Decent Weekend

Decent weekend overshadowed by not doing work I should have done…oh dear!

As per a previous post Jack passed his Karate black belt grading and we had Lewis down as a result as he wanted to be part of it and on the panel judging him.

Lewis was down on Friday when I got in from working in London and I didn’t see much of him as I was working outside once I was home. Saturday morning we had a fry up and got ready for the grading but I then went off to football as we were playing Worcester City who I was nervous about because they’d won so well last week.

It was a decent game and we challenged them but we fell short and were 1-3 losers in the end. Couple of injuries made life difficult but it was an improvement on last week. Once finished I went and got some balloons from Jericho and then we went out to see Jack’s karate grading result and had a nice evening out

Sunday we were up fairly late in the morning, so surprised Tash wasn’t hungover, and we pottered around, again I put off working.

Took Jack to watch his football team at Harwell in the afternoon – his bruising came out really bad – he was even more proud of those! We then went back home as we were hosting friends and family up for Charlotte’s birthday, leaving for Uni and Jack’s black belt celebration…any excuse!

It was a really nice day/evening and people stayed late. Of course I had a few beers so got absolutely nothing done in the evening which is making me more and more stressed, even typing this diary feels like I’m delaying the inevitable. Early to bed but really nice relaxed evening.

Jack Black Belt Karate Grading–Part 2–Passed!!

So very, very proud of Jack today – he’s done it!

We have another karate black belt in the family.

It’s such an achievement and he’s proud of himself it’s obvious. He went to the school at 2.00pm and obviously worked all afternoon with interviews, katas, paired combinations etc and finally the fighting at the end. We got there about 5.30pm and they finished soon after – we saw nothing of course – but we know what happens…Jack was being beaten up!

We went in when they finished and it was clear there were a few tears by both lads – the other lad (Fred) was a shaking nervous wreck, but you could tell that from him size etc, same age as Jack but looked like he’d blow over in a strong breeze.

We watched as Rob made speeches to them – which they no doubt will forget because of the adrenaline coursing through them and they were then presented with their certificates and belts. It really was so pleasing, he’s worked so hard for this.

We took some photos and made the usual thanks and pleasantries and then went home to get ready to go out. Jack was talking about all the experience and Lewis was adding context as well, Jack’s face was a bit puffy and swollen but he was in good spirits. We went out for a meal in the evening to Jamie’s Italian which all the family including Sue and Mum & Derek. Lovely meal and then went to the Wig & Pen for a couple of pints afterwards – Jeez that was rough…taxi home and then bed.

He’s now quite excited as he’s been offered working in one of the classes with Mary and he’s expecting £12.00per hour which is pretty decent by anyone’s standards!!

I’m still smiling now thinking about it, I’m really proud of him – Facebook photo got so many likes and well dones for him. Pleasing

Jack Black Belt Karate Grading–Part 1 done

So Jack has got through the first stage, the one he was most concerned about, the exam.

He got 69 and the pass mark was 65. Bit tight but a pass is a pass!

I watched him do his paired combinations in front of all the class this evening and was proud of him. Sensei Rob also appeared to be happy with what he and Harry have worked on with their own choreography.

So now it's the grading on Saturday. He has an interview and then the katas he needs to do and then finally the fight. He's nervous of course but I think, and hope, he will be fine.

Will be very proud of him if he makes it, obviously we will be proud of him if he falls short as he's done so well to be grading at this age and we know that OSMA don't just hand out these belts for the fun of it. He'd have properly earned this belt.

He's looking forward to fighting Lewis...should be interesting because Jack is possibly at the fittest and strongest he's ever been, Lewis is not!!

I also found time to make it to the gym at the Nuffield today (I still think of it as Esporta) as I have a two week free membership. I was there for an hour on the rowing, bike and running machines...it was fine. I'm not a good gym person though it has to be said!! I find it dull and boring, will take my swim kit next time but also need to find more time for the running with the Half Marathon so close on the horizon!

Tash had been out in the evening with Lucie and Chrissie catching up so I was the taxi driver. It was ok.

Finally seem to be shaking my cold off, still feeling really rough though, hate feeling sick. And of course Man Flu is so much worse for us than a normal cold!!

Oxford Half Marathon–Training Run #1

Shattered today, what a wasted day I had! I couldn’t get up in time to go to GL in London so stayed and worked from home, but got so very little done, it was one of those days! I spent much of the morning sorting out the registrations for the JPL side – took me hours and then I just got distracted by videos on YouTube!

In the afternoon I then fell asleep for 90 minutes and taking Charlotte to work was about the only productive thing I did – nonsense!

In the evening I took Jack and Darius to karate and as soon as I dropped them off I went out running around Kidlington. I have the Oxford Half Marathon on 9th October – so 4 weeks away and I’ve done nothing. So this evening I just wanted to try and run for an hour however slowly…and it was slow! I managed 4.97 miles in 60 minutes, but it was non-stop so that was the goal I was aiming for.

Went and waited for Jack to finish karate – his black belt grading is in two weeks (we’re all nervous!) and then got them home and did some last minute registrations before bed. Stiffened up something terrible!

I learned something in the evening, a chap called Prince Buster died and he was the name I recognised from Madness songs, but on checking out his back catalogue it was clear that so many Madness songs – particularly One Step Beyond – were cover versions from the 1960’s, I was amazed. I can’t believe so much of that influence was so old, I’ve been very naïve. One Step Beyond was from 1964 – incredible. Well as I said on Facebook, thank you Prince Buster, massive influence on my childhood (and adult life) that I wasn’t fully aware of.

Great holiday but back with a bump!

Had the most amazing holiday over in the States but I’ve been back x3 days now and straight into the routine as if nothing happened. Sat on a train in Marylebone typing this to get back home for a party for Sue’s birthday only to be back to London tomorrow! Should have stayed over but couldn’t really.

Everyone is asking how it went and looking as brown as I do that’s no surprise really I guess, they soon get bored of me telling them though!

We took over 1,500 photos which are all downloaded now and the black and white one as a screensaver of New York is so good – in fact I will save it below.

Tucks was so good to us, he’s the most generous person I know and he loves treating us and sharing everything he has, I hope he’s happy with Alison as she’s lovely and having an extra child with Grace will help I think to share his focus, we will see, I only wish him the very best.

Can’t determine any specific highlights from the holiday, so many to think of, if anything it was just great being a full family together and the kids all getting along and having a great time.

Loved it – now to work to pay everything off and save for the next one! Oh, mine and Charlotte’s bags turned up yesterday from Zurich…phew!