Halloween…ooh…spooky!

Busy day in working from home today, went well and got loads done

It was Halloween today and as is the case in Britain we seem to be getting more and more into it and like the Americans. We had a load of sweets and then from 5.00pm the front door didn’t stop being knocked on.It was fine but we soon run out and had to turn people away, that was a shame.

Earlier I had a greed to let Charlotte have a party in the evening and sat here typing this update at 10.40pm I am having some minor regrets!! It’s very full in here and very, very noisy! She must have about 35-40 friends all dotted around the house in fancy dress and getting very drunk. We went out to Sue’s to be out the way and were concerned what we’d come back to and it’s not so bad but it’s not enjoyable and makes you a little stressed about breakages and noise to be honest.

Only an hour and a half left as we said it needs to finish at midnight, we’ll see!

At Sue’s we ate far too much food and I took the opportunity to watch Django Unchained and I loved it. I still have an hour to watch but it’s such a good film, so much of what Tarantino has written and produced in this film is back to what you expected from Inglorious Basterds and Pulp Fiction. Have taped it so hopefully watch the rest of it over the weekend at Sue’s.

Bit nervous about work tomorrow, have a Sales Manager sitting in watching what I am doing so it needs to be good of course to impress!

Well, best try and get some sleep, can’t see how much I will get but have to get some and then at midnight kick everyone out and get some proper shut eye!

Just another day..

Worked at Raintree today and it went well, got loads done including re-installing all their reps laptops with Offline SPIRIT after they’d been wiped at the weekend. All change in the offices there and it’s hell of a strange atmosphere with so many people being made redundant. Jackie leaves tomorrow and we said our goodbyes and Sue leaves next week. If I remember I might get some flowers for her as she’s been really good to me this year in keeping me going and providing me with so much work to do.

I really don’t know my situation, I appear to have a decent understanding and working relationship with Miles which is obviously important, and hopefully as I keep delivering the good and a great service the value of my contribution will be recognised and appreciated. They would be mad to let me go as I get so much done for them, but I do have that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I will shortly be for the chop. It would be a mistake!

Tash took Jack and Charlotte to London today on the coach to see Much Ado About Nothing and when I got home in the evening I caught up with a couple of programmes I like, second episode of Elementary and then the Blacklist. The Blacklist is a little nonsensical but I enjoy it as it’s serious and intelligent but at the same time it appears to poke a bit of fun at itself.

I then got a phone call from Tash as they were on the coach on their way home saying that she didn’t have the car keys. I went out to the Park & Ride in Headington to look for them, or more importantly that the car was still there which it was thankfully but I didn’t find the keys. I left the spare set on the wheel and came home so hopefully they’ll be okay, I just didn’t want to get through all the traffic again to try and meet them when they got home.

Back at Wolvercote I sat and caught up with emails and other work and I am getting closer and closer to being up to date, there will never be a time I am fully up to date but it’s a target to aim for!!

Also, did some more research on investing in stocks and shares…so tempted to dip my toe in the water but so nervous about it at the same time. I’ve kept a track of some of the recommendations to see ‘what would have happened’ so going forwards I will see if it’s worth my while going for it or not…

Watch this space!

Up to date…

Decent days work today. Worked hard in the morning and Tash has been out and about so it's been quiet quiet again

Had a two hour phone call with Scholastic which was with the UK, US and India on data mining. Seemed to go well but was quite hard work

Took Jack to training and got shed loads done in the car. It's nice being so up to date with work and getting to clear items that have been playing on my mind for a while

It's true that having these in the background do use energy in delaying and procrastinating.

Full on day tomorrow at Raintree as I have to build laptops and install spirit for them all. Should be fun!!

Not much else happening!!

Quiet house…

First day of the half term holidays today and the house is nice and quiet because Tash has taken Charlotte and Jack up to see Lewis in Huddersfield. Got a lot done but still odd even though in reality it’s no different to when I normally work from home, I guess it’s the thought of them enjoying themselves away and I feel as though I am missing out. Kept in touch with them and they caught up with Lewis and then took him out for a meal and they got home safely around 9.45pm

Tash was in the foulest mood when she got in which was a shame, and to top it off she then dropped her phone in the washing up bowl, luckily storing it overnight in the airing cupboard in a bag of rice seemed to do the trick and it’s working again…phew!

Not much else to report really. Managing to get up to date with work, which is nice but also a little concerning as it means I don’t have anything else to do and therefore no money coming in!!

