Tuesday 26 August 2008

Even keel

Second leg of the bet came off, but pot is only 101% up. I thought it was further than that, but had forgotten about the back to back losses. Whacked a lay bet on the score 'not' being 0-0 in a footie match today. That looks pretty safe. Artmedia Petrzalka v Juventus is the game in question.

Weight seems to be holding at 11stone 9lbs so quite happy with that for my holiday, however I would like to see it come down further, over the next couple of months. If I can just maintain it at the current, for the next 2 weeks, that will be a result.

Cooked a chilli-con-carne from scratch yesterday, using all raw ingredients. Marvellous!!! Although I would probably add a little more spices to broaden the flavour range, next time.

Legs still ache like mad so will look forward to total rest on a sunbed by the pool.

Right, that's it.

Ciao

Sunday 24 August 2008

Dead Legs

First leg of the double bet came off. Just have to wait for tomorrow for the second part to work. Pot will be well up if it does.

Went out for a bike ride this morning, about 6 miles and walked around Draycote Reservoir with Kerrie this afternoon, which is 5 miles. My legs are really hurting but I just cannot seem to rest them. I really didn't want to go for the walk but was badgered into it. I would much rather have visited Ant and Karen, which was the plan in the first place.... Valuable beer drinking time lost!! We had a good old chat about stuff as we walked though, so it was good from that point of view. Usual stuff - putting the World to rights...

Kez has kinda moved in. Which is nice. We are going out to the Huntsman in Dunchurch for a birthday meal for her (she is 30 years old on Tuesday!!!), and then we will pile into the Dun Cow for a few beers. Out with her friends so I best be on my best behaviour..

Put a load of audio books onto my MP3 player for when I am on the plane and by the pool. Just about got the whole of Harry Potter on the thing, so that will be good. Fuerteventura here we come!!!

Not really done much else today, just sat around chatting and stuff!!! But nice to do that sometimes (o:

Town & Country

Today's bet came good. Pot might be 100+% up, but cannot be bothered to look. Got a bet on Chelsea and ManU to both win, a double bet thingy...

Went to the Town & Country Show today but thought it was a bit lame, compared to days of old..

Went to a wedding reception tonight and saw loads of people who I knew but have not seen for an age. Didn't know the bride or groom either, so it was kind of odd, but good.

Looks like we are going to Rome for our October break. She wants romance, and I guess I do too.

Anyway, need to find some boys stuff on Dave and get some kip too. See you (o:

Friday 22 August 2008

Ouch - back to back losers

Today's bet fell over so pot is now 62% up on the start. Not that I really care anymore. Just getting too boring anyhow.

Finished work and broken for my holidays, which is good because I so badly need a break. I then have a break in October and then it will be Christmas, which is good.

Anyhow, need to get my glad-rags on and get down the pub.

See you

Thursday 21 August 2008

It's all gone to pot!!!

Missed putting the bet on for yesterday. Well didn't actually. I put it on and then realised that I was a day ahead of myself, so once again all the data was wrong and I ended up losing. The pot is something like 108% up. I will whack on a bet for tomorrow now, but fast losing interest.

Work good today but so busy.

Kids are all back in line. This is the most important thing. Been a hard year.

Heating bill came in very high. Heating stuck to 'ON' 24/7 when I checked. Only been like that for 7 months. No wonder I am always so hot. I thought I was 'hot stuff'. Obviously not..... Just the bloody heating stuck on the wrong setting. Anyway, I need to find some bloke stuff on the Dave channel on Sky..

Ciao 4 now

Monday 18 August 2008

Shudder down the spine moment....

Bet 14 paid out. Last race of the day at Lingfield. Pot is now 117% up.

Bet 12 fell over due to incorrect info being read. I was unaware, but had a feeling something was not quite right. If I had read the correct info I would have picked a different horse. No worries though, just part of the learning curve.

Just worked a half day today, which is quite good. Got tomorrow off as well.

Had a free meal last night at the Dun Cow. The food was not particularly hot, so I had it sent back, however, I still complained and got us a full refund. Just feel a bit naughty when the manager is eyeing our empty plates and bloated bellies. But they really should not be bringing out food that it not 110%. It just suggests that there is no pride in the kitchen. And that then makes you think about all the other things that the staff might not be doing properly.

{{{{{shudder goes down my spine}}}}}

Talking of food, I have gone mad for Linguine!!!!! Totally mad for it. I no longer get those sauce mixes with God knows what in them. Instead I use raw ingredients and just make my own. Fantastic stuff. I am finding a whole load of meals that are really easy and quick to cook, and have an absolute riot of flavour and tastes. 5-a-day has never been so easy!!!

Right, off for a run. I hope to do 5 miles. In fact I will do 5 miles because I am going round the reservoir and once I get past the point of no return, 5 miles is forced upon me.

Ciao (o:

Sunday 17 August 2008

Recovery Underway!!!!!

Just got in. Nice to see bet 13 paid out. Pot now 97% of starting pot. Will take until Thursday to recover my previous position... Hopefully!!!

Just gonna grab a quick shower and Kez is taking me out for a meal, which is extremely nice of her.

Been a really good week, both at work and at home (o:

Saturday 16 August 2008

desperately seeking good news

Arrgh! Bet 12 blew out. I had a feeling it would as soon as I placed it. Still up 77%, but a big chunk wiped out. Overall, this was the unknown variable that is now slightly better known. If, long term, it blows every 12th bet on average, then it is profitable. However, only more testing can confirm this crucial element's probability. Of course, it had to blow when I crank the stake right up for this bet!!!! If I had kept the stake at the same level, the damage would have been far more limited.

The maths and scrum-down to mull over the nitty-gritty is not for now. My head is pounding after no sleep last night and a 12 hour shift at work.

All to play for tomorrow.

I weighed myself today and was about 75 kilos, which suggests I am 11 st 11 lbs.... Is there any good news out there....

Oh well, at least there is some boxing on NutsTV (o:

Friday 15 August 2008

Still on a roll

Bet 11 came good. Pot now 175% of the starting amount.

Just got in, need to eat and sleep!

See you (o:

Thursday 14 August 2008

Lovely Linguine

Just got in from being round my good mate, Stano's. He is going to give me the recipe for Slovakian Goulash. I cannot wait. It tastes really good. We are going out next week to play pool and drink beer. I took some Polish beer round with me today and we had a drink and a good old natter. Nice to catch up.

Work was good today. Pretty short shift so home by 4:30.

Bet 10 of 10 came good so I am now 152% up on the original investment. Tomorrow I am going to increase the stake by 50%. If I can have another good run with the increased stake, it will be good (note to self - this is the point when in normally goes horribly wrong!!!)

Kez is out with her mates tonight, I am just chilling out now and reflecting on things. She is staying here this week, goes home on Monday, is back at the weekend, and then she is going to move in...

Bit daunting because I kinda like my own space and stuff, but on the flip side, so does she, so we can be in the same house but not smother each other. Plus the house is on three floors so it is quite easy to go off and do stuff without having to involve each other.

5-a-day was achieved again today. Well actually it's about 8+-a-day. I have gone fruit, veg and salad mad. I cannot get enough of the stuff.

But!!! Cooked a linguine tonight and was probably quite fatty with olive oil, salami and pancetta thrown in. All from raw ingredients though. So no packet mixes or jars of cooking sauce. It was lovely. We are going to try something different every day. Kinda throwing the gauntlet down to each other with a 'beat that!' smug grin. Yes, it is Kez's turn to cook tomorrow.

Ciao

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Still not lost.....

Bet 9 paid out so that is 9 out of 9 and the pot is 136% up on initial investment.

Played around with another betting system today with Brett. Seemed to work and has the potential to double our money each and every day. Just carries a huge penalty if it goes wrong more than once, or early on. Too much exposure makes me a bit twitchy so I am not sure.

I like what I am doing at the moment because it is one bet per day. I can raise the stakes once I am totally happy with it, and that will give me a drip-drip income stream that is able to absorb the losses, when they come, and still remain profitable. Ideally I would like to average £25 per day when it is up and running.

Pretty good night with Kez last night. She has been at work today and is due back at 6:30. Both very tired so will probably stay in.

Did a 8 mile bike ride and a 1 mile run, followed by a session in the gym this morning. My legs are killing me so I think I best not run or cycle until the weekend.

Still going for the 5-a-day fruit and veg thing, which is good. But still eating rubbish and drinking too much in the evenings. Need to get a grip and sort myself out. I am a lot slimmer and Brett reckoned I am bulking out a bit around my upper torso, so I am getting there.

Adiós

Tuesday 12 August 2008

White Bits

Kezzy is back and looking good with a nice deep tan. I hope I get to see her white bits later - hehe..

