Day 417 (17/02/2011)

OMFG what a lovely place The ABode Hotel in Exeter is, and the food, wow wow F**KING wow.

An old style hotel with a nice view of the Cathedral from our rooom.

With lovely modern comfortable rooms.

We went for the Taster Menu, which was fantastic, we also shared the wine, so had a different glass of wine with each of the seven courses, plus the Champagne "Sloe Potion" Cocktail which came with an Appetiser of an Smoked Salmon Mousse and Garlic Amuse-Bouche.


Then it was the Tartar Of Marinated Tuna.

I wont bother describing the food or the wine it was all just to die for apart from the red wine, which was OK and went well with the food but we are just not big red wine fans.

Then the Comffe Of Duck Liver.

Then the Slow Poached Brill and the Local Loin Of Venison.


Then the Selection Of Local Chesses and the Carpaccio Of Pineapple with Mango & Lime Sorbet.


Then to finish off with a Dark Chocolate Petit Pot, with Orange Foam & Orange Madelene and Coffee & Petit Fours.


And believe it or not the breakfast was great as well.

Then home to our normal lives.

OK diet and exercise will resume soon.

Day 416 (16/02/2011)

Up early to try and do a report or two before going away for 24hrs this afternoon. I am looking forward to relaxing in a nice hotel with my wife and having a fantastic meal.

Enjoyed Jeremy Hardy last night but why do audiences think that a comedy show is a two way conversation. We paid to listen to him not people trying to be funny. So I was a bit glad that within 2 minutes he had shouted at a woman to "Shut the F**K Up, It's Not About You" or similar.

A bit of his material was the same as last time but he is clearly worried about getting old as he kept saying how old he is and that his body is stopping working at his age and that his friends are dieing off blah blah blah, then he said he was 49. Well 49 isn't that old and only slightly old than me.

I think he must be worried about being 50 but why, when you are in your 40's you know that you are going to be 50 soon or dead. So surely being 50 is the better of the two, unless you are actually very ill and in a lot of pain.

It would be different if he was about to become a pensioner, which nowadays isn't actually that old anyway.

I still think of myself as being a fit 18year old with his life in front of him who can achieve anything. It is only when I look in a mirror, think about it or go to get up or reach for something that I am brought back into reality.

Actually the reality is I am now middle aged, with half my life in front of me but I can still achieve anything albeit at a slower pace and in larger clothes.

Day 415 (15/02/2011)

Up early but Mr Pix wasn't well so he went back to bed.

As usual I have loads of work to do but I have a very full diary this week, so has less time to do the work.

Valentines day yesterday, so spent the evening with my wife. Tonight it's Jeremy Hardy at the local thearter. Wednesday me and the wife are having a night away and a nice meal. Thursday is the opening of Kelly's show. I have to see Paul at the cinema and arrange to go out for a Moroccan meal with my brother and his wife.

Oh were does the time go and BTW I still don't seem to have a degree.

Day 414 (14/02/2011)

Early start, taking Mr Pix to the train station then off to Portsmouth University for a meeting.

The meeting went well but there was a point when one of the men I was speaking to said "You have got a first haven't you" so I said "A first what" and he said "Your degree, it is a first class degree isn't it" I don't really have to carry on with the story but I laughed and said "No".

We worked something out, which was fine by me but you could tell he was upset not to speaking to an academic equal but why when talking to me would anyone think that I have a degree, I barely have any CSE's and don't hide the fact. I did feel like saying give me an honorary degree then I will be qualified but it seemed that wrong time.

Anyway hopefully that meeting will pay off this year and give me a bit of stability.

Home now and time to do some work before a relaxing evening with my wife.

Day 412 & 413 (12 & 13/02/2011)

Its 10:30am and I can't believe that I have been sat at my computer for over an hour and not actually done any paid work yet.

I have done my emails and accounts and also applied to be on an internet advisory board (I know, I have so much free time I thought might as well take up a non-paid position).

Now to get some of these reports done as I am off to a University on Monday to discuss doing some work for them and then I am going away for a day with my wife on Wednesday.

Update - Sunday 19:45 - I've not done as much work today as I wanted but it is compulsory to have wine on a Sunday with dinner, which was a bit like an anti-pasta picnic.

Time for a quick shower then the BAFTA's.

Off to Uni tomorrow to discuss courses.

Day 411 (11/02/2011)

I was just close to nearly catching up with my work and had more sent in but can't complain as will be spending money enjoying myself over the next few weeks.

Time for lunch (3pm) as I'm starving.

Day 410 (10/02/2011)

Back in the office and no headache today but loads of work.

Forgot to add on the way back yesterday I felt unwell so stopped off to sleep at a service station and someone reversed into me, which woke me up but thankfully there was no damage to my car.

