As with any trip away there is a whole bundle of bits and pieces that have to be sorted when you get back. There are also some important discoveries I have made:

1. The cat pissed on the transformer for my main monitor while I was away which promptly exploded when I turned the power back on.
2. I have lost a third of a stone.
3. I’ve got three days left to spend a Bullring gift card and I have no idea whats to spend it on yet.
4. On Demand on Virgin Media is now even more fantastic than before I left the country.
5. Soundboy Rock, the new and highly anticpated album by Groove Armada (highly anticipated by me) is great.
6. Swanny has a job! No, it’s not a lie! Even more surprising is that it’s even more geeky than mine!

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It might almost have been summer today. Maybe a little chilly out of the sun, but it signals the start of what should be an excellent few weeks (for me at least) – and we’re only just into April.

I’ve started my course of anti-malarials; two a day for the next 9 weeks, and another two every weekend. Should be fun. I always thought taking tablets wasn’t too bad as you couldn’t taste the medicine, but unfortunately these ones start to dissolve on your tongue the instant you put them in your mouth and are rubbish flavour.

Swan managed to get himself up for a job interview last week and told a revolting joke, which apparently was the most successful part of the whole interview. Well done Swan.

Also, big man Chambers rows at Number 7 tomorrow in Isis . I had hoped to make it down for the race, but events have conspired against me and I can’t make it. The best of luck to Rich and the crew anyway, I’ll be watching.

Despite all the good stuff going on, there has been one unfortunate smear on an otherwise sunny week, and it really cannot go without being noted, even if it does take the edge off the rest of this entry.

What I am talking about is the frankly barbaric scheduling of The Apprentice at the same time as Grand Designs on Wednesdays. What sort of heathens are allowed to work in our broadcasting institutions anyway? It’s opprobrious really.

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With Jon and Rosie being around and about for a second evening, we decided to go and see a film. Neither of them had seen Hot Fuzz, and as nothing else was of particular merit, we decided on that.

For a couple of hours we dossed around looking at bits of machinery. As ever, Jon’s collection of odds and ends provided great entertainment, including checking out a dismantled tank engine and a genuine bazooka amongst other things.

We caught the film over in Rubery and then went for some food, spending most of the time reminiscing about the old days and sharing stories before coming home via The Lyttleton.

Throw in sorting out a last minute ISA and getting the currency for my trip sorted, today has been nothing short of an decent one.

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I spoke to a school friend today, who dropped a little something in the way of a bombshell when he told me that he’s now a father. I did know something of this before, but still thought this was early stages and was caught totally off-guard when he told me Freddie James was now ten weeks old. So here’s to FJE, his Dad and his Mum :) Knowing dad I’m sure he’s already seen the whole Disney collection and is drawing cartoons by the dozen.

Aside from sprouting nippers, other friends who have been in touch include Jon and Rosie, with whom I’m going out for food with tonight. It’s been over six months since I’ve seen either and so it’s going to be a bloody good catch up. Oh, the stories to tell…

Currin and I have also been busy, slaving over our global enterprises which are making for very interesting times. I’m feeling very buoyant right now, and with India/Nepal/Tibet around the corner things couldn’t be better. Even the sun is shining…

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On two counts last night was momentous.

Firstly it was the Old Foleyans’ annual dinner, where ex-students of OSH come together once a year to eat and drink and then stagger into the PictureHouse afterwards. It’s the reason I was wearing black tie.

I met up with Steve, John, Mike, Nick and Josh for a couple of pints in The Crispin beforehand, and then we headed up to the school for a couple more pints and the dinner.

Getting in was a little more than we had bargained for, as the back gate was locked and we we’re keen on walking all the way around, so like old times, we all had to shimy over the fence which makes you look like a very posh burglar when you are wearing a dinner jacket.

When we finally arrived there was a chance to see who else had turned out, and it was good to catch up with Rowan (who I’ve not seen we left), Waggy, Paul, Si, Adam and a few others. The Headmaster was also doing the rounds. Si unfortunately got half a bottle of red spilt over him and I don’t think calmed down until after the meal.

John made sure we were all stocked up on drink nd after the two bottles of port and numerous bottles of red wine had disappeared (along with most of the cheeseboard) we got up and did some more walking and talking.

Mr Potter (the last Headmaster) made a rare appearance and I also got a chance to speak to Mr Jones, Mr Evans, Mr Plant (who has done very well for himself), Roy, David and few older faces who I haven’t seen in a while.