She is cooking steak at the mo, so looking forwards to a decent meal.

Bet 8 of 8 paid out so the pot is now 121% of the initial investment. If I can get two more winners on the trot, I will have a nice cushion for when the inevitable happens.

Work was OK today, just very tired and I was a bit irritable because people are not doing stuff quite to the standard that I expect. It will come though.

Managed my 5-a-day today as well, which is easy if you have something at breakfast and something mid-morning, but a bit tough though, if you leave it until later. I am getting healthier and healthier. Had a lovely fruit salad at work in the dining room, all fresh and cost just 50 pence. It was the best. Where has that been hiding all my life????

Big problem, super-slim Kez at 7 stone 8 lbs has bought loads of nibbles and chocolate and stuff. She can eat it and it has zero effect. I will have to watch what I eat or it will all go to pot.

No exercise or running today. Just need to rest and rebuild. Although I sense that I might be getting a lot of exercise tonight.. hehehe (o:

Ciao 4 now....

Monday 11 August 2008

Grim Reaper is lurking...

Bet number 7 came off, so that is 7 out of 7. The pot is now 108% up. Starting to get a feeling that the Grim Reaper is lurking and about to scalp me, but I will push on. It just seems ludicrously easy and obvious, in what I am doing.

If I get to where I want to be, I will spill the beans...

The next three bets and the 8% of the 108% is there for the day when Doctor Death comes for his quota. I just hope I can get to bet 10 before he gets to me...

Kids came round for tea tonight, which was really nice. Lloyd Grossman's curry sauce was a life saver. Got home from work at about 1:45, went for a run, and then got totally bogged down with housework. It's a man-thing. When we clean, boy-oh-boy, we go in deep.. I suddenly found that I had an hour to get shaved and showered, and get to Sainsburys. I got a couple of jars of Madras sauce, some chicken fillets, some baby sweetcorns and such like, and bunged it all in the wok to cook it all up, and then let it simmer for half an hour or so. Kids loved it. Thank-you Lloyd, you are God!!!!

Work was good today. Did a 7am to 1pm shift which was nice. Got the same shift tomorrow and then got Wednesday off. Kezzy is back tomorrow early so hopefully she can get some rest in the morning whilst I am working and we can have a good old afternoon and evening together.

Went for a 2 mile run this afternoon. Killed me. My thighs ache so bad. I have to have a rest day tomorrow. My legs are telling me they need to recover and grow some more muscle.. I also worked my chest and stomach in the gym. Not a lot, but enough to feel a twinge. Hopefully my legs will feel OK for Wednesday because I would like to do a 10 mile run which is around Draycote Reservoir, twice.

Right, I need to chill and text my baby, who is sitting in an airport lounge in Gran Canaria, munching on a Burger King meal.....

Adiós

Sunday 10 August 2008

Betting update - STICK TO THE RULES!!!!

Well the bet this morning didn't work, so ended up losing 6.4% of the pot after that little diversion. However, recovered with the same strategy as the previous 5 winners and the pot is now 92% up on the initial investment.

So 6 out of 6 winning bets on this system, if we don't include the little hiccup!!! This is the problem, when the going gets good, it gets a bit boring so you start trying different things to really maximise the earnings. But not as much as when the going gets bad and you start chasing your losses!!! All the sensible rules go straight out of the window.

Got an early start tomorrow, so I will be placing bet number 7 tonight. If I can get to 10 winning bets out of 10 I will be looking good, and will have banked a bit for when I need to give a bit back.

Oh yes, that day will come, eventually )o:

Looking forwards to my huggy

Just cycled 12 miles in this very blowy and gusty day, and then ran 2 miles. Probably burned about 800 calories, so that will be good. Got rained on but it doesn't faze me anymore.

Ended up going to John Lewis in Solihull yesterday. Could not face motorway driving in the horribly wet and rainy conditions. It was a superb shopping experience, as JL always is.

It was really good running in the rain yesterday. Feeling the rain drops hitting my face and mixing with my sweat and tasting slightly salty around my lips. Quite liberating, almost like I was part of the elements.

Funny stuff - hate to drive in the rain but love to run in it. Odd must be my middle name.

My thighs are really starting to ache so I know I have done good. What I need to do now is a quick session in the gym, shower and shave and then go visiting.

Betting system - 5 out of 5 wins so pot is 83% of initial investment. Trying a slightly different slant on it today, It might work or it might go badly wrong, but I have protected most (92%) of the pot. Fingers crossed it comes off.

Kezzy is back from Gran Canaria on Tuesday. I cannot wait to see her. It seems like forever, although I do get about 25 texts a day from her.... It will be nice to have a huggy when she gets round here (o:

Saturday 9 August 2008

It's coming off!!!!

Good news I am now 11 stone 9 lbs. 1 pound under my initial target weight. Now need to drop to 11 stone 5 lbs.


Ran 7 miles today and will try and do 10 tomorrow. If I can shift another 4 lbs next week I will be very happy. My BMI is finally within the 'ideal weight' range. The first time since I started this exercise malarkey... (o:

Hoorah!!!!

Day Off!!!!

So busy though!!! Go to to go to John Lewis. Will go to the Milton Keynes one today, after driving all the way to Solihull last night only to find the John Lewis there was closed. Grr.. Grr..

Going for a run in a bit. Going to try and do 10 miles, or twice around the lake. Will be a tough one because I ache a fair old bit, but the 'dorphins should kick in after the first two miles. I am then going to Boots for a weigh in. I jumped on the scales in the medical room at work yesterday and they read 76 kg, which is 11 stone 9 lbs, but we shall see. My trousers seem a little looser so it might be right.

Weather is crap, or course... I cannot get over it. It's August for heavens sake.... Desperately need to paint a wall in my lounge, clean the house, mow the lawn, do a really big food shop, visit people, oh boy.. so much to do and so little motivation to do it )o:

I have developed and trialled a new betting system this week. One bet every day. So far I am 4 out of 4 wins. with 66% growth on the initial investment. Quite happy with that, and the good thing is, I can just whack the bet on before I go to work and come home to see what the outcome is (o: Hopefully I will get the right results today and tomorrow and I will be 100% of my investment by close of business Sunday, which is not bad going. However, level stakes are now just 10% of the pot, so moving forwards, it will take 10 days to turn the pot over, less any losses of course....

Right, need to get on and get these 10 miles under my belt. Wish me luck with the weigh-in....

Hasta la vista

Thursday 7 August 2008

Day 10 of 11

Day 10!!! One more day to go. Probably worked 110+ hours without a day's break. Every bit of me hurts. My back, my legs, my hips, my head....

I have had to have fish and chips tonight. I don't have the mental ability to cook. I just cannot do it. The very thought of having to stand there in front of the hob just freaks me out.

But the good news is, I did a 4 mile run this morning. Felt really good to get out there again. Need to run every day. Just hate it when I don't. The 'dorphins kicked in pretty quickly and I soon got on a high.

Will try and do a five miler tomorrow. But need to go to Solihull John Lewis to get a birthday pressie after work, so it will be a struggle...

Ciao 4 now

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Should I stay or should I go...

These are the two thoughts in my head as I sit here and try and get the motivation to run. I am so very done in. My whole body aches from being at work doing about 10+ hours a day for an 11 day stretch. I have never known anything like it. Totally unbelievable, but so totally good. The time has flown by and I have just two more days to drag my sorry ass through and then I am off. After that, a proper shift pattern will be established and I will drop down to 39 hours a week. I am so happy at my job, thank God!!!!

What else is happening. Seem to have become addicted to my Play Station 3. Kez has gone to Gran Canaria with her Sister and niece, which is really good because it allows me to work all these hours without feeling guilty or neglectful. I could not bear to see her when I am this tired, we would just get ratty with each other. She sent me a bear and a bottle of wine as a gift. Nice touch. She also gave me Gran Turismo 5 for Play Station. She knows how to keep me out of mischief - LOL

Have not run since Monday last week. Just get in and collapse in a heap. Was going to go and see Brett tonight but just cannot face the drive!!! That is how tired I am.

Right, sod the run, I need wine and chilli - and the reruns of Little Britain on the Dave channel on Sky. I can quietly doze off watching that.

Laters (o:

Tuesday 5 August 2008

Still here

If you are wondering where I am, don't worry. I am still here but working 11 days on the run with about 10+ hours each day. Yes it is bad, but it has to be done.

Things will ease soon and I will try and get the blog back. Every spare minute is either used for sleep, playstation, or eating and drinking!!!!!

Only three more days to drag my sorry ass through...

...until then (o:

Monday 28 July 2008

What is all the fuss about Max Mosley for??