Update - 16:00 - Not actually done any paid work yet but sorted out my office a bit.

Just booked a room and a table for me and my wife at Michael Caines in Exeter for next week, so no Orange Wednesday but a night of food and relaxing. I can't wait, it will be nice to have a day off and relax with my wife.

Must get all of my work done now.

Day 409 (09/02/2011)

Home at least, its been a long and tiring day.

I had a headache all afternoon and I could have done without working or driving but the money comes in useful and its so nice to be home and to know that I will be back in my own bed in a couple of hours.

The course was OK but rushed and there were a few people there that were more suited to pen & paper rather than computers but there was a couple that got it.

Day 408 (08/02/2011)

The course was OK today but it seems very rushed doing it in 2days after doing it over 3days last week.

I got back to the hotel and thought I would just lie on the bed for 5 minutes before getting on with some reports and then woke up a few hours later. I did intend to have a quick meal then get on with my reports but I ended up speaking to some of the guys on the course and only left after 10:30pm so think I will be even further behind in my work.

Oh well.

Looking forward to getting back home tomorrow.

Day 407 (07/02/2011)

OMFG how early was I up this morning, to get ready and pack the car so I was ready to go straight after I took Mr Pix to the train station.

Then just a short 240 mile drive up north and I was giving a presentation. Then The Legacy Hotel in Preston for this weeks course. I booked in under a meal deal, so got a bottle of wine and a three course meal included in my daily rate.

The wine went down well.

as did the Pate starters.

And the Pork & Crackling.

and the Apple Pie & Cream for afters.

now to do an evenings work in 30minutes with a fuzzy head :-)

Day 405 & 406 (05 & 06/02/2011)

Hardly a weekend off, I haven't even bothered unpacking my bag. Got next weeks stuff to prepare and was supposed to be seeing John Shuttleworth tonight but am to busy.

After next week life will be a bit easier for a few weeks and we can have another Orange Wednesday and go out for a few meals.

Update - Sun 18:00 - Just got a few more things to print off and do for tomorrow so decided against finishing the wine with my dinner, slow cooked lamb, very nice.

Staying in a nice hotel this week and have paid for meals in the restaurant in advanced, so hoping they will be nice.

Day 404 (04/02/2011)

I can't believe I am only home for 3 days and then back up north. I have so much to do :-(

It's going to be a busy weekend, with loads to do and a course and a presentation to prepare for.

Update - 20:00 - Feeling stuffed after a lovely big Chinese, belatedly seeing in the new Chinese new year.

Day 403 (03/02/2011)

Last day of the course about to start then a long drive home. Then back up here on Monday. BTW did I mention I hate driving.

Day 402 (02/02/2011)

Second day of the course and the machines aren't playing up so much.

Can't quite decide about dinner yet, might have the same as last night.

Update - 22:00 - OK it was predictable, I went for the curry.

Missing my Orange Wednesday for the next couple of weeks. Looking forward to getting back home for a couple of days.

Day 401 (01/02/2011)

Doing my usual course up north. I was speaking to one of the students, who I thought was a few years younger than me but not that much younger, than I realized I worked with his father about 18years ago. How old do I feel now. I think I might have a drink and cry into it later.

The course went better this time as it is now three days and not two but the machines have been playing up. Why can't things just work the way they are supposed to.

Looking forward to my dinner, can't decide between the fish & chips or steak & chips.

Update - 20:00 - OK went for the steak & chips, very nice.

Day 400 (31/01/2011)

Well we had a lovely time with the family yesterday for my mums birthday. Always nice to all get together.

Finished with the traditional game of cards, which I lost.


The camera with the other photo's are in my wife's handbag, which she has taken to work, so I only got these on my phone.

My wife's car seems a bit ill this morning and only lets you select 5th gear. So I might of burnt the clutch out getting it back on the drive. Unfortunately I am going up north tonight so might have to leave them with just Kelly's car.

Having a Malcolm McLaren and Bow Wow Wow musical morning this morning. Classic 80's.

Day 398 & 399 (29 & 30/01/2011)

Gota get myself sorted for next weeks course. I suppose it shows how many courses I am doing nowadays that I have to go out a buy yet another box of paper from Staples. As well as printing out for the laminates and a few other odd things, I give three handouts, each 9 pages long, so that's 27 pages for 13 delegates on the course, which is a lot of paper.

Hopefully I am doing another course in Jersey this year but I don't think it will match up with any time off my wife has taken, so I will be there by myself, which will be much much cheaper but not as nice.

I was hoping to go to Norway as well but the Norwegians are coming over here, which is a shame as I fancied as few days in Norway at someones else's expense.

I will probably also be doing some stuff in Glasgow and Dublin later in the year, which may sound nice but when I am away working I never really have chance to see anything other than the hotel and the training venue.

