In fact I've spent the last few weeks away from crazy-is-the-new-normal London and back in my home town. I'm trying to recharge and get some perspective on how I get out of the hole I (like so many others) currently find myself in.

So lots of peace and quiet and looking at a field full of cows from my bedroom window. Rather a contrast to London that's for sure.

The big positive about being here is that I get to spend some time with my shiny new girlfriend which is a joy. God I feel about 16 saying "girlfriend" but "partner" sounds like we've known each other for a hundred years not a couple of months, and "lover" sounds a bit, well, naff.

So that's ticking over quite nicely I think, although as many of my ex's would happily point out, I've often completely misjudged that in the past! ;o)

It still feels a bit odd being in my home town. Although its a real boost to have old friends and family around me, I'm often reminded that I really don't fit in here any more (if I ever did).

It was a very odd experience to discover that I'd been the topic of conversation for a group of total strangers

At the weekend, I was out with a friend and we bumped into a couple of guys he knew in a bar. The one nearest me started up a conversation by mentioning the street where I lived. We had a good chat, then it dawned on me to ask how he knew where I lived as I was pretty sure we'd never met before. It turned out that sometime last year I'd walked into my local bar and a friend of his wife's had pointed me out and explained that I was the "one who wore dresses" and that I also had my own website.

It was a very odd experience to discover that I'd been the topic of conversation for a group of total strangers. And that I'd also been stood nearby, oblivious, while it was taking place**.

The conversation took another unexpected tilt as he then explained that they'd later gone on to have a look at my [this] website. He was actually very complimentary, which was nice. But I do recall wondering, how on earth had the conversation switched from the football world cup to how I look in a dress? Although I guess at least I know what I'm talking about when it comes to dresses!

Things like this happened a lot when I first came Out but that was years ago now. I recall suddenly being rather popular, with total strangers making excuses to meet me, and people pointing at me in the street. I also discovered one or two acquaintances who started to show a rather unhealthy interest once they'd had a drink.

But I thought I was flavour of the week, and expected to be totally forgotten a week later. I guess not. I don't know about Z-list famous, more infamous I guess? ;o)

It was an odd conversation, but it did give me another much needed kick in the tush to update this site more regularly. I mean if strangers-who-I-actually-meet(?) are going to judge me on it then I'd better get some pix and comments up that aren't a hundred years old!

**Actually that's probably not true. I think you instinctively know when people near you are talking about you. I know its a feeling I've experienced a lot over these last few weeks back "home".