Well today in the blistering heat, I did 16 miles on my bike. That's twice around the reservoir, plus there and back. I also went for a 2 mile run. Burnt off about 1,300 calories so when I weighed myself at Boots I was glad to see that I was back at 11 stone 12 lbs. Got a nice tan, too. Got a manic next five days at work so I reckon I could drop another couple of pounds, which will be nice. My legs are getting very well toned, and my upper body is starting to look OK too. (o:

Here is a clip of my bike ride... It was incredibly windy so there is a huge amount of buffeting on the sound.



Had an awful night last night. Kezzy and me just don't seem to be compatible whilst sleeping. That's 'sleeping' as in being asleep, before you get the very wrong end of the stick!!

It didn't help that the sheets and duvet were still the silky ones that slip off all the time. At 4:30am I threw the towel in and hunkered down on the settee, only to be joined by Kez a quarter of an hour later!!!! Hmmm, I thought, really going to get some sleep now!!!! Managed to get off eventually and had a bit of a lie-in this morning, so not too bad, I guess.

Got a chilli cooking and a few cans of Holsten Pils to drink. Special offer at Sainsburys and I just could not resist. Not had that for an age..

Had to turn the news off today. I just cannot understand all this fuss about Max Mosley. God, he is worried about what we all think of him... Does he not realise that he has done what the rest of us mere mortals can only ever dream about... It's the sort of thing that if you were doing it, you would be thinking, Haha!!! If only my mates could see me now - PRICELESS!!!! Or is it just me??? Oops!!

Ahem.. Moving on swiftly.. Went clothes shopping this afternoon in Coventry and got a good selection of stuff to take on our jollies in a few weeks time. Shame all the kids are off school. Makes it a nightmare having to deal with little people who have absolutely no concept of what is going on around them!!!! Grr!! Grr!!

It looks like a storm is moving in so I am going to chill in front of the TV and catch Top Gear on Dave, seeing as I was rudely interrupted from it last night, and forced to watch some old Tom Cruise movie. Cocktail was the one. Seen it a million times but I guess it is quite good.

Right, time to do one and dream about being Max.... Until next time..

Sunday 27 July 2008

Burned 3,000+ calories and put on weight!!!

Odd weekend so far. Totally wrecked due to Kez being so horribly poorly after having her tooth taken out. Said she felt like she had been punched around the jaw yesterday!!!!! It was a pity because we were going to a party on Saturday night.

Today I had my weekly weigh-in and have put on a pound, so am now 12st 0lbs. This is a shame because I have done so much exercise this week.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/user/876898643060/SomeMight

Running, weights, cycling - you name it

My gym...

The lake that I cycled around...


The alpacas that I cycled past...


Got tomorrow off work so will try and do a bit more, but I am going to have to be careful that I don't do too much. I have burned in excess of 3,000 calories in exercise alone this week. How I have put on weight is a total mystery. Oh well, keep on doing what I am doing and should start to come good.

Right, time for some fish pie, a quick shower and down the pub for a few beers (o:

Adieus amigos

Saturday 26 July 2008

Tooth Fairy

Did 3 miles yesterday. Nice run actually. Took it easy and just enjoyed the moment rather than push to get the minutes per mile down. Legs ache like mad today though.

Kez had a tooth out yesterday and sounded in a lot of discomfort yesterday on the phone. Looks like weekend plans are totally screwed, but hey-ho. Cannot be helped.

How much does the tooth fairy pay nowadays?????

Thursday 24 July 2008

Stir Fry is King

Did a sexy 2 miles around the block again today. Just about done 10 miles over the last 4 days, or 14 over the last 5, so all good. Cooked a chicken stir fry with loads of Chinese veg and stuff. Really nice and totally good for me.

Hitchin was good, a bit of a drive, but good.

Now got Kezzy coming round so just need to cut my toe nails and prep for her (o:

Purged

Spent most of yesterday doing food tastings. Comparing Organic soft fruit with Conventional. Some tasted better, some not. However, all that soft fruit had a profound affect on my digestive system and I found myself running to the loo on a number of occasions later in the day.

Probably lost weight by virtue of there being absolutely nothing left inside me!!!! I felt well and truly purged...

Talking of weight, I had a cheeky weigh-in on Tuesday and am happy to report that I am trending back towards my target weight of 11st 10lbs or whatever it was.


I went out for a few beers later yesterday with Brett, and my stomach felt like it was in knots. Try and be healthy and look what happens!!!! So I grabbed a bag of chips drizzled in chilli sauce from the chippy when I got back home. That seems to have sorted me out, thank God!!!!

Off to a place called Hitchin today. God knows where that is. I actually don't know where anything is anymore. I just key the postcode into the Sat Nav that Vince kindly gave me, and go into a sort of daze, whilst following the instructions of the sexy voice of Susan. If Susan gets a bit boring I can change it to a Karen, a no nonsense American girl who raps out the directions in a military style voice, or Angela, a sweet Scottish lady who's calming tones are totally wasted on Sat Nav duties. I can think of a million and one better things that she could be doing...

My legs are absolutely killing me. I have run for the last five days or so, in a row, with no rest days. Plus all that running to the loo yesterday. I am sure I deserve a rest today. What I will do is go for a session in the gym and maybe just a short two mile run. Time is tight because I have to get back from Hitchin, do the exercise, clean the house and be ready for Kez at about 8:30.

Rush, rush, rush seems to be the order of the day, week and month at the moment. Oh well, just a few more weeks and we are off to Fuerteventura for a two week break. We are both so totally looking forwards to it. We need a break and we have such a good laugh when we are away. We are able to totally relax in each other's company and chill. (o:

Right, I guess I better put my glad-rags on and follow the directions to this place called Hitchin!!

Laters...


SUBNOTE: ARRGH - I CAN FEEL RUMBLINGS IN MY BELLY - WAVE TWO OF THE GREAT PURGE IS ABOUT TO START. WHO'S STUPID IDEA WAS CHIPS AND CHILLI SAUCE?????

Monday 21 July 2008

Silk sheets and baby oil!!!!

Disappointed but not surprised to see that I have put on 4 lbs and am now at 12st 2lbs. Oh well..

You have to burn 3,500 cals more than you take in to lose a single pound in weight. A freaking McDonalds meal is way in excess of 1,000 cals. 4 rashers of fried bacon are 500 cals. Seems like a hiding to nothing when you look at it like that!!!

Went out for a sexy three mile run today, doorstep to doorstep, so no carbon footprint by not having to drive somewhere, then run. That in itself is a ball-ache. What I need is no blocks. Running 5 miles also causes a huge block due to the massive amount of energy required to do it. So 3 miles every day now until I am firmly under the 12 stone mark again, and running at less than 8 minutes per mile.

Another pretty sleepless night last night. We put the silk sheets and duvet on and it is like trying to sleep in a vat of Johnson's Baby Oil. Lovely texture but by Christ, everything is slipping and sliding around like nobody's business. Eventually I wrapped myself in my (our) comfort blanket and kipped on the sofa. Could simply bear it no longer. This was at about 2.30 in the morning..

Kerrie has me on strict alcohol rationing at the moment. Trying to stop the massive calorie intake, but then comes round with a bottle of wine and marks on the bottle where I can drink to (like one large glass!!!!). I am sure it is character building or something like. Bless..

We watched The 40 Year Old Virgin last night on DVD. Strange film, quite funny in places but totally stupid overall. Today was spent pottering really. Had an hour meeting at 8:30 this morning and the rest of the day was mine to do whatever. As is tomorrow.

Right, Corrie double-bill is on in a minute, Kez is tucked up at her parents trying to catch up on some sleep and shake off a cold that seems to have afflicted her this weekend, I have sneaked in a bottle of wine and a monster packet of Doritos, so time to chill, catch Top Gear repeat on Dave, and hope that I get a full night's kip that will bring me back to full strength tomorrow.

Until then...

Sunday 20 July 2008

Sleep language

Just out of bed on Sunday morning. Every limb is hurting. I am still exhausted.

Interesting conversation in the pub with Kerrie last night. How you sleep together says a lot about your relationship, apparently.

Back to back and you are not at all close. Both facing up in the air and you are about to part. Like spoons and you are very close. Face to face and you are destined to be together for ever.

OK, so I had been up since 6am yesterday morning, I am exhausted from working like a dog for 4 weeks, and I now have to go to bed thinking about what my 'sleep language' might be saying about me.... Thanks. I was so paranoid that I got no sleep. Eventually falling off at about 4am.

Oh well, just another day to drag my sorry ass through...

Good news is that I have Monday and Tuesday off, so I will be fully match fit by Wednesday. As for today, we are off for a run, and then going to get weighed. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me be at least half a kilo lighter than last week. Somehow, I think not )o:

Friday 18 July 2008

Last Night in Droitwich

Well this is it. The last night in this deary place. I have kinda got used to the place now, even the hotel, and met some really nice people, but cannot wait to get back home.

