Well a big fat hello to anyone that might be reading this! I'm not sure if anyone will be, but I'm sure this will still be a great place for me to rent (combination of rant and vent?!) none-the-less. So for anyone that might be reading that isn't too sure who I am, let me quickly bring you up to date!
I'm a 34yr old (currently single male), born in Chatham, Kent, but moved to Stoke on Trent when I was 10. I went to Biddulph High School until I left in the Spring/Summer of '93. My nickname there was 'Jaffa', wittingly called due to my Auburn (yes, not ginger!) coloured hair! I currently live in a three bedroomed semi-detached in Kidsgrove. I have a beautiful 16 month old baby boy named Benjamin who lives with his mother up in Halifax and who I heartbreakingly, never get to see (I will blog further on this subject soon enough....). I also have a boxer dog called "Spike" and an African Grey Parrot called "Max".
Anyway, shortly after leaving High School in 1993, I developed Agoraphobia (fear of going out). Which meant I suffered from severe panic attacks and anxiety whenever I left the house. This was a "side-effect" phobia of an existing phobia that I have had all my life, called Emetophobia (fear of Vomiting). Basically, I would get anxious of the thought of going outside and being sick, so I was safe staying indoors in my little "safe-zone". Which is where the Agoraphobia started. To me, it was much easier sitting indoors with no anxiety or panic attacks than to go out. I was this way and didn't go outside the front door for years!
I am happy to say that half my life later (17yrs), I am beating the Agoraphobia and a million times better than I was. For example, I can go out shopping, and be out for a few hours and then come back home. With no anxiety, panic or the likes, whatsoever! I am still not well enough to use public transport or to go long distances in the car (about 20-30mins is my maximum limit!). But I am getting there!
So that is my baggage. We all have our problems in some way, shape or form. And that is mine! :) I just wanted to blog about it and get it out the way. I don't want to go on and on about it. I want to have a little fun with this blog and keep things light-hearted mostly. I will end this blog entry here as I feel I have rambled on enough! Plus Big Brother is just about to start (Sad I know!). I blame the agoraphobia! 17yrs I missed out on my life and socializing, so nowadays I am interested in watching strangers live their lives on tv I guess! Well that's my sorry-arsed excuse and I'm sticking to it!
