Day 746 (11/01/2012)

So today I managed to get rid of, no sorry that's wrong, I managed to donate loads of old computer stuff to www.communitycomputers.org which was both nice of me and good to clear out the stuff we haven't used for the last few years.
 

They had a very interesting van, which was more like a beach-bums pimp waggon but apparently they use to it show videos to the public, warning about the dangers of speeding & drink driving.

Yes, to warn people about the dangers of drink driving you definitely need a £24,000 entertainment system in a pimped-up van.

Me & Thomas went out to the local London Camera Exchange this afternoon where we managed to get a good deal on the majority of his new equipment.

 

He was very happy.

Looking forward to seeing some great shots and to his photos being in the papers every few days.

Day 745 (10/01/2012)

OK I did find a local charity that wanted computer stuff and today I have been going thru 10yrs worth of computer things and deciding just how many usb cables I need. The answer is about 10% of the ones I had.

I should be taking a car full of stuff to them tomorrow but today I have cleared some space. I think they will be getting a lot more than they were bargaining for but I am sure they will be able to use it all.

I have also been going thru some old harddrives and backing up my works computer, which frighteningly I haven't done for over a year.

Still trying to update my course material and had more work in today, so I now have a back log of work already.

Day 744 (09/01/2012)

Dieting is a bit like tidying up. If only you could see a difference straight away then perhaps you might have the enthusiasm to complete the task.

I have got rid of a few bags of stuff from my office but it is still full of stuff that I hardly ever use. What I need is a charity nearby that wants anything to do with computers.

Preparing for the upcoming courses and had to spend 4hrs doing bloody laminates. One of my least favorite tasks.

Me & Thomas are shopping around for his new computer equipment at the moment and I am amazed that hardly anyone is prepared to offer a good deal if we buy an expensive camera and 4 expensive lens's at the same time. Their greed is costing them the whole sale, what idiots.

Day 742 & 743 (07 & 08/01/2012)

The weekend is here and we might be having some new broadband stuff installed.

Waffle / Pancakes & fruit breakfast this morning, healthy apart from the maple syrup which is compulsory.

Obviously Kelly's is the more artistic one, I just throw the strawberries on the plate.

We really must get rid of these plates. We got them when we first had the kids and never thought we would still be using them 20yrs later but they are just so handy.

Update - Sunday 16:30 - So yesterday the people came to fit the satellite dish for the new broadband from www.tooway.com.

The dish is bigger than I expected, it's about 3 or 4 times the size of a sky dish and because of the angle it had to be put at its on the side but towards the front of the house, which doesn't really disguise it. 

But its a load faster than my rubbish landline broadband. 

Today we were having breakfast at Mum & Dad's and Kelly was shown a local magazine, where she appeared in a photo.

So that's both kids in the press this week.

Day 741 (06/01/2012)

A day without terrible wind, just what the Doctor ordered. No not my wind, outside, it was the calm after the storm. I was as windy as ever.

I even went outside to turn out new solar powered lights on.

They looked a lot better than in the photo. I can't wait to put some nice plants in the garden and then to start using it in the summer.

Day 740 (05/01/2012)

We didn't get to the cinema last night as Sherlock Holmes wasn't on, think we might have left it too late.

Another wet & very windy night & day.

Still getting back into work, slightly distracted by finding the free film section on www.blinkbox.com which included An American Werewolf In London, what a classic in so many ways.

They also have The Exterminator as well, which I will watch tonight. I have not seen that since it first came out on video and I watched it at home with the family in the very early 1980's. Most unsuitable for my parent at any time as I recall but me and my brother enjoyed it.

Thomas had his first few pictures published in the local newspaper today, hopefully he will have many more published and start to earn his living soon.

Day 739 (04/01/2012)

Guess what, yet another bloody wet & windy day in the South West.

The internet has been appallingly slow for weeks now, so I have given up and signed for a satellite internet service from www.tooway.com.

Hopefully going to see Sherlock Holmes with my wife on an Orange Wednesday tonight.

Day 738 (03/01/2012)

Another wet & windy day in the South West.

Went out to Pizza Express with the family.

I can fully recommend the Chili Bread starter.

Still easing myself back into work.

Day 737 (02/01/2012)

Bank Holiday today and spent most of it on the computer updating my letterheads, powerpoints & website.

Day 736 (01/01/2012)

Had a lovely evening with Gary & Elaine to see in the New Year.

It was a shame that the rain didn't stop other wise we could have gone up onto the Downs to see the fireworks from around the city.

Then after a fairly decent nights sleep my Mum & Dad came over for a nice Sunday Roast.

Day 735 (31/12/2011)

New Years Eve and off to Bristol this afternoon / evening to spend it with Gary & Elaine. It's a shame Thomas is at work & then going out otherwise we would have all been together, but that's growing up for you.

Day 734 (30/12/2011)

Cold & wet again, roll on the spring, its just a shame that it so so far away. What, the New Year, this weekend, how did that happen.

Looking forward to going to Bristol to see in the the New Year with my family.

