That Was The Past Six Months That Was

[Found some old photos on my computer at work so thought I'd post them on here and give you a quick photo diary of the last six months. If I knew how to write captions I would - after all it's my job - but you will have to make do with separated paragraphs.]

FISK (November 11, 2006)

This is a photo of the award-winning author Robert Fisk. A Middle East correspondent for The Independent, Fisk was the first Western journalist to interview Osama bin Laden (bin Laden actually invited him to conduct further interviews and now, supposedly, refers to "Mr Robert" as "one of us".)

Fisk was speaking at a local bookstore in Dubai on the launch day of the paperback edition of his latest book: The Great War for Civilisation. The Conquest of the Middle East. Every journalist with an interest in world affairs seems to have read this book -- or at least attempted to read it, for at 1,334 pages it's a conquest in itself just to finish it. Anyway, he spoke, I bought and now I am reading.

Interesting anecdote: a year ago while studying at Uni, Robert Fisk, on a rare trip to the UK from his "home" in Lebanon, came to speak at Stirling University. Much fuss was made of this award-winning journalist coming to speak at our humble uni, but as far as myself and fellow Journalism Studies student Graham "Twiggy" Robinson were concerned he was just another journalist. I intended going (despite the lecture being held outwith class time!) and had convinced Twig that it would be good. Little did I realise that the Arctic Monkeys gig that I had been looking forward to for weeks was the same night. I had a dilemma: bin-Laden-interviewing, Independent-writing, internationally renowned journalist, or small unknown band who were destined for success?

It was an easy choice for a music lover who cared not for politics and knew nothing about the Middle East. Twiggy however battled; eventually, in a moment of clarity, deciding to stay behind and attend Fisk's lecture.

So, as I jumped and swayed while witnessing Britain's now-biggest band rip it up on stage at Glasgow's ABC, Graham "Twiggerton" Robinson... SLEPT IN for Fisk's 7pm lecture and missed the entire thing.

Fancy Dress Party (November 17, 2006)

Last Halloween. Having finished work at 6pm without a costume, two hours later I had the best outfit at the party - complete with hand-made shield and sword. Guess whose mother is a school teacher?

And I know what you're all saying: "You always go as Braveheart." Wrong. I've only been as Braveheart twice and this is the first time I've worn the facepaint - which incidentally did not come off for three days as Matt forgot to tell me that it was actual paint opposed to face paint. Work on November 1 was interesting as a guy with half a blue face dressed in a suit turned up to edit the paper.

CENTRAL PERK, DECEMBER 27, 2006

Yes, it's true. The only official, licensed Central Perk in the world isn't actually in New York City but rather Dubai. I thought I'd check it out, and I must say... It could not BE any more like the programme.

For the full story click here.


HUMMER (December 28, 2006)

This is me and my new car. It's a Humvee H3. I love it, makes me feel more of a man.

In actual fact, this isn't my car, but it was for a short period. We managed to blag a brand new Hummer through the Motoring pages of the newspaper. This photo was taken across the road from my office.

New Year's Celebration (Pre-Bells, Hogmanay 2006)

How do you prepare for a big night out? Sit and relax with a few beers? Play some games? We opted for the more energetic preparation of dancing like fools in our then-empty living room. The photo of Matt poised for a pirouette is what we in the industry call 'photographic perfection'.

New Year's Celebration (Post-Bells, NYD 2007)

After enthusiastically dancing in our living room, we went to The Irish Village, which was packed full of rowdy expats (including the elegant Ms Greaves and her housemate Christian). Our dancing was showcased to a larger audience -- quite literally as at one point myself and Mr Dogg sneaked up onto the empty stage and wowed the crowds, until we were accosted by a none-too-pleased security guard.

T-Dogg The Toothless Wonder, January 18, 2007



Remember I told you we were drinking bottomless Bollinger at the Burj Al Arab?

Tony 'The T-Dogg' Richardson had a bit of a mishap while climbing my villa's security fence. Not only did he lose his front tooth, he also turned Eugene's bathroom into a scene that would not look out of place in Hollywood gorefest Hostel. And while Tone got himself a shiny new tooth, all the sorry Irish occupant of the bathroom got was a new non-blood-stained toothbrush. Some folks have all the fun.

[More to come just as soon as I find the cable that attaches to my camera...]