Boxing Day in Herne Bay and we spent the afternoon at Parkes' parents. Lovely food and plenty of chat. This pic shows Ella being Santa and dishing out the presents.

Sam and Albert making gestures on Boxing Day.

Parkes inspects Keith's fantastic Christmas Day dinner. We spent a lovely Christmas Day at the Silk residence where we ate, drank and sang karaoke until very late (courtesy of Kirsty who bought us the PS2 game SingStar). Everybody but the neighbours had a smashing time.

Jed Silk demolishing his Christmas Day desert.

Foggy days in Ramsgate. This week has been dry but gloomy - this picture was taken just after midday on Wednesday overlooking the port and ferry.

How To Cook Light & Fluffy Rice

I have been holed-up at home this week fighting a strong dose of man-flu and it hasn't been fun. However my illness hasn't stopped me learning a skill. I cooked a chilli con carne dish last night with wonderful fluffy white rice. Here is how I managed it;

1. Measure a cup of long-grain rice. Wash the rice through in a sieve until the water is no longer cloudy.

2. Add the rice to an empty saucepan. Add a cup full and a half of water to the saucepan.

3. Bring the rice to a boil, uncovered, on a medium heat.

4. When the rice is boiling, turn the heat down to medium low. Place the lid on the saucepan, tilting it to allow steam to escape.

5. After the rice has been cooking for a few minutes check for holes or "craters". When you can see the holes or craters, put the lid on tight. Turn the heat down to low. Simmer the covered rice for another 15 minutes.

6. Fluff it up with a fork and serve hot.

Now I have discovered how to cook rice properly I am going to investigate how to cook fried rice and proper Caribbean rice dishes. Watch me go!

Weekend

Both gigs were excellent. Everyone seemed to enjoy them and there were lots of chuckles. That's the end of live entertainment for 2006 - first up on the radar for 2007 is Kings of Leon in February.

On the way back from Folkestone after the Dirty Pretty Things gig. The back seat of the car was alive with conversation starring Kirsty, Steve and Keith.

Pre D: a rock and roll scowl.

Pre D: Strings and Christian getting ready to rock.

Pre D: Keith and Christian supping Guinness.

Tenacious D rewrite the book of rock.

Post D: Christian attempts to banish Keith from the hotel.

Post D: Keith gets new styling.

Mr & Mr Smith

It is going to be a busy old weekend. Tonight Parkes, Steve K, Kirsty, Keith and myself will be meeting in Folkestone to see Dirty Pretty Things play at the Leas Cliff Hall. I am thoroughly looking forward to it even though I am still feeling a little tender from last nights excess.

On Sunday Keith and myself are off to Brighton for the night to enjoy the rocking delights of Tenacious D with our mate Christian. We are staying in a hotel with "crisp white sheets", free WiFi and a range of over one hundred beers from around the world in the bar. How tremendously exciting!

Another rip-roaring Thursday night in The Derby Arms. We met a lovely Nigerian lady by the name of Agnes and discussed topics such as race, religion and Nigerian cooking. The pictures shows Sir Elton Silk playing one of his favourites whilst Agnes looks on.

Festive Balls To One And All

We are now into the middle of December and the festive season is approaching with gusto but I am not feeling "festive" in the slightest. It is the same as previous years - on Christmas Eve I get a little Christmas buzz on about my third pint of ale and then the buzz quickly turns into general drunkeness and that is that! I think the last time I actually got into the spirit of things was when I was about eighteen years old. It seems a shame but there you go.

I am spending quite alot of time at home at the moment as there isn't any rollout work going on at Barclays. My contract has been extended through to the middle of January which is handy and the job market will start picking up then after the New Year hangover.

Music and Fitness

This weekend will be spent in the new gym up the road. When we aren't pumping I will be around Keith's finishing off the new Real Beards tunes and Parkes will be socialising in Canterbury with Lou and Liz. Real Beards debut EP available in the New Year (possibly this coming New Year).

Crawley And Gym

Well Crawley was a little dull (sorry Crawley fans!) however on the upside there were TWO Greggs bakers shops. I bought Parkes and I a very nice crusty farmhouse loaf to have with our sardines.

Our local gym - the JJB in Broadstairs - finally opened on Monday after weeks of delays. I will be joining Keith and Parkes there later today to finally start working-off this muffin top I have managed to accumulate. My last gym visit was in May so I will ache like hell tomorrow.