Day 1321 (08/08/2013)

Got our new dishwasher fitted.

They were very quick taking the old broken dishwasher out and fitting the new one but speaking to them they get paid for each fitting they do, so that's why they don't hang about. The main guy explained the quickest appliances he had fitted was 15minutes from knocking on the door to leaving the house.

The fitter didn't really explain how the new dishwasher worked, he just showed me where the power switch was and told me to read the instructions.

I'm thinking that quality isn't their hallmark but they were OK.

Day 1320 (07/08/2013)

Busy in the office all day, as had a few urgent jobs to get done.

Apparently my cars lights are OK. It has day time running lights that are a lot brighter than the side lights that you use when its getting dark. That can't be right but apparently it is.

Should be getting a new dishwasher fitted tomorrow, which will be nice as the old one has been broken for over a year.

This will be quite handy as we end up buying a lot of washing up liquid but have about 10yrs worth of dish washer tablets.

Day 1319 (06/08/2013)

After being in The Star at the weekend, Thomas went a bit more up market today with a named entry in The Times.

He is off to Exeter football tomorrow, which doesn't sound great but they are playing QPR, so there should be some interest in it.

I changed my car over today, as I get them on three year deals. I picked a silver coloured car as the scratches on my last car showed up as silver against the red paint, so now the scratches shouldn't show up.  

After I drove away I realized how much I didn't like the car; its uncomfortable to drive, the seat belt is in the wrong position and pulls across my throat, the steering wheel is too small, its got an annoying screen taking up all of the room on the dash board where I used to rest my phone and the lights don't work properly, so it has to go back to the garage tomorrow.

I know I should have gone for a test drive first but I've had about 6 or 7 of these type of Peugeot's, so they are basically the same. I really only agreed to get this this car as it has digital radio & bluetooth.

Day 1318 (05/08/2013)

Busy day doing work but we had a new boiler fitted.

Its got a cute blue light and works properly, so that's two reasons whilst its better than the old one. It was a pain being without water for a couple of hours, then sweating buckets while he tried out the heating.

I'm picking up my new car tomorrow, so had to download my new car insurance documents but struggled to set up my on-line account with my insurer as most of the questions meant nothing to me.

I can't remember any teachers from school as I'm in my mid 40's and hated most of my teachers
I'm not really a pet person, I know we had a cat when I was about 3 but I can't remember its name & don't really care
I can't remember who I first had a crush on, as I'm in my 40's now and have fancied people for most of my life, why not ask Kylie or Dannii
I can't remember where I first went on holiday as I'm in my mid 40's but my Mum would know
I didn't really have a best friend at school, I hated school and my school years
I have hundreds of cousins, its a bit cruel to ask which is my favorite
I can't remember which was the first film to make me cry, I'm in my mid 40's and have seen thousands of films. I know I have recently seen the re-makes of Day Of The Jackal and Edge Of Darkness and both were crap but neither made me cry
Did we even have House or Teams at my last school. I can remember who was dealing drugs at school and what stolen goods were being offered around during the lessons but that's about it
I can't remember the name of the first airline I flew with but I can tell you I shared a small bottle of Mateus Rose with my new wife during the flight

Why not ask questions like Wine, Red or White?; Crisps, Salt & Vinegar or Cheese & Onion?

Day 1316 & 1317 (03 & 04/08/2013)

The football season is here again so Thomas is off to Bournemouth to photograph a match, so fingers crossed that it goes well and that he gets a few publications over the next few weeks.

Kelly is back for the weekend and going to see Granma up in Bristol with my wife today.

I'm in the office but not working too hard.

Update - Sunday 22:00 - Well after yesterday Thomas was both in a national newspaper (well The Star is more a paper than a newspaper);

And he was also on The Football League Show on the BBC (OK it's hard to see him unless you know him and where he was sat but its him).

It was a lot easier going to Mum & Dads for breakfast on a Sunday.

We had diner at the Worlds End, for a change, 

and I had a lovely ham eggs and chips.

Will Miss Kelly as she goes back to London tomorrow.

Day 1315 (02/08/2013)

Catching up in the office and after a haircut to cope with the heat I popped round to my Mum & Dads new place to set up their internet & telly in exchange for lunch.

Then Kelly came home for the weekend, which was nice.

Day 1314 (01/08/2013)

A hot hot day in London but I had a good meeting at the St Pancrass Hotel, where Dr Fox was at the next table.

Then we continued the meeting over lunch at the Yo Sushi bar.

After the meeting on the way back to Paddington some idiot lent against the panic button on the tube and we had to be held for 5 minutes whilst it was sorted out and reset.

It was very embarrassing and I apologised but it was right next to my elbow and I didn't realize.

Then at Paddington I exchanged my first class ticket to get an early train but had to go second class but at least I still had my first class receipt so could stock up in the first class lounge beforehand.

Day 1313 (31/07/2013)

How can July be coming to an end already, at this rate it will soon be Christmas.

I have a busy rest of the year planned and have more things to arrange, but at least next year maybe more organised and more profitable but less stressful.

In London today for a lunchtime meeting with a journalist on his expense account, which was nice (roast cod, followed by a pear & fig tart) and quite interesting.

One of the good things about London is the history on nearly every street.

It was so hot travelling thru London that I ended up with cramp like pain in my leg for the rest of the day.

