Day 446 (18/03/2011)

Back home, feeling knackered, with loads to do.

Going thru my emails.

Day 445 (17/03/2011)

Spent the day exploring Jersey with Gary & Elaine. Had a great time but looking forward to a new Chinese later.

Will be home tomorrow with my family and my internet connection, looking forward to both.

Will include some photos at the weekend of this weeks meals.

Day 444 (16/03/2011)

The course has now finished, it went well, though the computers were appallingly slow and software years out of date.

Looking forward to relaxing in the hotel for a few hours then having a nice meal.

It will be nice to have a day off tomorrow enjoying Jersey with Gary & Elaine.

Day 443 (15/03/2011)

Day 2 of the course, went well but the computers are so old and slow.

Had a great meal tonight with Gary & Elaine.

Still no wifi in my room so it 10:30pm and I am sat at reception writing this :-(

Really missing constant twitter updates, and my family.

Day 442 (14/03/2011)

Went out for a curry last night with Gary, which was very nice but a bit of a chilly walk. As we had a late lunch Elaine wasn't hungry.

This morning was nice and warm and the course went well but the computer systems are so old and slow, which has caused a few problems.

It was funny when I started using the flip chart and saw that it was the same one I used last year, clearly they don't use the training room very often.

Missing my family but it will be nice to go out for a meal tonight with Gary & Elaine.

I still can't get the wifi working in my room but if I go out to reception it is OK.

Day 440 & 441 (12 & 13/03/2011)

Loads to do before flying over to the channel islands tomorrow. Firstly I must book the car park at the airport and dig out my passport.

Saw Alan Carr last night on a practice night for his up coming tour. He was brilliant, very funny and great stage presence and interaction with the audience.

Seeing Miles Jupp tonight, so don't have much time today to get everything ready.

Really saddened at the disasters in the world. I suppose living in a grey drizzle place the UK seems a good bet at times like these.

Update - Sun 19:30 - Flew out from Bristol this morning, it went OK even allowing for me missing the junction on the motorway and then having to take a cross country route I wasn't sure of, then Gary & Elaine got caught in traffic.

The journey was OK and we got to the hotel, which seems OK but really I only booked it as they advertised free wifi throughout the whole hotel but I can't seem to get my laptop to sign IMO the hotels system, so not best pleased. Will have to update my blog from the raining venue tomorrow.

Hopefully have something nice to eat then a goodnights sleep.

Day 439 (11/03/2011)

Must book my car parking at the airport, everything else just about arranged.

Day 438 (10/03/2011)

In the office early doing a report, not looking forward to going to the dentist later.

Update - 21:30 - Managed to get through the dental visit without having any work done.

So much to do before flying out on Sunday. Looking forward to seeing Alan Carr tomorrow night.

Day 437 (09/03/2011)

That's the first course finished and two more to do. It went OK but was a bit strange as there was someone on the course as stressed out as I used to be. At one stage I worried about him putting the computer out the window but he only attacked it with his newspaper. Clearly someone in need of a hug and some drugs but other than advice I couldn't really do more.

Looking forward to a lie-in in the morning but I have loads of work to do before flying out to Jersey on Sunday.

Day 436 (08/03/2011)

Second day of the course, went OK although the computers were playing up a bit so not everything ran smoothly.

Loads to do and tired from early mornings. Looking forward to having a lie-in on Thursday.

Update - 20:30 - Pancake Day, now stuffed and unable to work.

Day 435 (07/03/2011)

Up early and out with Mr Pix first thing. Dropped him at the train station and then drove up to Bristol to do a course.

Driving up daily rather than staying as its less than an hour away, but it means early morning, which I hate.

I have done a few courses for my old employer, who I left about 15yrs ago but its always strange going back, not always comfortable but I have to do it to earn a living.

Now home to catch up with the other work that I have to do. No rest for the wicked but looking forward to Jersey next week as I going with my brother & his wife / partner, who I enjoy spending time with. I will not be doing any work in the evening whilst I am there (if I can help it) so it should be a relaxed course.

Day 433 & 434 (05 & 06/03/2011)

What to do first, the work that has to be done and sent in or the preparation for the course that I am giving on Monday.

I had to cancel the restaurant for tonight as my wife had tickets to see 4 Poofs & a Piano tonight, so we will probably see that instead.

Update - Sun 14:15 - We had a quick meal at the Worlds End last night, very nice.

Then off to see Four Poofs & A Piano.

Fair enough it wasn't my choice but the wife wanted to see them so I went along. It was a fun show full of rude songs & jokes.


Taunton does amaze me, as once again, just like for Julian Clarey, the audience was mostly made of people in their 70's, laughing along to comments about anal sex.

Still doing preparation for the courses coming up.

