Stuart: A Life Backwards by Alexander Masters

This book was really disturbing and has stayed with me for months after I finished reading it. For such a little book (less than 200 pages), it took me a long time to read it - mainly because I could only cope with reading a little bit at a time. This is the first biography I have ever read that I enjoyed. Alexander and Stuart were proper friends, which means that Alexander doesn't hold back when talking about how much of an asshole Stuart could be, and also how great he was. Stuart's story broke my heart and while I can't wholeheartedly recommend that you read this (you would definitely need to be in the full of your health), I would say that if you do, it will haunt you.

Birthday Blues

Oh God.
I'm thirty.

I spent most of the week before last being horribly depressed in the lead up to my birthday, and much of the time since has been spent recovering my usual joie de vivre.

This exchange is the only type of support that I could expect from my friends:

Gerry: Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, happry Birthday dear Penfold, Happy Birthday to you!
Or it may be tomorrow. But have a good one anyway Mrs Murnane. So is there a big party for your, em, yeah, em, 29th, Yes, 29 is a safe number.
Many more of them
G

Me: The depression has been settling on my shoulders for the past couple of weeks... I'm 29. Until Thursday. When I'll be upgraded to 29v2.1 [Sob]

Gerry: Ah to be young. Oh, wait, I am. Unlike you old people. Face it, you're like windows 3.11, outdated.

Me: (to Conor) This guy is supposed to be my friend...

Conor: I think you are taking this thirty thing too seriously. It only symbolises the end of your young life.

Gah! See what I'm up against? You had started so well, Gerry! Never mind - you'll get yours! And you Con - I was sorely mistaken for thinking that you might have had a little sympathy - O aged one!