Day 812 & 813 (17 & 18/03/2012)

Went to Norfolk on Friday for a long weekend which was so we could visit the bench that had been put by the Norfolk Broads in Kim's Memory.

The setting was just down from The How Hill Trust. It was lovely and peaceful, although whilst we were there it rained and rained and rained.

Obviously most of the rest of the time, apart from driving, was spent eating nice food.

Home late on Sunday after driving about 750 miles over the last 3 relaxing days.

Day 811 (16/03/2012)

Booked a few days up in Edinburgh in August for me and my brother to enjoy the comedy.

So now how to claim this as a works expense. I feel a story line coming on for a book and me & my editor have to go and check things out. Well its worth a go.

Actually I honestly have half an idea of a story now.

The last pair of my new shoes arrived today.

They are neither gay nor middle aged crisis shoes and especially nothing like what Harry the Bastard / Prince Harry was wearing the other week.

Off to Norwich for a few days with my wife.

Day 810 (15/03/2012)

Quick catchup. Yesterday I bought my mum some flowers for Mothers Day. She had to have them early as we are going away for the weekend.

Then we went out for a pizza (we had lots of vouchers).

I spent the day in London at a boring and depressing meeting but bumped into Nick Clegg at the building. I was going to tell him what I thought but he already looked so sad I could say what I really thought so just laughed.

Also saw John Suchet.

I know they are not great photos but I wasn't going to hang around, it wasn't as if it was Kylie or Richard Herring.

Day 809 (14/03/2012)

Still working away in the office as in London again tomorrow for another meeting, then away for a few days.

Day 808 (13/03/2012)

Trying to cram all my work & stuff into the two clear days in between meetings in London and then thankfully a few relaxing days away on Norwich.

When I come home I have loads of training courses & presentations to prepare for and do.

Day 807 (12/03/2012)

Early morning train to London for a couple of meetings.

Rather shockingly I got mistaken for a visitor to the Diana Memorial Trust, as if!

I went to the much more impressive offices of the BPI.

And this is the view from the office, pretty bloody impressive.

Had too much sushi lately (is that possible) so had a smoked salmon bagel instead, lovely.

Day 805 & 806 (10 & 11/03/2012)

The day started well with my new shoes arriving, although I'm still waiting for the dusky blue pair.

I know I'm definitely having a change of image, a little bit more grown up & smarter. Well trying anyway.

Then we had some bacon rolls for breakfast. Lots of work then a curry delivered for dinner.

If it wasn't for the work it would have been a perfect Saturday.

Day 804 (09/03/2012)

Still loads of work, hopefully getting thru the back-log.

Whilst I still like wearing my shorts I have recently thrown away some of the oldest pairs and bought 4 pairs of fairly casual trousers, with belts not just the comfy elasticated waist ones. I have also bought a new fleece jacket and some desert boot things.

I still look like a fat scruff but at least a fat scruff in trousers with a new jacket.

Day 803 (08/03/2012)

The Pie & Mash was lovely.

Doing more work but as soon as I do some more comes in but I know I can't complain when others are struggling but it will be nice when I have some staff to help with some of this.

Day 802 (07/03/2012)

The weather has turned a bit grey & wet, we were just getting used to the idea of summer.

We booked a holiday yesterday but again as we had left it late and were limited to a particular week (thankfully not during the school holidays) we were very limited to locations with our holiday plan that we are members of. So we are going to Madeira for a week. If nothing else it will be a week relaxing for me and my wife (no kids they are arranging there own things now that they are adults).

We will take a few more holidays now that we can take them at cheaper times.

I have a few more things to book and arrange whilst trying to do loads of work, which seems to be coming in non stop at the moment.

Day 801 (06/03/2012)

Nice to be at home and to have a lie-in, I hate early mornings but am catching the same train to London next Monday for a meeting. At least he is taking me out to lunch then. It should also be an interesting meeting.

Anyway lots of work to do t the moment, slowly catching up on things that need doing.

Day 800 (05/03/2012)

Up early and off to London but didn't feel to well. Slept on the train on the way there and that helped.

This week went better than last week and most of the students were happy that I was trying to tell them things that would help.

Anyway, more importantly, Yo Sushi!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also saw this chap hanging around.

Day 798 & 799 (03 & 04/03/2012)

Managed to get some of my reports done before Gary & Elaine came round and we went out for dinner at The Worlds End.

Having a Mexican later, then still got a few things to do before another early morning and off to London.

Day 797 (02/03/2012)

It has been a really busy week but at least during the meetings I have been able to have a cup of tea.

OK a cup of tea and a bit of cake but technically that was my breakfast.

I have a busy month couple of months and am really looking forward to having a few days away with my wife in a couple of weeks time.

Also it will be nice to see Gary & Elaine at the weekend.

Day 796 (01/03/2012)

Can you believe its March already. I hope this month goes slowly as I have said I will start cycling after March.

I am sticking roughly to my "nothing after 10pm" diet.

