I dream of jeans

Colindale, London, England // 12.22 am // Partly cloudy 15ºc / 59ºf

I'm typing this as I swelter in the living room just after midnight. It's not even that warm outside now (although it's still pretty mild) but it's been a fantastic day weatherwise, and this flat really did heat up through the day, and now refuses to cool down.

Been a nice long weekend off work with lots of stuff happening. In fact, I've hardly stopped which is a nice change compared to the last few weekends when I started to get close to climbing the walls.

On Thursday night I cooked what was supposed to be mustardy pork chops, except I forgot to buy the pork. So I improvised with chicken, and the result was actually really good. Quite a simple recipe but very delicious. It's fair to say I also had quite a few drinks during the course of the evening, and ended up falling asleep on the sofa, waking up at 5.30am, and then going to bed.

I had a substantial lie in on Friday, sleeping till 1pm, which was bliss. By the time I had tidied the flat, had lunch, showered etc it was time to head off to Kenton, just north of Wembley to catch up with my friend Robin, who was set to depart uni halls for Canterbury for the last time, as he's come to the end of his course, with great marks to boot. I got there just after 4pm and we had a good few drinks in the McGowan's pub there, which is a less inspiring branch of the chain compared to the one in Colindale. Nonetheless, it was great to catch up with Robin. It got me thinking that it was a shame that we didn't really do it more often, other than meeting up before gigs, especially since I moved to NW London last summer. Still, there will be many more opportunities to come, not least the Incognito gig in August.

Robin and I parted company just after 6, and I headed south to Paddington, stopped off for some dinner at KFC, and then headed to Hammersmith to join Elle and her workmates for another few drinks. We ended up staying there till around half 11 before heading home for a few more drinks.

And, true to form, I once again fell asleep on the couch. This time till 7.30am, which I think is a record. I can only be thankful it's not the toilet.

Felt surprisingly fine on Saturday though. And after the usual ritual of tidying/lunch/shower I headed out in the glorious sunshine to Twickenham, in South West London, for the annual meeting of the British DX Club, at the Barmy Arms on the north bank of the Thames. I think this is the 4th time I've made it to one of the meetings since moving to this part of the country in 2004, and every time so far the weather has most definitely played along. The turnout this year was fantastic and very encouraging. I spent a great few hours having some really interesting chats with people who I really only ever see during such meetings.

At around 7ish we headed to the usual Indian restuarant, Delhi Durbar. Last year we ate al fresco, but that wasn't an option this year thanks to live bands performing outside The Fox pub across the road. I found the service in the restuarant quite odd this year (and now I say that, I'm sure I commented on it in the past too). For instance, they wouldn't really accept us ordering sundries... instead it appeared they were going to give us a set amount of rice and breads to share between ourselves, based on the number of people, which resulted in at least two naan breads and a portion of rice going to waste. I opted for the green masala, which was a chicken dish based on green chillis and lime pickle. It was a really tasty, spicy dish, although the flavour got a bit too intense after a while. Lime pickle is hardly a favourite of mine anyway, but I liked the idea of having it as part of a main dish, but it did get a bit too much after a while. Still, the food was lovely.

After the meal, the remaining half dozen or so of us returned to the pub for another drink, then I headed back off to Colindale.

I actually stayed up quite late when I got back, playing Fifa till around 4am. Woke up just before midday today, and shortly after that headed down to the Brent Cross shopping centre to their branch of Next to buy a new pair of jeans. Anyone that knows me knows that I pretty much live in the same pair of jeans. And, to be fair, the pair I have right now have lasted me long. But, judging by the holes between the legs, right trouser leg, and both knees, this pair has had it. And the only place I can buy jeans that fit me perfectly is Next, without fail. This is if I can find the place. And I could not. It turns out, thanks to a tip off from my friend Eve's sister, Holly, that there *is* a branch of Next there, but I was looking in the wrong place. So I'll attempt that again tomorrow!

A few hours later, Elle and I headed into town to meet her friend and partner for a meal in Leicester Sqaure. We ended up in the Wetherspoons below Capital Radio, and had quite a few drinks and something to eat. I went for the unusual (for me) option of the chicken al forno pasta dish, as I fancied something light. And it certainly was that - despite being one of the more expensive main meals on the menu, the portion was hardly signficant, but there was something oddly gratifying about that when I had finished. I felt I did good.

So tomorrow is the last day of my four-day weekend, and is set to be a busy one. I'll wake up fairly early and need to do the following: register with the local doctor's surgery, buy jeans, post stuff at the Post Office, go to Asda for ingredients for dinner, cook said dinner and prepare Tuesday night's show.

Break? What break. Although I really can't complain, it's been great.