Some frantic last minute packing on Friday night left tempers a little frayed but we were both fine in the morning.
The amount of stuff we need to take with us for just one night away is astounding:
2 buggies for the twins
9 changes of casual clothes - 3 each for the kids
6 changes of smart clothes - 2 each for the kids
1 suit for me
1 dress for my wife
2 changes of casual clothes for my wife and me
Lots of shoes
Assorted toiletries
Lots of nappies and baby wipes
Wedding gift
small collection of toys to keep the twins quite during the ceremony
Snacks and drinks for the car journeys
Medicines for the kids and us, just in case
...and so on and on
This isn't a wedding, it's an expedition.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Long weekend
It's a Bank holiday on Monday and I've got Tuesday off so, a nice break from work is on the cards.
We're all going to Dorset on Saturday for a friend's wedding. My 3yr-old daughter is going to be one of the bridesmaids and is looking forward to wearing her 'princess dress'.
An early start tomorrow, on the road at 8ish, arrive at midday, get ready for the ceremony at 3, then reception to follow before trying to get the kids to sleep in a hotel. Phew.
We'll need an early night on Sunday.
I was going to run the Whitstable 10k on Monday but found the entry form in my drawer on Tuesday. I'd forgotten to post it and it's too late now. They don't take entries on the day there so I might just have to go and cheer the others on. It should be a nice day by the sea if the weather holds.
We're all going to Dorset on Saturday for a friend's wedding. My 3yr-old daughter is going to be one of the bridesmaids and is looking forward to wearing her 'princess dress'.
An early start tomorrow, on the road at 8ish, arrive at midday, get ready for the ceremony at 3, then reception to follow before trying to get the kids to sleep in a hotel. Phew.
We'll need an early night on Sunday.
I was going to run the Whitstable 10k on Monday but found the entry form in my drawer on Tuesday. I'd forgotten to post it and it's too late now. They don't take entries on the day there so I might just have to go and cheer the others on. It should be a nice day by the sea if the weather holds.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Stressqueen: Saints..Sinners....
Stressqueen: Saints..Sinners....
Club loyalty seems to be unimportant to a growing number of 'fans'.
Whenever I meet a new acquaintance and tell them I'm an Everton fan the conversation usually goes something like this:
"Why Everton?"
I have a South London accent so it's a fair question, why do I support a Merseyside club?
"I was born in Merseyside, we moved South when I was six so that Dad could keep working."
Then the question that drives me mad.
"Why not Liverpool then or maybe a local one like Arsenal?"
This implies that the more successful club is more deserving of my fealty. Not so.
"Coz my Dad is Blue, my Grandads were Blue, my uncles are Blue, my cousins are .... well you get the picture."
Club loyalty seems to be unimportant to a growing number of 'fans'.
Whenever I meet a new acquaintance and tell them I'm an Everton fan the conversation usually goes something like this:
"Why Everton?"
I have a South London accent so it's a fair question, why do I support a Merseyside club?
"I was born in Merseyside, we moved South when I was six so that Dad could keep working."
Then the question that drives me mad.
"Why not Liverpool then or maybe a local one like Arsenal?"
This implies that the more successful club is more deserving of my fealty. Not so.
"Coz my Dad is Blue, my Grandads were Blue, my uncles are Blue, my cousins are .... well you get the picture."
Monday, April 25, 2005
Links and funnies
Gus has gone back to Oz. I used to send him and a select few others my favorite links etc from newsletters and stuff I find when browsing.
I've decided to start another blog and add them in there so, Gus, watch this space. They'll start appearing soon.
I've decided to start another blog and add them in there so, Gus, watch this space. They'll start appearing soon.
My wife is beautiful
I was looking at the kids last night. As they are getting older it's easier to see different people in their faces, especially my wife.
Obviously I think she is pretty but now that we have kids, and they mean so much to me, she seems more beautiful than ever.
She still drives me absolutely mad though. For instance, the other week I spent over five hours ironing and washing to clear the backlog. She whinged about some of the ironing I'd done, don't know why because she's never found fault before. In a strop she told me not to do any more.