It is a bit like the Tony Hancock comedy, The Radio Ham where he has friends all over the world but none in this country. I go all over the place giving presentations and courses but rarely doing anything locally, so there is always lots of driving and staying away from home. Oh well it's work.

Day 397 (28/01/2011)

Just about keeping on top of my work before I go away on a course next week.

Looking forward to getting together with the family at the weekend for my mum's birthday.

Having a curry tonight :-)

Update - 22:00 - Stuffed after a lovely curry. Spent the last 2hrs doing laminates. Now time for tea.

Day 396 (27/01/2011)

Well we made it to The kings Speech last night, strangely to the same screening as my parents had chosen. Now I hate the royals and think that the world be a better place without them but what a good film. There were loads of good people in it and despite the film being nearly 2hrs long it was worth watching, though I find it uncomfortable in those seats for anything longer than 90minutes.

It was nice to have a lie-in this morning and not to have to take Mr Pix to college.

It's gone very cold again and keeps threatening to snow :-(

Day 395 (26/01/2011)

Well me and the wife went out last night for a quick bite to eat at The Worlds End


Very nice it was too.

Then we went to The Brewhouse where we saw an evening with Gyles Brandreth.

He was very funny and it was a great show, certainly worth seeing him if he is at a theatre near you.

Below is a poor picture of him signing books afterwards.


So today I dropped Mr Pix at the train station to go to college. Came home and did some work, then dropped the daughter off at the train station as she is going to London to see a play with a friend. Then I had a hair cut then I picked Mr Pix up from the train station. What a busy day so far.

Aiming to see The Kings Speech tonight, as long as the wife can get ready on time, unlike last week.

Day 394 (25/01/2011)

Well inspired by my aunties comments about tidying up I started on my office this morning. I now have two large bags of shredded paper and and 500 sheets of paper I can print on the other side of. I have also put some papers away so my desk is a bit clearer.

I will aim to carry on and have the office clear by the weekend but I think I may have some stuff for eBay as I have loads of books and computer things sat here untouched for a few years.

Day 393 (24/01/2011)

I love my kids loads and miss them when we are away but oh how much easier it will be to arrange a holiday when its just be and my wife. It will be nice to just book a week away whenever. I am looking forward to that and will send the kids a postcard.

Day 391 & 392 (22 & 23/01/2011)

Why in your middle age and older does the hair in your nose and ears grow so quickly. This is a question I often ask myself.

We had snow this morning, only for a few minutes but just enough to remind us that winter is far from over.

Update - Sun 18:00 - I currently look like & feel like I have been shot under the chin. This is the mother of all spots.

Day 390 (21/01/2011)

I have had no enthusiasm for work over the last few days. I have sent out emails to arrange things but just haven't done any reports, so not earnt any money. Now I have loads of work and a back log.

If I could just loose one of my big clients my time would just be right. I keep telling them that I am having to cut down but they just can't take the hint.

Plus I have lots of training coming up. I was hoping to go to Norway for a few days to train some people but they obviously fancied a few days in London, so instead of me going over there they are coming over here. Oh well a few days in London at someone else's expense. If it goes well then it should be a bit of an earner but this ones for free.

I know it's wrong to be complaining whilst other people are losing their jobs which is why I can't tell the clients to just go away, just in case things start turning the other way.

Also, Blair, the murdering war criminal scum is back at the Chilcot cover up / enquiry today. I hate listening to Blair speak / lie and normally just turn the radio or telly off if he or his bitch of a wife come on but I will have it on the radio live today, just in case there is a Columbo or Miss Marple moment, where someone actually points out all of his lies.

Of course it would also be a historic moment if someone actually kills and whilst wrong it would be a shame to miss a historic moment.

Day 389 (20/01/2011)

We got to the cinema slightly later than anticipated (I was ready my wife was running late, again) last night and The Kings Speech was sold out, so we went to see 127 Hours instead.

We are both usually quite squeamish with things on the telly, even looking away if people are having injections, so I was not completely looking forward to watching this film but we had gone to the trouble of going out and my wife likes films based on true stories, so we saw it.

It is a really well made film with about a five minute section in which I couldn't really watch the screen but I would recommend it.

Day 388 (19/01/2011)

I didn't want to get up this morning but I managed to get Mr Pix to the train station in time, even allowing for having to scrape the ice off the windscreen.

Might go and see The Kings Speech on a Orange Wednesday today. Not me sort of thing but the wife likes anything based on a true story.

Day 387 (18/01/2011)

Have just put the ever growing boxes of Christmas stuff away.

I have told my wife that if she buys any more decorations, cards or paper I will divorce her but I think it is more likely that I will just kill her and wrap her body in the stuff.

If my house wasn't so full of crap we would actually be able to find and use the stuff we already have instead of having to buy more stuff to replace we stuff we can't find.

