The morning starts off pretty well. I open the shop in time, take the water tubs for the ice-cream and take out the full tubs of ice-cream and everything's going generally well. I start to get a bit bored and notice this gigantic air conditioner in the store room. I give the manager a bell and leave a voicemail for her.
No sooner have I put the phone down then it rings. Convinced it was the manager, I answer the phone with a friendly "Hello?"
There's a pause.
"Hello." Says a disgruntled voice. "Is this *workplace*?"
At this point, I KNOW I'm in trouble.
"Erm, yes."
"Is that how you always answer the phone?"
"Oh no! No! I just thought- I just thought you were my manager coz I only just called her and left her a voicemail and she usually calls straight back and I thought it was her and I'm sorry."
Then, to make myself sound even more unproffessional, I say, "Sorry, who is this?"
"This is your Area Support Manager."
At this point I was interenally screaming in sheer fear. It's a shame really, coz if I was using my brain power, I would have thought of a better way of getting out of this but instead, I kept on talking...
"Arg, I'm really sorry, I'm so sorry, It was, I just litereally called my manager seconds before you called and, and, and-"
At this point, I wanted to say please don't fire me but I thought that might be too much.
Other then that, it was a really nice day.

I got a message from Loop saying there's a party going on at World of Warcraft and all of Mobius is invited. This was the perfect opportunity to get to know all the other players there but it was bad timing. After my computer crashed a few times (damn NVIDIA!), the family had arrived, the barbeque was ready and my stomache was growling.
There was relatives that came all the way from Austrailia and popped over to say hello. Then more immediate family came over and then the conversations really started to flow. As did the alcohol...
For the first time my family didn't embarress me as much as they usually do (no theropy yet) but it was a really nice, chilled out event. Hopefully my Austrailian relatives will give the site a visit
so I thought I'd say hello.

Yeah, so, tip of the day, if you're going to get your ear syringed, get them both done.

Chapter 24 is nearly finished. That means everyone will know what happens and it'll give an idea of what will happen in Chapter 25.
So why am I so disappointed?
I guess it's because The Hitch was such a huge chapter, it took so much longer to get it all out there. Also it took such a long time to actually release it due to my long break from drawing, nose bleeds and just the general excitement of there being a fight between main characters (which I REALLY enjoyed writing as I've been waiting to do that for ages!)
Peter Nurse certainly shows the darker side of Steve but it also reminds him that other people have problems too. Radox has problems with his exams but also has issues with loneliness. When the chapter is eventually out, you'll know that loneliness and companionship are running themes.

I like advice. I like giving it and most importantly, I like receiving it. That's why I have followed the advice of strangers who I have never met before and, hopefully (God willing), never will meet, I have decided to join myspace.com
A breeding ground for saddos, goths, people who put pictures of models up instead of themselves and murders. I am proud to say, I am one of them.
Well, I'm sure it's not actually THAT bad. If it was then I would have put a picture of Lupus there instead of me with a slogan saying "girl bait".
Anyway, clickie clickie click here to see my beautiful space , rejoice in the blog that has plug after plug after plug of Steve and Bob. If you're a member, feel free to add me. Just promise to limit your murders to just politians in the future.

Yesterday I went to Kentish Town to visit an old friend. I'd never been there before so I was quite looking forward to the adventure.
Unfortunately I arrived when all the shops had closed.
Ho-hum.
But it doesn't matter. I was there to see a friend and I at least managed to do that. He was sitting on the ground, working, when I snuck up on him and went "WRAAAGH!"
He was not amused. But he was happy to see me. I think.
It was lovely sight seeing. We saw a posh cinema (posh=expensive), had some fish and chips, discussed what sort of job I should go for next. I was certainly tempted by the Playstation tester job but 35 hours a week? Crickey.
Yep, I am unemployed, but I am using my time to promote Steve & Bob. And it's working...

