Day 338 (30/11/2010)

A little bit warmer today, not frosty.

I have finished all of my reports. I still have a few to submit but am waiting for documents to arrive. They are all written up and I just need to scan the documents in and then add them to the reports. I can't remember the last time I had done all my work and I was free to actually get on with some other stuff with a clear conscious.

I am in London tomorrow for a couple of meetings and then away all next week on a course but already I can feel the wind down for Christmas, and I hate Christmas.

December might be the month I start writing my books.

Update - 15:00 - More student protests and again Mr Pix is there. However this time he has already signed up with a news agency and is attended the protest with half an eye on the money. He has a few good shots so hopefully they will get used and he will have some cash.

Day 337 (29/11/2010)

It was minus 5 when I was scraping the ice off the car this morning to take Mr Pix to the railway station. Obviously it's still officially shorts & t-shirt weather but I had my fleece on and was thinking about getting some gloves.

Sad that Leslie Nielsen had died (although he was 84) as he was a very funny man.

I still remember seeing Airplane at the cinema with my brother. The boy next to us fell off of his seat he was laughing so much. It is a classic.

Day 335 & 336 (27 & 28/11/2010)

Woke up early (7:30) couldn't sleep so went down stairs and made a cup of tea. OH NO I HAVE BECOME MY PARENTS.

Looking outside everywhere looks nice as there is a light dusting of snow. I'm staying in all day so don't care, whereas everyone else is going out later, the fools.

Day 334 (26/11/2010)

Thick frost out this morning, looking forward to the summer already.

Update - 14:45 - It's SNOWING, nice to look at but a bitch to travel in. I am going to a conference in London on Wednesday so would rather it wasn't snowing.

Update - 20:00 - Staying in and having an Indian Take Away delivered from Miriam's. Might have to crack open a bottle of wine.

Day 333 (25/11/2010)

Well I saw Mr Pix on the news yesterday in the student demo in Bristol. He has put his photos up on his tumblr website. I did like this one.


Being fairly innocent he thought the police were a bit heavy handed at times, although he did say that I had probably done worse, as if :-)

Julian Clary was really funny last night. I was shocked that most of the audience were older than us. Strange to see a load of 60 & 70yr olds laughing at fisting jokes.

Day 332 (24/11/2010)

I'm stuffed, I think I over did the pizza last night. Mind you my wife definitely overdid the candles on the cake.

It was more of an indoors firework display that got out of hand.

My Pix has put some of his photos from our London weekend on his tumblr web pages. Loving the ones from Kew.

Off to see Julian Clary tonight.

Day 331 (23/11/2010)

Currently playing this to Kelly.

Update - 16:00 - My friend has finally signed contracts with a large client. He needs a right-hand man and again offered me the job. The salary (let alone the expenses) would probably be the largest salary I had ever had but I don't want to work regularly in London, don't want to work full time for someone else and don't want to have to do what I used to do. The early mornings, the travelling, the being away from home and the having to talk to people in challenge situations does wear you down and although I could do it it would destroy me within a year or two.

I am happier doing what I do, even though I know it means that I regularly miss out on a lot of money. It seems hard to believe that for moral reasons I actually turn down work as even I think some time I am morally bankrupt or at least ethically challenged, regularly working for both sides.

Happiness is better than money; however I would like more money as I seem to always be spending what I have.

I must start writing, I think that might be the way I'm going to get rich, which is hard to believe given my poor grammar and spelling but thats for someone else to sort out, I will be the ideas man.

Day 330 (22/11/2010)

Had to shout at Mr Pix to get him up early for college. It was only when he was in the bathroom that he remembered he didn't have to be in till 10:30 today, so he's now back in bed.

I got called on Friday afternoon and asked to give a presentation today. I agreed as its for a friend and not that far away but I could have done without it. Especially as I'm not getting paid (and this is for the government not a charity).

Anyway I should have said that Mr Pix took some great photos at the weekend and will link to some of them when he puts them up on the web.

Update - 17:30 - I hate it when clients say "try your best on this one" what do they think, that I don't normally try my best on their enquiries. They don't get charged unless I get something positive so its hardly likely that I wouldn't try, just to waste my own time & money. Tossers.

Day 328 & 329 (20 & 21/11/2010)

Well a busy weekend.

On Saturday I gave a talk to a load of law students at the largest and poshest law firm I have seen outside of the movies. This was their small auditorium.

It went OK and I enjoyed listening to everyone else that was also speaking.