Hopefully the credit card people won't phone again today as I'm not in a mood to be messed about with.

Day 386 (17/01/2011)

Must put the Christmas stuff up in the loft as our bedroom is full of boxes of stuff.

I wonder which company I can be rude to on the phone today. I do try to be nice but it is only fair as if I didn't ask these companies to phone or if they annoy me then I am allowed to be as rude as I like to them and I often am.

I remember years ago we were sat in an office in the middle of the night doing some paperwork and decided to have a swearing competition. After a few minutes a man came in to use the photocopier but he couldn't get it to copy properly and without stopping he let out a stream of sweary abuse at the machine, which was much worse than anything we had come up with in the previous 5 minutes.

Having written the above, I have just remembered having a law lesson in the mid 1980's when we were being taught about the offence of swearing n a public place. We each had to come out with the two most offensive swear words we could think of. A sensitive lady called Carol said something like Bloody Hell and then Johny B came out with a two word phrase that was truly offensive but very very funny. We all laughed for ages and he got a £1 fine by the trainer, it was well worth it.

I can't really put the phrase down here but when we meet, ask and I might tell you what it is.

Day 384 & 385 (15 & 16/01/2011)

I am doing some work before breakfast but the smell of crumpets toasting is quite a distraction.

Update - Sun 09:00 - Early start still trying to catch up on my work.

Golly it rained lots over night. I want a summer holiday but no doubt when I'm away I will be missing my computer. Might go away for a few days over half term, just to relax.

Update - Sun 14:15 - Santander Credit Card Security you are all a bunch of utter W***KERS, you phoned us. If your rules don't make sense then use common sense you T**SERS.

Day 383 (14/01/2011)

I love twitter, I think it's great. As well as work things I follow lots of people that I like, who I want to know what they are up to. There are lots of comedians, so lot's of their tweets are funny. If I didn't like someone I would just un-follow them and then ignore them.

I only say all of this as recently I have worked (as a favour and not actually earned any money) on a couple of jobs for a few celebs who have been having really horrible stuff sent to them on twitter.

Life as a celebrity can't always be great. I would like the money that success would bring but really don't want the fame bit, which is just as well as I am likely to have neither.

It is somewhat strange to know that celebrities have been discussing you and that I have had a few tweets and emails from them, though if I told most people they would probably say "Who?"

Day 382 (13/01/2011)

I'm at home.

The course was OK but I must say some people are F**KING frustrating.

Anyway home with loads of urgent work to do.

Slowly getting thru all the left over Christmas goodies.

Day 381 (12/01/2011)

I couldn't get up this morning, I hate early morning but if I was at home I would of been up to take Mr Pix to college. Oh for lie-in. I think I am just nocturnal.

Looks like the journey home will be full of rain, again, roll on the summer.

Day 380 (11/01/2011)

Did the first day of the course today and it went quite well, but it is quite rushed doing it all in 2 days. I might see if the budget can be stretched to three days next time.

Went for the lamb & blackpudding pie for lunch, that was possibly a mistake, as was my choice for dinner, sausage & mash. It was like a microwave special.

Looking forward to getting home but know I will be so busy with all the reports that need doing.

Day 379 (10/01/2011)

Nearly got all of my course stuff done, still loads of work to do and I must sort my laptop out.

The year is only 10days old and I am looking forward to going on holiday all ready.

Not looking forward to the 200mile journey tonight but I am looking forward to ham eggs & chips for dinner before I go.

Update - 13:45 - Getting my laptop ready but the new 3g dongle is not working either, argh!!!!!!!!!!! what a pain in the arse.

Also I started up a Facebook group ages ago slagging off my local Renault garage after receiving poor service from them and today I am having quite a few applications to join it, from people who I have worked out are actually employed there.

What idiots they are thinking I would just let them join.

If only they realized the size of the group, this could be fun to take to the press, how they are trying to infiltrate the worlds smallest group on Facebook.

Update - 22:00 - In Preston after 200miles of rain soaked motorway. Hopefully my laptop is now working properly.

Day 377 & 378 (08 & 09/01/2011)

So much to do & so little time to do it in.

Plus seeing Punt & Denis tonight, which should be good.

Update - Sun 16:30 - Have to do update and print all my course material in the next 4hours. Perhaps it was a mistake to have more than half a bottle of champagne with my dinner, feel like sleeping really :-)

Day 376 (07/01/2011)

How did I get so much work in and have not updated my course and printed off all the material. Could be a busy couple of days.

It's that horrible misty rain outside and I have to out to buy things for the course next week :-(

Day 375 (06/01/2011)

Cold and very wet.

Thankfully my printer is working again now thanks to a very early delivery of the new drum thing.