Don't have the mental or physical strength to think or type what I have done over the last few days, but it has been exhausting.

Ciao 4 now (o:

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Health Warning (o:

I would like to bring your attention to the above. To you and me, it looks like just another packet of biscuits. You know the sort of thing, it stays hidden away at the bottom of the shopping trolley and somehow manages to slip unnoticed into your packing. When you get home it sits there quietly fluttering its 'tear open here' flap.

You think that you might just have one, as you put them into the biscuit tin. But something happens. You change, like the Incredible Hulk, you uncontrollably morph into a mad biscuit eating madman. And then you switch back and find just a crumpled wrapper and a few lonely crumbs. You mind blank as to the events of the last five minutes....

But be scared, be very scared. For each biscuit contains no less than 106 calories... Yes THAT'S PER BISCUIT!!!

And you can upgrade from the 200gm pack, which contains 10 of them, to the 400gm pack. That is the whole day's RDA of calories from a single pack of biscuits. 2,120 calories in fact. And all for 95 pence, or 48 pence if you only want to eat half your RDA in one go!!!

My first question is how on earth do they manage to pack so many cals into each singular biscuit? There is some strange magic going on, because I just cannot see that there is room for all those cals. Secondly, is it any wonder that we as a nation are putting on a little extra weight around our middles, when it is so blatantly cheap and easy to demolish over 2,000 calories in 10 minutes?

It would take a 20 mile run to burn that lot off, and that would take three hours, if you were able to actually run for that distance, which is highly unlikely.

And the good old Government go on about drugs, fags and booze... it's the biscuits that will get you in the end.

You have been warned!!!

Monday 14 July 2008

Sweet Trolley & Beach Holiday - not a good mix

Managed a 6 mile run this morning, but my times were no improvement whatsoever. Need to work on getting faster. It's so hard to do when running on my own.

Up the library at the moment. My PC broke on Saturday, which was annoying to say the least. I can access the web through my PS3 but it is not ideal.

Got a day off today and then back to Worcestershire for my last week. I am really going to try and avoid the sweet trolley in the hotel this week. I could do with a few more pounds dropping off because I have a beach holiday soon....

Got back in the gym from Saturday just gone. Did a session this morning too. Still getting twinges from my shoulder, but I reckon I will work it right, eventually.

Had a cuppa with Ant this morning. Nice to catch up. Now just need to get my PC back from the repair shop and probably get a few bits from Sainsburys. Oh the joy....

For some reason they are digging up every road in Rugby. It takes an age to get anywhere, and it's not exactly a big place. Why the council are so unorganised is a total mystery. They just seem to like causing everyone total inconvenience, and then start whinging that nobody shops in the town centre. Well if I ever go up the town again it will be too soon. Quicker to drive to Leamington Spa, almost.

Right, time is ticking on the library PC so I best check my emails and stuff before they cut me off and throw me out (o:

Sunday 13 July 2008

AT LAST!!!!

Weight loss is happening!!!!!

I am now 11 stone 12lbs.



It is really starting to fall off.

I am very pleased and only 2lbs off my target weight of 11st 10lbs

Saturday 12 July 2008

Home Sweet Home

Back at home last night, thank goodness.

Just nice to be back in my home comforts.

Been a fantastically good week at work and I love my job so much. It really is the best job ever. Probably one of the good things about it is that I can just be myself, and that seems to suit the business that I am in.

Off for a run now. Going to do 5 miles around Draycote (pic below) with a target time of less than 45 mins.



Still not much further forwards with starting a running club, but it will come together eventually. Still talking to the powers that be, at Draycote.

However, I am on a forum that is all about running www.therunningbug.co.uk and that is proving to be useful. Just nice to share stuff and encourage each other.

Hopefully, when I weigh in later today, I will have shed a further few pounds. The flabby bits around the side of my middle bit seem to have disappeared, so hopefully all that is left is the few pounds around my belly...

Wednesday 9 July 2008

CRAP!!

Stuck in this crap hotel still. The bathroom ceiling has started leaking but I just cannot be bothered to report it. The hastle will be too much!!!! I bent down in the bathroom to dry my feet after a shower and smashed my head on the wash basin. ARRRGH!!!! Stupid corridor of a bathroom.

Work good though. Very busy.

Missing home and Kezzy loads. Just want to go back, but broken the back of the week so just one more night after tonight and I am on my way..

Droitwich is the dreariest town I have ever had the displeasure to come across. nothing happens, ever!!!

Oh well, all part of the 'test' to see if I can make it through to the next round.

Ciao

Monday 7 July 2008

Another day, another stayover,

Another night away from home.. oh the life...



This was the house that we stayed in. It was on a 120 acre estate next to the river Thames.



This was the river, a 5 metre walk from the house..



And this was some of the grounds..



And another part of the place..



This was my room. Rather funky and quaint. A single bed that I fell out of a couple of times in the night. No TV, which was odd. And I kept banging my head on the low eaves.



Back home tonight with Kezzy to cuddle up to, and then a stint in Worcestershire for a couple of days, and then some time off, thank God!! Looking forward to a bit of time to catch up with family and stuff. Been so busy of late.

Going to the Bear for a few pints now with Kez, and then back for a curry. First meal at home in for an age. Even went out for Sunday dinner yesterday, which was a bit stupid seeing as I make the best Sunday dinner ever (except for my Mum, of course). But just felt like having a quality Sunday morning and dinner time before I had to leave to pick up the amigos and go to the place above.

Anyhow, best get ready to go out.

Ciao 4 now (o:

Saturday 5 July 2008

Moist

That was a handshake that I had off a person today. Moist. How can people have moist hands? I wonder where they put them to make them so moist. Actually it was more than moist. It was positively dripping. How on earth does a person put up with dripping hands??? Do they have to carry a small towel around with them and try and dry them off every five minutes?

The handshake left my hand feeling wet, not moist, but actually wet. So wet that I had to dry it off by wiping it on my bum cheek with the lame excuse that I was having back trouble. There was no way that I was going to stand there with a wet hand, but I couldn't look at it because it would have been too obvious, so I did the 'ooh my back' and dried it off on my bum. I bet the person meets a lot of people who suffer from a bad back, whilst rubbing their bum cheeks.

Where does the dripping come from? It it nervousness? Is it an allergic reaction to air? The atmosphere? Or maybe they are reacting to me? Maybe some Ying/Yang thing happens and that generates the drippiness....

Well anyway, I can see this line of enquiry taking a turn for the worst, so I think we will put it down to another of life's unanswered mysteries.

Got about 5 mins before Kez turns up and takes me to The Dun Cow for a meal. Pie and chips on my lap in front of the TV would be nice, seeing as I have eaten out almost every night, for the last four weeks. I know, I know.. ungrateful pig....

Nothing else to report really. Off to some country club on Sunday for a day or two. These are the grounds. All looks pretty good..






Right, I am sitting here in a bath-sheet, slowly dripping-dry, better than being dripping-wet, like the person I met today... LOL. Best get my glad-rags on and get ready to eat out, again.... groan...

Ciao 4 now (o:

Thursday 3 July 2008

Weight loss not happening...

...well it don't feel like it, anyway. I am starting to look quite toned on my upper-torso. Shame it all falls away around my waist. Not been able to do any exercise really, but looking forwards to getting round Draycote at the weekend.

Problem is, as my chest, arms and shoulders tone, and my bum, thighs and lower legs get super-muscley, my stomach is kinda left to hang like a huge boil on an otherwise perfect landscape.. )o:

Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn are all pretty much updated with fots and stuff now. LinkedIn is still saying the wrong location for where I live and a couple of other glitches, but the help team say it is because of my postcode, so not a lot can be done?!??!

The hotel is full of double glazing men on some sort of a conference. They are all called Kev or Dave or Rog and have their shirts unbuttoned down to the third button and cuffs rolled back a couple of times. They all talk loudly about money and knowing blah-blah who owns a villa in Bulgaria or an apartment in Romania.

John though that my stay in this hotel was like some character challenge. If I manage to come out the other end, I will be a much better person. LOL, some sort of logic in there somewhere.

My fave forum, www.digiretreat.co.uk is not working on the computer that I am on. I can read posts but that is about it.

Right, off to do a bit more work.

Oh, oh... good news. Still abstaining from wine. Just had a couple of pints of lager for the last few nights, and all of last week. Anything to try and shift a pound or two.... Although I can feel a decrease from 12st 3lbs falling out of my grasp this week.

Oh well, can but try..

