It’s two weeks until King Russell’s birthday.

I bought his present – an expensive but brilliant Star Wars Storm Trooper cap – about two months ago. He loves Star Wars and has lots of clothing featuring characters from the films. A particular favourite of his is a Storm Trooper t-shirt that he wears regularly.…

It’s 1:00am and I’m writing this in bed on my phone. It’s a struggle to write because I’m moving so much. I’m exhausted, can’t sleep because I keep making a loud howling noise, and my body’s contorting all over the place.…

I have a new regular tic, “Bye”, and I’ve said it hundreds of times already.

You might well be thinking that as tics go this isn’t too bad. Sure, it’s pretty inoffensive and a bit dull, but no big challenge.

Although that’s essentially true, it’s causing some confusion.…

It’s been a pretty random day.

I overslept.

“I have a face made of Plasticine and poo.”

Not quite, but my face is very bruised from where I’ve been banging it.

Nobody’s won the election.

I went to work.

I split a bag of concrete over my head.…

I’ve re-entered a head-banging phase. Not the music-related-throwing-your-hair-about type but the fist-to-head variety. This has happened intermittently before but has become pretty regular over the last couple of days. The head banging doesn’t stop if my hand contains an object. Already today I’ve hit my forehead with: a phone, a carton of apple juice, a set of keys, a toilet roll dispenser and a strawberry.…

When I’m out and about on my own, strangers tend to react differently to me from when I’m with friends, but this is not because of any change in me or my tics. When the unusual noises and movements I make are interspersed with clearly normal conversations, other people are less likely to be afraid of me because they can see and hear that I’m not mad and that I’ll know if they’re laughing or talking about me.…

I lost my wallet this evening and what surprised me was that the first call I made after cancelling my bank cards was to order a replacement Tourettes identity card from Tourettes Action. This card confirms I have Tourettes, and gives me something I can show if I’m challenged about my behaviour.…

This evening, while talking about forthcoming films with Laura, we discussed whether it was fair on other people for me to go to the cinema. The impact of Tourettes on other people is something I’m very aware of. I constantly assess the effect that my presence can have on other people.…

It’s been a while since I’ve travelled by tube at rush hour. It’s a pretty unpleasant experience for everyone and this evening I experienced the added difficulties that having Tourettes can present in this situation.

I waited on a busy platform at Green Park, squawking, jerking and shouting.…

“Boiling green Kermit cum.”

Also ran:

“Basket weaving with God.”

“I put your mum out of business.”

“Dogging with a duvet.”

I went with my friends Ben and Ruth to hang out at the pub where Leftwing Idiot was DJing tonight.…