Later that day she put the ironing board cover on the 'hand-wash' cycle in the washer. She forgot to check the washer cycle the next day and put another load on. Then she accuses me of leaving the washer on the hand-cycle so she has to do the washing again and tells me not to do the washing anymore. What???
A few weeks have passed and whatever demon was in her ear has gone but, she's still doing all the washing and ironing simply because she can't bring herselfr to apologize. Women are nuts.
Obviously I think she is pretty but now that we have kids, and they mean so much to me, she seems more beautiful than ever.
She still drives me absolutely mad though. For instance, the other week I spent over five hours ironing and washing to clear the backlog. She whinged about some of the ironing I'd done, don't know why because she's never found fault before. In a strop she told me not to do any more.
Later that day she put the ironing board cover on the 'hand-wash' cycle in the washer. She forgot to check the washer cycle the next day and put another load on. Then she accuses me of leaving the washer on the hand-cycle so she has to do the washing again and tells me not to do the washing anymore. What???
A few weeks have passed and whatever demon was in her ear has gone but, she's still doing all the washing and ironing simply because she can't bring herselfr to apologize. Women are nuts.
Easy like Sunday morning
Like I said in the last post, it took me four hours to put our daughter's new bed together. She loves it, it is about four feet high and has a space under it, hidden away with canvas sides, filled with cushions and soft toys.
My wife took the twins up to get her Mum, who looks after the kids on Mondays and Tuesdays, whilst I finished the bed. Then I tidied up, hoovered, made the new bed, changed the spare bed's bedclothes for M-i-L, mowed the lawn, cleaned the kitchen and painted some of the hallway walls. Phew.
Our 3yr-old daughter came home with my parents and youngest sister about ten minutes before my wife got home with the twins and M-i-L. Suddenly the house was very full and noisy. It's great to be part of a family with kids everywhere but, it's bloody tiring too.
My wife took the twins up to get her Mum, who looks after the kids on Mondays and Tuesdays, whilst I finished the bed. Then I tidied up, hoovered, made the new bed, changed the spare bed's bedclothes for M-i-L, mowed the lawn, cleaned the kitchen and painted some of the hallway walls. Phew.
Our 3yr-old daughter came home with my parents and youngest sister about ten minutes before my wife got home with the twins and M-i-L. Suddenly the house was very full and noisy. It's great to be part of a family with kids everywhere but, it's bloody tiring too.
Dresses for the wedding
Wow, I am worn out. I've come to work for a rest.
Our 3yr-old daughter stayed with my parents from Friday night to Sunday evening. On Saturday I emptied the car out and went ot pick up her new bed. It was self-assembly and took me about four hours to put together on Sunday morning.
When I got back we bundled the kids in the car and headed off to Tunbridge Wells for a bit of shopping. We needed some dresses for the girls as we are going to a friends wedding next weekend. the 3yr-old is going to be a bridesmaid but, needed something to change into for the evening. We thought it best to get her younger sister something as well because she will get messy during the day and need changing.
So we now have two long, cream dresses with short black cardigans. They'll be just right for the recpetion when I get to do some 'Dad-dancing'. You know the kind? Your Dad's had one to many shandies and tries to dance like he was still seventeen. Except it's me who's going to be doing it this time. Sigh, youth doesn't last long.
Our 3yr-old daughter stayed with my parents from Friday night to Sunday evening. On Saturday I emptied the car out and went ot pick up her new bed. It was self-assembly and took me about four hours to put together on Sunday morning.
When I got back we bundled the kids in the car and headed off to Tunbridge Wells for a bit of shopping. We needed some dresses for the girls as we are going to a friends wedding next weekend. the 3yr-old is going to be a bridesmaid but, needed something to change into for the evening. We thought it best to get her younger sister something as well because she will get messy during the day and need changing.
So we now have two long, cream dresses with short black cardigans. They'll be just right for the recpetion when I get to do some 'Dad-dancing'. You know the kind? Your Dad's had one to many shandies and tries to dance like he was still seventeen. Except it's me who's going to be doing it this time. Sigh, youth doesn't last long.