Ciao 4 now

Wednesday 2 July 2008

Old people's home

The hotel smells like an old people's home... IE: Smells like pee....

This is the room that I am now stuck in. I have tried to do a commentary but you might need to turn up the volume coz it was on my mobile fone.

Pretty good day at work and almost went for a run, but went to the pub instead, with Spencer, one of my hotel/work mates.

Got a busy next few days, thank God, and then back home for a day before going off to Maidenhead or somewhere close for a Country Club Experience, all paid for by my employer!! Bloody need it after a week in this dump..

Big toenail finally fell off, which is good news coz I won't feel like a freak whist on holiday in 8 or so weeks time.

Time now to chill and stuff before I meet up with the amigos for beers and dinner!!

Ciao 4 now (o:

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Pants!!!

The new hotel is totally pants. It is like the Adams family run it. So nice looking from the outside, so 1960's decor on the inside. I am so unhappy.... My TV in my room is made by a company called Decca. That is worst than Amstrad. No Sky..... Oh boy, I just wanna go home.... )o:

Monday 30 June 2008

Power Breakfasts and Baby Elephants

Wrecked my computer keyboard last night by knocking a glass of wine over it. Dummy!!!! Too busy trying to do 10 things at once. Or was it the fact that I had lost control of my limbs due to said wine and my consumption of it... We will never know. It will be one of life's great unknowns..

Went for a run this morning and did seven miles. First five around Draycote in 44 minutes so 2 mins off the pace that I would like, but still full of aches and pains... And then two miles around the walkways where I live.

I had a 'power-breakfast' to give me the energy to really push it. It was raisins, nuts, honey & oat crunchy cereal. The only thing that it had me powering was my run to the toilet to release what I can only describe was like giving birth to a small elephant. I then felt totally ropey but ran anyway.

However, I weighed myself and am happy to see a few more pounds drop off, which is not really a surprise considering what I dropped down the toilet..... I will have Severn Trent putting me on a special tariff if I ever try the 'power-breakfast' route to fitness again.



Not much else happening really. Just chilled out today. Went up town for a bit and saw Anthony my mate and gave him the finger through the shop window, then got a birthday card for John, who's blog link is up there in the top right-hand corner. It was as gay as I could find, without going into a proper gay shop, and a picture frame for a piccy of Kez in a pink cowboy hat that her Mum took whilst at a concert last week.

Why-oh-why does it take for eternity to drive the 3 miles into town!!!! The traffic is totally pants!!! And then the thicko shoppers who just dawdle and dither. Don't they know that time is precious!!!!! They are wasting loads of it.. ARRGGH!!!

Right, just putting a few more pics on Facebook, MySpace and trying to iron out a few bugs on LinkedIn before I break off and start getting ready for Kezzy coming round, and this week's stay in another hotel. We are joined by a 4th amigo this week, so the fun should go up by 25%!!! LOL

Why does everyone I know have a really kewl MySpace page, but mine is totally pants and boring. I just cannot work it out!!!! Another one of life's great unknowns....

Sunday 29 June 2008

What was that.....

...oh, just the weekend flying by..

What is wrong with the weather!!! It was 22 degrees this morning so we decided to drive to the Peak District. It was bucketing down when we got there and all the way back. Went to the Harvester for dinner and it was blue sky again. What a waste of a day sitting on the M1 GRRR GRRR... The meal at the Harvester was pants. TOTAL PANTS!!! I complained and the stupid woman looked at my plate with a "well you ate it all" expression. Chicken with no taste whatsoever. Got the meal for free, but not the point really. This Country is going to the dogs. They are so stupid to think that I will accept crap food and not complain. But how many don't complain. Just force-fed on Asda/Netto/Aldi crap chicken ready meals that taste of nothing...

OK, OK, put it to bed for now......

Got one photo before the heavens opened:



Anyhow, the weekend. Kez came round at 11:45 pm on Friday night. I was brain-dead by then and she was full of her Tarot reading. It didn't really fit well together and luckily we fell asleep before we took issue with each other. Both a little worse for wear I guess.

But Saturday morning was brill!!!! We did a six mile run and really had a good time, after the first two miles of pain. Endorphins kicking in... We then came home and lost hours before going to The Bear (our local) for sizzling fajitas for dinner/supper. We were celebrating being a couple for a year. We hooked up on the 16th June last year. To top off the evening we came back home and had Champagne and strawberries (strawbs from M&S no less) and it was heaven. These aren't just ordinary strawberries.. These are hand picked extra-sweet strawberries grown on the chalky soils of sun-drenched Kent.... Jeez, the strawbs, the Champers, the boxers, the occasion....

And yes, yes.... the Calvin Klein boxers were an absoloute hit and made me look very very sexy... grrr....

We also looked for a holiday for next year (this was this morning whilst lounging on the bed, BTW). A bit odd because we are about to go away for this years jolly at Fuerteventura but Kezzy is a planner and is always thinking ahead. Next year we are going to Mombasa in Kenya for a beach/safari holiday. Plus a break in Barcelona in October this year and something over Xmas (I want to go to Lapland and see the real Father Christmas - but I will settle for a beer tent in Trafalgar Square on NYE) . Life don't get much better....

Got tomorrow off and looking forward to some 'me-time'. Kez is coming round later tomorrow after work and collage and well, if she is as hot as she was over the weekend, we will rock!!!!!

Madly trying to update my Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn websites, and link them all to this blog. John in Northampton is now on blogger and is texting help questions at me. I am back to him as well. What a pair we are!!!! I have a birthday card for him and will post it 2mo. Just impossible to do anything whilst stuck in the country house miles from anywhere last week.

Oooh, Oooh, I can hear Doritos, and a bottle of wine with 'Drink Me' on the label, calling out from the kitchen.

Ciao

Saturday 28 June 2008

Home Sweet Home

Finally back home yesterday and seemed to have loads to do. Most of my time seemed to be when I phoned Sky to cancel my subscription. On hold for 30+ minutes. All the time telling me how much they value me as a customer, blah.. blah...

Got a freeview box instead. Sky is totally pants anyway.

This is the venue for next week. The Raven Hotel and hopefully it will be a good one.



But it has a lot to live up to. This is a short video clip of my room at the hotel last week.




Not bad, hey??

Right then, time to catch up with Kerrie and have a cuppa.

Friday 27 June 2008

Stuffed!!!!

I cannot eat anything else. I am totally stuffed!!! I need to do the work of 10 men today to burn off all the calories.

Last day in this wonderful Victorian country house. It has been good and have had some fun with the staff and other residents, however, the three of us head for home today, and then come back to a different venue next week.

Food wise, it has been exceptional. French cooking at its best. This morning I rolled over and just had a full English. But even with that it was drizzled in olive oil. {CALORIES} {CALORIES} {CALORIES} was screaming from my plate, but nothing worse than all the beer!!!!

Thursday 26 June 2008

Homesick In Chaddersley Corbett

I bet you lot don't even know where Chaddersley Corbett is! A very quaint village in Worcestershire, but I so miss my own home, Kerrie, and my creature comforts. Looking forwards to going home and I have Saturday, Sunday & Monday off so I will be able to rebuild a bit of 'me-time'.

The three of us are getting on well at work and stuff. Cramming 12 weeks training into 4 weeks is fun. Week 1 nearly broken the back of.

We went into the village last night and got a real 'are you local' look from the, err, locals... I thought that only happened on Little Britain....

Broke of from the fishy diet yesterday. Had bacon, egg and sausage for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and roast pork for dinner. Still no wine, just 3 or so pints of lager. Not bad. Must of burned 4,000 cals off at work....

Anyway, breakfast calls.

Ciao 4 now :o)

Wednesday 25 June 2008

Fishy Tail

Early start today at 7AM. Managed to keep to the fish theme with tuna for lunch yesterday and fillet of place for dinner. Starting to smell like a penguin. Probably walk like one as well.

Had a few beers last night with my two amigos. We are stuck in this country house with a French chef and Budweiser at £3.00 per 330cl bottle. So we did not drink that much. Just enough for us all to relax and have a laugh. Everything else alcoholic is just mad prices.

Worked hard yesterday and will do so again today. Hope to go for a run tonight, but we shall see. Can feel my trouser waistband getting slightly looser so fingers crossed.

After today I have broken the back of week 1 and look forwards to getting back home for a 3 day break.

Ciao 4 now

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Country House

I am staying in the county house hotel called brockencote hall and it is very nice indeed. Put myself on a fishy diet with fish for lunch (cod) & dinner (trout) yesterday, and breakfast (haddock) this morning.

No wine yesterday, so can feel those calories burning off. Should hopefully lose a pound or two today, actually have to do some work for the first time in ages!!!!

Right, time to just walk the grounds of this beautiful country house, before I have to go and roll my sleeves up and get stuck in.