Day 733 (29/12/2011)

Unbelievably I have finished all of my work. I can't remember the last time I had actually finished all my work and it's so nice knowing that tomorrow I can get on with planning things, like the new training material and website.

Thomas is out at a party tonight, it looks fun as someone posted a photo on twitter.

I remember those days but being so old nowadays I can barely finish two pints of shandy.

Day 732 (28/12/2011)

Back to work today doing a few reports but also spending time thinking of the changes I am going to make to my reports, website & powerpoints for next year.

Although I am working I must admit that I am at the same time playing my new comedy dvd's, which makes work a bit slow, as for some reason I keep stopping work to watch them.

We discussed New Years Resolutions today at dinner. I did mention that rather than picking a resolution I would have trouble keeping up throughout the year I should choose as a resolution of "eating more chocolates & cakes in 2012". This did not go down well with my wife but honestly I was only joking. I will definitely try harder this year to get fit, loose weight (without the aid of having my leg cut off), get someone to help do my work, spend more time relaxing with my family & write my stories. Or should I just pick the eating more chocolate.

Day 731 (27/12/2011)

It was nice to have everyone last night for a bit of a do.

It seems that Christmas is over already, just as I was getting into it.

I suppose it really is time to start doing my work again.

Day 730 (26/12/2011)

After a nights sleep and a bit more of a lie-in this morning we are preparing for people coming over to our today, as usual. Although a nice happy family day it will be sad as this was always a day when Kim would have spent the whole day with us.

I have put loads of food out for the birds but we haven't seen any in the garden yet. Before we had the garden done we had loads of them, perhaps when we have plants in the garden they may return.

Day 729 (25/12/2011)

ITS CHRISTMAS

As always my wife made the house look very Christmasy & lovely.

I had some great presents (OK I bought this one for myself).

We then had a lovely time at my parents house, where my mum made her best ever Christmas dinner.

Day 728 (24/12/2011)

Yo Ho F**King Ho, its Christmas Eve and it seems like we need at least another week to be ready but my mother-in-law will be here in an hour and Santa will be following her a few hours later.

Day 727 (23/12/2011)

Bah Humbug, apparently its nearly Christmas.

Not done much, no real enthusiasm for work might wrap the prezzies tonight.

Day 726 (22/12/2011)

Last night we all got together for a nice meal and went to see Kelly's show.

It was a great evening, we just don't get together enough.

I have bought nearly all of my Christmas presents but not wrapped anything and am far from prepared, just like any other year.

Still have work to do but am not going to bust a gut to do it, there is no real rush as most of the clients have stopped already. I am hopping that next year I will get some help with the reports, so I can spend more time on the training courses and a couple of new ventures.

Day 725 (21/12/2011)

Yesterday I noticed about 4months worth of lottery tickets in my wife's purse, so checked them in the hope that we may have won the odd £10 or two.

I was more than surprised that we had won, nothing earth shattering but when I told my wife and Thomas, apparently when the kids picked their numbers 15yrs ago, although they have never paid for the tickets, this was a legally binding contract fr life that meant it was their winnings.

Unfortunately for them I had never signed up to this but relented slightly and negotiated a new family rule whereby whoever picked the numbers gets 50% of the winnings and the other 50% is shared between us and the other number picking but non paying child.

Basically a win win situation for the kids as they still don't pay but get to share the winnings.

Going out for a family meal tonight followed by seeing Kelly's show.

Day 724 (20/12/2011)

We now have our Christmas tree and decorations up. I might even be felling a bit Christmasy but just a bit.

I was about to finish all of my work this morning when a client sent over a load more work,oh well I shan't rush to do them as they will not be needed until the New Year.

Over the last few days I have cleared the back log of magazines that needed reading and have now started to tidy up my desk. During this I came across one of my favourite photos.

I don't think we have changed that much over the last 17yrs.

Day 723 (19/12/2011)

Well we got the decorations down from the loft over the weekend but we didn't quite get around to putting them up, so no we haven't got a Christmas Tree up yet.

I had a package arrive today which I have to wrap up for my staff as a Christmas present, as a thank you for all their hard work this year. I know they will love it but don't tell them about it as its a surprise.

Day 721 & 722 (17 & 18/12/2011)

The weekend is here and although the rain has stopped it is still quite cold and windy.

I brushed all of the leaves and helicopter things off of the patio, so that's looking a bit tidier but needs a bit of a jet wash to get all of the mud off of the slabs, which I might do during the week, as this will bring out all of the different colours in the slabs.

The aim of the weekend is to actually get all the Christmas stuff down from the loft and to transform the house in to a Christmas scene. To be honest I get the stuff down from the loft and my wife puts all the decorations up, I haven't helped do the tree for years, apparently I never space the baubles out properly.

Day 720 (16/12/2011)

Well it wasn't raining so much today but still cold.

The Renault went in for its MOT today. The car is 12yrs old and after all of these years and all of the cars we have owned I don't think I have ever put a car in for an MOT and only had to pay for the MOT, usually the charge you for something stupid but for someone reason the car was fine and sailed thru.