Once everything was wrapped up there (they closed the bar) we headed down to the PictureHouse (like moths drawn to the light). Being the final ever night before they shut forever (or something like that), wearing full black tie didn’t seem to go down to badly and I ran into so many people I knew, it made a very good end to the night.

I finally got to meet Will’s girlfriend, and ran into Greeny, Malin, Walshy and Mobberley – four people who I haven’t seen in absolute years. Liam’s sister also was about and a number of OSH boys who hadn’t been at the dinner.

All in all, I really bloody enjoyed the whole shambles.

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So when I posted that list the other day, I thought I’d made a pretty good list of things that are cool. However, it appears I made an omission that I would like to add, and that is how to tie a bow tie.

Most of the time when I have attended Black Tie events in the past, turnout has been pretty mixed. Me being one of the mixed ones.

Since I left school the only real call for black tie has been a handful of summer/winter/hall balls and school reunion dinners. People who think I enjoy wearing the stuff are mistaken. I like suits, but black tie is often just too much to eat in, and I invariably feel out-dressed by the people who do it properly.

For Christmas the Parents bought me The Man’s Book which is full of the sublime and ridiculous (it’s written by some Oxbridge chap, so you get the sort of idea of the quirks it contains). One of the topics he covers is correct dinner dress.

Of course, you should never where black tie until after 6pm, your shirt should be marcella/pique and your collars should be turned down. White dinner jackets are never acceptable, and you should always wear a handkerchief (ideally, coloured) in your breast pocket.

Shoes should be patent leather, lace ups and a cummerbund should be worn with upward facing pleats.

Oh, and according to anyone who goes to these things often, it is a sin to wear a pre-tied bow.

This is why I have taken stage one towards improving my evening dress and gone and bought a proper bow tie.

If you ever have the pleasure of tying one of these, just remember you will never have back the hours you spend practising the knot. I therefore have a tip for any of those who might not be dexterous enough to pull off this Houdini like knot but still want to remain ‘cool’.

Go any buy yourself a sheet of black felt (cheap). Cut from it the shape of real bow tie. Stuff it in your pocket, and put your pre-tied bow tie on. If anyone asks if your pre-tied on is real, lie to them and say it is. They won’t ask you to take it off.

Later in the evening when the port is being served and everyone is feeling thoroughly merry and loosening their ties, take a discreet journey to the toilet, whip the fake one off and leave the piece of felt around your neck. Everyone is likely to be too battered to notice it is made of cheap felt. Mission accomplished.

Although I came up with this scheme, I can’t say I have ever done it, or now ever will, for I have spent the last two hours of my life learning how to tie the damn thing, and now will never have to mix with you pre-tied bow-tie riff-raff again.

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Well it’s that time of year again, and being the sucker I am for The Apprentice, I dutifully tuned in.

I’m not going to make any in-depth analyses yet or try to work out who’s going to succeed, but overall I was impressed with the calibre of the candidates, and think this could be a better series than the last one. I’m just waiting for the chaff to be cut and to see some meatier tasks dealt out.

With all things business on my mind, this morning provided a jaw-dropping but utterly brilliant revelation regarding a personal project, which means I’ve been glowing from ear to ear all day. I can’t talk about what this means exactly, but I can’t thank a certain friend/accomplice enough. He knows what he’s done and he’s been driving a Spitfire this afternoon.

A sour story broke today involving a couple of widely known figures from the web industry. I chose not to comment in the public discussion because I don’t really think airing this type of personal grievance in their professional world will benefit either party in the long run (although somehow, I think that might be the point). In the past I’ve have had very limited but positive contact with both people involved, and holding nothing against either of them, so only hope and wish that both people find their way through this troubled time.

Like always, buses arrive in dozens and today has seen them queuing up one after the other. With two weeks to go until my departure, I’m having to be very diplomatic about my workload and have been reluctant to over-promise myself to too many causes. The next few days are going to see more scaling up and hopefully I will start to see closure on the remaining commitments I have.

Finally congratulations to Sean who bagged himself a new job, Sister Two who picked up her school prize from Hagley legend Lee Sharpe, Swan for finally getting to a job interview and DeVito for reaching a new level of computer-literacy.

Also, hello Mike. Sorry I forgot to mention you before, you facebook terrorist.

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