Day 432 (04/03/2011)

The sun is out, the sky is blue, if I had the time I would go out for a walk or on my bike. It doesn't rhyme but you get the idea.

Hopefully training someone for a client next month so they can do their own inquiries. It will be a shame to say goodbye to a client of over 5years and to at least £1k a month in work but it will be nice to have more time. I am sure they will come back every so often on the difficult jobs.

I am also trying to arrange something to do with the training, which if it comes off will mean lots more courses around the UK and I have already spoken to someone about helping me out on those.

So hopefully in a few months time I will have a nice regular income and more time off. Then I can spend more time getting fit, more time with my family and more time to write my books but not in that order.

Also after a gap of a few months off from going to comedy gigs I have loads coming up, although to be fair four of them are to see Richard Herring. Honestly I am not obsessed with this guy but have just take to his comedy.

I have found a new restaurant in Taunton and hopefully will book a table for tomorrow for me and my wife, to make up for the fact that I am doing so much work that we can't have our Orange Wednesday for more than a month.

Day 431 (03/03/2011)

Up at a reasonable hour and spent all day working but not actually sent any reports off yet. It's going to be a busy month but I'm not complaining.

Mr Pix has gone for a haircut and said about having it all cut off, which will be a change over the last few years.

Update - 20:20 _ Mr Pix has a nice short haircut, very straight after the hair cuts of the last few years.

Day 430 (02/03/2011)

Home, Home At Last.

In the last few days I have driven hundreds of miles but after giving talks on the South Coast then way up North I am now back home.

Too knacked to do an Orange Wednesday and loads of things to catch up on but its nice to be home again.

Update - 20:45 - Interestingly (or not) just putting my end of year accounts together for the accountant and I did 14,548 miles for work in the car last year. This is depressing on so many levels. I hate driving and technically work from home so how the hell did I do so many miles.

Day 429 (01/03/2011)

In my hotel room in Portsmouth, watching the telly and preparing for the talk in about 9 hours time. Must go to sleep soon but first to catch up on twitter.

Update - 20:35 - Well the talk at the University went OK and we had a good meeting afterwards, the only thing appears to be my lack of a degree, which they mentioned again. I suggested they just give me an Honorary Degree but they thought I was joking and suggested a particular degree that would suit me, so I might have to give in and study a bit.

Then I had an incredibly long drive up to Preston. I arrived and had some fish & chips.

Now time to do a quick report before I collapse into my bed.

Day 428 (28/02/2011)

I forgot to take a picture of yesterdays curry but is was very nice, will be finishing it of later.

I can't believe that it's the last day of February already, the year is flying by.

Update - 16:55 - Damn, I have to leave in 2 hrs and haven't even done the presentations yet. Mad rush.

Day 426 & 427 (26 & 27/02/2011)

Heard Get Better by Scroobius Pip this on the radio this morning. You must check it out on YouTube.

Why don't they play thing like this instead of Party Political Broadcasts. He speaks more sense in his lyrics than any politician I have heard for the last 20yrs.

Nearly up to date with my work, then I can start preparing for my presentations & courses.

Update - Sun 15:00 - Still not booked a room for tomorrow night or done the presentations for Tuesday & Wednesday. I have done a lot of preparations for he courses coming up and printed off most of the materials and put it in the poly-pockets and zippy packets.

We are having curry later, can't wait for Mr Pix girlfriend to arrive, then we can have dinner. I bought the sauces but have added a few things and it tastes great. Having a Chicken Korma and a Lamb Rogan-Josh, with all the other bits & pieces. Will add a photo later.

Day 425 (25/02/2011)

The other month I did two training courses in two weeks and felt knacked. I said to me wife, "well I won't do that again".

Today I got a call from an old friend who I did some courses for last year, who works for a government agency and has been loosing staff all year due to the cut backs. They have money left in the external training budget which must be used by April, so he has arranged two courses with me next month.

So in March I am doing three courses in three weeks, plus giving three other presentations.

So it will be my most profitable month ever but I think I might have to lock myself away in a darkened room for a few days afterwards.

I am not complaining, I know I am lucky to have a job but just need to alter my work life balance.

Day 424 (24/02/2011)

Paul was very good last night but I think I will have to get the DVD and watch the commentary to understand all the "in jokes", though I got a few.

Had my hair cut today as I am busy over the next few weeks.

I am already getting bored and pissed off with the news coverage of William and Kate. I may go away for the wedding or just join a protest. It's about time the world grew up and individuals weren't given titles and roles just through an accident of birth. We should follow the example of the middle rest and get rid of these royal families and dictatorships.

And whilst I am on that, why are the Banks now seizing Gaddafi's assets. He has been a murdering dictator for the last 30+ years. What's Changed. They shouldn't have been doing business with him.

I blame Blair, OK its not all his own fault but lets blame him anyway.