Life on a daily basis in the Dark household for a husband and father of 3 great kids...what can possibly go wrong?
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Dog or no dog?!?
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Standing on a train
Monday, September 28, 2015
Charlottes Birthday - Part 2
Sunday, September 27, 2015
Charlottes Birthday - Part 1
Thursday, September 24, 2015
Rolling back the years – for 25 seconds!
Worked from home today, hard to get motivated if I am honest, a very unproductive day all told. Just couldn’t get the focus on anything important which is not ideal for a freelancer!
Anyway, got through the day and did get a few things sorted and up to date, not what I should have though!
I went to vets football in the evening, we were home to Chinnor and we all know what sort of competitive game that’s going to be, and it was! We’ve struggled the last couple of games and after a decent start found ourselves 0-2 down at half time, I was tired throughout but carried on. We got back into the game immediately scoring from their kick-off and then straight after that as well, it was bizarre. Suddenly found ourselves 3-2 up and they get clawing us back when it was 4-4 with a few minutes left.
I was linesman for about 10 minutes and then Nathan got a bad injury so I was back on and then went on a run down the wing, didn’t get the cross in but made up for it chasing down a ball into the 6 yard box, pulling it back for Lee Smith to smash in the winner – a good goal and a great team spirited performance.
What was interesting is no-one actually came and celebrated (or even shook hands) with me, there were a few congratulations afterwards but that was strange to see, not sure if that confirms me as a bit of an outsider in the side, not sure. I’m not going to read anything more into it. But again it highlighted my age and lack of fitness because I was struggling throughout the match and had a decent pacey forward against me – next week versus Thame is going to be even harder.
Had a drink and something to eat and then home to watch the end of Watchmen and then bed!
I was pleased with my contribution today, just pleased to not be picking up injuries as I have done before – well I was kicked a bit but not muscle injuries I mean
Tuesday, September 08, 2015
England match v Switzerland
Long day today, didn't get up too early as so tired. Worked through the day but it was a real struggle
Finished around 4.00pm and then got ready to take Jack to Wembley for the England game. Went up to Bicester train station and then straight into the Wembley station that was only 400 yards from the ground
Walked around a bit and then went into the ground and got our seats. Decent view but high up. The game and the attempt by the announcer to liven it up was poor. The way England played was very disappointing, they lack so much quality in passing and movement. I find it really hard to watch but at the same time it was nice to be with Jack.
The game only livened up in the last 20 mins when they put Harry Kane on and he scored quite quickly and injected some enthusiasm into the match
We then got to witness history as Wayne Rooney became the England all time top scorer by putting his penalty away. So it wasn't a complete waste of time.
Waited until the end of the match and then went back to the station through all the rush. Had to wait a while before getting the 22.18 train. Jack fell asleep on the way back I wrote my diary.
Knowing I've got to work when I get home is a concern. I've got a real shit project I'm trying to get completed and I'm struggling with it. Well, we'll see what happens when I get home and how late I need to work. (Update – I worked until 5.00am!!)
Bobby Moore photo-bombing me and Jack!
Monday, September 07, 2015
Suffering from Nuts Challenge!
I am in agony today. Every single possible muscle is aching and my knee was killing me. Hardly slept at all last night. Made a genuine excuse not to go to Peters to work because I just couldn't walk, the swelling in my knee was unbelievable and I couldn't put any weight on it, unable to walk or drive. I still did their stuff in the day and then the Groupcall project I've got on my plate to deal with in the evening.
It's really hard work at the moment, I'm really very stretched and it's not ideal for me or anyone else. Not sure how this is going to end, something's got to give.
I'll keep pushing to get the work done and still do late nights but I'm so tired.
I hope I get a better nights sleep tonight, we'll see I guess!!
Sunday, September 06, 2015
Nut Challenge
This was a fantastic day!
Up at around 8.30am with a slight heavy head, had breakfast, got ourselves ready and then headed off to Surrey after collecting Zoe on the way
We had entered for the Nuts Challenge obstacle event and didn't 100% appreciate what we'd signed up for...we were soon to realise!
After parking we walked to the registration area and saw what was waiting for us, it was mental. Mud and water and obstacles everywhere
Check in and got sorted and then met with Zoe's cousin who we ended up staying with
We went on the 11.00am start and were off. Within 100 metres we were facing our first of so many things to go through
Ditches down and then scrambling up the other side, crawling through mud, waist high water. Slides, cargo nets, tyres, so much I can't even list it all. Even carrying sand bags and tyres. It was absolutely shattering and it took us 3 hours. Partly as a result of staying together through. Everyone loved every minute of it.
I smashed my knee on a rock which was horrible and made getting round really hard work. Got round and we celebrated at the end. Cold showers to clean up and then drove home, got a macs as well before piping into Sues to wish Tiffany happy birthday. Didn't stay long as had things to do at home
Didn't get much work done and went to bed around midnight as I was so very tired. Decided not to go to work T Birmingham on Monday
Oh, posted some photos and videos on Facebook and loads of people were interested in what we'd done and if we sign up to do it next year I think a lot of people will be interested in joining us
I will say again, that was absolutely brilliant fun.
Wednesday, September 02, 2015
Back to Rochester…can’t escape there!
Worked in the office today because I was asked to run training and a data workshop for Learning Resources, as I was driving down there at 7.30am I was trying to think how long it it that I have known Hannah Searle who’s based there and one of the first people I worked with when they became customers, I’ve not seen her for a long time so was looking forward to catching up with her.
Got to Rochester around 9.30am and spoke with Jayne and got things sorted for the day’s sessions and she went off to get them (Hannah and Laura) from the train station. Introductions when they arrived and Hannah was straight over and gave me a kiss greeting which surprised the others there (including me actually as she’s always been reserved.). We worked it out that we’ve known each other for 10 years as I went through the CRM Helpdesk history to check!
Anyway, we went through so much today and it was very, very full on and detailed, but they were both pleased with the work that we did and got a huge amount of progress. But it was draining and I was exhausted by the time we finished as we also had a working lunch.
It was a good day’s work and there were a lot of action points as a result which I will deal with over the coming days, said our goodbyes and said we’d catch up sooner etc and they were gone.
I continued in the office for a couple more hours before making a move and got caught in all sorts of traffic and did have to stop on the way for an hour’s sleep before finally getting home at 8.50pm. Had some dinner and then came out into the garage to work – it’s now 11.00pm and I have another couple of hours I need to go through before the night is over and I can go to bed
It’s all too much at the minute with this work and the Oxford City JPL work I need to do as well – I am fast sinking!