Got lots on at the moment and another meeting tomorrow with someone else. Funny that today I have been bashing my head against a wall because of the action of the same people who annoyed me so much in the 1990's. I will be so happy if all my plans come off and I can move on and not need to worry about earning an income so much.

Day 795 (29/02/2012)

Must catch up with my work as I have another meeting later, talking about some more work with a chap I know. Probably won't get a tea cake today.

Day 794 (28/02/2012)

Another day and yet more work taking me out of the office but this was better than yesterday.

It was very interesting meeting the guys from Sound & Fury and I'm looking forward to see what the do with what we talked about.

Day 793 (27/02/2012)

Early morning start catching the train (not first class unfortunately) to London.

Then spent the day talking to students about things. It wasn't perfect but we live & learn.

The most important thing was that I had time at Paddington to visit Yo Sushi.

So all in all a good day.

Day 791 & 792 (25 & 26/02/2012)

Started the day with Kiwi Berries, no I'd never heard of them either.

But guess what, they are like baby Kiwi fruit.

So if you ignore the Maple Syrup, a healthy breakfast.

I know we should get rid of the old children's plate but they are just the right size and so handy.

Doing some work but not in a busy harassed way.

Update - Sunday 19:45 - Had a lovely roast beef diner and a bit to much wine, now trying to finish my stuff as in London lecturing at Goldsmiths tomorrow.

Day 790 (24/02/2012)

Thomas was back in the papers yesterday with quite a large picture on the back page.

Loads of work on at the moment and a full week next week with meetings & things on most days.

Day 789 (23/02/2012)

Finally picked up my wife's car, not quite £700 for the gearbox & clutch but then had to go a get a new back tyre on the way home which added even more.

I'm going to book it in for a valet, as it might as well look & smell as good new seeing as we will be keeping it for the rest of year now.

Day 788 (22/02/2012)

Meeting in Birmingham, nice sandwiches for lunch but turned down the chance of a cake.

Being good.

Suddenly I seem to be swamped with work. Also setting up a new laptop with some new software.

I know how many computers can one man have, well the answer is loads.

Day 787 (21/02/2012)

Busy day, dentist first thing, then Ann our cleaner is coming round and then Pancake Day. I suppose in between these things I could also do some work.

Update - 19:45 - Pancake Day but I made sure I had plenty of fruit.

If you can't make out the fruit its the coloured bits next to the ice-cream and under the meringue and maple syrup.

In an attempt to regain my youth I shall be watching the Brits and deciding whose album to download next.

Day 786 (20/02/2012)

For the last few nights there has been a really deep frosts with the cars looking like they have a slight covering of snow, yet by morning they are clear. I get up early to scrape the ice from my wife's car before she goes to work but after I get up early there's no bloody ice. It gets me every time, yet I know if I stayed in bed then the ice wouldn't have disappeared and my wife would have a go at me.

Last week I bought some shares, not many just the odd 1 or 2 but I just thought it would be nice to have a share in Apple & Google. When I go into an Apple store I will think I own part of this, admittedly only having 1 share means I only own a very very small part of it.

Update - 20:30 - A friend of mine, whose the same age as me, has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am sure its just something that most men have to put up with as we are living longer than we used to but it is hard saying stay positive in every conversation & every text. I hope it turns out OK or is not terrible drawn out. Sometimes life is crap but what can you do.

Day 784 & 785 (18 & 19/02/2012)

The weekend is here and things to do but it won't all be work, some tidying up will be done.

Update - Sunday 18:45 - Had a nice Roast Chicken Sunday Dinner.

Very nearly up to date on updating all of my training stuff. Must start on doing my work afterwards.

Kelly will be back later as she has been in Leicester for the weekend.

Day 783 (17/02/2012)

I have a nice amount of work coming in at the moment and might, fingers crossed, even have the weekend off.

Thomas was in Bristol last night, clubbing with his friends. He came home for a few hours this afternoon and has gone back to Bristol for a party. I suppose its best to make the most of your youth whilst you can as when you get older it takes a week to recover from a late night, let alone drinking.

I feeling quite confident about the changes I am making to my courses, hope it goes OK.

Day 782 (16/02/2012)

Working in the office.

Thomas is staying over in Bristol with his mates, going out to a club, hopefully it will be trouble free.

Life seemed so much easier when we where his age. No-one had photo ID and very few had driving licences, so bouncers used to allow you in on the understanding you didn't cause any trouble. Nowadays it seems harder to get into a club than it does to open a bank account.

Heard back about my wife's car, it should be just less than £600 to get fixed, so next week her car should be worth around £1,000 as long as the tank is full of petrol.

Day 781 (15/02/2012)

Well we had a lovely Valentines Day meal at Tramontes.

We even went for the liquor coffee as Kelly was acting as our taxi driver.

Been very busy in the office today. I seem to be getting more work in and have a lot of training stuff to put together.

Day 780 (14/02/2012)

Valentines Day and we are a off to Tramontes tonight.