A very, very big thank you for Lupus who has, in one day, improved my web designing skills dramatically.
After enquiring how to do something in for a web page, Lupus directed me to tizag.com.
The very thought of adding CSS to my website terrified me. I don't like adding bits I don't understand. So I started to read the site from the begining.
All I can say is that this site is amazing! This morning I didn't even know what CSS was. Now, not only do I know it stands for Cascading Style Sheets , I know how to use it and more importantly, how to improve Steve & Bob!
So I owe a big thankyou to Mr Tizag as well as Lupus. And also thanks for making me laugh when you said that the strip for the 3rd actually looks good!

It helps to be known around internet forums. Even if you might have a somewhat dubious reputation. As much as I love ToxicFire for it's snowman obsessions, it's members and it's cookies, I am a member of another forum.
*Imagines Alex gasping, putting a twig hand against her forehead and passing out*
On the plus side, it seems my endeavours withSteve and Bob has gained some recognision in Gamer's Gateway by 30111987 (try saying that ten times fast) who owns a website which offers free mobilephone wallpapers.
30111987 had a look at Dave Duff's Deplorable Downloads and was so stunned at the artistic prowess, that he wanted to feature some of the wallpapers on his site. So, pop on over there and have a
look-see. free-mobile.com

A very amusing day.
Today I decided to go swimming. I haven't swam since I was ten, maybe eleven years old. So I was read, I had changed into my swimming clobber and then, something struck me.
How exactly do you go about swimming?
You know how people say, "Just relax, the water wants your body to float." They lie.
So, I spent the best part of one and a half hours trying to swim, kicking wildy and frantically with my feet, peddling my arms as fast as they can and having very itchy eyes.
Speaking of eyes, I didn't have my glasses on so to make matters worse, I couldn't see a ruddy thing! All I needed was to accidently walk into the women's changing area. Thankfully I didn't. I walked into the women's sauna instead. At least I didn't see anything.

It's happened again, the site has gone through it's one thousandth, two hundred and fifty eighth remake.
The bane of a web designer is that you spend a week working on a beautiful bit of flash (like the last site), it looks beautiful and everything works, the code is perfect and everything's lovely
And then it hits you, "Where are the divine quotes?"
Needless to say I was frustrated. So after much soul searching, crying and throwing books at passer bys, I came up with a concept of a site that is capable of having bits added to it.
With a little help from Lupus from the forums and a lot of help from Colin at free-mobile.net, I learnt about CSS programming and ideas flew at me. I didn't just want my Divine Quotes back, I wanted more! I wanted a poll and profiles and my affilates and a cool, sandy background and the ability to give the main page different skins.
So I beavered away on this page all this week, croped The Volume and finally, at last! It's up! Hoo-flipping-ray!
So, what do you think? For the first time, you can actually vote with the poll on the right hand side!
Even if this look lasts for a month or two, I'm glad I've learnt something new in the process and am very proud of the proffesional glean of the site. Hooray for re-builds!

I just know I'm going to rue the I stumbled upon buzzComix. The first gem I discovered was Anime Arcadia which was a comic about a boy who creates a girl and she treats him like her slave. Only on the internet can you get surreal comics like that. And only on the internet could I find a comic called Tarlickers!
It's a fantastic concept actually. The apocolypse has brushed by and all that's left are two brothers. They aren't exactly bright but they have loads of charisma. I love Frog! (one of the characters names just so you know)
The artwork is absolutely perfect, there's a apocolypse haze smothering everything and the shading shows true dedication to the artist's craft.
It's a quirky comic with likeable characters but there are odd bits with robot monsters and shooting electricity from claws which makes me think it might be going into an awkward direction.
Having worked on this comic site for over two years now, I know how difficult it can be to keep it going. The sheer repetition of having to do a comic strip every day gets to you sometimes. But having the strips finished and having people who can't wait to see what's going to happen next, well, that's the most rewarding thing in the world. So I wish the makers of Tarlickers the best of luck and they should know that they now have one extra fan.

Editor's Note: Yet another comic I love and recommend dies. It's like I have Death's touch or something. That'd probably explain why I hate Girl Genius...

