. It’s gonna take time but I’ve never had long term goals before.. bout time I started eh?!

Keep smiling all -

J.

I’m BORED with a capital ‘B’.

I’m dreaming of Thailand.

Work doesnt really seem important anymore. Its kind of wasting away into the ether. In the greater scheme of things, work really doesnt matter at all.

I’ve got SO much to do this week and its just not happening for me really.. cant bring myself to care about it y’know?

Its difficult.

I think I’m gonna start looking for another job. Something that I dont have to commit so much time to mentally y’know? Something that doesnt put so many demands on my time and my effort. I know work keeps the brain ticking over and stuff but there are plenty of other things I could be doing right now instead of this. I’m not enjoying the pressure. I want to walk away from it.

I’m only realising this as I’m typing it… Jeez. Thailand’s really changed me. Wow.

Watch this space I guess. I need to sit down and work things out tonight. Sort out what I’m going to do with my life and stuff. Heavy man.

I think a TEFL will be the way forward. I need to sort myself out money wise.. a second job might not be a bad idea. Just for the summer. Get some cash behind me.. Then I can think about buggering off somewhere else.

Hmm.. *ponders*

… … …

In other news – I got my Gurpa back! Well.. I havent got it back yet – but I will have! I didnt have time to pick it up when I landed at Heathrow the other day so I just left it.. Then yesterday I called them to see what the score was and they didnt have it.. GREAT I thought.. and THEN they called me back today to say they’d found it and they’d put it in the post for me asap. Brilliant! I cant take it on the plane but they’ll send it through the post! Hahahah..

Excellent.

So yeah – thats me updating my blog.

One more thing – I ate some chocolate today.

Only three tiny pieces. But now I have guilt..

(it did taste good though – YUMMO!)

Speak soon folks..

I’m en route home.. Woo. Whatley’s Odyssey is drawing to a close.

Had a wonderful night last night – managed to blag some crazy cab driver to take us to the Fisherman’s Village in Bophut (thats how you spell it – I’ve been spelling it wrong – doh) and the place was beautiful! It was like rockin up on an old wild west town with saloons and stuff.. its right on the beach too so we had wonderful views.. we ended up blowing out the Love Kitchen and we went to a place called (get this) ‘Starfish and Coffee’ instead! It was yummo.. We bumped into another bloke (Kevin) from the Spa and he ended up joining us for dinner too.. ..I had Calamaries for starters, followed by a PROPER Thai Green Chicken Curry with Rice.. Then Chocolate Mousse for dessert.. yummo. Drank a fair bit of wine and generally had lots of fun all round – telling jokes and stuff and having lots of giggles. I didnt expecty my friends to come with me to Bophut and yet I’m so glad they did. Guys, if you’re reading this – I had SUCH a wonderful last day and night in Koh Samui. You guys really pulled out the stops for me. Thanks. I’ll never forget it.

Anywhoo – before we went to dinner I had to find a place to crash for the night.. everywhere was 1500-2000bht per night (which is about 30-odd quid or so – not much I know but I had been paying 12quid per night so I wasnt gonna get stung here!) ..anyway – ended up finding this gorgeous room above this pub run by this woman from York called Elizabeth (lovely lady she is) she let me have the room for 800bht when normally she’d charge double! Bless. Her. ..and what a beautiful room it was. A great way to spend my last night in Thailand.

So yeah – got a cab this morning to KS airport and checked in and stuff and everything’s fine.. (well.. aside from saying bye about four times to my friend because first I went to the wrong terminal, then I hadnt paid my departure tax etc…DOH!) ..right up until I had to put my hand luggage through the machine.. Hmm.. People start pointing at my bag on the screen.. Umm…

“Empty your bag sir…”

(dont panic btw – thai prison cells arent equipped with internet access so I’m ok)

Turns out I’d put my Gurpa in my hand luggage instead of my rucksack.. you know.. my Gurpa? The set of pliers thingy wotsit that opens up with a corkscrew, scissors, ruler… KNIFE. Yeah.. DOH! Muppet…

Apparently I can have it back at Heathrow.. Hmm.. we’ll see if it makes it there eh? Place your bets now please!

So yeah – thats about it really.. Gotta go to the transfer desk in about 20mins and check in for my connecting flight to LHR. Then i’ll be on my way home. Flight is at 12:55pm and then I land at 1915 UK time.

If I’m not spending too much time soddin about with my KNIFE then I could be in the pub by 2100hrs! Hahahaahahah.. (on Orange Juice, honest!)

I’ve had an amazing time in Thailand folks. I’ve met some great people, (you know who you are), and experienced some amazing things, (and you know what they are too). I dont regret coming here one iota. I’ve learned so much about me. About my outlook About my direction in life.

I guess only time will tell what long term difference it’ll make.

Short term – I’m gonna have a GREAT summer rocking between London and Brighton.. catchin up with all the cool people from the Spa, (Kev – I’m all over that picnic idea pal – I’ll bring the Liver Flush!) …and dont worry girls – I’ll make my tour of the states at some point – no worries!

As a good friend of mine says: “TTFN folks”

Speak soon.

First off – the good news!

Nadia was cool about me checkin out early – in fact it wasnt a problem at all! Wooo..

So yeah – I got all checked out by 12pm.. sorted. JUST managed to fit everything into my rucksack (got this whole travelling thing nailed now I reckon – lookin a right traveller – me and Uncle Travellin Matt have got it going on!).. I had some lunch with my friends and we were gonna head up to Bohput together.. BUT. Its been SUCH a nice day! I dumped my stuff and the four of us rocked over to the swimming pool next door which is just divine. I took some pics and stuff to show ya but yeah – been there pretty much ALL day.  Its been an absolutely brilliant last day in Thailand. I’m back at the spa now – just saying some goodbyes -

I’m gonna get me a bite to eat and then we’re gonna grab a suntao to Bohput..

When we get there I gotta sort me out a place to stay for the night and THEN we can rock on down to the Luuuuuuuuurve Kitchen. Its gonna be well cool. We’ve all broken our fasts now so EVERYTHING is on the menu! YAY!

Cant get too hammered (if at all – be a good boy now James) cos my flight leaves KS at 740am and I just gotta make that flight!

So yeah – had a great day chillin out with some great friends and now we’re gonna go eat at a great restaurant and hopefully have a great last night together.

I’ll probably post again when I hit Bangkok tomorrow (I’ve got 5hrs to kill between landing from KS and flying to LHR)  so I guess I’ll tell you all about it then!

Keep on keepin on folks - Whatley is not far from home now..

Its 920am here and its a beautiful day.

I think I might go and laze by the pool for a bit actually.. so that should be cool.

In other news – I’m a bit concerned about the cash flow situation – so I decided yesterday to checkout today and then travel up to Bohput this arvo, check in somewhere cheap and then go to KS Airport from Bohput. Which will save me as least half of what I’d be spending if I stayed here..

BUT - it transpires that I may have to give 24hrs notice before I can check out. Which could really stuff up my plans.. BUGGER. BUGGER. BUGGER.

I’m just waitin for Nadia (the Guest Relations Manager) to turn up so I can discuss it with her.. wish me luck!

I guess next time you’ll hear from me I’ll be en route back to sunny Twickenham.

So – until then.

( maybe! )