The wife's car is still in a sad state waiting for a gearbox, hopefully they will be able to find a reasonable one or it is new car time and she has expensive tastes.

Day 779 (13/02/2012)

I answered the door first thing to the deliveryman wondering what my wife had been ordering now.

OK, I forgot the 250 usb drives I had ordered for work.

Just a nice amount of work at the moment but you know the flood gates will open again soon.

Day 777 & 778 (11 & 12/02/2012)

Think it may have been quite cold overnight (bloody freezing), thankfully I wasn't outside.

Update - Saturday 20:45 - I think the year will end work wise a lot differently to how it started and not in any way that I had foreseen. A few different possibilities with vastly different possible outcomes. Which way should I go or push for, quite a few pros and cons. No immediate rush and maybe not all bad but just there are going to be changes and things can not stay the same.

Day 776 (10/02/2012)

Nice to have a lie-in after getting up at 5:45am yesterday. I am definitely not a morning person.

Still keeping up with the no polo's, no bags of crisps, no food after 10pm and slightly less of things diet. I think I deserve a treat, how about a few large polo & crisp sandwiches. If I keep this up till the end of the month (and I will) then I shall also bring in a no alcohol and no afters during the week rule (unless I am out). By the end of March I should be at least 1 pound lighter and the weather should have improved so will then start cycling during the week.

Who knows if I keep this up for another 5 or 6 years then I may get down to just being a standard XL, we can only hope.

Update - 15:00 - Just heard back about my wife's car, apparently it needs a new gear box, which is neither cheap or easy. They are looking for a second hand gearbox, which hopefully will only be a couple of hundred and it will then take about 5hrs to do. Oh what joy.

Day 775 (09/02/2012)

Early start (up before 6, not good) going to Cardiff to give a days training.

At least the hotel had very nice food.

Dark, cold and wet by the time I left.

Day 774 (08/02/2012)

My wife's car has always had a problem with the gearbox, but today the gearbox seems to have gone on holiday after she reversed off of the driveway and was stopped in the middle of the road.

What a heavy car to push on a freezing cold morning.

Hopefully it will be something quick, easy and cheap to fix (you know it wont be).

Early morning tomorrow as I have to be in Cardiff for about 8am but don't want to stay away.

Day 773 (07/02/2012)

Still avoiding the worst of the weather.

I went to dump some stuff today and was asked to pay £2.90 to get rid of some hardcore / rubble. I can understand during these times of austerity being asked to pay for something that this time last year was free but I didn't have my wallet with me so had to drive home and then back to the tip again just to pay the £2.90 to dump stuff. It is understandable why people fly tip, it wasn't the cost it was the bloody inconvenience!!!!!!!

Funny how seeing as I only have to prepare my course material rather than actual reports over the last few days but have actually achieved very little. I could have done all I wanted in a few hours and now be sat downstairs relaxing (it's 8:30pm).

Day 772 (06/02/2012)

Well after all the hype we appear to have missed all the snow and freezing conditions.

Still no polo's or packs of crisps and I have added a no food after 10pm rule. I know that sounds obvious but I sometimes keep funny hours and there is nothing like a few cheese and biscuits just before midnight.

I am also going to try a new rule this week, only to have one of something. Not like on my trip to America where I was offered one whole family cheese cake.

I mean I will only have one sandwich instead of two or only one sweet at a time, at least that way I will have to walk down from my office to get another one afterwards.

Up to date with my work which mean I can actually spend time on my course material, which is a nice luxury.
 

Day 770 & 771 (04 & 05/02/2012)

Today I have started a small new years resolution. I thought it was pointless starting them in the new year as that is bound to fail. Before last year I hadn't had mints for years but a side effect of the medication I was on was that you had a terrible taste in your mouth, so I was having loads of polo's. I have not had any tablets for a few weeks and have finished my polo's and am not going to get any more..... ever (maybe).

I have also decided to add packs of crisps to the list but am still allowed the occasional crisp if they are out on a buffet or whatever but I am not going to actually have any whole packs.

In a couple of weeks I will try to add a few other items to the list of things I am giving up.

Apart from that it is very cold and going to snow and I am preparing stuff for my courses.

Day 769 (03/02/2012)

Another cold morning, where I had to scrape the ice from my wife's car before she went to work.

About 2 o'clock in the afternoon I went to do the recycling and had to scrape the ice from my car, which was fair as it had been in the shade during the day. But what I hadn't expected was after I had done the recycling I went to wipe my hands, using the pack of wet wipes I keep in the car but it was a frozen and like a solid brick. I hadn't thought it was that cold.

Up to date with my work now (first time in ages) so now I can concentrate on my courses & presentations over the weekend.

Day 768 (02/02/2012)

Dare I say I am just about getting up to date with my work. That is just as well as I have two talks to give next week so have lots of preparation to do for those.

Still very cold so kept the heating on all day.

Day 767 (01/02/2012)

Golly its cold, well freezing to be more exact.

Work Work Work.

Thomas didn't make the paper this week but was on the website instead.