So, again I went to see an old friend from work today. It was his last day working in Victoria in Central London. After some nattering, flirting with customers and watching in bewilderment at the staff in Hobbs as the female staff lifted up their tops, we went sight seeing.
It's so strange walking down the street and then all of a sudden you see the London Eye. I was just stunned by the sight of it. And then seeing Big Ben as well as all the other ancient buildings, well, it was quite an amazing sight. You'd think living in London I'd be used to this by now, but I'm not a keen explorer. I've seen it before, of course, but not everyday. Obviously.
Then we saw all the shops. We saw entertainers smoking (I don't know) and a fella playing a guitar upside down.
Then the highlight of my day, I found Forbidden Planet! My mouth dropped and I ran to the shop. My mate was in despair, as I got very excited by the Doctor Who window. Then I practically exploded with excitement when I saw that they were looking for staff.
This would be perfect for me. I've always wanted to work in a place like that because it's just filled to the brim with comic book goodness. And working with a comic strip site, I think that could only be a good thing. That and I can work with Daleks all day.
After that we saw the odd sex shop (there's a fair few), the odd boot shop, then we walked to Kentish Town. At which point, I was in denial about my exhaustion but my mate was in denial as well, so he made good company. We talked about ingenious ways of going home with minimal effort. From bribing people, to flying lap tops to jet skis...
Finally we arrived at Wood Green and it was sad saying good-bye. We used to work together so much, being apart; it just makes me feel gloomy. I miss his company and he's such a great laugh.
That said, it was a fantastic day. I got to see so much and I hope to have another day like it again. wish me luck for that Forbidden Planet job!!!

I've got to say thank you to so many people. I need to say thank you to Colin at free-mobile.net for making this week Steve & Bob week at his site!
I'd also like to thank Dark Edge Comics for their very nice review of Steve & Bob on buzzComix.net! Here's a link to his comic strip, Link, and it is actually very good looking. Very stylish!
One last thank you...

To all the people who have visited the site via buzzComix!
I'm deeply flattered that you wanted to come here and read Steve & Bob!

If you like the comics, please vote for it at The Steve & Bob buzzComix Page! I'm currently 179th which, I guess, isn't good for a top 100 list, but it's still early days. Keep voting and the dog and mouse will just keep on climbing! Thank you!!!

Arriving at Leicester Square at ten to nine in the morning, I am bursting for the toilet. Being too early in the morning for everyone, all the shops are closed. Yes ladies and gentlemen, my bowels are making the news.
More importantly, why am I in Leicester Square? If you read the last newsie bits, you'd know that there was a position open at Forbidden Planet. It was so strange being back there after all this time. The place has obviously had a massive re-fit and everything just looks so... tidy!
I used to visit when I was little to see a friend that used to work there and stare jealously at all the comics I could never possess. Today, I tried to be very cool about everything but I did see a few Red Dwarf memrobilia and that's it, I nerded out.
I left reluctantly (I wanted that model of Starbug!) and went to visit my ex-boss mate at Kentish Town, looking ravishing in his pink uniform. Once I had finished pointing and laughing, I realised that it was still morning. What on earth was I going to do for the rest of the day? Job searching? Pay the bills? Invade Poland?
No, I spent the whole day in the library. I know, very rock and roll. But I managed to do a hell of a lot of comic strips today.
After that I spent the rest of the day with my friend and we chatted all the way home about life, cats, seducing the rich and David Tennant.
If I were to summerise the day in one word, it would be "productive" and definately not "nerdy"...

Urg, hot, urg...
Don't worry, I didn't get mugged today. No it's not been remotely busy today. Except for entertaining the dog.
The joys of family. They were entertaining guests today (it's not as dodgy as it sounds, it's work related) but the trouble with entertaining guests is that our dog howls at everyone.
So, after much begging and bribing and tantrums, I took the dog out.
See? I am nice.
It was so lovely outside. I went around the big park down the road, meandered around the field, had to pursuade the dog to keep moving (as she was shattered the moment we entered the park).
The woodland area was nice and cool and we managed to catch our breath after a few minutes of meandering.
There were children playing and laughing in the café area which annoyed me, "STOP BEING HAPPY!" I shouted.
An hour later I arrived home and was told to go away. I meandered and the dog was looking at me as if to say, "You sadist! Haven't I suffered enough for you? Why if I was a bit bigger I'd- Ooh! Bone!" Then I heard, "Badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger mushroom mushroom!" I answered the phone, we could go home!
When I arrive, I had a barbeque had a look at the site and saw that Steve & Bob has had 31 hits! The most it's ever had EVER!
I'd like to say THANK YOU to all the people who came to visit from buzzComix.net! I appriciate it more then you'll ever know and please feel free to sign the guestbook! Ooh, and vote for S&B!!!

