Hello friends!

Most of you will have seen  the new feature in the Settings for changing your name.  I am extremely happy it is available.  When I first registered on DA I had no idea what it would grow into for me.  During the registration I put the first nickname that came to my mind, which used to be in circulation some 15 years ago among my friends.  Now I feel confident to change it to my (almost) real name, TazPoltorak.  I can't see the change cause any confusion, it seams that DA have managed it pretty well.

I've just had my birthday party.  For some reason this year I decided I wanted to celebrate for four days (don't know why) and I nearly managed to stretch it that far.    Well, the weekend was excellent.  Normally this time of year I start my wild camping season but the weather has been British this Spring   A lot more than usually.  Nevertheless there was a BBQ and music, and general acting stupid (with music).  I was glad to see everyone who came, a few guys from here as well.    has turned up from London without much notice, which was a very nice surprise.  

I have to brag about my presents too   I finally got a kit of AutoAir paints, I've been wanting one forever.  I also got a Dalian melting clock.  It is now happily melting on a shelf in my studio.  I decided I don't even want it to show time.  Erm... I think someone's set the time on it to 4:20  Also, I got a DA cake - never had one before

I also I'll tell you a useful story with a morale at the end.  About two and a half years ago the frame of my bed broke.  I took it apart but didn't want to throw away the frame.  I had just put my name down for an allotment and thought I could use it to build  a frame for a small greenhouse or something.  The frame took space in my studio for a couple of years until I decided I had had enough of it and finally threw the thing away.  Two days later I received a phone call telling me that I got an allotment.

This reminds me of 'cigarette magic', which is a way to make your bus appear at the bus stop.  If you can't see one coming you should light up a cigarette and, as everyone knows, the bus turns up as soon as you spark up.  I think a similar thing has happened  with me.

Anyway, the allotment is beautiful.  There is a recreation area with a lawn and flowers and there is a grow area with patches and everything.  My parents used to drag me on their allotment every stupid weekend when I was little and I hated it.  I am surprised how much enthusiasm I have now.  Also, there are very few regulations as to what you can't do there.  You can make fire, be loud, invite friends.  And it's two minutes walking distance from my house.  It's like getting a back garden.  

Not everyone wants to know this, - someone's allotment, I understand, but it made me happy.  When the time comes there should be photos (when something grows there).  

OK, I'll stop waffling now and post a link to some musing and do a feature.  

The tune of the day is "Meant to be" by Squirrel Nut Zippers [link] of, and while I am here, this one too: "Blue Angel" by Squirrel Nut Zippers [link]

And for the feature I thought, why don't I do one on airbrushing (surprise!)



Thanks for reading!