Friday, April 22, 2005
I feel great today
Probably because I'm going out for a beer or two tonight. Think I'll start earlier with a pint or two of Guinness at lunch time as it's such a nice sunny day.
I'm going to meet up with Gus and his mates for a final farewell drink before his visa runs out and he goes back to Sydney. He's got plans to start a business in Oz with two old friends. I really hope it works out for him, he's a good man.
Since the kids are so young I don't often go out, it's too much of an imposition on my wife. When they get a little older it'll be easier.
Our 3yr-old daughter is staying with my Mum for the weekend. It's nice for them and gives us a little breather too.
I'm going to meet up with Gus and his mates for a final farewell drink before his visa runs out and he goes back to Sydney. He's got plans to start a business in Oz with two old friends. I really hope it works out for him, he's a good man.
Since the kids are so young I don't often go out, it's too much of an imposition on my wife. When they get a little older it'll be easier.
Our 3yr-old daughter is staying with my Mum for the weekend. It's nice for them and gives us a little breather too.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Papist rule
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany: Pope Benedict XVI. Appointed as the new Pope 19th April 2005.
If there was any doubt in your mind about the origins of Christian organised religion then the discussion over the election of a 'hardliner, conservative' Cardinal as Pope should lay it to rest.
God's representative on Earth is able to have a differing viewpoint and approach to Catholicism than previous incumbents? So the advice and guidance given by the Church changes according to the men in power?
That there is some leeway in the interpretation of religious doctrine underlines the fact that the Bible is a fabrication of humanity and not a documentary tract. I wish people would stop quoting it as fact.
If there was any doubt in your mind about the origins of Christian organised religion then the discussion over the election of a 'hardliner, conservative' Cardinal as Pope should lay it to rest.
God's representative on Earth is able to have a differing viewpoint and approach to Catholicism than previous incumbents? So the advice and guidance given by the Church changes according to the men in power?
That there is some leeway in the interpretation of religious doctrine underlines the fact that the Bible is a fabrication of humanity and not a documentary tract. I wish people would stop quoting it as fact.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Shared toilets
It might only be me but, I always feel compelled to tear off the first few sheets of toilet roll and throw them in the pan before using a lavatory away from home.
It's the thought of getting intimate with paper that was recently touched by one of my colleagues, or the tramp begging outside the public loos.
It's the thought of getting intimate with paper that was recently touched by one of my colleagues, or the tramp begging outside the public loos.
Monday, April 18, 2005
3 series BMW drivers are a bunch of tossers
Got splashed by one that was driving through a huge puddle on my way to the station this morning.
Whenever I've been splashed, tailgated, cut up, undertaken on the motorway, flashed for daring to stick to the speed limit, it's almost always a 3 series BMW driver. Usually a 316 or 318.
Perhaps it's because these cars are now so common they're as ubiquitous as the Ford Escort used to be.
The 316 and 318 aren't even very good cars, the 328 is arguably a decent motor but, I don't think BMWs are worth the money until you get to the 5 series.
Having a 3 series and calling it a BMW is like driving a new Mini and calling it a BMW. Okay, they're made by the same firm but after that they just aren't comparable. Buy a Saab or an Audi instead and save your credibility.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Log-jam
Had a really nice day, knew it was too good to be true. I was bathing the twins while my wife took our eldest daughter to pick up my mother-in-law, who helps out with the kids two days a week.
I got my daughter out of the bath and into her pyjamas. Then I went to get the boy. In the two minutes I'd been getting my daughter sorted he had dumped in the bath, a great big log. I swear these things expand like foam wall insulation once he lets them free.
I got my daughter out of the bath and into her pyjamas. Then I went to get the boy. In the two minutes I'd been getting my daughter sorted he had dumped in the bath, a great big log. I swear these things expand like foam wall insulation once he lets them free.
Dying of embarrassment
We had quite a nice weekend. Weather was pretty good, a little rain on Saturday but lovely sunshine all Sunday.
