Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Dog or no dog?!?

So Natasha is really close to talking me into buying a dog. We've found a cockerpoo we like and Charlotte has already named him Chester!! About £450.00. I suspect we'll probably get him. Oh dear.

So anyway I worked at Raintree today, really busy and got loads done, was in early and didn't have a break so leaving at 4.30pm was acceptable. 

Came home and had something to eat and then got ready for football, we played at Thame today for the vets and they're likely to win the league this season so we knew before the match we'd be in for a really hard game but also with suspensions we knew it would be doubly hard. 

Sure enough we struggled for the first 10-15 minutes and went a goal down but we got back into it all and equalised. Second half was frustrating as we went 3-1 to sloppy goals but got one back. The game got really feisty and quite a few bookings ensued. We had them rattled and had two excellent chances at the end to equalise but they were spurned so we lost 3-2 in the end. Should have been draw I think would have been fair. Ah well, I will whisper this but I seem to be getting fitter and more mobile so hopefully that will continue although typing this up I'm struggling with my legs and back!

Had a drink afterwards and chatted to Liam Herbert and that was nice to catch up with him, Martin Brown and Dave Tregurtha also played so it was nice to see some old faces. 

Came home and watched the end of a film I started last night and then bed at 11.45pm. Couldn't be bothered to work. 

Will try and get up early in the morning

So let's see what's going to happen about this dog shall we???



Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Standing on a train

Done my bit for chivalry today...coming back from Birmingham and had to go to New Street Station instead of Moor street because of problems and it was absolutely packed out with loads of people standing. 

I got a seat but a woman not much older than me was stood close by so I offered up my seat and stood for 30 mins instead. Didn't mind as she was pleased. 

Although she didn't say thank you when she got off...ah well 

Decent day at work as well, was at Peters obviously and got a fair amount done. More next week!

Tash phoned me earlier in the afternoon as she'd heard that Claire's husband was found dead in bed this morning. Very, very sad and heartbreaking as they'd just sent their daughter to Uni and were planning a holiday away. Really sad indeed. You just never know when you're going to go. Tash now wants me to have a check up at the GPs which I'm entitled to. Guess I better book up and find out what's wrong with me!!

Writing this on the train so have work when I get home. Finding it really hard at the minute, my motivation is zero

Didn't do very well in the evening. Had dinner watching Hannibal and then took Hack to karate but slept in the car. Came home then watched last two episodes and enjoyed it. Went to bed late without turning my laptop on again. Nightmare. 



Monday, September 28, 2015

Charlottes Birthday - Part 2

So she's 19 today! Where has the time gone? It's so strange. They're all growing up far too quickly. 

We posted the usual comments on Facebook and throughout the day she got loads and loads of well wishes and also via text message which she showed me later and she was pleased about

In the morning we got up early and made pancakes for everyone and handed out her presents which she was pleased with

Normal day at work for everyone although I didn't have much of a day, wasn't with it at all. Felt terrible and didn't work in the end. Slept throughout

Still went to Jack's football in the evening and let Alex do the session. He was okay but I intervened a couple of times as the intensity was a bit lacking sometimes. Decent session in the end though and another good turnout with 16 players all there

On the way home I stopped at pizza express to pick up the food Tash had ordered and then went home. Charlotte was having a few friends over, wasn't as many as we expected in the end and was about 20 or so. We set up outside with the heater and the fire pit and it was a really nice evening. She's got lovely friends who are all chatty and friendly and accept Tash and I being around and see to enjoy our company as well

All of them are growing up and turning into good adults

We stayed up until about 10.45pm and left them to it, about 10 were left and they kept the noise down so that was good. I woke up at 1.30am and a couple were still out there talking but it was Jo problem. 

So our little baby is 19 years old and travelling the world later next spring...scary!!!






Sunday, September 27, 2015

Charlottes Birthday - Part 1

We had a match in the morning for Jack's team and they played Cumnor. I was expecting a hard game and this in fact was the case. Cumnor rushed into a 2 goal lead before being dragged back to losing 3-2. 

We missed loads of chances to finish the match but they were kissed and with 4 mins left they equalised, very unjust in my opinion. Ah well, Jack did ok but again didn't really stand out which he needs to remedy. Came home and went out to do some shopping for the party later today and tomorrow. 

Got the house ready and then all the family turned up including Mum and Derek and the Phelans. It was really nice, loads of food, I didn't drink as I needed to work later (although that didn't happen!)

Tash got quite (very!) drunk and it made the very end of the evening unpleasant which was a shame hit the afternoon was great fun. 

Katie brought her pie face game which involves getting splattered with cream, all very amusing! It was a lovely afternoon and everyone really enjoyed it. Derek was downing the red wine so we need to keep that in mind for xmas I think, as well as a selfie stick. 

Everyone left by about 7.30pm and we cleaned up, I got that wrong by hoovering, it was bizarre and uncomfortable and I didn't like. I've just come to bed and left her to it. I don't like her when she's drunk like this as I think it just shows me how much she resents being with me. Not nice. 

So Charlotte is 19 tomorrow and we have 30 kids coming round. We're doing pancakes in the morning so I need to be up and at them first thing. 

So bed for me now and the alarm set for early. There's a red moon tonight so might try and see that. 



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. 

image

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!