We went out for a drink and sandwich at lunch time and was a bit confused by this sign in the pub.
Surely alcohol and cigarettes (which they openly sold) are the worst drugs.

Nice walk back to the tube.

Sunday was a day off so after a nice breakfast we went to Kew Gardens for a nice walk around (in the cold) followed by a nice Italian and a drive home.


Shame we couldn't have a nice glass of wine with the dinner but we were sharing the driving.

Day 327 (19/11/2010)

Showing my age, when I got to the theater last night my first thought was, damn forgot my glasses, so I am sure it was Will Self, though he was a bit fuzzy to look at.

Doing a load of laminates and a presentation for tomorrow, bit last minute, hopefully they will have a computer there as I can't be bothered to take my own.

So much to do before leaving for Kew tonight, wish I was more organised.

Day 326 (18/11/2010)

Nothing on at the cinema that we wanted to see so went out for a nice meal instead.



Seeing Will Self tonight.

Hard to believe but I have played Angry Birds for 5hrs on my iPhone already. My only complaint, well two or three, not easy to swap over all of my contacts over and the bluetooth is not as good as you can't just link to anything.

Update - 22:30 - Will Self was very good, very entertaining and quite a funny guy.

Day 325 (17/11/2010)

Lots of rain, so at least no ice.

Mr Pix took ages to get up & get ready, so yes he missed his train.

Saw this on twitter - Man puts dead mother's engagement ring from failed, loveless sham marriage on finger of girlfriend to "bring them together"? Really?.

Well at least the press have a new target but there is now no reason to buy a newspaper or watch the news again. We will have the wedding, the births and the deaths. As they say, its like Déjà vu all over again.

Update - 13:30 - Just got a tax rebate for my company, now what to splash out on, a pint of milk or a stamp, but can't stretch to both as not as much as £2, hardly any point in sending it in the first place.

Day 324 (16/11/2010)

Early morning taking Mr Pix to the railway station.

Giving a talk on Saturday so must do the presentation and tell them what I am talking about. Might have to wear a suit as I think its somewhere a bit posh (then being taken out for dinner) although there will be a hundred odd students there, who will be dressed more normally.

Day 323 (15/11/2010)

Had to scrape the ice off the cars this morning, why can't I live in a nice warm country.

Day 321 & 322 (13 & 14/11/2010)

Looking forward to scrambled eggs on crumpets for breakfast. I may even include a picture from my iPhone later.

Update - Sat 22:15 - Just seeing how my blog works whilst using my iPhone. How I like this phone.

Watching Neil Diamond on the iPlayer.

Update - Sun 10:30 - Having a Neil Diamond morning, listening to the The Jazz Singer.

Day 320 (12/11/2010)

I have my iPhone, the world is not perfect but its less boring with an iPhone. There re just so many apps.

Update - 19:00 - Well I got the laptop back from PC World, they are truly W***ERS. I took the laptop home rather than insisting on a refund even though they hadn't ordered the memory upgrade or transfered all the data.

I have spent a fortune this week and hardly done any work, must finish the 9 reports that are sat on my desk.

Next week I will tidy my office, do some course updates and go out on my bike. Well thats the plan.

Still loving my iPhone.

Day 319 (11/11/2010)

Great show last night with Mark Watson.

Been dealing with legal challenge to my company name this morning. Fired off a few emails this morning making my case clear, so I expect a solicitors letter or them to back down.

More likely a solicitors letter but I am confident that I will win. You know the phrase any man who represents himself has an idiot for a client. Oh F**K that's me. Anyway my Grade "E" at O Level Law from 1984 will come in useful.

I have stirred it a bit by copying my emails to the companies trade body which may not be impressed by their bully boy actions.

My new i-phone should be here at lunch time, so its a good day.

Still not been to PC World and my foot is hurting, I think I might have done something to my instep.

Anyway my radio is now on for 11 o'clock. I think we should observe the two minutes silence on the 11th and on Remembrance Sunday. Hope they have the two minutes silence on the radio. If not I will stay quite then play sad music. Time for thoughts of the sacrifice of others on all sides.

Day 318 (10/11/2010)

Ice on the windscreen when I took Mr Pix to the train station this morning :-(

Daryl Hannah in Blade Runner, perfect but sad film on the i-player at the moment.

Update - 15:15 - Having a slightly shit day. Split my trousers when I was in town and then got a fax and email telling me I was being sued as someone didn't like my company name, that I have been using for over 6 years. Silly people, who do they always try to upset me.

