DARYL'S PLACE

Well hello there loyal readers and thank you for coming on over to my place. Why don’t you take a seat, take a load off and I’ll have Henry the butler take your bags….

Summer is nearly here and just when you think that it’s arrived already, nope, it rains. So as I was walking out the house in a vest, board shorts and my sun glasses thinking I looked pretty damn hot, the heavens opened and I looked like someone out of a Tatu video. But wetness aside I have been busy networking and I am currently in the process of not only trying to move jobs but also move location…I’m going back to a place which has become my home since Uni…I’m going back to Newcastle.

I think I’m going around the right time too as Newcastle has just held it’s Mr Gay UK heat and announced their winner, but also, they are going to be holding their own version of Pride and a similar festival over the next couple of weeks. To tie in with Pride, the whole of the North East is going gay and from Darlington, to Middlesbrough, to Newcastle and Sunderland, the rainbow flags are being dusted off and the drag acts are queuing up because it’s going to get a bit mental and for the first time in a long time, I think some of the quieter towns are going to wake up to a World they won’t recognise…’We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto’…no Dorothy you’re not…you’re in the middle of Pride Parade.

I hope, dear reader, that you are going to join in the festivities of Pride wherever you are; or if there are no events, I hope that you will travel and join in what is an excellent celebration of everything over the top and gay. I have to admit I am a virgin to Pride (anyone want to break me in?) but I will be out and about at as many events as I can to do all I can to celebrate the freedom that I have as an individual…and amongst all of the drinking, the partying and the cavorting, that is exactly what Pride is about, celebrating the freedom that the LGBT community has thanks to the Stonewall Riots of the 1960s. Show your pride by going to Pride and show your respect to the people that fought for those rights by having a drink for them…

Some STI news now…HIV is on the increase here in the North East and particularly with those aged 18-24 (damn it!), but it’s not just on the increase up here, Nationally the numbers are steadily increasing so it is important that you suit up before you boot up and you protect yourself and your partner (whoever he or she is) during sex. Lesbians that includes you too…just because it’s made of rubber it doesn’t mean it can’t transmit things, so make sure you clean it with nice warm soapy water…and then wash your toy too!!

Personal news, as I mentioned I am in the process of trying to begin a long overdue new chapter in my life and so far, it’s not going too bad. I’ve done a lot of thinking, a lot of drinking and I think I’m finally getting where I want to be. I’ve had to struggle and battle with my own inner thoughts, but again, for the first time in a long time, things are looking up…and I hope dear reader, that they are looking up for you too. If not, they will do…remember, if life is a rollercoaster it needs the downward slopes to get you to the highest peaks…so if you’re on a downward slope, hold on, smile and get ready for the uplift…things will get better.

Our competition closes at the end of June, so if you haven’t got involved yet…why not!!!!!??? We’ll be announcing the winners soon and all should be contacted via post (if possible).

Well for now, I must dash…some fit young man has just given me the eye, but in the meantime, whatever you are doing, stay safe and take care.

Laters Peeps.

Daz