Day 459 (31/03/2011)

Out all day training a replacement for me for a client of mine. It went OK and hope this will mean I have more of a life but still earn a living.

When I have more time not only will I be able to write more in my blog I will be able to write my book.

It would be so much easier if I could just drag and drop a file from my brain onto my computer as in my head my book is half done and is a masterpiece.

Day 458 (30/03/2011)

Can't believe that I have been working hard all day and nearly achieved nothing.

I can't until this back log has gone away.

Day 457 (29/03/2011)

Good times :-)

Day 456 (28/03/2011)

Loads to do before I drive up north this afternoon. I have then evening off as Seeing Richard Herring in Preston tonight which should be good.

Update - 12:30 - F**KING C**TS B***ARD W**KERS, just heard the company I bought my Take That tickets through has gone bust. I should get my money back as I paid by credit card but I had bought them as a present for my wife.

Update - 17:45 - On the drive up North I set my iphone to play my music in shuffle mode. It was clearly taking the piss as it kept playing Take That & Robbie Williams tracks.

Anyway my mood was improved by meeting Richard Herring at the hotel. I shook his hand and pointed out I am not a stalker, but I think he probably thinks I am.

Day 454 & 455 (26 & 27/03/2011)

The party was fun last night, although it made me feel quite old.

Saw a few bits of the news today from the demo in London. I amazed that protesters attack the police when most MP's addresses can easily be located, surely they are a much better target.

I know you shouldn't and I never would but if I was a desperate anarchist why bother with Top Shop when you can get the Top Man.

An surely these protesters are forced to take to the streets to challenge a government that many feel has no legitimacy. Come on Libya, send a few planes over to help them out. (I know flippant comment but lets not mention Bahrain or Saudi)

Update - Sun 21:50 - Still sat here doing some work.

Lost two hours today, one when the clocks went forward then the second spent putting all the clocks right.

Day 453 (25/03/2011)

Went to the cinema last night with my wife and daughter to see the theatre production of Frankenstein from the National Theatre starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.

All I can say is WOW, utter brilliant, go and see it if you have a chance.

Work to do then an 18th Birthday Party tonight in Bristol, where I will be seen as one of the oldies.

Day 452 (24/03/2011)

Long day, done loads of work, going to the cinema tonight.

Day 451 (23/03/2011)

I have finally finished the last of three courses in three weeks. Whilst the money was nice (when I eventually get paid) it was very tiring and meant that my other work is very overdue, so long days and late nights getting up to date.

Hope to be back to normal next week.

Day 450 (22/03/2011)

The course is going well but again the computers are slow and no very up to date.

I met someone else today I had not seen for a while, which was nice.

Had a curry for lunch, better than a salad but perhaps I should of not had quite so much.

Looking forward to a day off soon.

Day 449 (21/03/2011)

Back in Bristol doing a course this week. Slightly strange that today I have seen three people that I used to work with, who I have probably not seen for at least 15 years. We have all aged, though I have all of my hair but I am now twice the size.

Looking forward to next weekend or the easter break as I have so much work to clear and clients crying out for their reports.

Day 447 & 448 (19 & 20/03/2011)

It's nice to be back home with my wifi and my family.

Thought I would include a few photos from the week, obviously they are of the meals we had.

There were other great meals and I think I might have to be on salad for a few years now.

It was great to have time with Gary & Elaine, who saved me being bored and staying at the hotel by myself.

We spent a few hours at Reg's Garden. Reg seems to have had a very interesting life.

I'm not complaining but I have to prepare for next weeks course, the last for a while, but three in three weeks is a bit knackering. I also have about a months worth of reports that need doing this week.

Update - Sun 19:30 - Just about got next weeks course sorted, now to send off a few emails. Tea & cake later then bed early (ish). Not looking forward to a few early mornings, role on next weekend.

Day 446 (18/03/2011)

Back home, feeling knackered, with loads to do.

Going thru my emails.

Day 445 (17/03/2011)

Spent the day exploring Jersey with Gary & Elaine. Had a great time but looking forward to a new Chinese later.

Will be home tomorrow with my family and my internet connection, looking forward to both.

Will include some photos at the weekend of this weeks meals.

Day 444 (16/03/2011)

The course has now finished, it went well, though the computers were appallingly slow and software years out of date.

Looking forward to relaxing in the hotel for a few hours then having a nice meal.

It will be nice to have a day off tomorrow enjoying Jersey with Gary & Elaine.

Day 443 (15/03/2011)

Day 2 of the course, went well but the computers are so old and slow.

Had a great meal tonight with Gary & Elaine.

Still no wifi in my room so it 10:30pm and I am sat at reception writing this :-(

Really missing constant twitter updates, and my family.

Day 442 (14/03/2011)

Went out for a curry last night with Gary, which was very nice but a bit of a chilly walk. As we had a late lunch Elaine wasn't hungry.

This morning was nice and warm and the course went well but the computer systems are so old and slow, which has caused a few problems.

It was funny when I started using the flip chart and saw that it was the same one I used last year, clearly they don't use the training room very often.

Missing my family but it will be nice to go out for a meal tonight with Gary & Elaine.

I still can't get the wifi working in my room but if I go out to reception it is OK.

Day 440 & 441 (12 & 13/03/2011)

Loads to do before flying over to the channel islands tomorrow. Firstly I must book the car park at the airport and dig out my passport.

Saw Alan Carr last night on a practice night for his up coming tour. He was brilliant, very funny and great stage presence and interaction with the audience.

