Monday 31 December 2012

Day 1101 (31/12/2012)

The end of a wet year.

Making a hopefully very nice roast pork dinner for the family & my parents. Then we will be sitting in front of the telly drinking too much after that.




Sunday 30 December 2012

Day 1099 & 1100 (29 & 30/12/2012)

A wet weekend, well actually a very wet weekend, well to be more precise the wettest year on record, even Atlantis wasn't this wet.

I'm busy doing worky type things, getting ready for the new year. I already have 12 courses & presentations booked and hopefully by the end of next year I should have added at least another 4 courses to our range of training. Hopefully next year should be more profitable and more fun with me sharing the work load a bit more.

I went thru some of the scratch cards & lottery tickets I had for Christmas.


After all that scratching only one winner of £2.

Picking Kelly up tonight after her weekend partying in Glasgow and then Thomas is off to Bournemouth tomorrow to party with his friends. I remember those days, now I would rather stay in with a nice bottle of Champagne (or two bottles) for New Years Eve.

Update - Sunday 19:45 - Went for dinner with an anti-pasta feel.


Very nice.




Friday 28 December 2012

Day 1098 (28/12/2012)

Yesterday I went to the tip to get rid of lots of used wrapping paper, empty cardboard boxes and a few empty bottles, honestly there were only a few of them.

Whilst there I saw a man, who although I never actually worked with him, was on the same district as me in the 1980's. I always remember him as he had the worst wig I have ever seen. In those days it was clearly a wig, with dark nylon type black hair in an appalling style. To be fair to him all of his hair fell out after he was pushed throw a large plate glass window whilst on duty. So his hair loss was sudden and scary but now 25 years later it is clearly a wig, with now grey nylon hair in an appalling style.

Anyway this afternoon dropped Kelly up at the airport as she is up in Glasgow for a couple of days for a friend birthday.


I reminded her to stay away from the egg sandwiches this time. Luckily most things in Scotland are deep fried, so she shouldn't get food poisoning on this foreign trip.

Thursday 27 December 2012

Day 1097 (27/12/2012)

Christmas is now officially over as everyone is back at work.

We have so much chocolate in the house that one of my new years resolutions will not be to give up sweets. I have dusted off the usual aims for next year, but this year I mean it, we will clear out all of the rubbish from our house, I will get into a much better shape and I will definitely start writing.

Anyway I might say that again next week but we have made a bit of a start and partly cleared out a cupboard and a few bags. Thankfully it was bin day today so all the stuff we threw away has now gone for good.









Day 1096 (26/12/2012)

Boxing Day, with food & drink for hundreds at our house in the evening.


To be honest owing to the appalling weather and a few people being ill, there was actually only 4 of us, so I sacrificed my figure and attempted to clear the table.

I then opened the bottle of dessert wine for the cheese & biscuits.


My wife was slightly surprised that I had a third of the bottle but it goes down really easily and finished off the evening just right.




Day 1095 (25/12/2012)

Christmas time with loads of presents and things.



Then off to my mum & dads for a big family dinner.






Monday 24 December 2012

Day 1094 (24/12/2012)

Ho bloody Ho, IT'S CHRISTMAS as Noddy Holder said or more correctly shouted. I think we are just about organised and if we aren't, well it's too late now as Christmas will be here whether we want it or not.

OK its Christmas tomorrow but I don't think my wife will let me on my computer tomorrow.

I had a cunning plan this morning to send a few emails off to the Daily Mail to give them a few anti-police stories, to help my case against the people who have upset me. I hate to deal with the Daily Mail but I think the story will fit in with their current anti-police campaign, due to the fight with the politicians.

It's horrible to do anti-police things as I have many happy memories from my time in the police.


Back in the 80's & 90's there was always a van parked in this back street location, which was on 30 second response to any calls for assistance from officers patrolling a slightly dodgy area, which had such a bad reputation & history officers had to stay in pairs. We often spent whole 8 or 12 hour shifts parked in this street, playing cards and listening to the radio, standing by to stand by, as we used to say.

During one shift, when we were watching a world cup football match on a portable, I was bored so went for a walk around. My sergeant said stay out of trouble so was slightly surprised when about 15 minutes later I had to call for urgent assistance from the centre of the dodgy area, having stopped a car and made an arrest of a local.