Ciao 4 now

Sunday 22 June 2008

What goes up must come down...

Well what a weekend!!!!

Went for a run yesterday and today, both times Kezzy came with me. It was fun to push her along and see her grimace. She is starting to feel the endorphins kicking in and liking it. I was liking it to. Nice to have a running mate so it is in my interests to get her hooked.

I lost 4 lbs over the weekend. Don't ask me how, this blog does not want to fall into the hands of the censorship police.

Here is the proof:Not bad, hey...

Kezzy went home at dinner-time and I watched the Grand Prix at my parents and had a fantastic Sunday lunch. You just can't beat your Mum's cooking can you. I then went to Sainsburys and saw my mate Clark, whilst shopping for wine and toilet-roll (don't ask) and we agreed to a 16 mile bike ride with a few of the lads, to Draycote, around Draycote twice and then home again, next Friday, but on the understanding that we stop off at the Dun Cow in Dunchurch on the way back for a few pints. That fits in with me because Kez is having her tarot cards read on Friday evening with her girl friends, so she will not be round until about 11, unless the cards reveal my dark secret..... hehehe - only kidding.. GULP!!!

And yes, that is friends that are girls, not the other sort, before you start thinking that I am having an open relationship with a bisexual orgy-loving lesbian!!!! Hmm, actually that don't sound half bad!!!

Listening to my mate John on the radio. He is a DJ on www.soundbanditsradio.com and is really good. Err, I take that back, he is now singing along to Boyzone - no John - STOP!!! ARRGH!!! My ears, my ears!!!!!!!!!

Just made a small donation to www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/wolfkat, it all helps.

Bought some CK boxers from ebay for the bargain price of £4.98 (inc P&P). My Dad was concerned that they would be second-hand. I don't think that I persuaded him that BNWT means that they are not. He now thinks I have some used-man-pants fetish.



How hot will I look in the bedroom next weekend, when I get back from my first week of training... I plan to have lost a further 4 lbs too, but will have to do it in a less pleasurable way.. LOL

Jeez John, please stop singing!!!!!

I had to take some suit trousers up today, after trying to push them onto Kez for all of Saturday, I finally buckled and went for it... Thank you to whoever invented that stuff called Wonder Web. Job done in 15 mins with minimal swearing, huffing and puffing.

I am going to join a 'Run 10K' run and I will hopefully be doing a bit for Cancer Research UK so look out for when I come cap in hand for a bit of sponsorship www.cancerresearchuk.org/10k/ Thanks for the inspiration, Kat (o:

Right, I think that is it. House needs a quick dust and hoover and I need to pack my bags for next week. Must remember to take my Gym kit and stuff or I will be bored witless.. I am going to go every night and have told my two colleagues to bring their kit too, so we should have a bit of fun.

Current Weight 12 stone 6 lbs - Target Weight 11 stone 11 lbs

Saturday 21 June 2008

Weekend is here.....

Odd day, best made plans and all that. Just bummed around the bottom floor of the house for a bit before being summons back to the top floor. Eventually we got out by about 2 o'clock!!! Went to the Harvester for lunch and then unsuccessfully tracked down some friends, so went to see my parents instead, which was nice. I have just bunged a curry in the oven and we are about to split to the pub whilst it cooks. Just for a couple of beers, and then we are planning to settle down in the lounge for a snuggled up DVD session. Oh! in Ohio is what we have got and it looks pretty good.

This is the venue of where I am at on Monday!!! Pretty gob-smacked.. 70 acres of parkland and this baby is in the middle of it. I am there for a week before moving to somewhere equally jazzy.


Good news, we both went for a run this morning (I knew there was something else that we did) and managed about three and a half miles. It's a start!!!!! Pretty upset to find my big toe nail hanging off when I got back though. Stupid thing. Why can it not just do the decent thing and detach itself all together!!! Taped myself back up and it seems OK for now.

Right, beer calls so ciao 4 now.

Friday 20 June 2008

Mr Blobby

Well another SHOCK HORROR moment today. I have put on 7 lbs over the last 2 weeks. Not a happy bunny but going to start running again tomorrow so hopefully will start to trend downwards again. My diet over the last two weeks has been awful. Bacon rolls every day for brunch, big lunch, cakes with afternoon tea.... and no exercise due to being injured.

Got a good weekend planned and hope it pans out as it should.

Trying to set up an ebay shop still. Got a lot of buy-in from BGJ, we just need to source the products now.

Work takes me to the next phase on Monday. A four week intensive training plan that normally takes 12 weeks to do. Oh boy, will the pounds drop off me then, or what!!!!

Right, off to the pub with my beloved, ciao 4 now...

Current weight 12 stone 10 lbs - Target weight 11 stone 11 lbs

Wednesday 18 June 2008

Slovak goulash

I just had dinner with a mate from Slovakia. He cooked up some traditional Slovak goulash. It was really nice and so full of vegetables, potatoes and beef. Fantastic stuff, and polished off with Polish bread.

Just got back, g/friend is texting me trying to rearrange the weekend arrangements, which is not good.

I am wondering what is on instead of the Apprentice, but I guess it will be football.

Work was a slog today. difficult subject that could not be sexed up in any way. Just ended up eating far too much and now feeling totally stuffed!

Two more days of classroom stuff and then off to a different venue.

Trying to set up a shop on ebay with John from Northampton. Seems to be taking ages from talking about it, to the actually doing it - come on John!!!!!!!!

Tuesday 17 June 2008

No Time!!!!

Dare not weigh myself anymore. Bacon sandwiches for brunch again today.

Good course though. Full of stuff that I can really use.

Three more days to go and then some of us are sent off for 4 weeks of specialist training. Got so much to do and so little time to do it.

Got rid of a bit of furniture on ebay today, which was nice to reclaim some space. A Polish couple bought it so I tried to practice my Polish - note to self - your Polish is crap - don't practice it again..

Had some really good news about John, my mate in Northampton, getting hooked up with a new partner. It sounds good so far.

Right, off to Sainsburys for a few essentials - wine, beer, curry....

Monday 16 June 2008

Diet is out the window...

Today at work we were sitting there in our conference suite and a couple of platters full, and I mean FULL, of bacon sandwiches turned up at 9:30. Oh and there was so much lovely bacon in each sandwich. About three or four rashers. Almost made me not want my three course lunch (o:

Messed about doing customer service standards and stuff, then came home at 4:30. Brilliant day!

When I got in I was slightly miffed to find a threatening epic email from my ex in my email inbox, but after sending an equally epic one back, I already feel better for it.

Shoulder no longer hurts but got shooting pains and pins & needles in my arm still, so still not 100%, but getting there.

I have a dozen missed calls from a dude called Colin at the Renault garage. He is trying to sell me a new car. I kinda was going for it on Saturday, but sort of changed my mind on Sunday, so never went back, even though I had assured him that I would.... Now he will be calling me for ever.. DOH!!!

Had some really juicy gossip about my old job today, and loads of really really juicy stuff about my job before that one, last week. I love it. People just let things slip out....

Right, time to tuck into chilli, wine and East Enders - what a sad life I lead (well when Kez is not here). As soon as I get fit again I will be out running and cycling. I promise (o:

Actually, I was in the process of trying to form a running club before I started my new job and got so horribly injured. I will pursue that when I am back on form.

Ciao for now.

Sunday 15 June 2008

Flat as a Pancake....

Strangely flat end to the weekend. Kez went home at about 1:30 to be with her family and stuff and I have been at a bit of a loose end since. A bit of stuff needs doing round the house, just a quick dust and hoover, but I am so dragged down with aches and pains, that I cannot do anything really.

We (she) seem to be going through a slightly sticky patch. Just a bit hung up on previous girlfriends and stuff I think. I keep telling her that there is nothing to worry about but her mind is working overtime. Also she has a book that goes into deep meaning about what characteristics each star sign has. Apparently I get easily bored with relationships and will seek my lustful pleasures elsewhere if I am not being constantly fulfilled. Jeez, I thought that was what it was like for all of us, men and women alike, regardless of star sign.

It didn't help that at the pub yesterday afternoon I introduced Kez to Wendy, a friend of my sisters, and then in Sainsburys I introduced her to Mags, and old work colleague. But hey-ho. Not my fault if I know people.

I will delve into Harty's bible over the next day or so (How To Blow Her Mind In Bed) and pull out a couple of new moves. That should get the focus back where it needs to be (o:

Texts from Brett and John and Charly my daughter, but that is about it for today.

Been to see my folks and gave my Dad a couple of bottles of beer (ale) or whatever it is for Fathers Day. Saw Sue my sister and Hayley my niece, which was really nice. Was supposed to see my kids today, but they seem to have not quite got themselves organised. Gaby (my other daughter) did come round last night and actually sat and talked to me and Kez, which was really nice and felt like a huge step forwards.