Not much else happened but we had a nice lunch thanks to Kelly.

Day 719 (15/12/2011)

Another cold and wet day spent writing emails and not earning any money.

Will try and do something interesting tomorrow and take a photo of it.

Day 718 (14/12/2011)

Its been very cold & wet, I hate winter time. I want a summer holiday, if not a holiday then just the summer, when I will be sat in my nice garden.

Its hard to know how you can work nearly all day and yet have achieved next to nothing. Annoying that you can spend hours writing & answering emails, earned no money and still have the same number of emails in my in-box as I did when I started.

Spoke with someone on the phone today talking about renting out Kim's house. It was like speaking to someone from the 1950's or 60's, you would not believe that we had moved on at all in relation to race relations. Truly shocking attitude amongst some people, especially those who are supposed to working in a caring industry.

Day 717 (13/12/2011)

Gave my last talk of the year today, now just all the research & trace stuff to do that comes in.

Horrible drive back and then home to lovely dinner, chessy tuna pasta with a nice glass of wine.

Nice to be home and I was only away for the night.

Must get the Christmas decorations down from the loft tomorrow as apparently its nearly Christmas (Bah Humbug).

Day 716 (12/12/2011)

Busy day doing things, like work.

Had the man round to fix some springs in the couch this morning. Golly he talked so much he was able to string out a 45minute jobs for 2 1/2 hours.

Then this evening we have someone popping round to sort out our Will, which is something we thought we should do now we have children. OK, maybe 20yrs late but seeing as I took over 3yrs to change a light bulb and over 5 yrs to hang curtains, 20yrs for a Will ain't too bad.

Just for a laugh I'm leaving the 500+ VHS tapes to my wife's family. No I'm not really, there not getting anything from me.

Off to Preston tonight for a presentation tomorrow.

Day 714 & 715 (10 & 11/12/2011)

The weekend is here and Christmas seems so close but I'm not yet feeling Christmasy. Every year we say the same, we will be more organized next year, and this year we mean it.

Still so much to do before we can relax for a few days.

Update - Sunday 15:30 - Decided to make some slow cooked Lamb Shanks for dinner, can't wait now.

Update - Sunday 19:30 - It was lovely.

Day 713 (09/12/2011)

Golly it really is winter, cold, gray and wet, roll on the summer or a holiday.

Went out with Thomas today for another drive, which went quite well and was able to combine it with doing chores like doing the recycling and dropping some letters off. Very handing having the kids able to drive.

Day 712 (08/12/2011)

Incredibly early start to catch a train into London.

Didn't go First Class today as I had to travel during rush hour so couldn't justify the expense, it was not nice.

Got home nice and early, had time to tidy things up in the office & relax.

Day 711 (07/12/2011)

It was nice to have a lie-in this morning after getting up early yesterday but unfortunately I'm having to get up even earlier tomorrow to go to London, and as I'm going in the rush hour it was hard to justify a first class ticket, so I'm having to travel with the other people :-(

Working in the office today.

The first job I'm doing today is slightly worrying and I'm waiting to hear back from the client as I think they may be protecting the wrong person. I wouldn't mind but I'm not even being paid its a favor for someone. I think we are all in a difficult position where there maybe no right answers. Still on the bright side it's no-one I know or care about.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more fun.

Meant to add this from yesterday.

Day 710 (06/12/2011)

Alice In Wonderland was a good show at the Brewhouse on Monday night.

Then an early start and off to Bristol for a conference.

The conference was quite interesting and has given me a few ideas, work wise.

Then home for Liam Rowbotham's Wonderland show at The Brewhouse

Worth checking out the video's on YouTube

Day 709 (05/12/2011)

Cold & wet start to the day, everyone seems to be running late, except me, I was at work on time.

Off to see Alice in Wonderland at The Brewhouse tonight.

Day 707 & 708 (03 & 04/12/2011)

Spending the day doing work & reports, will be nice to clear my work and not to have a back-log.

Update - Sunday 20:00 - Just had a nice dinner, yesterday left over curry, fantastic.

The Christmas decorations are being putting up but I'm not feeling Christmasy, but then I never do until Christmas Eve night.

I have only two reports left then I am fully up to date for the first time in a long time.

I have a few meetings this week in Bristol & London so no doubt will have work to catch up on by next weekend.

Day 706 (02/12/2011)

Trying to catch up on my reports & work but went out for a drive with Thomas.

Don't worry we were stopped at traffic lights, I didn't do it when he was driving, that would have been reckless.

At times you have to remember what it was like when you were learning to drive, or even when after you had  past your test but were still getting used to different cars. I am sure the kids today are much better than we were.

Day 705 (01/12/2011)

Bloody Hell, its December, where has the year gone. I don't remember the summer, so why is it nearly New Years Eve.

Just trying to get all my paper work & accounts sorted at the end of the month and after being busy doing a course this week.

Nice being home during the day and seeing the finished garden.

It will be even better when we have cleaned up and the soil has settled a bit, so we can plant a few colourful things.