I've come to the sudden realisation that all the newsies seem to be me oriented. I'd like to say for the record that I'm not completely obsessed with me and me alone. I'm obsessed about the comics as well. But enough about that, let's talk about me.
Many moons ago, lovely friends at school used to say to me, "Mike, you stink" or "Smelly Mike" or "Put your trousers back on Mike." Oh those Secondary School high jinx!
After school, people were kinder and would not say anything. Until one day, when talking about going to the cinema, the person said, "Only if I can sit somewhere else as you smell."
At this point, I start to think I might have a problem. It wasn't just the B.O. it was the ponytail I had as well (yes I had a ponytail and yes it looked ridiculous).
After listening to that friendly bit of advice and burying my friend in cement under the Queen Vic, personal hygiene became a way of life. It was a mark of a boy leaving adolescence and entering manhood. With Lynx Africa!
Why am I talking about this? Today has been the first day since I was told I was smelly that I hadn't had a bath or a shave. It's not for the want of trying, it's just the plumber came over and turned off the water! Git! So I was B.O. tastic all day and had a full on beard all day. Everyone was kind enough to say, "Don't be so paranoid, you're fine!" from a distance. I became very paranoid when Happy100 called me only to realise she can neither smell me or see me via phone.
But then again, that aroma was strong...
And I did hear the sound of someone passing out on the floor...
That's the last time that's going to happen I tell you. Smelly, hairy, trouser dropping Mike won't be making an appearance anytime soon. If he does, then may God have mercy on all of our souls...

Err, why is it raining wolves?
Because it's my cheap attempt at a Birthday present for my good friend, Lupus!
Twenty one years ago, wolves decided to commune in Birmingham. There they found cars on fire, people being murdered to death, you know, Birmingham...
Then, by sheer luck, they discovered an ancient coven on the coast of Birmingham filled with ancient scriptures and stuff. It was all very spooky.
If you were to translate the language of the ancients, it would say, "Lo and behold, for it has come to pass that creature that will cross the void between man and wolf shall be born today.
And then it happened, Wolf appeared on Gladiator! He ran around in a giant metal cage and fought men with giant cotton bud sticks! The prophecy came true for he shall rule all.
That and Loop was born. Yeay! Long time reader of Steve & Bob and long time scarer of children, Loop turns 21 and I, as well as everyone at ToxicFire wish him a fantastic day!
And no, I didn't get you something from Forbidden Planet. Mr Flibble is MINE!