By the time my assistance arrived there were probably around a hundred people who had come out to have a go at me. When I say have a go at me, think this is how a riot starts and you will get the idea of what it was like, with lots of violent aggressive people squaring up to me, and me holding my prisoner in handcuffs as a shield, just in case they wanted to stab me, then they would have to go through him first.

It was funny and not at all frightening but upon reflection it might not have been the wisest thing to have done, as it could have ended very badly for me. But in those days there was no fear, being in a fight was a near daily occurrence, so this was just another situation where someone was going to get hurt, but hopefully I wouldn't be the one who came off worse.

Not that I didn't shake, I often did, but inside I was never scared of doing anything, so never worried at the time, just carried on regardless and then laughed about it later.

Strange times indeed.




Sunday 23 December 2012

Day 1092 & 1093 (22 & 23/12/2012)

Once again Christmas has crept up on us and its only a couple of days away, how did that happen. Why must we have it this early in the year, how are we supposed to get everything done.

So on Saturday I went into town to buy a few things but thankfully I had already bought a few things online which I had sent out already.

To celebrate Christmas we decided to have a Chinese.


Don't worry we didn't eat it all, it will be Sunday's dinner as well.

Update - Sunday 20:45 - We nearly finished the rest of the Chinese for dinner.

I bought the rest of my shopping today and have now wrapped most things up ready Christmas.


I never really bother with tags much nowadays, just for my wife and parents. You know the present is to you and from me, after all I just handed it to you. They may look like socks but they aren't, they are a collection of a few fun things but I'm not going to spoil Christmas by saying what's inside.




Friday 21 December 2012

Day 1091 (21/12/2012)

Home and catching up with things in the office.

Now winding down for a few days off during which I shall eat & drink too much, so no change there then.




Day 1090 (20/12/2012)

Finished the course that went OK but I did tell the man who booked me that I was slightly concerned about the behaviour of his staff. He wasn't too impressed and it did seem a bit strange some of the things that happened.

Anyway a long drive back in the wet & dark. I got home to an empty house but at least the Christmas decorations were up and looking as good as ever.





Day 1089 (19/12/2012)

More stuff at the course then back to the hotel for a refreshing orange juice & lemonade.


They had these really cute little bakewell tarts at the bar, bite sized honestly, so I had to have a pack of them.


Then we went for a Mexican meal, which was OK.







Tuesday 18 December 2012

Day 1088 (18/12/2012)

First day of the course in Hertfordshire and it went quite well with the only real problem being the heating in the room made it sweltering, so we had to have the windows open, which meant it was very noisy with the traffic outside. It was easier having Mick helping me with the handouts and checking on the students.

Went out for dinner tonight but my phone isn't connecting to my laptop, so just imagine a very healthy salad or similar and that's not what I had for dinner.

Lovely bread & olive platter for starters, lamb shank for dinner and a waffle & ice-cream for afters.

Update with the photos.









Monday 17 December 2012

Day 1087 (17/12/2012)

The lights on the Christmas tree outside were still flashing into the early hours, which was quite a surprise.

I have just posted the Christmas Cards, well before the last day of posting but which cost me £21.30.


Next year I think everyone will be getting an email and for those not on email, well keep this years card and re-use it. It's good for the environment.

Off to Stevenage later for this weeks course. I hate being away and I hate Christmas so it should be a cracking week.

Update - 23:00 - Got to the Premier Inn in Stevenage to be met by the lovely piece of original art work in my room that I may have seen nearly every month for the last 15 years.


I know its reassuring to know what your getting in these rooms but honestly would it have been that much extra work to have bough a selection of paintings. We stayed in the Premier Inn to grab some dinner. Its hard to believe that you can ruin Nachos but these were horrible.


The Fish & Chips were OK but I think we will be eating elsewhere tomorrow.






Saturday 15 December 2012

Day 1085 & 1086 (15 & 16/12/2012)

A day sat next to the printer preparing for next weeks course.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more interesting. Well I will be making a Sunday roast, so I guess that's more interesting but not relaxing.

Updated - Sunday 19:45 - We haven't got the decorations up in the house but we have a little Christmas tree in the garden with some solar lights.