Then I met Kelly for dinner, and even saw Bill Nighy walking thru Notting Hill.

So glad that she's enjoying London.

Day 1312 (30/07/2013)

What a busy day as have to prepare for a couple of meeting in London.

So far Kelly is enjoying herself in London, will be meeting her for dinner tomorrow night.

Day 1311 (29/07/2013)

Kelly is off to London today for her big adventure, working and living in the big city before moving to Brighton, hopefully when her flat will be ready at the end of the month.

Fingers crossed that the short term job lands her a full time roll which pays her enough to live well.

Saw this news (well it's not really news but it was in the mail on-line) item on-line which reminds me so much of when me and my wife first started visiting Deep-Pan Pizza in Bristol, where she had a similar ability with their free salad bar.

You used to get chicken wings, melon, eggs and so much more than just salad.

Day 1309 & 1310 (27 & 28/07/2013)

A day if not a week of emotions, that to be honest does not really get easier with a the passage of time. I, and am sure the rest of the family just miss Kim so much.

She would have loved the restaurants that we have visited and she would be so proud of "our" children ad the adults that they have become.

We had the left-over sushi for a late lunch.

As my Mum & Dad aren't really Sushi people we went out with them on my Birthday to The Worlds End (the restaurant not the film) but unfortunately Kelly was on her last day at work.

The meal was nice and they went for the flaming creme brulee.

Then Birthday cake (Part 2).

Then a relaxing Sunday.

Day 1308 (26/07/2013)

Work during the day then off to Sumo a new Japanese restaurant in Taunton for my Birthday.

The food was really nice and included dancing fish flakes on Octopus balls (don't ask).

It was fantastic and the did a special plate for me as it was my birthday but by then we were we stuffed so we had it in a doggie-bag.

Then home for some birthday cake (Part 1).

Day 1307 (25/07/2013)

Wow The Worlds End is another great film from Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Even my wife was laughing during the film.

Working now so I can take the weekend off for my Birthday.

Day 1306 (24/07/2013)

Nice weather, bit of a swim and working in the office. That's been my day, well my last few days anyway.

Off to see The Worlds End tonight with my wife on an Orange Wednesday, should be good.

Thomas found a photo  of the cricket of him at work.

Kelly is starting in London soon, which should be an exciting if a nervous time. Fingers crossed that it all goes well for her and her career.

We are so proud of them both, doing what they want with their lives.

Day 1305 (23/07/2013)

A lovely cool start to the day after the storm last night.

I really couldn't care less about the royal baby or the royals in general, I detest them all, which funnily enough started after I became a parent.

As a parent you should tell your children that if they work hard then they can do and be whatever they want in life. Well that isn't quite true in the UK as the tops jobs are reserved for the royals (as in ultimately running the country, the military, the church etc).

I had an argument with an Irish Royalist once who wouldn't accept my side, so I pointed out that as the armed services, the politicians and the police swear an oath of allegiance to the Monarch and not the People, then Edward VIII could have dictated to them to join with the Nazi's, who would have then backed him to remain as King with the women he loved as Queen. Then any up-rising by the people against this would have been treason and been put down by an armed service that still fights for the Monarch and not the People.

He saw my point of view in the end but was still an Irish Royalist, which is very much one of the worst type or royalists.

Plus this system just continues the class system in the UK, which isn't good.

America has many faults but lets face it as George W Bush showed, even if you are the most stupid person in the country you can still have a chance at being charge.

I love the fact that the Guardian on-line newspaper has a Royalist and Republican button so you can see actual news or royal crap news.

I shall be avoiding most news over the next 20yrs or so as it will be full of "experts" predicting that the baby will have a traditional first name such as George, Henry, Charles and a more fun second name to fit with this modern fun royal couple. The names are always the same. And even I can predict that this child will go to one of the top schools and have a love of horses, polo, helicopters and ultimately will join the military but not as a real solider or pilot, after all, they all do.

If they really want to be modern, then say "our son will never be King as I will be abolishing the Monarchy when I am crowned King".

They should say we would love for our son to be a painter or a social worker, because as parents you should just want your child to be happy and to meet someone who loves them and who cares for them.

I can predict that this royal baby will ultimately be unhappy, trapped inside a system that serves no-one in a modern society.

Day 1304 (22/07/2013)

Its hot, damn hot.

When ever I say to myself "It's Hot", I feel I always have to add "Damn Hot" which was one of the few funny bits from the Robin William film Good Morning Vietnam. He is great but he has made some crap films.

Anyway it was a very noisy day in Taunton, mostly because the hedgeman was trimming our the hedge.

It always looks so much better after he has done it but it is a very noisy few hours but thankfully we were his second job of the day, so he didn't start until after 9am so I didn't feel that embarrassed at waking everyone up.

The other noisy was apparently there was the loudest ever thunder storm last night, which woke everyone else but I slept through it.

Day 1302 & 1303 (20 & 21/07/2013)

A busy weekend doing reports in the heat but I'm not complaining about the heat I think its great.

We were going to go out for dinner but left it so late that we ended up going to the chip shop nearby,

and then sat in the garden eating our food.

It was lovely with a nice cool breeze but I had always envisaged sitting here relaxing with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio, not a can of coke and a kebab.

On Sunday Kelly suggested a Chinese take-away for dinner, so who am I to say no, it was lovely.

which was just as well as we will be having it again tomorrow.