My wife had a rough day with the kids on Friday, it's tough trying to stay calm with all three of them screaming. Our youngest girl is being particularly trying but I guess it's just the 'terrible twos'.
After Louise had been 'round to cut our hair we went to a garden centre and picked up a new hanging basket and plants on Saturday. I've put the basket together and hung it up, must remember to keep it watered.
We also picked up a plant for the tub out the front and this is going to be our eldest's little garden. She chose the plant, we bought some more today and I'll plant them out for her later.
Whilst we were in the Coffee shop at the garden centre we got chatting to a few people, as you do, when our 3yr-old daughter points at my crotch and shouts, "What's your willy doing there Daddy?".
She was pointing at the bulge my mobile phone was making in my pocket. My wife was silently wetting herself with laughter whilst I tried desperatley to make a point of showing our girl the phone so all the other diners could see that I wasn't just sitting there with my todger hanging out.
My wife had a rough day with the kids on Friday, it's tough trying to stay calm with all three of them screaming. Our youngest girl is being particularly trying but I guess it's just the 'terrible twos'.
After Louise had been 'round to cut our hair we went to a garden centre and picked up a new hanging basket and plants on Saturday. I've put the basket together and hung it up, must remember to keep it watered.
We also picked up a plant for the tub out the front and this is going to be our eldest's little garden. She chose the plant, we bought some more today and I'll plant them out for her later.
Whilst we were in the Coffee shop at the garden centre we got chatting to a few people, as you do, when our 3yr-old daughter points at my crotch and shouts, "What's your willy doing there Daddy?".
She was pointing at the bulge my mobile phone was making in my pocket. My wife was silently wetting herself with laughter whilst I tried desperatley to make a point of showing our girl the phone so all the other diners could see that I wasn't just sitting there with my todger hanging out.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy
A friend of mine from work managed to get invited to a press screening of the new Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie last night. Lucky bastard.
It's not due for general release until the end of April. He got some goodies while he was there, the best of which was a towel with the film's logo on it.
For those who have not read the books or seen the BBC TV series, a towel is just about the most important item a galaxial hitchhiker needs for his/her/its travels. The other stuff I haven't looked at yet as he says there are some spoilers in it.
Apparently, there are some items of sub-plot written by Douglas Adams especially for the film. What a pity he's no longer with us.
I've loved this series of books since I was a teenager so, I can't wait for the movie. I'm going to see if I can book a ticket for the first day of release now. Even though this chap didn't like it at all.
It's not due for general release until the end of April. He got some goodies while he was there, the best of which was a towel with the film's logo on it.
For those who have not read the books or seen the BBC TV series, a towel is just about the most important item a galaxial hitchhiker needs for his/her/its travels. The other stuff I haven't looked at yet as he says there are some spoilers in it.
Apparently, there are some items of sub-plot written by Douglas Adams especially for the film. What a pity he's no longer with us.
I've loved this series of books since I was a teenager so, I can't wait for the movie. I'm going to see if I can book a ticket for the first day of release now. Even though this chap didn't like it at all.
Just when you think it's safe...
I had Monday and Tuesday off this week to look after the kids. They all seemed to be well on Tuesday so, after I dropped my wife at work, we drove to Scotney Castle to kill some time.
Scotney isn't open until 1st May and the grounds didn't open until 11am. It was only 9:45 so we pushed on to Hastings and had a nice time on the beach throwing pebbles into the surf. Then headed up to the town for a bite to eat, messy as ever.
At Midday I got the kids back in the car and went to Bodiam Castle as 'eldest daughter' was very keen to see a castle again. Not so keen that she'd stay awake for it though. All three of them had dropped off on the way so, I got a drink and stood by the car admiring the scenery. Quite a lovely way to pass the time and an unusal respite from the little ones.
My son woke up first and we had about 30 minutes to ourselves spotting swans, crows and early bumble bees before the girls woke up. It was getting close to 2 o'clock and we had to pick up my wife at 2:30 so, we had a very brief walk upto the castle before pushing on.