Its really hard to take photo in the dark of flashing Christmas lights, so just take my word for it, its is quite nice.




Friday 14 December 2012

Day 1084 (14/12/2012)

Busy day doing things.

Got a couple of our iPhones fixed at a great local store.


I had a smashed back plate replaced and a home button repaired for £45, all done in 30 minutes. Very reasonable and very quick.


Then I got a haircut, where there was a table of treats welcoming visitors, but obviously I didn't take advantage of them.

Now trying to get everything ready for next weeks course.






Thursday 13 December 2012

Day 1083 (13/12/2012)

Every year we say that this year we are less organised than ever, that next year we will start preparing for Christmas before December, if only Christmas could be delayed by a few weeks and guess what........

This year we are less organised than ever, we haven't done any Christmas cards or shopping yet and we haven't even got any decorations up yet.

Next year we will start preparing straight after Kelly's birthday, getting the decorations down from the loft and sending out at the cards as soon as its December.

Plus I will definitely clear out our house of all the rubbish & crap as at Christmas our house is to small but really its quite large, it's just that there is no room because of all the rubbish.




Day 1082 (12/12/2012)

Doing lots of things for work that I had meant to do lately, nice to have caught up.

I went out with the guys I used to work with for our regular get together. I love these evenings as I love these guys but I really hate the venue we go to in Bristol. It was once handy for those working in the city but none of us do any more, so why do we meet up there. It far too busy, too noisy and the food is fairly crap.


It is like everyone's second choice but no-ones first choice, so we are all equally unhappy.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Day 1081 (11/12/2012)

A very very cold start.

Update - 16:45 - The ice is still on the cars & the ground, best to stay in.

The Christmas stuff is now down. There are boxes & boxers of it. Every year we end up with more stuff as we get it down so late that my wife has already bought more cards & crackers.


Going out tomorrow night to meet the boys I used to work with for our regular get together.



Monday 10 December 2012

Day 1080 (10/12/2012)

OK I haven't got the Christmas stuff down yet but its ages away, isn't it?

Things to do but keeping up with stuff.




Saturday 8 December 2012

Day 1078 & 1079 (08 & 09/12/2012)

Busy weekend, must get everything done as I have been somewhat distracted this week.

I must get the Christmas decorations down as well, as for yet another year we are running later for Christmas.

At least I don't have to rake the leaves up this weekend.




Friday 7 December 2012

Day 1077 (07/12/2012)

Well the Christmas got off to a bad start last night as Kelly had to work late and couldn't come.

Then the service at Yo-Ji was shocking, it would have been forgivable if they were busy, but they were far from that, the place was quite empty. Saying that the food was great and so was the company, with Gary & Elaine joining us.






Having some new tyres fitted to my car today, so I know everything is legal and took the opportunity to ask them to put it on the lift, so I could check underneath but I couldn't find anything but better safe than sorry.


I really must get back to work rather than fighting people who are annoying me but sometimes you have to do what you know to be right.



Thursday 6 December 2012

Day 1076 (06/12/2012)

OK I haven't got the Christmas stuff down yet or finished the report for the University but I have at least changed all the light bulbs that had gone over the last year or so. I know I am incredibly lazy but I have been spending a lot of time annoying people in the Met & the West Midlands Police, trying to at least get a sorry out of them.

The trouble with being a bit paranoid and upsetting people who don't like to be upset is that you are never sure if people are after you or not. Today at the gym I had to ask the staff if there were any visitors from Birmingham or London in, as there was one man in the gym paying me a lot of attention. They assured me that this man, who had been starring at me and following me around the gym was a local, so I guess he wasn't following me but just really fancied me. Trouble is he did look a bit like an ex-service man, so I wonder.

Well it's nice to know that you still have it when you middle aged and carrying quite a few extra kilo's. If only he had seen me in my prime.

Saying that if anything strange does happen to me over the next few weeks I have an idea who will be behind it. So anyway I thought I might include a photo of some of my friends.


 

They are all very nice guys who I may have helped over the years (I have) and who may owe me a favor or two (they do).



Wednesday 5 December 2012

Day 1075 (05/12/2012)

Busy morning annoying the West Midlands Police. Later in the week I shall be annoying the Metropolitan Police. It might not make me any friends (it won't) or any money but it will cause them a few problems and at the end of the day that is thanks enough for the attitude that they have adopted.

