I didn't get into the band. No a problem - I can see why (and neither did Yuri so I do feel a little better).

This has, however, issued a challenge. I'm not going to accept the "you're not good enough" (however it was said). I'm going to fight back. I've asked for singing lessons for my birthday and I will not be defeated.

Is a hermaphrodite gay?

As I was passing Blackwells (the book store), I noticed a display in the window: "The Big Gay Read". No problems there. What got to me was the inclusion of Jeffrey Eugenidies' "Middlesex". It made me want to go into the store and ask what the hell that book was doing there?

For those of you who have read the book, you know what I mean. For those you who haven't, I urge you to get hold of a copy as it is an amazing book.

A really good Praise Party this Saturday, and two things of note for me: firstly that I signed up for a conference without thinking, even though I knew it's on the same weekend as my company's annual ball. Does it bother me that as far as work life is concerned this is the event of the year? No. I'd rather be at the conference. I think I surprised Yuri a little with that one.

Secondly, both of us auditioned to sing in the band. I'll let Yuri give you his feelings on his attempt, but as for me, I am seriously unimpressed with myself. It's not so much a case of whether or not I get in, 'm more kicking myself because it was so appauling that if I don't get in, it's all my fault for not being good enough, especially when I know that I more than am. So, we'll see. . .

What would you make of a dream

where your old friends dragged you to a party even though you didn't want to go. Then, despite the fact that even more old friends were there, you chose to stay with the people you'd only ever seen from afar because they understood. Then, when you realised those people had left, you ran across an unknown town trying to follow them.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

Tommy and I went back to Mum and Dad's this weekend. It wasn't for anything special, in fact, most of them were out for half the weekend, but it was good to get a change of scenery.

We got the train there reminding me that a) I don't like trains and b) I don't like the price of train travel. The weekend came down to a few points. Namely that I found out that the worse of my bad eating habits stem from spending time at Mum's (fridge/cupboard picking without thinking of the consequences) and watching Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Quite good but nowhere near as much of the musicality of the first. And of course, a bit different. Do I remember reading about Willy Wonka actually having a father?

Lost another pound this week. That's 23lbs in total. Am quite pleased with myself as I've gone past 10% of my starting body weight. Still a long way to go, three stones to be precise, but I'm getting there.

All of us from work went out to Loch Fyne for lunch today. I was sorely disappointed.

I had the seafood salad, which was drenched in so much oil (certainly not mentioned on the menu and so high in points that I would've asked not to have it) that the salad turned see-through and started wilting. Then I had the rainbow trout. It was a tiny piece of overcooked fish that came with nothing but a few vegetables. Certainly not worth the money I paid for it. By the looks of things, no-one else did much better.

Add to that the fact that the service was appauling, I wouldn't recommend the place to anyone! So there you are, steer clear of Loch Fyne in Covent Garden.

How to wreck a diet day

Find someone giving away mentos outside Charing Cross.

How could I resist? They were almost an addiction whilst pregnant.