Once I had collected my wife we were on our usual Tuesday run back to the old place for her sign language course. We just had one stop to make to pick up a travel cot from a friend in the village who had borrowed it.
As we pulled away from her house, BLAP. Our son demonstrated, with some gusto, that he had come down with the bug the girls had just finished with. So that was the pukey end to a lovely day.
I should've known, it was going too well.
Scotney isn't open until 1st May and the grounds didn't open until 11am. It was only 9:45 so we pushed on to Hastings and had a nice time on the beach throwing pebbles into the surf. Then headed up to the town for a bite to eat, messy as ever.
At Midday I got the kids back in the car and went to Bodiam Castle as 'eldest daughter' was very keen to see a castle again. Not so keen that she'd stay awake for it though. All three of them had dropped off on the way so, I got a drink and stood by the car admiring the scenery. Quite a lovely way to pass the time and an unusal respite from the little ones.
My son woke up first and we had about 30 minutes to ourselves spotting swans, crows and early bumble bees before the girls woke up. It was getting close to 2 o'clock and we had to pick up my wife at 2:30 so, we had a very brief walk upto the castle before pushing on.
Once I had collected my wife we were on our usual Tuesday run back to the old place for her sign language course. We just had one stop to make to pick up a travel cot from a friend in the village who had borrowed it.
As we pulled away from her house, BLAP. Our son demonstrated, with some gusto, that he had come down with the bug the girls had just finished with. So that was the pukey end to a lovely day.
I should've known, it was going too well.
So tired
I need a break. It turns out that my eldest daughter's bout of sickness last week was not due to over indulgence as both of the twins have also been ill. Our little girl started on Sunday and her brother on Tuesday.
All three of the kids were only ill for about 12 hours but, it really screwed up the childcare arrangements. It also worried me as the whole family were ill over Christmas and the new year, the twins ended up in hospital for a short while with dehydration as they couldn't keep anything down.
Thankfully this latest bug was nowhere near as severe. Still it has meant I've taken a lot of short notice holiday so far this year and none of it for leisure reasons. I'm so drained.
All three of the kids were only ill for about 12 hours but, it really screwed up the childcare arrangements. It also worried me as the whole family were ill over Christmas and the new year, the twins ended up in hospital for a short while with dehydration as they couldn't keep anything down.
Thankfully this latest bug was nowhere near as severe. Still it has meant I've taken a lot of short notice holiday so far this year and none of it for leisure reasons. I'm so drained.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Shopping drains my soul
Ran the Darent Valley 10K yesterday. Slightly slower than the last few years but I will get faster now that my training is back on track after the terrible show I put in for the Hasting's run.
I only just got there in time. I sprinted from the car to the start line and 20 seconds later the race began, I was running along pinning my number on.
It was an early start, 08:30, so when I got home we went shopping. Mainly for my wife as she had to work Saturday and needed some retail therapy.
For a man, shopping with a woman is incredibly boring. They never seem to have any idea of what they want to buy. For the amount of time they spend shopping you'd think they'd have got a little better at it.
You have to traipse around from shop to shop and stand around for 30 minutes at each store. The larger shops have special holding areas for the husbands/boyfriends, these are disguised as sofas and chairs outside the fitting rooms. The really ought to put some computer and motoring magazines in those places.
You get to sit and veg out trying not to look like a peeping Tom whilst you wait for the chance to make appropriate noises when she asks your opinion on the dress/blouse/shoes. This is the point where young men get shot to pieces, they've yet to learn that when she asks what you think she doesn't want YOUR opinion she wants you to guess what SHE thinks of the item and then affirm HER ideas.
Younger women don't yet realise that their man couldn't give a flying fig about any item of clothing that isn't crotchless so they don't help the guy out. The more experienced lady shopper will give her man a big clue as to what she thinks when she asks him what he thinks.
This is some typical dialogue from a couple that have been together for at least 5 years:
Jenny: "This dress isn't very flattering is it." This means, It makes my arse look huge.