Day 317 (09/11/2010)

Gave two talks up north. Had hotpot and chocolate sponge for lunch,

it was like being at school.

Awful drive home.

Seeing Mark Watson tomorrow in Cardiff and have an early Christmas gift arriving for myself on Thursday.

Day 316 (08/11/2010)

Deciding when to go into PC World for round 2.

Up north later.

Update - 14:00 - Decided to go to PC World when I get back on Wednesday.

Kelly started her Apprenticeship today.

She has changed lots since her first day at school (so has the porch);

but still has a great sense of humor and is good company (at times).

Day 314 & 315 (06 & 07/11/2010)

Managed to clear 10 short reports yesterday but still have about 10 long ones to do and to prepare for a presentation up north on Tuesday.

I must rake up the leaves this weekend, even if its raining and get my wife a newish car as her old Scenic is on its last legs and the MOT is due next month.

Update - Sat 17:45 - What a day so far.

I went out and met a guy who was driving slowly (30 mph in a 40 mph area with nothing in front of him) who clearly could not judge distance, as he thought it was too close to him, so he decided to slam his brakes on and have a go at me. I pointed out I thought he was a foolish man. He tried to intimidate me but then thought better of it. Best decision he made today.

Then I took back to PC World the laptop I bought in June, which I picked up yesterday after it took them two weeks to repair it, as they had not fixed it, the stupid lieing useless incompetent tossers. They clearly don't understand customer service so I had to raise my voice to explain the error of their ways.

The manager didn't want to talk to me, but he heard me. I left but have to go back on Monday to pick up a new laptop which I told them to transfer all of my software and files on to. I hope they do it or I might have to speak a bit loud again.

Update - Sun 15:45 - Managed to talk Mr Pix into rake up the leaves for me.

Unfortunately there were too many leaves for he wheely bin, so will have to do it again next week.

Still have some things to do before going up north tomorrow but still have a shed load of reports that need doing.

Day 313 (05/11/2010)

I need a hair cut, I need to rake up the leaves in the garden, I need an i-phone but to busy, stuck in my office catching up on so many jobs that should have already been in.

Update - 13:45 - Managed to explain to clients that work had not been done yet, so went off and had my hair cut, now feel so much better. Now to start the ever increasing mountain of work.

Day 312 (04/11/2010)

Busy day yesterday, met my brother for lunch then went out with family and Aunty Kim for dinner as it was her birthday.

Whilst I was out yesterday my daughter recommended my services to someone we both follow on twitter. So now being followed by Emma Kennedy, which unless your into the same comedy stuff that I am will probably mean very little to you but is quite nice.

It's not paid stuff but might be an interesting contact as she is also a writer, so I must start my books soon.

Busy day today, forgetting all the reports that are due in, as I have a meeting at a University to discuss some courses. Hopefully things will work out.

Update - 21:00 - Long day but had a a couple of very interesting meetings, guess where;

That was the view from the office window.

If it wasn't such a bitch to drive to I would work there a lot but will settle with often.

Day 311 (03/11/2010)

Saw this on twitter and had to include it.

Busy times with actual work and planning things.

Day 310 (02/11/2010)

Glad I didn't do the leaves at the weekend, there are even more now, the gardens full.

Busy time, things to do.

I know I hate the royals (lots) but really pleased that William and his girlfriend may be getting married as I bet on that about 18months ago. Now all I need is for Harry to crash his helicopter in Afghanistan and I'm in for a nice big payout.

Only joking about Harry, there wasn't an option for him dieing as that would be tasteless and wrong. Every lose of life is tragic even one as pointless as his.

Day 309 (01/11/2010)

My hand hurts, well the joints on a few of my fingers, think I'm getting old. Time to take pain killers and blame my mum for the genes that causes it. It's so much easier than taking responsibility myself.

Might get on the bike this week, then ride it next week, haha.

Update - 08:30 - Just looked at twitter and the newspapers and saw all the Jonathan Ross Halloween Party pictures then looked at Facebook to see more of them as a friend was doing the security.

It is times like these when working in an office in the background is not always the best place to be. While I don't like the limelight a few perks and a bit more thanks would be nice.

Also very pleased for my brother getting a name check in Simon Pegg's new autobiography. It is well deserved as he helped a few people out whilst running the comedy club.

I wonder if he mentions me, as I must have been the inspiration for Hot Fuzz, probably not Nicholas Angel more likely Danny Butterman.