37 into 28

Strange to think I could possibly be turning 28 about....now. Are you sure? No. I'm dubious. Take the dub out and you're not left with much...of both that word, or music, or life in general. I'm happy to say the first mix of my 28th year my ears have the pleasure listening to is by my good friend Maarten Klein: http://soundcloud.com/maarten-klein/big-daddy-klein-dubstep-mix.

Does anyone else find your birthday always seems a long way off until suddenly it's upon you, having crept up in the night and waited patiently for the right time to pounce. I can't quite believe it's almost the end of October already, in a year that is flying by at an unprecedented rate, twisting and turning and throwing up surprises along the way. And with plans afoot for much of next year the future looks to be mapped out ahead of me, which I both love and hate at the same time; excitement at events that I know will be amazing, but also wary of making too many plans, planning your life away as Randle would say, no spontanaeity...not that I really agree with that, though it made a refreshing change to be free last Friday after work and meet up for impromptu drinks with the gang in Clapham.

Mad Men. Is anyone watching series 4 on the iplayer? Loved the first 3, and I wasn't aware any more were being filmed so assumed that it was being brought a natural conclusion as 3 wound down, only to be thrown a curveball in the finale and to suddenly discover 4 was airing just a few weeks after...excellent timing. I absolutely loved the first 3; the detail, the intrigue, the slick dialogue and character development. I realise that the writers reached a point where they had to shake up the storyline and refresh certain dynamics and settings, but for me this series is not as good as the others so far because I think the creators are now unsure of where to take the story, and more precisely, Don, next. However, they may suddenly ramp it up at any moment and leave us in admiration at the new direction...but I can't see it happening somehow, which is a shame. Has it run its course? I'm off to watch episode 7 to find out.

Final thing. Loved this line from 7 Days this week. Ben's mum is talking about how she once starred in a pantomime whilst in prison many years ago...to which her date asks: "Was it a captive audience?" Genius.

37 (Not in service)

37 has been staying out for the Summer, playing games in the rain. France, Ibiza and Portugal, a European dream that convinces me I won't be living in London forever. What do we gain from being here? Opportunity-yes. Money-yes. Friends-yes. A range of things to do, from culture to sport, parties to parks, London does have a lot to offer.

But what about quality of life? Good food. Beautiful weather. No stress. No hassle getting to work. No feeling like life brushes past you at a million miles an hour and you better jump on board else blink and you miss it. There may be lots going on in London, but do you get the most you can out of it? Are you spread so thinly seeing different people, running here to there whilst also doing the best you can at work that you don't actually have a chance to stop and appreciate it?

I love it here...don't get me wrong. But the cost of living, and amount I spend on holidays to escape the hectic London lifestyle means I cannot afford to see the city as I would like to. There's a side to London which remains out of reach, and once you get into a routine of a certain way of life it is increasingly difficult to detach yourself from it, pull back from the circumstance and situation. How to say no to any of the numerous parties, birthdays, events taking place every weekend, how to pass up the opportunity to hang out with friends, when you know that by doing so will leave you broke again at the end of the month? How to break free from this vicious circle?! And you don't really want to anyway because you think, well soon I'll be older and things will be different ...

One option-to move abroad, where you won't know as many people, as many goings on. You'll stay in more, experience more culture on your own, save money, find other interests apart from socialising...the quality of life might be better, meaning there isn't as much need for release on a weekend. But would you end up going out just as much, meeting new people, new groups to spend your time with? Would the non-stop nature of work, sport, going out simply be transported wherever you go? I guess it depends where...and even if you did intentionally move to a quieter, more relaxed way of life, would you enjoy it, or soon crave your old lifestyle

Carlsberg don't do...

We open to a guy walking into his kitchen as he makes a call on his mobile. He turns on the tap, filling a large metallic watering can which gives off a loud, echoing sound.

"Morning boss... afraid the washing machine has broken...burst pipes, there's water everywhere."
Boss replies: "Not to worry, see you tomorrow."

We cut to him wandering round his flat, watering his plants with the can as he makes another call.

"Sorry baby, can't make today, my mum needs some help round the house."
"Sure honey", she replies, "give her my love."

Entering the lounge with the phone to his ear yet again, still holding the empty watering can.

"Mum, work need me to stay late again...you know how much I want that promotion." Swinging the can through the air in a wide arc. "I won't be able to make dinner."
"I understand son, we're very proud of you."

Voiceover: Carlsberg don't do excuses...

We cut to him in the clubhouse dressed in his golfing gear with his mates, enjoying a well-deserved Carlsberg after their round.

Voiceover: But if they did, they'd probably be the best excuses in the world.