Brian: "No, I think the other, vastly more expensive one, was much better." This means, Phwoar, your arse looks good in that, if I agree to the more expensive dress maybe I'll get lucky tonight.
See? It's easy.
I only just got there in time. I sprinted from the car to the start line and 20 seconds later the race began, I was running along pinning my number on.
It was an early start, 08:30, so when I got home we went shopping. Mainly for my wife as she had to work Saturday and needed some retail therapy.
For a man, shopping with a woman is incredibly boring. They never seem to have any idea of what they want to buy. For the amount of time they spend shopping you'd think they'd have got a little better at it.
You have to traipse around from shop to shop and stand around for 30 minutes at each store. The larger shops have special holding areas for the husbands/boyfriends, these are disguised as sofas and chairs outside the fitting rooms. The really ought to put some computer and motoring magazines in those places.
You get to sit and veg out trying not to look like a peeping Tom whilst you wait for the chance to make appropriate noises when she asks your opinion on the dress/blouse/shoes. This is the point where young men get shot to pieces, they've yet to learn that when she asks what you think she doesn't want YOUR opinion she wants you to guess what SHE thinks of the item and then affirm HER ideas.
Younger women don't yet realise that their man couldn't give a flying fig about any item of clothing that isn't crotchless so they don't help the guy out. The more experienced lady shopper will give her man a big clue as to what she thinks when she asks him what he thinks.
This is some typical dialogue from a couple that have been together for at least 5 years:
Jenny: "This dress isn't very flattering is it." This means, It makes my arse look huge.
Brian: "No, I think the other, vastly more expensive one, was much better." This means, Phwoar, your arse looks good in that, if I agree to the more expensive dress maybe I'll get lucky tonight.
See? It's easy.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Old nag romps home
My wife had to work today to make up for the day she took off to look after our eldest daughter who was sick on Thursday.
I took the children shopping and got myself some new t-shirts. It's quite a job dragging three pre-schoolers 'round the shops on your own. In the afternoon I took the cheat's way out and dropped in on my Mum for a bit. It helps to spread the load.
It was the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles today. What dreary TV that made, the best bit was watching all the guests arrive for the blessing at Windsor. Some of the dresses were just appalling, do these women have no mirrors at home?
Also, it was the Grand National this afternoon so I put a fiver to win on 'Strong Resolve'. I should've kept it my wallet.
I took the children shopping and got myself some new t-shirts. It's quite a job dragging three pre-schoolers 'round the shops on your own. In the afternoon I took the cheat's way out and dropped in on my Mum for a bit. It helps to spread the load.
It was the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles today. What dreary TV that made, the best bit was watching all the guests arrive for the blessing at Windsor. Some of the dresses were just appalling, do these women have no mirrors at home?
Also, it was the Grand National this afternoon so I put a fiver to win on 'Strong Resolve'. I should've kept it my wallet.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Timelord
Steve was late for Sandra's leaving lunch at Amaretto on TCR. He's got a reputation for being a few minutes late for everything.
Since Christopher Eccleston has left the cast, I decided Steve would make a good choice for the next Dr. Who. He's always popping up in the wrong time zone too.
Since Christopher Eccleston has left the cast, I decided Steve would make a good choice for the next Dr. Who. He's always popping up in the wrong time zone too.
Liven up your commute
The tube isn't a nice place to be at rush hour but, the Northern line seems to be the worst. I'm 6' 4" tall and the trains on this line don't have much in the way of headroom. Thankfully the journey is quite short.
Still, the time drags because you've nothing to do. There's no room to read a book or newspaper and talking to a stranger is tantamount to admitting schizophrenia. Don't make eye contact and don't get caught looking at cleavage.
You have to find other ways to pass the time. There was a much shorter man standing directly in front of me. The top of his head only came up to my chest. I couldn't be blamed for breathing directly onto his bald spot through my nose, could I? It must have irritated the hell out of him. Ha.
Sometimes I feel I'll never grow up.
