It is new for me to think this much. I’ve always thought a lot, but never so much that my thinking gets in the way of everything else. Everything else.

I spent a wonderfully relaxing evening with my parents last night as a little celebration for my 24th birthday. Of course there was steak, chips and french fried onions, and even more, baked alaska (calm yourself andrew). But last night I found so much more.

See I’ve always felt like the child in my family. I am. But I’m also 24. I’ve always felt, whether they mean it or not, that my family have treated me like I’m still that same wee boy who used to kick the football over the fence every 5 minutes. Well I suppose if I had the chance I’d still do that but anyway.

Wait, did I say I was 24? Are you kidding me? I’m still a student (for another month!). My father lovingly reminded me that he was married at 24. My response was my brothers were married at 21. What’s your point?!

I am 24. I see it every day when I’m in uni. I love my friends. But I’ve been noticing I’m older than them. You can see the difference. I don’t mean in looks (I’m still a pasty little boy you know) but in actions. In conversation. In how I want to meet up for coffee and have a chat rather than run around the beach flying a kite.

What I’m trying to say is I’m older than my skin suggests. I’m older than people think when they meet me on the surface. Those who know me best know my age because they know my heart. They know how I think, and the things I like to talk about. Yeah of course I want to talk about how awesome United were when they tore Roma to shreads, or how someone needs to swing for Frank Lampard and not miss. Of course I want to yell “This…is…SPARTA!” at every opportunity. And yes, every once in a while I enjoy a bit of mattress diving down the stairs.

But my conversation has turned from Grand Theft Auto and Fantasy Football to God and Life. I’m building Depth of Field Adaptors instead of watching TV. I’m searching my soul and finding I’m unsatisfied with life as I know it. I’m trying to figure out who I am and what I should try next.

More than anything I want a family. Uber congratulations to Pete and Laura, who’ve recently celebrated the birth of baby Alexander James Thomas and also to Dave and Kirsi, who are also expecting their first in October. I’m excited for you all. Only a wee bit jealous

But these things don’t just fall into your lap. In the meantime my focus has to be on living life as I am. I can’t really plan as I don’t know what’s round the corner. But I have to assume that for now at least, any plans I make will be for one.

Back to last night. I think for the first time in a conversation with my parents I felt 24. Well, it is the first time I’ve spoken to them since my birthday but you know what I mean. They consulted me on a decision. Asked my advice. Well maybe they didn’t, but I gave it to them and they took it on board. I was considered mature enough to be able to make a decision. To be able to have my say in a rational unselfish manner unlike a child might. We spoke as adults. We spoke as a family.

Most of you know that one of my favourite musicians is John Mayer. And most of you also know that I haven’t listened to him in almost a year and a half because of what his music reminds me of. But recently I’ve started listening to some of his music again. Only some. And I’ve got his latest album, Continuum. I’ve been looking for new music recently, and I think this constitutes new music. It’s different to his old stuff, and yet still holds that character that I love about him. If someone was to ask me who my favourite song writer was, I’d say it depends what you’re looking for. I think Dave Matthews has an incredible way with words as you know, and the music he writes just mesmerises me at times. Chris Martin writes stuff that blows me away musically (although I’m not sure how much of that is the band rather than him). But if you’re looking for raw emotion put into words that speak with pin point accuracy and developed into melodies that carry you away into that emotion, then I’d have to say John Mayer is the best songwriter I’ve ever heard.

Two tracks stand out for me on the new album. One is the title track for this blog entry, and the other is “The Heart of Life”. Listen, enjoy, spread the word. John Mayer is finally back in my cd player.

Maybe, at 24, I’m finally growing up.

United ‘rejected’ Mascherano

Well hello, i know I haven’t written in a while, lets not call it laziness, we shall from now on refer to it as “blog-writing-aversion”. Or laziness.

I have spent the past few days cleaning the flat, and this morning clearing out the rest of the junk left behind in the spare room because today is a special day - Clive moves in!! Well actually he’s just moving some stuff up today but nevertheless it is an exciting prospect.

The kitchen, too, is looking rather spiffy - new floor tiles layed and fridge, cooker, and washing machine back in position after being removed for said tiling. I still have to choose a colour for the walls but I’m thinking something similar to the bathroom would look well. Again, photos coming soon!