Today was a truly horrendous day for several reasons but if I had to chose just one, it would be because I left the house...
Reason 1: The Clothes
The other day I had a rather important job interview so I decided to buy some sophisticated clothes for the occasion. I was in a hurry so I bought a rather lovely shirt, waist jacket, tie, trousers and shoes. I arrive home. The shirt is too small.
Unable to return the clothes all week, I decided to return them today. So I pop on the train to Wood Green, arrive, and the entire area is closed off by the police. The shop I bought my clothes from was in the closed off area. It was shut. Damn.
Reason 2: Being alone
Yesterday I managed to take my long suffering friend to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2, so, I thought while I was in the area, I'll ask him to see Superman Returns with me.
I sent him a text saying I'm popping over to his place to say hello and when I arrive, I see hundreds of buttons. This building occupied more then one person. I rang all the ones at the top floor. The first person who responded was a lady. The second was an unknown man, and the third, well, there wasn't a third. He wasn't in. I'll have to see the film by myself.
Reason 3: The Cinema
After texting Happy100, telling her that I'm going to see the film alone, she says, "That's fine, you can laugh out loud at the funny bits and not feel self conscious!" I replied with, "But I do that anyone. I'm always the loudest person in the theatre."
So I queue up at the counter. There's a fair few people waiting here. I remember that the road is blocked off so the other people can't go to the over cinema. There is one cashier. Five people are serving drinks and pop-corn. Two men are just standing at the cinema rooms entrance, doing nothing, scratching themselves. The queue isn't moving. Tell a lie, it was growing. This cashier seems to be going so slow he's going backwards as he disappears for around five minutes to talk to a man who is hiding behind a door. I had had enough. I'd waited fifteen minutes and he's only served one person. I'm going home. It was a wasted journey.
Reason 4: Trains
My Oyster card gets refilled. As I enter through the station gates. I see a sign saying that the trains will be severally delayed. I'm ready to explode. I make a mental note to get up extra early the next day to go to work.
As I'm waiting for the late train, I see a machine that's selling sweets. They're 60p. I put a fifty and a ten in. The machine doesn't take tens, it just takes pound coins. It apparently gives change. I put a pound in, I get the sweeties, I get no change.
The train arrives, I'm texting to Happy100 and Lupus while chewing on a sweet. Then, it gets lodged in my throat. I start to gag and splutter. People edge away from me as I seem to be going into some sort of fit. Realising no one will help me, I calm myself down, whack myself in the chest and the sweet dislodges itself.
I walk home feeling depressed and alone. I take a tub of ice-cream from the freezer and start eating. Why did I leave the house? Why bother? Because I felt lonely and needed to see someone. But, as with most things, everyone is busying with their own lives. I feel depressed.
I've just checked the site. At 21:17 it has had 34 individual hits! At last something to celebrate! I feel better. People are seeing my site at last, Chapter 25 is finished and the only other people who have seen this chapter say it's fantastic.
I feel less useless.

First day of work today. It's the first time I've worked in central London so I'm sort of excited. Everyone says you've got to do it at least once, so, here I am.
If I sound lethargic, it's just because I'm far too unfit to work at the moment. I've had a month off work and have spent the whole time sitting down, working on the site. I forgot what it felt like to stand all day and, you know, work for a living!
I wasn't the only new person in today. Another person started who I can safely say is a top bloke and is very level headed. He's got one more year of studying in university and then, who knows. In fact, everyone was very nice and very supportive there. My motto has always been, "Work's a hard enough job as it is, so why make it difficult for everyone else?"
After a quick tour of the store, we were shown how to work the tills and then, we worked the tills. I know, exciting isn't it?
After several solid hours of manning the tills, complaining and basking in the glory of the electric fans, it was time to go. We didn't feel all together that nervous about working here anymore. Against my mother's predictions, I didn't get fired on my first day, and against my predications I didn't spontaneously combust. So yeay for me!
Once I start getting used to working in this place, I'll start work on some more strips, but until then, one day at a time...

Who needs knowledge when you're got self-assurance?
What am I talking about? Doctor Who!
During a fifteen minute break, I was chatting to a fella at work about the new Doctor Whos. I asked, "Which is your favourite, Christopher Eccleston or David Tennant?"
He replied, "Do I have to choose from just those two?"
At this point, the conversation goes on to his vast knowledge of Doctor Who, the enemies and everything else TARDIS-ie. My face was quite literally o_o
After getting the buzz to get back to work (I may have extended my 15 minutes thing, I wasn't counting), I start serving customers.
A customer was talking to me about how computery things were a bit weird (the chip and pin sparked this). I raised the point that as long as they don't start rebelling then we should be all right. Then he said, "Urg, that's all we need, obnoxious Talkie Toasters taking over the world!"
Then, it just came over me, I actually quoted Red Dwarf! I said, "Well, they'd probably ask things like, 'If God is infinite, and the universe is also infinite, would you like a toasted tea cake?'"
He humoured me with a smile and left the shop. Huzza! Today was the first day I became nerdy! I may not know about Doctor Who or sci-fi or anything comic book related (Batman's white you know) but I know my Red Dwarf!
Now all I need is for someone to talk about Harry Potter…