Still, the time drags because you've nothing to do. There's no room to read a book or newspaper and talking to a stranger is tantamount to admitting schizophrenia. Don't make eye contact and don't get caught looking at cleavage.
You have to find other ways to pass the time. There was a much shorter man standing directly in front of me. The top of his head only came up to my chest. I couldn't be blamed for breathing directly onto his bald spot through my nose, could I? It must have irritated the hell out of him. Ha.
Sometimes I feel I'll never grow up.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
You'll get tummy ache
Everything is new to kids. This probably why they hardly ever listen, they just don't believe you and haven't had the experience to know that someone else might know better.
Yesterday our 3 year old decided she'd like a pudding after her dinner. She knew we had some choclate mousses in the fridge, asked politely and my wife gave her one.
As an aside, I'm not sure how much longer this asking politely business is going to last. I suspect it'll stop shortly after she starts school but, I live in hope.
Anyway, the mousse disappeared in short order and she asked for another one. "No, if you have too much you'll get a tummy ache." advised her Mum.
Undeterred she waits 'til no one's looking and sneaks into the fridge for another treat. An hour later she's got the tummy ache Mummy warned her about.
I get home from work and we spend our usual half-hour sitting on the sofa together before her bedtime. This is precious time for me but was somewhat spoilt when the chocolate mousses made a grand, though not unexpected, reappearance.
Yummy!
Yesterday our 3 year old decided she'd like a pudding after her dinner. She knew we had some choclate mousses in the fridge, asked politely and my wife gave her one.
As an aside, I'm not sure how much longer this asking politely business is going to last. I suspect it'll stop shortly after she starts school but, I live in hope.
Anyway, the mousse disappeared in short order and she asked for another one. "No, if you have too much you'll get a tummy ache." advised her Mum.
Undeterred she waits 'til no one's looking and sneaks into the fridge for another treat. An hour later she's got the tummy ache Mummy warned her about.
I get home from work and we spend our usual half-hour sitting on the sofa together before her bedtime. This is precious time for me but was somewhat spoilt when the chocolate mousses made a grand, though not unexpected, reappearance.
Yummy!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Watch your weight
We were driving back from my Mum's last night on our usual Tuesday night run. We were a little earlier than usual so, not all of the kids were asleep.
My 3 year old daughter hears her Mum rustling a packet of crisps.
Daughter: "Mummy, can I have some of your bacon crips please?" Spelled phonetically of course.
Mummy: Through a mouthful of bacon snacks "There's none left. Daddy ate them all." You lying cow, I never even got a sniff.
Daughter: "Daddy, you shuttent eaten all o a crips. You'll get too fat and make children cry." Mummy is now blowing bacon bits out of her nose.
My 3 year old daughter hears her Mum rustling a packet of crisps.
Daughter: "Mummy, can I have some of your bacon crips please?" Spelled phonetically of course.
Mummy: Through a mouthful of bacon snacks "There's none left. Daddy ate them all." You lying cow, I never even got a sniff.
Daughter: "Daddy, you shuttent eaten all o a crips. You'll get too fat and make children cry." Mummy is now blowing bacon bits out of her nose.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Training day
Getting and staying motivated to run is a problem for me at the moment. If I keep running two or three times a week it's easy but let it slip for a week or two and ....
I love to get out and do a few miles but recently I haven't had the time to do it. The house was like a hospital ward over Christmas and the new year as everyone (except me) got this nasty bug that was doing the rounds. As the only one still standing I got left to fetch and carry for them all, mop their fetid brows and so on.
After that I had to spend every spare minute studying for this year's OU course. I got a week's extension for the assignment but I still missed that by four days.
So the Hastings half-marathon came up and I hadn't trained for nigh on three months. Now this course is a real cow, the first 2.5 to 3 miles go up/flat/up/flat etc. then the next 2.5ish miles are a steady climb with no flat breaks. Killer.
I'm not a great runner but, if I'd been training I could have expected to get home in under two hours but this time my left knee started divorce proceedings after about 4.5 miles.