Had a bit of time in the evening so caught up with the new series of Boardwalk Empire and also Elementary, both were brilliant and it’s great to have them back up and running. There is another series I used to watch but I can’t think of what it’s called for the life of me, it’s doing my head in!!

Aha, just Googled it, Banshee!! I need to set an alert to get the new series recorded – just done that as well, January 10th is now in the diary!!

Watching Jack playing football..

Decent weekend actually but Sunday was quite relaxed. I had to postpone the Summertown match against Oxford City because of a lack of players which is so frustrating so I got that sorted in the morning and then went out and took Jack to his Horspath match against Chalgrove. Tash went off to London shopping with Zoe so it was a dad’s day!!

Jack played left back again and had a decent game, performed well and after his initial couple of mis-placed passes or control got more confidence to play. it was a good game and there was decent football on a piss poor pitch and swirly, strong wind. It was tight and they almost threw it away to draw 1-1 until the goal that Chalgrove scored gave them the push they needed and they won 3-1. I enjoyed it and really wanted to get involved and say things, there’s lots they could be taught to improve in so many areas around the pitch, I will push my name forwards in future I think.

Driving home we got Charlotte’s laptop and then Jack and I treated ourselves to a McDonalds – wicked pleasure and it meant I was too full to eat at Sue’s when we went their for dinner. Dropped Jack in a local park and then worked on setting up the laptop – that took ages with all the installations etc but got it done by the end of the night.

Charlotte went out in the evening with some friends to the O2 down the Cowley Road, I dropped them down there, and she watched AlunaGeorge. She got a lift home and had a fantastic time, she’s loving her music and partying!!

Tash got home and sorted accounts etc out and then to bed, absolutely knackered.

Oh, tonight is due to be the worst storms to hit Britain for 10 years…Michael Fish said so!!

End of Birthday Celebrations..

Went out tonight to finish off my birthday celebrations as we had a quiet night last night and we went to Bills in St Michael’s street in the centre of Oxford opposite the Three Goats Heads. Mum and Derek also came along which was nice and they enjoyed themselves.

It’s a fairly new place and the atmosphere was great, really liked the place and the food was excellent. I went for the rump steak and could have eaten it all again, it was so tasty, really enjoyed it.

Everyone else liked their food and agreed on the quality so that was a relief. The puddings as well were lovely.

All in all a really good evening and a nice way to finish off the birthday week.

Charlotte drove, had a bit of stress going there but coming home she did really well, very smooth and confident. She’ll be passing in a couple of months I am certain

Happy Birthday…sort of!

45 years old today…fuck! How have I become this bloated, unfit waste of space in such a short space of time? I cannot believe where the years have gone, I was 18 only last year I’m sure!

So, how did I spent this birthday? Well, Thursday are the busiest family day with Tash working a long day, Jack having karate and football training and Charlotte having tuition so after this morning I was working from home and then we all met up in the evening for dinner at 7.30pm.

I was wide awake this morning so early, I have a lot of things on my mind with work at the minute so got up at 5.00am when I woke up and it worked a treat, I got so much done. Back upstairs to give Tash her cup of tea and Charlotte couldn’t believe I was making Mum a cup of tea in bed on MY birthday! Had the opening cards and presents ceremony, lovely cards and nice presents, I was pleased with books and smellies – can’t go far wrong with those. Also a quiet Ted Baker shirt, very normal so I need to get a new one!

Work went well and then in the afternoon Mum popped in and more presents and some money which was very generous, as soon as she left Sue popped round with a card, some cash and a box of After Eights – yum – and she took Jack to karate. I picked him up and now typing this in the Horspath car park avoiding working any more work…

Lewis texted as well so that was pleasing to get, said he’d call us later this evening so will look forward to that, probably on Skype.

Facebook was busy with people sending me messages which was nice to get, as I said on my post…”Today’s the day that my ego is either battered or bolstered!” – I think it’s been bolstered with the messages I’ve received!!

We had a relaxed evening in the end, watched a bit of TV and that was it…nothing too mad, couple of beers and bed!!

Time to look ahead to Christmas now I think!!

Birthday week starts earlier and earlier…

As Lewis is down and it’s my birthday on Thursday I think it’s a case of making the most of the time he’s here. In the morning we had Annie round and she cut all our hair and then Lewis, Charlotte and Jack went into town…can’t imagine what they were all going to town for?!?!

