Okay. Here goes, the first entry for my blog. This is so weird as I’ve not done this before so bear with me.

Jo’s blog page 1…

Today I have a bear with me. It’s quite a large bear with very big teeth and I don’t think it’s had its porridge, which is why I’m writing this blog from the top of my wardrobe.

“Aha but bears can climb“ I hear you say.

Well that’s why I’ve been hurling things at it. It’s amazing the stuff people keep on top of wardrobes. So far it has received a dusty yoga mat, a jewellery box, and a cuddly pig dressed in a tutu. That should hold it at bay for a bit, then I’ve got a whole suitcase full of yo-yos (future goody bag material for my kids parties) ready to get acquainted with it’s nose should the need arise……………………

Ok, I know I know there isn’t really a bear with me but tangents are good and look, I’m on my way. I suppose the first thing I should really do is introduce myself.

Hi, I’m Jo, 32 years old, married to Graham the fantastically talented and sexy drummer from the irrepressible Slaughterhouse 5, and the much-celebrated Enormous – ‘Like being locked in a lingerie store with Anna Friel and Catherine Deneuve’ – Melody Maker.

I’m mum to E aged 6 and M aged 2 who I’m sure will be gracing these pages on the odd occasion as they are a huuuuge part of my life and as anyone out there who is a parent, auntie, uncle, etc will know are full of comedic possibility, challenges and well, just darn cuteness really.

I’ve had a wide variety of jobs from Hippy Shop Assistant (It was a Hippy shop, I wasn’t a Hippy assistant) at 19, to Kennel Manageress and dog groomer, but my first love has always been writing and I’m hoping to develop that further here.

I’m currently working on a book with Napoleon Fantastic, (experienced blogger, talented songwriter and performer, and, surprise surprise lead singer and guitarist in both Slaughterhouse Five and Enormous.) Our book is called “Peoms for Punky Pets” and is a bucketful of daftness to amuse and confuse. We’re having a great time writing it and hopefully you’ll all enjoy reading it. I’ll post a few samples soon.

As you’ve probably guessed if you’ve followed the links to my man’s band, I’m into fantastic bouncy guitar pop such as Kaiser Chiefs, The Kooks and Razorlight. I grew up on Wonderstuff, Senseless Things, Lemonheads etc and instead of having a honeymoon (poor wee mice that we were) we spent the night with Supergrass at Rock City in Nottingham where Gaz and the gang blew us away – how good are they live?

I also love retro stuff such as Blondie, Bowie, The Specials, Elvis Costello, The Clash and many more, as well as Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, Jools Holland and the big welsh pile of luuurve that is Tom Jones (I know, slight hint of cheese but by God that man can sing.) I suppose you could say I like a good tune, you know, catchy, fun and bouncy, or soulful and beautiful. I also love great musicianship so seeing the likes of Norah Jones live was amazing as her band is just a whole heap of mesmerising talent.

I’m also a real animal lover, but at the moment the Beaufoix family zoo consists of just Flora and Laura our two black gerbils that are very cute and very easy to care for. Our old cat Myron went off to cat heaven about 2 months ago, and while I miss him, I think my kids are coping very well. My 6 year old, on the morning of his demise, came to me with a sad, accepting look on her face that showed maturity beyond her years, climbed onto my knee and said, “Mummy, I don’t want Myron to die, but if he does die, can we have a rabbit?”

Needless to say, we don’t have a rabbit.

Ok, I think I’m going to stop here as this is all getting a bit too much of an epic and hey, we’ve only just met, so I’ll leave you with a quote from one of my all time favourite ever comedians, Mr Vic Reeves. I suppose that will give you a bit more of an idea where I’m coming from (apart from Nottinghamshire) and as we’re on the subject of pets…

“I poured my cat out some milk the other day; I don’t know how it got in there!”

(Vic Reeves Big Night Out 1990-1991)