Today I must finish a report for a University, go to the gym, change about a dozen light bulbs and get the Christmas stuff down from the loft.

Busy busy busy.




Tuesday 4 December 2012

Day 1074 (04/12/2012)

Slightly annoyed that the two groups I am taking legal against appear to have joined forces to belittle my claim. This may be a mistake on their part as if the had said sorry and paid my costs I may have settled but now I feel the need to really annoy them and if there is one thing I'm really quite good at its annoying people.

So after Christmas my New Years Resolution, as well as including the usual, will be to cause as much havoc as I can for those two organisations.

Anyway very sad morning as I went to the funeral of my first Sergeant, Miles Elder.


I look back at my time in the Cadets with great fondness but I really hate funerals and always end up crying. You can't help but think about the obvious.

One strange things was that his daughter read out a poem, "The Life That I Have" by Leo Marks,  which she said her father has always kept in his wallet. I have kept the same poem in my wallet since I was about 18 or 19 since I first heard it on a tv programme.

The life that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have is yours

The love that I have
Is all that I have
And the life that I have is your

The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is your and your and your

A sleep I shall have
A rest I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years
In the long green grass
Will be your and your and yours



Monday 3 December 2012

Day 1073 (03/12/2012)

Feeling slightly inpatient today as I should hear back from the people I'm taking legal action against. I'm hopeful that they are going to make an offer to settle rather than ask for yet another extension or play bully boy tactics and want it taken to an expensive court case, which they can afford but they know I can't.

Anyway it's cold but dry today. I've done my work and now to the gym.

Update - 21:30 - Got a very dismissive response from one of the groups I'm taking legal action against. Hopefully it was just their opening shot as it really annoyed me, so now want them to pay for their mistakes.

Just generally feeling annoyed and won't be doing anything free for them ever again and will take every opportunity to slag them off from now on.

Oh and how good is it that we have a new generation of royals to look forward to. More reasons to avoid newspapers & magazines until the glorious revolution.






Saturday 1 December 2012

Day 1071 & 1072 (01 & 02/12/2012)

I shaved as soon as Movember was over and what a relief it was. I will never attempt to grow a mustache again.



Obviously I tried the Hitler / Chaplin mustache but it was never going to be any good.


Lots of work to do today but tidied the garden again. Hopefully that is the last of the leaves.


I wrapped up a few of the plants against the frost but don't know how much good it will do.


Must finish some reports as I have a meeting to go to tomorrow, which is a pain but there is usually a lovely buffet there.

Update - Sunday 21:00 - Kelly was in London yesterday and came back with some Krispy Kreme doughnuts for us.


Had a meeting in Bristol today. I would rather not go as its work stuff on a Sunday but partly only go because there is always a nice buffet with a large slab of Wensleydale & Cranberry Cheese.


Shock horror, only Cheedar and Red Leicester today. I made a complaint, it may have ruined my day.



Friday 30 November 2012

Day 1070 (30/11/2012)

The month is nearly over and I think it is quite clear who was able to grow the best mustache.


I can't wait until midnight as I shall be shaving the bloody thing off.

Loads of work to do at the moment. Suddenly swamped with things that need doing.




Day 1069 (29/11/2012)

Finished the course in Preston and then a long drive back down south.

I love getting home and getting in to my own bed. No matter how nice the place you stay at its never home but I don't look forward to the journey as I know its going to involve being sat in traffic for a while.




Wednesday 28 November 2012

Day 1068 (28/11/2012)

The second day of the course is over and I can't wait to get home.

Spent an hour on the phone trying to stop the bank from continually refusing my card as a suspected fraudulent payment when I was trying to make a payment to my Tesco's credit card, a thing I that I have done every month around the same date for around the same amount for the last 4 or 5 years.

Going out for an Italian later then work to do.

Update - 22:30 - Went to a nice & fairly posh restaurant in Chorley called Pinocchio's. I had the calamari for starters.



Then the slow cooked pork belly followed by the lemon cheese cake.


No nice dinner tomorrow night as I will be driving home, so will only be able to get a sandwich at the services.