Enjoying my new 'just-got-out-of-bed' hairstyle, but Sue thought I was having some sort of midlifer going on... LOL

Right, got a chilli in the microwave, a bottle of wine with "Drink Me" on the label and probably some crap TV to get stuck into.

Oh and had a bit of a SHOCK HORROR moment today. I weigh 12 stone 7 pounds. I have gained 4 pounds in a week and have another week to go at the conference centre with all their three course meals and stuff..... I cannot run due to all my injuries and cannot even work out in a gym. This is total b*ll*cks!!! Try to get fit and look at me, a dribbling wreck.. I had hoped to be under 12 stone by the end of June. I go on holiday at the end of August and need a washboard stomach, pecs that scream out "don't mess with me!!!" and shoulders and arms to match. Face it - it just ain't gonna happen... )o:

What a bummer!

Saturday 14 June 2008

What a week...

Nice to come home and visit my blog. I have been a very busy boy, and it is going to get worse over the next five weeks or so...

I started my new job on the Monday and I am part of an 18 strong management team that has been pulled together from all four corners of England. We are spending two weeks in a conference centre doing a lot of team building and stuff. We then go off some place else for further training and development.

Day one was a tandem bicycle treasure hunt. 5 miles on a tandem is not easy. They are strange beasts where you have to know exactly what your co-rider is doing, or you both fall off. We also visited a playhouse and learnt some circus tricks and how to act. Got taken way way out of our comfort zones. Nothing pushes you together more, than when you are all feeling totally awkward and vulnerable.

Day two was filming a video. That was brilliant. Wandering around the town pouncing on the general public, and interlocking sections that displayed the core values of the company. I have to say that out of the three that were shot, our video was voted the best. I was the director/camera man. It was totally funny.

Day three was food and wine tasting. All the wines were fizzy, from Cava to Champers, so that was good, and the food was to die for. We then had a full blown evening meal and loads of beer.

Day four and five were a little more about the operation, but still good fun.

Still racked with pain in my right shoulder and it is causing pain down my arm and in my fingers. Been to the walk-in centre and they just gave me short-shrift and told be to keep taking Ibuprofens. The Doc also looked at my toe nails and told me to go to my GP for treatment.

Went to my GP and showed him my toe nails. He told me that a sample needs to go to the laboratory. Nothing else that he can do. Told him about my shoulder and he said the same as the Doc in the walk-in centre.

It's great, ain't it. Try and get fit and look what happens. My toe nails go septic and diseased, and I pull my shoulder muscle. I feel like the walking wounded. All in the weekend before I start a new job as well. It feels like someone has been sticking pins in a voodoo dolly of me. Oh well, if I keep taking the pain killers maybe it will all eventually pass.

Today I am going to bum around the house for a bit, do some housework and get some bits. I need to pop to the hairdresser and get my hair cut, well, I just need it styled really. Just chopped into to maintain that 'just got out of bed' look. I normally have a number 2 up the back and sides and quite short on top so this new look is something different and I am quite enjoying it to be honest.

Kez is round in the afternoon and we are going strawberry picking in Dunchurch, the next village down the the road. We are then going to eat the strawbs with a bottle of champers to celebrate being together one year this Saturday. Seems like an age ago that we had that first kiss. In fact it was a really odd date. We kinda got together on a completely bolt-from-the-blue hook up. I would never in a million years have thought that we would have done, but took a chance and here we are now. Whilst at times it has been a little fraught along the way, as we have pushed each others boundaries, what we seem to have developed is a totally balanced and equal partnership where there is total honesty, respect and safety. It's been hard work to foster and develop that culture within a relationship, but years of counselling other people with their relationship problems has given me a pretty big insight into them. The payback for all the effort is out of this world.

If I am going to give any relationship advice at all, the cornerstones are:

Being yourself - being close and being shy don't really work, neither does being close and bigging yourself up to be something you are not.

Making time for each other - if you cannot be bothered to make that time, then the relationship is flawed. It is saying, 'I would rather be doing something else than be with you'.

Saying what you are feeling - if something is niggling away, it will effect how you are with your partner and that builds resentment that festers away and mole-hills become mountains. Over time the 'issue' is so clouded that it becomes impossible to get back to ground zero. And by then the habit of being awkward and difficult with each other has formed and becomes the lifestyle pattern for the foreseeable. But on this last point, don't become too entrenched in your own opinion. Step out of your shoes and ask yourself 'Why?' and you might uncover what you need to know without having to go into full and frank soul-bearing confrontation.

Anyhow, I need to steer myself off this theme as the blog is not really the place. See how easy it is..

I have just cleared my noticeboard and stuck all the takeaway menus in a drawer. They were taking over somewhat. I now have a takeaway drawer, an idea that I got from John, a mate in Northampton (or his nephews). I also cleared off various holiday confirmations and stuff. We have to keep anything and everything that shows that we are together, so that when I apply for my Oz visa, off the back of Kezzy's Perm Visa, we can prove that we have been in a long-term relationship. That day is looming and I will put my visa application in, in September 2009. Hopefully it will just be a formality, but that is for next year to worry about.

Well, I guess I better start to make myself look half decent and drag myself up town to catch the hairdressers before every man and his shaggy dog decides that they want a haircut too.

Ciao 4 now (o:

Sunday 8 June 2008

Runs like a girl...

We finally got up at about 10'ish I think. Well that is a lie actually. I got up at 4.30 due to the massive pain in my pulled shoulder muscle, but went downstairs and kipped on the sofa with the comfort blanket wrapped around me. I didn't want to disturb Kez. She pulled me back into bed at about half eight and the pain my shoulder disappeared for a bit.

We went for a run today. Yes I finally managed to persuade Kez to come out with me, I drugged up on Ibuprofen to try and dull the pain and then thought that I could run it off whilst it was just buzzing rather than really aching. We did 2 miles. Kez, it has to be said, runs like a girl. At one point I let her get so far ahead that it looked like we were not together, such was the embarrassment. It's kind on like a Mexican Wave but at half mast. Oh, hang on - she is a girl.... DOH!!!

We then went to The Bear for Sunday lunch, good old pork roast. Marvellous. After that just sat in the garden and chatted about our forthcoming holiday in Fuerteventura, amongst other things. We then said our farewells and she has gone home. I will see her again on Thursday, so a few days to get my head into work, not that we will be doing anything for the first two weeks, just booked into a conference centre where we are doing a load of team building exercises and stuff. FUN FUN FUN!!!

It will be odd going back. I have been off for 5 weeks and really chilled out. Nice to do nothing much.

Saw Charly, my daughter, today. That was very good. Gave her a lift back from a sleep-over. She is doing her GCSE's and hopefully will pull out a few decent grades.

Right, time to chill - like I haven't been for 5 weeks LOL.

Ciao


Saturday 7 June 2008

Birmingham Sea Life Centre

Got up and went for a run. Thought I might do 5 miles but only did about three and a half. Still got aches and pains. Good run though.

Worked some weights and have pulled a muscle in my right shoulder. Very painful

Kez came round and we went to Birmingham Sea Life Centre, which was superb except for all the naughty children screaming about the place. We then went shopping in the Bull Ring and then came home, and went to The Bear for a beer.

Popped to Sainsburys and saw Paul, a guy I know who is an estate agent. The market is totally on its knees, so he said. Also saw Claire, a girl who I used to work with. She was well, and thought I looked very well too.

We have just had a curry and now going to settle down to I Am Legend. Hopefully after that, the night will still be young ;O)

Friday 6 June 2008

Bed Swapping....

Wow!!! woke up in the spare bed in the 2nd bedroom. How the hell did I get there??? I found my jeans in the toilet and my boxers were hanging off my left foot. My head felt like it was being repeatedly slammed into a brick wall by Mike Tyson.

Last thing I remember is waving Kezzy off smiling through gritted teeth as she wriggled down my garden path. I just flipped and cracked open a few bottles of wine and drowned my sorrows. What a mistake.

Went for a six mile run through the woods and fields, felt like I was doing cross-country as a schoolboy. Ran off the hangover in record time. If you ever have a hangover, run it off. I was fighting fit after about 2 miles. Sweated it out. Anyway, the woods are on my doorstep so I chose to run through them, rather than Draycote Water, to reduce my carbon footprint. I have to drive to Draycote. And the Severn Trent rangers get arsey with me for parking in the sailing club car park, even though it is totally empty when I go.

Anyhow the good news is that I confronted the problems that we are having and told her the three points that I am very unhappy about. She agreed and we are now back on an even keel. Thank goodness.