Ordinarily, I would've given it up as a bad job but this year was the first time my little girl was old enough to understand that Daddy was in a race so I couldn't give up and go back to the finish in a St. John's ambulance unless my leg fell off. I mean, who wants their daughter to see Daddy fail, I've got my pride... So I limped the last 8.5 miles.
It started out as a nice sunny day, a bit windy and not too warm in the shade though. By the time I hit the seafront for the last two miles it was cloudy and threatening rain. The wind was blowing in from the sea and I couldn't feel my hands anymore. My forearms had gone a funny colour and I was waiting for the onset of hypothermia. I tried to run a few times but the pain was too much.
Even the two charity runners in inflatable sumo suits were overtaking me. Just when I thought I couldn't get any lower I was overtaken by a woman who had to weigh over 17 stone (240lbs). Fair play to her for making the effort and I wish her all the best for the future but I was way past demoralised after that.
Then I saw my Dad, he'd walked up from the finish to see were I was. The family knew I was quicker than this and were getting a little worried, especially when they heard sirens earlier on after some twunt had tried to jump over a gap in one of the cliffs and dropped down the crevice. Anyway, Dad brought with him items worth more than gold...
...gloves.
So, I limped over the finish line at 3hours. My little girl was waiting and despite most of the spectators having long since given up and gone to the pubs or cafes she still proudly told her Grandma, "My Daddy won the race, Grandma.". It made me want to cry.
So was it worth the pain, cold, humiliation and 30 mins it took me to stop shivering? You must be joking but, it won't stop me doing it again. Darrent Valley 10K here I come.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Pope's gone on
I was raised as Catholic, although I lapsed about twenty years ago. I'm not sure how to take the death of the Pope.
On a personal level, religion hasn't meant anything much to me for quite a while. At least that's what I kid myself, in reality I still worry about all kinds of things 'just in case' it's not all a load of rubbish. Who want's to burn in Hell or whatever the punishment would be?
It seems a little extreme and most of the time I just think organised religon is useful in keeping people on a decent moral footing so we're not all murdering and raping each other. But there are millions of people who genuinely believe in God(s).
Admittedly most of them find it hard to go through life without being told what to do but, the pope was obviously an intelligent man so, if it's all hokum why did he believe? Maybe he was instituionalised and lacked the life experience to prompt the doubts and questions at any serious level.
Perhaps I am the one who's wrong not believing and assuming that a lack of evidence of an afterlife and a deity means there is nothing. It does sadden me when I think that i'll be gone for good one day. I guess i'll just have to wait and see (or not).
Either way, belief or not, I still think it's self-evident that most of the religious tenets (regardless of denomination) came from men and not God(s). So organised worship is simply following the rules laid down by some men in power claiming to be speaking on God's behalf.
The best I can do is try and be a good guy without getting stitched up. Oh and teach my kids to do the same, especially the bit about not getting stitiched up.
On a personal level, religion hasn't meant anything much to me for quite a while. At least that's what I kid myself, in reality I still worry about all kinds of things 'just in case' it's not all a load of rubbish. Who want's to burn in Hell or whatever the punishment would be?
It seems a little extreme and most of the time I just think organised religon is useful in keeping people on a decent moral footing so we're not all murdering and raping each other. But there are millions of people who genuinely believe in God(s).
Admittedly most of them find it hard to go through life without being told what to do but, the pope was obviously an intelligent man so, if it's all hokum why did he believe? Maybe he was instituionalised and lacked the life experience to prompt the doubts and questions at any serious level.
Perhaps I am the one who's wrong not believing and assuming that a lack of evidence of an afterlife and a deity means there is nothing. It does sadden me when I think that i'll be gone for good one day. I guess i'll just have to wait and see (or not).
Either way, belief or not, I still think it's self-evident that most of the religious tenets (regardless of denomination) came from men and not God(s). So organised worship is simply following the rules laid down by some men in power claiming to be speaking on God's behalf.
The best I can do is try and be a good guy without getting stitched up. Oh and teach my kids to do the same, especially the bit about not getting stitiched up.
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