Day 374 (05/01/2011)

Well now Mr Pix has joined me with a bad cold and wasn't well enough to go to college. I won't use the term man flu but we are both soldiering on, where as my wife had to be off work and was ill in bed for a few days. The lightweight.

My printer has stopped working as I need a new imaging drum, which costs about £100. When I bought it no-one said anything about all the other bits other than just the toners you need. I do like my printer but I could do without the extra expense and hassle.

Day 373 (04/01/2011)

Back to work - AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got up early to take Mr Pix to the train station. It was so early my eyes hurt and I felt sick, thats just too early I'm much more of an evening person. It was so dark it was like the middle of the night. Roll on the summer.

Meant to say that Mr Pix's girlfriend made us a lovely Tiramisu for afters on Sunday.


Watched a Rolf Harris program on sky+ the other day. Possibly one of the most weird & uncomfortable things I have seen for ages.

Was it just me or did it make Rolf look like a bit of a perv, not his usual art.

Day 372 (03/01/2011)

My wife has to work today and everything is back to normal tomorrow. I may take the Christmas decorations down and make the world dull and normal :-(

Although I hate Christmas, the place looks dull after you take all the decorations and lights down, so I hate after Christmas nearly as much as I hate Christmas.

Day 371 (02/01/2011)

I am all over the place with my days of the week, apparently it's a Sunday today. It is always confusing over Christmas and New Year but this year it seems to have all been Bank Holidays.

My wife has gone off to work, although she is not completely better. I have a cold and cough but luckily I like Beechems Lemon anyway.

Might do a Sunday dinner today and open a bottle of wine for myself, as I have not had a drink all year.

Day 370 (01/01/2011)

It was a quiet New Year, with my wife still full of flu and Kelly at work until 11.

Mr Pix and his girlfriend were here and had a drink but as I was picking Kelly up I couldn't drink and then it seemed a waste to open a bottle of Champagne for midnight and then leave most of it, so I had a Beechems Lemon instead (I have a slight cold but not yet full man flu).

This year I must get more done. Thats more exercise, more tidying up, more career stuff rather than just work, more writing (that's if 3 pages count as a start). I must stop wasting time, money, my life, blah blah blah.

I may go out for short walk later, building up to a longer walk then get back on the bike. Or then again I may not.

Anyway Happy New Year to everyone, I hope your year is good and brings you things you want.

Update - 17:00 - Went for a half hour walk to the local shops to buy some bread. That was todays exercise as I could have taken the car and only taken about 5 minutes.

Day 369 (31/12/2010)

So this is Christmas, and what have we done? Another year over, and a new ones just begun. Sure I have heard that before but it sums up things on this New Years Eve.

Anyway, Where The F**K Did That Year Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe another year flew by without me noticing (or tidying the house).

My wife was in bed all day yesterday with flu and still feels rough but is getting ready for work, I don't know why, she might as well have another day off to recover than going spreading her germs to all the customers.

If nothing else, I'm looking forward to Jools Holland on the telly tonight, I haven't checked but he must be on, or New Year won't be official.

Strange that Bobby Farrell, front man of 1970s disco group Boney M, died in St Petersburg on the anniversary of Rasputin's death in the same city. Although I suppose it would have been stranger if Bobby Farrell was poisoned, shot four times, badly beaten, and then drowned, rather than a heart attack.

I might download a few Boney M hits later, they were quite catchy as I remember.

Although I am a republican and quite like the Russian method of dealing with a royal family, I am once again stunned to find I have been over looked again in the New Years Honours. I think I will have to drop even bigger hints this year and might just send completed nomination forms to people I do favours for and tell them to send them direct to the Cabinet Office.

Day 368 (30/12/2010)

My wife is of work with flu and so I have decided to cancel to New Years Eve, well it will still happen, as will New Year but I don't think we will be having any celebration around here, maybe a glass of Beechems Lemon and a quiet night watch Jools Hollands.

I must go thru all the scratch cards and lottery tickets we had for Christmas and see if we have won anything. I know Kelly won over £20 on her scratch cards, hopefully there is a few millions sat downstairs waiting to be claimed.

I caught an episode of Yes Prime Minister this morning, what a great show, brilliant cast and so well written. It could have been set today and not 30+ years ago.

Day 367 (29/12/2010)

Back at work after a nice break that just flew by. It's hard to believe that four day's can go by so quickly.

Must get back in to the swing of work and doing things but have a dvd playing on my computer at the moment.

The house is very quiet as the girls are out at work and Mr Pix is out shopping with his girlfriend.

Colin the snowman has nearly gone.

The place looks so dull without the snow.

Day 366 (28/12/2010)

Well the last day of the Christmas break, its back to work tomorrow. No doubt we will still be finishing off the Christmas food and Booze well into the summer of 2011 if not longer.