Hit the gym for a bit today, after the run, and then went to visit Anthony, a mate. Had a good old natter and stuff and then lost myself in various discussion forums on the internet when I eventually got home.

My new employer called me a couple of times to talk me through the first few weeks of starting. I have never known a company to be so caring. It is going to by a huge culture shock for me when I start, but hopefully one that I can embrace and thrive on.

This evening I went to the Red Lion and got beat at pool, twice, by an 8 year old kid. TWICE I TELL YOU!!!!! Sometimes life just sucks.....

Now just settling down for the night and trying to unwind. Clarkson is on Have I got News For You so that will guarantee a few laughs.

John, my mate in Northampton has just text me, so I will text back and see how he is getting on. Kezzy is round tomorrow at about ten and we are off to Birmingham to do a bit of shopping and stuff. Just looking forward to a nice day out. The satin sheets of my bed are beckoning so I guess I best hunker down on the settee for a couple of hours before I finally curl up in the comfort of my own bed, rather than the spare one!!!! I still don't know how I ended up in there.... LOL

Thursday 5 June 2008

Butterflies....

Start my new job on Monday, slightly nervous about it for some reason. It will be good and hopefully will be my last job. This will be my 16th employer. I cannot believe how many jobs I have had!!!! Some have been truly shite and some have been really good. Funny how the crappy ones were probably not about the job, but more about the people/person who was managing me or the operation.

The saying, 'people don't leave their jobs, they leave their managers' is so so true.

Quite a good day, saw my folks this morning and had a cuppa and chat. Then went to see Trev in the butchers. He is my brother-in-law. Had a good old chat with him and then Brett, my mate, came round for the afternoon. Good to chill out in the sunshine and have a good old natter.

Kez came round in the evening but something is not right between us and has not been for a week or so now. Cannot quite put my finger on it but she is being a bit funny with me for some reason. I am sure it will all come out in the wash. Unfortunate distraction though. And the balance of our holiday to Fuerteventura is due now, so she needs to snap out of it like yesterday, or there will be no holiday. Life is too short for being silly.

Got my car into the garage finally, and now have a VW Polo to buzz around in for a week or so. Quite a nippy little thing and loads of fun, if not a bit basic. It has wind-down windows!!!! Have not been in a car with wind-down windows for years.... Too much effort, so I just put the cold air blower on full blast when I get hot.

Right, about to enjoy my last few days of freedom!

Current weight - 12 stone 3 pounds - target weight 11 stone 13 pounds - lost 1 pound across the week and probably ran off 4,000 calories - that sucks!!!!!

Ciao

Wednesday 4 June 2008

One step forwards, two steps back...

Went for a run this morning with every intention of doing a full 10 miles. Even had my power breakfast of Alpen and chopped up fresh banana. Got there and straight away I could feel the pain in my legs. I tried to run it off and actually felt better around my legs after 3 miles, but then my bum cheeks started to hurt. Don't ask me why. Got round the five miles in 46 mins, which is 3 mins worse than Monday and then carried on for a bit and eventually flaked out after seven and a half miles. Disappointed that I seem to be going backwards, but I am obviously not fully recovered from Monday. Got back and worked the weights in the gym so didn't do too badly, I guess.

Went to the Cotswolds after that in search of a photo for a competition I am entering. Got loads so there should be one or two that make the grade. I shall whiz then through Photoshop to get them 100% and then it's fingers crossed.

Saw two of my three children today. Phil and Charly. That was really nice, they are both very well.

Right dinner calls so ciao 4 now

Tuesday 3 June 2008

Tea for two and the sofa too!!!!!

Well, what a day!!! Went to a job interview this morning, reckon I have got the job, but no need, as I got a call from the company who I really really want to go and work for. And they have offered me a position and I start next Monday {{{hoorah!}}}

Sitting here now with a G&T in a fancy cocktail glass, and a bag of 'RIDGE CUT' crisps - you know the sort - MAN CRISPS - a sort of celebration I guess.

Went to Leamington Spa today to do a bit of shopping and loaf about. I really like Leamington. It has a gentrified feel about the place. I finally got home and managed to get Photoshop working on my PC again, so I will be happy-snapping friends' kids again soon.

Then went to Homebase to buy some new knobs for a chest of drawers that I bought yesterday for the bedroom, to put some of Kezzy's clothes in. She is slowly taking over the house!!!! Last night she dropped a mug of tea into her lap - OUCH!! But the OUCH!! was because she was sitting on my white settee. It was all hands to the pump as she stripped out of tea soaked clothes and I stripped the covers off the settee and bunged them into the washing machine before any stain could set. To say that I was not happy would be a huge understatement. The fact that she was wandering about afterwards naked, didn't really make it any better for me. I threw a pair of tight fitting CK boxers and cargo pants at her. She thought it was totally amusing that she did not have anything to fill the crotch part of the boxers. By then I was way past seeing the funny side of anything except her cheeky backside going out of my front door. All OK today though, stains came out, sofa back in one piece, she happy, me happy... LOL

Not much else to report. Kez is at a concert tonight, I am stuck in, glad the job is sorted, just need my car to get fixed and mostly all the 'issues' in my life will be sorted - happy days.

Monday 2 June 2008

Death by Barbell


Did a 10 mile run today around Draycote (above). Killer and really didn't feel like it for the first 3 miles, but the endorphins started to kick in after that, and the pain dulled to a pleasurable hum. Did the first 5 miles in 43 minutes, which is better than last week at 45 mins, so very pleased with that. The hills killed me off though. Need to get up them a bit quicker to get that lap time down to 40 mins.

Went up the town for a bit and then came back and cut the lawn and did a bit of gardening, and then hit the gym and did 200 stomach crunches and worked on my chest. It was nearly death by barbell because I kept going until I could go no further and then had to somehow get the thing off me. I was sandwiched between the barbell and the bench and had to wriggle the weights down my body and off the end. Not good

Did not hear about my job today. Hopefully get some good news tomorrow.

Kez is coming round later tonight so hopefully that will be fun. I just need to rest my aching muscles but I am sure I can rise to the occasion... (o:

Sunday 1 June 2008

Alone At Last!!!

Just a nothing sort of day today. So tired and stuff. Got up and bummed about the house for a bit, had a bacon sandwich and mug of tea made for me, which was nice. Eventually we got out and started to walk to my local pub. The Bear, for Sunday lunch, then we decided that maybe we aught to cook (seemed to have forgotten how to!!), so went back and took a trip to Sainsburys. Cooked a decent pork roast but messed up the crackling by putting olive oil on it. Why? I don't know (told you I had forgotten how). Should have just left it dry, scoured and salted. A good meal though.

Went and looked at some show houses for sale on a local development. Just for decorating ideas really. Woman was desperate to sell her houses, she offered us an apartment that was on at £134,950 for £99,000. The housing market is in tatters.

Kez went home at about six. I now have my house to myself again. And my bed, so I should get a good night sleep hopefully. And before your dirty minds wander too far, it's not from too much hanky-panky. It's just too much fidgeting and stuff that is disturbing each other and waking each other up.

Tonight I am going to chill out with a bottle of wine and the TV, or maybe Play Station 3. Absolutely refuse to do anything other than reclaim my bum-crease on the settee. Actually, this is the first night in for about five or so days. Seemed to have yo-yo'ed between the Dun Cow and The Bear for most of the week. And I am well overdue for a trip to Northampton. I will try and get that in next week.

Hope to have some good news regarding a job tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Saturday 31 May 2008

Losing Nemo

Woke up on the sofa, well actually woke up at about three in the morning in bed but was so restless, I slept on the sofa so as not to disturb Kez with my fidgeting. I wrapped myself in my, well our now, comfort blanket and dozed until about seven in the morning, where I was greeted with a lush bacon butty and mug of tea.

Spent most of the day painting my 3rd bedroom with white emulsion. Just about finished after going round and round with a roller. The people before me had a deep sea mural painted across all four walls. Really good with a real deep green as the sea and loads of colourful fish like the cast of Finding Nemo, those sorts of colours.

You can guess how many coats it took to finally cover up. However, all done now and it looks pretty funky, if not a little sterile. But it is for my home gym so that is how it needs to be. As for Nemo, no bugger is ever going to find him under five coats of paint... :o)

Cannot really recall doing anything else today, except walking to the pub with Kez for lunch but they had stopped serving five mins before we got there, so we nipped to Sainsburys and bought some of that fresh cooked chicken and had chicken and stuffing rolls for lunch on the garden patio. Nice..

After that just more painting...

But now off to the White Lion in Pailton, a village just down the road a bit, for a spot of supper and a few beers. In basic need of a good old chill out. It has been a hard days work, seeing as I hate painting so much.