Seeing Miles Jupp tonight, so don't have much time today to get everything ready.

Really saddened at the disasters in the world. I suppose living in a grey drizzle place the UK seems a good bet at times like these.

Update - Sun 19:30 - Flew out from Bristol this morning, it went OK even allowing for me missing the junction on the motorway and then having to take a cross country route I wasn't sure of, then Gary & Elaine got caught in traffic.

The journey was OK and we got to the hotel, which seems OK but really I only booked it as they advertised free wifi throughout the whole hotel but I can't seem to get my laptop to sign IMO the hotels system, so not best pleased. Will have to update my blog from the raining venue tomorrow.

Hopefully have something nice to eat then a goodnights sleep.

Day 439 (11/03/2011)

Must book my car parking at the airport, everything else just about arranged.

Day 438 (10/03/2011)

In the office early doing a report, not looking forward to going to the dentist later.

Update - 21:30 - Managed to get through the dental visit without having any work done.

So much to do before flying out on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing Alan Carr tomorrow night.

Day 437 (09/03/2011)

That's the first course finished and two more to do. It went OK but was a bit strange as there was someone on the course as stressed out as I used to be. At one stage I worried about him putting the computer out the window but he only attacked it with his newspaper. Clearly someone in need of a hug and some drugs but other than advice I couldn't really do more.

Looking forward to a lie-in in the morning but I have loads of work to do before flying out to Jersey on Sunday.

Day 436 (08/03/2011)

Second day of the course, went OK although the computers were playing up a bit so not everything ran smoothly.

Loads to do and tired from early mornings. Looking forward to having a lie-in on Thursday.

Update - 20:30 - Pancake Day, now stuffed and unable to work.

Day 435 (07/03/2011)

Up early and out with Mr Pix first thing. Dropped him at the train station and then drove up to Bristol to do a course.

Driving up daily rather than staying as its less than an hour away, but it means early morning, which I hate.

I have done a few courses for my old employer, who I left about 15yrs ago but its always strange going back, not always comfortable but I have to do it to earn a living.

Now home to catch up with the other work that I have to do. No rest for the wicked but looking forward to Jersey next week as I going with my brother & his wife / partner, who I enjoy spending time with. I will not be doing any work in the evening whilst I am there (if I can help it) so it should be a relaxed course.

Day 433 & 434 (05 & 06/03/2011)

What to do first, the work that has to be done and sent in or the preparation for the course that I am giving on Monday.

I had to cancel the restaurant for tonight as my wife had tickets to see 4 Poofs & a Piano tonight, so we will probably see that instead.

Update - Sun 14:15 - We had a quick meal at the Worlds End last night, very nice.

Then off to see Four Poofs & A Piano.

Fair enough it wasn't my choice but the wife wanted to see them so I went along. It was a fun show full of rude songs & jokes.


Taunton does amaze me, as once again, just like for Julian Clarey, the audience was mostly made of people in their 70's, laughing along to comments about anal sex.

Still doing preparation for the courses coming up.

Day 432 (04/03/2011)

The sun is out, the sky is blue, if I had the time I would go out for a walk or on my bike. It doesn't rhyme but you get the idea.

Hopefully training someone for a client next month so they can do their own inquiries. It will be a shame to say goodbye to a client of over 5years and to at least £1k a month in work but it will be nice to have more time. I am sure they will come back every so often on the difficult jobs.

I am also trying to arrange something to do with the training, which if it comes off will mean lots more courses around the UK and I have already spoken to someone about helping me out on those.

So hopefully in a few months time I will have a nice regular income and more time off. Then I can spend more time getting fit, more time with my family and more time to write my books but not in that order.

Also after a gap of a few months off from going to comedy gigs I have loads coming up, although to be fair four of them are to see Richard Herring. Honestly I am not obsessed with this guy but have just take to his comedy.

I have found a new restaurant in Taunton and hopefully will book a table for tomorrow for me and my wife, to make up for the fact that I am doing so much work that we can't have our Orange Wednesday for more than a month.

Day 431 (03/03/2011)

Up at a reasonable hour and spent all day working but not actually sent any reports off yet. It's going to be a busy month but I'm not complaining.

Mr Pix has gone for a haircut and said about having it all cut off, which will be a change over the last few years.

Update - 20:20 _ Mr Pix has a nice short haircut, very straight after the hair cuts of the last few years.

Day 430 (02/03/2011)

Home, Home At Last.

In the last few days I have driven hundreds of miles but after giving talks on the South Coast then way up North I am now back home.

Too knacked to do an Orange Wednesday and loads of things to catch up on but its nice to be home again.

Update - 20:45 - Interestingly (or not) just putting my end of year accounts together for the accountant and I did 14,548 miles for work in the car last year. This is depressing on so many levels. I hate driving and technically work from home so how the hell did I do so many miles.

Day 429 (01/03/2011)

In my hotel room in Portsmouth, watching the telly and preparing for the talk in about 9 hours time. Must go to sleep soon but first to catch up on twitter.

Update - 20:35 - Well the talk at the University went OK and we had a good meeting afterwards, the only thing appears to be my lack of a degree, which they mentioned again. I suggested they just give me an Honorary Degree but they thought I was joking and suggested a particular degree that would suit me, so I might have to give in and study a bit.

Then I had an incredibly long drive up to Preston. I arrived and had some fish & chips.

Now time to do a quick report before I collapse into my bed.