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say I miss Tesco. Am back in Asda tomorrow for work, but I might have to drive out to Tesco after to do my shopping. Nothing compares to it’s greatness, particularly Newtonabbey’s fine store. Have considered this week ordering a delivery but have been put off by the £3.99 delivery cost, but if I don’t make it out tomorrow I may have to use the service. I’m growing tired of an empty fridge.

I understand this has been an odd post, but I’m in an odd mood, after yesterday’s shocking transfer news affected me far too much for my own understanding! Furious Dave got the brunt of my moaning! We tried to take my mind off it by going to see “Snakes on a Plane” but the stupidity of a movie that appeared to have been thought up and written by a 13 year old didn’t do much good in cheering me up.

I think Clive has just arrived so I’m off to help him unload!

My fabulous sister-in-law who never ceases to make me laugh with her blog has implored her loyal readers to visit rockshore, and therefore I have decided that nothing less than a reciprocal gesture will suffice (and maybe some chocolate): everyone please go and enjoy the ingenuity that is this is not my cup of tea.

I’ve just finished (for now) a quick painting taken from a photo I took while on the road with arfie on our trip round Scotland a short while ago. I may go back to it later to add a few more details in (therefore no photo just yet) but am quite pleased with it for just over an hour’s work. It’s a nice scene with sweeping highland mountains forming a valley with a river running through it. We saw such beautiful scenery over there and I took over 300 photos, though many of those were duplicates trying to get the best view and light settings. When I’ve finished off the painting I’ll let you compare it with the original photo for you here on rockshore.

Am really looking forward to getting to donegal to go clambering over my rocks (yes, they are mine) and to get playing with my camera again. Haven’t taken many photos since that trip to Scotland, and would really like to try taking some nice artistic shots across the beach and out onto the atlantic. I’ve seen some fantastic photos recently involving water and am keen to see what I can do now that I have the ability to really play with aperture size and shutter speed.

In other news Apache the Goleador (or Carlitos Tevez as he’s more commonly known) has stated that he wants to leave Corinthians and his agent says he wants to move to Europe. Ferguson get your finger out and sign him up! He’s a united fan you know!

Yesterday marked the start of the 2006/07 premier league season (although man utd don’t play until this afternoon - i’ll be watching on a nice internet stream if it holds up!) and so last night I sat down to watch match of the day, eagre to see how all the new signings are fitting into the line ups.

I was very impressed with Reading; fast, attacking football (surprising for such a dull manager as Steve Coppell) and a good opening day win. The star of the show seemed to be the Korean Seol Ki-Hywon, who seemed central to everything. Liverpool seemed to make the best buys in the transfer window, and I was worringly expecting a rout for them at Sheffield United, but instead they only managed to earn a draw with a late equaliser from a very dubious penalty (albeit the injuries to 2 key players in the first half clearly upset things a little), though I was impressed with what I saw from new winger Gonzales. Portsmouth looked bright, while Villa looked strong in defence.

But the hype of the first day action reminded me more of something not so connected to football - that I haven’t yet got to donegal this summer. It seems that most my memories of the first day of the premier league season involve me and my brothers crammed into my dad’s car in donegal listening to the action unfold on BBC Radio Five Live. Never mind all the fun to be had at the beach, climbing the sand dunes and cycling down the hill, for those two hours we would be sat in the car, only wishing we were playing football ourselves.

I missed out on donegal last year because I was in Canada (”missed out?!” you say!) and I swore that nothing would keep me from going this year. Unfortunately my plans with dave and emily have failed to materialise because poor wee em isn’t well, but this coming weekend, weather permitting, the folks and I will make the journey over (stopping half way for ice cream, of course) for the bank holiday weekend. I’ll be taking my camera to try and capture some of the waves crashing against the rockshore that this site is named after, and with my new transportable easel I might be able to bring along some paints too. Now I just have to find some easily transportable canvases

On friday night man utd took on porto in the amsterdam tournament. the scorers made me smile, not just because they scored 3 absolutely cracking goals (i have videos if anyone’s interested) but because, in perfect order (i guess backwards if we’re counting up to number 1), my top 3 united players hit the net; Scholes with a left foot drive from the edge of the area, Rooney with a deft flick over the goalie after winning the ball from the defender and Solskjaer with a tricky run along the byline before nutmegging the keeper from a tight angle. Sweet.