The temperature has risen sharply in the last day and we have had quite a bit of rain, so there are only a few small patches of ice left. It seems strange to think how quickly the snowy Christmas look has gone and the place has returned to it's normal look.

Day 365 (27/12/2010)

We had a great night last night with everyone coming over to ours, although the first comments from my dad was to ask me if I had a spade or a brush to clear my driveway.

I know it's a generational thing but does it really matter that there is slush on my driveway or that we are continually decorating or cleaning. Just chill and relax.

Anyway we had a good evening with lots of food, drink and quiz's.

I am going to continuing with a few more days of indulgence then in the New Year will start going for a walk, building up to taking my bike back out.

Day 364 (26/12/2010)

Christmas morning was a mad rush as always, then off to my parents for a more relaxing Christmas Dinner and supper.

It was nice to be together as a family, we don't do it enough nowadays.

Anyway I didn't really see any telly or drink much, so will catch up with the iPlayer this week and get wasted today.

I put some rock salt on the driveway this morning as my parents will only complain about me not having cleared the snow,

but it looks more like I have been putting nutmeg on a rice pudding.

I think it will take a few warm days to clear all of the ice.

Day 363 (25/12/2010)

Ho F**KING Ho.

Did I mention that I hate Christmas. Well I quite like some Christmas music, like Happy Xmas (War Is Over) & Merry Christmas Everybody. Even the original Band Aid song. And I suppose the food and drink are good and some of the telly. But I do definitely hate Christmas.

So Happy Christmas to everyone I like & love, and Sod Off to everyone else.

At least Kelly is feeling a bit better today.

Day 362 (24/12/2010)

I don't know if I have mentioned it before but I hate Christmas.

I like some of the telly, the food, seeing my family and to be honest some of the presents are good but its the being organised bit that never sits well with us.

I got the Christmas decorations down at the start of December but yet there are still cards left unwritten or undelivered.

I have to go out this morning to do some shopping for things that will probably never be used or eaten but we can't do without.

Bah Humbug. Next year I will suggest going away for Christmas, although with all the bad weather lately that might not be a good idea.

Update - 19:30 - OK we are at least 4hrs behind schedule and Kelly is possibly full of flu. I doubt my wife and her mother we be here much before 9 o'clock and then we have to have diner (I made a Fish Pie). Still not wrapped any presents or done my cards. It's going to be a late night.

Day 361 (23/12/2010)

Wow Mr Pix had a haircut yesterday that looks normal.

He went last night with his friends for a curry and a drink (or two). That makes he seem so grown up and makes me feel so old.

When I was out picking up my wife and doing a bit of shopping yesterday we missed all of our deliveries.

You wait in for days and then pop out for a few hours and then miss all of your deliveries. Sods Law.

Hopefully I should still be able to get them all today.

The girls drove themselves to work today, despite the 3" of ice on the local roads. That means when I go out later I am going to have to dig my car out of the snow.

Last night was listening to Hafdis Huld singing Silent Night in Icelandic on Radcliffe & Maconie's Radio 2 show (check out the iPlayer at about 40minutes).

Update - 20:00 - Two complicated reports to do but whilst having a shower I have come up with the plot line & start of my book. I suppose should try and do the reports then do some writing over the Christmas break.

I won't say what happens in story but I have decided to kill off a guy that used to be a friend of mine until he double crossed me. It would be better if I could use real names but if I did that I might end up in trouble myself. So I will be changing everyones names, including mine.

Update - 20:30 - Ordered a pizza and finishing for the night.

Day 360 (22/12/2010)

I booked a load of hotel rooms for my courses in January & February. I didn't realize my next course was so soon.

I really should spend some time updating my course this week but just can't seem to get motivated. It's like being on holiday but still being at home.

It's nice to have a bit of a break but I know next month I will have loads of work and be thinking that I should of done the course material whilst I was quiet.

As much as I hate Christmas, and I do a lot, it was nice to start the Christmas chocolates last night but I am still not allowed to start the Chocolate Log as apparently if I do I am likely to finish it before Christmas. Well why don't we have two then, one for me and one for guests. We have more than one bag of crisps, so why not a few more Chocolates Logs. Bah Humbug :-(

We now have a snowman watching us from the back garden thanks to Mr Pix and his girlfriend, who came round yesterday.

I think the snow will be here for at least another week, hopefully it will be fine on Christmas day otherwise no dinner for us.

Day 359 (21/12/2010)

I hate Christmas, all that preparation and shopping, these are things I am just not good at.

It should be like Comic Relief, every two years, at least. That way you look forward to it rather than it just being an event reminding you how quickly the year is going.

Day 358 (20/12/2010)

Woke up to this morning to even more snow.

I drove the girls to work but couldn't actually see the road.

