After another Birthday passes and the annual father son Birthday drink is all but a distant memory I'm left with a strange feeling of under achievement.

This feeling is all emanating from the annual Father son birthday drink, now this drink isn't something my father and I do because we don't see each other for the 364 days that aren't my birthday its something that My Father and his father did so it become something that my father and I do. Anyway during the drink we talked euro 2008, work, the coming football season and my plans. Now the usual blokey chat stuff was fine but the 'My Plans' part really fell flat as i realised that i don't have any.

My father started talking about how when he was 26 he was Married i was born and my sister was on her way. While i have recently moved back home to save for a mortgage (renting wasn't the idea situation to be in and save) and i haven't had a meaningful relationship for at least 18 months but depending on your view it could be as long as 3 years.

Its not all gloomy mind you i have a solid job which for the majority of the time is challenging, engaging and gives me enough responsibility so i feel in control of my own working direction. I own my car and i have a great bunch of friends and im on my way to accumulating the required deposit for a house.

So its not as if my life is stagnating it does have a smell of routine about it but all good routines.

On the super upside - Rockband for my Birthday. This is my first venture into this whole hitting a load of plastic buttons in a rhythmic sequence to feel link a rock-god genre and i have to say i am loving it. Really struggling to get beyond Gimme Shelter by the Rolling stones on Hard my fingers just don't want to work at that speed. But having a great time trying.

A few weeks ago i went all American and attended the Monster Jam at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff.

Click for larger picture.

It was a hugely entertaining 3hours plus, its not something i would consider going to see again but im glad i went.

Here are some videos i took.

Grave digger at monster jam

Swampthing at monster jam

Donkey Kong at monster jam

Motorcross bikes at monster jam

Stunt cars at monster jam

Taz at monster jam

Just to let you all know :- I'm top ten good!

In a recent football post there seamed to be allot of interest in people playing a Euro 2008 fantasy football game. I hunted around and found what i consider to be the best FREE fantasy football game online.

Feel free to join the mini league i have created, instructions on how to register and join the league are below.

I've joined the Metro's Free Fantasy Euro Championship game at:-

http://eurofantasyfootball.metro.co.uk



I challenge you to join my Mini-League.

Go to the game ( at http://eurofantasyfootball.metro.co.uk and go to 'Register to Play' ), pick your team and join my Mini-League.

The details you need are:
League Name:
GSUK Euro2008
League password:
gamespot

It's not hard and it doesn't cost anything – plus there are some great prizes to win, so unless you're afraid of getting beaten I'm looking forward to seeing you in my league soon!

Early takeup has been good, so far 7 managers have signed up.

For more details see this forum post :- Euro 2008 fantasy football

Just to let you all know. I'm a winner!!

A few weeks ago it was announced i was 1 of the 5 lucky winners of the GSUK Podcast competition for Overclocked: A History of Violence. Well today it arrived!

Small side note. People bash the Royal Mail service but check this out. This package was posted yesterday 20.05.08 and arrived today!

Quick random blog on my favourite smells.

• · New electronic components.
• · New Trainers.
• · The first coffee of the day.
• · Freshly bathed female. (Sure its the same smell as bathed male but thats not my thing)
• · Sports Liniment that used to be bought in bulk and came in a big brown glass jar.
• · Freshly cut grass. (Must be enjoyed while drinking a chilled beer)
• · A lamb Sunday dinner.
• · That smell you get when it rains during a hot day.
• · Just cut wood.
• · The first breath of fresh air when i leave the office every day.

And for all of you crazies out there that think petrol is a nice smell there is something wrong with you and there will be if you keep sniffing petrol!