Thunderbozz

I've written about Co-op Radio before, but as my new store is technically independent of the old one, the music they pipe in is different too. The playlist is, in fact, practically identical but with one key difference: not one song they play is by the original artist. Nothing and no-one are sacred: from old classics to fairly up-to-date releases, every song is performed by what I can only imagine to be the Co-op's house band and singers. In fairness, they pull it off very well most of the time: the music is almost identical and the vocals are good... but it just isn't the same. The Gorillaz' Dare doesn't have the same magic without Shaun Ryder; Take That's Shine isn't as wonderful; and – worst of all – Keane's Crystal Ball is just out of tune. ◊ What's the point in having an emergency phone in a lift? To get help when you get stuck, right? From an e-mail received this morning: We strongly advise anyone coming to the University over the n...

Sheffield has been top of the news agenda for the last few days, following the torrential rains and fatal flooding which punished the city at the weekend and on Monday in particular. Broomhill, where I live, was unaffected: indeed, walking around its streets on Tuesday morning, you could be forgiven for being absolutely unaware of the terrible situation on the other side of town. Walking to work on Monday, just as the rains became heaviest at around mid-day, I got absolutely soaked. In true comedy style, this was aided by a bus driving through a large puddle next to where I was walking. I hurried on to work, hoping I could sneak in through the front door unnoticed, race upstairs to the staff room and dry myself off before anyone noticed. Unfortunately, I was greeted by everyone standing just inside the (locked) doors because there was a power cut. Since then, the electricity supply has been subject to various planned and surprise outages, as the authorities attempt to restore ut...

I've finally started work up here in Sheffield, which is a relief because it brings so many advantages. The first is purely financial: I need to get that missing overdraft back somehow. There are other benefits, though. It means some sense of routine has returned to my week, which only a few days ago has just been an incoherent mixture of sleeping, eating and watching TV at all hours of the day. At least now I have a regular House slot every morning. On top of all that, it gets me out the house and keeps me fit. It may be tedious, repetitive work (with few benefits), but it literally pays the bills. Which reminds me... only 9 days until I move house...

In the words of Peter, Paul and Mary, "God send a fire, not a flood next time". I left work this evening to find a massive plume of smoke rising over the city... and coming from the direction of Gatecrasher. Apparently, the building has now collapsed , so that rules out any nights out there over summer. Gatecrasher One becomes Gatecrasher None (and the door to various other jokes including references to Burning Down The House , a fire in the disco! and, of course, Disco Inferno swings wide open...).

I've just found out I have a Bebo account. How long that's been there, gawd only knows, but there you go. I even have one friend, too, which beats the number of MySpace friends I have by... erm... one.

Mon dieu I'm bored. I've watched all my DVDs, listened to as much of my music collection as I can stand, arranged and re-arranged all my stuff, completed my work in the garden... I've even exhausted the internet: Facebook is boring, MySpace is horrible and even Last.fm is too much effort. It's also pretty hot in herre (my room), so I can't sleep. I'm stuck in limbo. All I really want to do at the moment is pack a bag and fly over to Dublin or Paris or Barcelona and spend a few days enjoying some summer sunshine and foreign culture. I can't for two reasons: I have no money and I have a job interview on Wednesday. The two are , fairly obviously, intrinsically linked... plus I have to go home sometime too.

In a city that kills by constriction Throw your streets around me and squeeze I had to make a pretty important choice today: whether to commit to Sheffield or Dartford over the summer. Back at home, I'm guaranteed employment and won't have to pay for my food; up here, I'm hoping to start working soon and I'll be living independently. Ultimately, I think that's what swung it, although in truth I'm probably too proud to admit defeat and slink back home.

There are three things I like about Big Brother : he has a sense of humour; he has a wonderfully wicked streak; and dammit he gets results. This series is one of the best, because instead of using the tired formula of filling the house with as many opposites, freaks and confrontational types, they've gone for a new approach. Fill the house with women, and let nature take its course. The gangs, the in-fighting, the bitchiness, the jealously, the excitement of seeing a man at last (the rather dashing Ziggy)... brilliant. What is always fascinating is how you can watch people change. Lesley has finally found a role in the house, using the confidence and assertiveness she naturally possesses. The twins – and I didn't think I be typing this after only a few days – have grown-up incredibly. They've recognised that in the real world, not everything is pink and fluffy. In truth, they've rarely been on camera, but not because they're too irritating: in taking a step back fro...