Sensibly i head over to the NHS walk-in centre during my company's work hours in case my thumb might be broken. This is rather unlike me; last time I had a broken bone in my finger, it took my girlfriend two weeks to convince me that I needed to go to the hospital. I guess I learnt from that situation, mainly due to the fact that my lack of action resulted in an operation. Another reason for my speedy attempt to sort things out, is due to my current free weight fitness schedule. Losing the use of my thumb makes this fitness regime practically impossible, so I need to get it healed ASAP, whatever is wrong with it.

Two hours later I'm back at work with a set of X-Rays that demonstrate "a total fracture" of my lower thumb joint. An appointment has also been made with the fracture clinic at St Peter's hospital on Monday, in order for a specialist to check it out properly and give his opinion on the break.  ¶ 3:06 PM (3) comments

  After the euphoria of last night and seeing Notes from a Barstool for the very first time, it is somehow inevitable that disaster should strike at football tonight.

During my stint in goal, I throw the ball up field towards Clive. As my hand flies forward, Graham (playing for the oppposition) runs right in front of me and lifts his arm; a reflex reaction or an attempt to block the ball. Either way, my thumb catches his forearm and bends completely back on itself. I yell out briefly, more in anticipation of the pain than the pain itself. I cannot immediately see any bruising, so assume that it's probably just a bad sprain. I carry on playing, though each time my wrist jolts, a sudden pain jolts through my hand. My ability drops by about 50% as I struggle to focus on the game instead of my hand. Thankfully, though, the game finally ends.  ¶ 12:57 PM (0) comments

  Allen turns up on my doorstep early evening with Notes from a Barstool and right away I can see that this time, the cover looks like it ought to! We nervously check through a copy, to make sure that everything looks OK, and Al breathes a sigh of relief as I inform him that his job is done.

And so stage 1 is complete; Notes from a Barstool is officially born unto the world.  ¶ 12:50 PM (0) comments

  First day back at work is with a 6:30am start and a hectic day in Croydon. Strangely it flies effortlessly by and before I know it, it's 6:30pm and I'm back home.

Watch Sin City, which is a thoroughly enjoyable film. It takes me about 15 mins to get into the "comic book" feel, so hang on in there if you're too reality focused and thinking this film is way too cool for it's own good.   ¶ 11:05 PM (0) comments

  Join Jim and Dave W (both hammers fans) at the Varsity to watch the Championship playoff final between West Ham & Preston: winners to be promoted to the Premiership. Nick also jonis us towards the end of th esecond half (obviously not a hammers fan).

West Ham do the business and fairly effortlessly pull off a 1-0 win. It's all they need though; Dave and Jim are over-the-moon. West Ham will be back with the big boys next season.

After the game and some fiddling aboutin order to drop my car back home, I meet up with Dave W, Jim, Nick & Jo at the Royal Oak. Jim is absolutely hammered and only sticks around for about twenty mins, before stumbling into a taxi to go back to Sara's place; lucky Sara! Nick & Jo head for a meal, leaving Dave W; who is about one pint away from being in the same state that Jim was in! We hang out in Guildford for a bit before Dave admits defeat and we decide to call it.

Thankfully the early finish means I should be spared a hangover for my return to work tomorrow.  ¶ 11:10 PM (0) comments

  The second venue for Clive's "double-bill birthday" is the King's Head. I leave just before last orders in order to make the late night movie showing at their place of White Noise. The film is entertaining, but not at all scary - a standard comment RE: most horror films these days...  ¶ 11:59 PM (0) comments

  Notes from a Barstool arrives at my door... but has to go straight back again!

The idiot printers have somehow managed to fold the cover the wrong way; meaning that the front cover has now become inside back cover - and yes, this occurs for every single copy. Whilst the fuck up is generally amusing there is, however, an element of frustration creeping in, since yet again we are hitting a delay that is pushing us further off schedule.

The frustration is only short lived, since it's a bank holiday weekend and my diary is fully booked for going out.

Tonight is the first of a double-bill of bar nights planned for Clive's birthday. Saturday's location is The Guildford Tup - for beer and the England friendly against the USA.

Everyone ends up at Dave W's place where Clive utilises a dial-a-beer service which for about £35 results in a crate of beer being delievered to the door.  ¶ 11:19 PM (0) comments