We stayed and worked in the garden, I attacked another tree and cut loads of it back which was a challenge and then we decided on another challenge and took Sue’s dog Bella out for a walk. Paul and Brendan were home so Bren came along as well. We only went as far as the Plough but on getting there realised it was closed so went back to Jacob’s Inn instead and Paul joined us for a pint…although I only had coffee!

Back to our house and Mum, Derek and Grandma turned up for an evening meal, more for Lewis than me to be honest but they rolled me out a cake and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ so that was fun. Grandma was in better form this evening, she’s been a bit morbid and hard work of late (reporting from my Mum) but for some reason she ended up on my office chair and was swivelling herself around which was a laugh.

They stayed until about 9.30pm and then we watch a bit of TV and then called it a night fairly early really. A nice day. Lewis left around 9.00pm to go into town and when he got home the next morning told how he’s been caught up with the Police as a suspect/witness for a beating up that had taken place. Two girls as well that he didn’t even know were involved along with 10 other lads. This was all going on at 2.00am and they had no idea what was happening and were kept there for about 2 hours until it was all sorted out. The police had to drop them home in the end as they’d caused them to miss their busses.

What is it about the Police and late nights with this family?!?!

Charlotte, Jessie J and Lewis coming home

Busy day at work today but got home in time for taking Charlotte and Rose to the Birmingham NEC for the Jessie J Concert that was postponed earlier in the year.

Dropped them off and they wandered off to the convert and we then waited around for Lewis to travel down from Huddersfield on the train to meet us for a meal. We couldn’t find anywhere decent so ended up in the Crown Plaza and he turned up at 9.00pm. It was great to see him and have a hug and then we had some food and caught up on all he’s been doing and the storied kept rolling out. He’s having a fantastic time at Uni and it’s great to see him so confident and enjoying himself.

At 10.40pm we met back up with Charlotte and Rose and then travelled home for just after midnight. They were catching with Lewis and it was great listening to them.

He’s staying round all weekend and then will get the train home on Sunday night. He’s meeting up with mates in Oxford on Saturday night and is really looking forward to that. Bless him!!

Oh, Charlotte and Rose were raving about Jessie J saying what a great performance it was – they had a fantastic time!

Working ‘oop North’

Spent the last two days in Altrincham near Manchester for Lifecycle training customers on the system. Seemed to go well and I was working with Carlos and Scott so it was good not to be alone for once. Learned a few interesting things and also Scott and I stayed up there for the next day and had a couple of beers and some food and a catch up in terms of interests and family life etc.

Good chance to get to know him and he’s a really likeable person so hopefully we’ll get on and do good things with the training side of the system. I don’t know how things might change in Julie’s absence, will take each week as it comes and see what happens. A decent couple of days work – but it did mean I didn’t get any other work done…need to get back on top of things pretty sharpish actually as I am letting a few people down with a lack of response in good time!

Shame I didn’t manage to get out to see Lewis, but we’re seeing him on Friday so we’ll catch up then.

England match is tonight, if they win then they’re off to Brazil for the World Cup finals, I don’t have any real interest if I am brutally honest. I am sick to death of the hype that goes with football, I think I’d actually like them to fail, they won’t, they’ against Poland at Wembley so it should be quite comfortable for them.

We shall see!!

Just an update

Training carried out in St Albans today with two reps from Charles Derby, went okay and caught up with Jimmy Austin so it was a decent trip. Stopped off at ASDA on the way home and got a load of beers in preparation for tomorrow when we have everyone coming round for the evening and a drink up. No particular reason but should be a laugh.

Did football training and that went okay and then got home and watched some of the England match versus Montenegro, it was shit, turned off at half-time (0-0) and they won 4-1. So over-rated it’s painful.

Was about to go to bed at 10.45pm when Charlotte asked me to take her to a party in Lime Walk – for some reason I agreed and got her there. Sat here waiting for a text to go and get her – hopefully that makes me a good Dad in her eyes…I’m trying my best!!

Shattered.Com

Nikki and Gaz Anniversary

It was there 25th Wedding anniversary today and we all met up for a ‘surprise’ meal at Pizza Express in Bicester for them. All the family turned up including Nathan and it was a really good evening. Not sure how much of a surprise it was but Jess organised it so it was nice to have dome something with and for them.

I had Calzone for the first time, very nice indeed and will definitely be on the look out for that in the future at other restaurants, I think I did best out of everyone in that regard!