On the way back it was quite interesting to see a petrol tanking rolling down a hill I had to drive up.

I took a few pictures as I was waiting for the inevitable accident and explosion but luckily there was Police Land Rover nearby that stopped the traffic which allowed the tanker to roll back and then drive off in a different direction.

Home safely.

Really sad to see Brian Hanrahan has died. His broadcast from the Falklands was instantly iconic.

Update - 21:30 - There are times when I think Dictators are just misunderstood geniuses, who get fed up when other people do not do what is clearly the best option, when they have been given a choice. Or is just me that think that as I see it so often when I give people a choice.

Life would be so much easier if I could just command things to happen.

Day 356 & 357 (18 & 19/12/2010)

Well with an inch or two of snow on the roads last night Mr Pix & his girlfriend wanted to go bowling, so at 10:30pm we were at the local Hollywood Bowl.

Apart from a group of very drunk blokes with tattoos, the place was empty as clearly most sensible people had taken the advice of only going out if your journey was essential.

Still, apart from me loosing and us all recording our the lowest scores ever, we all enjoyed ourselves.



So Saturday morning.

There is about a 8" of snow everywhere, which looks nice but is a bit slippery as it is on yesterdays snow and ice.

Obviously the best thing to do would be to stay in, nice and safe in the warm.

So Kelly is driving herself and her friends who are home from Uni to the cinema and then going to work. I did offer to drive but she wants to drive herself.

And my wife is visiting her mum in Bristol to take her shopping. She could do this on Tuesday when she's off and the weather might be a bit better but she decided to go today.

They are all mad, I'm staying in.

Update - Sat 16:30 - Half hearted attempt to clear the snow from the driveway.

Well it's the thought that counts. At least I wont be completely lying when I tell my parents that I cleared all the snow off of my paths and driveway.

Day 355 (17/12/2010)

Guess what happened over night.

Me and Mr Pix stayed in and sent the girls out to work.

Update - 11:30 - It has gone very dark and is snowing very heavily. Think the journey back for the girls may be a bit eventful. Luckily we have already stocked up on the wine and Larger for Christmas, so we should be OK for a few days as long as the broadband is not affected.

Day 354 (16/12/2010)

Well I only went out for half an hour to clean my car and post some Christmas cards to friends abroad but I managed to do about a third of my Christmas shopping at the Spar / Post Office. Curly Wurly's & Scratch Cards again.

I came back to the office, phoned Laithwaites and did another third.

Now only a few more things to get and thats all of my Christmas shopping done in plenty of time.

Day 353 (15/12/2010)

What happened to my nice quiet December, I now have more work than ever. Honestly I still want to write my books but at this rate I might have to make them audio ones with the sound of me typing in the background.

And it's Orange Wednesday, so we might go out this evening.

Day 352 (14/12/2010)

Defrosted three cars this morning then took my wifes car to the garage for an MOT. Hopefully it will not be that much, otherwise I might just leave the car there.

Update - 17:30 - Got the car back, only £110 and we have an MOT for another year. We must change the car next year, finance withstanding.

Suddenly have loads of quite complex reports to do and I have other things that need arranging. What happened to a relaxing December.

Day 351 (13/12/2010)

I swear yesterday was a nice day. It was minus 4 taking Mr Pix to the train station this morning.

Why do they make so many different types of toilets and toilet seats. I bought a new toilet seat yesterday and it doesn't really suit out toilet as the seat only goes up 90 degrees but our cistern is slightly further away, so if you lean back it will break off.

It was easier in the 1970's when all toilets were the same design. Damn progress and the decadent west.

Update - 10:30 - Have already booked my wifes car in for an MOT and myself in for a hair cut. Might have to lay down for a while after this busy start to the day.

Update - 12:15 - Just received a Christmas Card from a retirement village, nice that they are thinking of me but I don't think my wife and kids would want to live there yet.

Day 349 & 350 (11 & 12/12/2010)

I do prefer to be at home and probably wont do many more weeks away. I will just do few days instead and concentrate on what I do best rather than staying for a whole course.

Whilst I was away I seem to have had about 2 weeks worth of work coming, so December will not be the nice easy relaxed month I was hoping for.

At least the decorations are up early this year.

Update - Sunday 20:30 - Me and the wife went out to a Thia Resturante last night.



It was very nice, so will be visiting the Thai Jasmine again.

Woke up this morning to the horror of no Internet. The local telephone exchange was down and my 3G Dongle is playing up.

It was back on by lunchtime but after a few glasses of Pimms with dinner work was not an option.

Day 348 (10/12/2010)

Sickly class today, 1 gone home already, 1 walking dead and about 4 coughing & spluttering. I am healthy at the moment but sharing a room with all of these ill people is likely to take its effect eventually.

