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.