Looking forward to being at home but not looking forward to the drive but will be trying out my iPhone as a satnav.

Update - 11:30 - I now have a thumping head & the start of a sore throat :-(

Update - 21:00 - Took some tablets and had a hot curry for lunch. Felt better after the drive home, hopefully managed to bypass the worst of it.

Day 347 (09/12/2010)

The course is going well but one person stayed in their room all day with flu and half the class are coughing and sneezing. I'm wondering how many people will be in the class tomorrow. I'm hoping I stay healthy as I have a long drive home tomorrow.

Interesting on the news today, with all the demo's and the royals car being attacked. The Liberals are destroying themselves, like a modern Judas, still hoping to be voted in as a disciple after the crucification. I know the Jesus thing isn't real but it sort of fitted after a few pints and was easy to write using my iPhone.

Day 346 (08/12/2010)

It warmed up to day, for the first time in a few weeks the cars were clear of ice.

The course is going well and my input seems to be going down well.

Went to the gym, spent a few minutes in the sauna & jacuzzi, then a few to many glasses of wine with dinner.

Day 345 (07/12/2010)

Guess what, It's Still Bloody Freezing. Wish I was home, at least I would be warmer.

Did more today and took the class for half the day, it went well and was more fun than just helping to distribute the hand outs. I will probably do a few of the other sections where I know more. The technical stuff is beyond me but I do know what I know.

I didn't quite manage the gym tonight as I fell asleep watching a very old David Niven war film. It wasn't one of his best.

Because my laptop is playing up I can't really watch any of the dvd's I brought, not good.

Day 344 (06/12/2010)

Got to the training venue last night after a long drive in cold and frosty conditions. My room was very cold and took all night to warm up. The telly only has the free channels and my laptop is still playing up but I thought it was so had packed my netbook. When I get back I must visit my usual IT people and get them to sort it out as I can't be arsed to set up another one.

The day went OK though I think I am in a minority of 1 of left-wing liberals who are in favour of wikileaks. I think most of the rest of the room take the American view. It probably wouldn't be well received if they knew I had sent funds to help support it. I do think its a case of wanting to shooting the messenger (though I guess it will be a car crash) rather than addressing the issues raised.

After the course I went to the gym, obviously not to use the weights or exercise bikes but to sit in the jacuzzi and the sauna. It was just like living somewhere hot apart from the walk from the accommodation block in the freezing fog.

Really enjoying The Trip with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon

Day 342 & 343 (04 & 05/12/2010)

I have to drive to the other side of the country tomorrow so not happy, no wine with my Sunday dinner :-(

I must get my new laptop sorted today so I can work whilst I am away.

I might get the Christmas stuff down before I go away.

Day 341 (03/12/2010)

December has been a very cold month. OK I know its only the 3rd but even so its got a 100% too bloody cold ratting. I have to pop out to town later to pay some cheques in as I am away all next week, which I am not looking forward to even though there will be a sauna and steam room available.

I am now on Level 2 of Angry Birds and each one is nearly impossible, I'm getting by with luck, I hope Level 3 is easier.

Update - 18:30 - I thought it better to stay in the warm than go outside and will just wait another week before I pay the cheques in. They weren't for that much for it to be worth scrapping the ice from my car.

Day 340 (02/12/2010)

It was nice to have a lie-in this morning and to know that I didn't have to go out in the cold; however it had snowed over night, so I had to drive my wife to work.

I must remember to pick her up or she wont be happy.

I have a few jobs in and other stuff to do but it's nice to have a quiet time as I know next year will be quite busy.

Day 339 (01/12/2010)

It was far too early and far too cold to be up and about but I was at the train station first thing this morning with Mr Pix, who had forgot his gloves, so I lent him mine. I'm going to an exhibition in London and having a meeting about some work, which may be quite interesting.

I'm now sat on the train writing this on my iPhone (4) and listening to Bugsy Malone, one of my favourite soundtracks, whilst drinking a nice tea & having a danish pastry. With all of this marvellous technology around me it seems rather petty to complain about the speed of the Internet. How soon we get used to things that would have seemed like science fiction only a generation ago.

I have reached level 125 on Bouncing Bullets but am still struggling with Angry Birds. I love my iPhone but hardly ever phone anyone. I think it could have been called something else like an itheonlyelectronicdeviceuneedthatisalsoaphone but I guess the iPhone is a catchier name.

Update - Had a good day at the exhibition and picked up loads of freebies.

Lots of pens, packs of mints, jelly beans, chocolates, sports bag, mouse mat, coaster, keys rings, memory stick, note pads, postcards and dozens of magazines.

I don't think I will ever need to buy a pen again.

Then a useful meeting followed by just enough free time at Paddington for a visit to Yo!Sushi.

Now home in the warm and an evening off.

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.